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Chapter 13: Honor
The Riverlands
Arthur and his company past the Golden Tooth four days ago, Riverrun is still a day or two away.
He hoped his brother was doing well, from the last reports before leaving it seemed the Crag still was intent on fighting with what little men they have. Fools if there ever was one, that was the Westerling's.
As for him, Mya, Gendry and 500 more good men? Their goal here is to give Tywin a run for his gold, he can utilize brutal tactics too and will make either the man himself or his mad dog come out to die. That, and he is under the command of the Blackfish, he'll be taking orders from his brother's uncle.
Brynden had sent a unit to fetch him, they'll be waiting for his arrival and the plans that were made for them by his brother.
But as of this moment, he will make camp and rest for the day.
Later on, that night by the fire, he sat on a boulder grazing a whetstone across his sword that he's had since Ser Rodrik. In this small moment of privacy, he thought back to his training day with this sword, with his siblings and Theon.
It was one of his favorite memories.
Theon was being an ass, as usual, but by now it was common and they all got used to it. Robb was ecstatic and Jon and he were equally excited, it was their first step into manhood besides seeing an execution. Now they can hold steel like the guards of Winterfell, like the knights the four have dreamt of being these last few years.
He was stumbling whilst holding the blunt blade in his hand, his swings on the dummy being clumsy and imperfect. He cursed when he swung too high and fell backward, into the mud and dirt that now covered his rear end. Jon walked over and helped him up when everyone else was laughing at him, giving him a hand and he took it.
"Thanks, brother." He said with a genuine tone, Jon returned the gesture with a proud smile. Jon had always enjoyed being called a brother, by him and Robb and Arya but rarely by Bran, Rickon and Sansa.
"Boys come here!" Ser Rodrik called over to them, they obeyed and strolled over to Rodrik. Looking to the knight's left he saw four real blades, now that was exciting. "Now boys, these are not toys! They are weapons you four might need to protect your own. The people under your care or a child, wife or brother." They all listened intently, hearing Rodrik tell them about the responsibilities of holding a steel blade in your hand.
At that moment he knew exactly what this word meant to him, and he would see his family and friends protected for all time...
He and his sword-mates have begun training with live steel, getting better and better with the weight of the real thing other than the lighter blunt weapons or wooden swords. Eventually he, Jon, Robb, and Theon became some of the better swordsmen within Winterfell's walls.
Unfortunately, he was always late on his sword that Rodrik gave them that day, only to use them in training more skilled swordsmen or dummies. Through this war so far he's noticed some dents, his grip is so hard on the handle that he's had to replace the leather at least six times. Yet, he'd started to make more time to sharpen it and often wished he had Dawn, his mothers family sword.
Bah! They wouldn't let me have it, only the one most worthy can hold the sword, He thought bitterly and admits he can never hold it.
"How are you doing?" He looked behind him and saw Mya come beside him, he noticed her hair was wet so she might have taken a bath.
"I'm fine. Just lost in thought, you know the like." He uttered and she hummed in agreement. Then out of nowhere, she asked him a shocking question.
"Arthur... Why don't we marry?" He didn't turn around fast enough, the expression of shock written on his face.
"What?!" He asked with his tone of voice slightly higher but still below a whisper. She looked at him, slightly offended and a little irritated.
"Marriage, you know the thing where a man and woman- " She tried to sarcastically tell him about, the woman's after his own heart for that.
"I know what it means! But, why bring such a thing as that up?" He asked with increasing worry and curiosity. She blushed lightly, turning away from him, "It's just that we haven't spoken of this since before our fathers were killed. I am simply curious, that doesn't mean I don't want to marry you. I care about you too much." He confessed, feeling quite done in by saying all of those awkward things that'd fit Jon all too well.
"Well, it's just that... You know what, forget I said anything about it. I'm going to bed." He tried to catch her and ask her to be honest, but she was already halfway to their tent. He sighed and slid his hand over his hair, seeing it's become a little longer than he's comfortable with.
For some sudden reason, he wondered about his family in the south, the Dayne's of Starfall.
Starfall
Starfall was a castle located in the western Red Mountains on an island in the Torentine where it pours into the Summer Sea. Starfall, which includes a tower called the Palestone Sword, guards the western arm of Dorne. Northeast of Starfall is High Hermitage, ruled by a Dayne cadet branch.
The ruler of Starfall is a young man named Edric Dayne, though he is only twelve name-days old he stands the height of boy three years older. His hair is wavy and pale blond with big blue eyes that appear purple. His face was one of contemplation, and his thoughts were about someone that he's never met and knows he wishes to.
He's gathered a council with his mother whose returned home, the betrothal with Lord Beric Dondarrion is concluded with the Lord's death in the Riverlands, by the Mountain of all people yet rumors say the Lightning Lord is still alive and well, but you can't do much with rumors so she came home.
As for his cousins, one being sent to the Wall and another at war with Robb Stark in the Riverlands, he's decided that he should do something but deciding on how to do it is what he is contemplating.
Starfall and House Dayne might be renowned, it cannot field too many men and not enough to make a change, two-thousand men at best and thirty-five hundred if his kin at Hermitage follow and then there is Prince Doran in Sunspear, he has insisted they don't involve themselves in the wars of others. He also can't lead these men because of his age, he almost feels hopeless and then there are the objections his council insisted he heeds.
His councilors believe that aiding a pair of illegitimate sons are not worth House Dayne's aid, he reminded them that he decides what is worth his aid. Allyria used that against him when he came to her and asked about what he should do, she told him he makes the hard choices for their House and it's his honor and the honor of House Dayne on the line for whatever choice he makes.
He's never met Arthur, his cousin but he has exchanged letters and aunt Allyria has done the same thing on rare occasions. Arthur and Jon are connections to his aunt Ashara who threw herself off a tower, he's always wanted to meet them for the longest time.
"What is the choice, nephew," Allyria asked, entering his chambers with a somber face and in black. She cared for her betrothed, and it would be inappropriate not to do so when a close friend or spouse or family dies.
"I don't know. Our House and its honor are on the line, what if I fall? Who will be Lord of Starfall or would if Doran or the Iron Throne calls us traitors? We could all be killed and our House would have no future. Father would have known what to do, I know it." He said and went off a tangent, worried for his family here and his kin north. His aunt frowned and saw him reverting to his shy and worried nature, it was shameful to him.
"... My sister worried for the same thing before she flung herself to her death, she worried for his sons and the daughter that died. I was with her until she jumped whilst I slept, I cried myself to sleep and that I lost two of my siblings at war, and a third years after that." She said and continued, her face was becoming more saddened and he too when his father was mentioned, "I wished I didn't make a connection with my sister's children, I wished I didn't worry for them; one beyond the Wall and another at war. Yet we've made these connections and must choose what to do because you are Lord Dayne and you must make this House's choices." She stated and he sighed, looking to the floor with a thoughtful frown.
His choice, it is his choice at the end of the day and it shifts House Dayne's fate.
"... Okay. I know what to do." He said and she smiled, whether is fear or pride. "If only I had Dawn, it would help my confidence... "
Moments later he watched the ravens fly, towards the outposts belonging to House Dayne for the banners to be called. And they have to have ships.
The Crag
Robb grunted in frustration, killing the man who almost gutted him.
The battle of the Crag was going smoothly, as smoothly as taking a castle could be that is. He dodged another soldier's swing, parrying the next blow and running the man through with his sword before knocking him over the walls and falling to the ground.
They came upon the Crag three days ago, they were prepared for a siege yet it was little more than a ruin. He stormed it with his army at night, While Smalljon Umber and Black Walder Frey lead scaling parties over the walls, Robb broke through the main gate with a ram, the first man to charge him was killed by Grey Wind.
He soon found himself atop the walls, dueling Lord Westerling and wounding the man. After that he fought from man to man, forgetting faces and focused on the colors they were wearing on their breasts.
"My King!" Smalljon cried out in panic, he turned too early to evade the arrow that struck his chest. He fell but took one more man down before doing so, he grunted in pain and thought that this must have been how Arthur was feeling when he took an arrow to the back.
The battle came to end once the last few dozen men surrendered with their Lord, the battle was won at least.
"My King, you need some assistance! Get your Maester!" Greatjon bellowed to the wounded Lord Westerling, as they helped him into the Crag.
The last thing he ordered before getting some rest was for a raven to be sent north, to let Riverrun and Winterfell know he's taken the Crag.
Riverrun
He's become frustrated with her, this entire journey to Riverrun has been complete silence and angry stares. He wished she would just tell him about what her problems were, or tell him anything at all.
Not just that but she's also taken to throwing him out of the tent for an hour before saying sorry and letting him lay with her, it's actually driving him crazy with all things considered. He huffed out a breath shortly before stopping his group at the bridge where Brynden was.
"Blackfish." He greeted, still confused whether the man is always angry or angry at him.
"... Dread Wolf." The man said gruffly, then gestured for him to follow, "We are short on time and have places to be." Brynden added and he frowned.
"Then tell me what's the problem? I came to assist." He offered, and Brynden gave him a long look before telling him.
"Tywin's been causing a nuisance. He has set his mad dog loose so far three villages and its people were murdered, he needs to be stopped." He cursed the Lannister's once more, they can never fight against someone who can fight back and gets their enjoyment of innocence suffering.
He didn't even notice his fist clenching so hard that he was bleeding until Mya checked it, he gave her nod of gratitude for her worry before kissing her on the lips while hoping she'll open up soon or else he'll go mad with her mood swings. Thinking on the Mountain problem he turned back to Brynden, clear determination rushing through his words.
"Then I'll play Tywin's game, I will hunt Gregor and all of those dogs down like the vermin they are." He told the older man who surprisingly agreed with him, maybe he isn't so grumpy as he assumed right away.
"I like it. Needs more detailed plans, but we've got a clear goal: Taking down the Mountain, Gregor Clegane." He followed Brynden and made his plans with Edmure and other Lords and knights of the Riverlands, a shame the real Lord Tully isn't up and well with him being sick.
Yet before they could do that, his little sister ran in and a huge smile on her face, Nymeria also followed.
"Brother!" Arya jumped into his arms and he spun her around, she was happy to see him and he felt the same. It's been some time. "Mya! I missed you, too!" His sister added and hugged the older woman, Mya replied in kind.
"I hope you've kept up with that dancing of yours," Mya told Arya who smiled.
"Yes, I have. Mother isn't here and uncle Brynden's been helping me too." Arya filled his lover in.
"You two catch up, me and Brynden will see you too soon." He said and left with the older man, they have a monster to bring down.
First, they'll begin raising enemy supplies, denting any goods and weapons going to Harrenhal where Tywin's base of operations is. Secondly is protecting other villages from being a target of Gregor's raids. Then there is this group of men known as the Brotherhood Without Banners, a faction made of deserters from both sides, they also need to be dealt with either violence or surrender.
Lastly is Gregor himself, from what Brynden told him the Mountain strikes fast and hard but is prone to take his time when it suits him. They need to lure him to their country, to break his guard and surround him, then he will deal with him himself. He'll take the mans head soon.
Hours later he was readying for bed when his door was opened and Mya walked in, and she looked absolutely lovely. She was wearing a thin gown of black and gold with a bit of grey, the last he saw was Stark colors. He walked over and kissed her, she placed a hand on his bare chest.
"I'm afraid... " She said upon parting. He gave her a curious stare, wondering what she meant.
"What do you mean?" He asked and she let out a shaky breath before looking him in the eye.
"You don't know what the Mountain is like. You have no clue. Arthur? He is a monster, I've seen enough tourneys and him carving men with that greatsword of his, I cannot imagine seeing you like that!" She was truly frightened, over the mad dog of Clegane, he's defeated many warriors, some being quite a bit bigger than him. He lifted her chin, seeing worried sobs and tears, was she going through that thing again.
"You don't believe I can do it, but I can and I will bring his head to- " He tried to convince her before Mya cut him off.
"It can't grow without you!" She shouted, then closing her mouth in shock, he himself stood shocked.
"What are you?... Are you... " He couldn't find the words, couldn't speak them and be right. She said nothing and instead took his hand and timidly brought it to her stomach, his eyes widened in realization and she filled the void and spoke for him.
"It's true... Arthur... I am carrying your child. So please, don't die and leave me alone!"
A/N: Yes I'm back at it again! This chapter covered a bit for the important two characters right now being Arthur and Robb with a new POV in the form of Edric Dayne and some new twists and an arc bringing a collision between Arthur/Blackfish vs the Mountain.
Pyre101, I thought a lot on what you said and hope I delivered, though I intended for Arthur to shift to the Riverlands mainly to follow canon you've given me ideas like finally involving the Dayne's and a battle with the Mountain who is a powerful enemy.
Jfrost22792, Yeah, goes to show that War might not change but the people fighting them do.
Sparky She-Demon, you know that is probably the number one of a few things I wish they added in the show. I just couldn't see Robb throwing it all on the line for love through the emotion is strong, his dutiful loyalty to honor trumps that. So I will be using Jeyne and the more reasonable reason Robb threw it all away, he's still getting shit from Arthur though.
Guest, sorry to hear that. Maybe the others are more your fancy but if not then I can't help you.
Ol-11jrw, I'm afraid I cannot comment on that. Sorry.
Sketchywolf, Thanks I'm glad you like it.
UNTIL NEXT TIME!