Crossroads Inn 299 AC.
Randyll Tarly.
Riding with Mathis was like stepping back in time and try as he might, when he looked to the lands around him Randyll couldn't help but think he was finally doing what he should have, all those years before. They were mere miles from where Rhaegar had fallen at the Trident and were soon to meet his son, and so mayhap he shouldn't have been surprised by such thoughts. Looking to Mathis, he swore that his old friend bore the same expression on his face that was surely on Randyll's own. One of regret tinged with hope and he was hopeful, of that there was no doubt.
They'd sent their outriders to scout ahead of them and news had come of the army that had gathered close to the Crossroads Inn. Randyll was not surprised by the presence of men of the North, though hearing that there were Vale banners amongst them did give him pause. He wondered if the Vale had turned out for the North and then both sides had taken up the King's banner. Or had the Leal and true houses of the Vale done what he and Mathis were doing, and were they simply answering their King's call?
The answers would come soon enough and he looked forward to hearing them. Almost as much as he looked forward to seeing the boy who in another life would have been his prince and was now his king. They were a few miles from the Crossroads Inn itself when they saw it. He, Mathis, and their men all looked to the sky in awe as the dragon flew over their heads. It was as black as the night's sky and far larger than he could ever have imagined such a thing could grow to. Not even the times when he'd seen Balerion's skull could have prepared him for the sheer scale of it. Though considering he was looking at a beast that none had seen in more than a hundred years, nothing could have prepared him truly.
"Is that a dragon?" Dickon said and as stupid as the question was he could forgive his son for uttering it, especially when he heard other voices around them asking the same thing.
"By the gods, his son did it, Randyll, it was to be his son all the while." Mathis said before laughing.
He had heard others say that Rhaegar believed he'd bring dragons back into the world. Randyll though had never heard the prince utter the words himself and so he never truly paid them any mind. Listening as Mathis explained them to Dickon and trying to look disinterested as he did so, he wondered what he'd have thought had he indeed heard the prince speak so. Would he have named the prince as mad as his father? Named him as Aerys come again? Or would he like so many who shared Rhaegar's company, had believed in this as much as he believed in the prince himself? Whatever the truth of it may be, it now mattered not.
"The fucking lions will shit themselves. By the gods to see Tywin Lannister's face when he first sees it. "Mathis said and his words brought a smile to Randyll's face.
It took them another hour to arrive at the camp and he bid Dickon set up a temporary camp for their men as well as Mathis's. He sent some riders with a request of parley which had been accepted, so he, Mathis Rowan, Alon Footly, and some guards rode eagerly to the meet with their king. They were met not by the king, nor by Ser Arthur Dayne, but by another man he'd thought long dead. It was Ser Richard Lonmouth who greeted them and Randyll looked to Mathis as he did so.
"Ser Richard, we'd believed you dead." Alon said and Rhaegar's former squire laughed loudly.
"I may as well have been, Lord Footly. Though like the dragons I've risen again. Lord Tarly, Mathis." Ser Richard said greeting Mathis more warmly than he did Randyll himself, though he had always known the lord of Goldengrove far better than he had him.
"It's good to see that you live still, Richard, truly." Mathis said smiling fully.
"Come, as much as we may enjoy this reunion, it's not me you came to see. His grace awaits."
As they rode closer to the Crossroads Inn, the true extent of the army that had been gathered was clear. There were houses from the Riverlands, almost the entirety of the Northern Army, and the Vale had come out in much larger forces than he'd expected. He saw the burning yellow tower of House Grafton, the three black ravens carrying hearts of House Corbray. Beside them was the red fort of House Redfort and the Nine Stars of House Templeton. Yet it was the broken black wheel of House Waynwood and the iron studs on a bronze field of House Royce that took his and Alon's attention.
"The Vale, Ser Richard?" he asked as they neared the large inn.
"After seeing his grace and his dragon and then listening to his terms, Lord Yohn knelt, Lord Tarly, and the rest came once House Royce had done so."
"Is her grace here as well, Ser Richard?" Alon asked eagerly and the Knight of Skulls and Kisses shook his head.
"Her grace and her army along with her own dragons have taken Lannisport, Lord Footly." Ser Richard said causing the three men to look to each other in shock "And now threaten Casterly Rock itself, the Old Lion's tail is being pulled and when he decides to snap and try to take a bite out of those who are doing so, he'll find its dragons who lay in wait."
The smile he wore on his face when he dismounted and made his way into the Crossroads Inn was one that was shared by both of his fellow Reach Lords. It only grew even larger when they entered the large room and saw the man standing behind a table and wearing a white cloak. While they couldn't see the white blade of Dawn, there was no need to, as the knight was clearly Ser Arthur Dayne. Standing a little to his left was a young boy with dark hair and grey eyes, though the closer they got to the table it was soon clear to him that it was in fact a young girl. Sitting at the table itself was the boy who could only be Prince Rhaegar's Son. He was dark of hair and eye, yet for those who knew his father, there could be no true doubt.
"Your Grace, Lords Tarly, Rowan, and Footly." Ser Richard said and Randyll may not have been the first of the three to take a knee, but he was certainly not the last of them.
"Arise, my lords of the Reach, for we've much to discuss." the king said and though his voice bore the accent of the North, to Randyll it sounded very much like the prince he'd known and had wished to serve.
After rising to his feet, he, Mathis, and Alon were bid to take seats, and refreshments were brought. They gladly accepted the ale and though they were hungry, none of them truly ate. They were far too keen to speak on things and to find out not only their part in the war to come but what allies they truly had on their side. Not that it truly mattered given they had dragons. It was more so they knew which lords had proved themselves Leal and True and which ones had not. Yet the king it seemed wished to speak on other things.
"There are other papers which are signed by my mother and father, by Ser Gerold, Ser Oswell, and Ser Arthur as well as some signed by the High Septon relating to the wedding ceremony he performed. At present they're been held safe by Lord Howland Reed and so this will have to suffice as proof for now." The king said handing him a letter written by his father.
"You need not prove anything to us, your grace. Were it not for you uncle Aemon's words and the lies that were spread by House Tyrell, then Ser Arthur's presence alone would be enough. Not to mention the dragon we saw as we traveled here. Yet even all of that is surpassed by the fact that any man who met your father can see the similarity in your features. You may not have his coloring, your grace, but that alone is the only thing that marks you different and some of us still remember the Prince of Dragonflies too." Randyll said and the king nodded.
"I've been told as much regarding my looks by Ser Arthur, Lord Tarly. Though I know there were some who believed I looked more like my uncle which perhaps stood me well." the king said looking to the young girl who the more Randyll looked at the more he saw a resemblance between her and the king "My squire, Lord Randyll, Arya Stark of Winterfell, The Sword of the North." the king said fondly and Randyll saw how the young girl stood a little straighter, her hand going to the thin blade she wore on her side.
"Lady Arya." Mathis said only to get a frown from the girl and a chuckle from the king.
"My sister is no lady, Lord Rowan. She is a warrior, a she-wolf. What know you of the ladies of the North my lord, of my mother?"
"Little, your grace."
"On Bear Island when the men go out to fish, the ladies are responsible for protecting their lands from the squids when they come to reave and rape. Lady Maege Mormont and her daughters are part of the Northern Army and I bid you ask any man who've fought side by side with them, do they think them lesser than they. My father and mother met at Harrenhal, my lord. But the true circumstances of that meeting are known to few and only Ser Arthur was there to witness it. What know you of the Knight of the Laughing Tree?" the king asked.
"That they were a mystery knight and that King Aerys was wroth with them and sought their head, your grace." Alon said when Mathis held his tongue and Randyll could hear the nervousness in Alon's voice when he spoke Aerys's name.
"We'll leave talk about my fool of a grandfather for another day, but aye, you have the right of it. Knights and Lords sought the mystery knight out and hoped to be the one who unmasked them and yet none did, is that the right of it?"
"It is, your grace." Mathis said and Randyll saw the king shake his head.
"No, my lord it's not. My father along with Ser Arthur found the knight and was somewhat stunned by their identity." the king said softly as he looked to Ser Arthur and Randyll found himself moving forward in his seat "The knight was my mother and that was how she and my father met each other my lords." the king's voice was just as proud as it had been when he'd named his sister as his squire.
A cough from Ser Arthur had the king shaking his head and chuckling as he looked to the knight and then to his sister before turning back to look at them.
"Forgive me, my lords. My pride in my mother's acts at Harrenhal and in my squire's continuing education can get the better of me and neither is what you're here to discuss. The North and the Vale have both declared for me, as have the Lords of the Narrow Sea and the men of Skagos. Most of the Riverlands too, though some have not and will in time need to be dealt with. All in all, we have close to 40,000 men including your own and yet we are outnumbered or so I'd like Tywin Lannister to believe, for we have other than the dragons one more ally to call upon."
"Who, your grace?" he asked eagerly.
"Dorne, my lord." the king said shocking all three of them "Prince Oberyn marches with Dornish spears eager to taste lion's blood. And mine and my aunt's dragons will be brought to bear too. At present Casterly Rock seems to be the focus of our attack and Tywin's pride won't allow him to do anything but march to its aid. However, when news reaches him of this army and its size, it will force him to change tack. That news should reach him after he's marched and force him our way."
"Would he not just hide behind the walls of King's Landing, your grace?" Randyll asked.
"Would you if Horn Hill was under threat, Lord Tarly?" Ser Arthur asked and Randyll shook his head.
"We march to meet their armies, my lord. Rest up today for we march tomorrow and before we reach them, four dragons will be by your side. Prince Baelor and Prince Maeker have given us our way to victory and once again it will be a prince that is the Hammer and leads Dornish spears while you, my Lords of the Reach, and the army you see gathered here will the anvil our enemies are broken upon."
"The dragons, your grace?" Alon asked.
"Fire and Blood, Lord Footly, Fire and Blood, that's what dragons bring to this particular dance."
Later that day he watched as Ser Arthur, Arya Stark, Brienne of Tarth, Catelyn Stark and the king himself climbed upon the black dragon's back. Its size truly revealed to him now and as it took to the air and flew out of sight, he smirked. They would march on the morrow, the largest single army he'd ever been a part of, and in one fell swoop, they'd see the wrongs of six and ten years ago righted and a dragon would sit the throne once more.
"Come, my friend, tonight at least we can drink and I'll tell you the tale of how Ser Arthur slew a Mountain and the King himself killed Amory Lorch. Vengeance Randyll, there's naught quite like it and the thirst it brings you." Ser Richard Lonmouth said and Randyll couldn't but agree. Vengeance was coming and the dragons were coming with it.
The Rhoyne 299 AC.
Tyrion.
His travel from Pentos was much different than his travel to it. There was no box, no discomfort, and no hiding. Varys saying that here and now there was no need for it. That they traveled with a large group of guards was maybe the reason for Varys's confidence, or maybe it was simply that they were as lost as Varys said they were. Tyrion found he quite like the idea of the latter, the thought that to the world he was lost was one he could get used to, for now at least.
They stayed in a rather extravagant wheelhouse, one of a much different design than the monstrosity his sister used and one more suited to the lands they traveled across. Had they not, then they'd have had the same troubles that he'd had on the Road to Winterfell a little over a year ago. Tyrion remembered that journey now as he drank his wine and found himself amazed at how much had happened since. Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark had joined Jon Arryn in death, the realm had gone to shit and his family faced the biggest threat they'd known since the Field of Fire nearly three hundred years earlier.
Thoughts of his family brought him mixed emotions as always. His niece and nephew he worried about. Myrcella was a sweet child and Tommen a soft boy who was not ready for the role he'd been thrust into and he hoped they'd be safer than the Targaryen children had been the last time a throne had been fought over. When it came to his sister and father, a part of him longed to be there when they fell and only the thoughts of joining them as they did so were enough to make him relieved he'd not be. As for Jaime, he missed his brother truly and as with the children, he prayed for his safety. Taking a swallow of the wine and refilling the glass, he allowed his thoughts to ponder on their chances of victory.
They had most of the Reach and his father's own forces were as formidable as ever. Jon Snow may have shown daring in rescuing his sisters but he was a green boy when it came to war. Tywin Lannister was anything but. Numbers-wise it would be even enough, mayhap even his father having the edge if he worked his magic and spent his gold wisely, as he always did. It was when he thought about Daenerys Targaryen though that he felt a shudder run down his spine and his worried expression was soon noticed.
"Thinking on the war." Varys said and Tyrion nodded "I've been doing likewise ever since the news came regarding Jon Snow."
"You have?"
"I serve the realm, Tyrion. If I believed Jon Snow to be the best choice for the realm it would be by his side I'd be, but I do not and so I must consider how best to beat him and your father or whichever of the two remaining standing at the end. For neither is suitable or right to lead the realm going forward."
"And this man you're taking me to is?" he asked with a chuckle.
"He was born to do so." Varys said and Tyrion knew he'd be told no more.
The eunuch as always played his cards close to his chest. Other than a suggestion that somehow by some quirk of fate, or more likely by Varys's hands, Aegon Targaryen hadn't died and had been spirited away from the Red Keep, he'd said little. Once rescued and with the help of a Magister in Pentos, the boy had been raised in secret and was on the verge of being revealed once the time was right, only for another hidden dragon to take his place.
Tyrion had laughed at the irony of that. One hidden dragon was acceptable, two were not and both Illyrio and Varys were not best pleased that Jon Snow had stolen their plans from them. For he was certain that they too would have gone a similar if not the exact same route, with mayhap only the wedding being different. It would have been Margaery Tyrell that they'd have sought Aegon to marry rather than Daenerys Targaryen. The Reach and Dorne along with the Loyalists would have been enough to win the war against his house and those who'd stand with them, or so they'd have believed.
The Vale and the Stormlands would have never stood with Joffrey or Tommen once the news had gotten out of their births. Something that had been shown, had it not? As for the North, even had Joffrey not gone and fucked that up completely, it was hard to see the North fighting by their side. Had his nephew been able to not be the complete and utter cunt that he was and simply married Sansa Stark, even then he wasn't sure that would guarantee the North to rise, not for his house. Though against the Targaryens, mayhaps. He could see all their plans as clear as if they were explaining them to him and just how much they'd been fucked by Jon Snow. What he could not see, was what their plans were now that he had.
"Wake up." he heard the voice say and he turned to look at Varys who was staring at him, Tyrion rising to his feet and moving quickly from the wheelhouse as he did his best to keep the contents of his stomach inside, surprisingly managing to do so.
"You drink far too much, Tyrion." Varys chided.
"I drink and I know things, Varys, it's who I am."
"And what do you know?" Varys asked as Tyrion took note of where they were, the smell of the river, and the sight of the ramshackle riverboat a few feet away.
"That if it's true that Daenerys Targaryen has dragons, we're fucked. My family and your boy king."
"We shall see." Varys said cryptically.
He was brought onto the boat and as he walked up the gangplank he saw the young boy sparring with an older man. His hair was blue and clearly dyed and an older blue-haired man watched on with an eager eye before he then turned to look at him and Varys.
"Who's the dwarf?" the man asked brusquely.
"Tyrion of House Lannister." Varys said and the spar stopped as the boy turned and glared angrily at him, though compared to the older blue-haired man, the boy's look was pleasant.
"You dare bring a stunted line around Young Griff." the blue-haired man snarled.
"I bring an ally to our king, Jon." Varys said and Tyrion watched as the blue-haired man moved his hand to his sword "Tyrion allow me to introduce Lord Jon Connington and His Grace, King Aegon Targaryen the Sixth of his Name."
Lannisport 299 AC.
Sansa.
She enjoyed Lannisport a lot more than she had King's Landing, at first putting it down to the lack of smell and then to the company she was in. Daenerys was every inch a queen, everything that Cersei had not been and had become someone she wished to emulate. When they were together, Sansa acted as a guide of sorts to the way things worked in Westeros, and yet in truth, it was her goodsister who was the teacher and Sansa the student. Sansa had now learned so much about the true nature of people and how they really were from the older girl.
That she considered her to be her goodsister and not her goodcousin was no great surprise, as Jon, Rhaegar as he was now known, was her brother as much as Robb, Bran or Rickon were. More than considering her a mentor of sorts or a goodsister, Sansa truly considered Daenerys to be a friend and it had made her consider other friends that she had not had in some time. She knew not what had happened to Jeyne Poole and the last memory she had of her was of her being taken from her side. The girl's cries and pleading look now finding their way into her dreams most nights and she felt so very guilty that she'd not considered her fate for so very long.
When she'd spoken to Daenerys about it, her goodsister had said that once they took King's Landing and the war was over and done with, they'd then seek Jeyne out and so Sansa had lit a candle to the Mother praying she'd be found and be well. Ned had said it was a sign that she was growing and that the selfish girl she believed she'd once been was no longer who she was and Sansa had appreciated his words greatly. He too had been one of the reasons why Lannisport was more appealing to her than King's Landing had been. Sansa finally believed that she'd found someone who would be as true a knight and as good as her brother was.
Today after breaking her fast, she had joined Ned once more in a walk around the city. Something they did each time that Daenerys held a council in regards to the war. She'd been invited to join them when they did so and while she had done so once, war was not something she found any pleasure in speaking about and so she much preferred to offer what counsel she could in regards to what came after it than she did in how to win it. Along with their guards, Ghost, and Nymeria, and with the city having faced no attack or no uprising since they took it, she felt perfectly safe in Ned's company. More than that though, she felt something else when she was with him. The small flutters she'd had when she first met Joffrey and thought him the most handsome prince in all the land, were much truer now as she walked with Ned and on the odd occasion that he held her hand or offered her his cloak when she took a seat.
"Do you believe we'll be heading back soon?" she asked and Ned looked at her confused for a moment, only to smile when he realized it was to the South and not to the Manse she was speaking of.
"I do, Sansa." he said, and she felt that flutter again at him saying her name without her title in front of it "Her Grace seems most eager and the raven from Dragonstone I believe bore news of the king."
"It did. My brother gave no timetable for his arrival but did say it would be soon."
"You wish to leave Lannisport?" he asked curiously.
"I wish to see my kin again, Ned. To see J…Rhaegar and Arya, to meet with Robb and see my mother once more. I find I both long to see King's Landing no longer in Lion's hands and yet to travel back to the North and see Winterfell and my other brothers again." she said wistfully.
"I too would like to see Winterfell." Ned said softly.
"You would?" she asked her voice full of eagerness.
"I would. Long have I wished to. Lord Beric spoke often to me when we traveled, asked me places that I'd wish to see before my squireship was done. Some I've been lucky to see, Oldtown, Storm's End, and King's Landing, and while we were in the Riverlands I saw most of the major keeps there other than Harrenhal. But Winterfell and the Wall, the North itself, I've wished to see them since I can ever remember."
"Mayhap you can join our party when we travel north?" she asked almost too quickly and she waited nervously for a reply.
"I find I'd much like that, Sansa, very much so."
She was about to say more to him, speak to him more of the North and almost give in to that little voice in the back of her head that dared her to speak about whether or not his family had a match in mind for him, when she saw it. Sansa rose to her feet as the black dragon flew over their heads and headed towards the Manse where Daenerys and the other dragons were housed.
"His grace returns." Ned said happily and Sansa was sure it was as much because of his uncle being with Jon as it was because of what Jon's return meant.
"We should make haste." she said to nods from her guards and with a look to the two wolves, they were off and running ahead of them.
"They seem eager." Ned said with a chuckle.
"Their pack has returned."
Arriving back at the manse she was surprised that the black dragon had only just landed and as she looked to see Ghost and Nymeria welcome Arya back and Daenerys do the same to Jon, she saw her standing there. Her mother looked exactly as she had the last time she saw her. As if time had stood still and they were in the courtyard of Winterfell and not in a manse in Lannisport.
"Mother." she called out and then in the most unladylike way she could manage, she ran to and was embraced by her mother when she reached her.
"Oh Sansa, Sansa." her mother said as he held her tight and the tears that flowed down her cheeks were happy ones and they flowed for some time.
Lannisport 299 AC.
Dany.
She heard the call from her dragons long before she saw Ōñosmaghare in the sky. So despite the conversation she had been having with Missandei, Grey Worm, and Ser Barristan, Dany quickly rose to her feet and hurried to the garden of the manse. The smile she wore on her face was a true one as she saw the black dragon come into view and when she saw Rhaegar looking unharmed and healthy when they landed, this was even only more so.
So focussed was she on her husband that she didn't notice the red-headed woman who was helped to the ground by Ser Arthur, nor even did she truly notice Arya or Ser Arthur himself. Instead, as she moved to greet Rhaegar she was more than happy to find that he too seemed as eager to see her again as she was him. Her husband moved quickly from the black dragon and those with him to be by her side before she could move to him.
"Gods I missed you." he said as he kissed her deeply, his arms holding her tight and she most welcomed the feeling of being in them once more.
"You are well, all went well?" she asked slightly breathlessly when the kiss stopped.
"Aye, I'm well, we'll talk in a while. Sansa?"
"She and Ned Dayne have gone to explore the city. She should be back soon., sooner now that she's seen Ōñosmaghare." she said and Rhaegar nodded "Who is the lady?
"Lady Stark, Sansa and Arya's mother." Rhaegar said and his eyes implored her to be nice, something that for now she agreed to.
Rhaegar took her hand in his and greeted Grey Worm, Missandei, and Ser Barristan before then leading her to greet her goodsister's mother. Lady Catelyn Stark looked like an older version of Sansa, her hair was just as red, and her figure was tall and thin. Dany welcomed seeing the worried look on her face, but only briefly, soon feeling it was a worry for her daughter and not the greeting she may receive from her that was the cause of the lady's frown.
"Lady Stark, my wife Queen Daenerys Targaryen." Rhaegar said almost challengingly.
"Your grace." Lady Catelyn said while performing a perfect curtsy.
"Lady Stark." Dany said in her most unfriendly voice and she felt Rhaegar squeeze the fingers of her hand "Lady Sansa is visiting the town, my lady, under guard and should be…" she began only to see Sansa, Ned and the two wolves enter, both of them faster than their two-legged companions and she was soon giggling as Rhaegar and Arya were both almost knocked to the ground by the excited Direwolves.
"Mother." she heard Sansa call out and though she felt a tad jealous watching their reunion, she felt happy for her goodsister that she had been given the opportunity to have it all the same.
"We should go inside." Rhaegar said when he rose to his feet, the white wolf now moving to greet Arya just as warmly as it had Rhaegar.
"We should." she said and she was smiling once more as he reached out his hand to take hers again.
Once they were inside the manse, she asked Missandei to see to a room for Lady Catelyn and looked on as Rhaegar moved and spoke to Ser Arthur, Barristan, and Grey Worm. He didn't speak to them for too long and after he had greeted Sansa, he looked at her and held out his hand. She took it without reservation and despite not saying anything, Rhaegar led her from the room and down to what had served as her chambers, Dany not even bothering to ask him how he knew which ones were hers. No sooner had the door closed behind them than she was in his arms once again and she felt his lips on hers.
"Gods, I missed you." he said as he kissed her repeatedly, the look in his eyes one that sent a thrill through her body.
"All went well, truly?" she asked and he nodded and then began to take off his armor, Dany helping him remove it far more quickly than he'd have managed on his own.
She stood looking at him when it had been removed, Rhaegar's eyes roaming over her body just as keenly as hers were doing to him. Which of them moved first she cared not, so lost was she in the kisses and touches they were sharing with each other as they fell into the bed. Very quickly they managed to remove each other's clothing and after what had felt like moons, finally, they were naked and in the same place once more.
"I missed you." she said as he began to kiss her neck "I missed you…." she cried out as she felt his lips touch her breast and then she spoke no more words other than his name as he did likewise with her own.
How long they'd lasted before they were spent, she couldn't be certain, though she doubted it had been long and drawn out and it was still as bright outside as it had been when he'd arrived. She lay with her head on his chest, her finger absentmindedly playing with his nipple as he stroked her hair softly. The rise of his chest showed he was still awake and yet they lay in silence for some time. Both of them were just happy to be together and to feel each other's bodies pressing against their own.
"Lady Catelyn, Rhaegar?"
"She was awaiting me when I returned to Dragonstone. As was a fleet of ships sent from King's Landing." Rhaegar answered and she inhaled deeply "Ōñosmaghare and I dealt with them easily enough and then I spoke to Lady Catelyn and her granduncle, The Blackfish."
"It was…she was pleasant?" she asked turning to look at him and she giggled when he kissed her softly on the nose.
"More so than I've known her to be before. We may never be friends, Dany, but she's my sisters' mother, my brothers' mother. So I don't wish to be at war with her either."
"And her son?"
"Has knelt and will no longer be the Warden of the North. That honor goes to my other brother."
"I'm sorry, Rhaegar." she said softly and he kissed her once more.
She listened as he told her all that had happened while they'd been parted. Dorne drew ever closer to King's Landing, the North and the Vale marched to join them along with the Skagosi and some Leal Reach lords. Dany was more than pleased to hear that Lord Tarly and Rowan had declared for them and brought their men to bear. Once he'd finished, she'd then told him about her own endeavors. How she'd threatened Casterly Rock and believed they could take it if they wished and how easily she'd managed to take Lannisport itself.
The pride that she felt as he looked at her was something she'd not known before. Not that she'd not been proud of things she'd achieved or of herself at times, but to see it so clearly in her husband's eyes that he felt it for her, that was something she welcomed greatly. That he then spoke the words to make it even clearer that she'd done something to be proud of, only made that feeling rise in her chest.
"Do we take the keep?" she asked and Rhaegar shook his head.
"No, we take King's Landing. We take Tywin Lannister's army from him and we end this war, Dany. You and I end this war and avenge our family."
"Together." she said softly.
"Aye, together." he said.
Despite wishing for nothing more than to just lay in bed with him, and looking to Rhaegar seeing that he wished it too, they rose and dressed and made their way back to the others. The look that Missandei gave her as they entered the room brought a blush to her cheeks and she was glad that Sansa and Arya weren't present.
"My sisters?" Rhaegar asked as he took a seat.
"With their mother, your grace." Ser Barristan said.
"My men stand guard, my king." Grey Worm said and Rhaegar nodded as Dany sat down beside him and they began to speak more on what she and Rhaegar had discussed.
Ser Arthur had obviously told them most of it, though when Rhaegar said that they'd be flying their dragons to join up with the rest of the armies this was news to Grey Worm who protested that their own men should be involved.
"We need them here, Grey Worm. To serve as a distraction and to keep Tywin Lannister focussed and worried on his family home. Were you to leave before we face him in battle then there is a risk he could retreat back behind the Walls of King's Landing. We want to face him on an open field, to catch him between our armies and the dragons, and to end this war in one fell swoop." Rhaegar said firmly and Grey Worm nodded.
"You truly believe he'll face you, your grace?" Barristan asked.
"We'll leave him with no choice, Ser Barristan. The loss of Casterly Rock is not something he would accept, he'll march to its aid and no doubt send ships from the Redwyne Fleet too."
"You have a plan for the ships?" Dany asked, Rhaegar having not spoken of this part.
"Lord Tarly and Lord Rowan have sent word to Lord Redwyne and Lord Hightower. I doubt the ships will hurry to Lannisport and should they, well Dragonstone showed that ships are no match for a dragon's flames, here would be no different." Rhaegar left no doubt that he'd do what was necessary to protect the men they would be leaving behind.
"When do we leave, your grace?" Ser Barristan asked looking at her and she saw Rhaegar nod.
"One more day, Ser. One more day to make ready and then we fly to face the Old Lion and to end this war." she said and she saw it once again, that look that made her pride flare-up was on her husband's face as he looked at her.
Volantis 299 AC.
Stannis.
They arrived in Volantis to find no Golden Company waiting for them and Stannis turned to Melisandre to let loose his anger only to find her smiling as she looked to the docks. It took him some time to see what or more precisely who it was she was looking at and when he did, he almost smirked. There were a number of red priests and priestesses waiting to greet them and amongst them, there were men who were clearly members of the Golden Company. The sheer number of gold rings on their arms and wealth on their persons naming them as important members.
As they made their way down the gangplank, Melisandre named some of those who were meeting them. Moqorro was known as the Black Flame and cut an imposing figure. He was over six feet tall and had a large belly that was well-muscled, his skin was as black as coal and there were what seemed to be tattoos of flames across his cheeks and forehead. When added to the mane of snow-white hair that grew on his head, he was not a man who'd go unseen in any company. With him were some of the most fervent followers of the Red God, men of the Fiery Hand and these Melisandre told him were R'hllor's own warriors.
"Welcome to Volantis, your grace." Moqorro said when they reached him, a small polite bow of his head as he did so "High Priest Benerro awaits in the Temple and our friends from the Golden Company are here to offer you escort and discuss a contract with the one true king.
"And where is the rest of their army?" he asked keenly.
"Our men have broken their contract with Myr, your grace, and are on their way to Volantis. I've come to speak on behalf of the company and to agree or not a contract with your grace."
"And you are?" he asked brusquely.
"Gorys Edoryen, Paymaster of the Golden Company." the man said and Stannis looked him over, not liking what he saw but knowing he'd have to deal with the pale cadaverous looking man all the same.
They were brought to some palanquins and hathays and he, Melisandre, Selyse, and Shireen got into the largest of them, his daughter's keen eyes looking around and taking in as much of the city as she could. It took them no time at all to reach the Red Temple and just looking at it left him and others awestruck. Larger than the Great Sept of Baelor and seemingly carved out of one stone, it loomed majestically over its surroundings and the sheer number of people gathered to worship put the faith of the seven to shame.
Melisandre had said that her god was the pre-eminent one in Essos and had he any doubts she'd spoken true, then one look at the Red Temple of Volantis would soon remove them. Moqorro escorted them inside and though he wished to take them to rooms where they could freshen up, Stannis was in no mood for such. He allowed Shireen and Selyse to be escorted in his stead and together with Davos, Melisandre, Gorys Edoryen, and Moqorro, he was led to a different set of rooms. His eagerness to get this deal signed and put in motion overrode any tiredness or need for a warm bath and rest.
He did accept the refreshments that were brought to them though, even partaking in some of the wine which he found pleased his palate. Though perhaps it was the thoughts of what he'd come here for and what he'd be leaving with that was truly the reason for that. Moqorro left them to go and speak to the High Priest and so it was left to him, Davos and Melisandre to speak to the paymaster. Stannis was keen to find out just how true their numbers were.
"All told we have 20,000 men, your grace. 10,000 foot, 6,000 mounted and 2,000 archers with the rest made up of ancillary forces and logistical support." Gorys said.
"Elephants?" he asked.
"Two dozen."
"Terms?"
"You bear a letter from the Iron Bank, do you not?" Gorys asked and Stannis nodded as he bid Davos hand it to the red-haired man.
Stannis held his breath slightly as he watched the man read over the words and nod as he did so.
"These are almost in order. There is but one extra cost to be negotiated." Gorys's words made Stannis grind his teeth and glared at the man, but he bid him continue "Gold and coin are well and good, your grace, but our men seek what they've been denied for so long. You have enemies in Westeros, lords who'll lose their lands and titles when you take your throne."
"I do."
"We would like some of those lands and titles, your grace." Gorys said and Stannis ground his teeth even more "We are not greedy, your grace, we don't' seek Highgarden or Casterly Rock, we seek only our fair share and lands to name our own. In time we'd be your Bannermen and add to your own forces and were we to be spread amongst the different kingdoms, you'd always have a Leal man in each to call upon."
He drummed his fingers against the desk while looking to the man, seeing Davos's small nod out of the corner of his eye before he answered.
"Some lands and titles will be made available to your men, Gorys, those who prove themselves worthy may even get some of the larger keeps." he said to a smile from the paymaster.
"Then if you'd sign here, your grace." Gorys handed him a piece of paper and he looked it over before nodding and taking the quill that Melisandre handed him.
After he had signed, Gorys did likewise and told him once he'd done so that their word was as good as gold, something that he very much doubted. The Golden Company would arrive within the moon and be ready to depart to Westeros less than another moon later and despite his distaste at dealing with the sellswords and his worry about just how much coin this would, in the end, cost them, he was pleased enough when the man had left the room.
"Do you trust them, Ser Davos?" he asked as he took another sip of his wine.
"To do what you paid them to do, aye, your grace. To be Leal and True afterward, very much not."
"As long as they help me take my throne I can trust them for now, afterward we may need to deal with them most harshly." he said and Davos nodded before rising to his feet.
"I'll see that the Princess Shireen and her grace are settled, your grace." Davos said and Stannis nodded.
He was no sooner out of the room than Melisandre turned to him. The look in her eyes was one that he'd waited for far too long to see. When she rose to her feet, he felt his breath catch in her throat at the sight she presented to him. Her red dress fell to the floor and she then stood no more than a couple of feet in front of him in all her naked glory. Stannis was hard by the time she moved to unlace his britches and not more than a moment later he was in the seven heavens themselves as he felt himself slip inside of her. The heat from her sex was almost like the fires themselves and far too soon he was spending and sated.
Over the next few weeks, they'd lain together more than once and he felt his energy both being sapped and yet restored at the same time. Melisandre told him it was the power of the Red Temple itself that allowed their couplings to be so rewarding. He spoke to Benerro only twice while there, the second time being when he was brought to the fire and to the flames. Looking into them he saw a large black dragon and a battle in the snow, he saw himself wielding Lightbringer and facing off against a dark-haired and dark-eyed man.
"Azor Ahai." Melisandre said to him and he smiled as the black dragon moved close and he readied to claim his mount.
It was a smile that he wore even more brightly when the Golden Company arrived and when he looked out upon them. His destiny called and was soon to be fulfilled, the prince that was promised now having the tools at his disposal to see that promise made true.
A few miles north of King's Landing 299 AC.
Tywin.
He'd thought the news couldn't get any worse, Lannisport had fallen and the Rock itself was in danger of following suit. Tywin for once in doubt that it could hold against the forces that were allied against it. Men it could force back and it would require so many of them to take it, that it had in truth never been an option. Dragons however changed the odds significantly and for once he found himself actually believing in their value.
When he'd first heard the Targaryen girl had brought dragons back into the world he'd written it off as idle gossip. Tales being spread by foolish people who mistook one dragon for another, the human kind for the kind that had once ruled the skies. Later as more and more reports came, he'd written them off as being too small and too insignificant to be an issue. A part of him had even wished that the girl would come while Robert yet lived. Tywin knew how much the fat oaf hated the damn Dragonspawn as he was wont to call them and that the realm would unite to defeat Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons with him on the throne.
Alas, Robert's time in the world was over and done with and it had been left to him to restore order to the chaos his death and the death of Eddard Stark had left behind. So he'd done as he had to and had laughed off the threat of dragons, after all, they'd not won a war in centuries while armies won them all the time, did they not? Never had he imagined that they could be used to threaten his home and reading the words that Genna had written, for once he knew not what to do. Facing them in an open field was madness, and yet to not do so, to allow them to take the Rock would hurt even worse than any flames they could lay down upon him.
So for once, he was of two minds, torn between the side of himself that said he needed to wait here and sit them out. To build up the defenses of King's Landing and bring them to him and to then try and do what Dorne had done all those years before, or to go face them and prove them to be as ineffectual as he truly believed they were. Or was that hoped they were? He wasn't certain of which. Yet was that to be the only problem he faced then he'd perhaps have come up with a solution by now, but it was far from it. Walder Frey had failed him and the Northern Army now marched his way, the war he'd assumed close to being won was now anything but and the longer it took for him to end it, the less chance he had of coming out on the winning side.
Dragons, Wolves, they had and were the bane of his life. Robb Stark, Daenerys Targaryen, and as dangerous as both of them were to the dynasty he hoped to build, they both were mere flies buzzing around a lion's tail when compared to Rhaegar Targaryen. In time he would steal his allies from him as surely as losses would. People would rally to the son who was named after the silver prince who despite being named a rapist by Robert Baratheon, was still beloved deep down. Tywin could fight men and dragons, he couldn't fight an idea and his attempts to kill that idea had already failed once.
"Tywin?" Kevan said from beside him and Tywin shook his head, his hand moving to the mug of water and he had to stop it from shaking as he lifted it up and brought it to his lips.
"Any word from Rowan and Tarly?" he asked and Kevan nodded.
"Tarly sent a rider, said he saw the Northern army meet up with some men near the Crossroads Inn, that he and Rowan are outnumbered but unnoticed and were we to launch a frontal attack, then he could be brought to bear from the rear." Kevan said and Tywin nodded.
That had been the one piece of good news. Tarly and Rowan had both gathered close to 6,000 men and added to his own forces they not only had the numbers but if he played this right, the ground too. He looked down at the map in front of him, his eyes drawn to Lannisport and Casterly Rock, and just like earlier in the war, his very sense of self demanded that he answer the insult that the dragons had given him as he had the wolves when they'd done so. The deep breath he took allowed him to forgo that instinct for now.
"We march to…"
"My lord, my lord." one of his guards said and Tywin glared at the man for daring to interrupt him.
"What is it?" Kevan asked irritably saving him from doing so.
"Riders my lord, bearing the Flayed Man."
Where?" he asked both wondering if they were the harbingers of the Northern Army's attack or had Roose Bolton come to his side even more fully than he had already.
"Outside the perimeter, my lord, they have your son with them, Ser Jaime, my lord."
He didn't hear any other words than that, Tywin storming from the tent and through their camp as he made his way to where Roose Bolton himself was walking with some men, and the relief he felt when he saw Jaime was something he'd never known before. His son looked weak, ill-treated, and malnourished and the wolves would pay for every insult they'd given him, but he was here and he was alive and Tywin could wish for little more as he stood in front of him and Roose Bolton.
"Jaime." he said softly.
"Father" his son replied.
"Lord Bolton." he said with a nod and the pale-eyed leech lord replied just as simply.
He ordered food for Jaime and was happy to see him eat heartily and then he spoke to Roose Bolton who told him of a supposed dragon attack on the Twins which had been the reason the Northern Army had not been wiped out as planned. Hearing of a dragon that was bigger than Balerion the Black Dread made him scoff and that it was Edmure Tully who had told the tale, only even more so. Between him and the Freys who would no doubt use any excuse to cover their ineptitude, he was sure he'd hear more such tales. He knew where the dragons were and they were far from the Twins, mores the pity. After welcoming Roose Bolton and his men and telling him that yes their agreement still stood, as well as agreeing to his price for Jaime's safe return, Tywin asked to speak to his son alone.
"You are well?"
"As well as can be expected. I've trained somewhat since Bolton freed me, eaten better, and can feel my strength return but I'm not where I was."
"Which still puts you far ahead of so many." he said to a nod.
"Is it true?" Jaime asked.
"What?"
"That Rhaegar's son lives, that he and Lyanna Stark had a babe and Stark raised him as his bastard?" Jaime asked, spitting out the last part.
"As far as I am aware it is."
"And Arthur?" Jaime asked and Tywin disliked the awestruck way his son said the man's name.
"Is apparently by his side."
"What is it you want of me, father?" Jaime asked and Tywin was relieved there was no doubt or lack of eagerness in his voice.
"To ride back to King's Landing, your sister and nephew will need your help. Prepare the city in case things go badly for me." he said and Jaime looked at him in shock "Prepare to depart if need be, Cersei is well aware of our reserves in the Iron Bank, and should the need become dire then there is no shame in fleeing."
"You think you'll lose?" Jaime asked incredulously.
"I never lose." he said firmly.
Later as they marched to meet the Northern Army and to end the wolves for once and for all, he did so with a new resolve. His son and heir was free and would soon be in King's Landing ready to do what was needed, his dynasty would live on even were the worst to happen. Yet he had no intention of the worst happening, he had the men, the numbers, and he would crush the young wolf so truly that all eyes would then look to him. Lions would rule these lands, not wolves, not dragons, not anyone else, but lions.
Beyond the Wall 299 AC.
Mance.
He looked around at the faces of all those in the tent, the clan leaders, the elders, those who'd be sent off to carry out one part of his plans and attack Castle Black from the Southern Side and those who'd march with him in the greatest army ever assembled by a King Beyond the Wall.
"I'm going to light the biggest fire the North has ever seen." he said to loud cheers, the Free Folk happy with his plans and a plan finally agreed on.
"We'll fuck the crows in their little arses." Tormund shouted out, the cheers rising even louder.
Mance looked over to Dalla and saw that she didn't seem as pleased as others in their tent were, her hand moving to the slight swell of her belly and her fears ones that he too shared. They had no other choice though, they had been left with no other choice. March or die, fight or give up, they couldn't even offer to kneel to those who came their way, for it wasn't their fealty they wished for, it was their very lives. He was about to say something when Val came running into the tent, his goodsister wearing a look that he'd never seen her wear before.
"Mance, you need to see this." Val said clearly agitated.
"See what?" Dalla asked worriedly and it took Val a moment to speak her words.
He, Tormund, Styr, the Lord of Bones, Val herself, and half the elders made their way to the large elk that Val had spoken to them of. The man who stood there was clearly a crow and it took him a moment to recognize Benjen Stark, mainly because his eyes weren't truly on his former brother in arms. How could they be considering he was standing next to something right out of the legends and tales they spoke of at night.
"That can't be." he heard Styr say and hearing the words spoken in such a tone from such a man, was something he'd never dared to imagine he would ever do.
"Mance?" Tormund asked looking to him, his expression one of complete and utter shock and confusion.
Mance stepped forward, hands held up to show he meant no harm to Benjen Stark or the Child of the Forest that he stood beside. He briefly looked to the Elk to see it had been warged and yet neither Benjen nor the Child were the ones doing so, making him wonder who else and how many others were with them.
"Are you alone, Benjen?" he asked looking to the dark blue-grey eyes of a man he'd barely known but had always respected.
"Aye, I'm alone, Mance. No need for company other than the one I travel with."
"And the Child?"
"Her name is Leaf and she brings you all a message from the Three-Eyed Raven." Benjen said and Mance wasn't the only one who gasped at those words.
"Will you both accept Guest Right?" he asked to a nod from Benjen and then with a turn of his head, he bid Val bring the bread and salt.
Any doubt that he had about just how stunned the Free Folk truly were at the presence of a Child of the Forest, had just been answered. Offering Guest Right to a Crow would normally be something that caused uproar and while Benjen was not the worst of them, he was no Qhorin Halfhand, he was a Crow that most knew of and so one they'd blame for the worst of the actions that his former brothers took against them. Yet he looked on as Benjen and Leaf ate the bread and salt and not one word was raised against either of them doing so.
Once they had, he bid them join him in his tent and he listened as Leaf warned all present that to harm her mount was to take up arms against the Three-Eyed Raven himself, Mance knowing that the elk was now as safe as safe could be because of it. He shook his head at the others who wished to join him in the tent, the words that Leaf and Benjen had obviously come here to speak needed to be heard, and the Free Folk would not stay silent for long. As they entered he heard Dalla gasp loudly and he hoped his hand on her shoulder was enough for now.
"Are you hungry, either of you?" he said as Dalla moved to the large pot that boiled over the fire, only for both Benjen and Leaf to shake their hands "We heard tale you were lost, Benjen, some of my men came across Crows who sought you out."
"They should be thankful they never found me, as should we all." Benjen said and Mance looked at him curiously.
"You're truly a Child of the Forest?" he asked turning to Leaf.
"I am what I am." Leaf said softly, her voice as far from that of a child's as possible.
"What word does the Three-Eyed Raven send?" he asked to another gasp from Dalla.
"That the path you're on is folly and will lead to many deaths amongst your people. To follow it will cost you much, Mance Rayder, a price even you are unwilling to pay." Leaf said looking to Dalla and Mance felt his throat dry and tighten.
"Yet I have no other choice." he snapped back.
"Why do you think we're here, Mance, if not to offer you one?" Benjen said making Mance turn to look at the man.
Later he sat looking into the fire and waiting for the elders and clan leaders to gather, the words spoken by Benjen Stark and Leaf were ones he so wished to doubt. More than anything he wished to name them both liars, simply because he dared not hope that what they said was true. Had it come from anyone but a Child of the Forest, he'd have been able to. With a look to Dalla, who was wearing a look so filled with hope that it gave him the strength he knew not he had, he nodded and the elders were let into the tent.
"What word does the raven send, Mance?" Harma Dogshead asked eagerly.
"Do we know the raven truly sent them?" The Lord of Bones asked.
"Who the fuck else would send a Child of the Forest, Rattleshirt." Val said to loud laughs.
"Mance?" Styr asked looking at him.
"They come from the Raven, all of us know that. We know who the Children serve and need not speak more on that subject. We've been made an offer, one that had it come from anyone else, I'd have laughed my arse off, but I've just spoken to something we all believed in and yet thought a dream, so I did not."
"What offer?"
"Safe passage through the Wall and dragons to fight with us when the time comes." he said and the noise in the tent began to rise, yet it mattered not, the noise soon quietened and the offer was soon accepted.
They would march, but not to war, and not alone. A Crow, a Child of the Forest, and a warged Elk would be their companions and in time they'd see dragons too. Leaf's words still resounded in his head as he lay down beside Dalla that night. His hands rubbed over the swell in her belly as she slept soundly and the promise of the life she had inside of her and her own life was enough to fill him with both hope and resolve.
"A child you will have, Mance, but one you'll never know and one who'll grow up without a mother or grow as much as anyone would in the world you'll leave to him. Or you'll see him become a man, watch as he knows brother and sisters, and when your time comes it'll be laying in your bed surrounded by those you love. Life is the offer the Raven makes, Life is the only offer he needs to."
Lannisport 299 AC.
Rhaegar.
He wished he could just stay in bed with his wife, just watch her sleep and feel the rise and fall of her chest. His own sleep hadn't come and wouldn't for some time, not that he wished it too. Instead, he was content with just looking at the small expressions his wife made as she slept, listening to the small noises that came from her as she laughed, frowned, and enjoyed or not her dreams. Was it up to him, then he'd not move for some time, but they could wait no longer. The battle drew ever closer and while he had the men to beat Tywin Lannister, it would be the Dragons that won the day.
Closing his eyes eventually, he drifted off to sleep and was awake in what felt like a blink of an eye later. Dany this time was awake and he chuckled when he looked up at her. It seemed that his wife and he were very much alike and she had been doing the same as he, this time while he was the one who slept.
"Morning." she said happily, before she kissed him, her lips feeling as soft as a feather's touch against his own.
"Morning." he said as he kissed her more truly.
"Hungry?"
"Aye, I could eat."
"Then you had better get your lazy arse out of bed." she said with a giggle as she began to push him, Rhaegar deciding to play along and allowing her to push him out of the bed just to see her reaction.
"Rhaegar, Rhaegar, I'm…."
His laughter assuaged her worries and was stopped by the pillow that she hit him with, Rhaegar rising to his feet and enjoying the sound of her squeals when he made to do likewise. Within moments they were in each other's arms, the small little kisses he gave to her cheeks and lips not enough for either of them, but would suffice for now.
"We should get dressed." he said and Dany nodded.
"We should."
"Dany!." he called out when she snuggled back under the blankets, the sound of her laughter ringing around the room.
He promised himself many more days like this in the future. Carefree days where it would just be the two of them and they'd not have to worry about things or consider anything other than simply being together. They deserved them he felt, and though he knew they'd be few and far between, he found he longed for them as much as he'd ever done for anything before.
Rising from the bed, he dressed and made his way from the room, a last look back at Dany as she sat up in the bed and smiled devilishly at him when she removed her slip. How he found the strength to leave the room, he knew not, but he soon found himself walking to the sparring yard and that it was quite full when he got there. Arya was sparring under the watchful eye of Ser Barristan. She and Ned Dayne were crossing blades as Sansa looked on and tried to stay neutral.
"Morning, Little Sister." he said kissing Sansa's cheek "Who's winning?"
"Ned is five to three up, she's getting closer." Sansa said as Arya took the point to make it five to four, Ned then taking the last one to win the day and he was pleased to see Arya accept the loss as gracious as she did.
"Has your mother decided?" he asked to a shake from Sansa's head.
"And you?"
"I…"
"Miss your home and yet wish to stay with us too." he said and Sansa nodded as she looked to Ned and Arya bid him down to continue her sparring "It seems I've been summoned, he said with a chuckle as he made his way to his other sister.
Rhaegar had thought long and hard about what to do once he and Dany set off to meet with the armies. If the Unsullied were to leave right away, then he'd have sought them to take Sansa and her mother along with Missandei to Dragonstone to await news that they'd taken King's Landing. With needing them here to further perform the mummery, that was off the table and so he'd made Lady Catelyn an offer. He'd organize ships to take her and Sansa to Deepwood Motte, from there they could travel to Winterfell by horse and would be there within a week or two. Or they could come with them and be dropped off at Dragonstone. As of yet, he'd received no reply, but they would be leaving when night fell and the time for that decision was drawing ever closer.
"Are you even paying attention." Arya said glaring at him, and Rhaegar nodded and got into position.
Their spar was more a training exercise and he was thankful that at least in the case of his youngest sister, no decision needed to be made. Arya had welcomed seeing her mother again, but though Lady Catelyn was more understanding, old habits die hard and some words had been shared between them. Arya had not backed down, not allowed herself to be talked out of the future she wanted and he knew that him being a king had played some part in that.
"Come let's eat." he said when they were done and they arrived in the room they used to take their meals just in time to see Dany and Missandei enter.
With a kiss to his wife and a warm smile to Missandei, they took their seats and ate. Arthur joined them and seemed refreshed after Rhaegar had basically ordered him to go to his room and get some sleep. Sansa sat speaking to Ned Dayne and both his wife and Arya had made it clear, even though neither had needed to, just how much his sister would welcome that match being made. He'd need to speak to her mother about it and so for now he'd done nothing. Relations between him and Lady Catelyn were cordial if not friendly and he feared sending Dany to speak to her would lead to another argument. His wife was not best pleased by how he'd been treated as he grew up in Winterfell and left Lady Catelyn in no doubt who she blamed.
"Your Grace, I've given much thought to your offer and while I'd much like to see my sons again, I feel I need travel with you when you leave." Lady Catelyn said catching him by surprise, both at the decision and that she'd decided to make it so publicly.
"Of course, my lady. We'll fly to Dragonstone and you and my sister can await word there." he said and he saw the frown on her face as she looked to Arya.
"Would it not be best if both your sisters wait with me, your grace?" Lady Catelyn asked and Rhaegar didn't need to look to Arya to see her angered expression.
"My squire travels with me, my lady. Where I go, she goes." he said and this time he did glance to see the puffed-up shoulders and the I told you so look that Arya now wore.
There was no more discussion, no more arguments. His word was the word of a king and despite the dynamic that they once shared still being slightly at play, some things took time, after all, Catelyn was too well versed in politics to question him further. The rest of the day seemed to pass quickly, goodbyes were said and tears fell. His wife and Missandei, Sansa and Ned Dayne, Arya rolling her eyes at them both and yet he knew that if she was to say her own goodbyes, her own would fall too.
He, Arthur, Arya, and Sansa all made their way to Ōñosmaghare who seemed to be as eager as the other dragons for what they were heading off to do. Dany, Ser Barristan, and Ser Jorah stood a little way off and he watched as they climbed up onto Drogon's back, and then with a nod, Arthur and Arya did the same onto Ōñosmaghare's while he helped Sansa climb and take her place in front of him. Normally it would be where Arya would sit, but she'd had no qualms about giving up her place to their more reluctant sister. Arya relished a dragon ride while Sansa did not and so his arms would offer her all the comfort and reassurance she would need. With a look to his wife and the other three dragons, Rhaegar bid the Black Dragon to take to the sky and to fly first to Dragonstone and then to the battle to come. He felt him in his head, the dragon was ready and their enemies would feel his might, both their might. It was time to avenge his fallen kin, to settle old debts, and to bring a lion to his knees, it was time for Fire and Blood.
Dragonstone 299 AC.
Ōñosmaghare.
He'd felt his rider's excitement as they flew to join his brothers. His rider's other waiting for them and through his brother's bond with his own rider, he felt her excitement too. The joy that his brothers felt in seeing him and his rider arrive, was shared by him in seeing them. As they hunted that night in a pack, all four of them showing off newfound skills and his riderless brothers feeling the first tingling of their own riders calling out to them, Ōñosmaghare felt a sense of family and belonging he'd not ever truly known.
They shared their adventures, Drogon, Viserion, and Rhaegal taking him over the bay where they'd unleashed their flames and the docks where they'd made their enemies quiver and cower in fear. For him, it was more difficult to show it in full and so he promised them he'd do so once they flew over the lands themselves. Something that they knew was drawing ever closer. Though they'd already done this over the distances they were apart, something felt different in doing it when they were closer together. It felt as if it was more real. As if he could feel what they had felt, share in it, and not just witness it.
Their flames felt like his flames, their feelings as they unleashed them were as his own. It made him wonder would they feel the same when he showed them his own exploits and even more so when they all flew together in the battles to come. When they left to fly back to their home, they flew close enough to the two towers he'd turned to ash for him to show them and for them to feel as he had done when he'd brought the flames to his rider's enemies. He felt their pride in him and their own wishes to show off the true extent of their power too. As he did their worries and doubts that they'd be able to match his own. Something he did his best to reassure them about.
Yet for all the excitement he or they had felt thus far, nothing could have prepared them for how they felt when they left their home and flew to where the battle would be fought. Not even when they split up and flew in different directions did the feeling diminish. The bond between his rider and his brother's rider was soon to be even stronger, as was his own with his brothers. Together they would be forged in fire, their flames would bring about a new world, their legends soon to surpass even those that came before them. Ōñosmaghare could feel his rider in his head, their link stronger than ever, their bond unbreakable and together they'd do whatever needed to be done. He felt righteous, true, fulfilled, for the first time he felt the destiny he'd so longed for was finally at hand and as he roared out loudly, he felt his rider's pleasure and his own.
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. sorry for the lateness. Up Next Tywin finds himself in a battle for his life as old debts are sought to be collected and Wolves, Snakes, and Dragons come seeking justice and vengeance. For those who follow my other fics, Aemon the Dragonknight, Live as a wolf and Purple Deception are due to be updated next.
Rhatch: So glad you liked it.
Itachi: He is faced with a choice, be what she was to him or not, since he's not really going to have to spend much time around her, and since she's somewhat changed her ways regarding him, it's easy to just move on. Has he forgiven her, no, nor has he forgotten, but for him to carry it with him and it to be his defining thing is not logical either. More than anything though it's that her behavior and feelings regarding him are now much lower on his list of grievances. Ned, Robb have both ways surpassed Cat on any list of those he'd see as having wronged him. I know people want to see this big knock-down drag-out between Cat and Jon, but the circumstances have to be correct for that to happen and not just what people wish them to be.
Cat was distant, never cruel in canon, yes the things she did hurt Jon greatly, but compared to an uncle who lied to him and in this specific story, hid a huge piece of information from him which almost caused him to swear his life away at the Wall and a brother who he loved and believed would always have his back, showing that he did not, Cat's actions are minor. If you want a fic where he doesn't forgive her, read TDC or some of my other works. Here in the context of this story, I feel this is far more logical.
Tfranco: Cat will always have trouble with what Arya wishes to do with her life, what she no longer has is control over it, Jon's will overrides her own and so she would still take issue, but less so as you see here. So glad you liked the convo, I wanted to show Jon trying to be the bigger person and that he had others he'd bigger issues with than Cat. People forget also that Jon covered for Cat at times, such as in his last convo with Robb before leaving for the Wall, where he told him that his mother had been kind, even though she'd just told him she wished it was him and not Bran who fell. So while he will always have an issue with Cat, he'd not let it define him I believe. That's the thing with the Tyrell's they've been maneuvered and allowed themselves to be moved into a terrible position and there will be ramifications because of it.
Faegon here is a fake too as I believe he is one in the books and I'm not yet ready to write an Aegon lives fic, but I do have plans for him that may surprise some people.
Myafroatemydog: So happy you liked it.
Celexys: Really glad you liked the convo.
Suppes: Happy you enjoyed it.
Anarra: Glad you enjoyed it.
Guest: I Hope this made up for the lack of Jon/Dany last chapter and the next one will see them and the dragons in action.
Mrmcnasty: Thanks, don't know why the spell check keeps doing that.
Keb: There will be some other magic shown, but not yet. Roose knows where the Northern Army is and how to reach KL without falling into any traps. I'm glad you thought so with Jon, I know some expect him to rant and rave, but he's had time to deal with things, and like I've said to others, there are people he has bigger issues now with than Cat. I think some people want to see fireworks when it doesn't make sense for them to be there, so I wanted to try and make it emotionally accurate and we'll see a FB of her and Dany later where it's anything but lacking in fireworks lol.
Malser: Thanks so much, glad you liked it.
Dunk: It's funny because some people think he should go easy on Robb and hard on Cat when for me it would be the other way around. He never expects anything from Cat and so while he's pissed at her, he can let it go, with Robb it's much different. Robb's betrayal hits him where it hurts and while no doubt Robb's fans will say he'd either not act this way or that this is not a betrayal, I disagree. Tyrion/Faegon and the GC and Stannis can cause problems, but how much of a threat, we'll see. Hopefully, this answered your Mel questions. I saw the trailer and I have to say, where the hell was Caraxes lol. But I think my fic may be up and running before it comes out.
Lady Octarina: It is isn't it, I know I struggled with it here too, Jon saying anything other than Lady Stark, My Lady or Lady Catelyn just feels so wrong but yet it's right too lol. I think the BF would always think that way with Arya, it's one of those meetings that I'm sorry we never got to see.
That was so my understanding of how Jon would react so I'm glad you think so too. This whole non-ambitious thing is a show-only concept, Jon wants things, he is ambitious, he just doesn't believe he deserves things because of his status. It's why I disagree with some who say if he found out the truth he'd not want the throne and why I hate those fics. Now I could see him looking at the situation and going, it's unobtainable, but the idea he'd not want it just completely misses the point. Knowing he's not a bastard or that he's the last male heir of House Targ, he'd seek to restore his House if he could, that's who he is.
With Robb, what kills Jon is that he'd never have sought what was Robb's by right of birth, so for Robb to seek what is his, hurts deeply. When you then add in that Ned is willing to kneel to Robert Baratheon and Robb is not or was not to Jon, that only makes things worse. In the canon, setup was Jon to go south and Robb to know, I like to think like you that he'd refuse it or accept it to keep Jon a secret to be used later. The simple truth is that Jon in that scenario offers Robb and the North a better chance to achieve their goals than Robb does. It's why I love a fic like Full Fathom Five, which has Jon struggle with the fact that by right he should be a king, but not have him go the I don't want it route. They use his truth to bring the Tyrell's to bear, which I think is what you would do. Jon as a son of Rhaegar brings the Leal houses back together, the Tyrells not supporting him create rifts and so if they knew, they'd have done so quickly, IMO. Here Tywin played them and so they're forced to play the hand, but others in the Reach such as Randyll and Mathis would not.
Mickieblue: He had trouble because it was new, a complete change of all he'd ever known. He struggled with it for a little while which was why he found the name difficult and I think that's completely understandable. Over time he's seen Robb make a series of bad choices, not freeing his sisters didn't sit well with him, had more time to come to terms with who he truly is. His bond with Ōñosmaghare has grown stronger and made him more confident and he's listened to the advice given by Aemon and Arthur. Along with his bond with Dany too. So that's why he's changed, that's a character growing.
In regards to the letter, Jon sent, yes Robb was upset by it, but Jon sent it for a specific reason. It was a political ploy to find out who was Leal and True and who was not. It's the same reason he didn't mention dragons or anything else in said letter because he wants them to prove themselves true and to know who is and who's not. He can bring them all to their knees, with the dragons he has the means to do so, but he wants them to come willingly, to prove themselves. He wants Robb to kneel because it's right because it's what he would do and not simply because he pleaded with him to do so. He's a king here, not a brother, for him to ask Robb to do so and to make it personal would be the wrong thing to do, hence why Cat made the points she did and by the time the letter was sent, Robb knew the truth about Jon and who he was, so he did know.
Ned was happy to kneel to Robert, the Starks to the Targaryens before that, Robb is the first Warden in 300 years to wish to be a king. He has won no war to do so, and Jon has a bigger claim to the Iron Throne which the Starks were happy to kneel to than Robb has to the Winter one which hasn't existed in 300 years. That's kind of the point, Robb's birthright hasn't been usurped, Jon's has, and since Jon would never do so to Robb, that's what his issue with Robb is. Aerys being dethroned doesn't change anything in that regard, in fact, because of Robert's death, Jon is the leading blood claimant to the Iron Throne, again which is the point. Robert won the war, but he used his blood claim to stand above all others who fought in said war, his blood claim that came from a Targaryen, Jon's blood claim supersedes Roberts or Stannis or anyone else's in Westeros. You bring up fAegon when here he's irrelevant since none of the participants are aware of him and so the truth of who he is matters not. You're also misreading Jon's letter as the threats come in regards to those who refuse to accept the right of his claim, as they have to do. The politics of it are simple, here I am and this is what I say, come and kneel and accept me as you should or face me in the field as is your choice.
It's a declaration of intent, a way to find out who is true and who is not. Robb looked at it and dismissed it and so he reaps the consequences of that dismissal. Even after his mother went through the likelihood of those consequences he still refused, could Jon have sent him a more personal letter, yes, would it have made any difference, no, Robb would have used another excuse not to accept Jon's words because he too is having trouble accepting the new reality.
I get that Robb fans are pissed, they are so used to seeing Jon defer and things to be resolved easily between them, usually with Jon giving up the North and accepting Robb as a king, which to me makes no sense. Or they see Robb doing likewise and giving up his crown, which shows a lack of understanding of human nature IMO. I didn't want to do that here. Jon as the rightful king by right of blood and soon to be so by right of conquest, sent out a letter which the express intent of judging how people respond to that specific letter and from there, then deciding on a course of action, that's how politics works.
Black Basilisk: So glad you liked it.
You pretty much summed up all the points I made above and did so in a far more succinct manner, kudos my friend. There is literally nothing I can disagree with or add to this other than to say thank you for a job well done.
On the Jon being ambitious part, that's the thing the show has so much to answer for. The "I Don't' Want it" which became a meme almost. Jon wants things, he just doesn't believe he deserves them, once he actually finds out the truth about himself this may very well change even that, which is what I go with here. You're also spot on about the power-hungry aspects, it's such a non-argument. How is anyone seeking what is rightfully their's power-hungry and how is that any different than the Starks seeking to take back WF from the Boltons? The Iron Throne wasn't given up, it was taken, it only makes sense that a Targ would seek to take it back and Jon has accepted fully that he's a Targ. Jon here set out to rescue his sisters first, something that Robb forget about when he accepted a crown and the war became more about that than anything else. Yes Jon wants his throne back and he also wants vengeance and justice for his family, because say what people want about Aerys, Aegon and Elia didn't deserve their fates and those responsible are still living, the main one anyway.
I do love how it's fine for the Starks to seek justice for Ned but not for Jon to seek it for his family, of whom Ned was a part. Anyway, wonderful comment, my friend, thanks so much for taking the time to post it.
Xan Merrick: No worries my friend, we're all getting used to being busy once again. It's good to hear from you though and hope the chaos settles down a little.