Dragonstone 299 AC.
Sansa.
Seeing her mother again had been something she'd wished for so very long. To be in the same place as her, feel herself being held and to hear her voice had been very emotional. She'd done her best to absolve her from any blame over what had happened to her. Her mother felt guilty even though she had truly played no part in any of it. True she'd wished her to marry Joffrey, but if she was guilty because of that then what did that make Sansa herself?
When she told her that she'd actually seen her father lose her head, her mother had wept both for her and for her father. Sansa this time the one to offer her mother comfort and that she was able to, was a sign of just how much she'd grown. Had this been before she'd gone to King's Landing or even before she'd traveled with Jon and Arya, then she'd not have been able to. It had taken her a long time to become a wolf and to leave that silly naïve girl that she had once been behind, but she had and was now a much better person for it. It had made her mother's words mean more to, something she reflected on as they headed for Dragonstone.
"I prayed for you each day, Sansa, I swear it on the Mother. I prayed for you and never stopped thinking of you or your sister." her mother said almost pleading with her to accept her words.
"I am thankful of it, mother, truly. I did so too for you, Robb, Jon, Bran, and Rickon, and mostly for Arya."
"Because you knew not where she was?" her mother asked.
"I knew she was closer to them, mother, to the Lannisters and so even though Robb had marched and Jon was at the Wall, both putting themselves in danger, I feared more for Arya because I understood the danger she was in that much better."
"I'm so sorry that I allowed either of you to be in any danger at all, can you forgive me?" her mother asked, barely able to look at her as she did so.
"There is nothing to forgive, mother. Let us not dwell on the past and think more on the future." she said and once again felt her mother's arms around her.
They stopped for the night and to her surprise, she found that she was more comfortable outdoors than her mother was. Where they were she knew not, the Reach mayhaps or maybe even the Stormlands itself. Her mother worried they were too close to the Lannister army and Sansa chuckled as Arya said that she hoped they were.
"I'd not have either of you near the Lannisters again." her mother said and Arya shook her head.
"I wish they were here, Ōñosmaghare, Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion are more than a match for them and even lions burn." Arya said to a smile from Dany and a wink from Jon.
"The Lannisters are far from here, Lady Catelyn, the nearest keep is Ashford, and that is half a dozen miles from here. There are few Reachmen or Lannisters further south than Tumbleton." Jon said and her mother relaxed some, though she looked to Arya and Sansa saw the little shudder she gave.
She could understand that and was it not on Ōñosmaghare's back and with her brother and Ser Arthur Dayne that Arya would be going into battle, then she too would worry about her little sister. Seeing how easily Dany had taken Lannisport and after listening to Jon telling her the full extent of the forces he had to call upon and would be bringing to bear, Sansa's own worries had while not been completely assuaged, had almost been so.
Instead, it was knowing that the Lannister's time was coming to an end that she had concentrated on. That justice for her father and those who'd lost their lives was almost at hand and that while it wouldn't bring any of them back, it would at least avenge them. As she ate and her mother sat beside her, she looked around at those with her and found herself missing one who was not. Ned Dayne had helped restore her faith in knights and chivalry. He may still only be a squire, but she'd quickly found that to her mind he was as true a knight as any, and she knew that she'd developed an affection for him.
The smile she wore when thinking of him now was noticed only by her brother and Jon had told her that he would speak to her mother about a match if it was what she'd wished for. At first, she'd been embarrassed that he'd known how she felt, and then she'd been grateful that he did. The King of the Seven Kingdoms suggesting a match was not something anyone could truly reject and though she knew he'd never force her mother to accept it, it was true that with his support there was a greater chance it would be.
"Will you grace us with a song, Sansa?" Jon asked and she shook her head and blushed "Please, you have the voice of a nightingale and it would send us to our beds and to our sleep much easier."
"Very well." she said as if she wished it not and then she stuck out her tongue when Jon rolled his eyes, Arya laughing loudly and even her mother wearing a smile when she did so.
In the end, it was two songs that she sang and both of them were for her brother and goodsister. The first of them was one that Ned had taught her and when she began to sing the Hammer and the Anvil, she saw how Barristan, Arthur, Jorah, and Brienne all looked her way. Jon spoke softly to Dany as she sang the first few notes and soon enough she had finished and had begun the second one. Alysanne was a song that she'd always liked to hear and though she'd not truly known what it was about, again it had been Ned Dayne who'd told her.
"Wonderful choices sister mine and as I said, a voice like a nightingale." Jon said and she shook her head and almost wished to hide behind her hands.
"I do not." she said a moment later and before she knew it she was laughing loudly as Jon moved to her and grabbed her, the two of them rolling on the ground as around them others laughed too.
"It's rude to correct a king, and you've earned yourself many tickles because of it."
"Stop, stop." she giggled and was still laughing when he did as she'd asked.
She looked over to her mother when she got her breath back and found her sitting there and to her surprise seeming joyful almost. There had been a time that was she and Jon to act in such a manner would have led to a lecture for her and a dismissal and put down for him for acting a bastard or a beast. It brought a frown to her face to think about all the times they'd missed doing such things over the years because of how her mother had felt and how she too had at times. Instead, it had been Arya and possibly Bran and Rickon who'd seen this side of Jon and though that upset her a little, she tried to concentrate on the fact that she now saw it too.
They broke their fast early the next morning and were flying within an hour of doing so. It took them little or no time to reach Dragonstone and they landed on the cliffs near the keep. To her dismay, it was to find that Jon, Arya, and Dany would not be staying long and not even for a meal before they would be on their way. Goodbyes were once again being spoken and her mother moved to Jon and spoke to him quietly for some time. The nods he gave and she returned showed the conversation was an amicable one.
"You be careful you hear me, Arya. Let our brother and Ōñosmaghare do what it is you wish to and promise me that you'll take no risks?" she said as she stood facing her sister.
"I promise." Arya said reluctantly.
"Arya."
"I promise." she said a little more truly and Sansa hugged her tightly and felt her do the same.
She moved over and spoke to Dany and soon enough they too were hugging each other and though she didn't ask her to make the same promise as Arya, she did tell her to be careful and not to put herself in too much danger.
"I wish you didn't have to go, Rhaegar." she said using her brother's true name which she'd been doing more and more. She may think of him as Jon and it may take some time before she did not if she did not, but when speaking she was far less conflicted.
"And yet I must. The Lannisters owe a debt, Sansa. To two sides of my blood. For your father and for my sister, brother and their mother. It's finally time for that debt to be collected."
"Be safe, promise me?" she asked and he kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear that he would be.
Looking at them when they flew off, her hand moved to rub itself in Ghost or Nymeria's fur only to find neither wolf there and she cursed that they were still in Lannisport. Was Ned here then it would be his hand that she'd have sought next, but as her mother took hers and held it tightly, Sansa offered her a warm smile and they turned to head to the keep. Was she still a little bird then she'd shake and cry and not be able to be comforted, but she was a wolf now, and as the night progressed it was her that comforted her mother and not the other way around.
"They will be safe mother, they are pack, and the pack hunts tonight." she said not noticing the little smile on her face as she did so.
The Riverlands 299 AC.
Robb Stark.
Though no one outright disrespected him and the lords and men of the North were far more forgiving than they may have been, it was clear to him just how much favor he'd truly lost. Those who'd knelt to his brother far more freely than him all looked at him with varying degrees of disdain. Tales of what had happened at the Twins were told most nights and in none of them did he come out well. He knew had it not been for his brother then he'd probably be dead or at least held in Walder Frey's dungeons and now so did pretty much everyone in Rhaegar's army. For make no mistake this was Rhaegar's army and the thoughts Robb had once had of leading a grand alliance against the Lannisters would remain simply that.
Were it not for Roslin and his goodbrothers, then he'd have more than likely kept his own company. If there was not a need for him to take part in the battle plans and to lead the North in the upcoming battle, then he'd probably have spent more time pondering his and his wife's future than he actually did. Surprisingly to him, his input was still welcomed and his words still listened to when it came to said battle plans and it was the one time when he felt as if he was what he had once been. His uncle had spoken up for him when Tarly and Rowan had tried to use what had happened at the Twins to suggest his counsel was not needed and Ser Richard Lonmouth who was ostensibly in charge along with Thoros of Myr, respected The Blackfish immensely.
It was as he was walking to one of those meetings that he and the others saw them in the air. Three dragons were coming to them from the north and he was not alone in standing still and looking to the sky to see them. The largest which had some figures on its back was as black as his brother's had been and only its size showed it was not Lightbringer. The other two were slightly smaller and had no riders on their backs, a green and a cream almost golden dragon and all three landed in the open space to the north of their camps.
"I swear I'd not have believed it had I not seen and ridden on one myself." his great-uncle said and Robb nodded his own agreement.
"I had thought it would have been…." he said without finishing the thought as he looked around and saw Ser Richard, Thoros, and others move to where the dragons had landed and he and his great-uncle did the same.
He'd not been privy to the plans regarding the dragons for the battle to come. The divide between him and his brother not allowing Rhaegar to explain those plans to him. He had expected though that it would be the king that they rode to battle under and so to find out it was the queen instead was a surprise and a shock to him. It was not to be the last shock he or others who'd not met the queen were to receive that day.
"By the gods, it's the Bold." one of the Reachmen called out while the Northmen and particularly a group of Northwomen had their attention on someone completely different.
"Jorah Mormont." Maege spat as she and her daughters took a step forward.
For Robb, it wasn't the former Lord of Bear Island who had sold slaves and escaped justice that he looked to nor was it the famed former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, though he did notice that both men wore white cloaks which pretty much named them as what they now were. Instead, it was the queen that he and to be fair to them, most looked at. Daenerys Targaryen was dressed in some sort of combined dress and breeches that on any other woman may have made her look masculine. On the soon-to-be Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, they looked anything but. Her silver hair almost shone and her violet eyes were unlike anything he had ever seen before. She was perhaps the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen and he stood as most did, transfixed.
"It's like seeing her mother brought back to life."
"The pure image of Queen Rhaella."
He couldn't argue with those words even though he'd never met the woman. Looking at her daughter now was to see exactly why the Targaryens had been spoken of in awe however and it was that and not hesitancy that stopped him dropping to a knee when the queen walked towards them all. Robb took a little longer than others, but did so and then was bid to rise by a voice that almost sang as it thanked them for the welcome.
"My husband flies with our Dornish allies, my lords, I'm afraid you'll just have to make do with me and my three dragons. Though they'll prove themselves a match even for my husband's own you'll soon find." Daenerys said to cheers.
Within the hour, he and the Lords of the North were asked to attend a large tent and as he made his way to it, he heard the words being spoken about the fact that Jorah Mormont now wore a white cloak. He moved to Maege and her girls, eager to find out their thoughts on the return of the shame of their house, and was surprised to find that they had already known.
"His grace spoke to me about Jorah, said that he redeemed himself and reclaimed his honor at the queen's side. He helped free slaves, Lord Robb, many more than he ever sold and while I will never forgive him for shaming us so, he bears a king's pardon, a queen's favor, and a father's forgiveness."
"Your brother forgave him?" the Greatjon asked disbelievingly.
"Did you see the sword he bears?" Maege asked to a shaking of heads "Longclaw. When his grace visited the Wall, he spoke to Jeor and told him what Jorah had done while in Essos. I don't know the full extent of that conversation, though I'll find out in time, the result of it I do. Jeor gave Longclaw to the king and bid him to return it to his son. So aye, he has a father's forgiveness, Jon."
Entering the tent it was to see Ser Richard Lonmouth sitting to the left of the queen and Jorah and Ser Barristan both stood behind her with their hands on their swords. Before they had a chance to sit down or even to be welcomed, the queen herself spoke.
"Lady Mormont."
"Your grace."
"I'm not fully aware of what my husband may have said to you in regards to your nephew?"
"That he bore his pardon and his father's forgiveness, your grace." Maege said without looking at the man in question.
"He does and mine own favor too. Were it not for Ser Jorah then I'd not be here today. Nor would more than eight thousand men who'd been kept and used as slave soldiers. A young girl who is as close as a sister to me and at one and ten had spent almost half her life fearing what her master may do to her and who'd seen her brothers mutilated and then broken and remade. The city they'd all been held captive in as well as more than fifty thousand people who lived with the knowledge that they too had no freedom or rights. Your nephew helped me free those people, Lady Mormont. He is a man I trust with my life and with the lives of those I care about and a valued and honored member of my husband and mine own Kingsguard."
"Your grace." Maege said.
"I tell you this my lady, and you too my Lords of the North so there can be no doubt of how Ser Jorah is seen by his grace and I. To insult him or to act against him is no different than were it my husband or me you did so, be sure to remember that when you look his way." the queen said firmly leaving no room for doubt.
"Of course, your grace." Maege said and Robb caught how she looked to Jorah when she did so, a different look on her face than he had expected and there was a tinge of either pride or respect there.
"Please sit, my lords, my ladies, we've much to speak on."
The wine was brought out and the ale, food was offered which some partook of, Ser Wylis happily taking much of it when it reached him.
"As I said when I arrived, my husband and Prince Oberyn will be joining our own attack and coming in from behind the Lions and the Roses. Lords Tarly and Rowan are to the best of Tywin Lannister's knowledge still Leal to Mace Tyrell and he believes they'll attack our rear." Daenerys said and the lilt in her voice seemed gone for now and was replaced with something much more determined and focussed.
"Are we sure we can trust them, your grace?" The Greatjon asked and the queen smiled a smile that brightened up her features immeasurably.
"They are Leal and True and were they not then they know full well the penalty for such, Lord Umber. I believe my husband showed as much at the Twins did he not?"
"Aye, he did your grace."
"Tywin believes he has the numbers and so the advantage, the Knights of the Vale are unknown to him and he believes it's just Northmen and Riverlords that he's to face, so that's what we'll show them, at first anyway."
"Does he not worry about the Dornish Army, your grace?" Ser Wylis asked.
"I'm sure he does Ser, but he believes he can beat the one in front of him and that the Dornish Army's target is King's Landing. He means to beat this army and then break the Dornish against the Walls of King's Landing."
"How can you know such?" The Blackfish asked "Your grace." he added a moment later to a nod of Ser Barristan's head.
"Because that's the impression we've given him. It's been through no quirk of fate that it's Prince Oberyn leading the Dornish Army and Tywin Lannister is well aware of what it is Prince Oberyn seeks."
"Your grace?" Maege asked.
"Justice for his sister and her children. For my niece and nephew, my husband's brother and sister, and their mother. We've gifted him some of that justice already, the Mountain fell to Ser Arthur Dayne's blade and Amory Lorch to my husband's own, but Tywin is well aware that is not enough for Prince Oberyn."
"Indeed your grace, but would he not believe that Prince Oberyn would seek to attack him and face him in the field?" The Blackfish asked and the queen turned to Ser Barristan and nodded.
"His children are in King's Landing, Ser Brynden. Tywin Lannister thinks as only Tywin Lannister thinks, he'd see Prince Oberyn seeking vengeance and justice the same way that he would." Ser Barristan said and it wasn't only his great-uncle who nodded their agreement.
"The dragons your grace?" he asked to a smirk from the queen.
"What dragons Lord Stark? My dragons are presently in Lannisport readying to attack Casterly Rock and are certainly not here ready to find out if Lannister gold melts." the queen said to loud laughs.
They spent another hour going over battle plans and after they'd left it was the men of the Reach and then the Knights of the Vale who the queen spoke to. Their meal that night was one where he watched different lords curry favor with the queen and seek to be who she spoke to and he paid so much attention to that, that he neglected his wife. Something she was not best pleased about and yet before he had a chance to make up for it, he was called to speak to the queen in private. It was to the dragons that he was taken and he arrived to see her standing and stroking each of them as if they were large dogs or cats and not the fierce and dangerous beasts that they were.
"Your actions hurt my husband, Lord Stark, and I am most wroth with you for doing so. Yet Rhaegar bid me put mine own feelings aside and so because of him, I will. I asked to meet you to let you know that your mother and sisters are safe. Lady Catelyn and Lady Sansa are on Dragonstone and are well protected."
"And Arya, your grace?"
"By my husband's side." Daenerys said seeming almost wistful before she then was not "I wished to speak to you on your fate, Lord Stark. After we beat the Lions and the Roses, things will be changed in Westeros and I believe my husband has already informed you of your own changed position?" she asked as she moved to him.
"He has somewhat, your grace."
"It will no longer be up to your other brother to decide your fate, Lord Stark. Your own actions and the actions of your uncle have put paid to that." she said and Robb gulped "You are to be named as the new Lord of Riverrun, a lord and not a Lord Paramount, but a great lord all the same. In time your son may regain the position that his father lost and rise to lead one of our kingdoms in our name. You however will not."
"I thank you, your grace."
"Thank me not, Lord Stark, for were it I to decide your fate then amongst the glorious dead would the best you could hope for. I wish you good fortune in the battle to come, be sure to survive it, Lord Stark, you've hurt my husband enough already I'd not have him mourn you too."
Entering his tent he felt a little lighter than he had done over the last few days. Lord of Riverrun was more than he expected and he could regain his honor as such. It gave him something to pass on too, should he and Roslin be lucky enough to bear children, and knowing that his actions only truly cost him was something that he was relieved about. As was knowing that his brother still cared. For while the queen had been harsh in her words, that much was clear so was something else. Rhaegar didn't wish him dead nor to throw his life away in some vain effort to regain his favor, there was still hope for them to one day be what they once were and that was enough for now.
"Robb, where have you been?" Roslin asked and he felt the stir in his heart at the slight bit of jealousy in her tone.
"With her grace. We're to be Lord and Lady of Riverrun, my love. It's the Riverlands that we're to make our home in."
"Come to bed." she said softly and he did as he bid, the kisses they shared growing ever more passionate and despite all he'd lost, it was what he'd gained that he went to sleep thinking about.
The Kingswood 299 AC.
Oberyn Martell.
They were close enough that with a simple change of direction they'd be in King's Landing by the end of the day and yet that was not truly their destination. It wasn't to be a siege that finally brought Tywin Lannister's life to an end, it was to be a battle, and battles were best fought on open ground. So he bid his army to stop their march and waited for night to fall before they would continue on. If all went well, then within a day or two he'd be arriving at the site of Tywin's final battle and be the hammer that broke him once and for all.
It was as darkness began to fall that he felt it, Oberyn looking to the sky and seeing the black dragon only barely and only because he was looking for it. Beside him, his girls saw the broad smile he wore and they joined him as the dragon made for open ground before landing. Had it arrived an hour later it would have found them marching and a part of him wondered if it and the king's arrival would delay them somewhat. He'd find out soon enough he thought with a smirk as he looked to see Rhaegar, Arya Stark and Ser Arthur climb off the dragon's back and the king spoke to the dragon before it took flight once more.
"Your grace." he said as the king and his Kingsguard walked to him.
"Prince Oberyn." the king answered with a nod.
"Have you eaten, are you hungry, your grace?" he asked to a shake of the king's head.
"We could eat, my prince, but I can see you're ready to march so best we get to it. Ser Arthur, my squire, and I'll ride with you and mayhap we can eat and speak as we do so."
"Of course, your grace."
He was off on his timing and it was less than an hour later that they had begun to march once more. He and his girls along with Ser Daemon, Harmen Uller, and Anders Yronwood all rode close to the King whose squire sat in front of him on the horse. Ser Arthur rode to the side ever alert and after they had eaten some little food and drank much water, he readied to be told the plans for what was to come.
"My wife has joined with the other half of our army by now, my prince. She and her dragons, the Knights of the Vale and Lords Tarly and Rowan all are to be surprises that Tywin Lannister and Mace Tyrell will not expect. As are we if all things go according to plan." Rhaegar said.
"You truly think you'll catch the Old Lion unawares, your grace?" Harmen asked and Oberyn looked to the king eagerly.
"I believe that Tywin has bought the lie that Lord Tarly and Lord Rowan are his own surprise, Lord Uller. That he believes that in facing the North he's facing an army he outnumbers and who have an unknown enemy at their back. The Knights of the Vale's movements have been well hidden and other than at the Crossroads Inn, they've not ridden with the Northern and Riverlands forces and so I believe they remain unknown to Tywin and his brother."
"You didn't mention Mace Tyrell, your grace?" Anders said and Oberyn heard the chuckle before seeing the smile on the king's face.
"If we're to worry about Mace Tyrell, Lord Yronwood, then we may as well surrender right now, for we'd truly be lost." Rhaegar said to loud laughs.
"And our own movements? Surely they've not been hidden as well as much as we may wish them to be? I may not like the man, your grace, but Tywin Lannister is no fool and so he knows that Dorne marches." Oberyn said looking to the king who looked to Ser Arthur and then bid him answer.
"Tywin is a predictable enemy, my prince, in this regard at least. Were it you or I in charge then we'd use the Walls of King's Landing to break any enemy against, especially one whose ships weren't blocking Blackwater Bay or the seas beyond it." Arthur said only for Obara to question him.
"But it's not my father or you Ser Arthur, so how can you be certain you're right in your predictions?"
"I don't think Ser Arthur's predicted anything yet, Lady Obara." the king said to giggles from his squire and Oberyn's other daughters and a scowl from his oldest "Arthur if you would."
"Her grace attacked Lannisport and took the city, we hold it and our army there threatens Casterly Rock and so Tywin marches to relieve it before it too falls. However, the movements of the Northern and Riverlands Armies place an obstacle in his path and the movements of the Dornish one, a problem for him to solve. How would you solve it, my lady, my prince?"
"I'd march to face the Dornish army for they're his biggest threat." Obara said proudly.
"Indeed, but in the War of the Five Kings, to Tywin's mind that biggest threat was Stannis Baratheon or even Renly with the Reach, yet it was the Northern army he found himself facing." Arthur said as Obara looked even more confused.
Oberyn could see some of what Arthur was getting to, Obara and some of the others could not and when it was the king himself who spoke the next words, each of them listened intently.
"My brother pulled on the Old Lion's tail more than once and so he'd seek to end him once and for all, though that's not why he'll march to crush his army, nor why he'll not come for Dorne's own. He'll march to face the North because he has no choice, he needs to beat them and beat them quickly so he can then turn and beat your own army and break them against the walls as Ser Arthur said he himself would do." Rhaegar said and as he spoke he looked to his sister and Oberyn could see the pride and worry that Arya Stark wore at Rhaegar's words.
"He thinks we march for King's Landing?" he asked and saw Arthur nod his head.
"As he did, my prince. He believes that you are him, that the vengeance you seek is to match what he took from you, from me." Rhaegar said softly.
He saw it even more clearly then. The words hit home and they put him in Tywin's shoes which was a place he liked not. It put him in mind of some of his darker days and darker thoughts too, cruel imaginings of taking Tywin's family from him as he had done with Oberyn's own. The Old Lion would think the worst of him because it was what he would and had done. Even if the circumstances were slightly different at the time.
He'd imagine Oberyn killing his nephew, his daughter, and probably already believed that his niece was dead too. That it would be King's Landing and another sack that would be his goal and not his own head that he sought. Closing his eyes, he could picture it in his mind as if he was standing in the Old Lion's tent and being told his plans and it brought him comfort to know just how wrong they were. His arrogance would allow him to think he could beat both armies, his numerical advantage and better-equipped men along with the knife to Robb Stark's back would take care of the North easily and sieges took time. So he'd believe that King's Landing could hold against the Dornish Army and he'd then catch them unawares from behind.
"He thinks me a fool." he said when he opened his eyes.
"My prince?" the king asked confused.
"The Old Lion thinks me a fool. He believes after he beats the North and Riverlords that he can then just turn and stick his golden cock up my arse. That I'd not have taken note of the army that marched out from King's Landing and be so set on vengeance that I'd lose all common sense." he said angrily.
"That's not all he believes, my prince." the king said and he looked to him "He believes my wife's dragons are the only ones that fly and that they are far from here."
His laughter rang out as they rode and over the course of the day he split a portion of his army off and sent them to King's Landing. They'd look like the Van of his approaching army and sell the lie even more truly. When night fell, the dragon landed and the King, his squire, and Ser Arthur took to the sky and were gone for more than an hour before returning. No words were spoken when they ate their meals and it was only once they did so that a meeting was held in his tent.
"The Lannister and Reach Armies have the numbers, my prince. We're closely matched but they have the numerical edge and I see the ground they mean to take. Within two days they'll be facing off against the North and Riverlands, unaware of the Knights of the Vale, Lords Tarly and Rowan and my wife and her dragons. Even less aware of our own march and of Ōñosmaghare. The die is cast, the path is laid before us and there is no room for our enemies to retreat or slip away." the king said and Oberyn felt his heart begin to race.
He looked on as the map was placed on the table and as the king and Ser Arthur showed him the ground the fight was to take place upon. It would be between the God's Eye and Antlers that the battle would be won and lost. A small valley where Tywin would hold the high ground against the men of the North and think himself so very clever when they moved against him. Tracing his fingers over the map he offered up a small prayer to the gods that would see the Old Lion safe from harm until he faced his spear.
"Were I to wish it, this is the battle I'd have sought my lords, my prince. Not in my wildest dreams did I dare hope the ground would work out as well as it did and the circumstances as favorable as they are. The North is the Anvil and we the Hammer that breaks the Lions and Roses for good and above you all my wife and I and our dragons will rain down fire and spill much blood, for the Old Lion owes us much blood indeed."
The Lords soon left and with a look to her brother and a nod of his head, Arya Stark left with his girls leaving him, Ser Arthur, and the King alone in his tent.
"I know what you wish for most of all, Prince Oberyn, and if it's in my power to grant that wish then you have it. Should Tywin Lannister live through the battle to come, he's yours to do with as you wish. I'll forgo my own need for justice and vengeance and sleep easy knowing that both have been served by someone who is kin to mine own."
"I think you, your grace, truly. Long have I waited for the chance to wet my spear with lion's blood, long have I sought to avenge my sister and her children, I thank you for not taking that from me." he said his voice somewhat choked.
"For Elia, Rhaenys, and Aegon, my prince."
"For Elia, Rhaenys, and Aegon, your grace."
The Battle of the Kingsroad 299 AC.
Tywin Lannister.
He looked over the ground and the valley that separated him from where he believed the Northern Army would come from. Had he wished for it, he'd not have been able to find better ground anywhere in Westeros, and just standing there he could almost see the battle take place. His cavalry would ride down the hill and his archers would have the high ground. Should by some act of the gods, the Northern Army survive the heavy charge, they'd then have to march up the hill to face his reserves and find the end coming quickly. Not that he had any doubt that his cavalry alone would be more than enough to win this battle and end this particular war.
One decisive battle, it had been what he'd wished for all through his time facing the Young Wolf. To lure him to him and force him to face him full-on, instead of the hit and run tactics and ambushes that Robb Stark had kept to. Had he been able to join up with Jaime's forces at Riverrun then the war would have been over far sooner. Though had the Frey's managed to do what they were meant to do, that would still be true. Looking back over the ground, he wondered where and when Tarly and Rowan's own men would attack. A part of him wished them here with him leading the Reachmen instead of Mace Tyrell, but it was probably best they were where they were.
As he walked back to his tent, he did as he had during the so-called War of the Five Kings, he turned his thoughts from an enemy that was an inconvenience and an annoyance to ones that very much were not. The Dornish Army and Oberyn Martell had not been something he'd expected or prepared for and his only saving grace was that the man's anger was his guide and it was that and not cleverness that informed his actions. A clever man would wait, he'd reach out and try and negotiate with the dragons and together they'd be more than enough to bring about his end. Not even he was arrogant enough to believe he could beat them both were they to ally. Once again though the gods held him in favor as the Martells would never ally with the son of both the man who'd shamed them and the women he'd shamed them with.
It had given him time and he needed that most of all. King's Landing could and would hold. Even if it did not, Jaime would ensure his family was evacuated and they could deal with the Dornish in their own time afterward. Should things go how he planned, however, then he'd be dealing with them far sooner and while he'd not yet take Oberyn Martell's head, in time he'd see them all dead and his granddaughter would be returned unharmed to him or would sit the throne of Dorne, either one was acceptable to him. With a nod to Kevan to join him inside, they walked into the tent and he allowed his mind to rest somewhat, cleared it of thoughts, and took a seat.
"My lord." a guard said entering the tent and Tywin nodded and looked to the man behind him, a man he didn't recognize and it irked him that he was being disturbed, though not for long.
"From my lord." the other man said handing him a note which he looked at and then bid the man wait while he wrote a reply.
He handed it to him and then the man was gone, Kevan looking at him with intrigue as Tywin poured them both a drink.
"From Tarly, he bids us use a fire arrow and fire to the West to give him his signal." Tywin said and Kevan took the glass of wine and sipped it, a small smile on his face.
"A nice surprise for the Young Wolf. As will be the Boltons."
"Indeed, their ride to the flanks will seem like reinforcements."
"And Mace Tyrell?"
"I'm tempted to give him the van." Tywin said almost in a japing way "Were it not so important to hold and his men, not ones I could yet easily give up, I almost would just to see him fall. But this battle needs to be won, this war ended so we can deal with the ones that matter."
"Any more word from Genna?" Kevan asked and Tywin shook his head, his sister's last raven had said the dragons were giving them time to consider their surrender and they seemed to be holding to those words for now.
"Once we've dealt with the Wolves and Snakes, then I'll see the dragons fall." he said to an approving nod from his brother.
That night he went over the last of his plans, his men were well prepared and drilled on what it was he wished of them. He was thankful that he had some of his better lords with him, some of his more trusted commanders and though he had little faith in the Reach's discipline, as other than Tarly and Rowan he thought little of their lords, he was grateful of their numbers. He slept a peaceful night's sleep and upon waking he broke his fast and once he did so, he ordered his army into position. It was just before noon when he saw them crest the other smaller hill and he smiled a true smile as he waited for the perfect moment to order the charge.
Mace Tyrell.
He'd been tempted to send his son back to King's Landing once he had heard about the Dornish, but Garlan had instead said that Tywin Lannister's plans were sound. So instead he'd sent word to his mother and his wife and had accepted that she would know what to do should the Dornish not be dealt with by them in a quick and timely manner. Not that he believed they wouldn't. Besieging was hard work and keeps and cities didn't fall quickly, he knew that from experience. The Dornish would find no comfort at the walls of King's Landing and while he'd not lead the Van here today, he would when dealing with Oberyn Martell, of that you could be certain.
He and his men had feasted somewhat the night before and he'd spent the night regaling them with tales of his victory at Ashford and how had it not been for Prince Rhaegar's fall, he'd have taken Storm's End too. When talk had turned to Rowan and Tarly, he'd put an end to it quickly. They were to play a minor role in the upcoming battle and they wouldn't steal the glory of victory over the Young Wolf away from him. He dismissed the talk of the dragons too, not realizing that he was simply repeating words that he'd heard Tywin Lannister utter.
"Dragons have not won a war in three hundred years, Armies win them all the time." he said proudly.
When he woke the next morning, he wished to bathe and to enjoy a leisurely breaking of his fast only to find there was no hot water and that it was to be a far more rushed affair than he wished for. So as he sat on his horse looking through his Myrish Eye at the Northern Army that lined up opposite them, he did so angered and frustrated. Mayhap that was why he was so dismissive of them as he spoke of the upcoming victory, or mayhap it was because he led men of the Reach and no savage heathen was a match for them or more likely it was because he believed this victory was all but guaranteed. So when the order came and his cavalry joined Tywin's and began to ride out on the charging Northern Army, Mace sat upon his horse and wore a proud smile.
It was not one he wore for long and when he heard them in the sky, heard their roars, he almost fell from his mount.
They were not supposed to be here.
They were meant to be elsewhere.
Hadn't Tywin said they were in Lannisport.
The thoughts flew through his head so quickly that he could barely hold onto one and concentrate on any of them. He looked out at the charging men and saw an arrow aflame as it flew to the west and wondered why it had not been fired at the three dragons that flew towards the charging cavalry.
"The Northmen have stopped."
"They're waiting."
"Sound the retreat!"
Around him, orders were being shouted that were not coming from him as he was in no state to give any. One thought and one thought alone went through his mind as he looked at the dragons dipping down so they were closer to the cavalry.
"Garlan." he called out only for it to be drowned out by the roars of the three dragons and then he looked on as each of them began to unleash flames on men and horses alike and he screamed his son's name once more.
Dany.
Their battle plan was to bring the cavalry upon them in the only way that they could, by giving them a target they couldn't resist. She'd listened as Robb Stark had spoken and though she had her own issues with the man because of Rhaegar, she'd heard both Ser Barristan and Ser Jorah say that his plans were sound and that tactically he was astute. The men of Skagos would seem the very epitome of what the South believed the Northmen were, undisciplined, savage, and heathen and their charge alone with the few horses that they'd send with them, would quickly bring Tywin Lannister's cavalry to bear.
She had waited while the armies lined up across from each other, while they had stood and looked but not moved, and then when the Skagosi and the Mountain Clansmen and others had begun to run, she'd taken her signal and took to the sky. Below her, Ser Barristan commanded the Knights of the Vale in her name. Ser Jorah fought with his fellow Northmen or would when they actually got to fight, he was ostensibly commanding the North and Riverland's Armies as her representative, though it was still Robb Stark who lead.
Some way behind them and waiting for their own signal were the Lords Tarly and Rowan along with Ser Richard Lonmouth. As she flew over the heads of the army below, she saw that signal being sent and it brought a smile to her face as she knew it would only hasten the end of this battle here today. As would what she was about to do. Holding tight to the horn on Drogon's back, she bid he and his brothers drop low and readied to give the order to let loose their flames. It wouldn't be a full field of fire here today unless there was a need to, but she had promised the men of Skagos and the North that they were not charging into certain death. There had been no pushback from the fierce Skagosi as their faith in her husband was absolute.
"Dracarys." she said as Drogon unleashed a wave of flame at the first rank of horses and the cavalry charge began to falter.
Looking over her shoulder she could see both Viserion and Rhaegal doing the same. Some horses and men got caught up in the fires that soon began to take hold, others crashed into each other as they tried to avoid them. Yet the charge wasn't broken and so she was forced to make another pass and far more of both felt the full force or her children's anger this time. As she looked down on the field she saw the places where the fire burned fiercest and then she heard the cheers and shouts of the Skagosi and Mountain Clansmen as they charged for true. Those men still mounted were soon facing something just as fierce and unforgiving as her children had been and Dany looked to the hill where the Lion Standard flew and she knew it was only a matter of time that Tywin Lannister would be too.
Garlan Tyrell.
He'd ridden into a scene from the seven hells. Men aflame ran by him as did horses too and how he'd not been caught up in them, was a mystery to him. He did his best to reform his broken lines and then he heard the shouts and the sounds of men running his way. Turning to look at them, he found that he almost wished the flames had been what he himself had faced. Never before had he seen such men. They were almost giants, some looked as if they were covered in hair and they wore crude furs and patches of armor and leather.
The weapons they carried were crude and poorly made. Bronze, bone, wood, and yet he had no doubt that even despite the armor he wore, it would protect him not. When he saw the first of them rip one of his men from his horse and beat him with what looked to be a long rounded bone, he charged at him with his lance and ended his life. Taking out his sword, he began to ride with some of his men around the edges of the fight and not into it.
He called out to those who did so and named them fools, but his words went unheard. Those men found themselves no match for the ones they faced, their anger and strength being more than enough to rip men from their horses and only the gods knew what happened once they did so. Around him it was carnage and was he not in fear for his own life, then he'd realize just how badly things had gone wrong here today. Even were they to win this battle, something that seemed unlikely given the three dragons that still flew over their heads, they'd be in no position to face the Dornish spears afterward.
"Ser, Ser, Tarly, and Rowan…" a man called out before being pulled from his horse.
Garlan looked and saw the two lords lead their men and then begin to charge into the battle. The relief he felt at their arrival was short-lived, however, as it was not men of the North and Riverlands that they were attacking as they did so and it took him some time to see men wearing the three-headed dragon sigil amongst them. They'd turned their cloaks and it infuriated him. So much so that his sword moved through the air in vicious swings and men unlucky enough to cross his and his horse's path would find no respite from his anger or his blade.
What made him look to the other side of the field, he knew not but when he did he almost fell from his horse. A cavalry charge that put their own to shame was taking place and the Knights of the Vale had it seemed come out to play their part. Garlan didn't need to ask whose side they were on to know it wasn't their own, for the gods had deserted them long before now he believed. Something proved only more true a few moments later when he heard the horns that came from behind their lines and saw it in the air. The shadow that it cast over them was larger than any of the other dragons had cast so far this day. It was as black as the night sky and upon its back, he could make out a rider of some sort and though he couldn't truly name them as Rhaegar Targaryen, he doubted it could be any other.
"And I looked and behold a black dragon and the man who rode upon him was Death, and seven hells followed with him!" he said as the dragon opened its mouth and flames fell once more.
Oberyn Martell.
Though he knew they would not, a part of him had still feared they'd arrive too late. That the battle would have taken place and while he knew the Old Lion wouldn't win, Oberyn worried that he'd escape. The thought that upon seeing just how fucked he truly was, Tywin would cut his losses and run and hide behind the gates of King's Landing were ones he couldn't shake. So seeing the Lion Banner flying high on the hill some distance in front of him, he thanked the gods.
His cavalry lined up to stop any breakout charge that Tywin may attempt, his spearmen got into position and his archers readied to fire their first volleys. Oberyn looked to his girls and with a simple nod of his head, he bid them remember the words that he'd spoken to them that morning. As much as he wished to protect them and to be with them as the battle raged, he knew the way things would go. At some point they'd be parted, be it by his actions, theirs, or in reaction to whatever the Old Lion did and so he'd told them to take no more risks than necessary and to not be afraid to retreat to safer ground.
The victory was assured, there was no need for them to perform some act of desperation and while he sought vengeance for Elia, Rhaenys, and Aegon, he had no wish for it if it cost him their lives. He believed they'd taken his words to heart and he'd spoken then to Daemon as well. His former squire was far more level-headed than his girls and would, he hoped, see them safely through the day to come. He turned to the man who rode with him, Ser Arthur Dayne and he riding together for the first time in more than two decades, and he offered him a smile that was returned. Then he turned to those nearest him and raised his lance, twisting it in the air and giving the signal for the attack to begin.
"For Elia, Rhaenys, and Aegon!" he shouted loudly as the horns began to sound and the arrows flew.
They were in full charge by the time the men on the hill in front of them had realized they were being attacked from the rear. The hill that Tywin Lannister had chosen for the advantage it brought him, now was a huge disadvantage. Steep and hard to climb it may have been from the front, it was anything but from the back and as arrows took down horses and orders were shouted to form a shield wall, Oberyn heard him in the air.
The black dragon looked even more magnificent than ever when it flew over his head. He could barely make out Rhaegar and Arya Stark on its back or even see there were people on it once it neared him. Were they not already in mid-charge and about to engage the men of the West, then he'd have no doubt that cheers would have rung out and he heard some still. When Ōñosmaghare laid down its first wave of flames, Oberyn almost cried out in anger, only to see that it was to help and not hinder his vengeance. They were not aimed at the Old Lion and not even truly at his men, more they were aimed at those nearest them and were to help break their discipline, something that they very much did.
Less than a heartbeat later he felt his lance connect and his horse crashed into the Lannister Ranks. One other man fell to him before he was forced to let go of the lance and resort to a sword which he then began to bring down on those to his left and right. It made no difference whether they were Guard or Knight, Lord or Smallfolk, his sword just went about its deadly work and men fell easily to it. Beside him, Arthur cut down men with Dawn even easier than he did. Oberyn knowing that were he to look and watch, then he'd be awestruck by just how majestic the man looked and how easily he made it seem.
Soon he was unhorsed and fighting not with sword or lance, but with his spear, and when he saw Arthur move to him, he laughed loudly. Around them men were being impaled on Dornish spears, the Lannister ranks were well and truly broken and yet men still tried to make a name for themselves by ending him and Ser Arthur Dayne. Today though was not either of their days to die and any who came close found that out to their cost. His spear and Dawn worked in tandem and together they were unstoppable.
"The King." he heard Arthur call out and he saw the black dragon as it flew overhead once more, this time laying down flames not on the ground but on men and he pitied them not.
How long it took until he heard Northern voices or saw the Knights of the Vale, he knew not, but the battle was ended and their victory was almost complete. It took some time for his girls to make their way to him, Oberyn having spent it looking for them and for the Old Lion. Obara had taken a wound to her shoulder that wasn't hugely concerning, though he did spend time treating it himself before moving on. Nymeria and Tyene along with Ser Daemon were uninjured and he looked to see so many men of Dorne standing that it showed how complete a victory they had won here today. Yet nowhere did he see Tywin Lannister.
"The Old Lion?" he asked to no reply "Where the fuck is Tywin Lannister?" he asked angrily.
Lord Kevan Lannister and some of the most important Lords of the West and Reach The Tyrells both Mace and Garlan, all had been accounted for and yet there was no sign of the one man he wanted dead more than anyone in this world. He shouted out in his frustration and would have lost even more of his mind had Thoros of Myr not made his way to him and spoken the words that he did.
"Fret not, Prince Oberyn, your vengeance is soon to be at hand. My prince will not allow the Old Lion to escape and none can outrun a dragon." Thoros said and Oberyn looked to see the other three dragons make their way towards them and Arthur look off to the south.
Robb Stark.
He was tired, covered in blood and yet he'd taken no injury and the victory they'd won today would soothe him as well as any bath or rest would. The men of the North had played their part and fought like demons. Robb and others had looked on as the men of Skagos cut through men as if they were nothing and just watching them he cursed himself for not bringing them south with him when he'd marched.
With men such as those added to his ranks, then who knows how far he could have gone. That his brother had brought them to his own and that he'd invited them to once again become a part of the North, was something that both left him proud and shamed at the same time. Moving through the field he could see just how extensive the victory truly was. Their ranks were almost what they had been when it had begun, their losses were minimal and the same could not be said for the Lions and the Roses.
The North, the Vale, Tarly and Rowan, and the Dragons that Queen Daenerys brought to the fore had been the Anvil. From the other side, the Dornish Army and his brother and his dragon had been the Hammer and they had wrought a terrible price when they'd been struck together. How many lives had been lost this day, he knew not, yet few had been lost to the dragons themselves and he had to admit he admired his brother and his goodsister's restraint.
"A good day, Lord Robb." the Greatjon bellowed as he moved towards him.
"Aye, a costly one."
"But not for us." the Greatjon said with a loud laugh.
He was about to say more when he saw the She-Bear move to him, Maege wearing a look of fury that sent a chill down his bones.
"My lady?" he asked worriedly, praying that her girls were safe.
"Roose fucking Bolton, a fucking turncoat, Lord Robb." she spat.
"My lady?" he asked confusedly.
"Did you not see his men ride into the lion's flanks? Acting as if they fought with one side then to claim they fought with another." she asked and he shook his head.
"I never even noticed him here, my lady."
"He rode in from the west, tore into the ranks just as if he were the Knights of the Vale and their own charge from the east. I'd have believed him true were it not for the King's dragon and the men of Skagos who attacked them and cut them down like the traitors they were."
Robb stood there even more confused, Roose and his men had not stayed for his wedding at the Twins, but he'd played no part in what had happened there. Walder Frey had named Tywin Lannister as the architect behind it and he'd just put it down to Roose not being a sociable man, or to be more precise he'd put it out of his head completely, especially given all the others thoughts he was focussed on. The gap between him and his brother and where they went from there being the most prevalent.
"How do we know he's a traitor?" The Greatjon asked and Robb was glad of his words since he couldn't speak his own.
"He freed the Kingslayer, said he did it to gain favor with the Old Lion so he could get close and then betray him."
"The Kingslayer is free?" he asked angrily.
"Aye and I believe naught that Roose says." Maege said shaking her head.
"He lives?" he asked to a nod "Good, we'll soon get the truth from him. Grey Wind to me." he said and he saw the smiles on both Maege and the Greatjon's faces when the wolf came running and they made their way to wherever Roose Bolton was being held.
Rhaegar.
He'd almost had to order Arthur to ride with Prince Oberyn and the Dornish Army. The knight did not wish to leave his side and only did so because he swore he'd not leave Ōñosmaghare's back unless the danger had completely passed. Arya had looked at him and seemed ready to argue for staying with him, so he'd put her out of her misery and told her that she'd be joining him on the black dragon's back. Something which brought Arthur as much comfort as it did her, he reckoned.
"Be Safe my king."
"You too, Arthur."
"And you, you act a squire and do as you're bid." Arthur said looking to Arya who nodded.
They'd taken to the sky and had soon flown over the Dornish Army. Beneath him, Ōñosmaghare was coiled and ready for whatever the battle brought, and he felt his own excitement soon be tempered by the knowledge that the day was finally upon them. When they flew over the Lannisters that were rushing to form a shield wall and to ready their own cavalry charge, he'd known what he needed to do and had bid Ōñosmaghare see it done.
"Dracarys" he said and the flames soon fell.
He felt Arya stiffen in front of him when she saw the flames hadn't stuck any of the Lannister men, but that had not been his intent and as he watched the ranks break, it was to open field that he flew. The roars of the black dragon were enough to take whatever fight remained from the Lions and the Roses. Rhaegar could see the fires that still burned from where Dany and her dragons had laid down their own flames and he could feel Ōñosmaghare's desire to fly and join his kin, but for now, they had work that still needed to be done.
When the arrows flew in their direction, it angered both him and the black dragon and so they were answered with flames and the men who'd fired them were soon no more. With a last look to the field to see the battle was now all but over and a look to the hill to see that the one there was all but finished as well, he set his sights on the main prize of the day. It took him some time to find him, Tywin was riding fast and surrounded by maybe fifty men and Rhaegar didn't need a map to know where he was heading to.
" Konīr Ōñosmaghare, keligon zirȳ se gūrogon nyke naejot zirȳla!" (There Lightbringer, stop them and take me to him!) he said and the black dragon flew far more quickly than he had thus far this day.
It took them no time at all to catch up and less so for Ōñosmaghare to let loose his flames and though some were caught by them, most just crashed into each other to avoid them. When he bid him land, the black dragon argued with him briefly before doing what he told him and with a loud roar, those still mounted and able to ride came to a halt. Rhaegar looked around and soon saw Tywin Lannister, he'd been one of the lucky ones that had not been hit by flames and yet he'd been unlucky enough to be unhorsed too.
"I care not for any of you other than your liege lord. Give him up and be free to ride far from here, don't and face a dragon's fury." he said and one man seemed brave or stupid enough to do just that.
"I'll not give up my lord, die dragon…."
He didn't get to speak more as with a sweep of his tail, Ōñosmaghare sent him flying through the air and the landing he had was not as smooth as the one that Rhaegar and Arya had enjoyed.
"Anyone else?" he asked to no reply "Disarm him and do so thoroughly." he said pointing to Tywin who looked almost too lost to reply.
"Jon shouldn't we…" Arya asked worriedly, wondering where Tywin was to be placed and whether or not they should check him for weapons themselves.
"He'll be well secured, little sister." he said, and then at a nod from the two men who'd disarmed the Old Lion, he bid Ōñosmaghare fly once more.
The men looked at them in confusion and then backed away from Tywin when Ōñosmaghare's talon wrapped around him. A part of him wished to tell the black dragon to just squeeze the life out of the man and he'd be a liar if he said that as they flew he wasn't tempted to just have Ōñosmaghare drop him from a great height. He'd promised Oberyn the chance for justice and revenge though and he'd forgo his own to keep that promise. The man's death was all he truly wished for anyway.
The Kingsroad 299 AC.
Ōñosmaghare.
He'd felt his brothers' joy as they'd laid down their flames and did their mother's bidding. All three of them playing a part and though they'd felt they could have done more, he'd told them they'd done more than enough and that he was proud of them. Both Viserion and Rhaegal had truly welcomed his words and Drogon though he'd made out he had not, had done so too. They'd wished him as much success as they had when it came time to lay down his own.
His rider had told him that it was not to be a full-on field of fire they were to carry out and that they'd be sharing the credit for the day's victory with many others, but that in truth it was he and his brothers who would have won them this day. He'd bid him do as his brother had and to let loose his flames but not to seek to end all who faced them and so he'd done as he was bid. His flames were to harry and harass and not to end, or they were until those foolish men tried to end his rider and the one who his rider loved so much. Then it was an end he brought them and once he had, it was simply his roars that he brought the rest of those here.
He could sense their wills had been broken, they were defeated men and they felt or seemed so very different to him than those others who fought who were not. None though came close to his rider and when he was bid to take down a man that his rider hated with all he was, Ōñosmaghare was only too happy to comply. He'd brought flames, had even needed to use his tail when one man dared to speak to his rider without respect, and had finally taken the man his rider hated between his talons and to the sky.
He'd felt it as they flew, his rider's mixed emotions and his desire to see this man's end. So he'd asked and been told that it was not for he or his rider to bring that end about. That while his rider had lost kin to this man, he'd promised another who'd lost as much as he, and it was to him that vengeance and justice were owed. Ōñosmaghare didn't truly agree with that, no one came above dragons, not for any reason, but his rider had bid him do something and so that was what he would do.
When he'd done as he was bid, he'd been praised by his rider and then he'd heard his brothers in the sky above him. Soon his rider and his brother's mother were together once again and as they were reunited so was he with his brothers. They flew, fed, showed each other all they'd done, and then they'd rested together. There would be more fights to come in the future and they would fight them together, he, his brothers, their mother, and his rider. Dragons one and all.
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. Up next, we see the fallout from the battle and Oberyn finally takes his revenge on the old lion. Word reaches Dragonstone of the victory and the armies and dragons set their sights on King's Landing while we take a look behind the Wall and at the Wall and the North itself. For those following my other fics, Purple Deception and the Honor So high are next in line to be updated as well as The Dragonverse.
Daryl Dixon: So glad you liked it.
Celexys: I kind of like the slow slow, quick quick, slow approach at times. Hope you liked the battle, we'll see more Benjen/Mance next chapter, and the one after that we'll see more of Essos.
Rhatch: I have some interesting plans for fAegon, some unusual ones. How it affects Dorne we'll see soon enough.
Tfranco: Ok so the fAegon plot will be different here, he and the GC are both on different paths so to speak, won't say more than that but they're not as connected as they are in the books. Dany not being in Essos as long has caused some changes to things and again the Red Priests are not working to the very same agendas as they do in the books/show, I wanted to do things a little differently, to shake things up with both the Faegon/Stannis storylines since we know the standard ones so well. I agree with you about fAegon, there are ways to use him that aren't just the usual plotlines and so I wanted to try one of them here. As for Dany, she may very well be pregnant yes.
Sibeal: Very messy, I won't be going how people think I may though, I've some nice little twists coming, Or I think they're nice lol.
Black Basilisk: Firstly thanks for your second review regarding Robb/Jon, you expressed things I wish I'd been able to in the same manner, much appreciated.
I've always said that I lose it with Robb the moment he won't swap Jaime for the girls, now I get that Jaime is a valuable prisoner too valuable in some ways, but the goal was vengeance/justice and getting the girls back, once he stops that then he loses me. He then compounds it with the whole Jeyne/Talisa thing and it really shows his hypocrisy. He can't swap Jaime because his lords won't accept it and yet he forces them to accept a broken betrothal.
You make an excellent point in regards to Cat, while she makes mistakes, her motives are unwavering and so you can disagree or call her out for them, but never can you doubt her intent when she made them, it's a rare thing.
I hated that Jon never cared about his family, considering it's such a big part of him as you say, it's just ignored and waved to one side. I think they handled the who R+L=J reveal in such a horrible and poor way and pretty much made it unimportant when it's one of the key plots of the entire book. They made him into Ned 2.0 and as you again rightly point out, he was darker than that. Jon to me is the man that Ned/Robb needed to be, he's got some of both of them but added to the practical almost ruthless streak that neither of them had.
Anarra: So glad you liked it.
Chapter master: Really happy you enjoyed this.
Moonlight echoes: I feel the same way, it's one of the key reasons why I've said so many times that the later Jon finds out the truth about himself, the worse that Ned comes out of it. Now it is a show-only thing, so that's to be considered also, but the truth of himself being revealed and then knowing that was the last lie that Ned told him, would not go down well.
On the argument that Jon Snow doesn't exist and so can't swear his vows, I think legally he would be in the right of things, but the question then becomes would everyone accept it. A funnier argument is that technically Jon has the right to call himself king and a king is the only one who can release a man of the Watch from his oaths (which begs the question of why Robb didn't do so as soon as he was named) but I digress. Anyway, Stannis offers Jon that very thing, a release from a king, even though he has no throne, so if he can do it, can Jon not do so to himself also?
OO-night eyes: So glad to hear that.
Myafroatemydog: Love the username btw. Glad you liked this.
Dunk: I'm so glad to hear that about the dragon pov, it was one of those things I came up with and wondered how it would work, so I'm pleased it's been accepted so much. That's exactly it with Tywin, he believed he ran the board only to find he was a mere player on it. Jaime/Arthur is upcoming, they'll be meeting soon enough. I, funnily enough, agree with you, Aerys he gets a pass on, Elia/Rhaenys/Aegon very much not. I'm not going where people think with fAegon and Stannis, it may look like it, but it's going to be much different.
Guest: Thanks so much for saying so.
Lady Octarina: So with fAegon I'm so with you, it would be interesting if he was true but we all know he's fake and so it makes you wonder why he was introduced in the books at all. I kind of think that GRRM made that fatal error that some do, where they deal with all the enemies early and then have to introduce a new set and so we get Faegon and Euron etc. He does fall into certain traps such as having to have characters be even worse than the ones that came before, so we go from Joffrey to Ramsay, so I wouldn't put it past him. I also think the fAegon/Illyrio/Varys plot doesn't work if you give it any thought, not in regards to Dany. It works on the surface when you look at it, but when you think back to how things played out with Dany earlier, it really doesn't, like why give her the dragon eggs at all?
I'm leaving it open to interpretation on Benjen, though the next chapter will show the truth of it. We'll see if Stannis is being played false or not very soon. Jaime is up next too.
Guest: The thing is timing and distance almost, we'll see more of the bond between Arya/Sansa/Dany when they're all in the one place for some time, but mainly they've been either in different places or you need to show them doing different things. Dany while in Lannisport was focused on the battle and not the bond, so unless you drag out the chapters over time, you can't really fit in povs or moments when they bonded, unlike you can and I did at DS. As for Arya, she's with Jon and so not available as much. When we get to KL, they'll have more time.
With Ashara, there really isn't a need or moment where it may come up. To bring her up when Jon had learned the truth and was dealing with that would have been confusing and so he'd not do so nor would Arthur, to have Arthur bring her up during all they've been doing again just wouldn't work, it would be out of place. Now again, when you can take a breath, then things like that can be brought up.
The problem with what you're saying in regards to Robb is literally the problem everyone brings up, the same situation almost. All falls on Jon, he's the one who must do x or y or z and when he doesn't, then Robb is absolved of his own actions. Jon has to send that letter because he has to act as a king, not a brother, he can't show favoritism or make it look as if he's willing to accept less from the North than he is from anyone else. For him to send it any other way leaves himself open to be played upon because of his connection with Robb, for him to be put upon to do what Robb and the North wish for and not what is his by right.
Of course, he knows the North has issues with the Targs, in the end, though it matters not, because he's going to make them kneel regardless, as is his right to do so. Ned knelt to Robert willingly, for them not to be willing to kneel to him, which is unacceptable to him especially when at the very same time he's pretty much telling the rest of the realm to do the very same thing.
The simple truth is had Jon reached out as a brother, then Robb would have used that to make the same points and tugged on Jon's heartstrings, so he reached out as a king, practically and not emotionally because he wished to take emotion out of the argument. Now could he have handled it better, yes, of course, he could, but Robb still had the chance to do the right thing and chose not to.
In regards to Arya, I'm sorry but here I think you're very wrong. Jon rescued Arya, he's always been her favorite and he and Robb are arguing, Arya would in this situation always pick Jon and never go as you say she should. It's why I literally had her kick Robb in the shins, because that's what she would do. She doesn't see the intricacies of things, she sees Robb unwilling to give Jon his birthright and knows Jon would never do so with Robb. As for Ghost, he can't sense things such as that, that's too much, fear, anger, doubt, yes, but he can't just through their bond know that Robb is going to react or act a certain way, there's no way that could happen really. Knowing he was in danger, hurt, in pain, or feeling extreme emotion yes, subtleties of emotion very much not.
My thing with Robb/Jon here was to show that it doesn't go how most people expect it to, that Robb wouldn't just willingly kneel and that Jon wouldn't simply accept the North to be independent. Both of them are somewhat at fault for how it went, but Robb is more so because at the end of the day, Jon was in the right and he allowed hurt feelings to influence a decision when Jon didn't allow his own to inform his choices or action.
Jaime is in KL, so we'll see him there next. Oh, and BTW, my words above may seem harsh and if they are, that's not my intent, you expressed your opinion in a polite and respectful way and I hope my own came across the same.