Chapter 15
Riverrun
The night before leaving for Storm's End
Robb was at the main hall going over a few plans with his great-uncle Brynden "Blackfish" Tully, when he heard a voice. He stood from where he sat to look out the window, he saw a girl with pale gold locks and eyes as blue as sea after a storm, walking on the battlements and was reminded of Lady Calcaire. As if the girl felt his presence, she turned to face him and Robb was shocked when he saw Rose's face but knew that the girl before him was not Nessarhose Calcaire but possessed an uncanny resemblance to Rose. Enthralled by the man before her as she glimpsed white wings from a far and felt a pain in her chest, the girl accidentally slipped from the walls, when she saw Robb. Without a second thought, Robb crossed the floor and jumped into the cold waters after the mysterious enchantress. Robb opened his eyes and swam towards the girl. Reaching her, he fought the current until he reached the surface and laid the girl on the banks near the Water Gate. He noticed that the girl's lips were pale so he desperately checked for signs of life and found that the girl was not breathing so he put one hand over the other and compressed girl's chest 15 times after blowing air into her mouth, giving her the kiss of life. After one cycle, his effort to save the girl's life was not in vain. The girl coughed out water and after few moments she began to breathe normally.
"King Robb Stark" the girl breathed as he noticed that she was bleeding
"Who are you?" Robb asked
"Giulianna Argos" she gasped as she coughed
"Don't move you're bleeding" he said as he ripped his sleeve and pressed the cloth to staunch the blood flow
"Leave it, I'll be fine my king." She whispered to him
"But-" he started but she pressed her finger to his lips
"Thank you for saving me I wish someday we will meet again and it will be soon." she whispered then as she disappeared in the air, Robb felt a pain in his heart and longing as she was gone completely and saw a dove fly by.
Blackfish witnessed Robb's bravery in saving the girl, but was unfazed by the girl's disapparition when he approached his drenched and mystified great-nephew.
"Well done, your Grace." Blackfish praised
"Who was she? What is she?" Robb asked
"Giulianna Argos, my ward. I think you've met her relative Lady Rose Calcaire. Giuly is the daughter of a dear old friend who rests in peace four and ten years passed and a man your late uncle Brandon should not have shown mercy for your mother's sake." Blackfish revealed
"How did she become your ward?" Robb asked
"Her mother died in the childbed in my arms after she begged me to save her infant daughter. I kept my promise, raised hear as my own and protected her from her father. She grew up in my care since. She was a friend to your sister Sansa and your good brother Lord Greyjoy. They send letters to each other from time to time"
Olyvar Frey brought the horses near the banks.
"My lord Blackfish, it is time." The squire said with thoughts of confusion as he witnessed his lord's whole encounter with the Argos girl.
" Your Grace, we must go your men are waiting." Blackfish said
"What of the prisoners?" Robb asked the Frey boy
"In their sealed cages, your grace." Olyvar replied
"Good. See that they do not escape." Robb ordered
"Yes, your grace" the Frey boy said as he went off
"Where did she go?" Robb breathed
"To her fate, for it lies with you now." Blackfish sighed as he saw the same mark on Giuly's left breast appear on his great-nephew's own breast as blood smeared on Robb's jerkin.
Lannisport
Ten minutes later
THEON
Theon was looking over the map of the Westerlands in the castle of Lannisport when the embers from the grate were ablaze and a blue eyed girl with pale gold tresses appeared on the open window clad in a short black dress, leaving Theon with a shocked expression at seeing his old friend from Riverrun.
"Giuly, it's been a long time since I saw you last. By the gods, you are a work of art" He said
"You rascal! Nine years ago, you are merely a ward of House Stark along with Daenerys Targaryen being sent to Riverrun for a year to study under Lord Hoster. Now, you are the lord husband of Princess Sansa Greyjoy of House Stark and a father to be." She retorted
"Time flies, my lady but it has no power over your kind. I hear your mistress rides with the Northerners. Would you like some wine?" Theon said offering her a glass of wine
"Thank you though I am not here for the wine. My mistress rides with the Starks as do I. Sadly, Lady Rose is currently in Dorne. King Robb needs you at Storm's End in ten days." Giulianna said as she took a sip
"I'll be there." Theon replied as the back of his hand touched her skin
Giulianna gasped as she saw multiple visions where it ended with Theon holding his wife in his arms, Cersei Lannister screaming and blood spilt on the ground.
"What happened? What did you see?" Theon said as Giulianna felt the visions take their toll.
"Keep your men in the coasts and for the meantime cease the attack on Lannisport" Giulianna said with an intimidating voice as her blue eyes glowed white.
"Why in the Seven Kingdoms would I do that? These gold-headed shits took my wife to only the gods know where. The least I can do is invade their lands to find her." Theon scoffed
Giuly felt the pent-up rage of her mistress flowing through her and attacked Theon holding him in a chokehold.
"Giuly?" Theon choked out as he saw Giulianna's eyes turn gold, he realized that Rose spoke through Giulianna.
"You will do this for I swear in the name of Styx that if you don't, it will create a greater problem for us all and when that happens, I will send your soul to the halls of my great-uncle and you will never see your wife and child again."
Presently, in Storm's End
Velkan took Rose into her chamber when he recognized the excruciating scent of incense. He struggled to place Rose's body into the bed (imagine Rose, who is 5'6 lying on a twenty-foot deep pool filled with Kythirean waters from which she was born) but failed to reach the door when the smell became too much for him as he slumped to the floor unconscious. The moment Rose's body reached the bottom; her eyes opened and glowed with the light of a thousand stars. Four minutes later, Liam enters the chamber to find Velkan lying on the side of Rose's bed and found a maid with light blonde hair and silver-blue eyes caressing Velkan's hair while listening to Rose's voice singing;
"There'll be no ties of time and space to bind us and no horizons we cannot pursue. We'll leave this world's misfortunes far behind us and I will put my faith and trust in you. Sweet Giulianna, I entrust my body to you and take care of him."
As the voice drifted into nothingness, a tear fell from Velkan's eyes then Liam spoke;
"Child, do you know everything that happened tonight?"
"I witnessed Lady Targaryen's wedding here and back home. Very impressive I must add. Other than that, I know not the rest. Unless, is there something else I should know?" the girl replied
"Since you asked, Velkan had committed a grave blunder that could have disrupted the very fabric of time." Liam replied coldly
"Must you make him suffer? Sending my mistress to a fleeting death and tricking Velkan to take her body into her chambers filled with incense. You could have killed him and Lady Rose will never forgive you for it!" the girl yelled
"But he did not; he will live. However, there is an urgent matter that we need to address. Tell me, what does Dys want with Robb Stark?" Liam asked
"I do not know what you are talking about." Giulianna denied
"During the wedding, I saw Thanatus' shadow upon him." Liam exclaimed
"My lady has not spoken with her great-uncle Dys in 5 years." she breathed as she her legs no longer had the strength to support her weight
"I think SHE is exactly behind this. Cypris intends to use Robb Stark's growing attraction towards Rose and create a greater mess altogether just to please her new lover, Ariz." Liam hypothesized
"But how?" the girl asked
"Good grief! Do use your brain and your gift, Doe eyes!" Liam huffed then thought to himself. "She is far too submissive. She may look like Rosie but the only thing that sets them apart is that Rosie has a will of her own and is stubborn like her mother."
Then she had a vision of blood
"I see a wedding painted with blood in a castle with a bridge and two children captured in their own home waiting for their doom, I hear the cries of a grieving mother and I smell the stench of traitors and of death." the girl described as tears flowed from her eyes when she saw Robb's fate in the hands of the Freys.
"The Freys! By using the feelings Robb holds for Rose, she is counting on the fact that Robb might just break his promise to Walder Frey. Instead of marrying from Frey's brood, Cypris made certain that Robb will choose Rose, with that she has sentenced Robb Stark to death." Liam said
"No, we have to find a way to save him. Please!" the girl begged
Liam notice a wound above her left breast and realized
"You've met him before and now, your life is bound to his."
"He saved my life when I first met him. Please, your eminence, do something." the girl pleaded
"Damn you Erius! Great now I'm dealing with a girl with the reverse of the Florence Nightingale effect" Liam cringed internally then said
"I cannot meddle with fate, my dear. But you must save the boy if you truly want him to live. You promised Lady Arianna before she gave up her immortality to be with Markus Stark that you will protect House Stark for they are her family. I will help you but this is your promise to keep, sweet Giulianna. I will give you more time to think. If you'll excuse me" Liam stood up
"Where are you going, your eminence?" Giulianna asked
"To straighten Dys out." Liam huffed out then remembered Velkan
"Before I forget, help him in his own chambers will you?" pointing to Velkan
Giulianna nodded then he looked at Rose's form in the pool looking peaceful as if she is only asleep, Liam hummed her mother's lullaby. Leaning into the pool, he lifted Rose and kissed her forehead and erased the memory of the future that Velkan held when Rose kissed him then placed a bouquet of the rarest roses in the known world, preserved by a spell that keeps them fresh forever, in Rose's hands before covering the pool with glass as he nodded to Giulianna, who was dragging Velkan out of the room.
Cypris' home in Kythira
LIAM
Liam dropped his human guise and was in the form of a guardian clad in white-sky blue armor looking much like a knight with four shinning angelic wings on his back (The upper wings slightly bigger than that of the bottom pair) and flew to the home of Lady Cypris. She was walking along the hedge maze with her lover, Ariz who eventually left to tend to his charge in Lacedaemon. Liam craftily reshaped the hedges in order to trap the beautiful Cypris and sealed himself with her. Realizing that she was trapped she tried to fly out of the maze but Cypris felt a force that kept her from flying and knew that it was him.
"My! What an unparalleled delight to see you like this! Have you come to beg me to take you back, dearest Liam?" Cypris chirped
"Hold your tongue, woman or I'll hold it for you." Liam said
"You dare-!" Cypris seethed in outrage
"Yes, I dare because you are vain, selfish, overly jealous and egotistical and you have no understanding of what it is about being a mother. What has that imbecilic idiot planted in that head of yours? Why can't you let your daughter be? Why include the boy in this madness?" Liam interrupted
"Harsh words for a gentleman, Liam. That adorable idiot's name is Ariz and he suggested that I made it too easy for those fools to think they have won. Did you really think I would let her be? She is my daughter and she is meant for great things but Ariz and I want to test her to see if she was worth your time and efforts to protect; and to delay her success. Robb Stark is the perfect guinea pig for my plans. I'd like to see how long before that hateful fire in her eyes burns out. I will snuff out that light until Caliz has no power over her. As you said she is mine in every way save Caliz's temperament and self-control." Cypris revealed
"Rose is the best of you and Caliz but she is more mature thanks to my guidance but I made a mistake in letting Caliz follow his heart and pursue you. To think Caliz loves you with all his heart in order for him to watch you make his daughter suffer and take his love for you for granted. No matter how much he still loves you, you still seek love from someone else. Truly, you are a goddess of love and yet you know not the meaning of the word. You think that you are at an advantage well you are sorely mistaken. The tables have turned, my lady. Even Erius despises you for your treatment of his favorite sister, look at who your son's arrows have hit." Liam smirked
"You didn't!" Cypris uttered in shock
"I did. Your precious Giulianna's life is now bound to the Stark boy's so think about who you are sacrificing in exchange for the suffering of your own daughter. Would you send one of your own in the halls of Dys, Cypris? I think not. If you don't love Rose then at least have a heart and spare young Giulianna. She is so young. You've lost Arianna to your magic when she bound herself to Markus Stark." Liam pointed out
"Well played, Liam but this game has just begun" Cypris declared
"So be it" Liam said and left Cypris trapped in the maze and surrounded her home with a shield from Cypris' own father which will seal and contain her powers for the next three days.
CALIZ
Caliz watched as Liam flew by.
"You have 10 minutes to bring her to your daughter. She needs to see the result of her foolishness that forced me to kill my godchild. I care about Rosie, Caliz. Your ray of pure sunshine is one apprentice that I am most proud of teaching. She is a true maiden of Kythira and of Andalucia." Liam thought to Caliz
He went through the barrier and approached the love of his life and the mother of his only daughter.
"Caliz, is that you?" Cypris muttered
"Cypris, how could you?" Caliz said
"Cal, please help me" Cypris asked
"Darling, I cannot and I will not until you see the error of your ways. I will take you to Rose. You will apologize if not to me then to her. She loves you so much. As do I, even to this day and always, Cypris. Come, we do not have much time." Caliz said as he held Cypris' soft hand and appeared in Rose's chamber in Storm's End
Caliz removed the glass cover and felt his heart break and tears fall from his face as he saw his lifeless daughter. Shocked at the sight of her dead daughter, Cypris trembled as she cried tears of sorrow and regret when she saw her daughter's inert form.
"No! No! Please tell me that this is just a waking nightmare." Cypris cried
"I wish it were but look at what you have done to our daughter." Said Caliz as tears flowed from his eyes
"I knew nothing of this. I never thought that he could hurt her this way." Cypris sobbed
"Fret not, my darling; he made certain that her death was quick and painless." Caliz assured her
Cypris let out a wail of pure sorrow and wept bitterly. There was a grief-filled silence that lasted for a few moments then Caliz lifted his daughter and held her in his arms with Cypris holding Rose tenderly whispering how sorry she is to her daughter. They sat together in their grief.
"Cal, can you ever forgive me?"
"There is nothing to forgive, my sweet. Love is your nature as the elements are mine. I beg of you, Cypris. I hope you know now that losing her is more painful for me than it is for you." Caliz said as Cypris found herself trapped in her own home once more, still mourning in regret.
LIAM
The Underworld
After the encounter with his former flame, Liam opened the portal to the world beneath. He flew passed the river of death ignoring the ferryman and the three-headed watch dog and barged into Dys' domain. Liam did not expect to see Dys on the prowl, literally with his young bride on the flat of her back and thankfully clothed while being intimate.
"Hate to interrupt, Seph but I have a bone to pick with your uncle. Aren't you supposed to be with your mother?" Liam said
"That is my business and none of yours. You wish to speak with my husband. I'll leave you two alone, of course, Gardien d' Ordre." Seph breathed gratefully as she left
"What are you-!" Dys yelled but was attacked before he could finish his sentence and held against the wall by Liam in a chokehold.
"As much as I like to apologize, I had a very depressing night and I'm having a very bad day" Liam pointed out
"Why so pissed? You managed to make someone's marriage a memorable one last night, you should be happy, huh?" Dys said with a heavy accent as he push Liam off him .
"HAPPY?!" Liam said with menacing calm then punched Dys into the wall and beat Dys into a pulp while seething
"Why should I be happy when Rose is dead?!"
"What?!" Dys said in shock
"I sent Rose to a limbo thanks to you, that warmongering Ariz, and that niece for yours. Now, let me cut to the chase and spare you from more pain. Tell me, what did Cypris asked you to do to Robb Stark?" Liam asked as he tightened his grip on Dys' neck
"My sweet niece asked me to mark the Stark boy for death, who through her magic, is supposed to be slowly falling in love with Rose while she compelled the Draculesti boy to long too much for that perfect daughter of her's just to make Rose's life miserable. I didn't want to do anything to Rose, but Cypris had offered me someone that I couldn't refuse." Dys panted
"Who's love did she offer to you?" Liam asked
"Seph's" Dys sighed almost sounding lovesick
"First the mother now the daughter, how sickening. You always spoil the bitch of a niece of yours" Liam threw Dys to his throne
"You are worst than I am. You killed the daughter of the "bitch of a niece" of mine that you once loved" Dys spit out
"I had no choice and better that she is dead and blameless than alive and the reason of the Stark boy's death." Liam said
"True, she always had a soft heart though she is a spitfire when riled up she takes too much from Cypris in that but unfortunately Rose has better temperament and control which made her displeasing in her mother's eyes. The poor girl" Dys uttered
"Yes." Liam agreed then punched Dys with all the force he can release then left.
"PERSEPHONE!"
"Wha-!"
Seph entered and saw her husband beaten to a pulp then said.
"Oh, my king! What have you done to offend him so?"
"...I marked Robb Stark for death at Cypris request." he said
Hearing those words Persephone stood in shock.
"You mark an innocent boy for death at my half-sister's request? For what? What has he done to deserve that fate?! Starting a war in the name of justice? Kin-slaying an insubordinate relative? Tell me, husband. I demand to know." she raged
"Valar morghulis. All men must die." he replied
"Rose is neither living or dead, now if Giuly's heart breaks and she dies, I will never forgive you." she vowed
"How did my brother's pseudo-granddaughter and one of my favorite apprentices get involved in this mess?" he muttered
"The fates bound her life to the Stark boy in order to save him from terrible fate but you have thwarted their purpose by condemning them both. I hope your bed is warm for you, my lord. For I cannot stomach the sight of you let alone share your bed because of what you've done. You may have marked the boy to his doom but be prepared to welcome she who is of our blood into your halls and you cannot offer her repose for you have sentenced her to Hell." Seph said as she left in tears
"What have I done?" Dys internally lamented then vowed he left the gates of his halls to look for Giulianna
"I have to set things right"
Meanwhile in Storm's End
GIULIANNA
Giulianna was watching Velkan as he woke
"You're awake." Giulianna sighed in relief
"Where is Rose?" Velkan yelled
"Safe in her chambers, you know what happens to her when her time comes" Giuly said
"Right. Where is Ser Corleone?" Velkan said
"The underworld" Giuly shrugged
"That doesn't sound good." Velkan flinched
"I agree, but you should go. Ser Corleone said that you must go to Winterfell the moment you wake up." Giuly turned
"I will but promise me-" Velkan said but Giuly interrupted
"I'll take care of her"
"I'm counting on you." He murmured as his white blue eyes turned dark azure and darkness consumed him.
Giuly left the room and went to Rose's chambers. She looked at Rose and cried for a good hour then got out of the room. After closing the door she turned to find a piece of cloth appeared in her line of sight and saw Liam kneeling by her side attempting to comfort the young girl.
"I've made my choice. I want to save his life." Giulianna said taking the cloth
"Then I shall escort you to meet my daughter Laryssa Lannister to discuss the terms of the exchange of the Ladies Sansa Greyjoy and Catelyn Stark for my relatives" Tyrion said appearing almost out of nowhere
"How?" Giulianna said as she wiped the tears then suddenly her vision was in a haze.
TYRION
Tyrion watched as the Argos girl succumbed to the Helianna's Breath dosed in the cloth and fell in the arms of Lionheart.
"She could be your needed leverage. It will not be a fair trade if the Starks have too much advantage." Liam said cold-heartedly
"What you makes you think-?" Tyrion asked but was interrupted
"That she is valuable to the Starks? Wait until Robb Stark sees her in your custody and the fact that she is a ward of the Tullys and is dear to an old flame of mine, who has been looking for her for the past five and ten years very much screams valuable "
"You play a dangerous game, with this Lady Cypris. Are you sure that she would stop interfering with us for the sake of a girl of five and ten." Tyrion said
"I play this game to teach her a lesson and the lesson is about to begin." Liam said
"Well then I suppose I should get going. Bronn! Frey! Get the girl" Tyrion said
Bronn and Olyvar appeared and took the girl.
"Take care of her. Don't let her drink anything she might just be able to outmatch you." Liam smirked
"Drinking and lust, no man can match me in these things. I am the god of tits and wine." Tyrion said
"My friend, she is no man. Seriously don't let her drink. You must intercept Lady Sansa according to my spies she is on her way to Silverhill." Liam said gravely
"We best be on our way then. We've a long way to go" Bronn sighed
"Or not" Velkan appeared
"The Boltons?" Liam asked
"Are still near Moat Cailin?" Velkan replied then thought to Liam "I delayed them by feeding on their horses."
"Well done. My lords if you could trust my apprentice, he will take you to where Lady Sansa is in just a snap of a finger and bring Lady Laryssa, Tyrion Lannister's daughter to meet them after you've intercepted the Stark girl." Liam said
"Let's see how fast he really is." Bronn drunkenly held out his hand as Velkan smirked while grabbing Bronn and they disappeared in a cloud of black smoke. Velkan appeared again to take Olyvar and the girl.
"What magic is this?!" Tyrion asked in fascination a few seconds later Velkan appeared
"It is an ability passed in the line of my house. House Draculesti is known for being masters of ancient black magic and long life. You might want to close your eyes." Velkan said as he took Tyrion to Silverhill
In Silverhill
Tyrion arrived and saw that there are six tents and a cage all ready for camp. While Bronn retch the contents of his stomach.
"...He was drunk, wasn't he?" Velkan asked rhetorically
"Obviously" Tyrion said plainly
"He'll be fine in a few moments, nausea is common in speed-flight" Velkan said
"Now we wait for Lady Sansa" Tyrion said
"I'll go and get Lady Laryssa. Lady Sansa should be here in a few moments" Velkan said then disappeared
"Do you think we can trust him?" Bronn asked Tyrion then Velkan appeared with a golden blonde girl with gray eyes on a horse.
"Hello father, grandfather sent me to ride for Riverrun and negotiate the exchange which will happen at Bitterbridge. Ser Velkan led me here. Which reminds me." Laryssa greeted her father as she dismounted then continued
"This came by raven yesternight, along with grandfather's orders. It is his response to Robb Stark's missive" handing a scroll to Tyrion, who gave the response to Velkan. Suddenly a wheelhouse appeared and it was being driven by Tristram.
"I'll leave for Storm's End now. May I?" Velkan excused himself
"Of course, of course. Enjoy the evening" Tyrion said as Velkan disappeared rather hastily.
When the wheelhouse stopped and a pregnant Sansa emerged from the carriage, Lady Laryssa noticed that the Frey boy was tending to a sleeping girl then said
"Father have you been behaving?"
"Of course, dear" Tyrion replied
"Really, I think not who is she?" Laryssa pointed to a sleeping Giulianna
"Your grandfather's needed leverage to get his golden twins back." Tyrion replied
Laryssa looked at him questioningly. Tyrion sighed internally before answering his daughter.
"Let's just say that she was slightly betrayed by someone she trusted for the sake of fairness."
"Why should we trust him?" Laryssa said
"I don't trust him. I trust his ability to not to get us killed." Tyrion replied as he went to his tent
"I know you were raised to doubt others even those of your own blood but I am no Lannister." said a man's voice in Laryssa's head
"And I am not you, ser" Laryssa retorted back in her mind as she went to her tent
"Touche" Liam replied
Laryssa was resting when there was a rustle of the tent flaps that caught her attention.
"I thought you were different!" Sansa yelled at Laryssa while Sansa wobbled in Laryssa's tent after she saw her old friend lying on a cot in the tent next to her own.
"What in the Seven Kingdoms are you yelling about?" Laryssa asked calmly
"Why is Lady Argos here?!" Sansa asked
"Do you actually think that my grandfather will return you to your family without returning the favour? My dear Lady Sansa, you are so naive but you must understand that I may not be like all Lannisters but I am still a Lannister and a Lannister always pays his debts." Laryssa said
"Why involve her in this mess?" Sansa asked
"Because you are not the only one who wants her family back. My grandfather taught me to play the game of thrones to survive and I intend to survive with my family intact Uncle Jaime and my father are all I have. And my grandfather. To an extent. I know that she is your friend but she can get me my family back. To do that I need you to stop being too much of a naiveté, it is utterly sickening." Laryssa revealed
Unable to answer back Sansa straighten up and said.
"I hope you know what you are doing. I apologise for intruding and I pray you have a pleasant evening."
Sansa left Laryssa and went straight to Giulianna. Laryssa sighed internally
"Gods! Give me the strength not to have her killed during the way to Bitterbridge."
Dawn, back at Storm's End
ROBB
Robb was conversing with Armea, his aunt Lyanna and his mother Lady Catelyn while Velkan appeared with a missive in hand and said
"Pardon, my ladies but I must speak with His Grace. It is urgent."
"If you'll excuse me my lady Armea, Aunt Lyanna, Mother" Robb excused himself to each women as they spoke amongst themselves when he left.
"What news?" Robb asked closing the door to his aunt's chambers as Velkan handed him the missive
"The Lannisters are willing to negotiate and have agreed to meet at Bitterbridge." Velkan replied
"Anything else?" Robb said
"I have been constantly going back and forth from here to the north and recently I've uncovered a betrayal. The Boltons have turned their cloaks. They have sided with the Lannisters and as we speak they are marching towards Winterfell." Velkan warned
"Then I will send some of my men home." Robb said
"One thing more. About the ward of Brynden Tully, a girl with pale gold locks and eyes of blue like the sea after a storm. She went missing last night." Velkan uttered
Robb paused in shock by Velkan words
"Where is she, Ser Draculesti?" Robb demanded in a fit of rage, grabbing Velkan's cloak
"Ask Ser Corleone. He was the last person I saw with her last night." Velkan calmly revealed
JON
Jon was sleeping soundly with his new wife after making love the whole night when he was summoned by his cousin at dawn. Jon hurriedly dressed while Dany woke from her slumber.
"Where are you going, Jon?" Dany asked sleepily
"Robb had me summoned. Said it was urgent. There was a missive about Sansa's return and I think he knows about Giulianna's absence after our second wedding." Jon said
"Strange, Lady Rose left abruptly as well but I think Giuly went with her." Dany reflected on
"From my knowledge of Lady Rose's nature, she is like the wind and is as wild and adventurous as Arya. However, from what Theon and Sansa told us about Giulianna, she is more docile than Rose but like Rose, she is very much a lady in every sense of the word. She never strayed from Lord Tully's sight. The man was furious when he found out that Giuly was missing, Lord Edmure too." Jon said
"If you say so, I hope they find Lady Giulianna. I am exhausted from our night. Go to Robb and make certain that you boys find a way to bring Sansa home" Dany ordered
"Yes, my sweet dragon. I swear that this family will go home." Jon whispered to his wife
"Then hurry back to me after you speak with Robb" Dany said as she pulled him in for a kiss
"Always" Jon whispered as he left the bridal chamber and walked to Robb's chambers.
When Jon arrived, Robb sat at his study with his Uncles Eddard and Renly to Robb's left and Lord Brynden to his right with Lord Edmure to the far right of the chamber. Lord Willas Tyrell (who was a guest of Renly and Margaery), Lord Caspian, his son Edvard, and Ser Corleone were nursing their own glass of wine while Velkan was lurking in a dark corner to the study nursing a suspicious looking bottle with a thick, red, liquid.
"Ah, nephew! I trust you enjoyed bedding your beautiful wife. Soon there will be a Baratheon growing within her." Renly gushed
"Careful Lord Baratheon! That is my good niece that you are so lewdly speaking of." Lord Stark pointed out
"I apologize. I meant no disrespect." Renly said
"My lords, I wish to speak with you about the exchange that will occur at Bitterbridge." Robb said
"With my family's approval, of course, your grace." Willas Tyrell blurted out
"Tywin Lannister has sent out the Imp's daughter as a negotiator in his place. They want all Lannister captives in exchange for my sister" Robb revealed
"Not a bad choice, that girl is as shrewd as her father. She can handle this." Renly said
"Yes, we all know about Laryssa Lannister and her efforts to restore Castamere. I'm sure she will handle the exchange wonderfully and soon I will have my wife back." Theon said as entered the room, helping himself to a glass of Arbor Gold.
"Late again,Theon" Robb pointed out
"My apologies, good brother. I was delayed." Theon said with a nod.
"Cousin, I will go with you and bring Sansa home. I promised my wife that I will bring this family back to Winterfell and finish this madness. I intend to keep that promise." Jon said
"Very well, Jon. You will come with us." Robb consented
"My son, I will go back to Winterfell with your mother, your aunt Lyanna, Lady Armea and her daughter by sea. I will try to get to Winterfell and hire some men to help reinforce the castle while those traitors are still being held at Moat Cailin" Ned said
"Father, I will send some men with you to reach home safely." Robb promised
"In that case, I shall see what I can do to delay those leech lovers further" Velkan said
"Lord Eddard, If I may I will take the women to Winterfell today, so that there will be no distractions and you find men to help you. I'll use Daemon to fly, Lady Armea Targaryen will use hers as well." Edvard said
"Very well but keep them safe." Ned agreed
"Four of my allies and two dragons are in Winterfell. There is nothing to fear. They are going to be safer than we are about to be." Liam sighed
"There is another matter about that charming Argos girl, the ward of Ser Brynden Tully at your wedding, Jon. What's her name, again?" Lord Caspian said
"Lady Giulianna Kornelia of House Argos" Edmure spoke as if in mourning
"Yes, Ser Corleone we have reason to believe that you are last person, who was seen with her." Robb began
"Yes, that is true. She was with me, when she asked about her relative, who happens to be my godchild the Lady Nessarhose Calcaire. I fear that I was caught unawares. Your grace was betrayed by your squire. The boy spirited the girl away. He feared that the girl has claimed your grace's heart, so he had abducted her. I followed them but they have passed beyond my sight but I know that Giulianna is still alive." Liam revealed
"Have the Frey bannermen locked in the dungeons!" Robb yelled as Velkan did the deed for the sake of his love's sister
"I should have known and killed that boy, the moment he laid his eyes on her" Blackfish said in regret
"You needn't blame yourself, Uncle. The fault is mine. I never should have left her." Edmure grieved
"I take full responsibility for her rescue. This tragedy happened in my household therefore I will not rest until she is found. I will send out riders to find her and I will join the search when this exchange business is settled" Jon said
"Well said, nephew. I am proud of you." Renly whispered to Jon
"Let's not get too hasty, Lord Baratheon. You still have a promise to keep." Willas reminded him gently.
"Then we best get some rest, my lords for we've a two-days ride for Bitterbridge. Theon, Lord Edmure, Uncle Brynden, Jon, and Edvard, in Lord Daevon's place, shall come with me to negotiate the terms. We ride at midday." Robb declared as he dismissed them. Jon left them to see to his wife. As he neared the bridal chambers, he heard his wife's screams and when he entered the room his wife screamed a word
"Dracarys"
Then Balerion II was perched on the bed, suddenly spurted a ball of black flame which was directed at Jon. When the ball of fire neared Jon, who closed his eyes and before the fire could touch him, a bright bluish-white light from Rose's chamber spilled and absorbed the ball of dragonfire until it was extinguished. Jon opened his eyes and sighed in relief as he realized the he was still alive but when Dany started screaming again, he rushed to be by her side not even wondering about the fire's disappearance.
DANY
As Jon left, Balerion II flew to the foot of the bed to guard his mother as Dany went back to sleep.
"She was standing in a clearing with a thick blanket of snow with Winterfell standing tall with all its glory. Dany walked towards the secret entrance that led to the courtyard.
Then the dream faded to a scene with Ramsey Snow hanging the burnt bodies of two children in front of the entire household of Winterfell. She quickly ran to the godswood where to her horror she found a dying Maester Luwin bathed in his own blood asking Osha for a thick death.
The scene changed as she was standing on the top of the tower, she stiffled her scream as she witnessed the slaughter of the people of the castle. Tears began to flow as she watched the Boltons put Winterfell to the torch as she stood from afar…"
There was screaming and someone calling out her name.
"Daenerys! Wake up! My sweet dragon, come back to me. Wake up, love. It is only a nightmare." Jon called out as he tried to wake his wife.
She opened her eyes and when she saw her husband, she cried as wrapped her arms around him.
"I had terrible dream which I fear will come true. I saw Winterfell fall into enemy hands." Dany sobbed in tears
"It is only a dream, love. I must inform you that I must go with Robb to negotiate Sansa's return." Jon comforted his wife as he got her to stand after she finally calmed.
"You must go with him. Sansa is your cousin and she needs her family." Dany replied
"You're my wife; I can't just leave you here." Jon exclaimed
"Who said I'm staying?" Dany answered back
"Right, how do you propose to do that?" Jon said as Dany stood up and covered herself with a bright lavender robe then Jon tied her corset and help her into her dress.
"My dear husband, I have my ways." Dany giggled then Dany spied Velkan, carrying a huge weight effortlessly, with Ser Corleone at the doorway.
"Might I have some words with the newlyweds?" Ser Corleone
"Of course, ser. Please do come in, Ser Corleone and Ser Draculesti. " Jon said
"Much obliged. Come on, Velkan." Liam accepted
"We never had the chance to properly thank you last night for the wonderful wedding at Aleanarnith. My husband and I are so pleased with your surprise. Thank you so very much" Dany said
"Yes, thank you for your generosity" Jon thanked him
"It was my pleasure, my Lord and Lady Baratheon. However, I forgot to present you something due to the excitement of your union." Liam informed them then he motioned to Velkan to put his burden down.
"Ser, this is too much!" Dany exclaimed
"Please my lady, allow me to explain. The gift of the wedding is far too humble a gift for the last dragon in my master's eyes." Velkan explained
"Therefore, it is with great pride that I present to you my best creation." Liam presented them a magnificent statue of an ice direwolf gazing at a fire dragon soaring overhead.
"Ice and Fire is an obra maestra of Ser Liam the Lionheart as a gift to the newlywed Lord and and Lady of House Baratheon. It is a statue of a direwolf, made of never melting ice looking at a dragon, made of crystal-encased fire, soaring overhead." Velkan finished reading from a scroll.
"It is so brilliant" Dany admired the statue
"How generous of you, Ser Corleone. How can we ever thank you?" Jon said
"Always a pleasure" Liam replied and continued "I have something in my possession that the Lannisters are so desperately trying to replace. I came upon it a few years back during my visit to the ruins of Valyria. May it serve you well in your negotiations for the return of your cousin." Then Liam revealed Brightroar, the long lost, Valyrian-steel, ancestral great sword of House Lannister which was greeted with shock.
"I am confident that Sansa will be returned now." Jon said hopefully, after he recovered from the shock.
Then, they all felt the pangs of hunger.
"Shall we go to the dining hall to break our fast?" Jon asked
Dany just nodded then they left to get some food.
Bitterbridge
Later that day, Dany spoke with Edvard, who just returned from Winterfell and asked him if she could secretly come with him to Bitterbridge so she could keep an eye on her husband, to which he agreed just to aggravate his good uncle. They rode with their prisoners for Bitterbridge. On the third day, they neared the clearing where they waited for the Lannister party then Jon said sighed
"I have a bad feeling about this."
"You needn't tell me twice" Edvard said as he stared daggers at his disguised aunt on the coach behind him.
Laryssa's party arrives with her in the lead riding her mare, much to the surprise of the Stark side. Laryssa was in a bright red riding dress with the golden lion on the left breast.
"Well, well, well, what have we here? A direwolf pup for a king of the north, I find myself unimpressed. Good to see you well, your grace. I am sorry that we meet again in such a regrettable circumstance that was brought about by one of my relatives, whom I believe is your custody." Laryssa began
"It is unfortunate to meet you this way, Lady Laryssa but you have my sister." Robb said evenly
"And you have my relatives and my uncle's men. I want them back." Laryssa pointed out
"These are your terms?" Robb clarified
"Yes" Laryssa affirmed
"These are mine; the return of my sister Sansa Stark of House Greyjoy, and the head of your cousin Joffery Lannister for breaking his vows and deserting the Night's Watch in exchange for your relatives and information regarding your house's involvement in the abduction of the ward of Ser Brynden of House Tully as well as her whereabouts " Robb revealed
"Why don't we get started?" Laryssa said
"Where is my sister?" Robb asked
"Safe in the wheelhouse, your grace. You will be reunited once I see my relatives." Laryssa replied
"Show her" Robb ordered one of his men when Cersei appeared
"UNHAND ME, YOU FOOL. I AM THE QUEEN! HOW DARE YOU PUT YOUR FILTHY HANDS ON ME" Cersei screamed at a guardsman
"Cersei, for once in your life, Will you please shut up?!" Tyrion yelled as he appeared from the wheelhouse with Bronn on black horse
"I WILL NOT BE SILENCED, DO YOU NOT KNOW WHO I AM?! I AM QUE-" Cersei said before a red rock fell out of nowhere and knock the "queen" out. She was carried by her uncle Daven.
"Divine Assistance" said Laryssa sagely then Jaime appeared and was astonished when he saw that Laryssa was negotiating the exchange and was followed by their relatives and the reminder of their men.
"I am satisfied. Now may I present the Lady Sansa Stark of House Greyjoy." Laryssa said then Sansa was escorted by a disguised Tristram and aided down the wheelhouse by Iseult.
"Robb!" Sansa gasped as she saw her brother and husband
"Sansa" Theon said as he saw his pregnant wife
"Go ahead, Lady Sansa. You may go to your husband." Tyrion said as Tristram and Iseult assisted her to the Stark side. Theon rushed to hold Sansa in his arms.
"I've kept my word, now give them back." Laryssa said
"Your cousin must be brought to justice." Robb said coldly
"My relatives first." Laryssa retorted
"Theon, they have Giuly." Sansa said when she saw what Robb was about to do
Robb turned from Laryssa to see to his sister, whom Theon lead into the nearby coach.
"Wrong move, Robb; You want to know where Giulianna Argos is. Well, she is right here." Laryssa revealed Giuly, who was bound and Laryssa had the Frey boy point a dagger at Giuly's throat. Robb was about to attack Olyvar when Jon and Theon held him back
"Giuly!" Sansa, Blackfish and Lord Edmure muttered in chorus
"Robb, do something! He'll kill her" Sansa begged
"Release her, traitor. She is innocent of this" Blackfish yelled with his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to kill the Frey boy.
The Frey boy then moved the blade closer to Giuly's throat, enough to break the skin making her whimper in pain. Giulianna then felt time freeze as she whispered the words to the Frey boy as a prayer in her own tongue to one of those who created her
"O King of Death, accept this offering from your humble servant. I send this soul and that of his into your halls to await your judgment"
"Not another step, you're killing her, Lord Blackfish." Laryssa pointed out
"Calm your storm, uncle. This is not helping her." Edmure whispered
Robb looked into Giuly's eyes and saw resignation.
"Tell me; is this about my refusal to pursue you-?" Robb asked
"Don't delude yourself with that story. We all know that it was I, who refused your suit." Laryssa cut him off
"Why are you doing this?" Robb demanded
"To fix this mess, so I can bloody well go home! I am getting impatient. If I don't have my relatives on my side in 20 counts then rest assured the girl is dead and need I tell you what that means, Ser Tully?" Laryssa spoke impatiently
"You know nothing, my lady. Now release her, this instant!" Blackfish yelled
"16, 15, 13, 14..."
"If I were let them go, I demand that you release her." Robb declared
"I give you my word that she will go free and my cousin will face his sentence. I will be witness to his death and ensure that this envoy will return to Storm's End safely while my Uncle Jaime will take my relatives to Harrenhal. As for the attempt on Bran's life, the assassin has paid with his life. After justice is served, I will be returned to Castamere without getting followed. This is my grandfather's assurances." Laryssa said as she ordered Olyvar to put down the knife then the Lannister captives were sent to her side.
"Ryssie! Make them stop. Ryssie, please I'm your cousin." Joffery pleaded as Laryssa merely looked on showing no emotion as the Lannistermen led Joffery and Giulianna to the Stark side. The moment Olvar Frey released Giulianna, Dys had marked him for his own, accepting his creation's offering but he waited for the right moment to strike. Blackfish hurriedly fussed over his ward.
"Did he hurt you?" Edmure asked
"I am fine" Giulianna said breathlessly as she fainted on Ser Brynden then Edmure spied a small bleeding gash on her neck. Enraged, Edmure tried to attack Olyvar but he found himself being held back by Jon and Edvard.
"You fool don't make this any harder. She will be avenged by one her own." Ser Brynden said as Jon left Giulianna in the care of a handmaiden (who is really Dany in a dark auburn wig given to her by Liam) who took her into the coach where Sansa waited while Edmure calmed.
Jon steps forward, causing a disguised Dany to worry, brandished a sword that was greeted with awe and disbelief by the members of the Lannister party he then spoke:
"Ser Jaime Lannister, as a sign of the good will of House Stark, I present to you the ancestral great sword of your house, Brightroar. It was found in the ruins of Old Valyria by a friend who bid me to return this to Lord Tywin. As Ice belongs to House Stark, Brightroar belongs to House Lannister. As a break from tradition, the ashes of Joffery Lannister shall be returned once he is dead." He then hands the sword over to Jaime, who merely smirks to hide his shock.
"Send my gratitude to your friend and tell him that my father, Lord Tywin Lannister will be pleased." Jaime said through his teeth, thankful that Cersei is unable to hear the fate of her beloved son.
"Well I am glad that this affair is finally resolved, my family's sword returned and my name finally cleared. I intend to finish my tour of the north, with your grace's permission of course and I owe Ser Corleone a drink." Tyrion said
"I apologize for my behaviour towards you, Lord Tyrion" Robb said sincerely
"I heartily accept but remember a Lannister always pays his debts." Tyrion quipped
Midnight
LARYSSA
Laryssa arranged for a private dinner with her father as she finished the documents that needed to be signed by both the Starks and the Lannisters by dawn when her father suddenly yells
"And so I said, I am the god of tits and wine!" Tyrion laughed then took a huge gulp Arbor Gold
Laryssa rolls her eyes and grabbed a towel to clean her father's spilt wine
"This is why I would only agree to a private dinner with you, Father. You telling those stories are a greater torture than watching Grandfather give Uncle Jaime a lecture while skinning a stag." Laryssa cringed
Then Laryssa eyes the chicken leg, then grabbed it and was about to take a bite when Cersei dizzily enters while being followed by Jaime
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!" yelled Cersei as she slams her hands on the table
"Finishing the wine? I'm sorry; did you want some, sweet sister?" Tyrion grinned as Laryssa tried to bite the chicken leg
"Not you, you little monster! I was talking to your bastard." Cersei screamed
"Father! You had another one? I knew I should have come with you to the North" Laryssa played along momentarily holding on to the chicken
"I meant you!" Cersei screeched
"But I'm trueborn" Laryssa whined
"You, you let them take my son, my poor Joffery" Cersei accused her niece with her hands ready to claw at Laryssa but she was being held back by Jaime while Laryssa finally bit into the chicken.
"Interesting, this is a very good chicken, takes like actual chicken!" Laryssa chirped happily
"Well, are you just going to ignore me, you ungrateful brat." Cersei shrieked
"Ungrateful? On the contrary, sweet aunt, I am grateful for this chicken" she jovially raises the chicken leg like a sword at Cersei then continued
"It is the first decent meal I've had in ages since I have been living off on rations because of this war that you both foolishly started. I ended up the one solving your mess and fixing it aside from finishing Castamere and rebuilding the windows at Casterly Rock when I'm supposed to be reading books and enjoying my six and tenth nameday!" Laryssa ranted
"You should be grateful that your father left you a great responsibility." Cersei retorted
"Oh I am grateful for the responsibility. I am grateful for having a father who taught me the power of thought and knowledge; I am grateful and proud to have Uncle Tyrion as a father and being called the Imp's daughter as opposed to the Kingslayer's bastard daughter. Most of all, I am grateful that Grandfather sent me to save your sorry hides when you both bloody couldn't. So that you, my dear aunt can lie in your silk bed knowing that the one who saved your unfaithful face was your beloved twin's trueborn daughter by the woman whose blood is in your hands. And you, dear Uncle Jaime, I looked up to you." Laryssa melted down
"If this is about my leaving, young lady then do not drag Irena Flint into this" Jaime finally spoke up
"This isn't about your abandonment of me. This is about you, letting my birth mother die in childbed and my adoptive mother die in shame. I know the truth about Tysha how you did nothing to save her when you knew the truth about her. You know something, I thank you for this life, and at least you were there Uncle Jaime when my mother never could." Laryssa said to Jaime then turned to Cersei
"I hope you're sorry you killed my mother because I'm sorry that I couldn't save Joffery from you and himself. Now if you'll excuse me, I have papers that need to be signed" Laryssa left and finished the chicken leg.
Two days later
At the outer gates of Storm's End
JON
The Stark party had finally seen the wall of Storm's End, Jon was speaking with Robb about the temporary ceasefire they had with Lannisters when Jon's horse accidentally trampled a man who bore great resemblance to Ser Liam and scared a handmaiden whose dark red hair fell off and revealed silvery blonde locks.
"Daenerys Baratheon, WHAT IN THE SEVEN KINGDOMS ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" Jon burst out and dismounted his stallion
"Jon, I was worried about you." Dany replied
"So you put yourself in danger?" Jon interjected
"I-" Dany began but was interrupted
"Man on the ground, here! Is this the way Westerosi people treat foreigners?" the man said
Jon turned to his wife and said
"We will talk about this later. Now you will go home and see to Sansa"
Jon made his way back to the poor man who was garbed in a cloak.
"I do beg your pardon, good man. Are you injured?" Jon asked then had the man climb on the wagon and mounted his horse then rode beside the man.
"I'll be fine. I came here to see my son." the man said
As the group made their way to the court yard where the entire household waited, Liam went in to a fit of slight panic when he saw who was with Jon. Liam made his way towards the wagon
"What are you doing here, old man?" Liam asked in a panicky voice
"Well, I came to see you and your delightful pupil, my dear boy." The old man said
"You're Lionheart's father?" Jon asked in shock
"...Yes, he is my father. May I introduce my father, Lord Crymzon Corleone. Father, this young man is Jon Baratheon of House Stark, Lord of Storm's End." Liam uttered hastily
"I know, he trampled me with his stallion while having a quarrel with a beautiful young lady. Your wife I presume?" Lord Corleone said
"Again I beg your pardon the fault is entirely mine. Forgive me but I must take my leave of you, my lords. I shall send Maester Cressen to see to you" Jon excused himself
"Of course, there is nothing to forgive and that won't be necessary, Lord Baratheon." Lord Corleone said
Jon then left as Liam led his "father" to Rose's chambers where they saw a ruggedly dressed man playing with a black flame in his hand, sitting on a foot stool next to Rose's "coffin".
"Oh for the love of-, you're here too?!" Liam yelled while he slapped his forehead.
"Quite a while actually, I even managed to save some boy from being roasted by his wife's dragon." The man said
"Fine, but I would ask you to use the name Drakarius and pretend to be my cousin while you are here." Liam demanded as Drakarius merely nodded as a response
"Are any of the others here too?" Liam asked his father
"None, that I'm aware of. Remember, I'm as blind as you when it comes to them." Lord Corleone replied
While father and son were talking, Drakarius heard something bubbling from behind him. He lifted the glass cover and saw Rose's eyes open and glowed with the light of a thousand stars and with a flash of blue light which caused the Corleones to shield their eyes and Drakarius to squint. The next thing they knew a maelstrom began to rise from the pool then Rose appeared before them like an angel reborn.