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Chapter 10 You win or you die

I do not own Harry Potter or Games of Thrones

Thank you to everyone who read the last chapter especially those who reviewed to give me feedback. I like to know what people think.

This brings Season 1 to a close and soon we will enter the War of the Kings.

Chapter 10 – You win or you die

It had started as such a bright and sunny morning that Hadrian had felt the day was going to be good when he first rose from his bed. He shared his breakfast with his children and other members of their family that were here at the Rock. There was much joking and merriment around the tables as the family mixed together. They had good reasons to be happy…never had their family been this powerful or prosperous even when they had been kings of the Westerlands. Although officially the Iron Throne ruled their new lands and their new titles were held at the discretion of the king they owned them regardless. They had built greater links with other kingdoms and played a key role in what would one day be history, being major players in the foundation of the Westerosi Empire. Life for the Lannisters was good right now and it promised to be a relaxing day where they could sit back and spend time just enjoying the mundane.

All that sadly came to an end when the chief steward of Casterly Rock came in and told Hadrian that he had unexpected guests; three sons of House Frey had arrived and were demanding to speak to him. Hadrian sighed and walked out of the hall leaving the rest of his family to continue enjoying their merry breakfast while he went to find out what the spawn of Lord Frey wanted although he already had a fair idea. Ever since the dissolution of Emmon Frey's marriage to his aunt Genna House Frey had been strangely silent. Hadrian had expected them to at least send a letter of complaint but there had been nothing. Now it seemed however they had finally responded.

As he entered a separate hall that was sometimes used as a private ballroom Hadrian sat on the throne like chair at the far wall of the room lodging lazily as he listened with amusement to the words of the three sons of House Frey.

The first was Ser Stevron Frey, although he was the oldest of his father's sons and technically speaking Lord Walder Frey's heir he was now in his sixties with children and grandchildren of his own combined with the weasel look that he had inherited from his father that was not a positive point in his favour.

After him there was Edwyn Frey, Stevron's own eldest grandson but he was a pallid man with lanky dark hair and pinched features. His eyes were cold and Hadrian could see a schemer in them. He was not known as much of a swordsman but instead for scheming as a way to gain any advantage in his ongoing feud with another member of House Frey, Black Walder.

The final member of the group was one of Lord Walder's own grandchildren Aegon Frey otherwise known as Bloodborn. A notorious outlaw and brigand he stood there with a defiant air of self-confidence and the weasel like features most of his house was cursed with.

Hadrian tuned most of what they were saying out as he tried to look interested. To cut to the heart of the matter they were here with their father's authority to demand the reinstatement of Genna's marriage to his son. That Hadrian thought to himself was never going to happen. Besides as annoying as it was having to listen to these idiots the outrageous statements they were making was nearly enough to make him laugh. That they would complain to the king, that they would march their army on Casterly Rock, they would rally all of the Riverlands against them and so on but they could not even stay consistent by sticking with one threat for more than a few moments before switching to another often more incredible attempt to intimidate him.

Obviously Hadrian thought Lord Frey must think I am easy to intimidate like my grandfather. Well if that was his opinion on who he was dealing with Hadrian planned to change it very quickly. He stopped anymore of their empty threats by raising his hand. He set his face into a calm mask of indifference before he told them with a voice as cold and unforgiving as ice.

"You have entered my home and threatened my house but with no leverage. You have no hostages, no fortune to fund a war, no allies that would take your side over mine. I lead a great house that rules over one of the most prosperous regions of all the kingdoms which has recently increased its holdings by more than double in recent months. While you are of a major house the only advantage you possess is a bridge that I have no need of and soon from what I hear House Barnell will have built a strong bridge of their own now they are being backed by House Tully, removing even that advantage from you. Yet here you stand in my halls making the most ridiculous threats. Genna is quite happy to be free of her truly pathetic former husband and I see nothing that would come from renewing such a marriage which would benefit my family. Even if she never marries again she will be free of Emmon so he can no longer drag her down with his own incompetence. One Genna is worth a thousand Emmons. But regardless such threats as you made earlier cannot go unanswered." He said taking out his dagger and threw it across the floor so it slid to the feet of the Frey men and Hadrian told them. "Only one of you may leave alive by the main door of this room. Which will it be?" He asked them wondering if they would notice his specific mention of the 'Main Door' and realise there were two side doors to this hall which they could use to leave. If they did he would allow them to leave Casterly Rock unharmed. This was not just of a test of their ability to think however it was also to see how truly loyal they were to each other.

The three men looked ready to protest but Hadrian was silent and instead of thinking on what he had said Aegon Frey wasted no time after his eyes darted around the guards in the room and then dove for the dagger and slitting the throats of the two other Freys while Hadrian merely raised an eyebrow and the guards went for their swords prepared to protect their lord. They had no reason to worry as Aegon turned to face Hadrian he casually dropped the dagger and looked at him expectantly however Hadrian nodded to his guards who moved forward and seized Aegon.

"You said only one of us could leave through the door." Aegon protested as he struggled against the guards in a futile attempt to get free. Hadrian however said simply.

"If you had actually paid any real attention to what I actually was saying then you will recall I said that only one of you could leave alive through the 'main' door. Perhaps you should note the two side doors to this room. You could have simply left through one of them." Hadrian explained slowly like he would to a very young child. Aegon's face immediately went red with anger but before he could say anything Hadrian continued speaking.

"You have just murdered two men within my walls Aegon Frey. Now I do not know if this is permitted inside the Twins but here at Casterly Rock it most assuredly is not. I will give you a chance to save your life however and I assure you there is no hidden way out of this predicament. You will either die by the sword or you may continue to live by serving at the Wall as part of the Night's Watch. The choice is yours." Hadrian said with no expression. Aegon's face contorted with fury and he tried to spit at Hadrian only to miss as the guards forced him to his knees. Hadrian got to his feet and drew his sword ready to carry out the sentence but Aegon suddenly lost his nerve and yelled out in a near panic.

"The Wall! I chose the Wall!"

The night was dark and moonless as the Queen or Empress as she liked to be known now sat in front of her fire which was growing dimmer with lack of kindling but Cersei could not bring herself to throw a fresh log on the fire or call for a servant to do it for her. Her mood was dark, shown by the large shadows under her eyes and hair being in disarray rather than carefully styled as it was normally. Her pitcher of wine was nearly empty and she was ready to call for a servant to refill it for the third time this evening. Her heavy drinking had left her mind dulled which suited Cersei's mood just fine. Word of Jaime's marriage to a whore from Myr and his permanent settlement there had just reached her. The room around her was a chaotic mess, made that way by her initial rage. She had been inconsolable in her anger at Jaime's desertion not that any of her useless maids or ladies in waiting had been brave enough to approach her. They waited like timid little mice outside of the room when Cersei had begun screaming at them. After her anger had burned out she had collapsed into this very chair and great sobs had erupted from her, her eyes remained blood shot and tear stains ran right down from her eyes to her chin.

It was hard to believe that just a month ago she had felt as if she was on top of the world. She had managed to get away with murdering her own father and with the foundation of the new empire she was now an empress, a higher station than that mad crone Maggy the Frog had ever predicted. Her children would be heirs to the largest and greatest kingdom that this world had ever seen with her golden lion and dearly beloved son Joffrey to be the new emperor. She had been so sure that everything was going to be perfect from now on.

Then it had all come crashing down around her ears. Her brother Hadrian had become Lord of the Westerlands over Jaime, he kept her youngest children away from her and her heart was aching for them even now. Jaime had deserted her and now was what felt like half the world away married to some foreign harlot and was never coming back to her. Her youngest brother…the bastard that had killed her mother had usurped nearly all her power in the capital. Only a handful of loyal servants remained to her and worse she had recently learnt that Lord Stark had discovered the true parentage of her children but was very surprised was that he had not confronted her about it. Perhaps Lord Stark she reflected sarcastically might have learnt something of the game after all. If of course he did not challenge her about her children then his own daughter would become the next empress of the Westerosi Empire and his grandchildren would follow after that. Ned Stark had indeed surprised her with his ambition and even the Starks it appeared were not immune to greed. However that did little to boost her flagging mood and as she was finally about to call a maid to refill her wine a figure suddenly appeared from the side of her room. Cersei despite being slightly intoxicated got to her feet quickly and was about to call for Ser Trant who was standing guard outside the room when a familiar voice said quickly.

"There is no need to call for guards your grace." The voice instantly made her already bad mood take a dramatic downturn. It was the former Master of Coin Petyr Baelish looking as swaggering as ever despite his status as a hunted man. His recent marriage to Lysa Arryn had made a much needed point of gossip amongst the court of late and Cersei knew that both Tyrion and Hadrian hated the man with a passion as did most on the Small Council, which was course was enough to give Cersei some time to indulge whatever had brought the Mockingbird here but that did not mean she had to afford him any respect. "I am here solely as your servant."

Cersei sneered at the weasel of a man before telling him.

"What use are you to me? No longer a member of the Small Council. You do not have the ear of the king or in fact anyone who might actually be useful to me."

"Some would say the same of you your grace." Baelish said smoothly at her and Cersei felt her hackles rising at the slight but then Baelish said something that made her hesitate from snapping back at him with either words or her guards who were only a scream away. "Perhaps then it could be time for someone who might heed your counsel to sit on the throne? After all the king is due to go hunting soon is he not my queen? Surely an accident is not so uncommon that it might befall the king?" Baelish said with his sly grin making the hairs on the back of Cersei's neck rise but all the same she could not shake his words. He was right she realised, as long as Robert was on the throne things would never improve for her…but if Joffrey were to take the throne she could rule as queen regent until he was of age. It was just slightly over a year away but even after that she would still have his ear and keep that little whore Sansa in her power. Then she thought viciously, she would have vengeance on those that had wronged her.

She turned to the door and walked over, pulling it open she told her cowering servants outside with a renewed glint of ambitious pride.

"Send for Lancel. I would have words with him." Her newest lover might be a poor replacement for her twin but Lancel did have other uses she thought with a sneer. She felt more herself again, her pride restored and this time she resolved…no one was going to spoil her schemes.

Two days later the news that Emperor Robert Baratheon was injured from a fight with a boar had reached the capital. Lord Stark attended his old friend where he listened to his painful words of missed opportunities and promised him that he would try his best to teach Joffrey to be a good king although he knew that he would unfortunately have to break that promise. He however was deeply worried about the position this placed him in. The plan had been for Jon to conquer his own kingdom in Slaver's Bay and build his own army and then when Robert died they could quickly install Jon on the Iron Throne who would be by then hopefully ready to handle being king.

But Ned thought grimly Jon was not ready yet. He had been taking a lot of smaller settlements across Slaver's Bay and was currently nearly at Meereen according to the Spider Lord Varys but it would be close to a year before Jon could even think of trying to claim the Iron Throne because he would need to not only secure his position but actually get some experience as a ruler not to mention how far away from Westeros he was. With that in mind Ned knew that as soon as Robert died; Joffrey, Stannis and Renly would all make their claims on his throne and when that happened war was imminent. He did not want to be caught up in a war so as much it pained him to leave Robert when he was dying he knew he had to get his daughter and remaining retinue out of the capital and back to Winterfell where he could sit it out and support Jon when the time was right.

Robert might be his best friend…but Jon was his blood.

He rushed over to the Tower of the Hand and his steward Lord Poole was there with Septa Mordane. They both looked surprised at his abrupt entry but he wasted no time before telling them.

"Pack only what we need and ready the horses. We leave the capital as soon as possible." He was about to tell them he would explain later when they looked ready to ask him question him but he was prevented from doing this by a started sounding voice at the door.

"Father?" He turned around to see Sansa standing there looking upset. "Why must we leave? I like it here. The Queen and Joffrey have been so nice to me." Ned nearly started gritting his teeth not wanting to have to deal with this right now so he snapped at Sansa.

"Not now Sansa, just do as I say and I will explain later but we must leave immediately." He told her shortly before going about his own quick packing. Already Renly had fled the capital and was no doubt on his way to Highgarden or Storm's End to call his banners. He had no intention of being here when Joffrey took power, that boy had a sadistic streak as wide as the Narrow Sea. He would not allow his daughter to become intertwined with such a monster.

However Ned so focused on getting out of the city that he missed the reaction his words had on Sansa. Her face screwed up in anger at Ned for his treating her like a child. She was nearly shaking with anger at just the thought of it. Well she resolved to herself walking swiftly down the stairs of the tower and out towards the Red Keep. If her father would not explain himself to her then he would explain himself to the Queen.

At Casterly Rock Hadrian was practicing swordplay with his sons and Tyrek when he received the word that Robert was dying. Genna had practically come flying into the exercise yard waving the message in the air. Instantly everyone stopped still at the news. Robert Baratheon was dying…then Joffrey a Lannister would be king. Several in the yard looked pleased at the words written on the parchment but for those who actually knew Joffrey and what this would mean for the entire empire there was fear hanging in the air. Hadrian immediately went into action demanding five hundred of their best men be ready to ride with him to Kings Landing within an hour while his own horse be saddled and he charged into his chambers telling Tyrek and Raphael to prepare themselves for the hard ride to the capital before he rushed down to his private vault and retrieved Aegon the Conqueror's crown.

As an hour later he strapped Crimson Knight to his hip and leapt on his horse he quickly told Kevan and Genna that they were in charge till he returned. Hadrian cursed Cersei under his breath. The circumstances of Robert's fatal injury had her and Lancel written all over it. The carefully laid out plan for the empire was in tatters, he and his allies had counted on at least two more years before the time to replace Robert came. By then they would have eliminated Stannis and Renly and Joffrey would be surrounded by their people. They would have expanded the Empire into Pentos and Volantis and Jon would have brought Slaver's Bay into the Empire also when he took the throne. It would have been secured and a new system of government would have been set up to run the vast territories they controlled. Already several new seats had been added to the Small Council or were in the process of being added. Now they would just have to put any future expansion of the Empire on hold until this issue was settled and try to adapt as the situation developed. He was glad that he had recalled his sellswords, the last of whom the Iron Shields would be here within another week so his entire army would be home right when he needed them.

Once his men were on their horses Hadrian led the five hundred men on their hard relentless charge to the capital where he hoped he would not be too late. But as they began their hard ride to Kings Landing Robert slipped away on his death bed and Cersei and Joffrey took power for themselves.

"Thank you sweetling." Cersei said doing her best and kindest smile as Sansa Stark told her that Lord Stark was ready to flee the capital. The queen had taken the time to clean herself up and now looked as radiant as ever at least in her own mind. "I shall deal with the situation but do not fear you will not have to leave the city. Now while I speak to your father perhaps you and Joffrey should take a stroll around the gardens?" She suggested and although Joffrey gave her a look that told her he could think of nothing more tedious Sansa brightened considerably and held out her arm for Joffrey who reluctantly took it and led Sansa away. Cersei once Sansa was out of sight gritted her teeth and Baelish who had stayed quiet at the back of the room came forward.

"If Lord Stark goes back to Winterfell your grace you will lose the North and getting it back would be next to impossible given how hard the North is to invade." Baelish told her, his scheming mind working a mile an minute. "I have brought eight hundred of the most vicious Mountain Clansmen from the Vale to serve at your side in exchange for gold. They are yours to command against whoever you decide. They will make everyone fear you your grace." Baelish said with satisfaction. Starting a war with the North surely would result in Lord Stark's death and if he was able to arrange a suitable end for Lysa then it would leave him as regent of the Vale and then with Catelyn a widow he would finally have the opportunity to make her his.

Cersei meanwhile was compiling a list of all the people she wanted dead in the capital and where they would be right now.

At the Tower of the Hand Ned and his retinue where throwing whatever they needed into whatever boxes they could get their hands on and sending them to the carts outside. Ned looked around to make sure there was nothing more that needed to be packed before he rushed wondering how much time they had to his daughter's room to make sure that she was ready. When he got there however he was astonished to find that not only was Sansa not there but nothing had been packed. Everything was exactly where it had been earlier today. He rushed out of the room now starting to feel worried at his daughter's absence when he was alerted by a scream from one of his guards. He rushed down the stairs and came across a horrific sight…his unprepared men being torn apart by Mountain Clansmen from the Vale. In the midst of their packing to flee the capital his men were not able to protect themselves against the vicious and completely unexpected attack. Ned had not time to think on why the clansmen were here before he was forced to draw his sword Ice and fight for his life.

Two of the Clansmen tried to double team him but despite the confined quarters Ned was able to stand his ground against the two vicious but relatively unskilled savages and he easily dispatched them. However four more piled on him reigning down blows with their fists or battle axes. Although none of the axes hit he received a vicious blow to the head and managed to stay conscious just long enough to see Jeyne Poole being dragged screaming down the stairs by one Clansman followed by another a Clansman holding Mordane and Vayon Poole's severed heads.

Tyrion was meeting a captain of a ship from Pentos to discuss bringing spices from that city to Kings Landing. Like at the Tower of Joy there was no warning of the sudden and violent attack. But thankfully as the Mountain Clansmen burst into the room Bronn had not wasted a single second and cut the men down with ease before the two had rushed back to Lannister House grabbing two horses off of a merchant without asking. As they moved quickly through the city streets riding their stolen mounts for all they were worth they were greeted to scenes of carnage the Mountain Clansmen ran riot over the city; raping, killing and stealing seemingly without care or any interference. Tyrion was astonished as they fled to safety. Where were the City Watch? Why were they not dealing with this sudden and unexpected raid?

When Lannister House came into view Tyrion breathed a sigh of relief. At its gates a heap of Mountain Clansmen lay dead as the Summer Sons brandished their bloodied swords. When they saw their employer they waved him and Bronn quickly inside. Once they entered the manor the Summer Sons men shut and secured the doors with quick quiet efficiency. Inside Tyrion allowed himself a brief moment of respite before he asked Ser Gwayne Sunglass who directed his men to secure all the other entrances.

"Ser Gwayne, what in the Seven hells is going on? Has the city been invaded by the Vale?" Tyrion asked quickly wondering if that were the case how long would they be able to hold out until help arrived. But Ser Gwayne told him in his gruff manner.

"No it is just eight hundred or so Clansmen from what we can gather my lord. My men have secured your assets as best we can but your guests can probably say more than I about the situation."

"Guests?" Bronn asked keeping his sword handy, mindful of some kind of trap. While loud mouthed and laid back most of the time he was all business when it came to dire situations.

"He means us good ser." A smooth effeminate voice said from the direction of the drawing room. Looking over the two new arrivals saw Lord Varys coming out of the room in his usual robes with arms folded looking remarkably calm despite the madness outside. Varys gestured them inside and somewhat suspiciously Tyrion and Bronn followed. Once inside the room they were greeted by four members of the Kingsguard; Ser Barristan Selmy, Ser Manton Moore, Ser Godry Chelsted and Ser Lothur Brune. All of whom looked slightly ruffled. But they were not alone as a maester was tending to a wounded Ser Jacelyn Bywater who had several nasty looking gashes and bruises.

"What is happening Lord Varys? I must know." Tyrion said after he studied the group in front of him. This was so unexpected he did not know what to think and needed more information if he was going to get a plan together.

"It seems that with his grace Robert Baratheon's death, the dowager queen and the crown prince have gained the services of eight hundred Mountain Clansmen by way of the Mockingbird." Varys said and Tyrion glared at the mention of the name. He should have known that Baelish was mixed up in this somewhere. "Once his grace had breathed his last they unleashed the Mountain men on anyone they consider an enemy. Including both yourself my lord and the Lord Hand."

"Does Lord Stark still live?" Tyrion said mindful that if Stark was still alive then maybe they could wrestle power away from Cersei as Joffrey was still not yet of age and Stark as Lord Hand was now the acting regent. If he was dead then they were facing certain war with the North and possibly the Riverlands. Varys nodded grimly but before Tyrion could start planning some clever move Varys explained. "His retinue however is nearly completely slaughtered with the sole exceptions being his daughter and Jeyne Poole the daughter of his steward. They are now being held up in the Red Keep while Lord Stark has been imprisoned in the Black Cells." Varys told them with a grim tone. Now Tyrion was starting to get a headache from the situation they were faced with and he turned to Ser Barristan and asked the legendary knight. "Why are you not at the Red Keep with your sworn brothers Ser Barristan? You are the Lord Commander after all."

"Not anymore." Ser Barristan said angrily as his sworn brothers around him scowled themselves at the thought of what had happened. "The queen and the new king decided that not only am I too old to guard his majesty but that Ser Manton, Ser Godry and Ser Lothur are not suitable to act as his grace's protectors. We have all been dismissed from the Kingsguard and on our way out of the Red Keep we were attacked by those savage thugs of theirs." Ser Barristan said. "We easily dispatched them but then we came across Ser Jacelyn here being set upon and carried him here at the advice of Lord Varys."

"My men are too scattered and uncoordinated to stand against the Clansmen." Ser Jacelyn said although when he tried to get up from the couch where he was being tended to by the maester to talk to Tyrion face to face he was quickly stopped wincing as his injuries halted his movement with pain. "If any of us step outside this house then they will kill us without a second thought."

"With Lord Stark in the Black Cells, he will be too well guarded to recover. We need to ensure they cannot force his cooperation." Tyrion said as he poured himself a goblet of wine from the pitcher on the table. He pondered for a moment before turning to Lord Varys and asking him seriously. "Can you and your birds arrange for the Stark girl and her companion to be brought here? And get a message to my brother?"

"Give me till the end of the day my lord." Varys said his expression now calm and serene and then added. "Your brother however is already on his way with some men of his own but at full ride it will take them at least two days to get here."

"Then that is how long we must survive." Ser Manton said grimly. "And how long the city shall remain in the hands of those animals".

At that moment Sansa was locked up in a room in the Red Keep completely obvious as to what was going on and somewhat scared that her father had yet to find her.

Earlier that day…

Sansa had just finished her lovely walk through the gardens with Joffrey when he had led her to a disused room and then shoved her in, locking the door from the other side. She banged on the door in confusion but all she heard was Joffrey laughing as he walked away. The room was bare so she had to lower herself to sitting on the floor while she waited for someone to come and let her out. She knew Joffrey liked sometimes to make fun of other people but she could not understand why her golden prince had done this too her. It had been hours before finally the door unlocked and she looked up getting quickly to her feet brushing off the dust from her dress.

Present…

She felt slightly relieved to see Joffrey standing there when the door finally opened with a member of his Kingsguard Ser Merlyn Trant. She was about to smile at the sight of them but something stopped her as she saw the looks on their faces. There was something about the way they were smiling that made her feel uneasy. She stayed where she was and asked not understanding.

"My Prince. Is there something wrong?" She asked wondering why her prince was doing this. His unsettling grin widened as he told her.

"I have something to show you." He offered her his arm and she had to force herself to take it. She did not why but something about his touch which had once made her feel warm now felt uncomfortable. But she shook herself and tried to put aside these silly thoughts and walked at his side with her arm in his but all the same that feeling that something was wrong just kept nagging at the back of her mind regardless of how hard she worked to suppress it. Soon they were approaching the walls of the Red Keep and Sansa had nearly managed to convince herself that nothing was wrong they walked up the steps on to the wall and Sansa stopped still with horror at what she saw.

There on the wall mounted on spikes were the heads of her beloved Septa Mordane and her family's steward Vayon Poole alongside all her family's guards and servants that they had brought to Kings Landing. She would have screamed if not for Joffrey's hand wrapping itself around her elbow so tightly she winced.

"Quite the collection. Do you not think?" Joffrey said to her looking extremely excited at the sight of the mutilated heads on display. Sansa was unable to reply, she was not sure what she would have said even if she had. Then suddenly a horrible thought popped into Sansa's head and her eyes flittered from one mounted head to another before she realised with a small sense of relief that her father was not there but she asked desperately not able to take her eyes away from the gruesome display in front of her however much she wanted too.

"Where is my father?" She asked desperately only for her to feel the hand of Ser Trant to knock her to the ground and she could not even look up in her shock as Joffrey screamed down at her.

"YOU ARE NOTHING! YOU DO NOT GET TO DEMAND ANSWERS FROM A KING! FROM AN EMPEROR!"

Suddenly as she felt the boot heel of Ser Trant in her right side it was like the veil had been pulled from her eyes and she could see things in the clear light of day. Who Joffrey really was, what he was really like…all the things that she had waved off or ignored suddenly came into focus like a tapestry revealing his true character. He was everything that she had been warned he was; greedy, sadistic, wilful, vicious and cruel. Masked by a golden façade he was a monster, one that had taken her in so fully that she had ignored and betrayed her own family so he would like her. Those heads were on that wall because of her she thought to her own horror. And Joffrey she realised would never 'like' anyone. He cared for nothing and no-one but himself.

And she was nothing more than a fool.

As day turned to dusk, a bruised Sansa was forced to walk to a room in the Red Keep where she was shoved through the door and groaned as her bruised body hit the hard floor. As she struggled to her feet she felt gentle hands helping her get up and a voice that brought her a small measure of relief.

"Sansa are you alright?" Jeyne Poole asked and Sansa managed to get to her feet with Jeyne's help and she nodded and stumbled over to a bed on the other side of the room. She saw Jeyne pour a goblet of water and press it into Sansa's hand where the Stark girl gratefully took some careful sips of water. Taking a moment once she had drained her goblet Sansa could see that she did not need to tell Jeyne what had happened, the bloodshot eyes told her that not too long ago Jeyne had been crying hard. Sansa however could not meet her gaze. Jeyne's father was dead just like their entire entourage because of her. She had told the Queen that they were fleeing the capital. If she had just done as her father had said then they would be far away and safe from Joffrey and his mother. Instead all their trusted servants were dead and she, her father and Jeyne were prisoners of the queen.

She knew Jeyne was worried about her despite all the grief that she must surely be feeling at this moment and Sansa was dreading the time when Jeyne learnt who it was that had betrayed them to the Queen.

She was about to lie down to get some sleep or at least as much as she could when suddenly and without warning Lord Varys and two men appeared in the corner of the room seemingly from nowhere. She would have sat up but her body protested too much and Jeyne nearly screamed but the bald eunuch said quickly.

"My ladies I must apologise for my abrupt entrance but we have little time. I have been sent on the behalf of Lord Tyrion Lannister to ensure that you do not remain in the hands of the queen and her eldest son. But we must move now or we shall certainly be discovered. I know for a fact that the queen intends to simply give young Lady Poole to the owner of a brothel." Jeyne looked terrified at sheer idea and was keen to go with them to avoid such a fate while Sansa struggled to her feet and asked him.

"What of my father? We must rescue him." She demanded but Varys shook his head before explaining.

"Your father is currently being held in the Black Cells but if the queen and the crown prince do not have you and Lady Poole then they will have nothing to use as leverage against him. Now my ladies we must hurry." He urged them and somewhat reluctantly Sansa allowed one of the men to help her while the other helped Jeyne into a hidden passage that had been concealed in the wall of the room. The dark passage was unsettling in how far and long it seemed to stretch illuminated solely by Lord Varys' torch. However the eunuch knew where he was going and soon they emerged near the manor houses on Rhaenys's Hill. The dark streets were surprisingly quiet as they carefully made their way up the hill to the same manor house that Sansa and Arya had once visited to meet with Tywin Lannister what seemed like a lifetime ago. They soon arrived at one of the side doors rather than the main entrance and Varys knocked a series of times that sounded like the first few lines of the Rains of Castamere. There was the sound of a lock being undone and the door swung open to reveal Ser Barristan Selmy who ushered them in. He frowned when he saw the condition Sansa had been left in by the still to be crowned king. Once they were inside he and the rest of the servants in the manor re-secured the door and moved them into the drawing room. The maester who had just finished changed Ser Jacelyn's bandages when he saw them come in with Sansa went straight to work as they put her down on the available couch. Jeyne now almost completely drained curled up in the adjacent seat and quickly fell asleep.

Tyrion Lannister approached Sansa as the maester got to work and she had never thought she would be so glad to see the Imp in all her life. She had derided him in private whenever with the queen or Joffrey because of their hatred of him, but right now he was the most welcome person in her eyes outside a member of her own family.

"Lady Sansa." Tyrion said warmly. "Welcome to Lannister House. Do not worry for here you are safe. My brother is at this moment riding for Kings Landing with his men, soon things will be put right." He assured her but Sansa shook her head.

"No I do not think things will ever really be alright ever again." Her eyes drifted over to Jeyne who already looked like she was suffering from some kind of nightmare.

Meanwhile Hadrian and his riders had made great progress with their hard ride thanks to the roads of the Westerlands. Already over half the distance to the capital had been covered but their horses were now exhausted and needed at least a night's rest and a good feeding before they could continue. Paying a local farmer to provide them with the food they needed for their horses the men settled down as they prepared to sleep rough until tomorrow when at first light they would complete the second half of their journey. They had picked up additional men at the castles that they had passed on the way and now they numbered six hundred riders but there was no time to pitch tents so they would sleep rough tonight. A few of the riders that were of noble birth had complained about this but one look for him had silenced them immediately.

Cooking their provisions around their makeshift fires the men got as settled as they could and Hadrian sat against his horse alongside his most trusted men while the perimeter guards sat keeping an eye out for anyone who might try and attack them in their sleep.

Hadrian as he sat down on the portable bed roll he had just like all his other men looked up at the sky and allowed his mind to wander. The next few years were likely to be the most trying of his life thus far. He had hoped that Jon would have been ready by the time Robert died. But it would be a least a year or more before they could try and install him on the throne. Until then they would have to deal with the psychotic Joffrey and the power hungry Cersei in the seat of power. The boy's youth and foolishness would make him far easier to control but not by much. He also knew that Stannis and Renly would need to be dealt with and that he thought annoyed would fall to him.

In Slaver's Bay Jon was marching closer towards the future capital of this new kingdom. He had been conquering more of the various towns and villages of the area while fresh supplies arrived from Braavos. As the growing army of free men camped after marching their fill for the day, Jon saw riders approaching his camp. He walked out to greet them and saw that one of them was a captain employed by his own small navy.

"My lord." The man said as he leapt from his horse. "We have captured several ships trying to enter Slaver's Bay. Most of them were looking to buy slaves but one or two contained people that some pirates were going to sell. Thankfully we captured them before they could make it to Meereen." Jon nodded although he was still confused as to why the captain had come in person to report.

"As good of a thing as that is captain, why have you deemed to come and tell me in person? A messenger surely would have been faster."

The captain nodded looking a bit sheepish but then he told him the real reason for his making the trip up here.

"Well my lord. Some of the people we freed from the ships came from Old town including young Tarly here." He said gesturing to a very fat but tall young man that Jon had not yet noticed who had rode with the captain and his party. He had dark hair and eyes but despite his weight and tall frame he looked absolutely petrified at being here. As Jon looked at the other young man he remembered the significance of the name Tarly.

"Are you related to Lord Randyll Tarly?" Jon asked and the boy's face if possible fell even further as he answered.

"Aye my lord. I am Samwell his eldest son, but I have shamed him enough for him to banish me."

Jon frowned at the boy's answer and kept his firm gaze on the boy who quickly explained himself in more detail.

"He is the greatest military commander in the Reach, but I was his worst nightmare. A son who is a coward, absolutely useless, who cannot fight. A boy that has no interest or skill in battle or arms. My mind is sharp and the maester I learnt from as a child told me I would be a great member of their order but my father would not hear of a member of his house joining the maesters. He gave me a choice; go to the Wall, join the Night's Watch and give up my right to his lands and titles or he would arrange an accident that I would die from." Samwell told him grimly and with great sadness. Jon however was angry to hear that a father could treat his son so callously and struggling to keep his temper in and managed to ask.

"How did you end up here then Samwell Tarly?"

"I was in Old town to catch a boat north when the pirates came my lord." Samwell told him looking unsettled at the journey that had brought him here. "I was taken by the slavers and brought here to be sold but your men saved me and I insisted that I meet you my lord."

Jon was puzzled at the last remark. And when he asked why Samwell gave him a surprising answer.

"No one in hundreds of years has even attempted to do what you are doing my lord. To try and fight slavery at its home. You gathered your own army and are taking down the bastions of slavery one by one. How could I miss the opportunity to meet such a good man? I will serve you my lord in any way you see fit. I may not be a soldier but I have skill in the healing arts, astrology, history and economics." Samwell said looking sheepish and added when Jon's eyebrow rose. "I spent a lot of time with the maester to avoid my father my lord."

Jon was surprised at the other young man in front of him. He certainly was a mass of contradictions. He claimed to be a coward, yet he had the strength to deny his father and find his own path in life by coming here. He claimed to be weak yet he had endured the slavers till his liberation. He claimed to be useless and yet he had more knowledge and skills than some lords Jon could think of. Jon then made his decision and was subconsciously glad to have someone at his side that he had chosen rather than his grandmother.

"I would welcome you as my advisor Samwell." Jon said with a small smile and Samwell looked very surprised but grateful at Jon's acceptance.

Back in Westeros, Hadrian and his six hundred men had finally arrived at the gates of Kings Landing. They were tired from the long ride but finally they had made it. At the gates they were met by an old knight in his mid-fifties dressed in chainmail with hair that was already as white as freshly fallen snow and a small group of men at his side.

"Lord Lannister! Thank the gods that you have arrived!" The old knight said looking truly relieved to see him. Hadrian did not need the man to introduce himself as they had already met. His name was Ser Clayton Archay, a Targaryen loyalist that Varys had recruited as part of the hidden group of men that worked to restore the Targaryens to the throne. Ser Clayton would often serve as someone they could send in to investigate as a free agent rather than one of their group's more prominent members that would arose too much suspicion. "The Dowager Queen and King Joffrey have gone mad. They have gained the services of eight hundred Mountain Men from the Vale and set them loose on the city. Many homes and businesses have been wrecked and pillaged, a lot of women have been raped and many others slain. Lord Renly has fled the city and the City Watch are too disorganised and spread out to do anything against them with Ser Jacelyn injured. The Lord Hand is imprisoned in the Black Cells while your brother has holed up in Lannister House. Worst it seems that the Queen has ordered the slaughter of any fatherless blue eyed and dark haired child within the city." Ser Clayton then explained all the other things that had been happening since Robert's death and it made Hadrian set his face like stone else he betray how angry he was at this turn of events.

Hadrian nodded grimly his eyes coldly looking through the open door into the city where the Red Keep was just visible. He turned to his men and those of Ser Archay and in as loud a voice as he could manage he told them.

"Once nearly twenty years ago Lannister men took this city with cunning and blood and ushered in a new age of prosperity for the city turning it into a beacon of trade and order as we tore the Mad King's legacy down. Now the city has fallen again but this time to degenerate fucking savages from the godforsaken mountains! Today we men of the Westerlands are not conquerors but saviours! Today we will take back this city and put those raping murdering cunts into the dirt where they belong! Are you with me?" He yelled passionately and his own men cheered and with his sword drawn Hadrian turned towards the open city gates and ordered. "To the Red Keep!"

The men still on horseback now accompanied by Ser Clayton and his men urged their mounts on as they rode into the city with their weapons in hand. The thundering sound of the hooves of their horses was the only warning that the Mountain men in the streets between the gates and the Red Keep got as they held their ill-gotten gains in hand after looting a few more houses and taking anything and anyone they wanted. They looked up the road and saw a sight that terrified them, over six hundred men on horseback charging straight at them with spears or swords drawn. They dropped their looted valuables immediately and tried to run but there was nowhere they could escape to as the charging horsemen caught them on the run, cutting them down with ease, the small folk of the city cheered as they passed seeing the Lannister men as their salvation after their horrible ordeal.

They rode on until they reached the gates of the Red Keep and its portcullis was raised, no one had had the wit to close it and Hadrian smiled at this good fortune as he and his men rode into the castle.

Dismounting from his horse Hadrian turned to his men who were likewise getting off their own mounts.

"Secure the Red Keep, kill any of the Mountain men you find. Ser Daniels, Ser Clayton, Ser Addam, Tyrek with me to the throne room. It is time I brought my sister and her vile spawn to heel." He said and the chosen men and squire followed him through the winding corridors of the large castle and soon arrived in the throne room where Hadrian nearly sneered at how ridiculous Joffrey looked with Robert's crown nearly falling off his head and how insignificant he looked posing on the Iron Throne trying to look important but still gave off the appearance of a child playing make believe. Cersei looked equally ridiculous standing at his side as the Hand of the King would beaming from ear to ear...

Until she and Joffrey saw him standing there.

Their expressions instantly changed from triumphant jubilation to fear as Hadrian and his men walked in. There was eight mountain men standing at the side of the large hall which was already decorated in the Lannister colours red and gold with terrified courtiers milling about nervously eying the mountain men only for everything to fall silent at his entry. Hadrian with his sword firmly in his hand walked forward his eyes weary for any sign of ambush but it did not come.

"Lord Lannister, we were not expecting you." Joffrey said trying to look at his uncle with some courage but only managed to come off as nervous.

"Evidently not." Hadrian said calmly but his tone was cold and his eyes intense in their gaze which made all who saw them keep their distance. Hadrian turned to the courtiers and said. "Out all of you, I would have a word with my nephew and sister." His tone brokered no argument and grateful to be away from the unstable Joffrey and those mountain men of his the courtiers swiftly left the hall without even the slightest protest. His deeds had given him a fearsome reputation and none of them wanted to cross him.

Joffrey and Cersei were shocked when all of the court left the hall at Hadrian's command. They soon found themselves alone with their mountain men and Hadrian who had his own men at his side. Hadrian stared at them with a glare that could have frozen the Narrow Sea with its cold fury and he proceeded to have his words with them.

"I hear at Casterly Rock that the King is dying and ride at best speed to this city so I can ensure a swift and painless transition for you my nephew to assume the throne." He said calmly pacing slowly around the room like a lion and keeping his eyes on his nephew and sister. "When I get here, I find the King is dead, that the Master of Laws has fled, Tyrion dodging assassination attempts, the Lord Hand under arrest while his household is slaughtered, half the Kingsguard has been dismissed, babies being slaughtered and Mountain men having free reign over the city, pillaging, killing and raping at will. So I must ask you in as simpler words as possible…What in the Seven Hells do you think you are doing?"

Cersei listened to her brother's words and could not help but grimace at his voice and the fear was plain to see in her eyes. However she pulled herself together and said back as sternly as she could manage with a sneer as she reaffirmed her self-appointed position as Queen Regent.

"I think you forget who you are addressing Lord Lannister." Joffrey emboldened by her words sneered too and Hadrian's eyes narrowed. Deciding to make a point about how little power the pair actually had at this present moment he turned to his men and said with a cold smile.

"Gentlemen, I feel quite tense after our long ride. I feel you must also be likewise in need of relieving some tension. Shall we kill these mountain men?" He asked and the mountain men instantly went for their weapons and stood ready to fight. Hadrian's men nodded eagerly with cold smiles of their own.

"We wholeheartedly agree my lord." Raphael said and the Lannister men including Tyrek drew their swords and charged at the Mountain men. However ferocious these men were in a fight they were little more than raging beasts in reality. The trained knights easily cut them down as Cersei and Joffrey watched in fear. Sheathing his now bloodied sword Hadrian smiled coldly at the pair on the throne and told them.

"I expect that shortly my men will have disposed of your savages in the Red Keep and after that I will clear them out of this city before they do anymore damage. Now I would ask you again what the hell were you thinking allowing all of this?"

Both were momentarily frozen as they realised that they were alone with Hadrian and his loyal men and Hadrian then told them sternly.

"Let me sum up all of your mistakes that have left us in a dire predicament." Hadrian said and counted them off. "First the Lord Hand is arrested and his household near completely slaughtered for no reason. This will quite possibly lead to war with the North at a time when we least need it. Stannis and Renly according to my information are already gathering support for their own claims to the throne and now we face a war on three fronts. Then unleashing those savages on the city souring the small folk against us. You would find it very hard to rule nephew if they stormed this castle and dragged you off the throne before mounting your head on a spike alongside your mother's." Both Joffrey and Cersei paled at the thought but Hadrian did not let up. "Then you murder all the blue eyed, black haired children in the city. The people will soon be naming you sister Babyslayer." He mocked. "You dismiss virtually any member of the Kingsguard that were actually of any use including Ser Barristan Selmy. All I ask you is why did you think any of those actions were a good idea?" He dared them to try and explain themselves but their answers were anything but smart.

"Those men were unfit to guard someone such as me." Joffrey said full of himself now that he regained some fire. "My own Kingsguard will suit me far better than the men that failed to protect my father."

"Oh really." Ser Clayton said daringly. "Then perhaps one of them should prove it." He challenged the King looking around for one of these new Kingsguard and a swaggering knight of Myrish descent appeared nearby.

"Please your grace allow me to educate this old fool." The arrogance of the man was not like Oberyn's own swagger. With Oberyn however while it could be grating there was an underlying humour that relaxed people but this man was just arrogant full stop. Joffrey seemed to channel the man's arrogance and told him.

"Please do Ser Gennedy Shanin. I would have the old man's head." That disturbing sneer of Joffrey's was back at full strength now he could hide behind one of his new Kingsguard. Hadrian turned to Ser Clayton and nodded. The older man stepped forward and drew his sword as the arrogant member of Joffrey's Kingsguard came forward brandishing his own weapon which was surprisingly Valyrian steel.

Ser Clayton did not waste anytime going immediately onto the attack, surprising them all with the speed at which the older man moved…like a man many years younger. Ser Gennedy was surprised too and fell into a quick defensive posture trying to fend off the other man's brutal assault. Ser Clayton pressed his advantage and hammered away at Ser Gennedy who struggled to find an opening in the other man's sequence but it was nearly flawless. Another thing that Ser Gennedy struggled to deal with was the precision with which Ser Clayton attacked, hardly ever missing and it was a real struggle to dodge or block it. He was not quite as good as Ser Barristan but he was not that far off either.

Eventually Ser Clayton in a dramatic show of swordsmanship managed to jab lightly at Ser Gennedy's joints in the upper arms and legs. Not enough to cause permanent damage but enough to slow his movement and disable him. Soon Gennedy was unable to move his arms and as soon as Clayton had disabled both his legs he fell to the floor after a firm backhand from the older knight. Both Joffrey and Cersei were stunned at one of their men being defeated so easily but Hadrian smiled and walked over to the fallen Myrish knight.

"Well done Ser Clayton. Such a show of swordsmanship is indeed a rare sight these days. So much so that I think it merits a reward." He leaned down and picked up the fallen knight's Valyrian steel blade and examined it quickly. Like other Valyrian steel swords he had seen the quality of the workmanship was exceptional. It was a shining silver in colour but had dark green scorpion as a pommel with emeralds for decoration. Turning around to face Ser Clayton Hadrian offered the sword to the older knight who looked at the sword with awe. "I present you with the Valyrian steel blade Scorpion."

The room was silent and Joffrey looked fit to burst as was Cersei over what was happening but a sharp look from Hadrian silenced them both and Ser Clayton gratefully took the sword and thanked Lord Lannister.

As his men secured the Red Keep and began to gather the Gold Cloaks in an effort to regain full control of the city Hadrian walked in one of the rooms of the Red Keep and was much relieved to see Lord Stark being tended too by Grandmaester Pycelle who had finally crawled out from whatever rock he had been hiding under. Seeing the wounds on Lord Stark from his time in captivity made Hadrian frown but he kept his face straight and asked briskly.

"Lord Stark I hope your time in the cells was not too hard. I was appalled when I discovered what my sister and nephew had done." He said as he sat down opposite the Lord Regent. "I rode here as fast as I could."

"I'm sure you did." Ned said bitterly. "My friends and others I trusted slaughtered, my daughter's friend left an orphan. My daughter herself traumatised, I do not see why I should believe any of the words that come out of a Lannister's mouth." He said angrily at Hadrian who merely raised an eyebrow not rising to Stark's anger. Pycelle looked ready to say something but a look from Lord Stark silenced him and with his job finished the old man excused himself, keen to get away from the two lords that were sure to argue given what had happened. Ned meanwhile was about ready to blow his top when Hadrian said first eager to head him off before the Northern lord said something they would regret.

"When questioned I discovered that the slaughter of your retinue, the imprisonment of yourself and your daughter was down to the advice of Petyr Baelish." Ned was shaken out of his anger for a moment in sheer surprise at that piece of news. "When she heard that you were fleeing north he convinced her that you were plotting against her and Joffrey and that she needed hostages to ensure that the North would bend the knee to her son."

"And how did she learn I was planning to leave the capital?" Ned asked annoyed that the arrogant Mockingbird had been behind this whole thing. What Hadrian said next however would turn his annoyance into complete disbelief.

"Your daughter Sansa told her."

"No." Ned said not able to wrap his head around the fact that his daughter had betrayed him. "This is another trick…Sansa would never go behind my back like that." Hadrian gave the man a sad smile and explained to him.

"She wanted to marry Joffrey, to be his queen. If you fled then that would never happen. So she went to the Queen hoping she would stop your departure which of course she did in her own way." Hadrian said with a grimace. "And it is not the first time your daughter has lied or gone against her own family to win the approval of my sister and my nephew do not forget. She lied about what happened at the river that day with Nymeria and Arya. No doubt she has been saying anything the queen asked of her ever since."

Ned did not want to believe Hadrian but he could not deny that the signs of betrayal were there now that he looked at them in a different light. All the time that she had spent with the queen and then prince without any of her family there. The trying to mimic the queen however much he had tried to convince her not too. Those pieces and others like them that he had dismissed at the time now came together to form a terrible picture in his mind. He groaned as he realised just what Sansa had done and more importantly the impact her actions would have.

"If you still intend to return to the North I will of course not try to convince you otherwise given all you have suffered here and I will make sure that the bodies of your retinue are sent back for proper burial. But I hope that you will stay at least till tonight, there is a meeting that I would very much like you to attend." He said but added the last part quietly in case anyone was listening. Ned looked at him suspiciously and asked in a whisper.

"What quite of meeting?" Hadrian smiled before telling him.

"The secret kind."

Later after Ned had returned to the tower to retrieve what was left of his belongings he went and tracked down Ice. It seemed that Ser Ilyn Payne had taken a fancy to his family's ancestral sword and claimed it for his own but Ned had swiftly retrieved his blade and was in the process of cleaning it to try and relax his mind but it did not good. He had always valued family above everything else, his wife and children meant the world to him and he would not have traded the years he had had with them for anything and he hoped for many more years yet to come and perhaps even grandchildren if his children obliged him. Even Jon though not his own son was still included in his family and he would protect the boy until death, telling no one the boy's true identity to keep him safe from those would kill him just for who his father had been.

But what Sansa had done had shaken him to the core. He doubted that she had done it maliciously but regardless of her motives the damage was done and now he would have to make sure that she understood the consequences. He was not looking forward to what he was going to have to say to his daughter but all too soon the time came as both Sansa and the now orphaned Jeyne Poole entered his room. Sansa seeing her father rushed over and eagerly threw herself into his arms crying with relief that he was alright after everything that happened. Ned held his daughter but not as tightly as he might have done a week ago as terrible as it made him feel. His eyes moved to Jeyne Poole who was standing at the door with tears in her own eyes. He worried for the young girl, the world was a terrible place to be all alone and she was still a child. Sansa however regained his attention by telling him how much she wanted to go home and forget everything that had happened. That was too much for Ned who removed himself from his daughter's embrace much to her surprise and asked her with a grim look.

"Do you know what you have done Sansa?"

"Father?" Sansa asked unsettled at his expression.

"You betrayed us Sansa." Ned said and Sansa's eyes widened in horror at what her father was saying. "You told the queen that we were to flee Kings Landing." The terrible realisation gripped her as he continued talking. "Because of what you said our entire retinue here was wiped out."

There was a moment of silence as his words sank in and Sansa shook with horror at what he was telling her but it was not Ned or Sansa that ended the silence. Instead the silence of the room was broken by a scream filled with rage & grief and Sansa found herself being hit by the fists of the enraged Jeyne Poole who began screaming at her like an animal till Jeyne was pulled off by Ned. Jeyne struggled for a moment before her anger collapsed and her tears long held in burst free as she sobbed into Lord Stark's shoulder.

"My father! They killed my father!" She sobbed into Ned's arms and he carefully wrapped the grief filled girl in his hold. He rubbed her shoulder carefully and told her gently.

"Do not worry girl. I will make sure you are well cared for at Winterfell." He reassured her. He would make the girl his ward given her father's loyal service and the fact that the girl had no family of her own in this world anymore. But he regretfully turned to Sansa and told her. "But you Sansa are guilty of treason. Under Northern law there is only one punishment…death. Even I cannot change that without angering all of our vassals." He told her and Sansa suddenly went from upset to distraught but then he said. "But that is only in the North. As long as you stay south of the Neck then I can opt for the lesser punishment of exile. I will try and find a place for you perhaps with your Uncle Edmure in the Riverlands or your Aunt Lysa in the Vale but you can never again set foot in the North or the Northern lords will kill you on sight." He told her mournfully, he loved Sansa he really did and this unfortunately was the only way to save her life. To send her away…to deny her the land of her birth because if she ever returned there and the truth of what she had done came out then he would probably face the ire of his own lords and if they did not kill her then they would force him to do it instead. However the look of utter desolation that his oldest daughter was giving him made his heart shatter into a million irreparable pieces.

Sansa meanwhile felt like her entire world was evaporating before her eyes leaving her alone in a vast empty wasteland filled with terrible predators that filled her with terror. Her father's words had cut deeper than any blade filling her with total and absolute devastation as the full impact of what she had done threatened to overwhelm her. Winterfell her home, the one she had dismissed with the arrogance of assuming that it would always be there for her was now beyond her reach. The cold winds but warm and loving atmosphere of her family's home was now stripped from her. Her family would be so far away that she might well never see them again…her loving and caring mother who had soothed her tears and told her such wonderful stories. Her brothers Robb, Bran and Rickon all so full of life and mischief that secretly they made her laugh with their bad jokes. Her direwolf sent home to protect it after she had so foolishly lied to earn Joffrey's affection in front of everyone. Her father with his grim but loving aura that always made her feel safe and protected. All was lost to her now.

As her own tears filled her eyes she felt her father's warm hand grip hers tightly and she held on for all she was worth, scared that he would be gone the moment that she let go.

While Lord Stark was dealing with his unpleasant duty, Hadrian had taken over one of the solars of the Red Keep as his temporary base until the Tower of the Hand was repaired. With Lord Stark's imminent departure, Hadrian as Joffrey's uncle had now taken over the regency until Joffrey was of age. The pin that belonged to the Hand of the King was now fastened to his tunic as he started going through the piles of paperwork that he needed to attend to while he wrote letters to whoever he needed too. At present he was trying to estimate the damage to the city that the Mountain men had caused and also sent his men out to clear any remaining pockets of resistance now that they had the Gold Cloaks reorganised and the assistance of Tyrion's sellswords. They would soon have the city back in order and despite the brutality that the people had endured the damage was thankfully minimal but the moral of the city was shot to hell. He looked up when he heard the door open and saw Tyrion enter looking thankfully none the worse for wear for being effectively under siege for a few days.

"Brother! Power suits you I see." Tyrion said smugly as he saw his brother deal with all the paperwork and smiled at Hadrian's frown. He had come to give his brother the news. "We have just cleared out the last of the Mountain Men. I have already allocated funds to pay compensation to the people who suffered during the last few days."

Hadrian nodded feeling somewhat relieved that at least that issue had been dealt with but still his growing headache and tiredness stayed strong. He turned to his younger brother and told him.

"Until we can find a new Master of Laws you will have to take on the role as well as continuing with your existing duties. I trust this will not be a problem?" He asked and Tyrion merely nodded although he was secretly quite pleased to have another office to increase his power despite however much work it would add to his considerable load. He did however say to his brother as he saw the shadows under his eyes and his pale colour.

"You should get some rest brother, things are well in hand for now. We can do without you for a few hours." Hadrian managed a tired smile and said with humour.

"Well thank you very much. This has just been the week from hell so far and I worry that it will only get worse from here on brother. Already I hear that our rivals are working to increase their power and marshalling their armies. Soon our hold on the throne will be challenged by anyone with even the slightest of claims to it." He warned him and then asked. "If we can avoid any unrest in the city it would certainly be a relief, any ideas to increase moral Tyrion?" Tyrion thought for a moment and then suggested.

"There is a well-known murmurs group currently in the city, perhaps if we convinced them to put on a series of comedies in the coliseum free of charge while we pay for the company then it should improve moral."

Hadrian nodded approvingly, it was a decent plan that should be easy to set up. He then mentioned something that had been on his mind.

"That will work for the short term but there is still the matter of feeding this city." He said solemnly explaining further although knowing Tyrion he had probably already thought of it. "With Stannis in control of Dragonstone he can stop virtually all trade to the city by sea and if as I suspect the Reach sides with Renly then we will not be able to buy it from them. Between the Crownlands and the Westerlands possibly but it would be very difficult to feed not only those kingdoms but the large population of Kings Landing despite the expanded farming projects that we had put into place. Also there is the possibility that the Crownlords will just desert us for Renly or Stannis depending on who appears most powerful at that point. With winter coming this problem will only get harder to deal with and soon we could have riots on our hands."

"That is a problem." Tyrion admitted having wondered the same thing himself and Hadrian had a solution.

"The Riverlands are so far neutral and while I doubt they could be swayed to our side they have fertile lands. If we could convince them to sell food to us then we might be able to keep the situation under control. I have already sent a letter to that effect addressed to Lord Tully but if he denies us then we may need to look elsewhere." Hadrian said taking a sip of water not wanting to dull his senses with wine right now. He smiled at his brother and told him. "You have done well in a position of authority brother it suits you."

Tyrion took the compliment with good grace and he had to admit that he liked power, the responsibilities and advantages it gave one. But also a chance to dabble in political intrigue and play a game of mental cyvasse with his enemies in a contest that could easily cost someone their life. It was a thrill that one could easily become addicted too although Tyrion tried to keep himself firmly grounded. He was about to reply when his brother spoke again.

"And such service I believe merits a reward so I bequeath to you the lands of Duskendale and the Dun Fort as your holding. I recently acquired them from the Iron Bank after they took the lands given its previous lord could not pay an outstanding debt. I hope that you enjoy your new lands Lord Tyrion." He said with a smirk at Tyrion's gobsmacked expression. Now when Tysha and their children finally came to join him they would have a castle of their own where they could make a fresh start. His own lands that belonged to him alone, the thought made Tyrion smile. He did not need to thank Hadrian as his older brother just grinned back when he saw Tyrion's smile.

But what Tyrion did not know was that Hadrian had a far more important position in mind for him. One that would test Tyrion as never before and yet suit him better than being Master of Coin.

That night Ned was woken from his sleep by Lord Hadrian gently shaking his uninjured shoulder and as he wiped the sleep from his eyes Lord Lannister said to him in a low whisper.

"Come Lord Stark it is time for you to discover just who is helping Jon claim his rightful throne."

Ned was shocked awake by his words and was quickly to his feet while pulling some clothes on. He asked curious and yet cautious as part of him thought this could be a trap.

"Why have you decided now is the best to introduce us?"

Hadrian explained as Stark got dressed.

"Given the dangerous nature of our work we rarely ever meet. But recent events have forced us to conduct as full meeting as we can at such short notice so we can plan just what to do next. Follow me." He said and walked out of the room with Ned following him. Ser Clayton Archay was waiting outside and gave a slight bow to Lord Stark who returned it with a nod before the three went off down the corridor towards a large alcove where Hadrian turned around to ensure they were alone before pressing a number of stones in order. Ned was flabbergasted to see a small opening appear in the stone wall, Hadrian and Ser Clayton wasted no time before walking inside and with a certain sense trepidation Ned followed and was alarmed to hear the opening close behind them.

"What is this place?" Ned asked taking in the long tunnels lit only by the light of the torches carried by Hadrian and Ser Clayton. They passed several junctions with other passages that went off into the distance.

"When the Targaryens built Kings Landing they also created many underground secret passageways that connect to nearly every part of the city. Hardly anyone knows about them but for our sake they are particularly useful tonight." They walked on for nearly twenty minutes until they reached an exit which Ned was surprised to see was in the outer edge of the Kingswood. Three horses were already tied to trees for them. Climbing onto the steeds they took off at a fairly fast pace into the dark wood. The rapid movement jostled Ned's injuries causing him a fair bit of discomfort but not enough for him to have to slow down. Not long after they arrived a hunting lodge in the forest. It looked fairly old but was well maintained and was Ned noted occupied by the light in the windows.

Hadrian dismounted his horse followed by Ser Clayton and Ned albeit it slowly given his injuries. The three men walked up to the door and Hadrian banged three times with a beat in-between each bang. When the door did not open immediately Ned looked at his two companions for a moment puzzled before on the other side of the door there were three identical bangs and then the door did open to reveal much to Ned's surprise Lord Varys standing there.

"Welcome my lords, come in and make yourselves warm then we can start." Varys ushered them inside and gave Ned a small smile which Ned did not return. Once inside he saw an equally confused Ser Barristan Selmy who looked relieved to see him. At the table where wine was waiting for them Willas Tyrell sat with Prince Oberyn Martell talking quietly until they entered. In the other corner there was two other men that Ned did not recognise; one was a man in his mid-twenties wearing the rough and weathered clothes that you would see on a sailor and the other was older than Ned with a rough looking red beard and thinning hair of the same colour. His eyes were very sharp and his expression severe. Hadrian then stepped forward and said to the assembled men.

"Good evening gentlemen, I apologize for the abruptness of this meeting but given recent events I felt it necessary and I appreciate those of you who were able to attend on such short notice. Please take a seat while you introduce yourselves to our newest members." He said taking a seat while the two mystery men turned to Ned and Ser Barristan and introduced themselves.

"My lords I am Nicolas Rivers, the bastard son of Lord Arisye. I move people and objects across the Narrow Sea for the Targaryens. And this is Lord Jon Connington who is representing the Targaryens in this discussion." The mention of who the older man was sent the eye brows of both Ser Barristan and Ned upwards. The former hand of the King and friend of Rhaegar Targaryen was long thought dead by the entire kingdom and yet when Ser Barristan looked at the man he could see that it was indeed the man he remembered albeit more severe and his gaze sharper than he had been before. The aforementioned man however was in no mood to waste time and said abruptly.

"Well if we have finished with needless pleasantries perhaps we can discuss that the plan has gone tit's up because you did not keep a firm hold of your whore of a sister?" Jon Connington said and the Hadrian's eyes narrowed and he said back quickly.

"Well Lord Connington perhaps if you would have done something different…short of locking her in a room and throwing away the key I would be glad to hear it." Jon looked ready to snap back when Varys spoke eager to avoid a fight.

"My lords I appreciate that the former Queen's actions have been a great source of disruption to our long term aims but perhaps we should discuss what we are going to do now?" The eunuch suggested and Willas agreed.

"Granted the original plan has gone firmly out of the window but the overall objective is still unchanged. Now we just have to try and remove any opposition to the Targaryens when the time comes."

"I agree too." Oberyn said looking serious for once. "We must adapt or we were doomed to fail anyway. Besides." He turned to Varys and asked him. "Where is Magister Illyrio Mopatis?" That was something that the rest of the men around the table wanted to know as well. The fat merchant of spices was one of their wealthiest and most well connected supporters but was strangely absent. Eyes turned to Varys who said with concern.

"I have written to Magister Mopatis several times in the last few weeks and yet there has been nothing but silence. Also more worryingly my birds in Pentos have not sung so I may hear what is going on there. I have sent some scouts to investigate but it will be several days before I can find out the truth."

"Very well then Lord Varys." Hadrian said and then then he turned to Ned who was looking rather out of his depth having been thrown into the deep end so to speak. "If when you return to Winterfell you keep the North and the Riverlands too if you can manage it out of the war then you can get ready for winter and when the time comes you can support your nephew at full strength. Oberyn if you can do the same with Dorne then that is potentially three kingdoms ready to support Prince Jon when the time is right." Oberyn nodded with a smirk. Then Willas made a point of his own.

"Now we have less time then we planned we shall have to get Jon ready as quickly as possible. Perhaps If Ser Clayton were to take Ser Barristan and the rest of the former Kingsguard to Slaver's Bay they could assist him. Nicolas could you get them there?" The bastard son of Lord Nolan Arisye nodded and the two knights looked very surprised especially Ser Barristan who looked as out of his depth as Lord Stark.

"Certainly if they wish it?" He asked and Ser Clayton looked over to Ser Barristan who was unsure of whether to take such a drastic step. But his curiosity made him nod. He was somewhat eager to see the supposed 'son of Rhaegar'. If he was anything like the Silver Prince he had known then he could be a great king and after serving two terrible rulers he would welcome the chance to serve under a just and honourable King. Hadrian then pulled a small wooden box out of his pocket and then told them.

"When you meet Jon Targaryen give him this." He said and slid the box over to Ser Barristan who opened it and his eyes widened at what was inside.

"Is this the crown of Aegon the Conqueror?" He asked amazed while the other men in the room looked at him in surprised. Hadrian nodded.

"Yes I discovered it on a trip to Qarth some years ago. But back to the matter at hand it will fall to me and Willas to reduce opposition Jon will face when he lands. We will go about removing Renly and Stannis from the equation and try to keep my nephew from causing any more trouble." Hadrian said with resignation. Fighting a war with Stannis, one of the most experienced and determined military commanders in all of Westeros was going to be tiring enough but add Renly and the Reach into the equation then he was facing real challenge here. Still both he and Willas knew they had to do this and nodded to each other knowing from now on they would have to pretend to be enemies. Then Hadrian had an idea that might ease Lord Stark's mind about his eldest daughter's predicament.

"I understand that the Tyrells are looking for a wife for Loras at present? Perhaps Sansa Stark could be considered?" He suggested and both Willas and Ned looked very surprised at the suggestion. Ned protested not wanting his daughter to be stuck in a marriage with a man who would ignore her in favour of men.

"Surely though Loras is a homosexual. He would not wish to marry my daughter any more than I would want her to marry him."

"Loras does sleep with men that is true." Willas conceded although he did not look too worried about it. "But he has also slept with women on occasion. He is bi-sexual rather than gay although I have to admit he has great feelings for Renly who truly is gay. Loras also honours his vows when he makes them so he would not betray your daughter once they are married. I will arrange it if I have your blessing." Willas said. He wanted his brother to have a good wife and while Sansa Stark was incredibly naïve she was a high born girl of good family and there were few matches as good or better in Westeros.

Ned slowly nodded hoping desperately that he was doing the right thing. Then Varys however changed the mood and direction of the meeting with an unexpected announcement.

"My lords I must also reveal that recently Lord Lannister and myself." He explained giving a quick nod to Hadrian. "Came across a stash of documents in an abandoned building in the capital. They were written in an obscure Valyrian dialect and bore the mark of House Blackfyre." There was a gasp in the room and Jon Connington swore loudly at the mention of the old enemy of the Targaryens.

"I have recently had the papers translated and discovered that they are indeed documentation proving that people descended from House Blackfyre were operating in this city for a period between their last public defeat and the Sacking. They were a small group that had the expressed intention of the destroying the royal family by using elixirs to force Queen Rhaella to miscarry or otherwise make it nigh impossible for her to conceive. Some pregnancies like Rhaegar, Viserys and Daenerys did slip through but by large many of the queen's stillbirths and miscarriages were the result of Blackfyre tampering. They did not outright murder because it would have caused too much attention according to their own record and they wanted Aerys to continue his reign and make more enemies so they could claim the throne when they were ready. Similar plans were put into place for Princess Elia Martell except she was tended to by her own servants that they had not infiltrated."

That brought a silence as they all took it in what Varys had discovered. Prince Oberyn looked particularly enraged when he heard what the Blackfyres had in mind for his sister. If they had had their way his darling niece Rhaenys would never have existed.

"And where are these would be assassins now Lord Varys? I would have their heads." He fumed ready to grab his spear and go out to kill each and every one of the people that would kill his sister's children. Varys however had more bad news.

"The records stops the day before the sacking of Kings Landing. It is possible they may have been killed as many were that day or they could have moved on. I will continue my investigation but at present the trail is hard to follow given it has been so long. But there is another matter that was raised by the documents." He handed a translated version of one of the papers dated nearly twenty five years ago. Hadrian read it and his eyes widened in shock over what it said. He looked up to Varys and said.

"They swapped one of their own stillborn children for a child of Aerys and Rhaella?" They really blew everyone in the room away. They fell into silence as Hadrian read on trying to wrap his head around it. When he had finished Hadrian summed it up for them as he felt a growing headache.

"One of their own had a stillborn child not long after the queen herself managed to deliver a healthy daughter. They planned to have the daughter marry one of their sons to legitimise their hold on the throne when the rest of the Targaryens had been assassinated."

"Which child did they swap?" Ser Barristan asked with a slight tremor in his voice. He had guarded some of those children and their mother many times and that this travesty had gone on under his very nose made him want to let his rage loose. His anger and shame warred for dominance. He would have a long way to go before he could forgive himself for letting such a terrible plot go on beneath his very nose.

Hadrian and Varys both sighed as they saw the shame the old knight felt and despite Hadrian wanting to reassure him that it was not his fault the man was too unshakable in his duty. He would always consider himself responsible. Hadrian decided to just tell them without wasting anymore time.

"Princess Shaena Targaryen. If the princess is still alive then that means that not only is there a lost Targaryen princess out there but possibly one raised by the Blackfyres. Until we know more we should probably keep this to ourselves. It would not do any good for the royal family to have their hopes raised and then dashed about Princess Shaena. The girl could easily have been brainwashed by her abductors by now or killed."

"Agreed." Ser Clayton said slowly not quite able to process the huge revelations that had been sent their way tonight. The other men around the table looked nearly as unsettled as him. They concluded the meeting and he and Ser Barristan went off to collect Ser Godry Chelsted, Ser Manton Moore and Ser Lothar Bruce to try and convince them to join them on their journey to Essos while the others went their own way to carry out their own jobs.

There was much work to done.

Unknown to the men meeting in Kingswood the reason for the silence from Pentos was the terror that had descended on the city. In the elaborate and opulent mansion of Illyrio Mopatis, Horus D'Artegan lounged on the comfortable sofas with the city's most attractive women who he had reduced to the level of whores serving him fresh wine and food while he took them in any way he chose at any time he wanted. His remaining forces had taken this city completely by surprise and after all the wars it had staged with Braavos its defences were near non-existent after losing.

As a girl that had once been a local priestess served him his grapes he thought back on his successes and failures thus far. The attack on Old town had not accomplished all he had hoped, he had hoped to wipe out the centre of all learning across Westeros and destroy its knowledge but the damned Tyrell soldiers had forced him to run before he had finished the job still he had the satisfaction of destroying the oldest city in Westeros. He would make their kingdoms pay for the death of his father. It had become his mission, his obsession to cause them as much pain as possible.

Still he thought to himself, the wealth he had managed to obtain from Old town and the wealth of Pentos that he had seized would allow him to replenish his somewhat depleted forces. He would travel to the Dothraki lands and the Basilisk Isles to recruit new soldiers and when he was strong enough he would make sure to leave his mark on the Seven Kingdoms. He smirked at the thought of his revenge while he turned to the impaled body of Illyrio Mopatis in the corner of the room his features twisted by the pain he had been in for days until Horus had allowed him to die.

In the Iron Islands another man was plotting too. In his castle on Pyke, Balon Greyjoy sat in front of his roaring fire as the cold seeped the energy from his aching bones and a dark cloud seemed to settle over him. None of his servants or even his family would dare approach him when his mood was this foul.

The man that had taken two of his sons and one of his brothers from him now stood as one of the most powerful men in the whole world while he and his people were reduced to an mere shadow of what they had once been. Hadrian BLOODY Lannister he fumed throwing a glass bottle across the room where it smashed against the wall and its contents splattered across the stone.

His oldest son Rodrik had been a man he was proud to call his son. A true born warrior and more importantly an Ironborn. It would have been an honour to eventually pass his crown to him if he had not been slain at Seaguard by the Lannister army when they came to the aid of House Mallister. Lord Harlaw had told him how his son had bravely met the then heir to the Westerlands on the battlefield only for his son to be cut down by the Lannister's sword. He had mocked their funeral customs too by simply burning his body rather than giving him to the Drowned God. Then when the forces of the fat king Robert Baratheon had stormed Pyke at the end of his last failed attempt to get independence for the Iron Islands so they could return to the old ways that would make them strong again the Lion had again slain another of his sons Maron embarrassing him by forcing him to kneel before taking his head.

Finally despite his exiling Euron the man had still been his brother, the only reason he had not killed him. But then the damned lion had reared its head again and tracked down his brother and killed him too.

But now it looked like the time to retake their independence was finally at hand. With the kingdoms divided by infighting over the Iron Throne it was the perfect opportunity to launch their attack and more importantly for him personally to finally take his revenge for his dead sons. Hadrian Lannister and the heads of all his sons would be mounted on the walls of Pyke and his daughters would be the lowest of all salt wives.

He would have his crown and it would be all the sweeter with the destruction of the Lannisters.

Lord Walder Frey was in his room at the Twins as he reread the letter explaining what had happened at Casterly Rock. The idiocy of his children and grandchildren really exasperated him at times. The way they had gone about their task to convince the Lannisters to reassert the marriage between Emmon and Genna Lannister was shockingly poor. He was also secretly annoyed at his underestimating Hadrian Lannister. His assumption that the man was weak like his grandfather who had sanctioned the marriage in the first place had been highly misjudged. He also secretly admired the man's ruthlessness, tricking one of his idiot descendants into killing the other two so he did not have too and then send him to the Wall for murder. Still it grated to have been slighted, something he would not soon forget.

He would have his vengeance one day. His ninety years had long taught him that if one is patient then all you had to do was wait and in time an opportunity would present itself.

The following morning after the secret meeting, Ned said one of the most painful goodbyes that he had ever said in his life when he brought his daughter to meet with Willas Tyrell so he could take her to meet her new betrothed Ser Loras Tyrell. The tears that stained his daughter's cheeks tore at his heart and he wished he could take her with him back to Winterfell but it would cost his daughter her life if he did. So he pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead gently as her arms wrapped around him. The pain he felt was unbearable as he held her in his arms for what could be the last time in a very long while. His darling daughter would be someone's wife when or if he saw her next. He would always see her as his small angel that would make him smile with her pure and innocence joy. He felt his own eyes tear up and he hugged her closer.

Sansa likewise was feeling more wretched than ever. Her own stupidity had separated her from her family forever. Never again would the halls of Winterfell be hers to wander. Nor would she ever see her brothers' spar in the training yard, never would she sit in her rooms and sleep in her own bed ever again. Now she was being cast adrift in the brutal world that seemed to be so large and cruel that it would swallow her up any moment.

"We will ride south to visit you, write to you as often as possible and on your wedding day I will be there to give you away I promise." Ned swore to his daughter lifting her chin carefully so she would meet his gaze and her tears made him hate himself all the more.

"Father." Sansa said and tightened her hold on him as if to stop him from leaving her.

"I love you my sweet wolf." Ned said as he hugged her back. Willas Tyrell and the small group of Tyrell men that had accompanied him all looked away uncomfortable at the scene unfolding before them. They were intruding on something very private between father and daughter and it seemed like an eternity before they finally separated and Sansa reluctantly climbed onto the horse that had been provided for her. With fresh tears ready to erupt any moment she took one final look at her father before she started off down the road accompanied by Willas Tyrell who had sworn on his honour to protect Sansa. He had told Ned that Margaery his sister would be there to help his daughter through this and his cousins would be there to be her new friends.

But that did not reassure Ned at all who only felt like the lowest creature in all of creation for sending his daughter away and as he rode away back North accompanied by the silent Jeyne Poole he knew that Catelyn nor his sons would ever forgive him.

That concludes the first season…now the war will soon begin. I hope that you all enjoyed the chapter. I had hoped to have it out sooner but a hand injury slowed my writing.

Before everyone starts going on that Shaena Targaryen is an OC, I must point out that she is not. She is one of the several failed pregnancies of Aerys and Rhaella had during their marriage. In my story she was born in 274 AC rather than 267 AC when most of the Royal Party was in the Westerlands and Rhaella was left in Kings Landing.

Review Responses…

Hotgirlow = Good to hear you like it, as for Drogo I have an idea for him but it will come later.

RoyalTwinfangs = The Free Cities that have not been conquered do feel unsettled at the expansion of Westerosi interests but are not sure of what to do. Uniting against them is very unlikely given the deep resentments that run between them and are scared a direct attack would provoke their own city being invaded much like what happened with Lys and Myr.

MrBogus = Spot on! The choice of conquering Slaver's Bay by the Targaryens while the Westeros lords take Lys, Myr and Tyrosh was intentional. They intend to merge the Targaryen territories with the Westeros held regions when Jon took the throne. If Volantis was taken then they would control much of the western and southern coast of Essos. Of course the War in Westeros will stop any expansion for the moment. Braavos at present is too well fortified for any one army to take, after all it was founded as a refuge for people fleeing the Targaryen conquest. But also its status as a money lender and centre of trade is far more useful than simply as another province of the empire so for now they will be left alone. It can also provide a safe haven for the Targaryens until the throne is retaken.

savitarsurffer = Glad to hear that you like the story. Now I will try and address your questions. The North is not going to be ignored things will happen there while war is fought in the south and the Boltons will indeed play a part. Yes indeed Hadrian will have quite a few enemies and he knows it, hence why he was so keen to avoid a war in the North. Jon is fully aware that the Slavers might try something against him so that is why he has the slavers killed when they take a settlement and seizes their wealth so they cannot use it against him. Also he has effectively blockaded the entrance to Slaver' Bay so they cannot escape to seek help elsewhere.

AnimeA55Kicker = Sorry to disappoint you. I did really consider putting them together but in the end I decided against it.

HaywireEagle = To be honest I think that is probably what they are aiming for in the series. After all they have killed off or ended any other potential pairings for them so if they meet at last I suspect that is what will happen. But given the madness that has resulted from all the inbreeding the Targaryens have decided against continuing the tradition in my story.