Lord of the Rings: Ice & Fire
A Lord of the Rings/Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice & Fire crossover
…
Chapter 1: Stranger In A Strange Land
Essos. The Disputed Lands.
Flags fluttered in the wind followed by the sounds of cheers and the clattering cacophony of hooves hammering earth and splintering crashes of wood and metal. Aegon wheeled his horse, a charger black as sin, around as he took up another tourney lance offered to him. Hefting it in his arm, getting a feel for the weight of it, Aegon looked over at his opponent.
It had been a few weeks since Aegon and his teachers/family had joined up with the Golden Company. They had recently received word from the Spider that war had now engulfed Westeros following the death of the Usurper Robert Baratheon and the trial and execution of Lord Eddard Stark at the command or rather the whim of the newly crowned Joffrey Baratheon. The Quiet Wolf's eldest son and heir Robb Stark had rallied and mustered his bannermen and levies and marched south from the North and had earned the epithet the Young Wolf after smashing a Lannister host led by the Kingslayer Ser Jaime Lannister of the Kingsguard in the Riverlands and captured the Lion in chains. There were other claimants to the Iron Throne such as the Usurper's younger brothers, Stannis and Renly Baratheon.
Renly didn't last long despite him having many soldiers and support from the Stormlands and the Tyrells on his side, but he'd been killed all the same in his own tent. There had been many rumours of how Renly had been assassinated, the most common and popular belief was that his newly appointed Kingsguard, Lady Brienne of Tarth had killed him for rejecting her advances. With Renly dead, the Tyrells had retreated to Highgarden and the Stormlanders had merged with Stannis' host, making him by far the largest contender for the Iron Throne.
With the chaos that had been happening in Westeros, Varys had sent word to Aegon's mentor and father-figure, Lord Jon Connington, to join the Golden Company and have Aegon learn the life of a soldier. A couple of months and a few skirmishes later, Aegon had been learning what it meant to be a soldier. It was then Captain-General Myles 'Blackheart' Toyne had called for a squire's tourney, for a variety of reasons; one was to reveal Aegon to the Golden Company captains, the second being to give the squires in the Golden Company a chance to show off their skills and give them a chance to earn their spurs.
After being introduced to the Golden Company, Aegon had then taken part in the Tourney. He'd faced off against other squires, riding hard and sure, knocking a few off their horses. Some his lance broke off their shields earning him a point. His opponents had given as good as they got against him, and a few had come close to knocking him off his horse. But whether it was through luck or skill (Aegon liked to think it was skill), Aegon had prevailed and was now facing off the next squire, a pimply dark-skinned Dornish boy that rode a horse that was as foul tempered as him.
Aegon's charger snorted and pawed the ground with one hoof. It seemed like to charge before the herald could sound his trumpet, and in all honesty, Aegon couldn't blame his steed for its eagerness. He'd have liked to charge out and meet his foe too instead of waiting. After a moment that felt like an hour rather than a minute, the herald blew his horn and Aegon hardly needed to kick his horse into a gallop for it did so as the horn was called. Setting his eyes firmly on his opponent, Aegon couched his lance, aiming for the chest. His opponent seemed to be aiming his lance at his head. As the lance neared Aegon's head, he twisted his head to the side, narrowly avoiding the blunted tip of the lance and lunged with his own lance. The Dornish boy gave a strangled cry and fell off his horse as Aegon's lance shattered against his chest, knocking him backwards through force and inertia.
The crowd of assembled knights, lords, ladies, merchants princes, magisters, and the like all cheered wildly as Aegon raised his now shattered lance in triumph while a maester and a team of stretcher bearers carried the dazed and winded squire off the field to be treated.
The next two squires made their passes at each other, giving Aegon a chance to rest his charger. Ser Rolly Duckfield helped Aegon off his horse and helped him pull of his helmet. "You're doing well, lad. I've taught you well it seems," the shaggy-haired knight said proudly as he offered Aegon a ladle of water.
"I like to think so, ser," Aegon replied with a smile, but then his smile faltered as he said, "My pardon, but for a moment when I'm riding against the other squires, it almost feels like they're letting me win."
"How do you mean, my prince?" Rolly asked.
"I don't really know," Aegon replied. "It feels as though when I near them, their aim isn't quite as sure or they slow down as they ride closer," he said uncertainly.
"Perhaps you're seeing things," Rolly said easily. "I mean, you were revealed to everyone as the lost son of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen," he added. "So, mayhap the other squires don't intend to harm you too much?" he offered.
"I'd rather they did intend to, Ser," Aegon said sternly. "How else will I win the respect of the Golden Company captains if the other squires go easy on me?"
"As you say, my prince," Rolly said with a nod of his head. "Anyway, best get your helmet back on and onto your horse. You're up against the last squire," he advised.
"Good," Aegon said with a nod of his head as he put his helm back on, fastening it before climbing back onto his charger. Flicking the reins, Aegon had his horse trot out and he picked up a tourney lance. He looked over at his opponent and spotted the three castles on a field of orange on his shield. House Peake, Aegon thought vaguely, a house that had lost two of its castles in their many rebellions and ages before during the Dance of Dragons, the patriarch of House Peake had tried to have his daughter wed to the then King Aegon III the Dragonbane but had failed spectacularly to do so. A wry smirk passed over Aegon's lips under his helm as he thought of denying a house of rebels a victory.
Readying himself, Aegon waited for the sound of the horn and quickly enough, the trumpeting sound of the horn blew. With a kick, Aegon's steed charged into a gallop same as the Peake's did. Aegon and his opponent made numerous passes at each, breaking their lances off each other's shields. One pass, Aegon was nearly knocked off his horse, but he quickly caught himself and pulled himself upright and grabbed another lance and charged again. Again, his lance broke off his opponent's shield, but the same was for the Peake squire.
Soon after, Lord Jon called it a to halt and bade them to present themselves and asked for Blackheart to make the final judgement. Aegon tried not to let his tiredness show as the Captain-General stared at him and Peake in a calculating manner before speaking loudly for all who were present to hear.
"Both of these young men performed admirably. They've both shown great skill at lances and horsemanship," he said slowly before adding, "But from what I'd seen with my own eyes, it was Prince Aegon who couched his lance more skilfully throughout this tourney. Let it be known that the prince has won!"
The crowd cheered and clapped wildly. Aegon raised his helmet high and gave a beaming smile, elated that he'd won his first tourney. The Peake boy scowled and left the field, muttering curses under his breath.
"Prince Aegon. Approach, please," Lord Jon said, his face stern but proud. Aegon dismounted his horse and stood before his mentor. "Kneel." Aegon did so as Lord Jon drew his sword and spoke, "Prince Aegon Targaryen, do you swear before the eyes of the gods and men to defend those who cannot defend themselves, to protect all women and children, to obey your captains, to fight bravely when needed and do other such tasks, no matter how hard or humble or dangerous they may be?"
Aegon looked up at Lord Jon and nodded his head. "I do, my lord," he said bravely.
Lord Jon then rested the tip of his sword on Aegon's right shoulder before moving it to his left and spoke the words. "In the name of the Warrior, I charge you to be brave. In the name of the Father, I charge you to be just. In the name of the Mother, I charge you to protect the young and innocent. In the name of the Maiden, I charge you to protect all women. In the name of the Smith, I charge you to be diligent. In the name of the Crone, I charge you to be wise and serve as a guiding for all those who come after you. Arise, Ser Aegon Targaryen!"
Aegon rose to his feet and if he had thought the cheering before was loud, this was colossal. "A knight, a knight!" one woman cried out. One man shouted at the top of his lungs, "Ser Aegon Targaryen! The Conqueror Reborn!"
Myles Toyne stepped down from his seat as servants rushed forward, carrying a chest of cedar wood and polished copper. Myles bowed his head as the chest was opened.
"Blackfyre!" Aegon breathed out as he gazed upon what lay within. The fabled sword of Aegon the Conqueror and used by many Targaryen Kings until it was given away. The sword of kings and pretenders. It was beautiful; the blade was all Valyrian steel, dark and smoky, almost black in colour with ripples like water all along from where metal had been folded a thousand times. A gleaming red faceted ruby was set in the pommel, beautifully and elegantly cut while the hilt was fashioned out of dragonglass and the ends of the crossguard were wrought into roaring dragon heads of cold black iron.
'The sword that was lost has now returned to its rightful owners' Aegon thought to himself. He smiled bowing his head in thanks before taking up the sword and was given an ebon wood and leather sheath for it and tied to it to his belt.
Lord Jon then spoke to Aegon in a whisper. "Well done, my prince." Although the exiled Lord of Griffin's Roost face was stern, his pale blue eyes shone with pride and joy.
"Thank you, Lord Jon. I won't let you down," Aegon whispered to him before turning to the crowd and raised his gauntleted hand high and everyone cheered.
Soon, a call for refreshments was announced and Jon said to Aegon, "You'd best get out of that armour for the feast now, boy and into something more appropriate. I'll see you there." Aegon nodded at this and headed into the camp where his tent would be, intent of taking off his armour and changing into something more suitable for the feast as Lord Jon suggested. As he neared his tent, Aegon spied dark clouds growing on the horizon.
"A storm? That's unfortunate," he muttered to himself as he entered his tent where he began to take off his armour and set it aside in a neat pile.
…
Some servants had drawn Aegon a bath, something he was grateful for. He had worked up quite a bit of sweat and dust in the tourney, so a hot bath was certainly a welcome sight. After spending almost an hour in the large wooden tub, scrubbing his skin until it was pink and raw, Aegon climbed out of the bath, dried himself off before dressing himself.
Dressing himself in black trousers, a lambswool shirt and leather jerkin and fine but plain leather boots, Aegon looked at himself in the looking glass. His reflection stared back at him with a small smile present on its lips.
"I'm a knight," Aegon murmured to himself before giving a chuckle. "Still can't believe it," he added before he looked at his sword, Blackfyre, propped up against the table. His smile widening, Aegon tied the sword onto his belt and looked at himself once again in the looking glass.
"Did the Conqueror ever feel this way?" Aegon asked himself. And then there came a rumble of thunder and wind began to blow. The tent flaps began to flap and ripple as wind blew into the tent.
"A storm? At this hour?" Aegon asked himself with a sigh of frustration as he prepared to exit his tent. A great crack of thunder followed by a flash of lightning broke the sky as Aegon stepped out of his tent. It was then he saw… It.
High above in the dark sky was a massive eye wreathed in flames, its pupil a thin vertical slit. Everyone had stopped to gaze upon this frightening sight.
"Gods above! What is it?" asked a squire.
"Is it the Lord of Seven Hells come to punish us?" a Golden Company soldier asked fearfully.
Then a nearby Red Priest began screaming in panic, "Beware! It is the Great Other come to take our souls! To arms! To arms, men of the Golden Company!" the man screamed as he pulled out a sword and waved it above his head.
Then a bloodcurdling screech broke the night and Aegon felt his blood turn to ice as he heard that frightening sound.
Riding through the camp were five riders in midnight black robes, their hoods covering their heads and faces. Each of them was armed with a black sword as their black steeds galloped through the camp.
A pikeman tried to stop them, but only for his head to be severed from his neck in one swing. At that moment, panic gripped everyone as soldiers scrambled for their weapons to fight these invaders.
Aegon drew Blackfyre and prepared to join the men in fighting these black riders then he heard a dark whisper in his ear.
"Aegooooon…"
His blood freezing, Aegon looked to where that dark voice had come from and he turned around to see one of the Black Riders bearing down on him. Panic gripped Aegon as he froze up before trying to get away from the rider bearing down on him. Nearly tripping over his own feet, Aegon spun around and tried to leap out of the way of the black rider's massive horse. The Black Rider swung its sword and carved a deep furrow into Aegon's back.
At first Aegon felt nothing but shock as the back of his tunic was severed then followed by the cold and sharp blade breaking apart his skin and going deeply into his back. It was a moment before he felt pain and started to scream in agony, blood pouring from the large fresh wound on his back.
The Black Rider circled its horse back around and bore down on Aegon again, reaching out with a gauntleted hand. Through the tears of his pain, Aegon looked up at the Rider, weakly raising his sword to defend himself before his strength gave out. The Black Rider then reached down towards Aegon.
Then a blinding white light filled Aegon's vision followed by a strange melodious tongue that would put even High Valyrian to shame. Aegon tried to see what it was making that bright light and who it was speaking that strange and beautiful tongue.
Aegon's vision began to blur and dim and the last image he was the vague silhouette of someone lifting him up into their arms and carrying him away. Aegon was too weak to protest or even make a sound as darkness claimed him.
…
Aegon woke up to feeling something damp being pressed onto his forehead. His eyes fluttered open, and his vision began to clear and what he saw made him gape.
What he saw was a woman, perhaps a few years older than himself but still young looking and she was perhaps the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life. She had soft angular features that would make a sculptor beg to carve a likeness of. Full plump looking lips that would a blessing to kiss. Deep blue eyes framed by long dark lashes. An elegant narrow looking nose sat in the centre of her face. And long ash blonde almost silvery blonde hair framing her face as she looked down upon Aegon. But then Aegon noticed the woman's ears; instead of being rounds, they were two soft points almost like a cat's ears.
"You're awake," the woman said with a soft smile and Aegon felt himself blush at just how warm and dazzling her smile was. "When I rescued you, I feared you were beyond my help," she remarked.
"Beyond your help? What happened?" Aegon asked in confusion as he tried to sit up before he gave a yelp of pain as his back moved in a certain. The woman pushed him gently back down onto the bed, giving a soothing noise.
"Easy there, you still need to heal from that blow the Nazgul gave you," she said to him.
"Nass-Ghoul? What are you talking about?" Aegon asked as he panted for breath.
"The Black Riders that attacked you, remember?" the woman prompted and in a flash of images, Aegon remembered what had happened.
"Oh. That." Aegon lay back on whatever it was he was resting on and looked at the woman tending to him. "I suppose I should thank you for rescuing me, my lady," he said. "Might I ask your name?" he enquired politely.
"I am Idrial of Lothlorien," the woman said with a gentle smile. "I serve Lady Galadriel, the Lady of Lorien," she added.
"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Idrial. I am Ser Aegon Targaryen, recently knighted," Aegon replied.
"I know. Lady Galadriel told me about you," Idrial said with a nod of her head.
"She… told you about me?" Aegon asked slowly. "Is this Lady Galadriel here now?" he also asked curious to meet this Galadriel and ask her how she knew of him.
"She is not here now. In fact, we are not even in Lothlorien," Idrial said.
"And where is Lothlorien? Matter of fact, where are we at all?" Aegon asked.
"You are in the Land of Middle-Earth. We are at an Elven way-station where I brought you to tend your wounds," Idrial said calmly.
"Middle-Earth? Where abouts is Middle-Earth?" Aegon asked.
"You are no longer in your own world, Ser Aegon Targaryen," Idrial said mysteriously. "You are on another world entirely," she added.
"Another… world?" Aegon gaped at Idrial, wondering if she was feeding him falsehoods or simply mad. "Is… that even possible? Could you send me back home?" he asked.
"It is possible to send you home, but I do not have the power to send you home, nor is it the right time to," Idrial replied.
"Right time? What are you talking about?" Aegon asked in a frustrated voice.
"Your world recently had a strange occurrence, yes? A red comet in the sky?" Idrial asked.
"Aye, I saw it myself, as though the heavens themselves were bleeding," Aegon said as he remembered the night the red comet appeared in the sky.
Idrial nodded and said, "It was that event that caused an imbalance in your world to align with Middle-Earth and what allowed Sauron the Deceiver to send his agents after you."
"Sauron? Who is Sauron?" Aegon asked.
"Do you remember seeing a great lidless eye wreathed in flames just before you were attacked?" Aegon nodded fearfully. "That was Sauron, albeit in his spirit form and a spirit he remains until he recovers what is his," Idrial explained.
"'Recover what is his?' What is it that he wishes to recover?" Aegon asked. Idrial raised a hand to forestall any more questions.
"I will tell you more, but you need to rest and recover your strength," she told Aegon and she lifted a cup towards Aegon's lips. "Drink, you will feel better after this," she said to him.
Reluctantly, Aegon drank whatever was in the cup and he swallowed the strangely pleasant tasting liquid. His eyelids grew heavy, and he lay back down and quickly fell asleep.
Idrial smiled down upon the slumbering form of Aegon before she stood to her feet and left the room. There was much to do and little time to do it. And this Aegon could very well be one of the few who could save Middle-Earth from the brink of destruction.
TO BE CONTINUED…
A/N: There! First chapter of this is done and dusted! I hope you all enjoyed it. Now I've looked at some of the other LOTR/GoT and even LOTR/ASOIAF crossovers and most of them weren't to my taste, but I'll imagine my LOTR/GoT/ASOIAF story won't be to everyone's taste either and I'll bet some of you will call me a talentless hack that lacks originality doing this. Will this story be trash? Yes, but it's my trash!
Anyway, if you're curious who Idrial is, I recommend you look up a very PS2/X-Box game called The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age which featured Idrial as a member of a party of adventurers that followed in the route of the Fellowship of the Ring in the quest to destroy the One Ring. And believe it or not, this game was made by EA (Electronic Arts) the people responsible for the Call of Duty franchise, and come to think of it, a lot of the old LOTR games (Two Towers, Return of the King) were done by EA, so there's an interesting fact for you to learn.
Anyways, not much more to say, so I'll leave this here and see you all in the next one.
Be kind to one another,
Angry lil' elf.