I've had a look at the stats of this story and I'm blown away. I'm just under halfway through the series and for this to be at almost 400 favourites and over 500 follows is incredible! Thank you to everybody who's interacted with this story in any way. You guys keep me going.

So here we are at Chapter 20, and things are moving forwards quickly! But I'll leave you all to read on and talk about it more in the post chapter note.

I own nothing but Durran and the other OC's. Everything else belongs to either George RR Martin or HBO.

The day after the wedding, Lord Walder was gracious enough to offer Robb and his council a chamber to plan the Northerners next moves. Robb looked around. Lords Bolton, Karstark, Glover, Forrester, Umber and Tully being joined by Lady Mormont, Edwyn Frey, the new heir to the Twins after his Father Ryman was burnt by the Targaryen's dragon, as well as Brynden Tully and Ser Wendel Manderly. A map of Westeros was laid out on a table, with carvings in place to detail all the armies in the realm.

"King Durran has asked the Riverlanders to amass on the High Road on the border to the Vale in case of any treachery." Edmure told them all. "We have around 7,000 men, not including House Frey."

"Would Aunt Lysa really betray the King?" Robb asked.

"Lysa is a troubled woman." Brynden told them all. "With Baelish in her ear, I think any hint at a power grab will be taken."

"Then by all means you should leave for the border, Lord Edmure." Robb said. "We can take Moat Cailin without the majority of the Riverlands, you are needed elsewhere."

Edmure bowed his head, while Edwyn Frey produced a letter. "We received this from Seaguard." He told them all, handing it to his Liege Lord. Edmure read it.

"The Lannister fleet is docked at Seaguard." He said in disgust.

"They haven't the men to attack us, Lord Edmure." Bolton reminded him. "They are part of King Durran's relief force."

"And they will be put to use." Robb nodded slowly. "Lord Glover, I want you to take 2,000 men and board the ships, travel up the Fever and burn any remaining Ironborn ships."

"With pleasure." Robett Glover grinned.

"Lord Bolton, Lord Umber, Ser Edwyn." Robb continued. "March up the Causeway with the bulk of the army. 7,000 men. Besiege the castle at first, but be ready for an assault."

"My Lord." Bolton and Umber both nodded.

"That leaves 4,000 men with me." Robb nodded.

Maege Mormont looked questioningly at Robb. "What will the rest of us be doing." She asked.

"I'd like yourself and Lord Karstark to take a rowboat and sail up river towards the Neck. Make noise, get the attention of Howland Reed. We'll use the Neck to bring the rest of our forces up to re-join Lord Glover. They won't expect as many men and should be taken off guard." Robb told them all.

The room began mumbling their agreements. "When do we leave?" Karstark asked.

"You and Lady Mormont can go today, I want Lord Reed ready for us." Robb told him. "The Southern forces should be ready to leave in three days, and Lord Glover can leave then too. The rest of us will wait until we hear from you." Agreements were made, and plans finalised. Robb looked around the table and decided to say one final, rallying word. "Too long we have been away from our home. Now is the time we take it back. Let's use the victories in the South to spur us on."

"Aye!" Umber shouted. "Let's show these cunts who they're messing with!"

"The North Remembers, My Lords and Lady." Robb shouted above the noise. "Let's show the Ironborn that."

Durran hated the fact that yet again his nameday was being celebrated in what was likely a time of war. That didn't stop his family from easing the burdens however. The day started with a formal breakfast in his Mother's chambers, where all of his family were gathered, Baratheon and Lannister alike. Stannis was due to officially end the regency the next day, but it was Cersei who stood up and called for some quiet.

"Sixteen years to this very day, I brought you into this world." Cersei smiled, looking at Durran. "You were noisy, strong, and everything your Father wanted in a son." Durran smiled at that, glad his Mother could put aside her grievances for one day. "And now look, you've grown into a strong King, making us all proud. I know times are difficult at the moment, but we will persevere and beat back the foreign invaders with you leading us, I am sure. To Durran."

"To Durran." They all toasted. Smiling, Durran hugged his Mother tightly.

"Thank you." He whispered, and she nodded knowingly. They finished the meal, and together, Cersei and Durran were escorted to the Sept of Baelor, where the pair of them stood outside the tomb encasing Joffrey's remains.

They stood in silence for a number of minutes. Silently thinking. Durran looked up at the effigy of his brother. After taking the throne, he had thought long and hard about whether or not to treat his Brother with this much respect, but for the safety of his siblings Joffrey needed to be treated as a former King, and with King Robert requesting to be entombed in Storm's End, Joffrey was the first King in history to be buried in the Sept of Baelor.

The effigy portrayed Joffrey standing tall and regal, with his crown on his head and looking every part the dashing King. He knew his Mother appreciated it, and if he was honest with himself that made it all worthwhile.

"It could have all been so different." Cersei sighed.

"He would never have been a good King." Durran told her. "As bad as it sounds, for the realm and for us all, he's safer dead."

Cersei winced at that. "I could take cruelty, cruelty is in a King's nature in some form or another. It was his jealousy that was his downfall. Without that, together you could have ushered in a new age of peace."

Durran wasn't so sure, but arguing today of all days wasn't wise. "I'm due to meet Dany at the Dragonpit. You can join us if you'd like?" He asked.

Cersei smiled weakly. "No, you go. I'll stay here a while longer." Nodding, he allowed Ser Perwyn to stay with his Mother as Ser Podrick and Ser Arys followed him to the Dragonpit.

After stopping on the way to talk to some of the smallfolk, he finally arrived at the Dragonpit, and stopped in the entrance to just watch Dany for a moment. His wife was five months pregnant and a bump was beginning to form. The Dragons noticed too, as Aelyx was currently sniffing Dany, before darting off into the sky.

Durran was discovered as Dārys landed in front of him with a thud. Stroking the Dragon's nose carefully, he noticed Dany walk up beside him.

"He's oddly calm right now." Dany noticed.

"Maybe he's finally grown fond of people." Durran grinned.

Dany shook her head. "Nope, just you it seems." She said thoughtfully.

Durran shrugged. "Go and be with your siblings." He told the Dragon. Dārys just snorted distastefully, before skulking off and launching himself in the air. "Has he ever obeyed anyone else before?"

"Only Melisandre." Dany said, concerned. "You don't think…"

"No." Durran said quickly. "I'm not a Targaryen, likely he just knows me from when he was smaller."

Shrugging, Dany put it to one side. "I brought us some food out here, so we can be left peacefully for once."

Grinning, Durran gestured for the two Kingsguard to stay by the entrance of the Dragonpit as the lovers walked over to where Dany had set up a small picnic. Lying on the floor, he gazed up and watched the three dragons fly around the pit high up. Smiling, he let his wife feed him a grape before returning the favour.

It was nice to just relax for a change, laughing and remembering the times they first spent together alone, showing each other that they still retained the same feelings, and more, for one another. As dusk came to pass however, the blissful mood was interrupted.

Ser Arys came walking over towards them, and Durran noticed as Dany was beginning to drift off to sleep in his arms. "Ser Arys, I asked not to be interrupted." He whispered.

"Forgive me, Your Grace. But a rider has come from the Red Keep. Lord Stannis requires your presence in the Small Council chamber urgently." Arys told him. "We've received a message from Dorne."

Nodding, and bringing his mind back to a Kingly one, Durran began to get up, stirring Dany. "We have to go back to the castle, my love." He told her.

"Hmm? Ok." She said sleepily. Durran chuckled.

"Can you see to it the Queen is looked after?" Durran asked Ser Arys. "I shall head back immediately."

Durran walked into the Small Council chambers to see almost the full council there. Mace Tyrell looked as pompous as ever, Devan Lannister was able to make an appearance and Randyll Tarly had recovered from his wounds fully. In the centre of the table was a letter. Durran walked to his seat and immediately read it.

"I, Viserys of the House Targaryen do claim the Iron Throne by birthright." Durran groaned. "This has gone to everyone, hasn't it?"

"It seems that way, Your Grace." Varys said.

"House Florent has already answered his summons." Tarly spat out. "Blasted traitors."

"We shall deal with House Florent imminently, Lord Randyll." Mace Tyrell told them all. "My nephew Garlan shall lead the charge."

Durran nodded at that. "A good plan."

"Just ensure the borders to Dorne are fortified well, My Lord." Randyll Tarly said, looking at the map. "Keep 3,000 men with Lord Cuy at Sunhouse, and move 5,000 from our borders to Nightsong. The rest can be used to pacify the Reach. There's bound to be more traitors somewhere."

Durran grimaced at the thought. "Has anyone else responded Varys?"

Varys looked troubled. "The Westerlands are too broken to have any form of host."

"And we wouldn't anyway." Ser Daven said, unamused. "We have no blood ties to Viserys, our loyalty is with King Durran and don't you forget that, Spider."

"My apologies." Varys bowed. "The North will stay out of this; Robb Stark is focusing on regaining control of the country…"

"And so he should too." Durran told them all. "We will not ask for help from Robb Stark."

"We need to ask it of Lord Tully however." Varys said. "Baelish has betrayed you, Your Grace. Many of the lesser Houses have followed him in declaring Viserys the rightful King."

Durran slammed his fist on the table. Stannis gave him a look to calm himself, and he collected his thoughts before saying. "What of the major Vale Houses?"

Varys looked happier at that. "They've formed an alliance against Baelish. House Royce, Waynwood, Hunter, Templeton, Redfort and Belmore are yours. Lord Royce has written himself to tell you he is leading the alliance towards the Gates of the Moon to trap Baelish. I presume a battle will be had between all the forces of the Vale soon."

"Baelish has the numbers, just, but Lord Royce holds many of the larger Houses in the Vale." Tarly noted. "We should send in the Riverlanders by Darry."

Durran nodded. "See to it that Edmure knows to link up with Lord Royce. I want Baelish's head."

"What about Dorne?" Ser Barristan asked.

"Not to worry." Durran said. "I've been working on something specifically for Dorne…"

A fortnight after Maege Mormont and Rickard Karstark had left with retinues for the Neck, Robb was stepping off the small boat that had brought him to the great crannog that was Greywater Watch. The ground was surprisingly sturdy as it looked like reeds and logs had just been pushed together, but in front of Robb was the most impressive building. It wasn't a castle in the usual sense of the word, but an extremely large thatched hut was flanked by two wooden watchtowers, and beyond the seat of House Reed was another circular thatched building, half as tall as the hut but around four times as large.

"So, this is where the Crannogmen hide." Arya noted from behind him.

"Be polite, Arya." Robb warned jovially, as he made his way into the building. An entrance room of sorts presented itself, and just by the door stood Maege, Rickard, and a smaller man, with greying brown mopped hair and a thin beard covering his face. Lord Reed.

"Lord Stark." The man said. "Welcome to Greywater Watch."

Robb bowed his head politely. "Thank you for having us, Lord Reed. I can understand if you hesitated."

"Not at all." Howland smiled warmly. "Your Father was a good friend, for him it's the least I could do."

Shaking Howland's hand, he greeted the other two before turning back to Howland. "I promise the army won't stay later than dawn tomorrow, but if I could ask for your hospitality for my Mother and Sisters, I would be very grateful."

Howland nodded. "Of course, I shall have some rooms set out for them immediately." He turned to Catelyn. "It's good to see you again after so long, Lady Stark."

"And you, Lord Reed. Was it really my wedding day that I last saw you at?" She asked.

Howland chuckled. "Yes, a wonderful occasion at a terrible time."

Catelyn just nodded. They spoke more small talk for a while, before Howland brought Robb and Catelyn up to his solar. Pouring them a drink of a thin, light green liquid, he handed them both a cup and watched their faces. Chuckling, he drunk a bit himself and explained. "Lizard-lion blood mixed with Pickerel Weed. A delicacy in the Neck I promise you."

Robb nodded once, and tried a sip. Liking the sweet nature of the drink, he had another before setting it down. "I truly am grateful for your help, Lord Howland."

"It's my duty." He told Robb. We lost the Moat when the Ironborn came, it's only right we help retake it. I have 300 archers to send with you, and we've been hard at work searching for the right poisons, so all archers can have numerous poisoned arrows."

"Poisoned arrows?" Cat asked.

"Yes." Howland nodded. "A little secret mix of ours, we'll have the Moat back in no time, especially with the two points of attack."

Robb nodded. "Anyone else and I'd be wary of resorting to such tactics, but the Ironborn have raped and pillaged the North enough. They're a stain on the mainland. They murdered Bran and Rickon, Mother, they deserve to rot in the deepest of the Hells."

Howland remained still, but Catelyn just sighed and nodded. "It's getting late. You should rest if you're heading off tomorrow." She told Robb.

Robb nodded. Finishing his cup, he bade farewell to Howland and Cat and left the room leaving the two old acquaintances to talk.

The next day, Robb bode farewell to his family. Sansa was tearful and Arya was insistent on coming with him. Hugging them both, he soon turned to his Mother.

"I'll send for you once the Moat is secure." He told her. Cat just nodded, her eyes red, and she looked like she'd been crying half the night. "I'll be ok."

"I know." She nodded strongly. With that, he stepped on the small rowboat with Howland and the other nobility that travelled to Greywater Watch and pushed away from the crannog, not noticing the glare that Cat gave towards the back of Howland Reed's head.

The order came, and Ser Davos immediately tasked 40 ships of the Royal Fleet to leave the blockade and head towards the Dornish coast. His Pirate friend, Salladhor Saan, had told him that the Golden Company had used mercenary fleets to sail across the Narrow Sea, and that they were no longer in Westeros, which benefitted him just fine.

Six days after leaving Estermont, having made sure to stay out of sight of the Dornish coastline, as the light was making way for darkness, Davos sent the signal to begin the attack. A single ship was sent towards the port, where there sat numerous barges all tied together. Next to Davos, his new squire stood tall watching on.

"Why are we only sending one ship in?" Gendry asked.

Davos just held one hand up, silencing him. He was unconvinced at the necessity of this, but the King had insisted. As he saw the ship bump into the barges, causing a small commotion within the residents of Plankytown, he nodded to an archer at the bow of his ship. Dipping an arrow into a brazier, the archer took aim, and after a few seconds of total silence other than the waves lapping at the ships, he fired.

Reminiscent of the Blackwater, Davos watched as the arrow sailed in the air. Thankfully this time he was watching it fly away from him however, and he stared on as it punctured into the boat.

Green flame erupted, and bricks and rocks and metal were flung outwards with unstoppable force. The port lit up in seconds, and then the screaming began.

"Seven Hells…" Gendry whispered in horror. "The King ordered this?"

Davos just nodded. "He wanted to make an example to the Dornish people that he would not be lenient. This port is the main source of trade for Dorne, the logic in taking it is sound."

"Then why are we destroying it?" Gendry asked angrily. "All those people, they didn't choose to follow Viserys. This seems cruel."

"When we get back, I'll let the Lady Shireen teach you about the Dornish Wars." Davos said. The girl had explained a lot about Dorne to him before he left. "The settlements cannot be held, so King Durran wants Plankytown to be a message." He looked on at the scene distastefully however, memories flashing through his mind of Blackwater Bay and Devan.

The Royal Fleet sat there and watched the small Dornish town burn. They stayed anchored just off the mouth of the Greenblood for long enough to watch the fire begin to consume the buildings on land, and die out in the hot sands of Dorne. Three days it burned for, and on the fourth day, Davos noticed that Dornish soldiers were scouring the ruins and escorting the few survivors towards the direction of Sunspear. Deciding enough was enough, he signalled the fastest ship in the fleet to return to the blockade and instruct them to advance.

"What happens now?" Gendry asked, staring at the blackened remains of Plankytown.

"We blockade Sunspear and the Water Gardens." Davos explained. "They are the main seats of Dornish power, and now that Plankytown is ash we need to stop the Dornish from reaching out any way we can.

"We're just letting them sit there? Why not attack?" Gendry asked.

Davos sighed, and told the boy. "Dorne is the base of power for this rebellion. The Vale is contained, Ser Garlan Tyrell is leading the offensive against the rebellious Reach houses but Dorne is strong and whole. If we can starve them out from all sides, then we can break them with hopefully no more Dornish blood spilled. That's His Grace's plan."

The horn sounded, and Robb Stark watched as the initial shield wall made its way down the causeway. The walls had crumbled on the Northern side of the castle, leaving the way inside fairly clear, although the Ironborn had mounted a small defence. Three by three, the Northmen made their way down the causeway, with shields protecting the front and top of the column. Pikes protruded from between the shields, and it was only the burn to his side that stopped Robb from being right in the middle of it.

From afar, he watched as Rickard Karstark led the Northern forces through the defences, and once the lines were smashed, he grinned as the shield wall broke apart and the Northmen roared forwards, cutting their way through the Ironborn.

He moved forwards with his guard, and arrived at the Moat as the gate was raised and the Southern attackers charged through too. It was a slaughter, 13,000 men attacking a splinter force of around 100 men, and it was over too quickly. Casualties on their side were slim, with only a dozen or so losing their life, but among them were Rickard Karstark and Gregor Forrester.

As Robb was consoling Rodrik Forrester, the Greatjon appeared dragging along an elder, bald Ironborn prisoner. "My Lord, this one claims to have been in command." The Greatjon said, throwing the man to the floor.

Robb stood up regally, and looked down at the Ironborn prisoner. "What is your name."

"Kenning." The man wheezed. "Ralf Kenning."

"Where is Theon Greyjoy?" Robb asked.

"Don't know." The man said. "Stupid cunt took Winterfell and lost it again, not heard from anyone that went there since."

"He must have gone to Deepwood Motte then." Roose Bolton surmised, walking in behind the Greatjon.

Robb nodded. "We will find him soon enough. Fetch me a block." A couple of soldiers grabbed a piece of stone and placed it on the ground. Grabbing the prisoner, they forcefully shoved his neck onto the stone. Robb slowly retrieved Ice from the strapping on his back and placed it point down on the ground, leaning lightly on it as his Father once had done. "In the name of Durran, of the House Baratheon, first of his name. King of the Andals and the First Men. Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm. I, Robb of the House Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North do sentence you to die. Will you speak a final word?"

The man didn't make a sound, and so Robb took a step back, swung the Valyrian Steel great sword with all his might and cleaved through the prisoner's neck. The head rolled a few feet, and Robb returned Ice to its sheath. "Throw all the bodies in the Fever, return them to their heathen God." He commanded, before making his way up towards the Gatehouse Tower to rest.

So, Moat Cailin has fallen! There's still work to do of course but the Northerners can go back home. Of course, if you're following the timeline you'll know it isn't the end of the problems up there…

As for Dorne, first blood is spilled. I'm interested to see what you think of Durran's tactics here, striking first.

The exploding ship is based off of the Hellburners used in the Siege of Antwerp. I replaced the gunpowder with wildfire of course, but the premise is the same.

Please let me know what you think of the chapter! Either by review or PM (which I'll answer quicker.)

Reviews:

DJDrake: Thank you for saying that!

trollzor69: Yes, Theon is Reek as it stands, which will be an interesting plot point for Robb in the future. Melisandre is lurking about the Capital and Gendry is in this chapter!

Riverdog: Thank you for saying that! The idea to make it an OC/Dany came from the fact most are either OC Baratheon/Arya or OC Baratheon/Margaery. I wanted a bit of an AU to differentiate the story from the others.

kira444: That's not pushy at all! I'm glad you enjoy this one an I'll try to update more regularly.

BLACK-OP1: I wasn't going to discontinue, just put off updating a bit while I can write something that got my mojo back, but the overwhelming support for this story has been incredible!

Lelouch-Strife: You hate the canon character. This Viserys is different.

viewing civilian: It seems many people share your opinion, so it's with this I'll stay with!

RHatch89: It'll be interesting. Some families hate the Baratheons, some hate the Targaryens, and some just hate their overlords so promises towards them can be persuading.

Boramir: No, Arya is travelling back to Winterfell with Robb. I think Walder Frey is happy for now, he's going to get a grandson as Warden of the North after all! You have some good ideas too, I'm especially intrigued by your naval warfare idea and I'm likely to incorporate that somehow, thank you.

Brandon of House Stark: Thank you! It's good to see a review from you again.

Shrednector: I've completed an Arryn OC story! As High as Honour is the story of a bastard son of Jon Arryn that I (of course, as it's my own!) highly recommend.

KillerSnake4: That's high praise considering some of the Black Prince stories out there, thank you so much.

alecpotter: Durran is married, and married happily. Margaery is tied to him though, as she is his cousin by marriage now and the future Lady of Storm's End.

jgs237: Thanks! It was just something light hearted and fun to right to fill some space but I enjoyed writing it haha.