CHAPTER VII- The Quiet Wolf
Authors Note: Thanks for the reviews I appreciate everyones input
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Dragonstone 284 A.L.-Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell, Warden of the North
Ned had finally arrived at Dragonstone. He watched from the deck of his ship as the hulking mass of the old Targaryen stronghold loomed before him. For some reason, even though the castle was rather ominous in appearence, Ned fealt calm. Perhaps it was his own dragon's blood calling, but he almost fealt as if the keep and the island itself were welcoming him. He was eager to see his sister and his mother. After going so long thinking they were lost to him, his emotions were consuming him; not that anyone looking would notice. Part of him feared dissappointment. The entirety of Westeros had been torn asunder for the sake of his sister. Thinking that she had been abducted had made each sacrifice he had to make feel worth it. He was righting a wrong. Raising arms in defense of the innocent. There was right and wrong; good and evil. The world to him was still black and white without annoying shades of grey. He was wrong. The world was comprised of infinite shades of grey.
Learning his mother still lived was a bright light in his ever darkening world. She had recovered completely and brought a new little sister in to the world. To learn that Lyanna had not only fled to Rhaegar voluntarily, but that she was married to him and soon to bring his child into the world was another thing entirely. That it all happened with the full knowledge of the Queen, his mother, and even Princess Elia was disconcerting to say the least. The entire war and rebellion was for no truly valid reason whatsoever. Though he would have still marched to the capital to kill his madman of an uncle for what he did to his father and brother. Everything changed when Robert won and defeated Rhaegar at the Trident. His gloating over the death of their mutual cousin was irritating to no end, but Ned could tolerate it. Robert however was changing. He could barely find a trace of the boy he once knew. When he arrived to the capitol he was filled with revulsion. The bodies of the Princesses Elia and Rhaenys and little Prince Aegon were wrapped in scarlet Lannister banners and lay at the base of the Iron Throne as if they were offerings to a deity. Even Tywin's son Ser Jaime appeared repulsed and was being restrained by Lannister guardsmen. That at least earned the boy a measure of respect from Ned. He had never been more furious as when he demanded answers and justice from Robert upon his arrival. Dragonspawn, he spat at him. They were filthy dragonspawn. They got what they deserved. When Ned reminded the oaf that Ned himself was the son of a Targaryen Princess and asked if he and his should expect a visit from the Mountain, he was told to watch himself and remember who was his king. By this point, Ned was certain a beggar off the streets would make a better king than Robert. All he wanted to do was leave and find his mother and sisters. Finally, he swore fealty to Robert; an oath he had no intention of ever upholding. If Lyanna bore a son, he would be king. He would only swear his fealty to his own blood and no other. They had ordered him to relieve the siege at Storm's End. Relieve it he did. The Tyrell's were more than happy to accept contingents of the Northern host. He had also recieved word from his good-father Hoster Tully. Their communications resulted in Ned recieving command of all the active forces of the Riverlands. The siege ended when they shot the Queen Regent's terms over the walls. Ser Davos Seaworth had bound Stannis Baratheon and opened the gates to the Royalist forces. The sight of the men truly shocked Ned. Every last man within was positively skeletal. The rumours that over half of the besieged garrison had actually starved to death were far more plausible now. How Stannis could have allowed his own people to be reduced to such an extent Ned couldn't fathom. Regardless, the man was now the Queen Regent's hostage. Renly had already been given title to Storm's End. Accordingly, after lifting the siege and treating with the Tyrell's and giving direction to the Northern and Riverland's hosts, Ned took ship to Dragonstone with Stannis Baratheon in tow.
That brought Ned to the point he was in at present; entering the keep at Dragonstone. Immediately upon sighting him, his mother rushed into his arms. He had missed her dearly. After pressing a kiss to his mother's forehead his eyes alighted upon his sister. Lyanna, the she-wolf of the North, and his little sister appeared more beautiful than he had ever seen her. The smile that graced her face was near to blinding when she looked upon him.
"Ned." she said. That was all it took for him. Any lingering resentment over her choices or the position he now found himself in was banished from his mind. She was here and she was alive and she was holding a little baby boy in her arms that was his nephew. His pack was growing stronger again and that was all that mattered. He would destroy anyone who dared to harm any of his pack ever again. In that moment, he was "the Quiet Wolf" no longer. He was The Alpha and he would do whatever he needs must do to protect his pack, anything.
After spending the past couple of days catching up with his Mother and sisters and getting to know his aunt the Queen it was time to get back to the business at hand. The Queen Regent, his Mother, Lyanna, Ser Gerold Hightower, Ser Arthur Dayne, Lady Olenna Tyrell, Lord Randyll Tarly, Ser Willam Darry, Lord Monford Velaryon, and Ned himself were seated around the famed Painted Table of Dragonstone to discuss their next course of action. Ned had been appraised of the discussions and subsequent treaty with the Tyrell's. He found it to be a fair agreement and was immediately taken with the ideas for the Western coast of the North and the trading potential. What they currently needed was a plan of action to depose the Usurper and take the capitol as quickly and bloodlessly as possible. He decided to share the ideas he had been preparing for the taking of Kings Landing.
"Your Grace, my lords and ladies, I have developed a strategy that Your Grace requested for the taking of Kings Landing and would like your input. From mine own observations throughout the Rebellion this is the strongest plan I can forsee that would yeild the necessary results." he said.
"My Lord Nephew," said the Queen Regent. "Along with Lord Tarly, you have the most battle experience and commanding expertise of any of your fellows. What is your plan?"
"Our first and foremost goal is to completely isolate the enemy. For that to happen, the forces of the Usurper in Kings Landing must needs be cut off utterly form any source of aid and relief. The only place of any real import that Robert Baratheon can can call upon is Casterly Rock and the Westerlands. That supply line along the Gold Road from Casterly Rock to Kings Landing must be cut. That in and of itself will not prove overly problematic. What I propose is two seperate invasions. One of the Crownlands and Kings Landing itself, and another of the Westerlands with Lannisport and Casterly Rock as the objective." There was some murmering at that from those assembled.
"Our immediate concern is troop movements and levies. New levies in the North and the Riverlands must be called immediately. My troops have been battle hardened and fought for the better part of the past year. They need to be rested and re-outfitted. That is easy enough to accomplish and should not take very long. I would order the veteran troops form the Riverlands under my control to rendezvous with the fresh levies from the North at Riverrun. Afterwards, they push southwest into the Westerlands through Ashemark and the Golden Tooth down towards Lannisport and Casterly Rock."
"Now, in order for the troops of the Riverlands currently with the Northern armies to actually get to Riverrun, I would have them march North with a Reacher force of around twenty thousand strong towards the Gold Road. Our intelligence suggests that the road is rather heavily manned as it is the main supply line to Kings Landing. Our Royalist forces should clear the way of Lannister men and set up a patrol of the road powerful enough to repel anything short of an entire army from breaching our lines. From there, the Reacher and Riverlands forces split. The veteran Riverland men shall make for Riverrun and the fresh Northern levies. The men of the Reach shall march southwest and take Crakehall and make their way towards Casterly Rock from the south whilst the Northern and Riverlands armies come down from the North. There only way to escape or to receive aid will be from the sea. The majority of the Lannister fleet is in the Blackwater for the protections of Kings Landing therefore, it should be little trouble for us to destroy what remains of their ships at Lannisport and besiege them from the sea. They would only be able to hold out for so long as Tywin Lannister had the majority of their forces in Kings Landing and out terrorizing the Crownlands. Part of the Crown fleets must also patrol the coast of the Westerlands to make sure they have no hope of receiving outside aid."
Lord Tarly spoke up. "My Lord Stark has a very sound plan for a fast conquest of the Westerlands. With the forces at our disposal i cannot think of anything else like to produce better results. What Lord Stark proposes is also far less likely to result in great loss of life from either side should the Westermen prove to have any sense of self-preservation and the realities of their position. That proposal is deserving of respect for the realm has already bled more than enough. This plan has my full backing. Now, what do you propose for the Crownlands and Kings Landing my lord?"
"What I propose for the Crownlands is a three-pronged attack. The fresh levies from the Riverlands will meet up with the Northern armies encamped near Storm's End and take Bronzegate and march through the Kingswood to Kings Landing. The main forces of the Reach, at the same time should march from Bitterbridge to Kings Landing." Ned explained.
"What of the proposed third prong of the attack?" asked the Queen Regent.
"That, Your Grace, is where you will be needed." replied Ned.
"How so?" she asked, fairly certain he wasn't requesting she herself enter the battlefields.
Ned decided to explain. "When the forces of the Crown were defeated at the Trident they were still relatively intact. With the fall of Prince Lewyn Martell and the capture of Ser Barristan they were leaderless. Most ended up going back to their homes. Your Grace needs to send ravens to all the Lords and knights of the Crownlands to remind them of their true alliegance. A great many of their lords are still Targaryen loyalists. The very fact that so many of Tywin Lannisters men are out in force wreaking havoc through the Crownlands is proof enough. Without these terror tactics they likely would have no communications with the Iron Throne. When our troops begin moving the Lannister forces in the Crownlands will be forced to move back closer to Kings Landing. If they have had word from you requesting aid, they will raise their banners once more. They love Your Grace and they loved Prince Rhaegar. Most will without a doubt rally for you and for Rhaegar's son."
"I will start writing the letters immediately Nephew. I believe you are right in that they will rally to our cause." said the Queen.
Lord Tarly asked, "These loyalist forces from the Crownlands, they would be the third prong of the attack on the capitol, would they not?"
Ned replied, "They would Lord Tarly. Also, we must send a large portion of our fleets to completely blockade both the Blackwater and the Crownlands. I would not put it past Lord Tywin to have used his gold to buy Essosi sell swords. They must not be allowed on to our shores. They would still lose, but they would have no qualms in killing anything in their path. I shudder to contemplate the possibility of him buying the Unsullied. He would need the vaults at Casterly Rock for such a transaction to which he will soon be cut off. The more plausible course I could see him taking is using what he can to force an escape from the Crownlands. I think Tywin will already know his cause is lost. He now only has two possible sources of aid. Dorne, which would sooner kill all of us than help, and the Vale. I recieved word from Jon Arryn yesterday. I have his word that the Vale will maintain neutrality. Lord Arryn is very honourable. He cannot bring himself to actively harm Robert. He loves the both of us like sons and this is wieghing on him heavily. I could also see his revulsion of Robert's actions in Kings Landing."
Lady Olenna interjects, "So his love for the Usurper causes him to forsake his rightful King."
"Whilst the love he bore the man Robert once was prevents his consciense from actively fighting against him, the love he bares me will also not allow harm to come to me and mine. He will not stop those of his lords who wish to side with us from sending their aid. He has allowed Lord Royce to march for Maidenpool with a force of fifteen thousand men. They will make for the Crownlands to join with the Royalist forces there and join the third prong of the assault on Kings Landing. I will send word to Lord Royce to drive the Lannister forces out of the northern Crownlands," replied Ned.
"These plans have my full approval Lord Stark. Yesterday, we recieved a raven from the southern Crownlands. The Stormlords such as Cafferen, Fell, and Grandison formerly sworn to Summerhall have raised the dragon banners. They have begun clearing out the southern Crownlands of both Lannister and Baratheon men. They also believe more Stormlords will pledge their fealty to Lord Renly. Roberts actions have disgusted them and Stannis' own actions have almost made them detest the Baratheon name utterly. At this point, only their love of Steffon is keeping them and their oaths to House Baratheon remotely intact. When we march we will need to show Renly to the Stormlords and assure them that he is being treated as truly befits a royal relative. He is the true future of House Baratheon" said the Queen.
"That's excellent news, and I'm in full aggreement with Your Grace" said Ned.
"Brother," Lyanna said. "We need to broach the question of Dorne. Now that we know Rhaenys is alive and Ser Jaime and Ser Barristan are bringing her home to us, what shall we tell them. They have no love for me, and i'm sure Doran and Oberyn blame me for Eli and Aegon's death," she said and in a pained sigh.
The Queen Regent interjected immediately. "That is in no way your fault Lyanna. The only ones to blame for that are Tywin, Robert, and Aerys. I will deal with the Martells. I will not allow them to slander you or my grandson. He is their King whether they like it or not."
"They will want Rhaenys to be raised by them in Dorne. It would not suprise me if they don't wish to place her on the throne in her own right," Princess Rhaena commented.
Randyll Tarly interjected, "I can easily see them plotting something along those lines."
"Princess Rhaenys will be raised with her brother and aunt and uncle by me. She is my grandchild and I shall never let the Martells have her. She is a wonderful girl, and I will not see that corrupted. My grandchild will be raised as a Targaryen first and foremost as is proper. If I find out that Doran and Oberyn have dared to plot against my grandson they will face the wrath of a dragon," said Rhaella heatedly.
Ned was slightly chilled by his mother Rhaena's next words as she locked eyes with her sister. "Should they think to ever move against our grandson, well only Doran and Arianne stand in the way of dear Rhaenys being the ruling Princess of Dorne herself." The casualness by which she threatened the lives of the Martells suprised Ned, but he supposed till Lyanna's son was a man grown it was up to them to end all threats to his rule.
The Queen Regent brought the group back to attention. "As we are all agreed with these courses of actions lets us send the ravens. Nephew, Lord Tarly; give the orders to your officers. Lets us be done with this as soon as possible. We must give the realm and our people stability and a better future. With the addition of the Stormlords and the Valemen we possess overwhelming might against the Usurper. Let us put this to good use and take back our capitol."
A servant entered the room. "Your Grace, Sers Jaime and Barristan and the Princess Rhaenys have arrived."
Entering a reception room those assembled watched as Ser Barristan Selmy and Ser Jaime Lannister entered the room carrying a wide-eyed little girl. Jumping from Ser Jaime's arms, Princess Rhaenys ran into her grandmother's arms. Queen Rhaella enveloped the little girl in her arms as she broke down sobbing from all she had seen and lost. They quietly left the room to allow the child and grandmother some privacy. Soon after Ned watched as Ser Jaime Lannister and Ser Barristan Selmy approached Lyanna who was holding the young king in her arms. On bended knee, they swore themselves and their lives to their new King. Both had such a look of hope as they gazed wonderingly at Rhaegar's son.
Ned soon brought the two Kingsguards up to speed on their current plans. Both knights had valuable input that Ned and Lord Tarly added to their plans. Ser Jaime especially was able to advise on what he knew of his father's plans and how to best go about subverting them. Ned summoned the officers he had brought with him and gave instructions to the men of the required troop movements and then he and Lord Tarly sent ravens with instructions for the immediate levies they required. They both made plans to leave for the mainland soon and finish this. They would wait for their orders to be carried out, then they would move. One raven carried a special missive to Riverrun. After much thought, Ned had decided to send for Catelyn and his young son. Untill all of the troops were ready, Riverrun was in danger of Lannister attack. He would not have his wife and son vulnerable. Hopefully, Catelyn would not be displeased with being amongst his family and it would help her for the future to get to know them. He wasn't sure as he barely knew her himself, but she was his wife and his son's mother, it was time he got to know her. As they would be taking ship from Maidenpool it would be a rather short voyage for them. He sent a silent prayer to the old gods that they would be successful as fast as possible. Whilst Ned was beyond ready for this all to end, he knew in his gut it would still be a very long time untill he was able to return back to Winterfell for good. Whether he liked it or not; his family and the realm had need of him.