The Purple Deception: Part Two of the Chronicles of Ice and Fire

by Alperez16

The Purple Wedding is gatecrashed by Dragon and House Lannister finds it's not the only who pays its debts.

3. A Dutiful King

A/N: For those who dislike such things, there is lemon in Arianne's pov, it's marked clearly where it starts and ends.

Dragonstone 300 AC.

Daenerys Targaryen.

Daenerys' army was made up of Unsullied, some Dothraki, Dornishmen, and some Lords of the Narrow Sea. With far fewer of the latter than she would have wished for. Her family's truest Bannermen had lost many of their ships and men in a failed attempt to take King's Landing. All while serving a false king who none of them liked or truly wished to serve. Their strength was now much less than it had once been and though she knew her nephew's reasons for not reaching out to them early, she could not help but wish he had done so.

Thoughts of her nephew brought mixed feelings to her as they always did. The love that she felt for him was one that was not as it had once been and it pained her at times when she thought about it, as she knew it pained Aemon too. In another life, they'd be taking the throne together, truly together. They'd be joined as husband and wife instead of aunt and nephew and she would be a liar if she said that she did not wish that still to be so. Alas, it was not to be and the needs of their House far outweighed the needs of either of their hearts. Aemon was the only one of them who could continue their line and so he'd wed another and it was her and not Dany who was to be queen.

Her role in the new world that her nephew would build was not yet defined and as she looked off into the distance to where she knew King's Landing lay, she prayed that the gods favored her nephew and that his plans worked how he had said they would. Then with a sigh, she turned and made her way to the small boat that would take her to where her children waited for her. Her own task was far simpler in a lot of ways than Aemon's was. She was to take back their family home and she'd be using no mummery to do so. It would be a full-on assault, her men would outnumber the man who sat her family seat's own, and even were that not the case, she had dragons to call upon where he had none.

"Be safe Princess," Missandei said and Dany nodded as she, Ser Jorah, and some of her Unsullied climbed into the small boat and rowed to shore.

She saw her dragons from some distance away, her two sons looking out from the cove they had landed on. Their eyes were focussed intently on the small boat that rowed towards them. Closing her own eyes, Dany could almost sense them. When she opened them again they had already reached the sands and she was being helped from the boat by Ser Jorah. Somehow she resisted the urge to race up the beach to where Drogon and Viserion waited for her. Instead, she walked slowly to them and then moved to the Golden Dragon first.

"Nyke missed ao, ñuha dōna tresy." (I missed you, my sweet son.) she said as she rubbed her hand against Viserion's head, her son's trill clear for all to hear.

Moving from him, she stood and stared into Drogon's fiery red eyes and leaned against his head before speaking softly to him.

"Kessa, ñuha nēdenka riña, tubī īlon maghagon īlva qrinuntyssy, Perzys Ānogār!" (Yes, my fierce child, today we bring our enemies Fire and Blood!).

Drogon didn't trill, he roared, and though she stood in front of him and felt the breath like a wind come over her as he did so, she smiled throughout. Daenerys moved to Ser Jorah and the others to give them their orders.

"I'll take the dragons and clear the path of any who stand in our way. When you land, we'll fly overhead and offer our protection until we get to the keep. Be safe, Ser Jorah, for there is much we must do after this day."

"You too Khaleesi. Please take no more risk than is needed." Jorah said concernedly and Dany nodded before moving to Drogon and climbing up on his back.

Taking to the sky, they flew first over her fleet and made sure that she was visible to those who sailed for her. The sight of dragons would strike fear into her enemies and bring comfort to her allies and for those who had already seen her dragons' capabilities, this was even more true. Once Daenerys had done so, she bid Drogon and Viserion fly higher and then turned to fly to the island itself.

Dragonstone was far more than she had imagined it to be. To some, it looked somewhat barren, but to her, as she flew over her home and looked down on the lands below, it looked majestic. The Dragonmont loomed large as Dany felt Drogon's excitement resonate through his scales. There was something about this place that called out to the dragons. Not just to her children but to her as well. As they flew, she tried to put it down to the fact that she was born here, but it was more than that, far more. She belonged here, they belonged here and flying over the keep that was quickly made even more clear. Dragonstone was a dragon in repose and from the sky and upon a dragon's back, it looked incredible. Soon though she saw the banners of the Stag wrapped up in the flaming heart and it took all she had to hold back the urge to see them burn.

Instead, Dany circled the keep twice and found to her amazement that there were few if any soldiers within. Worried that they somehow had found out about their plans, she bid Drogon and Viserion fly to the docks, and what she saw when she got there shocked her to the core. There was no army lying in wait, no soldiers ready to fight against her own, and no defenses of any sort being brought to bear. Dany quickly bid Drogon fly to the beach, only to see that the same was true there and her ships had landed without incident. Confused and worried that she had missed something, and that men were lying in wait ready to ambush her own, she bid Drogon and Viserion fly lower. She told them to show themselves and her children were only too eager to do so.

"Ivestragī zirȳ gīmigon se zaldrīzoti emagon returned, ñuha riñar, ivestragī zirȳ rȳbagon aōha brōzagon." (Let them know the dragons have returned, my children, let them hear your call.) she said and her children responded.

The sounds of her dragon's roars rang out across the beach, then the docks, the cliffs, and finally the keep itself. They flew as low as Dany dared without them doing so to unleash their flames, while her eyes sought out any who lay in wait and found none. She directed them back to the beach and bid them land and was soon joined by Grey Worm and Strong Belwas, as well as Lord Aurane Waters, the Bastard of Driftmark.

"Where are Stannis Baratheon and his army, Lord Waters?" she asked, annoyed.

"My princess, I do not know. We found no men at arms and no obstacles to our landing." Aurane said and she could see no lie in his words and as much confusion in his features as were in her own.

"No men to fight, princess?" Grey Worm asked and Dany shook her head.

"No glory for Belwas?" Strong Belwas said disappointedly.

"Maybe not here today, but I am sure you will find some soon enough," she said to a large beaming smile from the former pit fighter.

"Princess should stay on dragon until island secure." Grey Worm said "This one will see to it." he added when she moved to turn.

"Be safe, I do not know what is going on here and I do not like it. Take no chances, any of you," she said and then walked away.

"Emagon īlon qrinuntyssy kesīr ñuha riñar, iksis bisa tēgembōñ īlvon istin arlī?" (Have we enemies here my children? Or is this island ours once again?)" Dany asked as she moved between her two sons and the sound of their trills made her relax somewhat.

Dany climbed back upon Drogon's back and they took to the sky once more, as she knew that she had to remain vigilant just in case. She flew over her men as they made their way to the keep. When her men reached the keep itself, Dany was unable to tell if they entered it with words and not with steel. Eventually, she saw Jorah and Aurane Waters as they walked outside and made their way to the cliffs nearby, so she followed and then landed close to them.

"Dragonstone is yours, Khalessi," Jorah said, offering her a wide smile as she looked at Aurane.

"It seems Lord Stannis has departed, my princess. The keep has few men and none who wish to fight and according to men I would trust, he and what remains of his army along with his Red Witch left some moons ago." Aurane explained

"The island and the keep are both secure?" Daenerys asked and it was Jorah who answered.

"Grey Worm saw to it himself, Khalessi. He rounded up every man, woman, and child that he found in the keep and saw they were unarmed and under guard. He has set his men to their duties. The keep is as safe to you as the Pyramid in Astapor was."

"Then lead the way, Ser Jorah, for I have great desire to see my family home," she said excitedly.

Later that night, she stood and wiped the tears from her eyes and looked out the open window of the Chamber of the Painted Table. It had been much harder than she had expected it to be. To see where she was born and where her mother had lost her life, had taken a lot out of her. Outside flying just over the bay, her two sons hunted for their meals, and Dany did not need to look to them to see their joy in finding this place, nor their worries for the one that was not here. She walked to the Painted Table and looked down at where King's Landing was. Somehow she fought the urge to fly there and offer her nephew her aid. His mission was not her own and all she could do now was wait and hope that it had gone as smoothly as hers did.

King's Landing 300 AC.

Arianne.

*Lemon begins*

Aemon looked at her in that way of his. His eyes showing the hunger of both a wolf and a dragon. Arianne wondered which he was about to let out to play. She had found with her husband that when they lay together it could be either, and these moments before she knew which it was to be were ones she enjoyed immensely. The wolf was slow and deliberate, taking his time and savoring every moment. He would tease her, then tease some more, and when he finally brought out her release. It would shake her very core.

The dragon was different, he was passionate and possessed, and the releases Aemon brought to her then were powerful beyond comparison. Aemon she had found to her delight, was or could be at times insatiable, taking her multiple times throughout the night, sometimes until dawn. Her husband moved up the bed towards her, and she felt the nip on her neck, the tug on her ear from his teeth, and his tight grip on her breast. Aemon pinched and tugged Arianne's nipple causing her to moan aloud. His touches were never enough to cause her any pain or even discomfort, but always enough to send a jolt down to her sex.

If Arianne had one reason why she preferred the wolf over the dragon, it would be that the dragon was silent. The wolf would speak words to her that would stir her heart. Though she was not a woman prone to swooning, more than once she had come close to at the sound of those words alone. The dragon did not speak, or at least until this night. Arianne found herself shocked when she heard Aemon whisper in her ear, the words themselves bringing a smile to her face.

"My beautiful wife."

"My queen."

"I need you so much."

Each word was followed by a kiss that was soft and gentle, then was very much not. Aemon's mouth closed on her neck and he began to bite it, yet never breaking the skin, Arianne could feel the pull from his teeth and it left her breathless. As it did when he moved down and did the same to her breasts. She raised herself up so she could look at him and was as shocked as she had been the first time that she had seen him pull on her nipple so hard. It stretched up more than an inch from her breast, yet she felt no pain as he let it fall from his mouth. Aemon then began to lavish it with kisses and his tongue, while she moaned in delight.

The wolf would take time and drag out his journey to her sex, he would kiss, lick, and give attention to almost every single inch of her. The dragon moved more quickly, and sometimes when Arianne was on edge, she welcomed that even more. Looking into Aemon's dark eyes as he settled between her legs was like staring into a raging fire. Arianne doubted that anyone had ever looked as darkly dangerous as he did at these times, it excited her greatly that she was who he shared them with.

"Aemon," she called out when his tongue brushed over her nub. "Aemon…" she moaned as he took her nub between his lips and began to suck on it.

His fingers soon followed and she felt them curl up inside her to reach a part of her that few had ever been able to. In truth, Arianne could count with the same number of fingers that Aemon was now using who had been able to find that spot. Only Aemon and Tyene were the ones able to do so, it was thoughts of her cousin that stopped her for a moment. So she pushed Aemon away, and his look turned even more dark and dangerous.

"Should I call for my cousin and have her join us?" Arianne asked breathlessly.

"No." His eyes were now dark and predatory. "Tonight I will fuck only my wife." She was about to smile when Aemon dragged her underneath him.

Arianne barely had time to regain her senses when she felt him on top of her and he pushed inside of her. His entry was not gentle and she felt every single inch of him almost in one thrust, her smile telling him how much she wanted and needed it. When she felt him move, her legs wrapped around his back of their own accord, and once again she found herself looking into his dark eyes as they stared down at her.

There were times when they made love, times when they fucked, times when they explored, and times when they were both almost desperate for relief. Tonight it seemed to be the latter of those and when Aranne felt him turn her over and move behind her, her hand moved to his cock to guide him in. She soon felt Aemon's grip on her hips, the pressure leaving marks on her skin that she would welcome seeing in the morning. Arianne felt him thrust hard into her and she gasped loudly. By the point that she found herself laying flat on the bed, things had become a blur, but when she felt Aemon stop moving it allowed her to realize the position she was in as she turned to look at him.

"Aemon," she said as he moved to the pillow and placed it under her stomach. Then he slowly withdrew his cock until only the tip was inside. "Aemon pleaseeee…" she cried out, her need as deep as his own and then Arianne felt his hard thrust take her breath from her.

It did not take her long to reach her peak, and then just as she was about to come, she felt him stop and looked up at him confused. She felt him move her so she was on her side, and then she felt his fingers move between her legs and move against her nub as he began to move inside her once more. It was slow, his movements deliberate, and when she felt his breath on her ear and heard his voice, she knew the wolf had arrived to play too.

"My beautiful wife."

"My queen."

It was Aemon's words as much as what he was doing to her that in the end brought about her release. His own coming almost at the same time, but not quite. They lay joined for some time afterward. Aemon kissed her cheek and she tried to turn her head to kiss her lips. When she felt his hands join together at her stomach it almost brought a tear to her eye and she was glad to be able to move and for them to clean themselves before taking to their bed once more.

"Sleep, wife. There is much we must do on the morrow," he said as he kissed her and she did as he bid, falling to sleep while being held in his arms and finding it as comforting as it had always been.

*Lemon Ends*

Arianne awoke to find herself alone the next morning. The small note on the bedside table let her know that her husband had decided to let her sleep. Rising from the bed, she stretched and then made her way to the looking glass. As she expected there were marks on her body from the night before. Touching them was almost as pleasurable to her as remembering how they came to be.

Turning to one side, she looked at her profile and believed she could see the slight swell of her belly. It had not been confirmed, but she was sure that she was with child. The smile came unbidden to her face and she wondered if Aemon would be as happy with the news as she was. With a last look at her figure, Arianne then called for her handmaidens to help with her bathing and dressing, afterwards she made her way to break her fast.

Her cousins, uncle, and Ellaria were all doing likewise when Arianne reached the room, and then she frowned upon not seeing her husband. As always Tyene noticed her changed mood, and her cousin moved to sit beside her, whispering in her ear that Aemon was at present busy in his solar. She looked to her uncle Oberyn and wondered briefly if he was the reason for that. Arianne quickly dismissed it and knew it was more than likely simply her husband's own nature.

"All is well in the city, uncle?" she asked.

"The city is ours, Ari. Ravens have been sent and your father has been informed that his daughter is now Queen of the Seven Kingdoms." Oberyn replied.

"And Dragonstone?" Arianne Inquired.

"Is back in the dragon's hands once more."

"What are your plans for the day, uncle?" she asked as her food was laid in front of her and she looked at it hungrily. Her appetite had increased lately, it was something she put down to the babe that she believed she was carrying.

"I intend to taunt some Lions and Roses, niece," Oberyn said happily.

Arianne was about to chide him when Sansa Stark was led into the room. The girl looked nervously at them all as Arianne bid her join them. Sansa took a seat across from Arianne and for now, that seemed to be as close as she was willing to get to anyone.

"Come, Sansa, I'm sure you are famished. I know I am after dealing with my husband all night" Arianne said while looking searchingly at the redheaded girl.

Her husband thought the girl a sister and yet she was not. The stories that Arianne had heard about Sansa Stark named her a naive and silly girl and yet she wasn't sure they spoke the truth. It was time to find out the measure of her for true and to see if there needed to be a conversation between her and Aemon about his cousin.

"Thank you, your grace," Sansa said with a perfect curtsy.

"Please call me Arianne darling," she said, offering her warmest smile hoping to find a way to get the Stark girl's guard down. Let us see if you can be useful in some way.

"Is my brother…"

"I do believe it is cousin now. You might as well get used to it. It certainly allows for more fun from my perspective." Arianne made sure her eyes looked hungry as she looked into Sansa's vivid blue ones. The girl just stumbled awkwardly not knowing what to say. "I am sure your kin will see you soon Lady Sansa, but as of now, he is occupied with his duties. So it seems we shall have time to get much closer to one another."

"I would like that, your…" Arianne raised her eyebrow. "Arianne," Sansa said carefully.

The meal went on and in time she somewhat grew weary of the girl's responses. Be it that she'd been held hostage to the Lions for so long or that she'd learned more of the game during her time in King's Landing, the truth of Sansa Stark proved more elusive than she at first expected. In time she'd get to know that truth though, for while they had taken the Iron Throne, the great game was never-ending.

As the day went on, she was disappointed that she did not see Aemon until much later that night, though she was pleased when Ghost joined her a little later on. The white wolf's presence was welcomed by both her and by her husband's kin. As was the dragon that she was joined in her room by when it came time for her to retire for the night. The look in Aemon's eyes was enough to let her know which side of her husband she was to spend time abed with.

King's Landing 300 AC.

Oberyn Martell.

Not even when Elia had been wed to Rhaegar had Oberyn stayed in the Red Keep. He had no wish to spend any time near the Mad King and Elia much preferred Dragonstone to King's Landing anyway. So to stay here was a strange experience for him and one he was not yet sure he welcomed. His reasons for staying here, on the other hand, he enjoyed immensely. Knowing that in the dungeons below him, Tywin Lannister and his brood were being held captive was something that he enjoyed very much.

It made him think slightly differently about the man who made it all happen, and whose plan it had been to do things this way. Aemon Targaryen was not a man that Oberyn named a friend and not even one he was sure he liked that much. That Aemon was made kin by marriage did not mean as much to Oberyn as it may have done was he a different man. Memories of another dragon that was kin to him by marriage were too hard for him to put aside when he now looked to that man's son.

His niece seemed pleased enough with her new husband and he knew that his brother cared not truly for the shame that he may bring them. That had been made clear long before now and Doran had cared more for the crown than for Oberyn's anger at the prince who had shamed his sister and the she-wolf who gave birth to the man who now sits upon the throne. Oberyn tested the boy, poked and prodded, and even crossed a line or two. Only for it to be the Bold to warn him off and to find the boy was not so easily ruffled.

As he dressed and readied to go about his day, he found himself hoping not to have to spend too much of it in the company of Aemon Targaryen, and in this, the gods were with him. The new king was not around when Ellaria, Arianne, his girls, and he himself broke their fast. The king was not in the sparring yards either when Oberyn went down to loosen his muscles. Later when he once again walked the Red Keep and spoke to his men there was no sight nor sound of Aemon Targaryen. Ironically Oberyn found the king's absence annoyed him as much as he had believed spending the day looking at the new king would have. So to his own surprise, he asked to see the king more than once, and each time only to receive the same reply. " The king is performing his duties and would like privacy." All while the king stayed locked in his solar speaking to Varys, Ser Barristan, or other men that had been brought to him.

"What do you think our new king is working on?" he asked Ser Daemon Sand as they made their way to the Maidenvault.

"I do not know my prince, be it himself, Ser Barristan, or more likely the Spider, words are not spoken about what the dragon is doing." Daemon replied.

"And he has not left the solar?" Oberyn inquired.

"No, my prince," Daemon said.

There was a part of him that almost demanded that he go to the King's Solar and ask him what game he was playing. Oberyn knew however that his pride would not allow him to do so. He would not be seen as to be the one to go to the king, he needed to be called for, to make the king wait to see him and not the other way around. Oberyn knew it was petty, foolish, yet he felt a little of both. So instead he now concentrated on what it was he came to the Maidenvault to do. It was time to trim some rose thorns.

While the Lannisters found themselves taken to the black cells the Tyrells had been confined to the Maidenvault, along with some other lords and ladies who had not immediately pledged their fealty to his niece and her husband. They gave up their weapons without a fight, and now awaited their fate and it was one that Oberyn himself was unsure of. Doran had wished them to pay dearly for supporting the Lions and Oberyn was of a like mind. The new king however had refused to allow them to be the ones to decide the fate of anyone other than the Lannisters, and even then only some of them.

It had caused an argument and ended up with Oberyn standing face to face with Ser Barristan's sword. He could still feel the blade after it had drawn a drop of blood from his neck. Oberyn had moved too fast and angrily for the knight's liking. One more step would have cost him his life and his chance at justice, and the dragon would have lost Dorne forever in the process. That it was Aemon Targaryen's words that had made him take his seat that day was still something he could not explain, but he had sat. Doran had agreed to the terms that were laid out, and once again their houses were tied in marriage. As he shook those thoughts from his head, Oberyn looked at the men who stood guard, and then he bid the leader of those men come to him.

"Any trouble?" Oberyn asked Ser Aron Santagar who he had placed in charge of the prisoners. The former Master of Arms knew the Red Keep far better than any other man that Oberyn could call upon after all.

"Other than questions, none my prince." Ser Aron said, "Though the Queen of Thorns has been heard to raise her voice more than once."

"And the Westermen?" Oberyn asked.

"Worry greatly and curse the Lions, my prince." Ser Aron replied.

"Good. I will speak to the Queen of Thorns. Send for some refreshments, good ser, I have no doubt she will prefer to be entertained." he said with a chuckle as Daemon and he walked up the steps to the rooms where the Roses were confined.

Ser Aron was a good man and had already played a large part in seeing them able to carry out their attack during the wedding feast. That he was Dornish meant that Oberyn could trust him far more than most. Even if it had been the Spider, and not themselves who had brought him into the fold. Oberyn wondered if the eunuch and the new king would make big changes to those who surrounded them or would Dorne be rewarded more than they had already agreed. A man like Ser Aron close to his niece and the king would be a welcome appointment. Yet Oberyn feared that other than Arianne's guards, his guards, and his daughters, Dorne would get fewer favors than Doran expected.

"Ready to greet a queen, my prince?" Daemon japed and Oberyn smirked as he knocked on the door before he entered the room.

The Queen of Thorns sat with her family. Margaery Tyrell sat by her side while Lord Mace and Lady Alerie sat across from her. Ser Garlan and Lord Willas both stood by the window. As Oberyn entered the room all heads turned to look at him. Lord Mace rose quickly to his feet and readied to protest only for a look from his mother to make him quickly sit back down.

"Finally, I had hoped it would be this new king of yours, but it seems a prince is all we are worth," Olenna said annoyed.

"Indeed, my lady. You have been treated well I trust?" he asked and he heard her annoyed huff as she nodded. "I have sent for refreshments. Perhaps we can speak alone?"

"Very well," Olenna said just as the knock came on the door. The servants entered carrying an assortment of dishes which included wine, fruits, and cheese. It seemed more than one of the Tyrells greatly appreciated this gesture too by the looks on their faces.

It was Willas who helped Olenna to the small solar that was part of the set of rooms they had been confined to. He nodded to his friend and received a colder look than he expected but it had maybe been deserved. Once in the smaller room, Oberyn took his seat as he bid Willas stay, much to Olenna's surprise. With a nod to Daemon, his former squire moved to bring in some of the food and wine to their meeting.

"Be thankful that your House only married the Lions, Lady Olenna. That you have not fought a battle against the dragon who sits the throne or those he names as kin. Otherwise, it would be on less friendly terms that we meet." Oberyn said once Olenna and Willas were seated.

"You call this friendly?" Olenna snarked.

"Compared to the Lannisters? Yes, I do." Oberyn replied with just as much snark in his tone.

Before anyone could say anything else. Daemon entered and placed the tray on the table. With a look to Olenna, Obeyrn himself poured the wine and then took a swallow from his glass before the Tyrells did likewise. He was pleased to see there was a selection of cheeses, as he knew from his letters with Willas that was the Queen of Thorn's preferred fare. After waiting for a few moments, while both Tyrells ate from the assortment, he then began to speak again.

"Poison may be something I am famed for my lady, but it is not how your end would come were it to be one that was sought," he said with a smirk and saw the relieved look that appeared on both Olenna and Willas' faces.

"Then we are not to die, that is good to know." Olenna said nonchalantly a moment later "And what is our fate to be then if not death?"

"A better one than House Lannister will face, Lady Olenna. I meant what I said." Oberyn began. "You are most fortunate that this war ended how it did and was not a truer one. You may not have appreciated the subterfuge and the attack on the wedding itself, but trust me." Oberyn said as he looked her in the eye. "It is far better that is how it went."

"So the king you serve will not seek our heads because we did not fight against him? What will he seek instead?" Willas asked and Oberyn bristled a little at the phrasing. Oberyn Martell did not serve Aemon Targaryen, not now nor ever.

"All in good time, Lord Willas, all in good time," he said and was annoyed when Olenna spoke next.

"You do not know, do you?" She inquired. Whatever Olenna was looking for she found as she pressed the advantage. "It is not Dorne who runs this show at all. Is it Prince Oberyn? You and your brother are just a party to it." Olenna said far too smugly.

"My niece is queen, Lady Olenna." The Viper bit back. "It is Dornish spears that guard you and yours, and our men who hold this city. Perhaps it is not a good idea to poke the snake, my lady, lest the snake decides to poke back," he said and saw the worried look on Willas' face though Olenna kept her own far more schooled.

"I assume there will be trials?" Olenna said and Oberyn nodded "Who will face The Mountain when the Old Lion calls for a trial by combat?" she added and Oberyn smirked.

"My lady, you give us far too little credit. "You do not think we have considered such a thing already?" he said with a chuckle that was not joined in by either of the Tyrells.

"So we should not seek our salvation at the point of a sword? Good to know." Olenna said.

"Words and deeds, my lady, words, and deeds. I would think carefully on what the new king wishes to hear." Oberyn replied.

They ate and spoke about general things. Occasionally Olenna and Willas both prodded him for more information on Aemon Targaryen. Some Oberyn gave up and some he did not, just giving them enough to form some plan in their heads for how they would approach dealing with their current situation. In a way, he hoped they managed to come out without too much damage to their House. The Roses were a House that was easy enough to manage in his opinion. Their ambition was well known to one and all. So it made them predictable.

After he left the Maidenvault it was to cells and not rooms that he next made his way to. He was finally ready to look upon the Old Lion and to promise him, to his face, the retribution that he had waited for so long to deliver. It would be Oberyn himself that ended Tywin Lannister. Oberyn Nymeros Martell, who would bring about his end, and that end would be one that the Old Lion would face very soon.

King's Landing 300 AC.

Varys.

It had gone far better than Varys had ever dared to wish for. They took the Red Keep and the city with few losses, they had managed to catch the Lions and the Roses completely by surprise. The war that he feared he would have to put the realm through was now a much different beast. Considering that it was the new king who came up with the plan that led to this victory, it boded well for the future. Varys actually now found himself excited about the days to come for the first time since he came to Westeros.

He set his little birds to task, eager to find out any little whispers he could, and having so much nobility in King's Landing allowed him to find out the truth of them that much easier. The Vale would need to be brought to rights, as would the North, but Varys knew the new king would seek to bring a reckoning to the Freys and the Boltons for what they did to his family. On the upside, most of Westeros would kneel and accept his rule without a fight. Now it depended on what the plans were for the West and the Reach. Something that Varys himself was unaware of.

He knew that the Lions would never rule again. The question was now, who would live and who would die? The Reach was a more difficult matter to deal with. Their treason was not one so easy to attribute blame or guilt in a trial. They would require a more delicate hand. The Riverlands, Crownlands, and Stormlands would all find it easier to kneel to a Dragon than a Lion. The Iron Islands would soon find themselves facing a dragon's fury. As for Dorne, it both comforted Varys and worried him about the company with whom the king shared his bed. Literally considering the noises that were heard coming from their chambers last night.

Varys had played his part in bringing them together and truly it was the best match given who the king was. The Dornish temper and need for vengeance were both things that gave him pause. The last thing he wished for was a bloodbath. The thoughts of people looking to Aemon Targaryen and seeing another Mad King were not ones that Varys wished to ponder on for too long. Thoughts that he knew he did not have when looking at the man himself. However, should the King allow Prince Oberyn too much leeway, then they would be ones that could soon be brought to bear by others in the realm. So as he headed to speak to the new king, it was these warnings he would heed.

"Is his grace inside?" Varys asked the two Dornish guards who nodded and then knocked at the door.

Entering the room Varys was happy to see the new king already busy at work. Aemon Targaryen sat at a desk that was covered in papers. Behind him, Ser Barristan stood wearing the white cloak once more. Even though the king looked to be deep in thought, Varys felt that he had interrupted a conversation between the two men. Something he was soon proved right in.

"Lord Varys." the king said after Ser Barristan coughed to let him know of his presence.

"Your Grace," he said before taking a seat as he was bid.

There was silence for a few moments while the king looked over the piece of paper in his hand. He made a note on it before putting it to one side. The king then offered him some wine which he accepted gratefully. Varys did not expect the king to be working this diligently this early in his reign if the truth be told. It was slightly off-putting after serving Robert Baratheon and Joffrey Waters. Aemon now reminded him more of Tywin Lannister than either of the now-dead kings.

"The Gold Cloaks, Lord Varys, their commander was Tyrion's man Bronn. Ser Barristan tells me he is not to be trusted." The king said as he glanced at his Kingsguard.

"Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, your grace. It is true he is not to be trusted in that regard. For a price though he is trustworthy in his own way." Varys said as the king looked at him curiously.

"He has been in charge for long?" The king asked.

"Moons, your grace. He has filled many of the positions with men that he himself trusts."

"You know these men?" the king asked and Varys nodded. "And a more trustworthy man to be named as the new commander?"

"I can get you a list of suitable men, your grace. I have it on good authority though that the Master of Laws may wish to have some input." Varys said, receiving a nod from the king and nothing more.

"The Reach Lords?" Aemon asked.

"Most were loyal to your house, your grace. They are far keener to kneel than any other. Lords Tarly, Rowan, and Ashford most especially." he said and saw the small upturn of the king's lip made. Varys was sure that this was something that the king and Ser Barristan had already spoken about.

"Edmure Tully, Lord Varys, his location is as we discussed?" The king asked as he looked Varys in the eye as he did.

"It is your grace, Lords' Blackwood, Mallister, and Bracken all attended the wedding however as did a number of Freys," Varys answered.

"They have been arrested?" the king asked before he raised his hand. "The Frey's I mean."

"They have, your grace," he said to a nod and a dark look which soon passed as the king then asked him which Frey's and their importance.

"I wish this to be sent out to the realm at large, Lord Varys." The king said as Varys was handed a piece of parchment. Varys read the message and nodded his approval though it was not asked for.

"Send this to the Citadel." the king said once he was finished and handed him another piece of parchment to read "And finally this to the Wall."

"I shall see they are sent immediately, your grace," he said, rising to his feet.

"Your own position Lord Varys, you wish to continue as you are?" the king asked simply.

"I do, your grace. I feel I have much to offer the realm and yourself." Varys replied.

"As you have shown already Lord Varys. It has been much appreciated. I shall appoint you officially in a day or so. For now, I would simply name you as what you already are, My Master of Whisperers."

"I am honored to serve, your grace," Varys said with a bow.

"As am I to have you, Lord Varys." The young king said with a small smile.

The smile on the king's face looked genuine, though it was fleeting. Still, as he walked from the room, he looked over his shoulder to see Ser Barristan whisper in the king's ear before the king went back to the paperwork. Varys felt something he had not felt in a long time. Later that day after he spoke to the Lions and to the Roses, he was heading for a meal when he passed by the King's Chambers and saw the guards still standing at the door.

A dutiful king was not something he'd expected to find in his lifetime. Varys hoped for one and had he been a religious man, then he no doubt would have prayed for one. In Rhaegar Targaryen he believed he perhaps had found one, only for events to conspire to deny the realm then. A son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark's whose own brother, Eddard Stark, was a dutiful if an ill-suited man. That was the true reason why he was so keen to back Aemon Targaryen. A dragon who was part wolf, and finally he believed that the realm may be in good hands.

The Red Keep Cells 300 AC.

Jaime Lannister.

They had been taken by complete surprise. There was not even a whisper of what was to come. One moment Jamie was at a wedding, stewing in anger as his horror of a son humiliated his brother, and the next they were under attack. Every single instinct he had in him had bid him fight, even though it was already lost. The mere sight of the dragon in the air was enough to let all know that there was no winning here today, and that simply surviving would be hard enough.

He had looked to his family, all of them searching for his blade to see them to safety. Although he had the will and strength to fight, he no longer had the skill, and there were simply too many of them for him to face. In the end, he had actually fought little as it was clear just how outmatched they were. Jaime struggled to understand just how they managed to get so many men so close to them, and it was not until he was sitting in the cells and when he heard the voice of the Eunuch that he figured it out.

No doubt it was not only Varys' work that had seen so many men of Dorne able to blend in without question. Ser Aron Santagar was the Red Keep's Master of Arms, a proud Dornishman, and he had no doubt helped his prince in seeing this plan through. Not that it really mattered much who or even how they were taken so easily. The mere fact that they had been was more than enough to concentrate on. Yet sitting in a far more comfortable cell than the last one he was held prisoner in, none of that was what was truly on Jaime's mind.

Instead, it was his former brother, no brothers, that his mind focussed on. Them and the prince they had once all truly served together. Memories of a day long ago when the Red Keep fell and he had done what he believed was the right thing to do. Only to later find that he failed those he swore to protect, and then just like now Jamie was unable to save them from their fate. It was the name of the man who took the crown and held his House's fate in his hands that he soon found himself concentrating on. The man who is his prince's son. A man who had been hidden and protected by a man, not of the white cloak. Ned Stark had done what the Kingsguard could not and had hidden a prince, a king, in plain sight while protecting him from those who would see him dead.

"Let me thank you ahead of time, for guarding us all from the perils beyond the Wall. Wildlings and White Walkers and what not. We're grateful to have good, strong men like you protecting us."

"We've guarded the kingdoms for 8,000 years."

"Is it we already? Have you taken your vows then?"

"Soon enough."

"Give my regards to the Night's Watch. I'm sure it will be thrilling to serve in such an elite force. And if not, it's only for life."

Jamie shook the memory from his head, he had not thought much of the boy and wondered why he was now thinking back on an encounter that had left no true impression on him. Sitting in the cell alone and with his thoughts, he found he had little else to do but to ponder on things. Eventually, he found that his mind refused to go anywhere else.

The boy had believed that the Night's Watch was a noble order. No doubt Stark with his damnable honor had made the boy believe that. Made the boy believe that for a bastard there were few other opportunities, or he'd simply done so by raising him on false tales. Far from honorable, the Night's Watch was much like what the Kingsgaurd had become. A place where only unfit men ended up. There was a time when it was perhaps a worthy calling, just as wearing the white cloak had been once. Those days and those good and true men had long since passed.

Still, for some reason, Jamie found he could not shake these thoughts from his mind. Even long after he ate and laid down on his bed of straw they refused to let him sleep in peace. Sleep eventually came to him and then he was surrounded once more by wraiths from the past. Specters of long-dead men and their fate finally being revealed to him, as was the reason for their fate. It had never sat well with him that Oswell and Arthur had guarded Lyanna Stark. Just as it had not that she had been kidnapped and was held prisoner by Rhaegar Targaryen. Even was it true that Rhaegar was as mad as his father, as Robert would loudly proclaim while in his cups. The Arthur that Jamie knew would never be a part of a kidnapping, nor would he hold a girl against her will. Not even for his closest and truest friend. So now finally, as he sat up wide awake, the questions he long-sought answers to, were suddenly answered.

Why had Arthur and Oswell not accompanied Rhaegar upon his return?

Why had Ser Gerold not returned after finding him?

Why had they fought against Stark and those with him?

Why had they died when all was lost and the fight was pointless?

The answer to all those questions had just arrived in King's Landing on a dragon and was accompanied by another of his former brothers. Barristan Selmy had somehow managed to find the truth and now served who he always wished. He'd be a liar if he said that he did not feel a tinge of jealousy at that. The boy had been allowed to go to the Wall. Stark had allowed the heir to the throne to go to the Wall. Jamie felt only anger at the man and was glad Stark lost his head. Ned Stark had obviously had no intention of seeing Rhaegar's son crowned, and he was willing to allow the boy to waste away at the wall, with his line to end with a whimper and not a roar.

No, he would most likely lose his head, and his father certainly would. Even if he was whole, he was unsure he would accept to be his father's champion. It was Tyrion, Genna, Kevan, Cersei, Tommen, Myrcella, and any more of his family who Jamie now truly began to worry about. Their fates he feared for and would plead for, for what good it would do. As he leaned against the wall and watched the sun come up, he found some beauty in the light, he found he appreciated it that much more. As he did with the meal that came to him that day. The food was nothing special, but it actually tasted as good as any he ever ate. Jamie was sure it was because it would be one of the last meals he ever ate.

The Maidenvault 300 AC.

Olenna Tyrell.

Olenna had been so close to all she had ever wanted. The crown was almost on Margaery's head, only for all her plans to get upended. That she had lost it to someone she was not even aware of as a player in the great game was no true comfort to her. She was long past wishing it was her, and not Doran Martell, that the dragon had sought out or made his deal with. Still, it did make her ponder who made the first move, and whether Mace's actions in the Rebellion had come back to haunt her now.

Logically it should have been them that the dragon came to. Their house had the men, the coin, and was as Leal if not more than any other region in Westeros. Had this king done so then she would have had no choice but to accept the offer. With a dragon and their men, then the war would have been a foregone conclusion. Olenna fought down the voice in her head that said the dragon had managed to win without fighting a war at all, instead letting her mind go to other places.

It made more sense to her that Doran had sought the dragon out first, that he made the first move and the deal was then done quickly. That Doran had then used their own actions against them and had planned it out so they came out of this far weaker than Olenna had planned for.

To what end?

To what goal was Doran working and what did that mean for her family?

That more than anything else was what she needed to figure out.

"We should demand to speak to this new king, mother, we have always been Leal to the Dragons," Mace said and she tried her best not to sigh.

"We are on the wrong side of this father. We joined with the Lannisters and that will not be easily forgiven." she heard Willas reply.

"But only because we did not know of him, son. Had we then…" Mace began.

"Oh do shut up Mace!" Olenna said angrily as he watched her son shrink in on himself, and move to Alerie who she knew would soothe his fragile ego.

Olenna had no time to listen to Mace's idiotic proclamations, and Willas always had a far better grasp on things than Mace ever would. She rose and gestured to Margaery and Willas. The two of them followed her into the other room, and thankfully they both had more sense than their father or their siblings. Loras would stupidly suggest using his sword in some way, and Garlan was not a man cut out for plots. Willas was as smart as any man in the realm, and Margaery saw things that even Olenna herself would miss. Between the two of them, she was sure a plan of action could be decided upon.

"We face the most troubling time in our entire House's history. I am shamed to say that I have been caught completely unaware in regards to this Dragon King and his Dornish allies. So much so that I find myself unsure just which of them is pulling the strings. Which in turn leaves me without a plan so that we come out of the upcoming trials with not only our heads but with our position too." Olenna said far more honestly and plainly than she usually spoke.

"You truly think we may not survive this, grandmother?" Margaery asked worriedly and Olenna reached out her hand to take her Sweet Rose's own and hold it tightly.

"We played the Game of Thrones, Margaery, you win or you die. We are far from a winning position nor do I see even the merest glimpse of a path to take us to one." Olenna said with a voice full of concern.

"Oberyn suggested that it will not be our heads we lose, grandmother. I doubt our position is truly up for grabs." Willas said and both she and Margaery looked at him.

"You do not?" she asked.

"I think we will need to grovel and there will be many restrictions placed upon us, but we are strongly tied to others in the Reach and we did not raise arms against this new king," Willas explained.

"We did ally with the Lannisters, Willas," Margaery said and Olenna nodded.

"An alliance that can be sold as one of necessity and not duplicity," Willas said.

"How so?" Olenna asked and then listened as her grandson laid out a reasoning that, though not the truth, bore enough of it to serve as a very good lie.

When Willas laid out a list of potential punishments, grating though it was to hear them, all of them, even the worst, were ones that would be bearable and even tolerable to her. Just listening to him and then Margaery adding in her own little points was enough to make Olenna feel somewhat better. So much so that when they sat down to eat that night, she found her appetite had returned.

Coin, prestige, the lack of suitable alternatives, and that they had not actually fought against anyone other than Stannis Baratheon. Should it be needed, the revelation of her own plot against the Lions. All of it allowed for the possibility of an outcome that was not as bad as it may have been in other circumstances. Things could have been much worse, and unlike the Lions, their deaths were far from certain. As Willas had said, perhaps they were not even being considered. They would come out of this far weaker than Olenna hoped, and the ambitions that she had for her House were now ones that had little to no chance of ever coming true. So there would be no growing strong out of this endeavor, but if she played this just right. They still had a chance to grow when it was all said and done.

Sleep came to her easily and her dreams were far more pleasant than the ones she had over the last day or two. When she woke the next morning it was to find she had no aches or pains like she had since she was forced to sleep in the smaller bed that she had been taken to in these rooms. Breaking her fast it was to the sound of her grandchildren speaking far less worried than they had been before Prince Oberyn's visit, and yet Olenna did not look forward to the boring day ahead of her. She did however welcome the chance to think and consider exactly what it was she would say. Then she began to wonder when their time to face the dragon was to fall upon them. Something Olenna had no idea was to be far sooner than she had expected, and when the knock came on the door and the Eunuch entered the room. Olenna began to worry once more.

"His grace wishes for you to be brought to the Throne Room, the trials are set to begin," Varys said and Olenna found it hard to swallow. So she reached for a glass of water to pass off her nerves.

"Of course, Lord Varys," Willas said when he saw her discomfort and with that, they were led from the room. Olenna found her mind going in a thousand different directions at once with no coherent plan making itself known to her.

"Grandmother," Margaery said softly, her golden-brown eyes looking at her with concern and her hand holding her own and stroking it softly.

"I am well, Sweetling, I am well," she said and she hoped the lie was only one of timing and that her words would soon be proved true.

The Red Keep 300 AC.

Sansa.

For the first time in who knew how long, she slept a comfortable night's sleep and had woken up refreshed and relieved. The guards on her door were there for her protection and not to keep her prisoner and just seeing that they did not wear Lannister colors were more than enough to bring her some comfort. The servants who came to help her dress were ones unknown to Sansa, in fact, she had never seen them before, and so she welcomed their presence. Never before had she imagined that the liberty of each word that she said, each action she undertook, no longer being spied upon, could bring her so much comfort.

Sansa was disappointed when she made her way to break her fast only to find no sign of her brother and yet she was welcomed as a friend, as family, and felt far less of a pretense than she had known these past years. There was still some she felt, though it was more awkwardness and it was shared as she, Arianne, Tyene, and her sisters tried to get to know each other. She had so many questions and yet she feared the answers to them or that she'd not be given those answers. Something that soon she was able to realize was not true.

Arianne was her Goodsister, her new queen, and her brother's wife and the thoughts of Jon being wed and being a king were ones that Sansa never had imagined.

How did it come to pass?

When did it occur?

What does it mean for her future?

All of these were questions she wished the answers to and yet instead it was others that she found herself asking. Questions aimed at finding out if Arianne Martell was playing her brother false or if she felt any love for him at all. Whether or not this was a match of politics or love and if it was the former, could it be trusted? To her delight, she found that she believed it was as much the latter as it was the former and so she relaxed even more in Arianne's company. And then she finally saw him.

"Ghost." she called out happily as she moved to the White Wolf "Oh gods, it's truly you," she said as she felt his tongue lick her hand and she knelt down to wrap her arms around the Direwolf's neck.

The smell of him brought a tear to Sansa's eye as she remembered Lady, and the softness of his fur brought memories of days long past. Ghost was huge, almost the size of a small horse, and on her knees he dwarfed her. She could feel his strength under her hands and that strength seemed to almost seep into her. It gave her the composure that she was so sorely lacking. Sansa rose to her feet as she rubbed her hand over his back and felt his tongue lick her hand once more. The smile she wore was the first true one on her face since her father died, and it was one that was noticed by Arianne and her cousins.

"For such a huge thing, he's quite a softy, aren't you Ghost," Arianne said and Sansa giggled as the wolf shook his head before walking over and licking Arianne's hand and then rubbing his head against her stomach.

"He likes you," she said softly to a beaming smile from her Goodsister.

"He likes the treats I give him," Arianne replied and Sansa watched her tickle behind Ghost's ear and the wolf lean even closer to her.

Seeing it, seeing them together, the small doubts she had about Arianne and her intentions began to fade away. The wolves knew and had she but understood that then, Lady may still be with her, and her father and brothers would still be alive. As soon as Sansa had that thought, the tears came and which of them moved to her first, she knew not. She felt Ghost rub against her and then she was wrapped in an embrace and she sobbed with her head resting on the smaller woman's shoulder. Arianne spoke softly in her ear and told her that she was safe and well and that neither she nor Aemon would allow anyone to harm her ever again. Unlike words once spoken to her by a different queen, Sansa felt herself believe in these ones and soon enough the sobs stopped and she wiped her eyes.

The rest of the day was one that she enjoyed very much. Sansa was able to walk around without fear of who was watching her every move. She knew now that she would not run into Joffrey and then become the center of his depravity. For the first time, since she had come to this infernal place, she found herself able to think, breathe, and not worry. Sansa found that the Martells had wicked senses of humor and even more wicked tongues. She blushed on many occasions, as mentions of her brother and Goodsister of what they did together were made more than once.

They ate luncheon together and when she felt a little tired she asked if she would be allowed to take a small nap. Arianne moved to look her in the eye and tell her that she never needed to ask such a thing anymore. Sansa was almost unable to listen when she was told that what she wished for was what she should and could do and no one would tell her otherwise. It allowed her to rest and to wake up even more refreshed and when she asked if she could be taken to see her brother, she was overjoyed when she was told that he wished to see her too. Still, she walked nervously to his rooms and worried that things she did as a child or how her mother had treated Jon would come back to haunt her now.

"Is his grace inside?" she asked nervously when she reached the rooms and the guard nodded before allowing her to enter the room.

"Your Grace." She said with a curtsy as was proper.

"Sansa," Jon said, only looking up from his work for a second before continuing. "Good, now I do not have to call for you. We need to get busy with preparing you for your new position."

To say that Sansa was shocked was an understatement. She was here to apologize to her brother and all he seemed focused on was whatever was on his desk. Before she could ask any questions Jon spoke again.

"Ser Barristan a moment if you will?" Jon spoke it as an order, not a question. Without any more words, Ser Barristan left the solar as Jon stood up to pour some wine. He handed her an offering before he turned to stare out the window.

"Do not get too comfortable, Sansa," Jon said as he continued to gaze. "Even with my actions here, this place is still a snake pit. With my wife's family here it seems that term is almost literal. We are on the cusp of complete and total victory and yet it is only a matter of time before the real struggle begins."

Jon turned to face her, his eyes almost pitch black just as Sansa now remembered them to be. This was not Jon from home though. This was something and someone else entirely. He then spoke again, his voice soft but carrying all the authority of a king.

"On the morrow, you will start your training to become Lady of Winterfell and Warden of the North," Jon said and all she could do was gasp.

"I will lead the North?" She had meant to ask more questions but Jon answered all of them before she had the chance to ask more.

"Once the Boltons are dead you will take your position as the heir to the North," Jon answered before he took a sip of his wine and looked out the window again.

She was flabbergasted. Never had she expected nor even hoped to lead the North. The questions she had on the tip of her tongue but a few moments ago now raced through her head.

"I….would the North accept a woman as its Warden?" she asked, surprising herself that it was that she led with.

"They will accept my will on this," Jon said as he turned around to face her. His words had both ice and fire in them. "However, at some point, we'll need to discuss a betrothal and who is best served to be your husband."

Sansa shivered at the words, the thoughts of being forced to marry once again were not ones she wished to dwell upon. Maybe that was where the words came from. Her anger at being used in such a way by someone she considered her blood was enough for her tirade to begin.

"I'm already married. I'll not marry another and not even you can force me to do so. I had hoped to find my brother and finally feel safe again. It is clear that what your wife said is true. You see me only as a cousin and not as your sister. For you would not treat me so if you did.'' She somehow held back the tears that threatened to fall and turned away. So she did not see the softening of her brother's expression or hear him as he walked toward her.

Sansa then almost jumped when he touched her, but she composed herself and did not move away from his hand when he placed it on her shoulder. Nor did she resist when he made her turn to face him.

"Forgive me," Jon said softly as he looked at her how she wished him to, how she hoped he would. "I have spent so many moons trying to be the king I need to be, that sometimes I forget when I do not need to be king. The line between Jon and King Aemon has all but disappeared most days. You are the first one to call me Jon in a long time sister. I fear you might be the only one who will from now on."

"I…"

"You are my family, my sister, and I would never force you into anything. I meant it not as that, and I promise it will be your choice whom you wed."

"It will?" she asked hopefully.

"Yes it will," he said, offering her a half-smile. " But you will have to wed, Sansa. You are the last known living Stark. Arya is….I believe she is alive but I do not know for true and Bran, Rickon ..." his words trailed off.

For both of them, it was the thoughts of the family they had lost. It somewhat opened Jon up from the emotions he had kept under control until then. Jon took her into his arms, and it allowed her own emotions to be shown clearly for the first time in so very long.

They did not get to eat together that night, her brother continued to work even after she had made her way to her chambers. They did get to talk some more though. He was no longer Jon Snow, that much was clear, and while it would take some time to get used to naming him Aemon Targaryen. Naming him her king would not. He would be a far better one than the last two who sat on the throne and that was something Sansa was grateful for.

As later on was the presence of Ghost when she took to her bed that night. Her brother had told her that until the guards he chose were introduced to her the white wolf would not leave her side. Sansa then found herself laying down in her bed beside the fluffiest pillow she could ever wish for. Although he was not Lady, she slept and dreamt that night as if he was. Waking the next morning to find out that the trials were to begin that day and as she broke her fast with her brother, his wife, and his new Goodfamily. She felt as if she was as close to being home as she had been since leaving Winterfell with her father and the king's party. Sansa was part of a pack once again, a wolf once more. The little bird she was forced to be was and would soon be no more.

King's Landing 300 AC.

Aemon Targaryen (his first day as King)

Leaving his wife's bed had been hard, and looking at Arianne as she slept. Not saying good morning to her was even harder. Yet she looked so peaceful that he had no wish to wake her. So he wrote out a note to tell her so and then made his way from their rooms. It was no surprise to find Ser Barristan on guard at his door, the man slept only a few hours each night and nothing he could say to him would make that change, so he took advantage of it. Now Aemon rose knowing that Ser Barristan would have done likewise and while some days they would spar, speak, or make plans but today would be far more of the latter.

With a nod to his Kingsguard, they made their way to his solar. Aemon ordered food to be brought for them both. The two of them broke their fast together, and once they were done, he then readied to begin his work for the day. On his desk, he had parchment and enough ink for all he wished so he could write the messages to be sent to the Realm, the Wall, the Citadel, and for the plans that would need to be gone over.

Punishing those responsible for all that had befallen his house was easier said than done. The line between being a fair just king or a tyrant was one that better men than him had crossed more than once. Aemon knew that he had to start off his reign on the right note. There would be some who would be removed completely, the Boltons and Freys needed to pay for what they had done to Robb and Lady Catelyn. The Lannisters needed to be brought to justice for what they had done to Lord Stark and his sisters, not even mentioning their part in the rebellion. Theon Greyjoy and the Ironborn for their invasion of the North and the murders of Bran and Rickon. Others would pay in different ways and he needed to decide what was the best way to see to that and to ensure his reign was unchallenged.

Were it left to Oberyn and to Dorne, then the punishments would be too harsh to those who mayhap deserved some mercy. Doran wished for Dorne to be preeminent amongst any of the Seven Kingdoms. Even though Aemon agreed to his terms, he knew that Doran would seek more and more if he gave him even a glimmer of a chance to do so. Oberyn sought vengeance rather than justice. While Aemon could understand and sought some of that himself. He needed it to be seen more like the latter than the former. Especially given that once Aemon found himself face to face with the men who killed his kin. He felt more wrathful than merciful.

"Wardens, Ser Barristan, is it truly just a military position?" he asked as the knight looked at him. Aemon decided it was better to focus on other things rather than allow his mind to wander to darker ground.

"Yes and no, Your grace."

"Aemon, please Ser, it's just us here today," he said and the knight chuckled before nodding.

"Mainly it is, Aemon," he said and Aemon offered him a smile for using his name. "A lot of it is politics too, better a Warden is able to stop a fight rather than start one."

"And so a female one is no issue you believe?" he asked and Barristan looked at him curiously.

"Your cousin?" he asked.

"Aye, there must always be a Stark in Winterfell, Ser Barristan. It's something I grew up believing and my cousin is as far as we know the only living Stark." Aemon replied.

"She will need capable men around her, Aemon. Men who can be trusted." Barristan emphasized.

"Lord Reed is such a man is he not?" Aemon asked.

"Yes, your grace," Barristan replied.

"The Vale, Ser. Who can we trust?"

He listened as Barristan spoke about Lord Royce, Lord Grafton, and others. Barristan mentioned that the Arryn's had another heir other than Lady Lysa's child, and though Aemon was not sure if he truly wished to replace the boy, the mother had to go. Lysa Arryn had not come to his brother's aid, to her own sister's aid, and had allowed her family home to be taken while keeping the Knights of the Vale behind the Bloody Gate. Be it because of herself or because of some infatuation with Petyr Baelish, neither of them could be left in a position of power. As for Baelish, he would meet his end as soon as he was found.

The Lannisters were easier and harder at the same time. Tywin would lose his head and choose the Mountain to stand for him. Oberyn gets his vengeance and justice there. Joffrey would be losing his head too, but the others were far more difficult. Other than no longer ruling the West, Aemon still had not decided upon their fate. He was still struggling with a decision about the Tyrells, death was off the table in their regard. Aemon began to write down more; he began to discard and change plans he had spoken to Ser Barristan about. Varys then came to see him while he was working.

Aemon found that he quite liked the Eunuch, much to his surprise. Doran, Oberyn, Arianne, and Barristan had all told him that the man was not to be trusted. Yet he found that in some ways that made Varys far more trustworthy. It was largely due to Varys that Aemon now sat the throne where his father, his brother, or his sister should be sitting. Nothing Varys had said or done since they first met has led Aemon to question his intent. Aemon was sure that beneath all the perfume, whispers, and mystery, Varys wished for the same things that he did. A realm where those who had little, now finally had a king who wished to make their lives better. If Aemon was right, and he was sure that he was, then Varys would have found in him such a king. In time Varys had proven himself to be as leal as the man who stood guarding his back.

"You still don't trust the man?" he asked Barristan after Varys had left.

"I do not," Barristan said firmly.

"Watch Ghost's reaction to him the next time you see him. I will be sure that Ghost is there. Look at the wolf and tell me if you do not trust him afterward." he said, Barristan looking at him oddly before nodding.

Howland had told him that the wolves knew better and that their instincts were superior to his own. He had shown him how to get inside of Ghost's skin even more easily and they shared hunts, thoughts, and feelings with each other. It was Ghost who had made him understand the games that Arianne played were simply that. Ghost who had made Aemon aware of how Doran and Oberyn felt about him more clearly than their words, and other than disliking the amount of perfume that Varys wore, Ghost felt no anger or distrust in Varys' presence. So Aemon did not either.

Speaking to Sansa had been emotional and trying and he was glad that Barristan gave them the room to do so alone. They would need to speak more and he feared learning the truth of what had happened to her and to his other sister from her own lips. As hearing it from Varys' had been bad enough. The Eunuch had told him of the beatings and of Arya's disappearance. He told him how he did not truly seek his sister out once she went missing. As he knew the fate that awaited her should she fall back into Lannister hands. Aemon had set him a task to find his little sister and though others may think Arya had fallen. Aemon knew her better than that. She was smart, clever, and unafraid and she was out there somewhere.

'She had to be.'

Sansa was almost broken, but not quite. He had arrived late but not too late for her. In time she would use what had happened to her here to become stronger. Until that time had come he would be the strength she needed. She would be there when he brought the Boltons and Freys to their well-earned ends. She would be there when he made the Ironborn pay for every drop of blood they have spilled. Roose Bolton, Walder Frey, and Theon Greyjoy would all meet their ends in his sister's presence if he could make it so. She would know they will meet their ends regardless. In time the North would be in safe hands in Sansa Stark. Should she ever need his help, then she would have it far more quickly than she had gotten it thus far. He only wished that Robb was still alive for him to make his brother the same offer.

"Aemon?" Barristan asked concernedly as he noticed the look on his face.

"It's nothing, Ser, old memories and losses I cannot forgive myself for."

He was grateful that Barristan left it at that. After sending out for their dinner, the conversation soon turned to more pleasant things. The plans he made were sound he felt and he would speak to Arianne later. Maybe they would not speak at all, and the thought brought a smile to his face. Tonight he would seek Tyene to join them mayhap, or it could be like the previous night where he found that he only wished to spend time with his wife. That became something that was more and more true each night they were wed.

Shaking the thoughts from his mind Aemon welcomed the food when it arrived. After eating and firming up his plans he decided to call an end to that part of his work. With a look to Barristan, they both walked from the room and down into the depths of the Red Keep. The dragon skulls surrounded them as they began their spar. He had come on a lot under the famed knight's tutelage, and though he could not yet beat the man. He got closer and closer to it. So much so that when Barristan said that there was no better sword in all the realm, other than himself. Aemon now accepted that as truth and not simply flattery.

"You'll actually sleep tonight?" he asked and Barristan chuckled as they walked to his and Arianne's room.

"Will you, your grace?"

"Aye, some. We've got a busy day in the morning. Rest a little longer Barristan. Your king demands it of you." he said smirking when Barristan nodded.

"Good night, your grace."

"Good night, Ser." he said as he entered his room.

Tomorrow he will take to the sky and then break his fast with his wife. Tonight, he would spend abed with her. As he looked at her lying in the bed, he knew he would be spending it with her and her alone once more.

A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. Up next. we take a step back in time as we show Jon's arrival in Dorne and the negotiations that led to an alliance and a plan which brought him a wife and queen.

For those following my other fics, The Winter King is up next.

Celexys: We intend to try and show both a real-time and flashback view of key events, so hopefully it works.

Nagiten: I thought the Jon/Aemon thing came across as Jon accepting his new name and so Howland doing the same but it must have been more confusing than that, sorry, will fix it. Yes, I went with Dany being barren partly because it's the easiest way to explain them not just ending up together which without actually having a reason for would be something people would be pushing for. So I wanted to nip it in the bud early, give them a reason as to why they're not just going to be King and Queen, and lead Jon to Arianne.

DBZ: I disagree. The problem with a second queen isn't just one of fertility, but power. People seem to forget that Rhaenys/Aegon/Visenya wasn't all chocolate and roses and after them how many times is there a two-queen system in place? Exactly, there is a reason why the Targs stopped it and while a part of that is the faith and the deal they did with them, it still stands.

The Sphynx: No worries my friend.

Sibeal: You may have very well become the first person other than myself I want to see be a millionaire now lol. So glad you're liking this.

Daryl Dixon: So happy you enjoyed it.

Keb: The next chapter will be all about the first meeting between Arianne and Jon, how the relationship developed, what role Tyene played in it, and of course the political maneuvers between Jon and Doran, with Oberyn's attitude to Jon as well. It's one of the key chapters and sort of why we went for the Flashback/Current event timeline thing.

Dunk: It's the place I got to with Ned after reading my first fanfics. The very first time that I saw someone place Jon in a different situation other than having to go to the Wall, it was like an epiphany and I asked myself, why did Ned not do something different. Once you ask that question, the rest sort of keep coming up.

I get he had PTSD and that his initial decision was the best he could come up with and I've no issue with him naming Jon a bastard and his son in order to protect him. It's literally everything from that point on and the Wall thing is just the icing on top of the cake. The fan base is the ones who come up with the idea that he allows/sends Jon to the Wall because there he'd be protected from Robert/Tywin, as this is literally nowhere in Ned's thoughts at any single time (now partly because GRRM is hiding the secret and so can't have it there but we as readers have to accept what we're given). The problem is even if you give Ned this motive, how does sending Jon to fight in what is an endless series of battles, something he has to know about because of Benjen, keep him safe. Then you go, oh. BTW, Ned believes that the Lannisters have killed Jon Arryn, but he thinks they would not seek Jon dead at the Wall if the truth outed. It just becomes an ever more slippery slope, his inaction with the North, lack of preparation in case the secret outed.

And one of my new faves is this. Ned is literally Jon's only family, if anything happens to him, Jon is fucked. Yet he makes no contingency for this. Cat has made her feelings clear, Jon is gone if Ned dies suddenly. His own children, however. Robb will inherit WF and so his future is secure, the other children had a mother who loves them and so they'll be well looked after, and even were something to happen to Cat, she has family living who can be relied upon. Jon has Ned and only Ned.

I could rant or point out even more, but all in all, Ned other than his first initial action which let's face it doesn't make him a good guy but a bloody normal one, as what other act is he supposed to do, give his nephew up for death? Other than doing what literally 99.9 percent of people would do in the same situation, every moment from then on he fails at each and every turn.

With Dany, there will always be something, but they both saw things in the House of the Undying which set them on their paths, we'll see those things soon enough. Dorne really needs its own chapter and yes Rhaegal plays a huge part in things, so that's all coming next.

Irish Hermit: One of my fave things about the ASOIAF canon is that with just a little tweak here or the characters can be seen in a much different light. Here I've gone for the worst version of Ned and obviously, this is not how I think he was in canon, but we have countless stories that paint him as the bestest ever lord and father, so why not have some that show him in a less flattering light.

We don't know why Benjen went to the Wall, logically it makes no sense when you actually think about it. At the end of the rebellion, the Stark line is to all intents and purposes, Ned, Benjen, and two babes (who given mortality rates could be dead in a year or two) logically Benjen is far too valuable to go to the Wall. This is why the Wall doesn't have others of his status there or if they are, there are explainable reasons for it. So here we wanted to give that reason and have it be part of the story.

With Ned too, for me, it's a bit like Robb. In that no matter how much you explain away actions or inactions, (Why doesn't Robb send for Jon the moment Ned is taken in KL, he's marching to war, surely having Jon by his side or even staying in WF and helping Bran/Rickon makes sense, plus it's supposedly his father too) but both of them even in their actions/inactions have this moment where you just find it hard to accept them anymore. For Robb, it's not swapping Jaime Lannister for his sisters, forget that he's considered more valuable, his march was to free his father and sisters, but he then ignores the chance for the latter when it comes. For Ned, it's Lady's death. Any blindness he has to Robert up to then has to die at that moment. He never demands that this shouldn't be done, nor does he do it and go, right, screw this, get yourself a new Hand, which shows he's no wolf.

I think yes, Viserys would have been a huge problem. Dany later in her journey too may have been, but Jon being able to prove himself true and arriving at the right time was enough. With Benjen, I think him knowing kills his character for me. So in all my fics I always have it that he doesn't.

All truths will come out at the trial, yes.

Scarila: So very glad you're liking it.

Xan Merrick: Thanks so much, my friend.

Chapter Master: With Ned, yes we have a FB moment regarding Jon to come. The trials themselves are going to be big moments for Tywin's legacy to be torn down in front of him. Randyll will play an interesting role here.

Vwchick: I wanted to have Dany play her part here and we'll see her true path to come.

Lady Octarina: I think Howland is such an interesting character and not just because he was there at the TOJ but everything about him, so I try and incorporate him as much as I can.

You may have come up with one of the best plotlines I or no one else has ever thought of in regards to Benjen and Walys, so much so that with your permission I'd like to use it in a future story and give you credit for it.

Benjen was left alone with Walys at WF during the rebellion so it can be worked and Luwin was at Riverrun and then arrived with Cat, so yes it does make sense. For me I can't accept that Benjen knew, it just doesn't make sense he knows the truth about Jon and never speaks of it, and him going to the Wall is a hard sell too given how perilous a situation the Stark line is in.

In regards to Jonerys, there will be a fuller explanation given for the why it can't be and Dany will have her own arc playing out in time, we'll see what they saw in the House of the Undying which led to this too. You're right, Arianne has no problem sharing her bed (though only with Tyene) which we'll see more of in the Dorne chapter, but it will only be Jon/Arianne with some Tyene thrown in here.

Yes, that's it exactly with Jaime. Funny little aside, I do so many fics and place them at different points in the canon that at times it takes me a moment to remember a character's situation right at that moment. With Jaime here, I at first forgot about the loss of his hand and so had this whole issue about the Trial by Combat that I thought I had to overcome, only to then remember, nope, this is after that point. But seeing the truth of Rhaegar's son and later on, seeing Dany, will have a profound effect on him.

Minna Vipera: So very glad you liked it.

Direwolfan: Ich bin so froh, das zu hören.

Zhovorak: Thanks for saying so, I hoped it wouldn't come across as rushed. I have a Jon/Val soon to come but another Jon/Arianne is more set earlier in canon which I'm working on too.

Letr: I'm so glad you like it, there are still a few pairings such as Jon/Arianne we need more of.

Dominaka: Your wish is my command.

Godoftheseas: Thanks so much, hope you enjoy this.