Chapter 40

AN: Well after three months I finally have an update. I should be able to throw out a few chapters in the coming weeks. This chapter is a bit on the short side, only about 5500 words long without the AN. The next few chapters will mostly revolve around Jon and bringing the timeline of the POVs together. I hope you guys enjoy it and thank you all for the support you have given to this fic so far. This story has seriously become much longer than I originally thought it would be.

Now for the reviews:

Force smuggler: Always glad to hear you like the story mate. Yeah, Mellario has been through a lot and she has a point when it comes to the Westerossi. The next POV chapter from Tywin will be interesting, especially him trying to do damage control and keep House Lannister where it is.

Hewhohasreturned: sorry for the long wait for that time and this one also. Glad you like it.

Tsougrhs.95: I said a hundred times before, my fic ain't perfect, if you want something like that you can always read something from better authors, I will even recommend a few if you want. This is the first long story I had ever written, I'm aware of the things I could have done better but I try. If you don't like it it's fine. There is no need to go full out trashing mode.

Guest: Yeah she kinda does.

vaibhavsingh4jan: Thanks for pointing that out to me, I have had an issue with auto-correct in the past and there are chapters in which words I intended are replaced with others. I will work to fix that.

Cobran: Thanks mate, glad to hear you like it.

Myr

Daenerys

Daenerys Targaryen, The Stormborn as she was dubbed by Ser Willam Dary was currently standing with her back tightly pressed against the cold and damp wall of one of the many cells of the Myrinish prison, her arms unable to move due to the chains holding her in place. The crime she was accused of, stealing valuable property from the magisters of the city. She hated how in Myr and pretty much everywhere else in Essos, people are considered property, things to be sold and bought and not actually living beings who deserved a chance at life. In her eyes, slavery was a wile and disgusting practice that should be eradicated and one she could not understand why her Valyrian ancestors decided to indulge in. They called themselves the Freehold and yet most people who lived in it were anything but free. She grew up on stories from uncle Arthur, Ashara, lord Jon, and Ser Willam, some of these stories depicted Westeros in a good light while some not so much but for all of its faults Westeros and its people were heavily against slavery of any kind, downright hating the practice. The lives of the common people weren't perfect and were often hard but those people still had the luxury of choice, something most people of the free cities did not.

The first time she helped a slave gain their freedom was by accident when she quite literally bumped into a fleeing slave while walking along the streets of Tyrosh. The poor woman was fleeing from the slave hunters who were hired to track her down and bring her back to her former master and they were close on her heel. The look the woman sported was one of pure fear and hopelessness and once Daenerys spotted the slave hunters she opted to take a risk and aid the fleeing woman. She told her to stand behind her and act as a servant, the woman quickly complied. When they met the hunters they immediately demanded that the escapee be handed over to them.

"I think there has been some kind of misunderstanding. Care to tell me why I should give my maid over to you," Dany said in a polite tone, trying to sound as innocent as possible.

"Maid?" one of the hunters asked, an ugly horse-faced man with a broken nose and thin lips. "That is no maid, she is an escaped slave belonging to magister Mopyr. I suggest you stop playing tricks girl and hand her over if you know what's good for ya."

"Careful how you speak cur, you aren't speaking to tavern wench but a lady of house Rogare of Lys. I should take your tongue for that," one of her guards, Ser Marsten Rivers threatened, resting his palm on the hilt of his sword. The cover story they have been using during their stay in Tyrosh is that they are an offshoot of the Rogare family, one of the noble houses of Lys. Up to that point, no one seemed to care about it, or not enough to investigate why a Lysini noble family would come to Tyrosh. Well, there was technically a reason for the Rogares to travel to another free city, as they weren't exactly the most popular family in their home city. House Rogare once had close ties to house Targaryen but that was almost two centuries ago. The Valyrian features Viserys and she shared helped to sell the tale a lot, including the more Valyrian features Arthur and Ashara possessed like the purple eyes typically belonging to the people of Lys. Ser Marsten Rivers, the bastard of Maidpool as he was also known, was a loyal man who fled into exile after her brother's defeat and death at the Trident. Marstens half brother was a squire and close friends with Rheagar and when he was slain by Robert Baratheon during the Battle of the Bells, Marsten swore that one day he will avenge his kin. Something he, unfortunately, wasn't able to accomplish and when the Usurper took the throne Ser Marsten and a few other loyal Riverlands knights chose to flee Westeros and wait for the day that House Targaryen would rise to take what rightfully belongs to them. It was lord Jon who found him and recruited him and he has been Danys loyal shadow ever since. The man was loyal, good with a blade, and a good lair, something she jokingly credited to him being a bastard.

"That is an escaped slave, if you know what is good for you, you will give her up," the gruff man said, putting his own hand around his sword, his three comrades doing the same.

"As I said, she is not an escaped slave, she is my maid. Isn't that right Lorena?" Dany said, the poor woman was confused for a moment before nodding.

"That is true my lady," the slave woman said.

"I think these men must have confused you with someone else," Dany told the woman. "There are plenty of olive-skinned black-haired women in the city, sometimes they look alike."

"Her word as a lady of a noble house is proof enough unless you wish to take this to matter to the Rogare family, I don't think that magister who hired you would like to get into a potentially unpleasant situation with another noble over an escaped kitchen slave," Ser Marsten said and the four other guards who were with him took steps forward to stand at either side of Daenerys. The slave hunters glared at her and the gruff man was about to say something more but was cut off by one of his companions who put a hand on his shoulder.

"Let's not get into any unnecessary trouble, it's just one escaped bed slave. We have more important business to do," the second slave hunter said. The first one stared at him for a moment until his expression turned into a frown.

"Fine," he said and without any further words, the hunters left, leaving Dany and her guards with the slave woman. Once the hunters were out of sight, the woman hugged Daenerys and proceeded to thank her a thousand times. Dany took her back to the manse where after some scolding from Arthur for potentially getting herself and the rest of her retinue into danger accepted her decision. With some help from Ashara and some gold, the woman she named Lorena but was actually called Marra managed to get passage aboard a ship to Bravos, where she started a new life. From then on she used the gold she had to buy slaves and then free them, sending them to Bravos, a few of them actually deciding to stay with her and help in any way they can, they were now a part of the manses staff. Her actions were criticized by Arthur, who called them risky but Ashara encouraged them. The first real-time she opted to use force instead of coin was a year ago when she first joined Vis and lord Jon in Myr, and then with the help of some of the freed slaves and guards loyal to her managed to break into one of the warehouses where the slaves would be kept before being sent elsewhere by ships. The first time was successful and she managed to discretely move all of the freed slaves out of the city with help from a certain Bravossi captain. The second time was as successful, the third one less so and she did not manage to free as many slaves as she wished and the fourth time, well if the fourth time went well then she wouldn't be chained up against a wall with a stuck up piece of shit magister taunting her right now.

"...and to think that you seriously thought that you could get away with it. The plan was daring as it was stupid," the magister said, a pleased smile plastered on his face. "And why would you even risk yourself for a few mindless wretches is beyond me. When the first theft happened the conclave believed it to be an isolated incident, some members pointed fingers at each other but nothing came from it. After the second heist happened we decided to add additional security which once again failed. But this time, oh the trap was perfect and you feel right into it. My plan went without a hitch, the thieves were stopped, killed or captured, the slaves where they should be and the perpetrator chained right in front of me. Couldn't have gone better," the magister said gleefully.

Daenerys was tired from the fat mans continued bragging and taunting and finally snapped, an avalanche of very colorful Valyrian curse words erupting from the young princes, you learn and thing or two when you spend enough time with sellswords of the Golden Company. For a brief moment, the magister was taken aback but the smug smile quickly returned.

"You have quite the mouth on you, I think selling you to a pleasure house and teaching you how to use it for something better would be a proper punishment for all the trouble you have caused. Who knows, maybe I will buy you back after a while, I would always use another bed slave."

Daenerys could feel her blood boil. "You, You disgusting, fat, unworthy..." her rant was cut off by a sound of commotion coming from outside.

"What was that?" the magister shouted to the guard outside but instead of an answer, the doors of the cell opened to reveal an older man clad in leather armor and a bloodied sword in hand. The magister's eyes went wide with shock and he was about to scream when the stranger quickly moved towards him and stabbed him in the chest with his blade. A moment later the man pulled the sword out of the magisters, letting the body fall to the ground. The stranger looked at the body for a split second before turning his gaze towards her. Just as she was about to ask who he was, a familiar voice was heard shouting her name and she saw her brother entering the cell.

"Dany," Viserys said.

"Vis," she said surprised. She knew that someone would come to her rescue but had honestly expected lord Connington or someone else from the loyalists as lord Jon wouldn't allow another Targaryen sibling to fall into danger.

"Thank the gods you are alright Dany," Viserys said and rushed towards her, unlocking the chains. Dany tried to take a step by stumbled slightly only to be caught and embraced by her brother. She happily returned the embrace. "You are unharmed? Did they do anything to you?"

"No, I'm fine," she said shaking her head. "They didn't do anything to me."

"Good, because I don't know what I would do if something would happen to you little sister," Viserys said. The two of them broke the hug and Viseryss expression turned from happy to serious.

"What happened? Did that stunt of yours backfire? I thought you were careful."

Dany looked at her brother, she could tell that he was mad at her for getting caught and she did feel bad for making him worry but she really didn't want to explain right now. "Can we please not talk about it in a middle of a prison cell? I promise to tell you everything as soon as we get out of here."

"The princess is right, we need to leave swiftly if we don't wish to be the ones chained up beside her," the old man said.

"And who are you?" Dany asked. The man knelt in front of her, the palms of his hands resting on the hilt of his blade.

"I'm Ser Barristan Selmy, sworn kingsguard to your father king Aerys Targaryen and to your grandfather king Jaeherys," the man identifying himself as the legendary Barristan the Bold said. Daenerys gave her brother a questioning look.

"It's him Dany, lord Jon confirmed it. Jon was the one who tasked him with your rescue," Viserys answered.

"The same Barristan who turned cloak and swore himself to the Usurper," Dany said accusingly, it was not a question.

"King Robert is dead, I have been led to this city by an old friend, I came to find the last of house Targaryen and to ask for forgiveness. I was sworn to protect your family and I failed them. I wish to continue serving your house once more, as I should have long ago."

"I'm skeptical as you are Dany but I'm starting to think his intentions are true. It was him who thought of the plan to rescue you. We wouldn't be here without him," Viserys said. Dany was just about to say something when another, unfamiliar voice came from outside the cell.

"Sorry to break up the family reunion, but I already been exiled from Westeros I rather not be sold into slavery, so could you PLEASE hurry it up!" a male voice with a northern accent said.

"Lord Asher is right, we need to move quickly before more guards come," Barristan said. Viserys looked at his sister and she gave him a nod. "Let's move then."

The three of them made their way out of the cell and reunited with the two others who were waiting in the corridors outside. Dany quickly fell into step with them as they followed Ser Barristan out of the prison and to freedom.

Riverlands

Robb

The young King in the North sat on top of his destrier on top of a hill overlooking the chosen battlefield. His forces were carefully positioned, the center was commanded by lord Umber whose orders are to hold the Lannisters no matter what, the right wing was commanded by Ser Wylis Manderly who had the same orders as Greatjon. The left wing was under the command of his great uncle Brynden who knew to keep his forces out of the fighting as much as possible. The archers were under the command of lord Blackwood. Robb had chosen to position the Bolton men in the front, he had not forgotten lord Roose's betrayal and the man has been rotting in the Riverrun cells ever since he was secretly relocated there. Cutting the number of those loyal to traitor will only be helpful in the long term. He had also done the same with the Freys, positioning their levees in the center under Umber and the cavalry on the right under Ser Wylas.

"You truly think this will work?" Dacey Momronth asked, the beautiful lady warrior of Bear Island sitting on top of her stallion right next to Robb. "Can we truly trust them?"

"Lord Tarly is an honorable man, he had kept my sister safe instead of handing her over to the Lannisters. He could have used her against me, threatened her life if I didn't surrender but he did the opposite," speaking of the little she wolf, Robb and Arya had spent the whole night reconnecting after so long, grieving for the loss of their father and Robb explaining the situation with lord Tarly, Darry and the rest of the Targaryen loyalists. The look on his little sister's face when he told her that Jon was technically the king of the seven kingdoms was honestly priceless and it is something Robb will forever remember, Arya being speechless for once. The little Stark girl wanted to join him in the battle, saying that she can fight as well as him but he had forbade her from leaving the camp and left a dozen men behind to make sure his sister stays as far away from the battle as she can. "He has no love for either the Tyrells or the Lannsiters. If he wished to battle against me he would have done it in a way that would show his skills in strategy and warfare like he did against king Robert, not try to trick his opponent with false promises before the battle starts," Robb said.

"Lord Stark is right," Lord Darry said. "Tarly is a man who wishes to prove that he is a master of war but through honorable ways not through deceit. Mace Tyrell stealing the responsibility for the victory at Ashford left a bitter taste in lord Tarly's mouth."

"He is technically deceiving his foes by making them think he is on their side," Ser Wendel pointed out.

"Well, maybe he is a bit of a bastard but war is war, there are no rules to it. Not to mention this way he will be able to wipe out half of the forces the Lannsiters still have and all of the Tyrell loyalists within his ranks," Darry said.

"Let's just hope everything goes according to plan so we could give the lions a good pummeling," Dacey said, eagerly petting the mace which rested at her side.

"We can certainly hope," Robb said and returned his gaze towards the battlefield. The air was filled with the loud noise of war horns from both sides. The Lannister host marched towards the northern center, the right flank doing the same on his flank. The Reach left flank pretended to move but stopped when arrows from lord Blackwood's archers started pouring down. He had given strict orders to the archers not to aim for the kill, just to make it look good. Soon enough the two centers clashed, the sound of battle erupted and filled the air with the clashing of steel, war cries, and the desperate cries of dying men. The cavalry on the right flank crashed into each other, a desperate fight ensuing between the two forces. The center under lord Umber held firm, the Lannsiters under the command of house Crakehall kept trying to push them back with little success.

This stalemate of sorts continued for about an hour, Robb kept relaying orders throughout the battle, with more and more Lannsiters and some Reachmen being thrown into the meat grinder that was this battle. Then a loud horn was heard coming from the Reacher rear and one could see the cavalry of houses Tarly, Ashord and Bulware assaulting the back of the Lannister formation. A force of Oldflowers men blocked the right flank and the Hightowers were preparing themselves to charge, only waiting for Robb to stop the arrow fire which he did when he sent a fast rider to lord Blackwood. As soon as the arrows stopped the Hightowers attacked the Lannisters from the left joined by the combination of Northern and Rivermen cavalry under the command of the Blackfish. The forces loyal to the Lions and the Roses were completely surrounded and unable to retreat anywhere.

"Are we going to just stand here all day or are we going to fight?" Dacey asked, taking her mace into her hands.

"Greywind," Robb said and the direwolf rose from his seated position next to his master. "Ready?"

The large wolf appeared to understand his owner and gave a nod. "Good, prepare to charge!" Robb gave the order and with his direwolf, battle guard and the reserve charged into the fray.

Robb held his lance tightly in his hand as he charged towards the Lannister line, the sound of battle drowning out the noise of his horse's hoof beats. Closer and closer he got until his lance struck a knight, his sigil Robb not seeing before the man fell off his horse and was trampled under the charge. With the lance broken, he threw it away and pulled out his long sword and started cutting his way through the swarms of red-cloaked soldiers. He cut down a man dressed in the colors of house Brax before seeing the situation of his battle guard. Lucas Blackwood was engaged with some levees alongside Ser Donnel Lock, Robin Flint was taking on a knight of house Farman while Owen Norrey was doing the same but with a Marbrand knight. Patrek Malister was defending Ser Wendel who was knocked off his horse and Dacey and Smalljon were right next to him. The heirs of Bear Island and Last Hearth wielded their weapons expertly against anyone who tried to get near Robb.

Robb blocked an incoming blow with his sword, Greywind tearing into the man a moment later. Now that he was here, he could truly see how desperate the situation was for the Westerland forces, they fought desperately to break out of the encirclement, terror and shock at the sudden betrayal of the Reach forces evident on the desperate men's faces.

"THE NORTH REMEMBERS!" someone among his retinue shouted, but Robb honestly did not know who.

"THE NORTH REMEMBERS!" more of the Northemen shouted out. Battle cries echoed, men of the North, Riverlands and the West all trying to bolster their comrade's morale to fight harder. Then another loud shout was heard on the battlefield, one made out of many voices.

"HORNHILL," men of house Tarly bellowed as they broke the Lannister line and cut the center in two halves. Out in the distance, Robb recognized the lord of Hornhill by the valyrian steel greatsword, who was fighting three men at once. What caught his interest next was two behemoths duking it out. One he knew without a shadow out of a doubt to be the Greatjon while the other giant could only be the Strongboar. Both men were wielding greatswords and were not holding anything back against one another. Swords clashed, blows were parried and blocked until Greatjon managed to cut into Ser Lyle's leg, making the giant knight fall to one knee, the final strike came quickly as the lord of Last Health cleaved off his opponent's head.

Tyrosh

Jon

Jon was walking along the halls of the manse, many things swirling on the young man's mind but for now the foremost was the promise he had made to Lady Mellario, one of making sure that her estranged husband did not use her children in the great game. He had made a promise, another promise, but he was starting to question if he was going to be able to keep it. From what Ser Arthur had told him, prince Doran is not a man to be underestimated, the man's patience is not be mistaken for inaction. If he managed to take the crown he will have to honor his oath to lady Mellario but that might alienate house Martell and make them his enemies. They are not going to like him anyway and this just might cause them to hate him. He wasn't even a king yet and already he was to make choices that may or may not cause further issues in the future. His pondering was put to an end when a servant girl approached.

"Forgive the intrusion your grace but lady Ashara sent me to invite to for tea in the garden, if you wish that is," the servant girl said and Jon was about to correct her that she should not call him your grace but stopped himself, he knew it was pointless as he had already tried on several occasions but the servants still followed Arthurs word and addressed him as your grace or my king.

"There is nothing to forgive and I would gladly join lady Ashara," Jon said, he was interested in what the lady wanted to talk about. Yesterday with hers and lady Mellario's arrival they had a lengthy conversation. Jon proceeded to follow the girl to the gardens of the manse. The gardens themselves were not overly large, only taking a small portion of the manse but they were filled with beautiful flora and were kept in good order. He was brought to a small pavilion in which a table and several chairs were set up. On the table was a pot of tea and two cups, both filled. On the rightmost chair sat the breathtaking beauty that was lady Ashara.

"Ah your grace, you honor me with your presence," Ashara said getting up from the chair and offering a curtsy.

"Please my lady, there is no need for any of that, I'm a guest in your home besides I would prefer if more people addressed me with Jon."

"You are king now, you have to get used to it at some point, better now than later," Ashara said and Jon had to admit she did have a good point. "Please sit."

Jon did as asked and took a seat opposite Ashara, she gestured to the teacup and he took it in his right hand a took a sip from it.

"Hibiscus tea, one of my favorites, is extremely good for one's health. I grow several types of herbs used for making tea in these gardens. When we first bought the manse years ago the gardens looked more like an overgrown forest, the last owners not really caring much about it. But with little care and some advice I turned them around, wouldn't you say?"

"They sure are beautiful, my lady," Jon said as he took another sip of his tea. "But I doubt you called me here to discuss gardening or tea."

A pained smile crossed the lady's lips. "You are so much like him, you look a lot like him when we first met an Harrenhall and you are just as direct, not bothering with the southern pleasantries," Ashara said, Jon could detect the sadness in her voice. He had an idea who she was talking about.

"I get that a lot, Ned Stark was a good man, a good lord and a good father. I only wish I spent more time with him," Jon said, his own grief starting to show.

"I wish that as well, that war took much from us all, I lost friends, a daughter and the man I loved. You on the other hand lost both of your birth parents and your siblings. War and ambitions of men have little care when it comes to the lives they will ruin. I loved him and yet he was forced to choose another woman, one that did not even love him back then," Ashara said, her eyes slowly filling with tears. "I never wanted him for his lands or titles, I never cared about that, I would have been happy if we lived in a humble wooden house but fate had other plans. Even now after all these years I still have feelings for him. My mother used to say that we do not choose who we love and she was right."

Jon could not help but feel pity for the woman who he had thought to be his mother once. At the mention of love, the image of a certain brown-haired woman came to his mind but he quickly brushed it off and decided to focus on the conversation at hand. "I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for, you have done nothing wrong dear, it's just hard remembering everything that was and thinking about everything that could have been," Ashara said. She wiped her eyes with a silk handkerchief and composed herself. "I understand my brother Vorion sent you and your friends here."

"Yes, he did. We decided to tame a detour to Starfall, I-I wished to see if the rumors were true."

"The rumors of me being your mother."

Jon nodded. "Yes, lord Eddard always spoke highly of the Daynes and I have heard on more than one occasion about you and him spending time together before the Rebellion. I had hope..."

"I'm sorry that it did not turn out as you expected. I wish that my child survived, I sometimes wish that Ned had left you with me but I did get a chance at being a mother to young Viserys and little Dany. Viserys will always see Rhaella as his only mother but he is grateful for all the attention and nurture I gave him while Dany had only ever had me as a mother figure in her life and does call me mother."

"They were lucky to have you, growing up without a mother is a horrible ordeal, something I can say from experience. For as much as lord Stark," Jon paused and sighed heavily, memories coming back to him. "and even lord Mace tried, there was always a void there, an emptiness that could never be filled. They had a good father figure in Ser Arthur, I can not think of a better role model than the greatest knight in all of Westeros."

"Arthur is a good parent to them, it took him some time but he got a hang of it. Although he still acts strict with them, the duty of a kingsguard never forgotten. I'm the fun parent," Ashara said with mirth, a smile adorning her lips. "But now it seems I should have taken more care when it comes to Dany and her more dangerous adventures. I originally supported her attempts at freeing slaves and giving them a new start in life but the girl has always been brash and headstrong and now it has finally caught up with her. I'm just hopping Ser Barristan and lord Connington can bring her to safety," she added, her tone the same one every mother used when worried about her child.

"If anyone can see her safely returned to her family it's Ser Barristan, the man is a legend after all. He was done what was considered impossible before," Jon said trying to reassure the concerned woman.

An uncertain look crossed the lady's features. "Arthur assures me of the same thing but I can help but worry."

"To worry about one's loved ones is natural, I know how you feel but my father used to say that he must have trust in those we love, to believe them strong enough to survive."

"You are kind and have a good heart Jon Snow or Aemon Targaryen, whichever you think is right. You have a gentle soul which is a rarity in the world we live in," Jon wanted to say something but Ashara continued. "To be king is going to take more than kindness and honor, it will take a man of strong will and conviction, a man who commands both love, respect and a healthy dose of fear. A ruler must be just but also ready to make compromises when needed. Lords will try to influence you and men will try to get in your way so as to achieve their own goals, never forget to be ready for them. Heavy is the head that bears the crown. I have learned that much during my time in the royal court, not that it mattered seeing just how opposite from all of that Aerys was."

Jon took a moment to think about what he had just been told. Lady Ashara had a point, it will take everything she had said and more if he wishes to claim the title of king and keep it. "I thank you for the wise words and you can call me Jon."

"Also, don't give out your trust easily, there are few people in the world who truly care for you and will never think of betraying you, especially a king," Ashara added. and took another sip from her tea. "I suggest you have a private talk with Mellario while you can, the ship that will take us to Dorne will be leaving in two days."

"I will do that my lady, I am thankful for all the help you and she are offering," Jon said.

"I know what you promised to Mellario but I can tell you with certainty that Doran is not likely to honor that deal. Even if he still loves her, his ambition is greater. I always liked Oberyn more, he was always more fun to be around and would never do something which would harm his family in any way, not intentionally. Mellario blames him for Quentyn being sent away to foster with the Yronwoods and partially he is, it was stupid to poison lord Yronwood but Doran was the one who immediately sent his son there. It medicated the relationship between house Martell and their strongest bannermen but caused a rift between Doran and Mellario. Oberyn will rage, shout and start a fight but Doran is more dangerous of the two, he will play the long game, plot, pull the pieces across the board until he gets what he wants so be wary of him when the time comes."

Jon nodded. "I will."

"Good, I'm glad to see you are a person open to listening to other people's advice, that is an important trait to have."