AN: Sorry George.
The former Hand of the King and current Master of Coin Tyrion Lannister waddled through the great stone halls of the Red Keep in Kings Landing; capital of the seven kingdoms and currently the stronghold of his nephew, the rightful heir Joffrey Baratheon the first of his name as he wages a war against numerous usurpers in the war of five kings. It may only be four kings now since Renly is dead, but that number would soon change again.
After climbing the Tower of the Hand he entered the meeting room of the Hand of the King meeting the icy glares and expressions of those already there; his father at the head of the table, his sister next to him and Pycelle sat further down the table with an aged yet hidden aggression. Then across from the Grand Maester there was Varys who seemed more pleased to see him than the others or at the very least neutral. All members were present except the king himself. Tyrion found his chair comfortably placed across from his father and waited patiently in silence. He began strumming his fingers against the table and not a single word was exchanged between anyone; their eyes told him everything he needed anyway.
"Awfully humid this time of year, wouldn't you agree? But perhaps it should be expected for such a long winter approaching" he said aloud. Exaggerated and disappointed looks came from his family on the other side of the table. Then the King himself appeared adorning the distinct colors of red and gold. Joffrey walked proudly passed each of them, but with a look of disdain upon his face.
"What is the meaning of this?" he asked "Why are you seated before your king arrives? And why has this meeting been called?!" he asked his temper rising with his voice. He had only heard of this meeting at the very last minute and of it's great importance. The "great importance" was not revealed to him, but he did not like that it was called and would likely have carried out without his permission or presence. What he was taken away from to come here, very few asked.
"I have called it" Tywin Lannister the current Hand of the King spoke gaining his grandsons attention "There are things we must discuss and you should be here to hear it, your grace" he added at the end, almost as if he forgot to say it.
"Come my sweet" Cersei patted the vacant chair next to her "sit" she encouraged her eldest child.
Silent, but disgruntled Joffrey sat down.
They then began to discuss their current situation. The Tyrells wedding came up briefly, but the matter of the war was the primary discussion. Jamie's capture, ransom and apparent escape were discussed, but with no idea were he currently is the conversation was again brief. The rest of the subject was changed to the war effort. Joffrey was quick to boast of his victory over Stannis at the Blackwater, the death of his uncle Renly and how the rest of the kings would soon join him until there was no one to challenge his right. Appeasing him they remained silent, that is until he spoke of the other kings.
"Soon there will be no other king to deny my birthright!" the boy king proclaimed.
"That has yet to be seen" Tywin's despot voice spoke and Joffrey turned to him angered by such irreverence "or have you not heard the latest news?" They all seemed curious now as they looked to him with raised eyebrows and puzzled expressions. "Varys" he said passing the conversation off to the Master of Whispers. He may not have had much to say about Jamie, but he definitely had something of worth right now.
"Yes." the eunuch leaned forward "Birds have whispered to me these past few days a very interesting series of developments"
"Developments? Of what kind?" Joffrey demanded an answer.
"In regards to the war your grace. They speak of another entry into it" he paused "Another King" Strange looks mixed of astonishment and disbelief were exchanged across the room.
"A sixth King" Tyrion stated.
"Another king?" Joffrey repeated "Where do you hear this treason?"
"No treason on my account your grace" Varys spoke defensively "Only what my informants have told me and what I have passed on to you now"
"What King is this? By what right does he attempt to steal my throne?!"
"That I do not know" Varys admitted "But I do know where he is now and where he is heading" he told. "He is in Essos, scouring the continent with his companions and may soon be on his way here"
"You know of some backwater king a continent away, but no news of my son?" Tywin asked and did not need an answer. Varys shuffled uncomfortably in his seat. Regardless this was something he may have to keep a wary eye on.
"Companions?" Cersei questioned.
"Yes" he turned to her "Accounts vary with the numbers, but a fair haired companion is always at his side and a dwarf as well"
"A dwarf!" Tyrion exclaimed, his voice booming throughout the room "Well it seems he enjoys the company of his bastards" he said turning to look across the table at the stone cold stare of Tywin, but nothing to say.
"He himself dresses no different than a sell sword" Varys continued
"That may be his ploy to get into the kingdoms unnoticed" Cersei suggested "It could be his chance to rally support from the populace and he is no doubt building an army in an attempt to cross the seas"
"Some sources say he already has thousands at his back" Varys said
"Essos, armies, fair haired companions" Pycelle rambled of each new development "Are you sure it is not the Targeryn girl you speak of?" he questioned as his lengthy chain rattled.
"I assure you this is not Danerys Targeryn" Varys emphasized "This is a new man, with a new name-"
"-and a new player to the game" Tyrion added. Silence overtook this council of the king. "What is to be done of this?"
"This man is a usurper like all the others!" Joffrey exploded from his seat "I am the King! Let him come and I will cut him down to size!"
"Of course you will" Cersei smiled and spoke to him sweetly as she caressed his hand "He has no true claim no matter how big his army is"
"But I wonder..." Tyrion paused garnering everyone's attention "who is he?"
Far away from them, the conflict of the kings and even the continent of Westeros was the man in question. He was of noble birth yes, but he had no armies. Not 2 million, 2 thousand or even 2 hundred. Instead in his company were only two others, bound with him in the deep bond of friendship. The three of them traveled together tracking a vicious pack of monsters which had recently taken two of their friends captive and slain another.
The man ran ahead leading the way; his dark clothes contrasting with the desert they now found themselves in. Behind him was something that has never been seen in Westeros, Essos or this part of the world at all. An elf with keen eyes and graceful, silent feet sprinted with the man. And farther behind them was the dwarf. He was neither one of their bastards for he had a loving father of his own. He was falling behind the other two because his strides were shorter and his mass heavier. Although he breathed heavy, his feet were sore as they beat against the ground, and he was weary for they had gone days without food and rest just as those they pursued would have his heart thumped with pride and love for his friends although he did not look it as he fell behind.
"Come on Gimli!" Legolas called back to him.
"Ah I'm right behind you!" he hollered back "We dwarves can run for days through the darkness of mines and still long for more"
Aragorn slid across the dirt kicking up a small cloud of smoke as he did. Legolas came to his side doing the same and Gimli soon joined them coughing up a storm in the dust that engulfed him. The three of them stopped and observed their surroundings; rocky brown earth as tall mountains and hills surrounded them. Aragorn bent down to the ground.
"Aragorn?" Legolas questioned as he examined the dirt.
"Aragorn?" Gimli questioned himself.
"These are not their tracks" Aragorn's sharp voice finally spoke. He stood up tall and peered ahead with his friends. "Legolas what do you see?"
The elf took a step forward and examined the barren desert ahead. He took it all in gazing at the masses before them. He looked for any sign or trace of the Uru-kai
"I see nothing" he said coldly.
"Perhaps we've gone the wrong way" Gimli's said as his head went from side to side.
Legolas observed their surroundings some more "No" he paced "There's nothing, nothing here"
Gimli hung his head in defeat and shame. They've failed them. They couldn't keep up with the Uruk-hai and now Merry and Pippin will suffer horribly for it.
"No" Aragorn said refusing to belief it. As soon as he stood up he stormed away from them and looked around the dirt for more signs, any signs. He studied each grain of sand as he looked down as Gimli and Legolas looked on with only hope. Then suddenly Aragorn stopped. He knelt down again and got close to the ground.
Gimli and Legolas looked to each other before going to his side. They went over to him and that's when they saw it.
Tracks! Distinct tracks of a large grouping wandering through the desert.
"Could it be them?" Legolas asked
"There's only one way to know" Gimli grunted gripping his axe.
"I do not think so..." Aragorn said solemnly as he picked himself up. These tracks were made by something with smaller feet than those of Uruk-hai; it seemed like men. They were in a formation as well, something these Uruk-hai were unlikely to do. "If not perhaps they may help us" he said looking ahead. Then he sprinted forward with Legolas right behind him and Gimli falling behind, but still with them.
The three ran in that order further into the desert. Although Aragorn led the way Legolas looked farther ahead now more than ever. They raced across the desert and came upon a hill. They stormed up it with Aragorn ahead. When he reached the top he stopped dead in his tracks looking out to a brand new sight. Legolas soon joined him at his side. They seemed fixated on what was before them. Gimli after some extra strides stood with them panting and leaning on his axe.
"Now what with all the st-aaahhh" he gasped as he looked out in awe with his friends.
The three of them looked down upon an army of men marching through the desert. They obviously were not the Uruk-hai they were hunting. They marched in formation and were armed to the teeth. Flying above them were three winged beasts.
Taken back by this discovery they weren't sure whether they should go down and ask or turn around and run. But it didn't seem like they had a choice because a group of horsemen with their weapons drawn were charging at them from downhill.