Chapter 22:
Author's Notes: Moving on quickly. My thanks to Lolo06, lnkmstr, DaPhoenix and mutt009 (welcome btw) for reviewing the last chapter. Another one for you all! Oh, just in case you didn't know already, I don't own SON or the "A Song of Ice & Fire" series.
"Much has changed in Westeros since House Targaryen ruled these lands." Clay Carlin said. A foreboding man, of average height, but built for war. His eyes roamed over the newest arrivals to the Wall. They sat in a circle around him. The Dothkari warriors or barbarians as all Westeroi regarded them, a few from what he had been told was Slavers' Bay, an exiled knight, and lastly his little sister sitting with the last of the Targaryen House.
"We have heard that the Usurper…" Ashley began.
"King Robert," interjected Clay.
"Baratheon has died and now his son rules over Westeros. Surely he rules much the same as his father." Ashley continued.
"Not so, Your Grace." Ser Selmy Barristan said. "This boy currently pretending to be king is nothing but a puppet of his mother, Queen Cersei. My time at court showed me that Cersei, or should I say, the new Hand, Tywin Lannister, rules Westeros."
"And what of the rebellion? What news have you heard about those that have gone against this new monarch?" Ashley addressed Clay again.
"As far as we here know, the noblemen of the North along with Robert's brother, Stannis Baratheon, all want to remove the Lannisters from King's Landing. Who they will proclaim King after is still not known." Clay answered.
"What of Renly? During my time at King's Landing he seemed ready to claim the throne." Ser Barristan asked.
"Dead. By the hand of Stannis, if all the stories are to be believed."
"So who is left then?" Ashley spoke up again.
"My brother and those following from the North and Stannis, if you mean those against the Lannisters."
"Where is this brother of yours so I may speak to him as well?"
"Last I heard, he was at my grandfather's place, at Riverrun along with my mother and a few others."
"And those against? How many houses will be on the side of the Lannisters?"
"We know that the Martells, the Tyrells and House Arryn are allies of House Lannister. Houses Greyjoy and Frey have yet to support either side since we last heard news. These houses are the major houses in Westeros, apart from the houses of the North."
"So they will have many houses below them and thus, many men to fight for them."
"Yes."
Ashley stayed silent for awhile. She was glad that her bloodriders had kept he command to not interfere with this discussion. She had planned that only Selmy and herself would speak to Clay, and if needs be Spencer, but for the most part it would be between the three. "Thank you for your help in this, Carlin. I know you are still wary of what I can or will do but trust this, I have yet to back out of any promise and my word always holds true. We shall leave the Wall as soon as we can and begin the march to King's Landing. We will ensure that none will be able to link you as an ally to us. I will allude to the illusion that my army passed through the Wall from another sector and was behind you before anything could be done. Thank you again for your hospitality."
Clay nodded once in return. He watched as the last of House Targaryen rose from her seat and left the meeting hall to retire in her own room in Castle Black. Her men followed her, leaving behind only Spencer, his second-in-command and himself.
"Do you think it wise to trust her, my Lord? She is nothing but a little girl and who knows if she suffers from the taint of House Targaryen. We may have sentenced Westeros to a bleak future." Angus Stettard spoke as soon as the last man had left.
"I have heard you, Angus but I believe her when she says she means no harm except to claim what is hers and to be a better Queen than what Westeros has had to endure. Besides, the most important thing is that she has my sister's absolute loyalty and that is enough for me." Clay responded, watching his sister intently.
"And what say you to this, my Lady." Angus said as he faced Spencer.
"I am grateful that you trust my judgment on this Clay. She will not dishonor her word, that I can assure you of."
"Good. Angus, you may leave us. I want a word with my sister." As soon as the man left, Clay stood and went to sit by his sister. "Your judgment has always been true, that is why I have let her through without a fight. I know I have asked this already but can you tell me again why you are with one of the House Targaryen?"
"You know now that Father was executed and that he never committed treason. He was too strong in his belief of honour to ever do that. What I can tell you is why the branded him a traitor. I…stumbled upon something that I never thought possible except in the history books," she hesitated, "…and in the House Targaryen. Cersei and the Kingslayer, Jaime, are involved in an incestuous relationship and I believe that at least Aiden is not Robert's son, but Jaime's."
"Can this be proven?" Clay asked.
"I think that is what Father had been trying to do but somehow they must have found out and stopped any information from leaking."
"If that is the case, then no wonder Cersei cannot afford to let anyone know as it will denounce the Lannisters' hold on the throne, ruin the House Lannister and probably have her and her brother hung for treason against the king."
"What of Kyla? And Anthony? Is everyone still safe?"
"Kyla reached Riverrun unscathed, thanks to you and Anthony is still recovering at Winterfell."
Spencer reached down to stroke her brother's direwolf, instantly mourning for hers. "I am glad you still have him."
"He does keep me company. Did you notice how he accepted Ashley Stormborn? Another thing that convinced me she is honest in her endeavors. If she had meant me harm he would have never let her come near the Wall. Oh, that reminds me. Wait here."
Clay stood up and walked just outside the hall. Spencer could hear his low rumble a he spoke to someone by the door, who then walked away before he returned to her side.
"And how have you been faring?"
"Better every day. When I escaped King's Landing I feared the worst. Then I somehow managed to find myself placed right in the middle of the khalasar…"
"Khalasar?"
"Ashley's main guard and entourage. The man who took me in on Father's behalf, Ser Jorah Mormont, was one of her advisors. We had planned for her to never know who I was or what I was to pretend to be in the camp but she found out. I feared the worst again, knowing that most of her House was known to e ruthless and merciless but she spared me, even with all my lies against me. It took a long time for her to trust me again and I am thankful that I can know call her my friend again."
"You seem to like her. Very much." Clay said, clearly aware of what was going on between the two. His sister's blush only served to confirm this. "I see. I cannot fault you for who your heart decides to love Spencer. Swear to me that you will be careful."
"I can do that. I know that nothing further can happen as she is a queen and our law will insist she find a husband to provide an heir for the kingdom."
"Nothing is always that simple Spencer. She may yet surprise you."
She already has, thought the younger of the two. Their conversation was interrupted as another man entered the hall.
"My Lord, I have found her."
"Send her in." Clay answered.
Spencer looked up at the yelp that had emerged just outside the hall. A dark form ran into the hall and straight into her arms. "Phantom! How did you…" she could not continue as tears began to flow down her face.
"I found her, not too long ago, wandering in the woods, with a pack behind her. She came to me as soon as I called her and I decided to keep her until I found you again. As you can see she stayed, hoping to find you again as well."
Spencer hugged her brother. "Thank you Clay. I thought I had lost her for good," she whispered.
"Do not thank me Spencer. Thank her for knowing you would cross my way again and find each other," he replied as he watched the direwolf and his sister familiarize themselves to each other. "Is it true she has dragons?"
"What?" Spencer asked, distracted by the antics of Phantom.
"Ashley Stormborn. Some of the men swear they saw dragons in the sky."
"She does. Three. They are more like children than creatures. She kept them away from your men because she knew what fear could cause to those not familiar with them. And, they are growing so she would prefer them not to target your men or animals in any way."
"So she will be like the stories of old. Aegon and his sisters, riding forward on their dragons."
"She has no sisters that I know of," Spencer remarked, amusement colouring her voice.
"No she does not but she may take a partner or two to join her on her dragons once they are big enough." And if she feels the same way about you that you feel about her, Clay thought, I may see my sister ride a dragon. A dragon, by Gods!
"She may."
"She may indeed. In any case, she seems wise enough to fulfill this path she has chosen."
"Will you aid her?"
"I cannot leave the Wall, Spencer. We have had past battles with the wildlings who come from the forest, trying to enter Westeros. Who knows when they shall return? If you want to know if I will ally myself with the Lannisters, then I can assure you it will never happen."
"But in your…you said you were going to act in the name of your king, Aiden, and he is a Lannister." Spencer asked, confused by Clay's statement.
"I only did that because I was not entirely sure who I was dealing with. Before I became the Commander of the Wall, I tried to join Glen's forces against the Lannisters. I failed, then I was approached by Stannis Baratheon who wanted me to join my forces with his, in exchange for lordship over Winterfell. I refused. I will not stop her from entering Westeros nor will I aid anyone who is against her. But my men and I stay here. We shall be watching the rear," he ended with a smile.
"I cannot disagree with that."
"Will you go with her once you reach Winterfell?"
"I swore loyalty to her, Clay. With or without my emotions, I swore to protect her so I will go with her until the end."
"Swear to me again you will be careful. When this is all over I want to be able to see you still alive and well." Clay insisted.
"I swear. And you should keep yourself alive as well, dear brother. I also want to be able to sleep easier knowing you are alive."
Clay grinned as he stood. "Now that we have reached an accord, let us find our beds. The days to come will be longer than we all suspect."
A little bit of a break…then onwards and upwards. Things are getting exciting now, aren't they? I'm the writer and even I'm excited!!!