Chapter 9 Past Meet Future Part 2
The entire great hall was quiet expect the crackling of the fire in the fireplace, for the longest time the five of them simple shared glances among each other.
"How long do we have?" inquired Daenerys as she looked at Jon, "How long until he reaches the Twins?"
"From Fairmarket…" started Jon as he thought of the distances, he had never seen the land himself but he had studied the map more than a few times. He also recalled stories about Robert's rebellion from his Uncle Eddard and he could guess how long it would take Robb and his army to march to the Twins. "If he left Fairmarket yesterday morning it is a 4 day fast march a lot of woods between there and the Twins slowing them down. That would give us three days but knowing Robb he will split his horse off and head to the twins alone which would cut a day off at least, so he will be there in two days. He will want to arrive to help defend them and that may be worse case. His horse would be alone against the entire Frey host and once the Freys are done their own horse could move south and strike the Northern and Riverlords foot in column, breaking them."
"None of our forces can get to the twins that fast." stated Daenerys, their nearest forces would be arriving in White Harbor by midday today. They were in fact planning to head out to meet the army this morning after breaking their fast. As Daenerys looked out one of the thick glass windows which lined the top edge of the great hall, she could still see that darkness of the night owned the land.
"We need to warn them." confirmed Varys "Even if it means showing the Dragons in the South before we planned, we can't allow the Northern and River lords and their men to be destroyed."
"Agreed, but maybe we can do both." advised Sansa as she looked at Jon. "How long would it take House Reed to get to the Twins?"
"Not long, a short overland route and then they can take the Green Fork down to the Twins. Boat is always faster then foot or horse over distance." Stated Jon "It would be close, very close but they would beat Robb there, even if just used his horse."
"And you think House Reed will support us, because they know who Jon is?" inquired Daenerys as she looked at Sansa as she recalled what Jon said.
"That is what Jon said, wasn't our plan to get them in helping take Moat Calinin back? Now they will have to hold the Twins." Stated Sansa
"Only problem is that House Reed's Castle of Greywater Watch moves. You will take days to find them." Countered Varys "And it will be too late."
"I will guild you to Greywater Watch." stated Bran as he looked at Jon.
"Alright, I will go to Greywater Watch and enlist House Reed, we need White Harbor so Dany will go join the army there." stated Jon as he called Daenerys, Dany instead of her full name or title. She allowed it because it was an informal meeting, in fact everyone was in robes or sleeping cloths. Jon hadn't even buckled on his sword belt a strange thing for him.
"I will also order the Dothraki here to head to the Moat Calinin they know how to ride long distances fast and I will order some of the Vale forces to take the neck as well once I reach them outside of White Harbor." stated Daenerys as she looked at Jon. "I will not leave you in the South alone."
"If you two are heading battle in the South there is something I need to show you." Stated Sansa as the two of them looked at her. "Get dressed and meet me in the yard, if you should please."
Far to the West sitting on the edge of the Wolfswood and the Stony Shore sat Deep Wood Motte, the motte-and-bailey castle had wooden walls made from the largest trees taken from the nearby woods. While the Castle itself had recently within the past hundred years had been rebuilt to be made from wood to stone. Still overall the ancient seat of house Glover was really a weak castle however it was the largest castle west of Winterfell and North of Torhen's Square and it controlled one of the few trading paths through the Wolfswood. The castle and the surrounding area was under the control of the Ironborn as the kraken of house Greyjoy flew over the newly made stone keep.
Lying asleep inside that Keep was Yara Greyjoy the only Daughter of the King Balon Greyjoy lord Reaper of Pyke and King of the Iron Island. She lied sound asleep in the former lord's bed, for the 1st time since news of her brother's Theon capture at Winterfell and the loss of the small force under his command it appeared as if she would get a good night sleep. It wasn't meant to be as the sound of a large bell awoken her from her slumber.
"By the Drowned God." cursed Yara as she sat up and looked at the still waking up whore beside her.
"What is going on?" inquired the woman as Yara stretched a bit, as the moon light came in from the small window bathing her nude body in its pale light.
"No Fucking idea, I am going to go handle it." Stated Yara as she pulled her pants on and put boots on before slipping into her breast plate and strapping on a belt with a sword and multiple throwing axes on it. The whore was dressing herself; she didn't need to be told that she needed to leave once Yara left. She was about done getting dressed when Yara finished, as she walked out the door she tossed a few golden dragons at her.
"What is going on." ordered Yara to one of her nearest Iron born as she entered the yard.
"We caught two men, climbing the wall to open the main gate." Stated the nearest one as Yara approached a large group of Iron born, she had just over 150 men under her command with another 100 holding a small port village on the shore where their long ships where. She headed toward the grouping only to find two Northerns dressed in furs and leathers with belts emptied of daggers and short swords. The furs and weapons where common enough but they had mud over their faces and had branches stick to their clothing, clearly that was for hiding in the thick nearby woods.
"They were trying to open the gate?" inquired Yara
"Yes, Captain." stated one of the men, he like all of Yara's men knew she hated the Greenlanders title of Lady. She preferred Captain and she was a Captain; she had been a Captain of her own ship since she was 12 and every Captain was a King or in her case Queen on their ship.
"So…that only means one thing, we have company." Stated Yara as she looked at her men. "I would image there are a hundred or so Northman outside our walls attempting to take this place back."
"Good luck with that." Laughed one of them "We will send them to the watery halls of the Drowned god where they will serve us for the rest of time."
That got a roar laugher from the men, until from the walls a call of alarm was raised and none of the men on the wall where laughing.
"Enemies incoming!" yelled the men as Yara ran to one of the nearby ladders and ran up it like a monkey of the summer Isles to reach the top. When she did, she looked out toward the East to see the tree line had come alive with movement, the tree line was maybe a mile away but right now it wasn't far enough. It wasn't just 100 or even 200 men coming out of the woods but thousands and they weren't farmers with fire hardened spears but armored soldiers with long spears and shields.
"Who are they?" inquired Yara as almost on command two large fires began to glow as oil torches came alive. They were being carried by two men each and they bathed a large banner in light. A black banner with a blood red three headed dragon on it. "Targaryen?"
That only made her more confused as more torches where lite and the banners of House Stark, another one which looked to be a copy of house Stark only a white Direwolf on a black field, House Forrester and a dozen other Northern houses all appeared out of the darkness. For a long moment Yara just stood there looking at the coming army there had to be thousands of them, she had no idea where they had come from but she knew they couldn't stay.
"Get to the Western gate, anyone who can ride take a horse and head to the ships." ordered Yara, she knew almost none of her men knew how to ride a horse, horses on the iron island where rare and only the lords knew how to ride. Still they had to make the attempt if they got to their ships, they stood a chance.
"Move!" ordered Yara as they rushed to get everything all the while the sound of marching feet could be heard coming from the West. It was nearly too late by Yara's thinking but all her men where gathered at the gate.
"We are going to head to the ships, and we will kill anyone who gets in our way!" yelled Yara as everyone cheered as her men threw open the gate only to find a wall of shields on the other side waiting for them. They where tightly ranked men, all dressed in strange armor with spiked helms and large shields. As one they all lowered long spears and pointed them directly at the Iron Born. For a second Yara had no idea what to do and then to make matters worse the main gate went crashing down and more men in similar gear rushed forward in perfect unison forming a second ring of shields and spears trapping the Iron Born.
"Surrender! And your lives will be spared." ordered an foreigner voice which sounded like it belonged more in the free cities.
Yara looked around at her men, they were dead they all knew that, those spears had to be at least 10 feet long and while the tips seemed to be cover with mud to hide the glint of the metal they were still deadly weapons. With the long spears, large shields which covered each other and the armor, there was no way her men could kill any of them. She scanned the walls which had some Northerns rushing on them now with longbows and crossbows. She remembered as a small girl watching her father bend the knee to King Robert after his failed rebellion and later how he had said a man can bend the knee now and rise again with daggers in hand to try again. She let out a breath and did the hardest thing she ever had done in her life.
"Stand down." ordered Yara as she looked at her men, some who looked at her confused and anger but most seemed happy that they would live through this battle. She put weight to her words by unbuckling her sword belt and dropping it to the ground while pulling multiple throwing axes and dropping them as well. Slowly every one of her Iron born followed her orders. Then the voice spoke in a tongue she didn't know and then as one all the spears went from pointing at them to pointing straight up. It took a few more moments as a dark-skinned man wearing almost identical strange armor moved forward. The only thing different was that he had a silver broach of a three headed dragon on his breast armor.
"Captain Yara Greyjoy as Master of War for Queen Daenerys of House Targaryen the first of her name I will gladly accept your surrender." stated the man as he took off his helmet and placed it under his arm. "We have much to talk, please follow me, your men will remain out here under guard."
"I don't have much of a choice." countered Yara as she wondered what was going on and who Daenerys was.
Back in Winterfell Daenerys, Jon and Varys all where in the yard, beside them only a handful of guards moved around the Castle. It was so early that even the cooks hadn't started baking bread yet. Ghost moved up between Jon and Daenerys rubbing his body against Daenerys before getting a starch by Jon.
"Any idea what Sansa wants?" inquired Daenerys as she looked at Varys, Jon had told her while getting dressed that he didn't know what Sansa was up to.
"I know your grace, but I feel that Lady Stark would want it to be a surprise." answered Varys as Sansa finally appeared but she wasn't alone, coming up behind her with just a thin tunic and pants on was Gendry. The man clearly had just been awoken and didn't look ready to appear before anyone of great importance. He was rubbing sleep from his eyes and his hair was a mess and his tunic appeared to have been put on backwards in the rush to get dressed.
"So what is going on?" inquired Gendry only to stiffen when he saw Daenerys and Jon. "Your Grace forgive me."
"You must be Gendry Waters." Said Daenerys with a warm smith. "And no forgiveness is needed, it is the time of morning most wise men and women would be asleep at."
"Sorry for waking you Gendry but we found out Robb is still heading to the Twins." explained Sansa "So whatever you have done of that project I gave you we need."
"Alright." answered Gendry moving to the forge. "I just finished them."
Sansa's eyes widened at the news.
"You finished them already?" inquired Sansa in amazement.
"Well…I must admit when I am worried, I like to work, it helps keep my mind off things and I…" started Gendry
"We are all worried about Arya." confirmed Jon
"What project?" inquired Daenerys
"Follow me, your grace." said Gendry as they headed toward the forge, the forge still was hot Gendry having gone to bed only two hours earlier. In one pile sat two large leather saddles with thick belts and multiple saddle bags attached to it. There were two large belts as well, with thick cords and chains attaching them to the saddles.
"The Saddles" inquired Daenerys as she looked at the massive size of the saddles, they could only be for one thing. "For the Dragons?"
"Yes, Lord Tyrion helped design them along with Bran looking back at the Saddle designs of House Targaryen in the past." explained Sansa as Daenerys ran her hand over the soft leather. One of the saddles was black with a three headed dragon of house Targaryen imprinted one both sides and in the saddle seat, the other was also black only it had a Direwolf head imprinted in the leather on one side and the three headed dragon on the other. A belt sat on top of each saddle with hooks in them, clearly the set of hocks and ropes where meant to bond the rider to the Dragon so they didn't fall off.
"They are wonderful." said Jon "You do great work Gendry."
"Well, my Lord most of that isn't mine, a lot of it was leather work and others took care of that. Still that isn't all." Said Gendry as he moved toward where two items where covered in a cloth of some kind. "I did lead the team which made theses."
With that he pulled off the cloth to show two sets of armor, Jon walked forward to the first set of armor. It wasn't a full set of plate armor, a lot of it was white chainmail, he had never seen white enameled chainmail outside of the King's guard but there were two gauntlet, vambraces made out of blackened metal polished to a mirror shine that looked like black ice in the moonlight. For the legs where a pair of matching greaves, and down there around the knee where raised parts which looked like wolf claws. There was a studded leather tasset which gave protection to the groan area but it had two matching pauldrons and a gorget for the shoulders and neck. They were all of a simple design no flare at all aside from the perfectly black finished which was polished to a shine. The Breastplate was not as simple as the others, like the others it was black with White Dire Wolf head with what seamed to be a red stone for the eye. It was breathtaking beautiful a mixture of polished black and pure snow white.
"A King Consort needs some new armor." explained Sansa as Jon brushed the metal. "Also our Queen needs protection while on Dragon back as well."
Jon turned to see Daenerys studying the other set of armor, it was lighter for sure more leather less plate and chain mail but still had a strong mix of both. Her chainmail was blood red and the leathers where pitch black. She had studied leather gauntlet instead of metal but each of the studs where blood red making them pop against the black leather. Her vambracers where blacked metal with red trim around the edges, her pauldrons where bigger covering both her neck and down her forearms and where made of studded leather not metal. The greaves where metal and unlike Jon she had leather cruises to protect her forelegs along with the chainmail. All the metal was polished to a shine like his and just like his it was the breast plate which stood out. It was cut differently than most with a higher bend on the chest to give it a female look but emplaced across it was the Three headed Dragon of House Targaryen with rubies in each of the eyes.
"I didn't make helms for you since I didn't have measurements for your heads." explained Gendry "And I wasn't sure how well helms vision slits would work while flying."
"How did you get our measurements?" inquired Jon confused at how Sansa had gotten them.
"When you were measured for Lord Manderly's cloths, I had them measure you both for armor as well." explained Sansa
"Aegon's sister wives wore armor when they rode their dragons into battle, now I have some." said Dany her hand brushing over the leather, chainmail and solid steal.
"I wouldn't go into a tourney with them, the breast plate are too thin for taking a blow from a charging lance." explained Gendry as he broke down the armor, he had done this many times before when in King's Landing. "I made them thinner so not to put too much weight on the dragon, but they will take sword, hammer and most of all arrow blows at a distance with ease. Just don't go charging with this on horseback with a lance in hand or take a direct hit from a crossbow up close. Not even the best armor can defend against that."
"You made all this?" inquired Deanarys surprised at the skill and speed of this man.
"Not all your grace but most of it, I worked for many years as a black smith apprentice on the Street of Steel in Kings Landing and if I may I did most of the real work for my master." explained Gendry with pride in his voice. "Never made armor of a woman before so I hope everything fits ok, I tried to have it made with more leather and lighter since you never wore armor before to my knowledge."
"Thank you. How much do we owe you?" inquired Daenerys knowing armor was never cheap.
"Nothing for me and Lady Stark took care of it already." explained Gendry as he paused for a moment. "If I may be so bold, I would ask something else for myself."
Sansa tensed a bit wondering what Gendry would ask, if he asked to be legitimized it would make nothing but issues with Stannis. Because if he was legitimized as Robert's son, he would be lord of Storms End and that would make having Stannis bend the knee that much harder.
"I would like to be trained on how to fight." Explained Gendry "I know how to swing a hammer and the like but brute strength isn't always enough and I would also like the material to make a set of armor for myself."
Sansa smiled those where mild requests and she could see no reason it shouldn't be granted and from the look on Daenerys and Jon's face neither could they.
"Of course." said Daenerys nodded her head in agreement.
"I would train you myself however I am needed elsewhere at the moment." stated Jon "And I don't think we have a Master's at Arms at the moment."
"I'll ask Podrick to train him and have Brienne take over once she returns." offered Sansa
"Very well." Confirmed Daenerys as she looked at the armor again. "We will need the armor and the saddles."
"They are ready for you." confirmed Gendry
They had retired back to their rooms briefly as some of the servants in the kitchen where awaken to prepare a meal for the Queen and Jon along with the nearly 500 Dothraki Screamers which were being awakened as well. Daenerys pitied the man who had to wake them up but it had to be done. For herself she was having a horrible time with this thing. She had never worn armor before and for the life of her she couldn't figure out why the armor on her chest wasn't fitting. It just wouldn't fit at all and would pinch in all the wrong ways.
Jon for his part was having no issues as all and had put on the armor with speed, he was fastening on his sword belt when he noticed her problems.
"Here." said Jon as he walked over and adjusted the strap, instantly the tightness went away and the armor fit a lot better. "Armor straps are different than most."
"I am not used to armor." admitted Daenerys in the privacy of their chambers.
"And I hope you never have to be." confirmed Jon softly as he moved some of her hair out of her face, his hand cupping her cheek as she rested her head in it. Jon smiled as he looked into those lyric eyes while she smiled back at him both of them looking into each other's eyes as they came closer and shared a tender kiss, the kiss would have grown into something more if the armor hadn't clashed into each other making a dinging sound.
"What a shame." admitted Daenerys "I was hoping for another relaxing day with you before we went off again."
"Duty calls." countered Jon with sadness in his voice as Jon helped her into the rest of her armor and together they stood there. Daenerys in her red and black armor and Jon in his black and white armor. "A beautiful warrior Queen, all you are missing is a blade."
"Well Dark sister was lost years ago." answered Daenerys as she recalled one of the ancient swords of her or rather their house. The Valyrian steel blade handed down through multiple generations of house Targaryen and wield by Aegon's sister wife Visenya during the Conquest. It was designed for a woman, even if it was a long sword for in Valyria of old women could be warriors if they so choose.
"No." said Jon with a shake of his head. "You need Blackfyre."
Daenerys eyes widened a bit before she saw where Jon was going, Blackfyre was the sword of Kings, the sword of rulers and she was the ruler so Dark Sister wouldn't do.
"Well Blackfyre has been lost for almost 200 years, during the Blackfyre rebellion. Lost in the battlefield if I recall my history." stated Daenerys as she adjusted her armor a bit. "But I think you are right, I need a sword as well or a blade of some kind. I need to be seen as being strong."
"You are strong." countered Jon as he kissed her softly again. "And wise and the most beautiful woman who has graced the world."
"If you are done, flattering me we have work to do." said Daenerys playfully as she kissed him again as the two of them headed out the door and toward the yard.
"You know once we reach the army, I will head South to Greywater Watch." stated Jon
"So? Bran said he will guild you." answered Daenerys
"I am not worried about that, this will be my first time flying alone." admitted Jon as Daenerys smiled. She had gotten used to flying with someone as well not having him by her side would be extra painful.
"Duty calls." countered Daenerys sadly as they reached their dragons, the castle was now alive with activity and everyone had heard of what was happening. The kitchens where going as fast as they could preparing food for the 500 Dothraki Screams who about to head south as fast as possible. The Kitchen servants had long since stopped attempting to keep order and was just handing out bread and semi-warm pieces of meat. The Dothraki for their part were ready to leave, these where the ones who had been left behind while the bulk headed East to take the Dreadfort and they didn't like being left behind.
Daenerys mounted her dragon as the entire crowd grew quiet and looked at her.
"Years ago, I choose all of you as my Blood Riders!" cried Daenerys in Dothraki as Jon and the other Westeros native listened not understanding a word, "You have yet to fail me and you have yet to fail the great Khalasar! You have done what no Dothraki has done before, you have ridden the great wooden horses, crossed the poison water and have charged the dead and lived. You have proven yourself time and time again to me and all who now stand with us."
With that a great cry went up, as the men began to whip themselves up into a frenzy. Even their horses seemed to be getting worked up as they began to go up on their hind legs and pound the ground with their hooves.
"But you have yet to show the newcomers of your greatness, you will show the men in the iron suits how well blood riders of the great grass sea can ride." Stated Daenerys as she challenged them in a way she knew she would work them up. These where people of the horse like she was of the Dragon, to challenge them on horse was something they would never turn away from. "A great battle is about to happen at a walled bridge to our south, it is days away and we have little time. The men in the iron suits do not expect you to arrive in time, I disagree, and you will prove me right! NOW GO MY BLOODRIDERS!"
With that, the Dothraki gave out a load cry and they turned their horses to the South and rode off.
"I sure hope someone gave them a map?" inquired Jaime as he appeared by the main gate watching the riders leave.
"They have several." Confirmed Sansa as she watched them head south.
"The Northern host is in Fairmarket, that is a three-day ride to the Twins and they are at least 9 day ride and that is through the Neck which is controlled by the Iron born." Stated Podrick
"I would say those Horse Fuckers will never make it in time but they have proven me wrong so many times, why not one more." Stated Bronn "And we are in the fucking past anything is possible."
"Yes." Said Jon as he moved to mount his dragon and stopped. "Ser Jaime, Podrick may I ask something of you?"
"You may." confirmed Jaime
"Gendry Waters has asked to be trained in the ways of the sword and I would like you two to do it." stated Jon "Podrick and spar with him and Ser Jaime can instruct him."
"It will be an honor my Lord." said Podrick "That is if Ser Brienne approves when she returns."
"Of Course." stated Jon
"I got nothing better to do." admitted Jaime "It isn't like I am going to ride into King's Landing any time soon and anywhere else I would attempt to go in the North would mean my death."
"For the moment, Aye." confirmed Jon as he headed toward his Dragon, Daenerys was letting the Dothraki get a little ahead. Jon found Ghost sitting next to Sansa, Jon bent down and scratched his white Direwolf's face.
"Stay here boy and protect the place while I am gone." Ordered Jon as the Dire wolf seamed to nodded his head in conformation.
"Good luck." said Sansa "Keep my brother your cousin from doing anything to get himself killed."
"I will try." confirmed Jon as he hugged Sansa before getting on his Dragon. Making sure the new saddle and the straps on where in place, he and Daenerys lifted up into the night sky and headed south passing low over the Dothraki who let out a war cry as they headed out.
The sun was fully risen over the North as Lord Royce Master of Laws, Ser Davos Seaworth Master of Ships and Lord Manderly Master of Coin rode side by side as the army of the Vale and a large force of mounted Manderly Knights headed down the White Road as it was called by the Northerns. The White Road was a road, which went from the King's road following the path of the White Knife to White Harbor before heading overland to just North of Moat Cailin. It wasn't one of the major roads of the Realm, it wasn't cobbled like the King's road was and it wasn't made by King Jaehaerys but it linked White Harbor with the larger network of roads.
"We should reach White Harbor within a few hours." announced Lord Manderly as they road beside the White Knife, the horse he was riding seamed to struggle with his lordship's weight and as such the very large lord didn't carry any armor besides some leathers and any weapons at all.
"How are you doing Ser Seaworth?" inquired Royce
"Wondering what I am doing for the thousandth time since King Stannis called his banners all those years ago." answered the onion knight to one of the most powerful lords in Westeros, Runestone was the second most powerful house in the Vale which would put it among the most powerful in Westeros. He was an upstart Lord granted his lordship and Knighthood by Stannis after smuggling Onions into Storm's End during the Siege saving both Stannis and maybe the rebellion since it kept the massive Tyrell army from marching North toward the Trident where Prince Rhaegar died and Robert Baratheon won his throne. "Sorry my Lord, but I was born in flea bottom and now I am on the council of a Queen and that isn't even touching that we are in the past, so what am I doing here?"
"No need to apologize, ser." stated Royce with a laugh. "I ask myself that same question since coming back, as to why you are here well that is simple, you are here because you are good and noble man and your council has provided great insight in the past. Your voice, the voice of someone with firsthand experience counts more than some highborn who just has some passing knowledge. I would rather have an actual Sailor as Master of Ships then some Lord who has a family history of Sailing but no actual experience."
"That has happened in the past. The Master of Ships was a Knight who had never actually been on a ship before becoming Master of Ships." confirmed Manderly "What was his name…something the Great Ax, under Aegon the Fourth I believe, no matter. I am happy to have you on the council my Lord."
"Tell me, Ser you know Lord Stannis well, better then the two of us will he bend the knee to our Queen?" inquired Royce "Or will he make a fight of it."
Davos looked down for a moment thinking, he had known Stannis for years named he had named his youngest son after the man. He thought he knew the man, and then he had burned his own daughter in hopes of gaining a victory.
"Stannis never wanted the throne." Stated Davos "He saw it as his duty and his right, he may not want to fight but honestly I fear he may think duty demands him to fight. Just like he choose to fight for Robert and rebel against the Targaryen's. He didn't want to do that, he admitted that to me. It was a choice between his King and his Brother, and he choose blood."
"Maybe if we offer him Storms End that will solve the issue." advised Manderly
"Maybe." admitted Davos "However there is Gendry to consider."
"Gendry?" inquired Royce confused
"Isn't that the name of the commoner Lady Arya Stark is sharing her bed chamber with?" inquired Manderly "Disgracer to have a Lady sleeping with someone not her Lord Husband or even promised to each like our Queen is with Lord Stark."
"From what I heard Arya is a wild child and I watched her from ontop of the old keep during the battle, she is more than capable of fighting." Countered Royce "I do agree it is unseemly but…"
"Gendry is Robert's bastard." interrupted Davos as the high lords looked at each other and then him. "And both seam to love each other, I wouldn't be surprised if Gendry is legitimized and wed to Arya."
"Well…that changes things a little." Admitted Manderly rubbing his chin. "A bastard of Robert is legitimized and if he bent the knee to our Queen would be in a strong position to put a claim on Storms End and the Storm Lands. Most of all if he is married to Lady Arya Stark who is cousin to the King Consort."
"Correct…" started Royce as a cheer when up from behind them as they turned around to see two large black shapes heading toward them. "Ah…they are early."
Then one of the shapes, turned to follow the White Knife which the army itself was following while the other kept following the King's Road south.
"Strange they are splitting up?" inquired Davos as the dragon came closer and closer until it was no longer a black dot but instead a black Dragon. The three lords of the council moved to the side of the road as Drogon came in and landed only a few dozen yards away. The black dragon had changed it now had a saddle on its body and the woman sitting on top of it was armored in red and black.
"My Lords." greated Daenerys as she undid the chains and slide from Dragon back.
"Your grace, you are early." greated Royce as all three knelt before her, only to rise when she lifted her hand.
"I know; however Bran saw that Lord Robb and his forces didn't believe our warning and they are now rushing toward the twins." Explained Daenerys "Lord Stark is heading to Graywater Watch to see if they will come to our aid and help take the Twins before Robb and his army arrives."
"The Crannog man and House Reed are not fighters; they will never be able to take the Twins." Countered Manderly
"You forget that Jon will be leading them and they have a dragon." countered Davos "I wouldn't be surprised if after Jon is done if House Reed even has to draw a sword."
"Aye but lets not leave them without support." stated Royce as he turned to his Queen. "Your Grace with your permission, I would like to send a detactment of men down to take Moat Calinin and then on to the twins."
"That is why I am here." Confirmed Daenerys "Send a strong force to take Moat Calinin and after we enter White Harbor I will fly down and support their attack. A force of 500 dothraki screams is also riding down the Kings Road to aid us."
"That leaves Winterfell lightly defended." stated Royce with some concern.
"Winterfell is only a day's flight away and has armies on every side advancing toward any possible threat." Countered Daenerys, that was semi-true there was no army marching on the wall but there was a force heading there to get Rickon Stark and possible Measter Aamon. "Besides we don't have much of a choice, we can't let the Northern Army be destroyed, that would be huge blow to our war against the dead. We need those men."
"I agree, we have to risk it." confirmed Royce with a sigh.
Robb rode near the head of the column as they followed a track which went alongside the Green Fork of the Trident. He wasn't at the head of the army, he had scouts out of course and a vanguard in front of the main column but he was behind that Vanguard at the head of the column. While they march, he would have one high lord or lady ride beside him for a few hours before trading them off for another. While riding by his side he would ask them questions, get their opinion on different things or simply chat. That was a habit he had learned from his late father Lord Eddard Stark who would often sit different people beside him at meals to talk about different matters going on in Winterfell. He wanted to know and be known by the people he would rule as king however since he had gotten the fake letters, he had not let anyone ride beside him.
"Is something wrong with Robb?" inquired Catelyn as she rode behind a large group of lords with some of the women of the court. Considering there was currently only one other women, who wasn't a warrior she road beside her Daughter-in-law, Talisa of Voltantis, well Queen Talisa Stark.
"He is still thinking about those letters." admitted Talisa "It isn't sitting right with him and I agree with him, something is off about them."
"They are fakes what else is there to worry about." Countered Catelyn "A trick by the Lannister's."
"But how did they make those Lords disappear?" countered Talisa as she looked down at her noticeably swollen belly where the next generation of Stark grew inside of her. "I remember in Voltantis the Red Priests proclaiming the coming darkness of the Great Other. Some claimed there would be signs, dark storms which swallowed the sun and how people would disappear in clouds of mist."
Catelyn frowned a bit as she thought about what her son's wife was saying, maybe it was because she was speaking about the faith of those Fire worshiping Red Priests, a religion not welcomed in Westeros. This was the land of the Faith of the Seven and the Old Gods, if her son was to rule over a kingdom split between the faith of the Seven in the River lands and the Old Gods in the North, he couldn't have his Queen be of another religion. She would have to bring that up with them, the last thing they needed would be religious tension ripping them apart making them easy targets for the Lannister's. Still how could they explain how men disappeared before them like smoke, but she recalled the shadow which had killed Renly Baratheon before her eyes in the tent the night before a battle between him and his elder brother Stannis.
"I must admit…I am concerned about that as well." Stated Catelyn "If…magic is real…no magic is real."
That admission caused Talisa to look at her in amazement, most people wouldn't admit they believed in magic most of all high-born lords and ladies. At best some would say magic used to be around but long ago dried up like a riverbed which has no water flowing down it anymore. To admit that one believed magic is real was something to be laughed at.
"When I was treating with Renly I was in his tent when he died, I saw a shadow which flew into his tent and stabbed him." Explained Catelyn her voice only a whisper "I saw it…and the shadow had Stannis's face…if anyone is using Magic it is him and his Red shadow binding witch."
"And he just lost a battle, could he be the one doing this?" inquired Talisa "Could this not be a Lannister trick but one by Stannis?"
Catelyn hadn't considered that, could this be a trick by Stannis and his red Priestess. If so how did he get the hand writing samples to forge her daughter's hand writing. None of it made sense.
For the people outside of White Harbor what they saw made no sense as well, as a large force of men mostly their own white harbor men and Vale forces headed toward the city. What was strange was that they flew the black and red banners of the House Targaryen, along with the grey dire wolf of house stark and another dire wolf graced banner only this one was black with a white wolf. If that wasn't confusing enough there was a breathtaking beautiful woman riding a horse in front of the Lords Manderly and another high lord, Lord Royce judging by the sigil.
The commers looked on confused by the sight but none approached the heavily armed force and then with a roar which shook them to the core a giant black dragon flew over their heads and headed toward the city.
"I don't think you saw White Harbor in our time your Grace." stated Manderly
"Sadly no, my Lord we came in at night and went straight up the White Knife to meet the army." explained Daenerys "All I saw was some darkened buildings."
If truth be told she didn't see any of that, she had Jon had been going at it like Rabbits during their journey North, but she wasn't about to admit that. She turned her attention to the walls of White Harbor which were now clearly visible. The city sat eastern mouth of the White Knife, with some defensive positions on the Western side of the river. The walls of White harbor were thick and strong made of grey northern stone which had been painted white to help with the name. They were still a fair distance off but she could see Drogon flying over the city and out over the harbor before making the turn to head back to them. They could hear bells being rung in the city as Drogon flew over it without a care in the world.
"They know we are here." announced Royce
"Good." Said Daenerys as they kept on the road heading toward the city, more than a few people lifted their heads up from their fields. White Harbor like every city she had ever been to in Westeros had farming fields right outside the walls and right now the fields where tall with winter wheat. They were within a half an hour ride from the gate when the first riders from the city reached them. It was a woman dressed in green with long brown hair in a tight brad with seven knights dressed in shinning silver plate with a green half cap over one shoulder.
"Order of the Green Hand your grace." whispered Royce as the riders came into view. "And ancient order of Knights dating back to the Garth the Green Hand first King of the Reach."
"What are they doing here?" inquired Daenerys, she was unfamilier with the history of house Manderly, she knew they followed the faith of the seven, one of the few in the North to do so but other then that she knew next to nothing.
"My House used to be one of the great houses of the Reach until our enemies drove us from our home." explained Lord Manderly "The Starks took us in and gave us the task to defend the White Knife and we built White Harbor from a small fishing village. We retained our faith, the faith of the Seven and our traditions including Knighthood and the Knights of the Green Hand."
"I don't believe it." Said the woman as the group of riders got closer and came together.
"Leona good to see you." laughed Lord Manderly
"We got a Raven that you disappeared from King Robb's army just vanished like smoke and the same day your raven from Winterfell came claiming you came back from the future." Stated Leona "I thought it was a mummer's tale."
"No, my dear daughter not a mummer's tale." stated Lord Manderly "But where are my manners, Lord Royce, Ser Davos Seaworth allow me to introduce my Daughter-in-law, Lady Leona Manderly and most of all allow me to introduce you to Queen Daenerys of House Targaryen first of her name and the our Queen."
There was a long pause as Leona looked at his woman, Daenerys had changed out of the armor, a small tent had quickly been set up to allow her to change and taken down for them to reassume the march. She wasn't used to armor and didn't want to ride most of the day in it. Instead she wore white dress with open shoulders silver three headed dragon broach.
"Lady Leona it is a pleasure." Greeted Daenerys as Leona tried to figure out what to do, the conflict was all over her face. Lord Manderly was her Lord, her husband was only the heir and his father had bent the knee to this Queen. Still they were loyal to house Stark and had sworn to King Robb, calling her the Queen would break those vows. On top of that there was the fact that an army was now outside the gates and a large black dragon flew over the city. "I understand this may be confusing, if we may enter and address the court, I will answer every question I can. We are not the enemy; in fact we are here to help a great threat is coming and only together do we have any hopes of stopping it."
Lady Leona looked at her position again, White Harbor had the men to stand up against the force outside the walls but only the men. The Dragon by itself could destroy the city and their was nothing that they could do to stop it. Also there was a strong possibility that seeing their liege lord on the other side would make at least some of the cities defenders to turn cloak to house Targaryen. She had only one choose.
"Follow me." Said Lady Leona "I welcome you to White Harbor."
Jon could see his breath frosting in the cold air as he brought Rhaegal off the King's Road which he had been following from above and instead headed toward the coast. From this height he wasn't sure if those on the ground could make out that a Dragon had just flown over, but he could see thick forests turn into the swamps of the Neck. He thought he could just make out the buildings of Moat Calinin in the distance to his right but instead he brought Rhaegal down and to the left bring him out over the coast of the neck. As he dropped down lower he couldn't help but be thankful to Gendry, the addition of a saddle really did make him feel better on Dragon back. Also the chains and other restraints made it easier to hold on as the dragon dove through the air allowing him to do tighter turns and before they had parted Daenerys had actually done a roll while riding Drogon, something he wasn't going even to attempt.
"Alright Bran any time now." announced Jon as Rhaegal slowed down over the water, every animal must have sensed the dragon because birds abounded the sky as he approached. Then suddenly a large black raven flew toward him before turning and heading inland. "Alright let's hope that is Bran."
With that Rhaegal flew higher up but slowed down, guiding for parts of his flight as Jon followed the Raven over the Neck. From above he could see the thick covering of trees of the swamp and bogs which made the Neck almost impassable. He could see larger rivers within the swamp through gaps in the trees and he even saw a few small boats on those rivers, and he could see smoke rising out of some trees. He would bet that that smoke was coming from homes in tiny villages in the swamp. Finally, in the distance he noticed a large clearing in the swamp and what looked to be a piece of high ground. The ground seemed to have multiple large rivers all heading to this point or leaving this point, from his position Jon couldn't tell the flow of the water, still there where at least eight major rivers all converging at this point. The ground was covered with tents and he could multiple flat bottom boats run aground on the high ground. It appeared to be a war camp, for sure and currently they didn't seem to noticed him. Then he saw it, sitting on the river was a massive ship which took up most of the river. Then he noticed that instead of sails the ship had towers, instead of a deck it had a yard and a keep, it was a floating castle.
"Greywater Watch is a ship?" inquired Jon in amazement as he flew over the camp. When the dragon's shadow fell over the men in the camp a few of them looked up and finally noticed him. He could hear calls of alarm and the ringing of bells as Jon flew lower and lower circling the camp and Greywater Watch. Finally, he brought Rhaegal in for a landing, the Dragon feet landed first his claws digging into the soil which while soft was solid. Then it went down on all fours, his long neck moving back and forth as his tails swished behind him. All around him the men and a few women held a mix a spears, short swords, short bows and even a few blowguns, all of them had fear in their eyes. These where fishermen, hunters and farmers of small gardens. They were not warriors, none of them had any armor beyond some leather and as he stepped onto the ground his new armor clank as he moved forward to stand beside his dragon's head.
"I am not going to hurt you." Said Jon as he held out one hand while keeping the other on the Longclaw's pummel. "I need to speak to Lord Reed, could you please send for him."
"Who are you! And how did you get a Dragon?" yelled someone from the crowd.
"I need to speak to Lord Reed." stated Jon using a strong firm voice, a Lord's voice his father had once called it and it worked here. He watched as five men ran off to either find their Liege Lord or to get away from the Dragon. It took a few minutes, but the crowds parted as an older man with some grey hair in his brown hair. His short beard had gray in it as well, he was dressed in a mixture of leathers and castle forged steel with a long sword and short dagger. He seemed to be about his Uncle's age, however he seemed to have had a harder life in the swamps then the Lord of Winterfell Eddard Stark. He had the black lizard lion of his house on his armor.
"Lord Reed." Said Jon as stepped forward.
"Aye." stated Howland Reed as he looked at the Dragon before looking back at Jon. "You look like your mother, Aegon."
Jon was taken aback for a moment; he had been expecting something but not that.
"I am Jon." corrected Jon "I am not taking my father's title, but I have been legitimized by Queen Daenerys Targaryen as the trueborn son of Lyanna Stark and Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and she and I are bethroaded."
"I see…" said Howland "Then the real question is how do you look so much older then you should be, you should be 19, a man grown aye but a young man still in the summer of his manhood you are still young but I can tell by your eyes that you have seen things."
"One could say that." confirmed Jon "Can we speak in private."
"Aye, you must be hungry." Confirmed Howland as he eyed the Dragon. "Do Dragons eat fish? We don't really have much else?"
"I don't see why not." confirmed Jon as Rhaegal seamed to relax a bit as the men and women around lowered their weapons but remained tensed. "We need to talk; Robb and the Northern Army is about to be betrayed at the Twins. The Freys are working for the Lannister's and I need your help saving them."
"Let's go to my hall." Stated Reed before turning toward a nearby guard. "Get all the Village leaders and bring them to my hall, we have an important visitor."
Far, far, far to the North beyond the wall, beyond the Haunted Forest, beyond Frost Fang Mountains and even the Lands of Always Winter the Knight King road through long abounded streets. He passed under still standing archways written in a language long forgotten by man. All around him where the remains of this once great city of man and multiple holy marks in long abounded religious. As he moved through the streets which strangely wasn't covered with snow thanks to the high winds which where common here blowing them away, he couldn't help but remember this place, the place of his greatest defeat and his second chance. He moved down the ancient stone houses and the other things which had once been required when men called this place home. The large temple at the top of a hill caused his frozen blood to boil for a moment before he rode past. He exited through a gap in the wall and found himself at the shoreline, hundreds of ancient long ships where still moored on the beach a frozen banner of House Stark still visible from one of the ships. The foolish ancient Stark king who tried to find a way across the sunset sea, all he managed to do was strange his men up here. They where among the 1st to join his ranks when he returned. Besides those ships was another, a different make all together and much more resent, the banner of House Targaryen still flapping in the wind and the name Sun Chaser still visible on the haul of the ship. The Night King smiled as he looked at that ship, knowing how that foolish crew was thank for his return, even the Ancient Stark men who died on this beach knew not to do what they did.
With that trip down memory lane done he dismounted from his undead horse. He walked the last few yards his feet crunching on the frozen pebble beach as he looked out over the ice-cold water. Multiple ice bergs floated in the water and every so often he could see seals and massive black and white sea wolves moving in the frozen Water. His ice blue eyes looked past them to the distant peaks that where just visible on the far side of this gap.
Slowly he bent down and dug his hand into the pebbles, when he stood back up he let the pebbles and sand fall from his hands leaving an ancient arrow head in his hands. He did one last look at the sea before him and the distant mountain peaks. Then he turned back to see the massive undead army gathered on the beach. He looked up and down at the giants, humans and other deadly animals all of whom where undead and under his direct command, while his "sons" sat on their mounts waiting for him. He slowly nodded his head as a group of figures moved out of the mass of the dead, they were small about the size of a human 12 year old, the leaves which used to grace their bodies where now blackened and instead of golden eyes they had deep blue eyes.
The wight Children of the Forest moved forward and raised their hands, before letting out unearthly screams which came together to form an unholy song. While they sang the ground began to shake as the Night King walked back to his mount. He could feel his "sons" eyes on him, they knew that this was always part of his plan, but it wasn't supposed to happen until after they had destroyed all of humanity on Westeros. They were unsure of this plan but they would follow him without question, in truth he was unsure of this path himself but he knew it was the only way to gain what he needed. As he got on his horse the coastline had already extended outwards as the undead children began to raise the ground their ancestors had destroyed all those years ago. He allowed himself a smile as he watched the land bridge between Northern Westeros and Northern Essos began to rise again from the deep because if he couldn't lure the Dragons North again to destroy them to get through the wall…then he would just have to go to plan B even if would also aid the Three Eyed Raven for a bit of time. It was the only way.
Thanks I hope you enjoyed this chapter, just to note incase you are wondering a Sea Wolf is basically a Killer Whale and a Lizard Lion is a crocodile or alligator, that is what they are called in the game of thrones universe according to the World of Ice and Fire. I hope that clears up any questions, also I am going to try to switch updating stories between this one and my other story every weekend Friday-Sunday so I hope to post the next chapter of this story in 2 weeks. Now this was a set up chapter for things to come and I hope you enjoyed it. Until next time, Thanks Wilkins75.
