Bear Island 297 AC.

Kinvara.

The pinnacle ship pulled into the dock as Kinvara looked on, beside her the two Fiery Hand warriors shivered, yet she felt no cold. After disembarking, she took note of her surroundings, looking at the new keep that was being built and the sheer amount of work that was going on. She quickly felt a sense of pride that his chosen had played a role in this. As they stood there they were soon joined by two women and a number of guards, both women wore swords and looked like warriors to Kinvara's eyes.

"May we help you?" the taller of the two women asked.

"My name in Kinvara, I've come with letters from Jon Snow." she said as both women looked to each other.

"Letters for who?" the shorter women asked.

"One for Arya Stark and one for Lord Jorah Mormont." she said and the women nodded.

"I'm Lyra, this is Jory my sister, Arya should be back later. She and my mother along with my other sisters are hunting." Lyra said.

"We'll take you to the Bear Den." Jory said with a chuckle.

Kinvara nodded to her men who seemed a bit worried at the idea of a bear den, both of them relaxing a little as they realized it was the name the Mormont's had given the new keep. Kinvara found herself smiling as she got the jape, bears lived in dens and so the new keep was given the only name it could be. She thought that perhaps she'd enjoy her time here with these women. They were brought into the keep itself, though small and only partly made from stone, it was an impressive thing to behold. Especially as you could see the work that was still going on around it.

There were guard towers, a small barracks, storehouses and the keep itself. In time this would be an imposing sight to see, for now, though it was a welcoming one and she saw how much her guards appreciated the warmth once they were inside. Almost as much as they appreciated the warm stew they were given and the roaring fire that heated the room. Kinvara ate more than she usually did, finding her appetite had returned to her now she was on land once more.

"How do you know Jon?" Lyra asked as Kinvara finished her meal.

"I've only just met him though I've known of him for all my life, the White Wolf." she said to smiles.

"Aye, a good lad, though I'm surprised he sent you here just to deliver letters?" Jory asked.

"This is only the beginning of my journey, Jory, from here I have much further to go." Kinvara said though she would say no more.

It was late when the others arrived at the keep, Kinvara looking to see an older woman and a woman who looked like a younger version of her, along with two young girls. Both girls were dressed alike and both were armed, carrying a sword and knife on their hips and carrying bows in their hands, and a quiver of arrows on their back. Kinvara looked at the two of them and it was only the grey eyes of one which really could tell they were not kin, otherwise, they could have easily passed for sisters.

"Lyra, Jory?" the older woman asked as she looked at Kinvara and her guards suspiciously.

"Kinvara here has come with letters from Jon Snow mother, a letter for Jorah and one for Arya." Jory said.

"For me, you have a letter from Jon for me." the grey-eyed girl asked excitedly as she almost ran to her.

"Arya Stark." the older woman said reproachfully.

"Sorry Lady Maege, I'll change first, my lady." Arya said nodding to her and Kinvara had to smile when the other girl sniggered as the two girls left the room.

The older woman was Lady Maege the head of the house from what Jon had told her of the ladies of Bear Island and the younger one, obviously her daughter. They both walked and over and took their seats, her other girls rushing to get them bowls of stew and mugs of ale. Kinvara sat while the women ate and then Maege turned to her, her eyes focussing on her and specifically the redness of her dress before she nodded and spoke.

"You are from the same place as the other lady in red?" Maege asked.

"Volantis my lady, Melisandre and I serve the same god." she said and saw the frown on the women's face.

"We follow the old gods here, as does Jon Snow." Maege said with a bit of annoyance.

"That's true my lady, but my god also wishes to see the White Wolf rise, to see our prince take his rightful place." she said and the woman looked at her before seeming to accept her words.

"You know who he truly is?" Maege asked.

"I do, I have for some time. It was I who sent his protector, Ser Arthur spent time with us in Volantis my lady.".

"Arya doesn't know yet, I'd prefer to keep it that way, Jon will tell her when its time and it's Maege, just Maege.".

"Of course Maege, I'll not say anything to Arya. I'm here to deliver a letter and to speak to Lord Jorah, then we'll be on our way.".

"You'll stay here tonight, I'll take you to my nephew on the morrow. I'll see a bath and chambers are made ready for you and we'll eat in a couple of hours.".

After changing and dressing, she walked to the hall and found it almost full. Jory waving her and her guards to come and join them. The High Table was unlike any she'd ever seen, it was almost entirely women who sat there, and no sooner had she sat down at it then Arya asked her more about the letter. Kinvara taking it out from her pocket to hand it to her.

She found herself smiling as she watched the girl read it, as she wiped her eye and looked sheepishly around to see if anyone had seen her do so before she read it again. The conversation was interesting to say the last and Kinvara felt a little out of her element, she was a warrior of a much different kind than those in this room. Once the meal was over she didn't stay up too long, enjoying her sleep and waking early the next morning to break her fast. Very soon afterward they were on their way to the main keep.

This one was made almost entirely out of stone and she wondered if this was how the Bear Den would look when it was finished. Their party was made up of Maege, her daughters Alysanne and Lyanna, Arya Stark, and some guards. After dismounting they were quickly brought into a large hall and a little while after that Lord Jorah and his lady wife arrived to greet them.

"Aunt, we did not expect you." Jorah said with a warm smile on his face.

"Nor did I expect to be coming this day Jorah, I bring a visitor who bears a letter from Jon Snow, Lady Kinvara of Volantis." Maege said and Kinvara heard few hushed whispers.

"My lady." Jorah said as she stepped forward.

"Lord Jorah, Jon Snow sends his greetings and asks me to deliver this to you." she said as she handed him the letter.

She waited as he read it over before he looked up from it to her and then called a short stocky man wearing a grey robe and a chain over, another much larger man soon joining them when he was bid. After a few moments of quiet discussion, both men hurried from the room and Kinvara waited until Lord Jorah walked towards them.

"Jon asks me to provide you with horses, warm furs, supplies and some men for a journey but won't tell me where you're going, only it's beyond the wall my lady. While I respect the white wolf and owe him a great debt, these men he asks me to send with you are my responsibility, I'd ask you where you intend to go?" Jorah asked.

"We travel far beyond the wall my lord, I intend to meet with Mance Raydar the king beyond the wall." she said and voices were quickly raised in the room.

"Wildings.".

"Savages."

"Enough, Quiet, Aunt, Lady Kinvara we should talk elsewhere." Jorah said and he led them to a small room with a desk and two seats in front of it, Kinvara taking a seat as Maege stared at her as did Jorah.

"Why would I wish to send my men beyond the wall, what reason does Jon have for this my lady?" Jorah asked.

She sighed having hoped not to have this conversation and she knew that they were not ready for it, so instead she told a white lie and hoped that it would be enough for now.

"Beyond the Wall, the wildings have begun to unite my lord, the white wolf has seen this in those Glass Candles of his. I am to try and see they don't rise for the wrong reasons, to ensure they don't seek to attack the wall and instead look to different lands for their own." she said.

"They'd never listen to you, if they intend to rise they'll rise and we'll beat them back as we always do." Maege said.

"Indeed my lady, but should we not try at least to see that they don't rise? If there is a chance we can change their plans then should we not at least try? If they attack and you're forced to meet them head-on then you'll lose many men, would it not be better to try and save those lives even at the risk of a few?" she said and while her words were somewhat lies, there was truth there too. Neither she nor Jon wished to see the Free Folk fight for the wrong reason, not when the right one was so important.

"These are savages my lady, you have no idea." Jorah said.

"I come from lands where the Dothraki ride freely my lord, I've seen the savagery of men first hand, trust me I know exactly what kind of people I travel to meet." she said.

"Does he truly believe he can stop them from rising?" Maege asked.

"He does my lady, with what he plans for Westeros he needs to stop all possible threats to the North, if he can do so before they actually threaten northern lives then all the better don't you think?".

"Aye." Maege said.

"Aye." Jorah said.

Kinvara breathed a sigh of relief and over the next few days, she watched as supplies were gathered, food, warm clothing, furs to cover themselves in at night and tents to sleep in. Finally, they readied horses and picked the men who'd escort them. They were older than her or her guards she wondered if Lord Jorah had specifically picked these men as their loss wouldn't deprive him of younger more capable men. Something that Maege confirmed to her later, these men were expendable though the women never said it in such a way.

"I wish you good fortune Kinvara, may the white wolf's words prove true." Maege said.

"I believe they will, I also believe you'll see him before I do Maege, if so would you give him this." she said handing her a letter.

"Aye." Maege said and that was it, no ceremony or overly exaggerated goodbye and Kinvara found she liked that more. She took a last look at the island as she and the men took the longship that would take them to the Wall, her journey only just beginning.

Essos 297 AC.

Melisandre.

She felt the warmth as soon as they entered the Summer Sea, looking out on the coastline as they passed by Dorne and soon she could see the outline of Essos in the distance. When they passed Tyrosh she smiled as she knew she was getting close and each day she woke only made her excitement rise. Finally, she saw Myr and felt a sense of almost eager anticipation as she disembarked and readied for the journey ahead.

Wearing the red robes of R'hllor allowed for a certain freedom when you walked in Essos, be it the faithful or those who simply worried what may befall them should they attack one of his priests, your safety was almost guaranteed. That Melisandre headed straight to the Red Temple, that she was then given a guard to take her on to the companies base, only reinforcing her lack of fear. Though it was for appearance rather than for security she traveled with these guards.

She arrived at the companies barracks and immediately noticed the large men on the gate, she'd met some huge men in the West, and yet it was only her prince's northern guard who was of a size with these two. After stating her business and agreeing to leave her guards behind, she was led into the barracks itself and into a small room. How long she waited she didn't know but she knew they meant it as an insult to her god and she bristled at that. Though only for a moment as she remembered his chosen actually followed another god too.

"My name is Torrhen Snow, This Is Brandon and Artos Snow, what do you want priestess?" the large man said when he walked into the room accompanied by two others, his voice showing his displeasure at having her there.

"I've been sent by my…"

"Your god is not welcome here witch, here the old gods rule, not R'hllor." Brandon Snow said dismissively.

"By my prince." she said and the three men looked to each other before turning to look at her a little less angrily.

"Your prince?" Torrhen asked.

"The Prince that was Promised, the White Wolf, the Winter Dragon." she said to gasps.

"What know you of the White Wolf?" Artos asked.

"I know that the prince will bring the dawn and he has need of your help." she said handing Torrhen the letter.

She watched as he read it and then handed it to the others, both of them reading it too before they handed it back to Torrhen. The room stayed silent for some time before Torrhen got up and walked to the door, speaking to someone outside quietly before he walked back in and took a seat again. Nodding to Brandon Snow beside him she watched as the man got up and walked from the room, arriving back a few moments later with a tray carrying mugs of what she assumed was ale.

"We settle accords over drinks Lady?" Torrhen said as Brandon placed the tray on the table and moved a mug in front of her and the others.

"Melisandre." she said.

"We settle accords over drinks Lady Melisandre, I hope you like ale." Torrhen said and she nodded as she took the mug in her hand, the taste not to her liking but it was cool and she smiled when she saw the ice in it.

"Ice?" she asked.

"A gift from the white wolf for a job well done." Brandon Snow said with a smirk.

"You have our help Lady Melisandre, I'll organize an escort though we'll not go ourselves. Bring the princess here and she will have our protection but I cannot have the company ride not knowing where they head, not with what's coming." Torrhen said.

"I thank you Torrhen, as does my prince." she said finishing her drink and standing up.

"He's our prince too my lady." Torrhen Snow said as she left the room.

She rode back to the Red Temple and awaited the escort as much as she awaited the signs from R'hllor too. What direction was she travel, where the princess was she had no idea. Only that she hoped that R'hllor would show her in the fire. For three nights though she found no answers in the flames, her escort would arrive on the morrow and she still had no idea where they were supposed to go.

Standing in front of the flames she closed her eyes and pleaded with her god for a sign, for any sign, before she finally got one. The Great Forest was known to her as was the city that stood in its shadow and Melisandre thanked her god as she let the flames die down. She slept well that night knowing that on the morrow they'd be traveling and even more than that, knowing now to where she'd be going.

The next morning she found a dozen men waiting for her, most of them seemed just like Torrhen and the other Snows she had met, though there was one or two Essosi in amongst the group too. A large bald men in bright clothes, his chest bare and covered in scars smiled at her as the leader made his way towards her. This man was definitely of northern stock she thought judging by his size and coloring and though he didn't smile like the Essosi, the greeting he gave was friendly enough.

"I'm to escort you to the princess, Rodrik Snow my lady." the large man said.

"Very good, we head for Qohor." she said and the man said nothing, just nodded to the others who mounted up.

Over the course of the ride, she got to know more about the men she rode with. As she'd thought most were of Northern heritage with just the three Essoi among them and they were from vastly different backgrounds. There was a former Dothraki screamer named Larqo, a Tyroshi who no longer wore his hair dyed like his countrymen named Karial and the big bald man. He was she found out a former Meerenees pit fighter named Strong Belwas and it was he who seemed to almost gravitate towards her.

The man was big and fierce and yet childlike, and as she listened to him tell the story of why he was with the company she found herself enraptured. A slave forced to fight in the pits, sold to a master he never met in Pentos, and then being transported when they were attacked. Belwas had been the only survivor and had walked alone through the sands for days when men of the company came upon him. Tired, hungry, and having had no water for days, the large man still readied himself to fight for his life, something the men were impressed by.

"Strong will help you find this princess, Melisandre." he said to her smiling when she turned in for the night.

"I have no doubt you will my friend." she said smiling back at the man as he smiled and seemed to sit and act her guard while she slept.

They reached the forest of Qohor and she found no sign that the princess was here. Moving on to the city, it was decided that they needed to split up and since Strong Belwas wouldn't leave her side, he along with one of the Northmen followed her through the markets of the city. Somewhere along the way, they lost the Northman, and then she heard Strong's excited voice.

"Found her." Strong said as he rushed into what was now developing into a large fight.

Melisandre cursed the fact that the other Northmen were elsewhere, though in the end she looked on relieved as the fight went in their favor and thanked her god once more. As she moved forward she looked at the princess and saw her to be everything she had imagined, the perfect vision of a daughter of Valyria.

"Who the fuck are you?" the scarred man nearest to her asked looking from Strong to her, though Melisandre's eyes were only on the princess.

"My name is Melisandre of Asshai and your nephew sends his regards Princess.". she said.

The Wall and Beyond 297 AC.

Kinvara.

They arrived at the Shadow Tower and were soon speaking to the commander there. Denys Mallister was an old man and yet he still seemed to have both his strength and wits about him. After he had told her that it was madness to head beyond the wall and that he'd not give her one of his men to show her the way, Kinvara had surprised him by saying she wasn't asking for any.

"I seek no help nor permission commander, only to let you know that I travel beyond the wall and that there is no need to come looking for me or my companions." she said.

"Madness, sheer foolhardy madness, well if I can't dissuade you I'll not try any longer. I've done my part but mark my words Lady Kinvara, it's only death that awaits you beyond these halls." Denys said and she nodded.

She and the others ate in the hall and she watched as the men from Bear Island spoke with the black brothers, as tales were told of what they'd face beyond the wall and of the savages that lived there. Kinvara almost smiled at the men's stupidity, there were much worse things than wildings beyond the walls and if she failed in her mission, then these men would be the first to have to deal with them.

The next morning they set out riding to the Bridge of Skulls and bidding farewell to the lands south of the wall. They camped that night and ate rabbits and hares which the man had caught quite easily, Kinvara wondering if her god was providing. When the fire wouldn't light she heard the men from Bear Island grumble and she smiled as she set it to flame easily. Her sleep was disturbed though when the attack came, Kinvara waking to find chaos around her.

She watched on as men in furs fired arrows and used axes and spears, around her men fought for their lives and yet she felt no fear, R'hllor had not sent her here to die this day. By the time dawn broke, all but one of the men from Bear Island were dead. The Free Folk too had suffered great losses as the only survivor was a blond woman who was injured. After tending to the man from Bear Island and realizing that she couldn't do anything for him, Kinvara helped the blond who looked at her suspiciously.

"Why are you helping me kneeler, your people will take my head anyway." the woman said.

"My people?" she asked confused.

"The crows." the woman said.

"Crows?" she asked.

"Oh, forgive me your kneelership, the Nights Watch." the woman said with a snort.

"Do I look like a member of the Night's Watch to you?" she asked with a smile on her face watching as the woman seemed to realize the truth.

The coughing from the man from Bear Island forced her to turn to him and soon she heard the rattle in his throat as he passed. Calling for her own guards and glad they'd made it unharmed, she turned back to the blond and undid her binds, the woman looking at her in surprise.

"We need to burn the bodies, it'll take all of us." Kinvara said and the woman nodded, getting up and walking to one of the bodies in particular before kneeling down and then dragging it to the middle of the space they were in.

That she didn't run from them was something that Kinvara found strange and yet it seemed that she too wished to see the bodies burned before she left. Once they had them all together, Kinvara reached into her pack and emptied the liquid over them, before standing with her men while the woman stood a few feet from them.

"My Lord we give these bodies to your care, keep them warm in your embrace and safe from the night." she said as she took one of the Fiery Hand's spears and ignited the pyre with it.

"For the night is dark and full of terrors." the two guards said and the woman turned to look at them.

"Who are you people?" she asked when the heat from the fire forced her back a few steps.

"My name is Kinvara and me and my companions serve our god." she said and the woman looked too her shaking her head.

"And your God sent you here?".

"Here and beyond, we seek the King Beyond the Wall." she said and noticed the woman's expression change.

"Why?".

"To help him." Kinvara said with a smile.

For a long time the blond said nothing and then almost as if she had been going over in it her head, she seemed to reach a decision.

"I'll take you to Mance, if you play him false, I'll not be able to save you." the woman said.

"Understood, your name?" Kinvara asked.

"Val." the woman said.

They were quickly brought off the trail they'd been sent on, Val leading them into more heavily wooded areas. The woman seemed surprised when Kinvara's guard kept coming back with fresh kills each night. Even though they had food in their packs that were now on the horse's backs, they still hunted and each night R'hllor provided. After the third night, Val commented on it and scoffed when Kinvara told her of her god.

"R'hllor provides for those who serve him, he protects them." she said and Val just snorted as she looked at her.

"Then how come your men are dead?" Val asked almost snootily.

"They weren't my men." she said and the woman's expression changed.

"I don't...What?".

"Those men weren't followers of my god, so they were not under his protection.".

"You talk of this god as if you know him." Val said.

"Do we really know anyone." she said with a laugh "Look into the flames Val, look into the flames and tell me what you see?" she asked and Val looked at her before she looked into the fire.

Kinvara saw it clearly, the doubt soon replaced by the shock and finally the horror of what she saw. Val moving back from the fire and looking at her while shaking her head.

"What was that, what did you do to me?" Val asked her voice strained.

"What did you see?" she asked the clearly disturbed woman.

"I saw death, death came for my people, it took us all." Val said tears falling.

"There is only one thing we say to the god of death, Val, not today." she said and saw the woman nod.

She felt it when they reached what Val told her was the Fist of the First Men, she felt it and the shiver went down her spine. Though they could have made it that night, she instead had them stop and in a small cave, she lit the fire. Kinvara didn't allow her men to hunt that night, instead, she bid them sit by the fire and they all huddled around it. Kinvara looked into the flames only to see nothing and so she then took out the small jar and the piece of cloth.

When they had found the blood she knew exactly what it was and where it had come from, the princess had become a woman and she thanked her god for giving her this small piece of her. Throwing it on the fire she looked in and saw what it was she must do and so after speaking to her men and waiting for Val to sleep, she left the cave and made her way up the hill.

The child came at her quicker than she could imagine, Kinvara barely having a chance to reach for the ruby on her neck, pulling it off, she turned from the short sword the child aimed at her. As it missed she smacked the child hard in the head, the ruby leaving an imprint so hard did she hit the child, and then she watched as the child fell. Moving quickly she was upon her before she could rise.

"My god has something you need to see little one." she said as she cut her hand and let the blood flow over the ruby, the flame starting small but soon enveloping her whole hand.

Kinvara watched as the child looked into the flame and as she saw whatever it was that was for her eyes alone. Finally, the flames died down and the child moved to her sword and Kinvara waited to see if this was to be her time, her end. It was not, as instead the child stood up and to Kinvara's eyes, it looked liked it sobbed, though no tears or sounds were made.

"We must move, now." the child said and Kinvara nodded "Horses, you have horses?".

"We do." she said.

"We ride, hard, we must reach it by nightfall." the child said.

Waking Val who stared constantly at the child and mouthed 'Children' over and over again. They quickly mounted and Leaf, the name the child gave herself told them to hurry. They rode fast and just before nightfall they reached the Weirwood tree, Kinvara, and the others watching on as Leaf cut into its white bark. The red liquid poured out and Leaf asked for a cup to collect it and they watched as she did just that.

"You must drink." Leaf said after she'd taken a drink from the cup, nodding at Kinvara when she handed her the cup "All of you.".

They did as they were asked, the taste was horrible and yet it warmed them and Kinvara felt there was power in this liquid, though it was a power that felt different to her. Cold, distant, not like the heat from her god and she wondered if this was a gift from the old ones instead.

"He will only see what he wishes now, I must leave." Leaf said.

"No come with us, my people, you're a child of the forest, you can help us." Val pleaded.

"I must help my own people first, in time we'll meet again but she's all the help you need for now." Leaf said pointing to her before walking over to her and looking at her.

"Tell my prince, the children will wait for him." Leaf said and then she looked to a horse and Kinvara nodded, watching as the child mounted and was soon gone.

They too mounted up and soon they were on their way once more, heading north and Kinvara felt hope that she was soon to meet a king.

The Wall 297 AC. (takes place after Ned's Wedding).

Aemon.

He, Marwyn, and Loamara had collected many more books and scrolls since his nephew sent them to help him. So when the chance had come to go to Winterfell for Jaehaerys, he had been more than happy to. Only cursing the fact that he wouldn't be able to see the great keep for himself. The journey had been interesting and he'd felt like a young boy once more. It had been the first time he'd left the Wall in over twenty years and something that he had not expected to do and he had thanked his nephew for giving him a reason to.

A part of him had wished to berate Eddard Stark, to yell and scream at the man for raising his nephew as a bastard. But the bigger, larger part of himself could only be thankful to the man. He had saved a part of his family and it was in no small part because of him that Aemon had been able to meet his kin, to find out he was not alone in this world.

Spending time in Winterfell was different too, the keep was warm thanks to pipes that ran through the walls and carried hot water from the nearby springs. Maester Luwin kind of enough to both tell him how they worked and to take him to the springs themselves, something Aemon welcomed greatly. To feel such warmth once again was a boon to his old weary bones and when not working or sleeping, Aemon took every opportunity to spend soaking in the waters of the hot pools.

A memory far away now as he woke up in his cold rooms back at the wall. Still, he had work to do and Luwin had both allowed him to take some of the books back so they could be added to the collection and had others transcribed for him. As he dressed he tried not to think of the warm springs and how they'd almost made him feel a young man once more, how while laying in them he'd feel he could almost see again. Instead, he thought about the work he was doing and had done while there.

Winterfell a few moons ago.

"Aemon, this one here, it speaks of a horn lost beyond the wall, the Horn of Joramun. How it has the ability to wake the sleepers and to make the wall tremble." Luwin said as they sat in the Maester's rooms.

"I've read of it before Luwin, though it was used to create not destroy." he said sipping on the warm cider.

"Could it do both?" Luwin asked.

"Perhaps, creation can be a form of destruction after all." he said as he thought on it.

They had spent hours going over the works and Aemon was almost eager for the opportunity to leave them behind, so he appreciated it when the servant came to tell them it was time for their meal. He held onto the younger man's hand as they walked to the Great Hall, this place not as familiar to him as the Wall was. Entering the room he was happy to hear the sounds of laughter as the Stark brothers spoke, the two men telling each other stories of days long past.

"Aemon, Luwin, join us." Benjen said.

"Of course brother Benjen." he said with a warm smile as he sat down "So what were you finding most amusing?".

"News from King's Landing Aemon, it seems our nephew has won once again, the melee and the joust." Eddard said and Aemon found himself chuckling.

"That's not the best part though." Benjen said so softly that Aemon had to lean in to hear "It seems Robert wished to make a spectacle of Viserys, to desecrate his body, only for the chance to be denied to him.".

"Jaehaerys?".

"They've taken the body from him Aemon, it's in our nephew's hands now." Benjen said

Aemon felt the relief course through his veins, it had almost broken him to hear that another member of their family had fallen. Even if the tales of Viserys being his father come again were true, he was their blood and deserved a better fate than to be displayed like a trophy, something he knew the fat king would do. To learn that Jaehaerys had not allowed that to come to pass, that more than any tourney win filled his heart with joy.

"Come, let's drink to our nephew." he said and was handed a mug which he swiftly drained of its contents.

Waking the next morning he knew it was nearly time to head back to the Wall and so asked for one last trip to Wintertown before he left, Ser Jaremy quickly obliging. He enjoyed walking around the town, listening to the children as they laughed and played. When Luwin had told him that these were poor wretches from Flea Bottom that had come North for a better life, Aemon had found it strange.

"Why would they travel so far Luwin?".

"Because Jon Snow arranged the ships Aemon, he and Lady Margaery. Go listen to them, speak to some and you'll see how well thought of they are." Luwin said.

So he had and each time he felt a little weary or was feeling sorry for himself, he'd travel here and just sit in the center of the now bustling town and listen. Tales of the White Wolf and the Golden Rose sounding like a song ready to be sung always bringing a smile to his face. Ser Jaremy too enjoyed these trips, the knight knowing how downtrodden those in Flea Bottom usually were and how just the sounds of these children playing felt different somehow.

But all things had to come to an end and so he readied himself for the ride back to the Wall, finding himself both eager and apprehensive about the journey. Standing in the courtyard he said his goodbyes to Luwin and some of the others he'd met here and was soon face to face with Eddard Stark.

"I wish to thank you my lord for everything." he said nodding to the man.

"It's been an honor to meet you Aemon, truly." Eddard replied.

"Give my regards to your son Lord Stark, young Jon, give him my best." he said with a smile, unable to use his nephew's true name with so many people around.

"Aye, I will, you can count on it Aemon.".

In another life he'd have looked back at the keep as they rode away from it, fixed it in his mind so he'd not forget it, just like he had the Red Keep. Those days were long gone now and even were he to wish it, it was something he was unable to do. Instead, he tried to remember the images he'd seen of Winterfell in the books he'd read and hoped they'd done it justice.

The Wall now.

"Aemon, Aemon." Marwyn said and he turned to the man, the spoonful of porridge still in his hand.

"What Sorry, I was miles away." he said embarrassed as he placed the spoon down.

"I was saying that these books Aemon, the one's from Winterfell along with those here, I don't think there are any even in the citadel which can help him more." Marwyn said.

"Not in the citadel no, there's only one other and I pray it's still there and that he is the one to unlock its secrets." he said softly.

Before he could say anything more though there was some excitement at the door and they were quickly joined by Loamara.

"Aemon, Marwyn, we have a visitor, Jon Snow has arrived." the former Maester said excitedly though whatever excitement the man felt surely paled next to his own.

"For true?" Marwyn asked.

"For true." Loamara said.

It turned out to be true indeed and as he sat in his rooms later that day with his nephew, Aemon found himself listening eagerly at the things Jaehaerys was saying.

"You truly found the conqueror's crown?" Aemon said his voice full of disbelief.

"Along with eggs uncle, more eggs." Jaehaerys said "And this.".

Aemon felt the pendant in his hands and rubbed his fingers over it, he could feel the shape of the jewels, the sigil of their house but something felt different about them and he didn't know what.

"This is strange Jaehaerys, it feels odd." he said handing it back to him.

"Lady Melisandre felt more excited about that than anything else I found, you don't know of it? It's not something you've seen before? Something that belonged to our family?".

"It could be but if so it was before or after my time, nephew." he said with a chuckle.

"Uncle, I'm almost ready, it's time, after what he did to Viserys, I should have…I could have moved earlier, I could have saved him." Jaehaerys said his voice cracking.

"From the stag perhaps, from fate? not even you have that power Jaehaerys." he said reaching out and smiling when his nephew took his hand "You are ready, truly?" he asked worriedly.

"I have the men uncle, Dorne, the Reach, the West, and the North. I have the Lords of the Narrow Sea and loyalist houses. There are others who I may be able to bring on board, houses in the Riverlands and perhaps the Stormlands, and I have dragons uncle.".

"That you do." he said almost wistfully.

"Do you, would you, Rhaenix, would you liked to meet her?".

"More than anything in this world, nephew." he said happily.

As he slept that night he thought back to the dragon, meeting her had been a dream and when his nephew had suggested he take flight with him, Aemon had barely been able to speak. Feeling the wind in his face as they soared had been more than he'd ever imagined and he held no fear now that his nephew would take his throne. He felt himself drift off, wondering what his dreams would bring.

The desert felt warm on his feet and he looked down to see he was wearing no shoes, he thought that odd but moved anyway, something calling him forward. The sun was no longer in the sky, no, that wasn't true, it was there but the shapes blocked it out. He looked up and saw them, they looked like large birds in the sky, two flew far away but one, flew closer to him, showing itself not to be a bird at all.

It landed not too far from him and looked at him curiously, its golden scales reflecting in the light. Moving swifter than he knew he was able, he was soon standing beside the large dragon. His hands stroking its head as it trilled with happiness, its large eyes staring deep into his very soul. Leaning against it he felt its eagerness, its desire and so he nodded and began to climb up onto its back.

"Sōvegon Sandorix." Aemon said as the dragon took to the air.

Myr 297 AC.

Torrhen Snow.

They had received their payment from the Lannisters and gone about their business normally. Contracts had been taken and life had returned to normal, or as normal as a sellswords life can be. Yet for Torrhen it had been hard to get rid of the idea that they were in the wrong place, fighting the wrong fights and doing so for the wrong reasons. While some of that had been true for the entirety of the companies existence, it seemed lately to Torrhen that the call for their home had been getting stronger.

But routines have a habit of taking one's mind from places that caused concern and soon his routine did just that. Or it did at least until he received word that there was a red priestess at their gates looking to see them. The company had certain rules, certain codes they lived by and religion was one of them. Whatever you believed, whatever god you prayed to before, if you joined the company then you worshipped the old gods.

They had no time for fire priests, for the black goat or the great stallion, no god of many faces for them either. Exiles had come to them from Essos, seeking to join, good men, and true but men who worshipped the seven and refused to give them up. So they and anyone else had been welcomed politely and then sent on their way, Brandon Snow set up a northern company and a northern company they would always be.

"We should send her away." Artos said.

"Aye," Brandon added.

"No we'll listen, what harm can it do, it's not like she'll convert any of us." he said to laughs from the other two men.

As he walked around the barracks later that night he found himself smirking, in a way she had, or more precisely the letter she carried had. The meeting would be held on the morrow, for now, he needed to select the men to travel with her and so he walked to their largest hall, the one where the men would gather. He looked at each of them when he entered before finally settling on the one he wanted and for some reason deciding to send the former pit fighter with him.

"Rodrik, a word." he said motioning to the man to follow him outside.

"Torrhen?".

"I've a mission for you Rodrik. I want you to gather a dozen men, you're to travel with the red priestess who came here earlier, be her escort and help protect the girl she'll take you too." Torrhen said.

"Travel where?".

"I don't know Rodrik, listen to the woman and follow her orders." he said as he went to move away "Take the pit fighter with you.".

"Belwas?" Rodrik asked confused.

"Aye, take him with you, I have a feeling you'll need him." he said and wondered why he felt that way.

Thinking nothing of it, he walked back to his rooms and poured himself an ale, the ice a welcome addition and he thanked the old gods for that, them and Jon Snow. No not Jon Snow, Jaehaerys Targaryen he thought as he pulled the letter out and looked at it once more.

To the Leader of the Company of the Rose.

My name is Jon Snow, or at least that's the name I've been forced to live under, forced to live under because of lies and plots of ambitious men. Men who've cost me, family, from both sides of my bloodline. My true name is Jaehaerys Targaryen, aye, a dragon and I know what that may mean to you, why it may make you wish to tear this up and throw it away. I ask you to remember though I am not only a dragon, I am a wolf too, and it's Stark blood that runs in my veins as much as it's Targaryen.

Brandon Snow swore to leave his home and never return while a dragon sat the throne and for almost three centuries the company has lived up to this oath. Soon though it won't be a dragon sitting the throne, it won't be a wolf either. My mother called me a Dragonwolf, the union of both our lines. My father named me the Song of Ice and Fire, the Prince that was Promised. In Winterfell, I was told I was the White Wolf, the Winter Dragon, told that I had a role to play and an enemy to fight. An enemy that most have forgotten about or consider a myth.

As I write this I sit looking at myths brought to life. Dragons fly once more, and they will be needed for the fight to come, as will you and your men. It's time to come home, time to ready for the fight you truly care for, not for me or my throne, but for the North and its people. For it'll be there that it comes first and foremost. In time I'll send for you and ask you to heed the call, to remember your blood as I remember mine. For now, I ask only that you protect my kin, for she too will be needed in the days ahead.

I pray that the old gods grant you the wisdom to do what is right, that you'll give the lady what she asks for and that when I call, when the North calls you'll come. If however you cannot then so be it. I'll fight this fight without you, for the war for the dawn comes whether you play a part or not.

Jaehaerys Targaryen,

Son of the North.

The letter was unexpected, the white wolf's call was not. That the wolf turned out to be a dragon had never been what the prophecy had said, nor what they had believed and that would cause some issue with the others. When Brandon Snow knelt he and Aegon spoke for some time, words that he'd written down that were lost now to time. What exactly was said between them, neither he nor the last few commanders had ever truly known, only that an accord had been struck.

Brandon left and the company was formed, never to return, unless called. They cared not for crowns, neither the Iron Throne or the King's of Winter. Despite what people may think it wasn't the thoughts of a dragon on the throne which had made Brandon leave, it was the thoughts of the company he wished to form, the purpose he wished to give them. Not to fight in petty wars for land or title but in the one true war, the war for life itself.

The words had been lost and the truth of them confined to men long since dead, only the prophecy itself remained.

The White Wolf will howl and we will follow, for he is the Prince that is Promised and only together can we bring the dawn.

Qohor 297 AC.

Dany.

The woman was almost as strange as her companions, the way she kept looking at her as if she was searching for something unnerved Dany. Though it was the large bald man who she herself found her attention on. Strong Belwas he said his name was and he and Sandor had basically saved her life. She'd played her part too and seeing that sellsword dead had while not made up for the lives she'd lost today, at least seen them avenged and for that she was grateful.

Even more so that she'd not brought Missy's brothers with her, the thoughts of having to go back and tell the girl that it had been them who'd lost their lives was too much to bear. The other men who'd arrived were soon introduced as members of the Company of the Rose, a company that Sandor said was more honorable than others in Essos. So she'd allowed them to take the bodies and gather their supplies and rode with them back to Shiera and the others.

In her pocket, she carried a letter supposedly from her nephew, one she more than anything wished to just tear open and read, and yet she would not, or perhaps more truly could not. She needed to ensure her people were safe and that took precedence over her own wishes, for now at least. When she saw their small camp she felt relieved to see everyone unharmed, though with the dragons nearby she knew they were safe.

"Grey Worm, we lost…" she said as she dismounted only for her aunt to almost brush past the unsullied leader hugging her tightly and checking to make sure she unharmed.

"This one will see them prepared." Grey Worm said and she watched as he and a few others took the bodies and readied the pyres.

"Dany, Dany, you are unhurt?" Missy asked worriedly when Shiera let her go and she grabbed the girl and held her tight, telling her over and over again that she was.

"Who are these people?" Shiera asked and she heard Sandor explain to her aunt who they were and what had happened.

After some time Shiera seemed to accept they were who they said they were, her aunt talking to Melisandre about their nephew at length. Dany though took a seat and nervously took out the letter, smiling when she saw the three-headed dragon seal on it's front. She held it in her hands for some time, steadying herself before she began to read.

"It's not going to read it's fucking self." Sandor said and she despite her nerves began to chuckle.

"I fucking know that." she said and looked to him seeing him nod at her, his eyes looking more worried than full of the mirth she had expected.

Closing her own, she opened it and looked down to see her nephew's words for herself, her first contact with family other than Shiera and she hoped he was as Kinvara had said.

Daenerys, Dany, Nerys, Aunt,

I know not which you prefer and it pains me that I don't. Lady Kinvara said she heard your people call you Dany and so I've tried to think of you that way but I'll wait until I hear if from your own lips before I'll know it true. For me I'd like you to call me Jae, I'd hope you would, though again I'd let you name me how you wish. I find myself trembling writing this letter, words jumbling around in my head and clarity to be something that may fail me, so forgive me in advance.

I have news both good and bad and it pains me truly that I must tell you anything that may cause you hurt. Viserys has passed, aunt, killed by the stag who sits the throne, handed to him by a fat magister for reasons I'm unaware of. I was too late, I waited too long and because of me, another member of our family lost their life. I ask no forgiveness for this, had I moved sooner then he'd live still. I hesitated to be sure of victory and thought I had more time than I truly did. Only to find out like my father before me that time waits for no one.

I cannot bring back my uncle, all I can do is avenge him and see the man responsible dead and I swear it to you, on fire and blood I swear it, I'll see them pay for what they've done. The time has come to take back what they stole from us, to take back the throne that is our family's birthright, and to pay them back for what they've done. I know as my father before me the path I must travel and the dangers that lay in wait.

I intend to name you my heir, aunt. To carry on our name should I fall, but should that happen please know that you'll not be alone. We have more kin Dany, more than either of us ever thought. Aemon Targaryen is the Maester at Castle Black and he'll advise you and offer you, counsel, should the worst happen or be family to speak to if it does not. We have another uncle too, Tyrion Lannister is your father's child and not Tywin's son. I know this to be true aunt, I've seen it and together we fly our dragons and ready ourselves for the war to come.

I've made efforts to see you protected, sent Sandor your way, and now Melisandre. With luck, she'll bring the Company of the Rose too, if not them then the Fiery Hand. I wish I could have done more, could have seen you, spoken to you, and told tale of our family to you. There are things I long to show you, that I'd hope you'd long to see, I pray to get that chance one day.

Should I not, then know that you are my blood, my family, and though we've never met I love you for that alone. The world has been cruel to you aunt, it's taken so much from you, and were it in my power to change that then I would. Alas, I cannot and so I offer you this. In another life we'd have grown up with family, we'd have known their love and played as children along with my brother and sister, with Viserys. This was not the life we should have had but it's the only life we can live. Should I fall then you must live, live for me, live for them, live for yourself, and know always that you were loved.

Jaehaerys Targaryen,

Your nephew.

The tears fell from her eyes as she read it and once she did, Dany got up and walked to the dragons, leaning against Ellagon and letting her warmth, warm and comfort her. Shiera took the letter from her and read it and then she too walked to her dragon, Rhaegal brushing up against her as she sought the same comfort that Dany did. The others left them alone for some time and when they eventually joined them night was falling.

Dany, Shiera, Missy and Grey Worm stood while other men of the unsullied stepped forward and set the Pyre's alight. She found herself looking into the flame and felt the presence of the red priestess nearby, her eyes focussed on Dany's own as she looked into the fire. Melisandre needn't have bothered, Dany found no answers in the flames, not that she was looking for any. She had all the answers she needed already, it had been clear to her as soon as she had read the letter what she must do.

"Lady Melisandre, my nephew says men of the Company of the Rose are on his side, that they are to protect me?" she asked.

"I believe that's what the prince may have wished princess." Melisandre said.

"These men where are they?".

"Myr, princess.".

"Do they have ships?" she asked.

"I do not know." Melisandre said.

"Could we get a ship in Myr?" she asked and the lady nodded.

"Dany?" Shiera asked.

"We're going home, I wish to see my nephew and I'll not hesitate, I'll not allow my family to die." Dany said as she walked towards Ellagon, looking into the dragon's eyes.

She stood there looking and then leaned in close to the dragon's head, her head resting on Ellagon's.

"We'll fly soon my love." she whispered softly to the dragon "We'll fly and we will bring Fire and Blood to those who threaten my family.".

A/N: A bonus chapter to thank you all for taking this journey with me, a little over a year ago in response to a terrible ending to the show, I had an idea to write this and the motivation to do so. For all the help, advice and for simply taking the time to read this, I thank you all. I'll be answering the reviews in the next chapter. Up Next, Jae and Rhaenix explore Dragonstone as the island gives up some of its secrets. Jaime Marches, Tyrion Sails, and flys, Gerion arrives in the Riverlands and Jon Arryn meets up with his the knights of the vale, while in Riverrun Cat makes a life-changing decision.