(Four Moons since arriving at the wall, Three and a half since the Long night fell)
Dorne 301 AC.
Mellario.
Watching the world turn to darkness had been perhaps the single most disturbing thing she'd ever experienced. Living in eternal night, seeing people panic as the sun no longer rose had almost left her at wit's end. Yet watching her daughter calm people and bring order where there was none had made her prouder than she had ever dreamed she could be. Arianne despite her own worries and concerns, both for the babe that grew within her and her husband who was off fighting a war, had put them aside for her people.
Her words resonated and when she told them that her husband and his dragon were fighting for the people of Dorne alongside her uncle their prince and the king himself, Mellario had seen some of the worries fade away. When she'd then saw that torches were lit and placed to offer the most light they could and that guards were to roam the streets carrying lanterns, not to subdue but to protect and offer assurance, then people soon began to calm.
Now moons later it had become almost an afterthought that you went to bed and rose to a moonless night. Her eyes had become accustomed to it, her moods had no longer swung because of it and instead, it was the babe her daughter carried that became her concern. That Tyrion wasn't here to hold Arianne's hand was something that she knew had led to tears falling from her more than once. Not having Ellaria and her cousins, Oberyn and even Trystane here had only added to those tears. So Mellario had done her best to offer her the comfort that those who weren't here could not.
She knew she had helped and that her daughter appreciated that help. Yet each night she went to her bed, Mellario prayed to any god that would listen to see this night end and her family returned safely to her. For Tyrion was her family now and she worried should he not return, then her daughter's heart would be broken never to recover. Not even the babe she was so close to delivering would fix the wound in her heart should she lose her husband, Mellario feared. It was why when the letters arrived she was so relieved to see Arianne's mood improve so completely.
"Mother, from Tyrion." Arianne said happily as she read it, her daughter smiling more than wiping her eyes which was something she was grateful for.
"What does he say, my love?" she asked once Arianne had finished.
"That the fight goes well and that their plans are working. He says the Wall has fallen and yet he welcomes it as that was not the fight they were meant to face. Oberyn is safe and well or as well as he ever can be." Arianne said with a chuckle and she wondered if Tyrion had used those exact words "That he misses me and wishes he could hold my hand, and rub my feet when they pain me so." Arianne said smiling broadly now.
She listened as her daughter told her the things she could and withheld things that she knew were between a man and wife. Oberyn's letter had her laughing even more and Mellario thanked her goodbrother for bringing her such cheer. Their dinner that night was a most welcome one, the mood in the palace improved dramatically by Arianne's own joy. Mellario even noticing a smile on Areo's face as her daughter made fun of her faithful guard.
When she took to her bed it was in a much better mood than it had been when she woke and yet her worries were soon to return. The sounds of screaming woke her up and she ran barely dressed from her room to her daughter's to find it a hive of activity. Maester Myles, some acolytes, Areo, and some of Arianne's ladies all huddled around the bed as her daughter cried out in pain.
"Ari, Ari, my love." she said moving to her and not realizing it was the babe that was causing her daughter's distress, were it not for Myles's words she'd not have gotten an answer either as Arianne was in no state to do so.
"The babe is coming, my lady, I needs must see to the princess." Myles said and when Mellario moved to send the girls away, Arianne grabbed her hand and shook her head thinking she was leaving her alone.
"I'll not leave you, my love. I swear it." she said as Arianne nodded relievedly.
It took her some time to get the ladies to leave, their worries for their princess and friend clear, and only her ordering them to do so seemed to do the trick. Once they were gone, she then moved back to the bed and took a seat beside her daughter. Mellario's hand reached out for Arianne's and the look her daughter wore showed her gratefulness that she was not alone and yet her worry for what was to come.
"All will be well, Ari. The babe is coming and soon you'll be holding your child in your arms and all else will simply cease to be." she said as she stroked her head gently.
"Tyrion…" Arianne asked worriedly.
"Has his own work to do and when he returns you can show him the babe that you and he made together." she said softly, her smile one to comfort rather than a true one.
"Should I…if I…." Arianne began but Mellario shook her head.
"You and my grandchild will both be well, Ari, I know this is true with all my heart. Take comfort in my surety, my love, take comfort in that." she said as she leaned forward and kissed her daughter's forehead.
The night seemed never-ending which given it had not for moons was something that would have made her laugh, had she not been so worried about her daughter. Three babes she'd brought into the world and all had come easier than this one and despite herself a part of her feared for the worse. Seeing the blood being cleaned up, this was even more so. Myles though showed no such concerns, Arianne despite the pain she was going through bore it well and so she resolved to think likewise.
At what point she heard the sound of the babe crying out she knew not, only that she looked down to see the tuft of dark hair and to hear the babe proving that they had a fine set of lungs.
"The babe, Ari, the babe is here." she said as her daughter closed her eyes from the exertion.
"A boy, princess, a healthy boy." Myles said his smile beaming as he held the babe and handed him to one of the acolytes to clean.
It took some time for him to clean up the bed and to change the sheets, Arianne dozing off to sleep while he did so. Mellario looked worriedly at her daughter only for Myles to smile at her and shake his head.
"The princess is well, my lady. Never have I seen a more healthy mother and babe." Myles said as she looked at him and tried to discern if he was lying.
"For true, Maester?" she asked and he nodded vigorously.
"On my oath, my lady. I have no concerns for either the princess or the prince, I swear it." Myles said and Mellario felt a weight being removed from her at the words the younger man spoke.
Rising to her feet she walked to the small crib her grandson was laying it. Her hand reaching down to touch his fingers and laughing when he gripped one of her own. His little ones were not able to fully grasp it and yet she felt his strength and was comforted greatly by that and by his smile. He was as tanned as her daughter was and the hair on his head as dark as Arianne's too. His eyes though were a bright green and were striking as they took the world in, or seemed to at least.
"My babe, where is my babe" Arianne called out worriedly from the bed and so Mellario reached down and picked her grandson up and carried him to the bed.
"Your son, my love. Your healthy and beautiful son." she said as she handed her daughter the precious bundle.
To see such joy on her eldest child's face was something she'd take with her to her grave. True and total and complete, Mellario believing that to be allowed to witness such a thing was surely a gift from the gods.
"Lewyn, my son, my sweet son." Arianne said as she smiled beamingly at the babe she held and Mellario felt the name was a worthy one for the future of their house.
White Harbor/King's Landing 301 AC.
Wyman Manderly.
The world falling into darkness was perhaps the scariest thing he'd faced in his life other than the births of his sons and granddaughters. Was he a younger man when it happened, then it may have stilled him to inaction such was the worry it caused. Wyman though was an older more experienced man than he had once been and his duties and responsibilities weren't just to his family, but to his people and his king too.
That he'd had help from his sons, his granddaughter, and her betrothed, and from his most Leal men was something he was grateful for and so he'd immediately set White Harbor to rights. Torches were lit, guards were put on patrol so his people felt safe and had someone to easily reach out to and help assuage their own doubts and worries. Preparations were made for those who hadn't yet arrived at the city to be brought to it post-haste. Wylis taking on the responsibility himself to send out parties of guards with torches and supplies, so that they could escort the large and small groups that now made their way to White Harbor in total darkness.
Watching Wylla and Martyn brought a smile to his face and comforted him greatly. His granddaughter and her betrothed taking on the responsibility to go out and about in the city to speak to and offer comfort to any that they could. Wendel remarked on it more than once about just how good a job they did and it made him proud to see them both show such initiative. In time a new normal had begun to take hold in the city, the night an annoyance rather than something to be fearful about and life returning to somewhat normal. Then the birds chirped loudly and his king's message was received loud and clear.
"Find my sons and granddaughter, have Ser Martyn and Ser Marlon brought to me." he said to his guards and his servants, each of them rushing off in different directions once he'd given his orders.
He had hoped this day would not come, that his king's worst fears would remain simply that. So much so that he and Jaehaerys had almost argued when he'd been told that his sons wouldn't be riding with him to the Wall. Wyman knowing they'd both feel the shame of it. Until he'd then been told that neither would Howland, Jorah, or Maege and that there were others of the South who'd not be going. That and that they would be far more needed where they were.
"I'll not take, Martyn either Wyman. Though I need fierce fighters with me, I'll not take many who I'd name as good and true. Lord Gerion will remain in the West, Ser Barristan, and more of the Kingsguard with my wife and daughter in King's Landing. The Stormlords and most of the Vale lords too will have their own parts to play and that won't be at the Wall or in the North." Jae said looking at him far more seriously than he normally did.
"You fear you'll lose?" he said almost shocked.
"I will win, Wyman, no matter what I must do I will win, for I can't afford to lose. So no it's not a fear of a loss that makes me do this. I may have a need to see the North evacuated, the entire North, every man, woman, and child. I may have a need to call upon men to add to mine own forces and I'll certainly have a need for men to organize and protect those who cannot fight." Jae said as he laid out his plans and Wyman was stunned at the scale of them and to find that it wouldn't just be him taking the people of the North to the South.
He, Wylis, and Wendel along with their captains had adapted those plans somewhat. They'd arranged for ships to be filled with supplies of food, blankets, and water and had called back the entirety of their fleet. By the time Night had fallen there was not enough room in White Harbor itself to dock all their ships. He had even needed to take a boat himself to The Western Wolf to see that their passage was clear when the time had come. Which it now had and he breathed relievedly to see both his sons, Ser Marlon, Wylla, and Martyn arrive as quickly as they did.
"The time has come, the king's orders have been given. Every man, woman, and child are to board a ship and to set sail for King's Landing." he said to a shocked gasp from Wylla which Martyn's embrace soon comforted.
"It has truly come to this, father?" Wylis asked worriedly.
"The king planned for such a contingency, it's up to us to see those plans are carried out. I wish to be at sea by week's end." he said and both his sons and Ser Marlon nodded as did Ser Martyn and Wylla too now that she'd composed herself.
It was to be sooner than that, Wyman stunned by how quickly and orderly the ships were loaded and had begun to set sail. How many people were in his city by the time the call had come he knew not, but within five days of that call, it was a very easy question to answer, none. He himself was the last to board a ship, the city in darkness as he walked on board carrying the last remaining lit torch and swore to himself that he and they would return. This was not like his family's exile from the Reach, this was a tactical retreat, nothing more.
As per his instructions, the Western Wolf set off at a quicker pace than the other ships had. Wyman wanting his flagship to lead the way and be the first to arrive in King's Landing. It was not cowardice nor a sense of self-importance that were his reasons for this. Instead, it was knowing that his people needed to see him lead and once they arrived in King's Landing, it would be to him they'd look first. He, his sons, Martyn and Wylla would each play their part in seeing their people settled when they arrived and they needed to be there first to do so.
"Our king fights the good fight and I've no doubt he and the good men of the North, West, Dorne, and all those who fight alongside him will be victorious. We have set sail not because I fear defeat but because our king bid us to. Your safety is the king's and mine own's greatest concern and so fear not and know that the Long Night shall not last forever and our exile shall be but temporary." he said as he addressed those who sailed the Western Wolf with him.
He'd mixed them up with the wealthy merchants of the city and the poorest of his people along with those who'd come from far and wide. Each of them was equally important to his king and so he'd agreed with Martyn and Wylla when they'd suggested he fill the ships this way.
"Three cheers for the King and those who fight for the Dawn." Wendel called out.
"The King and the Warriors of the Light." Martyn shouted.
"The King and the Warriors of the Light."
"The King and the Warriors of the Light."
"The King and the Warriors of the Light."
Men, women, and even children cheered loudly on deck, and below it, across the entire fleet he knew words similar to their own were being shouted too. Morale was important and he'd not have them arrive in King's Landing already broken and fearful. As they passed Seal Rock he knew that were he not on his ship and listening to the cheers there and instead was standing on the Rock itself, he'd have heard them ring out in the night. As it was though he'd not change where he was for anything in the world. Wyman knew he was exactly where his king wished him to be.
The winds were good and the seas smooth and he felt the gods were on their side, both his king's and his own. Each night he invited different people to sup at his table, a common family of three, a merchant and his wife, the captain of his guards and his family. Wylla and Martyn alternated from sitting with him and his sons to sitting at another table with children, smallfolk and nobles alike. Their conversation never stilting and his granddaughter and her future husband entrancing each and everyone with the ease they spoke to them.
It took less than a week to see Blackwater Bay or to arrive at it at least as it was hard to see much in the bay itself. Something you could not say about the city. As King's Landing shone brightly like a beacon and he knew he was not alone on the deck of one of their ships looking out at the lights with a smile on his face. As they docked he heard the gasp from Wylla and it took him a moment to see why that was. The sight of Ghost and the men in white cloaks only paling by the sight of the queen as she held the princess and welcomed them to the city herself. Wyman almost hurrying down the gangplank to take a knee in front of her.
"Your grace." he said almost disbelievingly.
"Rise Lord Wyman and be welcomed to King's Landing." the queen said smiling beamingly at him and at Wylla, Martyn, and the others, the princess in her arms and he swore she wore the exact same smile on her face "Sers Alliser and Jaremy along with the men of the Dragon's Teeth will see that the good and true men and women of the North are helped to their accommodations and your own rooms at the Red Keep are already prepared for you and your family." the queen said as Wylla moved forward to look at the princess and laugh when with a nod from the queen she was allowed to hold her.
"I thank you, your grace, as does the North itself." he said.
"There is no need, Lord Wyman, the North and yourself are most welcome here, most welcome indeed." the queen said as then he turned to Lady Dacey who welcomed him just as warmly.
A little further away stood Lady Sansa, Lady Joy, Lady Mira, and the queen's other ladies in waiting. Wyman looking at them as they stood by while carts carrying food for his people and sweet candies for the children were moved closer. The girls themselves then began to hand it out to those who had disembarked the Western Wolf and the other ships that had since joined them.
The queen stayed a number of hours and even when her mother had come to take the princess back to the Red Keep, Ghost following behind them both as they left, Margaery still stayed to welcome as many as she could herself. All her ladies of waiting too, as well as some young girls he knew not who spoke to the children and soon had them laughing, all did everything they could to make their arrival a pleasant one. It took two days to empty the ships, far less time than it had taken to fill them. Wyman was amazed by how organized they were and by the arrangements they had made.
He and his family were housed in rooms adjoining his office and though he'd welcomed them, he had also insisted that he be taken to where his people were to be housed. There were manses with gardens filled with tents, large buildings that though cramped weren't overly so and some were even housed with the families that lived in the city. None seemed perturbed by this, not even those who had known a more luxurious life in White Harbor.
"We're all in this together, my lord." Rendal Chaimbers told him as he, his wife, and daughter moved into a single room with three beds, the man was a silversmith who owned a large premises in White Harbor, and yet Wyman had not doubted that he meant the words he spoke.
"Our king will be more than happy to know that, Rendal." he said and the man laughed.
"I look forward to seeing him again, though at least for now my girl can see The Ghost once more."
As he settled into his own rooms, Martyn came to him bearing a note that he'd been given by the queen. A note not written in her hand and instead written in his king's and as he read it, he wiped a tear from his eye. The words that it bore were simple and direct and yet to him they meant the world.
Wyman,
Thank you for all you've done. It will be remembered by a most grateful friend.
Jae.
The West and the Riverlands 301 AC.
Kevan.
After he had brought the ships in and seen the people settled, he'd then readied for what he'd needed to do. The men he'd gathered would soon be set to ride and he with them and he both looked forward to it and wished he'd not needed to go. Not for himself, he longed to take part in the fight to come, to play his part and see the realm safe and his family secure. It was for Dorna, Lancel Willem, and Janei and for his sister, brother, and grandnieces, and nephews.
They held more family dinners in those last few days than he could count. Kevan was keen to spend as much time with his wife and children as he could while doing the same with his family at Casterly Rock. The night before he left, Gerion bid him join him and they soon made their way to the Rock's highest point. His brother envied him he knew and yet he very much did not as he had no wish to leave his wife until their child was born.
Kevan knew how much it hurt his brother that he had found himself so torn, that he could not fight by Jaime, Tyrion, and Jae's side or be with Joy in King's Landing. The role he'd been given was one that Kevan was sure was to force him to remain here. It made him wonder if Jae knew that his brother was to be a father again, given all the other things he knew it would not be something he'd put past him. For now though it was other thoughts that were in his head and as they stood looking out on the darkness he began to laugh, catching Gerion by surprise.
"Something amuses you, brother?" Gerion asked smirking.
"Aye, the view." he said laughing fuller now.
"And what a view it is, why I swear I can see at least five, maybe six feet." Gerion said laughing with him, the two of them perhaps looking like fools to the guards behind them.
It took a few moments for the laughter to quiet down, the silence then an unwelcome one and it was Gerion who broke it.
"Our sister is most wroth with you, most wroth indeed." Gerion said and Kevan nodded.
"She wishes me to stay, as does Dorna and the boys, even Janei has begged me to, and by the gods to have to refuse her was harder than anything I've done in my life, I'll not lie." he said before he turned to Gerion "You'll not tell me to stay?" he asked and Gerion shook his head.
"I'll not, I wish I was able to go with you. That I'd not been ordered to stay behind by command of the king." Gerion said, his annoyance and acceptance both coming across in his voice "I understand the why of it though. I'd simply remind you what Genna will no doubt, though I wager our sister will do so far better than I."
"She does everything better than you, or me for that matter." he said to a laugh from his brother.
"Aye, that's the truth. By the gods had she been born a son then I fear the realm wouldn't have been able to contain her, it barely can as it is." Gerion said fondly before he turned to look at him and then placed his arms on his shoulders before he pulled him into a hug.
It was the first one they'd shared in gods knew how many years and he was soon embracing Gerion just as firmly as he was being embraced by him.
"I love you, brother. Be safe, take no more risk than is needed and return to your family. I love you and I wished for you to know that." Gerion said and Kevan had to fight hard to keep his emotions in check.
"I love you too, Gerion. I'm glad we got the time we did and I've no intention of this being the last time I see you." he said and Gerion laughed catching him by surprise.
"I should hope not, our sister wishes to feast you before you leave, only a fool would not turn up for one of Genna's feasts and while you are foolish brother mine, you're no fool." Gerion said, Kevan chuckling even as they walked back down to the family wing.
The feast had been a large one and though Genna had kept a smile on her face, her worry and sadness at his departure was plain to see. Two days after the feast he said his goodbyes to his wife and children, Janei crying in his arms and that alone was almost enough to make him stay. He told his wife how much he loved her, Lancel and Willem how proud of both of them that he was, and he kissed his daughter when she was back in her mother's arms.
Tommen and Myrcella he had hugged and he told them they were both fine children, Lannisters through and through regardless of the names they bore, and as their granduncle he could ask for no truer kin than they. Gerion japed and made light and he'd kissed Ashara on the cheek and told her that he looked forward to meeting his new grandniece or nephew on his return and then he'd stood face to face with his sister. Who moved first he couldn't tell, whose arms held who the tightest was unknown to him, who cried first, that had been him.
"You are not to die, you hear me, you are not to die. Bring them back to me, Kevan, bring our family back, all of them. Jaime, Tyrion, Loras, and Jae, you bring them back and you bring yourself back, or else when I see you in the next world you'll face my wrath." Genna whispered in his ear as he held her tightly.
"I love you, little sister." he said.
"Aye, I know, I l love you too, big brother." she said and as he moved away from her and climbed on his horse, he prayed to the seven that he'd see her once again.
Sailing to Seagard found a change come over him, worries, doubts, fears, all seemed to fade away and it took him some time to realize why that was. It wasn't that he didn't feel any of those things, it was that he couldn't bring them into battle with him. So by the time they arrived and he and his men had left the ships and rode out of the city, he was in a frame of mind that he knew would serve him well. Behind him, he led almost 5,000 men, all mounted and all men who'd volunteered to follow him into this fight. Not one man had he ordered to do so and not one man he'd looked in the eye had refused to come.
It had made him so very proud of them and though there were some fears, as they reached the rest of the army they soon faded away. Even Kevan himself was shocked by the sheer size of it and more so later on when he spoke to Lord Tytos, Lord Yohn, Ser Richard, and others and found that the king, Jaime, the princess, and Tyrion, and their men hadn't yet arrived. They were given tents and over the next few days their orders, though they were told that when the king himself arrived those orders would or could be changed.
Less than a week after arriving he had been walking in the camps with Ser Richard when the dragons were seen, the princess and Tyrion had arrived and Kevan was not the only man that cheered loudly at the sight of them.
The Riverlands 301 AC.
Loras.
They had marched and marched hard, stopping off in keeps and keeping to the rivers where they could. Each day they'd done so the prince and princess would take to their dragons and bring the fight to the army of the dead. While he, Garin, and their men had not fought one battle or one skirmish even since they'd left Eastwatch. It had at first frustrated him greatly, Loras feeling they were running away rather than fighting and not truly understanding why that was.
Jae was no craven and though they'd suffered losses, they were still almost completely intact. The men were itching for a fight as was he and yet there was no fight to be had. Instead, they marched, set up camp, woke early the next day, and repeated the process. For weeks, moons this had been their routine and it was only that it was so damn tiring or the complaints would have begun. As it was questions had started to be asked, doubts had crept in and faith in their king and his plans had begun to waver.
He'd done his best to let people know that their king had a plan, Tyrion and Daenerys too had spoken up and done a more than decent enough job he felt. Yet it was Garin who had probably best of all managed to offer up the words that were needed. Both to the men and to him himself as they would lay together in their tent. Jae had a plan he said and he knew that Loras believed in his king more than any, so why would he doubt him now? Why would he not think that all they were doing was all that was needed to be done? Garin had questioned him and made him admit something he wasn't sure he was ready to admit, his own fears and doubts soon coming to the fore.
"I fear he wishes to keep me out of the fight, that our friendship clouds his mind." he said as they lay in their bed, Garin shaking his head and brushing his hair from his face, hair that had grown much longer on this march.
"While I know how Jae thinks of you, I know that's not the case, Loras. True he'd not wish you to risk yourself unnecessarily, but in time we'll all have no choice but to fight and I believe Jae knows this better than any of us." Garin said.
"Then why are we not?" he asked, not petulantly but needing to know.
"Because we'll lose." Garin said catching him so by surprise that his gasp was far louder than he had meant for it to be.
"We can't lose." he said determinedly.
"And so we'll not." Garin said, his tone matching his own.
"But you said…" he asked confusedly.
"I said that if we fight we'll lose, which is why we've not fought. What do you think Jae is doing right now? Or when the prince and princess fly off, what do you think they're doing?"
"Facing the dead." he said, this time with some petulance in his voice.
"Taking the dead from him, Loras, a few more each and every day until the day comes and the true fight is upon us. Then we'll fight, all of us, then we'll fight and we'll win." Garin said and Loras found he could not doubt his love's words.
Garin said those same words to the men, the princess too spoke them aloud as did Prince Tyrion. He too began to speak them to all who'd shown concern. Loras adding in his own adventures with Jae and showing his own faith was still as true as ever. Feeling somewhat shamed by the doubts he'd had, though knowing that perhaps he was not alone in doubting and that Jae himself perhaps doubted once or twice on this march.
He knew that to be even more true when Tyrion told him of Aemon's fall, Loras shedding tears both for the prince himself and for how his friend would take the loss. When the letters arrived from his family, he shed even more tears. Margaery and his grandmother both writing in the same note while his father, mother, and brother wrote in another. It comforted him to read their words and to imagine their voices as he read the letters. Just as much as it comforted him that he'd been able to send his own to them to let them know he was well.
"I miss you all too." he said softly as he kissed each of the letters and placed them in a small pouch he wore on around his neck.
When they reached the Neck he heard the cheers go up from the Northmen amongst them, those cheers only ringing louder when they reached the Moat. The men were more than happy to have another keep to spend a night in and Loras was keen to find out if news had arrived from Jae and the others. In this, he was lucky and yet not, news had arrived that they marched too but that was it. Loras feeling somewhat disappointed in this and yet soon enough they were marching again and he then had other things to think about.
Were someone to ask him how he knew they were no longer in the North, he'd not be able to tell them. Yet he knew and just doing so gave him the strength to march a little straighter the next day and the day after that. Loras then almost falling to his knees in shock when he saw the army that was spread out in front of them once they were in the Riverlands proper. He'd known that Jae had made other plans, but this was not what he'd expected. Rows upon rows of tents, wind wheels, catapults, and trebuchets. Sigils from the Stormlands, Vale, West, Crownlands, and the Riverlands themselves and he swore he saw one or two that were from the Iron Islands.
Apart from Dorne and the North, all the kingdoms were represented and those that were missing were soon to arrive led by their king. The entire realm had come out to face the threat that came their way and his tiredness and last remaining doubts were soon a thing of the past. Loras smiling as they were greeted by Ser Richard Lonmouth and the Blackfish and as he heard the dragons as they flew in the air. It was to be here in this place that the fight was to be won or lost. Though not quite the Trident itself as it was the Green Fork that flowed nearby, he felt a shiver go down his spine when he thought that it was to once again be that river that defined the course of the realm.
"Ser Loras, it's good to see you, you too Prince Garin." Ser Richard said welcoming them both and taking Loras from the thoughts in his head.
"Has there been word from the king?" he asked, forgoing the greeting for now so eager was he to hear and to see Jae and Jaime once again.
"They march, Loras, they march and shall soon be with us, on that I have no doubt." Ser Richard said and Loras nodded, for he too doubted it not.
The Neck 301 AC.
Oberyn.
Was anyone to ask it of him, he'd freely admit he slept far better after they left Winterfell than he did anytime up until then. Knowing that his nephew would be marching with them and not spending his days facing the dead upon Rhaenix's back was a comfort. Not just to him, Jae's other uncles and cousins, Jaime, Garlan, or his Kingsguard, but to the Free Folk, Northmen, Nights Watch, and men of the Company of the Rose too.
That his nephew wasn't as tired as he would be when he returned from facing off against the dead each day was a boon too. Nights were now spent in conversation and with Jae singing and playing his harp, rather than his nephew almost needing to be forced to his bed. When they rode, Jae would take time to speak to men, to ride alongside different groups and each night they camped would find his nephew strolling through the camp with Lightbringer in his hand and that alone was something that raised spirits. Though Oberyn believed even were Jae to keep the sword sheathed, his presence, words of comfort, and thanks would have been more than enough to do so.
His own spirits had been raised by the letters he had received as well, as had Jaime's, Garlan's, Jae's other uncles and his cousins, and even some of the Free Folk. Mance finding out his wife and babe were safe and well on Dragonstone. What cheered them most and brought a smile to all their faces was the reaction and the shouts from Tormund when Jae himself read his letter to him.
"What do you mean he fucking stole her? "Tormund shouted out loudly, Oberyn, Ned, and Jaime hurrying to the fire where Jae sat with the large man and the other Free Folk chieftains.
Not out of any fear for Jae's safety as both Arthur and Jors were close by and their swords remained sheathed. More for the potential of a night's japing and listening to Tormund rant and rave. You took your entertainment where you could get it while on the road and Tormund was nothing if not entertaining.
"I believe she stole him, Tormund." Jae said a smirk that threatened to become a full smile on his face, while Benjen Stark and Val along with Mance all tried not to laugh too loudly.
"A fucking kneeler, you're telling me my baby girl is now stuck with a fucking kneeler." Tormund said angrily.
"Maybe she couldn't find a bear in the woods, Tormund." Mance said and Oberyn swore if looks could kill, then the King Beyond the Wall would be dead.
"I'll not have it." Tormund said loudly and angrily before he quietened for a few moments and then spoke again "How do I know this man is worthy of my girl?" he added with a loud sigh.
"The man is goodbrother to the Smalljon, Tormund, kin to him and you think the Smalljon worthy do you not?" Jae asked.
"Aye, for a fucking kneeler he's not bad." Tormund said resignedly.
"What's that you say about Goatsbane?" The Smalljon said laughing as he held his mug of ale in his hand and walked towards them.
"Tormund's got a new goodson, Smalljon, his daughter stole herself a knight. Your goodbrother, Ser Perwyn." Jae said and Oberyn swore that he'd not seen his nephew so relaxed and full of life for many moons.
"A good man and true, Tormund, a man I'm happy to name as my goodbrother, even if he is a Frey." Smalljon said and Oberyn almost fell down he laughed so hard at the looks that Tormund shot his nephew and the way that Jae moved back a little, in jest though it was.
"A FREY, A FUCKING FREY. A WEASEL. YOU'D HAVE ME GIVE MY DAUGHTER TO A WEASEL." Tormund's voice boomed and though he was angered it was to laughs and no fears that his words were listened to.
"Save your breath for cooling your porridge, Tormund. Now take a fucking seat before I have Rhaenix take you in the air and drop you on your head until you see sense." Jae said the lightness in his voice belying the words he spoke.
"But a weasel, Jae." Tormund said almost whiningly as he all but collapsed beside Jae.
"More Ale, it's going to be a long night." Jae said to loud laughs, his own among them and Oberyn swore it was the first time any of them had laughed at those words since darkness had fallen.
By the time Jae made for his bed, Tormund was very drunk and loudly daring anyone to speak ill of his new goodson. The next morning as they rode he was happy to have Jae ride alongside him and Jaime Lannister. His nephew's spirits too had been raised by him riding with them and Oberyn was perhaps even more grateful for that. As he had feared the loss of his aunt and uncle would have been too much for him to bear.
While Jae was certain that he could bring Shiera back and Oberyn had full faith in him, he wasn't quite as sure. Aemon though was lost to them and while he, Jaime, Ned, Benjen, and even Arthur had brought it up, his nephew had no wish to speak on it. Not for now at least.
"I'll mourn him for true when I can, Oberyn, then I'll more than welcome an uncle's concern. Now I have too much to think on, too much to do and so it's there my mind must go and there it shall." Jae said and Oberyn had nodded hoping his nephew knew best.
They rode together for another day and then finally he saw the Moat in front of them, turning to Jae, he could see the relieved breath that he took at the sight. While he didn't like that he flew on his dragon while they spent a night under the keeps roofs, he knew it was needed and Jae had promised he'd not engage with the Night King unless he must. The next day when they left the Moat it was with the entire household of the keep too. Oberyn watching as Jae, Arthur and Jors rode to the end of the line. Jae waiting for the full army to march past before his nephew then turned and rode too.
"I hope to return, sooner rather than later, uncle. To see my mother's resting place and offer my respects once more, but not today." Jae said softly to him as they left the North "Not today."
King's Landing 302 AC.
Margaery.
She made her way to the Small Council chambers for the meeting, one that she had considered having in her own solar but had decided not to. Given that it was only her, Gormon, Wyman, Monford, and Willas along with her grandmother there was really no need to have it take place there, and yet for some reason she wished it to. Perhaps it was because she missed having them in the room, or maybe it was that being there made her almost see those who were not. Jaime, Oberyn, Ser Richard Lonmouth, and of course her husband.
Entering the room she sighed when she looked to the two chairs side by side and with a nod to Barristan, she waited until he'd moved Jae's one away, and then she took her seat. Normally she'd be the last to arrive and she wasn't left waiting for long, but she'd for some reason wished to be here early. Sitting down in her seat she closed her eyes and it was almost as if she could see and hear them there in the room. Ser Richard telling them all the latest whispers from his lips, Oberyn trying to get Jae to laugh, Jaime laying out the key points they needed to know, and her husband speaking either firmly or making japes. When her grandmother took her seat and touched her hand, Margaery for a moment forgot Jae wasn't here and called out his name.
"Jae." she said smiling only to open her eyes and to see her grandmother look at her sympathetically.
"Sweetling?" her grandmother said softly and Margaery shook her head and offered up a smile to tell her that she was feeling well and wasn't upset, only the first part of that true.
Lord Monford and Grandmaester Gormon were the next to arrive and then Willas and Wyman arrived together a few moments later. Margaery was happy to have the Lord of White Harbor here in King's Landing and she knew that her husband would be much relieved that he, his family, Martyn, and the people of White Harbor and beyond had made it without loss. She waited until they had taken their seats and began the meeting, asking Lord Monford if preparations were ready should their own signal to evacuate come.
"They are your grace. As Lord Wyman did in White Harbor, we've brought the entire fleet back to Westeros, they stand ready should they be needed." Lord Monford said and she gave the man a small nod to show her pleasure at his words.
"Grandmaester, news from the realm?" she asked.
"The Western Fleet stands ready, your grace, as do the ships that sailed from Bear Island. In Seagard the ships have already set off and Lady Greyjoy has begun its own evacuation." Gormon said.
"The Northerners who marched, your grace? Lord Reed and Lady Stark?" Wyman asked and Margaery turned to look at him.
"Were to be moved to the Iron Islands as per his grace's instructions, Lord Wyman. Seagard was just a temporary respite." she said and while she knew that Wyman like others had no great love for the Ironborn, he and they had accepted Asha to be a different sort and in this, they were all in it together.
"Have the evacuations begun elsewhere, Grandmaester?" her grandmother asked and the Grandmaester shook his head.
"I'm not certain, my lady. Though I would imagine if Seagard is being evacuated then any keep North of it has too and in time those to the south…."
The Grandmaester didn't finish his words upon seeing her expression, Gormon knowing full well that the only reason those south of the Twins would be given word to abandon their homes was if the worst happened. Some places like Seagard were too close to the line Jae had drawn across the realm and would need more time to be evacuated and so couldn't wait, others would only be so if they were not able to hold that line.
"Food Willas, how are our stocks?" she asked changing the subject as she turned to her brother.
"Very good, your grace. We've been well prepared and Lord Wyman ensured that they brought as many supplies with them as could be carried. I've no fear that we'll run out, my queen." Willas said and Margaery turned to her grandmother.
"The harvest?" she asked seeing her grandmother's smile.
"Most was gathered before the Long Night fell, leaving little to be harvested once it had. The re-sowing was more problematic but your father assures me it's been done. The lack of sun, however, may mean that next year's harvest will be of a poorer quality." her grandmother said and Margaery took great relief in that, this year, get through this year and then they'd find a way to manage the next.
"I thank you all." she said rising, her grandmother doing likewise and it was with her by her side that she walked from the room.
It did comfort her, the words she'd heard and her daily walks in the city to see the people were doing well. She knew that it comforted the people to see her and speak to her, to listen as she told them all that Jae was doing. Margaery making up most of it as she truly knew not exactly what it was her husband did. Other than fight to protect the realm, his family and her and Elia most of all. As she reached her room, she heard the sounds of laughter, and entering it she found Joy, Joanna, Balerion, and Ghost all playing with Elia. The words the girl was speaking to her daughter quickly bringing a smile to both her and her grandmother's faces.
"You like Strawbellies, Lia? Hmm, Strawbellies Yummy. Ballon no like, only Anna, me and you like Strawbellies."
"Go for ride on Horsey, on Apples, no not now when you're bigger Lia."
"On Dragon?"
"Soon you'll have indoor horsey too, won't she Anna?"
She saw her grandmother shake her head in amusement at Joy's little game, Margaery looking over to her mother and to Dacey who sat a few feet away and she wondered where Jon was only to see him laying on the couch asleep. As soon as her daughter saw her, her games with Joy and Joanna were forgotten and Margaery was soon laughing as Elia ran to her.
"Mama, Strawbelly." Elia said, her face and dress covered in berry juice and Joy looking at her guiltily.
"Why thank your princess." she said as Elia giggled when she picked her up in her arms and then almost stuffed the strawberry in her mouth.
Later that night after they'd eaten and she'd put Elia to bed, she lay in her own and felt the tears threaten to fall. Their daughter had grown up so much, her dragon had grown so much and Jae had missed it all. More than four moons he'd been away from them and it was getting harder and harder for her to manage without him. Not the realm, or even with Elia, her daughter had been told by her, by Joy, and by others that her papa had gone to Bring the Dawn. Something she had then interpreted as her father was chasing the son on his dragon's back and when he caught it, then he would return.
No for Margaery it was for herself that she was having trouble, she missed the feel of him in her arms, his lips when he kissed her, and the nights and sometimes days when they lay together. Reaching to the table beside her bed she took the chest and opened it. Inside were the gifts that he'd given her over the years, the letters he'd written her, and the small pin he'd given her. After what had happed with Jae and Shiera in King's Landing she'd wished for nothing to do with this pin, she'd thrown it away only to be relieved when Shiera gave it back to her. The pin wasn't evil or bad, it was a gift given in love and so she'd welcomed its return. Now even more so as she once again pricked her finger and prayed that she'd see her husband again.
"Please, take me to my love." she said softly as she closed her eyes.
The glade was empty as she moved through it, the Weirwood tall and true and she looked to see Jon standing there, he was taller, older, his hair was longer and his body more filled out. She moved towards him and he turned and smiled, the red three-headed dragon pendant clear even in the dim light of the glade.
"I knew you'd come." he said and she found herself lost in his touch as he reached his hand out to brush it against her face.
"Always. Jon what is this place?" she asked.
"This is our place my love, a place for us to be who we truly are." Jon said and as his fingers wrapped around her own she looked at the ring on his hand,
The ring was the Targaryen sigil, the three-headed dragon though quartered and she had never seen Jon wear it before, nor had she ever seen him so clearly dressed as what he was, a dragon. When he moved in close she felt his lips on hers, felt his hands as they wrapped around her, and next she knew they were leaning against the tree, her head resting against his own.
"I must go soon my love, the fight is almost here." Jon said and she looked at him willing him to stay.
"I don't want you to fight." she said shaking her head.
"Yet fight I must, I will win and I will see you soon, farewell my love." she heard his voice say as she found herself alone in the woods."
She remembered, she knew this place, this had been, was it then? Or was it now?
"Jae…Jae." she called out and then she saw him, he was running towards her and then she felt his arms around her as he lifted her up and those lips she'd missed so very much were now kissing her own.
"Is it, Jae, are you here? Is this a dream?" she asked as she stared into his eyes.
"No, the pin, you used the pin?" he asked and she nodded as she bit her lip, the worry coming to her then.
"Marge, I think…gods, how could we not know?" he said as he took her hand and led her to the tree.
"Know?" she asked confused.
"It wasn't then, Marge, it was now. We were given a glimpse of now." he said softly as they sat down, Margaery leaning back against him and feeling his arms go around her once more, the comfort they offered was one she could get nowhere else.
"Are you safe, Jae, is it nearly done?" she asked worriedly and she felt him kiss her cheek.
"I'm as safe as I can be, Marge, and aye, it's near the end." he said and she shivered a little "Elia, tell me of our daughter." he said and she began to tell him all he'd missed, feeling his sadness over each moment and then hearing him laugh as she told him of the Yentures that Joy would bring her and Joanna on.
"I always knew she would. She is well, Marge. Joy, Joanna, Jon, Sansa, and all the others, they are well?" he asked and she nodded, feeling him kiss her once more.
"They are, our daughter, Jae, the people love her so. When I go out to speak to them it's she they look to and not me. She and her dragon, which she wanted to name Strawbelly, though I convinced her not to for now." she said and the laughter she heard was as true as it ever had been.
"I miss you both so much, I long to see her and you, to hold you both and it's that which gives me strength, my love. You have always been my strength, thank you for doing so now." he said and she turned to look at him, his eyes glassing over as she moved her hand to them and wiped the tears that threatened to fall.
"As are you mine own strength, Jae, mine and Elia's." she said softly.
"Tell them all I miss them so, Marge. Tell Dacey that Jaime wishes he could be by her side and that he loves her and their children, tell my aunt that Oberyn feels the same, and his girls that their father is so very proud of them. Let your mother, father and grandmother know that their brothers are resolute. Loras is happy, Marge, he's found love and is happy and Garlan, I'm happy to have him with me and yet wish I could send him away." Jae said.
"You cannot." she said and he nodded, knowing it was a command and not a question, as much as she wished her brothers safe with her, what they needed to do was more important.
"Tell my sisters that their brother misses them so much, that he too is so very proud of the women they're growing to be, and that he longs to see them, longs to walk in the gardens with Sansa and to ride with Apples and Joy."
"I will, Jae, I will, I promise." she said as she kissed him repeatedly.
"I love you, Marge, you, our daughter, my heart is full of you both and that is why I'll beat him, that is how I'll beat him. There is nothing stronger in this world than that, Marge. No magic is more powerful than the love I feel for you both. I wish I could be there with you now, but I cannot, for now I cannot and all I can say is that the Dawn is coming, Marge. I will bring it, and then I will see those I love again." Jae said, his determination putting her fears at rest and she leaned close to him.
"I love you, our daughter loves you. Come back to us, Jae, we need you with us." she said as he nodded.
"Together Always." he said and she smiled.
"Together Always." she said as she kissed him and then felt him fade away.
Waking in her bed she hugged the pillow even more tightly and heard Elia as she called out for her. She hurriedly climbed out and made her way to her daughter's small bed which for now was close to her own.
"Mama." Elia said happily "I dreamt of papa, we flew Mama, we flew and chased the sun." her daughter said smiling beamingly and Margaery lifted her in her arms and held her tight.
"He's Bringing the Dawn, my love, he's bringing it so he can come back to us." she said and the fear that she had he would not, was lessened greatly by the hope and belief that she had that he would.
The Riverlands 302 AC.
Jaehaerys Targaryen.
He woke and almost expected to see her lying there beside him, the feel of her in his arms had been so true, so real that he believed he was back with her and that it was not a dream. Only to wake and find himself alone in his tent. Yet he felt no disappointment that she was not here and he knew that it had not been a dream. Last night he had held his wife in his arms and felt her kiss on his lips, he heard her speak, saw her face, and as he now dressed he knew he was ready.
With a nod to Arthur and to Jors he walked out from the tent and as they followed behind him, he spoke to the men and told them that he was proud to serve with them. He thanked them, laughed with them, and by the time he made it to where the others were breaking their fast, he was the last to arrive. Jae taking his seat beside Jaime and Oberyn and whispering first to one and then the other what had happened last night, thankful neither asked him if it was just a dream he had. After japing a little with his aunt and speaking to his uncles, he made his way to the dragons.
All three of them were rested and other than hunting for food, something they did easily, they'd not flown for true for almost a week. Leaning against Rhaenix, he shared with her his time with Margaery and felt her happiness for him that he'd gotten to do so. His sister asked if they would fly today and Jae said they would, it was or would soon be time and while he felt her eagerness for it to be so, he felt her worry too.
"This what we were meant to do, Rhae, what we were born to do. We end him, we end him, and then we bring them back. Our family, Rhae, Valyria, you and me were born for this and I am ready." he said as he looked into her eyes.
"As am I, little brother."
"For those, we lost and those we'll see returned." he said and he moved away from her as she roared out her approval at his words, Ellagon and Lygaron both doing the same.
He moved to his son, leaning against his head, and told him how very proud of him he was. Lygaron's trills sounded loud as he heard his words and Jae softly stroked his snout.
"Fly well and fly safe, my son. Protect your rider above all and when this is over, you'll have a new dragon to fly with." he said and as he moved from him, he heard his son's voice in his head.
"Be safe, father." Lygaron said and Jae nodded.
Making his way to the command tent, he stood looking at each of the men there, and whether it was his expression or not, he knew they knew it was to be today.
"I'll not make a long speech, not here and not now. That I'll save for the men." he said to laughs "The time is upon us, the day we've been building to is here and each of you knows what it is you must do. I thank you for all you've done up to now and wish you to know that there are none I'd rather face what comes for us with than you." he said his words as sincere and true as they had ever been.
As they began to leave the tent, he said no goodbyes, instead, he hugged his uncles, his cousins, his aunt and uncle, and Ser Richard. Then turning to Loras, Jors, and Arthur he embraced each of them before he was left alone with Jaime in the tent, the two of them looking at each other and who moved first he knew not.
"I am here because of you, the realm owes you more than it has ever owed a man before and I owe you everything. No squire could have asked for a better knight, no king could have wished for a more capable Hand and no son ever had a truer father. I love you father, thank you for everything." he said and he barely heard the words Jaime spoke back to him, though he had no need to as he'd always know what he'd thought of him.
Later that day he watched as the men formed up, as Tyrion and Dany climbed onto their dragon's back. Jae himself was mounted on a horse and wishing that Winter was here and yet glad she was not at the same time. Ahead of him to the North caltrops, barriers, palisades, and pits had been dug and though it would not stop the dead, it would slow them. Behind him, the catapults were loaded and the men who were to operate them and the trebuchets stood ready.
The line stretched as far as the eye could see and only that men bore torches and fires were lit to light arrows, or in the darkness they'd have disappeared from view. Jae rode his horse up and down the line, Lightbringer in hand as he showed them all that their king was with them. In the darkness that they looked out to he knew when they'd arrived, the air chilling just a little and making men shiver was a sign that he was right.
"We stand here today, not as lords, knights, princes, or kings, but as men and women all who've answered the call. We come here not for glory, though some will be earned, not for renown, though it will come and be deserved, we come here because we serve a higher call, a truer one. From each of the Eight Kingdoms, those who follow the Seven who are one, The Old Gods, the Many-Faced God and the God of Light, yet we fight not for gods, though each of us does their bidding.
We stand here today for those we love, those we wish to see safe, and those we would gladly lay down our lives for. Yet I would ask not one of you to lay down your lives, gladly. I would beg you to not go quietly into the darkness, instead, I ask you to fight. Fight with all you have, with all you are. Fight for those you love and those you wish to see again. Fight and know I fight with you. Know that I too miss those I love, that I too wish I was elsewhere " he said to loud laughs.
His horse moved down the line and he looked at the faces of the men and saw their courage, their willingness to fall if they must, and that his words had hit home and none would give up their lives easily.
"To the God of Death we say begone for you are not welcome here. To the Night King we say begone for these are our lands. To the Dead we say begone for this is the land of the living. To the Long Night, we say begone, for we are the Warriors of the Light and together we shall Bring the Dawn." he said to loud cheers.
The storm began and he looked out as it moved closer, climbing down from his horse, he cut his hand and let the blood seep into the blade and then drove it into the ground. Behind him, men covered their eyes and ahead of him the storm retreated, and then in the light he saw the dead charge forward and he called Rhaenix to him.
"Fire Everything." he shouted loudly and he watched as the barrels flew through the sky.
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. Up Next the Battle for the Dawn.
Daryl Dixon: So very glad you liked it.
The Spynx: No worries my friend.
Groovy: Essos is blissfully unaware of anything other than the West have a Dragonking so on that aspect all is well. In terms of a plan, basically, it was to trim the NK down as much as he could and to deny him replacements for those he lost. To pick the battleground. Jae originally assumed he was to fight at the Wall and this was to be a last line of defense, when he realized he was not, it became to pick the ground he was fighting on, to make the Night King and his army chase them and come to him.
Vfsnake: He did yes, but he's not truly fought the Night King yet and so in some ways it's almost a shadow war, it allowed him to limit his losses, Jae's I mean, now all bets are off.
Celexys: It does just boggle the mind doesn't it with, Arya, like the simplest solution should have been so obvious. I Know Ned may have wished his family close given the losses, but compared to what he did, dragging Arya to KL surely sending her to Bear Island was a no brainier, were right at the fight now, no more prep, right into it.
Victoria: Thank you, my friend. I hope to give a few surprises in what's left and I have a big one to announce in a little while. The magical aspect was played down because the two idiots couldn't understand it, like it was too complex for them, which is just nuts, it's pretty easy compared to some magical systems and it's such a key part of the mythos. But it's why we get the NK killed with a meaningless dagger and dying just the same as every other WW, rather than have it be more meaningful in the show. Here I swore not to do that and so for me, it was characters and the magical aspects that I really wanted to put front and center. Unfortunately, we're at the big battle and some will fall, so prepare yourself. Stay happy and well, my friend.
Scarilla: Thanks so much, that means a lot. Aemon it's so hard because you love some characters and you don't want them to fall, he's one of them for even me and yet some almost have to too. Shiera has more magic in here, so she's better able to fight back than the NK understands. I'm glad you liked the war so far, hope I nail the ending to it lol.
Guest: Thanks for saying that, it bugged me how they just almost hand waved it away, it should be more than that and I'm glad you've thought so, hope you like what comes next.
Jaimerey: Obtuviste tu deseo, el próximo será dentro del próximo mes.
Lady Octarina: I thought long and hard about the woods, pretty much from early on. Both the idea of setting them ablaze with the dead in them and then I figured it would play out a little like the show, where the NK could just pass through flames, only more so here. So at the first fight at the Wall, I had Jae set the woods alight, then not have it do anything. Mainly though I felt the North would almost revolt, it would be like telling Ned they need to burn down WF.
I was very happy with the suggestion, thanks so much for it. The Dragonglass thing is pretty much simply the shrapnel idea, it's easy to move from three or four larger items flying at you, then a thousand smaller and I think the thing with Dragonglass has to be it just piercing the skin, not that it needs to do a certain amount of damage, as it's so brittle it would probably break. Give the distances involved and the sheer amount of time it takes to move an army, it kind of had to be a few months at least. To travel from WF to the Wall took Jae a month in the books, to travel from the Wall to where we last see Stannis in the books, took almost three. So yep we're in the fourth month and the battle won't go to a fifth one.
The NK had more than 500,000. He's lost in total, a little less than half.
Anarchicmind: I may have read that myself tbh, It seems familiar. I was going for the shrapnel idea, the smaller pieces doing more damage and being harder to dodge than the larger ones simply because of how many there are. I think one of the key things for me is that the NK and Jae are in some ways mirror images of each other, so the NK can control ice and snow and whip up a storm then Jae should be able to do something similar only with stone, which Dragonglass basically is.
Guest: While I've not shown the dead or how they've not been raised, it will be explained. They didn't need to burn them, and the NK may have raised some as some graves are marked, but he couldn't raise all or from places known as Gravesites, it will be shown in an upcoming pov though.
Flame: Wow, I'm truly honored thank you.
Keb, so for me the NK can raise the dead but he almost how shall I put it, delegates to the WW for some since he can't be everywhere. Now it works like warging, a link is formed, if you sever that link then there is no control and because they were linked you're unable to forge a new one. Jae figured it out, realized that it was the same as he had done with the Mountain, Darkstar, Doran, Cat, and that once that link is severed then it's like a string being cut and the NK only has so much string.
Creativo: Lo hace mucho, Jae está siguiendo una de las tácticas de Napeleon, ser perseguido y acosado y luego voltear una cara, pero solo cuando estés listo. Ahora está listo.
Xand007: Thanks, my friend. Oh he has, will they be needed though? The best thing about chess is that being aggressive doesn't always mean you'll win. Post a war would be a good time to attack now, wouldn't it? Though Jae did leave a decent force behind, and KL does have its own dragon. Essos, for now, is a non-factor, for now. You too my friend, stay safe, sand and especially healthy.
