I don't know if it's just my emails not working or if it's an FFN wide problem but thank you to everyone who came and found the last chapter. It's been a while since I've had over 1000 views in a week on the latest chapter so to do so when the site is having a few issues is great!

I wanted to make a point on my personal fancastings on the Velaryon's. You don't need to imagine them how I am fancasting them, nor how the show universe is going to do them. As Tertius711 put in his review Aurane Waters is said to look like Rhaegar in the books and Jaden Smith certainly does not look like Wilf Scolding, but for me the inclusivity that will be in the new show is a very good thing and I am simply following on from that.

On to the story however, and a quick note for you all. Highgarden in the show is… disappointing to say the least, so while this is a show story I'm going to be using Ted Naismith's illustration for the World of Ice and Fire book and as seen on the loading screen of the CK2 mod as my inspiration.

I've also been looking in more detail at the end of this story. As some of you may know I like to do my epilogues a little bit into the future to show how things have gone after the main story. This time I might do something different, as there are a couple of short stories that I may be able to do based on a few events I have happening. Nothing is set in stone as of right now, but we shall see.

I hope you all enjoy the chapter (one that takes us over 60,000 words on FFN so hello anybody that has found this story based on that filter!) and there is a brand new POV character in this chapter with a very famous history with House Targaryen…

I own nothing but the OC's, everything and everyone else belongs to HBO or George R R Martin.

The Dungeons of Dragonstone were a dark and damp place, and you could hear the churning of the waves hitting the rocks of the island constantly. The night after the battle Luke found himself there, having spent until dawn accepting the surrender of the soldiers that had opposed him and then spending the rest of the day asleep. There were plenty of Stormlanders and Florent soldiers sharing cells, all of them waiting to be sorted between who was worth the ransom and who would languish doing hard labour on Dragonstone for the remainder of the war, but out of the hundreds that were currently deep within the castle dungeons it was one man in particular interested the Targaryen, and he was the only one with a cell all to himself.

"Stay here." Luke told Ser Rolly, and the Kingsguard knight bowed his head and stopped when asked. Luke continued through the dungeons, stopping three cells away and peering through the steel bars at the Onion Knight laying on the stone flooring. "Ser Davos." He greeted respectfully.

"Milord." Davos nodded his head as he got to his feet.

Luke ignored the disrespectful title. "I heard stories about you, Onion Knight, from the bastard of Driftmark."

Ser Davos nodded once again, this time to himself in understanding. "So that's how they betrayed us, they got Aurane to be your raven." He surmised. "Clever."

"Your mistake was picking Valyrians to lead the fight against other Valyrians." Luke countered. "House Velaryon and House Targaryen have long been friends."

Davos shrugged. "They were sworn to King Stannis, they broke their oaths."

"And won." Luke said shortly. "But we aren't here to talk about the Velaryon's."

Davos raised an eyebrow. "No, you want to know where Stannis is going."

Luke grinned. "I knew you were clever." He praised. "Yes, I do."

"Well I'm sorry to disappoint, milord, but I don't actually know." Davos explained. "We never had plans of retreat, only to push forwards to the last boat to rescue the Princess." There was a venom to Davos' words.

"It's a shame, I would have preferred that outcome too." Luke sighed. He then brought both of his index fingers to his mouth and whistled loudly before he tried again. "I will only ask you one more time, Ser Davos. I know you're a man that Stannis Baratheon trusts, I know you were part of his war councils. Where is he going? Back to Storm's End? To Essos?"

"I don't know." Davos stated firmly. "Defeat wasn't an option after you defiled that poor girl." He spat at the ground, splashing Luke's boots. The Targaryen didn't react to that, as he heard the imprisoned men both gasp and shout in horror as the leathery flapping of wings was heard, and Valaxes flew in, perching on Luke's left shoulder. Luke just watched the Onion Knight's reaction as his eyes widened in fear. "By the Gods…" Davos whispered.

Luke scratched the dragon's chin with his right hand. "This is Valaxes. He's barely a year old but look how he has grown already." Luke introduced proudly. "Dragonstone is good for the dragons, you see."

"Dragons?" Davos asked.

"Yes, there are three of them." Luke explained. "We birthed them, my sister and I, on the funeral pyre of my brother and wife. Valyrian blood awakened the greatest of Valyrian weapons, and I have three at my command, each of them growing stronger and larger by the day." He gave Davos a pointed glare. "This is the fate that awaits your King, Ser Onion Knight. The longer he hides, the more they will grow."

Davos shook his head. "I still can't help you." He explained. "And I wouldn't if I could."

Luke's glare turned angry. "Test me more, Ser Davos, and perhaps you will be the first to be fed to Valaxes' fire."

"You killed my son." Davos spat. "Kill me if you like, Your Grace." He forced those last two words out mockingly. "But that will get you nothing but yet another corpse on your quest for your Mad Father's crown."

Luke's eyes narrowed in hatred. "Never compare me to him." He whispered coldly, and the icy tone made the Onion Knight shiver. "You're too valuable to me to burn, Ser Davos. Luckily for you. Nobody knows the Usurper's brother better." Luke then smirked evilly. "Maybe you'll be more willing to speak after a visit from some of my friends." He turned and began walking away slowly. "I shall say hello to Lady Connington for you!"

"YOU LEAVE THAT GIRL ALONE!" Came the roar of a Fleabottom accent from behind Luke, but the Targaryen just grinned, knowing that before long the Onion Knight would talk.

They left it three full days after the battle to properly count the casualties and losses, and so at high noon Luke met with his commanders around the Painted Table to go through those losses and to make their next plans. He looked around at the newer faces, noticing a worse for wear Lord Monford Velaryon who had very nearly drowned going down with his ship had he not been fished out of the sea by his bastard half-brother, and the new Lord Celtigar, the 48-year-old Lucan, whose Father Ardrian had been killed during the battle.

Everyone else had been with Luke since the start, Ser Rolly was with him as the representative of the Kingsguard, along with the council members of the Golden Company that were still on Dragonstone. Luke began the meeting by taking away a few of the ships indicating Stannis' army. "We sunk 7 ships but damaged an extra twenty enough to have captured them." He explained. "Almost 300 of the Baratheon's force are below us in the dungeons, with ten times that likely dead at our hands."

"A fine effort, the stag will be licking his wounds." Black Balaq grinned.

"We had more ships sunk, Balaq." Harry Strickland sighed.

"But less dead." Balaq smirked. "And we have the island."

Luke nodded. "And gained more men than we lost." He gestured to the Westerosi Lords at the table. "As well as over 30 ships."

"Better late than never." Harry Strickland rolled his eyes.

"If you have something to say, sellsword, say it to our face." Lucan Celtigar growled, the large man glaring.

Luke held both of his hands up. "Peace, friends. We are all on the same side here, House Celtigar and House Velaryon have long been House Targaryen's allies, while the Golden Company have been my personal allies all my life." He gestured to the map. "What is important now is to decide on our next move."

"We want King's Landing." Lord Monford stated. "With Stannis fleeing the coast is clear to attack the Capital, and with Stark keeping Tywin Lannister busy, we should be able to take King's Landing easily."

"Not easily." The spymaster Lysono Maar stated from the corner. "Varys sent word that the Lannisters are reinforcing the Capital." He had a grin on his face. "They see us as a bigger threat than Stark ravaging the Westerlands."

Luke smirked. "So they should." He told them. "But that means that we will need more men if we are to assault the Capital."

"We will have the Reach soon." Gorys Edoryen reminded everyone, and Luke grimaced at the reminder of his potential betrothal. "And Dorne are on their way."

"Via Storm's End." Ser Rolly added. "And who knows how long it will take for that to fall."

Luke nodded. "We can't rely on the Dornish, they will have their hands full and I want Storm's End taken just as much as King's Landing."

"Then perhaps we go there." Lucan Celtigar suggested. "Add our strength to the Dornish."

Monford Velaryon shook his head. "Our strength is at sea, we would be better off besieging King's Landing from all angles. We may not have the men for an attack, but a siege…"

"No." Luke said firmly. "To the Westerosi I am a foreigner, a stranger to these lands despite my birth. If I am to rule there properly I need two things." He held one finger up. "Allies." And then a second. "And respect. The first is ongoing, the second will come with victories." He looked down at the Painted Table, pointing at Dragonstone. "When my ancestor first landed during his conquest, the first thing he did after establishing the Aegonfort was give himself a base of support in the Crownlands. He pointed upwards. "Crackclaw Point is insular, but they have always been loyal to my House. We start there and make our way around the coast, gathering either allies or victories depending on if the Lords bend the knee to me or not."

The doors burst open and Luke frustratedly looked up to see Maester Pylos rushing in towards him. He stepped away from the table and leaned in as the young Maester whispered. "My Lord, a raven from Storm's End…"

"Really?" Luke was surprised, taking the letter and noticing the seal of Oberyn Martell. Grinning, he read the note twice before returning to the table. "That is our plan, My Lords."

"Did I hear Storm's End?" The spymaster Maar asked.

"Your ears are too big." Luke complained childishly, but he nodded all the same. "Oberyn Martell secured the support of Ser Ronnet Connington and used the Stormlanders of Griffin's Roost in a subterfuge against a skeleton garrison left at Storm's End. They put the defenders to the sword and took the castle in my name." He waited for the brief celebrations to die down. "Oberyn is going to resupply and wait for Jon to finish treating with the Tyrell's, and together they will move Northwards towards King's Landing."

"We can have them on both sides of the King's Road." Lucan grinned.

Luke nodded. "We have 17,000 men with us here on Dragonstone. I want at least 2,000 to remain to hold it. I will not have my ancestral seat fall into enemy hands ever again." He said sternly, looking around. "Harry, you will command Dragonstone."

Harry Strickland bowed his head. "As you wish."

"I would also have Shireen Baratheon back in her seat." Luke suggested, but this time the support wasn't as strong.

"The Lords of the Stormlands may be loyal to Stannis still and try and free her." Monford told him. "Better to keep her here, Your Grace."

"I need her to have an heir, Lord Velaryon." Luke sighed. "Best to do that where her husband will be, not across the sea." He shook his head. "No, she will go to Storm's End. Franklyn can guard her with 5,000 of the Golden Company to stay and defend the castle."

Eyes were widened. "So many?" Balaq asked. "We could use the men."

"We can easily take Crackclaw point with 10,000 men and 100 ships." Lucan Celtigar scoffed. "The closer we get to King's Landing the tougher it will be, by which time we will have the swords of Crackclaw, the spears of Dorne and the knights of the Reach."

Luke was thankful for the elder man's experience with the area. "House Celtigar has lived off the coast of the Point for hundreds of years, if Lord Lucan thinks we can do it, then that is what we will do." He nodded. "Thank you, everyone. Go and make the repairs to your ships and resupply them as best you can, I do not want to linger on this victory for too long less we lose our momentum."

"Your Grace." His Lords and council bowed, slowly filtering out of the room to leave the Targaryen alone.

"Lord Velaryon." Luke called quickly, and the man with the seahorse sigil turned back. "One last thing."

Monford bowed. "Your Grace?"

Luke stepped forwards. "Our families have long been friends and allies, and I would have that friendship continue on." Luke placed a hand on Monford's shoulder. "I would name you my Master of Ships and bid you to serve in the role that your ancestors have served in capably throughout the last 300 years."

Monford Velaryon's eyes widened as he immediately bent down to one knee. "I hope I can do you justice, Your Grace."

Luke smiled, gesturing the man to rise. "You will, my friend. You shall have the coin made available to you to build you a new flagship, and then we will see about restoring your House to what it once was."

Monford grinned greedily. "That would be something, Your Grace. We have been a shadow of our potential for too long."

"I value my friends, Lord Monford." Luke said calmly as he began to make his own way out of the Chamber. "Remember that fact."

If Tyrion Lannister thought that the arrival of his Father would be a relief to him, he was wrong. Almost as soon as the Warden of the West had arrived within King's Landing his sister was complaining at the number of men that hadn't travelled from Harrenhal. Then the King himself was complaining at being told to go and meet him, instead waiting sat atop the Iron Throne. Tywin would see it as a slight, he knew, but the silver lining was that very soon Tyrion wouldn't be the Hand of the King and he could slink away into the shadows, and maybe he could take Shae with him.

He stood to the right of the Iron Throne as the doors swung open, and immediately Tyrion noticed the hulking form of Ser Gregor Clegane behind the indomitable Tywin Lannister. They strode up to the Iron Throne and stayed standing. Internally Tyrion was pissing himself with laughter, but he kept his stern gaze onto the two Westermen newcomers.

"Grandfather." Joffrey greeted coldly.

"Your Grace." Tywin bowed his head.

That caused Joffrey to scowl as he sat more upright in his seat. "It is customary to kneel before your King." Joffrey's voice sounded pleasant enough, but his eyes were anything but.

Tywin, to his credit, wasn't fazed. "I am here to defend your city as your appointed Hand of the King, Your Grace. The time for the bending of knees will come when your Uncle and the Targaryen pretender are in chains before you." He looked over at Tyrion for a second, not saying anything more and just holding his hand out.

Tyrion scoffed, shook his head and removed the pin. "Don't let it prick you." The dwarf joked, roughly placing the symbol of power in his Father's hand before he walked down the steps and away from the Iron Throne, towards the gallery.

"You had 30,000 men at Harrenhal." Joffrey's voice sounded as Tyrion was rising up the steps. "I didn't see 30,000 men entering my city."

"I am fighting a war on multiple fronts." Tywin replied dryly. "If I brought too many men to King's Landing, then Robb Stark would have free reign of the entirety of the West and the Riverlands. I couldn't allow that."

"We need the men here!" Joffrey cried out, leaning forwards and pointing roughly to the ground.

Tywin didn't react to the outburst, simply saying. "King's Landing was built to withstand hundreds of thousands of assailants. It has strong walls, strong gates, and a strong navy to protect it. I have placed my men where they are needed, some here, and some in the Riverlands." He took a moment to pause. "If you would excuse me, Your Grace. My men and I have ridden hard to protect you, we should rest. I shall see you one hour after dawn for our first Small Council meeting."

Tyrion just smirked as Tywin spun around, his cloak billowing at the movement, and strode back out the way he came leaving Joffrey incredulous. The boy King turned up to the Gallery where the majority of the Small Council had gathered and was staring at his Mother with a wide-open mouth. Tyrion tried to catch his laugh, but a noise was let out all the same and the heads of Cersei, Varys and Pycelle all swivelled towards him. Tyrion then just shrugged and joked. "Well, we may all die in the coming months, but at least we won't die of boredom."

It had been the dullest year of Jaime Lannister's life. The trick from the Stark boy had led to him sitting in a cage for the better part of it, though the Lannister wouldn't complain about the campaign into the Westerlands over the latter parts of the year, as it had given him more entertainment than having to fester in his own shit. He did feel a little bit bad about killing his cousin however many times removed, but the Northman heir that had been guarding him died without a hint of regret from the Kingslayer.

The fallout from that had been spectacular, and it had led to Jaime meeting the acquaintance of the most extraordinary woman he had ever known in Brienne of Tarth. She impressed him, although he would never admit it out loud. They had somehow managed to enter the Riverlands past Hornvale without being spotted, and the unlikely duo were heading eastwards past the source of the Red Fork, with Jaime still making jibes at the ugly, ferocity that was escorting him, though the Stormlander was doing well in resisting.

"You know wench, it's a long way to King's Landing walking through fields and forests." The Lannister spoke up. "The least you could do is say something that doesn't send me to sleep."

He knew the woman was glaring at the back of his head and the thought made him smirk. "I am here to escort you to King's Landing in order to exchange you for Lady Stark's daughters." She told him bluntly. "I am not here to make idle conversation with you, Kingslayer."

Jaime chuckled as he turned around to face her, stopping his walking. "That name again, did me killing the Mad King offend you that much when you were what, nine? Ten?"

Brienne just shoved him back around and they marched onwards. "Four." She answered.

"Four years old?" Jaime asked with genuine surprise. "You were barely old enough to stop yourself pissing the bed let alone remember what those days were like and yet here you are, judging me."

"I judge you because despite the Mad King's… tendencies." Brienne growled. "You were sworn to protect him from all harm."

Jaime shrugged. "I'd argue I did protect him from harm, it was a quicker death than he deserved." He muttered bitterly.

"You mock it even now." Brienne spat with real venom. "You were a knight of the Kingsguard, you should have died protecting your charge."

"As you did with Renly?" Jaime turned again with an eyebrow raised. This time the shove was more forceful, and it sent him to the ground for a moment before her big muscular form hoisted him back onto his feet. "Trust me, if Renly was about to murder hundreds of thousands of people in an instant including your own Father, you would have killed him too." He meant for it to be barely a whisper, but the wind carried him because for the first time Brienne's hands stopped him from moving and she moved around to face him.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

Jaime felt himself getting angry. "Nothing." He said mockingly. "You are young yet, still naïve to believe that you can fulfil all your oaths. But which do you prioritise when they conflict? Protect the innocent or keep your King safe? What happens when he orders you to bring him your own Father's head."

"Riders." Brienne whispered.

"So don't stand there and judge me, wench." Jaime didn't even register her words, he was genuinely feeling furious.

"Riders!" She whispered more harshly.

Jaime turned around and noticed that they had walked into a rather large field, and sure enough half a dozen riders wielding the banners of House Piper that had always made Jaime laugh and think of Cersei.

He knew the man leading them too, as the Heir to Pinkmaiden kept his long blonde hair billowing out from underneath his helm. "Ser Jaime, My Lady. Drop your weapons to the ground and come with us." Ser Marq Piper called out as the group pulled their horses to a halt. Jaime thought that with the wench's second sword in his hands that they could maybe take the six, but the two with crossbows made him pause.

"I have been charged by Lady Stark…" Brienne began.

"To trade the Kingslayer for the King's sisters, yes we know." He pulled out a raven message from his horses satchel. "Unfortunately for you the King ordered for you to both be captured as soon as he arrived at Sarsfield. It's a miracle you both made it this long uncaptured." That explained the patrols a few days back, Jaime thought, where the woman had slaughtered a group of Northmen. She wasn't happy at all and her hand was slowly inching down to her sword, a movement which was noticed by the Piper. "I wouldn't, My Lady. King Robb doesn't wish for bad relations with your Lord Father, but he has promised me that if you won't come quietly then he is prepared to send the Evenstar word of your death."

It had a tone that Jaime knew was serious, and despite knowing that he would be alive no matter what, he didn't want the frustrating woman to die on his account. "Stand down, Brienne." He said, using her name for perhaps the first time. She noticed that too as she was shocked at the use, but even so she nodded and stood rigidly with her hands in the air, waiting for one man to dismount his horse and slowly take her weapons away. Jaime thought she might start a fight, but to her credit she didn't attack the man disarming her and allowed her hands to be bound.

Ser Marq Piper was also enjoying the scene. "Excellent!" He clapped his gloved hands. "Now then, of you would both follow me, the King will meet you both at Riverrun."

The last Jaime had heard was that the Stark boy was holing himself up at Sarsfield until more news followed, and so it was a hint of worry for Cersei over in King's Landing that filled him as he was shoved onto the now unmanned horse, back-to-back with the woman as they started travelling Northwards and back into captivity.

Highgarden was a very impressive castle. It lay on a hill surrounded by golden roses as far as the eye could see, and as Jon Connington followed the path towards the hill, he saw at the bottom a 10-foot perimeter wall of white stone, and as he looked up there were two more crenelated curtain walls inside, each bigger than the last before the tall towers both new and old of Hightower revealed themselves. Between the outer and middle walls there was a giant sloped maze of hedges, and even Ser Barristan the Bold looked concerned as the Kingsguard knight sat atop his white horse at the thought of having to besiege the castle.

"I'm glad we are here as envoys." Jon noted. "I doubt even a man as famed as you could infiltrate this beast."

Barristan turned to look at Jon. "A clear day, a dry day, dragon fire. Burn the maze and take the walls." He said bluntly, causing Jon to just scoff in amusement as the Stormlanders kicked their horses into movement and rode closer to the castle.

They were met at the main entrance to the outer walls by Lord Mace Tyrell himself, surrounded by half a dozen guards and a six stableboys. Jon dismounted first, but he was closely followed by Ser Barristan and the four Golden Company warriors that they had brought with them. As their horses got led away, Mace Tyrell stepped forwards and cleared his throat. "Welcome, Lord Connington, Ser Barristan, to Highgarden." He announced pompously. "Bread and salt?"

It was a symbolic gesture, but Jon was happy to take the slice of bread and dip it into the salt bowl, taking a quick bite of the delicious Reach made bread to form a bond of guest right. "Thank you for meeting with us, Lord Tyrell." Jon said as diplomatically as he could be. "These are dangerous times, and your support would mean a lot for my King."

Mace smiled. "Hearing of the survival of young Prince Lucerys warmed my old heart, Lord Connington. When I heard about his supposed death camped outside of Storm's End, I wept."

Jon doubted it very much, but he still made sure that he nodded gratefully. "Thankfully it was a ploy devised by Prince Rhaegar, and now His Grace can return to punish those who wronged us all back then. House Targaryen has always been strong with a firm alliance with House Tyrell."

Mace grinned. "And who could forget my own ancestor's history, and how we received Highgarden." He turned and gestured towards the start of the maze. "Come, let us speak more plainly inside, My Lord." The Lord of the Reach walked over to a long, green and gold ornated cord and he pulled it the once, and a loud bell sounded a single ring. Jon winced at the noise as the death cry of the Arryn boy filled his ears, but thankfully no more bell rings came. Instead the ground in front of them seemed to lift off of the ground, and instead of hedge rows in front of the party, a narrow white stone walkway led them towards the middle wall. Inside Jon could see people walking around the large garden area, with children playing by the fountains. It seemed too frivolous for wartime, but even Jon Connington reckoned that he could manage a peaceful afternoon basking in the beauty of Highgarden.

They weren't in the gardens for long though, and soon enough they entered under the inner curtain wall and were led towards the main keep.

The castle was so big, that it felt like it had been almost an hour between Jon and Ser Barristan having their horses taken and being sat down at a large, circular table in the shape of a rose. Joining them now were Lady Olenna Tyrell, Ser Loras the heir, and Lady Margaery.

"My Lords." Jon bowed. "My Ladies." He then made to sit in his designated seat, though he noticed that Ser Barristan was stood behind him, his old eyes cautious.

"It's been a long time, Connington." Olenna stated bluntly, taking Jon's attention. "The last time we met you looked young. Now look at you, not even your young bride can hide the bags under your eyes."

Jon clenched his teeth as he absorbed the taunt. "Being Hand of the King ages a man, My Lady." He said calmly. "Though I might feel more at ease if our alliance can be formed today."

"You want Margaery to be the Queen?" Mace asked, sipping some Arbor Red. "That is the main matter, is it not?"

Jon nodded. "It is."

Mace just grinned. "Then how splendid!" He began.

"Hold up a moment, Mace." Olenna snapped, before she turned to Jon. "We can't be giving dear Margaery away to just anyone. We fumbled with Renly, I will not do so again."

Jon noticed a scowl coming from the heir at the mention of the Usurper's youngest brother, but he ignored it and tried to persuade the elderly woman. "King Lucerys has also been widowed recently, so he insists that despite your former alliance with a member of the Usurper's House, he is happy and willing to wed Lady Margaery once he takes his throne." He reached into his tunic for a letter from Luke himself and handed it to the Tyrell matriarch, who snapped the dragon seal quickly and scanned the writing.

"He certainly has the confidence of a Targaryen." She mumbled, handing over the letter to Margaery. "Here, dear. You are the one he will be ploughing, have a read and say what you think."

Jon shifted awkwardly in his seat at those words, but Margaery didn't react as she took the parchment and read it. "He writes well." She stated, looking at her Grandmother. "And he actually writes to me, not just to Father."

Olenna nodded. "Unlike some." She turned to Jon and stared at him. "You see, you're not the first envoy that we have had inside Highgarden since the miraculous resurrection of your charge, Lord Connington."

Jon stopped slouching then and he noticed Ser Barristan reaching for a dagger. "You invited us here in good faith…" He told them cautiously.

"And Lord Baelish got here first, on behalf of Lord Tywin who was speaking as Hand of the King to Joffrey Baratheon." Mace explained. "He also wants Margaery as a Queen."

Jon placed his hands on the chair arms ready to bolt to his feet, when Loras was the first to break, snorting and laughing. His sister was in mock outrage. "Loras!" She turned to Jon. "My apologies, My Lord. It was my Grandmother's idea to see how determined you were to win this alliance, Lord Baelish has been imprisoned here ever since we got your first letter."

Jon sighed in relief and felt himself relax slightly, but his anger still hadn't gone. "We are fighting a war, a war to restore House Targaryen and bring justice to all the Usurper's lackeys. I do not appreciate jokes at my expense."

"Calm down, boy." Olenna waved her hand away. "It's a bit of fun for an old woman before she dies, nobody was killed." She then thought for a moment. "Though I haven't checked on Littlefinger in a while."

"We would be delighted to accept your proposal." Margaery beamed. "Father has already separated the banners so that we can join your war on as many fronts as you deem necessary immediately."

Mace nodded. "Yes, quite. One to defend Highgarden and the Reach, one to join up with you in the Stormlands given your impressive result at Storm's End." That was news to Jon. "And then another, 30,000 strong, to do with as you see fit."

Jon nodded as his mind began to race. "Can we get a map?" He asked, and almost immediately a servant brought a map that spanned from Dorne to the Neck. Loras then began putting figures down.

"The Lannisters have shifted part of their force over to King's Landing in preparation for your assaults." He explained. "The Dornish have gained the alliance of your cousin and took Storm's End by trickery the last we heard, while Stannis was on his way to Dragonstone to try and rescue his daughter." Jon winced at the thought of his bride. "And Stark is in the Westerlands, though we don't know where or for how long, it seems the Ironborn are stirring in the North."

Jon nodded, and he stood up so that he could get a better view. "This smaller force." He pointed to a rose figure. "They will come with me and join with the Dornish to march to King's Landing."

"That's my group." Loras nodded. "7,000 of the finest riders of the Reach."

"Good." Jon would be glad to have the younger Tyrell there instead of the elder. A Tyrell in his presence would mean that the alliance is visible, and yet he wanted Mace Tyrell as far away from him as possible. "Then the larger force, here…"

"Lord Tarly has that command." Loras explained.

"He can pillage the West and sack every castle he finds on his way to Casterly Rock. Stark had it right when Lannister ventured out of the West to block him off. Now we split his focus even more." Jon told him. "If Lord Tarly is here, I will meet with him myself to set the King's expectations."

"And me?" Mace asked.

Jon thought for a moment on how to word it. "Gather the rest of your men here under your own command as a fierce reserve, My Lord. We may have need of you when we are ready to assault King's Landing, but we don't know exactly how many men are still in the West so Lord Tarly may also need additional support."

Olenna smirked, Margaery frowned, but Mace Tyrell just grinned widely and nodded. "As you say."

"And this wedding?" Olenna then asked. "If the Targaryen boy is riding off into war, what happens if he dies?"

Jon scowled at the thought. "Then we fight under the banners of his sister. But if you think the King will die easily, Lady Olenna, then you underestimate His Grace. He is a veteran of dozens of campaigns across the Narrow Sea. He personally slew the fierce Khal Drogo who led 40,000 Dothraki screamers, and Euron Greyjoy also fell at his hand as His Grace took that cursed ship as his own. He has sacked Norvos, Lys, Myr among dozens of smaller towns and defended Pentos from that Dothraki horde. He is Aegon the Conqueror come again, My Lady, I am sure of it."

Olenna didn't bat an eyelid. "A fine list of achievements, Lord Hand. Let us hope that you aren't licking his boots more than he deserves."

After the almost ceremonious arrival on Dragonstone, sneaking into a smugglers cove under the cover of darkness wasn't exactly the return to mainland Westeros that Luke had dreamed of. Nonetheless, he kept his hood up as he hopped out of the rowboat into the cave, where dozens of his men were already lighting torches and making their way through it and onto Crackclaw Point. He heard the chirps of Valaxes and made sure to give the dragon a scratch on the chin before he began walking himself, and it wasn't long before they arrived at a ruined castle on a cliff overlooking the Narrow Sea.

"We'll camp here for the next two nights so I want scouts and spotters set up immediately." He sent an order down the lines. "Regroup, resupply from the local area, and then we root out Ser Matthew Crabb and accept his surrender before pushing on to Dyre Den."

"Aye, Your Grace." Lord Celtigar nodded from beside him before riding off to the front of the lines to spread the word.

The ruined castle still had a few decent rooms, though no beds. Luke didn't sleep though and instead he made his way to the top of the tower he was staying in and stared out towards the mainland. He had a few vague memories of Westeros itself but nothing more than a few flashes. Now though, he was back, and he was bringing Fire and Blood with him.

I will be honest, I originally had Davos down to die in the last chapter in my plan. Through writing though and how the retreat of the Baratheon forces went I didn't think Davos would continue to fight and from that came one of the most fun scenes to write.

We know nothing about House Celtigar during the modern period other than Lord Ardrian is a miserable git, so I've had to go a bit OC with that House. I have in my plan a full family tree for them based off nothing but Lord Ardrian's age.

Tywin feels pretty stuck. He knows he's fighting a losing battle here but he's still trying to create a situation where he doesn't lose too badly all over Westeros.

With Robb closer to a genuine castle I felt he would have managed to get ravens off easier to all the local Riverlands castles, and so the Southern Riverlords had more patrols out ready to capture Jaime and Brienne.

And finally the main part of the chapter, with the agreement hashed out between Jon and Olenna. I always enjoy writing the Queen of Thorns but I'm always hoping I got her right. It was an interesting scene to plan, given the frivolous nature of Highgarden coming to meet with the unyielding, unamused Jon Connington.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!

Next Time: The Second Targaryen Conquest of Westeros begins in earnest, whilst Robb Stark reacts to the new alliances in the South and makes a new plan…

Reviews:

Chapter 14

noone64: Ha! It's been ages I know, but all other stories are completed and so now I can focus here.

Chapter 15

DarylDixon'sLover: It'll be a long wait for Jon to even appear in this story, but as for his fate… well that's even further away!

suppes1: Thank you for the nice review!

Guest (madness): I really don't want to say either way because that's a pretty big spoiler. All I will say is that I've drawn from the entirety of House Targaryen lore whilst plotting out this story and there are elements of Aegon I, elements of Maegor, elements of Jaehaerys, elements of Viserys I, elements of Aegon IV, elements of Aemon the Dragonknight and loads of others inside Luke that will be shown as the story continues.

Tertius711: This isn't a book fic. I take elements from the books for eye colour and the characters and locations that don't appear in the show sure, but ultimately this is a show universe and I'm following House of the Dragon's lead. Imagine them how you want to, but for me those are the two actors that I imagine whenever I am including them in a scene.

Gtopia: I PM'd you but to reiterate, thank you for pointing out the mistakes in Chapter 1. I agree about Daeron's death, and hopefully we get Fire and Blood 2 so we ca get more information on the Dornish Conquest.

sarah-rose76646: Thank you! With a battle like this I wanted more of a stalemate scenario despite Luke effectively winning. Stannis will certainly be back…

AZW330: I edited bits and pieces here and there to make this story a little better in my eyes, so thank you for rereading! I hope I do Margaery justice.