King's Landing 298 AC.

Littlefinger.

The cell wasn't bad and the food was tolerable which considering how things could have gone for him, he felt it could be so much worse. Especially when he heard the news of her death, Petyr surprised by just how little it actually affected him. Had this been another time and another place then he suspected that he'd have been broken by it. As it was he only had one abiding thought, better her than me. He was surprised though that she'd actually paid such a high price as he'd expected her to be sent to the faith or something lesser. Her family connections with the king something that he thought would at the very least keep her alive.

It did make him a bit fearful a little later on when he heard that the king himself both hadn't attended the trial and hadn't made the decision. The queen had been the one to sit in judgment and to sentence Cat to her death. Finding out afterward that the king was also now not in the city. Petyr worried that every time he heard footsteps outside his cell door or every time it was opened, he was going to be called to stand in front of someone that he had no deal with. To make matters worse the man with whom he had made said deal with not being around, meant that there was no proof of his deal for him to offer up either.

Sleep was hard to come by over the next few days, his mind was filled with memories of Cat much to his surprise. Petyr reflecting on what their life could have been like had he gotten her when he should have. When she was young and beautiful and his love was true. He had begun to realize not too long after they lay together for the first time in years, that it was that Cat and not the one in his bed that he truly loved. The Cat that was young and whose body was firm and tight, the Cat from before children and the years had ruined her. It had made him think more and more of her daughter and it was to images of her that he pleasured himself and sought a release that never came.

Putting his inability to spend down to his worries over his situation, he allowed his mind to drift to other thoughts. To the deal he had agreed to and to the plans he would see come to fruition once he had left this city. He'd been so close in Braavos. The connections he made would have seen him prosper and a prosperous man can achieve great things. That he thought he had more time was his true downfall. Had he thought they'd come after him so soon then he'd have traveled further into Essos itself. That they had come for him at all had actually caught him a little by surprise, as had the visitor he'd had not long after he'd been put in the cells. The king coming to speak to him and Petyr finally seeing the true measure of the boy.

Before.

He sat in the cell and felt his throat almost close shut, his breathing coming in quick bursts as he tried to figure a way out of his situation. Bribing the guards was a wasted endeavor, he'd tried that with the men on the ship to no avail, and with these ones, he'd have even less. Petyr recognizing them as men of the Hundred which meant they were as pious as Ser Bonifer himself. That they wore the three-headed dragon on their armor only proving their allegiance now held to the Targaryen too. Some men may break oaths for coin or the promise of a woman's delights, these men would not, much to his dismay.

That it wasn't the Black Cells he'd been taken to was his only comfort at the situation he now found himself in. Not that it would be a comfort he'd enjoy for very long, Petyr more than certain he would lose his head very soon. He could only hope to sow some discord and create a little chaos before he met his end. Something it would seem he would have a chance to do far sooner than he had expected, as he heard the cell door and looked at the man who stood there. The king was dressed in black and red and he stared at him before entering the cell. Petyr smiling until he saw the white wolf enter in behind him.

"Your Grace, you honor me." Petyr said.

"Not my intent, Lord Baelish." the king replied.

"I would imagine not, your grace." he said smiling once more as the white wolf lay down on the ground in the corner, its eyes focussed intently on his own.

It discomfited him so much that he had to turn away and look to the window in order to try and compose himself. Petyr finding it took him longer than he had expected to do so. Once he was ready, he turned back and ignored or tried his best to the large white wolf. Instead focussing on the king and getting the sense that the boy had known exactly what he had just done.

"You know why you've been brought here?" the king asked and Petyr shook his head emphatically.

"I do not your grace. True I served your predecessor but I knew not the truth of you at the time, not that I would have served you then I must admit to my everlasting shame." he said dropping his smile and looking to the boy apologetically.

"And why would you not have served me, Lord Baelish?"

"King Robert had the crown, your grace, even the knowledge of you wouldn't have changed that and I'm not a brave man nor a man with an army to call upon. I served King Robert both because I thought him true and I freely admit because it allowed me to rise higher than I dared think possible." he said with a grimacing grin before he schooled his face.

"All men seek to rise, Lord Baelish. But rise too far and you find it's a long way back down to whence you came." the king said before smirking "As your present situation no doubt proves."

"Your grace, surely the mere fact that I served another king is not cause for this?" he said shrugging his shoulders.

"You were given a chance to surrender to my forces Lord Baelish, Riverrun was sure to fall, and yet rather than kneel and beg my forgiveness, you choose to run, to hide. From what were you running my lord, if you truly believe your only wronging of me was serving another king? Do you think me a monster, a tyrant?" the king asked.

"Your grandf.….."

"Think carefully before you finish that thought, Lord Baelish. I am not my grandfather but your life already hangs by the slimmest of threads, so think carefully lest that thread be snapped in the blink of an eye." The king said before clicking his fingers "Or by the click of my fingers."

Petyr gulped, treading on the dragon's tail not something he should do if he wished to see another day it would seem, and the king showing far more resolve than most young boys.

"I still, your grace, I still don't understand why I'm here?" he asked nervously, wondering just how much the king actually knew, and finding out to his horror it was everything.

He listened as the king spoke of the attack in the Riverlands and how he knew that while it was Edmure who came to him, it was him that organized it and the men behind it. When he heard the king speak of the life of the man who was lost and saw the white wolf get up from laying on the ground and move toward him, he thought it was his end and shrunk back on the bed. That the king also not only knew of his involvement in the attack on Lannisport but had the man he'd sent ready to testify to that effect, Petyr knew he was well and truly fucked. Yet something felt off and he began to sense an opportunity was about to present itself, his instincts proving to be right a few moments later.

"Your head Lord Baelish, your life, your next breath are mine to allow you to keep or to take from you should I wish it, on this you would agree?"

"Your grace I…"

"On this, you would do yourself more favor in agreeing with me, Lord Baelish, and it would save us both time." the king said and Petyr nodded "There will be a trial, you will admit your part and the part of your wife and you will name her for what she was, the architect behind these attacks, am I clear."

"You are your grace."

"If you do as you're bid then certain considerations will be afforded you regarding your own sentence and your next breath, your head, your life, will no longer be mine to do with as I please." the king said looking at him.

"Considerations, your grace?"

"I will take half your coin, Lord Baelish, half not all of your lands and holdings will fall to the crown and you will be exiled from Westeros."

"A fair offer your grace." he said with a nod.

"Too fair, Lord Baelish much too fair, but do not misjudge this for mercy for it is not. I wish the trial over and done with, that is all."

"Of course your grace." he said smiling.

"One last thing Lord Baelish, no doubt you'll be thinking of some way to make this arrangement better for yourself, men like you always do. I'll make you but one promise, should your evidence at the trial not be free and forthcoming, should you not admit to your part and to your wife's. I won't bother with a trial for you or care if people name me my grandfather come again. I'll see your burn my lord and I'll see it takes a long time until you draw your last breath." the king said turning to leave the room.

Now.

He woke up to the sound of the cell door opening, Petyr shaking his head as he looked at the food that was brought in. The guard placing the plate down on the small table, and Petyr finding he enjoyed the meal as he ate it. While still, he worried that he may be forced to face a trial and sentence without the king's presence, he'd come to realize that he couldn't do anything about that should it come. It was out of his hands as was everything else while he was stuck in this cell.

Until he was released and back in Essos there was nothing he could do about his situation. Bribery, coercion, trying to turn men to his side wouldn't work and so all he could do was wait and plan. He'd fallen a few rungs from the top of the ladder but he'd held on and had not fallen all the way to the ground. The top was still attainable to him though he had far more steps to take than he'd wish to get there. That he could see the red hair and blue eyes of a young girl as she waved to him, that he could almost hear her voice as she moaned his name, was all the strength he needed to make the climb once more.

"Sansa." he said as he closed his eyes and was transported back in time to Riverrun all those years ago though this time it was the girl and not her mother that entered his room.

King's Landing 298 AC.

Margaery.

She sat in the small council chambers as Ser Richard brought her the news of the Iron Fleets attacks on Bear Island and Lannisport. Jaime, Oberyn, Wyman, Willas, Benjen Stark, and her grandmother all listening as Ser Richard told of their easy defeats and of his belief that Oberyn had been right and that it was to the Shields that they had sailed to next. Margaery looked to her grandmother who looked somewhat worried, though Jaime and Lord Wyman did not.

"The fleet should be almost on top of them by now then." Jaime said.

"If they got our message." Willas said looking at her.

Margaery looked down to Ghost and rubbed his head, the wolf leaning into her touch as she did so. Each night since the fleet had been sent she'd sat with the wolf and talked to him, telling him both how much she missed Jae and what she believed the Iron Fleet was doing and of her plans to combat it. Shiera, Aemon, Jaime, and Oberyn had all been clear on what Jae could do with his warging and she knew the truth of it from her own experiences with Ghost. The Wolf and Jae's connection was more special than any others apart from Rhaenix.

"They got our message." she said to nods.

"We also sent word to the Shields themselves, if the Iron Fleet and Euron Greyjoy try to take the islands, they'll find them ready for them." her grandmother said.

"Is there any other business?" she asked.

It turned out there was some, Willas asking for access to coin for the expansion of the orphanages and Benjen speaking to her about the loyalists who'd come with him from the Wall. Margaery asking him to arrange a meeting with Ser Alliser and Ser Jaremy for later that day. She was about to call the meeting to a halt when Benjen added one more thing, something that surprised her greatly.

"I don't have much experience in big cities, your grace. I've been to White Harbor once or twice and that's pretty much it, but since I've gotten here I've been struck by the smell, as I'm sure have all of you who've been here more than I have." Benjen said.

"We have." she said nodding her agreement.

"Is there nothing that can be done?" he asked.

"Prince Tyrion has come up with some plans Lord Stark, I know his grace had intended to adapt them somewhat, something he hasn't got around to yet but we've started work on a project based on the system used in Casterly Rock." she said looking to Jaime.

"It's of course far more extensive and as with all such projects, it's costly and time-consuming. Perhaps it's time we began hiring more workers, your grace." Jaime said looking to her.

"We should, perhaps we should also hire some to clean the streets themselves, a temporary solution but it would help somewhat." she said to nods "Thank you Lord Benjen for bringing this to my attention."

With the meeting done, she rose to her feet as did everyone else, and then she walked to the door, Loras and Arthur set to be her guards for the day. Sansa and Mira were acting as her ladies, Margaery's offer to Sansa to take some time after her mother's death had been politely refused. She saw the quick look and smile that Willas gave her friend and then they were walking through the Red Keep. Margaery for some reason changing direction at the last moment and heading out to the sparring yards.

It wasn't a place she visited much for the past few weeks, with Jae not sparring there was no reason for her to, and yet for some reason today she felt an urge to go there. Shaking her head when she couldn't decide why that was, they walked out onto the balcony, and soon enough she was standing looking down at the spars beneath her. She smiled when she saw Arya Stark sparring with Lyanna Mormont and the two second youngest of Obeyrn's daughter's. The four girls had built up a friendship of sorts with each of them keener to spar than embroider or do a more ladylike pursuit.

She had found herself concerned at how the Starks had thought about her ruling, the younger ones in particular. Arya it seemed had taken to the yard and that the girl was just like Jae in this regard was no great surprise. Her husband too had always used sparring to clear a troubled mind. Margaery looked to Ghost and saw the reason why she had come here far more clearly now. Her time with the wolf had forged a bond between them and while it was nothing like the one Jae had, it was a strange and wondrous thing all the same. At times she felt as if she knew what the wolf wished for. It was as if she could sense his moods and wants and Ghost had wanted to come and see how Arya was doing.

"Sansa." she said softly and her friend moved closer to her.

"Your grace?"

"Your family, Sansa, I know you don't wish to speak of this and perhaps especially not with me, but Robb, your father, Arya, you, what happened, you're dealing with it the best you can?" she asked turning to her not as the queen but as a concerned friend.

"I...we are, your grace." Sansa said both of them then looking to see Arya laugh as she beat Obella.

"If you…" she began only for Sansa to shake her head.

"We each have our own way of coming to terms with it, your grace. Arya spars as you can see, my brother spends time with his betrothed and plans his wedding and my father concentrates on our new brother and ensuring he and Elle are well." Sansa said.

"And you?"

"I have my duties and Fang, and Willas." Sansa said with the briefest of smiles as Margaery nodded.

"Very well, Sansa." she said, it was clear it wasn't going to be her that her friend opened up to, and she felt just a little sad about that.

She was about to turn and walk away when she heard a voice and saw both Sansa and Mira frown. Ghost quickly moving in front of her and no longer looking out on the sparring yard at the same time. Seeing the smile on the man's face and the way he looked her up and down, she hoped for his sake that Ghost was just being protective. If her husband was actually in his wolf today then Lord Harrold was walking on very thin ice. Given how he dared to look at her, he already was with her.

"Your grace, you're such a beautiful sight to behold on this beautiful day." Lord Harrold said reaching out for a hand that she never offered.

"Lord Harrold." she said curtly and yet the smile on his face never faltered.

"Have you come to watch the spars, your grace? Had I known that you were such a fan of them I'd have endeavored to have arrived earlier and to put on a show for your entertainment." Harrold said looking at her cleavage and Margaery felt Ghost brush against her.

"Have you improved since last I saw you, Lord Harrold, for I don't remember you possessing any great talent? Certainly not of the level of those I am accustomed to seeing." she said and caught the small chuckle from Sansa and Loras's smile out of the corner of her eye.

"Perhaps you need to grow accustomed to a different sword, your grace to compare to one that you've not seen much of lately." Harrold said with again a look to her cleavage.

She didn't need to look to see the frowns nor how Loras's hand moved ever so slightly to his own sword. Were Harrold not trying to imagine what she looked like without her dress then he'd have seen the bared teeth that Ghost was showing him. Something again that she didn't need to look to see.

"I find after seeing my husband's skills with his sword, Lord Harrold, and having witnessed them many times, that all others pale in comparison." she said and caught Sansa's blush.

"Indeed your grace, tales of his grace's skills are well known. Though with him not here to express those skills then perhaps another swordsman should step up and provide her grace with an alternate performance." Harrold said smiling at her and staring while trying to be subtle as his eyes looked her up and down.

"You believe yourself up to the task, Lord Harrold?" she said offering him a flirty smile as she thought of a way to entertain herself.

"If her grace would only give me leave to show her, I'm sure she'd find me most capable and that my sword was good and true." Harrold said and she wondered if he actually thought his flirting was doing anything but annoy her, or how open he was leaving himself.

"I think I'd very much like that, Lord Harrold, very much indeed." she said.

The look on his face was priceless, like a babe ready to open a present his smile beamed and she could see his breathing begin to quicken.

"Ser Loras, perhaps you can test your blade against Lord Harrold's." she said and how she, Sansa, Mira, and Loras himself didn't laugh openly at Harrold's changed expression, only the gods knew.

"I'd be more than happy to, your grace." Loras said stepping forward.

That Harrold had nowhere to go and no way to back out without losing face was clear and when the Lord cursed under his breath, Margaery decided to move in for the kill.

"Unless of course, your words speaking up your skills were merely that Lord Harrold? There's no shame in it, you wouldn't be the first lord who named himself a swordsman only to prove he didn't know how to wield a blade." she said smirking.

"I only wish I'd have dressed more appropriately, your grace." Harrold said.

"Then by all mean's go and change Lord Harrold, I'm sure Ser Loras won't mind and perhaps we can make an event of it. We shall invite the court to witness your skill's first hand and show them what a fine swordsman you truly are?" she said while trying her best not to laugh.

"After luncheon, your grace." Harrold said with a bow.

"After luncheon, Lord Harrold." she replied.

She waited until he was far enough away that he'd not turn back but close enough so that he'd hear before she burst out laughing, Sansa and Mira joining her. When she turned around she saw the smirk on Arthur's face and the angered but determined one on Loras's.

"I believe my husband would like you to put Lord Harrold in his place as would your sister." she said looking to Loras.

"It will be my great pleasure to do so, your grace." Loras said as she reached out and rubbed Ghost's head, her smile full as she nodded and then turned to walk back into the Red Keep.

King's Landing 298 AC.

Princess Arianne.

She screamed his name out yet again and then felt her breath grow shallow as he took her over the edge. Arianne feeling him spill inside of her and laying back content when she rolled off him. That he filled the wine glasses and had one ready for her before she'd even got her breath back, only showed just how well he knew her.

"My lion looks most pleased with himself." Arianne said and Tyrion chuckled.

"I made my Princess scream my name, it is the greatest achievement of my life and one I should be proud of, no?" Tyrion said before drinking his wine.

"Very proud, my lion." she said turning to kiss him.

"Though this was not the only ride you promised me?" she said with a pout.

"You know why I've not taken you up on Lygaron yet, my love." he said as he looked at her.

"Very well, I'll wait until to our wedding night for that ride, but I should make you wait until then for your next too." she said as she began to laugh when she saw the look on his face "Have no fear my lion, I'd not deny myself, even if I should, you."

She drank her wine and they settled into a comfortable silence. It wasn't that they had nothing to speak of or that they were avoiding speaking on certain issues. Arianne had found that Tyrion was an open book when it came to her and she to him, no subject was taboo or unexplored and she'd told him and him, her, things that neither would share with anyone else. Her betrothed though was a thinker, a planner and she herself had many plans for their future too. That they both seemed to do their best thinking once they'd exhausted themselves after making love, only proving just how compatible they truly were.

When sleep had come she couldn't tell, only that she awoke alone the next morning, Tyrion having as was his wont had left a note on the table to explain his absence. She smiled when she read it before getting up and calling for a bath, Arianne soon laying in the warm water and allowing it to soothe her stiff bones and muscles. It was always the same when she awoke after a long night, her body be it from Tyrion's ministrations or how she slept afterward, always seemed in need of a warm bath before she could face the day.

What a day it would be too, the final fittings for her dress and the last steps of organizing her return to Dorne, her time away from home was soon at an end. She hoped Tyrion would join her but until they knew of the Iron Born and the king, she knew he'd not be able to. Arianne not looking forward to them spending time apart as she'd gotten used to the comforting feeling of his body beside her in the bed. Stepping out of the bath, she allowed the maids to dress her and fix her hair and then walked down the hall to Oberyn's more than ready to break her fast.

"I told you, right on time." Nym said as she strolled into the room, Arianne smiling at her cousin as she told the maid what she wished for and took her seat.

"No Obara this morning?" she asked Tyene who was sitting between Elia and Obella.

"Our sister has made some new friends." Tyene said shrugging her shoulders.

"New friends?" she asked and then she heard Ellaria's voice behind her as her aunt walked to the table holding Dorea and Loreza by their hands.

"The wilding woman and the Stark and Mormont girls." Nym said as she ate something and Arianne's own plate then arrived.

"Aren't those last two more suited to Elia or Obella?" she asked to annoyed looks from both girls.

"They are and they were our friends first." Obella said annoyedly.

"Mama says we must eat and go to our lessons before we can play. Bella, you know this." Elia said.

"Indeed, she knows it well." Ellaria said kissing her on the cheek before she took her own seat with her two youngest cousins on either side of her.

They ate and laughed as Obella tried in vain to get out of her lessons so that she and Elia could go spar. Ellaria not caring when Obella told her that Arya Stark had no lessons to go to and so neither should she. That Arianne understood the reason why the girl had been allowed to do what she wished was of no great comfort to Obella who just thought it all so very unfair. When the girls were finished eating, they, their youngest sisters, and Ellaria all went to their lessons regardless and Arianne was left alone with both Nym and Tyene.

"Is the fitting before or after lunch?" Nym asked.

"Before, I've to meet with Lord Manderly for lunch to discuss future trade for Dorne." she said.

"Dull, boring, trade, gods I'm so glad I'm not a princess." Tyene said with a smirk.

"At least you'll eat well cousin, in your boring and dull meeting." Nym said as Arianne chuckled, it was true the one thing you were guaranteed was a good lunch if you met with Lord Wyman.

She spent the next few hours being poked and prodded with pins as the dress went through its final fitting. Arianne almost seeing it as it would be on the day that she wore it while walking down the aisle. Her meeting with Lord Wyman went far better than she could have hoped, the new trading routes in the east were to be open to all, and Dornish goods already sold well in Essos as it was. Still, more coin would only cement her popularity among the lords of Dorne, a popularity that was ever-growing especially amongst the newest lords.

They'd lost so many and so together with Oberyn she'd poured over lists, second sons, cousins, even distant ones now placed in charge of keeps and lands. The Bloodroyals were finally gone completely as were the Wyl's, two of her most troublesome bannermen no longer in a position to cause her any trouble. She hoped they liked their new life at the Wall, though thinking of that cold and unforgiving place brought thoughts of her brother to her mind. Arianne resolving to speak to Benjen Stark and the wilding to find out what life was truly like there. They could tell her if there was some way that she could at least make it more comfortable for those from Dorne who'd been sentenced to it.

"My niece looks troubled." Oberyn said as he walked into her room, Arianne sitting alone at her desk with papers half-written and unsigned in front of her.

"Thoughts of the future and of the past uncle, is there some news from the war?" she asked wondering why he'd come to her, not that she didn't welcome his visit.

"Not since we got news from Lannisport and the North." Oberyn said taking a seat and pouring himself a glass of wine, Arianne shaking her head when he offered to pour her one.

"You believe they'd dare attack Dorne?" she asked and Oberyn laughed.

"Greyjoy would not be so foolhardy, besides there are more interesting targets long before his fleet would ever reach our shores."

"But we're ready?" she asked a little worried.

"We're ready. Now, what is it that truly troubles my niece so?"

She took a moment and reached over to her own glass, water not wine and she swallowed it down.

"I must return to Dorne and yet I do not wish to do so alone." she said as she looked to him.

"Tyrion?" he asked.

"Not just he, all of you, I shall be the only one there, uncle, Father, Quentyn are both gone and Trystane is still but a boy, you, Ellaria, my cousins." she said and Oberyn got up from his seat and walked to her, kneeling down and taking her hands in his own.

"Do you really think that my children would let you prepare for your wedding alone, Ari, that I would allow them so? He asked and she looked at him.

"But you, here?"

"I and here will be the same today, tomorrow, or a week from now. My niece is to be wed and my girls and my love will see that the wedding exceeds even her own dreams of such." Oberyn said with a smile.

She hugged him tightly and thanked him only for Oberyn to chide her and say that she was his niece, his princess, and his blood, she of all people owed him no thanks. They ate dinner as a family that night, Ellaria annoyed with Oberyn for ruining the surprise, and Nym and Tyene speaking of their return openly now that the secret of it was out. By the time she reached her rooms that night she was almost walking on air, Arianne smiling when she saw Tyrion waiting for her.

"Did my princess have a good day?" Tyrion asked before he kissed her.

"A very good day, my lion." she said as she began to undress.

The Battle of the Shield Islands 298 AC.

Kevan Lannister.

The fleet had split in two once the ships had joined them outside Oldtown. Lord Monford and his brother Aurane Waters were in charge of the fleet ostensibly and yet it was him and Lord Paxter Redwyne who provided the bulk of the ships. That he had given the Lion's Mane to serve as Monford's flagship was a concession he had made to the king and to Jaime. All in all, there were half a dozen Pinnacle ships and almost 200 hundred others, Kevan had not seen a fleet the likes of it since the last time the Greyjoy's had tried to rebel.

He smiled at the thought of putting them in their place out here on the open sea. It had been something that was denied to him after they'd burned the fleet at Lannisport and while he'd taken his vengeance out on them on their pile of rocks for that, he was owed a larger debt by them too. Were it not for the Iron Born then Tywin would be alive today. Kevan in his head and even in his heart knew that his life had turned out for the better since his brother's passing, but he was his brother still.

"Blood for blood." he said as they passed by Brightwater Keep and the Shield's came into view.

That it was to be here the battle was to be fought was both a surprise to him and not. He'd left King's Landing after discussing things with Jaime and with Monford and the Master of Ships had suggested it would be at the Shields they'd find the Iron Fleet attacking. Kevan himself felt more certain that the Iron Born would attempt to attack Lannisport, Casterly Rock, or maybe even Oldtown. It had made no difference to their route, wherever they attacked their own fleet would first need to join up with Paxter's near Oldtown and then sail on and so that was what they did.

When he saw the ships come into view he readied to give the orders before laughing loudly. Not only had Monford been proved right but the damn bird had known too, Kevan hoping it was full of corn as it was well deserved. He'd done as they asked and brought it with him, kept it in his cabin and its cage open during his meetings and for days the bird had eaten and shat and done nothing else. Then one evening as he walked back down to his cabin he heard the thing squawking and he rushed in through the doors to find it on his table. Try as he might to shoo it away it had refused to leave and he'd looked on as the bird had pecked its way through his map. The Shield Islands pecked away and the bird looking at him when he noticed.

"The Shields?" he asked and the bird squawked loudly.

It was a strange world that he had found himself living in. He'd supported a boy he and others had believed to be a bastard but was really a dragon in disguise, supported him all the way to the throne. He'd become friends with a Northman so completely and true that they were to join their houses in the future. Over the years he'd begun to build himself a seat that would rival any in Westeros and had built ships the likes of which no one had seen before. Together with Wyman, they'd built up a trading route that was the biggest in the known world and he was now a Lord and Admiral of his very own fleet. He supposed listening to and taking orders from birds was no great stretch after all of that.

"Fire." he shouted as he smiled at the thoughts of avenging his brother and serving his king "Fire and show the squids what happens when Dragons and Lions are united as one.

Monford Velaryon.

They would definitely need some of these ships in the Royal Fleet he thought as he strolled on the deck of the Lion's Mane. Aurane captained the Pride of Driftmark, his own flagship though was a poor one when compared to this. How it sailed, how it cut through the water as if the seas themselves opened up to let it pass. Even the cabins were more comfortable than most keeps he'd stayed in and as for the firepower the ship possessed, Monford could hardly wait to see it in action.

He looked at the ships around him, Paxter's Arbor Queen sailed a ways off to his right and Aurane took up the rear. Seeing so many ships sailing all at once put him in mind of the Royal Fleet his father had commanded and the storm that had brought about its end. It made him think of Corlys the Sea Snake and the ships that he had at his disposal and that he could now count himself amongst such company was something that filled him with pride. As did the three-headed dragon that each ship bore, the dragons were in command once more just as it always should be.

His house and theirs were linked like no other and the king had shown the truth of his words when he'd promised he'd see them rise again all those years ago. Driftmark had gained coin from trading deals and improvements had begun to be made to the keep and to the island itself. Soon they'd begin work on more and more ships that would sail under his command. Now finally he had a true chance to prove his worth and show that the role he was given was one that he deserved. Monford had not really had a chance to do so during the war, his king having no true need of him or the other Lords of the Narrow Sea. It was why unlike Kevan, Paxter, and even Aurane he cared not that the dragons weren't flying over their heads. They and others had their glory, it was time for Monford to finally know some of his own.

"Lord Paxter, my lord." Lucien said handing him the Myrish Eye.

"Let's see what our Lord of Grapes wants shall we?" he said taking it from his first mate.

Looking through the eye he saw Paxter signal that they'd spotted the Iron Fleet, Monford having Lucien signal back that he'd got the message and then turning to look at the Shields in front of them. They'd sailed far wider of the Shields than he'd normally would, all so they could come in unseen from the west. Monford looking to see the Iron Fleet was closing in on Green and Greyshield and he wondered if Oakenshield and Southshield were facing the same threats. If they were then Lord Kevan would deal with them, his job was to deal with those in front of him, and deal with them he would.

"Ready the attack, fly the flag." he shouted as he counted the ships in front of him.

When he was done he was sure the Iron Fleet had split too and that in doing so they'd doomed themselves to defeat. Had he faced the entire fleet here himself then he'd be outnumbered as it was they were more than evenly matched ship for ship, yet he had Pinnacles and they had not. He was eager to get into range when the Lannister first mate hurried to stand beside him, Monford lowering the Myrish eye and looking to the young man.

"We're ready to fire my lord." Gareth Farman said, the young man the fourth oldest of the Lady Jeyne's sons and the would-be captain of this ship were not Monford aboard.

"Aye, as soon as we're in range, Gareth." he said and turned to raise the Myrish Eye once more.

"Were in range, my lord." Gareth said and he looked to the young man to see him nod.

"For true?" he asked surprised.

"For true, my lord."

"Give the order." he said raising the eye to see.

The bolt flew through the air and he watched it all the way, Monford stunned to see the distance it covered and even more so at the damage it wrought. It simply crashed through the hull of the Iron Born longship as if it was made of paper and not the hardest wood. The next bolt sinking the ship as more and more began to fly. Everywhere he looked the ships were being hit, the three Pinnacles all doing their jobs. Monford looking on as the longship's own replies fell far short of even coming close to any of the ships that were under his command.

"Ceasefire." he said after the third volley had been launched.

"My lord?" Gareth asked confused.

"It's not fair that we have all the fun lad and if we keep firing then the others will never get a shot off." he said with a laugh that Gareth quickly joined in with.

When he saw the first balls of pitch come his way he wondered if he was making a mistake but they still fell short. The Iron Born were either not very good with their aim or they'd been beaten and already knew it. It may very well be both he thought as he saw their own arrows and scorpion bolts fly, Monford then giving the order for another volley when he saw their own hit home. His fleet had a taste of war, now it was time to end it, and while each man could claim they'd done their part it would be the Pinnacles that won this day.

"Fire." he shouted and a dozen bolts flew from the side of the ship "Fire the firebolts." he said a few moments later and soon the sea was awash with burning ships and as he looked through his Myrish Eye he could see that the Iron Born were retreating.

Southshield 298 AC.

Ser Talbert Serry.

From the moment the ravens had come he'd been waiting for this day, dreading and looking forward to it in equal measure. To fight and protect his home was both something that dreams were made of and also something he never wished to come to pass. Yet he sought glory and recognition too and had received none of that in the War of the One True King. He'd ridden with the other Lords and heirs of the Reach and had seen no true action. The war over before it had begun and his blade left dry and unused. Talbert had wished for tales of glory, epic stories of battle, and even were it not his own heroic actions then he wished to have at last seen some of it himself.

In the end, he'd heard but tales of glory, the King battling Robert Baratheon at the God's Eye, the Northmen beating the Vale Lords at the second Battle of the Trident. He'd spoken to men who'd seen the king's dragon lay down flames on the Golden Company and men who'd taken part in the fall of Riverrun. While all the while he and his friends had marched and only arrived when it was all said and done. Now standing on his ship and looking at the fleet that headed his way, he wondered if it was guts or glory that he'd see this day.

"Perhaps both." he said with a wry grin as he looked back to Southshield and hoped that his father, mother, and sister were safe and well.

Around him were ten other ships, half the Serry fleet and while he wished he had the other half, he knew that it would make little difference. Sailing his way was more than a hundred and another ten on his side would make no nevermind. Talbert reached down and felt the hilt of his trusty longsword smiling as he did so.

"Well Roselips, it's just you and me and all these Iron Born fucks what say, you feel up to kissing one or two of them before we put you to back to rest?" he said pulling the sword out and looking south to see no ships sail his way to offer any aid.

It seemed to take an age for the Iron Born to come into range and he watched as they and his own ships began to fire their balls of pitch and flaming arrows. Talbert telling the men to hold the scorpion bolts for now. That one or two of his ships were successful didn't really do him that much good as so were one or two of the Iron Born and they could well afford to lose more ships than he. He saw the Kraken sails and ordered the scorpion's fired, around him more of his ships had been damaged and he watched some of them limp away while others were not so lucky.

"We're out, Ser." Ethon said and Talbert looked to see the longship that was heading his way.

"TO ARMS." he shouted as he awaited the collision.

He held onto the rail and was lucky he did so, hearing a scream behind him and a splash to signify that not all of his men would be as lucky this day. With Roselips in hand he cut down the first reaver that boarded his ship and readied to face the second. Talbert's blade no longer dry and as he cut down his second man he heard the cheers of his men behind him. Whether it was that or the thoughts of his family that fuelled him, he couldn't tell. Only that he felt stronger and more determined and as he ducked the ax and took the head of the man who aimed it, the cheers grew louder still.

By the time they'd stopped coming, he'd killed perhaps six men. The crew of the Iron Born ship had been lesser than he had expected both in ferocity and numbers and he reckoned there were less than twenty men aboard. He turned to give a speech, to tell his men all was not lost and as he did so he saw the cheers hadn't been for him as he had thought. The fleet had arrived and the Iron Born were now outnumbered, Talbert seeing those large Lannister ships, ships bearing the grapes of Redwyne and the three-headed dragon flying high. Yet it was the sight of the ten ships bearing his house's sigil that brought a smile to his face. That and looking to see the beach of Southshield still untainted by the presence of squids.

"For Southshield." he shouted as he raised Roselips to the air.

"For Southshield." the shouts rang back.

The Silence.

Euron Greyjoy.

Carnage, bloodshed, chaos, it was glorious in its horror and he stood on the bow of the Silence and revelled in it. That it was his men being slaughtered, his ships being sunk, and his fleet on the receiving end of that bloodshed, mattered not and as he looked to Oakenshield he laughed loudly. He didn't stop until the scorpion bolt flew too close to the Silence itself, Euron then moving to see who had dared fire upon a god.

He'd seen the Pinnacle ships before, never at this range though and never firing at him and his ship and he was beginning to think that what he had said to Victarion wasn't so smart after all. The second bolt barely missing his mast and Euron turning to shout at the tongueless freaks to drop their oars. When the third bolt took the figurehead and he heard it and Aeron fall into the water below he laughed louder still.

"It seems The Drowned God wants you after all brother, give him my regards." he said as he felt the Silence begin to pull away.

He looked to the sky and frowned, there was still no sign of his dragon anywhere, and around him his ships were falling far too fast. That they'd fall he'd seen and planned for, men were easy enough to find and while ships gave him an edge it would not be them that brought him a crown or a place between a rose's thighs. Only a dragon would do that and yet the skies remained free of them. The splash behind him forced his attention from the sky and he moved to see the Pinnacle ship and some others chasing after him, the bolts not reaching his ship but the pursuit, not one he could withstand for very long.

"They are coming, Blow the Horn."

"Blow the Horn or lose him forever."

"Blow the Horn or you will die."

"Even a god can fall."

The voice sounded louder this time, more panicked and as Euron looked to the ships behind him, he felt some of that panic too. He couldn't fall, he was a god, he was born to rule over each and every living thing, to impose his will on every man, woman, and child. Not just in Westeros, but in Essos, Sothroyos, and Ulthos too, all were to fall and they were all to be his. He looked to the Dragonhorn as it rested on its stand, he'd brought it to the deck when he'd heard the voice for the first time today. He'd thought it was a sign and had assumed that his destiny was at hand and yet the dragon had not yet come, his mount had not yet arrived.

"They are coming, Blow the Horn."

"Blow the Horn or lose him forever."

"Blow the Horn or you will die."

"Even a god can fall."

Looking back at the ships he saw they'd put some distance between them, the oars giving him the edge and he knew that it was now or never. They'd be caught, the Silence would be sunk, and as the voice said, even a god can fall. He moved to the Draognhorn and lifted it up, Dragonbinder the only tool a good needed, and though there was no dragon in sight, he knew as he had always known that a dragon would soon be bound, all he had to do was blow.

"Ahoooogaaaaaaaaa"

The sound rang out loud and the runes on the horn began to glow, Euron feeling the power course through him, the fire within him begin to burn. Then as the Dragonbinder fell to the ground and as Euron fell to his knees, as the blood flowed from his eye, he began to scream and the world faded from view as darkness descended.

The Silence.

He stood up and wiped his eye, the blood on his hands looking different to him as did the deck of the ship and it took him some time to realize why that was. Bending down he picked the Dragonhorn up and placed it carefully on its stand as he looked around. In the distance, he could see the fires as ships burned and the battle was brought to its inevitable close. Raising his hands to the air he smiled when he felt the wind die down and he turned to order the ship to sail to the west. It was time for them to leave this place and all other directions were lost to him for now.

Walking to the stern of the ship he looked as the Pinnacle and the others fell back, just as he had known they would, and soon enough they were gone from his view. Not that he really cared, he'd see them all soon enough, only when he did so again it would be atop a dragon's back. He tapped the breastplate and felt the Valyrian steel and bent down to pick up the ax and saw it was made from the same substance. A welcome gift as were the others he'd sent Euron to fetch for him over the years. For many years he'd seen many things and made many plans, some had worked, some had failed, some had been contingencies, and some merely steps to larger ones not yet carried out.

Euron had started out as being a means to an end, in time he'd have brought him to him when he was king, brought him, and taken the things he'd sent him to fetch for him. He'd have jumped from the body of a crippled boy into the body of a pirate, he would have had him blow the horn, and bind a dragon to him, little knowing that only a dragon can bind a dragon. Brynden would have taken him for his vessel and lived until it was time to jump again and though he may not have lived as a king in the old world once he had, he'd have lived all the same. Now though it would be different, his kin wouldn't even see him coming, instead, he'd blind him to his each and every movement.

"And in the land of the blind, the man with one eye is king." he said laughing as he walked down the stairs and into the cabin below.

Valyria 298 AC.

Jaehaerys Targaryen.

He waited in the hall for what felt like hours, speaking to Rhaenys until she left him alone once more. That she was simply there one moment and faded away the next would in normal circumstances and had already once today, have had him shouting out her name but he was starting to get used to it and to this place. The sounds he heard when he concentrated, sounded like whispered conversations that he couldn't quite make out. Jae drank his water and ate the last of his food, the bread, fruit, and meat not having lasted him as long as he had thought it would.

The truth of things was that he wasn't even truly hungry and he had only eaten out of habit and for something to do. As time stretched on, he looked around the hall and at the walls, the floor, and the ceiling itself. Noticing for the first time just how different it looked to the Red Keep, Casterly Rock, or Winterfell. The stone was smoother, the joins where other stones were added to it seemed almost invisible to the eye. If he didn't know it wasn't possible then he'd have sworn the entire hall had been carved from one single stone. Jae rubbing his fingers along the wall and searching for the joins to prove to himself that it was just a trick his eyes were playing on him.

"Stonesingers." a woman's voice said from behind him and he turned to see an older silver-haired woman standing there, a woman he recognized and called out to.

"Grandmother?" he said his voice loud but shaky and the sound of it reverberating around the hall.

"Jaehaerys." his grandmother said smiling at him.

He ran to her, grabbing her and embracing her, feeling her arms wrap around him as his head rested on her shoulder. When he finally moved to look at her, he had tears rolling down his cheek which she wiped away with her thumbs.

"I, grandmother…"

He felt her take his hand in her own and lead him from the hall, Jae gladly following with her as they walked silently. There were a million things he wished to say to her and yet he found for some time that he had no words. Finally focussing on the only things he could think of, Viserys and Dany.

"I tried grandmother, I tried, Vis, I didn't think…I thought I had more time." he said hoping she understood.

"Hush Jaehaerys, my son was not your fault."

"Dany, Dany, she misses you, grandmother, she misses…I showed her, she saw…I was, Was I wrong to let her see that?"

"She needed to know how I felt grandson and that for me there was never a choice. It was to be her, always her, and I've not regretted anything other than I couldn't be with her. I've watched her, seen who she's become and I'm so very proud of her, she and you are all I ever wished for." his grandmother said as they walked down some stairs and into another large room.

Jae looked more at her than he did at the room they entered, his grandmother looked older than she had when he'd seen her in the Glass Candles which was strange to him and yet not at the same time. It took him a moment to make sense of her words and when he did it raised even more questions, ones this time he knew he had to ask.

"You saw Dany? he asked as the door closed behind them.

"I saw you both, Viserys too. We could always see you Jaehaerys, that is our curse in a way, to see and not be able to touch, to speak, to reach out and hold you when you cry or are scared." she said her voice sad and yet she smiled when he squeezed her hand.

"Here, how come you can here?" he asked before an idea struck him "Dany, I can bring her here, to you, you could, she could…" he said excitedly only for the look on his grandmother's face to make it clear there was a problem.

"It can only be you, Jaehaerys, where Dany to set foot in this place then she like Aerea would suffer greatly, only you can walk these lands." his grandmother said.

"Why?"

"Because only you possess the magic to do so, my son." he heard a woman say from behind him.

He turned quickly to see her, her tanned skin and long dark hair, her dark eyes so reminiscent of her brother's. Yet she looked as fit and vital as she had each time he'd dreamt of her or had seen a vision of her. Jae didn't say any words and embraced her as warmly as she did him. This woman who'd named him her son despite him not being her blood.

"Elia." he said softly.

"Jaehaerys ." she said, moving him from her so she could look at his face, her hands on either of his cheeks as she stared at him and took his features in.

"I read…your letter." he said looking to the ground.

"I meant those words with all of my heart, you are my son Jaehaerys, as sure as if I birthed you myself. You are my children's brother, the blood of my blood." Elia said smiling.

"Rhae, Rhae was here." he said looking around frantically "Rhae, RHAE" he called out only for Elia to shush him.

"I've seen my daughter, I'd now like to spend some time with my son if he'd let me." Elia said and he nodded.

Together with his grandmother, one on either side of him and Jae holding on to each of their arms, they walked into rooms and down some stairs, Jae not paying attention to the fact they were going deeper and deeper into the building itself. He listened as Elia told tales of chasing after Rhae and Balerion, as his grandmother spoke of what his father was like as a boy. Jae laughing at the scrapes and adventures he got into and then at Elia as she told tales of growing up in Dorne.

He then found himself to be in what felt like a temple of some sort, an altar or what he assumed to be one in front of him, and the walls depicting images of who his grandmother told him were the Valyrian gods.

"Arrax, Aegarax ,Balerion, Caraxes. Gaelithox. Meleys. Meraxes. Shrykos, Syrax, Tessarion, Tyraxes, Vermax. Vermithor, Vhagar, the Fourteen Flames, grandson." his grandmother said,

"It was they who gave the forty the power to absorb the magic of this place, they who allowed it to strengthen and not destroy those that shared in it. For mark my words Jaehaerys magic can and does destroy. It corrupts, it questions, it seeks out the darkest parts of your soul, and the more of it you possess the more darkness you're capable of, you've felt this have you not? Succumbed to it even." Elia said.

"I.."

"Vengeance is not yours to give Jaehaerys Targaryen, you are but a man, albeit a powerful one, a strong one, true, but a man all the same. Justice is the way of the righteous, vengeance is a dark path for a normal man to take, for one who possesses the gifts you do, it's even darker." Elia said.

"Doran?" he asked and saw Elia nod.

"Catelyn too." his grandmother said.

"I know you believed you were doing what was good, what was just, and that you believed they both deserved to suffer, but you are a king, Jaehaerys Targaryen and you have the right of law on your side. To do as you did, to use magic so, to be seduced into using its power in such a way, this is not what any of us would wish of you." Elia said looking at him.

He looked at Elia and then at his grandmother and he could see it was worry and not anger or disappointment that was in their eyes. Jae glad enough to see that, as shamed as he was starting to feel he didn't know if he could have taken them adding to it. He'd tortured Doran and Catelyn too and had thought the voice that called out to him and told him to do so was just, was right and so he'd listened to that voice and did what it bid. Their minds had become playgrounds to him and even here in this place, he'd played with her right to the end. The idea of her losing her head and that being the end of her suffering was much better than she deserved the voice had said and he'd listened and ensured that she'd suffered right to the end.

"You saw it Jaehaerys, you've felt what it was like too." Elia said looking at him.

"Hodor, myself?" he asked and she nodded.

"Next time you'll be ready." Elia said her voice feeling far away.

"You'll need to be." his grandmother said as Jae turned and both were gone, Jae now alone once more as he looked around the room.

He wasn't to be left alone for very long as he heard the harp and began to move towards the sound. Jae soon finding his father sitting in a room full of books, some opened in front of him, and yet it was the harp he was concentrating on. The sound was soft and melodic and soothing, Jae feeling the doubts and questions that his grandmother and Elia had raised in him soon fading away as he stood and listened. When the music stopped he was both upset that it had and excited when his father looked his way and smiled.

"My son." his father said warmly.

"Father."

He didn't move and it was instead his father that came to him, Jae finding himself unable to do anything but stand and take him in. Even though he'd seen him before it felt as if he was seeing him truly for the first time. They were of a height with each other, their builds almost matching, his hair while silver to Jae's own black was the same length and style as his own. That his father was taking him in as keenly as he was him was a bit of a surprise given what his grandmother had said, and yet the look on his face said he was seeing him truly for the first time also.

"Long have I wished for this moment, son." his father said as he embraced him.

"Mother?" he asked and his father shook his head.

"Your mother has her own words for you, words between a mother and son and not for mine ears or anyone else's. Those who wished to speak to you, each had their own knowledge to impart. Now it's time for mine, walk with me, son." his father said and he nodded.

Once again he was walking down stairs and yet it felt different and when the light hit him, he was stunned to see he wasn't below ground but above it. That wasn't the only surprise as Valyria was whole and full, it's people moving about their daily routines, laughing, japing, eating, merchants buying and selling, and families enjoying their day. In the sky countless dragons flew, Jae, marveling at the different sizes and colors of them as they did so.

When the noise came he looked to his father and found he was staring at him keenly while the ground trembled all around them. He saw the wall of molten rock that soon was everywhere the eye could see and heard the sound of the screams of the people as they ran in vain to try and get away from it. Looking up he watched as dragons burst into flames in the sky, creatures who were fire made flesh soon turning back into nothing but fire itself. The sky itself seemed to burn, the red glow from it covering the ground below as all around him, he could see the Fourteen Flames were taking Valyria back into their warm embrace. The doom had come and it was a terrible sight to see.

"Magic, my son, this is the price of magic." his father said.

Almost as soon as it had begun it was over, Jae looking over burned ground and seeing the people turned to ash, the sky still red and burning but it was empty now. His father bid him follow and so he did, and soon the land they walked on had changed and fire had been replaced by ice. Jae looking to his father who pointed far ahead and he saw him then. He sat on a throne of ice and his eyes were closed, Jae noticing that he seemed slumped against it rather than sitting upon it straight. Looking close could see that this man, this thing that seemed to be made of ice was far more familiar than at first he looked. He'd seen him before, in Winterfell and in Dragonstone, he'd seen the images drawn on their walls.

"The Night King?" he said softly.

"A king for a king, Jaehaerys." his father said as once again the sky above him began to change.

Jae looked on as night followed day in the blink of an eye, so quickly that he could barely keep up and it seemed as if he was watching the passage of time. The Night King still sat slumped on his icy throne and the days and nights passing in the blink of an eye. After he knew not how many, time seemed to slow, the days and nights taking longer to pass, and finally it was day once more. Looking to the throne he saw the Night King stir and watched as his eyes opened, the unearthly blue staring his way and what looked like a smile appearing on his face.

Instinctively he reached for the sword at his hip, only for his father's hand to grab and stop him and before he knew it he was standing in the large open area that he and Rhaenix had landed in and he could see her resting ahead of him.

"Now is not the time, son, but it will come and soon." his father said.

"He, the Night King, you said a king for a king?" he asked.

"There can be only one, Jaehaerys, and that one is you."

"He, the doom? Was that him?" he asked.

"While the forty shared, the Great Other did not, he took one by one until he took them all and their power became his own. But power is a curious thing Jaehaerys, the more you have of it the more you want and with magic, this is even more so. You feel it as a thirst for knowledge, for control, as a yearning to learn how much you can do with the magic you possess. Eventually, that yearning will strengthen or destroy you, it will corrupt you or make you whole."

"I was corrupted." he said shamefully.

"No, what you did was good and true, how you did it was not, there is a difference my son, it's one you know here." his father said touching his chest and placing his palm over his heart.

"How am I to stop someone who could? The Doom, how do I stop someone who can do that?" he asked.

"Just as you use your magic and pay a cost, so is it the same with his too. You saw him after, for four hundred years he has slept and only now he's awake does he realize he's failed." his father said with a smile.

"Failed? He ended Valyria, father."

"No Jae, he did not. You are Valyria, you, your sister, your dragon, three heads of the dragon. One who lived, one who died, and one that was reborn. Together you are stronger than he, his recovery is not yet complete and it will take many years for him to regain his full strength. As for your own, you feel it within you and just as he has the power to destroy, you have the power to create. Light and Dark, two sides of the same coin. Do you remember what my grandfather said about us?"

"That madness and greatness are two sides of the same coin. That every time a new Targaryen is born, the gods toss the coin in the air and the world holds its breath to see how it will land." he said.

"With you my son, the world and I have never needed to hold our breaths." his father said smiling beamingly at him.

A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed, my own answers to them are coming I promise. Up Next, Jae speaks to one final person and learns more he must do and the truth about the Lands Eternal before he sets off for home. Harrold learns a painful lesson and Satin has a choice to make. News of the victory against the Iron Born reaches the Red Keep and Jae returns to a mixed reception.