Chapter Forty-Eight

….

West of Dol Amroth, Along the Cape of Good Hope

The flapping of wings reverberates on the open air as four Gryphon Riders fly over the vast waters a few kilometers west of Dol Amroth. Behind them two massive galleon ships follow in a safe distance as the four hovers over the waters before shifting direction again.

"Do you see it?" the voice of Myrcella reverberates through the soul-stones which is basically simple marble that Delianah has charmed with receiving spells for communication only with a lighting spell at its inside to make it look "exotic".

"I do, yes I do," crows Delianah seeing the giant dark thing moving over the waters. "It's heading toward you Rhaenys,"

"I see it," the Dornish girl replies turning her magnificent yellow and brown steed to pursue the thing swimming on the waters. "It's going to surface soon. Should the honor be to me or to you Lady Amelia? I know you haven't yet tested your mettle with these beasts,"

"I will try," replies the overeager Castellan of Rivendell turning her own Black and Silver furred Gryphon at the direction of Rhaenys. "I see it coming up, Spear-hook!" she barks out at Rhaenys who throws her one of the large spears that they have prepared beforehand.

"It's coming up!" Delianah shouts out excitedly as the very waters bubbles before exploding as the massive leviathan takes its breathe of air.

Nidhwal as the ancient Jagathai of the East calls it, back home through ancient texts, it has another name, Sea Serpent. It's head is long and angular with tendrils that are about six feet in length. It is at least as large as a blue whale (and she has seen larger during her voyage around the world). It's jaws are large enough for a horse and a rider to ride clean through with innumerable sharp teeth at its jagged edges. It has giant oar like flippers jutting out from its chest. According to the people of Yi Ti, that he has visited, it is basically a pest in the sea, a giant marauder that has a penchant of eating large whales and sharks. It is also anatomically related to the dragons of the air due to parts of its body covered in scales.

"Here I go into the pretty spot!" Amelia yells out riding her Gryphon only a few meters away from the Nidhwal, its beady eyes zeroing on her immediately. Before it can roar out its displeasure though, Amelia hurls the spear hook catching it on the soft side between it's eyes where there is a small space without scales. Red blood immediately spurts from it.

In a thunderous roar, the giant leviathan thrashes about nearly creating a small storm as it tries to dive, Amelia doesn't let it though as she pulls the rope taut tied at the spear hook hard. The Nidhwal shrieks in fear, agony and anger as it splashes itself high from the sea large jaws aiming at the Gryphon Rider.

The proud part lion, part bird though squawks loudly before banking away from imminent death. The jaws of the Nidhwal clamped nothing thus but empty air even as Amelia laughs and pulls the rope taut again prompting the Nidhwal to rage and charge her again only for her to repeat the process of dodging.

While immensely powerful, Nidhwal have a weakness on their foreheads which is soft tissue connected to their brain. Nidhwal like whales need to take in air at the surface and would die if they can't. Nidhwal are bad tempered creatures though and have a habit of destroying and killing only for sport which includes traveling ships. That is why they must be brought down. Delianah's method on killing them revolves around hooking the soft part of their brains and distracting them enough that the overproud monsters do not even realize till the last second that their anger would be the death of them as they suffocate to death while they are still in rage mode. It is an easy process when you are in a gryphon and have superb aerial supremacy. If anyone tries her method though in a boat or on a ship, well they would have an

Already Delianah can see that the Nidhwal Amelia is facing slowly suffocating as it try to eat her. She smiles as she counts the time. In a few more minutes, the Nidhwal would be…She grins as the giant leviathan tries one more futile attempt to swallow her before crashing on the waves unmoving as its lifeless body floats unmoving. She waves a hand for Amelia to stay put though in the air. Some of the more stubborn Nidhwals tend to give one final death throe in an attempt on taking you with it at the void.

A minute, a minute and a half before Delianah finally nods at the gathered Gryphon Riders who then cheers in victory alongside the crews of the two Galleons that are staying a safe distance away.

Delianah only smiles, today is a good day.

….

Rivendell Yard

Rhaenys has always believed that her saving by Delianah under the waters is a work of both fate and luck, that she would be able to become somebody in the eyes of everyone. As she rides now Ser Arthur, the name she fondly gives to her Gryphon which is black and red in fur and feathers, she can't help but feel that fate is obviously overcompensating her with luck after that experience of hers that made her suffer a million deaths. As such she maneuvers her Gryphon alongside that of Delianah, Myrcella, Draco and Amelia as they fly over the clouds.

In a few moments the skies finally break bringing with it the visage of the Last Homely House perched proudly on its cliff. While a serene view on its own, the sight of dozens of Gryphons which also call the high open areas of Rivendell home makes it a magnificent sight. Two wild gryphons attempt to fly close to them only for Godric, Delianah's mount to screech a shout of warning at them making the two back off immediately from their flight path. Gryphons after all are not tamed animals and the strongest command respect, which is Godric.

Rhaenys has only been a Gryphon rider for a month after Ser Arthur becomes her mount and friend. Apparently the sign of a Gryphon wanting you to be its rider is for it to attack you without warning but not kill you immediately. Of coure if a Gryphon really intends to kill you, it can rip a man into twelve different pieces before he can blink. Rhaenys has been in the market down at the town below Rivendell doing a favor for the kitchens by restocking their dough when the Black and Grey Gryphon grabs her without warning and drops her into a nearby swamp where she fought for her life by wrestling against it with her bare hands. Two hours later, bloody, bruised and scratched all over, Rhaenys finds a friend and partner that would always have her back.

She always wonders how Delianah manages to tame Godric. Gryphons are overproud birds and until now Delianah won't tell them how in the world dpes she manage to smuggle at least a hundred eggs from the dark lands of Sothoryos which is infamous in its dabblement of magic and sorcery that turns regular animals into unnatural things. Still, she looks forward for later where it is said that the Dame would be telling her story about how she succeeded in circumnavigating the world.

Urging her mount to the landing platform built specifically for landing Gryphons, she scowls as she once more passes the large "Gryphon Door" gate. It is not funny at all despite their lady insisting that it is.

Landing in a running stop, she groans a bit at the soreness of her thighs from the saddle before nearly falling if not for Myrcella suddenly appearing helping her down.

"Rough ride?" teases the golden princess of Westeros at her making Rhaenys wince as her legs find support on the ground. She almost envies the other three gracefully descending. Even the Watcher, Draco of Osgiliath dismounts easily before affectionately patting the beak of his silver and grey furred ride.

"You have any idea how stiff your legs could become by clinging on a saddle all day while your Gryphon flies maddeningly?" Rhaenys groaningly complains only to be nudged forward hard by her Gryphon who is eyeing her in what is supposed to be a raised eyebrow.

"I meant maddeningly perfect, that's it," she corrects under the eye of the proud avian creature who snorts before turning his attention at Myrcella purring as the golden haired princess strokes his beak affectionately.

"Sometimes I wonder if he likes you better than me," grumbles Rhaenys at her preening Gryphon at the affection it is lavished.

"Oh come on Rae-rae, he's adorable can't you see it?" chirps Myrcella as the large monstrous creature chirps and gurgles happily under her ministrations.

For the life of her Rhaenys has no idea why Myrcella is not a Gryphon Rider yet despite the Gryphons (even the bloody wild ones) aggregate to her naturally.

…..

Dol Amroth, Custodian's Quarters

The heavy rains from the East once more sweeps over the land that usually cascades on this area. It is nothing new due its very proximity on the sea. Below the happy sounds of the sea lions can be heard as they rejoice over the coming torrential rainfall. Peasants of Yi Ti, now citizens of Dol Amroth living in towns are running all over trying to get away from the rainy weather and the strong gusts of wind. Despite the bad weather though, the proud castle of Dol Amroth stands firm, encanted to be strong and ever enduring against the worst of tempests.

Inside the highest tower of the castle, said lord of such estate however is currently reflecting the same mood as the bad weather outside as he sits inside his solar. The office is spacious and grandiose with booksheleves, tables, tapestries and proud insignias. It even has its own "modern" restroom area that is a marvel compared to the buckets for waste that the people of Westeros tend to do. It is not lit up by lamp but by glowing Delianite whose secrets of making are known only to the Green Men that serve Delianah Tully.

Despite all the comforts however of his room, a very unhappy Jon Stark sits forlornly at his chair eyeing longingly the window outside despite the lightning crackling the skies.

"Why in the world did I wish this?" he mentally bemoans as he once more eyes unhappily the large stack of papers currently on his desk.

With the success of the Lady of Rivendell on circumnavigating the world, a new highway has been established via Eastward to Yi Ti from the proud city of Dol Amroth. The way is apparently perilous but the route traced by Delianah on the map past the sea of mists and the Great Ocean, downwards from the proud states of Nihon Ja and Groguryo, lies the Cape of Good Hope, a highway for the massive Galleons that would be making the trips.

To make this possible, Lord Floki,the Shipmaster of Rivendell has been transferred here at Dol Amroth by Delianah's bidding for the designing of the mighty Galleons. Jon at first personally wondered if the man is mad. No one dares to sail into open sea with nothing but a circular metal magnet and a stick as guide. He doesn't even know if the mighty ships will make it. Two months later, he is totally caught off guard by the return of at least five ships that brought with them gold, silver, apes, robes, clothes and other exotic animals and things from the Eastern kingdom.

Thus the Galleon Trade ironically became the primary source of income of Dol Amroth and is officially in charge (with Iron Bank assurances for security and protection) of the trade Eastward to Yi Ti. Of course while very beneficial to Dol Amroth, it is not so for Jon.

The moment he returns his attention to his desk, he almost wails in horror when he notices that the stack of papers he has been trying to finish has doubled. Ygrrite will be shooting him in the balls if he fails to finish his quota again. She doesn't believe that they should disappoint their benefactors who elevated them in their current positions in any way.

…..

King's Landing, Small Council

Petyr Baelish feels like he has aged two decades from these past few years. To say that his luck is down would be a complete understatement of the things he's going through. Ever since the breakout of the Second War of the Faith, everything has been chaos. His flesh business to say it simply goes broke. With everyone after all living in fear, paranoia, rampant distrust, the last thing that anyone wants to go to is an exposed public brothel where anyone can nab them easily. Worse, the so-called Sparrows, a small insurrection of the Faith Militant seems to carry a grudge against him and have raided several businesses related to him at the Riverlands.

As a side effect of the damage on his whorehouses, his spy network thus results to having huge gaps that is almost impossible to repair. Petyr has to literally grind his own teeth at the smug look that Varys is giving him those days as he tries his best to shore up that everything he has worked for not come crumbling around him. Now that the Second War of the Faith has spassed, Petyr has been slowly trying to repair his broken Spy Network and his business while hoping that he would not be by blindsided by anything while he's at it.

"What do you mean she circumnavigated the world?" asks a surprised Robert Baratheon, a sentiment shared by everyone including Petyr as they listen to the Eunuch's reports.

"Exactly as I say it your Grace, the Lady Delianah Tully has set forth in an expedition from the new port city of Dol Amroth commissioned by the Iron Bank and Empire of Yi Ti to find a way West of Westeros to the Eastern Kingdoms. She has come home successful five months ago," the Eunuch simpers.

"Five months ago? You only know this now? What kind of Spymaster are you?" demands Stannis gritting his teeth at the words of the portly man.

"Pardon me Lord Stannis but it is well-known that it is impossible for my little birds to fly to the territories of Rivendell and it is extremely hard to get word up North. It is only luck that some of my spies have heard rumors from the merchants which they confirmed with secondary choices from more witnesses,"

"Enough! You're bickering like children!" snaps Robert, already looking red in the cheeks, courtesy of the Vodka in his hand. "All of us already know the sheer talent that the Lady of Rivendell has at her side. Yes, she's circumnavigated the world, succeeding on something no one has done before. It is not the first time, and I believe it is not the last time that it would occur either. As far as I am concerned, it is a good thing that the mentor of my daughter would be an overachiever such as this. We should also take pride as to the fact that it is a Westerosi who succeded on traveling the world and returning back alive,"

"But she didn't ask the king's permission to-," Petyr tried to reason out (in an effort to undermine the enemy of his beloved Cat), only to be cut off by a scowling Renly Baratheon.

"The private actions of the Lords of the Realm fell on their own prerogative or that of their Lord Paramounts Lord Baelish. Short of treachery, injustice, and failure of paying taxes, the Crown does not have the right to dictate every action they should take. That would find us rebellions from our people rather than willing subjects,"

"That is exactly what I want your subjects doing you dandy fop," Petyr thought to himself but bows instead to the man.

"Of course my lord, my mistake. I humbly adhere to your wisdom" he would really need to find another angle as to which to disfavor the bastard that keeps giving his Cat problems.

"Now all that is settled, Grand Maester, can you tell me about how long till Jon Arryn recovers from his sickness?" asks Robert.

Thus the boring sessions of the Small Council goes on for the night.

…..

Rivendell Training Yard

While the Small Council is spending its time in the dark in the business of ruling Seven kingdoms altogether. The mood at the Last Homely House is joyous. Apparently Draco manages to take large chunks of Nidhwal meat from the drowned corpse from before and have made several trips back and forth by his Gryphon, Lucius carrying the raw meat. The cooks at Rivendell are the best of the best and soon they transformed the tough raw hide of the giant monster to pots of stew so soft and juicy. Alongside the massive amount of pots, are also pit fires where pieces of meat are cooked fried in stones or simply barbecued. Sourdough bread is also present in large abundance alongside copious amounts of Butterbeer.

Of course the word spreads fast about Delianah telling the story of her adventure to circumnavigate the world and everyone staying at Rivendell alongside with every cousin they have are present. It turns the almost simple storytelling Amelia expected to a small excuse for celebration. A raised marble isle is made where Delianah can stand, alongside dozens upon dozens of Delianite lamps of green, white and blue to liven the affair. All in all it is a festive moment. No surprises there, the people of Rivendell are a joyous folk and would need little reason to party and break out food.

Once almost every plate is finished and cleaned up with the attendees taking their fill of their favorite drink and pastry only does Delianah finally climb the impromptu marble stage up much to the cheering of the small crowd.

"For our Lady! Delianah the Navigator!" roars one of the Chefs to the enthusiasm of the people who banged their mugs in agreement. Amelia watches as Delianah let them have their taste of joy for a while before finally raising both hands to quiet the happy ruckus.

"Alright! Alright everyone that's enough of the praises. I know I'm awesome and if I let you guys continue, we will be here all day,"

Her words are received by amused chuckles from everyone though as she requested they settled down.

"Now where do I start? When we first departed towards the Great Unknown, it is full of excitement and a little bit of fear. After all no one has dared travel West of Westeros after all. The unknown is both a source of excitement for us but also a sense of fear. For days we sailed with a strong Western wind blowing us. We have always made sure that we continue sailing West no matter the odds. The compasses we have made directed us to always sail at the right direction. It is a good thing that I, yours truly have managed to finish them too in time for our voyage else we would never have made it," many laughs softly at the self-praise of the Dame. It is quite well known to everyone that live in the Last Homely House that their lady is vain when it comes to her accomplishments.

"Me and my little fleet have come into what the Easterners call "The Great Ocean or Oceania Pacifika," an ocean that makes the sea between Westeros and Essos look like a small pond in comparison. Imagine all around you is water, for kilometers upon kilometers all is water, the monotone only broken by the sight of storms in the distance, hurricanes or the occasional glacier that needs to be avoided. At times the waters are like glass, peaceful and serene, at times they can transform into tempests as tall as buildings that can swallow ships whole," she smiles then as if remembering the journey looking up.

"Not all is bad though. We have always expected the challenges that would occur when we first started the journey. All three of the ships are designed to be as comfortable as possible with various utilities prepared to deal with boredom and stir craziness. Alongside dangers there are also wonders that we found along the way. Fishes flying in open air that have wing of their own, friendly mammalian animals that I dubbed dolphins swims alongside our ships; whales of every kind from the gentlest giants of blue and silver to glowing wary ones that can be seen in the darkness of the night. The skies people, you should have seen the skies. It is like the gods have opened the heavens themselves in order to display all their glory to us mortals looking down below. Stars by the thousands glow in the sky, a full tapestry of wonder and beauty that can bring tears to the most hardened hearts. The moonlight also is something, the waters serving almost as a mirror shining the light back upwards," she pauses as she looks at the dark sky glinting with jewels of the night.

"It is however near the edge of Oceania Pacifika that our first major trouble strikes. The Freedom accidentally hits one of the floating crystal shards cutting through its hull and bowline beneath the water. We are forced to stop the entire fleet in order to help repairs and patch up the ship before we separate it from the crystalline shard that made an extremely large hole. It is there then that we first have our first encounter with a Nidhwal," Amelia watches as their lady grimaces, even she actually winces. It is hard enough facing a Nidhwal atop a Gryphon, she doesn't want to imagine how it feels to be fighting them at open sea.

"Attracted by the unmoving ship, the giant monster tries to make a meal out of us. We fought against it with bows, crossbows and ballistas, none can pierce its scaly hide. The very weather turns bad as if the gods itself have taken it to themselves to watch in amusement our struggle. We thought we are doomed," she smiles then as if one seeing hope.

"But we realized then that the gods are not against us. The Nidhwal is almost done eating through the Freedom's Hull when a powerful lightning strikes it directly on the eye driving away the very sea beast as fast as it comes. Then we know that our voyage thus are blessed," Amelia coughs in her hand, she would be a raccoon if she doesn't know that the Lady Delianah is the one in charge of that lightning blast.

"We scuttled the Freedom due to its intense damage. The crew however we divided into Gryffindor and the Independence. We have no choice then but to find dry land to resupply. Due to the Freedom's loss, much of the supplies it carry also goes down with it. We docked on a small archipelago on the East, a small nation that calls itself Maharlika, the people are friendly and whatever Delianite we have with us,we traded for food and fresh water. We also know there that we are close to Yi Ti after chatter from several locals about trade ships that usually pass them also," she shrugs easily with a smile. "From there it's almost easy sailing. We arrived at Yi Ti almost seven moons since our voyage. We stayed there for another three moons before we took the same route of the late Emperor, Ling Han via Sothoryos back to Westeros. That is where I met my friend here, Godric," she smiles as she pats the large Gryphon suddenly appearing out of nowhere preening majestically.

"I have taken the chance to explore a bit when we stopped for fresh water there and color me surprised when he comes out of nowhere and attacked me. I survived only by the skin of my teeth. It takes almost half a day between us before he accepts me as a partner and a friend," she strokes the massive beak which purs happily. "He is an Alpha, a leader of his flock, and with ten different others that follow him, they come with me giving me the greatest honor of safeguarding their clutches along the way," the rest of the trip is history to say the least," she smiles before looking at all of them.

"So, any questions?"

Amelia only smiles as everyone raises a hand in curiosity. It is good to have their Lady back in Rivendell again.

…..

Casterly Rock, Westerlands

The sound of seagulls echoing around his solar is a balm on Tywin Lannister's old soul. Despite the position of power King's Landing have, it is never a good place to stay long term. The smell of shit alone is a constant danger to the health and if not for the fact that decisions of necessity need to be made there, Tywin might have done his utmost to stay away from the place if only for health reasons.

He has retreated here at Casterly Rock after the Realm finally stabilizes in a working way due to the efforts of the King, Jon Arryn and everyone basically at the Small Council. He can only take so much "Lannister shits" side remarks from the king after all. Any more insult to his family name and he might have gutted the gluttoned Stag himself. Thus for self-preservation purposes he has gone back to his family home.

As usual on serene moments like this that Tywin Lannister once more contemplates the woe of his House. As usual Jamie flat out refuses to be his heir which puts House Lannister in a precarious position. He would rather do a jig and be a comedian in front of everyone than put the Dwarf as his heir. He does not lack options per say but said options are simply not up for it. Tommen he knows can be a possible heir once his brother takes the throne but the boy is too timid due to his older brother's bullying. It reminds Tywin too much of his father, same goes for Lancel, the simpering idiot being used as a punching bag of the king's insults. Thinking about it in fact makes Tywin want to hit something.

He is disturbed though by a sudden knock on his door.

"Come in," his rich velvety voice calls out making his Chief Steward enter.

"Pardon me my lord, but there is a letter for you from Rivendell from the Princess Myrcella," he bows placing the letter on Tywin's desk before leaving.

Tywin gingerly picks up the letter with his fingers. If there is one thing that lifts up his spirits, its news from his granddaughter. Out of his immediate family, she must be the only one who has not disappointed him. With her, the friendship and partnership to the lands controlled by the former Tully bastard continues, the closes that Tywin can get in binding to House Lannister the powerful woman.

His eyes scan the letter drinking in the contents before his eyebrows shot up to his forehead before slamming the paper down on the table hard

"What in the gods name is she thinking?!" he mentally hisses wondering I his granddaughter has gone mad with her proposal. This would turn the entirety of Westeros against her.

Part of him wonders though if this could be the solution to his problems regarding the Riverlands and hopefully the crown.

….

Rivendell Delianah's Private Room

The wind of the open aisle brings with it the cold air outside making Myrcella shiver as she pulls her evening gown over her form. For the life of her she wonders how can Delianah bear the cold air while wearing only that ornate armor from Yi Ti which in Myrcella's opinion shows a lot of skin for any eye to see (something she personally disapproves of).

Finding time for a private chat with Delianah ever since she return has been proven difficult. The Dame's time has been taken up of her being updated of everything about Rivendell and it's extending territories. While Myrcella herself has done a good job on keeping everything running, she understands Delianah's desire to be updated.

Now here she is taking the initiative to encroach on the private quarters of her mentor. She's got a feeling that if she doesn't do it, then the rather awkward air that has been present ever since the Dame left would be left unsolved.

Now looking at almost the backless outfit of her desire looking outward at the aisle, something in her stirs, a recklessness that Myrcella doesn't understand. Before she knows what she is doing, she is tracing the bare skin there with her fingers. Something which she has been dying to do ever since she has seen Delianah in this outfit.

"You better finish what your fingers started Cella," a throaty pleased sigh comes from the Lady of Rivendell at her touch.

"You know it's me?" Myrcella asks huskily, her daring attitude consuming her.

"Nothing creeps and crawls within Rivendell without me knowing," she simply replies before facing only stares hungrily at that beautiful face and slender neck which she longs to bite.

"So you know why I am here then?" she asks boldly letting her hands travel to the exposed skin at the waist of her teacher, squeezing the soft portions she can find.

" As I said Cella, nothing is hidden from me here," the mischievous face of hers replies. "And the answer to your proposal of marriage that you have come here to ask is yes,"

Myrcella wastes no time slamming her lips with Delianah's, growling like the animal figures of her house. Her hormones drive her and armor and clothes goes flying before she realizes that the two of them are now in the Dame's bed naked as the day they are born. Somehow she doesn't want it to stop as she savors the forbidden fruit she have been denied for so long.

….

Author's Note:

Hello pips, So finally yes, Delianah and Myrcella are a couple. We would be starting canon GOT next chapter. Hope you guys enjoyed this.

Anyway I have to admit I am getting tired of the story. I plan to deviate a little and start a little:

Dragon HP X Warcraft Alexstrasza

Female Revived Sith HPX Star Wars

Clones Idea Warhammer 40K During the Great Crusade.

Or continue this at the moment.

Not sure which is which to choose.