First before we start, I would like to apologize for the long delay it wasn't really my choice. I would like to explain so that you all understand the delay. I used to post at a regular rate but when Covid hit while I was lucky, and I kept my job my department was cut down and I was doing the job of 4 people so I was tired. I thought we had passed that, and I would be back to my more normal update and my work life was getting back to normal. However since my last update we had three deaths in my family, one wasn't a surprise we had expected it however the other two were huge surprises and we have been dealing with the fall out. The one we expected was one of my grandparents who was in their 90's, the 1st surprise was due to a stroke and the last the biggest one was my own brother-in-law who died at Covid leaving my sister a widow raising their kids. He had refused to get vaccinated even as we tried to push it. Needless to say these events have taken my attention away from writing but now that we seam to be getting into a new normal I should be able to get back to updating at a more normal rate in 2022. Thank you for your patience, now onto the story. I hope you enjoy it.

Wilkins75

Chapter 21 The Decisions of Kings Part 2

A flash of lightning caused the hall to be filled with bright light, that light faded leaving only the fire in the hearth and the candles which burned on wall mounts. The mounts themselves were made of dark iron and showed the black kraken of house Greyjoy a candle in each of its tentacles.

"What nonsense is this." demanded the old King of the Iron Islands, King Balon. The old man wore salt-stained leathers, with blacken chain mail under it. He was the oldest of multiple brothers, his black hair having turned to white and grey, but he still had strength within is body, he had risen in rebellion before and once King Robert had died he rose again not claiming the Iron Throne like the others Kings but just his home islands.

The Iron Islands where different from any others who walked on the green fields of the mainland, they were harder, stronger, better sailors, they took what they wanted when they wanted and made of Iron, they were Ironborn. They didn't worship the trees and rocks of the Old Gods of the North and they didn't follow the complex rules of the Seven Gods of the South. No, they followed the simpler and correct ways of the Drowned God, the one who ruled below the waves and fought an never ending war with the Storm God.

"I didn't believe it either father." admitted Yara as she stood in the Great Hall before her father and two of her three Uncles. Both uncles sat on either side of her father, her Uncle Victarion who commanded the Iron Fleet, the massive war fleet which had almost all of the large warships the Iron Born had. He was by far the best fighter in the Iron Island but lacked any political skills, his men followed him without question, and he always dressed in full blackened plate armor which would cause him to sink to join the Drown God made men want to follow him. He had taken the Fair Isle in the westernlands and had been recalled by his brother when a Raven from Yara informed her father of the fall of Deep Wood Mott and days later another Raven informing the King of the fall of Motto Calin to what reports claim to be dragons. Unknown to everyone in the room, Victarion had died when he was called back to talk to with brother about the events of the Red Wedding, his ship having gone down in a storm, that storm was now raging outside. "However, this Targaryen solider, knew a lot, a lot about certain things."

"Like what?" inquired her other Uncle Aeron Greyjoy, unlike his brothers who wore fine cloths or armor he wore robes made of seaweed and his long-tangled mass of hair went down to his waste. He had once been a mighty fighter, drinker who would play the finger dance, which was a game the Iron Born loved to play which involved throwing an Ax back and forth across a hall while everyone sang, dance and or course drank. That time had passed a long time ago, now he was a Priest of the Drowned God and gave up all titles, honors and earthly positions to listen to the Sea and preach about the will of the God of Iron Born.

"Like my plans to raid to the Dreadfort to recue Theon." admitted Yara who got a glare from her father, she knew that her father didn't hold her only living brother in any real regard, but he was her brother.

"Theon was a fool." stated Uncle Aeron, "He shouldn't have tried to keep Winterfell, he should have raided it and headed back to the ships, he couldn't hold it so far away from the sea. He may have been born Iron Born but he has spent too much time in the greenlands, his heart is soft now."

"I am not sure brother, I will give him credit, he was bold in that action and no Iron Born has ever taken Winterfell before." countered Victarion as Aeron grandly nodded in agreement taking the mighty seat of House Stark with so little men was worthy of song. "But none of that matters now, he is still in the Dreadfort."

"No…he is free, well free as in with the Starks again who are loyal to the Dragon Queen Daenerys." Stated Yara

"So he is a prisoner again." Stated her father

"Surprised they haven't taken his head for what he did at Winterfell." Stated Victarion

"The Master of War for Queen Daenerys made it sound like Theon and a few Iron Born fought at this Battle of Winterfell against the undead but since they died they didn't come back." stated Yara "Sounded like he had earned their trust for that, I don't believe they will take his head."

"Too bad." countered her father "With the loss of Deep Wood Mott, all our holdings on the Stony Shore now gone and Mott Calian we must reform the fleet and take the fight to the Northerners, you at least Daughter returned with all your ships and crews."

"The men of the greenlands were soft to let you all go, we will make them pay for that." stated Aeron, as Yara lowered her head. All her men had come back and with the almost 2 dozen long ships she had been given. Her fleet wasn't the largest in the Iron Island, the Iron Fleet Under Victarion was much larger but her fleet was very respectable, and she had used it very well. Even as a woman, she was respected for her skill at sea and with an Ax.

"Agreed, we will retake those lands." stated her father

"For what propose?" inquired Yara as all three men looked at her.

"What did you say?" inquired Baelon his voice edged with threat as he glared at his daughter, the only one of his children he was allowed to raise and the most like him.

"For what propose, they will be ready for us and if the reports of Dragons are true, we can't win against that." stated Yara

"The Grey King slayed the great Sea Dragon Naga and…" started Aeron as he began to tell the story of the 1st king of the Iron Born, it was a story every Iron Born had heard since almost the moment they were born.

"Forgive me Uncle but we don't have that many men or women equal to the Grey King." countered Yara cutting him off before he could get too far into his sermon. "If they have Dragons, our ships will burn and our men with be turned to burnt hunks of meat. Even Iron men will burn in the heat of a Dragon's breath Aegon the Conquer taught us that 300 years ago, do we really want another lesson like that?"

"You want us to bend the knee? Once a Kraken takes something they never let go. We must retake these lands." Shouted her father but to Yara's amazement her Uncle Victarian didn't make a sound only looked at her, did he agree with her she didn't know.

"No…not bend the knee." yelled Yara back at her father, she had thought long and hard about how she was going to say this. Part of her wanted to bend the knee once they confirmed Dragons where real, multiple stories from the handful of survivors from Motto Calin and other stories about the destruction of the Twins by dragon fire, dragons seen over Kings Landing and the Riverlands all this had reached them. "However if the North is with Queen Daenerys maybe we should switch our focus to the enemies of the North."

"The Westernlands and the Reach?" inquired Victarion as Yara nodded, her father still seamed angry he had avoided attacking the Westernlands outside of Fair Ise to make a piece with the Iron Throne controlled by House Lannister easier. To attack them now would throw that plan overboard but if Queen Daenerys ended up on the Iron Throne, she would be more likely to make peace with them allowing their own Kingdom if they attacked her enemies. "Holding the lands from The Crag to Hags Mire on the coast of Ironman's bay to as far inland as Nunn's Deep would be far easier and better then holding the Stoney Shore, closer to the Islands and home."

"Word is that Redwyne Fleet has sailed for King's Landing, we may be able to take the Arbor away from them." Added Yara, the Arbor Island was warm and made the best wine in Westeros possible the world and sat less than a day sail away from Old Town. It was very far away from the Iron Islands but it was a very rich prize, and house Redyne who ruled those island where enemies of the North and House Targaryen.

"Maybe." admitted Baelon, he was still holding on to his original idea to take the massive amount of land in the North, the lands his younger brother and daughter was recommending was much smaller, more populated lands but far better and richer lands. And with the mountains which marked the border between the Riverlands and the Westernlands they were talking about would make a natural boarder to a victorious Queen Daenerys. It was much less land than he would want, but would be far richer lands but harder to control.

The Kraken never let go what it had taken, that was something drilled into Yara but would the Kraken release the North to grab a sweater but smaller prize, that was the question. That was the risk Yara was taken would her father see the wisdom in this or would he keep moving forward and risk war with dragons from the possible future.

"I will have to consider this." admitted Baelon as he stood and left the room leaving most of his family behind him.

"You need to learn your place, Yara." Scolded her Uncle Aeron "Your father has made you think you are a man, you shouldn't have advised him of anything."

"I agree your father has treated you more like a son then a daughter Yara. Still if she hadn't said anything I would have and be she a women or not, she is a Captain and that gives her a voice here." stated Victarion as he came to her defense even as he poured himself a large mug of ale. "I am not sure we could take the Arbor, too far south to hold for long but I wouldn't mind raiding it a few times. We could and should take Fair Isle if this happens."

"Do you think he will accept my idea?" inquired Yara as both her Uncles shrugged their shoulders none of them having an answer.

Catelyn Stark rode on horseback as they crossed over the raised road which lead down from White Harbor to Moat Calin. She had ridden in a wheelhouse from Winterfell to White Harbor but the heavy amount of rain the massive Wheelhouse was getting stuck in the mud more often than it was moving. It had been left behind, a couple of lighter carts where able to move easier than it and a horse even easier than the carts. She hadn't wanted to leave her son, little Rickon needed his mother or so she thought but he seemed more focused on the wildling women who had taken care of him after Winterfell then his own mother. That had hurt so much but she knew at least he was safe now behind the thick walls of White Harbor and seemed to be happy with the Manderley's who would be fostering him and may someday welcome him as a husband to their youngest daughter.

She looked around, there were of course multiple knights and man-at-arms however leading this small group south where two knights but one of the knights was a woman. Ser Brienne of Tarth had promised to serve her and bring her daughters back to her but now she served Queen Daenerys. On some levels that was breaking her vow to her, but she served Queen Daenerys on the orders of her daughter Sansa so maybe that wasn't breaking her vows. The other leader was a man dressed in grey armor but now had a large white cloak over his shoulders with the standing Bear of House Mormont in silver on it, Ser Jorah Mormont of the Queen Guard of Queen Daenerys.

She pushed her horse forward and brought it up to a slow trot and within a few moments she was beside the Northern Knight just a head of the man-at-arms who was carrying the three headed dragon of house Targaryen on top of a large spear.

"Lady Stark." Greeted Mormont with some warmth but more concern in his voice.

"Ser Jorah." greeted Catelyn as they rode on for a little bit, she didn't really know why she had ridden up to this man, he was a slaver having sold men into slavery to fund the life style of his southern wife who ended up leaving him once they were both exiled to the free cities. "I must admit I am surprised, Queen Daenerys must be rather forgiving to allow a slaver to be a member of her guard. She seems to be very anti-slavery considering she freed a whole slave army."

"She is more forgiving than you know." explained Jorah "I informed on her to King Robert for the promise of a pardon, when she found out she banished me and I came back with the Imp as my prisoner. She ended up making him a member of her counsel and banishing me again."

"How did you come back then?" inquired Catelyn

"I saved her from a Dothraki hoard which wanted to make her one of their wise women who have no power and must remain in Vaes Dothrak. In the process she got loyalty of the Dothraki Hordes." Explained Jorah as he rolled up one of his sleeves including the chainmail, he showed her that his arm was covered with horrible scars. "Sadly, I had greyscale at the time, and she ordered me to find a cure and return to her."

"You found a cured for greyscale?" inquired Catelyn in amazement, as far as she knew only children stood a chance of beating that sickness.

"No…the Measters at the Citadel knew of a way to cure it but it is generally too risky to do, Lord Tarly back there risked greyscale himself to cure it for me." explained Jorah as he looked over his shoulder to the fat man who was tending to the elderly Measter. Both of them rode in a cart along with some of the children of the Forest who where under the protection of her now undead brother-in-law. He was writing down the children's answers to the elderly Measter's and Tyrion Lannister's questions, while in a different cart that wildlings women Gilly and their son rode with some others. "Only later did I learn that he is Jon's best friend."

That was news to Catelyn, she had seen how this Samwell Tarly served as an aid to the elderly Measter who had been appointed to Deanery's council so on some levels Samwell Tarly was also on the council. House Tarly was a powerful house and if Queen Daenerys did end up on the Iron Throne and with Jon as her husband and King Consort House Tarly through Sam would have a powerful place at court.

"He is a good man as well and I fully expect that he will have a voice at court as well." Stated Jorah, he spoke out load what she was thinking. "Part of me wonders if Sam will not be named Grand Measter by the Queen after Measter Aemon passes."

"But he isn't a Measter and he is going to marry that Gilly woman. A Measter cannot have a family. Also it is the Citadel who appoints a Grand Measter not a ruler." Countered Catylen as Jorah nodded his conformation.

"Yes, but so what? A lot of things will change once Queen Daenerys takes the Iron Throne, she is talking about multiple reforms on everything ranging from the rights of common folk to education of the masses. Reform at the Citadel will not surprise me. The realm will be remade under her rule, I pray I live long enough to see that day." Stated Jorah as the sound of a horse coming up on them caused him to look beyond Lady Stark. "Speaking of things changing."

Catelyn looked over her shoulder to see a man she first ran into all those months ago in the inn at the crossroads when she took the Imp into custody and started this whole war, Bronn the sell sword. He was no longer dressed in dirty leather armor and pieces of chainmail. He wore fine chainmail with a silver breast plate with a red lion on the front. That red lion on silver took her back to when she was a little girl in Riverrun when the Measter was teaching her about all the former great houses of Westeros. That Red Lion, the Lion of Castamere had died out when Tywin flooded their underground castle and made not only a name for himself but the unofficial song of House Lannister, the Rains of Castamere. Tywin had hunted down every heir to that house and Tywin refused to let anyone claim those lands but instead left them baren as a sign of what happened to those who dared stand against House Lannister.

"Lord Reyne." greeted Jorah with some amusement in his voice.

"Ser Mormont." greeted Bronn with the same amusement in his voice and an even larger grin then normal on his face.

"Lord Reyne?" inquired Catelyne confused as she looked at the former sell sword Bronn. "House Reyne died out before I was born."

"I may have been a simple sell sword when I saw you last Lady Stark but I worked my way high in the debts of both Lannister's Brothers. They owed me a castle and since my whore of a mother claimed to be a bastard daughter of the Red Lion himself Roger Reyne." explained Bronn with a smirk, Catelyne could see where this was going. Multiple whores claimed to be the daughters of great lords or knights, some may even be telling the truth but there was no way to prove it most of the time. Not that proven it really mattered all that much if they had the backing of an even greater lord or better yet the Iron Throne people went along with it. "So now I am Lord of a flooded yet great house and if any luck is with me, I can win that she snake I love and want to fuck."

That confused Catelyne even more then Jorah explained.

"Our former sell sword here fell for one of the Sand Snakes, daughters of the Red Viper." Explained Jorah "He wants to win her again."

"Oh…I will." reassured Bronn

"I wish you luck, her father the Red Viper will still be around this time." Stated Jorah as a look near dread crossed Bronn's face, he hadn't considered that.

They kept heading south passing Moat Cailin which to Catelyn's amazement was busy with activity, men and women both where busy rebuilding the ancient fortress which guarded the way to the North. However, most of the defensives they seemed to be adding were to defend from attacks coming out of the North and there was only one threat to the North, the White Walkers and their undead armies.

The sounds of marching feet filled the air as the knights, men-at-arms and common foot soldiers who had been camping outside of King's Landing for over a month began to break camp. They didn't head toward the King's road which headed North toward Darry and the River road which would take them toward Riverrun instead they headed down the Gold Road which would take them to the Westerlands if they went all the way. They had no plans to do so, instead they were to head off road, following the Blackwater rush to Tumbler's falls and then up Acorn Hall and from there to Riverrun where Robb Stark and his army was currently encamped.

"My King, the Redyne Fleet has yet to arrive and leaving behind only a small force of Storm Lords whom where loyal to Stannis before the battle of the mud gate to hold the city is risking a lot." Stated Hand of the King Lord Mace Tyrell as he rode slightly behind his future son-in-law and his King, King Joffrey. King Joffrey for his part was dressed in new full armor which was made of the best steel which had been infused with gold to make it look like solid gold with red gold trim and some black onyx mixed in. It was a beautiful piece of armor that made the boy king stand out even more among the high lords and knights who went into battle dressed in works of art for armor.

"We got a raven that the Redyne Fleet was seen passing Stonedance on Massey's Hook." stated Joffrey annoyed by this conversation "They should be passing Driftmark on their way into Blackwater bay by now."

"Yes, my King that means they are a day or two away at most we can wait for them and know for sure that the capital is…." started Mace

"The Capital will be fine with only a few thousand men plus the City Watch holding it for two days at the most." stated Joffrey as he turned his horse and began to move down the line of marching troops toward another balding man on horseback. His northern armor, with thick fur lined heavy cloak made him stand out in this army of mostly men of the Reach, Westernlands and Crownlands.

"Lord Bolton." Stated Joffrey as Roose Bolton turned and gave his King a bow of his head.

"My King, I am glad you have come I have received word that the Dragon Queen has taken the Inn at the Crossroads and has been seen holding every ford across the mouth of the Trident and more likely the Green Fork of the Trident as well." announced Bolton as Joffrey's face became flush with anger, his plan required Roose Bolton and his foot and more importantly his horse crossed the trident at the crossing across the green Fork just above the Inn at the Crossroads. "I require your permission to leave early so that my men and our horse can cross at a different ford on the Red Fork of the Trident."

Joffrey grumbled a bit; he didn't like that. He wanted to order Bolton to retake the Inn at the Crossroads and follow his original plan. In that plan he would get to Riverrun across land with less amounts of castles/keeps keeping his movements more hidden. He wanted the Northerns to come out of the Whispering woods like Rob Stark had done to his Uncle Jaime Lannister near the start of the war. Still unlike others Roose Bolton had put forward a plan and was asking him to carry it out at once, he wasn't waiting to send countless messages by Ravens like his grandfather or spending hours wedding planning like his soon to be father-in-law Lord Tyrel. Part of him wanted to name Lord Bolton his hand now but he knew that would upset the Tyrells and he needed them.

"Permission granted, I will meet you at Riverrun and we will drink some Arbor Gold to our victory in their great hall." Stated Joffrey as Bolton bowed his head.

"I will gladly see you there my King." Stated Bolton not adding that he wasn't a fan of wine, he was an ale drinker when he drank at all.

"Good." said Joffrey as he turned and headed back toward the Red Keep. The army was only starting to move and given the size it would take 3 days for the entire army to leave King's Landing. He himself would leave on the morrow in the center of the army. As he passed under the Lion Gate heading back into King's Landing, he spotted his grandfather on horseback along with a dozens of western land knights.

"Heading out, Grandfather?" inquired Joffrey

"Yes, my King." said the former Hand, he clearly wasn't happy with his grandson's plan but if he knew what was best he would carry it out. "I have sent a Raven to Lannistport, the army gathering there should be on the march in a day or two and I will meet them at the Golden Tooth."

"Good, then I will see you at Riverrun Grandfather, we will end this war." stated Joffrey as Tywin nodded his head.

With that he pushed past his grandfather and headed up Aegon's High Hill heading toward the Red Keep. He entered the yard to find it full of people as the Master of Horse was busy getting the royal wheelhouse ready to roll, a king had to be prepared to be comfortable on the road.

"I will end this war and prove them all that I am the greatest King who ever has sat on the Iron Throne." Stated Joffrey to himself as he dismounted and headed toward the grand council chambers to plan out his conquest of the North after his destruction of the young wolf at Riverrun.

Far to the North a light snow was falling over Castle Black as Queen Daenerys of House Targaryen stood on the ramparts looking out over the vast camp of free folk who were now on the Southern side of the Wall. She looked over her shoulder at the massive Ice Wall which loamed overall.

"Is something wrong?" inquired Sansa as she came to her side the two powerful women standing beside each other in the falling snow.

"No." answered Daenerys as she looked toward a large gathering of men and women, Mance Rayder was in the middle telling them the details of the deal he had made in their name. It was a straightforward deal in truth, one that really didn't require her seal of approval as Warden of the North Sansa could have done this herself. Still she felt she had to be the one to make this deal. The Gift and the New Gift would be handed over to the Free Folk to settle, they wouldn't have to bend the knee to House Daenerys or House Stark however they would have to follow guest rights and carry out no raiding against the people of the North while they were south of the wall. That was simple enough, the issue came with all the tribes of free folk who while they were loyal to Mance Rayder now that loyalty was of recent vintage. Mance had to balance which tribes got which land and which of the major tribes would get a castle along the wall which they would have to rebuild and defend. Of the 19 castles along the Wall only 3 where currently manned by the Night's Watch, the Shadow Tower in the West, East Watch by the Sea in the East and Castle Black in the Center. Those Castles would remain in command of the Nights Watch while the other 16 where to manned by the Free Folk.

The free Folk wouldn't be under her command, and they wouldn't be used to fight any Southern Wars but when the White Walkers returned and went to attempt to breach the Wall again, they would fall under her command. That was a major source of contention only when it was agreed upon that when that happens either Mance Rayder or another of his trusted advisors would be on her council was that agreed to. And there was one thing which was unexpected and something she really wasn't looking forward to dealing with.

To aid in communication between the free folk and the Royal Court, Mance was sending someone he trusted to speak for him at council. That part was expected, what was unexpected what that it wasn't Tormund, he was too close to them having come back with them from the future it was said. Instead, it was someone else and that person was walking toward her at the moment.

She was wearing the mass of furs and leathers, yet even Daenerys could see that under that she had great form which would have made her the envy of many of men in the South as much as she was in the North. Her fire red hair was a mess and pulled back into a ponytail, as a bow was slung over her back and a quiver full of arrows rested on one hip and a long dagger rested on the other.

"Ygritte." greeted Daenerys

"Dragon Queen." responded Ygritte with more than a little venom in her voice, that was understandable considering Ygritte had been Jon's first love and from her point of view it must have seem like Daenerys had stolen him from her.

"Lady Sansa, will you leave us." requested Daenerys suddenly as Sansa blinked, then Daenerys turned to her guards. "Same with you all."

"My Queen." protested the Vale Knight his voice full of concern, he knew the relationship between Jon and this free folk women.

"If you are worried about your Queen then take this." offered Ygritte as she pulled her dagger and held it out to the guard as she also unhooked her quiver full of arrows.

"Leave us." ordered Daenerys as the guard made a move to take the weapons only to have Queen Daenerys wave them off. "No, she may keep her weapons."

The guards and even Sansa where uneasy as they pulled back, Daenerys was in her black and red armor and she had Dark Sister on her side but Daenerys was no warrior with a blade and Ygritte while best with her bow and arrows was not unskilled with her blade and this close a dagger was better than a sword was most of the time. In a fight, Ygritte had the edge and her guards where too far away to do much more then avenge the death of their queen.

"Brave of you." Said Ygritte as she put the weapons back on.

"Or foolish." countered Daenerys with a shrug of her shoulders as she turned and looked back over the ramparts. For a moment both of them just stood there in the gently blowing snow, the red haired free folk women and the blonde-haired Targaryen Queen. Both of them where very different yet they were very much alike and both of them loved the same men. "I am sorry."

"What?" inquired Ygritte

"I am sorry." Repeated Daenerys with real emotion in her voice. "I can understand why you would hate me, why you would want to take that dagger in your hands and plunge it deep into my neck. From your view I took Jon from you. If I was in your shoes, then that is what I would want to do."

"Yes," growled Ygritte as she turned and looked out over the ramparts her hands clenching into fists. "But what good would that do me? None, he loves you, doesn't he?"

"He does, just like he loves you." confirmed Daenerys as Ygritte blinked, she hadn't expected that. "Just like I love my Sun and Stars and my lost son both who died in the great grass sea all those years ago. Jon and I have both lost our first loves, you are now alive which had me concerned for a while but not anymore."

"Because you are a Queen and I have nothing compared to you." stated Ygritte

"This is Jon, do you think station means anything to him? He was raised a basterd when he was really a King and he gave up his throne to make sure his people where safe." Stated Daenerys "Do you really think some throne and titles would sway him? He cares about a person's heart not their titles."

"No." admitted Ygritte "Still it is painful to see him with you."

"I understand." confirmed Daenerys "Fate can be cruel. Still, I hope that we can work together to help save everyone we can from the White Walkers."

"That we can agree to, but don't expect me to be happy when marries you." Stated Ygritte her arms crossed over her chest. "He was my crow first and the 1st men who I thought about having children with. I wonder what it would have been like if I was with child, but I am not."

There was a long pause as both women stood in the falling snow.

"But you will have to deal with him snoring for now on." added Ygritte as Daenerys smiled a chuckled a bit, in the distance the guards which had been watching with some fear relaxed as Daenerys chuckled.

"I swear to the Old Gods and the new, he sounds like a war horn when he sleeps." admitted Daenerys

"You are not wrong there." Confirmed Ygritte with a chuckle of her own. "You better get going"

"Alright, I will see you in the South." said Daenerys as she turned and headed toward Drogon, she would not be flying South alone. Hanging from multiple chain restraints their arms, legs and mouths bound by thick heavy ropes and chains where eight wights. The wights where placed also in oaken barrels and tied to the saddle of her dragon four on each side, they were going South with her as proof of what they were facing. If they fell, then there was no way they would "live" when they hit the ground but still it was a risk but a needed risk.

She mounted Drogon and with a roar she took off heading South, the wind blowing hard out of the North, sending a chill down her spine as she followed the King's Road toward Winterfell and then White Harbor. If everything went as planned, she would spend the night at White Harbor before flying down to the Twins hopefully in time to meet up with her court which should be arriving there soon.

Far to the South the wind blew much warmer and filled the sails of a mighty war fleet, the fleet wasn't nearly the size of the Iron Fleet of the Iron Born. Unlike the Iron Fleet which was made out of mostly smaller long ships with some gallies and war cogs mixed in this fleet was almost totally made out of gallies and war of the sails where died a deep royal blue with most having the sweat grapes of house Redwyne of the Arbor on it. While not a dire wolf, a lion nor a kraken it was without question that the Redwyne fleet was the most powerful in Westeros and could go toe to toe with the Famous Iron Fleet from the Iron Islands or any of the free cities expect for Braavos.

Standing on the brow of his flagship, Arbor Queen stood the man who commanded this massive fleet, Lord Paxter Redwyne. He wasn't much to look at, he was a knight, but he had fought his wars from the deck of his ship and was thin, stooped shoulders and was bald aside from some tuffs of his orange red hair which clung around the side of his head.

"My Lord I can see Dragonstone." Reported a trusted seaman as Lord Paxter pulled out a Mirish eye and extended it. Once he lifted the lens up to his eye the ancient seat of House Targaryen and the current seat of the rebel King Stannis leaped into view.

"Well if we see them they will see use for sure." Stated Lord Paxter "Make sure they see use; I want Stannis to be shaking in his boots knowing that we have arrived."

"Looks like your sons are doing that my Lord." Said the seaman as Paxter turned the mirrish eye toward the two ships his twin sons commanded. While young both of them had been at sea almost as soon as they could walk and knew how to command men at sea, they each had one of the larger gallies to command with the only real difference being the sails. Unlike all the others which had the sigil on it of his house, his own flagship and the ships of his two sons where different to mark who commanded them. His own sail had golden fabric around the edges to mark it as the flagship while his sons had silver for his eldest son Horas and bronze for his younger son Hobber around the edges.

He noticed that his son's ships were moving to the attack, he had ordered them to just pass within sight of Dragonstone as a show of force but to not attack. He wondered what they were doing and then he spotted the three long ships with the flaming heart of Stannis Baratheon on their sail. They were busy raising sails and where not in the best position, they were easy prey for his son's two Gallies. Paxter nodded his approval as he watched his sons close in on the three long ships, however the longer he watched the more he felt something was wrong whoever was commanding those ships should have been able to catch the wind by now but they hadn't. His son's ships where almost within range for their mounted ballistas, they would soon fire hooks and take 3 more ships away from Stannis. That is when it happened, there was an unearthly cry coming from high above them and swooping down over the Redwyne fleet heading toward his son's ships came a large green shape.

It took him a moment to recognize the leather like wings, the green scales and the long snake like neck, a Dragon was swooping down on his sons. Before he could do anything more then look on in horror the dragon breathed a stream of red flame right onto the mast of his oldest son's ship and then onto the mast of his second oldest son. The wood and sail caught at once and the ship started to burn. With that happening the three long ships turned about and headed toward the one stricken gallies, launching their own boarding lines. It was a trap; someone Stannis had gotten a dragon and lured his son's out of position so the rest of the fleet couldn't support them.

"Turn the ship we need to save my sons." Ordered Paxter but he could already see it was too late, the dragon had coughed panic on his sons' ships as it was on other ships in his fleet. Stannis' men where already onboard each ship and only now did he see that each of the long ships were loaded with extra men and they were quickly overwhelming the defenders. It was over within minutes, and he could only watch as both his sons where lead at sword point off their ships and onto one of the three longships which raised sails and headed back to dragon stone as fast as it could. The rest of his men of those ships abounded ship and were picked up by the other long ships.

The Dragon for his part didn't attack but circled overhead, a flaming sword over the rest of the fleet which none wanted to get close to. Once the longships picked up the stricken men from his son's ships one headed back.

"Raise a peace banner and head toward Dragonstone." ordered Paxter as his flagship broke formation and headed in while the rest of the fleet wondered what to do next. There was no way for his fleet to take on a dragon, he hadn't even thought of taking on a dragon and multiple times across the history of Westeros no admiral had ever taken down a dragon. The only time it happened somewhat was during the Targaryen Civil War known as the Dance of the Dragons and in that both sides had dragons so it was more of a Dragon on Dragon fight while ships did battle on the water. His ships had ballistas but they were not powerful enough to take on dragons, unless he hit it in the eye and if he wanted a miracle he would pray for that in a Sept.

As he neared the shore a longship, maybe even one of the same longships which had lured his sons into a trap came out under a peace banner.

"Lord Paxter Redywne!" yelled a man from the Longship

"Yes." Confirmed Paxter

"Please follow us, we will take you to King Stannis and Lord Jon Stark. You will not be harmed in any way." Said the man on the Longship, his wondered who in the seven hells is Jon Stark. Did the young wolf bend the knee to Stannis, that made no sense since Stannis had lost most of his army outside of Kings Landing.

With the Arbor Queen tied up at the dock, Paxter along with a half dozen knights left the ship and walked up the long set of stairs which lead up to the ancient seat of House Targaryen which was now ruled by Stannis.

"Open the gates." Ordered a guard as Paxter walked into the courtyard and instantly looked toward the large green dragon which sat in one part of the yard. In the other stood his twin sons and their men surrounded by multiple armed knights loyal to Stannis. In the middle of the yard stood three figures, one was a Measter and therefor didn't matter but the other two did matter. One was a man he had meet a few times in the past, his stern face and thin frame standing in contrast to his dead brother. King Stannis wasn't alone, beside him stood a younger man dressed in black armor with a white chainmail under it, a longsword on his hip with a white wolf pummel and the image of a direwolf like that of house Stark on his breast plate only in white instead of gray. The had a stern look as well but also one which looked kinder then most and if he was of the North most of them had stern looks.

"Lord Paxter." greeted Stannis

"King Stannis." Said Paxter as he turned his attention to Jon. "You must be Lord Jon Stark, so the young wolf has bent the knee to Stannis, that is a mistake."

"My cousin hasn't bent the knee, not yet at least and I do not serve King Stannis, in fact with luck he will bend the knee to Queen Daenerys Targaryen who now rules almost all the North, the Vale and the Northern bank of the Trident." explained Jon as Paxter blinked, he had been at Sea for a while and hadn't heard of any of this.

He stood there stunned as Jon went on to explain about the White Walkers, being from the future, how Queen Daenerys had retaken large parts of Westeros and how they have extended offers to both King Stannis and King Robb Stark to bend the knee to House Targaryen.

"You expect me to believe that?" inquired Paxter "That is impossible."

"Well, there is a dragon over there and we knew when and where your fleet would arrive here." Countered Jon as Paxter looked at the Dragon and then at his sons his eyes narrowing.

"Finding a dragon egg and hatching it somehow doesn't require time travel, magic or any of the other things you claim." Stated Paxter before turning his attention back to Jon and Stannis. It was written all over his face that he didn't believe a word Jon had said, on some levels Jon couldn't fault him. It was a hard story to believe unless a person knew someone who went back in time. Part of the reason he felt Stannis believed was because he knew Davos in what had been the past so seeing him so much older helped him believe. "So, what do you want, you have my sons how much do I have to pay for their safe return."

"Nothing." Answered Jon as Paxter looked at him, confused for a moment then Jon went on. "Your sons will not be returned to you at the moment, King Stannis will keep the youngest here on Dragonstone while the oldest will be taken to the Vale maybe even White Harbor."

"Hostages." stated Paxter with pain and venom in his voice as Jon resignedly nodded his head. Jon didn't like it but it was common enough among the noble houses, Theon had been a hostage of Lord Eddard to keep his father on the Iron Island Loyal. Paxter didn't like it either for clear reasons that his son's where now at risk. House Redwyne was the strongest house in Westeros at Sea and overall either the 3rd or 4th strongest house in the Reach about equal with house Tarley but below House Tryell and far below House Hightower. As such they were not used to taking orders from anyone who didn't wear a crown on their heads or where at least one of the major houses. "I will not turn traitor against King Joffrey, I must follow the orders of my King and my Liege Lord."

"We don't want you to." stated Jon as Paxter blinked. "Sail to King's Landing tell King Joffrey what happened here, we will not force you to sail to the Vale or White Harbor or make you stay here to fight for us. Queen Deanery's wants you to bend the knee to her willing and not at the point of a sword."

That confused Paxter, traditionally whenever a hostage was taken it was normally used to force some lord to do what they wanted.

"You are to sail to King's Landing, but you are not to attack it nor will you defend it." Stated Jon as Paxter glared at him. He knew that the Redwyne fleet and the thousands of men who maned the ships and the soldiers on them where a key part of the defense of King's Landing while King Joffrey was out on the March. Without them the defenses around the Capital would be weakened making it easier to be captured.

"I see." Stated Paxter with anger in his voice as he turned and looked at Stannis who remained standing calmy watching everything. "And have you bent the knee to this Dragon Whore? Have you given up on your brother's seat and are turning against your nephew? If you slay the dragon and take this "Lord Stark" hostage I am sure all will be forgiven by King Joffrey."

"Joffrey is a basterd and has no right to sit the Iron Throne." Countered Stannis as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I am not sure if this Queen Daenerys will make a good Queen or not, but I can not deny that as a Targaryen, she has a rightful to claim the throne more so then I do in truth."

Stannis took a few steps forward and looked toward the Dragon which sat within the yard, unlike most he didn't flinch when the golden eyes of the dragon turned their gaze on him.

"And I can not deny that with Dragons she has the ability to crush all those who would stand against her, she has the North, the Vale and everything on the Northern side of the Trident." proclaimed Stannis as he pulled his sword and held it for a second point down toward the Dragon. In response the Dragon raised it's long snake like head up and glared down at the man who would dare draw a sword on him. "I would be a fool not to see that compared to what I have she is in a far better position to take the Iron Throne."

Then turning to face Jon and with all his knights watching him, his wife and more importantly his daughter looking on, Stannis placed his sword at Jon's feet and removed the crown which had been made for him from his head and placed it on top of the sword as he bent the knee to Jon.

"I King Stannis of House Baratheon renounce all claims to the Iron Throne and Kingship. I swear my sword and all those loyal to me to follow Queen Daenerys of House Targaryen." said Stannis his voice filled with some pain but with strength in it none the less. "I do so in the name of the Lord of Light and by the Old and the New Gods."

Stannis bowed his head waiting as all watched, Jon bent down and picked up the sword and the crown. He turned the sword around and offered it back to Stannis who looked up.

"You may not be a King, but you embodied the best traits of any ruler you are placing the need of the people before your own and you will be rewarded." Stated Jon as he began to carry out what he and Daenerys had talked about in the Vale. "You are hereby named as Lord Paramount of the Stormlands with all rights and privileges restored, your wife's family will have their lands restored as well and your voice will be most welcomed at Council. Arise Lord Paramount Stannis Baratheon and retake your sword."

Stannis nodded as he stood up, Jon didn't help him up, he knew Stannis wasn't the type who wanted help and giving him help would offend him more then anything. Stannis reached out and retook his sword, a King no longer.

"I believe that is your answer as to if I follow the Dragon Queen." stated Stannis as he looked at Paxter.

By the time Paxter had returned to his ship, the burning heart Stag of Stannis Baratheon had been taken down from the tallest tower of Dragonstone as the Red three headed dragon of house Targaryen was flying once again from on top of castle.