Chapter 17 Confrontations Part 2

A cooling wind was blowing over the grasslands which made up the bulk of the eastern side of the Green Fork of the Trident. Gendry Waters welcomed the wind as he picked up to large buckets full of river waters and began to carry them up toward the camp. It was time for the noon day meal and the Vale forces had stopped to eat and rest their horses, however for Gendry there was no break. He was busy carrying up water to be used in cooking and to fill water skins for the ride. He put the buckets down and began to fill them, all the while commoners did the bulk of the labor the squires served the meals to the high lords or where served themselves by men of lesser rank.

"High borns." complained another one of the commoners who was carrying water up as well. "We do all the work and they look down on us."

"Not all of them." corrected Gendry

"Lord Jon Stark isn't like that and neither is Queen Daenerys or a lot of the Norths man I find." explained Gendry with a smile as he thought of Arya. "And I know if there is anyone who can change things and make it better for all of us, it is Queen Daenerys and those around her."

"Well…one can hope but I don't think the high born really care all that much about us." Stated the man "They don't know what it is like to be look down upon."

"I am sure a lot of them don't but look who is leading us now. A Queen who had to live on the streets and rose to power on her own, a King Concert who lived most of his life as a bastard and was looked down upon by the high borns as well. Others around them are the same." stated Gendry, he had grown up in Kings Landing and knew how a lot of high borns treated commoners, they hadn't treated him all that well until he became a blacksmith. A blacksmith was an important trade, so much so that Blacksmiths where often spared in wars because they were so useful. "I have faith in them, I know that will change."

"If you say so, but we have had only two meals in 5 days." stated another boy, both of them where local boys having been here when Lord Bolton's men had turned on house Stark and burned everything they could. The fields which should have been growing high with grain where gone and homes where blacken husks. "I don't even care if the high borns look down on us, as long as we have food in our bellies."

"Gendry!" yelled a load voice as all eyes turned to see Lord Royce walking toward Gendry and the other commoners who were bring up water. "Ah there you are my boy, come back and enjoy some bread, I have some Lords and Knights you need to meet."

"Aye, my Lord." said Gendry as the other commoners looked at him and each other confused, Gendry wasn't dressed like a lord or a knight per say. He had leather armor with chain mail under it but that was common enough for men-at-arm to wear nothing about the way he spoke or acted said high lord or even Lord. "Lord Royce a request."

"What is it Gendry?" inquired Lord Royce

"Ser, may these men have some of the bread from the food cart, it appears that the Knights and High Lords are done and after what Lord Bolton did they could use a meal." Requested Gendry as Royce considered and looked at the countryside. All around them, the fields where burned and blackened from war, someone likely done by Lannister forces but more of them likely done by Bolton men.

"Aye, these are the subject of the Queen and we need to take care of them." Confirmed Royce as he looked at the commoners. "You four are welcome to get some food and take some back to your families."

"I'll take care of it, my Lord." said a Knight a little disgruntled about having to do it but knowing he didn't really have a choice.

"Now…Gendry come with me; a future Lord needs not only to look after the small folk but also make contacts with other Lords." Stated Royce "Please follow me, there are some people whom you need to meet."

The Red Keep was buzzing with more activity then a beehive as men and women rushed around to get things ready. News of the removal of Lord Tywin as Hand of the King and the push of the wedding of King Joffrey and Lady Margaery was on everyone lips. Some refused to believe that Lord Tywin who all but ruled the Seven Kingdoms had been removed, others wondered who in their right mind would do that.

"What?" inquired Margaery as she stood with her ladies in her private guardian attached to her apartments. The gardens where tiny compared to her own in Highgarden, only a single tree surrounded by flowers in the middle of a tiny courtyard, but it was more than most.

"My Lady, that is what I have heard." Said one of her cousins.

"But the wedding isn't supposed to happen until the new year, a wedding on the 300 anniversary of Aegon's Conquest to ring in a new dynasty." added another one of her cousin.

"Word is Joffrey is tired of waiting and wants to crush the rebels." stated the 1st cousin "He also sacked his grandfather and named Uncle Mace as Hand of the King."

"When is the wedding suppose to happen?" inquired Margaery not fully believing it.

"7 days." Said a new voice as she turned to see her brother Ser Loras Tyrell standing in the doorway, the light bouncing off his perfectly polished green armor with three golden roses on it marking him as the third son of house Tyrell.

"So it is true?" inquired Margaery as she looked at her older brother.

"Yes, father requested that I come to inform you." stated Loras as he entered the chamber bowing his head toward his two other cousins, before pouring himself a goblet of Harbor Gold Wine. "He is in a war council planning our assault."

"I see." Stated Margaery as she looked at her cousins. "Will you please excuse us."

"Of course." said both cousins as they moved off.

"This is bad isn't it." Stated Margaery as she got her own wine and moved to sit under the shade of the tree while her brother moved to sit on a raised planter.

"Hard to know for sure, Joffrey isn't a military leader…I don't even think he has seen any battle outside of a training yard." stated Loras with some contempt in his voice, Margaery was about to raise a point before her brother spoke again. "During the siege of King's Landing he stood on the wall being seen and commanding trebuchets to fire traitors over the wall. Once Stannis forces looked like they would breach the walls he ran back to the Red Keep. That isn't leadership in battle or even personal combat. I am worried, father isn't a military leader either, it was Lord Randyll Tarly who is the real military leader of the Reach. We will need him to beat dragons."

"Has father called for Lord Tarly?" inquired Margaery

"Lord Tarly is with his forces about a day's ride away." answered Loras as he looked around. "I am actually surprised, I expected grandmother to have beaten me here."

"Was she in the meeting?" inquired Margaery

"Not to my knowledge, but she always seems to know everything." stated Loras

Little did they know their grandmother Olenna Tyrel sat in the larger castle gardens overlooking blackwater rush with her own glass of wine in her hand.

"That damn fool." stated Olenna

"I agree." confirmed Little Finger as he stood with his own cup of wine, he was leaning against a column looking out over the water. "And our little arrangement is in deep trouble."

"You are telling me." said Olenna rolling her eyes. "The situation has changed."

Little finger nodded his head, first that message from the "Future" about their little deal, then the dragons show up, then Ser Jaime announced to the small council about sleeping with the Queen and now this, everything was falling apart.

"It is time we adapt and change with the changing board." stated Little Finger as he took a sip of his wine. "Right now, there are three major forces on the board and three lessor forces, outside of ourselves. There is of course King Joffrey and the Lannister forces, The Northern and River Lords under Robb Stark and the Dragon Queen forces. We know the least about them, but they seem to be in a powerful position and may soon have the Northern and Riverland forces bowing to them. Add them to the Dragon Queen's army and we are as good as gone."

"I would say you could abound ship and attempt to join the Dragon Queen however that letter threatened you the same way it threatened Joffrey and Roose Bolton." added Lady Olenna "If this future thing is true, you must have done something to make those in charge really upset."

Olenna had the pleasure of watching Little Finger squirm a bit as he thought about it.

"Our plans are in chaos and with a mad boy like Joffrey in charge it will only get more chaotic." stated Olenna as a grin crossed Little Finger's face.

"Maybe…we need to add more chaos to the whole system." stated Little Finger as a sly grin graced his face.

Elsewhere in the Red Keep Joffrey stood with his hands on his hips like a conquering hero as he gave out orders and planned for the war to end the rebellion against him.

"We march in 10 days at dawn." stated Joffrey as he looked around the table, a large map was spread out before them as his new Hand Lord Mace Tyrell stood across from him with Lord Roose Bolton at his side, two of his Kings Guards were also present along with his Grandfather the former Hand of the King Lord Tywin Lannister.

"The traitors boy is heading toward Riverrun where he will gather his lords and ladies." stated Joffrey "All the traitors in a single spot, perfect for us. We will crush them and in the war in one go."

"How do you see this going your grace?" inquired Lord Bolton

"Simple, your forces will leave from Harrenhal and cross to the Northern shore of the Red Fork. Destroy everything and make sure none escape." Stated Joffrey as Bolton raised an eyebrow but said nothing. The only two crossings which could easily allow movement of his forces where both in small yet fortified towns, held by River Lords. To take any of them would be a challenge but not undoable, it would cost a lot but they could do it. The fact that Joffrey had not said which one to use didn't help.

"While you are doing that, a host from Lannistport will march up to the Golden Tooth and then down the River Road to hit Riverrun from the West. At the same time Our forces here will march North to Harrenhal then strike down the River road from the East encircling them." stated Joffrey as he moved the pieces on the table passing by multiple castles, keeps and small watchtowers all of whom where held by their enemy. The older lords around the table all saw the major error in the Young King's Plan.

"I am concerned about all the rebels keeps and castles which we would be marching past without taking." stated a King's Guard "If we were mostly horse it could be done with ease, but on foot the rebels will march out to attack our lines before falling back. Protecting our supply lines will be hard unless we take them. May I recommend we take some key locations while we march? Raventree Hall and Stone Hedge for example."

"No." stated Joffrey "We will strike hard and fast; I will not give them an attempt to escape. Once we have crushed the pup Robb Stark they will bend the knee."

"As you say my King." Stated the King's Guard

"Lord Hand you will send letters to the forces building at Highgarden and order them to head to Stoney Sept and from there to Riverrun." Stated Joffrey

"My King, by the time the forces gathering at Highgarden are mostly foot and to march all the way there will take a long time and without any horse in great number the risk is…" started Lord Tyrell

"Is totally acceptable." Stated Joffrey waving the news off. "We have more men and more power then the Young Wolf and the Dragon Whore…we will crush them under our numbers. The Dornish forces in the Bone Way will come up as well to King's Landing and then strike out across the Southern edge of the God's Eye while the forces in the Prince's Pass will join with the men out of Highgarden. We will strike them on all fronts and crush them. Once gathered with will crush everyone who doesn't bend the knee and then march North and burn Winterfell to the ground and pull down every stone."

"My King to move what is basically 6 armies all at once will be very hard and the fact that some have weeks to travel on foot will mean they will arrive late." stated Lord Tywin "And whom will hold King's Landing."

"The Red Wyne Fleet will protect King's Landing along with a small force of the City's Watch." stated Joffrey without any real concern. Until they made a move to take on his Uncle on Dragon Stone he didn't care about ships.

"The City watch is not enough to stop a force marching down on them and ships aren't that useful against a land force." countered Roose "A force under the Dragon Queen could strike down the King's Road and take the capital while you are away. May I recommend leaving a stronger force here to hold the capital."

Joffrey glared at him for a moment, however he bowed to the recommendation.

"Very well, I will order those loyal houses in the Stormlands to raise forces to hold the city." stated Joffrey as Roose bowed his head in acceptance.

"What will you commend, my King?" inquired Lord Tyrell

"I will commend the main force myself." stated Joffrey as he puffed out his chest in pride. "Lord Bolton you will command your own forces, you will leave after the wedding and so will you Lord Tyrell as will you Grandfather."

"My King?" inquired Mace

"You can meet up with the forces from High Guardian on the march same with you grandfather you will command the forces coming from the Westerlands." stated Joffrey as he puffed his chest out in pride. "We will beat the Young Wolf in a single move."

None of the older men said anything as Joffrey's rage began to build, he expected the men to praise him for his plan but that wasn't happening. He was about to exploded at them but his anger was quickly moved to something else as one of the many castle cats jumped up on the map table knocking over markers.

"Damn cats." cursed Joffrey as he swung his hand to knock the cat out off the table only to have the cat miss the attack. The cat seamed to pause for a moment looking at Joffrey and then the map before jumping off the table and running out of the chamber. "I hate cats."

"As do I my King, but I hate rats and mice more, so one must live with them." stated Bolton

"Very well, now go." stated Joffrey as he turned and headed out of the chamber only to see that same cat near the door. He went to kick it out of the way only to miss it again, this time the cat bolted down the hallway and disappeared around the corner.

Far above the ground of Westeros Bran's eyes returned to normal as he looked at Daenerys' back as she guided Drogon toward the God's eye and the Isle of faces. Behind him Leaf seamed half asleep, but he knew she was actually wide awake but resting ready to respond to any threat.

"Queen Daenerys." said Bran load enough for Daenerys to turn and look at him. "I was just spying on a war meeting of Joffrey he is preparing to launch an attack on Robb."

"Do you know when?" inquired Daenerys

"Yes, and their plan of attack." confirmed Bran

"Alright…" said Daenerys as she thought about it. "Can you guide me to your brother Robb, he needs to be made aware."

"We don't have time." complained Leaf

"If it aids in bringing Robb and his forces on our side, we will make the time." stated Daenerys "Can you guide me Bran."

"Yes." said Bran as his eyes rolled back again. It took a moment, but he spoke up again. "Turn to the West."

Daenerys did as she brought Drogon down lower to the ground, as she did a black bird flew up from the trees to meet them. Birds always avoided Dragons for good reason and so she assumed this had to be Bran and began to follow the bird over the forest and farmland of the Riverlands. She could see small farming towns and homesteads some of which were nothing more than burnt husks, some small folk did come out to look at the Dragon while others ran away from the beast. She wasn't going to harm them and, in the distance, she could see columns of men marching on dirt paths. She turned toward them following the bird.

Arya rode by herself a little bit a head of the main "royal" party of her brother and the rest of the high lords and ladies. She did not need her faceless men training to see that these people were afraid of her. They didn't know how to deal with her, she was their King's sister, yet she was loyal to a "foreign" Queen in their very, add to that she was in their view a faceless man. Arya knew she wasn't a full faceless man, she knew she wasn't a fully trained faceless men. Someone like Jaqen H'ghar or another fully trained faceless men could kill her, she had barely beat the Waif and she wasn't a full faceless man. She had been luckily on both beating her and when Jaqen accepted that as a sign of him of many faces allowing her to leave. She knew the deal was she wasn't allowed to teach her skills to anyone or else they would kill along with herself and her family. Her family.

Her eyes closed for a moment, as she imagined her family, her pack. She of course saw Sansa, Jon and Bran but now she saw Daenerys and Gendry. Her smile broadened as she focused on Gendry, when she was a little girl, a young stupid girl she had never thought she would find love and she never thought she would accept the role of a "lady" however if Gendry became a Lord she would accept Ladyhood to be with him. However, it would be her form of Ladyhood, she wasn't going to working with needles unless it was the sword on her hip.

She was so lost in her thoughts she almost did not hear it, the flapping sound in the distance. Her eyes snapped opened as she spun her horse to the North east. The "royal" party stopped their horses and looked at her confused. Then they turned and followed her eyes to see a black dragon flying over the nearby woods.

A cry of alarm went out as Drogon flew over them circling, before coming in for a landing near the column which had moved away in fear, a lot of the men drawing swords or whatever weapon they had. For her part Arya simply moved forward on horseback, her horse had been with them at the twins and had smelled Drogon before and knew she wasn't in danger allowing Arya to get much closer then normal.

"Queen Daenerys." Said Arya as she spotted Daenerys on Drogon back, behind her was Bran and a figure she did not know. As she focused on that figure her eyes widened, it was a child of the forest, a living child of the forest.

"Arya can you get your brother, we have information that he needs to hear about Lannister troop movements." stated Daenerys

It took some convincing but in time two large men, where convinced to come forward to help get Bran off Drogon, that time allowed a small tent to be set up and a table to be brought out along with a series of maps and a camp chair for Bran. Daenerys said little and waited for Bran to arrive, instead she focused on the Northern/River lords who were studying her. She did not know who was being studied more, her or Leaf who stood beside her. Leaf had her arms crossed and seamed more than a little annoyed while Arya stood to the right and behind

For the Northern Lords, they did not know what to say, a child of the forest was standing before them. The children were supposed to be gone but yet here one was and she was with the Dragon Queen. The children where considered by some to be almost a direct link to the Old Gods a kin to a weirwood tree. They spoke with the will of the Old Gods and they had to be listened to. Finally, Bran was carried to the meeting and sat in the camp seat.

"Sorry for this interruption King Robb however we have information which you may find useful." explained Daenerys "Bran here is the three eyed raven, which gives him access to the magic of the old gods it was him who allowed us to come back. It also allows him to see past events and current events."

Robb just looked at Bran, he looked so much older and gave off an sense or wisdom a kin to a Measter but what he clamed was yet another impossibility on top of a growing mountain of impossibilities.

"I have seen the battle plan of Joffrey Waters." announced Bran in a monotone voice, that got everyone's attention. "Lord Tywin Lannister is no longer hand of the King and Joffrey is preparing to march."

Daenerys who was hearing all this for the 1st time attempted to hide her surprise and failed.

"Joffrey removed the best commander in Westerous?" inquired the Black Fish not believing it.

"Yes, and he named Lord Mace Tyrell as Hand of the King. The marriage to Lady Margaery will happen in 7 days and on the 10th day the army will march." Explained Bran as his eyes rolled back in his head causing everyone beside Arya, Daenerys and Leaf to jump back a bit. Suddenly four ravens flew into the tent and landed on the table.

"There is an army in Lannistport." Said Bran his eyes still rolled back in his head. "They will march through the Golden Tooth and the River Road toward Riverun."

As he spoke on of the ravens picked up a lion head marker and moved it from Lannistport toward the Golden Tooth and then to Riverrun along the river road.

"A force under Lord Bolton, who is currently in King's Landing as part of the small council will leave Harrenhal and cross the Green Fork to attempt to attack Riverrun from the North." Explained Bran as a second Raven moved a Bolton marker from Hallenhal to the Northern side of the Green Fork.

"The main force will leave King's Landing under Joffrey himself and head toward Riverrun by the King's road and then the River road." Stated Bran "Lord Tyrell will leave King's Landing and meet up with a joint Tyrell and Dornish forces coming up from High Guardian and the Princes' pass."

"Wait…how can we believe this." Stated one of the Riverlords. "This could just be a false front."

"Then don't believe it, however you need to know what Bran is telling us." Stated Daenerys

"Go on." Ordered Robb as he looked at Bran.

"Lord Tywin is going to lead the forces from the West." stated Bran "A second Dornish force is going to come up from the Stoney way to come toward the Riverlands."

"That is if the Dornish side with him." Stated Arya "They sided with you last time, my Queen."

That was news to everyone besides Daenerys and Bran and something Daenerys would have rather the people around the table not know. However what was done was done.

"Aye." confirmed Daenerys "But we can't count on that, however we are feelers out to them and to Lord Stannis Baratheon as well."

That caused the River and North Lords to share a looked, if the Dragon Queen got Stannis and Dornish on her side then she would basically be unbeatable. She would own the Narrow Sea, with only ships out of Tarth possible being able to get across without her knowing. If she controlled the Narrow Sea then she could stop trade and shut down a large part of the economy of the 7 Kingdoms. As for Dorne adding them on top of the Vale and the North would give her total control over three of the seven kingdoms.

"Davos and Melisandre are currently explaining things to Lord Stannis." reported Bran as Daenerys nodded her head.

"Is that all, we need to get going the longer we wait here the more time the Night King has to gather his forces and defeat us." stated Leaf as she spoke for the first time.

"Bran is there anything you haven't told them or me?" inquired Daenerys

"The Free Folk are about to reach the Wall." announced Bran as Daenerys nodded her head as the Northern Lords all had a look of fear.

"King Robb, if I may put a request, I wish to use a Raven to send a message to Lady Sansa in Winterfell." inquired Daenerys

"Of course we need to warn Sansa to prepare a defense of the North." Stated Robb as he looked toward a Measter and nodded, he rushed off toward a cart where multiple ravens where kept in cages. "Get one for Castle Black as well, they need to be warned as well."

"I am not warning her, I am asking to send an invite to Winterfell to King Mance Rayder to have a conference with me. I already have a detachment of Vale Knights at Castle Black awaiting the arrival of the Free Folk." explained Daenerys as the Northern Lords looked at her with anger in their eyes, most of all those Northern houses closer to the Wall. "I under the advisement of my small council and acting Wardness of the North have ordered the new Gift to be given to Mance Rayder to settle his people. In return they must obey guest rights while within the 7 Kingdoms and join us in battle against the White Walkers."

"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO ALLOW THOSE ANIMALS PAST THE WALL!" snapped the Great Jon at the top of his lungs as he slammed his fist onto the table and reached for his sword. Daenerys moved back a bit as Arya moved forward pulling Needle ready to defender her Queen and her future sister-in-law. She didn't get a chance because the Great Jon never got a set closer as roots shot out of the ground and wrapped his feet before pulling him backwards. He slammed into the ground with a hard thud as more roots came out and wrapped him upholding him tight.

"That Wall was meant to keep out the White Walkers not men." stated Leaf, her hand raised a bit. It was quickly put together that it was her controlling those roots through magic. "And if the Night King kills those humans they will rise as wighs and kill us all. So put your hatred of them away the dead is the enemy. I watched almost my entire race die first at the hands of humans and then the walkers, now I work with the humans. You can work with other humans."

"Leaf…will you please release Lord Karstark." requested Bran as Leaf shot a look at him through her cat like golden eyes. "His house has a long history of fighting the Free Folk from beyond the wall, please forgive him for the outburst."

"Very well." Said Leaf as she lowered her hand as the roots which had shot out of the ground released and went back into the Earth. The other Lords, Daenerys and even Arya seemed surprised by the power within Leaf. "We need to get going."

"And we shall, Queen Daenerys do not worry I will send a message to Winterfell." said Bran "And she will know within the hour."

"There is no way that is possible." stated the Blackfish "Winterfell is thousands of…"

He did not get to finish as one of the Ravens which had been moving stuff around the table turned and spoke in Bran's voice.

"Distance is not a barrier to me, Great Uncle." explained Bran's voice from the Raven, that took everyone aback. A few moments later Bran eyes returned to Normal. "Sansa has been made aware, do you want me to inform Jon or anyone else."

"Please inform Grey Worm to send the Dothraki down to take the crossroads." ordered Daenerys as she looked at the map. From the crossroads, where the King's road meet the River Road and the High Road and where two crossings of the trident was located was a key spot still in Bolton hands. Bran nodded as his eyes rolled back in his head as he went to deliver the message.

"That is our land you have no right to…" snapped the heir to House Darry who's family claimed that land.

"And currently Lord Bolton and his forces are holding your land." countered Robb as Bran's eyes became normal again.

"It is done." Confirmed Bran as Daenerys nodded her head in conformation before looking at Robb.

"Well…you have the information about the coming attack by Joffrey and his forces, use them as you see fit." said Daenerys "Now…we must be going."

"My Queen…a word." interrupted Arya which took Daenerys by surprised, but she nodded her head giving her consent. "My old master in the faceless men contacted me requesting that I go to Bravos."

"Why?" inquired Daenerys

"I do not know, but he made it sound important." admitted Arya as Daenerys considered.

"Lady Stark should be heading down from Winterfell in a day or so, once she arrives leave at once, I'll have a ship waiting for you in…" started Daenerys

"Don't worry about a ship, I know how to get a ship to Bravos." countered Arya, she still had a faceless men coin and there were always ships traveling back and forth to Bravos from multiple ports in Westeros. All she had to do was get to one of those ports and show the coin to a captain and she would be on her way to Bravos.

"Very well, act on your own discretion but be careful." stated Daenerys, she did not fully trust Arya with key diplomatic missions. Arya wasn't the most diplomatic person, but this was the faceless men and that was an area in which Arya was best equipped to handle.

"I will." confirmed Arya as Daenerys turned and looked at Rob and his council.

"Until we meet again, King Stark." stated Daenerys with that she turned and with any leave from King Robb headed toward Drogon who was only about a hundred feet away. The two Northern men who had helped carry Bran did so again and within a few minutes, Daenerys, Bran and Leaf where once again on Drogon's back and with a roar they were heading to the east toward the isle of faces in the middle of the God's Eyes.

It was approaching nightfall on Dragonstone as King Stannis Baratheon sat in silence listening as Ser Davos Seaworth and Lady Melisandre told him and the others around the table about events which where to come in a future which wasn't going to come anymore. Stannis said nothing letting others speak for him, a lot of those around the table where his wife's family members or devoted followers of the Lord of Light. They had slammed their fists onto the table and demanded "real" answers or declared this to be some kind of mummer's false. Still Stannis said nothing while everyone else spoke.

"That is it." Said Davos as he and Melisandre finished their story.

"White Walkers…undead armies and traveling back in time, you can't believe this my King!" yelled a Florent as Stannis shot him a look.

"It doesn't matter if it is true or not at the moment." Stated Stannis as he spoke for the first time in hours, he hadn't even touched his wine or moved at all. Aside from the steady breathing it was as if he was craved from stone. "You come with terms I believe, speak them."

"My King, my Lord Husband…" started Selyse only to get a look from her husband telling her to stop talking.

"I am not bending the knee, not yet at least." stated Stannis "I want to know the terms you offer."

Davos pulled a letter from his pouch with the was seal of house Targaryen along with six other seals. He held it out to a server who took it from his hands and brought it to Stannis who sat at the head of the painted table. Stannis took it and broke the seals and began to read.

"Basically, you bend the knee, surrender Dragonstone to Queen Daenerys as the family seat of House Targaryen and you will be named Lord of Storm's End with all its lands and titles, including Lord paramount of the Stormslands." stated Davos "You will also have to join the war against the undead when it comes and Queen Daenerys has spoken often of having a grand council to address multiple wrongs within the Seven Kingdoms."

"Queen Daenerys, doesn't offer forgiveness for your uprising against her father however." Stated Melisandre as everyone tensed for a moment. "Because there is nothing to forgive, she knows her father was a mad man and so was her older brother Visialia."

"I never wanted to rebel." admitted Stannis "When the orders from my brother came to me at Storm's End I thought Long and hard about who did I have duty to follow. My brother or my King, my blood or my King…I picked blood and we won. I would be betraying my blood if I gave up the crown my brother worked so hard for."

"No offense, Lord Stannis but your brother was a horrible king." stated Davos as everyone eyes widened a bit at the insult of the late King Robert. Everyone knew Stannis hated Robert, but he was still the King's older brother.

"Well…you are not wrong about that." stated Stannis "My brother was a drunken, whoring fool but he was king and by right when he died the Kingship came fell down to me. I must carry out his duty as King."

"How?" inquired Melisandre as her red eyes bore into him. "How will you carry out your duties as King? How can you win this war? Simple answer…you can't."

"How DARE YOU!" yelled a Florent as he stood up and prepared to draw his sword. "I'll give you one more chance to recant your treason before I take your lives."

"I am not High born; I was born in the slums of flee bottom." stated Davos as the man stopped pulling his sword, somewhat confused by the statement. "I have traveled the narrow sea from East Watch to Sun Spear and everywhere I go everyone has one shared wish. To have a better life and that is what a King or Queen is supposed to help give their subjects. You are King by right as Robert's younger brother however to press that claim will only harm those people whom it is your duty to protect, the small folk who only want better lives and don't care who sits on the bloody iron throne as long as they get it."

"You aren't wrong." confirmed Stannis

"My King you can't be thinking of Bending the Knee." stated his wife "Our daughter is meant to sit on the Iron Throne or our son once I give you a true born son."

"We will win the throne; we cannot give up." Stated another Florent

"How?" inquired Stannis as he looked at his cousin by marriage. "How will we win the Iron Throne?"

"My King?"

"How do we win the Iron Throne, if this is true and if the Dragon Queen has the North and Vale whom do can we get as allies?" inquired Stannis as he looked around the table. "The boy King Robb? No, he would bend the knee to his family whom now serve the Dragon Queen. That would give her the Riverlands along with the North and Vale. That leaves only three choices…bend the knee to the Bastard who sits the Iron Throne now and whom will demand far worse terms, bend the knee to the Greyjoys and there little sea born kingdom or attempt to buy sell swords in the East."

"Then we buy the sell swords." stated Selyse

"How? We go get Gold from the Iron Bank like my counterpart did in their time. I don't think that will work now and the Dragon Queen will stop that." Stated Stannis "So how do we buy these sell swords to win the Iron Throne?"

"I do not know." admitted the man

"Neither do I." stated Stannis, he was one of if not the best military leaders in Westeros, he had won multiple battles and he also could see that he had no way out of this. So he made his decision.

"I want to speak with Queen Daenerys or this Lord Jon Stark before I bend the knee and I do have a few other conditions." stated Stannis

"What are they?" inquired Melisandre

"All my wife's family land in the Reach shall be returned to them and so shall everyone else who fought for me." stated Stannis "There will be no hostages, or ransom of any kind."

"That should be agreeable." stated Davos as he paused for a moment and prepared himself. "There is two other things."

"And what are those." Stated Stannis.

"First, Dragon Glass is a key weapon against the undead and Dragonstone has a large supply of it. I as a member of the Queen's Council request that while we haven't made an official treaty that you start to mine the Dragonglass." stated Davos as Stannis thought about it.

"I lack the men, to do it properly while maintaining my defenses." stated Stannis

"Then allow us to send for miners from the North or the Vale, they will be unarmed and provide for themselves." offered Davos

"I will consider it." stated Stannis "What is the second thing?"

"Among us, is a young man named Gendry Waters, he is Robert's Bastard Son." stated Davos as Stannis eyes narrowed, he knew like everyone else in the room that Robert's bastard son if legitimized would have a great claim to Storm's End and all the other titles which came from that. "He was confirmed as Roberts Bastard by you well your future you."

"I will not let my daughter's seat be threatened by a bastard!" cursed Lady Batatheon

"You will not have to, the current plan as far as I am aware is to give him his own seat, likely the Twins or somewhere in the North." stated Davos

"The Twins? But what of the Freys?" inquired a man

"I don't think any of them are going to be around when this is all over or a least any of them will be in power." Stated Melisandre

"It would aid Gendry is his Uncle would confirm him as Robert's son and in return he gave up all claim to Storm's End and the Stormsland." added Davos as Stannis' eyes narrowed.

"What would this Gendry gain from that? This Dragon Queen could name him as Robert's heir without our rightful King so why would he want King Stannis to confirm he is Robert's bastard." Stated a Knight

"A woman's love." Answered Davos as everyone looked at him. "Gendry loves Lady Arya Stark and she loves him. Neither of them honestly knows how to be a high lord or lady but to be together Gendry needs to be a Lord. This is the easiest way."

"I will consider it." stated Stannis

"Very well." Stated Melisandre as she looked at the men and women around the table. "I will leave you, I need to journey to Voltainitis to speak with the High Council of the Lord of Light there, they need to be made aware of the current situation. I will be leaving at once."

"You may take the ship you left on." stated Stannis as he looked around at all the stunned faces around the table. "I believe we all need to consider what was said here before I make my final decision."

As the light of the setting sun began to cast long shadows in the streets of King Landing, this was the honor where most people where preparing to end their day or getting a late dinner. The only people who where extremely active where those who had jobs who where not welcomed in the light of day. For Little Finger he personally found he got the most work done during those evening hours they where his magic hours and he had to use them to their best this day. He was now a much pourer man because of his work but he also knew he would make it up in the long run.

"Your boys are ready for this?" inquired Little Finger to one of his oldest pieces in the game, he wouldn't call him a friend.

"They are." Confirmed the old man of arms Oswell Kettleblack. "They will make sure those who need to be paid are paid and that they are in place by morning."

"Good, they must be there by sunrise, the earlier the better." Stated Little Finger as he paid for the drinks. In truth they where at his own brothel so he didn't have to make the show of paying for drinks but it made the old man feel more important. "And make sure they know what to say."

"Aye." confirmed Oswell "If I may my Lord I heard you are getting married as well."

"Yes." Said Little Finger with a heavy sigh, he knew he should try to pretend to like Lysa Arryn but it was an open secret that he didn't and he wasn't going to attempt to hide it. Lysa was so madly in love with him, it almost made him sick, but she was useful in her own ways and she gave him an important piece to play with in the form of the young Lord of the Vale. "She and I are to be married in a few days, before the King's Wedding."

"Well then…I hope you enjoy your wedding night." stated Oswell

"I am sure I will." lied Little Finger as he stood up and patted Oswell on the back. "Now finish your drink and get to work."

It was approaching nightfall by the time Drogon came in for a landing on the isle of faces, they had flown almost the entire day with the only break when they landed at Robb's camp.

Drogon roared as his massive black wings sent leaves falling from the trees as she landed on a small clearing at the edge of the island. She looked around waiting to see if anyone would come, she didn't have to wait long as men in green robes with antlers on their helms came forward.

"I am Queen Daenerys of House Targaryen, I come bringing Bran Stark the Three eyed Raven and Leaf of the Northern Tribe of the Children of the Forest." announced Daenerys as more figures came forward along with a shorter figure who looked like a much older version of Leaf.

"Queen Daenerys, I am Lady Cedar, head of the order of the Green men and the last member of the tribe of the Lake of the Children of the Forest." Said the elderly child of the forest, as she came forward getting close to Drogon who looked down at her.

"Lady Cedar…please be careful…" advised Daenerys as she slipped from Dragon back, Leaf followed as they helped Bran get off.

"This isn't the first Dragon I have seen, I saw Balerion the Black Dread and so many other Targaryen dragons flying back and forth over my centuries." Stated Cedar as she looked into the Dragon's eyes.

"Still he is a dangerous…" started Daenerys

"She is dangerous." countered Cedar as Daenerys blinked, as Cedar chuckled. "You know little about dragons, they are not bound to one gender, they take on the gender of those soul bound to them, their riders as you would call it. This one is female…the one Lord Stark came on is male. However, is another rider should claim your dragons after you are gone it will change gender to match that rider."

"I…didn't know that." admitted Daenerys

"There is a lot of stuff you do not know…" stated Cedar before grinning. "And there is a lot of stuff I do not know either…but let's hope with the Tree eyed Raven here we stand a chance of finding out how to defeat the great enemy."

Some of the men in green robes came closer to help Daenerys with Bran and as they got closer, she saw that two out of the three figures looked totally human however the third had yellow cat like eyes. She was somewhat taken aback but this island was where men and children of the forest had lived and intermarried with each other for thousands of years. Two of the men carried Bran while a third was behind making sure he didn't fall backwards.

"How will you communicate what you find with us?" inquired Daenerys as Cedar grinned as she extended her arm. Daenerys watched as a black Raven flew and landed on her outstretched arm. Daenerys watched as Cedar's eyes rolled back in her head and the raven's eyes turned white as well.

"The same way we used to talk to each other." said the raven in Cedar's voice. "And do not fear, we will take good care of Bran."

"I hope so, I am entrusting his life to you and your people." said Daenerys

"And we hope to be worthy of that trust." said Cedar as she bowed her head.

"Don't worry, I will be ok." reassured Bran as Daenerys sighed and watch as he was carried into the woods.

"I would be more worried about my own safety then Bran." explained Leaf as she looked at Cedar both of whom where glaring at each other. "Our tribes are ancient enemies but for the common good we must work together."

"True…" confirmed Cedar before she turned back to Daenerys. "Queen Daenerys would you like to spend the night to rest, if not we can restore your dragon's strength."

Daenerys blinked at that offer then she remembered Tyrion had said that the children was somehow able to restore animals' strength, so that they could keep going without sleep, rest or even food.

"You can do that on a dragon?" inquired Daenerys

"Yes, we couldn't do it as much as we could with a horse or another smaller animal, but we can restore this dragon." Stated Cedar "Do you wish us to do that?"

"Very well…best I return to my army so that we can unit the seven kingdoms." Stated Daenerys as Cedar lowered her head and raised a hand toward Drogon. The ancient child of the forest gripped her walking stick tighter but remained standing before lowering her arm again.

"There…I did what I could." said Cedar

"I thank you." thanked Daenerys as she mounted back up and with a roar Drogon lifted back up into the sky and turned toward the North East toward the Vale. Cedar and Leaf watched the Dragon disappear into the fading sunlight.

"Come we need to prepare the Three Eyed Raven for the Ceremonial." stated Cedar "You did tell him that I hope, or did you Northern fools forget to tell him?"

"I did tell him." Confirmed Leaf as she wanted to attack this stuck up Southern prick, but then she became somber. "I didn't tell the other humans…they would never have allowed it."

"I figured as much…but there is no way." stated Cedar as the two ancient rival clans glared at each other. The rivalry between the different clans of the Children of the Forest go back for countless generations and given the length of time they lived it was beyond the time when men first learned to walk upright. "Come, there is much to do."

The hour was late approaching midnight and the city of King's Landing was all but asleep, even the whores where asleep in their beds. The only people out where either criminals or city watch with a handful of night soil men collecting waste from the city's public latrines. The doors to the Great Sept of Baelor where never bared in case some lost soul needed saving. It was guarded at all time, while the ancient holy orders which had once done this duty had been dissolved long ago the faith could keep a few private guards to watch over the sept of Baelor. The square outside was also guarded by the city watch, they noticed the three men and four women heading to the sept but shrugged it off. They where moving fast but did not appear armed nor did they attempt to hide their faces. They assumed they were just a group about to head out to sea on the morning tide and wanted to light a candle for a safe journey, that was what it normally was. None of the guards noticed that the cloths under their cloaks where far to nice to be sailors about to be out to sea. Three of the seven had the badge of House Lannister sewn on their breasts marking them as servants to House Lannister.

They all but ran up the wide marble stairs which lead up to the Great Sept of Baelor and passed by the guards and entered the Sept. The giant statues of the Seven looked down on the Seven figures which moved to the center of the Sept, aside from the light from a few candles burning at the alters before the statues it was pitch black.

Only a few people moved around the Sept, besides the guards a only two members of the holy orders were in the main chamber. One of these members moved toward the large group which entered the chamber.

"Welcome to the Great Sept of Baelor, the hour may be late but the Seven is always listening." Reassured the young Septon who had pulled night duty this week. The seven figures seamed more then a little frightened which caused the young Septon to look at them slightly confused. "Is there something I can help you with."

"Yes…we need to confuse our sins and request your protection of the High Septon himself." Said one of them, a knight judging by the patch on his chest right below the patch of house Lannister. "We…we can't keep the secret anymore; we can't let this happen."

"What do you mean?" inquired the Septon as one of the women fell to her knees with tears rolling down her cheeks. This caused the Septor in the room to move forward, she was there to tend to the religious needs of any women who came in. She was also more senior in rank then the young Septor. As a woman, she didn't have the same standing as men in most cases however she outranked him and at the moment her word commanded the guards as well. Three of the guards who had been standing watch in the chamber moved forward as well.

"What is it my child?" inquired the Septa

"I can't let it happen, I can't keep the truth hidden and I can't let that lovely women marry a bastard." Cried the women through tears.

"What do you mean my child?" inquired the Septa

"I serve in the Red Keep and I have seen multiple times Queen Cersei kissing her brother Jaime Lannister on a lips while King Robert was alive." admitted the women as the Septa eyes widened, she turned and looked at the other figures.

"I served as a knight at in the Red Keep and I have seen Sir Jaime come out of Queen Cersei chambers multiple times late at night." admitted a Knight as the other five told similar stories.

"I see…these are harsh claims." stated the Septa as she looked at another one of the women. "Who are you child?"

"My name is Shae." Answered the women

"And do you have similar claims?" inquired the Septa as Shae looked down.

"In a way, I was Tyrion Lannister's…bed warmer." Explained Shae, everyone in the room knowing what that really meant. "And he told me on multiple times about how his brother has slept with his twin sister since they were children."

"I see, these are very harsh claims." stated Septa

"It is more then Harsh." Stated one of the guards as he looked at the seven people before him. "If this is true…then King Joffrey has no right to sit the Iron Throne or be married under a false name."

"I will awaken the High Septon to hear your words." stated the young Septon as the Septa nodded her head in confirmation unknowing playing right into Little Finger's plan.

Well I hope you liked this chapter, sorry for the delay I have been extremely busy and have had very little time to write. I hope everyone is doing well and until next time please keep reading. Thanks Wilkins75.