Of Wolves and Northern Dragons
Chapter 3
Daenerys Targaryen
"Ser Barristan a word if you will?" she asked looking to the older knight as everyone else began to file out of the room.
"Of course your Grace." Barristan said bowing his head. "How may I be of service?" He asked as he joined her.
"What do you think of our defenses Ser Barristan?" She asked looking towards the map of the city.
"Well your Grace, it will be hard fought." Barristan replied, also looking back towards the table. "To be honest your Grace, I don't know if we can win this fight." She scowled looking to her Queensguard for further explanation. "Your Grace we are outnumbered, we have no navy, and are struggling to maintain order even now. If it came to a siege there could be riots before we even enter the thick of it." He explained running his hand down his face.
"Is there a way we could take the fight to them Ser?" She asked looking over the map, focusing on the large amount of enemy ships coming towards them. "If we could maybe take a portion of their forces out of the fight before it began?"
"I don't know how we could do that your Grace." Barristan began, taking a deep breath. "We do not have a lot of men to spare, plus you have to account for losses to anyone we do send out. I don't know if it would even be worth it to risk them." He finished explaining before he reached for a glass of water, downing it in one go.
"So you suggest we wait then?" She asked clearly unhappy with the answer she was receiving. "That doesn't exactly fill me with confidence Ser." She narrowed her eyes at him.
"I suggest patience your Grace. There is nothing wrong with waiting to see all that is in front of you." Barristan said refilling his glass. "If I may speak openly your Grace?" He asked before he took a drink.
"You may good Ser." Daenerys said reaching for her own glass to fill with wine.
"At times in the future your Grace you will need to wait and exercise caution." Barristan looked at her sincerely. "I served your father for many years your Grace. At first Aerys was a wonderful king, both fair and just. However towards the end as he began to grow more paranoid, He also grew more impulsive." Barristan looked to see her looking down at her lap so he continued. "Just think your Grace what could have been if your father had waited for your brother to come explain himself, instead of burning Lord Stark alive."
"Are you suggesting that I'm acting like my father Ser Barristan?" She said anger and hurt clear in her voice. She stood leaning forward as she glared at the older knight.
"No your Grace I see much more of your brother in you than your father." Barristan replied. "You asked me to give counsel, and so here I am. I merely hope to help you avoid their shortcomings." He took another drink from his glass. "Your Grace I also knew your brother. Even after my time serving the usurper, I don't believe what they said about him and the Lady Lyanna." Barristan looked up to see his Queen looking at him intently. "They said when Eddard Stark arrived to recover his sister he faced three Kingsguards. I know the brothers that I served with, your Grace there is no way that men like Arthur, Oswell, and Gerold would have been there if Rhaegar had truly stolen the girl as the stories say." He smiled at her as she looked back at him.
"Do you think she went with him willingly?" She asked earning a chuckle from the older knight.
"That I could not tell you your grace. All I know is like I said, The Rhaegar I knew would never steal a girl away and he definitely wouldn't rape her." Barristan smiled at her as he finished.
Deep down she believed him. She had heard stories about her brother, and she didn't think him the type to do something so vile.
Jon Snow
Jon was tired of meetings. They had been at Greywater Watch for a full week, and many of the remaining northern lords were getting restless. They were to have a council tonight to decide their next course of action. Personally Jon was still hoping they could find a way to save Sansa and Arya from the clutches of the Lannisters. He knew that this was ultimately for naught at the moment given their situation.
"Ah Jon there you are." He heard Robb say from behind him. "I've been looking everywhere for you, the meeting is about to start." Turing to look at Robb, he smiled at his brother.
"Aye Robb, I was just heading that way." He told him earning a small smile. "Brother would you join me after the meeting?" Robb stared at Jon with a confused look on his face. "I'm going to open the chest Robb, but I'm scared of what it may contain." He explained earning a sympathetic nod from Robb in response.
"Aye Jon of course I'll come with you." Robb held out his hand which was quickly grasped. "I meant what I said Jon, no matter what is in that chest you are my brother now and always."
"Now and always." He repeated back, the two smiling at each other. "Now I believe we have a meeting with some very irritated lords to attend to your Grace." Jon said as the two turned and made their way down the hall. Together they approached Howland Reed's solar. Robb opened the door and entered first Jon following close behind.
"My lords, I thank you all for joining us." Robb said looking around the room. "There is no easy way to say this but I think it is time for us to return home my friends." Robb finished looking around the room. His face was set grim yet determined.
"So that's it then?" The Smalljon asked standing and looking at Robb. "We admit our defeat and run north, our tails tucked between our legs?"
"What would you have us do Lord Umber?" Robb asked, refusing to back down from the bigger man. "As it stands now we could muster maybe fifteen hundred men. March them south against a combined Lannister host of nearly forty thousand. It'd be a slaughter my lord."
"I believe his Grace is right. We should return home and start rebuilding our strength." Dacey Mormont said nodding to Robb.
"So it is decided. Lord Reed we thank you for your gracious welcome." Robb said turning to the crannogman. "We will depart once the sunrises, if you could spare us some provisions for the ride?" Howland merely nodded his head. "Then My lords I bid you goodnight." Robb declared ending the meeting. Joining with Jon they made their way to his room. The walk was short and tense, neither one having anything to say. It wasn't until they entered the room, and Jon hoisted the box up onto his bed that Robb spoke.
"Are you excited Jon?" He asked looking at him. Jon shook his head, his eyes never leaving the box.
"No I'm nervous. I don't know what will happen once I open this thing." He replied.
"Nothing will happen brother." Robb tried to reassure him. Watching as Jon took a breath then swung the lid of the box open. Looking at the items inside, Jon carefully began to take them out and set them on the bed. The first was several folded pieces of paper. He opened one and read it before letting out a gasp and handing it to Robb.
"This is a declaration of birth?" Robb looked at the sheet confused before he continued to read it. "Jaehaerys Targaryen third of his name born this day to Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Targaryen." He turned to Jon who had picked up a harp. It's craftsmanship was excellent, Silver with both ends decorated to look like dragon heads.
"Lyanna and Rhaegar. That would make us cousins." Robb said looking to the two things of fabric that still lay in the box. Jon picked up the first one. Gently he unfolded the fabric, which turned out to be a thick white wool. Once it was undone Robb noticed the direwolf of house Stark in the center. Both of them gasped as Jon reached to pick up one of the crowns that had been wrapped inside it.
"This must have been her maiden cloak." Jon said running his free hand over the sigil. Robb reached out and took the smaller tiara inspecting it. "They were wed. The stories were wrong." Jon stated numbly.
"Aye they wed in secret on the Isle of Faces." Both Robb and Jon turned to see Howland standing in the doorway. "Your mother was far too fierce to be taken against her will." He explained as he came to stand in front of the hearth. "They loved each other, and I know that she went with him quite willingly."
"So I was never a bastard?" Jon said looking through the other documents, having set the crown down. Finding the one he wanted he read it, before handing this one to Robb too.
"You aren't a bastard Jon, you're the…" Robb started but Howland cut him off.
"Jaehaerys Targaryen third of his name rightful king of the seven kingdoms." The crannogman said.
"My fath, my uncle knew all of this?" Jon asked turning to face Howland. The man sadly nodded his head. "Why?" Was all he could ask as he shook, tears beginning to fall from his eyes. "Why would he take me as his bastard?" Howland walked away from the hearth, to sit at one of the chairs in the room.
"He said it was for your protection, but I never agreed with that. I think he was simply trying to end the conflict." Howland explained. He took a moment to look at their confused faces before he continued. "We had just finished fighting a war to depose the Mad King, your grandfather Aerys. Someone had to claim the throne, and by the time we found your mother and you Robert had already sat himself upon it. How would people have reacted if after everything that happened we sat another Targaryen on the throne? No I think Eddard was afraid, and so he took the only way out that he saw. He claimed you as his bastard to keep you safe from Robert. The realm could have peace, and you would grow up none the wiser." Lord Reed ran a hand through his hair, looking at the two of them. "To him Robert had won the throne by right of conquest. I'm sure several houses would have flocked to you once Ned declared who you were if he had wanted you to have your birthright, but what happened with Princess Elia and her children. The losses in the war I believe he was tired of it all."
"My whole life is a lie then?" Jon said, more to himself than either of the others. "All my life I wanted to show that even though I was a bastard I could just as honourable as my father. But he's not my father at all." He cried looking at the two crowns again. He finally turned to the other cloak. Seeing the black material, he knew it was the cloak his father had put over his mother. He delicately picked it up noticing how lumpy whatever it held felt as it rolled inside the fabric.
"By the Gods." Robb said as he looked inside and saw the swords at the bottom. Lifting one out carefully he unsheathed it, marvelling at how the Valyrian steel rippled in the light of the flames. Jon turned to look at it before grabbing the other sword and unsheathing it with the same reaction.
"Aye Blackfyre you have there Jon, and Dark Sister for you Robb." Howland explained, he himself impressed by the blades. Jon carefully sheathed his sword before unwrapping the Targaryen marriage cloak. Thinking he couldn't be surprised anymore, he was proven wrong as three eggs rolled free onto the bed. One was a bright blue with white specks, the second a dark purple with gold, and the third was a blood red color with black marks. Jon picked up the red one, which was slightly larger than the others looking at it.
"It's warm." He said before touching the other two. "They all are."
"Are you sure?" Robb asked reaching over to touch one feeling it cold to the touch.
"Aye only a dragon would be able to feel the life inside them." Howland said coming over to look at the eggs as well. "Now my lord I think we have much to discuss before you leave in the morning."
Cersei Lannister
"How could you do this to me?" Cersei yelled at her brother. They had both come to their fathers solar in the tower of the Hand. "You marrying the Stark girl? Going back to the Rock what are you thinking?" She raged as she reached for her glass of wine, downing it quickly.
"He is doing his duty to this family." Tywin said from behind his desk.
"But he is of the Kingsguard." She fumed to him before glowering at Jamie again.
"He was part of the Kingsguard. However the King has released him from his vows." Tywin explained before reaching for another piece of paper.
"Cersei please we can discuss this later." Jamie tried to reason with her. She would not have it however. They were supposed to be together, and now he had chosen to leave her. She knew she had told him that he was gone too long. It didn't help that he had also figured out that others had shared her bed while she waited. She had never expected this though. The Stark girl would pay for this. Cersei hadn't figured out how yet, but she was certain the girl and her mother played some part in this.
"The wedding will take place in two moons time after you've officially taken over your duties as lord of Casterly Rock." Tywin announced looking to Jamie. "I will be away from court as well to help prepare you. And your uncle Kevan will stay in the rock to assist you while you get acquainted." He said rising from his desk. "You may both go." He said dismissing them as he walked out of the room. Jamie turned to leave the room and after another moment of glaring at her father's back Cersei turned and followed after him.
"Why are you doing this? Surely we could convince him to change his mind." She asked once she had finally caught up to him. He didn't even turn to look at her as she responded.
"Forget not that it was you who spurned me sister." He continued to walk away from her.
"I was mistaken. I was upset at your condition upon your return." She said to him circling in front of him causing him to stop. "I didn't mean it. You must know we're meant to be together." Jamie simply shook his head at her before he made his way around her. "You will not go, I command it I am your Queen." She yelled causing him to stop again.
"You are Queen Regent it's true. However the King has declared that I shall go and marry the girl." He said before turning and walking away. He briefly turned his head over his shoulder to look at her. "You see dear sister, my hands are tied." He proceeded to walk down the stairs as she stood aghast. She needed to find Joffrey. Surely she could convince him to undo this madness her father had started. The walk to his rooms was spent trying to think of what to say. She would need to have a good reason for him to sway him, make him think this was in his best interests. She came to his door only to find it open already. Slowly she made her way in only to gasp in shock. On the floor lay her son blood coming from his nose.
"Mother?" He asked feebly looking up at her.
"Yes sweetling it is me what happened to you?" She asked looking around the room before she shouted. "Guards!" Quickly looking back down to him she cradled him in her lap. No sooner had she yelled for them than several guards came pouring into the room. "Find whoever did this to your King!" She yelled before looking down to him again. She slowly ran her hand through his hair. The guards filed out of the room to look for the culprit.
Olenna Tyrell
She sat in her solar looking at her granddaughter. If she had her way her sweet rose would soon be betrothed to the king. Especially now that his betrothal to the Stark girl had been set aside. Yes her Margaery would be queen, of that she had no doubt.
"Grandmother is it true that I am to meet King Joffrey tomorrow?" Margaery asked looking up from her sewing.
"Yes sweet girl. Tomorrow you will meet his Grace." She looked at the girl again with a smile. "I have no doubt he will love you, and soon you will be his queen." The smile on the girls face was large.
"I will do my best to make you proud Grandmother." She said with a small bow of her head.
"I have no doubt that you will my sweet. However we must discuss some of his Grace's tendencies." She said causing Margaery to turn her head. "It is said that he can be rather nasty, so before we push the lions for a betrothal I want to meet with young Sansa. I also want you to take note of his behaviors so we can confirm or deny what I have heard said about him." She explained. Margaery nodded her head again before standing up.
"Of course Grandmother. If that is all I will retire for the night." She curtsied before turning to leave the room.
Once alone Olenna turned her attention back to the letters that littered the table. She picked one up once more frowning at what was written on it. She had received several reports on the Kings horrid behavior since the war had started. His treatment of the Stark girl being one of her chief concerns. It was all fine if it was someone else, but if she had even the slightest thought that the King would raise his hand to her granddaughter. A knock on the door disturbed her from her thoughts.
"Come in." She said as she filled another glass of wine.
"Lady Olenna, how are you enjoying your time in King's Landing?" Tyrion Lannister said as he came and took a seat at her table.
"Quite well, although some of your ilk are less than happy to have us here." She replied causing the imp to smirk.
"Yes, my sister can be less that indulgent of those she perceives as a threat." Tyrion said as he reached for a glass of wine. "I can only imagine she sees the flowers of Highgarden more like weeds moving in to grasp what they can."
"Need I remind you that you lot came to us for help with Stannis." She said taking a drink.
"Oh I need no reminder my lady. I remember the battle quite well." Tyrion replied pointing to his face. It was mostly healed now but he would have a scar to remember it for the rest of his days.
"I must say I am quite curious as to why you would tell me about this." Olenna said holding up the many accounts of the King's behavior.
"Why we are to be family soon, it would be most untoward if I did not inform my future good niece of her future husband's less desirable proclivities." He drained his cup before standing and bowing. "I am glad you were able to gather so much my Lady, but it is late and I must retire." He turned and walked out leaving Olenna to wonder.
"What are you playing at imp?" She said aloud. She read yet another statement, a scowl forming on her face. Margaery would be the queen, she would see to that. However there was nothing that said Joffrey had to be King. She knew there was a younger son, one who would be far more malleable. Yes perhaps if she confirmed her fears Tommen would be the King her rose married.
Well that does it for this week. Jon and Robb know the truth, Cersei is pissed, and Olenna is already planning post Joffrey. This will be fun going forward. Sorry this post is a little late. Anywho Next time we'll catch up with Sansa again. We'll also see the Northern lords making their way home, plus a stop in Winterfell. Hopefully you guys like this chapter and continue to comment. I really do enjoy reading them. See you all next time.
Kmhappybunny240: I'm glad you like it. I'm really enjoying writing it.
.9: :)
Anon: Thanks glad you like it.
MoonDog: Yea I really liked the idea of having her be taken alive. I feel like there is a lot she can bring to the story, but it will also be a form of penance for her.
Birdy: Every Friday for sure. I haven't hit my 4 chapter lead yet but there may be a bonus update in the next week or so. I'm trying to keep a few chapters ahead of when I post so that if I hit a particularly bad wall with writers block I can keep the story updating while I catch up to it. I'm really happy that you like it though, and I hope I can keep you interested.
Jean d'arc: Yea we won't see Arya again for at least one chapter. Poor Sansa just can't catch a break but Catelyn kinda deserves it. But yeah I understand what you're saying about the feasts, and I agree. It was mostly need of story telling that kept him out of the hall, but since it was Edmure's wedding. Plus I'm sure he and Brynden had no love for the boy who made Catelyn so upset I thought it was believable that them combined, plus Jon's own non-confrontational nature would have been enough reason for it. That's how it is in my head anyway. I'm really glad that you're enjoying the story.