A/N: For those who dislike such things, there is lemon in Dany's pov, it's marked where it starts and ends.
Dragonstone 299 AC.
Shiera.
Being back in Westeros took some getting used to, as did being on Dragonstone itself. Not that she had spent much time on the island when she was younger as she'd always found it to be a strange and confusing place. Had she known then what she knew now it would have been very different. As since she'd come back here she'd felt it even more keenly. It was in the stone dragons, Aegon's garden, and on the cliffs and in the caves most of all. Shiera finding herself walking along and looking out on the sea or lighting a torch and searching the caves more times than she could count.
She'd seen the Dragonglass and the drawings and knew that she would have to bring her niece and nephew's attention to them once they had taken back their family's throne. To do so before then would be counterproductive and so instead she just studied them herself and looked for clues or things that would help them in the days to come. At night she'd stand by the open window and look down on the village that lay at the base of the keep. The Dragonseeds had welcomed her and her family back amongst them and their own magic's while much lesser than hers, helped too.
It gave her the strength to reach out and speak to him once more, to speak properly and not simply the whispers that they'd shared while she was in Essos, and in her dreams she'd found herself face to face with her love again. She'd seen what he'd done to himself and she hated him for it, though before she could get too angry with him, he'd change and be Brynden once again and not Bloodraven. He'd not be the man of a thousand eyes and one, or the Three-Eyed Raven and instead would be the brother she had loved with all her heart once more, just as he was now.
"You're still angry with me." Brynden said, his smile one she knew all too well.
"I am, how could you?" she said trying her best not to look at him, knowing if she did that she was lost once more.
"Just as you did what you must, my love, so did I. There were no rubies where I was, however." Brynden said and she felt her hands touch the ruby on her neck almost instinctively.
"Did you know?" she asked looking at him and seeing him shake his head.
"I know there would be a cost, not what that cost would be. I was promised all I ever wished for, my love, just as you were. Serve the Prince that was Promised, see that he and Lightbringer are brought back together, and save your family. Do so and you and your love will be together once more." Brynden said repeating words that she herself had heard all those years ago.
"It was not meant to be like this, Brynden, not with me old and you…" her emotion was clear in her words and that more than anything was perhaps why he interrupted her.
"A shell of what I once was." he said and she was surprised when he laughed, Shiera glowering at him until he stopped "Do you really think the gods' power so lacking, Shiera? That what they took from us they cannot or will not give back? Have you not heard them tell you that the time is soon to come?" Brynden asked her and she nodded her head.
"You, I, we will be as we once were?" she asked moving to him, his arms wrapping around her and her eyes looking up into his own as he pulled her close.
"We are doing the gods' bidding, I believe they'll live up to the promises they made." he said as he kissed her and she felt it as if it was not merely a dream.
It had been the same but not, the kiss not real and yet it was too, the words more hopeful and feeling more true to her and she wondered why that was. When she woke the next morning to break her fast was when it became clear to her. They were closer than ever and the closer they got still, the more real it would become. She and Brynden had done what the gods had bid them all those years ago, they'd used their magic to ensure that the prince and princess would be joined together as one. Together they were unstoppable, both of them strengthening the other in every single way. Two hearts beating as one, just as she and Brynden had once been. The magic that Rhaegar possessed within him, the power that came from the joining of two magical bloodlines would have remained dormant otherwise. By the time they finally met, it wouldn't be Rhaegar Targaryen that Daenerys would find in Westeros, it would be Jon Snow and that way only led to darkness.
No, it had to be Rhaegar, and for Rhaegar to live they had to kill Jon Snow and give Rhaegar something to live for. Brynden had played his part, he'd seen that the man born to be king hadn't wasted his way at a wall of ice. He'd ensured that a knight hadn't fallen when in another life he would have and had opened up a prince's third eye long before the boy himself ever would. Shiera too had played her part and had used her blood and magic to allow a connection to be formed over land and sea. She'd seen as a princess had found all she'd ever wished for in her dreams and then in her life and even she'd been stunned at how even so far apart they'd strengthened each other.
As she made her way to break her fast she knew it was time to tell another prince the truth and so she sent for Aemon and asked him to join her. They rarely broke their fast together, Aemon preferring to eat in his rooms as he looked over books and made plans. The man's work was almost never-ending as he played his own part in seeing that the next time a Targaryen sat the throne it would be far more secure than the last. He arrived before the food did this time though and she smiled at him as he took his seat. Both of them greeting each other and then eating before she spoke to him.
"It's time Aemon." she said once she was finished, Aemon looking at her curiously and she welcomed that he could now see just as much as he did.
"You'll tell me it all?" he asked eagerly and she nodded.
"I will, but first I need to show you something." she said and bid him join her.
The guards were asked to remain outside the cave, Shiera assuring them that there was no danger inside, and though it took Aemon's words to finally get them to listen, they did as they were bid. She knew that they had been more on edge since the attack on the prince and princess's wedding night, she too had felt the worry and panic over the fact that they'd gotten so close to ending it all. Only for Brynden to reassure her and let her know that on Dragonstone there would never be any danger to her, them, or to what they needed to do.
"Is that Dragonglass?" Aemon said as they walked through the cave.
"It is, and will be needed in war to come." she said and he looked at her confused.
"How?" he asked and she knew then he was thinking about the wrong war.
"The Great War, Aemon, the only war that matters." she said taking his hand as she led him into the depths of the cave and then hearing him gasp when he saw the drawings on the wall.
The figure's blue eyes stood out as did the men and the children that surrounded him. Shiera looking at Aemon more than at the drawings and expecting that she too had worn the same expression the first time she'd looked at it. Just like with her, it took Aemon a few movements to gather himself, and once he did the questions began, Shiera doing her best to answer them.
"He has many names, The Night King and The Great Other being perhaps the most widely used of them. A fallen god who seeks to end the world and who must be stopped. I was ten and three when I first felt them in my head and had it not been for Brynden I'd have thought myself going mad." she said with a small laugh "From then until now they've been with me and I've served them."
"Who?" Served who?" Aemon asked.
"The Old Gods, Aemon. Me, Brynden, and most importantly Rhaegar." she said as he looked at her.
"My nephew, what part does he play in this?" Aemon asked.
"The most important of all, for it'll be Rhaegar who brings about his end." she said pointing to the blue-eyed figure on the wall.
Storm's End 299 AC.
Stannis.
The damn roses of course they'd seek to lie down with lions. Just the mere idea of them anywhere near the throne that was rightfully his threatened to send him into a rage. As did the thoughts that he was here and stuck behind these damn walls once more. He'd regrouped and done his best to not dwell on the loss of men, face, and the chance to be who he was meant to be. Instead, he'd tried to concentrate on what was to come next, Stannis thinking on where he was to go from here and finding himself bereft of both hope and ideas.
Melisandre had locked herself away in her rooms as she too had sought answers, though his faith in her words or her finding any had begun to be shaken. That at least was something some of his men welcomed, as Blackwater Bay still bore heavily on them all. Stannis though really couldn't fault her for the loss, as she had rightly said he'd left her behind and while some said had she been with him it would have made no difference, the simple truth was she had not been and so it could not be known.
Four thousand men he could call on, the Stormlands were open to an attack and it would be one that he couldn't properly defend, and was that not bad enough, it was one that he'd not even truly know was coming until it was far too late. Fewer men meant fewer eyes and while he'd placed men on the most likely routes, there were routes to him that an army could pass without being seen. Something that made him grind his teeth fiercely at the thoughts of. He'd been so certain of victory that he'd overcommitted and now he was paying the price for that certainty.
Little did he know that it wasn't roses or lions he needed to fear and so as he walked to break his fast, the last thing on his mind was an army marching from the south or Dornish spears. By the time he had finished eating, however, it was the only thing on his mind. Stannis looking at the raven scroll almost in incredulity such was his shock at the words that it bore. A Dornish army led by Prince Oberyn Martell marched for Storm's End and would arrive within the week. Its numbers enough to threaten even the keep itself as Oberyn was no Mace Tyrell and while he could make them bleed, he wasn't certain they could hold. He hurried to Melisandre's rooms, brushing past the two guards and opening the door himself.
"My king." Melisandre said in surprise, the red priestess hurriedly putting her dress back on and Stannis finding himself looking at her body and almost forgetting why he'd come.
"Dornish spears, Lady Melisandre, Dornish spears march my way led by a viper and yet your God gave me no warning of this?" he said angrily, his mind much easier to focus when not being presented with the sight of her naked body.
"It is…"
"What his plan? Was Blackwater his plan? Was the damn Roses his plan?" he asked angrily, interrupting her before she could finish.
"Not the fight we must face, my king." she said and he was surprised she was so composed, having expected her to wish to cajole or comfort him more.
"Yet it is the fight that's here." he said almost resignedly.
"Which is why we should not be, my king." she said as she moved to him and Stannis glared at her "You've come at the most fortuitous of times, my king, the most fortuitous of times indeed." she said smiling and for the briefest moment he had an image of his hands around her neck wiping that smile from her face.
"Explain yourself?" he said, calming somewhat when he felt her hand on his cheek and the feel of her skin touching his own, both of which made him stir somewhat.
"It's not King of the Stormlands that Stannis Baratheon is to be, my king. It's the king of Westeros and the Lord of Light has shown me the way. Braavos and Myr my king, there is where we must go and it's there we'll find the army that will bring you your throne." Melisandre said and Stannis looked at her to see had she lost leave of her senses, finding the same surety in her expression that she had when she'd told him to leave Dragonstone.
"What army?" he asked, focusing on the one thing that may actually get him to consider what she was saying.
"An army of gold, my king." she said and smiled at him, Stannis feeling his heart begin to beat a little faster at her words, and her smile.
He listened as she told him what she'd seen in the fires and then he walked with her to them and watched as she took a leech and dropped it into the fire. Whose blood or where she'd got the leech were both questions he maybe should but did not ask. Instead, Stannis stood and looked into the flames and what he saw soon had him ordering for Davos to make ready the ships. There were many questions running through his mind and yet not one of them did he ask, not that day nor the next.
So wrapped up in what he had seen was he that even when the arguments came from his lords and those who'd stood with him, they fell on deaf ears. Stannis not caring or listening as he was told abandoning the Stormlands and Storm's End was folly and that once he'd done so he'd not gain his bannermen's support when next he sought it. The truth of the matter was that with what he had left of his bannermen their support wouldn't be enough and when you compared it to the Golden Company, irrelevant. Twenty Thousand trumped four and Westeros was not ready for an army that was unbloodied or one that was as formidable as the Golden Company.
Calling his war council to his solar, he laid out his plans for the evacuation of Strom's End and the abandonment of the Stormlands and even allowed the two or three lords who said they could not stand with him if he did so, to leave. Something that surprised Ser Davos and others as he was not known as a forgiving man. Truth be told he wasn't sure why he'd allowed them to take their men and return to their keeps, only that he did so and that he felt it was far better that he did than to fight amongst his own. As he slept his last night in Storm's End before his departure he began to see why that was, a feeling coming over him that had him rising early and ordering more haste in the loading of his remaining ships.
"We move and move quickly, Ser Davos ensure my family is on the first ship and at sea before noon." he said to Ser Davos as his loyal knight looked at him and seemed about ready to speak only to hold his tongue "Edric too, Ser Davos."
For himself, it was to be a different ship than that which Selyse, Shireen, and Edric sailed on and while he would much prefer Davos to be his captain, it was the thoughts of being alone with Melisandre without judgmental looks that had decided it for him. It took almost a full day for the ships to be loaded and as he stood on the newly christened R'hllor's Light, Stannis watched Storm's End fade from view. As night fell he stood alone on the deck of the ship and looked to the sea. His eyes on Essos or at least pointed in its direction and for once he bore the merest hint of a smile on his face.
An army of gold with him at its head, a retreat and not a surrender. How long it would be until he set foot in Westeros once more he knew not, but when he returned he'd see all those who stood in his way brought low. He was Stannis Baratheon, the true king of the seven kingdoms by blood and right and he was Azor Ahai, R'hllor's chosen. Those little doubts he'd had about his role in things were beginning to fade completely and should the meeting with the Iron Bank go how he believed it would, then when he returned he'd be the man he was born to be.
Turning, he walked from the bow of the ship and made his way down to his cabin, his guards nodding to him as he reached the door and opened it. She was waiting for him inside and seeing her laying on the bed in all her naked glory stirred him deeply. Looking at her, Stannis began to undress and felt truly a king.
Balerion (Dany's flagship) 299 AC.
Dany.
The dragons flew over the sea and she watched them hunt, the whale they feasted upon filling them, and soon enough they were playing with each other in the sky. Dany looking at them and smiling to see them so happy. They had been this way ever since meeting Ōñosmaghare and just like her, it was the knowledge of not being alone in the world that made them so joyful. Though with her it was more than the fact of having more family, it was being loved completely that filled her own heart and made her smile so truly.
Rhaegar loved her with all he was, a love she felt for him just as much and though it had been only days since they'd been together, she missed him terribly. That more than anything was the reason she stood on deck as night began to fall and the weather turned cold. The thoughts of a cold and empty bed, not ones that she wished to ponder on. With a sigh, she turned and made her way to the cabins below. The dragons had long since gone as they flew forward and looked for a place to rest and Dany hoped that she found her own rest as easily as they would.
She did not, instead, she tossed and turned and woke more than once. His name on her lips and the pillow she held close to her chest not enough to comfort her. Laying in the bed with her eyes open she felt her hand move across her body as she tried to stir some of the memories she had of their laying together. It was a poor substitute she found and so rolling onto her side she closed her eyes and was soon asleep once more. This time a truer sleep as she dreamt of their delayed wedding night and what they'd done together once they'd dealt with those that had tried to kill them.
Dragonstone days earlier.
Her anger was as furious as his own, once the fear had left her that was. Dany finding that she no longer feared for herself, those days were long since past. Now it was for her family and those she cared about. Grey Worm, Missandei, Aemon and Shiera, even Sansa and Arya who'd become family to her just as much as they were to the one she feared for most of all. Her husband at the forefront of all her worries and fears and so she was grateful that he seemed to notice it and led her back to their room. Once inside she wished for nothing more than to be in his arms and was almost annoyed when he looked at her and began to speak. Words were not something she felt she needed or wanted.
"We will make him pay, Dany. Together we'll bring him Fire and Blood and make him pay." Rhaegar said, his anger more muted than she had expected though looking into his eyes she could see it was there and threatening to burst free.
"We will, my love." she said softly as she reached up and placed her hands on his face, Rhaegar leaning into her touch and his smile brought one to her own face almost immediately.
"My wife." he said softly as he kissed her cheek and then her lips "My beautiful wife." he said his voice huskier as he took her into his arms.
"My husband." she said before she squealed happily when he lifted her from the ground, her arms going around his neck as he cradled her in his arms and carried her to the bed.
*Lemon Warning*
He was unhurried and even though she wished for him to just tear the dress from her body, she found she very much enjoyed it when he did not. Rhaegar instead removing it almost carefully and kissing each piece of her that he slowly exposed. When he began to kiss her neck and shoulders it brought a gasp from her lips, though compared to the sound she made when he kissed her breast and licked gently on her nipple before biting it playfully, it was barely heard. She barely noticed that she was completely naked and he was clothed fully, his kisses and touches distracting her from anything but them. So when he moved from her, she almost dragged him back to the bed, only to see him begin to undress and she then lay down on the bed so she could enjoy the show. It was one he seemed to very much enjoy putting on for her. Rhaegar taking as much time to remove his clothing as he had hers.
"My wife enjoys what she sees." he said pausing after untying his breeches, showing her some but not all that she wished to see.
"Take them off, Rhaegar." she said her voice husky and urgent.
"As my queen commands." he said and his words send a shudder deep inside her, as did seeing how hard his cock was when it was released from the confines of his breeches.
When he went to grab her foot, she moved it away and giggled, Rhaegar almost growling at her as he simply moved to the other one. Then she moaned loudly as he began to kiss her ankle, calf, knee, and finally thigh before moving to kiss her other thigh and to then move her legs further apart. The look in his eyes as he looked down at her, the way he licked his lips as he moved closer, and the words he said as he did so were all almost enough to take her over the edge.
"So beautiful." he whispered and then she felt his tongue as he began to taster her and that was enough for her to come for the first time.
It would not be the last, as his tongue explored her completely and swept over her nub more than once. Dany both willing him to use his fingers to bring her over the edge once more and yet happy when he did not do so for some time. He let it build, took her close, and then with a look to her that showed he was just as eager for her to enjoy this as he was, then and only then did he add a finger and then two.
"Rhaegar..by the gods…RHAEGAR." she shouted as she began to fall, the climax feeling almost never-ending, and were it not for him leaning in close to her and holding the cup of wine that she drank, she'd not have known that she had passed out.
When she had recovered he started once again, his lips finding her nipples and kissing down her stomach until he was between her legs once more. This time he only brought her to the edge before letting her calm somewhat and then doing so again. She was ready to beg him to take her, long before he moved to do just that and when she felt him inside her, she knew she'd not last long. The first one was small and as soon as it was over, she felt the second climax begin to build. Rhaegar feeling it too and she smiled to see him increase his pace and the look she saw on his face as he did so. Knowing he was just as close as she was brought her almost as much pleasure as the release itself, almost.
"I love you, Dany, with all that I am, I love you." Rhaegar said as he held her in his arms, both of them exhausted and spent, and as she lay there with him, for the first time she truly felt what it was like to be loved.
*Lemon Ends*.
The dream had been vivid, almost as if she was living it rather than just experiencing it and as she rose from the bed she felt her body was stiff. Moving to the looking glass she was stunned to see the small marks on her skin and her fingers brushed over the small little bite mark that was over her left breast. Dany knew that mark and had worn it with pride the night they'd lain together after they'd been wed. It had faded since then and yet now it looked as if it had just been made. So much so that she almost turned back to the bed expecting to see Rhaegar lying there.
It should discomfit her and yet it did not, as she knew they had a connection unlike any she'd ever heard or read about. Her aunt while not explaining it all had explained some and she'd told her one thing that she now wondered the truth of. She had thought that once they were together the dreams they shared would simply cease to be. That it was to bring them together they'd been gifted them, but her aunt had told her that they were bonded, Rhaegar and her. They were joined and were as one and that what one felt or knew, soon the other would too.
"Your connection has always been strong, but now that you're together, even I know not how strong it can truly be." Shiera said.
Dany smiled at that as she began to dress and heard the knock on the door, Missandei entering the room to help her ready for the morning ahead. She broke her fast with Sansa who was feeling much better now the seas had calmed. The girl not truly liking sailing the Narrow Sea and not even feeling better once they reached the summer one. Though Dany had noticed her spending time on deck with Ned Dayne as the Lord of Starfall pointed out the landmarks of Dorne to her.
It was as she finished her meal that Lord Beric and Grey Worm came to her and asked her to join them on deck. Dany following behind the two men eager to see whatever it was they wished her to. She'd be lying if she said it wasn't an impressive sight and even at the distance they were from it, it loomed large. Yet for her, it was the sight of her children as they flew over Balerion and towards it that brought a smile to her face.
"Casterly Rock, my queen." Beric said and Dany heard Sansa and Ned Dayne walk behind her, her goodsister just as keen as she was to see the Lion's Den.
King's Landing 299 AC.
Mathis Rowan.
Three kings, that's how many he'd already sworn to in this godforsaken war, four if you count Robert Baratheon as well. He almost laughed at it, one more and he'd just like the war itself had begun to be called have sworn to five kings. It was why he drank far more than he should and had not found his bed to be welcoming these last few days. That and his annoyance at being in King's landing itself, the memories of what had been done in this city and who it had been done by had threatened to loosen his tongue more than once already.
Hearing Tywin Lannister dare mention their names in such a way had made him want to gut the lion where he stood. Oaths sworn to Mace Tyrell and knowing the retribution he'd bring down upon his house should he fail being the only things that stopped him from doing so. So it was drinking that he took comfort in and what cared he what people thought of him. Let them speak of him how they wished, for they knew not his heart or that just being here had it close to breaking.
He'd almost laughed when the boy king had choked at his wedding, thankfully it had been early and he'd still been sober enough to keep hold of his senses. That night he did laugh though and yet barely a day later that laugh had turned to an angered scowl. Mathis knew that Mace's ambition was for his daughter to sit a throne, had he not, then this entire war would have proved that true. Marrying her first to a pillow biter and then to a cruel and sadistic boy both showing the lengths he'd go to see his golden rose wore a crown. Seeing her married to a boy who was quite simply that, that had shown the true lengths his liege would go to. It had disgusted him just as much as being near Tywin Lannister and fighting on his side had disgusted him and he'd done well to keep his feelings to himself.
When the rider came and bore the first of the notes, however, that had caused him to let them loose. Thankfully for him, it was among friends first of all as he'd arranged to meet with Randyll to see if he too had received such a letter and had he heard any of this said by the damn roses at all. As he made his way to the manse that Randyll was staying at, he walked with a spring in his step. The words on the note ones that he longed to believe and bearing a call that he longed to answer.
To the Lords and Ladies of Westeros.
My name is Rhaegar Targaryen, Trueborn son of Prince Rhaegar and Princess Lyanna Targaryen. I call upon all Leal Houses to renew the oaths you once swore to mine own. The time has come for my father's heir to take back what was stolen from our family, to put right the wrongs of the past, and to speak the truth on the lies once spoken. My mother was never kidnapped, my father never raped her, they were married in front of the gods of both my parents, they were married and I am their trueborn son. To those who name themselves Kings I have but one thing to say, the crowns you wear are rightly mine and I will take them from you. I give you but one chance, you can kneel, renew your oaths and we can put aside our animosities. To the usurper who sits my throne, I say but this, I am coming and I bring with me Fire and Blood. The dragons did not die, we did not go quietly into the night and you will cower when you hear our roar.
Rhaegar Targaryen, The First of his Name,
King of the Andals, The Rhoynar and the First Men,
Lord of the Seven Kingdoms,
Protector of the Realm.
They were fighting words and promised him something that he'd searched for since the dark days of six and ten years earlier. His prince's son lived, the truth of the words they carried something he had always known. Rhaegar Targaryen had not kidnapped Lady Lyanna, he could not and would not have been that man. He had never believed it, no one who had ever known the prince could ever believe it and yet questions still remained.
Where had the boy been all these years?
Essos?
Somewhere else?
Where was he now?
What was he to do?
The last one was easier to answer than the others and as he walked into Randyll's manse he believed that he'd find an ally who'd think just as he did. He was led down a corridor and brought to a room, Mathis noticing just how many men that Randyll had on guard and how many of them were older men who'd been with the lord for many a year. Randyll showing his wiles as he was making sure that it was only Leal men who'd be close enough to know what their lord was thinking. There was no long wait and when Randyll walked into the room, Mathis saw the tray of refreshments that were being carried behind him. An older servant being the one to do so and within the blink of an eye she was gone and they were left alone.
"You received the letter?" Randyll asked, no niceties or pretense and directly to the point, something that Mathis much welcomed.
"I did." he said and Randyll nodded.
"Dragonstone." Randyll said catching him by surprise.
"He's there?" he asked hopefully.
"I believe so. I had been tasked with the taking of the island and the bringing of Stannis Baratheon to the King, then I was told it was not to be me and instead it would be Lord Brax who'd be given command." Randyll said as Mathis poured them both wine and took some of the meat more for something to do than because he was hungry.
"But you can't be certain he's there?" he asked and Randyll shook his head.
"No, but I believe it, Mathis, I believe it with all that I am. Militarily Brax is a fool, he'd not be able to take the island without losing many men, but he's Leal to the Lions and would not be swayed by a dragon. Me, I'd take the island far easier and it makes sense to use our men rather than Tywin's own. So why all of a sudden is my command, not my command?" Randyll asked.
"Because you would be swayed, a dragon would bring you to your knees." Mathis said with a smile.
"This dragon would." Randyll said with a smile.
Before he got to ask anymore or to begin to plan what it was they must do, the knock came to the door and the servant entered carrying the note. Mathis looked at it in hope as Randyll read it. Though his expression soon showed that it was not what he wished it to be.
"We're invited to a meeting, Mathis, our liege wishes to see us." Randyll said contemptuously.
"Do we go?" he asked and Randyll nodded.
Later that night.
There had been few times in his life that he'd truly cried, the birth of his first daughter, when word had reached him of the Trident and when he'd bent the knee to Eddard Stark and been told what had happened to Princess Elia and the children. Until today they had been all he could remember, yet now standing in his room he cried like a newborn babe. He took his seat on the bed and wept openly, the words that had been said to him ones that for now only brought sadness, though he knew that anger was soon to follow.
"Our king calls for us, and yet here we sit" Randyll shouted.
"We have sworn to King Tommen and not some false dragon, my lord." Ser Garlan said angrily.
"How can you be sure he's false?" he asked his voice steady as he glared at the roses.
"Mine own spies have told me that this boy is false, were it not so then House Tyrell would be by his side." Mace said his words not carrying the sense of authority or certainty that they should.
"So this is just what? Some mummer who claims to be our prince's son? Who names himself our king?" Lord Ashford asked.
"It's likely Stannis Baratheon's red witch's doing." Mace said before Lady Olenna walked into the room, her giant guards behind her.
"The boy is false my lords. Not only that but he's already passed." Lady Olenna said and he like the Randyll looked to see if they could discern a lie, finding that they could not "I'm told this boy was a mummer and a plan hatched by Stannis Baratheon. That even the boy believed the truth and when he found out he was not who he thought himself to be, he ended his life. Stannis has left Dragonstone, my lords, the island is empty but for Dragonseeds and Lord Varys assures me that mine own spies have the truth of things." she added and Mathis felt himself deflate as that hope he had in his chest was no more."
It was a few days later that the order came for them to march, the Imp was to be put on trial and though he longed to see at least one lion brought low, he welcomed the orders as did Randyll. The Riverlands was to be brought to heel and so he gathered his men and began the march. It was not a march he had hoped he'd be making and so he basically went through the motions and hoped that the fires of battle would raise his spirits enough to make him feel once more.
As they set up camp that first night he looked forward to finding solace in the bottle and was heading to his tent to do just that when the rider arrived. Mathis looking at him and seeing he was one of his men that he'd left back in Goldengrove, Daveth he believed, but even that was not enough to make him feel anything more than he already was.
"My lord, a raven. Lady Bethany tasked me with bringing it to you and placing it in your own hand." Daveth said and it was only seeing the seal that stirred him from his apathy.
The three-headed dragon stood proud and though he wished to both break it open and read it and throw it away knowing that the words it bore would only hurt him more, he did neither. Instead, he placed it in his pocket and bid his men see that Daveth was fed and given a place to rest up. When he reached his tent his hands went not to the raven's scroll but to the bottle. Mathis readying himself for a night drinking himself into a stupor only to stop himself and to reach into his pocket to grab the scroll. Breaking the seal he looked down at the words that were written and after he read them he ordered his men to have Daveth brought to him.
Waiting for the man seemed endless and as he did so he read and reread the words over and over. Each time he finished he simply started once more and each time he read them he felt his hopes begin to rise. When Daveth arrived at his tent Mathis bid him sit and offered him some wine. Daveth taking it while he instead reached for water to quench his own thirst.
"How long after the other messenger did you set off, Daveth?" he asked eagerly.
"A week, maybe closer to two, my lord." Daveth said and Mathis nodded as he began to work out the time in his head "Your travel was uninterrupted?" he asked.
"It was, my lord." Daveth said and Mathis smiled at the answer, the smile only growing larger when Daveth stopped to say something before he left the tent.
"Lady Bethany wished to send me with the first one, my lord, but my wife was ill and so she sent Jarrod instead. He's a good man, my lord, but and I say this not to get him in trouble, he is not the best horseman we have." Daveth said reluctantly.
"He's in no trouble, Daveth, nor are you, I thank you both for your service, truly." he said as Daveth gave him a small bow and left the tent.
He looked at the letter and read it again, the words hitting home and the smile on his face as true as it had ever been.
To the Lords and Ladies of Westeros.
I have called and the Leal have answered, those who have not have proved themselves to be who they truly are. So be it, for what you reap you sow, and what you've sown is the same as the usurper and those who stand with him. Fire and Blood are the words of my family's house and Fire and Blood is what I shall bring to those who stand against me. Along with my wife, Queen Daenerys, I now make this vow to you all. Dragon's don't forgive and they don't forget and the dragons fly once more. Three Hundred Years ago Aegon came to a land with many kings and by the time his conquest was done, there was but one. It is the blood of Aegon that flows through my veins and my wife's, the blood of Visenya and of Rhaenys. Yet it is the blood of those who deny us what is ours by right that should be spilled and when the smoke clears and the fires burn no more, it will be one king that Westeros kneels to once more.
Rhaegar Targaryen,
King of the Andals, Rhoynar and the First Men,
Lord of the Seven Kingdoms,
Protector of the Realm.
He poured himself a glass of wine, to sip and enjoy and not to drink as he had intended. As he raised the glass to his mouth the words came out unbidden and he spoke them loudly and true.
"Fire and Blood."
The Bite/The Twins 299 AC.
Arthur Dayne.
He was excited, eager, apprehensive, and determined, all intermingling inside of him as they flew through the air. It was finally here, a day he'd waited for far too long to see come and one that he at times feared would not. Never more so than when he'd heard that Stark had sent the king to the Wall. Oh, he may have almost convinced Rhaegar that it was he who was making that choice, but Arthur knew better.
It had always been his plan, he knew that now, the man's honor a shield that he wielded only when it suited him. Family and blood meaning less to him than a friendship with a man unworthy of being named such. When he'd heard about the betrothal and Stark accepting the role as the man's Hand, all had been clear to him. The wolf was very much not that at all and for the first time he found himself pondering on what would have happened had it been Ned Stark and not Brandon who'd come and called a prince out to die.
Would his brothers live still?
Would he have been able to convince Brandon where he'd not been Ned?
Would the king have known a different life than the one he'd faced?
He believed he would have, that while some things would have remained the same, others would not. Brandon would not have been so enraptured by the Stag that he'd have blindly followed him even at the cost of his own kin. True he'd not have sought to parley with his prince at the Trident, but by the time he'd have reached the Tower of Joy he'd have known and seen the truth of Robert Baratheon. Even then had things played out the same as they had with his brother, Arthur felt that Brandon would not only have lived truer to his word than Ned did but that the North would already be behind his king, rather than against him as they were now.
Well not all of them, he thought as he smiled. Howland having declared for Rhaegar and brought the Manderly's too. Still, with the North behind him then things would be easier than they were now and his king would not be hurting so. As Lightbringer flew over the ships and then headed to the cove, Arthur looked forward to stretching his legs and was happy to see that Rhaegar had moved past his brother's betrayal to focus on what needed to be done. After they landed he stood with a half-smile on his face as he watched his king and his sister behave like children.
"You fidget too much." Rhaegar said as his sister glared at him.
"I do not." she said angrily.
"You do, you move as if you're sparring, when you need to relax and just enjoy the ride." Rhaegar said, smirking now.
"That's easy for you to say, you can see, I have to move from behind you." Arya said and Arthur chuckled at the argument the two siblings were having, not a true one but a gentle jousting of sorts.
"You said it was too cold at the front." Rhaegar said accusingly and Arya shrugged.
"Want to spar?" she asked softy and soon enough the two were moving as they waited for the boat to arrive.
As they were rowed to the ship, Lightbringer flew over their heads and Arthur felt that dragon should have been wearing a white cloak. Even when though they were among friends it made no difference, the dragon was protective of his rider and he could see that Rhaegar wore a smile on his face because of it. He stood at his king's shoulder when he spoke to Ser Richard Lonmouth, Thoros, the Magnar, and Aurane. Arya standing at his other shoulder with her hand on her thin sword as Rhaegar looked at the map.
"Lord Grafton has declared for me and has opened up Gulltown to our ships. His own men will join you on the march to Runestone." Rhaegar began "Lightbringer and I will join you when you reach the keep and offer our terms to Lord Royce."
"Is it for the best we get involved in the Vale, your grace?" Aurane asked and Rhaegar nodded.
"I have my reasons why I must bring the Vale to heel, my lord. But this is not truly about them and is more practical, the Knights of the Vale will be useful in the fights to come and give us the one thing we don't already possess." Rhaegar said smiling.
"A cavalry." Arthur added when Aurane looked confusedly at the king.
"A true cavalry. We have men and horses, but not those that can match the Lions or the Reach, even Prince Oberyn's men are more spearmen than horsemen. The Magnar and the men of Skagos are a match for any infantry force in Westeros and the Unsullied are unmatched, but even with dragons, we risk too much without our own heavy horse. I'd not take the risk nor see the men I have cut down because I'd not planned for such." Rhaegar said and Arthur stood looking on proudly "Lord Grafton will give you supplies, men and horse and show you the way to Runestone. A week should see you reach the gates, and then together with Lightbringer we'll bring Lord Royce to our side."
He'd expected them to stay on the ship and yet they'd left not long after Rhaegar had finished speaking, not even waiting to eat before they were rowed back to shore. After Rhaegar had spent some time speaking to the dragon, they set up a fire and ate what they'd brought with them. Arthur listening as Rhaegar told him that Lightbringer wouldn't rest easy with him not where he could see him.
"He's protective, more so now that he knows it's begun." Rhaegar said and Arthur saw how his king looked to his sister whose eyes seemed heavy "You should sleep, Arya, lay down, I'll wake you should it be needed."
"I'm not tired." Arya said shaking her head.
"Just like you weren't hungry, sleep little sister, we've got a long day ahead of us." Rhaegar said as he moved and kissed her cheek and Arya nodded before she lay down on the sand.
They sat in silence until she fell asleep, Rhaegar looking from the fire to the dragon and to his sister and Arthur watching him as he did so.
"Was he nervous, Arthur?" Rhaegar asked his voice catching him by surprise.
"Your grace?"
"When he set off to ride to war, was my father nervous?" Rhaegar asked, his voice softer now as his own nerves were shown.
"Not nervous, no. He wished he didn't have to ride, that he didn't have to leave. But it was worry for your mother and not for what he was riding to that was the reason for that." he said remembering the day as if it was yesterday.
"I worry for those I care about, Arthur. My wife, my sisters, my uncle and aunt, you." Rhaegar said and Arthur felt a lump in his throat as he went to say something only for Rhaegar to continue to speak "I worry about what I need to do, what I must do and yet I feel it deep inside." Rhaegar said, his voice taking on a tone that he couldn't quite place.
"Feel what, your grace?" he asked after he swallowed and felt the lump disappear.
"That what I'm doing is right, it's just." Rhaegar said, almost questioningly.
"It is, your grace." he said firmly, hoping his own lack of doubt would be enough for his king.
They broke their fast the next morning and then had their lessons, Arya first followed by Rhaegar, and then they took to the air. Below them was the Vale and both Lightbringer and Rhaegar himself seemed keen to explore it. The dragon flying so high that he could not be seen, though Arthur knew that his king could see all that he needed. He heard him speak to Arya over the sound of the wind, telling her that they were flying over the Eyrie and Runestone and then Gulltown before finally the dragon landed and Rhaegar told them they were near Wickendon.
After eating and making water, they were soon back in the air and as darkness fell he felt it. Firstly from Arya who was in front of him, the girl stiffening and gripping her brother tightly, then from Rhaegar himself. Lightbringer quickly changed direction and increased his speed and Arthur worried that something had happened to Daenerys or the others and that somehow his king had felt it. It turned out to be partly right, his king had felt something and someone in danger, just not who Arthur had feared it would be.
When Lightbringer dropped lower, he saw where they were and the Twins beneath them. Though it was the carnage that was occurring and the battle that was being fought that he soon concentrated on. Arthur shouting over the sounds of swords clashing for Rhaegar to take them from here, that here was not where he should be. Neither his king nor his dragon listening and instead Lightbringer landing as it roared loudly and as men moved both away and closer at the same time. He saw the men who were foolish enough to attack them and then he heard the words come from his king's lips and the fire was soon unleashed upon them.
"Dracarys."
The Battle of the Twins 299 AC.
Maege Mormont.
The wedding had been in full swing and the bedding called for. Maege looking on and playing her part in seeing Robb Stark went to his room bare arsed and naked. Once he had, she then sat back in her seat and enjoyed the ale as it flowed, looking to see the Greatjon, Galbart, and others doing the same. When the music began to play she paid it no never mind. Only when it was in full swing did she hear it for true and while others rose to their feet to complain about the song, she grabbed a knife from the table in front of her and moved away from the man nearest her.
And who are you?" The proud Lord said
"That I must bow so low"
Only a cat of a different coat
That's all the truth I know
In a coat of gold or a coat of red
A lion still has claws
Mine are long and sharp, my lord
As long and sharp as yours
Crossbow bolts were fired and a man moved to her only to be met with her knife that she stuck deep into his neck, his sword falling to the floor and she quickly bent down to pick it up. Fortune smiled on her as by doing so she was missed with the next two bolts that were fired her way and as she came up it was to face a Frey who now bore a much different look on his face. The fool had expected to find a She-Bear who'd been defanged, what he found was something very much different. Her sword cutting through his head and almost getting stuck and were she not fighting for her very life then she'd have laughed, as she finally proved why she far preferred a mace.
Around her was chaos and she could barely make out who lived or who fell, only seeing that many Northmen had found their ends this night. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the Greatjon faced with almost a dozen men and she moved to go to him only to feel the crossbow bolt hit her shoulder. She cursed when the sword fell and reached for it with her other arm only the be hit with something across the head. As she felt herself slip off into unconsciousness she swore she heard a loud roar and for a moment she believed a bear had come to rescue her.
The Greatjon.
Traitors, traitors the lot of them and he'd fucking gut them all had he but a sword to swing. Without one it was his hands and head he was using, men he'd thrown across the room as if they were nothing, and those who'd managed to get too close soon felt his forehead crashing into their skull. Broken noses would be the least of their worries should they wake up from the slumber he'd sent them into. He caught a Frey with an elbow and swore he heard the weasel's neck break as he did so. The next man to come to him found his boot and the Greatjon laughed as he kicked the man clear across the room.
He was angry, in full-on rage and it fuelled him even as the first of the crossbow bolts hit him in the arm. Not even it enough to stop him using that arm as a club to beat another weasel half or fully to death. Seeing Galbart fall and then Maege, he looked around to see where Roose was and found him nowhere in sight. Another time and another place that would have given him pause. For now, he had more important things to worry about than the Leech Lord's whereabouts.
Moving to the door, he shoved men to the side so hard that some if not all of them would never rise again. Though it wasn't an escape he was seeking, it was instead a path to a sword and to his king. The club caught him hard and brought him to his knees and as they swarmed around him, he fought with all he had. Soon though he knew it was pointless and he felt certain that he would indeed die here this night. He thanked the gods that his son and heir was in the North and not here by his side. The Smalljon having played his part in seeing the squids defeated and he would he knew see him avenged.
"Fucking Weasels, I'll kill you all." he roared and it was enough to make one or two of them move from him in fear, it made him laugh loudly despite the circumstances he found himself in and as he grabbed one of them he bit his ear clean off.
The roar he heard sounded like the giant from his sigil, it for the briefest moment made everything in the Great Hall stop and cost two more Freys their lives as he took advantage of their hesitancy. They would be the last two he killed that night as the club caught him hard across the head and he felt his strength leaving him. He wondered would they kill him when he slept or would they seek to ransom him. Then he heard the roar once more and as he felt himself fall to the floor he wondered if he'd see the giant who made that sound before his time came.
Ser Garse Goodbrook.
When the signal came he led his men into the drunken Northmen's camp and the massacre began. Garse cutting down men as if they were nothing. Their men were well prepared while the Northmen had been caught completely by surprise and if anything the only thing he feared this night was that he'd grow tired from swinging his sword. Even those who managed to get to their weapons were no match and as he moved he felt himself to be in no danger. The sound of the wolf howling though soon had him thinking otherwise and he wasn't the only one who looked to see where the beast was.
They had planned to put it in a cage and to kill it there, only for Robb Stark to send it off before they could do so. Now hearing its howls sent a shiver down his spine and each time he heard a noise he found his eyes seeking out its grey fur and yellow eyes. It almost cost him his head as so distracted was he by that, that he almost missed the swing of the ax and only parried the blow at the last moment. One of his men then cutting down the man who had swung it and Garse ordering more men to move amongst the Northern tents.
Truth be told he had wished to be inside the hall rather than out here amongst the common soldiers. He had wanted to see Lymond's face when he was cut down and as he realized that his keep was to be his after all. Instead, he'd had to ask Ryman to make sure that his cousin fell and promise him gold should he ensure that it happened. Moving through the camp he could see how completely their attack had surprised the Northmen and he readied for the night to be a long one.
"Walder." he shouted out when he saw Walder Rivers, the knight leading the attack and looking the worst for wear.
"Garse, I swear this is fucking thirsty work." Walder said laughing and it was then they heard the sound.
"What the fuck was that?" he asked as the roar was made again, Walder looking at him and shaking his head.
"I don't…"
When he saw it he couldn't believe it, it had to be a dream, a trick of the light and so he stood just staring at it for a few moments. It was huge and it had people on its back, one of them wearing what looked to be a white cloak and one who looked no more than a child. Who ordered the men to attack it he knew not only attack it they did, or tried to at least. He thought he heard a word, was sure he had and then he looked on in horror as men began to burn.
"Retreat, retreat." he shouted only for the fire to sweep over him and he looked to Walder to see him aflame as well.
Alyn.
He had thought he'd have been sent back to Winterfell, had hoped he would if truth be told. Only to instead be asked to march with the king and so he'd done as he was bid. Harwin too and though he welcomed his friend's company, he found he had no desire for more war. Especially not one against Jon Snow which he feared was to be the one they'd soon be marching to. So he'd welcomed the idea of the wedding and the distraction it would provide and he'd kept his own counsel as he dared not speak the words he truly felt.
The beer flowed and the food was good and he was taking a piss when the seven hells broke loose. He heard the sound of the wolf howling and he needed to know no more than that to realize what was happening. Ghost may have been silent but Nymeria was not and he'd heard her warnings of danger to the pack. Somewhere out there Grey Wind was sounding his own and Alyn was glad he had kept his sword on his hip as he moved back toward the camp.
What he saw when he reached it filled him so full of anger that he'd killed two men before he even realized he'd unsheathed his sword. Freys, fucking Freys were attacking them and it made him realize now that the feeling he'd had all day was his instincts kicking in. It had been Harwin who'd said it, how he'd not expected such hospitality from the Freys, and seeing what they were doing now, he knew he should have paid it more attention. That thought was for another day and for now he had more than enough to worry about.
"To me, to me." he shouted as he moved through the camp, Northmen rallying to his call and he was relieved to see Harwin amongst them.
"Fucking traitors." Harwin said angrily.
"Aye, now let's fucking kill them." he said as the roar silenced him and stopped men in their tracks.
"Is that a…" Harwin began, the loud roar interrupting him, not that he needed to finish.
The dragon landed and Alyn looked to see its flames cover some Frey's who moved towards it. Looking to its back he saw who was sitting on it and all became clear to him. Jon Snow was truly who he'd said he was and now he, Ser Arthur Dayne, and Arya Stark were all that stood between the Northmen in the camps and death.
"To me, to me, behind the dragon." he shouted as men looked at him as if he had lost his mind "That's the White Wolf that sits its back, the son of Lyanna Stark and he is of the North." he shouted.
As they moved towards the dragon it too began to move, walking forward and every so often unleashing its flames on any Frey that didn't throw down their weapons when Jon Snow, Rhaegar Targaryen as he was truly now, ordered them to.
Rhaegar Targaryen.
He had felt it, as had Arya, Grey Wind calling out to his brother and sister for help. His own bond with Ghost had told him that there was danger to the pack, as had Arya's with Nymeria and without thinking or hesitating he'd readied to tell Ōñosmaghare to fly only for the dragon to be well ahead of him. There had been no words spoken or needed, not even to ask the dragon to fly faster, and instead he'd simply sped up himself and soon enough they were flying over the Twins.
What he saw below them angered him greatly and his dragon fed off that anger. When the first men had tried to attack he'd given the order and felt nothing when they'd burned nor had he when they'd let loose on the second ones.
"Drop your weapons or face the fire." he shouted and while some did, some others did not "Dracarys" he said loudly and Ōñosmaghare needed no second bidding nor to know who his targets were.
The dragon's flames were followed by his roar and more men dropped the weapons while some ran for the keep. Rhaegar looked at the sigls and saw Northmen look to him warily before he then saw some he recognized and heard a voice he knew tell them who he was, if not completely. Alyn ordered the men behind the dragon and though they were reluctant some of them did as he bid. Others would need more and so he took off his helm so they could see his face and he called out to them to let them know he was here as a friend and not a foe.
"Men of the North, I mean you no harm. It's not you who brought me here today, but those who would seek your ends. Do as Alyn says and my dragon and I will offer you our protection." he said as firmly as he could.
As he moved through the camp more and more joined him and though he saw far too many bodies, he knew it was far less than it could have been. He'd arrived in time, they'd arrived in time and so he thanked Ōñosmaghare and bid him roar once more. This time a warning not just to those in front of them, but to those behind the walls of the twin keeps themselves. Once he was sure that there was no danger to the men on the ground he called Alyn to him.
"I must fly over the keeps and let them know what they face, I shall return, inform the men that they're not being abandoned." he said and Alyn looked at him before nodding.
Ōñosmaghare flew over the furthest keep first before doing the same over the other. Both times Rhaegar had the dragon roar and let loose his flames in warning and only once he was sure did he bring him back to land where the Northmen had gathered. Leaning forward so that he was close to his dragon's head, he spoke softly thanking him once more before telling him that he needed to speak to the men. The dragon not happy that he was to leave the safety of his back and Rhaegar having to tell him that he'd not be going more than a few feet and that Arthur would be with him all the way.
"Robb, where's Robb." Arya said worriedly as he helped her off the dragon's back.
"We'll find him, little sister." he said though he wasn't sure if they would.
Arthur held his hand on Dawn's hilt and so Arya did likewise to Needle, both of them behind him as he walked to Alyn, Harwin, and the Northmen. He could see Stark, Glover, Umber, Mormont, Manderly and other sigils, the Mountain Clans, and houses sworn to everyone but the Bolton's. As they reached the Northmen one of the men moved too quickly and found Dawn at his neck, only being removed from it once he'd taken a step backward.
"What happened here?" he asked as Arthur sheathed his blade.
"A wedding, your grace." Alyn said to some scowls and it took Rhaegar a moment to realize it was his use of his title that had caused them and not what had happened here.
"Whose wedding?" he asked.
"King's Robb's." one of the men answered not using his title and this time it was the man who was scowled at by Arya who moved to correct him only for Rhaegar to stop her with a shake of his head.
"He's inside?" he asked and Alyn nodded "The other northern lords?" he asked and received another nod "I need to parley." he said and Alyn stood forward.
"I'll go, your grace." Alyn said and Rhaegar moved to him to tell him what to say, ignoring the look he gave him when he nodded.
It took almost an hour for Alyn to come back, then another hour for the men to ride out. In that time he found that Lady Maege, Galbart Glover, Edmure Tully, The Greatjon, and most of the Riverlords and Northern Lords who named Robb their king along with Robb himself were inside. When Arya asked about her mother he found to his surprise that Lady Catelyn and her uncle along with some men had not joined them and had instead left to go on some other task. He felt the relief from his little sister almost immediately, though she worried about her brother still.
"What do you intend to do, your grace?" Arthur asked.
"Fire and Blood, Arthur, they're about to find out just what that means." he said as the riders approached and he, Arthur, Arya, and Harwin moved towards them with Alyn and some men he knew not.
The group of men were all weasel-faced and one of them seemed to be so old that he wondered if this was Walder Frey himself, only to find out it was his son and heir Ser Stevron. All their eyes were on the dragon that stood behind him, Ōñosmaghare ready to attack at the slightest nod from him. Though at first, it would be the threat of the attack that he'd use to bring them to heel before the attack itself would be unleashed.
"I am Ser Stevron, on behalf of my father I'm here to negotiate." Stevron said nervously as Ōñosmaghare moved a little closer.
"There won't be a negotiation, Ser Stevron. Terms will be offered and accepted or my dragon and I will take to the sky and by the time we land your keeps will be as famous as Harrenhal." he said as he stared at the man, watching him blink before he gulped.
"We have hostages." one of the other men said almost gloatingly.
"Men who like you have not knelt to me and are my enemies, so what use are they to you when you speak to me" he said with a chuckle as Arya looked at him worriedly.
"We have Robb Stark, your king." the same man said and Rhaegar laughed loudly.
"Who do you think I am?" he asked to silence as he looked to Ser Stevron "Seeing the dragon who do you think I am? I know you got my raven, so I'll ask one more time, who do you think I am?"
"Rhaegar Targaryen." Ser Stevron said shakily.
"So whose king do you have?" he asked mockingly "One hour, Ser Stevron, in one hour you will release the hostages and abandon your keep, one hour or I'll see it and you burn. To show you how true my words are, I bid you watch what happens to your other keep." he said turning as he moved to the dragon, Arya and Arthur following behind him.
"Your grace, your grace, please…there are children, women." Ser Stevron shouted.
"Who too have an hour to abandon the keep, I'd hurry if I were you, dragons are impatient." he said as Ser Stevron mounted up and he and the others rode hard to the keep.
As he moved to the dragon, Arya grabbed his hand and looked at him worriedly.
"Trust me, little sister." he whispered only for Alyn, Harwin, and the others to confront him angrily.
"You cannot, our king, our lords." he heard one of the men say, and then once again Arthur's blade was unleashed this time spilling blood in the process and the man was lucky he only lost his hand.
"How else are we to get them from the keep? How else are we to get them to surrender? Fear, that's all we have in our favor as they hold the high ground. We can't besiege, nor assault, only with a dragon can we bring them to their knees and see those inside safe, and to do that they need fear a dragon." he said as Alyn and one or two nodded.
"So you don't intend to burn their keeps to the ground?" Harwin asked.
"Their keeps will burn, of that you can be certain." he said as he, Arya, and Arthur climbed up on Ōñosmaghare's back.
The Twins 299 AC.
Ōñosmaghare.
His rider had praised him more than once and he'd done everything he'd wished for him to do. He'd shown his own fire and though different it was the same as his. His rider's flames coming in words rather than how his own did, but his words burning just as fiercely as his flames. While he had seen these men fall when his rider bid him to, his rider had then used the threat of more falling. First to save and then bring to heel those who had threatened and harmed these men from where the girl his rider cared so much for came from.
Her own fire burned just as fiercely though there was worry and doubt within her too. She doubted that his rider wished for what she wanted, that despite her anger at the wolf that was her brother, she'd see another wolf fall today. There was fear that it was what his rider wished for, that his own anger at the wolf ran so deep that he'd care not to see him live or die. While in some ways that was true, Ōñosmaghare knew it was not also. Should it come to pass he had no doubt that his rider would see the wolf fall, but it would not be what he sought to do and it would take the wolf himself to force his rider's hand.
Now though a message needed to be sent and so they flew to the second of the two keeps and he roared loudly. Inside he could feel them and their fear and he waited for his rider to give him the order, though it never came. Firstly those inside the keep moved outside and then those at the other keep did likewise. Ōñosmaghare flying to the other one and looking at those standing outside of it. He liked these people not, though he felt his rider's protector's pride upon seeing some of them. The girl his rider cared so much for was relived and joyful while his rider was simply content. His own joy not coming until they flew back to the first keep and he spoke the words before they then flew to the second. The flames he unleashed quickly melting the stone and had any remained inside then their end would have come upon them.
He felt the eyes on him, watching him as he showed off how powerful he truly was. The fear, the awe, and the shock being shared in equal measures by those who stood and watched. Many years earlier a different black dragon had let loose his flames upon a keep, hundreds, thousands had burned and a message had been sent that stood to this day. His rider was sending his own message and that he did so not at the cost of hundreds or thousands didn't diminish it at all. For Ōñosmaghare it was the knowledge that he was willing to send it the other way that he took comfort in. That and his rider's pride in what he had managed to do and his praise once he was done.
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. Up Next Tyrion accepts an offer reluctantly, Dany launches an attack on the West. Catelyn arrives on Dragonstone to find her daughter and the man she came to see not there and after speaking to a Northern King, Rhaegar, Arya and Arthur fly to face a Bronze Lord.