Kings Landing 296 AC.
Cersei.
She had fought with him on the day he'd told her, even more so on the day he'd forced her to say goodbye to her precious boy. Yet it was to no avail, her fat oaf of a husband had made his mind up and so Joff was sent to Dragonstone with Stannis. To learn how to become a man Robert had said as if either of those two could teach her son better than she.
Once they'd returned she'd gone to Jon Arryn, surely the falcon could talk sense into his former foster son. Even the stupid old man would be able to see the folly in sending the future king away, but it had been no good, he too seeming to have lost all common sense. Were it not for Bernadette she'd have not realized their plans, not have heard of it, and once she did she knew she needed to act.
If they were serious then there was a chance they'd pass Joff over in favor for Tommen, so if she wished to be in a position to gain her revenge on those who wronged her, she'd need to act now. The problem was Tommen was a dullard, a weakling, and she found spending time with him to be a chore. When he was not speaking of his kittens, his latest one he'd called Ser Wolf, it was the person he named it after that he spoke of mostly.
"Jon is a true knight, isn't he mother.".
"I wish to be his squire when I'm older mother.".
"Just like Dunk and Egg, mother.".
Where he had gotten that notion she didn't know but for some reason, he idolized Jon Snow. When she would try and steer him in another direction he'd actually show some backbone, he'd listen but he'd go against her wishes time and time again. It created a problem for her, the more wilful he got the less he'd be able to be controlled and should he be king, then she would need to be the one in control.
So she changed tack, made it look as if she supported him, spoke up about Jon Snow and it seemed to please her song greatly. It brought them closer and though it annoyed her to do so, she was happy with the results. Myrcella was a different matter, for some reason she disliked her daughter, she couldn't figure out why that was and she had found she hated being around her at times.
"Younger and more beautiful." the voice in her head said.
She'd quieten down that voice when she heard it, her daughter would never seek to replace her and would never be in the position to do so. Yet at times she'd hear it still and so she'd ended up spending even less time with Myrcella than she had before Joff left. Something which created a different problem as Tommen adored his sister and they spent countless hours together.
One night while laying in bed she had a dream which shook her completely, she was attending a wedding and there in front of her stood a golden-haired green-eyed young man and he was marrying his mirror image. She'd had these dreams many times, she and Jaime wed before she was crowned, both of them ruling over the seven kingdoms and no one able to say a word against them.
This time though it wasn't her, nor was it Jaime, this time the green-eyed young man was her son, the woman her daughter. She looked on as they were wed, as they kissed and then as Tommen was crowned. She watched as Myrcella sat beside him on a matching throne that was placed beside the iron one. A woman was brought in wearing a tattered dress, her hair tangled and her face covered in dirt, and Cersei looked on in horror knowing it was her.
"Mother, what say you to these charges?" Tommen said.
"Why mother, why?" Myrcella asked.
"Younger and more beautiful." Cersei said loudly.
Waking the next morning she was in a cold sweat, she jumped from her bed almost as upset that the wine had been cleared from her table as she was about the dream itself. Moving quickly into the next room she poured herself a glass of wine which she drank quickly, then pouring another she walked over to the window. It was a dream, a nightmare, something that couldn't come true. They were not Targaryens and while she may have ignored the law if it had brought her Jaime, Robert hated the dragons even more than she now did.
He'd not be seen to be anything like them, even the merest mention of any connection set him off. It was why he'd refused his kinsman the role as Master of Whisperers and why she knew he'd not see their children wed to each other. Despite the fear which she still had, it was this thought which comforted her and after a few more glasses of wine, she went back to bed and slept far more comfortably.
"Your grace, Your grace." she felt herself being shaken awake the next morning.
"What?" she asked grumpily.
"It's after noon your grace." Bernadette said and she nodded and asked for a bath to be drawn.
Once she'd had her bath and was dressed, she asked for food to be brought and then felt ready for the rest of the day. They were naming a new Kingsguard today and she had spent most of her true efforts for the past moon trying to ensure she got her choice named. It had worked and she looked forward to the man's gratefulness, and to him then being named as her guard.
Ser Justin Massey was the best choice from a bad bunch as far as she was concerned, Jon Arryn had suggested an ugly man from the Vale, while Robert's own preference was for an even uglier one from the Stormlands. It had left her with no real choice or option, she needed it to be someone they'd both agree with and so she picked a man from the Stormlands too.
"Your grace you look resplendent today." Bernadette said as they walked down the corridor.
Cersei felt herself preen at that, she knew she looked good but apart from Bernadette even her other servants never told her that. There was a time when she was told it every day, when Tygett was alive, or Daven was here, or further back when she and Jaime were as one. Now though she got told it only when people were polite, it was just another reason why she'd pushed for Ser Justin's candidacy.
The man was charming and relatively handsome, and when he looked at her his eyes lit up. She missed that feeling, that sense of having a man under her control, of having a man want her. A man willing to be hers and to do what she wished him to do, she would mould Ser Justin into such a man. She felt a small tingle in her stomach at the thoughts of what else she could mould him into. Walking into the Throne Room she smiled when she saw him, taking her seat and appreciating the look he gave her, yes she could mould him into what she wished she thought as the ceremony began.
Dragonstone 296 AC.
Davos.
Stannis was annoyed and while that usually meant people kept out of his way, for Davos that meant he'd be required to help placate his lord. That he knew the sense of his annoyance helped somewhat too, the prince having proved to be someone who constantly raised Stannis's ire. He'd heard that on the road to Dragonstone itself the boy had whined and moaned, he'd refused to ride a horse for more than an hour at a time and had spent most of his time in the carriage.
He could only bet how much that and then the boy's reaction to his quarters on Dragonstone, had irked Stannis. Luckily he'd been off sailing on the Black Betha and had not been there to hear the argument, nor see the slap that Stannis hit the prince with. Though he wished he could have heard the reaction of his lord to being told he'd lose his hand for that, or seen the Kingsguard step backward at Stannis's knight's presence.
This though was worse, much worse and as he headed to the Lord's solar he prepared for both being spoken down to and perhaps dismissed from his service. While he had not slapped the prince himself, he'd already lost enough of his hand he felt, he had berated the boy. He'd also known that it would be the prince's story that Stannis and worse for him, Selyse, heard first.
"Is Lord Stannis within?." he asked and the guard nodded.
He walked into the room to find Stannis standing at the window looking out, his lord had his hands behind his back and he could hear the grinding of the teeth from here. Standing by his chair he waited until Stannis turned and found the quietness of the room to be almost overbearing. It took some time and when he did Stannis bid him take a seat, once he had he got ready to face whatever punishment his lord deemed necessary.
"Tell me what happened." Stannis said simply and to the point.
A day earlier.
He had been in the tower with Shireen and seeing the girls downbeat mood had asked for and gotten permission from Stannis to bring her to Aegon's garden. The weather was good and he knew she wished to be outdoors, he knew also that Selyse had kept her even more hidden away due to the prince's arrival. When he told her that they could go outside she had smiled and as always he felt it deep in his heart when she did so.
In the garden itself, she was playing and telling him of how Aegon had the garden built for him and his sister wives and how they must have come here to get away from court. On a sunny day such as it was today he felt that to be exactly what they would do, the pine smell, the soft breeze, even the cranberries which he picked and gave to Shireen, all adding to make it a peaceful distraction.
"What have we here?" the voice called out and both Davos and Shireen turned and he immediately didn't like the look on the prince's face, and felt worse about the hopeful one on Shireen's.
"Good morning cousin." Shireen said with a smile.
"Cousin, oh by the gods, you're my cousin, you, with that face." Joffrey sneered.
"Come, my lady, perhaps it's best we head back inside." Davos said as he saw the way her face had dropped.
"Of course Ser Davos." she said as she stood up.
"That's right Ser Davos, take the freak inside, something with a face like that shouldn't be seen in the light of day, she'd scare children, animals even." Joffrey laughed and when he saw the tears in Shireen's eyes it was enough.
"You'd know full well being scared, didn't you piss you pants in Highgarden, all because of a large dog, what a brave prince you are." Davos said with a snort.
"How dare you I am your prince.".
"That didn't work out too well for you in Highgarden did it, claiming to be a prince, while showing the entire realm your true nature, brave and true you're not. Did you cry my prince, did you cry when the dog moved towards you?.".
"I'll have your head." Joffrey said.
"I wish you good fortune my prince, a coward like you will need it." he reached out and took Shireen's hand and moved heading for the keep.
"Ser Mandon I demand you show this man what happens to those who speak to a prince that way." Joffrey said his voice rising and the knight moved forward.
"Be sure to do it right and then be sure to run Ser Mandon. I'm not a fighting man but I'm a well-liked one and you are alone on this island." he said and saw the knight pause "And as for this prince, be careful whose orders you take, the realm suffered a mad king once, do you really think they'll accept another?".
While Joffrey shook in his rage and the knight paused, Davos took the opportunity and he and Shireen left the garden. He was not a brave man and what he had done was stupid, there'd be consequences he knew, but he'd not see her hurt by the likes of that boy, not if he could divert attention from her. He felt her hand grip his tightly and as he led her to her room he knew she was still upset, once he reached it he knelt down to look at her.
"That boy showed his true colors in Highgarden, my lady, picking on girls is all he's able for, you are the Lady Shireen and you are worth ten of him." Davos said smiling when she hugged him.
"Thank you Ser Onion Knight." she whispered as she walked into her room.
Now.
"He said that to my daughter?." Stannis said and Davos nodded.
"He did my lord, I know what I said was above my station and I…" he said but was interrupted.
"Don't you dare apologize Ser Davos, come, I wish to show you something.".
He walked with the lord down to the sparring yard, the prince and his Kingsguard already standing there. The prince was holding a sparring sword in his hand and Davos almost laughed. He was not a fighting man, but he knew many and the way the boy held the sword was embarrassing. Around the yard knights, ladies, almost the entire court of Dragonstone had been gathered. Sitting in pride of place and waving at him when he entered was Shireen, though Selyse grabbed her hand to stop her almost immediately.
"It's time you learned how to wield a sword properly my prince." Stannis said.
"I've learned under Ser Barristan uncle, I know how to wield a sword." Joffrey said to some sniggers.
"You don't even know how to hold one boy." Stannis said to some stunned looks and to even more once he picked up a sparring sword himself "Shall we.".
What they were treated to was an exhibition in swordsmanship, a painful one, and one which went on for some time. Stannis was an accomplished swordsman, he was no Ser Barristan or Lord Jaime but he was accomplished and Prince Joffrey was anything but. Every second blow by Stannis caught the prince, on his leg, his shoulder, his hand, his arm. He'd be covered in bruises on the morrow, not that it seemed to bother Stannis as he moved, again and again, hitting the prince over and over.
At one point Joffrey just dropped the sword, he whined and moaned and the words from Stannis mouth must have cut deep. The lord telling him to pick the sword up or he'd beat him without it. When Ser Mandon moved forward it was the glare from Stannis and the words he spoke which forced the knight back.
"I've been tasked by the king to make a man of his son and make a man of him I will. If I have to beat him every day he'll learn to wield that sword." Stannis said.
Davos was asked to stay when the fight was over, Ser Mandon helping the prince back to his room, the boy coming damnable close to crying. He watched as Stannis simply nodded to Shireen and then once the yard had cleared and everyone had gone, his lord walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Thank you Ser Davos." Stannis said simply before walking away, no frilly words or platitudes and yet for Davos it meant more than anything.
Essos 296 AC.
Jon Connington.
As soon as they arrived he had known, it bothered him that Aegon had not and it concerned him who this woman was. But Jon had known that the woman was not Daenerys and the presence of the Hound had led to only one conclusion, the girl was. Which meant they were performing a mummery of some sort and that had led him to think, Why? Why would they? What did they have to gain? And more importantly, what did they have to hide?.
So while Aegon had tried to ingratiate himself with his mummer aunt, Jon had begun to search to find out what was actually going on, and when he had found it he had almost fallen to his knees. The dragons slept in what he believed were Daenerys's rooms, three of them, one black, one green, and one gold, the eggs had hatched and he almost cursed and at the same time thanked the gods for Illyrio's stupidity.
Sending Duck back to Haldon, he had him search for a way to bring them with him, to take them from the person who had stolen them, and to give them to Rhaegar's rightful heir. While he had done that, Jon had formulated a plan to actually get the dragons from the temple itself. The dragons and Aegon himself, knowing that would be perhaps just as hard, so in lust was he for the woman he thought an aunt.
"What did Haldon say?".
"He said if we douse the meat with this, we can put them to sleep long enough to take them." Duck said.
"We need horses Duck, once we leave here they'll be after us, we need horses to ride and The Shy Maid must be ready to set off the moment we board.".
"When?".
"The day after tomorrow." he said and Duck nodded.
He had almost ruined it when the girl had seen him and even more so when he had argued with Aegon. His king was so enamored with the woman he thought an aunt that Jon felt he'd perhaps need to knock him out, as well as the dragons. Nothing happened with the former and when he gave Duck the nod, he received a stroke of good fortune with the latter.
The mummery had ended, the princess showing her true colors and he saw it then, saw the reason why they had played the mummery. She was refusing to accept the truth, not because it was the truth but because she wished to usurp her nephew's claim. Daenerys wasn't interested in sharing the throne, she wished it for herself and was willing to go so far as to lie about Aegon to achieve it.
"Why do they lie so Jon?" Aegon said as they hurried from the temple.
"They wish to steal your throne my king, please we must hurry." he said.
"You think I fear them." Aegon said stopping in the street.
"I think here we're outnumbered, besides once I realized their game I began my own, please my king we must go.".
Aegon said nothing though he did follow him and when they reached Duck and the horses he saw a basket tied to one.
"You got them?." he said happily.
"Only one, it was all I could carry, I was heading back for the others." Duck said abashedly.
"No, we must go and go now." Jon said.
"One? One what?" Aegon asked.
"Come my king' I'll explain it all when we're far from here.".
Making it back to the Shy Maid, Yandry quickly set off and Jon had Duck take the basket to Haldon's room, the Maester being the best man to deal with it for now. He was a little annoyed they'd not managed to get all three but one would be enough for now. While Aegon demanded to be told what was going on and only reluctantly accepted waiting, Jon took a bow and took up position on deck, should the Hound arrive he'd be ready.
As it was they made it away without being followed, taking the Volaena for now they sailed for days. Once he felt it was clear he spoke to Haldon who said the dragon was angry but controllable and he was relieved by that, the idea of an uncontrollable one far too much to think about. He made his way to Aegon's rooms and told him everything, how he'd doubted the princess's intent, and how he'd begun to make plans just in case.
"Yet you didn't tell me, you let me play a fool." Aegon said angrily.
"I needed them to believe my king, the prize I sought was far too precious to your future for them not to, so forgive me my mummery your grace. Let me show you the reason for it." he said and while he could see he'd not been completely forgiven, he knew what he'd show him would do so.
Walking into the room he showed Aegon the covered cage and at a nod from Haldon took the cover down. While Aegon looked at the cage, Jon found his eyes on his silver prince, the sheer joy on his face, the sheer happiness, stirring his heart as it had only been stirred many years earlier.
"That's a dragon Jon." Aegon said as he reached out to touch it.
"Now my king, that's your dragon." he said and Aegon turned to him and smiled before he gave a pained yelp.
"Aegon?." he asked worriedly.
"He bit me." Aegon said as the blood fell from his finger.
"Let me look my king, is it bad?" Haldon said and they were all relieved to see it wasn't too bad.
"Why did he bite me?" Aegon asked.
"He's a dragon, my king, he needs to be taught." Haldon said and Aegon nodded.
Over the next few weeks they had needed to put the dragon to sleep more than once, he, Haldon, and Aegon himself had come close to being burned by Balerion as Aegon had named the dragon. When he'd heard there was a black one he'd been wrought, the Black Dread sounding far better to his king than the golden one. Though Jon had felt a golden dragon leading the Golden Company to be a far better idea than a black one.
They would serve the Targaryens now, not the Blackfyres, and the visual of it would be far better he felt. Haldon said they would need Illyrio to find more books than he had, that something was missing, some way for Aegon to make the dragon even more his. When Aegon had complained, the half Maester had told him that dragons hadn't been in the world for over a hundred years, no one knew how to control them.
"My aunt must have?." Aegon asked.
"Or she faces the same problems as we do my king, she had them locked up." he said and Aegon nodded.
When he felt it safe enough he had Yandry take the Shy Maid back to Ghoyan Drohe, Haldon was right they needed more books, more knowledge on raising a dragon. They'd had to continually replace its cage, and drug it, and he worried about the effects, it was also getting bigger, much bigger and soon he doubted they'd be able to keep it caged at all. He found himself dreaming at night, his king riding a dragon, leading an army, and yet every morning he'd wake and ask himself the same question.
"Why is Aegon's dragon white?" he'd say softly before shaking it off for the rest of the day.
Dorne 296 AC.
Doran.
Ruling was something he enjoyed less and less these days, the bigger picture always being more his desire than the day to day. Charting Dorne's course far more to his liking than settling petty disputes or organizing trade deals, those he usually left to his daughter. Her letter intrigued him though and he was glad she'd be spending more time in the West.
If she was enjoying herself there then their plans must be moving forward, she must be getting closer to the boy, which meant he was getting closer to seeing his blood on the throne. Viserys was a backup, wherever the boy was, despite what Oberyn said about the fat Magister or the boy's own temperament. His brother never seeing the long game, the possibilities, he only needed him to bring him to the throne, once Arianne had an heir born, then he became expendable.
Daenerys was another backup, though both Quentyn's own failure and his own lack of information posed a problem. But Jaehaerys he could back for the right price and it would be the easiest path to the throne. His support and his dragons giving him options the others just couldn't compete with, but the price must be met there could be no support without it.
"Are you well my prince?" Areo said from behind him.
"I am, I feel better my friend, my gout pains me less." he said and Areo smiled.
"I am glad to hear it, my prince.".
It really did, ever since Caleotte's death things had gotten better, he was still confined to the chair but each day the pain receded, there was more movement and he welcomed it. Myles seemed to think in time he may recover fully but that was the folly of youth, he knew he'd not and was instead grateful for what he could recover from. He sat waiting for Quentyn to arrive, his son would be the prince of Dorne one day and needed to be seen to do what was needed.
Instead, though it was Oberyn who arrived, his brother proving himself over and over again during Arianne's time in the west. While like him Oberyn hated the daily grind of ruling, his brother's mere presence allowed for a different option to be available to him. A dispute seeming to turn to more violent needs quickly became more manageable with Oberyn present.
"Another letter from my niece, brother." Oberyn said handing him Arianne's note.
"What does it say?" he asked and Oberyn laughed.
"As if I'd read if before you, for shame brother to think so little of me." Oberyn japed.
"For shame brother to think I don't know you so well." he japed in return and Oberyn laughed a little more loudly.
He opened the note and was pleased by what he read, Arianne and Jon had gotten along well, both of them spending time together. She'd even gone riding with him and he smiled at that, even more so when he read the final bit. How she'd met her cousin, that she knew just like Oberyn did that the dragon was Rhaenys, that she lived once again.
"It's good news no?" Oberyn asked.
"Very, it's good to see them get along so well and though I'd not doubted you brother, it's good to hear of Rhaenys too.".
"It is." Oberyn said a soft fond smile on his face.
Quentyn arrived and sat in on court with him that day, though his son disappointed him when he questioned him later about some of the decisions he'd made. Whether it was inexperience or something worse he didn't know but he disliked how little his son seemed to understand about the politics of situations. He told him to spend more time with Myles and with Oberyn, he needed to learn more, especially if he was to become prince one day.
Over the next few days, he alternated between court, ensuring that Quentyn did as he was bid, and reading missives. His own spies were nowhere near as good as Varys's had been but they were there and he had tasked them with certain things. Key amongst them was to find out as much about the fat magister as possible. He needed to know if he'd be a future ally or a potential problem.
"You look troubled my prince?" Myles said to him as he was examining him one day.
"Just the normal troubles of being a prince, Maester, how is Quentyn coming along?" he asked and heard the Maester sigh.
"He's not turning up my prince." Myles said and he nodded.
Once the Maester was done he sent for Quentyn and sat there stewing while he waited, he'd found out nothing much about the Magister. Other than the fact the man was pulling on the lion's tail and ingratiating himself with the stag, and even more so the falcon, the man was a mystery. Something which alone gave him pause in reaching out to the man, for now, the Magister's endgame was completely unknown to him.
"Father you sent for me?" Quentyn said as he walked into the room.
"Sit.".
"Father?" his son asked seeing his annoyance more clearly now.
"I told you to take lessons with Myles, ordered you too, and what have you done?.".
"Father I..".
"No, you will attend those lessons and each night you will come to me and tell me what you've learned, it's time for you to grow up Quentyn, I have plans for you, important plans. Do not let me down again or I'll switch those plans to your brother." he said and Quentyn nodded.
"Yes, father.".
"Good, I do this for you son, I ask you to trust me, the reward will be worth it." he said smiling as his son nodded his head.
The prize would be worth it indeed, Quentyn would sit either the throne of Dorne or the one in King's Landing. Even should Arianne not be able to charm her cousin, there were other ways to ensure he got his way. The rose could be easily taken care of, removed from the board, and leaving Jon Snow with no chance but to marry his daughter.
If need be the boy too could be removed, even if he could not there were other ways, and the one thing in his daughter's letter which had pleased him most of all was the knowledge the dragon truly was his niece. Blood would win out in the end and Rhaenys would never turn on Dorne, without the dragon Jon Snow would rely on men and men were far easier to handle.
Stretching the fingers on his hand he reached out and poured himself some wine, glad of just being able to do such a thing, the simplicity of the action one which had been beyond him just moons earlier. Taking a sip of the wine he smiled, three and ten years he'd waited and he felt the day coming close, the image clear in his head, his blood ruling on the Iron Throne once again.
Winterfell 296 AC.
Ned.
He'd come so close to breaking his marriage vows, even though his discussions with Luwin and with Elle herself were not quite enough to convince him if it was the right thing to do. His heart, his head, and the times he'd spent with Elle had made him know the truth of what he wished for. But it was something else altogether which had stopped him following completely through with it, the same thing which had stopped him doing most things in his life, honor.
They had kissed more than once, spent time together and he knew she both accepted and was frustrated by his reluctance to go further. That she'd agreed to stay on and act as Lady of Winterfell in all but name was a concession she'd made, and the conversation he had with her father had at least shown his intent.
"I intend to make her my wife my lord, not my mistress." Ned said to Medger.
"You will seek the crown's right to dissolve your marriage?".
"The letters have been sent, to Catelyn, to the High Septon, and to the King." Ned said.
"And I have your oath that her honor will not be besmirched?" Medger asked.
"I swear it on the Old Gods and the new my lord.".
"Then you have my blessing Ned." Medger smiled.
"I thank you.".
That had been weeks ago and the letters were sent, though he'd not spoken of it to the children just yet. He needed to receive the replies back first, the answers to the requests, even though he knew what two of them would say. Talking himself into sending the letters had been easy, once he'd sent them though he realized it was to inform rather than to ask permission.
Luwin had checked the books and laws of the North, to marry under the old gods was his right, that he and Cat had not gave him that option with Elle. Legally he could name Robb his heir, name his children as his trueborn ones just as Maege had hers, something he now wished he'd done for Jon many years earlier. He'd been somewhat forced into action both by Lya and the events in the Godswood and by the letters from Maege and Ser Brynden.
Lord Stark,
I shall arrive within the moon to take Arya to Bear Island,
I look forward to seeing you and your family.
Lady Maege Mormont.
The letter from Brynden arrived not long after and knowing it was time for him to say his goodbyes had really forced his hand. Since then he'd spent far more time with the children also, sparring with them both, Arya enjoying it immensely, Bran too though he was more used to it by now.
As the days grew closer it was getting even harder, family dinners at night for him at least were not as joyful. Arya and Bran noticed and once again it was Elle who fixed it, who knew just what to say to him, to the children, and who was able to raise the mood. He would thank her as he left her to her room each night, both of them eager for him to stay and yet knowing he would not, not yet at least.
"Father, father, the Blackfish is here." Bran said excitedly to him as he was sitting in his solar one morning.
"Is he now, maybe we should send him away, tell him how my son should stay with me, what say you Bran?" he said and Bran glared at him before he saw his smile.
He got up and mussed his hair and both of them walked to welcome the Blackfish to Winterfell, Ned pleased to see he'd brought a dozen men with him.
"Ned it's good to see you again." The Blackfish said when he greeted him.
"You too Brynden, I hadn't expected you for a few more weeks.".
"We made good time on the road, now where's my grandnephew and future squire?" the Blackfish said looking around as if he couldn't see Bran who was standing in front of him.
"Here I am uncle." Bran said and the Blackfish looked down at him.
"Ah, I didn't recognize ya lad, so big you've grown, looking forward to our travels?".
"Aye uncle, very much so.".
"Good lad, we'll be leaving in a few days, so make sure you say your goodbyes.".
"I will uncle.".
"Ser Brynden when we're in public lad, you're a squire now." The Blackfish said and the smile on Bran's face was the truest he'd ever seen.
"Ser Brynden." Bran said standing stiffly.
"Good lad.".
The three days that Brynden stayed seemed to go by so quickly and as the household lined up to say goodbye to his son, Ned looked over to see Lya saying her goodbyes to Summer. The smile that brought to his face was quickly gone as he looked at Arya saying her own goodbyes to Bran.
With Sansa and Robb gone the children had become closer, it had reminded him a little of Lyanna and Benjen at times, and he could see how hard it was for them to say goodbye. His own being just as hard a few moments later, kneeling down and feeling his son's embrace, his own arms wrapped around him as he wished him well.
"I'll make you proud of me father." Bran said softly.
"I am proud of you son, don't you forget that. I love you and I'll miss you.".
"I'll miss you too father." Bran said and all too quickly he was gone.
As he suspected Arya took it hard and he was happy that Maege arrived soon after, the moment Arya saw Lyanna Mormont it was as if all her gloom was replaced by joy. The two girls were inseparable over the next few days, Maege staying longer than the Blackfish had was something he was ever more grateful for. Not only did it give him more time with his daughter, but it also allowed him to speak to Maege about the North.
"How many are living in Wintertown now?" she asked.
"A little over six thousand, more arrive everyday." he said proudly, the town's improvements clear for all to say.
"Wyman's started on the roads." she said and he nodded, the raven having arrived to say he'd begun the work.
"Aye, Galbart is going to begin soon too, and I'm to travel to Moat Caillin with Luwin to make a decision on what to do.".
"You got a lord in mind?" Maege asked.
"When done I was thinking one of Rickard's boys." he said and she nodded.
"He'll be happy with that, I'd have suggested Ser Wendel if we could take him from the sea." she said and he nodded, having had considered that also.
"How's the keep coming along Maege?".
"A year or so to be properly habitable, a few years for it to be finished.".
"And the trade?".
"It's incredible Ned, you should see the benefits in your tax increase." she laughed before turning serious "You hear of Essos?" she asked.
"A note from Wyman, says the Lannisters are handling it according to Ser Richard.".
"And Jon?" she asked.
"Here read." he smirked as he opened a drawer and handed her the letter.
"By the gods." she said before swallowing down her ale.
"Aye, it's a new world Maege, a world of a king who rides dragons.".
Saying goodbye to Winterfell when he traveled to the Vale, the letter that had come to tell him what had happened in King's Landing, seeing his sister laying in the bed in the Tower of Joy, and now saying goodbye to his youngest daughter. These were as close as Ned had ever come to crying in public, the only times he felt like he would lose his composure and let the world see his tears.
Holding Arya in his arms and feeling her sob against him, looking at her and wiping the tears from her eyes and seeing her try to smile as he spoke, drained him. So much so that after she'd left he realized he'd forgotten to give her the gift he'd decided to give her. He and his guards mounted up and raced after her, and as they reached her he saw Maege look at him nervously, worried something bad had happened.
"Forgive me Maege, I forgot to give Arya something.".
"There is nothing to forgive Ned, Arya your father wishes to speak to you." Maege called and Arya rode over to him.
"In all the excitement I forgot to give you a gift." he said smiling at her.
"A gift for me father?" she asked excitedly.
"Aye." he said as he handed her the small knife "This belonged to your great grandmother, your namesake, Arya Flint, she like you was fierce. I've no doubt it'll serve you just as well as it did her.".
"Thank you father, thank you it's so pretty." Arya said and he laughed at that, his daughter thinking a knife was pretty showed not only was the gift right but the decision to let her foster with the Mormont's was too.
"Write me often Arya." he said and she nodded.
Watching her ride over the hills he felt the sadness die down a little, his father had failed his children. Brandon and Lyanna had been forced to be what they were not, tied to lives that led to their end. Benjen had because of it blamed himself for things out of his control and as for him, he had forgotten he was a wolf so desperate was he to be someone else.
Whatever happened he had done better for his, they were happy, content, and would live their lives how they should. Riding back to Winterfell he felt it was now time to do the same, whatever the answers to the letters he sent it didn't matter. He too had a chance to be happy and for the first time in his life, honor would not stand in his way.
The Vale 296 AC.
Domeric Bolton.
He had enjoyed the tourney, not that he'd lasted very long in it having fallen in the first round and forgone the melee. Seeing the North so well represented had been a surprise to him and to the lords he traveled with. Lord Yohn in particular shocked that Lord Stark had been there, though not so much when he found out that his daughter was fostered there.
For Domeric though it was Jon Snow who'd grabbed his attention, the young lad even he'd heard of in the Vale and someone who Mychel sang the praises of, though not when Harry was around. The stories he'd heard from Harry about the tourney of King's Landing, Mychel had told him the truth of much later. So he'd been keen to see him compete in the tourney and had listened in as Mychel made plans to try and beat him.
That alone would have interested him, that Mychel felt he needed numbers to beat Jon Snow was intriguing to him, just how good was he, he wondered. In the end, the answer was simple, far too good for Mychel and his plans and far too good for Harry to get a rise out of. So he had sought him out and was pleased not only that the lad seemed friendly but that seemed even eager to speak to him.
"You're Jon Snow?" he said finding the boy walking with two guards and a Direwolf, something else he'd heard of but this part he'd dismissed until he saw it for himself.
"I am, Ser Domeric." Jon said.
"Please call me Dom, you were most impressive out there Jon." he said smiling.
"I've been lucky Dom, I have had excellent trainers and myself and Lord Loras have sparred daily." Jon said and he nodded.
"Still, it's you who has to step out there and face the swords." he said.
"How do you find life in the Vale?".
"It's good Jon, a much different experience from living in the North, as I'm sure your time in the West has shown.".
"Aye, much warmer." Jon said with a chuckle.
"For you perhaps, the Vale can be cold too.".
"Do you plan to head back North soon?" Jon asked and Domeric noticed how curious he looked.
"In time, another year or so I'd wager.".
"Perhaps you should take a trip to the West first Dom, I think you'd enjoy Lannisport, and once you go back home who knows when next you'll get the chance.".
"Aye, I may just do that.".
"Should you decide to come just ask any of the captains of the Pinnacle ships for transport, you could take the ship from Gulltown and be in the West much sooner than you'd travel by horse. Just give them my name Dom, I look forward to seeing you.".
"Aye, you too Jon.".
He'd thought it strange that he'd been invited and wasn't fully sure he'd take the invitation up. It wasn't until he received a letter from his father telling him he'd be needed back soon that he decided. Apparently they'd been brought into the trading agreement that most of the North seemed to be a part of and his father wished him to oversee it. Between that and the invite from Jon Snow, he found himself almost being drawn to Lannisport.
Hearing some of the complaints from the Lord of the Vale at Ysilla Royce's nameday celebrations only made him even more sure he should go. Apparently, they were paying far more in the Vale than other regions were, the lords bemoaning whatever had annoyed the Lannister's so. It made Domeric wonder, was this to do with Jon Snow also, was this because of what Harry and his friends had tried?.
"You're quiet tonight Domeric." Ysilla said taking a seat beside him.
"Am I?" he asked with a chuckle.
"You are, I had hoped for a song." she pouted.
"Then my lady, I shall play you one." he said heading back to his room for his harp.
He passed Mychel and Mya on the way, both hiding in a corner out of Lord Horton's line of sight. He felt sorry for his friend, almost as sorry as he felt for himself, as neither of them would have any choice in who they should wed. He knew Ysilla thought herself half in love with him, though that was truly only because he played the harp and besides she wasn't the Royce he himself fancied.
Not that his father would allow him to marry out of the North, knowing how he thought Domeric already knew who his father sought for his bride. He had met Alys once many years earlier and she was a young girl then, what she'd grown up to be like he had no idea, but he knew his father would seek to see their houses joined. Strategically it was the best match and his father was nothing if not a man who thought in terms such as that.
"What are you going to play." he heard the playful voice say as he walked back to the hall.
"Something soft and romantic to stir a young girl's heart." he said with a smile.
"And what of a girl who's heart is stirred by something else?." Myranda asked as she licked her lips.
"Perhaps my lady can think of some way that my fingers would be put to better use." he said flirting right back and saw the smile on Myranda's face broaden.
"I'm sure I can." she said.
He would be sad to leave the Vale, though he looked forward to traveling to the West when he did so. But knowing that he'd be leaving her behind and that he'd in all likelihood never get the chance to see her again, he felt far sadder as he walked back into the hall than he had when he'd left. Something that was reflected in his playing as he saw more than one or two tears in the hall. As he looked to Myranda he was surprised to see her wiping her eyes with the pink handkerchief and just seeing his gift in her hands, he felt himself grow sadder still.
Essos 296 AC.
Kinvara.
Saying goodbye to the princess was hard, sending her on her way even more so as she felt it was West and not East she should be sent. Her god though disagreed and it was to him she owed her allegiance to first and foremost, the princess's journey was not the prince's, and their time to meet was not just yet. Why her god asked her to do half the things he did she couldn't tell, she couldn't see the plan at work or what it meant, but she had faith there was one.
Which was why she'd sent Arthur to gather those things many years before, why she'd said goodbye to Melisandre, and been happy to see her friend travel to meet the prince. It was also why she'd done nothing when the Griffin had found the dragons, why she'd performed the mummery as she did. Now standing with Benerro and Moqorro in front of the flames she held the real cloth in her hands and got ready to throw it into the flames.
Sleight of hand wasn't new to her, to any of those who served R'hllor, sometimes it was needed to protect oneself. Other times it was used to confuse and befuddle those who sought answers, this was the first time she'd used it to lie to someone and not felt right doing so. The princess was to believe what R'hllor wished her to believe, there could be no doubt and so she had wiped the blood and switched the cloths as she'd been shown.
"The time is now." Benerro said and she nodded before throwing the bloodstained cloth into the fire.
The flames burned high and the light though dimmer than when she'd used the princess's blood was bright still and they looked and sought the answers their god dared to show them. The princess grew from a girl to a woman, the prince to a man and beside them stood another, at first she thought it a child, but soon saw it was a dwarf.
All three wore black and red and stood beside dragons, a black, a bronze, and a white and in the air, two more flew a green and a gold both with riders on their backs. Try as she might she couldn't make them out and then the images changed and she knew she was not the only one who felt scared by what they saw. A field of ice stretched out before them and upon it moved an army, men, women, giants, beasts, all as far as the eye can see.
Behind them they came, blue eyes and ice-covered skin, and then the flames fell upon them, dragons flew from the sides, from the front and in the middle, the white dragon flew towards the back. The images changed again, a kraken in the sea, a cloth dragon on fire, a snake impaled on a spear, a lion roaring, black birds as far as the eye could see, and beneath them a white wolf struggling to break free.
An army of gold marched forward, a city burned and a woman cried out in pain, on and on they went and moved so fast that she couldn't make them out. Until finally, she saw a white tree with red leaves and the laughs rang out loudly.
When it was done she looked to Benerro and Moqorro and saw them speaking to each other, wondering if they had seen what she had and soon finding out they had not. They sat around all night and discussed what it was they saw and she quickly realized they were on different paths, though what hers were she didn't find out until many days later.
She was sitting by the fire when she saw it and she left the very next morning, she had a long way to go and she hoped he would be there when she arrived, hoped she could reach him in time. Her path would take her further than she ever dared and she hoped the cold was not as she feared, and that she'd be back in R'hllor's warm embrace soon.
Myr 296 AC.
Illyrio.
Despite their agreement the Golden Company would take no part in his plans, he knew that and he accepted it, this was not work for them. Though he wasn't sure if he enjoyed dealing with this man at all, still Hoat had done what he'd asked, even if he'd made a far larger mess than he'd wished for. Paying him even after he'd received good coin for the goods they'd stolen bothered him, but pay him he did.
"Will you be needing me for more work soon?" Hoat asked his lisp as annoying as always.
"No, for now, this should be enough." Illyrio said.
"Then maybe I'll just have to go into business for myself." Hoat said and Illyrio shrugged his shoulders, not caring if he did or didn't.
"There could be some repercussions for your actions." Illyrio said and Hoat laughed.
"What care I of repercussions with the Iron Bank on my side.".
"Just warning you." Illyrio said and Hoat nodded.
He was glad he was done with him, the mummery over with, and should they actually catch up with the Brave Companions then the lions would turn their anger on the Iron Bank and not he. Which was just as well, he knew full well the capacity of the lions and wasn't yet ready to face them full on. He needed them bloodied and weakened before he'd move in for the kill and there was plenty of time for that.
"Where is the prince?" he asked his steward and the man led to the prince's room.
"In here master." the steward said and he nodded as the unsullied opened the door.
Viserys had been overly drugged, so much so that his mind or what he had of it was even more addled, Illyrio instructing his men to spin him tales of who he truly was. So as he entered the room it was not Viserys Targaryen he was speaking to, it was Aerys and he knew it was almost time.
"Where have you been Lord Varys?" Viserys asked.
"I've been off seeing to your future subjects my king, listening to tales my little birds have brought me.".
"And what tales are they?".
"That the kingdom awaits your return, your grace, they believe you died at the hands of the Kingslayer, as if a man could kill a dragon." he said and chuckled as Viserys did likewise.
"Indeed, you did well Lord Varys, but I tire of hiding in this place, my people need me and the time for the dragon to return is on hand.".
"It is my king and your enemies?".
"Burn them Lord Varys, I shall burn them all." Viserys said as he cackled loudly.
"Of course your grace.".
Leaving the laughing fool there he walked from the room, it was almost time to put the finishing touches to it, the hair was long and straggly and the nails had grown, but he was still not close enough. He needed him to be madder, to fully believe he was Aerys reborn and it would take more moons for that to be the case. Once it was then and only then could he do what needed to be done.
He was getting ready to go back to Westeros when the note came and he almost couldn't believe his luck, a dragon they had a dragon. That they needed books on such was not a problem but it meant it was to Pentos and not King's Landing he would travel, a dragon put things more in their favor. It was a game-changer and no army, not even the unbloodied lions could stand in their way now.
"We sail to Pentos." he said to the captain of the Bountiful Harvest and he motioned to the young blonde to follow him to his room, he was in the mood to celebrate after all.
?.
Time had confused him for so long, choices, decisions, paths taken and those not all had confounded him. The line between the reality he faced and the realities that were possible all blurring together and making him do things that were not in his interest. So he had gone away and hidden deep beneath the sea and once there he had tried to follow a single pathway, a single stream.
Where it had led him was strange and unlike the others, with this one, he managed to complete the journey, traveling the others he fell along the way, sometimes sooner than others but always falling though. The biggest problem had been that he sought the unobtainable, he sought a way out. That was no longer possible and so he had resolved to just continue to be. To live and then perhaps then he could still manage his goals, after all, if he could survive the upcoming fight, if he focussed on that, then anything was possible.
"How long?" Bloodraven said and the child looked to him almost stunned to hear him speak.
"Too long." she said.
"How long?".
"Almost two years, what did you see?" she asked.
"The future." he said as he smirked.
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and especially those who've reviewed. Up Next Dany searches for Aegon and meets a potential friend, Jon travels to Summerhall and to the Tower of Joy. In Highgarden Margaery receives a letter which brightens her day and Arianne learns a secret.
Guest: You're free to think so however Joy is not an OC, very few of the characters in this story are.
Hamsterville: Really after 91 chapter's it's getting too long? Fair enough, if you feel that way now you're really going to feel that way before it ends.
Biohazard: Thank so much, so glad you like that.
Paulies: It's a very tragic song, yep Ramsay is in and has a target on his back. We'll see it may take some time.
Daryldixon: So glad you liked it.
Jessicanigthmarewolf: We'll see them soon, not sure how much they'll play from here but this will be an intro and then we'll see, as for the Dragon, it may take a while for Sandor to meet up with fAegon again.
Orthang: Yep the dragon they took the dragon. On the Maesters, that's true but they also are in a way the victims of timing, Marwyn was one vote and who they get to KL doesn't bother Jon as he has his own plans anyway, so for now they can have whoever they want, just as long as he's not in the conspiracy. As for the vote itself, they can only vote with who's available, once the Grandmaester or any maester falls or needs to be replaced, they call a conclave and see who is available to make the choice. For Marwyn they think him off on some wild goose chase and so wouldn't even know where to look for him at, I'm sure this has happened many times with him and other Archmaester's.
I agree on Ramsay, with Roose though he put some plans in motion before he got there imo, he sends Ramsay to take out Donella Hornwood, sees that Halys is killed, he weakens those around him way before he actually makes the move to completely betray Robb.
Nagiten: Bloodraven hasn't given up trying to play, he may have fallen but he's not out yet.
Jman: With Illyrio they could do that yes, though it was land they were hit on, on the dragon it's hard as they're more than simple beasts and the connection they have is important, so we'll see how Sandorix reacts. With Jon C, that's hard to say he's deluded and the delusion is clear, will he snap out of it in time, who knows. Rumours of Rhaenix will fly so to speak.
Sk21: It was less than the last couple yes, Sansa is growing up quickly once she does she'll not let anyone look down on this she cares about. Genna in the books was closer to Tyrion she felt more protective and despite finding out the truth here it's hard to just switch off and think of someone different, It's to me like Jon thinking Arya is his sister, I can't see him ever not in the books. That's precisely it with Bloodraven, he and Shiera's back-story will show a lot more of it, but it's basically he saw a path and took it and then where it ended where it did he felt they were to blame more than he, since then he's been messing with people a lot. On the Book characters it really just makes you glad you didn't see them, as much as you wished to at the time.
Naruto: No worries, glad I could clear it up. Tyrion and Ari's convo is next I hope you like it.
Darthmaine: With Domeric Jon is planning for him we'll see if that works, as for Ramsay well Richard is gunning for him. Tyrion does fit it too you're so right.
Oonighteyes: Really glad you liked it.
Zyrus: It's such a good song, I really wanted to see what the meaning behind it could be.
Lady octarina: Lol, two down and one to go, Shiera is a Great Bastard too though from a different mother. With Faegon and Illyrio in a way yes, though the war itself will throw up some problems. As for Ramsay and Roose, soon is all I can say.
Vfsnake: Yep, some things are meant to be and as they say in Jurassic Park Life will find a way, we'll see if you get your wish.
AjGranger: Glad you liked the Willas/Sansa, it's part of the thing yes she's doing less and Jon feels the same but as he's busy we see more of that side, In Canon Joy was basically thought of as nothing but a pawn, Tywin basically promised her to the Westerlings for their support, there's a really cool Jaime quote about her and them where he shows he's not really his father's son. Here Tywin going changes everything. On the attack it was land based, even they haven't got the balls to take them on at sea. As for the dragon we'll see it won't be took long. Summerhall has a few surprises for Jon.
Dunk: We'll see, glad you liked that alternate, the idea of them being so interconnected is something I think could be explored more in fics, Bloodraven is technically kin to Bran also which just is mind boggling to me. Dany will as I said before meet a lot of the same people she met in canon, different circumstances though. With Richard we'll see him move against Ramsay without Jae's input, Roose not so much. Not so much the death of the Maesters, we may see that come up once more in the Citadel but the realm is kinda ok with it.
Jacobgamble: Really glad you liked it.
Carick: Thank so much, that's one of the things I wished for most the character part of things, I felt we lost that in the show, the plot arc is different as it allows itself to follow a more straight line in a way, but the character part is perhaps why there is so much here, to allow the characters to become people that you know.
Remi: Partly they flew at night and very very high, and partly there will be talk, the problem is who believes it? For Robert he'd be like Dragonspawn loyalists spreading tales and so far they've kinda kept to places where it's hard to see, so it's not like they flew over a large city or keep or anything like that. Still there will be talk. With fAegon that's true although they also have a chance to go to a more protected place too.
Guest: He was also poisoned and almost killed, so not everything, in terms of his plans yes they have all gone his way, mainly because he's not actually done anything to fully move against someone who'll fully push back against him. He's not actually tried to take the throne, so the throne's not tried to stop him kinda thing. The other stiff is just logical, a Targ with the West or North behind him gains the Reach that's pure logic. But all in all he's not actually made a definitive move against the crown, more background moves, a phony war if you will.
Ronincav: I think we saw some of that with him and Arya but it could never fully develop and also a little with Sansa, for me Sandor looked out for that little sister he had lost, here Dany has taken that spot fully. Should he catch up to fAegon and Jon C, there will be blood.
Prince loki. Don't mess with the G, the G knows the secrets man, they're the only ones who do.
Badwolf: Glad you liked it.
Guest; The Shiera full back-story will be in a bit, we'll see her and Bloodraven. On the dragon fAegon will have trouble with him. At some point Jon will have to deal with everything he is regarding the whole PTWP.
Soviegod: I think that's the general consensus, see him broken before he dies.
Mrspotter: So glad you liked it.
Anarchichmind; I hated that both in the books and the show, I hate Show Sansa a lot but I can feel sympathetic for that part, here it was for me a bash her or do something different and the rest just flowed. I do feel at times GRRM does plot points for later on that on the whole don't add up when you go back and look at them with other info. Like Balon Greyjoy being allowed to live, it makes no sense both from the Robert side of things and even more so from the Tywin side. He rebels and you take his son and leave him in charge, he burns the fleet and Tywin doesn't demand his or his brother's heads, really?. I think the Bolton's are like that, Ned never watches them other than says be wary, he knows nothing of ramsay and that to me is unforgivable, I get he's on is father's lands and Ned may not know, but he's a Bolton, he should, Ned should have known about all the Lords in the North even more than he did imo.
Xand007: Thanks my friend. Kevan is actually in charge of this revenge, but a lion works just as well. Ramsay is already unmasked, we'll see Richard's response soon enough. Jon's o on a gap moon lol. FAegon doesn't need the unsullied, the dragon is far more important, you too my friend.
Anja: So glad you liked it.
Xanmerrick: Thanks my friend, really glad you liked it.
Bellaswan: We'll see with Shiera, as for Sansa that's not a bad idea, Richard is so onto the Boltons though, he's not going to wait around for too long to deal with Ramsay at least.
Battlemage: That's one of the hardest things, showing that there is something there but not having it be creepy or icky, it's a real slow build between them. Illyrio has them beat in Essos, it's so much more his playground, which means it's where he should stay really lol. Ari is on team Tyrion already, we'll see if Doran can convince her otherwise. On Sandorix we'll see, the bond between Dany and Shiera and the dragons will be more akin to Tyrion/Lygaron except Dany will always be their mother is you get me, she won't control them but they will never harm her. Glad you liked the Jenny's song and before the war starts there will be a full Harrenhal chapter, so you will get your wish sort of.
Liza: Again no worries my friend. I get what you mean on the prophecy. It really is important to her especially considering the only bond she had was with Viserys, here it's a much better one. With fAegon this is the problem, being how he was is fine to a point, but then you start being that way to others and when you don't get your way or what you want it really causes problems, this is partly how he's going now, he took something he believes he's owed, now he didn't know of it but he would have wholeheartedly approved. I won't do that with Sandorix, won't tell you what I will do but not that. On Jon C I think he blinded himself to what he thinks of Rhaegar and to me it always suggest that he never truly knew him.
As you see it wasn't the GC themselves, Illyrio more mentioned the GC to dangle that carrot so to speak in front of Jon A, to let him know he had their ear. We will see some of that with Ari/Tyrion, that's it's coming now is a good thing for him, had he waited or she found out herself then they're doomed, we'll see if him speaking up means they're not. On Domeric, when he goes West we'll know more and see Jon's plans for him. You too my friend, stay safe an stay happy.
