Chapter 31. Stannis Baratheon Must Die
The summer is long and could last for years. No one knows how long the summer will last through the years. The best people can do is to store up as much food as possible during the years of summer. Stannis Baratheon sat on his horse with Milisandre, Lord Tyrell, and Martell at his side as his forces marched into the Riverlands.
"You have been quiet!" Stannis said to Milisandre.
"The Lord of lights is quiet as well. I have sought visions in the fire and none have come to me.
"Perhaps your visions of my destiny are about to come true. I will be King."
"Kings rise and fall in an instant. The Frey's may side with you if they haven't been paid off by Balish."
"We kill them all!" Martell said in an angry tone of voice.
As the sun was setting the allied forces were making camp. That is when a scout rode into camp towards the war tent which was already erected. "My Lords! I have returned from the Twins-Lord Frey's castle has been burnt to the ground." Everyone gathered exchanged glances with one another upon hearing the news. "We sent riders to the Dread Fort and it too was sacked."
"Balish has struck already." Tyrell said.
That is when another man entered, "The North approaches under the banner of Stark!"
"All the Starks are dead!" Stannis says.
"They are lead by the Queen of the North Arya Stark!"
"Of course!" Milisandre says speaking up.
"She will join us or die!" Stannis says, "We march in the morning!"
Stannis was in his tent lying down when Milisandre entered, "Do not challenge this woman!"
"Why she is a child? And I am blessed by the Lord of Lights."
"No she is a hunter! A killer! She is the Hand of Death! Do not underestimate her!"
Stannis sneers and sits up, "I don't understand you woman! Or your god! I have done everything asked of me! I AM KING!"
"Not all Kings are forged in battle! Speak kindly to this woman when you meet her!"
The next day as they rode out to meet the armies of the North Stannis thought about what Milisandre said. He wasn't going to kiss the ass of some pretender in the North. If Arya Stark didn't submit then she would die. After four days of marching the two armies faced off against one another. Stannis rode out with Milisandre, Martell, and Tyrell to meet with Arya who was with the Hound and his half nephew Gendry. The Lords of Riverrun an dthe Vale were there as well.
"Identify yourselves!" Stannis demanded.
"You address the Queen of the North Arya Stark! I am her cousin Robin and this is her uncle Edwyn and her cousin Bryden."
"There is no Queen of the North!" Stannis said.
"There was long ago before the Targaryens conquered these lands and now there is again." Arya replied.
"Girl I have ended more lives in a week than you have in your army!"
Arya hunched her shoulders, "I have ended more lives in a day than you in two life times."
"Before we hack each other to pieces why don't both sides offer terms!" Karstark said speaking up.
"Ah someone with sense!" Stannis said, "Here are my terms!" He pointed at Gendry, "That boy is to be returned to me now!"
Arya interrupts him, "His name is Gendry Baratheon! I have given him his father's last name. He is a noble and a knight of the North! We are to be married!"
"Marrying that bastard won't get you the Iron Throne."
"I don't need a chair made of swords when I am Queen of the North."
"Little girl! You are trying my patience!"
Arya sighs, "This bores me! Let us have our war and let the god of death deside."
"There is only one god-The Lord of Lights!"
"Then I will send you to meet him!" Arya is wearing a dress, but she removes it to reveal her armor and swords.
"Fine!"
They return to their armies and both Arya and Stannis give the order to attack. The battle lasts a day and a half. Arya surprises Stannis with her battle strategies and tactics. Arya fights a defensive battle against Stannis and looses less men. Though she is the victor Stannis does not retreat and they retire from the battlefield. The next day they meet again.
"I underestimated you little wolf!"
"Yes you did!"
"I won't do so again! This time I will lead my forces into battle and the outcome will be different."
Just then someone rides up and whispers into Arya's ear, "Perhaps you should surrender, my ally the true Queen of the South is here! Daenarys Targaryen has arrived." At the rear of the allied forces Daenarys marches her troops toward the other two armies. "Her majesty and I have come to an arrangement. She will allow me to rule in the North while she rules the rest of Westeros. My Eldest daughter will marry her Eldest son for the Iron Throne. You are finished Stannis! Submit or die the choice is yours!"
A few minutes latter Daenarys arrived with an entourage of fifty men, her dragons, Barristan Selmy, Jorah Mormount, and Grey Worm. Arya and Danny hugged like sisters, then they turned their attention to Stannis. "Who will stand with the Mother of Dragons, Queen of the Anvals and the First Men-Heir to the Iron Throne?" Dorne Martell and Mace Tyrell exchanged glances then they and all their Bannermen stood by Danny.
"TRAITORS! We had a deal!"
"A deal that cannot be kept! We are between two armies and one of them has dragons!"
"Dragons can be killed!"
"Be careful Lord Baratheon-I am the mother of dragons!"
"You and your crazy family were cast out by my brother! I am the rightful King!"
"Marry me then! And let no more blood be shed!" Danny offered.
Stannis looks at Milisandre and she shakes her head yes, "I will die before I bow to you harlot!" Milisandre shook her head and left Staniss' side to stand beside Danny. "You betray me as well?"
"You betray yourself and the Lord of Lights. He has no use for fools!"
"WITCH!" Stannis blew his horn.
"Kill him and his men!" Daenarys ordered. She turned and walked away. Before anyone could move Arya leaps off her horse and tackles Stannis. They wrestle across the ground then he gets to his feet. They draw their swords and attack at the same time. Arya slips inside his guard and removes his hand in motion. She continues the move and slits his throat shocking him and the men standing watching. Dany had stopped to watch the confrontation as well. It took all day and night to slaughter Stannis' men. Then Arya accompanied Dany to King's Landing.
