Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Game of Thrones.

Thank you to those that have supported me, I am so grateful for you all! I hope you all continue to enjoy the story and an extra big thank you to those that have reviewed!

Shout out to: Shin1gam1, kenbre, Shay Shadowhunter, edward kizaru, UtopiaKnight39, Drake0x, Jctherebel, HolyKnight5, Anonymous Wandmaker, jumpingmanatee, cameron1812, Blaze1992, cal246, psychosae, ChazTEM, Estelle Uzumaki, hinata56, eyann85, SnyperLyfe, anindhitania238, Rebell 01, RHatch89, malinkody, jaimerey7000, cfp33pfc, 24michael, frankieu, KEZZ 1, BioHazard82, Jebest4781, grovepjp, dhruvagarwal5018, linx007, MillieBelle, and to the Guest reviewers.

This chapter was quite hard to write for reasons that I think you will guess as you read on. I only hope you can enjoy reading it though. It was originally meant to be one large chapter but as the story grew I thought it best to divide it into two. This chapter will also take us from Season 1 into Season 2.

Review Responses from the last chapter…

UtopiaKnight39,Drake0x – This chapter will give the answer!

HolyKnight5 – Indeed, Meera will need its power for her next arc.

Anonymous Wandmaker – I can't say just who is going to sit on the throne when this is all over, the king's plan suffers a big setback in this chapter and Stannis doesn't have Melisandre this time around, her body was taken over by Loki but he himself is helping Stannis for some reason. He already got him a new healthier wife and now a son besides allies in the Stormlands. As for the dragons I am kind of unsure just who should hatch them and get the dragons. Meera will be getting a little bit of power back soon to combine with the power of her spear. Dany in this story has learnt a long time ago the sort of people her family were and has the time to properly absorb and deal with it. That is partly the reason she wants nothing to do with Westeros and to build something of her own in Essos, her way of breaking free from her family's legacy and making her own destiny. Drogo was I think her one true love.

Jumpingmanatee, ChazTEM – Thank you! I am glad you like it! Viserys gets punished don't worry about that.

Linx007 – Thank you, that means a lot as I was really unnerved by a lot of the flack I got over making Harry Meera!

Blaze1992 – I know, money is what makes and breaks a nation at war most of the time. If they are broke then they can't win since food, weapons and other necessary things just can't be acquired so easily. Robert is a good strategist don't forget at least in war. However I didn't say his plan was fool proof as this chapter will show.

Psychosae – Thank you, different fictions can really enhance each other sometimes.

Eyann85 – You get a lot of those answers confirmed in this chapter, Robert was a major idiot not to see it in canon. The warging powers make me wonder if that is why the Targaryens always kept the Starks at arms length, they are the only other house in Westeros besides them with any real magic in them so maybe that's why.

Jaimerey7000 – I read your ideas and they are intriguing but Robb & Meera might be a little busy soon to implement them, many of the animals either don't exist in this world or are too far away to be practical.

Anindhitania238 – I know, Catelyn rushes in without thinking and while I don't like her much myself in this story her actions were not entire her own. She was a tool of a more dangerous creature.

Anyway, on with the story...

Warning – Character Death.

Chapter 16 – Peace Falls Part 1

The Red Keep, Kings Landing…

Meera was busy with her last moment checks of Joffrey's new archery range, it was she admitted privately to herself one of her best yet. Pulley systems managed an intricate set of targets that could be made to pop out and in with the mere pulling of a lever. A whole bank of them stood in a little alcove which one or two people could operate with ease.

It was a shame that Joffrey probably won't have much time to use it she thought sadly as he was unlikely to be king for very long. Despite the improvements in his behaviour he was still very much a budding psychopath and she was concerned that her earlier helping him might cause him to be an even more dangerous creature than he was already but it was too late to worry about that now she thought sadly.

She shook herself and smiled, consoling herself with the fact that the truth would soon be out.

Still, she was troubled at knowing just how big this coming civil war was likely to be. Stannis was not going to stop until he got the throne as he believed it was his but so did Joffrey and he had the Lannisters at his back. Even with less gold than he was thought to have Tywin Lannister would likely be exceptionally dangerous.

Then there was Renly she thought with annoyance, the man was an idiot. A prancing fool who did as little work as possible and still believed himself loved. In Kings Landing he was looked on with the greatest disdain for allowing the corruption in the Gold Cloaks to become so bad the entire group was bent. She knew that much from listening to conversations in the city and discreet enquires she had made. The man was also the secret lover of Loras Tyrell which was one of the poorest kept secrets in Kings Landing, neither man was quiet or so she was told. She had no problem with homosexuality but it did she admit pose a bit of a problem if he tried for the throne himself.

Perhaps he intended to wed himself to Loras's sister Margaery Meera considered, it made sense as they were angling for the throne themselves.

A three way civil war, she thought with worry. This was going to get very bloody and messy.

Seeing Joffrey coming up she managed to put a smile on her face despite her feelings and with a wave of her hand showed him and the Hound who had accompanied the Prince what they had built for him.

"Your new archery range your grace. Built specially for you and with a variety of targets and obstacles for you to test your skill." She said proudly and Joffrey looked at the small yard which had been covered with carts, small walls and barriers and other things you might find in any street. He looked at it and smirked brightly as two servants that she had instructed at her nod began to operate the levers.

Targets popped out at random from different places around the small area and at good speed, unlike the Winterfell version though she had made the targets human shaped with different colours which she then explained to Joffrey.

"I thought you might like a greater challenge your grace so I have adjusted the targets to not only resemble people and animals but be colour coded for what each shot would be. Blue is a disabling shoot while red is a kill shot." She explained pointing to a human sized target with had a large area painted blue while red spots were around the key organs of the body and the head.

"It is an excellent piece of engineering Lady Stark." Joffrey said and without another word he took out his freshly completed lion-styled crossbow and began to try out his new range.

Meera watched as the Lannister bastard practice, despite knowing what he was she did feel a little sorry for him knowing he like his siblings was not at fault here. They were the products of two very sick individuals who needed separating for the sake of Westeros Meera thought.

Besides in a few days she realised was her name day, she would finally turn seventeen years of age and hopefully find the answers that she wanted in regards to what had happened to her as Harry when they had been chasing down the horcruxes.

- x -

Cersei Lannister was sick in bed, refusing to leave her room as she claimed to be ill with some kind of sickness from bad food sent up by the kitchens, having several long time servants dismissed for incompetence.

The reality was that she had contracted some kind of pox from of her male lovers, it was painful to move or sit. It hurt worse when she needed to use the privy and the whole area had become red and sore. She refused to admit she had caught a pox and so far had not gone to Pycelle who could probably have cured her within a week.

Jaime who had been ignoring her since his return was one of the few who would dare enter but seeing her sick with something she had caught from one of her lovers? This he just had to see Jaime thought with a sick sort of glee.

Seeing her naked would have once aroused him but when he saw her standing there with a bright red around her cunt he honestly wasn't able to hold back his smirk or the feeling of disgust where lust would have once been his first reaction.

"Jaime!" She said looking relieved and went to walk towards him but he stepped back and raised a hand to stop her which confused her.

"I wouldn't want to catch what you have. I am just coming to make sure the rumour was true. If there are gods then they certainly have a sense of humour." He said with a mocking amusement at her situation as he leant back against the door. She looked like she had been slapped which only highlighted the scar on her face that Tyrion had given her.

"Jaime!" She snapped at him outraged when she had finally grasped what he had just said but he just shook his head and told her with a smirk that honestly had once attracted her but never when it was directed at her.

"Just go to Pycelle and get cured! The only person who is getting hurt by this is you so have some common sense for once. Any way I will be taking Myrcella and Tommen to see Tyrion at his theatre today. They like going and seeing all the work that goes into making a play happen." He told her and she immediately looked like she had sucked hard on a lemon as her face pitched.

"Absolutely not!" She cried out and was about to say something when Jaime just walked out of the room and she was so shocked at the sudden change in him that she called after him desperately, "JAIME?! JAIME?!"

- x -

Dragon Pit Theatre…

Myrcella and Tommen under the watchful eye of Ser Jaime and Ser Aerys were enjoying the chance to see all the work that went into making a successful play.

"Carpenters make the wooden stage pieces while the painters decorate it. Seamstresses will stitch and decorate the sheets for the rest and all can be moved by a series of stagehands." Tyrion told them with pride and got a strong sense of satisfaction from watching them enjoy seeing it all come together.

"Then there are the sound effects we make." Tyrion said leading them to a table nearby where a variety of different items lay. "These might not look like much but they can make nearly any sound we need."

Tyrion smiled, a genuine smile as one of the few bright spots in his misery life was spending time with his niece and youngest nephew. The fact it irritated Cersei no end was merely a bonus.

- x -

Winterfell, the North…

The sight of the great old castle was a welcome sight to Arya and Lanna along with the other North men in the party, after the sights and corruption of Kings Landing they were glad to be in a place were things were more certain. Arya was upset a little at her cat running away but the sight of Nymeria sitting there with the rest of the direwolves was enough to bring a smile to her face.

As Robb and Sansa stood there smiling with Bran and Rickon to greet them Arya leapt from the wagon and ran over to her wolf who smelling her mistress ran towards her in turn, meeting in the middle the much bigger Nymeria bowling her human over and licking her face with joy at seeing her again while everyone stood there with smiles on their faces at the joyful reunion. The mournful looks on the faces of Romulus and Rema were a solemn reminder that their human was miles and miles away and this was the longest they had ever been separated from her. Greywind and Lady gently rubbed their heads against the largest and oldest wolves present in an attempt to reassure them which by large did little.

The wagon stopped and allowed Lanna to get off with Jory's help, she was so glad to be back home that as she curtsied to Robb and Sansa she was smiling, Sansa did not waste time with ceremony and came forward to hug her friend who hugged her back eagerly.

A sense of relief came upon some of those there as at last some of them were safe although it was tainted by the lack of the patriarch of the house and its eldest daughter.

- x -

Later in the lord's solar and away from prying eyes and ears Arya and Lanna sat down to tell Robb and Sansa what they had learned in Kings Landing. The pair listened with shock as they learned that not only was the Princes and Princess not the King's but in fact the Lannisters were now about seize the throne and also running out of gold.

"So your lord father and sister felt it better for us to be sent back so you could be informed as quickly as possible. Ravens and messengers are not secure so that is why we were sent and your sister asked to prank the Kingsguard." Lanna said with a smile as she remembered how funny the knights had looked when Arya had gotten through to them only wishing her repulsive uncle could have been amongst them.

Arya was very proud of herself for her prank and her siblings couldn't help but smile too as they could imagine just how ridiculous she had made them look.

"So why aren't Father and Meera here too?" Robb asked after a moment, his face becoming serious as he realised that his father and twin sister were still in the thick of danger. Arya and Lanna both looked sheepish as they felt their own guilt at being safe while the Lord and his daughter were still vulnerable. Sansa who had the best political sense of all of them just sighed before rubbing her forehead.

"Because if father sent all his children home it would look suspicious and he can't go since he is helping the king in his final days." Sansa said with a mounting sense of dread.

Lanna herself was wondering just how long it would be before Lord Stark and Meera could return. It was so tense in the capital you could cut it with a knife. She was going to write to Myrcella and Tyrion and hope she might gleam something from their replies.

Robb then pulled a letter he had received off the desk nearby and held it out to her, she was confused as it was addressed to Robb so why was he giving it to her? She wondered before carefully opening it and read the contents.

To Lord Robb Stark,

Since Lanna Lannister my granddaughter will soon be arriving at Winterfell as her grandfather I Lord Tywin Lannister require her to immediately make the journey to Casterly Rock to be formally introduced.

It is also my intention for her suitability for marriage to be assessed and as the head of House Lannister it will be my decision as to her future husband as potentially they may also be the future Lord of Casterly Rock.

With a swift reply expected,

Lord Tywin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, Lord Paramount of the Westerlands and Warden of the West.

The coldly written letter sent a shiver down her spine and her fear to spike as she saw the summons to Casterly Rock by the grandfather she hated more than any other man in the world. She would only ever see him if he was about to die in a miserable and revolting fashion so she could enjoy watching him suffer even the smallest part of what he had put her mother through she thought viciously.

"He would never let you leave if you went." Sansa said with worry for her friend who was likely to become the target if Tywin Lannister decided to hurt them. "He wants you as a potential bride to marry off for a political alliance in the coming war."

"If he doesn't just have her killed." Jory said from the side coming up and putting a hand on his daughter's shoulder who gratefully placed her own on top of it, glad of the support.

"Then she won't leave Winterfell. If we are going to war with Tywin Lannister then why keep him happy?" Robb said sternly, knowing it was dangerous to cross a man like Tywin but if they were soon going to be fighting him anyway...what did it matter?

If only that were the only problem they were currently facing.

He personally was concerned that despite weeks of searching no sign of Theon had been discovered and they could only assume that he must either be dead or was already in the Iron Islands. Robb did want to believe the best of Theon but as time went on he had begun to wonder.

Just how different was Theon from his people? He was very proud of his heritage Robb thought with concern given the sort of people he came from. He only hoped that something of the North had rubbed off on him.

- x -

Beyond the Wall…

The wild and harsh lands beyond the Wall were even colder than the North Jon thought, not having imagined that possible. The biting winds and deep snow dogged their every step and made moving forward difficult as his group forged on.

The landscape though was breathtaking Jon thought as he looked out over what he thought was called a glacier with awe-inspiring mountain tops and mysterious forests that were untainted by man or so it appeared. He was feeling very strange at it, finding it some of the most beautiful sights he had ever seen but was not able to fully enjoy it as he was so consumed with worry for his uncle.

Ghost was at his side, enjoying the land that was completely natural to him. Edd, Sam and Grenn behind him were wrapped up in their furs as were the rangers who travelled with them. They looked at the forest that lay between them and Craster's Keep, supposedly an ally to the Watch where they might find shelter. He pulled his cloak tighter around him as he regarded the forest ahead and Ghost growled not liking the look of it any more than he did.

"I know boy. But we need to get through there." He said gently rubbing his head in an attempt to comfort him. Ghost accepted the gesture and reluctantly they all walked forward into the gloom ahead.

Sounds became much louder for some reason even the rustling of the trees as the party moved forward. Jon did not like this one bit and was wondering if they should retreat now when Ghost suddenly snarled at a tree ahead. Jon was confused at why his direwolf thought the tree was dangerous when suddenly all around them men appeared wearing cloaks that when covering them made them blend in with the tree. Making them all but unnoticeable.

Spear points suddenly surrounded them and Jon cursed as he and his party reluctantly held their hands away from their weapons. One thing that Jon noticed immediately about the men that surrounded them were they were not wildlings...their darkened skin made him think of the former Unsullied that they had accepted into their service after they had been left here by the Priestess of the Red God years ago. Despite their furs he could tell from their cold and hard eyes they too were Unsullied and he gritted his teeth, knowing how capable they were and so gestured to his men to not draw their weapons. Reluctantly they followed his lead and a man appeared from behind the Unsullied.

He might be from Westeros Jon considered, his skin was paler and his hair dark like a raven's wing. He had sharp features and a sly look in his strange almost luminous green eyes, the smugness and confidence with which he held himself was beyond even the most stuck up noble Jon had seen though.

"Well, clearly you aren't that observant." He said with an accent Jon couldn't place but his speech was cultured and intelligent. "Still at least you have the common sense not to fight when you would be clearly beaten. Now, a family reunion I think is in order." The man said and Jon's heart leapt as another pair of Unsullied appeared dragging Uncle Benjen with them.

"Uncle!" Jon cried out as the Unsullied threw the bound man to Jon who caught him.

"Jon, you should have stayed at the Wall. Now he has you to draw her out as well." Benjen said with worry in his voice for not just Jon and their men.

"Oh don't spoil the surprise." The man said with a smirk that was so irritating Jon would have loved to punch it off his face. "But I have two Starks or rather one Stark and one who thinks he is a Stark but is really a different animal all together. But neither is the one I need, I had hoped not to have to do this for a while yet but for some reason they are advancing faster than they should so I have need of you both to catch a bigger fish in order to stop it." He said with a taunting smile as the Unsullied disarmed them all and now relieved of their weapons led them deeper into the forest.

Jon as they walked slowly forward asked his uncle. "What do you mean 'draw her out'?"

Benjen frowned as he told him.

"Meera, he wants to lure her north of the Wall and we're the bait!"

Jon felt a cold weight settle in the pit of his stomach, wishing he had never come to the Wall at all now as he and his uncle were now puppets of whoever this man was.

"Who are you? And where are we going?" Jon demanded and the strange man smirked before telling him.

"In that order? I am Loki mortal and you would do well to remember that name. As to where we are going? Well, that is to see an old friend of mine." Loki told them with a growing sense of fun.

The Red Keep, King Landing…

"And so to ensure the rule of law and prosperity of Kings Landing is assured it is the will of the King that you take up the office of Lord Mayor of Kings Landing." Joffrey said while he sat on the Iron Throne. Meera stood at his right while the Hound was at his left which had not gone unnoticed by the court.

The man standing before them a man that was not nobility but not a commoner any more either, Thomas Lynthorne had risen from near nothing to become the head man of the Kings Landing docks, managing all the coming and going ships while also opening a very successful business producing clothing for nobles and other wealthy people in the city and Crownlands. He had become quite rich from all his dealings but also created a reputation for getting things done quickly and efficiently.

Thomas knelt before the crown prince and said with a calm confidence.

"You do me a great honour your grace. I will make Kings Landing as profitable as it can be and a model of justice and order in your name." Thomas told them and Joffrey smirked while sharing a look with Meera.

"See that you do Thomas Lynthorne. There has never been such a position as this and I am entrusting a great deal of power into your hands." Joffrey said and the man if he was intimidated by this Thomas did not show it.

"Then your grace if you will, I will get straight to work." Thomas said and with a nod from Joffrey he got to his feet and left the room along with this own retainers to get to work.

- x -

"It went exactly as you said it would my lord." Thomas said to his benefactor and the man who had ensured he got the position of Lord Mayor.

"Good, I have brought in a group of sellswords to work for you. Your first and perhaps easiest task will be to clean the goldcloaks of corruption. I have discovered where the particularly bad apples of the lot can be found." Tyrion told his newest associate. Thomas took the sheets of parchment and studied them.

"Then I will have them killed in supposed accidents and just install new people in their places. That should solve the corrupt within the order and allow us to find out who is worth keeping and who needs to go." Thomas said with a grateful nod, while he had risen to be a wealthy man on his own he was stifled by his lack of noble blood and title so if he wished to rise higher in society he needed a powerful patron to aid him and thankfully Tyrion Lannister had appeared in the picture.

"See to it quickly, it is bad business to allow men like Janos Slynt and Allar Deem to reign freely for too long." Tyrion told him grimly and Thomas nodded before leaving the room.

Now he had a mayor in his pocket Tyrion thought with dark amusement, Thomas was a good administrator. He had good business and fiscal sense but also the toughness and determination to succeed and Tyrion had been glad to see the man's potential before anyone else did.

With that though Tyrion would hopefully soon have not only the run of Kings Landing and actual power to make changes that he might need but the muscle of the gold cloaks at his back when he needed it. He knew this wasn't going to be easy and likely full of problems but if he managed to see this through, he would have near complete control of Kings Landing.

He looked at his growing land ownership and business holdings across the city. Most of the taverns, shops and more were now making him money and he had the resources and sources of information to move on to the next stage of his plan.

His father's downfall, Tyrion thought with a cold smirk that would not have looked out of place on his father's face if he smirked.

Tyrion looked through the information he had on the various vassals his father had and more to the point which ones were truly loyal to Tywin and those that were not. Those that could be bent and those that were incorruptible. He also was extending that consideration to his sister and her circle such as it was.

He knew that to ensure he was able to take over Casterly Rock from his father without too much resistance he needed to knew who was useful and who he would need to disposed of Tyrion thought darkly. But he thought restraining himself it would be better if stopped there since that might be a while off yet and he still had to decide on who to get rid of and who keep.

Still he had actually found a lieutenant in Baelish's operations and would soon see just what the bastard had been up and was planning, at least some of it he thought.

A knock at the door made him look up and saw much to his chagrin that Jaime had entered. The two brothers looked at each other silently, anxiety in Jaime's eyes while Tyrion's held nothing but distrust.

"Tyrion...I." Jaime started to say but his words failed him as he was greeted by his younger brother's cold eyes. That honestly terrified Jaime for a moment as he could almost see father looking out of them and he had to blink to remind him that it was Tyrion and not Tywin he was talking too.

"What do you want Jaime?" Tyrion asked coldly as he got up from his desk and came over, standing shorter than Jaime of course but his presence was so strong that he might as well have been as tall as the Mountain. Jaime honestly did not know what had possessed him to come but he just had to try one last time to make things right with his brother only for all of his ideas to disappear the moment he stepped through the door.

"I don't know, just to talk." Jaime managed to say, honestly having no idea of what to say to bridge the vast space between them. Once they had been so close Jaime thought sadly for what he had lost.

"I know what you want Jaime, for us to be brothers again." Tyrion said coldly. "I trusted you and you betrayed not only me but got my wife gang raped and prevented me from being a part of my daughter's life. We have only just reached the point of being able to write to each other." Tyrion said with his anger growing, he had to be so careful with how he wrote to Lanna because he knew if there was one misstep then it would be over and he would never see her again.

But for her and her mother Tyrion thought with great determination unlike any he had felt before he would bring down the same family that had brought them so much pain. She would never thank him and probably would never think of him as her father but he would do this for her Tyrion resolved. And getting Jaime back in his life he admitted with calculation might help with that.

He would certainly never trust him again Tyrion thought but it would be good for his future plans.

"So talk." Tyrion said going back to his desk and pouring them a glass of wine each, Jaime was shocked but smiled a little as he sat down in the chair opposite his brother.

- x -

Back at the Red Keep Robert was enjoying himself with some whores while Ned sat awkwardly nearby, not partaking at all but helping Robert keep his cup full until Robert told him.

"Ned its been nearly a year. Find a woman." Robert told him with a laugh and went back to enjoying himself. Ned felt annoyed by that but noticed one woman sitting at the back with a solemn expression on her face and her face in a book. She was he thought objectively very beautiful with shining blonde hair, enchanting green eyes and a slender figure. He wanting to get away from Robert so he walked over to her.

"My lord." She said in a pleasantly smooth voice which made him smile.

"What is your name?" Ned asked and she seemed pleasantly surprised he had asked before curtsying.

"Marei my lord. I watch over the girls for the madam." Marei said but she never smiled. Ned was a little put off by that but since she was only one here who looked as out of place as he was he kept on talking to her.

"You read? What sort of books interest you?" Ned asked her and she pulled her book against her almost protectively against her chest. Ned wanted to reassure her he was not going to hurt her but she answered.

"I enjoy stories of all kinds Lord Stark. Old legends to modern fables it just helps to get lost in a tale for a time." She told him and he wondered how a girl could get hold of books at all let alone learn to read them but he smiled and told her.

"I have never been much into tales myself, but I have to admit the old Northern legends have their appeal." He said and the tension did ease a little at the lighter conversation before she told him.

"Do you want me in your bed Lord Stark?" She asked him and he was so surprised he nearly choked on his wine.

"Not at all, it just seemed you were enjoying this 'party' as little as I was so I thought we might talk to each other while the King has his fun." Ned told her as he tried to calm his throat. Marei looked doubtful, Ned could see why. Apart from her beautiful hair and eyes her figure was stunning with perfect curves and her dress revealed a fair amount of cleavage from her large teats. She probably had offers from men all the time Ned thought and tried again to reassure her. "I have no designs on you, I merely wished the pleasure of your conversation. I shall if you wish leave you in peace." Ned said but Marei said quickly.

"Wait." He stopped and turned as she said. "I am sorry for being so remote my lord. It is just I am so used to men only wanting to spend coin on me that I am unused to speaking with a man who wants something else." She told him sadly.

Ned smiled at her, letting her know he was not offended and offering her a drink which she graciously accepted.

Dothraki Camp, Essos…

As another Khal fell to Daenerys's arrows as she and her warrior women rode into battle with their men at their side, she let out the same cries as the rest of the riders and Drogo swept her up in his arms as they dismounted and accepted another khalasar into their own. Their numbers were growing and with their size came more riders and more power.

Drogo in the moment of their victory just swung his Khaleesi around in a circle before she wrapped her legs around his waist and kissed him with all the passion and excitement brought about by the battle. They were sure to celebrate their victory later more privately but for now they let their passion run.

Later that night as they returned to camp, now with their new people swelling their numbers even more than before so they started a party in the main tent. The Dothraki danced around the fire pit and she sat on her husband's lap smiling brightly as they teased one another. Daenerys honestly could not wish to be anywhere else at this moment, her initial fears about Drogo had been unfounded and he was actually probably the best husband she could have hoped for.

When the time for speeches came she stood up and told them her own plan.

"Out numbers have never been greater and will continue to grow as more Dothraki come to serve Khal Drogo and our horses will ride over all of Essos." She said in their native language and they all cheered with glee. She paused knowing this was going to be best time to make her proposal as her support was so high and they were in a good mood with this victory.

"So we must find more horses and more food to feed them and ourselves. So...we make places to raise and train horses! We need a place to grow food! So we bring in some of the Lhazareen into our lands! They farm and we protect them. They give us food and we give them safety! We make each other stronger!" She said and a cheer went up which she nodded as she took advantage of the moment. Drogo just smirked and wrapped her up in his arms again, he kissed her in that spot that he had just known how to find that made her shiver with pleasure.

Ser Jorah watched nearby with satisfaction at her cunning and how well she had made herself respected here, they didn't question her plan and it was he thought at least a good one. It would be full of potential problems as well the Khaleesi knew but if it worked then she would be taking the first real steps in building an empire of her own.

He did his best to put the thoughts he was having about her out of his mind, she was a Khaleesi while he was an exiled and disgraced knight that could never go home or he would be facing execution.

Then the party's atmosphere was broken by Irri entering and whispered something in Daenerys's ear, her expression went from happy and joyful to shocked and angry in a moment. The reason for it was dragged in a moment later...Viserys who was looking rather worse for wear as he struggled only for one of the Dothraki holding him to hit him in the face.

Daenerys whispered in Drogo's ear what had happened and now he was looking furious too.

Getting to his feet he walked across the room and poured the soup that was cooking over the open fire and replaced it with the medallions he had won from the other Khal only hours before. Viserys looked scared and desperate now but Daenerys spoke with particular hatred directed at her only surviving family.

"This one who is so weak he cannot ride has taken something he did not deserve. He took my handmaiden Doreah by force and choked the life out of her body. He was then foolish to leave some of his silver hairs in her clutched hand." She told them feeling rage at him as not only had he ruined her evening but more importantly to her at least he had raped and killed a woman! She had struggled for years to keep him in check and teach him to behave better but he was just as vile a creature as their father than been.

Drogo watched as the gold melted and finally with the pot now full came over and stood above the cowering Viserys and with a look of disgust said as he poured the contents all over Viserys' head.

"A crown for a king."

Viserys screamed as the metal burned his head, falling all around his head. In a way it was what he wanted...a crown Daenerys thought with scorn and walked up to her husband and kissed him gratefully for what he had done. He wrapped his arms protectively around her and just held her. Letting her take some comfort from him when she needed it.

House of Kisses, Kings Landing…

Petyr Baelish had finally reached the end of his tether.

The war was not moving forward, he needed a war he thought to create chaos for him to rise higher and destroy the Starks but to his great frustration it just wasn't happening.

He knew that meant he had to do something pretty drastic to get things back on track, he had to kill Stark, his daughter and the King too.

Smirking as he knew this would make sure of war as Joffrey, Stannis and Renly jostled for the throne while Robb Stark fought to avenge his family while he sat back and used the opportunities it created to advance himself. The Queen the disease ridden whore that she was Baelish thought with amusement at the pox she had caught but was too proud to get treatment for would probably give him a castle just for getting rid of Meera Stark.

So he started getting his pieces into position, it was time for more direct action Baelish thought with a sick amusement for what was about to happen next.

- x -

Two Days Later…

Robert was a little hung over after a night of drinking with Ned and his Hand he noticed with a little 'unruffled' too after their small party and he was smirking a little as despite his claims against it, a blonde woman had been seen leaving Ned's room the morning after. Ned was always more a prude about that sort of things than he was but he had seen him sneak out of Ashara Dayne's tent during the tourney at Harrenhal and the satisfied look on her face after had been all the evidence that Ned was not lacking in the ability to please a woman.

However just as Robert was about to order some of the North's newest elixir that cured hangovers he was confronted by a rather surprising visit from some very unwelcome visitors.

"Greetings your grace, I bring vows of fealty and friendship from House Martell." The young Prince Quentyn Martell said politely as he bowed at the foot of the throne. The young man was respectful enough but Ned and Lady Meera along with the Northern retinue present looked at the man with distrust. Robert on their behalf was also very suspicious as he knew full well the family's reputation.

"Aye, like I believe that." Robert said with a frown. "What are you doing here Martell?"

"To swear myself to the service of House Stark, in restitution for the insult delivered on them by my uncle Prince Oberyn." Quentyn said simply.

The throne room was shocked at the statement, it was so unbelievable that none of them could quite swallow the sheer strangeness of it. The house that likely had used every underhanded trick in the book and stabbed at House Stark in such an intimate way was saying he was seeking their forgiveness? And willing to serve them till they gave it?

"There is a saying in the North when someone betrays us Prince Martell." Ned said with a look of fury on his face. "'The North Remembers.' Do you know what that means Prince Martell? I will tell you, when we are betrayed we don't forget and we will have vengeance. All the North will remember, we stand together. After what your uncle did do you think we would ever accept you into our service assuming of course this is not some plot for you to try and get into my daughter's bed like your uncle intruded on my wife's?!" Ned finished looking angry and his glare was as cold and bitter as a northern wind. The idea that he was here to try and seduce Meera made the young woman in question look at Quentyn with disgust.

Quentyn was she admitted not much like his uncle, he was stocky where as Oberyn was slim but had good muscle on him all the same. His face was not particularly handsome with a square jaw, large nose and brown hair but he was reasonable she supposed. He also knew from some words they had heard that he was not at all like his uncle in terms of manners either; he was earnest, sensible and dutiful as well as being far more cautious but that she knew could not be taken at face value.

Quentyn to his credit held his ground and answered Ned's statement with calm despite the anger he was facing.

"Lord Stark my uncle has shamed all of Dorne with his antics. He no longer has our support and kinship and must work for the coin to support his family and I am prepared to do whatever must be done to see the relationship between House Martell and House Stark not to mention our standing in Westeros restored. I understand your objections completely but know that I was chosen for this due to the fact that I am most definitely not like my uncle."

Quentyn's statement was met with stony silence, none of them believed it not a single word. Dorne's pride had withstood dragons and invasion for centuries so they did not think for a moment that this was real.

- x -

Pearl was standing at Lady Meera's side and looked at the young man with a small amount of pain and longing, she knew about him and would like to talk to him but could not risk it while in the capital.

As Quentyn was dismissed by the King with a refusal to allow him and his party to stay in the Red Keep so they would have to find lodgings in Kings Landing, she was leaving with Lady Meera when Quentyn came up to her and bowed respectfully before looking at her with a strange look.

"Have we met before? You do look familiar?" He asked her with an intense look in his eye. She froze not knowing what to say but thankfully Lady Meera spoke up on her behalf.

"I will not tolerate you pursuing my swornsword Prince Martell. She may be a beautiful woman but I will allow you to harass her." Meera said and Pearl was grateful for the intervention as they both walked out together.

- x -

Varys was not one to panic, if one did that then they would not last long in his position nor in the game of politics that was ruthlessly played in Kings Landing everyday.

However when he finally saw the Prince Martell in what was a bold move coming here Varys thought privately standing so close the girl that was now guarding Lady Meera Stark he almost stopped breathing. He felt like a complete fool for not noticing it before, all this time he had been looking for her and she was right under his nose this entire time!

He knew with desperation that he had to get her out of Kings Landing as soon as possible! If he could figure it out then others might too and that was something he could not allow.

Waiting patiently till later in the day when she was accompanying Lady Meera in a tour around the gardens he was quick to approach her while the Stark girl was out of earshot.

"Princess!" He said quietly and she jumped in surprise at his sudden appearance and then fearful at him calling her by her title. "We must get you out of the capital quickly before you are discovered."

"I don't know why you call me that Lord Varys, I am no princess." The woman answered back with coldness and he frowned knowing Stark could return at any moment and pressed on.

"You are a Princess born...Rhaenys Targaryen!" He said calling her by her real name, the first one to do that in as long as she could remember and she froze at the words. "While I doubt the Starks would harm you the Lannisters and Baratheons most assuredly would and we need to get you out of the city and to Dorne as soon as possible."

"You forget I am not a little girl any more Lord Varys." Pearl/Rhaenys said with annoyance at his high handedness. "I am no child that you smuggled out of the Red Keep and handed over to a sea captain. I have travelled myself and learned to fight and make my own decisions. You have no right to tell me what to do now." She told him firmly. However that was when they suddenly became aware that they were not alone.

Meera Stark looked at them with astonished eyes while it seemed that the persistent Quentyn Martell had apparently overheard them as well.

"Oh gods. I remember now." Quentyn said as he came forward and stared her with an intense searching look. "You have the same face as your mother! I have seen a portrait of her when she was your age and you are the spitting image of her except your eyes which must come from your father!" Quentyn said excitedly. Meera meanwhile just stood back with her Unsullied guards and her face had become closed and guarded.

Rhaenys was now nearly shaking with the sudden revealing of her identity, she might have been born in this castle but it was not her home. In truth she barely remembered anything of her life here, only the sound of her mother's voice and maybe a few other small things. The black cat she had started to remember had been hers, Balerion she thought wondering just what she had been thinking giving a kitten as he had been at the time such a name but it did make her smile a little.

"See your grace!" Varys said taking advantage of Quentyn Martell's sudden appearance and wondered just what Doran was up too but this was perhaps the best chance to get her to flee to safety he would get. "Others will recognise you so we must get you to safety."

Varys looked at Lady Stark and saw her Unsullied were looking at him and the Martell group with suspicion, Meera Stark herself had shifted her body into a stance that showed she was ready to defend herself at a moment's notice. Varys was now nervous thinking she was going to attack.

"My family has nothing against Rhaenys Targaryen. What we thought happened to her and did happen to her mother and brother was a tragedy and if we had had our way at the time the Mountain would have been killed on the spot for what he did but we were overruled. It nearly broke the friendship between my father and Robert Baratheon." Meera said with anger as she was feeling foolish for not seeing the Targaryen that was right under her nose.

Unaware of another threat lurking very close by.

- x -

Thomas Lynthorne looked with satisfaction over the gold cloaks that he had just had killed, Janos Slynt chiefly who had been a major part of the corruption in this city and he had ended the little shit personally.

The man had the nerve to try and extort sexual favours from Thomas's own wife! Thomas thought with disgust and anger. The man had been stealing coin from all the people in the city that had it and turning a blind eye to any crime or act however disgusting it was if they could pay.

Thomas had already found a replacement for Slynt that was a man who was honest and trustworthy, who in turn had men of his own that likewise could be counted on. One way or another he resolved he would drag this city out of the horrible mess it had been left in.

- x -

In a house near the theatre at the former Dragon Pit a man was screaming pain.

Tyrion sat back calmly as Bronn worked the man over with a rack, he was a male whore that worked for Baelish named Olyvar. The man was a chief lieutenant in his operations and entrusted to do some tasks by the Mockingbird to maintain his empire so the man himself had more time. Among his different duties was to deliver bribes and payments if needed.

"Ser Tallad!" The man screamed out as the pain became too much. Tyrion raised an eyebrow at the mention of one of the new Kingsguard, turning to Bronn who nodded as he kept turning the wheel he asked Olyvar.

"What about him?" Tyrion asked without a single care for the man's pain and after another scream Olyvar told him.

"He's in Baelish's pocket!" Olyvar said with gritted teeth. "He's supposed to kill the king and the hand while a group of thugs kill the rest of the Stark and Martell parties! To stir up trouble! That way he can leverage the Vale's support for great positions! Since he and his lover Lysa killed her husband!" Olyvar said with fear, desperate for the pain to stop.

Tyrion was struck for a moment at the sheer gall of the Mockingbird. To kill a king and a hand after having the previous one killed. It was astonishing but the fact that if Lord Stark and his daughter were killed it could hurt his burgeoning relationship with his own daughter was what preyed on his mind the most.

"Bronn, get some men together. We're head to the Red Keep immediately! We have to warn the Starks and King immediately." Tyrion said and Bronn immediately went off followed by Tyrion, leaving Olyvar strapped the rack in the desperate hope that they might not be too late.

- x -

On his archery range Joffrey was showing off his skill in front of three supposedly champion archers provided to him by Lord Baelish. As two servants manipulated the levers to make the targets move and did so erratically so there was no pattern Joffrey lined up his shoots and with a confident smirk let loose.

"Oh good shot your grace." The men all claimed as Joffrey hit a target in the red zone. The praise making Joffrey's ego and pride soar ever higher.

"It is all a matter of concentration and the co-ordination between the hand and the eye." He told them and they all continued to marvel at his skill while the Hound watched nearby. "I recently discovered these arrows from Essos, they had prongs on the tips like this." He said pointing the small but sharp points that were sticking out all over the arrow head.

"These points allow additional wounding effect when they hit the body as they tear into the flesh and pulling them out only makes it worse." Joffrey said proudly, the archers looking at the arrow heads with a bit of discomfort as the Prince seemed to delight in causing pain.

He was proud of his new discovery and would enjoy the opportunity to use them when the time came. Joffrey was glad his new hobby had allowed him to explore different types of weapons but also he had started now branching out into different punishments from foreign shores.

One had immediately caught his interest, an old punishment from Qohor in Essos, one from its distant past but it had intrigued him the moment he had heard of it. It was unfortunate Joffrey thought that they did not use it any more but he was more than happy to bring it back on his own terms he thought with a sadistic glee.

The punishment was a prisoner was placed inside a large statue of a goat that was based on the animal the city worshipped. It was made not of stone or wood but bronze and hallow with enough space for a full grown man to fit inside. Once they were in, a fire was lit underneath the belly part where the prisoner was kept.

The prisoner would slowly die from the heat of the fire, being burned alive without even touching the flames. It was slow and very painful way to kill someone but what really had made it stand out to Joffrey was that with special pipes the screams of the victim actually came out of the statue's mouth sounding like the cries of an animal in pain! Any smoke would even emerge from the statue's nose like it was snorting Joffrey thought with excitement albeit with incense to cover the burning smell.

Joffrey had been so excited and ordered a version in the shape of a lion to be constructed, half a dozen blacksmiths and a maester were working on it and the moment Joffrey had a chance he was going to enjoy putting someone in the bull. It should he hoped be ready within a couple of days.

- x -

The Stark and Martell Parties in the garden were interrupted from their intense discussion by the sight of a mixture of gold cloaks and sellswords charging in from multiple directions.

The different people present were surprised at the sudden attack but thankfully not only did the Stark party always carry their weapons with them as a precaution but the Martell party having just arrived while exhausted also did carry their own spears and swords to be safe while travelling.

So the attackers were not met with a helpless party of nobles and a few guards as they thought, instead by people willing and able to fight back.

Meera had her spear in hand within moments of the yell, stabbing one of the attackers straight through the chest with a single powerful thrust while her Unsullied had their own spears in hand as quickly if not quicker and began to stab and slash down those that dared attack their mistress.

Rhaenys/Pearl was far from being passive either, she had her Dao in hand the moment trouble started and hacked one of gold cloaks down with ease before instantly parrying another and then pivoting around him before slashing at his exposed leg and ending him with a kick to the face so hard his neck was snapped by the force of it.

Quentyn was tired from the road but to his credit he and the Dornish knights that accompanied him drew their swords or spears quickly. They struck with less speed or precision than the fresh Northern party but still held their own against the attacks before Quentyn proved he was no pampered prince as he used his own spear to impale an attacker while his companions Ser Gerris Drinkwater and Ser Cletus Yronwood slashed at the gold cloaks attacking them with swords, cutting the thugs down easily. Ser Wells was not quite as skilled at them but was able to defend himself well enough while Ser Archibald Yronwood the last member of their group was swinging his war-hammer with enough force to cave in the chest of a man wearing chest-plate.

Meera saw the attackers were led by one of the leading Gold Cloaks, Ser Arneld and one of the most rotten. Her eyes were greedy and leered at her which immediately disgusted her, he actually grabbed for her but with a fury that she had barely ever felt before she kicked his leg so hard with her enhanced strength that the knee didn't break, it shattered!

He howled in pain as his leg gave way under him but she didn't let up, impaling his stomach with her spear's single pronged end. She twisted with viciousness and he screamed out in pain before she pulled it out in time to impale another man that thought to run at her with a backwards jab.

Looking around she thought that although the fight was over it had been intense and Ser Wells was laying there with a rather nasty looking blow to the arm. But around them was a pile of dead sellswords and rotten gold cloaks, Meera was so furious at the sudden attack that when a party of armed men led by Tyrion Lannister of all people arrived she all but snarled at him and raised her spear to attack them but Tyrion Lannister then said something which made her entire world shift in an instant.

"Lady Stark! I am relieved to see you did not need our help. When I learned that Lord Baelish had sent these thugs after you and your father I feared the worst." Tyrion said.

Those words stopped Meera cold as they hit her immediately, cold sweat started running down her brow as a sense of horror and fear struck her.

"Father!" She said with mounting dread and ran into the Red Keep with her own Unsullied, Rhaenys, the Martell Party and Tyrion's party in hot pursuit.

Don't let it be too late! Meera thought with fear for her father. The same kind of fear that had once made her as Harry run into a trap at the Ministry of Magic in her fifth year of Hogwarts. Fear of losing Sirius in that case but now all she could think about was the fact that her loving and honourable father was danger!

She knew the father and the king had been enjoying a game of bowls the throne room today and so as fast as her legs could carry her with her bloodied spear still in hand she ran there. When she with all her strength pushed the heavy doors open the sight that met her made her stop.

The throne room was the scene of a massacre, Ser Rex and Ser Moore lay dead while surrounded by thugs but beyond them on the steps of the Iron Throne was the body of her father. Ned Stark lay there with a dozen stab wounds in his chest and Ice lying at his side with his hand still around it.

Ser Barristan, still standing while bloodied by the dead body of the King was impaling the equally bloodied Ser Tallad in the chest. The traitorous Kingsguard knight spat his own blood out onto the damaged and dirtied armour of Ser Barristan but Meera just ignored them both and ran over to her father, hoping against all reality that he was still alive.

"FATHER!" She yelled and pulled him into her arms but he did not respond her as he always had before, his eyes remained closed and his heart which had always been so strong and so full of love was now silent.

She held his face in her hands and even jostled it in desperation to get some kind of reaction but there was nothing.

Tears flowed from her eyes as the truth finally began to sink in, she sat there holding her father's dead body in her arms as everyone came into the room looking at the scene of horror before them. Ser Barristan looked down at the body of the king he had failed to save and at Meera holding her dead father in her arms. Everyone looked on with horror at the scene in front of them.

Meera with sobs the only noise she could currently make held her father in her arms and cried into his ruined chest with so much devastation those that heard it could feel it echoed in them.

The She-Wolf of Winterfell, so tall and strong now knelt broken on the ground as she cradled her father, no-one but her Unsullied dared go close and they only did so no one could strike at their mistress while she was vulnerable. They stood around her like a Praetorian Guard, unwilling to move till she would give them her leave to do so.

With all her emotions inside her raging all that Meera Stark could do to let the rage and grief that was filling her up inside out was emit a heart wrenching and pain filled scream that would be heard by not only the whole castle but even as far as the city outside.

There you have chapter 16, I am sorry to those that wanted Ned to live but this is Game of Thrones after all and Baelish is still against the Starks. Please review and let me know what you thought.

Marei in this story is not the one from the show but from the books who is thought by some to be the bastard daughter of Tywin Lannister. She is the right age to have been fathered by him when he was Hand of the King to Aerys and with blonde hair, green eyes and a slim figure of a Lannister.

Next Chapter – The city reels while Meera takes revenge for her father and all the houses prepare themselves for war. Up Beyond the Wall though, Benjen and Jon receive a shock and Jon learns a secret of the last generation of Starks.