I really like the latest House of the Dragon poster. That series seriously cannot come soon enough! I'm so eager to see that era on screen and it might give me some renewed optimism about this story which is desperately needed.

A shorter chapter today, but one with some long reaching consequences…

Part of the first scene is adapted from a scene in Season 4 Episode 4.

I own nothing but the OC's.

Jaime Lannister's infamy was coming in handy at Castle Black when it came to people ignoring him. Sure, he fought and trained with the brothers of the Night's Watch, something that he actively enjoyed after so long without a weapon in hand, but when it came to meal times or watch times, everybody left him alone. It had given the Kingslayer plenty of time to reflect in the short time he had been at the Wall, and plenty of time to decide that this was a fresh chance.

Usually, recruits would take their time before saying their vows, and although the only man at Castle Black that Ser Alliser Thorne seemed to hate more than Jaime was the Bastard of Winterfell, the Acting Lord Commander had still allowed him to say his vows within that first week under the watch of Lucerys Targaryen, the King likely just eager to wash his hands with Jaime before he rotted away at the Wall.

All of that led to him constantly sitting alone at meal times simply listening in on his new brothers' conversations. He had learned enough about the current topic of debate, the mutineers at Craster's Keep, by the time that Jon Snow gained all their attention in the mess hall.

"I'm going beyond the Wall to Craster's Keep." Jon Snow explained to the room. "I'm going to capture the mutineers holed up there, or kill them. I'm asking for volunteers to come with me." He then began pacing beneath the officers table as he started to explain what the mission would entail, and Jaime found himself listening intently. "There's 60 miles of wilderness between here and Craster's and Mance Rayder has an army bearing down on us, but we have to do this. Our survival may depend on us getting to these mutineers before Mance does. They know the Wall. They know our defences. If Mance learns what they know, we're lost." Then the bastard did something that Jaime actually found relatively inspiring, and appealed to their sense of brotherhood. "But if that's not enough, then consider this. If the Night's Watch are truly brothers, then Lord Commander Mormont was our father. He lived and died for the Watch and he was betrayed by his own men. Stabbed in the back by cowards. He deserved far better. All we can give him now is justice." Jon then paused, looking around the room. "Who will join me?" He asked.

There was a silent pause as men looked around at their friends, and Jaime for a moment thought that nobody would volunteer, and a look at Ser Alliser and Janos Slynt made it obvious that that was what the officers were hoping for. Jon Snow's popularity at the Wall wasn't to be understated however, as eventually one of the prisoners of the mutineers, Grenn, stood up to Jon's relief. Then the second of the recently recovered prisoners, Edd, stood up as well. One by one more men stood up, and Jaime then found himself pushing his chair back and rising to his feet, causing more whispers than any other volunteer.

"No." Ser Alliser stated firmly. "Your loyalty to the Watch is not yet known. I don't trust you not to run off."

"I've been assigned the role of a ranger." Jaime bit back. "And the bastard has asked for volunteers. If you need killers for this mission, Ser Alliser, there are none here more effective than me."

He saw Janos Slynt whispering in Alliser Thorne's ear, and even Jaime wasn't thick enough to miss that the pair were likely conspiring to get both him and Jon Snow killed. That was motivation enough for the Kingslayer as while he may not have liked Ned Stark, he at least respected the former Warden of the North. The same couldn't be said for the corrupt bald lump and the constantly scowling Targaryen lickspittle that sat on the officer's table that had been one of the main reasons that Stark had lost his head.

Ser Alliser, scowling as usual, then simply nodded, before one final man volunteered, a former games warden from the Stormlands, who got the officers to agree to let the recruit say his vows first.

When no more men volunteered beyond the eight stood up, Jon looked at each of them individually. "Thank you, brothers." He stated honestly, before sitting down with his group of friends, allowing the rest of them to continue eating.

He didn't speak with Jon Snow again until that evening, when Jaime was gathering any and all equipment that he would need for the 120-mile round voyage. The Bastard of Winterfell gave him a few last-minute items to grab before he went to move on to Locke, but Jaime caught him before he went. "They want you dead, Snow, that's why they sanctioned this. They're hoping either the Mutineers or Rayder kills you so that you won't be a thorn in their side any longer."

Jon stayed silent for a moment, before responding. "No matter what they want, this is important." He said as dourly as his Father. "If Mance gets there first…"

"Yes yes, I listened to your speech." Jaime rolled his eyes. "I'm just saying… be careful. If there are any in this group that you suspect to be loyal to Thorne, keep an eye on them."

"Why are you helping me?" Jon asked accusingly. "You, after all you've done against my House?"

Jaime scowled. "My old life died with my family, there's no going back to it." He stated darkly. "If I can finally do some good up here, then maybe it wasn't a complete waste."

Jon seemed to accept that, and gripped Jaime's shoulder. "The Watch is good for allowing men to be reborn. Perhaps it will do good for you too, Lannister. I know I'll be glad to have your sword at my side."

That was perhaps the kindest thing Jaime had heard in years.

As the black sailed ship drew closer to King's Landing, the sight of the Red Keep sitting high above the main city was only matched by the sight of Valaxes rising in the air to join the other two dragons in the late afternoon sky. Luke stood on the deck with a grin on his face as he watched the three dragons play in the air before he turned back to his castle.

They lowered the anchor outside the cove that housed the private docks, and Luke was the first into the longboat that brought them back to shore. As they neared the coast Luke looked up once more, realising how big all of the dragons were getting as Valaxes and Rhaegal twirled in the air around one another. His final talk with Aemon had made the Targaryen long to ride Valaxes, but while the dragon was getting larger than his horses, he was still too small to ride.

A large procession had gathered to greet him. Black banners detailing both the crimson and gold dragons of Luke's House and personal sigil dotted the upper levels, whilst he saw Jon Connington first, his hair slightly greyer than the last time he had seen his hand. His Queen was beside the Hand of the King, holding the hand of a young girl dressed in a dark purple, that Luke recognised as the colour he had picked out for his daughter's nameday present. He also saw the rest of his Small Council standing around, along with the remainder of the Kingsguard and a handful of black armoured, red cloaked guards. There was only one person that he was surprised not to see, and that was his sister.

He stepped off the boat and walked up to his Queen, waiting a second after everybody had fallen to one knee to bid them to rise again. Once they had, Visenya broke her grip and came running towards Luke, who crouched down to pick her up. "Hello my sweet." He greeted, planting a kiss on her cheek, noticing that her hair was now long enough to be somewhat styled.

"Your Grace." Margaery curtseyed as Luke moved forwards to kiss her cheek next. "It is good to see you well."

"As it is you, My Queen." Luke insisted. He then moved to Jon. "My friend."

"Welcome back, Your Grace." Jon bowed his head. "You have missed a lot. Lord Velaryon has met up with Lord Redwyne and…"

"All in good time, Jon." Luke interrupted. "The council can wait. Tonight, I will be with my family. Tomorrow I shall join you after dawn and you can tell me all."

Jon nodded. "As you say."

Luke then greeted the rest of the greeting party before he led them all up towards the Red Keep. Jon was beside him, and quietly so as to not make it an issue Luke asked. "Where is Dany?"

Jon raised an eyebrow, and pointed one finger to the sky. "She wanted to make an entrance."

Sure enough as they reached a small courtyard, the cream and gold dragon landed with a tired thud and on the dragon's back sat Daenerys. Luke was initially alarmed at not seeing any saddles or chains as he handed Visenya over to Talisa and walked towards his sister, who was coaching her dragon to drink from the fountain.

"Your Grace." She curtseyed, a wide grin on her face.

"You're riding?" Luke asked, both alarmed and inspired. "Aren't they too small?"

Dany shrugged. "I'm also small. And we only go up for a little while at a time or Viserion gets too tired. When we saw your ship approaching, I thought I'd surprise you."

Laughing, Luke hugged his sister. "Consider me surprised. And alarmed! No saddle?"

"He'll only grow out of it." Dany said, stroking Viserion's side. "And I can hold on well enough."

Still unhappy, but aware of the entire household seemingly staring at them, Luke shook his head. "Your wilfulness will cause me nothing but grief, I can see it." He chuckled. "Tell me all about it at dinner tonight. I want to know everything." He then looked around, knowing that the party needed to split up. "Prince Oberyn, have Gueren shown to the dungeons so he can offer them the black." He tasked his Master of Laws. "Jaremy, please could you show Lady Karstark and her brother to their chambers." He tasked his steward, not wanting to look at the heavily pregnant Northerner or her elder brother Torrhen that they had picked up on their way back from the Wall. He waited for those groups to depart, along with the majority of the Small Council before he turned to his wife. "I will bathe and rest, but we will dine together tonight, us three and Daenerys." He spoke, gesturing to Visenya as well. "I wish to know everything that's happened in my absence."

He noticed his wife's wry smile, but she simply nodded, taking his arm once he offered it as they re-entered the Red Keep.

Luke took his time with his bath, enjoying the various oils that could only come from King's Landing after so long away. By the time he was done and dry the sun was starting to set, so Luke quickly threw on a golden shirt and some black trousers before making his way to the dining area in his quarters, where his family were ready and waiting. "Forgive my lateness." He said, moving to sit at the head of the table. "The Wall is a marvel, but it does not do well for clean bathing."

"I trust it was a successful trip?" Margaery asked, sitting down at his right-hand side, while Daenerys placed Visenya in a high chair before sitting herself down opposite the Queen.

Luke nodded. "The North is a strange, interesting place full of proud people. It will take time for them to accept the reality of being subjects once more, but I feel like I finally got somewhere with Lord Stark before leaving Winterfell." He paused as the servants began to bring their meals out, thanking them as they departed before continuing. "Then the Wall… it's incredible. To think that it is man made… I have no words."

"And the Night's Watch?" Daenerys asked. "Tyrion wasn't quiet in his dislike of Janos Slynt and his worry for the order if he had an important role."

Luke shrugged, digging in to his food. "There's a division there. The officers do not like Ned Stark's bastard, yet he is popular with the regular brothers. Ultimately though they will all work together to face the Wildlings." He didn't mention anything about the other issue that was pressing the Night's Watch, as he didn't want to scare his daughter. "I will be back there to face this King-Beyond-the-Wall." He noticed Margaery's split-second frown at his words and knew that they would be having a conversation later, but to change the conversation away from his brief time back in the Red Keep he turned to Dany. "You must tell me everything about the flight… I cannot describe how jealous I am!"

His sister grinned. "It's like nothing I've ever felt before. It's so freeing…"

"You gave us an almighty scare when you first flew, sister." Margaery told her.

"I got an urge to go and see Viserion." Dany shrugged. "And when I got there, Vis bent down as if he were urging me on. It only lasted a few minutes, but it was brilliant!"

Margaery turned to Luke. "It encouraged Visenya, but I don't think Rhaegal is interested."

Agreeing, Dany nodded. "They haven't bonded, and I doubt they will."

Luke couldn't hide his disappointment, but thankfully Visenya was too busy making a mess with her dinner to care. "Then we shall have to wait for a clutch of eggs. Visenya is a Targaryen, there is a dragon for her somewhere." He insisted. Though he fell quieter as the two women continued to talk about the rest of their news from his time away. Instead of listening fully, his mind was on another letter that he had read about Rhaegar that his older brother had thought linked with the prophecy, the idea that the dragon had three heads and Rhaegar's opinion that the darkness would be fought by Targaryen's born from the line of King Jaehaerys II and Queen Shaera. On the ship back to King's Landing Luke had presumed that the three heads were Dany, himself and Visenya given that Aemon was both too old and not born through that line. If Visenya didn't bond with a grown dragon however…

"Luke." Dany was saying, and Luke was brought out of his thoughts to notice that everybody had finished their meals and Visenya was dozing off. "Did you hear me?"

Shaking his head, Luke apologised. "Sorry, my thoughts took me for a moment."

"I was saying I best take the little Princess to bed." Dany smirked. "I'm sure the pair of you wish to catch up."

Luke nodded, standing up to go and pick his daughter out of her chair. "Goodnight my sweet." He pressed a kiss to Visenya's head before placing one on Dany's cheek. "Goodnight, sister."

Dany curtseyed quickly before taking Visenya and bidding her own farewells to Luke and Margaery, before leaving the King and Queen alone. Luke made his way over to the lounge area and settled into an armchair, rubbing his temples as he thought.

"What is it?" Margaery asked knowingly, moving to sit on the arm of Luke's chair.

Sighing, the King began to explain everything he had learned from both Maester Aemon and Rhaegar's letters, telling his wife about the coming threat of the White Walkers, the prophecies that Rhaegar had held so dear to him, and finally he got on to Luke's own thoughts on interpreting the words. "I had thought I understood what it meant, but if Visenya cannot ride Rhaegal when she is older…"

Margaery rose to her feet and took a couple of paces away, her back to Luke. "Then perhaps the prophecy does not mean Visenya is one of the three heads."

"Then who? There is nobody else with the blood of the dragon in their veins?" Luke asked. "We stopped wedding the Velaryon's 170 years ago and no other House we married into carries the blood."

"Perhaps your own children." Margaery explained. "We do not know how close this threat is, but if it isn't as imminent as you fear…" She turned around, her hand on her stomach, caressing it. "Then perhaps your next child may take up the third place and bond with Rhaegal…"

It took a moment for Luke to digest what she was saying, but when he did, he snapped up to his feet and closed the distance, placing a hand on her belly. "You are sure?"

Margaery nodded. "The Maester confirmed it… I am three months gone. He believes everything to be healthy."

A wide grin spread on Luke's face as he let the news sink in. "A baby… how wonderful." He whispered, before capturing Margaery's lips with his own. There was more he wanted to say, but the excitement of the news and the passion he was feeling whilst lip locked with his wife after so long away got the better of him, and it didn't take long for their clothes to be strewn out on the carpet and the royal couple to be demonstrating on the armchair the actions had gotten them pregnant in the first place.

As dawn arrived Luke somehow managed to pull himself away from his naked and enticing wife to walk with Ser Barristan down to the Small Council chamber. Jon was already there along with Varys. By the time the King and Lord Commander of the Kingsguard had sat down, Mace Tyrell and Prince Oberyn had arrived, with the Grand Maester rushing in five minutes afterwards.

"Now that everybody in the Red Keep has arrived, we should begin." Jon stated bluntly as Grand Maester Gormon sat in his seat. "Your Grace, Lord Velaryon has arrived in the Arbor and by his last letter should have left with the Redwyne fleet on their way to Seagard. Ser Loras has also sent word of his forces moving to the Riverlands, and they should arrive before the fleet."

"Good." Luke nodded. "I want the Iron Islands back in the fold quickly to face the threats coming North of the Wall. As with the Vale."

"The Bloody Gate was ceded to the self-titled Lords Declarant." Varys explained. "The Knight of the Gate is Ser Donnel Waynwood, son to Lady Anya Waynwood."

"They still need to get through the Gates of the Moon in order to threaten the Eyrie." Jon reminded everybody.

"That should be no issue given that Ser Nestor is kin to Lord Royce." Mace Tyrell shrugged. "The Vale issue should be sorted out quickly."

Varys shook his head. "Not so, Lord Tyrell. Ser Nestor might be a Royce, but he has never enjoyed being a lesser branch than his cousin. It seems that he has taken his cousin's rebellion as an opportunity to play for Runestone and his Lady's favour."

Luke clenched his jaw in annoyance. "Then his ambition will be his death." He decreed. "How many Houses have joined Lord Royce?"

Varys checked his notes. "Houses… Belmore, Grafton, Hunter, Melcolm, Redfort, Templeton, Waxley and Waynwood."

"Mainly Houses in the East and South." The Grand Maester explained.

"The rest shall join once they hear Littlefinger's confession." Prince Oberyn smirked, leaning back comfortably in his seat. "He told all five days past. Lysa Arryn wanted her husband gone because Lord Arryn wished to foster him, and Littlefinger saw an opportunity to rise in stature so he purchased Tears of Lys and gave that to Lysa Arryn, who fed it to her husband."

That cheered Luke up after the Royce news. "Nicely done, Prince Oberyn." He then turned to the Grand Maester. "Send birds out to every Vale castle with the news. Lysa Arryn is hereby charged with murder of her husband and Lord. I want her arrested and brought to King's Landing to stand trial alongside her co conspirator. Lord Yohn Royce will be Protector of the Vale and Lord Arryn will be in his care until his majority."

The Grand Maester bowed his head and started scribbling the words down to transcribe later. Jon put his hand to his chin, looking at Luke in thought. "It will take time for even the strongest army to break the Gates of the Moon." He explained. "We should reinforce them."

Luke shook his head. "We will already be stretched too thin. This is a Vale issue, and men are needed more urgently at the Wall." He looked around. "The King-Beyond-the-Wall has an army 100,000 strong and is desperate. He will make his move before the year is at an end, and we shall have men ready for him."

"The Night's Watch have taken enough men…" Mace Tyrell started.

"No, they haven't." Luke countered. "None of you have seen the state of the Watch, My Lords. It is pitiful. A handful of men protecting our only continental border against numbers they number only a fraction when compared. We do not have time to rebuild the Watch with volunteers, so I shall send an army up." He looked over at Jon. "You are the Lord Paramount of the Stormlands; it is time for you to use that role. Call your banners, Lord Connington, and send them to the Wall as a matter of urgency." He then turned to Mace Tyrell. "Any men you can spare, Lord Tyrell, would also be greatly appreciated."

"I shall send word to Highgarden to call up a force. How many men are we requiring?"

With the Wall behind them Luke only imagined a tenth of the Wildling force would be needed, but with the Reach involved he could account for both more resources and men. "10,000 from each region would suffice."

"Lord Tyrion will want to be included as well." Jon noted. "He has spoken often of the Wall since Ser Janos arrived and his brother was sentenced."

"I shall speak with him myself." Luke said, knowing that the Lannister force had been decimated in his own wars. "Equipment may be the best thing the West could do for us."

The rest of the meeting was filled with more local matters to King's Landing, and Luke finally ended it by appointing Prince Oberyn as the Lord Confessor for as and when they needed stronger techniques while interrogating their prisoners. Wrapping the meeting up Luke watched his council speed out of the room to do their duties with a sense of achievement, thinking for the first time since taking the Throne that a unified Westeros under the Targaryen banner was close. "Prince Oberyn!" He called, as the Dornishman was the last bar Ser Barristan to leave the room. "Stay a moment, will you."

The Dornishman nodded his head and returned to the table. "What can I do for you, My King?"

"An investigation." Luke stated quietly. "When I spoke with the Kingslayer he had some harrowing news about my father's final plan. Wildfire buried deep within the city ready to ignite. Speak with Lord Tyrion… he knows more about the Wildfire than any of us. Find out if the Kingslayer's words are true."

Oberyn's usual calm manner was shaken as the gravity of the potential situation hit him. "I shall see to it with urgency." He nodded, before bowing. "Your Grace, I would also like to send a couple of thousand Dornish that are in the capital with you to the Wall to fight. It would be good experience for my nephew." Luke nodded his agreement. "Thank you, Your Grace."

The Dornishman then departed the room, leaving Luke with half a dozen things running through his head all at once. He did end up smiling however, as with the situation in the Vale as well as the Iron Island invasion growing closer, the dream of a united Westeros under his own banner had never been more real.

Jaime is settling into the Night's Watch and gets his first ranging! Of course he knows that he's being sent to hopefully die, but while for now his motivations are to effectively stick a middle finger to Thorne and Slynt, that will probably change going forwards…

Then the scene which gives us the title of the chapter! It's midway through Season 4 I know, but Rhaegal and Viserion weren't locked up to stunt their growth in this AU so they're big enough… barely. Dany is also small and doesn't weigh too much, so short flights are all she can do. No going around burning castles for the fun of it for the Princess!

Visenya not bonding with Rhaegal was always intended. I'm sure it's not difficult to work out what I have planned there though… That dinner scene also has Luke explain in detail about the prophecy. I see that as something he would share with his wife but wait for more proof before bringing it to the Council. Margaery of course will think it means her child…

Then finally, the Small Council scene. I wanted southern passiveness about the Night's Watch and felt it couldn't come from a better place than Mace Tyrell. The Vale plot is also being pushed forwards, though that will be a slow one to proceed given the terrain of the Vale. Finally there, Oberyn is in charge of the Wildfire plot…

Thank you all for reading.

Next Time: Jon and the rest of his volunteers deal with Craster's Keep, while a baby is born in King's Landing…

Reviews:

I missed some reviews last time due to having the chapter ready early mixed with my email missing certain reviews out, so I'll respond to those I missed here.

Silver crow: There's no need to apologise! I'm glad to see you back in the reviews and I hope you're doing well. I still go through the old reviews on all my stories and I have a smile to myself when I see the ones from you that are super excited for this one back before I had even started it properly!

TheRagFromTheCrag: (33) To make a character work while still keeping him young enough for the plot I had in mind, there was a window in when Luke could have been born and that window was always keeping him younger than Viserys, or the plot about him being so far down the succession that Rhaegar could smuggle him out would have been more complicated, he'd have been almost 10 years older than Margaery etc. (35) His build is more like Maekar having spent most of his life in Essos as a sellsword, but Aemon is blind and went only by the feel of his face.

DarylDixon'sLover: The world doesn't need a half-arsed cash grab when there are plenty of other stories out there. I'd much rather they put the budget for this nonsense into making the Dance of the Dragons more spectacular, or adding more to the Corlys Velaryon show etc.

Doug: Thank you!

Becca: He's important because of being at the Wall, being a Targaryen and being my personal choice for Azor Ahai, but the main focus will still be on Lucerys so don't worry! Until the last 20 chapters or so Jon will be more of a bit part character.

SashaAlexi: Thank you! He mentioned it in private to Margaery, though for now his focus is on stopping the destruction of the Wall and the Night's Watch by Mance Rayder so he kept the White Walker part from the council. You're right, Jon is too much of a Stark… but all I'll say is spoilers before I give more away. Luke likely won't be happy with Ygritte but he more than most understands what war is like. Once the Wildlings and the Seven Kingdom's becomes allies he will need to put that to one side, and besides Valaxes will only grow and become scarier… The prophecy and Rhaegar's letters have rocked him though so Luke knows that he will need to settle a peace with the Wildlings, he just can't do that now with Mance hell bent on attacking. He doesn't necessarily need the Wildlings to bend the knee, but he will require them to abide by his laws if they move south and with so many new mouths, more wealth or service will be required. The names of Luke's future kids aren't outlandish and all of them have been used by past Targaryen's. As for the upcoming battle… you'll have to wait and see!

suppes1: I thought that was made clear that it is what Luke is going to do? He's leaving men at the Wall now and is returning with an army.

Guest (Dope): Thank you! Yeah there are much better uses of the money in my opinion, though I'll still watch it with hope that it defies expectations.

FractiousDay: Luke doesn't think it's him because he was born too early (born at the start of a long summer) and because he doesn't know where the salt would come from in his situation. That being said, who says he's right about Daenerys?