BEGINNING AN: I have returned after a great amount of time away so bear with me as this is all I could really write down.

Chapter 6: The Maelstrom of Battle

Jaehaerys

The clouds began to darken as the battle came ever closer, Jaehaerys couldn't help but shake with anxiety as Stannis' stratagem took effect.

His Lordship took a gamble counting on the Iron Islands' victory over their surprise assault on Lannisport clouding Victarion Greyjoy's senses, leading the enemy in the straits between Fair Isle and the mainland.

Jaehaerys limited knowledge of the sea gathered from a few geographical texts had led him to believe it would be a severe loss to Balon Greyjoy.

And it was true.

The attack was swift, the winds guiding their fleet to feather the enemy longships with bolts and fire.

The Fury- Captained by Lord Stannis had actually 'rammed' and torn another vessel apart, the survivors being killed rather than taken captive or were left to drown and get swallowed by the waves.

"Steady lad!" Edwyle shouted, grabbing him by the arm as he was losing his balance. "Better ready yourself, milord!"

The warning was heeded, Jaehaerys steadied his helm just in time to see a longship coming their way. It was a menacing view and the ship may have caused irreparable damage not for Edwyle's swift maneuver. Still, both ships closed the distance enough for enemy soldiers to attempt and partially succeed in invading the Sea Wyrm.

His eyes watched with slight amazement as Ser Barristan dove unflinchingly into combat, shield-bashing a foe overboard and thrusting a sword through another man's right eye.

A distance away, Jaehaerys armed himself with a crossbow and steadied for a moment, then took a breath while pulling a trigger.

His first kill was a man a little older than him, he was rough-hewn with sandy brown hair but he could see the panic in the Ironman's green eyes as his hands clutched his throat where the bolt struck, blood soaking the pale skin and reddening the shirt he was wearing.

The Sea Wyrm pulled free as the last of the invading party was defeated, Jaehaerys sword was yet unused but he had killed this day.

As for the rest of the battle, the Ironborn, as expected suffered a humiliating defeat with more than half of those sunk being enemy ships. Victarion unfortunately escaped, the few ships that remained of their force following behind whilst hundreds more burned and sank.

Two hours the fighting was, yet he could have sworn it lasted more than that.

Jaehaerys plopped down at the end of the steps leading to the upper deck, his eyes saw Barristan inching close and with a cloth to wipe the blood from his blade. "You did well, Jaehaerys. We fared better than what was expected, as well." A chuckle left Jaehaerys as this was but a taste of what to expect soon.

"We all still might die, House Drumm is especially cruel I read." He prepped on many of the noble houses in the Iron Islands.

Roryn the Reaver. Dale the Dread. And he read that Dagon Drumm was supposedly a Necromancer when magic was a stronger force within the world. All very terrifying, honestly and he was going to have to fight them and under an incompetent commander at that.

Barristan chuckled, "Cruel, yes, and reavers to the bone with little knowledge in the ways of defending their lands." True enough, many times had the islands been taken and retained throughout the thousands of years.

A yawn left the head of House Targaryen and his eyes started to grow heavy, finally in need of rest at last.

"I am tired, Ser... If I am needed feel free to enter my cabin." Barristan nodded and Jaehaerys made way for his room and from there, unarmored, he then plopped down on his bed.

Funny, despite the start of this journey, he finally doesn't mind the swaying the sea has on his ship.

Over the next two days, Jaehaerys was unbothered by orders or summonses by Stannis, it was peaceful and he spent the time training and reading some texts about conducting a siege on islands and thankful his ancestors kept such knowledge in the library at Dragonstone.

The notes taken by his hand will be some help with Wyam Fell leading the battles, he hopes that the man and the other commanders under him take his advice but Daemion pointed out they may wish to win more favor with the King by purposely leaving them out of any glory won.

He hoped that wasn't true, one humiliation was enough.

It was on the third day that a raven reached them of the mainland victory at Seagard, the loss of many reavers, and supposedly, Balon's oldest was thrown from the walls by Jason Mallister.

The enemy morale is shaken by two defeats and Jaehaerys doubts that the Iron Islands will be putting up much of a fight, the war seeming to end early lasting only half a year.

Another day passed, and he and some others were on the top deck when he saw a ship sailing toward his own, the Fell banner on the mast.

Wyam wished to meet? Jaehaerys choked down the worry and had a boarding party prepped.

Lord Fell's ship was a mite larger than his own, he lowered down and Jaehaerys saw he looked as arrogant as he had years ago only with more of a beard.

His breastplate was gold with a pine tree and crescent moon embellished in gems and silver. "Lord Fell, what do I owe the pleasure?" His question made the man raise a brow at him.

"Gods you remind me of him." Jaehaerys frowned, pinpointing that the Lord was referring to his brother, Rhaegar. "I came to get the measure of you, I see you fared well in your first battle and all... "

Jaehaerys felt a bit of pride there, "And... ?" He wished to know.

Wyam shook his head, "You are clearly very lucky, and still as green as piss to me- "

"Watch yourself, Lord Fell. I won't let you insult my liege." Barristan threatened and instead of adhering to the older warriors warning, Wyam laughed at him.

He was truly thankful for Barristan being here, he even wished the knight could do away with the swine before them.

"And I won't hear from the Mad King's last lackey and his second-born whelp." Wyam turned his eyes back on to Jaehaerys then, "I will be leading the siege on Old Wyk and I have relayed orders to the other five Lords under me, and I have decided to make you and your ragtag militia the food store commander."

Anger flared in Jaehaerys, "And what? You want me to wear skirts and serve the meals myself?" It was a great insult.

A smirk grew on the traitor Lord, "An objection I hear, mayhaps Lord Stannis will deal with this insubordination." A blatant threat, Jaehaerys in his peripheral could see some of his followers slowly reaching for their blades but a silent gesture made them stop. "So what will it be, Jaehaerys the Kneeler? Will I be submitting you to military law or will you take my command with honor?"

Bile was all he thought as he bowed his head, "I shall do as you ask, Lord Fell." He has to comply, for the safeguard of his House and family. For that, he will play along...

The Lord of House Fell scoffed loudly, eyes brimming with disgust, "Heh, I guess all the dragons are truly gone, no fire in you at all." Wyam said and turned his back, "I want strict discipline, Lord Targaryen. I shall expect no less."

After they were all gone, Jaehaerys finally breathed a breath of relief and Daemion spit on the ground, "What a snobby cunt? Perhaps find a way to get him nicked in the right spot when we go knocking on the Drumm's gate." Perhaps so, or perhaps the Drumm's will do them the favor for them.

It would a another two days before finally reaching the islands, and Old Wyk came into his view.

END AN: Again sorry for this little update, it's all been very slow and I have no excuse for it.