I'm so sorry this has been so long coming. My motivation for writing anything has been at an all-time low but hopefully that's changing now as I finally finish this chapter. Admittedly it's a bit on the small side compared to my usual chapters, but I hope it's good nonetheless.

I've also been noticing that people aren't enjoying this as much, so I'm going to ask you here if you'd rather I put a bit of a break on United in Fury and start updating No Mercy, my Lannister OC story instead. You can just tell me in the reviews if you'd prefer that or this one.

I hope once more news of Season 8 comes out I'll find myself in a better frame of mind to write at the pace I'm usually known for, but for now all I can do is apologise again for the sporadic updates.

As always, I own nothing but the few OC's in this world. Everything you recognise from before this story belongs to either George RR Martin or HBO.

The news hit Durran like a dragon had whacked him around the head with its tail. He had to lean on the Small Council table for support. Dany stood beside him, breathing heavily.

"Viserys? In Dorne?" She asked.

Varys nodded solemnly. "Yes, Your Grace."

"How." Durran said angrily. "How has this happened."

"I don't know, Your Grace. I lost all word of Viserys years ago." Varys sighed. "He was hidden across the Narrow Sea just before Lord Stannis got to Dragonstone. From there, Willem Darry trained him and they joined the Golden Company when he was but ten years of age."

"Why are we only hearing about this now?" Stannis asked.

Varys looked at his feet. "I feared King Robert would kill the child."

"He's a child no longer." Durran snarled. "Now thanks to your inaction, we face a rebellion from Dorne."

"My apologies My King." Varys bowed.

"Apologies mean nothing now." Durran said fiercely moving to stand directly in front of the eunuch. "Tell me this. Are you loyal to me? Or is a Targaryen King what you wanted all along?"

Silence fell over the room, as Varys visibly paled. "Durran." Dany said from behind him. "Stop."

"I am no traitor to you, Your Grace. You and Queen Daenerys are the monarchs to lead us. I swear to you, my allegiance is yours, now and forever." Varys said, getting to one knee.

Durran nodded, but his eyes remained cold. "You will send a message to Lord Doran, Varys. Command him to hand over Viserys Targaryen and the traitors of the Golden Company immediately. Failure to do so is an act of treason."

"Of course, Your Grace." Varys nodded.

"Ser Barristan will shadow you." Durran added. The elder knight nodded, and led Varys out of the chamber. Grabbing a goblet, he took a swig of water before launching the golden cup across the room. "Traitors everywhere." He growled.

"He's looked after me since I was a little girl…" Dany said weakly.

"Likely to bring you up to be Viserys' Queen." Stannis told her. "You are right not to trust him, Your Grace."

Durran sighed, calming down slightly. "This city…" He began, before looking over at Dany. "Are you ok?"

"My brother is invading my country." Dany scoffed. "Of course I'm not ok."

"We will try and sort this out amicably." Durran said. "But we will need to strengthen the borders."

"I will send word to the Marcher Lords to call their banners." Stannis said, scratching a note quickly.

"We need a Baratheon there with them." Dany said.

"Stefan can go." Stannis said. "His wedding is close, as soon as that is over both he and Lady Margaery can go back to the Stormlands, where he can lead from Blackhaven with Lord Beric. We'll need the Redwyne Fleet too, they can blockade the Redwyne Straits protecting the reach and patrol further southwards."

"Send the Ser Davos and the Royal Fleet to Cape Wrath and Estermont, they can blockade from there." Durran added. "Fortify Stonehelm too, I don't want any surprises coming up the River Slayne."

"It will be done, Your Grace." Stannis nodded, heading off to see to his duties. Dany sat down, her head in her hands. Durran walked behind her and placed his hands over her dainty shoulders, massaging.

"What are we going to do." Dany whispered. "There will be some Houses that join with Viserys, I'm sure of it."

"And we will deal with them all." He whispered with a growl. "This isn't Robb Stark, this isn't a justified rebellion. This is treason. If this comes to war, any House that willingly choose to join with Viserys will be wiped out."

Dany turned her body around to face him. "You would wipe out entire families?"

Durran just nodded. "I will not risk our child, my love. Say I lose, Viserys would kill the child and marry you. We cannot let that happen."

Dany shook her head. "He will not harm us." She told Durran defiantly. "He may be my blood, but you are my family. If he turns down leniency, he will perish."

Durran nodded. "I will offer him Dragonstone. As he is your kin, I shall try and be peaceful to begin with but if that fails… I can't afford to look weak again, not after my deal with Robb Stark."

"I understand." Dany nodded. "I don't want to risk the Dragons either, only Rhaellar."

"She's bonded to you, I understand that." Durran nodded. "Not using the other Dragons though, I'm not sure my bannermen will understand…"

"I don't want to risk it." Dany said strongly. "If Viserys manages to bond to one of them then who knows what damage he could do."

"Very well." Durran nodded. He stared down at the table in front of him, holding Dany in his arms. "We will get through this. We've beaten Joffrey, we've neutralised the threat of the North. We can do this too."

In dual file the Northmen and River Lords with their retinues rode up the mud path towards the Western bank castle of the Twins. Arya looked up at the castle in disgust, a face that Catelyn Stark noticed next to her.

"You need to wear a smile, Arya. Walder Frey is a prickly man, don't give him any reason to believe you're unhappy at this arrangement." She urged. Arya had been told on the way to the Twins that she would have to marry a Frey when she turned 16 in a couple of years, and was not happy about it at all.

"He might call it off at that point." She grumbled, but Cat looked at her sternly.

"Or he may push forward the wedding." She countered. "You have bled, remember?"

Arya scowled, looking forwards as the castle rose in stature the closer they got. They went through the Western castle, and dismounted just before they got to the Eastern castle, the seat of Walder Frey. Walking through to the Lord's Hall, Arya found herself placed next to Sansa and Catelyn as Robb and Edmure greeted Lord Walder.

"Lord Stark. Lord Tully. Fellow guests." Walder Frey said snidely from his chair of black oak. "I welcome you to the Twins. Be welcome in my halls, and at my table." Arya noticed bread and salt being passed around, and as graciously as she could muster, took a piece of bread and dipped it in the salt, chewing on it quickly as Walder Frey droned on. "I extend to you my hospitality and protection in the light of the Seven."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Frey." Robb bowed his head, as Edmure repeated the same.

"I was disappointed, Lord Stark, to hear that you bent your knee to the Baratheon King." Walder told him. "I was so hoping for one of my girls to be a Queen, you see."

Arya felt her cheeks grow red with rage, but Robb handled himself well. "I agreed to wed one of your daughters while an heir, and I come today as a Lord to fulfil that promise. I believe your daughter will be more than happy, Lord Frey." He told the Frey.

"Hmm." Walder Frey said, his eyes piercing into Robb. "I suppose that's true. Not quite a King, but a battle scarred Lord. Tell me, was it really a Dragon?"

Nodding, Robb explained. "Aye, Daenerys Targaryen on one of her Dragons. A formidable opponent that we all are lucky wasn't bent on destroying us entirely."

"Quite." Frey nodded. "Perhaps this Dragon Queen will pay us all a visit one day." He sneered, letting his sons laugh at the non-joke.

Robb stood forwards. "It would be an honour to meet your eligible daughters, Lord Frey. As you can understand the North is still in the hands of Ironborn raiders, and I believe it mutually beneficial for the wedding to take place as soon as you are able to host it."

"We can have the wedding whenever his Lordship desires." Walder Frey grinned. "My son, Lothar can take you to the girls now, if you will."

"Thank you, Lord Frey." Robb bowed his head politely.

"The rest of my brood will show your guests to chambers we have prepared." Walder Frey said, pointing to the large array of men in Frey caps. The room began to empty, as Arya was escorted to a room by her betrothed.

"I'm Waldron Frey." He said nervously. "My Father says I am to marry you."

"I'm told the same." Arya said monotonously.

"I hope we can get to know one another while we are here." He said. Arya just nodded, and they walked on in silence until the room that her and Sansa would share came into view. Their things were placed in one corner, and the Frey escorts left them to settle in.

303 AC

The wedding of Lady Margaery and Stefan Baratheon had been a successful night. The vows had been said, the feast was one to rival even the best of King Robert's, and the bedding was performed without a problem by the blessing of Durran. The next morning was a calm one. The sky was clear, and Durran sat for breakfast with Dany, Stannis and Shireen as they awaited the newly married couple. They were listening to Shireen telling a tale of young Davos Baratheon in a storm when the door to Durran's chambers opened, and the newlyweds entered.

"Lord Stefan, Lady Margaery." Dany smiled. "Please, join us."

Stefan held a seat out for Margaery to sit, and then took his place at her side. "Thank you for the invitation, Your Grace." Margaery smiled.

"It's only fair." Durran waved off. "I trust last night was enjoyable?"

Margaery just nodded formally, but Stefan gave off a telling grin before steeling his face. "Very, Your Grace." He said.

"Good, I expect for the heir to the Throne to have a friend running around the halls of the Red Keep in no time at all then." Durran grinned. Dany smiled at the image too. The rest of the table seemed to ignore the comment for a moment, before Margaery realised.

"You're with child?" She asked Daenerys. Dany nodded happily. "We found out last week. We aren't announcing it to the country yet but we both thought that Durran's trusted and loyal family deserved to know."

Durran took her hand and nodded, letting the congratulations from the newlyweds to wash over them. Stannis just looked at him, his blind eye terrifying as the sunlight glinted off it. "I presume that was what the spectacle at the Iron Throne was all about?"

Dany nodded, blushing slightly. As Durran chuckled, Shireen just held a smug grin. "What are you so happy about, cousin?" Durran asked.

"I guessed three days ago." She smiled sweetly. "Her Graces breasts are filling her dresses more."

Drink spluttered across the table, and everyone was amused to notice it was Stannis who had caused it. Durran belted out a laugh at the sight. "Uncle, you seem flustered!" He chuckled.

"Shireen, apologise to Her Grace at once… for…"

"For noticing?" Shireen asked sweetly, before turning to Dany. "I'm sorry for staring at your breasts, Your Grace."

Durran couldn't help himself as another wave of laughter hit both him and Stefan. Margaery held a grin as Dany tried to control herself too. "That's alright, Lady Shireen. It's only natural to be interested as your body grows."

Stannis looked pale. "May I be excused from this? I fear I'm not as young as I once was taking part in this conversation…" He mumbled. Durran was loving the rare sight of a flustered Stannis.

"If you insist Uncle, I expect you'll be there to see Lord Stefan and Lady Margaery off?" Durran asked, grinning.

"Of course, Your Grace." Stannis nodded, before saying his goodbyes and swiftly vacating the room, much to the three Baratheon's amusement.

"That was cruel." Dany said, still smiling.

"He's always been a bit prudish." Shireen shrugged. "It was funny to see Father all flustered like that."

"Your daughter's developing body isn't a topic a Father would enjoy." Durran laughed. "I'm sure he took part in plenty of conversations of the like with my Father."

"I dread to think." Stefan groaned, tucking into a sausage. "What would you have me do when I'm in the Stormlands, Your Grace?"

Noticing the tone had shifted to war, the table quietened as Durran thought. "Marshal the houses on the Kingsroad on your way down, we need plenty of men at each of the Marcher castles so try and split them accordingly, focusing on Nightsong and Blackhaven. When you're at Storm's End hopefully we will know more and you can call your banners."

Nodding, Stefan agreed. "I will command with Lord Dondarrion at Blackhaven."

"As long as you feel you are ready." Durran told him.

"I am. I'm not needed at Storm's End with Lady Margaery and my Mother there. I'll be of more use where the men can see me, fighting with them."

"Just come back to me." Margaery told him sweetly.

"Of course, wife." Stefan nodded, taking her hand with his remaining one.

"You will be an important line of defence." Dany stated. "We can't let the Dornish through into the Stormlands."

"This is all banking on Viserys refusing the plea for peace of course." Durran said. "But you can never be too careful. I want all avenues of travel out of Dorne blocked.

"They will be." Stefan said. "The Marcher Lords are alerted and Lord Tyrell is calling a few thousand men from Oldtown to assist us at Nightsong. We will stand firm."

"My Father is eager to stop the Dornish at all costs, Your Grace." Margaery added.

"So long as his men are ready, then they will be most useful." Durran nodded. "Any word of defectors?"

"The Florent's remain quiet, but no trouble is expected from them, they are on their own and my marriage has solidified House Tyrell's rule." Margaery smiled. "The Reach is with you."

"Can we stop being boring for a minute?" Shireen sighed. "We can talk about war later."

Durran grinned, and raised a goblet. "To Stefan and Margaery then."

The others followed suit, and had a welcome return to feeling like teenagers after the toast.

Arya Stark seemed to be the only person in the entirety of the Twins to be miserable. Sansa was off dancing with Edmure Tully, her Mother was laughing in conversation with Lord Karstark and Robb was up on the high table feeding his new bride, Roslin Frey. Grumpily, she had a sip of water as her betrothed tried to speak to her. She ignored him completely however, until Sansa pulled her away and they went to refill their goblets.

"Arya, you need to smile more." Sansa whispered. "It's being noticed that you're unhappy."

"Of course I'm unhappy!" Arya exclaimed quietly. "I don't want to marry. I don't want to move here. I'd rather die."

"I remember your Mother saying the same things about your Father." A gruff voice came from behind them. The two girls turned to see the Blackfish.

"Ser Brynden." Sansa curtseyed.

"None of that girl." He waved off.

"How do you mean about Mother?" Arya asked.

Brynden smiled reminiscently. "When your Uncle Brandon died and Hoster announced that Cat was to marry Lord Eddard, she was very unhappy. But then she met him, and grew to love him. Who is to say that you won't be the same?"

"But I don't ever want to marry." Arya said unhappily. "I want to stay free, and be able to fight for Robb."

The Blackfish grinned. "You remind me of myself. I was the same."

"And you managed it!" Arya exclaimed. "Why can't I?"

"Because you're a Lady, Arya." Sansa rolled her eyes. "We don't get a choice."

"You slander yourself." The Blackfish noted amusedly. "In my experience, women can be every bit as powerful as men. It just takes the right type. If you're stubborn enough to set your sights on being a warrior, nobody can stop you."

"Is that what happened with you, Uncle?" Sansa asked.

The Blackfish's eyes darkened. "I never married because there was nobody available worth marrying. I wasn't needed to further any family lines, or make spares. Hoster did all that." He sighed, before looking over at Cat and smiling. "My duty was to your Mother and her siblings, nothing more."

"I can be there for Robb's children." Arya grinned. "I can be Master of Arms!"

Sansa was about to complain again, but Walder Frey had stood up and tapped his glass with a knife. "My Lords! My Ladies!" He began in his weasel like tone. "The Septon has prayed his prayers, some words were said, and Lord Robb has wrapped my daughter in a cloak. But… they are not yet man and wife! A sword needs a sheath, and a wedding needs a bedding!"

The men in the room all cheered bawdily, and Lord Umber was among the first to rise to the High Table and pick up Lady Roslin, ripping off part of her dress in the process. Sansa looked horrified, whereas Arya looked amused.

"This is what you're so excited for?" Arya laughed.

"It's… it's not…"

"Not what you thought?" The Blackfish barked a laugh. "It never is."

"Mother had to endure this?" Sansa asked him.

"No." The Blackfish admitted. "Lord Eddard treated her with the utmost respect and led her away safely. Your Aunt Lysa did however so the guests weren't too disappointed."

They watched on as Roslin, being held up by six men, passed by them, and saw Robb give them a smile as he was hurried on by a giggling group of Walder Frey's daughters. The bedding party left the room and the remaining guests were treated with a rendition of 'The Bear and the Maiden Fair'. Sansa excused herself to her chambers, as Arya watched the Blackfish in awe as he recounted to her stories of the many battles he'd been involved in. Eventually she had a quick dance with Waldron Frey to a Northern tune, but vowed to herself that she would never marry. She would be like the Blackfish.

The Small Council was tense. Durran stared at the letter he had received from Doran Martell.

"He's never been stupid. Never." He said, surprised. "Why now?"

"The Golden Company are formidable allies." Stannis said. "He feels emboldened and feels they can finally have justice for their slain kinsmen."

"But to demand members of my own family?" Durran argued. "The man has lost his wits."

"We cannot accept." Mace Tyrell said strongly.

"No, Lord Tyrell." Stannis told him through gritted teeth. "We cannot."

"Then it's war." Dany sighed.

"I can meet this Viserys, offer him our terms personally…" Durran began.

"This isn't the Stark boy, or your family." Stannis told him sharply. "Any view you have on warfare, throw it out. The Golden Company have numbers and weapons that will cause devastation. To win this war, we have to be smart. They will likely come for Nightsong first. Lord Bryce must be told to expect them."

"What weapons do they have?" Durran asked Varys. The eunuch was still being shadowed by the Kingsguard, but was remaining loyal.

"Elephants would be the most dangerous, but they have skilled tacticians at their head. Jon Connington and Jorah Mormont among them." Varys told them.

"A traitor and a slaver." Stannis spat.

"But clever men." Durran sighed. "How many men can we call upon?"

"The entire Stormlands are prepared, but I fear I only have 12,000 men spare after the previous wars." Stannis told him. "The Westerlands have none, the Crownlands maybe 2,000."

"Call them up." Durran said. "I want them sent down to Nightsong."

"Your Grace." Varys nodded, scribbling a note down.

"The fleets are in place." Stannis said. "Ser Davos is just off the coast of Estermont, and his fleet stretches out towards the Stepstones. Lord Redwyne too has told us they are in place."

"Then hopefully, this mess can be solved before it truly starts." Durran sighed.

"Send ravens to the individual Houses of Dorne." Dany told them. "Offer them clemency if they repeal their allegiances to the traitors of House Martell."

"That's a good idea." Stannis admitted. "Cause some tension from within."

"See it done." Durran nodded. Any word from the other Kingdoms?"

"Robb Stark has left the Twins and is heading with his army towards Moat Cailin. The Riverlands are on standby, with around 7,000 men available according to Ser Brynden." Varys said, pulling a raven scroll from his sleeves.

"The Vale is silent." Stannis said. "I don't like it. You shouldn't have sent him up there."

"He shall do what is necessary or I shall remind him what dragon fire looks like." Durran said sternly. "Send another raven, I want his forces to remain vigilant, if the Stormlands fall, we need the Vale. They're the only fresh Kingdom."

So, a chapter that is mainly weddings and war planning. Moves that tie up the Reach alliance once again, and then Robb Stark fulfilling his promise.

To give an update on the timelines, especially as it may be confusing after the last chapter. We are now entering 303 AC, or Season 4 for storylines not affected by the current goings on. Durran is about to turn 16, meaning he is about to come into his rule fully, with Stannis relinquishing his regency in the next chapter.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and please leave a review with your thoughts!

Reviews:

Marinebrat25: Purely to mould Viserys in the way they wanted. Letting him know Dany was alive and imprisoned would have likely set Viserys on a path closer to that of the show. As for Dragons, we shall see!

trollzor69: He's smarter, he still has that hint of madness but growing up with soldiers he knows how to use it.

Boramir: Good points about the dragons!

Hail King Cerion: I hope Dany's reaction was believable for you here. I guess that the fact you feel willing to support Viserys is a testament to how I wrote his chapter, so thank you.

Shini Kurogane: An interesting prospect, we shall see!

jgs237: You can imagine how well it will go down!

Lightningscar: Most are book characters yes. I needed them big enough for the Dany scene, but it was early and I get that. It was either that, or prolong an already stretched out story plot even further.

Lelouch-Strife: It's comments like that that make me think you haven't even read the chapter.

-Line: Doran would help him over a Baratheon. He is smart, but Oberyn and the entirety of Dorne will want vengeance. The White Walkers aren't a major story point until Season 5, so another year in story.

Guest (Kids): I really don't understand the point. Durran's kids? If you mean the Dragons, then you'll have to read on.