Chapter 42: Lions, Roses and Dragons

300 AC

Kevan Lannister

He woke up to the sound of screams. He jumped up on the bed and reached for his dagger. The weapon had been one of the last gifts he had ever received from his father Tytos, one of the few gifts from him he had a practical use for.

He walked out of his tent in nothing more than his breeches, the dagger in his right hand. As he looked around, he noticed the screams were coming from the east side of the army encampment.

They were under attack, he realized. He ran inside his tent, picked up his sword and donned his chainmail. He had no time for the rest of his armor, so he let it lay in its corner.

He ran towards his brother's tent, immediately flanked by two knights of his retinue. Without announcing himself, he stormed into the tent. None of the guards tried to stop him, his face very familiar to all of them.

"Brother, we are under attack from the east! What are your orders?" He asked.

Tywin looked at him. "It must be a small force. Their whole army could never have gotten past our scouts. Gather the household cavalry and countercharge them. Send word to Addam Marbrand, he is to gather the rest of the cavalry to assist you. I will go rally the infantry and secure the other sides of the camp. The troops need to see that I'm still in control."

He nodded and stormed out. With a quick step he walked over to their personal stables. By then, many knights and soldiers sworn to either House Lannister or himself had gathered outside their tents. "Men saddle up! We are going to beat those sons of bitches back to the hovels where they belong in!" He screamed and immediately dozens, if not hundreds, of men dressed in crimson fell in behind him.

As he walked on, his commands were echoed throughout their part of the camp. By the time that he reached the stables, almost two hundred men were already busy preparing their horses with more coming in by the second.

Less than five minutes later, he was galloping towards the east with over four hundred horsemen at his back. Not for the first time, he was proud of the discipline and reaction speed he and Tywin had instilled in those soldiers. Their discipline had saved their army seven days ago at Atranta and it might save the day again today.

As he came closer, he heard the screams of both horses and men clearly. The sound of steel clashing on steel mixed with the dead cries of men. He had been used to these sounds ever since the War of the Ninepenny Kings and it did nothing to him. What did worry him, was the sound of fear and panicking everywhere in the air.

He noticed how dozens of tents were on fire and how many of the Reachmen soldiers were running from the enemy. This wouldn't do.

"Men of the Reach, reinforcements have come! Help me drive these heathens back to where they belong." He screamed, trying to rally some of their allies. It seemed to work, as a few dozen stopped in their tracks. "Come, we break them now!" He shouted, as he ordered his men to charge in.

It wasn't long before he met the first enemy soldiers. An armored foe, wearing the colors of House Dustin charged him. He quickly parried his attack, guiding him to his guard in the process. He didn't turn or look back at the rider, he knew the worth of his soldiers. That man would never breath again.

He charged on, ordering his soldiers to fan out and push the enemy back. Next he fought a rider of House Ryswell. A well-aimed strike to the back of the head was enough to dispose himself of the man and he continued on. Suddenly three riders wearing Bolton colors crossed their paths.

His soldiers quickly took care of them, but it still left him confused. Was it true? Did the Boltons betray them? They never turned their cloaks during the battle, although it had been clear that the enemy hadn't known of the Freys betrayal. What happened and why were the Boltons here?

He shook his head to shake away his thoughts. Thoughts like that could have you killed in battle. He charged and slashed a Stark rider across the back, his scream piercing the sky.

As he looked around the encampment for more enemies, horns were suddenly blown. Almost immediately, the Northmen started retreating. He tried to pursue them for a quick moment but thought better of it. It would be no use for him to get out with his force and get surrounded outside the camp.

As such, he had his forces secure the camp, as he started going over the damage. He saw how parts of the encampment were on fire and hurriedly sent men to the nearby stream on the other side to get water. He also sent others to get some bad wine from the supplies to help.

As he started organizing aid for the wounded, he suddenly noticed how there was a big commotion some hundred yards away. He signaled his guard and they rode towards it.

No one could have prepared him for the sight he saw there. On the top of a tent, was the body of a man. He was dressed in crimson red, but the most obvious thing was that he was missing his head. It was clear that the body had been hung there with intent by their enemies, why he did not know.

That was until some of the soldiers got out of the way and he saw the head that was laying at the bottom of the tent. He knew that face he realized, as the green eyes of his nephew looked straight at him.

He almost fell of his horse and shock. J-Jaime? Why? How could they do that? He had been a prisoner!

Almost immediately, his thoughts went to his two remaining sons. Both were in Stark's possession. Had they been harmed too? Would he find their bodies scattered around the encampment, just like his nephew's?

Fear gripped his heart and he felt his stomach turn, as he had to push the bile back down. Suddenly, he saw how there seemed to be some parchment stuck in Jaime's belt.

He immediately shouted for his men to get the body down and demanded that his squire, a young boy of House Swyft, take the letter. His wife's little cousin got off from his horse. He got the letter as quickly as he could, taking care to not have to touch the body.

After he was handed the document, he rolled it open and started reading. To his surprise, it was not only addressed to his brother but also to him.

"To Lord Tywin Lannister and his brother Ser Kevan Lannister

After your plan with Lady Westerling came out, I warned you that I would not tolerate any more plots and schemes from you. I wanted this war to be fought fairly as it should be, but you chose to ignore my warnings. The time when you Lannisters could do as you please without repercussions is over. Yet again, another one of your family takes the fall for your mistakes and arrogance.

If you still value your family and the name of Lannister, I would recommend you stop whatever plots you are momentarily preparing. I have given orders to my men. If someone were to happen to me or my family due to any of your schemes, Martyn and Willem will die in Riverrun. Thereby ending the legitimate male line of Lord Tytos with the two of you.

Your son Tyrion send me back the bones of my father. In return, I give you back the body of your other son. If you would care for the bodies of the men you send to free the Kingslayer from Riverrun, you are free to send a party there under a white flag. Let them be the last ones I have to return.

I do not pride myself in the extinction of noble houses, but my claws are just as sharp as yours, my lord. A feat the names of Frey, Vypren and Goodbrook will forever attest to. I will not hesitate to add House Lannister to that list, even if I need to kill every blond man, woman and child in Lannisport to do so. Do not give me any more reasons for it.

Robb Stark,

King in the North and of the Trident

He read the letter again and again and again. The good news was that Willem and Martyn were still alive. The bad news is that they wouldn't be for long. Tywin would move everything in his power to avenge Jaime, even if it were the last thing he'd ever do. He couldn't allow that to happen. He had to save his remaining sons.

They had underestimated the Stark boy at every turn. He had first proven that he could beat them in battle and that their homeland wasn't safe, now he thought them he wasn't afraid to follow up on his threats or take revenge.

A few knights of the Reach had attested that they had seen Lord Karstark go down at Atranta. All their accounts stated that his father-in-law was one of the greatest confidants of the Stark boy. Losing him and a battle, he would have otherwise won, due to treachery must have pushed him over the edge.

He looked around and he saw how everyone was looking at him. He looked over the body of his brother's favorite son and sighed sadly. He demanded the crimson cloak of one of his household guard and personally put it over the body.

Just as he walked back a few steps, the masses went to the sides and Tywin walked forward. "Kevan, what is this? Why are all these men standing here?"

He looked sadly at his brother and looked around. He shouted to all the men around them to disperse. They did so begrudgingly, as the Lannister guard set up a perimeter around them. "The Stark boy had left us a message, my lord." He said, as he handed him the letter.

His brother read over the content quickly, before looking up at him. It was almost as if he only noticed the crimson cloaked form on the ground now. Without a word, he strode over there and threw the cloak from the body.

His brother looked upon the body of his golden son, his body standing eerily still. His almost petrified presence looked upon it for a long time, until he finally covered it again with the cloak. "Have the Silent Sisters come here at once." He ordered to a man of his household.

He turned around and those pale green eyes looked into his own. However, today they looked even harder than usual. They looked devoid of any devotion, almost empty. Yet, behind that emptiness he could see storm clouds forming.

This is not good. As his brother walked past him, he spoke up. "Tywin, please think of my sons. I have already lost Lancel, I can't lose Martyn and Willem too."

His brother just looked at him emotionlessly for a long time, until he nodded and walked away without saying a word.

As he looked upon Tywin's form walking away slowly, he knew. He had always loyally followed his brother in everything, but he wouldn't follow him if endangered his sons. He had a duty to his family and to House Lannister as well. His sons would need to carry on their house, they owed that to their ancestors. The lion of House Lannister could not go extinct at the hands of some wolf pup.

(Two weeks later)

Jon

He sat across from Robb, as they were once again going over the troop numbers that they themselves and the enemy had left after attacks a fortnight age. Due to his wound, he sadly hadn't been able to join that attack.

Well, that wasn't entirely true. He hadn't been able to join the attack in his own body. When he took possession of Ghost, he wasn't wounded at all. As such, he had still seen the aftermath of the skirmish.

The night raid had been a success. To their estimation, around a thousand enemy soldiers had been lost. Two thirds of that in the fighting, while a few hundred others had been seen deserting the force. Some of those they had already picked off as far as twenty miles from their camp. Besides the loss in manpower, a lot of material and supplies were destroyed and their message had been delivered.

Now, they had to wait what the Lannisters would do. He knew it had been a fool's hope to expect the Old Lion to charge everything at them in revenge, yet he hadn't been able to help himself to hope just a little bit.

When no attack had come that day, they hadn't been expecting anything anymore. That night, the Blackfish had reported to them that the enemy force had been seen packing up their camp, while the vanguard had already started marching towards the east.

After that, they had hampered the enemy supply lines and rear for a few days. No significant damage had been done, but every little helped in their situation.

Even so, they hadn't been able to prevent Tywin from linking up with Lord Tarly's forces. They had met each other at Stone Hedge, which Tarly had taken in the meantime. In response, Robb had called all of his raiding parties back. Among those were the Crannogmen under Lord Reed, who had been slowing down Tarly's advance since before the battle.

He had decided that he wanted to speak more with the man before deciding his future. The battle had been a welcome distraction from the thoughts playing in his head. Ever since, he hadn't been able to think about anything else except his parents and what this meant for him. He still didn't know if he could tell Robb and it ate away at him, day and night.

The stupid sling his arm was in didn't help either. Of all the ways to get wounded, being thrown from the saddle and spraining his elbow and shoulder was a ridiculous way to do it. At least the thing could come off in a week or so Maester Vyman had said.

Sadly, not only the raiding parties had had to retreat. The main army had needed to leave too. They had been exhausted and had lost a lot of their men. They had also lost a lot of their nobles and commanders. In most cases, there was a family member to take over command of the noble house's troops. In the other cases command was given to a loyal captain while they were put under the wing of one of their more experienced lords.

Even so, it took time for these new nobles to effectively take command, especially in some of the Riverland contingents where often almost half the remaining force consisted of wounded men.

As such, they had left Atranta three days after the night attack on the Lannister camp. Their march back had been slow and in bad spirits. The retreat back from Atranta felt as a defeat to many of their troops. They had fought and died for those fields, only to give them up a week later.

Yet, Robb had been right. Their army was in no position to fight a pitched battle again. They needed to rest and find a better spot to defend themselves. If Tarly arrived with twenty thousand fresh and disciplined soldiers, backed up by Lannister's veterans, they were done for. There had been no other option but to march back to Riverrun.

With some difficulty, they had successfully transported back the wounded and the Vance household from Atranta. Old Lord Norbert Vance was a sad sight to see. It might be a small blessing for the man that he was blind and couldn't see himself in the mirror anymore. Old Norbert walked around aimlessly, only the guidance of his two remaining sons kept the man alive ever since he had lost his two youngest in the battle. Days after that, he had to flee with all his possessions and leave his castle to Tywin Lannister.

War was a cruel game and its consequences were both gruesome and very sad to see. They had evacuated everyone from the castle, yet the damage to their lands would be extensive. The castle would most likely be sacked and burned down. It could take years to rebuild it in the state they had just left it, but there had been no other option.

Back here in Riverrun they had immediately started to dig themselves in. Ditches were being dug, stakes were sharpened and units reorganized. All the while the forge worked day and night while the fletchers restocked their arrow supplies.

Robb had ordered the food stores to be opened for the army, despite protests of his uncle Edmure. 'The army needed to strengthen again, and rations wouldn't heal the wounded' had been his brother's reasoning.

By now, previously wounded men were rejoining the army every day. He himself couldn't wait to be in the training yard again, until then he was stuck planning the war instead of fighting it.

He was awoken from his thoughts when someone knocked on the door. "Come in", his brother answered.

A guard, Wyndal, who they had all known from back in Winterfell entered. "Your Grace, Ser Brynden Tully is here. He says he has news for you."

"Thank you, Wyndal. Let my uncle in." Robb replied. No sooner had he said those words, or the Blackfish brushed past the guard. The guard left and closed the door behind him.

"We received words of the enemy's troop movements, Your Grace." Ser Brynden got straight to the point.

Both of them tensed up now. They had been waiting for a while for the enemy to make a move. They had taken Atranta a few days ago, yet since then they hadn't moved. It was a gift from the Gods really. Every day that passed, their numbers recovered a little more while at the same time their defenses got better. Yet, they didn't know why the attack never came. This worried them all greatly.

"And?" Robb asked.

"They have left Atranta, in the direction of Acorn Hall. My scouts report that their vanguard might have already taken the castle by now."

"So, they don't attack here. I wonder why." His brother said, as he waved his right hand through his red-brown beard.

"I suspect morale problems and disagreement over command, Your Grace. The remaining Reach soldiers that were with Lord Tywin lost all of their main commanders in the past battles. Mace Tyrell, Loras Tyrell, Lord Rowan and even other lower nobles all died in the fighting, some others were captured. Their morale will be extremely low. As such, they might refuse to fight again so soon. Even more importantly, they will be looking towards Tarly for guidance, especially after Tywin's defeat against us. Tarly will be the undisputed commander of over two thirds of the army. I don't think that will go well with Tywin, especially after all the prestige he lost. Maybe the Reachmen will even see him as the reason they lost their liege and his son. It couldn't have been anyone else's plans to split their force into three and afterwards to give battle at Atranta." The Blackfish told them his thoughts.

They both looked at him, as they mulled over what they had been told. "Yes, you could be right uncle. In the end it doesn't matter. What is important is that we have some breathing room. We will keep doing what we're doing right now. Replenish our strength and build up our defenses here. They cannot defeat us, nor take the Riverlands, without attacking and taking Riverrun. Sooner or later they will need to come here if they want to defeat our force." Robb responded.

"What if they don't? What if they siege the Golden Tooth or go into the West or Vale?" He asked.

His brother looked at him and smiled. "That would be a grave error on their part, as that would leave the road the King's Landing open. I will gladly trade the Golden Tooth for their capital and Cersei's head. Marching against the Vale is just plain stupidity, they will never get through the Bloody Gate."

He nodded at that. If they could take King's Landing, many houses could and would abandon the Lannisters. The war might nearly be won if they managed that.

"Nothing changes then?" Ser Brynden asked.

"Nothing changes." His brother nodded.

The Tully knight prepared to leave, when he was stopped by Robb. "Uncle, could you help me with something? I need advice on what to do with the Riverland houses that lost many of its members. I also need to think about solutions for the lands of Houses Frey, Vypren and Goodbrook, as well as way of binding the Riverlands better together in the future. I could really use your expertise on this."

The Blackfish nodded and sat down at the table, but not before pouring himself a glass of wine. He also remained seated, as he knew Robb wanted him to learn how to rule.

He spent the rest of the morning listening to possible scenarios for the future of the Riverlands. He had to admit he learned a lot. Next to a lot of the history and relations between Riverland houses, he also learned more general things. How to balance the power of existing houses when dividing lands, how to raise new vassals, how to reward some and punish others, how to ensure peace between families, … It had turned out to be an interesting morning.

He went to have lunch with the Manderlys after. He tried to get as much time with his former mentors and the friends he had made in their service. One of his friends, an older squire, had died in the battle. Since then, he found himself longing more for his friends' company recently, maybe it was the fear to lose others.

As he walked out of the dining hall, Lord Reed walked in with two of his men. After a quick talk, Lord Howland promised to come by his rooms after breaking his fast.

He went back to his rooms and spent the next hour or so writing letters. At least he hadn't hurt the arm he needed to write with, he might have gone mad otherwise. He had first finished his letters to his siblings (cousins, a small voice in the back of his mind said). Arya, Bran, Sansa and Rickon would each get a letter from him.

After that, he wrote out a letter to Lord Wyman. He was just starting on letters to the rest of the Manderly family, when he was disturbed by a knock on his door. The guard in front of him told him it was Lord Reed. He really didn't want a guard outside his door, but Robb wouldn't give in on it. Especially now, with the possibility that Tywin would seek revenge for the loss of the Kingslayer.

The small Crannogman entered his rooms and they sat down at the beech wooden table in the corner together. After he had poured the two of them a drink, he went down to business. "You told me you could tell me more about my mother and about the tourney of Harrenhal?"

The Crannoglord nodded, as he took a sip of his wine. "Aye, I can. Let me first tell you how I met your mother and how she became the knight of the Laughing Tree."

He spent over three hours listening to Lord Howland. He was astonished at all the stories and the detail the man knew from the tourney. To his surprise he heard that other Northern noblemen had also beenpresent. The late lord William Dustin, as well as Lord Halys Hornwood, Lord Jeor Mormont and his son had been present. What had most shocked him, had been the fact Ser Wylis and Ser Marlon Manderly had been present. He never knew and decided he would speak about it with them, without telling them the reason for his questions.

Lord Reed told him his mother had ridden in the tourney, defeating three knights to protect the Crannoglord's honor. He told him many stories about pranks the Stark siblings pulled on each other. He described dances, meals and fights. He even told him about how he would help his father/uncle sneak out to Lady Ashara Dayne in the night. A thing Robb would definitely like to hear. It was very weird to hear, although he did nothing wrong. At the time, Lady Catelyn had been betrothed to uncle Brandon and he had been free of responsibility.

(One week later)

Robb

He sat around with his most experienced and trusted commanders. Whereas they had been in a dire position yesterday, today everything had changed.

News had come that the ironborn under Euron Greyjoy had attacked the Reach. They had taken the Shield Islands and defeated the Tyrell fleet there. After that, they had sailed towards the Arbor. He received a raven telling him they had already beaten the parts of the Redwyne fleet that had stayed home. Soon, the Arbor proper and Oldtown would be threatened by them. Reports even came of small raids happening up the mouth of the Mander.

This changed everything. The Reach had lost many of its soldiers and its forces were in no way positioned to defend their homeland. They had marched on Stannis with over seventy thousand men, now only around thirty thousand remained under Lord Tarly. They had lost ten thousand in King's Landing and twenty thousand in their campaigns against him, if you counted all the deaths, captives and desertions. Five thousand were scattered across the Crownlands and Riverlands in garrisons. Another five thousand were stuck in the Vale, fighting for Littlefinger.

A third of those thirty thousand would be seriously demoralized. It was reasonable to assume Tarly had gotten this message a lot earlier. This might be another explanation why he didn't attack Riverrun.

Ever since they had taken Atranta, they had burned Acorn Hall to the ground and were moving south now towards the Stoney Sept. They had razed Acorn hall and a score of lesser holdfasts and towns on their way there. By now, the city must have fallen. It didn't have the strength to put up a serious defense.

He hoped they would just surrender, to spare them another sack like they had in Robert's Rebellion. Too many people had already died in this war, no more senseless deaths were needed.

He, and the men around him, had spent the last few weeks reforming their army until it was again somewhat in fighting shape.

"What do we do now?" Ser Wylis Manderly asked.

"We should march out and reclaim back our keeps. Retaking our lands will raise the morale of all the Riverlanders, nobles and common soldiers alike." Lord Deddings proposed understandingly, his keep and those of his neighbors had been sacked by the enemy. He was supported in this by many of the other Riverlords, however he could not allow this.

"No, we can't. If we do so, we could either be picked off one by one or not in the shape to deal the killing blow when it presents itself. For now, the army must stay here together." He ordered, to the dismay of many of the Riverlanders.

"We must wait to see what Tarly does. The march south indicates that Tarly might be going home to defend the Reach. If so, Tywin Lannister will be weak and ready for the taking. Two possibilities will be most likely." He continued.

"Which are?" Harrion asked.

He looked at his brother-in-law, before looking around the table to the rest of his commanders. "One, he marches back into the Westerlands to get reinforcements. If that happens, we reinforce Riverrun and the Golden Tooth and march straight for King's Landing. If the Gods are good, the city will have fallen before Tywin can do anything about it. Two, he marches back towards Harrenhal or the Crownlands. In that case, he won't be able to get reinforcements, other than a few mercenaries. In this scenario we will confront him in battle."

Most of his lords looked surprised at this, but it was the only thing that made sense. Without the Reach, Lannister would have never been able to keep up this campaign. If they were to leave, he could defeat him. He had already proven that he could beat him one on one and no tricks would be used this time, or he would end the line of Tytos Lannister.

"So, we wait for Tarly to leave? After which we attack either the Old Lion or his last remaining cubs?" The Greatjon grumbled.

"Aye and then we end this war for good." He concluded, which lifted the atmosphere in the room.

"For now, keep doing what you are doing. A lot of the wounded have already rejoined the force. Supplies of food and weapons are almost restocked. Discipline and morale are returning to the army. If we keep this up, we will again be able to outclass the Lannisters on the field. Besides, reinforcements are coming. Robett Glover is making his way south with two thousand fresh Northern soldiers, all are veterans of the battle of the Green Fork and the fighting against the ironborn. Together with them, a few hundred fresh soldiers will be joining us from Houses Mallister, Paege and Blackwood. This will again take the army to well over twenty thousand men." He summarized the situation.

This was met with support from his lords. A month ago, their situation had been dire. Soon, they would have turned this around and they could once again go on the offensive.

"What about the Twins? It lays between Robett's army and Riverrun." Ser Donnel Locke asked.

"He is ordered to take it. The Mallisters, Blackwoods and Paeges will hold the western riverbank, while Robett holds the eastern bank. They block the castle and siege it out, if they can't storm it. I don't care about how long it takes. He is to bring justice to Walder Frey and his brood, before joining us here." He stated matter-of-factly.

Now, he received the full support of his lords. Many of them banged their cups on the table as they shouted their agreement, while others called for the heads of House Frey.

He finished the meeting once the commotion died down. He prepared himself to go to his solar, as he wanted to write another letter to Alys. Yet, as he wanted to leave, he realized Jon had remained behind.

"What is it, Jon?" He asked him.

"I … I have something important to talk to you about, Robb. Do you have any time?" His brother asked. He looked a lot less sure of himself than he was used to nowadays. It reminded him of how he would react to his mother when they were younger, before any of them went on to foster.

He was taken aback a bit by this reaction and realized this needed to be important. "Of course, I was just about to go to my solar. Why don't you join me? We can talk over there?"

His brother nodded but remained silent. He gathered the rest of his maps and documents, and they walked out towards the solar. The walk was spent in silence and he started to fear for what Jon would tell him. Had something bad happened? Had he done something wrong?

The first thing that came to mind was if Jon had managed to get some Riverlander girl pregnant. Him having his own bastard could warrant this reaction. Yet, he had never even seen his brother with a girl, let alone be told anything. They discussed almost everything, so he was at a loss what this could be. Although, coming to think of it, he had been more silent these last weeks than usual.

They entered the solar and he took a little time to put all his things away. He gestured for Jon to take a seat on the other side of the desk and sat down when he was ready.

He looked at his brother and took a deep breath. "What is it you have to talk to me about Jon?"

His brother looked at him for a long while, before finally starting to speak. "I have heard some things from Lord Reed. Some things you should know."

"What about?" He asked.

"It's about our father, about House Stark, about my mother, … about me." Jon responded.

About House Stark? Why wasn't he told about this? He loved his brother to death, but it was he who was the head of House Stark not Jon. He wanted to voice as much, but the vulnerability in his brother's eyes and voice made him pause.

Then he realized what was said. About his mother, Jon knew who his mother was. He looked into those dark grey eyes and he knew then. He had to be there for him.

He softened his features and asked emphatically. "Who was she?"

Jon looked at him. It was a panicked look, it looked like … fear. That couldn't be right, could it? Jon couldn't be afraid of him.

He nudged his brother to start talking, and finally he did. "Lord Howland told me who my mother was … and who my father was."

"Who your father was? We know that already, why would he need to tell you?" He interrupted.

Jon looked at him sadly, it was as if he wanted to cry. Yet, he didn't. Those grey eyes just pierced into him with a deep sadness. "Because what we know isn't true. Lord Eddard wasn't my father. He only told the world that to protect me."

He stared at his brother for multiple seconds, not understanding what was being told. Jon was his brother, had always been so. What was this madness? "Say, I believe you. Why in the world would our father lie about that?" He asked, putting emphasis on the 'our'. "He was known as one of the most honorable men in the realm. You tell me he lied to the world, to his friends, his wife and his children about having a bastard son. That he would hinder his marriage like that and for what?" He kept firing questions. This seemed completely insane and he didn't believe a word of it.

"He did it to protect me. If he hadn't, I would be long dead by now. I would have been killed before I would have learned how to walk" His brother responded softly.

"You would be dead? Dead how? Who in his right mind would kill a child?" He called out.

"Robert Baratheon. Tywin Lannister, maybe. The Martells if I was really unlucky but I suppose I am. Some of them did it before, they would do it again." Jon replied and the way he said it gave him a cold feeling. It felt like ice suddenly started running through his veins.

"Why would they want to kill you? What are you trying to tell me, Jon? Who was your mother? Why are you saying that father isn't your father?" He asked, not understanding any of these riddles.

A long pause happened, as Jon looked down. It seemed as if he didn't want to meet his gaze. When he finally did, he spoke. The words he heard shocked him to his very core. "My mother was Lyanna Stark. I'm saying Lord Stark wasn't my father, because he was actually my uncle. He and Lord Howland found me and my mother in Dorne, at the end of the Rebellion. My mother died in the birthing bed of a fever and made Lord Stark promise to protect me. Lord Reed and Lord Stark spent a long time discussing how, until it was decided your father would claim me as his own bastard and so he did."

His mouth fell open and he looked at his brother in disbelieve. "You, … you can't be serious?"

"Sadly, I am Robb." The answer came.

He tried to come to grips with what he had just learned. If this were all true, which he couldn't believe, that made Jon his cousin instead of his brother. It would also mean that Jon had spent years living in a lie. That his mother had given him a rough time for no apparent reason.

If he was aunt Lyanna's son, and not father's, he finally knew who his mother was. Yet, the equation remained the same. Who was his other parent? Who was his father?

"If this is true, do you know who your father is? Do you know why he would need to protect you?" He finally asked.

"Yes, … yes I do." Jon responded. His voice still sounded sad, but there was something else there too. It sounded like insecurity, or fear maybe?

"And?"

"My father was Rhaegar Targaryen. The reason Robert Baratheon or Tywin Lannister would want to kill me is simple, because I was a threat to their reign. I could have been a claimant of the Iron Throne. I still could." Jon answered.

"W-what?" Was all that came out of his mouth.

"I am the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. I am actually your cousin and as long as I live, I remain a threat to everyone sitting on that damned iron chair. Which means that if anybody knows, I will be hunted down till I die." Jon said, a weird form of sad acceptance in his voice.

"How, how is that possible?" He asked, but he instantly regretted it. He knew the stories of his aunt Lyanna. She was kidnapped by Prince Rhaegar. He must have forced himself upon her. That meant Jon was a child of rape, one of the worst fates possible.

"I … I'm sorry. I didn't mean to … I know you wouldn't want to talk about what Rhaegar did to aunt Lyanna. Please forgive me." He tried to apologize.

"What Rhaegar did to my mother? What do you … ? Oh, you mean you think he raped her. No, he didn't. Lord Howland told me the truth of it all." Jon answered.

"What do you mean? What did he tell you?" He asked.

"My mother ran away with Rhaegar. They married under a Hearth Tree around the God's Eye. She was never kidnapped. She went willingly. I have proof of it too. Lord Howland brought with him the marriage contract." His brother answered.

"You, you have a marriage contract? Are you telling me they married?" He exclaimed.

"Yes, first under a Hearth Tree at the God's Eye. Later on, they also married with a Septon. I have the marriage contract they made with the Septon here with me to show you." Jon clarified. He reached for his bag and got some documents out of it. He handed them over and he took a look at them.

'Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Targaryen', he read. On the last page, it was signed by his aunt and Rhaegar, but also by two Kingsguard members. Ser Oswell Whent's and Ser Arthur Dayne's signatures were on the document as well. Everybody knew the reputation of the latter, while the former was some distant kin of his through his maternal grandmother. He looked up towards Jon. "This means that you're trueborn? If this is true, you have never been a bastard."

"Aye, although many won't see it that way. Rhaegar had been married before, so most of the Seven will never accept it." The answer came.

"Aye, but … you tell me he was married before a weirwood the second time? If I remember correctly, he wasn't the first time?" He asked.

His brother nodded in response. "That changes things. A vow taken before the Gods can't be brushed aside, even if it conflicts with another vow. Especially when the earlier vow was made to different gods. Most of the Northmen will agree with me. They won't like this, they won't like it one bit, but the marriage will stand in their eyes."

He saw the fear creep up again in those grey eyes, so he decided to try to cheer him up. "Your actual name is Jon Targaryen? I have to say that it doesn't sound as good as Jon Snow did."

His brother looked at him. "Well, … my name isn't actually Jon apparently."

"What? It's not? What is it then?" He asked.

"My actual name is Jaehaerys. Father, euhm I mean Lord Stark, decided that a Targaryen name for his bastard wouldn't work so he changed it into Jon. He kept the first letter I guess." His brother shrugged.

"Jaehaerys, …" He tested the sound. "It suits you." He finally admitted. "How do you know all of this? How do you know Lord Howland speaks the truth?".

"Because he gave me a letter from Lyanna. It was signed with Lyanna Targaryen and addressed to her son Jaehaerys. It was addressed to me … He also gave me her necklace and a ring Rhaegar had apparently left for me wrapped in a Targaryen banner. It's too much to deny, Robb. It's true." Jon replied, letting out a sigh at the end.

He let that sink in. His brother was actually his cousin. His father had lied to all of them, especially his mother, to protect his nephew from the likes of Tywin Lannister after he swore an oath to his sister. He could see him do that. His bastard brother was actually his trueborn cousin and the heir to the Targaryen cause. His head began spinning when he put it like that.

"What are you going to do now? Do you want to claim your family's seat back? Are you going for the throne? I mean, I know some would probably support you like Darry, Mooton, Ryger, … Maybe the Velaryons and Celtigars will even switch to your side?" He thought aloud, as he started to think of the political implications of all of this.

"Robb stop, please. I … I know you might not want anything to do with me anymore, but please if you will have me let me stay." Jon begged.

"What?" Was all that came from his lips once more. He didn't understand where that was coming from at all. Why would he not want him anymore?

"Think about it, Robb. My grandfather killed yours and uncle Brandon. The whole rebellion was a lie. The Greatjon's cousins, Ser Marlon Manderly's father, Cley's grandfather, … all of them died for nothing in a war that was about a lie. I am the product of that lie. If the lords would know, they would cast me out. I wouldn't be welcome in the North ever again. You shouldn't welcome me ever again." Jon explained and now he understood the fear he had been seeing in his eyes all of this time. He thought he and the Northern lords would abandon him.

"Well, you might be right about some of them. However, times are changing. As you might recall, Cley never even met his grandfather. There are many others like him. Besides, the Manderlys love you and they adored aunt Lyanna. I doubt this news will change anything for them. Neither will it change anything for me." He responded, as he looked into those dark grey eyes. It might be his paranoia speaking, but in the glimmer of sunlight he might have sworn they almost looked dark purple for a second.

"It might be true that father took you in and lied about your birth to protect his sister's son, but it doesn't matter. He raised you as his own. He raised you as a member of House Stark, which you still are through your mother's line. He loved you as his own son and all of us love you like a sibling. You being our 'half-brother' or our cousin doesn't matter. All the time we spent together stays the same, those memories remain. To me, you will always be my brother. If it so happens that we only share the same grandparents, and not the same father, so be it. I don't care. About that though, how would I judge you for grandfather's and uncle Brandon's dead? They were as much your grandfather and uncle as they were mine. More importantly, NEITHER OF US were even born at the time. Blaming you for that is moronic." He proclaimed seriously, shrugging at the end. It was true, blaming an unborn baby for that, who had nothing in common with those people except a name, was the stupidest thing he ever heard.

His brother looked at him in shock. He opened his mouth a few times to speak, but it closed it again before any words came out.

He rolled his eyes at that reaction. Truly, he felt sorry for him. He must have been eating himself alive for the last couple of weeks. However, it was his own dumb fault. Did he really think we would just dump him because of this? He was more offended than anything that his brother thought so lowly of him.

As he still refused to speak, he just repeated his earlier question. "So, are you going for the throne or not?"

Jon stared at him, before replying. "No, I don't want that damned chair or any title that comes with it. All I would want are some of the possessions of Rhaegar. Some of his letters and books, as I would like to try and understand him. He might have been mad, but I would like to check that for myself. Sadly, all of that information will have been burned by the Baratheons and Lannisters long ago."

"You don't want to clean Rhaegar's name and reestablish his dynasty?" He asked once more.

"No," his brother replied. "If I could choose, all I would want is to remain in the North. Maybe I would like to have a keep, a wife and a family for myself someday. Some quiet lands to look after, while still feeling at home in the North and being close to you and our siblings. What would I be doing in the South? I know nothing about their way of life. I don't even believe in their gods. You know, those gods that are necessary for the ritual coronation. Besides if the stories are true, half of King's Landing doesn't exist anymore anyway."

He looked at Jon. "You are saying that you would like to keep this quiet?"

"Aye, I told you because you are my best friend and my king. However, if I could help it, I wouldn't tell another soul." Jon admitted.

"I'm not only your best friend and king, Jon. I am also your brother." He immediately responded, as he walked over towards the other side of the desk. He gabbed his brother in a fierce hug then, as he had seen he needed it.

They hugged for a few seconds and, when they broke off, he could see it had helped. "Oh, about that keep and that future wife of yours?" He grinned.

"Aye?" Jon responded.

"That can be arranged." He laughed.

His brother looked at him weirdly, before his eyes went wide.

"Really Jon? Don't you try to start! There is no one that would deserve the reward more than you do. You have lead the men when I was wounded, quite successfully too. You punished bandits and commanded parts of the army in battle. Besides that, you are my brother. No one will blink twice if I decide to reward you with some lands in the North. After I do that, the lords will be lining up to marry you to their daughters so that will take care of your other request too." He responded, as he rolled his eyes at his brother's naivety. He would have rewarded him anyway, now he just knew what to give him.

"Are you serious?" Jon asked him.

"Of course, I am!" He almost shouted, trying to hold his laughter. For all his intelligence, the guy really was clueless sometimes. "Look, come here." He ordered, as he walked back behind his desk. He opened a drawer and picked up a map from the North's Sunset Coast. His brother slowly followed him and looked over his shoulder.

He let his finger wander over the western coastline, from the mountains to the Rills. "I have been planning to raise new lords here for a while now. It will have to wait until after the war, but I will do it. The fact, that there was no one to oppose the ironborn, is unacceptable. I would change that in the future. I have been going over possible candidates and possible places where to build keeps."

He looked at his brother. "In fact, you are doing me a favor. There is no one more capable and loyal than you. By giving some of the lands to you, you are actually saving me from a major headache on how to balance the local houses against each other."

Jon looked at him for a while, until he suddenly grabbed him in another hug. "Thank you, Robb." He heard in his ear. "Thank you", he heard whisper again, as he felt something wet drip onto his shoulder.

This is it for this chapter!

It's another long one. I had intended it to be two chapters, but I want the pace to take up and felt like I had too much review for too little a chapter before.

You finally get your Lannister POV, although I warn you it will be a one-time thing. I caved in because it is interesting to show how the Kingslayer's death and the threat pointed at Willem and Maryn may cause a split between Tywin and Kevan. You'll have to wait and see.

The Tyrell/Lannister force takes Stone Hedge, Atranta, Acorn Hall and Stony Sept (among other smaller holdfasts). However, Euron Greyjoy finally makes his move. The Shield Islands are taken like in canon and the Redwyne's remaining ships sunk (the fleet itself is sailing towards Dragonstone). It is without its main command though, as Lord Redwyne is dead and his sons aren't home (yet). Small skirmishes between the Iron Fleet and Redwyne fleet have happened, the former being the victor. Yet, the Redwynes still have most of their fleet remaining.

How Tarly/Willas Tyrell will react, you'll have to wait and see. Maybe Robb is right, maybe he isn't.

The Northern-/Riverlords continue to replenish the army, as Jon gets more information about his family from Howland. This than later culminates in him finally telling Robb.

I hope you enjoyed it. I would like to ask some more understanding about writing new POV's. I have now written from the eyes of the following: Ned, Robb, Jon, Arya and Bran. Rickard and Harrion Karstark. Halys Hornwood. Oberyn Martell. Now Kevan Lannister and 3 more in the next 7 chapters. That will total 13 in less than 50 chapters.

Every new POV take a lot of effort and character building and those chapters take longer as well. Yet, 3 extra new ones will come in the next 7 chapters. Next chapter will be the first, any idea who it might be?

Thanks for your support!

Fannic

Reviews:

Rebellion:

Frey (and allies): The Freys wanted more than Bran and Domeric as marriages. They felt like they needed to be compensated for the loss of the Hornwood and Karstark betrothals that broke down because the future grooms died. Rickard Karstark rebuked them multiple times about Harrion and used their troops as cannon fodder in war. This lead to heavy casualties with less gains than they wanted.

They weren't trusted by anyone, which also made sure they had reached the ceiling in how far they could rise under Robb. They (and the Vyprens and Goodbrooks) were promised land, wealth and titles. More than they could dream of under Robb, but more so they were offered an elevation of their houses from the shame the Tullys and Starks put them in.

Roose: The Boltons, the primary vassal of House Stark, were forced to play second fiddle after the Karstarks. A thing which would have greatly slighted Roose. Still, he was kept in check by Rickard and could do nothing. He went from the primary vassal, to de facto being behind the Karstarks, Umbers and maybe even the Manderlys. The Glovers and Hornwoods got commands, but Bolton didn't. That must have angered him. His forces were put on the first line and his army and power was being decimated by the Karstarks.

Besides that, he knew Robb would never trust him and that he would have to deal with what Ramsey had done in the North. At one point or another, he would have to be accountable to why his bastard son was left as castellan of the Dreadfort after his earlier misdeeds. A thing that most likely would have resulted in huge loss of face for Roose, or even him being sent to the Wall. Taking his chances with Tywin might have been the most sensible thing to do.

Time Parad0x & Wolf's Pizza: PM.

Sozin's Flame: Thank you! Did you like the chapter?

Alek Sands: Interesting take to be honest. Olyvar will come into play later, but I can't say much more now.

Force Smuggler: Of course, he won't. He'll just rage.

A quick brown fox: I'm sorry. For me Jonerys is a logical thing in canon, although D&D ruined it. However, here it isn't as logical. Who says the Realm wants to be united in the first place?

Besides, there won't be three giant dragons incoming. Three young small dragons will be coming. The show completely butchered the dragons. They should have NEVER been more than 1/3rd of their size. Drogon was larger than Caraxes in the show, a 74-year old battle experienced dragon that barely spent any time in the dragonpit. It makes absolutely no sense. Drogon is 6 YEARS OLD in a Dance with Dragons and huge for his age, which still doesn't put him in or even near the top 10 biggest Targaryen dragons ever. The others are even smaller. The show made them way bigger than they were supposed to be, therefore making them unstoppable.

Freakdogsflare: Well, it's difficult. Domeric saved Robb's campaign, army and probably also his life with his actions. Sending him to the Wall (when they are also friends) seems not like something Robb would do.

That is an option, although there are multiple others still. I promise you House Frey's suffering hasn't ended yet.

OneDocToHealThemAll: Thank you! It will slow down now, as I will be having exams all through June.

I don't like foregone conclusions either. It was the best time for Tywin to try something and it nearly worked. Haha, I told a lot of people major character death is a thing here, as it would be in real life. I will miss Rickard though. :'(

I did this specially for you readers. Originally, it would have been shown through Domeric's perspective.

Jaimerey7000: How did you like the consequences? Yes, it is an option, but it still feels like a deux ex machina solution. "Oh, Robb needs men, here are a few thousand veteran soldiers!" I don't know, it feels cheesy. Besides, offering half your kingdom to mercenaries is a sure way to have it fall apart in 20 years. So, maybe you envision too many lordships given.

George Christian810: First thing, I'll slightly change the location as you're right. Second. Smalljon, with his strength and adrenaline, cut through were the plate didn't come into effect. This won't be a usual occurrence. It was an extreme feat people will talk about for weeks, maybe years and won't be repeated.

Lyanna acted stupidly yes but knowing what you are supposed to do and wanting to do it are two different things. About Robert, you have a point but giving a person a lot of power and wealth (Stormlands) that young rarely helps self-improvement. He might have been less extreme, but I don't think he'd ever be a good lord.

Alfil94: Thank you!

For now, the only houses almost extinct (I keep tabs) are House Keath, Lychester and Hornwood, while House Frey (+ all its major vassals!), House Goodbrook and House Vypren will be exiled at the very least. Although many houses are losing members of both the main and side branches and this will be felt. Robb is definitely thinking about changing current borders and raising new families, but he won't bother with that until after the war.

I see your merit for a marriage with an heir and will consider it, but as some others say you can also just kill all Freys and be done with. I don't think anyone will want to marry side branch Freys, even to repopulate their families if they are fertile.

Yes, controlling the Lannister succession is an interesting thought I have reconsidered many months ago. You will have to read on to see what I decided.

Yes, but the problem with Canute was that his power didn't long survive his sons. This is not something Robb will want.

Centralizing seems far-fetched though. This is still a medieval setting in the 12th century or so, centralization is … difficult.

Kingmaneana: Thank you!

Kuman: Because he was fighting on horseback. Ice isn't really made for that kind of warfare. He had it with him but didn't get the opportunity to use it. Jon is fine, as you can see. I made hints, as his second in command and others of his force died. He had it hard.

Anindhitania238: It did somewhat for the claim, but D&D ruined it.

Poly19hum: Depends on what Jon's going to do.

Greywinddoggy: That might be right about the protocol. No, it's not my fic with the wolf pack.

Yes, he might feel like he would lose his brother sadly, you'll have to wait and see. Yes, Loras was. You're definitely right about the Reach, things might get ugly.

Smalljon thinks it's a wrong/weak decision in the moment, but he hugely respects Robb and would die for him if need be. In general, he finds him a strong king. It was just the one decision combined with stress for the battle.

Aegon will come.

Supremus85: Thank you.

Wolflord456: Oh yeah, she broke the marriage for sure. She is no saint in any case.

Tom123asdf: Interesting take, I have thought about this too. I won't spoil what happens next just yet.

Dcepeda94: No, he fought with the right cavalry. He was wounded as you can see here, but is now already fine. If he ever dies, I'll make it very clear.

Mlcoolc86: I do, glad to have you back! That was exactly my take. Robb isn't done yet, but he just lost everything south of Riverrun and has to fight against much bigger forces.

How did you like this reaction? No, there are still others. Mace's two sisters still live and one of them is the mother to three Redwyne children. So even if the main line would die out, we would probably see the Redwynes and some minor branch try to claim Highgarden, maybe even together.

Myrcella is in Dorne, from before the split with the Martells. She is kind of a hostage to Doran now.

I know 16 was different then and it was not considered child abuse or something. Yet you have to remember that, even though these kids would grow up faster, she would still be somewhat naïve and gullible through her age. She was a virgin teenager, who was being courted by an other-worldy handsome older prince … not that difficult for him to win her over tbh. The age was more to explain her character and decision than to have others criticize Rhaegar.

Leovatrella: Thank you! Yes, it did for example in the War of the Roses (GRRM's inspiration for ASOIAF).

Angeluszuko-z: Lyanna might have clinged to her fantasy. She lost her husband, father and brother and her fantasy and Jon was all she had left … How did you like this take? I gave you Kevan's reaction and some of Tywin's as well.

Over9000: He didn't.

Demindp93: Well, thanks. Here you have both that and first person in this chapter.

Iacopo Passerin: Domeric will feel threatened by Ramsey and Robb wants his head for what he has done in the North. They will definitely work together to keep him in check in the future.

Anon: Thank you, you're right about the pacing and I have tried to rectify it now with a faster pace since then. The thing is that, just as in asoiaf, there are multiple stories/arcs here which makes it difficult to do.

Caligirl90288: Yes, Brienne is dead. Jaime was the squire of Lord Sumner Crakehall. What did you think of his dead you got Kevan instead of Tywin?

TheNiemand: Tywin tried to free him. The men he sent are the bodies Robb mentions in the letter. Catelyn is in Winterfell (with Sansa and Arya) and could do nothing here.

A Stifled User: I didn't reupload?

Guest: Yes, it seemed obvious for me.