If the twins were a shit hole, then Kings landing was the pile of shit at the bottom. It reeked worse than when he was here last. Thomas scrunched his face as the smell of shit and piss wafted across his face from the city. Standing on a hill overlooking the city, Thomas watched as red and gold clad soldiers rushed across the battlements. Prepping scorpions and filling bins of arrows for the coming conflict. Surrounding the city, Thomas spotted all the banners that had rallied to Dany's side. None from the Westerland's or the Stormlands could be seen but every other kingdom south of the neck had houses representing them here. To the southern side her saw the Dornish army setting up their camp and fortifications in case they decided to lay a long siege.
They had only been here a few days and already the Westerosi were getting anxious. His horde were the calmest of the lot which brought him endless joy at the irony of savages being calmer than civilized folk. His blood riders had also returned from Winterfell. The imp was finally dead. A regrettable but necessary death. For while Thomas disliked the man, he was very good at politics. Something he himself was lacking. Under no delusions that just because he could kill and conquer, he could politic as well.
No that was always Tyrion's field, why Dany had made him her hand and not him. Then he decided to get chummy with a person who made it clear she wanted nothing to do with them and sided with said person again and again. Perhaps if his brother wasn't killed, he might have been more discrete about his changing loyalty but those thoughts didn't matter now.
They had a city to take, a Queen to crown and babes to raise. Even now Dany sat at Dragonstone waiting to birth their children. The Attack at Dragonstone should have been expected but Thomas still found himself surprised when word came. For days he prayed his family was safe. That his baby brother lived. He contemplated flying over with Cinder and Saphira But quickly dismissed the thought when he remembered the golden company was so close. Once the dragons left, his army would be vulnerable to attack.
He had sent out ravens asking for any news from the island but had received nothing so far. Hearing someone walking up behind him, he turned and smiled at Lara. Looking her over he noticed she had more grey hairs than when they were back in Essos. She looked tired, weary of all this conflict. A rare thing for a Dothraki but Thomas knew she had earned a life of piece.
"These lords are ready to discuss what you wish to do about our attack." Lara stood next to him looking over the city.
Thomas nodded turning his eyes back to the city. "What I wish to do." He murmured as ideas flashed before his eyes. Using his dragons to attack at night was his first thought. It had worked wonders all over the Riverlands and the crownlands. However, it would not be as effective here. Especially as he wanted to preserve as much of the city as possible.
Some of the lords had received reports of scorpions littering the rooftops of many building behind the walls. Too many for him to risk sending the dragons. He knew all it would take is a lucky shot and they would be killed. He wouldn't risk their lives for this. No, they were too important to maintaining Targaryen superiority in the long run.
He could send their armies in a full-frontal assault. Their losses would be great, immense even, but they would win. The problem with this plan, aside from the heavy toll, was that it left them open for attack from the Stormlands and the North. The seven Kingdoms were vast, and their dragons couldn't cover every kingdom from attack. No, this would not be how they take this city.
The final thought to run through his mind that had any merit was similar to how they Tyene had taken oldtown and how they had taken Yunkai. Sneak a small force inside the city and have them open the gates for the rest of the army. The main problem with this was the Golden company outside the gates. All they would have to do is hold off his army long enough to close the gates.
Of course, all of this didn't take into account the Iron fleet docked in the bay. He could see some ships were being equipped with catapults and scorpions. He had noticed however that the kept lanterns lit at night and were a decent distance away from the walls of kings Landing.
"Let's go." Thomas smiled as another idea took root and He and Lara were off to plan their final major battle.
The tent was full of men surrounding a large table. On said table was a map of Kings landing and the surrounding area. Pieces were laid out signifying troop positions. Looking to the head of the table he smirked as he saw Tyene slap a lord's hand away before shoving one of her daggers to his throat.
"Enough." Thomas called out and instantly everyone quieted down and turned to him. Tyene scoffed at the man before sheathing her blade. "Shall we begin?" Thomas motioned to the table, and everyone crowded around it.
As soon as the meeting truly started, he knew it would be a long one. Everyone thought they were smarter than the others and they all wanted to be the first ones in the city during the attack. This went on for hours. Thomas was almost ready to call it quits for the day when one of their lookouts came running in.
"My lord Wrath, the city!" He gasped for breath as he bowed before Thomas. "They are calling for a summit. They say they have a message for you."
Thomas' face hardened, grasping the man's shoulder he ordered him to get some rest before leaving the tent to see what this message was. Everyone else followed suit. When they made it to the front of their emplacements, they saw the queen had taken to standing just above the gate with her queen's guard. Thomas' face paled when he saw the message she had brought.
*Few Days earlier*
The skies were clear as Dany flew through the air. Her mind clouded with anger and fear. Her hand had been assassinated within the halls of Winterfell and on top of that, her home had been attacked and the fate of her new family was unknown.
Tears welled in her eyes as thoughts of them ravaged her mind. The wind made sure they wouldn't fall but Dany knew that if she wasn't flying, they would be pouring down her face. Everything had started to fall apart once they came to Westeros. Even with Thomas's victories, it felt like her life was crumbling around her. Gritting her teeth as pain shot through her abdomen, she silently urged Drogon to fly faster.
She could hear Viserion roar behind them, momentarily distracting her from her thoughts on Dragonstone and moving them to her fallen child. Rhaegal, who had fought hard and bonded with Thomas the most out of all her children. Shot out of the sky by a monster from the North. But he wasn't able to rest, no, he was raised and forced to fight against her, his brothers and Thomas. Eventually coming face to face with him. Only through sheer luck and force of will was he able to fight the night king's commands to kill Thomas.
Her thoughts were once again shaken when she saw smoke upon the horizon. Her heart lurched as Dragonstone emerged from the clouds. Burned ships littered the waters surrounding the island, while the island itself was scorched and blackened by the attack. The village on the island seemed to have been burned to the ground but the castle still stood strong.
As she flew over the castle, bells rang, and men swarmed the courtyard. Dany gave a sad smile as she saw how few men there were. Landing on the walls around the courtyard, Drogon lowered himself enough so she could get down. A few unsullied rushed to help were while servants rushed to attend her.
"What of my family?" Dany demanded as the first servant reached her.
Her face turned grim. "I'm sorry Milady." She hesitated and Dany gripped her hard.
"Where are they?" She demanded, fire igniting in her eyes. The servant froze as the mad gleam in her lady's eye focused on her.
"Sweetling?" A tired voice called out.
Dany's focus shifted and the mad gleam left as quickly as it arrived.
Her eyes focused on Lysa as the woman hobbled over clutching her babe to her chest. "Oh, my sweet child come here." Lysa cried as she beckoned Dany to her. Dany waddled as quickly as she could into her arms tears now falling.
Lysa clutched the young mother to be with all her might. "You're ok. You're ok." Dany muttered.
Lysa chocked back a sob shaking her head. "They took him." The baby, sensing his mother's sadness started crying. "They took my dear Edwin." Dany's sobs joined Lysa's as the two held each other.
Suddenly a gasp tore from Dany's lips as the sound of spilt water filled the courtyard. Gasps followed as Maids started crying out orders and pushing Dany toward the keep.
"Already?!" Dany clutched her belly as a pain wracked her core. Lysa shushed little Daeron and grasped Dany's wrist.
Guiding her inside she got her emotions under control and helped the other maid coral Dany into a bed where she would finally give birth. "It is going to hurt my child, more than anything you have ever felt before." Lysa cautioned.
"I remember." Dany groaned as pain erupted from her belly. "I had a baby many years ago now. This will be my first with twins however." Dany gasped as another contraction ripped through her.
"Twins!?" Lysa gasped. She turned and handed Daemon to a maid and brought her full attention onto Dany. "You have a long night ahead of you."
"Long Night?" Dany asked before crying out in pain.
Many hours went by before the screaming finally came to an end. It was early morning before the cries of babes replaced the cries of a woman. On the soaked bed Dany's drenched, tired face grimaced as the last vestiges of pain left her. Twin cries could be heard throughout the keep. Looking to the servants who delivered her children she beckoned them over.
"Congratulations daughter," Lysa smiled at her, clearly exhausted herself. "You have a son and daughter. A prince and Princess." Dany sobbed in happiness as her children were placed into her waiting arms. The boy had her hair and when he opened his eyes, they were a darker violet than hers. Tears ran down her face as she beheld her son. Turning to her daughter she gasped as she Saw Thomas's eyes looking back at her. Her silver blond hair just like her twin, shown in the morning light. Two perfect children had joined the world. "The princess came first, your grace. Though her brother wasn't far behind." A Servant stated.
The babes started crying again clearly hungry and Dany was all too happy to feed them. Lysa helped her get situated and helped the babes latch before sitting next to her good daughter and watching the new mother stare lovingly down upon her children.
"What shall you name them?" She asked after a few moments.
Dany glanced at her before looking down upon her babies. "My prince shall be Daemon and his sister, Rhaenyra."
"Wonderful names, now we should inform the father he has children, yes?" Lysa asked.
Dany nodded. "Yes, send him a raven immediately. And tell him of his father. If Edwin was taken, he can be retrieved." Lysa thanked her before rushing to send the missives.
*Back with Thomas as he stands before the gates*
Looking upon the gate he saw his father chained and beaten. The Queens guard behind him and Cersei. The lioness smirking insufferably as Thomas and the lords watched from a safe distance. Thomas paled when Cersei stepped closer to his father and said something.
Edwin stepped forward, standing at the edge of the wall. Thomas could see the man struggle to speak. Whether from injuries or emotion he couldn't tell but all he knew for certain was he couldn't move. He was frozen where he was as he beheld what Cersei was doing. Glancing around quick he noticed his mother or little brother weren't up there which gave him some piece but that evaporated when the biggest queens guard unsheathed his sword.
His father seemed to gather himself before raising his head high. "Long live House Targaryen!"
Thomas wanted to turn away. to not see his father die. A man he barely got to know but loved all the same. He felt someone take his hand, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from the horror in front of him.
The thump of the body hitting the ground was the loudest thing he had ever heard. His eyes fixed on the headless body laying before the gate. Words might have been said but he couldn't hear anything. Slowly, as blood pooled beneath the body, he turned and walked away. Taking a gasping breath when he realized he was holding his breath, his shocked face slowly shifted to one of fury. Tyene and Lara were at his sides gazing upon him, worried for him.
"Ready the troops, we attack at nightfall."
Everyone around him stopped as he stomped to his tent. They watched him enter his tent before the dragons released their cries of war.
No long note. Just a quick update. There should only be two or three more chapters before we reach the end. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I'm sorry for the long wait but there wasn't a lot I could do about it. I am thinking about moving over to Archive of our own though. I think this will be the last big story I post of this sight. Maybe. IDK. Thoughts?