Hey, if you skipped to this chapter, you might want to go back and read the one before this one. This is the second chapter of a triple post.

Chapter Twenty-Two: Middle 299 AC, Riverrun

The Loss of a Great Man

After Roose was taken care of, Visenya headed into Riverrun wanting to speak with Hoster before she left. She could remember the last time they had spent time together. It was before the Tourney at Harrenhal, she had been visiting after Catelyn had become one of her ladies-in-waiting. Hoster had taken to her and treated her as though she was one of his own daughters. He was the one she had confessed her fears to about marrying her brother and it was with his help that the lie over her being barren was able to succeed. He had risked death and dishonor to save her life. She had grown to love him like a father, and she felt no shame for that.

Aerys had not been a good father at the end.

When she was a child, Visenya could remember running through the halls of the Red Keep with Rhaegar chasing her. Aerys would pop out from behind pillars or walls, sweep her into his arms and promise to protect her from all harm. Those early years, Aerys had loved them, Visenya knew that. She didn't know what caused him to chance but as she had grown older, those hugs and smiles had vanished as smirks, frowns and vile words had taken their place. She had never feared him, not truly, she was his only daughter. But even Visenya knew that Aerys was not right.

Meeting Hoster, being around him, made her realized what a true father should be. Not to mention how Oberyn had been with his daughters, she thought to herself. Both men had showed her what fathers were meant to be. It was Oberyn's behavior with his daughters, that had made Visenya fall in love with him. If he could dot on his girls, baseborn they may have been, then he would be a good father.

Now she walked the busy halls, people were trying to figure out their next move after the revelations of the night before. The line of succession was now threatened. The King in the North was no longer wed, nor was his bloodline secure with a child like all had thought. It was dangerous grounds. Yes, Bran could be Robb's heir until the boy wed and bed another, but it was now a matter of trust. Who could Robb trust to be his wife, Lady of Winterfell, Queen in the North, Protector of the First Men? Visenya knew it would take careful deliberation before Robb would be wed a second time.

It was a matter of trust.

She passed Theon as he hurried towards Robb's rooms, where he had returned to after beheading Bolton. Jace had gone with him hoping his presence would help, which was probably for the best as even Visenya had been able to tell that all three had been feeling the affects of the wine from the night before. She had already spoke to Jace about her plans to head to Dorne earlier that morning and then come back to take Casterly Rock, allowing Robb time to grieve. Jace had nodded his understanding and encouraged her to go, saying he could keep everything under control, knowing that Robb needed that time.

His poor cousin was completely crushed over what Jayne had done.

As Visenya neared the doorway of Hoster's rooms, she was surprised to see no guard standing outside. Wearily, unease slithering through her, she pushed open the door and entered the room. A fire had been lit, the curtains had been drawn open to show the bright blue sky and the hangings on the four-poster bed floated in the breeze. She moved around the bed to the side and stopped cold, eyes locked on the man laying in the bed. Hoster was laid propped up against his pillows, but his face was white and when she focused on his chest, it wasn't rising.

In a panic, she flung herself to his side, hands hurriedly seeking his neck for a pulse, "Hoster please, please, you have to be okay" she pleaded as her hands found his pulse point. She went quiet for a few seconds and when she felt no beat against her fingers, the sound that escaped her throat echoed down the halls and drew everyone's attention to the direction it had come from. It was a pure wale of grief, so hoarse and deep, that it made many hearts stutter in their chests.

"No, no, no," she breathed as she beat against his chest with every sob. Greatjon, Robb, Jace, Theon, Arthur, Edmure, Arianne and the Blackfish burst into the room to see Visenya laid across Hoster's chest, hands clenched in his tunic and tears streaming down her cheeks as she sobbed shaking his body, "You promised! You promised you would be there for our victory. Hoster come back! Please, you promised!" she screamed as her head pressed to his chest, tears staining his tunic as she lost control of her emotions.

The Blackfish went to the other side of the bed and placed as hand on his brothers neck before turning to the others, "He's gone," he whispered, having known that before he even touched his brother.

Jace and Greatjon instantly went to Visenya, "Please, please, please come back. Ada, I love you!" the sobs sent daggers through the mens hearts.

Jace had never seen her so distraught and felt tears fill his eyes at her pain. Greatjon wrapped his arms around her and tried to pull her away, but Visenya instantly flinched and began fighting, "Let me go, let me go, NO!" she screamed as they struggled, and her hands released Hoster's tunic.

Greatjon pulled her to his chest and held her tight with his arms around her shoulders as she clawed at him, "He's gone Visenya!" he shouted as he got a hold of her arms and trying to calm her down, "He's gone sweetheart."

"NO!" She screamed again in defiance as she struggled to get away from her uncle. "He promised. He gave me his word!"

Greatjon felt tears on his cheeks as her tried to hold onto her. He squeezed her tightly to his chest and pressed his head down against hers, "He'd gone sweetheart," he whispered into her ear again, the men waiting for her to calm before they tried to do anything. "He promised," she whispered before her legs went out from under her and she slumped into his chest in defeat, tears streaming down her cheeks with grief.

The Blackfish used the blanket and pulled it over his brothers head, hiding his face from view. Edmure stood there in shock, Arianne wrapping him into a hug as a tear leaked down his cheek as he realized his father was dead. Arthur and Jace were hovering around Greatjon, wanting to help Visenya, who was inconsolable. Robb was stunned as he watched the warrior queen fall apart and Theon stood next to Robb, unable to think of anything to say as they all stared. However, they all heard the roar of Valyrian as his big shadow covered the keep, summoned from the camp by his humans agony. He landed on one of the towers, roaring in warning and threat as guards scurried around to try and make rooms for the large dragon in case he decided to move and Greatjon stood with his shaking niece in his arms, "I'll take her to him. Get this situated," he ordered firmly before leaving the room.

Visenya lay in his arms, shaking and sobbing as though she were a little girl and not a grown woman. Greatjon had sat down with Visenya and been told how Hoster and she had gotten do close all those years ago. His death must have felt like a punch to the stomach. Everyone they came across saw Visenya and instantly knew what had happened, especially as ordered relayed down from the Blackfish for the Maester to come to Lord Tully's rooms and for the bells to ring, announcing the death of the now Late Lord Tully of Riverrun.

By the time Greatjon reached to courtyard, everyone in the castle knew that Hoster was dead as the bells rang from above them.

When he stepped out of the keep, he was surprised to see not only Valyrian but all the other dragons too. The Essos army had been more than willing to spread the stories on how Visenya had earned her names. Greatjon's favorite was how she became the Mother of Dragon's. She had even told him that although many of them had a destined rider, she would forever be connected to them as their mother. Valyrian's head instantly snapped over to face him and his head lowered into the courtyard, eyes slitted and narrow as his muzzle sniffed at them, growling when he felt his mothers grief. Greatjon felt slightly intimidated because the dragon would be able to swallow him whole in one bite if he was upset, but his niece was more important.

When Valyrian nudged Visenya's foot and her hand shot out to pet him, Greatjon took the last few steps to get closer to the dragon. Valyrian grumbled, not understanding his humans pain but wanting to help ease it. He moved and offered her wing, Visenya slowly pulled herself up onto his back, Greatjon allowing her to go because he knew she needed some time to herself. Valyrian instantly took off into the air, all fourteen dragons following him as they vanished over the Whispering Wood and out of sight of Riverrun. Greatjon instantly knew where they were going and left to tell Arthur just in case, she didn't return that night.

Everyone was well aware of how overprotective Arthur was of Visenya.

~!~

A few hours later, Arthur arrived at the hilltop over seeing the Trident where Rhaegar and Robert Baratheon's armies had fought all those years ago. Valyrian lower half laid in the water, the rest of him spread out on the riverbanks as his neck circled his mother. The other dragons were all in similar states, however it was Visenya who caught his eye. She was sat at the waters edge, something rolling between the fingers on her one hand and eyes focused on the water, tears streaming down her cheeks but a million miles away.

Arthur dismounted and tied his horse to a tree before moving to sit beside her.

Neither spoke, the only sounds was the dragons purrs and birds chirping in the treetops. He knew that Visenya would speak when she was ready and not to force her, so instead he focused on her hand, and he was stunned to see a finely cut ruby inside it. He knew then that he was sitting at the Ruby Ford where Rhaegar had fallen. "Robert had struck his chest so hard that the breast plate caved in, and the rubies scattered in the water. Lewyn and Jonothor headed to me right after as soldiers realized with Rhaegar dead, I was an heir to the throne even though my father lived. They gave me time to get away and by the time I reached anywhere to hear news, it was to hear King's Landing was sacked, Elia, Rhaenys, Aegon and Aerys were dead, and Robert had been named King," she said without looking at him.

Arthur pressed his lips together and signed, "Why did you come here Visenya?" he asked softly wanting to be there for her.

She grimaced, "This is where everything changed. My family was exiled from the kingdom my ancestors conquered. It was his fault, Rhaegar. He should have been happy with what he had, instead he tried to take something that wasn't his. Do you ever wonder what would have happened if he had won that day?" she answered curiously.

Arthur frowned, "We wouldn't be here that's for sure. I know you are thinking about Oberyn and your daughters, but you have to know that Rhaegar would have never let you go had he won," he said softly a few tears leaking down her cheeks.

She quickly brushed them away, "I know he wouldn't have and then there would have been another Dance of Dragons, because I would have fought tooth and nail to get to Oberyn and our daughters," she said darkly.

Arthur smirked slightly, "Oh I know that. I think everyone knows that. In a way I hate that he's gone and we're now fighting a war to try and right his wrongs, but at the same time, I'm glad too. If Rhaegar would have won, he would have married you no matter if you were barren and he would have gotten rid of Elia to do it. Everyone says he wasn't mad like Aerys and that was true, but your brother suffered from a different type of madness," he explained watching her.

"I hate myself for being thankful he's gone," she admitted quietly, "I feel ashamed that I was pleased at his death because it released my restrictions to be with Oberyn. At the same time, I feel grateful that he's dead because I never wanted to marry him or be anything but a sibling to him. I don't understand what happened," she said quietly. "Hoster was the one who made sure I would never have to marry him."

Arthur wrapped and arm around her shoulders, "He wouldn't want you to be sad Visenya. All the information her provided made sure we could come home. He would want you to win and show everyone that he was backing the right person, and he would want you to keep fighting for what you believe in. Don't give up now Visenya, not when we're closer to our goal than we have ever been," he whispered in her ear.

Visenya inhaled sharply, knowing everything he said was the truth, before exhaling and slowly pulling herself together.

"You're right," she said softly.

He looked at her with his eyebrow raised, "Oh, I am, am I?" he teased.

She punched him lightly on the shoulder before rising to her feet, "We should get back," she said looking at the ruby in her hand.

Arthur rose to stand next to her and closed her first around the gem, "Don't make the same mistakes he did. Visenya, you have been twice the Queen Rhaegar could have ever hoped to be, don't give up," he said meeting her eyes.

Violet eyes met purple eyes, "I promise," she swore, and they smiled at each other before he released her and watched her walk over to Valyrian who instantly lowered his wing so she could mount him.

The dragons all rose into the sky, and he mounted his horse and followed after them on the ground. He knew that Visenya would be raw over Hoster's death for a long time. The man had been more of a father to her than Aerys had later on in her life as she became a young lady. But he knew that with Oberyn and their daughter's help, she would heal and heal well. It was only a matter of reuniting the family once more.

~!~

The next morning everyone was gathered on the pier, Hoster in a boat with the Tully banner draped over him and his sword lying across his chest. Robb stood next to his mother and sisters, the northern lords behind them, The Reach lords to the left and the Riverland lords to the right. Visenya and her party stood on the steps with Tully soldiers stood behind them with their banners floating in the breeze. She held a bow in her hands as Hoster had written in his will that he wanted his Queen to send him onto his next great adventure, instead of his son, as was tradition.

They were all dressed in black. Visenya in a long-sleeved black dress with a high neck and a Tully blue ribbon around her empire waist. Her hair was left free and flowing, it waved like a flag in the breeze, with a solid band of Valyrian steel wrapped around her head as a crown. The Blackfish and Edmure pushed the little raft out into the river before moving to stand with Robb and the other Starks, the Blackfish grabbing Catelyn's hand and Edmure pulling Arianne into his arms as they watched.

Visenya stepped away from her retinue with her boy and waited a few seconds before notching her first arrow, lighting the tip from the torch and pulling the arrow back, thumb to her cheek.

"Hoster, you have served your Family with Duty and brought them and your ancestors great Honor," She promised aloud as she released the first arrow. It hit the top of the raft by Hoster's head, the blasé instantly spreading. She pulled back her second one, "Our enemies will know that Winter is Coming," she murmured before releasing it, the arrow striking the end. She pulled back her last one, "The Lannister's will know that we are Unbowed. Unbent and Unbroken." and released it, the arrow striking the middle and hitting his body, throwing the whole boat into flames. Each of the mottos spoken were the ones of the families who brought her and her family back to Westeros.

The little raft went up in flames and Visenya felt tears run down her cheeks as grief filled her as she swore her final vow, "We shall win this war with Fire and Blood."

Jace, who had been at her side the whole time, stepped forward and put and arm around her. She accepted his support and rested her head on his shoulder allowing him, for the first time ever, to hold her up as she grieved. She knew things were about to change forever. Edmure would have to marry as soon as possible and try for an heir, Robb would have to find a bride as his first one turned out to be a traitor and marry because he also needed an heir. He was the King in the North, and he needed to show he had an heir to take his place if anything happened to him. Everyone knew that living through a war was not a certainty.

Everything was different.

She knew that they needed to wait to try and take Casterly Rock. Someone had finally noticed Tywin was missing and she knew clues would eventually lead back to her knowing what happened. She needed to be in Dorne before someone figured out who and how. At that moment, the two murderers were under a sleeping agent so they couldn't disturb the funeral. She knew that while she wanted to stay there and grieve for Hoster, she needed to go to Dorne to take this war to the next level.

Cersei Lannister better be prepared because without her father, she was just a useless lion cub without fangs and Visenya was coming for her with Fire and Blood.