Eighth Month of 234 A.L. Castle Flint

Rodrik Stark

Winter was finally leaving, the ravens had arrived signalling the beginning of spring and with them, Rodrik sensed that perhaps a new sense of hope and peace could be reached. Winter had brought a lot of change to the north, the war had shown just how fractured a people they had become, and Brandon was doing all he could to reunite them. Despite all of this though Winterfell itself had remained the same, it was slightly quieter without his other brothers and their families being there, and it was also much more defensible, something Donnor would have undoubtedly seen to, given what Rodrik knew of his brother's hatred of just how indefensible their ancestors had let the castle become. All in all the north might have seen a great deal of change, but Winterfell itself remained much the same.

That was good, for Rodrik had ridden out with some 100 men from Winterfell joining up with some 200 men from Last Hearth under Hoarfrost's command and together they had tracked the wildlings some 90 of them to a village just bordering on the gift. The fighting had been fierce and Rodrik had cut down many a men and had sustained a fair few wounds himself, but eventually the wildlings were sent packing, either killed or fled. One that they captured spoke of how the wildlings were trying to regroup under the Red Raven, the craven who had fled Red Lake and were planning for another invasion at a future date. Rodrik had sent word back to Brandon and had sent word to the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch to be prepared and then he had ridden for the mountains, to meet with the clan chiefs and with his future bride to be.

He had spent a night with each of the different mountain clans as he travelled towards Flint Castle, and whilst there he had observed just how fiercely loyal the mountain chiefs were to the memory of his older brother Donnor, and just how protective and loyal they were to Donnor the younger. The fact that they had sworn their allegiance to Donnor the younger and recognised him as Lord of the Northern Mountains meant that the boy was now one of the most powerful lords of the north and the most powerful lord in the far north, perhaps as powerful if not more powerful than House Bolton. Such a thought reminded Rodrik just how influential and respected Donnor had been, for all that he was cold and merciless.

Of course when he had arrived at castle Flint he had found Lord Torreg Flint to be surprisingly receptive to his arrival. The man seemed to have disassociated himself with the rest of the mountain chiefs and was looking for protection, Rodrik was quick to see. His daughter though, was sharp and cunning and Rodrik found himself already hugely charmed by her. She was a good rider, and good conversation and as she was proving on their ride she could more than match him with her understanding of politics. "Your brother believes that by having you wed me, the rest of the mountain clans will be placated. He believes that having his heir wed Serena Stark has not done the trick just yet. Does he fear that my father and the other chiefs will declare for Donnor?"

Rodrik hesitates a moment, wanting to stick up for Brandon but then he merely says. "Brandon believes that certain things must be done to ensure that the north is safe and secure, and that such a war as happened before never happens again. The war changed the north, and whether it is for the good or bad, none of us are quite sure yet."

Arya turns to him and says. "A war that your brothers started when they refused to accept Edwyle Stark as the rightful lord of Winterfell. After all I suppose they thought a woman could not do the ruling for the lad until he matured?"

Rodrik swallows then and says. "It was not because Melantha was a woman my lady. I spent some time with her whilst we were fleeing south, and I know she would have been more than capable as a regent." He pauses then wondering how much he should actually tell her, and then he just decides to tell her the truth. "It was more the fact that Donnor believed that with Melantha in charge, the north would become more southern, and he felt that was a complete blasphemy for what the north stood for. Errold wanted to maintain the southern ties and he feared that he would be put to death should Donnor win."

"And what of our current Lord of Winterfell, why did he fight?" Arya asked.

Rodrik sighed and said. "Because he felt it was right for him to do so."

Arya snorts then and then she looks at him and asks. "Why did you not fight then my lord?"

Rodrik sighs then and says. "Because I would not besmirch my father's memory, by killing my own brothers. Now is there aught else you wish to ask of me, that is of a more cheerful nature?"

"Yes, actually there is." Arya says. "When we are wed, for I know that we will be whether I will it or not. Where would you prefer to stay? Here, Winterfell or in the keep where you lived before the war?"

He had not thought about that, honestly he had not, he had thought they would deal with that after the wedding but for now he simply says. "I am most needed in Winterfell, and so we shall go to Winterfell and live there. Though that might change as the years go by. As of right now though, Winterfell is where I am most needed."

Arya nods and then she says simply. "Well at least you are decisive. I think we could get along very well Lord Rodrik, very well indeed."

A few days later in the godswood of Castle Flint they are wed, with the mountain clans in attendance and Brandon and his wife Jeyne and their children, and soon enough Rodrik is a married man, his days of wandering over and done.

5th Month of 235 A.L. Pentos

Jaehaerys Targaryen

Pentos is hot and swelteringly so, even more than King's Landing was, and Jaehaerys health has taken a deep hit from it. He sweats and shivers in equal measure, and his parents are wracked with worry, over whether or not he will survive and how they will get Rhaelle back from the usurper. Jaehaerys himself, feels like he is dying half of the time, and that is the worst part of it all, the fact that he cannot even do anything to aid his parents, not like Duncan, he can't go out on patrol or gather news from the streets. And he certainly can' t train with weapons to protect himself. All in all he hates living in Pentos, and dreams foolish dreams of being the one to end Baelon Blackfyre, Rhaelle was his responsibility and he should have made sure she made it onto the ship before he too left for the ship. Damn it, these thoughts haunt his waking hours and drive him mad.

When news had come of Rhaelle having given the usurper a child whom they had named Viserys, Jaehaerys had felt the guilt consume anew, and his father had been livid. The thought of that man atop his sister, raping her and doing all kinds of horrible things to ensure the continuation of his gods damned dynasty, angered Jaehaerys and the rest of their family beyond compare, and Jaehaerys once again begged for forgiveness. Forgiveness for not being stronger physically, and for not being able to protect Rhaelle as was his duty as her brother. For letting those damned guards pass without a question, it ate away at him and would drive him mad.

His mother was drifting away, and only little Aelix was holding her together, to life. Father and Duncan though sat and planned on how they would get back what was rightfully theirs. Jaehaerys was rarely included in this meetings and yet today his father had told him that he would be. "There has been word from Dorne. Princess Arianne has broken away from the throne and has declared Dorne's independence." Jaehaerys heard his father say. "She writes that until a red dragon sits the iron throne, Dorne shall remain independent and free from the tyranny of the usurpers. Of course Baelon Blackfyre now seems to be planning for a campaign against Dorne that will drag on and drains his resources."

Duncan laughed. "Has he not learnt from the Young Dragon's attempt to bring Dorne into the realm? He shall fail in that and lose support. Truly do these usurpers learn nothing from their hero's failure?"

Their father shook his head. "Apparently not. But can you truly blame him, when Bittersteel whispers in his ear about this and that, and Daena Targaryen remains so strongly imposed on the Blackfyres, that they will likely think with their cocks and not their brains. Furthermore, Lord Robar assures me that though he might have dipped his banners, he is working as fast and as hard as he can in ensuring that the Black Dragon loses support."

"How does he plan on doing that though? He is surrounded by enemies to the north and south. And if our reports were correct, Lord Tyrell will soon be securing the future of Lord of the Storm's End is actually a Tyrell." Duncan said.

Lord Rosby spoke then his voice no louder than a whisper. "Simple. He will use the wedding to plan his own things with his bannermen. It has been some time since the wars between the Durrandons and the Reacherlords, but their enmity remains intact and as such I have a friend at court who is using this to their and our advantage Your Grace."

"How long will it take for all of this to go according to plan my lord?" Prince Aegon asked. "It has been two years since the Great Council, and in that time Blackfyre has consolidated his hold over the kingdoms, but with Dorne independent and the Stormlands still uncertain, there is a chance that we can find a hole in his hold on the throne and exploit it. But how long will it take for your source to play this to our advantage?"

Lord Rosby was silent for a moment and then said. "They said perhaps a month to a year. And once they are done we can take advantage of the chaos this will reap and take the throne back."

Jaehaerys speaks then and asks. "How certain are you that this will work though my lord? After all, the Blackfyres tried things like this for many years after Redgrass and often failed to do anything with their information. How can you guarantee that something similar will not happen to us?"

Lord Rosby was silent a moment and then said. "Because my prince, unlike the pretender who now sits the throne, my source is someone with connections to all the kingdoms in Westeros, and someone who will make sure the Targaryens come back to power. For the good of the kingdom depends on it. These Blackfyres know nothing but war and fighting, and as such will never have the peace that we could have under Your Graces."

Jaehaerys nods and then asks. "And you believe that this person, will be enough to convince our more marital lords that a return of the Targaryens will be good for them?"

Rosby nods and says. "None of the minor houses who supported the Black Dragon have been elevated in status my prince. The Lannisters, Arryns, Tyrells and Tullys still hold their domains. The Iron Islands sits in silence though and perhaps it would not be amiss to send word to them and ask for a hand in friendship."

Jaehaerys' father spoke then. "I am not sure whether or not that would the smartest course of action. Quellon Greyjoy is not Dagon, but he is still Ironborn, and they have more brawn than sense in their heads. The man could see this as an attempt to gain more lands and privileges for himself that could alienate potentially more valuable allies in the great houses."

Jaehaerys spoke then. "Perhaps, but a kraken surely is better than a grape. Especially now that the grapes have shown their treacherous nature."