Arise Maul: Reborn Son of the Dragon

by VFSNAKE

Maul has just been killed by Obi-wan Kenobi on Tatooine. His spirit encounters the most unlikely of people who could give him a second chance. At the same time, a dying nine year old Jon Snow is in need of a second chance following Lady Stark's attempt to kill him. Jon survives, but barely. No longer Jon Snow, he flees to one day get revenge on those who wrong him and his family.

14. Chapter 14

Chapter 14-The Song is Sung-Part 1

Maul knew time was not on his side. It never was when it came to getting the things you wanted done and this was one of those times. The fallout from the High Septon's violent fire related death had made some people worried, though the crimes revealed by the supposed holy man had silenced them and had driven the more fanatical to question what they knew. It took several moons for everything related to the incident calm down, but it also gave Maul a means to work on other projects in and out of the city. To show them all he was not like his grandfather and was more like Jaehaerys Targaryen in way of doing things with a hint of Aegon the Conqueror when it came to using force when words failed. He had taken back all the coin Littlefinger had been pilfering from the crown during his time as Master of Coin and had added it to the fortune obtained from a certain fat Magister in Pentos.

Added to the fact Maul had the financial backing of House Tyrell, the crown was more in the black than it had been since the time of the Old King. Though the King managed to find some form of irony in that since it was a man from Pentos who had brought the crown's finances high during Jaehaerys Targaryen. Now it was happening again using the finances from a man from Pentos to bring the crown further into the black.

With such gold and resources at his disposal, Maul began to set right what had been wronged by Robert Baratheon and his ilk who had sat on the Small Council. He began by having various parts of the city and the plumbing system redone, repaired, or rebuilt. Much of the city, mostly Flea Bottom, had been left to rot and fester like a diseased wound left unattended. For that was what had become of the city after it had been sacked by Tywin Lannister, leaving it in a state of ruin, and left in it unattended when Robert Baratheon ruled as King.

Maul was going to use this time he had to make the city better. Make the people happy. Loyal through not just words but by deeds that made the people proud to be ruled by a Targaryen once more. Where they would speak of Aerys and his madness, they would speak of Maul and his reforms that brought about a new golden age for the Seven Kingdoms. Something Maul would ensure happened when the time came to leave this world for the other side and leaving the Seven Kingdoms in the hands of his heir who would succeed him.

Which also begged the question, who would succeed him once his time was over. His time with Margery when coupling had yet to bring about a child into the world. Gods knows she was trying with him just about every chance she could, given what was coming in the future, and the dragon only recently sitting on the Iron Throne required an heir or multiple heirs. He would need a son or daughter to succeed him, as Maul did not

Maul already knew what needed to be done regarding the issue of succession and held court regarding it in order to make things perfectly clear the Dance of Dragons did NOT happen again.

As things currently stood, in the event of his death before an heir from him could be conceived by his wife through their coupling, Daenerys would succeed him. Maul was fine with that, if it did happen in that fashion. In terms of heirs, Maul also made it clear, to the shock of many, that if his first born was in fact a daughter, said daughter would succeed him on the Iron Throne as the future Queen, even if he had a male heir afterwards. Some Lords had protested this in court, stating the Grand Council of 101 had set a precedent for who would rule once the King had died.

Maul countered that the Grand Council of 101 only chose who would succeed King Jaehaerys Targaryen in terms of his succession. Whatever belief the Grand Council thought they had in the belief such a thing would stick to future descendants of the King, or the dragon was a fantasy. Maul called it an illusion the men of the time created to make sure the Queen who never Was never claimed what was hers by right of her birth regardless of gender.

The dragon who sits on the Iron Throne should not be determined by their gender but by their ability to lead the Seven Kingdoms in both good and bad times. If I had a son who was a halfwit and a daughter who was the opposite, who would I call my heir? Who would succeed me on the Iron Throne? My son who does not know how to rule and most likely bring everything to ruin? Or my daughter? Whose mind is sharp as a blade and can continue the golden age long after I am gone? As the King, I have the right to choose who is my successor regardless of what anyone else says on the issue simply because they feel a woman cannot sit in a position of power. Those who wish to verbally protest my decision when the time comes can protest it as such, provided they do not take up arms against the one chosen to rule. Whether they be King or Queen, as long as they rule well and justly, gender means nothing regarding the crown worn on the dragon's head.

Naturally, his words did not sit well with some of the Lords in court, some even whispering it was some form of madness that brought about this decision. Some even said it was the woman he had married who had instigated it in hopes of ruling after conceiving a child and the King meeting some ungodly end to his rule soon after it happened. Maul ignored their whispering and dislike of his decisions, as he knew these men well enough to know they did not see the roles of women as anything beyond becoming a capable broodmare in their prime in order to mount and produce heirs, namely boys.

Maul made it clear that his decision was final and anyone who wished to challenge it with more words, or even steel from a sword, they were welcome to try their hand at it. The latter of which he assured the displeased Lords of his court would most end up with them dead or severely maimed with the crown not being responsible for either one.

Soon after, the whispers and displeasure of his decision on the issue had died out. Namely because all knew of Maul's skills with a sword and had no wish to challenge him in that field. Some even felt saying the words of protest would be worse and cause the actual three dragons the King had to descend upon them and their homes.

Which was good. Let them think that and let the fear of it keep the fools in line. If necessary, he would arrange for them to die in ways that would look like natural causes or accidents with no connection to the crown. He still had the skills for it and could easily make up some reason to be out of the castle long enough to do the deeds necessary without his wife or aunt knowing.

There were just some things in this life he could not share with his lovely wife and such a thing would be one of them, even if he told her there would be no more secrets. Still, until such time the act of moving in such manner happened, Maul had not broken his word about the issue and had no intention of doing so, until his hand was forced.

"How is the restoration of the Dragon Pit?" asked Maul knowing it needed to be rebuilt once more.

"Steadily, your grace. King's Landing is filled with many people and many of them need work to make coin to feed their families. Many of your reconstruction projects you wish to see done throughout the city are providing as much for them," said Stannis since the King was having him and Ser Davos keep an eye on the many projects the city required to be the glorious jewel it once was in the days of old.

Before the brutal riots and sheer horrors that caused so much damage during the Dance of the Dragons when the people in mass almost tore the city apart within a few days.

"And the schools and libraries I commissioned to be made throughout the city?" asked Maul since that was another thing he wanted to install within the city.

"All the renovated and rebuilt buildings at the locations you chose have been finished in their furnishing, your grace. All we need are people to run them properly, and the materials to use fill them with. Though some may be upset with the locations, your grace. At least three chosen locations were once brothels or taverns where people had gone to unwind and be merry in various ways," said Tyrion knowing that the crown had easily compensated those who once owned these places for giving them up.

"Fortunately, King's Landing is not short on brothels and taverns Lord Tyrion. Besides, I seek to expand the minds of the people in the city. Books can do just as well to ease the mind as wine or whores can to a certain extent," said Maul while Tyrion wanted to make a small, yet crude remark, but held his tongue since the Lord Hand would not take kindly to it.

Not to mention the Queen was in attendance too and saying something crude would be unwise at this point.

"Many of the people in Flea Bottom are poorly educated and we need to ensure the next generation or generations who succeed us have the necessary knowledge to become better and possibly improve life within the Seven Kingdoms long after we are gone," added Margery while hearing from Ser Davos about how many in the city where he was from were in that situation.

"It will also allow many to seek out proper apprenticeships in areas they would enjoy or have a talent in doing, which should be nurtured," said Ser Davos knowing a proper education would allow many within the city and the Seven Kingdoms to reach their potential.

Shireen had told him as such, and Ser Davos was never one to disagree with the girl far more wise than many give her credit for in life.

"We also need the sewer systems and piping to be looked at from top to bottom throughout the entire city for good measure. Time and neglect have no doubt damaged more places than we would like to admit. I for one would like this city to stop smelling like shit most of the time and actually breathe clean air inside of it over having to be away from King's Landing to do just that," said Maul knowing the city was close to having some kind of plague or disease sweep through the city to wipe out a large portion of the people in it.

"We should also consider the idea of having the people in the city move to the lands nearby with a small population or maybe outside the city to form another town. Maybe even make it an extension of King's Landing itself should the location be close enough. Even with the many improvements being made overall to parts of King's Landing, it will be heavily overpopulated no matter what areas are worked on," said Tyrion, as he had looked over different books and maps of the city since being made Master of Coin to handle the crown's finances for such massive projects to find the best use of the coin provided.

"Lord Tyrion is right, your grace. With a large number of people outside of the city, not only would the projects being done throughout the city not have any issues when being managed, but we can allow the people to live in less than crowded conditions. While we are providing jobs to give people coin for their families, it is not enough since the people return to hovels, squalors, and poorly held together homes that have not been properly managed since my brother took the Iron Throne," said Stannis since he saw no reason to go against Tyrion's decision since it was a good idea, and it was clear the King was liked the idea too.

"True, but not everyone will wish to leave the city. New towns and villages will need time to build, much less watch over and defend from bandits, thieves, and even murders seeing this as a golden opportunity. Some of the more nefarious elements in the city will see these new towns and villages as ripe fruits on the tree waiting to be "plucked", knowing the valuables people bring with them have a chance of being taken. We would need volunteers from the city to be part of these new towns and villages, once built. Not to mention proper Lords or officials we can appoint to run them properly to ensure no one living in them is abused by those in power," said Maul while knowing new towns and villages took time, effort, and required a means to protect the people living in them.

"The lands around the city and further out are no doubt full of resources waiting to be used to build such places. More work means more coin in the pockets of people who need it most. Not to mention the experience will allow them more jobs in the future and their children can take up the trade in the years following," said Stannis knowing many parents teach their children skills they learned when young and would help finding employment.

"Surveyors should be sent out soon to see what areas can be chosen for such projects. Look for areas that have plenty of wood we can use to make the buildings and maybe a nearby river for providing the needed water. But not too close to it that heavy rains will cause the area to flood heavily and cause the people problems in the future," said Maul while Tyrion and Stannis nodded.

"We should also find places around those towns and villages for farming. The more farms we have, the more food we can produce for everyone," said Daenerys with Maul nodding since the production of food was always an issue when it came to feeding so many people.

Especially during winter when things got increasingly bad.

"I also want other places throughout Westeros to do the same as us. If we do this alone, the end result will be a shadow of what it could have been had the entirety of the Seven Kingdoms done this. Have all the Lords look to each of their lands and do surveys and see if their lands are rich in farming, mining, or anything else that could be beneficial to the people. For too long, we have been stagnant in making the Seven Kingdoms grow and prosper. Granted, it was due to outside forces seeking to control or cripple us for one stupid reason or another, but now it is the time to fix this broken system. Not just in regard to the crown but all the lands ruled under it and the people living in it. When the darkness that is to come in the coming years approaches, I want the Seven Kingdoms to be stronger than ever. We must do all that is possible to become stronger, or we will all perish as a result," said Maul knowing they would have to improve things or else all would be lost.

"I will make sure the ravens are sent immediately your grace," said Stannis knowing there was much to do and little time.

They would need all the time available to them to achieve victory in the long run.

"Good. Is there anything else?" asked Maul with Stannis raising his hand slightly.

"There is one your grace. It is related to my brother's bastards," said Stannis with Maul frowning at him.

"What about them?" asked Maul with Stannis fighting to grind his teeth in frustration.

"Apparently, the late Jon Arryn was looking into them for some time and managed to locate them all during his time as Hand of the King. Varys was also able to do the same. After reviewing their journals extensively, I discovered they were planning to use them in some way to either take the Stormlands or the Iron Throne from Joffrey after my brother died. All of this was mentioned in their journals prior to your reveal and more entries later on after you were known to the realms your grace. They had planned to groom such children to one day take the Stormlands and the crown either from Joffrey or you should they have a means to dispute your own claim," said Stannis knowing his brother had sired a small army of bastard children without a care in the world.

"Thrusting the Seven Kingdoms into more chaos. Bastards they would have been, but Lord Arryn could have made a claim they were Robert's children, especially if the mother came forward to admit as much to the conception," said Maul with Stannis nodding.

"One of my brother's bastard is here in King's Landing. Gendry is the boy's name. Apprenticed to one of the more skilled blacksmiths in the Street of Steel. He is the spitting image of Robert during his youth and had the build to match it," said Stannis with Maul nodding since he had seen the young man himself in passing.

"Does he know of his parentage?" asked Tyrion curiously.

"No. Both Jon Arryn and Varys confirm in their journals that the boy has no idea Robert is his father. The only parent he can recall is that of his mother who died when the boy was young. She never told him the truth of things and it was implied in the journals that while the act itself between Robert and the woman while consensual, the pregnancy was unexpected. Any chance of support from said father or the crown in general was denied by multiple members of the Small Council. Varys and Jon Arryn being chief among them while Pycelle's own journal when mentioning Robert's bastard children implies that even he had a small, yet noticeable hand in the mother's death," said Stannis while Maul growled and wishing the old man had died in a much more painful fashion.

"Gods be merciful," whispered Tyrion knowing those two were always planning something.

"No doubt to ensure further the issue is ended quickly should Gendry's mother make larger fuss and it gets more attention from those in power. Whether he did it at the behest of Lord Arryn, Varys, or even the former Queen Regent Cersei is unknown. Tywin Lannister himself could have heard about it through his spies or from Cersei herself and taken steps, but again, it is unknown due to those surrounding the issue not mentioning if they actually gave Pycelle the order," said Stannis while Maul waving it off.

"Those you named are dead and can no longer hurt us with their stupidity. What is it you wish for your brother's brood of bastards," said Maul while Stannis sighing.

"House Baratheon is an ancient House in Westeros, but as things have progressed over the centuries since Aegon the Conqueror, our bloodline has withered down to a trickle. I would like to have them be legitimized as Baratheons and see to it they are given a proper education to thrive," said Stannis with Maul thinking it over in his head.

"Not to question your decision Lord Hand, but this would put your daughter's right to rule as Lady of the Stormlands into question," said Ser Bonifer since he knew quite a few of Robert's bastards were male and had a means to press their claim.

"I am aware such an action could make things messy for my House later on. But I'm confident with the crown's backing, my daughter can still keep her right to rule the Stormlands. My brother's children will help keep our House alive in the years to come. While I have no doubt my daughter will one day be able to marry and have children of her own, it is sadly not enough to rely on one member of the family to see it done. Renly's tastes are not…in line with what we consider to be normal to ensure he has children of his own," said Stannis while giving them all knowing looks about what his younger brother's real tastes aligned with.

"Well, all things considered, given how my own siblings did things, Lord Renly's tastes aren't too foul that we would frown up on it," said Tyrion knowing his House and position was not one to talk given what his brother and sister did.

"Nor will we judge Renly and his tastes since it is not our place to judge him. They do not hurt anyone here, the crown, or the smallfolk. Even if it is frowned upon by most places in general, as long as he keeps it behind closed door, we shouldn't have a problem," said Maul knowing Renly's preferences were allowed in certain places and frowned upon in others.

"As a father myself Lord Stannis, I can completely understand your situation. I say his petition should be allowed your grace. If placing Robert Baratheon's children in areas where they can thrive becomes an issue after receiving a proper education, Dorne will be more than welcoming," said Prince Oberyn, as he saw no reason to deny Robert's children a chance at living a good life no matter where they went.

Plus, it would stick it to the dead man knowing several of his brood were part of Dorne knowing Robert would never have allowed any of his children, bastards or not, to live there.

"We can arrange something to that effect when we have more time to focus on it, but given how the situation makes succession an issue, I still say Shireen will claim Storm's End when of age to rule it. The mistake of not letting a woman rule over the Seven Kingdoms after the Old King died was a mistake on those who made the decision for him. The Queen who never Was had the right to rule and was already married with a future son who would have been her heir. Jaehaerys had the right idea of forming the Council of 101, but his trust in them to make the right decision would start the beginning of the end for House Targaryen ruling properly. I will not allow another Dance to happen on a smaller scale with Lords and Ladies of a House if it can be prevented before they start," said Maul knowing such things had a habit of dragging other Houses into it.

"Thank you, your grace," said Stannis with a nod to the King.

"In the meantime, we need to focus on getting for the Winter that is to come. Two ravens arrived last night from the North and the Wall. The King Beyond the Wall, Mance Rayder, has found himself in a dangerous position right now and is seeking immediate help. My Uncle has further confirmed it since he was delivering supplies to the Wall at the time to speak to his brother," said Maul while handing the messages to Stannis so he could read and distribute them to the others to read.

"Several of the Wildling clans have broken faith with him. They see him considering the idea of peace with those South of the Wall as a sign of weakness. Those who broke away would prefer fighting their way over the Wall and taking what they wish in the process. Barbaric animals, the lot of them," said Stannis before he handed the messages to Tyrion who did his own bit of reading.

"Not all of them are barbarians Lord Stannis. They come from the most ancient part of the North. Even giants, long thought extinct from the world, are said to live there. My Uncle Benjen has been our own go between messenger with Mance and has seen the giants in the encampment with his own eyes. I dare not think what would happen if they died on that side of the Wall and became servants to the Night King in his march South. They almost be unstoppable if all were part of the vanguard," said Mau with Stannis grimacing knowing the King had a point.

"I take it Mance Rayder wishes to go through more civilized channels?" asked Tyrion with Maul nodding since it was the smart move.

"Mance knows what is coming. He's no fool. When the man speaks to you, it is the truth. No horseshit. It was how he was able to unite so many since becoming their King. Mance told them the cold bitter truth of their situation. Sadly, the cold bitter truth was if they don't get over the Wall, they would all fucking die before becoming meat for the Night King's army," said Maul while knowing it was the only truth the King Beyond the Wall could have told them to get so many to come under his banner.

"What do you intend to do husband?" asked Margery curiously.

"I'm sending a message to Commander Mormont at the Wall. I want him to get everyone under Mance's command out of that side of the North. Let those who break faith him stay beyond the Wall. Let them die and be part of the Night's King's army. They can be undead slaves as punishment for their stupidity. The Free Folk hate the idea of kneeling. What better way to hurt those who wouldn't listen than to let them kneel to someone even in death," said Maul with many surprised by his words.

"Some would consider that cruel your grace," commented Tyrion with Maul nodding.

"Perhaps it is to some degree Lord Tyrion. But those who break faith with Mance Rayder are those who would attack South of the Wall, pillage everything, allow our side to be weakened, and not even care that the true evil the Wall keeps out would follow after them. Such people are traitors to the realms of men. Not just the Seven Kingdoms. Not just Essos or Braavos. All of the lands and all the people of the world will be betrayed by these Free Folk who break away from Mance. They will die a traitors death befitting of them for there is no greater shame to the Free Folk than bending the knee against their will, even in death," said Maul with his tone hinting the finality of his decision on the matter.

"As you say your grace," replied Tyrion since it made sense in his eyes.

"It will take time to get to the Free Folk with Mance over the Wall. There are only so many places you can have them cross through the structure itself," said Stannis knowing the Wall was designed to make it very difficult for a large force to enter it if going South.

"That would be true Lord Stannis, If they were walking through the gates. No, I want them travelling by ship. We will use the sea as a means of getting them to safety," said Maul to the surprise of his Small Council.

"Not to question your decision, your grace, by why the sea?" asked Tyrion since he wasn't expecting the King to use ships to get the Free Folk of all people out of the North beyond the Wall.

"Because going by land would take too long. Not only would the travel South be brutal, but also risky for the clans being hunted and picked off by those who broke away from Mance's side. If the rogue Free Folk clans don't kill them during the long march to the Wall, the Others might just do it for them. Not to mention the Night's Watch at the Wall might decide to forgo letting them cross, even with my blessing, and the Lord Commander approving the order. By getting them on ships and to sea, we can direct the ships where we want them and ensure the safety of all on board. The Free Folk don't know how to sail ships and will not cause problems for those onboard knowing full well trying anything would doom all those around them," said Maul knowing the sea was the safest course for the Free Folk following Mance over the Wall.

"The ships can be ready and sailing the moment you give the order, your grace," said Davos with Maul nodding.

"Considering it given Lord Davos. I want Mance and his people safe before the real problems and enemy beyond the Wall decide to act. Time is a factor here. It will help decide how many people we save, and how many we lose to our enemies to be used against us," said Maul while many nodded since time did play a factor in these type of things.

(King's Landing-Street of Steel)

Daenerys walked through the street of the city forged by her ancestor Aegon the Conqueror with Ser Barristan as her escort along with a small contingent of Unsullied. She had come here to have the best blacksmith in all of the city work on her armor. While it had served her well, it had been damaged from the arrows fired at her during the battle with the Usurper. She had been helping her nephew run the Seven Kingdoms had prevented Daenerys from having the armor looked at to see if there could be any kind of improvements made to it.

Entering the establishment of Tobho Mott, the Princess of House Targaryen was instantly greeted by the man himself upon seeing her enter with Ser Barristan.

"Greetings Princess, I am honored you would enter my establishment," said Tobho Mott and bowed his head in greetings.

"I have been told by Ser Barristan here that you make some of the best work in all of King's Landing," said Princess Daenerys with Tobho Mott bowing.

"I am honored by Ser Barristan's high praise of my work, Princess. He has never been one to speak lies about people whether the words spoken were good or ill," said Tobho Mott while having the Princess of House Targaryen in his shop would cause even more business to come his way.

Provided said Princess was pleased with what he had to offer.

"Which is why I trust his judgment. He also says your prices are twice as high as the others on the Street of Steel," said Daenerys while walking around the shop to gauge the man's supply of armor and swords.

"That's only because his work is twice as good," said a much younger man behind Tobho Mott.

"Gendry! Be quiet lad. You are speaking out of turn to the Princess of House Targaryen and Aunt of the King himself! Men have lost their heads for less," stated Tobho Mott while glancing at Ser Barristan and the Unsullied with Daenerys.

"I'm just trying to defend your work old man. It's true you charge more than the other places, but the quality is on par with the cost to make it that way. Higher the quality is higher the price," said the one named Gendry while Tobho Mott looked conflicted with agreeing with his apprentice and not offending the Princess.

"It is all right Master Mott. I feel no offense was made against me by your apprentice. He is in the right to defend your honor and your work being more expensive than most. Ser Barristan aside, I have heard your work is far better quality, which means the cost would go up as a result. Coin is not an issue when it comes to the work, which I need done on the armor I wore when fighting against the previous King who sat on the Iron Throne," said Daenerys before she snapped her fingers and two of the Unsullied with her came forward with the armor for the man to inspect.

"The armor is most impressive Princess. I can see it needs some refinement in certain areas. It will take some time, but I am confident it can be done within a reasonable amount of time," said Tobho Mott, as he inspected the armor from top to bottom.

"Do not rush it Master Mott. I know these things cannot be hurried and the risk of such a thing lowers the quality of the armor. Something I know you could not tolerate given your profession. However, I will request you make the work needed to be done on my armor become your top priority. Can you what I ask of you, Master Mott?" asked Daenerys while Tobho Mott nodded.

"Aye, it can be done. I will get to work on it immediately. Gendry and I together can make this armor great as it was in the days of old when she was first made," said Tobho Mott with Daenerys smiling at him.

"Splendid. I look forward to hearing from you on the success of your work. Consider this a healthy down payment," said Daenerys while place a sizeable pouch of gold dragons onto the table next to her before she left the shop.

"Do you think they can improve the armor, Princess?" asked Ser Barristan while Daenerys made her way to the carriage, she had been in to get to Tobho Mott's shop.

"You said it yourself Ser Barristan. The man is the best and worth paying the extra coin to see it done. Would you have me wear poor quality armor should I be in another battle?" asked Daenerys while Ser Barristan got on his horse.

"Gods be good Princess; In truth, I would rather pray and hope there isn't a battle or war with you in the middle of it. It is bad enough with my fearing for your nephew when he was fighting Robert Baratheon's force before fighting the man himself. Still, should there be a battle, I would rather you have best quality armor one can get over something cheap and easy to destroy," said Ser Barristan with Daenerys smiled at the loyal member of the Kingsguard.

"Ever the honest man, Ser Barristan. But we both know what is coming. It does not care if I am a woman or a Princess. It does not care if I am a Targaryen or a mummer pretending to be one. The Others wish only to take life from this world and enslave it. I intend to be there to fight for the living and I will need good quality armor to help make it so," said Daenerys with Ser Barristan while the carriage now moved with the elderly Kingsguard on his horse escorting it back to the Red Keep.

"I sadly agree and accept this, Princess. Still, I find there is a sense of irony here," said Ser Barristan while Daenerys raise an eyebrow at him from the carriage window.

"In what way?" asked Daenerys while Ser Barristan smirked.

"You fought to take down the late King Robert, yet his bastard son will be the one to assist Tobho Mott in working on your armor for the coming war with the Others. In some fitting way, you are entrusting someone with Baratheon blood in their veins with your life," said Ser Barristan while Daenerys was now surprised, she had met one of the Usurper's children, bastard though he was.

"How do you know he is the Usurper's son?" asked Daenerys with Ser Barristan let out a small laugh.

"Because the boy, Gendry, I believe he is called, looks just like Robert when the man was much younger and more fit. If Lord Stark were here in the city, he would tell you the same thing. Same with Lord Renly or even Stannis," said Ser Barristan while Daenerys looked back from her carriage window at the shop with a sense of curiosity.

"You have clearly met Gendry before today, Ser Barristan. What is he like?" asked Daenerys curiously.

"Respectfully, Gendry is not the sharpest blade around. Basic education I surmised given his low status as a bastard. But a good head on his shoulders all the same. Strong for his age too. Though not hot headed like Robert became over the years as time went by. He has more control over his temper. Like Stannis," said Ser Barristan knowing Gendry had Robert's build, Stannis's very controlled temper, and could pass himself off as Renly's twin if the two had beards.

"Interesting," said Daenerys to herself while thinking of the young man she just met.

(The North-Beyond the Wall-Hardhome)

Ser Davos hated the cold. It was brutal and unforgiving. Just like its exact opposite in terms of heat when he was in Essos or Dorne during the summer years. When Winter came to Westeros, he usually took his family to Essos or Braavos to ensure they didn't suffer from the intense cold as others did when they were at their most brutal.

And now, here he was, in one of the coldest parts of the North, leaving his ship with a few good men to speak to the Free Folk along with their King Beyond the Wall. The former smuggler wasn't sure what he had done to deserve this. Was he being blessed by the Gods? Or was it cursed? Both perhaps? To rise so high from little to nothing to being a Lord on the Small Council itself, only to be put at an extremely high risk of dying in this Gods forsaken place by treating with people that everyone South of the Wall usually considered to be barbaric savages.

Davos blamed his King for this. Good man and true as any man wore the crown since the time of the Old King Jaehaerys himself. But Gods be damned and good, did the King have to assign his Master of Ships for this shit of a job?

Perhaps, but it still irked Davos like a stabbing pain in his ass.

"My name his Lord Davos Seaworth. I am the Master of Ships, a member of the Small Council, and come in the name of King Maul Targaryen to speak to Mance Rayder, your King," said Davos to the big man with red hair and beard that Maul had told him could only be Tormund Giantsbane.

"And why does a kneeler with a fancy title of 'Lord' come here with all these ships on hand? Come to invade by the sea? Impress us with your means of getting around the Wall?" spat a member of the Free Folk.

"Look, you shit for a face, I came here at the command of my King. I don't care for being called a Lord or Master of Ships. I don't give a damn about lofty titles or having so many of them. I came from nothing and lived in a place that smelled like shit and somehow managed to smell much worse during some dark times. I didn't get them for kissing another Lord's ass or sucking his cock. I earned my rank and titles for various deeds when called upon to serve. Now, I wish to speak to your King while we can in order to save you fuckers from the nightmares living on this side of the world," snapped Davos and recalled what Maul had said about the Free Folk when dealing with them.

Don't show fear to them Davos. They will try to intimidate you. Some may try to take a swing or even kill you with a weapon. But you cannot back down. To show weakness in the face of those like the Free Folk will only make things more challenging for you.

And challenging them and cursing their manhood won't, your grace?

They are of the North, Davos. Men and woman of the North are stubborn and don't respect anything or anyone who backs down from them. Even more so when it's the Free Folk, who live as North as you can get in the North.

The Wall may have something to do with that, your grace.

You have to hold firm, stare them in the eye, spit at their feet, insult their pride, and even their manhood if necessary. Be ready for a fight, don't let down your guard, and mention some of the things you have done to earn your position. Northerners have believed since the time of Winter Kings that you must earn what you have, and the Free Folk are no exception Davos.

Perhaps saving a small army from starving to death would go a long way your grace.

Pray such a story doesn't lose its strength Davos. Because of you, House Baratheon was given the chance to live beyond the Usurper's rebellion.

Davos smiled at the memory and the praise the King had given him for saving so many people from the horrible fate that awaited those of Storm's End had his ship not smuggled in onions to the now Hand of the King. It cost him a few fingers, but Davos never regretted it, even if Maul had frowned upon the act, as he felt saving so many lives from a fate worse than death deserved the former smuggler a full pardon for all past crimes related to the smuggling career the older man had done during his time at sea.

But Davos was a humble man. He would be until his final days in this world. He would die and go to the Gods to face their judgement for deeds good and ill. Had he done something to earn their wrath and scorn? The man did not know. Davos liked to think his actions, while not pure, were not exactly evil or vile in the sense they could not be forgiven by Gods and men.

Only time and facing his moment of judgement before the Gods would tell whether or not he was ever a good man worthy of any place in the heavens crafted for good souls.

"Piss off Shank. This man wants to speak with Mance and that's what we will do," said Tormund before he had Davos and some of his men follow him to the tent where Mance was with some of the other Free Folk chieftains.

"We saw your large fleet of ships. It caused quite a stir," commented Mance before he motioned for Davos to sit down.

"I figured it would. Though some of your people don't think too highly of our arrival," said Davos with Mance smirking.

"They have seen a ship or two. Though not so many in a lifetime such as this. Massive ones too. The largest we have ever seen is one few times the size of the boats you came here in," said Mance while knowing it was surely a sight to see so many ships nearby.

"My King sent me here to help you get over the Wall," said Davos since he needed to make it clear why he was here.

"Why not provide us safe passage by land? Surely, he can make that happen?" asked Mance with Davos shaking his head.

"He probably could, if some of your people didn't break faith with you. There is also the Others that are lurking around that could pick you off just as well as those who broke away. My King has the right of it when he suggested traveling by ships would be easier and safer for everyone," said Davos while Mance grimacing at the mention of those who broke faith with him.

"And sink any ship we are on should you wish to see us killed," remarked a female chieftain.

"His grace has no reason to give such an order to have a ship with the Free Folk on it destroyed. It would be a waste of ships and people. His grace is many things, but wasteful is not one of them," said Davos, as he saw Mance nod in agreement since a King does not waste what is his that held value and ships were important to a kingdom, much less seven of them.

"Where would the ships take us?" asked Mance curiously.

"His grace wants to get you and your people to White Harbor. It is a key part of the North used for trade and is the closest port we can drop everyone off with so many ships. From there, transportation in terms of horses and other means of getting your people situated will be ready for you," said Davos with Mance nodding.

"And where would we be placed exactly? I don't like being so far from the North that I feel like I am in the fucking South. Besides, this wasn't part of the initial offer," said Tormund with Davos glancing at him before focusing on Mance.

"The offer has changed because of what we learned about several clans breaking faith with your King after the meeting with my own. The original offer still stands to let you go come back here when the war with the Others is over? But could be quire a few years from now? Where will you live until that time? Not here! Not with rival chieftains and the fucking Others waiting to kill you," said Davos knowing the Free Folk have to live somewhere until the time to fight was upon them.

"And you have somewhere in mind?" asked Mance with Davos nodding since the King had discussed it at length with his uncle on the issue through their correspondences.

"There used to be a castle in the North called the Dreadfort, run by House Holton. The King, not that long ago, saw the House and those loyal to them put to the sword considering the practices they did were not what you call…moral. The keep itself was burned down, but the King's Uncle and Warden of the North, Lord Stark, has been having a new one made to replace it. The keep itself is nearly complete and the lands around it are perfect for farming and living in with plenty of room for everyone," said Davos with Mance seeing some of the chieftains grumbling.

"And we become kneelers in the process. All the while we wait for the war to come," commented one of them.

"You get to live and a place to call your own, if only for a short time. Granted you would have to follow laws and oaths under House Stark like any other House, but you get to still keep your traditions in your own lands. Lord Stark can explain things further to you when meeting him your grace. I know the idea of kneeling irks you. My King explained it as much to me about the Free Folk. Lord Stark's own ancestor did the same when it came to choosing between kneeling before the dragon or fighting one. He chose to kneel and surrendered his crown. It saved over thirty thousand Northmen from being burned to ashes. From the North being burned to ashes. I may not be good with large numbers as most would be in my position, but I believe you have much more to lose should you turn the ships, and the offer of living in the North as a Lord over all your people away," said Davos with Mance wincing at his words since they were similar to what Maul had told him.

"If we kneel, we won't be Free Folk. We would be just like them!" stated a chieftain angrily.

"And if you stay here? Or you move elsewhere on this side of the Wall to another area to hide from the Others or a rival clan? What is more important? Your life or your fucking pride?" asked Davos looking at them with unflinching eyes.

"We must adapt. Adapt or die. The Children of the Forest say to trust this southern King. Blood of ice and fire running through his veins. Of the North and South. Choose we must. To live or die, only to come back as something not alive," said Mother Mole, and it was her words that seemed to snap them all out of their anger.

For they were true words and true words are far more valuable than gold could be in this situation.

"The King and Lord Stark won't interfere on the traditions of the Free Folk if we become part of lower North? Even if it is temporary?" asked Mance with Davos nodding.

"Yes. I was told as such by his grace. Besides, when the time comes to move back beyond the Wall, not everyone will wish to follow you back there. Which means you can choose someone capable of taking over in being a Lord or Lady ruling over those who stay," said Davos while Mance seemed to retreat into himself to think.

"And the Crows? What of them?" asked Tormund curiously.

"The Wall will be manned by the Night's Watch, but his grace is going to change things on how they are done to ensure those who live beyond the Wall can coexist with those south of it," said Davos while the men and women around him mumbled to themselves.

"In what way?" asked Mance curiously.

"I sadly don't know all the details. Just the broad strokes. What I do know is that they will help keep the peace between everyone North and South of the Wall. If you are worried, they may try to be brutes and the like, the King won't allow it. He plans to restructure everything so neither side has to worry about one side fucking over the other through their machinations," said Davos with some of the people around him looking skeptical.

"What say you Mance?" asked Tormund.

"It is as Mother Mole said moments ago. Adapt or die. Besides, we can always return beyond the Wall after this business with the Others is over," said Mance with many wondering if where they would go once South would make them stay away beyond the North they knew.

Time would tell.

"We need to get you on those ships as soon as possible. My King made it clear the longer you are on this side the Wall, the greater the odds of you all being attacked sooner over later," said Davos with Mance nodding since he came to the same conclusion.

"How do you propose we do this?" asked Mance since it was clear the man across from him had a plan.

"Elderly and children first. They will be the easiest to get on the boats. After that, we can focus on the more challenging ones for transport," said Davos knowing elderly and children were easy pickings for the less honorable people of the world.

"Challenging ones?" asked Tormund in confusion.

"The giants. They are big and their weight might crush the boats Davos came on," said Mance with the man beside him nodding.

"For them, we will have to bring in some of the larger ships closer to land. Not to mention some of their mammoths will be a challenge to get on the ships. Once they are handled, it should be easy to get more people onto the remaining ships and heading South to White Harbor," said Davos knowing the giants and mammoths would slow things down considerably, but it was best to get them handled soon after the easier ones.

"Aye, you have the right of it. We can get started now. Tormund, tell the giants to get themselves and their mammoths ready. By the time they do, the elderly and children will already be transported to their assigned ships," said Mance with Tormund nodding and leaving the tent to do it.

"You have my thanks for agreeing to this," said Davos with Mance smirking.

"Don't thank me just yet Davos. I maybe King now, but the Free Folk here are a stubborn lot. Thank me when everyone is on the ships and safely South of the Wall. Thank me when you are no longer at risk of being killed by one of them on impulse," said Mance with a slight japing in his words.

"I will keep that in mind your grace. It's one of the first things I learned during my time across the sea and making deals with somewhat questionable people," said Davos while Mance laughed and clearly liking the former smuggler's company.

Perhaps things wouldn't be so bad after all.

(Hardhome-Sometime Later)

It hadn't gone bad. It had gone to shit.

At least, not at first, but near the end of getting everyone on board the ships, things went from bad to worse to shit soon after in that order.

How? The Others had arrived with their damned undead army.

Davos had spent much of his time around military men before and after he was made a member of the Small Council and Master of Ships. Stannis, Tarly, the Starks, and the King himself. Each of them had their own ideas about fighting despite being quite similar in fashion. He had been around the world and talked to men who had seen battle. Who had done things during the sacking of a castle, keep, or city with the songs about it making the deed wonderous when they were very much not. Songs were not sung about pillaging, murder of innocent people, raping women, and other dark deeds done during those times.

Davos almost wished he was hearing a song about a battle and not about to witness one. If you could call it a battle. Fortunately, his time with these men gave him some experience on how to manage what little time they had left and stall for it long enough to get everyone away from these fucking nightmares in icy blue bodies with their fucking icy blue eyes staring right at them on their undead mounts. The army of undead they commanded and the Wights themselves were on the move, like a rampaging storm they ran, rotting flesh and bones seen even from a distance, some covered in armor, other in leather, and some barely any clothing at all.

"Setup barricades! Reinforce the walls so they can't get to us! Move your asses. We need to stall long enough to get people onto the boats!" commanded Davos while some did what he bid while others ran for the boats trying to get their turn ahead of others.

Fortunately, those who did what was asked of them were able to do it before the storm of the Others and their undead army reached the resistance of Hardhome's wooden walls and gates. Sadly, the gates and walls did not last longer, or at least as long as Davos would have liked when it came to the army of dead smashing against it. Clawing without feeling pain or fatigue, to be guided by a single purpose in killing those of the living in the name of your unnatural King for a monster to end all monsters. To be a slave to another after dying terrified the man to no end and he was sure the people around him were no doubt feeling the same way.

Hence why there were all trying to get the fuck out of there as a soon as possible.

By the time Davos and everyone got on the boats taking them to much larger ships, the Master of Ships saw the Night King standing at the end of the docks of Hardhome. The sound of the Night King's boots touching the wet frozen would echoed ominously in the air while he stared at the living sacrifice that would have been added to his army.

It was what happened next that Davos would swear to people upon every God he knew until his dying day what he saw next was the truth of things. The evil creature on those docks was not happy with him or Maul's plans to get the Free Folk out of the monster's reach. He could see the creature scowl at him, the promise of this not being over. The creature seemed tempted to throw what appeared to be a spear made of solid ice from his hand, but for one reason or another, the Night King held back the impulse. It was clearly thinking things over on whether to act on said impulse or just wait for a more appropriate target.

In the end, the Night King decided to wait. Such a weapon was not meant for a lowly man like Davos, or that was what the former smuggler liked to believe at any rate. If true, Davos was glad his position in life was not worth the attack or wrath of this dark cold monster with the means to command the dead to rise at his command.

And felt worried for his King who no doubt had earned said monster's rage.

"Seeing is believing Davos," commented Mance, who had stayed among the last to flee when the time came to get on the boats meant for the ships.

"Aye, it as you say it is your grace. Yet I almost don't want to believe it. Part of me wishes to believe I am dreaming not a dream, but a nightmare conjured by the Gods to punish my mind in some way. I am glad we were able to get everyone out of there before the Night King could get to us," said Davos, and for a moment he wondered if Maul's powers showed him a vision of this moment had they not gone when the order was given.

Speak to them immediately Davos. Get them on board. All of them. Move with all speed that the winds and seas will take you. The sooner you get to Hardhome, the safer all will be in the end.

Davos didn't know what his King meant by that, but now he suspected this was the reason for it. Was it also the reason why a single ship was sent to the western side of the North beyond Bear Island, and past the Wall there? Mother Mole had mentioned the Children of the Forest. Had a ship come to take them away as well on that end of things? It made sense when looking at it from a strategic point of view, as the Night King would seek to build his army further while ignoring the Children of the Forest. Powerful in magic they were said to be in terms of legend, the numbers related to them were few, and could easily be consumed by the undead army the Night King brought down on them.

Yet, Maul was able to take the Night King's prize from him, not once but twice, should the monster seek to hunt the Children of the Forest after this.

Davos could only hope and pray that his King would be able to handle this issue regardless of having dragons and an army at his back.

(King's Landing-Red Keep-Moons Later)

"All of this is accurate?" asked Stannis while sitting in for the King while said King was with his wife on an issue that had the whole realm buzzing with excitement.

Queen Margery was pregnant. Maul was happy and spending time with her. Stannis had felt the time the King spent, at least for the moment, should be with wife. Besides, the King's aunt was in the room listening as well since she wanted to know the issues pertaining to the realm.

"Every last word Lord Hand. All truth. No shit. Pardon my language," said Davos while he was standing at the end of the table while the rest of the Small Council listened.

"No need to apologize Lord Davos. Crass as that was, we have all hear far worse. Besides, its rare to hear a man speak so plainly as you do. It is refreshing to hear," remarked Tyrion with a smirk though it soon left, and he became serious at this news.

Since Jamie was at the Wall, it made him worried for his dear brother.

"Sit Lord Davos. We need to discuss a plan to deal with this situation," said Stannis with the men and one woman around him.

"Should we not have the King and Queen here for this too?" said Grand Maester Marwyn, who had been appointed as one for the Small Council.

"While I would love to have my nephew here for this important meeting Grand Maester, the time spent with his wife, who is now with his child, should take precedent. Lord Hand and I will inform his grace of this later today when the time is right," said Daenerys knowing the happy times Maul would spend with his wife would be far and in-between after today.

Her nephew deserved to spend more time with his wife and their child growing in the Queen's belly with what little time they would have once the news is revealed to them about the Others. Plus, she and Lord Stannis would need to figure out how to phrase things to them without the stress hurting the Queen or the child she carried. The words spoken at this Small Council could and would raise fear, anxiety, and the stress could endanger the baby if what she had heard from Marwyn about women being pregnant was true.

Daenerys didn't believe the Grand Maester would lie to her. If anything, the man had been one of her nephew's biggest supporters. The return of dragons, magic, and all the things this one man had been scorned and mocked by his supposed peers had risen higher than ever possibly. Grand Maester Marwyn would do everything in his power to ensure that the presence of magic continued existence , not only through the continuation of the dragons, but through those who had magic in their blood.

"We also need to discuss filling in several empty castles that have been left vacant over the last couple of years, if not moons before and during my brother's time as King. The first one we should discuss is the Twins," said Stannis knowing the House there should be loyal and not one with greed in their hearts.

Robert let Walder Frey do what he wished namely because Holster kept him in line in the end with the assurance Edmure would be able to do the same. With House Frey destroyed and House Tully being all but annihilated with the exception of the Blackfish, it left such a place open to be filled with far better prospects loyal to the crown.

"House Frey gathered much over the years in terms of tolls. Some moneywise and some…not so much with the way the officially late Walder Frey ran things. The man kept trying to weasel his bloodline into powerful Houses so his strength would one day rival House Tully," said Tyrion while having reviewed the taxes of all the Houses paying the crown when Robert Baratheon ruled and saw how the Twins paid had not contributed as much as House Tully did despite the wealth accumulated by the former demanded a higher level of tax payment.

If anything, the late Lord Baelish had been fucking over House Tully financially with his tax system with the fishes not even realizing it.

"House Frey should have been brought to heel a long time ago. Even before the rebellion. Walder ruled during the time of House Targaryen being on the decline. By the time it happened, the man saw little reason to support the dragon in our time of need. Even if he did, the man would have demanded far too much for the little Lord Frey would have given. The Twins will be run by loyal House of the crown with multiple fixed rated tolls. One for the High Lords of prestigious Houses, one for the minor Lords, and one for the smallfolk who cannot afford to pay as much as the other two," said Daenerys, who had discussed this with Stannis since the issue with the Twins was a strategic position that needed to be secured with proper rules in place to be followed.

"And which House should take over the Twins?" asked Tyrion knowing there would be several minor Lords seeing this as a chance to rise higher.

"House Bracken and House Blackwood from the Riverlands have been at odds with each other for quite some time, in no small part on the hands of the Maesters. With the healing of the Seven Kingdoms by his grace's actions, both Houses have evaluated their current situation with each other and the reason for the friction between them. Fortunately, a second son from House Bracken, and a second daughter from House Blackwood, could help further heal the rift between the two Houses. They could form a new House and relocate to the Twins," said Stannis with the members of the Small Council nodding.

"Will the King and Queen approve of such a match?" asked Davos knowing the crown would have the final say on this issue since it involved a new House being made from two rival Houses with bad blood between them.

"I don't see why not. It is not a bad match, and it is for the good of the realms. I also heard how Lord Stark is seeking to bring Lord Forrester's son back from exile in Essos in order to have the man marry Lord Whitehill's daughter since the two had, or possible still have, feelings for each other," said Lord Bonifer since he knew of that particular issue and Lord Stark now seeking to undo the damage.

"Something we will discuss with the King and Queen before anything is made official. For now, we will let the two be happy and focus on each other," said Stannis knowing he would be spending his time balancing work and being with his family.

For should the day come, and he fall before the Others, the man could at least say his time among the living was well spent being with them.

(With Maul and Margery-Sometime Later)

"It's a girl. I know it," said Margery while sitting beside Maul on their bed and the man smirking at her, enjoying his wife's presence.

"I say it could be a boy. Though, I will say a woman's intuition is not to be mocked or scoffed at lightly," said Maul knowing there were times when a woman could determine the gender of the child through sheer maternal instinct.

"You won't use your abilities to see for yourself?" asked Margery knowing the man could if he wanted to sneak a peek at the child.

"Tempting, but no. Besides, the child is still too young to tell, even with my abilities. I would rather wait until the child is born to know the gender of the baby. It would take the fun right out of it to know too far in advance," said Maul with a gentle smile.

"Will you have the child tattooed as you were, my love?" asked Margery with a hint of worry or perhaps concern in her voice.

"No. Besides, a child should not be tattooed. I wasn't when I was born. I only did it years later to signify the return of my father's House. A living symbol of our resurrection and the return of the dragon. Do my markings upset you?" asked Maul curiously with a slight frown.

"No! Not at all! I just…the idea our child, boy or girl, marking themselves to the extent you did…I just do not like the idea of our child going as far as you did," said Margery while hoping her words didn't insult her husband.

"I can see your point, Margery. When I did it, the idea of being in a relationship with a woman had not crossed my mind. Still, I do not regret the markings I placed on my body. And I know for a fact you do not mind them either," said Maul with a smirk at the end, which made Margery blush.

"I will admit, the overall design on your body to give you a certain…unique and exotic look. One I cannot deny suits you," said Margery while moving closer to him.

"One of the more ancient traditions of my father's House is to put a dragon's egg in the cradle with our child after being born," remarked Maul with Margery running a hand over her belly.

"A tradition we should keep if the baby is to grow and become a dragon rider like his father and aunt," said Margery with Maul nodding.

"It's a good thing my dragons have hatched their own caches of eggs recently. Each a healthy amount of five per dragon," said Maul with his wife looking a tad surprised.

"So soon? Aren't they too young to do such a thing?" asked Margery since she was under the impression the dragons were still young.

"A dragon lays eggs when their body is ready. Young or not. We do not decide for them. And while they are still growing themselves, the sooner dragons are back in the world, the better we will be in life. The world needs them and those who can ride them," said Maul while Margery's line of thought was one of concern.

"Provided the riders are not like King Aerys. Or there being another Dance of the Dragons. Do you ever fear the madness will spread to our children? Or their children?" asked Margery since she knew it was okay to speak ill of the man's Targaryen grandfather since Maul had no love for the madness driven King.

"No. I hold no fear of the madness returning. I know what they say about our House when a member of it is born. The Gods flip a coin and hold their breath. I did some research in the libraries of Old Valeria when I was first there. Our House was among the lowest of the Dragon Lords who ruled there and the inbreeding my House did to keep it 'pure' was frowned upon. Tolerated to a certain degree but frowned upon," said Maul while Margery was shocked to hear this.

"If it was frowned upon, does that mean the custom itself was not meant to happen?" asked Margery curiously since she had assumed such a practice was allowed in the ancient city.

"In a way, yes. The reason it was tolerated was because of the madness that sprouted up from time to time as a result of it. Our House was unable to rise in status because of the act despite many attempts by House Targaryen trying to rise higher among the other Dragon Lords. The ruling Houses allowed it because it meant they wouldn't be at risk of said madness and keep my House from rising higher for when we tried. They didn't have to worry about my family rivaling theirs for power," said Maul while Margery thought there was a certain sense of irony in it.

"And the inbreeding done by your House is the cause of the madness?" asked Margery with Maul giving her a sad nod.

"Yes. The sad truth of it all, the inbreeding is the main reason our House has been so unstable when it came to the madness. We were also pushed into it by outside forces too. A death of a loved one here, whether natural or not. Being provoked by an attack on our pride or House there. But mainly it was the inbreeding that set the foundation for it Oh, the act keeps certain parts of us 'pure' in terms of looks and appearance. But when it comes to the mind of a Targaryen? That is where the Gods choose to flip the coin. What no one has realized or chose not to reveal, is the inbreeding pollutes our mind. The bloodline of the dragon should not be kept entirely within our House like we have done for so long. Marrying a distant cousin perhaps, but nothing like we did in the old days of our House in terms of brothers and sisters or close along those lines. I am making that an official decree as not only the Head of House Targaryen, but as the King of the Seven Kingdoms," said Maul knowing it would also make those of the Seven faith still around happy and it would secure his House further in terms of preventing madness from appearing again.

"I shudder to think what would happen if a second dance or the Mad King being reborn with dragons at his or her command happening after we are gone from this world. So much fire and death haunts me at times," confessed Margery while Maul made a noise of understanding.

"I know it does Margery. But do not fear. We will make this world a better place by the time we leave for our children and their children. We will make sure they do the same when its time for them to rule after us. Its one of the things we do, not only parents, but as rulers of the Seven Kingdoms," said Maul knowing it was up to them to make sure the world existed long after their deaths and their children and children's children continued to do the same by making it better with each new generation.

"The deeds we do in our time will cast a great shadow over them. I hope it doesn't make them bitter when the time comes to surpass us," commented Margery knowing some children resented their own parents for it.

"Which is why we will do everything possible to make sure they do not feel the presence of our shadow and help them make their own path in life. We will provide the tools and the knowledge. Once they are ready, our children will forge their own destiny until their greatness rivals, if not surpasses us in ruling over the realms," said Maul while Margery smiled at the idea.

Before this could go further, a knock at the door could be heard. Commanding whoever it was to enter, the two saw it was Ser Barristan, Lord Stannis, and his aunt Daenerys entering with serious looks on their faces. It was clear something was going on or else they would not have approached at this late in the day with important information.

"We humbly apologize for this late visit my King and Queen, but there is something important we need to discuss with you that cannot wait," said Lord Stannis while Daenerys and Ser Barristan nodded.

"Is this have anything to do with the Small Council meeting I missed earlier?" asked Maul knowing there was one and chose to ignore it in favor of his pregnant wife.

"The Others?" asked Maul knowing the answer.

"Regrettably, the answer is yes, your grace," said Lord Stannis with Maul sighing and Margery looking at him with concern.

"Now? I thought we had more time?" asked Margery with the others grimacing.

"We thought so too my Queen. But Lord Davos encountered issues when getting the Free Folk onto the ships to take them past the Wall," said Daenerys before she and Stannis explained things further from what Davos had told them.

"So, the Night King is making his move sooner than expected. His patience with us has finally ended," said Maul with the act at Hardhome being clear to him.

"The army of the undead is nearing completion," concluded Stannis, who was of the same mind as Maul on the issue.

"I imagine that is the case if he's targeting all the Free Folk, even in their numbers are incredibly large and not easily attackable. Those the Night King missed at Hardhome will be countered by those who broke away from Mance Rayder. Those who broke faith with him are large in numbers in their own right and can give the Night King what he needs, even if he doesn't get the whole pigeon pie. Sadly, the slice our enemy gets from what is left I feel will be more than enough for his needs," said Maul with a sigh and it was clear to everyone the man was exhausted.

Heavy is the head that wears the crown indeed.

"Doesn't the Wall have the means to hold them back?" asked Margery since he had read about the Wall and how Bran the Builder infused magic into the Wall to keep the way it is after all this time.

"Normally, it does just that, but the Wall only keeps the Night King from going South. It is a barrier. But the barrier can be circumvented like Davos did with getting the Free Folk on ships to sail through the water. In theory, if the Night King were to freeze the water east or west of the Wall, and the ice was thick enough, his army could cross South," said Maul knowing the Wall wasn't truly perfect in protecting the rest of the world from the Others.

It was why the Night's Watch existed in protecting the realms of men. They were to make sure there was additional protection the Wall alone could not provide against the Others.

"Do you think the Night King knows this?" asked Stannis with Maul making a noise in his throat.

"Possibly. But at the same time, I don't think he would risk it. The army the Others command is large, not unnoticeable in the slightest. If we caught wind of it, and we would, our forces could destroy the ice made by the Night King and sink his army. The Night King would rather go for the Wall. While it is held together by magic, its not without its flaws. Flaws that can be exploited," said Maul while everyone in the room looked concerned.

"What flaws?" asked Daenerys curiously.

"For one, the undead can climb it, even though the wights and the Night King cannot cross over the Wall itself. No, that is incorrect. The wights and Night King cannot touch the Wall. The magic in the ice repels them should they make contact with the icy structure. The undead have no such problem. Again, it was one of the main reasons why the Night's Watch existed all this time. They would keep the undead from ever scaling the Wall and opening the gates from the other side for the Night King to enter from one or all of them," explained Maul while making sure they understood the issue at hand.

"And the other flaws?" asked Stannis knowing there was always more than one.

"Time. The Wall, for all its greatness, was never meant to be a long term solution to the Night King and his undead army. Magic has sustained the Wall all this time and will continue to do so long after we are all dead. But the magic itself within the structure has weakened over the many years its been standing. The magic in the North kept it going and even the magic from the dragons during the time of Aegon the Conqueror. But it was slowly being weakened since the Andals came with the Seven Faith and cut down many of the Weirwood trees that use to be around the Seven Kingdoms. When the dragons became lost for the last century, the Wall became even weaker. Only the North had enough remaining magic in its lands to support the Wall and keeping it functioning properly," said Maul knowing the return of dragons had helped and he was planning to have more Weirwood trees planted throughout the Seven Kingdoms to help provide additional support.

But that took time. Time, they did not have right now.

"Meaning the Wall is still weak enough that even with the Night's Watch properly manned with men and defenses, it could still fall or be overpowered by the dark forces beyond it," surmised Stannis with Maul nodding.

"Exactly. It was why I wanted to handle all internal affairs within the Seven Kingdoms quickly in order to create a united front against this evil. A divided Seven Kingdoms would be easy prey and be consumed quickly by what seeks to end everything we have built," said Maul knowing the enemy was waiting for the day it could strike and sensed the time was now.

"Sadly, we don't know when the Night King will strike. One cannot simply send spies into his ranks and find out," said Ser Barristan knowing the Night King would strike when he wanted, and it would be done without anyone knowing the time or place.

"True, but we know it will be soon. We still have some time left before the Night King marches his army on the Wall. He knows that his time is now. Stannis, send someone to Essos and get in touch with the priests of R'hllor. Tell them, I need the Fiery Hand. Tell them the war is coming and is nearly here," said Maul with Stannis nodding.

"Some will be unsettled by having an army of another God come to Westeros your grace. Even if it is to help repel such evil," said Ser Barristan with shrugging.

"Let the few of the more pious people complain, Ser Barristan. They will stop when the enemy is at the Wall and every man and woman capable of fighting is standing side by side to repel this evil. Religions, factions, titles, and wealth means nothing to the Night King. They never have and never will since his goal is to destroy the realms of men. For us to win this war for the living, we must do the same, but for the right reasons," said Maul with the others nodding in agreement.

"Should we call the banners, your grace?" asked Stannis wondering if now was the best time to call them or wait.

"Not yet. But send a raven to the Lords all the same to have the training of their bannermen increased and ready to move the order is given. I don't want them heading North, only for the Night King not to show, leave, and have to turn around halfway when he does show up," said Maul with Stannis nodding knowing the Lords further South like the Reach and Dorne would need time to assemble and depart for the North when the time came to move.

"How long do you think we have until the time comes for us to fight the Night King and his army?" asked Daenerys since her nephew was usually close or right on the mark when it came to timetables.

"As things stand now? A few moons. Maybe a year or two if we are lucky," answered Maul knowing it was the best guess he could give them.

Even now, the Force said it was nearly time, but the exact time was clearly unknown. Like looking into mirky water and seeing some of the bottom, but not everything as you would wish.

"I will send the ravens immediately. Thank you for your time my King. My Queen," said Stannis before bowing and left the room.

"You were right to name him the Hand of the King. He performs his duties with a purpose," commented Daenerys with Maul smirking.

"Stannis is a man of duty. He knows what it means to lead as well as follow. I named him Hand because it is a position best suited for him. And the old moniker regarding it will not apply to him while I sit on the Iron Throne," said Maul knowing the position of Hand of the King is a great honor, but that usually depends on the King who sit on the throne.

The Hands of good Kings were grateful for the position. The Hands of bad Kings? Not so much and had to endure the position or else risk losing their heads. And not just their heads, but those of their family and overall House.

"The King shits and the Hand wipes. I heard that comment more than once. Stannis's brother did a lot of shitting and left Jon Arryn to do a lot of wiping," commented Daenerys with Maul nodding.

"I do not wish to insult Stannis or his House, but that is very much true. Though Lord Arryn wiping after his former ward and failing to clean things up is a form of retribution by higher powers since one was not competent to rule and the other pulling the strings to make things supposedly better. But enough of the past, let us focus on the future," said Maul with a smile and flanked at his wife.

"I actually wanted to speak with you about that nephew. I saw a man who caught my eye. A bit of a brute and not entirely uneducated, but clearly has a mind willing to learn if given the chance," said Daenerys with Maul raising an eyebrow at her.

"Oh? And which young man has your interest that I feel the need bring the threat of swords, dragons, and other powers down upon him should he wrong you?" asked Maul humorously.

"His name is Gendry Waters. A blacksmith's apprentice in a shop on the Street of Steel. He also happens to be Robert Baratheon's bastard son," said Daenerys with Maul looking surprised by this information before laughing at the idea of one of Robert's actual children marrying into the dragon's House.

"I'm sorry for laughing aunt, but the very idea of Robert's son, bastard or not, marrying into our House is filled with all sorts of irony and humor," said Maul while Daenerys smiling too since she knew all about it from her lessons of family history.

"If I were to court him, and he returned my affections, would you approve?" asked Daenerys knowing the idea of marrying one of the Usurper's children, even his bastard, would cause a few eyebrows to be raised, words whispered, and even a few denouncers.

Unless the King and Queen backed her on this.

"If he's a good man and true, which I think he is given his upbringing was a humble one here in King's Landing. For him to rise high from his current position would be an understatement should the two of you marry. I know there was talk of how to deal with Robert's many children he had during his youth and when sitting on the Iron Throne. With a proper education, which we can provide, the man could be a suitable husband. What do you think Ser Barristan?" said Maul with Ser Barristan nodding.

"I met the lad before taking Princess Daenerys to the shop. He's a good lad. Polite when speaking to you and honest. Blunt but honest. Proper education would help though he would have to be informed of his parentage on his father's side of the family," said Ser Barristan with Maul nodding.

"It could cause an issue of succession within the Stormlands. If he is legitimized, Gendry could make a valid claim for the Baratheon ancestral home. He could take it from Lady Shireen," warned Margery knowing it had happened before when it came to trueborn and legitimized bastard children.

"Which is why Lady Shireen's claim will be backed by the crown. Besides, if Gendry was legitimized and married Daenerys, they would reside in Dragonstone. Considering how high the young man would rise from marrying into House Targaryen, it is not something he can challenge Shireen's claim over. If he and Daenerys have children, they would inherit Dragonstone while any of Shireen's children would inherit Storm's End," said Maul since he was going to make sure the issue of succession did not affect people or their houses in a negative way while he was King.

"That would be acceptable. Though I have to gain Gendry's attention first and be in a relationship with him before getting to that point," commented Daenerys with Maul smirking at her.

"Which I imagine will not be difficult for you to do aunt. I would question his sanity and manhood if he did not become interested in you," japed Maul and they laughed.

Despite everything, it was good to laugh once in a while.

"Thank you for your time nephew. My Queen. I wish you both well on the birth of my future grandniece or grandnephew when the time comes to bring them into the world," said Daenerys before she left with Ser Barristan who gave the King and Queen a nod prior to following the Princess.

"You will be heading into battle soon. I can feel it," commented Margery with Maul sighing it was true.

"Most likely. I know you are worried now. More than ever. The idea of men marching to war. Possibly to never return. Leaving widows and fatherless children. Considering the enemy, you have every right to be worried," said Maul seriously while holding her close.

"Do you believe the Night King will kill you?" asked Margery, as she had to be certain of how confident her husband was in terms of fighting this threat.

"Anyone can die my dear. Whether by blade, poison, or the hands of time itself. The question is not the how, but the when. As for the Night King, he will no doubt be very skilled. A being like that would have to be deadly with a blade in order to defend himself from something or someone who can kill him. As for the belief he can kill me? Yes. I think he can," said Maul calmly.

"And yet you do not sound afraid," remarked Margery while feeling some fear swell up in her over his admission the Night King could kill him.

"Because I'm not afraid Margery. While I believe the Night King could kill me, I do not believe he will kill me. I will come out victorious against him when the time comes. I will return to you, and I will see our child grow up to be healthy and strong," said Maul with conviction in his voice.

"Not to mention giving said child more siblings in the future," added Margery while Maul smiled at her.

"Many siblings in the years to come," corrected Maul before he kissed her.

"Come back to me when the time comes to fight. Promise me you will," said Margery after they broke the kiss.

"I swear it. By the Old Gods and the New. On the Houses of my father and mother. On my blood from both, I will return to you and our child," said Maul while Margery smiled and held him closer.

"Winter is coming. The Long Night is nearly upon us," whispered Margery though Maul heard it.

"Winter is coming, but I will cut the Long Night short by bringing the dawn. Our child will not be born in darkness, but in the light, we shine upon the world, and the warmth that comes with it," said Maul while Margery smiled more at the thought.

It wasn't long before they dozed off to sleep to dream the dream they wished for in the future.

(A/N: YAY! An update on my fic. Hooray! Now I just need to finish it. Hopefully, I will be able to get that done in the next, and possibly, final chapter. And after this fic is over you might ask? I have to work on my GoTxMK fic. I want to do that before I get back to my Naruto fics. So, everyone be patient with me, and also, I have an idea for another Naruto fic I will be writing in the future once a few I have to do are completed. Also, did you see the end of Season 1 of House of the Dragon. Oh boy! That was nuts! They did a good adaptation of the book. A little different in certain aspects, but not by much. But did you see the look on Aemond's face at the end of the episode? He had a "Holy shit! What have I done?" look on his face. Until next time…PEACE!)