Similarities

Leaning back into his saddle, Robb looked calmly across the fields to the two Targaryen forces. The negotiations had come to a disastrous end, neither side had gotten what they wanted and now war was on the horizon once more. The last thing that those who had experienced it wanted to go through once more.

Robb was far from concerned though, it seemed that despite not being allied with him, Daenerys wasn't against him for now. This meant that his only concern at this point in time was Aegon Targaryen and his forces.

A sizeable force, but he held one far larger. 'Though it won't do to underestimate him, Blackfish has noted that he and I share some similarities. I won't fall prey to the same mistakes that caused the downfall of my enemies.' His success was by no small part due to his understanding of battle tactics and strategy. Ever since he was young, he had held a fascination for war and had read countless tales, stories and reports of battles from all different ages of Westeros, even a few from Essos as well.

Perhaps it was that along with an inane talent for war as some people had whispered that enabled him to gain success. However, Robb also knew that luck and the mistakes of his enemies were also a cause for his success as well.

His enemies had underestimated him at every turn during the beginning, believing him a green boy with no knowledge of war. What they hadn't known was that throughout his youth, Robb had followed the stories of the greatest conquers and military leaders of Westerosi history and used their success and mistakes to inform him on how to win.

Yet after so many years of war, Robb had learned how to not rely upon luck and his enemies' making mistakes. Now he relied upon himself and his allies to make their own luck. That would be his greatest advantage and Aegon's downfall.

After all, Robb had come too far to fail now.

He wouldn't and couldn't fail now, not with everything on the line.

"A messenger raven has been dispatched," Blackfish said from beside him. "Randyll Tarly will know long before they arrive back at Kings Landing. Lord Paxter Redwyne will be arriving and cutting off Blackwater Bay and ensuring no more supply ships will be arriving from Essos."

"Aegon Targaryen must have rich supporters, more than likely that Illyrio Mopatis. He looks like a man of great wealth and riches, if so then they may have more supporters in Essos that we're not aware of." Garlan murmured, all watching as Aegon Targaryen and his forces finally left the field. All had stayed where they were, perhaps waiting to see what the other forces would do and more likely see what Daenerys would do.

However, she had seemed set on remaining where she was, not making her intentions clear.

"In that case, we need to find out how much food they have and how long their siege will last." Garlan continued. "Though we can guarantee that Aegon will be unable to get into Kings Landing."

Blackfish nodded his head. "Randylls a smart man, he'll have scouts dispatched. The moment he finds Aegon Targaryen he'll send out a large force to capture him."

"Aegon won't be returning to Kings Landing," Robb spoke up, watching the man in question leave the area confidently. He wouldn't do so if he didn't have a plan in place, especially with a force numbering a hundred thousand besieging his capital. He'd be far more concerned if he had no plan for the future.

Unlike what many were thinking, the siege of Kings Landing would never happen, or at least wouldn't be the spectacle people thought. If he and Aegon did share similarities, then the last thing he would do was put everything on a siege, especially when the effectiveness of his greatest weapon, the elephants would be vastly reduced.

No, if he was in Aegon's position, defending Kings Landing would be the last thing he wanted to do.

"Then what will he be doing?" Garlan asked.

For a moment, Robb went silent, considering his options carefully. "Send a raven to Lord Blackwood, tell him to abandon his search for Petyr Baelish and prepare for an assault against the Riverlands once more. Tell him to march towards the Bay of the Crabs."

"The Bay of the Crabs?"

While Garlan seemed confused by the choice, Blackfish seemed to have caught on. "You think Aegon intends to sail up Widow's Ford?"

"I do."

If Tytos Blackwood was able to get into position and prepare for Aegon's arrival upon the Widow's Ford as he expected, then victory would be theirs. After all, Lord Blackwood was a master of defensive warfare, enough so that not even Robb felt confident in victory should Tytos be able to properly set up his formation. If Aegon did sail up Widow's Ford, then not only would Tytos be in a strong defensive position, but Aegon would also be in a weak position as well.

Either way, Robb was confident in victory.

-X- Line Break -X-

War.

Daenerys knew that was coming to Westeros once again, just like she had always expected. Though she had never imagined it would go quite like this, but perhaps she had just been naïve in thinking that she would be welcomed with open arms. This wasn't like Essos where cities were rampant with slavery who were grateful to be freed.

'And now I must make the decision on what to do with my future.' She thought, looking around her cabin upon her ship. They had arrived mere hours after the negotiations ended and all parties went their separate ways. However, they had yet to set sail back for Dragonstone, Daenerys uncertain on what to do.

Hearing a knock at her door, Daenerys sighed. "Come in." She called, stroking her three children scaled bodies as they slumbered peacefully.

"Your grace." Ser Barristan greeted. "I ask that we please set sail from here. We are exposed and far too close to Robb Stark's lands. War is now upon us and I ask that you give the order to sail for Dragonstone. There we will be able to better defend ourselves from an attack, and we can watch as our enemies weaken themselves."

Daenerys however noticed the look upon his face. "You do not wish for war."

"I wish for you to be Queen, as is your right." Ser Barristan responded. "But I do not think it will be easy. The Imp is right, you are in a unique position that gives you a great deal of bargaining power. I've seen the destruction your Dragons can bring about and I know that they have been becoming more unruly as of late."

Daenerys frowned at the truth of his words, even if she didn't like to admit it. Her children were growing and they no longer listened to her like they once had. She was lucky that once well-fed, they become more docile.

"If we go to war, it's possible that you may not be able to control them when we need control the most." He warned. "If that happened, you would not be seen as a saviour, but as a tyrant. The thing you want least in the world is to be viewed in such a fashion. Negotiation with both Kings failed, but both want you as their allies, use that and gain what you've always desired. Or do as the Imp said, leave Westeros and focus upon Essos. There are still many slaves there that you could free."

"The Imp has a name." Tyrion Lannister said, walking down the corridor of the bowel of the ship. "It seems, one of the Kings has no intention of waiting for you to make a decision and has come to negotiation anyway."

"Who?"

"Robb Stark."