Dragons of Destiny

Dragonstone 305 AC.

Dany.

She waited until the ship arrived, hoping that the time it took would allow her and Rhaegal to calm down. It did not, instead the longer she waited for Aegon to arrive the angrier she got and not even Drogon's concern for her made her feel any better. They had a plan, acted upon that plan and the plan was working and then he had to go and do that. Of all the things he could do and all the ways he could risk himself, he had to once again jump from a dragon's back, this time onto a burning ship no less.

Closing her eyes, Dany leaned against Rhaegal's head, her son was just as furious with Aegon as she was and he too was not ready yet to calm his anger. She stood waiting on the beach as the small boat rowed her way, her husband looking to her and whether he could see how furious she was with him or not was hard to tell. That he was not concerned or worried by how she may feel only angered her further and so his smiling face was met with her scowling one. As the boat reached the shore, Aegon climbed out of it and walked her way, Dany allowing him to greet her with an embrace that she half-heartedly returned.

"You should speak to Rhaegal." she said her tone one that clearly showed her annoyance with him.

"Dany." Aegon said his own voice finally showing a note of understanding about how she may feel.

"Rhaegal, Aegon." she said before moving away from him.

Aegon nodded to her and then he walked over to the green dragon, Dany looking on as Rhaegal turned his head from her husband when he went to speak. Around them the Unsullied she'd left on the island stood guard, Dany having already let them know that all was well. With her, it was, at least in terms of her physical condition, mentally not so much and she was emotionally fraught. Looking over to Aegon and Rhaegal was this another day she'd have found herself laughing at the scene in front of her, today though she just enjoyed it differently.

Rhaegal turned his head from her husband each time he went to speak to him, Dany watching on as Aegon was forced to walk from one side to another just so he could look into the dragon's eyes. As soon as he managed to do so though he was not once more as Rhaegal moved his head away from him each time. At one point Dany watched as Rhaegal blew air from his snout in such a sign of annoyance that Aegon was almost knocked to the ground by the force of it. The roar that came from the dragon a few minutes later was one of both anger and of fear she felt. That Aegon felt it too was clear by the way he took a knee and began speaking softly. Eventually, after what felt like an hour or more, she heard the different sounds that began to come from Rhaegal, and though she couldn't hear Aegon's words, she did recognize the tone.

"Well?" she asked when her husband walked from the dragon, Dany looking to the two dragons as Drogon leaned in and rubbed his head against his brother's neck.

"We've reached an understanding." Aegon said softly.

"Good." she said before turning and walking briskly away, Aegon following after her.

That he didn't try and stop her or speak to her as they walked to the keep was perhaps a good thing. While the Unsullied would not understand the nature of the argument Aegon had just had with Rhaegal, they would should they argue so publicly and Dany knew that there was to be an argument between them before the day was done. They hadn't left many on Dragonstone, just enough to keep the castle should any try and take it but still tale of the king and queen fighting would spread and so it was for the best done it was done indoors. Looking to the sky she could see that night wasn't too far off either and so they would rest up here tonight before flying back to join their army. Whether that rest was together or separate was still to be decided she thought as she walked into the Great Hall and past it into the Chamber of the Painted Table.

"Khaleesi?" Fasari asked when she reached the room, the woman looking as if she had hurried to greet her.

"All is well Qoy Qohi, the Khal and I wish to speak alone." she said smiling at the older woman.

"Food Khaleesi?"

"Not for now, perhaps later." she said as the woman ushered the others who'd come after her and were carrying wine and food away from the room.

She stood at the window and looked out onto the bay below, Aegon standing at the other end of the painted table and when she turned around to face him she found herself almost brought back to a different time. Then he'd been telling her that he was risking his life to go on some dumb quest that in the end had achieved nothing. She'd been furious with him for that at the time but he was not hers to tell what he could or could not do, she didn't order him and she was not his queen, not then.

"Dany." he said moving towards her, Aegon finally realizing the depths of her anger and worry.

"What were you thinking, Aegon?" she said after taking a breath.

"He needed to die, Dany, he had to be dealt with once and for all." Aegon said looking at her, his expression one that at least showed how worried he was about her reaction.

"You were on Rhaegal, Aegon, the ship was aflame, he was going to die." she said annoyedly.

"I had to be sure."

"So you risked yourself? Do I mean so little to you, does our babe?" she asked her voice almost cracking.

"Dany I.." he said moving closer to her, Dany raising her hand to stop him from coming closer.

"No, Aegon, there was no reason for it, no reason good enough to risk yourself so. I cannot do this alone, we cannot do it alone." she said before composing herself "You are a king, a husband and soon to be a father, you aren't a warrior alone Aegon, you don't need to do it all by yourself."

"I needed to be sure he was dead, Dany, I couldn't risk him getting away, I couldn't let it happen, I couldn't, not ag… I couldn't." Aegon said Dany finding herself confused by his words and when he turned from her.

"Aegon?" she asked, this time taking a step towards him.

"I saw Rhaegal fall, Dany, brought down by a bolt fired by Euron Greyjoy, I saw it and couldn't let it happen. Had he got away then perhaps…" Aegon said softly.

"Why didn't you tell me of this? Speak to me about it?"

"I didn't wish to worry you." Aegon said moving to her.

"Then stop being so damn reckless, I cannot have it Aegon, I can't face it. I do not wish to lose you, I cannot." she said looking to him, memories of another time and another man at the back of her mind that she quickly shook away.

Aegon was not Drogo and she had never felt the way she felt about him with Drogo either. Yet the loss had almost broken her, the thoughts of losing Aegon now threatened to overwhelm her and so she welcomed his arms when they wrapped around her.

"Promise me." she said softly.

"Dany…"

"Promise me that you'll not risk yourself like that again, Aegon, say it to me here and now. Just as you made me promise you, you promise me." she said looking into his eyes, her hands on either side of it as she forced him to look at her.

"I promise." he said softly and she nodded.

She tried to enjoy the kiss and eventually she did but for the longest time her mind was filled with the same worry that she knew he'd only just had for her. It wasn't a throne she wanted, nor to break the wheel, though she'd work for both. Dany knew what it was she truly desired and to be so close to having it and then see it taken from her, it was something she was sure she'd not be able to bear. Kissing him, relaxing in his arms, it was images of the future she saw and that future only came true if they were together. Their future, their family only came about if both of them realized that risks weren't worth the reward, no reward was worth their family.

The Riverlands 305 AC.

Tyrion.

Running was easy, running to where was where it got difficult and why it had taken him longer than he had wanted to make his start. He knew he had no choice but to run but that in of itself left him with choices to make, choices that almost paralyzed him into inaction. The North was obviously out, Jon Snow was beloved and revered as the hero who brought the dawn, and even him being revealed as Aegon Targaryen would not diminish that. The West according to the Riverlords was no longer a place where he would be welcomed and his dreams of one day being the Lord of Casterly Rock would forever end as just dreams it would seem.

He'd hoped the Riverlords would at the very least have taken far more issue with the revelation of Jon Snow's truth. In his wildest fantasies, their reaction had been similar to his own when he had heard, but alas that was not how the news was received. Be it the dragons, the size of the army, the fact that he was married to Daenerys, or a combination of all of those things, the Riverlords had knelt and called a bastard a king. For no matter what he may claim or what the papers he carried may say, Jon Snow was a bastard still. The faith didn't accept second wives and an annulment even one written by Maynard could be challenged. Providing there was anyone to challenge it he thought bitterly as he rode hard through the woods.

That was also part of the reason for his delay, it wasn't just where he could go where he wasn't killed on sight or dragged back to Daenerys and Jon Snow, but once there he needed to be able to raise a challenge against them. He had to be able to provoke a response, organize a rebellion, and build up a powerbase, do something, anything that would allow him not only to rise but to thrive. This again gave him problems as there simply wasn't anyone in Westeros he could think of that not only would or could rise against Jon Snow and Daenerys, but would do so with his input. No one except for the one person who may simply kill him on sight.

He rode through the night, fearing that if he stopped he'd hear the sounds of horsemen behind him. Every so often his eyes would be drawn upwards and he'd find himself looking to the sky and breathing a sigh of relief when he saw it full only of clouds. By the time he got to the Trident, he had to rest as did his horse. Tyrion stopping near a small wooded hill and allowing the horse to drink while he threw water over his face and tried to get his mind to figure a different way out of things. He almost didn't hear the cart behind him as his head was dipped under the water as it stopped. When he looked up and saw it he was relieved to see it was driven by a father who rode with his wife and their children. They were heading south it would seem and perhaps he could ride with some of the way, it would be safer for him if they let him join them.

"Greetings friends." he said shaking the water from his head as he walked over to the man and woman, one of their children climbing up from the back of the cart and looking at him with a look he knew all too well.

"What brings you to these parts stranger?" the man asked warily, Tyrion noticing how his hand reached down for something and deciding it was best not to get too close.

"Like you, I am traveling south, I'm heading to King's Landing." he said and the man snorted.

"Alone?"

"Aye, alone" he said wondering when he started using the northern way of speaking and finding that he didn't know.

"You'll find naught but suffering there, best you ride elsewhere." the man said his hand had found whatever it was he was looking for and his voice sounded far more confident now.

"Perhaps we can share some of the journey, company is always welcome is it not?." he asked as charmingly as he could.

"I find my own company to be all I need, good fortune to you." the man said as the cart began to move away, Tyrion finding to his dismay that he didn't have the words to convince the man to let him join, they were lost to him and it bothered him greatly.

Even when he finally stopped for sleep later that night he couldn't stop thinking of that particular failure. It was like so many others of his recently, all down to his mind and he struggled with it for most of the night. His sleep was fitful and he woke constantly, finding himself both afraid of the real danger that would surely come his way and the idea that he wasn't as clever as he always had been. He was the Imp, the Demon Monkey, the cleverest man in Westeros, and yet he'd been outsmarted by a bastard and a queen that had shown no such smarts before.

They had played him, he could see that now, they had known and had played him and he couldn't understand how he'd not seen it coming. That was his greatest strength, to see the motives of men before the men themselves even knew them, to know their minds better than they did, and to use that for his advantage. With Daenerys it had been easy, she knew so little about Westeros that she had needed him and he'd given her good advice when it had suited him. The bad he'd covered up as necessary and until they'd come North and something had happened with her and Jon Snow, all had been right in his world.

How had he not seen it? How had he not noticed the change in her, in him, and when had it happened? His mind was in turmoil as he broke his fast on dried bread and cold water. He had known they were falling for each other, Daenerys's reaction to the trip beyond the Wall was proof enough of that, yet he'd not expected that fall to be so complete. That night on the ship, was it then? He tried to think, to remember, and found his mind to be uncooperative. Thoughts racing through it that said this was a waste of time, a nonsense, the past didn't matter, only the future counted, and yet, there was something nagging at the back of his mind, something he could use if only his mind allowed.

"Come boy, we've miles to go yet." he said shrugging his thoughts from his head as he climbed up on his horse.

He rode slower as he felt there was no chance of horsemen catching up with him, had they been sent then they'd have caught him by now and if it was the dragons were who chased him then he'd not be able to outrun them. There was no point killing his horse to try and so he rode as if he was on a morning stroll, soon finding his mind filled with thoughts once more. Riding to his sister was perhaps the dumbest or cleverest thing he'd ever done. She'd sent Bronn to kill him and that made it clear that to her, he was still someone she despised and wanted dead, and yet she was the only one who could help him live and thrive.

Dorne, the Reach, the Stormlands, the Vale and Westeros, they were the only other options he had and he'd easily discounted them one by one. The Dornish would kill him simply for who he was and the name he possessed, the Stormlands too as Blackwater Bay had been his idea. He'd thought of the Vale, knowing that was where Sansa went and while that held its appeals, they'd not welcome him and he doubted he could trust Sansa to keep him safe. He believed she'd sell him out if he was being completely truthful, to the Vale Lords or even back to Daenerys and Jon Snow for whatever she could wrangle for his life. It would be what he would do to her after all and she'd learned the game as well as he had.

Essos was a non-starter for different reasons, as there he was known to be someone in league with the Dragonqueen. It would mean that in most cities he'd lose his head as soon as he arrived and the only ones where he would not, would be the ones under Daenerys's control. The bay she'd named after her children though would be no place for him to hide from those children or their mother. Even offering her enemies insight into how the dragons could be defeated, or how Daenerys could be defeated, wouldn't be enough. Essosi were far too difficult to predict, they could decide to kill him just to send a message or simply for their own amusement.

No, it had to be Cersei, her fear and worry about the Dragonqueen and how she'd feel about Jon Snow's truth would be enough to stay her hand. He'd need to find a way to deal with her after they won of course but she was the only one who could, of that there was no doubt in his mind. As he felt night begin to fall he looked for a place to sleep and cursed the position he found himself in once more. He was not made for cold ground and cold nights, he belonged in inns, taverns, and brothels with a woman in his bed or sucking his cock, he thought with a wry smile. Still for now this was his lot in life and so as he found a place that would work, he tied his horse to the tree. He set a fire and ate the poor fare that he'd been rationing and then lay down to sleep.

"You have coin?" the voice called out and he felt the kick to his stomach, his eyes opening as he looked to the two men who stood over him and he felt his fear rise.

"I don't though you're welcome to check." he said knowing they would do so whether he lived or died.

"Ethon, check the ugly little fucker." the older and uglier of the two men said, Tyrion seeing the rotten teeth of the other man far too clearly as he moved to him, his breath stinking of something he had no wish to identify.

"He's got nothing, Darrik." Ethon said and he saw the grimace on the older man's face.

"Then what fucking use is he." Darrik said annoyed.

"What will we do, Darrik?"

He didn't like the look the man got on his face then and were it not for the fact that he felt he was about to die then he'd have noticed the movement behind them. When he did he almost shat himself as did the two men who suddenly turned around to find themselves facing the white wolf. Was this another time and another place he'd have felt relieved at being saved by Ghost, but that the wolf was here now did not fill him with any comfort whatsoever. Not even when the two men ran from Ghost did he feel any better about his situation. Instead, he backed up against the tree he had slept under and found himself staring into red eyes that seemed to look right through him.

Being bitten by a wolf was not a pleasant thing, that the bites were to stop him running and not to kill him was something that brought him little comfort. The pain that he felt in his legs and the fact he knew they were now useless only filling him with fear. As did the red eyes of the white wolf as he lay down in the grass and stared his way. The blood on Ghost's snout was not only his either, the wolf had also made a meal of his horse as Tyrion watched on. Had he been in any doubt that Ghost had only wished him immobile and not dead then seeing him feast on horsemeat would have removed it very quickly.

How he knew they were above him was something he couldn't or perhaps more precisely wouldn't ever be able to tell. Drogon and Rhaegal were here though, that he knew and he watched as their mother and father, for that was what Jon Snow was now he felt, made their way towards him. He looked to their eyes and saw no pity, no mercy and he knew no words of his would talk his way out of this predicament. His mind, his tongue had failed him and in the end, it was probably for the best that they killed him since without the thing that made him who he was, he was nothing.

"You betrayed me, Tyrion. For the longest time, it would seem, and even after I gave you a final chance you did so once more." Daenerys said staring at him, no sadness, no regret and no feeling in her eyes.

"I did." he said softly.

"My wife is a dragon, Tyrion and you know how dragons deal with traitors." Jon Snow, no, this was not Jon Snow, as he looked at him, as he looked deep into his eyes, the boy he knew was dead and this man, this king, now stood in his place.

Tyrion closed his eyes and tried to think of a time when he was happy, a time when he was the man he had wished to be, he tried to think of Tysha and their cottage, their bed, and her face, and when he could not he begin to cry. His mind had failed him once more and as he opened his eyes and felt his tears fall, it was to other larger eyes that he looked.

"Dracarys." they said as one and his world was suddenly filled with flames and his final thought was that his tongue was on fire.

The Vale 305 AC.

Sansa.

The news of Aegon Targaryen had changed the mood in the Vale, her own most of all. Sansa finding herself snapping at servants and being irritable with the ladies of the Vale more than once. While Sweet Robin argued and told the Lords of the Vale that they must ride to pay back this insult, Sansa could hear their reticence to do so. Her own reticence among them as to ride was to die and only a fool wouldn't or couldn't see that.

That Robin was a fool bore well for how she'd be able to control him once they were wed but she needed to assert some of that control now and so after yet another night of him almost demanding the banners were called, she decided to act. What she had to do was distasteful and just touching his small cock with her hand almost made her retch. Sansa happy that he spent so quickly and yet as she washed his seed from her hand she felt her stomach flip. The food she'd eaten was soon in the privy hole and she washed her face quickly before she re-entered the room. A false smile that she'd painted on her face as she went to bid Robin goodnight was wasted on the sleeping boy.

She hurried back to her own room and felt at least that she'd accomplished her goal, her sweet words and the movements of her hand had calmed his ire down. As she undressed and climbed into her bed though a horrible thought came to her mind and it was one that made sleep hard to come by. It stayed with her when she awoke the next morning and when she read over the books of the Vale to see how secure they were, and even as she drank tea with the ladies. When she ate dinner that night she felt it in the pit of her stomach and as she walked with him to his room that night, she found her thoughts and fears to be true.

"Will you stay with me, my love, as you did last night." Robin said looking at her with wide eyes and a stare she knew all too well.

"Perhaps we should save nights like that for special occasions my love." she said kissing his lips and smiling her prettiest smile.

"Tonight is s special occasion." he said looking at her, his expression changed somewhat.

"How so?" she asked.

"Because I say it is and I am Lord of the Vale." he said determinedly and though she argued some more or tried to do so without actually arguing, what she had feared came to pass.

Standing in the privy later, she washed her hand and then retied her dress. Robin had wished to see her and though she'd manage to stop him from touching her breast, she'd needed to bare them for him all the same. Once again he was asleep when she walked from the privy and so she hurried back to her room, knowing now that she'd started down a path that led only one way. He'd already begun to change things after only one night and soon he'd not be content with even those changes. Sansa was now not sure if she could keep him from between her thighs before they were wed and she certainly wouldn't be able to once they were.

Although that was a fool's wish and was never going to be the case, as to make her position here as true as it could be she would need to birth an heir. The thoughts of what she'd do once she had birthed him a son though were no longer ones that caused her any doubt. Robin was a man and had manly needs and Sansa had no desire to have to be the one to fulfill them, not for him or not for anyone. As she lay in her bed and felt her tears fall, she cursed Jon Snow for putting her in this position and she knew now that she'd made a huge mistake.

"I should have let you die in the battle, I should have held back longer." she said rolling over to her stomach and letting her tears and sobs be muffled by her pillow.

As she made her way to break her fast the next morning she was once again the picture of a lady and not even her betrothed's lascivious smile could remove her own painted on one. She took her seat beside him and as they ate they discussed the things that needed to be done that day. Robin once again letting Sansa take the lead and she wondered who had done this before she arrived. Had he simply sat in meetings and nodded or thrown tantrums when he didn't get his way? She believed he had and that he was a lord only in name. His grasp on stores, coin, even military matters were far below her own and she felt the Vale Lords appreciated her taking over, just as much as she did herself.

Later in the day, they held a proper meeting where she explained her plans. Sansa telling them how to make more of their stores and how to prepare even better for the winter they faced. She could see the surprise on their faces as she took charge completely, their nods of appreciation being ones that she felt were well deserved. By the time the meeting was over and they were walking to their evening meal, she found she had even forgotten what her night may entail.

"My lords, my ladies, you must come quick." a guard said as he rushed into the Great Hall before they had a chance to begin their meal.

"What is it?" she asked worriedly.

"The men we sent North, they've returned." the guard said.

She hurried outside with the others, Lady Anya though by far the oldest of them was already far ahead and she wondered how the old woman had managed it. That she and Robin were among the very last to reach the courtyard did not bode well and when she saw Ysilla crying by a cart she knew that Lord Royce had fallen. Looking around at the rest of the Knights of the Vale who'd returned it was clear that so had many of the others too.

It took some time for the events to be relayed to them, Sansa sitting beside Robin as the other Lords and Lady Anya asked question after question. The true extent of the victory now becoming clear and even though she'd known he'd won already, she'd still thought they'd have suffered a bigger loss. Losses that the Knights of the Vale had suffered in great numbers as there were less than 500 hundred men who'd ever ride again as they once had. She looked at the others and smiled when she sensed the opportunity. Sansa feeling that this presented her with a chance to run her bastard cousin and the Dragonbitch down.

"Jon never forgave the Knights of the Vale for the Battle of the Bastards, he knew without their arrival that he'd have lost and even after being named King In the North, he forever held that grudge." she said when people stopped speaking.

"He did?" Ser Harrold asked her curiously.

"He did Ser, though I never thought he'd go this far. I never dared believe him to actually sacrifice a man like Lord Yohn." she said as Ser Mychel looked at her.

"You're saying he deliberately sent my goodfather to die, Lady Sansa?" Mychel asked angrily, his father looking on as he did so.

"What other explanation can there b, Ser?" she asked to some nods.

"Have Ser Robart brought in here at once." Lady Waynwood said angrily to one of her own guards.

Sansa hid her smile as Ser Robart Donniger was now called back into the Great Hall. The man had already spoken to them about the battle against the dead and how it had been won. He'd told them how almost all of the Dothraki and the Unsullied and both dragons had survived and though there were losses, they were far less than there should have been. For that, he'd given thanks to the preparations that had been made. As he'd spoken, Sansa had looked around and seen doubt and fear on some of the faces in the room, though the dragons surviving were enough to cause that.

Still, there was also the army they may need to face if it came to that which brought its own worries too. That wasn't what had truly bothered her though, instead it was the respect that she saw on most of those faces that caused her the most concern. Jon Snow had already been named king by other men who were impressed by his ability as a warrior, even if it had been her who'd actually won the day. As the doors opened she swore there was no way she'd allow these men to follow the same path. Not after all she'd gone through, or after the things she'd needed to do since she'd arrived here.

"Ser Robart, my lords." a guard said and she looked at the man as he now walked into the room.

He was broken, she could see that clearly, whether it was by what he'd faced or what he'd lost though she couldn't be certain.

"Ser Robart, Lady Sansa has suggested that Aegon Targaryen may have wished to see the Knights of the Vale brought low, would you concur?" Lady Anya asked and Sansa glared at the woman for phrasing it in such a way.

"Aegon Targaryen, my lady?" the knight asked confused.

"Jon Snow, Ser Robart." Ser Symond Templeton said annoyedly.

"No my lady I'd not concur." Ser Robart said his voice angry and Sansa felt the eyes of the room turn to her.

"He was not jealous of your success at the Battle of the, what was it called again?" Lord Redfort asked.

"Bastards, my lord. No far from it, while there was some tension between King Jon and Lord Royce." Ser Robart said looking to her with a glare "There was nothing but respect shown by him to me or to our knights."

"Then explain how we lost more than two-thirds of our men while by all accounts, the other forces didn't suffer nearly the same?" Lord Hunter asked.

"Even these savages who rode in the charge with you lost less, is that not so?" Lady Anya asked.

"It is my lady, but it was no fault of King Jon's." Ser Robart said far more firmly than he'd spoken thus far.

"Surely you don't suggest it was my goodfather's fault?" Ser Mychel asked angrily.

"I do not, Ser, and let any man dare say so in my presence and they'll soon find themselves on the end of my blade. Lord Royce was a damn hero, as was every other man that survived that battle. Believe me my lords, good Ser's, for there was none ever fought like it before." Ser Robart said, his voice cracking.

"Then what happened, Ser Robart?" Ser Harrold asked.

"Some of the men broke, Ser Harrold. King Jon gave Lord Yohn specific orders, we were to ride through and then regroup before riding through again, never stop, never engage, ride and ride hard." Ser Robart said his voice cracking and Sansa and the others noticing the tears in his eyes as he did so "Some men did not, they broke, they stopped and engaged, and once they did they were done for."

"Done for?" Ser Mychel asked.

"The dead were like nothing I've ever seen Ser Mychel, nothing. They didn't break like a line breaks, they didn't lose courage or become disheartened by their losses, they came, they came again and they never stopped coming. King Jon knew this to be true, so he told us to ride into them from the side and to ride right through to the other. There were to regroup and do it again, to move, to never stop and had we, had they, then just like the Dothraki there'd be more of us here today."

"You're saying that savages held true to their orders were our own men did not?" Ser Harrold asked his voice full of shock and disbelief.

"They believed in their king and queen, Ser Harrold, as do I." Ser Robart said, Sansa felt the apprehension rise in her chest as the Lords of the Vale looked to her and she swore she saw a smile appear on Lady Anya's face before she spoke.

"You think the king a good man, Ser Robart, a good man and true?" Lady Anya asked.

"I believe him to be the best of men, my lady, both he and Queen Daenerys are good and true I'd stake my oath on it." Ser Robart said firmly.

Later that night as she walked Robin back to his room, as she undid her dress and bared her breast and reached over to untie his britches and release his cock, she felt that apprehension in her chest rise once more.

"Sansa, is it true that some women use their mouths to give pleasure to a man?" Robin asked looking to her, his eyes alight and as she bent her head she felt her stomach begin to turn once more.

The Riverlands 305 AC.

Aegon Targaryen.

They had slept on Dragonstone and made love, both of them needing each other for different reasons. Dany he felt needed to be certain he was alive and unharmed and Aegon needed her to help him clear his mind of the thoughts that threatened to bring him to his knees. Thoughts of a dragon falling from the sky and what it led to, thoughts of a throne room that he cared not to see. He had looked at her as she slept and had placed his hand on her stomach, their babe, their daughter was alive and Dany was right she would need them both.

When he had slept it was in dreams of wolves and not dragons that he'd found himself in. Ghost was stalking, watching, and waiting for the right time and Aegon knew that he'd been given all he wished for in righting this wrong. Once Dany had seen the Iron Fleet for herself, once she had then confirmed that Tyrion had sent no raven to Dragonstone, his fate had been sealed and Aegon had convinced her that it must be done in private.

" He should be tried, Aegon, he needs to be made to admit to what he did." she said as they readied to take to the sky.

" He should but he cannot, he is a talker Dany, it's the one gift he has, his ability to twist words. Who knows what he may say or how much damage he may cause. There is also Jaime to think of too, for I'd not have him see it." Aegon said and she nodded, her agreement being all he needed.

After they had dealt Tyrion they had flown to their forces, they found them on the march and just past the Green Fork. Aegon had been sorely tempted to land when they flew over the Trident, he'd wished to take some time to pray at the Ruby Ford but they'd been away too long already and he didn't want there to be fear for them for any longer than couldn't be helped. Dany said that she felt a stirring inside of her too, one she'd felt when she had been parted from her children for too long and though it was muted, she knew exactly what it was. Lyarhaex missed them both but she missed her rider most of all, the bond already growing between them even before their daughter had arrived.

They landed and were greeted by a most welcome sight, Lyarhaex flying fast from Missandei's shoulder and into Dany's arms, the dragon chirping and trilling as Dany stroked her head. Aegon looked to see a worried look on Davos's face and on Jaime's, where the others seemed far more relieved to see them. He smiled and gave a nod to Varys when he saw him amongst the group and was then almost tackled to the ground by Arya when she pushed past them all to welcome him back.

"Don't do that again." she said hugging him tightly.

"You know?" he asked confusedly.

"We were so worried, I thought you'd only be gone a day, don't do that to me again." she said, Aegon realizing she was just worried and didn't know what he'd done.

"Aye, I'll not." he said kissing her forehead.

"Your grace." Ser Davos said with a nod.

"All is in hand, Ser Davos, come, let's head back to the camp and speak." he said as Arya left him to go and join Jorah and Missandei as they spoke to Dany.

"We have some visitors, your grace, from the West and Lord Tyrion.." Davos began.

"Will be dealt with in time, visitors?" he asked.

"Ser Daven Lannister your grace, the Warden of the West." Varys said.

"Lord Varys, it's good to see you well." he said as Varys nodded.

"You too, your grace, both of you. Your mission was a success?" Varys asked.

"It was, come, let's speak in private, and then we shall find out if we are in need a new Warden or not."

As they walked to their tent he saw the Lannister men looking on. Ser Daven was blond-haired and had a beard that was neatly trimmed and made out and he could see the resemblance he shared albeit faintly with Ser Jaime. He gave the man a nod and received one in return, though he could see the man's eyes were more on the two dragons who'd laid down to rest. Aegon had no need to be close to see the gulp the man gave when Drogon snapped at his brother, the dragons were playing though he supposed to anyone unaware of their moods it would look very different. When he reached their tent he asked for food to be brought, dismissing Dany's objections that she'd already broken her fast.

"You're hungry, my love." he whispered in her ear while stroking Lyarhaex's head.

"You'll make me fat." she said with a small laugh.

"Good, then no one will ever try and steal you from me." he said as he kissed her ear, her laugh now bigger as she rolled her eyes before they took their seats.

"Your Grace, the Iron Fleet?" Davos asked.

"Is no more Ser Davos, they were exactly where we expected to find them and were lying in wait." he said "However they and Euron Greyjoy will trouble us no longer."

"He is dead, your grace?" Jaime asked.

"By mine own hand, Ser Jaime, aye."

"Lord Tyrion is a traitor then it's true." Jorah said his voice showing his contempt and Aegon found himself looking at Jaime who looked panicked.

"Have him brought before us, We'll speak to him before we decide upon what must be done." Dany said and Aegon was surprised how calmly she did it, though not by the worried look on Jaime's face which was even bigger now.

"He isn't here your grace, we've sent riders after him but he snuck away not long after you both left." Ser Davos said his voice low.

"I wish him to be found and then tried. Lord Varys, get word to your little birds, should Lord Tyrion be sighted then I wish to know of it, send word throughout the Realm that he is to be apprehended and brought to face the Crown's Justice." he said firmly.

"Your grace." Varys said with a nod but made no effort to leave.

"Your grace, my brother, I would ask you to spare his life, I beg it of you." Jaime said his voice breaking and his eyes glassy.

Aegon looked to Dany and saw her nod, his wife finally truly understanding why they had needed to do what they had in private.

"The penalty for treason is death, Ser Jaime." he said before seeing Jaime's shoulder's sag "However, we shall take what you say under consideration. I give you my word that should Lord Tyrion be found and brought to us then his sentence will be merciful, I do this for you, Ser Jaime, not for him."

"I thank you, your grace." Jaime said as he relaxed a little.

"Ser Daven, Lord Varys, what can you tell me of him." he asked looking to Varys.

As with everything related to Varys, it turned out the man had more information on Ser Daven than perhaps even the man in question knew about himself, Aegon wagered. He like the rest of them listened as he told them of his father's death at Oxcross and of the vow he had made regarding his beard. Aegon finding that he could easily understand a man who was not willing to cut it until he gained his vengeance for what had happened. That it was Robb who had stolen his vengeance from him when he killed Lord Karstark though may prove a problem. He noticed the surprise and somewhat happiness on Jaime's face when Varys told them that there was a plan to marry him to Joy Hill. Jaime's cousin now being the heir to the Rock and his aunt wished to unite the claims and bring the Lady of Casterly Rock and the Warden of the West together.

"Do you think it'll be beneficial or a hindrance having Ser Jaime in the meeting, Lord Varys?" he asked as Jaime looked to him.

"Beneficial, your grace." Varys said.

"Very well, my wife and I would like to wash and change, perhaps you all could give us a moment. Ser Davos, you and Ser Jaime should go speak to Ser Daven and tell him that we'll meet with him within the hour. Lord Varys a moment."

"Your grace." Ser Davos said as did Jaime before they left, leaving them alone with Lord Varys.

"Lord Tyrion has already paid the price for his treason, Lord Varys. I'd ask you to send the ravens regardless, to all the houses." he said looking to the man, seeing a sad look on his face before he nodded.

"A loss, your grace but a necessary one." Varys said.

"A most necessary one." Dany said as Varys took his leave.

He cleaned his hands in the water that was brought in, washed his face, and dipped his head in the bowl. Lyarhaex squealed angrily at him when he shook his head and water dripped onto the dragon's own, Dany giggling all the while as she changed her clothing. Looking at his wife as she did so he could see the swell of her belly, his eyes not able to be drawn away from her as he moved over to kiss her cheek and help her tie her dress. That he didn't laugh or make comment when she struggled to fit into it was perhaps the only reason he was fit to stand when Ser Daven was brought to them. Dany taking her seat and sitting with a dress that was only half tied at the back.

"Ser Daven." he said as Ser Jorah, Ser Brienne, and Ser Jaime all stood by, Ser Davos taking a seat to one side of them.

"Your grace, your grace." Daven said to them both.

"Are you here to negotiate or surrender?" Dany said, her voice more amused than annoyed, something he was glad to see.

"I'd prefer the former, your grace." Daven said with a small laugh.

"As would we, Ser Daven." he said looking to the man and bidding him sit.

They were just about to start that negotiation when Varys came rushing in, Qhono following behind him, the look on Varys's face was a worried one, and their Master of Whisperers came to his side as soon as he told him to.

"An army marches our way, your grace." Varys said his voice so soft that even he could barely hear him as he whispered in his ear.

"A moment, Ser Daven." he said rising to his feet and whispering to Dany that he'd be back in a moment.

He followed Qhono and Varys from the tent, Ser Jaime joining him as soon as he did so, the four of them walking a little bit away from it so they could speak without being overheard.

"Ser Daven's?" he asked.

"No your grace, Ser Daven brought a small force with him and they came along the River Road, they're camped some miles from here and Qhono and his men have been watching them." Varys said.

"This is true Khal Ver, the golden men have not left and this army comes from a different direction, east not west." Qhono said.

"Allies or enemies, Lord Varys?" he asked.

"I cannot be certain your grace, " Varys said nervously.

"A large army, Qhono?" he asked turning to the other man.

"Many men, Khal Ver."

"Ser Jaime, you, Ser Jorah, and Ser Brienne will join us, we must go and see this army for ourselves." Aegon said.

"On the dragons, your grace?" Jaime asked nervously.

"it's like riding a horse, Ser Jaime, be it a really large one that breathes fire." he said with a chuckle that was returned by Qhono and Varys, though not by the knight who instead nodded nervously.

The Realm Reacts.

The Reach 305 AC.

Horn Hill.

Talia.

Her mother had refused the call, the raven scroll was simply left on what had once been her father's desk with all the others. That none came from the Dragonqueen herself was the only reason that they'd not been given to the fire. Talia knew they were on slippery ground and only that the Reach had no liege lord would see them keep their lands for not answering with some show of acceptance. She also knew that her mother was hurting and that it was the loss of her brother and not her father that made that so. Yet she mourned them both and though she blamed the Dragonqueen for their deaths, she blamed them too, despite what Sam had said.

Since he'd returned her brother had fuelled their mother's anger with his own, he'd blamed not just the Dragonqueen but the King in the North as well, something that confused her greatly. Not only was Jon Snow not present when her father and Dickon were killed but in the letters that Sam had sent her over the years, he'd named him a friend. Something had happened and yet just like with their mother and their father before him, she was but a girl, and her place was not to question the Lord or Lady of Horn Hill.

It confused her, annoyed her, and though she'd befriended the young wilding woman and her son, a son her mother believed was her blood even though Talia knew he was not, she'd found no answers there either. She made her way to the Maester's chambers and found Maester Teague to be busy writing in his ledger. The old man most happy to see her and quickly closing the door behind her so they'd not be disturbed.

"Have there been any more?" she asked.

"No my lady, the one from Lord Hightower directing us to send men was the last."

"If any come I need to see them Maester, can you keep copying them for me?"

"Of course my lady, but is this wise?"

"My mother is not in her right mind Maester, you've seen this for yourself." she said softly though she knew no one could hear her other than the man she spoke to.

"She grieves my lady." the Maester said sadly and she knew that he too had grieved for her brother.

"She does, but between her and my brother's animus I fear we risk losing evern more than we already have." she said her voice rising slightly and making her worry clear.

"Lord Sam.."

"Is not a Lord, Maester. What are the vows of the Night's Watch again? Take no wife, hold no lands, father no children, is that not right? What of the Citadel, Maester, do you not have to swear chastity if you wish to forge your links?"

"You do my lady, but Lord Sam said that the King in the North released him from his vows, that he allowed him to come back home because House Tarly needed a lord." the Maester said.

"My brother says many things, Maester, I find I do not believe most of them." she said and the man nodded.

She hurried from the room and made her way to her own, sitting down on her bed once she reached it. Her brother had changed and at first, she'd put it down to all he'd been a part of. Life at the Wall and beyond, facing off against things she didn't even wish to think on. Now she wasn't so sure it was not something else and though she hoped she was wrong, she feared she was not.

It was at dinner that night that the raven scroll came, her brother reading it and getting up to throw it in the fire, a panicked look on his face, and not even Gilly or their mother could get him to reveal what it said. That it ruined his appetite was enough for her to know just how bad it was and so she waited until the dead of night and made her way to the Maester's chambers once more. She knocked softly on the door she was taken aback when Teague opened it immediately, the Maester letting her know that he'd been waiting for her call.

"My lady, you must read this." Teague said and she was surprised to see the broken seal, a white wolf entwined with a Three-Headed dragon.

"Maester, this is not a copy?" she asked and the Maester nodded.

"This one is." the maester said handing her another which soon had her heart racing.

She quickly looked at the first one and as she read it she felt the blood rush from her face, the Maester looking just as nervous as she was. Once she was done, she told him what to do and then made her way to the family dining room. Taking her seat she waited, her eyes drawn to the empty space above the fire where Heartsbane had once rested. Sam had told her that it was taken from him but not by who or how he'd lost it and yet kept his life.

Time stretched on and finally she heard the screams and panicked shouts, her mother arriving before anyone else while Talia sat in what used to be her father's seat. She didn't say a word to her mother though she asked her what was going on, Talia instead waiting for her will to be done and hoping that Kegan was up to the task. When she saw him lead Sam, Gilly, and Little Sam into the room and the nod he gave her she took a deep breath and readied to speak, only for her mother to beat her to it.

"Talia, what's going on, you, unhand your lord." her mother said angrily to Kegan and the other guards.

"I cannot my lady, I take my orders from the Lady of Horn Hill." Kegan said looking to her.

"Talia?" her mother asked and Talia looked to her brother instead, Sam looking panicked and anything but a lord while Gilly looked at her pleadingly, she breathed deeply again before she spoke.

"It seems my brother was not entirely truthful with us mother, were you Samwell?" she said and saw her brother flinch at her tone, it was one he should know well as it was how their father would speak to him.

"Talia I can explain." Sam said his voice shaky and whiny and she closed her eyes and shook her head, remembering that tone from when she was a much younger girl.

"Talia?" her mother asked as Maester Teague then entered the room carrying a bag of coin.

"Sam wasn't released from his oaths mother, if anything he's a deserter of the Watch and only the words of the king are what's stopping me from ordering him to lose his head." Talia said.

"The king? What king?" her mother asked.

"Shall you tell her Sam, or shall I?"

"Talia please, I'm your brother." Sam said his tears falling, and yet they only hardened her resolve as she rose to her feet and read from the scroll.

" To the Lady Talia of House Tarly.

By order of their graces King Aegon and Queen Daenerys of House Targaryen, you are hereby named as the Lady of Horn Hill. It is also by their graces orders that Samwell Tarly is named as a deserter of the Watch, a man with no rights to lands, title, or any claim on his ancestral home. As a deserter the punishment he should face is death, however, his grace King Aegon would offer you a mercy Lady Tarly and not demand you take your brother's head, cursed is the Kinslayer and King Aegon will not make you one.

You may provide your brother with coin for passage from Westeros my lady and you may send him on his way with no retribution or punishment from the crown. But you must do so with this warning. Westeros has no place for deserters Samwell Tarly and his grace has already warned you once. Soon enough he will look in your direction and so once again he leaves you with these words spoken from his own lips.

Run Sam, Run for your life, for Winter is Coming for you and it brings you Fire and Blood.

The crown has no quarrel with House Tarly, my lady, we would suggest you do not make it so.

Ser Davos Seaworth,

Hand To King Aegon and Queen Daenerys of House Targaryen."

She saw the worried and yet angry look on her mother's face before she heard what she thought was water dripping to the floor and when she looked she saw Kegan move a little from her brother's side. The small puddle on the ground evidence enough of what had happened. Looking to Gilly she saw the girl's own panic and that stirred something in her heart.

"Gilly, you and Baby Sam are welcome to stay here. I'll see all is provided for you, your son, and the babe you carry. My brother however will be leaving and shall be escorted to Oldtown and there placed on a ship to Essos."

"I go where Sam goes." Gilly said softly.

"Sam, speak to her, do what's best for her and the children, and don't drag her into this thing with the king." she said before she walked from the room.

Her mother soon followed and they argued for over an hour. Talia telling her that she'd not change her mind on this and not see Horn Hill turned into Harrenhal for an oath breaker, not even if he had been her brother once. She expected it and was proved right when her mother retired to her rooms and then as she stood on the ramparts and watched the cart pull off she found she was proved right again. He took her with him and she was beginning to believe that he didn't even try to convince her to stay. Talia looked on as the cart carrying, Sam, Gilly, and Baby Sam made its way up the road and she cursed her brother for the life he was taking them to.

Oldtown.

Leyton Hightower.

One Moon ago.

Walking around the city was something he'd not done in more than a year, closer to two if he was truly keeping count. To be able to do so with Malora beside him, that had not been even an option to him for more than ten. It was that even more so than the beauty of his city that had his mood so high this morning. Seeing her out in the fresh open air instead of being locked away in her rooms where she had fought the voices in her head for so long.

Now there was only one voice and though he didn't hear it himself, as he had some of the others, he knew this one spoke the truth. They strolled past traders and stalls, Leyton spending coin and looking at his beautiful daughter finally as she was always meant to be. He watched her charm men, women, and children, heard her laugh at mummers and listened as she spoke, and offered good cheer to any whose path they crossed. He was content and enjoying the day and would have continued to do so had the guard not came running from the Hightower. Leyton not surprised it was Malora who brought his attention to the man, his daughter smiling as she pointed him out.

"It is time father, the truth is to be known." Malora said with a smile as she handed a child some coppers and he turned towards the guard.

"Then shall we?" he said offering his daughter his arm.

He'd no sooner done so than the guard reached them and handed him the raven's scroll, Leyton not even needing to look past the Three-Headed Dragon of House Targaryen to know what news it carried. Walking arm in arm with his daughter they headed back to the Hightower and made ready to tell the Lords of the Reach a truth that had waited years to be revealed. A truth that had caused his daughter so much pain and suffering and in turn had stayed his hand while events occurred that he was powerless to react to. Leyton not taking part in wars or seeking retribution for actions that deserved his fury, not willing to risk losing her to the voices in her head and so sitting by idly while she was held a hostage of another creature's mind.

Now he could do what needed to be done and though Baelor and Gunthor had gathered their army it would not be his sons that led it. Instead, it would be he, Leyton of House Hightower and for the first time in three and twenty years, he would soon be marching to war. As they reached the Hightower and walked through its halls, he sent men to make sure that everyone was assembled and then sent others to fetch his sons. Malora walked beside him and seemed to be even more eager than he for what was about to be said and more importantly for what was about to come.

Baelor arrived first, his son already knew the truth, and had he his way then he'd have marched by now. It had hurt him to have his own hand stayed he knew and so he wouldn't, couldn't, begrudge him the spring in his step or the look on his face. Nor the smile that came to that face when Leyton nodded and showed him the scroll. Baelor took up position by Malora's side and as they reached the Great Hall they were joined by Gunthor and Garth and finally by Humfrey, all six of them walking into the hall and quickly taking their seats.

"My lords, My lords, my father brings us news." Baelor said loudly, quietening the room down as he retook his seat.

Leyton looked out on the faces, Lord Ashford looked eagerly at him as did Paxter, Mathis Rowan almost looked ready to race to the ships at just the merest indication that he could. Ser Jon Fossoway held his wife's hand, both of them as keen as each other to be told they were finally allowed to seek justice for their fallen kin. Around the room, the great and the good, the Lords of the Reach all looked to him and he found his eyes closing of their own accord. A silent prayer coming to his mind and he gave it a moment, the dead deserved his prayers and there were those among them that really should be here to witness this he felt.

"My lords, I have just received this message from House Targaryen, a message whose seal I've not yet broken." he said holding it up for all to see "A message not just for me, or even the Lords of the Reach, but a message for the entirety of the Realm".

He broke the seal and read out the words, feeling their power as he did so and watching the reactions of each man as he told a truth that had been hidden for far too long.

" To The Lords and Ladies of Westeros,

I write to you to reveal a great truth that was kept hidden for four and twenty years. I name the man known as Jon Snow for who he truly is. Not a bastard or son of Lord Eddard Stark as the realm was led to believe but as Aegon Targaryen the trueborn son of Rhaegar and Lyanna Targaryen and the true heir to the Iron Throne. Together with his wife Daenerys they call upon every man and woman who were loyal to their family to stand with them once more. The time has come to remove false lions from the throne they stole. To see the true king and queen crowned and for the dragons to rule once more. The realm and its people have suffered under false kings and queens for far too long and just as their graces have beaten the army of dead men that sought our end, they'll do so to any who stand against them. Stand with them my lords, my ladies, stand with them and see the realm thrive once more.

Lord Varys,

Master of Whisperers to their graces,

King Aegon and Queen Daenerys of the House Targaryen."

The room erupted when he finished, shouts, questions, looks to him and to each other and as he took his seat he found himself smiling broadly when Malora rose. The room calmed with a simple raise of her hands and yet she waited until even after the voices had stilled and the room was silent, she waited before she then began to speak.

"My Lords, we've received a raven telling us that our prince's son lives, that the man who each and every man in this room wished to be our king has left us an heir. House Targaryen is united my lord, united in the bonds of marriage, a son of Rhaegar and a daughter of Aerys both ready to rule and to finally bring this realm peace. It is time to put those doubts behind you, to let go of your petty worries about a bastard king and a mad king's daughter, to look past your wish for blood and revenge. We march for justice my lords, for justice long in the waiting, we march for something we sought once, something we wished for, with all our hearts. We march for the true dragons, my lord. For King Aegon and Queen Daenerys, we of the Reach, we march for them."

"King Aegon." Baelor shouted as he rose.

"Queen Daenerys." Garth said.

"For the dragons." Leyton looked to the floor and smiled when he saw Mathis Rowan rise.

"For House Targaryen." Paxter shouted and soon the room as one rose as the chants rang out.

"For Fire and Blood." the shouts rang out.

The Crownlands.

Antlers.

Now.

He walked past the tents with Malora by his side, the soft grass of the valley feeling good under his feet as he surveyed the land they had camped upon. Around him more than 10,000 men of the Reach were gathered, the largest force that he could move in the time he had to get here. Paxter would sail the rest of the fleet to King's Landing and blockade it from the sea and were this an ordinary battle then he'd feel confident enough.

Yet he knew his men were but a token force, they were not needed and the battle that lay ahead would be won with or without them. They could wait, arrive when the battle was done, and swear their oaths to the king and queen when they had already taken their throne. Malora had seen they would be accepted if they did so, but they'd not be as trusted as they would be by doing as they did now. Not that his reasons for being her had anything to do with being accepted or trusted. He was here because here was where he was supposed to be and as he looked at his daughter he knew his reasons why.

"He will be here soon?" he asked as Malora smiled at him, their scouts had already told him the Targaryen army was but days away.

"He is here now father." Malora said as she directed his eyes up to the sky.

"By the gods." Leyton said as he fell to his knees and looked up to see dragons fly over his head.

He smiled when he saw the figures on their back, one silver-haired and one dark, and as he saw the men in white cloaks behind each of them, the words came unbidden to him.

"Gerold, your death was not in vain." he said thinking of his uncle as the dragons landed in the open space that Malora had brought him to.