Pact Of Ice And Fire
Mia Stark
Pentos….
"Come sit my lady," Aegon says "We have much to discuss"
Mia sits at the table across from the young blue-haired man, Jon Conngtin sits next to his prince, Ser Aegor and Ser Rolly stand to his side. Magister Illyrio claps his hands "Apologies my friends but I have other matters to attend to" he turns to Mia and gives her a yellow-toothed smile "It was an honor to meet you my purple princess" with that he waddles off, taking his unsullied with him.
"Can I offer you some wine, my lady?" Prince Aegon asks, pouring a cup for himself.
"I don't usually partake," Mia says with a shake of her head.
The Prince shrugs "Fair enough" he says "I myself don't usually have the chance to drink with all of Griff's tedious lessons"
"Those tedious lessons are preparing you for ruling the seven kingdoms," Griff says in annoyance.
"I said they were boring" Prince Aegon defends "I didn't say they were unnecessary" he turns his left "Ser Aegor I left the game of Cyvasse in my room, would you fetch it for me?"
The brawny knight seems furious at this "I am not a lowly errand boy!" he snaps "Send someone else!"
Aegon's face darkens "You will obey your prince," he says calmly.
Ser Aegor tires to stare the young man down but the prince refuses to be intimated, Ser Rolly senses the tension and steps forward "Perhaps I could fetch the game instead" he suggests.
Aegon shakes his head, never breaking eye contact with Aegor "I did not command you Ser Rolly I commanded Ser Aegor...and he will do as I say"
The anger vanishes from Ser Aegor's face and his replaced by an impressed smirk, he the wordlessly obeys and leaves the room.
"The only thing more powerful than that man's temper is his pride" Griff warns "You should take care not to shame him"
Aegon shakes his head "Ser Aegor is valuable and I owe him much" he says "But if I am to be king one day I need obedience"
Ser Aegor comes back with the game and places it on the table "If there's nothing else I have men to train" he says "With your leave of course"
Ser Rolly places a hand on his shoulder "I would join him if you'll let me" he says "Ser Rolly can be...overzealous when it comes to the new recruits" Aegon nods and waves his hand in dismissal.
As the two leave the prince begins setting up the pieces on the board "Do you know the rules Lady Mia?" he asks.
Mia shakes her head "No my lord, I've never played" she says.
Aegon smiles "I will teach you," he says.
He spends the next hour or so teaching Mia how to play the game, Jon Connington leaves to attend other business but returns when they begin to properly play "From a bastard to a Princess" Aegon says "You must be an extraordinary woman to make those achievements in such a short amount of time"
"It was a change made from circumstance," Mia says and my brother's love "After my younger brothers were murdered Robb became fearful that his line wasn't secure, he made me a Stark so that I could watch over his child...but then we traveled to the twins"
Aegon nods, his eyes full of sympathy "And now you are his heir" he says "And you want to reclaim your home"
"I want to get justice for my family," Mia says "Winterfell is mine by royal decree"
"The royal decree of a disgraced traitor" Aegon points out "According to the Lannisters, Roose Bolton is the rightful Lord of the North"
Mia feels her wolf's blood boil at the sound of that man's name "Roose Bolton shoved a knife through his King's heart!" she snaps "The Lannisters Murdered Robert Baratheon, seized the Iron throne and cut my father's head off! I piss on them and their royal decrees!"
"Calm down my lady," Aegon says "I didn't mean to upset you"
Mia nods and takes a deep breath Apologies, my lord, my father always said I had a temper"
Aegon smirks "I have lived with Ser Aegor for the past three years," he says "A hot temper is nothing I have seen before"
The two continue playing, Aegon inevitably wins 'You played well my lady" he says.
"I suspect you were taking it easy on me" Mia accuses.
"At first" The prince admits "But you are not without skill"
"Perhaps we speak of more important matters," Griff says, the older man had been growing increasingly irritated at how long the game was carrying on not a man of the simple pleasures Mia thought.
Aegon's smile disappears and he leans back in his chair with a sigh "I did not know your brother my lady" he says "But from what I am told he was a good man and a capable commander"
"He was my lord," Mia says as she furrows her brow in confusion "but I feel to see why-"
"However" Aegon cuts in "It seems he did not share your father's sense of honor"
Mia frowns "I don't get your meaning"
"That is because you have not let me finish," Aegon says "Your brother rose up against the Iron Throne, he was right to do so it is occupied by usurpers, the same usurpers who murdered my mother and sister"
The prince falls deep in thought his purple eyes turn dark with gloom, Mia waits silently while he comes back down to earth "But he took it to far" Aegon says "He had no right to declare himself King in the North, had his war succeeded he would have taken two of the seven kingdoms...my kingdoms"
"Your man here came to us" Mia defends looking at Jon Connington "He offered us an alliance saying you would be the King on the Iron Throne and Robb would be King in the North and of the Trident":
"Ah yes," Aegon says "Looking over at Griff angrily "Why don't you explain that to the confused lady Lord Connington?"
Griff sighs and turns to Mia "My lady I confess that while the Prince here knew of my attempt to make an alliance with your brother, he had no knowledge that I would include the offer of keeping his crown"
"I would have forgiven him of course" Aegon says "Lord Robb had no way of knowing of my survival and even if he had I am just a boy across the narrow sea, how could he ever have known I would ever cross it, I would have given him the chance to bend the knee...a chance I will give you now my lady"
He stands from his chair and looms over Mia "Bend the knee my lady" he says "Bend the knee and I swear by the old gods and the new I will help you get your home back, Bend the knee and rise as Mia Stark, heir to Robb Stark and Rightful Lady of Winterfell and Lady Paramount of the North"
Mia stands with a sigh "My lord that is a very generous offer" she says "But my brother fought for an Independent North, free from the yoke of the south, I would be dishonoring his memory if I gave the North to an outsider"
Aegon seems shocked and angered by this "My lady don't be stupid" he says "You could never take Winterfell on your own, if I wanted to I could Install any other man as Lord of Winterfell, perhaps Ser Aegor or Duckfield!"
"No you could not," Mia says calmly "Not while there's still a living child of Ned Stark, the North won't accept anyone else, especially not a Targaryen"
"Torrhen Stark bent the knee to Aegon the Conqueror" Aegon reminds.
"That Aegon had dragons" Mia counters "You do not"
"I am the rightful King!" Aegon snaps.
"You are the grandson of the man who burned my grandfather alive while my uncle looked on...forgive me my lord but have you forgotten why your family was deposed in the first place?"
This angers Aegon so much he sweeps his hand across the table knocking the pieces of Cyvasse to the ground, he then slumps back grumpily in his chair "You are clearly a bastard!" Griff says stepping forward "You know nothing of how to speak to a prince!"
"It's fine Griff," Aegon says calming down "Forgive me, my lady, you have the wolf's blood I have the dragon's blood, something that burns far hotter I'm afraid...I would like to speak with Lord Connington alone if you'll leave us"
Mia nods "Of course my lord" she leaves with a triumphant smile on her face.
Jon Connington
Griff stands next to the dragon prince as he rubs his head in frustration "Insolent little bitch isn't she?" Aegon says.
"None of that" Griff says "You need to be courteous with these nobles"
"I think that I was more than courteous" Aegon defends.
"When we get to Westeros, there will be men much more difficult than one bastard girl," Griff says gesturing to the broken pieces of Cyvasse "You can not lose your temper with them as you did with her"
"She comes here with nothing but her sister," Aegon says "And instead of begging on her knees, she demands our help in taking the North" he smirks "You have to admire her bravery"
"She is right about one thing though," Griff says "I fought the Northerners in the war of the of the usurper, you'll never subdue them not by force, you need a Stark to do it for you"
"I offered to make her my Lady Paramount of the North but she refused," Aegon says "It seems Bastards truly do have limitless ambition"
"May I speak freely?" Griff asks.
"You do nothing but speak freely Griff," Aegon says "But yes you may"
"Give her what she wants," he says "The North is dark and cold wasteland let the Stark girl have it if it pleases her"
"You would have me give away one of the seven kingdoms?" Aegon says with a look of disbelief
"Not freely of course," Griff says "We will need the strength of the North if we want to hold the kingdoms but what does it matter if the woman who holds it calls herself Queen instead of Lady"
"It will make me appear weak!" Aegon protests.
Griff place's a hand on his foster son's shoulder "When we reclaim the Iron Throne, we will do it in a way so that weakness is the last thing the Lords of Westeros think of when they see you"
Florian The Fox
Dragonstone….
Florian marches through the dungeons of Dragonstone with his brother Axell and four other men, they stop at a dark cell as soon as it's torch lights it, a body smashes against the steel bars "Axell!" the prisoner shouts "Florian! My brothers, it is so good to see you both!"
"You are no brother of mine traitor!" Axell spits, he was the middle child of the three, a short and stout man, round with thick arms and bandy legs, his ears were very large...a trait their family was often cursed with.
Florian, on the other hand, was far less Homely and by no means difficult to look at, his black-grey hair was beginning to think his ears were large like his brother's he was taller but also lighter than both Axell and Alester, his nose was broad and his eyes were bright blue.
"Time to go, brother," Florian says to Alester.
"The Lord of Brightwater Keep shakes in fear "Go where?" he asks "Oh gods am I to die?"
"Gods?" Axell asks sharply "There is only The Lord of Light and the Great Other" he then gestures for the undergaoler to open the cell.
"Please brothers!" Alester wails "I can not walk"
"Then crawl" Axell spits but Florian was more sympathetic he lifted his eldest brother to his feet and supported his weight.
"Please Florian" Alester weeps as they march up the steps "My brother you must help me"
Florian merely shakes his head "I'm sorry brother I don't associate with traitors"
"I am no traitor!" Alester wails "Why will no one listen to me? They were fair terms! His grace could keep his dignity as well as his lands"
Axell hears this and becomes so enraged that he turns around and smashes a meaty fist into his elder brother's belly "Dignity?" he roars "Do not speak of dignity you worm! Stannis Baratheon will rule Westeros one day, by forging that letter you have brought shame upon him and our House!"
Florian merely watches as his eldest brother is kicked and beaten by Axell when the fat oaf is done he kneels beside his condemned brother "If I were you I would pray for my soul brother" he says "No one else will"
This terrifies Alester who curls himself up on the floor "So I am to die!" he sobs "Oh mother have mercy!"
Florian nods to a couple of guards flanking them "Lift him to his feet" he orders "I will not carry him any further"
They obey and drag the broken men out of the castle, out on the beach a great crowd had assembled.
The builders had spent the better part of the day building a pyre and Red Priestess Lady Melisandre had spent the rest of the day gathering nobles as an audience, now the moon shined above their heads as they led Lord Alester Florent to his doom.
They stopped in front of Stannis Baratheon, rightful King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, next to him stood his wife and Florian's own niece Selyse "Your grace, My Queen" Florian greets.
The Queen gives a strained thin smile "Ser Axell, Ser Florian" she greets "My honored uncles"
"Your grace!" Alester wails at Stannis "Please if you'll allow me to explain-"
This time it is Florian who deals the blow to his brother's face "You will speak only if his grace allows brother"
"Let's get this over with" Stannis insists he nods at two guards who drag Alester to the pyre and tie him to it.
It is at that moment when Alester is fully secured to the beam of wood that the Red Priestess Melisandre steps from the crowd as if from a puff of smoke. She nods to Ser Godry Farring, who lights the pyre with his torch.
"Lord of Light!" Melisandre cries "Hear us and accept this token of our faith and lead us from the darkness!"
Florian walkthrough the crowd and stops to stand next to the Onion Knight Ser Davos Seaworth who had an unnerved look on his face "Ser Davos" he greets.
"Ser Florian" he greets back.
"Sire!" Alester screams "I've served you well, it was no treason I swear it!" when Stannis doesn't respond he turns to Florian "Florian you're my brother help me! Tell them I was only trying to help!"
But Florian doesn't react either, he just keeps a stoic expression on his face and watches in silence.
"How can you watch this?" Davos asks "he's your brother, your flesh and blood"
"Aye he is and for that, I will grieve for him," Florian says with a nod "But he betrayed our King and I know the law"
As the flames begin to lick at Alester's flesh, the crowd starts to pray, Davos and Florian refuse to join in "I heard you fought bravely in the battle of the Black Water" Davos comments.
Florian scoffs "For all the good it did," he says before turning to face the onion knight "I was sorry to hear about Matthos, he was a good lad and a loyal friend to my son"
Davos nods sadly "There was nothing that could have been done," he says "But thank you"
"Does your wife know?" Florian asks as Alester begins to scream louder.
"I sent word to our keep at Cape Wrath," Davos says "But I've had nothing back"
"This is war," Florian says "Ravens a shot down all the time, try and not think too much of it"
The fire finally consumes Alester's body and the screams stop Florian feels a lump form in his throat and he struggles not to turn away from the sight of his brother's charred corpse. "Lord of Light protect us!" Melisandre cries "For the night is dark and full of terrors!"
"May the seven forgive him for his sins and his treason" Florian whispers under his breath "And may he be granted the mercy of peace in the next life"
Later Florian walks back to his son Garlan's chambers and finds his him sitting on the bed and reading a copy of the seven-pointed star "What do you think you're doing?" Florian demands.
"Reading" the young man answers. Like his father, he had black hair, big ears, and a long face, his eyes were green and he had a pug nose like his mother's.
Florian snatches the book from his son's hand "Do you have any idea what King Stannis would do if he found out you had this?"
"Nothing" Garlan answers "But I imagine the Red Woman would burn me at the stake like she just did my uncle and just like that I doubt you would do anything"
Florian shakes of his head "Alester was executed for treason Garlan not because he worshiped the seven, he tried to send terms of our surrender to Tywin Lannister"
"I know the punishment for treason," Garlan says "Beheading, not burning, Whatever else he was uncle Alester was a Lord he deserved a Lord's death"
Florian sighs and sits down next to his son "He did, but Stannis is the King and it is our place to obey his orders not question them"
Garlan scoffs "Is that all you want to be, father?" he asks "A man who follows orders?"
Before Florian can answer someone knocks on the door "Enter" Florian says.
The door opens an in steps the knight Ser Justin Massey, a tall man with pale-blonde hair Florian thought he was grinning-fool "Apologies Ser Florian" he says "I looked in your chambers but you were not there so I came to see if-"
"What is it, Ser Justin?" Florian asks.
"His grace wants to see you," Ser Justin says "Immediately"
Florian rubs his head wearily "It is very late and I've just lost a brother, can it not wait?" he asks.
Ser Justin merely shrugs.
Florian sighs and turns back to his son and places a hand on his shoulder "Get some sleep" he tells him "And if you value you your life, put away that book"
He leaves his son's room and follows Ser Justin to the top of Stone Drum and into a room known as the Chamber of the Painted Table, where Aegon The Conqueror had begun his great conquest of the Seven Kingdoms.
Standing behind the carved slab of Westeros was Stannis Baratheon "Your grace, I have brought you Ser Florian Florent as it please you"
"Leave us" The king orders and Ser Justin obeys with a nod, Stannis then turns his eyes on Florian.
"Ser Florian The Fox," Stannis says "Never understood why men called you that"
Florian shrugs "A childhood nickname given by other squires your grace" he explains "I was quick on my feet and the fox is on my house's banner"
"I've seen men quicker than you," Stannis says.
"We do not get to pick the names others give us your grace"
Stannis nods "Your brother Ser Axell is down there," Stannis says "He should be grieving the death of his eldest brother but instead he's celebrating"
"Celebrating the death of a traitor Your grace" Florian defends.
"And you?" Stannis asks "Do you celebrate the death of that traitor?"
Florian merely shakes his head.
"I am in need of a new Hand of The King" Stannis explains "Your brother has put his name forward"
Florian nods "Axell has been Castellan of Dragonstone for many years, your grace," he says "He would not be an incompetent hand"
"Any man who celebrates the burning of his brother is a madman," Stannis says "I won't have a madman as my Hand"
Florian shrugs "Ser Richard Horpe then," he says "He's always been loyal"
"He's always been ambitious" Stannis corrects "Why do you not suggest yourself, you've been sworn to me longer than any of them"
"I have no interest in being Hand of the King your grace," Florian says "Life has taught me that that the ambitious men fight and waste their lives away looking for something better, but only the man who learns to be grateful with what he has can find peace"
Stannis snorts "You trained to be a Septon once did you not?"
Florian stiffens and frowns "A lifetime ago your grace"
"Your brother Axell, who you are so quick to defend, told me of that" Stannis says, "He says that you will always be true to the faith of the seven and I should not trust you for it"
"With respect your grace, you should recall that in the nineteen years I have served you I have not once given you any reason to doubt the vows I made to you," Florian says "And I never will"
"Then I ask you again Ser Florian The Fox," Stannis says "Who should be my new Hand?"
Florian looks his King in the eye "Ser Davos Seaworth" he says "The Onion Knight has been in your service just as long as I have and unlike me, he has never fought against you"
Florian thought of that day, twenty-one years ago when Mace Tyrell and Paxter Redwyne sieged Storm's End, Florian was a young man then, one soldier among thousands, he thought it would be over in a matter of weeks but Stannis held out, then when they were forced to eat their dogs and cats Florian thought they would surrender but Stannis held out and then when they ran out of dogs and cats and pigeons and rats Florian thought that they would surrender but again Stannis held out.
Then they Eddard Stark came, the war was over Rhaegar Targaryen killed at the Trident, King Aerys murdered by his one of his own Kingsguard, the Tyrells had no problem dipping their banners.
After Robert was crowned King, instead of returning home Florian traveled to a Sept and studied to become a Septon but when he was...cast out he traveled to Dragonstone and swore allegiance to the then Lord Stannis because that was a man he could follow, not a man who would surrender at the first opportunity like Mace Tyrell or Paxter Redwyne but a man who would fight to the bitter end.
"There is no man fitter" Stannis agrees "Ser Davos will be my Hand"
Florian nods and prepares to march out but Stannis calls him back "Before you find your bed tonight find my Onion Knight," he says "tell him I wish to speak with him"
Florian nods "As it pleases you, your grace," he says before marching out when he was sure that he was alone he took out the seven-pointed star around his neck that was hidden by his doublet and began to fiddle with it. The Seven no longer had a place here and King Stannis was becoming increasingly reliant upon the Red Woman, Florian was beginning to understand that there may come a time when he must choose between his King or his faith...he prayed it would never have to come to that"
Mia Stark
Pentos…
Mia watches from her room's balcony at her younger sister, Arya was standing with the Bravos and fiercely trying to convince them to let her practice with them she'll break them soon enough Mia thought.
She found herself wondering about her other sister, how was she faring in King's Landing? How was her new husband treating? Not well Mia thought the imp is a Lannister after all. How had their wedding night gone? That thought made her so angry that if someone had stood near her she would have strangled them and pretended they were a Lannister.
Fortunately, the door opened and pulled her out of her dark thoughts, she turned to see Ser Rolly standing in the doorway "They are ready for you my lady"
He leads her back to where she played with the Dragon Prince "They have been arguing all night" Ser Rolly explains as they walk "Whatever you said to them, it's caused a great deal of tension"
"I refused to bend the knee," Mia says bluntly.
Rolly turns to her in disbelief "And you still demand our help"
"I'm not demanding" Mia assures "I'm asking, just like you've asked Illyrio for help"
Rolly sighs "You are inconceivable Lady Mia," he says.
Mia allows herself to smile a little.
They make it back to the room where Prince Aegon, Lord Connington, and Ser Aegor are waiting.
"We have decided on the terms of our alliance my lady" Aegon says.
Mia nods "Go on"
Griff steps forward "When we take the seven kingdoms, the North will be made an independent kingdom and you will rule as it's Queen" he says "In return you provide the full force of its armies, we will sign a pact of alliance that will last for the next twenty-five years, during that time both the North and the south will be obligated to provide aid and military support to the other when necessary"
Mia smirks clever she thought let me be Queen but keep my kingdom bonded with the south "These terms are acceptable" she says "As long as you understand that Stark's will be the sole rulers of the North, I have no intention of being a puppet of the Iron Throne, I will rule the North in the way that is best for its people"
Ser Aegor laughs "The pup is showing her fangs" he mocks.
Aegon ignores his knight and steps forward "Very well" he says "But you have to understand that I need to be sure that North will not be a threat to the rest of the kingdoms"
"Aye and I need to make sure that you or your successors will never try to reconquer the North" Mia agrees "But I thought we already had a solution to that problem, you were to marry my sister Sansa" she then gazes a Griff "Or was that another term Lord Connington made up?"
Griff grits his teeth in anger and Aegon shakes his head "No, it truly was my intention to marry your sister" he assures "But I have given it some thought since then, I can not marry the wife of a Lannister even if I were to kill that Lannister first, it would look like I was marrying the enemy"
"Sansa was forced to marry the Imp!" Mia snaps "She is a hostage, not an enemy"
Aegon raises his hand in apology "I choose my words poorly" he says "Of course your sister is a victim but all the same I fear I must wed someone else"
"Like who?" Mia asks.
'I have a few options in mind"
Mia sighs, she wasn't very keen on seeing her gentle-hearted sister marry this stranger anyway "Fine" she says "Then how do you suggest cement our alliance?"
"Like any monarch you'll need heirs to carry on your name just like I will" he says "My ancestor Rhaenyra once made a promise that a Stark will marry a Targaryen, a promise called the Pact of Ice and Fire, I suggest we fulfill that pact with our children" he leans forward "When our children are old enough they will marry and bond our houses for eternity"
"I suppose this way the North and the south will never truly be parted," Mia says.
Aegon glares at her "Do you object"
"Of course not," Mia says "We are all after all part of Westeros, I believe that should make us natural allies"
The prince breaks into a wide smile "Excellent let us drink on it" he gestures to a serving boy who runs to fill to cups of wine, Mia didn't usually partake but she supposed this was as good of a time as any, the boy hands Mia and Aegon a cup each, Aegon raises his in the air
"To Mia Stark," he says "Rightful Lady of Winterfell and Queen in the North"
Mia smiled and drank to his words but as she does, she catches what looks like a menacing glance in his purple eyes, though it might have just been a trick of the light because it is gone as soon as she notices it…
Fancast for the new Oc's it's always fun to do this...
Aegon Targaryen: Timothy Innes
Kaegan Drace: Sam Underwood
Florian 'The Fox' Florent: Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Garlan Florent: Noah Silver