The conquest of Westeros LVII
The Fall and Rise of House Velaryon II.
There had been many famed members of the House of the Seahorse, none more so than Corlys Velaryon, The Sea Snake. A man who truly owned the seas as much as any member of the House of the Dragon owned the skies. The Sea Snake's sense of adventure was only matched by his ambition. Wed to Rhaenys Targaryen, the Sea Snake sought his blood on the Imperial Seat and was willing to use almost any means to achieve his goal.
As a member of the High Council, Corlys had always served his own interests as much as he served the Empire. After the death of Emperor Jaehaerys. Corlys put forward his wife's name as his successor as he had years before when Prince Baelon, The Spring Prince and Dragon's Heir had died. Again he was denied as instead it was accepted as the Emperor's Will that his grandson Prince Viserys rather than his granddaughter Princess Rhaenys should ascend to the Imperial Seat.
Corlys stewed in his anger and yet bided in his time, sensing a chance to see his dream fulfilled through his daughter only to push too hard and lose his position, his privilege, and almost his life too. Over the next century, House Velaryon lost and then regained favor in equal measure until finally it was all but cast out from any role of true power within the Empire.
Had it not then been for the Empress of the Ice, they may never have regained any. For dragons don't easily forgive, they rarely ever forget and while ambition is welcomed and applauded, such blatant ambition usually goes unrewarded and sometimes even punished.
Through Aurane Velaryon's bond with the Dragonknight the House of the Sea Horse rose once more. Yet it would not be upon the Imperial Seat or even in Essos that Corlys' dreams would be realized. With a match requested by the Dragonknight and his Queen, the Princess of the Sun. Bonding with a dragon that finally answered the long-asked but never answered question of who Aurane's Velaryon's mother had been and through children born from the union of Sea Horses and Roses, was a crown once again gifted to House Velaryon. And through that union between the House of the Dragon and the House of the Seahorse that the next Dragonknight was born.
A history of the conquest of the Dragonknight,
Marwyn the Mage.
Highgarden 301 AC.
Aurane Velaryon.
With what Daario and the Second Sons had done before the battle and his arrival on Darkfyre, the victory had been complete and total. Which had then led Aurane to wonder was Aemon's own just as true as his. For he had no doubt that his brother by choice would prevail and worried about him not, and yet still he wished to be by his side sooner rather than later. The horseman that soon arrived bearing words for him and Daario carried both the news he wished for as well as new orders for him, Daario, and the Second Sons. Though Stannis' Baratheon's part in the war against Dorne and the West was somewhat at an end.
"The West is to fall," Aurane said as he sat with Daario, Stannis, and Ser Davos Seaworth in Stannis' tent.
"I had assumed as much from what the king said, Lord Aurane. Are we to march?" Stannis asked.
"No, my lord. Your part in the war is at an end, in this respect at least." Aurane answered, Stannis looking at him with some confusion now. "His grace wishes for you to take the prisoners back with you to Storm's End, Lord Stannis, Quentyn Martell in particular is most prized and so he's to be treated better than most. While still to be left in no doubt that he is but a prisoner."
"His grace needs not our armies in dealing with the West, Lord Aurane?" Ser Davos asked.
"His grace welcomes all you've done thus far, Ser Davos. He deems your oaths fulfilled and while more men would be helpful in bringing the West to heel, it's now time for others to pay their own dues. The Knights of the Vale, men of the Reach, and the Northern Army will all now descend upon the West. Along with myself, Darkfyre, and the Second Sons, we have more than enough men to deal with the Old Lion. Especially now his army has been broken as truly as the one we ourselves faced here."
Aurane saw Stannis look to Davos before both men then looked back at him. He then rose from his feet and offered both men his hand, shaking first the one and then the other of the hands offered back to him. Again he thanked them on Aemon's behalf and assured them that their actions here had won them favor, that this was not a snub but a reward for those actions. Something that he believed was true given the words the horseman had carried to him. Leaving the tent with Daario, Aurane made his way to where the prisoners were and had one final look over each of them. He paid more attention to Quentyn Martell than any of them and could see that though uninjured, the man was somewhat broken.
Happy enough by that, he and Daario walked to where the Second Sons had made their camp. Both of them spoke quietly along the way. Daario wished to know if he should fly with Aurane on Darkfyre or had he the time to travel with the Second Sons and meet up with Aemon's forces later. So Aruane told him that the letter had only sought Daario and the Second Sons to make their way to Highgarden to join up with the army that would soon be heading to the West. While it had said to do so with haste, it had not specified that Daario was to do so ahead of them. For Aurane's part, he'd just been asked to make his way to Highgarden once things were resolved with Stannis Baratheon, little else.
"Not only am I not yet comfortable enough to carry a passenger on Darkfyre's back, I believe Aemon wishes for both you and the Second Sons, Daario. Not one without the other."
"We'll ride today and do so with as much haste as we can manage," Daario said and Aurane nodded.
Aurane thanked the Second Sons on Aemon's behalf and gathered some food for his journey to Highgarden. As he was still getting used to flying on a dragon, he had no true idea of just how long it would take him to reach the Tyrell keep or whether or not he'd feel the need to land before they arrived there. So the food and water were more a precaution than a necessity. He said his goodbyes to Daario, took one last look at the Stormlands' army as he walked to where Darkfyre awaited, and then climbed atop his dragon and took to the sky.
In the end, he needed no stop, and other than taking a long swallow from his water pouch, he touched not his supplies. The journey took no more than an hour or two and only that Aurane was still so inexperienced with being a Dragonlord, or he'd have known whether or not it was Darkfyre's sheer speed or that the distance was not so very far which was the reason for it. Whichever it was truly didn't matter in the end and long before he began to feel uncomfortable in the saddle, Darkfyre was flying over Highgarden while Aurane sought a place to land.
No sooner had he done so than he was joined by some Unsullied who escorted him into the keep after he'd thanked Darkfyre and bid the dragon to find some food to eat. Something which shouldn't prove too difficult given the large numbers of dead horses they'd passed on their way here. The remnants of the Lannister Army and the carnage that had been wrought down upon them were still clear to see. Aurane was certain they would serve as true a warning as to what happened when you faced dragons as what was soon to come.
Walking through the keep it appeared that Ser Arthur had sought him out as he'd been in the keep only a few moments when he saw the Sword of the Morning walk toward him. The look that Arthur wore was both welcoming and yet one that suggested the victory had not been as conclusive as Aurane had believed it to be. Though even that look didn't truly prepare Aurane for the news that Arthur shared with him when they spoke, in what the knight had taken for his solar.
"It cannot be," Aurane said, shocked and stunned that anything could have taken Torgho Nudho from the world. Not to mention worried at how Aemon had taken the news.
"I wish I could say it was not true, Aurane. Alas…."
"Rhaenys was injured too, you say. How badly, Arthur?"
"It seemed minor, the Queen took an arrow in the leg, and yet…"
"Aemon cares not and promises fire and blood to those who dared harm his wife." Aurane finished Arthur's words for him.
"He does. The Queen is well, Aurane. Aemon took her to Harrenhal and she's in the care of the Mage. After doing so Aemon then arrived here at Highgarden, he'd not have come unless she was well and recovering."
"No, he'd not," Aurane stated, knowing full well what Aemon would have done should Rhaenys' injury be more serious or even life-threatening. "Where is he now, Arthur?"
"He and Thoros have set off in search of Lady Margaery. She'd been kidnapped by one of their Bannermen, Tarly I believe."
"That miserable fucker, I should have let Aemon end him when he wished to."
"I've no doubt that will soon be his fate if it's not already," Arthur replied. Both of them as sure as the other was that was what Aemon would see done.
Aurane listened as Arthur told him then of the extent of the victory. The Lannister armies had been broken, two of them by Princess Daenerys and Nightwing. While the last and largest of them had been in the process of being beaten when Rhaenys had suffered her injury and so had faced the Dragonknight and the Blood Wyrm for their sins.
There had been losses other than Torgho Nudho too. Gwayne Gardener had fallen as too had Mace Tyrell, both Ser Garlan and Ser Loras had been injured and of course, Lady Margaery had been abducted. Yet for Aurane it was his queen and the fall of his friend that his thoughts went to.
"I need to see him, Arthur. To pay my respects."
"I'll have one of the Unsullied take you to him. They stand vigil still."
Aurane was taken to a room that seemed colder than the others. Outside the door, a half dozen Unsullied stood in strict formation and he would wager that none but those who actually knew Torgho Nudho were allowed to pass. Entering through a second door into a smaller room, he saw the body laying atop a table. Moving to it, he felt the tears begin to build and by the time he was looking down on Torgho Nudho's face, they had begun to fall.
Aemon's sworn shield looked to be simply resting. There was no sign of injury and no wound visible. Thoros and his men had gone about their work and had done a sterling job, not that it brought Aurane much comfort. Reaching his hand out so as to touch Torgho Nudho's face, Aurane almost expected to feel warmth and life rather than the coldness of a life no longer lived. He then stayed for more than an hour or more just standing there and looking down on a man he'd known all his life. A man he'd been proud to call a friend and who he couldn't truly comprehend wouldn't be around any longer. Never again would he see him stand at Aemon's side or shield his back and Aurane was not sure he was yet ready for all that meant.
Eventually, he left the room and made his way back to the solar where he and Arthur had met. Taking a seat in front of the Sword of the Morning once more, he then spoke on the extent of their victory over the Dornish Army. Just as he was getting ready to speak on prisoners other than Quentyn Martell, the sounds of a dragon landing were followed by those of guards rushing and servants scurrying about. Both he and Arthur moved to the window and as he looked out, he was greeted first by the sight of the Blood Wyrm and then by Aemon, Thoros, Lady Margaery, and what looked to be one or more prisoners.
"We should go greet him, Arthur. I doubt we'll spend much longer here." Aurane said as Arthur nodded.
"No, we'll soon be marching west and to a reckoning."
Aurane believed it would be even more than that. He had already been certain that Aemon would bring a reckoning to the Lions. Now he'd bring wrath and ruin too. For injuring his wife and for taking Torgho Nudho from the world, Aemon would give no quarter and Westeros would finally see the true Dragonknight. They'd not like what they saw. Nor would they ever forget it, of that Aurane was certain.
The Reach 301 AC.
Tyrion Lannister.
A complete and total disaster. That's what the battle had been and all his father's well-laid plans had led to naught. Tyrion was in no doubt what the result of Tywin Lannister's folly would lead to and yet for now he had other problems. He was lost in the Reach with only the Hound to shield his back. Somewhere out there was an army as well as at least two, mayhap three dragons. One of which was the Blood Wyrm and Tyrion had already seen as much of Aemon Targaryen's rage as he ever wished to. As too had the Hound who'd threatened to leave him alone here more than once.
Coin didn't make a man immune to fire, after all. Something which had been proved true enough to the Lords of the West on the field of fire that Tyrion and the Hound had somehow managed to escape from. The fire had proved something else to Tyrion as well. It had shown that rather than the Hound being a man who was fearless, there was actually something in this world that scared him half to death. It was something that Tyrion should have been able to figure out long before now given the Hound's scarred face. Yet, it had taken dragons unleashing their flames on men and seeing them turn to ash, or were they unlucky enough to not be truly caught by the flames, hearing their screams as they burned to death, that had.
So when Sandor Clegane had run from the field, Tyrion was not fool enough to stay on it. He cared not if men saw him as craven, for only a fool showed courage when facing a fiery death. Thankfully he'd caught up with his sworn sword and together they'd ridden fast and far, leaving the Lannister army and his father to deal with the Dragonknight and the Blood Wyrm. In the days since then, Tyrion had been even more thankful that he'd kept his coin purse. Though it was starting to feel a little light and he was beginning to worry it wouldn't stretch enough to get him to safety.
'Not that I know a place that is safe from a dragon's flames' he thought as they rode through the night.
They set up their camp by day or did so once they found somewhere they'd not be disturbed. In the forests among the trees, while trying not to imagine those trees alight. Once in a cave that they found and once in a tavern, where both of them got very drunk and cared not if they were to meet their ends that night. Today it was by a stream with no cover and yet they'd little other option open to them. There was no village nearby, no forest, and no caves, and their horses' needed rest. As too did he and Sandor Clegane.
After eating dried meat and bread that had long since passed its best. Tyrion laid out his makeshift bedroll and was asleep in moments. Whether or not Sandor stood watch or joined him in that sleep, Tyrion knew not. Though when he woke up and felt the cool night air on his face, it was to find his sworn sword already up and readying their horses for another night's ride. Little did either of them know at the time that it was to be the last one Tyrion took of his own volition.
An hour or two, that's all the time they had before they were on them. A red dragon flew over their heads and then landed in front of them and a white wolf that took Sandor's horse first before then taking Tyrion's own. Luckily, or not, Tyrion only crashed to the ground and didn't fall beneath his horse when its legs were taken from under it. Sandor jumped from his own and drew his sword, though soon enough, and much to Tyrion's dismay, he threw it down and accepted the offer that was made to him.
Though given the man who made that offer, Tyrion blamed him not. How Aemon Targaryen had found them, Tyrion was unaware. He doubted that he'd been looking for him and yet, in the end, it really made little difference. They'd been found and were now surrounded by more men than the Hound could face alone. Not to mention a huge dragon and a giant fucking wolf. Looking at the dark expression on Aemon Targaryen's face, Tyrion somehow didn't empty his bladder and piss his britches, nor did he soil himself. Instead, he simply resolved himself to his fate.
"I know you're his sworn sword, Clegane. I know too that you shield his back for coin and coin alone." Aemon said from atop his horse.
"I do."
"I'll make you a better offer than he then. One only a fool would turn down."
"I'm listening." The Hound said as Tyrion sighed.
"I offer you your life and a place in my service." Aemon Targaryen said with a half smile that showed no true humor present on his face as he did so. "What say you? Would you prefer to serve a king or a prince of a House that is soon to meet its end?"
"You have my sword, your grace."
"Thoros, see that the prisoner is secured and that our new friend here is given bread and salt. As well as some of the good wine."
Tyrion was manhandled, bound and gagged, and tied to one of the men in red's horses. He wasn't blindfolded, nor was he the only prisoner being held in such a way. Not that the sight of Randyll Tarly did anything to comfort him. Looking around, he could see that he was amongst a group of no more than twenty or so men and one woman. Though why Margaery Tyrell was with these men, he knew or cared not. The looks the lady was giving him were more than enough to tell him that she knew full well all that his father had tried or planned. After they set off, no words were spoken for some time. Other than a conversation between Aemon and Margaery and some words spoken to Sandor by Thoros of Myr, they practically rode in silence. That they rode through the night surprised him somewhat and he wondered if they like he and Sandor had, would make camp during the day. Only to find that other than stopping to eat, rest the horses and make water, the ride continued at the same pace all through until the next day.
It wasn't until the next night that they finally stopped and made camp. Tyrion then found to his surprise that he was to be kept separate from Randyll Tarly. He was fed well and even given some wine, which he drank down thirstily. Around the fire, some distance from where he was kept, Sandor Clegane sat with men he now served with while Margaery Tyrell sat with Aemon Targaryen and laughed at something he said to her. Tyrion wondered if there was something illicit going on between the two of them, but later when they went to their beds, they did so alone and not together. Though Aemon did not rest before coming to speak to Tyrion and making him completely aware of the fate that now awaited him.
"Your family has much to pay for. A debt they now owe me and what is it you say, ah yes, a Lannister always pays their debts." Aemon said and Tyrion was in no position to correct him and say his rather than theirs, though given Aemon's next words, he mayhap had it more right than Tyrion did. "I'll collect them from every single last one of you. By the time I'm done, there won't be a Lannister alive. Be that your father, brother, sister, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, or cousins."
Tyrion tried to speak up for the children. He tried to say they were innocent and yet the gag he wore and the expression on Aemon's face made that an impossible case to make. As too did the next words that Aemon Targaryen spoke.
"I know all about your little trip east, Lannister. Your meeting with Littlefinger and your hiring of assassins to kill my brother and lay the blame at my feet." Aemon said, his eyes ablaze and yet his words were spoken softly so that only he and Aemon could hear them. "I know what your father did to my grandfather and my uncle. That alone is enough to bring the doom to your house. What you did to my wife, what you did to my sworn sword….." Aemon composed himself before speaking once more. "You will beg for death before I grant you its sweet release. Enjoy your journey back to your home, Lannister, for once we reach it, then your true suffering will begin."
Tyrion wet himself. The fear that he'd felt upon seeing the Blood Wyrm and the White Wolf were nothing compared to the fear that Aemon Targaryen's words and his expression now instilled in him. As around him people slept, Tyrion wept. Not for the children, his brother and sister, aunts or uncles, and certainly not for his father. He wept for himself and even the next morning when he was once again tied to a horse and they rode, the tears still fell. All the way to Highgarden, he wept, and long after he believed that he had no more tears to fall, they still came.
The North 301 AC.
Ned Stark.
Even now moons later, Ned was still surprised that they had been given leave to return to the North. Though in some ways he'd welcomed it too as there was much to do and organize. The first of those things had been to try and come up with a future plan for his Goodsister. Something that wasn't as easy as Ned had hoped it would be, given that Barbrey was now almost a shadow of the woman she'd been but a few moons earlier. The loss of Brandon had been hard on them all and so it was unsurprising that it was the woman who loved him the most who took it hardest.
Ned had been most grateful for Cat and Robb in those early weeks, as other than his wife and son, Barbrey had shut herself off to most people. Not even her father and brothers were truly able to get through to her. Yet, for Ned, it had been Rodrik Ryswell and his son and heir Roger that he'd conferred with about his Goodsister's future. While they and he had allowed Cat and Robb to be there for Barbrey to help her through her grief. In the end, Ned agreed with Rodrik to offer a keep and a decent holding for Barbrey to live out her days in. While at the same time making it clear that she always had a home in Winterfell.
It then left the Moat to be dealt with and while in the future it would fall now to Bran to rule there, for now, Ned had asked Jory Cassel to take up residence and serve as its castellan. The Moat was still the gateway to the North and while they now no longer had to worry about Harren and the Iron Born getting ideas above their station, they would still protect it as if they did. Though the days of anyone ever threatening the North and attacking them through that avenue were long since gone. Especially given the new rulers who resided in Harrenhal.
As the days, weeks, and then a moon passed, life began to return to a new normal. Ned was now Warden of the North, though to his surprise he had been named a prince still, and other than answering to a different king and moving to a new home, nothing much had changed. Barbrey had somewhat come back into herself, though he doubted if the formidable woman that his Goodsister had once been would ever be who she was again. Robb had taken to his lessons both in the sparring yard and with the Maester with fervor. Bran too had found his own lessons had now taken on a far more intensive schedule, while his wife, daughters, and youngest son had adapted to the change best of all. All in all, Ned was content, or as content as a man who'd lost his father and brother to murderers could be. Then the raven came which changed everything.
"My Prince." Maester Luwin said as he hurried into what had once been Ned's father's and then his brother's solar. 'Though Brandon held it but briefly' Ned thought angrily. "From the king." the Maester said taking Ned from his dark thoughts.
Ned took the scroll from the Maester's hand and broke the seal, reading the words eagerly and being shocked by what they said. Glad he'd asked Luwin to come with him from Moat Cailin and sent Waldron there instead.
To the Warden of the North,
I bid you call your banners and march, uncle. As many men as you can raise in as quick a time as you can do so. I seek not them all, but enough to send a clear and unmistakable message. The time for justice for fallen kin has finally arrived. For I know now who it is who took my grandfather and uncle from the world and I seek to pay them back in kind. Tywin Lannister is the culprit we both seek to make pay, uncle. He and his son, Prince Jaime are the men with blood on their hands along with Ser Gregor Clegane, the Mountain that Rides. While I've seen their armies fall already, the Cowardly Lions that they are have retreated back to the rock I intend to bury them under. March and make haste and mine own men will meet you on the road to the West.
It's time for the Wolves to howl, uncle, and they will have a Dragon's flames to guide them to their prey.
Aemon Targaryen.
How Ned kept his cool, he knew not. In his mind, all he could see or think about was the fall of Lions and it took the Master calling his name a fifth time for Ned to answer him. When he did it was not to share the contents of the raven, but rather to tell him to make sure that their own were ready to be sent out across the North. Taking some parchment, Ned went looking and soon found ink and a quill. Then for the next hour, he wrote out orders to all the major Houses of the North.
Men were to move quickly and to meet him at the Moat. Justice and Vengeance for a fallen king and brother were soon to be meted out. Lions were to be put in the ground once and for all. Ned wrote the words in as succinct and direct a manner as he could. Once he was done, he handed the scrolls to the Maester and bid the ravens to be sent immediately. Then he walked from the solar and went in search of his wife, son, and his Goodsister. Two of those he found together along with his oldest daughter while Robb soon came running when he'd heard his father was looking for him.
"Sansa, I needs must speak to your mother and aunt," Ned said, far more composed than he truly felt.
"Of course, father." Sansa, ever the lady, said before walking from the room.
Cat looked at him worriedly and though Ned tried to assuage those worries with his own look back at his wife, his anger which thus far had been held back was, however, clear on his face and in his eyes. Barbrey, to her credit, reached out her hand and took Cat's to offer her back some of the comforts she had gotten from her these past few weeks. As Ned began to speak, Robb arrived and so he bid his son take a seat and then he composed himself once more.
"I've received an order from the king. The banners are being called and we march once more." Ned began.
"So soon," Cat said, her worries even more clear now.
"It was the Lions, Cat. Tywin Lannister was the man behind Father's and Brandon's deaths. He gave the order and his son Jaime and Gregor Clegane are the ones who carried them out."
"You know this for true?" Barbrey asked and Ned handed her the raven's scroll that his nephew had sent.
Cat read the words over Barbrey's shoulder, her worries increasing the more she read and Ned was grateful for the first words that his Goodsister uttered.
"Their armies have been defeated already. This is just a march to the West, to Casterly Rock." Barbrey said, mostly for Cat's benefit, or so Ned believed.
"Aye, that seems to be the truth of it, Barbrey. It's not truly a war we march to but more…"
"A reckoning," Robb said and Ned nodded.
Ned spoke briefly to his son and told his Goodsister that they would speak again before he set out for the Moat to join up with the Northern Army. Both Barbrey and Robb then left him alone with his wife and no sooner had they left the room, than Ned took a seat next to Cat.
"Aemon seeks us not to win this battle for him, Cat. Read his words, he wishes us to march with as many men as can be mustered quickly, but not our full strength."
"It's still a battle, Ned. I had hoped you'd seen the last of them."
"Aye," Ned said reaching out for his wife's hand. "As had I. Yet Brandon and I swore a blood oath for Father. I swore another one for him. Be it by mine own hands or by Aemon's, the Lions have to pay and pay dearly for what they've done. I need to be there to see it so, as too do Benjen, Robb, and Torrhen."
"Surely not," Cat said shaking her head. "They're boys, Ned, far too young for such."
"They are Princes of the North, Cat. Men in all but name."
His wife looked at him and could see that his mind was already made up on this. Though it was clear she wished to argue and try to change it, she did not. Instead, Cat simply made him promise that he'd not force the boys into battle and would allow them a watching brief more than anything else. Something that Ned had no problem agreeing with her on. After then asking him how quickly he'd leave and being told it would be by week's end, Cat showed great resolve as she turned her mind to the practicalities of ruling while Ned and Robb were away.
Bran would stand as the Stark in Winterfell, though it would fall to Cat and Barbrey to rule and Ned had no qualms about leaving either in charge.
For the next few days, preparations were made and Robb showed true eagerness to be riding to his first battle. Little knowing about Ned's agreement with Cat or the fact that Ned didn't believe it was truly a battle they were riding to. The Northern Army was to be little more than a show of force, or so Ned believed. He doubted they'd have even been called for if it was not for the justice owed in regards to Brandon and his Father's deaths, as they'd not been for whatever battles that Aemon had already had with the men of the West.
On the day they were marching out, Ned made his way to his Goodsister's room and found the lady sitting on the bed that she and Brandon had shared. Barbrey sat quietly while holding one of his brother's tunics in her hands. It was clear to him that his Goodsister had been weeping and yet there were no tears being shed when Ned entered the room.
"I came to promise you that they'd pay, Barbrey. That I will not rest until they've suffered and met their ends."
"Make me a different promise, Ned."
"Barbrey?"
"Oh, I've no doubt they'll suffer nor that they'll die, but make me a different promise. Promise me that you and my nephews will return, that Benjen will return. Don't let Cat and Dacey become me, no matter what."
"I…"
"Promise me, Ned. Promise me that and I can rest easy." Barbrey said and Ned moved to the bed and dropped to a knee, reaching out his hand to place it on Barbrey's which still held Brandon's tunic in it.
"I promise, Barbrey," he said firmly and Barbrey nodded as he then rose back to his feet.
In the courtyard, he said his goodbyes to Bran and told him to listen to his mother and aunt. He hugged both his daughters and then his youngest son before then moving to embrace his wife. Ned's promise he made then to Cat was almost identical to the one that he'd made Barbrey. Sharing a nod with his Goodsister, Ned climbed up on his horse, and along with two hundred men at arms and his son and heir, he rode out through the South Gate.
Three days later he joined up with Benjen, Torrhen, and the Men of Sea Dragon Point, Bear Island, and Deepwood Motte. Later on the road he was met by the Ryswells and Tallharts. By the time he reached the Moat, the Umbers, Karstarks, and the Boltons along with the Manderlys had joined them too. More than ten thousand men rode through the Neck with him, all of them eager to avenge his father and brother. The North had come out in force and shown just how missed Brandon and Rickard Stark were, and the Wolves would howl loudly while the Lions cowered beneath their Rock. Each night before sleeping, Ned swore to himself that once the dragons had opened the gate, his sword would take at least one of those responsible for his losses from this world. He cared not which, but at least one Lion would feel a wolf's bite before he rested again.
The Conquest of Westeros LVIII
The Dragon Nurseries of Lys II.
Many had traveled in the hope of bonding with a dragon over the many years that the nurseries had existed, not all had been successful, however. First there needed to be a dragon's call and not all who were born with the blood of the dragon would hear that call. Then the travel itself, where the gods and fate would judge you worthy as some had found to their cost. More than one ship bearing a potential Dragonlord had sunk over the years and other than the Dragonknight saying that not all were worthy, few words had ever been spoken of such.
Those lucky enough to have received the call and to have arrived unscathed, then needed the most important approval of all, that of the dragons themselves. How this was achieved or what the process was for doing so, only those who underwent such a thing could tell. Even then, only those who had actually managed to bond with a dragon, as those who had now, knew not why they'd been rejected. To speak of it, however, was the greatest crime known in the empire and so no one, not even the Dragonknight himself ever did so.
"I'll gladly tell you the tale of Gaelithox and me, Marwyn. Yet, it'll not be until you're ready to breathe your last breath that I'll ever tell you more than that." Aemon the Dragonknight.
Blood was key, that much was known though what form that took was very much not. It was not simply that you bore the blood of the House of the Dragon in your veins, however, as not every child born with such gained a dragon because of it. The dragon chose not the rider, that was all Queen Rhaenys would ever speak on it and so it was left at that. For many years some had sought answers, others had sought ways to force a bond with a dragon rather than wait for one to be formed and none of those had been happy with what they'd found. For the true strength of the Empire lay with the dragons and the lengths they went to protect that strength knew no bounds.
A History of the Conquest of the Dragonknight,
Marwyn the Mage.
Highgarden 301 AC.
Olenna.
Each day since Aemon Targaryen had ridden out in search of her granddaughter would find Olenna standing at one of the many windows or on one of the many balconies looking out over the labyrinth that led to Highgarden's main entrance. She would eat and rest there. At times she'd almost sleep there as she looked to the lands below or the sky above for a sign of the Dragonknight and her Golden Rose.
Sometimes she'd be joined by Garlan, though her grandson needed his rest. Loras, though he mourned both Gwayne and his father and he too had been injured. Alerie, who Olenna believed would be broken beyond repair should Margaery come to harm or Willas who was the rock that held their family together in these trying times. Olenna hadn't even truly mourned her son as of yet, so worried was she over Margaery's fate. While the longer it went with no word from the Dragonknight, the more fearful she became that the very worst had occurred.
It wasn't Aemon Targaryen who was the first of his party to arrive, either. Instead, that honor fell to some men that the Dragonknight had sent back with a prisoner. A prisoner that Olenna, had she been in a better state of mind, may have sought to see dead by her own hands simply for the fact that he was a Lannister. Yet she never even bothered to go and look at Joffrey Lannister nor did she really care that the boy had clearly suffered greatly. So uninterested was she in the Prince of the Rock's fate that she barely even heard Willas tell her that the boy had been unmanned. Olenna simply stood her vigil and waited for horsemen or a dragon to return. A dragon that when it did arrive turned out to be the wrong one. Much to her annoyance.
"I heard a dragon land." Olenna cried out as she rushed through the keep faster than a woman of her age should. "Where is it? Where is the King? Is Margaery with him? Is my granddaughter well?"
The dragon and its rider, however, turned out to be most disappointing. Olenna cared not that Aurane Velaryon now was a Dragonrider, in truth it barely registered. Nor did the fact that he'd beaten the Dornish Army with help from Stannis Baratheon. Willas informed her that had they not stopped them where they did, then they too would have joined the attack on Highgarden and their own forces. That too was something that Olenna simply waved off as irrelevant. After all, it wasn't as if they didn't suffer much from those who did attack. They hadn't come out of the battle unscathed, so what care she that it could have been even worse. How could it be so when her heart was so very close to breaking as it was? When her granddaughter could be out there suffering or dead.
It was little more than a week after he had left that Aemon Targaryen returned. To Olenna it had felt like one of the longest years of her life. Time had lost all meaning to her as days rolled into one and her nights were spent in a dreamwine induced sleep. She'd for once not been on a balcony or near a window when the horses arrived and the dragon landed. So it fell to Left to enter her room unannounced and knock on he privy door to tell her that the king had returned. Though her loyal guard couldn't tell her if he had done so alone or bearing her granddaughter's body. Steadying herself and preparing for the worst, Olenna tried to walk slowly to the courtyard to greet the king only to swear she heard Margaery's voice and so once again she found herself hurrying through the keep.
The sight that greeted her was enough to almost make her fall to her knees and thank the Seven for Aemon Targaryen. Standing there and being embraced by her mother was Margaery. Willas was by her side and thanking the king before then greeting his sister while Olenna looked on and tried to see if her granddaughter had come to any harm. Unable to see and even more unable to simply stand still, Olenna ran through the open double doors and called out her granddaughter's name.
"Margaery!"
"Grandmother!" Margaery shouted back before running to embrace her.
Feeling Margaery's arms as they wrapped around her was the single greatest feeling that Olenna had ever experienced. Hearing her tell her that she was well and unharmed, then came damnably close to beating it. All the fears Olenna had that she'd not see her Golden Rose again or even should she be lucky enough to do so, she'd find her a shadow of the girl she'd once been, all now evaporated as she held Margaery and listened to her granddaughter speak. Eventually, they parted and after Olenna looked Margaery over and saw to her great relief that she was truly unharmed, she moved to the king before embracing him just as truly as she had her granddaughter.
"I owe you everything, your grace. My oath, my fealty, my very life is yours from this moment onward. Thank you for bringing her back, thank you for not forsaking us." Olenna said as Aemon, uncomfortable with her show of affection though he clearly was, allowed her to move from him in her own time.
"You are most welcome, my lady," Aemon said as he let him free from her arms. "Mayhap you would like some time with your granddaughter and the rest of your family. I have much still to do, but we can talk more truly on the morrow."
"I thank you, your grace. Truly." Olenna said before she then moved to where Margaery stood and took her granddaughter by one arm while Alerie took the other and together they walked into the keep.
Both Loras and Garlan left their beds to come and see their sister with their own eyes. Loras wept as he spoke to Margaery and begged her forgiveness for Gwayne. While Olenna glared at her grandson for bringing that up before Margaery had settled. Garlan simply embraced his sister and told her that he would recover fully. After then giving Margaery some time to share in her mother's grief over the loss of Mace, Olenna bid her to tell the tale of her kidnap and rescue.
To no one's surprise, certainly not Olenna's, she far enjoyed the latter of those tales more than the former. Listening keenly as Margaery told her that the Dragonknight himself had been the one to rescue her and that he'd not sent other men to do so. Hearing what he'd done to Dickon Tarly and how he'd used that to bring Randyll out from hiding was something that Olenna truly welcomed. As she did finding out that the man who'd taken Mace from the world no longer drew air into his lungs. When she was then told that Randyll Tarly still lived, Olenna was furious, only for Margaery's words about him and Tyrion Lannister, who was now held prisoner too, to bring a smile to her face.
"His grace promised that they'd both suffer much before they drew their final breaths, grandmother. He has men coming to deal with Randyll Tarly, men who'll seek answers from him before he meets his end."
"Answers?"
"About the Faith and who it is that he was working with," Margaery said and Olenna nodded.
"Tyrion Lannister?"
"Will be used to bring his family to heel, grandmother."
Olenna understood it not, as all she'd heard about the Imp of Casterly Rock was that his father hated and despised him. King Aemon had earned her unwavering faith and loyalty, however, so she'd raise no objections and ask no questions of the man. Instead, she'd simply welcome whatever fate was to befall the Lions and the Huntsman. For now, all she truly cared about was that Margaery was safe and well and back where she belonged.
"I worried so much for you, Sweetling. I…."
"Grandmother." Margaery said moving to embrace her once more "I am well and I was unafraid. I knew you'd never give up on me."
"Never," Olenna stated firmly.
That night they stayed up until they could do so no longer and Olenna even tucked Margaery up in bed as if she was a little girl and not a grown woman. The next morning when she awoke, Olenna hurried to her granddaughter's room just to make sure it had not all been a dream and looked in to see Margaery sleeping. They broke their fast as a family, with no sign of the king or any of his men. Afterward, Margaery went to speak to Melessa Gardener and together they went and paid their respects to Gwayne. With Margaery now in Highgarden, Olenna felt ready for the day for once and so when Willas told her that the king was ready to speak to them, she was more than happy to do.
"Did he say what it was about?" she asked as she and her grandson made their way to the solar that they'd given Ser Arthur and which the king had now taken over.
"The future, grandmother, that's all he said."
Olenna shivered a little at that, as she wasn't quite certain what shape that future would now take. Regardless of whatever she was asked for, requested, or demanded to do, Olenna would argue with it not. She owed the dragons more than she could ever repay them, yet she was willing to try. As she and Willas made reached the solar, she looked to the Unsullied and other men who guarded the King, With barely a word spoken, the door was opened for them and Olenna stepped inside. Willas walked by her side and was mayhap far less composed than she was.
"Your grace." Olenna curtsied as well as she was able while Willas bowed and they were bid to take their seats.
"Your granddaughter is settled, my lady?" the king asked, curiously and not as some may have done so as a reminder of who had rescued her, or so Olenna believed.
"Most settled, your grace. She mourns her father and husband while being relieved at the same time that her brothers' injuries are not so severe. Mostly, I believe she is just happy to be home, and again for that, you have my thanks."
"As you have mine, your grace," Willas added only for the king to shake his head and wave off their gratitude.
"My House and yours are allied, my lady. An attack on you is as one on myself or my wife and so will be treated as such." the king said and Olenna smiled at hearing it stated that way. "I know too that my wife and Lady Margaery are well on the way to becoming good friends and so forgive me if I had mine own selfish reasons to see your granddaughter safe too."
"I am pleased to hear it, your grace. As I was to hear that her grace's recovery continues apace."
Aemon nodded at her words and then offered both her and Willas some wine which Olenna accepted. After some brief words about the prisoners and his plans for them, the Dragonknight then spoke of his plans in regard to the Lions, Huntsman, West, and the Faith. Some of those plans sending a chill down Olenna's spine, even though it was by their own actions that those now in most danger had brought the Dragonknight's wrath down upon them.
"House Tarly is to be attainted, my lady. Horn Hill is to be stripped from them and given to another, I care not who." Aemon said as Willas tried his best not to look at her as the king continued. "I know not the further makeup of the Tarly line, other than there is a son at the Wall, I believe, a Samwell."
"There are some daughters, your grace."
"I care not of their fate, Lord Willas. Other than they will no longer reside at Horn Hill or bear the Tarly name. The Huntsman dies when Randyll Tarly breeds his last."
"Which will be when your grace?" Olenna asked, doing her best not to send reproachful or demanding.
"When he's spilled his very last secret, Lady Olenna. Then and not before." the king said, his words spoken and as cooly and collectively as ice. "House Lannister too will cease to exist and soon will be nothing more than a cautionary tale whispered in the wind."
"All of it, your grace."
"Every last one of them, my lady." the king said, leaving no room for doubt. "As for the West, I've not yet decided fully as the fate of its lords will depend on their actions as I march. The Faith, however." Olenna looked on as the king picked up his glass and almost swirled the wine around inside of it before then taking a swallow. "They too have a reckoning to face. For they are not the final arbitrators on people's fates they may believe they are."
"They're not?" Willas questioned.
"No, I am." the king said as Olenna brought her wine glass to her mouth, her hands shaking somewhat at the fire she saw in Aemon Targaryen's eyes as he spoke.
It wasn't madness, instead, it was pure determination. A True will to do whatever needed to be done and it was as frightening as the dragons themselves, more so, because Olenna wasn't sure that anything could stand in the face of that will. Not that she intended to. Almost as soon as he'd spoken he words and they'd sat there in the open for a few moments, Aemon's expression changed and Olenna felt she was looking at a completely different man. Where but a few moments earlier it had been the Dragonknight for true, now it was Aemon Targaryen, her king, it was disconcerting, to say the least. Yet she was far more relaxed about the fact that she was to deal with that man. Especially now that her own and her Houses' fate was to be discussed.
"You and my wife had an agreement, my lady." Aemon began, stopping himself before clarifying his words "Have an agreement."
"Your grace.?" Olenna asked as she tried to remember what she and Rhaenys Targaryen had agreed to.
"Lord Willas, I name you as the Warden of the South and Lord of Highgarden. May you serve it as well as my wife and I believe you shall." Aemon said and Olenna looked from the king to Willas and back, unsure of what had just happened.
"Your grace?" Willas asked just as confused as Olenna was, though her own confusion was clearing up somewhat.
"My wife and your grandmother agreed that should for any reason House Gardeners' line falter, then it would be to House Tyrell and House Tyrell first we'd look to rule over the Reach. I see no reason to go against my wife in this matter and far more that show she's as right in this as she always is." the king said almost proudly as he spoke of the queen. Olenna found herself sitting there looking at the man in front of her and thanking the Seven for him once again.
"I am honored, your grace, truly. Any oath you wish me to swear I…"
"We've taken your oaths already, Lord Willas. Yours and the oaths of your House, I've seen naught that makes me question them or seeks me to need to hear them repeated."
"I thank you, your grace."
"I will require some of your men, Lord Willas. As well as your own participation in the march to the West. However, I doubt they or you will see any true action and it's more for the symbolism than any military reason I seek you to march with my army."
"I would be honored to march with you, your grace, truly I would."
"Then that is settled, Lady Olenna I wonder if you and I could have a moment alone."
"Of course, your grace," Olenna said looking to Willas who rose to his feet, bowed, and thanked the king again before leaving the room.
The silence lasted only until Willas had left, the king not a man who seemed to like to waste time, which Olenna much appreciated.
"Though we will of course give your granddaughter time to mourn the loss of her husband, my lady, his loss provides us with a quandary."
"It does," Olenna replied, though whether she was agreeing with the king or asking him a question, she knew not.
"My wife is most fond of your granddaughter, my lady. I lied not when I said I had mine own selfish reasons I wished to return her safely to Highgarden. While I may not have felt the same about Lord Gwayne, I liked the man well enough. In time, mayhap I'd have seen him as close to me as some of those who I name my friends. Though I'd never have seen him as close to me as my brother by choice."
"I would imagine not, your grace," Olenna said, unsure where Aemon was going with this.
"I would seek that closeness between our Houses, however." the king said and Olenna looked at him, still somewhat lost. "To that end, when the time is right, I would seek a marriage between your granddaughter and Lord Velaryon, my lady."
There had been very few times in her life when Olenna was truly speechless. Fewer still when an opportunity too good to resist fell into her lap. With Gwayne she had thought she'd finally put her blood on the Reach's throne and their rise would be complete. When the dragons had then taken that throne from her grasp, Olenna had sought another prize. It was one that she doubted she'd ever live to see realized and yet it was one that she believed could be attainable. A child of Margaery's and Gwayne's to one day be wed to a dragon.
Whatever true chance there had been of that, had died with Gwayne, and Olenna, in truth, had mourned its loss not. In time, she may have. Once she'd put away her worries and suffered through her grief, her old ambitions would have raised their head once more, of which she doubted not. Never would she have ever dared to dream that it could be offered to her on a silver platter, however. For whatever chance there was of a child of Gwayne and Margaery's marrying into the House of the Dragon, a child of her granddaughter and Aurane Velaryon, that wasn't just possible, that was almost certain.
"Forgive me, your grace," Olenna said as she took a swallow of her wine and let the words sink in. Then despite her own best interests, Olenna spoke honestly to the king. "I will not lie to you, your grace, and say that I've not thought of a great-grandson or great-granddaughter or mine marrying into your House one day."
"I would expect no less, my lady."
"This match I would wager would see more chance of that?" she asked.
"It would and yet even if it did not…."
"It would bring us together more closely." Olenna interrupted, before apologizing for doing so, which the king waved off.
"I've come to know your granddaughter more, my lady. Far more than I had up to now and so I've seen the strength of her character much more truly. I believe she and Lord Velaryon would not only be a wise match, politically but one where a love could blossom that both Margaery and Aurane deserve. For me, this is more than simple politics, my lady. Were it but that then I'd seek a different match for both of them." the king said and Olenna smiled as she nodded.
She wished for more than simple political expediency for her granddaughter. Despite her ambitions, Olenna had always wished for Margaery to be happy too. In Gwayne, her granddaughter had found a love of a sort, though how true that love was, Olenna wasn't certain. Could she find it in Aurane Velaryon? Olenna knew not, and yet she believed there was more than a chance for it. At the very least she hoped there was.
"I would ask for time, your grace. Not to consider the match, nor to agree to it. On that you have my own agreement here and now." Olenna said firmly.
"To allow your granddaughter to grieve for true and to give her time to get used to the idea of being wed again." the king stated and Olenna nodded. "Mayhap for both she and Aurane to get to know each other too."
"I believe that would be most advantageous, your grace."
"As do I, my lady, as do I."
"Then we have an agreement, your grace? After some time to grieve and spend with her betrothed, Margaery and Lord Velaryon will be wed."
"We have an agreement, my lady."
Walking out of the solar, Olenna felt as light as she ever had in both heart and mind. Not only would Willas now rule over the Reach, but in time Margaery would be wed to Aemon Targaryen's brother by choice. Her granddaughter would be wed to a Dragonlord. So happy was she by this turn of events that Olenna took until she was back in her rooms to realize she'd never asked about the finer details of the agreement. Where Margaery would live, how she'd be supported, what lands were to be hers and her new husband's. The funniest thing was that Olenna found she cared not and thought them simply insignificant details.
Later as they ate a far more formal dinner that the king, Aurane, Thoros and the rest of the king's inner circle attended, Olenna found herself more looking to the silver-haired Aurane Velaryon than to the King of the Seven Kingdoms. She couldn't help but try to picture what children born to him and her granddaughter would look like. As Aurane said something to Margaery which brought one of her true smiles to her face, Olenna turned to see that Aemon too was watching them both with just as keen an eye as her own.
The Reach 301 AC.
Aemon Targaryen.
Since he'd arrived back at Highgarden and returned Margaery to her family, Aemon almost went about crossing things off a list. Ravens were sent and Highgarden's Maester Lomas was entrusted to do so and bring them the replies immediately and very much not at the same time. Olenna, Willas, and others may have vouched for the man's loyalty but until the Mage did so too, Aemon would be wary of the man. So two Unsullied were tasked with seeing that ravens left in a timely manner and that any replies were brought as soon as they arrived.
With Aurane having made it to Highgarden before him, Aemon was able to hear the full extent of the victory against the Dornish Army and the prisoners that were taken. Happy to find that along with Quentyn Martell, there were some heirs and sons of notable Houses as well as some Lords themselves who didn't perish. Though a lot had in both Daario's surprise attack on their camp and in the battle that followed.
Aemon had then, at Rhaenys behest, spoken to Lady Olenna about the succession and who would rule the Reach now that Gwayne Gardener had passed. He'd seen how relieved she'd been by him naming Willas and then how intrigued she was in regard to the match he proposed. As for himself, had he not gone on the rescue mission to return the lady to her family, then he may still hold doubts about Margaery Tyrell and her worthiness, rather than her suitability to marry his brother by choice. Seeing her as she was being held prisoner, riding with her after she'd been rescued, and getting to know her far better, he now had few if any. Something which made him far happier in bringing it up with Aurane himself.
"I must have words with you, alone," Aemon said upon rising to his feet after they'd eaten their meal.
"Of course, your solar?" Aurane asked and Aemon shook his head.
"The dragons," Aemon said before waving off Thoros and Arthur who moved to guard him.
He allowed the two men of the Flames of the Dragon to accompany him at Thoros' request and he and Aurane walked through the halls of Highgarden, out into the coolness of the night, and on to where Gaelithox and Darkfyre awaited. Smiling to himself when Aurane moved to speak to his dragon, he took the chance to stroke Gaelithox and speak softly to his own. Aemon telling the red dragon that they'd be flying soon and would be bringing death to their enemies as they once had.
"What bothers you, brother?" Aurane asked after a few moments of speaking to his dragon.
"Other than I wish to mourn a true friend and cannot."
"Other than that."
"I feel a fool, brother. An arrogant fool." Aemon sighed.
"For why?"
"I should have ended them before it got this far. The Lions should have been first, they were the message I should have sent to the realm. Had I but done so….."
"This isn't you, Aemon," Aurane said softly. "You do not second guess yourself."
"He's dead, Aurane. Torgho Nudho is dead because of my arrogance. Rhaenys is…..She could have been killed. All because I fucking believed that no one would dare….I swear it here and now, I swear it with all I am, nothing and no one will stay my hand. I will not rest until there is not a Lannister alive, not a single one." Aemon said. His voice even though he wished to roar it out as loudly as Gaelithox would.
"I am with you, Aemon. Thoros, Daario, even Arthur is with you."
"Only because he knows not what I'm truly capable of, brother." Aemon said before shaking such thoughts from his head as they were not why he'd asked to speak to Aurane." The Lady Margaery, Aurane, what think you of her?" Aemon asked and Aurane looked at him in surprise. Both at the question and how different a subject it was from what they'd just been discussing.
"She's a beauty, for certain. Seems a stronger woman than I'd have named her before her kidnap."
"She is, far stronger. I….Rhaenys." Aemon stopped himself as Aurane looked at him curiously. "Rhaenys and I wish for you and her to be joined."
"Joined?" Aurane asked. Though it was clear he knew what Aemon meant.
"Wed."
"Aemon?"
"Rhaenys likes the lady, Aurane. She saw something in her that I did not."
"Did?"
"I see it now. Yet standing here speaking to you, I…."
"It's truly what you wish?" Aurane asked.
"It is. But I'd not force you into something you wish not. So if you object…"
"I had not thought of being wed, Aemon. Our life really didn't allow for it." Aurane said before chuckling "Not that it stopped you,"
"I was luckier than most, I found my love and knew my heart from when I was but a boy."
"That you did," Aurane stated. "You truly see much in the lady?"
"I would not have gone through with it had I not."
"Then as long as it's what she wishes for too, I have no objection."
"Thank you, brother."
That had been that. A conversation between Aemon and his brother by choice followed by Aurane then paying far more attention to Lady Margaery, grieving though she was. With the Reach and House Tyrell's future decided upon, Aemon had then turned to the prisoners. Joffrey Lannister had been treated exactly how he'd expected him to be and the boy had lost some if not all of the arrogance he once possessed. Aemon chuckled as he walked away from the cell to the sounds of threats that he knew full well would not be realized.
Tyrion on the other hand was a much different character. Resigned to his fate he may be, yet that did not stop him from seeking to talk his way out of the death that was soon to be his. Not that his words found a willing ear in Aemon or any of those guarding him. Even his sworn sword had deserted him and while normally Aemon wouldn't trust a man who'd do such a thing, something about Sandor Clegane named him trustworthy. Though time would be the only thing that proved the full truth of that.
As for Randyll Tarly, each time that Aemon visited the man, was another that brought a true smile to his face. Hearing himself be cursed by the Seven who are One and being told that the faithful would see him dead had always had that effect on Aemon anyway. The gods had never worried him before and they certainly wouldn't now simply because a tired and deluded old man now said they would judge him and bring about his end. Aemon had never been under any illusion that he would live forever or that his end, when it came, would not be bloody and violent. He just knew, however, it would be men and not gods who brought about that end.
"The Warrior will end you, boy."
"The Father will judge you."
"The…"
"Oh do shut up," Aemon said, having heard the same refrain countless times now. "The gods if they exist, envy us. They envy us because we are mortal and because every moment can be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we are doomed. Food tastes better, wine is sweeter, love is more true, because in the blink of an eye or at the click of someone's fingers." Aemon clicked his fingers for effect." It could all be taken from you and there is naught you can do to stop it."
Randyll looked at him as if he was about to speak some more, yet Aemon continued, expressing more of what he truly believed to this man than he had to any other, though he knew not why.
"Death is the last embrace any of us will ever know. Its cold fingers are ones every man, woman, or child will feel eventually. There is no way to fight or defeat that enemy, that god. For death is the only god that truly exists and the only thing we say to death is, not today." Aemon said before moving closer to Tarly "Not Today, nor tomorrow, nor the day after. Not when your gods decide or when you beg for it, will I allow you the comfort of its embrace. You will die only when I say you die. Now tell me, Lord Tarly, do you believe your gods have forsaken you yet?"
Aemon waited and received no answer and so he simply left the cell. He walked through the keep and made his way to the Tyrell family wing. While there he visited first Ser Loras and offered the man a place in his and Rhaenys guard alongside Ser Arthur, Barristan, and mayhap one day, Sandor Clegane. Leaving the man to mull it over and recover from his injuries, he next went to Ser Garlan and absolved him of any blame for Torgho Nudho's death. The gallant knight was more than relieved to hear it come from his lips. After then paying a visit to Lady Margaery to see for himself that she was well, it was to Lord Willas and Lady Olenna that Aemon took himself to see.
"Your grace, I…we would have come to you." Lord Willas said rising to his feet as too did his grandmother when Aemon entered the room.
"There was no need, Lord Willas. I wished to spend some time with the other members of your family and so it was for the best if I came to you while here."
"All is well, your grace?" Olenna asked worriedly.
"It is, Lady Olenna," Aemon said taking a seat beside the lady while Willas sat behind his desk. "We march on the morrow, Lord Willas. You are ready for such?" he asked and Willas looked first to his grandmother and then to Aemon before answering.
"I had thought to have more time, your grace. I've raised no more than two thousand men…"
"Which is more than enough, my lord. As I said, I wish not for you to truly fight in what's to come, more to bear witness and to stand as my Warden of the South and your family's representative."
"Then I'll be ready on the morrow, your grace."
"Lady Olenna, your grandson, Ser Loras." Aemon turned to face the older woman.
"Your grace?"
"I've offered him a place in my service. When he recovers, of course. To serve alongside Ser Barristan and Ser Arthur. A guard similar to the one my father employs in Volantis and which Ser Arthur is tasked with forming."
"A Kingsguard," Willas said, his voice soft and considered.
"A Dragonguard may be more suited, Lord Willas. My queen would not take it well if I left her unguarded." Aemon said, and it took a moment for the Lord to realize he was japing, though Olenna was far quicker to see the jest.
"You honor us, your grace," Olenna said and Aemon just nodded as he rose to his feet.
"I now must bury my friend, my lady, my lord. You'll not see me before the morrow and we may not truly get a chance to speak before I leave. Those who attacked you, Lady Olenna, those who now owe both you and me a blood debt, they have a saying do they not."
"A Lannister always pays his debts," Olenna said and Aemon smiled a mirthless smile.
"Truer words have not been spoken as the weeks and moons to come will soon prove. My lady, Lord Willas." Aemon said before he turned and walked out of the room.
That night they gathered around the pyre. Aemon, Aurane, Thoros, Daario who had arrived just hours earlier, Arthur, men of the Second Sons, Company of the Sea Snake, and Flames of the Dragon. The Unsullied, who were now led by Torgho Timpa (White Worm), a man who'd changed his name in honor of his fallen leader. Both dragons looked on as Aemon, Aurane, Daario, and Thoros all held the torches in their hands. Aemon, however, barely listened to the words spoken by any of those who spoke. His eyes were focused only on the man laying atop the pyre. The man he'd known for almost all his life and who he'd not ever see again.
His friend.
Stepping forward, Aemon held back the tears which truly threatened to fall and swore to himself he'd weep only for Torgho Nudho after he'd killed the man responsible for his death. Only when Jaime Lannister's lifeblood had been spilled by Dark Sister, would Aemon allow those tears to fall. Now, he wished to speak words and yet he knew not what those words would be, even as they left his lips and were carried in the wind all the way to the West or so he hoped.
"He was my friend. My sworn sword. As close to me as my brother in blood or my brother by choice. No man was truer than he. None so resolute. Yet that speaks only of what he meant to me and does not do it true justice. For Torgho Nudho was better than me in all respects. Never could I hold a candle to the strength of will and purpose that defined his life. Nor could I ever wish to be as honorable as he was.
For him to be taken from us by ignoble men, by men who didn't deserve to breathe the same air that Torgho Nudho breathed shows that the world is cruel indeed.
For him not to stand here by our sides and they not rot and wither while worms feast upon their bodies shows that the world is cruel indeed."
Aemon moved forward, raising his hand, and planted in the ground before he climbed atop the pyre and unsheathed Dark Sister.
"He was the noblest among us. The truest man any of us will ever know. I now damn those who dared to besmirch their blades with his blood." Aemon said as he cut his hand and let his own blood drip over the body that was wrapped in muslin. "I now swear this oath here on this day. I will know no rest, no comfort, no peace until those who took Torgho Nudho from this world breathe no more. A curse shall light upon the men of the West and the Lions who dared to feast on this good and true man.
Blood, destruction, and a dragon's flames are what they've reaped by their actions and so that is was I'll bring to them. I call upon the Blood Wyrm to let the men of the West know we come for them. To let them know that we come in search of blood and together we bring the fire." Aemon said as Gaelithox roared loudly "Upon the body of Torgho Nudho. For my friend. I swear it to be so."
After Aemon climbed back down, he sheathed his sword and picked up his torch. Daario, Aurane, and Thoros all then stepped forward and Aemon joined them as they lit the pyre.
Long after the fire had burned out, Aemon stood and watched as the ashes blew in the wind. This was not where and certainly not how Torgho Nudho should have died and yet he had. Due to Aemon's negligence, arrogance, and forgetting of who he truly was, he'd lost a man who deserved a far longer life. He'd lose no others even if it meant that he had to leave the West a barren wasteland to ensure it.
After receiving two ravens from the Maester. One from his uncle telling him the North was marching and the other from Denys Arryn, telling him that so too were the Knights of the Vale, Aemon set Daario to his work in regard to Randyll Tarly. A raven was then sent to Harrenhal to Rhaenys and finally, Aemon was ready to do what he had sworn his own blood oath to do. Gathering the prisoners to take with him, Aemon, his men, Lord Willas, and his own, rode out of Highgarden and headed west. In the sky above them, Darkfyre flew as too did the Blood Wyrm, for Gaelithox would not be needed again until each and every Lion could no longer roar.
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. Up Next: As Rhaenys recovers and readies to fly to her husband, she and Oberyn discuss the ramifications of Aurane's battle against Quentyn. Dany begins to feel homesick and the Lords of the North join with the Knights of the Vale to meet up with Aemon and his own army. In the West, Lords seek a way out of fighting while Lannisport and Casterly Rock witness a Dragonknight's Rage as Lions begin to fall and a challenge is made and accepted.
For those following my other fics, Winter King is up next followed by Purple Deception and Dragonwolf danced, which will be either next week or the week after.
Missed Review.
Guest:
Ok, calm down and take a breath. Yes, the Lannisters were the biggest threat, which then gives you an option, do you go deal with them with no true plan, or do you come up with a plan to deal with them while at the same time taking out all the lesser threats. I mean seriously my friend, did you even read the books, it's basically Tywin Lannister's plan in canon. He felt Robb was the lesser threat and Stannis the bigger one and so he tried to deal with the lesser threat first before then dealing with the bigger threat and only changed tack when firstly, Robb proved a truer threat and secondly Stannis marched on King's Landing.
As for sending the North home, again, at this point, they had no idea who was behind the deaths of Brandon/Rickard, hence sending you know, Daario to find out before then dealing with those responsible and once he found out, he then calls the North. Having an army sit around with no plan or course of action is both stupid and expensive. Also the North sort of needed to be righted too. As it had lost two kings and was now faced with a completely different future.
You also complain that the war is taking too long and yet Aemon is getting around too fast, pick one as both can't really be true. Aemon is mobile, while he's doing one thing, he has others doing another, again part of why he's not marching a Northern or a Vale army all over the place when he's no set plan in mind. That's what Robb did, again read the books, it's not what Tywin did. You take the time to take stock if it's afforded to you and you also take the time to secure your own position too.
War is not a continuous thing, or it shouldn't be if you expect to win it. It's a case of picking your battles and targets, achieving your objectives, and changing plans where applicable. Read up on Alexander, Caesar, and Napoleon and see how they fought a war and tell me that anything Aemon is doing here is vastly different before you complain that as a military commander he should do x, y, or Z. At times you have to retreat, a new objective becomes more obtainable, you take stock or yes, you even decide to take a month out of your time to do what you wished to do for most of you life, visit where your mother was born.
Aemon had sent Daario into the West to spy and come back with a plan for the attack as well as a better lay of the land, he didn't need to march at the same time. It would have been poor military tactics for him to do so as he'd not yet come up with a plan of attack for the west and was, gathering forces to face the truest threat as well. He conquered five kingdoms in less than a year, it took Aegon two or more in the boos. If I make him go any quicker, I'm making him even more OP than he already is. And also, people have to make mistakes, and errors of judgment, such again as Tywin underestimating Robb in the books.
Now in saying all that, if you dislike the story so much and think it is so full of plot holes, then there's a big sign that says exit, a door and well don't let it hit you on the arse on your way out. Before you do that, however, perhaps you should actually look up military tactics, see how many great generals make mistakes, and accept that in order to make characters fallible, they have to at times do things that come across as wrong.
I'm willing to accept any criticism aimed my way when it's well thought out and not simply an excuse to rant and tell me I'm terrible at what I'm doing, especially not when the person criticizing hasn't bothered to make an account, write their own story, and wishes to hide under anonymity of being a Guest.
Chapter 27 reviews.
Alberto: Next chapter has the first real facing off between those at the Rock and Aemon.
King Mern: So glad you liked it.
Rhatch: It's coming up next, for certain. All the pieces are now or will be in place.
Lord of everyone: Yes, they are spoils of war and will both be gifted to Aemon's supporters.
Dunk: I have big plans for Aemon/Jaime and we'll see them next chapter for certain, it just takes a little movement to get all the pieces lined up, which is now done. Let's just say, prisoners will play a part. As for the Rock, yes, it will serve as a memorial of sorts, or at least that's Aemon's intent. So with Aurane, yes I sort of set it up so everyone would assume it would be him and Dany, but also if you read between the lines you can see that firstly, he sees her almost as Aemon does and secondly, the idea of the Tyrells staying in charge is set up pretty early. Also, in one of Marwyn's extracts, it hints at just how successful he'll make King's Landing (or what serves here as KL) Marge plays a big part in that. I do have a match already introduced who Dany will end up with, and it's Essos not Westeros for her. Aemon is going to be very dark these next few chapters, very dark indeed.
Keb: I'm afraid the vicious will be dialed up for the next couple of chapters, Aemon not only wants to send a message, but he's hurting over the loss and the attempt on Rhaenys too, so he'll be out for blood, literally. I'm a big Margaery fan and I'm glad you like the idea of her and Aurane together, they'll be well matched I think, especially given the things he's to do in the future in regard to trade, etc.
Celexys: One of the drawbacks of not going with teleporting is that it takes time to move pieces in place rather than simply go, they're here. So the Lannister stuff is next, but all roads are leading there and it will be next.
Mvetter: So glad you liked it.
Shyroxgh: Of course he's angry, he lost one of his truest friends. And yes he understands the nature of war and that losses are unavoidable, he's just not yet had to deal with such a close loss. It's not different than finding out that Jon Arryn died and was perhaps murdered for Ned, he's bound to be angry in canon, is he not. Aemon never believed that anyone could truly take one of his men from him and yet he knew it's always a risk, that doesn't change how you'd feel when it actually takes place though. Or would you prefer he simply accept it and go, ah well that's war for you. As for the Tyrells getting a good match, there are like seven or eight Houses of their size in Westeros, they're always going to get a good match. When you look at canon there are a half dozen or so truly eligible ladies who could be queen, less even, Dany, Sansa, Margaery, Myrcella, and Arianne and that's pretty much it covered, in this story, it's illogical for it to be Myrcella or Arianne, which gives us Dany, Sansa, Margaery, not exactly a big pool to pick from.
Alysanne: I always think this is a bit of a myth, to be honest. I mean Daemon was married to Rhea Royce, and Viserys to Aemma Arryn, so it's not like the House of the Dragon didn't do such things before. Yes, it's a risk giving up a dragon to a House, but then again it doesn't necessarily mean that the House will keep said dragon when its' rider passes as was shown with Vhagar. Here, I've gone to great pains to show that the way the dragons work is not the same as canon. There is a procedure in place, even Darkfyre coming to seek out Aurane, still doesn't allow for the bonding to occur for true, you still have to travel to Lys and even then, it's not always a successful process. Aemon isn't trusting Darkfyre to the Tyrells, he's trusting that Aurane will always have his back, so whether he's married to Margaery or not, he still has to trust in that.
Emperior99: That may be a forlorn hope and it's not stealing, it's spoils of war.
Anthony: I know more about Japanese history than the Chinese to be honest, so for me, it's more that, with some Chinese aspects for the names mainly. At least that's my intent.