Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Game of Thrones.

AN: This chapter takes place during the time period of 'Valar Morghulis'

AN 2: Jojen and Meera Reed have been changed slightly, for story purposes. They are now twins and 20 years old.

The Song of Builders

By Jojobevco

Chapter 13

A Scandal in the Crownlands

Tyrion's New Chambers

Tower of the Hand, The Red Keep

Kings Landing, Crownlands, Westeros

Tyrion was positive that had he not been conscious, he would have been shunned aside into a rather small, dark, chamber, somewhere in the lower levels. However, since he was conscious, he was able to secure a new chamber just one floor down. Appropriate for a hero who was, reluctantly, acknowledged to have saved the city. Also appropriate for the new Master of Coin. Now, he was attempting to review the generalized overview that Petyr Baelish had left as he had quickly fled the city citing 'urgent business in the Vale.'

Tyrion was unimpressed, as was Podrick.

"He is definitely skimming from the crown."

Tyrion looked up at Podrick, "We knew he would be, can it be proven?"

"Probably, once Ros gets the ledgers to us, I'm sure she knows what he has been up to."

Tyrion nodded, his mind had only been half on the problem at hand, the other half was left considering another problem.

"Podrick, have you ever courted a girl?"

Podrick stopped reading and looked up, "Trouble with the dinner with Lady Sansa?"

Tyrion sat back, "Yes, I realize that I have never actually courted a girl. I have either paid for their companionship or it hasn't worked out."

Podrick nodded, "Well, dinner is typical. My advice is that girls are often more impressed by an effort to be yourself than some showy thing, but showiness doesn't hurt. Also, for your own sanity, avoid anything too girly, it can be rather nightmarish." Podrick shuddered with the last piece of advice.

Tyrion looked skeptical, "That was, vague."

Podrick shrugged, "Successful courtships don't follow a routine or pattern."

The Stark Host

The Gold Road

Intersection of Blackwater Rush and Gods Eye River

Riverlands, Westeros

The Stark's northern forces had already left the Riverlands and were proceeding at maximum speed back to the North to deal with the Ironborn invasion. The forces from the Riverlands had been temporarily posted here to ensure that the Lannisters kept their side of the ceasefire. Robb Stark was commanding them, accompanied by Talisa, his mother, and Brienne of Tarth. In addition to monitoring the Lannisters, their presence here served another purpose, meeting the future Lady Stark.

Now, the four of them, accompanied by a retinue of guards, were waiting at the edge of the Gold Road as a small caravan approached. A wheelhouse accompanied by Tyrell guards came to a halt near the group and two women came out. Margery was as Robb remembered, beautiful, cunning, and bright, all at once.

Olenna Tyrell on the other hand, looked nothing like he would have expected for a grandmother. Clearly the woman still possessed her wits and had a guile unlike any the Starks have ever encountered.

Robb started with the greetings, "Lady Olenna, Lady Margery, welcome to the Riverlands."

Margery curtseyed and expressed, "Lord Robb, it is an honor to see you again."

The Queen of Thorns hmphed at the welcome, "Yes, yes, this is all well and good, but can we please get to a castle? These old bones detest traveling."

Talisa was doing her best not to snort while Caitlyn looked vaguely offended. Robb took it in stride, "Of course my lady. Our party will be escorting Lady Margery to Riverrun for the wedding."

As a horse was brought forward for Lady Margery to travel to Riverrun. As it was being prepped by the Tyrell guards, Lady Margery and Brienne spoke briefly.

"I want to thank you for your efforts to defend Renly, Brienne."

"Of course, my Lady, it was my sworn duty."

"I am pleased that Stannis payed for his treachery."

Brienne nodded, "I only regret I could not kill him myself."

Margery got on her horse and they headed over to the group of Stark soldiers, "I'll see you in a week, Grandmother."

Olenna nodded and waived as the Starks moved off at a quick trot, faster than her wheelhouse and guards could move through the backroads.

The Secret Solar of the Builders

Tower of the Hand, The Red Keep

Kings Landing, Crownlands, Westeros

Tyrion was sitting at his desk, attending to some of his evening plans with Sansa when the door to the Solar opened with a clang. Ros walked in, with a rare smile on her face.

"Lord Tyrion, you will not believe what just happened."

Tyrion dryly reached for a cup of wine and remarked, "Clearly something good?"

"I just got hired by Varys."

Tyrion sprayed the wine all over his desk, he reached for a cloth and started blotting it,

"Varys the eunuch? Not to be indelicate, Agent Ros, but how, exactly does that work?"

Ros rolled her eyes, "Not like that. He hired me as part of his spy network."

Tyrion finishes blotting his desk, "This could be useful. At the very least, it might cut down on how often the builders have to remove his memory."

It was true, Varys had the dishonor of joining the Builder's Top 10 All Time Obliviations List, those on the list were not exactly known as the sanest members of society.

"Any assignments for me?"

"Well, not for you, but for the Madame of the brothel."

Ros crossed her arms under her breasts and glared, "You just got betrothed."

Tyrion calmly looked into her eyes, "It's not for me, but for Podrick."

"Podrick?"

"He saved my life and a Lannister Pays his-"

Ros cut him off with a hand gesture, "Just, don't. You're a Lannister, but your also Agents of the Builders of the Wall. He was doing his duty."

Tyrion took another sip of wine, "That might be the case, but still, even if it is a ruse, I have an obligation, he is technically my Squire. In most cases, what he did would result in a knighthood."

Ros's eyes softened a bit, "I'll arrange something."

Tyrion nodded slightly, "I appreciate it Ros," he stopped and thought for a moment, "Ros, please be careful. You are about to be a piece in a game between two fools who think they are geniuses, which makes it the most dangerous game of all."

Ros just turned to leave, turning back as she got to the door, "I serve the Builders, in all things."

After she left, Tyrion muttered to himself, "That's what I'm afraid of."

Dragonstone, Westeros

Shireen Baratheon, the last true Baratheon, was a smart girl. She grew up alone, with her books. Her friends were legends of old, characters in stories, and wise men.

Today she felt more alone in the world than ever.

Her father was dead, her mother for as cruel as she was, was also dead. She was the last true Baratheon, the end of the line for three hundred years of history.

Melisandre was dead as well, but she was happy about that.

Most important of all, for her current situation, those legends had come to life. Not just any legends though, but the greatest.

There was a knock on the door. Shireen had been left in her old chambers for the moment. She walked over and opened the door.

A tall man was at the door.

He looked down at her smiled slightly, and gestured out into the hall, "Let's go for a walk."

Shireen followed the man through the castle. As she had not left her chambers since the battle, she was pleasantly surprised to see that the castle was in surprisingly good shape. The maids and other staff bustled around, dealing with battle damage, removing banners and damaged tapestries. They bowed and curtseyed as they saw her.

Soldiers of the Army of the Builders also walked around, some in armor and some carrying pickaxes and buckets of dragonglass. They all seemed to show deference and…reverence to the man she was walking with.

Her eyes widened as she realized who she was walking with, "You're a Builder."

He nodded, "I am, young one. I am Aberforth Dumbledore, Builder of the Wall and the General of the Army of the Builders." They walked along one of Dragonstone's promenades that overlooked the docks, where massive ships were being loaded with barrels of obsidian and even more was sitting on the docks. Finally, they arrived at the Chamber of the Painted Table.

Shireen had only been in this room a few times in her life. Until her father made a claim for the throne, this room was locked and shuttered against the elements, to preserve the most famous table in the history of Westeros. Dumbledore took the seat her father traditionally used and gestured for her to take a seat at the opposite end of the table.

"Let's review what has happened. Your father took most of his troops off to attack King's Landing. While there, he was killed by a Builder of the Wall. At the same time, my army and I occupied Dragonstone. We need the Dragonglass. With all of this, you are the last surviving trueborn Baratheon. At the end of hostilities, we are prepared to offer you the Stormlands."

Shireen looked at him and glared, "You killed my Mother and my Father, invaded my home, and destroyed my house. Legend or no, Builder or no, why should I forgive you that?"

Dumbledore smiled slightly and gestured for her to sit, "What do you know of the Lord of Light and his followers?"

As Shireen walked around the table, she rattled off, "They're based on a belief of fire, that the night is dark without fire, and full of terrors. They believe all the other gods are false and have them burned. Their priests and priestesses have mystical powers. They can see prophecy in shadows." She took a seat opposite Dumbledore.

Dumbledore nodded, "Very good. The religion of R'hllor is based on several mistranslations and misunderstandings dating back 8,000 years, to the Long Night. The war the Builders participated in. A significant skill of ours is the ability to control and wield a powerful fire known as Fiendfyre. Given how wrights are susceptible to fire, this power was one we used regularly, perhaps too much. As a result, legends passed down claiming that our leader was a Prince who was Promised. They offered sacrifices to their god, human sacrifices, including those with the blood of kings, and those believed to be kings. Throughout history, honest, good men like your Father have been twisted into giving up their family, burning them alive in the hope that this god would smile on them in battle. I guarantee you this, Shireen Baratheon, had we not intervened, you would not have survived this war."

Shireen was silent as she considered her father's actions of late. He had changed, he burned the new gods, committed adultery, and made other out of character decisions. As for her mother, she was better off gone.

"What is it you want?"

"The builders will occupy Dragonstone, and mine the dragonglass. We will, in return, keep you and your household safe. At the end of hostilities, you will be granted your ancestral home of Storm's End."

Shireen sat back and considered it, it was a very fair offer, "What guarantee do I have of this?"

Dumbledore looked at her, his eyes twinkling slightly, "The word of an 8,000 year old man who's leader was the basis for the concept of honor in Westeros."

"Fair enough."

Winterfell

The North, Westeros

"You're sending me where!?"

Lady Builder Tonks looked up from the desk she had borrowed from Eddard Stark, "Agent Reed, I am sending you to King's Landing. Your brother will join you there, if he isn't there already, I've already sent him new orders."

"But Bran-"

"Will be staying here for the time being. When it is time, I will personally escort him to the idiot giving him these visions and cut that damn Crow out of his Weirwood hammock for making me go to that damn creepy tree."

Meera just silently stared at her boss. After working for the Lady Builder for three years, she had gotten to know her moods quite well. Meera didn't understand exactly what Brynden Rivers was doing to incur the Builder's wrath, but that wasn't her business.

"And what are my orders for King's Landing?"

"You and your brother are to train Arya Stark in field investigation techniques, Harry is hoping it might give her subtlety that she lacks. Tyrion Lannister has a case for you, involving a missing intelligence asset who fled during the battle. Harry wants to question her."

Meera nodded, "Understood."

Tonks held out a cord of rope, "That will be all, dismissed."

Meera bowed and said, "I serve the Builders," disappearing in a flash of light.

House of the Undying

Qarth, Essos

Builder Cormac McLaggen, Daenerys Targaryen, Jorah Mormont, and a lady named Quaithe walked up the stairs to the House of the Undying. To Cormac, it almost sounded like the start of a bad joke. As they approached the tower, Cormac examined it with a practiced eye. The Warlocks of Qarth were…flashy. However, their magic lacked substance, it only took Cormac a minute to figure out the secret of the tower's entrance.

The forced apparition field, for lack of a better explanation, surrounding the tower was crude, but effective, selecting it's target clearly, and pulling her inside. Through the Builder's link to the Targaryen girl, Cormac could have stopped the tower if he wanted to. He chose not to though.

Jorah stumbled forward with a start, before turning back and looking at Cormac, who replied, "Easy, Ser Jorah, she's just experiencing her final exam for the year."

They sat outside, waiting patiently for just over an hour before Daenerys winked back into existence, with her three dragons.

Cormac nodded, "Well done, faster than I thought you would be."

Dany looked at Cormac, furious, "You expected this?"

Cormac stood and waived his wand over the building, dispelling the flashy wards and fields around the tower. In actually, it looked rather plain, only half its previous height, with a standard wooden door.

"Yes, the moment you entered Qarth with your Dragons; this outcome was unavoidable. We considered it to be an excellent test of what you learned."

"But what I saw inside…"

"Was some soft-minded two-bit magicians reflecting your own fears back on you. Be careful how much stock you place in it."

He led the group inside and looked around, before heading down a small staircase.

"That being said, the Warlocks of Qarth were part of the Thirteen, and well, they had this."

He opened the door to a small room filed gold.

"Should be enough to buy a small ship. Find an army Daenerys Targaryen. Good luck."

Dany turned as Cormac was heading to the exit, "But wait, what about your army?"

Cormac turned back, and said, icily, "The Army of the Builders of the Wall is much too busy to assist with your conquest at this time. You may be our chosen throne claimant, but you need to claim it." He turned to Quaithe, "Quaithe, walk out with me."

Quaithe silently followed Cormac, "Congratulations, on the promotion. See if you can turn Qarth into something more than shadows and trickery."

Quaithe bowed, "I will do my best honored Builder."

"What are your thoughts on the girl?"

"Daenerys Stormborn has potential, but her desires may get in the way of her capacity to rule with a good heart."

"Indeed, something we will have to test."

They continued to walk through the city until they reached Major Kullback, "Report."

"We have secured the city. Your orders?"

"We will send a detachment from the main army to relieve you soon, in the meantime, assist Governor Quaithe with securing the city. Secure the fortunes of the estates of the deceased thirteen, at least those without direct descendants and establish a city treasury." He handed a scroll to Quaithe. "A note for 500,000 dragons drawn off the builder's account at the Iron Bank." He turned to both of them, wished them luck and took a portkey back to the Fist.

Secret Solar of the Builders of the Wall

The Red Keep

Kings Landing, Crownlands, Westeros

Tyrion Lannister, having now planned his dinner with Sansa, returned to the issues of the affairs of state, and nursing a massive headache from Littlefinger's almost indecipherable accounting. Just as he was about to throw in the towel for the day and start preparing for dinner, the Floo flared green and out walked a short man (yet taller than Tyrion) in a green and black coat and cloak combination, with a hat that looked like a Frey hat with a brim and the ear flaps tied up. Tyrion smiled joyfully at one of the few good mortal minds in Westeros

"Lord Jojen, how good to see you!"

Jojen removed his hat and nodded in the direction of his sister, off in the training area, demonstrating basic netting techniques to Arya, "You were told to expect me, Lord Tyrion."

"JOJEN!" Meera ran over and hugged Jojen tightly, lifting him slightly in the air.

He smiled faintly and patted her back, "Yes, Meera, yes, good to see you too."

As Meera invited Arya over to meet her brother, Jojen took a seat across from Tyrion.

Meera made introductions, "Arya, this is my twin brother Jojen, the heir of House Reed and the Agent Inquisitor of the Builders of the Wall."

"What is an 'Agent Inquisitor?"

Jojen answered, in a warm, calm voice, "As we grew up, it became clear that Meera is the physical one of the two of us, she protects me and she handles physical matters for the Builders. Matters that require the sort of stealth our people, the Crannogmen are known for. I have our skills of observation. Combined with reading a lot and a bit of magic, I have developed the skills to inquire and deduce the results of mysteries. Therefore, I handle such mysteries that do not require the skills of the Builders. I inquire into things and my sister, the Agent, handles them. He believes you can learn a lot from both of us and has asked us to teach you as we investigate a matter for Tyrion."

Arya looked impressed as they moved to Tyrion's desk.

Tyrion cleared his throat and began, "You are here to track down Shae."

Arya interjected, "Your whore?"

Tyrion choked on his wine, "Yes, her. We had thought that she would be an asset, but she turned out to be a massive liability. To complicate matters, she disappeared during the Battle of the Blackwater."

Jojen interrupted Tyrion's recounting of events, "What do you know about her?"

"My sister suspects she is Lorathi and low-born, but well, she really doesn't read beyond the surface. She claimed to have come to Westeros about ten years ago. I know that she has had some sort of training regarding dealing with pain. Bronn initially found her following the Lannister camp before the battle against the Stark Auxiliary forces. She purports to be a terrible cook and is good at, ahem."

Arya jumped in, "Fucking?"

"Yes, that. She kept trying to get me to commit to a relationship though. In summary, she is intelligent, cunning, and mysterious, the Fist couldn't turn up anything on her in almost a year of searching."

Jojen asked, "When was she last seen?"

"About an hour before the Battle of the Blackwater, in my chambers in the Tower of the Hand."

"And when did you notice she was missing."

"About two hours after the conclusion of the battle, when I and some servants went to pack up my chamber, her things were already gone."

"Well, leaving via the Harbor or the Kingsroad are out, as well as the road to Rosby. That leaves her taking the Storm Road, the Roseroad, the Gold Road, or staying in the city." Jojen turned to his sister and Arya, "Well, ladies, we have our work cut out for us." They turned and left through a secret passageway.

A Guard Post

The Fist of the First Men

The Lands Beyond the Wall

Colonel Ygritte and Lieutenant Gilly stood on a balcony a few levels below the roof that was occupied by the Night's Watch. They had volunteered to place themselves on watch rotation due to how severely undermanned the garrison was.

Gilly and Ygritte had an odd friendship. They were opposites, Ygritte was a warrior at heart, Gilly meanwhile was a reservist who was usually the Fist's Head Librarian. She had been called up for the First Men festival and was being held over at the Fist's garrison.

They had met years ago when they were children and the Builders had 'dealt with' Gilly's father. Ygritte had been volunteered to show her around at the academy on Gilly's first day. Although Ygritte was resentful at first, as Gilly learned to read under Ygritte's tutelage, they found themselves bonding over books.

Ygritte turned to Gilly, "You were saying?"

"The World of Ice and Fire is a piece of shit."

"I don't know if it is that bad."

"You've read it, right?"

Ygritte shrugged, "Parts of it, I've been busy."

"He titled the section on the Baratheon Dynasty 'The Glorious Reign' Yandel is clearly a pandering sellout."

"At least he's not as bad as Herryk, his book on the Kings-Beyond-the-Wall was just embarrassing. He made the whole thing up."

"No one is as bad as Herryk. Did you know what he said about Bael the Bard was actually-"

Gilly had noticed that Ygritte was no longer paying attention to her but was instead looking out over the True North.

"What is it?"

"That snowstorm, it's coming in fast."

Gilly looked out at it, "Almost unnaturally fast."

Ygritte was instantly alert, "Give me the spyglass."

Gilly handed it over and watched as Ygritte looked out intently into the storm, seeing when the blood rushed from her face.

Ygritte handed over the spyglass, her hand trembling ever so slightly, but her voice hard, "Do you see that."

Gilly looked through the spyglass and out into the storm. She could see some people shuffling in the distance, her blood ran cold, even with the heating charms on the patio, "I'm guessing that's not our army?"

Ygritte swallowed, "Nope." She breathed and turned to the back of the patio, pulling the three ropes hung there.

A cacophony of drums, bells and gongs started playing through The Fist, as the Night's Watch blew three blasts overhead.