My childhood went by slowly. I wasn't able to leave the Iron Islands, but I was able to visit each island. While I was able to visit the islands, I was never permitted to move beyond the islands. The islands were busy enough at this point thanks to Quellon's reforms. So there were regular visits from merchants and mainland nobles eager to work with a population wholly devoted to sailing. I encouraged Quellon to push the Iron Islanders to take up shipping work whenever he asked my opinion. If the Iron Islands were known for being a reliable shipping network, we would be able to become an invaluable asset to Westeros. No one attacked Iron Island ships, so we could guarantee safe and expedient shipment of goods. This would bring in a considerable amount of extra funds.

The only problem with this strategy was that the increased number of shipments and visitors the islands were receiving also increased the amount of ports required to accommodate the extra traffic. It also meant we received more visitors. I strongly suggested that no mainlander be allowed past the ports unless it was a Lord, Lady, or their retainers. Children also had to be forbidden from being brought to the Iron Islands to avoid child spies sent from King's Landing by Lord Varys, the King's spymaster. There was little pushback in enacting these precautions. Mainlanders didn't want to venture into the islands because of how treacherous the terrain could be, and Iron Islanders didn't want people messing around in their business. It became a win-win for everyone.

As the years dragged on, I began to prove my authenticity as someone being sent by the drowned god. At the beginning of each year I would 'have a vision' of certain events. Most events were notable births. The largest prediction I made was about the Defiance of Duskendale, where Lord Denys Darklyn refused to pay his taxes. I told Quellon how King Aerys would go to Duskendale to resolve the conflict, only to be taken prisoner. I warned my family that the King's time in the Duskendale would break his mind and that he would slowly grow mad. I informed them about how Lord Tywin Lannister and Ser Barriston Selmy would rescue the King, but that the damage would be done already.

They asked if there was anything that could be done about the situation, but I insisted that it would be to our advantage to allow things to play out. The King's madness wouldn't affect the Iron Islands, but it would serve to weaken some of the larger Houses, and set up the fall of House Targaryen. There was opportunity to be had in such chaos, and the Ironborn should be prepared to take advantage of it.

My foretelling of the future only secured the image the Drowned Men had of me as an agent of the Drowned God. If my ability to 'foretell the future' wasn't enough, I was constantly training my newly acquired ability to control water. This meant that as my influence grew each year, I could control the tides in a wide area around the Iron Islands. This meant that I could help our ships move faster, and hinder others. This came in handy as I was beginning to literally change the landscape. The Iron Islands were perfectly fine as they were, but I believed something less separated and more defendable was needed. I began the slow work of raising the sea bed up to join the Iron Islands. The movement of the ground under the water would affect sea levels and currents. Too fast and I'd create a tidal wave, too slow and the result would be the ground becoming unstable.

This was a slow, careful process which took nearly two years. I could have done it faster, but I wasn't confident enough in my ability to control the currents and waves that would result from a faster attempt. At the end of the two years, however, the Iron Island had been created. It engulfed all of the Iron Islands with a large inlet on the west side of the island that led to a central bay. I chose the left side of the island to have the inlet because any naval attack would have to come from the east, south, or north. The west led to the open ocean, a place no one wanted to battle the Ironborn. In times of aggression, sailing up the inlet would be a death sentence, as defensive towers and other measures were set in place.

Small rivers extended from the bay to the original port towns of the islands. This was a way to make sure that those port towns didn't have to move. It also ensured that each of the port towns had access to the bay, and from there, the ocean. I didn't want to kill the original ports.

The appearance of the island surprised nobles and scholars alike. There was a swarm of curious individuals who wanted to investigate the phenomena but the measures taken to ensure mainlanders couldn't leave the port towns stopped the nosier people. Once the new sand in the island had dried out, I began to turn it and mix it so that it would become more fertile. One of the Iron Born's weaknesses was that they couldn't grow much in the way of food since the islands had been rather inhospitable to growing food. Reaving and trading for food had been the primary way of getting produce, but I was determined to change that. I suggested to Quellon that we reach out to House Tyrell and invite some of their farmers to come and teach our people how to properly cultivate the land.

By the time I was ten, the Iron Island had a thriving population of seafarers. We had healthy crops, a productive fishing industry, and we'd become the primary source of shipping goods across Westeros. Our fleet was constantly in motion, shipping goods as far as White Harbor in Westeros and all of the largest ports in Essos. The Ironborn were prospering like never before. This was seen as a positive thing to most, but I could tell that Balon and Euron weren't exactly pleased with the cultural shift from reaving and pillaging. They were becoming more and more vocal about how the Ironborn were losing their identity, and that we weren't paying the iron price for what we were gaining. Aeron insisted that the reforms had to be a part of the Drowned God's plans since I was the one helping to enact the changes. It was a careful balancing act to keep the traditionalists in line while we worked to build up the Iron Born's resources and reputation.

The one thing I kept to myself through the years was my magic. Unlike what most believed, magic in The Known World wasn't dead; its practitioners had simply become weak over time. I, however, was not weak. I was just as connected to magic as I had been back in Thedas. I could feel the bumbling attempts and half-hearted spells, if you could even call them that, throughout the world. No doubt some small spark or illusion that they managed to pull was considered miraculous and gave them hope. I noticed that as the years moved on, more and more spells were becoming successful. None of them were of any true note to me, but I theorized that it was the Whitewalkers who heralded the return of magic; not the dragons that were yet to be born.

It seemed to me more like a clock. The Whitewalkers were the second hand while magic was the hour, following slowly behind, but ushered along by the constant and undeterred step of time. The last time they had arrived, a great deal of magic had been poured into The Wall to keep them at bay. Once they were sealed beyond The Wall, magic began to fade from the world. Not all at once, but slowly, inexorably, until it was considered something of a novelty in Essos, and myth or whispers in Westeros. Thankfully for me, I was someone who was watching the clock and how it worked, but wasn't bound by its mechanisms. It seems I was immune to the rules of the world thanks to my mysterious benefactor who had also gifted me command over the water.

I waited till the evening to practice my magic, or when I knew for certain no one was around to watch. It may have been a few decades since I'd last used my magic, but I was happy to find that I hadn't lost a step. My stone sense and control may have had to grow over time since I needed to become familiar with each new world, it seemed my magic did not need time to settle. This made me happier than I can express. After centuries with it, my time in the Wasteland without it was like trying to touch and feel things when my body was completely numb. There was no sensation, no texture, no hot or cold. Everything was just there with no experience or feedback to react to. Having magic back was like taking a breath again after you realized you'd forgotten to breathe for a minute; life giving and enriching.

My lessons continued as usual. I was more than capable of defeating Euron in duels at this point, with my physical abilities well close to an adult's by the time I was ten. Euron's tactics were duplicitous and cunning, but I was able to adapt. I had forged myself a warhammer, and surprised Euron with my capability with it. I had to wonder how surprised he would be if I had put my mechanical abilities to work to add a bit more oomph to the weapon. I decided against this option. Just like with my time in Thedas, I didn't want to push technological progress too far or too quickly to ensure that the world had time to adjust to things.

Balon's sailing lessons were over first. I was very rusty with my seamanship since my first life, but after getting back into the swing of things I learned the ropes again quickly enough. While I had gotten my sea legs back, I was still enjoying the thrill of the open water and the wind in the sails. Even in Thedas, some of my happiest memories were the few weeks Faren and I had spent sailing with Isabela. Not much had happened in Wasteland, though I had been born close to the shore. I had sailed to Fareharbor. But that was only a few days. This was a wonderful change of pace as it helped me realize just how much the sea was a part of me. It was a small piece of self-realization, but an important piece.

Finally, in my twentieth year in Westeros, we received a raven. I was sitting in on a series of petitions, watching as Father dealt with them one by one. Maester Findrel, the Maester whom Father had accepted only a few years before, approached the seastone chair and offered the message to Father.

Father took the notes and read over, huffing with dismissal, "Pointless. We've no time for such frivolities."

The description caught my attention and I turned to look at Father, "May I ask what it was?"

"Hm?" Father arched his brow at me. "Nothing worth note. Simply an invitation from Lord Walter Whent inviting us to a tourney at Harrenhal to celebrate his daughter's name day."

I smiled, but managed to contain my true excitement at the news. This was it! This would be a pivotal moment in Westeros' history. While I wouldn't do anything to change it, I did want to experience it.

"I don't think you should dismiss the invitation," I said respectfully. "In fact, I think we should attend."

"Oh?" Father ignored the petitioners, who were already focused on me. Whenever I spoke up, the locals would always listen. My reputation as an oracle and a mouthpiece for the Drowned God commanded a great deal of respect. Father leaned forward and offered a warm smile, "Why do you think that?"

I cupped my hands in my lap and bowed my head to show deference to his authority, "This tournament will be host to a number of important events. We should be there to witness them, and to take stock of the other Great Houses."

A murmur spread throughout the petitioners that threatened to grow into a ruckus till Father belted out, "Be silent!"

Father stood and motioned for me to follow him, "I'll take a few minutes to speak with my daughter. You may all gossip amongst yourselves till I return."

I followed Father into an antechamber that he used to enter the main hall. Once the door closed behind us, he squatted down to look me in the eye, "Merida, you shouldn't announce such things while I'm holding court. You know how they'll talk once they leave."

I bowed my head and offered a curtsey in apology, "I'm sorry, Father. But with how important this tournament will be, I didn't want to risk you dedicating that time to other business then be forced to recant your word later on. I thought it best to make it a top priority."

Father thought about my logic for a moment then nodded, "I can appreciate your consideration. However, as Lord of the Iron Island, it is my privilege to alter plans when I deem it necessary. Do not concern yourself over minor things like that. Focus on decorum and timing."

What he didn't seem to realize is that I had chosen my timing carefully. I could have waited until after court to speak to him about the tournament, but I chose to bring it up in front of the petitioners to spread the rumor that I would finally be leaving the island for the first time. This meant that my reputation would spread through rumors and whispers ahead of us, and I would have an easier time speaking with those I wanted to once we reached Harrenhal.

I simply nodded and smiled, "I will, Father. I promise. Can we speak to the King when we go there?"

"You wish to speak to King Aerys?" Father asked. "What would you want to speak to him about?"

I placed my hands behind my back and looked down as if I were embarrassed, "I was hoping you could request that he legitimize me as one of your children. I want to be a Greyjoy in name… I don't want to be a bastard forever."

Quellon looked at me with surprise and my tone seemed to have touched him as he reached out and pulled me into a hug, "Here now. Have I not treated you as my own trueborn daughter since you were born? Where did this come from?"

I hugged him and looked at him, batting my eyes and sticking my lower lip out ever so slightly, "You have. And my brothers have treated me as their trueborn sister as well. I cannot complain about my treatment from the family. But… I'm not deaf. I walk through the halls of the Keep and along the docks… And I hear what they call me. The Bastard of Pyke. Greyjoy's bastard… After all I've managed to do for our people, I've never asked for anything in return. All I want is to be Merida Greyjoy."

Father smiled sympathetically and rubbed my shoulders, "You're right, my dear. You do deserve some acknowledgement for your good works. I will send a raven this very day to King's Landing and hopefully the King will see fit to legitimize you."

"Thank you, Father!" I said as I lunged forward to hug him.

We set sail for the mainland a week later. Every member of the Greyjoy clan except for Balon would attend the tourney. Balon stayed behind to govern in Father's place. It took us nearly a month to travel to Harrenhal, and when we arrived it was amazing. The ruined fortress was one of the largest structures I'd ever seen over multiple lifetimes and worlds. The grounds around it were packed for miles with the camps of hundreds of minor noble families. However, when we surprised Lord Whent with our response to say that we would be attending, he'd made sure to keep a large swathe of land open for us just as he had done for each of the Seven Great Houses.

Our arrival was met with fanfare and curiosity since our reputation had been changing over the course of the last twenty years. While we weren't dressed with as much pomp and flare compared to any of the other nobles, we were still dressed respectably. Though, even our respectable dress managed to make even the Starks of Winterfell look like dolled up debutantes. People watched us pass with a mixture of curiosity and fear. We were respected as traders and fisherman now, but we held onto our reputation as reavers and pirates from ages past, though no one would dare utter such a thing in our presence.

"Look at them, Merida," Euron laughed. "Have you ever seen so many people terrified of someone they've never met before?"

"They respect our reputation," Father answered. "Fear and respect are what is needed to keep people in line."

"No doubt they think we've come to rob them while they're away from their camps," Aeron shook his head. "They should know they're not worth our attention."

I smiled and shook my head, "I think Father is right. We're not the same Ironborn they've come to know. We're different. They don't know what to think. I believe they're watching us with caution and curiosity. We've never attended a tournament like this before, but here we are. So they're watching to see what we do."

"You think so?" Euron asked with a wide grin. "And pray tell, what do you think we should do?"

I looked at Euron and smirked, "I think we should show them that iron doesn't break under scrutiny. We conduct ourselves accordingly, don't raise the ire of anyone, and only let them see strength and discipline. Let them return home whispering about how the Ironborn conducted themselves masterfully in their first major appearance in generations."

Euron huffed and chuckled, "Sounds dull, Sister. I had hoped you'd say something more enticing."

I laughed and looked at him, "You could always enter the tournament and see if you can best Prince Rhaegar. That would most certainly make them sit up and take notice."

"They'd notice more if you were one to put the prince on his backside," Euron shot back with a laugh.

"Enough of that," Father chuckled. "Let's set up camp and then let our host know we've arrived."

Unlike all of the other noble Houses, we set up our camp ourselves. We did have servants assisting us, but each of us did our part to get our tents and canopies in place. Once we were finished, Father led us to the main encampment where Lord Whent's family, and the Royal family, were staying. There was a long line of minor Houses awaiting introduction, but we were Great House, and the guards escorted us right to the front. There were some advantages to being a Great House that only existed outside of the Iron Island, and this one of the smaller ones.

"Lord Quellon Greyjoy," an usher announced. "Joined by his children Aeron Greyjoy, Euron Greyjoy, and Merida Pyke. His grandchildren-"

"Yes, yes," King Aerys said quickly. He sat in a chair that rested on a makeshift podium which put him a few heads higher than Lord Whent. While this was technically Lord Whent's primary reception hall, when the King was in camp, it became his reception hall. "No need to announce the whole family tree."

The usher went silent and we approached the King. Father knelt first and we all followed his lead, with the others kneeling while I curtsied. As a girl, it was more acceptable that I curtsey so that I could maintain my feminine dignity. We remained in deference until the King signaled for us to stand.

"Lord Quellon," King Aerys said with a tone of curiosity, "it is unlike you and yours to attend such an event. What makes this occasion so special?"

Father bowed his head, "I wished to present ourselves to the rest of the kingdom and show them that the Ironborn were becoming a more integral part of the Seven Kingdoms, Your Grace. As such, I brought all but one of my family for them to be seen by all."

"And no doubt you brought your bastard in the hopes that I would legitimize her," the King sneered. His face had a pitiable mixture of cunning and disassociation to it. I had seen my grandfather in my first life, and my father in Thedas with similar expressions. Trauma and old age swirled together to create a mind clinging to reality as memory and cognizance failed them. It was a sad sight, but not one I would put a voice to.

Father motioned for me to step forward, "I had hoped you would have done so by decree already, Your Grace. I brought her for the same reasons I brought the rest of my family. She will need to learn how to deal with mainland nobles, and this is a fine opportunity for her to do so."

King Aerys leaned forward to stare at me, eyeing me up and down, "Come closer, girl."

I took a few steps forward and lowered myself into another curtsey, "How may I serve you, Your Grace?"

Aerys gave a series of hums as he assessed me, "Your Father speaks quite highly of you. He says you are a skilled diplomat, sailor, and fighter… if any woman outside of Bear Island can be called such."

"My Father is most kind in his estimation of me," I said humbly.

"More kind than he is to your brothers, certainly," the old King cackled. "I've never heard a compliment from him about them and they're old enough to have children your age."

I smiled and bowed my head, "I do my very best to make him proud."

"No doubt," Aerys hummed. "No doubt. However, I believe legitimizing you might cause waves on your island."

I chuckled at his little joke which he seemed to appreciate, "If that is your belief, then I would ask that you not legitimize me, Your Grace. I do not wish to cause problems among my family or our people."

"No?" Aerys sat back and considered me. "Do you not have ambition beyond being a bastard who takes notes for her family's court?"

"My ambition is to help my family however is needed to promote the influence of House Greyjoy and the Iron Island," I replied.

"And if they sent you to be some backwater Lord's breeding sow? Or to fight in the name of the Iron Island?" Aerys pressed with no care that he had essentially insulted me.

"Then I would do my duty," I continued to smile. "If I were wed to a Lord, I would do what I could to bear him sons and raise them to become respectable Lords themselves. If I'm sent to fight, then I would pity the men who came across me on the field, because I would cut them down in my fury."

Aerys' grin grew wide, and a glint came to his eyes, "Would you now? You believe you could do that?"

"Jaime Lannister cut down several men in his first battle, Your Grace," I replied. "I see no reason why I could not do the same."

The King stood and moved close to me, looking down at me with intrigue, "You believe yourself equal to Ser Jaime Lannister?"

I looked up at him confidently, wanting to show that the Ironborn did not back down when challenged, "At least when he was my age, yes, Your Grace."

Aerys laughed and turned quickly to point at Father, "Lord Quellon! I have made my decision! Tomorrow, your daughter will spar with any Knight who wishes to challenge her. Should she prevail, I will legitimize her. If she fails, you will pay the Knight a thousand Gold Dragons! It will be an amusing way to start the festivities, don't you think?"

I could tell that Father was angry with the decision. I had wanted to come across as confident and keep the reputation of the Ironborn intact while speaking with the King, but my attempt seemed to have backfired.

"I think the challenge is a splendid idea, Your Grace," Father managed to reply. "I hope my daughter proves worthy to the task."

"I should think so!" Aerys cackled.

"Your Grace?" I said in a polite, humble tone.

"What is it, girl?" the King grinned. "Having second thoughts about your boasts?"

I shook my head, "No, Your Grace. I was hoping I could request a stipulation, so that the challenger would risk just as much as my Father."

"And why would I allow that?" Aerys asked impatiently.

I dipped into a curtsey, "Forgive me, You Grace. My Father has always spoken of how just and fair you have been during your rule. So I thought you would be happy to show how magnanimous you are to a girl who is petitioning anyone for the first time."

My plea to his ego seemed to work. He might be slowly losing his sanity, but his pride was still fully intact. He took in a deep breath and waved his hand, "Go on, then. I will hear your request."

I went into another curtsey, this time much deeper to show my appreciation, "Thank you, Your generosity is as great as my Father has said. I would like to stipulate that only knights whose family is in possession of a valyrian steel weapon be allowed to challenge me, and they must surrender the weapon to me should they lose."

Aerys' grin went maddeningly wide and his eyes were bright with humor, "Oh, I love that! We shall see who is willing to wager such a prize on top of the disgrace they would suffer upon being defeated by a young woman! I approve! Yes! Yes!"

"What if no one dares to challenge her with that stipulation, Your Grace?" Queen Rhaella asked from her seat.

"Then I will choose one myself!" Aerys barked, his mood soured at the thought of not being able to experience his fun. He looked down and grinned at me, "Go now, girl. You'll need to prepare for your bout tomorrow!"

I curtsied once more, "As you wish, Your Grace." I turned and began to walk out of the large tent, with Father and the others joining me.

I could feel everyone staring at me as we walked back to our tents. No one said a word until we were back inside the main tent where anyone who wished to do business with us would need to go. That's when Father turned on me.

"Have you lost your mind, Merida?" Father growled. "A thousand Gold Dragons! We can't just pull that money from thin air. We may be doing well, but putting us in this position was foolish!"

"It was not Merida who demanded the challenge, Father," Aeron interjected. "The King pulled the idea from thin air. It seems the rumors of his mental state-"

"Stop!" Father barked. "Say no such thing while we are here."

"At least she thought of a way to deter most of the people who would challenge her," Euron chuckled. "What knight in his right mind would risk a valyrian steel weapon just to challenge a woman?"

"That hardly matters since he will choose someone regardless," Father grumbled.

I bowed my head, "Forgive me, Father. I was only trying to show confidence in the presence of the King. I didn't want him to think the Ironborn would admit to being unequal to any comparison."

"Most any man would admit to not being the equal of Jaime Lannister, Merida," Father sighed as he took a seat. "What are we going to do? You can't very well go out there and spar with a knight."

"I'd wager she could surprise a number of them," Euron smirked. "She's gotten the best of me a few times. Whoever she goes against will certainly underestimate her. She can take advantage of that."

"The moment they start taking the bout seriously, she'll lose," Father shook his head.

I lifted my chin and stood proudly, "Father, I swear to you, whoever they put me against will leave disgraced and defeated. I will not let anyone make a mockery of our family, King or otherwise."

Father stared at me, the frustration and misery over the situation plain on his face, "I was hoping he would simply legitimize you, Merida. This is a farce with no good ending. If you lose, he'll never consider legitimizing you. If you win, he might grow angry that you spoiled his fun."

"But if I win, I'll be legitimized and gain a valyrian steel weapon," I smiled. "I think that's worth spoiling the King's fun."

Father shook his head, "Do what you must to prepare. You'll be fighting someone tomorrow."

If I could have known something like this would have happened I would have forged myself some armor. As it was, I had to make do with altering one of Euron's gambeson coats to fit me like a dress. The gambeson would be mostly useless if a fully trained knight hit me with his weapon, but it was better than a gown or normal clothes. I spent most of the knight cutting, sewing, and working to get the correct fit. Thankfully I had brought a warhammer I had forged with me in case Euron wanted to do some combat sparring while we were here. I was lucky enough to get a few hours of sleep before I had to wake up and prepare myself.

We made our way to the tourney field. While my family was escorted to their seats close to the King and among the representatives of the other Great Houses, I was brought to the entrance of the tourney field.

"Will this be your first fight, m'Lady?" one of the guards asked me as I waited for everyone to be seated and for my bout to be announced.

I smiled up at him and shook my head, "Not at all. I've been in too many battles to count."

He laughed, thinking my response to be nothing but bravado. If he knew I'd killed more people than were gathered around Harrenhal over my lifetimes, he probably wouldn't have taken me so lightly.

"Then I feel sorry for any knight who challenges you," he said through his laughter.

I smirked, "Would you care to make a wager on the results of the match?"

"I wouldn't dare to presume to bet with a Lady," he smiled and shook his head.

"I won't tell if you don't," I grinned.

He considered me for a moment and nodded, "Very well, m'Lady. What would you like to wager?"

"If I win, you become my personal guard," I said.

"If you win, I doubt you need a personal guard," he chuckled. "But what if you lose?"

"If I lose, I'll pay you a thousand gold dragons," I said with a bright smile.

He stared at me dumbfounded, "M'Lady, I don't want to doubt your word… but that amount…"

"It's a win for you no matter what," I insisted. "If I win, you serve a strong Lady of one of the Great Houses. If I lose, you become rich. In either case, your station in life will be elevated."

"But, I owe my allegiance to Lord Whent," he countered.

"I doubt he even knows you exist…" I paused. "What's your name?"

"Tommen, m'Lady," he replied.

I smiled, "Well, Tommen, I'd pray that I win if I were you. You don't want to walk around with a thousand gold. That's far too dangerous. At least if I win, you can stand safely by my side."

Tommen chuckled, "You know what? I'll take that wager, m'Lady."

I raised my hand up to him, "It's a bet, then."

As we shook hands, the sound of trumpets filled the air. The gathered crowd went silent and all eyes turned to focus on Lord Whent who stood to speak.

"Lords and Ladies of Westeros," Lord Whent began, "Your Grace. I thank you all for coming to attend this celebration of my daughter's name day! We have a few days of events coming up for your enjoyment with grand prizes for those who place well! It is my pleasure to host His Grace, King Aerys Targeryan, second of his name, who wishes to announce a special event to start the festivities!"

There was a long, loud applause as the King stood to speak.

"I am sure you all have noticed that House Greyjoy has joined us in an unusual social display," the King grinned and motioned to Father who bowed his head stoically. "Recently, Lord Greyjoy petitioned me to legitimize his daughter. Upon speaking with her, I found that she possessed a fiery spirit worthy of the Ironborn of old. To honor this spirit, I have issued her a challenge. But before I tell you what that challenge is, let us welcome Merida Pyke to the field!"

There was a series of applause as I walked out onto the tourney field, warhammer in hand. The applause quickly died down as everyone noticed I was wearing a gambeson and wielding a weapon. They alsoy noticed that I was a young woman, short and stocky, and I could sense the growing unease they were feeling as they realized that the mad king was about to do something horrible. I stopped in front of the stands where the King stood and curtsied before him.

"I am here as you commanded, Your Grace," I smiled.

"So you are," Aerys said sinisterly. He turned his attention back to the crowd. "Merida wishes to prove herself worthy of the Greyjoy name. I have told her that I will agree to legitimize her if she can defeat a knight in battle. However, no knight would willingly put his honor at stake by beating a young woman in combat. So, there are incentives in place! Whoever challenges young Merida will receive a thousand gold dragons from House Greyjoy if you succeed!"

Before anyone could speak, Aerys raised a hand to signal that everyone should remain silent, "However! To make the battle worth it to our young challenger, only knights whose families are in ownership of a valyrian steel weapon may challenge her. If you challenge Merida and lose… you will gift that weapon to Merida!"

The King cackled hysterically, reveling in the ridiculousness of it all even as deafening silence moved over the crowd.

A thousand gold pieces would have had every knight in the area jumping at the chance to fight me. My stipulation had them all holding back. A valyrian steel weapon was worth far more than a thousand gold pieces and the risk wasn't worth the reward. It also wasn't worth the hit to their reputation for beating a womanl.

Aerys looked over the crowd, "Oh, come now! There must certainly be a brave knight who wishes to prove themselves against one of the Ironborn's fearsome warriors! You can walk away rich and able to brag about beating one of the Ironborn in one-on-one combat!"

You could feel the awkwardness grow as the King essentially mocked me and my people while calling for a knight to come and throttle what everyone believed to be a helpless dwarf woman.

When it became clear that no one was willing to step forward, the King's grin began to widen, "Very well. If you are all too scared of this baby kraken, I will choose someone from among you."

I stood there, waiting patiently and kept my eyes focused on the King so that I didn't have to meet the eyes of those around me who were likely wondering who I was to put everyone in such a horrible situation.

"Ah!" Aerys exclaimed. "Lord Celtigar! Your son is listed as a participant in a few of the events, is he not?"

Lord Ardrian Celtigar was a sour looking man at the best of times, but as all eyes fell on him when he stood to address the King, he was looking especially irritated, "He is, Your Grace."

"Excellent!" the King clapped. "Let's get him out here and see how he fares against such a ferocious foe!"

A few of the guards quickly sprinted off to find Lord Ardrian's son who also happened to be named Ardrian. It took a few minutes to find him, and several more for him to don his armor. Apparently no one had told the man who he was going to be fighting. All the better since I didn't want to hurt him too badly. When he began walking out onto the tourney field, his confusion was clear. He was staring at me as if I were some riddle that baffled his senses.

He stopped beside me and bowed to the King, "Your Grace. I have come as you commanded."

"So you have!" Aerys chuckled. "I have a challenge for you, Ser. Standing beside you is one of the dreaded reavers of the Iron Island! If you defeat her, you will be rewarded with a thousand gold!"

Ardrian looked down at me in confusion, then back up to the King, "Your Grace, do you mean for me to fight this girl?"

"Indeed! But be cautious! She claims to be the equal of Jaime Lannister!" the King laughed.

This got a laugh out of everyone… including Jaime Lannister who sat with his father and sister in the stands not far from my family. I couldn't help but notice Tyrion wasn't with them…

Ardrian laughed and looked at me, "A boastful girl should have her arrogance brought in line, Your Grace. But I fear any lesson I teach her on the field will be too painful for its purpose."

King Aerys shook his head, "Nonsense. You will fight her to the best of her ability or I will have your head! Do you understand me?"

All the blood drained from Ardrian's face as the threat registered. He bowed his head, "Yes, my King! She will fall as quickly as I can manage!"

"Then prepare yourselves!" Aerys called out.

I turned to face Ardrian, moving my hammer into a low guard position. He drew his sword and readied his shield.

"Begin!" the King shouted with glee.

Ardrian charged me, thinking I would panic as a larger person threatened to run me down. He brought his sword down in a swing aimed at my shoulder. I stepped to the outside of the swing, bringing my hammer up and swatting his sword aside with ease. This surprised Ardrian but he played it off as if he were just trying to play with me.

Thanks to my physical capabilities compounding with every reincarnation, I was currently stronger than anyone in this world could conceive. That also went for my speed, reaction time, durability, and my mental and visual processing. If I wanted to, I could splatter the man with my fist. However, I learned my lesson in the Wasteland about laying all of my cards on the table right away, and I didn't want to be known as a freak to the rest of Westeros. So I moved within what I approximated was a seasoned knight's level of speed.

"That was good," Ardrian blustered. "A fine parry, indeed. Your stance was a bit off, though. Let's try something else." He moved into a series of thrusts and feints which I countered and answered with my own thrusts and swings.

Unfortunately for Ardrian, our height difference meant that he could only ever swing down at me, while I had more options. I charged in and swung hard, forcing him to bring his shield around to block. Once the shield came between us, I pulled the hammer short and used its momentum to sprint around him. When he realized the strike hadn't hit home and moved his shield to look at me, I was gone; sliding past him while the shield blocked me from his view. I quickly hooked the head of my hammer against the top of his knee and pulled hard, taking his feet out from under him and sending him falling face first into the dirt.

The crowd let out a loud laugh as I walked away several paces long enough to allow Ardrian to collect himself.

By the time he was back on his feet, I was smirking at him, "Your stance was a bit off."

The crowd laughed again, this time louder than the first.

Ardrian huffed, "You think you're funny, little girl?"

"I have my moments," I smiled. "Would you like to concede before I start taking this fight seriously?"

"Your father should have taught you a woman's place," Ardrian growled. "I'll show you that the field isn't any place for a woman!" He charged forward and as he closed in, moved down to one knee so that he could swing his sword in a horizontal slash toward my torso.

I brought my hammer up to block the strike. As his sword bit into the hammer's hilt, I twisted the hammer to turn the sword's pommel in his hand, loosening his grip on it. As he focused on keeping his grip on his weapon, I stepped forward and kicked him hard in the face. In his arrogance, he had tossed his helmet aside, so my foot broke his nose and sent a spray of blood onto the sand. His head snapped back, but he was quick enough to bring his shield up to keep me at bay.

It would have worked if I had wanted to continue the attack. As he tried moving away with his shield covering his retreat, I brought my hammer down on his right foot, denting the metal of his sabaton into his foot and shattering the bone. He screamed and backed away faster, but limping and bleeding as he went.

"Is this a woman's place, Sir?" I asked sweetly. "Following after a man so that she can tend to his wounds? I must agree that this is traditionally a woman's place."

The crowd was silent. Everyone was watching with surprise, unable to bring themselves to believe that a young woman was combating a knight so handedly.

Ardrian groaned in pain and spat out a gob of blood, "I'll kill you for that!"

"Oh, please," I laughed. "You can't even walk right after that. How about I end this so I can properly join my family, and you can go see a Maester?"

He roared in defiance and went into as good of a defensive stance as he could manage.

I looked up at the King, "Your Grace, Sir Celtigar is clearly beaten. He won't be putting up a fight any longer. Would you call this a victory in my favor?"

Aerys was just as stunned as everyone else. Well, everyone except my family. He stared at me for some time before shaking his head, "Your opponent is still standing! This isn't over until one of you stays on the ground!"

I bowed my head and sighed, then looked at Ardrian, "Then let's finish this."

I charged forward and telegraphed an overhead swing. Ardrian was forced to bring his shield up to block it since I'd disabled his foot on his sword side. I brought my hammer down with enough force to shatter the shield. The force behind the attack sent his now-broken-arm swinging down while I used the hammer's momentum spring around and brought the hammer's head into the side of his left knee; breaking and dislocating it at the same time. Ardrian screamed and toppled down into the dirt.

I kicked his sword out of his hand then pointed my hammer down at him and scowled, "Yield."

"I yield!" he choked out through his bloody nose and the pain from his broken bones.

I turned to look up at King Aerys, "He can't get up, Your Grace. And he has yielded. I trust I have proved that the Ironborn are still the fierce warriors that they have always been?"

The King scowled down at me, wondering how his little game could have been upended. Over the course of a few moments, though, his scowl turned to glee, "A marvelous performance, my dear! I should think that you're further ahead than the Lion was when he was at your age. You'll certainly be someone to keep an eye on!"

I bowed my head, "Thank you, Your Grace."

"Lord Celtigar!" Aerys shouted as he looked across to where the head of House Celtigar stood looking stunned and horrified at the sight of his son bloody and broken on the tourney field.

"Yes, my King?" Lord Celtigar answered.

"See to it that pretty ax of yours is delivered to Lady Greyjoy with all due haste," Aerys screamed as he pointed at the man.

Lord Celtigar seemed to grow even more despondent, "As you command, Your Grace."

Aerys stood there staring at the man for a few moments, "Well? What are you waiting for? Go! Go! All due haste means you're to start the process immediately!"

"As you command, Your Grace!" Lord Celtigar bowed and began to make his way onto the field.

"Lord Celtigar?" Aerys screeched, leaning forward and grabbing the railing of the viewing box he sat in.

Lord Celtigar stopped in his tracks and looked at the King, "Yes, Your Grace?"

"What are you doing?" Aerys asked, his irritation growing steadily.

"I'm helping my son so that we-"

Lord Celtigar was quickly cut off as the King roared, "Your son will still be here when you return! Now go and send for Lady Greyjoy's ax before I command her to bring a few boats to your little island!"

"Y-yes, Your Grace!" Lord Celtigar paled and bowed, then scurried off to do as Aerys bid him.

The King looked down at me with a satisfied smile, "I should say I put the father in his place as you have done with the son. What say you, Lady Greyjoy?"

I bowed my head respectfully, "Indeed! And with a sharper tongue than I have a blade, Your Grace."

"You do not wield a blade, Lady Greyjoy," Aerys pointed out rather astutely. "But, nevertheless, you have passed this challenge. I hereby declare to all in attendance that you are to be recognized as Lady Merida Greyjoy… Heir to the Iron Island!"

That brought a gasp of shock to everyone, myself included! Aerys had, in one moment, turned the right of succession on its head, and cuckolded Father's right to name his heir, and Balon's right to inherit as the eldest son. I stared aghast at the King who was grinning madly, then at Father who was glowering at the King. Everyone in attendance was shocked as this set a precedent for the King to simply impose his will on any House to determine how they would be run. No doubt, it sparked seeds of fear and resentment.

I gathered my composure and set my hammer to the side and dipped into a deep curtsey, "Your Grace is most generous. However, may I request something else in order to have some measure of calm within my family?"

"What? Do you not wish to be the heir to the Iron Island?" Aerys asked, almost daring me to refuse.

"My desires are of no importance when compared to the desires of Your Grace or my family," I responded diplomatically. "I simply do not wish to be the cause of any ill will between my family and the Crown, Your Grace. I would much rather earn the ire of our host, Lord Whent."

That got the King's attention. His face lit up with a sort of twisted glee at the idea that I would willingly do some insult to Lord Whent in his own home, "My Lady Greyjoy, you grow more and more interesting by the moment! Very well! Since this is not only the day of your legitimacy, but also your debut among the nobles of Westeros, I will grant you this boon. Speak your desire and see it done."

I smiled and looked around as if I were considering what I could possibly do to make Lord Whent's life miserable. After a few moments, I pointed to the edge of the field at Tommen, "You there! Come here!"

Tommen was stunned that I had called out to him, but he jogged over quickly, bowing in front of me, "Yes, m'Lady?"

I looked up at the King, "I'd like to take one of his most trusted servants as my personal guard. This man should suffice."

King Aerys looked at Tommen, then over to Lord Whent who quickly changed a confused expression to one of mock offense, "Is this true Lord Whent? Is this man among your most trusted servants?"

Lord Whent fumbled for a surprise before answering, "He is indeed, Your Grace. I pray you do not allow this woman to simply take him."

Aerys held a hand up to silence Lord Whent's mock protest, "Don't bother begging, My Lord. I have already promised the Lady whatever she desired. Would you have me go back on my word?"

Lord Whent shook his head, "No, Your Grace."

"Then it is agreed," the King sneered then looked at me. "Lady Greyjoy! This man is now your personal guard. He is charged with ensuring your comfort and protection."

I dipped into a low curtsey, "Thank you, Your Grace. You are truly generous."

The King allowed me to take my seat with my family. Tommen stood nearby for the entire day. Ser Celtigar was finally carried off of the field and tended to by the Maesters. King Aerys went on to name Jaime Lannister to the Kinsguard, then promptly sent him and the Queen back to King's Landing. This had the same result as in the books; it enraged Tywin Lannister. That night there was a feast in the Hall of a Hundred Hearths. The Knight of the Laughing Tree made his mysterious appearance, and Prince Rhaegar would go on to win the tournament. He would go on to name Lyanna Stark as the Queen of Love and Beauty. The scandal from this sent waves through the nobility since Rhaegar was already married, and Lyanna was engaged to Lord Robert Baratheon.

A week later and everyone was on their way home. I had sent a raven to Claw Island which was home to House Celtigar. They were an island people, which meant the Ironborn did trade with them now. The raven instructed the first Ironborn captain to take the package Lord Celtigar and return back to the Iron Island for it with all haste. A month later we were home and I was presented with the vylarian steel ax that was mine by command of the King. No doubt this would put House Greyjoy at odds with House Celtigar, but I wasn't too concerned about that.

Father expressed his concern over my gaining the spotlight in the duel. His response to that concern was to lock down the Iron Island. He wasn't concerned about an attack. He was concerned about spies. Varys' reputation was growing and his little birds were infamous. Father was so distrusting of spies now that any children on the island whose parents couldn't be confirmed were shipped off to the mainland. Apart from the general lockdown, the shipping of goods and escorting of important people went on like the new norm it had been becoming.

Time on the island had become peaceful once again… until the dreams began.