Good news! I have finalised my plan for this story. As of right now it will have 46 chapters, and so long as I can put ideas to screen in a well written way, the main event at the end is going to be EPIC! Obviously it's still a long way off, but I'm super excited to take this story there, so be prepared for more marriages, births, deaths and twists along the way.
But until then, please do enjoy this next chapter!
As always, I own nothing but Durran and the other OC's. Everyone else is either George's or HBO's.
Flying a dragon when it wasn't bonded to you was a nightmare, Durran decided. After spending ten minutes just trying to get it to fly, Dārys suddenly shot upwards, giving Durran almost no time to cling on to his spikes, and taking more time than needed to fly up to the part of the Giants Lance that housed the Eyrie. Dārys also seemed to dislike the small blizzard that was occurring, and as soon as they landed in a courtyard, with Durran being thrown off forcefully, the dragon began blowing smoke from its nostrils, melting the oncoming snow.
Durran brushed himself off before turning to the Dragon. "Never again, I'd rather be buggered bloody than try and ride you again." He whispered, fixing his sword belt that now had Lady Forlorn sheathed. He noticed a serving girl staring at them both, her mouth wide open in a mix of awe and horror. Durran called out to her. "You, you know who I am?" He asked. She nodded her head. "Fetch me Lord Robin, and nobody else.
"Your Grace… Lady Lysa…" She stammered, but Durran cut her off.
"No, Lord Robin and only Lord Robin. Go." He commanded, and the girl dropped the sheets she was carrying and ran. Soon enough, numerous guards ran towards the courtyard, all of them stopping by the entrances with spears and shields prominent. Lord Robin was accompanied by the Maester, who looked shocked to see Durran there.
"Why am I here?" Robin called. "It's cold!"
"You're here because the war is over, Lord Robin." Durran said. He reached into a bag and pulled out the mess of a head that was Baelish's. "I don't think I need to state how bloody difficult it is to keep a dragon from eating every part of the body, but somehow I managed it." He rolled the head over to a guard near the Maester, who looked terrified now. "Maester, has Lord Robin learnt about his ancestor, Lord Ronnel yet?"
"Was he the one that flew?" Robin asked eagerly.
Durran chuckled. "In more ways than one yes. The first time, what happened?"
Robin scrunched up his forehead in thought, before eagerly saying. "He flew a dragon! Can I do that too!"
"Lord Robin, your Lady Mother…" The Maester began.
"She isn't here, Maester Coleman." Durran said to the Maester he had seen attending Lord Jon Arryn many times before. "No, My Lord, this dragon is not commanded by me, but he knows me well enough that I could have him burn your castle to ashes if I saw fit."
Robin grew angry, and looked like he was about to start screaming when Dārys turned to face the boy and blew smoke out of his nostrils, followed by a small burst of flames at the boy's feet. Tears began forming in Robin's eyes. "Please don't." He whimpered.
"Then you will agree to what I have to say, with the Maester as your witness." Durran said. "The Lords and Ladies of the Vale are behind me now, but I need you to agree to bend the knee and re-join the realm. If not, then I shall have no choice but to continue this needless war to its end, and that will come with your death. Do you want to die?" Robin shook his head. "Then bend your knee and swear yourself to me."
Robin looked up at the Maester, who just nodded, and told him what to say. "On your knee and say, 'The Vale is yours, Your Grace'."
Robin did as he was told, and Durran smiled. Now that he himself had bent the knee, nobody could take that back. "Very well, and your guards?"
Maester Coleman sighed. "Stand down. King Durran is an honoured guest."
"The dragon isn't." One of them said, and Durran nodded.
"Agreed, but he's my only protection. Unless you will all place your swords and spears down…" Durran began, only to be interrupted by a screeching woman.
"WHERE IS ROBIN!" The voice said, and Durran braced himself. Surely enough, the red hair of Lysa Tully game into view. She barged through the guards and knelt to Robin. "What happened Sweetrobin? Did he hurt you?"
"I got on one knee and told him the Vale was his, like the Maester said." He said proudly. Lysa looked up furiously at Coleman.
"You told him to bend the knee to the Dragon whore's pet?" She asked angrily.
"It was that or have the dragon roast us all, My Lady." Coleman told her.
"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT!" She screamed at the Maester. "I am the Lady Regent!"
"And I am the King!" Durran roared over her. "You committed treason, Lady Regent, by declaring war on me. By rights your life is forfeit, but Lord Arryn has already lost one parent. Very soon we shall all traverse down to the Gates of the Moon for Winter, where you shall be placed under house arrest. The ruling of the Vale will be overseen by Lords Royce, Hunter, Belmore and Lady Waynwood. Lord Arryn will travel to King's Landing with me, to squire under and learn from the Hand of the King Stannis Baratheon. Do I make myself clear?"
Lysa turned, grinning. "You can't make me. Guards! Kill him!"
Dārys made himself big at that moment, getting onto his hind legs and flapping his wings while roaring. All the guards looked between one another, before dropping their weapons and backing away. Durran stepped towards Lysa Arryn. "My Lady, don't make this difficult."
Lysa made it difficult. She sprung her hand out quickly, her palm connecting with Durran's stubbled cheek strongly. The slap echoed around the courtyard, as everybody contemplated what she had done. The Maester began muttering quietly. "No, My Lady… what have you done…"
Durran's face flew into anger. He raised his own hand and backhanded Lysa Arryn around the cheek so strongly she was knocked off her feet, her mouth filling with blood. "I am being more than lenient with you My Lady for the sake of your Brother, and your Son. I am within every right to take both your hand and your head." Instead though, he grabbed her hair and yanked her up strongly, ignoring both her and Robin's protests. "Maester, which way to her rooms?"
Three days later, and Durran was seated on a horse at the bottom of the mountain. Lysa had tried to cause a scene, but once her power had been broken the Vale guards flocked to him easily enough, and soon had her restrained enough to move down the mountain. He was seated next to a sulking Robin Arryn, who didn't want to leave.
"You know, Lord Arryn. I once had a Mother that liked to control everything I do." He told the boy. "I looked up to her, loved her unconditionally. Then she did some bad things, and I realised that I needed to step up myself. That is what you will do. You will be the greatest Lord of the Vale in history, and I will help you do that." He lied, but it was worth it at the slight hint of Robin perking up and looking interested.
"I will?" He asked.
"Yes." Durran lied. Ser Morton Waynwood walked over to them then. "Ser Morton, are we ready?"
"You are." Morton nodded. "6,000 men isn't a lot considering…"
"It'll have to do for now. These wars have been devastating on Westeros but we shall have to make do with what we have." Durran explained. "You will join us at Fawnton?"
"I'll get a ship down to King's Landing as soon as my Mother arrives to take over my place on the council." Morton nodded.
"Good." Durran said. "Then we best be off, it'll take at least three weeks to travel back to King's Landing and I've been away from my daughter enough." He reached down and clasped Morton's arm with his own as a mark of respect, before turning to Robin. "Come, My Lord." Kicking his horse into action, he led the remainder of the Riverlander/Vale army down the High Road.
Daenerys was holding Elaenor to her breast on the balcony when shouts could be heard from below them. She leaned over but couldn't see what was going on well enough. Her mind drifted Northwards, to where Durran hadn't been heard from since she dropped him off in the Vale. Worried, she looked down at her daughter, asleep in her arms.
Humming the Song of the Seven, Dany set the baby down in her crib, making sure she wasn't awoken by the movement. Happily hearing the peaceful breathing continue, she returned to the balcony to watch her two Dragon's still in the city flying around happily. After losing track of time just staring at the creatures, her viewing was interrupted when her door opened, and footsteps walked towards her.
"Ser Perwyn." She said without looking, knowing who was guarding the door. "I thought I asked not to be disturbed."
"My apologies, Your Grace." He said. "The Hand of the King is here."
Dany turned at this. "Stannis? Here personally?"
"Yes, Your Grace." He added.
"Send him through." Dany told the Kingsguard. She walked back into her chambers and sat at Durran's desk. Stannis entered, sporting an eyepatch for the first time.
"A new fashion item, Lord Stannis?" Dany asked jovially.
Stannis didn't laugh. "Lady Joy believed it would be wise to have one on hand for the occasion I didn't feel like terrifying the Princess."
Dany smirked. "Your wife is wise. What can I do for you?"
"The Florent traitors have arrived. Lord Alester and Ser Imry. I can deal with them if you like, but I presumed you would want to sentence them from the Throne." Stannis said.
Dany nodded. "Yes. I would. I believe it's time that people saw what it meant to cross the true Dragon." She said monotonously. Stannis' eye narrowed. "You don't approve?"
"I approve of you being strong." Stannis told her, offering his arm. Dany stood and took it, as they both walked out of the room, leaving the baby with a wet-nurse. "What I don't approve of is that look in your eye. The signal of fire."
"Fire is the purest form of death." She said, unhappily. "If anything, they should be delighted."
"I know you've heard stories of your Father, but tell me, do you know what caused Robert to rebel?" Stannis asked.
"I don't see how Rhaegar…"
"I'm not talking about Rhaegar." Stannis cut in, angering Dany slightly. "I'm talking about what led half of Westeros to turn on one another. What happened to the Starks?" Dany kept silent. She had heard the Mad King name too many times to count, but whenever she asked about what he had actually done, not many people could stay honest with her. Durran was one of the only ones, and even he wouldn't talk about the Starks. "When Lyanna Stark was taken, her eldest brother Brandon rode to the Red Keep and foolishly challenged Rhaegar to come out and die. Naturally, for threatening the Crown Prince he was arrested. Lord Rickard, his Father, came South to fight for his son in a trial by combat. Your Father chose fire."
Dany shook her head. "Lots of people used fire to kill, it is cruel yes, but what is so sickening about it…"
"It is said, that after he burnt his enemies, he became…" Stannis trailed off.
"He became what?" Dany asked, growing angrier.
"He…" Stannis was lost for words, but they had reached the stairs of the corridor, and Jaime Lannister was stood there waiting for them.
"He became aroused." Jaime said. Dany glared at him. "I apologise, Your Grace. It's not a truth one wants to hear or say, but I was his Kingsguard, I was there. Whenever he burned somebody alive, he would pay your Mother a visit immediately."
Silence fell, and Dany was horrified. "You lie." She eventually said.
Jaime's face fell. "I wish I did." He whispered. "I remember after burning Lord Stark and having his son strangle himself to save him, he visited the Queen. I wanted to stop him, I thought 'well she is under our protection too' but the Lord Commander just told me that we are here to protect the King, not to judge him. It was a moment that opened my eyes."
"And led you to kill him." Dany spat. Jaime just took it in his stride.
"I have never told anybody the true reason why I killed the King." He said. "One day, if you'll let me, I'll explain everything."
Dany just moved on, dragging Stannis away. "So, what is your point, Lord Hand." She asked, annoyed.
"Burning people alive isn't the way to handle things yet. People still remember King Aerys, and they don't want another reminder." Stannis told her. "I urge you to consider beheading as a better alternative."
Dany said nothing again, and they made it to the Throne Room. Dany made her way up the stairs and sat down in the Throne of her ancestors, and the prisoners were brought in.
They were shaggy and rough after weeks on the road. Alester Florent looked defeated, but Imry was still seemingly putting up a fight. They were unceremoniously thrown to their knees before her. "Her Grace, Queen Daenerys, of the House Targaryen." Stannis called from beside her.
Her thoughts were still racing, she truly believed they deserved the flames, but a look from Stannis who nodded towards Durran's family calmed her down a touch. Myrcella, Shireen and Cersei were in the gallery.
"Ser Alester." She began, remembering he had had his lands taken from him. "Ser Imry. You both stand charged of treason against your Liege Lord, Mace Tyrell, and your King. Instead of banding together with the Crown to see off the invaders of the Golden Company, you decided to join them for personal gain and both of you fought on the battlefield. Speak now. Explain your actions to me so I can understand."
Alester looked up, he had dark rings around his eyes from lack of sleep. "A son comes before a daughter. King Viserys is the rightful heir, and he offered us our birth right. I stand by my decision, even now."
"Yet the Iron Throne was won by House Baratheon in conquest." Dany told him. "King Durran married me to negate these petty arguments. House Baratheon and Targaryen are united now and forever."
"Like I said, a son comes first." Alester said.
Dany sighed. "Ser Imry, you were not the final decision maker. Repent to the Crown and forsake Ser Alester and you may live."
Imry laughed. "And serve the stewards of Highgarden for the rest of my days? You might as well cut off my balls. Never."
"Imry…" Alester said.
"No Uncle. I live and die by my decision." Imry said strongly. "Take my head, whore. But King Viserys will have you soon."
Disgusted, Dany rose. "Then the decision is simple. In the name of His Grace, 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, Queen Daenerys sentence you to die. Take them to the block, Lord Hand. I want their heads."
A cheer went up from the small crowd in the room, and the prisoners were led out by a group of Gold Cloaks. Stannis passed her on his way out, turning around briefly and nodding his approval. Dany just sat back in the Iron Throne however, aching to see the fire dancing.
Robb stepped into the courtyard of his home for the first time in almost three years. He was almost in tears at the state of it. The ramparts lay on the ground collapsed, the few wooden buildings were blackened husks, and rubble from a wall that had collapsed blocked a pathway.
"Seven hells…" He heard his Mother from behind him.
"When I get my hands on Greyjoy." Robb snarled, his teeth clenched. Grey Wind was growling from behind him too, staying next to Roslin.
"Get in line." Arya growled too.
"First, we tidy this up." Catelyn said, springing in to action. "Sansa, you take Lady Roslin to Robb's old chambers, get her comfortable and start the fire for her. You must be freezing My Lady."
"Yes Mother." Sansa nodded. She took Roslin's hand and sidestepped the debris on the floor before timidly opening the doors to the main keep.
"Arya, go and get Lord Umber from his camp. Tell him to bring 200 strong men. We need to move all of this before we can assess the damage." Catelyn said. Arya nodded, and ran off. Catelyn turned to Robb, who was staring at the bodies hanging up on a wall. Bodies of children. A wail left her lips, as she fell to her knees. Robb silently knelt beside her, not taking his eyes off of the children.
"Errol. Cut them down and prepare them for burial." He ordered. The guard got to his task, as Robb helped his Mother up.
Her face was streaming with tears, but Cat's voice remained strong. "Don't bury them in the crypts, please. I want to be able to see them and I…"
"Don't feel comfortable in the crypts, I remember." Robb sighed. "They can be buried with the other Starks. We need a statue for Father too…"
"Another day." Cat sniffed, as voices could be heard. Robb turned to see Lord Umber walking through with Arya and numerous men.
"Bugger me with a spear…" The Greatjon said, shocked. "Those cunts will pay."
"Aye, they will Lord Umber." Cat said. "But first, we must clear this. Take it out, salvage what you can but get rid of what you can't. Tomorrow, we will start rebuilding from the Wolfswood."
The Greatjon bowed his head, before he turned to his men. "Well what are you fuckers waiting for! You heard the Lady, move your arses!"
Robb just stood there for what seemed like an age, as men came in and out of the castle shifting the debris. As soon as he noticed the way to the Godswood was clear, however, he darted into the sacred space. Again, he was horrified at what he saw.
Maester Luwin, or what was left of Maester Luwin, was sat at the base of the Weirwood tree. His teeth had fallen out and his body was rotting. Gagging, Robb couldn't handle any more and the contents of his stomach found their way onto the floor. Falling to his knees again, he began sobbing wildly.
"WHY!" He roared, tears falling. "Why me. Is this my punishment? For trusting Theon? For declaring myself King? Why this? Why take my family, my home? Old Gods I beg you. If this is my punishment then kill me. Please. I beg you, end my life so I can stop causing my family pain."
The wind only rustled the blood red leaves of the Weirwood tree. Robb just curled up into a ball and cried. His grief at losing his Father, his brothers and his home being burnt all flooding out at once.
Things didn't get any easier in the Capital over the next few weeks either. Durran had sent a raven that arrived the day before saying that he was at Darry, so the Small Council were expecting him in around a week's time. This meeting however, was one he needed to be at.
In the middle of the Small Council Table, a large box lay open, and the occupants of the room were all disgusted.
"Can we close the lid? The smell is foul." Mace Tyrell complained.
"Ignore the smell, My Lord." Ser Barristan said angrily. "My nephew's son's head is in a box!"
Lord Arstan Selmy's head was indeed in the Small Council chambers. It had been accompanied by a note, which Stannis was reading now. "We understand, Lord Commander. I swear to you on all the Gods this shall be avenged. He was my bannerman."
"Then we must do something!" Ser Barristan argued. "Send me down in the King's name to group all our forces."
"They are already grouped, Ser Barristan. They all knew that we were amassing at Fawnton." Lord Randyll said. "We just need true leadership there, someone with the King's own voice. Lord Stefan, while clearly capable in his wise retreat from Blackhaven, is still just a boy."
"He is." Stannis agreed proudly. "And he saved the lives of thousands in letting the castle go, as well as taking out two elephants in the initial battle remember. Lord Randyll is right however, we need to act now."
"While the King is still away?" Varys asked.
"He is almost here. We can send a small force earlier." Stannis told him.
"Well you can't go, Lord Stannis." Randyll Tarly said. "Not with the Queen preoccupied with the baby. We need you here for now."
Disgruntled, Stannis agreed. Mace Tyrell unhelpfully poked his chins up then. "I can go. My nephew Garlan is already there after all."
"Your talents lie elsewhere." Stannis said shortly. "Lord Randyll is Master of War, he shall go."
"Lord Hand." Randyll Tarly bowed.
"Take 500 men. Drill the army at Fawnton and keep an eye on the Targaryen's movements. He is through the Marches now so I'd expect him to head towards either Storm's End or Felwood. Either way he will have to go through Grandview." Stannis said, pointing at the maps. "Get scouts there, I want to know the size of his army, I want to know how regularly he shits. I want to know everything by the time I arrive with the King."
Randyll bowed once more, and left the room. One by one the Small Council left too, until it was Stannis and Ser Barristan left.
"Lord Hand, I ask once more to be sent to avenge…"
"Ser Barristan." Stannis interrupted. "You will go, I promise you. The King needs his Lord Commander though, so you will wait for him to arrive at the Capital before leaving. Right now, we are just looking at damage limitation until the River and Vale forces arrive. Can you be patient for me, Ser?"
Ser Barristan looked at the box sadly. "For His Grace, aye. But I will avenge House Selmy. It is my duty as the last surviving member of my House."
Stannis nodded sadly. "I understand."
Ser Barristan stood, and just said. "No, you can't." Before taking the box with him and leaving the room.
It was chaos when the King arrived back in King's Landing. He only wanted to spend a night before they marched out to Fawnton, so the castle had sprung into action to see to it that provisions were prepared for, and the men had all the equipment they needed. Durran had spent the night with Dany, who was none too happy about him leaving again so soon, and even less happy about his insistence she stayed. He woke up early next morning and she was still angry.
"I don't see why, I have the dragons! They can win you the battle!" She cried. Luckily Cersei was looking after Elaenor so they could shout.
"And I won't risk Viserys bonding with one!" Durran roared back. "You gave birth not long ago, please just rest."
"It was months!" Dany shouted. "This is my war too! It's my Brother! You have no right to keep me…"
"I have every right!" Durran roared again. "I am keeping you safe, my love. Please, just listen to me. I need you here. I need you to take over for me, Stannis is fighting, Lord Randyll and Ser Barristan too. Half the Small Council is going to war, I need you here."
Dany huffed and crossed her arms. "This isn't right."
Durran smiled softly, before putting his arms around her. "I'm keeping you safe, yes it is."
She smacked him on the chest. "I am not some weak maiden looking to be rescued Durran, I'm a Queen, a dragon rider and a Targaryen. I'm the last daughter of Old Valyria."
Durran nodded. "And you will remain as such after the war. I promise I will try and bring him back alive. I will offer him the deal you spoke of because you asked it of me, but I need you to stay here for me."
Dany nodded. "I don't like it one bit." She told him. "But I dislike us arguing more. I will be your maiden this once, Baratheon."
Durran grinned, and kissed her lips softly. "I best go. I love you, My Queen."
Dany said nothing, just handed him his sword. Durran left the room and made his way to the stables, where a small entourage was waiting for him. Saddling his horse, he looked to Ser Barristan, Ser Arys and Ser Jaime. "The Queen will be safe?"
Jaime nodded. "Ser Balon is in command, with Ser Perwyn and Ser Podrick. They will be fine."
Durran nodded. "I may have to rethink my whole Kingdom policy, I'm not looking forward to picking someone from Dorne after this."
"Maybe a Dayne." Ser Barristan said. "They are with us."
"Edric Dayne is." Stannis said. "We've not heard from Starfall in over a month."
Durran sighed. "Let us depart. I want us in the Kingswood within the hour."
"Your Grace." Came the call, and as soon as all final checks had been made they rode through the city to join the forces Durran had brought with him, soon leaving Southwards to try and finish the war.
The weeks since the arrival at Winterfell had been busy. After the first day of inner torment, Robb hardened himself and got to work. He was in and amongst the groups that were moving rubble, carving wooden beams and doing all he could to help get the castle in a decent enough shape. Things were going well, but there was still a long way to go. He also had a statue of his Father placed on the tomb next to Lyanna Stark, and had the body placed in there the very next day as Sansa, Cat and Arya watched on, all in tears.
He went by every day, struggling to go to the Godswood after seeing Luwin lying there, and preferring to talk to something he knew he believed in, his Father.
"I'm even considering rebuilding the Broken Tower." Robb chuckled softly. "It seems a waste just leaving it unused. Maybe I can use it as a bigger barracks, or a medical tower or something. Anyway Father, I best get on. You taught me all you could but you didn't tell me how much work was involved in being the Lord of Winterfell. I'll see you tomorrow."
Taking a step back and breathing deeply, he took one more look at the face of his Father's statue before walking out of the crypts, into the brisk cold air of the North. A light snow drift was falling, and Robb relished the feeling on his face.
He stood by the crypts and just watched for a moment. It was busy, the sounds of hammers prominent as the scaffolds were going up, of people chattering as life began to get back to normal.
His watching was interrupted by a galloping horse. His mind immediately reacting, he reached for his sword at his hip and held onto the hilt tightly, as a man dressed all in black entered the courtyard. Soldiers rushed to surround him, but Robb recognised the cloak as one like his Uncle's.
"Stand down." He commanded, and the men lowered their weapons. He walked towards the man, who had dismounted his horse and was catching his breath.
"Lord Stark? Robb Stark?" He gasped.
"Aye, that's me. Who are you?" Robb asked.
"My name's Pyp, m'lord." He said. "I'm a brother of the Night's Watch, and Jon's friend. I promise I'm no deserter m'lord but I think Jon's in trouble, and Ser Alliser wants him dead."
Robb portrayed no emotion, but nodded at a guard to take the horse to the stables. "Follow me, and tell me what you need." He said.
So, things are heating up again. War to the North and war to the South to come. Next chapter will focus on the battles in the North, the next to the South, and then we'll be done with Season 4 stuff.
As I said in the intro I've planned for 46 chapters to be in this story. I'm looking forward to lots of them. Things will be drastically different as we come towards the end game and the Night King, and I'm looking forward to the bits in between too with some hopefully fun character interactions. The next three or four chapters should wrap up this arc I believe.
It's quite a long chapter from me so I'll keep this shorter, I hope you all enjoyed it and please leave a review with any questions or comments.
Reviews:
trollzor69: A nice idea, but I don't see what he can bring as Viserys before this chapter was just at Blackhaven, and wouldn't trust a random sellsword with anything interesting.
GOTAfficionado: The dragon controlling will be looked at a bit more later on, but it's partially down to the blood magic, partly down to the diluted Valyrian blood and partly something to do with Dany.
Hail King Cerion: I sort of like keeping him hidden, and we just hear about his actions. Maybe next chapter though, I shall see.
Lightningscar: Honestly, in the series I'm the same. But in the series and the lore the impact of Dragons is devastating, as proved when Aegon took most of the continent with less than 1500 men initially. Nobody knows, Jaime hasn't told anybody yet as he hasn't met Brienne. He is also proving himself as a commander in Season 7 especially, so it makes sense he is clever here. The Nights Watch will definitely disagree! Dragons are powerful, but as the Rivermen were on the other side of the last battle with them I presumed as I killed off half the army then someone close to Edmure would have burned. I'm not really sure how far to go with Dany and the Red God. It's an interesting thought but it would drive a wedge between Durran and Dany and I'm not sure I want to do that, but I'll work that kink out soon. Lyn Corbray is a man in the books under Baelish's pay, a formidable warrior and wielder of a Valyrian Steel Sword, that technically now belongs to the Crown. I get the feeling that the dragons can just sense things, as Drogon (or Dārys in this story) sensed when Dany was in trouble in Season 5, so when Durran needed him, he was there. I was worried about that, but with the bulk of the rebellion stuck by Dorne and the rest of the realm, while mostly decimated, have no reason to not support Durran. There is still a huge force that have just broken through at Blackhaven though, so the war isn't over yet.
Brandon of House Stark: He's a favourite of mine too, but when deciding which named characters would die in the battle he was one of those with little importance for the rest of the story unfortunately.
Boramir: There's enough to make it a fair fight without Dragons, and considering Viserys will only gain more momentum next chapter… Your right about what the war boils down to though, and with the two main forces looking to come together soon, we're in for a treat.
MrBogus: That's what I've tried to do to be honest, keep it so that the canon story in places like the Wall still go on as usual, as nothing I've written till now will affect those stories, but the bits I do change, I like to think of where that will lead, and where that will go, and so on and so on. As we stand we are quite a way from canon in most places, and that will only continue on as I carry on the story. Thank you for your kind comments!