Hey people. Man it has been a long time since I last posted a chapter about this story. Over three years, dang. But besides writing other stories and my actual life, I decided to wait for Game of Thrones to end and I can say... WHAT THE FUCK?! I'm sorry for the language, but seriously D&D. I'm usually a pretty chill guy, but you have ruined the experience! The end felt HOLLOW!
So now that the disaster known as Season 8 is over, let's see how I can start off a three year hiatus.
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"You want us to split up?" repeated Ron after Aragorn stated his plan.
"I do" said Aragorn. Currently Ned and all five group of warriors were discussing Aragorn's proposal. They decided not to bring Arya to this little meeting on account of personal reasons.
"Weren't we all suppose to meet up with Ned's son and beat the Lannisters?" asked Edmund.
"We are moving too slow" said Luke "With the Ewoks we can only travel a certain speed, and with war all over the Riverlands we have to travel stealthily"
"And it's not just the Riverlands that are battlegrounds" said Gandalf "From the sound of things, Renly and Stannis will go to war"
"A folly it is" said Ned "Renly should never have raised his banners for himself"
"Brothers can do stupid things" said Peter with a hint of humor in his voice.
"Ha ha" said Edmund dryly.
"Being an only child is really a pleasure" said Jack.
"I remember the last time I saw Renly" said Ned "Robert was dying, he came to me, told me we should of seized Joffrey and raise him to the throne"
"Not all men are filled with honor like you Lord Stark" said Luna.
"No they aren't" chimed in Frodo as Sam nodded.
"Heh" chuckled Ned "All my honor has gotten me was a spear in the leg and a room in the Black Cells"
"So if we did split up" asked Will "Where to? And who?"
Ned took a moment to remember what he discussed with Aragorn. "One group to ride ahead to meet up with Robb. One to negotiate with Stannis and Renly. One to escort Yoren's group to the North. And one group to stay here with the Ewoks till escorts arrive"
"So four groups" said Hermione.
"Aye" said Gimli "I volunteer to meet with these stag brothers. I'll knock some sense in their little skulls"
"I doubt the thousands of soldiers in their armies will let you knock there skulls around" said Elizabeth.
"Doesn't sound like a bad idea though" said Ginny with a smile.
"Have you guys decided who goes where?" asked Harry to Ned and Aragorn.
"Threepio will stay with the Ewoks and one other" said Aragorn.
"What?" asked C-3PO "Um sir, but-"
"You're the only one here who can communicate with them Threepio" said Leia "It only makes sense that you should stay with them"
"...If it is where my primary functions will best serve" said Threepio.
"So Goldenrod's got his job" said Han "But who's staying with him and the furriest army?"
"I will" said Edmund. The other three Pevensies looked at there brother for a second "Someone's got to watch over them"
"I trust you with this" said Peter.
"It would be wise if you hid the Ewoks in the center of the forest" said Legolas "The Lannister men are mostly causing trouble on the roads or where people live. No one lives in the middle of nowhere"
"And if the Young Wolf's soldiers come across them?" asked Barbossa.
"I'll show them my shield" said Edmund as he lifted up his shield with the red lion on it.
"But wouldn't they just assume you were a Lannister soldier?" asked Neville.
"Not if they saw enough of Orion" said Edmund "Orion has the same lion sigil on his coat"
"And besides the color is different" said Boromir "The Lannisters are golden lions. Yours are red lions"
"The same as House Reyne" said Ned.
"I haven't heard that House before" said Pippin.
"Well" chimed in Merry "You don't pay attention enough"
"Do you then?" asked Pippin.
"...No"
"House Reyne was once another one of House Lannister's Banner men. The red lions of Castamere"
"I've heard Yoren sing something like that" said Lucy "The Rains of Castamere"
"Aye" said Ned "Back before Tywin's time, his father Tytos was one of the most foolish rulers the West had ever seen. Many did not respect him, including the Reynes and the Tarbeck. As Tywin grew to age, he demanded that House Reyne and House Tarbeck repaid the gold that both houses borrowed from Lord Tytos. They laughed him off. Tywin returned that laughter with burning castles and the extinction of two houses"
"Bloody Hell" said Ron.
"And I fought the inborn brat was a nightmare" said Jack.
"Joffrey is one thing, but Tywin is a monster with wits" said Ned.
"Well Tywin's never faced people like us" said Lando. While the Reyne-Tarbeck Rebellion was a dark story, it didn't faze those from Middle-Earth or the Great Galaxy, especially since darker beings existed and greater atrocities have occurred in there respected universes.
"You never met Tywin" said Ned.
"And Tywin's never met Darth Vader" countered Lando.
Luke shifted at the mention of that little name. Despite all that has happened since rescuing Han from Jabba and arriving in Westeros, Luke's one problem was the fact that the chief enforcer for the Empire was also his father. Luke had kept this to himself. Leia and the others didn't need anything distracting them.
"Enough" said Susan "We need to focus"
"Queen Susan is right" said Caspian "Lord Stark. Aragorn. What of the other three groups?"
"I'll take one group to meet with Stannis and Renly. Aragorn and Gandalf shall take another group ahead to Robb. And Luke with continue along with Yoren to the North and settle at Winterfell"
"Your not going to either your son or your home?" asked Lucy, the kindest of the group. She knew that Ned missed all of his family.
"Robb doesn't need me to lead his armies. And Winterfell is currently safe. It's the Baratheons that draw the most concern. And I'm the only one in this group that know both of them"
"...You truly are a great man" said Leia "To put duty before everything else"
"Thank you Leia" said Ned.
"As Ned said, he shall go meet with the Baratheon Kings. Along with Han, Lando, Chewbacca, Ron, Ginny, Neville, Susan, Caspian, Frodo, Sam, Gimli, Legolas and Jack" said Aragorn.
"And who are you taking?" asked Ginny.
"I'll take Gandalf, Boromir, Leia, Harry, Hermione, Peter, Will, and Elizabeth to Riverrun to meet with Robb" replied Aragorn.
"I suppose that means I'll take Artoo with me to Winterfell, along with Luna, Lucy, Pippin, Merry, and Barbossa" said Luke.
"Will you manage?" asked Gandalf.
"I'll be fine" said Luke.
"Then it's settled" said Ned.
"Not quite" said Hermione "There's just one more matter"
"And that is?" asked Harry.
"Where does Arya go?"
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.
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This was the stickiest part of the discussion and they all knew it. Ned would want his daughter to stick by his side and never leave till home, but he couldn't take Arya to a possible war zone. Going to Riverrun with Aragorn meant Arya would arrive to a safe place faster, but it would mean staying in the center of the Stark-Lannister conflict. But going to Winterfell meant continuing traveling with criminals and rapists.
"..." Ned stayed silent for the longest time.
"Well" spoke up Pippin "Why doesn't Arya travel with Aragorn to Riverrun and wait for Luke and Yoren to cross before continuing to Winterfell"
Everyone's eyes opened widely at the simple logic coming out of the Hobbit's mouth.
"Did I say something wrong?" asked Pippin.
"Peregrin Took" said Gandalf "For once you sprouted a bit of wisdom"
"Oh" said Pippin as Merry ruffled his head.
"So Arya will go with us to Riverrun and rest there while she waits for Luke and Yoren's group to arrive" said Harry "Then she could continue on with Luke to Winterfell"
"I can't imagine anyone causing too much trouble for a Jedi" said Ron. In the time the group has known each other, they all agreed that Luke and Gandalf were the strongest of the group.
"We should let Yoren and Arya know of what's to happen" said Elizabeth.
"Someone should tell the Ewoks too" said Susan.
"Me and Aragorn shall explain the plan with Yoren" said Ned "As for Arya, I'll tell her alone"
"Good luck mate" said Jack "Your wee one is a rough little lady. She won't accept her daddy leaving her again"
"Thanks for pointing out that elephant in the room" said Harry.
"What's an elephant?" asked Pippin/Merry.
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Starkiller stood alongside Daenerys Targaryen and her group with the Weasley Twins as they awaited the hosts.
"I thought we were welcomed?" asked Daenerys to Jorah as the armed guards approached.
"If you heard a Dothraki Horde was approaching your city, you might do the same Khaleesi" said Jorah.
Daenerys took a moment to look back at her group "Horde?" questioned Daenerys. It was true that since Rakharo returned with the three strangers, there numbers increased. But two hundred warriors hardly sounded like a dangerous group. Though the hundreds of woman and children might of made them look bigger.
The soldiers eventually stopped marching as the group behind them stepped forward. There were thirteen of them, consisting of men and women of different outfits. They were led by an obese man with a smile on his face. Starkiller didn't like that smile. The obese man stepped past his soldiers and stood before Daenerys and her Dothraki.
"My name" started Daenerys "Is Daenerys-"
"Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen" said the Obese Man as he interrupted Daenerys.
"You know me my Lord?" asked Daenerys.
"Only by reputation Khaleesi" said the Obese Man as he held out his arms "And I'm no Lord. Merely a humble merchant. They call you the Mother of Dragons?"
"And what shall we call you?" asked Fred.
"Might I suggest the Round One" joked George.
The Obese Man stared hard at the twins "My name is quite long and impossible for foreigners to utter right. I am simply a trader of spices. But we are the Thirteen" The Spice Merchant turned his head to his companions "Charged with the governance and protection of Qarth, the greatest city that ever was or will be"
"I've seen cities greater than this" said Starkiller "I'm not impressed"
Daenerys turned to Starkiller and gave him a look before turning to the Spice Merchant "The Beauty of Qarth (Quarth) is legendar-"
"Qarth" corrected the Spice Merchant.
Daenerys stayed silent as the word sunk in "Qarth"
"Might we see the dragons?" asked the Spice Merchant.
"Ah right to the point" said George.
"It's not Daenerys Stormborn Targaryen your interested in seeing" said Fred "It's the Mother of Dragons"
The Spice Merchant gave another sharp look to the twins.
As they were talking, Daenerys looked back to the horse carrying the three baskets with the dragons in them before turning back to the Spice Merchant "My... friend. We have traveled very far. We have no food. No water. Once I have seen my people fed I would be honored-"
"Forgive me" interrupted the Spice Merchant again "Mother of Dragons. But no living man has ever seen a dragon. Some of my more skeptical friends refuse to believe your children even exist. All we ask is the chance to see for ourselves"
"I am not a liar" said Daenerys.
"Oh I don't think you are" said the Spice Merchant with a hint of playfulness in his voice "But as I never met you before my opinion on the matter is of limited value"
Starkiller stayed quiet, ignoring whatever Fred and George muttered under the breath, as he eyed Daenerys. The Targaryen girl collected herself as she continued.
"Where I come from, guests are treated with respect, not insulted at the gates"
"Then perhaps you should return from where you come from" said the Spice Merchant "We wish you well"
The Spice Merchant then turned around as Daenerys trembled in anger. "What are you doing?!" Daenerys asked in fear "You promised to receive me!"
The Spice Merchant turned around "We have received you. Here we are. And here you are"
"If you do not let us in, all of us will die!" said Daenerys.
"Which we shall deeply regret" said the Spice Merchant.
"Rubbish!" shouted Fred.
"That's rubbish!" shouted George.
The Spice Merchant stared at the twins before continuing "But Qarth did not become the greatest city that ever was or will be by letting Dothraki savages through its gates!"
He then smiled and bowed his head in mockery.
Daenerys stared at him hatefully as he retreated with his friends.
"Khaleesi please be careful" said Jorah.
But before Daenerys could be take a step, Starkiller started walking towards the Thirteen.
Upon seeing Starkiller on the move, the guards pointed there spears forward and took a stance. The Thirteen stopped retreating as they looked upon this strange man's approach. Most of them smiled and chuckled as they watched this man walk to his supposed doom. The tall dark skinned one stared at him with curious eyes. And the bald, aged one kept a neutral face.
Before the Qarth guards could even charge, the spears shot out of there hands and fell at Starkiller's feet. Starkiller stepped over them as he raised his hand towards the guard. Immediatley all the guards rose off the ground as they clutched their necks.
All the jovial members of the Thirteen stopped laughing or smiling at that little display.
Likewise, Daenerys and Jorah also stared at Starkiller in shock as the Dothraki behind them murmured in their own language. They had both seen Starkiller showing off his powers, but this was the first real time they saw him using it against someone.
"Impressive ain't he?" said Fred with a smile.
George also smiled "I bet he's gonna start making them go higher and higher until-"
CRACK!
"Oh shit!" shouted Fred and George as the guards all fell back to the ground, their necks snapped.
"That was cold" said Fred.
"Cold? That was just plain dark" said George.
Starkiller continued on his way as he stepped over the dead guards. The Thirteen stood with gaping mouths, too shock to respond. They stayed still until Starkiller was standing right in front of the Spice Merchant.
.
.
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Starkiller grabbed him by the neck and lifted him up off the ground with one hand.
"I stayed quiet because I didn't want to get involve. I stayed quiet through all your mockery. All your false hospitality. All your false modesty. But no longer" said Starkiller as he tighten his grip of the Spice Merchant's neck "I did not march for three days just to be turned away. They did not march for three days just to be turned away"
"Pl-please" gasped the Spice Merchant as he breathed for air.
"..."
Starkiller dropped him to the ground as the fat man thudded against the ground. Starkiller turned his head over to Daenerys and nodded for her to walk over.
Daenerys composed herself as she walked over, Jorah and the Weasley Twins walking with her.
"I-" The Spice Merchant coughed a few time "I still stand on the ground that the Dothraki shan't ever enter our city"
"I am their Khaleesi" said Daenerys "If I order them not to harm or steal, they will not harm or steal"
"What is your word worth?" asked the Spice Merchant. "Nothing"
Starkiller responded by igniting his lightsaber and raising it against the Spice Merchant's neck, who widened his eyes as he stood completely still, the heat from the blade pounding against his neck.
"It was a mistake to let you continue talking" said Starkiller as he turned to the rest of the Thirteen "Send forth another. Someone more inclined to talk with 'Savages'"
As the Thirteen looked around each other as they waited for someone to volunteer, Daenerys stared at Starkiller as she looked at his Lightsaber. It was a majestic blade of red light, as if fire itself was a sword. How such a weapon existed boggled her.
Eventually one man stepped forward, the dark skinned one.
"I am Xaro Xhoan Daxos" said the man "It is an honor"
Starkiller unlit his Lightsaber as the Spice Merchant retreated to his companions. Daenerys stayed silent for a few seconds before speaking "Am I to expect insults from you as well"
"Oh no my Lady" said Xaro "Retreating from a group of starving travelers does not become us. I was once a traveler from the Summer Isle, and yet Qarth still stands"
"I feel like that's a racist thing" said Fred.
"It is a racist thing" replied George.
"Ah"
"Darn shame"
"It is true that our company is far from dangerous according to the status quo" said Daenerys "We are hungry and if left alone, we will most likely become part of the Garden of Bones. I would do a lot for my people. But I will not risk my children, the last Dragons in the world, for some stranger's curiosity"
"Understandable" said Xaro Xhoan Daxos "I believe we can allow a few Dothraki into are city"
"No" said the Spice Merchant (Standing behind two others and trying to stay out of Starkiller's sight) "The Thirteen have already decided. And we shall not revoke that decision. Especially after being assaulted"
"Then" trailed off Xaro "I invoke Sumai"
Xaro Xhoan Daxos then unsheathed his blade and sliced the palm of his hand. He held up his bloody hand for all of the Thirteen to see.
"I have vouched for her, her people, and her dragons in accordance to the law"
The Spice Merchant frowned "Be it on your head"
Xaro Xhoan Daxos smiled as he turned to Daenerys "Welcome to Qarth, My Lady"
At once, the Gates of Qarth opened.
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"Hear me Roar" said Boba.
"Good" said Tyrion "I also would have accepted 'A Lannister Always Pays Their Debts'"
"Why are you making me do this again?" asked a very bored Boba. He and Tyrion were currently lounging around in the Hand's Tower. Bronn and Girorn were busy overlooking the city, Shae was serving Sansa, and Podrick was running an errand, so it was just the Imp and the Mandalorian.
"You may be in expert on killing and hunting and shooting and-"
"I'm good at a lot of things that involve hurting people" said Boba "I get your point"
"But you aren't exactly fluent in even standard Westeros knowledge" said Tyrion.
"I understand" said Boba "I understand learning from one's history teaches you not to make their mistake. I understand knowing who hates who makes using that hate valuable. But what is the point in learning a family's motto?"
"Not much" said Tyrion "But it does show one's character. Take the Starks for instance. 'Winter is Coming'. That's the Stark way of telling people the dangers and harshness of winter. 'We Do Not Sow'. The Greyjoys flaunting how very brutal they are"
"And what does 'Hear me Roar' tell me? That all Lannisters are so narcissistic that they want everyone to hear them?"
"... That was a good comeback" said Tyrion as he waved his finger at Boba and smiled "Maybe that's why people say the other one. Makes us sound dangerous"
"Not when it's coming from you" said Boba.
"But their is some truths to it" said Tyrion "After all, I do plan on rewarding you for everything your doing for me"
"Yeah, arrows in the arm, threats from your sister, your cunt of a nephew. What a reward" said Boba.
Tyrion kept smiling "I'm glad I have a friend like you to keep me honest"
"Oh I'm your friend now" said Boba.
"I like to think we are friends" said Tyrion.
"When I was young, I thought all of my fathers acquaintances were friends. But as I grew I learned. They were rivals. Employers. Enemies"
"Well didn't you grow up friendless" jested Tyrion.
"You don't take up Bounty Hunting looking for friends" said Boba.
"No I don't suppose one doesn't" said Tyrion "Well even if you don't consider me one, I still see you as a friend"
"...Since we're speaking as friends, I suppose you wouldn't lie to me"
Tyrion looked at Boba, trying to understand where he was going "No I wouldn't do that. Not to you"
"What about hiding things? Where are you on that?"
"...Where are you going with this Boba?"
"How long have you known your sister and brother were fucking?"
If that caught Tyrion off guard he didn't show it. Tyrion just scrounged up his face and stayed silent for a few seconds "I don't know. Maybe before Cersei married Robert. Maybe longer"
"You don't seem surprise"
"I guess not" said Tyrion "I don't know why, but it nether really bothered me. Maybe it's because I'm the Dwarf of Casterly Rock. Maybe being a freak made me uncaring towards the odd. Maybe I love Tommen and Myrcella too much to acknowledge it"
"But not Joffrey?"
"Oh gods no" said Tyrion "I don't even think Jaime loves him"
"He's his son"
"He is"
"So everything they say is true" said Boba as he took off his helmet and stared at Tyrion hard "That Stannis is the rightful king of this spit of land"
"...Your not thinking of turning your cloak, are you?"
"You think I care about morality and laws? I don't. I served the Hutts, Gangsters. I served the Empire, Tyrants. I served the Sith, Monsters. You think after over two decades of this shit something such as inheritance is going to bother me?"
Tyrion took a few seconds to let that all sink in as he stared at Boba's eyes. The eyes of indifference. But not the same indifference as the eyes Tyrion has seen before. Not the indifference in Bronn's eyes, which were a carefree and untroubled look. Not the indifference of superiority the Cersei and his father have shown to people below them. It was a cold and harden indifference. They were the eyes of one who has seen things. Of losing. Of horrors. Or tragedy. Of experience.
"No, I guess not" said Tyrion.
"You better believe it" said Boba as he took the usually empty cup on the side and filled it with wine.
"You don't seem all that surprised?" stated Tyrion. Boba just gave him a bored look.
"Two decades of shit. I've seen worse than brothers fucking their sisters. Though it does explain Joffrey's behavior"
Tyrion gave him a shock look "It does?"
"What? Why do you think he's such an unstable cunt?"
"Back when the Targaryen's were in charge, they wed brothers to sisters. Half on them were mad, much like Joffrey is. They used to say that every time a Targaryen was born, the Gods tossed a coin"
"Gods have nothing to do with this" said Boba "It's the Genes"
"Genes?"
Boba rolled his eyes, forgetting Tyrion was semi-primitive. "The stuff flowing through your blood. You get genes from your parents. Your one half your mother, one half you father"
"I think I'm getting what you're saying" said Tyrion.
"But humans, they can't breed with first degree relatives. Parents, children, siblings. It's because they share half of the same genes as you. It makes you born wrong most of the time"
"Like madness" said Tyrion as this all sunk in.
"That's just mental problems. They could be born frail or malform. Hell a lot of them don't have long lifespans"
"And these are proven facts?" asked Tyrion.
"I wouldn't be lecturing on genetics if these were opinions"
"...Despite everything that has happened, I do love my family" Tyrion put down his cup and got out of his seat "Maybe not my repulsive nephew or my sister or even my father. But I love my brother. And my Uncles and Aunts. I would do so much for them. And I have done so much for them. And yet"
"You can't be shocked this much" said Boba.
"I'm not shocked, just unnerved. It's easy to blame Joffrey's personality on gods. You don't see them. You don't hear them. Hell you don't even believe they exist half the time. And yet you came along and shoved the hard truth on me. I'm truly starting to believe I didn't care about my siblings affair because I love my brother very much. My only direct family that loved me. So I let him continue his unhealthy love for my sister as I drank and whore. But now, I like to hear what your true opinion on this is"
"...Personally, incest for pleasure is disturbing. I don't want to understand how a person could view family like that. Not that I would understand. I don't have a mother or sisters. Just a father and distant brothers. But in your siblings case, in a romantic scenario, it's toxic. And the fact that it's mutual is all the more troubling. Anyone trying to explain the faults is wrong in their world. Anyone trying to separate them is evil in their books. And the fact that they've been doing this for probably two decades just makes it complicated. It just means they've kept it hidden this long and were capable of having three golden hair children. Life must of been so good for them. Stannis and Ned Stark knowing won't dissuade them, it will only make them cling to their little reality all the more until death. And they will bring many people down with them"
.
.
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"What would you suggest I do?" asked Tyrion.
"Honestly I don't care" said Boba "Can't undo years of affairs. Or the three births that came with them. And besides, who would we tell? Your father who wouldn't believe you? Joffrey just to spite him?"
"No. You're right" said Tyrion as he sat back down "It's best just to forget this problem. Jaime and Cersei's deeds are there own. I have no right to fix them"
"As long as you understand that, I don't care"
"Seriously, thank you" said Tyrion as he lifted his cup.
"...What are friends for?" said Boba as he clinked his cup against Tyrion's.
As they drank their wine, two knocks came at the door before Podrick walked in.
"My Lord. Boba Fett" said Podrick as he bowed.
"Hello Pod" said Tyrion "Did you and Ser Lorren Serret finish that job I set up"
"I explained to him your plan. According to him it's sound. The only problem is the lack of men"
They were talking about disrupting Renly and taking him prisoner. It was two birds with one stone. One king out of the way and hopefully the food would come back to King's Landing.
"What men do we have?" asked Boba.
"The City Watch and the Lannister Calvary. Cersei is too afraid to send any of them out. And that would just leave the Hill Tribes and the Trandoshans. I don't think any of the Hill Tribesmen could handle a task this difficult. And I don't want to send away Girorn's men. If Stannis attacks, there blasters are needed here"
"Forgive me my Lord" said Podrick "But aren't Stannis and Renly fighting against each other?"
"They are" replied Tyrion "But there is still a chance that they could somehow unite. Both armies alone are formidable, but together, we wouldn't last the night"
"I could do it alone" said Boba.
"I'm sure you could" said Tyrion "But you're worth more than Renly to me. I'll not risk one of my finest men"
Boba was about to counter that, but then his little wrist device started beeping. Normally back in Boba's universe, Boba set it differently since Boba Fett was normally surrounded by non-human beings. But here in Westeros, he set it to only go off if anything non-human appeared. It was adjusted so it wouldn't go off around the Trandoshans and it was set to simply ignore Puddleglum. So it going off meant one thing.
More Non-humans were around.
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And it is done.
It feels really great to get that off my fingers. One good thing about Game of Thrones ending is that I don't have to worry about waiting anymore. I still have to wait for the next book but that's asking a bit much.
I'll hopefully have the next chapter up soon, so look forward to that.
REVIEW LIKE HELL!
