I do not own nor claim to own any of GRRM's works, nor am I profiting off this story

Back for another, exams are coming up so uploads might be dicey but I'll try and keep them consistent. Enjoy!

The room was silent except for the of panting breaths of those around him, and the soft flickering of eyes around the room. This man…Aeron Harlaw, unnerved Jagare immediately. He was grinning maniacally like they were children playing a game, ready to start over and have more fun. Jagare was unsure what to do, but he had to say something.

"Your Aeron Harlaw…prove it." It sounded stupid.

"Prove it?" The man's smile faltered. It was stupid, but he had to run with it now.

"Yes, prove it. How do I know you're not a decoy, and the real Lord Harlaw is escaping now?"

"Good save" smirked Tommo quietly. The man blinked a couple of times before sighing and lowering his arms.

"Your no fun Greenlander, but very well. And its Prince Harlaw."

"For now," Jagare replied coolly. Aeron grinned and walked over to the blade on the floor, picking it up. Imminently Jagare heard bowstrings go taught behind him.

"Hold." He glared at Aeron and held out his hand. "Give it to me." The man hesitated, then shrugged. He flipped the blade over and handed it hilt first to Jagare. It was black steel, finely made and on the pommel, a tiny scythe carved into the hilt. A Silver scythe on a black background. The sigil of House Harlaw.

"If you don't know me by sight then it's the best you can go off" he laughed and folded his arms. "You better hope I am Aeron, otherwise the queen will not be happy." The Ironborn prince laughed. "Pretty poor fucking soldier you are, don't even know your enemy's face. If this is the sort of greenlanders Madilyn was working with, I feel even worse about losing the war!" Jagare glanced up and glared at him. It was all like a joke to him. He felt anger rise in his chest and took the dagger by its blade and held it up.

"Lyanna" he growled, and within a second, she had stridden forward and seized the knife. The man's eyes went wide as Lyanna slashed the blade across his cheek. He let out a hiss of pain and sprung forward, but a boot in the chest from Jagare sent him back down.

"You're a prisoner, don't forget it. I'm not your friend, I'm your captor. And I'm not a greenlander!"

"Yeah, no shit you Northern dog" Aeron snarled. Tommo planted another kick in his stomach, knocking the wind and fortuitously the voice out of him.

"Merri, Cragg. Tie him up. We get him down to Prince Greyjoy quickly and he can decide."

"Yes, captain" Cragg muttered. Aeron's face had gone white as a sheet, and only when the rope was firmly around his hands, and he was yanked up did he get his voice back.

"Wait" he croaked out. "Greenlander, please. You can't take me to Terran, he'll kill me instantly!" Jagare turned towards the door and picked up his axe. It had been coated in blood and guts and definitely needed a clean. He looked wearily over his shoulder as he lent on the axe. The man was pale as a ghost and had a deathly look in his eyes. He had clearly expected the queen to be judging his fate. Jagare's brain whirled, and Lyanna spoke through his silence.

"Terran gave us one job, bring him Aeron Harlaw. And this is war, Harlaw. You're the leader of the enemy. The traitors. The rebels… according to the Greyjoys anyway."

"Exactly! According to them." He wrenched himself forward towards Lyanna who recoiled back. My lady, you must believe me, it was the Greyjoys who broke their oaths, they are the villains!"

"Well, we heard their story first" she shrugged. Lyanna slung her bow over her shoulder and motioned to the sellswords who started moving with him.

"Just think" Tommo laughed. "How much Terran will reward us when we hand over this piece of shi-"

"GREENLANDER PLE-" Jagare turned suddenly and seized the man by his neck. Aeron was in no way light but Jagare was bigger, and his blood was up.

"I HAVE A NAME! It's Snow, Jagare Snow. And if you're so scared of dying then maybe you shouldn't have slaughtered the Greyjoys under a holy banner. I have no qualms in believing a filthy Ironborn did that." A mirthless chuckle escaped Aerons lips as he eyed Jagare, the green piercing against the grey.

"Is that the story they told you? I'm not surprised, why would they paint themselves as oathbreakers. But you're judging me unfairly, Snow. What happened to, a man not being responsible for the sins of his fathers, ey? Yeah, that old sayin you northerners have." That stilled Jagare, he would not be a hypocrite. He relaxed his grip and stepped backwards

"The North has struggled to keep to that mantra lately." Both Tommo and Lyanna snorted in joint laughter. "But aye, it's true. A father's sins are not the burden of his child. I know that one best of all…but you are not so innocent yourself, Harlaw. You continued the war when you could have sued for peace." The man grunted and flicked a lock of hair out of his eyes.

"If you're going to accuse me of treason, do your research first Snow. I myself have committed no crime in this war. Fuck, I've been against it since I was old enough to have a seat at my families table." Jagare looked at him in confusion. "Yeah, that's right, until very recently I've been under heavy guard for merely mentioning peace in a war council. I had nearly ten men guarding me at every hour, lest I escape to help the Greyjoys."

"You're saying you've been in house arrest the entire war?" Lyanna asked, her gaze skeptical.

"How old do you think I am? No older than you for sure. I am my father's fourth-born son." His tone changed, became quiet. "My father and brothers were all killed in the Battle of Ten Thousand Arrows. That was a moon ago, I have been building the defences of this castle ever since because I knew that Terran would come for it. I knew him, once. And I knew as I fled with my army from that battle that he would tear down my castle brick by brick If I surrendered." Jagare looked around at Lyanna and Tommo, but they both looked blankly back at him.

"You thought your castle would hold forever?" Tommo asked.

"Of course not...there was talks, hopes even of a Westerlander or Reachman fleet coming to take some of the Isles. Would have taken the heat off us so we could rebuild our forces. But then..." He sighed, his shoulders sagging. There was silence for a few moments before Jagare spoke.

"I won't deny I wasn't told that, but this war has been going on for twenty years I can't be expected to know all of it…besides, Terran lost a father as well. You've both lost them, it's fair. Equal." Aeron looked amazed and shook his head.

"They've brainwashed you, fed you lies after lies. How long have you been fighting this war?" Aeron blinked rapidly and looked around the room. "For that matter, who the fuck are you all and why are you here? What's Terran doing with greenlanders anyway?"

"Let's call us Northern conscriptions" Jagare growled. Aeron's eyes lit with mirth and he smirked.

"Ah, so you're here for the rewards and such. You really think they'll keep their promise to you?" Jagare studied him for a moment then laughed.

"Good try, pirate scum. But we have our own agendas regardless of Greyjoy honour." Aeron's face morphed into confusion and Tommo laughed.

"What you think we're all loyal to Terran?" Aeron shifted uncomfortably.

"Well, I thought-" But Tommo laughed even harder, and everyone else but Jagare and Cragg snickered slightly.

"I've heard enough, let's go" muttered Jagare, motioning to Merri and Brik who yanked Aeron towards the door. In what must have been a last-ditch attempt, he yelled over his shoulder.

"He told you that my family slaughtered his at the Kingsmoot didn't he!"

"Yes, he did" Jagare called back, picking up a rag off the floor and cleaning his axe blade with it. Lyanna helped herself to the knife and Tommo whistled as he scored a fine grey cloak and a new steel sword.

"Did he tell you that it was his own men that fired the arrows?" Xavi laughed derisively.

"You Ironborn lie like shit" Angie chuckled softly.

"Terran will kill me for what happened that day, even though it had nothing to do with me or my family!" Jagare ignored him.

"Jagare, wait. I have an idea." He looked over at Tommo, his blonde hair slick with sweat and mud. A streak of blood was flowing below his ear, but he seemed well enough. He turned the sword nervously in his hand, then pulled out his old sword and tossed it on the down, sheathing his new one.

"Go on?" Tommo swallowed and frowned at Aeron.

"I don't trust Ironborn on principal, but this one I especially don't like."

"Well thanks for nothing" grumbled Aeron.

"Shut it" muttered Merri, jabbing Aeron with his axe. Tommo sighed and continued.

"I think that we could use him. We will need a guide to navigate ourselves out of these waters when we go through with our plan. He can help. He can also find us men that we will desperately need. Men loyal to him and who hate the Greyjoys. No point trying to escape with a Greyjoy crew." Jagare looked sideways at Aeron.

"That rests on him being loyal to us. Not something I'm very willing to bet my life on." Tommo shook his head, his normally cheerful face hidden behind blood and much more.

"I think we have to. Our own crew is all dead, and no Greyjoy will be willing to join us." His expression became softer. "And he's right Jagare, we don't punish sons for the sins of their fathers. He's done nothing wrong. In any other case he would have lands revoked and sworn back into the service of the Greyjoys. But Terrans blood feud is unjust and unneeded. It should have died with the dead." Aeron looked like he was going to speak but Jagare pointed at him forcefully and he kept quiet.

"What is dead may never die" muttered Lyanna, smirking slightly. Jagare thought for a moment, glancing at Aeron whose look was pleading.

"I won't make it complicated for you Harlaw, would you swear loyalty to us? Help with Tommo's plan, in exchange for your freedom?"

"Aye" he replied instantly. "Anything's better than the Greyjoy's torture rack."

"I don't know about this captain" muttered Cragg. "Can't trust him."

"Jagare!" called Wendel, who was looking out the window. "Men approaching the tower." Holding his head in his hands he thought about Tommo's new sword, hidden perfectly within his old sheath, before settling on a plan.

"Right" he growled, motioning for Aeron to be bought back into the centre of the room. Jagare dragged over one of the Greyjoy soldier's bodies and then turned to Aeron.

"Here's what's going to happen Harlaw, you're going to strip this body and put the clothes and armour on. Then you're going to come with us and join our group, you'll blend right in with the rest." Aeron was listening with rapt attention, his sea-green eyes shining worry. "Then, when we are back on my ship, the we'll take a vote on what to do with you. And I shall make it clear now that the options will either be what Tommo suggested or cutting your throat and dumping you in the bay." Aeron turned white again.

"I would prefer the first" he mumbled.

"Can't have the Greyjoys finding out that we kept you from them, can we?" Lyanna purred as she trailed her finger across Aerons neck before standing next to Jagare.

"And if we do decide the second, it will be a kinder ending than the Greyjoys would give you." Aeron gulped.

"Your ours until death now sweetie." Aaron's face was hard, and he glared at them defiantly. Jagare shrugged.

"Or we can take you to Terran now and let him tie you up at low tide with the crabs." Aeron gave a tiny shake of his head. "Good, then you better get changed." Xavi and Merri kept an eye on the defeated prince as he dressed whilst Jagare talked with the others. Tommo was very adamant in his ideals of not killing him, stating that he was simply a lowborn son like himself was and had his position forced on him. Lyanna was distrustful but seemed happy enough to piss off the Greyjoys even more. Cragg and Lemnos thought the best they could do was give him a quick death. Jagare was undecided. He could see Aeron's eyes swimming with tricks and plots. If he was on board a ship with a Harlaw crew, there could very well be a mutiny before they even lost sight of the island. They had to be cautious

When Aeron had disguised himself as a Greyjoy soldier, they pushed the bodies into a large wooden cupboard and left the tower. They only had to follow the cheers to find the right courtyard. The group had closed in a tight circle around Aeron as they made their way through the crowds. In the central courtyard, there was a large stone fountain of a man holding a scythe. The first Harlaw he guessed. The statue was newly headless, and trails of blood lead into the castle's great hall. Their group was silent as they entered the hall. There were yells and howls from all around them, Greyjoy men jeering and laughing at something happening before the high table. With his height, Jagare made out Terran's golden armour ahead of them. There was a loud cheer and Terran held something up into the air. A bloody head. Dripping with gore and eyes bulging. Lyanna's hand caught his and he held it tight. He squeezed back and made his way towards the front. A hand shot out and stopped his advance, and he turned to see a pale and haggard Rodrik Pyke looking at him fearfully.

"Terrans gone mad with bloodlust. He's executing all of them, all of the loyalists…" Rodrik pointed froward as another cheer went up from the table. "When he runs out of men…he might move onto the women and children." Jagare nodded and clasped Tommo on the shoulder.

"Get everyone back to the ship. Move quickly and keep an eye on him." Tommo was about to protest, but Jagare cut him off. "You all need to leave, okay?" Tommo looked furtive but nodded and turned. Lemnos walked past him and rumbled his low soft voice.

"That one is too consumed by vengeance, we ought never to have gotten involved." Jagare pushed his hair out of his eyes and looked down.

"Aye but we're in the shit now. Go, get out of here. Better he sees as few of us as possible. I have a feeling his innate hate for greenlanders might pipe up at any moment." The rest of the group left, and Jagare shouldered his way forward, Rodrik following him. He heard many grunts and curses but pushed through until he came to the front. He was sickened at the sight. Five bodies lay headless on the floor, blood running like a river across the slick black tiles. Three women cradled several children between them in their arms, shielding them from the horrors. Terran was working up the crowd expertly, his arms raised and calling out to the like a maniac. There was a wild look in his eyes, a look of madness.

"My prince!" he called out, barely making a dent in the noise around him. "TERRAN!" The Ironborn lord turned around and grinned at him.

"Captain Snow!" His voice was high pitched and sweet, a harsh contrast to the scenes around them. Even with all his previous encounters, Jagare knew he was closer to death now than ever before.

"My Prince." He bowed his head.

"Tell me what news you have, have you found the sheep fucking traitor Aeron?" Jagare shook his head, preparing the words in his head.

"We searched the Harlaw's tower, but there was no one there but a few guards. They took a couple of our men out before we overwhelmed them but there was no sign of Prince Harlaw." Terran's face turned purple in less than a second.

"HE IS NOT A PRINCE YOU NORTHERN DOG! HE IS SCUM, HE IS SEAWEED ON MY BOOT. AND YOU HAVE FAILED ME!" his voice echoed through the hall and the Ironborn raised their cheering. Terrans eyes blazed at Jagare, the pools of madness boring into him. Jagare felt his hand drift towards his axe, his blood rushing round his head. Terran looked ready to execute Jagare then and there, but a soldier came up next to them with a message.

"My prince, she has arrived."

"She's early" he growlled, his facade cracking.

"She wishes to speak to you now!"

"WELL, TELL HER TO FUCK OFF-"

"IS THAT ANY WAY TO WELCOME YOUR QUEEN?!" Immediately, the cheers died, and mutterings broke out through the hall. A path opened in the crowd, men squeezed against the walls to create a passage, and at the end stood a woman dressed in similar armour to Terran, but with a more feminine curve. Jagare didn't need to be a genius to figure out who this was. The queen had arrived.

Around her fanned twenty warriors, each dressed in jet black lobster plate armour and wielding large battle axes. Jagare had heard talk of these fighters from the Ironborn. They were the queen's elite guards and enforcers. Wickedly trained in land and deck fighting, they were known as the Kraken Guard. The queen started walking forward along towards them. As she came into the light, Jagare saw the rugged beauty that surrounded her appearance. Long shiny black hair that fell down her back, high sharp cheekbones that gave her a regal look, and the same piercing dark blue eyes that Terran had. She wore gold and black armour, with plates of steel fitted to every part of her body. Her pauldrons represented large horns and a long black animal skin cloak flowed behind her. Her weapon…Jagare had to look twice at her weapon. It was a trident, but unlike any, he had seen before. A long handle of stripped ironwood ended in a golden kraken, that wrapped its tentacles around the staff. From the Kraken's head sprouted three spears, each made of Valyrian Steel.

Valyrian Steel was the strongest and sharpest metal in the known world; forged through blood magic by the Dragonlords of Valyria. According to the books he had studied, there were maybe two thousand blades left out there; as after the Doom of Valyria, the secrets of making Valyrian Steel were lost forever. Yet there was a truly magnificent trident that had enough of the magical metal to make two swords on its own. It irked him slightly. What a waste. Terran had completely forgotten about Jagare and made his way toward his sister.

"Sweet sister, so good to see you again!" He grinned like a man possessed. I have taken the castle for yo-" as he reached his sister, she swung her mailed fist into his…well she hit him where it hurt. There was a collective hiss and groan from the room, and even Jagare felt the sting and winced slightly.

"You think that just because you have taken the castle you have free range execute every single highborn prisoner?" She sighed as Terran moaned quietly on the ground and walked over to the headless corpse and nudged it with her toe. "Five dead lords who could have been reformed and sworn loyalty through fear. And now the Island of Harlaw has no lords. You fucking idiot Terran."

"They would…they would have rebelled" he gasped out. "Better to kill them all now." The queen just rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"And this is why I am queen, and you are not king, brother. You have no tact." She motioned her hand towards her guards, who moved forwards to assist the sobbing bundle of women and children. As they helped them away, she turned to look at Jagare, her gaze raking over him like a wolf eyeing a stag.

"You wear the colours of my house, but you are no Ironborn…I take it you are the northern captain my brother took on." Jagare dropped onto one knee and bowed his head.

"Jagare Snow, at your service, your grace" she gazed at him appraisingly and nodded.

"Yes, you will be at my service." She winked slyly at him then tilted her head. "But why was my brother yelling about you failing him?" She put on a mock pouty face. Jagare looked quickly around the room and spoke quietly to the queen.

"Best not said in a quiet room filled with people, your grace. It concerns Prince Aeron." She was silent for a moment before nodding.

"Understood. Now if you excuse me. OI, LISTEN UP YOU FUCKERS, THIS CASTLE NEEDS TO BE CLEAN AGAIN BY TONIGHT FOR THE FEAST. IF I SEE A SPECK OF BLOOD, YOUR ALL SWIMMING BACK TO PYKE. UNDERSTOOD?!" There was a scuffle as the men in the room raced to leave and complete their queen's orders. It was clear that they both feared and respected her. She smirked as she turned back to Jagare.

"Idiots. But they do the job that they're asked to. Too bloody stupid to ask questions or think for themselves." She motioned for Jagare to rise and moved her hand forward to brush his armour slightly. He felt uncomfortable with how close she was getting to him.

"You look strong, Jagare. You don't look like you failed my brother. Tell me what happened?" Jagare kept his gaze down and spoke plainly.

"My men and I searched the lord's tower but found nothing except a few guards. We found the Lord's solar…but there was no one there." The queen gazed at him, unbreaking.

"And you didn't think to keep one of the soldiers alive to torture it out of them. If they were guarding the tower, I expect they would have known something." Jagare shook his head.

"I had no such thought, your grace. Torture is not something that sits well with me, and I did not realise that he wouldn't be there. I believe that they were simply hiding." She was still for a moment before nodding.

"You northerners are an honest lot, I trust you. But that doesn't solve the problem of where he is." She turned around and walked to her brother who was slowly starting to rise. Giving him her hand, she yanked him to his feet and then turned to face Jagare. "I think that Jagare should be given a second chance, don't you think brother?" She turned to Terran who looked pale and nauseous. Jagare didn't think he truly heard her as he nodded furiously at what she said. "Yes, I think he should finish his mission to find and eliminate wherever the Harlaw shit has gone." She looked at Jagare inquisitively. He had little choice but to nod his head.

"As my queen commands, I shall do so." She smiled at him.

"That is very good to hear. Before that however, I must request that you join me on Pyke. Just for one night. You seem like an interesting man Jagare, I would love to hear your story." She winked at him before putting an arm around her brother. "Come now, Terran. Let's get you cleaned up. You've fought well today." Terran mumbled something incomparable, and they left the hall. Not wanting to talk to any more Ironborn, Jagare turned on his heel swiftly left the room.

"Give me the horse" he growled at a young Ironborn squire who was about to respond with an angry remark before Jagare drew his knife threateningly. He rode hard back to the port, his head throbbing. The town was empty and silent by midday, the regular inhabitants poking their heads fearfully out of their homes to see what the latest news was. Jagare raced past all of them back to the ship, which was moored at the very end of the harbour. He felt another pang of guilt at the lack of men on board, the ghostly silence that would haunt the ship forever. The blood of those dead men. Not now, he couldn't think about that now. Far too much was at stake. He passed Cragg and his men on deck, who were cleaning their weapons in silence, almost ritualistic. He felt a strange calm as they all nodded at him. A reassurance. He knew they wouldn't betray him. Everyone else was gathered in the hold, sitting around in near silence. Jagare entered the room just as Lemnos had finished talking.

"What did I miss" he muttered collapsing against one of the barrels. Groaning through his aching body, he unhooked his shield and axe and let them fall to the floor. His muscles burned, bruises and cuts littering his skin; his head was spinning like a wheel. If this was what happened after battle, battle was not something he wanted to see a multitude of. Tommo tossed him a skin of water that he glugged down gratefully, before looking around the room. Aeron was sitting quietly in a corner, his knees drawn up to his chest and a pale sickened look on his face.

"What's up with him?" Jagare asked tiredly. If Aeron heard him ask, he didn't register.

"The ones Terran was executing were his relatives" Lyanna spoke softly. Jagare looked at Aeron for a few seconds. He could have left Aeron with the idea that his entire family was dead…but that could drive him to have no reason to live. Men did mad things when they lost their will to live.

"Aeron…" the broken man turned to look at him, a sickness in his eyes. "The queen arrived. She stopped the women and children from being killed by Terran. They'll be safe enough as her prisoners"

"Safe? No. None of us will be safe until they're all dead." He flinched hard and turned to look at Jagare. "Death would have been a sweeter relief." Not the reaction he had expected. Nevertheless, Jagare could have sworn a little bit of colour returned to his face.

"Well then…I suppose the next order of business-"

"Too late" Lemnos grumbled

"We're all already decided" muttered Tommo, his expression gaunt and sad.

"Have you" he spoke carefully. "Without me here?"

"Jagare…he has lost everything. We told him how we were conscripted to the Greyjoy rule with no choice, he has no reason to betray us." Jagare stared around in wonder.

"Conscripted or not, we just sacked his family's home. And yes, 'we' is crucial here. I didn't see any of the other captains coming up with a decent plan, they couldn't take a well-defended castle if it was manned with children. That was us." He groaned in frustration and turned to face Lemnos, who avoided his gaze. "You too?"

"Well, captain. It's just- you see he could be helpful to us you know…all that death, he wants revenge. We can give it to him- he can help us." Jagare chuckled slightly and leaned his head back on the barrel, closing his eyes for a moment. The brief moment of peace and silence calmed him slightly, and he looked back at Aeron. The wreck of a man barely reached his twentieth name day.

"You all pity him."

"Aye, we do" Lyanna replied immediately, her voice fierce. "And only a man with a heart of ice could not." She glared at him harshly and he knew the game was up.

"Aye. Aye, I pity him as well." He glanced back to Aeron, who had appeared to heard nothing of the conversation. "Make sure that he has a cabin, and that someone is on watch. We don't want him doing anything rash."

"What happened with the queen?" Wendel asked after a moment. "What's she like?" He thought for a moment.

"She's...the perfect queen for the Ironborn. She's wild enough to satisfy their bloodlust, but she's smart. Calculating. She wouldn't have executed those lords. Its clear why she's in charge and not Terran." There was a longer silence before Aeron muttered something quietly. They couldn't hear him so he spoke louder.

"She has the prestige of her father, the piety of her mother, the skill of her uncle and the ruthlessness of her brother. She was who we should have been fearing all along."

"You know a lot about her then" Jagare asked softly. He turned round, his face looking glum and shallow.

"I was suppose to marry her for peace, many years ago. Never came to be. Ironborn don't like suing for peace. They like total destruction." He said nothing more after that. Jagare left the hold and walked in a stupor to his own cabin. He was too tired to do anything else, and after he had stripped off his armour, he fell into a dreamless stupor. A little later he heard Lyanna come and join him in the bed.

"You made the right decision." The words fluttered around in his head as he drifted back into sleep.

Over the next few days, Aeron became more and more approachable. He regained the cruelly smiling and snarky youthfulness that he had possessed when they found him, but at the mention of any Greyjoy his features would curve uglily, and his eyes grew dark. They kept him hidden on the ship. In fact, they kept everyone hidden on the ship. Only Jagare, with the protection of a couple of his trusted fighters to keep him company. He attended various meetings with the Greyjoy siblings, mostly discussing the restructuring of the isles and the new lords put in place. Even the Ironborn were vulnerable to the boredom of politics. The queen would quiz him on Aeron's position, but he reported that none of his searches yielded anything. In reality, it was the complete opposite. Every night under the cover of darkness, two of them had escorted Aeron into the towns, slipping past the raucous drunken Greyjoy men, to find those hidden from the queen. The Harlaws and Blacktydes. Oakwoods and Drumms. There were many men that had disappeared into the shadows of the island, waiting for news of their prince. Aeron never told them how many though. He always shrugged when asked and told them that they would just have to see. He assured them that they would be ready at a moment's notice, however.

They had a stroke of luck when the queen declared that she would be the last to leave the island and that her brother should lead the fleet to Pyke. That was what Jagare worried most about. Terran had been distrustful of him since the day of the siege, even though among the other captains he was known as the one who decisively planned their victory. Terran was smarter, he saw through. The days in which the great fleet departed were risky and slow. As more and more Greyjoy men left, more and more Harlaw loyalists came to Aeron swearing loyalty. Where they were hiding, he did not know, but according to Aeron, more than four hundred men would have sworn themselves by the time of departure. That had raised some issues due to the size of the ship.

"Forget it" mumbled Lyanna through a mouthful of food. They were sitting down to another quiet supper of hard beef and bread. "We cannot get that many people onto this ship."

"She's right" Lemnos rumbled. "This ship will sleep one hundred men, at most. That's including crew, fighters, the lot."

"But we cannot leave them!" exclaimed Aeron. "They are my brothers, and if left on this island they will be hunted down and slaughtered."

"I'm sorry, Aeron. Truly" spoke Jagare. "But we simply cannot fit that many people, let alone the discreetness we would need. It's not possible."

"Well, not on this ship it's not" piped up Wendall. Heads turned towards him, and he went red. "I-I just mean…well, Tommo and I were talking about something…"

"Yes, and Tommo is practically bouncing to tell us," Lyanna remarked, looking at the excited Tommo.

"Spit it out" Jagare muttered. "Before you explode."

"Well," he started, standing up and pacing the hold. "We were thinking, if we are going to be travelling the high seas, this ship may not be the best anyway." Jagare frowned at him.

"What's wrong with my ship, she's-"

"Perfect Jagare, perfect" he spoke quickly. "Apart from the damage done by the Blacktydes…and the lack of space, speed, integrity and any amount of prestige."

"The fuck you!-" But Lyanna pulled him back down and smiled for Tommo to continue.

"For travelling short distances on the sunset coast, it's great. But if we're going to be sailing down the coast of Westeros and beyond, we'll need a bigger ship eventually anyway.

"He's right captain" agreed Lemnos. "We are going to need a bigger boat."

"Perfect!" Aeron exclaimed. "Let's find a bigger ship then. Can't be that hard right?"

"Hold your horses Harlaw" muttered Jagare darkly. "There is only one ship left in the harbour that fits your plan. Queen Kraken." The room went quiet, and everyone's faces fell. Everyone but Aeron that was. He cackled a laugh and slapped his thigh in amusement.

"Perfect! We get a big fucking ship and piss off the Greyjoys."

"Do you wanna stroll into the castle and whip your cock out for her while you're at it?" growled Lemnos. "You really think that we can just steal the crown ship without anyone fucking noticing."

"He's right" Jagare muttered. "That ship is the prize of her fleet. Largest I've ever seen."

"That's an understatement, its said to be largest and strongest in Westeros" muttered Wendall. "Made almost entirely of Ironwood, fifteen sails, four masts and the perfect mix of speed, strength, and comfort. And of course, that great ramming horn built on the end will crush any ship it comes across."

"Which is why we need it" replied Aeron. "We need that strength and speed, so we can outrun their fleet. This little thing won't reach the coast of the Westerlands before they catch us." Jagare glanced at Lemnos.

"Is he right?" The man was still for a moment before he nodded.

"Aye, we would be hunted down like sea dogs soon enough." Aeron spread his arms and looked around.

"There we go. We need that ship! And I have the men to crew it. All we need is a plan to distract the queen, and I can take care of the rest."

"What do you mean distract?" asked Tommo, while Jagare stayed silent, thinking.

"I'll need the queen on the ship and in her cabin when we set sail. We'll need speed and ruthlessness. Her crew will be smaller now that the war is won, so we can easily overwhelm them on land and take the ship. But we need the queen isolated and out of the equation so she cannot rally troops from the island or send any ravens to intercept us. Preferably also deafened so she cannot hear the fighting." There was silence before Tommo barked a laugh.

"Do you want a Valyrian blade with that? Maybe a virgin whore?" Aeron scowled.

"I'm not saying it will be easy, I'm saying it's not impossible." He looked around at them. "Come on, there must be some way we can accomplish this?"

"There is" spoke up Jagare, though he felt a pit growing in his stomach. "I know a way we- I can get the queen on her own and distracted." He glanced at Tommo who grinned broadly. Wendel looked confused.

"What's that Jagare?" He looked warily around the room before his eyes settled on Lyanna, who gazed back at him hard, her eyebrow raised.

"Go on Jagare, tell us the plan..." He gulped and had images of severed manhoods.

"Well, the queen might have shown an…interest in me." No one spoke apart from Tommo stifling his giggles. "So, I might be able to get her alone…in her cabin" he coughed into his hand. "For some time."

"Oh, boy" muttered Lemnos, a tiny smirk under his beard.

"Not very long I bet" smirked Tommo and Jagare snarled at him. His gaze returned to Lyanna who looked contemplative.

"Lya, if you don't want me to…I won't do it unless you say-"

"No, you should do it." Everyone looked at her in surprise. "I trust you… it's for the good of the crew. Besides" she grinned wickedly "I can have you any time I like after, you'll owe me forever. Jagare blinked a couple of times as he registered what she was saying, then gulped once more. This was not what he had expected coming from the meeting, and the entire room had suddenly become very hot and awkward.

"Okay then…I suppose that is a plan." Aeron seemed not to care about the intricacies of his distraction and got up, clapping his hands. "Right. The ship leaves tomorrow. Give me the night to gather the men and we'll shall take the ship…little bit before midday. Savvy?" He did not wait for an answer before walking towards the door.

"Wait" muttered Jagare his eyes hard, and Lemnos held out a massive arm to block Aerons path. "Swear to it. Swear on your god." Aeron was about to complain but Jagare wrenched himself up, moving towards him. "Swear that you will not betray us. Swear you will respect me as your captain and that your men will do the same. Swear to it on the drowned god." Aeron glared at him then let out a sigh before nodding.

"Very well. I swear on the drowned god, I will not betray you Jagare. I will provide the men and we shall escape these cursed Isles." He looked at Jagare hard, then the rest of them. "You all saved me…from the Greyjoys and my mind. I won't just forget that. I owe you. All of you." He seemed sincere, very sincere. But how far could he trust an Ironborn? Nevertheless, he nodded and watched Aeron leave.

"I suppose this will be the last night we spend on this ship" he muttered, looking around. "Make sure you have all of your equipment and possessions and anything else chuck in some crates to go on our soon-to-be ship." He grinned. "And start thinking of a fucking name for the bastard." Tommo laughed as he left the room.

"Aye captain."

Gods only knew what Aeron that night did, but Jagare was praying to every god that existed that he would pull through his side of the deal. That night, their ship was quietly unloaded, all cargo and belongings being transported silently under the cover of darkness to a large pile of crates and barrels ready to be loaded onto the queen's ship. The ship itself was not over-exaggerated from the stories. And he meant stories. Around five years ago the Greyjoys had made a deal with the Starks. A massive shipment of Ironwood trees departed from the Stoney Shore on Farwynd ships, enough lumber to build a small fleet. In return, the Greyjoys promised that when they won the war, reaving and looting in the North would stop. The deal was sealed with the North threatening a marriage alliance with the Harlaws if they were betrayed, and so both parties held up their end. The Greyjoys would still sail south of course to raid the coasts of the Reach and Westerlands, but the North would be safe for a while. While none were particularly keen to trust the Ironborn, if the Starks had loaded their men onto Harlaw ships the war would be as good as lost for the Greyjoys. They kept their promise. Tales then floated around the coasts of Westeros, of a massive Ironborn vessel. A war galley, larger than any before that was built by the Greyjoy Queen of the Isles. Three times bigger than a king's flagship and loaded with weaponry and luxuries alike. The entire hull, decks and masts were made of pure Ironwood and the interior was large and spacious enough for cargo from three merchant ships, yet richly furnished enough for an Essosi prince. It was the perfect warship, and Jagare had to admit that when Aeron pitched his plan, his heart had jumped a little. Having such a powerful vessel under his command… they had to work to get there though. They all had to do their part. For him, that part was…complicated.

The next morning, Jagare rode up to the castle alone to speak with the queen. Lyanna would be waiting by the docks for them, and the rest were taking commands from Aeron on where to go and what to do. Placing him fully in charge was a tough decision for Jagare, but eventually seeing little other option he had relented with himself. He could now only focus on his part of the plan. Riding into the courtyard, he saw the queen standing in the centre talking to one of her captains as men moved all around her, packing up weapons, food, and other richly furnished belongings from the castle.

"Who do you plan to leave it to?" Jagare asked as he dismounted. Over the past few days, he had earned the queen's respect enough to be informal.

"The new Lord Harlaw" she gestured to the man beside her who turned out to be Rodrik Pyke. Jagare had not recognised him, as he had switched out his salt-stained leathers for lords clothing, clean and fresh. "Just now I denounced Aeron Harlaw as a pretender and had our new lord here legitimised and wed to Aeron's sister. Their children shall start a new line of Harlaw's loyal to the Greyjoys, and hopefully, their lands shall prosper once more." Rodrik wore a smile, yet Jagare could tell he was nervous. That was a lot of pressure for a recently legitimised bastard.

"Congratulations my friend" Jagare grinned holding out a hand. Rodrik took it with a grin.

"Many thanks, her grace has been too kind to me. A pretty highborn wife and a lordship, I am very grateful." There was a twinge in his eyes however. A loss. No longer could he sail freely. Now he was a lord.

"Mmm, and don't forget it" the queen smirked at him, but Jagare knew she was serious. A loyal ally in control of her enemies lands and married her enemies cousin, reducing his claim. Very smart.

"If you'll both excuse me" Rodrik bowed and moved off towards his new castle." Madilyn's face dropped slightly. Her jet-black hair was blowing fiercely in the wind, and she turned to fix her stormy blue eyes on Jagare. They were exactly like her brothers. It unnerved him.

"A wise choice, your grace. Let him prove his loyalty and reduce the chance of a rebellion." She chuckled and moved closer to him, her hand lightly brushing over his chest as she walked.

"Fuck that, I just can't be bothered to deal with it. I plan to let these islands sit a little while, outside of my rule. I've burned their ships and their lands, now to show them just how much they need my help to survive." He inclined his head.

"They will be begging for your rule eventually, your gra-" She covered his mouth with her hand, and her eyes flickered with burning excitement.

"I told you to call me Madilyn, Jagare." He smirked at her and reached up to gently pull her hand away, holding it for a second longer than he should have.

"As you command…Madilyn." She grinned at him before moving towards the horse.

"I would like you to accompany me on my ship when we sail to Pyke. I am sure your crew can man your ship for a couple of days without their captain. Not that there are many left of course." He felt his face redden slightly but composed himself and breathed.

"It would be my honour to accompany you…how soon do we leave?" She turned and paced slowly closer.

"When I say we leave. I am the queen." Jagare groaned slightly and rolled his eyes.

"I worry for your grace's safety is all. I have heard rumours in taverns of Harlaw loyalists across the island." He felt his heart beating faster than normal, and tried to make his voice sound softer...like he did with Lyanna. "I would hate for anything to...happen to you." He tried to fix her with a seductive stare, but for all knew he could have looked murderous. He was not good at this. She seemed to ponder the idea for a moment, her eyes searching his own.

"I'm sure that we would be safer in the comforts of my ship, but only if I had someone to…keep me company." She smirked wickedly at him and moved even closer. "We could have our midday meal in my cabin, watching the waves roll past." As she spoke, she ran her hand up his arm, resting on his shoulder. She bought her lips to his ear, and he felt himself shiver with lust and guilt. Betrayal. "Of course, my cabin has a very large bed as well, great for fucking on it, when I feel like it." Jagare felt his cheek heat up to a point he didn't think possible. Luckily, Madilyn pushed off him and walked over to the horse. "Come Jagare, I'm riding."

The ride down to the ship was silent and awkward, for Jagare at least. His mind was racing with thoughts and scenarios, the plan failing, him and his friends being strung out for the crabs on the beaches of Harlaw. Even worse, the plan succeeded, and Lyanna never looked at him the same way again…Eventually, they reached the docks, but Jagare had seen the ship from ages away. A war galley of impossible size, it dwarfed the dock it lay at. Completely forged from ironwood, its four masts thrust into the sky at different heights. He didn't see much of the ship itself, as Madilyn dragged him straight to her cabin without wasting a second. Even then, he stopped to appreciate its beauty. The captain's quarters were divided in two, much like the style of a lord's chambers in a castle. The first part acted as a solar, with a large wooden desk with many papers and maps skewed across it. There were chests and shelves lining the walls with a large space in the middle for chairs. In the corner stood an armour stand with her finely crafted golden armour, and her trident resting beside it. They went through another door into the bedchamber. A massive mattress that could have fitted about five people sat against the wall, with wardrobes and chests around the walls.

His vision clouded slightly, and his mind blurred as she pushed him to the bed and started undressing. Soon she was free of all garments, her skin bare for him to see. His body betrayed him where his mind would not. She pulled down his breeches and climbed atop of him, stripping off his shirt and slowly moving her lips down his chest until she reached…oh god. He hated how good it felt. He didn't want her. He wanted Lyanna, only Lyanna. Time passed like seconds, yet it felt like hours. He let himself go inside, waiting…waiting for the moment. Eventually, he heard it. A yell, the stomping of boots, and the sound of steel on steel. They were lying together, in between their…sessions. He felt her stir beside him.

"What was that" she murmured quietly. Stalling for time, Jagare reached down under the sheets and ran his fingers along the inside of her leg, and she moaned slightly, her head falling back down to the pillow. His mind burned with stress as he waited for Lyanna to return. Then, the door opened, and her face appeared by the idea. She was still flushed from their lovemaking but had a wide grin on her face. After nodding her head, Jagare breathed a massive sigh. Pushing off the covers, he quickly started getting dressed. He would rather be fully clothed when Madilyn realised what had happened.

"Jagare…come back to bed…I'm not finished with you yet" she grinned wickedly and then frowned at him. "Why are you getting dressed, surely you can go longer than that." She chuckled at her joke but soon realised that something else was afoot. Jagare was looking at hew with sorrow, and a slight amount of pity. "What's happening?" she asked, her eyes narrowed. Feeling his heart beating faster than a raven's wings, Jagare shook his head, avoiding her eyes.

"I'm afraid, my queen, that I must ask you to leave my cabin." She sat up confused, just as Jagare pulled on his leather armour and slung his hand axe into his belt. He had packed away the Greyjoy armour and his new axe into a crate that was safely on the ship, not that he would need it now.

"What are you talking about Jagare?" Her eyes widened. "You wouldn't…" Jagare shrugged.

"Got to look out for my best interests. Swearing myself to a load of backstabbing pirates…not the smartest plan." For the first time, Jagare saw fear in her eyes as she looked around frantically for her clothes. She sprung to the chest and wrenched on a pair of breeches and a sleeping shift. She was about to lunge at Jagare but the door smashed open with a loud bang. Aeron stood in the light, adorned in light Ironborn armour with a large black overcoat wrapped around him. There was a sword and dagger at his belt, and in his hands he held a short Ironwood bow. A dazzling smile grinned at them, with his sea green eyes swimming with manic joy.

"CAPTAIN SNOW, THE SHIP IS OFFICIALLY OURS." A chorus of cheers came out from behind him. Jagare took a moment to breathe in and appreciate what those words meant. Every single man on the vessel was under his command and the entirety of the fourteen seas were his to explore. He was rudely brought back to reality by the queen screaming at him.

"TRAITOR, YOU FUCKING TURNCLOAK." She leapt at him, quicker than he had thought she could. But before she could rake her nails across his face Lyanna sprung from behind her and with a solid kick sent her sprawling to the floor.

"My man bitch" she panted, and a swell of love rose in Jagare. The queen raised her head with fury, but Aeron stepped forward swiftly and landed a brutal backhand on her face. His chain mailed gauntlet cut into her skin and blood dripped steadily onto the wooden floor. Aeron's face was now curled in disgust and hatred. Jagare saw Tommo and Cragg enter the room behind Aeron, blades drawn. He nodded at them, and they nodded back. Tommo gave him a grin and mouthed 'Good fuck?'. Inwardly groaning he shook his head and faced back to Aeron, who was standing over Madilyn menacingly.

"You took everything from me, from my family." Jagare felt uneasy at the tone he had dropped to. It was a tone he recognised. "YOU KILLED THEM ALL!"

"We were at war" she spat. "What did you expect, fucking tea parties and picnics."

"I EXPECTED SOME FUCKING HONOUR." She recoiled at the volume, but he continued anyway. "I EXPECTED MEN THAT HAD SURRENDERED TO BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND BEEN GIVEN THE CHANCE TO BEND THE KNEE."

"My brother killed your family, not me." Aeron's face relaxed at that, he almost looked satisfied.

"Yes, and he executed men when he should have been executing me. Therefore, I believe that it's only fair for his punishment to be carried out on you." He laughed suddenly. "You know it really is funny how easily we pulled this off. You were far too careless when scoping the Island…or maybe it wasn't actually carelessness, but deliberate failure by your men." Aeron's smile grew when he saw Madilyn's confusion. "You put the wrong men in charge of finding us methinks. So now here we are, with you captive on your own ship." She spat on the floor, then ignored him, glaring up at Jagare.

"You think you're captain now…death is coming for you, Jagare Snow. It comes for all of you." Her face was red with rage. "I swear now, on the Drowned God, the line of Greyjoy shall end the line of Harlaw by any means necessary." Without warning, Aeron grabbed her by the hair and before Jagare could stop her, dragged her out of the cabin and onto the deck. He quickly raced outside to stop Aeron, but the sight before him left him shocked.

"HUNDREDS OF HARLAW MEN SURROUNDING YOU" Aeron boomed, his voice echoing throughout the port. "MEN WHOSE FAMILY YOU MURDERED AND WHOSE LIVES YOU DESTROYED…I THINK THAT WE SHOULD LET THEM DECIDE YOUR FATE, DON'T YOU THINK BOYS!" There was a roar from all of the men, and Jagare had to step in.

"No, enough!" He stepped forwards and put his hand on Aerons chest. "She is our captive and highborn, she is to be treated with respect." Snarling Aeron pushed his arm away.

"My family was captive and highborn. WHAT RESPECT WERE THEY SHOWN!"

"WE ARE BETTER THAN THEM!" Jagare shouted. "And more than that I am your captain." Aeron was about to respond but Jagare interrupted, grabbing his tunic, and pulling Aeron close. "You swore an oath" he growled. "I ask that you keep it. I have given you your vengeance and no-" A hard force shoved into him, and he fell to the floor, his head banging against the wood. He looked up to see a figure racing across the deck as roars went up. Swaying as he rose, Jagare saw the queen racing along the deck, dodging the infuriated crew that tried to grab her. She ran along the thin rail before jumping onto the foredeck. Kicking over a barrel, a large amount of ale spilt out onto the deck. Men charging her slipped on the watery substance and she moved further along the prow. Jagare's head was throbbing with pain, but he heard Tommo yelling and screeching for someone to catch her. He saw her figure standing on one of the railings before a sharp whistle cut through the air and her figure stood still, a thin arrow protruding from her chest. Then she dropped, with no more sound than a soft splash.

He turned to the side and saw Aeron with a bow in his hands and a blank look on his face. He then stepped forward to address the ship.

"She's dead" he spoke, his voice monotone. "The Greyjoy bitch is dead. Justice has been carried out; vengeance has been taken." He stood silent for a moment before smiling slightly. "What is dead…may never die."

"WHAT IS DEAD MAY NEVER DIE!" came the resounding cheer from the crew. Jagare's vision came back into focus to see hundreds of men spread across the deck, waving weapons, and cheering at their King. Aeron met Jagare's eyes and nodded at him apologetically.

"We are not them" Jagare muttered. "I know you understand me Aeron. We can never be them." Aeron nodded once more.

"I understand...Its a new dawn Jagare. I promise." Tommo, Wendel and Lemnos had all gathered outside the cabin and were gazing down on the masses of Ironborn.

"Well fuck me that's a sight" grumbled Lemnos.

"Aye, glad they on our side though" muttered Wendall, who although still quiet was smiling for once. Tommo had excited the cabin with a crystal flask of wine and was drinking straight from it.

"I think I could get used to this you know" he chuckled. Lyanna then smacked him on the head and took the wine.

"That is ours you prick, go find your own fucking cabin." Tommo laughed and inclined his head.

"I think I will. Come on boys, let's get the good ones. Bloody hell Lemnos you can smile for once…" Their voices trailed off down below as Jagare and Lyanna observed the scene below them.

"Are you okay?" he asked her softly. Her gaze was fixed on the horizon unmoving. But she smiled and took his hand in hers.

"I'm the only woman allowed in bed with you who then lives to talk about it." He started laughing, and then she joined in. Eventually, they straightened and Jagare drew her close, kissing the top of her head. Soon enough Aeron had organised the crew and they had set sail from the island. Both of them gazed out over the horizon. There was a landmass close to them which must have been the Island of Pyke but looking south there was nothing but clear water. The sun was high, and the wind was blowing. Then heavy footsteps made them turn to find Merri and Brik coming up the stairs.

"Captain…there is something you should see below deck." Jagare looked at Lyanna who kissed his cheek.

"I'll go find Wendel and Aeron and start plotting a course, get us back on track for…"

"Lannisport," Jagare spoke almost immediately. It was one of the major cities in Westeros and he wanted to get out of the Isles as soon as physically possible.

"Lannisport it is then." She left towards the bow of the ship and Jagare turned towards the two men.

"Lead on." He spoke and they turned. Whilst leading him underneath the ship they spoke fast and bluntly.

"We were doing a quick scan of the ship, looking for any stowaways or secrets."

"Then in one of the food stores, we found one." They led him into a wide low room that he had to duck to enter. Past the barrels and crates, a dim corner lit only by an oil lamp from Merri, was a small, blonde-haired girl with large blue eyes. Her hair was soaked and as she gazed at Jagare she stuttered her speech.

"P-please don't kill me."

And Jagare is off on his own again, this time in command of the largest war vessel ever seen! I happen to have built it in minecraft for inspiration, maybe one day if I figure out how downloads work you can see it...

Thanks for reading and feel free to comment!