The Wars Yet To Come

by LottieDot

The Board had been altered, but the Game remained the same. When War ended and peace lay over the Seven Kingdoms. Rhaegar and Lyanna live and rule with Elia and raise their children. Now 20 years later it is the children of the players of the game that must learn how to play. Vows will be made, promises broken. We will all learn in the Game of Thrones you live or die.

3. The Kings Road

A/N This is a long post. I probably broken it in two posts, but I couldn't do it. I hope you like this one. It might feel a little bit like I jumped around and I did a little. Once we reach Winterfell things should be easier to follow. I'm still working on how to write without using one set POV for every character. It's a learning curve for me. But that being said I really want you to enjoy this chapter!
And just a heads up, some characters are a wee bit OOC. I'm not going to name names here, but this is an AU, so some people had to change.

The Kings Road

A great cloud of dust rose above a vast train of travelers who made its way up the King's Road. Never in memory had there been this many people seen on the stretch of the section connecting the kingdom. Banners from all the houses were flying from everything they could tack them on to. The good people who lived in the vicinity had trembled in fear at the sight. Unknown to them the sea of people were not an army bent on their destruction, but an army bent on a different purpose. The king had sent riders to the visible holds and farms announcing the traveler's intent. The slow moving train of human and beasts made such a racket that the poor people had still quivered in fear until the noise had passed, than the gossip had begun to spread to all the land.

It was the last leg of the journey. The royal family sat in their pavilion breaking their fast. Rhaegar and Elia were absent from the rest of the family. Lyanna sat eating with her children. She looked over them with a smile on her faced. On the days and nights that her husband spent with his first wife, she took solace in the company of her mother in law and the children she had raised. Rhaella had decided not to attend the breakfast in the royal tent, but stayed in her own. The journey had been difficult for her, they all knew.

"We shall be at Winterfell in a weeks' time, at this speed anyway. If we had traveled the way I had suggested we would have been there a month ago." Lyanna said to the assembled group.

"Truly mother?" Jon asked. The boy had grown into a man overnight, or so she felt. It still amazed her that this child had been born to her. Everything she had endured since the war had been worth it because of her trueborn son.

"Yes Jon. Soon we will be at the home of our ancestors." She reached for her cup of tea and sipped the scalding liquid.

"Lyanna I know you've told us many tales of your childhood home, but is it truly as wild as they say?" Daenerys asked from across the table.

"It never seemed wild to me. It was always just home. I remember roaming to all the houses and keeps of every family that lived within the boundaries of the North. My father believed in allowing our people know and love us, to teach us all that our duty was to the people we protected. But you all know this." Lyanna chuckled at the four youths that sat with her.

"Mother tell us of the Wall and the Wilding." Rhaenys asked. The girl, now a woman of three and twenty, had always loved the tales of the places beyond the edge of the world.

"Not those stories again. If you want those old tales, you can just go to your trunk and read them. I know you have the stories mother has told you written down in a book." Aegon spoke with his mouth full of bread and honey.

"Be silent Aeg. You have your own collection of stories from Grandmother hidden in your trunk. I know your secrets too." Rhaenys snapped.

"Why don't we ride ahead of the column today and see if we can spot Winterfell." Daenerys spoke, trying to distract a fight from happening.

"I think that would be a very good idea. Our horses need a good run." Jon agreed.

Lyanna watched as her son and good sister, who was more a sister to her children than to her, maneuvered the other two out of a confrontation.

"I can't ride today. My horse threw a shoe and needs to be repaired" Aegon said sadly.

"That's fine. You always turn things into a competition anyway. This way we can ride without you creating a childish game from it." Jon said to his brother with a smile on his face to make his words not sting his brother pride. Jon had that effect on people. He made you feel at ease and relaxed, even when delivering harsh truth.

Lyanna sat and watched the grown children make their plans for the day. She sat and tried not to let her mind wander to what her closest friend and husband were doing. When they had first wed, she had not grasped the difficulties that could arise from a man having more than one wife. The first few years were spent in companionable ease. They had a kingdom to repair and children to raise. However, once the realm had settled and the children grown enough to start lessens with their tutors the three had been forced to realize that their idea of a marriage between three people, all with different personalities, could never work out properly.

So the three had come to an agreement that they would be partners together when it came to the children. Rhaegar would be the King and when the times called for it, he would ask his wives for their opinion if he needed it. Nevertheless, the three of them could not live the way they had thought all those years ago, before the war. It had been decided that the women would each be given a week, alternating one from to the other, to act as the wife of the king.

For Lyanna this arraignment at times seemed too difficult to bare. She felt a divide grow up between her and Elia after this decision. Moreover, Rhaegar always felt torn and guilty for splitting his attention between the women he loved.

At times Lyanna felt foolish for making a rash decision to run away from her home, for causing the deaths of her father and eldest brother. Brandon would have rivaled the King in his charisma and ability to make the small folk love him. Even after all these years she still woke in the night seeing her father burned alive in his armor and her brother struggling to save him, only to hang himself in his efforts. She would awake in the dark of night hearing her name being shouted from their lips as they died. Those nights, when the ghosts of her father and brother entered her dreams she was sleeping alone. It was as if Rhaegar's presence in her bed kept the dreams at bay. She never had the dreams when he held her in his arms. The last night had been no different. The dreams had only seemed to grow stronger when they entered her father's old lands. Once they crossed the Neck they began to shout questions.

"Why Lyanna? Why?" They accused her in her dreams, making her wake in cold sweats.

She was lost in thought as she half listened to her children discuss their day's plans.

"Would we have to bring along guards, do you think?" Jon asked. He reminded his mother of her brother Eddard and had told him that often. He was cautious where his brother and sister were not always so.

"I do not see why. We will be on the road safe. And if any idiot decided to attempt an attack on us, we will show them what a dragon is capable of. I am full. Come on Danny. We need to change into proper riding attire." Rhaenys stood from the table and started to walk out of the tent, but she turned back to the table and spoke to her second mother. "Your week starts tomorrow mother. I know when you are with father that haunted look will no longer be in your eyes."

With that, the two young women walked out of the tent. Jon and Aegon exchanged a look. They had heard their mother's shouts of horror in her sleep for the past week. Last night had been the worst. Jon had no idea what plagued his mother on this journey. He had asked her in the early days and all she said was she had memories and walked away. He wanted to ask her now what the cause of her distress was again, but knew it would be folly. He stood from the table and went to the door of the tent.

"I better go ready the horses. The girls and I will be back by dark." He smiled at his mother and gave his brother a pity filled look. He knew his brother could have come with them if he was not so stubborn. There were horses a plenty for him to ride. Aegon refused to ride any but his own horse. Jon walked out into the sun soaked day and smiled.

He had grown fond of the country they had been traveling in. He felt a connection with this place that he had never felt before. He had told his feelings to Rhaenys when they had first crossed over into the boundaries that divided the Riverlands to the untamed lands of the northern part of his father's kingdom. His sister has laughed and told him he felt connected to it because it was his blood feeling the call home. She had told him she had felt the same pull when they had first traveled to Dorne as children.

"We may be dragons, but the blood of our mothers still flows within us. We must never forget we are more then dragons' baby brother. You have wolfs blood in you veins. Out of all fathers children you look least like a Targaryen. To hear him speak you are full Stark." She had laughed and he had blushed.

He went and fetched the three mounts for himself and the girls. Dany had a mare with a mane almost as silver as her own hair. It was as wild and spirited as she was. The horse never allowed anyone except her rider to touch her, but she made an exception with Jon. He had a way with horses. His mother often said he was like his uncle Brandon in that regard. The tales spoke of his abilities with horses and his mother's as well. He seemed to have inherited their grace with the animal.

Rhaenys's horse was not so finicky. She was a beautiful sand stead. The mare again matched her riders coloring. Beautiful tan body with a honey colored mane and tale. His own mount was a black stallion. He was larger than the two mares and to some frightening. Like Silver, he would not tolerate anyone but his rider. Jon spoke to the three horses as he waited on the girls.

"We are going for a proper ride today." He told them, feeding them cubes of sugar from his hand. "You all can finally stretch your legs. What do you think about that?" The horses whined their agreement.

"Talking with the horses again, little brother?" Rhaenys asked as she walked over to him and their mounts. She had on riding pants and a long coat that went down to her knees. It was a deep red and she wore it well.

"You know me, I'm better with animals than people." He smiled at a long family joke. Aegon had once remarked that Jon was half horse because of the ease he had with them.

"No, you're not. You are better with people then the two you have as brother and sister. Aegon had better watch out. If you keep making friends with the people he might be out of a job." Dany joked.

"I'm not going to be king. You know that. The best I will do is be my brothers Hand." Jon replied as he swung onto his horses back. The stallion kicked at the ground, eager to be off.

"And what of me?" Rhaenys asked. "Where do I fit in? And Dany too, oh wise Jonny boy?"

"You will both have husbands and a load of fat screaming brats to keep you to busy for anything." He smiled at the looks of anger they gave him. He knew neither would be content being wives, they wanted more. "We have to get a move on if we wish to ride out without father knowing we are leaving without guards." With that, Jon kicked his horse into motion and off they rode.

The three moved at a slow pace until they were clear of the mass of people. Once they were free, they kicked their horses onto a run and they shot away. They rode over the hills and under ancient trees, so large they made tunnels with their branches. Rhaenys would never tell Jon this, but she felt something for this land as much as he did. There was something here, laying below the surface, that called to her.

They made their way to the rise of the fifth hill. They stopped and let their horses rest. The animals were not used to this kind of workout, not anymore. In the course of their travel, the animals had walked far too much without proper exercise. It showed on the way they labored in their run.

"I say five more hills and we will be able to see Winterfell." Dany said as they walked their horses to stream to water them.

"I say three." Rhaenys said as she slid from her horse. She stretched, smiling as she felt her body aching in ways she had not felt since the start of their journey.

"Seven. We will be there in seven." Jon said, giving his horse a sugar cube.

"Are you saying that with certainty from your Stark blood, or because you want to be different?" His sister asked.

"I'm just guessing, like you. So now that we are away from everyone what do you think of the land?" He asked.

"It is amazing up here. I have never smelled air so fresh. I didn't realize it when we were still with the rest of them back there." Dany said, breathing a large lungful of air.

The brother and sister looked at their aunt and smiled. She had always been spirited. Prone to flights of fancy. She was also quick tempered. One of the traits all the members directly connected to the Mad King shared.

"Now that the horses are watered why don't we ride until we see Winterfell?" Dany asked.

"We can't. We'd never make it back to the rest of the group by sundown if we do that." Jon said looking up at the sun.

"We still have time. If Rhaenys is right, we will see the castle in three hills. We won't go to the castle, just be the first to see it." Dany said as she adjusted the saddle on her horse.

Jon looked at his sister. He wanted to see the castle of his family so badly. She gave a small nod of her head and he smiled at her. They would see who was right in how close to Winterfell they really were. The three companions mounted three horses and rod off once more. They rode slowly at first, but as they approached the first hill, they gathered speed. Rhaenys let the other two tire their horses out as they raced each other to the second hill. She and her horse cantered up it while the other two had their horses going at a full gallop. Once they were at the bottom, she let her horse have freedom. She shot past the two others. There was an exhilaration in passing them, because she knew that she had been right. She reached the base of the next hill and horse and rider climbed it with ease. Once she reached the crest, she slowed her mount, made it walk in circles while she waited for her brother and aunt to reach her.

Rhaenys had a large smile on her face as they caught up with her. There before them was a vast flatland. Nestled in a wood so deep were the towers of Winterfell. She had never seen anything so awe inspiring. The Red Keep was impressive, but Winterfell was truly breath taking.

"There it is. The home to the Starks." She waved her arm, showing her companions the place they had been moving for in the last few weeks.

"It looks old. Older than the Red Keep." Dany said with respect in her voice.

"That is because it is. Before the dragons came to Westeros this land was ruled by The Kings of the North. Winterfell was the seat of the Kings of old. But you know that as well as I do." Jon said.

"It's beautiful." Rhaenys said as she looked upon the castle.

"We best be getting back. We will barely make it back before sundown." Jon said, always practical. He and Dany turned and started their horses on the trek down the hill.

Rhaenys stood on the hilltop a moment longer. She looked at the mystical castle and drank it in. She gave a piece of herself to that place on that hill. She felt as if she was looking at the home that she had never known she was missing. Reluctantly she turned her horse around and started back to her family. She had a sudden urge to speak with her second mother.

Xxxxxxxx

Edmure Tully rode with his house banners flying mixed with the house of his sister's husbands. He watched as their camp was dismantled around him. He had grown sick with his sister Lysa and her handling of her son. In the weeks of their travels, he was sad to see how his sister had changed so much since he last saw her.

"The years have been tough on her Ed." His uncle Byrnden told him when he had finally asked what had happened to her.

"I do not understand where this madness has come from." He had said, watching his sister fuss over her son.

The boy was slight and pale. Lysa never let the child leave her sight. He had heard the boy's pleas to go outside the wheelhouse they rode in on the journey. He had wanted to hack the door down by the end of his first week traveling with them. There was no need to keep the child so close at all times. This day he would speak with her, he decided as he watched her smooth his hair and wipe at invisible dirt from his face. His uncle, called the Black Fish, stood slightly behind her. He was as sickened by the woman's actions as he was.

Ed took a deep breath and walked to his sister and her only living child.

"Robin, why don't you ride with me today? How would you like that?" He said smiling at his nephew.

"Out of the question. My baby must stay with me." Lysa said with a sharp voice.

"But mother, if I am with Uncle Edmure nothing bad will befall me." The soft voice pleaded.

"No." She shouted, her eyes wheeling looking around her. "He is just a child. The road is too hard for him. He will fall sick and die if he rides out of my sight."

"He is only sickly because you make him so. If you continue to keep his attached to you I will have no other choice but to take him from you." Ed spoke in a soft tone, as if he was speaking to an angry child.

"If you try to take him the Men of The Vale will cut you down." She said, pulling her son behind her.

"I will take this to the king. This is no way to raise Jon Arryn's son and the Lord of the Vale." Edmure spoke with furry in his voice.

"You try it brother and you will wish for death. No one will take my child from me!" She was shouting now. Her voice was shrill. The work around them stopped.

The men of the Vale were coming close to them, but Ed was pleased to see that his own men were there as well. He had spoken with many of the men that who tasked to protect their young lord of the Vale. They too were sickened at the way the woman was raising their Lord. He felt secure that if he took a stand to somehow save the boy they would stand behind him.

"Lysa let the child ride out in the air. It is worse for him to be locked in that wheelhouse day after day. Think about it sister. When we were children, we thrived with life and health out in the sun and air of Riverrun. Why do you deprive your child what you yourself had?" Ed pleaded with his sister.

"When we were children we were safe. There are horrors all around. I will not have my son taken from me." Her eyes, crazed and burning bright shot him a deep dark look. "He is safe with me."

"Lysa," the Black Fish spoke for the first time, "think of what your husband would have wished. He would want your child to thrive. Let the boy ride one day my Lady. It will do him good." He was beside her now. His face was pleading and soft.

The woman looked to her uncle and her brother. She held her child close to her. She knew she would not be able to stop her uncle or brother from taking her son from her this day. She gave a soft sob and pulled her child to face her. She looked at his eyes and they were shining bright with hope. She knew he was frail. She knew he would come back to her sick and in pain.

"Robin, do you really wished to ride with your uncle this day?" She finally choked out between sobs.

"I'm sorry mother, but I do. I will be a good boy and not get dirty or hurt. I will ride the way father had shown me. Please let me go." He pleaded.

She looked around the men before her and sucked in her breath. She left the tears on her face; she wanted them all to know of her pain in this decision. If they wanted to steel her child, to turn him away from her, she would use what weapons she could.

"Sweet Robin, you may ride this day. Only one day. When you take ill I will be here when you return." She kissed her sons head and looked at her brother and spoke words that she knew would wound him. "If anything happens to my child, the Lord of the Vale, I will have my men remove that head of yours from your shoulder. You are no brother of mine."

Lysa spun and walked to her wheelhouse. The men all stood still until she was finally out of earshot.

"Thank you Uncle Edmure. I am not as sick as mother claims I am. I only take ill after an offer of being separated by her. I feel find right now." The boy's watery eyes looked at him. Ed was still in shock from his sister's words but from the look on the child's face, he let go of all his hurt and anger.

"Come along Robin. The horse of yours needs to get to know you." Edmure smiled, leading the child to where the horses were kept. The boy walked in step with his uncle, eager to be outside. There was a look of wonder on his face as he while they walked through the camp.

"There are so many people." His eyes went round when he saw a large man sling a sack onto his shoulders and pack it into a wagon. "Do all these me want to kill me, like mother says?"

Edmure shot a look at his uncle. He asked the man with his eyes if his sister had been telling the boy everyone around him wanted his death. The older man nodded his head and Edmure swore under his breath.

"No boy. These men are all loyal to you, to our family. They are here to protect you." He answered.

"Then my mother is wrong. If she was wrong about this would she be wrong about other things?" They had reached the area where the horses corralled. Edmure singled for the man who watch over their mounts. He had a quick conference with the man and he went off to ready their horses.

"What else does my sister tell you Robert?" Edmure wanted to know the depth of his sister's madness.

"That I need to be protected at all times. That I will be a great lord and rule the east like my father and grandfather. But that I am too frail to learn how to train with sword and steel. My body is too weak for me to be allowed near a maester for proper studies. She said they are all dirty men and carry all the sickness of every man they meet within them. Father ordered me to be check over once by the Grand Maester after the shaking fit came to me when he suggested I be sent from the capitol. Mother threw a vase at his head and told him he was killing me if he did either thing." The boy spoke as if he was reciting from a long list. Edmure could hear no more.

"Enough of what your mother tells you what you cannot do. Today we will discover what you can. Here are the horses. The mare is for you Robin." An old mare was brought before the Lord of the Vale. The animal was not fitting for his station, but she was slow and surefooted. The groom helped Robin onto the horses back while Edmure mounted his own.

"Where we going to ride to?" Robin answered eagerly. It made Edmure sad to see a boy, almost a man act so much like a child. He knew his other sisters children, the one close to Robin's age would be more a man than the one beside him.

"We ride with our party. We are not going off on a grand adventure Robin. But fear not, I am sure once we arrive in Winterfell you will have one." He smiled warmly at Robin and clicked to his horse. The camp was all packed and in line behind the Martell.

They rode for most of the day. Robin would point out people and objects that he had never seen before and Edmure or Byrnden would explain things to him. His stomach churned at the simple lack of knowledge he possessed. It was almost the end of the day and the procession was slowing to make camp.

"Ride on a head some Robin. Find us a good place to camp this night." Edmure called over to his nephew who was talking to a driver of a wagon.

"Alright Uncle. I will find us a good spot." The boy clicked to his horse and she walked a little faster for him. He smiled at the joy of being able to ride and command the animal underneath him.

"We have got to get the boy away from my sister Uncle. It is not safe for any of us if the Lord of the Vale is ignorant to so many things." Edmure said to his uncle at his side.

"When Jon was alive it was not this bad. He tried to teach his son the proper way to be a lord. However, he was a small child and prone to sickness, since he was a babe. He has stood on deaths door more than once. I understand where Lysa's fear comes from. But with her husband's death, she has grown more fearful. I do agree Robert needs to be taken from under her total control. However, we have to act carefully. She is not a woman who makes idle threats. And she gave you a very clear one this morning." The Black Fish said.

"Surely Jon wanted to foster the boy on one of the other Great Houses?" Ed asked.

"He did. But each time it was suggested Sweet Robin took ill." Byrnden shook his head. "A small part of me wonders at the timing of his sicknesses. Your sister would do anything to keep him close to her."

"We must watch him closely. I fear my sister might be slipping away from us all and deep into madness." Edmure said as they reached Robin and saw the smile shine on his face at the place he had chosen for their camp along the road. Edmure smiled in return. He had enjoyed the day with his nephew and had grown fond of him. One way or another he decided Robin was not safe with Lysa.

Xxxxxxxx

Tyrion Lannister sat on his horse and his legs cramped again. He had elected to ride that day with his brother and father. Usually Tywin was full of contempt and snide comments for his younger son, but this day he was in a state over Jamie.

"A serving girl Jamie! Out of all the women who are on this blasted march you choose a serving girl to bed with!" His father seethed.

This topic was usually a thing his father roared at Tyrion for, bedding those beneath his station. Jamie was the good son, always doing what was expected. Save one thing. In the past twenty years he had not married and produced an heir. Since his release from the King's Guard Jamie had scarce been home to Castley Rock. He had spent the majority of his time traveling. He finally started to return home once their sister was wed to Robert Baratheon for a time. Then the desire to travel took him and he was hardly there.

"I didn't fuck her father. We just getting to know each other." Jamie said with a shrug.

"You are to old to be getting to know anyone. I will not live forever son. You have a duty to find a suitable wife and father children. Your sister knew her duty. She had married and had three children. You are the same age. A man has a duty to his family." Tywin spoke angrily. "I intend to find you a wife within the next month."

"You will have the best flowers of the realm to choose from brother. If I were you I'd sample them all before picking just one." Tyrion said.

"You watch your tongue. If you speak like that once we reach Winterfell one of the other lords will have cause to take your head." His father snapped at him. "And I might allow them to do it."

"You wouldn't allow that to happen to me father. I am to useful to you. Who do you think will make the decision concerning our lands once you are gone? You always said my mind was as mighty as Jamie arm. You would not want my death father." Tyrion spoke gravely to his father.

"Damn you Tyrion. This is not something to jest about. Neither of my sons are married. I do not expect you to marry Tyrion. Gods be merciful if you ever find a woman to like you. Jamie on the other hand has every reason to marry and marry well. Now you can either help me find him a bride or keep your mouth shut." His father snapped. He rode on ahead, leaving his son's in the dust he left.

"Well he woke up on the wrong side of the sleeping furs this morning." Tyrion laughed at their fathers retreating back.

"It was the maid's moans that woke him." Jamie said with a smile.

"Which one was she? Maybe I've had her a time or two already?" Tyrion gave his brother a lecherous smile.

"It was the slender one with the dark hair that washes the laundry." Jamie smiled broadly at the younger man beside him.

Tyrion gave a laugh so loud it startled the riders in front of them. Since the day he had come back to the Rock Jamie had been changed from the boy who had gone to Kings Landing. He had been a serious youth, but the man beside him scoffed at family duty. Tyrion had always expected his role in the family to be the one who did as he pleased, taking no wife, fathering no children. Jamie embraced this notion instead.

In the past twenty years, his father had shown him the ways of ruling the Lannister lands. He had a mind for it. This was the only good thing his father has ever said to him in ways of a compliment. His father begrudgingly worked with Tyrion in the management of their lands. Jamie wanted no part of it, and that fact stung their father.

"Jamie, father is right. You must settle down." Tyrion said to his golden brother.

"I will do my duty when the need arises. Father is not going to die any time soon." Jamie smiled into the sun.

"We all must settle down." Tyrion said kindly.

"I will marry when you do brother. Now let us not enjoy the ride. I hear we will make our way to the Stark Hold in a weeks' time. Then we will be in the complete company of all the Lords of the kingdom. Here we still have our separate camps. Once we reach those stonewalls we will no longer have the slim privacy we have had traveling. Let us go and find some care free serving girls and do what the gods wanted us to do." Jamie gave another smile at his brother.

Tyrion shook his head and took a book from his saddlebag.

"My body isn't up for it right now brother. Can we just ride for a while? Maybe in an hour we can go find some wenches." Tyrion said to Jamie.

"Alright." Jamie shrugged. He sat on his horse and let his mind go where it wanted.

Jamie was not looking forward to their arrive at Winterfell. He knew his father had not jested that he would find him a wife before the month was over. He was resigned to this. He knew it was his duty to marry well and produce children from his Lady wife. He could do it.

He was almost eager to see the King and Eddard Stark again after all these years. He still remembered the day he had been released from his services in the Kings Guard. Even after all these years he still felt a pang of guilt for not preventing the Mad Kings death. He had been a sworn sword to protect the Kings life and he had failed. He had wanted nothing more than to leave the service. Eddard had taken him aside the day he was released and had spoken with him.

"It was not your fault the King died Ser Jamie. No one could have known what the Queen would do. Grief makes us all mad. I know this. When word had reached my brother Brandon of our sister's flight, he had acted rashly. He allowed his anger to cloud his judgment and it lead to his and my father's down fall. When word of their deaths had reached me all I wanted to do was to ride South and kill the king myself." Eddard gave a sad smile at that. "Grief makes us all fools in the end."

"You did raise an army and marched on the King." The young Jamie had pointed out.

"That I did. I wanted justice for my father and brother. I wanted my sister returned to me. I wanted so many things a few months ago, that now seem stupid and wrong. After I received news from my sister as to why she ran the only thing I felt was relief that she was alive and well. I did not want to see any more waist less deaths caused by grief and hot blood. I just wanted her safe and gods willing happy. I do not agree with my sisters choices, not completely, but what she did is done. There is no turning back now. We all must move forward to make a better life for us all." Eddard had told him.

Never in his life had Jamie felt truer words. He knew what awaited him back at his family home. The sister who he had loved more than life itself. But after speaking to Lord Stark he thought of what his life would become going back. He knew his sister would suck him into a pit where there would be no escape. He had seen the ways of the world living in the Red Keep. He knew of the dangers that lurked around every turn.

He also knew that those who you loved most in the world would not hesitate to plunge a sword deep within your heart of you let them. So instead of returning home he had traveled as a free knight to all of the seven kingdoms. He had even gone to Winterfell once. He had not gone to the castle, but stayed at an inn in Winter Town. Jamie had even gone across the Narrow Sea to the Free Cities. There he had learned things he never would have dreamed. He had grown fond of his freedom. The life of a traveler was what he had never known he wanted.

It would all come to an end and soon, once they reached the walls of Winterfell. He was starting to tire from his wanderings and was desperate to finally set down roots. He smiled at his brother, thinking if only Tyrion knew that Jamie wanted what he spoke of. A wife to cherish, children growing all around him. He had had his great adventures. He was now ready to settle down.

"I am tired of the saddle Jamie. Let us stop and rest. The midday meal should be ready for us up ahead. I smell stew and know where the ale is." Tyrion spoke after an hour of riding in silence.

"You have a wine skin; do you really need the beer?" Jamie asked dryly.

"It is empty. Reading is thirsty work." Tyrion said gravely.

Jamie laughed and moved his horse to the edge of the road so they could dismount. Once they handed their horses to a pair of men the two brothers walked a ways to where a large fire had been built and a large pot of stew was cooking.

"Two bowls." Jamie said to the woman with the ladle. He smiled at her and she blushed.

"Don't be getting the woman all flustered before we are served." Tyrion held out a bowl to the woman and she quickly filled it with stew. Tyrion smelled it and used his spoon to see what was on it. "Carrot, onion, red pepper. Mutton, good. Potato and something cannot place. Is it turnip?"

"Yes my lord." The woman smiled. "You have a good guess. It is all in there."

"I like my food the way I like my women. All different and full of flavor." Tyrion said as he broke off a chunk of black bread to dip in his stew. The woman blushed again and served Jamie.

"Over there under that tree is clear." Jamie said nodding to a large oak.

"The beer first." Tyrion said as he walked to a wagon. He collected two large mugs and handed one to Jamie. They made their way to the tree and sat down.

"I am eager to see the house of the Starks. I went to Winterfell once, but I could not bring myself to go to the keep proper. The village is quite nice. They have a wonderful inn there." Jamie said once they were seated.

"I hear the castle is hunted. I have a mind to explore their crypts." Tyrion said after draining his mug of ale and reaching for his brothers.

"If you wanted more than one cup you should have taken two." Jamie told his brother as he moved his mug out of Tyrion's reach.

"I did take two. You are the one who thought the second was for you." Tyrion said.

Tyrion reached for the mug again and Jamie handed it to him. His brother gave a wolfish smile and took a large drink. Once the second mug was empty, he belched loudly.

"You will have to remember your manners when we are with the king and the rest. Belching is not lord like." Jamie said dryly.

"I know this. That is why I need to belch and frat as much as I can." Tyrion said with a smirk.

"Not around me you're not." Jamie told his brother. "Now when father picks me a bride I want you to find me the best girl. Do not care who she is, what her age is, who her family is. Just that she is not ugly, knows how to laugh and has a brain. Think you can manage that?" Jamie asked.

"I can do that. Only if you name the first child from the union after me. I can see it now. A cute little girl with golden ringlets, playing in mud somewhere. The mother calling 'Tyrion stop getting your dress dirty'. I like the thought of that." Tyrion smiled at the idea.

"Alright. My first born will be named after you if you find me a wife I will not want to kill." Jamie reached out his hand to shake with his brother. The deal was made.

Xxxxxxxxx

In the intervening weeks, things had become increasingly cold to Arianne. Dorne was such a warm place, beautiful and calm. The Northern country felt cold and unyielding. Her families place in the great column was behind the king. She had often ridden with her cousins on the trip, but this day she stayed back. She had sought them out in the beginning because she missed her other cousins every day, especially Tyene. They had all stayed back in Dorne. She missed them dearly. They were her closest friends and companions.

Her father had asked her to come along on this trip to get to know the people she would one day have to deal with as the next in line of Dorne. She was the Princess. She might never stand beside the King of the Iron Throne, but a princess she was.

She had elected to walk that day. They traveled slow enough that she could walk and never tire. Her skirt of silks had been exchanged from her usual attire for a thick woolen dress. Yet she was still cold. Her cloak was wrapped tight around her. She looked at the fields and the hills that rose around them. She heard her cousin Rhaenys speak of the beauty of the place. But she could not see it. It all was so stark. Not for the first time she wondered if the lands were the reason, the Stark family had gotten their name.

"Why are you walking today cousin?" Aegon asked.

"Aeg, you frightened me." Arianne said, clutching her cloak to her throat.

"I did not mean to do that. But the others have road off to see if they can see Winterfell. My horse threw a shoe and I am forced to stay here. I sought you out to keep me company. Would a Princess keep a good Prince company this day?" Aegon smiled warmly at her.

"How could I refuse the Crown Prince?" She chuckled as she took the arm he offered.

They walked beside the large wagons loaded with trunks and provisions. The silence was nice, as was the added warmth from her cousin. The people in her father's train smiled at the prince. They had seen him often enough since he was a child. The people loved him. He was the son of their princess. He also happened to be their future king.

"The people of Dorne love you." She said to her cousin.

"They are more than just a realm in my father's seven kingdoms. They are the people of my mother. I love them in return." He smiled at a child that ran before them.

Adrianna laughed and shook her head. He may have been an intelligent man but in other ways, he was a fool. She had seen how all the people reacted to him. They went out of their way to help him, to please him. Not even her father received that utter devotion from their people.

"So tell me Aeg, what will happen when we reach the great castle of Winterfell?" She asked. She had heard about the Starks for a long time. She wanted to know if they were as fierce as the stories said.

"We will find savages who bathe in blood and dine on virgins. You will have to watch out cousin." Aegon smiled.

'You and your wicked ways. How can you say that? Your father's second wife is a Stark. I love aunt Lyanna, but if her family is anything like her they will be kind and sweet." Aegon shot her a look and she smiled. "Maybe not all kind and sweet. She can be wild. But I hope her family will be like her."

Aegon shrugged his shoulders. He loved his second mother. At time's he found her more a mother to him than the woman who gave birth to him. He had memories back when things had been different. That was a long time gone now. She was now a woman who loved her children, but from afar. Lyanna still took the time to show them opened affection.

"They will be civilized. They are the only remains of the Kings of the North. They will give us hospitality, which is all I know for sure. I don't want to dwell on it. This started out as a trip for mother two to see her family and then the rest of the bloody realm decided to come along. I hate being the son of a king. Can't do anything without someone tagging along." Aegon kicked at a rock in the dirt.

"Be careful what you kick boy. That might have been a stone that Bran the Builder used to make the Wall." Uncle Oberyn said as he pulled his horse close to them. "What is a great horseman like you walking Aegon?"

"Horse threw a shoe. You told me never to betray a good mount for an inferior one."

"I did. And your other mother as well." Oberyn said laughing. "Having two mothers. Only a Targaryen would marry two women."

"Uncle that is the king you are talking about. You need to watch what you say." Arianna smiled at Oberyn.

"You are right. He is the king. I am but a humble prince of Dorne. We all bow to the Iron Throne." He winked at his niece. Aegon bristled at the joke.

"Oberyn was only joking Aeg. There is no reason to get upset." She smiled at him and patted his arm. She hoped to distract her cousin from their uncles slight. She shot a look at Oberyn who rode away laughing.

"He still hasn't forgiving my father for his second wife, even after all these years." Aegon frowned as he watched his uncle ride ahead.

"Nor will he. He loves your mother and he thinks Rhaegar manipulated her and Lyanna into their marriage." Arianne said. "He will never show disrespect, but he will feel what he wants."

"I think the only one manipulated was my father. The Queens rule the man as he rules the realm." Aegon said. "If what they have is love it is a tangled, complicated mess. I want no part of love."

"I agree. People like us won't find love, we find alliances. Only stupid people think love is real." She patted his arm. The two of them had always seen eye to eye on many things.

"So have you tried your charm and beauty on any of the men from the other houses?" Aegon asked.

"No. However, that Greyjoy boy has a reputation. I had thought about going over to see if that was all talk." She smiled at the prince.

"Not the Greyjoy's. They are no fun. They don't get out much from that island home of theirs." Aegon said with a shake of his head. "That sister of his has been keeping a close eye on him. Why not go flirt with the crippled Willas? He always blushes so much. And that sister of his is easy to look at." Aegon smirked.

"Just as fed up with this journey as I am?" Arianne asked as they changed the direction that they were walking.

"Yes. I fear I dislike this place. It's to bloody cold here. Even the sun does nothing here." He said looking at the washed out sun.

"I feel the same way. This place is not very welcoming." She said. They were at the end of her family train and making their way to the Tyrell's. There were many shocked people when they saw the crown prince walking among them.

"Can you tell us where the lady Margaery and her brothers are?" Aegon asked the closest man at arms.

"The Lady Margaery is with her grandmother. The Lords Loras and Willas are with Ser Renly in the center of our party. I can escort you, your grace, if you wish." The man said, shifting from side to side.

"That will not be needed. We will find our own way." Arianne smiled sweetly at the man. He tripped over his feet and his companions laughed at him.

The two cousins laughed as they walked into a sea of flowers. There were so many roses all around them that Aegon felt sick. There were too many of for his liking. This was the most ridicules thing his father had ever decided to do. They had thought they could go to Winterfell and see Lyanna's family and no one would notice that the king was going so far from the rest of the ass kissers who lived with their mouths attached to him. First, it was Oberyn and Arianne decided to accompany them. Aegon did not mind them. It was the rest of him he minded. From there the rest had followed. He had heard snip it's of conversations between his mother and father, something about keeping good on promises made.

They four d the three men on horseback. Renly Baratheon was easy to spot. He was in a black velvet coat with prancing stags embroidered all over the thing with gold thread. Why a man would have to dress like a girl was beyond him. Loras was dressed in a coat of the same cut, but in a green velvet with gold roses embroidered all along the collar. The two men were laughing together over some secret joke. There was nothing serious about these two men, Aegon knew.

Willas Tyrell on the other hand sat with the driver of the wheelhouse that carried his sister and grandmother. He was dressed in warm sturdy clothing. He had a ledger opened on his lap and was scribbling away in it.

"Good day kind Ser's. The prince and I were wondering if we could join your group." Arianne said with a smile. They were almost level with them. Wallis singled for the horses to stop, disrupting the entire line.

"Princess Arianne, Prince Aegon, it would be an honor." Willas said from his seat. "Princess, you can ride here with us. There is room for you. My Prince I can have a horse brought for you."

There was a tapping on the wheelhouse window and it opened to revel the face of Margaery Tyrell. She had a slight pout on her face. However, her eyes lit with pleasure when she saw their company.

"Grandmother wanted to know why we stopped. I now see we have a prince in among our humble company." She fluttered her lashes and smiled prettily.

"Arianne was preparing to ride next to your brother. We are at a loss what to do with the prince." Renly said to the face in the window. Margaery turned away and spoke with the grandmother still not seen.

"Grandmother says the prince should not walk with you rabble. She offers him to ride with us in comfort." Margaery smiled again to the prince.

"I would love to ride with you." Aegon walked to the back to where the door to the wheelhouse was. Lady Olenna opened it. "Left, help the prince inside. Right, go fetch us some wine. And bring me some soft cheese." She instructed her guardsmen. "Please enter my prince. Your presence is most welcome."

Aegon smiled at the man who tried to assist him inside. "I can manage on my own Ser. I might be a prince, but I am not so pampered that I cannot climb into a wheelhouse on my own."

Inside was warm and the seats were covered with pillows. Margaery had her back to him, talking to Arianne and Willas outside on the bench. He took his time to look at her. The dark hair was left loose over her shoulder. Her dress was in the southern style, with some slight modifications. The dress was made of wool instead of cotton linen. The dress was molded to her body and snug in all the right places. She turned her body and he saw that there were slashes on the side cut out and the waist was belted so her slim figure was shown off. He swallowed deeply.

"Sit down my lord. Margaery turn around gal, pay attention to the prince." Lady Olenna ordered her granddaughter.

"Sorry grandmother, my lord. I was making sure my brother was taking care of Lady Arianne." The girl turned around and smiled so brightly Aegon felt like the sun had just blazed to life. "But I see we have a much more important guest to make feel at home. Prince Aegon, please take a seat."

She waved her arm to any of the benches in the wheelhouse than patted the space next to her. Aegon stood for a moment unsure what to do. Most women flirted with him, but none was ever this bold. He decided he would play along for the time being and went to sit beside her.

"Thank you ladies for the hospitality." He said, sitting polity away from her.

"The pleasure is all ours." The girl next to him purred. The wheelhouse juried into motion and she fell onto his arm, pressing herself against him for a brief second. "I'm sorry your highness. But thank you for keeping me from falling."

"It was nothing." Aegon said as he assisted her back into the cushions. He looked to the old woman, she gave a smile and he wondered what had he gotten himself into.

Back outside on the drivers bench Arianne was getting nowhere with Willas. He had his ledger opened and was explaining to her the work he had been doing.

"See we have had a very good year for grain and other things that grow. Well past normal. And if what the maesters say is true and winter is approaching then this is better then projected. My father has no head for figures and mother is not much better so this falls to me." He said with his face glued to ledger.

"That all sounds fascinating. I assist my father with the books as well. I also have been taking a more hands on role in the ruling of Dorne. It is fascinating for sure." She said with mock joy. She hated the books most of all.

"See here? We have had seven million apples this season. That is twice the amount from last year, see?" Willis said pointing at a column in the book.

Arianne looked over to Loras and Renly and they looked at her with concealed laughter in their eyes. She knew that they knew that she had intended to flirt with the heir of the Reach. They had also known how involved he was with his ledger. She smiled at them and shook her head. She was not so easily put off. She took his pencil and looked close to the tip.

'My lord, this one is so dull. I think you need it sharpened. I must say we should put off work for a few moments. There are some things I want to talk with you about." She smiled at him.

"What would you like to talk about my lady/" He asked as he shut the ledger.

"Can you tell me about the Starks and Winterfell? My aunt is from the North but I fear what she said might be telling us tales to make it sound better. I cannot seem to find anything beautiful about the country. What do you think, Ser Willis?" She asked.

"I find the country to be barren. If this were the Reach, we would have this entire land as far as the eye could see planted with many crops. I have discovered many different crops thrive in many different climates and I have a few suggestions for Lord Stark. We have discovered a hard strain of wheat that would take will in this climate." He said looking around.

"The princess is not interested in crops brother." Loras said with a laugh. "She has a mind, but I don't think it's on crops and climates."

"She looks hungry. Willas, do you have fireplumns?" Renly asked. "The girl looks like she needs something to burn her tongue and drip down her hands as she eats it."

Arianne was used to casual flirting, but these two men took it to a different level entirely. Willas did not seem to know what to say. He sat there with a dumbfounded look on his face. He had a fast mind, but when it came to the ways of courtly flattery, he was lost.

"There are no fireplums left. They all were consumed by grandmother and our sister." He blushed. "I fear we do not have anything juicy for you my Lady. My apologies." He looked at the girl behind him. She was beautiful. Her hair was swept away from her face and it left her eyes bright. Her cheeks were rose from the brisk air. Her lips were curved in a smile that held hidden laughter.

"It is quite alright my lord. I am content the way I am. I just wish it were not so cold. The woolen dress I wear keeps me warm, but the air here cuts through it. I was comfortable while I walked, but now I feel the cold." She gave a calculated shiver when the wind blew.

"Here princess, take my cloak." Willas said. He was a gentleman to his bones. He might not be a knight, but when there was a lady in need, he would be there. He uncapped the cloak from his shoulders and swung it around the girl sitting beside him.

She smiled and pulled it tight around her. She had been cold, but she really wanted to see if he was as kind as they said.

"Your uncle tells me of a new line of horses he is breading." Willas said. He had moved from crops to horses.

"Yes, he has the male of the bloodline with him. He is a magnificent animal. When we arrive I am sure he will show him to you." She smiled.

"I would like that very much. I have a mare I would like to discuss breeding with his stallion." Willas said with the first glow of passion in their conversation.

"I like to ride, but I do not know much about breeding." She said with a flutter of her lashes. She knew about the subject, but she found that once you get a man on a topic they liked to talk.

"I do not wish to bore you again. Tell me of yourself?" He asked.

She smiled and gave a throaty laugh.

"I am just a girl. Just a simple girl. I like a good book, a good sword man and a good time." She chuckled with him.

"A good swords man, eh?" Loras said.

"Is there a bad sword man? I have never met a bad sword." Renly joked.

"Neither have I Ser." Arianne replied. She heard Willas swallow deeply and she smiled. This trip might not be so hopeless after all.

Xxxxxxxx

Theon watched Asha berate another man for his clumsy packing. His dear sister never felt that anything was done to her satisfaction. She loved order and strength. She was a captain of her own ship, unheard of. There was nothing her sister could not do. She had forged ahead when their elder brothers had died in a storm ten years ago. He had been to small as a child for his father likes. He had taken his sister under his wing. Theon had been pleased with that. It gave him time for his own pleasures.

"Asha let the poor man alone." Theon called out after twenty minutes of her berating.

"I will only be done when all these men know the proper way to do things!" She shouted at him, loud enough for all in their party to hear. "The Ironmen do not do things half assed! We do things right the first time! I do not want to see shit like this again!" She used her captain voice, for most of the men who traveled with them were her crew.

"Sorry Captain. We aren't used to the land just yet. It takes some time to get used to." The man that she had been yelling at had said.

"You babe best get used to land. We will be here for as long as it takes us to get what is due. We will not be slighted again. They did that to us at the end of the war, they will not do it again." She spoke with her fathers words.

Theon had grown tired of his fathers ravings. Since he came of age, he had grudgingly sat with his father at his meetings with the other lords of the Iron Islands. He had heard his father's ravings that they had been forgotten and deserted by the crown and kingdom. He had spoken of rebellion many times, only the cool head of his sister had kept him in check, that and the death of his two sons. After their deaths, he had gone from bloodthirsty to closeted crazy. Theon had tried to help with his father's grief, but he was never good enough.

"Asha we need to keep moving. We are the second to last of the train. We cannot hold the Baratheon's back. Our honor will not allow us to cause delay." He knew he had touched upon a nerve when he invoked honor.

"Fine Theon." His sister said. She always had a soft spot for her baby brother. "You lot had better not fuck things up again! Or I will take your swords and deprive you ale!" She shouted.

It was a small number of men compared to the other families. Theon felt weak with the small number they had to them. They were all true faithful men, but it was numbers that counted with the lords of this land. But the worst sting came when they had been forced to trade for the few wagons and horses they had. They had not had much to trade so their animals were skinny and sad. The wagons were in sad repair as well. There was nothing to do about that now.

Asha stalked to him. Her temper was fuming. Theon knew that nothing would please her, but he would try. She swung onto the horse and called them all into motion. Theon thought of a way to cheer her mood. The thought struck him. He would put himself to the krackers mercy.

"You may be an aunt in nine moons time." Theon knew this was a statement his sister would not welcome.

"The drowned god would not permit that." She scowled at him. "Theon we are not on then isles any anymore. You will not be permitted the pleasures that you had when we were home. We are among the lords of the realm." She reminded him yet again.

"I know that. But sis, there are so many different women here. How can I not try the array of women who walk amongst us?" He asked in a carefree voice.

"You will not let your cock rule your head. Keep it in your pants, or some angry father will cut it off!" She spat.

"That will never happen sweet sister. Besides my skill in the bedroom you know I can negotiate with the stingiest of bastards and always come out on top." He gave her a sweet smile and his sister shook his head.

Asha knew he was right. More often, her hot head got them in more trouble and Theon had to come in to save the family from her folly. She had once drawn swords on a trader who tried to over price the goods they been trying to trade for. The man demanded twice the agreed upon price for the goods. She had raged that he would pay the iron price for it and drew her sword. Theon had stood, took Asha's sword from her hand and turned back to the man smiling. Asha had been asked to leave the room. Some how Theon had managed to get the price lowered by the end of the meeting. She still had no idea what he had said or did but she was grateful.

"I don't know where you get that ability. Not from father or mother." Asha said to him.

"The drowned god gave it to me." Theon said with a shrug.

Theon knew where he got his talent. He had watched his father deal with his men and had seen how his sister did as well. They were cruel and ruled with fear. He had seen how ineffective their ways were and had done the opposite from them. He befriended the men he delta with, let them leave with a smile on their faces. It made him much easier to deal with. He knew he had iron in him, but he wanted his iron not to show unless he had run out of options. It usually worked for him.

They stayed silent and Asha thought about what her father had told her before they left. She still shook with anger at some of the things he said to her.

"I want you to go meet with those land lords and find Theon a rich bride. I want one who is rich enough and with lands, that we will appear to have no reason to raid. So the landed bastards will trade with us again. I have no real hope of finding you a lord to wed. Find your brother a wife." Her father had told her. She had stood there in the hall at Pyke and just said she would do as he ask.

She knew she was not a beautiful but her father's words hurt her. She had no reason to marry, but to have him say she was hopeless stung her like a blow. She had many Ironborn tell her she was lovely but she seldom believed them. She had traveled enough on her ship to see what true beauty in a woman was. She had seen the women of the great column and saw the way man had looked at them. None of them looked at her that way. That was fine with her, but she secretly wished someone would look.

Theon once told her she was like the sea at storm. Unyielding, ever changing and volatile. He only knew her as the cruel older sister that kept him in line. But she was like the sea. There was more to her than what was on the surface. A good man, the right man would be able to tame her. She just had to look for her port in the storm and hoped she found him before she was too old.

"Word came from the front that we should arrive in Winterfell in a week. Soon this will all be over and done with and father will be happy." Theon said to her. "I am sure I can get what he sent us here to get. Will you tell me now what we are doing here?"

Asha had not told Theon they were here among the land lords to find him a wife. She had not wanted to burden him with it just yet. She knew the time for keeping it from him was over.

"We are here to find you a wife." Asha said sternly. For the first time she could remember Theon had no smart response. He just sat there with his mouth opened in shock. "You must have known this would happen on this trip."

Theon swallowed loudly and looked at her. He opened his mouth, closed it and shrugged.

"I guess I knew. I was hoping you'd be the one father was sending here to get married." He said.

"No. Father thinks I am hopeless and will probably marry me to one of the weak sons of the men at home. We are to try to get you a rich Lander woman." Asha said with a smile.

"Rich? I don't care as long as she isn't ugly." Theon said with a smile.

"That's just like you baby brother." She laughed then.

"I can't help but know what I want. We should hurry then. I have a wife waiting for me."

They rode out and neither spoke a word until dusk when they stopped to make camp along the road. Asha barked orders and Theon soothed the men so they worked efficiently and correctly. He was thinking of the weeks ahead and his possible now wife. The drown god had better keep his sister from disgracing him, for he feared that not even his wits could undo the mess she could make.

Xxxxxxxx

Robert Baratheon sat atop his great war horse taking in the countryside around him. He felt as if he knew the land that Ned had often told him of in their boyhood together. He wanted to see his old friend again. They had parted on cold terms after the war, but he had not been able to stay mad at the man for long. When Ned had left Kings Landing to go to his new bride and the child she carried Robert had gone with him to Riverrun. He had raged at the man who was a brother to him.

"How could you have allowed the bloody Targaryen to keep her?" He had yelled on their second day from the capitol. "He has brainwashed the girl. Lyanna loved me once, then he showed up, and then she decided she cared nothing for me. How could you let that happen?"

"She did what she did. Now we have to live our lives accordingly. I might have been happy for her, but the path she chose will not be happy for her. I am just glad she is alive Robert. I have lost to much that I am just happy she lives. Please do not put this on me. If there had been a way out of this without more bloodshed, I would have done so. I have too many deaths on me as it is. Let it be done." Ned had told him with a weary sigh.

Robert had digested this and in time realized, he was right. Robert figured if thing's had been different many lives would have been lost and the country would have been plunged into a painful conflict. If he could have, he would have slain Rhaegar and that would have meant he would have taken the throne. That had never been his wish. He had no desire to be king. His place was in the Stormlands. They were his home, the people who lived there his responsibility. He took care of his people. When he had taken Ned to Riverrun and saw the happiness on his friends face as he looked at his wife he knew he and Lyanna would never have had that together. He decided to ride to Castley Rock and speak to Lord Tywin.

The two men had no love for each other, but they had spoken briefly about the man's daughter. He decided to go see the girl and see if they liked each other. When he arrived, he had looked up at ramparts to the castle and saw her for the first time. There was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. He had thought Lyanna was a beauty, and she was, but this girl was breath taking. She was in a deep golden dress with her hair down past her waist. It was the same shade as the dress so she stood there against the grey walls like the sun.

When he met her, she had seemed stiff and aloof. She was a challenge and Robert had smiled at the prospect of taming the lioness he found her to be. Cercei Lannister had made it plain that she did not want the match. Robert had been caught with a serving girl and that had put her off him. He still remembered the words she had spoken to her when her father told her she was to wed him.

"If he is to be my husband he will have to earn me."

Tywin had not been pleased with her answer, but Robert had fallen for her spirit. It was hot and burning. That one sentence had changed him. He had earned her affection in a tourney her father had put on in honor of the war being over. Robert had told his lady he would win every event he entered in and he did just that. He won the joust becoming the champion. He dominated in the mêlée. He almost lost his life in the combat, but he powered through it when he saw the lioness standing and watching him, fear on her face. He was savage he almost killed three men. In the end, he gave the crown to his woman and she had smiled.

"Now you have proven your worth, my lord." She smiled at him and his heart lifted.

They were married two weeks later in the Steps at Castley Rock. They rode for the Stormlands right away. They grew closer than he had thought. They talked most of the night, when they were not making love. That had been a first for him. He had fucked women before, many in fact. He had never loved one he was with. He felt a deep satisfaction after every time they joined, he still did. On the journey home, she had become pregnant. He could not have been more pleased.

When his son was born, he sent a raven to Ned telling him of the news. Their sons were only months apart. They had made plans to foster their sons together. They had asked Holster Tully if the boys could go to him for the honor, but circumstances prevented that. The man became sick and soon died.

He had been content to have his son, his sons, with him as they grew. Gendry was his mirror image, with his deep blue eyes, but his mother's brains. He was a smart boy and knew how to rule the Stormlands as well as he did. The people loved his son and he knew Gendry loved them as well. He watched his sons joke as they rode to Winterfell.

"Come off it Joff. That wench only looked at me because of my title. I don't dally with women, you know that." Gendry said to his brother.

"But the girl was shaped like a vision." Joffery, Roberts second son, retorted.

"Your dream brother, not mine. Now leave it for now." Gendry gave him a deep look that stronger men withered away under. Joffery was not any man. He had lived with his brothers' serious nature for his whole life. He took after the dwarf uncle Tyrion in the regards that he could find a joke in any situation.

"Will you both stop talking of wenches? Shrieen and I are trying to enjoy the sounds of nature." Myrcella shouted from the wagon they were in.

Robert smiled. His daughter had his temper and her mother's looks. She also had more brains than any of them. His daughter would be a great queen, but he did not want her to marry the Targaryen prince. They were not good enough for his daughter. One of Ned's sons would do well for her, or maybe the Ironborn lad he had heard of.

"Husband, what are you thinking?" Cercei asked riding up beside him. She was still after twenty years of marriage the most beautiful woman in the world to him.

"Of the children. Always of the children." He said to her.

"Don't worry about them my love. We are only meeting old friends. Our children will be fine." She looked to the three children she gave birth to and the one she and Robert had rescued from a crazy mother and a glum father.

"Stannis gave me a specific request in regards to Shrieen. He wants us to find her a match. If his girl is old enough to wed so is Myrcella. The boys are beyond the age to take a wife. I cannot hold it off for long." He said wearily.

Cersei looked at the road ahead and looked thoughtful. Something was forming in her mind. She had been fortunate in her husband. He had been rough and strong willed for many years before he had come to her. She knew her home was secure. Her husband and sons had seen to it. Her daughters had learned everything there was in the ways of running a large household. All four of them would make her proud in any place they found on this world.

She also knew they had to marry and marry well. She would see to it that they made the best matches possible, and this visit would pave the way to secure their futures.

"I have a feeling that we are not the only parents concerned with the matter of our children. We all have reason to want to see our children married and well. I am sure that the question we want answered will be answered once we reach Winterfell." Cersei said with a smile at him.

"I hope you are right woman." He said with a gruff voice.

The two turned back to watch their children. Joffery had jumped from his horses back to the wagon to see what the girls were working on. The shouts of the two girls rang in the air and Gendry's laughter could be heard all the way to the royal train. The Baratheon family held more joy than most would have expected after the end of the war.

"You give me back my book Joffery!" Shrieen yelled at him.

"But this is no book! It has blank pages in it. What is it you and sweet Myrcella doing?" Joffery asked holding the leather bound book away from his cousin. Both girls blushed and Joffery turned to the first pages and began to read aloud.

"On the morn the great journey began. The colors of all the houses gleamed and the faces of the host shone with excitement." Joffery looked up from his reading. "Are you two trying to write a novel? Is it a comedy or a romance?" He looked at his sister's face and it was beet red.

Shrieen snatched the book with lightning fast hands and shoved the book in her bodice. She glared daggers at her cousin.

"What we are doing is not your business. There is only so much sewing a mind can take." She picked up a hoop with embroidery on it and threw it at his head. It smacked him right in the eye.

"Ouch! Shrieen that hurt!" Joffery yelled.

"You deserve it." Myrcella said after laughing at him wince and whine.

"Gendry, have you been practicing with the girls again!" Joff demanded.

"And if I was there is no reason not to. They are Stormborn and need to show that they are no mans fools. We will not always be around to protect them." Gendry said laughing.

"As if we need him to teach us. Father is more then willing." Myrcella spoke up.

"He has one warrior, one joker, one beauty and one brain. He has a child with everything." Joff said.

"Will you stop the jokes Joff?" Shrieen said pushing his shoulders.

"Never sweet cousin. It is a curse I fear. I am to be the Baratheon fool." He said with mock seriousness.

The girls threw pillows at his face until Gendry reached into the wagon and pulled him to safety. Gendry dropped him in the dirt and they all laughed again. Even the lord and lady roared with mirth. Joffery let out a yelp of outrage as one of the men at arms helped him up and to his horse.

"That's right. The second son is abused! I want everyone to know!" He yelled out to the rest.

"Stop belly aching son. No one abuses you." Robert said as he road up beside his sons.

"Right father. I know. I am a stag with the teeth of a lion. Strange creature. But I let no one but my brother get the better of me." Joff said with a smile.

"The girls pull one over you once in a while." His mother said sweetly.

"Don't hurt his pride to much mother. Besides his fair looks he only has that." Myrcella spoke from the wagon.

"You all better get this out of your system with in the week. When we arrive in Winterfell, I want you to behave better than you ever have in your lives. Ned Stark is the brother I wish I had been born with. I do not want you to disgrace me with your unruly ways." Robert lectured for the hundredth time on the journey.

"We know father. We will not dishonor you by acting like fools. We know what this venture means to you." Myrcella said with a loving look in her eyes. She was her father's joy and Gendry was his pride. Joff was his pal and they all got along together for the better because of it.

"I don't care of dishonor. You are my children and will act as you wish. I just want you to be as civilized as the children of Catelyn Stark's." Their mother added.

The four youths looked at her and nodded. They would do as she wished. They would take their cues from the Stark children and act accordingly.

Gendry could not wait to see his mother and the formidable she wolf Stark together. She had heard of how the Riverrun born fish had grown into a wolf among the Starks. They stories told that the woman had a cool demeanor. He was most eager to meet Robb. He had grown up on the boyhood stories of his father and Eddard Stark. He had been ten when he wrote to the other boy when they had been to foster at Riverrun together. They had written back and forth with each other in earnest that year.

When the news came that Holster Tully had fallen ill and could not take either boy he had been truly crushed. He had been excited to meet the boy he had been getting to know. They had stayed in touch together in the past few years. He felt that he knew the man. He was eager to meet him in person.

The world was about to change for him, he felt it as soon as they crossed the Neck and entered the North. Gendry Baratheon was about to find what he had been saving himself for. He was no blushing maid, but he had never given himself to any pretty girl he saw. He was waiting for love, like his parents had. They had married for family duty, but they found love. He saw it each time his parents looked at each other. That is what he wanted. He wanted someone strong and spirited. Someone he could laugh with when times were easy and someone to share the load when things got tough.

Joffery told him he was a fool to wait for something that only came around once in a million years. He told his brother that he was the fool. This was something they agreed to disagree on. Myrcella shared his views. She to was waiting on love. Many of his father's banner men had lost their heart to the fair-haired Baratheon beauty since she had blossomed. But she had a shrewd head on her shoulders. She was waiting for someone who was worthy of her. They had all heard the story of how their mother had told their father to earn her and since she was six, she had taken that to notion to heart.

Gendry knew that the two girls were working on a fiction novel on this trip. They were only girls after all. He had read what they had written and the picture they had created captivated him. The girls had often dressed as servants and walked among the other families of the long column. They had seen the royals and the other great lords and ladies and wrote them down in their book. Shrieen was a great observer of people. She had suffered Grey Scale as a babe so she was often times over looked.

She once sat in the Great Hall at a feast with the Tyrell's until the sun rose and had watched the men act s fool and the women at their work tempting them. All the Baratheon children had been carted off to bed, but she had been over looked. In the morning, she had been able to give a detailed account of what had gone on in the Hall. Cercei had been shocked to learn of her antics, but Robert had smiled at the girl and said she was a true Baratheon.

"A smart man observes before he makes a move." Robert had said.

They all had learned the history of the War that had placed King Rhaegar on the throne and the role their father had played. They all were weary of the crown now. They performed their duty, but there was no love between the crown and the Stormlands. This great meeting would be the first time Robert would set his eyes on the woman he had fought a war over. They all waited to see how the meeting would go.

Joffery was the only one in the family who felt that the closer they made for Winterfell the closer they rode to life shattering events. Uncle Tyrion had once told him it was the ones who acted a fool were the only ones who could see the truth. In all his years his uncle had never lead him wrong. He had taught him of wrenching and wine and everything in between. He could see that his brother was going to lose his head over the first girl he met. His sister would cause trouble and unrest and his sweet cousin would bring the Wall to their feet with her soft touch.

He loved his family, would die for them. His house words rang in his ears each step they took closer to Winterfell. Ours is the Fury sang in his blood. His parents he had no worry for. They were practiced in the game. But the second generation was going to get their first taste at the game of thrones. His mother had said once in the game of thrones, you win or you die. Ne hoped she was not prophesizing the outcome of this meeting.

"In one week we will act like the proper lords and ladies. Have no worry. We will not fail in the game. The game is on, and we will all play it." He told his family. They looked at him in shock. It was time Fordham to become serious. No more of the fool Joffery. In his place was the stag with the lion's teeth.

So what did you think? I really can't wait to show you more of the loving Baratheons and next chapter we see the King again. It is going to be a very strange first meeting. Remember to let me know what you are thinking. Review if you have any thoughts on the story so far! Thanks for all those who are reading and following and have favorited this so far! You rock!