The Reach 301 AC.

Ser Arthur Dayne.

The battle had been lost, he knew it, the men knew and Tywin Lannister had no doubt known it too. With the queen injured and Meraxes no longer loosing her flames on their enemies, Tywin had sent fort a full attack and would have won the day. Then, like a red comet or one of the flames that came from any of the dragon's maws, the Blood Wyrm and Aemon arrived and brought the seven hells with them. At least to their enemies.

In the lull of his own personal battle, Arthur had looked on and it had taken him little time to see the difference between a Dragonlord and a Dragonknight. While Rhaenys and Meraxes had been doing an admirable, and most likely, a winning job before his queen's injury, Aemon and the Blood Wyrm went about their own work with ruthless efficiency. Flames were loosed with practiced ease and even as close as they came to their own men, not a single one of them would be touched by fire when the Blood Wyrm was done.

To the sounds of another dragon arriving, Arthur was torn between staying to accept the surrenders and ensuring the victory was as complete a one as he believed it to be, or riding to Rhaenys and making sure she lived still. Seeing Nightwing head in the latter's direction, it was to the former that he turned his attention. Long before he'd finished doing so, the Blood Wyrm and Aemon had completed their day's work and it was to his wife's side that Aemon now flew. Arthur took the surrenders from those who yet lived and ordered prisoners to be taken and guarded. He sought and was given a list of their losses and soon came upon a body that he named Gwayne Gardener's. Though only because of the armor he wore.

"See that the body is treated with honor and respect," he said to the men with him all of them trying not to look at the mangled mess that had once been Gwayne's head.

Riding across the field, Arthur found his attention drawn to a man who lay in a heap on the ground. Dismounting, he moved to the prone body and sighed when he saw the colors of House Tyrell. Ser Loras too seemed to have met his end today. As he was about to walk away and order for men to see to the young knight's body, a sound caught his ear and he moved quickly to where Loras lay. It was with great relief that he heard the cough and saw the eyes slightly open. Arthur's hand then stopped the young man from trying to rise to his feet.

"You've been injured, Ser Loras, let's find out the extent of it before you try and move," he said to a shaky nod of the younger man's head.

Arthur asked question after question as he checked for injuries. Happy with the fact that Ser Loras, confused though he was, seemed lucid enough to offer some answers. During the battle, the young man and others had come face to face with a giant. It had not ended well for any of them and when Loras asked about Gwayne, Arthur was in two minds about whether or not to tell him the truth. Honor and the man's own desperation for news both won out and so Arthur then told Loras of his Goodbrother's demise. The loud pained cry and the tears that fell showed the depth of the misery that Loras was feeling. Even after finding out that he was far less injured than it had first seemed, there would be little or no respite for the young man today.

"His…Can I see his body?" Loras asked as Arthur helped him up to his feet.

"In time, Ser Loras. Let's get you looked at by a more learned man than me first," he said to a nod from Loras as they moved to where Arthur's horse awaited them.

Doubling up on the horse and with little more to be achieved from looking over the battlefield, Arthur turned back to ride to their camp. Loras asked questions about the battle, their victory or defeat, whether or not the Old Lion and the rest of the Lannisters were dead, and inquired about the queen's health, all the while. Arthur answered those he could and ignored those he could not. Upon reaching the camp, Arthur stopped by the healer's tents and had one of them give Loras a more thorough examination. He ordered some guards to follow the young man and make sure he didn't do anything foolish, such as ride off in a vain search for justice or vengeance. Then he bid them to take Loras to where Gwayne Gardener's body now lay.

With Ser Loras taken care of and knowing that Aemon would wish a full accounting of the battle and its aftermath, Arthur rode to the queen's tent. He caught sight of all three of the dragons as he neared the tent. Could see just how many men milled around outside them and how many guards were on duty. Praying that Rhaenys' wasn't injured too badly and certain that she lived still, given that Aemon and the Blood Wyrm were still here and not burning Casterly Rock to ash, Arthur dismounted and hurried inside.

"Ser Arthur." Ser Barristan said relieved to see him hale and hearty.

"The queen?" Arthur asked, looking past his fellow knight and to the prone figure on the bed and the two that loomed over her.

"Injured but not too badly, thanks be to the gods," Barristan said and Aemon's head turned quickly to glare at the knight for his words.

"Were there such thing as gods they'd not have allowed this to happen, Ser." Aemon said angrily.

"Forgive me, your grace," Barristan replied, though Aemon wasn't angered with the knight and had turned back to look upon his wife.

Rhaenys awakened more than once and both Daenerys and Aemon whispered to her softly. A Maester belonging to one of the Reach Houses entered and changed the dressing on the princess's wound. While Arthur saw Aemon speak quietly to the man once he'd done so. With some words spoken to the princess that Arthur heard not, Aemon rose to his feet and bid them both to join him outside. Arthur and Ser Barristan doing as they'd been ordered and then watching as Aemon paced before calming himself down enough to speak.

"Ser Barristan, you will join me, my aunt, and my wife when we fly to Harrenhal. I'll not entrust Rhaenys' recovery to men I know little of and trust even less. Daenerys and Nightwing will add to Meraxes' own protection and I wish the keep to be locked down. Any visitors who are not part of mine own forces are to be denied entry, is that clear?"

"It is, your grace."

"Arthur, gather the army and march it to Highgarden. I shall join you there upon my return."

"Your grace," he said with a bow of his head.

"Torgho Nudho, Arthur." Aemon said before closing his eyes and bringing his hand halfway to his face and then stopping its movement "He fell….his body...Arthur. None but Thoros and his own men are to take care of it."

"I'll make sure of it, your grace."

"The Lannisters, your grace?" Barristan asked and Arthur had never seen such a dark expression come over a man's face as the one he saw then.

"Are soon to exist no more," Aemon said as he walked back into the tent.

It was dark when the three dragons took to the sky. Aemon and Rhaenys on Gaelithox, Daenerys and Barristan atop Nightwing, and Meraxes flying alone. The silver dragon seemed both sad to do so and yet eager for vengeance at the same time. After watching them fade from view, Arthur made his way to the command tent and ordered the commanders brought before him. To his surprise, Ser Loras was among them and the young man glowered and glared at him when Arthur spoke of their march to Highgarden. It was only by the sheer force of the look that Arthur gave him in return that it stayed as only that.

Bidding the young man to stay when the others left, Arthur stopped the angered declaration that Loras was about to make. He knew full well the argument that was on the knight's lips and that he was about to be told it was Casterly Rock and not Highgarden that they should be marching to. There was no need for him to speak thus and Casterly Rock was soon enough to be their destination anyway.

"You think the king is not even more determined than you to see the Lions pay, Ser Loras? That the dragon that he is, wished not to unleash his flames on the men who harmed his wife and took his sworn shield from this world?" Arthur said, Loras looking at him abashed upon hearing his words.

"Torgho Nudho fell?" Loras asked softly.

"Saving your brother's life apparently." Arthur said, surprised that there was no bite in his words "Believe me, Loras. The Dragonknight's wrath and rage will be a thing to behold."

"Good."

"Your Goodbrother needs to be buried and mourned too and no doubt you wish to see your family as well?"

"I…What do I say to them…to her." Loras said, shamefully.

"That those responsible will be dealt with by fire and blood, Loras," Arthur said unequivocally.

Harrenhal 301 AC.

Rhaenys Targaryen.

She had woken but briefly. First to see Dany sitting by her bedside and to be informed that Aemon had arrived and then later to see Aemon himself. The wound to her leg had been tended to and now felt little more than a consistent dull throb, as long as she didn't move it that was. When Aemon told her that he was bringing her back to Harrenhal, Rhaenys hadn't the strength to argue with him. How he managed to do so without causing her even a moment of further pain, was something known only to her husband.

Rhaenys had sat cross-legged in front of Aemon atop Gaelithox and they flew at a far more leisurely pace than she, Dany or no doubt Aemon himself had during the battle. As they'd done so, Aemon had spoken softly to her and whispered in her ear, telling her some of what had happened with the battle and during his time in Essos. Hearing that Aurane was now a true Dragonlord was something she most welcomed as she did the fact that he was now offering a dragon's aid to Lord Stannis and his men. Aemon had managed to keep the promise she'd made to the Lord of the Stormlands and Rhaenys was most grateful to him for doing so.

Once they'd landed in Harrenhal, it was to Meraxes that Aemon took her first. Her dragon needed to hear from her own lips, that while injured, she would recover quickly. Aemon had cradled her in his arms and once again she'd marveled at how he was able to move her without further aggravating her injury. With Meraxes soothed, for now, Aemon had then carried her into the keep and sent for Marwyn. The Mage hurried to their room and looked both annoyed and slightly worried by the sight of her injured leg. At her husband's behest, the Mage redressed her wound and did a most thorough examination of it.

"The healer did a most excellent job, my prince." Marwyn began and Rhaenys saw how Aemon breathed out in relief at his words "The bolt damaged nothing further than its initial entry did and barring a small scar, her grace will bear no signs of this injury in a moon or so."

"How long must she rest the leg itself, Marwyn?"

"A week, no more. I'd wait for two before flying atop your dragon, your grace." Marwyn said looking first at Aemon and then at her.

"Leg armor, Marwyn. I wish you to take both my wife and aunt's measurements and to design and see that such is made before the week is done."

"I shall see to it at once, my prince." Marwyn said before moving to place a small bottle on the table nearest her and Aemon's bed "Should you feel any discomfort, your grace. A single drop or two to soothe the pain if needed."

"I thank you, Marwyn," Rhaenys said, offering the Mage a warm smile before he hurriedly left the room.

He'd no sooner done so than Aemon was beside her on the bed and begging her forgiveness. Something she refused to do as there was nothing for him to be forgiven for. When she told him so, her husband refused to accept it, and only because it threatened to turn into an argument between them, or he may not have. Rhaenys made it clear that the battle was not one that could be fought without the dragons. Aemon's own words on what Dany had done with the other half of the Lannister forces and then those he spoke on who'd fallen, were more than enough to prove that true.

Gwayne Gardener had lost his life and while politically that was a huge loss, personally, there was an even bigger one. Aemon was not a man for tears. Rarely if ever had she seen him share sad ones. The loss of his mother when he was but a boy and she had no doubt that he'd shed some over their greatuncle's death too. While he didn't shed any for Torgho Nudho in her presence, Rhaenys believed there were two reasons for that. The first being that his worry for her was ever present. While the second was that her husband's mind and focus were on vengeance for his fallen friend more than on the sadness of losing him.

"All of them, Rhae. Each and every single one of them will pay the debt they owe to him and they'll pay it in blood before they meet the fire. On that, I vow." Aemon said and other than his declarations of love to her, never had she heard him speak so passionately. Even if it was a far different type of passion that he now spoke with.

Feeling her eyes grow heavy, Rhaenys asked Aemon to help her undress and then begged him to stay with her as she drifted off to sleep. She later awoke to find him laying in the bed beside her. His whispered words were spoken to her as he thought she slept still. So softly did he speak them, that Rhaenys had to still her breathing in order to hear what it was he said. Smiling to herself when she did as they were words of both love and a promise that the fools who dared to harm her would not live long in this world. The rumble of her stomach alerted him to the fact she was awake and with a soft kiss to her lips, Aemon rose from the bed and moved to the door. A moment later he was back with her and at her behest, Aemon helped her dress and carried her to the small table where they sometimes ate a more private meal.

"You sent for Dany?" she asked after he'd placed her gently down upon her seat.

"I did, my wife will wish our aunt to join us, will she not?" Aemon asked, a half smirk on his face as he did so.

"I most certainly will." she japed in return.

Dany arrived before the meal and immediately asked her about her injury and how she was feeling. Rhaenys quickly told her that both it and she were far better than they'd been just that morning. When the meal arrived, Rhaenys ate it with gusto. Her appetite surprised her and only later when she and Aemon were alone again, was the reason for that shared with her.

"Most people often eat heartily after a battle my love. Be it that they've avoided death and wish to celebrate life or simply that their bodies need to replenish the strength it lost in the battle itself. Be most thankful that your appetite is a full one. I am." Aemon said before he soon put his lips and tongue to other work.

Despite desperately wishing to lay with her husband. Each time she tried to move into a position where they could do so, the throbbing in her leg would only increase to the point of almost making her cry out in anger and frustration. That it amused Aemon somewhat, was not something she was pleased about. Yet, her husband simply told her that she'd recover quickly and until then, he was most glad to bring about her own pleasure as best he could. In the end, she was able to bring Aemon some relief with her hand and it at least stopped the voice in her head that had dared to name her a bad wife.

All too soon, Aemon began to make preparations to fly to Highgarden and Rhaenys knew he'd already sent ravens to the North and the Vale. The army that marched on Casterly Rock would be a far larger army than Tywin Lannister had brought to bear on the Reach. Not that it would be the army that finally brought the lions low. The night before he was to leave, Aemon bid both her and Dany to join him in another meal. Once they'd finished eating, he then spoke to them of events in Essos and his time there.

"Our father and your mother are well, Rhae. As are Aegon, Viserys, and the children." Aemon said before pausing "Someone attempted to assassinate Aegon and to mayhap lay the blame at my door. It cost us our granduncle's life and had it not been for him, then it may have been our brother we mourn." Aemon said looking directly at her "But Aegon was unharmed and he and Viserys have since brought Fire and Blood to some of those responsible."

She and Dany listened keenly as Aemon spoke about who was behind the attack and even had she not already known the Lions were not long for this world, the words Aemon spoke only proved that even more so. Hearing that Littlefinger was involved too was a surprise. As was finding out that Viserys and their cousin Haegon had ended the Sorrowful Men for once and for all. Aemon then spoke of how Aurane had bonded with Darkfyre and that even on the short flight back from Essos, he'd shown enough for Aemon to name him as adept in the sky as he was on land. When talk turned to their allies and their own losses, Rhaenys truly joined in the conversation.

"Lady Olenna and I agreed that should anything ever happen to Lord Gwayne, should he and Margaery find themselves unable to birth an heir, it would still be her House that we sought as Wardens, Aemon."

"It could cause some issues with the other Reachlords." Aemon began but before Rhaenys could decry him for contemplating breaking her word, her husband showed he'd no intention of doing so "But my wife's word is as good as mine own and so our agreement with Lady Olenna will stand. Damn any fool who dares complain about it."

"Margaery, Aemon." Rhaenys said looking at him as he bid her continue "I had named both her and Gwayne as friends and I'd seek that to stay the same. Aurane needs a wife does he not?"

"It's too soon, Rhae. There is the dragon to consider too." Aemon said and Rhaenys just stared at him until he nodded slightly "I'll speak to Lady Olenna and to Aurane. Not to the Lady Margaery herself."

"No, I'll do that at a more appropriate time," she said, to a firmer nod from her husband.

They spoke then on the Faith, Rhaenys hating to bring it up but needing to do so given the fact of Tarly's actions and the actions of others at Highgarden. Seeing the dark expression that came over Aemon's face, she wished she'd not. Yet it was out there now and Aemon's words left her in no doubt that the Faith would certainly face her husband's wrath soon enough. This was proved even more true when later that night, Aemon spoke to her about his conversations with their father and the things he'd been told about his mother.

It angered her and annoyed her greatly. His life had been a plaything for other people and while those people were his mother and their father, it made it no less a thing that she despised. Aemon's words calmed her ire somewhat and Rhaenys would not lie and say that hearing him say he'd not change his life or where he was right now for anything, was a great and true comfort to her. Less so were his words that both she and Dany had to follow the Mage's advice and that neither of them was to come to him until she'd been given the all-clear and their armor was ready.

"I would have you both protected as best I could," Aemon said kissing first Dany on the cheek and then her on the lips.

The next morning, they broke their fast together, and upon Dany's arrival at their rooms, Aemon bid them both his farewells. Rhaenys was sad to see him go and wished that she could leave with him. Her leg was giving her little discomfort and it was only that she knew Aemon would overly worry about her, or she'd have fought him a little more on things. Instead, she accepted it, and then she and Dany went about seeing to other plans. For the West was not the only kingdom that stood against them and Rhaenys had much she needed to speak to Oberyn on.

Highgarden 301 AC.

Lady Olenna Tyrell.

There were few times in her life when Olenna was as lost as she felt right now. Her son was dead, murdered by men who'd supped and broken bread with him and her. Garlan and Loras were fighting or facing a battle that they were not certain to survive and Margaery, her precious Margaery, had been abducted. Where she was? Olenna had no idea. Who had taken her? On that, she was more certain. That she'd be returned safe and sound. Olenna could only pray to the Seven who are One and beg the Maiden to protect her and for the Stranger to stay far away from her.

Willas had set Left and Right, her giant guards, to task. Bidding them to secure the keep and to place scouts to inform them of the first sign of friend or foe. Alerie had wept over Mace's body and seen to the preparations for him to be laid amongst his forefathers. Olenna meanwhile had pottered about almost in a daze and had found little she could do to focus her attention in any helpful way. She'd not even argued when Willas had suggested some Dreamwine and had welcomed the darkness of sleep when it came.

For the first time in more than fifty years, Olenna Tyrell woke up after luncheon had been served. She felt no more refreshed or capable than she'd been the day before. Through sheer force of will, she dressed, ate, and then finally made her way to where Mace lay. Her son looked to all intents and purposes as if he was merely resting and Olenna felt her tears threaten to fall. She refused to let them, however. So after placing a small kiss on Mace's forehead, it was to her grandson's solar that she made her way.

"What are you doing about your sister, Willas?" Olenna said as soon as she entered the room. Her thoughts were now on firstly getting her family back to Highgarden safe and sound and then secondly on the wrath she'd unleash on those who'd taken her blood from this world.

Willas' answers were not ones that brought her any comfort. While he'd sent out riders, the fact that there were two very large armies engaged in or recovering from a battle, didn't allow for a true and proper search. Her grandson painted a dark and disturbing picture and while later she may welcome that he didn't sugarcoat things for her, at the time she very much did not. Quite simply, until they knew the results of the battle and whether or not they'd be forced to flee, fight or welcome the victors, their hands were somewhat tied.

"You've sent men to the battlefield?" she asked.

"I have. The Queen will be victorious, Grandmother. She and the Princess will win, I've no doubt of that. But…"

Waving her hand in the air, Olenna turned and let the words her grandson was about to speak, go unspoken. She spent the day once again almost as a shadow of herself. At one point, Olenna made her way to Margaery and Gwayne's chambers and found herself sitting on their bed while holding one of Margaery's dresses in her arms and against her face. The smell of lilac and roses was as clear to her as if Margaery was wearing that dress and not out there and mayhap lost to her.

Before retiring for the night, Olenna once again asked Willas to tell her all he'd heard or knew and was once again disappointed by how little that was. She spent some time with Alerie and offered her what little comfort she could and again it was with some Dreamwine that her sleep came to her that night. Olenna at least awakened early the next morning and after breaking her fast with Willas, she was relieved somewhat by the return of the riders that he'd sent out The news they bore at least was good. In the sense that the victory that Willas was so sure of had been achieved. What form that victory had taken, however, none of them knew as of yet.

It allowed Willas to send out more and more men to seek Margaery out and by midday, the army, or those who led it, had arrived at their gates. The news they bore with them was in one way relieving and in another very much not. Garlan had suffered an injury to his leg that would require a moon or more of healing. Loras too had suffered an injury, though physically he was in far better shape than he was mentally or emotionally. Gwayne had fallen and while Olenna had never truly taken to the young man, she knew that Margaery had felt something for her husband. It made her briefly glad that her granddaughter wasn't here. Though only briefly.

Hearing that the queen had taken an injury and that the Dragonknight had arrived to end the battle, was somewhat of a worry. As was the fact that all three dragons were now in Harrenhal and not here where they were most needed. That somehow had dared to harm the queen was enough to tell Olenna that the war against the Lions was not yet over and done with. Though, the mere fact the Old Lion and his son had survived was worrying enough and proof of that. Once the commanders of the army were situated, Olenna had a chance to speak to Loras and Garlan, and offer her condolences to Lady Melessa over the loss of her son. Something that Olenna had yet to come to terms with regarding her own. Olenna then asked for and was taken to a meeting with Ser Arthur Dayne and Thoros of Myr.

"My condolences on your losses, Ser Arthur, Thoros. My grandson owes his life to the man who saved it."

"Torgho Nudho will be much missed, my lady. You have our sympathies on your own losses." Ser Arthur replied, a small bow of his head as he did so.

"My sister, Ser Arthur. Can your men aid in the search for her?" Willas asked and it was Thoros who answered.

"Our prince himself will lead that search, Lord Willas. The Dragonknight will be here on the morrow."

Olenna most welcomed hearing those words. So much so that she ate her meal that night with a truer appetite than she'd had for days. She even slept that night without the need for any aid and while her dreams were most disturbing, they were but dreams. No sooner had she awakened, than the sound of the dragon was heard and so Olenna moved hurriedly to her window. Seeing the Blood Wyrm and watching the man and the giant white wolf that climbed down off its back, Olenna felt a need to speak to King Aemon immediately.

To her annoyance, and yet understanding, it was to the man who'd saved Garlan's life that the Dragonknight went to first of all. Not she, Willas, or anyone other than his own men was allowed to join King Aemon as he paid his respects to his sworn shield. Even when he left the room that Torgho Nudho had been taken to, it was to her other grandson and not to her and Willas that the Dragonknight sought to speak to. Once again, no one other than his own men was allowed to join him while he did so.

Finally, she and Willas were asked to join King Aemon in the rooms she'd put aside for Queen Rhaenys. Olenna outpaced her grandson in her haste to get there. The man she saw once she entered those rooms was a far different man than the one she'd met now more than once. While usually a serious man, the Dragonknight had shown some lightheartedness at times. He very much was showing none now and as Olenna took her seat, his first question and his reply to her own was all she needed to hear.

"Tell me all you know about Randyll Tarly," Aemon said and Olenna did as she'd been bid, Willas adding his own parts to fill out any blanks in her knowledge.

"What are your intentions, your grace?"

"I'll need some of Lady Margaery's clothing, Lady Olenna. My wolf will find her and when he does, Randyll Tarly will find out what happens when you wake my dragon." Aemon said, his voice like ice while the look in his eyes was pure fire.

The Sept of the Mander 301 AC.

Randyll Tarly.

While the attack had been an unqualified disaster, his son had at least been successful in his own endeavor. Though Randyll could do without having to look at the Tyrell bitch. This woman had seduced a weak boy and made herself a queen before using what was between her legs to get that same boy to bow to heathens. Was it not for just how valuable she was to his cause, then Randyll would have asked the Septon to organize a Walk of Shame for the little slut. Instead, he took comfort with the fact that once he'd brought the Hightowers to their knees, he'd see her do so in a far larger setting than this.

The small village was no place for him and the few men he had with him to hold up. There were few supplies and even the Sept was badly provisioned. It had forced him to send out men to forage and he liked it not. Already he was severely lacking in numbers, losing some of them to foraging missions was not something he could afford. Yet news had come for the battlefield and it was not news that helped his or the Faith's cause in any way, shape, or form. Nor did it make the Reach, or this part of it at least, a place where he could remain for long.

Awaiting Dickon's return, Randyll, despite having no wish to, checked in on their hostage. He feared that some of those who were guarding her would be taken in by her sweet words or what offers she may make them. So Margaery had been gagged at his insistence. For gold, coin, position, or given the harlot that she was, what lay between her legs, men could be tempted to turn their cloaks and he'd not have his men do so. When she saw him enter the room she was held in, she dared to glare at him and Randyll almost wished to slap the taste out of her mouth for doing so. Looking at her untouched meal, he nodded to one of his men and bid him to take the plate away. Smiling wickedly at the thought of this far too privileged whore having to now finally go hungry.

"You would do better eating what you're given, for you'll be a long time with us and your treatment can get much worse." he sneered before turning to leave the room.

Dickon arrived back later that night and the news he bore with him was far less welcome than the supplies he'd foraged. The victorious army had marched to Highgarden and the Lion's defeat was all but complete. Those words alone were hard enough to accept but hearing that the Dragonknight and his red dragon had returned sent a chill down even Randyll's spine. It made their position here even more precarious and so after he'd eaten his own meal, he and his son sat and looked at the maps and made their plans to return to Oldtown.

"The river, it's our only true choice, Father," Dickon said and Randyll found he'd no true argument to make against his son's words.

"I saw no boats, Son. No way of navigating it."

"The Septon, Father. If anyone knows where a boat can be found it'll be him."

"Ser Hyle."

"My lord."

"See that Septon Orwald is brought to me."

"At once, my lord."

Tracing the river with his fingertips, Randyll found his eyes drawn to Brightwater Keep. His wife's family would provide him with a ship to take him to Oldtown and once there, not even the dragons could stand against them. Not without unleashing the true wrath of the faithful upon themselves. Awaiting the Septon's arrival, Randyll asked Dickon for any more information he had on the battle or the Dragonknight's whereabouts only to find he had none. Soon enough the Septon had arrived and after a brief conversation where he was told of a riverboat captain in a village some miles up the river, Randyll bid his men to make ready to ride.

"May the Father guide your path, my lord." Septon Orwald said to him as they were leaving.

"I believe he will, Septon."

They rode under the cover of darkness. Randyll knew not where the dragons were and yet he believed that even should they be seeking them out, then it would be in the daylight they'd do so. More than once they had to stop their hostage from trying some stupid plan of slowing their progress and how he kept his hands to himself, he knew not. Day broke before they reached the next village and so they were forced to take cover in a small forest.

It was while they were there that Margaery tried to escape and Randyll was furious with both the girl and his fool of a guard who'd almost cost them their prize. Slapping first one and then the other, he left both in no doubt about what would happen should it occur again. Randyll enjoyed the worried look that came over Margaery's face when he said that they didn't need to bring all of her with them and that she'd find it very hard to embroider were she to lose a finger or two. As for his fool of a guard, he was lucky he'd not been flogged. Something that Randyll promised himself he'd see to once they were on safer ground.

"Next time she makes water, You lift her fucking skirts herself and watch every single fucking drop," he ordered, meaning exactly what he said.

They rode again as soon as darkness fell. Each mile took them closer to the village and the riverboat they were seeking. To his dismay, when they finally arrived it was to find no sign of it or its captain. Though both were to return in two days. Randyll liked it not, yet they'd traveled further from their destination and were still too deep in the Reach to be safe. The village unlike the last was at least decently supplied, however, and so their stay would be a far more comfortable one. So once they'd secured their prisoner and made themselves as comfortable as could be, it was to a far softer bed than he'd known for a few weeks that Randyll found himself heading to.

His sleep was not a peaceful one, however. The dreams were not pleasant ones. In them, he'd looked on as Horn Hill burned and his wife, daughter, and his son and heir burned with them. Tied to a stake, he'd been forced to watch and listen to their screams as the red dragon took great glee and spent much time reducing his family home to ash. Only when the smoke cleared did the rider of that dragon move his way. Then as the thin sword was unsheathed, Randyll Tarly found himself face to face with the Stranger.

The Reach 301 AC.

Thoros of Myr.

To see Torgho Nudho laying lifeless shocked him to his very core. He'd never have believed that any man could have taken the Unsullied Commander from this world. So stunned was he, that for a few moments, Thoros had actually considered giving him the Last Kiss. Only the fact that Torgho Nudho shared not his faith in R'hllor and that Thoros had never actually delivered that rite to anyone were enough to stop him from doing so.

Instead, he listened as Ser Garlan spoke of who it had been who'd taken Torgho Nudho from this world. Thoros took little comfort in the man naming his friend as a hero for saving his life before losing his own. It wasn't that Thoros thought badly of Ser Garlan, it was more simply that in his, those with him, and especially the Dragonknight's, the Gallant meant far less in their eyes. Thinking of his prince, Thoros knew now that unless the Lions had already been dealt with completely, Aemon would take it upon himself to see each and every one of them in the ground.

Putting all thoughts of that aside for the time being, Thoros had seen to the preparations for Torgho Nudho's body to join his soul in the next world. He and his men had covered him with their sacred oils and stood vigil over him until their queen, Princess, and most especially, their prince could pay their own respects. Rather than any of the aforementioned people, it was Ser Arthur who arrived at Highgarden first and he who informed Thoros of the extent of the victory. The knight had then gone to spend some time with Torgho Nudho before they had both spoken to the Tyrells and discovered the extent of their own losses.

Thoros looked to the flames and found no sign of Margaery Tyrell or those who'd taken her. The visions that were shown to him were of a keep atop a mountain covered in flames, a city surrounded by an army as the Blood Wyrm flew overhead, a great wall of ice, and a savage people. Then things that were not men marched against those who were. Death was the true enemy and at some point, Thoros believed it was death itself that they would need to defeat. Before he could make any sense of the visions, or truly consider them, his prince arrived on Gaelithox and he was not alone when he did so. Sitting up front beside him was the white wolf and while it was a truly wondrous sight, it was one that Thoros would have gladly swapped to see his prince's sworn shield beside him once more.

"My prince."

"Take me to him, Thoros."

"At once my prince."

Aemon entered the room alone and spent some time with Torgho Nudho. What words he spoke were for them and only them and when he walked back out of the room, he was far more composed than Thoros expected him to be. Ser Arthur had joined Thoros outside while Aemon paid his respects and so as they walked to meet with the Tyrells, words were shared about the Queen's injury, the prisoners they had captured and the losses that the Tyrells had suffered. It surprised Thoros greatly to see the angered scowl come to his prince's face at the mention of Margaery Tyrell, though he remembered Daario saying that she and the queen had become close.

Once they'd spoken to the Tyrells, Aemon bid Ser Arthur to remain and look after the men. They were to be given some time to rest and then to make ready to march to Casterly Rock. When they reached it, they'd find they were not the only ones to do so. Aemon wished riders sent to Lord Stannis and Aurane and had already sent word to his family in the North and called the Vale's banners. The largest army ever assembled in the history of Westeros would march on the West. Thoros, however, was more than certain it would be his prince and the Blood Wyrm that would tear the Lions asunder.

While Ser Arthur remained in Highgarden, it would be Thoros, the men of the Flames of the Dragon, his prince, and Ghost along with the Blood Wyrm who would handle the search for Margaery Tyrell personally. When he asked where they would begin to look and how they would find the young lady, his prince only pointed to the white wolf. So Thoros looked on as what seemed to be some of Margaery's clothing was sniffed at by Ghost before then as one they mounted their horses and rode in the same direction that Ghost had run off to.

"You're certain he'll find her, my prince?" he asked as he watched Ghost change directions more than once.

"He'll find her and them," Aemon replied.

That night it wasn't Randyll Tarly that they found. The sound of screams that came from the small home had drawn the white wolf's attention and Aemon had bid them follow. They found a group of six men wearing Lannister colors and not a single one of them was given leave to throw down their arms. Arrows were fired and the two men lucky enough not to fall to the archers, quickly found that was where their luck ran out. Thoros looked on as the white wolf made quick work of the two men and then as his prince dismounted and moved to the door of the small house. Ordering his men to provide guards for his prince, by the time Thoros himself reached the door, Aemon was already inside.

A young woman was laying on the floor after clearly being beaten and mayhap even worse. While what seemed to be her father and mother were now rising to their feet. The two men who'd been holding them, prisoner, were both unable to do so any longer. Death had welcomed them both into its cold embrace and looking at the blood that dripped from Dark Sister, the famed sword had quenched its thirst somewhat already. Looking for his prince, Thoros found him holding a young man aloft with one hand wrapped around his neck. Blond of hair and green of eye, the young man was being slapped repeatedly by the hand that held Dark Sister in it. His prince's words rang out loudly as he did so.

"Like hurting women do you."

"Raping them."

"Beating them."

Each sentence was interrupted by another slap from his prince's hand and the young man wailed and bawled as if he were a babe at his mother's teat.

It took Thoros a few moments to recognize both the quality of the armor and the sigil that the boy wore. Both marked him as not just being in charge of these men by right, but by blood too. Moving to his prince, he whispered in his ear that he believed this man to be a Lannister of some sort. Something the young man himself confirmed when Aemon threw him to the ground and kicked him heavily in the side.

"You can't do this to me."

"I am a prince."

"The whore deserved it."

"She should be honored that Prince Joffrey of House Lannister spent inside her."

Over the many campaigns that Thoros had served with his prince, he'd seen most of the moods and almost every expression that was in his prince's arsenal. Never before had he seen such a dark look as the one that came over Aemon's face just then.

"See the prince is treated how a prince of House Lannister deserves to be. Remember too that the prince is, as he acknowledged himself, a confirmed rapist. Take him to Highgarden and do your utmost to see that in time he'll return to Casterly Rock alive." Aemon said and while Joffrey got an odd and then almost gleeful look on his face, it was one he very much should not have.

They sent him back to Highgarden with ten men of the Flames of the Dragon and once he'd left the small house, Aemon told the girl, her mother, and her father just what his words truly meant. It would be knife and flame that Prince Joffrey would feel much of on his journey back to the Tyrell keep. He would not arrive there as intact as he left the small house. Rapists in the Empire suffered but one sentence, they were unmanned and so too would Prince Joffrey be before the night was done.

"This helps not, I know, but it can at least get you a home someone safer. "Aemon said handing the father a small coin pouch "Rest assured, the last days that the so-called prince will know in this world are ones that will bring him great suffering, and only when he's paid his debt to you, will I allow him to leave this world."

It was small comfort, Thoros, his prince, and each man there were all aware of that. Yet it was mayhap more comfort than this family would have been given by anyone else. Justice, or as close to it as anything could be after what the young woman suffered, would be dealt out. Thoros knew, however, that there would be some vengeance meted out along with it too.

Leaving the small house behind, they rode after the white wolf who led them to the river. Riding alongside it, they stopped only to let the horses rest a little and drink some of the cool crisp water. Once they'd done so, they mounted up and were soon in search of someone else who would find only vengeance on Aemon's mind and in his heart.

The Ocean Road 301 AC.

Jaime Lannister.

Jaime had ridden hard and while at first, he'd done so with few men, as they rode further away from Highgarden, more and more had joined them. He'd been relieved to see Ser Addam Marbrand once again. Less so to see the Mountain. Other than having the man with them would stand them well should they be forced to fight their way free of these lands. Yet thus far there was no sign of any of his kin and that worried him greatly.

Even when they finally reached the Ocean Road they did so with only the sights of some of their scattered forces to offer them any comfort. The army had been broken, both his and his father's. As for his uncle Gerion's, Jaime could only guess at their fate and he doubted it had been any better than his own. The black dragon that had attacked his men was one he knew little about. The Dragonknight's Blood Wyrm he'd heard tale of and the queen herself flew a silver one to the best of his recollection. Where the black one had come from and who rode upon it, was a mystery that Jaime wasn't certain he wished to solve.

It took them days to leave the Reach behind and as they passed Old Oak, some among them wished them to sack the keep. They rightly believed that the vast majority of the keep's fighting men were among the Reach army and so far from here. Wrongly, however, they believed that their numbers of just shy of four hundred were enough to take the keep. Jaime knew they'd lose more than half in the first attempt alone and they were not men they could afford to lose. So despite the feeling amongst the men, it was their prince's words that they listened to. So Old Oak remained unmolested and they simply passed the keep by.

As they camped that night, Jaime pondered much on the fate of his family. He refused to believe that they'd all perished in the failed battle that they'd fought. Tyrion was smart and clever and while he was no warrior, Jaime was sure those things would see him safe.

'Unless he fell to the flames' the voice in his spoke, sending a shiver down Jaime's spine.

His father would have commanded from the rear as was his wont, so mayhap that would have been enough to give him time to retreat. A retreat was the only option that would have been available to Tywin Lannister if he too had faced a dragon's fury today. Gerion may have been luckier than either of them. It could well have been just Jaime that faced the black dragon today, or so he tried to tell himself. Again another, truer voice, coming from within to tell him he was a fool to think so.

'The black dragon arrived late to the battle, why? Because it had already fought another and this was but its second of the day'

Jaime sat some distance from the fire and he was not alone in doing so. Each of the men with him had gained a new respect and most definitely a new fear of what flames could do. So while it burned, only the bravest souls among them sat close enough to feel its heat for true. Drinking the wine that Addam had somehow managed to find, Jaime's thoughts turned to his wife, his sister, and his children. He quickly found he cared or worried not about Joffrey's fate. His son would live or die and Jaime was sure that the only true feeling he'd have regarding him, would be if he lived and others did not.

He thanked the gods that his other children were safe at Casterly Rock and in Dorne. Fought down the voice which named that untrue and dared to say that nowhere was safe from a dragon's rage. Then Jaime closed his eyes and pictured himself in his wife's loving arms. An image that was soon replaced by one just as powerful and just as stirring. Jaime now laying in a bed while wrapped in his sister's embrace. So lost was he in this little dream that he didn't hear Addam when his Goodbrother took a seat beside him.

"You should get some rest, my prince," Addam said and his voice took Jaime from the sweetness of his thoughts.

"You have the right of it, Addam. You too," he said rising to his feet and patting his Goodbrother on the shoulder.

He'd gotten not more than an hour, mayhap two, when the commotion awoke him. Rising to his feet and grabbing Brightroar, Jaime left his bedroll behind and readied himself for the fight that never came. It wasn't enemies that had arrived in the dark of night, it was allies. Another two hundred or so men and yet it was but one that truly garnered Jaime's and everyone else's attention. Tywin Lannister lived still and other than some dust and dirt from the hard riding he'd obviously been doing, his father seemed no worse for wear.

"Father," Jaime said softly as his father dismounted.

"You are well?" his father asked and Jaime nodded.

Sending a man to bring a warm plate of food for his father, Jaime bid them all to leave them alone while he watched the meal being eaten hungrily. Once his father had done so and had taken more than one swallow from the water pouch, then and only then did Jaime ask about the rest of their kin.

"I know not Kevan or Tyrion's fate. As for Gerion, I had hoped you'd have more news of him."

"I have none." he said dejectedly "The black dragon, father, I knew not of it."

"Nor I. Though I've since heard some tale that Princess Daenerys rides a black dragon."

Jaime listened as his father told him all he knew of the princess, which wasn't truly that much. The words worried him greatly though as did his father's confirmation that the Dragonknight had returned and it had been he and the Blood Wyrm who had lain waste to his father's army. Jaime took little comfort in hearing that Rhaenys Targaryen had been injured or even killed. They held no hostage to stay the Dragonknight's hand when he came their way and come their way he surely would.

To his dismay, his father seemed to have no true plan to deal with him once he did so and so after a few brief hours of sleep, and while they rode again, Jaime did his best to come up with one. Over the next few days, he came up with more than one. Though most were quickly discarded. It wasn't until they finally reached a keep that they could truly rest easily at, that a truer plan began to form. As he lay that night in a bed in Crakehall, that plan was all he could think of.

His father sent ravens and ordered Lannisport to be put on high alert and Casterly Rock to be made ready for a siege. While the word was sent to other keeps to do likewise. Not that any of it would do any good and even his father seemed to recognize that. They could not stop the dragons from reaching them at Casterly Rock. No keep other than their own could withstand their flames and while they would raise more men, their true strength was lost to them. Any man they gave a weapon to would be one that barely knew how to wield one and even were it not for the dragons themselves, the army that marched toward them would be one that to a man very much did.

"No, it'll not be with men we win this fight, but with a man," Jaime said quietly as they left Crakehall behind.

The Conquest of Westeros LV

The Dragonknight's Wroth.

The injury to his wife or the death of his sworn sword. The daring to pull on the dragon's tail or the hubris of Lions and Snakes. Whether it was one of them or all of them, the outcome was the same. These acts reaped the whirlwind and the Dragonknight's Wroth was unleashed on Westeros because of them. Yet it was not to be Lions or Snakes who were first to feel that wroth, but a different and more insidious foe.

Mourning the loss of his sworn shield had been put to one side while matters of the realm were soon to take center stage. From Harrenhal to Highgarden and then to the lands of the Reach. The Dragonknight held his rage intact until he very much did not. Those in Essos had seen firsthand just what lengths Aemon Targaryen would go to should he feel the need or desire to do so. They knew full well that there was a worst fate in store than simply facing the Dragonknight and the Blood Wyrm in battle. To ever be forced to face them when they sought to bring about your true end.

No quarter would be offered and no surrender accepted. Blood was all that the Dragonknight would accept and there would be much blood spilled before he finally rested once more. It was in the Reach that the first of that blood was to be spilled and in the Reach that the truth of Dragonknight was finally revealed. Aemon Targaryen could be merciful, reasoned with, negotiated with, and would always be restrained in his actions. The Dragonknight could not and would not be so.

"They wished to see the true me, Marwyn. To see why I was feared so. Only fools make such wishes and yet for even fools, some wishes come true." Aemon the Dragonknight.

A history of the Conquest of the Dragonknight,

Marwyn the Mage.

The Reach 301 AC.

Aemon Targaryen.

Aemon was a long way from quenching the burning need he felt inside himself. The rage that he wished to unleash upon those who'd dared firstly to harm his wife and secondly to take Torgho Nudho from this world. The need to burn was one he most wished to give in to and was one that was shared by the Blood Wyrm too. His dragon's wish to bring the flames to their enemies was one that it took all he had in him for Aemon to deny.

For the first time in all his life, another voice called to him. Softer and yet no less insistent, it bid him to wait and so wait he did. As hard as it was for him to do so. Whose voice that was or where it came from, Aemon could only speculate on. Should someone ask him to give it a name, then he'd name it Ghost, for the White Wolf was speaking to him as clearly as the Blood Wyrm always had. It had been for that very reason that he forewent his initial impulse to leave Ghost with Rhaenys and Dany and had instead brought him with him. Why as he and Blood Wyrm had flown through the sky with Ghost in front of him, Aemon had felt it to be the right thing to do.

Now, as they moved along the river and drew closer to the small village ahead of them, Aemon felt Ghost in his head once more. This time the White Wolf and the Blood Wyrm's words were far more similar than they had been until then. His rage was soon to be assuaged a little and Aemon closed his eyes and let himself calm so he'd be ready to let it be his vengeance rather than his doom that it led him to.

Night had fallen and as he bid Thoros and his men dismount, he did the same. The Blood Wyrm flew high over the village itself, ready for his call should Aemon have a need for him. Tonight though it was almost a wolf's work rather than a dragon's that he was about. Telling the archers among the Flames of the Dragon to make ready, Aemon, Thoros, Ghost, and Thoros' men, all quietly made their way to the first buildings of the village. Without the need for a signal from him or from Thoros, five arrows flew through the air and hit their targets perfectly. The five fools that had been placed on watch all now fell to the ground and not one of them would rise ever again.

'Go left. You right. You with me and the prince.' Thoros' orders rang out, Aemon happy to see it was with hand signals and not words that they were given. Not that there had been any true doubt that would be how Thoros commanded their men. As the red priest was far too seasoned to do so any other way.

It took them little time to find more men that were soon joining their compatriots in death. Two more fell to arrows while four others had their throats slit before they could even think about shouting out a warning. Holding his hand up, Aemon, bid those with him to halt, and then they all watched as Ghost moved around a large building and stopped underneath a window. There was no need for Aemon to wonder why the wolf had stopped and as he moved to where Ghost stood, he almost expected what it was he then saw.

Margaery Tyrell was bound and gagged and tied to a post in the middle of a large room. Two men sat at a table supposedly on watch and did a piss poor impression of doing so. While a look to the door of the room led him to wager that there were no doubt guards on the other side of it. Motioning with his hands where he wished his men to go, Aemon looked to Thoros and bid him to ready the Myrish crossbows. In no time at all, they were locked and loaded and after making sure they had a direct line of sight to the two guards, Aemon took one while Thoros readied to aim the other.

Three, Two, One, he counted down with his fingers and as soon as he reached one, both he and Thoros fired in unison. So true was their aim that the two guards slumped over in their chairs and barely made a sound as they breathed their last. Handing one of his men the crossbow, he whispered the words and told Thoros to make ready the full attack. Then, looking through the now broken window, he saw the panicked and yet hopeful look on Margaery's face. Showing her Dark Sister and hoping that was enough to tell her who he was, Aemon opened the window, jumped through, and moved to the door. He reached it just as it opened.

"What the fu…" a guard cried out as Dark Sister gutted him.

"AMBUSH!" the second guard called out as he too fell to Aemon's thin blade.

Less than a moment later, the attack from Thoros and his men was launched and panic took over among those they faced. Inside the room with Margaery, Aemon had cut her loose from the posts and bid her to find somewhere she could hide. He was shocked and pleasantly surprised by her ingenuity when she used one of the guard's bodies to shield her from whoever next came into the room. It turned out to be most fortuitous that she did so too. As the first men who entered fired an arrow at the post where she'd just been held. His orders to end her had been made very clear by his actions.

The unlucky archer didn't get a second chance to fire as Aemon cut through the arm that had held the bow and then stabbed Dark Sister through the man's unprotected head. Two other guards had moved with him, and they found that the close confines of a room were far different than fighting out in the open. Their unfamiliarity with close-quarters fighting, as well as who they faced, was enough to bring about their ends. Both men fell to Dark Sister, though not even their blood was enough to quench her thirst.

"Who the…"

Aemon recognized somewhat the face of the man who walked into the room. He was a Tarly, Randyll's son and heir and though he couldn't name the man, it mattered not. Cutting down first the guard to Tarly's left, Aemon quickly did the same to the one on the right and then turned his attention fully to the man in the middle. The fear was there to see upon the younger man's face, though he tried in vain to fight anyway. His skills were not enough to save him and Aemon cared not for the final words he spoke as he breathed his last.

Thoros and some of his men soon arrived and after bidding them to see to the lady's protection, he asked Thoros where Randyll Tarly himself was. The Lord had not been found and Aemon felt his rage rise once more. So much so that even later on that night, he couldn't be certain that he'd have enacted the plan he did or would have gone with another one.

"Lady Margaery, you should turn your head," Aemon said as Dark Sister removed Tarly's son's head from his shoulders.

Leaving Thoros and his men to see the lady to safety. Aemon walked from the room and found it was a tavern that Randyll Tarly had sought to hide in. In one hand, he held Dark Sister, and in the other, a severed head. Both left a trail of blood drops as he moved and after taking one last look around the large open room that he'd found himself in, Aemon walked out from the tavern and into the village square.

To their credit, the men who'd joined Tarly had all fought to their deaths and not one of them had surrendered or pleaded for mercy. Which was just as well as Aemon was not in a merciful mood. Holding the head up high so it could be seen clearly, Aemon shouted out whose head it was and bid Randyll Tarly to come and avenge his son. He named him a craven, faithless, and promised that should he not face him, then from here it was to Horn Hill that Aemon and the Blood Wyrm would fly to next.

To his left, he heard the sound of a man falling to the ground and he looked to see an archer had been unlucky enough to draw Ghost's own fury. With the last of his men now dead, Randyll Tarly stepped out from behind the door of what looked to be stables. The Lord of Horn Hill bore a Valyrian steel Greatsword in his hands and looked at Aemon with fury in his eyes. It actually brought a cruel smile to Aemon's face and though he saw Thoros and Lady Margaery looking his way, it stopped him not.

"Look, it's your father. Shall he be joining you soon do you think?" Aemon said to the severed head "What's that you say? He should run as far from here as he can? " he laughed.

As Randyll ran at him, Aemon threw the head through the air and it struck the Lord of Horn Hill smack bang in the face. Ducking under the swing of the Greatsword, Aemon twisted and spun and then brought Dark Sister down hard on Randyll Tarly's arm. The arm and the sword it had wielded both fell to the ground and then just as Aemon was about to send Randyll to whichever hell he'd sent his son to, Ghost took the man to the ground and took the hand from Randyll's other arm. The white wolf looked at him and Aemon nodded.

"Thoros, seal the wounds. Today is not the day that Tarly dies." Aemon said as he moved closer to the man who rolled on the ground in great pain "You'll tell me everything before you leave this world and the pain you feel today, is just the beginning. You've woken the dragon, Lord Tarly. It's time to reap what your actions have sown."

Bodies were burned, words spoken over only the three men that Aemon and Thoros had lost. Randyll's heir, who Aemon had learned from Margaery was named Dickon Tarly, had his severed head covered in salt to preserve it, and then his body was burned along with the others. One of the bodies provoked an angry reaction from Lady Margaery and Aemon later found out that the reason she spat on his corpse was that he'd killed her father. After the fires had burned out, they left the village behind them and began the long trek back to Highgarden.

The Blood Wyrm came to them long before they set up their camp. Aemon spoke to his dragon softly and promised him that they would fly soon. Randyll would survive his wounds and would no doubt be welcomed how he deserved to be once they reached Highgarden. While Lady Margaery both longed to be back home once more and worried greatly about what she'd find once she reached there. Aemon considered only telling her the good news, yet he knew he could not. So once she had washed and eaten, then and only then did he speak to her about the losses her family and she herself had suffered.

"I had not wished to tell you this, my lady, no lie. And I beg your forgiveness that I have not my wife's tact for such things."

"My family, your grace….are they…"

"Your grandmother, mother, and oldest brother are all well and uninjured. Ser Garlan suffered a wound to his leg that I'm certain will have no long-term effects. Ser Loras has broken a few ribs and requires some rest…..your husband….I'm afraid your husband was killed in the battle, my lady."

Margaery shed some true tears and yet she didn't collapse or fall in on herself. Aemon had nothing to offer her in way of comfort other than later on when he spoke on what was to befall the Lions and how he'd make them pay. It pleased him some to hear the concern in Margaery's voice when he spoke on Rhaenys' injury and he felt it to be a true concern. It showed much about the lady that she could do go given what she herself was going through.

As they rode the next day, Aemon looked at Margaery more than once or twice with Rhaenys' words in mind. Aurane could do little better than to be wed to such a woman and while the time for such conversations was not yet upon them, it soon would be. Much as he wished it to be Rhaenys to speak to Lady Olenna and Margaery herself about it, he wagered it would fall to him and so he resolved himself to be ready for it if it did. As he then resolved himself for the march into the West he would soon lead and the one to Dorne that would then follow.

Tywin Lannister and Doran Martell had both pulled on the dragon's tail. Neither of them would like it when the dragon pulled back.

The Conquest of Westeros LVI

The Huntsman's fall.

A storied history that stretched all the way back to the Age of Heroes, House Tarly, like the Striding Huntsman that they had taken as their sigil, had loomed large over the Reach for centuries. Famed for their military prowess and their resoluteness in battle, there were some who'd say that they were the Reach's true military might. Never had this been proved more true than during the reign of the Vulture King and especially so during the Vulture Hunt.

Led by Savage Sam Tarly, a large force of several thousand knights and archers was what eventually broke the Vulture King's lines and ended his reign. Tales would tell of how Heartsbane was covered in blood from hilt to tip, so many men did Savage Sam himself kill that day. Though the Vulture King escaped, his respite was but fleeting. The Vulture Hunt was launched and it was once again Savage Sam Tarly who was to prove the thorn in the Vulture King's side.

Captured, beaten, and bloodied and then tied between two posts by Savage Sam himself, the Vulture king's death is one spoken of often. Some say he died of thirst and exposure while others peak of a far more bloody end. Tales of the very vultures that he'd taken his name from flying down from on high and tearing into the Vulture's King's flesh leading to his eventual death. Whatever the truth of such tales is, only those who were there truly know. What is under no doubt, however, is that from that moment on, when the Reach was called to war, the Striding Huntsman was the sigil that most were wary of.

After his actions during the Battle of Highgarden and once the Dragonknight turned his sights upon him, the Huntsman would stride no more and Randyll Tarly would be remembered as the last of his line. Horn Hill was stripped from the remainder of his family and his wife and daughter were named Florents and sent to live with the rest of their kin at Brightwater Keep. As for Randyll Tarly, his death was a slow and painful one and while I was not there at the end, I believe the words of those who were who say he begged for death's release.

A history of the Conquest of the Dragonknight,

Marwyn the Mage.

A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. Up Next: A Stunted Lion and his protect find no comfort on the road and run into the very last people they would wish to. Aurane arrives at Highgarden and speaks to Arthur about his own victory and prisoners. Aemon and Margaery return and Olenna's relief soon turns to worry as she ponders the future. At a meeting, the succession of Highgarden, the Reach, and the future of its former lady are discussed and decided. In the North, Ned calls the banner and marches to avenge his kin while in the Vale, Elbert Arryn and the Knights of the Vale answer their king's call. Oberyn learns about the fate of the Dornish army as Rhaenys recovers from her injury. While the west looks on with bated breath as the Dragonknight and his army march to the Lion's Den.

For those following my other fics, Winter King and the Dragonverse are up next.

Missed Reviews.

AnthonyR89: Ch. 1 Hopefully the Marwyn stuff has explained itself by now, but basically around Aemon people were being gathered to ready him for what he needed to do in Essos. Marwyn was one of them.

Ch. 2 With Rickard I was going for the same parts of him that refused to listen to Lyanna, how over time that part would only harden since she ran from her duty in his eyes. So he's basically only an asshole in that regard, with Aemon, etc. Whereas in all other aspects, he's very much not and much beloved.

Dorne has named themselves as Princes since Nymeria married into House Martell. It's I believe a nod to her being a princess and so while there have been those in Dorne who named themselves as Kings, Nymeria's arrival has always led to House Martell naming themselves as Princes/Princesses. Since that hasn't been changed here, they still would do so.

As for conquering Dorne and forcing a response, the House of the Dragon cares not for Westeros and they'd never go against their own true blood.

Ch 3. No, t don't think Tywin wouldn't expect it, he'd prepare for it and the IB were simply a means to an end for him, not a true ally.

Ch. 4. Nope, I agree, Garlan is smarted than Loras, and less prideful too. But in Olenna's eyes, both are sillier. As for Renly being in a brothel full of women, there are, as far as I know, no brothers full of men in Westeros. Instead, most are mixed. The one Renly was in was more women than men, but there were some men there too.

Ch. 14. Pride is a foolish thing. His pride has been hurt and Randyll was ever prickly.

Ch. 15. Hands held up, I am a Targ fan. However, in certain settings, I think that fan service is far more required than in others. From what I can find on Viserys, other than in fics, there is no mention of him being unstable until we meet him in canon and Dany speaks on him and in truth, I don't really think anything he does in canon paints him as mad. A prick, yes, but mad, I don't know if I see that.

Ch. 16. As with Tyrion earlier, LF is only as smart as the game he's been allowed to play. Now I personally don't think that LF is as smart as people say he is. He has more plot armor than anyone else in canon and his plans are freaking dumb and overly complex. They require so many movable parts to work and had Tyrion not killed Tywin, then LF was IMO dead sooner rather than later. Hell, had Varys not allowed him to cause his own sort of chaos, he'd have died at his hands.

As for the Dothraki. True enough the nature of canon Essos played its part, however, they've been around for generations, and even when larger forces were at work in Essos, they've always been a threat. The Freehold and the Ghiscari Empire couldn't eradicate or subdue them completely. Drogo's true threat is in the fact that without Aemon in Essos, the other Targs have never truly fought a true fight, it's been mainly Aemon whose done so. The Roman Empire was vast and unchallenged or should have been, yet there were always challenges within the Empire, simply because of how big it was.

LF's plan is not that they won't come after him, it's that they won't blame him and think instead it's someone else. It's in some ways, his Sansa in canon plan. As had the Lannisters known he'd taken her, they'd have come after her, instead, they only knew she'd disappeared.

Ch. 19. The Khal that Aemon faced off against at the Start was a threat, simply because of the number of men under his command. Who was sent to deal with that threat, Aemon. Drogo has collected even more men than he, yet has no Aemon, or may have no Aemon to stop him, which makes him more of a threat.

Other than Aemon, they've not truly waged a war and so their inexperience compared to Drogo's own, makes him a threat. How true a threat, that's debatable. But again, you can say that the Germanic tribes were no threat to the Roman Empire, yet they almost beat them.

Celtigar is a Valyrian House, I also mirrored canon with them here. This is almost word for word what they did when Aegon conquered. There it was Visenya who had to bring them to heel, afterward, they would never have sought to face off against a Targ again, before that, they certainly did. So since there was no Aegon here, the circumstances would be not just the same, but even more so, as they've had 300 years away from the Valyrian Empire.

I don't mind Sansa in the books, hated the show version, and am with you on the others. My comparison was more that people give Sansa a pass and name Margaery a grasper, when in truth, Show Sansa in particular, is even worse.

Ch.22. Not dumb, desperate which is also the reason for his piety. Sam is at the Wall as in canon. I don't think that would change given how Tarly sees him.

Magic Fanatic: Not sure if you've continued reading past the first chapter or not, so I've sent you a pm too. But your logic point missed one key element, there was more of the plot to come. Hopefully, you've continued to read and seen why Aemon/Rhaenys was an issue.

Chapter 25 Reviews.

Daryl Dixon: So happy you enjoyed it.

Rhatch: Really glad you liked it.

Orthnakg: So happy you liked it.

Rhett: Rhaegar would never allow his sister to marry in Westeros. So the best chance of what you suggest would be between the children of Rhaenys/Aemon and Robb/Wynafryd or some other combination.

Celexys: So glad to hear you say to. I wanted to offer up a couple of surprises with the Tyrells, glad they worked out.

Dunk: In Aurane's next pov (CH 28) we'll see the full extent of the Dornish Losses. With the Tyrells, I was thinking of almost a little bit of the Northern Conspiracy in that, you have so-called allies in your home, and because it's war, more and more of them, but can you truly name them as allies? I mean we know what Wyman is up to in WF in the books for example, so I was going with the same principle. Randyll was too open, but even had he not been, he'd still have always sort of had an eye on him when it came to Olenna, so others may slip by unnoticed. So glad you liked the first set of battles, they are far from the last ones and some big moments to come.

Knighthunter I hope his entrance was worth waiting for.

Matt Black: No Drogo/Dany won't be a thing, he's more worthy than that. I do get you about putting her as part of Aemon/Rhaenys, but it to me just feels like it would take away from the fact that Aemon and Rhaenys have always been if that makes sense. That and that neither they nor Dany has ever had any thoughts other than her being their aunt, even if she is younger and almost acts like a niece lol.

One way I think a Throuple works would be Dany unable to birth an Heir and say a Margaery or Sansa brought in. The succession line then never becomes an issue. The succession issue though would always be there if both women had children, we've seen this too many times with the targs.

I'm glad you liked Mace's end, I wanted to give him somewhat a heroic one. I think that with the Tarlys in canon, but more so in regards to the Boltons. I mean their betrayal of the Tyrells in sacking HG and it's why I always say that Dany was more than justified in killing them.

I'm right there with you on the CC, I was raised a catholic and the things done in the name of that faith are terrible indeed. Now they're not alone in it, but in regards to the Faith of the Seven, they pretty much are almost the template for them.

Alberto: I hope you enjoyed it.

Yukiko: I think the Lannisters are so easy to portray as villains, given how most of their actions certain under Tywin play out. Here, they'll get their just deserts. So glad you're liking the secondary characters, we'll see more of Aurane next, and Daario too.

Trueborn6: Thanks so much for saying so.

Anthony: Now, I agree with that aspect of him, he's very much one of the best generals. However, there are some personal questions and issues regarding him which we see in how he deals with Sam. Here, unlike canon, his family hasn't been sworn to the Targs and so he has no love for them. He also feels that the Tyrells have reached far too high (there is some annoyance that it wasn't his daughter wed to Gwayne too).

I think a Tarly in canon, faced with a Targ, joins them 99 times out of hundred. And I hated what they did with him in regard to Dany, as I under no circumstances buy that he'd ever join with Cersei. In saying that, you have to remember that the Reach was a sovereign kingdom that was handed over without a fight to a foreign king, that alone is enough to cause some issues for someone, and I chose that someone to be Tarly. Add in Aemon/Rhaenys, his dislike, and the Tyrells and I can see him going down this path. Again, where this is more a canon setup and say something like Jon and Rhaenys were both spirited off to Essos after Rhaegar's death, then came back leading an army and were wed to each other, that Randyll would IMO, kneel without hesitation.

With Quentyn it was more that Stannis even sought to march against him since it wasn't him that Quentyn was marching against. Also, the fact that he's not as astute militarily as he should be.

My big issue when Yi Ti does get introduced is that most people make it feudal Japan and do little with the actual lore that is there.

Chapter 26 reviews.

Daryl Dixon: So very glad you liked it.

Joearnold: Seriously, nothing happened, Wow. Just because the MC doesn't appear in a chapter doesn't mean nothing happened. As for dragging things out, if you think I'm doing so, then maybe I'm, not the writer for you. The last 3 chapters have been a preparation for war, a reckoning in Essos, and a huge bloody battle, if that's nothing happening then I give up.

Sozin's Flame: So glad you enjoyed it.

Celexys: Yeah there had to be at least one big death and it had to truly mean something to Aemon too. Thoros and Daario would have hurt him to lose and Aurane is basically his brother by choice so it fell to Grey Worm, unfortunately. Anyway, it will fuel his wrath and he'll see the lions to pay.

Alberto: I'm so glad to hear that. I like a little nod to canon every so often and I think if you somewhat replicate the circumstances then some event may play out the same, such as one of Jaime's men trying to help him in a fight where he doesn't need them to.

Abdacom: No, the Gardner line is now dead, sadly.

Rhatch: Really glad you liked it.

Mattblack: So right, sorry about that.

Shadowquark: Lol, I know it is somewhat that with Jaime, it is funny enough the way of things too, the commanders of an army often retreat when all is lost. It's funny because, at the Whispering Wood, it was both Jaime's own hubris and Robb's somewhat planning for it that allowed for him to be captured. Had Jaime escaped, then the fight at Riverrun wouldn't have gone down the same way. Anyway, this is the last of Jaime's plot armor lol.

Dunk: Unfortunately real life got in the way of updating, but all is well now. Yes, the battle took a heavy toll, personally on Aemon, if not militarily. Grey Worm's loss will prey on his mind and yet his focus is on ending the Lannisters and as you see here, we're seeing a more bloodthirsty side of him too. He won't be the only one feeling that way as we'll see with Ned next. The truth about who killed Rickard and Brandon is soon to be shared.

Keb: Stupid typos, though that is some distance to go for a horse, years away lol. As for Dany, yes, it was to control the second battle. She thought she had more time and had she been Aemon, she would have. But the plan was to not allow the second army to reinforce the first and change her battle plans because they did so. Again, had it been Aemon, it would have been timed better, but Dany doesn't know how armies move, how quickly, etc, so she mistimed it. Had she not stopped to let Nightwing feed, she'd have arrived before the battle truly began, so there was that too. Basically, though, I wanted to show that while both she and Rhaenys listened to Aemon's words, they were still inexperienced and so prone to making a mistake.

King Mern: How is he so upset? His wife was injured and he lost a man who was by his side from when he was a babe almost. That it was a battle, war, matters not, those who did so will be forced to pay and Aemon will not rest until they do so.

Revan: Firstly, do you understand how the original conquest of Westeros played out? As I'm in some ways mirroring that with some changes. It took two years before all of Westeros other than Dorne. Secondly, Aemon made a mistake in traveling to the North in terms of how quickly Tywin moved, however, he would still have consolidated and planned before moving to take the West and making that move. Thirdly, given the arrival of Darkfyre and what the dragon more than likely represented, there was no freaking way that Aemon would do anything else but look East. Rhaenys and Dany would have been safe in Harrenhal, Tywin should not have moved so quickly. Lastly, sometimes you give different characters a pov for effect. Gerion's pov was very little to do with him as a character and more to show the battle that his army faced, he was a perspective character. I didn't need to show Grey Worm's perspective as it would have added little IMO, the emotion was to be the fact he died, not his own feelings on his death.

Robb Stark took time out of his war to marry and hold a funeral. Tywin after the Battle of the Blackwater held a wedding and sat back in KL, people take time to deal with other matters and do not fully move right on to battle after battle, that's not how a war works, certainly not one fought in Westeros.

Syrius; So very glad you liked it, the wrath against the Lannisters will be a thing to behold.

Orthankg: Thanks so much.

Xan Merrick: Thanks, my friend.