The Blue Wolf

by choejhulkp9

What if? What if events before Robert's Rebellion and the end of the Targaryen line occurred differently? What if Lyanna Stark did have some feelings for Robert and it led to them laying together before she met Rhaegar? What if she was pregnant when they went to the Tower of Joy in Dorne? These small changes have large repercussions. The Blue Wolf is born and he will Howl with Fury

2. A Rebellion and an Adventure

Here is Chapter 2 of The Blue Wolf. William continues to prove himself to his father and to the people of the 7 Kingdoms as he lives and fights through the Greyjoy Rebellion. As he grows up, he explores the other regions and learns more about the 7 Kingdoms that he will one-day rule over. Along the way, he'll meet new people, make new friends, allies, and enemies. Slowly but steadily, he'll forge his own future through the Game of Thrones while slowly discover more information on his past. Enjoy!

The Greyjoy Rebellion and New Adventure

289 AC: 3 Moons since the beginning of the Greyjoy Rebellion

Island of Great Wyk, Iron Islands

The rebellion of the Iron Islands or as it was now being called the Greyjoy Rebellion had been going on for at least 3 moons and while the initial phase of the Rebellion allowed the Iron Born to raid and reave with ease, that was no longer the case. Once Robert had assembled his forces, the Iron Born no longer had the advantage. He gathered a large force of men, horses and ships and launched a retaliation with the forces of the North, the Vale, the Riverlands, The Reach and the Stormlands.

The Iron Born were knocked back from Seagard when Rodrick Greyjoy was killed while the Royal and Redwyne fleet smashed through Victarion Greyjoy's ships and took him prisoner. And now, Robert Baratheon and his army were on the Iron Islands, armed and ready to payback Balon Greyjoy for rebelling. The crowned prince, William Baratheon was with his uncle Stannis and Lord Tyrell and their army to attack the island of Great Wyk. Word had spread amongst the men about the Prince's battle prowess and feats during the battle with the Iron Born fleet and it had earned him the respect of many of them. Those who were unsure about the stories told about the Prince would soon see a demonstration with their own eyes as they neared Great Wyk.

The ships closed in on the island and made their way to the docks and harbors where they were met with no resistance from any soldiers. There were just fishermen, women and children who seemed more annoyed at their presence than angry because it seemed to interrupt their lives. William helped the men offload siege weapons and equipment and once that was done they would push inland with a force remaining at the fishing village to protect the ships.

They pushed from the village to the inland where they were met with long plains and roads that split into several different directions to small villages, keeps and castles. Houses Merlyn, Sparr, Goodbrother and Farwynd resided on the island with Hammerhorn, the seat of House Goodbrother, the largest and was located on the northern edge. They sent out scouting parties with ravens to alert them of any Iron Born movement in any direction as they marched to the castle of Hammerhorn.

William was on a horse, riding with the rest of the army as they were closing in on Hammerhorn. He was just enjoying the ride, looking around at the men who were conversing to pass the time. They were nearing Hammerhorn and once they stopped for camp for the night, they would devise a battle plan for taking the castle. They rode for a few more hours before stopping to make camp and rest. Sentries and guards were set up around the camp and further away to be on alert for a surprise attack. Once William had settled in a bit, he was with the siege crews helping them set up the ballistae and trebuchets and making any adjustments that would be necessary as well as showing them the fire bolt trick they used against the Greyjoy fleet.

William knew a thing or two about ballistae and trebuchets because of his time studying with Cedric Angar. Once they had set up the weapons, William moved to the main command tent to discuss strategy and troop placement with his uncle and Lord Tyrell. William and Ser Arthur walked in to see Stannis, Ser Davos, Lord Tyrell, and Lord Tarly around a table with a bundle of maps.

"My lords, uncle." William greeted them with a smile and bow as the lords bowed back.

"Your grace. Our scouts say that the Iron Born are assembling at Hammerhorn for a counter attack with an army of 4,000." Lord Tarly told him, pointing on the map where the army was stationed.

"Hammerhorn is large enough for a force of 4,000. The Iron Born are probably trying to find a way to either keep us away or hold out on a siege. The Iron Born could go to the other towns and keeps to bring up more men. What are our numbers?" William asked.

"Much larger, my prince. We've got 6,000 mounted lances, 5,000 hedge knights, 4,000 man at arms and 1,000 in reserve to man the siege weapons." Lord Tarly told him.

"It won't be a long fight, your grace. We'll sweep through the rabble with ease." Lord Tyrell said as William looked at the map and then at Lord Stannis.

"Uncle? Ser Davos?" William asked.

"Aye, we'll win the battle for sure, your grace. Unless the Iron Born managed to make flying ships it shouldn't be that big of a problem." Ser Davos said.

"He's right, nephew. We have the numbers." Stannis said as William was finished looking at the maps.

"Yet they have the terrain. Hammerhorn is built on the peak of a large slanted hill with a small narrow passage behind it that leads to the cliffs and the ocean. It can't be attacked from behind and they can easily defend the front. Even with our numbers, it's still a disadvantage." William told them and the lords were impressed with the Prince's deduction.

"We still have the numbers, your grace." Lord Tyrell pointed out.

"True, but if they have at least have some semblance of knowledge, they'll retreat into Hammerhorn and hold out a siege. And Hammerhorn is supposed to be the biggest castle on the Iron Islands except for Pyke. I don't want half our men killed in a siege." William said as he looked at the map for an idea. "The Iron Born are deadly at sea but they also know these lands better than we do. They'll know how to keep us at bay."

"The men will fight to the death for their prince and King, your grace." Lord Tarly said.

"And that's commendable, Lord Tarly but if we can win this without unnecessary loss of life, then we will. I'm sure these men have loved ones they want to get back home to." William replied, looking at the map for any kind of idea. Ser Davos looked at Stannis and he nodded.

"Nephew, you understand that in war…men will die. It's inevitable, like the sun falling and the moon rising." Stannis said and at that moment, William got an idea.

"Moon rising? That's it!" William shouted in relief.

"What's it, your grace?" Lord Tarly asked.

"I think I have an idea that might work." William looked closer at the maps and the terrain. "How much farther until Hammerhorn?"

"Two days ride." Stannis told him. William grabbed one of the sun charts and his idea seemed like it would work.

"Then it just might work." William said.

"What might work?" Ser Davos asked.

"All warfare is based on deception. Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt." William said but they were confused by his proverb.

"Your grace?" Ser Davos asked.

"It's a quote from a book I read by a Yi Ti scholar and general, Sun Tzu. The Art of War. Sometimes, the best way to win a battle isn't by brute force but by outsmarting your opponent. And I have an idea that just might work." William rearranged the maps to show them one of the terrains of the land and of the island as a whole. "In three days' time, a new moon cycle should begin and it always starts with the night when the moon is absent in the sky. No moon equals no light in that darkness. It's the perfect moment to launch a sneak attack around Hammerhorn. We can have a small force sneak behind and enter the castle through the back to catch the Iron Born by surprise while they are focused on our main force in front."

Everyone looked at the map and saw what the prince was suggesting. "It's a gamble, your grace." Ser Davos told him.

"I know but if it doesn't work then we continue with the siege. If it does, we can have our men who sneak in through the back move to the front and open the gates to the castle. We'll catch them by surprise and end this a lot quicker and with less carnage. It will work." William said as the men looked at one another. The plan was of sound logic but it was a risk. William looked at them and noticed their trepidation. "I know it's a risk but if it works, then we'll have taken down the Iron Born with minimal losses on our side."

"Very well, your grace. We'll prepare. What's the plan?" Stannis asked. Will smiled seeing the faith his uncle had in him.

"The force that will sneak behind Hammerhorn will need to be fast, agile yet skilled. If we try and sneak in with a bunch of knights in full plate metal they'll hear us before we get close. I want 300 of the best and skill fighters and archers in minimal armor as possible, we'll take shields instead." William told them.

"That's a small force, your grace. There will be 4,000 men in the castle." Lord Tarly told him, and he agreed with his point.

"I know but that's where the other part of the plan comes in. While we sneak in through the side and around, Lord Tarly and Lord Tyrell you'll command the rest of our forces and prepare for attack and siege. You need to make it look like all our force and attention is set on them. Prep the siege weapons and archers to attack which will draw all their attention to you. While they are distracted, the other force will sneak around, climb the walls, take out any Iron Born as quietly as possible and make their way to the front and open the gates. Once that happens, you storm in with your full force and the battle is over before they know it." William said, showing them on the map and moving the figures around to simulate what would happen.

Stannis looked at the map and saw the logic and it sounded like a solid plan. "Well thought, nephew. But it's a gamble."

"I know, but everything in life is a gamble. Warfare is no different. This is how we fight and if we force them into a corner, they'll surrender, and the battle is ours." William said as the lords nodded. "Excellent, we'll meet again in two days to go over any last-minute details. For now, everyone stays sharp and get some rest."

"Yes, your grace." They said as they left the tent with Stannis sticking around.

"I'm proud of you, nephew. Most boys your age don't have a mind for tactics." Stannis said.

"Well, I'm not like most boys. You should know that by now, Uncle." William joked and Stannis managed to crack a small smile. He always had a soft spot towards his nephew. "And don't worry. It'll work. And once we rejoin my father and end this rebellion, I'll talk to my father about you."

"Pardon?" Stannis asked.

"You know. The fact that Uncle Renly was made heir to Storm's End despite you being next in line. I love Uncle Renly but he's never picked up a sword in the years I've known him and he's still in King's Landing while we're here. I'll talk to my father and get the matter settled." William promised.

"I'm honored, nephew. But your father did what he did for a reason." Stannis said, hiding his disgust at the insult he was given that day.

"I know, and now he'll have a reason to undo it. Don't worry, uncle. You'll be able to move Aunt Selyse and my baby cousin to Storm's End once this is done. And hopefully, the change from Dragonstone will take the stick out of your ass." William joked, walking out of the tent with a chuckle.

Line Break xxxxx

As Stannis said, they made it to Hammerhorn within two and a half days. They set up camp far enough from Hammerhorn so that the ensuing battle wouldn't harm them. The scouts reported that there were over 4,000 troops in the city and were preparing to hold out a siege but in the Iron Born way which meant that they would also be sending out men to fight through any one of the three main gates to Hammerhorn. William had the men commence with his plan by having the siege lines set up about 800-1000 yards from the castle, a safe distance while also within the range for their weapons. The siege weapons and siege lines would be protected by the hedge knights while the mounted lances and man at arms would assemble to look like a siege force and wait for the signal to attack.

The siege line was set up and the siege weapons were being moved into position, the crews were getting ready and their ammunition was being moved into position. The man at arms, knights and lances were getting ready with weapons and armor while other men prepared horses and other equipment. William was in the main tent with his uncle, Ser Davos, Lord Tarly, and Lord Tyrell to talk over any last-minute details with the plan.

"All right, my lords. It seems we're ready. The siege lines are prepped and we know what to do. The Iron Born are gathered in the castle but look like they're ready for a fight." William told them.

"We've assembled the 300 men for the sneak attack and they're getting ready as we speak." Stannis said.

"The siege crews and our men know the plan, your grace. We won't fail you." Lord Tarly spoke.

"I know you won't, Lord Tarly. Remember, wait to attack until this candle burns down halfway. That should give us enough time to make it around Hammerhorn and get into position. Once we hear the battle begin, we'll make our move." William lit a small candle that would take about 4 hours to burn down halfway. "When we get into position and make our way to the gates, we'll send up a flaming arrow and then you charge."

"We will await your signal, your grace." Lord Tyrell replied.

"We shall reconvene again, my lords and when we do Hammerhorn will be ours." William said as he, his uncle and Ser Davos left to get ready.

William was in his tent, putting on a dark blue jacket, a dark coat with a hood and black pants. He fastened his boots with holsters and put his two Valyrian steel daggers into them. He grabbed the short sword and tied it around his belt with small slits for throwing knives. He put on some light, dark colored leather armor on his chest, deciding to go with this rather than steel because if he was going to help he needed to move. He put on gloves and did manage to get spare armor parts for knee guards, elbow, and shoulder pads. He finished his gear by using some spare string to tie two quivers together into one larger quiver, filled it with arrows and secured it on his back. With the two quivers, he would have about 50 arrows, anymore and they'd fall out as he runs.

He walked out of his tent to see Ser Arthur and Ser Swann ready. They kept their steel armor but had them colored black so they could blend in at night. Ser Swann's white cloak armor would have given them away easily. They nodded to the prince as they joined Stannis, Ser Davos and the 300 men who had volunteered for this mission. William looked at everyone, armed with swords, axes, hammers, maces, or crossbows with a group armed with ladders and ropes, all of them dressed in dark colors to make blending in easier.

William glanced at the men and could see that some were unsure about their task while others were antsy. He felt that he needed to speak so he decided he would. He stood on top of a water barrel for them all to see. "Men! Listen up!" William shouted as the 300 men who were going to fight with him gathered around. "Now I know that many of you may feel troubled or even worried at our task. Know that I share this fear…but do not worry. For it only means you are alive! Men…three moons from now, I will be back in King's Landing going back to my studies. Imagine where you will be…and it will be so! Stay together, silent like the night. Follow your commanders. If you find yourself alone, riding in green fields with the sun on your face and a woman by your side, do not be troubled; for you are in the afterlife…and you're already dead!"

All the men chuckled at the joke. William then adopted a more serious expression. "Soldiers…men…brothers…what we do in life…. echoes in eternity. So, let's make it grand." William said. His speech seemed to do the trick as the men were more prepared for the conflict. He got off the barrel and strapped the quivers to his back when Ser Davos and his uncle walked up to him. (1)

"Impressive speech, nephew." Stannis said.

"Indeed, your grace. I reckon it put the men in good spirits." Ser Davos added.

"It should…I got it from a novel on an old warrior from Essos. Maximus." William told them.

"What happened to the warrior?" Ser Davos asked.

"Oh, he was stabbed in the chest and died shortly after getting his revenge. Don't worry, won't happen to you." William joked as Ser Davos looked at him funny. "Let's move."

Prince William and the three hundred men began moving away from the camp to the heavily wooded area that ran along the rugged and sloped hills of the island. The sloped hills eventually turned into jagged rocks and cliffs and then to water but the terrain near the castle was flat lands and wooded trees, perfect cover. They slowly and carefully made their way through the terrain as the sun had set and the dark night sky covered their tracks. After about 4 hours of moving through the trees quietly, they made it around Hammerhorn and were close to the back gate of the castle. Because there was no moon, the Iron Born had plenty of torches and fires around the gate and on the wall for light.

William looked around and saw that there were minimal guards at the back. Looked to be several roaming guards that patrolled the walls while on the other side of the door, there were most likely a group of Iron Born there on guard duty. Stannis and Ser Davos quietly walked over to William and looked at the wall.

"The men are ready, your grace. What now?" Ser Davos asked. William looked at six of the archers he spoke to recently. He nodded at them and they nodded back. They were armed with steel crossbows. They were heavier than traditional crossbows because of the steel components and needed a windlass to pull the string back to fire the iron bolts at great speed and distance. Ser Arthur had a bundle of rope ready and nodded, everything was ready.

"We just wait for the signal." William whispered. They waited for another 5 minutes before they heard catapults, ballistae, men shouting, and objects hitting the castle. They saw that some of the guards on the wall began heading to the front of the castle where the battle was taking place. "Right on time. Ok, like we talked about."

Ser Arthur and 12 of the men nodded. They quickly and quietly made their way to the castle wall. William grabbed one bundle of ropes and put it around his shoulder, then waved. The archers understood as they loaded their crossbows while William got a little distance to run up the wall. Ser Arthur got into position and held out a shield in front of him to act as a platform. Will ran, jumped off shield and onto the wall as a crossbow bolt was shot and imbedded in the wall next to his right hand so he grabbed on. Another bolt was shot and imbedded in the wall so he grabbed it with his left. The archers began firing bolt after bolt, making a small series of ledges for the prince to grab. He slowly made his way up the wall, waiting for the next crossbow bolt for him to grab. He neared the top when one of the bolts came loose and he lost his grip but managed to grab onto another before he fell. Another bolt hit the wall and William grabbed onto that and pulled himself over and onto the top. (2)

He tied the rope he was carrying to one of the pillars and the other men began to slowly climb up. Once Ser Arthur got up, he let down another rope and once more men came up, they slowly let down more ropes. William looked around and saw that there were only 5 Iron Born left guarding the back door/gate. He then signaled his uncle to bring the ladders slowly and quietly. William made his way over to the gate and listened in on their conversation. One of them was complaining that there were no women to fuck because the man in charge had sent all women, children, and old folk to the smaller villages so they could prep Hammerhorn for a fight.

"Oh, this makes things a lot easier." William thought to himself. He and 12 other archers grabbed their bows and nocked arrows to kill the 5 guards. He nodded to them and they let them loose, killing the guards with minimal to no noise. William, Ser Arthur, Ser Swann, and some others made their way to the door just as Stannis and Ser Davos had climbed over the wall on the ladders.

"Remember, hide their bodies." William said as they nodded and hid the bodies as best they could. Ser Swann opened the door and signaled the rest of the group follow in. "They said there are no women or children here. They were sent away. This makes things easier. Now, make your way to the one of the front gates and stay as quiet for as long as possible. We still have the element of surprise."

"You heard him. Move." Ser Davos ordered. The 300 men began to slowly make their way from the back of Hammerhorn to the front.

William, Arthur, Swann, Stannis, Ser Davos, Lord Dondarrion, Thoros and their entire group of about 40 stuck together and slowly made their way through the city. They stuck to the shadows of the buildings closest to the wall that surrounded Hammerhorn. They slowly made their way through another alley when William had them stop and hug the wall just as some Iron Born ran past them. William peaked out and saw more Iron Born head their way so they decided to head up to the walkway along the wall.

They climbed the stairs to the walkway when William saw an Iron Born standing guard. He nocked an arrow and shot him in the head, his body slumped and fell over the wall. They kept moving slowly and since they were along the wall, they killed a guard every 15 meters or so. They were nearing the front of Hammerhorn and saw the fires of the battle getting brighter and brighter. William could tell that there was some fighting close to the wall. Most likely the Iron Born had sent out a force to meet them in the field and they were fighting.

[Loud Bell rings & men shouting] The group turned when they heard the bell ring and knew that the Iron Born must have found the dead bodies so they needed to hurry. They ran along the walkway and neared one of the gates to the city. It had two towers on each side and what looked like barracks of soldiers close by.

One of the Iron Born turned and saw William and his group. "Oh, shit! They're here!" he shouted but before he could pull his sword out, William shot an arrow in his heart and killed him.

The other Iron Born nearby heard the shout and drew their weapons. They charged to attack while William and his group did the same. William fired arrow after arrow in rapid succession, hitting 6 Iron Born in the chest and neck area before he backed up and Ser Arthur and the others got into the fight. William jumped off the walkway to the roof of a building right next to it and kept firing arrows when he had the shot. The sound of the fighting drew more of William's men who were near and the battle began to escalate.

William shot an arrow at one of the Iron Born attacking Ser Arthur who then killed the other. William shot his last three arrows to save Ser Davos and his uncle. "We need to open that gate!" William shouted, jumping off the roof and grabbing the ledge of an adjacent building. He dropped down to another ledge before dropping to the ground while Ser Arthur and the others used the stairs. William, Ser Arthur, Ser Swann, Stannis, and Ser Davos ran into one of the towers while the rest of the men kept the Iron Born back. They climbed the stairs of the tower, fighting a few Iron Born who were guarding it. William had his short sword, fighting beside Ser Arthur and being smart and safe. They eventually made it to the third floor where the gate mechanism was located.

"Hurry!" William shouted as he and Ser Arthur grabbed one wheels while Ser Swann and Stannis grabbed the other and began to slowly crank open the gate. They cranked the wheels, bit by bit as the large door rose slowly off the ground. "Son of a bitch, this thing is heavy!"

Thoros ran into the room, his blade heavy with blood. "Your grace, more Iron Born reinforcements are on their way." He told them.

"We need to get this gate open, quickly!" William shouted. Thoros and some other men ran into the room to help them and the door was about halfway open. "Keep opening the gate, I'll send the signal!"

William grabbed some arrows and ran up the stairs of the tower to the fifth floor, where the roof hatch was. William opened the hatch and saw an Iron Born. William ducked under a sword swing and stabbed the Iron Born in the leg with his Dragon bone dagger. He then stabbed the Iron Born in the neck and pushed his body off the tower. He tore off a piece of his jacket and tied it around an arrowhead. He lit it with a torch and sent it flying straight into the air.

"There's the signal! Everyone, charge forward!" Lord Tarly shouted as the cavalry and army charged to Hammerhorn to end the battle.

Line Break xxxxx

The next morning, the sun was set high in the sky with the sound of the waves crashing against the island and birds chirping filled the air. If you looked at the sky, one would think it was a peaceful morning only to be proven wrong once they looked at the ground. Hammerhorn, the greatest fortress on Great Wyk was in shambles with portions of the wall damaged and blood staining it red. The blood flowed from the walls and onto the field as it was littered with broken weapons, scorched earth, and bodies of the fallen. There were men gathering their dead for a funeral pyre while others tended to the wounded.

With the Iron Born, most of the 4,000 men who had defended and fought for Hammerhorn were dead while the remaining couple hundred were prisoners. William was walking through the field with his uncle, Ser Dayne and Swann and the other high lords to talk about what had transpired during the battle.

"It was a most impressive strategy, your grace. The Iron Born fell shortly after your plan came to fruition." Lord Tyrell complemented.

"Aye, once we stormed the gates it was like sending lamb to slaughter." Lord Tarly said as William looked at the dead bodies all over the field.

"Well done, nephew. You assured us and your father a quick victory." Stannis was proud of his nephew but saw his mind was elsewhere.

"No doubt the bards will sing songs about the brave prince who commanded the battle." Ser Davos said.

"What's the number of our wounded and dead?" William asked as he saw some men put bodies into a wagon.

"Our last tally puts it at over 1,000 dead and twice as much for the wounded. The men fought bravely." Lord Tarly told him.

"They should be alive instead. Send me a list of all our dead once we're done." William told him.

"Yes, your grace." Lord Tarly replied.

"Any news on the other forces?" William asked.

"All good. The Iron Born are falling. All that remains is Balon Greyjoy. His grace commands us to sail for Pyke once we're done." Stannis said.

"Good. Let's get everyone some food and sail for Pyke once we're ready." William replied and they all agreed before leaving to do their own duties or jobs.

William went to his tent to get ready. He sat down in a chair, took off his bow, quiver and sword and walked over to a basin to clean his face. He washed his hands, the dried blood flaking off and staining the water red. He cupped some water and washed his face, sighing in relief as it cooled him down and seemed to rejuvenate him. He did it again, trying to scrub his face and wipe the dried splotches of blood that stained his cheeks and neck. He did it dozens of times, trying to clean himself as Arthur came over with a towel and helped.

"Here, William." Ser Arthur took the towel and helped clean off the splotches of blood.

"Thank you." William walked over to the table, grabbed a cup of water and drank it in one gulp. As he poured another cup, Arthur noticed William's hand was shaking. It ended up shaking so much that he dropped the cup on the floor, spilling all the water. "Dammit."

"William, sit." Arthur told him and William sat down. He saw his hands shaking so he clenched his fists to try and get them to stop. "That won't work."

"Then what will?" William asked. "This needs to stop."

"Just because you want it to stop doesn't mean it will. This isn't simple, William. You've been through a lot, something most boys your age don't go through until they're much older. You've had to mature very quickly this past year and I'm both impressed at your growth and upset that it happened to you." Arthur said as he grabbed William's hands. "Things like this take time to get over. But I'll help you through it."

"Thank you, Ser Arthur. I don't know what I'd do without you." William replied and Arthur smiled, patting him on the head.

"The honor is mine, my prince." Arthur replied. "And I have to add that I'm very impressed with your skills and reactions in battle. It would seem that all the training Ser Barristan and I are giving you has paid off. Perhaps when this is all over, you'll earn a knighthood."

"A title I would be happy to accept, if fate wills it." William looked at his hands and they slowly stopped shaking. William got cleaned up in a new pair of clothes and then went around the camp to help whoever he could. Whether it was the wounded or men moving equipment, he helped however he could and the men praised his name. They shouted William the Brave, The Blue Wolf, the Dread of the Iron Born as he walked by. It took the rest of the day to settle up the camp and the prince's company then made their way to the harbor and sailed from Great Wyk to Pyke and to end this rebellion.

The prince's company sailed around Great Wyk, passed Saltcliffe and dropped anchor surrounding the western part of Pyke with a blockade while the rest of the combined forces had surrounded the eastern coast. The remaining Iron Born ships numbered less than a 100 while the combined naval force of the Robert Baratheon completely outnumbered the them. The ships docked for the night and come morning; the siege of Pyke would begin.

Pyke, Iron Islands

William woke up in his cabin, bright and early. He got dressed in a blue and gold sleeveless tunic, leather pants and his armor. He tied his sword around his waist, secured his Valyrian daggers in his boots, and a quiver and bow stowed around his shoulder. He walked onto the deck of the ship and heard the sound of naval warfare. William looked out to sea and saw dozens of Northern ships laying siege to the remaining dozen or so ships that belongs to the Iron Born as well as the harbor town of Lordsport.

"Good morning, my prince." Ser Davos said as he walked over and William nodded back.

"Good morning, Ser Davos. It would seem that my uncle wanted to draw first blood this morning." He replied.

"Aye, that he did. Although it was on the orders of his grace, I'm sure. Word has reached my ear that King Robert wants this rebellion over quickly and to get back to Kings Landing to see her grace, Queen Cersei." Ser Davos said.

"First part of that is probably right." William told him. He and Ser Davos walked over to the stern of the ship as Ser Dayne and Swann joined them. "When does the invasion begin?"

"Once the last iron born ship is sunk. Half of the combined navy has already set up siege lines and once they begin, we storm Pyke." Ser Davos replied.

"Good, it's long overdue that Balon Greyjoy pay for what he's done." William said, seeing another Iron Born ship sink. They waited for about an hour when the last Iron Born ship was sunk and the siege ships began laying attack to the armored fortress and island of Pyke. Hurtling balls of fire and rock which bashed against the thick stone walls of the mighty castle.

"Trim the sails, raise anchor!" Ser Davos shouted as the men on the ship got to work and the entire combined force of six of the seven kingdoms was sailing towards Pyke. The wind picked up the sails and the ship sailed forward.

William looked around and saw everyone readying their weapons and armor. They were nearing the beach and drawing closer by the second and soon they would make landfall. Ser Dayne walked over and saw William looking at the men. "Perhaps another brave speech to empower the men before battle. It's a good habit to get into for when you're older." Arthur said and he agreed. He thought for a moment before standing on a collection of barrels. He looked and saw they were a few minutes from manning the row boats and rowing to shore.

"Men! Brave warriors!" William shouted. Everyone gathered around to listen to the prince. "My brothers of battle. I've only been on this earth for a short time but I would rather fight beside you than any army of thousands. Let no man forget how menacing we've proven to be, we are warriors!"

The men began to clap and pound their spears in approval. "Warriors worthy of the legends of old and today we'll make our own. Tales will be told of our feats this day as we bring Balon Greyjoy and the treacherous Ironborn to heel!" William shouted.

"Yeah!" The men shouted as Arthur smiled. The prince was getting very good at keeping moral high for the people who fought for him.

William looked out to Pyke and held his hand out, grasping for something. "Do you know what's there, waiting beyond that beach?! IMMORTALITY! TAKE IT! IT'S YOURS!" William shouted and the men shouted in an enthusiastic roar, ready for battle.

The men got into the row boats with their weapons and rowed slowly to shore. After a few minutes, they made beach as William noticed a company of Northern soldiers had made beach a little before them.

Once they got to the beach, the soldiers quickly made their way up the island to the main road to Pyke. More boats came ashore and one group was carrying a battering ram and marched to the castle. William and the men marched as the ships continued to lay siege to the castle with stones hurled against the walls and were beginning to wear the castle walls down but not soon enough. The castle was strong and had weathered strong winds and storms so stones weren't much. The shore parties made their way up the island and to the small towns and towers that surrounded Pyke where Iron Born were haphazardly gathering themselves to fight. William looked and saw the Iron Born begin shooting arrows at them, something which Ser Arthur noticed as well.

"Archers! Shield wall! Protect your prince!" Arthur shouted and all the nearby men scrambled in front of the prince and raised their shields to protect him. They made a large dome of wooden and steel shields that protected the prince from incoming rocks or arrows. More men flocked to the shield wall and added to it, making it larger and ensuring the prince's and everyone's protection.

The shield wall stood still as the shields blocked and deflected incoming projectiles while the other men who were storming Pyke ran forward, engaging any Iron Born in their way or getting shot by archers.

"Shield wall, move forward!" William shouted as the shield wall began to slowly move forward to the castle. The shields were continuously hit with arrows but the wall held strong. William looked through the cracks in the shield wall and saw some Iron Born charging at him.

"Spears forward!" William shouted and the men with spears placed them in front and any Iron Born that got close was skewered. Some bashed against the shield wall but were pushed back and killed with spears and swords. Lord Dondarrion got to the back of the shield wall to order men to follow them with more and more men coming up to the castle.

The shield wall kept moving to the castle walls as the battering ram crew got behind. Will peaked out behind a shield and shot five arrows in rapid succession, killing five Greyjoy archers that were in a tower. He got back behind the wall and put 6 arrows in his hand and then stepped back out to fire more arrows, killing more of the archers. The group kept moving to the wall as more soldiers that came to the island joined them. They neared the large gate to the castle and the battering ram crew began knocking against the door while the shield wall kept them safe. Will looked up and saw some Iron Born with pots and torches so he quickly acted and fired an arrow, killing an Iron Born who was carrying a torch.

He fired another arrow and shot a pot out of an Iron Born's hand causing it to smash onto the ground near a fallen torch. It exploded and a small fire caused them to flee. The battering ram crew kept smashing against the gate to the castle and the combined strikes began to break it with only a dozen more before it opened.

"Get ready men! Archers, nock your arrows!" Will ordered. He and the archers behind the shield wall put arrows on their draw strings. The men kept bashing against the door when it began to open. One final swing and the gate to the castle was breeched. They pushed it open and dropped the battering ram as the Iron Born haphazardly tried to get a defense ready. "Fire!"

Will and the archers unleashed a torrent of arrows that flew through the air and skewered the Iron Born, killing 20 in the main courtyard. "CHARGE!" Will shouted and the men let loose a battle cry before charging into battle. Thoros of Myr was first through the gate, with his flaming sword alit and Jorah Mormont of Bear Island right behind him. The men charged through the gate as the Iron Born either held their ground to fight or ran for their lives in fear. Will ran into the castle flanked by Ser Arthur Dayne, Ser Balon Swann, and Beric Dondarrion as he shot down every Iron Born he got in his sights. Will looked and saw Maron Greyjoy standing near the north tower, trying to gather the Iron Born to fight back. He was standing next to some oil barrels that were leaking so Will grabbed an arrow from his quiver, ripped off his cuff and tied it around the arrowhead. He lit the arrow on a nearby torch and aimed at the oil barrel.

"Greyjoy!" Will shouted as Maron turned and saw the 10-year old prince in the courtyard with a flaming arrow aimed in his general direction. "Say hello to the Drowned God for me!"

Will turned slightly and fired the arrow at the barrels. His aim was true as the fire hit the small hole where the oil was leaking and blew up the barrels in an explosion of fire that consumed Maron Greyjoy and the Iron Born that were near him.

"One down, more to go." Will fired another arrow to the side and killed an Iron Born who tried to blindside Jorah. Ned Stark and the army of the North and Jaime Lannister and the Army of the Westerlands soon stormed the castle and more Iron Born fell in battle.

Will kept moving through the massive courtyard in the castle and saw Hilmar Drumm killing some soldiers so Will fired an arrow and hit him in the leg, sending him down to one knee. Will fired three more arrows and knocked the sword out of his hand, shot him in the chest and the last one shot him in the head, killing the head of House Drumm. Will went over to pick up some of the arrows he shot and saw the sword he shot out of Drumm's hand. He leaned down and picked it off the ground, taken by what he was holding.

It appeared to be a hand-and-a-half sword or bastard sword. It had a smooth leather handle and steel tip pommel. The guard was about 8 inches in length and was edged out similar to the wings on a bird or bat but the most incredible thing about the sword was the color. The color of the steel was blood red and had an intricate weaved pattern carved into the metal. Will didn't even need to pick it up to know it was Valyrian Steel. Will grabbed the sheath off of Drumm's dead body and tied it around his waist. He not only had two Valyrian steel daggers, he also had a Valyrian steel sword. Will and his men rejoined the fighting as they began moving into the towers of the castle.

All in all, the siege lasted only two hours and the Iron Born who managed to survive threw down their swords and surrendered. Will and his men were moving through the rooms of Pyke, securing the eastern side of the castle while the King's men secured the west. Will moved to the next room and saw it was full of gold and items the Iron Born must have raided and stolen.

"Hmm, not bad." Will looked around at the plunder and then at the men. "Secure everything here. And take a little for yourselves."

The men cheered a bit as they moved into the room and began securing everything. There were a lot of stolen items like gold and jewelry so the men began putting a little in their pockets while they organized the rest. Along with the gold and jewels were things like rolls of cotton and silk, fine tapestries and anything of value the Iron Born must have taken during their raids.

"Prince William." Will turned and saw Lord Dondarrion. "Your father has Balon Greyjoy."

"Good, let's go. I want to see that piece of shit myself." Will replied as they walked through the castle. They made their way through the halls with soldiers, knights and man-at-arms saluting and bowing as the Prince walked past them into Balon Greyjoy's throne room. The doors opened to an ugly brick-layered room with a wooden throne and the sigil of House Greyjoy on the wall by the fireplace. Knights and Lords from all the houses who fought in the Rebellion were there as they saw William enter and bowed their heads. He walked through the room and saw his father and uncle standing next to Balon Greyjoy who was kneeling in front of them.

"William." Robert looked and saw his son enter the room, be gone the boy he was but now a young man with the thrill of blood and battle now in his soul.

"Father, Lord Stark. It would seem the Greyjoy Rebellion is all but done. A rather short one and now here we are at its end with its king." Will said as he looked at Balon Greyjoy, the ugly unkempt man who has been behind so much suffering and death. "Tell me, Greyjoy, does it hurt?"

"Does what hurt, whelp?" Balon asked so William kicked him across the face and knocked him to the ground. Robert and a few of the lords chuckled as Balon spit out a tooth, his mouth bloody from the strong kick.

"That. Or does your pride hurt more? If you had any common sense you would have known this was folly but you Iron Born were never smart." Will told him.

"William, that's enough." Ned told him.

"Let him be, Ned. William has more grievances against them and he's earned this." Robert said as he looked down at his son. "And this Rebellion is over. Balon Greyjoy may keep his life."

"Father, you can't be serious?! After everything he's done, why leave him alive!" Will shouted as Robert and everyone looked at him. He realized what he did and bowed his head. "Forgive me, your grace. I spoke out of turn."

"It's all right, William. But this Rebellion is over. All the Iron Born ships are destroyed, their castles conquered and their king at my knees. Jon and Ned counseled my punishment and his son Maron will be taken as ward of House Stark incase Balon has any lingering ideas of Rebellion again." Robert announced to everyone but Will cleared his throat to get his father's attention.

"That will not be possible, father." William replied.

"And why not, my prince?" Ned asked.

"Because Maron Greyjoy is dead by my hand. I killed him in the courtyard. A flaming arrow and a drum of oil did the job." Will said and looked at Balon with a smirk which made the old man seethed in anger.

"Very well, the last son Theon will have to do." Robert ordered.

"Yes, your grace." Ned replied.

"Of course, father. But if you'll permit me to do one final thing to help Balon remember what happened here today should he even think of more rebellion." Will said.

"What?" Robert asked as Will quickly unsheathed his sword and sliced off Balon's left hand in one quick strike. No one was expecting it to happen but it did and the prince sliced off Balon's hand at the wrist. Will quickly re-sheathed his sword as the lord of House Greyjoy screamed in pain and agony at the bloody stump he had on his left arm and his hand which was now on the ground.

"That." Will tapped the sword around his waist. "Nothing cuts like Valyrian steal. Remember this day and the mercy shown here Greyjoy. If this happens again, the same mercy won't be shown again."

Robert chuckled with pride as he heard the words his son spoke. "What my son says is true. Remember this, Greyjoy." Robert then looked at two of the soldiers in the room. "Take him away."

The men grabbed Balon and took him away while a squire walked up to dispose of the hand. With Balon Greyjoy defeated, the Greyjoy Rebellion was officially over but Will had a sinking feeling in his stomach that it wasn't. "Jorah of House Mormont, step forward." King Robert said as the heir of Bear Island did as he was told. "You've demonstrated immense strength, fortitude, and skill today as you breached through the gates of Pyke. And on this day I honor you."

Robert handed his Warhammer to Ned to hold and unsheathed his sword. He placed his sword on Jorah's shoulder who bowed his head. "Jorah Mormont of Bear Island, do you swear before your eyes of gods and men to defend those who cannot defend themselves, to protect all women and children, to obey your captains, your liege lord, and your king, to fight bravely when needed and do such other tasks as are laid upon you however hard or humble or dangerous they may be?" Robert asked.

"I swear." Jorah replied so Robert touched his sword to both shoulders.

"Then arise, Ser Jorah Mormont of Bear Island." Robert said and the newly knighted Jorah Mormont stood up and bowed his head. Jorah then walked back to the others as Robert looked at his son.

"Ser Jorah was brave and strong, worthy characters that earn him his knighthood today but he was not the only. There was another who has shown all the fortitude and chivalry of a knight and he dwarfs all of us in age and experience." Robert looked at William who was confused. "William of House Baratheon, kneel."

William looked at his uncle and Ser Arthur who nodded for him to do so. He walked forward and in front of all the lords and kneeled before his father. Robert placed his sword on Will's shoulder. "In the name of the Father I charge you to be just. In the name of the Mother I charge you to defend the young and innocent. In the name of the Maid I charge you protect all women." Robert touched his other shoulder. "I, Robert of the House Baratheon, First of his name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm do hereby grant you knighthood. Rise, Ser William Baratheon."

Will rose to his feet as everyone clapped in congratulation. He looked around to see the proud smiles on his father, his uncle, Ser Barristan and Ser Arthur as they looked on him at the historic moment. Everyone was witnessed to the youngest knight in the history of the 7 kingdoms.

"Now, let's got off these blasted islands!" Robert shouted.

Line Break xxxxx

290 AC: King's Landing

After the Greyjoy Rebellion, William was back in King's Landing and a stable peace had returned to the 7 Kingdoms. Words of the events and battles that took place had spread throughout the country as minstrels, traveling merchants, and men who fought in the conflict spread tales and stories to every town and city like a plague. The most famous story was of Prince William Baratheon who led a successful naval assault against the Iron Born, led an assault on Great Wyk and was knighted on Pyke, making him the youngest knight in the history of the Seven Kingdoms.

With the rebellion squashed, Will was enjoying the peace and quiet. Like Will promised, he spoke to his father and told him that Stannis had proven himself a valiant commander and deserved his rightful title of Lord Paramount of the Stormlands and rule of Storm's End. Renly, of course didn't like the idea and countered Will's point saying that he was doing a fine job which he didn't dispute but Stannis was the rightful Lord Paramount and deserved it. Robert eventually agreed and made Stannis Lord Paramount of the Stormlands much to Renly's dismay. Renly was named Stannis's heir until a son was born to him and kept his position of Master of Law. Renly now stayed in King's Landing and there was some tension between him and William, hopefully that wouldn't last forever.

Will got back to his studies with Cedric and training with Ser Arthur. Ser Barristan would even join in on the training every now and then and Will was getting better. Now that Will had his own sword, they wanted to make sure he knew how to use it. Speaking of his sword, once they returned to King's Landing he met with Grand Maester Pycelle to figure out what sword this was. After some research, Pycelle told him that the sword he had was Red Rain, the once ancestral sword of House Reyne of the Westerlands. The records aren't perfect but there was a mention that House Reyne possessed a Valyrian Steel sword with a blade as red as blood. The Iron Born often raided the Westerlands so it's possible that they stole it and that's how House Drumm had it. But it was Will's now and that led him to his current situation.

Will had left the Red Keep, wearing a dark blue leather jacket, breeches, and boots with his daggers strapped to his belt along with his sword as he was walking from the Red Keep to the street of Steel in King's Landing. Ser Arthur and Ser Barristan were by his side, both dressed in regular clothing as Will didn't want to draw any more attention than he normally did. You'd be surprised how little people recognize you if you're not wearing royal clothes.

As they walked down the street, he noticed some men hassle an eastern man who was sitting against the wall of a building. Will looked and saw he was most likely from Yi Ti from his appearance and clothing. Probably came to King's Landing for a new start only to be hassled by ignorant people. Will saw the man was sitting on the ground, with his legs crossed and had a bowl in front of him. They knocked it over, causing the money to spill to the ground.

"Hey!" Will shouted as the men turned to him. "Leave him alone.

"Piss off, brat." One of them shouted and his friends chuckled. The man then grabbed the beggar by the hair when Will walked up, grabbed his hand and pushed him back into his friends. "You want to die, boy?"

"Do you?" Will unsheathed his sword and pointed it at them. The men backed up a bit as Ser Barristan and Ser Arthur unsheathed their swords as well. The men looked at each other and saw they were outmatched. "You men clearly never learned manners if you're treating someone like this. Now walk away."

"We won't forget this boy." One of them shouted before they left. Will sheathed his sword and knelt to pick up the money they had kicked over and put it in the man's bowl.

"Thank you, young man." The easterner replied as Will smiled.

"No thanks, necessary. Men like them have no sense of honor or common decency." He said, putting the money in the bowl. "Did they hurt you?"

"No, they only hurt themselves with their actions." The man replied, bowing his head. "And you show humility and strength for yours. It is rare to see a prince among all people help one man."

Will looked at the man and noticed his eyes were pale and scarred…he was blind. "How did you know who I was? I've been walking down here from the Red Keep and no one noticed me." He was curious how a blind man knew he was a prince.

"There is more than one way to see besides sight." The man said. "Thank you for your aide."

"It was my pleasure. Can I ask…what brought you to King's Landing?" Will asked as the man sighed.

"My temple was brought under siege by bandits who destroyed and took everything…including my sight. I was not fit to remain in the golden empire. For my shame, I traveled west in search of purpose. I am known as Hundred Eyes." Hundred Eyes introduced himself.

"Pleasure to meet you." Will reached into his pocket and put his pouch of gold coins in the bowl. "It may not mean much coming from me, but you have nothing to be ashamed of. I hope you find your purpose soon."

Hundred Eyes bowed his head as Will, Ser Arthur and Ser Barristan continued their journey. Hundred eyes smiled at the boy's humility but then turned his head, hearing something. The brigands from before were following the boy…along with someone else who reeked of death.

Will moved through the Street of Steel and finally arrived at the destination, Master Tobho Mott's smith shop. He entered and saw a boy, maybe two the three years younger than him working by the fire and training with Master Moot. Will got a good look at him and noticed his black hair and he looked somewhat familiar.

"Can I help you, sirs?" Master Mott asked as he had Gendry continue his work. He walked over to greet them.

"Master Mott?" Will asked.

"Aye, little lord. Finest smith in the city. How can I help you? Perhaps a new suit of armor or sword?" Mott asked.

"No, actually. This is—""Will. My name is William and I require your expertise." Will said, interrupting Ser Barristan. He unbuckled his sword and handed it to Master Mott who examined it. Ser Barristan looked at Will in confusion but he motioned him not to say anything. "I was wondering if you could reforge the sword."

Master Mott unsheathed the sword and noticed the pattern etched in, recognizing it. "This is Valyrian steel. How did you come by this?" Mott asked.

"From an Iron Born who no longer had need of it." He replied as Mott realized who he was speaking to.

"Prince William, forgive me for not recognizing you." Mott bowed his head causing Will chuckled.

"Nothing to forgive, Master Mott. I did that on purpose. I wanted to see how long it would take you." He replied. Gendry stopped what he was doing and walked over to see the sword.

"I've never seen Valyrian steel before." Gendry said.

"Most people haven't. There's only a little left in the world and they're the swords of great houses." Ser Barristan informed him.

"The sword used to be long to House Reyne but seeing as how they are no longer with us, I believe that reforging the sword into something more appropriate for my tastes would be a better idea. You're the best smith in the city, can you do it?" Will asked. Master Mott looked it over before sighing.

"As much as I appreciate your words on my skills, my prince, I'm afraid that I can't. Reforging a sword is possible but I'm not versed in the ways to reforge Valyrian steel. That is something beyond my skill level." Master Mott told him as he re-sheathed the sword and handed it back to him.

"It was worth a try. Do you know of any smiths who are able to?" Will asked.

"Not in the Seven Kingdoms. There are three living smiths who know how to reforge Valyrian steel and the best is in Volantis. His name is Quathor. An unusual man but the finest smith in the city. He'd be your best bet at reforging this into a new sword." Master Mott told him.

"Thank you, Master Mott." Will replied.

"Happy to help however I can, my prince." Mott said as Will looked at Gendry.

"Who are you?" Will asked.

"My name is Gendry, my prince." Gendry said, bowing his head.

"Please, just call me Will. How old are you?" Will asked.

"I'm 7 summers old, my prince." Gendry replied which just made him sigh, knowing that getting people to stop saying my prince was next to impossible.

"How long have you been here under Master Mott's apprenticeship?" Will asked.

"A few weeks, my prince. He's been kind to me. The works hard but I like it." Gendry said and Will nodded.

"Keep up the training, Gendry." Will told him. "And if you ever wish to learn how to use a sword or a hammer, have your master send me a message. I could use a squire."

Will, Arthur and Barristan turned to leave. "You a knight?" Gendry asked so Will stopped and turned to him.

"Youngest knight in the history of the Seven Kingdoms. I'll see you again." Will replied with a smirk as they left.

"A rather generous offer, William. To squire for a prince is a great honor." Barristan said, walking down the street of Steel on the way back to the Red Keep.

"There's something about Gendry. He's got more to offer than just being a smith. I don't know how to put it but there's something there." Will replied.

"Perhaps he reminded you of him when you were his age." Arthur suggested.

"Maybe." Will said as they walked through the street and down an alley, not knowing they were being followed.

They turned down the alley and down another street when Will noticed that once people saw them, they hurried into the homes or to another street. Will had them stop halfway down when he noticed they were suddenly alone.

"My prince?" Ser Barristan asked but he was motioned to keep quiet. Will reached down to grab his dragon bone dagger as Ser Barristan and Arthur moved their hands to their swords. Will's ears picked up the sound of a sword unsheathing behind them so he quickly turned and threw his knife down the street. His knife flew through the air and hit a brigand in the heart. He fell to the ground but 8 more men came out from the alley and five more came from the other side, boxing the three in. Will recognized some of them as the men who were hassling Hundred Eyes.

Ser Barristan and Arthur unsheathed their swords and stood ready to fight with Will between the two. "Well, this should be fun." Arthur held his great sword Dawn at the ready. Will knew that in a narrow street they were at a disadvantage. He saw clothed awning above the five brigands at the end of the street that was holding up some bricks and support beams.

"My prince, stay behind us at all times." Barristan told.

"No. When I say so, we run forward." He whispered, taking a dagger from Ser Barristan's belt and threw it at the awning rope, cutting it in two. With it cut, the awning fell and the bricks and support beams fell down on the brigands and crushed them. "NOW!"

Will, Ser Barristan, and Ser Arthur ran down the alley, jumping over the beams, bricks, and crushed attackers while the rest of the brigands chased after them, one of them stopping to take Will's dragon bone dagger. They chased them down the street and kept pursuing them. "CITY WATCH! Protect your prince!" Ser Barristan shouted as they ran onto the main street and 6 nearby City Watch guards came to their aid. Ser Barristan and the City Watch took care of the brigands as Will stopped, thinking they were safe when he saw an old woman walked up to him with something in her hands. Will drew his sword but she disarmed him and kicked him back. Ser Arthur attacked her but she quickly disarmed him, stabbed him in the back of the leg and kicked him away. Will grabbed his stiletto dagger and charged at her but she blocked his attack, disarmed him again and kicked out his legs. She swung her dagger to stab him in the chest when a metal chain flew through the air and wrapped around her arm, stopping her. He looked and saw it was Hundred Eyes who threw the chain to stop her.

He yanked the chain and pulled her away as Will ran over to Ser Arthur to help him back to his feet while Ser Barristan and the City Watch finished with the brigands. "A man cannot stop no one from completing her task. The Many Faced God demands it." The woman grabbed her face and peeled it off to reveal it was a man, a Faceless man to be correct. He quickly undid the chain around his arm as Hundred Eyes pulled the chain back, wrapping it around his arm and torso.

"A man can try." He replied. The mysterious assassin charged at him and he fought back. He swung with the dagger as Hundred Eyes extended the chain out between his hands to block. He locked his arm, punched him in the side, kicked out his and threw out a tornado kick and knocked him to the ground.

The Faceless man quickly got back to her feet and charged at him as he blocked all the attacks, kicked him back and then kicked his leg out. Hundred Eyes unspooled the chain and began spinning it with skill and grace with the assassin ducking and dodging. He swung the chain to the ground and it wrapped around his left leg. He pulled it and tripped him, sending him sprawling on her back. Hundred Eyes pulled the chain back and threw out the spike end of the chain which assassin quickly avoided by spinning back to his feet. He flipped to the side to avoid another chain whip but Hundred Eyes quickly spun the chain and wrapped it around the assassin's neck. He grabbed the chain and tried to undo it but Hundred Eyes yanked him forward, grabbed the ends of the chain and snapped his neck.

He dropped the body to the ground and swung the chain back into his left hand and around his shoulder. Will looked around and saw that Ser Barristan was ok and so was Ser Arthur with the brigands dead as well as the assassin. Ser Barristan handed Will his dragon bone dagger. The prince was still in shock at the display of combat Hundred Eyes performed in his rescue and that he could fight so well with expertise he's never seen before.

"Are you all right?" Hundred Eyes asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you. How did you know I needed help?" Will asked as Hundred Eye's chuckled.

"As I told you before, there are ways to see besides sight." Hundred Eyes said. "It'd be best to get your injured looked after."

"Right." Will turned to the City Watch. "Let's get back to the Red Keep."

Once they got back, Grand Maester Pycelle immediately tended to Will in his chambers and tended to his wound. Luckily it was just some bruises so there was nothing to do. Pycelle also tended to Ser Arthur Dayne and he was fine. William now had 10 City Watch guards, 10 Stormlands soldiers and 3 Kingsguard watching over him at all times now because of the attempted assassination. It's this event that put the city on lockdown and actually dragged the King to a small council meeting.

Robert was sitting in his chair and downed his cup of wine in one gulp. "How is my son?" He asked.

"Fine, your grace. Only some small bruises but nothing the prince hasn't had before." Pycelle said.

"Except this time it's because someone tried to kill him in broad daylight. How could this happen?" Jon Arryn asked.

"We're looking into it. Unfortunately, The City Watch killed the assassin's so there's no one we can question. But I have them going street to street to figure out anything they can. People are coming forward to help after witnessing the event." Renly said.

"The people love their prince and want to see him safe." Varys added.

"Spider, have you heard anything about this?" Robert asked.

"About an attempted assassination on the Prince, I'm afraid not. My little birds have not heard any whispers of any sort." Varys said as Robert growled in anger.

"Then what good are you." Robert told him.

"I assure you, your grace if there was any whisper of an attack on the Prince, my little birds would have heard it." Varys said.

"Perhaps we are overthinking it. It might just have been a group of brigands who thought the prince would worth something." Baelish suggested.

"It wasn't." they heard as the doors to the Small Council room opened and Will walked in flanked by Ser Arthur and some guards. The members of the council stood up and bowed their heads as the Prince walked in and sat down in a chair.

"My prince, are you sure you should be up and about? You should be resting." Varys said to him.

"Just some bruises. It's nothing to worry about. And it wasn't some random brigands, it was a planned attack." Will told them.

"My prince, you have no doubt been through a great trauma and your mind may not be thinking clearly." Baelish said to him.

"Lord Baelish, unless it escaped your mind but I fought in the Greyjoy Rebellion with most of the men in this room and seen combat that you've never seen and never will see because I've heard the last time you picked up a sword, you were nearly killed by my uncle Brandon Stark. So, I suggest you be careful how you speak to me on a matter that you have zero experience in. Is that clear?" Will warn him in a tone that made Robert chuckle. William inherited his mother's fierceness that's for sure.

"Yes, my prince. Apologies." Baelish bowed his head, hiding his seething anger being spoken down to by a boy and reminded of what happened with Brandon Stark. Varys smiled as he saw the prince put Baelish in his place.

"And the attack wasn't by circumstance or a random kidnapping. It was planned. I met the brigands earlier that day and the street emptied before they attacked, like people were warned to vacate. And when we made it to the Muddy Way, a Faceless man was waiting for me." Will told them which drew shocked looks from the council.

"My prince, are you sure it was a Faceless man?" Pycelle asked.

"Unless anyone knows another group that's highly trained, uses masks, and prays to the Many-Faced God, then yes. It was a Faceless man." Will told them.

"Then this complicates things. The Faceless men are known to be the highest skilled assassins that extort enormous costs for their services. Whoever paid them must truly wish the Prince to be dead." Varys said.

"Perhaps Balon Greyjoy acquired their services." Renly suggested but Varys shook his head no.

"Unless Balon Greyjoy came upon an entire mine of gold, he wouldn't be able to afford their services." Varys replied.

"And it's not Balon's style. He'd have sent one of his own to do it." Stannis added and everyone agreed with that logic.

"Varys, do what you can and find out who hired them. Those brigands were a part of this so figure out everything you can." Will told him as Varys nodded.

"Of course, my prince." He replied. "And as for the individual who came to your rescue? The blind man with the exceptional fighting skills?"

"I'll deal with him." Will replied, standing up and leaving with his guards following him. Will walked through the Red Keep to the room he had set up for Hundred Eyes. A nice, comfortable room with wine and food for him to stay for the moment. He walked down the hall and saw two soldiers standing outside the door who stood at attention when he walked by. He opened the door to see Hundred Eyes sitting on the floor with a small jug of wine and a cup next to him.

"My prince, you grace me with your presence." Hundred Eyes said.

"Technically, I'm not your prince since you're not Westerosi so you can just call me Will." Will told him, causing Hundred Eyes to chuckle in response.

"You are very clever for a boy your age, and quite skilled. Most grown men have trouble hitting their targets with arrows, let alone a knife." Hundred Eyes said, holding up his left hand to show he was holding Will's Dragon Bone and Stiletto dagger. Hundred Eyes must have swiped them when they walked to the Red Keep. "Impressive weapons for a boy."

"And you have impressive skills for a blind man?" Will said as Hundred Eyes chuckled. "I thought you said you were a monk?"

"I said I lived in a temple, I never said I was a monk." He replied.

"Touché. So what Temple teaches you to fight like that? I never seen that kind of fighting." Will said as the blind man took a sip of wine.

"The Wudang Taoist Temple in the mountains of Yi Ti. There, we trained in the art of peace known as Kung Fu." Hundred Eyes told him.

"With all due respect, Hundred Eyes, if it's an art of peace, why does it train you to kill?" He asked.

"It trains us to achieve the peace of mind and body. The learning of and the perfection of one's skills…to achieve excellence through long practice in any endeavor. This is Kung Fu." Hundred Eyes corrected him.

"Thank you for what you did today. If it wasn't for you, then I wouldn't be alive right now." Will told him.

"Of that we can agree on, but you showed me kindness earlier that day. And for that you have my thanks." Hundred Eyes drank some wine and turned his head. "There is something else you wish to say."

"Could you teach me Kung Fu?" Will asked. Hundred Eyes contemplated his question and stood to his feet.

"You wish to add another skill for war?" Hundred Eyes asked.

"I wish to be able to protect myself and those I care about." Will said to him. "And I thought you told me that Kung Fu was the art of peace?"

Hundred Eyes walked forward and held out his hand to Will's face. Arthur put his hand on his sword, but Will motioned him to stand down. "You are a little nomad weed in the garden of the world. Yet you wish to glow into a flowering tree. What is the most important part of such a tree?" Hundred Eyes asked.

"The roots. Without the roots, the tree doesn't grow." Will replied and Hundred Eyes smiled.

"Ah! Excellent. Thank you for an excellent answer." Hundred Eyes swept his legs and knocked Will onto this back. He leaned up as Hundred Eyes looked at him. "We begin with roots." (3)

Unbeknownst to them, the culprit of his assassination was in the very keep the Prince lived in. Queen Cersei Lannister was in her private quarters, pacing back and forth after hearing of the failed attempt on the Prince's life by some brigands in the city. Apparently, he was saved by some blind warrior. It took a lot of effort and a ridiculous amount of Lannister gold to hire a Faceless man to kill the Prince and it was all for nothing. She wouldn't be able to gather enough coin for a second attempt without her father being suspicious of why so much was taken. She would need to wait for another opportunity to kill him and find someone to finish the job.

Line Break xxxxx

293 AC: King's Landing

Now 13 years of age, Will had grown both physical and mentally. He was now about 5ft6 and had developed solid muscle from his training sessions. He had also gotten smarter and wiser but was still young so there was room to grow. His physical training is where Will excelled and he was now a master archer and marksman and was on his way to becoming a master swordsman with his training from Ser Barristan, Ser Arthur and now Hundred Eyes. Hundred Eyes was a good teacher and a new friend for Will in the Red Keep. He often imparted sage like wisdom in his lessons as he trained Will in the art of Kung Fu. Not only was he dangerous with weapons, he was becoming dangerous without them.

His circle of friends had grown to include friends like Gendry and Edric. They were two friends Will had made, Gendry from the smith shop and Edric came from Dragonstone. Gendry had taken up Will's offer and was now technically his squire and Edric was now squire for Ser Arthur. Will befriended Edric when he saw him defending some of the younger orphans from bullies. Even after Will's attempted assassination, he still went into the city to be among the people and befriended Edric. With Gendry as Will's squire, Ser Arthur offered to take Edric as his own.

Will moved them into the Red Keep and they were thick as thieves. His best friends or more accurately, his half-brothers. As Will got older, he began to see things more clearly and when he reached 12, he started to see that he, Gendry and Edric shared some similarities, more so than most. Given his suspicions, Will asked Cedric Angar what he thought and he told him that given his father's…adventures with other women, there was a chance that they were his bastard brothers. Granted it was hard to confirm since Gendry's mother died when he was young. But Edric's mother was Delena Florent and she confirmed she slept with King Robert one night when Robert visited Dragonstone. With Gendry it was hard to confirm but there was a possibility. Despite a warning from Ser Barristan about telling them, Will told them the truth that they were half-brothers. He didn't care if they were bastards. Despite that, they were his brothers and they were friends. The three bonded after that and Will promised that when he was king, he would legitimize both of them, despite warnings from Ser Arthur and Ser Barristan. They would stay in the Red Keep from now on and they would live like brothers together. Upon learning of his half-brothers, Will kept an eye out for other possible bastard siblings in the city as well. Given how his father acted, he likely had more and he wanted to see they were looked after. Bastard or not, they were family.

While that side of his family was cordial, his other half-sibling was a different story all together. Joffrey hated Will and quite frankly Will hated Joffrey. Will tried to be nice and act like a brother but Joffrey was just rude, condescending and quite frankly a spoiled brat. All that time with Cersei spoiled him and ruined any chance the two could have had at being friendly. Tommen and Myrcella were different. They were sweet, kind and looked up to Will like an older brother despite Cersei's interventions. He treated them both like siblings despite his own reservations about their genetics. He also interacted with his cousin Shireen. She was young but Will loved his cousin. She was so sweet and kind and smart. He brought her books from the Red Keep and told her stories about his fights in the Greyjoy rebellion. He loved seeing her with a smile on her face.

When Will wasn't spending his time with his siblings, he often helped Jon Arryn in the running of the Kingdom. If Will was to one day rule the Seven Kingdoms, he needed to learn more from the man who kept the kingdoms together. His father spent more time whoring, drinking, and hunting, not exactly in that order and it was starting to impact his judgement on his father. Granted they were still close, but Will could see that peace had its caveats. He worked with Jon Arryn and did his best to help the city by creating new clean water pipes and systems so everyone had clean water and new sewage lines through the city so it wouldn't smell as bad. It still smelled but not as bad as years ago and would get better. And all of this paid from his own personal account from the Iron Bank. Despite all his spending, Will still had about 3 million gold dragons in the bank. Will paid for it with his own money because he noticed how quickly the Iron Throne was getting into debt. They were already 2 million in debt and with the fact that his father only used gold for wine, food, whores, and the occasional tournament, it shouldn't be that high. Baelish was up to something and it was up to him to find out.

Right now, Will was in a Small Council meeting to discuss the matters for the day. He listened intently as the men discussed the recent trade talks and the condition of the city and were just about done.

"One moment, before we depart for the day." Will said as everyone looked at him. "Lord Baelish, how goes the accounts of the Royal Throne?"

"I wish the news could be better but unfortunately, I'm afraid the crown is in debt to both the Lannisters and the Iron Bank to a total of 2 million." Baelish told him.

"Despite our best efforts by our Master of Coin, the crown is not in the best state." Jon Arryn said.

"His grace does with gold as he wishes. Although, poor book keeping could also account for our current predicament." Pycelle added.

"The Master of Coin merely finds the money that the King demands, and the king and the Hand spends it." Baelish replied.

"Despite my advice, Robert does as he wishes." Jon Arryn added.

"Counting Coppers, he calls it." Renly said.

"Perhaps we need a new Master of Coin if this is our current predicament." Will said as they looked at him. "If Lord Baelish's response to our debt is that he only finds the money, then we should find someone who's actually capable of doing the job correctly."

"My prince, I assure you no one knows finances as well as I." Baelish replied.

"He's right, Prince William. Lord Baelish is very well versed in finance." Jon Arryn said.

"Then by all means, may I please review over your ledgers, lord Baelish?" Will asked and Baelish looked at him.

"My prince, I assure you that I am more than capable of looking after the finances of the crown. It is not the job for the prince." Baelish replied.

"That wasn't my question, Lord Baelish. May I please review the royal ledgers?" Will asked as Baelish gulped. "If you will not answer the question, perhaps an order is the better alternative."

"My prince, why do you need to view the Royal ledgers?" Jon Arryn asked.

"Because clearly something is very wrong with either Lord Baelish's bookkeeping or someone is stealing gold right from under us." Will stated causing everyone to look at him. "I'm well aware of my father's habits, more so than most of the people here and I understand that even on his best days, his expenses wouldn't total that much royal debt unless something was wrong."

"I assure you, my prince that my ledgers are in order." Baelish said.

"Be that as it may, I would still like to view them. Before my father took the throne, Aerys Targaryen's coffers were filled with nearly a worth of 4 million gold dragons and the only reason for it so shrink so quickly in the following years is if the Master of Coin is either stealing it or using it incorrectly." Will told them. "You'll remember that I'm also skilled in finance by some of the best tutors there are, Lord Baelish. I'm well aware of how finance works."

"Of course, my prince." Baelish replied.

"Now, unless my father has purchased an island or a new continent we were made unaware of, the debt should not be that high unless Lord Baelish is keeping the gold. You aren't keeping the gold, are you lord Baelish?" Will asked who quickly shook his head no.

"Of course not, my prince. I live to serve the king and the realm." Baelish replied as he started to get a bit nervous.

"Then our taxes are not what they should be set to, you're not paying off the debts as you should be, or you're using the money for unapproved matters such as buying property and assets and not disclosing their information to the rest of us, or hiring too many people who do little to reimburse our costs. Now, which is it Lord Baelish?" Will asked and Baelish kept a calm and stoic demeanor but was beginning to sweat.

"None, your grace. I assure you that I would never do such things." Baelish replied. He was feeling the vultures circle around him like he was a dead carcass.

"Then perhaps some extra help from accountants and mathematicians so you can better keep the crown's affairs in order. Paid from my own account, of course Lord Baelish. No need to tax the crown treasury anymore." Will said with a smile as he had Baelish in a bind.

"The help is more than welcome, my prince." Baelish replied with a smile while he was screaming on the inside.

"Excellent. They'll be here within a few days to assist you." Will said, looking at Varys. "Varys, perhaps a few of your little birds to watch over Lord Baelish and ensure his safety and no one is following him. Best keep the crown's Master of Coin protected."

"Of course, my prince. It will be done." Varys replied with a smile as he mentally saluted the prince for putting Baelish in a bind.

"Then that will be all for today, my lords. We shall reconvene in a few days." Will said and they all nodded. They stood up as the Prince walked over to the door. "And lord Baelish, I'll still expect those ledgers by tonight."

"Of course, my prince." Baelish bowed, and grit his teeth in anger.

"Excellent. I'll have Ser Arthur and Ser Barristan go and pick them up." Will said, leaving the small council chamber.

"Did that go as you thought it would?" Arthur asked.

"Better than I could have hoped for. Baelish is definitely stealing from the crown but now he won't be able to." Will said.

"Why not just tell your father and have him arrested?" Arthur asked as Will looked at him.

"How do you revenge a snake? You would be a fool to think only one serpent lays in wait. There is always a deadlier strike to come. One should walk away." Will told him.

"A Hundred Eyes proverb?" Arthur asked.

"One hand lies…one hand tells the truth. Baelish is only one snake on that council. Varys and Pycelle are too and right now, time is my ally. I've stopped Baelish from stealing and now we see what he does next. He slips up again, I'll be waiting." Will said as Arthur smiled. He had certainly grown wise in the last few years. "I believe a little spy network of my own would be a good idea, to watch over them in case they do something."

"A fine suggestion, my prince. I believe you're on your way to becoming a great king." Arthur said.

"And perhaps an army of my own with people whose loyalty can't be bought would be a good idea as well. Any suggestions?" Will asked.

"A few but why, my prince? You have the love and support of both the Stormlands and the North." Arthur said.

"You witnessed my father's rebellion, Ser Arthur. You're aware that if war comes, the houses will favor whichever side will win like they always have." Will told him. "If things had gone differently, I wouldn't be here now, would I?"

"A thought I don't like to entertain, my prince. I've grown quite fond of you." Arthur said as Will chuckled.

"And I you. But a wise man keeps the peace while preparing for war and a force that's loyal to me and me alone can't be dismissed out of hand. Someone who can't be bought from Lord Baelish or spy against me by Varys. I need allies." Will stated.

"You already have some allies." Arthur said.

"A small group. King Aerys and my father relied on the oaths of the great houses and friendship to win their wars. I need something better." Will said as Arthur began to think of some ideas.

"I might have some ideas." Arthur told him.

294 AC: King's Landing

Will was in a training room for a practice session with Hundred Eyes. Edric and Gendry were there as well as watching with Ser Arthur. Will had his shirt off as he and Hundred Eyes faced each other. Hundred Eyes threw out a series of jabs and punches that he managed to block, then raised his hand to block a strike but it was a feint, so Will quickly blocked a jab to the side with his elbow.

"Impressive, my prince. You've advanced much in our years training." Hundred Eyes commented when Will threw out some chain punches that he blocked. Hundred Eyes countered with some punches and a hand swipe which Will bent back to avoid but got hit in the stomach with a palm strike. He dropped to a knee to catch his breath and not puke while his mentor let out a small chuckle. "But still much to learn."

"Again." Will got back to his feet and took a few steps to the side before getting back into a fighting stance.

"Tell me, my prince. What do you tell your father when he asks you about our lessons? What do you tell him about this strange word, Kung Fu? Will you tell him that it means to fight, or will you say like a monk from Shaolin…to summon the spirit of the crane and the tiger?!" Hundred Eyes said as Will threw out a push kick which he avoided.

Will threw out a series of punches and strikes that showed how far he had come in their Kung Fu lessons, using everything he learned and struck with elegance, grace, and power. Will locked arms with Hundred Eyes, pushed him back before moving his legs to avoid them having them swept out from under him. The two traded kicks when Hundred Eyes pushed back and ducked under a spin kick and a tornado kick from Will. Will got back to his feet and did a roundhouse kick which Hundred Eyes caught. Will jumped up and kicked with his other leg but he ducked and flipped Will backward into the air. He managed to land on his feet and staggered a bit before regaining his footing.

"Kung Fu means supreme skill from hard work. A great poet has reached Kung Fu. The painter, the writer…they could be said to have Kung Fu. Even the cook, the one who sweeps steps, or a masterful servant can have Kung Fu. Practice, preparation, endless repetition, until your mind is weary and your bones ache, and until your too tired to sweat, too wasted to breath…" Hundred Eyes threw out a series of speed punches and kick that Will blocked. "that is the way. The only way one acquires Kung Fu."

Will punched and kicked but Hundred Eyes blocked them all before locking his arms. Will smiled, thinking he was getting better when he saw Hundred Eyes chuckle. He looked down and saw Hundred Eyes' foot was right in front of his crotch. "You have come far but still have a long way to go to acquire Kung Fu." Hundred Eyes backed away and put his hands behind his back. "Excellent lesson, my prince."

"Thank you, Sifu." Will bowed. Hundred Eyes walked over and poured himself a small cup of tea. "Would you say I'm getting better?"

"The truest way to be deceived is to think oneself more knowing than others." Hundred Eyes replied.

"What does that mean?" Gendry asked.

"I think it means it doesn't matter." Edric said as Hundred Eyes finished his tea.

"Be humble for you are made of Earth. Be noble for you are made of stars." Hundred Eyes pat Will on the shoulder. "We will begin again tomorrow."

Hundred Eyes walked out of the room and made his way to the gardens to meditate. "Well, he's still unusual even after all these years." Edric commented.

"He's consistent." Gendry added.

"There's a lesson in there about humility. Humble for what I am, noble for what I can do…I think?" Will slipping his shirt on and grabbing his jacket.

"Still, was entertaining to watch." Edric said.

"You two are more than welcome to join us." Will pointed out.

"I'll pass. Last time, I could barely walk for a week." Gendry said as Will and Edric chuckled. He grabbed his belt which had Red Rain and his daggers.

"So, what should we do today?" Will asked.

"Another run down into the city?" Gendry asked and they all agreed on it.

"Let's go." Will said. They walked out of the training room and down the hall to make their way out of the Red Keep and into the city. As they walked through the keep, Will saw Prince Jalabhar Xho walk down the hall. "Prince Xho!"

The prince turned to see Prince William walk his way. "Prince William." Jalabhar bowed his head as Will bowed back. Will looked at the man from the Summer Isles. He was dark skinned and was wearing some Westerosi clothes but still had his green and scarlet feathered cape. (4)

"I was hoping we could talk." Will said.

"About what, Prince William?" Jalabhar asked, Will noting he could speak common tongue but had an accent.

"How we can help you get back your seat of power." He replied. The prince smiled and the two walked through the halls to converse. After a few hours, Will had a messenger gather everyone for a Small Council meeting, including his father.

They were all in the Small Council chamber sitting at the table when Will walked in, followed by Ser Arthur and Prince Jalabhar. "My lords, your grace. Thank you all for coming to this Small Council meeting." Will said.

"When the prince calls for us, we answer. Though I can wager what this meeting is about." Jon Arryn replied.

"What is this about, son?" Robert asked.

"Your grace, Council, I'm here today on behalf of Prince Jalabhar Xho of Red Flower Vale on the island of Jhala to discuss helping him retake his home and his position as prince." Will told them and they all groaned. Ever since Prince Jalabhar had been granted asylum in King's Landing, they had heard of the prince's request for aid in retaking his island but kept denying him.

"My prince, the Council is well aware of Prince Jalabhar's situation but we feel that it's not in the realm's best interest to engage in another war for land that we do not control." Jon Arryn told him.

"Aye, my prince. Wars are a costly venture." Lord Baelish replied.

"Well, seeing as how our royal ledgers are doing better thanks to the people we've removed from your payroll and the extra accountants you have, I'd say our expenses are doing quite well." Will replied. Ever since he had done his investigation into Lord Baelish, the crown's expenses and accounts had gotten better. They were now only 900,000 Gold Dragons in debt but it was getting less and less by the year as Baelish could no longer steal, borrow, and use the money as he did before with the accountants and mathematicians helping him and Varys's little birds reporting to the Prince. "And this wouldn't be a costly venture or an actual war."

The council was confused at the Prince's statement which made him chuckle. "Clearly, none of you are aware of the history of the Summer Isles if you think Prince Jalabhar is asking us to go to war. Warfare is waged far differently on the Summer Isles and is more ritualistic and conducted in a similar manner to our melee tournaments." Will told them.

"Prince William is correct. Our war is very sacred, on days that favor battle chosen by our priests. Two opposing teams fight one another in the battle similar to your melees. The winner will gain what was disputed while the losers are exiled." Prince Jalabhar explained.

"See, not exactly a war but a tournament." Will told them.

"While that is good to know, my prince, engaging in the affairs of lands outside of the realm has never been our way." Jon Arryn said.

"Time changes everything including man, Lord Arryn. If we don't change with the time, we'll just repeat the mistakes of the past" Will told them. "I'm not saying we begin a conquest like the Targaryens did but instead aid a Prince who has come seeking our aid and in return gain an ally in the Summer Isles."

"An ally?" Varys asked.

"I've already spoken to Prince Jalabhar and he's agreed that if we help him retake his throne, he will expand the trade already done with King's Landing which will benefit both us and them. More trade equals more merchants which equal more coin for us as well, including some items that we've been unable to get our hands on. A Goldenheart tree bow perhaps." Will said as the Prince chuckled.

"Something that will be possible, Prince William." Prince Jalabhar replied.

"And an ally who can inform us of any dangers to the realm from Essos. It's a win-win for us, father." Will told him so everyone began to think on the idea.

"How would this work?" Renly asked.

"We don't need the entire royal fleet. A few ships and some men willing to fight. From what I understand, this kind of battle will be 30 men against 30. If you'd like, we could send out a call to the other houses to find the best fighters in the 7 Kingdoms. I'll sail with them to the Summer Isles and hopefully, help Prince Jalabhar win his throne back." Will told them.

"You'll sail with them?" Stannis asked.

"Someone should represent the Crown's interest in this. And seeing as how I'm the one who suggested it and know more about the Isles, it should be me." Will replied. He then looked at Robert. "Father, let me do this. You've made your mark on history…let me make mine."

Robert smiled and stood up from his chair. He walked around the table and up to his son. He tilted Will's chin up so he could see his son…he was becoming more and more like a man every day. He put his hand on Will's shoulders and looked at him in pride. "Wanting your own Summer Isle whore for yourself?" Robert joked but Will just shook his head and chuckled.

"I think that's what you want, father." He replied. Robert let out a hardy laugh and hugged his son.

"Go. You have my blessing. Go to the isles and win. Make me proud." Robert told him before he walked up to Prince Jalabhar and got close. "If I find out you lied to my son and are bringing him to his death, none of your gods will keep you safe."

"Of course, King Robert." The Prince bowed his head and the king left the Small Council room after that.

"Pycelle, send a raven out to every corner of the 7 Kingdoms. Anyone who wants a chance to prove themselves in combat and earn some glory should make their way to King's Landing within a moon cycle. After that, we leave for the Summer Isles." Will instructed and the old Maester nodded. "Uncle Stannis, would you mind if I borrowed Ser Davos for the trip?"

"Of course not, my prince. I'll send word to him." Stannis said.

"Have him ready three ships for a long journey." Will said, leaving the small council room with Prince Jalabhar.

A full moon had passed since Pycelle had sent ravens throughout the Seven Kingdoms about the Prince's journey to the Summer Isles. Those who wanted to prove themselves in combat were to come to King's Landing to compete in a melee tournament fight. Those that managed to arrive within the timeframe sought out the prince to join his party for the journey. There were some familiar faces such as Thoros of Myr and Beric Dondarrion who were coming along with some soldiers from the Stormlands to act as Will's protection. Along with Ser Arthur, Gendry, Edric, Cedric Angar and Hundred Eyes, there was a small group made up of knights or trained warriors from the Seven Kingdoms. Some of importance were Harion Karstark, Gawen Glover, and Smalljon Umber of the North. They were of the noble houses and a few well-trained men-at-arms were coming as well. Dickon Tarly, the son of Randyll Tarly was coming as well along with some warrior from House Florent. Some knights from House Lefford, a few from the Stormlands and the Riverlands as well. It was a mixed group of people who were coming from the battle and hoping they would prove their worth and the rest were men Will fought with during the Greyjoy Rebellion.

He and his party were down by the docks in King's Landing, getting the ships fitted with the last of the supplies. Ser Davos was checking with his quartermaster when he saw the prince, dressed in his usual dark blue and black jacket help get the last crate of food onto the ship.

"We'll I do believe that's everything, my prince. That last of the supplies are here and we're set for sailing." Davos told him.

"Excellent. And it's William, Ser Davos. Fighting beside one another has definitely earned you the right to use my name." He told him while Davos bowed his head in response.

"Of course." Davos replied.

"Thank you again for coming with me, Ser Davos. I feel better knowing you'll be commanding the ships." Will told him and Ser Davos smiled. "I'm sorry if this takes you away from Lady Marya and your son."

"Think nothing of it, your grace. Besides, my wife was rather adamant that I come. There's a special spice blend she likes from the Summer Isles she wants me to bring back to her." Ser Davos replied with a smile.

"Then we'll make sure to bring back an entire ship full for Lady Seaworth." Will joked, causing Ser Davos to chuckle. The two had gotten very close and Will could consider Ser Davos as another uncle.

The men back to board the ship as Will walked back onto the dock to grab his pack when Ser Arthur walked up to him and whispered.

"The package you requested is on the ship for our stop in Dorne." Arthur whispered.

"Thank you." He replied as Ser Arthur walked onto the ship. Will grabbed Red Rain when he saw his father and his Kingsguard walk up with Tyrion Lannister of all people.

"Father. Come to see me off?" He asked.

"Aye. Before I head out on my hunt, thought I'd see you off on this fool-hardy folly." Robert said.

"You won't be thinking its fool-hardy when I send back a ship full of the Summer Isles best plum wine." Will joked causing his father to let out a hardy chuckle.

"Ha-ha, I'd rather you send me one of those native girls. I heard the ladies of the Summer Isles are the best in the world." Robert slapped him on the back. Years ago, it would have knocked him over but he was stronger now so he took it much better. "Maybe get yourself a girl there while you're at it."

"That's not why I'm going." Will hugged his father. "I'll make you proud, father."

"I know you will. And I know your mother would be proud of you." Robert told him. "Go…make your mark on history…the Blue Wolf. Maybe you'll add another title to your name."

"Perhaps." Will looked out of Black Water bay at the sun. "I want to make my own destiny."

"Excellent words. Perhaps you should adjust your words for your house." Tyrion said as Will looked at him with a bag and some Lannister guards.

"Lord Tyrion, what are you doing here?" Will asked.

"Oh, I'm coming along on the trip, of course. The Summer Isles have some of the finest wine and ladies in the world. I'd never miss an opportunity to go. We'll be the best of traveling companions…I know it." Tyrion told him as he and his guards got onto the ship.

"Great. Just great." Will hugged his father goodbye one last time and walked onto the ship. The ships sailed out of the Blackwater bay and out into the Narrow Sea.

Will walked onto the ship and to the front of the bow, holding onto a rope as the familiar rush of wind and sea water sprinkled his face. The last time he was at sea was because of a rebellion, now it was because of something he chose to do.

Line Break xxxxx

Sea of Dorne

Will found himself standing in a stone room, a bed on the far side with two wet nurses and Ser Arthur next to him. The wet nurses were tending to someone on the bed and from what he could see it was his mother. She began screaming as the wet nurses did everything they could to help her. Ser Arthur left the room and a few minutes later, he heard fighting. He ran to the window and saw Ser Arthur fighting against some men. His mother's screaming got louder and she began getting paler so he screamed for help. Ser Arthur returned and held him close as his uncle arrived and ran up to his mother. He held her close when she whispered something to him and then the wet nurses handed him a bundle of cloth. Will looked and inside the bundle of clothes wasn't a baby but his bloody and dead face.

"Fraud…usurper…bastard…" He said as Will looked in shock before it jumped at him like a snake.

[Gasp of shock] Will shot awake from his bed, his body trembling and his breathing was ragged. Sweat poured down his face and caked his body from the vivid nightmare. He had been having the same nightmare for a while now about when his mother died. He still remembered that day but as he got older, he couldn't remember as much as he used to and began to block them out. Now, it seemed like those memories were coming back to torture him and leave him with questions. He remembered his mother dying, he remembered Uncle Ned coming and Ser Arthur fighting but his mother spoke to his uncle about something…and something else but he couldn't remember clearly.

He shook his head and got out of bed. He put on his boots, shirt and strapped Red Rain and his daggers around his waist. He walked out of his cabin and onto the deck of the ship to get some peace and quiet. The sun had just barely risen over the horizon and everyone else was asleep. The ship was docked in the water close to the sea of Dorne so they were nearly to the Stepstones. Will walked over to the railing and looked out to the sea, hoping the gentle rocking of the water and the cool ocean breeze would calm him down.

"If dreams are our pathway to a higher plane…then what are our nightmares?" Will heard behind him. he turned and saw Hundred Eyes standing there.

"Sifu." Will bowed his head as Hundred Eyes walked over and stood next to him.

"The inability to sleep is the curse of the Aged and the Guilty." Hundred Eyes told him. "So, which are you my Prince?"

"I'm not sure. Unless I'm secretly older than I look it must be the latter but I can't understand these dreams." Will ran his hand through his hair and exhaled in frustration. "At first, they seemed to be just memories but now…they've turned dark."

"The mind is the world's most dangerous weapon and untapped in its potential. We often think we control our minds but it is the other way around." Hundred Eyes told him. "The Monks of Wudang lived their lives trying to achieve true emptiness. For once the sage can overcome the self does he enter into the Tao. There is a dark mystery to all mysteries."

"Then how do I find the center of this mystery, Sifu?" Will asked.

"Calmness. Wait here." Hundred Eyes said as he went back below decks and returned a few minutes later with a pot of tea, two cups and three candles. He placed them on the floor in the middle of the ship before sitting down. "Join me."

Will sat down across from him with his legs cross as Hundred Eyes poured him a cup of tea. "You're not planning to poison me, are you?" Will asked, causing Hundred Eyes to laugh.

"If was going to kill you, it would be in martial combat so I can see for myself how far you've come." Hundred Eyes told him. "This is a special tea that helps calm the mind for meditation. And the incense will put you in a relaxed state, so you can relive your dreams."

"Sounds like something I actually want to avoid at the moment." Will said.

"You can if that is your desire. But if you wish to understand your dreams and finally have a good night's rest then you must push to the heart of darkness at your mystery." Hundred Eyes told him. Will wanted to understand this and nodded so Hundred Eyes lit the incense and the smoke began to waft into the air. He finished the tea, closed his eyes, and slowed his breathing with the slow, steady rock of the ship calming his mind and he felt more at ease. "Let the chi of your body flow and your mind put at ease."

Will was calming down as he focused on his breathing…in through his nose and out through his mouth. "You see and hear far more than you think. Hidden truths, buried deep in your sub-conscious. These memories are coming to tell you something, but your mind is too loud. You must quiet it." Hundred Eyes told him as Will felt his body and mind getting lighter. "You're floating in nothingness…all that exists is your breath. Any thoughts you have are clouds. They just drift away."

Will opened his eyes to see himself standing there in the room at the tower in Dorne. Just like he'd seen before in his dreams. There he was as he watched the wet-nurses attend to his mother with sweat pouring down her face and screams filling the room. He watched as they helped her, and a final scream erupted from his mother…the sheets of the bed staining red with blood…and a cry of a newborn.

He watched in utter shock when his uncle charged into the room. "Ned?" Lyanna called out.

"Lyanna." Ned put his sword down and knelt next to her, holding her hand.

"Ned, is that you?" Lyanna called out and raised her hand to touch his face. "Is that really you? You're not a dream?"

"No, I'm not a dream. I'm here. Right here." Ned told her.

"I missed you, big brother." Lyanna said with a small smile and Ned smiled back.

"I missed you too." Ned said.

"I want to be brave." Lyanna said in pained breath.

"You are." Ned replied.

"I'm not." She said as Ned looked at the blood. "I don't want to die."

"You're not going to die." Ned looked back at the maids. "Go, get her some water! Is there a Maester?!"

"There isn't one, Lord Stark." Arthur said.

"Listen to me, Ned. Listen to me. Tell Robert…I'm sorry. I never told him…never told him, I was with child." Lyanna said as Ned looked at the small boy that Arthur was holding who was crying. "Will…come here."

The boy ran to her side and held her hand as she pressed her forehead against his. "Mother…stay." Will cried as he held her and she cried back.

"I'm sorry, William. I can't keep the promise to teach you to ride. But I need you to be strong. Do you hear me…I need you to be strong…for me, for your father…and for your uncle." Lyanna said as she looked at Ned. "Ned…meet your nephew. William."

"You and Robert…" Ned said and she nodded.

"I'm sorry. I loved him once. Tell, Robert, I'm sorry." Lyanna reached over to the table near the bed where a crown of Blue Winter Roses she had received years ago was. All the flowers had welted except for one. She grabbed it and handed it to William. "Stay strong for me, Will. I'll be watching over you…be strong for me. Promise me."

"I promise, mother." Will said as she smiled and kissed his head.

"Now, go to Ser Arthur…I need to speak to your uncle." Lyanna told him. He walked over and hugged Ser Arthur as Arthur hugged the boy and comforted him. "Ned, I need you to listen to me."

She brought him closer and whispered into his ear. Will watched but couldn't hear the entirety of their conversation except for bits and pieces. "If Robert finds out, he'll…kill him, you know he will. You have to protect him. Promise me, Ned. Promise me. Promise me, Ned. Promise me."

A wet nurse walked over and handed Ned a small bundle of cloth as he had a look of sadness, shock, and uncertainty. He saw Ned lift the bundle up and he saw with his own eyes what was actually in that bundle…a baby boy with eyes like his and his mother.

"AAAHH!" Will exclaimed in shock as he was brought out of whatever the hell that was and saw he was back sitting across from Hundred Eyes.

"Have a nice trip?" Hundred Eyes asked.

"What just happened?" Will stood up and pats himself down to see if he was ok.

"I believe you know the answer to that. Did you find the dark heart of your mystery?" Hundred Eyes asked.

"I don't know…I think so." Will said, taking a deep breath to try and calm down..

"You either know or you don't." Hundred Eyes told him and he thought for a moment before speaking.

"I need some more answers…and there's one person on this boat who can tell me the truth about what happened that day." Will replied when Hundred Eyes stood up. "But right now, I just to relax."

"Well then…" Hundred Eyes threw out a punch to Will's face which he caught. "perhaps some more training." Hundred eyes threw out another punch which parried but it left him open to a jab from the side. "Be not like a stone but water. Nothing is softer than water, yet it can overcome rock. It does not fight, it flows around."

Will looked at him and got into a stance. "Again."

They trained for house on the ship before the rest of the men on the ship began to wake up. They got some food from the cooks and made their way onto the deck where they saw the Prince fighting against Hundred Eyes in a training session. He ducked and blocked all the punches from Hundred Eyes, kicked him back with a push kick and threw out a tornado kick which missed. Hundred Eyes charged with more punches and strikes which kept him blocking, dodging and moving back towards the ship's railing. He ducked and turned to avoid a roundhouse kick to the head before jumping and flipping over Hundred Eyes by using the railing as a stool. Hundred Eyes blocked Will's strike from behind and threw out an elbow, forcing him back.

Will and Hundred Eyes exchanged blows when Will caught his arm and punched the inside of the elbow. He then hit the outside of his elbow, dislocating a bone and causing Hundred Eyes to grunt in pain. He threw out an elbow and a spin kick which Will avoided. He charged forward with some speed punches that forced Hundred Eyes back and stumbling to one knee. Hundred Eyes adopted a smirk onto his face before getting back to his feet and taking a breath. He grabbed his dislocated arm and using his fingers, hit various pressure points at his elbow before grabbing the joint and bone and putting it back into position, fixing his arm. Hundred Eyes then took another breath and adopted a stance from the Mantis style. Will took a breath and adopted a stance from the tiger style, charging forward with leg sweep and then a spinning hook kick which Hundred Eyes avoided. They traded punches and locked arms, neither side giving any leeway as Will tried to pull free. He knocked his arm away and threw out a punch to the face. Hundred Eyes leaned back and threw out a push kick which Will blocked and pushed back. Hundred Eyes used the momentum to do a backflip, but Will didn't give him any time to rest and pushed forward, throwing out a series of speed punches which were blocked.

Hundred Eyes blocked one of Will's punches and trapped his arm, then punched him in the chest, knocking him back a bit. He used the momentum from the punch and did a spinning hook kick but Hundred Eyes countered and caught his leg and took him to the ground. He rolled from the takedown, grabbed Hundred Eyes and threw him over his side as Hundred Eyes landed on his feet and threw out a jab that he purposely stopped short of Will's face, indicating that he could have ended him with that one strike and the victory was his. But Will gave it one last shot and moved his arm out of the way to throw out a punch of his own which Hundred Eyes caught. He then hit a pressure point in Will's forearm, causing him to open his hand so he could twist his wrist. Hundred Eyes blocked Will's other punch and threw out an elbow to Will's face but stopped short of hitting him, indicating that he won again.

"Dammit." Will muttered causing his teacher to chuckle.

"You're getting better but are not the tree you wish to be." Hundred Eyes told him and they both separated. Will stood up and bowed as Hundred Eyes bowed back. "It would seem we've attracted an audience."

"If I may, my prince, what kind of fighting is that?" Ser Davos asked.

"The art of Kung Fu. Beautiful, yet deadly." Will said.

"Seems like just some fancy jabbing to me." One of the men whispered a little too loud for Will to hear.

"Sometimes you'll find yourself absent a sword so it's best to train your body to be as much of weapon as a sword or axe." Will told him, making a valid point that many agreed with. "Something to think about for the future."

"Of course, my prince. And I apologize for what I said before." He said as he bowed his head. Will chuckled and pat his shoulder.

"Nothing to forgive. Now, carry on." Will walked over to the barrel of water to get a drink. Everyone went about their business whether it was getting the ship ready to sail or doing some training. Will drank a cup of water and saw Gendry and Edric spar a bit with Smalljon Umber watching over them while Ser Davos talk to some of the men about the ship.

"Impressive. It seems you're getting better with every fight." Ser Arthur told him as he walked up to Will, his family sword Dawn strapped to his waist.

"Maybe. Ser Arthur, we need to talk." Will told him.

"Of course, my prince." Arthur replied.

"In private." Will said so they walked down to the prince's personal quarters. Will had Ser Arthur lock the door and they went to the window that looked out to the sea so if someone walked by the door they wouldn't overhear their conversation.

"Why the secrecy, my prince?" Arthur asked.

"Because I don't know what dark mysteries will unfold when I ask you my questions." Will said which confused the Sword of the Morning. Will took a breath and looked out the window at the sea. "You've protected me since I was born, correct?"

"Yes, my prince. Since you were a baby." Arthur replied

"Why?" Will asked.

"Pardon?" Arthur asked as Will looked at him.

"Why have you been protecting me?" Will asked.

"Because your father swore me to protect you with my life." Arthur told him.

"That's not what I meant. He swore you to protect me when we arrived at King's Landing, but you had protected me even before then…at the Tower in Dorne. Why?" Will asked.

"Because your mother asked me to." He replied.

"My mother…the other thing I wanted to ask you about." Will told him and Arthur had a sinking feeling in his gut about what this was all about. "You were the Kingsguard to Aerys Targaryen and his son Rhaegar, yet you weren't with either of them. Nor were you with Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen, you were at the Tower of Joy with my mother. Why?"

"Because I was asked to protect you and your mother." Arthur told him.

"By who?" Will asked as Arthur took a deep breath.

"Prince Rhaegar Targaryen." Arthur replied. Will took a deep breath, trying to prepare himself for whatever secrets he may uncover.

"Lately, I've been having nightmares about the day my uncle came to the Tower of Joy. A lot of it I can't remember but I've been remembering more and more." Will said as Arthur sighed, knowing that it might be finally time to tell him the truth…all the truth. "I need to know everything that happened that day."

"I knew that it was only a matter of time before you came seeking the truth." Arthur took a breath and looked at him. "But you deserve to know about everything that happened that day and first thing you should know is that what you were told by your father and everyone wasn't the complete story."

"What do you mean?" Will asked.

"Some aspects of Robert's Rebellion were true. Aerys Targaryen is one of them. I served him for years and he was once a good man but as the years went on…madness took him over. I watched him become erratic and deranged, killing his servants, his lords and even his Hands for even the small slight. Despite our urging from his council and even myself, but he wouldn't listen. He began to see enemies everywhere." Arthur told him. "I wish I could have been at King's Landing and perhaps I could have stopped him before he killed your uncle Brandon and grandfather Rickard. It'll be one of my greatest regrets what he did to the Starks."

"That all happened because Rhaegar Targaryen kidnapped my mother and started a bloody civil war in the realm." Will told him.

"No, that's not what happened. Yes, Prince Rhaegar and your mother went to Dorne but she wasn't kidnapped…she went willingly." Arthur told him, which only confused him. "I knew Prince Rhaegar since he was a boy. He was not his father. He was kind, gentle, smart and a man of the people. I watched him go down into the city with Ser Barristan and spend his time with the smallfolk, singing and enjoying life. I fought beside him and I respected the boy he was and the man he grew up into. He would have made a fine king."

"What does this have to do with my mother?" Will asked.

"Everything. In the year 279, there was a tournament at Harrenhal to celebrate the Advent of Spring." Arthur told him.

"The tournament, I know. My father told me about that day and Jon Arryn suspects I was conceived at the tournament." Will told him.

"Knowing Robert, that is likely. I was there was well and watched Rhaegar unhorse and defeat several renowned opponents including myself and Ser Barristan. When the joust was over, Rhaegar was to announce his Queen of Love and Beauty." Arthur told him.

"His wife, Elia Martell, correct?" Will asked but Arthur shook his head no.

"No. I watched him ride straight past her and give the crown of blue winter roses to your mother, Lyanna Stark." Arthur told him and to say Will was shocked is an understatement. "The prince's decision was not wise as he was married and Lyanna was promised to your father."

"You're not helping your case to prove Rhaegar Targaryen was a good man." Will told him.

"He was but a flawed one, blinded by the most dangerous emotion…love." Arthur told him and Will began to feel a sinking feeling in his stomach. "That wasn't the only interaction they had as they met several times after as well until it eventually led to an act that still baffles me today…Rhaegar had the High Septon annul his marriage to Elia Martell and wed him and Lyanna in a secret ceremony before they fled to Dorne."

Will felt his heart break and his stomach in knots to the point where he quickly opened the porthole and vomited a bit out into the sea. Arthur walked up and pats him on the back but was quickly shoved back. He spit out some more vomit before wiping his mouth clean. "I'm going to be sick…" Will looked back at Ser Arthur. "You knew this entire time and you never told me. You let me believe everything I was told yet you never once decided to let me know the truth of why I was there."

"I was trying to protect you, my prince. You were a baby and if the truth came out, then it would only lead to more war. You know how father is." Rhaegar told him. "Lord Stark knew this as well and he cautioned me to not say anything."

"He knew?" Will asked as he felt his entire world falling apart. Everything he believed in his entire life was a lie…his entire existence was based on a lie. "Everything I grew up believing in…everything about my entire family was a lie. My very existence is a lie."

"No, William, it's not. Your mother may have made choices that led to unforeseen circumstances but above all else she loved you. I saw her at the Tower of Joy and she cared for you in ways only a loving mother could. She carried you in her belly and held you in her arms and taught you your first words. She loved you as much as she once did Robert." Arthur told him.

"That's comforting and a nice look at my future. Seven Hells and the old gods help me." Will slumped against the wall. "Everything about my houses and my future was built on a lie. My father led a war because he believed my mother was taken when in actuality she didn't have the courage to tell him she wanted nothing to do with him and probably me."

"That's not true, William. You're Mother loved you or do you forget the last words she said to you." Arthur told her.

"Kind of hard to forget but also hard to take seriously when she also gave birth to another son." Will told him as Arthur was shocked he remembered that. "I remembered that as well. My half-brother is Rhaegar's son, isn't he?"

"Yes, my prince." Arthur replied.

"The rightful heir to the Iron Throne and one of the last scions of House Targaryen, alive and all this time was up in the North with Uncle Ned. Seven hells." Will knocked some books and scrolls off his desk in anger and frustration, unaware that someone was listening to them. One of the ships crewmen was outside the door, listening to their conversation and the unbelievable information he just discovered.

"Something interesting with the door?" The crewman turned and saw Hundred Eyes standing there below deck.

"This doesn't concern you, blind man." He said.

"If it concerns the wellbeing of the prince, then yes it does. It is quite rude to eavesdrop on a private conversation…even more so when someone is paying you." Hundred Eyes said so the crewman pulled out a small knife from his back. "The only thing that the knife will accomplish is the end of one life."

"And it'll be yours. I was here to kill the prince, but first you." He lunged forward to kill him but Hundred Eyes easily grabbed and twisted his hand, plunging the knife into the assassin's heart with ease.

"As I said…the only thing the knife will accomplish is the end of one life and it happens to be yours." Hundred Eyes snapped his neck and grabbed the man's body so it didn't hit the ground. Hundred Eyes then carried the man's body and threw it out the ballistae porthole and into the sea, keeping the prince and his friend safe.

"My uncle took the son as his bastard, didn't he? To keep him safe?" Will asked and Arthur nodded.

"He cautioned that if word got out about the boy's existence then the war would begin again and more lives would die….or your father would call for the boy's death. You know how he is." Arthur told him.

"I know." Will replied.

"My honor and oath broke that day because your uncle spoke the hard truth. House Targaryen lost the war, your father won it by right of conquest and the child would never be safe if people learned who he was." Arthur told him.

"Then why have you been by my side all this time? You should have been by his or with Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen in Essos." Will told him.

"Because Prince Rhaegar swore me to protect you and your mother. He had me swear on my life that I would protect you until the day I die and it's an oath I intend to keep." Arthur told him. At that moment, Will made a decision that would come to define his character.

"Then I absolve you of your oath to protect me." Will told him as Arthur was confused.

"My prince?" Arthur asked.

"I'm not your true prince, Ser Arthur Dayne. Your true prince is up north with my father. I absolve you of your oath to protect me. Go find my half-brother and protect him. Teach him what I've learned and raise him to be a good man as best you can be. When I take the throne from my father, bring him to me and if he is as good of a man as I know you can mold him into …I will abdicate the throne and he can take back his rightful place." Will told him as he walked past Arthur to leave his cabin.

"My prince, you cannot be serious." Arthur told him. Will stopped in his tracks and turned to him.

"I am. What the realm needs is its true heir back. There are still those who call my father usurper and with good reason because his bloody rebellion and conquest of the throne was built on a lie. Both of my parents' actions led to war and my very existence is a lie and that is my future. To end up like my father, an old drunk who yearns for the days of old while he fucks whores and drinks himself to an early grave or my mother whose actions led to a rebellion and the death of her own family. That is my future…that is what's in store for me and I want no part of it." Will told him, honestly scared about what his future now held for him with everything he learned. "Ever since I was brought to King's Landing and was told I was a prince, I've done everything I can to best serve the realm and if this is how…then so be it. We land in Dorne later today, you can disembark and make your trip up north."

Will left the room and made his way back up to the deck, to find some peace of mind or at least calm himself down as they neared Sunspear. The ship pulled past the Stepstones and next to Sunspear, the capital of Dorne and house of the Martells. Dorne was always unique in the Seven Kingdoms, the one region that was never actually conquered by Aegon the Conqueror. It only yielded after a marriage and ever since has been fairly isolated and different from the other six. After his father took the throne, Dorne isolated itself from the crown with the exception of trade and commerce. Tt had nothing to do with the politics of the realm and given how his father casually disregarded the murder of Elia Martell and her children, he couldn't blame them. His father did them a great dis-service all those years ago…hopefully he could repair it, he owed them that much.

Sunspear, Dorne

The ships pulled into the small harbor and docked by the small harbor town that was on the edge of Sunspear. They were there to drop off some stuff from King's Landing and pick up some more water and food for the journey. Will had Gendry and Edric stay with the ship. Once they got the supplies and took care of business, they'd leave. He walked down the ramp of the ship with Ser Davos, Beric Dondarrion and Thoros of Myr at his side along with some men to carry the large wooden crate that was on the ship. Some nearby guards walked over, seeing the ships enter the port and wondered what they were doing in Dorne.

"What is your purpose here in Dorne?" They asked, Will noting their unique orange/yellow garb and their accents.

"We're here to see Prince Doran Martell. My name is William Baratheon." He told them as the guards looked at one another. "I have a gift for Prince Doran and Prince Oberyn. It's in the crate."

The guards looked at the crate and one of them got off his horse and walked over to it. "What's in it?" the guard asked, walking over to it and suspicious of its nature.

"Half of the justice that Prince Doran and Oberyn deserve." Will replied as the guard opened the crate and was shocked to see the contents inside. "I believe they'll want to see this themselves."

"Yes, come with us." The guard said as they escorted William and his party up to Sunspear while the guard sent a messenger to tell Prince Doran they were coming.

The Prince was in his solar, overlooking the gardens of his palace sitting in his chair with the Captain of the Martell Guard, Aero Hotah standing watch. Doran watched his nieces Obara, Tyene, and Nymeria Sand in the courtyard practicing with their weapons while his brother Oberyn and his Paramour Ellaria watched. Doran sighed in relief and relaxation, watching the peace Dorne had known for the last few years unfold before him. While the peace was pleasant, he still felt a wash of sadness in his heart over his sister Elia and the justice that has eluded them all these years.

"Prince Doran." Doran took his gaze from the gardens to see a messenger walk up next to Aero. "The guards from the docks have brought a guest to see you. Prince William Baratheon."

Doran looked at the man and at Aero. "I was not told of the Prince's arrival in Sunspear.".

"Because he never sent a raven, my prince. But he says he wishes to see you and Prince Oberyn. He comes bearing a gift." The messenger told him.

"Have the Prince meet us in the main hall." Doran said and the messenger left. Doran then looked at Aero. "Gather my brother and the guards."

"Yes, my prince." Aero replied as he left to do his duty. Doran was pushed in his chair into the main hall where his brother and Ellaria met him there.

"I'm told the Crown prince has visited us." Oberyn said. "What does the Stag's bastard want with Dorne?"

"Easy, brother. We shall see." Doran said as they entered the main hall to see the Prince and his company of guards who Doran and Oberyn recognized as Ser Davos Seaworth and Thoros of Myr. They also noticed a large wooden crate there as well.

"Prince Doran. Prince Oberyn." Will bowed his head in respect while the others looked at him funny. He cleared his throat and they did the same.

"Prince William, we did not expect to see you in Dorne." Doran said.

"That's on me. I never sent a Raven. We just stopped near Sunspear for supplies while we continue our voyage." Will replied.

"To the Summer Isles, if I'm correct." Oberyn said. "A young boy on his way to conquer new lands. You seem a bit green though."

"I'm sure the Iron Born felt the same way and looked what happened." Will retorted causing Oberyn to chuckle and bow his head in respect. Whatever his thoughts on the boy, he was brave to go to war at 10 years old. "Forgive us for the sudden entrance."

"Not at all. I only wish you had let us know you were coming. We would have prepared a feast." Doran told him as Will smiled.

"Not necessary but much appreciated, Prince Doran. We won't be in Sunspear for long. Only a few more hours to give the men some rest and gather some more supplies." Will told him.

"Why did you come to us? I find it strange as how the Iron Throne has left us alone and all of a sudden the Crown Prince comes to give us a visit." Oberyn commented.

"Oberyn." Doran warned his brother to say in line.

"It's quite all right, Prince Doran. And I'm not here on behalf of the Iron Throne, the Seven Kingdoms or even my father…I'm here as someone who knows what it's like to lose a loved one." Will told them. "Whatever you views about my father, I understand they are justified for his behavior and his actions. I hope you don't condemn a son for the faults of his father."

"I don't believe a child is guilty for the sins of his father or his mother." Oberyn said and Will nodded with a pained smile, having learned exactly what his mother did all those years ago.

"Both of my parents made…questionable decisions in their years. But they were not the only ones. Prince Rhaegar made his as did Tywin Lannister and two others. Two of whom wrought your family with unspeakable evil that was never rectified. I intend to rectify one of them today." Will said, sending a nod to Thoros. Thoros walked over and unlocked the crate as Will walked behind it. "Prince Oberyn, Prince Doran, may I present to you…"

Will kicked the crate causing it to tip over and the latch came off. A gagged and chained man was rolled out of the crate in a heap. "Ser Amory Lorch." Will announced. Lorch lifted his head to see the faces of Doran, Oberyn, and Ellaria. The man screamed but the gag muffled his voice and he couldn't move because he was restrained with rope and chains. "Forgive his smell but he's been in that box for a while. This man along with The Mountain killed your sister, Elia and her children. My father wouldn't bring them to justice but I would."

Doran and Oberyn smiled as they saw one of the men who killed their sister and her children all those years ago in front of them, helpless and at their mercy. "For so long have I waited for this moment." Oberyn knelt down to see Lorch who looked both angry and helpless. "How did you get him?"

"An arrow dipped in essence of Nightshade knocked him right out." Will said which made Oberyn him a second glance. "The Red Viper isn't the only one who knows a thing or two about poison. He's yours to do with as you wish. I just hope this helps you heal and give you some justice."

"We won't give real justice until the Mountain is the same." Oberyn said.

"Then you will get his head either by my hand or by yours." Will replied as they looked at him. "My father won't be long in this world with the way he eats and drinks. Should the day come when he no longer sits on the throne, I swear to you on my life and honor you will have your justice."

Doran looked at Will and then at Lorch. "Take him to the dungeons." Doran ordered. Aero had some guards drag Lorch away. "You have done a great deed for my house, my Prince. Long has justice for our sister Elia slipped through our fingers so I thank you for this act."

"No thanks necessary." Will told him. Oberyn stood up and walked over to Will as Ser Davos, Dondarrion and Thoros had their hands on their swords just in case.

"For the longest time, I didn't think the Baratheons had any cocks between their legs. Too busy being taken to bed by the Lannisters." Oberyn said causing Will to chuckle.

"Well, I'm half Stark…and a northerner would kill the Lannisters if they tried that…as would I." He replied. Oberyn chuckled in response.

"Perhaps there is more to you than the stories." Oberyn said with a smile as he pat him on the shoulder. "Stay for the night. Enjoy the wonders of Dorne."

"My brother is right. You've done us a great service, the least we can do is give you some welcome rest." Doran added.

"And a time to enjoy the pleasures this far south without the judgmental eyes of the kingdom on you." Oberyn said as Ellaria wrapped her arms around her lover.

"A good idea. The prince is cute. Perhaps Tyene will have a nice new plaything." Ellaria taunted.

"Thank you for your hospitality but we should get going. Next time." Will replied as Oberyn and Doran nodded. Will and his party bowed in respect and left.

"A strange boy, isn't he brother?" Oberyn commented and his brother agreed.

"Very. Not at all what I was expecting." Doran said. "A great weight and burden was on his mind…I saw it in his eyes."

"He won't be long for his world unless he unburdens himself." Ellaria said as they agreed.

"Let's see if the Blue Wolf lives long enough." Oberyn said.

Line Break xxxxx

Island of Jhala, Summer Isles

For nearly an entire moon, the group of William Baratheon and Prince Jalabhar Xho traveled across the sea to the Summer Isles. There were some choppy waters but they finally made it to the southernmost island of Jhala, home of the Red Flower Vale and island where Prince Jalabhar Xho once ruled. The ships pulled into Parrot Bay as Will saw other trade ships from Essos and further east pull away from the harbor town. It was lit with activity with dock masters and harbor hands quickly working with captains and ship hands to move cargo to and from ships, while the local shops, inns and brothels in the town were active with both natives and visitors. There was also a large building on the water where the famous Swan Ships of the Summer Isles were being built. It wasn't as jammed packed as King's Landing, everything was more spaced out and connected to nature. The buildings were made of wood and stones, smoothed and ornamental and there was just a different atmosphere to the island. He looked around and true to Prince Jalabhar's word, most of the people wore flowing capes of brightly colored feathers or flowing outfits that showed off an abundance of natural colors decorated with feathers, leathers, pelts, and stones. It was nothing like Will had ever seen, even Dorne was nothing like this.

"It's something else, isn't it?" Prince Jalabhar asked and he nodded in response.

"Nothing like I've ever seen." Will said. He looked over at a few of the men who were just in awe and couldn't wait to explore the town. "They should be expecting us, correct?"

"Yes. The high priest and the warrior guard shall be waiting there and we'll be brought to the main palace where I will issue my challenge. No harm shall come to us." Prince Jalabhar told him and Will nodded.

"This will be a fine adventure. I'm glad I decided to come with you." Tyrion said, excited to explore the town and enjoy the various pleasures that were there.

"So long as you behave yourself. That goes for the rest of you as well!" Will shouted as the men looked at him. "We're guests in this country and we have no law or control over them. If you find yourself on the wrong end of their laws, your life is in their hands!"

The men nodded and understood when Will looked over and saw Ser Arthur still on the ship. He never left when they anchored in Dorne and said he was still staying by his side. He said that if he was absolved of his oath, he made it his own decision to protect the prince. He wasn't cruel enough to throw him off the ship but their relationship wasn't the same and Will hadn't spoke to him. The ships moved into the harbor and docked next to each other. The ship hands anchored the boat and closed up the sails while others were getting the crates of trade goods like iron, tin and steel to trade in the town. Will was dressed in his regular clothes with each of his daggers strapped to a boot and his sword around his waist. He had his quiver and bow on his back as he, Beric, Thoros, Edric, Gendry and a few of the men walked off the ship with Prince Jalabhar into town while Cedric stayed behind on the ship to coordinate the men. A few steps into the town and they were met by a small party of natives. There was a man dressed in a purple ceremonial garb carrying a stick and several women in red clothing armed with spears.

"Zuri." Jalabhar greeted the man who smiled and walked forward, embracing him as if he were a long-lost brother.

"Good to see you in one piece, my prince." Zuri spoke in Summer Tongue. "You look strong."

"Glory to Bast for my health. How are my mother and sister?" He asked.

"They are fine. I assure you. They've taken residency with me at the temple. No harm has come to them." Zuri said as he looked at Will and his party. "Are these your champions?"

"Yes." Jalabhar said, looking back at William. "We have discussed and the young one is my champion. He collected these men to fight."

"The boy?" Zuri asked as he looked at William. "He is so young."

"But has seen enough fighting for a man twice my age." Will replied in Summer Tongue shocking Zuri while Jalabhar chuckled.

"He's also a fast learner of Summer Tongue." Jalabhar said and Zuri nodded. The Prince then looked at the woman who accompanied Zuri. They were the Dora Milaje, the personal bodyguards of the islands Royal Family. "Okoye."

"Jalabhar." She replied as she bowed her head with a smile at seeing her old friend. "Come. We shall take you to the Royal Palace."

Okoye stabbed her spear into the ground three times as the other Dora Milaje turned around and stood at attention. "We head to the Royal Palace. M'Baku will be waiting there and I will issue my challenge." Jalabhar said.

"After you." Will told him and he and his small party were escorted from the ship up to the Royal Palace while the rest of the men stayed behind to offload the cargo and rest up. Tyrion had decided to accompany Will to the palace along with Ser Arthur as they walked through the town. They saw the shops and stalls that were trading everything from food to weapons and even animals like hawks, parrots, and monkeys. There were taverns and inns as well as several high-end, classy brothels that were an entire league classier than Littlefinger's brothel in Kings Landing. There were native girls outside the brothels dressed in flowing dressed of red, green, and yellow and blue ordained with beautifully colored feathers that accentuated their dark skin tone. Will knew from his talks with Prince Jalabhar that the Summer Isles beliefs were very different than the Seven Kingdoms where they worship different gods including the fertility goddess and that the art of lovemaking was considered the most important skill and could even performed by their priests and priestess in their temples of love. So, coincidentally, Prostitution was a very respectable profession that was even practiced by the high-born natives unlike in Westeros where Prostitution was looked upon with unfavorable eyes by many.

Will noticed Gendry and Edric were enamored by the beautiful native girls who motioned them to come forward and they almost would have if he hadn't pulled them away by their collars. "Later." Will told them as he pushed them back onto the path but their eyes were locked onto the women.

"It seems they are your father's sons if their predisposition to women is any indicator." Tyrion said, looking at the women by the brothels. "Although in this circumstance, I would have to agree with them. The story about the women of the Summer Isles is something must be seen to be believed."

Tyrion then looked at Will who did look at the beautiful women indicating that he did have feelings or at least attraction for the opposite sex but he wasn't as distracted as his brothers or even the men. "Not interested in the farer sex?" Tyrion asked as Will looked at him.

"I'm interested enough when the situation calls for it." Will replied.

"Well I do believe being on an island with gorgeous women is a situation that calls for it." Tyrion told him.

"And turn into the man my father is now? I'd rather be dead then forsake my honor and character like that." Will replied, ending the conversation and kept walking while Tyrion stopped a bit. He was starting to see the prince in a vastly different light. There previous interactions were also kind and amicable. William always treated him with respect when they spoke and interacted, much different than Joffrey ever did and from the rumors, he was a very humble and kind young man. He was Robert's son and heir but it seems he was nothing like Robert.

They made it out of the harbor town and down a cobblestone path through the neighboring jungle that gave everyone a good look at the lush foliage unlike anything in the Seven Kingdoms. The woods and plains surrounding King's Landing was nothing compared to the tall trees and cluster of new plants Will had never seen before. The air even smell better here although granted King's Landing stunk of piss and shit for years, that wasn't hard. The group kept walking until they came to a large brick and stone palace, ordained with beautiful jewels, ornamental decorations and lush tapestries with a white gorilla/ape drawn on them. Will noticed Jalabhar's disdain when he saw the banners as it was a reminder of what he had lost all those years ago.

"This way." Zuri led them into the palace where they saw several servants running about and doing their chores while being harassed by the guards who wore leather armor and fur arm and shoulder guards. The guards were either harassing the servants or enjoying the company of prostitutes, some even in open spaces. They walked through the palace and made their way to the main chamber where they saw more ornate furniture and decorations that showed wealth and extravagance with jewels and precious stones. The same banners from outside were hung up around the room as Will looked around to take note of the people inside. There were more guards but he also saw some people who looked to be mercenaries or sell swords since they weren't natives. They all appeared to be 20 summers or older and were a mix bag of individuals.

One of the group was older than the rest, perhaps the age of Ser Davos and wore a dark purple tunic and leather armor. Besides him was an unusual looking spear or staff. Next to him sat a wild looking man with various scars on his head and face that showed he must have been through a great deal. He had two small axes/hatchets on his waist and was wearing leather armor and metal shoulder plates. He was busy stuffing his face with food. Next to him sat a woman in red leather armor, hair touched by fire and carrying a quiver and bow. Despite being the only female among the group, Will could see she carried herself like a warrior. Next to her was a man who gave off the aura of a smart talker and someone who has seen plenty of battle but lives for coin. He had a long black cloak on and Will could see the glint of various throwing knives hidden away. Next to him was a young boy a few years older than Will who seemed out of place in the bunch and especially next to the final member of the group. He was a large, hulking figure, about the size of the Hound but was more muscular. He had long hair and a beard, wore leather armor with a dagger in his belt, a lion pelt cape and had a large stone/wooden club next to him. (5)

Will then looked at the final man in the room and saw he was the man who was prince of the island and defeated Jalabhar all those years ago. He was a large man, not nearly the size of the other large man in the room but tall and built. He wore leather armor, had fur shoulder guards and a white ape cowl on the table next to his throne. He was sitting in his throne, talking to servant girls who fed him food and poured him wine.

"Prince M'Baku!" Zuri announced as M'Baku and the mercenaries in the room turned their gaze to Zuri and the others.

"Jalabhar…what brings you scurrying back to my land after your exile? Wanting to lose your head or do you want to be embarrassed further in another bout?" M'Baku joked and his guards laughed.

"M'Baku, I…Prince Jalabhar Xho of the Red Flower Vale challenge you for the throne you took from me!" Jalabhar shouted so everyone in the room could hear him. The last few years of pent up aggression and animosity towards what happened had been let out in his declaration for his throne back.

"A challenge for the throne has been issued. What say you, Prince M'Baku of the White Ape tribe?" Zuri asked so M'Baku stood up from his throne, grabbed his wooden war club and walked down to face Jalabhar.

"I accept your challenge and will enjoy the humiliation you will endure when I win again." M'Baku said as he looked at his company. "These are your champions?"

"Yes, they are." Jalabhar replied . He motioned to his side as Will stepped forward.

"William Baratheon of Westeros. We will fight as Prince Jalabhar's champions." Will told him causing M'Baku to laugh.

"The prince is so desperate he brings children to fight for him." M'Baku said in Summer Tongue as his men laughed.

"I wonder if you'll feel the same after you lose." Will replied in Summer Tongue causing M'Baku to look at him.

"Smart to bring westerners to fight for you. As have I." M'Baku said, gesturing to the small group of mercenaries.

"Sell swords. They fight for neither glory nor honor." Beric Dondarrion said as the wild man stood up but the woman stopped him.

"Easy, Dondarrion. We're guests here and will treat everyone with respect." Will told him.

"Yes, My prince." Dondarrion replied as the mercenaries looked at Will.

"The Challenge has been accepted. The High Priests shall converse with our gods to determine the day of this fight." Zuri clacked his staff onto the ground making a loud noise.

Zuri and his priests and priestess gathered in the high temple to determine the day of the fight. Jalabhar and his champions were given lodgings down by Parrot Bay and would reside there until the challenge began. Will got some rest, sitting at a small table outside a tavern with a small plate of indigenous fruit and a glass of fruit juice which was amazing. He watched as his men enjoyed themselves in delectable food and fine company from the local women. Tyrion was enjoying himself as was the other men and even Gendry and Edric were enamored by the local woman. Granted they were only 12 years of age but were old enough to begin understanding certain feelings towards women.

Will sat at his table and was jotting some things down in a personal journal, logging the events of the day and key points and people of interest. He dipped his quill in some ink as he finished up a small sketching of Parrot Bay and the ships in the harbor next to a small blurb of his first thoughts when he arrived.

"Everything all right, my prince?" Will heard so he looked up and saw Ser Davos walk over and sit down next to him.

"I'm fine, Ser Davos. And you? Enjoying yourself?" he asked and Ser Davos nodded.

"Aye. It's been a while since I've been to the Summer Isles and it's nice to have been invited this time." Davos said. He turned and saw Ser Arthur standing about 10 feet away at attention to watch over the prince which was weird because he would usually be closer. "Everything ok with you and Ser Arthur?"

"We're just having a little…disagreement of late on secrets and our roles in life, Ser Davos." Will told him.

"It's all right, my prince. Something tells me your issue with Ser Arthur will resolve itself. I've never seen anyone as loyal as Ser Arthur is to guarding you." Davos told him but he just closed his book. He leaned back in his chair and did some people watching when he saw the young man from the band of mercenaries who were working for M'Baku. He walked over with the woman and the man with the spear. They walked over and sat down next to a group of Will's men.

"Evening gentlemen, can I buy you all a jug of wine so you may enjoy your last few days before your defeat?" he asked as one of the men was ready to get up and beat him when Will signaled him to stay down and behave. "I mean, it's the only outcome for fighting against the mighty Hercules."

"Hercules?" Gendry asked.

"Oh, have you never heard of the tales of the mighty Hercules? A mighty warrior and demi-god of Athens. Half-god…and half-mortal." The man said but everyone thought it was a load of crap.

"The man with the lion pelt?" Will asked and he nodded. "You share a resemblance to him? I would dare to guess…nephew?"

"A wise and discerning eye for your age. I am Iolaus of Athens, and these are two of Hercules' mighty compatriots. The mighty seer Amphiarus of Argos, and the Amazon Archer Atalanta of Scythia." Iolaus introduced himself, Atalanta and Amphiarus.

"Amazon Archer, what a load of shit." Gawen Glover said when Will threw his quill and hit the man's cup out of his hand. Everyone looked and saw Will had thrown it.

"Have care how you speak, Gawen Glover or I'm tempted to let her use you as target practice." Will warned him and Gawen nodded his head.

"Apologies, my lady." Gawen bowed his head. Atalanta nodded her head to Will as thank you and he nodded back.

"Where did you come from?" Edric asked.

"Far west of here. Even further west than Westeros. Tales and songs of Hercules feats of strength and his twelve labors are not to be underestimated. Many enemies who underestimated the son of Zeus lay dead in the ground." Iolaus told them and people began to gather around.

"Zeus…the Athenian god of thunder from the Athenian western religion if I'm not mistaken." Will said.

"Yes. It would seem the young man here has quite the knowledge of our culture." Iolaus said as Amphiarus looked at Will with a discerning eye. "The Athenian god of thunder and king of the gods. Hercules is his son and as such…has accomplished feats of strength, courage, and fortitude no man has ever accomplished before."

"Such as?" Gendry asked causing Iolaus to smile. Hook, line, and sinker.

"Whatever stories you may have heard about the son of Zeus…let me tell you the truth. His father was Zeus, the Zeus, god of the sky, thunder, and king of the gods. His mother, Alkameni, a mortal woman. Together they had a boy, half human…half god. But Zeus's queen Hera saw this bastard child as an insult, a living reminder of her husband's infidelity. Alkameni named the boy Hercules, which means glory of Hera. But this failed to appease the goddess…she wanted him dead. One day, she sent two serpents after him, to kill the bastard child of her husband…luckily he took after his father." Iolaus told the tale as everyone was listening with intent. Iolaus was a gifted story teller.

"Once he reached manhood, the gods commanded him to complete 12 labors. 12 dangerous missions. If he completed them all and survived Hera agreed to finally let him live in peace. He fought the Lernaena Hydra…he battled the Erymanthian Boar…capture the Ceryneian Hind…slay the Stymphalian Birds…capture the Cretan Bull…obtain the belt of Hippolyte and other tasks no mere mortal could survive." Iolaus told and everyone was engrossed in the story as Iolaus described it. "But his greatest labor was the Nemean Lion. This was no ordinary beast. It had a hide so tough no weapon could penetrate it. But even this monster was no match for the son of Zeus."

"If the hide was so tough, how did he kill it?" Edric asked.

"I did it with my bare hands." They heard as Hercules and the rest of his companions walked up to the group. "Or so they say."

"Quite a tale of impressive feats and a very intricate and wonderous, Iolaus." Will said and Iolaus smiled, seeing some of Will's men begin to second guess their chances. "Just a question, Hercules wears the pelt of the Nemian Lion correct?"

"Of course, a proud reminder of mightiest labor as well as the leather armor lined with the skin of the Erymanthian Boar. It's indestructible." Iolaus proudly spoke.

"If it's supposedly indestructible…how did you remove it from the beast?" Will asked as everyone looked at him and then at Iolaus.

"With an indestructible sword, of course." Iolaus said.

"Of course. And sewing it into the armor was done with what? Indestructible needles and thread?" Will asked, causing Iolaus to freeze a bit. The men chuckled a bit at the joke and even Hercules and his mercenaries did as well. "You know, your story is rather intriguing because it reminds me of some stories I heard of a group of mercenaries far west who went from king to king and set with seemingly impossible tasks to complete. Labors, as you would say yet these labors were less mystical and godly and more…unique. For example, the Lernaena Hydra was nothing but men in serpents masks and was slain by the mighty Hercules."

"Well…" Iolaus was stuck a bit as the men chuckled, seeing their prince trip Iolaus up and went back to their business. "Where are you going?"

"I'm afraid their attention span isn't that long to begin with. Still, well told Iolaus." Will took out a gold dragon and tossed it to him. "You have a future as a story teller and if you can write…perhaps you should write them down in books. But in this day and age…myths, creatures and the gods are all fairytales in Westeros."

"You're very smart for a boy you're age." Hercules said to him and Will smirked.

"So, I've been told many times." He replied. "So, what brings Hercules and his band of companions to the Summer Isles?"

"An opportunity for employment. M'Baku pays us quite well but probably not as well as the prince of Westeros." Hercules said.

"How long did it take for you to figure that out?" He asked.

"Not that long. The way you spoke and how your man listened to your command with ease was a hint, but we've heard about you as well. Tales of your exploits with the Iron Islands Rebellion have reached beyond the 7 Kingdoms. To be honest, weren't sure what to expect from the crowned prince of Robert the Usurper. You're not at all what we were expecting." Iolaus said.

"You share the same viewpoint as many I've met." Will told him.

"What brought the Crowned Prince here to settle a political power dispute of a nation that the 7 Kingdoms have no part in?" Atalanta asked.

"Just a boy doing what he can to help someone in need. I'd like to think if I was in the Prince's situation that someone else would come to my aid as well." He told them. "And the chance to improve trade negotiations and a Goldenheart Tree bow are also excellent motivators."

"You're an archer?" Atalanta asked, intrigued and he nodded in response.

"I am." He replied. "I'm a fairly good shot."

"Heh, if the prince is just a fairly good shot then I'm the bloody king." Thoros said, finishing his cup of wine. "There's no better shot in the 7 Kingdoms then the Prince."

"I find that hard to believe." Atalanta replied.

"It's true. The Prince is battle tested and is the best marksman there is." Davos said.

"Really?" Autolycus questioned as he drank some wine from a mug. Will smirked and got an idea so he took the knife on the table and saw a coconut hanging from a tree. He flung the knife in a blur and sliced the coconut from the tree, then took out his dragon bone dagger and threw it, slicing the coconut clean in two.

"I'm very good." Will spoke as the bystanders clapped in applause.

"Not bad." Autolycus then took out three knives from his cloak and threw it at a hanging fruit from a tree and did the same thing. "For someone so young."

"Care to put your gold where your mouth is?" Will suggest as Autolycus smirked.

Four hours later

The sun was setting in the Summer isles and the air outside the tavern got raucous with activity as it became a betting ground for a small competition between Will, Autolycus and Atalanta. The bet initially started between Will and Autolycus to see who the superior knife thrower was but Atalanta soon got involved, wanting to see who the better archer was. The small competition had gone on for four hours and drew in more and more spectators who put coin on whoever they thought would win. It was a raucous affair and a fun atmosphere.

Cedric was acting as the bidding master and took note of everyone's bets and watched over the ever-growing pile of coin. If you looked at him, you would think he had experience in this matter. Edric, Gendry, Ser Davos, and Tyrion watched the little competition between the prince and the sell swords. The next round of the competition was between Will and Atalanta. One of the men set up the next target on a palm tree about 150 meters away. The target was a small gold coin strung up on a small string. The breeze from the sea would blow every now and then which made the coin swing every few seconds making the target even harder to hit. This was going to be the true test of a marksman. Will had his recurve bow in his hand, standing by the table with Atalanta up first. She had a special kind of compound bow made up of wood, bone, and steel with bow tip edges fitting with razors for close combat. She took out a metal-tipped arrow and pulled it back on the bow string. She aimed as best she could and took a breath…waiting for the right moment for her shot. Everyone stayed quiet as they watched her take her time and were waiting for the moment she let the arrow go.

Atalanta fired her shot and it shot right into the tree, just barely missing the coin by a little to the left. Ser Davos took out his spyglass to survey what happened and saw that she missed. "Miss!" He shouted as the people who bet on Atalanta winning growled in anger and shouted in protest. Ser Davos handed Atalanta his spyglass so she could see, and she did miss. Hercules took a look and saw with his own eyes.

"Fair shot, Atalanta." Hercules told her. Will grabbed the spyglass to see for himself.

"Very impressive." Will added as one of the young native boys ran up and pulled the arrow out of the tree and returned it to her. She smiled and pat him on the head.

"Your turn." She told him. Will nodded and stood in the same place she did. He took a breath and put a metal-tipped arrow on his drawstring. He pulled it back to his chin and aimed as best he could. His sight at 150 meters away wasn't the best and he could see the twinkle of gold reflect back as it swayed in the wind. It reminded him of a training session he did with Ser Arthur years ago with a target strung up by a rope. Will closed his eyes and concentrated, taking deep, slow breaths to slow his heartbeat and drown out the noise of the crowd.

Hundred Eyes smiled with pride. He could tell his student would hit his mark. Ser Arthur and Ser Davos watched with intent as they saw the prince seem to freeze in place. Will opened his eyes and released his arrow, sending it flying through the air towards the target. The metal-tipped arrow pierced through the air and a distinct thunk of metal hitting metal was heard so Ser Davos looked through his spyglass to see that Will's arrow hit the gold coin and pierced it to the tree.

"Hit!" He shouted and the people who bet on him to win shouted in glee and jubilation. Atalanta, Autolycus, and Hercules took turns with the spyglass to see with their own eyes and saw he was right. Will hit his target with a shot that proved he was a skilled marksman…with a little bit of luck on his side.

Edric and Gendry shot up and hugged their brother and he hugged them back before shouting in glee. "WOOOO!" Will held his bow high above his head as his compatriots from Westeros cheered for him and hoisted him up into the air to celebrate.

Will had them put him back onto the ground so he could shake Atalanta's hand in respect. "Good match." He said as she nodded back.

"A fair shot but I want another bout." She said when Will and Hercules noticed Zuri walk over with a group of temple guards.

"We'll have to put a hold on that for now." He said as Zuri walked and everyone quieted down.

"Our priests and priestess have convened at our temple, and our gods have spoken. Prince Jalabhar's challenge for the throne shall commence tomorrow at high noon!" Zuri shouted as he and the guards clacked their staffs into the ground.

"I guess we'll have to hold off that rematch. Best of luck tomorrow." Will said to Hercules and his band of mercenaries.

"And to you as well. If fate was different, I could have seen this jovial time continuing. Best of luck and made the gods choose the fair winner." Hercules replied as he and his group left.

Line Break xxxxx

The next day, Will and his group of warriors woke up, ate a hardy breakfast and prepared themselves for the fight. Will informed the group that this wasn't going to be like a regular tournament melee. He assured them that if they survived but lost the match there wasn't any penalty for the losers except for exile and the only weapons they were allowed to use were spears and slings. No bows, swords, axes or hammers. Just spears and slings and armor was allowed but if anything, it would be a hindrance in this kind of fight.

Will was dressed in his regular clothing and added in leather forearm guards and shoulder pads for armor. Anything metal wouldn't help him today. He joined his men and they were all outfitted with light armor if they chose to wear it. A group of the temple guards arrived and escorted them to the consecrated battlegrounds for the fight which was somewhere on the edge of a small cliff that overlooked one of the small bays of the isles. The temple guards, priests and priestesses were gathered along with local natives and visiting merchants and sailors who heard of the fight. Will saw Hercules, his band of mercenaries and the rest of M'Baku's men clad in whatever leather armor they were wearing and had white paint on their bodies in honor of M'Baku. They were armed with either long or short spears and slings.

Prince Jalabhar walked over with his mother and younger sister and the three were accompanied by the guard Okoye, all of whom were dressed in ceremonial garb with Jalabhar's resembling that of a panther. "Prince William. I cannot thank you again for what you're doing." Jalabhar said.

"Save that for until after we win." Will replied as Jalabhar nodded. The two shook forearms and Jalabhar wished him luck.

"May the gods be on your side." Jalabhar said to him. Okoye slammed her spear into the ground once and servant came over with weapons for William and his group to choose from. Many of them men who had experience with lances chose the long spears and the wooden shields as weapons. The rest took whatever weapons they seemed to decide on. Will took a long spear as well for his choice and stood ready. Edric and Gendry also grabbed weapons when Will stopped them.

"Put those down. You two aren't fighting." He told them, taking their weapons and putting them back.

"Come on, Will. You're fighting so we should too." Gendry said.

"You fought when you were our age." Edric told him.

"True but I've already had years of training at that point. Both of you have barely had two years and this isn't a practice spar, this is real." Will told them. "One day you two will fight but not today."

They reluctantly nodded and decided to abide by his wishes. They all hugged and put their forehead together before separating and shaking hands. "All for one and one for all." They spoke in unison. Those were the words that bound the brothers together above everything else: despite their differences growing up, the whole relies on each of us and each of us relies on the whole. This was their brotherhood.

Zuri clacked his staff on a stone twice as the warriors gathered together on the battlefield which was a large even-faced plot of ground that had a knee-high ring of spiked stones around it acting as a kind of ring or barrier. Tyrion, Edric, Gendry, Cedric Angar, Ser Davos, and Hundred Eyes were off to the side with the rest of the spectators. The priests, priestesses, and natives who had gathered began chanting in a native language. "I Zuri, son of Badu, welcome you all. Before the sight of our gods on this sacred ground, a challenge has been issued for the Throne. M'Baku, holds the throne!"

"Baffa!" M'Baku let loose his war cry and his men responded,

"His challenger, Prince Jalabhar!" Zuri announced, pointing to the former prince.

"Yibambe!" Jalabhar shouted and his followers and other natives replied in response.

"Each prince has chosen his champion who shall fight on their honor. The victor shall be given the throne of power on the island, while the defeated shall be exiled." Zuri announced. "Victory in ritual combat comes from yield, expulsion from the arena, or death. May Bast smile upon the victors."

The combatants stood on opposite sides of the battle grounds, ready and willing to fight. Will stood ready with a long spear in his hand, standing beside Ser Arthur and Thoros while Hercules and the other warriors stared them down.

"BEGIN!" Zuri shouted and the two opposing group of warriors charged at one another.

Will, being the youngest and shortest of the group was quicker and ran like a wolf lunging at his prey. He jumped forward and stabbed one of M'Baku's warriors in the heart with his spear. The two groups clashed with each other and they all began fighting with men on both sides killing the other. Will smacked one of M'Baku's men in the face with the end of his spear before doing a leg sweep and knocking him to the ground. He stabbed him int the chest with the spear when he saw two more charging at him. Using the spear for stability, he performed a jumping scissor kick, hitting the two warriors in the face and knocking them back. He pulled the spear out and spun it with his hands, showing off a great deal of skill. M'Baku's men charged at him but were victims of blunt hits, stabs, or slashes that either knocked them away or severely hurt them. Some of the men in Will's party were killed but M'Baku had more dead then he did. The armor was actually the saving grace for some because it limited where M'Baku's men could strike and it gave them the advantage.

Will saw the wild looking man in Hercules party disarm Beric Dondarrion and was ready to kill him. He rushed over and threw his spear at the wild man but Tydeus ducked and the spear flew over his head, nearly hitting a spectator. Will rushed forward and when he got close, he drop kicked Tydeus in the chest and sent him flying out of the ring, expelling him from the fight.

Will kip up to his feet and helped Beric up when he saw Amphiaraus charged with a spear so he quickly pushed him out of the way just in time to avoid being speared. Amphiaraus's spear grazed his face, slicing his cheek so Will grabbed the spear and elbow the seer in the chest. The blow staggered Amphiaraus allowing him to smack him in the face before spin kicking him out of the arena like he did Tydeus.

He ducked and rolled forward to avoid a throw rock from Atalanta. He grouped up with the Beric and Thoros when five native warriors charged at them. Will broke the spear over his knee, giving him two fighting sticks and blocked one spear before bashing the warrior in the face and stabbing him in the throat. The other warrior charged with his wooden shield but Will threw out a push kick that destroyed it and hit the warrior right in the jaw, knocking him out. He threw the spear-tipped stick and killed another warrior who charged at Ser Arthur from behind. Another warrior spear thrusts at Will but he caught the blade and punched the wood with his free hand, breaking the spear-tip off and jammed it in the man's neck.

Will saw Hercules kill another of his men and both took a moment to see that the fight was nearly over with just over a dozen men on each side still alive while the rest had been killed or knocked out of the ring. One of warriors saw Will didn't have a weapon so he charged at him. Ser Arthur saw this and rushed over to help but Autolycus got in his way. M'Baku smiled, seeing the prince without a weapon and one of his men on his way to end it. When the prince died, the rest would give up. But to his and the rest of the spectators shock, he didn't need a weapon. Will steadied himself as Hundred Eyes taught him and when the warrior got close, he threw out a roundhouse kick to the jaw and knocked him out in one strike. The man dropped to the ground with a loud thud, surprising everyone with what happened. The men fighting in the pit even stopped at what just happened. Will grabbed the warriors spear and spun it in his hands a few times before stabbing it into the ground.

He saw four of M'Baku's warriors in front of them so he took a breath and assumed a fighting stance before motioning them to come at him. The closest one did and charged with his spear but was easily disarmed. Will kicked out one of his leg, grabbed his arm and dislocated it before throwing him away and quickly ducking to avoid a spear to the head. He spun on his knee and swept the warriors feet out from under him before grabbing him by the arm, breaking it and then knocking him out with a stomp to the face. The last two charged together, hell bent on spearing the outsider but were stopped when a well-placed upward kick knocked off their spear tips, leaving them with just sticks. The two warriors froze for a bit which Will capitalized on so he push kicked one back to focus on the other. The native threw out a punch that he blocked and responded with three quick jabs to the man's face before landing a jumping spin kick to his face and knocking him back. The other native grabbed him from behind and tried to choke him out but Will grabbed his fingers and pulled them back hard, breaking them. He grabbed the man's hands, twisted his arms over one another, dislocating and breaking some joints before pushing him back and knocking him out with a spinning hook kick to the face. He blocked another native's punch and threw out four powerful strikes to the chest and torso before locking his left arm, kneeing him in the stomach and pushing him down. Will put his leg over the man's arm for leverage and broke it at the elbow causing him to scream in pain before being knocked out with a swift kick to the face.

"Next?" Will asked as the last native warrior charged at him with a spear but was quickly disarmed like the others. The native warrior grabbed a broken spear from the ground and tried to stab him but Will grabbed his arm and did a spinning elbow to the warrior's face before doing a one handed back handspring and kicked the warrior in the head twice. He followed up with a push kick to the chest before knocking him out with a flying knee to the face.

"What on earth was that?" Tyrion asked. He had never seen the prince fight like that. He never saw anyone fight like that and be able to take out 10 armed men like it was nothing. He wasn't alone as everyone else was amazed at what they saw.

"I'm not quite sure." Davos replied. He's seen the prince fight with weapons and he was a skilled warrior but he never saw anything like that before.

"That is a new martial art the prince has been working on for years. The martial art of Kung Fu." Hundred Eyes told them with a smile of pride on his face. Even though he couldn't see, he knew his student was making him proud.

"Looks like all that practice and training is starting to pay off." Edric said.

M'Baku seethed in anger as he saw pretty much all of his men were knocked out or killed with only the three mercenaries left in the ring while the Westerosi prince had 9. It was the Prince, Ser Arthur, Thoros, Beric Dondarrion, Torrhen Karstark, Gawen Glover, Smalljon Umber, Dickon Tarly, Aldis Florent, and Edric Lefford. The only people left for M'Baku were Hercules, Atalanta, and Autolycus.

"Well, looks like the tables have turned in our favor." Thoros said, walking up beside the prince. The others joined him as well.

"I wouldn't be too sure about that." Atalanta replied, walking up Hercules.

"Although, after what I saw even I'm not sure about our odds." Autolycus added. "What about you, Hercules?"

"I think I found myself a worthy challenger." Hercules replied, stepping forward. Will knew exactly what he wanted and obliged, stepping forward to face him one on one.

"My prince, stop!" Beric grabbed his shoulder but Will pushed him off.

"Enough. No one interferes in this, that's an order." He told them. He looked straight at Hercules who tossed aside his spear and his lion pelt cape. "This is my fight. I need to do this. I need to prove my worth."

Arthur looked at William and saw that this wasn't about proving his worth to everyone…this was about proving his worth to himself and putting all thoughts of doubt behind him. "Listen to him." Arthur told the others. "This is his fight. We'd just get in the way."

They all stepped back until they were at the edge of the fighting grounds and Hercules's companions did the same, leaving just the two fighters in the middle. Hercules, son of the Athenian god Zeus and William Baratheon, prince of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros squared up with one another. Hercules had the raw build, strength and years of fighting whereas William had speed, agility, and skill. "One on one. Seems a fair way to end this." Will said.

"Yes, it is. Best of luck." Hercules said to him.

"Likewise." He replied. Everyone waited with bated breath to see who would make the first move.

"KILL HIM ALREADY!" M'Baku shouted so Hercules charged forward. He threw out a wild punch but Will ducked and hit Hercules with three quick jabs to the face. Hercules charged with more punches but Will ducked and dodged, not wanting to get hit. He quickly side stepped a jab and felt the wind rush past his face and knew if he got hit by one of those, it would hurt a lot. He threw out two punches to Hercules side before ducking and spinning to avoid a leg kick. He got back to his feet and raised his hands to block a punch but the force sent him back a bit. He managed to regain his footing in time to duck under a wild swing, and blocked more punches when an uppercut hit him in the face and knocked him back. Will caught himself and pushed forward, ducking under a wild swung, grabbing Hercules's arm and throwing him over his hip and onto the ground but Hercules grab his arm and responded with his own throw.

Will rolled from the impact and got back to his feet to block a flurry of punches from Hercules that felt like hitting stone. He managed to lock up Hercules's right arm mid-punch and grabbed him by the back of the neck to keep him close and prevent him from throwing out another punch. Will managed to push him back a bit and tried to sweep one of his legs but Hercules kept moving back. Hercules quickly broke free and threw him, onto the ground before throwing out a right hook that nailed him in the face and sent him skidding across the ground. Everyone winced because they could tell that it must have hurt. Thoros, Beric, and the others wanted to go help but Arthur held them back.

"Stop. The Prince gave us an order." Arthur told them. "He can do this."

Will groaned a bit and spit out some blood before getting back to his feet to Hercules surprise. He didn't think the young prince would get back up. Will wiped his mouth and took a deep breath before moving his hands in front of his body and adopting the stance of resembling that of mantis style. He turned his hand and motioned the giant to come at him. Hercules charged forward and threw out some more punches that were blocked or evaded and got hit with lightning quick punches from the prince. Every time Hercules threw out a punch, Will blocked and punched back with lightning quick speed. He blocked more punches and began to throw out kicks to Hercules mid-section. He ducked under a punch and performed a series of chain punches to his stomach before rolling to the side to avoid a wild punch from the right. He grabbed Hercules leg during the roll and pulled it with him forcing the large man into an uncomfortable split. He kicked his right leg up and hit Hercules in the jaw and sent him sprawling onto his back.

He rolled back to his feet into his fighting stance while Hercules was on the ground. Hercules groaned in pain and was frozen for a bit in shock after what happened, even the people in his party were shocked. They had never seen that happen ever and never thought the young prince could do that. Hercules got back to his feet and rubbed his jaw in pain before spitting out some blood.

"Impossible." Iolaus was in shock. He never saw his uncle in this state before, having been harmed by someone so young.

"Interesting." Amphiaraus said to himself. He was beginning to see something about this prince.

"And he's pissed." Autolycus said.

"Well struck." Hercules wiped his mouth free of blood. "It would seem that I've underestimated you."

"Something you share with many other people." Will replied.

"True. But no more." Hercules glared at him and was prepared, no longer holding back. "No more holding back."

He charged forward and punched but Will quickly ducked which is exactly what Hercules wanted and managed to grab him by the neck. He picked him up over his head and prepared to throw him out of the arena so Will quickly jabbed him in both armpits and shoulders, followed by a punch to the back of the neck. The pain caused Hercules to let go of him. Will landed on the ground did a leg sweep, knocking Hercules onto his back which he capitalized on with a knee to the gut and then an elbow to the forehead. Hercules threw him off and got back to his feet, clutching his forehead in pain. Hercules looked at Will and charged at him so Will did the same but jumped, landing a flying knee to his chest and elbow him again on the forehead. The impact knocked him onto his back and despite his massive size, even he groaned in pain and his forehead began to bleed. He got back to his feet and turned only for Will to forward flip and kick him in the head.

Hercules charged and aimed to grab him, but he did a quick split and slid right between his legs, using his size and speed to his advantage. Hercules threw out a kick so Will threw his body to push against Hercules stable leg and knocked him to the ground. Hercules threw out a roundhouse kick, but Will side-stepped and kicked him in the leg and stomach five times and then push kicked him back. He kept up the pressure with a flying knee to the face before jumping onto his shoulders, putting his legs around his neck and began throwing his elbow against his head over and over. Edric, Gendry, Arthur, and William's group smiled and cheered as it seemed that he had the edge on the massive Hercules.

Hercules party saw their champion being outsmarted and outfought by a young boy and were concerned for him. Atalanta and Autolycus wanted to intervene and prepared to when Arthur saw them. "You two intervene in this fight then we do the same!" Arthur shouted as he, Thoros, and Beric were ready to get in their way if they tried to help Hercules.

"Come on, Hercules." Atalanta whispered.

After throwing out the 10th elbow in a row, Will pulled his body down and head-scissor threw Hercules across the battleground. He spun back to his feet and got back into battle stance while Hercules groaned in pain because his head rang like a bell. "Hercules! GET OFF YOUR SORRY ASS AND FIGHT! I PAY YOU GOOD GOLD AND JEWELS AND THIS IS WHAT I GET?! KILL THE BASTARD!" M'Baku shouted in anger. Hercules grit his teeth and got back to onto his feet, his face was bleeding and in pain.

"Now I'm angry." Hercules charged forward with a flurry of punches that Will managed to block and dodge. Hercules managed to wrap his massive hand around Will's arm and punched him in the face twice before throwing him to the ground. He rolled back to his feet and ducked under Hercules' leg and kicked the bag of his leg with a flurry of kicks. One kick hit the back of his knee and sent Hercules down to the ground. Hercules threw out a wild backhand which he grabbed and quickly flipped his body over and threw him ground, putting him in an arm bar. Hercules quickly got out of it, picked up Will by the shirt and threw him onto the ground hard.

Will groaned in pain but he was quickly grabbed by the neck and hoisted into the air. Hercules began squeezing him around the neck with his two massive hands. Will punched his arms in an attempt to get free but Hercules was undeterred. He hoisted Will up by the neck with his left hand and then punched him in the gut with his right with enough force to send him flying to the ground. Will coughed up his lungs and held his chest in pain when he saw Hercules charge at him so he quickly rolled forward and tripped up the large man, sending him crashing face first onto the ground and smacking his head.

Will got back to his feet and back flipped, landing knees first on Hercules back causing him to shout in pain. He began throwing out hard punches and elbow strikes to Hercules back and head multiple times before he was knocked off. Will took a deep breath and steadied himself. His chest still hurt but was tolerable at the moment. Now that Hercules wasn't going to be pulling any punches and was pissed, he needed to take it up a notch. Hercules staggered back to his feet so he charged with a roundhouse kick that Hercules caught. Will didn't falter and used his other leg to kick Hercules across the face. He quickly dropped to the ground and did a spinning windmill on his back and double-kicked Hercules' left knee, knocking him down a bit. He spun into another windmill and kicked Hercules in the chest before spinning to his knees and throwing out a vicious roundhouse to the face that knocked the large man onto his back.

"YES, BROTHER!" Gendry and Edric shouted as Will flipped back to his feet and began swaying back and forth like he was drunk.

"What's wrong with him? It's like he had four jugs of wine." Tyrion said, seeing the prince sway back and forth like he was drunk.

"Is he all right? Maybe all that spinning got to his head?" Davos suggested causing Hundred Eyes to chuckle.

"The prince is quite all right. The form and behavior you see is Drunken Fist, secret kung fu of the south temples of the Wudao province." Hundred Eyes informed them.

"Drunken fist? How is all that drunken movement going to help him?" Tyrion asked.

"Watch and learn." Hundred Eyes told him.

Hercules grit his teeth in anger and charged forward with a punch that was blocked and hit in the back of the head with an elbow. Will followed that up with three jabs to the chest and head. Hercules threw out his arm but he caught it and used the momentum to flip over it like a pole and kick him in the head. He threw out a punch to Hercules' left shoulder followed by two elbow strikes to the gut and another elbow to the face before ducking under a grab, moving into a handstand and kicking Hercules in the face and chest. He did a back handspring to avoid a punch and propped himself on one arm and double-kicked Hercules in the chest, knocking him back.

Hercules recovered and charged again so he propped up on his arms and spun his legs, catching his arm and used his momentum to throw him to the ground. Hercules rolled back to his feet but received a spin kicked him to the face. Will back flipped two times before flipping into a corkscrew spin and landing in a crouch. Hercules charged forward in a flurry of punches that Will blocked or dodged but got hit by one uppercut. He was knocked back onto his shoulders but did a kick up and flipped back to his feet. He closed the distance and threw out 12 speed punches to Hercules stomach and finished with an elbow across the face that knocked the massive man back and followed that up with a jumping back kick. Will kept up the pressure with a side flip kick and hit him in the face, knocking him to the ground. Hercules hit the ground hard but grabbed Will's leg and pulled it, knocking him onto his back. He was then picked up by the leg and thrown to the ground before being kicked in the gut and tumbling on the hard stone.

Will groaned a bit and managed to get back to his feet only for Hercules to tackle him, pick him up and slam him onto the ground. "ARGH!" Will shouted in pain as the massive man slammed him hard against the stone ground. Hercules got on top of him and began throwing punches, landing two across the face before Will raised his guard up to block but even then, it still hurt. He moved his head and dodged a punch so Hercules punched the ground. He maneuvered his arms and legs and put Hercules in a triangle choke, using his legs to encircle his neck and strangle him while he locked his arm. His hold around was strong and he wouldn't budge so he began throwing out punches to Hercules face and the massive man couldn't raise his other arm to his face to block. Hercules carried him up into the air and slammed him back onto the ground. The impact forced him to let go so he quickly kicked Hercules in the face and knocked him back. He kicked up back to his feet and jumped forward with a flying elbow but Hercules ducked under it, got behind him, picked him up by the waist and slammed him back onto the ground.

He groaned in pain and got back to his feet to block a knee from Hercules only to get hit across the face with a right cross. Will threw out a punch but Hercules blocked it and threw him onto the ground. He grabbed him from behind, put him in a choke-hold. Will threw out elbows to Hercules side but the large man wasn't letting go. Will took a breath and kicked his legs upward and used the momentum to throw Hercules forward and to the ground. He threw out a roundhouse kick which Hercules caught and was thrown to the ground. Will got back to his feet and quickly sidestepped a kick, ducked under a right hook and threw out three punches to Hercules side and then kicked out his left leg. He threw out a punch to the head only for Hercules to tackle him and picked him up. Will threw out a series of punches to his head but Hercules charged forward and slammed him onto the ground. He got on top and began throwing punch after punch and Will did his best to block but needed to get out of there quickly. Will managed to maneuver his arms and legs and put Hercules in an arm lock and began applying pressure to break his arm but Hercules brute strength allowed him to break free and knee him in the face, knocking him back. Will got up back to his feet only for Hercules to shoulder charge him to the ground.

M'Baku and his men cheered in applause as they saw Hercules had the advantage now. William's group began to get nervous and despite the prince's best effort, Hercules sheer size and strength seemed to give him an edge over the continuous punishment he undertook. "See, how the mighty Hercules used the strength of his father Zeus to overcome his injuries! All of you are witnessing the mighty Strength of the gods!" Iolaus shouted.

"Oh shut it, you fuck!" Ser Arthur shouted and he quickly shut up. He and the others wanted to help and were about to. He grabbed his spear and was ready to charge when Will managed to raise his head and motioned him to stay back.

"STAY BACK!" He shouted at them, managing to get to his knees. "THS IS MY FIGHT!"

"Come on, brother." Gendry whispered as Will got back to his feet. He was bleeding from the nose, had various cuts on his face and spit out some blood. He looked worse for wear, but he still had the strength to stand and fight.

"Come on, Will! Show him the strength of a Baratheon!" Edric shouted as the rest of the men cheered him on.

Hercules threw out a punch that Will ducked and punched him in the face with one of his one. Hercules blocked the next two, but then grabbed him by the back of the neck and began kneeing him in the side, over and over again. Will quickly lowered his arms to block and then threw out 8 punches to the ribs and one to the head which made Hercules let go. He threw out another flying elbow to the face followed up by the kick the chest, ducked under a punch and threw out two quick strikes to the face and a kick to the leg. He blocked a punch only for Hercules to punch him in the groin. All the males groaned and held their own man parts as the pain Will was in gave Hercules the advantage. He threw out a massive right cross to the face that sent him staggering back followed by a kick to the face, then a left punch and finally another massive right cross that knocked him to the ground.

"Yes, Hercules!" M'Baku shouted in adulation, seeing Jalabhar's champion on the ground and seemingly losing the fight.

"No, come on, Will." Arthur whispered.

"This is too much. I'm ending this now. His father will kill me if he dies." Davos said, ready to go to Zuri to end this when Jalabhar stopped him.

"Stop, Ser Davos. You cannot interfere in this fight." Jalabhar told him.

"The Prince is getting himself killed and I'm going to stop this folly now." Davos told him.

"If you interfere in this fight then they will kill you." Jalabhar told him. "Zuri is the only one who can end this match and that is if the Prince forfeits or is killed."

"Look at him, he is dying. Have him end this now." Davos ordered him. "The Prince supports you in reclaiming your throne but he doesn't owe you his life."

Zuri walked onto the battlefield and looked at the body of the Westerosi prince on the battlefield and he wasn't moving. He sighed in sorrow and knew he the fight was over. "Well, Zuri?!" M'Baku asked.

"It would appear that Prince William of Westeros has been defeated." Zuri informed him.

"HA! I knew it! Well done, Hercules! You can expect a very nice prize for your work!" M'Baku shouted, looking at his mercenary before turning to the rest of the prince's party. "Throw down your weapons and surrender unless you fools want to end up like your little prince!"'

"I don't know about the rest of you but I'm dying with a spear in my hand and taking down that large fuck. Demi-god or no!" Smalljon Umber shouted and the rest of the men agreed with him.

"For the prince." Beric Dondarrion said. Arthur bowed his head in sorrow, he failed to protect William and his mother…he failed his honor as a knight.

[Ugh] He heard and looked to see the prince's prone form on the battlefield and saw his left hand tightened into a fist.

"Look!" Arthur shouted and everyone looked at William's body. Some were confused as to what they were looking for when Will's left hand pushed off the ground and he lifted his head up. "He's alive!"

"Impossible." Hercules whispered. Will used his right hand to steady himself and managed to get on all fours. He coughed up some blood and spit out the remainder in his mouth before wiping it clean on his sleeve. He staggered a bit before he managed to find the strength to get back onto his feet. He stood up on the battlefield and turned towards Hercules. His face was bloody, but he was still standing.

"Is that all you got?" Will asked.

"My prince, please let us help you. You've proven yourself strong. Everyone here has witnessed it! There's no need to do this!" Beric pleaded with him. Will turned his head so he looked at him.

"If it doesn't end after this…then you can help." He told him. He took several deep breaths and calmed his mind before assuming one final battle stance. He held his left hand in front of his body flat and open while his right hand was clenched into a fist with his middle knuckle extended.

"I must admit that you've proven yourself stronger than any warrior I have every faced in my life. I've seen older and stronger men crumble from less punishment. For that you've earned my respect. But there's no need to continue this anymore. Surrender and end this." Hercules told him as his breathing was ragged. He had never been this tired or hurt in a fight in his life.

"I can do this all day." He told him.

"So be it. I hope you've made your peace with your gods." Hercules said. Will took a deep breath and steadied himself, waiting for the right moment to strike. Hercules charged forward and threw out a right hook so he ducked under and punched Hercules in the ribs with his right hand and everyone heard a distinct bone crack sound. Hercules froze a bit in shock before an overwhelming feeling of pain set in and he staggered back, clutching his side in pain. He looked and saw Will still had his hand extended from the punch, but his middle knuckle was out. Hercules moved his hand and saw a massive purple blotch and blood along with a small depression in his side. That one punch managed to break one of his ribs.

Hercules moved forward but with the broken rib it was much, much harder than before. He threw out a punch, but Will blocked it and threw out two quick jabs to Hercules broken rib, creating even more pain. "GO BROTHER!" Gendry and Edric shouted.

Hercules threw out another punch, but Will caught his hand and punched him in the rib two more times followed up with a punch to the chest and then the neck. Everyone in Will's party cheered as loud as they could and saw the Prince was now on the offensive. "Fucking end him!" Davos shouted.

He ducked under another punch and smacked Hercules broken rib again, making him shout in pain before throwing out another punch and another crack sound was made. Hercules staggered back, clutching his side in pain. He threw out a punch only for Will to punch him in the nose. He punched him three more times in the rib section before push kicking him back and then hit him with a flying side kick to the chest. Hercules struggled to fight back as the pain in his ribs was killing him. He threw out another kick, but Will sidestepped it and smacked him in the ears, disorientating him. He threw out a spin kick to the back of Hercules head, causing the large man to stagger around on his feet. He jumped forward with a flying elbow to the face before ducking under a punch and landing one more punch to Hercules ribs. Hercules clutched his side, staggering a few steps back and trying to muster up the strength to fight. He threw out a kick only for Will to grab it, elbow him in the knee and then in the face. He followed that up with three quick strikes to the face along with an uppercut, one quick jab and a roundhouse kick to the face that knocked Hercules back more.

"YES! DO IT, WILL!" Arthur shouted in amazement.

"END HIM!" Tyrion shouted. This was the most spectacular feet of combat he has ever seen.

Hercules pulled back for a punch only for Will to hit him in the stomach with six quick chain punches and another punch to the face. He then jumped forward with a flying elbow to the face and then followed that up with a flying knee that knocked Hercules onto his back. Hercules coughed up some blood and held his side in pain, managing the strength to stagger up onto one knee. Both warriors were beyond exhausted and in pain. This fight was nearly over.

"I hope you made your peace with your gods." Will told him, giving Hercules the same line he was given a few moments ago. He took a step back and charged forward with a final tornado kick to Hercules head that knocked him unconscious and his massive body fell to the floor. He landed face first in the ground with a loud thud.

Everyone in Hercules party couldn't believe what they saw as the young Westerosi prince knocked out the mighty Hercules. Will relaxed a bit seeing that Hercules wasn't getting up, so he walked over and grabbed a spear off the ground. He walked over to Hercules and moved him onto his back and held the spear right at his throat while sparing a glance over to Atalanta and Autolycus. "Yield…or he dies." Will warned them.

He heard a groan and looked down to see Hercules eyes open. Hercules groaned in pain and saw the Westerosi prince looking down at him with a spear at his throat. He was ready to end him then and there if he moved an inch. "You really don't stay down, do you?" Will asked. "Yield Hercules. Submit and end this."

Hercules looked at the young prince and smiled at his courage and strength. He was a worthy opponent. "I yield." Hercules held his hand up to surrender. Autolycus and Atalanta threw down their weapons and knelt, signaling their surrender. Zuri looked at Jalabhar and smiled before he clacked his staff on the ground.

"The challenge is over! Prince M'Baku's champions have yielded. By the rules of our people and our lands…Prince Jalabhar has reclaimed his throne!" Zuri shouted and the crowd cheered. Prince Jalabhar was beyond overjoyed as he and his mother and sister shared a powerful hug. Prince Jalabhar walked over to Zuri who bestowed him with the symbol of his house and family line…an ornamental necklace of Panther teeth. "Glory to Bast!"

"Yibambe!" Jalabhar chanted and the crowd chanted back. Autolycus and Atalanta came over and helped Hercules up and over to a healer by the edge of the battlegrounds while M'Baku and his men slowly and quietly slipped away from the crowd and left in a hurry. Jalabhar looked at Will and smiled. "Glory to my champion, the champion of this day, William Baratheon, the mighty and ferocious Wolf of legend!"

The entire crowd cheered at the top of their lungs, shouting his name so loud that it echoed across the island and into the jungle and out to sea. He looked to the crowd of people including his brothers, Ser Davos, and Tyrion Lannister. He looked at Ser Arthur who smiled in pride. He nodded at him and he bowed his head in return. Will had proven his worth as a man to himself this day.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Will shouted at the top of his lungs in a ferocious battle cry that echoed over the entire island and from far away could have been mistaken for the cry of a ferocious animal…like a wolf.

Line Break xxxxx

In the aftermath of the ritual tourney, the entire island erupted into fanfare and celebration. Upon returning to the royal palace, Jalabhar, Zuri and the royal guard noticed M'Baku and his men were nowhere to be seen. One of the servants said that they saw M'Baku and his men scurry away with a bag of gold and jewels. He fled with his tail between his legs and didn't even have the dignity to admit his defeat and follow their tradition. But lucky enough, M'Baku only took a small amount of gold with him. Jalabhar took back his rightful place on the throne and his mother and sister moved back into the palace with him.

The entire island was having a festival and feast in celebration of Jalabhar's ascension to the throne. Wine and all sorts of alcohol were drunk in excess and wild pigs, chickens, and fish were roasted over the fire and eaten along with fruits and bread. The brothels were kept busy and the men enjoyed their female companions as they drunk to the victory of Prince William Baratheon. Speaking of William, he was being looked after by one of the palace's best healers on order of Jalabhar himself. He was in his tavern room with Ser Davos, Cedric Angar, Beric Donarrion, Thoros of Myr and Ser Arthur Dayne as the healer did his best for the prince.

Will's face had various cuts from the beating he took and his body had large purple bruises and marks which would turn into scars. The healer applied some medicinal anointment made up of local herbs and plants to his bruises and then bandaged them to so they would heal faster. "You were very brave today. I've seen many fall to M'Baku's champion." The healer spoke.

"I'm not like most." Will replied, wincing in pain as the healer tightened the bandage around his ribs. "I'm starting to regret not having you lot help me in the fight."

"In hindsight, we would have just gotten in the way. This is your victory today, my prince." Beric Dondarrion replied.

"How long until he heals?" Ser Davos asked.

"For the cuts on his face and body, give it a fortnight but as for the large bruises to his ribs, they will take the longest. Many of his ribs are bruised so they will take the longest to heal. You're lucky that none of them are broken." The healer explained as he finished wrapping the last bandage around Will's chest. The healer handed him a small jar of medicinal ointment. "Put this on your bruises every night and it should aid in the healing process but I wouldn't fight again until your ribs are fully healed or it will take longer."

"Thank you." Will replied and bowed his head. The healer bowed his head back and gathered his material before leaving. "How are the rest of the men?"

"Enjoying themselves outside." Thoros told him.

"All right. Ser Davos, gather a list of those that fell during the tourney and see to it that a pouch of gold is sent to their loved ones back home along with their bodies." Will ordered and Ser Davos nodded.

"Of course, my prince." Davos replied.

"Cedric, send a raven back to my father and the small council and inform them of our victory." Will told him.

"Yes, my prince." He replied as he, Ser Davos, Dondarrion, and Thoros left leaving just Will and Arthur in the room.

"You've done quite the remarkable thing today, William." Arthur told him.

"It doesn't feel like it." He replied, standing up from the bed and walking over to get a cup of water. "I feel like I got run over by an elephant. Hercules may not be a demigod but he's not a normal man."

"I agree with you on that. I imagine he would even give Clegane a run for his money." Arthur said. "But you defeated him in combat without weapons which says something. Tales will be told of this day as long as you live and probably after."

"I don't care what stories are told about me." Will replied. "I didn't do it for fame or glory."

"You did it to clear yourself of all self-doubt about who you are. The burden that's been on your mind ever since you've learned the truth about your parents is something that has weighed on you." Arthur told him and Will nodded in agreement.

"I'm not sure what I should believe in anymore. My father was not the person I was told he was and neither was my mother. Everything I knew was a lie." Will said.

"It was. And I apologize for the part I played in that deception, but the truth is often uglier than a lie." Arthur told him. "My honor as a knight is long gone since the one decision of saving you and the realm from the truth of what happened all those years ago…but if I had to do it all over again, I would not change a thing."

"Why? Why stay by my side even after I told you that you could leave?" Will asked, wanting to know why he stuck with him when he should be with his half-brother or left to protect Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen.

"Because I believe in you, Will." Arthur told him. "I've watched you grow up all these years from the young babe into the man I saw topple a supposed demigod and I couldn't be more proud. The young man I see before me will go on to do great things if he so chooses and I believe in him."

"But you swore an oath to the Targaryen family as a member of their Kingsguard. Your place is with them." Will told him.

"I did swear an oath that day and I fulfilled it to the best of my ability. I protected Aerys Targaryen as I was ordered and watched him commit horrible acts because I believed in my oath. A man of honor keeps his vows and I did. I honored my oath the day Rhaegar rode down to Dorne with Lyanna and kept it while I fought your uncle. But I also made your mother a promise that day…that I would look after you…as if you were my own child. And looking at you now, I couldn't be more proud of the man you are if you were my own. I know apart of you will never trust me again for the lies and deceit of your past but know this: I will never leave your side and I will protect you from this day until my last day."

"Then swear me…a new oath." Will told him and Arthur looked at him for a moment. "The people you swore an oath to are dead, all of them. You held onto those oaths because you chose to. If you believe in me and will fight by my side and counsel me for the future…swear me a new oath."

Ser Arthur Dayne unsheathed Dawn, got down on one knee before laying his sword down on the ground. "I am yours, William Baratheon. I will shield your back, keep your counsel, and give my life for yours if it comes to that. I swear it by the old gods and the new." Ser Arthur swore him.

Will squared up with Ser Arthur and held out his hand. Arthur looked at it for a moment before he grabbed it in a firm grip. "And I swear you will always have a place by my side, at my home, and at my table, and that I shall ask of no service of you that might bring you dishonor, or I would not do myself. I swear it by the old gods and the new." Will swore to him. Arthur rose to his feet only for Will to grab him in a fierce hug. He froze for a moment before hugging back. The relationship between the Sword of the Morning and the Blue Wolf had changed but now would grow stronger.

Will got himself dressed in clean clothes and ventured out of his room to the ground floor of the tavern. Ser Arthur helped him down the stairs and managed to walk out of the tavern to see his men and everyone else who accompanied him enjoying themselves with wine, women, and song. Smalljon saw the prince come down the stairs and he immediately shifted the girl from his lap so he could stand up.

"There he stands, lads!" Smalljon shouted as everyone looked over to see the Prince. "The young warrior who led us to victory today. Shame he took all the glory for himself."

"Sorry about that, lord Umber. I see you've paid it back in kind by taking all the wine for yourself." Will joked, pointing to all the wine jugs on his table. Everyone laughed at the joke and even Smalljon chuckled before walking up to the prince.

"When I was a boy, I heard stories about the Starks of Winterfell, in particular Brandon Stark. Headstrong and a true man of the north and his sister Lyanna was even more so. And the King was a crazed man of battle." Smalljon smiled and shook Will's forearm. "Something you inherited from both of them. And here he stands! The Mighty Wolf of the Storms!"

Smalljon held his hand up high and everyone cheered his name. Will smiled as Smalljon pulled him over and put a cup of wine in his hand and had him guzzle it down quickly. Will finished the cup of wine and coughed up a bit causing Smalljon and some of the men to laugh. "Ha! The Mighty Wolf doesn't flinch in battle, but wine causes him to stagger like that of a boy."

"Let's see you battle against Hercules and how you fair after, Lord Umber?" Will suggested and the men laughed.

"I have a feeling that he wouldn't fare as well as you." They turned to see Hercules and his group of mercenaries walk over. Hercules was bandaged up and sporting numerous bruises and cuts on his face and body. He had his club in his hand but the large end was on the ground and given how he was leaning on it, Will could tell that he was using it as a sort of crutch, probably due to the broken ribs.

A few of the northern men and Ser Arthur reached for their swords, ready for a fight. "If you lot decided to come here for revenge then you're in for a rude awakening." Arthur warned them as the rest of Will's company got up and readied their weapons in case a fight broke out and they needed to rush to their prince's side.

"Relax, we're not here for revenge." Iolaus said.

"We have no further quarrel with you or your party." Amphiaraus added.

"I find that hard to believe. You were aligned with M'Baku and your man nearly killed the prince." Smalljon said.

"We're mercenaries. We were paid by M'Baku to fight whoever he told us to fight and we did. The bastard fled like a coward after Hercules lost along with any last chance at another payment and that bonus he promised us." Autolycus sat down at a table and poured himself a cup of wine. Will motioned everyone to stand down and they lowered their weapons but were still ready to fight. "So as of the moment, we have no quarrel with you or anyone in your party."

"Just like that? Your man nearly killed the prince who won the battle causing your employer to lose and ridding you of your coin and you expect us to believe that you're willing to let that go like nothing happened?" Ser Arthur asked.

"Like my compatriot informed you, we were paid to fight." Hercules told him. "Your prince fought valiantly. He's the only person to ever defeat me in combat and for that he has my respect. I promise you on my honor that neither I nor my compatriots will harm the prince or anyone here."

"And how can we trust the word of a man who fights for gold?" Lord Dondarrion asked. Will took a look at Hercules and he knew he was telling the truth.

"Stand down, all of you." William ordered. "They're telling the truth."

"With respect, my prince these men are cutthroats. Sellswords who fight for whoever pays them the most. They have no honor." Dondarrion told him.

"Honor is a matter of perspective, Lord Dondarrion. What could be considered honorable to some might be thought of as the opposite to others." Will informed him.

"Your prince is a wise one. He'll be a fine ruler one day. More so than the pigs and idiots we've fought for." Atalanta commented.

"Besides, they're telling the truth." He told them.

"With all due respect, my prince, do you always know when a man is telling a lie? How do you know this?" Ser Davos asked.

"It's simple: I grew up in King's Landing." Will replied, giving him a smirk. "The battle is over. For now, we rest and recuperate."

"I agree with Atalanta. He'll make a fine ruler." Autolycus added, finishing his cup of wine, and pouring himself another. Musicians resumed playing their instruments and the merry festivals continued. Will slowly walked over to an empty table and sat down in a chair, breathing a sigh of relief as he felt the pain in his ribs, arms, face, and pretty much his entire body.

Gendry and Edric helped him to the table and brought over some food and water for him but he noticed their gaze was elsewhere and more importantly focused on the women in the distance. "Go, I'll be fine. Just don't do anything stupid. Remember, you're both still young." Will warned them. Gendry and Edric clapped their hands with him in their traditional three-way handshake before rushing off to enjoy themselves. "Ser Davos, make sure they don't get into trouble or do something stupid."

"Right." Ser Davos left to watch over the two boys who were nearly dragged into a brothel by some women. They were a little too young for that and the women would likely have robbed them blind. Will took a small tropical fruit and eagerly ate it, feeling the sweet fruit flesh fill his mouth and travel down his throat, making him feel slightly better. Recovering from these wounds would be a pain in the ass.

He leaned back into his chair and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and smelling the crisp breeze from the sea and the aroma of nearby flowers and trees. He heard some movement and the clack of someone sitting in a chair across from him. He opened up one of his eyes to see it was Hercules, resting in the chair and trying his best to deal with the pain. He poured himself a cup of wine and drank it all in a few gulps. He poured himself another cup and then poured another one and slid it over to the prince.

"Wine and other alcohols tend to help with the pain…or so I'm told." Hercules told him.

"I don't drink." Will moved the cup of wine to the side and ate a grape.

"You continue to surprise me. From what I've heard, King Robert is a ruler who enjoys his drink." Hercules commented.

"That he does but that doesn't mean his son is his mirror image." He pointed out.

"Fair enough." Hercules relented, gulping down another cup of wine. "Now that we're no longer on opposing sides, what really brought you all the way to the Summer Islands besides the political and financial advantages?"

"What makes you think there was another reason?" He asked causing Hercules to chuckle.

"I've seen your face on men like myself, looking for purpose or for focus but it's not something one expects to see on a prince and heir to an entire country." Hercules noted.

"An interesting question." Will thought for a moment. Part of his wish to come to the Summer Islands was to help the Prince Jalabhar regain his throne and gain an ally not to mention the financial benefits of the plan as well but there was something else to it as well. "I'm just trying to find my own way. Westeros and the Seven Kingdoms are all I've known for my entire life but there's still a lot out there. I want to do a little exploring and soul searching and when I'm ready I'll go home."

Hercules looked at the prince and saw a little of himself in the young man. He too was a man looking for his own way. While his destiny wasn't to go home, it was to find a purpose. "You'll find that journey to be a long one." Hercules told him.

"I have time." He replied. "What about you and your group? Your benefactor is gone so what will you do now?"

"Look for our next adventure, I suppose. Although if you are in need of additional men then I'm willing to offer my services." Hercules suggested.

"You sure work fast." Will said.

"Well, in my line of work you don't know when your job will end. Today's events are proof of that. Besides, my compatriots and I are very skilled and could prove useful to a prince." Hercules told him.

"True." He replied. "Granted you fight for gold so how do I know that when I need you, you won't leave me for someone else who is willing to pay?"

"Fair enough but I think the list of people who can out pay the Prince of Seven Kingdoms is very small." Hercules said. "But it'll be a fun time. And who knows? Maybe we'll grow to like you and stop being mercenaries and instead pledge ourselves to you."

Will took a deep breath, doing his best to try and ignore the pain in his ribs as he looked out to the open sea. His mission to the Summer Isles may have been over but he wasn't going back home just yet.

"You make a good case and having someone like you fight beside me would help in the future but I'll decide tomorrow. For now, all I want to do is rest." He said and Hercules nodded.

"Agreed." The supposed Demigod and Prince of the Seven Kingdoms sat at the table in quiet while the rest of their compatriots enjoyed themselves. One chapter of their lives was complete but another would begin tomorrow.

End of Chapter 2

1). It's the Battle speech from the beginning of the movie, Gladiator. With William having read so much both for learning and for my own enjoyment, I thought it'd be cool to have him speak quotes from stories.

2). This is the opening fight/parkour scene of the Prince of Persia movie when the Prince's forces attack Alamut. The climb on the wall and stealthy infiltration. It's a foreshadowing of how different Will fights in combat and approaches conflicts, with speed, agility and unorthodox methods.

3). Hundred Eyes from Marco Polo.

4). Imagine Prince Jalabhar Xho similar in appearance to Chadwick Boseman.

5). Hercules and his band of mercenaries from the 2014 Dwayne Johnson Film, Hercules.

Hoped you guys liked the second chapter. Will has lived through the Greyjoy Rebellion and his life has changed. He's gained new allies, brothers, and took the first step into figuring out where he fits in the world and what kind of person he wants to be.

Next chapter, Will's mission to the Summer Isles may be over but he's not going back to the Seven Kingdoms just yet. He doesn't know where his journey will take him but he does know that he'll know when it hits him. Perhaps it's time for another adventure.

There's going to be a lot more changes made to the canon besides Will's birth and actions. The next few chapters will show that as there will be some serious changes made. I hoped you guys like the additional of Hundred Eyes and Hercules's band of fights. Hundred Eyes was always my favorite character in Netflix's Marco Polo and having an OC character who's trained in combat that other characters aren't accustomed to would be unique. He's a wise, sage-like character that has become a loyal friend to the prince and a fearsome fighter beside his blindness. Plus, Hercules and his group of fighters are another bunch of unique fighters who will help Will on his journey.

Will's discovery of the truth of his birth and of his half-brother was a shocker to say the least. He was a child back then so as he grew up, he started to forget things and your memories of when you're that young are probably lost or very fuzzy. Learning he has a half-brother who is one of the last living male heirs to House Targaryen and could be a legal and rightful heir to the Iron Throne baffled him not to mention questioned his own purpose and his right to the throne. His decision at the moment to possibly abdicate his throne when he grows up is the honorable part of him speaking and he's 15, he's still young. He'll look back at this decision and can understand the flaws of it but also understands that it's a vital piece of his future that he'll need to address. We'll see how he handles that as time goes on.

William Baratheon: Son of Robert Baratheon and Lynna Stark, Prince of the Seven Kingdoms, the Blue Wolf, Slayer of the Iron Born, The Wolf of Storms

· Appearance: Young Stephen Amell

· Regular Clothing: Boots, long black or grey trousers, light white tunic/shirt, dark blue/black leather jacket, belt with daggers. (Think of his clothing similar to what Jaime wore to Dorne in Season 5, something simple but made of good material.)

· Weapons: Recurve Bow and Arrows, Valyrian Steel stiletto dagger, Valyrian Steel Dragonbone dagger, Red Rain Valyrian Steel bastard sword.

· Birthdate: 279AC: 15 years old

· Notable Talents: Expert archer, knife thrower with expert aim and marksmanship. Agile and quick moving, self-trained in parkour, Free running, and urban exploration. Smart and quick thinking on the battlefield. Knowledge of battle tactics, poison, wildlife, history, politics, and economics. Fluent in Low, High Valyrian, Summer Tongue, and Dothraki.

· Personality: Smart, attentive, wise, honorable up to a point, caring, generous, humble and cares about others. Hates backstabbers, deceivers, people who violate his trust or think they are superior to others. Doesn't like to be treated like a child or an idiot. Unrelenting against his enemies or those who harm innocents or his family.

· Allies:

o Cedric Angar: personal tutor and once trained to be Maester, trusted friend

o Ser Arthur Dayne: Sworn Sword, protector, and trainer

o The Stark Family of Winterfell: Family

o Robert Baratheon: Father

o Stannis Baratheon: Uncle and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands

o Ser Davos Seaworth: advisor of Stannis Baratheon and trusted friend

o Ser Barristan Selmy: Commander of the Kingsguard, sworn to protect him

o Hundred Eyes: Kung Fu trainer and friend

o Gendry: squire, friend, and younger half-brother-age 12

o Edric: friend and younger half-brother-age 11 (Imagine a young Logan Lerman for physical appearance)

o Hercules: Leader of band of mercenaries, incredible strength, and skilled fighter

o Autolycus: Second in Command, expert knife thrower, thief, and spy

o Amphiaraus: Expert spear fighter, supposed seer and prophet

o Tydeus: Feral warrior, relentless and highly dangerous in combat

o Atalanta: Excellent combatant, tracker, and Amazon Archer

o Iolaus: Persuasive, excellent negotiator, storyteller, and orator

Disclaimer: I don't own Game of Thrones or any mentioned properties, all rights belong to their respective owners. I'm just a big fan.