Chapter 56: The Storm Queen rises
300 AC
Robb
It had been ten days since the battle. The men were calling it the Field of Gold, as a nod to the infamous Field of Fire. The field had been littered with bodies in golden armor, as the Golden Company had taken the brunt of the enemy casualties. At the start of the battle, they had had close to eight thousand men. Now, just fifteen hundred remained in their custody. A few hundred had escaped, although some had already been hunted down and the others would quickly follow suit.
On top of that, they also had around eight thousand Dornish captives. Two to three thousand had escaped to all corners of the Stormlands as well. Two days ago, a hunting party led by Roose Ryswell had come across a band of hundred and fifty or so of them to their west. The youngest son of Lord Ryswell hadn't left any of them alive. Although cruel, it was also practical. They had way too many captives already.
Heavy discussion had ensued on what to do with them for days. Yesterday, an agreement had finally been reached between Lord Harrold, Lord Davos and him with the backing of their most important lords.
All Westerosi members of the Golden Company, or those of significant Westerosi heritage, would be given the chance to take the black. If they refused, they would be executed. All Essosi members would be put to the sword directly. They could not be relied upon to serve at the Wall, they would neither see purpose in defending the kingdoms nor would they integrate well into the force. It would also serve as a message to Essos to stay out of Westerosi affairs. Pentos had been heavily involved in the Pretender's bid for the Iron Throne and Daenerys was rumored to be supported by thousands of escaped slaves from all over the continent. It was time they learned what awaited them across the Narrow Sea.
It was his goal to disband the Golden Company. The company had proven itself a torn into the side of Westeros for over a century, he would not allow them to come back and haunt his descendants. They had killed or captured its captain-general, paymaster, spymaster and the majority of its serjeants. Blackfyre had been recovered, as well as the heads of the former captain-generals of the mercenary company along with all other relics.
Yet, their destruction was not yet guaranteed. Around a thousand or so still roamed the Stormlands, either in small bands fleeing from the field of battle or in garrisons spread around the castles of the kingdom. Another thousand resided on parts of the Stepstones, they had been stranded there since a storm had blown them off course. Among them were their infamous battle elephants. He would have to deal with both groups decisively if he wanted to wipe the company from existence.
They had agreed to keep as much of the Dornish troops alive, as it gave them a great negotiation position with Doran Martell. If they were to execute all of them, it would strip Dorne from the vast majority of their army needed to protect them from incursions from The Reach, Essos or even them through the Stormlands. They had also captured many nobles.
Lords Yronwood, Fowler, Gargalen, Qorgyle and Manwoody had been captured, but also Ser Ryon Allyrion the heir to Godsgrace, Ser Ulwyck Uller and one of the Dalt brothers. Together with them some two hundred lower nobles or members of side branches of the bigger families had been captured as well. The latter were already sent to different castles across the former Stormlands, while the main nobles had accompanied them to Storm's End.
Many Dornish nobles had also died. The second Dalt brother, Lords Jordayne and Vaith, as well as Ser Symon Santagar and Ser Arron Qorgyle. Half of those had been on the front line when Jon charged them. They had been trampled or slain by his horsemen in the chaos. Of course, what really shook the Dornish was the death of their prince and his first daughter.
He would make a show of strength by showing they had captured the majority of the Dornish nobility and killed the rest. In the center of that strategy would be Nymeria Sand, Prince Oberyn's surviving daughter and an illegitimate member of House Martell. Hopefully her presence would convince her sister and cousin Arianne to surrender the old Baratheon fortress.
The remaining captives, a few hundred or so, were Reachmen and Stormlanders. The latter were given to the Stormlords to be judged amongst their own, whilst the former would be released on the condition to never set foot outside the Reach again. Of course, the few nobles from the Reach would be kept in captivity to put extra pressure on House Tyrell in future negotiations. They could serve as either claimants to forfeited keeps or nobles whose absence would threw certain border regions into chaos.
Most Reach and Stormlands' nobles had successfully managed to flee with the cavalry, so he doubted their capture would have that big of an influence but every little helped.
Now he would have to oversee the executions. It fell on him to execute the company leaders himself, as the person who passes the sentence should swing the sword. As such, he would take the heads of Gorys Endoryen, the company paymaster, as well as that of Lysono Maar, the company spymaster. They were its highest-ranking surviving foreign members.
In the end, he also took the heads of some of the remaining serjeants. In total, around seven hundred men were executed, with many refusing to "freeze their balls of at the Wall for the rest of their lives". Still, seven hundred and thirty-six agreed to join the Night's Watch. A lot of them were men of great experience in running a military organization. They would be a great boon for the order. Amongst those joining were Harry Strickland and Jon Connington.
The latter was only given the choice out of a gesture for Jon. Aegon's other advisors, such as Varys, would be put to the sword. Most, including his Kingsguard, had already died anyway. Still, Jon had pleaded for Connington to be allowed to take the black. The two had spent a lot of time together and he had granted his brother his request. None of his Northern lords had complained, as they knew the Nightswatch served for life. Some Valemen had grumbled but he had been able to overrule them.
This would allow Jon to keep in contact with the former Lord of Griffin's Roost and learn more about his father, a thing he had always wanted. It would also sufficiently neutralize the threat the man posed.
The executions of Varys and the Pretender would have to wait. Varys would be tortured to tell the truth about the Pretender and spill his remaining plots active in the world. Harry Strickland would be questioned in detail as well, before being allowed to sail north.
He walked restlessly around the camp as he looked upon the drum tower of the ancient keep that had once belonged to the Durrandons. No Godswood was in sight to calm him after taking so many lives. For millennia, one had lain behind those high curtain walls. Yet, it had all been destroyed by Stannis' evil witch, Lord Davos had told him. It was an unspeakable loss for all Old Gods believers, as the keep had been said to have been constructed by Brandon the Builder in the Time of Heroes. It's Godswood had probably been even older.
Lord Davos had already promised to regrow it, as a gesture of good will. Yet, no Weirwood would serve at its heart. He had asked his lords for a possibility to take seeds from the North and replant them here, but no clear answers had been given. He was determined to look in Winterfell's ancient library to try and find something about it. If he wanted the Old Gods to be respected in the Southern kingdoms, he would have to restore these old places of worship to teach the Southrons they weren't threatening to them.
He went to sleep thinking of his plans to rebuild the Riverlands and a possible way to stop religious rifts from forming there. The last thing he wanted for his sons and grandsons to have to deal with was a rebellious half of the kingdom on religious reasons.
(Two weeks later)
He stood in the throne room of Storm's End, his lords and vassals behind him on the side. The Valemen under Lord Harrold in front of him. Taking her place on the throne for the first time was Queen Shireen Baratheon. In the center were the lords of her kingdom, as they renewed their oaths to her one by one. Yet, not only the ones who had long been loyal to her had showed up. Many of those who had kept neutral or had been hindered by the Golden Company had ridden hard and fast to join their Queen. Lords Swann and Cafferen chiefly amongst them, but many smaller houses also joining in.
A very unexpected arrival had only come this morning. Lord Fell had come with a small retinue and both his young sons to ask for the forgiveness of the queen and pay her homage. Many had been enraged, whilst others had been rejoiced at the idea of mending the rifts these wars had caused. In the end, it had been agreed that his heir would serve as a ward in Storm's End until his majority, whilst he had also given up around fifteen percent of his lands to his more loyal neighbors. Now the lord was on his knees before the throne just as the others were, accepted back into the fold.
Next to the queen stood her two cousins. Her betrothed Edric Storm sat on a smaller chair in front of her on the right, whilst Lord Davos stood loyally behind the chair besides his queen. On the other side stood Ser Gendry, her other cousin and protector. The boy had been knighted for saving Lord Morrigen's life during the battle. Rumor had it that he had bested seventeen enemies with his massive Warhammer and people were already calling him the embodiment of his father's martial prowess.
After all the nobles, big and small, had pledged themselves to her, Shireen started rewarding her loyal followers. She had started by promising Lord Davos and his family lands from the treacherous House Whitehead and smaller knightly ones once they had been recaptured. Through this and other honors she made him and House Seaworth full-fledged lords in the peerage of her kingdom.
Afterwards many nobles past the review. Notably, Ser Andrew Estermont received the forfeited lands of House Sunglass, after its new lord had gone to Volantis to align himself with Daenerys Targaryen, as well as the lands of its vassal, the now extinct House Rambton. Lord Morrigen received additional lands, as well as the guardianship over young Raymund Connington, the new ruler of Griffin's Roost. Raymund's sister Alynne was betrothed to Lord Davos' nine-year-old heir Stannis to keep them in line in the future and have House Seaworth mingle with the old nobility of the country.
In the meantime, Griffin's Roost would be controlled by a castellan appointed by the queen and her council. The keep had already fallen to a force of Stormlands with the help of Jon Connington, who had been persuaded by his brother to do so. It had been the first of many that would be reconquered in the following weeks. A joint letter had been sent by him, the Baratheons and Lord Yronwood to all the enemy garrisons in the kingdom. The now highest-ranking Dornish lord had been convinced that further resistance and bloodshed was futile. He had agreed to sign the letters on the condition that all men in the garrisons, highborn or lowborn, would be allowed to freely march back to Dorne.
They had agreed and already responses were coming in that Nightsong, Poddingfield, Blackhaven, Harvest Hall and all smaller keeps in that region would be evacuated in the following week. This was a huge victory for Queen Shireen and Lord Davos, as the families living there were now in their debt whilst they also showed their decisive action in retaking the country. The fact they managed to do so with no bloodshed served their cause even more.
All-in-all, it seemed like the queen had a real shot at reuniting the Stormlands. A thing he was most pleased about. Still, a lot of work would have to be done by her council. The Caron inheritance, capture of roaming warbands, punishment of traitors, dealing with the defiant R'hollor followers, ruling with large parts of its ruling class dead, integration of the former Crownland territories, recapturing the remaining keeps, … They had a lot of work to do. At least he could help with the warbands and the Golden Company.
In front of him, the name of Ser Gendry Waters was suddenly called. He looked up, curious to see what would happen with King Robert's eldest bastard. He stepped down from the lowest steps and knelled before the throne of his cousin. It was no secret they were very close to each other, their behavior more resembling a relationship of a protective older brother with his little sister than that of cousins or a monarch and her subordinate.
"Ser Gendry, for your valiant and loyal deeds in the battle and your continued and loyal support of my reign, you will be rewarded. You will be raised to the rank of nobility and receive lands for your loyal service. Have you chosen a name for your future house?" The young queen asked the raven-haired young man.
"I have, Your Grace. House Hammersmith, so my descendants never forget where we came from." The young warrior smiled. Lord Davos smiled as well, but some of the prouder nobles only scowled at the interaction. The confidence and quickness of the answer also showed that the boy had probably known about all of this beforehand without it getting out. A smart move on the part of the young queen, if you asked him.
Queen Shireen Baratheon nodded and took the ceremonial sword Edric Storm handed her, as she walked down. "Gendry Hammersmith, do you swear loyalty to me and my descendants until the end of days?"
"I do." Young Gendry responded with a gravitas he hadn't seen from him before. "I in return promise you and yours shall always have a place at my hearth. I shall treat you fairly and justly and ask nothing of you that would encroach on your honor. I now anoint you Lord Gendry Hammersmith, Lord of Dragonstone and Blackwater Bay."
A collective gasp was heard from all around the throne room, as the young bastard had just been raised to one of the most important lords of her realm. Of course, the islands would partly lose in economic significance with the vast reduction of trade going towards King's Landing. Yet, the fact a port would still remain at the mouth of Blackwater, combined with the growing importance of Duskendale and the continued existence of Sweetport Sound, Rook's Rest and Sharp Point would still give it more than enough economic importance to continue trade.
In addition, its strategic importance was vital to the kingdoms defense. It seemed the young lord would be his kingdom's main neighbor and someone to watch. Maybe a marriage between him and one of his vassals could be achieved to tie the kingdoms closer together?
"Lords Velaryon and Celtigar will serve under the new Lord of Dragonstone." The young queen said, as she looked up. "Only those." She added, which let to even more murmurs in the crowd. She effectively stripped Houses Bar Emmon and the new lordship of Andrew Estermont from his rule. "The other houses historically sworn to Dragonstone will from now on be directly sworn to the Crown." A thing both Ser Andrew and Lord Durman Bar Emmon looked pleased with.
"I want to remind everyone that my cousin has a weak dynastic claim to Dragonstone. Our shared great-grandmother Rhaelle Targaryen will give him the legitimacy that is needed to rule over those isles like before the conquest. Just like before the conquest it will only concern the three isles of Dragonstone, Driftmark and Claw Isle. To ensure stability in the area, Lord Hammersmith and Lord Celtigar have agreed to the betrothal of Lord Gendry with Lord Celtigar's granddaughter Lady Prunella." She finished.
Well, so much for that plan … He thought, as he looked upon the smug smile of old Lord Adrian Celtigar. It was the first time he had seen the man with anything other than a scowl on his face. It was also smart from the Baratheons, they tied the Valyrians to themselves in the aftermath of the Pretender's invasion and before the arrival of Daenerys who was born on Dragonstone.
After the ceremony was done. He walked over to the new Lord Hammersmith and congratulated him. He kept a close eye on who was supporting the new lord and who wasn't. This was going to be his kingdom's neighbor and so this intel could be important in the future.
Afterwards, he and Lord Davos walked outside of a small room behind the throne. This led them to a stairway which brought them directly to the solar of the Lord of Storm's End. As the two of them waited on Lord Harrold, he thought back on how luck had finally been on their side in this conflict. After the desertion of Aegon's allies and the decisive victory in the battle. They had marched towards Storm's End. There, they had realized Arianne Martell and her cousins and most Dornish nobles had fled.
She had left a big enough garrison to hold the castle, yet its morale was understandably low. Then luck had once again smiled upon them. Whilst crossing the Stormlands, the Dornish contingent had stumbled upon Lord Swann and his forces on their way to join them in Storm's End after the news of the battle had reached them.
Lord Swann had long prepared his forces and wanting to make a good showing had planned to reinforce them with around three hundred riders. As such, the Dornish had been heavily outnumbered and had been quickly put down. The result was that Lord Swann had arrived before the walls with both Arianne Martell and Tyene Sand in his custody. He had been hailed as a hero and the choices and fate of his younger son Balon had long been forgotten.
It had also strengthened his resolve in the alliance he had made with the Baratheons and the Stormlands. It had been the right decision and many others had told him as much since. Now they not only had two of the Sand Snakes and a vast contingent of the lords or heirs of Dorne in their hands, they also had Doran's heir.
When the garrison of Storm's End had seen how they had captured her, their morale had plummeted further. It had also emboldened the servants inside the keep. Last night, a few of them had opened a side door of the castle. One of his alert guards had spotted it and they had immediately sent troops towards it. Once inside the castle, most of the garrison had quickly surrendered. All knew it was futile to resist once they got inside, but their illusion in winning this war had also been shattered by the past battle and the capture of the bulk of the Dornish nobility.
Arianne was a pleasant, intelligent and beautiful woman, albeit as promiscuous as the rumors told you about Dorne. She had tried to seduce him the first time they had met. He had almost been tempted to play along, as it had been two years since he had held Alys in his arms now. However, just like with all camp followers and other ladies who had tried, he had excused himself and relieved himself in the loneliness of his chambers. Alys had had a drawing made months ago which she had had him delivered by raven. He had been afraid he would forget what her face looked like, now he had something to look at when he felt alone.
With the capture of his heir and the evacuation of the Dornish troops outside the Stormlands, it was time to push their momentum and force Doran Martell into a peace treaty. Invading Dorne was off the table and both parties knew it. it meant they wouldn't be able to push as hard in the negotiations as they might have liked, but peace and stability before Daenerys arrived would be worth it.
Lord Harold finally joined them, after which they had all poured themselves a glass of wine. He gave both of them the letter he had written last night to look over. It was his proposal for a peace treaty to Doran Martell. If his allies agreed, they could co-sign it and commence negotiations.
His proposal consisted of a few clauses. First, the Martells and Dorne will recognize the irreversible dissolvement of the Iron Throne and the Seven Kingdoms. Second, they will recognize the independence of the Kingdoms of the North and the Riverlands, the Stormlands and the possible formation of the Kingdom of the Vale. In turn, Dorne will be recognized as independent as well, with House Martell as its monarchs.
Third, small borderlands will need to be given over to the Stormlands as payment for the war. Fourth, high ransoms were asked for all their captives. A list was included with all captives taken, with a great emphasis put on Arianne Martell, the two sandsnakes and Lords Yronwood and Fowler. Fifth, one silver dragon for every released soldier will be paid. Although, that would in total consist of nothing more than some forty golden dragons, it was symbolic that the Martells had to buy back their army. Sixth, they promised to gift them the bones of Gregor Clegane and Amory Lorch, as justice for the crimes they had committed against Princess Elia Martell and her children.
Seventh, a war indemnity of three hundred thousand golden dragons was asked for the destruction of the Stormlands and the alignment with the Targaryen Pretender. He also included that 'Aegon' himself was most likely a Blackfyre claimant and not his nephew, after the confession of Harry Strickland. Yet, Varys still refused to speak for now. Seventh, they promised to pay one ninth of the Iron Bank debt, according to their status as one of the nine regions of the old kingdom. Finally, he agreed to send a diplomat to Storm's End to discuss trade relations between their kingdoms and start friendly relations.
Both Lord Harrold and Lord Davos brought forward on how they would distribute the ransoms and the indemnity payments. Seeing that the Stormlands needed to be repaired, yet he and Lord Harrold also needed to fund their campaigns and reward their lords. However, they both agreed to the offer in itself.
He immediately had the letter delivered to the Maester to be send off. Afterwards, they discussed how they would divide the coin for a long time. In the end, they reached an agreement. The war indemnity would be split equally amongst the three of them. Although the Stormlands needed it more, this would compensate for the fact the other kingdoms had done most of the heavy lifting.
The ransoms of the nobles would be given to those who had captured them, which greatly favored his own kingdom and that of the Vale. As his men had captured the vast majority of the Dornish nobles together with their infantry, while the Vale had captured most of the rest by defeating their cavalry and archers. Still, the Stormlanders would also greatly benefit with the capture of Arianne Martell, Tyene Sand and their escort. Especially House Swann and House Baratheon would win in this exchange.
The symbolic payment for the soldiers would go to the Stormlands, seeing as they were captured on their lands. To make this deal, he had reminded Lord Davos and Lord Harrold of how much of the Iron Bank he had taken upon himself and the fact that the former would not be helping to extract the parts from the Westerlands or Iron Isles. In the end, all parties were satisfied enough. Especially because the Stormlands would be receiving additional small plots of land.
After all this was done, they also discussed the other news they had received together. Finally, their new sources in the Westerlands had come with information. It seemed that Tywin had ridden straight for Lannisport, after his defeat at the God's Eye River. He had merged his remaining heavy horsemen with the three to four thousand levies under Ser Damion Lannister.
However, not all was good for the Lannisters in the center of the Westerlands. Apparently, a third of his remaining two thousand heavy horse had deserted him on the way there and they refused to go back. Those belonging to the houses whose lands they had raided stayed home under the guise of restoring order and defeating bandits. Apparently, Lords Banefort, Kenning and the neutral House Prester used the same ruse, although they had only suffered some light raiding.
Much more significantly was the disobedience from Houses Crakehall, Serret, Lydden and Payne. Apparently, they had coerced most of their knights and riders to go home and refused to reassemble them under Tywin's leadership. Lord Payne had even gone as far as barricading his castle and preparing for a possible siege by his overlord.
Other lesser houses all around the Westerlands had done much of the same. Their sources told them that Tywin only had the direct support of a handful of his bannermen anymore. Banners of Houses Swyft, Myatt, Garner, Ferren, Drox, Farman, Yarwyck, Yew, Kyndall and Plumm were still seen at Lannisport. Yet, none of them could be called one of the Lannister's major vassals. All of those strong enough to defend themselves seemed to have abandoned the Old Lion.
The problems for House Lannister didn't even stop there. None of his smallfolk were willing to join his forces anymore. This was because of their losses and the fact that he had sent their levies home without their sword hands after the Battle of the God's Eye River, a battle that was now universally called "the Battle of the Lion's Flight". Tywin was now actively coercing his own smallfolk under arms, while they resisted the conscriptions. This not only weakened his force, it also slowed down his process of rebuilding it.
Still, the Old Lion had tried to act. Apparently, he had marched out himself and burned a few lands of small landed knights. Afterwards, he had laid siege to the seats of Houses Broom and Moreland but for now both still resisted him.
"We must act now. The Lannisters have never been as weak as they are now. King Robb, with the captives you have in your possession, we can turn many of these houses against them." Lord Harrold enthusiastically urged him.
"Aye, Lord Harrold, but how do you suppose we do this? Our armies are occupied here in the Stormlands and we still have had no news of the battle between the Tyroshi fleet and Daenerys Stormborn. We cannot march upon the Westerlands, nor could I ride north to talk to those captives." He responded.
The Lord of Vale was silent at that, clearly not having an obvious reply to that. It was Lord Davos that chimed in. "Don't you have the lords and heirs of some of those disobedient houses?"
"Aye, I do, why?" He replied questioningly.
"Well, you could release those lords, whose heirs you have, back into the Westerlands. You keep their heirs and have them sign documents and swear some oaths that they'll pay a future ransom for themselves. If they fail to hold up to your demands, their heirs hang. In return, they can go west and start leading a more organized resistance against Tywin. You could even send some of their old levies with them to strengthen their cause."
He thought about that. It wasn't so bad an idea. He would be able to send at least three or four of them back. Especially in the lands he had raided, they could further organize resistance against the Lannisters.
"I'll have to talk it over with my lords and advisors, but I'll look into it." He answered Lord Davos, who seemed content with that.
"Any more news?" He asked them.
"Not much, the Golden Company garrisons refuse to surrender if the Pretender and Strickland are not handed over to them. So, we will have to grind through the castles still in their command." Lord Davos stated matter-of-factly.
"Which ones are those again?" He responded, looking at the map of the Stormlands again.
"Crow's Nest, Mistwood, King's Mountain, Rain House and Weeping Town are still in the hands of either the Company or their remaining allies." Lord Davos replied.
He looked upon the map. All were positioned on the peninsula the Rainwood was situated on, that or the mountains connecting the peninsula to the mainland. If he partially divided his forces, they could reconquer all of them in one quick campaign. His supply lines shouldn't be a problem, as they already held Griffin's Roost for a land route and additional supplies could be delivered either by Houses Swann and Cafferen or be transported by their fleet.
"I suggest all of us discuss the issue with our respective commanders tonight. Let us say we meet here tomorrow at noon, together with two advisors each to decide upon our strategy for the upcoming campaign to free those lands and keeps?"
Both lords agreed and so they finally left the solar. He went to look for Jon and found him talking to some of their friends in the Great Hall. Smalljon, Owen Norrey, Dacey, Torr, Harry, Dom, Ser Wendel, Ser Lucas Blackwood, Ser Donnel and Roose Ryswell were all seated at the table, laughing and shouting amongst one another. They were all sharing some ale, while he could see Ghost licking the carcass of some unfortunate chicken next to the table.
Dom noticed him first. "Your Grace, please join us! We found a few barrels of Northern ale locked deep in the cellars. The ale lost a bit of its taste, but it's still way better than the piss they serve us here in the south."
He smiled at his friends. "May I ask, how you acquired said ale?"
"We claimed it as spoils of war. The frightened steward didn't dare refuse us. Especially so after he saw Ghost silently stalking behind Snow here!" The Smalljon shouted out jovially, as he clasped Jon on the back.
Jon looked sheepishly at him and shrugged his shoulders as if to say: "Sorry brother, I was thirsty". He rolled his eyes at his brother's antics. He might have liked him more when he was still shy and withdrawn. "Well, I'll make sure to look for the steward and pay for whatever damage you did to their cellar. See it as my treat."
All his friends cheered. Free ale was free ale, he guessed. "However, first I'll have to sample what I'm paying for." He added, as he climbed onto the bench next to Ser Lucas Blackwood. This was cause for even more cheering from all his friends around him.
"Lucas, I didn't know you were a fan of Northern ale?" He asked, as a fresh mug was quickly brought for him.
"Well, these fine lads here have been telling me for months that it is an acquired taste. I came to the conclusion that it was time for me to start acquiring it." The Blackwood knight laughed and more cheers rode up as some clasped the Riverlander on his back. He started wondering just how long they had been sitting here and how much ale had already been spilt.
"I'll drink to that." He responded, as he clasped his mug against his companion's. He had decided to drink a big gulp. However, after hearing Smalljon shout "Bottoms up, Your Grace!", he thought to hell with it. He downed the entire mug to the entertainment of his friends. He was allowed one afternoon of fun after reconquering the Stormlands, wasn't he?
Later that night, he sat alone with Harry, Jon and Torr in his rooms. He had postponed the meeting with his commanders, as most of his friends had been too drunk to be able to be of any value whilst discussing military plans. As his friends consisted of the leaders of the detachments of Houses Bolton, Dustin, Ryswell, Locke and Karstark, as well as valuable commanders from Houses Umber, Norrey, Mormont, Manderly and Blackwood, it wouldn't do him good to hold a meeting like that.
That's what he told himself at least, but if he was honest then he needed to admit that he also felt the world spinning a little. He looked upon his brothers, either by blood or marriage, and thought back on Alys. He longed to see her face again, hold her in his arms and kiss her. He thought back on the few nights they had shared together at Moat Cailin. Two years later, they seemed like nothing more than faded dreams. At times, he had to remind himself they actually happened.
However, they did happen. They had resulted in a child, his daughter Eddara. The girl had already had her first birthday and he had missed it. She was walking now, Alys' letters told him. She had also started to talk. He had both laughed and cried when he had read her last letter. It had told him how her favorite word was "wolf" and that she played with Lady, Nymeria, Summer and Shaggydog as if they were nothing more than puppies.
Ever since Arya had gotten Nymeria so far as to allow Eddara to ride on her back, she rode through the halls on one of their wolves half the time. He pictured a little girl looking like Alys riding on Grey Wind and tears came back to his eyes once more.
Why was he here? Why couldn't he just go home? Why did they all have to keep coming? He had defeated the Lannisters, their allies from the Reach and the Vale, avenged his father and suddenly a Pretender rises up in the Stormlands? He defeated him and his allies too and suddenly Daenerys Targaryen is coming to Westeros. Next up you had Tywin Lannister, who was rebuilding his army. Then he'd have to deal with the ironborn. Would he ever go home? Or would he stay here forever, one of the corpses rotting in the Southern mud. Never allowed to see his daughter, never able to hold his wife again?
Jon noticed the change in his mood and walked over to him. He sat himself down on the free sat next to him and clasped his arm on his shoulder. "What's going on Stark?"
"I was just thinking about Alys and Eddara. She has started walking and talking you know. She apparently rides our siblings' wolves across the halls as if they were warhorses going to battle. I … I just wished I could be there. I wish to be with them, not in these godsforsaken lands in the South." He admitted.
The Karstark brothers both turned to him with compassion and understanding. "We understand Robb. It's not only your daughter. It's our niece too, and our sister. We would love nothing more than be with them. However, it was you that told us we had to see this through for them. That if we quit now, they will never be safe. As long as a Targaryen lives or Tywin Lannister draws breath, we will never know peace. Eddara and thousands of other children will forever be in danger, the North will never be safe if we stop now." Harry told him.
He was right. Of course, he was right. Yet, that didn't make it less hard to do. Both Karstarks hugged him, as they sat there in silence. he hated this damned war. He hated Daenerys Targaryen, he hated Tywin Lannister, he hated them all. He would destroy anyone that came between him and seeing his daughter and once he got home, he wouldn't leave for a long time. That was a promise he made to himself.
This is it for this chapter!
Storm's End surrenders and Queen Shireen's reign begins. She unites most of the Stormlands' nobility under her banner. She awards her loyal supporters, most notable Ser Andrew Estermont and Gendry.
Arianne Martell is captured while trying to flee the Stormlands. Partially because of this, Storm's End had surrendered and it makes Robb's coalition confident enough to start peace talks with Doran. Other keeps governed by Dornish are being evacuated and the Stormlands is coming back under Baratheon control.
News comes from the Westerlands about Tywin's situation. It isn't easy for him and he has to start sieging his own vassals to force them to comply.
Finally, Robb has a moment where he can just act his age with his friends, instead of carrying a kingdom and a war effort on his shoulder every minute. He hates the war and wants to go home but forces himself to see it through to the end.
Thank you so much for the support!
Fannic
Reviews:
- Invictus Veritas: Thank you so much! Yes, it is sad but not his fault. Nymeria was captured. You're right about the two-leggers comment. I have changed it now thank you.
- J.E.P 1996: I'll look into it thank you. It will be given to Robb by Lord Flint. However, Robb can pass it on to Jon if he wants to. More on that later.
- Iacopo Passerini: Only one of his daughters (Obara) died, the other (Nymeria) was captured. The reaction of Winterfell will be shown, but it might take a while still. (F)Aegon will be dealt with accordingly. Daenerys is on her way she will have to be dealt with first.
- Imperial Stormtrooper: I fully agree with your view on Ser Barristan, it's a tragedy.
- Supremus85: Thank you! I actually felt bad writing that scene, it broke the man completely.
- KingOfSummer 245: No, it would be too dangerous to have those lords follow him. Besides Jon doesn't want it. He wants to go North and live there amongst his countrymen.
- LectorHistoria: Thank you! I am definitely improving as a writer throughout the story, so it's normal to see some growth like that. Besides, there have been certain fight scenes along the way as well. Still, I'm glad you liked it!
- KEZZ 1: Thank you very much!
- Kingmanaena: Glad you still think so!
- Kuman: Thank you! You forget Dany coming to Westeros with thousands of freed slaves first. Robb can't risk her landing unopposed and attacking his lands while he is in the Westerlands. You're right about how tough it will be with winter. The Golden Tooth will block Tywin partly, but he can still come from Deep Den if he is left unchecked for too long.
- MasterOfDragonsGod: Not after his men betrayed him like that, no.
- Force Smuggler: Thank you!
- Greatazuredragon: Thank you so much! Yes, people often forget that morale is the nail in the coffin in most decisive battles.
- Walidcan: Dany will never accept the relatively powerless lifestyle of a small Northern lord. She wants power and prestige she would never thrive in the North.
- George Christian810: Oberyn is a veteran from dozens of battles in Essos. Of course, not any man can just do that. That's why the spearwall is mostly destroyed by the charge, he just saves himself and Obara from the same fate. Most Dornish have spears so that helped, but as you say it was not enough.
What do you mean about armor and the helmets? It is very standard for experienced fighters to try and aim for weaknesses in the armor. Oberyn was hit hard even through his helmet and finished off with a dagger while on his back. The neck is often open and a soft target, that is used here a lot. Jon stabs Daemon Sand with all his might and still the plate protects him. Besides, Jon is even mentioned removing his helmet in the end. I don't really agree with your assessment here.
- Rebfan90: Thanks!
- Farroljgk: You will definitely get the numbers. However, I hadn't planned on a new POV. I will look into it though it might be beneficial to have one. The remnants of (F)Aegon's forces will be dealt with in the next chapter. It will become clear what happens. Well, it will be one of the two: Tywin will go out with either a bang or die in obscurity, yes. However, I won't tell you which one it is yet.
- Foxy-Floof: Yes, war is a hideous affair. If it helps, thousands of Dornish successfully surrendered. There's that at least. Well, the battle was lost anyway. Besides, he spent a decade razing the child of the man he was in love with but who never saw him as more than a friend. I don't think he was ever that stable when it comes to Rhaegar.
- Raw666: Could be, but I don't think it will be so interesting to read or write. Although the metaphor is fantastic, yes.
- Velin63: Thank you!
- Stevem1: Thanks! Yes, he is. Although this isn't necessarily a problem. His peers will just respect him more/be more wary of him when he is settled down. Might be a boon, if he gets that far.
- AJ Granger: Thank you! Yes, exactly. Battling the dead could maybe be done by the Starks in an alliance with the Arryns and Baratheons, together with maybe half subjugated ironborn and Westerlanders but it is much more difficult. Much more important would be the lack of Dany's dragons and as I said before I refuse that pairing.
It often depends on who you take as a wife and what education you give your son, although bad apples exist in every dynasty. The Starks have ruled for 8000 years sons succeeding fathers and brothers succeeding brothers, so it possible. Although bad times will certainly come and wars between the kings will happen (frequently?).
- WolfLord456: Thank you so much! I didn't see Oberyn surrender himself, nor would he have kept calm after his surrender. His death was both predictable and advantageous for the North. A thing Domeric Bolton recognized when he killed him.
- Ben91: Wow three days? I'm getting scared for when I want to reread it :D Thank you so much for the compliment.
- Minatom: I answered in PM.
