The Green Fork 302 AC.
The Night King.
The fall of the Wall should have been his moment of triumph, just as taking a Dragonrider should have brought him a dragon, and yet neither proved true. It was not an army he faced after taking the Wall, not a dragon he rode through the North and onto the rest of the lands south of it. Instead, he'd been forced to chase, to fend off attacks only by dragons, and to not have his own to call upon. As for the Dragonrider, she was to be his queen, his equal in rank if not in truth. Yet she too was a disappointment and not as fully his as she should be.
He could feel her fighting him and try as he might he couldn't reach the depths of her. It had made him think about ending her, taking back the magic he had put into her and as they marched, those thoughts became more and more ones that he considered. Other thoughts though soon became his focus. While there were no living for him to turn to his side, there was plenty of dead to raise. The North was full of meat for his army, or so he had thought.
There were none at the Wall, though he had not expected there to be. The Night's watch burned its dead and so it was to other graves that he looked. In the small village, he raised some and assumed that would be the way of things. Only to find it was not, paths were blocked to him, graves unable to be touched by his magic. Barriers had been put up, barriers he knew all too well and had encountered over the course of his long life. Not even his magic could break them down. These were the same barriers that had once kept the children and the old god's servant from him. Now they kept the dead from him and he cursed the one he had to face for taking them off the board.
It was why when he had the chance to take him at the large town, he and the men who he felt were there with him, he launched a far bigger attack than he had intended. An attack that brought him no closer to the end of his enemy, for that was what he was now to him an enemy and not simply an obstacle to overcome. Worse than even that though it cost him far too much, the magic he had wasn't limitless and he feared he'd underestimated his enemy's cleverness. This fear only growing stronger when his intended trap failed and those he'd sent to take the boy had themselves fallen.
"Why won't he fall?"
"How does he know my moves?"
"Am I outmatched?"
The questions resounded in his head and the more he lost as he marched, the more they began to take hold of him. He reached as deep into her as she allowed him or he was able to go, relaxing when he found that it was not her and yet a part of him had believed it was. When they made it to the trees he relaxed even more, what he'd seen within her had shown him that despite the problems his enemy had caused him, he didn't have the will to do what needed to be done. In here he and his army would march unmolested, where if his enemy was truly a threat, they should falter.
He felt the magic when he reached the place where Winter had Fallen, the strength of the blood that those who named this place their home had possessed. It was not the same as those who flew on dragons, powerful but more subdued and he was eager for as much of it as he could gather. Once again he found himself angered and disappointed and locked out of places that should be his to stroll. The wood where the giant tree stood was blocked to him as was the place where the dead rested. That idea he had of hurting his enemy by showing him the one who'd birthed him was now his, would have to simply remain that.
So it was with great anger and fury that he left those he couldn't raise behind, his march now far more hurried and it was only when he reached the swamps that he slowed down. Here he then lashed out as he realized his mistake, his stupidly, over the things he'd forgotten in his haste to reach his enemy and take his power for his own. The potential boon to his forces they would bring were lost to him and he cursed himself for forgetting about the giants and his plans for them.
"Did he forget?
"Or was it blocked from him?"
"Was the boy that strong?"
No, it was his mistake, his error, and nothing else and it was one he'd not make again. He looked to the swamps and to the pathway, its narrowness would force them to march far more slowly and yet the swamps would be little better. In there he could lose even more of his army, see them trapped and unable to be brought to bear on the forces that he would eventually face. The boy could not run forever, or at least he hoped he could not.
It was the pathway he took and it surprised him that they were able to do so without being hassled or harried. His surprise soon turned to delight when he saw them in front of him. The army he had wished to face, the men he had wished to turn, and now the time had finally come. Yet again he soon felt himself grow weaker and watched the boy show off his power while he couldn't gather his strength to use his own. Each loss, each time one of his men or worse, one of his generals, fell it weakened him greatly.
As far back as he was even he shielded himself from the green fire and he looked furiously at the woman who was to be his queen. The dragon was supposed to be his and yet it flew not with him, but against him.
"Call him, bring him to me." he demanded, his voice a shout In her head "Now."
He stayed inside of her as she did so, needing to see that she was truly doing as he bid and not denying him somehow. Pleased though he was that she was, he was angered at the result. What use was a Dragonrider without a dragon? What value did she have as his queen? These were questions with no answers as was the one on his lips about the wall of light. The wall that kept his army from those he had wished to add to it.
More and more of his army fell, one or two of his generals too and as he looked inside of her, he saw it, the path to victory becoming clear and so he sent them out. It wasn't the boy's magic he'd take from him, not yet. First, it was his spirit that needed to be attacked, his heart that needed to be broken and once he did that, his victory was assured. Again though it was not to be and this mistake cost him even more. His queen was no longer by his side and so he blocked her from him. He sent one of his generals to retrieve her but blocked her from him.
She had cost him much and brought him little. His magic feeling lesser and lesser to him ever since he'd brought her to his side. He should have waited, it should have been the other one. That was now clear to him, as was the knowledge that had he brought her then it may have brought him three dragons and not just the one.
"It had been his plan, hadn't it?"
"He had sought her out and marked her as his own, hadn't he?
"Lured her to him and readied to take her, didn't he?"
That was after, or was it before? He found he couldn't remember and he knew the reason for that. His magic was fading, if he waited much longer it would be gone. The thoughts that his enemy was getting stronger while he was getting weaker refused to leave his mind and he knew he had to do something and do something soon. Reaching out he searched and ignored the bright light of his enemy and looked to the smaller dimmer lights.
A small light flickered as it rode a dragon, a larger one that he recognized and had sought for his own rode another. There were even smaller ones amongst the army he faced, slightly brighter ones near a river, yet it was those he saw further than even they that he soon focussed on. Their lights showed a magic he knew all too well, a magic he had long sought for his own. Looking deeper into them and their surroundings he couldn't believe his luck. They were not barred from him, no barrier other than the army ahead of him stood in his way and he knew now what he needed to do.
Directing his generals to fight on, he took those nearest with him and shielded their movements. His path was clear and he began to march, finding no obstacle along the way. Even when he saw the dragon in front of him, he thought it a fortunate event rather than what it truly was. The foolish boy having come alone rather than facing him on even terms. He had lost some of those with him to the flames but he had more than enough to do what needed to be done. The dragon no longer brought the fire to them, its fight was over with as soon his enemies would be too.
The Green Fork 302 AC.
Jaehaerys Targaryen.
Over four hundred years, countless lives, plot and counterplot, and suffering that no family should ever go through, all had led to this moment. His life had been predestined long before his father crowned his mother and men had used their love to try to end his House once and for all. The steps he took had been his own, though the gods had made sure they were steps they had wished for him to take. His choices were made freely, though they were in truth the only choices he could have ever made.
The Prince that was Promised, the Song of Ice and Fire, the son of Rhaegar, Lyanna, and Elia. It was that last one he thought of himself more and more. His father, mother, and the woman who'd named him his son when she had every right to hate him, even though she knew him not. King of the Andals, Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Eight Kingdoms, Protector of the Realms of Men, when it came down to it, only the last of those truly mattered.
"Now it Ends." he shouted as he ran towards the thing that had truly cost him all he'd lost.
Tywin Lannister, Jon Arryn, Robert Baratheon, Bloodraven, the Maesters, Catelyn Tully, they'd all taken blood from him, kin, and those he'd named as friends. None had taken more than the thing in front of him, no one had cost him more than the Night King. Not just those he'd cost him over these last few moons either. The Doom, the need for him to be born, all it had taken to ensure he was here on this day to fight this fight, the Night King was the reason for it all. As Lightbringer shined, Jae heard them and began to smile. He couldn't see the Night King's face, but then again he didn't have to.
Wun Wun, Mag the Mighty, and the biggest and strongest of the giants passed him by and the ground shook beneath their charge. In their hands, he could see the scythes for true now. Gendry had done an incredible job in creating them, the handles were some of the largest branches he'd ever seen, their blades were encrusted with Dragonglass shards. The edges of them looking particularly lethal and watching the giants swing them was like nothing he had ever imagined it could be. How he had come up with this design he knew not, the Old Gods, the Three-Eyed Raven, the Children of the Forest, or maybe he himself knowing just how effective they would be.
Unlike axes or clubs, they swept through the dead as if they were the fields of corn and grains. Wun Wun clearing the path in front of him and leading him ever close to his target. He felt the ice spear being readied and so he cut his hand and let the blood soak the blade. Lightbringer shining even more brightly and stopping the Night King from adding a giant to his ranks. Then it was as if time stood still. Wun Wun and Mag were past the Night King and taking down the last of the dead men. Around him, none remained and he was face to face with the thing he'd come here to kill.
"For Aemon, Jors, For Ned." he said as he crashed his blade against the Night King's own.
The sound that rang out was different than he'd expected, the ice not breaking but holding firm and the fight feeling like a far truer one. He moved back as the icy sword came near his head, swung Lightbringer as the blood from his cut hand soaked into the blade, and forced the Night King back. Above him, in the sky, Rhaenix willed him on and worried though she was for his safety, her faith in him was undiminished.
Over and over the blades crashed together, neither of them able to gain an advantage or find an opening. Lightbringer's light shone brightly and yet the Night King seemed undeterred or affected by it. Jae forced him back before he was then forced back, his spin taking him away from a blow that came far too close to him. Though he believed his armor would not allow the icy blade to pierce it and reach the flesh below.
This was proved true a few moments later, the Night King looking annoyed when his trust found no purchase. It should have given him an advantage, the knowledge that his armor would hold should have allowed Jae more room to maneuver, and yet he felt it did not. He feared it was a feint, the Night King not using all his magic as of yet and if anything could break through the Valyrian Steel he wore, then he was sure it would be something magical that did so.
"You fear me." he said as the Night King moved back from him "Good, you should.".
He saw the confused look on the Night King's face when he reached up to remove the cloth from his head. The concerned one when he saw the crown he wore and how it shined and finally the worried one when the blood that dripped from his hand now soaked into that crown. Around them the world had faded to exist, the darkness no more as he moved in a world of light. Through Rhaenix's eyes, he could see it, a bright pillar of light that shone like a sun. The giants outside were all looking away from it for fear it would cost them their eyes. While the few dead that still moved nearby were soon turned to ash as if it was Rhaenix's flames and not a shining light that hit them.
Inside it, the Night King seemed weaker, he felt weaker, Jae's blows forcing the icy blade further and further to the ground. Fear he'd found was a funny thing, it crept up on you or it came upon you so suddenly that it overwhelmed you, and it was the latter kind that he saw in the Night King's blue eyes as he swung Lightbringer and saw a chip of ice fall from the Night King's sword. Another and then another until finally it shattered and broke and when it did, Jae drove Lightbringer home.
"You are the prince that was promised to us my son."
"You, my son, you will be the Song of Ice and Fire."
"You are a dragon my son, be a dragon and show them that just like me, you are of Dorne."
"Kill the boy, Jon Snow. Winter is almost upon us. Kill the boy and let the man be born."
"You may not have my name, Jon, but you have my blood and should you ask it of me, you shall have my sword and the North."
"We could always see you Jaehaerys, that is our curse in a way. To see and not be able to touch, to speak, or to reach out and hold you when you cry or are scared."
"No brother, it could only ever be you."
"You are the Prince that was Promised, a promise that I always knew they'd keep."
He heard the voices as the ice shattered in front of him, his mother, father, Elia, Aemon, his uncle Ned, his grandmother, Egg, and Daenys. He heard them as if they were speaking for true and not just in his head and yet three voices spoke over them.
"Jae, don't leave me." his sister's pained voice called out.
"Come back to us, my love, come back to us as you promised you would." Margaery said pleadingly.
"Papa, can we chase the sun?" his daughter's voice sounded so close that he felt he could almost reach out and touch her.
Falling to his knees he felt it, the magic in him reaching out to absorb the magic that now surrounded him. It reached for it, took it, and then he felt it envelop him and seep into each and every pore. The crown on his head lost its light and returned to what it had once been. Lightbringer shone brighter still until he willed it not to, the blade returning to what it had once been so quickly that he feared it would never shine again. Something it did but a moment later when he bid it to. Around him, the light began to fade, the pillar that he and the Night King had fought in simply falling away and he looked up to the sky to see the sun once more.
"We did it, Rhae, we did it." he said as she landed beside him "We beat him, and now we can Bring the Dawn."
The roar she let out was one of triumph, one of happiness, around them the giants too roared as the truth of what had happened became clear to them. He rose to his feet and nodded to Wun Wun and Mag, in time he'd talk to them both and see what it was the Giants wished for their future. Was it to be Skane or somewhere else they'd seek to name as their home. Looking to the south he longed to fly that way, to head to King's Landing and see them both again. To hold his wife, his daughter in his arms, and to speak and laugh with his sisters.
It was North that he flew and others that he sought out first. There were dead to bury and mourn, living to thank and reward, and a celebration that needed to be enjoyed. As he climbed up on Rhaenix's back he looked to see the pile of ice that had once been the Night King. Jae smiling as he saw it simply melt away under the warmth of the sun.
Riverlands 302 AC.
Tyrion.
Lygaron and Ellagon were not the only ones who were tired, both he and Dany too had felt the strain of all they'd done today. Yet it was the two dragons who had needed to be convinced to stand down and even now both of them wished to fly and help in the fight. He'd praised his dragon, told him how very proud he was of him and that he needed to rest. Yet the longer that rest went on for the more worries Tyrion had for those who were still fighting and those he cared about.
Jae had gone to face the Night King alone and while his nephew was confident and certain that he would be victorious, Tyrion worried greatly for him. As he did for Jaime, Kevan, Bronn and all the others he knew were fighting while he was not. Dany too was worried about Grey Worm and her men. Having lost as much as his sister had during this war, he had begged the gods not to take more from her. Seeing her with Shiera he felt they had at least listened somewhat. His aunt was alive, what she was or whether or not she'd ever come back to being who she was, these were questions for another day, should they all see one.
Ser Richard Lonmouth soon arrived with a large group of horsemen and with the Faceless Men, they to stand as their protectors should the worst come to pass. It was an odd thing, to be protected by assassins, but this war had brought strange bedfellows together right from the beginning of it. There were horses too for him, Dany, and Shiera to ride. Though he knew if it came to it, then it'd be dragons they left here on. Seeing Lygaron finally close his eyes, he moved to where Ser Richard sat on his horse looking off to the battle some distance away. He'd not truly see anything. There were the occasional flames from arrows or dead men being set alight and from the torches some carried, but the details would be lost in the darkness that surrounded them.
"How goes it?" he asked as Ser Richard thankfully climbed down off his horse, the man too polite and respectful to make Tyrion look up to him any more than his height forced him to do.
"They are lesser, my prince. The double envelopment worked as well as his grace hoped it would and many White Walkers have fallen, thinning the numbers down even more." Ser Richard said.
"My brother, uncle?" he asked worriedly.
"Lord Kevan was amongst those who rode, I saw him still ahorse at the end of it. I've not seen Lord Jaime, but I know he, Ser Arthur, and Prince Oberyn all fought close to each other."
"Then I pity the fools who strayed too close to them." he said with a laugh that was more about seeming to show no doubts than actually how he truly felt.
"I had not hoped to see the princess again." Ser Richard said catching him by surprise only to clarify "I mean I had hoped, of course. I'd not believed we'd be so fortunate."
"Thank the gods we were." he said to a nod as the world around them began to light up.
He turned quickly as did all those with him, the pillar of light rising high into the sky, and even though it was some distance away the light it gave off was incredibly bright. For the first time in moons, he could see some distance around himself. Other than when he'd been on Lygaron's back and the dragon had been letting loose his flames or when Jae allowed Lightbringer to shine, the night was dark and full of terrors as the red priests would say. Now it was as if the sun had come out from behind a cloud and though it was not day. It was as close to it as any of them had known in what felt like an age.
"The king." Ser Richard said as Dany and Shiera hurried his way, all of them standing and staring at the light and then looking on as sometime later it faded away to be replaced by an even truer light.
Daylight had never been so welcomed and not even the fact of having to cover his eyes could take its beauty or what it meant away from him or those who stood with him. Yet before he truly got to enjoy he heard Dany's loud gasp. It hadn't been the sun that Dany had noticed first, nor the fact that it was day once more which had taken his niece's attention and forced the gasp from her mouth. Tyrion seeing what it was as he turned to the sound of that gasp and saw his sister hug Shiera with all she had, Dany crying as she did so.
In the bright light of the day, it was easy to see that his aunt was who she had once been, that she was as she had always been. Other than for the fact that she was older, much older, and as Dany took her chain from her neck and placed it around Shiera's, he watched as she grew young once more. Not fully back to herself, Shiera looking to be around his aunt's age, but the brief look he'd had at how aged she truly was, was now lost in the brightness of the day that they all now found themselves in.
"Dany, Aunt?" he said moving to them both.
"He did it, Jae did it." Dany said and as she did so he heard the cheers rise up.
From those with them to those further ahead of them, the sound was a most welcome one and the embraces he found himself in from first his sister and then his aunt not only matched its welcome but surpassed it. Looking around at those with them was like seeing them for the first time. Features were recognizable once more in the light and he noticed how most of them seemed to cover their eyes and take longer to get used to the day, where, he, Dany, and Shiera did not. Other than Ser Richard Lonmouth who had climbed back up onto his horse and with a Myrish Eye was looking first to where Jae had flown off to and then to the front where the battle had been raging. All of those with them seemed greatly affected by the light, which was no surprise considering how long it had been since they'd seen it.
"The fight is done, the dead are no more." Ser Richard said happily.
"My nephew?" Dany asked and Ser Richard shook his head.
"I can't see the king nor Rhaenix, my princess." Ser Richard replied, not sounding worried much to his, Dany and Shiera's relief "No, wait." he said a moment later and Tyrion swore he'd seen few men smile as truly as the man did then before he spoke once more "Rhaenix, the King." his hand pointing up to the sky drawing their attention far more than his words.
Above them, Rhaenix flew and he could see Jae on her back, his nephew looking unhurt and he breathed relievedly because of it. He flew low over them so that they could see him and he, them, and then on further to the front of their lines. An idea that Tyron soon found himself most keen to be a part of.
"We should go, follow." he said and Dany nodded eagerly, Shiera too and as he bid Ser Richard and the others ride, he, his sister and his aunt moved to the dragons.
They still needed their rest and were it not for what they were flying to, then he'd not have disturbed them. He needed to make sure that all those he cared about were unhurt and he knew that Dany did as well. The fight was over and this flight would be an altogether different sort. Lygaron he found almost to be as eager for the flight as he, his dragon waking even before he had attempted to do so and he heard his trill as he climbed up onto his back. Across from him Dany and Shiera had already gotten comfortable on Ellagon and with a look to his sister, both dragons took to the sky. Quickly passing the riders as they flew to Jae, Rhaenix, and to what he hoped would be all those that he wished to see.
The Realm Reacts.
The Iron Islands 302 AC.
Asha Greyjoy.
Had someone told her that she'd be offering safe haven to Northmen and women and doing so gladly, she'd have taken their heads from their shoulders. Asha had never hated them as much as her fool of a father had or never sought to get back at them as Theon had tried to do. Yet she was no friend of the North, or at least she had not been one. It had taken a king with a dragon to make her do as she had done, to think as she now did, and to see the North as perhaps she always should have.
They were just like her people, hard bastards who were given little compared to the other regions of Westeros and had tried to do their best with what they had. Over time because of a young boy, they'd not known was a king, they'd prospered, thrived and while they'd never grow food as well as the Reach or mine gold as well as the West, life had improved greatly for them. As it had for her own people thanks to that same boy. Their winter stores had never been as full as they were now and the food they would need for the Northern evacuees wouldn't even be taken from them.
Over the few weeks that they'd been here, she'd seen a new appreciation develop between her people and the North's. They would never be friends, too much blood had been spilled between them for this current generation to forgive or forget. In time perhaps it could be different, as her people would never reave their lands again and for now they could and would be allies. It was a far better relationship than she could have asked for and offering them a place to stay would at least engender some goodwill. Something she felt she had at least managed to do with the Lady of Winterfell and why she was happy to meet with her as often as she did.
"Lady Stark." she said as the woman was led into her solar.
"Lady Greyjoy." the woman politely replied before taking a seat.
"Is there something you need?" she asked to a shake of the woman's head.
"No, my lady. Your people have been most generous and the arrangements you've made for our own have been most welcomed." Lady Elle said before biting her lip nervously "I was wondering if you'd heard any news, my lady?"
"I'm afraid not, Lady Stark. I sent some men to travel to the army and to speak to those there, but it was but a few days ago and I fear we'd get no reply for some time. As for raven's well…." she said having not received any truly since the Long Night had fallen.
"I had hoped…." the woman said her worries for those she cared about clear and as Asha was about to say something to try and alleviate those worries, she heard the commotion outside and the door was pushed open startling them both.
Her hand immediately went to her throwing axes and only seeing it was Tristofer did it make her relax, though she glared at him and rose to her feet angrily.
"What the fuck, Tris." she said loudly, her ladylike act no longer one she was able to keep to.
"The day, Asha, the day." Tristofer said excitedly moving to the window and opened the shutters.
"What about the fucking…."
The light that shone in from the window forced her to turn her head away from it. Her eyes taking some time to even be able to look back to it and when she did, she, Lady Stark, Tristofer all ran from the room. It surprised her to see Lady Stark keep up with her, the woman holding her skirts in her hands as she ran and it seemed that she didn't care how she looked. A far cry from the former Lady Stark if the tales she'd heard were true.
When they reached the door that led out to the parapets it was clear they were not the first to run to here. Asha moving past people and bidding Lady Stark join her as they along with Tristofer stepped out into the light. Never did she think that such a simple thing as seeing the sun in the sky would bring her so much pleasure. That she was not alone in thinking so was clear by the looks on the faces around her. Even as they needed to block their eyes somewhat and she felt the sting in her own, it mattered not. The day was a welcome sight and one that she and every single person on Pyke or the rest of the Iron Islands had wished to see for the longest time.
"It's done, they won." Lady Stark said and Asha laughed a true laugh as she nodded her agreement with the lady's words.
Riverrun 302 AC.
Bran.
He had known, when it happened he had known and though he wished to hide and give in to the feelings that knowledge brought him, he knew he could not. Instead, he let Summer offer him all the comfort that he could and concentrated on all he needed to do. They needed to be ready to move should the signal come, Riverrun was not to be their final destination though he hoped it would be. The keep was as full as it could possibly be, the courtyards the only places they had kept empty as should they need to leave, then they would need to leave quickly.
Outside the gates, there were rows upon rows of tents, men, women, and children of all ages and all status sharing them and each other's company. True they'd offered Riverrun up to some of its former bannermen's families and most had taken them up on that offer. It was just that not even a keep as large as Riverrun could hold them all and he'd wished for others to be housed inside too. The servant's families, the guards loved ones, people from the nearby village. He'd wanted to show as many of them as he could that all were welcome here.
When he'd told his brother that was what he'd intended to do, he'd seen Jae look at him with such a look of pride on his face that he'd needed to look away from him lest he break down and cry. It had been the same with his father and the pat on the back he'd given him before he and Brynden had led those who'd not be fighting away. He felt no shame in it, there were no worries that he'd be thought lesser because he was not amongst those who stayed to face the dead. The Bold himself was not a part of the fight to come and as Jae had told him, he hoped he'd not be a part of any fight for some considerable time.
"Why, Why do you say that? Is it because of my age?" he asked as he sat alone with his brother, his other brother, and cousin had already gone to their tents.
"You think I'd stop you fighting because of your age? Would you expect me to keep Arya from doing so?" Jae asked and Bran shook his head "I'd not seek you to fight because if you did then it means things have turned for the worse, Bran. After this I hope we never see a battle again, I'd pray that we never did. So it's not your age that keeps you from the battle and it's not your courage or skill that I have any questions about. Should it come then I've no doubt you'd be amongst the very fiercest warriors, Bran. I just hope we only ever need to see you wield your sword in a tourney. For if so then it means what we did here is good and true."
His uncle had told him likewise, that he too had no doubt of his courage or his skill. In time he'd be taking wins off of him, Brynden had said and he'd felt eager for those days to come. As he was for the chance to test his blade in a tourney or to ride in a joust. It was why despite the darkness, despite it perhaps not being needed given all the other things that he needed to do with his days and all his other concerns, he still sparred daily. He'd even taken to give lessons to some of those who stayed in Riverrun and had seen his uncle look on proudly as he'd showed them what he himself had learned.
"No, hold it up, Garth."
"Aye, that's the way, Lucas."
"Aye, move, that's it."
With the torches burning and offering some light, he helped them through stances, showed some of them how to hold a shield, and he'd sparred against others.
"OWWWWWWW." Summer called out and he dropped his wooden sword from his hand, the worried look he shot his uncle the only thing that stopped him from running to the wolf right away.
He felt his chest tighten, the tears well up in his eyes as he worried about who else had fallen only for Summer to come to him before he had a chance to go to the wolf.
"Who, boy, who have I lost now?" he asked almost petulantly.
The lick of the wolf's tongue on his face was different, the feel of it welcome instead of worrisome and as he looked into Summer's eyes he began to hope that it was not as he feared. Had he not been so focussed on the wolf, then he'd have heard the cheers. He'd have noticed the light that was now all around him from the sun that could finally be seen once again. As it was it took his uncle coming to him, his arms going around him as he lifted him to his feet, and then and only then did Bran realize that the Long Night was over.
"Father." he said as he looked at his uncle, the grief he felt for his loss was no longer something he needed to hide, the lord that he was to be was not needed for now and so it was the boy he was that he became once more.
"I know, Bran, I know." Brynden said as he held him tight and let him sob against his chest while around him people cheered in triumph.
Casterly Rock 302 AC.
Arya.
She had cried over her mother and yet her sadness was tinged with anger and regret. The tears she shed now were very much not. Not even Lyanna had been able to get through to her, though her best friend had tried her damndest to be there for her. Lady Maege had held her in her arms and allowed her to cry as much and as long as she wished to. Maege had taken her from the Great Hall to the rooms she'd been given and stayed with her until she had cried herself to sleep.
When she'd woken to use the privy, the tears had come again. Lyanna this time offering her what comfort she could and allowing her to rant, rave and scream angrily at the cruelty of the world. At what point she realized that she had more family in danger, more that she could lose, she knew not. Only that her demand to be brought to the battlefield, her need to see her cousin, uncle, and brothers were turned down. As was her request to be taken to Elle and Rickon.
"They'll need me, they're all alone, they need me." she said tearfully and yet no one listened to her or paid her any mind.
She knew she was being foolish, that she couldn't just jump on a ship and expect to be taken to the Iron Islands or to the Riverlands. Just as she knew they'd indulged her angry words and that she owed Lady Genna, Lady Maege and so many others an apology for how she'd acted. Were it not for the fact it was her father who'd fallen and that both Lady Maege and Lady Genna knew enough about the wolves to know that she spoke the truth, then she'd have been punished severely rather than be allowed to act out as she had done.
Closing her eyes she looked for the door and found herself in Nymeria once more. Her wolf's concern for her warmed the chill that had taken over her heart and it was that concern that allowed her to feel what her pack was feeling. Elle held Rickon as Frost and Lya knelt by her side, the tears she shed were as true as Arya's own. Sansa slept as her betrothed held her hand and brushed her hair from her face while Fang lay beside her in the bed. Her sister's eyes were red from all the crying she had clearly done. Robb she couldn't see, nor Jon, though Nymeria told her both were well as were Benjen and Cregan and for once she doubted her wolf.
"Let me see them then." she said angrily, the voice in her head as was the one that answered her.
"I cannot, but they are well."
When she opened her eyes she wanted to rant and rave, to scream and shout, but Nymeria looked at her and licked her face and as she looked deep into the wolf's eyes, she knew her wolf told her the truth.
"They are well." she said determinedly and Nymeria licked her once more.
She dressed hurriedly and made her way from her room, walking down the corridor and entering the Great Hall. It was more empty than usual and she looked to see Lady Maege, Lady Genna, Lord Jorah, and Lady Lynesse all sitting together, wine glasses and mugs of ale on the table beside them. There was no sign of Lyanna, Tommen, or Myrcella and Arya moved sheepishly toward the table. The two older ladies both looking at her with concern in their eyes.
"I wish to apologize for my behavior, Lady Genna, Lady Maege. It was uncalled for and I beg your forgiveness." she said her voice firmer than she feared it may be.
"Oh, Arya child, you have nothing to be sorry about, nothing, do you hear me?" Lady Maege said moving from the seat to hug her and Arya welcoming the warmth and feeling of her arms around her mother by choice.
"Lady Maege is right, Arya, your apology is unnecessary, we all…."
"AUNT, AUNT." Tommen shouted excitedly as he ran into the room and Arya was torn between looking at him and at the look that Lady Genna gave him "The dawn, the dawn." he said as he moved to the large window and pulled the curtain to one side.
Arya like the others in the room was forced to shield her eyes, the light was something they'd not seen for moons and she heard Lady Genna chide her nephew for how he'd gone about telling them. If very much not for what he had told them. She moved to the window and looked out, the light still hurting her eyes but she wished to see and the sight she saw was one that she'd remember for a long time. They were high up and beneath them she could see courtyards and more and more of the Rock itself. Yet it was the view over the lands of the West that was impressive and it was one she could now finally see for true.
"He did it, Jae did it." she heard Lady Genna exclaim happily and she felt Nymeria lick her hand and in her head, the wolf told her that Jae, Robb, Cregan, and Benjen were all well and safe once more.
Sunspear 302 AC.
Arianne.
Her son was a curious babe, his eyes always alert and he watched every little thing that anyone did. She hated that those eyes had known only darkness or false light and had not seen the world how it was truly meant to be seen. That he'd only seen her face with the aid of a candle or a torch and not seen her in the light of day. Just as much as she hated that she'd not seen his own. The thoughts of a world where he'd never see a sunset, appreciate color, or catch a girl's eye from some distance away, were thoughts that she had far too often.
Try as she might she was not able to stop her mind from going to the worst of places. To think about the very worst of outcomes had become something that happened way too often. One moment she'd be laughing at something that Lewyn was doing and the next she'd be worrying that he'd never know his father. Her mother told her it was a natural thing to feel this way and happened with first time and sometimes many times mothers. She had drinks prepared for her, meals that she had ensured Arianne ate, and though they'd helped somewhat, they'd not made those worries go away.
It had been far too long since she'd received the letter from Tyrion and the reply she'd sent had not been answered making her worries grow. Her time with her son was both the best time of her day and the worst too as it was when she was with Lewyn that her fears for Tyrion always increased. It was hard enough for her to face up to the possibility that she'd never see her husband again, to think their son would never meet his father only made that harder still. It was not as if they didn't have a living breathing example of a boy who'd not known his own father, though at least unlike with Jae, Lewyn would always know his mother.
She was feeding him when it happened, feeling him suck hungrily on her teat always made her worries fade away or at least diminish down to just the one. Was he getting enough? That was the only thing her mind would consider when she fed her son, was he getting enough, and would he grow big and strong because of it. The door opened and yet she didn't hear it, words were spoken, and yet they didn't register. All that did was that there was light coming in from the window where there should be none.
"It's over Ari."
"The war is done."
"The Long Night is over."
Her mother's words fell on deaf ears, Arianne moving to the window and stepping out onto the balcony and into the light. The sun shone down on Sunspear for the first time in moons, the sound of cheering rang out around the streets and Arianne felt the warmth on her face and were her eyes not already closed, then she'd have closed them. She blinked when she opened them, feeling the pain as they got used to the sun once more, and then she looked down worriedly at Lewyn.
He showed no such concerns, his eyes were as alight and alert as ever and she smiled as his little hands seemed to reach out to the sun.
"They did it, my son, your father did it and soon he'll be back with us." she said and though she had no way of knowing if her words were true, she believed they were.
Dragonstone 302 AC.
Missandei.
She was incredibly busy, the people on the island needed so much, and though there were those older than she, few were as capable. Very quickly it had become her that they came to with their problems and Aurane when he'd returned with more people, had quickly put her in even more charge. Together with her Unsullied guards, she'd spend her days meeting people, hearing what they needed most of all, and making sure they got it.
Food, blankest, tents, candles, torches, herbs for healing, and whatever else they requested, she made sure they got. Maester Loamara had come back to the Island, the man one of the few Maesters that her princess trusted and that was only because the king had named him trustworthy as had her princess's uncle. Without him, she'd have been lost when it came to caring for the ills, aches, and accidents that inevitably happened when so many people took up so little space and when people were housed in unfamiliar lands.
Some of the Free Folk had their own healers with them and so Missandei had used them to help where Loamara could not. She'd managed the supplies, saw some people moved to Driftmark when space became a problem and settled disputes of which there were thankfully few. When Aurane had needed a voice to offer him words of comfort, she'd been the one to do so The two of them sharing their worries over her princess and he'd even comforted her when her own worries grew too much. It had been her that had suggested to him about using Ser Perwyn more and more. The young knight was eager to help and his woman was well respected among the Free Folk.
His other sister and brother helped far more around the keep and Lady Roslin proved a godsend to her in that regard. Without her, she'd have probably spent as much time dealing with the mundane as she now did with the important. Though today was anything but. Missandei smiling as she took her place amongst the women and girls of the Free Folk and the singing and games began. She laughed as the young girl was named, the first to be so on Dragonstone. The Free Folk didn't name their children until they had reached two namedays old and when they did they held a celebration of sorts, which she'd been invited to.
"I name you…"
Missandei covered her eyes, the pain was sudden and unexpected. She was among the first to open them again, the first to see the sun shining down and to feel its warmth against her face. It took a few moments for the others to realize what had happened, the cheers then ringing out louder than she had ever heard before.
"The White Wolf."
"The Winter Dragon."
"The Princess of Dragonstone."
"The King Beyond the Wall."
"Giantsbane."
She smiled as she stood to her feet, hearing her princess be named amongst those who'd brought back the sun and ended the Long Night made her so very proud to serve her. The thoughts that she'd be coming home soon were more than enough to fill her heart with joy and she looked forward to her arrival with great anticipation.
"I name you Dawn." the woman whose babe was to be named said and Missandei smiled even more fully at that, a good name she felt, a true name and a worthy one.
Riverlands 302 AC.
Jaehaerys Targaryen.
They flew over the army, both he and Rhaenix wanting to be sure that the dead were indeed no more. He'd looked through the bird's eyes to see that Jaime, Arthur, Oberyn, Tyrion, Dany, Shiera, Benjen, Robb, Cregan, and Garlan had all come out of the fight unscathed. Physically at least, the loss of his uncle Ned would hurt his brother, uncle, and cousin as well as the Lords and men of the North. Through Ghost, he'd seen that The Greatjon, Smalljon, Mance, and Tormund as well as Bronn had survived. While through other eyes he'd seen just how fortunate they'd truly been. Their losses were terrible, in the high thousands and most were good men and true. Some very much not he thought as he flew over a wight that he recognized now that he could see him in the cold light of day.
Boros Blount would not be missed, nor would he be mourned and the fool had run and deserted while the Wall was under attack. He'd not run far and that was why he'd not given him any thought. Had he lived still he'd have lost his head, it was far better that he got the ending he truly deserved. When he was sure that there were no more threats and no more dangers for any of them to face, he bid Rhaenix take him back. They landed next to the other dragons, Jae seeing Tyrion, Dany, and Shiera were each speaking to different people.
Shiera was talking to Garlan and seemed to be now completely back to herself, the ruby she wore was her own rather than Dany's. Tyrion stood with Kevan and Jaime while Dany was with Grey Worm and some of the Unsullied. Jae was relieved to see they had survived and that his aunt hadn't faced any further loss. Robb, Cregan, and Benjen were nowhere in sight understandably and as he climbed down off Rhaenix's back and moved to thank her, he caught the sight of Oberyn and Arthur out of the corner of his eye.
"We did it, Rhae. Together we did it and soon together we'll fly once more." he said softly as he leaned against her head.
"Valyria, Jae, the Lands Eternal." she said eagerly.
"The Lands Eternal, Rhae."
As he moved away from her, he saw Jaime, Oberyn, and Arthur move to him before they suddenly stopped. Looks of worry on each of their faces that he didn't know how to take. He was then knocked to the ground by a white blur and felt Ghost as he licked his face, his laughter ringing out around the now silent field.
"You are unharmed, your grace?" Jaime asked worriedly.
"Aye, I'm well." he said, yet as he looked at him he saw no relieved look on Jaime's face "Your eyes, your grace, what happened to your eyes?" Jaime asked his worry still just as clear as it had been a moment earlier.
"What about my eyes?" he asked confusedly.
"They're blue, Jae, as blue as…"
He didn't need to say anymore, he knew whose blue he meant, and so after calling for a looking glass he again said that he was well. Telling Jaime and the others that he felt no harm had come to him and that most importantly he was who he was. Something that it seemed they were truly worried about. When he stared at his reflection in the looking glass he could finally see the true reason for their concerns. It wasn't simply the blue of the wights or even the White Walkers that he saw looking back at him, but the blue of the Night King himself. Closing his eyes he reached for the magic inside of him and then he opened them once more.
"Better." he said with a chuckle as he looked into the looking glass "Much better." he said a moment later as he turned and looked at Jaime and the others with eyes that were now grey once more.
He called the lords to a meeting, listened as he was told of the losses, and he knew he had much to do. The North needed to be repopulated, the dead needed to be mourned and honored. Men needed to be given leave to return to their homes and an army had to be disbanded. The Free Folk, Rhoynar, Nights Watch, and Company of the Rose needed to speak about their plans and those who wished could come to King's Landing and be feted like the heroes they were.
Tonight he'd fete those who didn't wish to travel further than needed, he celebrate them and honor them for all they'd done. Tomorrow it would be on Rhaenix's back he flew and he doubted he'd be flying alone. They had done it, the realm had come together and stopped the dead from making it their own. There would be tears shed, laughter heard, songs sung, and reunions yet to come. For him and Rhaenix another journey still awaited and as he felt the magic flow through him, as he felt the first inklings of what could be done, he smiled.
"That Lands Eternal, they await me there." he said softly as Oberyn embraced him, Jaime smiled at him far more truly and Arthur breathed a relieved sigh.
King's Landing 302 AC.
Margaery.
Had she her way then she'd have sent scouting parties to find him, ordered as many men as it took for him and to see that he was safe. Each morning she woke she felt his absence as did Elia who asked about him constantly. It had been Sansa who'd both told her that she had no need to worry and that Ghost was doing what he must. Margaery asking for and receiving her assurances that while he'd gone to Jae, it wasn't that he feared for her husband's safety. Sansa telling her that while yes Ghost had gone to protect the pack, it was not Jae himself he'd gone for.
When she'd heard Sansa's pained cry a few days later, she wished he'd left sooner. The loss of her father was devastating for the younger girl and there was little she could say or do to offer her comfort. Willas thankfully stepping in where she could not and despite his own worries for Sansa, he still took the time to comfort her about her own. Margaery fearing not only for her husband's emotional wellbeing at the loss of his uncle but his physical wellbeing too.
"Ghost left Marge, the wolves know. Sansa told me that and guess who told her?" Willas asked.
"Jae." she said and he nodded.
"I believe if Jae was in true danger, then Ghost would have left us long before now."
"Jae bid him say, Willas, he wished him here." she argued.
"Aye, but would Rhaenix stay? Would Fang not come to Sansa's aid no matter what she told her?"
"She would not, neither of them would listen if they feared..." Margaery said emphatically as she realized just what it was that Willas was trying to tell her.
"Jae will return, Marge."
She had accepted it, accepted her brother's words, and let her concerns only be for Sansa. Before she'd gone to bed she'd stopped by the room to find Sansa asleep and Willas by her bedside. Propriety be damned she'd thought until she'd seen the chaperone asleep on two chairs a little off to the side, her brother a true knight even though he'd never been dubbed one. Leaving them alone she made he way to her room and passed Ser Brienne and Joy, the two of them were worried about Sansa and Joy about Jae too and she did her best to relieve their concerns before she sent Joy to her bed while she went to her own.
"How is she?" her grandmother asked as she entered her room.
"She's sleeping, Willas is by her side, grandmother, she'll have no one who can comfort her more." Margaery said as she looked to see Elia was already asleep in her bed beside her own.
"I.."
"We'll speak on the morrow, grandmother I find myself most tired." she said interrupting whatever it was her grandmother was about to say, fearing it would stop her from getting her rest.
"Sleep well, your grace." her grandmother said as she walked from the room, Margaery hearing her speak to Ser Barristan and Ser Robar who stood as her and Elia's guards tonight.
With a soft kiss on Elia's cheek, she undressed and got into her bed. A bed that felt far more empty since Ghost had headed to meet up with Jae. Surprisingly she was asleep moments later, a dreamless sleep that was ended by the feel of her daughter's hands as they shook her and by the sound of her voice.
"Mama, Mama." Elia said excitedly.
"Sweetling?" she sleepily asked as she rode.
"Papa caught it, Mama, he caught the sun." Elia said clapping her hands and smiling brightly.
"He.."
Her doors opened and she heard the voices, her grandmother, Ser Barristan others, she knew not who. Joy she saw as she did Tyene first and then it was her grandmother, Ellaria, and others who stood in her bedroom.
"The sun, your grace, the sun shines once more." Ellaria said happily and despite the fact that she was wearing only a slip, she jumped from the bed to run to the balcony and looked out to see daylight for the first time in moons.
She could barely hear the sounds of the people cheering in the streets of King's Landing, even though they were loud and almost the entire city had come out to shout them out. Her mind for now blocked out all sounds, as all she could hear was a voice in her head telling her that her husband was coming home. Turning she saw Elia running to her and she caught her in her arms and lifted her in the air, her daughter's laughter ringing out as she spun her around was a sound she heard loud and clear.
"He caught it mama, papa caught the sun." Elia said laughing still and Margaery hugged her tightly to her chest.
"He did, my love, he did. Just as he said he would." she said as she moved from the balcony to dress and ready for the day ahead.
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. Up next the dead are mourned, the living honored, reunions are held and a family comes together once more.
A/N 2: Originally I had planned a huge epilogue to tie up this story, the closer I got to the end the more a couple of things became clear. There are plot points still to be resolved, character arcs not yet complete, stories still to be told and journeys still to be embarked upon. While the next chapter will tie up this arc of the Dragon Cub, I'm pleased to say it won't be the end of the tale. After a break of undetermined length (where other stories will get more of my attention) the next arc of the Dragon Cub will begin. The Dragon Cub: After the Dawn is coming soon.
