The Winter King and the Queen of Summer

by Alperez16

A Jonerys set at the beginning. A Raven flaps it's wings and instead of swearing his oath Jon Snow learns the truth of who he is. How is the game changed when Jon instead of wearing black, dresses in black and red and seeks his crown.

26. Traitors, Head, Spikes

King's Landing 301 AC.

The Blackfish.

The Grand Council was a game played by people who couldn't lose. It had been fixed right from the start and Brynden cursed both Edmure and Lysa for not realizing it. Cat and he had both tried to get them to see sense and do the right thing. Had they done so, then they may very well have walked away from the Dragonpit at least with a lesser punishment. Edmure's actions already had cost Brynden and their House the Wardenship of the Trident as they had cost his fool of a nephew his lordship. Lysa may have at least been left in charge of the Eyrie if not the Vale. Both of them had refused to listen though and yet now they wished to do so.

When Cat had come to him and asked him to join her as she spoke to his niece and nephew, Brynden had at first refused. He had no desire to see them and certainly none to speak to them. Though in the end, he relented. The cells they were being held in were far more comfortable than the ones they could have been and he thanked the seven and their graces for that small mercy. Brynden was under no illusion about the reason that his niece and nephew had been treated far better than they may have been. He, Cat, and her children were all being shown much favor by the king and queen in this regard. While Brynden doubted that the Eunuch, Cheesemonger, and the Mockingbird were being shown any.

They walked in silence, both he and Cat had much on their mind and despite being asked to come here by Lysa and Edmure, Brynden still expected them to act no differently than they already had. Upon reaching Lysa's cell, Brynden needed a moment to compose himself and Cat looked at him worriedly. A shake of his head and a deep breath were all it took for him to steady himself and with a nod to Cat and a look to the guard, the cell door was opened.

"Uncle, Sister, Thank the Seven," Lysa said and for the briefest moment, Brynden was taken back to Riverrun and looking on as two young girls played their games happily.

Cat embraced Lysa and so did he, probably for the first time in more than twenty years he'd wager. They took their seats and at first, the conversation was pleasant enough. So much so, that Brynden was beginning to consider going to the king once more and pleading for even more leniency for Lysa. Something that his niece was now begging Cat to do. Had she just left it at that and spoken only about her own fate, then Brynden wagered that mayhap Cat would even have considered it too. It was when she brought up Littlefinger and how she reacted to Cat's words, however, that proved Lysa had lost her mind completely.

"Petyr too, Cat. He did nothing wrong and deserves not to lose his head. Speak to the King on our behalf, he'll listen to you, I know he will."

"Speak to the king for him! For that man after all he's done." Cat said disdainfully.

"Petyr didn't…"

"He sold Ned out. Held a damn knife to my husband's neck after promising me he'd aid him." Cat said angrily and Brynden once again felt his own anger rise at the mention of their former ward's actions "Were that not enough, he lied right to my face and claimed the Lannisters were holding Arya hostage. That man." Cat spat before composing herself "tried to use my love for my daughters to his own ends."

"Petyr wouldn't, he wouldn't lie." Lysa screeched loudly.

"All he ever does is lie. Every damn word that comes out of his mouth is a lie." Cat said as she rose to her feet.

"So you'll not help your sister in her time of need?" Lysa accused and had he not placed his hand on Cat's shoulder, then she may very well have struck Lysa.

Moving in front of Cat, it was Brynden and not she who replied and his angered words were ones he'd wished to speak to Lysa for many moons.

"Time of need. As you helped us? Cat came to you for aid and begged you to offer up the Knights of the Vale. Our family home was besieged and yet you offered us not even words let alone men to lift that siege. Family, Duty, Honor, those are the words of our House, niece. You care not about the first, refused to do the second, and have shown little if any of the last of them."

"I don't deserve my faith, Petyr doesn't. Please, uncle, I beseech you, call for a Trial by Combat, Stand for my love, I beg of you."

Brynden looked at her incredulously. Surely she wasn't daring to ask him to do such a thing. Not only was there no chance he'd win against either The Bold or the Sword of the Morning, but to stand for such a man. She'd have him shame himself and his House by doing so.

"Were your father alive, he'd be shamed to see what you've become. I'll take great pleasure in seeing Petyr Baelish lose his head, for few men have deserved it more." Brynden said and before he knew it he was fighting off Lysa as she tried to claw at his eyes.

The guards quickly entered and restrained her and Brynden missed the words that Cat spoke to her before they left. Once outside the cells, both he and Cat took a few moments to compose themselves before moving to Edmure's cell. Lysa had at least tried to be civil before the truth of her had been made even more abundantly clear. Edmure very much did not and after he spoke one word too viciously at Cat in regards to her family, Brynden welcomed the slap she delivered to his errant nephew.

"Speak of my husband that way again and it'll be my son or his Direwolf's ire you'll face and not mine own."

"Your son is a usurper, just like the bastard you allowed to be raised in your home." Edmure spat and so Brynden moved between his niece and nephew.

"You are a fool, ever has it been so but never has the truth of it been shown more clearly than in the actions that have brought you here."

"How dare…"

"I dare because I can, nephew. I dare because I see now that even had war not come to Westeros, our House was doomed while in your hands. Ill-fitted and ill-suited, you were always both and I wish now I'd not fought with your father many years ago. Had I not done so, then mayhap it would have been under my Goodnephew Brandon that Riverrun would have prospered instead of lost itself under you. I thank the Seven and the Old Gods that it now has a chance to do so under Robb. And that in time we may regain some of the honor your fool actions have lost us."

Taking Cat by the hand, Brynden moved to the door and he heard the petulant voice of his nephew call out just as they were leaving the cell.

"I'll not go to the Wall, I'll not. I'll demand a trial by combat."

Brynden stopped and though he wished it to be him, it was instead Cat who spoke the words. His niece showed once again that she lived up to them far more than her sister and brother did.

"There is some honor to be found at the Wall, Edmure, but none in death. Should you call for a Trial by Combat then I pray that Ser Arthur's blade is true and your death comes quickly, for that's all you'll find by seeking such. I'll mourn for the boy I knew. The brother I once had. For you, the man you are now, I'll shed not even one tear." Cat said as Edmure slumped on the bed.

Brynden believed it without needing to wait for it to be confirmed. His nephew would not seek a Trial by Combat. Edmure was a craven at heart, a man who wished he was more than what he was but when faced with a direct threat against him, he quivered and bent. Mayhap he'd find some honor at the Wall, Mayhap not. For Brynden the only honor he'd find among his kin was with Cat's children. So together with his niece, they went in search of them. They soon found two of them on the balcony overlooking the sparring yard.

Sansa stood with Ned Dayne, their betrothal was official and just seeing the two of them together brought a smile to Brynden's face. He looked a little further down from them and saw Robb speak to his lady wife. Never would he have imagined that a Frey would be someone he'd welcome calling kin, and yet in Roslin's case he very much did so. Knowing what he needed to do, he walked with Cat to where Sansa was and then walked to where Rob and Roslin were standing. Looking down at the sparring yard as he did so, the smile on his face grew ever fuller.

Arya and the king sparred against Prince Oberyn's daughters. Rhaegar and his great-niece faced off against the three girls and while it was clear that Rhaegar had their measure, it was Arya that Brynden was truly focused on. How she moved, how light she was on her feet, and just how much she'd come on in the few moons that he'd truly known her. Brynden wondered just how good she'd be in the years to come. Reaching Robb and greeting his great-nephew and his wife, Brynden's attention was taken from the sparring yard, briefly. The loud laugh that Robb uttered and the cheer of 'Arya Stark' that to his surprise came from the queen herself, forced him to look back to see that Arya had disarmed one of the so-called Sand Snakes.

"By the old gods, she's good," Robb said proudly.

"On Dragonstone, his grace told me that there is no more diligent student than Arya Stark," Brynden said as Rhaegar beat the other two Sand Snakes and he and Arya celebrated their victory.

"It was always thus. Father and mother may not have wished it for her, but to see her face…"

"None can doubt it being her path." he said and Robb nodded "I wished to speak to you, nephew." Brynden began "I'd seek a role in your service when you take up your lordship of Riverrun."

"What of the Bloody Gate, uncle?" Robb asked curiously.

"I wish to be with kin, nephew."

"Then I'd more than welcome you with me, uncle, truly," Robb said smiling broadly.

It was the only true choice he could make. Either it would be Winterfell or Riverrun and while in some ways Winterfell would need him more, Brynden wished to spend his last days in the lands of his birth and not far from them. Family, Duty, Honor, he'd done his best to live up to those words, and looking to his niece, great-nephew, and great-nieces, Brynden found all three of those things were deeply ingrained in each of them.

King's Landing 301 AC.

Willas Tyrell.

They had caught up with him just after they'd reached Bitterbridge, Willas was both relieved and a little worried that it was the men the Targaryens had sent in reply to his raven. At the very least, he knew that they would now reach King's Landing unhindered. What reception he'd find once they did so, he knew not. Doing his best to comfort his aunt, Willas told her that this was part of his plans and while that was true, he'd not expected those plans to bear fruit so quickly. In his mind, he'd wagered it would be Tumbleton or mayhap even closer to King's Landing that any escort would be sent out for them.

The men who had been were at least friendly and they were treated as honored guests and not prisoners. Some of them had fought in the battle against his family and the Lannisters and the tales they told were enough to send a shiver down Willas' spine. Oberyn's letter now came back to haunt him and Willas cursed the gods, his and his family's ambition, and anyone who'd listen because of it. They should have reached out to the dragons the moment they heard of them. Accepted the offer that the raven to them had contained and while it would not have brought them a crown, it would have bought them favor.

As they traveled, questions were asked by both sides. Willas heard more about the dragons and just the thought of them being back in the world was enough to bring a smile to his face. Willas had always been fascinated by the control and breeding of animals. From his birds and hounds to his horses, he'd spent years trying to breed and train the very best of each of them. To actually see a dragon being flown, to watch as it soared across the sky, that was something he'd now get a chance to do. As for the thoughts of those same dragons laying Stannis Baratheon and the Golden Company to waste, well they were something that he most welcomed.

"The king's own is even larger than the other three."

"A giant of a dragon that one, though her grace's mount is no less fierce."

Sitting beside his aunt, Willas listened to the men speak of Rhaegar and Daenerys Targaryen. Both he and his aunt had to ask them about the name more than once during their early travels. Try as he might, each time he'd heard the name those first few days, it had left him thinking about a man long since dead and believing that it was he they were speaking of. Willas was glad of the time he'd had to get used to it, as it would stand him well when he finally met the man himself. Something that they were now less than a day away from doing.

With night fully fallen and his aunt already abed, Willas bid those with him a goodnight and took to his own. Sleep was much harder to come by than it had been for the last few days. The closer they got to King's Landing, the more Willas wondered just how far to push his offer. He wished all his family free first and foremost. Yet, other than the coin they had in the Iron Bank, or were owed, it would likely cost them all they owned to do so. Which left their future even more in doubt. Though, as Willas drifted off to sleep, he did so at least with the welcome thought that they now had a future at least.

Two days later.

To say he was nervous when they rode into the city would be an understatement. Yet as he looked at the people they passed on their way to the Red Keep, Willas found the looks on their faces to be far different than the last time he'd visited King's Landing. While he'd not name it as hope, there was clearly something different being shown upon the faces of the Smallfolk. It took him until they reached the Red Keep itself to give that look a name and when he did, it surprised him greatly. The Smallfolk had simply been fed and the look he had seen was in regards to that. They were for lack of a better word, healthier.

It gave him something else to work with in his negotiations with the new king and queen. For if they actually cared for the people, which it seemed they very much did, then the Reach was ever more important. For all his life, the Reach had been the bread basket of Westeros. As a Tyrell and one who was not as martially inclined as his brothers both were, Willas had been the man who'd handled the task of seeing that food was best distributed. True enough, it was coin that purchased it and always with a profit in mind, something that wouldn't serve him well now. Willas, however, had something else that would. No man knew more about the stocks, reserves, and bounty that the Reach provided than he.

Dismounting from his horse, he looked to see men who were even more clearly wearing the colors of House Targaryen move his way. Some moved to the treasury that he bore with him and Willas watched almost forlornly as it was secured and then moved. Seeing the worry on his aunt's face, he moved to Janna and offered her whatever comfort his words may bring. Then one of the men who was dressed very differently than the others stepped forward and introduced himself. Both Willas and Janna were caught completely by surprise by who he named himself to be.

"Lord Willas. I am Ser Richard Lonmouth, Master of Laws to their graces King Rhaegar and Queen Daenerys of House Targaryen. On behalf of them both, I welcome you and your party to the Red Keep as our honored guests." Ser Richard said and Willas needed a moment to reply.

The man in front of him should be dead. For eight and ten years he was certainly believed so. Ser Richard was Prince Rhaegar's former squire and to see him here now, to know he was serving the Targaryens once more, was further proof of just how badly his family had fucked up. Composing himself as best he could, Willas willed the words to come and was relieved when they did so.

"Forgive me, Ser Richard. On behalf of my aunt and myself, I thank you and their graces for your welcome."

"There is naught to forgive, Lord Willas. I'm well used to people needing a moment when I name myself. Lady Janna, your husband Ser Jon will be most pleased to see you. I'll arrange an escort to take you to him once you've had a moment to settle and refresh yourself from your journey."

"I…I thank you, Ser Richard. My husband is well?" Janna asked worriedly.

"More than well, my lady. I give you my oath on that."

Willas was most pleased with Ser Richard for his words and how much they comforted and allayed his aunt's worries. Though he knew that she wished to see his Gooduncle right away, his aunt was ever the lady and so she welcomed the room they were escorted to and the offer of a warm bath when it was presented to her. As for his own room, Willas was far keener on the man who stood outside it than he was on the room itself.

"Oberyn," he said surprised to see him there.

"It's good to see you, Willas," Oberyn said warmly.

"I shall leave you in Prince Oberyn's care, Lord Willas. Their graces will send for you within the hour." Ser Richard said before leaving he and Oberyn to enter the room alone.

A servant arrived almost the moment they did so and Willas almost chuckled when Oberyn took the tray from her and poured them both some Dornish Sour. The wine felt good on his tongue and as he took his seat, Oberyn sat across from him.

"How worried should I be, Oberyn?" he asked.

"Less so than had you not done as you did, Willas."

"Is there any hope for my House?"

"Only if you are not the one who asks for it."

An hour later as Ser Richard had said, guards arrived and he and Oberyn were escorted from the room. Oberyn said his goodbyes to him when they reached what was clearly the Royal Chambers and Willas steadied himself as he entered the room. Inside he found an odd bunch of people, to say the least. All of them provided him with equal fascination as he looked from one to the other. The queen was clearly Targaryen, her silver hair and violet eyes named her as such. As for the king, who could only be the man who sat beside her, he was darker of hair and yet was clearly a dragon too.

Standing behind the king and queen were two Kingsguard, one of whom Willas may have heard of, but hadn't truly believed lived still. Barristan The Bold, he and every man, woman, and child in Westeros knew and somewhat worshipped. Ser Arthur Dayne was who most had dreamed of being. There was a young girl who stood next to the seat the king sat on. Small, brown-haired, even did he not know who the king's mother was, he'd know full well that the girl was a Stark. Yet she was clearly no lady given how she was dressed and the thin sword on her hip.

Two seats down from the king sat an older man who wore the pin of the Hand of the King. There was a family resemblance between he and the king and queen and so Willas would name him as Prince Aemon. To round out those in the room were two beasts that were almost as mythical as the dragons. One was grey and the other white, both were twice or thrice as large as Willas' biggest hounds. Never in his life did Willas expect he'd get to see a Direwolf in the flesh. Now, he was in a room with two of them and the smile came to his face unbidden. Something the king picked up on.

"I heard you breed hounds amongst other things, Lord Willas. Ghost and Nymeria thank you for the wonder their presence has engendered.."

"I…Your Grace." Willas said, shocked that somehow the king had known he'd been feeling. It perturbed him a little and even after he was bid to take his seat, he was still somewhat out of sorts.

"Now, let us speak on your family and your own future, Lord Willas." The queen said and for the next hour, Willas found himself dictated to and he took Oberyn's advice.

Walking to meet with his family after the meeting had concluded, Willas was more than happy he'd done so. His actions, his grandmother's at the end, Oberyn's words spoken in their and especially his favor, all of it had bought them some favor with the king and queen. So while they'd lost most of it in standing against them and would not be as they once were, they were not to be broken completely. Just but fair the king had said and Willas couldn't argue with him about that. Had it been another king or queen that he'd have faced here today, then he would have been granted neither.

King's Landing 301 AC.

Aegon Blackfyre.

His own colors. The three-headed black dragon on a red field. Aegon now wore it on his breast, sigils were being imprinted on his armor and even banners were being made for him to carry into battle. A battle that was to come sooner than he'd expected and the irony of who it was that he was to face was not lost on him.

One of the discarded plans that his father and uncle had come up with to take the Iron Throne was to use the Golden Company to do so. Now someone else wished to do the same and when the Targaryen army marched to deal with it, Aegon of House Blackfyre would march with them. It was something he'd volunteered for and hadn't even needed to be asked to do. Yet, to his great and true surprise and shock, it was not something he'd be doing for no reward. Aegon was still unable to believe what had been granted to him by the king and queen after the Grand Council had ended.

After the Grand Council.

He'd asked for and been given permission to speak to them both. Though it was under guard he was to do so. Not that he wasn't trusted, but for his own protection. So Aegon had made his way to the cells and had seen just how broken they both were. Their sentences would soon be carried out and in his father's case, he at least understood and accepted it with some grace. His uncle very much did not and was no doubt planning and plotting even now.

"Why Aegon?" his father asked as Aegon stood in front of him.

"For my mother and the years with her that you denied me. I never chose this life, father. Never wished for it. Whatever years I could have had with my mother, whatever time we could have spent together, that's all I ever wanted."

"I'm sorry son."

His uncle cursed him and named him not of his blood. While Aegon just repeated the charge back to him. After leaving the cells where they were held, Aegon made his way to the king and queen's chambers as he'd been directed to do. Despite posing no threat, he still had to wait until he was granted leave to enter and once he did so, it was to find the king and queen laughing with each other at something the scowling young girl, who was the king's sister by choice if not blood, had obviously said or done.

"Aegon." the queen said when she noticed him and with her hand, she bid him to take a seat.

"Arya, why don't you head down to the sparring yard. Ghost and Nymeria should be back soon with the other wolves and I'm sure the Sand Snakes will be more than happy to test your blade."

"Good, I like beating the Sand Snakes," Arya said with a wicked grin as the king laughed fondly at her as she left the room.

No words were spoken until Arya had done so and once she had, then the mood in the room turned far more serious.

"You saw them?" the king asked.

"I did, your grace."

"Rhaegar, Aegon. While we're here alone you may name my husband and me by our names, not our ranks." Daenerys chided softly.

"Forgive me, Y…Daenerys," he said to a warm smile from the woman in question.

"Your father and uncle, Aegon? "Rhaegar asked.

"I believe my uncle plots still, Rhaegar. As for my father, I…"

"Aegon? "Daenerys asked concernedly.

"He's broken I think," he said sadly. Surprised somewhat that he felt that way about the man he'd hated for so many years.

"I believe he is." Rhaegar said as he rose to his feet and moved to his desk before then walking back to his seat while carrying a letter in his hand "He offered us all his wealth for his life and when we refused, he begged for some parchment and wrote this out instead."

Rhaegar handed him the parchment and as he read it, Aegon found he couldn't believe the words or the sheer amount of wealth that his father had gathered over the years. They never needed the Iron Throne, not with this fortune at their fingertips. The life they could and should have had was one that would have been more than most dared to dream of. It angered him greatly and not even the words bequeathing it all to him were enough to remove the wish to see his father pay for all he'd done.

"We'll seek half as recompense, Aegon. Half rather than the whole that your father offered. However, we don't wish to take and not to give." Daenerys said and it took Aegon a few moments for the words to register.

"I.."

"I spoke the truth when I embraced you in the Dragonpit, Aegon. As you did then and had done so with my wife beforehand. I meant the words I said and I know you did too. For too long House Targaryen and House Blackfyre have been enemies and sought each other's doom. We share blood, we should be allies and in time, who knows, mayhap our Houses can be truly joined once more." Rhaegar said determinedly.

"I would like that, Rhaegar," he said, a soft smile on his face as he did so.

"To that end. Aegon of House Blackfyre, we would name you as Lord of Storm's End and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands."

Aegon was stunned, unable to speak and he looked at them both incredulously. Surely they were not suggesting what he thought they were. So in disbelief was he, that even when talk turned to marriage and he found it was one that had already been decided for him, Aegon spoke no words and sat in silence.

"Aegon?" Daenerys asked, her hand reaching out to touch his own and that alone was enough to show him it was no dream he was having.

"I...Your graces." he said rising before taking a knee in front of them both "I pledge myself to you both and my House in perpetuity. You shall have no lealer servant than me, no one who'll answer your call more fervently and truly. From this day until my last day, I am your truest man."

"Rise Aegon of House Blackfyre, and know that your words and oath are most welcomed," Rhaegar said as he helped him to his feet.

Now.

It was only later that day that the truth of all he'd been given had finally hit home. Little bits of the conversation that he'd missed or past him by, suddenly came back to him. He was to be wed, to a daughter of Robert Baratheon, and just like Orys so many years before him, once again it was to be a new House that ruled over the Stormlands once the wedding had taken place. Aegon cared not that Mya Stone supposedly ran mules or even that she may not be a maiden true. He had little experience with women and for most of his life, Aegon had been expected to have a political marriage.

He swore to himself that if the gods granted him their favor, he'd make it less a marriage based on simply that than one not. That if it was in his power to do so, then he'd be a better husband than his father was. Thoughts of which soon had his mind turning to his own children. To the words that Rhaegar and Daenerys had said about one day their Houses once again being joined for true. In truth, Aegon cared not whether that occurred, other than it would finally end the enmity his House and Rhaegar's had once shared. Instead, he again made a promise to himself to be a better man than his own father had been.

After he'd gotten used to the idea and had been informed that his betrothed was traveling from the Vale and would be arriving within the sennight. Aegon had then been told of Stannis Baratheon and of the threat he and the Golden Company posed. Though Rhaegar had tried to talk him out of it, Aegon had beseeched him to allow him to bring his sword to bear on his behalf and reluctantly he'd been granted leave to do so.

It was why he'd spent so much time in the sparring yard and where he was heading when word came of a very different fight he was to attend. Edmure Tully had stupidly refused the sentence he'd been given and so, Aegon, the vast majority of the royal court, and he'd wager half the city had made their way to the Tourney Grounds. He'd been given a seat far closer to the king and queen than most. Any doubt that he was seen as kin and in their favor would be more than countered by how warmly he was welcomed. Other than those that Rhaegar and Daenerys named as even truer family than him, no one sat closer.

"My Lords and Ladies, we are called here today to witness a Trial by Combat. Rather than accept the just sentence imposed by our noble king and queen, Lord Edmure Tully has asked for and been granted his wish to let the gods decide his fate. I give you Lord Edmure Tully." the boos had started out as hisses but rang out loudly once the herald was done.

Aegon found his eyes torn from the fool of a man who walked out onto the field and to Rhaegar who glared down at him. He knew full well that the only reason Edmure had been granted mercy was the blood he shared with Rhaegar's brothers and sisters. A favor too, Aegon wagered, to their mother. While the Wall was not a pleasant place and colder than any he could even imagine if what he'd read was to be believed, it was warmer than the cold embrace of the Stranger's hands. Yet Edmure Tully was a fool who believed he'd have a better than even chance of winning a trial by combat. As the herald announced his opponent, Aegon wondered if Edmure was even now realizing the mistake he made.

"Representing their graces and the crown. Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning." the herald called out to loud cheers.

It was not a fight that he or any of them there that day witnessed. Edmure Tully wasn't capable of giving Ser Arthur a fight. Aegon wasn't sure that anyone truly was. Within two thrusts of the sword, Dawn hit home and Edmure fell to the ground dead. The last small mercy that Rhaegar had granted House Tully was the quick end given to the fool who'd cost it so much. With the fight now over, the body would be treated with far more respect than the man himself deserved and Aegon quickly turned his mind to other things.

His father and uncle would face their own day of reckoning soon and yet Aegon cared not. He'd fight in a true battle for the first time in his life and yet that was not what filled his thoughts. He was to be lord and a husband., As he walked from the tourney grounds, Aegon felt that he'd earned and deserved those things far more than any crown.

King's Landing 301 AC.

Daenerys.

Finding out she had more family in the world should have been what brought her the true joy she was feeling and Dany was truly happy about her great-uncle's return to King's Landing, it just paled when placed next to Rhaegar's. Simply laying in their bed and speaking to her husband or hearing him speak to the babes she was soon to bear was what truly made Dany feel how she did. Though she'd not deny that flying atop Drogon with Rhaegar and Ōñosmaghare flying next to her while Rhaegal and Viserion joined them was a feeling like no other.

Dany welcomed having her husband with her when it came to ruling too. She'd proved herself adept in his absence according to those around her and yet she far preferred it when it was they together who ruled. Having Rhaegar's counsel at hand and knowing that he wished for hers just as keenly was so much better than facing things alone. Especially when it came to the hard choices they needed to make first in regard to Aegon and then with Tyrion and the Tyrells.

Willas Tyrell's actions, the treasury he brought with him, and the information that he'd shared with them regarding Stannis Baratheon, had changed things drastically in regard to House Tyrell's fate. Lady Olenna's own actions in securing the Lannisters and not allowing them to escape the city had too played a role. Yet had Willas not done what he had, then the judgment that she and Rhaegar would have laid down would have needed to be a far harsher one. As for Tyrion Lannister, while he was a Lion and had played a part in the War of Five Kings, his part was questionable, to say the least. So as they lay in their bed and once Rhaegar had finished softly stroking her swollen belly, Dany asked her husband for his thoughts.

"As if I can think of anything other than you and the little dragons you carry within you," Rhaegar said, forcing Dany to softly slap his head and get him to concentrate on what she needed him to "Very well. Did I say I hate being a king?" Rhaegar japed as he moved up the bed and lay down beside her.

"Well I love that my husband is a king, so you'll have to get used to it, won't you?" she said sticking out her tongue and welcoming both the laugh that came from her husband and then the small kiss on the cheek and soft whisper in her ear that followed.

"I suppose if I wish a queen for my wife, then Aye, I will."

Moving so she was snuggled up against him, Dany asked for his thoughts and was surprised when it was Tyrion that was brought up first.

"I quite liked him you know." Rhaegar began "Oh, don't get me wrong when he first arrived at Winterfell I hated him as I did all the Lions. But Tyrion was different, he was arrogant and cocky like the rest of them, mind, but be it that he saw the chance to gain a potential ally or that he simply has that nature, he was kinder to me than most."

"How so?" Dany asked.

"He told me to wear the stain of my bastardy like it was armor. To never let it be used against me. When we traveled to the Wall, we spoke often together. Other than my uncle Benjen, he was the only one who gave me any useful advice."

"Is that enough to see him punished less?" Dany asked and Rhaegar shook his head.

"No, it's his actions that decide that, Dany. He wasn't here for most of it. So how much of the blame can we lay at his door? Sansa said he treated her kindly, or more kindly than others in this city did. It was never Tyrion I wished to see pay for what his family did. Never really his brother either. Joffrey, Cersei, Tywin, especially Tywin." Rhaegar said almost snarling as he spoke the last words.

Dany had once wished them all to pay. To see every single one of the Lions brought low and pay for all they'd done. Had she not met up with Shiera, found Rhaegar, and instead had come here alone, then she may seek it still. Seeing Tywin Lannister be taken from this world had calmed some of her bloodlust when it came to House Lannister. She'd even felt sorry for the children and had considered an even softer sentence for young Tommen, only for Aemon's words to be her guide in that regard.

"I would do with him as we're doing with the Tyrells, Dany." Rhaegar said taking her out of her thoughts somewhat "Only with a small caveat."

"Which is?" she asked curiously.

"Myrcella," Rhaegar said and Dany smiled at him before she kissed his lips and nodded her approval.

Her eyes grew heavy mere moments later and before she knew it, Dany was asleep and enjoying her dreams once more. All four of them flew over Dragonstone. The family she had always wanted and was so close to knowing was shown to her in all their glory. Dany would wager that her children were of an age with her when she was in Pentos. Their laughter rang out loudly as they chased each other on their dragons while she and Rhaegar followed behind, ever watchful, but unworried.

When she woke the next morning, she asked if Rhaegar had dreamt the night before and looked at him in disbelief when he spoke of having the very same dream that she did. It meant that as they broke their fast and even as Rhaegar and Arya sparred before the day had truly begun, Dany still wore a smile on her face. Only when Missandei arrived to ready her for the day's work that she and Rhaegar had ahead of them, did that smile even begin to fade away. All too soon, she was Daenerys once again, the Dragonqueen just as Rhaegar had put aside the husband and brother that he at some times was, to now be the Dragonking that he needed to be. Two faces they each wore at times and for now, it was only one of those faces that were required.

Olenna, Willas, and Margaery were the only Tyrells asked to join them. While all their fates would be getting decided today, it would first be done in private before oaths of fealty were then accepted in public. Dany, Rhaegar, and Aemon sat on their side of the large table with Ser Arthur and Ser Barristan standing behind them. Arya, was as always, right there at her brother's right shoulder with her hand on her sword even though there was truly no need for it. When the Tyrells were brought in, Dany could see the nervousness on their faces and so she bid them sit and offered them a somewhat comforting look.

"Your graces."

"My ladies, Lord Willas," Rhaegar said when Dany couldn't find her tongue for a moment. Feeling her husband's hand in hers, the gentle squeeze he gave her allowed her to speak and her voice showed no doubt or lack of surety once she did so.

"When you refused the call, Lady Olenna, it made us most wroth indeed. Your House was already suspect due to its actions during the Rebellion and yet my husband and I could more easily forgive bad leadership than we could an outright refusal to back our House."

"I.." Olenna began but Rhaegar silenced her with a look and so once she stopped, Dany then continued.

"We could forgive allying yourself with House Baratheon. Though that House had much to answer for and had cost our own so much." she said and noticed Margaery look slightly downward at her words "House Lannister….tying yourself to that House out of any, joining them and actually facing off against my husband and me. That is unforgivable and were that all we were here to judge you regarding, then you would find little comfort in the lack of mercy that may have been shown to some if not all of your family, my lady." Dany's words provoked a gulp from the lady and yet that had not truly been her intent.

So after waiting just a moment to let the seriousness of their predicament sink in, Dany then spoke of the events that had helped change that predicament and House Tyrell's fate.

"Yet your actions since have not gone unnoticed nor are they unwelcome. In stopping Jaime Lannister from leaving the city and then surrendering it without a fight, you bought back some of the favor you'd lost. Lord Willas' actions at Highgarden and the offer he presented us have helped much in that regard too. Though when the scales are weighed up, they still tilt more against you than with you."

Dany once again paused to let her words sink in and then she announced the sentences that she and Rhaegar agreed upon.

"House Tyrell is hereby stripped of the roles of Warden and Lord Paramount. It will turn over half the coin that Lord Willas offered for you ransoms in recompense. All future matches involving your grandchildren are matches that must be agreed to and in some cases may even be suggested by the crown."

Her words so far didn't seem to surprise, please, or worry the Tyrells. Or mayhap they were simply more practiced at hiding their expressions than she'd known.

"Lord Mace is hereby attainted and will no longer serve as a lord of any keep, instead that right will fall to you Lord Willas. Both Ser Loras and Lady Margaery are to remain as wards of the crown until either a period of five years has passed or a match is agreed to. Ser Garlan may return to his wife and other than his fealty and loyalty which are demanded and not requested, he will face no further sentence. Highgarden will remain the seat of House Tyrell under Lord Willas and once it's been returned to your rule, you will pay ten percent more in taxes for the next five years."

"I…I thank you, your grace, you too, your grace." Lord Willas said, seeming relieved by the sentence they'd imposed.

Margaery too seemed more relaxed as did Olenna. So with a look to Rhaegar, Dany bid him to offer the stick to the rather large carrot they'd just given them.

"Had things turned out differently and you showed more loyalty, then your House and our own could have grown strong together, Lady Olenna. Were we different dragons, then the only fate you would have received would have been a trial by fire." Rhaegar said as Olenna paled "My wife and I are merciful, my lady. But only when it's warranted and we are very much not so when it's not. Tywin Lannister found that out to his cost and soon so too will Stannis Baratheon. Today we showed you a small mercy, be thankful for it. Grateful for it. But know this. To be merciful is not to be weak and House Tyrell has been granted the last bit of mercy that it shall ever receive from House Targaryen. Should your House not prove itself true in the future, there will be no discussion, no plea listened to nor hand stayed. The next time would be answered with Fire and Blood, Lady Olenna. It would be most wise of you to ensure there is no next time." Rhaegar said and Dany felt stirred by the passion and truth in those words.

"There won't be your grace on that I swear," Olenna replied.

"Actions, Lady Olenna, your oaths have not proved true thus far," Dany said firmly.

After some bows, curtsies, and more thanks the Tyrells left the room and Dany turned to see Aemon offer a small nod of his head. They waited very little time to speak to Tyrion and he was far more nervous when he was brought into the room. Taking his seat, he welcomed the wine when it was offered and said not a word other than in greeting.

"Your family will no longer be Wardens, Tyrion, nor will they serve as Lord Paramount either." Rhaegar began and Tyrion nodded "Nor will your brother's sentence or your nephew's be even discussed."

"I know, your grace."

"Your own, however." Rhaegar said as Tyrion took another swallow from his glass and then with Rhaegar's permission refilled it "A wise choice would be to send you to the Citadel, Tyrion. There you could be with your nephew and as you once told me, a mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone."

Dany noticed Tyrion's small smile at the remembrance of the words mayhap, or even at the thoughts of being close to his nephew.

"Yet, I doubt that's the life you wish for yourself," Rhaegar said

"No, your grace it's not."

"I'd not send you to the Wall to be with your brother either, even though I know you and he are close."

"We are, your grace, and I thank you for that small comfort," Tyrion said warmly.

"House Lannister is reduced to being a major but not great House and Lord Tyrion Lannister is hereby named as Lord of Casterly Rock. All debts to the crown owed to House Lannister are to be written off and we name your niece Myrcella as your heir." Dany said at Rhaegar's urging.

"Your grace, I…"

"Our fight was never with you, Tyrion, nor with the children. Let the animus between our Houses die with those it was." Rhaegar said and Tyrion nodded.

"I see no reason why it should not, your grace."

"You may spend time with your family before they depart, Tyrion. I gave your nephew a moon with his sister, you may have the same with your brother and with your niece and nephew." Dany said and Tyrion offered her a small smile as he nodded.

"Thank you, your grace."

Dany looked on as Tyrion walked to the door, his stunted legs moving far more sure-footedly than they had when they entered the room some time ago. Tyrion stopped at the door and turned back to look at them, his eyes slightly misted over as he spoke.

"I am most grateful for the kindness you've shown, your graces. It shall not be forgotten." Tyrion said and then he was gone and they were alone once more.

Aemon said they'd done the right thing and Dany knew that Rhaegar believed they had too. Arya, however, very much did not.

"You can't trust a Lannister, Rhaegar," Arya said angrily as Rhaegar moved and whispered in his sister's ear.

Dany saw the small nod of Arya's head and the look that came over both her and her husband's faces. To her surprise, Arya left the room and Rhaegar did not.

"Rhaegar?" she asked curiously.

"I told her that we trust but verify." Rhaegar said and Dany looked at him confused "We've given the Tyrells and Tyrion boons here today, my love. Where some will have expected us to be far more punitive, we've been lenient. Some, as Arya has, will say we've been too lenient. They'll say we cannot trust a Lion or a Rose. They are right, We don't."

"We don't?"

"No, we trust but we verify. A thousand eyes and one will be on both Tyrion and House Tyrell from now on. In years to come, our children's eyes will be upon them. My uncle's and my mother's House were ever watchful of House Bolton, Dany. Yet we never sought to end them. Not until they gave us a reason to do so."

"And should Tyrion or House Tyrell give us a reason?"

"They won't. But should they, then they too will meet their ends. All of them."

Dany smiled at that, as harsh and ruthless as it may well have been. They could be merciful, but mercy was a finite thing and House Tyrell and House Lannister had known its last drop from House Targaryen. They would be watchful, vigilant and for their own sakes, the Lions and the Roses had better remain true.

King's Landing 301 AC.

Melisandre.

Fear was a new experience for her and one she liked not. Ever since she'd accepted R'hllor into her heart she'd walked in his light and he had kept the darkness away. She'd known only peace and contentment. Believed her actions to be righteous and at night when she closed her eyes, the terrors were kept far from her dreams. Since leaving Highgarden, however, she'd once again found the night to be dark and full of terrors indeed. None more frightening to her than the large red eye of the Great Other that looked her way each and every night.

It made her seek even more answers in the fires. To look for longer and to shiver to herself when night began to fall. For the last three nights, Melisandre had refused to even sleep. Instead, she'd stood on the deck of the ship and been thankful that the moon was full and the stars shined so very brightly. As they neared King's Landing, she found that she had no choice but to get some rest and so reluctantly, she once again took to her bed. Once again the dreams came to her.

The red eye loomed large as it sought her out. Melisandre shuffled down streets and in and out of buildings and yet each time she passed a window or the alley she scurried down opened out, the red eye was there, ever watchful.

Too high for flames to reach it, its presence bore down upon her and made her wish to fall to her knees and beg it to leave her alone. She was a warrior of light and the red eye was the very darkness she had been chosen to battle against. Never, until now, had she feared it would be a battle that was beyond her.

Running now, she saw a blinding light in the distance and felt the red eye draw ever closer to her. Nearing the light, she felt a sense of peace and joy come over her as she saw Azor Ahai and his flaming sword.

"Protect me."

"Help me"

"Fight for me"

Her words came unbidden and then in the sky above she saw them move like the flaming red comet that had once passed over her head. Dragons from Stone. R'hllor's gift to the world. Four of them cut a swathe of fire beneath them that only the true of heart could survive. Melisandre turned her head and saw the red eye once more and this time she smiled at it. Only for that smile to quickly be removed from her face.

"NO!" She cried out

"NO! HE IS OUR SAVIOR!"

The dragons listened not and to her horror, Azor Ahai was soon enveloped in their flames and turned to ash before her very eyes. Crying true tears, she looked to the dragons as they flew towards her and resigned herself to her fate. Yet it wasn't fire that took her from the word and as she felt the cold fingers touch her cheek, Melisandre turned and screamed as she looked deep into the red eye of death and heard the voice of the Great Other.

"I see you Melony Lot Seven."

On the ship, laying in her bed, Melisandre thrashed from side to side. So much noise did she make and so loud were her screams, that the captain himself came to her.

"My lady."

"Ser Davos?" she asked, fearful that the man in front of her was not the Onion Knight but some agent of the Great Other come to take her from this world.

"My lady, are you well?" Davos asked concernedly and his words frightened her so much that she at first moved back further in her bed before she then composed herself.

"Are we near?" she asked, her voice sounding more like her own as she did so.

"We're in Blackwater Bay, we'll be docking within the hour."

"Dock here and bring me to shore in a boat, Ser Davos. Then return to our king for he'll have great need of you in the days to come."

"And you, my lady?"

"If R'hllor wills it then I shall join our king soon."

She was grateful that he didn't ask the question that she feared he might. For Melisandre had no answer for him if he'd asked what was to happen to her if her god willed it not. Preparing herself, she changed out of her red dress, and for the first time in she knew not how many years, Melisandre of Asshai no longer looked like a red priestess. Ignoring the confused and even worried looks that she got from Ser Davos and some of his crew, Melisandre was soon sitting in the small boat as Davos himself rowed it to shore.

Bidding him farewell and while believing that once her mission here was complete, she'd then see him again, Melisandre for the first time found herself unsure of her fate. She believed that she was doing her god's bidding and that R'hllor would protect her as he always had. Yet for the first time in so many years, Melisandre feared that even R'hllor's protection wouldn't be enough. Moving through the city, looking to all eyes as if she was just another woman and not who she truly was, Melisandre tried not to look too closely at the buildings or alleys. She feared was she to do so then she'd be back in her nightmares and her work was too important for her fears to deny her.

Melisandre heard them before she saw them. Four dragons flew overhead and the sound of their wings as they beat against the air was almost deafening to her. Looking at those who walked nearest to her, it stunned her that they didn't seem shocked, worried, or awed by the sight they'd been gifted. For her, it was a breathtaking one and almost enough to make Melisandre drop to her knees and praise R'hllor's majesty. Had it not been for the dreams that she'd had on the ship, she would have. Instead, she turned from the sight of dragons in the sky to the sight of the keep in the distance.

"Your will be done, R'hllor," she said with fervor.

It worried her that night had fallen by the time she'd made it into the keep. The ruby at her neck had allowed her to sneak by and not look out of place as she did so. Who it was she looked like to those who bowed or nodded to her as she passed them, Melisandre had not yet found out. There had been no looking glasses and other than it was not her own, she knew little about the face she wore. She'd used blood and fire and asked R'hllor for his blessing and given how she faced no questions and had been granted entry so easily, his blessing had been granted.

Seeing the royal wing in front of her, readying the poison that she bore, Melisandre moved towards it purposefully. Once the false king was slain, the Great Other would have no agent on this side of the Wall who could stand against his champion. In time his gift to the world would seek out Azor Ahai and Stannis would lead a great army to the Wall. Melisandre prayed to R'hllor that she'd be by his side when he did so. Though she'd settle for clearing the path there if that was to be the role she played.

"Stop." she heard a voice call out and for a brief moment she thought she'd been discovered "The captain wishes to speak to us." the guard said to another guard and Melisandre breathed in relief as she moved closer to the Royal Chambers.

To her surprise, there was no guard on the door and she entered the room unchallenged. Moving inside, she grabbed the vial with the powder and looked to see where the false king was. Then she knew only darkness. Hands grabbed her and the vial was removed easily from her palm. She was dragged from the room and saw men wearing the three-headed dragon all looking at her with hateful eyes. The man who held her, and she knew now it was a single man, refused to let her see him. His hands kept her facing forward as she was moved down some stairs and into what looked like cells.

"There is much we must speak of, Melisandre of Asshai and you will tell me all I wish before you are sent to meet your god." the man holding her said as he handed her to two guards who then chained her to the wall.

Her eyes tried to make out the face of the man who'd grabbed her, but his face was now cast in shadow and so she could not. Once she was chained securely, the two guards left the cell and Melisandre felt a shiver go down her spine as she realized that she and her captor were now alone.

"I've watched you for some time and seen the wrong turn you took on your path. I had hoped that you'd realize your mistake and find your way to serve the prince. Yet so lost were you to what you believed, that your path only led you to here."

"Who are you?" she cried out and then she cried for true as out of the darkness a lone red eye moved ever closer to her.

King's Landing 301 AC.

Rhaegar.

Countering Illyrio, Varys, and Littlefinger's attempts to buy or force their way out of the predicament they'd found themselves in was a simple task. Rhaegar alone could have done so. Not that he was alone or even that he was the one who dealt with their piss-poor efforts. Bloodraven not only countered each move they made, he predicted them. Illyrio would try to use his son while Varys would hope his Little Birds would see him to freedom. Littlefinger had tried to prey on a family he'd preyed on for far too many years. Only to find that it was much harder to do when your true nature was known. That a Mockingbird was no true bird of prey either had helped him not.

When using Lysa Tully to beg for him failed, it had been coin and secrets that he'd offered. Bloodraven had advised Rhaegar to take both and so he did. Before his greatuncle himself had removed Littlefinger's forked tongue and no more words left or would ever leave his lips. Aemon and Dany had both questioned Bloodraven's methods and reasoning. Rhaegar did not. He had no need to and so he'd simply smiled when Bloodraven had explained it to them all.

"That man is a liar who has brought naught but chaos to Westeros for far too many years. In his last moments, he'd seek to do the same. Now he cannot."

With their prisoners dealt with, until they lost their lives at least, Rhaegar turned his attention to the other things that needed to be resolved before he left for the Reach. Willas Tyrell had changed things dramatically in regard to his family. He'd turned them from a minor house with reduced lands and many restrictions to a great one with far less taken from them than Dany and he probably should. It had made Rhaegar question things. As had how they'd dealt with Tyrion and with the other Lannisters that had less to answer for.

Aemon and he had planned to remove them all. To strip the Lannisters of all holdings and appoint a new Lord of Casterly Rock. They had planned to cast down the Tyrells and take Highgarden from them before sending many members of both Houses to the Wall or the Citadel. Events and actions had caused them to change their plans, however. The Tyrells got more rewarded than truly punished. While Tyrion got what he always wished for, even if it was now lesser than it may have once been. Only Jaime and Tommen would truly suffer for being Lannisters and even then, not truly. It had made Rhaegar question if he was been too lenient, too soft, and if so was he then being too harsh with others?

So after speaking to Aemon and to Bloodraven, he'd then spoken to his wife before he'd called for Robb, Lady Catelyn, and the Blackfish to meet with him. The Vale and the Riverlands needed to be put to right and if Rhaegar could be forgiving when it came to Roses and Lions, then he should be more so when it came to a Wolf. He was laughing with Arya when they walked into the room. Lady Catelyn looked as if she had the weight of the world on her shoulders, while the Blackfish seemed far more composed. As for Robb, for the first time in who knew how long, Rhaegar looked upon his brother and saw him as only that.

"The executions are to be held on the morrow. Illyrio, Varys, and Littlefinger will all lose their heads. Lysa will be sent to the Silent Sisters directly afterward and though a part of me wishes to make her watch, I'll not do so."

"I thank you for that, your grace." Lady Catelyn said.

"I don't do it for her, my lady." he said softly before continuing "It now leaves us to resolve the fate of the Vale and the Riverlands. I need to appoint someone to act as Warden until Lord Arryn comes of age, I'd ask for your suggestion Ser Brynden."

Truth be told, Bloodraven and Aemon had given him a small list of but two names. One of whom had already ruled himself out and would be returning to Riverrun where he'd be most needed in the years to come. So Rhaegar simply wished to see if the Blackfish would name the other. He really shouldn't have been surprised when he did so.

"Lord Royce, your grace. There is no man I trust more to see after my grandnephew's interest." The Blackish said firmly.

"I would place him even above your grandnephew for some time, Ser Brynden." he said and the Blackfish nodded "Very well then, to the Riverlands." he said looking to Robb "I've given more thought to them and to you, Robb. Mayhap it's with a calmer head and heart or the sentences we've imposed on House Tyrell and House Lannister have allowed me to think more clearly. Or mayhap it's simply that the hurt I felt at your actions has diminished some."

"I'm sorry for…"

"I know that Robb." he said interrupting him "The truth is that there is no one else, none I trust as much as I trust you. Nor none better suited."

Robb looked at him confused as did the Blackfish but Lady Catelyn wore the beginnings of a smile on her face and one look to Arya showed that her own was even fuller. Rising to his feet, Rhaegar moved from behind the table and walked to where Robb sat.

"Robb Stark, I would name you as Lord Paramount of the Riverlands and Warden of the Trident."

"I...Rhaegar….Your grace." Robb dropped quickly to a knee and bowed his head "I am honored your grace and I swear I'll serve you, her grace, and your House as your most Leal and true man."

"I doubt it not, Lord Stark."

Rhaegar couldn't bring himself to name him brother, he wished to, wanted to, but he wasn't ready to, not yet. That day was drawing ever closer though and after Robb, Lady Catelyn, and the Blackfish had left, he felt it would not be long in coming.

The next day, the great, the good, and as many of the Smallfolk of King's Landing as they could fit in the square next to the Sept of Baelor, all came out to watch the executions. Aegon asked for leave to miss it and Dany and he were only too happy to allow him to do so. He was the only one other than Lysa Tully who was not present. House Tyrell came out in full force, and Tyrion stood with his uncle, cousins, and aunt who'd traveled from Casterly Rock at his request. While Oberyn stood there along with Ellaria and his daughters.

Aemon, Dany, Shiera, and Bloodraven presented a united front and looked like the dragons they were while the Small Council too was all present. Even the dragons flew close by while the wolfs all watched on eagerly. The High Septon may have wished not for blood to be shed on his sacred steps but Rhaegar knew they'd put up far less of a fight when it had been his uncle who had been brought here. That alone was the only reason why he'd even considered doing this elsewhere. As the thoughts of the blood of these men being spilled where Ned Stark's was were not ones he welcomed. In the end, justice needed to be seen to be done and needed to be shown to be righteous.

"We are here today to witness the executions of three men for treason. Lord Varys, Illyrio Mopatis, and Lord Petyr Baelish. All three conspired to steal the throne from the rightful king and queen and all three will pay for that with their heads. Let it be known to one and all that their graces are just and fair, and they are merciful. Yet their mercy goes only so far. Bear witness to the fate of traitors and to the justice that awaits them." Ser Richard Lonmouth said as Illyrio Mopatis was the first to be brought out.

The man spoke but one word as Rhaegar took his head from his shoulders. A name that Aegon had told Dany and him much of. Though like with Rhaegar's own mother, Serra had been taken from this world far too soon. Rhaegar was glad that Aegon wasn't here to hear her name come from his father's lips. Seeing him lose his head would have been hard enough to take without that. Varys spoke no words at all and seemed resigned to his fate. Blackfyre taking him from the world in the blink of an eye.

As for Littlefinger, the stench of piss and shit was clear to anyone who was within a few feet of the man. His panicked looks and attempts to break away from the guards who held him, as well as the fact that he'd just emptied his bladder and bowels, both proved just how craven he truly was. He needed to be held down over the block. Forced down to it. Only the strength of the two men who escorted him was enough to stop him from facing a far less clean death.

How much of it he was responsible for, Rhaegar knew not. Bloodraven would only tell him that without Littlefinger, far more of both sides of his family would be alive here today. So as the sword fell, Rhaegar felt it far more than he did with either Varys or Illyrio. Even a day later when news came that Lysa Tully had thrown herself from the Sept's tower, he felt it still. Few men had deserved to die as much as Petyr Baelish and other than Amory Lorch, none had ever given Rhaegar pleasure when he'd killed them.

A week later.

"You have to go?" Dany asked as they lay abed.

"You know I do."

"I could…"

"No, your place is here, my love. Besides, I need only one dragon for what I must do."

"You're sure?" Dany asked worriedly.

"Bloodraven's plan is sound. The army that will join me is a match for the one we face and Ōñosmaghare and I know what it is we must do."

"You could take Viserion and Rhaegal…."

Rhaegar placed his finger on her lips and then replaced that finger with his own lips as he kissed his wife softly.

"They would not come," he said and despite her worries, Dany smiled.

The dragons had grown even more protective of Dany these past few days. From when Lady Melisandre had arrived with murder in mind, they'd felt the need to be closer to their mother and the babes she carried within her. At first, Rhaegar had worried that this meant they were soon to be born, but Aemon confirmed they still had time. It had allowed Dany to put aside some worries about the battle he was soon to face. As she knew that he wished to be nowhere else but here and so he'd do all he could to ensure it was a quick and single one.

"A Moon?" Dany said bringing his hand to her stomach.

"A moon," he replied.

Oberyn, Robb, Aegon, and Bloodraven himself led the army to Highgarden. Rhaegar was sure that the information that his great-uncle and great-aunt had gotten from Melisandre would be most helpful in seeing them prevail. As would all that Rhaegar had learned about Stannis Baratheon from the lady herself. Her faith had been tested and renewed and while the rest of her order were against him, the lady herself was now very much not. Not after all that Bloodraven had shown her.

Rhaegar trusted her not and would allow her no role within his council. She'd not be allowed within a hundred feet of Dany or their children. Nor the dragons. Though given how much Melisandre feared Bloodraven and Shiera, he had no worries or fears that she'd try to do anything other than what she'd agreed to do. The full truth about her would be revealed soon enough. Should she have played them false, then the death that would then be hers was one that Bloodraven had said she was truly fearful of and that alone was a great motivator.

That night he said his goodbyes to his wife, to Sansa, and to Aemon. He left King's Landing and the crown in Dany's capable hands and he, Arya, Arthur, and Ghost made their way to the Dragonpit where Ōñosmaghare awaited. The Golden Company would be given a chance to do as Aegon had and to come to their side. One chance only. Stannis would be offered a parley and the truth of who he faced would be shown to him. He too would be given one chance to come to his senses. Though Rhaegar doubted he would. Then he, the Golden Company, and all those who stood with them would find out that while Rhaegar wished for peace, he was more than prepared for war.

The Reach 301 AC.

Ōñosmaghare.

He felt his rider's reluctance to leave and his determination to return most quickly. His brothers wished to join him and yet very much did not at the same time. Their protectiveness for their own riders overwhelmed almost all else that they felt. Ōñosmaghare told them he understood and he blamed them not. Nor did he blame his fierce brother for wishing to remain with his own rider rather than unleash his flames on those who wished her harm.

Ōñosmaghare acted as the wiser older brother. He spoke words that each of them needed to hear. Told them that they were doing what it was they were meant to do and that he would ensure that his own rider would return before the time came for the hatchlings to join them. The loud snort from Drogon showed that he needed not to hear the words from Ōñosmaghare to know that was true. While Viserion and Rhaegal both now grew even more excited at the thoughts of their return.

All four of them flew overhead on the day of the ends of those who had sought to replace his rider and his rider's chosen. Each of them roared out their approval when his rider took the three fools from this world. They flew once more when the woman of fire arrived in the city. Her foolish wish to take them from their bonded and to give them to someone unworthy of either he or his brothers had enraged them all. Ōñosmaghare had needed his rider to explain what was to happen to the woman of fire. How the one-eyed dragon saw all and each move made against them was one they'd already countered.

Still, he'd looked on with a wary eye and had once again been shown that his faith in his rider was a true and wonderful thing.

"As is mine own faith in you, Ōñosmaghare." his rider had told him later.

When the time came, he was eager to let loose his flames should it be required of him. The day the hatchlings were to come into the world drew ever closer and neither Ōñosmaghare nor his rider would allow themselves to miss it. His brothers would soon be able to feel as he and Drogon felt. To know the peace and bliss that being bonded to a rider could bring. To no longer be alone and feel unfulfilled. These men in gold and this fool who sought what was not his to seek were all that stood in Ōñosmaghare and his rider's sharing of that moment. They would not delay them any longer than Ōñosmaghare and his rider wished them to. Dragons bow only to other dragons, not Golden Men, Stags, or even a King of Ice could change that. The darkness they sought to bring to the world was not one that Ōñosmaghare and his rider would allow for long. For he was the bringer of light, the Lightbringer, and his rider was The Prince that was Promised. Alone they were formidable. Together they were unstoppable. And Neither of them would ever be alone again.

A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. Sorry for the delay, but apparently after taking time off to grieve, it means you then have to make up for it and work your ass off. Up Next: All roads lead to Highgarden as Ōñosmaghare proves one dragon is just as lethal as four, Aegon shows his loyalty, Bloodraven his ruthlessness, and Rhaegar proves to Stannis who the truly chosen prince is.

For those following my other fics, Dragonverse is up next.

Missed reviews.

Anthony

Ch1. The rebellion would not have happened because of the kidnapping alone. They didn't rise for Lyanna, they rose over what happened to Brandon and those who rode with him, Rickard, and what Aerys wished to do to Ned/Robert. This is clear considering that it's not what Rickard does right away, instead he rides to the Red Keep rather than call his banners. So even with his son imprisoned and his daughter kidnapped, the Lord of the North still isn't seeking a war.

As for Rhaegar keeping it in his pants, we know little to nothing about Lyanna/Rhaegar, other than Ned doesn't seem to blame Rhaegar or hate him. Lyanna's so-called kidnapping is moons after Harrenhal, and we have no idea of the how and why of them ending up together at that point. So to simplify it to Rhaegar needed to keep it in his pants misses some key ingredients.

By that token, had Robert been able to keep it in his pants and not fathered a bastard, then Lyanna would have loved him with all her heart and never looked Rhaegar's way, so the rebellion is Robert's fault.

That's how simplified it is to say Rhaegar needed to keep it in his pants.

Lyanna/Rhaegar is the spark and nothing more. Without them maybe there wouldn't have been a rebellion, or maybe given the fact that Aerys was a madman, it was inevitable.

Ch3: This contradicts somewhat blaming Rhaegar and Lyanna for it, does it not? If it was entirely predictable and always going to happen, then how can Rhaegar and Lyanna be responsible for it?

Ch6: Do you know Valyrian at all? The name means Lighbringer in Valyrian, it was a twist and the prophecy of Azor Ahai forging Lightbringer, by making it the actual dragon's name, it was allowing for it to be literal. Where the devil comes into that, I have no idea.

Ch7: Jon is a king and acts as a king, Robb named himself one and so Jon undermines that, he'd be wrong not to.

Ch8: I get that, I think it adds to the language, and while I use far more modern language than even GRRM does, I try and use as much older language as I can.

Ch9: God I loved Rendon Howe lol

Ch10: Which again he's being here. He's also a kid, just like Jon is. A kid faced with the fact that the brother who was always lesser than him, is suddenly not. That raises issues we rarely see explored as instead they're just hand-waved away and all things are rosy between Jon and Robb. They wouldn't be.

15.000 men is not irrelevant. As for them being offensive so, tell that to those who fought at the Trident. It was mainly Donnish Spears that made up most of Rhaegar's army and while Robert won, he didn't win comprehensively or without losses. There is also the simple fact of a secondary force coming from another direction to take into account. A two-front attack is not an easy thing to defend against.

Now alone, yes, they are less effective but had Robb got 15.000 Dornish spears to call on, then Tywin was fucked.

Ch11: As king, he is the king of seven and not one kingdom. Do you really believe that the other six kingdoms would accept his marriage if it was not one sworn to under their gods? And before you say that the North wouldn't accept it, may I remind you that Ned Blood Stark himself, married in a sept. So tell me, did Ned betray his gods when doing so?

I'd agree with you in terms of intelligence and even political nous. Cat is not stupid though, all her terrible decisions were made when she was emotionally compromised. She is astute politically, we just see her at her worst most times.

Ch12: You'll see my plans for all of that as things progress.

Ch12: I like Jaehaerys too, but one thing I try to do if change the names to suit the Jon I wish to portray so that the minor differences come across in my head and I can keep track. Was I to do this over, I'd not choose Rhaegar, simply because it creates a disconnect where for a moment you think to his father, rather than him, but well, you live and learn.

Ch15. Roose is considering the future, a crippled lord can provide no heirs, Rickon is young, and accidents happen. So he's putting himself in a position where maybe just maybe. On the North naming Robb their king, the argument is that yes it's valid in canon and even here, however, once Jon is revealed, then it's very much not.

Also coming from Jon's pov, Ned knelt willingly to Robert, yet Robb won't do so to him. The North likewise. Then there is the simple fact that Jon will be king to consider, which informs his mindset. Canon-wise, it was arguably a dumb move, as it took away the option of an alliance with Stannis, simply because all knew he was unyielding. Besides, Renly and the deal they would have struck with him would have cost them a crown too.

House Royce is first men yes, whether or not they keep to the Old Gods is In question. Trust me I did much research on this for another of my fics where Jon is raised in Runestone. They have a sept as part of their keep, two in fact, and a Septon, Lucon in their service. Ysilla when she weds Mychel Redfort does so in a Sept too. Robar swears to Renly's Rainbow Guard as a man of the Seven, as does all of them. Unlike the Blackwoods, it's not specifically stated that they keep to the Old Gods, but is that they hail from the First Men.

As for the Vale having trouble with the Skagosi, they have no choice, they're kneeling to Jon who is allied with the Skagosi. They may not like them, but they don't like Jon much at this point either.

Ch17: No, I think that some may think that. Robb may fare worst in the south than the North, but the North is out and so people are trying to look on the bright side.

Ch18 Yes.

Ch21: I think if it's been half or more destroyed then yes, but if it intact, you can try and fix the problems, but you'd never move or rebuild it. The cost and time would be prohibitive.

Ch. 22: Varys is being sloppy yes, but he's faced with an obstacle he hadn't counted on. He also is using Jon Snow's Stark bloodline and his being raised by Ned as a guide. As well as the fact that while yes, the Targs slayed their own king, in the end, people turned on most of those who did so.

Ch24: You've got a poor grasp on politics my friend. The apocalypse also is not literally happening right now, there is time, hell they still have Stannis to deal with. The reasoning behind the GC is to bring all their enemies out into the open and deal with them. So they can then deal with everything else. Without it, it's much harder to judge just who can and who cannot be completely trusted and you need a grand event where the stakes seem so large, just to bring out your enemies into the light of day.

Torhelm: It wasn't constant mentioning of Drogo, but for him not to be brought up in Dany's mind would have been ridiculous. Sorry if it ruined it for you though.

Chapter 25 reviews

Daryl Dixon: So glad you liked it.

Redlox: I considered going much further with Varys and Illyrio and even more so with LF, the problem is that Rhaegar and Dany have to be seen to be just. So death came quickly for them all. Also, out of some feeling for Aegon, they wouldn't want his uncle/father to truly suffer.

Velin63: Thanks so very much for saying so.

Biohazard: Really glad you liked it.

Guest: No reduction for either Edmure or Lysa, as for Jon Connington, he's up next.

Alberto: So very glad you enjoyed it. Death was enough for both of them or had to be seen to be.

SventheDecoy: Yeah, it really needed to be done and dealt with and shown in one sitting. To break it up or leave it on a cliffhanger-type thing would have just annoyed the hell out of people.

LiteraryEscapism: So glad you liked it. I was so worried that what I had planned with Aegon would be spoiled before I showed it. The one thing that helped was that everyone is so used to the same basic portrayals of him, that it allows for a new take to sneak through.

Guest: I'm so glad to hear that.

Swiftorofshadows: Thanks so much, glad you liked it.

Guest: Thanks for saying so. I, unfortunately, suffered a family loss over the festive period and it's only really now that I'm properly back on track, so that story should be updated within the next two weeks.

Tfranco. So glad you feel that way. I like Dany more when she's with Jon than not, but even not, I think she's one of the very best characters. Both were done so badly by the show at the end that I always try in my work to correct that. With Jon always being my protagonist, he gets more of the attention, but Dany I try to add different strengths to. I like Robb to a point, my big issue with him is the not exchanging for his sisters. I get the politics of it and once Jaime is no longer a prisoner, it's the doom of him as the Red Wedding can't happen how it does if Jaime is still held. But I incorporate some of what I feel regarding that here with his and Jon's conversation. I think had Jon been with him when they went South, then this would be a big bone of contention between them.

I'm with you on Stannis. I don't get why there is so much love for him, considering he's a kin slayer and worse. As for Shireen, she's certainly a character who deserves far better.

Rhatch: So glad you liked it.

YenneferRivia: Rhaegar/Lyanna can be argued to be the spark, but the simple truth is that no one would have risen over the kidnapping. Hell, people may not have risen even after Brandon/Rickard's deaths had Aerys not gone even further and demanded that Jon Arryn give up Ned and Robert too.

Not to mention that Aerys' actions in alienating Tywin allowed for the rebellion to succeed as well. As had they the West to call upon then Robert, Ned, and Jon Arryn would have either thought twice about rising or been beaten when they did so.

There are so many ways to look at the rebellion too. You have the Southern Conspiracy which suggests it was simply a matter of lining up all their ducks in a row and once they had, then Hoster, Jon Arryn, and Robert would have risen regardless. Also, the mere fact that once Rhaegar fell, it suddenly became to crown Robert rather than about justice, shows a certain sense of pre-planning does it not? There's also Aerys' descent into madness which would have led to him needing to be removed and which apparently Rhaegar was already planning. Varys' part can't be underestimated either, as it was he who had Aerys go to Harrenhal in the first place and so changed the nature of Rhaegar's time there, maybe completely. Would Rhaegar still have named Lyanna the QOLB if Aerys hadn't thrown his plans into chaos? Who knows.

For me, I always say that Rhaegar/Lyanna's truth being unknown allows for so many different takes on just what happened between them. However, one thing that bugs me is that so many people who want to lay it all at their feet, ignore certain things and wave off others. One big one is Rhaegar being older than Lyanna, when it's the nature of the world they live in, is prevalent all through the books, and even were it not, Robert is two years younger than Rhaegar, yet no one takes issue with that.

I've seen people who ship Sansa/Sandor or Brienne/Jaime, decry, and name Rhaegar as almost a child molester, when both those relationships have much bigger age gaps and yet not a single word is spoken regarding that.

It's easy to blame Rhaegar and Lyanna. To blame it on one man's lust or the foolish dreams of a naïve young girl. The problem is that in order to do so, you have to ignore every single other fact there is.

MattBlack: I'm not sure, but yes, about 50 to 75 percent. With Bloodraven, even when we see him used, he's never used as the proper Bloodraven, we'll see that next chapter, during the battle against the Golden Company. I do like the idea of playing with his and Shiera's backstories a bit and adding a little to their lore.

Vdwade: So very glad you liked it. I didn't want to do the stand fAegon arc here, and I'd not really seen him do the whole "This is a dumb freaking idea" aspect before. So I came up with the idea of him meeting his mother and figuring it out, and if so then what would he do. As you see here, his getting Illryio's wealth only makes that hit even more home for him, as he realizes that they could have had a decent life and one that was far better than most.

Syrius: I had decided on Storm's end and Mya for Aegon, partly because I love rare pairings and also because it works politically. You couldn't wed Aegon to Margaery as it would be tempting fate a bit, whereas with Mya Stone she gets what she probably deserves and it sort of mirrors Orys and Argellla too.

Alliser: Well relaxed some. Willa's actions have to be taken into account and once you remove them as Wardens, without going too much further, you can't be accused of overly punishing them. They are still a well-connected House after all.

Anthony: Anyone can be charged with treason to a king/queen once they seek to remove that king/queen from power. Treason doesn't matter whether or not you swore an oath, it's a crime all of its own. A faceless man trying to kill a king is committing a treasonous act for example.

As for Bloodraven, was it just for how you say, then they would not. But that goes against the specifics of this story. So here the reason they can accept it is that it's because of Bloodraven and Shiera and the actions they took that Dany and Jon are where they were. Was it not for Bloodraven, then Jon would have sworn his oaths, he wouldn't have been able to connect with Dany so early and neither of them would have been guided to where they were. The Free Folk would have been left to face their fate alone too.

It's also hard to say what oath or desertion Bloodraven did. If it's in relation to the Wall, well we don't know how he ended up as a man in the tree and by that token, Mance needs to die too. Yes, he's an admitted Kinslayer, but it could be argued he did it for the greater good of his House. Regardless, Dany/Jon accepts him because of what he's done for them, not what he's done in the past.

Celexys: It can be so enjoyable to see cocky people fall. I think hubris is one of the big things in ASOIAF, from Tywin to LF, and others, it's there and more often than not, it leads to their end.

Princessofgreenwood: Your wish is my command.

Xan Merrick: So glad you liked it, my friend.

Biowind: Bloodraven has plans for the wildfire.

Flame: Thanks so much.

King Mern: Really glad you liked it.