CHAPTER 13. CONQUEST
PART 1. THE QUEEN
BRAAVOS
The journey to Braavos had been perilous, but even when a ship was lost during the storm Davos Seaworth Hand of the Queen would not give up. After five days of searching the ship was found repaired and they continued on. Then there was a pirate attack, but Davos was able to repel it. After two and half weeks at sea they finally made it to Braavos.
Many of the crew and soldiers believed they were cursed, but Davos would not allow them to despair. He reminded them that if their Queen could survive the betrayal of the Tyrells then they would make it through this journey. Upon arriving in Braavos Davos allows his men to go ashore and blow off some steam.
He hosts a large feast for his men that lasts two days. There is wine, women, and entertainment. Then its down to business and with a hundred men as an escort Ser Davos goes to the Iron Bank to conduct business on his Queen's behalf. Davos has to wait an hour before he is seen, "Ser Davos Seaworth…"
"Hand of the Queen to Cassana Baratheon…" They shake hands, "…And how do I address you?"
"Just call me Tychos…I am not a Lord…"
"My Queen sent me to settle her debts…"
He smiles, "I am glad to hear that…Please sit…"
Before taking his seat Davos waves the men forward and they bring twenty large chests of gold coins and bars. Two chests have silver in them. "I believe the sum owed is three and half million…This should cover the balance and square the Queen's debts…"
"I had heard a rumor that Queen Cassana is dead…"
"Just a rumor I assure you…she is alive and well…"
"And how is she able to repay this amount in full?"
"We took High Garden…The Tyrells are supposed to be the second richest family in all of Westeros…"
"I see…Does her Grace need help with any other ventures?"
"The Golden Company can you put me in contact with them…"
"I most certainly can…"
"How much do they charge?"
He smiles, "If she wishes to make any new loans we can cover the expenses…"
Davos raises his hand, "That won't be necessary we have a lot of gold left to cover it…"
KING'S LANDING
Every Lannister soldier in King's Landing had been killed. Cassana had ordered that every dead body be piled up and burned immediately to keep disease from breaking out. All the Lannisters had been placed on House arrest. Olenna, Mace, and Margaery Tyrell had also been placed under House arrest. Pycell was immediately placed on a ship and sent to Old Town. In his place Qyburn is named Master of Whispers and Grand Maester. He had proved to Cassana that his skills in healing and other things are far more valuable than Pycells.
Cassana plans her coronation immediately and has it after nine days. All the servants in the Red Keep are dismissed as Cassana does not trust them. She had bought her own. A feast is held in honor of her brave troops and her coronation as Queen. Despite the revelry Cassana's mind is on how to punish her enemies and her next move. Does she march across land and attack that fool Walder Frey? How should she deal with Petyr Baelish and his wife Lysa Arryn. Or should she head North by sea and deal with Roose Bolton.
The feast lasts two days and then it is back to business on the fourth. Cassana's first decree is to offer work to the people of the city. Jobs are offered to build a new drainage system for the entire city. She also creates work crews to clean up Flea Bottom and all other city eye soars. Jobs are offered for fishing and a new City Watch. Cassana hand picks two thousand of her own troops to serve as City Watch. Her goal is have four thousand. She also has plans to educate the poor and teach them to read and write.
Food from the Reach is flowing into the city and people are eating two meals a day. Now it is time to deal with her enemies and allies. She summons a woman to her solar by the name of Shae. "So you are Shae…They said you were beautiful…"
Shae had bowed, "Is that all they say Your Grace?"
"I don't concern myself with gossip only facts…Do you love my Uncle Tyrion Lannister…"
"Yes I do…"
"And do you wish to be his wife?"
"If he asked me…Yes…"
"Shae I love my Uncle…He has been through a lot in his life and few people have shown him love and kindness…He was born a Dwarf, but he was also born into a powerful family…That being said I am going to give you a dowry of 100,000 in gold…I am also going to give you Handmaidens and a Septa to teach you how to be a lady and to run a household…I know that you come from humble beginnings…and being waited on hand and foot will not be comfortable…There will also be fittings for dresses and shoes…"
"Thank you your Grace…"
"Not so fast…A word of warning…If you ever break my Uncle's heart or cheat on him with other men I will have tied hand and foot to four strong young horses and I will watch in delight as they rip you apart…"
"Your Grace believe me when I say I love Tyrion Lannister and I would rather die than hurt him…"
She nods, "I believe you…Dismissed…" Next she summons Tyrion, "Uncle…" Cassana gets up and walks around the desk to hug him before he has time to bow.
"Being Queen suits you…"
She is wearing a green a gold dress, the top has a light armor piece over it."I had a talk with Lady Shae…" She says pouring two drinks.
"Come now we both know she is no Lady…"
"For the moment…But when I finish with her she will be…"
She looks at him as she drinks from her goblet, "What do you mean by that?"
"Do you love this woman?"
"Yes I do…"
"I have given her a dowry of 100,000 gold Dragons, servants, a Septa to teach her how to be a high born wife…dresses etc…I am naming you Warden of the West and the Lord of Casterly Rock…Now can I count on you to keep the Western Lords in line?"
He nods, "I may be the smallest Lannister, but I am not to be underestimated…" They salute each other with their goblets and drink. Then Tyrion sets his down, "What are your intentions with Jaime, Tommen and Myrcella?"
She sighs, "For your sake…Jaime will be spared and sent to the wall with Tywin…You can have Tommen…Cersei and Joffrey will be executed publically…I have received a message from Doran Martell…He is sending Myrcella by ship…His son Trystan will accompany her…I am stripping her of the Baratheon name…If you wish to legitimize her then so be it…"
He sighs in relief, "Thank you…"
"For you and you alone…I do not make this decision lightly…Jaime…pushed a boy from the tower at Winterfell."
"It was ill done, but the boy did live…Now if you will excuse me I must go and propose to Shae…"
"Don't you want to be here when I tell Tywin who is the new Lord of Casterly Rock?" Tyrion smiles and both he and Cassana take great pleasure in his silent rage. Cassana sees Prince Oberyn to let him know what is happening. Next Cassana summons Olenna Tyrell, "I am not overly fond of my Lannister heritage, Lady Olenna, but there is one thing I got from my mother that I find useful and that is a great imagination when it comes to revenge…"
"You killed my grandson…You have killed my people…You have taken my home and gold …I say we are even…"
Cassana stops at the top of the stairs that lead to the dungeons, "No we are not even…You see the pirate you hired to kill me…He took me prisoner…He held me captive for six days…Three of those days I was unconscious…Two of them he raped me repeatedly…On the sixth day I escaped, but only after removing his cock…I left the bastard tied to his bed…I locked his men in the lower decks of the ship and set it afire…There screams as they died filled me such joy…Because of you I was violated and I asked myself…How can I repay the Queen of Thorns for her betrayal…" She looks at Olenna, "Why did you betray me?"
"I was playing the game of thrones…"
"You mean my brother Edric wasn't good enough for your granddaughter…I would have offered myself, but your grandson has a thing for men…" Cassana walks down the steps followed by twenty guards. They place Olenna in a cell. "This will be your home for the rest of your miserable life…" Across from Olenna's cell is a man. She looks at him and then the Goaler, "What is he in for again?"
"Theft, rape, and murder…Killed a man during the Battle of Blackwater, then he raped his wife…"
Cassana waves and they bring Margaery forward, "Grandmother!"
"Now you will know the horrors I endured by watching your Granddaughter suffer a fate worse than death…"
"No don't this…I am the one who betrayed you she is innocent…"
Cassana looks at the man, "Not for long…"
One of the soldiers points his spear at the man, "Back away…" He raises his hands and obeys. Then they shove Margaery into the cell.
"If you kill her we will cut your hands off and pluck your eyes out…Play nice…"
"Leave her in there for an hour and then have her removed, bathed and hand her over to the silent sisters…" Cassana orders as she walks away Margaery starts screaming.
"Margaery! No!" Is the last thing Cassana hears Olenna say accompanied by Margaery's pleas of help. Cassana goes to her solar and locks the door. She closes her eyes and calms herself. "I will not feel guilty!" She says. Later Cassana calls a meeting of her small council. "Let us begin…Maester Qyburn…"
"Ravens from Walder Frey…Congratulating you on your victories and asks that you continue to support him as Warden of the Riverlands…
Cassana looks at the Blackfish who is present at the meeting, "Send a reply telling him that I confirm him as Warden of the Riverlands…"
"You promised me…"
She interrupts him, "I know what I promised Lord Tully…and I will keep that promise…I don't want Walder Frey to get it in his head to hire more sell-swords or send support to the Dragon Queen…I want him to relax into a sense of ease and comfort…Then I will pull the rug from under him so to speak…"
"These came from the Night's Watch Your Grace…"
Cassana reads them in silence, "Wildlings…The King beyond the wall and White Walkers…" She sits back and thinks as the message is passed around the table.
"If you head North our men will need winter clothing…" Master of Ships Lord Morrigen says.
Cassana looks at Qyburn, "That is being taken care of is it not?"
"Yes your Grace…"
"We sail North and reinforce the Watch…Then march south on Winterfell, from their we take the Twins and finally to Lannisport…We will sail the fleet in Lannisport to attack those shits on the Iron Islands…" She looks at Qyburn, "What of Lord Yohn Royce has he sent a reply?"
"He has accepted your offer…"
"And Petyr Baelish?"
"On his way with his new bride to bend the knee…"
CERSEI
"Where are taking me?" She demands to the guards who enter her room.
"You are to be executed…Bind her hands…"
"I am your Queen release me!"
"Shut up bitch!" He says slapping her.
"I want to see my daughter…" She screams as they drag her from the room and walk her through the palace. "Tell Cassana I want to see her…" They are joined by two men dragging Joffrey in chains. "Joffrey!"
"Mother! Mother…I don't want to die…"
The people are cheering and chanting, "Off with the Bastard King's head!"
A young girl is in the crowd, "Kill him! Kill him…He killed my baby! Her name was Barra you sick fuck!" The young woman screams looking up as Joffrey is forced to his knees first.
"Mother!"
"Be brave my son…"
"Joffrey formerly of House Baratheon Bastard of Jaime Lannister the Kingslayer…You are charged with ordering the murders of the innocent children of King's Landing…The unlawful execution of Lord Eddard Stark former Hand of the King and Warden of the North…By order of Queen Cassana Baratheon The Second of her name I sentence you to die…By beheading." He nods to the executioner.
"Mother save me!" He whimpers and the blade is bought down. Sansa and Arya are standing by watching.
As they remove the body and head of Joffrey Cersei is bought up next, "Cassana! Cassana! Tell my daughter I want to speak with her!" Cersei shouts. She looks around and spots Sansa and Arya. "Sansa…Please help me!" She just stares at Cersei, "I'm supposed to be killed by the Valoncar…I'm supposed to be killed by the Valoncar…"
She screams as the Lord Commander of the City Watch reads the charges, "Cersei Baratheon nee'Lannister…Former Queen of Westeros…You are hereby charged with treason and the murder of your King and husband the Late Robert Baratheon…You are charged with murdering his unborn heirs and conspiring with your own brother Ser Jaime Lannister…By the will of her Grace Queen Cassana Baratheon Second of her name Queen of the Andels and the First Men…Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms…Protector of the Realm…you are sentenced to die… by beheading…" He nods and the people cheer as her head hits the ground. Lancel Lannister is executed and so is all the remaining members of Joffrey's Kingsguard.
CASSANA
She sits on the Iron throne with her Queensguard present; six of them stand one on each side of the steps to the throne. Brienne stands beside the throne on Cassana left. Petyr Baelish had finally arrived in the Capitol with Lysa Arryn. There are Baratheon soldiers standing at attention to the left and right of the throne room. She smiles when the door opens and he starts walking across the floor hand and hand with Lysa Arryn.
"Your Grace…My wife and I have come to pledge our undying loyalty to you…May your reign be long…"
Cassana looks at Gendry who is standing beside Brienne and nods, "Seize them!" At his command four guards two to each take hold of them.
"What is the meaning of this…" Lysa asks.
"Your Grace…We have always been loyal to House Baratheon…Even in the face of threat from House Lannister…"
Cassana smiles, "I don't like you Baelish…I admire your ambition…But that is all…I never believed Jon Arryn died of natural causes…The man took care of himself…He wasn't a heavy drinker…And the only time he ate meat was on special occasions…Before Maester Pycell left the Capitol he informed me that you paid him to say that he died of natural causes…When I heard this I knew…I knew you had poisoned him…Then the Blackfish told me of how Lady Arryn has always been obsessed with you…That is when I realized that she was in on it as well…I mean the two of you played your parts perfectly…Lysa Arryn stealing away in grief…Blaming the Lannisters for Jon Arryn's death…"
Petyr falls to his knees, "Your Grace I swear on the seven…it was all her idea…"
"Petyr!" Lysa says in disbelief.
"It is true she has always been obsessed with me…It is true that I have always been ambitious…I married her to elevate myself beyond any who has come before me…"
"He's a liar…It was all his idea…The poison…The letter to my sister…Everything…Your Grace I am innocent…He raped me and said he would tell Lord Arryn that Robin was his and that I seduced him if I didn't cooperate…"
Cassana shakes her head and looks at Brienne. She shakes her head as well, "And then you betrayed Lord Eddard Stark…right here in this throne room. Why? Did you believe Catelyn Stark was going to run into your arms after her husband was dead…Lysa Arryn Baelish…Petyr Baelish, I Cassana Baratheon second of her name Queen of the Andels and the First Men…Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms…Protector of the Realm do hereby strip you of all titles and land…I sentence you Petyr Baelish to death…Lysa Arryn I sentence you to death as well…To be carried out immediately…Take them away…"
"Your grace! Your Grace!" Petyr calls as they take him away. I can be a powerful ally!"
"I am innocent!" Lysa keeps screaming.
Later Cassana meets privately with Brynden and informs him that she is placing under his command Five thousand men. Her Uncle Tyrion will lend him another five thousand and help him win back the Riverlands; while she sails North. "Thank you your grace…"
"When the Riverlands are yours again you will swear fealty to me...as we agreed…"
"As we agreed…"
PART 2. PEACE AND WAR
Before leaving for the North, Cassana visits the Sept of Baelor to pray alone. When she is done she walks down the steps and is approached by the High Sparrow, "Your Grace may I have a word…"
The Queensguard blocks his path, "Let him by…"
"I am…"
"I know who you are they call you the High Sparrow…You have been helping the people of King's Landing…"
"Yes…I do as the gods bid me…I come before you because High Septon Quinton abuses his power…he commits sacrilege by visiting Flesh Houses…"
"I am aware of his extra-curricular activities…Which is why I have been secretly interviewing new Septons for his position…"
"Why not one such as myself…I know the people and their needs…I can give them the true experience of the faith…I know the seven pointed Star like the back of my hand…"
Cassana smiles, "I know all about you High Sparrow…You're a radical…And I cannot have a radical in such a position of power…"
"Tell me Your Grace do you know the seven pointed Star…Does the will of the gods beat within your heart…"
She smiles and looks out at people standing off watching. "How about the power of the gods…" Cassana's hair starts blowing and the ends flicker with lightening. Her eyes light up like fire beacons and lightening dances across her body. The High Sparrow steps back as she displays her power, then it dispels, "I am the Storm Queen High Sparrow…I don't need you or the influence you think you have over the people…" As she walks by with her Queensguard, the people who witnessed the display of power drop to their knees.
"Was that wise?" Brienne asks as they walk towards the docks.
Cassana gestures her hand towards those bowing, "Look at their reaction and you tell me…" At the docks Gendry is waiting.
"I wish you would let me come with you…"
"I need you here…One day you will be Lord of Storm's End…You need to learn how to rule and well…Listen to your advisors and try not to start any wars while I am away…
He smiles, "I'll try not to…" Arya joins him and takes Gendry's hand, "Before you go…You should know that I asked Arya to marry me…and she said yes…"
Cassana smiles and hugs the both of them, "I am so happy…My family is growing again…We will have the biggest wedding the Seven Kingdoms has ever seen…"
"Come back safe…Storm Queen…" They interlock arms and Cassana boards her ship.
"Captain is the prisoners secure?"
"Yes Your Grace…Tywin Lannister and the others are secure…"
"Let us get under way…"
Cassana's fleet is five hundred ships carrying an army thirty thousand strong all Baratheons. Sansa and Arya are with her along with Shireen who wished to see the wall. They sail out of Blackwater Bay and up the east coast. By sunset the fleet is sailing past Dragonstone and turns north. They sail around Claw Island and into deep water. By day three Cassana's fleet is nearing the Fingers. When they reach the Bay of Seals the fleet turns towards the inland and Eastwatch By the Sea.
When Cassana arrives the castle is under siege by a group of Wildlings. "Lord Cole…Take a few prisoners…If they retreat let them go…"
"My Queen…" He says saluting.
Thousands of mounted Knights and soldiers disembark from the ships and storm the ill formed ranks of the Wildlings. Soon they retreat into the tree line heading North. "Your Grace welcome to Eastwatch…I am Cotter Pyke Commanding Ranger…"
"How many men do you have Commander?"
"Two hundred…"
"I will leave a thousand men and some supplies…"
"Thank you…Your Grace…"
"Has there been any word from Castle Black…"
"None for many days…The last message we received said that Lord Commander Mormont had been killed by mutineers…"
Four guards bring up Tywin Lannister and the prisoners, "These men have come to join the watch…If they try to desert kill them…"
Cassana stays one night in the King's now Queen's Chamber. She is the first ruler to visit the wall in centuries. The next day her army marches from Eastwatch on the North side of the wall. When they reach the Torches the army makes camp. The next day they move on, the march to Castle Black takes two weeks. A scout rides back towards Cassana.
"My Queen battle took place last night…I spotted someone from the Watch approaching the Wildling Camp alone…"
"Lord Cole spread the word…No one attacks unless they attack us…" Cassana has Brienne sound a horn and she approaches the edge of the Wildling Camp with the Queensguard and fifty men. "Lord Snow…It is good to see again…"
"And you Lady Cassana…"
"Boy!" Brienne says speaking up, "You are addressing the Queen of Westeros…"
"Forgive me your Grace it has been a long night…"
"I can imagine and what are you doing out here?"
"I came to…" He looks at the other man.
"He came to kill me…"
"And who are you?" Cassana asks looking at the other man from the back of her horse.
"Mance Rayder the King Beyond the Wall…"
Cassana looks at Jon, "And what do you think I should do with this man Lord Snow?"
"If I were you Your Grace…I would sit down and listen to what this man has to say…"
She dismounts her horse, "Lord Cole ride back to the army and tell them to stand down…Make camp on the other side of the wall…" She looks at Jon, "Can Castle Black hold all my men?"
"Depends how many do you have?"
"Over thirty thousand strong…Less than fifty thousand…"
"We can accommodate up to twenty perhaps…"
She looks at Cole, "Lord Cole make arrangements with the Chief Steward…See the men are fed…and send five thousand to stand the wall with the Brothers of the Watch…Reliefs every five hours…"
"Yes Your Grace…"
"Well King Mance show me to your tent…" She follows Mance and Jon with her Queensguard and fifty men. They are offered food and ale, "That is good ale…" Cassana says drinking from a cup, "I'll have more…"
"You aren't like any Queen I have ever heard of…Mance always said you southern women were too delegate and soft…Scared of ya own dam shadow…" The Lord of Bones says and looks at Brienne, "And this one…I swear if I didn't have a Spear Wife I'd take you woman…" Brienne's hand falls to her sword.
"No I am not one of those flowered up maidens who feints at the sight of blood…Neither is Brienne…Now your people attacked the wall…Why?"
"To get away from them with blue eyes…"
Cassana looks at Jon, "White Walkers…Wights are their foot soldiers…They can only be killed by Fire and Dragonglass…The Walkers are the worst…Fire doesn't affect them, but Samwell Tarly says he killed a Walker with Dragonglass…"
"What do you want Mance Rayder?"
"To get my people South of the wall before its too late…"
"They say you were once a Man of the Watch. Why should I trust a man who turned his back on his brothers…"
Mance laughs, "I was taken in by the Brothers of the Watch as a child…When I got older I learned where I came from and who my people really are…Tell me Queen of Westeros…When you learned that three of your mother's children were fathered by someone else did you show them mercy…"
"And how do you know about that?"
He takes a drink, "I was at Winterfell when Your father came to make Eddard Stark his Hand…I saw Robert's children and I saw you…I knew…You with those blue eyes and them with their green…"
"How did you get into Winterfell?" Brienne asks.
"I was disguised as a minstrel…"
Cassana nods, "I remember you…"
"So tell me Queen of the Seven Kingdoms…Is it betrayal if I go back to my own people? Or is it betrayal if I had stayed with the crows and slaughter them?"
She sighs and looks at Jon, "So Lord Snow what do think I should do…"
"Where fucked!" The Lord of Bones says.
"The White Walkers are real Your Grace…They are the true enemy…And every man, woman, and child they kill is a soldier in their army…We need to find common ground and fast…The Gift is unused…It is fertile land good for farming and hunting…They can settle it…if they help the Night's Watch defend the wall from the White Walkers…"
Cassana looks at Mance Rayder, "Well?"
He stares at the two of them in disbelief, "And I suppose we have to bend the knee…" The Lord of Bones says.
"We can work out the details…But no you will not have to bend the knee…In fact if you are agreeable and take the gift…You will govern yourselves…Any crimes committed by your people outside their lands will be dealt with severely…And as a show of good faith I will give you a full pardon Mance Rayder…To foster peace…"
"I'll be damned…" The Lord of Bones says.
"You are damned ya ugly fuck…" Mance replies causing Cassana to laugh loudly even Jon had to laugh.
"You Free Folk are an interesting people…" She stand up, "Come Lord Snow we must convince the Night's Watch to accept terms…"
"What if they say no?" Mance asks standing up.
"If they say no then I will find you land somewhere…Load all your people onto my ships and send them south…" Cassana, Jon, Brienne, and her guards leave the tent and mount their horses. There is a horse waiting for Jon. They ride for the Wall where her army is still marching through the tunnel. They stop so that she can pass. "It is good to see you again Jon…"
"And you Your Grace…"
Cassana gets settled in first in the tower of the Queen. Then she sees to her men and make sure they are settling in and finally she meets with the High Council of the Night's Watch. They do not take the news of making peace with the Wildlings well. "My Lords!" She yells in a booming voice silencing them. "I have never seen a White Walker…But I believe the stories I have been told…I have read the old legends…Men do not build a wall as this to keep out people…It was built against the White Walkers…You hate the Free Folk and they hate you back…Both sides are guilty of killing the other…You may not like it, but we need them…They have fought the true enemy same as you…Your brothers died out their fighting those things at the Fist of the First Men…Honor their memory and do what is right…
Allow the Free Folk to settle the Gift…Make peace with them against the true enemy…"
Janos Slynt stands up, "And will you make peace with the Dragon Queen when she comes?"
"If I must to defeat the White Walkers…Yes…"
Maester Aemon clears his throat, "Queen Cassana has come to our aid…If she in her wisdom believes this is the right course of action then we the Night's Watch must find the strength to see it through…It will be hard to trust on both sides…But for the greater good it must be done…"
"Such a decision should be made by the Lord Commander…It is time we chose a new Lord Commander…" Everyone turns their head to look at Ser Alliser Thorne. He is leaning on a crutch his battle wounds not completely healed.
"Acting Lord Commander Thorne…You should be resting…"
With help he crosses the floor and sits down at the high table, "I'll rest when I'm dead…For nigh twenty years I have served the Night's Watch…and I'll fall on my sword before I make peace with those animals…"
"And things were going so well…" Brienne says to Cassana.
Later Cassana is in her solar writing a pardon for Mance Rayder. Shireen is there in the corner reading silently. There is knock, "Enter…"
"Samwell Tarly to see your Grace…" Ser Harold Swann says.
"Thank you Ser Harold leave us…"
"Your Grace…"
"Please sit down…" She waits until he is seated. "I am told that you killed a white walker…"
"Yes…with a dagger made of Dragonglass…"
"Dragonglass!" Cassana and Sam look at Shireen.
"Yes…"
"Samwell Tarly my cousin Princess Shireen Baratheon…"
"Nice to meet you Princess…"
She stands up and walks over to them, "You know there is mountain of Dragonglass buried under Dragonstone…"
Cassana smiles, "And how do you know that?"
"Patchface told me…His words were…A mountain of glass chip it away oh see how it slays…The dead things will howl…oh how they will screech…Then on one of my adventures I found a cave with drawings and obsidian rock…" She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a piece. "See…I showed it to Maester Cressen…He told me it was Dragonglass…"
"We can make weapons out of it to kill the White Walkers…" Sam says taking the rock.
Cassana sends a Raven to Gendry for him to send some men to Dragonstone to mine the Dragonglass and make weapons of it. "You wanted to see me Your Grace?" Jon asks entering her solar.
"Have you eaten?"
"Yes I have…"
"Jon…do you like it here?"
He nods, "Iis a hardship ,but endure…"
"And if I offered to legitimize you and asked you to be my husband…" She walks up to him.
"I have sworn an oath to the Watch…"
"And what if Thorn wins…He will make your life a living hell…Come with me…Be with me…" She kisses him.
"Your Grace please…"
She touches him and soon he starts to kiss and fondle Cassana, but he backs away. "I'm sorry…"
"What is it?"
"During my time with the Free Folk I loved a woman…Ygritte…"
"Oh…where is she?"
"Dead! She died in my arms…Look you are beautiful and I want you…But I swore an oath and I don't want any bastards…"
She walks up to him and kisses him again, "We don't have to make any bastards…Look…My first time with a man…I was forced…The bastard raped me…"
"I am so sorry…"
"Don't be he is dead…Make love to me…I want to know romance…I want to know physical love…"
Slowly they undress each other and they both look upon their naked battle scarred bodies. A few times Cassana flinches at his touch, but she steels herself and tells him it is alright. They make love on the floor. Two days later the votes are cast and Jon Snow is made Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. "Lord Commander…" She says flirtatiously.
"Your Grace…"
She is disappointed by his tone, "Right! You wanted to see me…"
"Yes…Mance Rayder says many of his people fled to Hard Home when they saw your army approaching…I was wondering if I could use some of your ships to transport them back south…He and I will be heading up there…"
"Of course whatever you need…" She takes a step closer, but Olly Jon's Steward is present, "Jon…be careful of Alliser Thorn. I have been in many battles. I know an enemy when I see one…" She looks at Olly, "Keep your friends close…And your Direwolf Ghost…closer…Sleep with a sword at your side…"
"I will…"
Jon offers his hand and Cassana laughs, "Is that what we are doing now?" They interlock arms and she leaves. A few hours later Cassana's army marches out of Castle Black. She had offered Gilly and her baby sanctuary, but Gilly wanted to stay with Sam.
WINTERFELL
Roose Bolton stands over a map with his son Ramsey Bolton, "We are royally fucked." Ramsey says.
"Your assessment of our situation is amazing…"
"The Karstarks, the Umbers, and the Manderlys have the largest armies…"
"And no will come to our aid…"
"What if we fled south My Lord to Walder Frey…" Ser Panner suggests.
"Run! Father give me fifty men…"
He looks at Ramsey, "To do what?"
"We know these lands better than anyone…The snows have started…It will be easy to infiltrate her camp and destroy her food supplies…Her men will starve and freeze…"
He places his hands on Ramsey's shoulders, "You have proven yourself time and time again…Go and do not fail…"
CASSANA'S ARMY
After three days of marching they stop to camp and rest. A Snow storm begins on the fourth day, but Cassana creates a wind to blow the storm west towards the sea. She had been trying to manipulate the weather in the North, but all she could do is summon rain, wind, and lightening. Cassana is in a private training arena with four members of her Queensguard. All four surround her; Cassana fights one then she moves on to the next and so on.
"My Queen!" The guards bow and step back.
"Yes what is it?" Cassana follows the man through the camp to an area where they are holding seven men.
"We caught them trying to sneak into our camp…" He grabs a young boy by the hair, "This one is Ramsey Snow…"
"Bolton I am legitimized…" He looks at Cassana, "Dam you are beautiful…"
Cassana smiles, "Ramsey Bolton…The words of your House are; Our Blades are Sharp…Give him his sword…"
"You sure you want to do this?" Ramsey asks.
"My Queen allow me…" Ser Harold says.
"Step back and do not interfere…"
"You have a Valyrian sword that's not fair…"
Cassana throws him her sword, "Ser Harold your sword…" He hands her his sword Black Swann. With a roar Ramsey charges Cassana trying to end the match quickly. She clips him and down he goes. Ramsey is slow to get up, when he does his face is full of snow and his nose is bloody.
"Just so you know I like if rough…"
They charge each other at the same time, their swords raised above their heads. As they battle back and forth Ramsey looks for an opening, while Cassana toys with him as she is the better swordsman. Eventually she disarms him and slashes Ramsey across the chest. Then she beheads him and stabs her sword into his severed head. She raises the head high and her people cheer.
The next day Cassana's army moves on to Winterfell and arrives three days later. In all it took two weeks to reach the hill top castle. Sansa and Arya show Cassana's forces a secret way into Winterfell. The passage goes up into the family crypts. Disguised as Bolton men the castle is infiltrated then the Hunter's gate and the gate to the godswood are opened. Within two hours the castle is taken and Roose Bolton is captured alive.
"You will answer Lord Bolton for betraying our Brother and Mother…" Arya says standing over him.
"Your Grace…Look what we found in the Kennels…"
"My name is Reek…" The man keeps saying as he is dragged up to them.
"Theon Greyjoy…" Sansa says.
"What did they do to him?" Brienne asks.
A feast is held and Ravens are sent out to all the Lords of the North. The next day Cassana names Sansa Wardeness of the North. Two days later Cassana's army marches south towards the Riverlands. The trip takes seventeen days to reach the Twins. When they arrive Brynden the Blackfish has taken the castle. In addition Edmure Tully is alive and well. Walder Frey had been holding him prisoner. A feast is held and Cassana reinstates Edmure as Warden of the Riverlands. "I Edmure Tully swear to rule the Riverlands in the name of my Queen Cassana Baratheon…Second of her Name…The Storm Queen of the Andels and the First Men…Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms…Protector of the Realm…May her Reign be long…" The next day Cassana marches to Lannisport where she intends to sail the Lannister Fleet to the Iron Isles and teach them the lesson her father did.