DISCLAIMER: Chapter one.
Chapter rating: T
JokerGames1999: Ohh! That's a good one. I was torn between Aemond (sorry TV show made me like him) or Jaehaerys for the Old King. But now it's between the Old King's name or the maester's name.
NicoleR85: Glad you're enjoying it! I hope you like the rest.
Ladyespeon164: Yes, they would and he already is close with her brother Bran for his own use of a cane when he needed someone to talk with. As for Jon well, hopefully Rhaenyra can get him to be of use other than guarding the Wall. Please enjoy what's next.
Jctherebel: Armor would be great, especially when they're younger because once they're older it would harden their scales better, could you imagine the armory having to fit those dragons, lol. I'd run in the opposite direction rather than try and measure those fire-breathing beasts. And yes the Targaryen girls are both dealing with things in their own areas. I hope you enjoy the next chapter!
Bvh(Guest): Glad you like it! Please enjoy the next chapter~
Chapter Thirty-Two: XXXII - Truths Start to Come Out
(King's Landing)
"We've lost the Stark girl? How did we lose the Stark girl?" Tywin asked angrily as Tyrion hid a small grin. Sansa Stark had disappeared during the battle. Her ladies were all gone as Shae claimed she had gone to retrieve something to soothe Sansa's mind, which Pycelle confirmed as he told them she retrieved some lavender to add to her drink and bathes.
"It would seem The Hound had smuggled the lady out during the battle. Many claim to see the direwolf on the battlefield with the Hound though no one fully stopped them. Now we understand, he was escaping with the girl," Varys said. He was being cautious as the Lannisters, bar Tyrion, were like vipers ready to strike.
"Why was she so little guarded?" Tywin demanded, his tone firm and holding back his anger.
"Because she was not-"
"Important? How do you think we will get Jaime back?! We have no leverage over the Starks any longer. We started out with three Starks and a wolf; your son chopped off one head and one took off, now I come back to find out that the only Stark we had left, the one meant to marry Joffrey when the battling was over, has vanished with her pet!" Tywin ranted as Cersei pursed her lips. Normally she would not be on the end of his raging episodes.
"I have word that the northern Targaryen girl is pregnant and has flown back to the North to fight off the Ironborn invaders," Petyr Baelish suddenly said. It was getting harder and harder to get word from the northern forces. Oberyn's men seemed trained in silencing 'little birds' as Varys noted, so the few things they got they valued to tell the Queen or King.
"What?" Cersei hissed out angrily.
"It would appear that the King in the North has decided to split his forces, though not evenly to send many back to the North with the Targaryen Queen to fight against them," Varys offered quickly as Littlefinger glared.
"So it seems he has lost-"
"He still thinks we have Sansa as he is gathering his remaining forces to strike Casterly Rock," Tyrion spoke as they looked to him, his sister angrily when he cut her off, irritating all but Varys who thought. "He was never after the throne, nor was his wife from what I've heard."
"How far can a little girl go?" Cersei asked with ease as though asking the weather.
"If she was taken by the Tyrells then she possibly is on Dragonstone with the rest of them," Tywin growled, he had been rebuffed by Olenna Tyrell who refused to let her son decide for their house. He had been happy to hear Stannis died when he returned to Dragonstone, sustaining a heavy wound that his brother mourned. Renly had fortified Dragonstone, calling all his men and allies to him bar the Stark forces who remained in the Riverlands, it is near impossible to invade Dragonstone unless you had a dragon but they did not. "What news of the dragons?" he asked as the men quieted.
"Nothing?" Cersei demanded, angrily. "You men have nothing?" she hissed before her father stopped her.
"Quiet," he ordered as she glared. "I know they're sizes are troubling-"
"Forgive me, My Lord, I implore you, but they're sizes are not as troubling as terrifying from what reports say of merchants who passed through. Many would spy their forms in clouds and hear them from Riverrun to the markets in Stone Hedge," Littlefinger spoke quickly as Tywin sighed, finally hearing something. "The Targaryen girl allows them to hunt for themselves and doesn't seem to stop them," he said as the man stopped him.
"And if rumors are to be believed. She now rides one," Varys admitted, startling all the people present eyed him with hidden horror.
"Enough," he sighed. "If the Stark boy comes closer we will deal with him then. I am sure our forces and our extra allies will be of help," he demanded as they looked nervous. "What about the Targaryen girl in the east?"
"Dragons as well, it seems that these two are destined to bring them back," Varys revealed as Cersei sighed. "But she is residing in Qarth and seems to be holding a type of court within those who come to seek her favor as a Targaryen and with dragons, she still retains a number of her dead husband's dothraki who stayed. It surprises many as some are warriors who would have chosen to reclaim what she has and take her dragons for themselves but, it seems she is starting to grow and plans to claim the throne herself," Varys told them as Tywin inhaled sharply.
"We need to reign the King in," Tywin ordered instantly as Cersei looked to him.
"He is our King-"
"A poor excuse for one. We're the council and we control the city, we've lost both food sources from the Reach and Riverlands," he growled, Tyrion who had been listening smirked behind his hand. Robb did not have to do anything but sit and watch, the boy is doing fine work. "Lord Baelish, I need you to go East to the Braavosi bank, work out some details," he ordered as the man paused before nodding as Tywin sighed, trying to think. "The Dornish have sided with the Targaryens once more and now the Reach is with Renly Baratheon who is on Dragonstone. The heir to the throne's seat. All we have is the lands who have not sworn to either side, we will send word to the Vale, Baelish you grew up with her, yes?" Tywin asked as Baelish paused, writing a letter to gather things for his trip to Braavos.
"Yes, My Lord Hand," the man said slowly, putting his quil down instantly to listen.
"After your work in the East, I want you to stop by the Vale. Spend some time with your old friend," Tywin suggested while the Master of Coin nodded.
"Yes, My Lord Hand," Petyr smiled. "You will need a replacement for myself-"
"Tyrion," Tywin said quickly, looking at his surprised son.
"Me? Father, I'm good at spending money not saving-" Tyrion was cut off by his father.
"Then this should help, many in our family were used to spending until they came into power to correct it. This will be your test, now dismissed," he ordered as Tyrion nodded, following Baelish who urged him to follow. Tyrion was fearful for Shae's safety when Sansa fled, his lover told him and Bronn everything as Bronn praised Sansa getting to safety as no one found her, Lady, or the Hound. So they assumed they were safe with the Tyrells. But now Shae worked among the other girls tending to the noble women, many were nice and interested in her exotic appearance.
XXXII
(Riverlands)
Robb had left Riverrun at his great-uncle's request. He asked Prince Oberyn to help keep an eye on his uncle, not wanting him to do anything rash. The Prince had no issue as Robb went to invade the Crag, Catelyn was torn to join her son in being his voice before Ellaria claimed her daughters were going to help Robb as Nymeria and Obara had become close friends to the young King.
"His Grace will be well, My Lady," Ellaria reassured Catelyn who nodded. Grateful for the woman's words as she kept her calm.
"My Lady!" a knight called as he ran to her. "It is from Her Grace," he smiled. "We've taken Moat Cailin and claimed Victarion's life," the man praised as Ellaria laughed.
"He was the Commander of the Iron Fleet was he not?" Ellaria asked stunned. Catelyn smiled as held the note close.
"Does my son know?" Catelyn asked.
"No, My Lady, forgive me. It was sent here, the Queen was unaware of her husband's departure," the knight claimed while offering to deliver it to the King.
"Let us," Arya claimed while Tyene, who was next to the girl, had been telling the younger Princess everything about Dorne. Arya, as it would seem, does not know of her engagement to Frey. Catelyn was desperate to prevent her daughter from finding out for fear she would run away or worse, not talk to her mother anymore.
"Arya-"
"No, Mother. I am tired of being here, I would like to stay with Robb! I have not been with him for over a year," Arya decided. She refused to sit by any longer and would go herself if she so wished, knowing Gendry would follow her.
"Very well. I have spent weeks away from your brother and wish to get to know how he was fighting and being a King," Catelyn admitted before summoning her and Arya's things to be gathered while Tyene offered to go with them to her mother's worry.
"I would feel comfortable knowing they were safe," the Dornish bastard claimed with a smile as her mother nodded.
"Stay safe, my love," Ellaria wished as her daughter nodded, kissing each other's cheeks before leaving as Ellaria went to tell her paramour of the news and what Tyene was going to do.
"My Lady Ellaria?" another knight came up.
"Yes?" she asked cautiously.
"No, please forgive me. This is directly from Lady Olenna Tyrell. I was trying to find the King's mother or himself but I seem to have missed them," the man commented with a blush as she smiled.
"Yes, you have. The King's mother is in fact going to meet with her son about news his wife sent. I can deliver it for you, if you wish," Ellaria offered as the man nodded with a bow.
"I appreciate it, My Lady. And I feel the King and his family will be pleased by the news My Lady Olenna has sent, and hopefully reassuring," the man hinted as Ellaria narrowed her eyes for a moment as he smiled. "As a parent, I would be relieved," he told her as she realized his words with a small laugh.
"Thank you," she spoke before curtsying as he bowed once more. Ellaria laughed softly as she quickly went to Catelyn's chambers to give her the good news and hope it would ease the woman's heart and might give Robb a reason to truly see if he needs to fight against the Lannisters if Sansa was no longer with them.
XXXII
(The Wall)
Jon sighed as he read a letter from Bran to him. It angered him that he could not help his brothers or his people other than sit here to guard against the wildlings heading their way.
"Heart torn, Bastard?" Thorn's voice asked.
"Why are you here? I did not think you were on watch patrol with me," Jon spoke, hiding his letter.
"The Lord Commander received a letter similar to yours from his traitor son. Even the Queen's sister has heard." Alliser Thorne was a staunch supporter of the Targaryen family and once Rhaenyra was claimed queen he immediately started showing his support and was loyal to their maester regardless. But Alliser knew if something from the queen came he'd deliver it to the Lord Commander to await something.
"Ironborn are raiding the northern lands. I am a born northerner, it boils my blood to know I can't help defend them other than guarding from the wildlings. The last thing we need is for two invading claims to attack," Jon said while Alliser nodded.
"That is true, though the queen has sent a letter for you. It's why I am here," he spoke, offering the sealed message to the confused Stark bastard. Jon took it, breaking the Targaryen seal before pausing as he started reading it. "What is it?" the master-at-arms asked, seeing the shift in his face.
"Her Grace is coming to the Wall when she comes closer to fight against Yara who is fighting Deepwood Motte. She needs to talk to me about something that is too sensitive to write," Jon said as Alliser saw the writing, it was in High Valyrian. He didn't realize it until seeing Jon read it with no hesitation, showing he could read and probably speak it too.
"I will inform the Lord Commander," Alliser said as Sam came up to offer Jon something warm to eat and drink. Asking what that was all about before Jon told Sam what he read.
XXXII
(Essos)
Daenerys looked over the letter as her Dothraki gathered everything up, having gone through all the manses and seen what they could gather and sell. Cohollo would leave this with Ser Jorah as he would know what to do.
"Khaleesi?" Ser Jorah asked curiously as she smirked.
"Rhaenyra has retaken Moat Cailin. It is joyous news," she claimed as Ser Jorah agreed.
"She will no doubt have some setbacks now that she is using her dragons; they will try and fight against those," Ser Jorah claimed as he thought of how the Ironborn would start to plan against dragons.
"How can they when dragons have not been seen for a century and a half?" Daenerys asked as Ser Jorah frowned.
"The Dornish did and it was after they first saw the dragon too. Scorpions have been made once before and will be made once again," the knight claimed while Daenerys sighed.
"I can only hope that my dragons grow quickly, so that way I can start to fight against them too," Daenerys said while grabbing the parchment and throwing it into a small pile before Drogon set it afire with a spat. The dog-sized hatchling was growing fast. And from what Maester Luwin had told her when he sent a small guide for her dragons, they will be hitting their growth spurt soon and start gaining in size.
"Take it all!" Cohollo roared in success as his people cheered with the dragons shrieking. Daenerys walked out with Ser Jorah at her side, he would find a piece of paper to send word to her sister and Winterfell.
"Where to next?" Daenerys asked as Cohollo fell into step with her as he told her where to go next.
XXXII
(Moat Cailin)
Rhaenyra sat in the chambers of Moat Cailin that were still livable. She sat with the papers as Ser Barristan confirmed the handwriting. The letters belonged to her brother and his wife Elia.
"What do they say? You haven't mentioned it since you received them," Lynara asked as Balea eyed her friend.
"Here," Rhaenyra offered the paper she had kept to her companion who took them. Reading through the High Valyrian and gapped in shock.
"He's-"
"I need Oberyn to confirm these letters from his sister's hand, Ser Barristan requested that so it can be fully confirmed. He confirms Rhaegar's hand but claims he does not know her hand well enough," Rhaenyra claimed as Lynara looked stunned.
"How?"
"Ned kept the secret even from his wife. Knowing Cat would've treated Jon differently. No matter how hard she tried, she would not have treated Jon the way she did, if she truly knew he was Ned's nephew," Rhaenyra spoke, tears gathering. "He made Jon feel like he was below everyone else by claiming him a bastard and he's not. He is not even a bastard at all but my legitimate nephew!" Rhaenyra yelled while her maid calmed her.
"For Jon's safety! Just as Stannis got to you before anyone else to ensure yours," Lynara said as Rhaenyra sighed.
"I've sent Howland Reed to Robb so that way he can tell him and show the other ones to him and Oberyn so the prince can confirm his sister's handwriting," Rhaenyra claimed while Lynara hummed.
"You know he'll find it ridiculous that Rhaegar married another," Lynara fought.
"Not from what these letters say. She even wrote to Lyanna herself. Those words are the same that Robb would send to me," Rhaenyra knew a lover's words when she saw them. And the letters between Lyanna and Elia hold warmth and affection. "She knew. She was a witness. Seven Hells, Lynara she even was a part of it. It wasn't just a ceremony between two people, it was a marriage between three! Rhaegar and his two wives. Jon is my nephew, Lynara, there is no fighting that. He was just saved because he looks like a Stark," Rhaenyra spoke as her maid sighed.
"And now that Robert is gone, there is no fear or hesitation to announce it-"
"Aye, there is," Rhaenyra cut her off quickly, eyes wide. "My sister. Daenerys will not believe us, she will deny it and become angry when I defend it. This, I know," Rhaenyra started to pace and tried to calm her breathing.
"Not if we send her the same information you have. And if Jon tells her he does not wish for the throne," Lynara reassured her queen as Valaena entered with the girls following.
"Is she still panicking?" Valaena asked, offering Rhaenyra some calming tea.
"Aye," Lynara said while readying the bed for Rhaenyra to sleep.
"Next we are to go to Deepwood Motte. Yara Greyjoy is residing there," Valaena said while Baela and Roslin readied their queen who needed to be balanced by someone by now.
"She's taken Deepwood Motte?" Rhaenyra asked, looking between her ladies as Ser Barristan and Dacey came in.
"Not yet, Your Grace. Your forces that were heading to Winterfell rerouted their fighters to meet up with us so we can ensure no more Ironborn have landed before she does," Dacey explained.
"Ser Rodrik claims he and Cerwyn have departed with their men to help drive them further back," Raynor claimed as he entered.
"So Winterfell is completely undefended?" Rhaenyra asked, horrified by the notion.
"They have the castle and household guards, they won't let anything happen. And you know everyone in Winterfell would rather die than let their Princes be harmed," Lynara said firmly. She knew that would trigger a worry reaction from Rhaenyra who growled before pausing.
"Ser Raynor?" Rhaenyra suddenly asked as the man approached.
"Aye, Your Grace?" he questioned.
"Ned once told me something about northern mountain clans that live here in the woods of the North. Is that true?" Rhaenyra asked as her knight paused before nodding as he frowned.
"Aye. I know many of the leaders too, I used to be a messenger from Lord Stark when you used to visit the Wall. One of the main leaders is a man known as Uthred, he is a good man, good father. His wife, Brida, is a well-known healer, though many would claim her a witch but she is just like the maesters only using their clan signs on how to heal, a bit odd but not mad, I assure you," he smiled as Rhaenyra smiled.
"Would they help? If I asked them? I could offer something. Catelyn had no issue with offering my unborn child before I was even carrying them," Rhaenyra commented as she laid a hand on her growing belly. Rhaenyra knew soon it would be risky to fly her dragon heavily pregnant but would try until it became too uncomfortable. Daenerys told her the Dothraki helped her find ways to ride that did not distress her or her unborn children.
"They would not ask for that, Your Grace," Raynor reassured her. "At most they would ask for more trading and a bit more land if there are any to spare or section off. Lord Stark used to do that when a lord would overstep his boundaries, it was his subtle warnings when they displeased their lord," the man commented as Rhaenyra nodded.
"If you know this Uthred. Will you deliver a message for me?" Rhaenyra asked as the knight nodded.
"Of course, Your Grace," Raynor swore as Rhaenyra took a piece of paper and wrote out a message as a knock came at her door. Dacey came in as she offered Rhaenyra a message.
"It is from Winterfell, from the Maester," Dacey revealed.
"It's a message concealed for Daenerys. She's in Qarth," Rhaenyra smiled as her maids and guard smiled at themselves, happy to learn she was alright.
"There's another, Your Grace," Roslin spoke, kneeling down as she retrieved the hastily written message Maester Luwin had put in there too. Rhaenyra froze as she read it, swallowing thickly as she paused before placing them on the table.
"Rhaenyra?" Valaena asked worriedly.
"She says a boy calling himself Aegon, my nephew, is alive and trying to gain allies," she told her horrified group.
"How? He was killed as a babe," Dacey claimed, truly startled by the letter. Baela had a small frown and quickly left to go ask someone else.
XXXII
Baela marched to where her father sat looking at a map with his hands bound, he was trying to find good strong points to set up around Deepwood Motte if it was taken. He created another plan with Ser Barristan's corrections if it is still under Northern control. He perked up at seeing her before pausing at her face.
"What is it? Is it the baby? Is Rhaenyra alright?" Jaime asked, worried. He knew Targaryen women struggled to carry their pregnancies to full term but Jaime hoped the more their blood became dialuted the better the women had to carry the babies fully.
"No, I just found out about something startling. Leave," Baela ordered the men who paused before nodding and left quickly. Ensuring the men could not hear her she sat near her father. "Are you positive Rhaegar's children are dead?" Baela asked, point-blank to her surprised father.
"I saw their covered bodies, Baela. That is something you cannot forget," he hissed to her, angry for her question. "I'm sorry," Jaime shook his head in anger about not protecting the children during the Sack of King's Landing.
"No, I-I'm sorry. Rhaenyra got a letter from Daenerys claiming a man came to her vouching for Aegon VI, son of Rhaegar and Elia-"
"That's a lie! I saw the white-haired babe's body myself when the remaining Targaryen guards burned their bodies, it was bloodied but I saw his white hair, you cannot fake that. It was their custom as we also had Elia's remains sent back to Dorne," Jaime snarled to his surprised daughter. "Whoever says that, that imposter is your cousin, they are wrong," Jaime claimed as she nodded, gently taking his hand.
"You loved his kids, didn't you?" Baela saw the same pain he had when she had been hurt.
"Yes. As Kingsguard, we weren't meant to have children. I did try and uphold it, though falling in love with your mother had not been a part of it. But while she and Queen Rhaella were on Dragonstone during the queen's final stage of pregnancy I stayed with your cousins," Jaime said as he looked in the distance, thinking of Rhaenys running around all the guards, having to be chased by then when she refused to have her bathes, chasing her cat, Balerion, that Rhaegar had gotten for her with some of the other men. The little beast that had hated all who did not resemble his black-haired Princess who loved and adored the kitten, Jaime remembering hearing Ser Barristan said the cat desipsed all those who had killed his mistress. Ser Barristan and Varys had been among the only few to feed the cat or even be near it without it spitting and attacking everyone who approached it. "Whoever says that Aegon survived, is lying, he did not. Aerys refused to allow anyone near royal members unless you were those he truly trusted and were watched by another who did not trust each other. No one could have swapped those babies, there's a bit more to it than just switching out children of the same ages and gender," Jaime told Baela to her confusion.
"What do you mean?" Baela asked as her father shook his head.
"All I am saying is that Aegon had white hair, unless a babe had blonde hair, there was no way of switching out the babes." Jaime deflected as she frowned once more. Her father seemed to know a bit about it, has he helped with that before? "The Queen is marching again tomorrow?" Jaime asked, Baela nodded as she pointed to a Tohhren's Square.
"We're aiming for here, the fastest way to Deepwood Motte, hopefully before it falls to Yara. We have reports that she's already within sight of it, that was days ago," Baela told him. Jaime nodded as he started to plan once again. "Why are you helping us?" Baela asked her father who paused and looked down.
"To you, I can be a father and look after you, I can't do that with your half-siblings. And I also have fought against the Ironborn before, I want to make sure you remain alive," Jaime said as she smiled at him, giving him a small hug.
"Then do the same, please. Don't do anything that would upset the Northerners and send your head back to our King or my brother?" she asked when they separated.
"I promise," Jaime swore as Valaena smiled, watching their interaction before joining in helping with the full march as Baela smiled, enjoying the feeling of it, seeing the banter between her parents return as Baela understood and could see it.
XXXII
(Bran)
Bran sighed as he paced the solar. His brother, Shireen, the Reed siblings, Osha, and Maester Luwin watched in worry.
"You are telling me that because all of our fighters are gone, and Winterfell is now being targeted by the Ironborn?" he asked as the maester paused.
"Yes, Your Highness," Maester Luwin claimed while frowning, upset that he allowed this to happen.
"Maybe if we send word to Rhaenyra-"
"The Ironborn would be here before the raven would reach her and give her time to fly here and her dragons are still new to flying snowfall," Bran claimed, cutting his brother off as a guard came in. He was of House Cerwyn.
"Your Highness, an Ironborn has sent a message," he announced as Bran closed his eyes in irritation.
"I will take it, Your-"
"I am ruling Prince of Winterfell, I will do what my duties are," Bran growled while Maester Luwin nodded, knowing the boy was stressed and started to growl at whoever it was, though he normally apologized later or directly after. Bran hated doing this, he wanted his brother and sisters to return, his mother, Rhaenyra, and the dragons too. "What is it?" he asked the guard who gave him the message.
"King Balon Greyjoy has succeeded the ruling Stark family of their royalty and now Balon Greyjoy, the Ninth of His Name since the Grey King, King of the Isles and the North," Bran read off, anger coating his tone as Jojen worryingly stood and help calm the boy. Meera frowned.
"Is there truly no way of getting to the queen? Not even using the direwovles? Your connection with them?" she asked as Maester Luwin eyed her.
"The Greensight is not strong to those outside of the Wall. It is much stronger in those who thrive on it and need it to survive," the maester said as Bran spoke.
"Well we need it right now," Bran said with a dark tone in his voice as he stood from his seat and walked out, he asked if the people were content and well cared for as his men nodded and were still doing their rounds. They had already built up stone walls to help reinforce their defense as Bran could see smoke in the distance, knowing it was the Ironborn, Rhaenyra was too far with her dragons for him to see her. Summer came to him and nudged his hand, a gentle whine escaping the wolf at his master's distress.
"Send a message to the Queen. Your swiftest man and raven, see which finds her first," Bran ordered the guard who nodded and ran off with a bow.
"If the Queen knows she might be able to reach us if she pushes herself," Septa Unai claimed, unlike most septa she was bundled up in fur and fur hood to protect her head from the snow. The summer snows were starting, it worried many about Rhaenyra flying on her dragon.
"Not if the snow prevents her or slows her," Bran said as his septa nodded. "Please ensure everything is well among the people," Bran asked as she nodded.
"Of course, Your Highness," she smiled, leaving as she went to work.
'Please, come home, Rhaenyra.' Bran watched the horizon as he closed his eyes. Slowly bonding with Summer who sat beside, Summer eyed his master before standing and trotted off around the courtyard, an unconscious smile coming to the boy's face as he trotted in the wolf form. He now had control of Summer.
XXXII
End of the chapter! Next will be Rhaenyra marching to Deepwood Motte.
Poll! Jon's Targaryen name:
Aemon (for Maester Aemon & the Dragon knight)
Jaehaerys (for the Old King)
Please read & review~
And yes, I was finishing Last Kingdom and watching Vikings when doing this chapter, I loved the Last Kingdom. They were awesome and interesting people!
~Rusty14~
