King's Landing 299 AC.

Dany.

They rode in through the gates on horseback and to loud cheers. Ser Barristan, Ser Jorah, and Ser Arthur all riding close enough to them so that any who wished them harm would find no path open to them. All three men wore their white cloaks and looked resplendent in their Kingsguard armor. While she and Rhaegar were wearing the colors of their House and both were armored too. Rhaegar had insisted on ensuring their safety first, though she felt to be in no danger here this day.

In front of Rhaegar, Arya sat, and occasionally Dany would see a smile or smirk appear on the young girl's face. Usually, after Rhaegar whispered something in her ear. Yet more often than not it was with wary eyes that her Goodsister looked at those who lined their route. Many years earlier, Dany had listened as Magister Illyrio had told Viserys that toasts were being sung and banners were raised in secret for them in Westeros. She'd not believed it then, but now as they rode, as the cheers rang out, and as she looked and saw banners bearing the Three-Headed Dragon, she wondered if there had been some truth in the Magister's lies.

"Hail to House Targaryen."

"The Dragons have returned."

"King Rhaegar and Queen Daenerys."

"Rhaella's daughter."

"Rhaegar's son."

The cheers almost stilled her heart and she had to wipe a happy tear from her eye more than once. When Rhaegar looked at her concernedly, she shook her head and smiled at him to let him know that it was joy she was feeling and not sadness. Though their welcome was not as true as she'd received on Dragonstone, she appreciated it still. The people of King's Landing were fickle, Rhaegar had said, they'd named their family as true and then just forgotten about them when Robert Baratheon was named king. It was their nature. They just got on with their lives and in the end, they truly cared not for who sat on the Iron Throne. As they rode, Dany swore that this time would be different. This time they'd care, and never again would they accept a king or queen who was not born with dragon blood in their veins.

When they reached the Red Keep, Rhaegar helped her down from her Silver. His fingers brushed over her armored belly and she somehow managed to keep her expression steady. For the last few days, she'd been feeling how she once had with Rhaego. So while she didn't dare believe it to be so, she very much hoped it was true and that she was indeed with child. Over time she'd noticed that her husband's fingers had been drawn more and more to her belly too and wondered if he felt something different when he touched her there. Soon enough she'd know. Her granduncle had been sent for and once he arrived, then Dany would seek an answer to a question that she very much wished to ask.

"Are you ready, my love?" Rhaegar asked softly and she nodded.

With a look at their Kingsguard, Rhaegar took her by the arm and they began to walk toward those assembled in front of them. In the sky above, all four dragons flew in circles to make it clear that should they face treachery here today, then it would be answered with fire and blood. Though given the sheer number of men they had with them, only a fool would seek any other course of action other than to kneel and offer their surrender.

In front of them stood a wizened old woman and a very pretty younger one. Both wore the green and gold of House Tyrell and though she'd met them not, she'd name them as Lady Olenna Tyrell and her granddaughter, the former Queen Margaery. The younger woman looked incredibly nervous and while Dany had no doubt that the older one was too, she however hid it well. Beside them stood two giant men. Both of whom were bearing swords that were sheathed and Dany heard Rhaegar whisper to Ser Arthur who simply nodded his reply.

"King's Landing is yours, your graces." Lady Olenna said as they neared them and as one, the two ladies curtsied and the two giant guards along with the rest of the men who stood there all took a knee.

"Indeed it is, my lady." Rhaegar said as he bid them rise "Ser Jaime, Lady Cersei, King Tommen?"

"Ser Jaime and the former king are currently held prisoner inside, your grace. Lady Cersei sought her own blade rather than be captured and her body is being prepared in the Maester's Chambers."

"Ser Barristan, see that Lady Olenna and Lady Margaery are escorted to their chambers and that their guards are unarmed," Dany said as Olenna narrowed her eyes at her.

"Are we prisoners, your grace?" Margaery asked nervously.

"You have much to answer for, my lady. So for the now, yes, you are prisoners. How long that captivity lasts will depend on many factors." Dany replied.

"My son, your grace, my grandson?" Lady Olenna asked worriedly.

"Lord Mace was injured, my lady, and is being treated for his wounds. Though he should recover from them. Ser Garlan is unharmed. We shall speak some more later on when your fate will be discussed. Your actions here today may have saved you from the harsher one I had in mind." Rhaegar said to a relieved breath from the older woman.

Dany didn't need to look at Arya to see she was scowling. If it was left up to the younger girl, then any who faced them or dared stand against them would face the same fate as Tywin Lannister already had. She and Rhaegar however knew better than that. While a part of them both felt as Arya did, there was politics to be considered too. Aemon had spoken to them much on what to do about those who'd not come directly to their side, those who'd need to be brought to their knees, and those who had to be forced to their own. Each and every single one of them needed to be shown to be treated differently. Yet all had to be seen to be treated fairly. The last thing their House could afford was for anyone to look at Rhaegar and her and to see only her father.

She felt her heartbeat rise as they walked into the Throne Room and saw the Iron Throne looming large on a raised dais. It was nothing like she'd imagined it to be and yet at the same time, she felt as if she'd known it all her life too. Stopping to look at Rhaegar, she then nodded when he shook his head. They'd discussed, argued, and discussed some more about either of them taking a seat on the throne. Rhaegar had wished for her to do it and while at one point it had been something she'd dreamt of, no longer was it a throne that brought her the peace and joy that she now felt in her heart.

"You must, my love," she said as the Throne Room began to fill with their supporters.

"I…"

"You were born to be a king, Rhaegar," she said before kissing his lips softly.

As around them, people took up positions, Rhaegar, Arya, and Ser Arthur took a few steps forward, and then she and Jorah did the same. Dany took her place to the left of the Iron Throne with Jorah standing behind her while Arya took her place to the right. Ser Arthur stood closest of all to Rhaegar and his eyes for once were not on those around his charge but on Rhaegar and Rhaegar alone as he sat down on the throne.

"King Rhaegar Targaryen the First of his Name. Queen Daenerys Targaryen. Long may the reign." Ser Arthur shouted out loudly.

"Long may they reign."

"Long may the reign."

"Long may they reign."

Though no one else was close enough to see it, Dany did see the glistening of her husband's eyes. She heard the choked breath he took and wondered if it was the gravity of the occasion or those not here to witness it that had affected her husband so. It was when he looked first to her and then to his sister that the first inklings of a smile appeared on Rhaegar's face. Arya stood there with her hand on her sword's hilt and was mayhap the proudest of any of them in the Throne Room that day. Dany could see that Rhaegar welcomed both that and the love that she showed him in her own expression.

There was much to be done and the hardest work was soon to follow. Winning the crown had turned out to be far easier than any of them had dared to hope for. Ruling over the Seven Kingdoms would be a difficult task, though thankfully one that they'd not need to face alone. Aemon and Shiera would arrive soon enough, as would Missandei and Grey Worm. While amongst those who knelt to them, there would be others they could trust and rely on and even some whose counsel they'd welcome. Looking at her husband and seeing his eyes were on her, however, Dany knew that in each other they had found their truest supporters. Together there was little that was beyond them. Together there were no odds they could not overcome. Together they had found what it felt like to truly love and not be alone. Together was the only future that she wished for. Touching her hand to her stomach, she smiled as she thought of them raising a family, together.

King's Landing 299 AC.

Ser Arthur Dayne.

Seeing their son sitting on the Iron Throne was something that brought a smile to his face. As did the fact that Rhaegar didn't sit on it for long. Within an hour of taking his rightful seat for the first time, he was up and about and had turned his attention to the business at hand. While Daenerys saw to their accommodations and Oberyn and others were assigned their own rooms, Rhaegar and he looked to the prisoners that Barristan wasn't dealing with. Something which took them first not to the dungeons or the rooms they'd be putting aside to house those prisoners, but to the Grandmaester's chambers.

Pycelle was never someone he trusted and so he now spoke on his concerns about the man to Rhaegar as they walked to the man's chambers. They stopped briefly at what had been Varys' rooms and Rhaegar asked Ser Richard Lonmouth to see that they were searched thoroughly. They'd learned that the Master of Whisperers had disappeared at the same time as Tyrion Lannister which was suspicious enough in of itself. Where either man had gone to was something unknown to them for now and it was not something that could remain that way for long. When they reached Pycelle's rooms, they found the Grandmaester in the middle of burning some papers, which they immediately put a stop to.

Arthur looked on as Rhaegar himself took the unburned parchment from the Grandmaester's hands and then as he ordered the man to be arrested. Despite his protests, claims of innocence, and words spoken on the Citadel and how they'd not accept him being treated this way, the grey-haired and far more agile than he portrayed himself as, Grandmaester, was taken from the room. Once he was, Rhaegar asked for it to be searched thoroughly. He then waited until they were alone once more before asking what the papers that Rhaegar held in his hand referenced.

"Words that were spoken between the Grandmaester and Tywin Lannister, Arthur. Words showing that his true loyalties were always to the Old Lion and never to the crown." Rhaegar said annoyed.

"What will you have done with him?" he asked curiously.

"I'll speak to Aemon when he gets here and have him decide how best to handle the Grandmaester and the Citadel. Though I'll not accept any man they send me that's not one that Aemon himself vouches for."

He nodded at that, happy to hear it as he'd never truly trusted the Maesters and he knew that his prince had not. Had he done so then mayhap things would have turned out differently in the tower all those years ago, or mayhap both his prince and his princess' fate were always set in stone. Shaking his head clear of such thoughts, he followed after Rhaegar when he entered the room to the left of the Grandmaester's bed-chamber.

There on a slab and looking as if she was merely asleep and not dead was Cersei Lannister. There was no obvious sign of a wound and Tywin's Golden Lioness looked like the Maiden herself. So much care and attention had been paid to her body that even if they'd not just found the proof of Pycelle's true loyalties in his own hands, they'd now have those loyalties clearly shown to them. Arthur looked on as Rhaegar moved closer to the slab and he'd be a liar if he said he didn't hold his breath. Sansa Stark had told them all many tales of the woman who lay there. None of them were good and he'd found out that Cersei had been largely responsible for much of the suffering that the Starks underwent. Much to his relief, Rhaegar was respectful and simply stared at the woman. His king allowed her far more dignity in death than he may have had she been living when the city fell.

"I met her once." Rhaegar said softly "Well that's naming it more than it truly was. I saw her once would be more accurate."

"At Winterfell," he said to a nod of Rhaegar's head.

"Aye. While Robert Baratheon looked as far from a king as any man could, I'll not deny thinking that Cersei Lannister looked how I always imagined a queen would." Rhaegar said before turning from the body and then speaking some more "She'll be sent to her family and allowed to be buried with all the honor that they wish for her. Whatever crimes she's guilty of, she'll now pay for them in a world other than this one."

"Will you allow a vigil for her?" he asked and Rhaegar took a moment to look at him "Her brother," he added when he saw the confused look on his king's face.

"If he gives his word that's all it'll be, then aye," he said and Arthur nodded, glad to hear the compassion in Rhaegar's voice.

It was to Cersei's brother that they went next. Arthur found that he was both keen and very much not to see Jaime Lannister again. He had so many questions for the man he'd named a brother once. So many things that over the years he'd wished to ask him or had sought the truth of. He may not have cared for Aerys and in hindsight, there was mayhap no man or king who deserved death as much as he did, but he had been their king. They'd sworn a sacred oath to him and Jaime had betrayed that oath in the worst way imaginable. Though in truth, it was his failure to protect Elia and the children that Arthur truly wished answers for.

Despite his feelings towards his former brother, he was glad to see that it had been the ordinary cells and not the black ones that Jaime had been taken to. Happier still to see it was their men who now guarded those cells and he imagined that it had been Barristan or Richard who'd seen to it. With a look to Rhaegar and then a nod to the two guards, the cell door was opened and it was he and not his king who stepped inside first. Then for the first time in seven and ten years, Arthur stood looking at the man he'd knighted by his own hand.

Jaime presented a far different sight now than he did then. Where once he'd been a brash and cocky young boy, now he was a man who seemed anything but. He looked broken to Arthur's eyes and he actually felt sympathy for him as he looked at him. That the reason for why he was so broken was laying on a slab a few floors above them was mayhap why it was that emotion that Arthur felt most truly. It took Jaime a few moments to realize that it was not just guards who'd entered his cell and when he looked up and saw him there, Arthur once again saw the young man he'd once thought so highly of. Though he saw him only for the briefest of moments.

"Arthur?" Jaime said before he seemed to sag in on himself.

"No doubt you've learned by now of your father's death?" Rhaegar said and Jaime looked from him to the king and nodded "Your son is being held in the Maidenvault and is unharmed. Whatever fate is to befall him or your daughter in the future, it will not be the same as the one my brother and sister suffered." Rhaegar said and Jaime breathed out relieved "As for your own…"

"Do with me as you must, your grace, I care not," Jaime said resignedly.

"I would ask you not to demand trial by combat and to accept my sentence, Ser Jaime. Should you agree to this and give me your word that you'll stand and be judged, then it will go a long way in mitigating your family's fate."

"And should I not?" Jaime asked, though out of curiosity Arthur felt and not as a challenge.

"Then my wife and I will be far less merciful in our judgments," Rhaegar said firmly.

He looked at Jaime and nodded, though he was not sure why he did so. Was it to let him know that he could trust Rhaegar's word? Or that this was the only course open to him? He knew not only that once he did so. Jaime then accepted the offer that Rhaegar had made to him.

"If you now give me your word on whatever honor you have remaining, Ser Jaime, then I'll allow you to stand vigil for your sister," Rhaegar said much to Jaime's surprise.

"My word, your grace?"

"That all you'll do is stand vigil and that once your vigil is done, you'll then agree to be taken back to the cells to await judgment. Any attempt made to escape or to harm yourself will lead to harsh repercussions for those you leave behind."

"I give you my oath, your grace." Jaime said as Rhaegar looked at him and then turned and moved to the cell door "Thank you." he heard him add softly as Rhaegar went to leave the cell.

He was stopped from following after his king. Rhaegar instead nodded with his head in Jaime's direction and Arthur then watched as his king and two guards walked away from the cell. Turning to walk back inside, Arthur readied to finally finds the answers to those long unanswered questions. In the end, he'd find answers that he'd not expected. Later that night as he fell to sleep in a bed that had once been his own many years before, he pondered over those answers and found himself unable to come to terms with some of them.

Dragonstone/King's Landing.

Sansa.

She'd rejoiced when she heard the battle had been won. Her fears for her brother, sister, and her Goodsister had all turned out to be for naught and she'd been incredibly relieved to find they were all unharmed. For the briefest of moments, she'd then thought the fighting was at an end. Tywin Lannister and his army had been defeated and the man himself had lost his life. The Tyrells were being held as prisoners and soon enough she'd be with Arya, Rhaegar, and Dany once more. Then she'd found out there were still more obstacles to overcome and another potential battle was on the horizon. Even if it was one that should provide no true threat to those she cared about.

So as the army had marched towards King's Landing, Sansa had offered more prayers to the Old Gods and the New. She'd then shown her mother as much of Dragonstone as she'd explored the first time she was here. At times finding a smile on her face as she remembered speaking to Ned Dayne in one spot or another. More than once she'd thought about speaking to her mother about the Lord of Starfall. Though each time she did so, she'd find herself unable to utter the words aloud for fear that her mother may not see Ned as she did.

It was news from Lannisport that arrived before the news from King's Landing did. Sansa was overjoyed to find that they'd set sail once the battle with the Lannister army had been won. Then she was even more so to find a raven addressed to her had come along with that news. It had been Rhaegar's granduncle who'd handed her the raven scroll personally and he'd done so when she was alone. The older man not doing so in order to slight her mother, but more because he felt that as a young woman she deserved certain privacies should be afforded to her. That he wore a curious smile when he did so was something that Sansa had at first not understood. Only for Aemon Targaryen to offer up to her, his reasoning.

"Correspondence between a young man and a young lady should always be read by them first and foremost."

"How do you…"

"My nephew confided in me about the closeness between you and young Lord Dayne, Lady Sansa. I believe it's something that he wishes left to you both before anyone else intervenes to decide your fate. Rhaegar said that his sisters deserve that much and more." Aemon said and Sansa felt her heart stir at his words, as they did later on when she read the contents of the raven scroll.

She kept it safe now and hidden among the things she most treasured. They were little things and most of them were unlike the things she'd once considered to be so very precious. A stone from the docks at Lannisport, an acorn from Skagos, some fur from Ghost and Nymeria that had been shed, and the small knife that her brother had gifted her. Though that she wore strapped to her thigh even here. Arya had gifted her a badly sewn handkerchief that she now carried with her too. It was one of the few presents her sister had ever gifted her. More than that, it was the only one she'd ever truly welcomed with all her heart.

After breaking her fast and readying for the day ahead, she and her mother were called to Prince Aemon's solar. The news she received when she arrived there had quickly removed the last of her fears. It was done, King's Landing had fallen and her brother and Goodsister were now truly King and Queen. She hugged her mother happily at the news and at the news. Sansa was relieved that as with the battle that had been fought, in taking King's Landing no harm had come to those she loved.

"My nephew and niece bid us set sail for King's Landing, Lady Catelyn, Lady Sansa. The war is over and it's now time to put Westeros to rights. We shall depart at first tide on the morrow and arrive before the week ends. I'd ask you to ready all your belongings as I doubt either of you will see Dragonstone again for some time." Prince Aemon said.

"We'll see to it, my prince." her mother said, though Sansa could barely hear her.

Instead, she was lost in her own head. Her mind was filled with the thoughts of seeing Rhaegar and Arya, of seeing Dany, Missandei, and the wolves. Equal in those thoughts and mayhap even slightly ahead of them were the thoughts of seeing Ned once more. They'd already set sail from Lannisport and while they had further to travel than she had from Dragonstone, their destination would be one and the same. If the stars aligned and the winds were in their favor, then they may even arrive at the same time. She prayed that would be what happened and hurried back to her room to begin her packing.

There had been a time when she'd hoped to never see King's Landing ever again. Both when she had been held prisoner there and later on after her brother had rescued her. Now though she found herself excited to see what the city was to be like under her brother's rule. To feel what it would be like to explore it as happily as she had those first few days after arriving there. Days when she had still been a naïve and foolish girl who had believed in things that she now did not. Well some things she now did not, she thought, as she saw the raven's scroll when she moved her small box of treasure to place them in her trunk.

Unable to resist, she took the scroll in her hands and sat down on her bed. Her heart now beating a little more quickly as she looked over the words. Ned had a neat hand. His words were written crisply and cleanly and yet it was the content of those words that brightened up her features upon seeing them once more.

My dearest Sansa,

I hope things have been pleasant for you on Dragonstone and that you'll not think it remiss of me not to have written before now. I feared what may happen should our ravens be intercepted. So it was that and not any lack of desire to write to you that stayed my hand. Things here have been dull and boring, which I suppose in some ways is welcome. I pray that in that regard, your own time has been much the same. Each morning I awake I find myself missing our walks most terribly and at times during the day, I turn in hope only to find that you are indeed far from my side. I count the days until this war has ended for true and hope you meant your words about showing me the beauty of the North. Though I've seen some of its beauty each time I look at its fairest daughter. Forgive me if my words seem forward, but I find a need to speak them and to say them aloud. I hope they're welcomed by the lady I wish to speak them to. And to speak them more when we meet again. Until then, know that my days are duller without your presence and that I count each of them down knowing that soon I'll be by your side again.

Your truest friend,

Ned Dayne.

Laying on her bed, Sansa brought the raven's scroll to her lips and placed a soft kiss on it. She then placed it carefully back in her small wooden box and made sure to place the box at the bottom of her trunk. Once she was certain it was safely hidden, she then hurried to finish her packing. At some point, she lay back down on her bed and drifted off to sleep. Her dreams were filled with rides across the barrows and with walks around the Godswood of Winterfell. Of a keep built on an island that overlooked a river and sea.

"Sansa, Sansa, wake up Sweetling." her mother's voice rang out in her head and she felt herself being shaken from side to side.

"I…Mother...has something…"

"No, all is well, my love. I just….you were calling out in your sleep."

"I…" she stuttered both confused and embarrassed.

"Do you feel well?" her mother asked worriedly as she placed her hand on Sansa's forehead.

"I do. I must have just had a dream." Sansa blushed, remembering some more of her dream now.

"Do you feel up to eating or would you prefer more rest, Sweetling?"

"I could eat. A moment to make myself presentable and then I'll be more awake," she said, feeling her mother's kiss on her cheek and welcoming it as much as she had each of them since they'd been reunited.

After she'd woken up some more, her mother then brushed her hair for her and as it had always done, it relaxed her greatly. They ate with Prince Aemon and Princess Shiera as they had done each night that they'd stayed on Dragonstone. Tonight the mood was even more happy and relaxed than it had been since news of the battle's outcome had arrived. Once their meal was finished, she and her mother made their way to the walkway that looked down over the bay and Sansa felt her courage finally come to her.

"Mother, have you thought of a match for me?" she asked as they stood there, the full moon offering up some brightness to the night that was most welcome.

"I'd not…given all you've been through, Sansa, I'd not even considered it. In time mayhap…"

"And if there was a match I wished for?" she asked interrupting her mother's words.

"Sansa?"

"Lord Dayne of Starfall, mother. He's shown himself to be as true as I once thought Joffrey was and even Rhaegar thinks highly of him." she said almost excitedly "I find myself most pleased with the thoughts of a match with a man such as he."

She bit her cheek as her mother took some time to answer. Sansa was unable to determine by the look on her face which way she'd taken the news and even when she did answer, her mother only asked for more time to consider rather than giving her a yes or a no. After being escorted back to her room, Sansa undressed and was asleep mere moments after laying down on her bed. She woke early, broke her fast and they were on board the ship long before the morning had truly begun. Standing on the deck as Dragonstone faded from view, a part of her was sad to see the island disappear while a larger part of her looked only forward to where they were heading to. She was lost in these thoughts and so didn't hear her mother's footsteps behind her.

"I want your happiness most of all, Sweetling, you know this right?" her mother said as she took her hand in hers.

"I know, mother, I've never doubted it for a moment," she said truthfully.

"If Lord Dayne can make you happy then it would make me so too."

"For true?" she asked turning to face her mother.

"Aye, for true." her mother said before Sansa hugged her tightly.

White Harbor 299 AC.

Dacey Mormont.

She and those who'd been sent back to protect the North from the Squids had looked on as Bran Stark, the newly named Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, had held back from pronouncing a sentence on them. Dacey still didn't know how he'd been able to show the restraint he did, for it was clear that he wished to see them all lose their heads. Theon Greyjoy most especially. Instead, he'd settled for seeing Ramsay Snow lose his own. He'd even given her the honor of being the one to swing the sword.

"Ramsay Snow, for the crimes of murder and treason I hereby sentence you to death. Do you have any final words?"

"You can't kill me. Look at you, you're naught but a crippled boy. Who'll listen to your words, crippled boy? Who'll follow the orders of a crippled lord? Warden, hah, the North is fucked with you as it's Warden."

"My father always said that the man who passes the sentence should swing the sword." Bran Stark said looking around the courtyard "That if you would sentence a man to death, then the least you should do was look that man in the eye. Yet this thing is no man at all and my father was wrong too."

Around the courtyard men and women looked at each other in confusion until Bran began to speak again.

"I could set my wolf loose on this thing." Bran spat "But I'd not risk Summer's health as he dined on bad meat." he added to loud laughs and a glare from Ramsay "As the King uses the King's Justice to impose his sentence or defers to those who rule the lands in his name to do so, so here too I shall do the same. Lady Dacey Mormont, I would ask you to stand in my stead as the North's Justice."

"The North's Justice." Rickon Stark said loudly from beside his brother and Dacey wondered if Bran had made the young lad practice, as so assuredly did he do so.

"The North's Justice." Meera Reed, said followed by her brother and then by those who stood around the courtyard.

Dacey moved forward, nodded her assent, and was then handed a sword by Ser Rodrik who offered her a bow of his head as he did so.

"A fucking Mormont." Ramsay spat "I'd have left you bloody on one of my hunts, cunt."

"Your path only crossed with mine once, Ramsay Snow, and it ended badly for you. I only wish it had been earlier." she snarled "In the Name of his Grace King Rhaegar Targaryen the First of his Name and in the Name of his Warden of the North Lord Brandon Stark, I Dacey Mormont pronounce you guilty, and do now end your life.." the sword sang as it went through the air, it's cut was clean and the head was soon rolling from the body it had left behind.

"The North's Justice."

"The North's Justice."

Dacey could almost still hear the chants now as they rode towards White Harbor. There were but two prisoners in their party. One of whom had still not regained his color since seeing Ramsay Snow's execution. Though given who he was being taken to, she'd not deny that there was a reason for Theon Greyjoy to remain so pale. That her men and the Stark men that marched with them taunted the Turncloak constantly, well that was something the fucker more than deserved to Dacey's mind.

The other Greyjoy was a different sort. Asha was silent and only spoke when the taunts proved too much for her to take. She, unlike Theon, seemed resolved to her fate and almost seemed to be looking forward to it too. Something that at first confused Dacey. Only for her to then overhear the words the woman said to her brother when they were at camp one night.

"I'll fucking gut any of them one on one. I don't fucking care if it's this Jon Snow fucker himself. A trial by combat and even if I lose, then I'll sup in the Drowned God's halls happily."

"What if they don't offer you one?"

"They have to. It's the fucking South they're taking us to, not the North."

She had to admit, it did impress her some. Though given some of the tales she'd heard of the new King of Westeros, she felt that Asha may be very much mistaken in thinking herself a match for him. Not that it would be the king that she'd face if she was granted her wish. Instead, it would be one of the Kingsguard and even Dacey found herself keen to see such men in a true fight. Ser Barristan Selmy was a legend and yet even his skills were outshined by the other man that the king had by his side. Dacey had almost kicked herself when she realized that she'd actually met Ser Arthur Dayne and to see him wield Dawn was something that she very much looked forward to.

After they'd camped for the night and had eaten, she'd then enjoyed an ale or two. Two though were all she took and she then lay down to get some sleep before taking the second watch. They set off early the next day and the journey to White Harbor was dull and uneventful. Though their entrance into the city was anything but and even Dacey felt the rotten fruit aimed at the Greyjoys was a little too much. Not that she tried to put a stop to it. Let the people have their fun was her creed. Although she did order her men to move more quickly than they had been up to then.

Lord Wyman was most pleased to see them and Dacey was surprised to see Howland Reed there too, more so later when she found that the Lord of Greywater Watch would be traveling south with them. She found that she much enjoyed the thoughts of sharing a journey with the enigmatic Cranngoman. He'd been in the know about Jon Snow's truth and she'd even heard tale that Ser Arthur Dayne had spent the last few years at Greywater Watch. Something she was now keen to find out the truth of. They were feasted, she drank and ate well and it was upon Lord Wyman's flagship, The Green Hand, that they set sail for King's Landing. Soon enough she'd get to see her mother again, to see Ser Arthur Dayne and his famed sword, as well as the new king and queen and their dragons. Heading to her cabin, she was sure that she was far more excited about what was to come than her two prisoners were, and yet she wondered what fate awaited them both.

Pentos 299 AC.

Varys.

It took longer for news to travel to Essos from his little birds than he'd expected. Though the news when it came was almost exactly what he'd predicted would come to pass. Even if some of it made little or no sense to him. Talk of the dragons being brought to bear upon Tywin Lannister and Mace Tyrell's armies was somewhat worrying. He'd not expected them to be large enough to actually be of use in the ways of war and yet it seemed they very much had been.

That Tywin had been defeated and his fate was unknown to him was a big surprise as was the fact that Dorne had truly joined with Rhaegar and Daenerys Targaryen. Though there were advantages to that too. Prince Oberyn being present in King's Landing when they arrived would only help Aegon's cause even more. For while Dorne may have sided with the two dragons that had won the war, in its heart it would always long to side with the one he was bringing to them. Varys read the other songs his little birds had sung and saw even more opportunities in them. Some of which he knew he needed to discuss with Illyrio and so he made his way to his Goodbrother's chambers.

He heard the soft sobbing when he got there. Illyrio was speaking to the last reminder, other than her son, that he had of Serra. It was a more than gruesome one and it was one that Varys very much disliked thinking about. Yet it was one that always brought his Goodbrother comfort. Waiting until the stone hands had been placed back in their chest, Varys entered the rooms to find Illyrio grasping the silver locket in his palm and looking down at the painting inside through his tear-filled eyes. After coughing to gain his Goodbrother's attention, Varys gave Illyrio a moment before he joined him at his desk. When the food was sent for and brought he was very much unsurprised, for it was always how Illyrio took comfort when he was saddened.

"The Lannister army has been defeated and King's Landing has fallen," he said as he moved to take a sip from the glass of wine that he'd poured for himself.

"So Westeros belongs to the dragons once more."

"Not all of it. The Lady of the Vale has not yet moved and Lord Edmure Tully didn't support Rhaegar Targaryen either in word or deed."

"Dorne?" Illyrio asked as he stuffed his face with some baby sparrows. The sight of which almost made Varys lose the contents of his own stomach.

"Prince Oberyn marched with the Targaryens. Though more for vengeance than out of any true loyalty."

"Which they'll offer to Aegon first and foremost." Illyrio smiled "What of the North, Stormlands?"

He told his Goodbrother of Stannis' desertion. Of how even he wasn't certain where it was that the man who believed himself to be the rightful king had fled to. The King in the North had finally marched with the man he'd named a brother once and it would be Rhaegar Targaryen the North would wish to see named as king. Though if he was right about the true nature of the boy, then that would be helpful too.

"I think we can count on three maybe four kingdoms to support Aegon's claim even if Rhaegar and Daenerys do not. Though given what our guest has said about the boy and his own actions, I doubt we'll need to force a Grand Council to make the decision for us."

"But it would be one we'd win if need be?" Illyrio asked slightly worriedly.

"Littlefinger holds sway in the Vale and he's a man easily bought. Edmure Tully has already made his feelings clear and even should they try and remove him, was it to come to a Grand Council he'd speak for the Riverlands. Dorne will support their kin, and I believe so too will the Reach should it come to that."

"Leaving mayhap the Stormlands. Though with Stannis Baratheon still in play they may support him at a Grand Council." Illyrio said.

"Which gives Rhaegar Targaryen maybe one or even two."

Illyrio thankfully finished his eating and he now sat there with a glass of wine in his hand. His Goodbrother still looked somewhat nervous and so Varys bid him speak his mind.

"Dragons, Varys. We'd both thought them too small, but if they had been brought to bear and used effectively….it gives me pause."

"As it would me too were Aegon being presented as what he's not. To attack us and him after a Grand Council declared him as the one true king would make them Kinslayers in the eyes of all of Westeros. It would unite every single kingdom against them both."

"Against dragons, even that may not be enough." Illyrio shook his head.

"It would be folly to rule with fear alone, Illyrio, even with dragons. To attempt to rule after being declared a Kinslayer, why even the Faith would denounce them," he said assuredly.

In truth, it was something he'd given much thought to. It had been why he'd long abandoned plans to seek out the Golden Company and bring them to their side. Or to then set the seeds for war and after each of the sides had bloodied themselves enough, to then launch their own bid for the throne. That and the mere fact of Rhaegar Targaryen's existence and truth. Varys had then decided to see if there was another simpler way to see his nephew crowned as king and their line finally restored to their rightful place.

Jon Snow, Rhaegar Targaryen, would be an unknowing ally in seeing that come to pass. Should he be as Tyrion Lannister had said he was and as his own actions had shown him to be, then he'd simply step aside for his brother. If it turned out that he was not. Then who his mother was, would be shown to be enough of an obstacle to now allow Aegon to swoop in with a rightful claim and to take advantage of all the work that had already been done. The Targaryens had cleared the way for the Blackfyres to now reign as they should have so many years ago. His life's work was now so close that he could taste it.

"It was always going to be a dangerous path we traveled together. Yet to see her last wish be realized and her son on the Iron Throne, that path was always one that we were both committed to walking. When you play the Game of Thrones you win or you die Illyrio, and the prize we seek is worth it is it not?"

"It is." Illyrio resolved.

"For Serra," Varys said.

"For Serra."

It took them more than a week to make the preparations to set sail for Westeros. Tyrion was both excited and yet worried to see King's Landing and his family again. The Imp was fearful too about their fate. While Aegon seemed eager to see his kin once more and Varys for the first time in many years hated the mummery that they'd all been forced to play. Long had he wished for his nephew to know the truth and for Aegon to speak of Serra how he did about Elia Martell. Varys longed to hear his nephew name his sister as his true mother and not some servant that he barely remembered.

He wondered if Illyrio too wished to be named as Aegon's father or was he happy hearing his son speak so fondly about a man who was very much not. Regardless of his wishes though, this was the path he'd chosen and it was one he'd walked for many years. At times he'd risked his life and came close to death more than once. Yet now as they boarded the Bountiful Harvest, Varys felt it had all been worthwhile. In a moon or two, Aegon would sit on the Iron Throne or they'd all have left this world behind for wherever one goes when they die. Either he'd fulfill his sister's dying wishes or he'd see Serra again. While he hoped for the former, should it not come to pass, then he'd gratefully accept the latter.

There were questions he needed to answer. Moves on the board he may still need to make. Stannis Baratheon would never give up his claim and so Grand Council or not, that would be a battle that needed to be fought. Littlefinger would wring a heavy price and would then need to be dealt with most severely. As for the Targaryens, he still was unsure which way they'd end up going. Something that he'd not lie about and say he wasn't fearful of. Yet seeing Pentos fade from view, he wore a smile on his face and when he turned to head to his cabin, he did so in good humor. Though he didn't notice the two sets of eyes that had looked his way. Nor the expressions on Tyrion Lannister or Aegon's faces as they did so.

King's Landing 299 AC.

Ser Barristan Selmy.

It had fallen to him and to Ser Richard Lonmouth to see to the prisoners and to arrange the accommodations for both current and potential allies. While he would be in charge of security for both, he left it to Richard to see to some of his duties. Barristan had first had to deal with the Tyrells before then seeing to the other less valuable prisoners. He walked through the Red Keep and towards the Maidenvault with the Queen of Thorns, her granddaughter, and her two giant guards. Both of whom were now unarmed.

Only a fool wouldn't notice how nervous the younger Tyrell was. While Lady Olenna did her very best to hide her own worries and fears. Something she almost managed to do right up until they reached the Maidenvault itself. Whether it was seeing the injured men being brought to be looked at or the sight of the Silent Sisters as they were escorted on their path by men of House Velaryon, the sight stirred concerns in Lady Olenna for her own kin.

"My son, Ser Barristan, his injury is serious? " Lady Olenna stopped and asked worriedly as Lady Margaery now showed even more concern than she.

"I believe not, my lady, though any wound can fester. However, he was well treated and should recover." he said as he bid the two ladies continue walking

"And my brother, Ser?" Lady Margaery asked.

"Was unharmed when last I saw him," he said to a relieved-looking young woman.

When they reached the rooms that he had decided would be best served as a cell of sorts for the Tyrells, he saw Lady Olenna look curiously at him. Bidding the guard with him to open the door, he walked inside, looked around, and was happy enough with the choice he'd made. They were a set of rooms with two bed-chambers and a large outer room along with a small solar. He'd see Ser Garlan and Lord Mace were brought here and though they'd have to share their rooms, it would not be overly unpleasant.

"Your things will be brought here, my lady. Your guards will be given rooms close by and before the day has ended, Ser Garlan and if the Maester's allow, Lord Mace, will join you," he said with a small bow of his head before turning to walk away.

"The king and queen, Ser Barristan." Lady Olenna began "Are they the best of their parents or do we have more to fear than we already do?"

"Her grace is her mother reborn, though with a firmer and more assertive nature. While his grace has much of both sides of his family in him. You will be treated fairly, Lady Olenna. I believe his grace already told you so, did he not?"

"He did, Ser Barristan. However, with no true experience of dealing with either of their graces, I find that words mean little."

"Then look to our actions, my lady. Had we wished to, then we could have taken this city with men or with dragons. We could have set Lannisport to flame and created a new field of fire when we faced your son and grandson. We did not. Their graces are firm but fair and your treatment thus far should prove that so." he said and then he walked out of the room.

Barristan had no idea what plans the king and queen had for the Tyrells. The Lannisters were much easier to deal with and they'd lose their positions completely. House Tyrell too would no longer rule the Reach, but how punitive their sentence would be, he knew not. Walking from the Maidenvault, he made his way to see the other prisoners and somehow resisted the urge to see Jaime Lannister once again. Later that night he found to his surprise that the king had allowed a vigil to be held for Cersei Lannister. A vigil that was stood by Jaime Lannister and was briefly attended by the former King Tommen too.

He slept in White Sword Tower for the first time in moons and for the first time in years it was with Arthur Dayne sleeping there too. When he woke to break his fast and set about his day's duties, those duties were handed to him by his now no longer former brother. He, Ser Jorah, and Arthur were to split the duties of Kingsguard between them and to seek and then name four others to serve by their side. The thoughts of picking good men and true and of seeing the order restored to what it had once been, were thoughts that later resounded in his head for most of the day.

There were to be no trials until Prince Aemon arrived from Dragonstone and instead he watched as the King and Queen called for the dragons, took to the sky, and flew out over the bay before then coming back to begin to see to the duties of the realm. A Small Council meeting had been called and he and Ser Jorah were to stand guard as it was held. For the first time in years, he had actually wished to be inside and not outside the Small Council Chambers. Barristan wished that he knew what was being spoken of and hoped that Arthur, later on, would tell him and Ser Jorah what had been agreed or discussed. It was a strange thing for him as he'd not ever truly cared about such meetings when Robert Baratheon sat on the throne.

"Ser Barristan." Prince Oberyn said as Jorah opened the door for him to enter and join the king, queen, Arthur, and Monford Velaryon who were already present.

The new makeup of the Small Council was at least something he was somewhat aware of. Prince Aemon would serve as Hand of the King, Prince Oberyn he imagined would be Master of Laws and Lord Monford was certainly to be named Master of Ships. Masters of Coin and of Whisperers were yet to be decided and the Grandmaester would certainly not be Pycelle. As for Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, there was no better man than Arthur to serve as such to Barristan's mind.

Seeing Ser Richard Lonmouth make his way to the chambers did confuse him at first and he wondered if he was to serve in some role. The meeting itself then stretched on for some time and he was glad enough when it was finally ended. Though truth be told it was later that night as he sat at the white table and as Arthur explained the future of the realm to him that Barristan felt most enthused. There would be big changes coming to Westeros and he thanked the gods that he'd play his part in seeing them done. Taking to his bed, Barristan had what may very well be the very best night's sleep he'd had in years. He then woke early and once again he felt as if he was a much younger man. As it had been since he'd met his queen, he once again found himself to be keen and excited for whatever was to come this day. Just as he was for all the days to follow.

King's Landing 299 AC.

Rhaegar Targaryen.

There was much work to be done. They had prisoners to be seen to and judged, rewards and punishments to be dished out, and plans made to deal with those who'd not yet knelt to Dany or to him. Edmure Tully and his sister Lysa were both placed highest on that particular list. Yet after he'd seen to the most pressing of issues, it was those of a more personal nature that soon took all of his attention. The first of those was of course his wife and he and Dany had both needed some time alone together. Some time to be husband and wife and to truly get ready to be king and queen.

Even while marching and knowing what it was they were marching to, neither of them had truly felt a king or queen. They'd simply acted the part somewhat. Done what they'd believed a king or queen would do and hoped that those around them had accepted their mummery of it. Aemon had told him that at all times he was to act like a king and that over time that act would become lesser. Marching, fighting a battle, ordering men, and making proclamations and judgments that he believed a king would make, he'd believed the act to be over with it. Only to find that truly it wasn't. Sitting on the Iron Throne and looking out as people took a knee and proclaimed him a king for true. That had shown just how much he still had to learn about and grow into the role that was now to be his for the rest of his life.

Had it not been for his wife, then Rhaegar couldn't be certain he could have kept his doubts at bay until Aemon and Shiera arrived. Dany confessing her own doubts to him had allowed them both to share their true thoughts and to somewhat come to terms with all they'd already accomplished, and more importantly, all that they hoped to. Ōñosmaghare and Ghost too had played their roles, his dragon and wolf were both at times in his head speaking to him and trying to chase away those last remaining doubts. Though truly it was laying with his wife that had succeeded in doing so. Looking over at her now as she pretended to sleep beside him, Rhaegar tried not to smile and failed completely.

"You do know I'm not buying your mummery right?" he asked to no reply "Dany?" he added before leaning down close to her and first whispering her name in her ear before then biting that ear gently.

"You do not play fair, Rhaegar Targaryen." she giggled.

"I play to win, my love," he said as he lay down and she rested her head on his chest.

They lay there in silence for some time. His fingers brushing gently through her hair before moving down to her stomach. Neither of them was certain and it would take Aemon's arrival and examination before they fully believed it, but he'd felt it with Ōñosmaghare and Dany had said that Drogon was being more protective too. More than being a king and certainly on a par with being a husband, being a father was the greatest responsibility a man could have. For Dany, to be a mother was something she wished for more than anything else in the world. Family overruled anything else for both of them and if the gods were good, then they'd soon be adding to their own.

"Where are they?" she asked as her hands joined his.

"They're at anchor and will sail again at first light." he said softly "They'll arrive on the morrow."

"And Missandei, Grey Worm?"

"A day or two after."

"I…"

"I know. We'll know for certain soon enough, I believe it to be true though," he said before placing a soft kiss on her cheek.

Dany didn't speak on her own beliefs. She'd not truly done so since they'd first spoken that she may be with child. She welcomed hearing him do so, but he believed that she feared to name it true lest the gods were cruel to her once more. As she drifted off to sleep, he offered a prayer to his own gods and begged them to not deny her this joy. Whatever task they had in mind for him, whatever favor they required of him, or service they wished him to agree to, he was theirs to command as long as they gave her all that she hoped for.

He woke early and Dany did so too but only briefly when he rose. After telling her to go back to sleep, he dressed and made his way from their chambers. It was men that Arthur and Ser Barristan had personally selected that now guarded their door. As with only three Kingsguard, they could little afford for one of them to stand outside all through the night as they'd need to be seen during the day. So for now, and even more so when the Unsullied arrived, it was not men wearing white cloaks that did so. In time they'd fill the order out and from then on it would be different, but as he walked down to Arya's room, he did so with a man of House Velaryon at his back.

Two hours later, he and Arya were sparring and they were not alone in doing so. Men of the North, the Reach, and men of the Vale were all engaged in their own spars while looking to him to see if they could test their blades against his own. When Prince Oberyn and his daughters arrived, they'd get their chance and though it was Arthur who he truly wished to face off against, in the end, it turned out to be his brother who was first amongst the others.

"Have you improved much since last we sparred, your grace?" Robb asked and Rhaegar wasn't given the chance to answer as Arya did so for him.

"He's much better than he was, aren't you R…Your grace." Arya said, stopping herself without prompting for one of the few times she'd done so.

"I've studied much under Ser Arthur, Aye. How much I've improved I know not," he said as around him people stopped their pretense and now looked on with curious eyes.

"To five or a yield, your grace," Robb called out.

"Aye."

He won five to two and Robb nodded at him to show that it had been a fairly won spar. Soon others sought and were offered their own spars and yet when Prince Oberyn stepped up, it was Arthur who offered to stand in his stead. Rhaegar was feeling somewhat tired and he was eager to speak to Arya and to Dany who had since arrived, so he agreed and thirstily drank down the water that Arya had fetched for him. They were then treated to a true exhibition and he was not the only one left in awe at what he saw. Improved he may be, but he was nowhere near the level of the two men that he and the others now watched.

Arthur was truly an artist and he'd been holding back some in their own spars. Not by much, but now he was certainly not. Prince Oberyn wielded his spear, as well as Arthur, wielded Dawn and yet he found no gaps and no weaknesses to exploit. It frustrated the prince greatly and in the end, it cost him the day. Though truth be told the day was lost the moment that he'd agreed to face off against the Sword of the Morning. A feint, a trip, Dawn was then placed at Oberyn's neck and Oberyn yielded. Rhaegar was not the only one who clapped loudly. Arya came very close to being the loudest one of all and was later heard bragging that she'd one day be even better than any of them as both Arthur and Rhaegar himself were teaching her. The day's fun was brought t an end by the sighting of the ships from Dragonstone and Rhaegar was more than keen to see his family once more.

The ship docked an hour later and both he and Dany welcomed their kin to King's Landing as they stood on the side of the docks. Protocol be damned, they had both wished to do so, as for both Aemon and Shiera it had been some time since they'd last been in the city. Sansa he was happy to see didn't seem upset or worried about coming back and instead, his sister bore an eager look on her face as did Lady Catelyn. Their reunions were somewhat cut short as Rhaegar knew there were others that both Sansa and her mother wished to see and speak to.

"We must talk, nephew, the Wall calls for aid," Aemon said as they rode back to the Red Keep.

"It's under attack?" he asked worriedly.

"Not quite."

Three days later.

He was to be a father. More than one babe if Ōñosmaghare was right. Aemon had examined Dany and told them the good news and more than anything, it had been he who had offered the reassurances that Dany sought. Their ships had arrived from Lannisport a day later and having Missandei and Grey Worm by his wife's side had taken away yet another of her fears. As did having the Unsullied now housed in King's Landing and standing guard at the Red Keep.

Had that been all that had occurred in the last few days, then his world would be one of smiles and laughter rather than one filled with frowns and his wife's tears. To have to be separated so soon after learning the truth was not something that either of them appreciated and Dany now worried for him instead of their babes. No words of his or Aemon's and not even those spoken by Shiera were enough to calm his wife's fears. And he had hated the need to leave her alone to deal with all that she must.

Yet what other choice did he have?

Had he not offered them his service?

Had he not bid them task him with whatever they must?

Did he not promise Jeor Mormont that he'd do the very thing he now was?

Be it debts owed to the Old Gods or to the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, it mattered little. His path was set and so they now flew over the lands of the North once more. He, Arya, Shiera, and Arthur. His wife had demanded the last of those just as the man himself had done. While the first of them had both made their own demands and requests. Four people were nothing to Ōñosmaghare to carry and his dragon never once faltered or slowed. Rhaegar's eagerness to get to the Wall and do what he needed and then to quickly return was shared by Ōñosmaghare's own.

"The Wall." he heard a voice call out from behind him.

They landed as close to the Wall as he dared and the sight of the dragon was one that caused far less panic than he'd expected. After climbing down off Ōñosmaghare's back, he spent some time speaking to the black dragon before then watching him take to the sky and seek out his food and rest for the night. With a nod to Arthur, they began to walk to the gate which opened long before they reached it.

Over the last few years, there had been many sights that he'd longed to see. Yet the one he did right then had been somewhat forgotten for more pressing concerns and it shamed him a little to know now that was true. With so many other thoughts on his mind and with so much that needed to be done, he'd not thought of him in more than a year. Now, seeing him there, looking to see that he was no more than a few feet from him, Rhaegar forgot he was a king and became a nephew once more.

"Uncle Benjen," he said as he embraced a man he'd feared was dead.

"It's good to see you, Rhaegar." his uncle said as he embraced him just as tightly.

King's Landing and the Wall 299 AC.

Ōñosmaghare.

They had found caves to call their own and though they were not the same as those on the island, they would do for some of their stay in this place. In time, he and his brothers would seek to judge the distance between the island and this place for true. They'd seek to see how quickly they could come from one to the other and while there would always be one or two of them here, the others would still be able to rest easy on the island amongst the smoke and fire.

None of them would ever name as their home the place where their kin had been kept. They were dragons and they would not be subjected to life such as that one. He would not be subjected to life such as that. His rider and his brother's rider had both assured them that it would not be so and all four of them had welcomed that assurance. They could forebear these caves being lesser. Could forgo not feeling the calm and sense of belonging that they felt on the island. They would do so to be close to their riders. Yet at times they'd seek that calm and belonging too.

Ōñosmaghare felt his rider's feelings about this place. How he disliked it and wished it changed and how he and his brother's rider, how the hatchlings, would be the ones to bring about that change. His rider had accepted the words he'd spoken about the hatchlings and more than the oath that he and Drogon had sworn to protect them, he'd accepted Rhaegal and Viserion's oaths that Ōñosmaghare had relayed to him. The truth of the bond between a rider and his dragon was more than enough to let Ōñosmaghare's rider know the lengths that his brothers would go to protect their own.

His stay turned out to be much shorter than he had expected. His rider came to him and told him that they were to fly across the lands once more. It was to the great wall of ice they were to go to again, Ōñosmaghare now having a name to go with the feelings he got from seeing such a thing. The Wall was to be their destination and for some reason, he felt it would not be the end of their journey. He felt something else too, a wariness, a concern, a worry that he could not shake. Not even after speaking with his rider after they'd set off on that journey was he able to do so. Nor when they reached the first of their destinations or when he rested that night after he'd eaten well and been bid to do so by his rider.

Days later as they flew over the great wall of ice and headed further north than he could ever remember flying, Ōñosmaghare did so with that feeling ever growing inside of him. He looked in all directions at once, wished to turn back and fly south and only south. Until finally his discomfort was felt by his rider and he heard his words in his head once more. Words that he had longed to hear for so very long and just as they did when first he heard them, they now again calmed his worries and fears and restored his faith.

"We are one and always will be." his rider said and Ōñosmaghare dared any to try and name his words a lie.

A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. I had a week or more without Internet which meant I had to actually go in to work for a living rather than work from home and so it through my schedule completely off. Up next. Dany deals with Trials and Tribulations as Rhaegar speaks to his uncle Benjen and travels Beyond the Wall. A visitor to King's Landing throws the line of succession into doubt and the Golden Company and Stannis Baratheon land in Westeros in search of a crown and a kingdom to name their own. For those following my other fics, Last Wolf will be updated Wednesday, and Live as a Wolf will be updated Friday.

Older Unanswered Reviews.

Chapter 20 (Jonsmom) Hope you enjoyed what happened here with Olenna and the war with the others will be getting some good insight next.

Chapter 19 (Nagiten) thanks for pointing that out. With Sansa, it's that she's trying to come to terms with how her mind sees Rhaegar/Jon and so she's still confused which is why the language is confusing. Not sure what you mean regarding the Robb/Dany bit but I'll take another look at it. Oberyn is thinking both of Tywin's kids and his own niece and nephew so in his mind he's placing them in place of others, so he's thinking rather than niece and nephew instead of grandson, etc. Not sure if I missed a line or a word to break that up there.

Chapter 1: (Tsougrhs.59) Rhaegar actually makes more sense for Lyanna to name her son than Aegon does and after using so many different names in fics, I wanted to use one I'd not. In hindsight, it is annoying as it makes you think only of the original Rhaegar but then that's true with Aegon.

Jon's book and show actions at the Wall are pretty much the same. He arrives there, realizes that he's been lied to all his life in regards to the honor and the good and true men who serve the Wall, and has a moment of clarity where he realizes in his thoughts that his father had to know and yet allowed him to come here anyway and then to top all of that of, he finds himself denied the role he's better suited for than literally any other single recruit. When you add in that he's 15, yet he comes off as arrogant and entitled, but that's his initial reaction and it's not who he is a few moons later. Theon carries that very same attitude through all 9 years of his hostage status at WF and never changes until Ramsay does what he does to him. Jon's attitude undergoes a readjustment, but it's entirely right for him to act how he does initially. Especially given that he also realizes that the only people who told him the truth about what the Wall was really like were the bloody Lannister brothers.

Chapter 21 Reviews.

Daryl Dixon: So glad you liked it.

Xaax: I won't go too much into my plans with Faegon, other than to say that I have an idea that I'm not sure has been done before and so hopefully it'll work as I hope it will. In regards to testing him, Aemon already mentioned the vault on Dragonstone and you have the dragons too, so there are plenty of ways.

Celexys: I think of dragons exactly that way and really love the idea of them being sentient and smart. I think any story with dragons in it you sort of need that sort of bond to show them in a certain light or you're missing out on a lot.

Rhatch: You pretty much sum up the Faegon plotline from canon perfectly. I think it's why so many of us believe that it's a Blackfyre plot as otherwise, it doesn't make sense for Illyrio/Varys to be so tied into it. There are so many points where the story falls down and it's very hard to prove true, but then again might is right and so in the books, the timing of his arrival, the GC behind him, does give him a decent chance, other than Dany being around that is. I think with Jon, the big issue is legitimacy, even if he has all the relevant papers, there would always be some who'd still name him as a bastard and we don't even know if, in canon, he'll have any papers. Here with fAegon, I want to do something a little different than others have and so I hope people will like it.

Dunk: Rhaegar will be elsewhere when Stannis arrives, timing being lucky for the Stag King in this regard. I think Olenna is too smart and clever not to see the writing on the wall, she'll still be kicking herself that she somewhat got played into this position though. I think that's the big problem with fAegon and actually having Varys anyway involved does sort of really make it less legitimate. Here I do have some fun plans with him and so we'll see how they go.

Keb: There will be far more of those to come, especially now that Dany is actually a ruling queen while Rhaegar is busy elsewhere.

Xan Merrick: Thanks, my friend. I so wanted that to come across. I think that some people who go too far into the whole the North wouldn't support Rhaegar's son when it comes to Jon, they forget that he's Lyanna's son too and there would be those who would support him for that alone. I think Maege would certainly fall into that category. Olenna is always going to plot, we'll see where it leads her here. Tyrion I think would easily see all the flaws in the fAegon story and with Jon, it's the sneaking into KL that really changed his mindset in regards to him, Jon Snow would never do that, Rhaegar would.

Spstrader1: Thanks so very much. I do have some fun plans with Faegon and want to do a different take on how it usually plays out. The dragons sort of have to have personalities IMO, it makes them characters all of their own. And yep, off to the forest and to meet some of our fave Free Folk characters.