Arise Maul: Reborn Son of the Dragon

by VFSNAKE

Maul has just been killed by Obi-wan Kenobi on Tatooine. His spirit encounters the most unlikely of people who could give him a second chance. At the same time, a dying nine year old Jon Snow is in need of a second chance following Lady Stark's attempt to kill him. Jon survives, but barely. No longer Jon Snow, he flees to one day get revenge on those who wrong him and his family.

10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10-Bloody Truths

The armies of Westeros were marching.

It seemed every House with an army all throughout the Seven Kingdoms was marching. All to join up with the side they chose to fight and die for in the belief their side was the right one. They marched for the stag. They marched for the dragon. Banners waving proudly in the wind when marching or when the army encampments were setup. Wolves, bears, trout, mermaids, stag, roses, sun with spears, lions, and more were all on the march with the side they chose to follow.

All for the purpose of fighting those on the opposite side and crushing them into the ground.

Leading the army against House Targaryen on horseback was King Robert Baratheon. The fat King was eager to spill blood of his hated enemy. To do what he did to Rhaegar one more time before dying and being with his beloved Lyanna on the other side in one of the Seven Heavens. He decided to leave Renly in charge of King's Landing until his return, given Joffrey was too much of a whiny shit, and his bitch of a mother would only coddle the boy while covering up the brat's mistakes. Cersei always did and always would in Robert's opinion, which made the decision all the more important.

Stannis was sent to Storm's End to defend it and the lands once more around their House's ancestral home from invaders with his family. Stannis didn't trust Cersei or the Lannister men in King's Landing and wanted to make sure his wife and child would be safe from most of the fighting. Unlike last time, Stannis had made sure there were plenty of food and provisions in the event of a siege. Not that he was planning to be experiencing such an event again if the dragons had their way and keeping their promise to him.

In the North, House Stark was marching South with an impressive host well over 20,000 men ready for a fight and spilling southern blood. Led by Lord Stark himself along with his son and heir Robb by his side. To them, most southerners were weak shits who pranced around in their shiny armor, on their horses, and play fought in tourneys. Not in the North. In the North, you were raised to be fighters and learn to survive the harsh weather in order to grow stronger from the results. If you angered the North, you better be prepared to lose quite a bit before the end or else you will lose far more than you would like to lose.

The knights of the Vale were on the march. While they were not happy that the treachery of Jon Arryn had been revealed and proving Robert's Rebellion was based on a lie, they also didn't want another one of the dragons to sit on the Iron Throne. While Robert could be clearly seen as a usurper given the acts of House Arryn, Tully, and Baratheon taking the crown from House Targaryen, the victors wrote the truth.

And many of those who benefited from the rebellion had no intention of letting history be rewritten to depict themselves in a negative light.

At the moment, House Tyrell was challenging House Lannister's impressive army own with the aid of the Dornish though they were mostly focused on marching on the Stormlands. The two allies of the dragon had orders to keep the opposing sides focused on them and ensure they did not support the Usurper meeting with his other allies near Riverrun.

Not that House Lannister would continue to be an enemy of the dragon for long.

(Targaryen Encampment)

Gerion Lannister was impressed with the sight before him, and the massive army House Targaryen had amassed from Essos and brought here to Westeros. The Unsullied were truly a sight to behold when he saw them moving in perfect formations, keeping fit, and even training those who were not Unsullied, most likely former slaves, who had joined the dragons in this time of war. He had ridden his horse hard and damn near killed it to get to the encampment in order to speak to Maul about the situation with House Lannister stuck in its present situation.

"Welcome Gerion Lannister. I trust you are here to see his Grace?" asked Missandei after she had heard of the rider blonde hair with a trim beard had come and Maul had determined it was Gerion.

"I am young Miss. I need to speak to your King. It concerns my House and the situation it currently finds itself in right now with the war," replied Gerion with a small smile, but was serious all the same.

"Of course, Lord Gerion. His Grace is expecting you in his tent. Do not mind the dragons resting around it. They have recently fed and so long as you do not intend to harm their father you will have nothing to fear from them," said Missandei with Gerion nodding though he was at least glad to know the dragons Maul possessed were not in the mood to feat on lions right now.

They walked through the camp casually like they were walking through the woods without fear of attack and Gerion wondered how so many could feel so secure with him walking around. He was a Lannister for Seven sake. If anything, they should be eyeing him with suspicion, caution, and maybe even a bit of fear. But what did they have to fear from him? They had three dragons, military training so brutal that it could make many battle hardened and ready men quake in their boots at the prospect of performing the drills to get to such a level. Gerion had heard about the Unsullied and knew they all trained and trained and trained until they were told their training was done for the day or they died during the training. The men around him experienced horrors growing up no man should and Gerion knew these men had no reason to fear him.

They had all suffered far worse than whatever a Lannister could do to them when growing up.

"Welcome to my camp Lord Gerion," said Maul after seeing Gerion enter his tent and seeing the man after so long.

"Thank you, your Grace. I must say, your military might from what I have seen is quite impressive from afar and even more when up close," replied Gerion since he saw the three large and impressive dragons glancing at him for a moment while their heads lay around the tent to rest.

"That's the idea should any scouts or spies come sneaking around to see what I have to bring down on those like the Usurper or his allies," said Maul while Gerion nodding and glanced at the beautiful silver haired woman beside him before focusing back on the tattooed Targaryen.

"That is something I wish to discuss with you. The position of my House is precarious right now given what we want to do and what the situation we are says we have to do," replied Gerion while Maul nodded.

"I understand. Oh, where are my manners. This lovely woman here beside me is Daenerys Stormborn Targaryen. My father's sister and my Aunt," said Maul while Gerion gave a proper bow of respect to the woman, and she nodded her head back respectfully to him.

"My lady, you are indeed beautiful just like your mother. I only saw her a few times when at court or at various events when I was a younger man, but I know without question you inherited her beauty," said Gerion truthfully from what he recalled of the late Queen of the Mad King.

"Thank you, Lord Gerion. Rest assured, unlike my late father Aerys, I possess none of the madness our House are known to possibly have when born. My later brother Viserys had enough of it for the two of us," replied Daenerys with Gerion smiling politely.

"That's good to hear my lady. While many rebelled against your House because of your father, I doubt many would have wished Queen Rhaella harm. She had been hurt enough as it was during her time with your father," said Gerion and Daenerys nodded while frowning slightly.

"The Usurper and Tywin being the exceptions," remarked Daenerys and saw Gerion wince.

"Daenerys, be nice. Gerion is not Tywin. Nor is he the Usurper. The type of man he was before he had his venture to our ancestral home was removed to bring about more levelheaded Lannister. Gods knows we need more of them," remarked Maul sharply but in a gentle reprimanding tone.

"My apologies Lord Gerion. Your brother left quite a large shadow over his House. Many still speak of his past actions and not to fondly of the man himself," said Daenerys with Gerion nodding.

"I understand my lady. I have no fondness for my brother either to be honest. He never saw us as family. More along the line of pieces to play on the board and which we were best suited to place on it that was beneficial to our House. Or rather, to be more precise, beneficial to him. As for Robert Baratheon, I am just glad Joy is still a little girl and not a grown woman. I shudder to think what would happen if the fat stag saw her one day and wanted to do something to her regardless of whether she consented or not," replied Gerion knowing Robert's appetites for beautiful women were well known and would have taken Joy to his bed when she was old enough to be considered a woman.

Gerion would have never let it happen, Robert being King or not. But that possibility was fortunately not in the stars with the war on the horizon and a chance to remove the stag from his position.

"A sentiment I share should the Usurper try to get his hands on my Aunt. But enough about that right now my friend. We were discussing the situation about your House," replied Maul with Gerion nodding.

"Yes, your Grace. As you know, my House is in a situation where we cannot side with you in this war against the Usurper. We would very much like to march for the dragons but the situation with my niece, Cersei Lannister, being married to the Usurper, and having three children with him makes it impossible," said Gerion with Maul giving him a look of understanding.

"For the moment of course," remarked Maul with Gerion nodding.

"Yes, for the moment. I came here in the hopes you could give us time to secure Cersei and her children so we can properly march our army for your House. We have just made peace with House Martell, and they are on your side at the moment. The last thing my nephew Tyrion wants is for this war to reignite the bad blood between our two Houses for different reasons. We both want you to win but the current situation with House Lannister tied to the stag prevents us from joining you properly," explained Gerion while seeing Maul thinking things over in his mind.

"How do you plan to bring your niece and her children into the fold? From my understanding of the woman, she will not give up her position, much less the future of her first born son," remarked Maul with Gerion nodding since that much was true.

"I am well aware of that. I don't know how we will secure them just yet, but I swear on the Mother we are planning to get them out. Once we do, the lion will pledge their fealty to the dragon," said Gerion while Maul glanced at Daenerys for a moment.

"I trust you Gerion. You care about your family. I respect that. I imagine the Lannister bannerman are ready to march but are currently holding their position in the West until given orders. I trust Tyrion will be keeping them there, even if the Usurper calls for them to march?" asked Maul with Gerion nodding with a smirk.

"Tyrion is finding that any and all messages related to the King asking for House Lannister to march for the stag to be misplaced or damaged in some manner. He is unable to authenticate the messages and suspect they might be false. He has also been so busy with his duties that getting a message back to the King to confirm the orders has been delayed or slipped his mind," remarked Gerion while Maul smirked at him.

"The hefty burden of ruling I'm afraid. I will leave you and your family to secure your family members in King's Landing while my forces and allies deal with the Usurper," replied Mail with Gerion bowing.

"Thank you, your Grace. House Lannister looks forward to the day we can proudly march beside you once more," said Gerion before leaving the war tent.

"Do you trust him?" asked Daenerys after a moment when she was sure the man was no longer around to hear them.

"I trust him well enough to know he won't turn his cloak unless there is a strong enough reason. Right now, House Lannister marches for the stag because his house is tied to them by marriage. Remove that from the board and the lion becomes an extension of the dragon," said Maul while Daenerys was deep in thought.

"How do we know he isn't just saying pretty words to get close enough to stab you with a knife to the heart?" asked Daenerys with Maul smirking at her.

"A dragon knows when someone is honest or filled with treachery. They can sense it. Our dragons would have never let Gerion to get into this tent if his intentions were less than pure," replied Maul calmly due to his dragons and the Force telling him the Lannister who had just left was truthful.

It was time to deal with the stag and the trout. The stag would fall on his end and the wolves would feast on the fishes in the Riverlands once a raven that was sent to them reached his uncle.

(Riverlands-Near the Trident-Sometime Later)

When Edmure saw the Northern army, he was, like many around him, pleased to see Lord Stark leading the impressive host into war. While the Lord of House Tully had no real love for Ned or even the North itself, Edmure wasn't about to turn away such a massive army to repel the last of House Targaryen. He was even hoping to use them against the Lords of the Riverlands who Targaryen loyalist on his lands. It was only when Lord Stark halted his arm some distance away did Edmure look at him in confusion since he expected the Northern army to join with his own.

Edmure wasn't alone in his confusion either, as many of the Riverland soldiers near him, including his own friends currently on their horses beside him, were also lost on why the Northern army was across from them like they were going to attack. There was no sign of wishing to parlay, no sign of them being friendly, and were surprised to see the Northern army already had weapons drawn like they were going to attack.

Only for Edmure and his forces with him to panic when the Northern army did attack them.

Ordinarily, Lord Stark would do the honorable thing and parlay with the opposition. Be respectful. Make the opposition a fair and just offer to surrender. But this was not one of those times. House Tully was not a House Ned respected in the slightest. Its previous Lord manipulated events to see his father and brother be used as a means to justify Robert's Rebellion, if not bring the North into the fold. While Maul had removed Holster from the fold of Robert's supports, the man's son was an idiot who felt he was entitled to his inheritance. The man had done nothing to earn his right to rule over the Riverlands, much less Riverrun, and was siding with Robert in this war.

When Lord Stark's army had reached the Neck, the raven Maul had sent there for him to receive was read with all the Lords of the North present to hear what Lyanna's son had to say regarding House Tully.

Gut the fishes and those loyal to them. Make them bleed for all of the lives the North has lost from their greed and ambition. The South may forget but the North remembers.

"The King from the North!" exclaimed Lord Stark while on his horse and charging the startled Riverland bannermen not expecting this from the Northern army.

"The King from the North!" yelled Northern soldiers, as they cut through one opposition like they were nothing.

As for Edmure, he was currently panicking since half his men weren't even ready, and those that were had not been in proper formation to repel the sudden attack. He tried to rally his forces, but they were soon overwhelmed and fighting for their very lives when the North gained their advantage in the sudden attack. He cursed the fact his Uncle Bryden was currently overseeing the defenses of Riverrun while his sister Cat was there to help in some manner. Edmure knew his uncle had better military experience due to fighting in previous wars and would have seen, if not sensed, something was amiss when seeing the Northern army arrive.

He tried to fight the Northern forces that clashed against him. Hitting one or two, but nothing in terms of a lethal strike against them. Maybe a deep cut to a limb or torso, but it was hard to tell when there were so many on all side of you. Even more so when he was knocked off his horse when a mace comes out of nowhere and hit Edmure right in his helmeted skull. Dizzy from the blow, the young Lord of the Riverlands managed to get up, only to be met with a giant for a man clearly from House Umber. The large man tried to cleave him in vertically in half, but Edmure managed to jump out of the way before the Umber's sword could do its deed. Another Northman from House Manderly tried his hand and was barely repelled back while the Lord Paramount tried to flee from the clearly lost battle along with his remaining loyal bannermen.

Only to find their retreat back to Riverrun to be cut off by Riverland Lords and their bannermen loyal to House Targaryen. Brackens, Blackwoods, and Darry all coming in with their forces cutting off the escape of Edmure's men. Edmure himself tried to get to a nearby horse without a rider but the animal bucked and ran at the last minute with its back leg hit him on the side of his face. Had Edmure's already dented helmet not been on his head, it would have done more damage. As such, the Lord Paramount was now so stunned from the hits to his head that he never saw Dacey Mormont come up behind him and tackle the man to the ground.

Barely able to breathe due to the wind being knocked out of him, not to mention the dirt covering most of his face and mouth, Edmure grunted in pain. He felt his arms being quickly tied behind his back and as hoisted to his feet before having the means to spit the dirt and mud out of his mouth. Forced to march against his will, Edmure looked around to see his remaining forces had been captured and being led in one direction while he was heading to another. He didn't have long to wonder why that was the case when the Mormont woman brought him before Lord Stark and kicked his legs out to make the Lord of the Riverlands kneel before the Warden of the North and his son.

"Lord Edmure, I see the battle was not kind to you," remarked Lord Stark while some of his bannermen and fellow Lords smirked at the sight of Lord Tully.

"Lord Stark, what is the meaning of this? Why have you attacked me and my bannermen? Why have you betrayed King Robert? My House? My sister?" asked Edmure while Eddard Stark glared at the man and Robb's dire wolf Grey Wind snarled at the kneeling Tully.

"You would ask that after all the North has been through? At the hands of the South? From House Tully? From the conspiracy your father joined in with Lord Arryn? Do you really think I would march for Robert when he helped in the lie and continued the farce that was our friendship?" asked Lord Stark coldly and saw the Lord Paramount on his knees before him flinch knowing damn well what was being referenced.

"You are still married to my sister. This is a betrayal not only to her but your oath to the King. You will be made an oath breaker for this Lord Stark," countered Edmure with Lord Stark's eyes narrowed and was looking even colder at him.

"My wife betrayed me first Edmure. The oath to Robert was made on a lie when he took the Iron Throne from the dragons. I wanted the Mad King dead, that much is true. For what he did to my family. But had I known Rhaegar was different and intended to remove his father as King to rule justly, the North would have marched for him. But you and your House allowed information to be destroyed or hidden, and a lie was forged to demonize those who would have made the Seven Kingdoms prosper if allowed to rule. All so those who had defeated House Targaryen could take what was not theirs to take and ruin it!" stated Lord Stark while Edmure flinched again at the Northman's tone of voice and the fact he was also right.

"My father made his choice. I shouldn't be blamed for it," countered Edmure, even though he knew of his father's plans and didn't feel they were wrong.

"Yet when the time came to support either the stag or dragon in this war, you chose the former. Even though it was the dragon who brought your House up from nothing," Lord Stark shot back with Edmure scowling at him.

"With King Robert raising it even higher when we sided against House Targaryen. My father was a man who saw an opportunity and took it," replied Edmure with Lord Stark glaring even harder.

"And now his past decision has come back to haunt you in his place," commented Lord Stark with the Lord Paramount of the Riverlands snarling at him.

"King Robert will not stand for this. He will see each and every one of you brought low along with the rest of you Northern barbarians. He will see your Houses burned to the ground along with those damn trees you pray to in your heathen Kingdom," replied Edmure with Lord Stark not looking the least bit intimidated by the threat.

Difficult to be intimidated when the person trying to make the threat intimidating was on their knees, tied up, and mostly covered in mud.

"Robert will face his own judgement soon enough when my nephew gets through with him. As for you and the rest of your family, they will be held prisoner until Maul can take the Iron Throne," replied Lord Stark with Edmure looking at him in horror.

"Nephew? This Targaryen is your nephew? How is this Targaryen your nephew? And why would you surrender your own wife to his mercies? What kind of man are you?" asked/demanded Edmure while Lord Stark motioned for his men to take the man away.

"I am a man from the North," replied Lord Stark before he went to plan how to deal with the Riverland forces Edmure had with him.

It wouldn't be long before he had to plan on how to secure Riverrun and his wife so she could answer for her crimes against Aegon.

(Stormlands-Sometime Later)

King Robert sat in his war tent, his eyes filled with rage and fury worthy of his House. He was not happy in the slightest when new came of who was on his side and who was not. The Vale and her knights were with him and marching to meet with his forces at the moment to join against the damn dragons. He was happy to know that they were loyal to him and the crown over House Targaryen. Even though his foster father's deception, which allowed Robert to rebel against the Targaryens to take the Iron Throne for himself was now exposed, it calmed his raging heart knowing the knights from the Vale were willing to fight for him.

They apparently hated the dragons more than they did him and Jon for lying all those years ago about the truth behind the rebellion. And it wasn't like the Vale had suffered under his rule or Jon's guidance as Hand of the King after winning the Iron Throne. Their loyalty to Jon and Robert had been rewarded many times over and the Baratheon King also knew they feared what the ramifications would be if the Targaryens took the Iron Throne back. But what hurt him was hearing of the Northern army attacking the army setup in the Riverlands and his sworn brother, the honorable Ned Stark, had been leading the army with his eldest son Robb by his side. They had attacked one end of the army Edmure Tully had and those Houses loyal to House Targaryen in the Riverlands attacked from behind.

Those fucking dragon loving cunts! Jon had strongly suggested mercy to get the Targaryen loyalist on his side after the rebellion was over. To be better than the Mad King and what he would have done in his place with those loyal to Robert had the dragon won at the Trident. Robert had reluctantly agreed, if only because the amount of time, effort, and blood spilt to get him to the seat of absolute power that was the Iron Throne had been taxed to the absolute limit. People were not willing to serve another Mad King like Aerys if Robert was going to go off on any and all Targaryen loyalists. Jon had warned him that it would lead to another rebellion by the other Houses who fought for them and the Northern forces, namely Ned, had been upset with him over what happened to the Dornish whore and her children. Jon had warned Robert that if he became spiteful, many Houses in the Seven Kingdoms, the North included, and more would rebel against him before the crown was even on his head.

'I should have just gone with my first instinct and gutted the lot of them. But no, I had to listen to Jon and show them mercy. Ned would have been convinced or made to see what I was doing was right. He never could stop me from getting what I wanted even before I was King. Fuck! Now I have to deal with this shit of dragonspawn and those loyal to him coming to remove me from power. Me! Their King!' thought Robert angrily while hating Ned for betraying him like this.

But is it really betrayal on his end? You betrayed him first, remember? Lying to his face. The lie you and Jon Arryn produced to justify getting the North to join the rebellion.

'Shut up! I did what I had to. Aerys was burning people alive and laughing. Ned's family suffered for it. We were all suffering from the Mad King's rule!' thought Robert while glaring at the map in front of him.

You know Jon had a hand in that. He basically admitted to you as such. And Lyanna made sure you knew of her love for Rhaegar. You just couldn't stand the idea of someone taking what you believed was yours. You could stand the idea of Lyanna not being yours, even for one night.

'LYANNA WAS MINE! IS MINE! SHE WAS TO BE MY WIFE! NOT THAT PRANCY DRAGON PRINCE!' thought Robert while nearly giving into the idea of yelling that out loud if not for the fact Ser Barristan was with him standing guard beside him.

And yet her letter to you said otherwise. The letter you couldn't part with after reading despite Jon telling you to destroy to make sure Ned never found it. To think, all your brother by choice had to do was take a look at your armor's shoulder section to find the letter she sent pleading for you to stop this farce.

'Shut up! Ned was my sworn brother. My brother by choice. We should have had our Houses bound to each other by blood. His sister and I would have had children together,' thought Robert while the voice in his mind laughed mockingly.

Is that what you tell yourself when balls deep in whores? Do you think Lyanna would have tolerated your disloyalty to her if married to you? Do you think she would have tolerated the large army of bastards you have sired up to this point? She knew the truth of you upon your first meeting. You were fucking whores in brothels long after the betrothal was made and sired at least one bastard before the war. She would have gutted, if not castrated you after straying even once to a bed with another woman.

'Lyanna would have understood. Whether I was Lord of Storm's End or King of the Seven Kingdoms. She would have had to accept it. As my wife, she would have had no choice but to accept it,' thought Robert with the voice once more mocking him.

How can you be so sure she would? How can you be sure the woman would accept things? She is from the North. Wild and untamed as the place itself. Besides, you can't even remember her face.

Gritting his teeth, Robert restrained himself from smashing his fist onto the table in front of him and merely glared at the piece on the board.

The Lannisters and their army had yet to march with their bannermen out from the West join his forces despite all of the messages he had sent to Tyrion to do it. Apparently, the lion's army was pinned down by the Reach and Dornish forces to ensure support for the crown would be cut off from the West. The Northern forces had taken the Riverlands and now the Stormlands were the only remaining region left for him to control, though not as strongly as he would have liked given there were also a few Houses in his ancestral domain loyal to the dragon spawn.

Fortunately, he had taken a few of the family members from each of those Houses hostage to make sure those fuckers didn't get any ideas of turning their cloaks on him. He was also fortunate that the Vale had sent its forces to him instead of the Riverlands when they heard word of Edmure's defeat. While their army could have headed to the Riverlands to attack the Northern forces, there was no chance of victory against them, and adding numbers to Robert's forces was more prudent for when facing the army of House Targaryen.

All that remained was this tattooed Targaryen along with the Mad King's cunt for a daughter coming to meet him with their own army. He would destroy them both and bring down his righteous fury that was part of his bloodline down on the fuckers who took the wrong side in this.

"Your Grace, the knights of the Vale are here. They are making camp and their Lords should be here in mere moments," said a messenger running into the tent.

"Good. Now we can finally prepare to kill these damn dragonspawn and their followers," remarked an eager Robert while making a note to punish House Lannister in the future for being unable to defeat the armies of the Reach and Dorne.

Even if fighting off two massive armies from those areas was difficult.

No sooner had the messenger left, the Lords of the Vale were entering the tent ready to hear the plan to best the dragons once and for all. Lord Royce had taken it upon himself to be the designated leader of the Lords of the Vale given his veteran experience in leading men into battle. Though where once there was certainty in his eyes when leaving his home to come fight for King Robert, there was no doubt, and a sense of concern for the future given the side they were on.

Namely, was it the right side to be on?

When Lord Royce marched against the Targaryens, it was due to the Mad King and his actions being one unworthy of ruling over the Seven Kingdoms. The people lived in fear, terror, and the belief they could at any point be burned alive in front of Aerys while he laughed at the sight of their deaths. When Lord Arryn had called his banners to put an end to the Mad King in open rebellion, Lord Royce had been the first Lord from the Vale to answer the call with his bannermen. Lord Arryn had explained how Aerys had gone too far with Lord Stark and his son being killed in King's Landing and Rhaegar no doubt proving he was his father's son after taking Lyanna with rumors of him raping her repeatedly. Lord Royce had high hopes for Rhaegar being above his father in terms of madness and wishing to be better when becoming King one day.

Alas, it was not to be when the rumors began circulating.

When Jon proposed the plan to put his foster son Robert on the Iron Throne, the Lords of the Vale were all for it. Robert was a Baratheon first and foremost, but there was a sliver of Targaryen in him through his Grandmother's side, which gave him a chance to claim the Iron Throne and be a better King over his predecessor.

Only it hadn't turned out like Lord Royce had wanted or hoped when Robert became King of the Seven Kingdoms due to the way the new King did things. First, the man drank wine far too much for one man to drink and became drunk almost every day since become King. Second, the man was not faithful to his wife, Queen Cersei, and slept with whores while rumored to have sired a small army of bastard children. Something that could possibly cause issues in the future with the trueborn children the man had with the Queen, though Lord Royce didn't really see any resemblance to Robert in said children. Finally, it was said the King didn't attend Small Council meetings due to indulging in his vices, and as a result the crown was having serious issues.

Some even worse than when the Mad King was ruling.

People starving, jobs were scarce for many, coin even more so, and some woman resorting to whoring themselves in King's Landing in order to get said coin to feed their families. Royce had seen some of the darkness in that city a few times when visiting for one reason or another, but he had hoped Lord Arryn would have fixed it over time using the coin the crown had at the time during his time as Hand of the King. Lord Royce had tried talking to Lord Arryn about the issue from time to time, but Jon had assured him each time that things were being properly handled.

Alas it was not meant to be, and the sins of his Lord had been made known to him. To all of the Lords of the Vale. The lies, plots, plans, and schemes had been made known to Lord Royce through the personal journal of Lord Arryn practically being dropped off at his castle gates. He had shared this journal with the others to further prove its authenticity and wished many times it was not the genuine article. Sadly, it was the genuine article and showed how much their Liege Lord had played them and allowed things to go so far without any to correct all the growing issues.

It was why Lord Royce was so conflicted at this point despite being convinced fighting for Robert was the right decision to make when choosing sides. Was it not the honorable decision given their loyalty to the man after all these years and his nephew taking over as the new Lord Paramount? Was it not the right and honorable thing to do? To serve the new one and hope he was a better man? Even more so should the dragon win and decide to bring about his own punishment down on the Houses who first rebelled against his family during their dynasty?

And yet, looking at the King in front of him, Lord Royce still had his doubts.

Lady Waynwood had voiced her opinion on the matter to him before marching to war, as the two had been the most concerned about things once Lord Arryn's sins were made known to both of them.

It's hard to admit, much less think about Yohn. That we were deceived by Lord Arryn. An evil lie to put his foster son on the Iron Throne and himself in the one of the highest positions of power. He cared not for justice but the advancement of his own position. And what did it get us? A slightly better King over Aerys.

Our cause was just Lady Waynwood. We marched to overthrow a Mad King. One who burned people alive and laughed as they died. There was no dishonor it the act of rebellion or disputing the facts on what he did.

Rebellion against the Mad King, yes. But what about the Bard Prince himself? Did he deserve to be killed by Robert? Prince Rhaegar held none of the madness of his father. Lord Arryn's own journal only proves it and how he was among those spreading those false rumors about the Prince. Had the Mad King merely been removed, and Rhaegar sat on the Iron Throne in his place, I can't help but feel everything would be very different.

Sadly, we will never know. As it stands, this new dragon is here with revenge on his mind. With the Mad King's daughter beside him. I doubt they will allow Houses like ours to be in power should they claim the Iron Throne from King Robert. He barely allowed those loyal to House Targaryen to live with what they had while being heavily taxed.

I do not wish to march against them. Not after we have learned the truth of things. Sadly, we cannot go against Lord Arryn's nephew as he is the new Lord Paramount. Duty demands we side with him and King Robert to the end. Even if the end means our death no matter who wins.

Do you feel we will lose no matter the side taken, milady?

Should we side with the dragon, our Houses would be redeemed in their eyes. But betrayed by the other Houses as oath breakers to House Arryn. Even siding with King Robert tells everyone we care not for the deception used against House Targaryen to put a different King on the Iron Throne. As a result, our honor is destroyed no matter the side we take in this war.

Is there no recourse? A third choice we had not considered?

Perhaps there is one we had not considered. Let me work on find it on my end Lord Royce. For now, you and the other Lords must march to the Stormlands to meet with King Robert. With the Riverlands being taken by the Northern forces, meeting with Robert is the only path before us now.

To think the North would side with House Targaryen. The fact Lord Stark and his son are marching for the dragon makes one think about our decision to fight for King Robert.

Many are not happy with the current King and his lack of ruling. Yet some are far more fearful of what would happen if the dragon won this war. Many Houses loyal to House Targaryen were openly mocked and laughed at when Robert punished them for being loyal to the dragons after becoming King. Even after all these years following the rebellion, Robert makes sure to constantly remind them of their defeat. Japing, yelling, and insulting them every chance he can when in his presence with no end to the torment until the King is too drunk to speak clearly.

With all due respect milady, If the dragon wins, I fear he will do more than just insult us with words.

Given this Targaryen has three dragons, I have no doubt the option to do more than just insult us will be an enticing idea considering we helped bring down his House to near extinction. Lies and deception from Lord Arryn or not.

Hopefully, we won't face them right away in the battle. Perhaps a parlay and diplomacy will prevail if the Gods are good.

Not if King Robert has his way, Lord Royce. If he had his way, he would still be fighting in the thrice damn rebellion and killing Rhaegar repeatedly in different violent ways.

Aye, it's true. Sadly, the man has almost always gotten his way on things. And when King does not get his way…people tend to die until he does.

"Lord Royce, where the fuck is Lord Hardyng?" asked Robert while seeing Harrold Hardyng was missing among their ranks.

"My apologize your Grace. Lord Hardyng is walking around the camp to see the soldiers are properly prepared for battle," said Lord Royce while knowing what Hardyng was really doing but did not wish to say given the situation.

Honestly, did the new Lord Paramount of the East have to spend his time with the camp followers and bed whores at his moment when they could be on the eve of battle?

"Walking around the camp? Bah! I know what he's doing. Does the man think he is the only one to use that excuse? Someone find him and get him here. If he puts up a fuss, tell him his King commands him to get his ass over here, now!" exclaimed Robert angrily while Lord Royce personally left to get Harrold.

It took some time for Lord Hardyng to come into the war tent with Lord Royce to be part of their war meeting and the former doing a poor job of hiding his dissatisfaction of being pulled away from what he was doing. Or rather who he was doing. When Lord Royce found him, Harrold was deep in a whore he had procured soon after entering the camp. The young Lord Paramount of the East had told the Vale Lord to go away since he was busy with his whore and ready to spill his seed into her. It was only after Lord Royce told him the King commanded him to come to the war tent immediately did Harrold tried desperately end things with the woman quickly in order to dress himself to look even remotely the part of an obedient Lord of the Vale.

And failing spectacularly in Lord Royce's opinion.

"Good! Now that we are all fucking here, let's being. Right now, our combined forces are numbered well over 55,000 men, including heavy calvary. My scouts tell me the Targaryen shits have an army of roughly 18,000 men with no form of calvary to speak of, but that could change if any the Houses loyal to them decide to join their side. At the moment, they are marching their way toward us to meet us here where this will be our battlefield," said Robert while moving pieces into position to show their current situation with their opposition.

"What news of allies or other Houses your Grace?" asked Lord Gerold Grafton since it would good to have additional support in this.

"As I'm sure you all know or heard by now, the Riverlands is lost to us. The Reach and Dorne have called their banners and are using their armies to keep the Lannisters at bay. As for the North, they are fighting for the fucking dragons and Lord Stark has betrayed me," replied Robert while the men around him now cursed the North for siding with the Targaryens.

"What about actual dragons? I heard this Targaryen has three of them," said Harrold while many in the war tent looked nervous.

"Unfortunately, the fucking dragonspawn has three of them. Fortunately, we have a line of scorpions on hand to use against them. They worked when fired by the Dornish shits, even if it was a lucky shot, so we can use the ones we have to kill these beasts. I made sure we have plenty to go around to make sure one of those damn creatures is killed," said Robert confidently while making sure the existence of these weapons in his camp was kept secret and hidden from the rest of the army.

He didn't need the Targaryen to do anything to sabotage it.

"If we can successfully kill one or all three of those abominations, we can cripple the Targaryen and his rumored magic. It is said the dragons are a source of such evil. Kill the source and we kill his power," said Harrold while Robert nodded in agreement.

"When the time comes, we are going to fuck the dragonspawn in the ass and I am going to personally end both this upstart along with the Mad King's daughter. The bloodline of Aerys Targaryen will finally die in the coming days," replied Robert while looking forward to ending the Mad King's line and putting those who betrayed him in their place.

Preferably dead and in the ground.

(King's Landing-At the Moment)

Gerion had no problem entering King's Landing despite the war that was going on through the rest of the Seven Kingdoms and the tension it brought. The Riverlands were brought low by Northern forces, the Dornish and Reach armies allied with each other to create a military "wall" to keep House Lannister from marching its own army to join King Robert. The fat King himself was stuck fighting in his boyhood homeland against the army gathered by the dragon himself.

Gerion knew who was going to win. He had seen Maul's power. His intentions for the stag. To bring him low and reveal just how much of the lie to take down the dragons extended. To expose the lie for what it was and all those still alive responsible for its end result. Those who were innocent were unfortunately attached to the guilty one way or another, either by blood or marriage, and could make things messy in the long run when this event concluded itself.

House Lannister being chief among them.

Tywin had paid for his crimes already with his life. Something Gerion felt no remorse over since he had heard the stories of his brother's actions time and time again in stories and songs. No doubt Tywin had paid quite a few bards to sing them in key places to further instill fear of House Lannister and himself to the belief the lions were the top of the food chain. Not wolves, stags, falcons, or roses were the power behind the ruling dynasty of the Seven Kingdoms.

Gerion would have agreed, if his brother had challenged a young dragon over a madly deranged one. It always amused him how Tywin was not afraid of the Mad King, much less House Targaryen only after Rhaegar had died. It was one thing to win against an old weak beast, but it's another to fight one in the prime of its life. Tywin didn't do that. He waited until the winds of victory blew in the direction of the stag over openly siding with Robert during the rebellion. For all his brother's ruthlessness, he was not one to back any side until there was certainty the side chosen would win.

And the winning side giving House Lannister boons and power once victory was assured.

'Robert may have won the war for the Iron Throne, but the people paid for it with their lives or the lives of their families. Funny how everyone had to pay for his victory, but he never did. His so called love for Lyanna not counting since he fucked any woman catching his interesting during the rebellion. Fucking hypocrite. Though considering what I was like, and House Lannister was like before now, I can't point the finger at anyone,' thought Gerion knowing his House was the last one to point fingers when it came to making mistakes others made.

Entering the Red Keep, no one gave him a second glance, though he was sure his presence would be one whispered through the halls soon enough. Renly was acting as ruler of the city in his brother's stead, one he loved to flaunt during that time, even more so in front of Stannis before the elder of the two headed for Storm's End. Stannis had actually surprised everyone by taking Renly's japing in stride despite how the insult was meant to hurt him.

Robert had clearly made the decision to punish Stannis for abandoning Dragonstone, despite it being a smart, strategic move, and Renly went along with his eldest brother's decision in order to prove he was the better brother in terms of ruling. Even if the youngest of the three Baratheon brothers was doing it to do more postering from his seat on the Iron Throne over actually doing anything. Cersei had thrown a fit over it of course since she had hoped to have her son sit on the Iron Throne to give him "experience" ruling, but Robert had made his decision known, and told her that it was final.

On the way to the Red Keep, people talked openly about Renly, his way of doing things, and making key decisions while ruling the city in Robert's name. Gerion found it almost funny how the need for a Master of Whispers, for the King to have for spying on people, was practically unnecessary with the way people were so open with what they knew since Robert left Renly in charge. Already, the Lannister knew Renly through large feasts for people, held small, yet noticeable events to appease the people in the city, and was also said to have interesting tastes in companions.

Fortunately, Gerion was not here to speak to Renly. Though many would assume he was given the state of the war and providing the Baratheon with an update from the Westernlands.

He was here to speak to his family stuck in this shit smelling city.

"Uncle Gerion? What are you doing here? How did you get into King's Landing?" asked Jamie confused when he saw his fellow Lannister walking toward him while he was currently standing guard outside of the Queen's chambers.

Ordinarily, he would be in said chambers fucking his sister, but Joffrey was in the room with her while they ate snacks together. Myrcella and Tommen would have joined them, but his sister didn't want to be with them at this time. She had always favored Joffrey since he was not only first born but was more of a Lannister than the other two. For some reason, Cersei saw Tommen as a weak, soft boy who would not make it far should he ever become King in the event Joffrey died. As for Myrcella, he found it very strange how with each new year going by Jamie would saw his sister look at their (secret) daughter with a growing sense of fear. But why fear? Why not love her? Why did Cersei have a growing fear of her own daughter? Myrcella was going to be as beautiful as Cersei was one day and make many women envious of her beauty just as they had been of the girl's mother.

Yet Cersei clearly saw it as some kind of threat to her person. How was it a threat? What possessed his sister think such things about their child?

"It is not that hard nephew. But I'm not here for pleasantries. I am here to get you, your sister, and the children out of King's Landing," answered Gerion while Jamie went from curious to concern.

"What? Why? Are we about to be attacked?" asked Jamie while wondering how he could protect his family.

"No. Not yet at least. Look, you need to get your sister and the children out of King's Landing and back to Casterly Rock. If you don't, the King will be put in a very difficult position with our House," said Gerion while Jamie looked confused again.

"What position? Our House is bound to King Robert through my sister's marriage. How could it be put in a difficult position?" asked Jamie since he didn't see how, unless the stag knew the truth about how all three children were not of his blood.

"And you are talking about the wrong King," replied Gerion and giving his nephew a knowing look.

"You are backing House Targaryen for the Iron Throne? Does Tyrion know this?" asked Jamie in shock since he didn't think his brother would allow Gerion to break away from the rest of the family.

"We all wish to back House Targaryen. With the way things are nephew, the dragon will win. You know that Robert is not the warrior on the battlefield he once was back during the rebellion. He is going to lose against Maul. The same Maul who saved me all those years ago. You think he would not come for what is his by right? What Robert took from him and his House on a lie? You wish our House to be tied to that fat stag and his lies which got him on the Iron Throne?" asked Gerion while Jamie was hesitant given his own position and his sister's with their children.

"How do we know this Targaryen won't act like Aerys? How do we know he won't seek to burn us all alive like the Mad King?" asked Jamie while the memory of those days still haunted him.

"If Maul wanted to destroy House Lannister, he would have done it the night he killed your father. We were all there except for Kevan and Tyrion. I was there that night. Joy was there. He walked right past the room when I was reading her a story. He could have killed us all that night. I have no doubt Maul could have come here to kill you and no one would be the wiser. Instead, Maul went after your father in his solar and only your father. If you stay here, if Cersei and the children stay here, the dragon will have the lion pay the debts owed to their House. A debt payable only through fire and blood," warned Gerion with Jamie looking back at the door to Cersei's room.

"Cersei won't leave the city, Gerion. You know how she feels about King's Landing, the Iron Throne, and being the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. She won't allow anyone to take it from her. Or Joffrey's right to be on the Iron Throne when the time comes to crown him King. She will dig her claws in deep and drag everyone in the city down with her to help ensure the position of power is entirely under our House's control," replied Jamie with Gerion frowning at him.

"And you? Will you stay? Even if the dragon wins? Even if he marches here with an army? With all three of his dragons?" asked Gerion and Jamie could only sigh at the question.

"I'm of the Kingsguard, uncle. My duty is the protect the royal family," answered Jamie while Gerion's frown became a scowl.

"I am giving you and your sister a chance to get ahead of this Jamie. You need to get Cersei, her children, and yourself out of King's Landing. I don't care if Cersei refuses to leave. I don't care about her delusions of power in being Queen. I don't care about her arrogant shit for a son Joffrey one day ruling on the Iron Throne. I care about our family's survival. Our family's future! A future that is in jeopardy if you don't get your fucking ass moving to get our kin out of the city and back to Casterly Rock!" exclaimed Gerion while telling Jamie this was not some game and he could not win if staying was his choice.

"I can't uncle. I can't go. I can't abandon Cersei. She is my twin. My other half. I cannot abandon her. I cannot abandon ou-her children," said Jamie while Gerion narrowed his eyes.

"You were about to say, 'our children,' not 'her children,' just now. Why? Why the slip of the tongue?" asked Gerion in a near whisper now and it made Jamie a tad nervous.

"Gerion, the children are not Robert's. They are mine. Cersei and I have been fucking each other since before her marriage to Robert," whisperer Jamie while Gerion looked at him in shock and a tad bit of horror.

"You two have been doing what?! Do you realize the ramifications of this? Should word get out about this and your incestuous affair with your sister? Of your children being living breathing proof? Not only did you commit acts considered horrifying to the Gods, but you broke your oath as a Kingsguard to not have any children! What the fuck is wrong with you?!" demanded Gerion angrily.

"Do you think I have not considered what I did with Cersei? Of the consequences of my actions? Or what Robert would do if he found out about Cersei and me?" asked Jamie while Gerion ran an armored hand through his hair.

"You are really fucking stupid Jamie. It was one thing for the Targaryens to do such a practice centuries ago, but you and Cersei doing it is worse! Not only are you fucking your sister, but you are also fucking your twin, and have three children born from such an act. It's no wonder people say Joffrey is not right in the head. You were lucky Tommen and Myrcella don't share in their older brother's tendencies," said Gerion while Jamie winced at being talked down by his uncle.

"Can you take Tommen and Myrcella out of here? Just them?" asked Jamie while Gerion looked shocked and suspicious of him.

"I could easily enough, though it will require some help to make it less noticeable. But why them? Why not Cersei or Joffrey?" asked Gerion with Jamie sighing again.

"Let's face it uncle, we both know getting Cersei and Joffrey out of King's Landing is impossible. She will never allow anyone to take her away from here. Even family means nothing to her. All she care about is being the Queen and Joffrey sitting on the Iron Throne to be King one day. But you can get Tommen and Myrcella out of here and back to Casterly Rock. It is not too late for them to be saved from the horrors that will no doubt come from this war," said Jamie with Gerion narrowing his eyes at him.

"And you?" asked Gerion with Jamie thinking it over before giving a shrug.

"The things I do for love," replied Jamie with a sense of defeat in his voice.

"You do realize I can't protect you from Maul should he wish to take your head. I can't protect Cersei or Joffrey from his wrath. It is either now or never," warned Gerion one last time.

"Give Tyrion my regards uncle. Tell my brother, I wish him good fortune in the years to come as the Lord of Casterly Rock while flying dragon banners beside our lion ones," said Jamie with a small smile while Gerion sighed in frustration.

"Try not to get yourself killed Jamie. And if you are going to possibly die, try to go down fighting. Or at least die a death worthy of a Lannister," remarked Gerion before leaving the hall.

"You might want to seek out Ser Barristan. He's guarding them today. Besides, a noble Kingsguard like him should be allowed to serve a King worthy of the Iron Throne," said Jamie with Gerion pausing for a second before leaving for the two children.

No sooner had Gerion left did the door open, and Cersei came out.

"Who was that just now Jamie?" asked Cersei while looking in the direction Gerion was walking.

"No one sweet sister. Just someone asking for directions. You know how twisty these corridors can get at times," lied Jamie while hoping his sister didn't find out about his somewhat betrayal to her.

One of his children maybe lost to him, but Jamie could at least do right by his other two offspring.

(Casterly Rock-Sometime Later)

Tyrion was, understandably, not happy when Gerion had returned with less than half of the Lannisters he was hoping to secure back home where it was safe. His uncle explained the situation to him in private with the rest of the adults in the House Lannister family, including Jamie's dirty and not so little secret.

Naturally, it made the other members of House Lannister upset and disgusted with Jamie for doing such a thing with Cersei. How could the man be so stupid? So reckless? To do something so…so…so…a word that was indescribable to them, yet would be perfect for the wrongness in every sense of the word that Jamie had done?

If Tywin were here, he would have died all over again!

"So, Jamie has made his decision. Which means we now have to make our own," said Tyrion while not liking this situation in the slightest.

"I couldn't get to see Cersei, but Jamie believes she would sooner burn the city to the ground over giving it up to the Targaryens. Being a member of House Lannister, let alone Tywin Lannister's daughter, and the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms has made her rather spoiled. The fact Joffrey is to be the next King of the Seven Kingdoms will only make it worse," replied Gerion with a sigh while wishing it didn't have to be this way.

"Joffrey as King? After what Jamie told you? The boy has not right to the Iron Throne! Even if the brat was Robert's son, his mindset is one similar to the Mad King in terms of cruelty. The people would rebel against him to ensure there wasn't another Mad King on the damn chair," said Genna while putting her own opinion in.

"Try telling Cersei that fact. Or Joffrey for that matter. They would sooner order your death for saying such a thing," said Kevan while glancing at Tyrion.

"We set out to save members of our family. Sadly, we only succeeded in a partial sense. Cersei, Joffrey, and…Jamie are currently beyond our help. Even the Lannister bannermen still in King's Landing are lost to us since they are, unfortunately, loyal to Cersei. We have to accept this and move forward with the plan to march for the dragon. Does anyone here object?" questioned Tyrion with Kevan, Genna, and Gerion looking at one another.

"Was there no other way? Jamie wouldn't budge?" asked Genna to her brother.

"Jamie wanted to come with me and the two children. But because of Cersei and Joffrey, I couldn't get him to leave the city. We can only pray he survives this long enough for us to ask Maul for some kind of mercy. Exile or the Wall perhaps," replied Gerion with Tyrion sighing.

"Kevan, send a message to House Tyrell, Martell, and the Targaryens. Let them know the lion fights for the dragons once more," said Tyrion with Kevan nodding.

"We're marching the Lannister army?" asked Gerion with Tyrion nodding.

"You and Kevan will be leading them uncle. I would go with you but being a dwarf sadly does not make one qualified for the battlefield. Or at least one where I can come back alive," said Tyrion with a small smirk on his face.

"What about Ser Barristan? What do you want to do with him?" asked Genna while unsure of what to do with the member of the Kingsguard.

"That's easy. We let him go," replied Tyrion like it was the easiest answer in the world.

"Are you sure?" asked Genna with Tyrion nodding.

"Yes. He helped you bring Myrcella and Tommen back here. Besides, we both know he is going to join House Targaryen in this war against Robert. You all know how the man felt about losing Rhaegar at the Trident. If Maul is in fact the Bard Prince's son, which is growing possibility, Ser Barristan will gladly join House Targaryen in order to redeem himself," said Tyrion while knowing enough about the man to know what he would do next.

(Riverrun-Sometime Later)

Lord Eddard of House Stark looked at the castle he was laying siege to with great reluctance given how his wife was in there along with her only remaining family that was Bryden "Blackfish" Tully. He hated doing this despite the fact his wife tried to murder his sister's son. Despite the fact House Tully betrayed his sister and the man she loved to instigate a rebellion that put his former brother by choice on the Iron Throne. The only person innocent in this House was the Blackfish and he was no doubt conflicted in all of this too given how much he had lost already.

A dead brother, a dead niece, a captured nephew, and only one more niece remaining who is consumed with paranoia regarding bastards residing within the walls of the Tully's ancestral home.

But this had to be done. House Stark and the entirety of the North itself had been wronged by so many people in the South in their quest for power. With the truth out, the North in its entirety was now out for blood and would accept nothing less than blood from the South spilled to make things right.

And did the North spill blood when they attacked Riverland bannermen.

Edmure Tully was now a prisoner in the camp. A whiny prisoner at that. His friends, all fellow Lords and heirs were also whiny, demanding better treatment, and complained about the lack of "proper" food befitting a Lord or future Lord of their station. Many of Lord Stark's bannermen around them laughed with each new complaint, Lord Umber being chief among those mocking the Southern Lords for their grievances. As for Edmure himself, the man was cursing the North and House Stark for this "perceived betrayal" and had vowed to make him pay for it. His voice echoing throughout the camp and no doubt being heard by those within Riverrun since Edmure wasn't being quiet about it.

Unfortunately for Edmure, he was silenced for a time when Robb had enough of his empty threats and punched the man in the face with enough force to knock the Tully Lord to the ground. Ned had felt a sense of pride in his son's actions and so did many of Northern bannermen seeing this before cheering the boy for shutting the annoying Southern Lord up.

As for Ned himself, he was currently trying to parlay with Blackfish in the hopes of possibly resolving this situation without further blood being spilled throughout the Riverlands.

"You want me to surrender my home, Ned? After everything that has happened?" demanded Bryden while Ned sighed and glanced back at the Northern army with those of the Riverlands loyal to House Targaryen.

"After everything that has happened? Yes, I do. I need you to do this Bryden. You know it's the right thing to do. Your men will not be harmed or mistreated. You know I won't allow it," replied Ned with Bryden glancing over his shoulder at the massive army laying siege to Riverrun.

"My nephew's voice echoing through your camp says otherwise," countered Bryden since his nephew had not been silent about his treatment before or after Robb had slugged him in the face.

"Your nephew hasn't exactly been one for restraint on his part. His choice of words have resulted in how he has been treated up until this point. The boy feels he is entitled to everything and doesn't know what true hardship is in life. Your brother clearly didn't place responsibilities on him when growing up," Ned shot back with Bryden grimaced since that was true.

"Holster never had the strength to truly punish my idiot nephew for his shortcomings when given a task to complete. After his wife died, my brother just couldn't bring himself to do either one as harshly as he should have when Edmure acted lazy when give an assignment. But that is neither here nor there Lord Stark. What you are asking of me is impossible. Not to mention what will happen to my niece, your wife, should I surrender her over to your forces. Or do you think I am stupid like my nephew in the belief Cat won't be sent to the dragon after this?" asked Bryden with Ned grimacing this time.

"She has a lot to answer for Bryden. You know this," replied Ned with Bryden clenching his hands into fists in frustration.

"She is my niece, Lord Stark. Do you think I would risk her being burned alive like your family was to a Mad King?" asked Bryden while Ned glared.

"Maul is not Aerys. You think I would support another Mad King simply because he is my sister's child? That I would risk so much to put another Mad King on the Iron Throne and hope the madness is not directed at the North or my children in some manner? I would have to be just as mad if not more than the Mad King and even more foolish," replied Ned while Bryden looked lost since the words rang true.

"You need to convince the King to show mercy Ned. Show mercy to House Tully. To Cat. To Edmure. To our bannermen here," replied Bryden with an almost pleading look in his eyes.

One that Ned understood all too well.

The Blackfish was putting his life, his niece's life, his nephew's life, and the life of loyal bannermen of House Tully in the hands of another. Something one did not do lightly unless they could be trusted to protect said life. Especially when said life will be brought to the dragon to decide judgment and the fate of those lives brought to its feet would be unknown until the moment of truth.

"I will speak to Maul about it Bryden. For all her faults, Cat is my wife, and the mother of my children. I will convince him to spare her. Maybe sent Cat to the Silent Sisters. Edmure should be sent to the Wall. You haven't really done anything to him so I doubt Maul will do anything unjust when the time comes to face his judgment," said Ned with Bryden still looking skeptical.

"Cat will not take kindly to the surrender of Riverrun," remarked Bryden knowing his niece was watching from above cautiously and no doubt glaring at Ned for his "betrayal" of her.

"I know Bryden. But do you really want to try to face the alternative? To fight a losing war against the Targaryens? You know Robert will lose. He cannot win against so many sides aimed against him. If the army Maul has is not enough to convince you, think about my nephew's dragons. Do you really want to force his hand and unleashing their power on Riverrun?" asked Ned while Bryden began to sweat at the image of those beasts burning him home to the ground with people in it.

"Do you honestly think he would?" asked Bryden while Ned gave him an unreadable look.

"I honestly do not know Bryden. He might use them as a last resort or use them right away to make the realms understand what happens to Houses who do not bend the knee when commanded. I doubt we want to flip a coin on this and find out. I know I wouldn't, and Maul is my nephew. Your House broke its oath to the dragons and your niece tried to kill the King. Would you trust Maul to show restraint with the dragons if he were here to meet with further resistance?" replied Ned while Bryden swallowed hard and glanced back at his niece and bannermen.

The idea of them being burned alive in the castle by dragon fire was not something he wished.

"You have the truth of it. Sad to say, but you are right. What about the Lords and their heirs who fought for my nephew? What will happen to them?" asked Bryden curiously.

"Depends on my nephew. Most of them, I imagine will be sent to the Wall while others will be given a chance to bend the knee and swear fealty. Those who are more persistent and vocal in refusing either option will most likely lose their heads," said Ned with Bryden glancing past him where Edmure was once again being an idiot and mouthing off.

"I'll need to talk to my nephew to get him to shut up," said Bryden with Ned nodding.

"After the official surrender of Riverrun," replied Ned with Bryden nodding before he turned around to enter Riverrun to give the order.

(Inside Riverrun-After the Parlay)

"You are surrendering the castle? To them?!" demanded Cat while filled with anger and hatred in a way Bryden had never seen until now.

"We are outnumbered Cat. We cannot win or hold out on a siege. Northern forces and some Riverland bannermen loyal to House Targaryen are at out gates. Even if we hold out for several moons, we risk the wrath of actual dragons burning this castle to the ground with everyone in it. I will not risk the wrath of the dragons, Cat," replied Bryden with his niece looking more infuriated.

"Edmure is a prisoner in that camp. The Lords and their heirs loyal to House Tully are prisoners in that camp being brutalized by those fiends, and you wish to surrender to them? You would trust them to be honorable should I be in their presence?" demanded Cat while Bryden sighed.

"Better to surrender you to your husband over that of his nephew, who you tried to kill when he was just a child," countered Bryden with Cat looking increasingly infuriated.

"You would believe such lies?! You would believe that bastard is what he claims? Some hidden King who should rule?" asked/demanded Cat with Bryden just about losing his patience with her.

"Enough! Do you think I am some idiot like your brother? That I do not know truth? That your husband did not tell me long before now of what you did? Why the boy fled Winterfell? Did you not try to kill the boy by stabbing him nine times? Did you not twist the blade on the last one? Swear on your mother's grave it is a lie! On your father's grave! Swear upon it by the Seven! Swear it on those things and I will fight for you with all of my being Cat. If necessary, I will fight for you in a trial by combat here and now to protect what is left of my family. But if not, I name you liar. Gods Old and New forgive me, but I will name you liar if you can't," replied Bryden with Cat about to speak but was silent and looked away.

"He should have died that day. He should have died, yet the bastard lived," whispered Cat, but still loud enough for Bryden to hear.

"It was a foolish thing to do Cat. You should have never tried it. Killing a child. Bastard or not," replied Bryden with Cat glaring at him again.

"He was a stain on my husband's honor. On our marriage. I thought I had lost him and feared for my son's future," countered Cat with tears in her eyes.

"He could have been sent away Cat. Either to another keep where he could be fostered or sent to the Wall when old enough to join. From what I heard of the boy, he didn't act like you feared," remarked Bryden with Cat scoffing.

"It could have been a ruse. A deception. Petyr warned me of such things," said Cat before she stiffened at the fact such information was not known to her uncle.

"Petyr? Petyr Baelish? As in Littlefinger? You were corresponding with that sleezy flesh peddler during that time? Behind your husband's back?" asked Bryden with Cat had a mixture of anger and shame on her face.

"I needed advice on how to handle things when Ned wouldn't take my suggestions to heart, uncle. I wanted my children to embrace the Seven, but Ned wanted to stay true to the Old Gods. I told him we should have large Sept placed in Winterfell for our children to pray in and he refused. I contacted Petyr about it, and he said I should convince Ned to have a small one built. He said a large one could be put in years later when Robb was converted fully and took over as Lord of Winterfell. He said Ned would not allow a large Sept in the heart of the North, but my son would when listening to my advice. That those who were against such changes should be banished from the North regardless of their position. When I had asked him for advice on how to deal with the bastard, Petyr advised I should be cautious and to look for signs of the boy being a threat to Robb. Only by seeing the signs of his true nature could I properly act and justify my actions in killing him," answered Cat while Bryden sighing and slumping his shoulders while struggling to stay standing.

"By the Seven, my whole family is filled with halfwits. Paranoid and stupid halfwits," whispered Bryden while cursing his brother for not being a better father to his children and letting them jump to improper conclusions.

"Uncle!" exclaimed Cat in shock at his words.

"You shouldn't have corresponded with Littlefinger in the slightest Cat. Secret or not. If only it had not been a secret, perhaps the damage of this would not be so extensive," commented Bryden with Cat looking at him in confusion.

"Uncle, secret or not, nothing improper was written in those messages," Cat said in defense of herself.

"Was there? I'm sure to you, it was harmless Cat. But I imagine for those who can read between the lines, the late Lord Baelish was not so inclined to be proper in his messages. Besides, his suggestions so far, risked your position, and your son's position in the North," said Bryden with Cat once more looking at him like he had lost his mind.

Maybe he did and this was his version of Hell.

"What do you mean?" asked Cat while Bryden sighed heavily once more.

"Cat, you do not understand the North. It is why many there frowned at the idea of you marrying into House Stark. You tried to influence the North with the Southern way of doing things. You looked down on those of seemingly lesser standing. Many of them have loyal to House Stark since the time of Winter Kings and uniting the North under their banner. You wish to convert people to the Seven, even doing it by force under the risk of banishment from Northern lands. You wanted to put a massive Sept in the heart of North. You wanted to convert all your children to the Seven and cast out the Old Gods. Do you think the Lords of the North would stand for such things? That they would follow your son when he was Lord of House Stark?" asked Bryden with Cat looking like someone had just slapped her across the face.

"I had every right to do those things uncle. Those Lords would have followed my son when he was ready to lead House Stark and the North. They wouldn't have a choice in the matter. It is the way things are done in the world," countered Cat with Bryden shaking his head.

"Not in the North. You are thinking like someone from the South. You never have tried to understand the North and refused to become part of it. Do you know what would have happened had you actually succeeded in getting what you wanted Cat? Rebellion!" stated Bryden with Cat gasping.

"They would never do that!" exclaimed Cat angrily.

"Would they not? I talked with Ned before about the North and its customs when here for your father's funeral. I asked about the Lords who reside in each part of the North. They would not stand for anyone betraying the Old Gods. Even if it was a member of House Stark. They would see your son be removed and another member of House Stark or even a member of the cadet branch like House Karstark to take over as the new Warden," said Bryden with Cat looking at him in disbelief.

"King Robert would never allow it," said Cat in protest.

"King Robert would have either been dead or too old to act on things had it happened. His son would be King by that point and given what I have heard of the little twat, he would sooner see people die for his amusement over helping them. No, my niece. Your plans would fail and you along with your children would have paid the price for it," said Bryden while knowing enough about the North that they would have never tolerated Cat's plans and using her son to carry them out.

"Yet they would back a bastard child from the North. A Snow or possibly a Blackfyre. They would love such a child but shun me. Father was right, more of those heathens should have been killed during the rebellion to weak the North to the point where it could be conquered," said Cat since she had been told by her father in several messages to try converting the North to the Southern way of doing things.

Even if only setting the foundation for it to grow through the next generation.

"What my brother said or did is not relevant here Cat. What does matter is surrendering Riverrun and saving the lives of loyal bannermen over the risk of them feeling the true wrath of a dragon should we continue to resist," said Bryden while Cat was furious at him.

"No! Never! I will not allow it!" exclaimed Cat with anger with a hint of fear in her voice.

"It is not for you to decide Cat! Your brother is captured, meaning the right to do with the castle and its men are mine to command until further notice. Not you. We will surrender. There is nothing else we can do at this point," said Bryden while Cat's anger increased once more.

"I won't surrender to him uncle. Not to the bastard. Not to my husband. Not to the North. I will never kneel to people like that. Never!" stated Cat with Bryden shaking his head.

"You won't have a choice after today, Cat. I'm ordering the surrender. Riverrun is no longer ours," said Bryden before he left the room while his niece shriek angrily and began throwing whatever she could get her hands on.

(Stormlands-Sometime Later)

The parlay at Riverrun wasn't the only one happening within a short time period between two Lords, but rather two Kings. One who the rightful one by blood and right with the other being the usurper of the one who had the right to rule. One was of the dragon and the other the stag, but you wouldn't think it was the case given how the dragon had a calm look upon his face and the stag looked ready to spit fire.

The fact Prince Rhaegar had a son still alive to challenge Robert for his right to rule was bad enough in the stag's opinion, but to ride on a massive dragon only further proved who the robed figure was in terms of his bloodline. Maul had flown on the massive beast, one of three from what Robert had seen, and his own army of course. The bannermen of the Stormlands and the Vale itself were with him for a few days now to make an impressive host.

Now they looked on behind him in fear, despite Robert's secret weapon, carefully hidden in the trees ready to be pushed and fire on the damn dragons. Robert would enjoy seeing the look of horror on the dragonspawn's face when the scorpions brutally killed his precious monster. To see him so utterly defeated before Robert took his trusty war hammer and stained it with the blood and brains of Rhaegar's remaining offspring.

And after that, he would come after the rest of the dragon loyalist. Even the Mad King's daughter was here too. Robert would ensure she suffered too. Shame really. He could see the woman on one of the dragons and even from a distance, Robert could tell she was beautiful. Not unlike her mother from what memory he had of the late Queen of the Mad King. He even entertained the idea of giving the woman a good fucking before parading her body around for all to see in order to further prove he had fucked over House Targaryen and conquered them fully.

But that would come later. Now he had to deal with this shit for a parlay.

"I didn't expect you to agree to this parlay, Usurper. Given your hatred for me and my House, I expected you to be half drunk on wine while trying to make your cock rise for some whore you need to have wet it in order to feel like a man," remarked Maul while Robert glared hatefully at the Targaryen in front of him, even more so when tattooed boy removed his dark hood to reveal his face in its entirety.

Despite the odd facial design, Robert could see all of Rhaegar in this dragonspawn and wished to run the boy through with a sword or smash his guts out with his war hammer. He only stayed his hand to have his army clash with his enemy in order to see his face so when they did fight on the battlefield, there would be no mistakes on who was killed after today. Robert would not allow some mummer to take this dragonspawn's place or a chance to escape the Stranger's grasp.

When Robert wanted to kill something, he put his very being into it.

"So, you are the ugly fucking dragonspawn Rhaegar was able to produce to challenge my rule. I bet you have a hard time finding a woman to marry and fuck you," commented Robert while Maul didn't look the least bit angry.

"Coming from a fat bloated man for a King who has to fuck countless whores in order to feel like a man, it's not much of an insult. And you wonder why my mother Lyanna didn't want to marry you. Why she chose my father," replied Maul and knew his word would make the man upset.

"YOU DON'T DESERVE TO SPEAK HER FUCKING NAME DRAGONSPAWN!" bellow Robert angrily with rage practically exploding out of his eyes.

"I will speak of her how I wish Usurper. She is my mother. You have no claim to her. You never did," said Maul coldly to the angry stag before him.

"Lyanna was to be my wife! She was to be the mother of my children! Your fucking inbred born father had to rape her in order to bring you into the world," exclaimed Robert with his face getting increasingly red.

"You speak to me of rape as if you have never done it Usurper. Tell me, how many women did you force to your bed? How many wives or the widows of loyal Targaryen bannermen or Lords loyal to my House did you threaten during your time as King if they didn't comply with your desire to fuck them? You speak to me of my father and of how he raped my mother. A false accusation and lie created by you and your ambitious cunt for a foster Father Lord Arryn. Yet it is you who has done the act more than once before, during, and after becoming King. You, Jon Arryn, Holster Tully, and Tywin Lannister have violated or tried to destroy everything in the Seven Kingdoms related to my family. And for what? To rule over it? All of you drove it into ruin and nearly crippled the foundation in which the Seven Kingdoms sits upon while claiming it is better," countered Maul while Robert looked more like an angry bull over that of a stag.

"I am the King here. I won the right to rule by killing that fucker at the Trident!" exclaimed Robert while Maul narrowed his eyes at him.

"You are a Usurper and a kinslayer. Or did the fact your Grandmother was a Targaryen slip your clearly disillusioned mind? Or that Rhaegar was your distant cousin?" asked Maul while Robert sneered.

"I don't give a fuck if he were my cousin, nor would I give a fuck if he was my half-brother. I would have killed him all the same. I was not about to let your fucking father take what was mine!" stated Robert while itching to take out his war hammer and smash this Targaryen to pieces.

"My mother is not, nor never was an object Usurper. You see her as such. You see her as something to tame and conquer. You didn't even love the woman herself like you claim. Just the symbol. Would you have been faithful to her? Would you have stopped getting drunk every day? Would you have stopped sleeping with whores and had a small army of bastard children?" asked Maul while already knowing the truth of the matter but wanted to hear Robert's answer on the subject.

"She would have accepted me for who and what I am. I would have been the Lord of the Stormlands and Lyanna would have been my Lady. That is the way of things. I rule how I wish to rule. If I had one bastard or twenty, it doesn't matter if she was angry. I will fuck as many women as I wish to fuck, I will have as many bastards as I want, and no one has the means to tell me otherwise. Whether I am the Lord of the Stormlands or King of the Seven Kingdoms," said Robert and seeing Maul's stance become less stressed like he heard exactly what he was expected.

"And yet, you are neither. Only a Usurper to my family's throne. Even if you weren't one and were called a King, you are not worthy of the crown. You drink, hunt, and whore while the members of your Small Council plan, plot, and scheme to take what they want. You have nearly destroyed or severely damaged everything within the Seven Kingdoms related to the dragons. Your time as King of the Seven Kingdoms has bankrupted the crown and turned the city into a pit of vipers. The people in it are hungry, poor, and one step away from enduring a horrible plague in the city due to poor maintenance and upkeep of King's Landing because you would rather be a whiny man child. All out of spite for my House. All out of hatred for my father. All out of desire to be more than you should be in life by being a King when Lord of the Stormlands wasn't enough," replied Maul while Robert was practically seeing red on a deep level to the point he couldn't even see straight.

"I'm going to enjoy ending your life just like I did your father's own at the Trident. I'm going to enjoy ending the life of your uncle, who I once called brother by choice. All of the Starks are going to pay for this boy. I will see both sides of your family die and it will be all your fault," replied Robert in a deathly whisper.

"No, it's yours Usurper. Your allies have wronged my House. They are dead. Soon, you will join them in whatever Hell or Hells await people like you once dead. I imagine you will be sent to the all the Hells to suffer for all of your sins. You will scream, beg, and cry out for mercy. But in the end, you will hear only one answer to them all just as your allies have done when they were doing the same. You will hear…no," said Maul before walking away from the angry man glaring at him and one step away from breaking their parlay.

Maul almost wished he did.

Getting on Rhaenix, he flew back to his army to see them ready for a fight. It would be brutal given what is to come, but what war wasn't? His aunt Daenerys was there too, now dressed in shining silvery armor made for a warrior woman. It had been found back on Dragonstone, located behind a lost armory door, which had been blocked by some wreckage left alone long ago that had yet to be removed. Once found, Maul gave it to his aunt and told her to wear it for when they marched the army into battle. While he did not expect any arrows or swords to get near Daenerys, one would have to be stupid to take such a risk.

"I take it the meeting did not go as expected your Grace?" asked Ser Jorah with Maul nodding though the man from Bear Island did see his King smirk.

"Yes and no Ser Jorah. No to him bending the knee and sparing countless lives from dying in his name after seeing all three of my dragons. Yes, to everything else. Though I'm not really surprised he would act the way he did during the parlay. A man like that wouldn't give up the crown even if it meant uniting against the Others. The Usurper has the mindset of a man who has no problem seeing all of the Seven Kingdoms burn to the ground if it means he couldn't rule over it. Not that he did much ruling in the first place," said Maul with his men getting into position.

"He has no doubt prepared for your dragons, your Grace. A man like Robert would not allow the threat of dragons to stay long on the battlefield," warned Ser Barristan, who had damn near killed his horse to get to see Maul and Daenerys after leaving Casterly Rock.

When Ser Barristan arrived, he was brought to them under an armed escort of Unsullied, the knight had instantly dropped to his knees and begged their forgiveness in failing Rhaegar at the Trident. For failing their family when they needed him most. Begged them to let him be a member of their Kingsguard to redeem himself in their eyes and the eyes of their family.

Daenerys easily welcomed him without question and hugged Ser Barristan while saying she would gladly welcome him into the fold. Maul did so as well and asked for the elder knight to be by his side as he had been with Rhaegar. Ser Barristan, seeing a true chance at redemption, was eager to accept the offer and made a personal vow in that moment to never let what happened at the Trident happen again.

"I know he did. He has a line of scorpions hiding in wait in the forest region read to be deployed against my children. The man knows they are possibly the only thing in this world the realms of men can use against them. But he doesn't know that I know of their existence. He also doesn't know I have set a plan in motion to disable those weapons without him knowing," said Maul while having called upon one man truly loyal to his father's House to see the sabotage done.

Ser Bonifer and the Men of the Hundred.

They were loyal to his House beyond measure. Forced to go into hiding when Robert took over as King but their loyalty to the dragon never left. Especially Ser Bonifer, who as it turns out, was in love with Daenerys's mother, but could not embrace that love due to the Mad King getting his way. All he could do is love from afar and secretly pray the Mad King would die horribly for the crimes committed by his own hands against his own sister.

Maul had used the Force to find the man and sent Daenerys to him knowing that seeing daughter of the woman he loved would make the knight serve the dragon once more. When told of Robert's plan to use the scorpions against the dragons, the aged man had become enraged over the idea of such wonderful creatures, and their riders being struck down. With him ready and eager to serve, Ser Bonifer easily contacted the Men of the Hundred and ready to serve once more.

Since Ser Bonifer and the Men of the Hundred had not been seen for so long, no one questioned them being among the ranks of Robert's army or why they joined. They had discreetly moved themselves into the position of being the scorpion launchers and had sabotaged all of them during the parlay to ensure they could not be fired. At the same time, those among them who were not Men of the Hundred had been silenced and discreetly removed the risk of someone seeing it and Robert from being made aware of the sabotage.

"It's time to end this. Ready our forces. I leave the attack from the air to you aunt. Target the rear guard and create a barrier of fire. Such a move will disrupt the back and cause a ripple effect toward the front. Once done, you can burn the scorpions hidden near the trees to ensure no one tries to use, or possibly fix once they learn of the sabotage," said Maul while Daenerys nodded.

"Will Ser Bonifer and the Men of the Hundred be in harm's way?" asked Daenerys with Maul shaking his head no.

"No. By the time you burn the scorpions to ash, they will be long gone," said Maul before mounting his horse with Ser Barristan beside him.

"I feel nostalgia again your Grace. Painful nostalgia," remarked Ser Barristan while on his horse beside his intended King.

"I know Ser Barristan. History, it seems, is possibly replaying out once more. Fortunately, this is not the Trident. I will not fall here. Not with you by my side," said Maul confidently and gave the knight a smile.

"I won't fail you your Grace. I will fight for you as long as I live, even after you fall. I will follow your soul to other side if I must, If only to beg your family's forgiveness," said Ser Barristan with Maul putting a hand on the knight's armored shoulder.

"It won't come to that Ser Barristan. Focus on the fighting that is to come. Ignore fear and doubt. You are one of the most skilled swordsmen and knights in the Seven Kingdoms. Your loyalty to my House is unquestionable. I am proud to have you with me, not only as a member of the Kingsguard, but as my friend, and an honorable man I trust to have my back in the heat of battle," said Maul with Ser Barristan looking at him in shock before it became one of pride and readiness.

"Thank you, your Grace," replied Ser Barristan with Maul nodding.

"Come, let's end this stag's rebellion as it should have ended nearly twenty years ago. With the dragon winning it," said Maul and moved forward with Ser Barristan right beside him.

(With Lord Yohn Royce)

The dragon had proven the boy was of House Targaryen. A mighty beast to be sure. One of three from what his eyes had seen and part of him had wished his sight did not. He also saw the Mad King's only remaining child Daenerys flying one as well and the fear of being burned alive by such a beast with her riding it. Would she laugh after burning them? Would she shout "Burn them! Burn them all!" while it happened? Would she laugh as they suffered the wrath of dragon's fire? Would Aerys himself come from beyond the grave just to laugh at them dying at the hands of his remaining child?

'By the Gods, what am I doing here? Fighting for a side not worth fighting? And for what? For a lie? For a false King who fought against the true royal bloodline based on a lie? A lie my late Liege Lord had produced in order to bring others to the cause of overthrowing the dragon. Could he march with his own bannermen based on this lie? For the wrong people? The wrong King?

No. In his heart, Lord Royce could not do this. Not for the late Jon Arryn nor his nephew. Would he turn his cloak and fight against the arrogant boy? No. He would not fight for the dragon on this. He would not be a part of a battle where men would die by dragon's fire.

Lord Royce would stand down and leave this place. Leave with his loyal bannermen and wait to see what happened between the two sides fighting for the crown. And when it was all over, Lord Royce would go to the victor, the new King, to face their judgment. When he did, the man could only pray the victor and King would be merciful.

"My Lord?" asked Holton Redfort while looking at the same thing Yohn was seeing.

"We cannot win this Holton. To fight against this army, these dragons, and their allies no doubt planning to come here to fight against Robert is sheer madness. Pure madness!" exclaimed Yohn while looking to his right and seeing Holton glancing back at him.

"We have to fight Yohn. Our Liege commands it," said Holton with Yohn looking from him to the three dragons flying in the air and more reinforcements in the form of the Tyrell bannermen approaching the Targaryen camp.

"Your Liege is a green boy, Holton. Are you going to trust your life and bannermen to a green boy? One who is filled with arrogance and stupidity in the belief we can win against three fire breathing dragons? Even with Robert's secret weapon? You and I both know this is not the full extent of the military might this Targaryen brings to the fold. The North, Dorne, the Tyrells, and every other House loyal to them is marching for the single purpose of putting a crown on a Targaryen's head. We are outnumbered here Holton. We cannot win. Dragons or not," replied Yohn with Holton wincing since he was right.

"What do we do? We cannot betray our Liege, but we cannot fight against the dragon either," replied Holton with Yohn nodding.

"There is one path before us Holton. We stand down. We do not fight," said Yohn with Holton looking at him like had just been told the Others were friendly.

"Stand down? Do nothing? We will be labeled dishonorable cowards!" protested Holton with Yohn no longer looking at him.

"Being marked as a dishonorable coward is better than being called and burned Holton. Besides, I do not think it is dishonorable to stand down. I will not fight for a side that seized power on a lie. Nor will I fight for the side that would burn men alive in battle using such dangerous creatures. When the time comes, I will let the victor decide my fate afterwards. All I can do is pray the future King is merciful to me. I need to do this Holton. I need to save as many of our fellow Lords and the bannermen who follow us. Or do you wish to possibly die by dragon's fire?" asked Yohn with Holton swallowing heavily and glancing at the three dragons.

"Lord Hardyng will no doubt try to stop us," remarked Holton with Yohn scoffed at the idea of such a boy trying to stop them while Yohn scoffed.

"I would like to see him try. After what we just witnessed, I doubt many of our bannermen will want to stay and fight for Robert Baratheon. Let Harrold do what he wishes with what men will follow him to their deaths. I will not be one of them," said Yohn with Holton nodding in agreement.

"Nor I. We need to get the other Vale Lords and their bannermen on our side. I'll see to it," said Holton before he left to get the more levelheaded Lords to meet with Yohn for good measure.

The Gods knew they were going to meet with resistance when word spread of their intentions.

(With Robert)

"THEY WHAT?!" yelled Robert angrily when word reached him of the news.

"The Lords of the Vale, your Grace. Most of them and their bannermen are leaving. They have left camp and heading away from here," said a Baratheon bannerman messenger.

"They turned their cloaks against me to fight for the dragonspawn?" asked Robert with the messenger shaking his head.

"No, your Grace. They are marching away from camp, but not toward the enemy. When asked, the Lords of the Vale led by Lord Royce said they were standing down. They would not be part of the fighting on either side. They claim honor demands their forces take neither side of the dragon nor the side that lied to them during the rebellion. A large number of the Baratheon Lords and their bannermen have left as well but seem to be heading for King's Landing. Some of them claim the orders to leave for Storm's End and King's Landing have come from Stannis himself," said the Baratheon messenger nervously.

"THOSE UNGRATEFUL FUCKING CUNTS! EVEN MY OWN SHIT FOR A BROTHER, STANNIS OF ALL PEOPLE, HAS BETRAYED ME!" yelled Robert before smashing the table in front of him.

What could have possessed his own brother, Stannis of all people, to betray him in such a manner? To somehow overtake Robert's authority with his own? To get so many from the Stormlands to leave him, the King, in his time of need to put down the dragon for good? Had he been that a shit of a brother to Stannis that he would do this to him? Side with the dragonspawn over his own blood? Was Stannis that bitter?

"Not all is lost your Grace. Lord Hardyng has stayed with a few remaining Lords of the Vale along with their bannermen to prove their loyal," said the Baratheon messenger.

"As if that makes a fucking difference to me. I don't care if these cowardly cunts stay or not to fight for my crown. What matters is those that didn't stay chose to leave in the first place! When this is over, I will make sure heads roll and no one is going to protest," stated Robert angrily while imagining all the Lords of the Vale, even the loyal ones, dying by his hands when this was over.

There were plenty of smaller Lords who could replace them. There were plenty of people in the Seven Kingdoms who could fill the void.

"Do you wish to proceed with the attack your Grace?" asked the Baratheon messenger.

"Of course, I want to continue you little shit! Tell the Lords and their bannermen to get ready now! I am going to crush that inbred dragonspawn once and for all!" exclaimed Robert angrily and decided to show his enemy why he was the Demon of the Trident.

It was time to spill some fucking blood.

(Stormlands-Several Hours Later)

The Unsullied army had proven to be the more deadly and effective fighting force when it came to infantry strength and fighting against other types of military divisions. They had been trained to fight any and all kinds of warriors on the open battlefield. Here this was where they thrived and was where they could do the most damage to their King's enemies. Even the mighty cavalry of the Vale knights riding on their horses were no match for them since the Unsullied had long been trained to deal with calvary due to the presence of the Dothraki in Essos. For every Unsullied soldier who had fallen to either Baratheon or Vale soldier, they had taken over one hundred of their enemies down with them.

Joining in the battle were the bannermen of House Tyrell with Randall Tarly attacking from the side with their forces adding further damage to the stag's forces. They had arrived just after the parlay had been finished and Ser Garland led the Tyrell forces with Randall Tarly and his son Dickon at the head of them to join House Targaryen against the Usurper. With the West pledging their forces to the dragon, it gave the Tyrell's a means to send their forces to House Targaryen to further reinforce them and ensure that a repeat of what happened at the Trident didn't occur again here. And last, but certainly not least, was the Dornish forces, spears at the ready to deliver much needed vengeance upon the Usurper who laughed at the violent death of their beloved Princess and her children.

Beside the Unsullied and Tyrell forces in battle, weaving among the chaos was the giant dire wolf Ghost, who tore through men and horses alike without hesitation, and staining its pure snow white fur with the crimson blood of its enemies. The blood red eyes hunting down one enemy after another and staining the battlefield with bodies with their limbs or throats thorn out.

To the Baratheon and Vale bannermen fighting, the dire wolf looked like some kind of giant four legged demon beast.

As for Maul himself, he had been at the forefront of the attack when the two armies clashed. His double bladed sword was doing exactly as was intended and cutting through soldier after soldier. Ser Barristan was right beside him, as the ever loyal Kingsguard, striking down anyone trying to kill his King. Both working in harmony with the other, as the two men were cutting through Baratheon bannermen and Vale knights in front of them like they were made of wet paper. They had gotten off their horses shortly after charging the line, preferring to be on their own two feet over being on a horse that could be hit and send them flying.

Many tried to attack Maul, knowing his death would bring the other Lords in the rebellion against King Robert to heel. Either death or the Wall would await those who were defeated and given Robert's own legendary hatred for all things related to the dragon, it would most likely be the former over the latter.

They also knew their lives would be made difficult or ended should the dragon win. The dragon was out for blood and vengeance with many trying desperately to end this without facing the consequences of siding with King Robert. Many had families and feared the dragon's revenge on those who swore their loyalty to the stag. Robert had been very cruel to all the Targaryen loyalist during his time as King, and there were many who feared the dragon would do even worse should they reclaim the Iron Throne.

Especially when you consider the fact this Targaryen had actual dragons under his command and were now flying in the air under the direction of the Mad King's daughter.

When the battle started, the dragons flew high into the air before diving down to begin their attack on the army. Only instead of attacking the stag's army outright, they went right for the scorpion launchers Robert had planned to use on them when the battle started. The man's head nearly exploded with rage at the sight of the surprise attack on the beasts fail before they could even fire and one of his men had even reported how the scorpions had been surprisingly unmanned the entire time before the battle had started.

It didn't take long for Robert to realize his secret weapon against the three dragons had been sabotaged by Targaryen loyalist, which in turn pissed Robert off something fierce. So much so that any plan aimed at bringing down the dragonspawn had left his mind and he simply wanted to charge forward to kill the fucker.

And charge forward he did.

The rage, the pain, the humiliation of both past and present events had brought Robert to a level of fury he didn't know could exist in a man. It was as if the very words of his House now flowed through him to a point where even his obese form no longer weighed him down. He soon came at Maul, who was some distance away, with his war hammer swinging almost wildly at anyone standing his path. Friend or foe, it did not matter to Robert. If you stood in his path, the war hammer in his hands was going to smash your guts clear out the other side of your body with Robert stepping over you.

Lord Hardyng from the Vale unfortunately found that out the hard way when Robert smashed his head clean off with the war hammer before he could plead for the stag to stop his swing.

"DRAGONSPAWN!" yelled Robert while swinging his war hammer left and right, smashing through all of the defenses of Unsullied, Tyrell and Vale knights, and Baratheon bannermen to name a few.

"USURPER!" Maul yelled back and was now so far deep into his own bloodlust that the idea of showing the stag mercy was practically gone from his mind.

The two began fighting their way toward the other. Ser Barristan trying to keep up with him but was met with his own opposition like he had been at the Trident all those years ago with history getting ready to repeat itself once more. The loyal Kingsguard of House Targaryen being unable to get near his King in order to provide proper protection and keep Maul safe from harm. Even with Ser Jorah helping in the fighting to give the older knight some reprieve from the number of enemies seeking to overwhelm him. No matter how hard he tried to cut through his enemies, Ser Barristan was unable to cut through them all long enough to get close to his King about to fight it out with the Usurper.

History was indeed repeating itself once more.

(With Daenerys)

She was flying high in the air, burning the scorpions was easy enough. They were sabotaged and were now in position to be destroyed by the dragons she was commanding through her nephew. She could only hope Ser Bonifer was able to escape from the fighting or get away before the dragons and their flames began burning stag's secret weapon to ashes. Daenerys was quite fond of Ser Bonifer, as he had spoken to her in great detail about Daenerys's mother.

She had stayed up many nights listening to the man about her mother. Ser Bonifer had gone into detail about how he loved the woman with all his heart. How he wanted to marry her but couldn't because of Aerys and the incest practices of House Targaryen. It also didn't help that Aerys was the King and would have never allowed his sister to be married to him. He had explained how painful it was to watch from the sidelines as the woman he loved was forced to marry another and the man Rhaella married was not kind during their time together when the madness finally manifested itself.

Ser Bonifer had kept silent for years. Crying at times knowing the stories that came from King's Landing about the abuse Rhaella suffered at the hands of her brother/husband/King. He wept even more when hearing what happened to his love's family. The loss of Rhaegar, his wife, children, and Rhaella herself having to flee with her remaining son while pregnant with a babe. Ser Bonifer had tried to get to her first, but the remaining members of the royal family had escaped on a ship bound for Essos in a heavy storm.

Part of him wanted to go with her. To get on a ship and sail for Essos too. To be there to protect Rhaella and her remaining family members. Maybe even raise her final child as his own. But he stayed his hand instead. Ser Bonifer knew the Spider had his webs everywhere and any Targaryen loyalist not bending the knee to the Usurper would be hunted down if they made too much noise in their movements.

Sailing to Essos would qualify as such.

In the end, Ser Bonifer stayed in Westeros, hiding from the Usurper, plotting his revenge, and praying for the day when the dragon would return with an army capable of crushing the Usurper. To crush the angry stag who spoke ill of Rhaegar with lies and tried to kill House Targaryen and all they had created.

His prayers were answered when seeing Daenerys for the first time. Telling her as much and swore to help House Targaryen anyway he could. That the Men of the Hundred were ready and willing to fight for the dragon with only the word needing to be given.

And given it was soon after.

'To think I would be doing this against the Usurper. To think I would be on a dragon, flying high in the air, and bringing down our House's enemies on this battlefield. I do not take pleasure in this though. My nephew gave the man a chance to surrender. He gave them all a chance. And what did they do with it? They told us to fuck off! Well, I say the Usurper and his supporters can all go fuck themselves for their actions against my family!' thought Daenerys while her dragon burned through a line of the Usurper's bannermen who refused to run after the scorpions had been destroyed.

Many of them tried to shoot her dragon down with arrows. Some even trying to get her when she was low enough to the ground. A few nearly did, but they either missed or bounced right off the armor that she now wore. In retaliation, Daenerys had her dragon set the archers ablaze with dragon flame. Many would die from this, but these people had their chance when seeing three large dragons flying through the air and setting the ground on fire.

Until the Usurper was dead, she doubted any of them would surrender and bend he knee. Until they did, the flames would spread, and lives would be burned.

(With Maul and Robert)

"Your time in this world is over Targaryen. And not just your House. Ned's too. His betrayal will not go unpunished!" exclaimed Robert while swinging his war hammer at Maul, only for hammer to miss its intended target.

"Fool! Your hatred for me is blinding. And for what? A lie you and the others conspired to tell about my father?! My uncle was loyal to you. He didn't know the truth until my mother lay dying after bringing me into the world. He only hid me because I was his sister's son and she made him promise to protect me from your so called justice! Hell, if Catelyn Tully hadn't tried to kill me all those years ago, I would have lived in ignorance of who I was truly was, and most likely joined the Night's Watch," said Maul while he easily danced around Robert's swings and landed various cuts on the man's body to make him slowly bleed out.

"Fuck the Night's Watch! I would have had you dragged from there and killed anyway by my own hands to ensure you could never challenge me. Damn the rules and oaths they take regarding the forsaking of lands, titles, and having children. All of you dragonspawn deserve to die!" stated Robert while ignoring the slice of the blade that cut into his arm.

"You forget fool, your right to become King was only possible because of your own Targaryen blood. Or did you forget your grandmother was a Targaryen?" mocked Maul knowing it would make Robert even madder.

"FUCK YOU! FUCK ALL OF YOU INBRED BASTARDS! YOU TOOK LYANNA FROM ME! YOU TRIED TO TAKE WHAT WAS MINE! WHAT JON ARRYN PROMISED ME WHEN WE REBELLED! WHAT I WANTED AND HAD DREAMED ABOUT SINCE FOSTERING WITH HIM! TO BE KING! LYANNA MY QUEEN! I WILL NOT STAND BY AND ALLOW YOU TO TAKE WHAT I HAVE LEFT!" yelled Robert while letting the rage and fury exploded out of him with all its power without any regard to the exhaustion that would soon settle in when the body could no longer function the way it was now.

Swing after swing, Robert missed his intended target. The ground beneath his feet, the air around them, and even a few of the stag's own bannermen who got too close to them had been hit. But not Maul. He had danced around him in a way that would make Prince Oberyn take notes for future reference. One Vale knight tried to run him through from behind, but Maul grabbed the sword arm, spun both of them around to face Robert, and kicked the Vale knight right into Usurper so he could kill the man for him.

"Face it Usurper. You were never meant to be King. You took everything my family had and drove it into the ground out of spite. Your legacy is one of drinking wine, fucking whores, and not giving two shits about the smallfolk. King's Landing is a cesspool of filth, the poor, and the downtrodden through your inability to do anything right. You put the crown on your head and claimed it was your right to do just about whatever you wanted to others after becoming King. Yet when my ancestors did just that, you denounced them for it!" stated Maul while Robert let out a battle cry and charged at him.

Only to miss with the swing and Maul landing another cut on Robert's leg with more blood leaking out of it.

"I will kill you boy. I will not be challenged by you or anyone else for my position. It is mine! Lyanna may have rejected me and denied my greatness as a man of vision, but I will not allow her son with that fuck Rhaegar to take what is mine! I am the King now! Not you! Not Aerys! And certainly not Rhaegar! I did not help Jon Arryn spread those damn lies about him or deceiving Ned about the rebellion just have it all thrown back in my face! I will see the Houses you are born from die after I win this battle. I will remove the very memory of House Targaryen and Stark from the Seven Kingdoms. Anyone who even speaks the word 'dragon' or 'dire wolf' aside from myself will be immediately put the sword with their bodies fed to wild beasts!" stated Robert with his anger still going strong yet feeling fatigue and pain slowly creeping through his body like a spider crawling slowly up a web.

"And how do you plan to kill me, Usurper? Your strength is leaving you. Your rage, your hatred for me and my House has become your undoing. You have left yourself open time and time again. I have stuck you with my sword in multiple places. All of which are designed to slowly bleed you out. With the way you are losing blood and the exhaustion finally settling in, your death is inevitable. No Maester in the Seven Kingdoms can heal your wounds. You will die here Robert Baratheon. One way or another," said Maul with Robert now getting more sluggish in his fighting.

"Damn you to the Seven Hells dragonspawn. You have no right to do this. To take my crown. I am the King. The only one who matters. Your mother should have been my Queen. Ruling by my side. Being the mother of MY children," remarked Robert in anger and sadness while feeling the sudden weight of being exhausted becoming stronger.

"You were a shit for a King and a man. Fucking whores. Siring one bastard after another even before you met her. What makes you think she would have wanted to be married to you or be your Queen? Do you even remember her face? The color of her hair? Her eyes? The sound of her laugh? You can't remember anything about her, can you?" asked Maul while Robert moved toward him before falling to his knees and having to support himself with his war hammer with a tired look in his eyes.

"Aye, I was a shit for a King. I was fucking whores left and right. I didn't care about being a good King, about being a good Lord, or being a good man. I just wanted the trappings of power that came with two of those three things in life. I would have fucked up my House as the Lord of the Stormlands if I weren't King. My brothers would have been hard pressed to clean up all of my messes to the point where they either abandoned me for Essos or the Wall. When Jon Arryn told me about the chance to be King and do whatever the fuck I wanted while making him my Hand, I jumped at the idea. The idea that I could do whatever the fuck I wanted and letting Jon himself handle the running of the Seven Kingdoms in my name. All the power and none of the responsibility. As for Lyanna, I don't even recall what she looked like. I only know she was the only thing, the only person, I ever wanted," said Robert in a near whisper while struggling to stay conscious and alive.

By this point, Ser Barristan had managed to overcome his opponents and made his way toward the two with his blood stained sword at the ready.

"My apologizes your Grace. Many men tried to slay me in the hopes I would be unable to protect you while fighting Robert," said Ser Barristan with Maul nodding.

"I understand Ser Barristan. It is not your fault. I bet Robert had some of his men ready to do that last time so he could face my father alone. He was hoping for the same result," replied Maul while Robert looked up from his downed position at him.

"What now your Grace?" asked Ser Barristan while Maul looked around and saw the fighting was dying down.

"I would kill him myself, as is the way of the North. But in doing so, I would be made a kinslayer. Cursed for all time. Just like Robert has been since killing his distant cousin, who was my father," replied Maul while Robert spat out some blood.

"What's wrong boy?! Lose your nerve? Too gutless to risk being cursed by the Gods? Come on! Strike me down or be known as a coward in the North and a disgrace to your mother's House!" stated Robert with Maul narrowing his eyes at him.

"No, I won't be goaded or do things on your terms Usurper. If I kill you, I lose everything I had hoped to achieve in unifying the Seven Kingdoms. No one would want a kinslayer for a King. They didn't tolerate a Mad King; they won't tolerate a kinslayer for one. They barely tolerated you for all your lack of inaction when ruling over the Seven Kingdoms. You will die Usurper. But not by my hands. Ser Barristan, if you would do the honors and kill him swiftly," replied Maul with Ser Barristan nodding.

"Yes, your Grace," said Ser Barristan before readying himself to strike down the stag.

"I should have sent you to the Wall all those years ago, Barristan. I always knew you were one of those fucking dragonspawn lovers. Oaths as a member of the Kingsguard be damned. I only stayed my hand on giving the order because of your duty as being my Kingsguard was my means of further legitimizing my right to rule," muttered Robert while his vision started to go dark.

"You never had a right to rule Usurper. You never had a right to anything that caught your interests. Not even the right to a clean death. Be fortunate I believe in honor and willing to give you that here today," remarked Maul before nodding toward Ser Barristan, who brought his sword down on Robert's neck and took the man's head from his body.

"What now your Grace?" asked Ser Barristan with Maul levitating the head and rapping it in a downed Baratheon banner.

"We let it be known that Robert died, and I won. Those who surrender from here on out will be shown mercy. Those that wish to keep on fighting will die," said Maul while Ser Barristan nodded since it would give everyone a chance to stop killing each other.

The battle between the dragon and the stag was over. The battle for the Iron Throne would soon begin.

(A/N: YAY! I updated again. Been busy with stuff. I'm also trying to get this done so I can get back to my GoTxMK fic. I imagine it will be a few more chapters before this one is completed so please be patient with me. Until next time…PEACE!)