It is said in book canon that the Vale can field around 45,000 men at a push. For this, I'm using the thought that around 40,000 men can be fielded, and due to the wars raging all around, most of them were called upon.
As ever, I own nothing other than Durran and the other OC's. Everything you recognise from the books or shows belong to either George RR Martin or HBO.
The full Small Council were in session. Durran sat in the King's seat half listening to the problems that had arisen, and half willing to be elsewhere.
"A battle was had outside Blackhaven. 2,000 men were lost and Lord Stefan has pulled back into the castle. They are now under bombardment from the Golden Company but they are holding." Randyll Tarly read one note, before picking up another. "And Brightwater Keep is being sieged by Garlan Tyrell."
"A very capable commander, Your Grace." Mace Tyrell stated proudly. "He will have the castle in no time."
Durran nodded. "Good, we need as many problems dealt with as we can. Tell him that any surviving members of the House are to be brought here."
"Your Grace." Mace Tyrell nodded.
"And what will become of Brightwater Keep?" Stannis asked.
Durran thought, and Mace Tyrell popped up. "If Garlan is the one to win the castle…"
"My wife is Lord Alester's eldest daughter. The castle should fall to her." Randyll Tarly stated.
Durran gripped the table. "House Florent has forfeited all right to land in my Kingdom. I apologise Lord Tarly but Lord Tyrell has a point. The closest vassals to your lands will now fall under your rule, but the castle and remaining vassals will remain sworn to Brightwater Keep. Ser Garlan will henceforth be raised to Lordly status, and be granted Brightwater Keep." He told them all. Randyll Tarly didn't look happy, but accepted it.
"Write that down, Grand Maester." Stannis told the old man, who fumbled around for a moment before doing as he was bid. Once the letter was finished, Durran sealed it with his personal seal and put it to one side.
"Any news from the Vale?" He asked.
Varys nodded. "The armies are due to meet within the week in the Vale of Arryn."
"Who will win?" Devan Lannister asked.
Varys shifted uncomfortable. "Baelish has the numbers…"
Durran swore in his mind. "Then we must assume he will win the battle. Make sure Lord Tully knows that Lord Royce is an ally and if they make it out of the Vale, to join forces together."
Varys nodded. Minor matters of state were decided after that, but the Council meeting was interrupted when Lady Melisandre entered the room.
The mood darkened, Varys scowled ferociously at the Red Priestess, while Stannis stared at a spot on the table. Durran looked annoyed too.
"What is it?" He asked her impatiently.
"I apologise, my King." She said sweetly. "But I have been sent from the Queen's chambers. It's over."
Not remembering the last time Durran had rushed this quickly, the King made it to his chambers in Maegor's Holdfast in record time, bursting through the doors as soon as he arrived. He was met, however, with a sharp shushing by his Mother.
"Quiet." She scolded, quietly. She nodded towards Dany, who had her eyes closed and was being seen too by Maesters. Durran's eyes widened, as he moved to her side. Kneeling, he gripped her hand in his, a tear falling from his eye.
"Her Grace needs rest. This labour was hard on her, but she will survive." A Maester said quietly. Choking out a breath, Durran couldn't contain his smile, gently kissing her hand.
"Come here, let her rest." Cersei said. Nodding, Durran got to his feet. He noticed the doors had been closed, with his Kingsguard staying outside. Grateful, Durran walked over to his Mother, who held a bundle of black cloth in her arms. She moved to sit in a seat on the balcony, as Durran sat next to her. Cersei showed him how to hold the baby, before handing the bundle over.
"You have a daughter." She said proudly, tears forming in her eyes as Durran held his child for the first time.
He stared down at her, a tuft of black hair on her head, and the richest blue eyes looking back up at him. Durran smiled softly down at her, moving an arm to stroke her cheek with his pinkie. Gurgling, his daughter moved an arm and gripped his pinkie tightly, making Durran laugh happily.
"She's strong." He grinned.
Cersei nodded. "As were you. A true Baratheon."
Durran couldn't take his eyes off of his daughter. Memorising this moment as the brisk autumn sunlight gently lighting up her face. "She's perfect. Utterly perfect."
Cersei couldn't help but grin. Standing, she came over and kissed her son on the top of the head. "She looks like her Mother, I find."
"That's probably why she's perfect." Durran laughed. "Is this how you felt with Joffrey and I?"
He didn't see Cersei's nervous look, as she remembered her actions when her twins were born. Instead she said. "Of course, the birth of your children always feels like this."
Remembering his siblings, Durran made to get up. Carrying his daughter carefully, he kicked on the door to the room to get someone to open it. Ser Barristan and Stannis were the other side.
"Your Grace." Stannis said.
"A girl." He smiled. "Both Mother and child are healthy." Ser Barristan let out a large grin, and even Stannis smiled, an unnerving sight with his blind eye twinkling in torchlight, though Durran couldn't care. Durran continued. "Uncle, can you get a message to the Sept of Baelor to ring the bells, to announce the Princess. Ser Barristan, fetch Princess Myrcella and Lord Tommen."
The two nodded and saw to their tasks. Not ten minutes later and the doors opened, as Myrcella and Tommen were escorted in to the room.
"Is Dany ok?" Tommen asked.
Durran nodded. "Just resting, come over to the balcony."
They all moved over, and Durran sat down letting Myrcella fawn over the baby.
"She's so precious." She swooned. "Look at her."
The baby began to smile as Myrcella fussed over her, and Durran chuckled. "Come here Tommen, come and meet your niece." He said. The 12-year-old sat on the arm of the chair.
"She's tiny." He noted. Durran chuckled.
"She would be, my love." Cersei told him. "She will grow though."
"I won't have to marry her, will I?" He asked, grimacing. Durran's eyes fell in a frown at the thought of anyone marrying this precious bundle, but Myrcella laid a hand on his shoulder and answered.
"No silly, you need to marry a girl from the West." She told him.
"I don't want to marry anyone!" He cried. Cersei shushed him.
"Nobody is marrying anyone right now." Durran told them. They fell into silence as the baby began to coo. The bells began ringing at that moment, and the family all looked out to the Sept of Baelor.
"We have a new heir." Cersei smiled.
"Not quite." Durran told them. "The succession laws of the Crown remain as Agnatic Primogeniture, and since Tommen is now Lord Lannister and has abdicated, my heir is still Uncle Stannis."
Cersei was about to argue, but a noise came from behind them. "Durran." Came the quiet voice of Dany from the bed. Carefully, he made his way over to her.
"My Queen." He grinned. "Thank you. She's perfect."
Dany had propped herself up on pillows, and Durran carefully handed the baby over to her as his family filed in and stood around the bed. Durran sat on the side, his hand resting on her arm carefully. Dany smiled down at the small baby, stroking her cheek. "Elaenor. She's Elaenor." She said.
Letting the name fill his head as he stared at his daughter, Durran nodded. "Elaenor Baratheon. I like it."
"Princess Elaenor." Myrcella said happily.
The Maester came back through the door then, and cleared his throat. "I apologise, Your Grace, but the Queen must rest now, and Ser Jaime is asking for an update."
Nodding, Durran kissed Dany on the cheek and told her. "I'll be back later." He promised. Dany nodded, and captured his lips in a long kiss. Grinning, he helped shepherd his siblings out, though Cersei insisted on staying. Picking Tommen up and throwing the squealing Lord over his shoulder, he made his way out of the room, the happiest he had felt in a very, very long time.
After sparring with Olyvar and finalising the march back up to Winterfell, Robb made his way back to his chambers to change out of his armour and into more Lordly clothing. Reaching his wife's chambers next to his, he heard voices.
"…my youngest siblings were born. Lady Annara was the same." The quiet voice of his wife said.
"This happens, it's nothing to be ashamed of." His Mother's voice came. His interest peaked, he listened on. "I was the same with Robb. I worried, I cried, I thought I was dying. It wasn't until my Father, bless his soul as he was badly injured at the time, sat me down and explained everything to me. My Mother had been through six pregnancies, he understood."
Robb's eyes widened, as Roslin responded. "I'm just scared." She whispered, just loud enough for Robb to hear. "My Father was never there for my Mother, or any of his wives during pregnancy or childbirth."
Opening the door, Robb made himself known to the two women. Shock crept on to Roslin's face, but Robb couldn't stop grinning. Catelyn stood up, to greet Robb, but Robb only had eyes for Roslin.
"What I just heard. Are you certain?" He asked her. Roslin nodded, happy tears forming in her eyes.
Catelyn nodded also. "Lady Roslin came to me with suspicions a few days ago. We went to the Maester to confirm it, and the symptoms are intensifying."
"You're not angry, are you?" Roslin asked.
Robb looked bemused. "Angry?" He asked, moving towards her. He knelt at her feet, taking her hands in his and kissing them both. "My Lady, you're carrying my child. Our child. I could never be angry with that."
She choked back a sob, and brought his hands up to her belly. Robb didn't notice the door close again, but after a brief kiss with Roslin he noticed that the room had emptied again, and the two kissed once more, with clothes leaving their bodies as they went.
The remaining forces of the Riverlands had been camped by the border of the Vale along the High Road for a number of weeks, and all it turned out to be for now was a simple blockade of the road. Edmure had the Riverland Houses rotate the duty of letting people out of the Vale, while all access into it was blocked by order of the King.
Not much happened, other than a few issues with the age-old enemies of House Bracken and Blackwood, but Edmure was fast learning how to ease tensions between his tense Lords, and winning the loyalty of his new bannermen. The Blackfish helped where he could, but it had taken the reminder of Lord Hoster's death to shake Edmure into growing up a bit. Not that he had grown up entirely, as shown by the niece of the old landlady of the Inn at the Crossroads currently in his bed.
The tent flaps flew open, and the Blackfish walked in before looking at the two in the bed and shaking his head. "Get up."
Edmure stretched, and sat up. "What is it?" He asked annoyed. "I have company."
The Blackfish looked angry now. "I can see that, but your whore is less important than the banners of House Royce fleeing the Vale. I trust you remember what the King asked of you weeks ago." With that he stepped outside.
Nodding, Edmure got out of bed, stirring the woman. "Jeyne, I must leave for the moment." He told her gently.
The tall brunette nodded. "I should head back to the inn today anyway m'lord." She said. Edmure didn't want her too, but nodded.
"I'll likely be fighting soon so yes." He agreed. "I'll come back that way though, I promise."
Jeyne chuckled. "As m'lord says."
Edmure let her help him put his scaled armour on properly, before strapping his sword belt to his waist. He gave the nude girl a long kiss, before slapping her arse jovially and walking outside, where the Blackfish was stood waiting.
They began to walk to the far end of the camp, where the blockade to the High Road was. Edmure could tell the Blackfish didn't approve. "I'm not married yet." He told his uncle.
"You're betrothed to the cousin of the King, to the daughter of Stannis Baratheon." The Blackfish replied. "Be smarter than this."
Edmure let out a sharp laugh. "A girl I won't see for likely another year that's cursed with Greyscale. Am I to remain celibate until I meet her?"
Brynden turned around and pointed his finger sharply in Edmure's chest. "You are the Lord Paramount of the Riverlands now. All of these men around you look up to you. If you want to act like a spoilt child whoring your way through life, then these men will respect you almost as much as they do Aegon the Unworthy. If you don't start taking responsibility for your new duties and role, then who knows, a Tyrell child of your niece could hold Riverrun one day at the request of your own men."
Edmure stared back at his Uncle, rage in his eyes. "You forget yourself Ser." He said coldly, before moving along swiftly. The Blackfish stopped him with a hand on the shoulder.
"All I do, I do to help you and your sisters." He said, a pained. "For your Mother, may the Seven give her peace."
Calming down, Edmure nodded. Understanding his Uncle's pain, he clapped his Uncle on the shoulder and they both made their way towards the oncoming Vale army.
The Riverland forces had mobilised, so if things turned sour a defensive battle would likely take place. Mounting a horse and placing himself next to his Uncle and Lord Jason Mallister, he waited for the Vale forces to march down the High Road and prove to him they were the loyalists. He spotted banners of Houses Royce, Waynwood, Hunter, Belmore and Redfort along with minor vassals, but the Blackfish moved unnerved on his horse.
"Not even a third of the Vale Houses." He grimaced, causing Edmure to frown. He saw the famous armour of the Bronze Yohn, and trotted forwards, with his parlay party with him. Stepping forwards for the Vale were Lord Royce, the heir to House Waynwood, Ser Morton, and Ser Eustace Hunter.
"My Lords." Edmure greeted.
"Lord Edmure." Lord Royce replied. "We were told by King Durran to join our forces to yours. I'm sorry we couldn't bring more men."
Edmure nodded. "What is done is done, My Lord. Join your forces to ours and we shall have enough men to bring down Littlefinger and to free my sister from his grasp. Share our camp and let your men rest well. Your commanders may join us in the War tent. Tell us all."
Nodding, Lord Royce turned and shouted at his men to set up camp behind the barricades, as Rivermen allowed the Vale forces to traipse into the camp. Edmure made his way to the War tent, where a large map of Southern Westeros was placed on a table, with figures dotting various positions. Briefly picking up the fish of House Tully, the tent opened again, as the three men at the Parlay entered the tent with Lord Belmore and Ser Symond Templeton, along with some other Riverlords. Wine was brought for them all.
Edmure gestured to Lord Royce to begin his tale, and the gruff knight moved some of the pieces in the Vale, so one Vale piece was sat next to the trout, and two were sat at the Gates of the Moon.
"We were lucky we had the Bloody Gate." He explained. "Our forces met Littlefinger's in the Vale of Arryn, but we underestimated him. Somehow, he's convinced Lady Lysa and all of the other Houses in the Vale that we wish to see Robin Arryn dead. They outnumbered us and broke us."
"How many men did you lose?" Lord Bracken asked.
"5,000 in the battle, give or take. We didn't stop to do a true count." Ser Morton said, a scab over his eye. "My brother Donnel took another 3,000 to block our escape at the Gates of the Moon." He said sadly.
"My Father and Gilwood are dead too." Ser Eustace said angrily. "My fucking brother Harlan killed them. Hunter fought Hunter."
"So, what of House Grafton?" The Blackfish asked. "The ships?"
Lord Royce began to grin. "The one bit of good news we have. As men were amassing, my son Andar took a squad in at the dead of night and sunk them."
Edmure was taken aback. "All of them?"
Lord Belmore scoffed. "There wasn't many big enough for transporting troops anyway, maybe 20? A fine feat nonetheless." The overweight Lord grinned.
"Fantastic news." Edmure grinned. "They have to come through here to have any impact on the war then."
"That's what we'll have to do." Lord Royce told them. "I can't imagine Littlefinger won't have taken back the Bloody Gate, it's too valuable."
Thinking, Edmure tried to work out a way of forcing Baelish out. Lord Jason Mallister got there ahead of him however. "What if we send word to King's Landing? Ask the Queen to join us with her dragons."
Edmure shook his head. "The Queen is recovering from childbirth, Lord Mallister. I doubt she can help us here."
"An heir?" Ser Morton asked. "Healthy, I hope?"
Edmure nodded, having forgotten the Valemen wouldn't have heard. "Not an heir, but a healthy baby girl. Princess Elaenor."
Ser Morton grinned, and held his glass up. "To the Princess." A toast was quickly said, before the Blackfish continued with the war council.
"Asking for the Dragon's help though, we saw how powerful they were at Sow's Horn." He stated. Edmure's face fell in sorrow.
"Ser Ronald Vance was nothing but ash afterwards." He scowled, missing his friend.
"Ronald the Bad?" Lord Belmore asked, causing Edmure to glare daggers at the man.
"My friend." Edmure told them. "The idea is a good one, if a single Dragon can destroy half of an army in a few moments, the Bloody Gate can be taken too. My Lords, Sers, I'm sure you could all do with your rest. We can reconvene in the morning and I shall send His Grace a raven."
Ser Garlan Tyrell strode through the courtyard of Brightwater Keep with a small honour guard, trying not to look at the number of dead bodies in both Tyrell and Florent armour littered around the castle. The battle had been long and tiring, but finally House Florent had been subdued with only minor damage to the castle. He himself had killed three members of the House in the battle. He made his way into the hall of Brightwater Keep and sat himself in the Lords chair.
A moment later, and the remaining members of House Florent were brought into the room. Lord Alester, his brother Ser Axell and their nephew, Ser Imry. Being forced to their knees, they looked up at Garlan.
"You all stand accused of treason." He began. "Joining forces with the usurper and exile Viserys Targaryen rather than your rightful King. Lord Alester, how do you plead?"
"Usurper?" The stouter of the three cried. "King Viserys is the rightful King you up jumped steward! Fuck you and fuck your King."
"Axell, silence." Lord Alester snapped.
"No, brother. We are dead anyway." Axell Florent laughed bitterly. "Have my head here boy, but our cause is just and the Reach will see you all for what you are." With that he spat at the feet of Garlan, who sighed and nodded to one of his guards. Axell Florent was hauled upwards onto his feet and taken outside. Garlan let silence fall in the room, and they heard the axe swing that cleaved off Axell Florent's head. Waiting a bit longer, a guard brought the head into the hall, blood dripping from the severed neck, and threw it at the knees of Lord Alester.
"Can we settle this like men now, rather than petulant children?" Garlan asked. "How do you plead?"
"I stand by my decision, Ser Garlan." Lord Alester told them. "It was my decision alone to reclaim the reach for the true heirs of House Gardener and mine alone. Let my nephew go."
Garlan stood, and walked over towards Lord Alester, carefully side stepping the bleeding head of Axell Florent. "It was your decision yes, and you know your life is already forfeit. But your family fought for you, and for that they must suffer the decision of the Crown. You are both to be escorted to King's Landing to stand trial for your crimes."
"What of my nephew, Merrell? He's a captive in the Arbor." Alester asked.
"You should have thought about that when you rebelled." Garlan said sharply. "This is a decree from King Durran, of the House Baratheon. It states that your lands are forfeit for your crime, and any male member of House Florent currently residing elsewhere will be taken to Highgarden to serve House Tyrell. Brightwater Keep is to be given to House Tyrell, and any vassals will henceforth be split, being either vassals of House Tarly or vassals of House Tyrell of Brightwater Keep, from this day until the end of days."
"Usurper." Imry spat weakly. "You, you mean."
"I have been granted the castle by King Durran, yes." Garlan told him. "This wasn't the way to go about things, Ser Alester. Surely you can see this rebellion was always doomed?"
Alester looked up at Garlan darkly. "I expected more Houses to join us and our cause, yes I'll admit that. But this rebellion is far from over. King Viserys is gaining access to the Stormlands as we speak, and the Vale has been won. You can take my lands, titles, and families lives, but in the end, we shall be victorious."
Hearing enough, Garlan sighed. "Take them away. Feed them and send them with a guard to King's Landing immediately." He commanded. Watching them head off, he sighed and looked around at his new castle hall, already making plans to join his forces with those at Blackhaven.
I'll admit, I 'borrowed' a bit of Robb finding out Talisa was pregnant in this. I feel his reaction would be the same, and Roslin doesn't know him as well as Talisa did so would be a bit concerned that she was pregnant away from either of their homes.
It was nice to introduce Garlan properly too, as well as do a Riverland POV. The War in the Vale will intensify next chapter.
The most memorable bit of this chapter, however, is the birth of baby Elaenor Baratheon (pronounced Ell-ay-nor). The law of succession stems from the well-known idea that all female claimants for the Throne in the series were passed over. I figure Cersei has come around to House Baratheon a bit. She still hates Stannis with a burning passion, but as she has a son and now a granddaughter in the House, she won't be planning any murders any time soon.
Please let me know what you think in the reviews, no matter what it is. Ideally I'd like 24 reviews of this chapter, taking us up to 400 total for the story!
Reviews:
Shini Kurogane: She cares about family above all so I thought she would care about her grandchild.
trollzor69: It's still in Starfall, for now.
Guest (Dorne): The Dornish are far different now than they were when Nymeria came. It can't truly be held without too much blood being spilled from both sides.
Boramir: He needs someone to hold it though, the Ironborn problem proved to him that it needs a constant garrison, and he only trusts House Stark to hold it. Remember he thinks Bran and Rickon are dead, so Arya is the next best thing in terms of being able to command a militant garrison seeing as though Jon is at the Wall. The Elephants are also good at moving heavy equipment, in a battle they would be formidable and as a scare tactic they will be useful too.
Riverdog: I honestly forgot about the Mountain, he's alive, having survived the battle with the Northerners and making his way back to Clegane Keep. Also, very good guess.
Lightningscar: Tyrion was killed, crushed by falling stone as the walls of King's Landing blew apart thanks to wildfire and his body lies in the Hall of Heroes at Casterly Rock. Fair enough that you skipped over characters you don't recognise, but the Rolland Storm/Stefan Baratheon scenes were to give an update on Viserys' army. It's done to appease the bad feelings about how easy the North was cut off when attacked from the North. Having a Stark there, no matter who, is better than having it be a seat of House Frey, and Robb is trying to be kind to his sisters, as he thinks they are the only family he has left. His vassal's I believe would understand, as they would have spent plenty of time with her on the route Northwards. Honestly, I was running out of random Northern names and that sounded Northern enough, the guard isn't an important part at all but I thought it would be funny. They're for dragging equipment for now, but the Stormlords are proud, so will try for a battle in the stretch between the entrance to the Boneway and the castle as shown here. The scolding I thought was fun, as while Durran is a King, Ser Barristan is also his tutor in swordplay, so will be there to ensure he keeps his focus. As for Durran calling the Dornish goat fuckers, I put that down to him being an angry 16-year-old with barely a filter.