Chapter 59: The Dragon Queen
301 AC
Jon
He walked through the village towards the center building. When it had become clear that Robb would be taking command of this area for a while, a small village to the north of their prepared battle line had been occupied as a command post. Robb had taken the main townhouse as a control center, as it could host most of the lords in its downstairs area.
He walked inside, soon being greeted by most of the Northern and Riverlander nobility as he walked through the room. He looked over the maps of the Stormlands scattered around the tables in the center.
They had been tracking Daenerys' progress for a while now. She had landed at Cape Wrath some two weeks ago and had since then spread out over the peninsula. She hadn't found much though, as all important settlements had been evacuated and even many smaller villages as well. Desperate to gain supplies, her armies had ventured further and further.
They had long passed Rain House, where they'd found nothing. The same had happened for them at Mistwood and Weeping Town. They had taken most of the Rainwood, although small groups of Stormlanders had fought guerilla warfare against their foraging parties there. A few score Golden Company members that had hidden in the forests had joined her, but they were of no consequence except for the intel they could possibly give her.
She had been inching ever closer to their position, which she should be fully aware of by now. Dragons had been seen across Shipbreaker's Bay multiple times, confirming their existence. He had no doubt she was using them the scout the land.
Their army was prepared. Seventy-four scorpions lined the hills, together with eleven trebuchets. Trenches were dug all over. Reservoirs of water had been filled with molten snow and preparations had been made to easily divert parts of the river towards their chosen field of battle.
Their army was ready too. Robb controlled his biggest force until now here. Thirty-six thousand troops were under his command. It consisted of ten thousand Northerners, seven thousand Riverlanders, three thousand from the Northern Crownlands and Cracklaw Point, ten thousand Valemen and six thousand Stormlanders. The latter had been arriving in small groups over the past weeks until they finally compromised a substantial part of the force.
Their own part of the force had been diminished, as Robb had systematically transported the wounded back towards the Blackwater via their supply route garrisons. Officially, this was because most of these men would be liabilities, but in private Robb had told him he wanted to spare some more of his veterans as he was sick of always receiving the brunt of the casualties. As such, a force of around fifteen hundred veterans, most of them from the North, had been transported to King's Landing piece meal. They helped stabilize the situation there, as the remaining population was still restless and starving. Besides, none of them were archers or artillery crews which meant they could do little against the dragons anyway.
Even after this, twenty thousand of the men still swore loyalty to Robb. His brother had leveraged this numerical importance to siphon away those veterans and no one dared speak up against it.
He walked over to his brother. "What's the latest news?"
Robb didn't even look up, still studying the map of the local area in front of him. "Her dragons have been seen circling the entire area this morning. Guards from Griffin's Roost even swear they spotted a figure on the largest one's back. It won't be long now. She's close."
He nodded. They had been prepared for this ever since she landed. "What of her army?"
"All the latest reports confirm each other. The most accurate estimates of her forces have her army at five thousand elite unsullied, a thousand veteran Golden Company members, three thousand veteran sellswords and the remaining eighteen thousand or so are freed slaves from all over with mixed experience and equipment."
"That force shouldn't be able to stand against us." He summarized what they all thought. They outnumbered them in absolute numbers, as well as heavy cavalry. Their forces were more disciplined and generally had more experience. Their cohesion was also better, as would be Robb's command.
"It shouldn't." His brother confirmed. "Yet her three dragons change the whole situation."
"It's confirmed there are three now?"
"Aye, a cream one, one of green and bronze and the largest is red and black. She seems to ride the latter." Robb sighed.
"The Targaryen colors, … that's an ominous sign." He thought aloud.
"Aye", Robb simply acknowledged. "On the Field of Fire, the combined Lannister and Gardener forces consisted of fifty-five thousand men. The Targaryen force only counted some eleven thousand forces of recently beaten lords. They were handily defeated, until the three dragons showed up. They burned thousands alive and won them the day and the submission of the Westerlands and the Reach."
"You can't seriously compare those three to the legendary Balerion, Vhagar and Meraxes? They were huge!" He exclaimed.
"I don't. If they were comparable, I wouldn't be preparing for battle with them." He added silently so only he could hear him.
He looked in shock towards his brother and could see the lines of worry in his face. He had seen them before these past weeks, yet they seemed all the more prevalent. Together with his ever wilder growing beard, it made him look far older than his eighteen years.
He decided to switch subjects. "Anything else I should know about?"
Robb thought for a while before speaking. "Lord Dondarrion arrived yesterday evening with three hundred men."
He nodded. Three hundred wasn't much for a family the size of House Dondarrion but considering that they would have lost men and resources at both Blackwater Bay and because of the Dornish invasion, it was understandable. They also needed to fortify their stronghold against any future Dornish aggression. "Not a bad number, all things considered."
His brother looked up towards him. "Aye, but it's not the number that got me thinking. It's the kind of troops he brought that surprised me."
He simply raised an eyebrow, knowing full well the comment would soon be explained.
"Fifty of those are Dornish. They belong to House Dayne to be exact. The young Lord Edric Dayne was Lord Dondarrion's squire for years. His sister was set to marry the Stormlord. The young lord was freed by Oberyn Martell in King's Landing and had marched with the Dornish army. He took up command of the garrison of Blackhaven himself. The people there knew him, and he apparently treated them with great respect and courtesy. After he got our order to evacuate the castle, he did so but he left his sister in the castle to await Lord Beric's arrival. Apparently both houses have made their peace and have gone as far as to confirm the betrothal and set a wedding date. In turn, Dayne has sent those men with Dondarrion to protect him in battle. His only condition seems to be that none of his men are to ever fight any Dornishmen.
"Well that's easy, she doesn't have any." He grinned and his brother smiled back.
"Aye, but it gets even weirder. Dondarrion has apparently pleaded with Lord Morrigen for him to release the Dayne prisoners and to let them fight as part of his contingent."
"All of them?" He exclaimed. Robb nodded.
"Some six or seven hundred in total. However, most of them are our prisoners not those of the Stormlords."
"What are you going to do with it?" He asked.
"I'm going to risk it, although they will be put next to loyal troops weary of a possible betrayal. I won't get surprised again." His brother decidedly answered.
"Then why allow it at all?"
"Firstly, it means less of our men have to die. We have lost too many of ours already. I won't lose any more if I can help it. Secondly, because of the political implications. It would allow us to present ourselves as a combined Westerosi force against her foreign Essosi invasion in the negotiations. Our coalition would consist of six of the nine former Westerosi regions. If we're honest nobody cares about the Ironborn, so they don't count. The Reach is both enduring an invasion and a civil war and the Westerlands is much the same. We could stand tall against her that everybody who can stand against her is doing so and nobody in Westeros is waiting for another Targaryen monarch."
He thought it over. It wasn't a bad idea. Seeing the banners of former loyalists from all over Westeros united against her could deter her. She probably grew up thinking of Westeros reigned over by rebels. Seeing Houses Darry, Ryger, Mooton, Dayne, Rykker, Brune and others against her should make her see sense on that point at least. Although he doubted whether it would deter her from trying to conquer the continent.
"Seeing as she could finally arrive at any moment now, I have gift for you." His brother said, breaking up his thoughts.
"A gift?" He questioned.
"Aye, let's say it has both a practical and political purpose to me and both a practical and emotional value to you."
This got him confused. Robb signaled Smalljon to bring something from the other room. He walked in carrying a sword, in full ornament sheath. As the Umber heir handed it to Robb, he realized with shock that it was Blackfyre.
Seeing his reaction, his brother smiled. "You swore before all of us here that you would not claim any former lands or titles of your Targaryen ancestors. A thing we will hold you to. However, nobody ever said anything about claiming artefacts or heirlooms. Valyrian swords are a thing that come to mind." He grinned boyishly.
He just stood there. His mouth was wide open, as he didn't know what to say. "Kneel brother", he heard Robb say.
In a daze, he did as he was asked. All nobles in attendance came over and stood around him. "Jaehaerys Targaryen, better known as Jon Snow and my brother, I bestow upon you the sword of your ancestors. It will belong to you and your descendants until the end of times as a reward of your loyalty, your service and your achievements during this war. I only have a single condition for you to accept this." He waited until they both locked eyes to continue.
"Seeing the powerful history and symbolism the sword has carried over the last three hundred years, I find it adamant the sword is to be renamed. Whatever you name it is yours to decide, but it will need to find a new name before you find your way back to the North. Maybe a new scabbard and hilt would also help, although I trust your decision on that."
He quickly agreed to the terms and Robb handed him the sword while he was still on his knees. He admired the blade, as he took around a foot of its length out of its scabbard. Distantly, he could hear Robb thank Lord Flint for he had received the sword from him in the first place. He also heard something about the Northern lord being promised a reward for it, but he was barely paying attention.
He looked over the dark Valyrian steel and the richly decorated scabbard. However, the most striking was the massive ruby infused in the hilt. The jewel alone would be worth a fortune. The sword in itself was priceless. It truly was one of a kind. As a young boy, he had always dreamed of wielding Ice one day. Now, he had been given a sword that surpassed it in both legend and history.
He looked up towards Robb, seeing Ice nonchalantly leaning behind him against the wall. This is how it should be. Ice belonged to the head of House Stark. He would always admire the weapon and it would hold sentimental value to him for the rest of his life. Every time he looked at it, he could see their father grimly picking it up as he prepared himself to do his duty. Yet, it belonged to Robb.
He looked down at the weapon again. This had belonged to his ancestors. It was something he could bestow upon his descendants. Robb had promised him much and more as rewards for his service and he had gotten some monetary loot here and there to provide for himself, but this was the first thing he realized he could pass down to his future children. Aye, he had the other Targaryen artefacts, but they brought either just knowledge or sentimental value. Maybe some coin if they were sold, but that was it. This sword would forever give his descendants a reputation and a place at the high table, wherever they might find themselves.
He looked up through the silent tears streaking across his face. "Thank you", he whispered.
His brother just picked him up and hugged him, before laughing as he pulled away. "Oh, there is one more small condition."
"It is yours." He replied immediately. This made his brother grin. "You are carrying it with you to the negotiations with this Dragon Queen."
He smiled, as he wiped away his tears with his tunic. Typical Robb to combine a heartfelt gift and political maneuvering at the same time.
"Ha, I can't to wait to see the look your bloody dragon aunt is going to give you when you walk in with that blade, Snow!" The Greatjon boomed.
Most lords looked awkwardly at him, as they were reminded their next enemy was his aunt. He decided to set the record clear here once again. "An aunt I never met nor cared about, Umber. I can't change my blood, but if she is willing to bear arms against Robb then she is no kin of mine." This was met with approving grunts and nods from the whole room and everybody seemed to calm down.
The Greatjon simply walked over and slapped him on his back. "Spoken like a true Northerner! Let's hope the Dragon Queen has another few Targaryen trinkets on her, as we wouldn't want you to break your new habit of turning up for every battle with something new to shock half of Westeros." He grinned, as many of the surrounding lords cracked a smile. He simply rolled his eyes at the joke, as he returned the Umber's embrace.
They spent the next hour triple checking everything, from arrow stock to supply lines over tactical plans. They were all used to Robb's micromanaging by now after two years of campaigning. If he was honest, he needed to admit that it had only gotten worse and this campaign took the cake. Robb was nervous, but all trusted him and went along with it. They all knew they would get operational freedom once the battle commenced if they listened well now.
While the Northerners and Riverlords simply accepted the behavior, recognizing it as one of the reasons for their many victories, some of the nobles of their newly annexed territories still gave off some funny looks. Whatever they might be thinking, they fell in line after having seen the effectiveness of his planning from the God's Eye to Storm's End. Robb's myth in the Crownlands had gotten so big, none dared to question him even if they felt it was ridiculous.
The same couldn't be said about their allies however, hence why they weren't here at this time. While Lord Davos had accepted and even indulged in Robb's ways, the same couldn't be said from some of the other Stormlords. Lord Morrigen was a good commander and was always respectful, although he had made it clear he had considered the plans finished days ago. Others had outright laughed at them for it. This had caused some friction between the factions, but Robb had waved it away. "Let them laugh, the only reason we are here in the first place is because they couldn't manage protecting their homeland on their own. We have garnered loot and fame those men can't even dream off. Let them talk, while we win yet another battle for them."
The men had grumbled about that but, once Robb reminded them that this one final battle standing between them was the only thing holding them back from leaving the Stormlands forever, they had shut up. The promise of future ransoms for their Dornish and Westerlander prisoners, in combination with more easy mines to plunder in the West after this placated the last holdouts.
The Valemen had been split on the issue. While Ser Andar greatly looked up to Robb and followed him closely, clearly trying to learn as much as possible, Lord Harrold seemed more critical. However, the Royce heir's influence over his lord and brother-in-law was great, as such friction with the Vale never rose to concerning levels. His brother had already asked them for written reports on everything this morning, so they wouldn't have to join the meeting and he still had as much information as possible.
What these Southerners didn't understand however, was that the time spent together served more than just direct military purposes. It was the moment were Robb convinced all of them in their possibility to succeed and come out as victors. The moment where he lifted morale and got them all in line. The moment where he forced lords from Bear Island to the Blackwater and their troops into a one cohesive force with the same singular objective: achieving a complete and decisive victory against their enemies.
While the meeting was running at its end, a messenger in Tully livery interrupted them. The man was let in immediately. "Your Grace, my lords, a messenger has been intercepted by the scouts." He acknowledged the room. "He wore the Targaryen colors. He says their Queen Daenerys is here to talk to you."
The room went silent. "She is here?" His brother calmly asked. The guard nodded. "A dragon could be seen circling overhead a clearing not far from there. The messenger said to expect her there. He … he bid me to urge you to hurry." The Tully soldier fearfully added.
This greatly angered the room. Mumblings ranging from "who does she think she is" to "arrogant incestuous bitch" were loudly heard. Robb simply raised his hand to calm the room down. He looked to the guard. "Get Ser Brynden here as soon as possible, tell him he is in command of the army until I return." The man bowed low and quickly ran off.
He turned to his vassals. "Ser Wyllis and Lords Karstark, Bolton, Bracken, Ryger, Pipe and Mallery, I want you all to go to the troops immediately. Put them on half alert. You are responsible for raising the forces of your respective regions and taking command should anything happen. If I am not back by nightfall, you expect the worst and prepare for attack. Orders are simple, you follow the plan and kill them all." He looked them in the eye, all simply nodded. They knew arguing for him not to go would be futile.
"Jon, Ser Rupert Brune, Lady Mormont and Lords Umber and Mallister you join me. I will send for Lord Harrold, Ser Andar and Lord Morrigen to join us as well. Let's go my lords, we have a queen to throw from our continent." He grinned, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. The change between now an hour ago was palpable. He knew his brother, while an hour ago there were things he might be able to improve upon, now he just had to follow through. As such, his mood changed into an iron determination.
As he walked over the room, he shouted for guards to get the commanders of the other kingdoms. All fell in line easily and they were on their way before they knew it. Robb had prepared for this for some time now, all was ready for them to drop everything and leave.
They were soon joined by Lord Harrold, Ser Andar and Lord Templeton for the Vale, while Lord Morrigen was accompanied by Lord Andrew Estermont for the Stormlands. That brought their company up to eleven members. Lord Morrigen had left Lord Swann in charge of the Stormlanders, while Lord Redfort and Ser Morton Waynwood would control the Vale army in Lord Arryn's absence.
Behind them rode a hundred heavy cavalry, waving banners in the air from all around Westeros. Banners from the North, Riverlands, Crownlands, Vale and Stormlands. Notably, one stuck out. The banner of House Dayne waved among them to make sure the message struck home. He grinned. Robb had long decided to accept the Dayne's into the coalition before he brought it up this morning. The banner must have been made at night by some of their men.
They rode into the small forest towards the clearing. Ghost and Grey Wind sniffing out any possible dangers in front of them, but they didn't seem concerned about anything on the ground. The skies were a different manner altogether, as he felt Ghost's pull in the back of his head very clearly. Its message was clear. Danger!
They rode up towards the clearing, which was larger than he had expected. Their men lined up behind them as Robb signaled for them to halt. Apparently, he had entrusted them to the command of Ser Lucas Blackwood. Their friend looked stoically in front of him, preparing for any dangers that may come their way.
In front of them was placed a pavilion. At the tent's entrance stood a few people. He wanted to slowly ride towards them, but Robb stopped him. "Not yet. Not before she comes down. I will not go to her like I am summoned like some subordinate, only to wait for her when sees it fit to arrive."
They stood like that for a while, as he locked eyes with an older man in the armor of the Kingsguard. Could it be? He thought, as he could swear he recognized him as the mighty Ser Barristan Selmy from the stories. Barristan the Bold, most called him.
After a period of tension that seemed to last forever, a shriek was heard overhead. As they looked up, they saw how a dragon circled over the clearing before descending next to the pavilion. Ghost silently bared its fangs at it, while Grey Wind loudly growled. It was the only sound made, except for the clapping of its wings and the restless fear that came from the horses.
The beast itself was majestic. Its scales were black, and its horns and spinal plates were blood red. This much could be seen from this far away. Although terrified, he felt weirdly drawn to the beast. As he looked at it, it seemed to suddenly look straight at him. It had smoldering red pits for eyes and they seemed to lock into his own, as he admired the terrifying creature.
Suddenly, a beautiful young woman descended from the back of the dragon, which shrieked loudly at Grey Wind. He could see its teeth were black as well, as it opened its maw. The direwolf simply barked back. Both beasts seemingly stuck in the same mental sparring match their masters were playing.
He looked towards the area in the center of the clearing. Some twenty or so unsullied could be seen surrounding the tent, but no other troops seemed present.
"It could be a trap. There could be soldiers hidden inside." Ser Rupert Brune whispered to him, just loud enough to hear.
"I doubt it, but we will know soon enough." He replied, without looking at him. He looked in front of him. "Ghost", he called. The direwolf simply turned around. "Go check if there is any danger."
Without response, the direwolf simply started slowly stalking towards the tent. When he came closer, some unsullied lowered its spears at it, but Ghost simply ignored them as he walked passed the Dragon Queen into the tent. Mere seconds later he walked out, sitting down on his hindlegs some twenty feet from their opponents. The message was clear, no ambush.
Robb looked at him and rolled his eyes at the display of both power and protectiveness. Their king called them forward and the eleven of them dismounted, together with some twenty guards that Ser Lucas ordered to follow them.
They slowly walked across. He simply snapped his fingers once and Ghost walked over to him and took up position next to him. Maege Mormont almost growled when she saw one of her advisors. He threw her a look to ask what was going on. "My traitorous nephew", she simply growled. At last, they came eye to eye.
"Queen Daenerys", Robb acknowledged the young woman in front of her. She was indeed beautiful. Her violet eyes were striking and gave of the feeling that she was directly looking into the core of your soul. Her long silver-blond hair was majestic and never had he seen such an even pale skin. The only thing that came remotely to close to it was … his own. So, this is my aunt.
"Lord Robb", the woman answered. With those words she immediately managed to anger the whole company in front of her. A thing she had clearly miscalculated, as her eyes went wide at Lord Umber's subsequent outburst. "Truly, we're going to have this horseshit again? For fuck's sake these Valyrians are daft." He exclaimed in frustration and anger. "It's King Robb for you, Dragon Lady. For you and anyone else that asks."
Her advisors reacted shocked. A young girl with dusty skin and eyes of molten gold replied in agitation. "This is Queen Daenerys Targaryen. She is your lawful monarch. You should all kneel for her, as she is Daenerys Stormborn, the Unburnt, Queen of Meereen, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Shackles, and Mother of Dragons." She proudly exclaimed.
Ser Rupert Brune and Lords Umber, Mallister and Templeton simply scoffed, while Lady Mormont let out an exasperating sigh. The Greatjon replied once again. "Who cares? You want flowery titles? You'll get flowery titles. Let me present my liege." He replied in a mock bow towards Robb. "It's my honor to present you Robb Stark, King of the North, the Riverlands and Cracklaw Point, the Young Wolf, Defender of Riverrun, Lannister's Bane, Destroyer of King's Landing, the Golden Company's ruin and protector of the Old Gods and the First Men."
He stood up again and looked the little girl, over whom he towered, directly in the eye. "Now tell your 'queen' to kindly fuck off back to Essos and leave us all alone in peace." Although crude as ever, Umber summarized the mood among their company perfectly. This invasion was one too many. They were done with tyrants and invaders who demanded their loyalty without having ever done anything for them or their homeland. Tywin Lannister, Cersei Lannister, Joffrey Waters, Petyr Baelish, Aegon Blackfyre, Mace Tyrell … the list of people that had looked down upon them could go on and on. If this meeting continued like this, she would suffer the same fate they had. The sentiment was so great they even forgot about the dragon a few hundred yards away.
The Targaryen Queen looked flabberghasted. She recovered quickly though. "I am the heir to my father. The Seven Kingdoms are mine by right, Lord Umber."
Another row of scoffs followed. "I was there at the Trident when we shattered your laws and your right. They are of no consequence anymore. Besides the Seven Kingdoms have seized to exist altogether. There is nothing for you to claim here anymore."
Her mood suddenly changed. "You were there when my brother was killed?"
"Aye", the Umber lord simply grunted. "So was I", Lord Mallister replied. She looked in anger towards the Riverlord. "What did you expect, after your father unlawfully executed my brother?" He spit out in response. "Besides, I remember you were there too, Ser Barristan."
"I was, at the other side." The white knight stoically responded. "The same side I was." Ser Rupert Brune added, equally as stoic. This seemed to confuse most of their opponents.
"You fought for my brother?" She asked the knight of Cracklaw Point. "I did." The reply came.
"Now you fight for the Starks?" The Brune heir looked her straight in the eyes. "I do."
Both sides looked at each other. Finally, his brother spoke up. "I propose we continue the rest of our talk inside." Daenerys Targaryen looked at him, before nodding. He wanted to walk inside, but an unsullied stopped him. He looked him in the eye. "No wolf", the man commanded. He simply raised an eyebrow in response. Choosing to ignore the man, he walked on. He was stopped by the man's spear. "No wolf", the man commanded, louder this time.
His hand went to his sword, as Ghost arched his back. Grey Wind led out a bark and Robb turned around at the commotion. He squinted his eyes. The Targaryen girl saw what was happening. "I suppose you could leave your companions outside, Robb Stark? I won't bring my dragon inside either, unless you insist upon it."
Robb looked long in the eyes of the Dragon Queen. His blue eyes were cold and hard as a winter's morning. They exchanged looks together and had a conversation without saying anything. In the end both he and Robb nodded to each other. "Ghost, stay and protect." He simply said. "Grey, stay with Ghost." He heard from Robb. The small growl made it clear what Grey Wind thought about it. Ghost, although quiet, seemed to scowl at him as well. He ignored the wolf and walked inside, the unsullied soldier following him inside.
Seats were pulled out and they all sat down. He sat at Robb's right side, as he always did now. In front of him sat the little girl that had been so brave as to admonish the Greatjon before. "Let me introduce my advisors." The Dragon Queen began, trying to get a hold of the situation. Behind her stood a huge eunuch, in the colors of the Kingsguard.
"To my right is Ser Barristan Selmy, a man many of you seem to know. He is the Lord Commander of my Queen's Guard. Next to him in order are Aggo, my blood rider, Daario Naharis, captain of the Storm Crows, Humfrey Stone, a sergeant of the Golden Company and Marselen, commander of the Mother's Men. To my left is Missandei, my trusted advisor. Next to her is Grey Worm, commander of my unsullied." He looked into the eyes of the soldier who had barred him entrance. He seemed everything he had expected these unsullied to be, they would be hard to beat but he welcomed the challenge.
"Symon Stripeback, commander of the Free Brothers", she continued while pointing to another freedmen. "That is Symond Sunglass, Lord of Sweetport Sound. Finally, we have Ser Jorah Mormont, one of your fellow countrymen."
"That is no countryman of mine." Lord Umber simply retorted. Lady Maege's reply was even harsher. She had sat herself in front of him. "Hello nephew, have you finally come to accept the punishment for your actions? Ice has been waiting to cleave your head from your shoulders for years now, after the disgrace you put our house through. Although, if you ask nicely, I'll have Dacey lend Longclaw to the king. It would be poetic if you met your end at the point of your former sword."
"Aunt Maege", the simple reply came. It was clear the man was holding in his anger, but he let nothing slip.
Robb grinned a cold smile at them. "As you can see, that is Lady Maege Mormont, ruler of Bear Island." He said as he waved his hand to her side of the table. He emphasized her rule over the Mormont's ancestral lands to pour salt in the traitor's open wound. The man's fist could be seen clenching and unclenching several times, although he still kept quiet.
"Next to her in order sit Ser Rupert Brune, heir to Deep Den, Lord Jason Mallister, Lord of Seaguard, GreatJon Umber, Lord of Last Hearth and finally Jon, my … brother in all but name. My cousin by blood actually, as he was born as Jaehearys Targaryen. He is the son of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and my aunt Lyanna Stark." He felt all eyes burn on him. He responded only to two pairs of them, those of his aunt her Lord Commander.
Both looked at him intensely. "So, the rumors are true." She simply said. He matched her daunting violet gaze. "Aye, they are." He responded as he put his hands clearly on the table, showing of his Targaryen seal ring. The Lord Commander looked at him intensely. "The sword you carry … is it what I think it is?"
"It is. Blackfyre, the sword of Aegon the Conqueror." Daenerys eyes went wide. "How did you get that? It has been lost for over a century!"
He inhaled, but Robb cut him off. "Let us end the introductions, before speaking of such things." Ser Barristan nodded, while the Dragon Queen's eyes remained fixed on him.
"To my left is Harrold Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie. Next to him are Ser Andar Royce, the heir to Runestone, Symond Templeton, Lord of Ninestars, Andrew Estermont, Lord of Sweetport Sound and Hand of the Queen to Queen Shireen Baratheon and Lester Morrigen, Lord of Crow's Nest." Ser Barristan looked at them all critically, raising eyebrows when for him new information was told. Nonetheless, he greeted the latter four men with courtesy. He probably knew them from his time at court. Symond Sunglass stared daggers at Estermont, who had received his forfeited lands.
"Now, what is it you want to talk about?" Robb asked, as he put his hands in front of him on the table.
The young queen took in a deep breath, before letting it out in the middle and smiling. "I almost forget my manners. Please my lords, eat." She said as she waved over some Essosi servants. On their plates was bread and salt. It was a cheap trick to try to convince them that she was from here and respected their customs probably. Yet, he appreciated her gesture nonetheless.
He put a hand on Robb's wrist so he wouldn't eat before any of their opponents did. Only after Ser Barristan took a piece, did all of them eat without any concern. You could never be too careful, but the knight's honor wasn't up for questioning.
"So, tell me your story and that of the sword you carry." Daenerys finally demanded, as she looked him in the eye.
"There isn't much to tell." He responded. "I was raised Ned Stark's bastard. He lied to protect my life from Robert Baratheon." At this, she seemed to nod. This surprised him. "There were multiple attempts on my life during my childhood. I'm not surprised he would dare to kill his friend's nephew, if it meant ending my brother's line."
He took that in but chose not to respond. "Whatever the case, I didn't know. Not until a year ago, when Lord Reed told me the truth. He was the last survivor of the Tower of Joy. The last one who knew the truth." Now, Ser Barristan arched forward.
He looked into the knight's eyes and remembered with how much respect his father had spoken about him. He decided he should know the truth. "Your brothers died protecting me. They blocked my father and his companions from entering, they didn't know before it was too late."
"This was after the Trident and the fall of King's Landing. They thought you the new king." Ser Barristan guessed.
"Aye, they died protecting my life from the only man who could protect me, who did protect me for years. My uncle Eddard Stark, who raised me as his own. The only real father I ever had."
"How could you be king? My brother was already married. At most, you'd be his bastard." The Targaryen Queen brought up.
"My parents were wed before a Weirwood Tree and later for a Septon at the God's Eye. Ser Arthur Dayne was one of the witnesses on the contract. It wasn't the first time a Targaryen took two wives. Rhaegar decided the dragon needed three heads and Elia Martell couldn't give him any more children." He simply replied.
"What did you say?" She asked in shock. "The dragon must always have three heads." He shrugged. "It was a thing he said a lot. Some kind of prophecy, it seems." He saw the girl swallow, but she didn't push it. To his surprise, she seemed to accept everything he told them.
"After Lord Reed told me, I told my brother. Sometime later I swore my loyalty to him. I do not want the Seven Kingdoms. I never wanted it. I foreswore every claim on it for me and our entire family. The time of dragons ended when my grandfather Aerys Targaryen, your father, brutally murdered my other grandfather Rickard Stark. I helped my brother take King's Landing and destroy the Red Keep. Our ancestors have done enough, no one wants our house back on any throne."
She looked at him with a mixed range of emotions. They ranged from disgust and confusion to anger and shock. "It wasn't your decision to make. You didn't have the right. It was my brother's. It is mine."
"Your father's former Kingsguard seemed to disagree. None of them went to Dragonstone to protect you or your brother. They died for my claim, not yours. Besides it doesn't matter. It is done. There is no Iron Throne anymore. The Red Keep is gone, blown up together with most of Aegon's Hill. King's Landing has half burned to the ground. There is nothing to reign over anymore."
"So, we heard. It doesn't matter. When the Conqueror sat foot on Westeros, King's Landing was nothing but an army camp. We will rebuild it. I will reforge the throne with dragonfire from the swords of those who dare stand in my way." She threatened.
He simply shrugged. "It won't be my sword. Valyrian steel doesn't burn."
She narrowed her eyes. "How did you get the sword?"
"My brother gave it to me. It was taken from the Pretender who invaded these shores just before you."
"The Pretender? He was not your brother Aegon?" Ser Barristan asked.
"No, Varys and the Lord Commander of the Golden Company confessed everything after a few weeks of torture. He was a female line Blackfyre descendant. That's how he had the sword. Aegor Bittersteel gave it to the Golden Company to hold onto it in name of Daemon's descendants. Now it is once more where it belongs, with the true branch of House Targaryen."
They took a moment to take everything in. They probably heard rumors, but this was the first confirmation they could get. "What about this Pretender? Where is he?"
"Dead." Robb simply replied.
Both nodded. Robb decided it was time to take these negotiations in his hands. "Why did you invite me here?"
"I wanted to get to know you and give you a chance to bend the knee on a few conditions" She answered. "First of all, I would need an oath …" Robb interrupted her by raising her hand.
"I don't want to be disrespectful, Queen Daenerys, but I do not need to hear your so-called conditions. I won't be bending anything, nor will anyone else. In front of you sits a coalition compromising most of Westeros. The whole of the North, Riverlands, Vale, Crownlands and Stormlands has amassed against you. We even have a contingent of House Dayne from Dorne amongst us. The only reason no Reachmen or Westerlanders are here is because they are stuck in internal strife. No one wants you here." She wanted to interrupt but he just raised his hand.
"If you wish to point out your Westerosi followers, spare me. A Northern traitor who ran to save his head, the brother of a former minor lord begging for revenge and a bunch of ironborn who's only redeeming quality is that they rather fight for you than be burned alive." He summed up what they all thought about them.
"The only notable Westerosi follower you have is the man sitting next to you. Yet, for all his fame and reputation, he is but one man." He ended his speech. He arched forward towards the Dragon Queen. "If you hand over the last remaining members of the Golden Company and go back to Essos, we will forgive you the destruction your men caused these last two weeks. Go, leave and never come back."
"You can't be serious?" She laughed. "No army has ever been able to withstand dragons. Your ancestor Torrhen bend the knee when he saw my ancestor's dragons. You would be wise to do the same now."
"And you would be wise to not mistake that beast outside for Balerion the Black Dread. I must admit your companion is like nothing I have ever seen before. More magnificent than anything, men or beast, has a right to be. Yet, he is no Balerion. The Maesters write of him having had a wingspan four hundred fifty feet in length. How big is the wingspan of the one outside? No more than forty feet in length I would say. Meraxes' wingspan was over three hundred feet when it died in Dorne. I will say it once more. Leave this continent, nothing but death awaits you here."
"It doesn't matter how big they are, when you are consumed by their dragonfire." She bit back viciously.
"I will take my chances." Robb answered coldly. He looked over towards their exchange. They were exactly each other's opposites. Where Daenerys was hot, full of fire, rage and emotion, Robb was cold, he was hard, emotionless and unrelenting like an icy morning on a winter's day.
They stared at each other. Robb tried once more. "I do not wish to fight or kill you. I do not want to take the last of Jon's paternal family away from him, but I will if you force my hand. I have been fighting for two years now. I have a daughter, which I have never seen before due to the wars. I have campaigned thousands of miles, beaten over a hundred thousand foes, defeated more armies than I can recall ... I will not give it all up and betray my people's trust after that. They chose for me to wear this." He explained, as he pointed to his Winter Crown.
"I never wanted it, but I will carry the burden until I draw my last breath. Be wise and leave this continent forever. Carve out a country in Essos for your people and give them a better life than what is awaiting them here on our shores. You will only bring them misery and pain here. Your noble efforts to free them from the cruelty of slavery will be for naught, as you will have just hastened their demise on foreign soil."
"Westeros is mine by right. Either you will submit willingly, or I will make you with fire and blood." Daenerys ominously spoke out her house's words, the anger visible on her face.
Robb simply glanced at her. "Dragons are creatures of fire and heat and summer, but winter has come now. Your time is over. Leave, while you still can."
"I could simply order Drogon to burn you all before you ever got back to your camp." She threatened, testing him and his resolve.
"Aye, you could and there would be nothing I could do about it. However, you forget one thing." He replied, his tone as even as ever.
"What may that be?" She asked.
"I have two direwolves standing vigil outside, only a few feet from this very table. While I could do nothing to save me or anyone at this side of the table, I can guarantee you none on your side will see morning after I let them loose. My army has orders to fight even if I do not return, I care not. I have two younger brothers to pass the crown to and enough loyal lords to see this war to an end in their name. You would be burning your last remaining kin. If you die, your cause falls apart and no one can take up your mantle. If that is what you desire, do it now. It would save my men from the senseless slaughter that will be committed in the name of your ambition tomorrow."
The Dragon Queen simply locked eyes with him, trying to guess if he was bluffing. Robb simply raised his eyebrows, which was followed by a howl by Grey Wind outside. This seemed to startle everyone in the tent, not in the least their own lords. The howl was answered by a dragon's shriek outside, yet the staring match in the tent remained.
When no one said anything more, his brother stood up. "This meeting is at an end. Ser Barristan, it was an honor to finally meet you. My father spoke highly of you and my little brother idolizes you as he does no other. It will pain me to see you on the field tomorrow."
"Your father was a good man, Robb Stark. I am sorry that I could not save him. He did not deserve his end. Yet, my place is with my queen. That's where you will find me." He responded.
"I expected nothing less." His brother simply nodded, extending his arm out of respect. The knight took it in silence and Robb walked away towards the exit of the tent. He glanced over towards his aunt. Trying to remember her in his mind's eye, before following after his brother.
This is it for this chapter!
Daenerys has come. Jon receives Blackfyre from Robb and the latter's meticulous preparations are shown once again. Afterwards they meet with the Dragon Queen. Many meetings/reunions happen, most importantly the ones between Jon and Dany and Robb and her. The Northmen (including Jon) are sick of outsiders demanding their fealty for nothing. Daenerys refuses to let go of her claims and ambitions, so battle is inevitable.
Next up: here be dragons.
Their sizes: Drogon is around 40 feet in wingspan. Vision and Rhaegal are smaller at around 30 feet.
My reasoning: the dragons were born at the start of 299. They grew quickly and Drogon had a wingspan of twenty feet at the end of the fifth book (middle of 300). In 1.5 years at rapid growth he grew 19 feet. We are here in early 301, around nine months later. Drogon growing 20 feet in half the time he grew 19 feet is the absolute maximum. This can be explained by free movement during their voyage and additional hunting and feeding because of this.
In comparison, Drogon was around 200 feet in wingspan in the series which was completely insane. It made him (at 7 years old) bigger than 50 year old war veteran Caraxes during the Dance of Dragons. In reality, Caraxes and Daemon would eat Drogon and Dany for breakfast without thinking twice about it. Drogon here is already VERY large for his age and he is only a fifth of the size in the series. I'm going with Drogon growing exceptionally quick, the others are more average in their growth. Also keep in mind that due to them essentially being children, the dragons' scales haven't hardened enough to be impenetrable yet. Dany is also at max an average dragon rider. She has no saddle, no armor, no whip, no training ... nothing. Even if she is the most naturally talented Targaryen ever, she wouldn't come near the honed skills of experienced riders like Aegon the conqueror and his sisters without those. Let's say she stole some books from a Volantene library about dragon riding and read them, that's about it.
So, I warn you: yes they will be deadly. They will burn and eat and kill. They will disrupt lines and most importantly they will scare troops to death, but no they won't be indestructible flying killing machines. Dany can't simply send her dragons against a whole army like Aegon did at the Field of Fire. Besides, Robb is more prepared than the Lannisters and Gardeners ever were. As such, the actual performance of her troops in battle will be (at least) as important as what her dragons do.
Thank you for your support!
Fannic
P.S. Blackfyre might need a new name soon, any suggestions?
Reviews:
- Kingmanaena: Thank you!
- Supremus85: He is but he was tortured for weeks and threatened with the execution of Aegon, his nephew and the whole reason for his schemes for the last 20 years. Maybe Aegon was even tortured in front of him to gain the news. I won't spoil who wins that civil war just yet. Glad you like how I've written Edda! Let's hope she sees her daddy at all, sadly it won't be that soon.
- Angeluszuko-z: Glad you liked it!
- Greatazuredragon: Glad you liked her portrayal here. She has changed a lot. Thank you very much!
- The Bluest of Winters: Good luck!
- Rebfan90: Thank you so much!
- Force Smuggler: Thank you!
- LectorHistoria: Yes, but just as Robb needs a reminder why he's fighting this war the readers might also need a reminder why he's doing so. Besides the Jon dynamic needed to be explained at home. Well, you received all the Dany info you ever needed in this chapter. The wildling info will follow in future chapters.
- Finkarhu: You're welcome!
- Kezz1: Thank you so much! Will do my best.
- Fryandika: Well, you didn't have to wait too long! What did you think about it?
- Raw666: I hope this chapter was everything you were waiting for?
- Poly19hum: Thank you! That confrontation might still be in the cards in the future. I won't spoil anything.
- George Christian810: Thank you so much! I really appreciate your support. The problem with that pairing is that it is a little farfetched. Mace Tyrell and Ned Stark were enemies in the Rebellion, the former surrendered to the latter at Storm's End. This is often forgotten. Besides this, it would be a bitter pill to swallow for a lot of Northern lords. They accepted Roslin Frey because they wanted to save Ned, got to know Robb a bit more and saw it as him doing his duty to his father and the North. An arranged betrothal before the set of the books would be almost impossible because of that.
A betrothal during the war is very difficult as well. For it to work you would have to make changes that at least affect Renly's timeline, if not more. Although I must admit that their personalities would create an interesting power couple together.
- Stevem1: Thank you! Yes, it does. It was Ned's vision for years here to better the future of the North and when he was in King's Landing he tasked Robb with the practical execution of some of those things. As such, Robb took over those ideas and values. Many of Ned's ideas are already planned out but have been put on hold due to the war. Robb also has his own ideas, such as the orphanages here. The rosier his situation becomes, the more he'll be able to spend time on those combined plans and implement them.
- Kuman: It can't all be negotiations and bloodshed! You have to remember what you're fighting for.
- Mike3455: I was a fan too. For me it was always written in the stars, but they rushed and butchered it.
That's also nearly impossible. For one, Riverrun isn't exactly in danger but neither is it completely safe with Tywin trying to get his grip on the Westerlands and many bandits and deserters still roaming the Riverlands. Secondly, it's winter. Travel would go very slowly north of the Neck and it would be dangerous to travel in such conditions for a small child. Thirdly, the combination of Alys (Queen), Eddara (Robb's child) and Bran (Crown Prince) has become the symbol of (royal) Stark rule in the North in Robb's absence. They can't simply leave the North with Ramsey in open rebellion, Arnolf Karstark testing the limits and the Wall under threat.
I could do an x amount of years later WW story. I could also hint they come a hundred years later and leave it at that. Will look into it.
- Cliff West: Glad you enjoyed the story! If another direwolf would come down, it would need to come from behind the Wall. For now that isn't really believable. However, I'm not saying it couldn't happen in the future. Sansa is in Winterfell. She was shown there in the last chapter. Lady Dustin is ruling Barrowton in winter for now, she'll be back in the picture later. I don't know about the female leader idea. Males are and will still be the primary heirs in the North. Alys being a good queen won't change that, there have been good queens and female regents before in House Stark's history. We'll have to wait and see what happens.
- Guest: Wolf packs are led by a breeding pair, not necessarily the parents of the older wolves already in the pack. In the Stark pack there is no wolf breeding pair, as you only have the six sibling wolves. In human terms, Robb and Alys are the breeding pair and Robb is the clear alpha. Both humans and wargs are mixed due to their warging links and as such the direwolves accept Robb as their alpha without question for now. In later life, Bran (Summer) or Rickon (Shaggydog) could theoretically challenge Robb for the position, but they are too small now.
To become a breeding pair they would need to find other female direwolves, not really an easy task.