Chapter 15 Lion vs Lion, Wolf vs Wolf
The dragons circled King's Landing for almost half an hour before turning toward the North and disappearing. It took Tywin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, Shield of Lannisport, Warden of the West and Hand of the King almost that long to return to the Red Keep. The Streets where in a state of panic which slowed his progress, the gold cloaks where busy dealing with the small folk who were either rushing into the buildings to hide from the Dragons or rushing out to see them. On top of that, the gold cloaks and the Lannister/Tyrell forces where rushing around preparing for battle.
He had just passed through a side gate of the red keep, the main gate haven been raised and bared with archers and crossbow men on the walls. When the two dragons and meet over the red keep and then diving low over the walls began to follow the King's Road North.
"Lord Hand." Said the Captain of the Gold Cloaks as he moved forward, he was some bastard son of a cadet branch of House Tyrell which was the only reason why he now commanded the Gold Cloaks. "I have ordered my men to clear the streets and prepare for an attack"
"There will be no attack." Stated Tywin "If they were going to attack they wouldn't waste the element of surprise…no this was meant to inspire fear. Still keep the street clear."
"Yes, Lord Hand." confirmed the captain of the gold cloaks as two men in pure white armor moved toward him.
"Lord Hand…" said the two King's Guard as Tywin turned and looked at them. "Your so…Sir Jaime has returned."
Tywin blinked at that news as he got off his horse.
"He is awaiting you in the throne room." added the second King's guard as Tywin lead the way toward the small council chamber which was in truth was his own solar in the tower of the hand. As he moved through the halls of the Red Keep, men jumped out of his way. When he reached the throne room, he found it halfway full of people. High born ladies of the court who had stopped to watch what was happening, Lords dressed for battle and common men-at-arms and a few low born servants who hugged the walls trying to get a view of what was happening.
They parted for him only to see a man dressed in Northern style armor but died in Lannister crimson and gold. His cloak was draped over his shoulders and a rather small for a man of his size sword rested on his hip. He turned his head to show his face in profile. His face was older, more weathered but it was his son Jaime. He was somewhat taken aback, he should have been in his White King's Guard armor, as much as he hated seeing his son in white it would be shameful to think he abounded his vows without at least an order from the King. As for the King Joffrey sat on the Iron Throne with his future Queen Margaery and her father and grandmother standing in the front to his left. While Cersei, Baelish and Grand Maester Pycelle stood to his right on the same level. Two Kings guard stood behind the throne while two more stood before it. With the Two who came in with him and his own son, that meant all seven white swords where in the hall.
Tywin prepared himself as he moved forward and stepped up to the raised platform so that aside from the King and the two guards he alone was in a position to look down on everyone.
"My King, the two Dragons have left the city heading North." announced Tywin as he came to a stop to the right hand of the King.
"Good, they are too afraid to attack us, so they run." Announced King Joffrey to the court who nodded in agreement, aside from Jaime who stood still without moving. "So Uncle, my mother tells me you knew about the Dragons."
"I do." Confirmed Jaime not adding your grace or showing any sign of submission. "In fact I know not only of their arrival but who flew them and where they are going."
There was a long pause as Jaime took a breath, he wasn't a man of faith by any means but now he prayed to the warrior for strength, the Crone for guidance and the father above for mercy.
"They were flown by Queen Daenerys of House Targaryen, first of her name and rightful Queen of the Seven Kingdoms." Stated Jaime with force in his voice as the entire hall seamed taken aback. Joffrey's eyes widened in anger and he began to rise only to have his grandfather's hand come to a rest on his shoulder holding him back.
"You are speaking to your King…" started Tywin
"No…I am not." Stated Jaime as he thought for a second bringing up Joffrey's true parents but decided not to do that here. "You may have noticed that I am older, far older then when I left King's Landing because I am. Through Magic of the Children of the Forest, I have been sent back in time about five years along with Queen Daenerys and her army which as in Winterfell. I had bent the knee to her and was fighting under the Dragon banner when I came back."
"You abounded your King Uncle! You betray your oath as a King's Guard! The Punishment is death." snapped Joffrey unable to hold back his anger as the King's guard began to pull their swords but didn't bring them all the way out.
"I have served four Kings as Kings guard, the Mad King whom I slayed, Robert Baratheon a drunken fool who died impaled by a boar, you who died at your own wedding with your hands grasping for air and your brother Tommen who dismissed me from the King's Guard." stated Jaime as he looked toward Tommen who stood near the front. "He jumped from his tower chamber when your Mother Queen Cersei blew up the Sept of Baelor with Wildfire killing most of house Lannister and Tyrell. If I die here so be it. But I die with some shed of honor serving a far better ruler then one I have served ever before, honor that I am not deserving but I will die with it anyhow."
"You have some explaining to do." Stated Cersei as she spoke up as all eyes shot to her.
"You do indeed." added Tywin
"I bring terms for your surrender, father." stated Jaime he knew what the letter held. "You can't win this war and there are worse coming…I have seen them."
"A Lion never bows to the lesser beasts." Stated Joffrey as he repeated a line from his grandfather "I do not fear this dragon girl, she is only a girl of 20 nothing more, she is the last of the Targaryen."
"She is far then that." countered Jaime with a grin. "And she isn't the last of the Targaryen's. There where two riders, Joffrey. The other is her betrothed a Targaryen hidden in plain sight, who has the loyalty of every men who has every fought beside him and is possibly the best swordsman since the Sword of the Morning Ser Arthur Dayne."
"Who is this Targaryen you are talking about." Ordered Joffrey
"You would know him as Jon Snow." Stated Jaime
"The Bastard of Winterfell…" laughed Joffrey "You expect us to believe that this bastard is a Targaryen."
"He is one, Eddard Stark wasn't his father, his father was Prince Rhaegar of House Targaryen his mother Lady Lyanna Stark both of whom were married by the late High Septen at the start of the Rebellion. His mother died bringing him into the world and charged her brother to protect him, hence the bastard name." stated Jaime "He is the rider of the second dragon and betrothed to Queen Daenerys."
"A bastard for a King you expect us to believe this?" stated Joffrey with a laugh.
"I do, because a lot of bastards can call themselves King but only a true ruler would give up power which is what Jon has done for the love of his life and the good of the realm." Stated Jaime as he gave a slight nod to the story of Joffrey being a bastard, it was officially a lie in this court, but Jaime knew the truth. Judging by the look on Joffrey's face he didn't miss the hint.
"Let us take this to the council chamber." stated Tywin
"I am afraid not father." Stated Jaime as he pulled a letter out, one with the dragon seal on it. "As per law, as a dignitary from a different Kingdom, I am required to present my terms to the King or Hand on the Iron Throne."
Tywin fumed a bit but it was too late as Jaime stepped closer, the King's Guard flanking him ready to pull their weapons and end his life. Jaime stepped up and held out the letter to Joffrey who snatched it up before Tywin could grab it. He ripped the seal and began to read the letter, the anger building on his face like a stormfront.
"Arrest this man." ordered Joffrey as Jaime nodded, he had expected that. "He is a traitor to the crown and…."
"Throw him in tower cell." Finished Tywin as Joffrey spun and glared at his grandfather with anger in his eyes. "He is still your Uncle, my King, your blood it would kin slaying to kill him for delivering a simple message."
"Very well…we will give him time to address his crimes." Stated Joffrey as he stood up and stormed out of the throne room using the door to the right of the Iron throne. Two King's Guard followed him as Jaime shook his head a bit and prepared to be led toward a tower cell. He had expected to be thrown into the black cells or to be killed.
Jaime was led out of the chamber and toward the tower of the Hand. That wasn't a huge surprise, he soon found himself in one of the largest apartments within the tower of the hand, second only to the Apartments that belonged to the Lord Hand himself. Lannister guards took over watch of the door as Jaime was locked inside. To his amazement, they had let him keep his sword not that he would be fighting his way out of her.
"Well that went as well as I expected." Stated Jaime as he stood before the empty fireplace and shook his head. The door opened as a servant brought in a flagon of wine and some bread and cheese. Jaime poured himself a drink, as best as he could with his one hand and moved back to fireplace. In the distance he heard the chime of bells telling the citizens of city that the danger had past. "How wrong they are…the dead is coming."
Jaime didn't remember sitting down, or falling asleep but he did remember the dream, a cold so strong that it hurt to breath and all the dead around him. An unending sea of dead men and women with glowing blue eyes, their teeth biting as their undead fingernails tried to rip off his armor. They had been so hard pressed, yet somehow in that horrible dream of that even worse night there was a single bright spot and like their real enemy she had blue eyes.
The army had been on the march since dawn as Arya rode at the front of the main column, she eyed everything around her with interest. It was strange seeing the Riverlands so green again, she had left it in the middle of autumn when winter was fast approaching. Now it was late summer, and winter was far away to the men who marched behind her and the lords who rode in front of her. These men considered themselves battle hardened men but in her mind, there was only a few people in the world who would be truly battle hardened, those who had faced the armies of the dead.
"I heard you speak Bravos when we dined with you the night before, if I may ask who taught you to speak it?" inquired Talisa as she rode beside her sister-in-law.
"No one." answered Arya as Talisa blinked and looked at her somewhat confused. "I can't answer you that."
"I see." said Talisa as the two women rode for a while in silence, there were very few women on this march. Outside of the two of them, there was Lady Mormont and her two oldest daughters and one of them always marched with the Mormont forces while another one stayed up in the front with the King. While they rode in silence one of the Mormont women rode up to them, her long black hair flowed behind her while dressed in green studded leather armor. A large shield with the bear of house Mormont was strapped to her saddle while a mace rested on her belt. A second weapon, a morning star by Arya's guess was attached to the saddle.
"Queen Stark…" greeted Dacey Mormont, the heir to House Mormont before she turned and looked at Arya. "Lady Arya Stark."
"Lady Dacey feel free to join us." offered Talisa as Dacey pulled her black horse up to the other side of her Queen. For a moment no one said anything then Arya looked at Dacey.
"You know I fought beside your sister Lyanna at the battle of Winterfell." announced Arya as Dacey eyed her. "She fought with honor and died taking out a giant who had busted down the gates, story is she stabbed the giant in the eye even as it crushed her to death. The forces of House Mormont died almost to the men, but they held their ground and never gave ground until they were overwhelmed."
"Here we Stand." stated Dacey as she repeated the words of House Mormont. "Where was my Sister Alysane, she is ruling Bear Island while my other sisters and my mother are down here."
"Died sailing back to Bear Island after attempting to retake Deep Wood Motte." answered Arya "Don't worry, I heard she made it back this time. Left a day after the storm had passed after making contact with House Forester who is clearing out the Iron Born."
"You expect me to believe this story?" inquired Dacey
"Would hearing it from your Uncle help?" inquired Arya as Dacey looked at her. "Ser Jorah Mormont is head Queen Daenerys Queen Guard."
"You mean the traitor who sold people into slavery because he wanted to keep the heart of a southern women, a women who abounded him to become a mistress of a rich trader from the Free Cities when he had no money." Stated Dacey with hatred in her voice as Arya shrugged a bit.
"I only known him for a short amount of time and he seems very loyal." Stated Arya, she could tell that the Bear Knight loved Daenerys, but she could see that he knew he couldn't have her and now seamed to love her like a daughter and was happy to see her happy. Some part of him would always want more but he knew that he wouldn't get it and had accepted it.
"I'll give him that." Stated Dacey, she was older than Robb and would have been old enough to have known her Uncle before going into exile.
"I must admit, when I was younger, I wanted to be a Mormont not a Stark." Stated Arya as Queen Talisa Stark and Dacey looked at her confused. "A lady of house Stark wasn't suppose to learn the ways of the sword…unlike the Mormont."
"Maybe I could show you how to fight." stated Dacey "Maybe that sword you carry could see some action instead of just to be a show piece."
Arya, hid a grin, Needle had likely seen more action then Lady Dacey's Mace. For the longest time no one said anything and then around midday the army stopped to make their midday meal. Arya for her part ate a light meal looked around, all around her where the high lords. Some of them where actually taking the time to train, then Arya noticed that they were mostly doing it to show off to the nearby common fighting man. These men had full plate armor, castle forged long swords and in the case of the Riverlords some of their weapons had jewels on them or gold around the hilts. The common men wore leather armor, some mix of plate taken off battlefields and had simple castle forged weapons either a short sword, ax or a spear.
She spotted one man, her uncle Edmure Tully judging by the sigil on his armor, he was around some other river lords in their armor and even a few Northern Lords. They were training, if one could call it that. She looked toward the group and spotted Dacey speaking with her mother, sister and Queen and King Stark.
Arya walked over to the training and stepped in front of the Knight who was about to spar against her Uncle.
"Girl what are you doing?" inquired Edmure through his helmed helmet.
"I need the practice." stated Arya as she pulled Needle, she remembered the look on Sansa's face when she saw her training with Brienne and now it was time for a repeat performance. She turned and looked at the Night, a member of House Blackwood likely the Heir. "But I do feel bad about taking your spot, I need a little bit of a challenge so why don't you two go after me."
"I am not going to fight a girl." Stated the Heir of house Blackwood.
"Do it, or are you afraid?" Yelled a voice from the crowd as Arya got into a stance, she could see that they young knight's honor had been challenged and he couldn't let that happen.
"Fine, we will do this fast." Stated the Knight and he was right. He swung his sword, Arya used her shorter Needle to defect and turn his sword swing before bringing the point up to his visor helmed. Needle was small enough to go through the gap.
"Your right…that was fast." confirmed Arya as she turned her back and took a few steps away, enraged the Knight swung again, Arya turned the blade and this time Needle tip came to rest in the gap between his breast plate and neck armor another deadly blow. "Now…can we have two on one so I can have a challenge."
Edurme raised his sword and joined the fight, it was a little harder now with two opponents but Arya was beating them with ease.
"Another!" she yelled as another armored knight joined the fight, but yet they couldn't touch her, she turned each attack as Needle came to rest in the gaps of their armor either in killing spots or positions where they wouldn't be able to fight. The backs of their knees, under the arm pits and so on.
"Another!" she yelled for the fifth time as it was now Seven against one. This actually pressed Arya as she pulled her dagger to aid her in the fight, she used Needle to turn each attack and brought the dagger into position to either kill or block the next attack.
"I have never seen fighting like that." whispered Robb as his younger sister seamed to dance around the blades of his swords, showing them up at every turn and embossing men who had trained for years for war.
"It's Bravosy water dancing." answered his wife "I saw some in Volantis…they use those swords and…"
She was stopped as Needle was knocked from Arya's hand and she was thrown off balance, she stumbled away from the group of men who formed a battle line to come at her head on. With only her knife at hand Arya grinned as her eyes darted around. She spotted what she wanted, a branch about 4 feet long rested on the ground she got her foot under it and kicked it up. Now with a makeshift staff she proceeded to go on the offensive, she sent each knight down with blows to their armored helmed by the staff. It was over as Arya stood over them breathing hard but with a smile on her face.
"Well…that was nice." said Arya as she walked over them and picked up needle, then proceed to her horse and pulled a water skin out.
"What…what is my sister?" asked Robb to himself.
After they had circled King's Landing Daenerys had flown back to the Twins, Jon had left her and had followed the coast he coasts toward the Vale. He had a map of where he needed to go and following the coast would allow others to see the Dragons. They were not hiding them anymore and the more people saw them the better.
Drogon roared as he landed at the Twins again, this time instead of a line of Vale Knights waiting for her it was the Unsullied with Grey Worm in the front.
"My Queen." welcomed Grey Worm
"Grey Worm, how are things here?" inquired Daenerys with a smile for her friend.
"As well as one can expect, we are prepared to march when you need us." stated Grey Worm, Daenerys nodded her head. She knew that if she ordered it Grey Worm and the other Free Unsullied would march straight into the cursed ruins of Valeria or straight at the Night King again. These men were still men, they had just done an impossible march and needed rest.
"You will rest here for the moment, but I want you to began to plan out how you would want to take King's Landing." ordered Daenerys. She knew that if they had to take King's Landing by force then Vary's knowledge would be of greater help then Grey Worms, however this task would allow Grey Worm to rest while still working on an important task.
"I will do, so my Queen." Confirmed Grey Worm "I have also ordered defenses to be built on the Western river side of the Castle."
Here Daenerys had to nodded, this castle was the key to crossing the Green Fork of the Trident, the only other crossings between the Twins and the Ruby Ford was by boats and crossing an army by ferry boats would take days.
"Prepare as well defenses on this side as well, if all goes well I plan to move my court down to here and then to the Erie in the Vale." Stated Daenerys, she liked Winterfell but until she had control of the South, she had to be down here and having her court closer would aid in uniting the South.
"We will do so." Confirmed Grey Worm
"Drogon needs some food, it will be a long journey to Winterfell and I want to speak with Lady Stark." Stated Daenerys as Grey Worm nodded. "Alone…in the Frey's Great Hall."
Catelyn had been talking with some Manderly Knights, they were of the North and she wanted to get a better understanding of what was happening when they came for her. Four of those foreign soldiers with spiked helms and spears. They had requested that she come with them, it was a request in name only and she knew it. Still she agreed and was led toward the still being rebuilt remains of the Twins, here speared armed guards where changed out for ones with swords, spears not being the best weapon for inside a building. Then she was led up a path she knew well, up into the great hall of House Frey.
The Hall was a burnt shell of what it was, the wooden beams of the roof burned away, a large balcony which overlooked the hall burned until it looked to be at the point of falling. Wooden chairs, tables and the like where all blackened and burnt. Even the stone was burnt by the Dragon Fire. She walked in only to find she had no guards and she wasn't alone. Standing there looking at the blacken remains of Lord Walden Frey's throne was Queen Daenerys.
"You died here." announced Daenerys her back to Catelyn. "From the tales told, your throat was sliced clean and your blood joined the others across this very stone floor. The chamber was filled with the dead lords of the North, all killed at table celebrating a wedding."
"That is what I heard." stated Catelyn
"I wonder…when you were died, did you see your husband?" stated Daenerys as Catelyn tensed a bit. Then Deanery's' voice went hard as she turned and looked at her, those violet eyes of old Valeryia where burning hot in rage and even though Daenerys was physically smaller then Catelyn it was the older women who knew she was on dangerous ground. "Did he explain to you the errors in your ways, did he explain to you what you did and how much of a monster you are?"
"You are talking about Jon." stated Catelyn
"Yes." Said Daenerys her voice filled with anger, it wasn't a blind anger but a red hot but controlled rage, but it was a rage that could turn at any moment. "I want to know…why a woman would be so filled with hate for a child? A child born of the man who she seemed to love. Why hate the child? it wasn't the child who betrayed his father's marriage vows? A child who never asked to be born. A motherless child how could you hate him?"
"I asked myself that every night." admitted Catelyn her voice just above a whisper but Daenerys heard, her lilac eyes didn't soften and she glared at her. "Jon…Jon was already at Winterfell before I arrived with Robb still sucking on my breast. As they grew, Robb had the look of the Tully's and every Lord who came to visit said about how Jon had the look of a true Stark…he…"
"He is a Dragon." Interrupted Daenerys "A dragon raised by wolves and a wolf at heart, but he is still a Dragon. You mistreated the man I love, you caused him nothing but pain, you should have acted like his mother and instead you put him down. Your anger should have been directed at Lord Eddard Stark the man who you thought betrayed you not at a child. I can understand and agree with the rightful anger of a spouse being betrayed by another, but I can't understand or forgive what you did to Jon."
"What are you planning?" inquired Catelyn, she wasn't going to try to defend herself, there was nothing she could really defend what she did to Jon and what defense would this woman accept.
"I am going to take you to Winterfell." stated Daenerys calmly. "I have worked with horrible men and women, for the greater good and while I personally will never forgive you for what you did to Jon, you are still a Stark, a member of Jon's pack and someone who I believe he would die to protect even if it would be more so that the people he really loves like cousins wouldn't lose their mother. I think that is how Jon sees you, as someone who he cares about just because those whom he really loves would be in pain if you should die but he would be indifferent if you died. Personally, I would enjoy it, after learning how you mistreated him."
"I see." Said Catelyn
"Therefor…" said Daenerys her voice turning as cold as winter but the fire was just below the surface. "I will work with you, but if you should as much hurt Jon in any way you will find out that I am not as forgiving as Jon. You are a wolf by marriage and Jon is a wolf in his heart. However There is also a Dragon in heart and in name in this pack now and she will not forgive you if you do ANYTHING to the wolf she loves."
Catelyn gulped a bit but nodded her head in understanding.
"Good, shall we go" Stated Daenerys
"Yes." Confirmed Catelyn still shaking a bit as Daenerys walked pasted and out the doors.
Catelyn was shaking a bit as she was lead toward the Dragon, her eyes shot to Daenerys who was now standing in front of the Dragon, her small hand on the snout of the giant beast. A couple of men, got her on the saddle and used a heavy leather belt and chains to lock her in. Only two chains held her in place. Deanarys when she mounted had six chains attached to her belt. Daenerys leaned forward as the Dragon twisted his head to look at his master, mother. Catelyn couldn't hear what Daenerys said but the Dragon let out a roar and spread its wings and with two flaps Catelyn Stark left the ground. She screamed as she closed her eyes as the Dragon flew higher leaving the ground behind.
Catelyn Stark felt the cool wind blow against her as the Dragon headed North. A few times she opened her eyes and looked down only to wish she hadn't. She closed her eyes and gripped onto Deanarys for dear life.
For her part, Daenerys was half temped to have Drogon do a roll, with the chains holding them in they would be perfectly safe and it would so nice to hear, this older woman scream in terror but she didn't. Instead she kept Drogon headed North, toward Winterfell.
The sound of the chamber door opening, and the clinking sound of the heavily armored Knights woke Jaime out of his nap. He blinked a few times as he remembered where he was, he looked up to see two Knights of the King Guard and four Lannister guardsmen waiting for him.
"Ser Jaime come with us." said the King's Guard as Jaime stood and followed them out. He wasn't surprised when he was led into the small council chamber, what surprised him was that he wasn't alone with his father. Sitting at a long table, was his sister Cersei, Little Finger, Maester Pycelle, Lord Tyrell, Lady Olenna, Lady Margaery and King Joffrey. Joffrey was the only one who wasn't seated, he stood behind the rows of chairs moving back and forth like a caged animal. The letter from Daenerys had been ripped to pieces and now covered part of the floor. The small council looked on as the King went off about how this Dragon Whore was calling him a bastard when they noticed Jaime.
"Ser Jaime….we have had a little issue, the King in his rightful anger ripped up the letter from this rebel do you know what is in it?" inquired Mace Tyrell his voice soft as Joffrey glared at him.
"We figured something like this would happen." Said Jaime as he pulled a copy of the letter from his belt and placed it down.
"I could read it if you wish?" offered Jaime
"No…I will…" started Tywin
"I believe it better if we all hear it as one my Lord." advised Little Finger
"I agree." Stated Olenna
"So do I, better we all hear it at once." Stated Mace
"Do it." Ordered Joffrey
"Very Well." Confirmed Jaime
To King Joffrey Waters and the Court of King's Landing
You may have believed that my earlier message about the return of House Targaryen was a false letter, a lie put forward by House Stark or Lord Stannis Baratheon but this is not the case. Ser Jaime Lannister has come to you as my representative and I expect him to be treated in accordance to the norms of diplomatic guests. He brings with him terms for the peaceful surrender of House Lannister, House Tyrell and all other houses loyal to the current young man calling himself King of the Seven Kingdoms which are as follows.
First King Joffrey Waters will bend the knee and accept that he is not the rightful King to the Seven Kingdoms and confirm my rule as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. He will be given the chance to join the Night's Watch or if he should be expelled to a Free City of his choice with a punishment of death if he should return or insight rebellion of any kind.
Second full forgiveness will be given to all who rouse against House Targaryen in the past and forgive all who bent the knee after the war was lost by my house. All lands and titles will be honor saved three. The Freys for their attempted betrayer of House Stark and the North, House Bolton for their betrayer of the North and House Baelish will all be stripped of lands and titles and given to men and women who have proven themselves. The rights to Storm's End and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands will be given to a man who is truly of House Baratheon be it Lord Stannis or another true heir of house Baratheon.
Third, Tommen and Myrcella Waters will be legitimized as the Son and Daughter as Ser Jaime Lannister Heir to Casterly Rock. Lord Tywin Lannister will be give up his lordship of Casterly Rock and wardenship of the West, titles which will go to his son Ser Jaime Lannister but he will not have to go into exile of join the Night's Watch. However his man the Ser Gregor Clegane will have to answer for his murder of my niece and nephew at the fall of King's Landing.
Fourth Lady Cersei Lannister, Lord Petry Baelish and Lord Roose Bolton will be given the same choice as Joffrey Waters, they can either join the watch or leave for the free cities. Since Lady Cersei as a woman can't join the watch she will be allowed to join either a motherhouse or the silent sisters instead of the wall
Fifth and Finally our real enemy is approaching from the North, the White Walkers and the Army of the dead. You shall raise your forces to take part in the battle of the dawn and afterwards a grand council will be held to reform and remake the laws of the realm for the betterment of all.
I await your response.
Queen Daenerys of House Targaryen First of Her name.
Jaime finished reading as he looked around the table.
"This…this has to be a sick joke." stated Mace Tyrell
"I can assure you Lord Tyrell, it is no joke." Stated Jaime "I and the others are from the future and we fought against the armies of the dead and unless you accept these terms then others will die only aiding our real enemy."
"This letter is full of lies!" snapped Joffrey his voice full of rage.
"Everything in this letter is true. All of it is true." Stated Jamie as he looked at his son, out of the corner of his eye he could see Cersei tense up, as Joffrey turned a bright read and began to rage even more.
"And what does that mean…" stated Joffrey as Jaime looked toward Cersei who was visibly tense as all eyes moved to her.
"Joffrey, I saw you die in your mother's arms choked to death by the poison given to you by Lady Olenna." Stated Jaime as he looked at his son. "Tommen would be so much easier to control in her view and she was right. That set off a chain of events that ended with all your sibling's dead. House Tyrell killed off and most of house Lannister aside from your mother, our brother and myself all dead. I am doing everything in my power to avoid that fate now."
"By siding with the daughter of the mad king." countered Mace
"The daughter of the man whom your house was loyal to until the end." countered Jaime "She is not her father and I believe that. Besides, if you want to see a new Mad King you don't have to look outside this room."
Joffrey was fuming and he could see he was about to erupt.
"I am sorry Joffrey but you are mad and cruel, a trait you share with your mother." Stated Jaime as he looked toward his father. Tywin was angry he could tell but the elder lion was much better at hiding his anger.
"Tell me, Ser Jaime what forces does this Targaryen girl have?" inquired Olenna as she tried to shift the talk to that and not word of her attempt to poison the King.
"I am not sharing that information; I have bent the knee to her and…" started Jaime
"And you're a traitor, I should kill you UNCLE!" yelled Joffrey putting a lot of stress in the word Uncle. Jaime didn't raise his voice, he gave only a sad resigned smile.
"I would deserve it, I am a monster." admitted Jaime looking at the oaken table. "I have broken multiple vows, I have killed a King, slept with a Queen and…"
"GUARDS, ARREST THIS TRAITOR!" yelled Joffrey at the top of his lungs as Jaime looked up toward his son's angry face. The sounds of guards including two King's Guard as well as two each of the House Tyrell and House Lannister guards entered the room. They flanked him, one of the King's Guard taking off Jaime's sword belt. "HOW….HOW DARE YOU UNCLE. YOU ARE BETRAYING YOUR HOUSE AND YOUR KING!"
"I am not lying, Son." stated Jaime as Joffrey's eyes widened in anger as Jaime was marched away by the guards.
Jon was concerned that he would have trouble finding the Northern and Vale forces but it was rather easy. It was almost impossible to miss the massive amount of ships which now sat waiting to land at the port of Coldwater in the fingers. The men looked up as Rhaegal came in for a landing just outside the castle wall. The Dragon Banner of House Targaryen flew from the Ramparts as several Vale and Manderley Knights came out to see him.
"Lord Stark, we weren't expecting you." admitted the Vale Knight as he bowed his head.
"Sorry to surprise you." stated Jon as he looked at the Vale Knights around him, his arrival had brought more of the out all looking at him. He quickly read these men, these where mostly younger knights looking for glory and he saw a way to give them that glory. "Queen Daenerys and Lord Royce are heading to the Bloody gate, I wonder if we can beat them to the Erie."
Jon could see the young Knights grin, they could see that he was challenging them to raise to the task of beating them to the Erie. This was an idea put forward by Jon and approved by both Lord Royce and Daenerys.
"Wonder no longer, my Lord we will beat them." Stated the younger Knight
"Good, where is Ser Davos?" inquired Jon
"His ship left White Harbor before we did." Explained one of the Knights, judging by the sigil he had to be the Ser Morton Waynwood, the heir to House Waynwood which was one of the major powers in the Vale. "Heading to Dragonstone to meet with Lord Stannis."
"Good, the sooner we can bring Stannis over to our side the better." Said Jon as he looked around, they where still unloading the forces but the harbor was full and they couldn't stay here for long. The area around was already filling up, they had to start moving. "My Lords, is the Vanguard ready?"
"Yes, Lord Stark." Stated Ser Morton
"Good, lets head out and clear the area to make it easier to land the rest of our forces." Ordered Jon, he could see that the area around the small port was getting packed, men where getting in each other way slowing everything down. "I require a horse."
"Of course, my Lord." Stated Ser Morton as a younger man, maybe 10 or 12 dressed in matching colors to Ser Morton rushed off.
"Your son?" inquired Jon
"Yes, my Lord. My son and my squire." stated Ser Morton as he eyed Jon's armor. "Forgive me if I am overreaching my Lord, but if you do not have a squire then my son would be honored to serve you."
Jon smiled and shook his head.
"I thank you for the offer my Lord, but truth be told I wouldn't know what to do with a squire." stated Jon as Ser Morton and the other Vale Knights looked at him, they clearly didn't understand how he wouldn't know what to do with a squire. "I am no knight, outside of White Harbor there are few knights and I have no interest in Knighthood. I am used to getting my armor on and off as well as cleaning and maintaining it."
"My Lord, if I may be so bolt, that is all well and good for the Lord Commander of the Watch but not for a King Consort, you will have to get used to having squires." explained Ser Morton as Jon thought about it for a moment as much as he hated the idea of having a Squire he knew that he would have one sooner or later.
He may even have to bite his tongue and be knighted himself just because it would help Daenerys in the south besides while he wanted a daughter first he still wanted a son and his and Deanery's son could be his squire when the time comes and better to know what to do with a Squire before that day. He wasn't blind, he knew that Ser Morton was playing the game, having your son as squire to the future King or in this case King Consort was a huge badge of honor.
"Very well, I accept your offer for the moment my Lord." Stated Jon as Ser Morton smiled as his son brough a black warhorse with him. Jon mounted up and as he did Rhaegal took back to the air and began to circle the camp which was growing up. Jon was in in the lead as they headed down a dirt road out of Coldwater and into the heart of the Vale.
He wasn't in the lead truth be told, he was in the Vanguard but scouts, a heavy wedge of knights all where in front of him but he was in the lead. He wasn't expecting any action, but he wasn't going to take any chances as he rode forward into the Vale.
As he rode he looked around at all the young lords and knights who rode with him, he knew that as King Consort he would have to adapt to playing the game of Sansa would say it and these would be the people who would play the game with. He knew that ruling would fall to Dany and her council, but he would have a voice on that council and he would play a role very different than any other in the history of Westeros. There had never been a King Consort because there had never been a Queen ruling Westeros, he wasn't sure what duties he would have but as long as he was with Daenerys, he knew he would be happy. When he reached the top of a small rise he looked around and saw the massive army moving both in front of him and behind him. Then he remembered that none of this mattered, there was a real enemy up to the North beyond the Wall.
They didn't take him to the black cells, instead the guards took him instead back to a chamber within the tower of the hand. They didn't even take his weapon either which confused Jaime Lannister for a while, they did lock him in the chamber. He didn't have to wait long for the door to open again, he expected his father instead a servant walked in carrying a plate of food.
It was nearly dusk when the doors opened and his father, Lord Tywin Lannister entered the chamber. The two of them locked eyes as the doors where closed and locked again leaving them alone.
"I am surprised father, no guards and you let me keep my weapon." stated Jaime
"No, son of mine would kill me." announced Tywin as Jaime grinned a bit, clearly he had forgotten about Tyrion telling him that he killed him in a letter. "Your little stunt today, saying such falsehoods is unforgiveable."
"What falsehoods is that father?" inquired Jaime
"The lie about you and your sister…no children of mine would be as sick as…"
"As to sleep with your sibling." laughed Jaime "I am afraid father, that is only the tip of our sins. Your golden children are both destined to the lowest level of hell when we die. Let me tell you about your children, to get me to join the King's Guard your daughter my sister came to my chamber dressed as a serving woman and that night…well what we did that night would make a whore blush. Her promise of being close to me in King's landing was well worth taking the white, that backfired when you took her to the Rock when you resigned the handship. I slept with the Queen, fathered three children on her and pushed a child out a window to protect it. I have broken so many vows I can't remember and I am nothing compared to what Cersei did. I have already accepted that and only want to do some good with the time I have left."
He could see the anger building on his father's face.
"However none of that matters, you have no choice but to bend the knee." Stated Jaime "You can't win."
"The Lion will not bend the knee to the Dragon." announced Tywin "Besides this little girl and her dragons…"
"She isn't a little girl, she is a woman grown with armies and dragons, she has a larger army then what Aegon the Conquer did when he took Westeros and she is in a far better position." Stated Jaime
"What is her position." Stated Tywin as Jaime froze a bit, he couldn't give his father the positions and plans of Daenerys but he also needed to show him that he couldn't win. If he knew his father, he was a practical man, he didn't join Robert's Rebellion until it was clear Robert would win. If he saw he would lose, he would make a deal.
"She has the North and in a few days the Vale will also be hers." Stated Jaime as Tywin blinked a bit but his face held firm. "She is surrounded by skilled and loyal advisors and has access to knowledge you can't possibly meet. You can't win."
"We shall see." Stated Tywin "Now…I need to see if I can convince your NEPHEW to spare your life."
"My SON you mean." Countered Jaime as Tywin glared at him but left the room.
Jaime wanted nothing more now to get some sleep it was a long day and now as the last rays of sunlight where leaving the sky he felt he could get some sleep. That was when the door was unlocked again and this time his sister Cersei walked into the chamber. For a moment he felt his heart leap for joy, then he remembered all the things she had done and knew that a monster was before him.
"Why…why did you do such a foolish thing." Said Cersei "You put everything at risk…father has to convince Joffrey that you lost your mind being tortured by the dragon whore."
"She is no whore compared to you." countered Jaime as Cersei looked at him confused. "I have fought besides people who would make far better rulers then our mad boy, not just Daenerys but Jon would make great rulers, Sansa as well, seven hells even Gendry Water's Robert's bastard son would make a better King then Joffrey. You are a monster Cersei, so am I but I know what I am now and I know what you are. I know what you are capable of."
There was a long pause as Cersei considered his words.
"You have no idea what I am capable of." Countered Cersei
"Believe me I know what you are capable of." Stated Jaime as both of them neared the point of yelling at each other. For a moment the two of them just glared at each other.
"I am capable of things you could never dream of." Stated Cersei
"You killed thousands of people by destroying the Great Sept of Baelor killing almost everyone in our house besides our brother and thousands of others. That wasn't even the worse of what you did." Stated Jaime as Cersei paused for a moment.
"You don't know what I am capable of." restated Cersei as she left the chamber
Catelyn Stark hadn't opened her eyes for what had to be hours, she was gripping on for life itself as the cold air rushed past her. She was too afraid to open her eyes, if the Seven above had wanted man and women to fly they would have given them wings. She was so far out of her element she feared for her life, still the need to see her kids won out and after forever she felt the air get a little warmer and the Dragon drop in height. She braved to open her eyes to see her the walls of Winterfell before her, she had just enough time to process that before the Dragon landed outside the gate.
"THE QUEEN HAS RETURNED!" yelled a voice from the walls as a horn was blown. Finally, on the ground, she waited as Daenerys unhooked herself from the thick belt with heavy chains which held her to the saddle. Daenerys slid gracefully from the Dragon's back as if she had been doing it her life. She then turned back and undid the chains holding Catelyn in place.
Her feet had just settled on the ground when she heard the nearby gates open. She looked up to see multiple figures approaching from the darkness. They were figures dressed in Stark armor or armor from across the North.
"My Queen." Said the leader as they all got down on one knee.
"Rise…" ordered Daenerys as she looked around. "Where is Lady Stark and the Council?"
"They have been in chambers since dawn." answered the head guard
"That can't be good." announced Daenerys as she headed toward the gate, the guards forming a protective ring around her. Catelyn followed Daenerys into her own home, she looked up toward the highest tower to see the three headed Dragon of House Targaryen over it, over almost all the others where the banners of House Stark and another banner, the modified white wolf on black, Jon's banner. The guards came to attention as Daenerys walked into the castle, with Catelyn steps behind her. She moved through the castle and toward her lord husband's solar. Multiple guards flanked the doors and they stepped aside for Daenerys only to move back to prevent Catelyn from coming in.
"Let her in." ordered Daenerys as the guards looked at each other as they stepped aside and let Catelyn into the solar which was attached to her own bedchambers, the bedchamber where she and Lord Eddard Stark had made all but one of their children, Robb having been made in Riverrun while Eddard was off at war.
"My Queen." greeted Tyrion's voice as the group of figures around a table all noticed Daenerys entering the chamber. All of them rose, aside from a young man in a wheelchair, that is when Catelyn noticed that the woman at the center of this meeting was her oldest daughter, Sansa. Sansa's hair was longer, her face and body more mature and she was clearly a woman grown but it was still her daughter. Tears began to come unbidden from her eyes.
"My Queen." Said Sansa before her eyes turned and she noticed her mother. "Mother…it is good to see you."
"Sansa…" said Catelyn with tears in her eyes.
"Mother…I am afraid we can't have our reunion right now; we have direr news to share with the Queen." Said Sansa, she knew she could take some time to reunited with her mother, but she didn't want to deal with her at the moment.
"Yes…the situation is grave." added a new voice as Catelyn and Daenerys turned to see a small figure, so small they didn't notice that like the man in the wheelchair, she didn't rise. Her skin was a greenish color with bark like skin, with yellow cat like eyes and leaf like hair.
"By the Seven." exclaimed Catelyn as she looked at the creature straight out of legend sitting at a table in her husband's study.
"You must be a Child of the Forest; it is an honor to meet you." stated Daenerys "I am Queen Daenerys Targaryen."
"I am, Leaf." answered Leaf, bowing her head slightly but not calling Daenerys her grace or showing her any sign of bending the knee.
"And you must be Ser Benjen Stark." added Daenerys as Catelyn noticed the man dressed in black behind this Leaf, his flesh was pale and he had the look of a frozen dead men but that was her brother-in-law, Benjen Stark.
"I am, your grace." answered Benjen "Do not fear, I may be dead but it was the children who raised me not the Night King."
"If your eyes aren't blue so you speak the truth, Lord Stark and your nephew has spoken about how you saved him from beyond the Wall in our past your future." explained Daenerys
"We have many developments about the Night King, none of them good your grace." explained Sansa as Daenerys nodded as she grabbed an empty chair across from Sansa.
"Then let us get started, what is happening and how can we protect the people of the Seven Kingdoms?" inquired Daenerys, Sansa's eyes shot from the Dragon Queen to her mother.
"One moment, your grace." Apologized Sansa as she looked toward a large figure dressed in full plate armor. "Ser Brienne would you take my mother so see Rickon?"
Catelyn blinked away her tears as she looked and noticed that the figure in plate armor was in fact Lady Brienne, the warrior maiden she had entrusted with Jaime Lannister to take to King's Landing.
"Lady Stark, it is good to see you allow me to take you to your son." Said Brienne as Catelyn looked at her and then at her daughter who had retaken her seat and was already talking with Queen Daenerys who was nodding her head in accomplishment of her words.
"Alright." Said Catelyn as she was led out of the room and toward a nearby chamber. Here two Manderley Knights stood guard along with two Stark men. The Stark men she understood but the Manderley man she didn't understand. When she opened the door, she saw Rickon, her baby the youngest of all her children sound asleep in bed. Sitting beside the bed, closing a book was a woman she knew well, Lady Leona Manderley of White Harbor. She didn't notice her at first, it was the large black Direwolf Shaggydog which noticed her first raising its head from where it laid protectly by Rickon's side.
"Lady Stark." said Lady Leona as she closed the book and stood up.
"Lady Leona…" said Catelyn her eyes not looking at the other woman but instead looking at her sleeping son, a son she thought was dead.
"May I recommend we take this outside…Rickon has had trouble sleeping of late." advised Ser Brienne as Lady Leona nodded and with some gentle
Catelyn was led from the room and into the hallway.
"He looks so much older now." said Catelyn
"You have been gone for a long time and he has been through a lot." said Lady Leona
"What are you doing here?" inquired Catelyn as she looked Lady Leona Manderley.
"Lady Sansa summoned my Lord Husband and I from White Harbor…" explained Leona as she paused for a moment not sure how to go forward.
"Lady Sansa has asked Lord Manderley and his wife to Foster Rickon in White Harbor." explained Brienne as Catelyn eyes shot toward her.
"With the possibility of a betrothment between Rickon and my daughter Wylla if the children should get along." added Lady Leona as Catelyn turned back to her, the stunned look on her face was easy to see.
"Sansa…is sending her brother away?" inquired Catelyn not believing it. "And she doesn't have the power to set a marriage."
"She is Wardeness of the North and currently the Head of House Stark." countered Lady Leona "White Harbor has bent the knee to Queen Daenerys and she has placed Lady Sansa in control of the North."
"Robb is…" started Catelyn
"A rebel." added Brienne as Catelyn looked at her. "Believe me, he isn't seen that way but by law and custom he is a rebel in this land now and Lady Sansa is the Wardeness in the North."
"I wouldn't have accepted Lady Sansa's offer but before this war started you had brought up fostering Bran in White Harbor so that he could become a Knight like he wanted." Explained Lady Leona as Catelyn bit her lip, that had been true, there was talk of Rickon going to White Harbor and maybe being betrothed to Wylla's older sister who was the heir to White Harbor. So it wasn't unreasonable to have Rickon go to White Harbor and becoming betrothed to Wylla Manderly.
"I am not angry it is just so much is happening so fast and I need to process everything." Explained Catelyn
"You need your rest Lady Stark can I show you to a chamber." offered Brienne
"This is my house Lady Brienne I can find my own bedchamber." stated Catelyn somewhat offended by the comment. "It is attached to my Husband's solar."
"Your daughter's solar." countered Brienne as Catelyn blinked. "Lady Sansa has taken the Lord's apartments. The Queen has her own apartments and so does Tyrion Lannister as Hand of the Queen and other members of the council."
Catelyn took a breath and nodded her head, that made sense, this wasn't her Husband's Winterfell. If Eddard had died in some accident, then she would have expected Robb to move into the Lord's chambers since he would be lord. Sansa was the Lady of Winterfell under Queen Daenerys not her, Sansa would be the one living in the Lord's chambers.
"Alright." said Catelyn as she was lead down the hall to a guest room that would normally be used by a High Lord guest.
Even after her long journey and hours in flight, Catelyn couldn't find any sleep. She left her chambers and headed out and began to walk around the castle. It was the middle of the Night there for the castle was mostly asleep. Still guardsmen and a surprising number of women were out and about. Finally, she arrived at the balcony overlooking the archery yard, she smiled to herself as she remembered standing here watching Bran practice his skills with a longbow.
"Mother." said a voice as Catelyn turned to see Sansa coming toward her.
"Sansa." greeted Catelyn as she pulled her daughter into a hug, tears where rolling down her face even as Sansa returned the hug but not as strongly as Catelyn. Catelyn noticed and pulled back and looked at her now older daughter. "What is wrong?"
"Many things, but you have to remember to me you died years ago." explained Sansa as she pulled back and looked toward the North. "And I have a lot of things on my mind, a lot has changed."
"I can see that, the Dragon Queen, Snow and everything else." started Catelyn only to get a glare from her daughter.
"Never call Jon, Snow again not in either mine nor Arya's view." Stated Sansa her voice hardening. "He is not a bastard, he never was, he may be our cousin by birth but he is our brother in our heart. He is a member of house Stark and one of our pack. Remember that mother and he has done things which put us all to shame, he and Daenerys have done amazing things it is an honor to help them."
Catelyn was taken aback; she had been told that Sansa's point of view on Jon had changed but still this was Sansa who had always looked down on Jon to have her point of view on him change so much was stunning.
"Look around you mother, on those walls Free Folk or Wildings as you call them stand guard with Northern men and free slave soldiers, Dothraki blood riders patrol the wolf's wood with Knights of the Vale." Stated Sansa as she put her hands behind her back. "The world as you know it has changed and now you must accept that…because time is short, and Winter is Coming and the Dead with it."
Darkness had also fallen over King's Landing as Ser Jamie Lannister drank some wine as he looked out at the sleeping city before him. He didn't know what waited him, he knew that he would have to face his father, his son and his sister again when dawn came and that would likely be the last day, he saw the sun rise. He was lost in his own thoughts that he never heard it, he never heard the clink and the soft grinding of stone. He didn't hear the footsteps but he did feel the tap on his shoulder. He spun around to see a girl; a young girl dressed in simple cloths standing in his room.
"Who…" started Jaime as the girl turned around and headed back toward the fireplace which was opened to show a secret passage. The girl disappeared into the passageway and waiting only a few moments, just enough time to grab his sword belt Jaime followed her. He had to duck low as he entered the passageway. The girl was waiting for him on a tiny landing which lead to a shaft with foot and hand holes built into the wall. She pulled a little level and the door behind them closed and by the light of a tiny torch Jaime Lannister and this mute girl climbed down the shaft. This would have been easy for him when he had two hands but one handed it was hard, but he made it, then he was lead though twisting passageways until he reached a small room. A room was too generous for it, more of a closet then a room but when the girl opened the door the sound of voices could be heard, three male voices…two of which he knew.
Jaime Lannister walked into a large room with three figures waiting for him. One was dressed in flowing lose golden robes with the sun and spear of house Martel. He had last seen this man, when the Mountain had crushed his skull before his eyes in a trail by battle. The other man wore the cloth of gold of the crystal crown of the High Septon, this wasn't the mad high Sparrow but the corrupted man who proceeded him. The other man he didn't know, he was a fat man with a thick beard, and he was dressed like a man from Pentos.
"Ah…Ser Jaime…welcome we have much to talk about." Said the man as Jaime looked around confused. "Ah…don't fear you are with friends, my old friend Varys asked me to make sure you get out of trouble. Also to make sure you are able to tell your story to those who need to know."
Jaime blinked as he looked around confused.
"Ah…how rude, I am Magister Illyrio Mopatis of Pentos." Explained the Fat Man "Please be seated, I was just telling these men about a most interesting book one of Varys other friends found in the Citadel…one saying about the birth of one Jon Snow or Aegon Targaryen."
"He prefers Jon Stark." Explained Jaime
"So I have been told, we would like to hear it all, events which are yet to come, the war with the dead and the return of the Dragons. We wish to know it all." stated Illyrio as he poured Jaime some wine. "And please while we want you to tell us everything you can't waste time, your ship sails with the morning tide. You can't stay in the city as a wanted man."
Night had fallen as Arya sat on a log on the edge of the camp, she was watching the woods. All around them spread out where the fires from hundreds of campfires, causing a strange glow to fill the woods. The shadows cast by the fire light where long and dark as Arya waited, she heard them coming. Three men, two dressed in heavy armor while the other while armored wasn't as heavily armed.
"Arya…we need to talk." stated Robb as Arya didn't turn to face him, she kept watching the woods waiting. Robb seeing that she wasn't responded marched around and came to stand in front of her. "Arya…what was that this afternoon? Where did you learn to fight like that?"
Arya didn't respond instead she folded her arms and waited.
"Arya…" started Robb again only to hear to soft thuds, one followed moment by the other. He lifted his gaze from his sister to see both of his guard on the ground and a man dressed in common leather armor with a sword on his belt standing there. "What…"
Arya turned and looked at the man, his face was known to her, his brown hair with a single strip of white.
"A man has a few Questions." stated the man
"A girl has answers for the men." stated Arya as she kept her face straight as she stood up and looked at Jaqen H'ghar.
"You are the girl who traveled with a man north toward the wall and freed a man earning three names?" inquired Jaqen paying no attention to Robb who had reached for his sword only to get a look from his sister which stopped him in his tracks.
"A girl, doesn't want to see her brother killed, so please stop this man is far beyond you." stated Arya looking at Robb before turning back to Jaqen. "A girl is and is not, that girl I was, then I traveled to Bravos, trained in the house of Black and White to serve him but a girl could not become no one. I left."
Jaqen studied her face as he pulled a dagger halfway out of its sleeve.
"A girl doesn't leave the service of the many face god." stated Jaqen but he made no attempt to come closer.
"A girl earned her freedom, killed the Waif and returned her face to the hall below the temple." stated Arya as she looked at Jaqen. Both of them knew what that meant, by the law of the order if a target should kill a faceless man, then it would be seen as the Many Face God saving them for the moment and the contract would be canceled. In the case of someone leaving the order, if they were not a full faceless man then they would be allowed to leave, if they killed the Faceless men who went after them and swore not to share their secrets. If the secrets where shared, then they would be killed along with all their loved ones and whomever they told.
"A girl then fought against a threat deadlier than anything, a force which takes what belongs to the him of many faces and uses it as his own." added Arya as Jaqen kept circling her like a wolf studying her movement. "A magical creature who can raise the dead and use them to conquer…he is death itself, but he isn't him of many faces…he takes the dead from their rest and uses them."
"One could say we do the same." countered Jaqen "When we take a face."
"We do that to serve not to rule, he does it to rule." countered Arya "He takes the dead from their rest, and uses them, in defiance of him of many faces."
"Tell a man more of this threat…" ordered Jaqen as Arya went on to explain everything, she held nothing back. She told of the undead breaking through the wall, of Night King who seemed to be immune to death as they know it. How he took a knife to the neck, a full blast of dragon fire and how he seemed to be unstoppable.
"A man, sees." stated Jaqen as he stopped circling and once again stood between the two knocked out guards. "Very well…we will honor the deal made in the past; a girl is still Arya Stark but a girl cannot share our secrets."
Arya bowed her head slightly in confirmation, the two of them had played the lying game and he had read her perfectly.
"A girl must also come to Bravos." Jaqen added, this caught Arya slightly by surprise. "The others need to hear this from the girl."
"A Girl can't go to Bravos yet but once a girl is done here she will travel." stated Arya as Jaqen inclined his head.
"Very well." He said. "A man must go…Valar Morghulis."
"Valar Dohaeris." responded Arya as the man turned and disappeared into the woods.
"Who was that?" inquired Robb still looking at his sister.
"No one." answered Arya, before she gave her brother a grin. "Just another servant of him of many faces."
Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter and that everyone is doing ok with the virus which is going around the planet. I hope everyone is ok and please stay healthy and safe. Wilkins75.
