Frozen Flames: The Saga of the Ice Dragon (Completed)

"I'm having a hard time perceiving the benefits of your latest plot, Your Grace," Lady Olenna said, even as she vowed Margaery's maidens cloak. They sat in Lady Olenna's chambers, the open windows allowing the soft sea breeze to pass through, its scent temporarily overpowering the abundance of flowers that graced Lady Olenna's chamber. Talking by candlelight as the city below slept, Jae fought to attain one last ally. Our swords will do the talking afterward.

"Oh? How so?" Jae asked, glancing at Margaery who favored him with a demure smile. I'll have to get her to work with me or at least learn to manage her.

"The war appears done, your cause lost. Why should we risk anything when we can accept Margaery shall never be Queen. Lady of Casterly Rock is the second most powerful position for a Lady to attain in all the land."

"Truly? I was under the impression the Lady of Highgarden held that honor," Jae replied, eyeing Lady Olenna with a sly look.

Margaery giggled as though she found it to be the most hilarious jape she'd ever heard. Jae's glare shut her up. And there we go. He missed Arianne. He knew the two of them could have come to an understanding, could have worked together. Might have even fallen in love. He knew no such things when it came to Margaery.

"For all your witty repartees, you cannot deny the truth of your situation," Olenna said.

"I do not. And I did not, when my life was on the line a few days ago," Jae pointed out. It is always good to have a track record.

"Surviving a trial and winning a war are two entirely different things."

Jae wanted to point out Lady Olenna forced him into their agreement when she agreed to Margaery's betrothal to Joffrey, but that would show weakness. Lady Olenna would shrug and then actually marry her granddaughter to that insufferable idiot.

"Are they? I see little difference and I assure you, my Lady – you saw me doomed once before. I trust you remember how that turned out."

"Do I even want to know what you're planning this time?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You do not, my Lady."

Olenna huffed, shaking her head. "Surprisingly enough, I find that ominous declaration rather comforting." She gave him an unimpressed look. "But I am far from assured."

Jae leaned back in his chair. "I suppose you believed getting a Tyrell Queen would be the work of a single afternoon? No wonder everyone's so willing to play second fiddle to Lord Tywin – it seems he's the only one willing to risk war to attain his goals."

"I am not a man, Your Grace, your pricks to my pride won't work."

"Won't they?"

Both of them regarded him with smiles they could barely suppress. "I do believe he's got you there, Grandmother."

"Will you enlighten me of your plans, then?" Olenna asked, indirectly conceding defeat and agreeing to support Jae.

Jae shook his head. "In three days' time, we shall be riding away from the capital. You shall know all then."

"I suppose I should trust you until then?"

"Have I not proven myself worthy of that trust?"

"You're not the first man I've met to have such confidence in his abilities, Your Grace. They all got stung in the end."

"And I've already been stung. And I'm still here," Jae said, his patience running thin. "But let me ask you this instead, my Lady; do you dare spurn me? Do you believe me to be in such an inferior position that you think yourself safe in siding against me? Are you willing to live with the consequences of becoming my enemy, whatever they might be?"

A silence descended on the room. Olenna stared right back at him, while Margaery's eyes jumped between the two of them. "Many emotions have I associated with you, Your Grace, but I must admit, never have I been afraid of you before nor expected to be."

"How do you imagine my other enemies feel when they think of me, then? What does Tywin Lannister feel when he remembers I am waiting for him in the capital? And Lord Tully – do you think he sleeps well at night, knowing he traded my friendship in exchange for the safety of his people?" Jae left his questions hanging. "I ask you, my Lady Olenna, if you fear me, who doesn't?"

They stared right into each other's eyes, waiting to see who would look away first. Jae won when Lady Olenna turned her eyes to her granddaughter and said, "I better leave you two alone. It's time you got to know your betrothed better, dear."

"You must forgive my Grandmother, Your Grace," said Margaery after Lady Olenna left the chambers. "She is overly cautious at times."

"You say that as if it's a bad thing," Jae replied, eager to go through the first battle of wits with his soon-to-be wife.

"With all of the Reach behind you, Your Grace, who could possibly prevent you from sitting on your rightful Throne?" she asked, still playing the role of the innocent maid, throwing out platitudes as though they were pieces of ageless wisdom.

Jae got up with a snort and walked to pour himself a cup of wine. He did not offer Margaery any. "I do wish you would stop saying such things, my Lady. It tells me you either take me to be a fool or are a fool yourself."

The surprise on her face showed she told what she believed to be the truth. "But what do you mean, Your Grace? The Reach's army is the largest in the Seven Kingdoms."

Jae could almost see it. He sat back down in his chair, eyeing his betrothed. What did they say to the little girl when she got scared at night? What did they say when she first learned the nature of the world? "Do no worry, my dear, you've got the biggest army in all of Westeros to protect you from harm and none can defeat it."

They should've told her she was always one wrong move away from death. It would have been far kinder. Such thinking certainly helped me.

"How come the Reach does not rule these lands, then?" he asked her, finding it instrumental that he got his point across. "Why did the Gardners not subjugate the Stormlands and the Riverlands in the Age of Heroes? Do you mean to tell me you are nothing but peaceful farmers with no ambition?"

"No," she replied, her tone cutting. She's already adjusted. Good. "But we aren't greedy, either."

"Is it greed to pluck a grape from a vine?" he asked. "Judging by your confidence in the Reach's martial superiority, subjugating the Stormlands would have been the work of a fortnight."

She leaned back in her chair, eyeing him in silence. Another good sign. It would have been worse if she'd replied just for the sake of saying something. "'What then?" she asked, almost petulant for having to admit her mistake. "What decides a war?"

"Leaders. Ask Lord Tywin who he fears to face more on the field of battle, my Uncle or your Father, and I assure you the answer will always be the same. Leaders decide these wars and a good leader is worth thousands of men, my Lady." He sipped his wine. "And the Lords of the Reach have long preferred feasting and drinking to ruling and leading. Too soft, every last one of them."

Her eyes lit up at the insult. "My father might not be the most capable of men when it comes to matters of war, but he has men under him who are. Lord Tarly for example."

"But Lord Tarly is not the Lord Paramount. He might be a terror on the battlefield, but much like Lord Stannis, he inspires no loyalty. Men do not try to please him, for they know it to be impossible. They only try not to displease him. Besides, you cannot expect to have a united fighting force when men look to the subordinate for answers."

"And the skills of our knights? Are they, too. to be considered irrelevant?" she asked.

I have to push her over the edge before I bring her into my arms. "I see you have fallen for the magnificent displays of your brother much like all the other maidens of the Realm. While Ser Loras might defeat me in the lists, my Lady, it would never come so far if I ever faced him in a real battle. I'd put a dagger in the eye of his horse and kill him before he could recover. What good would his superb horsemanship and dazzling swordplay do him then, I ask you?"

She stared at him in silence, much like her Grandmother did earlier. In the end, she got up from her seat with an angry huff and moved to pour herself a cup of wine as well. Jae watched her over the rim of his cup, hiding a small smile.

"For someone who's convinced my Grandmother of the benefits of siding with you, you seem intent to make it seem as though we are destined to lose," she accused him.

Back in the old days, he'd be afraid to hear her declare her intentions so loudly. But Varys is no longer here and Lord Tyrion has yet to attain little birds of his own. "Oh, we will win, I am certain of that," he said, standing up and walking towards her. "It is not the war effort I am talking about."

"What then?" she asked, voice hesitant as he came to stand before her, having a hard time looking up at him.

He put his finger under her chin and looked her right in the eye. "I am talking about you and whether you want to be merely the King's wife or the Queen."

"Do you think me unworthy?" she asked.

"You are a rose. You act like a rose and you think like a rose. But I have no need of a rose. I need a dragon and when you wed me, that is exactly what you shall become." He smiled down at her. "Do you think you can do that?"

She nodded, her eyes jumping to his lips. Jae's smile widened and he leaned down to capture her lips. There may be hope for me yet.

Not long afterward, Jae walked back to his chambers, Ser Arthur in tow. He'd scored a major victory by bringing Lady Olenna completely on board and that meant the time swiftly approached for Jaehaerys to take the field. Jae's politicking could get him no further – no, at some point swords and spears had to enter the equation.

He walked through the hallways of the Red Keep, the torches burning on the walls. The castle felt strangely deserted since Aegon, Tywin, and Oberyn had left. They'd taken most of their strongest supporters with them which meant Jae had some breathing for the first time in weeks.

Jae nodded to Ser Arthur when they reached his chambers. Ser Arthur took his position at the door as Jae stepped through and found Dany lounging on the sofa in front of the fire. "Hello, dear." She had her legs crossed and due to the slit in her golden dress, the length of her leg was exposed to his perusing eyes.

"Dany." Jae walked to the corner and poured himself a cup of wine as well.

"I take it you're going to marry Margaery, then?" She raised an eyebrow, half hopeful and half accusing.

"It seems that way, yes." Jae sat down across from her, aware of what she was doing and not minding in the slightest.

"That's good." She sipped her wine and licked her lips afterward. "What's the next move?"

"I'll have to escape the capital soon." He brought the goblet to his lips, the bitter liquid splashing over his tongue. His shoulders eased and he craned his neck to take it all the way.

Dany tilted her head. "Am I coming?"

"You can if you want to. You'll be safe with me."

"Or?"

"Or you can help me?"

Dany narrowed her eyes and then Jae's plan occurred to her. "A spy behind enemy lines, I take it?"

"Nobody knows how much you've helped me. You're very talented when it comes to making yourself seem helpless," Jae said with a wry grin.

"It's men who are stupid." She waved his compliment away. "And yes, I'll stay here. I wager I'll like it better than going on campaign and fending off all those Reacher Lords."

Jae chuckled. "You have point there, yes."

Dany didn't share his amusement, setting down her goblet. "Especially when you still haven't upheld what you promised." She stood.

Jae's eyes followed her as she sashayed to him. "I don't recall making any promises, Dany."

"Poor thing, am I forcing you into some great hardship?" she asked and hooked her thumb under the strap of her dress.

"I did get engaged less than an hour ago." The strap fell down her arm and her hand moved to her other shoulder.

Daenerys smirked, as though proud of the fact. She took care of the second strap and her golden dress fell down, pooling around her ankles. Dany stepped out of it and climbed into his lap. "We better hurry before you're married then," she whispered.

The clamor of clashing swords filled the courtyard. Jae, knowing he would have real need of them soon enough, decided to polish his skills with a sword and reclaim the fitness he had lost by negotiating all the hours of the day. And who better to help than Ser Arthur.

"Again, Your Grace," Ser Arthur demanded after putting Jae on his back once more. They had close contests and often lengthy ones, but Jae had yet to win a match. A state of affairs that did not sit well with him, though he knew he'd never reach Ser Arthur's combat ability.

He jumped back to his feet, picked Dark Sister off the ground, and resumed his fighting position. Ser Arthur twirled Dawn in his hand, circling Jaehaerys like a vulture waiting for an opening. Jae waited patiently, following his movements, his eyes glued to Ser Arthur's hips like Jaime had taught him.

He saw the thrust coming before the milky white sword lashed out and easily deflected it to the right. A downward swing followed and Jae deflected it to the left, seeing an opening to counter-attack since Ser Arthur put too much weight behind his strike. Before he could capitalize on it, however, Ser Arthur put his shoulder into his chest and had him staggering backward. "Your technique is flawless, Your Grace, your footwork immaculate," Ser Arthur growled as he came at him, a quick combination buying him the chance to smack Jae right across the face. "But this is not a dance."

Jae shook his head to clear the stars from his vision, tasting blood. Well, then... He launched himself at Ser Arthur, unleashing a flurry of blows that forced Ser Arthur all the way across the courtyard. When they ended up standing face to face, their legendary blades locked in a stalemate, Jae planted his knee right in Ser Arthur's balls.

The knight groaned and doubled over, barely holding onto his blade. From the side, Ser Barristan and Ser Oswell laughed at the unorthodox move which followed Ser Arthur's advice to the letter. Ser Gerold merely shook his head.

"You can only blame yourself for that one, Arthur!" Ser Oswell called, earning an exasperated laugh from the knight.

"I suppose I do." Ser Arthur took off his helm, slowly straightening up and limping to the edge to get some water.

Jae hadn't felt so sheepish in a long time. "I do apologize, Ser Arthur."

"That's quite alright, Your Grace. I do believe you've understood the lesson I tried to impart," Ser Arthur said.

"He is right, Your Grace. None of us have any doubt of your ability to hold your own against any warrior in the realm, but you must realize the messiness of battle. I have not a fought a duel worth mentioning in all my life that did not include at least one dirty trick," Ser Barristan told him, stroking his long white beard that flowed down his breastplate.

"I shall have to make sure to remember that." Jae bowed his head in acceptance of his words. Ser Oswell handed him a cup of water and Jae drank it down greedily, terribly parched after his long spar with Ser Arthur.

He spared the last of it to splash his face and wiped it off on his tunic. That is when a servant girl ran into the courtyard, heaving and panicked. "Your Grace! Your Grace!" she cried.

"What is it, girl?" he asked. He knew her, one of his last loyal spies.

"It's the Imp, Your Grace, he's gonna have Lord Stannis executed!" she said, eyes wide in fear of his reaction.

Jae stared at her, then turned to look at his knights. Dark Sister slid in its sheats and he said, "Come with me."

The three of them were hot on his heels as they walked to the Throne Room, bursting in right as Ser Ilyn Payne bent Lord Stannis over a stump. "What is the meaning of this?!" Jae roared, glaring up at the little man sitting on the Iron Throne. For a Lannister to even dare sit his arse on it is too much for me. That's the seat of the Conqueror!

"Ah, Prince Jaehaerys, nice of you to join us," Lord Tyrion said, struggling to maintain a smile.

"Care to explain why you mean to execute the bloody Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, my Lord Hand?" Jae demanded as he came to a stop before the Iron Throne. He looked at Ser Ilyn and said, "Put that sword away before I shove it up your ass."

The Royal Executioner gave him a dirty look but took a step back.

"He is guilty of treason, Your Grace," Lord Tyrion said, his voice irritatingly polite. "Or, should I say, his son is."

"Ser Orys knows his father's life is forfeit if he should move against the Crown. What kind of treason could he possibly commit?" Jae asked. What did you fool him into doing, Lannister? Ser Jaime, standing beside the Throne, shifted in his stance.

"The Crown ordered the forces of Houses Swann, Cafferen, Fell and Grandison to bolster the garrison of Storm's End, Your Grace. We meant to ensure the security of the lands, but Ser Orys refused them entry and chose to attack them instead." Lord Tyrion unleashed a flurry of whispers among the courtiers.

"You mean to say, you tried to occupy Storm's End through trickery and deceit and forced violence when Ser Steffon would not submit, my Lord Hand?" Jaehaerys said, all the more ticked off because he knew the narrative Lord Tyrion meant to spread. Even worse, it'll work.

"Your slanderous words wound me, Your Grace," Tyrion said, looking down at him. "House Baratheon has once more proven its treacherous nature. Ser Steffon means to lead his people into another bloody struggle even at the cost of his Father's head, that much is clear."

"So throw Lord Stannis into the Black Cells."

"The word of the Iron Throne must mean something, Your Grace. We must not appear weak before such savage foes." The courtiers nodded in agreement at his words. "The conditions of Ser Steffon's release were clear; Lord Stannis must die." He nodded to Ser Ilyn.

Jae's hand went to his sword, the Kingsguard behind him following his lead. Ser Jaime looked from his brother to Jaehaerys, at a loss for what to do. The courtiers took a step back as one, fearful of impending violence.

"I act with the authority granted to me by the King, Your Grace. Do you mean to tell me you dispute it?" Lord Tyrion asked, confident in the way only men with the upper hand could be.

Jae said nothing, staring up at the Imp, trying to work out how he could save Lord Stannis without losing his head himself.

"Your Grace," Lord Stannis said, on his knees with two guards behind him, ready to force him back over the stump at a moment's notice. "Stand down, I beg of you. Do not waste your life for me. I knew this moment might come when I said goodbye to my son. I've made my peace with it, knowing Orys will make sure these bastards will be soon arriving to the Seven Hells after me." And I expect you to help him, his eyes added.

Jae gritted his teeth; Lord Stannis gave him an excuse to back down but would it be the right move? And better yet, could he allow such an important ally to die?

That's a boy's way of thinking, believing you can carve your way out of any problem. He took a step back, his hand leaving the hilt of his sword. He nodded to Lord Stannis, knowing words would mean nothing to a man such as him. Only actions, he knew. And I will send these bastards to the Seven Hells.

"Ser Ilyn," Lord Tyrion said in a grim voice.

"I wish you good luck in the wars to come, Your Grace," Lord Stannis said as he lowered his head on the stomp of his own volition. Jae stared at him. I will not look away. I will not. Ser Ilyn took his position and with one quick swing, the head of Stannis Baratheon rolled on the floor of the Throne Room.

Jae looked up at Lord Tyrion, hate burning in his eyes. You might become a victim, indeed, my Lord Hand.

"Ah, I almost forgot," Grandmaester Pycelle spoke up, as though a man hadn't died and he referred to the weather report. "A raven came from Lord Tywin, my Lord Hand."

Tyrion descended the stairs of the Throne and took it, breaking the seal in full view of the Court. Jae did not see his face drain of blood, his eyes locked on the body of the Lord of Storm's End as the guards dragged it away, leaving behind a trail of blood.

"When did this arrive?" Lord Tyrion's eruption drew Jae's attention.

"Earlier this morning, my Lord," Pycelle replied, oblivious to Lord Tyrion tone as he shuffled back to his seat.

"And you only thought to give it to me now?!"

"Care to divulge what sort of news could provoke such a reaction, my Lord Hand?" Jae asked, his voice quiet.

Lord Tyrion looked up to find the eyes of the entire Court on him. He seemed to have forgotten where he stood for a brief moment. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Early yesterday morning, the major part of the Ironborn fleet was trapped and destroyed in detail by the fleet of the Golden Company of Essos. The battle took place near the Shield Islands and after their victory, the Golden Company made landfall in the Reach, thus launching an invasion with the intent of conquering Westeros and crowning Daemon IV Blackfyre."

The Court exploded in panic and fear. Ah, Varys, you fucking bastard, now your true colors have come out at last.

"Furthermore, Ironborn forces under the command of Rodrik Greyjoy attacked and conquered Seaguard. My Lord Father marches to retake the castle." Lord Tyrion re-read the piece of parchment again, flicked it a couple of times, then his head came up, searching for a face in the crowd. "Lord Tarly, I ask you take your leave of the capital at once. Lord Tyrell shall have need of our Master of War if he is to repel this latest threat."

"At once, my Lord," Tarly said and strode out of the Throne Room. Sometimes bad rigging fucks up your plans and sometimes your enemy sends you exactly where you want to go.

"No need for fear, my Lords and Ladies. These foul traitors have long plagued our lands, it is true, but every time they have been defeated. This time shall be no different, especially with the valiant knights of the Reach riding against them."

Jae wondered what Margaery would say once she learned since most of the Ladies were not present for the execution.

"How could this have happened?" Lord Rosby asked. "How could we not see them coming?"

"We have no Master of Whisperers, as I'm sure you recall, my Lord," Jae said, his voice dripping with venom. "And even if we had, Lord Varys could've brought an entire Dothraki horde across the Narrow Sea and we wouldn't know it until they were at our doorstep."

"We do not know this to be the work of Lord Varys, Your Grace," Lord Tyrion replied, suddenly on the backfoot.

"We do not?" Jae asked. "The entire continent embroiled in chaos, ripe for the taking? Now we see the wisdom of your Lord Father, do we not, Lord Tyrion? And how come the Ironborn managed to take Seaguard in the first place? I was under the impression Lord Tywin was sent to the Riverlands for the exact purpose of preventing such an event."

The Imp fidgeted as he said, "My Lord Father received reports the Ironborn meant to launch another attack in the West and marched to protect them."

This time the courtiers exclaimed in indignation. How quickly the weather turns.

Lord Tyrion lied, no doubt. Lord Tywin marched to protect the Westerlands because he did not care one whit about any other kingdom, revealing his one major failing as a politician. He does not understand others care about their home as much as he cares about his.

"Fooled again, hm? It seems tricking your Lord Father has become the favorite pastime of all the traitors in the Realm, my Lord Hand," Jae said, turned on his heel, and marched out of the Throne Room. He took the first empty chamber and closed the door behind him after the three Kingsguard knights entered.

"We move tonight. Make all necessary preparations, and inform Lady Olenna." The three nodded. "I do not know Ser Jaime's loyalty and I don't have the time to find out, so you shall do it the hard way."

"And if he proves himself treacherous, Your Grace?" Ser Oswell asked the question none of them wanted to hear.

Jae clenched his fist. "Do not kill him, but make sure he doesn't get the chance to betray our intentions either. Understood?"

"Aye, Your Grace."

"Good. I shall meet you in the White Sword Tower at the stroke of midnight." They went their way after that, the three of them not even bothering to demand one of them accompany Jaehaerys. They know what comes next.

Jae returned to his chambers and found Arianne lounging on his balcony, the gentle breeze playing with her locks. She held a golden goblet in her hand, tapping her ring against it, notifying Jae of her presence with the metallic sound.

"Arianne," Jae said as he stepped onto the balcony and sat across from her.

Arianne didn't turn her gaze away from the view of the city. "Quite a mess you've found yourself in."

Jae crossed his legs, placing his right hand on his thigh. "What are you doing here, Arianne?"

She looked at him and Jae noticed the red eyes. "I thought I came to apologize, but I'm not sure anymore."

Jae pursed his lips. Arianne could have spared him a lot of heartache if she had come clean about the plot her family had weaved.

"I should've told you what Uncle Doran and Uncle Oberyn had planned. I wanted to tell you."

"Why didn't you?"

She sighed, a bitter smile gracing her lips. "I wanted you to be mine first. I thought I could make myself Queen. I thought I could save my family in the process."

"We can rarely have it both ways, I suppose."

"A lesson the women of House Martell are learning the hard way." Arianne shook her head. "It's a shame. I don't think I would've minded being your wife."

"That's dead, Arianne. You know it is."

"I know." She eyed him as she sipped her wine. "Will you try to kill me? After I mean?"

"After what?" Jae's hand slid up his thigh, toward his dagger.

"After you've won."

Jae cocked her head, and his hand's journey stopped. "What makes you think I'll win?"

She looked back out over the city, her thick curls hiding her profile. "Because you're a murderer. Because everyone's afraid of you."

Jae blinked. "No. I won't kill you."

"That's good to hear." She set down her goblet and stood to face him. "I really wish it didn't have to be this way."

Jae stood as well. "Yeah. Me too."

Arianne looked down and wiped away an errant tear. "Good luck, Jaehaerys." She nodded firmly, swallowed, and walked out of his chambers.

Jae stayed in place for a few moments, wondering at the conversation, wondering at Arianne. If she'd told him, so many things could've been different. Jae could've married her to keep Dorne in the fold and then…

Jae shook his head. No point in thinking about it, he had a job to do. He wouldn't even have a chance to talk to Daenerys, but then he'd warned her this would happen. The Lannisters couldn't have a reason to suspect Jae had involved her in his plots.

So Jae put the women in his life out of his mind and pulled open one of the drawers on his desk and retrieved a small vial from it. He looked down at the purple bottle and the deadly liquid within, then carefully placed it in the breast pocket on the inside of his doublet.

It took him nearly an hour to crawl through the passageways, having gotten lost once. He hadn't taken the route in years, since he first explored the tunnels and ordered a builder he'd bribed to create an additional tunnel for him.

The tunnel that ran directly beneath the Black Cells. Even as a thirteen-year-old, Jae knew he might one day find himself a resident and so prepared for that eventuality. He did not take advantage of the tunnel when saving Lord Stark and Lord Arryn the first time because it would have given away its existence. Jae saved it in case he ever needed to use it. And now I do.

Lord Arryn appeared most surprised to see one of the stones on the floor of his cell dislodge of its own volition. He looked positively flabbergasted when the Crown Prince of the Seven Kingdoms poked his head through the hole left behind.

"Your Grace," he whispered, weak and worn. He had none of the strength and excitement he still possessed when Jae broke him out for the first time.

"Lord Arryn," Jae said as he crawled to sit beside the Lord Paramount of the Vale.

"Wh—What has happened, Your Grace?" he asked, his voice raspy and parched. Jae produced a skin of wine and handed it to the old man. He felt a craving for wine just watching Lord Arryn drink it with such zeal.

"Disaster, I am afraid. The Lords of the Vale have been fooled into siding with the Lannisters." The old flame returned when Arryn look him in the eye.

"What?" he demanded.

"Quiet, my Lord," Jae warned, glancing at the door to the cell. "Some fellow by the name of Baelish has his claws in your Lady wife. Lord Tywin's declared you've confessed to having been deceived by Lord Varys. Your wife confirmed you sent her a letter, ordering she not take my side in the war."

And just like that, the flame disappeared, leaving behind a wrinkled old man, weary of life and all its thrown at him over the years. "Lysa... I cannot believe it. And Baelish... I should have--- have never trusted him."

No, you truly shouldn't have. But Jae had no foul feelings for this old man. He rather admired him, in fact. He'd lived his entire life by his code of honor and somehow managed to see near eighty namedays. A bloody miracle, if you ask me.

When he looked at Jae next, he said, "This is no rescue attempt, is it, Your Grace?"

"No," Jae said, producing the vial from his pocket. "Lord Tyrion has the exits from the secret passageways guarded far too well and besides, even if you made it to the Vale, Baelish would never give you a chance to speak, if anything I've learned of him is true."

"Do not feel remorse over me, my boy. I am an old man and you've given me chance at mercy." He looked down at the vial. "Will it hurt?"

"No, my Lord, tomorrow afternoon you will fall into a peaceful slumber. That will be all," Jae told him.

He nodded, reaching for the vial. "What of the Vale?" He seemed to remember the one thing that kept him alive this entire time. "What of my wife?"

"In three days' time, a rider will be found wandering through the lands of Lord Royce, apparently lost," Jae said, voice soft. "When he's taken in for questioning, he will do his utmost to stop Lord Royce's men from searching his belongings. When they inevitably do, they will find a letter on him bearing the seal of the Hand of the King, meant for Lord Baelish. The latter will explain your poisoning by the Lannisters to ensure the truth of their deceit is never revealed, as well as permission for him to marry Lady Lysa after the war's end." Jae had gotten the idea for it from Connington.

"This man bearing the letter, you know Lord Royce will execute him?" Arryn asked.

"I do, my Lord."

"And you trust him all the same?"

"He is terminally ill, my Lord. He has but a few moons to live. I've arranged to take care of his wife and children in exchange for this final service."

Arryn nodded, watching Jae in admiration. "And so even my death shall serve to bring my enemies low. No Lord could ever ask for more." He uncapped the bottle and drank it down to the last drop. "And I thank you for it, my King. You've done me a great service, but I fear I have something to ask of you still."

"It is I who owe you, my Lord," Jae said, his voice nearly breaking. "Name it, and it is yours."

"When it is all over and all your enemies are broken or buried, take Alys' boy and give him my name. He has little Arryn blood, to be sure, but enough to be granted that right." He grabbed Jae by the forearm, his grip deceptively strong. "Let a true Arryn sit in the Eyrie once more, Your Grace."

Jae patted his hand gently, saying, "Arrangements are already being made, my Lord. There shall always be an Arryn in the Vale, you need not worry about that."

Arrying sighed in relief, leaning back against the wall. "Thank you, my boy. Thank you very much."

"Rest now, my Lord," he whispered. "Your watch has come to an end. I shall look over your family from now and ensure they are looked after, always."

Arryn smiled a tired smile. He patted Jae's cheek. "You're a good boy. Eddard will be proud of you."

Uncle can never know about this. "Goodbye, my Lord. May the Seven Heavens accept you in their embrace for all the good you've done."

And so Jaehaerys left the Old Falcon behind and crawled off to war, with tears streaming down his face.