"The truth? Is that why you have torn me away from my wife's embrace?" Galahad asked in a mocking tone, with Rhaegar simply letting out a sigh, calming himself. "If you wish to remind me about all of my alleged sins and how I took away everything that you loved, Rhaegar, then let's spare each other time." Galahad was prepared to turn back and leave the solar, when Rhaegar spoke up again.
"What do you know about the gods, Maegor?" Rhaegar suddenly asked of him, with Galahad stopping and turning back to face him. "Of fate and destiny, about prophecies? You said to Melisandre that you are an ally of her God, but what do you know about him?"
"I know that there are beings that can be categorized as "gods", and that this "Lord of Light" is one of them, and that I know more about it's nature than even your sorceress." Galahad replied, crossing his arms on his chest. "I know that there are prophecies and fates, but I also know that there is freewill and that the future is never predetermined."
"You acknowledge that there are gods, yet deny their power and that they have all have a plan for everyone, a fate they set for all to complete?" Rhaegar asked of Galahad.
"I did not say anything of that sort. Merely that the future is built by the decision of people. And as for the plans and powers of Gods, I know more about those than you, all of Septons and Red Priests combined." Galahad stated to him with complete confidence. "Is this what you wished to tell me, Rhaegar? If all you have are esoteric questions and philosophical topics to discuss, then I'll not stay here just to feed you your ego."
"Then I shall tell what you deserve to know, my son." Rhaegar told him, as he took a deep breath. "I am uncertain, but did mother ever tell you how I came to this life, Maegor?"
"She did, at Summerhall, when the said tragedy happened there." Galahad replied. "And for the last time, Rhaegar, my name is Galahad, Galahad Sundrake. Call me Maegor one more time, and I'll leave." Galahad's tone made it clear that he was dead serious about the matter, with Rhaegar forced to accept it.
"As you wish, my son. Before my birth, when my great-uncle Duncan married Jenny of Oldstones, with her came a woods witch, known as the Ghost of High Heart, and she revealed to my grandparents that from their union and in their line will born the Prince that was Promised." Rhaegar continued, as he looked at one of the many books in the bookshelf. "When I was young, a year older than you were when you disappeared, I had learned of the prophecy, and from that moment knew, what my destiny was, or at least that what I believed at the moment."
"That you were a promised savior of the world from the darkness that brings a Long night that never ends, ice and death to all." Galahad concluded, drawing the surprised look from Rhaegar. "Books were among the few reprieves I had when I still lived here, so I know of the prophecy and what it pertains to."
"Yes, I believed it would be my destiny to lead the people through the darkness to the salvation, but as I grew older, signs began to appear that I was incorrect in that judgment, and when Aegon was finally born, it became clear to me that it would be his destiny to be the Prince who was Promised." Rhaegar continued, with Galahad deciding not to interrupt him this time. "I understood and took hearth in the fact, but I also knew that Aegon alone could not do so, for there was more to the prophecy than met the eye. Aegon is the Targaryen Dragon, and our Dragon has three heads, and so must the Prince have three heads. Like Aegon the Conqueror had to him."
"Except he was not born with the three heads." Galahad reminded to Rhaegar, before he caught on with what he was saying. "You meant that Aegon had his two sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys?"
"Yes, and so would the Prince have them, two more heads, two wives of his own blood. It all lined up perfectly, Aegon and Rhaenys, just like the Conqueror and his second sister-wife, were born again in this age. All that was missing was Visenya, but alas… Elia's health would not allow her to bear another one." Rhaegar said with a sigh of sadness. "For a moment, I had thought all was lost… Until Harrenhall, when I met the Knight of the Laughing Tree, your and Visenya's mother, Lyanna. It was then that I recalled an ancient pact between our Houses, and I realized that…"
"That it was the destiny that brought you two together, and from your union would be born the third head of the Dragon and so would the prophecy be fulfilled and the Pact of Ice and Fire solidified." Galahad answered for Rhaegar with the words he knew all too well at this point, shocking Rhaegar, as if it seemed that his son had read his mind. "Honestly, you and Lyanna tell this tale in exact same words and even exact same tone of reverence. It is as if the two of you were practicing it for years together." Rhaegar looked at Galahad in surprise.
"Lyanna… Did she… Did she come to you in a dream too?" Rhaegar asked of his son in a slightly hushed tone, with Galahad raising an eyebrow at that one. "She… She came to me in the dream, and revealed to me that you were alive, my son. It happened some eight months ago, and after that, Lady Melisandre told me of your survival too."
"Hm, and she started to pester me around five or so months ago, probably when you had sent your Kingsguards after me. And yes, she did invaded my dreams, rather incessantly so, after I had made it clear as day that she was not welcome in my head." Galahad told Rhaegar with a rather cold tone.
"Then you saw her, my son. You saw your true mother, but why did you try to drive her away from you?" Rhaegar was confused at the actions of Galahad.
"Because in her words I found neither warmth, affection or sadness, but demands, excuses and words of destiny and fate that I was meant to fulfill. She tried to make me leave my home, my family and all that I had built just because of that same prophecy you spoke of, stating every time, that it is my destiny and so on." Galahad said with steel. "One time, I have had enough of her drivel and demanded an answer to one single question I had to her, the one that I kept asking of her ever since she appeared, but denied me: "Did you want me, did you love me?" Do you know what I answer I received?" Galahad asked of Rhaegar.
"She did, my son. I am sure she…" Rhaegar did not get the chance to continue, when Galahad interrupted him.
"She said: "You were my death, and all I feel now is cold loneliness, for you torn me away from my daughter and Rhaegar, and you must pay the debt for my life." Galahad revealed to Rhaegar, with the King seeing the flame of anger in Galahad's eyes. "I can see what you had found in her, father." Galahad spat the last word as if it were a curse.
"I… I did hate you, Galahad, that I did and I am not proud of it." Rhaegar admitted with a lowered head, with Galahad actually surprised by this. "When I learned of your death, I… I rejoiced, for I believed that now Lyanna could rest easy now, but now, now I understand that I was wrong about you, about how I treated you and… I wish to make amends for it."
"That time, if it ever were, had long since passed, and I am beyond forgiveness and amends." Galahad simply stated to him. "Speaking of Lyanna, the next night after she told me how she felt, she tried again to force me to do her bidding, but I was through with her pestering me, so I banished her soul out of my dreams and mind forever, and thank Arkay for that, for I have enough nightmares as it is without her."
"You banished her? T-to where?" Rhaegar asked, exasperated, with Galahad simply shrugging it off.
"Of that I have not a clue. Mayhaps to the realm of Arkay, for he is the God of Life and Death cycle and cares for the passed away, or I banished her to the void. Either way, that is not really the point here." Galahad reminded Rhaegar. "Returning back to the prior topic, you and Lyanna eloped, did the deed, she had Visenya and me, and so you had your third head and the accidental leftovers in the form of me. I will venture and guess, due to Aegon's matrimony to Margeary, your fate went a bit sideways, and now, for some reason, you decided that it was time to bring me back here, is that correct?"
"You… You are correct for the most part. After your disappearance and when the Red Priests came, they revealed to me that Aegon was not the Chosen Prince, and neither was Jaehaerys, and so I had thought that all was lost… Until Lyanna and Melisandre confirmed that you lived, and that it was actually you, my son, the true Prince." Rhaegar stated to Galahad with complete confidence. "Aegon's fate has never been to be a Prince, but to be the King who will bring Westeros its new golden age, but he is not the Prince who was Promised. You are, Maegor, and all the signs point to it: your survival, the Pact, Lord of Light, everything!"
"And that is why you have decided to send your lackeys after me, after 14 years apart… You know, I would honestly be surprised if you had told me that you wished to make amends and all of that kind, but this… This is exactly what had been expecting." Galahad revealed to Rhaegar with a bored tone. "So, let me guess what will happen next: you will have me take up the position of a Prince, listen to you and your magicians' prophecies and litanies, then when the great dark enemy comes, I am to magically bring all the people together and defeat them, and after all that, the new golden age comes, Aegon rules and I serve him as his loyal subject and bask in glory as the savior of the world. Did I miss anything?"
"Yes, that is exactly what you must do, Maegor!" Rhaegar said with an excited tone. "You already know what must happen, and we cannot waste any time. First off all, you must set aside your foreign wife and…"
"Before you start making any plans, I have one thing to say to you: go plough yourself on a pike, Rhaegar." Galahad practically spat out his name, shocking the man. "The Dorne may turn into a frozen wasteland, the Seven come down live among us and the Old Gods arise from the rivers, hills and earth, but even then, I will never be that damned Prince of yours. And if you actually think that I would set aside my Morgana for either Rhaenys, Visenya or both of them at the same time, then you are as deluded as you dimwitted."
"But… But that is your destiny, Maegor! The very purpose of your existence is to save this world, and to do it, you must marry Visenya and Rhaenys! The Dragon must have…" Rhaegar was almost having a hysterical fit, with Galahad interrupting him.
"I have seen and fought real Dragons, as I am sure your Kingsguards told you, and I know for a fact that a Dragon needs only one head, and that obsession of yours with three heads is nothing more than a delusion of the fact. Hell, even in the original prophecy and story about Azor Ahai there is not a word about the savior having two wives, and Azor Ahai had only one." Galahad stated to Rhaegar, who was starting to turn red with anger. "And as for my destiny, it is mine and mine alone to make and build, and not even Lord of Light that you revere so greatly dares dispute that. "
"You do not understand anything, Maegor. I am trying to…" Rhaegar tried to speak up, but Galahad stopped him.
"No, it is you who does not understand what is going on here. I did not come here because you asked, or because of Lyanna's pestering, or even divine will. I came here only because Rhaella asked me to, because I wanted to see her, to make up to her the pain I thought I brought. I did not come here to assume anything or to take up any title. I came to settle things with my status, rights and everything, once and for all. And once it is all done, I do not intend to linger here a second longer." Galahad revealed to Rhaegar, shocking him.
"You mean to forsake your name, your homeland, your titles, your family, your bloodline and me?!" Rhaegar asked in shock.
"And of what value are any of them to me? All of that I have is in Tamriel, where I am more than I could ever hope to become here, and where I have far more than what you or this entire realm can give me." Galahad told Rhaegar, who was starting to lose control. "Summerhall, titles, gold, princess- what worth are any of them to me? This land to me is as foreign as is Tamriel to you, and I couldn't care less what happens to it. You need a savior- go find yourself another. I've done my share of saving the world." Galahad turned his back to Rhaegar and headed to the door.
"You cannot turn your back of me, Maegor! Not on me, not on your destiny!" Rhaegar shouted at him, with Galahad not stopping
"I already did, and now I'll shut the door on all of you as well." Galahad replied, as he touched the door and prepared to open it.
"Open that damned door, and your children will not live to see the light of day!" Rhaegar threatened to Galahad, something that immediately froze him in place. "If you do not understand the language of reason, then I shall speak in violence. If you do not do as I command, as your King orders you to, then I shall take that which you prize the most- your children." Rhaegar's tone turned malicious, notes of his father showing clearly, with Galahad slowly withdrawing his hand from the door handle and straightening up.
"What. Did. You. Just. Say?" Galahad asked, his voice devoid of any emotion, cold as Atmora's endless blizzard, of Rhaegar.
"You will do as I command, Maegor: you will accept your place as my son and Prince of the Realm, cast aside that foreign woman you call wife and take your sisters as your true wives. Do that, and I shall let your firstborn children to live, acknowledge them as legitimized bastards even and let them have lands and titles under me and Aegon." Rhaegar stated, using all of his courage and anger to speak. "But deny me, my son, and I will have them pay the price for your defiance. In the eyes of the Faith, nobility and common folk, they are nothing but bastards, and so none will cry about their…" But before Rhaegar could finish his tirade, he suddenly found himself clutching at his throat, it gripped with some unknown and powerful force, chocking him.
As Rhaegar chocked and grabbed his throat, he saw Galahad finally turn to him, and when he looked in his eyes, the King shuddered and nearly wet himself, for he saw not a man or even his own son. He saw someone, something that was out of this very world, the creature that was no man, but something far greater than that, and Rhaegar could not explain what or who it was. He averted his eyes from Galahad's eyes and to his left hand, noticing it's fingers in such a position, as if holding something, or rather squeezing something, like his throat, and then Rhaegar realized that this… This was magic, one that beyond his simple understanding, but clear as day, and it was Galahad's doing.
Slowly, Galahad moved towards his father, who already fell to his knees, and with every step, the air in the solar grew heavier, temperature turned hotter and Rhaegar found himself sensing terror and fear the likes of which he knew naught. It was unlike anything he ever felt, Rhaegar realized, sensing as if he was surrounded by an inferno without flames, unbearable pressure and terror gripped him, spiritually and physically hurting him, and with every step that Galahad took, it grew tenfold in power and intensity. By the time Galahad reached Rhaegar, the King was practically writhing in horror and fear, unable to run away from it, the pressure and power driving him mad with desperation and dread, so much so that he did not even notice when the hold on his throat was lifted, yet he dared not to say a word or let out a sound. Grabbing onto Rhaegar's throat, Galahad raised him with such an ease, that it seemed like he held a leaf, and then walked outside to the balcony. He then held up Rhaegar by his throat over the courtyard many hundreds of feet below, not strong enough to break or even chock him, but enough to not drop him.
"Listen to me very carefully, Rhaegar. If you, or anyone of your family, extended or otherwise, dares to touch my children, then I shall end you all. I will burn your entire House to the ground, every single member, direct or not, I will burn to ashes. I will erase the very name of Targaryen of the face of the earth and out of the memories of every living being." Galahad threatened and promised to Rhaegar, who writhed in his grip, hoping not to fall, but also from the sheer pressure on his soul and being from experiencing the might of Galahad's Dovah aura, focused on one being. "Swear to me, on the lives of all your family members that you will abide by my will, or I will start eradicating your House with you right here and now."
"I…I-I swear, b-before a-all Gods… On the lives of all my family members!" Rhaegar wheezed it out of him, with Galahad, satisfied and knowing that this is one oath he will uphold, simply throwing him back on the floor of the balcony, rescinding his Dovah aura and allowing Rhaegar to breathe again freely.
"Remember your words, Rhaegar." Galahad told him turning to him for a moment. "Forget them, and you will see everything you value and love burn before your very eyes." And with this warning delivered, Galahad turned and left the balcony and solar, running into Ser Arthur Dayne on his way out.
"Have you accepted His Grace's command, my Prince?" Ser Arthur Dayne asked of Galahad, expecting a positive answer, but instead Galahad simply looked him in the eyes.
"No." Was his simple answer, before he departed without another word, heading towards his chambers, before stopping in a gallery with many columns, taking an breath to compose himself and speaking up. "Come out, Priestess." Galahad commanded, and in front of him stepped the Red Priestess he saw earlier, with her bowing before him.
"I sense that a great anger grips your heart, Prince. Let go of it, or it shall bring great pain and suffering to you, and to those you hold dearest to you…" Began to preach, before Galahad spoke up in a commanding tone.
"You will seize with your preaching, or no glamour will hide what will be left of you once I am through with you." Galahad's tone and power were enough to make Melisandre shake in her place. "I know your Lord by name and face, and I am no stranger to designs and schemes of her and her kin, so I shall tell you what I told her: I decide my own fate, and only I do so. Dare to temper with it again, with or without your Lord's permission, and you will find that there are things more terrifying than the night."
"M-my apologies, my Prince…" Melisandre bowed deeply and profoundly, sincerity coming from her. "My intention was never to impose upon you t-the will of my Lord, b-but to offer you m-my allegiance and services, along with that of my followers and loyal men and women."
"What need or reason do I have to accept it? You seem far more interested in serving the King and his family as his advisor." Galahad stated, with Melisandre daring not raise her head. "Raise your head and answer, Priestess." He commanded, and she did so.
"My service to the King was a needed step, as directed by my Lord, to eventually gain this opportunity. His vision is misguided and muddled by his own desires and misinterpretations of the signs and texts, and so stands against what I and my followers wish." Melisandre told Galahad with sincerity. "I swear to you with my life, that I would never dare to do any form of harm to you or your children. I know that they, like you, are of the blood of Akatosh and Shor, and our Lord remembers, what it owes to them, and to you, my Prince."
"If you know of them, then you know that I stand with Aedra first, even if I have favor of many Daedra. Does this not bother you, to pledge to someone who may one day defy your Lord's will?" Galahad asked of her, with Melisandre shaking her head.
"You stand as the protector of life and light, and so you stand as protector of my Lord's designs, without pledging to him. To support and serve you is an honor unworthy of me, but I will offer you all of my being, soul and life if you would need it." Melisandre stated to him. "Whatever your desires or plans are, I shall always follow them most leally. Give me command, my Prince, and I shall execute it immediately." Melisandre told him with complete devotion, with Galahad stepping closer to her, looking straight into the eyes, before uttering in barely audible whisper.
"KORAAV VAHZEN HAHDRIM." And with the Thu'um cast, all of Melisandre's mind opened to Galahad and saw and perceived all of her being.
After what Rhaegar had told him, despite even knowing what his words were going to be, it had still managed to leave Galahad rattled and shook on a certain level, and the fact that he had managed to make him lose control was all the more reason for Galahad to be mistrustful of those who were here. Melisandre ranked quite high in his list of the biggest potential threats, in no small part due to the fact that she served Meridia, or Lord of Light as she called her, the Daedric Prince of Life and Light, and though Meridia was among those Daedra that Galahad could call his friends, he knew that this friendship was not as pure and simple as it could appear. Rarely do Aedra and Daedra maintain positive relations for long periods of time, and even those of Daedra that represent positive aspects do not often make long lasting pacts of amity, so it was always a wise choice for Galahad to maintain a certain level of caution even towards friendly Daedra Princes.
And through the use of this Thu'um, he peered into Melisandre's mind and soul, all secrets of her revealed to him and nothing was hidden from him, even if she had tried to do so. He learned literally everything about her, from her past and birth, to hidden desires and ambitions that she wished fulfilled, and this was enough to give him power over her, but more importantly than that, it allowed Galahad to learn if she was telling the truth or not. And as it turned out, she was truthful in her desires and pledges of service, as her loyalty lay with him completely, and Rhaegar served more or less as the means of getting to this point. Meridia did indeed communicate with her and directed her to Galahad, both as a sort of reward for their partnership, and as a means of delivering him the message that she had for him, one that Galahad was not all too happy to receive.
Turns out there was some truth to the prophecy of the Long Night and Prince who was Promised, for Meridia, through Melisandre, showed to him the legions of the risen undead, marching in silence through the darkest of blizzards, led by the cold hand of their masters, the Others, or White Walkers as they were known. Creatures of ice and crystal, cold as the void and thrice as dangerous as they were said to be in legends, once more stepped into this realm, thousands of years after they had been seemingly destroyed and banished out of Nirn.
They gathered in the farthest of the reaches of the North beyond the Wall, and were making their way south, and they brought death and undeath with them, and their purpose was as clear as it could be- bring an eternal winter to the world. Seemingly guided by the first of them, the Night King, who was yet to make his appearance, Meridia's vision showed glimpses of their true master and the perpetrator of their survival, who sought to bring about the apocalypse. Galahad needed but a moment to piece the scattered clues and the sensations to learn the name of their master, and when he did, it became clear to him, that the situation now has changed completely, and that he was now to be called to do his duty before the Nirn.
He closed his eyes for a second, analyzing all that he had learned from Melisandre and then piecing it together, before opening his eyes and speaking in Dovahzul once more.
"TIID GORAAN DAAL." Galahad spoke the words of Power, and a wave of energy flew through Melisandre, engulfing her in itself, being absorbed into every cell of her body, shocking and amazing the Priestess.
With the shaking hands, she reached out to the choker with her red stone and unclasped it, and then touching her face and looking at her hands, shock and tears clear on her face. With but three words of this mighty Dovah, she had been granted what her Lord had promised to her in promise for her service all those decades past, and now… Now it came, and Melisandre once again was truly young, no longer needed the glamour to hide her age, with her body stronger and mightier than ever, and magical energy coursing through her. She needed minutes to come back from euphoria of the revitalization, with Galahad waiting for her to contain her excitement, and when she did at least partially, she fell to her knees, prepared to kiss his feet, but Galahad stopped her, gently helping her to rise before him.
"M-my Prince, I… I am u-unworthy o-of such a gift!" She exclaimed, as she rose to her feet, yet not fully able to contain herself.
"Consider this both as a payment for bringing to my attention what is happening, and an advance payment for your work." Galahad informed her, with Melisandre bowing deeply before him. "If it is your desire, then I shall have you and your services, Melisandre. I expect loyalty and diligence from you, but not zealousness and fanaticism, nor will I permit abhorrent violence in my name by you or your followers. You and your followers may preach the word of your Lord, but incitement of violence and war I shall not allow, and such acts will be punished severely. Will you abide my word and will, Melisandre?"
"I pledge myself and my followers fully to you and your cause, my Prince." Melisandre pledged to him with reverence. "What is thy bidding, my Prince?"
"For now, maintain the current status quo and avoid provocation of the violence with the Faith and the Sparrows. I shall deal with them when I have sufficient resources, after the Trial." Galahad told her, with Melisandre acknowledging his command. "Focus your efforts in gaining loyalty of the population of the city, through helping the poor and those affected by the Faith. Downtrodden common folk are in great masses, and they need shepherds who would guide them away from the Faith. Win them over, through deeds and actions and not words, provide relief and food to those that need, and so solidify your position, but do not attack the Faith even verbally. Give them the show of respect and neutrality, especially in front of the people.
"It shall be done, my Prince, but how are we to act if the Faith and Sparrows dare to strike us?" Melisandre asked of Galahad.
"Then protect yourself, but only when attacked, and without zealousness. Let the Sparrows and Septons strike first, for it will show that they are afraid and weak, and give you and your word even more credibility." Galahad told her, with Melisandre bowed to him. "We shall speak at length about the situation later, and you will receive further instructions from me or from my men, in case I am unable to do so personally. As for Rhaegar and the court, maintain the pretense of service to the court, at least for the moment, and make no mention of me changing my position in regards to Westeros."
"As you wish, my Prince." Melisandre bowed again, with Galahad nodding to her, before departing, not for his chambers, but for the Godswood.
Sleep was now beyond him, and prayer was not what he sought at the moment. What he needed was to convene a council with those who cared and made this world, and to confirm what he was now bound to do.
Hours later. Godswood.
If one were to see Galahad Sundrake right now, sitting on his knees before the heart tree, with his eyes closed and hands on his knees, unmoving and seemingly detached from the world, those who knew him naught would think he prayed to the Old Gods. Those who knew him as well as his wife and Dovah did, however, would say that he was communing with the Aedra, and that this very spot was one of the places where Kyne, Aedra of nature and wild life, that allowed those who were capable, to commune with her and other Aedra. For Galahad, though, he was not in need of such a place, as he possessed the means of communicating with Aedra directly and without any form assistance, but right now he was doing much more than just communing.
Ever since Galahad's Dovah nature began to awaken in him, he also learned that there were some other abilities in him, unnatural to those of Dovah or men, a form of precognitive sight that allowed him to perceive things that had happened, or were going to happen, or happening at that moment. In its natural form, after training under Viviane, Galahad was able to utilize said ability to gain either tactical or strategic edge, though far more often he used in battle, honed to give him a precognitive insight into the next movement of his enemies in battle, which would always give him a crucial edge over his enemies. However, there were also times when he needed to focus this ability, which he dubbed Kyne's Sight, beyond his natural abilities, and for that he would make use of sights of power, which would be used to amplify Kyne's Sight many times.
This made his visions and precognitions so precise, that he could clearly see every single detail happen in real life, even if it were to happen in the future, and right now Galahad was using this ability to peer into the Far North beyond the Wall. He needed to reconfirm for himself what Meridia had informed him of, make certain that this was true and that the White Walkers were indeed returning, while also convening with the Aedra. Unfortunately, Kyne's Sight was not without weaknesses, and even amplified, there were places and spots in Nirn where Galahad could not peer into fully, but he did manage to see enough to confirm to himself and the Aedra that the invasion was indeed happening.
Wights, recent and old, ancient and dead for thousands of years, men and animals alike and all creatures as well were rising to the will of their soulless masters, the Others, they themselves bound eternally and fully to a singular being, their progenitor and creator, the first of their kind, the eponymous The Night King. Galahad saw scores of his progeny leading the legions of the risen undead, yet not a single sighting of him, though his guiding hand was felt even by him, and Sundrake suspected that the Night King himself felt someone observing his army, and the King's master most definitely did know who it was. And this same master was keeping the Night King close to him, far away from the reach of the Aedra and their minions, sending instead the proxies that would clear the path for them, proxies that could be easily replaced should they fall. Galahad had to commend this Daedric Prince for managing to remain unnoticed by Aedra and saving such excellent potential servants, but then again, he had learned the hard way, that this Daedric Prince was probably the most dangerous of them all.
The Daedric Prince of Corruption, Domination, Strife, Enslavement, Schemes, Lies, King of Rape and so much more, but to Galahad he was known under his actual name- Molag Bal. The father of Vampires and a possible creator of the Necromancy, Molag Bal had had held the ambitions of conquest and corruption of Nirn, displayed by his very own Realm, Coldharbor, which was a literal copy of Nirn in the form that Molag Bal desired it. Truly, there never was or will be a greater enemy to the Nirn and its inhabitants than Molag Bal, with even Mehrunes Dagon losing by a certain margin to Bal, though Galahad would not admit so to either of the two. Bal never lacked for cunning and secrecy and has power was such that he was able to conceal his forces from the sight of Aedra and most of the other Daedra, but not all, for Meridia, arguably one of his greatest rivals, learned of his plans and plotted to put a stop to them before he was even given a chance to complete them.
And so it now falls upon Galahad to put an end to Molag Bal and his schemes to see Nirn turned into his new realm of misery and corruption, and the Aedra, having been made aware of what was happening, gave Galahad a clear task. Being bound by blood to Aedra, Nirn and Shor, as well as by the oath and his role as the protector of Nirn, not to mention the mutual hatred between Galahad Bal, prevented even the notion of rejection of making appearance in Galahad's mind. He was the Dragonborn, Thursedov and Champion of Nirn, holy anointed to this task by the Aedra after he put an end to Alduin's rampage through Skyrim and replaced him as the leader of Dovah, tasked to lead them back to their roots as Nirn's guardians. And so Galahad shall do, even if it means that he will have to stay in Westeros for a much longer time than he had wanted, and be forced to cooperate with his father, who, much to his own displeasure, turned out to be correct in his designs.
Opening up his eyes, Galahad let out a sigh as he rose up from his knees, wiping off the dust… before slamming his fist into the nearby alder tree, shattering the bark of it and causing it to fall onto the ground from the sheer power. Retreating the fist back, which suffered not a thing of damage, Galahad closed his eyes, before finally speaking up.
"Damn you both to all of Oblivion hells." Galahad muttered in anger, opening his eyes and coming to terms of the changed situation.
"You know, the gardeners will have quite a few questions about this." Galahad heard his wife's voice behind him, before hearing her coming closer, forcing him to turn and face her.
"I am sorry for waking you up, Morgana." Galahad said, with the sight of her calming his temper. "I'm afraid that after what I heard tonight, I won't be sleeping for the night, if not two…"
"I have assumed as much, given the outburst of your energy you have produced earlier." Morgana told her husband. "An outburst of such magnitude and power, that all of the Dovah, including our children felt and shuddered and shook from it, and with our children waking up screaming in terror from it."
"Are they alright? I… I did not mean to scare them." Galahad's worries immediately directed towards his children, with Morgana calming him immediately.
"They are alright, and have assumed that it was a nightmare that awoke them, and I did not elaborate on it, so they are most fine." Morgana assured him, with Galahad letting out a sigh. "But you, Galahad, are not well, and I can see it. What had that King tell you to make you lose control?"
"Something that drove me madder than Thalmor mages sacrificing their own people to summon Daedra: he tried to make me do his will, and when I refused, he threatened our children." Galahad answered, with Morgana's eyes hardening when she heard him say it. "I lost control and nearly killed him, yes, but I did manage to stay my hand from actually ending him. However, he now knows that there is more to me than what he originally assumed."
"And I assume that he was informed most profoundly on the consequences of what shall transpire, should he carry out his threat?" Morgana asked with a dead serious tone, with Galahad nodding to her, which satisfied her for the moment. "Good. As much as I may enjoy courtly intrigue and etiquette, but I grow weary with this land, its nobles and royalty at hastier rate than I expected. I can now say that your reluctance to come here was most well founded… There is more to it, isn't there?" Morgana asked of Galahad, when she noticed his hard look, and then he told his wife everything that he learned from Melisandre, and like her husband, she was none too pleased with the news and changed situation.
"The sole solace I can take from this is that this threat was discovered before it was allowed to bloom into a true menace to the Nirn. We at least stand a fairly reasonable chance to nipping it before it is allowed to grow too much, but… There is a whole heap of obstacles that stand before we can do it, and no small part of that revolves around this whole damn realm." Galahad said with the sigh. "Rhaegar may believe this threat to be real, but the rest of this place does not even believe it to exist. There is going to be a bloody civil war sooner than they all are going to unite against this threat."
"The way I see it, we need not their armies or support. Gather the Dovah and end the threat once and for all by heading to the lair of the White Walkers and taking the head off their progenitor." Morgana suggested.
"It is not as simple as that, Morgana. The Night King himself is in Molag Bal's plane of Oblivion, and the Prince of Corruption knows that as long as Night King is with him, the White Walkers and Wights can't be so stopped. And he will not risk him coming out only to die at my hand, and of all Daedra, Bal knows just how dangerous I am to him." Galahad told her. "And as for Dovah, that was my first idea as well, but… The Others and Night King possess the means of combating them, means that Molag Bal himself derived that would not only fell them, but serve to enlarge his army. And along with that, the Dovah are a critically low numbers, as you know, and as their Thuri, I can't simply risk sending them headlong into enemy territory, with chances stacked against them. Dovah will have a part to play in my plan, but they will not be the sole instrument in it."
"I see…" Morgana let out a sigh, acknowledging the decision of her husband. "Then what shall you do, Galahad?"
"Get this realm and it's people ready for the war that Rhaegar and Lyanna have demanded that I win. And now… Now I have no alternative but to do so." Galahad said, before he turned to face someone who made his appearance just now in the Godswood. "I assume you have heard what I told my wife, Cypher?"
"I did, Thursedov." Cypher replied, the hood obscuring him and his features. "I have the report, regarding today's attempt on your life, including the people behind it and reasons for it."
"Let me guess: Tyrells, hoping to end both me and The High Sparrow, who had stopped dancing to their tune some time ago and now has become a liability to them." Galahad surmised, with Cypher nodding to him.
"Yes, and in the chaos created by the bloodshed, Olenna Tyrell planned to have the Martells incriminated of the deed, through the help of Jon Connington, to destroy their power at the court." Cypher produced a heap of letters and documents from his cloak and gave it to Galahad. "Materials that reveal and detail the collaboration of Tyrells and High Sparrow, from his sudden rise to prominence as a new High Septon, to demands and commands issued by the Queen of Thorns, without any written names or seals, naturally. These are copies, but are not indistinguishable from the true ones. And speaking of High Sparrow, he has already issued the Tyrells a warning, making it clear that he knows of their plan for him, and that should they continue acting against him, he shall make it known, what sins the Tyrells try to hide."
"Mhm, so the fanatic is also at least partially aware of how to play this game. Still, he and his followers are a menace and I doubt that the Trial of Seven will put an end to their machinations. Their kind most often can be dealt only through strength of arms, something that both the King nor I have at my disposal, and I suspect that the Sparrows have enough power and support to literally take this city under control in matter of days." Galahad surmised, before looking at the materials, and passing them to Morgana. "They will have to be dealt with, permanently, and for that I will need an army, if I do not mean to destroy this city. Relying on the levies of the Lords Paramount I do not intend, and my retinue does not have the numbers to deal with them, so I shall need to procure me a professional and experienced somewhere, and do so fast. And that is not to mention this entire realm and its problems… Without even knowing about them, I feel as if it would just be better to take the throne, conquer everyone and then save them all." Galahad let out a sigh, as he actually contemplated taking this route.
"Though a radical, it is not a meritless decision, Thuri. Rhaegar, though well liked and beloved by the people, has neither the loyalty nor respect of the Lords Paramount, with great many looking forward to his death, while Aegon will be little more than a puppet in hands of Tyrells, and all know it. Should Rhaegar die, Rhaenys and Aegon will fight, and the realm will be split into two, and that is not to mention the Blackfyre pretender." Cypher spoke up, with the last part drawing the attention of Galahad.
"There is another Blackfyre pretender? It has been over forty years since the last one tried his hand at this and failed, are you certain of this?" Galahad asked of Cypher, who nodded. "I will assume that you failed to mention that earlier because it was beyond my concern at the moment, seeing as I did not plan to prolong my stay here."
"Correct, and also because Daemon Blackfyre, as he is known, and his supporters were waiting for the death of Rhaegar and the securement of more support for them. For the moment, the only possible allies they have are the Lannisters and Tullies, with Tywin Lannister having been in negotiations with them for at least two years now, while House Tully's head, Edmure Tully, is Tywin's puppet through his marriage to Cersei Lannister." Cypher informed Galahad. "Since the end of the Rebellion, Tywin has not enjoyed the power and prestige he felt he deserved, and so sought alternatives. He is a de-facto lord of the Riverlands as well as Westerlands, and those he hasn't bought, he scared into submission, and while he hasn't committed to Blackfyre cause, he is more likely to support them than the Crown."
"There is a new Blackfyre Rebellion brewing, and Rhaegar knows naught of it?" Galahad asked of Cypher. "Does his spymaster even know of it?"
"He does, hence why Rhaegar does not know, and Blackfyre acts with near complete impunity." Cypher's hint was clear as day to Galahad and Morgana. "At this moment, Daemon is trying to assure the loyalty of the Stormlands, but despite all the wrongdoings suffered at the hands of Jon Connington, Stannis Baratheon remains surprisingly staunch in his loyalty to the Crown. Vale and the North are dead ends of them, for Starks are among the lealer subjects of the Crown, and their marriage alliance to House Royce secures the Vale. The best the Blackfyre wants to get out of them is neutrality, and then there are also the Iron Islands."
"The Ironborn? What, are they going to rebel, proclaim independence and embark on a new bout of plundering, thieving, murdering and raping?" Galahad asked sarcastically, but Cypher's look told him he was right on that account. "The realm is one step away from collapsing into chaos and anarchy, traitor sows seeds of rebellion, the Ironborn are ready to plunder, and all the while an apocalyptic force is making its way here. Shor's balls, and I am to save all of them while they all try to murder each other?!" Galahad cried out with exasperation, before calming himself down.
"Saving the world is never an easy task, especially when the people themselves do not give a damn about it." Morgana noted, before turning to Cypher. "Cypher, this Blackfyre fellow, what can you tell us about him. His whereabouts, forces and so forth."
"He has made his home in Pentos, living in relative secrecy in the manse of Illyrio Mopatis, his father, though the man knows not of it. The man is the richest magister of Pentos, who started out as a cheese monger, and finances this entire affair, and he is also the man who has procured the loyalty of the Golden Company, the largest and most professionally trained mercenary army in Essos and this part of the world." Cypher informed Morgana and Galahad. "Since Robert's Rebellion and exile of the great many rebels, as well as patronage of Mopatis and his allies, they swell from 20 to near 37 thousand strong. Daemon also has various alliances with other mercenary captains, cartel dealers, pirates and more so, bringing his numbers close to almost 60 thousand and over 200 vessels from Lys, Tyrosh, Myr, Pentos and more. Over the years of their rule, Targaryens have gathered many enemies all over Essos, and all wish revenge, or plunder from Westeros. In my personal opinion, of all the Blackfyres, this one does stand the better chance at success than his predecessors at getting the throne." At that moment, Galahad had an idea, one that was as crazy as it sounded in his mind, but one that could help solve a great deal of problems in one fell stroke.
"Cypher, do you know where that Blackfyre is precisely, as well as the leaders of this makeshift army. Preferably of the Golden Company and other mercenary forces?" Galahad suddenly asked of him, who nodded.
"They are currently convening in Pentos, discussing their strategy and toasting to the future rule of Blackfyres." Cypher answered, with Galahad smirking to that, while Morgana was clearly concerned with what her husband had in mind.
"Galahad, please tell you won't do something rash." Morgana asked of him, with Galahad turning to her with a humored face.
"Never, my dear. I am merely thinking of paying a visit to this merchant and tasting some of his cheese." Galahad's grin eerily reminded Morgana of a certain unpredictable Daedric Prince with the fondness for said delicacy.
And somewhere in the Shivering Isles, that specific Daedric Prince was smiling ear to ear, for the plan that Galahad devised was as crazy as it could get, and it was exactly why he was in love with it!
Four days later. Royal gardens.
Days after that eventful night, Morgana was with her daughters in the royal gardens, walking in them as her Faye and Arturia were playing ahead of them, while they were watched by Grayfia and Fianna, posing as handmaidens of Morgana, along with Garran Crowe and six handpicked Purifiers. Though it was clear that Rhaegar now would not follow with his threat, especially after he learned what it would cost him, Morgana was not taking any chances, so while Galahad was currently absent from the city, she and her children would not be alone in here. Hence why Galahad and she had arranged for Purifiers to increase their presence around them, and so she, Faye and Arturia were guarded by seven Purifiers, while Agravain and Gawain were guarded by ten, as they currently were practicing Barristan Selmy under the watch of Rhaella Targaryen.
While none knew what had exactly happened, it was clear to everyone at the court that the relations between the King and his prodigal son had soured tremendously and some were trying to find a way of exploiting it to their advantage, but that did not really concern Morgana. What did surprise the Court and the royal family was when Galahad had suddenly disappeared yesterday from the Red Keep, having taken with him an escort of mere two men, or rather Dovah, as Morgana knew. On the questions as to where Galahad had gone off too, Morgana answered that Galahad was off tending to his personal matters, and refusing to divulge more. Rumors immediately sprung up, ranging from the Prince abandoning his family and running away to him being murdered, all of which were lies, naturally, as Morgana knew exactly where Galahad was and what he was up to. She had no obligation to tell them what they were not privy to knowing, even if one of those who was asking was King himself. Only Rhaella was informed of the reasons and location to which Galahad departed to, for she was the only person in this entire city that Morgana and Galahad trusted fully.
If all was going to go as planned, then Galahad would be back today by nightfall, or tomorrow at the morrow at the latest, and until then, Morgana would hold the fort and feed the ignorant illusions that they themselves helped grow. As she walked through the gardens, she and found herself encountering Princess Arianne Martell, possibly the only other person on this side of the world that Galahad had positive feelings to. The two ladies bowed in respect to one another, before Morgana spoke up.
"Princess Arianne, good morning to you." Morgana greeted to you.
"Good day to you as well, Lady Morgana." Arianne responded politely. "How do you find the gardens?"
"Quite pleasant, and a welcome change from the court and its activities, courtiers and so forth. Mayhaps it is just me, but I never had much of a stomach for prolonged exposure to such things." Morgana commented, before she turned to Arianne. "And what of you, Princess? Out for a bit of fresh air?"
"That, and hoping to get a modicum of privacy from the court." Arianne responded.
"I understand, than I shall not intrude any further, if you wish." Morgana replied. "With your permission…"
"Actually, I was hoping to talk to you for some time now, and would you mind if I kept you company?" Arianne revealed, with Morgana feigning a small surprise. "To be perfectly blunt, I wish to avoid running into my cousins and uncle, and I sincerely doubt that they would situate themselves anywhere close to you or your children. So, if you would permit?"
"Of course, you needed but ask." Morgana answered and Arianne joined her, as they walked the gardens. "Forgive the curiosity, but have your cousins and uncle run afoul of you in some regard? I have noticed there was certain passive aggression being passed between you."
"You could say that, though I am certain you would be the only one, for others would have far less diplomatic terms to describe our spat." Arianne commented. "We had an argument, concerning a certain matter, one in which I took a staunchly opposite position to theirs, and so now suffer the consequences of their ire. Not all that new, mind you, but annoying none the less."
"Annoying because you have tarnished your bond with them, or because they fail to see your point?" Morgana asked, with Arianne chuckling.
"The latter, which is one that I have always held to in opposition to nearly all of my family, even father." Arianne responded, as she let out a sigh. "As you may have noticed, we Dornishmen are not what you would describe as overly logical and diplomatic, or at least those that continue to perpetuate the demeaning tales of us."
"Perhaps looking at your uncle and cousins, I can see that. And yet, when I look at you, I see an intelligent and sagacious young woman, who possesses a deeper and more detailed understanding and view on things." Morgana complimented Arianne, who smiled a little at that. "I must admit, that you are exactly what I had imagined you, when Galahad told me of you." That surprised Arianne a bit.
"He… He spoke of me?" Arianne asked in surprise, with Morgana nodding to her.
"Indeed, he talked of you at greater length, detail and warmth than of any of his siblings, parents and relatives, save for the Queen Mother, combined. To be perfectly candid with you, I was quite jealous of you for some time when I was younger." Morgana admitted with a chuckle, with Arianne unable to contain a small blush. "You should know that he was very happy to see you, Princess, even if he did not show it. Though his mood has been fouled considerably by certain events and people, he is still glad to have seen you, of that I can assure you most definitely."
"Thank you and I am happy for Galahad, and to see him as well." Arianne answered truthfully. "May I ask: is Galahad away due to his mood having been fouled?" Arianne asked directly.
"Partially, yes, but you need not worry, he will be back either today or tomorrow morning, and I am most certain he will be happy to talk to you." Morgana assured her.
"You sound perfectly sure of him. Are you not worried that he may be in trouble, or, for an example, in the arms of another woman?" To that one, Morgana laughed a little, before responding.
"Oh, I am certain that he is finding some kind of trouble for himself, of that I have no doubt." Morgana said with a hearty tone. "Galahad is a loyal husband, and has to no interest outside of our bed." Morgana commented.
"I would have imagined he would be rather popular with the other ladies, though I do not picture Galahad as one to befoul the honor of his family and wife with whores and mistresses." Arianne responded. "He must be a rather traditional lover, then?" Morgana cocked a brow up, with the smallest of smirks.
"I do not know what you mean by traditional, Princess, but as a lover Galahad has no equal, among men and women. He is voracious, passionate and uninhibited when it comes to carnality, and, much to my continuous delight, extremely resilient to any form of exhaustion." Morgana answered truthfully, surprising Arianne at that. "His loyalty also comes in the number of times he desires to take me, and I am always happy to answer his call, even if I must later buy a new set of sheets, or change bedposts, though it is quite worth the pleasure." Arianne's vast imagination immediately provided to her the images of carnality, and left her cheeks aflame.
"You certainly are not shy about that." Arianne commented, containing her imagination at bay.
"And why would I be? I am perfectly happy with my husband's desire and performance in bed, keeping me satiated at all times, and I see no reason to be falsely modest about it. If anything, if I hadn't stopped my husband, we would have at least ten children instead of just four." Morgana revealed, drawing the attention of Arianne. "We were in love long before we married, and when we were of age to copulate, we did not waste time and tried it out, and soon, I grew heavy with our first twins, Agravain and Faye, and less than month after their birth, I was with another set of twins, Gawain and Arturia. While I love and adore our children and wish for more, I did want to enjoy motherhood and our marriage not as a broodmare and more as a happy wife and mother, so I set a certain condition before I were to grow pregnant again: wait until Agravain and Faye are six, and then he may breed me to his heart content once more."
"Was he displeased with the set condition?" Arianne asked, with Morgana shaking her head.
"Not in the slightest, since I did not forbid him from me and the pleasures of our sex, something I could never do." Morgana said truthfully. "The only times I ever were unable to fulfill his carnality was when I was too far into pregnancies, and though I knew he would not even dare to contemplate finding someone on the side, I knew that keeping him starving would be to detriment of him, so… I have given him permission, and encouragement to satiate himself with those, who held my trust and were willing to keep him company for the time being." Arianne was shocked to hear that, though it also quite excited her as well.
"You truly allowed him to take other women to bed?" Arianne asked of Morgana. "Were you not jealous or angry, or afraid he may betray your trust?"
"Not for a moment, for I had trust in Galahad, and in Grayfia and Fianna." Morgana turned to face her two handmaidens, who both had quite profound blushes on their faces, with averted eyes, with Arianne further shocked at the sight. "At times, I allow my dear maids to join us in bed, when I feel like spicing up our night, or day. As you can see, Princess, I am rather open-minded, but not so much as to allow some random wench to have the pleasure of my Galahad's passion in bed. Is this what you wished to know?" Morgana asked of her out of the blue.
"I-I do not think I…" Arianne stammered when caught off guard.
"Come now, Princess. I believe we both know what I mean, and what you wished to know. Your eyes spoke volumes when you first looked at Galahad in the Throne Room, and I fear subtlety was not the language of your gaze." Morgana said with candid grace, with Arianne not answering. "You are far from the first one to look at him like you did. Even many of my sisters, older and younger, wish to have him and have what I share with him."
"Then… Then why did you tell me all that you did?" Arianne asked of Morgana, who looked her directly in the eye. "Are you not concerned with it?"
"Should I be concerned?" Morgana asked back. "You want Galahad, I can see that in your eyes most clearly, but I fear that Galahad is extremely loyal in this plan. Even with sharing him with Fianna and Grayfia, he did not take to the idea readily and only limits himself with them and me. He may be conservative in that matter, but I am of a more liberal mind, and willing to expand our circle a bit, provided that those I expand them for are those I can trust fully and without any fear."
"You saw right through me, haven't you?" Arianne asked of Morgana, before speaking up. "I… I do feel drawn to Galahad, immensely so, and while I desire him to ravage me, I want also to reconnect with him, and reaffirm our past friendship, to develop it, if possible."
"It is quite possible, and I do not oppose to it, quite the opposite in fact." Morgana assured her. "So long as that is not to the harm of him or our family, I will stand in support of it."
"And… Should I desire to… Join you under the bed sheets?" Arianne asked with certain timidity.
"If he and I fully trust you, then I doubt there will be much reason to deny you from it." Morgana told her. "Though I should warn you, that earning our trust is not an easy feat, especially considering your position. Forgive me, but your family does not inspire trust, and quite frankly, I believe they wish us harm just as much, if not more, than those who had orchestrated our encounter with the Sparrows. You will forgive me if I feel certain wariness towards your proposition, despite my openness on the matter."
"You have quite a way of setting the conditions." Arianne commented, as she realized what Morgana was doing. "You have read me like a book, haven't you?"
"Merely drew some conclusions based upon my intuition." Morgana responded.
"And what if I decide to exploit your and Galahad's trust to the benefit of my family?" Arianne asked of Morgana.
"Then you will find that Galahad is also quite perceptive and sagacious person too, and he is not one to bend to manipulations of any kind, but if the affection and trust between you are genuine, he would hardly oppose being more amicable towards your family out of his own free will." Morgana answered. "At this moment, he does not have reason, beyond his slight annoyance at your uncle, to dislike your family, and he is certainly more positively predisposed towards Martells than the Targaryens." Arianne heard it, and decided then, to give Morgana and Galahad reason to believe her.
"I fear that this positive predisposition shall soon disappear, because of my uncle and cousins." Arianne let out a breath, as she spoke up. "They, as well as Rhaenys, are convinced that he is a major threat to the Martells and Rhaenys' ambitions. My family has always been prideful, to the point of absurdity, and my family sees Galahad as a stain upon the honor and pride of Martells, and the one Queen of Westeros, my aunt, and places him as the prime recipient of the blame for why Rhaegar betrayed my aunt. Almost everything, even his crest, they see as an insult from him to them, and they wish to punish him for offending them."
"I imagine that attempting to explain that my husband never wished or meant to offend your House would be futile?" Morgana asked.
"I can assure you, it will be, for I have tried to do so when you arrived. I even went to my aunt and asked her to dissuade them from this course, but I fear she failed." Arianne said sadly. "Three days ago, my uncle Oberyn and eldest cousin have answered the call of the High Septon, and joined the upcoming Trial as his champions. They also brought in one Ser Gerold Dayne, far off cousin of Ser Arthur, and though not living up to the legend of his cousin, he is still the most dangerous man in Dorne, one that even my uncle considers worthy of his respect."
"Then they are marching to their death." Morgana simply stated to Arianne, who looked her in the eyes with fear. "I wish I could say that Galahad would treat it with light heart, but I fear that would be a lie. For Galahad, battle of any sort is one where he gives his all, and does not employ half measures. And from your description of your family, even if they survive, they will simply see it as another insult to them, which will fuel their mad desire for blood."
"And should Galahad spill their blood, and then he will have definitely earned my father's scorn to the fullest." Arianne said with sadness. "I fear there is no way to dissuade them, and I have tried and…" Arianne's sad sigh was more than enough of an answer.
"Do you wish for me to speak to Galahad about them?" Morgana asked of Arianne, who shook her head.
"Even if he listens, my uncle and cousin would only grow madder at the fact of their defeat and fuel this senseless circle of hatred." Arianne said. "Just… Just tell him, that…" At that moment, as the two women were crossing a turn, they suddenly saw how Faye fell onto the ground, with Arturia backing away with a look of fear, before they saw Princess Daenerys marching to Faye with the look of anger and fury clear in her face.
"Who gave you two half-breeds the right to run around like you own this garden and keep?! You think that just because your father is back here, you can act like princesses and do whatever you want?! You are nothing but worthless scum, bastards of a half-breed and a foreign whore, who need to learn their place, and I will show it to you!" Daenerys was prepared to strike Faye with glee, yet before she could reach for the downed girl, Morgana closed the distance and grabbed Daenerys' raised hand. "Let go of me, you wench! Do you know who I am?!" Daenerys screamed at Morgana, before meeting her eyes and shuddering.
"I know who you are. You are someone who was hurt my daughters, for no good reason." Morgana responded to her, before she easily pushed Daenerys away from her and placed herself between her daughters and the mad woman. "Now, get out." Morgana commanded to Daenerys with a tone that was enough to send shudders down Arianne's spine.
"S-Ser Jonothor, s-strike this bitch! She dared to hurt me, take her hand for it!" Daenerys screamed to her Kingsguard, with him moving towards Morgana, before stopping, seeing Garran Crowe and six Purifiers, with their weapons drawn.
"Better take your Princess and leave." Garran recommended him, with Jonothor deciding to do so.
"You… I-I will tell my brother, h-he will have your head for this!" Daenerys screeched at Morgana, who maintained her complete composure, before answering.
"Go and tell him of it. But next time you decide to threaten my children, I will break your hands. Now, out of my sight." Morgana ordered, and Daenerys scurried away with such haste, that she nearly raised a cloud of dust.
And Arianne who observed this entire event and now watched Morgana rush to her children and completely changing in attitude from powerful regal woman to a caring mother, realized that she indeed was someone worthy of Galahad, and that she may indeed have made a right choice to not be her enemy. Because she did not doubt, for a second, that if the situation called for it, she would have broken Daenerys' hands right here and now, or at any point, and she would do so personally, and this made Arianne fear Morgana a little, but also respect… and feel some amount of interest towards her.
Meanwhile. Pentos. Manse of Illyrio Mopatis.
The commanders of the Golden Company, alongside their numerous sworn shields and fellow mercenaries, rushed through the gates of Illyrio Mopatis' manse, which were wide open and the guards, both Unsullied and sellswords, laid dead in numbers. They were already too late, and their current captain-general, Baelor Storm, could only hope that their employer and the liege lord, Daemon Blackfyre, were able to escape or barricade themselves from whomever it was that had dared to attack them. Experienced eye of the sellsword quickly surmised that the attacker was quite deadly, and there were no bodies of the attackers, meaning that they were of caliber that was worth respecting.
Hopes for encountering their bodies or the surviving guards inside manse were dashed away when the Golden Company entered the manse itself, where the picture of carnage and slaughter were clearer than ever. Sending parts of his company to other parts of the manse to check for it, Baelor and his best men rushed to Illyrio's solar, in hopes of finding it not ransacked and devastated, but his hopes were dashed away when they reached it.
Inside there, Baelor found both Illyrio and Daemon, both tied up in arms and legs, their mouths gagged and immobilized, though not beaten in the slightest, while their attackers were all in there. Two men, one armed with a mace and shield and the other with the greatsword, dressed in black and white armor, stood as guards of the man who sat in the seat of Illyrio, casually going through the papers of the magister, all the while munching on cheese and sipping wine, while dressed in ivory white armor with a sword near him. The sight was so surprising and shocking to the Golden Company that it allowed the apperent leader of the attackers to put down the papers, washing cheese down with wine, he looked at the men with a faux surprise and spoke up.
"Ah, gentlemen, forgive my tardiness. I had not expected you to answer my invitation with such haste, that I had not the time to prepare refreshments or to get the place in a presentable shape." The man rose up from the seat, with the Golden Company drawing out their own swords. "Gentlemen, let me assure you, that I am not here to fight you. In fact, I am here to talk and help you, so would you kindly please lower your weapons and allow me to present my case to you?"
"You want to talk? Talk, who the fuck are you? Are you assassins, working on the Targaryens?" Baelor demanded to know, with the man raising his hands in an appeasing manner.
"Despite the earlier encountered evidences stating otherwise, we are not employees of the cloak and dagger profession, though I am associated on a certain level with the Targaryens." The leader spoke up to the mercenaries. "But where are my manners, allow me to introduce myself properly. My name is Galahad Sundrake, and these fine men are Marius Amalrich and Meric Grimaldus, my associates. And as for the reason I am here- I would like to employ you and the services of your mercenary enterprise."
"You… You stormed this manse, killed our men and took our current clients captive, just to say that?!" Baelor was utterly stunned with the audacity and gall of this man. "Wait, I know who you are. You are that long lost son of Rhaegar Targaryen, the one who somehow ended up in Tamriel."
"The one and only." Galahad admitted freely.
"You must be completely out of your mind if you think that we'll even listen to whatever you have to say." Baelor told him, while Illyrio and Daemon both tried to speak up, but Galahad shut them up.
"Tsk, tsk, please wait for your turn. You will have plenty to tell your good employees about certain matters of genealogy and bloodlines." Galahad told them, before turning back to Baelor. "Answering you suggestion, perhaps I am mad, but as they say: madness and greatness are two sides of the same coin. And I am most confidant that by the time we have finished our conversation, you will find me to be a far more candid and generous client than the ones who are employing you now." Galahad said diplomatically, before grabbing the plate with cheese and showing it to the Golden Company sellswords, confusing them even further. "Cheese, anyone?" Galahad asked with the smile that made one Daedric Prince positively giddy.
And so the plot progresses forward and we now have the main reason as to why Galahad will have to remain in Westeros for a while bit longer. I can understand that some of you will find it forced and unsatisfying, and that is justifiable fully, but I stand by my decision. Now Galahad will have to get Westeros ready for the big bad coming after it, and he has a whole damn heap of problems to deal with, and he ain't sitting around and waiting for them to come. He just goes and does what Rhaegar should have done ages ago, and shows everyone, why he has all that it takes to be the King they need, even if he doesn't want to be one.
Now I hope you enjoyed this chapter and will give it a comment, review, suggestion about the future, or you have questions about that I am happy to answer. Remember, your support helps this story get better.
Next time: Trial of Seven; Westerosi Finest vs. Dragonborn.
Until next time!