Chapter 10: Aftermath of War

RECAP

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.

Ser lewyn walked Oberyn to his chamber, "It's been a long since I last saw u." Oberyn said with a smile, he never really stationed in one place for long so never got bundled with his family, although he loves them more than anything.
ser lewyn held a grimace on his face "I am sorry. I couldn't protect her." He doesn't sleep at night. Guilt and grief don't let him. Elia was her sweet little girl, even from her birth, she was a frail one, so that made him and everyone to hold her tight more than her any other sibling and when she came to kings landing after marriage, he was somewhere happy to see her but now that seemed way too absurd for even a child.

Oberyn face suddenly switched to somewhat dark and serious, obviously remembering her sister, was most painful for him, "Our guilt, grief or anger won't bring her back, but I wish to protect her last living memory." He couldn't say that he did not blame his uncle because he did, but he knew fallen star never makes it back to sky.

Lewyn read his face expression well enough and understood what he said and what he really wanted to say. So he just riveted the conversation. "Never thought Doran would approve of this" lewyn tone held a quizzical glimmer. He knew Doran well enough. His eldest nephew had always been more diplomatic and calmer, so that was really a big move for him.
"Then it's good. That...I never needed anyone's approval for anything" Oberyn said with the wry smile, he didn't give damn about anything when it came to his family, and her sister's child was part of his family. Surely Doran denied his request but again when he wants something he takes it, and it doesn't matter if someone else like it or not.

"You are telling me you dared to bring Dornish army to kings landing against Doran's decision" wide-eyed reaction covered lewyn's face.

"I don't care about his consent when the matter is about my sister. And you too know me better than to believe I would ever let any harm come to Rhaenys." Oberyn finished unblinkingly. It wasn't that Doran didn't know about his plans, but it's like sometimes he just let him do things which he can't do by himself.

lewyn looked at him for few moments but then suddenly spoke up "Take her with you to dorne, she will be safe there." He knew kings landing was a dangerous place and now since her parents were dead and no one there to take care of her, he thought it to be better for her to stay in dorne at least there she would have family around her.

However, Oberyn already anticipated all possible measures for her safety "Not until viserys is alive. He won't allow it" he said with a fixed face,

"He owes his life to you" lewyn replied instantly, though he even knew how vain his word sounded.

"Still, he is no fool," Oberyn said in a sullen tone.

"So what you have in mind," lewyn asked, clearly not understanding his nephew's intentions.

"I don't think it's good to confer secrets with kings guard, uncle" Oberyn gave his sly grin to his uncle. Most likely greeting him in advance about his plans.

After some words lewyn showed him his chamber and left. The first thing he wanted was a good bath. However, his mind still running in 10 directions. He had much to do, firstly, a long talk with viserys was going to be there about Elia and rhaenys, then lord stark and surely Rhaenys, more than anything, He longed to see her. Even his men weren't able to find her. He wasn't even sure about if Rhaenys was there in king's landing or not.

Dornish soldiers were roaming the streets in bulk, but even with Vale's legion, their forces were negligible. At the same time, Arthur and Willem were sheltering in a low-grade hovel in the downlines of Flee bottom, though the place surely doesn't match royal standard from miles high but still was best for present situation, Arthur and willem remained there, even though he had a tight guess at the situation, Dornish soldiers were all over city and to his surprise even in the worst section of flee bottom. Jon was quite enough to handle, and even when he gets frustrated, Rhaenys manage to soothe him, but Daenerys was another case. Her temper was on par with viserys, and even no one says it loud but she literally made everyone's life living hell just within few hours of roll, but then again, that place was as worst as anyplace could be, smell was killing their senses to nerves, it was a rat-infested place, poverty was mile below the line, none of them really wish to know what do these people take for feed. but In the end, they were stuck there, until situation cools down.

That was a small dingy cell type place, with single bed, if they could even consider it one, lantern hanging at the comer, not a ray of light, even when sun at the top. Daenerys and Jon were on bed while Rhaenys sitting on the edge, and Arthur was doing the only thing he could do, Faning over kids with his white cloak, as flies and mites were like legal citizens of flee bottom. And surely no one wished-for Daenerys to get mad, because if that happened, Arthur would surely lose his mind.

Arthur was busy in his immediate job of the moment when Rhaenys voice interjected him out of it. "I'll do it. You can take some rest." Rhaenys said in an appealing voice, Arthur just nodded to her in sign of approval. She understood, how hard it was for Arthur, being responsible for all of their lives. Earlier when he came to her before leaving red keep, she didn't understand much, just before that uncle viserys assured her that he would take care of everything, and they are safe but Arthur just told her to pack few of their light clothes, and that they had to leave. She already knew about Tyrell and Lannister and their army at the gates but after that, she became sure that things were much worse than her anticipation. And that got worsened when she heard people talk about the attack on the city. She was afraid of what might have happened to her uncle. Viserys remained in king's landing, also Jon's uncle stayed there too. As things were bad enough, so they should have come with them, 'but' everything ends with this word. As they were walking deep in that place, she perceived the tumult, people were terrified, and some even witnessed Lannister men making inside the city towards the Red Keep. That frightened hell out of her but uncle Dayne held her close, and she felt safe, also she had Jon in her arms, and that gave her courage. She remembered, Uncle Dayne told her something about fear when she asked him about his fight with Ser clegane.

Flashback (Rhaenys chamber)
"How did you beat him, weren't you afraid. He was huge" Rhaenys asked with curiosity lurking on her face.
"I was...afraid, but I had to protect you,... let me tell you one secret,... when we have someone or something more valuable than your own life, then fear doesn't matter anymore" Arthur ended smiling down at her, but his words were firm.
Flashback ends

She too had someone whom she wanted to protect. Her father asked her to stick together always and forever. And she didn't forget those words and never she will.
Arthur was getting tensed. Willem was out, for the time being, against his warning, but again. When does he listen to anyone's advise.

Suddenly, there were knocks on the door, and that eased his worries for sure, they all decided for three knock rule, so he just walked up to open the door, as he opened the door, ser willem entered but not alone, followed by a man, with rough brown eyes, long face and messy long hair, and judging from his array, seemed like some drunken fool. However, Arthur recognized him, so just shutted door after him, Rhaenys was probably stranged as surely she never saw that man in her life. but as soon as his eyes fell on her, he got on his knees, "your grace" Rhaenys felt beyond weird. She wasn't used to be called as that, she rather preferred 'princess'. Her eyes wandered to Arthur involuntarily,

" He is sillen, one I talked to you before,..." Arthur revealed, making it easy for rhaenys to hold the weird feeling down.

"I am sorry to hear about ur trouble," sillen said in a humble tone, with his head down.

"me too." Word left Rhaenys mouth without her trying. It was just like a natural flow. Again, Arthur got a pinch. So he jumped to the spot without delay.

"So what's the situation in the city." Arthur turned to sillen questioning.

"Well, things are complicated. Lannisters managed to break through mud gate and made to the red keep, (everyone got tensed but Rhaenys was deadened with horrifying thoughts)" so she interrupted abruptly, "what happened to uncle viserys", tears were almost ready to lay waste over her beautiful face, but thankfully sillen got that one down,

"Don't worry princess, everyone is fine... Lord viserys is completely alright...(though that caused confusion on Arthur's face so sillen continued)... well before anything could happen Prince Oberyn arrived along with Dornish forces and knights of the vale also arrived soon enough, so now things are little bit stable" sillen ended with calm tone but his expression suggested that there was more to it.

As soon as Oberyn word banged in rhaenys head she spoke up, "Uncle Oberyn is here." There was a happiness on her face, though she never met her uncle, her mother told her a lot about him and his adventures in essos, he even sent her gift on her name day.

"Yes, princess, if he hadn't come at right moment, things would have turned badly." sillen said with a straight face.

"Then we can go back," rhaenys said hopingly glancing at Arthur.

"Still not, my princess, King Jon's safety is must" sillen finished but as sillen gaze met Arthur and few silent words were traded, so he just subsided at that.

"What about it,... if enemies are captured, then Jon is safe," rhaenys said with a confused face.

"Sillen means, who knows some of Lannister men might be hiding down in the city or keep, so it's not safe outside,... so, for now, we have to stay here" Arthur entered to explain. He didn't wish her to know of the politics of westros. So he just made an excuse, to calm her down. rhaenys wanted to go back home, to see his uncle but chose to be quiet.

After that, Arthur took sillen to another side along with willem to discuss the real matter. Though Rhaenys understood that there was something, they weren't telling her, but she was happy with whatever they told her.

Whole day Viserys remained occupied, after all, the battle had turned kings landing into a graveyard, Knights of the vale were rather arrogant in helping of rehab of the city, and his own men weren't enough. So it was taking much time to clear up the city. He didn't see Oberyn aftermath their last conversation but surely next day, They'll have quite many things to discuss.

He already asked Ned to get northern forces but still, he didn't know how much time it would take. He wants them at kings landing before first light, Obviously, as long as Dornish forces control the city, he can't do anything, also Oberyn's attitude surely not meant for his temper. So it's better to have stark army before things turn for worst. Oberyn's intentions still remain questionable on top of that he was more worried about if Oberyn knew of his involvement after Elia's murder. That held huge stress on his head. He knew what kind of things, he could do, and after all, he too has a little sister.
Monterys filled him with details of battle and aftermath. They also managed a temporary repair for mud gate, but he was still shocked about Oberyn, and how in hell martells got information about Lannister attack when even they couldn't. But finally, he went to his bed to get some rest. Next day surely going to be troublesome.

While Viserys was sleeping in his bed in comfort, all of the traitors were in dungeons beneath red keep.

The dungeons of the Red Keep having four levels. On the upper level are cells with high narrow windows where common criminals are confined together. The second level has smaller, personal cells without windows for highborn captives where torches in the halls cast light through the bars. The third-level cells, the "black cells," are smaller still, and have doors of wood so that no light enters them. These are reserved for the vilest and dangerous prisoners. The lowest level is used for torture. It is supposedly safer to go through the fourth level of the dungeons in darkness because there are things, one would not wish to see. Thanks to viserys generosity they were kept on the third level, called black cells or Dark cells, tywin, mace, Jaime, Kevan, Olenna, Randyll all of them were there. Food and water was proscribed to them.

so their condition wasn't really a standard one for sure Olenna was actually little relieved as her grandchildren were at Highgarden and hoping that they would be able to run away before viserys gets his hands on them, Although she too wasn't going to leave her body without head for sure yet. After lot of bickering finally, mace had shut his mouth. Tywin was silent as dead. However, Jaime was busy in his own, while others waited for their death sentence, he tried looking for his way out, he knew about secret passages built by Targaryen. And Well he wasn't the type to accept the fate other impose on him, so rather than sitting and hoping for a swift death like most he would better fight to death, he agreed with Oberyn's words 'it's better to die than bow', but still he couldn't seem to find a thing which may help him out, just darkness, and chains that were binding him to those walls, he missed his sword. He already decided if he couldn't make it out of there somehow, he will demand Trial by combat. But His leg was hurt, and that was going to be a big problem for sure. Those dornishmen were certainly skilled with spear, and if he makes it out of there alive, he will surely take his chance with spear. Sword came easy to him but maybe a spear can be a challenge.

Until nightfall, the city came to be silent and calm. However, sleep wasn't cheap even for Royals.

Before sunrise Stark forces arrived, at the gates of gods, Benjen stark leading 40 thousand northerners along with 10 thousand Riverlanders. Viserys and Ned were informed of their arrival from Hayford Castle. Viserys already asked Ned to have starkmen, secure the city in and out. Whole red keep and city have to be fortified with northerners. While Riverlanders would guard outside premises. The city was already more than crowded, but at night, most Dornish soldiers retired to their camps, so only those who settled at red keep remained on guard. Dornish had camped over the tourney ground, and that was a close distance from the keep. while northern army took the plane outside Hayford borders.

As Stark, forces made their way to red keep, Dornish got on edge, obviously seeing men in such number wasn't the best impression. So Benjen stepped forward, but still, Dornish couldn't seem to let them in, so finally Oberyn made his entry, surely someone called him.

"What's happening here" Oberyn walked in front of his men, getting face to face with Benjen, but Oberyn recognized those harsh stark looks.

"Are you one of Starks, these eyes are hard to miss" Oberyn asked in a sardonic tone. But Benjen wasn't Ned. He was a typical northerner with a hot head.

"And who are you for talk, some lord," Benjen said glazing over Oberyn.

"No... not a lord,... Prince... Prince Oberyn Martell... Though I am still waiting for your name" Oberyn said with a wry.

"Prince Oberyn,... Benjen Stark," Benjen replied straight while advancing his hand in a good gesture, although a pretense. Oberyn shook his hand with him.

"So why this sudden greeting overnight,..." Oberyn asked looking at him with a questioning look.

"Lord Viserys, wishes city to be fortified," Benjen answered without showing much emotion or expression.

As soon as words were out Oberyn got everything, obviously, viserys felt insecure with him at his door, after all, guilt doesn't seem to leave viserys. So he called whole north just to elevate his ass up on the damn throne. But Oberyn didn't mind. He doesn't care about that, for the time being, so he just signaled his men and turned to Benjen.

"It was nice meeting u, "Oberyn said again with feigning formality.

"Pleasure's all mind...but I hope next time I would actually mean it." Benjen blurted and walked out without waiting for Oberyn's response. After all, snakes never cross wolves. Oberyn was amused. In spite of their insolent small talk, he liked Benjen, actually a lot more than viserys.

Benjen walked as fast as he could to his brother, fortunately, guards helped him find Ned's chamber. As he reached his brother's chamber, he knocked and then entered.
Ned was sitting on his bed when the door opened and spotted his brother, abruptly he walked and held him in a tight hug. Both were happy to see each other, but Benjen had a lot of questions, and Ned had lot to explain, so both walked and settled on the balcony. Both Looking at the broken city of King's landing. The biggest city now the biggest ruined city.

there maybe a lot of mistake in last part, but i am sorry, last part i wrote in haste,
another thing is from next chapter onward, i am changing my writting pattern, and i know its not a logical thing to change in mid of fic, but its getting tiring, working on every single person pov is tough and time consuming, so i wish to switch to separate character pov's from next chapter onward. hope u guyz will not mind.

other than that next chapter (spoiler alert) may fix some pairing, so get ready and please reviews... i always respect any kind of response.