Blood and Winter
Chapter XVI
So, before you go any further, I'd like to let you all know that chapters 1-4 of this story have been highly edited. I am aware of the problems that this story faced with the whole Ironborn issue and that's purely down to me. I'm sure if you're a writer yourself, there's times in which you've written something that to you as the writer makes perfect sense, but to the readers it's the exact opposite. That's because you as the writer know what you're trying to convey whereas the readers don't, they only have the information that you provide them to fit together the puzzle.
That's one of the biggest problems I had as a writer when doing this story. Admittedly, at the time, I was going through a rough point in my life and this story helped me get through that point, so I didn't take the criticism as well as I should have. However, I won't be changing what's happened, I will just properly explain what should have been made clear earlier.
So I highly recommend and ask that you go back and read those first four chapters to not only revamp your memory, but also learn a bit more about what I tried and failed to explain the first time around. Anyway, let's get on with the story.
"Do you all understand what you need to do?" Robb asked, leaning back into his seat and watching the faces of those gathered around the table. Shock was prevalent, even Daenerys struggled to quite understand the true scope of what Robb had told her.
There was a lot of moving pieces, so many things that could go wrong. It relied upon a number of people to move accordingly and allowed very little room for error if Robb wanted to achieve what he had told them. Even then, secrecy was key, something that upon a continent as vast as Westeros with so many eyes upon the brewing conflict in the Riverlands, would be difficult to do.
All it took was one simple slip of the tongue, a single person with loose lips to tell the wrong person and their plan would fail. Yet, Robb seemed confident that they would succeed, that this plan, his plan would succeed. It was a confidence very few shared, only those that had served beside him since the beginning like Lord Umber and Ser Brynden Blackfish had. It was a confidence that she and her advisors didn't possess, even with limited military experience she could see the flaws within his plan.
Above all else though, she couldn't understand why.
"Why not simply have your force of thirty thousand link up with ours and march. That would be fifty thousand marching from the east and sixty thousand marching from the south. With the west secure, and a river to his north, Aegon would be trapped." Tyrion questioned, raising points that she had. It was a simple and effective plan, but one for some reason Robb was against using.
He, proving her point as he shook his head. "It would not work."
Tyrion rose a brow. "I don't see why it wouldn't. It's simple and effective. The terrain and your familiarity with it works in our favour. The numbers are on our side also and like you have said, Aegon has committed everything to this plan. If it fails, he loses." The Imp pointed out. "Just by forcing him to abandon his pursuit of Margaery Tyrell, we win."
"Except that's not the case." It was not Robb that replied, but See Barristan, all eyes turning to him. "Large forces like our are slow moving. Even if we were to just dispatch our cavalry forces, while we would outnumber them still, victory would be impossible. The Dornish have some of the finest spearmen in all of Westeros. We might slow them down slightly, but ultimately the Dornish and the Golden Company would defeat us."
Spearmen were the cavalries greatest foe and the Dornish had some of the finest. The Golden Company themselves also had their own spear units, but even their infantry were heavily armoured and would prove to be enough to hold them off. Let alone their own cavalry, both light and heavy as well as their archers.
"You're also missing the fact that their ships have clogged up the Widow's Ford making a bridge across from one end to the other. After that, it's a clear route to either the Vale or the North. Areas that will make large forces like ours severely disadvantaged." Brynden Blackfish added in, the two oldest and most experienced commanders pointing out things that had influenced Robb's decision.
Tyrion didn't argue against those points, having the sense to recognise that he didn't have the military expertise to match these men. He was a researcher and a smart guy, but he could admit when he out of his element. His defence of Kings Landing was completely different to this.
"You're all not seeing the point." Robb interrupted them all. "The Riverlands have been ravaged by this war, more so that any other Kingdom." The North came close, but they were never a prosperous region in the first place, comparing the damages to both, the Riverlands had been hit much harder and were struggling.
Robb had worked hard with Edmure and the Tyrells, leaving much of the work to the more experienced statesmen to shift the Riverlands and build it up. There was little they could do considering the war, but they had managed to keep the Riverlands afloat so to speak by making it rely upon the war. Once it was over, the Riverlands would be hit again and would be destabilised and vulnerable. The amount of time, money and effort that would be needed to be put into making the Riverlands a stable kingdom again after this would be enormous, not to mention the damages that needed to be fixed in other kingdoms as well.
"It will take many years for them to recover from the effects of this war." That was something all within this tent knew as despite the serious potential that all now recognised within the Riverlands, there was much work to be done before it bore fruit. "Now a second conflict is set to be taking place within the Riverlands. One that will make its recovery even more difficult."
"If we are to limit the damages, we need to move this battle somewhere other than the Riverlands. See Brynden and Ser Barristan are correct on their points. We cannot send cavalry to cut them off as we will be the ones to lose. We can also not allow Aegon to flee to the North or the Vale." Robb explained calmly. "We need to bring this war east."
There was silence after Robb finished his speech.
A silence that was broken by the sudden movement from Nymeria. The Direwolf bursting to its feet and out of the tent, many of those inside flinching and reflexively rising to their feet, hands going to their blades. Grey Wind also rose, its large frame impossible to ignore as all watched it sniff the air, Robb himself also rising to his feet, Daenerys noting the widening of his eyes, the softening of his features.
There was a glimmer of emotions within his eyes, things she had not seen from him in all the time she had spent with the Wolf King. As soon as Grey Wind also bounded out of the tent, Robb rushed out after him, many looking around in confusion.
Slowly, they all filtered out of the tent, Daenerys remaining behind as she watched Smalljon and Ser Brynden Blackfish quickly catching up to the marching King as he made his way through the camp. "Well, that was certainly one way to end a meeting, would you not agree, your grace?" Tryion jested.
'What could have possibly caused such a reaction from him?' Daenerys wondered to herself. For the short time she had known Robb Stark, she knew him to be self controlled and disciplined man. His emotions were always kept in check, he appearing almost distant and cold to everyone around him. But there were times in which his emotions shined through, amusement, happiness, contention, hatred, anger, sadness, guilt, remorse, regret, loneliness. Just brief moments, times in which if you blinked, it would go away.
Yet while many in the tent had been focused upon the large figure of Grey Wind, Daenerys had turned to Robb. The emotions that were swimming in his eyes, was more expressive than anything she had seen from him before.
"It's strange." Ser Barristan said. "The way in which the King Robb reacted, it was like he knew what had caused the Direwolves to react in such a fashion." And there it was again, the reminder of just how strange the connection shared between Robb and Grey Wind was. Daenerys had thought the connection she shared with her Dragons was strong, yet the bond between those two was even deeper.
It was almost like at times, their minds were connected.
But that was impossible.
'But Dragons were believed to be dead and now they are alive.' Daenerys thought to herself, making her way down through the camp, Robb in the distance. The Direwolves surrounding a small child. "Who is that?" She asked, watching the boy break free from the Direwolves, rushing to embrace Robb who held them tight in return.
"I do believe, that is a Stark." Tyrion inferred. "Perhaps Arya Stark."
"Arya? That is a boy, is it not?" Daenerys questioned dubiously.
Tyrion shook his head. "The only Stark child around that age who is a boy, is Brandon Stark. But he is a cripple, and dead. Rickon Stark is far too young to be so tall and also dead. From what I remember though, Arya Stark was the youngest girl and quite the wild one. It wouldn't surprise me if that is her."
Daenerys said nothing, just watching Robb embraced the child tightly, before seemingly collecting himself. As soon as he did, he looked around and pulled them away. Even from this distance, she could see the relief, but also the anger in his eyes. A strange thing to be sure, should he not be happy to be reunited with one of his siblings?
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Crouching down beside the two Direwolves, Nymeria and Grey Wind, Robb draped a thick cover of fur over the form of Arya who was resting between the two of them. "Are you sure you wouldn't be more comfortable on the bed?" Robb asked, Arya shaking her head.
She was cleaner now, Dacey under his instructions helped get his sister clean of all the grime and mud she had accumulated on her journey. There was, to his horror even some blood upon her hands, even though she told him it was only an animal she had killed. It still didn't stop his mind from wandering what she could have possibly seen or encountered on her journey.
He wanted to shout at her, he really did. Robb wanted to know what could have possibly driven her to leave the safety of Riverrun and travel across the Riverlands which was once again becoming the centre of a war. It was not a land for anyone, especially not his sister.
But he didn't, he couldn't.
Robb was being watched constantly and he had already shown weakness to those that surrounded him by embracing Arya as he did. He couldn't afford to do that anymore, he couldn't allow his enemies to know just how much she meant to him in case they tried to get to him through her. It was why he had not prepared her a separate tent and why he had the members of his Kingsguard on constant watch around his tent.
It was why he had allowed Nymeria's pack of wolves into his tent, a part of this pile of bodies that surrounded Arya as she lay there. If someone did break through his Kingsguard and entered the tent if they managed to get past him. Arya would be protected by the wolves and that's all that mattered to him.
Arya shook her head "I'm okay." She replied, smiling happily as she felt the warmth and comfort of the wolves surrounding her, especially Nymeria. "Are you going to war soon?"
"Our camp is moving tomorrow, you were lucky to arrive when you did," Robb told her.
"Where are you going?" She questioned excitedly."Can I come with you?"
It was Robb that shook his head this time. "No, you won't be coming with me." He said firmly, Arya scowling angrily, something reflected by the rising growl of Nymeria who looked to him. However, Grey Wind's growl was lower and much more threatening, Nymeria lowering her head. "You will be travelling with Daenerys Targaryen."
"Why? Why can't I stay with you? I want to fight, I can fight!" Arya almost pleaded, but Robb was not moved at all, just staring back at her, Arya not quite like the look upon his face. It was not like how Robb used to be, he was always kind, funny, charming and charismatic. But now, he was completely different and Arya wasn't sure how to respond.
"It doesn't matter," Robb stated simply. "You are too young to be going to war."
"But you were only two years older than I when you went to war! Why can't I fight? Is it because I'm a girl?" Arya asked heatedly, upset that he was looking down upon her.
Despite the situation, a break appeared in Robb's facade, lips twisting slightly into a smile. "It's nothing to do with that, Arya. I know that you are strong, you had to be in order to find me on your own." He smiled sadly. "I have been fighting this war for four years and I have yet to secure the south. I still have a war to fight in the North, I'm looking at possibly another two to three years of war. But not all my fighting from this point on will be on the battlefield, it will be in the court, my court."
Arya tilted her head, not quite sure what he was talking about.
"There are a lot of lords and ladies under my command, Arya," Robb told her. "All with their own ambitions and reasons to serve me. They follow me because I represent a chance for them to rise higher. But someday in the future, near or distant, they will try and kill me. Whether it be for personal greed or in service of someone else, they will try and kill me and, they may succeed."
"Why are you telling me this?" Arya wondered, voice quiet and head dropping.
Robb reached over, pulling her towards him as he rested his head against hers. "Because I do not want anything to happen to you. I do not care if I die, so long as you and our family live. I would never forgive myself if anything were to happen to you under my watch. So please, Arya, for my sake, please do as I ask."
There was a few moments of silence before Robb felt her head move.
"Okay." She whispered, Robb, ruffling her hair with a small smile. "But I want to learn how to fight."
"Are you negotiating with me?" Robb asked, brow-raising in surprise, Arya nodding sharply in return. "Very well, I shall ask Ser Brienne to teach you on your journey. But you must follow her every instruction, am I clear?" His voice then lowered as he brought Arya close once more. "And be careful, Arya. I do not trust Daenerys Targaryen or her advisors. If for a moment you do not feel safe, tell Ser Brienne or any of my Kingsguard. Never go anywhere on your own and only eat what they provide you after it's been checked, am I clear?"
Arya didn't hesitate to nod her head. "Why are you with her if you don't trust her?"
"Her Dragons," Robb said. "They are young and while I have prepared possible ways to combat them, they are untested and therefore they may not work. I have survived this long Arya by only entering battle when I am sure of victory. And while I am sure of emerging victorious against one of the Targaryen rulers. In the aftermath, I am uncertain that I would be able to win against the other."
"But, you never lost a battle!" Arya protested.
Robb chuckled. "I am happy to know you have such trust in me, sometimes I find myself surrounded by those who doubt me. They used to think I was too young and inexperienced. Now people think I have grown arrogant and drunk upon victory. My actions and plans are always questioned, people doubting my abilities. I have very few who do not question my orders and have such faith in me."
Arya scowled slightly. "Must be annoying."
"Oh, it is." Robb agreed, a smile returning to his face. "Yet all I have to do is ignore them. Arya, let me tell you a few things that I hope will help you in later life." Arya perked up at this. "Even if everyone around you doubts you, so long as you believe in yourself, that's all that matters. You are Arya Stark, you are strong and so long as you believe in yourself, nothing will stop you from achieving what you want."
Seeing the smirk forming on her face, Robb pinched her cheeks a little making her cry out a little. "What was that for?" She asked, rubbing her sore cheek as she glared up at him.
"Because Arya, just because you can achieve whatever you want, doesn't mean it will be easy. Sometimes you will have to take risks, but never take too many or too great a risk with your life." Robb's voice was firm, eyes even firmer still. "I have achieved what I have by never entering a battle I am unsure of victory. In your life Arya, while you must take risks at times, make sure that you have prepared as much as possible and remove that element of risk altogether, do you understand?"
Hand dropping from her cheek, she nodded her head. Once more, Robb ruffled her hair a smile upon his face. "One last thing, Arya. Never let your enemies see your fear and never doubt your own abilities. Half the battle is fought here," he pointed towards her head, and then her heart. "And here before the fighting even begins. If you doubt yourself, if you fear your enemy, you will lose. It is fine to respect your enemies, Arya, but never be in awe or fear them. They are not unbeatable, no one in this world is. And do you know what, they will never be prepared or ready for the She-Wolf, Arya Stark."
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The wind howled as it rushed across the open field south of the Rook's Rest. Flags flapped violently in the wind as sand and grass were pelted against armour and leather. Soldiers shifted, opening a path as Daenerys moved through the lines, coming to a stop at the head of her army, staring out across to the army opposite her.
It was larger than her own, thirty thousand compared to her twenty thousand, the flag of the crowned Direwolf mixed in with the dozens of other flags belonging to the houses of the Westeros.
Despite being allied to them, Daenerys was nervous, her hands clenching around the reigns of her horse anxiously. She had a role to play in this war, a task to fulfil and she was nervous that she would fail. Peace could be achieved if she succeeded, but if she didn't she could make an entirely new enemy and one that Daenerys knew from her own interactions and observations, was every bit as dangerous as the stories made him out to be.
"We could cripple Robb Stark here, your grace." Ser Barristan noted, he coming to a stop beside her. "If his plan is what I think it is, these thirty thousand men will play a pivotal role. Taking them out would be a crippling blow."
Her advisors though, while aware of the danger Robb Stark posed, still offered advice on how to defeat him. Daenerys might have been convinced at one point, but she knew that would not be the case. There were times when she awoke to find Robb, not beside her, he instead at the table and moving the pieces about. At first, she had no idea what he was doing, but over time, when it happened night after night, she began to realise what he was doing.
He was preparing for every variable.
Coming up with plans that he would enact should an enemy act in a certain way. Instead of being left reeling, Robb would already have something in mind that he could use to once again twist things in his favour. She knew from watching him, that her betraying him, was also something he had considered.
At times, she was even caught watching him, his Direwolf, Grey Wind looking directly at her and soon after, Robb would do the same. Her advisors didn't know this, she had not shared it with them, but Robb was already prepared for her to betray him. Already no doubt preparing letters to be dispatched should she not complete her task. And as Tyrion had implied, having Arya come with them was a test.
She could hardly believe it herself, the idea that Robb would use his own sister as a way to test whether she could be trusted. The idea seemed inconceivable from what she knew of Robb, but then again, how much about Robb did she truly know?
"No." Daenerys shook her head. "We shall bring an end to this war quickly and decisively. I do not wish to add thousands more to those already dead. I do not wish to further the suffering of the people of Westeros."
Ser Barristan bowed his head, though he still shared her concerns. "We should send our own riders to remove any prying eyes watching this field. And send a rider to inform Ser Dickon that he should move his soldiers back. Your Dragons are not..." He was hesitant to say it, but Daenerys shared his concerns.
They were unruly and ill-tempered, especially Drogon and he influenced the other two, Rhaegal and Viserion. "We shall just have to see if they can be controlled," Daenerys replied firmly, looking over her shoulder at the three Dragons in the back. She couldn't allow them to keep acting out in such a fashion, she needed them under her control, she needed them to secure her power here in Westeros.
They were her children and she would not allow them to keep acting as they were. She was a Dragon, just as they were and she would not allow them to be unruly. They should be regal and poised, powerful and strong.
"Send the riders, I shall meet with my children," Daenerys ordered, turning her horse back around. Ser Barristan watching her go, concerned for her safety, but nonetheless noting something different about her. He had not seen the woman Ser Jorah had described when she first hatched her Dragons, nor the Khaleesi that had inspired such loyalty amongst the Dothraki that still accompanied her.
He had not seen that, but he had seen strength within her.
It was often masked though, behind a need to hide who she was in order to suit others. But he had seen glimpses of the Dragon she referred to herself as glimpses of the woman Ser Jorah and Ko Rakharo had told him about. Yet ever since coming to Westeros, none had seen a glimpse of that woman, she seemingly gone and replaced with a child who seemed meek and timid.
Ser Barristan could understand why. Daenerys had come expecting to liberate Westeros and was instead faced with a kingdom facing war and one figure, Robb Stark beloved by many. If she were to take over, Daenerys would not be seen as a liberator, but as a conqueror. It was not what Daenerys had been told nor did she want.
Yet things were different now as if her time spent in Robb Stark's company had changed something within her. She was more confident, no longer hiding who she was as much as she had in the past. The strength that only appeared in fleeting moments, was now on display much more often.
Ser Barristan was pleased with this change within his Queen.
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Standing beside Daenerys' bloodriders, Tyrion watched as the Dragon Queen dismounts from her horse and walked confidently towards the three chained Dragons. He was nervous, but even still, after witnessing these creatures on a number of occasions, he was in awe of them. They were truly magnificent creatures, unparalleled by any other.
And Daenerys walked towards them without fear, hands clasped in front of her, back straight and staring directly at all three of them. Yet her gaze centred mostly upon the largest and strongest of her children, Drogon.
She understood it now.
There was a connection, a bond between her and her children. They were reflections of her, extensions of her will. They were Dragons and so was she and a Dragon did not obey, nor did it submit to the will of others. That was precisely what she had been doing, submitting and conforming to the will of others.
She changed who she was to make herself more likeable to them, more approachable. Her children, especially Drogon did not like that. A Dragon did not obey and it did not submit, to them, she was no Dragon.
It's funny that it was her newest husband, Robb Stark to make her realise that fact.
She had gone to visit him, only to overhear his conversation with Arya. The lessons he imparted onto her, she listened to intently and they struck a chord with her. She shouldn't doubt herself, because if she did, she would never succeed. A Dragon never doubted, it was powerful, it ruled the skies and all that lay beneath it. A Dragon never doubted because there was nothing that could challenge it.
Moving forwards, Daenerys never bowed her head or felt her heartbeat rise as her children growled and cried out as she drew closer. She never once broke eye contact with Drogon who stared at her, the warmth of his breath washing over her.
Her children were unruly because she had tried to force them to become something that was not a Dragon. Just as she had begun to become something that was not a Dragon. Well, it was time to change that, Daenerys would become the Dragon and her children would be first to learn that she would not submit.
Robb Stark would be King, but she would be his Queen and all would know it, including him.
Reaching out, Daenerys inserted the key into the lock and twisted, undoing the chains surrounding Drogon. Then, she turned, presenting her back to him but it never faltered or lowered. It remained firm and strong, a Dragon did not cower and Drogon did not strike. It rose up, shaking its neck, but did not move and instead went silent. Rhaegal was next, he too did not make a sound, only rising up and shaking its neck. Finally, it was Viserion and all three Dragons were released, yet they did not make a sound nor did they fly away.
"I have been misguided and lost," Daenerys said, moving forwards and extending her arms out, the three Dragons lowering their heads towards her. "I make no apology for that, but your words have been heard. Now my children, let us return to the skies and show the world the power of a Dragon."
At her words, all three Dragons rose up and released a cry to the world, Daenerys watching on with a smile. 'I thank you for that lesson, Robb, even if it was not meant for me.'
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A Field of Fire.
Those were the words on everyone's tongue is they heard the news of what had happened. Many of the eyes had been upon two fronts, the marching army of Randyll Tarly and his host that marched north. Its huge size spread across the land like a never-ending river, the marching of its soldiers shaking the ground upon which they walked, the sound of its movements, deafening to all that could hear.
And if they were not watching that, they were watching the movement of Aegon Targaryen and his army. His clashes with Tytos Blackwood as his host continued to close in upon Riverrun. The eyes of Westeros were upon these two areas, allowing the arrival of Daenerys Targaryen to go relatively unnoticed.
Yet, she had made her presence known quickly.
Clashing with the thirty thousand men led by Dickon Tarly, her Dragons were unleashed, reducing the host to nothing but ash. A second Field of Fire that showcased the power of Dragons to Westeros once more.
Not a single loss incurred on her side, Daenerys now made haste towards Kings Landing, a clear path straight to the capital. "What news do we have on the movements of Robb Stark and his forces?" Jon Connington asked, looking to Oberyn Martell who had personally requested to be put in charge of the scouts.
The man had earned his reputation as the Red Viper and an accomplished warrior, but none more so than in this war. He fought fiercely in the Battle of Widow's Ford. Then led the charge of the cavalry against Tytos Blackwood, earning victory time and time again. All the while he was overseeing the movements of the scouts with the aid of his daughters, the Sand Snakes.
"Jason Mallister has arrived at Riverrun. Meanwhile, a large cavalry contingent led by Lord Rodrick Forrester has broken off from Randyll Tarly's host. Considering the previous positions of both them and Tytos Blackwood, it's likely the two groups have linked up. Their current objective is unknown, but their numbers should be around twenty thousand at most." Oberyn explained simply, many frowning at the news.
A host of men that size, even comprised fully of cavalrymen would require a host of equal size to comfortably combat it. The cavalry they had would no longer be enough to fight them off and would in fact, be the ones to be defeated. They could no longer continue their advance towards Riverrun.
Not that it would matter anymore.
News had reached them days ago that Margaery Tyrell and a large contingent of soldiers that had been defending Riverrun had departed for the Golden Tooth. It left only three options for them to pursue her, but only one would give them victory and now with Jason Mallister there, that path was no longer open to them.
They would first have to besiege and take Riverrun, which would leave them exposed to attacks from Tytos Blackwood and his now much larger cavalry force. With them also having to split their forces into three, it would be simple for him to crush their forces one by one.
Even if by some miracle they did manage to take Riverrun before that happened, they would then have to travel down the River Road and to the Golden Tooth. There they would once again have to besiege the city. At that point, they would be stuck in a mountain path that would leave them dangerously exposed to them to a devastating cavalry charge by Tytos Blackwood.
Their gamble had failed and all of them knew it.
The question now was, what move did they take now?
All of them looked to their ruler and King who had remained silent. "Uncle, what are the movements of Randyll Tarly at the current moment?" He asked.
"By the last account, he was coming up by the Rushing Falls."
Harry Strickland hummed, a deep frown upon his face as he looked upon the map spread out across the table. "Considering the size of his army and their movement speed, they should be nearing High Heart at this point." He muttered. "Tytos Blackwood is camped just north of Lychester. That cuts off any escape south, but we do have our ships still in the bay of Widow's Ford. We could march north and cut across them there, make our way up to the North or into the Vale."
Jon nodded his head. "The harsh terrain of both kingdoms would be a detriment to all sides, but especially for the Stark forces. Their large host will actually work against them and we can use the terrain to find areas that remove the advantage of numbers."
It was a suggestion, all looking to Aegon who sat overlooking the map closely. His mind was at work, considering their next course of action carefully as he looked at the positioning of the various armies. The soldiers at Riverrun would not move, nor would those under the command of Tytos Blackwood.
The question was though, how would Randyll react to the actions of Daenerys Targaryen. Would he break off his pursuit of them and turn back south? Or would he instead continue to focus on them, aiming to take out one of them and then focus on the other afterwards? Either option had its ups and downs, but Aegon didn't know for certain which one he would choose, or what Robb would do either.
No one even knew where the Wolf King was, it was like he had disappeared. There were even rumours being spread that Robb Stark had been part of the thirty thousand hosts that had been decimated by Daenerys and her three Dragons.
There were rumours that Robb Stark was dead.
Aegon didn't know if they were true, nor did he believe them. He hoped they were true, but he wasn't going to base his plans upon that. Even so, he had to think and imagine what Robb Stark would do, what had his actions in the past been and how would that mindset translate to this situation?
"We will not be going North," Aegon said, murmurs filling the tent. "We know that Lord Mallister has reinforced Riverrun and they will too. Our attempts to take Margaery have failed and so they will now be aiming to trap us. More than likely, Tytos Blackwood and his men will be moving past us and heading north, no doubt intending to destroy our ships or at the very least, set up a position on the other side of the embankment."
Considering that riders and ravens took time to arrive, the delay meant that Tytos would have already left, Aegon was sure of that. By the time Aegons camp was packed up and his army ready to move, Tytos would be ahead of them by quite a large margin. Even if he sent his cavalry ahead to slow them down, the difference in numbers would be meaningless, their situations now reversed.
Whereas before it would be Tytos trying to slow them down, if Aegon pursued this option it would be him trying to slow them down. Unlike Tytos however, Aegon had nowhere to retreat to.
"Randyll meanwhile will continue to march north, he won't be going south." If he considered the options, it was more profitable in the long term to take care of one enemy and then focus on the other, rather than fight both at the same time. Robb and Randyll were both calculated men, they took risks, but measured ones. They worked to control as many factors as possible and that made it easier to figure out their next moves.
Aegon on the other hand was not a man to try and control as many factors as possible, he was a man that liked risks and gambles, he had no patience for things like that. He liked to move quick and fast, just like Robb had done in the beginning. Even his current position that required bold actions and risk-taking, Aegon was still that man anyway.
Now was no different.
His plan, much like they always were, was risky. But his earlier plan had nearly succeeded, it was just the fault of his men that cost victory. It was his plan that defeated Tytos Blackwood, it was his plan that led to the Stark's near-certain victory to almost come undone. And now, his plan would once again snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
"So, what do we do, your grace?" Jon asked.
"My original plan was never to wager everything on the battle at Kings Landing," Aegon said simply. "I suppose now, however, that is precisely what we are going to do."
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Looking to the back of the army in the distance, Randyll's face showed nothing. No joy, no amusement, no worry, no fear. He was calm and collected, staring out and watching as the Targaryen army continued to pull further and further away from him and his forces.
They had departed from their camp no more than a few days ago, abandoning their plan to hunt down Margaery Tyrell. It was clear that they had realised that their gambit had failed, they were surrounded and outnumbered. The thirty thousand men led by his son may have been decimated by Daenerys Targaryen, however, they still had plenty of soldiers left.
Aegon Targaryen did not have that luxury.
So he had departed east, making his way towards the shore and was heading directly for Daenerys Targaryen's ships. That was not something they could allow to happen, the Redwyne Fleet was still at Kings Landing, the soldiers of the fleet being used in the cities defence against Daenerys Targaryen.
Those ships were vulnerable and if Aegon got upon them, he could escape back to Essos. That was not something they could allow because if they did, it would mean that he could possibly recruit more soldiers to his cause and come back with an even greater army.
That was why, Randyll had recalled the soldiers led by Tytos Blackwood, the large cavalry contingent being placed under Rodrick Forrester, a skilled and experienced cavalryman who had fought alongside Robb Stark since the beginning of the war. But it would take time, he had to loop around Harrenhall and the Gods Eye while they were coming south and making their way across the God's Eye River.
Their large force was working against them because of this, Aegon meanwhile with a much more disciplined and smaller force had already crossed and was putting more and more distance between them.
However, Randyll could not recklessly pursue them.
His forces were in disarray, many still struggling to cross the river, pursuing them would only result in a devastating battle. Aegon had proved in his battle against Tytos Blackwood that he was no fool. He was a commander that liked to take risks and had done at numerous points throughout his short campaign. While his grander plans had not succeeded, the only reason they had failed was that Robb simply had more soldiers.
If they possessed forces of equal size, Aegon would have succeeded and it would have been a crushing defeat for Robb. While the difference in the number of soldiers was Robb's greatest strength in this instance, it was also one of his biggest weaknesses. Managing this many soldiers, and keeping track of their movements was not easy. Predicting everything they would encounter from weather, to terrain, food shortages and even morale were all but impossible. It was why Robb had to trust in his commanders, those he delegated command to.
But Randyll would admit, Aegon was a commander that not many could handle easily. His recklessness was a dangerous thing for him, but he seemed to be blessed with good fortune as while his grander plans had failed, the steps he had taken were great successes.
In the dozens of clashes he had with Tytos Blackwood who had harried his forces from Widow's Ford to Lychester, Aegon had not lost a single one. He was also showcasing an excellent command of his men with how speedily they were moving across the land. They had reached news early on that Aegon had camped near Blackwater Rush and the God's Eye River. The sun was still high and Randyll had seen this as a chance to close that ever-widening gap between them and had.
Only for it to then rain.
The rain poured down and sapped the little energy that his men had left.
All the while Aegon and his men who had remained warm and relaxed within their camp preserved their energy. When the rain had stopped, the chase began once more, but Randyll and his men had no energy left to pursue them.
It was a dangerous oversight on his part, an act of momentary incompetence which still irked Randyll to this day. But it was an oversight that Randyll would not make again and that was why despite having most of his forces across the Gods Eye River, he was still waiting. It would provide all his men time to recover their energy in comparison to the Targaryen Forces who upon crossing, didn't pause for a moment.
Even as the Targaryen's pulled away, Randyll knew that soon they would have to stop to rest. At which point he would close the gap. Besides, Rodrick Forrester was a smart man, his cavalrymen were capable of covering far greater distances and greater speeds. They would no doubt be moving south to intercept and stall Aegon Targaryen and his forces.
Considering the size of Rodrick's cavalry contingent, Aegon would have no choice but to use his entire force to fight them off. He could not use the same tactics he had before and that would buy Randyll all the time he needed to close that gap.
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Gripping the reins of his horse, Aegon looked down upon it, a rueful smile upon his lips. For days they had been pursued by Randyll Tarly, constantly keeping a careful eye upon the movements of the cavalrymen led by Tytos Blackwood. He had been confident that he would be able to pull this off.
Daenerys would be making her way towards Kings Landing.
That's why he had cut down south, a risky manoeuvre that brought him dangerously close to Randyll and his army. But it worked, he made his way past and with the Rushing Falls acting as a temporary buffer, was able to put some distance between him and the Stark soldiers.
It was his hope that Daenerys would turn to face them and aim for the much bigger threat, Randyll Tarly. While that was happening, Aegon would take her abandoned ships and set sail for Dragonstone. It was a fortress, built by the Targaryens of old and easily defendable with even a few men thanks to its terrain.
All the while, Daenerys and Randyll fought one another.
It didn't matter to him who won.
No matter who came out victorious, they would have suffered major losses enough so that Aegon could only see them suing for peace. With Robb dead in his conflict against Daenerys Targaryen, according to the rumours, Aegon was still uncertain about them, but if they were true, Aegon could approach the Tyrells with a marriage offer. He would take Margaery as his wife, it didn't matter to him that she had been married to Robb Stark, in fact, he wanted her more because of that fact.
He didn't like the Young Wolf nor the way he had conducted himself in their meeting.
Robb was a usurper, a false King and one that didn't know his proper place.
Taking his wife as his own, pregnant or otherwise would only serve to make him feel that much better. Just the thought had served to make Aegon smile on many occasions, yet the smile upon his face now was for a different reason.
The humourless chuckle escaped his lips as he looked across the field. "I should have expected this." He muttered, his commanders all looking to one another in worry, each looking worriedly to their south where the Targaryen forces led by his aunt, Daenerys were stood. "No matter how many victories we won, the Young Wolf always seemed one step ahead of us. Even now."
For directly in front of them was another large host, number thirty thousand. The Stark banner raised into the air for all to see, the crowned Direwolf baring its fangs to the world.
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This was what he was familiar with.
This was what he was comfortable with.
This was where he belonged.
Upon his horse, armour upon his chest, sword at his hip, the wind upon his face, the sound of flags flapping in the air and the battlefield laid out before him. He was relaxed and calm, resting comfortably upon the saddle of his horse as he watched his army move into position, the enemy and Daenerys doing the same.
He was but a few miles away from the battlefield named the Bloody Antlers. The very place in which he had defeated Tywin Lannister and nearly brought an end to the war. It was too many, a sight of one of his crowning achievements.
To Robb however, it was a humiliating reminder.
A reminder that he had come so close to ending it all, to finally being able to march back north and free his home and family. Only for that opportunity to be stripped from his grasp before he could even have a chance to properly savour it.
"Your Grace, we are in position," Garlan spoke, coming up to Robb's side.
He was positioned east, blocking the path to the coast.
Daenerys south, blocking the path to Kings Landing.
Randyll coming from the west, cutting off the path back into the Riverlands.
And from the north, Rodrick Forrester was coming down south.
Aegon was trapped on all sides.
But there were a few options available for him, Robb considering them all at that moment. Most commanders would push north, it was the only sensible option for a commander in his position. There was him, the Wolf King, an undefeated military commander in front of him. Daenerys Targaryen and her Dragons to the south. Randyll Tarly and the largest force in Westeros with the Gods Eye River at his back.
Right now, Rodrick Forrester wasn't even near this battlefield, still hours out. If Aegon committed all his forces in one push north, he would be able to escape. However, Robb was more than prepared for that opportunity.
If he did try that, Aegon would be quickly chased down by Rodrick who would be able to hold him down long enough for Robb and Daenerys who would be hot on his tails to catch up. 'Aegon will have already realised that though.' Robb thought, lightly tapping his finger against the back of his hand in concentration. 'Nor has he shown any desire to follow conventional tactics.'
In his short time here in Westeros, Aegon had made a mark as someone who was not afraid to take risks. It was what he had been doing since the very beginning, taking risks where others would have attempted more tried and true methods.
Ultimately they had ended in failure, but against any other commander, Robb would imagine that Aegon would have won. In fact, if it wasn't for his meeting with Aegon in the Council of Kings, Robb would imagine that he too could have lost this war. Another stinging and humiliating reminder.
Luckily for him, Aegon had attended that meeting, allowing Robb to gain some insight into the type of man that the Young Dragon was. It was why Robb knew that in this conflict, it was superior numbers and not superior tactics that would win the day.
As good as a commander as he was, Robb preferred eliminating the possibility of risk as much as possible. He liked to control as many factors as possible and while he wasn't unwilling to make unconventional and risky manoeuvres if he was in a dire situation, it was not a sustainable way to wage war.
It had nearly cost him his life on many occasions.
On the other hand, Aegon seemed to be his direct opposite. Someone who was more than happy to take risks, even when it was unnecessary. That was a type of commander who would thrive in a situation like this when all the cards were stacked against them. When victory seemed impossible, people like them seemed to always find a way to emerge victorious.
'Perhaps I am wrong.' Robb told himself. 'Perhaps he and I are not so different after all.'
It was that understanding that for the first time, made Robb feel the first instance of uncertainty that he had felt since the early stages of the war. That feeling that perhaps he wasn't good enough. That perhaps, he was out of his depth.
A low growl from Grey Wind at his side reminded him at that moment. This wasn't about him, it didn't matter whether it cost him his life, he could not afford to fail. It was a sentiment that held much weight, but it was a comforting feeling. Once again, despite possessing the advantage in numbers, Robb felt like he was the Young Wolf once more.
"Pull the archers back. Have the cavalry dismount and mix in with the infantry." Flags were raised, orders issued and once again his army began to shift in reflection of his orders. "Prepare yourselves, Aegon will be coming directly for us. Let us meet them in full force."
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This weight upon her shoulders was crushing.
The true realisation of what was about to unfold before her very eyes. Soon, tens of thousands of men were about to battle against one another, thousands were going to die. This field was forever going to be scarred by the history that they were about to make this day.
It was almost overwhelming, her breath getting caught in her throat.
"Breathe, your grace." Ser Barristan said from her side, one hand resting upon her shoulder. He looked calm, unperturbed by the knowledge that was about to begin. But why would he? He was no stranger to war and his horrors, no stranger to death and destruction.
To him, war was an old friend.
"You are a ruler, a Dragon." He continued. "To secure your place, war was always going to be inevitable, however large or small it may have been. There are always those who seek your power for their own and will stop at nothing to get it."
Daenerys frowned. "I am no stranger to ordering the execution of those who stand in my way, Ser Barristan." Her anger was misplaced, but one she used as a means to mask the nervousness she felt.
"I know." He replied easily. "But this is not ordering the execution of those that have wronged you. This is war and in war, it is not the guilty that get punished, but the innocent. Those men out there, the common soldiers, none of them have wronged you in any way. Many simply want nothing more than to return home to their families and some will, only to find them gone or dead. All they have fought for being meaningless because of what it cost them. Some don't even believe in what they fight for, only do so for the money it provides. It is those men who will die upon your order."
"...It shouldn't be." Her voice was quieter this time, lacking the anger it had before.
Ser Barristan shook his head in agreement. "No, it shouldn't be, but that is the nature of this world. The innocent are punished while the guilty are spared. All because of their positions in life."
"...I will change it then." There was a pause, Daenerys raising her head slowly. "This world which punishes the innocent and not the guilty. I shall change it."
"And I shall be by your side. Always, your grace." Ser Barristan bowed his head. "Simply give the order, and I shall see it fulfilled." This was the Queen he had chosen to serve, the one who had liberated Slavers Bay. The Queen had been seen as a liberator and saviour to those that were oppressed.
The Breaker of Chains.
The Mother of Dragons.
The Silver Queen.
The Blood of the Dragon.
Daenerys Targaryen.
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It didn't take a genius to figure out what had happened.
It was clear to see to them all that everything they had believed about the direction of this war had while not being completely wrong, was not the complete truth. Now that things were laid out clearly before them, as plain for the eyes to see, there was no ignoring it anymore.
Robb and Daenerys were allied.
The so-called, Field of Fire in which thirty thousand men and Robb's believed death, had all been fabricated.
They had fallen for their bait hook, line and sinker.
Aegon for a moment just smiled humourlessly as he stared out at the Stark forces directly across from him. All of his plans, all of his ideas on how to shift the tide of the war were useless now. They had all been based on the assumption that the thirty thousand men had been destroyed. Based on the assumption that Daenerys and Robb Stark were at war.
Now though, that was no longer the case.
Now here he was, trapped between them all.
"We should cut north, your grace." Jon urged, looking worriedly at their backs. The army under the command of Randyll Tarly was not in view yet, but in a few short hours, it would be. When that happened, they would not be able to do anything. "If we can get to the ships, we can set sail for Dragonstone and prepare for a siege there."
"And we would be beset by Dragons all the way across our journey." Aegon returned. "More than half our forces would be destroyed before we even got to Dragonstone. No, today we either grasp victory or we die trying."
There was still a chance, a slim glimpse of victory and Aegon could see it. But if they remained here, exposed, it would never erupt into a brilliant guiding light. He needed to act now, there was no time to move his army into a formation, no time to come up with a brilliant strategy and share it amongst his commanders.
No, he needed to act now.
Drawing his blade from its sheat, Aeron raised it into the sky. "Sound the horn, we charge!" So long as they remained here in the centre, they were exposed and all Daenerys had to do was give the order for her Dragons to give flight and they would be engulfed in flames.
He could see it, that glimpse of light and while small, he would use that to guide his actions. There was a feeling in the back of his mind, an instinct that guided his actions as he urged his horse on, one of his aids sounding the horn, his army taking action as they rushed across the field.
Even behind him, while hesitant, his commanders and aids all looked to one another, questioning the sense in this action. But nonetheless, spurred on by loyalty to either him or by gold, they drew their blades and followed after him.
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Smiling joyfully, Smalljon let his longsword rest against the groove of his shoulder, towering above his men as he looked upon the Targaryen forces charging towards them. It was just as the King expected, Aegon would not go north but instead, headed directly for them.
"Ah right lads, let's show these fuckers a bit of Westerosi warfare!" Smalljon roared, voice booming outwards, shocking a few of the nearby soldiers. But nonetheless, down the line, the men let out a shout of concurrence. Each shifting into position, preparing to receive the Targaryen charge.
Gripping his blade, Smalljon moved forwards, pushing aside a few men till he stood directly in the front lines. There was a reason they called him the Mad Giant of House Umber, there was a reason Robb Stark trusted him more than any other.
He had no interest in politics, in the throne or anything like that.
All Smalljon cared for was battle.
For the sound of his sword whistling in the air, the sound of men crying out as he cut through their flesh and bones. He loved the feeling of blood thick upon him, of flesh parting around his blade. Smalljon loved blood and battle, it was what fuelled him, what he desired above all else.
"Come on then, ya fuckers!" He didn't even care if they could hear his battle cry or not, Smalljon shouted it all the same, arms outstretched, the tip of his blade resting against the floor.
Except, as they drew in closer, arrows from the backlines of the Stark army arching through the air, the Targaryen forces turned. Not all of them, some were completely unaware of this change in direction, carrying on towards them. Arrows pelting down into the exposed side of the army and killing men by the hundreds. Those that hadn't realised what was happening, coming to a halt, looking around wildly and just as they realised what was happening, the second wave of arrows took them out.
All the while Smalljon looked on, the big smile upon his face slowly giving way to a furious scowl.
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Ser Barristan frowned heavily, watching as the Targaryen forces rapidly turned their direction and came charging directly towards them. It was not something he had expected, in fact, he had expected Aegon to still want to keep Daenerys as a future, prospective ally.
It's why he had been prepared for Aegon to either cut north or clash head-on with Robb Stark. Things had appeared to be heading towards the latter, but just as he entered within archer range, Aegon called for a rapid shift, turning his attention towards them. It was a rushed job, hundreds of men still heading towards the Stark forces but coming to a halt upon realising that they were alone.
They were picked off by arrows soon after.
But the vast majority of the force led by Aegon was coming directly towards them. The heavy cavalry of the Golden Company flanking the sides of the elephants, the light cavalry of the Dornish forming up behind them. It was a dangerous sight, the infantry behind even them.
"Prepare the lines!" Ser Barristan called out, the Unsullied, a well-trained force as they were already moving without the need for the orders. "Archers, focus fire upon the elephants! Take them down!"
The rapid succession of orders was given, arrows already being released.
Behind him, the screech of Dragons could be heard, Ser Barristan looking over his shoulder to see Daenerys, upon the back of Drogon took to the sky. Rhaegal and Viserion took up flanks beside Drogon as the three flew towards the Targaryen forces led by Aegon Targaryen.
As the wind whistled by her ears, drowning out any sound that might have reached her up here, Daenerys looked down. They were low, but everything beneath her was clear to see and Daenerys for a moment took it all in.
Aegon's army charged towards her own forces, lacking all semblance of formation. Her own army, well-organised under the leadership of Ser Barristan, preparing for the inevitable clash. Then her gaze trailed towards Robb Stark, she couldn't make it out from here, but she knew he would be upon the top of the raised hill, where the flags were positioned.
The perfect place for him to see the battlefield and issue orders from.
His forces remained where they were, watching to see what Aegon would do.
She wondered briefly for a moment if he would do nothing if he would allow both her and Aegon to destroy each other. But she dismissed that thought out of mind, Robb was not the type of man to do that, or at least she didn't think he was.
He wanted their alliance to hold, just as much as she did.
If he failed to come to her aid, then she could turn upon him.
Even if she lost her army here, she could escape upon her Dragons, rebuild her army and return in the future. That was something Robb would already know and would want to avoid.
As her three Dragons came down lower, Daenerys rose up, staring down imperiously upon the army below her. She remembered what Ser Barristan told her, about how it was the innocents that were killed, men who simply fought not out of greed but out of duty. Daenerys remembered it clearly, but even so, she knew she had a duty to fulfil.
"Dracarys." She muttered, the rumbling coming from her child's chest reverberating throughout her body as heat bubbled beneath her.
So here we are, another chapter done and with it, the final clash in the south begins. We see quite a bit this chapter, there's still distrust and unsurety shared between Robb and Daenerys as well as their respective aids. Both however want to see this alliance hold because of the war and destruction that could be avoided if they remained as allies and not enemies.
We see Robb imparting some of his hard-earned wisdom upon Arya and inadvertently providing some to Daenerys. Now some may not be totally happy about how I handled Daenerys and her Dragons, but honestly, I think it makes sense. Daenerys unsure of herself, doubting everything she had been told upon coming to Westeros. Even in Essos, she made deals to appease people and changes to avoid conflict. In the eyes of her children, that's not what a Dragon should do and so they became rebellious.
However, thanks to Robb's inadvertent advice, that fault became highlighted. She is still having doubts about herself, but she is much more sure, confident and prepared to do what's necessary, similar to how she was when dealing with Astapor and Yunkai.
But most of this chapter was focused upon Aegon. He's a commander that takes a great deal of risks, sometimes when it's unnecessary. His initial gamble to take Margaery has failed, then his second gamble came undone upon realising that Daenerys and Robb had kept their alliance secret. Nonetheless, Aegon has proved capable and has managed to gain major victories and nearly robbed Robb of his near certain victory in the past. Who's to say he can't do it again?
Anyway, now that that's done, let's get on with the questions:
Fenrir44: No, I'm not doing a major harem. Margaery and Daenerys are done for their respective reasons. Margaery because of the power the Tyrells possess and because she's been slowly seducing Robb over the course of the war. As for Daenerys, Robb did it to gain control of her Dragons and remove one of the two enemies he had to face in the south, hence bringing the war there to a quicker end. There won't be anymore than that though.
Dffrxas: We will definitely be seeing Robb go to Essos and even further east beyond the Bone Mountains in the future.
George Cristian810: Not really, I've done my research on both of them. But the fact is, I am writing this with Robb and Aegon, they're just inspiration. However, Julius was a man who took risks, but he also made efforts to eliminate the element of risk all together. He liked to control factors as much as possible, but wasn't afraid or unwilling to make a huge gamble to win, much like he did when he abandoned the Roman roads and lived off the lands of Gaul. Same with when he surrounded Alesia in two walls, having himself between the two, eventually having a cavalry charge go out to make it seem like roman reinforcements had arrived.
That was a huge gamble and one that paid off. On the other hand, Alexander was a man who was bold, not afraid to take risks and gambles, but he was too bold. He took unnecessary risks and his confidence after having never lost a battle was a serious problem because it only made him bolder. One of Alexanders biggest advantages was his army, the best trained and equipped army of that decade, possessing superior troops that enabled him to pull of risky downright insane manoeuvres that no other general with an inferior army would be able to pull off or even consider. That's not to say that Alexander isn't a once in a lifetime genius, because he was. He knew that his superior troops allowed him to pull of these manoeuvres where others could not and he used that to his advantage. He was also brilliant with logistics, keeping his army well-fed.
The use of this being a Julius Caeser versus Alexander the Great matchup is inspiration based on the current positioning of Westeros. If both were on equal footing, things would go very differently. But they're not and so we're seeing Julius Caeser with a major advantage going against Alexander the Great at a disadvantage. Both men made mistakes, but ultimately when it came to warfare, I'd say that on equal ground, it could go either way. But in the current position of Westeros, Julius has a huge advantage.
The Advocate7: That's alright, I'm glad that I got you into that mentality and that you've realised why Robb did what he did. He's thinking ahead and knows that a pyrrhic victory would only make the post-war that much more difficult to get through. Yep, Jon's plan is simple, but it's proven effective, the biggest threat of course will be Stannis the Mannis.
Hope that clears up any questions you might have and if not, please let me know and I'll gladly answer them as best as I can while avoiding spoilers.
