Sorry to say that this is pretty much another filler chapter and it took me forever to try and write because of that, but I promise that the next three will be a lot more important, and hopefully extremely epic!
I own nothing but Durran and the other OC's, everyone you recognise belongs to either George or HBO
The first thing Durran and Dany did as soon as they arrived back inside the Red Keep was to head directly to Maegor's Holdfast to find their children. Unexpectedly, they almost walked directly into their giggling daughter.
"Mama!" Elaenor screamed excitedly when she realised who she had bumped into. Daenerys picked her daughter up and held her close.
"What are you doing out here little one?" Dany asked softly. Durran however had seen his daughter's new playmate and couldn't take his eyes off of it.
"Daenerys." He said slowly. Dany looked at her husband, before following his eye line to a small, golden dragon with some black scales on its spine.
"By the Seven…" Dany trailed.
"Dragon!" Elaenor squealed, as the new born dragon flapped its wings and landed on Elaenor's shoulder. "Mama I have dragon!"
"That's excellent." Dany beamed, not being able to contain her excitement.
"Baratheon colours… how fitting." Ser Barristan said from behind them. At that moment a serving girl came rushing round the corner of the corridor shouting for the princess.
"Oh! Your Grace, Your Grace." She curtseyed to the King and Queen. "I apologise."
The girl had clearly been singed by dragon flame judging by the scorch marks on her dress, and Dany smiled at the young girl. "No need, go and take the day off and take that dress to my own seamstress. By the looks of it we'll need a few more dresses made for everyone in the Red Keep."
"Another dragon…" Durran said, still bewildered. "What of Duncan?"
"His is still an egg." Elaenor said carefully so she didn't stumble over her words.
"It will hatch one day." Dany said happily. "You are both blood of the Dragon."
The hatchling stood tall and flapped it's wings again, staying on the shoulder of its new owner and causing her to giggle. "What about a name?" Durran asked.
Dany thought for a moment as she began to walk towards the children's chambers. "Stormfyre." She decided.
"Stormy!" Elaenor cried happily, stroking the dragon on its nose.
"Stormfyre it is." Durran agreed.
Elaenor grew impatient at being carried then, and as Dany sat her down the Dragon flew into the air. "Come Stormy!" Elaenor giggled, as she ran as fast as her little legs could carry her back towards her chambers, leaving Durran and Dany to both hurry behind her trying to keep up.
The initial shock of the newly hatched dragon in King's Landing died down after a few weeks, to which the next thing for the King to worry over was the few rocky islands off the coast of the Westerlands. Durran was holding court when through the doors to the throne room came a woman wearing an armoured breastplate showing the kraken sigil.
"Presenting Yara, of House Greyjoy." The herald announced. Durran sat up straight, his hand tightening against one of the sword handles on the arm of the Iron Throne.
"Lady Greyjoy." Durran announced coldly. "Have you come to surrender on behalf of your people? Your desecration of the North is still fresh in my mind."
"My Father was an ill man." Yara spat. "Your own Father humbled us more than he could take, and he spent his last years pining over glory we could never obtain. That war was a folly and it cost him everything."
"Good." Durran didn't hold back his animosity for the Ironborn.
"But my brother had lost enough." Yara snapped back, equally as angry. "And Stark sent him back to be slaughtered."
This gained Durran's intrigue. He had heard that Theon Greyjoy had been found mutilated and his mind gone from Robb, and that he had been sent back to the Iron Islands to pay respects to his late Father. "He was sent back because it was the only place that he would be safe."
"Safe?" Yara laughed. "The Islands aren't safe, not anymore. That's why I'm here. Believe me, if I had a choice I wouldn't be here."
"Have care how you speak to your King." Ser Creighton Redfort, the knew Vale knight of the Kingsguard after Podrick had taken up the red lined armour of the Westerlands, warned the woman.
"If he is my King then let him prove it!" Yara exclaimed. "My Uncle, Euron, murdered my Father and tore my Brother to pieces! He now sits the Seastone chair and plans to take the Iron Throne and your wife for his own. He builds his fleet as we speak."
Leaning back and taking in the information, Durran said. "He wishes to take the Throne?"
"Aye." Yara nodded.
"And the Queen, I presume he wishes to murder me and force himself upon her?"
"That's what he said." Yara confirmed.
Grinning, Durran simply replied. "Let him try."
Later that evening Durran and Dany were sat alone having their dinner when the topic of Yara's arrival came up.
"You didn't seem worried about the threat of Euron Greyjoy." Dany noted.
Durran swallowed his mouthful and shook his head. "Why should I be? He's nothing more than a brute. He can shout and boast all he wants but he won't ever be able to take King's Landing, nor will he ever sit on the Iron Throne. The Ironborn haven't bee truly fearsome since the days of Harren the Black."
Shaking her head, Dany wasn't convinced. "He still needs putting down Durran. He names himself King!"
"What would you have me do?" Durran asked sharply. "By the time it takes to march over to the West, to raise a fleet and to assault the Iron Islands it will likely be too late to deal with him, and then there's the North to think about. Let him fester on his islands and when the North is dealt with we can turn our attention to the Ironborn."
"I can do something now." Dany told him bluntly, to which Durran grinned in amusement.
"You are heavy with child my love." He shook his head. "No."
Dany's eyes narrowed. "You once promised me that you would never forbid me. You swore that we would rule together, to fight together. Just like at Sow's Horn I have the means to end this problem before it grows enough to damage us."
"But unlike Sow's Horn you are carrying my child." Durran reminded her.
"I shall not be harmed." Dany tried to convince him. "I am in complete control of the dragons and their fleet isn't ready yet. Trust me."
"I trust you with my life." Durran told her, taking one of her hands in his own. "But again, I don't want to lose you."
"Dārys is already the size of Vhagar was at the time of his death." Dany told him softly. "Rhaellar is just a touch smaller and even Aelyx is bigger than a war ship. Three dragons together, firing on your enemies and giving them practice for the true fight."
"Dany…" Durran tried once more, but the Targaryen cut him off.
"I am going." She told him. "You know it's the best plan you just fear for my life. I appreciate your concern my love, but I will not be a Queen that sits by and watches as our enemies grow stronger. I shall prove my house words on this tyrant and grant you back the final Kingdom that evades us."
Running his hands over his face in exasperation, Durran then slammed them on the table in frustration. "I could have the Kingsguard keep you here."
Dany just laughed. "You couldn't bring yourself to do that even if you wanted to." She said jovially.
Sighing, Durran knew she was right. "I have conditions."
"Name them." Dany replied.
"You will take me to Casterly Rock, I want to be close enough to be able to rally at least some men in case." Durran told her.
"Of course." Dany nodded.
"You wear the best armour that Tobho Mott can make, I want my son protected." Durran added, presuming the gender of his next child. "And you swear to me on our children that if the resistance is too much, you get out of there and we focus on the North."
Smiling, Dany stood up and walked over to Durran, kissing him gently on the lips. "I understand your concerns, but I can do this." She whispered, taking his hand and leading him to their bed.
Hundreds of miles to the North, the Lord of Winterfell was sat in his solar with Maester Luwin trying to organise the stores. "6,000 bushels will likely be enough to feed the current occupants of the castle for around 5 years." Luwin was explaining. "But when the Long Night comes Lord Stark, the armies that will converge on the North will eat through that in a year at most, more likely less time."
Robb shook his head. "We will need at least 10,000 by the turn of the year. Write to the Lords of the North and explain that if the Wall falls then as they'll all be fleeing to Winterfell anyway they must send what they can to Winterfell so that they aren't lumbered with carrying food as they flee."
"My Lord." Luwin bowed his head.
Roslin, who was sat in the corner of the room looking after a playing Brandon, popped her head up. "Send a raven to my Father too."
Robb wasn't so sure that it was a good idea. "Your Father isn't the most reasonable of men…"
Roslin chuckled. "I know, but I've received more letters from him since I've been with you at Winterfell than words spoken to me while I lived at the Twins. He cares about his Stark grandchild, he won't let us starve."
"I shall pen a letter to Lord Walder in your name, Lord Stark." Luwin said, standing up to leave. The elderly Maester was interrupted by the door bursting open and a guard running in.
"What is the meaning of this interruption?" Robb asked, annoyed. "I asked not to be disturbed."
"Sorry… Sorry Milord." The guard panted. "The courtyard… there's a cart… says he's a Stark."
Robb lost all annoyance at the guard's words. "Bran…" He whispered to himself, before quickly making his way out to the courtyard.
Sure enough there was a cart in the middle of the yard with a host of people gathered around. Robb pushed his way through towards the front of the cart, where a young man was sat in the driver's seat listening to Rickon chatter away, covered in a cloak made of rabbit pelts. Robb just stared on in shock, drinking in the sight of his younger brothers.
"Where's Jojen?" Rickon asked. The wildling woman, Osha, stepped towards the younger Stark, quietly shushing him.
"Come now little Lord." She said, keeping an eye on Robb. "We can talk to Lord Bran later."
"But…" Rickon began, but he saw Robb too and nodded. "I'm glad you're home Bran."
"Me too." Bran said monotonously, looking at Robb. "Hello Robb."
Feeling a lump in his throat, Robb stepped forward and crashed into his brother, giving him a fierce hug. "I thought you dead." Robb whispered. "I thought you dead…"
"I survived." Bran said in the same tone. "As did you."
"Barely." Robb said as he pulled away, shaking his head. He turned to the girl that had arrived with Bran who was looking at the scene sadly. "You must be Meera."
"Yes, Lord Stark." She bowed her head. Robb shook his own and stepped towards her, shaking her hand.
"It's Robb to you." He said quietly so only she and Bran could hear. "Thank you, Meera, for looking after him."
Meera smiled weakly. "It was my duty." She said, looking, trying to hide a longing at Bran.
Robb nodded knowingly, though he could see Bran was oblivious. "My wife will see you to a room for you to rest, Meera." He said, pointing out Roslin behind him.
"Lady Roslin." Bran said politely.
Roslin was surprised at how he knew her but curtseyed anyway. "Lord Bran. How wonderful it is to have you home."
Bran said nothing, and Robb stepped towards him once more. "I can get you some warmer clothes too if you like?" He asked. Bran just nodded and moved so that Robb could pick him up and carry him to his old room.
The Stark Lord forewent any servants and helped his younger brother change into a set of Robb's own clothes, and he was surprised at how tall Bran had gotten when the trouser leg was a little too short. Bran waved it off though as Robb laced up some boots and settled Bran in a chair.
"We'll have one with wheels made for you." Robb told his brother. "You can be a bit more independent that way now that Hodor…"
"He died to protect me." Bran interrupted in his now signature monotone. "He kept the wights off us so that Meera and I could escape."
"You've seen them then?" Robb said quietly.
Bran nodded. "I have. And I've seen the Night King." He told Robb, rubbing his wrist uncomfortably. "I've walked among them, in a way." That worried Robb, as he turned defensive, causing Bran to smile quickly. "In a vision, I still breath."
Breathing in relaxation, Robb sat down on the bed beside Bran. "I've had a vision too."
"You saw Uncle Benjen and Aunt Lyanna by the Weirwood." Bran stated. "They were arguing about Rhaegar."
"How do you know that?" Robb asked bewildered.
"I know many things now." Bran told him. "I see everything. Everything that's ever happened and everything happening now. I saw you get those burns and I saw you pick up a wooden sword for the first time."
Robb didn't truly understand, but the fact that Bran knew the details about his vision was enough to believe him. "Do you know when they're coming?"
"Not yet." Bran said. "But I will. I need to be ready for my role in the war to come."
It took two weeks for Durran to agree that Dany was well enough protected, and another few days of changing his mind again and again until Dany had dragged her husband onto Rhaellar's back and flown him and the other adult dragons over to Casterly Rock. The next morning, he had awoken and just like all those years before when Durran was fighting his now friend, Dany had gone with her dragons. The King couldn't even eat for a day, which worried his brother.
"Starving yourself won't bring her back any quicker." Tommen told him on the second day of Dany being gone, pouring out a wine. Durran shook his head, but Tommen insisted. "Drink, it'll calm the nerves."
Scoffing in amusement, Durran sipped at the Arbor Red. "Since when have you told me what to do little brother?" He asked with a smile.
"Since His Grace was acting like a dog waiting for his master to return." Tommen shrugged. "She'll be back soon."
"What if she's dead?" Durran sighed. "Or worse, what if he's captured her?"
"Your Queen is made of sterner stuff than that." Tommen told him, the 15-year-old acting much older than his age suggested. "I've never known a more capable woman, Sow's Horn proved that."
"That was burning a war camp that was unprepared." Durran waved it off. "This is different, this is…"
He was silenced by the bells ringing in Casterly Rock. "Arrivals." Tommen explained, and Durran rushed off his feet to get to a balcony overlooking the sea.
The size of the Rock meant it took twenty minutes to reach one that was high enough, and Durran stared out solemnly as ships bearing multiple House banners on their sails were spotted. House Drumm, Blacktyde, Harlaw, Goodbrother and Sunderly were among the ones that Durran recognised.
"No…" Durran whispered, his heart breaking. He shouldn't have worried however, as at that moment barrelling down through the clouds came a pale white dragon with bronze markings. Rhaellar and her rider, Daenerys Targaryen.
Breathing raggedly in relief, Durran then started to laugh aloud as he hugged his brother tightly before they made their way to the Great Hall of the Rock, where Tommen sat in his throne, with Daven Lannister at his side. Durran stood, waiting for the moment that his Queen walked through the doors. When she did, he threw all formality out and rushed to greet her.
"Never again. Not without me and not without an army." He whispered in her ear as the Lords of the Iron Islands streamed in.
"There was no trouble, not really." Dany whispered back. "Let me tell all of what happened.
And so she did. Dany explained how she fell on Lordsport at dawn, using her great dragons to burn the ships in the harbour and in the dockyards, halting the process entirely. She explained at how a score of soldiers rushed from the castle of Pyke, and how they all burned before she turned her attention to the castle. "Euron Greyjoy was on one of the bridges laughing up at me on how pleased I came to his bed of my own free will, and that he wanted the biggest dragon for himself." Dany explained. "Pyke now is short a few towers, and Euron Greyjoy is nothing but charred fish food."
"Whore." One of the Ironborn captains shouted, earning Durran's ire. He turned towards where the voice had come from but was beaten to it by Lord Rodrik Harlaw.
"Silence yourself Steffarion." The Lord growled. "Or do you want your line to end today?"
"Fuck off, Reader." The young man said. "I won't sit hear in fetters listening to the dragon whore brag about her cheap tactics."
"Worse is coming you fucking idiot." Lord Goodbrother growled. "For once in your life shut up."
The new Lord of House Sparr just spat on the ground. "Others take you all."
"Take him outside." Dany commanded, and surprisingly the Lannister soldiers obeyed. "Feed him to Dārys, he could do with a snack."
The man didn't complain, he just laughed manically as he was dragged out of the room. "Anybody else?" Durran asked, daring them all.
"The old way is done." Lord Rodrik spoke to the Ironborn. "Balon was my sister's husband, and he gave me nephews and a niece but look where his madness has got us. I warned you all about following Euron and he killed our rightful Lord brutally and brought the dragons upon us. The time to change is now."
"Aye." Lord Drumm sighed in defeat. "I like it not, but all the signs point to a winter worse than any I've seen. You may have believed him a madman, but the things Balon's youngest tried warning us about still haunt my dreams."
"It must be bad then, you're fucking ancient." One of the younger lords joked, causing a few laughs between them all.
"I am!" Drumm grinned. "And I know when I'm beaten. Twice in a lifetime by these fuckers." He got to one knee. "Spare my family, Baratheon, and you'll have my loyalty."
Durran had been around enough Northerners to understand there was no true malice towards him, just the situation. "I think the destruction of Pyke is enough, so long as you all follow suit."
Some grumbled, some were even more reluctant, but eventually all the Ironborn lords bent the knee, although surprisingly enough for her, they bent towards Dany.
It was Rodrik Harlaw that explained it all later as the King and Queen ate with him as their new Lord Paramount. "They respect strength above all else, and not a great deal will be stronger than appearing with a dragon, burning a few of our family ships and forcing us to the mainland under pain of death."
"So long as this isn't a ruse." Durran warned. "If it is, I'll do exactly as my Father once did, but I won't be as merciful."
Rodrik smiled weakly. "I've been alive for three wars and now this. I swear, we are done trying to prove something we can no longer accomplish."
"Good, because we need you." Dany told him kindly. "Your Valyrian swords, they will be vital in the war to come."
"Send us word, Your Grace." Rodrik bowed his head to her. "As much as most won't like it, they will follow you. It's the watery halls of the Drowned God we long for, not your beasts' flames."
They spoke for a while longer, before Rodrik bid the royals farewell and prepared to leave for the islands again. Dany and Durran began to settle themselves in bed, and they cuddled up to one another talking about what had just happened.
"They follow you, not me." Durran remarked.
"Are you mad?" Dany asked.
Grinning, Durran kissed her forehead and ran his thumb along her belly. "Not at all, I thought I might be but like you say, we rule together. We fight together. We are one, you and I."
Smiling, King and Queen kissed once more before settling down to sleep, not realising that by the time they arrived back in King's Landing a few days later that everything would change.
A short chapter this time but that was always going to be the case, and one I'm really not to sure about but it ties up my final loose end in the Greyjoy's, with Theon's fate being sealed and a quick explanation on how the Ironborn will join in the fight.
It might be a bit too easy, it might be unrealistic, but it's not the main focus of the arc, let alone the story, so oh well.
Next chapter we start on some heavier moments for the characters, as Jon arrives in King's Landing with some news and a gift.
Reviews:
Lightningscar: I wrote it as if the mention of Arya to him was more important to Gendry to be honest. Jon wants to get away from Winterfell after the knowledge of his parents is pretty well known now and he isn't quite ready to deal with it properly and going to Dragonstone to ensure the mining efforts stay strong is just an excuse. As for Melisandre, I'll explain her role properly after I finish the final battle, as anything I say now as to her motivations for joining the Night King and why she's willing to do it are possibly massive spoilers.
Vwchick: Wow thank you for that! I just tried to write something different other than the usual Black Prince tropes you see.