Chapter 8: Wild Card

RECAP

Finally, doors were smashed open, and standing in their Armour with swords, 'none other than fucking Traitors.' Tywin, mace, Randyll along with their men standing behind them, glaring with their insolent smile.

And at last, Viserys mind finally averred 'king's landing has indeed fallen.'

Last of Gold cloaks went down without much. Their doom was clear, but still, they preferred to die with pride rather than begging for their lives. While others held their swords waiting to lay waste upon traitors.
Tywin held his vexatious smirk, giving a brief look to each present there. Anger was gleaming out of their stares, but Tywin wasn't afraid. He holds everything that he wanted, one way or other, He found his way over the top, 'now throne is rightfully mine'.

Tywin looked at Viserys "so you are going to do this the hard way" his words lordotic with arrogance.
"Well, it's not me who chose" Viserys blurted with anger, even though he knew he lost it, but still he won't give him that satisfaction for sure.
"Yes, I did, but what can I say, I always want everything that others say I cannot get,... now look around. You have lost. City isn't yours anymore, and neither that throne, so you should very well kneel, I still might spare your life and your family," Tywin said continuing his arrogant smirk. Though in real, He does not have any wish to spare any Targaryen whatsoever, later who may very well, raise a rebellion against him.

"u can halt this charade, no one's falling for that," Viserys said, giving Tywin his dense scowl, he wanted him to know that Dragon does not bow to anyone.

Tywin gave a laugh at that "yes. That's right, you and your family will die for sure, But other than that no one has to die" Tywin paused and shifted his glare to other lords " I don't have anything against any of you, so there's no point for us to fight. You supported crown and I want you to continue to do so, throne is mine by conquest, pledge your swords to me and each one of you will return safely to your castles,... I give you my words" Tywin finished arrogantly.

Ned was furious beyond imagination, but Jon and hoster still held their passive face. "u profess to kill my nephew, and you think I would kneel to you, gravely mistaken... kill me... that worst you can do to me... but let me tell you,...worst you will know after that...Winter will come for you and all those who stand beside you" Ned's words were harsh and ice as winter itself, nothing compares to the glare Ned was giving him. Even Tywin wouldn't dare to deny the intimidation his words held. However, he had nothing to fear at least at that point for sure.

"Kill u, no, no... I am not stupid enough to kill you and raise north and Riverland in a rebellion, I already told you my intentions, I would allow you to go back to your home, but only after pledging your loyalty to House Lannister, otherwise you all are welcome to be my prisoners...so lay down sword and bend the knee" Tywin said even though he rarely believed that they would take his offer kindly especially Ned stark and Hoster Tully. He waited, but he knew the obvious.

First, one to move was Ned, walked straight to the center, clutching his sword, right after him Viserys too walked forward, beside him followed by ser delen, Malcolm, and kings guards. However, Tywin's gaze was set on hoster Tully and Jon arryn, but at last, they too join the ray. All of them standing in ray with swords ready to lay waste facing Tywin who was standing alongside Mace, randyll, Jaime, Kevan apparently followed by more Lannister soldiers. Sensing things getting heated Jaime too unsheathed his sword, excitement was gleaming from his eyes, but Tywin motioned him to back his swords in scabbard, Tywin had no wish to risk his son at that point for sure, Jaime tried to go against him, but he already knew better than to go against his father, so he sheathed his swords back in the scabbard reticently.

Tywin raised his hand to beckon before stepping to side-lines and letting his soldiers take charge. Lannister men, apparently not all Lannister, some tyrells too, but mostly Lannister moved forward. As before, Ned was first one to bath his sword in red, he moved slicing them, evidently moving toward Tywin, to get his hand on him before leaving for an early grave, others too were in the joust, but kings guards were as swift as brutal, particularly ser Gerold, the white bull, smashing down Lannister men like sport. As fight stretched, it got fiercer, it was good that door doesn't allow many soldiers in a moment but still their number was far great to be handled by ten, even alongside strongest fighters in westros, everyone was fighting with everything they got, but hoster and jon were far sloppier and would have lost their head if wasn't for others, Malcolm too was eventually losing his pace, he fought at mud gate, he fought when the gate fell, he fought while running through aegon's hill, He reached his limit, but still didn't let go of his sword.
Tywin and others were standing on the side-lines, living the sight especially Jaime, but again the sight was glorious nonetheless, not every day, something like that comes to light. ser Gerold, the white bull infamous for his strength, ser barristan selmy known as barristan the bold, his sword as precise as sharp, next come sir-no prince lewyn nymeros Martell, though without Spear for which he was a legend but still not a single scratch on him even when vastly outnumbered, and then there was ser oswell whent, brother to Lord of Harrenhal, sending Tywin's men to their grave single-handedly. But, there was someone else, as brute as White bull and as swift as Barristan the bold... Ned Stark. Though that could be attributed to his valyrian steel sword, 'nothing cuts like valyrian steel' but still Wolf had upper hand. Finally, the first victory for lannisters came with delen. Viserys eyes veered toward delen, there was anger...hurt...but no tears. He didn't had time for that.

Tywin grasped well enough, that one person, whom he wanted to see most 'or better say to get his hand on', ser Arthur Dayne wasn't there, and possibly somewhere trying to protect his so-called king. Even so, he holds king's landing and sooner or later. He would get his hand on him. After all, not every day, men like him are born, and now since, his best killer was dead, so who better than one who killed him to replace that spot. Arthur killed Ser Gregor clegane and he wanted him at his command at any cost.

While Tywin and Jaime were relishing the sight, although Jaime wanted more than just being a spectator, mace was screaming at his soldiers on their incompetence. "Hit him from the back, fool" mace as always showing his incompetence.

Ned was getting frustrated, for not being able to slash Tywin's neck, and obviously, there was a limit, to how long they can hold up. Battle was at the critical moment. Muscles tired, nerves sore, but they too swore to kill until their last breath. Viserys was beyond tired and nearly at his breaking point. Bodies were piling up around them, when suddenly a sword slashed his right thigh, making him scream and drop on his knee. Next strike headed for his neck but fortunately, ser lewyn pulled him out at last moment. Hall turned to hell. Malcolm has been mortally wounded.

At that moment, Tywin's gaze met Ned's "all of you were marvelous, but now it ends,...leave lord stark, Lord Tully and lord arryn alive and kills the others." Tywin commanded with a victory grin on his face.

More than hundred Lannister men, moved forward after taking Tywin's word, but suddenly, one of Lannister soldier came running, mumbling something but got silenced when a spear pierced him right through his heart, Everyone's gaze gyrated at the end of hall at door, from where few minutes before Lannister-Tyrell men were flowing in, now men with shield and spears embarked running over smashed doors, Tywin gaze wandered to abrupt change of tides, and panic deadened his senses, while mace started bickering in his ear 'what in hell is this'.

Flashback (Few minutes before, kings landing)
Lannister and Tyrell's army penetrated the city unleashing havoc, slaying anything in their way. Gold cloaks were butchered. Monstrosity was on rampage. Around the same time, Duskendale forces arrived at the Iron Gate. Fortunately, few gold cloaks were there to raise the gates for them. Lord Monterys velaryon was leading the vanguard, with less than fourteen thousand men at his back.

He already got news about fall of mud gate, but he knew vale forces are on their way to king's landing, so he marched his force straight to Aegon's hill, to intercept Lannister army. But there was fright and panic rising in his mind, if knights of the vale didn't make it in time, ' I will die a virgin,... fuck...I should have had her before leaving for kings landing'. He tried to rivet his mind on matters at hand somehow and rode straight to their possible death.
Monterys force intercepted Lannister army at the end of the muddy way, seeing lannistermens formation. He fully apprehended that they already made it to the red keep, though he still hoped-for king's safety. However, accepting defeat without trying wasn't in his blood, so he raised his swords and went one on most probably 10, both forces engaged in battle. Things were obviously worst for them, but still, narrow streets helped quite a lot, as it lessens the prospect of ambush, but they were losing men at a very high rate. Bodies of his men stacking throughout the road, but he just went for his Karma, hoping for best.
Lannister army was at full assault cutting down the resistant forces when suddenly, they were ambushed by thousands of men from behind, tens of thousands men dressed in amber rushing from mud gate, piercing down Lannister army with their spears and shield, monterys perceived the soldiers and got a relief throughout his body, so now battle was somewhere balanced. Monterys knew kings landing well enough, and didn't wish to get the bulk of an army at one spot so, he took half of his men and made a blockade at the Hook (the hook is the shortest pass way between red keep and mud gate).

The fight was in the top stipulate at that moment. Oberyn Martell, the brother of Prince of Dorne, was leading the assault alongside his force, very unlike Lannister. He was aliased as Red Viper, but during fight, he was more of a monster rather than a snake. Ever since Elia's murder lannisters became his best kill. He wanted to kill every fucking Lannister, with his own hands, and he would do that soon enough but first, he had to get rid of those worms that were vexing around him. Lannister and Tyrells forces were in critical when suddenly, more men joined dornish and monterys forces entering from Lion's gate, with banners of moon and falcon. Vale forces entered the joust giving final blow to the Lannister and Tyrell army. As the Western and dornish army were infantry while Vale's legions having horses, so inspite of their considerable smaller numbers, they laid waste over the Lannister-Tyrell army. Oberyn just smiled and went straight to red keep. He just hoped that he wasn't late. He ran piercing every Lannister men on his way. Soon Dornish army made it to Red keep, and that went so fast, that Lannister men didn't even got time to alert others, one of them was running over the fallen doors inside the throne room, when one of the dornishmen hurled a spear, piercing right through his heart. So finally men with shield and spears embarked running over smashed doors.

Flashback ends

When loud noise came from other ends, Ned assumed it to be more Lannister bulk but as soldiers in front, those who were holding swords to them a moment ago riveted, he got baffled but soon enough things got clear. Men with spears and shield, helmets wrapped in long amber scarf cutting Lannister-Tyrell forces, 'dornishmen' Ned identified from their array. It was rather clear but how in the hell, they managed to get here.

Viserys was simply glad. He never expected it, dorne running up 'but beggars don't get to choose' so he turned to looking at Tywin's dry face, few minutes before he was mocking him, and now he crashed down in very same place. And that was quite satisfying to watch. He was on his knees when Ser oswell gave him a hand and helped him stand. He stood while resting his hand on ser oswell for support. So, not long before bodies were piled up. Tywin, mace, Jaime, Kevan were dumbstruck, without words with Dornish soldiers holding spear at their throats, even though Jaime tried to fight back and even managed to slice few dornishmen but only a spear through his leg, and that's all... it took to culminate his little rebellion whereas Tywin and others just accepted the inevitable, and that was their defeat.

As Tywin and other laid their swords on the ground, a loud wooed everyone in the Room expects for Dornish soldiers who aligned themselves in rather conventionally throughout the hall. "Won't anyone welcome me?..", gazes followed the root to get the picture of tall lined face man with thin eyebrows and black eyes holding a bloodied spear. His hair lustrous and black with only a little silver streak that recedes from his brow into a widow's peak, no mistake, Oberyn Martell as he cannot be mistaken by anyone, at least not at that moment. Tywin gazes were filled with his grievous anger on him while Jaime was seeing the infamous 'red viper' for the first time, but he too recognized him without a doubt.

"You are always welcome, prince Oberyn...especially on eve like this" Viserys said with a smiling face, looking straight in his eyes.

"Yes...that I am sure of, even I am thrilled with it... I didn't have this much fun in a long time." Oberyn said while stabbing one of Lannister soldier with his spear. But then turned his gaze toward Tywin and his allies," once a coward always a coward,..." Oberyn said in a low growl but still loud enough to be heard by everyone present there "tell me lord Tywin, even after witnessing them fighting for their pride (pointing toward Viserys and other)..., you still couldn't find it in yourself to even try to die with pride" his words meant as slap for Tywin, his eyes right at his face unwaveringly, with his smile,

"I know, when to quit, there's no pride in fighting the inevitable" Tywin said in his stern tone, he knows when to fight and when to quit, and for those who think otherwise may very well fuck themselves in their early graves.

Oberyn couldn't control his laugh after hearing his words, others just looked confused, but remained silent. "I am sorry...but I don't mean it...well you see if it wasn't for their pride(pointing toward Viserys and other), they would have been dead, even before I made it here...It's better to die on your feet than live on your knees, Lord Tywin" Oberyn said in his Dornish accent, smirking at him.

"If it's true, Then why did all of our ancestors kneeled to the dragons," sarcasm lurking in Tywin's words.

Oberyn turned though not with anger or any other impassive expression but straight face " Dorne never bent the knee to anyone, from princess nymeria to Aegon, even further, daeron Targaryen managed to hold dorne for single summer and that too because children were taken hostage,….. so you should have read our history keenly…but unfortunately you won't get another chance at that." Oberyn's words were straight and blunt. Although Viserys didn't like the way, he was talking, but still kept himself down, after all, they owe their lives to him. So he chose to remain silent.

"Just accept it,... We'll never agree on anything," Tywin said in arrogance.

"Yeah, that's true-" but suddenly Oberyn was interrupted by Ned, "I think, we will get enough time to settle disputes, so it's better to look on more immediate issues" Ned ended seriously.

Oberyn turned towards Ned, gazing with an odd look, "Only Starks have those grey balls,...did it came out wrong,...yes... I mean those dark grey eyes, obviously lord stark." Oberyn said in kind of casual tinge, maybe he trying to tempt or provoke him but still, Ned doesn't let go of his passive serenity. Oberyn was impressed. He believed northerners to be all thick and hot-headed, but maybe he was wrong or maybe the man in front of him was different than most. " Oh, I mean yes, we should be looking over the immediate issues, lord stark" Oberyn replied to Ned pretensing his formality.

Viserys sensed discomfort, after all, there wasn't much love between Starks and martells because of his brother's infatuation with the stark girl. But abruptly, another man tried to walk inside followed by many others at his back but halted by dornishmen. Viserys recognized the man in a glance, "let them in" Viserys commanded but dornishmen just looked at Oberyn most likely ignoring Viserys words. After Oberyn gave a bob, they let them in.

Lord Monterys velaryon walked straight toward Viserys followed by more than 30 men at his back. "your grace'" he bowed "enemy forces have been wiped out, also knights of the vale have arrived." monterys informed, though his eyes were on the bodies around the hall. But the scenario was worse outside the keep. City bled that day more than it ever did in history of its 300 years.

Viserys was relieved to see monterys. Viserys turned his gaze to meet Tywin and Mace, mocking down their faces, and then turned to monterys "take them to Dark cells and get rid of these corpses and" Viserys paused and turned to delen's body, "and prepare to send ser delen remains to Crakeclaw," Viserys ordered. His heart was heavy, and only gods knew how much he would like to drive his sword through all these traitor's heart, but he had big plans for them too, also he had more important affairs to be taken care of.

As soon as prisoners were taken to dark cells. Viserys turned to Oberyn with a smiling face, "I think you would be tired...so I think you should get some rest...today was tiresome, we will have enough time for long talks…... ser lewyn will guide you to your chamber." Viserys said, trying to just get off with the instant conversation at that moment and more than that wanted to get rid of those dornishmens.

"I wish to see my niece," Oberyn said in a straight tone, viserys took a very little pause, not even noticed by many but Oberyn. "Rhaenys is safe but currently not here, …..until the city is secured completely,….. it's better for her to remain at safety" viserys answered looking straight at vipers black eyes.
Oberyn just nodded his head and looked toward ser lewyn, smiling and started walking toward his uncle when interrupted by Viserys " I think dornishmen fought bravely and valiantly, so ...so they should take some rest. Lord Velaryon will take charge of city." Viserys said in as pleasing way he could. But Oberyn wasn't a fool. He discerned very well that Viserys doesn't trust him. So he just turned and signalled his men "sure" only single word and then walked alongside ser lewyn.

Soon dornishmen also retired. And Viserys shifted to other lords who until that point remained silent " I think, it's better for us to have some rest. The day was terrible." Viserys said glancing at lords, he expected at least few words but none came. All of them just nodded and walked out. Jon and hoster went to their chambers, although he was sure, Jon arryn would run straight to meet his banners, while he walked with Ned toward Maegor's Holdfast. "I don't trust martells" Ned halted in less than a second at Viserys words,

"I want you to send a raven to your brother, they would surely halt at the news of Lannister defeat, but I need them here in king's landing, overnight. Until then, Jon won't be safe, Oberyn holds no love for Starks, and it won't be a surprise if something happened to me or Jon, Oberyn will put rhaenys upon the throne,... I don't even trust arryn, and lord Tully is here only because his grandchild will inherit north, so in the end, only one whom I trust is you. Lord stark" Viserys ended placing his hand on Ned's shoulder, even though Tyrell and lannisters are done for good, but still, he wasn't sure if Oberyn was really a good news or just a bad omen. Though He wasn't worried about rhaenys anymore, but Jon was entirely another case. In his mind too, a thousand thoughts were dashing at the same time. Ned just nodded in agreement as he too didn't care for anyone but Jon. After leaving Ned he went straight to monterys, the city needed his attention for sure, and more importantly, he needed to contact Arthur.

Outside city was in the blood, tens of thousands of corpses, chaos everywhere, criminals on rampage, looting the dead, raping, robbing seeing the opportunity amidst the aftermath of the battle. And having Dornish soldiers controlling the city doesn't help. He wasn't even sure of his own life and more importantly Jon. He should be kept as far as from Oberyn. He wasn't sure if the war was really over or it's just a beginning.

i hope u guyz like this one, leave kudos and coments...i am new in fic work so please leave comments, i wish to know the quality of my efforts...
until next time, also its last chance to get ur pairing... voting is on only until next update...