Chapter 49

Hannibal felt the carriage stop as they arrived at Highgarden. He stepped out and offered his hand to assist Margaery out of the carriage. Then he led her and the children up the steps to her waiting family and gave a nod of his head in greeting to each of them.

Olenna smiled and then gasped in surprise upon seeing Margaery so great with child. She gave Hannibal a scolding look. "Gods be good, boy! You would start a war with your wife pregnant?"

Rhys and Reina ran up to Olenna to tug on her skirts as she approached their mother. "Gramama! Gramama!"

Olenna let go of Margaery to pat over Rhys' and Reina's little heads. She spotted their unique eye colors that seemed to have grown far more distinct as they grew older. This was the final proof of what she had discovered.

Hannibal smirked slightly at the scolding. "We did not know when we had begun gathering troops. It was too late to stop the process when we discovered our good fortune. Although, it does appear that she is only carrying one child this time."

Willas chuckled and shook his head. "I doubt they would have been able to stop themselves from being in this position grandmother."

Olenna would scold Willas later, but he did make a fair point. With how these two fucked like rabbits it was a wonder her sweet Margaery was only now with child for a second time instead of a third.

Margaery gave her brother a look before she smiled to her grandmother. "I am fine, Grandmother. I feel as if this child will be joining us very soon. I look forward to crowning them soon after they are born." She spoke with pride in her voice.

Hannibal smiled at that. "We will discuss the plan to make that wish a reality this evening."

Olenna looked at the growing family and motioned for them to go inside. "Come, I have a gift for my sweet great-grandchildren."

Rhys and Reina cheered and clapped their hands excitedly at the mention of a gift. Olenna led the way inside where a large box was sitting on the floor. The lid was loosened so that the twins could easily open the box. They looked inside with excitement before puzzling over the contents and looking to Hannibal for assistance.

Hannibal stepped forward and saw what was inside. He gave a bow of his head to Olenna. "Three more dragon eggs? That is quite the kingly gift."

Margaery smiled at the gift. Once the twins heard the word dragon their eyes lit up. Reina was the first to speak. "Ride like Papa?"

Hannibal smiled as he knelt down to kiss her little forehead. "Yes Reina. A dragon for each of you to ride once you are big enough."

Margaery frowned at that thought. She didn't like the thought of her children riding on dragonback anytime soon. Rhys ran over to Margaery and touched her belly.

"Drago for brother!" He exclaimed.

Reina crossed her arms over her chest and pouted at her brother. "Sister!" She corrected him.

Hannibal chuckled as he pat both of them on the head. "Yes, one dragon for each of you and your little brother or sister."

The group moved into the castle and towards the inner courtyard. Vhagar would be led around to where he could enter. Hannibal fully intended to speak with Olenna about how and why she had spent the money on three more eggs.

...

Cersei had been given a variety of reports. The one that angered her the most was that there was no more wildfire left in the city. She had commanded more to be made, but unfortunately she had lost Maester Qyburn and a bit of the foundation of the Red Keep in the creation process. Her best ally who had given her back The Mountain had perished trying to re-make the weapon she desperately needed to win this war.

She had also heard that her poor, stupid brother was being used as a banner for the Bolton army. It sounded as if he was still alive. She had a plan to either return him back to her or to end his misery, no matter how angry she was at him...she still loved him. She trusted her Mountain to complete his task with ease.

The final report was how a large military force was surrounding King's Landing and setting up for what looked like a very long siege. Even the port had been blockaded by the Iron Fleet. Cersei was not going to give up her crown and she would continue this fight until she got rid of the lowly pestilence that currently surrounded her. Any citizens that tried to flee the city were arrested and thrown into the black cells. Soon she would have Jaime back and then she would be able to continue with her plan to keep her crown.

...

Jon Snow gasped as he sat up quickly. He looked around the room with wide eyes. He could not believe he was alive. He looked around the room before a shiver raced down his spine as he realized he was completely naked. Tormund placed a cloak about his shoulders as Jon moved to stand and cover himself properly. He looked to Melisandre with a puzzled expression. "Why did you bring me back?"

Melisandre looked shocked that she had been able to bring him back in the first place. "It…it seems that the Lord of Light is not yet done with you, Jon Snow."

Jon clenched his jaw at that before shivering harder beneath the cloak. He looked to Tormund. "Where are my clothes?"

"Worried your cock will shrivel up within you from this cold?" He teased as he picked up a pile of clothes from the floor and handed them to Jon.

Jon shot him a glare as he dressed quickly before wrapping himself in the cloak once again. He strapped Longclaw to his hip just as he heard Alliser Thorne outside the room, proclaiming a threat of burning those within if they didn't give up Jon Snow's dead body. Jon felt a mix of pure rage and sadness when he heard this. He motioned Ser Davos to the side and had Ghost next to him as he opened the door to face his former brothers who had murdered him.

The men of the Watch fell silent and many went pale when they saw Jon Snow step out of the room. They had all seen him lying dead. This was not natural. Alliser Thorne was about to speak when a single horn blast was heard, followed by a second after a long hesitation.

Jon strode towards the gate, every man wearing black cloaks on his heels along with those who had just resurrected him. They reached the gate and Jon's eyes went wide in shock. He saw his half-brother Bran on a sled and some strange girl pulling him. "Bran!" He called out before he went to open the gate himself.

Tormund moved to pick the boy up from the sled as Ser Davos offered to help the girl, she seemed absolutely exhausted.

Jon ordered they be taken to his chambers so that they could warm up and be fed properly. He looked to Bran with worry. "Are you two all right? How did you survive out there? Where is Hodor?"

Bran looked at Jon with sad eyes. "Hodor protected us from the White Walkers, that is how we got away." He then looked to Jon as he recognized a face he had been seeing for weeks when he looked back at what the three-eyed raven had shown him. "We must go to Winterfell. I need to go to father's tree."

Jon felt a pang of guilt when he heard that sweet, simple Hodor had died. He then looked up to Bran and gave a nod of his head. "We will go after you have had some rest. Sansa is there, it is safe to return home."

Bran was relieved to hear that Sansa was back home, but he shook his head at waiting. "No, we must go now. You must take me there. I will explain on the way."

Jon sat back a bit, there was something he was missing. Information that was not yet before him. He turned to those who had brought him back. "My oath to the Night's Watch has been fulfilled. The men can elect a new Lord Commander. I am needed by my family. I will work to round up as many men as I can to bring back and prepare for the great battle that is to come."

Tormund and Ser Davos looked at each other and nodded. Tormund spoke up first. "You are one crazy bastard Jon Snow. I will get a wagon together, you have no business riding a horse just yet. You do not get to push me around on this matter. We will leave once your carcass is in the wagon." He then turned to leave and prepare a wagon and horses.

Bran leaned in to speak lowly to Jon. "We will speak in private on the way Jon, I promise. There are things I must tell you so that there is hope of winning against the Night King."

Jon nodded his head in understanding.

…

Brienne was struggling. She was loyal to Margaery and the Tyrells, she had sworn her sword to them. Lord Bolton had allowed her to serve as Lady Margaery and the children's personal guard. She realized now that arrangement was made to help protect her honor as a knight. Lord Bolton had not requested her to do anything that was not honorable, nor pretend she was unaware…until now.

Brienne felt guilt every time she passed poor Jaime during her various rounds. He had rescued her and shown her kindness, she felt obligated to do something for him. With as much courage as she could muster, she had received Lord Bolton's permission to speak with Jaime. She dared not try to talk with him in secret. She slowly walked towards him and pity filled her face.

Jaime heard someone approaching, he lifted his head and there was a glimmer of hope in his remaining eye when he saw Brienne. "Ah…a friendly face. I did not think Lord Bolton would allow me such a luxury."

Brienne sighed deeply at that, "Jaime...I…"

Jaime shook his head, "Do not worry Brienne. The Gods have decided to punish me…quite thoroughly for all my sins. I am praying it will not be an excessive punishment; however, I am afraid I will have to share some of my sister's sins as well."

Brienne stepped closer and offered him some clean water to drink. "I wish there was a way to ease some of your suffering."

Jaime drank the water down, it was quite refreshing to not be forced to drink water. "No Brienne, you will only be made to suffer if you try to aide me in any way with comfort, escape, or death. Do what you are now, make certain you stay alive. It is more important that true knights of quality survive this war to train new knights on what true honor is."

Tears filled Brienne's eyes at that. She gave a nod of her head, "I am in a safe enough position. Depending on the fight we will have in King's Landing…I will do what I can to stay alive."

Jaime clenched his jaw for a moment at that before dropping his voice low. "Brienne…I do have one thing to ask of you."

Brienne leaned in closer to him when he dropped his voice low. "What is it?"

Jaime whispered, "Once the keep is taken, can you do whatever is in your power to make sure Tommen is kept safe?"

Brienne looked puzzled. "The keep? What about the defenses in the city?"

Jaime scoffed. "I destroyed most of those before I was banished to Riverrun. The city will fall without much of a fight, if any at all. The battle will happen at the Red Keep. Can you please promise me you will do what you can for Tommen?"

Brienne was shocked at that news, but nodded her head. "I swear, I will do what I can for him, Jaime."

Relief crossed his face when he heard that. "Thank you Brienne. Make sure you are careful. I'm sure Cersei tried to replenish some of the defenses I destroyed, but I do not know if she was successful or not."

"What defenses did you destroy Jaime?" There was some worry written across her face.

Jaime looked up at her slowly. "Wildfire."

Chapter 50

Arya had stopped at Winterfell to check on her sister. She had seen Sansa with a young man, she looked happy. Arya had walked around Winterfell to see who else was in the great keep. She saw only Bolton men, but they obeyed Sansa and the Bolton officer who was with her. She saw no sign of Littlefinger, but had overheard two men speaking of how they thought Lord Bolton had killed him. They had made wagers that a hunt had been arranged.

Arya found the whole conversation curious and decided not to stick around. She would go and collect those heads and return to this Lord Bolton. It seemed that he had gotten rid of quite a few people on her list. She should return to him to get the last few on her list before he took any more of them.

…

Margaery sat near her grandmother, father, and brother as Hannibal led their children out into the courtyard to look at the dragon eggs. She rested her hand on her belly as she waited to see what her children and Hannibal would do. She hoped that the three dragons would hatch easily.

Hannibal inspected the beautiful dragon eggs as he looked at his children. "So, which egg would you like?"

Rhys pointed to Reina. "Sister first." He declared.

Reina looked over the eggs for a long time before pointing to the dark purple egg.

Hannibal smiled, "Is that the one you want Reina?"

Reina shook her head and pointed to Margaery. "For sister." Rhys pouted at his little brother being called a sister again, but stayed quiet.

Hannibal chuckled at that before looking to Margaery. "The purple egg is for our third child." He announced as he looked back to Reina. "Which of the other two would you like Reina? The blue or the white?"

Reina looked between the two eggs before pointing to the white egg. "My drago!"

Rhys clapped his hands in excitement. "Blue, blue mine!"

Hannibal nodded as he took both of his children by the hand and led them back towards where Margaery was sitting with her family. "Now, sit still with Mama while I wake up your dragons. Think of good names." He told them as he kissed the tops of their heads.

Margaery smiled as she hugged both of her children. Reina went to Olenna and sat in her lap while Rhys stood between his mother and great-grandmother. Both were wiggling in excitement, but they tried to stay still like Papa had said.

Hannibal called Vhagar forward and had him smell the eggs. There was a low rumble from Vhagar as Hannibal moved to pat the side of his neck. "Let us wake up these young siblings of yours, Vhagar." He said in Valyrian. "Dracarys."

Vhagar pulled his head back and let loose a burst of flame directly onto the eggs. Hannibal watched as the flames seemed to absorb into the shells and made them glow brightly. Soon enough they began to crack, and three new dragons began to burst from their shells.

Olenna, Willas, and Mace had watched the entire scene unfold before them. Olenna had spotted the Sand Snakes standing off to the side of the courtyard. She tipped her head to them when the three dragons hatched, it was another clear sign in her opinion.

Rhys' dragon was first out of its shell. It was a deep, dark blue dragon with gold running from its snout, down its spine, and ending at the tip of its tail. Rhys pointed excitedly at the little blue dragon. "Dracon!" He cheered.

Next was Reina's dragon. It was a pure white dragon with golden flecks speckling its entire body. Reina clapped her hands happily. "Marcha!"

Finally, the purple dragon burst from its shell. It was the same deep purple seen in royal clothing of ages past. There were streaks of black going down the leading edge of the wings. Margaery smiled as she rubbed her hand over her large belly slowly. "Roose."

The three small dragons circled around their shells before looking up at Hannibal and then to Vhagar. Vhagar gave a low rumble which was answered by the three of them. They then looked at Hannibal, who greeted them in High Valyrian. The three dragons looked around and spotted Margaery and the children. They looked up at Hannibal one more time before beginning to move towards the children.

Dracon went straight to Rhys and raced around his feet before crawling up to perch on his shoulder. Rhys was laughing and could not contain his excitement as he pet over the dragon's head. "Dracon! Dracon!" He cheered to the blue dragon.

Marcha approached Reina a bit slower. Marcha nuzzled Reina's legs. Reina smiled as she reached down to pick up her dragon and hold her. "Marcha, Marcha, Marcha."

Roose approached Margaery slowly and sniffed at the air before crawling up the chair and nuzzling his head over Margaery's belly. Margaery smiled as she pet over the small dragon's head. "Yes Roose, your master is in there. You will meet them soon enough."

Hannibal smiled as he approached his family. He pet over Vhagar's nose as the great dragon came closer as well to watch the baby dragons carefully. Vhagar watched the three baby dragons and would occasionally give a low rumble to correct their behavior and cause them to stop something they were about to do.

Hannibal moved to Margaery and kissed her temple. He then looked to Olenna. "Thank you for this generous gift. How did you manage to find three eggs?"

Rhys and Reina looked up at Olenna with pure joy in their eyes. "Thank you Gramama!" They cheered before continuing to play with their dragons.

Olenna smiled at her great-grandchildren and pat them on the heads and then turned to look at Hannibal. "This seemed to be the only gift appropriate for the royal Targaryen family." She answered.

Mace's eyes widened when he heard that, he had not been aware of what his mother had been researching in the libraries...but he suspected it was this information. Margaery had hoped for such a connection, but had not been able to find it. She looked to her grandmother in slight shock. "You found the missing link?"

Hannibal focused his attention on Olenna. "Where did you find the records to confirm this?"

Olenna smirked over her tea cup that she raised to the Sand Snakes. "Those violet eyes your children have are no mere coincidence. That is what raised my suspicions, especially after you so easily took command of your dragon and he allowed you to ride him into battle. There were plenty of clues from the Bolton records and in Old Town, but the final connection was made in Dorne." She took a long sip from her tea.

Willas rolled his eyes at the long pause his Grandmother gave. "Must you drag this out?"

Olenna sighed before shaking her head to Willas. "Must you ruin my fun?" She then turned to look at Hannibal as she regarded him for a moment. "In Old Town there was a record from the Wall that spoke of the men of the Night's Watch allowing a woman great with child past the Wall. She was not a wildling woman, but she never said where she was from to them. They noted her name as Tyanna. In that record they mention that she went South into the realm of the last Red King. In the Bolton records she is mentioned as the wife of Rogar Bolton and they raised a son who continued the family line."

Hannibal was familiar with Rogar Bolton and his son. However, he was unaware that the son was apparently a bastard raised by the Boltons rather than a true-born Bolton heir.

"When I went to Dorne, I ran across the name Tyanna once again. The times line up in an interesting manner. It seems that there was a Tyanna who was married to a Targaryen and then 'died' the same year as the Tyanna in the North walked beneath the Wall and was allowed to pass South great with child." Olenna said before pausing.

Hannibal knew this was not the end of the story, but he had not yet made the final connection that Olenna was currently withholding. He tilted his head as he tried to puzzle out who this Targaryen could have been, he tried to line up the year and think of who was ruling at the time...Maegor.

Olenna smirked when she saw Hannibal fully puzzle it out. She looked around at her captive audience. "I am quite certain you all have heard of Maegor the Cruel. He was married to a sorceress called Tyanna of the Tower. She was one of his best assassins. She was known for having mastered great sorcery. I suspect she found herself with child by Maegor. She likely feared for the child's safety in King's Landing and attempted to leave. She was clever enough to know that she needed to be thought of as dead to have hope for her child to survive. I think she staged her own death at the hands of Maegor before flying North of the Wall. She came through in an attempt to pass herself off as a wildling. Rogar Bolton was in need of an heir when she crossed his path. You should be familiar with the rest of the family tree from there."

Hannibal considered everything he had just heard. The Boltons were well-known for being quite vicious. However, there was a marked difference between the first Red Kings and House Bolton after the knee was bent to the Starks of Winterfell. If the Bolton line after Rogar was in reality Targaryen blood…he stopped his train of thought to look at Olenna.

"Rogar Bolton's son lived an abnormally long life, as did his son, his grandson, and his great-grandson. The great-great-grandson of this bastard son was my father." Hannibal looked to a servant. "Bring me a Targaryen family tree."

Olenna smirked as she sipped on her tea. She already knew what Hannibal was about to find. She looked forward to seeing how he would react.

The servant scurried off and returned within moments. Hannibal traced the tree down with the knowledge of his own tree he had been taught. His hand stopped on the name of King Aerys I. He then looked up to Olenna. "If Maegor's line had been listed, even as a bastard. I would be on the same branch of this tree as King Aerys I. My children would be on the same branch as Aegon V."

Margaery looked over Hannibal's shoulder at the family tree and saw where he was pointing. She gasped softly as she realized what he was saying exactly. "Maegor was married to Tyanna of the Tower. Her child was not a bastard, he was a legitimate heir." She looked to Hannibal with a bit of awe and pride. "You are the rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms." She said as the realization sank in.

Hannibal stood to his full height slowly as his sharp mind realized exactly what this meant. Even if Daenerys returned to Westeros, she did not have a claim to the throne stronger than his. His claim would be supported by all of Westeros.

...

Jon stared at Bran with wide eyes as he listened to the full story. He thought that dying and being resurrected was going to be hard. Discovering that after all this time his mother was Lyanna Stark and his father was not Ned Stark was absolutely shocking to him. It was almost impossible to believe, but knowing that Bran had seen it with his own eyes through the weirwood trees made it difficult to argue with his broth-…cousin.

He shook his head to clear it a bit. "So I need to have the Dragon Queen and another secret Targaryen band together in order to defeat the Night King? Do you know who this third Targaryen is?"

Bran shook his head. "I was never guided by the three-eyed raven as to which family line to follow. I think the Dragon Queen is your aunt by blood. I would need to look at a family tree first to verify that. As for this other Targaryen…Sansa might know something. She has been in King's Landing for a period of time."

Jon nodded his head in agreement. "That is true. Sansa might know something we do not." He agreed. He shook his head in a bit of shock. "It is odd to think of you two as my cousins and not my brother and sister."

Bran smiled at that. "I'll still treat you like my brother, even if you are my cousin. At the very least you are no longer a Snow."

Jon considered that for a moment. "That is true. Although some might say I'm a Blackfyre now."

Bran grinned at that. "Blackfyre has more respect than a Snow. You could always go by Stark. I'm sure Sansa would do what she could to give you that at the very least."

Jon chuckled at that as he nodded his head. "That is very true." He said in agreement.

Chapter 51

Hannibal had a successful meeting with all of his division commanders and told them to return to their units and continue the siege preparations. They were to prevent any supplies from going into King's Landing and to thoroughly question anyone who left the city. He suspected some citizens might try to flee the city. He would require that those who chose flight to provide information before being allowed to go to a safe haven he was establishing with groups of Northmen.

Once the commanders had left, Hannibal called the members of his council to discuss the more important details. There was the matter of how to lure out Cersei's undead bodyguard and how to deal with Jaime Lannister. Jaime had been brought within Highgarden and was under heavy guard. Hannibal's men still worked on keeping him mentally exhausted, but fed and well-hydrated.

Hannibal took a seat as Margaery sat to his right. Olenna and Willas sat to Margaery's right. Ellaria Sand and her three daughters Obara, Tyene, and Nymeria sat across from the Tyrells. The Blackfish sat opposite of Hannibal. Rhys and Reina were playing quietly in the corner, with the three baby dragons. They were working on training their dragons with simple commands.

Hannibal looked over his council. "How many of you around this table have heard the whispers of my recently-discovered lineage?"

All but the Blackfish gave a nod. Hannibal tilted his head to Willas to explain to him later. Hannibal then continued to speak. "I want this to be kept between those of us here at this table until we march upon the city. I want the proper sigil of my house to be created out of the finest fabrics so that those within the city will see it. I will allow my dragon to begin flying high enough to be seen from King's Landing, but not close enough to be shot at. I want it known that he is indeed real and that no one is to attack the city no matter what those upon the walls of the city do or say."

Everyone around the table nodded their heads in understanding.

Olenna frowned slightly. "And how much longer will your prized prisoner be staining my floors?"

Hannibal turned to Olenna. "I know you do not like this idea of using him as bait within your own walls, but this is the best location for us to spring the trap upon that ungodly beast."

Obara spoke up, "What of his other half? That whore queen mother?"

Ellaria nodded in agreement with her daughter. "Yes, what is your plan to remove her from her stone cage?"

Hannibal looked down to the Sand Snakes as they brought up Cersei. "I intend to send a small group of highly-trained assassins to sneak within the Red Keep and kidnap her after we have trapped and destroyed her private protector. She is arrogant enough to think herself safe while he is sent to retrieve her brother. She is foolish enough to believe nothing can stop her protector from completing his mission."

Tyene's eyes lit with dark delight when she heard that plan. "What group of assassins did you have in mind? Your private core of assassins are good, that I will grant you. However, they are not the most skilled group available to you."

Hannibal had hoped for this and was pleased to see the interest from the Sand Snakes. "I am not opposed to volunteers. I would trust volunteers to complete the mission and bring her back alive." He said as he kept his focus on the three sisters.

Ellaria looked to her daughters and saw that all three of them desired this mission. She gave a nod before looking to Hannibal. "My daughters should go. In Dorne we have extensive maps of both King's Landing and the Red Keep. During their training they learned those layouts to practice planning paths to infiltrate such a strong keep. They have the greatest chance of being successful."

Hannibal considered the offer for a moment before regarding the three skilled warriors. "Very well, once we have word that she has sent her personal demon to collect my prisoner, the three of you will begin your mission. Let me know what your entry and exit plans are prior to leaving. I want to know which of the camps you will start from so that I can make certain you are the first to know when it is clear to enter the city."

The three sisters bowed their heads before Obara spoke up. "Thank you for this opportunity. We will not fail in our mission."

Hannibal gave a nod before he looked to the Blackfish and Willas. "My head guard over the prisoner has informed me that he has heard Jaime mumbling about leaving the Red Keep defenseless. Jaime spoke of destroying the stores of wildfire beneath the city and apparently feels very worried that he has left what remains of his family defenseless without those stores. This same information was relayed to a trusted informant and shared with me. I am unsure if he was as successful as he thought he was. I am hoping that with the removal of Cersei and her pet, no one left would resort to such a thing. However, we should still take precautions and prepare teams of enemy soldiers to be sent down to investigate if all of the wildfire is indeed gone. I would like to hear a few ideas on ways we could accomplish this without risking our own men."

Those around the table nodded their understanding and would consider a few options to present to him in the next few days.

Olenna looked to Hannibal and raised an eyebrow. "What plans do you have in place for trapping this unnatural creature you intend to lure to my doorstep?" She asked with a bit of irritation in her voice.

Hannibal turned to Olenna. "I have teams of men who have been working on building a series of deep pit traps all around the castle. Each of these traps is wider at the top and significantly skinnier at the bottom. Should he fall in, his legs should be jammed together so tightly he is stuck within the bottom of a trap. There are a series of sharp metal spikes coated with the strongest poisons in the Seven Kingdoms. There are containers of acids at the top of these traps that will pour out upon anything that falls within. These traps would kill a normal man. My hope is to trap this creature and order my dragon to destroy him with dragon fire within the trap. We have covered the tops carefully to hide the pits and are heavily perfuming the area with roses to mask the smell of the poison. The traps are laid out so that it is impossible for him to avoid all of them without jumping. There is one wooden walkway left, the rest have been collected. Tonight that one will be removed and Highgarden will become a landlocked island."

They had all seen the work going on, but no one knew it was that detailed of a plan. Olenna sat back after a moment and took a sip of her tea. She mumbled a complaint about being sick of smelling roses. Margaery heard how Hannibal had prepared for the beast and felt a sense of pride at how well thought out his plan was.

Willas chose to speak up. "You think that she will send him out soon?"

Hannibal nodded his head. "The sooner she does, the sooner we can end this. I don't want to sacrifice an entire group of men at the hands of that creature alone."

They all nodded in agreement. That creature needed to be put down.

Right as the meeting was coming to an end, Margaery felt a sharp pain across her belly followed by the feeling of liquid splashing around her feet. She cried out in surprise as her hands moved to her belly and she glanced down, this child was ready to enter the world.

Hannibal was about to dismiss the council when he saw Margaery move to hold her belly and he heard the splash of fluid hitting the floor. Hannibal quickly stood and easily lifted Margaery into his arms. He then carried her quickly to the room that had been prepared for her to give birth. He gave commands to servants as he went.

The Maester and a wave of servants arrived just as Hannibal set Margaery down on the bed.

The council had followed them and waited in the hall just outside the room their future King had entered. There was excitement in the air as they waited.

...

Sansa had woken up with Thomas' arms around her once again. She smiled as she snuggled in closer to his body heat. She felt safe in his arms and felt like this was the first time she had truly been in love with a man. She smiled as she felt him squeeze her closer to him as she kissed his shoulder tenderly. "I do hope I did not wake you."

Thomas had not realized how much he had grown to love Sansa until she had kissed him those few months ago. He found himself smiling more and more with each day as their relationship grew. He knew he was in love with her and he wanted to settle down and make it official. He smirked as he cracked one eye open to look at her face. "I was just thinking. We should be getting a raven back from Lord Bolton soon."

Sansa smiled, but bit her lower lip slightly as she sat up a bit. "Do you think he will agree? Do you think he will be able to have the power to make it possible for us?"

Thomas smiled as he sat up and kissed the end of her nose. "My former master is not as cold hearted as you would believe. I served him faithfully and it never set well with him on how you were treated in the past. He will make the path clear for us to marry." He said before he kissed her deeply.

Sansa felt reassurance at his words and smiled before returning the kiss. She was just leaning into him when there was a knock on the door. "Lady Stark…a carriage has just arrived from Castle Black. Jon Snow is here, with your brother Bran."

Thomas had groaned at first when they were interrupted, but the news was stunning. He quickly got up and worked to get dressed and assist Sansa in dressing herself as well. Thomas began to consider the possibilities of why they were both there. He had thought Jon Snow was Lord Commander of the Night's Watch…how could he be away from the Wall? There was also Bran...where had he been all of this time and how had he crossed paths with Jon? Something did not add up about this situation.

Sansa was stunned at the news. She didn't move for a few moments as Thomas began to get dressed. It wasn't until he was by her side with one of her dresses that she snapped out of it. She managed to get dressed quickly and put on a heavy cloak before bolting towards the courtyard. She stopped just at the clearing as she saw two of her brothers. There were tears of joy on her face as she ran to hug the pair of them.

Thomas was fast on Sansa's heels, but he approached the new group of people with more reservation. He recognized Ser Davos and found it curious that he was there. The lady in red seemed out of place and the tall man clearly appeared to be a wildling. There was a small girl that seemed frozen to the core, she was not a wildling…but she looked as if she was far wiser than her age would suggest. Thomas then focused on Jon Snow, they were of similar height and build. There was something in the younger man that was familiar to Thomas. "Welcome Lord Commander. I'm glad to see things going so well at the wall that you are able to visit your half-sister. She has been looking forward to seeing you once again." He then turned to a servant and said to prepare a hearty feast for the group of travelers and for the best chambers to be prepared.

Jon happily hugged Sansa, but watched as the man wearing the Bolton crest followed behind her. He must be her personal bodyguard and the one in charge of the garrison. He saw his group being sized up and didn't particularly like it, but he understood the reservations this soldier had. He gave a nod of his head. "I am no longer the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. I passed my title on and decided to visit in person."

Thomas tilted his head at that and he looked over the group again. One did not simply leave the Night's Watch still breathing.

Sansa was smiling from ear to ear, but gasped at that news. "Jon…you didn't desert did you?!" Suddenly she was worried.

Jon shook his head. "I fulfilled my oath to the Night's Watch. After that I left."

Sansa had moved close enough that Thomas could pull her back a bit and behind him. "The only way to fulfill that oath is to die."

Sansa's eyes widened a bit when she heard that. She looked over Jon more carefully, he looked older and wiser…but he certainly looked alive to her.

Jon nodded his head. "Aye, that is true."

Melisandre took a step forward. "He was betrayed and murdered. At the insistence of these men and others, I called upon the Lord of Light to bring him back."

Thomas raised an eyebrow skeptically. Jon opened a few buttons of his shirt to reveal the scars from the twenty stab wounds. Thomas was intimately familiar with these kinds of wounds, they were quite fresh indeed...and should have killed him easily. Thomas did not like this, but he was not going to lie to Sansa. "They are telling the truth Sansa."

Sansa's eyes went wide as she realized what exactly all of this meant. Her knees buckled, but Thomas slipped his arm around her to keep her on her feet.

Thomas looked to Jon. "Those are fresh scars. How long have you been resurrected?"

Tormund smirked. "The four days it took us to get here with this damn slow wagon."

Sansa took a few breaths before looking at her two brothers. This was not the reunion she had thought it would be. She shivered before looking over the group. "Well then, we shouldn't keep you out in this cold. Let us go into the main hall at the very least."

Everyone began to make their way inside as Sansa led the way to warmer temperatures and a great deal of ale to begin to cope with what was just said.

Tormund saw how the young Bolton man seemed to be so protective of Jon's cousin. He smirked and gave Jon a small nudge as he leaned down to whisper into his ear. "Looks like I have competition for your cousin."

Jon gave Tormund a glare. He still thought of Sansa as his sister, not his cousin. Although, this officer did seem very interested in Sansa. He would find out more about that after they warmed up and had some food in their bellies.

Chapter 52

Hannibal was smiling proudly as he sat with Margaery on the bed. She had given birth to another healthy son. The servants had cleaned her up, along with their son. His eyes were dark brown, but what was most striking about him was the small tuft of hair on his head. It was silver. This son was further proof of Hannibal's newly-discovered lineage.

They were sitting together on the bed when the doors were opened to allow their other children in, along with the Tyrells. Ellaria Sand, her daughters, and the Blackfish stayed in the hallway. They spotted the new baby cradled in Margaery's arms.

Hannibal smiled at his twins. "You have a baby brother."

Rhys smiled proudly, Reina was slightly disappointed…however, when she heard her little brother make a noise she smiled. Hannibal helped them both onto the bed so that they could see their little brother.

Reina kissed the top of his head. She then looked up to Margaery. "I hold?"

Hannibal shifted Reina to be sitting in his lap and held his arms out to take his newborn son. He would help Reina to hold him carefully. He settled his son into her small arms. "Now, make sure his head is on your arm Reina. Very good." He praised as she held him very well.

Rhys smiled to his sister. "We help little brother."

Margaery was a bit nervous, but she trusted Hannibal to keep their son safe. She smiled at how sweet her children were being. "Well done Reina."

Reina beamed with pride at the praises she got from her parents. She tilted her head in curiosity. "Papa…little brother hair white." She seemed puzzled by this.

Hannibal chuckled as he nodded his head. "Yes, your brother has silver hair. It is something special from my family. Just like your violet eye."

Olenna and Willas had come into the room, but they were not crowding too close. Olenna gasped softly when she picked up what was being said. She moved in closer to look at the small patch of silver hair atop the child's head. "Gods be good. This is absolute proof of your true family history. There are no others who possess hair of that color."

Willas leaned forward to look at the small patch of hair and grinned proudly at his sister. "So what have you decided to name him?" He asked.

Hannibal looked up and nodded to the Maester to take note of the name. "Aenar."

Olenna smiled at that. "A powerful name. Of what house will he be?"

Hannibal looked to Margaery for a moment. "Once I claim the Iron Throne, I will change my house to its proper title. My children and wife will inherit my proper house as well. That ceremony will take place prior to our coronation."

Olenna smiled as she looked proudly to Margaery. Willas smiled broadly at this. "Shall I inform the commanders of the joyous news of your son's birth?"

Hannibal gave a nod of his head. "Yes, send plenty of ravens throughout the kingdoms to announce my son's birth. However, do not mention his name."

Willas nodded before moving to hobble off and send the ravens. Margaery stopped him. "Brother...wait for one moment." She looked to Hannibal. "Did we respond to the request from Winterfell?"

Hannibal shook his head before looking at Willas. "In your raven to Winterfell, mention that their request has our blessing. In that raven you may mention my son's name and sign it with the new seal of my house."

Willas bowed his head before going off to send off the ravens. Ellaria had glanced at her daughters once they had heard the name and they went off to discuss how they would succeed in their mission to win favor with the future King.

...

The group that had traveled with Jon had been in Winterfell for three full days, Bran had spent most of them by the great white weirwood tree in the center of Winterfell. Sansa had finally been able to understand that Jon had been killed and was now alive. She had heard stories about these red priestesses and their powers. However, that was the least shocking news they needed to tell her.

Sansa sat back as she continued to stare at Jon as the food was cleared away. She looked around the room at her brother. "You said you know this is the truth Bran?" She was still coming to grips with the fact that Jon was her cousin.

Bran nodded his head in agreement. "It is true Sansa."

Jon finished eating his bread before speaking up. "It is difficult for me to believe as well Sansa. I have always thought of you as my sister. That will never change." He said to her. He was having a difficult time processing the fact that he was an heir to the royal line.

Thomas was quickly processing the possible problems this knowledge could present. He would need to send word to his former master of these things immediately.

Sansa gave a slow nod of her head. "I am glad to hear that Jon." At least Jon seemed to have the same personality as before, his same kindness.

The Maester came in with a message in his hand. The look on his face was one of puzzlement as he handed the message to Thomas.

Thomas showed it to Sansa and paused when he saw the seal. It was the sigil of house Targaryen. He opened the piece of parchment and shifted so that Sansa could read it as well. They had been given blessing to marry. However, the announcement of Lord Bolton's second son, his name, and the signature caused great confusion. His former master did have a dragon he commanded…

Sansa was puzzled by the seal as well. There was a bright smile on her face when she read that they had permission to marry, but the smile turned into confusion as she continued to read.

Jon glanced at the group he had brought with him as they observed how puzzled the three who had seen the message were. The smile turning into confusion gave him an uneasy feeling.

Bran sat up and looked at the piece of paper with focus. He felt drawn to the document. It was as if there was something he needed to see from it.

Thomas glanced up from the parchment to Bran. "If we take you to your father's tree. Can you look down a family line to find a connection?" He asked. He had seen enough things in his lifetime to believe that Bran could see the past through the weirwood tree.

Bran gave a nod of his head. "I can. Some family lines are more difficult to travel than others."

Thomas nodded, "If you were able to discover one lost Targaryen I am certain you can confirm another."

Jon tilted his head as he looked at Thomas. "Who is that from?"

Sansa spoke up. "The man who returned Winterfell to me and removed Littlefinger."

Thomas nodded his head, "My former master, Hannibal Bolton. His name is signed Lord Targaryen here. His wife just gave birth to their third child, a second son. He has been named Aenar."

The room grew hushed at this information. No one could understand how that could be possible without anyone knowing...then again Jon was a Targaryen and no one knew.

Bran spoke up first. "Do either of you know where in the Bolton line the cross-over might have happened?"

Thomas shook his head, but Sansa gasped as a memory came back. "I remember speaking with

Margaery when I was at the Dreadfort. She was looking at the family histories and seemed to be focused on the last Red King. He was the Red King that bent the knee to the Starks and became the first Lord Bolton."

Bran nodded his head. "I know his name. Take me to the tree."

Jon stood to lift Bran and carry him outside, but Tormund got to Bran first and carried him instead. Tormund set Bran down by the roots of the tree. Bran reached his hand out to touch the white bark. He took a breath before his eyes turned white as he began to travel back.

Bran first stopped at the last Red King and he stopped as he watched an encounter with a woman. This woman was already clearly pregnant, she bewitched the Red King into marrying her and claiming the child she bore as his own to pass on his family name.

Bran then focused on the woman and continued to go backwards in time. He watched as she arrived on a ship in the wilderness North of the Wall. He could tell that she was pregnant with how she continued to be overprotective of her slightly swollen belly. He watched as she came across a group of wildlings. He nearly continued backwards, but he spotted something off in the distance. He recognized the Night King and watched as he walked amongst the wildlings. They did not seem to fear him as he moved. A few women moved to touch him, but died as soon as they touched his skin. They did not come back to life as wights. Bran watched as the strange woman crossed paths with the Night King. He reached out and touched her belly. She screamed in pain, but did not die. Bran saw burn marks on her belly as she ran away from the Night King.

Bran moved ahead to when she was in labor. He saw that the hand marks had spread over her entire body. When the baby was born, it had ice blue eyes. She spoke to her husband and he had a Valyrian steel blade in his hand that was red hot. He pressed the tip of the blade on the left hip of the child to leave a brand. The baby cried out, but when it opened its eyes again they were dark brown. Bran stepped around to see what the blade had been treated with. He spotted a spell and worked to draw what he saw on the ground next to him. Just as he finished, he heard the woman cry out in pain before she died. He would need to research what that spell was and why the heated blade was used.

Bran then went back to when she got on the ship that had taken her North. He needed to discover who this woman was. He continued to go back until he discovered she had been in King's Landing. He heard people whisper her name as she passed by, Tyanna. He watched as she walked in on a powerful man and heard her whisper the name Maegor. Bran recognized that name immediately. He gasped as he left the memory and returned to the present.

Everyone had gathered around Bran and were watching him carefully. Meera had copied down what he had been drawing, she had practice helping him when they were with the three-eyed raven. She tucked it away for later.

Melisandre had spotted what the girl was writing and recognized a bit of it. She wanted to know what the boy had seen when he drew that. She would find him to speak of those things later.

Bran took a breath before looking up at them. "The line of House Bolton after the last Red King had no bit of Bolton in them. That entire line stems from Maegor Targaryen and some woman named Tyanna."

Davos spoke first. "Tyanna of the Tower? She was said to be barren. Maegor killed her with his own two hands."

Sansa's eyes widened. "Maegor the Cruel? I did not know he had any children."

Melisandre spoke up. "Tyanna of the Tower was a follower of the Rhollor, the Lord of Light. She was one of the earliest priestesses known. It was possible for her to fake her death."

Tormund spoke up. "Why would any man claim a child as his own that was definitely not his?"

Bran spoke up. "He was bewitched to believe it was."

The group looked to Melisandre. She gave a slow nod that it was a possibility.

Sansa was stunned, but trying to think through the result of this information. "So, House Bolton is actually House Targaryen? How many generations of Targaryens have been on this tree?"

Thomas looked to her. "The Bolton men lived exceedingly long lives. I am not certain, but I believe my master mentioned that his great-great-great grandfather was the last Red King."

Melisandre had studied the Targaryen family tree in detail. "Hannibal Bolton is the 6th generation from this secret line of Targaryens." She turned to look at Jon. "You are the 9th generation of your line."

Davos recognized what that ultimately meant. "He has proper claim to the Iron Throne."

Sansa's shock slowly turned into a smile. "The Lannisters will stand alone once this is known."

Thomas nodded. "Once their allies hear of what happened to House Frey…"

Sansa nodded in agreement. "They will tremble in fear once they see him flying towards them on dragonback."

The others all stared at the two of them in confusion and shock. Jon spoke first. "He has a dragon?"

Ser Davos looked concerned. "What happened to the Freys?"

Thomas decided to answer. "He was gifted a dragon egg by the Tyrells as a wedding gift. He named the beast Vhagar. He commands him as easily as he commands his pack of wolves. Vhagar allows my master and his wife to ride upon his back with no complaint. He used his dragon and wildfire to completely destroy every brick of the Twins. That castle is a complete ruin and every last Frey has been killed. He is currently in Highgarden preparing to march upon King's Landing. He restored Riverrun to your uncle the Blackfish. All armies and lands around King's Landing have sworn allegiance to him. He is holding Jaime Lannister prisoner."

Jon felt a bit uneasy at that prospect. He looked around and noted that even Tormund seemed to be silent at all of this information.

Bran gave a nod to Meera to speak with him in private about what she should have copied. It sounded as if this Hannibal was living up to his birthright even if he was unaware of it.

Sansa felt a chill and decided to return back inside. Tormund picked Bran up as they all followed after Sansa.

Bran now knew who the third Targaryen was. Once he knew what this spell was…he would need to go South and meet this man. He would need to take Jon with him.

Jon followed everyone back inside as he thought about everything Bran had told him on the way to Winterfell. He would need to meet this Hannibal person and help Bran explain the danger North of the Wall. He just hoped that they would be heard with an open mind by this new King.