I'm so sorry this has taken so long! I've been so unmotivated over the new year to write but hopefully that will change.

I hope you all had a great new year. I wanted to say a massive thank you to each and every one of you that has read and interacted with any of my stories over 2017. It's been a great year for me and FanFiction with Black Wolf, As High as Honour, No Mercy and this story all being surprisingly popular, and I hope 2018 can carry on exactly the same way.

This chapter leans heavily on book characters that so far haven't appeared in the show. So be warned if you've not read the books, you probably won't know the characters.

284 AC

The wind was howling around Dragonstone. A storm raged on and Queen Rhaella Targaryen could see the ships of the Royal Fleet in the distance being battered by it. Turning her back on the open balcony, she faced Ser Willem Darry, the elderly knight that had helped bring both her and Viserys over to the old Targaryen stronghold when Aerys had ordered them moved. She stroked her heavily pregnant belly. "They should be here by now." She sighed amusedly.

"Give him time, Your Grace." Ser Willem said.

"Or her." Rhaella told the old knight. "In any case, we'll be in the Usurpers hands before long. The brother Stannis has finished building his ships. He's on his way."

Ser Willem stood up to attention. "Let me escort you to safety then, Your Grace."

Rhaella shook her head. "I cannot move. I cannot give birth on a ship. No, continue with the plan. You get Viserys out as soon as the storm passes. You protect your King."

"I should protect you all." Ser Willem said gruffly.

"My good Ser. Viserys will be enough of a handful without having two other mouths." Rhaella joked, trying to allay all her fears. "I shall be ok. Stannis is kin no matter how distant."

Willem wasn't sure, but bowed for his Queen. "It will be done, Your Grace."

Rhaella made her way around the Painted Table, and kissed the old man firmly on the cheek. "You have been a staunch friend of my House, Ser Willem. I ask you for one more thing. Teach him as well as you did Rhaegar. Let him be a knight of prowess, a ruler worth the title."

Willem nodded. "I shall do my duty for my King."

"I know you will." Rhaella smiled. "Now, please bring my son to me."

Willem bowed again and left the chamber, leaving Rhaella alone to contemplate. She knew she would end up as a prisoner of the Usurper, possibly even be killed. She wouldn't go down without a fight though. She may have been weak while Aerys was alive but the news of his death had brought new vigour to the Targaryen woman. It was her job to protect the new King, Viserys, the Third of his name.

He appeared as she thought of him. The eight-year-old looking wearily at the lashing rain outside. "Mother, I don't like the storm."

"It will pass, my sweet King." Rhaella smiled, kissing him gently on the forehead. "I have a gift for you."

Viserys' eyes lit up as Rhaella reached below the table and pulled out a golden circlet. "This is the crown of Aegon III, worn by Viserys II and Aegon V also. It's a crown for a wise King, a good King. This is what you shall be one day my child. You shall make the Usurper rue the day he crossed swords with our house. You shall bring him our words. What are our words my sweet?"

Viserys just grinned. "Fire and Blood."

"Fire and Blood." Rhaella nodded her encouragement. She looked behind him, where Willem Darry had gotten into armour alongside four other men.

"The storm is passing. Please, come with us Your Grace." Willem Darry urged.

"I have no place on ships in my condition Ser." Rhaella shook her head sadly. She raised the crown high above Viserys' head. "I, Rhaella of the House Targaryen, hereby name you Viserys of the House Targaryen, the Third of his Name. King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men. Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm. Long may he reign."

"Long may he reign!" The five men shouted. Rhaella placed the crown gently over Viserys' head, careful to angle it right so it didn't immediately slip. She kissed him hard on the forehead and pushed him towards the men.

"Go with Ser Willem, my love." She said, the smile trying to hide the tears welling up in her eyes. "They will look after you. I shall see you again once you have a new brother or sister."

Viserys nodded and hugged his mother, before turning to Ser Willem and saying. "Come on Ser Willem!" Rhaella chuckled lightly at his authoritative tone as a tear rolled down her cheek.

An hour later, she was stood at the balcony again. The seas were filled with sinking ships, but in the distance a small merchants ship silently slipped eastwards. "Long may he reign." She whispered.

286 AC

For a year Willem Darry kept Viserys hidden in Braavos. For a year they stayed within the city, sending the other loyal knights to fetch food for the pair. Darry was old, yet still able to spend every waking moment teaching the boy all he had taught Rhaegar Targaryen 20 years before as Master of Arms and then everything else a King needed to know. Swordplay and history went down well with the young King, the numbers however were a struggle.

The safety of Braavos couldn't last however, and soon enough the Usurper's agents found them. Both Darry and Viserys escaped, but not without Ser Willem sporting a new scar down his face. Southwards they went, through the Braavosian Coastlands and the remains of Andalos, down through Pentos and the Flatlands before Ser Willem saw the banners he had been looking for around a year after leaving Braavos.

"Where are we Ser?" Viserys asked, the 10-year-old looking as regal as an exile could, carrying a small tourney sword on his hip. The pair were climbing a hill

"The free city of Myr is just over the hill, Your Grace." Darry said in his gruff, yet kind, voice. "Lys and Tyrosh are joining together against them to fight in the Disputed Lands."

"Then why aren't we going to one of those." Viserys asked, wrinkling his nose. "If they are together, they would win. They have bigger armies."

"Aye Your Grace." Willem Darry nodded. "But they don't have the very best." Viserys looked confused, but Darry just held his arms out to show the young boy the sea of tents outside the city. The organisation was incredible, even Darry himself had never seen any encampment quite so well set out. He could see Viserys trying to work out the banners. "They are pure fields of gold." He helped.

"Just gold?" Viserys asked, confused. "Which House is so arrogant?"

"No House, Your Grace." Darry grinned. "A company. The Company."

Viserys was soon in awe. "Are we joining?"

Darry nodded. "They were founded by Bittersteel to seat a Blackfyre on the Iron Throne I know, but as we arrived into Braavos I sent messages out towards them to see their views on helping us regain your throne. Myles Toyne is the Commander, and you need to be polite Your Grace. These are exiles and sellswords, they have no duty towards us, not like the realm of Westeros does."

Viserys nodded, understanding. "Let us head down Ser."

Willem nodded, and they were soon met by footsoldiers guarding the camp, who held them for a brief moment before taking the pair towards the central tent. Entering, Darry ushered Viserys in before taking a look around the tent.

He only knew one person by face. The other five men he only knew by reputation. Black Balaq, the archer stood to the left with his famed white hair, golden arm rings and the feathered cloak of green and orange. Next to him stood the spymaster Lysono Maar, the Valyrian. Centrally stood the jug eared captain of the Company, Myles Toyne, and then Gorys Edoryen, the red headed paymaster of the company and Harry Strickland. Willem only knew the Master of Arms of the company however, a man he had served with under King Aerys.

"Lord Connington." He bowed politely to the former Hand of the King.

"Not a Lord anymore, Ser Willem." Connington said grimly. "King Aerys saw to that."

"A nasty business." Darry nodded. Myles Toyne cleared his throat loudly, and attention diverted to him.

"Ser Willem Darry, I believe?" Toyne asked.

"Yes, Captain." Willem said to the large man with the black heart on his chestplate. "I come before you asking to add two more to your numbers."

"And eventually for us to fight for the little King's place over the seas." Lysono Maar sneered.

"We'll get to that once his Grace has grown." Ser Willem said strongly. "For now, he is young and in need of learning."

Connington nodded, and looked towards Viserys. "This is Viserys then?"

Viserys looked angry at being spoken down to. "King, King Viserys Ser Connington." He said briskly.

"As you say." Connington said.

"You can join us, Ser Willem." Myles Toyne said. "I see no harm in that, but until the King here proves himself I cannot promise anything outside of Essos. He will need to do his part for us too, we march south to the Disputed lands on the morrow."

"I will do my part, Ser." Viserys said strongly.

"We both shall." Ser Willem said. "All I ask in return until His Grace reaches an age is for protection. The Usurpers agents found us in Braavos, I'm sure they will do so again."

Connington spat on the floor. "Fuck the Usurper. Any man with ties back to him should hang."

Toyne nodded. "The little King shall be protected don't you worry Ser Darry. We are the finest company in the known world, he will be safe here. He will learn here."

Ser Willem turned to Viserys, who nodded. "Then if you'll accept us, we would both like to sign up."

289 AC

The war between the Three Daughters ended inconclusively, and the Golden Company found themselves moving all across Essos fighting in other minor wars for multiple Free Cities. Three years had passed since King Viserys had joined the Company, and so far h had been training under the tutelage of the main commanders of the Company in all aspects.

It was as he was learning his numbers with Gorys Edoryen that many of the other commanders were gathering.

"Word from Westeros?" Strickland asked, massaging his blisters.

"Aye." Toyne said, holding a letter. "The Lannister fleet has been sunk by the Ironborn. Balon Greyjoy has declared war."

"Ironborn." Connington scoffed. "Savages clinging on to their reaving and raping even when every rebellion they've had has been disastrous for them."

"It could be a chance though." Darry said thoughtfully. "If the Usurper takes his forces…"

"He has." Toyne said, passing round the note. "They're marching to Seagard as we speak."

"Then we can strike at King's Landing." Darry suggested. "Take the capital in the name of Viserys and the loyal Houses will flock to us. Now is the perfect time to strike."

Toyne nodded in agreement, but the others looked unsure. Strickland said. "And then what? We take the city and the full might of all of Westeros descends on us. We'd hold the city for what, a week?"

"The Tyrells are loyalists. The Dornish are loyalists…" Darry began, but Connington interrupted.

"The Dornish? They were loyal when Rhaegar…" He trailed off sadly before he continued with venom. "When Elia was married to Rhaegar. When the heir to the throne was Dornish. Now? Doran will hide behind his deserts like a craven."

Darry turned on Connington. "Ser, with respect…"

"No, Ser Willem." Connington said, raising his voice. "Strickland for once is right. Now is not the time. The Ironborn will be a problem for as long as it takes for the might of the Usurper to cross the sea to Pyke. Once that is over who will the cunts in their castles support, a boy of thirteen or the Usurper?"

Darry looked uncomfortable. "He's the rightful…"

"I don't trust the boy. Not yet." Connington said. "He's skilled I know, good with a sword and he could be bright if he tried, but there is too much Aerys in him and not enough Rhaegar."

"No man alive has enough of your Silver Prince in him." Strickland chuckled, only for it to be cut short as Connington's fist met his face.

"Enough!" Toyne roared, and the tent fell silent. "I like the idea of striking now, but Connington is right. Now is not the time."

Connington nodded. "He's still young, let us teach him all we can about how to rule. Once he can prove himself worthy of being a capable leader and has the sword, then we can look towards striking. The Usurper won't cling onto power forever. When Viserys is ready and the Usurper's hold is weak, that is the time for us to strike. Not now."

Darry nodded unhappily. "Very well. If you'll excuse me, some recruits need training."

Toyne nodded, and the three in the tent waited until he had gone. "He's too rash." Toyne sighed.

"He's old." Strickland said, rubbing his jaw.

"He's one of the best knights I've ever known." Connington said strongly. "He trained me to be a knight. Have some respect."

"He's old." Strickland said again. "He's worried he'll die before he sees Westeros again."

Toyne nodded. "Time will come my friends. We will cross the Narrow Sea I promise you."

296 AC

Willem Darry died the next year after an injury corrupted. Viserys however remained strong in the face of his friend and mentor dying. Jon Connington took over for Darry in training him to be a knight, and while the work was tougher and the praise in short supply, the Targaryen boy enjoyed himself, especially in the rare moments Connington spoke about Rhaegar.

He was knighted by Connington in 294 AC after a fine showing in combat against Qohor. From then on Viserys rose up the ranks quickly, soon rising to have command of 200 men. Myles Toyne was a good mentor too, but then, everything changed.

Myles Toyne died and Jon Connington was the man chosen to lead the Golden Company. A northerner by the name of Jorah Mormont had come in to command having joined a few years earlier, and Viserys had struck up a friendship with the bear like man.

The Targaryen King stood outside the command tent staring up at Myles Toyne's skull on the banner, just contemplating his future. News from the Seven Kingdom's had been little, and the now 20-year-old was getting impatient. He noticed the ginger hair of Jon Connington walking up to stand next to him.

"It's strange, actually knowing the man that one of those skulls belong to." Connington said. "I've been a member of the company since I was exiled and Myles Toyne is all I knew. Now he joins the like of Bittersteel as a golden skull on a banner."

"He's been immortalised." Viserys said proudly. "Like all Targaryen Kings and Queens beyond the Narrow Sea. Like I will be."

"Hmm." Connington mumbled.

"When will we attack?" Viserys asked. He stood taller than Connington now, and his eyes pierced the Stormlander.

Connington didn't buckle however. "Not yet." Was all he said.

"Why not?" Viserys asked angrily. "I'm ready, and the Usurper has held my throne for over a decade! We need to strike!"

Connington looked icily towards Viserys. "You don't tell me what we need to do. I learnt the folly of not taking everything into account at the Stoney Sept. The time isn't right, if you want the Company's help taking the Iron Throne, then don't rush. Have patience and wait."

"For how long!" Viserys shouted. "I'm the last Targaryen alive. If I wait any longer it will be too late and the House will die out. No. We should attack while we are strong."

"The Usurper is strong also." Connington snarled. "Trust me, I'd like nothing more than to strike him down right now, but the time isn't right."

"When will it be?" Viserys asked angrily.

"When they don't have your sister!" Connington shouted. Viserys looked dumbstruck. "Your Mother, the Queen, she gave birth just before she died. We have it on good authority that the baby survived and is a captive. If you want a wife of the blood, then you will have patience." With that he strode into the tent, leaving an open mouthed Viserys waiting at the entrance. A few moments later, another presence was stood next to the Valyrian.

"Varys, the Spider, he's our informant." Mormont said quietly. "Connington doesn't trust him but his words are true. Your sister, Daenerys, is a prisoner in the Red Keep but has recently become friendly with the Usurper's second son. Connington is waiting until that can become something more, until the Usurper has true opposition in his own son when it would come to an invasion."

Viserys couldn't speak for the longest time. "A sister."

"Daenerys." Mormont nodded. "I promise you My King, when we get the word from Varys that it is time to strike and strike effectively, then we will do so."

"We better." Viserys said darkly. "I won't leave my sister in the hands of the Usurper Ser Jorah."

301 AC

After five years, three campaigns and dozens upon dozens of deaths at his own hand, Viserys Targaryen was finally stood in the command tent talking about the land across the Narrow Sea. The commanders of the Golden Company were all gathered.

"News has come." Lysono Maar began. "The Usurper is dead."

Viserys' grin was unmatched. "How?" He asked excitedly.

"A drunken hunt." Lysono grinned.

"He always was a fool." Connington scoffed.

"So a boy is on the Throne?" Mormont asked.

"For now." Lysono said. "War has erupted."

Connington raised his eyebrow. "Between?"

"Four Kings." Lysono Maar laughed. "The eldest, Joffrey, executed Eddard Stark…"

"The Usurpers dog." Connington spat.

"He wanted my head." Mormont acknowledged. "I'm not sad to hear of his own rolling."

Lysono looked annoyed at the interruptions. "Anyway, his son has declared independence and is fighting in the Riverlands. Balon Greyjoy has launched another Independence bid also."

"That's three Kings." The paymaster Gorys Edoryen said with a smile. "Not four."

"The fourth." Maar grinned. "Is the second son of the Usurper. A civil war between brothers."

Laughs and grins ran around the tent. Viserys felt like the dragons had returned. "Now. Now is the time."

"Aye." was the mutterings around the tent, and all eyes fell on Jon Connington. He leant on the table with both hands, and looked up towards Harry Strickland and nodded. The man left the tent, and Connington looked then to Mormont.

"Do we have the men?"

"Aye."

"The ships?"

"Aye."

Connington nodded, and turned towards Edoryen. "Can we afford it?"

"We have enough, but the men won't like abandoning the Myr contract."

"This is what the company was founded for." Connington said quickly. "To sail across the sea and sit the rightful King on the Iron Throne. That is what we shall do."

Viserys grinned even wider. "Your loyalty shall not be forgotten Sers."

"It better not be." Black Balaq grinned.

Harry Strickland entered the room at that moment, holding something wrapped in cloth. He handed it to Connington, who placed the cloth on the table. "My King. When Bittersteel returned from the Fourth Rebellion, he was angry. Angrier than you can ever imagine. He got us to swear to hide this until the rightful monarch proved himself worthy." Strickland said. "Now is the time to reveal it. Your Grace, I give you the symbol of your House."

Viserys stepped forwards and unwrapped the cloth carefully. Inside, was a sheathed sword, the crossguard decorated with two dragon heads on either side, the handle made of black leather and the hilt adourned with a ruby. He gripped the sword and held it up in awe, unsheathing the bastard sword to reveal the glisten of Valyrian Steel.

"Blackfyre." He whispered.

"The sword of Kings." Strickland grinned.

Viserys stared for a while longer, before sheathing it again. "Our time has come again." He grinned. "Send word to Dorne. They will be our most likely allies in this. They will support me."

"We have had no word from Varys in over a year." Lysono reminded them.

"We don't need the eunuch. We need fighting men, the Dornish, the Reach. All the loyalist houses from the Usurpers rebellion and more that have chafed under his misrule." Connington said.

"Then let us send the letters." Viserys grinned. "Let us retake the Throne."

So, there you have my interpretation of what would have happened to Viserys. It's taking me a long time to write this, and I'm sorry about that. I hope you all like it.

It was a fun chapter to write though, it came about after I FINALLY finished the books and read into the Golden Company more. I doubt I've got the minor characters right but this is how they'll be in this story at least.

Please let me know what you think of it in the reviews. I really value the good and the bad ones. Thank you to everyone who has followed and favourited also!

Reviews:

ZabuzasGirl: The Martell's have long memories, and a pure Targaryen in their eyes is better than a Targaryen that's been tainted by a Baratheon all her life.

trollzor69: It's more a Targaryen restoration rather than a Blackfyre rebellion as Viserys is no Blackfrye.

MisterVanHoust: I PM'd you.

Enclave ranger: I thought you'd be happy at this chapter!

jgs237: I didn't even think of that! There's a continuation of Chapter 17 in the next one, and Dany will make her feelings on Viserys clear.

Hail King Cerion: He didn't need to purchase them. My thoughts on it are simply that without Dany also being there Darry could purely focus on bringing Viserys up. That meant more time training, more time teaching. Pushing him towards the Golden Company also meant that he wasn't being handed around the Free Cities, he still has things like his Mother's Crown, and he actually fought for his army in the end. The point about Jaime I understand, but in Durran's eyes it's still for life and while he offered Jaime the option of leaving, he knows Jaime would rather try and redeem himself in the honourable role of guarding his nephew. A close eye will be kept on him and Cersei though. The point about Viserys and the dragons is interesting, I'll have a look at that when the inevitable fights come.

Shini Kurogane: It's not a Blackfyre rebellion, but it certainly raises some issues as to who should rule.

Boramir: Definitely Dorne. Margaery is being dealt with, as much as she wants to be Queen she's in the hands of the Baratheons now. Robb hasn't even reached the Twins yet so the Ironborn are still an issue in the North.

Many Faced Mage: Baelish is fairly safe in the Eyrie for now.

GstSelfishness: I'm glad you understand it. Durran isn't an Arryn, he doesn't value honour above all else. He values his family however, and by keeping it quiet he's allowing his siblings to have good futures without any stigma. He's no kinslayer either, and he cares about his Mother. He knows Robert was cruel to her but at the same time she's still confined to the Red Keep and kept away from anything too important. Unless I've forgotten something from early on, Durran isn't aware that Jaime pushed Bran or that Baelish has done anything wrong.

Lightningscar: With Shireen and Edmure they're from two important families, so it's about power and unity in the Kingdoms more than anything. The dragons I'm not overly happy with either, but I wanted Dany to prove she's not just a sideline Queen and does her bit in the war effort. As for Barristan, I've been reading some of his chapters in the books and noticing how he sometimes drifted off into thought, but his role is to keep his King's secrets, to not listen but to be aware etc. It's 302 AC currently, so he will turn 16 soon and Stannis' regency will end. He does have both hands yes, Catelyn never tried to set him free. Stefan is Stannis' son and heir (changes I've made from Stannis being given Storm's End) and Ser Devan is a Lannister in canon, the son of Stafford and Jaime's cousin. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the Viserys explanations! I don't mind the heat, I expect it with some of my ideas in all of my stories if I'm honest it comes with the role of writing. I just hope that no matter my decisions people can still enjoy the story.

xXWinterRoseXx: I'm glad you agree! I can't argue with any of what you've said. Some people just hate Robb which I get in a way.

kanjichibi: (2) A greatsword was far more practical. (5) I'm confused, you say it's one of the best but criticise. The whole 'explanations' would have just felt out of place for me and taking up words for the sake of it. (10) Joffrey was a great swordsman, that had already been said. (14) You don't have to root for him, you're more than welcome to root for him dying if you like, it could happen.

JaceMaddox: It will be completed I'm determined! You get that with every story, but that's the beauty of FanFiction. I read a Stark story I didn't agree with and then went and started Black Wolf Rises because of that. The way I see it, and my advice to everyone, is that if you don't like it and can't read on, write your own how you want it.