Winterfell 297 AC.
The Blackfish.
He had been called into Ned's solar not long after arriving at Winterfell and handed a letter that had been written by Cat. Reading it he was surprised to see his niece had basically given her blessing for Ned to marry again, sure she hadn't explicitly said so, but it was clear from her words that she meant that. Handing the letter back he looked to his goodnephew or was that former goodnephew.
"This changes things between me and your family Brynden but I hope not between us?" Ned said looking back at him, his eyes focussed on his face.
"I cannot say I'm not a little saddened by this Ned, but my niece has made her choice and I see it as no fault of yours.".
"I thank you for that Brynden. I feel though it's time we had a conversation that's long overdue." Ned said and Brynden wondered where he was going with this.
"Very well.".
"Cat, Brynden, she and your nephew, I believe you know what they tried to do." Ned said and then raised his hand when Brynden went to interrupt "I Know Brynden that you were not a part of nor played any role in any of it whatsoever.".
"They are my kin, Ned, Aye I know." he said embarrassed not at his admission but at what they'd done.
"I suspected it with Cat, gods I didn't wish to but I suspected it all the same. She and Petyr Baelish had shared letters, the things he said to her regarding Jon. Whether she'd always have hated the boy anyway or not. Those letters only helped fuel that hatred." Ned said and Brynden thought about asking to see the letters but thought better of it.
"I never knew they'd kept in touch." he said and Ned snorted.
"Would that were all it was. Each time we'd hear of what Jon did, what he accomplished, things would get worse between Cat and I. My not wishing to punish the lad for what she saw as him trying to make a name for himself in order that he could take Winterfell. At first, that was it and whether it was just this fear or her hatred of the boy, I can't be certain. Only that it festered Brynden and I couldn't cut the wound out." Ned said sadly.
"Aye, she sent me letters in the Vale, demanded I do something about the lad. I'd seen him but the once in Lannisport and that boy would never take Winterfell, he'd never try." Brynden said and saw the soft smile on Ned's face.
"Aye. When he came back here, gods Brynden to see him with Sansa, Arya, even Robb, he showed me how far I'd let my family slip. He a boy of ten namedays showed me and Cat hated him even more for it. The fosterings was his idea, did you know?".
"I didn't." Brynden said.
"Aye they were, he even suggested taking Bran as his squire, though once again Cat saw danger where there was none. She argued with me on the fostering, about Bran, though I'm glad he's squiring with you." Ned said.
He watched as Ned grabbed a small mug and took some ice from it, placing it into larger mugs before he then poured ale over it and handed him one of the mugs. Brynden glad of the cool drink even this far North.
"That was his idea." Ned said smiling.
"Ice?" he asked.
"To use it for this, for storing food, we're shipping it around Westeros and off into Essos. Wintertown, Bear Island, White Harbor, most of my bannermen are benefiting because of Jon. You heard what he did with his winnings in King's Landing?" Ned asked.
"No.".
"He gave them up to feed the poor Brynden, convinced the Tyrell's to match it. I've spoken to some of those who've come North from Flea Bottom, you should listen to what they say of him." Ned said his pride clear.
"He's a good lad Ned." he said.
"Then why did your niece and nephew try to have him killed." Ned said angrily slamming his hand on the table.
"I don't know Ned, I only found out after and even then I couldn't be certain. So I warned them and well…".
"Aye, forgive me Brynden, I…".
"There's nothing to forgive.".
"There's more I need to speak to you on but now is not the time, Brynden. Things are going to change, you need to be aware of this." Ned said.
After he left he got an ominous feeling about the last words Ned had spoken and found himself in the Sept in Wintertown praying for the first time in many years.
The lad himself arrived surprisingly for the wedding and Brynden watched as he spent time with his family, with the Tyrell girl and how happy he seemed at the wedding itself. When Bran asked him to stay a while longer he did and they were in the process of getting ready to actually leave when things changed dramatically. First Ned came to see him once more, this time basically to tell him that Bran couldn't leave with him and that if he wished he could stay with him.
"Why Ned?" he asked.
"I need my son here, there must always be a Stark in Winterfell and it falls to Bran." Ned said.
"So this isn't about me?" he asked worried that over time Ned had decided to take his grandnephew from him.
"You and I are on good terms Brynden, I hold you no more responsible for your family than I hold Jon for how they think of him. But things are about to change and I wish I could give you more, but stay, listen and we'll talk." Ned said.
"Very well.".
He did as he was asked and to say things were changing was an understatement of epic proportions. First came news from King's Landing, the king calling the banners and Brynden, if it hadn't been for Bran, would have mounted up and ridden off. The Knights of the Vale would ride and it was his place to ride by their side, to ride for his king. Yet he felt that he was the only one who felt that, as Ned didn't seem to be keen to rise for Robert and he wondered why that was.
"He killed the queen and her boy, claimed her an adulteress and the boy a bastard. Now apparently he seeks her other son and daughter's head and intends to march on Casterly Rock." he heard one of the guards say.
"He wishes us to rise against the West?" the other asked.
"He may wish it, I don't think he'll see it fulfilled." the first guard said.
"The white wolf." the other said and both men chuckled.
The white wolf? Jon Snow? Would they not rise against the west because he was a hostage? No Jaime Lannister doted on the lad by all accounts, thought him, family, he'd not make him a hostage. Then what? Was it that they were more allied with the West than Robert? Surely not? Ned Stark cared not for coin and Robert was as close to a brother to the man as could be. With Jon Arryn involved also, the North would have to rise for them, wouldn't they?.
He was pleased to see the banners called, feeling that he'd be able to ride with them to meet up with the Knights of the Vale. Though more and more news had come from King's Landing. Robert's Rage it was being called and Brynden was disgusted by what he heard. Beating a boy to death in front of his mother, killing servants and guards alike, putting their heads on spikes to show off what you'd done. He liked it not and it was clear that Ned Stark and some of the lords who'd arrived felt the same way too.
"Uncle Brynden." Bran called and he turned to look at the lad, ready to start their days sparring.
"You ready Bran." he asked and the boy nodded.
This at least allowed his mind some rest, made him feel somewhat content in the changed world he now found himself in. His charge was coming along well martially, and in his studies was diligent, apart from a brief time when he seemed distracted and upset. So much so that Brynden had gone to Ned and found out the reason why. He'd actually argued with the man over telling him, the idea of the boy knowing such things about his mother, not one he agreed with.
" I'll keep no secrets from my children, none that are mine to tell anyway." Ned said cryptically.
" You'll make him hate his mother." he said angrily.
" I'd give him leave to make his own mind up but at least he'll know who she is Brynden, he'll know the truth of her.".
He'd not agreed with Ned but Bran had seemed to get over it and had even asked after his mother once or twice, so he accepted it and moved on. He began once again to concentrate on his own work with the boy. They were finishing their spar when Jory Cassel walked over, the man's usually smiling face replaced by a far more serious one.
"Lord Bran, I believe your father wishes to speak to you. Ser Brynden a word." Jory said and Bran looked to him and Brynden nodded to him allowing him to run off.
"Jory?".
"A meeting's been called for tonight Ser Brynden, Lord Stark has asked everyone to attend." Jory said.
"Everyone?" he asked.
"Aye, all the lords, their most trusted men, everyone." Jory said before walking away.
Standing in the Godswood later that night he wished these were his gods, that he could as he'd seen countless Northmen do, just come and kneel and pray to this damn tree. He'd seen the peace that came over them when they did so and they'd rise after prayer as if their worries were no more. For Brynden though he couldn't remove his worries, he couldn't even begin to.
Jon Snow was a lie and his family was fucked, that the lad may not be vengeful and cared for his siblings may be all that let them keep their heads. This war was a foregone conclusion, the forces against Robert were far too large. The North, West, Reach, the loyalist's houses and those who'd turn back to the dragons as soon as they knew Rhaegar's son lived. He could see it clearly and there was nothing to be done about it, something which filled him with anger and despair.
"You have questions." he heard Ned's voice from behind him, turning to see the man and the grey wolf that was almost always by his side.
"You could have told her Ned." he said bitterly.
"Could I? to what end, she hated him Brynden, nothing would have changed that. Given the letters she shared with Baelish she'd have told him and then what? Would he have kept it to himself or would Robert have marched here to take his life? Would he have sent assassins as he did after his family? Would he have come under false pretenses and I'd have had to watch as more of my family died because he couldn't face the truth." Ned said his voice soft but his anger clear.
"Had she known." Brynden said.
"Then she'd have loved him like he was her own and all would have been well. Do you think I've not thought that? That I've not been where you are?. The truth of the matter is she wouldn't have changed, instead of thinking him a bastard threat to our children, she'd have thought him a threat based on his blood. Only she'd have had a way to see him gone, Brynden, a way to see him dead. Tell me truly, do you think she'd have used it?".
He said nothing, looking instead at the white bark of the tree and shaking his head. Everything Ned said made sense and yet he felt his anger and annoyance rise, his worry for his kin, for his friends in the Vale.
"What will he do with them?".
"I don't know Brynden. Cat is his brothers mother, his sisters mother and Jaehaerys loves his family, he'll not see her dead. Edmure, I truly can't say though at best it'll be the Wall. Your House will end Brynden, the Tully name no more, though the line will live on with Bran as Lord of Riverrun." Ned said.
"Lord Paramount?" he asked and Ned shook his head.
"No.".
"What am I to do?" he asked his voice cracking.
"I cannot tell you only you know what's right for you. Bran will need you Brynden, he's the last hope for your blood if not your house, isn't that why you came here." Ned said turning to walk away.
His sleep was troubled that night, unsurprisingly, little things he'd seen and dismissed coming back to him now. He'd recognized it in Jon Snow, he knew that now, recognized the father in the son and yet not made the connection. As he sat up in the bed and dressed, he began to laugh. Ser Richard's words running through his head.
"You fought on the wrong side once Brynden even now you don't know the truth of it. Family, Duty, Honor, all come into play, not just one."
"The Dragons will return, you should try to be sure to be on their good side when they do."
"I wish you good fortune in your travels Brynden, may the road you find be the right one.".
He broke his fast with his grandnephew and stood up, motioning to the boy to join him. Walking from the hall to the sparring yard. Once there he grabbed the swords and handed one to Bran, looking to the boy and noticing his nervous expression.
"Come Bran, we must practice, you're to be lord while your father is away and we won't have as much time to do this then." Brynden said.
"We?" Bran asked.
"Aye we, you think I'd leave you here all alone." he said with a chuckle.
"No." Bran said smiling now.
As the spar began Brynden to began to smile, Bran was his family, to prepare him for the life he had ahead of him was his duty and to raise him to be a true knight would redeem their honor.
The North 297 AC.
Arthur.
He tried not to laugh truly he did, but to find someone less comfortable on a dragon's back than himself was funny to him. So when they landed in the wide-open fields just south of the Neck, Arthur found himself laughing at how quickly Loras dismounted. His youngest brother now off stretching his legs while Arthur and the King shook their head as Ghost woke up. The wolf had actually slept through the flight and Arthur found himself a little jealous of him for it.
Looking at his king, Arthur was glad they'd not landed near the trident. He, Barristan, and Jaime had all found it hard to look at the armor Jae wore and not think of his father. The color, the rubies on the chest, that it was Valyrian steel was the only thing which marked it as not being Rhaegar's actual armor, though Jae explained that was the point.
" Let him think me a specter from the past, let them believe my father has come again. It's in his name I seek justice, his and my mothers.".
" Your family?".
" No, they deserve far more than justice Ser Arthur, they deserve far more than vengeance. For them, I intend to bring Robert and Jon Arryn a reckoning." Jae said determinedly.
After stretching their legs and drinking some water, they climbed back up on Rhaenix's back, Ghost once again putting them to shame with how easily he managed it. Within a heartbeat, they were flying once again and as they flew over the twins Jae pointed down, Arthur looking to see no assembly of men just as Jae had predicted. He smiled when they flew over Seagard and they saw the Three-Headed Dragon flying high, House Mallister having declared for the true king it seemed.
Soon Winterfell was in sight and Jae flew Rhaenix once again into the Wolfswood. Landing where they had before and while he, Loras and Ghost dismounted, Jae stayed a little longer before he did likewise. Walking to the dragon's head to speak to his sister and bid her farewell. The walk to the keep took only a few minutes and Loras asked Jae why he hadn't just landed there with the dragon.
"I need to let them know first, Loras, if they see her coming out of the sky it'll create a panic, let's save that for Robert." Jae said with a laugh and Arthur smirked as they reached the gate.
The banners had been called and answered and he looked to see them readying to march, though one by one men stopped to look as Jae walked by. His armor marked him out and though he held the helm in his hand, the crown he wore would leave no doubt it was not Jon Snow who'd arrived here today but Jaehaerys Targaryen. Yet in all of that, it was Ghost that most people focussed on, the white wolf adding to their number and looking like he was wearing his own white cloak to match his and Loras's.
"I've come to see my uncle, is he in the keep?" Jae asked one of the guards, Harwin he believed the man was named if he was right.
"He's in the Godswood with some of the other lords, your grace." the man said and Jae nodded.
Walking through the grounds he imagined how impressive a sight they made, Jae armored and crowned, Dark Sister on his hip with Ghost waling beside him at the other. Loras with his armor shined and glistening and his white cloak flowing behind him, Arthur with Dawn on his back pinning his white cloak down. People bowed and nodded and what had been a hive of activity when they entered, was now almost at a standstill and Arthur was glad to see the gates which led to the Godswood up ahead of them.
"Jon." a voice called out and both he and Loras turned to see the young boy running towards the king.
"Bran, I hoped to see you." Jae said smiling at his brother.
"Jon, father said, he said you're the king now, that you're Rhaegar's son, not his." Bran said when he reached his brother, Arthur watching as Jae took a knee to be at his brother's height.
"Aye, I wished to tell you myself Bran, truly, I just never got the time I hoped for." Jae said sadly.
"Does this mean….are you not my brother now?" Bran said his voice barely a whisper.
"Do you wish me to be your brother?" Jae asked and the boy nodded vigorously "Then I'm your brother, now and always.".
He watched as the two embraced each other for a moment or two, Jae whispering something in Bran's ear and the boy running off to where an older man stood. Arthur finding the way he looked at the king troublesome until Jae explained it as they moved closer to the gate.
"The Blackfish, my brother's squiring for him." Jae said.
"Do you think him a danger?" Loras asked.
"He's an honorable man." Jae said and Arthur nodded as they walked into the Godswood itself.
He didn't really have too many dealings with the Blackfish, the man had been a bit older than him and more a friend of Barristan's than his. But he was an honorable man and while he'd no doubt take issue with Jae over his family, any attack from him would be head-on and not from the back. As he looked at Ghost and watched Jae give the white wolf a nod, he saw Jae smile when he saw him run off. Two grey wolves soon coming into view along with the lords and Ned Stark.
"Your grace." Ned Stark said as he saw Jae.
"Uncle, my lords, my lady." Jae said and Arthur looked to the other lords.
All in all, there were eight people at the Weirwood, some he knew, Lord Wyman, The Greatjon and Lady Maege, and Lord Jorah. Some he did not, a pale lord, a large grey-bearded man, and another younger man.
"Your grace." most of them said once they'd seen him and he watched as some went to take a knee, Jae waving them to stand.
"We had not expected you, your grace." Ned said.
"I know, I felt I had to come, uncle, no doubt there are questions about me, my plans and our allies. It's better to address any concerns early and there's something I wish you all to see.".
"We'll go inside, I'll call a meeting of the lords and ladies." Ned said.
Arthur saw as Ned and the others looked to the king's armor, to his bearing. As they looked at him and Loras and what they wore, Maege Mormont's eyes glistening when she saw Dawn on his back, while then looking to see the sword Jae carried. They walked from the Godswood and as they were passing a wooden door Jae stopped, looking to it before turning to his uncle.
"Uncle, I'll pay my respects and meet you inside." Jae said and Ned nodded, Arthur, realizing now where they were going and feeling nervous about it.
The statues they passed all held swords in their hands, some were old, and as the walked they quickly came to the three newest ones. He'd never met Rickard Stark but he could see the family resemblance to his sons. Brandon, he had and he felt the statue maker had done a decent job in creating his likeness. With Lyanna though he failed miserably and the statue looked very little like her, it was lifeless and she was anything but. He closed his eyes and said a small prayer and when he opened them, Jae was standing in front of the statue.
Whatever Jae said was between him and Lyanna and so he moved back and bid Loras do the same. Both of them watching while Jae whispered something before he reached under his armor and took out something soft and blue laying it in the statue's hands.
"I love you, mother." he heard Jae say as he and turned and they began to walk from the crypt.
He and Loras walked behind him and as he looked back he saw the blue rose lying in Lyanna's hands, smiling as he realized that Jae had gotten one made that would never wilt. Arthur closed his eyes and made his own promise before they left, one he begged the gods that he would be able to keep, for Rhaegar, for Lyanna, and for their son.
Riverrun 297 AC.
Cat.
Each day it became even clearer just how desperate their situation was, their main houses had abandoned them. Their largest bannermen weren't just not answering the call but they had if the scouts were to be believed, and she had no doubt they were, joined their banners to the dragon one. Once again she cursed Jon Snow, for that's who he was as he was surely no dragon prince.
He couldn't be, she'd have known if he was and all his life he had shown himself to be anything but true. While she'd reluctantly accepted that he was in fact the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, she'd not accept they'd married. No, the boy was a bastard still, a Snow, though her mind screamed Blackfrye to her and her fears rose again.
It was Daemon Blackfyre that she'd used in her mind as an example of why bastards couldn't be trusted, why they should be feared, and kept away from their trueborn kin. That it turned out that Jon Snow was another black dragon didn't comfort her or make her feel any better. Though it made her hate Ned which was something that up to now she had not been able to do. He knew all the time and while she'd originally felt shamed that he'd brought his bastard home, to her it was now even worse as the truth was, he'd instead brought someone else's.
"A raven from King's Landing." the Maester said and she shook her head and took it from him.
"My brother?" she asked.
"In the Great Hall with Lord's Piper and Vance." the Maester said.
"Pearl, fetch my brother." she called out and the girl ran off as the maester left her alone.
She broke the seal and looked at the words on the scroll and once again they brought her no comfort.
To the Realm,
We are well aware of the false dragon and the tales he's begun to spin. The lies he speaks though come not from his own lips but from the lips of men who seek to usurp the rightful king. Men we'd once thought honorable like Ned Stark, who's willing to lie about the rape, kidnap, and murder of his sister by Rhaegar Targaryen. Men who refuse to accept the just sentence carried out to an adulteress and the children she tried to pass off as trueborn, so as to steal the throne like Jaime Lannister. Men who seek to put their own blood on the throne at any cost like Mace Tyrell.
These lies are well known to us and we call them out for what they are. Jon Snow is the bastard son of Ned Stark, begat on a whore by a lust-filled man while we were on our campaign to seek justice for his father and brother. The campaign to rescue the king's beloved whose name they now sully with their lies.
Good men and women of Westeros, do not fall prey to these lies, let the faith be your guide. The king marches to end this lie, this untruth, join him and let truth win the day.
Jon Arryn,
Hand of the King.
Edmure arrived not long after she read the letter and he smiled when he read it though she had not.
"I knew he could be no dragon, this will see his support fade away, Cat." Edmure said and she looked at him wondering if actually believed his own words.
"I doubt that, even were the words in that scroll true we'd still face the North, West and Reach, Edmure. Face them with most of our bannermen absent." she said.
"But the letter, they'll come, surely now they know.." he said his voice almost panicked.
"Why? It changes nothing Edmure, the odds remain the same and we must do something to change them. How many men have we got?" she asked.
"Six thousand and the garrison here." Edmure said.
She began to do the sums, there were almost twelve thousand men against them though that wasn't including the Freys. Walder had perhaps three, maybe four thousand men at his call and if they could bring those to bear then perhaps they could at least match their own men. They could win back the Riverlands before the dragon bastard stole them from them completely. Though the price the old weasel would seek for his men would be a high one.
"You need to march Edmure, the king will come and if we're here when he does then he'll not take kindly to it." she said and Edmure looked to her nervously.
"March? Where?" he asked.
"Against our enemies." she said and Edmure looked cluelessly at her.
"Cat?".
"Those who've not answered the call Edmure, we must bring them to our side. If they see an army at their gates they'll come and if you do this before the king arrives then he'll see you as what you are, the right Lord Paramount for the Riverlands" she said.
"Aye, aye, I'll see it done, I'll speak to Marq, Hugo and Lymond." he said and Cat nodded as he ran from the room.
The problem she had though was it wouldn't be enough. She knew though that they had to be seen to be doing something before Robert and Jon Arryn came and more importantly than that, they had to be in a better position before the dragon came for them. She shuddered at the thought of it, the bastard would come, she knew he'd come and the words he'd said in King's Landing played out in her head once more.
" Words in the wind my lady, words in the wind, that's what House Tully truly stands for and just like words in the wind, your house too will soon be forgotten.".
She began to write out the message on the scroll, looking at it when she was done and then walking hurriedly to the Maester's rooms herself.
"Maester, to the Twins." she said and the Maester nodded, Cat staying to see the raven sent.
The next few days were hectic and the night before they were ready to march she couldn't sleep, wondering if she was doing the right thing. Would it be best to wait for the raven's return, wait for the answer? Or should she wait until Jon Arryn came and use the Hand to drive home their point? Would that make them look too weak? She thought it might and if they wished to keep the Riverlands they couldn't afford to be.
" Not that I'll let you keep the Riverlands, my lady, your house will fall as will your head'".
She shook the bastard's voice from her head, they had to fight, fight or die and she'd not leave this world until Jon Snow was dead. No matter what it took her having to do to see it done. The next morning after breaking their fast, she walked to the gates to bid Edmure farewell. Her brother was either projecting confidence he didn't possess or truly he thought her plan would see his bannermen just simply fall into line.
"I'll show them Cat, we'll be ready for the bastard when he comes." Edmure said as they embraced.
"I know you will, father would be so proud of you Edmure, I'm so proud of you." she lied as she kissed his cheek and waved him on.
The days seemed to merge into each other, Cat spending her nights unable to sleep as her dreams tormented her. Riverrun in flames, Edmure's head on a spike and Cat being led to a block where the bastard waited for her.
" You did this, you, had you been able to love a motherless child then this would not be how your story ends." Ned said loudly.
" You are no mother of mine." Sansa said turning away.
" Why, why mother?" Robb said.
" I hate you, I hate you." Arya's voice called out her daughter's anger clear.
" I have a new mother now." Bran said as he stood beside Jorelle.
" And so ends House Tully." the bastard said as the sword was raised in the air.
She woke up screaming, her bed wet through from where she'd sweated through her nightclothes. Pearl and others rushed into her room and she shouted at them to leave her alone, curling into a ball and hiding in the corner of the room after they'd left. She stayed there until morning, awake, tired, and scared out of her mind. Dressing that day and trying to put a brave face on, she was heading to the hall to eat, or to at least try to when one of the servants came to her.
"My lady, there's a man to see you, A Lord Baelish." the servant said.
She almost ran down the corridor to see if it was true, her heart racing and praying to the gods to let it be so. When she saw him she almost cried right away and forgetting propriety, appearances, or anything else, she hugged him and then wept against his shoulders.
"Petyr, Petyr, thank the seven you've come." she said through choking sobs.
"I'm here Cat, I'm here, all will be well." he whispered and Cat felt herself finally relax.
Winterfell 297 AC.
Barbrey Dustin.
She'd heard like others that the king had arrived, the boy formerly known as Jon Snow and who everyone now knew the truth of. Barbrey had never believed the tale Ned Stark had spun and found it shocking that others had. Brandon having a bastard was something she expected, her wild wolf was free and though she loved him dearly, she knew he could never be hers.
The boy though was nothing like Brandon from what she'd heard, quiet, meek, almost a shadow and so she had begun to question if she was mistaken, only for him then to prove himself anything but what she'd thought. She had reveled in any piece of news she got about Jon Snow. She'd seen him improve the North and prove himself with a blade. After hearing how he'd put the fish in his place and called them out for what they are, she'd feasted the night she'd been told about that. Barbrey was sure then she was right, he was Brandon's boy alright. Hearing the tale of the Direwolf, of how he'd brought them all back to Winterfell. Then of the fish being set aside, only making her more certain.
Again though it seems she was wrong, even in her rightness. He wasn't Ned Stark's son, nor was he Brandon's, he was Lyanna's, and that made her feel somewhat conflicted. Lyanna was partly responsible for Brandon's death, though it was Rickard she blamed more for that. Jon Snow was now partly responsible for William's, though she blamed Ned for that truly. So where did that leave Jon Snow in her estimation, something she wasn't sure of even when she rose and claimed him as her king.
"Domeric." she called to her nephew.
"Aunt?" he smiled as he sat beside her.
"You met the king before?".
"Aye, more than once, he's a good man aunt, an interesting one." her nephew said softly.
"How so?" she asked.
"I…".
"Dom?" she said softly.
"I told you of Myranda, aunt. How I feel about her." he said and she smiled, her nephew had fallen completely for the girl but Roose had his sights set elsewhere.
"Aye." she said.
"We spoke in Highgarden, aunt, the king and I and again in Casterly Rock, he told me something, something I found strange at the time but it makes sense now." Domeric said.
"What?" she asked curiously.
"He said that while we may love our fathers and respect what they do for us or what they wish for us, they are not always the best judge of where our hearts lie. Their reasons for a match are not always our reasons for a match and so why should we accept theirs and ignore our own." Dom said smiling.
"Was that all?".
"No, he said something else, he said delay for whatever reason you can find to delay, for as long as you can delay. The world is ever-changing and if I waited long enough then I'd find that it may have changed for my benefit." Dom said and she smiled.
"And you've waited?" she asked.
"Aye, though it's getting hard to keep father from speaking to Rickard." he said.
"Wait a little longer nephew, I'll speak to your father." she said and chuckled when Dom kissed her cheek.
They went to rise when the king walked in but he waved his hand at them to sit and she looked up as his two knights stood behind him. Her eyes focussed on the Dornishman and she wondered if it was his blade which had killed William. Her attention was taken from him though almost immediately once the king began to speak.
"My lords, my ladies, I have no doubt you have many questions and I'll answer any you wish. Firstly though let me say this. I've come here because though most of you know me, you knew me false. You knew me not as who I was truly but as the mummer I was forced to be, the name I had no choice but to live under. I can understand that to some this will seem a betrayal, a falsity, and to those, I can only apologize.
My brother and sister were murdered, a babe not yet out of his cradle, and a three nameday old girl. Gregor Clegane threw my brother so hard against the wall of his mother's room it crushed his skull, he did so in front of his mother before he raped and killed her. My sister… My sister… was stabbed half a hundred times, a three nameday old girl and that's what they did to her.
And what was done to the man responsible? To the man who gave the orders? They were rewarded by a king who looked upon the bodies of a mother and her two children, who looked upon the bodies of my family and said.
That he saw no babes only Dragonspawn." The king said as he looked around the room.
She watched as he leaned heavily on the table, his eyes glistening. As he turned to his uncle and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"So my lords, tell me was the lie a betrayal, a falsity? Or was it the work of an honorable man who wished to save his kin?".
She heard the murmurs around the room and finally Robett Glover rose, surprising her that he'd have the nerve to be the one.
"I'll accept the lie, your grace. However, you carry the blood of Aerys in your veins, how are we to know for sure that you won't just like him turn out to be another mad king?" Robett said to loud yells and a move from the Dornish knight which the king stopped.
"I also carry my father's blood Lord Glover, was he mad? I carry my mother's was she? Aye, I carry Aerys blood in me, I also carry Rhaella's, Jaehaerys's my great grandfather, and Aegon the Unlikely's too. I carry the Conciliator's and Alysanne's, but I'm not just one side of my blood am I?.
I carry Rickard Stark's, Cregan's and Torrhen's, Rodrik's, and Brandon's. I am both and I'm none, for as much as we are our families, we're ourselves too and I stand before you as you see me. A man not yet fully grown but a man all the same." the king said and she heard the voices of approval.
"Your grace, our allies?" Wyman asked and she would have bet that he'd be the one to change the subject.
"Aye my lord. The West marches as we speak, under Lord Jaime Lannister's command. The Reach is marshaled too and I believe they've marched. House Hightower has marched for sure, though I must travel there from here to be certain. Dorne has marched under Prince Oberyn Martell and the Lords of the Narrow Sea have taken Dragonstone." the king said to cheers.
"Dorne your grace?" Roose said.
"As I said, my lord, I am not just one part of my family. My sister, my brother and their mother's kin have risen for me." the king said and she heard men speak of numbers and how they had them now.
"You can be sure of the Reach your grace?" Rodrik asked and she looked to her father to see if she could judge his mind.
"Lady Margaery is my wife my lord, we married in front of my gods at the Weirwood in Highgarden and are to wed in front of hers when we have the chance. Lady Olenna has given me her word and Randyll Tarly has knelt and pledged to me, the Reach will rise." the king said.
She smiled at that as did a lot of others in the room, that he was married already would stop the inevitable maneuvering trying to make a match with him. That he'd done it in front of the old gods, only showed him for a true son of the north.
"My lords, I came here to answer your questions, and to show you something, I ask you to join me outside." the king said walking from the room.
She like the others wondered what it could be that he wished to show them and so she moved quickly to the door, eager to be outside and to see whatever it was for herself. It took some time for them all to gather and she like the others could see nothing in the king's hand. There was also nothing being brought to him as he walked out with the white wolf by his side.
"As I said when Lord Glover asked, I am not just one side of my family. Ghost here is a gift from the old gods, the living breathing sigil of my mother's house. He's not the only gift I was given, my lords, my ladies, if you'll look above.".
She turned her head and looked to the sky and saw nothing for a few moments, then the shape moved towards them. It was larger than a bird, much larger, by the gods it couldn't be she thought as it flew out of the clouds. It was white and it's wing's the brightest blue she'd ever seen, the shadow it cast was huge as it flew over them. She turned and looked as it turned back and the flames it shot from it's mouth quickly covered the sky.
"Rhaenix my lords, my dragon." the king said to loud cheers and some nervous faces.
Highgarden 297 AC.
Margaery.
She had arrived back to a much different Highgarden, row upon row of tents surrounded the town and she had never seen so many men armed in her life. That she was accompanied by her uncle leading her grandfather's own army only adding to it. When her grandmother saw her and Sansa, Margaery could see her relief on her face. That they were safe, well, and home, being her greatest concern she confided in her later that night.
Her father was in his element and he threw yet another feast, his sixth her grandmother quickly informed her. She was asked to sit front and center as befitting the future queen and though she did as she was bid, she found the extra guards and attention to be annoying. Each day the lords would meet and her grandmother would come back more and more frustrated, until finally, Margaery could take it no more.
"Grandmother what is it, what's wrong?" she asked as they sat in the garden.
"Your fool of a father, he wishes orders to march, speaks of sieges and taking keeps and yet has he moved? Has he marched?." her grandmother said her annoyance clear.
"Do we have a plan grandmother?" she asked having no true knowledge of war.
"Rowan and Tarly do and yet your father is risking the favor we have gained by once again inserting himself where he doesn't belong.".
"But surely as Lord he must?" she asked.
"Must he? He sat outside Storm's End while Rhaegar fell, you think I'll allow him to do the same to Jaehaerys." her grandmother said and Margaery gasped.
"Oh, my sweet child, forgive me, forgive the ranting of an old woman. Jae will not fall, he has something his father doesn't have, he has dragons and we have the men Margaery. We will be triumphant and you will be queen." her grandmother said and she nodded, worried though she was.
She was glad to be in her room that night, taking the Glass Candle from the chest she waited for it to light up and felt her relief when it did.
"Jae, Jae are you there?" she asked.
"Aye, Jae is it now?" he japed back.
"God's I'm trying my best Jon." she said her annoyance clear.
"Marge, what's wrong, I was jesting you know that right?" he said and she sighed annoyed at herself now.
"I know Jae, I was trying to get used to calling you that, so I didn't call you Jon in public." she said.
"Oh, sorry. There's more though Marge, isn't there?" he asked.
"Aye, it's father, he's..grandmother thinks…"
"That he's going to make the same mistakes he made in the rebellion." he said and she smiled glad he figured it out and she'd not had to say it aloud.
"Aye." she said and there was silence for a moment or two before Jae spoke again.
"Have the lords lined up on the west balcony two days from now Marge, all of them, your father included.".
"Why?".
"You really think I was ready to go to war without seeing you?." he said and she felt her heart beat a little faster.
"You're coming here?" she asked just to make sure.
"I an, two days from now Marge, noon." he said.
"Noon."
"I love you." Jae said and she smiled.
"I love you too.".
She told her grandmother when they broke their fast the next day and was relieved to see her relax. Later when she told Sansa her friend seemed a little subdued, though Willas explained it was the war itself that had Sansa that way. Her mother told her not to tell her father otherwise he'd go out of his mind with planning the biggest feast yet, and so she kept him out of the loop for now.
That day and night seemed never-ending and even when she broke her fast the next morning she felt as if time barely moved. Soon enough though she was heading to the balcony along with her grandmother and their guards. Sansa and Fang walked with Willas while Garlan escorted their mother. Her father speaking to Lord Ashford and her uncle Baelor as they moved in front of them.
"I have no idea why we're doing this, it's most odd." she heard her father say.
"Indeed, well no doubt we should find out soon enough." her uncle answered.
As they stood on the balcony it was Fang who noticed first, the wolf directing Sansa to the sight in the sky. Her friend pointing it out to her and she looked to the distance to see the shape coming towards them. Soon others began to notice and she saw more and more point at the white shape. The voices rising as people's attention was drawn to the dragon as she flew towards them.
"Is that?".
"It can't be."
"It's a dragon." she heard someone exclaim.
She smiled when she looked out as the dragon flew closer. Up front wearing armor she'd never seen the like of before could only be Jae, behind him two men wore white cloaks and as she looked closer she wondered what the shape was in front of him.
"Ghost, he's brought Ghost." she heard Sansa say with a giggle.
As the dragon flew closer she and the others could see just how large she was now, she was as big as the balcony they stood on and she was magnificent. Her eyes and the eyes of everyone looked up as she flew overhead, the dragon seeming to take an age to fly from their view.
"Come, it's time we met our king." her grandmother said and she watched as lords began to move quickly, each one eager to grab the choicest slot to meet the king first.
"The king, but we're not ready." her father said as he hurriedly moved and Margaery tried her best not to laugh as she too hurried to meet with Jae.
Winterfell/Highgarden 297 AC.
Jaehaerys Targaryen.
After the Lords of the North saw Rhaenix things began to move quickly. When he told them about Lygaron too and that his uncle rode him it created so many questions that he wished he'd kept it to himself. Still, it allowed for him to move straight to what he wished to do, which was to listen in on the North's plan for battle. Jae explaining some of what the others would be doing and then moving onto their plans quickly.
"Prince Oberyn will move into the Stormlands along with the Reach forces. While the West will march to the Riverlands to meet up with the Riverlords and to cut Robert off from joining up with the Knights of the Vale." he began as he pointed to the map.
"You want us to meet you in the Riverlands?" his uncle asked.
"No, I want you to march to here." he pointed to the crossroads "The Knights of the Vale just need to be delayed long enough for the Western army under my uncle to join you." he said.
"With his dragon?" Maege asked.
"Aye, Robert, and Jon Arryn have the main forces. Stannis will lead the Stormlord's and try and join up with them. If they can unite then this is a different war but we outnumber them separately as we do together. If we can keep them apart then perhaps we can win this with far less bloodshed." he said.
"You really think there won't be blood shed here your grace." Wyman said.
"I'd like to shed as little as I can, which is why the dragons aren't to be used in a full-on attack." he said to nods.
"So no fields of fire." Rickard Karstark said almost dismissively.
"If it needs to be done then it'll be done my lord. If I think I'm putting too many lives at risk, or if we by some twist of fate find ourselves in trouble. Then my uncle and I are both prepared to do what is necessary to save our allies lives, even at the cost of many of our enemies. But when all is said and done I intend to be king of all of Westeros and not just those who rose for me. Burning fathers, sons, brothers, my family has done enough of that already, forgive me for not wanting to make it my first choice." he said and saw some of the men look to him in agreement, though Roose Bolton seemed like he didn't agree.
After the lords left, he stood in the room with his uncle, noticing the worried look on his face.
"Uncle?" he asked concerned he'd said something to push him away from him.
"What? Sorry, I was thinking, this is a good plan your grace, an excellent one. I wish it didn't have to be done but it must and this is the best way forward." his uncle said.
"Thank you uncle, I'll leave on the morrow." he said.
"Talk to them your grace, the lords. The Blackfish will seek reassurance over his kin, and others will wish to speak, talk to them before you leave.".
"Uncle, Lady Catelyn…".
"I know, you made it clear, I'm with you, your grace, all the way." his uncle said as he reached out and touched his d shoulder and Jae felt glad of both the reassurance and the touch.
He spoke to Wyman, the Great and Smalljons, and to Maege and Jorah. To Rickard Karstark and even Roose Bolton, though it was his son he spoke to for longer, Domeric listening carefully to what he said. As he walked to the sparring yard he saw Bran and the Blackfish walking his way and he looked to Loras and nodded, his friend laughing as they then moved a little quicker.
"Jon, are you sparring?" Bran said before holding a hand to his mouth "Sorry your grace."
"Aye, brother I am." he said seeing the excitement rise on his brother's face.
He and Loras drew their swords and he heard the gasp when Bran saw Dark Sister. Soon they were moving and though he stretched it out, Loras yielded quickly enough. Seeing the crowd that had built up around them, Jae looked to Arthur and gave him a nod, the knight smirking as he pulled his sword. The gasps around the yard when seeing Dawn were only silenced when Arthur stood across from him, people pointing to the two swords and the whispers of their names being heard in the wind.
"To five or a yield Ser?" Jae said.
"Aye, your grace." Arthur replied.
Dark Sister was thin and a longsword that from the moment he'd wielded it Jae had felt it belonged in his hand. Dawn to Arthur he knew felt the same, though it was a greatsword which meant that Arthur had the greater reach. For Jae, it was quickness and movement, unconventional attacks and spins, and he readied himself to give his all, knowing he'd need to just to keep up.
The first clash of swords reverberated around the yard and the sound was otherworldly. Jae moved and dodged and the armor on his back now felt a part of him, just like the sword itself. Both were lighter than normal steel and so much stronger. It had taken him no time at all to get used to the slightly extra weight and to his relief he found it no barrier to his movements.
He thrust and Arthur parried, he spun and Arthur was there waiting for him, the dance going on for far longer than it had with Loras, before Arthur took the first and second points. As the knight moved away though Jae moved towards him, the feint causing Arthur to ready to parry a blow which never came. Instead, Jae rolled and was behind him, taking a point while Arthur readjusted his feet. It was to be his only one, as though he had made the knight work, he lost the next two and soon yielded to the last.
"Well at least I got one today." he said to laughs.
"Aye, you're getting better your grace." Arthur said with a smile on his face.
"That was incredible J..your grace." Bran said and Jae was about to ask his brother to spar when he saw how the Blackfish was looking at him.
"Bran why don't you speak to Ser Arthur, Ser Brynden a word." he said the knight nodded.
Arthur looking at him while he shook his head and called Ghost to him, walking with the older knight to a quieter part of the yard. Loras stood behind him and he hadn't left Arthur's view, but he knew he could go no further or the knight himself would follow and the look on his brother's face as he talked to Arthur made him smile a little.
"You have questions Ser Brynden?".
"My House.".
"Will be stripped of it's Lord Paramount position and your name will end." he said simply.
"Edmure?".
"Death." he said without looking at the man.
"Lysa?" he asked.
"You ask the wrong man Ser Brynden. Your sister was arrested and charged with adultery by Jon Arryn, she and her son are prisoners." he said.
"What? You lie." the Blackfish said moving towards him, Jae raising his hand to stop Loras moving.
"For what reason would I? you know my feelings on your house and I rise against Jon Arryn anyway. What care I what you think of the man, you'll not fight for me no matter what the reasons are." he said and saw the man almost nod.
"Cat?".
"Is my sibling's mother, I'd not see her harmed but she'll end her days far from my sight." he said and Brynden nodded.
"Ned says you plan to make Bran lord of Riverrun?".
"Aye, but as a Stark." he said walking away.
After speaking briefly to Bran he and his Kingsguard walked to the Godswood and Jae knelt before the tree, praying to the old gods that those he cared for didn't come to harm. Hearing Arthur turn he stood up to see a grey-haired tall thin woman walk towards him. It took him a moment to see the sigil and recognize the long axes and the crown that was stitched to her side.
"Lady Dustin." he said as he rose.
"Your grace." she said looking back at him "Aye, you have her look to be sure, some of her temperament too, in another life I could have been your goodaunt but alas it was not to be.".
"This is the only life we could have met, my lady." he said and she looked at him before nodding.
"Was it you Ser Arthur, was it you who struck my William down? She asked and Arthur nodded.
"I protected my king, my lady. Your husband fought well as did the others though I can say with all truth that I cannot differentiate one from the other. I lost my brothers that day and I care not to think about it." Arthur said sadly.
"Is he worth it Ser Arthur, the lives that were lost do you think him truly worth theirs?".
"There are many lives I'd give mine own for my lady, none worth so much as the king I now serve." Arthur said and Jae felt himself gulp as he looked at them.
"My nephew says you promised him his happiness your grace, you may consider that payment for my husband's life. For now my men are yours, on payment of that debt you have my fealty too and the past will then remain where it belongs." Barbrey said walking away.
He spoke to Margaery that night and flew the next morning saying his goodbyes to his uncle as he did so. Soon they were over the West and he landed near the Crag. After eating and resting they then took to the air once more. Below him armies rode and marched and he wondered if the war had yet begun. Jae felt his heart beat a little faster when he entered the Reach and soon they were flying over Red Lake and Goldengrove, before finally seeing Highgarden itself.
Rhaenix flew over the keep and he looked down to see the men lined up. Although his eyes as always were on her and he wished she could see his smile behind his helm. They landed not too far away and after speaking to Rhaenix and telling her to find food and a place to stay, he walked toward the castle with a spring in his step. One that did not go unnoticed by Arthur and Loras.
"Eager to get there your grace." Loras said.
"Aye, Loras I am, try and keep up." he said laughing when Ghost raced on ahead of him.
"It seems none of us will beat him, your grace." Arthur said.
Jae just smiled, Ghost would see Margaery and feel her touch before he would, though he could not begrudge the wolf that. He only wished he could stay here longer than he was intending but he knew he could not. The war waited for none of them and unlike Mace, he'd not dawdle. There were many more miles to travel and soon enough it'd be West he aimed for and a stag that would be in his sights.
Stone Hedge 297 AC.
Jonos.
He called his banners after the ravens came. Once the message came from Shella he knew he had no choice but to pledge his support to the true king. That he'd not rise for Edmure Tully had been a given but he had been prepared to leave it at that. Until the raven came claiming Jon Snow to not be who he thought he was but the son of Rhaegar Targaryen forced him to reconsider.
The truth after that was easy to discern, Ned Stark had lied to protect his kin and now the boy was going for the throne. Working out that he'd win wasn't too hard either and yet he still hesitated, his location demanded it. Should Robert arrive first and he was flying dragon banners, then his house would suffer. Then the raven came for Shella, she was raising her banners for the dragon, as was Mallister, Mooton, Darry, and Blackwood. The last giving him almost a reason to pause once more, though in the end he knew what he must do and so the Dragon banner now flew over his keep.
"My lord, forces arrive from the West." Harry said.
"Friendly?" he asked his bastard son.
"I doubt it my lord, the silver trout." Harry said and he readied himself, glad at least it was Edmure and not Robert who had come.
He climbed his tower and with a myrish eye he looked out, watching as the army arrived. It shocked him that Edmure had managed to gather so many and it made his own force look pitiful in comparison. Though he was glad there were no siege engines amongst Edmure's supplies, with time they could be built but time helped him. Walking from the tower he asked for the horses to be readied and a flag of parlay to be presented.
It took some time for the answer to come back from Edmure and when it did Jonos readied to ride out. He had to force Harry to stay alongside Hendry, telling them he needed his kin here just in case. He didn't expect them to break parlay but he'd put nothing past Tully, his actions towards the king proved his mind wasn't clear where Jaehaerys was concerned. Riding out to meet them he looked to see House Piper, Vance, Goodbrook and Ryger and not many more had joined with Edmure, leaving him far worse off than he should have been.
"Lord Bracken, I sent the raven and called you to arms, and yet you did not answer." Edmure said when he met him in his hastily arranged tent.
"I did not for you serve a false king my lord and I've pledged my sword to the true one.".
"A bastard, you pledged yourself to a bastard." Edmure laughed as around him the lords smiled.
"Did I? better than a monster, my lord." he said and the smiles stopped.
"Your liege lord called and you refused, that makes you a traitor Jonos." Marq Piper said.
"Or my king called and you refused making you one Marq. Only the victorious get to write this story, are you sure the side you serve will be the ones to win?" he said smiling.
"King Robert put down the dragons once before." Lymond said.
"When he brought more of the Riverlands and had Ned Stark on his side, Lymond, here the odds are not in his favor." he said and Edmure looked at him angrily.
"A side led by a bastard, a green boy." Edmure said and Jonos couldn't help but chuckle.
"That very same green boy has knocked you on your arse more than once, but by all means try your luck once more my lord. The West, The Reach, The North, I'm sure will look forward to proving the green boy true.".
"So you will not rise?" Edmure asked.
"I've risen my lord, just not for you." he said with a smirk.
"Then we'll see you on the morrow." Edmure said and Jonos sighed as he turned to walk from the tent stopping to look back at the other lords, men he'd called friend before this day.
"He fights because he's been fool enough to poke the dragon, he has no choice." he said pointing to Edmure "The rest of you should know better.".
He heard the grumbling as he readied his horse and then he quickly rode back. The villagers had taken refuge in the keep and his men had built barricades to try and stop the advance. Though he knew it was no use and he only hoped that Edmure wouldn't be cruel enough to burn the village to the ground. Every able man had a weapon in his hand and he readied for the attack on the morrow.
It came earlier than he thought and the fighting through the village was fierce, soon though he looked on as the forces began to surround his keep. Jonos looked to his men, his kin, and readied himself for the attack on Stone Hedge itself. When the horns came he was stunned, though not as much as the men who were setting up their tents waiting for the siege to begin. He saw men fall and horses race off, saw men run and as he looked through the Myrish eye he could barely believe it.
"Those are Blackwood men." he said and for the first time ever he found himself happy to say those words.
"Aye, but on whose side?" Hendry his nephew asked.
He didn't need to answer though as their actions were doing that and though they didn't aim to rout the forces below them. Didn't chase after them or didn't seek to kill them all, the day was theirs all the same. The attack had been completely unexpected and Edmure had been caught with his pants down, literally according to songs that were sung later that night. Jonos watched as the army that had come to take his home from him was chased off his lands.
Tents, horses, armor, some were carried off with them and yet most had been left behind and in that their victory was complete. Morale wise even more so as his men cheered and he could only imagine the dejection those on Edmure's side must have felt. As he made his way to the gate he prepared to let Tytos Blackwood into his home for the first time ever, he'd even feast the man tonight if he'd break bread with him.
"Jonos." Tytos said.
"Tytos." he replied "I'd not expected you I must say.".
"Aye, we have our differences but they're for another day. My king sent me here Jonos and so here I've come." Tytos said.
"You spoke to him?" he asked wondering where the king was.
"No, I received a message from a dead man telling me Tully marched here." Tytos said with a laugh.
"A dead man?".
"Ser Richard Lonmouth lives and is at the king's side, Jonos, it seems more of Rhaegar's old guard survived too as Ser Arthur Dayne guards the king's back.".
"The Sword of the Morning." he said almost in a whisper.
"Aye, help is on the way Jonos, the king's men march and we're to meet them at Riverrun.".
"Hah, good, Tully tried to take my home from me, I'll be glad to help the king take his." he said laughing loudly.
He left a force to garrison the keep and he rode with Tytos and his men, told along the way that the Mallister's along with others would soon be joining them and they'd meet with the Lions soon enough. Looking back at Stone Hedge in the distance and then at the man he rode beside, he shook his head and began to laugh.
"What's so funny, Jonos?" Tytos asked.
"All my life I worried it'd be you who took Stone Hedge from me Tytos, little did I know that I'd see a king in my time who'd prove me wrong." he said and Tytos laughed a little.
"Aye, now let's go gut some fishes.".