Blood and Winter

Chapter XV

There was a light breeze that came through the air. Sun high in the sky, beating down upon their backs, clouds nowhere to be seen. A rare moment of good weather in an otherwise dreary and wet time. Many said that when Robb Stark and the Northmen marched south, that they brought the entirety of winter with them, Tytos found it difficult to disagree.

'However, with such nice weather, it must be a good omen.' Gripping his reigns, Tytos smiled grimly as he kept a close eye upon the river. Scouts had returned, reporting that Aegon Targaryen and his fleet of ships had sailed into the Bay of Crabs and were now making their way up Widow's Ford. 'They intend to make haste for Riverrun and to capture Margaery Tyrell. With her and the child in his grasp, Aegon can leverage for peace.'

That was something he could not allow.

All around him, men carrying heavy shields marched down the embankment, coming to a stop at the edge of the river. Ten thousand men, all who had been searching the Riverlands to find the elusive Petyr Baelsih, recalled and repositioned here, to ambush Aegon Targaryen. Jason Mallister and two thousand men would be marching from the north, linking up with him and providing aid.

They would need the additional numbers.

"Father." Brynden Blackwood called as he rode up to his side. "The men are in position. Jason Mallister has sent word, he is but a few hours march from our position."

"That is good news," Tytos murmured.

It would not do for Jason to arrive before Aegon did, if he did, the Targaryen King would be a fool not to target the smaller force. Disembarking from a ship all the while battling against a force defending the shore was never easy. Not only would soldiers be weary from sailing, but they would also not be able to form proper formations in time to defend themselves. It would be a free for all the moment the soldiers got off their boats, with no structure and no organisation.

Therefore, attacking a smaller force would be the smartest decision to make. It would not only be easier to overwhelm them with sheer numbers, but also allow them to organise their forces in preparation to face them.

Tytos was not confident in beating the Targaryen King with the soldiers he had currently. The makeup of his army was composed entirely of five thousand light cavalry, two thousand archers and three thousand light infantry. On the other hand, the Golden Company were composed of five thousand heavy infantry, three thousand heavy cavalry and two thousand archers. The Dornish were composed of twelve thousand light infantry, five thousand light cavalry and three thousand archers.

The only thing that would give him the advantage in this battle was the fact he could properly structure his force. Defeat the difference of numbers and quality with proper organisation and chain of command.

Jason Mallister knew all of this and had no doubt slowed his march in order to allow Tytos to engage the bulk of Aegon's forces before he arrived. "Tell Hoster he is to take command of the front, you are to take command of the back." Nodding his head, Brynden rode off, leaving Tytos surrounded by his reserve forces, five hundred light cavalry, his only cavalry force still mounted.

The remaining four thousand, five hundred had been ordered to dismount and fill in as infantry troops. To win this battle, manoeuvrability was the last thing he needed. What he needed was a strong defence force that could hold off any assault.

Lucky for him, he had chosen the perfect position to launch this ambush. The river was a treacherous place, the Ruby Ford the only suitable place in which armies could comfortably cross. However, between that and the Widow's Ford was a smaller area, the river flow was calmer and the embankments lower. It was the only suitable place to actually disembark besides the Ruby Ford.

This is precisely why Tytos had positioned his troops here.

A horn sounded, all eyes turning to the east where they finally saw ships coming round the bend, each bearing the flag of the Targaryens. "Archers!" Tytos ordered flags raised and the archer unit raising their bows into the air. He waited, watching as the ships drew closer and closer until, from the trees, a torch was thrown onto a ship.

It didn't do any damage or even put the ship ablaze. In fact, it was thrown into the water almost as soon as it landed upon the lead boat. But what it did do was send a signal directly to Tytos Blackwood.

"Loose!"

Hundreds of arrows flew from bows, whistling through the air as they reached their peak before curving, plummeting down onto the approaching ships. Even from this distance, Tytos could see the movement upon the ship, no doubt the soldiers scrambling to raise their shields up into the air.

Yet here could still hear their shouts and screams all the same.

Even more so when a second volley was unleashed.

Then a third.

A fourth.

A fifth.

A sixth.

Until finally they reached the small opening and that's where the first problem that the ships encountered appeared. They were too big and this part of the river while wide, was quite shallow and so, they ran aground.

Leaving them as perfect targets for the arrows that continually rained down upon them. They also served as the perfect blockade that stopped their other ships from passing by.

Tytos smiled as he saw it all. 'Big boats like yours may be able to carry large numbers of troops, but they can't handle shallow waters.' If Tytos hadn't been here, then perhaps Aegon's plan might have worked, he could safely disembark his soldiers here and march the rest of the way to Riverrun. However, Robb had seen through his intentions and Tytos was here to stop him.


"It's just as we expected." Jon Connington noted as they watched the mess taking place before their eyes. "The shallow waters of the rivers make sailing beyond this point without smaller boats impossible."

"We're also under fire." Harry Strickland concurred. "Taking the shore will not be easy. However, our numbers are larger. We should make a push now while we have the chance."

Aegon nodded his head. "We suspected that they might be laying in wait." Robb Stark had left ten thousand men behind in the Riverlands before his main force marched south to Kings Landing. They had been prepared to face an ambush along the way and had prepared accordingly. "Have our front boats disembark all soldiers. Secure a foothold upon the shore."

Taking the shore was going not going to be easy by any means. Aegon knew it would be a hard-fought battle, but one that he knew he was destined to win. Defeat was not an option for him, he had to succeed at all costs.

He would not lose, not to Robb Stark of all people.


"M'lord!" The rider called urgently, Lord Mallister signalling for his men to continue the march south as he came to a stop. "Lord Blackwood has engaged the Targaryen forces north of Darry on the Widow's Ford. He seems to be gaining the advantage, they have yet to secure a foothold."

Smiling, Jason clenched his fists triumphantly. "Good, let us double our pace. We have to make sure that King Aegon can't disembark soldiers on the north of the river. The moment he does our advantage will be lost."

He had no doubt that some of the Targaryen forces would have already safely disembarked from the ships on the other side of the river. Possibly parts of their cavalry but more than likely it would be their archers. That had been something they always knew would be a possibility and while concerning, it was not something major. They will have been at sea for many weeks now so they would still be weary and recovering. Not to mention that with the battle taking place, their numbers would not be large either.

On top of that, they would continue to be at a disadvantage as the soldiers would then have to cross the river to assault Lord Blackwood. No matter what they did, Lord Blackwood's iron defensive would withstand whatever was thrown his way by Aegon Targaryen and his commanders.

It was up to him and his force of two thousand men to deal a devastating blow to their rear. Enough that it would swing things fully in their favour.


Aegon for the first time in a long while was calm. The battle was in full swing, the Stark forces holding a strong advantage as they defended the shore against his soldiers. Their attempts to secure a foothold with their superior number of light infantry troops met with constant rebuttal.

Yet as he watched it all unfold before his eyes, Aegon was calm and focused, eyes looking across the field carefully.

"We've lost another foothold." Jon Connington murmured, a frown upon his face. His commanders were losing hope, Aegon knew that, but not he, to Aegon he knew this represented opportunity. Robb Stark had predicted his plan, that much they all knew and that meant today would be a deciding factor in the war.

'No doubt he intends to link up with the thirty thousand men that were pursing my men's escape from Kings Landing.' Aegon deduced easily. 'Lord Blackwood is meant to slow us down, keep us trapped here until the thirty thousand men reinforcements led by Robb Stark can arrive.'

Just as Robb had predicted his movements, Aegon was predicting Robb's. To Aegon, he knew all of the Wolf King's achievements, had read and listened to the tales and reports of his battles. One thing that became very clear was that even with lesser trained and armed soldiers, Robb still earned victory. First by relying upon his enemies underestimating coupled with crippling speed. Then through careful manoeuvring of his commanders and meticulous planning.

Robb Stark was a military genius, that much Aegon knew and was prepared for. He wouldn't make the mistake Robb's previous enemies had by overestimating himself and underestimating the Stark.

Because of that, Aegon knew how important this battle would be for the future of his war. If he won this, then everything would change.

"Keep sending our light infantry out. Pressure them." Aegon ordered, much to the shock and even dismay of his commanders. They were doubting him, questioning his leadership, Aegon wasn't blind to that fact. However, none of them understood the way his mind thought, nor could they see what he could.

"We've tried this many times, your grace." Harry Strickland began. "Already out losses are numbering a thousand. If we lose anymore it could cripple our war effort entirely. If we intend to push, we need the heavy infantry to go in."

Aegon shook his head. "Not yet, hold them in reserve. Send out the light infantry once more." But he would not be deterred, Aegon finally had spotted a weakness, a small one and it would not be easy to exploit. But he could see it, all it would take was this and he could win. "That's an order."

Reluctantly, his commanders nodded their heads, another wave of light infantry was dispatched into the fray. Quickly, the Stark forces seemed to fold, sections of the defence curving inwards as it seemed to buckle under the Targaryen charge. Except, it was but a ploy, suddenly fierce fighting taking place as the purposeful caving of the defensive line threatened to leave those Targaryen troops cut off.

Any foolish commander would have tried to push further inwards, viewing this as an opening they could turn against the enemy commander. More experienced commanders would attempt to call back their forces, not Aegon however.

He simply did nothing, even as his officers tried to offer suggestions on what they could do. Yet Aegon had already figured out the key to Lord Blackwoods highly impressive defence, fluidity. It was able to shift and change depending on the actions of his enemies, Lord Blackwood able to make it a rock-solid defence that was all but impenetrable, or one that could shift and change, threatening to swallow those inside. Any attempt to change or move the forces caught within the trap would only lead to it ending in failure.

And so, Aegon did nothing, watching as one foothold was all but destroyed, barely a few men stood right on the edge of the shore left fighting. The remainder being slowly pushed back or cut off from the shore entirely as the men within the formation moved.

"Uncle," Aegon called, never tearing his gaze away from the shifting of the Stark forces. "Lead a push there." He pointed towards the centre were a large force still remained fighting, one that looked to be on the verge of collapsing at any minute.

Nodding his head, Oberyn set out, Jon and Strickland turning to him in confusion. "There's nothing going to come of this." Jon tried to explain. "We should disembark more soldiers to the north, set up a camp and plan our next move from there. Securing the southern shore is impossible at this rate."

"I agree with Lord Connington, your grace," Strickland said. "We must do something before we lose Lord Oberyn. If we do, the Dornish will lose hope."

Aegon just smiled, watching as Oberyn joined the fray, making a powerful push up the centre. One that looked to actually catch the Stark forces off-guard. But a few flags were raised from the headquarters that once again allowed them to regain control of the field. 'It's a truly wonderful defensive formation. So flexible and powerful, no wonder Lord Blackwood is known as a master of defensive warfare.'

It was also no wonder why Robb Stark gave him command of the Riverlands while his army marched south towards Kings Landing.

"Lord Blackwood, I do wish he will join our side someday," Aegon noted, completely ignoring the concerns of his officers. "He will be a great aid to our cause, make sure he is captured alive and treated well."

"Aegon?" Jon questioned.

"Give the signal, send the heavy infantry out towards the west." Aegon finally gave the order for something the two had clambered for many times in the past, yet they both hesitated.

"The west? But we have no men there." Harry murmured, confused as to why that area of the battlefield at all. They had no forces there at all, those that had were already defeated. The more logical option would be to push in through the centre, capitalising on the actions of Oberyn Martell.

He said as much and Aegon smiled. "Do we have no men there? Are you sure?" Both men quickly turned and there, completely overlooked where the sight of a handful of soldiers still fighting. Something all had overlooked because they were all but defeated, a non-factor in the entire conflict. Especially in comparison to the other footholds of the east and centre. "Send our heavy infantry there."

Just as Harry Strickland and Jon Connington had overlooked that area, viewing it as a lost cause and never paying it any heed. Aegon knew from the movements of the Stark forces that they had also forgotten. He intended to make use of that with a powerful push from the heavy infantry that would help them seize victory.

But defeat had never crossed Aegon's mind, it was never an option for him.

Only victory, over all his enemies.

No matter who they may be or how powerful.


Lord Tytos Blackwood defeated and retreating, pursued by a cavalry contingent from the Golden Company. Lord Jason Mallister stuck north of the Ruby Ford forced to march west and cross the Twins.

It was terrible news.

Frowning, Ned read the letter once more, ensuring that he not missed anything. 'Though it is not as bad as things could have been.' Despite suffering a defeat, Lord Blackwood had not been forced to retreat, instead choosing to do so. His losses, as a result, were minimal and despite being harried by the Golden Company cavalry, he outnumbered them.

Lord Blackwood was a skilled commander and would quickly regain control of his men, refortifying his position forcing the cavalry to break off lest they be wiped out. However, it didn't change the fact that now Aegon Targaryen was able to disembark his entire army and continue his march.

They never possessed the advantage in numbers, Lord Blackwood only having ten thousand men compared to the near thirty thousand of the Targaryen King. Not only that, but the quality of their troops was lesser also. Beating them in the open field would be all but impossible, even with Lord Blackwood's expertise. The plan had been to use the shallow river to their advantage and stop Aegon from fully disembarking his troops and organising them into formation.

That was now no longer possible.

'As things are though, Lord Blackwood will be defeated.' Ned thought to himself.

Aegon and his advisers had proven themselves to be dangerous foes. Someone amongst them was the one responsible for actually breaking through Lord Blackwood's defensive formation, something that was not easily done.

The question was, who?

Furthermore, they were outnumbered.

"What do we do now?" Margaery asked, Ned looking towards her and the child growing within her. It was prominent now, a large swell forming in her stomach, Ned expected that a few months more and there would be another Stark welcomed into the world. He just hoped the war ended before that moment.

"Riverrun is a secure location." Willas said. "Any besieging force would have to split their forces in three in order to ensure that we could not escape. However, I believe we should abandon Riverrun and move to the Golden Tooth, we will have many more options available to us then."

Ned agreed with the idea, it was a smart choice after all. Any invading force would first have to cross the Red Fork. That was not an easy task, the only real crossing been through Riverrun. Tytos Blackwood would know this also and Ned had faith that the man would constantly withdraw to a position near Riverrun as to enable his forces plenty of time to enter the castle and defend it from the Targaryens. When that happened, Ned could not see an easy or quick victory for the Targaryen forces.

Which meant that they would have to take one of two possible options left.

First, march back north, cross the Ruby Ford and cross the Twins. Yet that would be risky, Tytos Blackwood could very well make it to the Twins first and ensure that path is cut off for the Targaryen forces. It was a risky move that would rely upon speed of movement and the luck of reaching the Twins before Tytos does.

The other option involved marching south, onto the Gold Road and making their way into the Westerlands that way. It would be a very long and arduous journey meaning that Tytos could dispatch troops to Deep Den and cut off their escape that way while also sending the remainder to the Golden Tooth. Thus trapping the Targaryen forces in the Westerlands and forcing them to either force their way through or march south into the Reach.

Either way, it would mean that Aegon's gamble will have failed.

"Ser Willas, take the soldiers of Riverrun and depart for the Golden Tooth with your family. Aegon Targaryen intends to capture Margaery Tyrell." Ned ordered, frowning heavily. It wasn't difficult to figure out in the slightest, after all, it was their only chance of victory. "I'll dispatch ravens to nearby keeps and have their soldier come here."

His presence may not be much incentive, but it might be enough to make Aegon stall as he considers possibly taking Riverrun and him captive. The chances are low, Margaery and Robb's unborn child are a more important prospect, but, Robb's father would be enough to buy everyone a little more time to prepare. It might even make Aegon dispatch some forces to take Riverrun while he continues on to take the Golden Tooth.

Not impossible, but unlikely.

Either way, Ned knew that remaining behind and ensuring that Riverrun was secure, forcing Aegon north or south was the best decision to make. Thus allowing Tytos Blackwood to position his forces between Atrante and Lychester. It would place Aegon Targaryen in an even more precarious position, especially with Jason Mallister coming south to reinforce Riverrun with his force of two thousand men.

Aegon couldn't afford to simply wait and would have to make a quick decision, one that could cost him a war. Did he turn to face Tytos Blackwood, allowing Jason Mallister and his two thousand men to arrive at Riverrun and make it a secure position? Did he instead make his way directly for Riverrun attempting to take him captive, but in doing so leave him exposed to counterattacks from both Lord Blackwood and Mallister? Or did he attempt another, less profitable move?

It was a difficult situation that would not provide Aegon much in the shape of any plan. Ned and Tytos may not possess the military skills or acumen of Robb Stark, but that didn't mean they were inadequate. Ned had fought in two wars, earning victory in both. He was a skilled commander and he knew that in this position, they would force Aegon's back to the wall with no escape.

Any hesitation on the Young Dragon's part would only allow Robb more time to make a move of his own. No matter what happened from here on out, they would win, it was only a matter of time now.


Westeros was vastly different from Essos.

That was something Daenerys had become intimately familiar with in her time here. In a way, Essos was simple, or at least gathering allies was. Slaves were in abundance, all it took was a gentle hand to free them and they became loyal. It was how Daenerys had built up her own army as, despite those Sellsword companies amongst them, it mostly consisted entirely of former slaves, mainly the Unsullied.

In Westeros though, things were vastly different. Everyone had their own desires and agendas, promises had to be made, rewards equal to the risk had to be given. It was like dealing with Sellsword companies but on a much larger scale. It was why, despite how frustrating it was, she had to rely heavily upon Tyrion Lannister.

She didn't trust the dwarf, nor did anyone really, besides Bronn. However, Daenerys was being forced to rely upon him more than more to navigate the political landscape of Robb Stark's inner court. Daenerys also knew that in the future that she would need his aid much more in the future.

But above all that, she hated the weather here.

Hearing the thundering patter of rain against the roof of her tent, Daenerys frowned heavily as she sat upon her bed. The thick furs she wore were pulled tighter in order to retain some measure of warmth. It was a vast difference to Essos, the warmth that allowed her to dress in clothing that was loose and comfortable, yet also regal and empowering. In Westeros she was restricted, in Essos she was freed.

'What had I expected it to be like though?' Daenerys wondered to herself. For as long as she could remember, Viserys had longed for Westeros and from the stories he told, so had she. Even after being free from him, she had still desired Westeros, to return here and reclaim her families birthright. Naively, she had thought everyone here would want that as well, besides the Usurper of course.

Yet that was not the case.

Now she was stuck, married to Robb Stark just to gain her position of Queen and even that was not secure, she now faced a rival in the form of Margaery Tyrell. "Khaleesi, shall I prepare some food?" Her handmaiden, Irri asked entering into the tent from the outside. Her hair was soaked, sticking to her skin and the thick furs she wore were equally as soaked. The look upon Irri's face shared her own displeasure at the weather.

"No, thank you, Irri," Daenerys replied taking the momentary opening of the tent to look outside. It was quiet, the Unsullied stationed outside her tent unmoving in the rain, they at the very least provided some additional clothing by Robb Stark and his people to protect them from the rain. However, Daenerys that even without them, her Unsullied would have stood out there anyway, unmoving even until death.

So great was their loyalty to her.

It filled her with joy and inspired her, but she also felt pity and sadness. The Masters, they had broken them, innocent children who had been forced to endure horrifying things. Sometimes, she wished she could force them to do surrender their weapons, to stop being soldiers. But Daenerys also knew that she couldn't do that either.

"Is everything alright, Khaleesi?" Jhiqui questioned, both taking note of her silence.

Daenerys wished to say that everything was alright, but she couldn't. "No, it's not." And if there were two people she could trust to hear the truth and not tell a soul, it was the two who had stuck beside her since her marriage to Drogo.

Both moved across the tent, coming to join upon her bed. "I came to Westeros to liberate it from the Usurper, to claim my birthright. Now, I found myself married to Robb Stark and fighting for the position of Queen against Margaery Tyrell. The Tyrell's were once loyal supporters of my family, fighting against the Usurper and his forces. Now they are my enemies." That concerned Daenerys more than anything.

She had come to Westeros believing that the Tyrells would support her, the plan that Ser Barristan Selmy and even Ser Jorah Mormont before him had suggested all relied upon support from two kingdoms. The Reach and Dorne. With those two kingdoms, she would have nearly a hundred thousand soldiers at her command as well as a powerful agricultural kingdom to sustain said army. Then supporters from the Crownlands and the Riverlands on top of that, the possibility of there even being a war when faced with those numbers plus Dragons, it would be enough to make many just surrenders to her.

That's what Daenerys had been told; constantly.

"Everything I've been told, everything I've been promised by my advisors, have all crumbled around me," Daenerys admitted, realising now just how naive she had been to blindly trust everyone around her. "Now I have a new husband, one who I have yet to speak to outside of meetings. One who spends his time personally monitoring the movements of Aegon Targaryen and locked away within his tent, planning his next move."

"You admire him," Irri noted and Daenerys nodded her head.

What wasn't there to admire, unlike here Robb Stark had achieved a great deal on his own. He didn't need to rely purely upon his advisors and could instead achieve great things without them. But by using his advisors, he's able to achieve even greater things. He's the type of ruler she wants to be, the type of ruler she thought she was. But as Daenerys had come to realise, that was far from the truth.

"Yes, I do. But despite the Imps best efforts, my position here is not secure." Daenerys admitted, a hard truth that her advisors had been hesitant to admit but something she was able to see quite clearly on her own. Once this war was over, there was a strong possibility of her being killed or imprisoned.

Maybe not on Robb's orders, but certainly on someone else's and she doubted Robb would voice too many complaints about it if any at all. Why would he? It would solve a problem for him.

"Then why not go to him?" Jhigui suggested, a smile playing upon her lips. "Men are all the same and he has been away from his wife for many months now. Surely he would not complain or raise too little struggle should you offer yourself to him. Show him that you have the experience that his wife doesn't, make him want to come to you more than her."

Daenerys paused, considering the idea.

It wasn't a bad idea at all really, it made use of her particular strengths. She was a beautiful, her Valyrian looks made her desired by many and she had been married in the past. Unlike most Westerosi nobles ladies, she didn't have to retan her virginity in order to give it to her husband. She had been married in the past, something many knew and so, unlike Margaery Tyrell, she had experience in the matters of sex. Making use of that was only something that Daenerys could do, she could make him feel things that an inexperienced woman like Margaery couldn't.

'Ser Barristan did tell me that a ruler would have to make use of all their skills, even those most wouldn't consider. And the Imp did suggest something similar.' Daenerys just hadn't wanted to believe his words.

Rising from her seat, Daenerys made her way towards the exit of her tent, pausing to pull up her hood before exiting out. The Unsullied directly outside immediately shifted as Daenerys walked by, a few following after her as the rest stayed behind to guard her tent and the belongings inside.

Robb's tent wasn't far from her own and so she didn't have to walk far in the rain, the guards outside watching her approach warily, or more importantly her Unsullied. "I wish to speak with the King." Daenerys proclaimed over the heavy downpour of rain, the guards sharing glances. It was then that the tent flap parted, the large frame of Smalljon Umber appearing from within.

As much as she had seen the insanity and madness of Strong Belwas and other Pit Fighters, the large frame of Smalljon Umber was intimidating as always. Just the sheer size of his frame and the amount of space he seemed to take up, the thick beard and furs he wrapped himself in. The bone handle of his large longsword that looked capable fo cleaving men in two. He just looked like a wild beast given human form, strange then that he was almost docile in the presence of the Wolf King.

He never said a word, just indicating for her to come in with nod of his head. Was she displeased at that lack of proper etiquette, not really. In the beginning she had been, but she had grown used to the norther gruffness. They respected strength as Daenerys had come to realise very quickly. They respected Ser Barristan and even Strong Belwas, but no one else from her court.

"You wished to speak with me, Queen Daenerys." Robb said, Ser Brynden Blackfish beside him. A letter was in his hands, Grey Wind and Nymeria and the numerous other wolves scattered across the tent, curled up asleep. All except for the two Direwolves whose heads rose up and watched her, Nymeria snarling openly, Grey Wind on the other hand simply tilting his head to one side.

"I was simply wanting to speak to you alone." Daenerys answered, Robb studying her for a moment. He then nodded his head, a wave of his hand the only dismissal he gave as both Lord Umber and Ser Brynden left the tent, leaving only the two of them alone.

Robb then made his way towards a small stand on which sat a large jug and a few cups. He took picked up one, pouring some wine into it and presented the cup to her. "Thank you." Daenerys said, gratefully accepting the cup and making her way towards the table at the centre of the room. Behind her she could hear Robb pouring himself a cup of his own.

Trailing one finger over the wooden table, she took a cursory glance over the map displayed over it, a permanent feature within his tent as she had come to learn from the few times she had come it. There were no figurines upon it, an oddity as every time she saw it, there was always pieces in place to indicate the positioning of troops.

"How come your map is empty?" Daenerys wondered, picking upon a little dragon figurine that was off to the side of the map. Robb himself moving to stand on the other side of the table, watching her movements carefully..

"I have no need for them anymore." He admitted, Daenerys watching warily as the wolves around the room rose up simultaneously, and moved towards the corner of the tent beside Nymeria. Grey Wind himself rose up, standing taller than the table, its form scarred and large, an eyecatching beast that moved to stand before the entrance of the tent. How it all unfolded Daenerys had no idea, she had never seen something so...strange before.

'There's something unnatural about the connection between Robb Stark and his Direwolf.' Those were the words she had heard Aurane Waters, bastard brother of the late Lord Monfrey Velayron. 'It's almost like he sees what it sees, hears what it hears, smells what it smells. It's like they're connected.'

She had seen many things in Essos, but Daenerys had held some scepticism upon hearing those words from him. Now after seeing that, she couldn't help but wonder if there was some measure of truth to them.


Cheers echoed across the fields as the gates to Kings Landing burst open. Thousands of men flooded into the city as Lord Royce watched from the camp. Ten thousand Vale men, a sea of silver and blue rushed over the field, squeezing in through the gate and piled into the city.

It had been an underwhelming siege, nothing quite like the grandiose and monumentos occasion many had initially thought it would be. The thirty thousand men under Aegon Targaryen had fled the city on their fleet of ships in the early part of the siege. Thirty thousand of their own men led by Dickon Tarly were dispatched to pursue the fleeing ships. This left seventy thousand men remaining behind to besiege the city of Kings Landing.

An unnecessary precaution, but Randyll Tarly was the supreme commander of these forces, as dictated by Robb Stark. Not even Mace Tyrell, Warden of the Reach had been able to deter Randyll, which was a good thing in many ways.

However, Randyll had kept those seventy thousand behind just in case it was a trap. That those on the ships were but a fraction of Aegon's numbers sent out as a decoy. He kept seventy thousand behind in case the vast majority of the Targaryen forces were within the city waiting for more soldiers to leave. A smart decision, but ultimately, unnecessary when news reached them of a thirty thousand strong Targaryen force appearing at Widow's Ford.

With this knowledge, Randyll had made the decision to take sixty thousand men north, leaving him behind with ten thousand men. It would be his job to ensure King's Landings capture while Randyll went to aid in the defeat of the Targaryen forces. It would take many weeks for them though, the sheer size of their force would make movement speed slow.

It meant little to Yohn Royce though, he had secured the city and would remain here. His presence was unnecessary in defeating Aegon Targaryen. There was still Daenerys Targaryen out there and so he would prepare Kings Landing for a possible siege from her.

From reports, Dickon Tarly and his host of thirty thousand would meet her forces first, they for some reason landing upon the coast south of Rook's Rest and north of Duskendale. Dickon meanwhile was a few days march out from her position. If Daenerys decided to come south, it would be up to him to stop her. If she decided to go and join the battle in the Riverlands, once more Dickon Tarly would have to stop her.

It was up to him, to make sure that Kings Landing did not fall. They couldn't afford to give Daenerys Targaryen and her Dragons a powerful castle from which to defend. If she did, it would make defeating her that much more difficult.

Unlike Aegon Targaryen, she had Dragons.

The strange beasts reportedly within the Golden Company army were said to be large and cumbersome. In a siege, they may be devastating in some areas, but in others, entirely useless. However, out in the field, they would be of more use, Yohn Royce knew that much from what he had heard.

It would mean little though, their numbers were too small to stop what was coming down upon them.


"Fall back!" Tytos ordered his cavalry force one more mounted upon their steeds pulling away from their engagement with the Golden Company and Dornish cavalry. It had been a short, but bloody conflict that had seen Tytos Blackwood defeated and forced to retreat to avoid taking too many losses.

But he had not engaged in this conflict expecting to win.

After pulling back his forces from the shore, Aegon had sent riders out to pursue, harrying his retreat. Yet their force was too small to do much and quickly, Tytos gathered his force together and the enemy cavalry pulled back. It had been a small victory, but one that ultimately was part of a bigger defeat.

Their harrying tactics had no doubt bought Aegon Targaryen the time necessary to disembark the vast majority of his troops. Forcing them off the shore would be impossible, it was then a matter of slowing their advance as much as possible, buying time for the King to come up with a new plan. He had already failed once, caught off-guard and underestimating the Young Dragon, he wouldn't do the same again.

In his mind, he imagined it was Robb Stark he was facing in conflict and prepared accordingly. First, he put more distance between himself and the Targaryen forces, a good days worth of distance that would allow him more time to think. He dispatched ravens to inform both the King and Eddard Stark of his defeat and made sure that his cavalry were fully mounted.

At the same time, he ordered his infantry and archers to make haste for Riverrun. They wouldn't be of much use in the conflict to come. He needed speed and manoeuvrability, much like how Jamie Lannister and his cavalry defeated any relieving force during the Siege of Riverrun.

Tytos may not be an offensive commander, but he had faced many in his time. It was time to use some of their tactics to his advantage to buy as much time as possible. Near five thousand men under his command would be sent to Riverrun, while he kept his remaining forces, all cavalry to engage the Targaryens. Those five thousand would go to Riverrun and reinforce its defences, placed directly under the command of Eddard Stark.

But Tytos' true aim was to buy enough time for Jason Mallister and his forces to get to Riverrun also. With that, it would make the keep almost impenetrable and mean that Margaery Tyrell and the King's child would be safe.

That was the plan anyway, but Tytos was beginning to wonder if he was going to be able to buy Jason enough time to get to Riverrun. Aegon's forces were spread thin, his light cavalry pulling ahead and would make it to Riverrun in a few days more. His light infantry and archers were about a day behind with his heavy infantry a little behind them. They were making haste, both sides understanding the need for speed.

Tytos had recognised this and had originally decided to leave the cavalry and target the core of Aegon's force, his light infantry and archers. They made up the bulk of his army and if he could chip away at them then it would make it much easier to defend Riverrun.

Except, the cavalry despite his initial expectations of their task being to reach Riverrun early. They were actually an intercepting force. They had pulled ahead of their forces purposefully to leave their infantry exposed. The moment Tytos had moved around the cavalry and gone to strike the infantry, the Targaryen cavalry had also peeled off and attacked their rear.

That first conflict had been devastating.

Since then, Tytos had repeatedly engaged and withdrawn from skirmishes with the enemy cavalry. Their main force continually makes a speedy approach for Riverrun with him unable to slow them down.

'Whoever's in charge knows how to take a gamble.' Tytos thought with a frown. 'It was a risky play, to leave himself so exposed. If the cavalry had been just a little too late, things could have tipped completely in our favour.' But that had not happened and Tytos had instead been put on the backfoot.

A risky gamble that had paid off.


Pushing the man to the muddy ground, Jon drew his blade across the man's throat, blood spurting out into his face. Relaxing at that moment, Jon pushed himself to his feet, wiping his face as he looked around.

Bodies were strewn everywhere, men groaning out in pain. Some his own, some his enemies, but the latter didn't live for long. Wildings and Northmen moving around and finishing off those still alive. Others moving to pick up weapons and collect food from the wagons in the middle of the road. Some taking their injured comrades and picking them up, there was no time to provide medical aid here and now.

The conflict in the Wolfwood had become just as Jon had expected, brutal and cruel. There were three factions hunting here, the Starks and the North under his command. The Ironborn, those both in the North near the Northern Mountains and those in the south at Torrhens Square. And also the Boltons at Winterfell. There was always a few skirmishes in the beginning, but since then, clear divisions and borders had formed in the Wolfwood, areas belonging to certain factions that no one crossed in case they sparked a conflict.

Neither faction wanted to press the war further, not with Stannis Baratheon up North who was just waiting to crush them. That was until Jon had proposed his plan, the reinforcements from the Wildlings and the knowledge that Robb would be further detained in the south made him put this plan into action.

If Robb was on his way up north he would have simply waited, but that wasn't the case and he needed to make a difference, he needed to redeem his earlier failures. "Let's get out of here, make sure to place the flag."

Owen Norrey nodded his head and mere moments later, a torn and muddy flag bearing the house sigil of the Boltons was dumped on the floor, a few men making sure to move a few bodies around it to avoid it looking deliberate. It was all part of Jon's plan to create conflict between the Ironborn and Boltons. Jon had ships and fish to feed on, so his territory within the Wolfwood was small.

The Boltons and the Ironborn were the most dominant forces within and shared many borders. While the Boltons had the food storages of Winterfell to feed upon, they still had to be careful and so made frequent hunting trips into the Wolfwood. The Ironborn on the other hand had little, hunting was the only way to feed their army.

They had plenty of Ironborn armour and clothing, so it was a simple and easy matter to dress up in them, posing as Ironborn as they ambushed the Boltons. They lost men certainly, but they were dressed in Ironborn armour and so the Boltons had only really on target. Then with northern armour, they launched attacks upon the Ironborn, taking a few Bolton armours that bore the house sigil and a few flags. Jon had every intention of making it impossible for the Boltons and Ironborns to continue coexisting, by especially targeting the Ironborn.

Without food, they would starve and so, as stubborn as they were, they would attack their aggressor. Jon needed to make that aggressor appear to be the Boltons and then leave them two to deal with each other.

That was only the first stage however, there was still more to come.


Parting the flap to the Kings tent, Brynden stepped inside, instantly spotting Robb getting up from his bed. He was topless, a pair of breeches upon, the Dragon Queen laid beside him, her body covered by furs.

"There is news." Brynden raised the letters in his hands, reports coming in from all over the world. The war was once more entering into a busy phase with multiple war fronts and reports needing to be read through. From the looks on the face of the King, he too was displeased by this, the knowledge that they had been so close to ending the war only to once again be thrust back into the thick of it.

Walking across at the Kings signal, Brynden handed them off, noting the Dragon Queen beginning to stir. Stepping away, Brynden helped himself to some leftover wine, noticing the two cups laid on the floor by the table, the maps and scrolls askew, so unlike the usual tidy organisation, they were usually in.

"Call a meeting." Turning back around, Brynden saw Robb closing the last letter. They must have been short, but that was usually a good sign. The King had made it very clear that he didn't want baseless pleasantries and flattery in his letters, a common thing early on. He wanted clear and concise information that reported everything good and bad. Usually the bad was accompanied by possible solutions and so they were much longer.

The letters must contain good news then if the King had finished them all so quickly. "Where?" Brynden asked gruffly, downing his cup of wine in one go.

"You can do it in my tent," Daenerys spoke up, sitting upright, the furs slipping down her body revealing her bare chest. "I do not use it much anymore." Robb nodded his head, the silent look he gave Brynden being all the instruction he needed. As Brynden left though, he couldn't help but feel a little concerned.

Robb was young, that was true.

But he was mature and wise, Brynden worried that the many nights he had spent with Daenerys could be distracting him. He doubted it, yet it wouldn't be the first time a wise man got distracted by the pleasure of sex.


"May I?" Daenerys asked, Robb, turning around to see her reaching out for the letters.

Handing them to her, Robb rose off his bed and took the tunic off the back of a chair. "Must you have posed it in such a way?" Robb questioned, reorganising his table, spreading the map out. She looked up from the first letter, it was very short and simple to see Robb beginning to place figurines upon it. He moved carefully and without hesitation, he knew exactly where everything was upon the map, it committed to his memory.

"I don't know what you mean?" She returned, a smile playing upon her lips.

"You know very well that your presence here makes my advisors uncomfortable. Even more so with you spending every night in my tent." Robb replied, bracing both hands against the table and looking down upon the map, mind beginning to work to find an answer.

"Why? Do I distract you?" It didn't earn any reaction, not as it would have from Daario or from Drogo. He was so very unlike the men she was used to, calm and collected, distant almost. His mind was focused, eyes looking to the future, he had a vision and Daenerys knew that he was focused upon grasping it.

Even though she jested, Daenerys knew it would take more than her to distract him from his vision of the future. "If you did, I would not have already found a solution." Daenerys looked to him disbelievingly, not quite sure whether he was jesting also.

Though as he sat down, looking at her in complete seriousness, Daenerys knew he wasn't. He didn't have the tall, muscular frame and gruffness of Drogo. Daario meanwhile was suave, arrogant and self-assured with an exotic look to him.

Robb Stark didn't have any of that.

He was confident, not arrogant.

Quiet, but strong.

Firm, yet fair.

But above all else, he was intelligent, unlike any man she had encountered besides Tyrion. She would not deny that she was envious of his mind, to simply look upon these letters once and then instantly come up with a solution was something she couldn't do and wished she could. In a way, Robb Stark's mind was his most desirable feature, everything else about him was just an added bonus.

Pulling the furs closer to her body, Daenerys slipped off the bed and joined him at the table, sitting on his lap. Robb was used to it by this point, he didn't know whether it was the culture of Essos, simply who Daenerys was or because she wanted to seduce him, but she had little care for personal boundaries. In private she made sure to be as intimate as possible at all times and Robb imagined it was a mixture of them all.

She loved to be in charge, that much he had quickly figured out. Using her body and feminine will was one way in which she kept control, never once did he think that Daenerys came to him without ever feeling in control of her actions. No one forced her to do this, it was entirely her decision.

'I imagine that I have my work cut out for me after the war.' Robb thought to himself.

Margaery was much the same as Daenerys in that sense, using her body as a means to try and manipulate and control him. While he hadn't agreed to marry Daenerys out of any sexual desire, looking upon the future now, Robb couldn't deny that there wasn't some element of that now.

But like always, it was of secondary note.

He had long since made sure to affirm his mind upon the task at hand, ignoring everything else. Even if it meant appearing cold and distant, Robb knew that he needed to achieve everything he set his mind to in order to ensure his families survival. Being so easily tempted by a woman, no matter how beautiful or seductive was not something he could allow.

"I suppose with my forces now having landed," Daenerys began, looking upon the map while shifting her hips, a purposeful movement. "Our two hosts here could meet up and march into Riverrun. That plus the sixty thousand led by Randyll Tarly will mean Aegon has nowhere to go."

"All that would do is push him further north." Robb shook his head.

"Then what is your solution?" Daenerys asked.

Looking back to the map, Robb picked up the figure denoting her forces and moved it down to meet his own led by Dickon. "We shall make a repeat of the Field of Fire." Daenerys looked to him in confusion, not quite sure what that would accomplish, especially considering they were allied.

But Robb simply moved her off his lap and rose up.

Like always, he kept his ideas to himself, revealing only enough to inform people of their parts to play. Never did someone other than him understand the full scope of his plans, especially not her. She may spend the nights in his bed, but he didn't trust her, nor her advisors.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! Hope you all have a good one and enjoy this chapter.

So, another chapter done and with it, Tytos Blackwood has been defeated, Aegon Targaryen proving himself to be quite the military strategist. My main inspiration for him is Alexander the Great whereas Robb is more on the lines of Julius Caesar. By inspiration, I mean Robb is a military genius that is able to pull off victories with troops of all abilities and skills. Aegon on the other hand comes up with incredibly complex and genius strategies that only work with highly trained and disciplined soldiers. Both have their strengths, but ultimately, only one can emerge victorious. While I can't say I can write a convincing ending to the two great figures of history, those two are my influences for this conflict and the outcome I think would happen.

Alexander would have early success with risky manoeuvres that catch Julius off-guard and superior troops. However, due to a better understanding of the limits of his soldiers and a better grasp on standard and basic tactics, mixed with calculated risks, Julius would ultimately emerge victorious. The saying being that Alexander would win the battle, but lose the war.

At the same time, we see Jon's plan coming to in fruition, Kings Landing falling and Randyll Tarly making his move. Daenerys also begins to use her body as a means to try and seduce Robb, which is worrying a few of his advisors, but Robb's strong-willed. He's already come up with a plan to defeat Aegon Targaryen, what could it be? I'd love to hear your ideas on what he could be planning.

Anyway, now that that's done, let's get on with the questions:

Rhett1980: Right now? No, that would only cause more problems than solve them. There are those in Robb's forces who don't want anyone but Robb to sit on the throne, namely the Tyrells and many of the northern lords. The Targaryen loyalists might, but ultimately, it would only cause more problems than solve them. It would be different if it was again, just Ned and Robb being decided for King, as we saw that was resolved quite easily because even if Ned won, Robb would still be the main heir and future King. However, it would be very different if Jon was named a Targaryen because there would be people clamouring for him to be named King.

gunzen: As far as we are aware, yes. However, I suspect that in the latest book, she did have a miscarriage which suggests that the impossible prophecy put place by Mirri did come to fruition meaning that in the future she could. I don't really know what I'm going to do on that front however, haven't completely decided just yet. Yes, it will which is why Daenerys is so willing to go ahead with the marriage. She knows that there won't be a war of succession, however she can't say that.

Robbler: Nope, you're wrong. There are a number of accounts of the First Men having multiple wives such as, Garland Greenhand II had multiple wives, King Ronard of Storm's End also was reported to have upwards of twenty-three wives and this was all before the time of the Andals. The First Men can have multiple wives and there is not proof that it is or isn't outlawed anymore.

Gtopia: Absolutely, Robb is very gifted, but is also not arrogant. He is one of the most gifted military commanders in Westeros, but he also fully makes use of all his other gifted commanders. Like Tywin said, Robb stands on the shoulders of his vassals and reaches to even higher heights than he could reach upon his own. And you're right, Robb isn't a Gary Stue, he's made mistakes and learned for them which is why right now, predicting his enemies' moves is something he can do. Him never losing a battle is hardly all that impressive when you consider in ASOIAF Tristifer Mudd IV, the River King won 99 battles back-to-back against all the Andal Kings and only lost his hundredth battle when they all united against him. But in reality, there are many commanders who never suffered defeat.

Precisely, I do have plans to fully explore the world of Planetos, including Essos and what lies beyond the Bone Mountains. The War of Five Kings is but the beginning. All it accomplishes is giving Robb a reputation and a firm foundation, after the war it's a matter of building upon it. Jon does have lands, he is the Lord of Moat Cailin and its surrounding lands, but with a few more losses suffered, his holdings will be expanded.

Dffraxas: Thank you for realising that this isn't your typical harem. It's very much one of politics and subterfuge. The Tyrells won't back down, not after all they've invested into Robb Stark, just like how Daenerys can't afford to backdown either.

Guest: That's where you're wrong, the Targaryen's weren't the only ones to practise polygamy. The First Men also practised it, with guys like Garland Greenhand II and King Ronard of Storm's End having multiple wives. There is also no proof that the Northmen still don't practise it. It's very possible that some lords do we just haven't met them. You're also completely overlooking the situation Robb is in.

The Advocate7: No offence taken, I quite enjoyed reading your review and I'm glad you're enjoying what's happened and what's to come. The main reason Robb agreed to the marriage was A) To keep the Dragons from decimating his force because as far as he is aware, Daenerys has full control of them, we know otherwise. And B) To stop the twenty thousand soldiers of Daenerys to join the thirty thousand of Aegon plus her Dragons. Robb could win, but it would be a pyrrhic victory which nobody, especially not Robb wants.

keydet16: They're slow because politics are slow. There's a lot of subtle manoeuvring before getting to the final act. It's not that he is content but more that there's nothing he can do. He doesn't have the troops to spare, especially not with the Targaryens in the south now. Back up in the North, they've reached a stalemate where neither side can make a move and its not like Ramsay is in charge of the North. He's in charge of a very small section of it.

anindhitania238: So, basically what happens is that in canon, they didn't raise that many men. However, in my story what happens is that, as explained, the Greyjoys are throwing everything they have into the war. Men in their prime, old and young just to win. That's why they have so many soldiers.

Jenny2025: Reading reviews like yours are the things that motivate me to keep writing. They show that you've read my story and understood beyond simply what's stated and they also show you've looked at deeper meaning and out deep thought into what could happen. The fact that I can write a story that makes people do that definitely makes me happy so thank you very much.

Hope that clears up any questions and if not, please let me know.