Chapter 12 Wolves and Dragons
"You haven't learned anything yet?" inquired Arya as she and her family stood in the Lord's study at Winterfell. Currently Sansa was using it was her study where she commanded not only the forces around Winterfell but was basically severing as Deanerys' capital since she didn't have King's Landing or Dragon Stone. Letters from across the North where coming here because Daenerys was on the move so much. As such Sansa sat behind a desk looking both at her sister and her brother.
"Sadly not much we are following Edrick and a small hunting party across a large grass land in what will later become the Lands of Always Winter." explained Bran "We don't want to rush forward in case we miss something."
"We understand." Stated Jon as he held a mug of Northern ale in his hands, Sansa had a tall thin glass of wine before her on the desk. "We do have an issue that came up…I went to the isle of faces."
"Turns out Lord Reed's wife is from the isle and is a quarter child of the forest…I meant a full-blooded child of the forest on the island and they want you to come there Bran." Explained Jon "They say it will help us win the war and that the island is the heart of the weir wood network."
"Do you believe them?" inquired Sansa
"Not fully, I was going to leave it to Bran." admitted Jon as he looked at his Brother/cousin. "The fact that the other Raven is North of the Wall has me wondering why, if this is the heart of the network why isn't the Raven there?"
"A good question." confirmed Bran
"If this is the heart of the network as they claim then you should go." stated Sansa. "It is easier to find information if you are in a place which actually has a lot of information coming in. It is easier to find information in Kings Landing then in a small keep in the county side."
"What is concerning both the Raven and myself is that he hasn't been killed yet…the Night King should have reached him by now." explained Bran "Yet he hasn't."
"Could the Night King not have come back and he is unaware of us coming back?" inquired Arya
"No…he knows." stated Bran in a tone of voice that said that he was 100% sure. "He is planning something."
"We all know the stories that Old Nan told us as children about the Walkers, how they rode ice spiders, feed on babies and all the other horror stories about the Walkers." stated Sansa
"I haven't seen riding spiders or eating babies, not sure they eat at all." stated Arya "We can't trust the old stories."
"They don't feed on babies but they do use them…I saw them take babies from a free folk North of the Wall." countered Jon "I don't know what they use them for?"
"They turn them into Walkers." answered Bran "The Walkers are the adult versions of those children taken over the years."
"How many years?" inquired Sansa
"We don't know…" stated Bran
"He couldn't have been around since the age of heroes or else he would have attacked sooner." stated Sansa
"So the question is where was he." said Arya
"No, the question is how to do we end him." countered Jon
"That is what we have to find out." added Bran as he looked toward his siblings and his cousin. "I need to talk to the other Raven but if I have to then I will go to the isle of faces to find those answers."
"Well we can't find those answers tonight, we need our rest that includes you Bran, I don't want you overdoing it again." stated Sansa as she looked at Jon and Arya. "You two should get some rest your flying to the twins tomorrow."
The campfires had burned low as most men who weren't on watch where asleep either on the ground or under tents. Moving among them with only a trailing aid, two Starkmen and a few guards was their lord, the banners of his house the Flayed Man of House Bolton hung limp in the fall air. For the Northman it felt much warmer than it actually was, they were used to the far north where this cold at night was often more common during late summer not late fall. Still their Lord Roose Bolton could see his breath in the air.
"Tell me again." Ordered Roose as he turned to look at a two massages, their armor almost matched his own men, but their padded cloths under their breast plate armor where the grey of house Stark not the black of House Bolton.
"The Twins where attack and have fallen to an unknown threat…." Stated the first Stark Man
"It was a Dragon." Answered the other "It burned the Knights of House Frey in the field as they charged to attack us."
"They betrayed us." Added the first Stark man
"I see, and where is King Robb?" inquired Lord Roose Bolton as he flexed his hands inside his wolf's fur lined gloves.
"He is in the woods outside of the Twins watching them and he wants your foot to rush forward and for you to come at once." Stated second man
"And was any Frey taken alive to answer for their crimes?" inquired Roose
"Aye, the grandson of the Lord." Answered the first man as Roose nodded his head and turned to look toward the North. He knew what he had to do and with lightning speed he pulled his sword and cutting both down with a single swing of his sword. It took two follow up thrust to end their lives but they were both on the ground after the sudden attack.
"My Lord." Said the aid without even blinking at the execution of the man sent by their king.
"Well the secret is out in the open, Waldan knew about our deal with House Frey and the Lannisters." announced Roose, he had also heard about that letter from the future which told of his betrayer. He didn't believe it at first who would?
Now he wasn't so sure, he had seen two figures disappear before his eyes and the only answer he had was magic and now a Dragon at the Twins. He didn't have time to focus on that, the plan to betray House Stark and destroy the Northern and Riverland army had itself been destroyed. He had to make the best of what he could. He couldn't surprise Robb's forces and destroy them so he had to make the best offer to both the boy King Joffrey and most importantly his grandfather the Hand of the King.
"Wake everyone up, we march back to the Ruby Ford, the inner at the crossroads and Harrenhal. If we hold both of them then it will make it all the easier for the Lannisters and Tyrells to march up the King's road to take back the Riverlands." ordered Roose
"At once my Lord." said the aid
"And send a raven to King's Landing informing the Hand of the King of the events and that I expect our deal to be honored. We will bend the knee to his grandson and give him access to the Riverlands." Stated Lord Bolton as the aid nodded and prepared to leave. "Also tell the man, I want all those farms and villages we passed on the way up here to be burned to the ground, anything of value taken and feel free to put anyone who fights to the sword."
"Yes, my Lord." confirmed the aid as he went to run off to carry out the orders.
Hours before dawn Jon woke up in his and Daenerys bed in Winterfell but he wasn't alone, Ghost had jumped up onto the bed and had curled up by his master. Jon still waking up a bit reached out and scratched his direwolf's ear causing him to lean a bit closer. Still he had to get up and as he did Ghost sat up and looked at him with a disappointed look on his face.
"I am sorry boy." apologized Jon, he knew he should pay more attention to his dire wolf however he couldn't take Ghost with him on Dragon back and he needed to move quickly. Maybe once things settled down and he and Daenerys where living in a single location then Ghost could be with them constantly. He grinned a bit imagining what those King Landers would say about a white Direwolf walking the halls of the Red Keep. Then again, a Direwolf would be nothing compared to dragons over King's Landing for the first time in over a hundred years. In the short term he would have to let Ghost keep guarding Sansa and Rickon while he flew back and forth across Westeros.
Ghost followed him into the great hall to find a small breakfast waiting for him, Ser Brienne was there guarding Sansa like she was sworn to do by Lady Catelyn Stark all those years ago. Ser Jaime Lannister dressed in lighter Northern Armor died red and crimson of House Lannister sat beside her breaking his fast with boiled eggs and bacon. Gendry and Arya came in together and talked softy together as they ate.
"So today we have to face our past." Said Sansa as Jon nodded his head.
"Any advice on how to handle Lady Stark?" inquired Jon as he took a bite of some salted pork before having some eggs.
"Convince Robb." answered Sansa "I am not sure nothing you can do could convince my mother about the true. She has seen you for years as a symbol of my father's betrayal of their marriage vows. That will blind her so don't try to convince her, convince Robb and once they bend the knee I will work on convincing her."
"Could Arya help?" inquired Jon
"She will help but not enough and you know Arya will clash with her like she always did." stated Sansa as Jon nodded again, he had known the answer but wanted the conformation.
"My Lord, My Lady." said a voice as both of them looked to see Measter Walkan walking up to them with a message in hand. "From the Hand of the Queen."
Sansa took the message and opened it scanning the message and handed it to Jon who read it as well.
"Well you have another message to give our Queen." Said Sansa as Jon nodded his head and tapped a breast pocket under which contained additional letters.
Within the hour Jon, Ayra, Gendry and Jaime all headed toward Rhaegal, extra sets of cloths had been loaded into the large saddle bags built into the saddles and even the small bits of armor that Gendry had started for his own suit. Sansa, Ser Brienne walked with them, Bran watched them from the walls with Measter Walkan and Hodor who had taken over the task of pushing the wheelchair around with ease.
"I can't believe I am doing this." said Jaime as the Dragon looked at him with his golden eyes some light smoke coming from between his razor-sharp teeth.
"I can't wait." said Arya with a huge smile on her face as she ran her hands across Rhaegal's face just above his teeth.
"She is either brave or she is mad." said Jon softly to Sansa.
"No…she is Arya." Countered Sansa as Jon mounted Rhaegal and waited for a moment as first Arya then Gendry before lastly Jaime got on the Dragon. Gendry had made the saddle extra big because he knew Deanarys had a habit of transporting people on Dragon back. Still it was tight but everyone had thick strong chain cords holding them to the saddle.
"Ready." Said Jon
"As ready as I will ever be." Confirmed Gendry
"Do it." Ordered Arya as Rhaegal roared and stretched its wings and took off into the early morning sky, Jon used Winterfell to ornate himself before he flew South following the path of the King's road as best as he could. Arya was actually laughing something he couldn't remember hearing in a long time, Jaime seamed quiet but never looking down. Gendry seamed scared but composed as they headed out.
About an hour into their flight, the eastern sky began to lighten as the sun rose. The light of the new dawn bathed them in its golden light. Jon couldn't help but smile as the sense turned into something no artist could ever do justice in a painting nor poet on the page. It was a once in a lifetime view and one that few people in the entire history of the world had ever seen before, dawn from the sky. The clouds where golden and the air was warm then they passed through a cloud and felt the condonation on their faces before coming out the other end.
"This must be what heaven is like." said Gendry with wonder in his voice.
"Aye." confirmed Jaime taking in the perfect blue sky and the soft clouds.
Jon felt Arya twist behind him in the saddle, he turned a bit to look over his shoulder to see Ayra had turned around as best as she could given the restraints she had on her to make sure she didn't fall of the dragon. He saw could see that Arya had pulled Gendry into a kiss and he was returning it just as passionate as she was.
"No…" said Arya as she pulled away from Gendry for a moment "Now it is heaven."
Jon couldn't help but smiled even as he rolled his eyes a bit he had never seen Arya this happy before. Rhaegal roared as Jon turned his attention back to flying, he looked down and spotted the King's Road slightly to his left, he had drifted a little of course but not by much and adjusted to take him back over the King's Road.
Queen Daenerys dressed early and spent a little bit of time walking the camp with her trail of guards, she had seen Jon do this many of times and it seemed that the men responded well to him doing so. The first couple of interactions where things she wished to never experience again, coming across a drunken Vale Knight walking out of this tent to make his morning water, only instead of walking all the way to the latrine he decided to piss in the walking path in front of the tent. Right in front of the Queen who was walking past, when he finally opened his eyes after Daenarys had cleared her throat multiple times did he realize what he was doing and covered himself and streamed out enough apologized to fill the sails of a ship from Old Town to Bravos. Daenerys let it past these men had done a very long ride but she did take note of the Knight's sigil, he may just find himself on pulling an extra guard duty as punishment for pissing in front of a Queen but likely not that seemed too harsh most knights were not used to dealing with High Born Lady yet alone a Queen in a war camp.
The other couple of first interactions where not as bad as that but it were bad, the common men-at-arm, lower knight and free rider didn't know how to deal with a Queen. She had better luck with the higher lords and knights and the women. Some local women had made their way to the Twins having seen the dragon in the sky, they came and Daenerys welcomed them. She talked to them and listened to them as well. She exited the tent to find Lord Royce waiting in a strange set of armor, it was in the traditional plate and mail style but instead of bright colors or polished steal which shinned in the sunlight, his was a dirty brown with dark marks all around. He must have noticed her looking at the armor.
"House Royce traces its roots to the first men and a warrior who wore armor protected by magic runes, we keep that tradition going even to this day." Explained Lord Royce "Your Grace when do you want to send riders across the river to Lord Stark?"
"Tell me Lord Royce, if you were in Lord Robb's position on a quick march from Fairmarket to here when would the last of your foot arrive here?" inquired Daenerys as Lord Royce blinked a bit.
"The bulk would have arrived late last night, maybe the rear guard would still be coming in but he is about at full strength." stated Royce as the two of them looked toward the East, the land was mostly flat but it did rise up to a woods which then stretched almost about half of the horizon the other half being farmland. The Northern and Riverland forces had to be in the woods, if they were in the fields they would have been spotted from Dragonback.
"And he will not agree to a meeting until he has his men in place, and he feels as if he can put forward a sign of strength." Stated Daenerys as she looked toward the forest. "No…he will want to come to see us personally, but he will be held back…I expect that he will send his mother Lady Stark to speak for him. He did that here once before with Walder Frey did he not?"
"He did, however he will not be able to keep his position in the woods for long." Stated Lord Royce "An army is a hungry beast and they can't stay in the woods for long, they have maybe five days perhase a week before they will have to either move to another castle for supply or try to take us here."
"And while I am not a trained warrior, even I can see that would be foolish." stated Daenerys as she looked to the Twins. The two squat castles had been roasted by dragon fire but Rhaegal's flames wasn't as hot as Aegon's the Conquers Balerion the Black Dread which had melted Harrenhal's stone walls, Rhaegal's had only burned away the wood and that could be replaced. Local craftsman most of whom had come to see the Dragons where already at work doing so. Already an outer gate of rough wood was in place in the Western castle. It would take a lot to take the Twins now and that without the Dragons attacking from the air.
"We are in a good defensive position for sure." confirmed Royce
"Agree." said Daenerys "Lord Royce would you like to share a lunch together, I need some advice form you and a few others."
"It would be an honor." confirmed Royce "Who else do you want to join us?"
"Lord Reed for sure, a Maester and a Septon as well and a handful of Knights of your choose but please pick equally from the North and Vale." said Daenerys as Royce nodded his head "I want to hear about their ideas on how to improve the realm as a whole. Things need to change, things will change."
The argument had gone on since before dawn, but Robb couldn't be convinced otherwise, his Lords tried to talk him out of it, even his wife did which was likely the first time the Northern and River lords agreed with the foreign born Queen of the North. There was no talking him out of it but nothing could make him change his mind, in truth it was something Eddard would have done but it didn't make it wise. So now she sat beside her son, her King as they headed toward the Twins. They moved in a party of seven, to honor the Seven Gods, with a tail of seven guards carrying the Banners of the houses. Beside on the other side of the King rode the Great Jon Umber and a Maester. Beside her rode her Uncle Brynden Tully better known as the Blackfish, Lord Mallister of Seaguard and a Septon carrying the banner of the Seven-pointed star.
She had told Robb how unwise it was to ride into an enemy camp as a King but he would hear none of it and so the seven of them with Seven guards headed out. Greywind the massive dire wolf did walk beside Robb's horse as they headed toward the Twins.
Once they cleared the woods it didn't take long as a half dozen bronzed men wearing almost nothing but horsehair vests and leather breaches rode up to them. They had long brads of black hair with bells in them which made noise whenever they moved. They stopped and looked at them for a moment speaking in some sort of tongue they couldn't understand. Then one of them moved closer and drew up Infront of Robb.
"You…wolf lord?" inquired the man in broken common as he pointed at Robb and then at Greywind.
"Wolf King." corrected Robb before nodding his head.
"Follow us, we take you to Knight." said the man as he took the lead, while the other men stood back and watched talking among themselves.
"Well no turning back now." said Catelyn to her Uncle. "Seven protect us."
"Aye, never thought I would see Dothraki again, saw a few of them in stepstones during the war of the Nine Penny Kings." stated Brynden as they headed forward, as they got closer they moved over the burned remains of the battle from a few days ago. It still smelled of burned flesh and the now blacken chard bones and other remains of the men who died here where still being burned in a pile.
"They already burned the bodies why are they burning them again?" inquired Lord Mallister as a group of mounted knights headed out from the Twins their armor shinning in the sun as the Banners of House Manderly and Arryn flew behind them as well as the Banner of House Targaryen.
"I leave you with them." said the bronzed man as he turned his horse and galloped away as the knight drew closer.
"Ah…Lord Stark we have been expecting you and your party for some time." greated a Manderly Knight, with a green cloak over one shoulder as he approached them. "Our Queen awaits you, she is just finishing a meeting and would be glad to welcome you."
"That is King Stark." corrected the Great Jon Umber "Our did you forget whom you oath your loyalty to?"
"No, my Lord however Lord Manderly, White Harbor and myself has all bent the knee to Queen Daenerys." explained the Knight as he got glares from the people he was talking to. "Truth be told, he wouldn't have been my King anyhow, I was at the Battle of Winterfell and so forth."
That confused them but they decided not to press the issue as they rode over the new drawbridge and the large corridor which cut through the heart of the castle and out onto the bridge. The bridge was large enough for two carts to pass each other so it was large enough for them to pass. They passed over the rushing waters of the Green Fork of the Trident and into the enemy camp. It was the strangest thing they had ever seen, Northern houses, Vale House and Dothraki. Men were walking around, some woman where moving around as well, washer woman and a few whores as well. All seemed to be local woman but that wasn't surprising. They headed toward the largest tent which sat with large but not as large tents around it with a large open area in the middle. The entire area had some wooden barriers for extra protection, and they had to pass through a checkpoint.
"Proceed, the Queen just finished her meeting." reported the Vale guard as they rode in. What they found was a ring of tents with a large open area in the middle, normally this would be a fire pit and cooking area for the high lords however instead there laying on the ground was a giant black beast with red highlights.
"By the Seven." Whispered Catelyn as the giant beast which had been laying on the Ground rose up a bit and turned and looked at the visitors.
"Ah…they have arrived." said a new voice as Catelyn and the others turned to see a man standing by the largest tent. He was dressed in the bronze color armor with runic in it of house Royce, he even looked like Lord Royce but he was far too old. Lord Royce had been at Winterfell not three years ago, bringing his youngest son to the Night's Watch and had guested at Winterfell for over a month longer then King Robert had truth be told. She knew Lord Royce well but this man was too old to be him but yet it was clearly him. He turned his attention from them to the Dragon.
"Your Grace." said Royce raising his voice as they noticed a figure dressed in white walking beside the black dragon, running a hand across the scales. Robb turned to see the figure set out from behind the dragon to stand beside it's massive head.
Then they saw her, it was as if a goddess had appeared before him made flesh, her hair was a silver, blonde, her eyes an impossible laic color and her body was as shaped by a goddess she was breathtaking in every imaginable way. Robb's heart skipped a beat and even though he was a married man and loved his wife and his unborn child, but his 19-year-old body couldn't help but imagine what this woman looked like in the bedchamber. Her white dress was form fitting with an open top around the shoulders and bust line with a small v cut to show more cleavage while white shoulder cap went down to about her waist, a silver pin with the three headed dragon held the cap to her dress in the upper left corner of her blouse. She stood beside the black dragon who sniffed the hair and showed a little tooth but there was no growling or smoke and she seamed totally at ease beside the deadly beast.
For her part Daenerys was eyeing Robb, she could tell that he was goggling at her, a lot of man and every boy had done that since she had flowered, even Jon had done that when they first meet in the throne room of Dragon Stone. Jon however had recovered himself quickly and while he still eyed her like Robb was doing now, it was more playful and had been used a few times for some fun in the bedchamber. It was also returned by Daenerys as she eyed Jon the same way, his strong body, his face which was both hard and yet soft and when he smiled it was like a bright light in a darkened chamber. Jon was a man in every way, the man she loves, her second half while Robb here looked like a boy pretending to be a man.
Robb's crown looked too heavy for him, he seemed to slouch a little under the weight and he just looked like a boy, with only a little bit of a beard and it looked rather thin. In truth, he reminded her of a male Sansa which made sense, considering they were brother and sister and due to the time travel Sansa was now older then Robb. One could tell by looking in Sansa's, Arya's or anyone else's eyes that they were mature and she didn't see that in Robb. She saw a boy pretending to be a man, who was trying to be a King, she had just started to question maybe if the North wouldn't be better with Sansa as Wardeness of the North when he eyes fell on the woman behind Robb.
She had the same red hair which was shared by her eldest son, Bran and her daughter Sansa as well as the two sons she knew only briefly Rickon. Only her Daughter Arya didn't have the look of the Tully's, there was only one person that could be Lady Catelyn Stark, wife of the late Lord Eddard Stark and the woman who had made Jon's life harder than it had to be. Her eyes narrowed as she glared at this woman, this woman who had made it her goal to mistreat the man she loves and make his life harder for no reason. She could understand not being happy about an bastard child but it wasn't the fault of the child but the man, her husband Lord Stark. She couldn't understand what type of woman could hate a motherless child. She hated her; she hadn't even spoken a single word to her yet her blood boiled at the sight of her but she had worked with people she hated before. She even attempted to work with Queen Cersei Lannister if she could attempt that then she could work with Lady Catelyn Stark.
Catelyn didn't know what to think, this woman looked like a Targaryen but she was too old, she would have been of age with Robb but she was in her twenties for sure. It made no sense, and then there was the fact that Royce was beside her and he seemed older as well, she had seen him only two years ago when he brought his youngest son North to join the watch, she had hosted him for almost three weeks since it had been so long since Eddard had seen his old friend from his boyhood. Then she noticed that the Targaryen woman had turned her attention on her, her eyes had narrowed and she saw anger in those liacic eyes, smoke had also started to come from between the dragon's teeth. The fire was there for a moment before she turned her attention back to Robb. Daenerys patted Dragon one last time as the smoke stopped before walking forward toward the large gathering of people. She scanned the group but focused on Robb and Lady Stark.
"Lord Robb Stark." Said the woman in a smooth voice. "It is an honor to meet you in person, I have only heard stories about you."
"That is King Robb Stark." Corrected Jon Umber with force as Daenerys turned her attention toward him. "King of the North and Rivers."
"I see, I have played this game before, very well." said Daenerys as with a perfect smile. "I am Queen Daenerys of House Targaryen first of her name, breaker of Chains, Khalashi of the Great Grass Sea, The Unburnt, Queen of the Ronar and the first men, mother of Dragons, protector of the Realm and the Queen of the Seven Kingdom's of Westeros."
She eyed Robb as she gave her list of titles and he seemed to flinch a bit but she couldn't know if it was based on her gaze or her titles. She remembered how Ser Davos Seaworth had just called Jon the King in the North in the halls of Dragonstone when they first meet, it was kind of funny and the look on Jon's face told her he wasn't a normal high-born king or lord. The fact that he didn't take the title Stark when he became King was a sign of that. She had watched Jon come ashore with his men in salt stained armor and even helped his men pull the boat ashore, he was a man used to being with his men on the front and they loved him for this and she loved that about him. Robb had come forward dressed in fine armor and cloths and with a crown on his head, he wanted to be seen as a King and he was failing badly in her eyes. It would have been better if he came come as a warrior dressed for that, reports where he did very well at the battle of Whispering Woods and others, he was trying to play a part of a King and failing. She turned her attention to the Dire Wolf which was standing beside Robb's horse, he was smaller then Ghost but larger than a normal wolf. She held out her hand palm out as the Dire Wolf moved forward and sniffed her hand.
"I wouldn't do that…Dire Wolves are wild animals and…" started Catelyn the last thing needed was Grey Wind to bite the Dragon Queen arm off while her Dragon was only yards behind her. If that happened the Dragon would bath them in fire killing them all. Instead of biting the Targaryen woman arm, the large dire wolf rubbed his head against the palm and Daenerys scratched the large wolf behind the ear as he wagged his tail which was rare for Greywind aside from Robb, his wife and herself.
Daenerys hid her smile at the amazed looks on Robb, Lady Stark and the others faces before she turned and looked at turned to Lord Royce and Lord Reed who had come out from a nearby tent.
"Lord Royce, Lord Reed would you mind joining me again on council." Inquired Daenerys as she turned showing her back to the Northern and Riverland party. "If a Measter and the Septon is also still here please bring them as well."
"Of course." said Lord Reed as Daenerys turned and headed toward the large tent.
"What just happened?" inquired Robb as suddenly the Black Dragon roared causing everyone to jump aside from Daenerys who stopped beside the tent opening and watched on as a not as big dragon came in for a landing. It was the same Green dragon which had defeated the Frey forces the day before. It was a giant creature but it was smaller than black dragon. When it landed on the other side of the black dragon and with the dust it kicked up with the flapping of its leathery wings the Northerns where slightly blinded. When the dust settled, they could see figures getting off the Dragon's back but couldn't see clearly who it was.
"He needs a good meal." said a voice which caused both Robb's and Catelyn's eyes to widen, that was Jon's voice.
"Yes, Lord Stark." said a different voice.
"Thanks." answered Jon's voice
"That was…" started a female voice as a group of figures came around the other side of the Dragon. One was a man, dressed in white chain mail armor with a plate over parts. A long sword hung from his hip along with a dagger, his hair was pulled back into a bun and he had scars over his eyes. He looked like a battle-hardened warrior. Beside him walked a woman, small in frame and size but with a look a kin to a deadly shadowcat, beautiful graceful and deadly. A short bravos style sword and a dagger rested on her belt and she wore leather armor. Her dark eyes where the first to see them and she was the first to stop and look at them.
"Arya?" said a much larger man behind them, he looked strong enough to take down an ox. He wore a simple tunic and pants but had a large hammer hanging from a strap across his back along with a shield.
"We have company." announced Arya as the others turned and looked at the gathering. Jon stiffened as did Arya.
"Is that who I think it is?" inquired the larger man.
"Aye it is." Confirmed the other man, he was taller than Jon and wore Northern style armor but colored Lannister red and gold instead of grey or black. "Looks like we arrived in the middle of the meeting."
"Actually, just as they were started." explained Lord Royce
"Lord Jon Stark, before we begin would you please join me in the tent." Said Daenerys as Jon snapped out of his stunned state and turned from looking at Robb and Catelyn and to Daenerys who stood in the opening of the tent.
"Yes, my Queen." answered Jon as he started moving again, passing within feet of Robb, Lady Stark and the others only pausing for a moment to scratch Grey Wind's ear. The dire wolf smelled his brother Ghost's scent on him just like he had smell Ghosts' scent on Daenerys. He tried not to look at Robb or most of all Lady Stark but he found his eyes move toward them as he finished starching Grey Wind, Robb was in a state of shock and so was Lady Stark.
"Jon?" inquired Robb as Jon nodded his head and kept moving into the Tent.
The Tent was large befitting a Queen, every high lord and knights had a tent they brought with them on the march. The larger the tent the richer and more powerful the owner was. As a Queen Daenerys had one of the largest tents, with black canvas outside oiled to help rain slip off it. The inside was illumined with multiple lanterns and was separated into three general areas. A dinning/meeting area with a large wooden table with large cabinet full of food drink and most of all map and other supplies needed to plan out a military attacks. There was also a more relax sitting area which had a small fire pit in the middle, a hole in the roof let smoke out that wasn't common among great Westeros lords, but that was very common among Dothraki. Behind it all was a large bedchamber which was separated by a canvas sheet.
The Three headed dragon banner of Targaryen hung behind the head of the table but also there was a banner with his new sigil the white direwolf on a black field. While it wasn't as large as the Dragon banner it was there. None of that mattered because standing just on the other side of the tent flap out of view of the people outside was Daenerys. Her laic eyes glinting in the light from the lanterns. Jon smiled at her and she smiled back as she pulled him close and wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him down slightly, he was short for the average man, but he was still slightly taller than she was. Jon pulled her close, they hadn't really had a moment alone together in days and he would want nothing more than to spend the rest of the day with her alone just talking, being with her but they both had duties. She was Queen and he was her soon to be King Concert and a trusted advisor. Still for this moment he could enjoy the taste of her lips and in hail the sweat smell of her scent.
Sadly they had to part and had to go back to be a Queen and him a Lord. Dany's finger's brushed down Jon's lips as they sadly parted even as he wanted to pick her up and take her to the bedchamber but both of them knew they had duties to carry out.
"You bring news from the North?" inquired Dany as Jon pulled out several letters which had come to Winterfell.
Outside the tent Arya didn't want to deal with the other two "Starks" who were looking at her in confusion since Jon had walked into the tent. She didn't know how long her brother and his soon to be wife would, by blood Jon was her cousin but in her heart, he was her brother and in time Deanarys would be her sister in law. She wasn't sure if Sansa felt the same, but she thought she did. She didn't feel much of anything for Robb and Catelyn, they had died in front of her when she and the hound arrived minutes too late for the Red Wedding so in her mind the two figures getting off their horses where dead. She turned to see Lord Royce eyeing them, which was something a little odd and then she realized that he wasn't eyeing her but Gendry who was standing beside him.
"I think he wants a word with you." whispered Arya as Gendry looked at her. "Go."
"Alright." said Gendry as Arya watched him walk over toward the older lord. She could just make out a few vale knights gathered around a man with a lute singing a song which caused all of them to laugh. Her eyes narrowed a bit as she studied the figure. She was about sure who it was when she heard footsteps coming up behind her, she mentally hit herself for allowing herself to get so focused on the figure she was studying that she didn't notice the two figures get that close to her.
Catelyn Stark's heart was pounding in her chest as she got off her horse and headed toward this woman who looked like an older Arya. She didn't want to believe that this woman was Arya but it she looked like Arya, she sounded like Arya but how could this be possible. She got off her horse and moved toward this woman, her feet rushing so fast that she almost tripped over skirts. She noticed that Robb was moving toward Arya as well but not as fast as she was. The woman turned her head a bit to give her a profile view and it only reinforced her belief that this was her daughter that she hadn't seen in three years and was as far as she know imprisoned somewhere within the Red Keep. Since she hadn't been seen since Eddard was imprisoned it was possible that her little girl in the black cells of the Red Keep where the strongest men break. She was about to reach out and touch her when the woman called out.
"Tom Sevenstreams of the Brotherhood without Banners!" yelled this woman as she started to walk away from her and toward a large gathering of Vale Knights. Her voice got the attention of not only Lord Royce but that large man who had come with them. Jaime Lannister had also walked over to stand by Lord Royce also turned and looked at Arya. The Vale knights gathered around a singer also looked at her, only the singer didn't turn and look. Instead he bolted as fast as possible pushing past some Knights.
Arya paused and smiled to herself, the singer of the Brotherhood without banners had just done what she wanted. She bolted away from her mother and began to dart between some supply crates and other items, jumping over some with the skills of a cat. Tom had the better way to get out, he was closer to the exit and had nothing in his way, still Arya beat him sliding to a stop in front of him pulling Needle as she did and putting it to his face. The man's eyes widened as he looked at her.
"You didn't have to run Tom." explained Arya as the man focused on her blade before with skill Arya put the blade away. "It's good to see you again. I still enjoy your version of the Dornish Man's Wife and the Bear and the Maiden fair was also good."
The man's eyes narrowed as he studied the face.
"By the Lord of Light…Arya?" inquired Tom
"Aye." confirmed Arya as Gendry, Jaime Lannister, Lord Royce, the Vale Knights and the party of Northern/river lords arrived.
"Arya what is it?" inquired Gendry then he noticed Tom. "Tom?"
"Gendry…" said Tom as he looked at him. "Last I saw you two were talking with Anguy as the Red Priestess came up."
"So that is the moment we disappeared from this time." stated Gendry "Good to know."
"We are from the future Tom about five years I believe." answered Arya "That is why Gendry and I look older now."
"Lady Arya who is this?" inquired Lord Royce
"A member of the Brotherhood without banners and a very good singer." explained Arya before her eyes fell a bit. "I saw him die, on the walls of Winterfell against the undead."
"Really?" said Lord Royce as Tom like so many others were confused by the statement.
"What?" asked Tom
"We are from the future where we did the battle with an undead army lead by the White Walkers and we lost however through the magic of the children of the forest we few who were still alive were sent back in time." Explained Lord Royce
"I saw you two and the Red Priestess disappear into dust before our eyes." stated Tom
"That was when we came back…we replaced out past selves." explained Arya more so for the listening Lords of the North and Riverlands and her mother. "If you want a better answer, have Lord Dondarian and Thoros of Myr come on in. I am sure Jon would want to talk to them, he went with them North of the Wall to get a wight."
"You are right." said a new voice as they turned to see Jon had walked out of the tent and moved up to the gathering stopping only a few feet away from Robb and Lady Stark. "Let this man good and if he should return with Thoros or Lord Dondarian please bring them forward to speak to the Queen and council."
"Yes, my Lord." Said a guard as Tom wasn't just released but lead toward a free horse.
"Jon?" inquired Robb as the two men locked eyes.
"Robb." Replied Jon with a smile before it changed into something sterner and harder. "We are ready."
Before Robb could reply Jon turned and headed toward the main tent, Lord Royce followed him and Arya pushed him as well as she headed toward the tent. He followed the two of them with his eyes as he saw Lord Royce pull in a Jaime Lannister, that big man who came with them and Lord Reed.
Robb looked at his advisors around him and with a deep breath walked toward the tent. He walked in to find a couple of Vale and Northern Knights moving the large table to the center of the room flipping it around. It had appeared to be to one side of the tent but had been moved. The Dragon Queen Daenerys stood beside a high-backed chair in the center of the table with a matching high back chair across from her. There were seven chairs across each side of the table with one additional chair at the head of the table. Jon was moving to the stand beside Daenerys, while Lord Royce moved to the other side of this Dragon Queen, beside Lord Royce moved Jamie Lannister and a Septon. Beside Jon, Arya moved to sit down beside Jon with a Measter beside her for a total of seven on their side of the table. Behind them that large man who came in on the dragon moved to stand along the back wall like a guard along with a few other Knights. Severs where also coming in with food and drink. Robb moved to take his seat across from Deanarys as the other six members of his party plus three of his guards, the rest staying outside with the horses entered the tent.
He sat down across from Daenerys, with his mother sitting to his left across from Jon and her uncle the blackfish sitting across from Arya with the Septon at the end. On the other side the Great Jon sat to his right with Lord Mallister of Seagard and the Measter across from Lord Royce, Jaime Lannister and a Septon. Lord Reed sat at the head of the table a sign of him being a neutral party.
"I believe traditionally a Septon is supposed to pray to the seven to guild us in these talks, while some of at this table do not follow the Seven I believe we still should call upon the Gods aid and see if they will aid us." Said Daenerys in a calm voice. "Do you agree, Lord Stark."
"I do an it is King." Countered Robb
"Very well, while I don't recognize your crown, I will call you King for the moment to make these talks easier, I hope you return the favor." Said Daenerys as Robb nodded his agreement before she looked toward the Septon on her side of the table. The Two Septons stood up and began the traditional prayer for a peace conference.
Daenerys watched with some interest, she had been raised in the faith of the Seven but she wouldn't call herself a woman of faith. She knew Jon was a devote follower of the old gods and in some ways she believed in the old gods much more than the faith of the seven, the old gods had proven themselves to her. Being here in the past provided a strong case that if they were not Gods they were at least a powerful source of magic and worthily of respect. She looked at the seven seating across from her, the Measter and the Septon were of little importance, the Measter was already taking quill to parchment writing down notes for this meeting. They were there to pray and take official notes very little else, it was customary to bring them and so they were brought. No it was the other five which where important, King Robb sat across from her while a large man with a thick beard sat to his right, Great Jon Umber she believed judging from the sigil. Beside him sat an older man with a silver eagle sigil, Seagard if she recalled correctly. To the other side of Robb sat his mother Catelyn Stark, looking at her made Daenerys blood heat up a bit in anger but she kept it under control and beside her was her uncle the legendary blackfish.
Robb was doing something similar to Daenerys not that either of them knew it, he was a follower of the old gods but half his kingdom followed the faith of the seven which is why his Iron crown had seven mini swords rising out from it with seven multiple colored jewels in it. He looked at those on the other side, he dismissed the Measter and the Septon for the same reason but unlike Daenerys he only had two figures to look at. One was Lord Royce who wore the armor embraced with ancient ruins in it, a tradition in house Royce which went back to before the Andes came to the age of heroes and the first men. He had seen this man only a few years ago when he stayed at Winterfell when he brought his youngest son North to join the Night's watch. He looked a lot older now, then there was Daenerys if this was her. She did have the look of a Targaryen and was breathtaking beautiful but she was clearly five years at least his senior when they should be of age with each other. Jon and Arya along with Jaime Lannister where the largest mystery they looked older and Arya had claimed they were from the future but that couldn't be possible.
The prayer had just finished as two servers came over and poured wine or ale for the people to enjoy. Daenerys took a drink of the wine as well as the most of others, Robb drinking the wine another difference with Jon, Jon enjoyed Northern Ale…it didn't match harbor gold in her view but it reminded him of simpler times. In fact of those at the table, only Jon, Ayra, Lord Reed and Lord Umber where drinking Northern Ale the others Harbor Gold, from a barrel of Wine which hadn't even made yet.
"Queen Daenerys, I do not know where you came from, but you have attacked and occupied a keep inside my kingdom that is an act of war." threatened Robb "If you don't want war between our people leave now."
Daenerys eyed Robb and fought back a grin, beside her Jon shifted a bit and Arya was clearly rolling her eyes at the threat as she took some Northern Ale. Her mother was glaring at Arya for drinking that but in her mind Arya was still but a child not a woman grown.
"Really King Robb, because what I heard it was one of my dragons which saved you from one of the houses which are under your rule." countered Daenerys "Besides, my forces are currently liberating Deepwood Motte and the Stoney shore, they are also taking out traitors to you in the North in House Bolton, the Dreadfort is already in our hands."
"House Bolton hasn't betrayed us." Countered Lord Umber
"And your house as well, my Lord. Last Hearth is ours as well" stated Daenerys her eyes shifting to the Great Jon. "It was your house who after your death and every other lord at the twin handed Rickon Stark over to House Bolton who shot him in the back with an arrow outside of Winterfell."
"You insult my honor with such a lie?" yelled Lord Umber slamming his fist on the table causing the glasses to jump.
"We insult nothing most of all your honor my Lord, story was that you where the last to fall at the Red Wedding and you took many Freys with you in your rage killing them with your bare hands, however your brother not so honorable." stated Jon "It was them who soiled your houses name not you. I and a those houses who sided with House Stark fought forces from your house, House Karastark and House Bolton outside Winterfell. I saw Rickon Stark die in front of me, after your house handed him over."
"I was there as well at Winterfell, Lord Umber I saw the aftermath and saw how your house men fought for Bolton against house Stark." added Lord Royce backing up Jon.
"You talk about events that didn't happen as if they did." Stated the Blackfish
"Aye, as our letters informed you we are from the future, about 5 years in the future. Which is why Lord Royce, Lord Jon, Lady Ayra, Lord Lannister and myself appear older when if we went by the date of the Measters I would be of age with Lord Robb Stark." Confirmed Daenerys
"It's been a long time Robb, 8 years from my point of view only three for your point of view since we last saw each other in Winterfell." added Jon as he looked toward the Twins. "You didn't believe our letters but maybe face to face you will believe. This is how our history turned out from our point of view. At the Wedding of Lord Tully to the Frey girl the rest of the house along with the Boltons betrayed the Northern and Riverland forces slaughtering almost every lord and crushing the army. You were beheaded, your Wife stabbed to death and Lady Stark had her throat slashed."
"I was there, I was just outside of the gate when Mother, Robb and everyone else was killed. I escaped." added Arya "Roamed the Riverlands for a while before I went off to train, took a few years but I got revenge for the Red Wedding."
"So you are all from the future?" inquired Lord Mallister
"Indeed, a future where the real enemy defeated us and through the magic of the children of the forest we have a second chance." confirmed Daenerys
"The Real enemy?" inquired Robb
"The White Walkers." Answered Jon as the river lords laughed and even the Northerns fought down a chuckle.
"They are nothing but fairy tales made to scare children." chuckled the Black Fish
"No." answered Jon as he looked straight at Robb his voice becoming hard. "They are real, I have face them many of times, I saw the Night King raise the dead free folk at Hard Home, thousands of them all of them looking at you with impossible blue eyes and then I saw it again outside of Winterfell. When he raised those brave souls, who had died to defend the castle and turned them against us. They are very real and even with the largest army that the North, Vale and Daenerys forces could gather we where nothing."
"Luckily we have a chance to defeat him and win a future for all living beings." added Daenerys
"During the battle, the three eyed raven a human gifted with the magic of the children of the forest was able to transport those still alive back almost five years. We all appeared within Winterfell only a few days ago." explained Royce "We have since then taken action to prepare for the war for the dawn."
"And what actions are those." Inquired Robb
"Saving you for one." added Arya "Killing Ramsay Bolton for another."
"Snow." corrected Jon as Arya looked at him slightly confused. "It was after the Red Wedding that he became a Bolton, until then a Snow."
"Still he is dead and that is all that matters." said Arya with a shrug as she took a drink of strong Northern ale, her mother who was sitting across from Jon glared at her but understood this wasn't the place to bring it up.
"She called you Lord." said Robb as he looked at Jon. "Did you betray your oath to the watch, did you betray the North, did you betray us all to the Mad King's Daughter for becoming the Lord of Winterfell?"
"I am not Lord of Winterfell, you are." explained Jon, he had expected that more from Lady Stark then from Robb but he expected it none the less. "If you bend the knee that is."
"Sansa is acting Lady of Winterfell and Wardeness of the North and Jon didn't betray you or anyone else." countered Arya "He turned down Stannis' offer to become Lord of Winterfell and free him from the Watch it took a knife to the heart and died to make him leave."
"What?" inquired Brynden Tully
"I was betrayed and took multiple stabs to the chest before the last one entered my heart, I was dead for over a day before the Red Priestess which Stannis had brought North with him before he was defeated and killed outside of Winterfell brought me back to life. If you want I will let your Measter look at the scars after this meeting." Answered Jon clearly uncomfortable by the talk. He could see that none of the men across the table fully believed him, strangely it seemed that Lady Stark wasn't as surprised at the idea of magic. "With Sansa who escaped the Boltons at Winterfell we rallied the North and the Free Folk and with timely aid from the Vale took back Winterfell and the North…but at great cost of lives. Later they named me King in the North but I bent the knee to Daenerys for her aid in the war for the dawn and because I know and trust her."
"You trust the mad king's daughter even though our father rose up to kill the Targaryens?" Inquired Robb as he pointed at Jon accusingly. "You are betraying father and siding with the family who kidnapped our Aunt, murdered our Uncle and Grandfather in the Red Keep before the eyes of the Court. You are betraying them."
"Well might as well face the dragon by the teeth." stated Jon as he looked toward the head of the table where Lord Howland Reed sat. "Lord Reed, your honor can't be question and you are from this time, you where there at the Tower of Joy in Dorne. You know who I am will you please tell Lord Robb Stark, Lady Stark and the other lords and Ladies."
"Certain Lord Stark." Said Reed with a bow of the head before turning to look at the other Northern Lords and Ladies along with the River Lords. "You all know only Lord Eddard and myself returned north when we brought Lynna's bones back North. What we didn't tell you is how she died…she died in child bed bringing for a trueborn son with her recently married husband Crown Prince which is now before you."
Everyone's eyes widened as they looked at Jon. Catelyn seemed to be in a state of shock and Robb seamed shaken to say the least.
"You're…a Targaryen?" inquired Robb looking at Jon.
"If I went by the name my mother, Lyanna Stark gave me before she died, I would be Aegon of House Targaryen but that isn't me." explained Jon waving the name off "That is the name of a stranger not me. So I decided become a Stark a wolf not a Dragon. Queen Deanarys is he Dragon not me."
"What are your terms?" inquired Lord Mallster as he looked at Daenerys.
"Everyone who bends the knee to House Targaryen and accept my Queenship and right to rule will be allowed to keep their lands and titles within reason, Lord Robb Stark will renounce his Kingship and become Warden of the North and Lord of Winterfell severing his loyalty and the Iron Throne and House Targaryen. The only exception of forgiveness being House Frey and Bolton, they will be stripped of Land and Keep to be given to a people I feel right to hold the Twins and the Dreadfort. I have a deal for House Lannister but that doesn't concern you but beside my Hand Tyrion Lannister and Ser Jaime here, they will not get off lightly that I promise you." started Daenerys as she laid the terms out for all to hear, they had talked about most of this before they left Winterfell. "Then we will work together to both reform the Seven Kingdoms and prepare for the real enemy to the North."
"The terms are simple and justice, I prey to the Seven that you accept them." Explained Lord Royce
"But…if Jon is the son of Prince Rhaegal then he would be King not you." countered Robb
"I do not want the Iron Throne. I always wanted to be Jon Stark not King Aegon the VI of House Targaryen." Answered Jon
"Instead per his request I have legitimized him as Lord Jon Stark trueborn son of Lady Lyanna Stark and Prince Rhaegal Targaryen." Announced Daenerys before smiling a bit as she looked at the reactions on their faces. As the son of a high lord or in this case a lady, Jon had every right to be called Lord Stark.
"These changes nothing, you are not welcomed in the North and not here in the Riverlands as well." Stated the blackfish
"Really." said Daenerys as she pulled out a small stack of letters. "However according to all the news I have received almost every house North of the Neck has bent the knee or their castle's garrison has surrendered. White Harbor, Winterfell, Deep Wood Motte, Karahold and Torren Square have bent the knee. The Dreadfort, Motte Cailin and the Twins have been taken as well as other places across the North. Early word from the Mountain Tribes is that they are bending the Knee as well, their chieftains where at Winterfell during the battle and they are rallying their people for the war for the dawn. The Stoney Shore has been cleared of Iron Born, we have captured both heirs to the Iron Islands, Vale Forces are on the way to secure their homeland as well and we have two dragons."
Daenerys could see fear creep into Robb's and the others faces and anger into the other high lords and lady at the table. It may not have hit Lady Stark yet but it was clear that the military men all knew what this meant.
"You are trapped." added Jon as he voiced what was in Robb's and everyone else's headed without tact or ceremony. "Robb, this isn't a threat or a bluff it is simple fact. Your army is trapped, we hold the North and will have control over the Vale in the East in short order. The Lannister and Tryells forces hold the West and South of you. You are trapped and there is only two ways out, either bend the knee to House Lannister or bend the knee to House Targaryen. The choose is yours but I hope you bend the knee to House Targaryen."
"Hard to bend the knee to the Dragon when she doesn't even offer forgiveness." Stated the Blackfish as Daenerys and the others looked at him. "I didn't hear anything in those terms about forgiveness for rising up against the Mad King."
"Aye, you didn't." confirmed Daenerys as she paused for a moment before going on. "Because there is nothing to forgive, you were well within the right to do so. My father was a mad man who needed to be brought down. I wished my eldest brother had joined your rebellion and instead of over throwing a house it was overthrowing a mad king but the past is in the past. We will need to find a way to prevent that from happening in the future…maybe make a grand council like some of the free cities have but that is something to talk about after the war but there will be changes to make sure another Mad King or Queen for that matter doesn't come to power. Changes to the Seven Kingdoms are coming and it will be for the benefit of high born and low born as well."
"Hard to believe coming from the mad King's daughter." Countered Catelyn
"You were in the right to rise up against my father, he was a mad man who needed to be put down but I am not my father." countered Daenerys as she leaned back a bit. "I hold no grudges against those who have stood against house Targaryen in the past. You would only have to look at my small council to see that, I have not only Tyrion Lannister as my Hand but many northerns and of course Lord Royce here as my Master of Laws. Lord Manderly is Master of Coin, Ser Jorah Mormont is Lord Commander of my Queen's Guard, Lady Sansa is on my council and most importantly Lord Jon Stark is my betrothed and will be King Consorts and one day our children will sit the Iron Throne and rule Westeros."
That caused some shifting to take place among those on the other side and Catelyn's eyes widened. Jon, the bastard she had mistreated was going to be King Consort to the Dragon Queen, as such he would have a lot of political power, power that could either aid or break House Tully and Stark.
"I have been told something by your cousin and siblings when the snows fall and white wind howls, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives." Stated Daenerys as she showed some Targaryen fire in her laic eyes while saying Eddard's words. Beside her Jon's eyes were also not kind backing every word she said with cold ice showing that they were not japing that this was life and death. "We are all living, we are all one pack and unless we unite, we will all be dead. I'll let you decide that, but Winter is Coming King Robb and the Dead come with it, choose quickly."
Well I hope you liked this chapter and the first meeting between Robb, Catelyn, Jon, Deanarys and Arya. I didn't want Robb and the people from his time believing them right away. Now I plan to take my normal short break around Christmas/New Years so I don't plan to come back until some time early next year in 2020. So have a happy New Years and I hope you keep reading my stories. Thanks Wilkins75.
