Chapter 23 Decisions of Queens Part 2
For whatever remained of her life, Princess Arianne Martell of Dorne would never forget this moment. She was flying above the clouds, on dragon back as the sun rose behind them as they headed west over the bay of Crabs heading toward the trident river. On one side was the snow topped peaks of the mountains of Vale and on the other side the lower hills of Crackclaw Point. The clouds, warm sunlight and unbelievable view was something she would never forget in her life.
They had taken off before dawn, leaving Gulltown and heading towards the Twins and from there a ride to Riverrun. She had worried that the Dragons would be overburden but Queen Daenerys had assured her that Drogon alone had carried much more weight coming down from beyond the Wall in their past, her future. Still they had divided the weight, with herself, Ser Dayne, Septon Tolbert and a bastard son of King Robert, Gendry riding with them. On the smaller green dragon, Rhaegal was Jon, Jaimie Lannister and her cousin Tyenne.
As for the wights which Queen Daenerys had brought down from the North, they had been divided as well. While not happy about it, the captain of the same Swan ship which had carried the Dornish Princess and her party up to Gulltown would return to the Water Garden. Under heavy guard with Narmieria and a couple of Vale Knights they would take twos Wight for Prince Doran to view, one to keep to show the Lords of Dorne and one to send to Old Town for the Measter of the Citadel to learn the truth as well. Another wight was staying in Gulltown to be headed out on a tour of the Vale to inform the people of what they faced. while yet another wight was heading with Obara as it's only guard on a cog to Kings Landing to show not only the Red Viper but the High Septon. That left them with only two wights which were heavily restrained and hanging from Rhaegal since the dragon had the lesser number of living riders.
The ride took a few hours but before midday the two dragons came in for a landing at the Twins. It was clear that the famous crossing over the northern most fork of the Trident had seen battle it was also clearly a busy area. Not only was an army encamped there but it was clear that a great number of smallfolk had also gathered there as well. That wasn't totally unexpected, an encamped army while a massive target for enemy armies provided a whole lot of safety for the small folk while they remained there.
The dragons landed in a large open space on the Northern bank of the green fork of the Trident. As they landed multiple armed men came forward, none of them knights instead they wore strange armor with spiked helms, with spears, short swords and large shields.
"Queen Daenerys." greeted one of the figures with a bow as he placed one hand over his chest with the other behind his back.
"Grey worm, it is good to see you." greeted Daenerys warmly as she had slipped from the dragon's back first.
"It is good to see you, my Queen." Said the strange sounding man, he was clearly from Essos possibly Slaver's bay by his voice. "I hope you got my message about Robb Stark."
"We did." Confirmed Daenerys as she went around and introduced Grey Worm to the Dornish and Septon Torbert. "This is Grey Worm, commander of the free Unsullied and my Master of War."
The Unsullied warrior bowed his head a bit to the new commers.
"Welcome to the Twins." Greeted Grey Worm
"Where is everyone else?" inquired Jon
"We are right here Lord Stark." answered a voice as a short man came up, his walk wasn't normal thanks to his shortened legs, but he carried himself like a true Lord. Arianne didn't need to be told who he was, this was the famous imp of Casterly Rock, the dwarf, Tyrion Lannister. He wasn't alone, behind came a bald man dressed in rich and lavish robes. He bowed as well.
"My Queen." greeted Varys
"Lord Hand, Lord Varys it is good to see you. It has been too long since I have spoken to two of my most trusted and wise councilors." said Daenerys with a smile "We come with good news, to share with the council but that is news will have to wait for the road, I want to head off as soon as possible for Riverrun."
"We thought as much, Grey worm as prepared some Unsullied, we also have some Northern horse and Vale Knights ready to head out." Stated Tyrion
"Good, then we leave within the hour." answered Deanarys before looking at Grey Worm. "However, the Unsullied will have another task."
"My Queen." stated Grey Worm confused
"I will explain in private but having none Westerously at this meeting may cause more harm than good." Stated Queen Daenerys before giving him a slight smile. "Besides I have another task for you which is more in line with your skills and will be of greater importance in things to come."
"Understood my Queen." Confirmed Grey Worm, still slightly upset but he was going to follow his Queen's orders no matter what. "I will prepare as required."
"Thank you." Said Daenerys
An hour later, after the dragons had been feed and given a short rest Daenerys Targaryen mounted her silver mare a gift from her first husband all those years ago. Mounting his own horse riding a few steps behind her was Jon, his horse black as night as the column headed out. Ahead of them a large group of Northern horse under Lord Rodrik Ironwood was moving as the vanguard and scouts protecting the main column.
As Daenerys headed out followed quickly by Jon who was mounted on a Black horse with his White Direwolf, Ghost padding alongside beside him. Ser Jorah Mormont, as her only member of the Queen's guard in Westeros now it was his honor and duty to carry the royal banner. Behind them came the rest of the royal party, Tyrion Lannister riding with his brother who was holding the Lion of Lannister banner, Brienne of Tarth holding a banner with house Tarth while she rode beside a wagon caring Measter Ameon who was being tended to by Sam and Gilly, not one for riding Varys sat in the wagon as well. Riding just behind them came Gendry along with Septon Ronard, the massive man known as the hound and a man who claimed now to be Lord Bron Castamere. They marked the separation between the royal party and the high guests as one might call them.
Holding the Sun and Spear of House Martel was Ser Dayne as Princess Arianne rode near the front of this group. Followed quickly by the women, she had only just met Lady Catelyn Stark, she was a Tully of Riverrun by birth and had married Lord Eddard Stark there during Robert's Rebellion, she was mother to five Stark children including the one who would call himself a King. But now she rode behind the boy she had treated as a bastard and who if they won would rule beside Queen Daenerys as King Consort, any children they had could rule over Westeros and the Tullys themselves. It must hard for her to accept what was happening but as the two dragons flew over them it was hard not to accept what was happening.
Along with the high guests came two wagons which were closed and guarded by a dozen knights with a man wearing all black and who kept his face hidden behind a cloak hood. He gave off a strange vibe to the Dornish, but he never made a move toward them and never got off his horse aside from they camped for the night. Jon went back to talk to him a few times however during their travels Princess Arianne never saw his face or learned his name.
Behind them came more mounted knights most of whom were either from White Harbor or the Vale, with a large mixture of heavy and light horse. At the rear came a good size but not too large wagon train carrying supplies for their journey. Even with a mounted party which could move quickly through the side paths and woods of the Riverlands it would take them at least four days to reach Riverrun and all knew this.
The dragons which flew over them almost none stop, sometimes they would head off in one direction or another only to return a short time later. They followed the party marking them better than any banner could ever hope to do.
It was an interesting journey for Arianne as she studied the inner workings of this possible royal court. Her father had taught her from an early age that a ruler can't know everything and must build around them a strong system of advisors and confidence whom they trust. She noticed everything she could and wrote down everything to send back to her father, he would need every bit of information to help guild Dorne to a safe victorious path and she needed to study these people herself for as Princess on day she may have to play the Game of Thrones with them.
Some of Queen Daenerys picks for her council made both political and simple common sense. Having Lord Manderley, the master of White Harbor as Master of Coin was a prime example. He had grown White Harbor's vaults to the point of nearly bursting with silver and gold it was said. Likewise having Lord Royce as Master of Law was a choice in a similar vein as Lord Manderley, he was a seasoned warrior and wise counselor who had ruled the Vale for many years while Lord Arryn was Hand of the King for Robert. None could question their skills and while they were part of the council Adriene got the sense they were not part of the true council.
The true council was the people who Queen Daenerys turned to for close advice and whom she listened to more closely and take their words with greater care. Arianne watched as Queen Daenerys talked with Jon as they rode, she was too far to hear what they were saying but she noticed the slight smiles on both of their faces. The gentle brief touches they shared in private that would go unnoticed by most but showed how they trusted and loved each other. Daenerys was clearly in charge however, Jon always rode a couple steps behind her, like a Queen would normally do in a royal procession for the King and he made sure to never walk in front of her either. That surprised her, she expected that as a man he would want to take the position of power over the women, but he didn't. He knew his place and from what she had heard Jon was a military leader not a political leader, the type of man you wanted in a fight and the type of man you didn't want to meet in a fight.
Outside of Jon which made perfect sense was Tyrion Lannister, an odd choice for a Hand of the Queen for most people but Arianne own father was bound to a wheelchair, so his lack of physical strength meant nothing to her. He was constantly going back and forth between the Queen and Varys and the elderly Measter who rode with his two carriers. Every so often Daenerys herself would come back to converse with them and talk things over.
Ser Jorah Mormont seemed like a good pick for a Queen's guard and Daenerys took his words almost as much as she took Jon's when it came to military matters however Arianne noticed a resigned sadness in his eyes whenever he saw those small tender moments between the Queen and her future husband. Ser Jorah loved her, that was clear but he knew she didn't love him back in that way and now had resigned himself to be happy for her happiness and to serve her the best he could.
Ser Jaimie Lannister was a very odd choice, he had killed her father by right she should have taken his head but instead he rode beside his brother in the royal party and was brought into council meetings as well. The King Slayer also seemed a much more humble man then the last time and only time Arianne had seen him which was at a tournament at Storm's End. He rode a lot with another knight, a women knight Brienne of Tarth. The Giant of a women was very different then Queen Cersei and didn't match any traditional sense of beauty in any of the seven kingdoms but the way the King Slayer looked at her and she him there was possibly something there.
That was something of great interest to Dorne, House Tarth ruled the island of Tarth which sat close enough to the Northern shores of Dorne a union of Tarth and the Lannister's could be an interesting development.
Arianne didn't know who Gendry was, he wasn't a knight, and she hadn't heard any last name so he had to be a commoner but he rode among the royal party. He had a large hammer with the stag of house Baratheon on it, which lead her to believe he was a bastered of Robert. There had to be a good number of them out there, the King was a known womanizer, and he did have Robert's look from the one time she had bet the late King.
There was also a rather large man with clearly a pregnant woman and a small child whom rode in the cart with elderly Measter but they tended to him so they likely weren't important. Neither was a foreign woman whom rode near the front.
One thing Arianne did take note of and approved of was Deanery's habit of inviting others to come up to the front and talk to her for a while. They would come up and talk to her as they rode for a few hours or if they were unable to come up she went to them but that seemed to only happen with the elderly Measter or Varys.
Finally, just after lunch on the 1st full day of their travel a full day since they had left, Jon rode up to their party.
"Princess Arianne, Queen Daenerys would like you and your party to join her upfront." said Jon
"About time." whispered Tyenne only to get a death glare from her cousin while Jon pretended not to notice.
"It would be an honor, are you joining us?" inquired Arianne
"I afraid not, I am going to check our rear guard to make sure everything is good." stated Jon as the Princess nodded, as Jon rode past them heading backwards to check in with the man-at-arms and knights whose job was to protect their rear.
Pushing her horse forward Princess Arianne moved forward pulling alongside Queen Daenerys, not behind but beside a sign to all that Dorne hadn't bent the knee to the Dragon Queen. Behind her came her cousin and Ser Dayne who did stay back alongside Ser Mormont who was carrying the Queen's standard.
"I never got the chance to meet you in our time Princess, I must admit you are as beautiful as your cousins made you out to be." Stated Daenerys "I hope in time the two of us will become friends."
"Perhaps, Queen Daenerys but Dorne hasn't bent the knee to you and that isn't my choice to make." added Arianne
"I understand but I plan to sit the Iron Throne for a long time and during that time you will hopefully take your seat as ruler of Dorne until then I request some advice from you and your party." explained Daenerys "I plan to do what my great grandfather Aegon the V and remake the realm but unlike him I will have dragons to do so."
"What do you plan to do?" inquired Arianne slightly concerned.
"There are many things that need to be changed, the power of the Throne for one." explained Daenerys "My father was a mad man and needed to be removed, the price of his madness was the end of almost my entire house. I am not sure if that price was good for the realm with the fool rule of Robert and this war but my father's madness had to end. We need to come up with guidelines to peacefully remove any future King or Queen, a regency maybe but the way that would form is itself questionable and open to exploration by the great houses. Still be it in another three hundred years or much closer, the realm will need a way to deal with a mad King or Queen."
For a moment they rode on in silence.
"Once this war is done, once I sit the Iron Throne and our true enemies to the North the White Walkers are defeated, I plan to call a great council to help remake the realm, to help balance some of the power to break this never-ending game where each great house fight to be on top like some stupid wheel." stated Daenerys as they passed by a small farm which had been torched by one side or the other. In the fields an older man along with some women and children where at work. "It doesn't help their lives on bit and as their rulers that is what our goal should be in the end."
"Nice words but words are wind, and they can't buy you anything." countered Arianne "And whatever you have planned will clash with the needs and wants of the high lords which you need to rule."
"True." admitted Daenerys "Which is why the first change I have planned will not affect them at all."
That caused Arianne to look at her.
"Lord Samwell Tarly along with my hand have come forward with an idea that I feel the high lords will have no issues with." stated Daenerys "Once this war is done, I will order the Citadel and all Measters to provide education to all children within the seven kingdoms, the free city already have schools to educate slaves why should our subjects treated less then slaves."
"Lord Tarly?" inquired Arianne confused as Daenerys nodded and looked over her shoulder toward the fat man who had been taken care of the elder Measter and the common women he was with.
"Yes, Lord Tarly you didn't know that Samwell Tarly the heir to Hornhill was with us?" inquired Daenerys as Arianne looked at the fat man, house Tarly was a house of warriors, one had even ruled Dorne for a bit after the Dragon conquered them. He died in a bed of scorpions and Dorne won its freedom but this man didn't fit the look of house Tarly. A shake of the head told Daenerys her answer. "I see, well he was forced to take the Black to join the Night's Watch by his father so that his younger brother could rule but I have freed him from that vow, he is currently helping Measter Aemon but in truth he is basically a second Measter and sits on our council."
"He cured my greyscale when the Measters at the Citadel wouldn't risk it." added Ser Jorah speaking for the first time. "He has no skill with a sword, but he very skilled with his mind."
"True, that service alone would be enough to give him his freedom from that vow." added Daenerys before grinning a bit. "He is also Jon's best friend and trusted advisor."
That changed a lot, house Tarly one of the greatest enemies of every house in Dorne, the house who trained the best warriors in the Reach had a voice in Queen Deanary's court. Not only that the heir was a trusted advisor and close friend of the future King Consort and by that extent his power was much higher then normal. Then again, he didn't fit the mold of house Tarly, he was fat and scholarly not thin and warrior like. He was so different his father had sent him to take the black to get rid of him, would that make him an enemy of the current rulers of house Tarly and therefor an ally to Dornish needs.
"The school idea is all well and good but you will not get Dorne to accept your rule by that alone." stated Arianne saving the news of Tarly for later. "What would you offer?"
"The mountain's head for one." stated Daenerys, as Arianne gave that some consideration, that was the safe opening move and one she expected Daenerys to offer first. The Mountain had killed her cousins who would have been Jon's half siblings and Deanery's own niece and nephew when the Lannister's took King's Landing at the end of Robert's rebellion. There were many in Dorne, her Uncle among them who wanted to rage war on Robert just for that only her father holding them back prevented that.
"That would be a start." admitted Arianne "But a kingdom will not bend the knee to you because you give them rightful vengeance on one person."
"I know." Stated Daenerys as she rode for a few seconds without a word. "How would Dorne like it if Dornish law of succession became the law for all of Westeros."
That really got Arianne's attention.
"Do you think you can get the other High Lords to agree to that?" inquired Arianne as the dragons let out a roar over head before flying by.
"Remember I plan to remake the realm and that will be part of it." stated Daenerys
In Dorne, unlike the rest of Westeros it was order of birth not the gender which determined inheritance, that is why Arianne one day would rule Dorne instead of her brothers. She had come first into this world and when she took a husband, she would still rule and when the day came that she gave birth be it a boy or a girl the first one out would rule after she was gone and carry on house Martell name.
"It would be nice to see all those high borne northern lords deal with their daughters now ruling their houses." stated Tyenne saying something that her cousin couldn't but clearly felt.
"And what else?" inquired Arianne, to Daenerys credit she wasn't taken by surprise that her offer wasn't enough.
"If you want an official seat on the council, I am afraid everything is currently full of official posts and unofficial will not do, and I don't think you would want a spot on my Queen's guard I have five openings there." stated Daenerys "So all I can officially offer you is a major voice at the grand council I will call to reform the realm."
"Surprised you haven't offered to make my cousin here a lady of a major house." stated Arianne as she looked at Tyenne "Ser Jaimie Lannister said that Bronn sorry Lord Bronn Castamere has a fondness my cousin."
"That is true, I have been told but as he put it the way he won her heart in our time was in battle and there is no way she would take him if he didn't do it again." Stated Daenerys
"Well, he is right there." admitted Tyenne "But why haven't you offered us Lord Tywin's head? He was the one who gave the order to kill the children of Ellia Martel and Prince Rheagal. His head could win you Dorne and he is an enemy."
"Yes, it could." confirmed Deanarys pausing for a long moment. "But even though he is a horrible person and needs to be punished, he is a skilled military leader and in the war against the White Walkers…we may need him."
"You would put troops under his command?" inquired Tyenne in near anger, an anger that Arianne felt but didn't show outload.
"If it means winning the war for the dawn, I am willing to give him a full pardon." admitted Daenerys with a resigned sigh. "Right now, the offer is that he resigns lordship of the West to his son Jaime, but he will not be forced to take the Black or go into exile."
"That may be unacceptable to Dorne." stated Arianne with more then a little warning in her voice.
"I know, but if the choice is for all of mankind to become undead wight it is something I am willing to accept." stated Daenerys as Arianne considered for a moment, would Lord Tywin's head remaining on his shoulders be worth the price of not having an army of undead at the Prince's Pass, at the Water Garden or at the very walls of the Sunspear.
She had meet Prince Rhegal and her cousins, she was too little to remember them and most people in Dorne hadn't even seen them, but they all knew of the slight to Dornish Honor and they if there was something all Dornish shared it was their hatred of being slighted and dishonored.
"Seeing Lord Tywin without power and having to listen to others may be a worse insult to him then death." added Ser Jorah
"Having the imp become Lord of the West may be better, a greater insult to Tywin there…that may be worth the price of letting him live so he will have to see the imp rule from the Rock." added Arianne
"Jaime offered the lordship to his brother, he turned it down. So having Tyrion be hand of the Queen may be just as big of an insult to the old lion's honor." added Daenerys
"Maybe, but I don't see it." Countered Arianne
"I would add and Ser Jaime has already agreed to this, as Lord of the West his eldest daughter, Myrcella under Dornish Law would become lady of the West and her match to your brother would remain. He would help her rule the west in my name when the time came." added Daenerys as Arianne blinked.
That was something she hadn't realized; her little brother would be Lord Consort to the Lady of the West and that would give Dorn a very powerful voice in the westerlands and a powerful friend. That was something they had never had before and would be a very useful thing to have. Future rulers of the West would have Dornish blood in them and would have ties to Dorne. Daenerys knew that this was a huge plum to offer the Dornish, it wasn't a marriage with the royal family, but it was a very temping offer.
"Would your father consent to the match still going through even if it is known that Myrcella is Jaime's daughter?" inquired Daenerys "I know the faith outside of House Targaryen disapproves of Brother and Sister unions, but I don't see how it is the fault of the child."
"Neither do I, as for my father accepting the union going forward that would be maybe." confirmed Arianne as she considered everything which had been said and everything which hadn't. Daenerys had been sneaky there, she couldn't offer Dorne Myrcella's hand and her brother Lord Consort of the West, that power rested with Jaime. Still by making Dornish law the law of the Land it opened the door to that very temping fruit and there was no way the rest of the Seven Kingdoms would take up Dornish law of inheritance without Dorne backing Queen Daenerys. "Dorne isn't your concern at the moment, you are only a few days away from speaking to King Robb and the Lords and Ladies of the Riverlands and North who haven't bent the knee to you. They are the ones you will have to convince first."
King Joffrey Baratheon wasn't in a good mood, he had never been on the march with an army before and he didn't like it. Outside of a few trips to Casterly Rock and a couple more to Storm's End he had hardly left King's landing. Outside of that massive trip up to Winterfell and most of that he was in a wheelhouse. He wasn't in a wheelhouse now and a marching army was different then a lazy journey up the King's Road with every Lord and Lady begging to host the Royal Party as they passed. To make it worse part of his plan was cutting across land which had no major roads, while the only official roads outside of cities where the roads built by some old Targaryen King there where dozens of dirt paths which where roads in all but name between major places. None of them could support his massive army and none of them where on his route so his men had to cross through woods, fields and the like slowing them down. If the route wasn't enough to slow them down, the fact that they were marching with finished siege engines made them even slower.
"We should be over halfway to Riverrun but we haven't even made it a quarter of the way." cursed Joffrey as he sat on top of a massive war horse which wasn't that good for riding any great distance. His knights and advisors had told him to take a different horse and save the war horse for battle but he had refused them. Sitting on top of the war horse made him look even taller than he was and it made him feel like more like a man then a young boy.
"My King the men are moving as fast as they can and in the end we will save time by bringing the siege engines." advised Lord Tyrell "Most of the nearby woods were cut down by your Uncle when he placed Riverrun under siege at the start of the war. By bringing them we can take the castle at once. Without having to wait to build the engines or find the wood."
Joffrey grumbled at that information but accepted it.
"Besides my King, the armed ballistas may be useful if a Dragon should appear." added the Knight of Flowers and soon to be brother-in-law Ser Loras Tyrell as he stood by the door of the massive tent which had been set up. The tent had all the enjoyments of a palace, including a large brass tub for Joffrey to clean off the dust of the road and a full canopy bed and a large oaken table with chairs.
"The Dragon Whore wouldn't dare to face me in the field." Stated Joffrey "Once we crush the young pup we will end her as well."
"We don't know where she is my King, with her dragons she is able to cover great distances as fast as any Raven." Stated one of the King's Guard
"She is still a woman, unskilled in the ways of war." countered Joffrey as if it was a statement of fact.
"That may be true my King but remember she has skilled warriors and knights advising her." countered his hand only to get a death glare from his King causing him to slink back a bit.
"Any word from the rest of our armies?" inquired Joffrey
"A raven from your grandfather reports that an army has left the Lannisport, following the Riverroad they should arrive at Riverrun around the same time we do, depending on the weather that is." reported a Measter whom had been sent along to record the boy king's victory. "The weather can be rather wet this time of year going through the Golden tooth and with such a narrow and rocky path it can be dangerous."
"Even so the army will have to march around or take Wayfarer's Rest which is held by some of the Riverlords." stated Ser Loras
"Let them take their time." spat the King as everyone looked at him, part of his plan was to arrive at Riverrun with overwhelming numbers from all directions. "My slow-moving grandfather can take Wayfarer's Rest, it will not amount to a chamber pot full of a fools shit when I take Riverrun and the heads of every traitorous Lord and Lady there including the so called King. I will show the realm what happens to those who stand against the crown and show my grandfather that wars are won with action not words."
Those around him shared a glance, killing every lord and lady who had bent the knee to King Robb but also all who bent the knee to Daenerys that would be very bloody work. Those houses who knew they had no hope to bend the knee and live would only fight harder and keep wars going. Ongoing wars was never a good path to make the small folk love a King.
King's Landing seamed strangely empty, with the army gone the massive tent city which had surrounded the city was gone. The amount of people going through the gates and filling the streets had gone back to normal level. The common folk in the city had gone back to a semi normal state but the Redwyne fleet now sitting just outside the harbor was cause of some concern. All were talking about how Lord Redwyne was now imprisoned in the Black Cells of the Red Keep, these men all loyal to him where now sitting just outside the wall. The City Watch had banned them from entering the city but while the watch was nearly two thousand men strong, but they were outnumbered by the men of the Redwyne fleet. There was a small group of Stormlanders which had arrived to help keep the city safe, but they seemed more interest in drinking and whoring. It didn't help that most of the Stormlanders had only until a few months ago been loyal to King Renly and then King Stannis. The word that Stannis had bent the knee to Queen Daenerys also filled the streets and there where even some talk that the royal wedding had been delayed because the Faith had redrawn their support for the King.
Inside the Castle Petyr Baelish sat at a desk in his study, in truth this wasn't his true desk and the papers he kept here would cause him no great embarrassment if they were intercepted and reported to someone. The castle was full of spies and not all of them where his. His true study was in a hidden room in one of his brothels but he hadn't been there in days.
"Lord Husband…" said Lysa Baelish formally Lyse Arryn and before that Lyse Tully as she came out of the bedchambers dressed in a green dress with a large broach covered with rare jewels with a silver mockingbird in the center. The Mockingbird was the symbol he had made for his house, much better than the head Titan of Bravos head his great grandfather took when he was raised up from a Bravos sell sword to a knight. "Lord Husband…"
"Yes." greeted little Finger trying not to make his voice sound pained at the sound of his new wife's voice.
"Would you care to go out for a ride in the King's Wood today?" inquired Lysa
"I am afraid not, with the King and Court gone there is much work I need to do to help our King win the war." Stated Baelish "I may not be able to swing a sword, but I can bring more golden dragons to the cause and help the King and our kingdom that way."
"A skill you do with such grace, maybe you can teach your new stepson?" advised Lysa "He is going to be a great high lord someday and he will need your skills."
Once again Baelish tried to hide his distain, the little lord Robert Arryn was possibly worse than his mother. Lyse had protected him from everything, he couldn't even ride a horse yet alone be a great high lord.
It had taken all his skills just to convince Lyse it was time to stop breast feeding him, he was eight and the only way he did that was saying what would happen when the two of them had children of their own. The little Lord hadn't taken it well and was throwing fits when he couldn't get mother's milk and even worse, he couldn't keep his mouth shut. There was no way Baelish could take him to his real study and he couldn't leave him with anyone else because the little Lord would throw a fit. He was stuck, he needed to get Lysa to take her son out on this ride, but the little lord couldn't ride. Until he found a way to get off by his own, he was stuck here.
A knock at the door caused him to look away from his wife.
"Come in." ordered Baelish as a servant came in with a letter in hand.
"From the Grand Measter." stated the Servant has she handed the letter off and walked off. The letter was still sealed which would have been enough to convince unwise people that it hadn't been read but Baelish knew better there were ways around that. He broke the seal and began to read, it was from one of his contacts in Gulltown, he should have heard from a couple better sources before he had heard from this one, but the news wasn't good either way.
"What is it?" inquired Lysa
"News of the war, which I must share with her highness the Queen Cersei at once." Explained Baelish as he put on the charm for a moment. Taking Lysa by the hand and bowing as he kissed it. "Forgive me, maybe while I deal with this matter you and our sweet little Robert can go out for a ride through the King's Wood."
"Robert dislikes horses, not many up in the Eyrie they don't do well in the mountains." stated Lysa as she thought about it. "Maybe a carriage ride."
"Anything you want." stated Baelish, deciding to take the opportunity to escape them he pressed on. With some luck he may be able to escape to his actual study and get some of the reports from his multiple spies/informants that had to be coming in there. "This matter may take a while so I may not be able to dine with you this evening."
"It is that important, that you can't be with your family?" inquired Lysa not wanting to give up. Knowing he had to give her at least half the truth.
"Queen Deanarys has taken Gulltown and the Vale has fallen totally into her hands." Explained Baelish not adding the news about a Dornish Princess being there and was seen talking with the Dragon Queen. She had no reason to know that, news of the Vale fall would be common knowledge in a few days when trade ships from the free cities came in and told the small folk about it, the news of the Princess of Dorne wouldn't be common knowledge at least for a while.
"By the Seven." exclaimed Lysa before nodding her head. "Yes, that is very important and as Lord Robert's step-father you must help guild the throne in response to take back the Vale and punish the traitors."
"I must, go." Said Baelish as he all but bolted from the room.
Elsewhere inside the Red Keep another man sat in his own study, he was known far and wide across Westeros and beyond for his skill with a blade yet he held a quill in his hand instead. He was leaning back in his chair with a quill in hand as he worked on a letter, while sitting down one wouldn't think him to be as deadly as he was but a viper at rest is just as deadly as a viper in motion.
"Shall we go to one of the pleasure houses today my love." inquired his paramour and mother to his four youngest daughters Ellaria Sand as she walked in her hips swaying as she let one of her hands run across his shoulder blades and down one of his arms.
"For you my love anything." confirmed Oberyn Martell as he looked back at the letter. "I am need to finish the letter to Sarella."
"Is she still at the Citadel dressed as a boy?" inquired Ellaria, Sarella was the fourth oldest of the eight sand snakes. She had been the youngest sand snake when Ellaria started her relationship with Oberyn and treated her more like a mother then the older snake snakes which saw Ellaria in line with an Aunt or the like.
"Yes, and to my knowledge they are none the wiser." stated Oberyn with a shake of his head. "The old men at the Citadel can't seem to get beyond the idea that a cock isn't needed to have a mind."
"In some of my experiences having a cock can be bad for the mind." countered Ellaria causing a small laugh from Oberyn and a nod of the head in agreement. "Still she should have gone with a better name Alleras, it's Sarella backwards kind of straight forward and simple to figure out."
"If the measters are foolish enough not to notice her as a women the name will not matter." added Oberyn. A knock at the door caused both of them to turn toward it, neither of them were expecting anyone.
"Enter." ordered Oberyn as the door opened and a figure walked in. She was fit and strong and carried herself more like a warrior then a women, she had a sword at her side and a shield on her back. Even so Oberyn and Ellaria smiled as she walked in.
"Well, isn't this a lovely surprise, Obara I wasn't expecting you." greeted Oberyn as he hugged his oldest daughter and the one whom he had taught most of his skills with the blade and spear.
"I am sorry for my sudden arrival father." apologized Obara before she hugged Ellaria, the two of them had a good relationship partly because Ellaria understood that she wasn't Obara's mother and therefor didn't treat her like a child and in Obara respected her for that. "I haven't seen you in such a long time that I had to come visit."
That was a bold face lie and both Ellaria and Oberyn knew it, but the four servants who were carrying in two very large trunks didn't. Once the servants were gone and the doors latched the real talk could begin.
"What is happening?" inquired Oberyn "Last message was that Princess Arianne, Nymeria, Tyene, Ser Dayne and yourself would be heading to the Vale."
"We did." confirmed Obara "We arrived in Gulltown which is now under Queen Daenerys control, we spoke with the Queen herself and Jon Stark. Ser Dayne even confirmed that was at the wedding and his birth, he is the trueborn son of Prince Rheagar and Lyanna Stark."
"So Prince Rheagal betrayed my little sister, for some northern woman." Grumbled Oberyn, he had known that the Dragon Prince had ran off with Lyanna Stark and he had been told by Jaime Lannister of the marriages but to hear it from one of his own county man. "But that couldn't have brought you here."
"No." stated Obara her tone shifting to a sternness she showed him normally before a fight. "It is what Queen Daenerys brought out of the North…father get your spear and shield there is something you need to see."
That was a great interest to Oberyn as he went to a nearby wall and picked up his short spear, putting on his sword belt for good measure and grabbing his bronze shield polished to a shine so that he could blind his enemies by bouncing the sunlight off it. For her part Ellaria grabbed a dagger, she was no warrior, but she could and would defend herself.
Obara moved to the larger of the two trunks and the one which had multiple locks on it. They watched as she undid the locks and stepped behind it. Then with one quick motion she lifted the lid keep one of her hands on her sword. When nothing happened, Oberyn was confused until Obara kicked over the chest and a figure came rolling out. It was wrapped in multiple bands of thick rope with a bag over its head.
With even more care, Obara pulled the bag over its head off showing a face of a women whose head had clearly been split open by blade of some kind. The flesh on one side of her face was gone showing the white skull underneath. A dead body wouldn't have been much of a concern but the fact that it was still moving, unnaturally blue eyes looked around the room as it tried to lung forward. The dead woman was still very much alive.
"By the Seven." stated Ellaria
"So…this is a wight?" inquired Oberyn with more interest than concern as Obara nodded her head.
"Queen Daenerys brought a couple that had been captured out of the North." explained Obara "One is heading to the Water Gardens under heavy guard, I brought this one to you to see and for the High Septon to see. Queen Daenerys says there is a whole army of these things and undead animals as well gathering north of the Wall and the only thing that can kill them is fire, dragon glass and Valerian steel."
"Well, this changes what we were going to do today my love." announced Oberyn as he moved forward and looked at the weight. He looked it right in those blue eyes even as the wight thrashed at his feet. "I am sorry this happened to you, I am sorry that your body ended up here and I hope that your soul isn't trapped within there. If your soul is still in there and you can hear me, I would end your pain now…but you are still needed, I apologize for that."
With that done, Oberyn placed the bag back over the wight's head and lifted the still struggling weight back into the chest.
"Obara grab that end, we will take a cart to the High Septon at once." ordered Oberyn as the wight moved around a bit, so they didn't call for a servant instead himself and his daughter carried the trunk. Instead leaving giving his spear and shield to Ellaria they headed out. They headed down the stairs passing a couple of servants and man at arms who dared not ask any questions about what a high lord was doing and even if they were going to ask.
They reached the yard and found a simple wagon and throw the trunk on it when a knight dressed in white armor began to walk toward them. He was accompanied by a half a dozen armed knights and men at arms.
"Go…" ordered Oberyn to Obara and Ellaria as he moved away from them and toward one of his Dornish stallions which had been kept nearby. He paid the knights no mind, as if everything was normal as he saddled up.
"Lord Oberyn the Queen mother and the High Council would like a word with you." Stated the King's Guard as Oberyn looked over his shoulder at the men, he could take him he knew that and he could take the other knights and men at arms at well, but it would draw more attention and the cart carrying Obara and Ellaria was just now beginning to roll and a chase through the busy streets of King's Landing in a cart down Aegon's high hill then up another hill to the Sept of Baelor wouldn't do.
"Is it really needed?" inquired Oberyn as the cart rolled on past the knights heading toward the main gate which would lead out into the city. "Is it a request or a command?"
"A command." ordered the King's Guard as gripped his sword's handle ready to pull it but afraid of what would happen if he had to. Oberyn for his part watched as the Wagon carrying Obara and Ellaria passed under the main gate and headed out into the city.
"Well, I guess I will have to hold off on my ride until later." Stated Oberyn as he lifted the saddle off his stallion as the knights relaxed a bit. "This city smells, and I was looking forward to a ride, but if the Queen Mother and the Council commands me, I must obey. Are they in the council chambers?"
"They are." confirmed the King's Guard Knight as Oberyn nodded before taking off ahead of them, his stride showing all its normal swagger and confidence as he headed deeper into the Red Keep while his daughter and lover headed away from it.
He walked through the Red Keep heading toward the council chamber which was still located in the Tower of the Hand. Lord Tyrell had yet to really move into the tower because he was thrusted into heading off with the King and an army, so there were still multiple symbols of the Lannister's in the tower and in the room itself.
He walked in to find, Queen Cersei, Baelish and Grand Measter Pycella all sitting there. Oberyn took a seat before leaning back a bit looking very board.
"You called your Highness I was about to go for a ride." stated Oberyn without showing any real interest or concern.
"A ride or running away?" inquired Cersei putting a threat in her voice, a threat which Oberyn to her annoyance didn't care about.
"Running away?" laughed Oberyn "You must think so little of me, to think I would run away? Besides why would I do that?"
"Your niece Princess Arianne was seen in Gulltown." announced Cersei her voice full of venom but the Viper wasn't frightened in fact he looked board more interested in everything around him then the angry Queen before him.
"News to me, she should be on her way to Essos to visit her mother." stated Oberyn in a calm and slightly board tone as he looked at his fingers for some dirt that wasn't there. "Maybe my brother decided to have her go through Bravos instead of the normal route. I never liked that city all that much, too cold but my brother said one must study all the free cities to truly understand Essos. Besides Gulltown is loyal to the crown is it not, we have the Lord of the Vale here unless I was mistaken."
"We do have Lord Robert but Gulltown and the rest of the Vale has bent the knee to Queen Daenerys." announced Grand Measter Pycell
"Has my niece been taken as a hostage?" inquired Oberyn showing some concern but not too much concern.
"Not that we are aware of." admitted Little Finger earning a glare from Cersei "But she was seen talking with Queen Daenerys and others members of the rebel leadership."
"And you think Dorne has bent the knee to Queen Daenerys?" inquired Oberyn talking about an entire region of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros bending the knee to Queen Daenerys and turning against King Joffrey.
"Has it?" inquired Cersei more than a threat in her voice
"Not that I am aware of?" inquired Oberyn with a shrug "But I am a warrior and a lover, I don't play the whole game of power between the high lords and Kings. To me it is all worthless in the end, whoever sits that very uncomfortable chair in the throne room doesn't matter because in the end all men must die and in time everyone will be forgotten by history."
"Aegon the Conquer will never be…" started Grand Measter Pycella
"Forgotten?" laughed Oberyn "Some people may take longer to forget then others, but in time even Aegon will be forgotten, his sister wives are forgotten most of the time by most people already but they flew two of his three dragons and took more Kingdoms then Aegon did. But you didn't call me to talk of history."
"No…we called you to see if you have bent the knee to Daenerys and are a traitor?" said Cersei
"If I am so what?" stated Oberyn as he reached to the center of the table and pulled off a grape and popped it into his mouth chewing it for a while. "For all you or I know, my Niece was sent on her way by Queen Daenerys and taking me would only drive Dorne into her camp."
"You could be a hostage, to keep Dorne loyal to the throne…" started Grand Measter Pycella
"Grand Measter, I think you are forgetting that Princess Myrcella was sent to Dorne by the Imp as part of a marriage alliance." stated Little Finger as he played his part in his plan. It was a rushed planned, something he didn't like to do is rush a plan but it was the best play he had at the moment.
"We do not want to risk the Princess." Stated Pycella "Dorne has a history of doing unspeakable things to hostages."
Little Finger hid a grin that was perfect by Pycella to play into the fear of Queen Cersei that her only daughter would be harmed by the brutal Dornish. Pycella didn't add that the Dornish only did horrible things to hostages where always adults and always in response to normally the crown doing horrible things to Dornish diplomatic. Now it was time to twist the knife.
"For all we know, the Imp has contact with Prince Doran." added Little Finger, knowing that Cersei hated and feared her little brother. "The best we could do is restrict his movements to the castle until we hear from Prince Doran in Dorne or we get more evidence to what is going on with the Princess Arianne."
"Very well, Prince Oberyn until this matter is decided you and your…partner Ellarai Sand will be confined to the castle." ordered Cersei "Make sure she stays in the castle."
"Hard for me to do that, considering she isn't in the castle anymore." Stated Oberyn as everyones eyes widened.
"Where is she?" inquired Cersei "You were heading out for a ride? Where you not?"
"Yes, to a brothel where I was going to go on a different type of ride, she is likely having fun now without me there to enjoy it with her." Said Oberyn with a grin as everyone flinched at his words while a grin crossed Oberyn's face as he stood up. "I will tell her once she comes back."
"Very well." Stated Cersei
"Will I be able to have some of your "workers" come to the castle to help entertain us?" inquired Oberyn giving more than a hit about all the high end whore houses that this council member owned. With that done, Oberyn turned and left the room.
Across the city, in the Sept of Baelor the high Septon stood a gasp inside his private study as he looked at the bound wight which had been brought to him. He wasn't alone with him whereas many of the most devout and orders members whom had been nearby when the two women arrived.
"We have been told this is what is coming out of the North." explained Obara as she ran her spear tip into the eye of the wight but it kept moving. The steel of her spear doing nothing to the wight.
"Seven save us." Stated one of the most Devout as another had to leave before he vomited over his cloth of silver robs.
"We must prepare." added another as all eyes turned toward the High Septon.
"And so, we shall." Stated the High Septon "Gather every member of the most devout and every member of every high order, we must show this creature to them and prepare them so that they can prepare the faithful for what is to come."
Prince Doran Martell of Dorne sat in his wheelchair his sworn sword and bodyguard Areo Hotah stood behind him a few steps with his large ax ever at the ready. He wasn't alone either he was in a meeting, a meeting with someone whom he really disliked but a person he had to deal with.
"Your youngest son Prince Quentyn is proving himself a good leader of men in our host." Stated Lord Anders Yronwood as he stood beside the Prince in the shade looking out over the multiple small pools and flowers that made up the water garden. He was a tall fair skinned blonde man which looked more like the common westerosly then the olive skin and dark hair and eyed of the Rhonish Blood Dornish.
That divide was one of many between the men, house Yronwood was the second most powerful house in Dorn, they had been on track to actually rule all of Dorne before Princess Neimieria and the 10000 ships carrying the Rhonish arrived at Sunspear. With their skills, better military skills and culture house Martell the direct descendants of Princess Nymeria now ruled all of Dorn including the Yronwoods.
"I am happy to hear that." stated Prince Dorne "The army in the Princess Pass is doing well."
"Yes, but they grow board." stated Lord Yronwood "We can't keep them there for much longer."
"I agree." confirmed Doran
"There are worrisome whispers out of the North, armies are on the march and that is the most believable news." Stated Yronwood "Dragons, undead creatures and return of the Targaryen's are all been spoken of."
"Yes, I have gotten a letter from my daughter." Stated Doran, he didn't like sharing that news most of all with Anders Yronwood. "She has meet Queen Daenerys and Jon Stark in Gulltown, has seen dragons and an undead creature called a wight. She reports that King Stannis is no longer a King but has bent the knee to her and they have taken the Redywn twins as hostages. There is a going to be a great council meeting in Riverrun between King Robb and Queen Daenerys, she is going to observe and report back to me."
"Are you going to bend the knee to Queen Deanarys? If the reports are true then this Jon Stark is the son of the woman Prince Rhaegal left your own sister for." Stated Anders, he didn't say that was a massive insult to Dornish Honor.
"The past while it shapes the future shouldn't define it." Countered Doran as he decided to change topics for a moment.
"I have received word from my son Quentyn he wants my permission to ask you if he can court your daughter Gwyneth." Stated Doran as Anders crossed his arms over his chest. He clearly wasn't that happy about the news but wasn't surprised either.
"My daughter and your son have been courting in all but name for a while." stated Anders "I admit I don't like it, that is more because of my feelings toward you then the boy."
"The feeling is mutual." added Doran as both powerful men admit it to each other neither liked the other but both respected each other to a point.
"And Gwyneth is my heir now, that her brother killed himself when he was thrown from his horse." Added Anders his voice calm but one could hear the sadness behind the calm. "I say we skip the whole courting and begin to arrange a marriage between the two."
That caught Doran slightly by surprise, but he nodded his head in agreement. As Doran's third child it was a good match all around, Gwyneth would get a powerful ally in house Martell and it would take the death of both Arianne and Tywstan before Quentyn had a shot to rule Dorn but being the Lord Consort to the Lady of Yronwood was a powerful position either way.
"They are still young, maybe in a year and a half to two years?" offered Doran
"Agreed." Stated Anders as a knock at the door behind them caused both men to turn around. The person knocking didn't wait long as they entered.
"Nymeria?" inquired Doran slightly confused as one of his nieces came in along with multiple armed guards and some Vale knights. The Vale knights was confusing, but nothing compared to the creature in the cage.
It had once been a man, maybe 18 or 20 years old however the flesh was gone on one side and one of his hands was nothing but a bone which had been sharpened to point. It thrashed around in the cage as his blue eyes scanned the room.
"Uncle, my Prince." said Nymeria as he bowed a bit. "Sorry to interrupt but this is what is coming for us out of the North. Queen Daenerys has sent us this wight as proof of her words and the Vale knights here are to share with you their tales of the future in their own words. In hopes that she can convince you of the threat coming out of the North and beyond the Wall."
"Prince Doran." Said the Vale knights as they bowed their heads to the Prince of Dorn
"By the Seven." exclaimed Yronwood as he looked the wight.
"It looks like the stories coming out of the North are true." Stated Doran as he looked at the undead creature before him, he was now thankful that Lord Yronwood was here to see this creature at the same time he did.
Days later King Robb knew of the approach of Queen Daenerys party before they had even crested the distant hill which marked the end of the woods about an hour's ride away from Riverrun. His scouts had spotted the dragons in the sky and Queen Daenerys vanguard mostly northern light horse with a few Vale knights had already entered the massive camp around Riverrun. There was tension between them and his men he knew but also some surprises as men meet people they knew but had traveled in time with Queen Daenerys.
Sitting on his horse Robb prepared to welcome a fellow ruler to one of his seats of power, the fact that this other rule controlled more of his Kingdom then he did was something he didn't think about. Around him fellow high lords and ladies sat on their horses. While his pregnant wife Talisa sat on her own horse beside him.
"I see them." announced the Black fish Brynden Tully as a party cleared the woods and began to head down the road which cut across multiple fields of crops before heading toward the castle. They were still too far out to make out many details but it looked to be a good size party mostly mounted or in wagons. "We got a rider coming forward, likely a herald to announce her arrival."
It was true, a large white mount was coming forward however Robb couldn't see a rider which was strange. Sending a riderless horse into a camp wasn't that good of a Harold for a Queen or anyone else. Then the shape became clearer, and it became clear that while it was a herald it wasn't a person.
He came looping down the line of armed knights and men at arms, passing by the lower lords and ladies who come out to watch. Past the common man and women who worked the fields and tended to the daily needs of the kingdom. It was the size of a small horse, and his fur was pure white, and his eyes burned red as it came looping forward. It moved forward without making a sound despite its size before coming to a stop.
"Ghost." Whispered Robb as he looked at the massive White Dire wolf which was Jon's personal wolf as it came to a stop a few feet away from him. Ghost had been the runt of the litter of dire wolves pups found by the river that cold summer day years ago. There had been one wolf for each of the Stark children and one more, an albino male which had been the runt of the litter, he wasn't the runt anymore.
Beside him Grey Wind which was larger than any dog or wolf moved forward. Grey Wind had taken down horses in battle and armed knights in battle, he was a symbol of Robb's strength still as he moved forward, he looked small compared to Ghost. Neither dire wolves made a move to fight, only sniffed each other as they looked at each other two brothers having reunited after a long time but it was clear to everyone that if it came to a fight Grey Wind would likely loss.
Then with a roar which called everyone to look up the two dragons came in low overhead passing over the crowds and castle before circling back around. Then without a word, both ghost and the dragons turned back and headed toward the approaching column, the dragons going upwards and beginning to circle while ghost rejoined the two riders in the lead, one on a white horse the other on black.
Mounted on a beautiful silver horse, dressed in a blue dress Queen Daenerys was the image itself of a goddess made flesh. Her long silverly gold hair tied back in multiple braids, she lacked a crown, but all could tell she was royalty. She had a blue riding cloak over her shoulders, but none failed to notice the Black Banner with the Red three headed dragon of house Targaryen behind her. A few steps behind her riding a black stallion, dressed in white chainmail with pitch black armor was Jon a longsword hanging from his hip and a digger on the other. He gave off strength and nobility. Between them coming to a stop was the massive white dire wolf Ghost and behind them where other banners, the Lion of Lannister, the merman of House Manderley, the moon and Falcon of house Arryn and others.
"King Robb Stark." Greeted Daenerys
"Queen Daenerys Targaryen." Greeted Robb as both remained on their horses neither one of them dismounting because it may be seen as a sign of submission to dismount first before the other.
"I wish we had more time; Joffrey and his forces will arrive at Riverrun in five days." stated Daenerys as everyone nearby eyes widened. "We do not have time for me to convince you with words to bend the knee to me. It would take days of debate for all your lords and ladies to accept my words even with the proof I have brought."
With that she raised her hand as out of the heavily guarded wagon came an undead creature bound in heavy chains and with blue eyes darting around as it tried to escape its chains and attack.
"This is a wight, an undead horror raised by the White Walkers." Explained Jon as a couple of knights brought the creature forward. "Only Fire and dragon glass can kill it and countless numbers of both humans and animal wights are under the control of the Night King and they will come for all of us."
"That is true." Added a new voice as the man who had been riding with the second less guarded wagon lowered his hood. His skin was pale, he had visible unhealed wounds which would kill any man and he was dead but his eyes were not blue.
"Uncle Benjen?" said Robb in amazement as the rider nodded.
"I am Benjen Stark, formally of the Night's Watch but unlike my nephew Jon I didn't rise from the dead alive." announced Benjen "I am a wight, an undead but unlike those who serve the White Walkers I was raised by them."
With that coming out of the wagon came about a dozen short figures with skin like tree bark and yellow cat like eyes.
"By the old gods, Children of the Forest." stated Great Jon Umber as he looked at the living embodiment of the old gods, it was the Children whom had carved the faces into the holy weir wood trees which could be found in every castle North of the Neck and had once been found in every castle south of the neck as well until they where destroyed by the Andal's who worshiped the Seven.
"I am escorting them; these are the last children of the forest from North of the Wall to their cousins at the Isle of Faces." Announced Benjen "Take my word and there's, what Queen Daenerys is telling you is true. We must come together, or we will lose the war for the dawn again."
"This could be some kind of trick." said Lord Bracken, a river lord and follower of the Seven but even he seamed unsure. "We can't surrender our right to rule to the daughter of the Mad King."
"I agree, an alliance would be best." Added Lady Butterwell of Harroway Town "It is concerning but if Queen Daenerys really wants to win the war for the dawn, she will accept our terms and give us the North and Riverlands as our own kingdom."
"And when the war comes who would have the final say? Who would command? Would you be willing to give up Winterfell, White Harbor or Riverrun to win the war? Or would you fight amongst yourselves to keep only your interest at heart." Countered Tyrion as he Rodd up along with Jaimie.
"We showed a weight to my sister in King's Landing when she sat the throne as ruler after our children died." Explained Jaimie "She promised to aid Queen Daenerys and set our issues aside until after the war. I was gathering our armies to march when she ordered me not to march, she was going to have Queen Daenerys, the North and the Vale forces die at the hand of White Walkers and then try to kill whoever was left. We lost that battle, partly because we didn't have our full force and not everyone was united. We have been given a second chance; we will not have a third we can't do that again."
"Also, if we give you this boom, what will happen when Joffrey tries to make the same demand?" inquired Daenerys as she shook her head. "No, there must be a unified Kingdom under me, that is why I accept your terms to decide our fate."
"What?" inquired Robb, slightly confused he had expected to host a welcoming feast and then a grand council that would last for days.
"Your terms." stated Daenerys "A trail by battle, to determine if our words are true."
"A mixture of the ways of the North and South, Seven Champions be them man or women, knight or not will fight afoot until only one team remains standing." stated Jon "The victory being favored, and their words being shown as true."
"That is the terms you offered is it not?" inquired Daenerys
"Yes." confirmed Robb but he didn't think they would actually go for it. It was an idea put forward by some of his lords and he had included it to make them happy.
"Good, since Joffrey is only five days away, I recommend we have this battle tomorrow morning" stated Daenerys "Is that acceptable?"
"It is." confirmed Robb clearly still taken aback "Tomorrow we will settle this, we will let the Gods, be them the old or the new decide who is telling the truth."
"Good, we do have a something to return to you." said Daenerys as Jon dismounted and began to unstrap something from his saddle. It was rather large and wrapped in multiple layers of furs and leathers. With that done Jon walked up stopping a few feet away from Robb and offered up the handle of a sword.
Robb's eyes widened as he looked at the handle, the thick dark wood and he knew what was beyond that handle and hilt.
"Lord Varys has contacts in King's Landing which got it back, it is house Stark's by right and no matter what happens it should be your cousin." Stated Jon as Robb dismounted and took the handle of the sword. Jon stepping back pulling the leathers as he went, as he did the massive Valerian steel sword Ice glanced in the sun for all to see. The ancient great sword of house Stark returned to the ruler of house Stark.
"Thank you." said Robb as Jon reached out and padded him on the shoulder.
"It is yours by right, he may have been my uncle by blood, but he is my father in heart, Lord Eddard would want his sword in your hands." stated Jon as the two cousins raised as brothers hugged for a moment before parted. When they parted Jon mounted back up, with the massive sword ice now tied to his saddle Robb mounted up as well."
"Until then we will set up our camp." stated Daenerys "I am sure you have much to consider."
"We have a feast planned for tonight." stated Robb as he felt the weight of Ice now on his saddle "However I believe we will push that back until tomorrow so that we can all prepare for tomorrow morning."
"I was about to request that, until then King Robb." stated Daenerys as she turned and headed toward an camp which was already being set up by some of the advance guard of her party. As she passed Arya who had been sitting on her own horse off to the side came up and joined Deanery's party coming along side Gendry while Lady Catelyn and the Dornish party headed up to Robb. The sight of the Dornish confused Robb.
"Princess Arianne is here to observe the events of this council, well now trail she nor Dorne has bent the Knee to Queen Daenerys." explained Ser Dayne "We do however require rooms."
"Yes, you will have rooms in the Castle." stated Robb as he singled for a servant to take the Dornish away as his mother came closer.
"Queen Daenerys is smart." stated Catelyn as Robb looked at her slightly confused, he thought Queen Daenerys was taking a great risk. Seeing that her son didn't understand, Catelyn lowered her voice. "She already has her champions selected, they are prepared, you don't and every Knight and warrior from the North will want the honor to fight. You must pick carefully and quickly."
As Robb began to process the choices he would have to make. Already he could see that his mother was right lines of Riverlands knights and warriors from the North forming preparing to ask to be among the seven who would fight tomorrow. He knew he wouldn't get much sleep tonight; everything had just changed.
Queen Daenerys had arrived at Riverrun with a few words had changed everything and tomorrow would decide the fate of kingdoms.
I know this chapter involved a little bit of a time skip while they traveled to Riverrun and set up of different elements which will come into play later on in the story. I hope everything made sense and that you enjoyed it. Until next time, Wilkins75.
