The invasion of The Riverlands began when Ser Jaime descended on the Riverlands with fifteen thousand men. From the West, he broke through the men under Lords Vance and Piper guarding the Golden Tooth. Lord Vance was slain and Lord Piper was forced to retreat with the remaining men, the Lannister men at their heels.
After his victory at the Golden Tooth, Jaime Lannister met the massed power of House Tully outside the walls of Riverrun. The overwhelming numbers of The Lannister forces won him the battle and with that victory, The Riverlands was under Lannister hold and Tywin felt confident enough to leave his son with a good thirty-five thousand men to hold its seat of power and by extension the Riverlands when he was summoned back to The Capital by The King.
Jon's armies crossed The Twins with his full force and the added Frey men. He had Brynden make sure that no raven had brought news to The Lannister camps or The Capital. And the ones that did reach them gave them a false number than the one Jon currently had, less than half he had. The latter part was more difficult, having to kill scouts and outriders.
The Northern forces joined up with the remainder of The Piper and Vance forces. The numbers together were at three thousand but not all of them were in fighting conditions. Some looked close to death from the wounds that took corruption. So in reality they had seven hundred able fighters. Marq Piper and Karyl Vance filled them in on what they had been doing till now. Jon knew what the plan was of course, but he needed the others to hear and encouraged people to put their input. He was more than happy when Robb pitched his ambush idea like he did in Jon's memory and Jon was happy to support him in it.
The battle in the Whispering Wood went much like how it had the last time, only this time with more men and fewer casualties on The Northern side. Jon joined in on the battle, Robb, Torrhen Karstark and Eddard Karstark insisting on being there to guard him. Jon ill liked that, especially considering how two of the three die in this battle.
But Jon didn't need to worry, not when the two dragons accompanying him swept down and burned some of the Lannister men and Ghost ripping throats left had scared off the rest. The dragons took to the skies again at his word. They were young still and Jon was sure they could be beheaded or grievously injured by swords. Jaime Lannister had been the only one who pushed on and kept fighting. But when he came face to face with Jon, he dropped his sword and surrendered himself. He was taken, prisoner.
Celebrations had to wait as the very next day The Northern Army attacked The Lannister men that were camped around Riverrun, three camps separated by The Tumblestone and Red Fork. It left them vulnerable and the surprise attack killed all of them. The Spearmen and Bowmen went to retreat but a rain of arrows from the longbowmen cut most of them down, Ser Forley Prester chief amongst them.
The Northern army was welcomed with cheers by the men in Riverrun. Edmure went to his family right away, embracing them and welcoming them to Riverrun. When his eyes fell on Jon, he stiffened but then remembered who Jon really was.
"Your Grace" he went to his knees immediately, an action mimicked by the rest of The Riverlands Lords. "Riverrun is yours, House Tully swears its allegiance to House Targaryen" his declaration was mimicked by the remaining Lords present. Jon smiled at that and told them all to stand and to join them for a small feast in celebration.
The feast went on with everyone in a merry mood, drinks filling every mug and cup, and food on everyone's plates. Jon excused himself after a while and taking a plate of food and a mug of wine he made way to the camps, where one Jaime Lannister was chained to a pole. When Jaime saw him enter, a sarcastic smile graced his lips.
"Well, well, if it isn't the Bastard turned King" Jaime spat at Jon's feet. "I'd have thought you a pretender until those dragons swept in."
"Many do" Jon ignored the act and sat on a stone near the man. He held the mug to Jaime, who gave him a look. "It's not poisoned. As much as I have the blood of dragons in me, I have the blood of The Stark Kings running through me. And I was raised by Ned Stark. Treachery isn't something that comes to me naturally."
"Just the secret-keeping then?" Jaime snorted. He accepted the drink and took a good swig. "Nobody knew about the dragons. Nor the numbers that support you. How did you manage that?"
"Lots of archery practice with ravens and using outriders and scouts as dummies for training" Jon explained. He tore a piece of the chicken be brought, dipped it in whatever gravy was being served and held it to Jaime. "Plus it also helps that The South don't think much of The North other than them being oafs and savages" he added.
Jaime looked at the food before taking a bite of it. He felt himself relax as the tastes overtook his senses. "Why are you here? And not celebrating with the rest?"
"Because I wanted to talk to you" Jon tore another piece and held it to Jaime, who took it with a rare grateful look. "And thank you."
"Thank me? For what?" the knight questioned.
"For killing Aerys" Jon held another morsel to Jaime's mouth but the man did not take it this time. Instead, he stared at Jon incredulously. "Don't give me that look. You and I both know it was for the best."
"You know nothing" Jaime spat.
"So there weren't caches of Wildfire stored all around under King Landing and Aerys had given the signal to light it all up when your father sacked the capital?" Jon questioned and Jaime froze.
"How do you-"
"Burn them all, that's what he said, no?" Jon looked at Jaime and saw the emotions swirling in his eyes. "I never understood why you never told anyone what happened. You're a hero for what you did. You saved Kings Landing, you saved your father, you saved my uncle. Was it the pride of the lion? That whole opinion of the sheep thing? Horse shit the whole of it. Better be respected and understood than scorned I say."
Jon fed him till the plate was empty, and then helped him finish his drink. "In my eyes, you are a hero, and I want to thank you for your service to the people" the King spoke. "And it is out of that respect that I tell you what I intend to do. My armies will divide here. Some will attack The Westerlands and the rest will go with me to The Capital. I have the numbers to accomplish that" Jon informed him.
"And what do you intend to do once you've taken the throne? To my family?"
"Sadly you and your father will be sent to the wall. They need the men and someone to train the recruits. If Joffrey doesn't do anything stupid to get himself killed, then he will join you both."
"What about Tommen? And Myrcella? What about my siblings?"
"Tyrion will be the new head of House Lannister. Cersei, it all depends. I'd like to avoid killing any of them if it is in my control. Tommen and Myrcella I'll naturalize them to Lannisters and keep them close. They are good kids and I'll look after them."
Jon stood up, putting the mug on the plate and turned to move out of the tent. He opened the flap when he heard Jaime speak again.
"You remind me of him, you know" the kingslayer spoke, "Rhaegar I mean. When you first donned the black armour at the tourney I almost imagined you having white hair. And tonight, right here and now? You have the best of him inside of you. I'm sorry I couldn't protect your half-siblings."
Jon did not respond, only nodding and simply walked out. But he didn't go far before he was stopped. An old man with a hood covering his face stood in his path. Jon's eyes narrowed on him before they widened when he knelt before him.