Warning: This chapter is rated M, Viewer discretion is advised.
Chapter 13
2 hours later at Harrenhal
TYWIN
After a fit of rage in receiving the letters of ransom for his twins, Lord Tywin was headed to his chambers when he caught a glimpse of a young maiden with hair of sunshine gold in a bloodied dress but when he looked back to where she stood there was no one there. He entered his chambers, rid himself of his armour and went straight to his bed.
He was riding home to Casterly Rock at that time he came upon the same young maiden as she spoke:
"Have you ever loved and lost someone, my lord?"
"Yes, I have" he replied
"Good" she said then continued
"Look ahead and tell me what you see" she said
"Casterly Rock, the seat of House Lannister" Lord Tywin said with obvious pride
"Are you so sure? Look again, my lord and what do you see" she said then she lifted her hand and waved.
Lord Tywin watched as his home was destroyed. The earth has devoured Casterly Rock and waves of the Sunset Sea swallowed Lannisport.
"What sorcery is this?" Tywin demanded
"Not sorcery, my lord; Justice." the girl corrected him
"Witch, I demand you undo this witchcraft. Bring back Casterly Rock" Tywin demanded
"Then give me back my cousin. The boy I raised as my own, a lonely traveller and an innocent killed by your dog in this senseless war your offspring started" the girl raged
"That is not within my power" he uttered
"Just as raising from rubble what the Earthshaker has claimed. My lord must learn to never incur my wrath. Let this be a lesson to you that men are insatiable, power-hungry beings but what power they can grasp will never protect them from the wrath of the gods. " she said then she disappeared
He was roused from his sleep by his brother Ser Kevan, who had urgent news from the Westerlands
"The Ironborn have invaded Lannisport and the Rock suffered the shaking of the earth. Most of the upper part of castle is destroyed."
The day before in Winterfell
Two weeks ago, Sansa came home to visit her aunt and announced that she was having a babe. She travelled north with her husband Lord Theon Greyjoy, who became Lord of the Iron Islands when his father died in his sleep and his sister Yara, died of illness. Theon who was joining the war, wanted his children to be born in Winterfell and that he will be there for Sansa during the birth. One night, Sansa recieved a package delivered by Velkan, the new shield of Lady Armea, and attached to the package was a letter;
"Forgive us for what danger that will come your way. To protect the life that you carry within you. For the love you bear your child, never take this off"
Heeding the letter's warning she quickly put it on.
A two weeks later, Theon's fleet arrived at Barrowton, Sansa went with Theon to Barrowton where his ships await him.
"Must you go?" Sansa whimpered
"I must make sure that my family by law will come home safely, love. I'm doing this for you and for our little one." Theon said
"I want them back. I want to see Dany become part of our family." Sansa said whimsically
"And you will" Theon chuckled
"Be safe" Sansa pleaded as she threw her arms around him
"Always. Take care of my heart for I leave it with you and our little one." Theon whispered then kissed Sansa passionately.
Sansa tearfully removed herself from her husband as he boarded his ship, Sea Bitch. She watched as the ship left the harbour while fighting the urge to swim after her husband and waved as the ship had reached the open seas then she saw no more. As the Ironborn ships brave the open sea, Theon watched as the waves slowly took him away from Sansa. Then to his terror, he watched as his wife was being manhandled by Joffery Lannister into a clipper which held the colors of House Lannister. Dark azure eyes watched as the events to place and flew south to inform the Young Wolf and Lionheart
ROBB
Riverrun, three hours later
Robb was reading reports from the battle and the North in his tent, when a messenger entered with a grave expression and spoke:
"My lord, I apologize for such awful news."
"Pray, speak your mind." Robb said
"They have Lady Sansa Stark-Greyjoy. Joffery Lannister deserted the Night's Watch and abducted her. She was visiting your aunt in Winterfell when she went with her husband to Barrowton to see him off when that gold headed shit took her to Lannisport." the messenger said
"Send a scout to look for my cousin and Lord Caspian." Robb ordered
"My lord, there is something you should know. She is with child. Lord Greyjoy, your good brother has launched an attack on Lannisport to retrieve her from the Lannister bastard." the messenger said
"My order remains the same. Now go." Robb said
"Yes, my lord. Right away." the messenger said as he scurried off
NESSARHOSE
She left Storm's End with haste and used her magic to haunt Tywin in Harrenhall. After leaving Tywin with the words of death and revenge she fled from the burnt castle with aid from her great-uncle. They went to the west and met the Ironborn. Nessarose aided Theon Greyjoy in infiltrating Lannisport and then flew to Casterly Rock. With the help of her great-uncle they summoned an earthquake.
"I am glad to help my favourite great-niece but we must go." her great-uncle said
"One moment" Rose said then screamed until all the windows broke then Earthshaker grabbed her, took her on his shoulders and jumped out of the castle
From the woods along the Gold Road, she watched with satisfaction as the earth shook the cliffs of Casterly Rock and as the Ironborn invaded Lannisport. Then with a heavy heart, she walked towards the warmth of the forest underneath the canopied glade. There stood her mother, the fair and divine Lady Cypris, who drew her grieving daughter into her warm embrace as the girl wept and gave her some words of comfort
"Well done. I am proud of you and so is your great-uncle. He says you are your mother's daughter before you came here. He enjoyed partly destroying that godsforsaken castle." Cypris congratulated her
"I failed him. I did not reach him in time." Rose cried
"Hush, I am sure that he is at peace, walking along the fields of Eternal Rest. He maybe your cousin but he is proud to call you mother for you are the one who raised him and mothered him throughout his life. Now that the Westerlands are in the brink of utter ruin, it is time to kill that filthy dog." Cypris said revealing her uncle's sword
"Will I be the one to kill him?" Rose asked with her tear-stained eyes gleaming with anticipation
"No, the Silver Prince needs the dog's head to placate the Dornish for the rape and murder of their beloved Elia. Rhaegar must be the one to kill him but only divinity or those of celestial blood can wield Athánatos, the sword that cuts but never kills. I will risk my father's wrath if need be but I simply want House Lannister to suffer the same pain that they inflicted upon us when Clegane cleaved Lyndon in half." Cypris seethed but then relaxed as she said
"Here, give it to your godfather" Cypris said
"Why him?! He only mentored the boy; I was the one who mothered him when his father could not." Rose said obviously enraged
"Because he doesn't act like a child and he is not ruled by his emotions. And I am your mother, I decide, not you." Cypris said raising her voice like a mother berating her daughter
"All right, mother." She said as she turned
"Good, now fly away." Cypris said.
"Goodbye mother" Rose said as she used her magic to take her back to the camps near River Road.
CYPRIS
As she watched her daughter flew to the east. She heard a voice in the shadows.
"She is so like you, my lady." Liam said while standing on a branch
Startled, she turned and saw Liam jumped off the branch, landed on the balls of his feet then leaned his back on a tree. Though he had a blank expression in his face, Cypris could tell that he is very put out.
"Spying on others again, dear Liam?" Cypris said
"Of course, it's a talent and you very well know that I am the best" he smugly said as she rolled her eyes as a response. Then he continued.
"And you, dear Cypris; Using your own children for your whims and schemes. Again."
"She is my child, I will do as I please!" she said, as she felt outraged.
"True, but she was raised by one of my oldest friends. One of your lovers whom you love so greatly, or so you claim. Your actions prove otherwise to contradict said "fact"." He stated
"How dare you question my love for him?!" she screamed
"Then why did you use Rose as a mere tool? Need I remind you that she is his daughter, and yours." He asked calmly with a hint of anger in his eyes
"Why do care for her so much? She is not of your blood or of your kin" she fumed sounding like a jealous maiden.
"Because not only is she his daughter but she is yours. She is you in every sense. He gave the seed but she takes from you the most." Liam confessed
As he said those words with such sincerity, Cypris was taken aback but he did not stop.
"I cannot bear to see her pain for she reminds me too much of you." Liam said, slowly slipping into silence.
At that moment Cypris' anger dissipated and she was slowly filled with guilt and thrill. They stared into each other's eyes, for what seemed like hours though only mere moments had past. He slowly moved towards her and their lips met. It was a kiss filled with sadness and crushing understanding
"If she reminded you of me, why did you leave me long ago?" Cypris asked
"I am more bound to my duty than I am bound to the affections I hold in my heart." Liam said
"You will never change; will you, O Guardian of Order? Once a heartless man, always a heartless man and yet now you have shown me that a heartless man can love." she blurted out
"I am not without a heart, I am without mercy when provoked" he said
She tried to reach out to him but he spoke.
"It pains me to see her grief for one who is not even dead. I know that Lyndon is very much alive as you and I. Why did you hide his immortality from Nessarhose?"
"He wanted this. Tywin Lannister killed his lover during the rebellion of House Reyne. He wanted to live a human when he lost Raiza Reyne so he sealed his immortal soul and was reborn as a son of my brother. Nessarhose was three and ten when Lyndon was reborn a human. My brother gave Lyndon to Nessarhose to mother but Lyndon never forgot Raiza and swore to exact his vengeance upon House Lannister." Cypris said
"You helped him. Have you gone blind to what has happened to your daughter?" he pointed out
"No." she said
"Now you've really done it, you should not have interfered with my task. I am warning you Cypris, you will rue the next time you meddle with my charge. Not even our past nor my respect for you will stop me from doing what must be done and I will not hold back." Liam warned her then she flinched as she watched him leave.
Then a hooded figure appeared and said
"Come home with me, my dear niece. Though you wanted vengeance for the brutal 'killing' of Lyndon, you should not have provoked his anger." the figure said
"I care not, uncle. Just take me home." Cypris said as a single tear dropped from her eye, as they disappeared into the night. Little did they know that there were dark azure eyes watching from above
LIAM
Jon was teaching Rose how to protect herself while Rhaegar watched as he was sharpening his twin swords, at the same time as Lord Liam was sparring with Tristram (more like "mauling" poor Tristram!) in a clearing away from the camp while waiting for Velkan whom he had summoned from Winterfell to hear of any news regarding the movements of the Ironborn.
"I must say master, the tears were very convincing." Tristram commended as he attacked Liam
"But of course, performer must always play their parts with the utmost passion." Liam responded steadily while dodging Tristram's attack and swung his sword towards Tristram
"Master, May I point out that with the death of Master Lyndon, I am concerned about how this will affect the Young Mistress?" Tristram said as he blocked Liam's attack with his own sword, feeling the force of the strike and struggling to keep up his guard
"So do I but fret not for things happen for a reason; Even if they were made to be but not fated so." Liam retorted while continuously attacking Tristram.
"I suppose you are correct, master" Tristram grunted trying desperately to block the continuous attacks from his master and failing.
Then, as if a gift from the goddess, Velkan finally arrived with moonlight shining as he descended to ground, which ended Tristram's torment. At this moment, if Tristram were a woman, he or "she" would have kissed Velkan with much joy and gratitude. Tristram sighed in relief, when Lord Liam dismissed him. As he trudged towards the camp, all he wanted to do is to lay in his tent and rest.
"Finally!" Liam said sounding irritated
"Where is Lady Calcaire?" Velkan asked
"None of your business" Liam snapped
"I smell death and sorrow" Velkan said nonchalantly
"Indeed you do, things have gotten out of hand since I saw you last" Liam calmly replied
"Ser, is that why you were beating the life out of poor Tristram" Velkan said with concern
"He will get over it. Though, I did not mean to beat him that much; I needed an outlet for my frustrations with the events." Liam shrugged then continued
"Speaking which, what news from the North?"
"Under Lady Lyanna's guidance Young Brandon seems to be handling Winterfell smoothly with the help of Lady Rhaenys. Lady Sansa is with child for 8 moons during her visit to Winterfell but she was abducted by Joffery Lannister in Barrowton when she went with Greyjoy see him off before his voyage, who took her to Lannisport. I couldn't do anything because of daylight. It was right of you to have Balon Greyjoy breath the murdering miasma of the Evadesian ash killing him in his sleep and have his daughter slowly poisoned using Helianna's breath before the funeral of Viserys." Velkan commented
"All my actions have their purpose, even if without meaning." Liam said whispering the end of his sentence
"Now that Theon is the Lord of the Iron Islands, under his command the Ironborn are launching an attack on the Westerlands and save his wife and his honor." Velkan reported
"At last, someone with higher intelligence other than Tyrion Lannister, the former ward has promise in strategy. Keep me informed of their movements." Liam said
"Then you should know that the Ironborn are attacking Lannisport even as we speak. I also crossed paths with a young maiden with eyes crazed by grief and vengeance before the destruction of Casterly Rock, by her side was the Earthshaker. They entered the castle and her companion called forth the waves of the north and the wind of storms, which shook Casterly Rock apart. However, only the towers and windows were destroyed."
"Let me guess; after which they jumped out of the windows with the maiden on the Earthshaker's shoulder" Liam said with sarcasm and annoyance
"Exactly, ser" Velkan confirmed then Liam thought to himself
"I know she hates windows but what was her problem with the towers? Unless Casterly Rock looks like that accursed place" Liam thought
"Velkan, what does Casterly Rock look like?" Liam asked
"Do you have parchment and ink?" Velkan asked as a reply
Liam snapped his fingers, and then Tristram came running from the camp with some parchment and ink. Velkan pulled out a quill from his back then proceeded to draw Casterly Rock on the parchment using Tristram's back as a table (Strangely though, Tristram did not mind).
"It would be troublesome if Tristram becomes besotted with Velkan, Rosie would not like that one bit, her and her mother would drown him in the ocean, by which, of course I will stop them, which will redirect their anger to me. I think I need to have a long talk with Tristram after the fight." Liam thought with a troubled smile and irritably slightly scratched behind his neck, while sighing deeply.
When Velkan finished, Liam saw the drawing and it stirred a memory from centuries past
FLASHBACK
5 Centuries Ago
Liam's fist connected with a man's face as his rage was poured in a single blow then he grabbed the man's collar and said
"Where is she? Where is Cypris' daughter?"
"You will never find the girl." the man panted as he spit at Liam
"I suggest you cooperate or you will suffer a fate worse than death" Liam said calmly
"What will you do if I don't?" he mocked him
Liam smirked then the man started to scream in agony as he felt his limbs being torn from their sockets, his organs being sliced from the inside, his bones slowly being crushed, his eyes torn from his face, all of which he healed in order to repeat the torture, which he did a hundred times. He felt the time slow as the pain seared throughout his body in what seemed like a thousand years but really a mere breath was then he spoke weakly;
"She is at the Forbidden Tower guarded by the General."
"Good man" Liam said, with a smirk, as he turned himself into a frightening human-like beast, with a muscular body, over eight feet tall, armoured skin with the appearance of bone, sharp-elongated claws, a long dragon-like tail, a dragon's skull for a head, with cold, blood red eyes. He roared ferociously as he left towards the tower.
There was an army surrounding the tower where she was being held. She could not use her magic due to the poison forced upon her in small doses during her capture. She was bound to a stake with her hands tied above her head. Tristram entered the room and found his master's godchild about to be used. He unsheathed his sword and crossed the room. .As the general approached her, she stiffed as she felt his horrid breath on the milky white skin of her neck. He forcibly kissed, enjoying her futile attempts to resist. She screamed as felt him enter her but before he could do anything to her, she felt something warm on her belly as he stopped so suddenly. She opened her eyes to see Tristram's sword penetrated through his chest. Tristram removed the general's body as he realized that she was naked and bathed in the man's blood.
"He is on his way, my lady." Tristram said as the doors were destroyed revealing Liam in his human form
"You took very long, my lord." The girl said sounding pissed still bound to the post
"Why don't you try fighting an entire army alone, my dear? Besides if I have to fight I might as well enjoy it." Liam said as he sniffed the air and continued;
"By the goddess, Tristram, untie her from her bonds, have her drink this antidote, and please get her cleaned. She reeks of that idiot and I don't want her mother to see her in this state. I will never hear the end of it, if she finds out what happened to her precious seastar." Liam said
"Avert your eyes if you still want to see, Tristram" the girl said as Tristram was shaking in his boots while he did what he was told.
After Tristram untied her from the stake, cleaned her and gave her his robe and cloak to cover herself. She then nonchalantly walked towards Liam, slapped him hard in the face and said
"That was for taking your time, my lord" With her hand still on his face. She stood in front of him and continued
"And this, is for saving me" she whispered as she stood on the tips of her toes.
She caressed his cheeks, pressed her lips on his and gave him a soft yet passionate kiss. Somewhat taken aback he took advantage of her distraction and removed all the signs of her being used and tainted. She felt a slight tingling sensation but dismissed it, thinking it was caused by the kiss. After the kiss, she was surprised that she felt clean as she pulled herself away; she nodded in gratitude then started to walk out of the tower through the window.
Liam shook his head and said
"Just like her mother" then he looked toward Tristram (who was still in shock at the scene he just witnessed) and smirked. Then the girl called them from outside.
"Well, aren't you coming? I cannot leave without your assistance." She said
Liam nodded then dragged a catatonic Tristram with him out of the tower surrounded by the mutilated bodies of the soldiers of a once grand army.
END OF FLASHBACK
"I should have known that she would hate the place that reminded her of that hellhole." Liam said
"She?" Velkan asked
"The woman you saw was Nessarhose." Liam said in a grave voice
Velkan was shocked by the revelation then he looked to the horizon.
"Ser, the sun is raising, I must go back to the North" Velkan said as his eyes shined like the summer sky of white-blue and he turn into a shadow of pure darkness with eyes of the darkest azure and flew North.
Liam walked towards the camps and waited for his companions to wake up.
5 hours later
JON
Jon woke up to the smell of bread and venison stew, he saw Rose giving a very haggard-looking Tristram, a bowl of steaming venison stew and a mug of ginger ale. Liam and Rhaegar were instructing the men to pack up camp. Jon helped himself to a loaf of bread and some water and asked;
"Why have you come here, Rose? Aren't you supposed to be at Storm's End?"
"As much as I enjoy helping Daenerys with the wedding, I swore to her that I'd keep you all of you alive, I've a promise to keep and I want to see Clegane lose his head with my own eyes." Rose said with a fury as she cleaned out the food and loaded them on to a wagon.
Jon looked at Tristram who shrugged.
"Clegane killed her favourite cousin" Tristram said with an emotionless voice
"I understand your pain. Queen Cersei had killed most of my half siblings in fear of pretenders to the throne, however her own spawn were the true pretenders having no trace of Baratheon blood in their veins." Jon said to Rose
"This world you live in is twisted in every way. Your queen murders children where she is meant to protect the children of this realm. She is mother to the realm whether true-born or base-born, being a mother herself it is her duty to protect and defend her children and her people. And a knight who slaughters the innocent and rapes women where he swore to protect the innocent and womankind are to be treated with kindness. My cousin was only passing through and yet his blood waters the ground on which we stand. When will all this madness cease? When winter comes pray that the gods have mercy on this land for the second Long Night is upon this world's doorstep." Rose said
"I do not understand, Lady Calcaire." Jon said
"Never mind. You know nothing, Jon Baratheon" Rose said as she walked towards her mare and mounted up.
They rode the next village will all haste. As they were nearing the village they were shocked to find it burning. Rhaegar was enraged to find Clegane dishonouring a woman in the middle of the clearing for his men to see. Rose was weeping in sympathy and cringing at the memory the scene brought back. Jon approached Rose and comforted the friend of his love.
"Rose, look away" Jon whispered as she obeying and hide behind Lord Liam.
Jon looked at Liam and was surprised to see that his face was a blank. Though he showed no emotion but Jon saw the intense rage behind his empty eyes. Rhaegar impulsively commanded the disguised Dothraki bloodriders to annihilate Clegane's men. Jon and Tristram fought alongside the Dothraki.
"Addrivat!" Rhaegar yelled as he and his men slaughtered the Lannistermen
Rose tapped Liam on the shoulder and asked;
"Well aren't you going to do something, godfather?" Rose prompted
"I'm going to but ladies first" Liam said as she prepare to move when he stopped her
"Wait a moment, I believe your mother left something in your care that I must put to use." he said then she lifted the skirt of her dress up to her thigh where she tied the hilt of Athánatos to conceal the precious sword with a silken cord.
"Get it if you need it" she challenged him
He sighed and grasped her right hand and spun her towards him causing her to gasp. He reached into her skirt, snapped the cord, and grabbed the hilt.
"Just like your mother, you are minx, my dear. You had your fun, now get the girl." He sighed
"Je vous en prie" Rose said giddily
Suddenly Rose disappeared and so did the girl Clegane was ravaging then Liam attacked Clegane on his side with inhumane force, causing Clegane to catch a glimpse of Rose tending to his victim.
"That is for dishonouring a young girl in front of your men" Liam said sheepishly
"You dare attack a knight" Clegane raged
"A knight, you say? All I see is an untamed imbecile. A dog that is your sigil is more intelligent than you."Liam retorted
"You will pay for insulting me, you pathetic whoreson" Clegane yelled
"Truly, you do not know who you are up against and never will you know, even after your death" Liam said then called out
"Athánatos, ela se mena" then blade appeared shining like the light of the midnight sun then he said as his eyes lit up with excitement
"Oh, how I love this sword" (Think cute chibi-anime boy with big gray eyes, holding a very dangerous sword.)
Fuelled by his rage with his sword raised above his head, Clegane charged at Liam who blocked the attack with ease and did not even flinch, much to Clegane's chagrin. He bombarded Liam with violent blows, swinging his sword with all his strength. However all of his strikes were blocked by Liam.
"You are but a fucking craven, who won't even attack. After I kill you, I will take that white headed girl and fuck her senseless until she can't walk." Clegane promised
When Clegane said those words, Liam's eyes were filled with menacing fury. Thinking that his opponent was distracted, Clegane charged but was suddenly pushed 8 feet back. Getting his second wind, Clegane noticed that Liam stood on where he was standing not a moment ago and he felt that his chest plate was completely shattered then felt the harsh sting of clean air on his face and felt the familiar warm substance of blood dripping along his neck. Liam dashed with blinding speed and showered Clegane with slashes and strikes. As Liam halted the assault, Clegane stood armour-less, bloodied and covered with slices and bruises. (Imagine a torn ragdoll bathed in blood)
"Is that the best you fucking go-?" Clegane said as blood flowed from his mouth.
"Be thankful I'm showing you mercy that you do not deserve. Arrogance will be the death of you, Clegane. You may be one of the strongest men but you are worthless than dust of the weakest of the foes I have faced in all my years. At least most of them had honour, you have nothing. You are nothing!" Liam said, still devoid of emotion but speaking with hate and disgust in his voice.
Enraged by his words Clegane tried, with all of his will, to lift his sword, but before he could even flinch, he felt his chest burst open. As he looked down, he saw a large gash on chest with blood spewing from it, like a geyser. Liam stood a few feet behind Clegane, with his sword lift above towards his side dripping with blood.
"You are lucky; I am not the one who is meant to kill you, because I can do far worse than I did." Liam said, as Clegane fell on his back, his eyes wide open, in shock.
Rhaegar stepped forward, took off his golden blonde hair and revealed his Targaryen heritage. Clegane stared as he thought he has seen the dead come back to life. The Silver Prince stood above the bloodied Clegane and spoke;
"Ser Gregor Clegane, years ago I knighted you, but a few years after granting you that honour. You defiled and murdered my wife. Now you lie at my feet and completely at my mercy, but I will not give you any. For I shall avenge my lady wife, give her soul the peace she deserves."
Rhaegar raised his sword and prepared to chop Clegane's head off.
"Any last words?" Rhaegar said
"FUCK-" Clegane choked as his head lopped off
"You" Rhaegar finishes for him then continued
"You never should have bit the hand fed you, you fucking dog."
After which, he pick up the severed head of Gregor Clegane and prepared to bring it to Dorne.