It took almost a week for all the bodies to be collected and cleared from the castle. Every night following the harrowing battle, they burned the bodies in a constant stream of funerals. Once the castle was finally cleared, the fields around the castle were next. That too took a about a week and on the final day, the bodies of those closest to everyone were finally put on funeral pyres. It was a cloudy day, the cold wind blowing gently across the now empty field.
Now anyone who wanted to say their final goodbyes were by the pyres. Dany and Thomas both Stood by the mound that held Ser Jorah Mormont. When they had found his body after the battle, Thomas could tell something in Dany broke. Despite his betrayal back in Essos, this man had been like a father to her and Thomas. He had come back to them, to her every chance he got. Thomas looked back on his time with the old knight. All the time spent training or their arguments that now seemed so petty. A tear slid down his face as he gazed upon him. Dany was struggling to not burst into sobs as she bent over and kissed his forehead. The loss of Rhaegal had been hard for her but loosing Jorah at the same time was almost too much for her. Thomas lost count of the amount of time he had spent consoling her after the battle. Not that he could blame her.
Watching Rhaegal die twice was, hard, to say the least. He was angry at Jon for his shit plan, sad that he lost one of his children, and regretful that he couldn't protect his baby. Now he led Dany back to the mass of people waiting for the funeral to begin. Thomas saw Sansa also turn back to the crowd. When they made it back, they turned and gazed over the numerous funeral pyres, where most had a man or woman standing next to it, ready to light it. Thomas and Daenerys picked up torches and were about to start when Jon stepped forward and said a few words.
"Once more, we Are here to say goodbye to our brothers and sisters, our fathers and mothers. To our friends. Our fellow Men and Women who set aside our differences, to fight together and die, together. Everyone in this world owes these brave souls a debt that can never be repaid." Jon took a moment to compose himself before continuing. "Men shall rise and fall like the winter wheat, but these names shall never die."
Jon was handed a torch and now they walked forward. Dany went to Jorah's mound, while Thomas went to the one next to it that held the last of the Dothraki and unsullied that had yet to be burned. There he saw the faces of the men who died to hold of the horde of undead while he left to deal with Rhaegal. Stopping for a moment before them he whispered, "Find peace my brothers." Turning to glance at everyone else, he noticed Jon standing before the body of his little sister Arya.
The girl had died trying to kill the Night King and Save Bran. Jon Had just ran into the gods wood when She had her neck broken by him and was then thrown aside. Thomas hadn't really listened to the rest of the story, too caught up in the loss of his dragon and mentor to worry about the girl. But now he gave them man a sympathetic nod when Jon glanced around himself. The Girl was Brave and certainly didn't deserve to die so young.
Finally lowering the torches, Thomas let the last of his tears fall from his face as he watched the men he led, burn. Dany had to come drag him away before the smoke consumed him, he was so lost in thought. They cried in each other's arms until the pyres were nothing but smoking embers.
The feast that night was a somber affair. Everyone eating quietly as they remembered the fallen. Dany herself sat beside Jon just rubbing her belly and staring, her eyes devoid of all tears. Thomas sat on her other side picking at his plate. Not in the mood to eat but knowing he should.
The quiet murmur ceased as the doors in the front of the hall opened. In walked, with help from one of her knights, Lyanna Mormont. She wore a thick cloak around herself but as she walked everyone could spot the bandages wrapped around her. Thomas was relieved to learn she had survived. Ever since the end of the battle, the Dothraki he had assigned to escort her had rarely left her side. That had brought the first laugh out of Thomas since that frantic night. Now though, the rider was nowhere to be seen and the frustrated look upon her face suggested she had scared him off. Thomas let out a small chuckle as she tried to shoo away the knight helping her but the man stubbornly refused. Everyone watched as the Girl made her way up to the high table and stood before Thomas Ward.
She stared into his eyes with a fire he rarely ever saw in others. He smiled at her, hoping she wasn't about to shout his ear off for forcing his men to take her to safety. Instead, though, she bowed her head and gave him a small smile.
"Bear Island owes you a great debt, my lord." She started, her voice while not as strong as it once was, still carried the weight it had back when they first spoke. "We also owe you an apology." Slight murmurs from the other northerners started but quickly ceased as she continued. "Despite my harsh words towards you and yours, you saved my life. You saved many lives that night due to your plans. You were right, the North has dishonored itself with how we received you." She turned briefly to Dany who was watching the scene with rapt attention. "We treated you as if you were our enemy without ever knowing you. For that I can only apologize and hope my countrymen do the same, for you have shown your character by saving me and many others."
Thomas looked away bashfully, before standing and making his way around the table to stand before Lady Mormont. "It was an Honor to stand by your side my lady. This world would have been darker without your presence. There is no need to apologize. I know how my actions look to others and I shouldn't fault you for being weary of outsiders. Let us leave the past behind us and move forward, As friends!" The ending was said so all in the hall could hear and he raised his goblet in a toast. For a moment nobody did anything but stare, then Jon Stood and raised his own Goblet, soon followed by Daenerys.
Following their king's example, everyone else stood and raised their drinks cheering. After that, everything seemed to lighten up and conversation flowed more freely. Thomas had asked for a place to be set up for Lady Mormont by him so that they could talk more and Dany happily welcomed the young woman to their side.
And so, the night carried on and as the drink flowed the hall grew louder and louder. People began to move around and mingle. Thomas had at this point moved off to talk to Missandei and Grey Worm while Dany stayed with Lyanna who had, with her open apology and thanks, endeared herself to the dragon queen.
At some point in the night the wilding Tormund had walked over to Jon and started harassing him about drinking ale. And eventually he made a toast to Daenerys who then made a toast to Jon Snow who then made a final toast to everyone in the hall. Cheers erupted throughout and it seemed that the final weight over the evening had been lifted. It wasn't long after that, when Thomas felt a tingling in the back of his head. Thomas' face split into a broad smile as he looked towards the doors to the great hall. When Dany caught his expression, she was about to ask what he was looking at when the doors flung open.
The celebrations ceased instantly as everyone turned to the disturbance. There standing in the doorway were 5 women. All heavily armed and heavily clothed to ward off the cold. The small group took in the room, narrowed eyes looking over the room scanning the crowd before hardened eyes land on Thomas. The young man stepping forward to greet them.
"Lara, you finally made it!" Thomas moved forward and greeted the older woman with a hug. Lara gave him a smile before turning to Daenerys and bowing.
"Your grace." Lara gestured behind her. "We have brought as much food as we could, as was ordered. I have everyone setting up camp south of the castle."
Dany smiled as she stood. "Well done. Thank you for coming as swiftly as you did. We know the road was less than ideal.
Lara nodded and turned to Thomas. "Those golden bastards have come. They chase us north. Harassing us till your dragons come. Then they simply follow."
Thomas grimaced. "Where is the golden company now?"
"Last we saw, they set up camp in two castles over river." Lara shrugged. "IF they have left there, I do not know." She glanced around. "The battle here went well then? I noticed our brethren are much smaller in number than before."
Thomas grimaced and shook his head. "The battle was hard fought and cost much. Honestly, if it wasn't for the red priestess and her knights, we may not have survived." Thomas switched to Dothraki since he noticed Lara's accent get thicker and thicker, her face scrunching up with the effort to speak the foreign tongue.
"How many was lost?" Lara asked, she too switching to her native Dothraki, visibly relieved to be speaking her own language.
Pain was written clearly on Tom's face when he thought about heir losses. "We lost 2500 Unsullied, and 40,000 Dothraki are dead." He hesitated for a moment before continuing. "We also lost Rhaegal."
Lara put her hand on his arm in sympathy. "Great losses for a victory. I am sorry about your son. Take some time to recuperate and rest. I am sure this place will house its heroes for a time."
Thomas scoffed before shaking his head. "They banished me before the battle. For what we did in the plains. The men we burned; he had another son. He was here and friends with the king here. They are not fans of burning people."
Lara huffed before once more looking around the room, noticing many had returned to their previous celebrating, but a few, very few were watching them intently, scanning the four behind her and glaring at her and Thomas.
"Then we must plan quickly to move back south and reclaim what was lost." Lara's gaze returned to Thomas, looking him over briefly as if checking for any injuries.
"Yes, but first we celebrate." Thomas tried to lift their mood and beckoned the other 4 women inside and towards Daenerys.
*Next day*
Daenerys' council stood around the map of Westeros looking upon the pieces Varys had placed. Aside from Dorne, Dragon Stone and the North, all of Westeros now belonged to Cersei once more. Thomas looked down upon the pieces in frustration. They could have been sitting in the red keep now if they had just sacked the city in the first place. Now they were paying for Tyrion's plans by having to take the entire country and not just one city.
"Overall, our losses could have been much worse." Varys stated picking up some scrolls that ravens had delivered recently. He started opening them and relaying what they said to the group. "Dorne has amassed their armies and are marching into the Reach. Without the Tyrells to control the region, the HighTower's have taken charge and have sided with Cersei. But after the Lannister attack on High Garden and Thomas' counterattack, many castles have surrendered without a fight. Yara Greyjoy has retaken the Iron Islands and has started rebuilding her fleet. In time, and if Euron stays away, she should have a formidable fleet within a few years' time." The door opened and Jon Snow entered, along with his sister. When no one made any immediate comment Varys continued.
"The Stormlands have been put under the command of Tygett Lannister. Although, there are a few lords who have rejected Cersei's rule and have proclaimed one of Roberts bastards as their king and lord. A boy named Edric Storm. There has been an on and off siege of storms end for a few years now. But it seems that the region will not trouble us for the foreseeable future."
Thomas sighed, that was a relief at least. Of course, that also meant that when Daenerys ruled, the storm lands would be a problem but he pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind.
"What do your birds make of this boy Lord Varys?" Dany asked as he opened the next scroll.
Varys looked up at her and considered his answer for a moment. "I frightened little boy who is being pulled in many directions by those he considered his guardians. Not a threat on his own, but he is still a symbol for Baratheon supporters to rally behind."
Dany nodded as she processed that information. A Bastard of the man who slaughtered her family would be a problem she could push off for later.
"As I was saying," Varys looked back at the scroll in his hands. "The Riverlands are divided as usual. Many of house Targaryen's allies declared or you when you first arrived while those who sided with Robert Baratheon sided with Cersei. Now with the golden company running around their lands, many have been forced to stay in their keeps and castles under siege. The golden company have personally taken control of the Twins and Riverrun. The rest is being fought over by the lords of the region."
Taking the last scroll, he read the brief message and put it with the others quickly. "Genna Lannister has been granted authority of the wester lands, but after the unsullied attack, they are unlikely to field many, if any men at all."
Everyone was silent as they thought over what was said. Thomas was the first to speak up, having already thought about how he would conquer Westeros. "How many men should we expect at the twins?"
"About 200 were left to Garrison the castles along with a dozen scorpions. The rest are in Riverrun or helping with various sieges." Varys answered easily.
"How do you plan to take the river lands?" Sansa stepped forward.
Thomas glanced at her before shrugging. "With lots of fire, and lots of blood. Like most wars, really." He chuckled along with Lara and his blood riders.
Sansa glared at him. "And the innocent people there?"
Thomas looked away and rolled his eyes. "Their survival depends on them. Lord Varys, send out every raven to the houses opposing us." Varys stood up straight and glanced at Dany who nodded her approval. "Send word that they can live in our new world, or die in their old one." Thomas stared down Sansa Stark, who matched his own stare with a glare of her own.
"I thought we were trying to oust Cersei without killing thousands of innocents?" Tyrion spoke up glaring at Thomas also. His voice low and if he was any other person, Thomas would have said he was threatening. But he dismissed that thought and scoffed.
"That was your way. You failed." Thomas turned to the door way and motioned Lara and his blood riders to follow him as he left. Leaving one final parting remark. "We do things my way now Lannister. And I intend to win."
Definitely more of a set up chapter for the final portion of the story. I am sorry for my long absence but after rewatching the final season so many times, I just grew to hate it even more than I did when it came out. Like my god the decisions the writers made were just ugh. I will get more into my thoughts on it in later chapters but they really butchered it in my opinion. Especially when they only had 6 episodes to do. But it is game of thrones and I love game of thrones. Now for honesty. I have been working on other projects while I was taking a break from this story. Honestly, I have like 10 chapters for other stories, mostly new ones, that I won't post till this story is done. Then I am taking a long break form this fandom. I have many ideas for stories but I want to go elsewhere for a time so yeah. Again, sorry for the long absence but hopefully since I am not writing 10000 word chapters anymore, I can get them out much faster. Next up the beginning of the final war.