Thankfully work is quiet and I'm not needed, so I can stay home and revise, while also finding time to update the story! We'll see about next week however, as I'm busy most of it.

This is an anomaly. I will stick to Sunday uploads in the future but I'm away this weekend until Monday, so this is an early gift for you!

Here we go then, we are into the last 15 chapters of United in Fury. The last will be an epilogue and I'm holding off on writing any form of plans for that until I finish Chapter 45, just in case there are more than just the planned 'deaths' that I've thought of. A reminder though that my other ongoing story 'No Mercy' will carry on past that once I've finished writing this.

I only own the OC's, everything else belongs to George R R Martin or HBO.

Durran liked to think that he remained calm most of the time, but his temperament was being tested more and more with the emergence of the sparrows. The Sept of Baelor had almost become a verbal sparring ground between those loyal to the High Sparrow and those still faithful to the High Septon, but that number was dwindling day by day.

Things had gotten to a breaking point the day before however, as the Sparrows took it upon themselves to hang two men they convicted of being homosexual from the base of the statue of Baelor the Blessed, and Durran was furious. He was sat on the Iron Throne in the newly redecorated Throne Room, watching as the light shone on the many Baratheon banners hanging from the columns around the room as Ser Jaime and Ser Balon had brought the High Sparrow into the Red Keep, and the Kingsguard threw him on the floor in front of the throne.

Durran stared down at him, a look of fury etched on his face. "High Sparrow, the last time I spoke to you I warned you of your fanatics taking the law into their own hands. We gave you food, we gave you clothing to help the poor. We offered you aid and you took that, yet still I'm hearing and seeing the results of your justice being handed out to my subjects. Hanging two men at the feet of Baelor the Blesses is a crime I cannot ignore."

The High Sparrow didn't show any emotion. "The will of the Gods is not there for a single person to decide, Your Grace. I am but a humble preacher, those that name themselves sparrows do not bow to my command, they are free to forge their own paths."

"Do you think me a fool?" Durran asked, standing and walking down the few steps to stand in front of the High Sparrow. "We know you inspire those to take their own actions, and we know that you are angling for a return of the Faith Militant. We know that the hangmen yesterday were tasked to round up sinners and hang them publicly by your orders, so don't test me." He finished with a growl. "Walk with me." He said, louder and standing up straight as he did so, walking out of the Throne Room knowing that Ser Barristan, Ser Jaime and Ser Balon were following closely with the High Sparrow.

He made his way to the Traitor's Walk, and stopped as he reached the location of the newest heads atop the Red Keep walls. He pointed up to the High Sparrow, who briefly looked concerned before masking his emotions once more. "These nine men were all found guilty of the murder of the men hung by Baelor. I warned you that whatever justice you felt needed to be handed out will be met with the full force of the law, and now I am showing you."

"A fine display, Your Grace. Though I wonder what the people would think of you mounting the heads of faithful followers of the Seven…"

"Faithful?" Durran asked angrily. "They desecrated the Sept of Baelor to make a point! They murdered my people because of a supposed crime! This is your last chance, High Sparrow. Stick to preaching the Seven Pointed Star, and keep your followers in line. The next time I hear about any sparrow in a negative light, you will be arrested. Your cult will be disbanded forcefully, and the members will all be sent to the Wall."

The High Sparrow narrowed his eyes. "You would go to war with the Faith?"

Durran was an inch from the man's face. "It wouldn't be war, it would simply be pest control." He snarled. "Give him a week in the Black Cells and then release him. Hopefully he will learn his lesson." He ordered, and Ser Balon took the man away.

Durran sighed, clenching his fist to try and control his fury. Jaime noticed. "You're doing the right thing, Your Grace. Treating fanatics harshly is the only way to assert control over the situation."

Durran nodded, but wasn't overly sure. "I just hope I'm not bringing more trouble onto myself by being harsh."

The week passed quickly, and peace seemed to have come to the streets of King's Landing, which was ideal at a time of religious unrest when the ship bearing Robb Stark's colours turned into Blackwater Bay. Robb stood on deck just staring out at the Red Keep growing as they neared the city. He was soon joined by the King Beyond the Wall and Samwell Tarly.

"How many people do you reckon live there?" Robb asked.

Sam thought for a moment. "It's hard to say. What with the wars and Summer coming to an end, a fine estimate would be 800,000? Maybe more?"

"800,000 people…" Mance replied in awe.

"More people than there are in the North, no doubt." Robb shook his head. "All of them, squeezed into that."

"It used to be just fisherfolk in a tiny village, before Aegon landed here." Sam explained excitedly. "Then as the war raged on and Aegon took more of the Kingdom's, the village under the Aegonfort grew into a town, and then a city once the Conqueror decided to call it his capital. In 27 years it went from a small fishing village to the third largest city on the continent."

A foul smell hit them as they neared the city docks, and Mance Rayder held his arm up to cover his nose. "They clearly grew too quickly." He said unhappily.

Robb nodded, but didn't say a word as he reminisced about the last day he had seen his Father before coming to King's Landing. The Sept of Baelor could be seen in the distance, and his emotions threatened to boil over. He was distracted however by a roar in the sky, as the black and green dragons flew overhead.

Gasping, he found himself struggling to breath as memories of dragon fire and searing pain filled his mind. He began sweating all over, yet had a feeling of cold flash through his body as he grasped the side of the boat for balance. He could sense someone behind him shouting instructions, as he let himself be dragged to the ground, sitting against the side of the ship. A wineskin was thrust into his hands as his breathing eased slightly, and his ears began to focus.

"… won't harm you Lord Stark, they're flying away, see?" Sam Tarly was saying. "Drink up, and I promise you that you will feel better."

"Dragons… I…" Rob couldn't speak properly. Sam understood, and just sat with him gently encouraging the Lord.

"It's ok, you don't need to speak Lord Stark." Sam said.

"What's wrong with him?" Mance asked.

Sam stood back up. "When he battled in the South he came up against the dragons, the scars on his face are from them."

Mance looked back up in alarm. "You survived, Stark. Be grateful and remember that. Not even the dragons could kill you."

It didn't help Robb, but he felt himself calming down as the boat carried on sailing. He managed to get to his feet again, and stared at the concerned Stark soldiers, some of which looked equally as terrified at the sight of the dragons. "I'm alright, I'm alright." He reassured them. Turning back to the docks as the ship began to pull in, Robb kept his eyes firmly towards the ground, as he recovered from whatever had just happened to him.

They were soon docked, and Robb strapped Ice to his back before leading Mance, Sam and his guard off of the ship. Jaime Lannister was there to greet them.

"Lord Stark!" The Lannister exclaimed. "Welcome to King's Landing."

Robb shook Jaime's hand firmly. "Ser Jaime." He responded.

"The King apologises that he couldn't greet you, but the Small Council is in session. I shall take you up to the Red Keep to see him now however."

Robb nodded, and followed Jaime and the few Gold Cloaks with him into the city. They swiftly made their way up Aegon's Hill, and into the Red Keep.

Robb could sense that Mance was in awe as they walked through the Red Keep and into the Throne Room. The King Beyond the Wall stared around at the room. "You Southerners love your pomp don't you." He noted, walking up to one of the Baratheon banners. "Never thought I'd see one of these."

Robb just stared at the Iron Throne. "Is that it?" He asked. "I thought it would be bigger. We all hear the stories of the thousand blades of the Conqueror even in the North."

Sam stood next to him as Jaime went to tell the Council that they were there. "A thousand blades would have been too unmanageable and look ridiculous, I read when I was very young that Aegon only used the blades of the Lords that he made surrender to make the Iron Throne more presentable."

Mance had caught up to them by that point and was staring at the Throne too. "That's what you all fight over?" He scoffed.

"It seems strange thinking about how many people have died in 300 years for this." Robb agreed. The doors reopened, and Ser Jaime came back towards them.

"His Grace is ready for you." He told them, and Robb walked onwards, watching the eyes of seven men staring intently towards him.

Durran sat watching the three newcomers. Robb Stark looked as grim as ever, his face half scarred still but his blue eyes staring back with determination. To his left was a man of the Night's Watch, a rather fat man who was looking towards Lord Randyll with sheer terror in his eyes. To Robb's right was an elder man dressed in the furs of badly stitched together animals.

"Lord Stark. I must admit I was surprised to receive a raven telling me you were on your way." Durran began.

Robb didn't blink. "The news we bring… is better told in person." He replied grimly.

"You're still fat." Randyll Tarly said gruffly from Stannis' right hand side. "I thought the Watch might make a man of you."

"You know each other?" Durran asked.

"This is Samwell Tarly, Your Grace." Robb replied.

Durran looked at Randyll. "Your eldest?"

Randyll just stared at Sam in disgust. "He volunteered for the Wall."

Robb's face contorted in anger. "In fear of death, Lord Randyll. You'd do well to remember the circumstances."

Randyll snorted a laugh. "Whatever the craven has told you…"

"This man? He's no craven." The third man, Mance Rayder, looked amused. He killed a Thenn."

"And a White Walker." Robb replied coolly. "Samwell Tarly is one of the finest men on the Wall. Your threats to his life, Lord Randyll, may have just saved the world."

Pycelle sat upright. "White Walkers? What fairy-tale nonsense…"

"It's no nonsense, Grandpa." Mance Rayder said, his eyes widening in what looked to Durran to be fear.

"The rudeness! I am the Grand Maester!" Pycelle spluttered.

"And you're old enough to be my Great-Grandfather. Keep quiet, Pycelle." Durran replied, before turning to Robb again. "White Walkers are myths, Lord Stark. Your injury isn't playing with your mind, is it? I do hope you're not bringing us tales of Snarks and Grumpkins too."

Robb shook his head, his eyes narrowing. "You've not been to the Wall, Your Grace. You've not seen the gathered army of Free Folk. They're 100,000 strong, and all they want is to flee Southwards. Why would an army of 100,000 want to flee and hide behind the Wall?"

Durran didn't have an answer. Stannis to his right spoke up. "Have you any proof of these claims? Forgive us, but we can't just believe in tales from thousands of years ago."

"I wouldn't be here if the threat wasn't serious." Mance said, calmly. "I don't suppose you know how difficult it is to unite the Thenns and the Ice River Clans, the Hornfoots and the Giants. They're tough bastards, tougher than most I've seen come from South of the Wall. When I first started to unite the clans, they were all afraid of what was coming for them. I started just wanting to do what my ancestors couldn't, defeat the Night's Watch and get through the Wall, but when we started looking for the horn to bring the Wall down, we opened up graves. Hundreds and hundreds of graves, and one day as we did that, those that had died thousands of years before got up and started attacking us."

Durran felt chilled. "Impossible…" He whispered.

"I knew then what was coming, I knew all the stories and I was scared. There are over 100,000 people North of the Wall, and as many gravesites as you can think of. If they can bring the dead back and we're stuck that side of the Wall then all that will bring you is more foes to burn when they come."

Durran and the rest of the council were speechless. Robb noticed, and stepped forwards. "Our plan is to relocate the Free Folk to the Gift. There's 50 leagues of land between the Wall and the North, if we can settle them there then they can supply men to the Watch, they can farm lands that have been unused for a century, and they can join us when the time comes."

Stannis shook his head. "Do Wildlings even know how to farm? How to tend the lands?"

Mance nodded. "Few clans do it's true, but enough. All I want is peace between the living."

"How do we know you've not just duped the Northmen, how do we know this isn't some ploy to come South and kill us all."

"Because I've seen them!" Sam snapped, before calming himself down. "At the Fist of the First Men, I saw the Army of the Dead and the White Walkers in their full strength. Thousands of dead men with no other purpose than to add to their army."

"Your Grace, are we to believe a usurper and a craven?" Randyll complained. Durran just held his arms up to silence him.

"Your son, Lord Tarly, is no craven." Robb repeated. "I fought beside him at Castle Black. I watched as he held his friend dying in his arms and still fought on, killing a Thenn, killing more of the Free Folk that wanted to slaughter us all. You may not think it because he reads and he's cleverer than us all, but this man is one of the bravest I know and the first man in 8,000 years to kill a Walker."

Randyll scoffed again, and Sam just looked defiant. "It wanted to take Gilly's son." He said quietly. "There's a man, he sacrifices his sons to the Walkers and marries his daughters. We escaped from him and a Walker came after us. He shattered my sword into a thousand pieces and all I was left with was this." He said, bringing out a black dagger and placing it on the table in front of Durran. "I stabbed it, and he shattered into tiny pieces of ice. This kills Walkers."

Stannis reached for the blade and inspected it. "Is this obsidian?" He asked.

"Yes." Sam nodded.

Stannis leant back informally. "When I was on Dragonstone during the war, there was a mountain of this stuff." He noted.

Sam looked at the Hand of the King in surprise. "If there is a mountain of it… then we can mine it. Distribute weapons to the Houses of the North and the Wall."

"Presuming of course, you are all telling the truth." Varys added.

Robb looked at him fiercely. "You still think us liars, spider?"

Stannis turned to Durran. "Perhaps we can continue this another time, Your Grace. I fear that there is no way we can all come to an agreement today."

Durran nodded and stood up. "Lord Stannis is right. I'll have the three of you shown to suitable rooms and we can discuss further at dinner tonight in my chambers."

Robb and Sam both bowed their heads, as Mance nodded firmly. They were all escorted out, followed soon after by the majority of the Council and Durran sat back down, breathing out heavily.

"Do you believe them?" Stannis asked.

"Do you?" Durran responded.

"I don't want to. I don't see how it's possible." Stannis admitted. "But the looks of their eyes. There was true fear in them. This isn't something we can dismiss out of hand."

Durran agreed. "I'll talk further with them tonight, but I want you to start preparing to head to the Wall as soon as Dany is back. I need answers and I trust nobody more than I do you."

As dinner was served that night, Durran looked on in amusement as Mance Rayder marvelled at the amount on offer. Stannis looked on sternly as always, remaining calculating.

"This spread could feed the entire Watch for a week." Sam noted, happily tucking into a rabbit leg.

Durran felt slightly bad. "We'll see what we can do in terms of supplying the Watch more. More men, steel and food."

"And coin, if you can." Sam added. "We aren't the richest, and this way we can trade with Braavos and Pentos too rather than relying on Your Grace."

Durran looked at Stannis, who shook his head slightly. "We shall discuss this another time." He told Sam. "For now though, if what you tell me is true, we must focus on the Gift. What plans have you got?"

Robb swallowed his mouthful and replied. "Jon is going to start the relocation as soon as possible with the few ships at Eastwatch, and all the ships House Manderly own are being directed to Eastwatch, but we need around two dozen more to be able to bring the whole lot around. We'll dock in at Eastwatch again and move them Southwards to the abandoned villages and farms while letting those still outside Castle Black through the gates once the first load of Free Folk are settled."

Durran nodded, and Stannis turned towards Mance Rayder. "And for a government? How will you get your people to obey the laws of the Seven Kingdom's?"

Mance smiled. "We won't be kneeling if that's what you mean. We'll stick to our lands and work with the crows. Your peace will be kept."

"It better." Robb noted. "I'll be dealing with you otherwise."

Chuckles came from the three non-Baratheon's, but Durran wasn't too happy at that. "You won't bend the knee yet expect to live in my Kingdoms?"

Mance dropped his cutlery. "We do not kneel." He made clear.

"The Free Folk follow strength. If he kneels he spits in the faces of his ancestors and is made to look weak in his people's eyes." Robb explained. "It's not ideal, but then neither is the Army of the Dead. If trouble arises I will deal with it, Your Grace."

Durran nodded. "Very well, their behaviour is to be watched by you Lord Stark." Durran remembered something, and jumped to his feet. He went to his desk and brought out a raven message. "Here, from Winterfell."

Robb took the parchment and read it, his eyes beaming at the words. "I… I have a son…"

"Congratulations, Lord Stark." Durran grinned.

More congratulations came from his two companions, as the door opened slightly to reveal a servant holding Elaenor. "My apologies, Your Grace. She wouldn't stop asking for you."

The baby had begun calling for her parents a few days ago, and as Durran held his arms out for her, Elaenor happily squealed. "Dada!"

"Hello Princess." Durran grinned, kissing her cheek. "Thank you, Jocelyn."

The servant curtseyed, and Durran brought Elaenor in to the room. "Forgive me, My Lords. It seems the Princess won't stop speaking now she realises she can."

Durran sat down and allowed Elaenor to sit on his lap as a servant cut some pork into tiny pieces, and the King started feeding his daughter slowly.

"I suppose I have all this to come." Robb grinned, the Stark Lord seeming stunned.

"It's a joy… occasionally." Durran chuckled. "Although in 15 years or so she'll be your problem."

Robb nodded. "Aye, the treaty. That'll apply to Brandon." He remembered. "Gods, he's only been here for a week or so and I'm already thinking of his wedding."

Stannis nodded. "We do these things for peace."

"Aye." Robb said. "Gods I was a fool, if I'd have known about the North…"

"You should have still come South." Durran waved off. "You should have bent the knee as soon as Joffrey died admittedly, but your reasons as I've said before I understand. If you hadn't have ridden then your bannermen would have likely strung you up."

Robb nodded. "I suppose, we've both learnt though. I'd never have imagined when you came to Winterfell all those years ago what form our paths would take."

Durran shook his head, before remembering something. "We still never sparred, did we?"

Robb thought for a moment before laughing slightly. "No, we didn't."

Durran grinned, before handing Elaenor a larger piece of bread to occupy herself with. "Do you have armour with you?"

Robb laughed more. "Aye, Baratheon. I do."

Hundreds of miles to the North, Jon Snow was sat in the mess hall waiting for quiet. The Watch had been split over Jon's treatment of Janos Slynt, but he stood by the decision. He needed to kill the boy, and no man could look to overrule Jon.

He nodded to Grenn on the table nearest to the Officers table, who picked up his mug and banged it three times on the table, and silence soon fell.

"Lord Stark has given me the nod to start to relocate those North of the Wall into the Gift." He began. "We start with those stranded at Hardhome, the women and children. Ships will sail from Eastwatch and White Harbour, but I need a dozen volunteers to come with me and oversee it."

Silence fell over the room as people digested what he was asking of them. He saw Olly scowling in the corner, but had to put that to one side. Thankfully, Grenn stood up, soon followed by Ed.

That led to enough people standing, and the next day Jon and the other 12 men were North of the Wall, with Ygritte there waiting for them.

"Jon Snow." She said. "Are you sure this is going to work?"

Jon shook his head. "No, but you were with Mance when we planned. If anyone can convince them I'm being truthful, it's you."

"Oh aye?" Ygritte grinned, smirking at him, causing Jon to blush slightly.

"Aye." Jon grinned back, kicking his horse into moving. "You're the most stubborn person I know."

He didn't see her reaction, but knew she was riding beside him as they followed the Wall along Eastwards. He did have to laugh when he heard Ed groan from behind him however. "Do they always flirt this much?"

"They don't ever stop." Grenn said quietly back, causing Jon to smirk and look over at Ygritte. Her red hair being blown softly in the wind. Focusing on her, he steeled himself into his decision. He would save every person he could for her.

I figured Jon would have to go for the same reasons Tormund gave him in Season 5. Nobody would believe it if the Lord Commander didn't go.

Other than that, it was mainly King's Landing based, but the Northern party have let the South know what's coming. I hope it was believable for you all. Some believed it, some didn't. Stannis and Durran just know that something up there has terrified them all, and Durran trusts Robb.

As I said, this is the coming Sunday's chapter but as I'm away I'm uploading now. The next chapter won't be until the 5th August at the earliest.

Please let me know your thoughts! Either by review or PM if you have an urgent question, I do try and answer them as soon as I can.

Next chapter: A new Baratheon is born, and Melisandre shows her power.

Reviews:

Guest (Fathers): Robb will certainly want to keep the baby alive. As for Dany and the Iron Bank I hadn't planned to actually write that, but it depends how long the chapters are without it, as I may change my mind.

kira444: Not too long, but still around 3 seasons worth of storytelling!

Maggy the Frog: Never say never, but unless I can think of something fitting to replace the original prophecy, then I wouldn't hold to the original too much.