The epilogue, for the most part, is fully planned out. Set over a decade after the war, I've planned out all the Great Houses until 320AC (when the epilogue is set) so if there's a character in this story that you're desperate to know what happens to them after the War for the Dawn, if they survive it that is, then let me know and I'll either try and include them in a story setting, or I'll add another chapter with a list of characters and where they end up.

Anyway back to the story, and after Jon being brutally murdered a couple of chapters ago and Ygritte storming in for revenge, we will see the aftermath of that in this one, as well as an important new character being introduced.

I own nothing but Durran and the other OC's dotted around the Red Keep and the Stormlands Everything else belongs to HBO or George R R Martin, no matter how many emails I send asking to talk...

The sun rose in the North and shone brightly off of the Wall and Gendry awoke from his first sleep in days with a heavy heart. The gravity of Jon Snow's death had finally set in for him, and the thought of Arya hearing her favourite brother was dead truly upset him, although not as much as the sight of the locked door to the Lord Commander's chamber where Ygritte was still inside.

"We need to get her out." Mance Rayder said, the King Beyond the Wall was sat on the wooden steps leading up to the door. "He needs to be burned."

Gendry nodded sadly. "Mellaro has the keys." He told Mance. "I can go and get him."

"Aye, I'll talk to her." Mance sighed, letting Gendry go.

The newly knighted bastard made his way over to the cage to take him up to the top of the Wall, where the red-head kept himself now. Shivering, he held his cloak closer around his body as the winds grew fiercer the higher he went. Walking out of the cage, he walked past brother after brother trying to find the ginger, feeling relieved when he found him sitting down cross legged, seemingly meditating while facing out to the North.

"Mellaro." Gendry called. "Mellaro!"

"Come, Ser Durrande." Mellaro said, using his chosen name. "Join me."

"I'm alright back here." Gendry shook his head. "We need the key to the Lord Commander's room. We need to burn his body."

Mellaro sat rigidly for a moment before standing up and facing Gendry. "King's Blood, lovers cry." He whispered to himself. "Yes, yes we must burn him. I must speak to the girl."

Gendry was confused, but followed Mellaro down to the ground, only to be shut outside with Mance Rayder when Mellaro locked the door behind him. "What's happening?" Mance asked, and Gendry just wished he knew.

"Get out." Ygritte growled at the intruder. The man in black just smirked.

"I'm here to help." He insisted. Ygritte scoffed, looking back down at Jon's body.

"You can't help. Nobody can help." She said sadly.

"R'hllor can help." Mellaro smiled. "The Lord of Light has power that you cannot begin to imagine. He has kept me hidden here, to allow me to fulfil his wishes. He can save Jon Snow."

"Jon Snow is dead." Ygritte growled, tears forming again.

"He doesn't have to be." Mellaro told her. Stepping forward, he dropped his cloak to the floor and undid his armour, revealing a red necklace around his neck. Pressing both his hands to the ruby stone he began chanting quietly in a language that Ygritte didn't understand. The ruby glowed beneath his hands, and a ring of orange flame danced around his fingers, changing them to a daintier set. The hands changed too as the ring of fire moved up the arms, changing the black sleeves of the Night's Watch armour to deep crimson dress sleeves. The flames moved everywhere upon Mellaro's body, until in his place stood a woman dressed in a crimson dress, with bright red hair.

"What… who are you?" Ygritte asked, reaching for Longclaw.

"I am Melisandre. Priestess of R'hllor and a shadow binder from Asshai." Melisandre explained. "And if you do as I say, I can help you save Jon Snow."

The morning after the wedding Sansa met her Mother for a late brunch and had a light smile on her face as she entered the small dining room they had been given. Catelyn was reading a letter that had arrived from Riverrun for her as the newly married woman entered, but quickly placed it onto the table to greet her daughter.

"Sansa." She smiled into the girl's hair. "How are you? The first night is always strange."

Sansa let go and sat down. "I'm perfectly well Mother, Willas was very kind."

"He didn't hurt you?" Cat asked.

Chuckling while reaching for some fruit, Sansa shook her head. "Not at all. It was lovely, he was constantly ensuring I was alright. He's down at the stables today taking care of my new horse."

Cat was relieved to see how happy Sansa seemed, but her mind was still elsewhere. "I received this from Riverrun today."

"Riverrun?" Sansa asked, taking the note. She read through the letter, and her trembling hand went straight to her mouth. "They're alive?"

"Rickon's alive." Catelyn told her. "They… they don't know about Bran…"

"But they survived the burning of Winterfell." Sansa said excitedly. "Rickon's back at Winterfell. He's safe."

"I know." Cat said, shaking and tears welling up in her eyes. "I can't help but worry for Bran though. Where is he? Why did he go North of the Wall?"

"He's with Hodor and the Reeds, I'm sure he'll be fine." Sansa said, taking Cat's hands in her own. "But you should go to Winterfell soon, Rickon will need you." She said.

Cat shook her head. "You need me too, you're newly married, you'll need some home comforts for the time being."

Sansa smiled sadly, tightening her grip slightly. "Mother, Rickon hasn't seen you in nearly 5 years, he's nearly 10. I love you dearly, but he needs you more than I do right now. I have my husband, and Margaery is staying for a few months so I have a friend here to help me get used to Highgarden. Go home, be with Rickon and Bran will be home soon, I'm sure." She said, not truly thinking that of her eldest, younger brother, but knowing that it was what Cat wanted to hear.

Cat sniffed and nodded her head grateful for her daughter's words. "Very well, I'll leave in a couple of days. Enough time to get you truly settled in here."

Sansa appreciated that. "Margaery always boasted about the gardens here, we can spend the day exploring them if you like." She said excitedly.

Joffrey's statue stood strong and regal above his tomb, and Durran found himself stood before it staring up, not really knowing why he was in the Sept of Baelor staring at the image of the brother he hated. Dany was getting irritable as the birth was taking longer than expected, so Durran had needed to escape the Red Keep for a moment, his legs somehow taking him to the crypt in the Sept of Baelor.

"The image of Kings will last here for thousands of generations." A voice came from behind Durran. The Baratheon King turned around to see an elderly, bearded man dressed in a burgundy and gold robe, one of the symbols of the High Septon.

"Your holiness." Durran bowed his head in respect. "Forgive me, I did not know you had arrived."

"I was due to make my way to the Red Keep this afternoon as it were." The High Septon said, coming to stand beside Durran. "You've saved me the trouble, Your Grace. My old bones thank you."

Durran huffed out a laugh. "I don't know why I ended up here. Joffrey and I… we didn't get on."

"Siblings can be curious. Some are close as can be, but then some fight. You were unfortunate enough to be born into a position where a sibling rivalry cost the lives of thousands." The High Septon said bluntly. Durran hung his head in shame.

"On rare occasions, I wonder what life would have been like had I not gone to war to overthrow him." Durran admitted. "Whether I'd be with Daenerys, whether I'd be living in King's Landing or Dragonstone or anywhere else. But then I think of the hardships that we've faced since Joff died, and he wouldn't have led us to victory against Viserys, and he wouldn't have resisted causing problems with the Sparrows."

"Ah, the Sparrows." The High Septon nodded slowly. "Their mission was understandable, but they found themselves stuck in a time that is long past."

"Their mission was understandable?" Durran asked, annoyed. "They attacked the Kingsguard, they murdered people in the streets…"

"They looked to eradicate sin." The High Septon explained calmly. "Yet their methods belong 300 years in the past. It is my aim to work with the Crown, Your Grace. We are the representatives of the Seven, you and I, and together we can bring their teachings to the realm. Not through violence and fear, but through compassion, love and kindness. The Most Devout appointed me because of my views on cooperation with House Baratheon of King's Landing."

Durran was intrigued by the man. "For that I am grateful. There are testing times ahead of us, High Septon. Monsters lurk in the North and the dead rise with them. Have you heard the myths of the Long Night?"

The High Septon nodded. "White Walkers and ice spiders bringing forth an eternal night, where generations passed without seeing the sun. A scary tale."

"One that the Northerners believe to be coming again." Durran said, looking back up at Joffrey's statue. "I understand that my words sound mad, but I trust the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch who has seen the White Walkers with his own eyes. I trust Lord Stark, who has marshalled the North in preparation for an invasion from beyond the Wall. Something has the largest Kingdom standing uneasy, and I can't afford to ignore that."

The High Septon agreed. "The teachings of the Lord of Light say that there are two deities. A Lord of Light, and a Lord of Darkness. Volantene scholars claim that the Lord of Darkness is the source of the Long Night. I cannot begin to explain how rare it is that two parts of the world have legends that are so similar. That alone leads me to believe that something happened long ago to scare the entire world."

"You know the teachings of the Red Priests?" Durran asked, surprised.

The High Septon grinned. "Before I was a Septon, I was a librarian in a castle and in my spare time I studied all religion. All corners of the world believe something different, but in many the ancient stories and myths can overlap somehow. I made it my aim to understand how the differing religious groups thought. Oh, the Seven are the true Gods of that there is no denial, but these people have believed different for thousands of years, what if there is some truth in their legends?"

Durran thought for a moment. "Daenerys' priestess spoke about Azor Ahai often."

The High Septon nodded. "The hero that brought back the dawn."

"She said that Dany was Azor Ahai reborn. Born amidst salt and smoke." Durran explained.

The High Septon nodded. "There is power in prophecy, Your Grace. Your words have me believe that something is coming."

"The people need to be prepared." Durran said to himself aloud. "I've put out a call for men to join the Night's Watch, but more needs to be done."

The High Septon took Durran's hand in his own. "By the power of the Seven, the word shall be spread by their chosen. All that bask in the Crone's candlelight shall find their way to the truth of the coming storm. Those under the Warrior's blade shall unsheathe their own in defence of the living. We shall prevail, Your Grace."

It had been a turbulent few days after the arrest of the Smalljon and Ramsay Snow, with Robb having to discuss arrangements with Roose Bolton for an ongoing inquest into Ramsay's actions, as well as spending time with the newly returned, and restless Rickon Stark. The loss of Shaggydog had hit him hard, so Robb had been more than happy to let Rickon sit in the Godswood with Osha and Grey Wind, hoping that the Direwolf could help ease some of Rickon's pain.

In fact, it was Brandon that was helping Rickon the most, the youngest of Robb's siblings taking to the child almost immediately. Roslin believed that having a family member younger than the 10-year-old had helped him to mature a little bit, and the Warden of the North was eager to exploit that as much as he could to help his brother along.

The three Starks were swimming in the hot springs, with Robb keeping a tight hold of the clothes less Brandon as he excitedly splashed around the hot water. "I remember Father doing this with you after you were born." Robb told his brother.

"Really?" Rickon asked.

"Aye, you weren't much older than Brandon is, and Mother was terrified at the thought of him dropping you." Robb chuckled at the memory. "She even braved the Godswood to keep an eye on him."

"When's she coming back?" Rickon asked. Robb's face grew solemn once more.

"Soon, she'll soon leave Highgarden and if all goes well, she'll be back within the month." Robb told him. "She's eager to see you, I swear it." Rickon didn't look convinced, instead he began to make faces at the baby. Robb shook his head amusedly before he noticed Arya walking towards them from the direction of the castle. "Come, Rickon. We should get inside, it's looking likely to snow heavier today." He told his brother. Rickon grumbled but got out of the water to dry off. Robb followed as Arya reached them.

"Father used to do that with Rickon." She reminisced.

"Aye, he did with you and all." Robb told her. Arya looked thoughtful but handed a raven note to Robb. "From Last Hearth."

Dread filled Robb. He handed Brandon over to Osha before drying his hands and taking the letter still bare chested and bare footed. He read over it twice before deciding what to do. "Take Brandon to Lady Roslin." He told nobody in particular, noticing Arya reach for her nephew. "I need to give our guest a visit."

He quickly got changed, until lastly, he strapped his sword to his waist and strode towards the dungeons, being flanked by two guards as soon as he left the sanctuary of the Godswood. He ignored the mad calls of Ramsay Snow as Robb passed his cell, and soon came to the one that housed the Smalljon, who was barefooted, and dressed in rags.

"Lord Stark." He mocked. "It's a bit cold in here, have you a cloak for me?"

"That's what I'm here to offer you." Robb admitted. "I've a raven here from your Father."

The Smalljon's eyes moved in a way Robb couldn't quite make out in the dark. "The old fucker still hasn't died then. Pity."

Robb ignored the insult to his best general and threw the raven scroll through the bars. "He's livid at you for kidnapping a Stark and for killing a Direwolf. There is only one way that he won't attaint you."

"The Wall." The Smalljon read out angrily. "The old cunt wants me to take the fucking black!"

"It's that or death." Robb stated firmly.

The Smalljon shook his head. "I'm dead already with your wildling fucking bastard brother in charge." He sighed. "No, I can't swear an oath to serve the Wildling's. Take my head, Lord Stark and use it as a goblet. I don't fucking care. Mark my words though, those Wildling savages will betray us and kill us all, and it will be your fault."

Robb wanted to punch the man for his ignorance but kept his composure. "Very well, then on behalf of Jon Umber, Lord of Last Hearth. I, Robb of House Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North do sentence you to die tomorrow. You are hereby stripped of your titles and disinherited from the Umber name. Make your last requests Jon, tomorrow will be the last dawn you ever see."

This time when Dany went into labour there was no Small Council meeting to distract Durran. Instead he had found himself pacing outside of their chambers for around two hours before Maester Fernar had come out and told him to leave. Jaime had taken him outside to spar, but it hadn't been long until Myrcella came running outside to meet them.

"Durran!" She had called. "The baby is almost here!"

That had done it, as the King unceremoniously dropped his sword and sprinted back into Maegor's Holdfast towards his bedchamber, where Cersei was waiting with Elaenor outside.

"Mother." He greeted, panting. Elaenor came running up to him, so he scooped her up in his arms and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"The baby is here, Durran." Cersei smiled. "They'll call for you in a moment."

Nervously, Durran nodded and turned to his daughter. "You stay with Grandmother for now alright? I need to go and check on Mother soon."

Elaenor nodded, as Durran handed her over to Cersei, who had captured the toddlers imagination with a toy lion. A few moments later, Maester Fernar called him into the room.

The curtains were open, and a steady stream of light was shining onto the bed where Dany was sat up, a bundle of gold blankets in her arms. Durran slowly walked over and sat at her side. Inside the cloth was a rather large new-born, with a tuft of black hair on its head.

"We have a son." Dany exclaimed emotionally, her voice quiet and tired. "A baby boy."

Durran couldn't help the grin that formed on his face. "A boy." He repeated quietly. "Thank you." He whispered, as he leant in to capture Dany's lips softly with his own. He broke contact and pulled his attention to the baby. Dany held him out, and Durran took the bundle, settling it in his cradled arms. Opening the blanket a tiny amount he saw more of his child's face, who grew slightly unhappy at the cool air he was now exposed too. Chuckling, Durran wrapped him back up, and placed a kiss on his forehead. "He is perfect."

"He was huge." Dany groaned, shifting uncomfortably. "Why was I cursed to love a Baratheon, your babes are always so big."

"We're strong." Durran grinned. Turning back to Dany, he asked. "Have you thought of any names?"

Dany nodded. "Something less Valyrian than we had for Elle considering he is to be King one day, but I was reading with Myrcella one day and came across the story of how my Grandfather came to be heir to the Unlikely."

Durran remembered his lessons and saw where this was going. "You want to name him after the Prince of Dragonflies?"

The Queen nodded. "I do. Is that ok?"

Durran thought for a moment, before smiling. "Duncan Baratheon, I like it." He looked down to the new-born. "Hello Duncan, would you like to meet your sister?"

The baby just continued to sleep, much to Durran's amusement. "I'll go and show him to everyone outside and then bring Elle in, if that's alright with you?"

Dany just nodded, settling into a more comfortable position as Durran stood up and walked over to the door, baby in one arm. Opening it, he noticed there were more people gathered around than when he entered, as Myrcella and Jaime had joined Cersei in the corridor outside.

"Everyone." Durran announced softly. "Meet Prince Duncan Baratheon."

Myrcella was the loudest reaction, her cooing over the baby drowning out all congratulations from the Lannister twins. "He's adorable!" She began, her voice going extremely high. "Hello baby. Hello Duncan." Durran passed the baby to Cersei, who was beaming down at the baby boy.

"He's gorgeous." Cersei told him, as Duncan took her finger in his hand. "And strong." She laughed.

"He's a true Baratheon, Your Grace." Jaime said, and gave Durran a respectful nod. The King knew Jaime's views on Robert, so the mark of respect meant a lot.

"I'm going to take Elle in to be with her Mother, but I promise we will all eat together soon, and you can meet Duncan properly." Durran told them, taking back the baby and holding another hand out for Elaenor to hold. "Ser Jaime, if you can stand guard."

"Of course, Your Grace." Jaime nodded, moving his hand to the hilt of his sword.

"Do we have to go?" Myrcella complained, stroking Duncan's cheek.

Cersei held her arm out for Myrcella to cling to. "Come, sweetling." She said to her daughter. "We'll see the little Prince soon."

"That you will." Durran nodded, kissing his sister on the cheek quickly. "He'll need clothing, and there is nobody in the Seven Kingdom's that has better needlework than you do Cella."

Myrcella shook her head amusedly. "Sansa Stark for one, but I'd love to make him something." She said, taking Cersei's arm. "Bye Duncan." She cooed once more before the two women left the corridor.

Picking up Elaenor in one arm and holding Duncan in the other, Durran was let back into the chamber and made his way back over to his wife, setting the baby down in her arms. "You need to be gentle." He told Elaenor. "Mama is tired and the baby is small, do you understand?"

Elaenor nodded. "Gentle." She said quietly. Durran ruffled her hair with a smile and set her down on the bed as well, and the toddler crawled over to sit with Daenerys. "Mama!" She said happily.

"Hello Princess." Dany said happily, cuddling her daughter. "Have you said hello to your brother?"

Elaenor shook her head, and so Dany shifted her body so that Elaenor could truly see baby Duncan. "Hi." She said shyly.

The bells of the Sept of Baelor began playing the tune that announced a new heir to the throne as Elaenor was saying hello to her new brother, and Durran went and stood on the balcony, grinning away as the reality settled in to his mind. He had a son and heir. Turning back, he saw Daenerys looking at him quizzically. "I'm going to be better than my Father." He vowed, to both Daenerys and to himself. "I'm going to raise this boy myself as best I can. He will never go a day feeling unloved or neglected."

Dany smiled. "You'll be amazing, My King." She patted the bed next to Elaenor, and Durran took the hint and went to lie down with his family. Grabbing Elaenor and sitting her on his stomach, the four of them listened to the music of the bells and welcomed the new heir of the Seven Kingdom's to the world.

Hundreds of people were gathered around the courtyard of Castle Black as Jon Snow's body was laid out on a pyre in the centre. Gendry stood next to Ed and Grenn, as they listened to Mellaro give a long-winded speech about Jon's achievements and history. He could see Grenn getting annoyed and could understand, not knowing if he could go through all this ceremony if Arya was being cremated. His attention was drawn back to Mellaro as he stated. "And now his watch has ended."

"And now his watch has ended." Gendry repeated with the rest of the Brothers of the Night's Watch. Mellaro bowed his head and walked towards the crowd, standing the other side of Gendry. Ygritte stepped out towards the pyre with a flaming torch, much to many men's displeasure.

"It should be one of us." Grenn said angrily through gritted teeth. "Not a wildling. Not even her."

Gendry watched on in agreement, when Ygritte pulled an arrow from her clothing and sliced her hand with it. Placing the bloodied arrow on Jon's body, she whispered gently. "We'll go back to that cave, Jon Snow." Before lighting the pyre.

Immediately, Mellaro began whispering what sounded like an incantation to Gendry in Valyrian. "What are you doing?" He whispered angrily, but Mellaro just ignored him and continued. Gendry was furious at the disrespect, but his eyes were torn back to the pyre as the flames exploded upwards in a jet of blue light. Staggering back, Gendry held his hand over his eyes to cover them.

"What the fuck is this!" Grenn screamed out.

"Necessary!" Mellaro called out. "The Lord is blessing Jon Snow!"

The flames turned from blue to black, and then to a deep shade of red as a handful of men began to run clear of the Pyre. Gendry noticed Mance trying to pull Ygritte away from the fire, but the red-head just shook him off and stayed standing, in awe of the magic.

"Lord this man was wrongfully taken, bless his life and return his light so that he may serve his purpose in the war that's coming!" Mellaro shouted, pressing his hands to his chest. Gendry stood back in a mix of awe and horror as Mellaro changed his face, becoming the Red Woman that he had seen a few times at Queen Daenerys' side before he had travelled to Dorne. "Return Jon Snow to the living to serve you, and the Great Other shall be forever defeated!" Melisandre held her hands out towards the pyre at the request, and the fire died out.

There weren't many Night's Watchmen still standing, all having either fled in terror or been knocked to the floor. Gendry was one of those standing, and he couldn't believe his eyes as on the ashy remains of the pyre sat a naked Jon Snow, breathing heavily and his eyes widened in shock.

Of course I was bringing Jon back, he's too integral to the ending! I did it differently however, with Melisandre more powerful, and has a lot more faith in the Lord of Light than her canon counterpart did. I hope you all enjoyed the resurrection.

An heir! An actual heir finally! Duncan Targaryen was the son of Aegon V but was disinherited when he married a commoner. To me it seemed a name that was Targaryen originally, but would still fit a Baratheon surname. Orys was a close second choice, but I think that's too obvious.

Elsewhere Cat and Sansa know about Rickon, and Sansa is settling into her marriage well enough. We also have a new High Septon who is willing to work with the Crown and get the message out that doom is coming for them all!

The next couple of chapters are likely going to be shorter than usual. It's a peaceful time for the most part and that doesn't tend to bring flowing scenes. Admittedly I thought that about this one and it still reached 5 thousand words, but I don't hold much hope of reaching that figure until at least chapter 41. There are still some important scenes coming up however, with Myrcella soon to be married, and Robb learning what happened to Theon and reuniting with the traitor in the next chapter…

Thanks to all the reviewers, and please keep them coming in!

Reviews:

ZabuzasGirl: I'm English so I don't celebrate Thanksgiving but thank you and I hope every American reading this had an excellent day!

Rnij: Thank you, that means a lot! Yes, Jon is far too important to the end of the story to stay dead for now, although I can never promise about future chapters…

BBryant: I did think about Orys for a long time, but Duncan seemed a bit more niche to me, so I went with that.

Lightningscar: I would have loved to have kept Tormund alive, but he wouldn't have surrendered and with Robb getting to them before they got into Castle Black, it was a fight to the death. With Durran I'm just trying to get to the later stuff with him, and while the scenes are filler, they're still family moments to add to the relationships he has. Plus, a story about a Baratheon OC without him involved in a chapter seems strange and I don't want to do it too often! Willas in the books is the heir to the Reach by being Mace's son, but in the show they cut Willas and Garlan, so by including them in this I had to change them to be cousins from Mace's younger brother who died before the start of the story. The Greatjon is still alive and at Last Hearth as shown here. It was a bit of creative leniency for me to show how powerful Ygritte's bow was, but that to me just showed how angry she was.