Chapter 20 The Decisions of Kings Part 1
Jon stood at far end of the painted table in the highest tower on Dragonstone. He had been in this room multiple times before when Daenerys and him were talking about first taking the south and then dealing with the greater threat to the North. Instead of standing across from Daenerys with Grey Worm and Tyrion Lannister at her side advising her, he was standing across from King Stannis Baratheon with his wife Queen Selyse Florent Baratheon. Jon hadn't gotten along well with Queen Selyse when she was at Castle Black, she was stuck up and reminded him a lot of how Lady Stark would treat him when no one else around and she was glaring at him now. Her two brothers, Ser Imry Florent and Ser Erren Florent where also glaring at him along with the half dozen knights who stood behind King Stannis. The only eight people in the room who were not glaring at him, was Ser Davos Seaworth who was standing to his right, the three White Harbor knights and three Vale Knights who had come with Davos and where his protection now. The only other person was the castle's Measter and he stood between the two groups.
"So Lord Stark." greeted Lord Stannis "Please lay out the current claims of Queen Daenerys."
"Very well." said Jon as he looked to the Measter who had a large case full of different markers, some of whom dated back to Aegon the Conquer itself. Daenerys and himself had talked about the possibility of Stannis wanting to know what the Targaryen forces where up to, Daenerys had told him to lay out the truth within reason.
"The entire North, from Neck up with the exception of Bear Island and Skagos has bent the knee to Queen Daenerys and House Targaryen." opened Jon as he noticed the surprise look on some of Stannis' men. They clearly had not expected the entire North to have bent the knee already. As the old Measter moved around the wooden table and placed stone Targaryen markers on each of the main marks across the North, Winterfell, the Dreadfort, Last Hearth, Barrowton, Moat Cailin and White Harbor. He left some of the wolf head markers on them, however they had been repainted with a whitewash, turning the grey world markers white marking them as his own forces. In truth they the men were still loyal to house Stark, in fact he as the new lord of the Dreadfort owed loyalty to house Stark in Winterfell but he was also future King Consort.
"Bear Island and Skagos haven't bent the knee yet but Bear Island has sent word that will follow whatever their Lady decides to do, she is currently marching toward Riverrun with the main body of Robb's army." Added Jon, they had not heard anything from Skagos but Skagos went years without talking to anyone, they had closer ties to the Free Folk then the Lords of the North. Most of the pair of islands which made up Skagos lied North of the Wall and they had more contact with the Wildlings then the rest of the North. Jon remembered one time a raven came from Skagos to Lord Eddard and it requestion information about if the Targaryen Kings had fallen. The Measter began to move markers toward Riverrun, showing that Robb's Norther/Riverlander army was heading toward Riverrun. "Knowing when he left the Twins, his army should be arriving at Riverrun either yesterday evening, today or tomorrow at the latest."
To the North and West of Dragonstone a group of men in Northern armor sat beside a pair of stone bridges which crossed over the Trident River, one heading North and South the other heading East and West. Sewn on their breasts, shields and on their banners was the flayed man of House Bolton. In the distance was a large stone and wooden building where multiple Lords, Kings and an untold number of common folks had stayed in for generations, the Inn at the Crossroads.
"Why do they call it the inn at the crossroads?" asked one Northern men as he looked around at the building. "Most inns have a name, the drunken dragon, the last kiss, but this one just calls itself the inn at the crossroads."
"Because you idiot it sits at the crossroads of three roads." Stated the other men at arms as he pointed to the East and the mountains rising in the distance. "That way leads to the blood gate and the Vale of Arryn following the Mountain Road. To the West is the River Lands and the Western lands following River Road and cutting the middle is the King's Road which goes all the way from the Wall to King's Landing. So the inn sits at the crossroads which is why they call it the inn at the crossroads, you idiot."
"Stop calling me an idiot." stated 1st Bolton man as they moved toward the river to get a drink. In the distance they could see the round towers and stone walls of Castle Darry. Flying over that castle tower was the brown plowman of Darry, with the leaping Trout of House Tully and finally the Dire wolf of House Stark. They had been allying only a few days ago but now they were enemies as the golden lion and black Stag of King Joffrey Baratheon now flew beside the Flay man of House Bolton.
The two men laid their spears on the ground as they descended the slanting slope to the river's edge, they quickly filled water skins and took long drinks. While it was Autumn in the South they were from the North so the weather was warm to them. Maybe it was sound of the rushing water or maybe it was the fact that neither men were expecting it but suddenly the sound of a horn filled the air.
"Did those scared fuckers in Darry decide to launch an attack?" inquired the 1st man as he stood up and noticed half the men were looking to the South for a attack from the Castle. A few men and more with each passing moment was looking North. He turned to look toward the North to see a line of dark shapes coming down the Kings Road. They were moving fast and spreading out, clearly horsemen but who could they be? There was no force to their North? The Dragon Whore Queen was at the Twins and had sent her horse to the Vale, the Boy Wolf was heading to Riverrun last they heard so who could it be.
They got their answer when strange yelling filled the air and when a sharp-eyed man spotted a black banner with a red shape in the middle.
"The Dragon Whore is sending some light horse at us…who does she think she is." Laughed a couple of men as they began to form a spear wall. Then as they got closer they noticed these men didn't have any banners beside the 3 headed dragon, which was odd because every Westeros force carried their house banner along with their King's or this case Queen. Then they noticed that the men seamed be wearing simple leathers and their skin was darker than normal.
"Dothraki!" Yelled someone as everyone's heart filled with fear. Facing down some light horse was one thing, facing down a bunch of Dothraki Screamers were another.
Back on Dragonstone the meeting between Stannis and Jon was still going forward.
"And you hold the Twins." Stated Stannis as Jon nodded, it was clear that Stannis already knew most of the information and was waiting to hear if Jon would lie to him or not.
"Yes, we also have a force heading toward the Crossroads." Stated Jon as he looked toward where three forks of the Trident meet and joined before emptying out into Bay of Crabs. The Castle Darry which owed its loyalty to Riverrun and by extension to King Robb Stark sat on one side of the crossing while the famous Crossroad's Inn sat on the other. Even if Deanery's forces only sat on the Northern side of the river it meant that everything North of the Green Fork of the Trident was under their control.
"Our forces in the Vale have already taken the Bloody Gate and most of the Fingers have already fallen." stated Jon as the Measter put markers on the Bloody Gate and the large pieces of land which shot out into the sea known as the fingers. "Lord Royce has been named Lord Protector of the Vale and rules from the Eyrie since Lord Robbin has been taken to King's Landing however, he is currently on the march toward Gulltown which hasn't bent the knee yet."
For a long moment no one said anything as everyone took it in, Daenerys and her forces had taken a lot of land and now controlled 2 of the seven kingdoms outright, 4 of the best defendable locations in Westeros with Moat Cailin, the Bloody Gate, the Twins and the Crossroads, two of the largest cities with White Harbor and soon Gulltown. From their current location they sat ready to strike south from multiple locations and if King Rob Stark joined them they were in great shape. True, House Lannister and House Tyrell had more men, no one could match the Reach when it came to men but it was clear to everyone that while the Targaryen's where stretched thin they clearly had the upper hand.
Stannis knew, as did Jon and likely everyone else who had half a military brain that while Jon claimed to have totally control over the Vale that it was too soon for House Targaryen to total control. There was no way all the tiny keeps and holdfasts in the Mountains of the Moon could have bent the knee yet but that was only a matter of time.
"We have also learned of Joffrey's battle plan and that he is likely to march within the next few days." Said Jon as be laid out Joffrey's plan to attack Riverrun and the crazy number of moving pieces he had on the board. On paper Joffrey's plan wasn't horrible, with brilliant commanders it could be done but Joffrey and Mace Tyrell where not brilliant commanders. Tywin Lannister and Roose Bolton where brilliant commanders but this wasn't their plan and the plan put everything on taking and trapping the Northern/Riverland forces under Robb at Riverrun and hoping that Daenerys wouldn't do anything. It counted on surprise and that had been lost.
"They are planning to march in two or three days after the wedding of Joffrey to Margaery Tyrell." Stated Jon
"You are mostly right." corrected Stannis with a grin. "The Bastard King is preparing to march today or tomorrow; the wedding has been pushed back until after the military campaign. Word is that the High Septon himself has removed his blessing of the right to rule to the Bastard King until he proves his right to rule by battle. His plan is to march once the Redwyne fleet arrives in Kings landing, using them and some traitors from the Stormsland to hold the city."
"Really." said Jon as he put his hand under his chin. "If that is the case, I request to use a Raven to inform Riverrun, the Twins, Eyra and Winterfell."
"You may." said Stannis
"If only we knew the location of the Redwyne Fleet." Stated Jon. The Redwyne fleet was the largest fleet in Westeros, with over 200 warships in total. The Iron Fleet of the Ironborn and the small fleets which each house in the Iron Islands had where more famous because of their raiding they where mostly made of small long ships with a few larger Dromonds, the Redwyne Fleet was almost all Dromond warships which could break almost anyone, only Braavos was their superior at sea.
"The Redwyne fleet will be passing by here in a day or two." Announced Davos as everyone including Jon looked at him. "In our past they passed by here as a show of strength, but their lord knew he lacked the forces to land, just sailed on by."
"And you didn't tell us?" inquired Stannis
"As you yourself would have said when it happened, let the damn fools parade on by." Quoted Davos to Stannis.
"I see, we may be able to use this." Stated Jon
"We may." Confirmed Stannis "So what terms does Queen Daenerys offer?"
"Simple, you bend the knee and surrender Dragonstone to her it is her family's seat after all. You will be named Lord Paramount of the Stormlands with all rights and titles." stated Jon. "Your wife's family along with all your men will maintain their lands and titles as well as long as they bend the knee as well."
"That isn't enough, House Florent needs to be named Lord Paramount of the Reach." stated Ser Imry Florent. "It is time for House Targaryen to fix the error made when they named the Tyrell's Lords of the Reach three hundred years ago, they are up jump stewards to the Green Kings of old. We are the much higher house."
"Forgive me, Ser but wouldn't House Hightower of Oldtown be above your house in the line of order for rule of the Reach?" inquired Jon as Ser Imry Florent glared at him, that was a point of pride for a lot of houses in the Reach. Without question House Hightower of Oldtown was far higher than any other house in the Reach even house Tyrell whom they bent the knee to, however House Hightower never looked past the walls of Old Town aside from trade from the sea allowing the far lessor houses to fight among themselves for second place. "Either way, we aren't going to name you ruler of the Reach at this moment. If House Tyrell dies out or remains in rebellion when we offer them terms, then Queen Daenerys will hear your case but I will make no promises on that."
"If my husband takes these terms, what of the Bastard who could claim my husband's seat and my daughters' rightful seat?" inquired Queen Selyse Florent Baratheon in a high pitch voice which seemed to be as if she was speaking down to Jon as if he wasn't worth anything. Jon pushed that to the side and looked at her.
"Gendry Waters will likely be given the Twins and if King Stannis agrees to our terms, he will swear and oath before Gods and Men to renounce all claims to Storm's End along with his children claim as well, your husband will rule Storm's End and the Stormlands and your daughter after him and her children after her. He will become Lord Gendry Baratheon of the Twins." explained Jon "A cadet house of house Baratheon but loyal to the Tully's of Riverrun given if they bend the knee as well."
"And why would this boy agree to that? He would have a claim to the Stormlands and one of if not the most ancient and honored castle in the seven Kingdom's Storms End." inquired the other Florent knight as Jon grinned. "He would be mad to give up that claim."
"Because he is a good man who grew up in King's Landing as a Blacksmith and had no dreams of Lordship and truth be told I am not sure he really wants Lordship but it is the only way to be with the women he loves." Said Jon "And a woman's hand is worth a lot more to good men then Lordship. Lord Tyrion once told me, a hands of gold is always cold but a woman's hands are warm and Gendry loves my sister well cousin Arya and she loves him. They will be lord and lady of a castle, likely the strangest Lord and Lady in Westeros, doesn't matter to them were."
The other men and Queen Selyse scuffed at Jon's words and Stannis crossed his arms, it was clear that while he didn't agree with Jon's words he understood where someone might agree with Jon's words.
"Your terms are that simple?" inquired Stannis
"Need them be complex? I prefer simple to complex, less to be misunderstood." inquired Jon "However I have yet to tell you about the threat of the White Walkers."
"Yes…Melisandre and Ser Davos have spoken about them." stated Stannis "I find it hard to believe, yet there is a dragon in my courtyard and my Onion Knight is clearly older, so maybe there is truth to your words. I will need to think on this."
"Of course." Said Jon "I plan to head back to Gulltown to meet with Lord Royce in two days, if you need more time after that you are welcomed to it just send a Raven to either Winterfell, the Twins or the…"
Jon stopped as Stannis raised his hand.
"You will have your answer by then Lord Stark." answered Stannis as Jon bowed his head as the meeting came to an end.
Smoke was rising from several places around the Inn at the crossroads as the inn keeper stood in the doorway looking out over the mass of dead soldiers. She was an older woman, her husband had died a while ago in the war but with the help of her four daughters and her only son who was too young to fight they had kept the inn going mostly providing food for passing soldiers, lords and refugees. The best addition was a young boy named Hot pie who had came to them and now helped them in the kitchen, his skill as a baker was helpful.
"By the Seven." Said the Inn Keeper as she looked out at the strange riders, their skin where bronze and they had their hair in long braids with tinny bells in them which rang with each step of their horses. They were busy looting the bodies which was common enough for soldiers and a few had even started coming toward them with long curved blades out. They stopped when one among their number called to them and with some disappointment, they went back to going over the bodies of the dead.
"Lady Inn Keeper." Said a Westeros voice as they looked up to see a dozen men in heavy armor, judging by their accents and the moon and falcon banner they held they were from the Vale. The thing which was strangest was that beside that they held black banner with a red three headed dragon of house Targaryen beside them.
"My Lord." said the Inn Keeper "You are from the Vale?"
"Yes, we serve Queen Daenerys of House Targaryen." said the Vale Knight as the inn keeper and the commoners gathered around the entrees looked at each other and back up at the knight.
"We heard stories about the Targaryen Queen and dragons in the sky again, but we didn't believe it." Stated the oldest daughter as she looked at the golden skin men who were still lotting the bodies, taking rings and the like from the dead men. "Who are they?"
"Dothraki blood riders." answered the Vale Knight as he noticed the scared look on the commoners faces. "Fear not, they are loyal to Queen Daenerys and she has ordered they are not to harm any commoners, women and children most of all. They are savages and not cultured by our point of view but they are among if not the best horsemen I have ever seen and they follow our Queen."
"I see." Said Hot Pie still clearly unsure as he looked the strange men.
"Boy go make bread as much as you can, a happy well feed man is less likely to kill us." Ordered the Inn Keeper as Hot Pie ran into the kitchen area to start making as much bread as he could. He had already started when they planned to feed the Bolton man but now they were dead and their killers would eat the bread instead.
"You serve Queen Daenerys?" inquired a male voice as the knights looked at an average looking man in a brown cloak as he appeared in the doorway. The only thing that made him stand out was that his left arm at the shoulder was gone, which meant he was not a solider and protected him from being called to fight. There was not much use for a one armed solider on the battlefield, he would be better used tending to some field to help field the army, yet he wore a short sword on his belt.
"We do who are you?" inquired the Knight
"I was paid to travel to the Twins and deliver an item to the whomever lorded over the castle as long as the Targaryen banner flew over it." Explained the man as he patted a coin purse. "My travel was delayed because I ran into the Bolton men, they knew I wasn't a fighter but thought it better to await the arrival of their lord to ask questions of me."
"And why didn't they just question you?" inquired the Knight as he looked at the man "You don't seem special in any way."
"I am not." answered the man as he pulled a letter from his belt and handed it up. The seal was broken but it was the red lion of Lannister on it. The knights where on edge until they opened it and saw that the handwriting while unknown to them the name at the bottom was not. "Lord Varys the Master of Whispers."
"The spider sent you? But the Spider is serving Queen Daenerys." stated the Knight
"So he is, but what better way to get something through enemy lines then by using the name of a person who the average men at arms would know but now whom they now served." Stated the Knight "What where you to deliver to Queen Daenerys at the Twins."
"A very special item." Said the man as he moved back inside, he came back a while later carrying a large bundle wrapped and bound. He lied it on the ground as most of the knights dismounted, they watched as the wrapping was taken away, showing a sword…not just a sword but a large great sword…a sword with a large polished oak handle and a simple silver cross guard and pummel. The thing that made it stand out the most was the blade, it was dark rippled steel, Valerian Steel. There was only one sword that large made out of Valerian Steel and it was in King's Landing before it was melted down to make two new swords.
"By the Seven…that is Ice." Exclaimed the elder Vale knight "The ancestral sword of House Stark."
In King's Landing Lord Tywin Lannister was preparing to leave, he had kept his anger in check but it was clear to everyone that he was no pleased. He was no longer Hand of the King, he had been removed from overall command of the royals armies instead his Grandson the King was preparing to head out in one of the stupidest military plans he had ever seen. On paper it wasn't half bad, he had to admit that it would trap the Young Wolf's army and end it, moving figures on a map it would work but he knew it wouldn't work. There was too many armies moving at once and for this to work they would have to get to Riverrun unnoticed. While it was possible to move a small force fast across that distance undetected, the Young Wolf Rob Stark had proven that, Joffrey was about to send tens of thousands of men mostly on foot. He would be lucky if the enemy didn't know about their march by the time they entered the Riverlands and then it would be easy enough to hold one side of the trident around Riverrun and now the Royal Army would be trapped behind enemy lines.
He had warned Lord Bolton and Lord Tyrell about this, Lord Bolton had agreed with him but knew there was no way to convince the King to change his mind and offered at least some useful ideas to save the situation once they arrived at Riverrun. Lord Tyrell was a blundering idiot and said the King's plan would work.
"Enter." ordered Tywin as he sat behind a desk in his private study. He looked up as a man entered the room, he was well dressed but clearly not a Noble or even a rich trader. He was dressed like a rich but working tradesman. It took him a moment, but he soon remembered who this was. "Are my swords ready?"
"No my Lord…" answered the forge master with fear in his voice. "Ice…the sword Ice is missing."
"Missing." stated Tywin in a cool voice, a cool voice which sent a chill down the master's spine. What made it worse was that Tywin had put down his quill and was looking directly at him with those green eyes which where flecked with gold.
"I can forge another pair of swords for you, I can do a much finer job then I could have done working only with Valyrian steel." offered the Master with more fear in his voice.
"Oh….and will this be of Valyrian steel like I already paid for? Where do you expect to find that enough Valyrian steal?" inquired Tywin as the man gulped and didn't answer. "I will give you two things, 1st you had the guts to come here and tell me what happened and secondly you didn't run or hide. That will make it easier for both of us."
"What?" inquired the Forge Master
"Guards!" yelled Tywin as the door opened and a pair of Lannister guards in crimson red walked in hands on their swords. The master looked at them with fear in his eyes before Tywin spoke again.
"I will give you a choice." stated Tywin as he leaned forward and rested his head on his hands "A master blade smith like you is a terrible thing to waste most of all in time of war, so either you work off your debt to me or spend the rest of your life in the black cells."
"I'll work for you." answered the Master as Tywin gave a slight smile he knew that would be the answer given.
"Guards, take this man back to his shop allow him to collect whatever items he has and then make sure he gets on our supply wagons heading back to the Rock. He will work for house Lannister until his debt is paid." stated Tywin and he did not have to say that given how rare Valyrian steel was and therefor how costly it was House Lannister had just gotten a Master Blade smith as basically a slave. He was escorted out.
"Well played Lord Lannister." said a cool voice as Tywin looked at the still open door, a balding man with a hard face and short beard. Behind him stood a tall lad who looked a lot like the older man 20 years earlier.
"Lord Randyll Tarly welcome." greeted Tywin with some warmness in his voice as the best military leader in the Reach walked in followed by what he assumed had to be his son. "Samwell correct?"
"Dickon." corrected Randyll "My Heir, my oldest wasn't worry of being a member of my house and has taken the Black, Dickon will carry on the name."
"I see." said Tywin as he made a mental note, he needed to focus a little more time on the heirs of the upcoming houses "Have you seen our King's Battle Plans?"
"You mean the madness of it?" inquired Randyll as Tywin eyed him and then the door, Dickon had the common sense to close the door. He then looked back at Randyll and nodded his agreement with the madness of his grandson's plan. "I believe we may have a slight chance of pulling this off."
"Go on." said Tywin as Lord Randyll took a seat as a servant poured him a cup of wine. Lord Randyll was the best solider in the Reach had been the one who really defeated King Robert in his rebellion even if his Liege Lord got all the credit. He listened closely as Randyll lied out his plans and while it was better than King Joffrey it wasn't much better but given what their current situation was it was likely the best they could do.
"Where is the King?" inquired Lord Randyll
"Attending the Wedding of Little Finger and Lady Arryn." answered Tywin as he waved off the whole affair. Having little Finger married to the Lady of the Vale and mother to the young Lord Arryn was useful but having the boy in the capital was far more important. The Vale knights would never risk the life of their little Lord, at holding him would make sure they stayed out of the war.
Elsewhere in the Red Keep, a Septor was saying vows as Lord Petyr Baelish took Lady Lyssa Tully Arryn to wife. Standing in the front row having given away the Bride was King Joffrey along with his mother and his future wife Lady Margery Tyrell. The hall was full of Lords, Ladies and Knights all coming to attend the wedding. In truth most could care less about the wedding neither Lady Arryn nor Lord Baelish where popular but to smooth over Lady Arryn…now Lady Baelish mood it had been filled. For King Joffrey he clapped and put on a happy face as best as he could but could not wait to leave.
He did wait long enough for the weak boy lord Robbin Arryn to declare Lord Baelish to be Lord Protector of the Vale and to call all loyal men of House Arryn to fight against the false King in the North and Rivers and the Mad Dragon Queen. The moment he could he turned and left along with a tale of King's Guard.
He journeyed toward the council chamber to keep planning out his conquest passing through the yard as he did. As he did he saw a few Stormland Lords come through the castle gates, these where men who had once bent the knee to first Renly Baratheon and then Stannis only to be defeated outside the walls of this very city. Afterwards they had bent the knee to him, he did not trust them and would rather had taken their heads. Still, they were bringing a small yet needed force to the fight. If he wanted to crush the Young Wolf and put an end to this whole sick lie about his parentage, he needed them. As he walked past, he noticed a man in golden robes watching the knights ride in while cutting away the peel of an apple with a short knife.
"Prince Oberyn Martell." greeted Joffrey as the Prince of Dorne looked at him for a moment before finishing his peeling of the apple. He waited just long enough to upset the unstable King.
"King Joffrey." Answered the famous Red Viper
"When can we expect the forces from Dorne to arrive in the city, they will be needed to help defend the capital while we march to victory." stated King Joffrey
"As far as I know if my brother hasn't ordered them to march." answered Oberyn with a cool voice, that answer however caused a flush of anger to cross the King's face. "I don't know if he has or hasn't but considering we haven't heard anything I would assume they are still defending Dorne from outside threats."
"I am King and you will…" stated Joffrey as Oberyn rudely took a bite of his apple.
"You claim are A King for sure…maybe not even a King. Word is that the High Septon has revoked his blessing until you defeat your enemies, no king since Maegor the Cruel has ruled Westeros without the blessing of the faith and he never ruled Dorne." stated Oberyn as Joffrey bristled with anger but the Red Viper ignored the anger and looked back toward the yard. "Like I said I have not heard one way or the other that the armies at the Stone Way and the Princes Pass have started moving or have moved at all, could be your ravens have yet to reach my brother or Ravens about their march hasn't reach here yet. Ravens have a habit of dying while crossing the Red Mountains or in the deserts on the other side."
"I should have you killed for saying that to your King." Threatened Joffrey as the King's Guard behind him gripped the pummels of their swords ready to pull them out on command. Maybe it was the smirk on Oberyn's face or the fact that the legendary fighter that he is was standing so close to the King with a very sharp knife which he had been using to peel an apple but instead Joffrey did something he rarely did he calmed downed. "No matter we will have the Redwyne fleet here to hold King's Landing, we have no need of you Dornish."
"So you say my King." answered Oberyn but with no sign of respect in his voice as he turned and without leave walked away from Joffrey.
In Riverrun King Robb Stark sat at the head of a long table with multiple of his Lords, Ladies and a few high-level knights gathered around him. Along with them was the Measter of Riverrun and the Castle Septon, he had use of the Measter but the Septon was there just for show in his view. His Queen sat beside him at the far end of the table his sister Arya stood apart from the others, she wasn't on his side her loyalty belonged to Queen Daenerys and after everything he had learned about his little sister he wondered just how much things had changed.
"You can't bend the knee to the dragon whore." Stated Lord Lychester of Castle Lychester.
"I agree." Stated a much more powerful Lord in Lord Jonos Bracken. "We can't bend the knee to the Dragon Queen, and these stories about White Walkers? Foolishness."
"Only a fool would want to go up against a pair of dragons, Bracken." Stated another equally as powerful Lord, Lord Tytos Blackwood as Jonos turned and glared at the Blackwood Lord. Blackwood and Bracken where among the most powerful Lords in the Riverlands and they had been fighting each other for thousands of years. It was a miracle that both houses had agreed to bend the knee and name Robb their King, it was more likely that one would have rejected the idea just because the other accepted it.
"Dragons can be brought down; I am more worried about their positions on the map." stated Lord Mallister, if anything House Mallister was the second most powerful house in the Riverlands and in truth they could raise a larger force then their overlords in house Tully. Their voice had a lot of weight.
"Jon would never strike against you; you are his brother in spirit and cousin by blood." Stated the Great Jon as the large Northsman chewed on some leaves. "I say we talk to this dragon queen and demand our own kingdom just like we would from the Lannister's, what does the Dragon Queen know of the North."
Robb chewed on that idea for a moment.
"But so many houses in the North have bent the knee already, she already has the North why give it up?" countered Lady Mormont "Aside from my house and those on Skagos everyone has bent the knee. Why would she give that up?"
"Because their men where down here, they couldn't defend themselves." Countered the Great Jon
"We had armies gathering in White Harbor and the Hill Tribes have bent the knee and we didn't have time to call them up before we marched. They could have fought but instead they bent the knee to the Dragon Queen." Countered a White Harbor Knight, he stood in for his Lord since all of them had gone over to the enemy, his words while true where questioned because his home was now loyal to house Targaryen instead of house Stark. "I don't see Queen Daenerys letting us have our own Kingdom."
"She doesn't know the North, what right does she have to rule." Countered the Great Jon as he slammed his fist on the table.
"She may not know the North, but Jon does." countered Queen Talisa Stark "Forgive me my Lord, I don't know the North either but does that mean the child in my belly isn't of the North? Jon was raised in the North, his blood is of the North and it will be Northern blood in the next Targaryen King or Queen. We can't say that the fact Queen Daenerys doesn't know the North as a mark against her."
"True." Confirmed Robb as he spoke up, it went unspoken that having Jon as King Concert would give the North a lot of power at Court something they normally didn't have. For the longest time the North had been left to their own affairs and had hardly taken any role in court. Not only was Queen Daenerys going to be married to a northern men but sitting on her council was three northern, Sansa, Bran and Lord Manderley. "My Lords and Ladies, I will send an invite to Queen Daenerys and she will come to help convince you."
"No offense, my King but maybe your judgement is clouded because Jon is your family as well as…" said Lord Mallister as he eyed Arya who was standing as still as a statue aside from her eyes which where studying everyone and everything. "Your family has bent the knee, maybe you should entrust this choice to a council of your trusted lords and bannerman."
"But then who would be on that council?" inquired Arya as she spoke up, "If you put Bracken on it, then Blackwood will demand a spot, if you put too many Northern houses then why would the Riverlands agree to it, same the other way around. With too many voices then there is no way you can come to a choice without one person in charge overall. You raised Robb as your King the choice is his, you can advise him, just like I can advise him to bend the knee because of the real threat and that fact that you can't beat us."
"You have no say in this council you should…" started Lord Blackwood as he pointed a finger at Arya.
"My King, may I speak." interrupted the Septon as Robb nodded his head, he really did not care to hear whatever the man had to say but half his kingdom worshiped the Seven, so he had to pay it respect. "Thank you, maybe deeds can decide where words cannot."
"What do you mean?" inquired Lord Tully
"I grew up in Ashford and my father told of stories about when he saw the trail of seven when Prince Baelor Targaryen died defending the honor of later to be Lord Commander Ser Duncan the Tall of the Kings guard, then just a hedge knight." Started the Septon
"And your point?" inquired the Great Jon his massive arms crossed as he chewed on some leaves.
"We put the words to the test a trail of seven, seven brave knights dueling to find out whom the Seven above know are telling the truth." Stated the Septon, there was talk around the table, some of the Lords liked the idea.
"Did you forget that half of this Kingdom is made out of people who don't follow your southern gods including your King?" inquired the Great Jon "So that idea is out."
"Not fully." countered the Measter as he raised his hand "My King, in the ancient past of the North there are multiple stories of battles being decided when 11 champions from each army did battle, the losing side would bend the knee without bloodshed outside of the 11. 11 was a holy number among the Northern People. While it isn't the same as a trail by seven it is close enough and it could be used as standing."
"True." Said Robb as he considered the idea
"I am not going to become a follower of the Seven just to defend my home in battle." Stated the Great Jon as multiple other Northern nodded in agreement including some of his best warriors.
"In the old Northern way, you didn't have to follow the Seven and truth be told you didn't even have to be a man." admitted the Measter "So if Queen Daenerys wishes to defend her claim herself, she would be allowed to in this manner."
"It wouldn't honor the Gods to do it that way." countered the Septon for some reason 11 was considered an unholy number in the faith of the seven, likely because it was a holy number in the faith of the old gods.
"Why not split the differences?" inquired Lord Blackwood, who was among the few followers of the old gods in the south. "7 champions instead of 11 but being a knight or a man isn't required."
"I suppose that could work." said Bracken a sign of how much he liked the idea. The Septon looked a little unpleased but nodded his agreement with the idea as well as multiple River and Northern Lords. "It would depend on what Queen Daenerys agrees to."
"That would depend on Queen Daenerys but it never hurts to ask." stated Arya, part of her wondered why would Daenerys ever agree to that, then she thought if they won then they would get the Riverlands and all the North without much bloodshed if any but if they were to loss it would really hurt their claims. She did not have to agree to anything that would Queen's Daenerys choice not hers.
While her brother and her sister where safe in the warm halls of Riverrun a cold wind blew in the face of Sansa Stark as she rode toward the gates of Castle Black. She rode with multiple knights and men at arms all with the banners of House Stark and House Targaryen as well as the Moon and Falcon of House Arryn with a few of House Ironwood surrounded her as well. Padding alongside her horse moving with skill and grace was the great dire wolf Summer. Next to Ghost who was heading south he wasn't all that big but compared to a normal dog or wolf he was large.
"I never thought I would see the Wall." Said a voice beside her as Sansa looked over her shoulder to see Theon Greyjoy riding just behind her. Part of her heart broke when looking at him, she had found him active when she was a little girl and he was a man grown, he had been her first crush before she lied eyes on Joffrey when he came to Winterfell. Both men had been monsters in their own way. Maybe Monsters was the wrong word for Theon, but he had done horrible things to gain his father's love but once a worse monster in Ramsey got a hold of him and broke him only to be rebuilt did he somehow become a man she truthy loved. That Theon had saved her from Ramsay had taken her to safety and then later came back to fight at Winterfell. She remembered that warm soup they shared in the yard before the battle began, she had loved it and she had almost kissed him there but had not, another regrates to place at her feet. That Theon had died and now she had this one, she was now his age not the little girl she had been but this Theon while humbled by Ramsay was not her Theon but maybe he could become the Theon she shared a bowl of stew with before the attack of the walkers.
"You will see a lot you never thought you would see." Said Sansa as the gates opened as Theon and the men who were with her eyes widened. The castle yard was filled with a large table with multiple seats however that was hardly worth any notice. Instead, what catch everyone eye was the three Giants which sat on the ground their backs against the walls of the castle with a table of roots and berries before them.
"Giants…Men eating Giants" exclaimed Theon, failing to notice the roots and berries they were eating. Jon had told her and Arya about how Giants despite their size did not eat meat and she had seen that with the one giant who had fought at the Battle of the Basterds outside of Winterfell. They ate close to their body weight it seemed in roots and berries, but the closest Jon had ever seen them eat meat where some bugs. Jon had also told them that while the Giants seamed slow to humans it was more because they didn't speak the common tongue, in the old tongue most giants where similar to humans in intelligence.
"Yes." answered Sansa as a roar from above announced that Queen Daenerys was nearby, they looked up to see Drogon sitting on top of the Wall. Outside of the Giants the rest of the yard was full of people mostly Free Folk with Nights Watch members stationed around some of the more important buildings. Teams of men were moving barrels of gravel and stones into the passage way heading North. It took Sansa a moment to realize that they were sealing off the passage surrendering everything North of the Wall to the White Walkers. Then she saw something that caused her blood to turn to ice, in metal cages their arms, legs and mouths bound but still fighting to free themselves was a least eight or so wights. Their blue eyes darted around the area as men and women stayed nearby with dragon glass weapons at the ready.
"Lady Stark." Came a voice she knew well as Sansa turned to see Queen Daenerys walking up to her being escorted by a few knights and Men of the Night's Watch. To Sansa's slight amazement Queen Daenerys actually held her horse, that wasn't something a Queen or noble would do for another, but she did it. "Thank you for coming, I could use your aid in these talks."
"I must admit, I feel my place is at Winterfell." admitted Sansa as she dismounted. "There should always be a Stark at Winterfell, but this meeting will forever reshape the North, I have to be here."
"Thanks." Confirmed Daenerys as she bowed her head a bit before giving a look at the Night's Watch and Knights which were standing a little bit back away from the two of them. "On some levels I wish Jon was here, he knows the Free Folk better then anyone South of the Wall who isn't one themselves."
"I don't." countered Sansa as Daenerys raised an eyebrow "Jon is a warrior, he isn't as skilled at the diplomatic table, that is where I shine my Queen. Together let's reforge the North."
Daenerys smiled at Sansa's words before nodding her head in conformation.
"Dragon Queen are you ready!" yelled Tormund at the top of his lungs as he along with multiple other men and women, all of whom where wearing similar yet different styles of fur/leather clothing. Mance Rayder sat at the head of the table with some of the main chieftains to the other side of him. A couple of chairs where open for Deanarys and Sansa along with a few other lords who had arrived. The new Lord Sigorn Thenn who had fought at the battle of Winterfell and was now married to Lady Alys Karastark who rightfully ruled House Karastark and the Karahold. Both had arrived as well, several members of the Mountain Clan chieftains had arrived as well, they had fought at Winterfell and had bent the knee first to Jon and now to Queen Deanarys. What hit Deanarys was that how much the Chieftains of the Mountain Clans and the Chieftains of the Free Folk looked alike. If it wasn't for the Wall separating them, they would have been the same.
"Shall we get started." said Deanarys as she sat down, Sansa on her right with Tormund beside Sansa. On the other side sat Mance Rayder and the high-level chieftains. There were more chieftains and people who wanted to sit at this table then there was actually space at the table which was why they were having this meeting in the yard. The wall around them where full of people watching as History unfolded as the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms sat and talked with the King Beyond the Wall.
A large map of the North from Winterfell up to the wall was spread out across the table. Included on the map where key locations across the Northern half of the North, the Mountain Tribe lands were listed along with the new holding around Queen's crown which was now the seat of House Thenn. The land which was the most important however was the Gift, the New Gift and the 19 Castles of the Night's Watch of which only 3 of them where manned.
"We are agreed in general the terms, your people will be allowed to settle the gift and the new gift and in return you will not raid any lands while you are South of the Wall." Stated Deanarys
"Aye, but we will not bend the Knee to you nor fight in any southern war, but we will help defend the wall and fight the real enemy." Stated Mance
"Is there anything else or should we start dividing the land?" inquired the Lord of Bones
"Yes, there is." Said Sansa as Deanarys eyed her for a moment, they had not talked about any other conditions. "The King's road all traffic will be allowed to pass and whomever gets lands by it is expected to help protect it and if possible, help expand it by cutting down the trees along its path. We will be sending forces to the wall, the wider the road is the faster we will be able to send forces up and if the worse should happen a wider road will get people away faster if we have to."
Deanery's didn't want to admit it but she hadn't considered that. She had always flown over the King's Road North of Winterfell but even she could tell the road was narrow compared to more southern roads.
"Understandable." Stated Mance "We could use some help from you southerners to make items that could help us all, we don't have a lot of Blacksmiths and…"
"We can't teach the Wildlings how to make blades!" yelled a Mountain Tribe Chieftain, one of the few who didn't fight at Winterfell, he actually had but had died in battle so his current self hadn't fought side by side with the Free Folk.
"We can, we must." Countered one of his fellow Chieftains who had been at the battle of Winter. "They are Wildling's bastards but they are living bastards and in the end that is all that matters."
"If I may…" interrupted Theon as all eyes turned to him. "You will need to know more than Blacksmiths, making carts will help as well. I am sure you all know how to make hand carts but I don't see many wagons with you and for those by the sea escape by ship will be much faster than by land. So learning how to make Longships will be best."
"We know how to make boats we have raided Bear Island many times, Tormund has gone there many times." Said a Chieftain in sealskins as Tormund shifted a bit. "Still, you have a point."
"Riders at the Gate!" yelled a voice as everyone turned their attention toward the gate as it began to open. As they opened a woman with reddish brown hair in a long ponytail sat ontop of a horse, on the either side of her where multiple men at arms all of whom had the standing bear of House Mormont. One of them carried the banner of House Mormont as well along with the Banner of House Stark.
"Get a chair please." ordered Sansa to one of the Black brothers as the riders entered and the women got off.
"Who is that?" inquired Deanarys so that only Sansa could hear her.
"Jorelle Mormont, 3rd daughter of Meage Mormont of Bear Island." Explained Sansa at a whisper, Deanarys already knew she was a daughter of Bear Island, she had seen the standing bear of the Mormonts for years on Jorah but she had never seen this women. "She died in an attempt to take Deep Wood Motte in our future which is why Lyanna was Lady of Bear Island during the Battle of Winterfell."
Beside her Tormund Gaintsbane was standing up and watching on as Lady Jorelle got off her horse and moved toward her. To everyone's amazement Tormund jumped back and offered her his seat at the table but she didn't take it, instead she stood looking at Sansa and Deanarys. Both women stood up, the 3 of them where of age with each other or close enough not to make a difference.
"Lady Stark, Lady Targaryen." Said Jorelle, not calling Deanarys Queen. "I am Lady Jorelle of House Mormont and I have heard about this…meeting. While House Mormont is loyal to House Stark and most of all King Robb we…admit there is a chance that our King will bend the knee to you Lady Targaryen and we as one of the more powerful houses in North of Winterfell wish to have a voice at this table."
"Your voice is more than welcomed, I only request is that you write to King Rob and your kin down in Riverrun to tell him what transpires." said Deanarys as she eyed Mance Rayder who was looking at Jorelle and then at something over Jorelle's shoulder. Sansa's eyes narrowed a bit as she followed Mance Radyer's eyes, he was looking at Tormund Gaintsbane, Tormund gave him a slight almost invisible nod as the two friends shared a moment.
"Of course." Said Mance in a welcoming voice as he sat down, Jorelle took Tormund's seat even as another chair was brought out. That is when Sansa noticed a woman with fierily red hair and green eyes who was glaring at Queen Deanarys, something told her who this woman was. Ygritte, Jon's first lover who had died long ago but was now alive and a major problem if she tried anything.
"Now let's talk about what land in the gift and new gift will go to which tribe." Stated Deanarys as the talks began again.
For once Lady Catelyn Stark was thanking the heavy rains which came every so often to the North. That heavy rain had caused flooding in the neck causing the road leading to Moat Cailin was under water. This was causing a delay for her trip south with the royal party of Queen Deanarys council, but she welcomed it. She was now in the Merman's Palace in White Harbor playing with her youngest son Rickon. Rickon still didn't fully trust her which hurt her like nothing else, he simply didn't remember her because she left him when he was so young.
"Lady Stark." said a voice as Catelyn looked up to see Brienne of Tarth standing in the doorway, her heart began to sink as she knew what this meant.
"Reports are that the roadway is clear we will be leaving at first light." explained Brienne as Catelyn gave a sad nod as the female knight, the first women knight in Westeros history left her and journeyed back toward her chambers.
As she marched through the halls, she passed by a solar only to hear a voice call out to her.
"Ser Brienne can I have a word with you." Inquired Tyrion Lannister as Brienne turned around and entered the solar to find Tyrion sitting at a table with a tome which had to be as large as he was with a stack of books which had be nearly as tall as him beside it.
"Lord Hand." greeted Brienne
"Please sit." Said Tyrion as he offered a nearby chair as he placed a marker in the book and closed it before turning around to face her as she sat down.
"First, I want to say how grateful I am for all you have done to help us and you do not need to worry, once we reclaim the throne one of the reforms Queen Deanarys will put forward will be allowing women to claim the mantle of knighthood." Explained Tyrion
"I thank you, my lord." Said Brienne "But I wasn't concerned about that, I am a knight, your brother made me a knight and that is all I need."
She smiled at the memory as Tyrion nodded his head in agreement.
"Still for too long we have isolated women from roles based solely on their gender, if we can have a Queen rule over us all why not have women fight for us as well?" inquired Tyrion "Samwell has already put forward the idea of allowing women attempt to form a Measter's chain, something Queen Allyson tried 200 years ago but it never happened. It will happen now as well."
"That is good to hear my Lord." Confirmed Brienne
"I have two questions to ask of you and two proposals to put forward to you as well." Explained Tyrion "I do not want an answer today, in fact I want you to think long and hard on them and decide if you want to accept or not."
"What are they?" inquired Brienne
"I believe you love my brother." stated Tyrion as a flush rushed to Brienne's face as she started to protest but Tyrion raised his hand to quiet her. "I also believe my brother loves you."
That caused Brienne's face to flush even more.
"You must know I personally approve of the two of you, you are much better than my sister and personally I wonder why my father never even attempted to make a match between his heir and the only heir of Tarth." Said Tyrion, that had been pointed out by Sansa. As the only child of the Lord of Tarth, Brienne whomever she was married to would be the ruler of Tarth as well as their own holding. In the case of a marriage with a higher house like House Lannister their second child would be the heir to Tarth while the oldest claimed the Rock. It would be a great match for both houses, but Tywin was too focused on getting into the royal family and it blinded him. "You are welcomed to approach my brother on this with no fear that it will be rejected and any children the two of you would have would rule Tarth, while Tommen and Myrcella will be heirs to the Rock."
"My Lord I…." started Brienne, she was stunned by the offer and offended at the same time, this should be her choice. Yet he didn't seam to be ordering only offering which made it hit less hard.
"Let me finish, you would be a far better mother then my sister if this should happen, Cercei loves her children that is one of the few good traits about her but it is a twisted love." explained Tyrion as he paused for a moment. "That is the first offer, the second offer is this."
There was a tense moment as Brienne looked at him.
"Currently there are only two of the seven white swords of the Queen's Guard." explained Tyrion "If you do not wish to add wife and mother to the title of Knight you already have, you would be welcomed to don a White Cloak and become a Queen's guard."
"I see." said Brienne "That is a huge honor my Lord."
"It is, but still I hope you do not take it." admitted Tyrion "I think you would be happier with my brother and he would he happier with you but that is a choice for you and him to decide. Either way those options are open to you, you can accept either one or decide to take neither. Maybe some young Lord has your eye…I don't know either way the choice is yours please consider it."
"I will my Lord." Said Brienne
"Thank you." Said Tyrion "Get some rest we have a long ride south in the morning."
Bran stood overlooking a grass covered clearing in an area which would in time become the haunted forest. Down below a nomadic family prepared their breakfast, women where cooking and men were preparing to go out for the next hunt. A few worked on wooden items while children ran around laughing. Dogs began to bark as a cold wind blew out of the North.
"Daddy!" yelled a young boy as a figure blue skinned and white haired moved into the village, the dogs went crazy and began to run while the humans looked at what had become of one of their former members.
"Husband?" inquired a woman as she braved a few steps forward…it was amazing how brave she was yet it was pointless as the ancient Night King ran his hand straight through his wife's chest coming out the other side in a spray of red hot blood which began to freeze.
"Mommy?" said the Boy stunned as people began to scream, some tried to fight others tried to run but there was no escape within moments the dead were coming after them and in time it was over…the whole tiny village had been destroyed. Unlike the others the Night King did not raise the dead here, instead he reached in and took a torch and burned the bodies of his family…pausing to look at his wife and son with what Bran thought for a moment was pain…or sadness even as their blood froze on his arm. The Entire line of Tribe Stark…which would become House Stark in the distant future was now down to two, the Night King and his younger brother Eldric who sat in a cell in a distant city.
"I need to learn what happened." Stated Bran "I need to know how to defeat him and we are running out of time. There is only a matter of time until he finds a dead Dragon among all the ancient battlefields in the east. Once he does he can raise it and break through the wall and we are far from ready."
