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Tyrion stared at the blood-soaked letter. He dropped the letter looking up at Rae and Robb. Rae looked deeply worried. Her one hand was crossed across her body holding her other arm. Robb stood behind her resting his hands on his hands on her shoulders. He also wore a grim expression. Tyrion took a long drink of his wine. Robb leaned in whispering comforting words in Rae's ear. As much as the letter bothered Robb and made him worry about his Uncle Benjen and Jon. Also, this leaves the fate of Bran up in the air the Wall was the only way to his knowledge beyond the Wall. Bran was somewhere lost in North for Seven Hells the last raven he received was from Ser Torrhen Karstark stating that Bran with Reed children had made it beyond the Wall. The men were waiting for the Men of Night Watch to travel beyond the Wall. He did not have it in his heart to tell his mother that the fate of her younger son was now up in the air. Rickon thank the Gods was safe within the walls of Winterfell.
Rae hated the fact that men that had died that had no real ties to this war. They had simply at one point sided with Lannister cause. Or seven hells their families had they, in turn, had grown up supporting them. And now they were died because of it. Many of those men had no choice they were sent to Wall. The South was not like the North. It was not seen as an honor to serve in Night Watch like it was in the North. Tyrion eyes lock with Rae's eyes for a long moment. There was hurt that he was not expecting to be in her eyes. He knew like most women she hated death but up until now had realized it were part of war. This act was clearly a reaction she was not anticipating. Truth be told he was not thinking it was possible either. The Night Watch was a sacred order they were brother in arms to have them pitted against one another was not something he would ever dream of happening. Something had to reach a head at the Wall and caused this reaction.
"What can we do Lord Tyrion?" Rae asked.
"At this point, Your Graces, nothing," Tyrion answered truthfully.
"So you are suggesting that we do nothing," Rae asked slightly shocked.
"Rae," Robb said making Rae looking at him.
Her eyes met his. He took her chin in his hands gently caressing her face. The pain was in both of their eyes true. They both hated that they could do nothing and those men had lost their life when that order did not have ties to the crown or anything like that.
"I think what Lord Tyrion means…"Robb started. He looked over to Tyrion for a moment. It was enough for Rae to look over again at Tyrion. "For now we have to focus on retaking Kings Landing. Then once the dust has settled we can deal with the traitors at the Wall. I will write Jon today and see if I can find what is going on," Robb finished.
"Is that what you mean Lord Tyrion?" Rae asked.
"Yes, we have to take back your birthright from my power grabbing sister and mad son. And they said your father was mad. Yes, he was but so is Joffery," Tyrion said.
Rae took a drink of her wine. Robb took the seat next to her. She took his hand as a worried look filled her Amethyst eyes. Tyrion looked at them taking another drink of his wine.
"What troubles you, Your Grace," Tyrion asked looked at Rae.
"Soon we will have my sister by my side. And from what I know of her she is a great person. She has broken the slavers hold in Essos. But so often greatness is closely tied to madness, I know the saying Every time a new Targaryen is born, he said, the gods toss the coin in the air and the world holds its breath to see how it will land. My father was mad later in his life. What if she…" Rae trailed off.
"You really think Ser Barristan Selmy would stay with another mad Targaryen when he knew you alive and claim to the throne with no sign of madness. I for one what I know of the man would not swear loyalty to anyone that was not worthy of it after betraying your family. What do you think he would do?" Tyrion asked.
"He wouldn't. He obeyed an order to find my sister. She was the rightful heir to the throne. I did not want it. He helped me get Arya and Sansa out of Kings Landing," Rae said.
"I look forward to being able to thank him personally," Robb said.
"But if she does true out to mad we will deal with it when the time comes. Some would say you are mad as well. But I guess madness is greatness," Tyrion reassured. There was silence in the room that lasted for a long moment. "Now on to other matters, your feeding the poor it seems that my sister has lost her mind. Letting the Faith Militant return, which if not bad enough it seems your act yesterday has attached them to you both. They think you are pious people. The perfect image for a King and Queen of Faith of Seven," Tyrion stated.
"But we pray to the Old Gods," Rae said.
"We are married in way of Old Gods. We never exchanged vows in Sept," Robb started.
"I know that but we can use this to our advantage. Once we have dealt with Joffery and Cersei we can deal with Faith Militant. Your ancestor dealt with them before and he did not have dragons," Tyrion said.
Rae looked at Robb with a sad look on her face. He squeezed her hand. He knew what was coming.
"One more thing Lord Tyrion," Rae said.
"What is it I would like to spend some time with my new nieces before we leave for Dragonstone," Tyrion said.
"Robin Arryn has passed leaving the Vale leaderless. They swore loyalty to Rae but we will need a new lord of Vale or Lady of Vale. And we want your insight on the matter," Robb stated joining his hand with Rae.
She looked down with tears in her eyes it was her brother after all. Robb squeezed her hand reassuring her. She gave him a sweet smile the sadness from the loss of Robin still in her eyes. Tyrion took another large drink of his wine. He was unsure how to advise them on this matter. Many would say they already had a Lady of Vale. That lady being Raenera but she could not really control it while ruling by her husband side.
"For now the best course of action as much as it may be painful to do is to wait. Mourn him. They follow you, My Queen; now after the battle, you can raise another to be Lord or Lady of the Vale," Tyrion advised.
"Agreed," Robb said.
Tyrion got up heading toward the door leaving Robb to comfort his queen. No doubt his Mother, Lady Catelyn, was also in mourning being that was her nephew. A thought passed through his mind.
"A word on who you choose to be Lord of the Vale, I would make sure he is of noble blood," Tyrion said.
Jon stood looking out on beyond the Wall. He was sure that attack on Wall would be sooner. But after the betrayal of Allister Throne and his band of Targaryen supporters he was thankful that was no attack as yet. Aemon after hearing of Allister attack on the rest of men that supported the Lannister at Wall called for a vote for new Lord Commander. Sam had nominated him. Janos still recovering from his injury wanted Allister Throne as commander. Saying something like it was a bout of madness brought on by food or something like that. Jon knew that was not the case. The look in Allister's eyes when he went after Janos was the look of a sane man bent on revenge. He had come up here shock by the results of that vote. He was now Lord Commander of Night Watch. His two shadows Ser Torrhen and Ser Tobas stood by him. They took their job very seriously. That was in Jon mind was a good thing in many ways because that would mean they would be very protective of Robb and his queen and Prince Bran. It was hard to think of his brother he grew up with as King. Sam came up on the lift. Jon turned and looked at Sam.
"Lord Commander?" Sam said.
"Don't call me that Sam," Jon said looking back out on the winter ground
"What you looking for?" Sam asked coming to stand next to Jon.
"Beyond the wall, I came up here to think," Jon said looking out on the wall.
Sam looked at Jon as he stared off into the distance. He had a worried look on his face. He was unsure. And this mantle was thrust on Jon. He could only imagine what he was going through.
"About?" Sam asked.
"My vows, the Wildling attack many things Sam," Jon started. He turned and looked at Sam. They looked at each other for a time. They stood there in silence. Jon finally broke that silence. "How is Gilly and baby?" Jon asked.
"They are well. She named the baby Sam. Well, little Sam for now. Evie wrote it seems I'm now an Uncle," Sam said excitedly
"To?" Jon asked.
"To two Nieces, little Joanna and little Reyanna Lannister, they were born near Kings Landing. She is still serving Queen Raenera along with her Husband Lord Jaime. I still don't like him or the fact that they are married," Sam said.
"Does she seem happy?" Jon asked.
"Yes extremely happy. Not like the forced happiness that father would have forced on her when he forced her to be married to someone else. It seems Lord Jaime has captured Evie's heart and according to Evie's letters she has captured Lord Jaime's, heart. Kingslayer or not if he makes Evie happy I am happy," Sam said.
The boat was making its way across Blackwater bay on their way to Dragonstone. Robb stood on the deck of the ship training with Arya much to his mother dismay. He was not fully paying attention his eyes glanced every once and while over to Sansa and Smalljon Umber. They sat next one another talking. Storm sat watching his mistress train. He was not sure of the cross the bay.
Sansa was wearing a new gown that was the softest pink coral color. It had long bell sleeves beautiful scoop neckline. She gushed over the gown that Smalljon had commissioned for her. She demanded to wear it even though the cooler air was blowing in on the bay. Smalljon smiled as she places her hand on his arm as he told her stories of the Last Hearth. She truly looked like a princess in Robb's mind.
Arya got a good hit on his middle. It caused him to groan taking his eyes off of Arya. He bent forward groaning in pain right as Rae walked up from below deck. Gendry was walking with her up the stairs. She giggled as Arya looked triumph.
"You are not even paying attention," Arya demanded.
"I am Arya," Robb coughed.
Gendry and Rae walked over toward the sparring pair. Arya turned at the sound of Rae laugh. Her eyes went wide at sight of Gendry. She ran over to him convincing him to spar with her. They walked away as Rae hugged Robb close.
"You alright sweetheart," Rae asked.
"Fine," Robb said.
"You were sidetracked," Rae said.
"I am playing chaperone for Sansa and Smalljon. It is my job," Robb said.
Rae leaned against the railing of the ship. She looked over to Sansa and Smalljon. They were flirting back and forth. The wind blew a piece of Sansa's hair across her face. Smalljon moved the piece of hair behind her ear. He smiled at her. Robb moved next to her.
"You really think he is going to be anything but a gentlemen surround by your men and in front of you," Rae teased.
"She is my sister," Robb defended.
"And they are to be married. They do need to get to know one another," Rae said.
"He is better than Joffery I give him that," Robb teased.
Rae's eyes traveled over to where Arya and Gendry were sparing. It clear to Rae's eyes that Arya was attracted to him. And Gendry seemed to treat Arya like a Lady no matter what she said or tried. She was unsure how Gendry felt about Arya. She knew that they were close friends. But beyond that what Gendry truly felt for Arya was a mystery to her.
"I would be more worried about Arya and Gendry then my cousin and Sansa," Rae replied.
"What are you talking about," Robb said.
"Has Sansa ever been anything but a high-born Lady?" Rae started. Robb shook his head no. His wayward curls fell on his forehead. Rae loving moved his curls. They locked eyes. He leaned in kissing her. When they pulled apart they looked over to Sansa and Smalljon. They were acting the part of propriety. "You really think that she will be anything but the picture of Lady or Princess from those songs and stories," Rae asked.
"No," Robb said.
Robb held Rae close to him. Selaera, Visenya, and Rhaenys flew over the ship. He looked over to Arya and Gendry. He shook his head. As much as he wished that Arya would find happiness with someone. Gendry was a bastard and base born. And as much as Arya tried to hide it or may even hate the fact. She was a highborn lady. She would marry someone of that was not baseborn. Robb leaned over kissing Rae again. They turned so they looked out on the bay.
"Have you thought any more about who you want to name as Lord of Vale?" Rae asked.
"It most likely will be Rickon or Loras Tyrell," Robb said.
Rae shook her head. She turned her face catching a brief glimpse of Dragonstone rising through the fog. This was her family ancestral home. Robb what had caught her attention. He knew she had her own ideas on who should be Lord of Vale.
"Who do you think should be Lord of Vale," Robb asked.
Rae turned locking eyes with Robb for a moment before she turned looking at Gendry. Robb caught her gaze. He looked confused Gendry was base born. They agreed that the person had to be from high-born family. Unless Rae knew something that he did not know. And if Gendry was really from high-born family Gendry and Arya was not as far fetched as he thought.
Daenerys stood on the deck of her ship. They were sailing for Westeros. She watched as her dragons danced over the water. Her nerves were getting the best of her. She truly wondered what her half-sister would be like. Yes, they exchanged letters but even them they were few and far between. And letter could not show madness. Her brother had shown signs of madness. So, who was to say that her half-sister would not be mad as Viserys? Drogon drove down catching a fish. He tossed from his mouth for a moment blowing fire on it before he caught it again. She smiled at him. Then the thoughts of Raenera's dragons meeting Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion entered her mind. It caused her to worry even more. From Raenera's letters, Selaera was the largest and hardest to control. But what were Rhaenys and Visenya like? The stories that Ser Barristan had told her of Raenera, or Raena as he often called her, led her to the conclusion that she would be fair and just. He had the deepest respect for her. What would Raenera's husband be like? What would he think of her? His father had betrayed her father. From what Ser Barristan had told of the noble houses. The Stark seemed to be noble and honor bond. Raenera grew up in the hustle and bustle of King's Landing seen as the bastard daughter of Jon Arryn. Would they even have anything in common? Her eyes traveled to the skies where Viserion and Rhaegal circled each other. Ser Jorah approached.
"You are worried my Queen," Ser Jorah said.
She turned looking over her shoulder to look at him. The worry was clear as day in her eyes. The same worry reflected in Ser Jorah's eyes. She nodded for Ser Jorah to approach her.
He came to stand right next to her. They both looked out on the water. They stand in silence for a time.
"Of course I am worried. I am finally going home. To the place, I was always destined to rule. I wonder what my sister is like. We are sailing in the battle ground, Ser Jorah," Daenerys revealed her worries.
"You have nothing to worry about, your sister has invited you home. And if she is anything like your brother we will take care of her and husband. But I doubt Ser Barristan would be loyal to her if she was anything like your brother that I knew. If anything I would say she was like your brother Rhaegar. With her falling for a Stark, it only shows how like one another they are like," Ser Jorah reassured.
Daenerys thought about what he said for a moment. It calmed her worries for a moment. She looked over to him. There was still a worry in his eyes.
"You are worried," Daenerys stated.
"My Queen I am not," Ser Jorah defended.
"It in your eyes Ser Jorah what worries you," Daenerys asked.
"My past is not the greatest. I fled Westeros after I was caught selling poachers into slavery which is illegal and a huge taboo in Westeros. I was stripped of my lordship by my great house that happens to be the Starks. I was sentenced to death by Lord Eddard Stark. I worry for now we sail toward Westeros. Where we will be meeting your sister and her husband who just happens to be Lord Eddard Stark eldest son," Ser Jorah confessed.
Daenerys looked at him for a long moment. She had freed many of slaves in her time in Essos. To learn one of her trusted advisors sold men into slavery. She was not sure what to do with him. He had been her friend since she was married to Khal Drogo.
"I will stand with you," Daenerys said.
Quick question: Who do you think should be on Robb's and Rae's small council?