Chapter 19
The sound of laugher and cheering filled the great hall as Queen Daenerys sat in the great hall of the Gates of the Moon, the massive castle sat at the base of the Giant's Lance the tallest Mountain in Westeros which sat in the middle of the Vale of Arryn. The near the mountain's peak was where the Eyrie sat high above the Vale of Arryn but it was impractical to make the High Lords and Knights travel the day long journey to the castle up the mountain side for a simple feast, instead Jon and Daenerys had journeyed down to the much simpler but still impressive castle.
"Here is to our Queen and her future King Concert!" yelled a drunken Vale knight as more knights and men and arms joined in. Some of those raising cups where men who had journeyed with them from Winterfell and the future, still others were from nearby castles and keeps which had come once they learned what was happening and others still had joined the march on route to the heart of the Vale of Arryn. These men brought their sons, daughters and wives to see the event and most of all two living dragons which now rested in the yard. More commoners had arrived, some to see the dragons more to avoid the chaos which had been ruling the Vale since most of the high lords, knights and a good amount of fighting men disappeared suddenly. Putting an end to the chaos would be their first goal, Lady Lysa Arryn had left no one in command of the Vale when she left to marry Littlefinger in King's Landing causing bands of outlaws and religious zealots who claimed that the end was near to rule one of the seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Getting it in order would take time, however the Vale had been untouched by the war of the five kings and their power would be a major factor in the future of not only the kingdoms but humanity as a whole.
"The people love you your grace." said Lord Royce as he sat to Deanery's left, John was on her right as she sat in the center of the raised table at the end of the hall. The Banner of House Targaryen rested behind her on the wall, with the Falcon and Moon behind Royce even though he was not of House Arryn and the Banner of House Stark behind John, a large enough banner of John's new sigil wasn't available sadly so house Stark was being used. The hall was full of music as a group of singers where filling the hall with their songs providing entertainment.
"I am pleased by this but there is much work to be done." stated Daenerys as Royce looked at her and nodded his head, he knew it as much as she did. "However, your men have done much in such a short amount a time, tomorrow they will rest in camp. No drills, just rest."
"A wise move, the men need rest." agreed Royce as Queen Daenerys Master of Laws it wasn't his place to advice his Queen on Military matters however Royce was an experienced commander and had seen more battles then anyone in the room, his advice was welcomed. Daenerys didn't like to wait; however, she knew this was the right move, the Knights of the Vale where heavy horse not light horse like the Dothraki they needed more time to rest. She had seen how the horses and men were struggling on the march and her dragons needed to rest as well. She had made a mistake pushing the Dragons as fast as possible from Dragonstone to beyond the wall, it saved Jon and his party, but she could feel Drogon was slow that battle, he was tired and in that battle, she lost one of her dragons which aided the Night King, she wouldn't make that mistake again.
"On the morro I want Ravens to fly to every keep and Castle in the Vale explaining what happened and until Lord Robin Arryn can be rescued you Lord Royce will be Lord Protector of the Vale." Stated Daenerys as Royce nodded his head in agreement, they had already talked this over and he was the clear choice. House Royce was the second most powerful house in the Vale and multiple times when House Arryn had a young lord it was a Royce of Runestone which served as Lord Protector of the Vale. "Also prepare to have a portion of the army which you feel is right to head to Gulltown, in two days you will begin your march to take the city."
Gulltown was the largest city in the vale and the 5th largest city in the Seven Kingdoms, behind Old Town, King's Landing, Lannisport and White Harbor. Having it bend the knee along with White Harbor would be key. It would also give them control of the seas North of Blackwater Bay. If they could get Stannis to bend the knee and convince Dorne to side with them like they had in the future they would control the Narrow Sea. They would control the sea with the exception the Island of Tarth and they had a way to possibly convince Tarth to bend the knee since Brienne is the only child of the Lord of Tarth. If they controlled the sea they could stop all trade between the Seven Kingdoms not under their control and the Free Cities in Essos, that alone could end the war as it would bankrupt multiple tradesman and high lords alike.
"Jon will join you in time, so you don't need to rush to Gulltown." Added Daenerys
"Jon my Queen?" inquired Royce confused, he had expected Jon to fly North back to Winterfell and the Wall to deal with the Free Folk. John already had a relationship with the King Beyond the Wall, so he assumed he would go to talk to the Free Folk.
"I want to meet with the King Beyond the Wall myself and we have received word from Ser Seaworth, Lord Stannis wants to meet either Jon or myself to possibly bend the knee. From what I have heard about Stannis having a man speak to him may allow him to bend the knee easier." explained Daenerys as Royce considered for a moment, he had meet Stannis multiple times and knew him well.
Stannis was a hard man for sure, one to follow tradition and having him bend the knee to a women would be harder for him then it would be to bend the knee to a man even if in truth he would be bending the knee to a women. He recalled a line in one of the books he read about Aegon the Conquer who united the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros under the Targaryen rule.
"Let them down easy, let them keep their pride, I only need their loyalty." whispered Royce
"Aegon the Conquer." stated Daenerys as she looked at Royce with a grin. "My distant ancestor is right, however I have another reason to make it easier on Stannis."
"What is that?" inquired Royce
"He is a brilliant military leader; whatever you say about him he is a skilled warrior and leader on the battlefield." Added Jon as Daenerys and Royce nodded in agreement, he would consider himself better then Stannis in military matters but he had to admit that could just be his pride talking. Having Stannis would be a great aid in the wars to come. "And while you may think of the Free Folk as savages, their society is far more accepting of women rulers, they have women fighters, chieftains and so on. So Mance Rayder will not feel dishonor if you want to say it that way to accept our Queen's terms. To him it would be the same as making a deal with any other leader, not to Stannis."
"Very true." said Daenerys as she noticed an servant walking over and whispering something into John's ear. That caused her to raise an eyebrow as Jon whispered something back as the servant moved off. "Something wrong Jon?"
"No…but." Started Jon as suddenly the music stopped and the men on two tables stood up and pushed the two large center tables to the side to clear the floor. Daenerys and others looked on confused for a moment as John stood up and turned toward Daenerys.
"My Queen…may I have this dance." Inquired Jon as Daenerys looked at him surprise all over her face which quickly turned to a smile.
"I would love to." said Daenerys as she took Jon's hand as she stood up and allowed her to be guided to the newly cleared dance floor as the singers and musicians began playing again. The two of them where not the only couple in the hall and after a while more couples got on the dance floor as the feast restarted as well.
"I didn't know you could dance Jon?" inquired Daenerys as the two of them danced in the center area.
"When I was 13, Lady Stark had a dance instructor come to Winterfell from White Harbor for Sansa and Rob to learn, Arya was too young and Bran had just been born." Explained John as he moved around the floor with grace and skill. "She heard me and a few other men making fun of Robb for missing out time in the yard to learn to dance, so she decided to punish me by making me learn to dance as well. Imagine her surprise when I turned out to be a better dancer then Robb or even Sansa."
He didn't add that he had actually enjoyed learning to dance a bit, he found it actually helped him with his sword fighting. Moving on the dance floor and moving while doing the dance of battle involved a lot of the same stuff he found. Robb and him where about equal last time they trained in the yard, Robb was the slightly better horse, but he was the better sword, now both he and Robb where battle hardened men not green boys. Part of him wondered what it would be like to fight Robb again, Robb did have more experience in mounted combat then he did, even at the battle of the Basterds he fought mostly a foot but he would put his sword against Robb any time on foot. He pushed those ideas aside that did not matter at the moment as he took Daenerys hand and lead her to the floor.
"You keep surprising me Jon." laughed Daenerys as she rested her head on his chest as they kept moving around the floor. "Never stop doing so."
"As you will my Queen." laughed Jon as they kept dancing.
Darkness had fallen over the land but King Robb had ordered the march to carry on, he knew his men wouldn't like it neither did he but he knew it would all be worth it. He pushed his horse forward over a small rise and there he saw it. There illuminated by the multiple camp fires of his vanguard force was the Castle of Riverrun, the castle was their destination and he knew while his men would complain about having to carry out a night march they would have been more upset about having to set up camp then tear it down the next morning when they were only two hours away from this destination.
He pushed forward along with other members of the high court and of course his wife and his sister, Arya. Arya was still a mystery to him, he didn't know how to talk to her, his little sister was a faceless men and she had killed more men then he had. A women wasn't suppose to kill, that wasn't their place, that was the duty of a man, yet she was possibly the most dangerous person in the army and she served a Queen who rode a black dragon into battle.
"My King." said the steward as Robb passed over the drawbridge, passing under a stone carving of the Tully leaping trout.
"Is everything ready?" inquired Robb
"It is my King, your chamber as well as everyone else is ready as well. The maester is preparing the Ravens to fly with your message but they will not be ready until tomorrow." reported the Steward as Robb nodded his head as Grey Wind moved beside his horse, the steward eyeing the dire wolf.
"That is fine, extend my thanks to the Maester and whomever else is helping him. I will see them in the morning." said Robb as he dismounted and patted Grey Wind on the head.
"I will extend your thanks, do you require any food my King?" inquired the steward
"Just some bread and drink for my Queen, she is growing our child within her after all." explained Robb as he walked forward and grabbed Talisa's horse and helped her down.
"I will see to that at once." Said the Steward who gave a bow and headed off.
"Thanks…I'll be fine if you want to go to the God's wood." said Talisa as she smiled at her husband before he nodded his head and took off toward the God's wood. He was not alone, multiple Northerners went with him, while River Run was a southern castle a Godswood was kept by all the great houses and most of the minor ones as well. There was a heart tree there but unlike Winterfell's god's wood the trees where well-trimmed and flowers where common, it lacked the wild hard woods of the North. Still this was the place of the old gods and he was a follower of the old gods.
Robb drew his sword and placed the tip in the rich dark brown soil bowing his head as he did so as he began to pray. Around him other men did the same, until only him and his guards remained and they were far back with their backs turned so not to disturb their King. He was about to stand up when he felt a hand suddenly touch his shoulder, he nearly jumped back to prepare to defend himself when he saw the thin narrow blade in the figures hand. He hadn't even heard a sound, not even the blade being drawn it was almost as if she had just appeared there beside him.
"You and Jon are so much alike, always focusing on the damn tree and nothing else when your praying." Stated Arya as she crossed her arms over her chest and looked at the face in the heart tree.
"Arya." said Robb as the guard noticed Arya only after she started talking. They moved forward only to be told to stay back by a simple wave of Robb's hand.
"I could have killed you so many times." stated Arya as she studied the face some more, instead she snapped her sword, her needle to the front of her face with the blade pointed up. Then she bowed her head and began to speak in a language which Robb couldn't understand, he studied his sister's face she seamed to be praying but it wasn't any of the prayers that either their father or mother had taught them. He didn't even know what language she was speaking until the very end. "Valar Dohaeris."
"All men must serve." Said Robb as he translated his sister's words.
"Yes, I was saying a prayer I learned at the house of Black and White." Explained Arya as she put needle away, not even making a noise this time either.
"The home of the Faceless men." added Robb
"The Temple, yes." confirmed Arya as she studied the face some more in the pale moonlight, the light cast half her face into the darkest shadow but the other was bright and clear. "I don't know how the Old Gods, the New Gods, the Lord of Light or even him of many faces all fit into this world. It clearly isn't as simple as those who preach their faith make it out to be."
"I remember never understanding the Septa mother had at Winterfell, all those rules about what was right and what was wrong. I remember how you always seemed to find a way to disappear for those lessons and how Mother would always punish you afterwards for that." Stated Robb as he got a grin out of Arya. "The old gods are simpler and better, but don't tell my subjects that…I am supposed to rule over them all."
"Until you bend the knee to Queen Daenerys." whispered Arya as Robb let out a sigh.
"I will not be bending the knee to Queen Daenerys." admitted Robb as Arya eyed him and for a moment said nothing.
"You are lying." stated Arya "Or at least you aren't telling the whole truth."
"Aye…" confirmed Robb "I never wanted to be King but it was the role I am meant to be, I am King of the North and the Rivers and I will not give up that crown without the rest of my lord bannermen agreeing to do so as well."
"If they don't then they will die and so will you." stated Arya coldly. "You have no idea what is coming, you have been told about the Night King but until you are so cold that your air freezes in your chest and you see the blue eyes of the dead all around you will never understand. I didn't understand it until I saw them outside the gates of Winterfell."
"I have seen battle Arya, I…" started Robb as Arya shot him a look which caused him to stop mid word.
"You may have seen battle against the living aye, but you have not seen the dead and know if you fall you will join them." Countered Arya "I pray to him of many faces that you will never have to see that day Robb but I know that it will happen. You like everyone else, including myself must prepare, we failed last time and we have been given this second chance…we will not get a third."
With that Arya turned and began to walk away.
"Tell me something Arya…what happened to you?" inquired Robb as Arya stopped in her tracks and turned to look at him over her shoulder. "You are not the same girl who left Winterfell I know; you have done a lot. Not everything I approve of for sure but what happened to you? You treat me like a stranger, I understand that but I want to know what happened? So will you tell me?"
Arya looked at him for a moment before turning and walking away.
With a heavy resigned sigh of his own Robb headed toward his bed chamber passing multiple guards before opening the door. His chamber was actually four rather large rooms, a bedroom, a dinning room and an indoor and outdoor solar. He was amazed to find that his wife wasn't already asleep on the bed but was instead sitting out of the balcony solar and she wasn't alone. Sitting there with a cup in her hand was Arya.
"I climbed the outer wall, you wanted to talk." explained Arya as she took a drink "Might as well sit, this is going to take a long time."
"Alright." said Robb as he pulled up a chair, he would liked it better if his wife would get some sleep but he knew it would be impossible to get her to sleep now. "Where do you want to start?"
"How about the 1st man I killed, it was some stable boy in King's Landing when I made my escape when the Lannister's came for father." stated Arya
Ser Barristan Selmy stood beside a makeshift stage in the center of Meereen's Central Market, the market was actually where the largest slave market was in the ancient slave city. It was said that from this spot that the first slaves in Meereen where bought and sold and they have been doing so for thousands of years. The old knight had put on his white cloak with the Targaryen three headed dragon on the back but in cloth of silver, he had worn this cloak for years before having to switch it out when King Robert had taken the throne. It was the only personal item that he had brought with him from Westeros and he had kept it safe hardly ever putting it on. Now it was the only thing that kept him safe and gave him a voice at the council which formed after Queen Deanery's and almost half the Unsullied disappearance. Since that had happened, the Unsullied who hadn't disappeared had begun to slaughter without mercy any slaver they caught.
Selmy hated slavery, not only was it against his moral code but also it was against the faith of the Seven but he didn't approve of slaughtering everyone. He had won a minor moral victory when he convinced the council not to kill the young kids of slavers, even they had to agree that Queen Daenerys would never kill children. Still as he looked out as the leaders of Meereen, the Great Masters where lead toward the stage in chains. Their bodies had been beaten and broken, some had clearly been beaten to the point of near death but hadn't been given the peace of death. There where even some women being marched out to die as well, that made him even more upset, but he knew there was nothing he could do. He did not even want to be here, but if he had failed to show then the council would have kicked him out and then there would be no voice holding them back.
"FOR CRIMES AGAINST THERE FELLOW MAN AND FOR USING DARK MAGIC TO TAKE OUR QUEEN DEANARYS OF HOUSE TARGAYEN THE BREAKER OF CHAINS AND MOTHER OF DRAGONS!" yelled a crier at the top of his lungs as the doomed where marched forward and up to the stage where multiple Unsullied waited with their short spears. "THESE GREAT MASTERS WILL DIE!"
Selmy lowered his head and gripped his long sword's handle as some of the Great Masters cried out for mercy or begged to be sold into slavery instead of death. There would be no avoiding what would happen in moments, they would die. Suddenly however a hush fell over the massive crowd as the dragon, Viserion landed on top of a building behind the stage, its long neck moving back and forth as its head full of razor-sharp teeth opened and closed. Then with no fear in its heart a large raven landed on the snout of the dragon. Ravens where exceedingly rare in Slaver's Bay but not unheard of, yet for a bird to sit on a dragon's snout was unheard of.
"Queen Daenerys lives!" yelled the bird in a human like voice which caused everyone to look at it confused even as Selmy's heart rose a bit. He remembered stories from his childhood about how in the past people used to be able to teach Ravens to speak in human voices but he just believed them to be children's story. "Queen Daenerys Targaryen lives and is in Westeros, prepare for the War for the Dawn, the Night King and the White Walkers march on the Wall…ships are coming to take the army to fight for all humanity, prepare for WINTER IS COMING AND THE DEAD COMES WITH IT!"
With that the Raven flew away leaving everyone stunned and then the Dragon roared as it took to the air again.
"Father above…could our Queen be alive." prayed Selmy in almost a whisper as everyone shared a look between each other.
"Kill them!" yelled a voice in the crowed as one of the main leaders on the council raised his hand as the Unsullied moved forward and as one drove their spears into the backs of the Great Masters before kicking them off the stage.
"Bring out the next group." ordered another as Selmy lowered his head again, they were blinded by their vengeance, he couldn't fault them for that but he didn't like it but he now had work to do. He had to prepare, he turned around and marched off the stage. He paused for a moment as he considered what the Raven had said, War for the Dawn…he had heard some of the Red Priests talking about that, the White Walkers where a fairy tale he knew well and the words at the end. Winter is coming, those are the words of house Stark an enemy of House Targaryen.
The next day was actually a welcome change of pace for Daenerys as she and Jon relaxed, the army was taking a break as well. Even the dragons spent most of the day sleeping or going off on a brief flight before returning to their makeshift den outside of the Gates of the Moon. Daenerys and Jon along with a few others mostly guards but a few high-born women went for a ride. She could not help but smile as she remembered outriding not only the ladies but all the men at well, even Jon wasn't her equal on a horse. He wasn't lacking on a horse; she had seen Blood Riders among the Dorthraki do worse but even he admitted he was a better fighter on foot. He got to prove that when they returned from their ride and he went to the yard, she joined him. She now had Dark Sister the sword of warrior Queens of her house and while she knew she would never be a skilled swordswoman she wanted to learn the basics. Jon as well as a few knights where more than happy to show her the basics, some of course tried to flatter her saying she was very skilled, Jon was more blunt which she liked.
"It's your first day, you can't expect to be the Sword of the Morning or the Dragon Knight after one day." stated Jon "Let's try our best to keep you out of a sword fight."
After her lesson she watched as Jon went a few rounds with the men of the castle and the young squire he had acquired for the moment. The best fight was between Jon and a knight who was a few years his senior and was considered the best sword in the Vale. It was a tough fight and if they had been going for actually death both men would have been bloodied but in the end, Jon beat the knight but only by a hair. Jon then took a few rounds off talking with the men and helping instruct the squires before going into the yard again this time fighting with Gendry. If anything, the fight between Jon and Gendry was even better than the fight between Jon and the Knight, Gendry's combination of a war hammer and a shield was difficult to deal with, it ended when Jon slide past and brought his sword to the back of Gendry's knee. He did not cut him but that would have fell the larger men and would have made Jon's victory all but guaranteed.
After the time in the yard and a bath for both Jon and herself it was late afternoon it was another time to relax. Both of them simply relaxed in the solar, talked and even taught each other a few words in either the Old Tongue or High Valerian.
Sadly it wasn't going to last, the following morning both of them were up early and ready to get started. They shared a kiss then with a roar Drogon took off as Daenerys headed North as Jon mounted his own Dragon and headed South, a head of the army heading toward Gulltown.
Princess Arianne Martell of Dorne broke her fast with simple boiled eggs with salt as the swan ship from the summer isle crossed the Bay of Crabs toward Gulltown. She wasn't alone as three of her cousins, Obara, Nymeria and Tyene Sand along with Ser Gerold Dayne were with her, after they finished their meal, they headed up to the deck to watch the approaching shore.
"Have you ever been this far north before?" inquired Tyena as she put her hands behind her back her hands brushing past a pack which contained dozens of vials containing multiple poisons and antidotes for said poisons. Her sisters always made fun of her for not being as good of a fighter as they were but she was almost the equal of their father when it came to poisons, maybe even better than her father but that was questionable.
"Who would want to be this far north, it is too fucking cold." stated Obara as the oldest of the Sand Snakes cleaned her short sword for the tenth time that day, on her back was her bronze shield and a spear lied on the deck beside her. The three weapons where historically the norm among the warriors of house Martell and the Rhoynar which is why she carried them.
"Northerners complain about our home." stated Ser Gerold Dayne as he stood in heavy armor with a longsword at his side.
"Northerners…are fools but I must admit the weather isn't bad at the moment." stated Nymeria Sand as she stood on deck in a revealing silk dress which would have been scandalous anywhere outside of a whore house north of the red mountains. Through the almost see though silk a skilled eye could see multiple hidden blades, all her sisters and her cousin who was a sister in all but name knew that she kept seven daggers to honor the Seven gods even as she killed someone.
"I have never been to the Vale before, it will be interesting to see it." Stated Arianne Martell as the Princess entered the conversation. "I would rather have gone to see my mother in Norvos the normal way instead of this Northern way, but seeing the Vale and then Braavos will be interesting."
"Just a waste of time if you ask me, this story about dragons and the like." stated Obara as the women agreed with her while Ser Gerold Dayne crossed his hands over his chest and looked forward toward the approaching city. His mind took him back to that day when he was a scared 12-year-old boy holding a sword and his shield out as he stood at the top of a staircase guarding the chamber where Lyanna Targaryen formally Lyanna Stark was giving birth to the heir to the ancient Targaryen line. He was scared out of his mind and even more so when a bloodied Lord Eddard Stark appeared with his Uncle's sword in his hand.
That had been a tense moment, as Lord Stark ordered him aside and being the scared boy of 12 lunged forward with the sword forgetting everything he had learned in the yard since he was a kid. He was lucky that Lord Stark hadn't killed him, instead he blocked the attack with ease and pushed him to the side before entering the chamber where his sister was giving birth. When it was all done, Lord Stark had led him and his Uncle's body back to Starfall to be buried, he even took the new prince Aegon with him, but now his name was Jon Snow. He had turned the new born King into a bastard, he hated that, that boy was a King and he become a bastard. He understood why just like he understood his Uncle's orders to never talk about what he saw that day at the Tower of Joy, he had never even told his own father about how his older brother had died.
They were just docking when the sounds of bells filled the air, people on the docks began to look around confused as guards began to rush around. Even to the untrained eye it was clear that the guards had no idea what they were doing and where just rushing toward wherever they believed the threat to be.
"What is going on?" inquired Ser Dayne as a roar unlike anything he or anyone else had ever heard in Gulltown filled the air. It reminded him of a lion but a lion which had to be the size of an elephant if not bigger. Then passing just over the height of the homes and the tallest mast a green beast flew on leather wings.
"A Dragon." said Arianne in amazement as it passed over the swan ship and over the other ships in the harbor. She followed it with her eyes as it arched around the port before passing back over the city and disappearing. It reappeared multiple times as it circled the city before heading back inland.
"Ok…maybe something is going on up in the North." admitted Tyene Sand
Jon had passed over the city of Gulltown making sure to keep an eye on the defenses incase someone decided to attack him but the defenders where too shocked at the appearance of a Dragon to do anything more than ring the bells. He spun Rhaegal around circling the city a few times making sure he was seen by everyone before turning back over the water and headed out to sea leaving a city full of stunned people behind.
Far to the North cold wind blew in his face as Tormund Gaintsbane took an ax to the base of a tree, it brought it down again and again until with a thunderous crash it came down. Once it was done dozens of men went to work pulling it over to a large stack which it would rest for a few minutes before a giant would carry it to the other side of the wall. He was not the only men working at the moment, hundreds of men, free folk and crow alike where at work clearing the woods there was even a few of those Southern Vale knights at work as well. They had been at work for two days now, the woods was being pushed back and the lumber was being brought back to the other side of the wall.
"Why are we doing this?" inquired a young man as he cleared away some of the smaller branches. "There are woods on the other side of the wall."
"Because once the Walkers get here we will be unable to reach them and when they come you will want every bit of fucking wood you can get for fire." stated Tormund as the young man looked at him, grumbled something under his breath and went back to work.
Around midday the Crows along with a few free folk women brought food out from the kitchens within Castle Black. They were still in the process of getting everyone to the other side of the wall but so far so good.
"How are you doing?" inquired Tormund as he sat down across from Ygritte who was sipping at a bowl of stew.
"I have been better." admitted Ygritte which was a rare admission of weakness from her. She always put up a strong front, a free woman had to but Tormund had known her for years and knew that she was in pain.
"Jon mourned you for years, took forever for him to accept that you were gone when you died in his arms." explained Tormund, he knew Jon had told her that already but still it was the truth. "Then he did what you would have wanted he burned you before a heart tree to put you to rest."
"And what good does that do me now!" snapped Ygritte as she slammed her hand down on the table. "Who did you lose?"
"My sons all died North of the Wall and my youngest daughter died at Winterfell." stated Tormund as Ygritte paused and looked at him. She had met all Tormund's sons, he had five of them, but she had never meet any of his daughters he had six of them if she recalled and they stayed with his women and she never meet them. It was a long-standing mystery among the free folk, Tormund would disappear for a while and then come back, a few times he came back with children all sons who grew to look like him. "Not that they knew I was their father, none of my daughters know that."
Ygritte nodded her head, there were dozens of clans which wouldn't have accepted one of their daughters being with Tormund, he was a skilled warrior for sure and a leader, but he wasn't the best husband material. She was going to ask which clan, likely one of the clans by the coast, they tended to hate those who lived in the woods.
"One good thing about coming back in time is that all my children are alive and by the old gods and the new I am not going to hide it anymore." stated Tormund, before he could go on a Raven landed beside him and turned and looked at him straight in the eye. When it opened its mouth it didn't squawk at him instead it spoke in the voice of a young man.
"They are coming, get on the other side now." announced the bird as Tormund's eyes widened as he looked toward the North. There was a storm in the distance, but it should be a few hours away, they always came in the night or in a storm but he wasn't going to take anything for granted.
"LISTEN UP!" yelled Tormund as his voice boomed over the crowd, causing everyone free folk, crows and southern Knights to look at him. "They are coming, we just got a warning grab everything and get inside NOW!"
"What?" inquired a Vale Knight as the crow moved up to Tormund's shoulder and spoke his warning again.
"That is Lord Bran Stark's voice." noted another Knight.
"The Voice of the three-eye raven now get your asses moving unless you want to become walking corps with blue eyes!" ordered Tormund as the crowded started moving. "Ygritte handle things here, I am going to get the others and get everyone inside."
"Alright." Confirmed Ygritte as Tormund mounded a nearby horse and road off. It didn't take long for him to find Mance Rayder along with the Lord of Bones and a few other leaders among the free folk. There was a handful of crows there as well along with two or three Vale knights.
"We need to get everyone on the other side of the wall." ordered Tormund
"Why?" inquired Ser Allister Thorne, he didn't trust the free folk and if he had his way they would all be on the other side of the wall. "The wildlings are finally making progress on the…."
"They are coming." stated Tormund as every single free folk and the Vale knights as well tensed up.
"The Walkers?" inquired Ser Allister not ready to admit that the White Walkers where real, he had seen so much already, and he was letting wildling barbarians through the wall but he wasn't ready to deal with blue eyed monsters that could raise the dead. He had seen the children of the forest and the undead Benjen Stark but even if the Walkers where real they would be safe behind the Wall.
"Yes." Confirmed the Raven on Tormund shoulder. "They are coming, get south now."
"That is Lord Bran Stark's voice." added one of the Vale Knights.
"The Three eyed raven." explained Tormund to Mance and fellow Free Folk. The Free Folk knew of the Raven, by stories and legends passed down across countless camp fires they knew and trusted the three eyed raven.
"Alright, call everyone back and get south now." ordered Mance as one of the nearby men began to blow a horn, he blew three times. Everyone knew that meant White Walkers and it started the panic as people throw down the wood they were carrying and began to head toward the gate and the passage under the Wall. The panic which took people at first began to calm down as the minutes passed with no sign of danger, so the people began to move in a more orderly fashion. Still people were looking over their shoulders as they moved under the wall.
"Still no sign of these walkers." stated Ser Allister glaring at the Free Folk and the Vale Knights who were still on edge. "Aren't they supposed to come at night or in a storm?"
Everyone looked up at the clear sky above them, yes there was storm clouds to the far North but they had to be at least a day away maybe more and the sun while hiding behind some clouds was still out.
"They always have in the past." Admitted Tormund
"So they aren't here, we should send everyone back to work and…" started Ser Allister only to have his words cut short when another group of three horn blasts filled the air.
"They are coming!" yelled a panic voice as everyone turned toward the far wood line, they could see figures moving in the dark woods and they were clearly not human. Then one of them broke the tree line allowing them to see them in the clear day light, even Tormund was taken aback. The White Walker were not on an undead horse like he had seen in the past instead it was mounted on a large blue spider.
"Seven save us." Said a Vale Knight
"Warrior give us strength!" countered a more senior knight as he pulled his sword and pushed his mount forward.
"Form a line, prepare to charge!" yelled the younger knight
"Charge…are you a fucking idiot, that didn't work for the Dothraki and they had flaming swords it will not work here." stated Tormund as he looked behind "Form a line and prepare to defend yourselves…we need to buy time."
"He is right, form a line and prepare to fall back!" yelled the senior knight as the Vale Knights, Night's Watch and the Free Folk formed a line, weapons drawn as people rushed past them. In the distance those unlucky souls which were closer to the tree line where being cut down as more White Walkers all of them mounted on the spiders came out of the woods. As they did everyone got a better look at the blue spiders.
The spiders where about the size of a wagon with eight long legs each of them tipped with what looked to be hardened spikes which dug deep into the soil. Likely they were used to climb ice or mountain sides but they where also deadly weapons. They speared through men with ease, their blue and off white skin made their glowing blue eyes stand out even more. The White Walkers who rode on top of them sat lower to the ground then they would on a horse but the spiders where able to move in ways a horse could never do. The Walkers and the spiders slaughtered everyone who had been unlucky enough to be near the woods when they came out, still there would have been more people there if it wasn't for Tormund's warning.
"No undead with them." stated Mance Rayder as he noticed before anyone else, that the White Walkers where alone no undead wights walking beside them. That was strange, almost unheard of.
"The wights are slow, they wanted to get here fast to get as many of us before we sealed ourselves off." Stated the younger Knight "We can take them."
"You are a damn fool." countered Mance as the young vale knight and a few of the Night's watch looked at him with hate in their eyes. They didn't like taking orders from a Wildling and they really didn't like being insulted by one. He simply raised his hand and pointed to the right, in the distance they could see multiple slow figures leaving the wood line. It was hard to know for sure, but the odds where good they were wights.
"They are on the left as well." stated the elder Vale Knight raising his sword and pointing at the moving shapes in the distance. "Well…not a bad plan, we charge forward, and they sweep in from our flanks. Hold the line and fall back when our people get in."
The Walkers waited for a few moments not advancing as they slaughtered those unlucky souls who had been near the tree line. Every so often however they would look up toward the line of mounted warriors who were just watching them. Those people who had been closer to the Wall had all passed them now as they headed toward the Wall.
"Fall back." ordered the elder Vale Knight as half of them turned their horses around and retreated a bit before stopping and turning back around. When they did a second line did the same moving past the first line before coming to a stop. This allowed them to keep eyes on the Walkers at all time so they could not be rushed. The Walkers moved forward; they knew if the humans got within a certain range of the Wall then the archers on the wall could protect them.
With an unearthly cry White Walkers rushed forward their spider mounts moving at an unbelievable speed. There where 12 of them, they had all cleared the woods now and the undead wights which had been flanking them now all rushed as well heading toward the small entrees and the mass of people and giants still trying to get through.
"Prepare to fight!" Yelled Tormund as he pulled a long dragon glass sword, the same one he used at the battle of Winterfell. He was about to charge the forward, if they could kill these walkers then maybe the wights would die as well. He never got a chance to charge as an arrow flew just past his ear, he flew it past and kept going before striking a charging Walker in the eye. The tip must have been made of Dragon glass because the moment it broke the skin on the Walker, the Walker turned to dust as well as a few of the charging Wights dropped as well. Tormund looked over his shoulder to see Ygritte standing a few yards away with her bow down as she nocked another arrow. She was the best shot with an bow he had ever seen.
Tormund turned back toward the Walkers about ready to fight when he heard a roar he knew all too well and one which brought a smile to his face. He had to fight back laughter as he noticed the look on the walkers faces, he had never expected to see them surprised yet alone borderline terrified but he saw it now. A second later he had to pull his horse back as he shielded his face as all 11 remaining walkers where bathed in dragon fire from above.
Drogon had flew in on a dive and opened his wings at the last moment to slow him down as he bathed the charging walkers in dragon fire. Unlike the Night King, the walkers where not immune to dragon fire and shattered. When they did so did a majority of the charging wights, but not all those who remained kept up their mindless charge, but they were few. Daenerys had brought Drogon in too steep of a dive, she had to land so with a mighty thud Drogon landed and let out a roar which bathed the largest group of wights in fire ending them.
"My Queen!" yelled the elder vale knight as he moved forward to where Daenerys sat on Dragon back, she was clad in armor which offered her more protection than her normal cloths. "Thank the Seven you came."
"I am glad I came, but I don't want to stay on this side of the wall for long, get everyone to the other side." Said Daenerys her eyes scanning the wood line, if there was another Walker could they bring down her dragon like the Knight King had. Her eyes moved to the handful of wights which now turned their charge toward her, maybe in an attempt to bring down the dragon. They were still a little distance off, as an idea formed in her head, it had worked in the past. "If possible, try to capture a few of the wights."
"My Queen?" inquired the Vale Knight
"Jon convinced some of the South to fight for us by showing them a wight, might as well try it again." Stated Daenerys as the Vale Knight nodded. "Do not take undo risks, if you can't capture them destroy them. I want no more deaths today."
"We will take care of it." Said Tormund as he eyed the charging wights and a little bit on Ygritte, Daenerys was well within bow and arrow range and Ygritte could put an arrow through Deanery's eye with ease.
"Thank you." Said Daenerys as she looked toward Mance Rayder "Kind Rayder correct?"
"Aye." confirmed Mance, he was trying not to show amazement at seeing this breathtaking beautiful women on top of a black dragon but was failing hard.
"When you have a moment, I would like to speak to you on top of the wall, I would rather not speak on a battlefield." explained Daenerys as Mance nodded and then spreading his massive wings Drogon took flight and spun around before coming to rest on top of the Wall.
A roar filled the sky causing Ser Davos Seaworth to look up into the low clouds which always seamed to surrounded Dragon Stone. He wasn't the only one who looked up, instead almost every soul within the castle looked up as a dark green shape appeared in the sky above. Davos smiled to himself as he moved toward the extremely large yard within the heard of Dragonstone. He arrived just in time to feel the wind battler his face as Rhaegal's giant leather wings flapped as he came in for a landing. All around the castle those few men who were still loyal to Stannis where rushing around some picking up arms others moving in a panic.
"Jon or should I call you Lord Jon Stark?" said Davos as Jon slide off Rhaegal's back and took the older man's hand.
"Jon will do privately my friend however when around Stannis I am afraid we have to use titles. We got your message my friend." Said Jon as Davos nodded in agreement as Jon looked around the yard where he had landed. The dragon banners were gone and instead Stannis flaming heart was everywhere but it was still the Dragonstone both of them where at in their "past" which was the future of this time. "Well, it is just like old times, you and me on Dragonstone."
"Well…not the same." Said Davos as the main gate leading into the keep opened as Stannis Baratheon moved into the yard with a handful of knights and men at arms.
"No…but let's hope we have a better outcome." stated Jon as he moved toward Stannis, his face hadn't changed at all since the last time he saw the stern king but he hoped that Stannis would do something against his nature and bend. He had no wish to fight Stannis, he may have disliked the man on a personal level with his following of the Lord of Light and the burning of his own daughter but he couldn't deny that Stannis was brilliant leader on the battlefield. Stannis showed his metal now, he did not even look at the dragon which now filled a quarter of his yard instead his eyes were locked on Jon.
"King Stannis." great Jon as he bowed his head slightly.
"King Jon is it?" inquired Stannis, not giving the same slight bow of the head.
"Lord Jon Stark, I am no King." Corrected Jon "I am however betrothed to Queen Daenerys of House Targaryen. I have been sent in her name with hopes that we can come to an arrangement."
"I see." said Stannis as he eyed Jon "You where Eddard's bastard who in truth, if the stories are to believed is really the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark?"
"I am." confirmed Jon before going on to answer the likely next question. "I do not want the throne or to be a Targaryen, growing up all I wanted was to be a Stark. So I was legitimized as the son of Lady Lyanna Stark and given the seat of the Dread Fort since House Bolton is traitorous to the North. You can say I am a cadent branch of House Stark."
"Very well." said Stannis as he waved a hand as a serve came forward with a try containing some bread and some drinks. He stopped in front of Stannis as the King himself poured two glasses of wine and broke some bread, offering it to Jon while he took the other. He bite into the bread and drank the wine as he eyed Jon. He had eyed Jon in a similar way when Stannis first arrived at the Wall, however the situation was changed before Jon was just a member of the Night's Watch, now he was a Lord and betrothed to a Queen who had armies at her command.
"I know how you Northern and Eddard Stark most of all honor guest rights, you have nothing to fear under my roof. Will be treated as a missionary from another Kingdom, as long as you do no harm to me or my men I will do no harm to you" stated Stannis as Jon took the food and drink with a nod of his head. Once he had eaten a bit he looked around, everyone was on edge but that was mostly due to the large dragon which now rested in the yard.
"I am afraid I must beg your Graces indulgence, Rhaegal could use a meal, two or three sheep or a cow if you have one." Stated Jon "I can also move him to the old dragon lairs if that would be better for you."
"Sheep, heaven knows we have enough of sheep here and the dragon can stay here." stated Stannis "Come we have much to talk about."
A cold wind blew out of the North as the massive elevator came to a stop as Mance Rayder stepped onto the top of the Wall. Behind him came a half dozen Vale Knights, Nights Watch as well as the Lord of Bones, Tormund, three other chieftains and forcing her way onto the elevator Ygritte. They didn't need to guess where Queen Daenerys was, Drogon towered over the defenses and was clearly visible as it perched on the wall.
"You should stay back." Whispered Tormund to Ygritte but a look told him to shut up as they rounded the corner to see a female figure dressed in black ring mail with red leather and steal armor standing beside a massive black dragon who had smoke coming from its mouth. She had a thin longsword hanging from her hip, as her blonde hair was pulled back into a complex series of nots and braids. She turned her laic eyes toward the approaching free folk which caused all but Tormund to gaze at her in amazement. They had never seen the blood of the dragon before, apart for Jon but he didn't have the Valerian features. She turned toward them and spoke in a series of grunts and groans which sounded like a wild animal which caused the Vale Knights and Nights Watch to look at her confused.
To their amazement, Mance Rayder responded in a series of grunts and groans of his own.
"I do hope you forgive me if I go back to the common tongue, I do not know much in the old tongue." said Deanarys "And I am afraid I will make mistakes in that tongue."
"I am more amazed you know any of the old tongue." Stated Mance before grinning a bit. "But you pronounced a few things wrong, but I would be lost in high Valyrian."
"I beg your pardon for my mistake." stated Daenerys "I am just happy to see your people on this side of the Wall."
"As am I." confirmed Mance "Better here than among the dead."
"And what will you do with us…we will not bend the knee to you." Stated Ygritte as Daenerys eyes moved toward her, she scanned her for a moment before letting out a sigh.
"You must be Ygritte." said Daenerys as Ygritte nodded her head, anger building in her. "I am sorry for what happened to you, I am sorry you lost your Jon and if I was in your place I would hate me as well. I would even consider pushing me off this Wall."
That statement caused a few Vale Knights to tense up as Ygritte just kept glaring at the Dragon Queen but made no move. Maybe it was because Daenerys had offered up the idea, even though Ygritte had already considered it or maybe because she could hear truth in the Dragon Queen's voice, or maybe it was if she did all her people would die but she made no move.
"Still, this isn't the moment for this, but I would like to speak to you before I leave but there are other issues to deal with first." said Daenerys as she turned back to Mance Rayder. "I came here so that we can work out the details but as far for the basics, as long as you are on this side of the wall you will follow our laws, no raiding, we will give you land to farm, how much we can work out and you will be needed to man the Wall. You will not be called up to fight on our behalf expect to fight the Walkers and the Dead. Is that agreed?"
"We can agree to that." stated Mance before he walked to the edge of the wall and looked out over the Haunted forest to the North. "I am just glad we are safe."
"For the moment, the Night King broke through the Wall last time." stated Daenerys as she gazed out toward the North as well. "And he will do so again. We must prepare for that horrible day, it is us the living to stand together as one if we are to stand a chance on that horrible day."
I am sorry for the long delay, the entire last year (2020) has been nothing but trouble for me like it has been for so many people around the world and it hasn't fully stopped yet. I hope to soon be able to get back to a more normal update schedule soon but if there is anything 2020 has taught me and everyone else is that we may all be in a new normal for a while. Thanks Wilkins75.
