Let us head down this dark, dark- No, let's jump in.
Chapter 43: The Broken Bond
The Eyrie
Mya heard the door to her chamber click open then shut, she turned and Lyonel Corbray smiled while looking at her with a tray of food in his hands.
She didn't pay much attention to what he said at first, something about being hungry after her and the Brotherhood's journey. She did, however, listen in when she mentioned her husband.
"I assume Arthur doesn't know you still live?" She didn't answer him, she was sure they made that clear before she and her companions were detained by the Knights of the Vale.
It's been nearly two days, other than a servant or two she heard or was given nothing from their hosts, she'd had already cried her fill over the deaths of her entire family and her heart was split in two.
She wanted to curse Arthur, to make him feel how she felt but that would be redundant... They already felt the cold and bloody sting of sorrow and anger.
The thought made her scoff, she shouldn't have trusted Donnel if he was simply leading them into a trap. Perhaps we should have went to Gulltown, at least we'd be closer to Lady Waynwood. She thought and lamented.
Speaking of the Waynwoods and the Vale in general, she tilted her head slightly to look at the new Regent of the Eyrie. "How did the lowly vassals such as House Corbray come to take control of the Eyrie and Vale?" Lyonel sat down and gestured for her to join him to which she reluctantly obeyed.
It was only after she began to eat that Lord Corbray spoke, "Before Petyr Baelish's death, myself and a number of Lords and Lady Waynwood formed an alliance against him. After he left, we immediately took control- A small fight ensued under Robert's nose. Then, we word came of his demise by the Lannister's, young Robin Arryn declared war and Lord Yohn, being the loyal man he was rose a force to invade the Crownlands." And sometime after the Vale was defeated, Lyonel took over as Lord Protector of the Vale.
"... What about Lady Anya, I doubt she would allow you- A man younger than her to succeed Baelish and Lord Yohn?" She asked and Lyonel nodded, scratching the side of his face which revealed a scar.
"Unfortunately, House Waynwood sent the greater half of their army with Yohn... Where I sent but 500 men out of the 5000 I command. I waited no more than a day before word arrived, I took over the castle and Robert Arryn." Lyonel drank from his wine before continuing, "Anya put up a fight with what she had left, losing her the Gates of the Moon but she still holds the Bloody Gate and her own castle... For now." She didn't like that, not at all and she set down her knife.
She'd hide it a second later, taking for herself some protection.
"Donnel walks freely, I'd assume you'd take hostages." Lyonel regretfully informed her that Anya took his little brother, the middle child died during the infighting for the Eyrie. "You can neither attack or truly defend, your power and influence is spread thin." Corbray didn't like what she said, but it was nevertheless the truth.
She did wonder why Donnel didn't take her straight to his mother, then it dawned on her that Donnel and the men he has at the Bloody Gate are unable to even go into the valley below, nor to see his mother whom he said was doing well.
Mya found herself feeling pity for the Knight, so close but so far away from the last of his kin.
"Lady Stark, if I may call you that? I have considered your proposal of forming an army to aid you." She was surprised to hear that, but then she mentally shrunk as the man no doubt has other motives which he informed her, "There is a price for Lord Arryn's assistance. One we shall speak about, now." She crossed her arms, feeling frustrated and angry at him.
"What could I offer you that you don't already have, my Lord?" She dreaded the answer to this question, almost made her want to spit in his face, and disagree with his terms before they would leave his mouth.
Lyonel leaned close, spotting the band on her finger with lust. "Lord Arryn isn't long for this world, and a falcon must carry on the legacy of Jon Arryn... Lord Robert needs a bride, and you are still youthful enough to give the East an heir."
Winterfell
Jon looked around Winter Town as he and some men returned home after hunting in the Wolfswood, he reminisced on some of the homes which now house more soldiers than people as his brother still keeps at least a thousand men close to the walls.
Passing by the whorehouse, he was reminded of the time Theon took him here to gain his manhood. A ruin, now, or perhaps the girls stay in another home or the camps. He thought, and Ros came to mind before being replaced by Ygritte.
The former Lord Commander of Castle Black pondered if he should have lied with her, maybe he wouldn't have been so attached to Ygritte when they made love in their cave.
Then again, if he wasn't so jumpy to the sight of women he might have killed his lover and regrouped with Qhorin Halfhand.
"Oh, stop! You are useless, girl!"
His horse, and Ghost stopped to watch some smallfolk women moving a wagon into Winterfell. The first two didn't stop him but the third, she was tired and exhausted and her cheeks were red from the weather.
She was wearing brown and black wool, mud caked the ends of her skirt but what he noticed was her eyes. Dark, like his own and she had brown locks that braided down to her lower back.
"Who is she?" She asked one of the Stark soldiers, a big man by the name of Dirkon.
"She was one of the three women who tried to kill the King, Nymeria was her name. She had two sisters, they were both killed- One by two wolves and the last... " The man hesitated but he pressured him, "The undead one, in the kennels? It got out and killed several men, chewed her sister's face and neck then stabbed her a dozen times." A horrid death, he saw plenty of it at Hardhome when the Night King came.
Jon, feeling a bit of sympathy by the girl being scolded hopped from his horse and walked over to aid the three in pushing the wagon through the clog of snow and then towards the stables.
He was a little thankful, he hasn't been home long enough for everyone to remember whose son he was and who he was related to.
"Thank you, Lord." He was no Lord, just a lowly deserter that was fortunate enough to give his life to the order before leaving.
"It was no trouble, Nymeria." She looked a little surprised by that, "My sister's wolf is named Nymeria, a strong animal. No doubt you are too, surviving this long after being from the hot dunes of Dorne." He added and the woman covered her face to warm it slightly before speaking.
"If it's no trouble, I'd prefer Nym to Nymeria, so it serves to offer no confusion, Prince?" Now it's Prince, Jon shook his head and didn't much like the titles he was given since coming back to life.
Nymeria was pulled away by the serving women, heading out of the gate and back into town where she dwells.
Slinking back to the great hall for warmth, he spotted another ghost he'd seen than the ones in the crypts. "Theon?" He called out and the shaking heir to the Iron Islands stood at attention.
Theon and Robb were like brothers, more than he was with him and Arthur who were his blooded brothers. Jon then remembered hearing about the fall of Winterfell, how Bran and Rickon came to be scattered beyond the Wall and at Last Hearth.
On instinct, he grabbed the shell of a man by the scruff of his neck. "I won't bother asking why, why you betrayed us because it is done and cannot be undone... But I cannot forget," He hesitated to continue, fury was building within him.
"I wouldn't blame you, I wouldn't have blamed Arthur either. I deserve it." He does, but from what Sansa's said and the stories from those told to him, Theon no doubt suffered worst pains than death.
"You saved my brother, it is the only reason I am not breaking your jaw." He let Theon go, standing back and allowing his former Ward-Brother to exit the hall to continue his work.
Gesturing Ghost to follow, Jon strode past the hall to find him a quiet room to get warm, he's done being around people for the day.
Entering the study, he was seen by Melisandre who smiled and waited for him.
"What are you doing here?" He asked and she showed him a book, one of the few who survived the burning of the tower and eventual fall of Winterfell to Ramsay Snow. "This is just a storybook, Nan recounted this one a hundred times to me and my siblings." He added in mentioning.
"It is the same, if not slightly changed prophecy of Azor Ahai, the Last Hero is similar and so must be another." Another, what other prophecy is he supposed to know about the enemies they fight. "Long ago, during the reign of King Aegon, a woods witch came to court and spoke of a child being born of fire, inside of House Targaryen." Targaryen? Jon was puzzled.
"There is no Targaryen's in Westeros, except for Maester Aemon... " Who is now gone, bless his wisdom and memory.
Melisandre's eyes found his, a smirk curling on her lips. "No, not in Westeros... But there is one in Essos, Daenerys." Daenerys Targaryen, Jon wasn't able to form words before she spoke. "You are Azor Ahai, I felt it when you came back. Your brother, Arthur must be this Last Hero, and Daenerys... She is the Prince Who Was Promised." Jon stepped back slightly, thinking about it but instead of speaking, he left Melisandre to her own devices.
Ashara
Ashara Dayne invited Val to sup with her, it was over a balcony that looked into the training yard.
Together, they looked below to see Arya with Dacey, and a limping Edric who was helped around by the Maester. Arya was practicing with sword and shield, today, not with that thin blade of hers.
Sadly, the child still seemed to not get used to it, and this training's been going on for nearly a month.
"She has fire, I'll give her that." The golden-haired woman stated in an accent that sounded Northern, yet it also sounded rougher and almost like those from Braavos. "She'd have made a great spear-wife, if she was born to a true Northerner." She took offense to that, a frown grasping her lips, and turned to the Wildling.
"You haven't heard of the Quiet Wolf, Val?" She asked the beauty who had taken her son's attraction, the girl smiled slightly and nodded.
"A little bit, mostly about all the deserters and Free Folk he's beheaded with that sword of his... Now his son wields it." Her son did kill Wildlings and she'd bet that he enjoyed doing it, it's the one great difference between Arthur and Ned.
She questioned the King on his talk with Mance Rayder, asked what they discussed, and if it was about the coming storm lurking from the far North.
It was to her surprise that Arthur was searching for a wife, especially after the loss of his first of whom she discovered was the daughter of Robert Baratheon.
Val seems a sensible choice, a great beauty, and kin to Mance Rayder, the King Beyond the Wall. Marriage would cement peace between Northerner and Wildlings. She thought, sipping on some Dornish red, thankful Edric brought several caskets before leaving Dorne.
She made a mental note to send Nymeria a casket, something from home she can keep with all the work she's doing.
Of course, Arthur asked for her to keep his intentions secret. She would, for the moment but not with this girl who is to be her good-daughter.
"Have you given any thought to my son's proposal?" She said, forward with the request.
It caught Val off guard, nearly spitting out her cup of milk and looking at her with surprise. She recovered quickly and wiped her lips.
"Mance has told me of the pup's desire, I had said no... But I might change his mind if he does one thing." She never liked negotiations, they were a hindrance in everything she has done for the last twenty years.
"And what is it that you desire of him?" Ashara asked and Val went to speak before they heard a loud yelp.
Arya was holding her hand in slight pain, hissing and throwing her shield to the ground. Dacey didn't relent and scolded the child to act more fiercely, Arthur's sister gave an attitude which ended quickly as Dacey gave a thunderous cry that made Arya step back, intimidated.
"That." She turned and was puzzled as to what Val meant, "The Free Folk believe in the most cunning, the most courageous, the strongest man or woman to lead. The Dread Wolf is a brutal warlord- A Warrior King, he must maintain that very strength he's shown my people at the Wall, that he showed to Stag or to the men who betrayed his family." She can understand what she seeks and they turned from Arya's training, stopping just a foot before sitting down.
"He is and will be, even if he is on the losing end my son won't ever run from a fight." She told Val who looked to search her soul for any falseness, fortunately, she would find none.
"... Then tell your boy to come to his godswood, there I shall give my answer." With that, Val left without even finishing her meal and Ashara found herself respecting the girl already.
Mya
Lyonel agreed to give her companions a pardon, giving them protection the Lannisters.
The Lord Protector's offer hangs over her, she had given him no answer and requested some time to think about it. She gathered Beric, Anguy, Thoros, even Sandor to ask them their opinions and what they should do.
Beric scratched the side of his face, looking to be pondering the situation they- No, that she is facing right now.
Thoros leaned in, speaking first to get this discussion going. "If I were you, I'd agree." Anguy and Tobho looked at the Rh'llor worshipper like he was insane. "What? The boy will be dead in another year with how sickly he is, I say marry him and whelp an heir then you'll be regent." Or killed, Lyonel doesn't look like the man to share his power.
"I agree. Marry the boy, then you'll have your army." Sandor said before gulping down some wine, quickly pouring another cup.
"So that's two, what about the rest of you? Beric, Anguy?" She inquired, a sorrowful grin on her lips.
She doesn't like speaking about this, about marrying another just to get what she wants but then again, if she cared then she would have gone North to Arthur.
If this isn't what she desires, she might do just that considering her revenge plan was a failure and then they became hostages for trusting the 'good' people of the Vale.
"Princess, you know your heart better than the rest of us. You can be the only one to choose your path, even if the act of using one to take power is cold-hearted." She treasured Beric's advice, she looked around and Anguy and Tobho told her it was not honorable to take advantage of Robert Arryn.
That was it, she asked to be alone and a short three hours pass by before she heard a knock on the chamber door and Lyonel entered with a hopeful smile on his face.
"Can I assume you've made the right decision? I hope so." He talks so smugly and acts so noble, it irritates her to no end.
A flash of her husband came to her mind, she held the gold ring that was the symbol- Her eternity that she promised Arthur when they married one another.
Then the memories of her name-days she spent with her father came to her, his laughter and the way he could turn the worst of enemies into an ally. "Forgive me... Arthur." After saying this, she gently put the bond of marriage into the hearth and forced herself to watch it melt.
She had to watch it, had to make herself believe that she was doing the right thing.
Turning, Mya agreed to marry Robert Arryn on the condition that when the time came that the Vale would march to take back her father's Realm and restore the true Baratheons to the Iron Throne.
Lyonel proved his willingness to do what she had asked by kneeling, drawing his blade, and setting it on the floor. "I, Lyonel Corbray and Lord of Heart's Home do hereby swear loyalty to you, Mya Stone of the House Baratheon and future Queen of the Seven Kingdoms."
And right then, at that moment she honestly felt better than she had since waking up at the Twins.
Arthur
The Godswood was so quiet when he entered, the heart tree was caked in snow but you could still very well see its red leaves that even during the harshest of weather never wilts.
Too many good memories, too tragic to even think about them or the ones that aren't here to share new memories with.
His violet eyes landed on the rock from which his father would sit, especially after an execution or during a heated argument.
But where his father is missing, Val was there and looking right at him with her own grey-blue eyes. He took a deep breath and approached her and when he did, she stood up and took a step toward him.
"My mother said you wanted me to meet you here, usually this place isn't allowed for those not of Stark blood." He mentioned and she laughed, amused by his comment.
"Your guards did try to stop me... Until I told them I knew a giant that'd turn them into jelly for bread." He loved her humor, and a little ashamed that his household would shy away from a woman but considering the woman he's looking at, he might have been intimidated as well.
After a moment of silence, she began to speak again. "Mance told me of your desire to have me, do you not remember what I said at that river, Dread Wolf?" He does, he smiled and nodded to her question. "Free Folk don't have the same traditions as you Southerners. If a man wants a wife, he takes her and shows her that he is better than any man." Jon's said as much, on their ride home.
"I'm afraid to say forcing yourself on someone isn't a way of marriage, it's a crime." He told her, she looked to know and understand what he's saying.
"It's why I am agreeing to do things your way, King Wolf. So long as you remain a fierce warrior and defend what is yours, I will be your Queen." He was very glad to hear that, he slowly reached over and took her hand and raised it up to his lips to kiss it. "Don't expect me to be a doting wife, I am a free woman and I have a mind of my own." He chuckled.
"You won't believe how much we are alike, you will fit in well with House Stark... My Queen."
As they were walking out of the Godswood, he was approached by both Jon and three scouts. "Jon? What's the matter?" He asked and Jon took a deep breath and began to speak.
"Melisandre has discovered something, it is a solution to the Night King and his horde." Jon wanted to continue but notice there were too many ears listening in. "Find me in the great hall, I have an idea." He watched Jon walk off and quickly heading for the hall.
"Alright, now what is it you three want?" He questioned the leading man, he was nervous but his fellow scouts pushed him to speak.
"There's a ship at Torrhen's Square, your Grace. Its sail bears the sigil of House Dayne, a woman named Allyria claims to be your aunt and is at Winter Towns edge with a dozen guards and servants."
And like that, things have become more interesting other than the planned wedding that is going to take place.
AN: So ends another chapter, I hope you all have enjoyed it so far. Don't forget to let me know in the reviews and I will see you all later. Hint for the next chapter... 'Bells'.
Now, we answer those sweet guest reviews.
Guest 1, I wouldn't worry about that, Mya still has strong feelings for Arthur despite what's happened since they parted ways.
Guest 2, Yup, the North can recuperate from the endless fighting and can now worry about the Night King. The marriage between Val and Arthur will indeed unite the North and Free Folk.
Silver Crow, Yeah, Jon militarily is a great commander but he's terrible politically (much like Robb). It is a shame but this choice seems the most practical decisions, not to say the Dragon Queen and Dread Wolf won't have at least a few interactions, it just won't be romantic.
Well, again, until next time I will be sleeping soundly in my comfy bed in my very cold bunker... I honestly don't know where I am going with this, see you all later and stay safe out there, it's pretty dangerous.