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Chapter 11 Preparations for War

I do not own Game of Thrones or Harry Potter

Before anything else I want to thank everyone that has reviewed, favourited and followed this story. It is brilliant to know that so many people read this story!

It has been suggested by one reader that Jon and Ygritte should meet in Essos. While this is a long way from where the two should be in the series or the books it could happen so I will put up a poll to see what you think.

Now on with the story…

Chapter 11- Preparations for War

Ned had hoped to be comforted by the colder winds of the North as he and Jeyne Poole rode back to Winterfell. The loneliness of their small party was a sobering reminder of the events that had befallen them since they had left home nearly a year ago. He had come to Kings Landing with a large party of men and both of his daughters, now he rode home alone except for his dead steward's daughter. All of his men were dead, his youngest daughter at Casterly Rock being taught gods know what and his eldest banished to the Reach to marry a man that preferred the company of men. Ned only kept his calm through a hard struggle and as he and Jeyne came into sight of Winterfell, his heart was comforted by the somewhat grim looking castle. Despite everything that had happened he could take comfort from the simple fact he was home.

He and his companion rode through the open gates to see the newly promoted Archmaester Luwin standing there waiting for him. None of his family were here he noticed but Luwin soon revealed the reason for that.

"My lord, welcome home. We were not expecting you so soon and with such a depleted party." Luwin said seeing that only Jeyne Poole had arrived with him. The reminder of how many people he had lost in Kings Landing quickly banished what warmth Ned could draw from being home. His face remained stern as he told Luwin for his family to meet him in his solar and that Jeyne Poole was to have her own room made ready for her. A maid took the girl away who had remained silent for the majority of their trip home. He was deeply worried about the girl, who seemed to be withdrawing into herself. It took a great deal of effort to get her to show interest in anything and he had to be quite stern in his reminders for her to eat and drink. Perhaps he such write to Bear Island and get Dacey Mormont or one of GreatJon Umber's daughters to come to Winterfell to try and help her if they could. He did not know if it would work but it was worth a try to see if they could aid young lady Poole in her grief rather than let her waste away. Luwin then told him as they walked.

"We have received ravens from both Lord Stannis and Lord Renly. They have both named themselves king and are calling for your support."

"Burn those letters Luwin. The North is having no part in this stupid southern war, we are neutral and that is my only word on the matter."

Luwin allowed himself to raise an eyebrow in surprise at the statement but did not question his lord. He had known him since he was a boy and recognised that tone. It was not heard often but it was the voice Ned had when he was so set on something that nothing and no-one was going to stop him. Whatever had happened in Kings Landing had obviously affected his lord deeply and Luwin wisely chose to not speak.

As they passed several of the previously abandoned towers Ned noticed that Luwin's copies of the Citadel library had arrived which also counted as the Stark's copy of the library as each of the great houses was being entrusted with a copy to ensure the knowledge was protected for the future. The sheer quantity of books had quickly overwhelmed the existing library at Winterfell and they were using some of the abandoned towers to store them until they could find somewhere to permanently house them. Ned however put those thoughts aside as he entered the familiar corridors and rooms of the castle where he had been born. Coming to the solar he had not set foot in for over a year, he sat in his chair and was somewhat relieved by its familiar feel and saw that one of the servants had the foresight to put a jug of fresh water there for him with a goblet. He took a grateful sip as he waited for the rest of his family to arrive with the exception of Rickon who was still too young for such things. It did not take long, Catelyn had burst into the room and threw herself into his arms when he stood up to meet her and kissed him deeply. They were only broken from this by a lack of breath and Robb entering with Bran who was accompanied by his betrothed Lyanna Mormont and Ser Brynden Tully. He thought for a moment about sending the lady from Bear Island and the knight from the Riverlands out but decided as they would undoubtedly squeeze what he was going to say out of Bran anyway and they were already or would one day be a part of his family so they should probably be a part of what he was about to tell them. Luwin excused himself and left the small group alone, Catelyn was looking around for Sansa and Arya expecting them both to be with him only to frown when she did not see them. Robb however did speak although he too had noticed his sisters' absence too.

"Father, thank the gods. I was about to call the banners when I heard you had been taken by the Lannisters. What happened down there?" He asked his father who looked even more grim than usual. Then Ned told them.

"Robert died and the Queen decided to take power." He spoke in as steady of a voice as he could manage. He then explained Sansa's betray of him to the Queen and what it had caused as well as what had happened afterwards. Robb, Ser Brynden, Bran and Lyanna looked shocked at the betrayal while Catelyn just grew angry and she asked him in nearly a hiss which both Ned and Ser Brynden knew meant she was incredibly angry.

"And you just sent her away to Highgarden?!" She said looking ready to burst. "She was tricked by nasty bitch and you send her away. She needs to be here…at home."

"Catelyn she betrayed us." Ned said trying to get through to his wife just what that meant. "Northern law has only two punishments for that; death or the Wall and given she is a girl the Wall is out so if she were to come here again my vassals would demand her head not to mention the families of the men who died. Sending her to Highgarden was the only way to save her life." He told her. Most Northern laws were from the time when the Starks had been Kings of the North and were set in stone. Punishments were harsh and unyielding just like the land around them. If he had tried to change that for the sake of his daughter then he would be facing a full on revolt from some of the more diehard lords. Ser Brynden nodded sadly and tried to make Cat understand.

"It is for the best Cat. Sansa might have been tricked but she still betrayed her own family and the North as a whole. The families of the men that died would want vengeance for their loved ones and the lords would want her as an example that even a Stark is not above the law. If Ned had brought her back and denied them then he would lose their loyalty. All it would take is one of the rival claimants to the throne offering say House Bolton lordship of the North and they would rise in revolt and Ned would not have the support of the other lords to stop them."

Robb nodded in agreement. He might carry his mother's looks but he was his father's son through and through. There was a bigger picture here that his mother was not seeing and although he dearly missed his sister, he knew she would never be able to come home or she would face the chopping block.

Bran and Lyanna looked unsettled although Lyanna could understand Ned's reasons too. She knew her own family had pretty firm ideas about honour and loyalty and even if they were one of the most loyal houses to House Stark even they would think twice about support a house that flaunted the law when it suited them. By sending Sansa Stark away, it would keep the lords if not happy, satisfied that she had been punished and that the Starks were true to their own honour. Lady Stark however did not see it that way.

"Then they can go to the Seven Hells! She is my daughter Ned, your daughter! You are the lord of the North and they should follow where you lead, not you cave in like a craven when they start making demands!" Her face was red with fury and her words seemed to shake the walls with their intensity. That was followed by the temperature in the room seemingly dropping several degrees as silence also fell with Robb, Ser Brynden, Bran and Lyanna all looking at Ned whose face went from its tired and grim mask to one of rage and without warning he responded with a tirade of his own.

"NO Catelyn! It is you who can go to hell! I have given you far too much of your own way here! I should never have allowed that ridiculous and moronically stupid septa Mordane here! This is the North, the Old Gods are ones that we worship at Winterfell and then to compound that you and Mordane fill our daughters' heads with those stupid and pathetic ideas about what a 'good lady' does and behaves like! Do you know the sole reason Arya did not want to marry? Because she believed she would have to be like Sansa or you rather than just be true to herself! You filled Sansa's head with those idiotic tales of love and honour that do not exist in the real world. You gave her foolish and stupid dreams that blinded her to the truth! I allowed that in my own complacency, I should have made sure that Sansa understood that family is the most important thing, that loyalty to them is far more important than ideas of love or glory. But now it is too late and she can never set foot in the North again because if she does she will be killed. Now get out of my sight!" He told her with more anger in his voice than anyone had ever heard from him before. Everyone in the room was shocked no more than Ned himself. He had never raised his voice to his wife before but the last year and all of its events had taken their toll on his patience.

Catelyn was stunned into silence at her husband's words, they cut deep and she silently and unthinking walked out of the room as she tried to wrap her head around them. As everyone else in the room made their excuses to leave Ned sat down and rested his head in his hands as he leaned against his desk. He doubted his marriage would ever be the same after today, those words spoken in anger however much he had meant them had opened a rift between Catelyn and himself that he was unsure they could ever repair.

At Dragonstone the night was dark which only made the burning fires more visible against the dark sky. The Septs dedicated to the Seven were set alight as Stannis and the rest of his people watched. His wife Lady Selyse stood with a slightly demented grin on her face as the icons she had rejected burned while her husband stood there as stoic as ever with little expression. He did not really care that much anymore. He had more important things to think about, like how to claim his rightful throne. With Robert, his waster of a brother that had snubbed him all his life but he had loyally served all the same dead and his brother's apparent children the products of incest between the Queen and her brother the throne rightfully belonged to him and for the first time in his life he was going to do something for himself by claiming his rightful seat on the throne. And he would avenge his brother in the process despite how much he might have hated him.

At his other side the Lady Melisandre looked at the burning septs with satisfaction. The destruction of the symbols of false gods made her smile as she imagined spreading the teachings of R'hllor, the Red God across all the land and her own more personal mission to support the Azor Ahai who she fervently believed had been reborn as Stannis Baratheon.

Stannis did not waste any more time watching the icons of the gods that had never helped him burn and turned to return to the castle which gave the island its name. Even if he hated the place he had to admire its defensive potential. The dark stone of the same name that made up the walls was so strong even the best catapult would barely dent it, the strategic position allowed him to close off near all ships heading to Kings Landing and blockade the city without having to do anything except stay where he was. He might dislike having being condemned to this miserable barren rock by Robert while Renly got his rightful seat at Storm's End but had to admit the island was useful thus far.

He arrived in the map room of the castle with Lady Melisandre following him. He had half a mind to send her away but the usefulness of her visions stopped him. She had put him and Jon Arryn onto the right track with Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen and who their father was and she had warned him just in time of an attempt on his life by the Queen after she learnt that he and Jon Arryn had been digging. They had killed Jon he was sure of that and he wished he had the chance to tell Robert the truth before he died so that he could have named him the official heir. But he had hesitated too long and had to flee for his life. Now it would be more difficult but regardless he would claim his rightful throne.

At the side of the room he saw his faithful right-hand Ser Davos Seaworth studying the detailed map of Westeros in front of him. The man might be of low birth but Stannis liked the man for his loyal service and practical down to earth mind set. He relied on Davos more than he was comfortable with to keep him grounded but all the same he was grateful for the man's devotion to duty.

"Your grace." Davos said with a slight bow and Stannis greeted him with a nod and Davos handed him a set of messages from the lords that were his own vassals. Davos would make a good hand of the king Stannis mused except for his inability to read. Still that could not be helped and Stannis could always find him an assistant to help with that.

Stannis however had no trouble reading the messages sent to him. His stoic expression turned to a frown when he saw how little men they could give him. In all he was able to draw on just over five thousand men which would be nothing against the Lannister army although he did have considerable naval power with most of the former Royal fleet moored here. So while he had the ships to attack Kings Landing he needed more men. The treasury of Dragonstone despite his frugal spending was still too small to hire many sellswords and from the visions Melisandre had imparted to him he knew Renly was going to name himself king. The whispering of those damned Tyrells had preyed on his brother's ambition and greed.

He hated the Tyrells more than the Lannisters in many ways, they had starved him and the people of Storm's End for over a year and if it were not for the bravery of Ser Davos and his own dogged determination not to give up they would have killed both Stannis and Renly. His younger brother might have forgotten their actions during their brother's rebellion but he had not. They would pay dearly once he was king for their actions then and turning his brother against him. Just as the Lannisters would pay for usurping his brother's throne and killing Robert.

"Any word from Renly?" Stannis asked Ser Davos hoping that perhaps his brother might have come to his senses and bent knee to him but Davos shook his head and told him.

"No my lord. He refuses to communicate with you. Why would he refuse to even respond to your ravens my lord?" Ser Davos asked, he understood greed and ambition enough to see why Renly would declare for himself but why he would refuse to even communicate with his brother? Surely they could at least agree to not fight each other until their other enemies were disposed of first.

"Because he is afraid to face me that is why." Stannis said frustrated. Without the army of the Stormlands it would be impossible to attack Kings Landing. He had hoped that Lord Stark who had been miraculously been released from Lannister custody would support him but there had been silence from the North and then Stannis had remembered his youngest daughter was betrothed to a Lannister and was currently at Casterly Rock, not to mention his other daughter was currently on her way to Reach to marry Loras Tyrell. So although he would not fight for the Lannisters he would not fight against them either for the sake of his family. "But without him or the support of Lord Stark or Lord Tully we do not have enough troops to storm Kings Landing."

"R'hllor will provide." Lady Melisandre broke in with a voice as smooth as silk. Davos looked at the Red Woman as she was known with suspicion. He did not trust her and had voiced his feelings to Stannis before. The lord of Dragonstone however did not care for such things as long as she was loyal and useful. "If you are willing to make R'hllor the officially recognised god and spread his teachings over Westeros then my brothers and sisters in faith will support your war effort. Already they have acquired the services of the Golden Company, the Brave Companions, the Gallant Men, the Stormbreakers and the Windblown. Combined once they arrive my king they will give you an army of fourteen thousand eight hundred men."

That made Stannis feel a lot better, he saw Ser Davos look very unsettled at the thought of spreading the religion that practiced burning people alive as offerings to the Red God. Already several septons that had argued against the burning of their septs had been sent to the pyres. Their screams had been terrible to hear but Stannis could not care less. He had a war to fight and if this Red God gave him the troops he needed to win then so be it. It would not be enough on its own but with the five thousand men and the ships that he already had it would be a start. His decision made he turned to Melisandre who terrified most men as much as she filled them with lustful thoughts at her daring dress and sinful body.

"If they provide me with the men that I need then I will allow them to burn as many septs as they like." That brought a smile to the face of Melisandre and a frown of concern to the face of Ser Davos.

"My lord the people will not take quietly to being forced to worship a foreign god. It could cost you support." Ser Davos warned.

"All will bow before the Red God. His flames will overcome all." Melisandre said simply and before Ser Davos could answer back they were disturbed by a servant entering the room telling them.

"My lords, my lady." He said. "The Dowager Lady Arisye has arrived with her son and brother in law and is demanding to see you."

Stannis nodded giving his approval for her to approach. House Arisye was one of his strongest vassals. They held the lands of the Crackclaw Point the most fertile part of the Narrow Sea Kingdoms. They provided most of their food and a considerable part of his existing army. For that reason alone he would give them a moment of his time.

The small party soon arrived with a group of Stannis' men around them. First into the room was the Dowager Lady Alyanna Arisye who having lost her dearly beloved husband had turned to the faith for comfort. Dressed in the robes of a septa he saw the contempt in Melisandre's eyes immediately. Following her was the young Lord Rhys Arisye who was only just of age. The boy was determined to prove himself worthy of his father's title though, Stannis could see that spark of resolve in his eyes. The final member of the small party was Ser Merik Arisye, the boy's uncle who served his house as loyally as Stannis himself had done his brother. He could respect such loyalty.

"Your grace." Lady Alyanna said with a hint of pleading in her voice. "I must protest at the burning of the septs. I have nothing against those who would worship other gods but this is an affront to the Seven and all who worship them." She said to him desperately. His expression remained stoic not moved by her pleads although Melisandre stepped forward and saw a small wooden icon of the Mother in Lady Alyanna's hands. Seeing the Red priestess coming closer Alyanna clutched the icon that her deceased husband had carved for her closer and Melisandre smiled with a disturbing calmness.

"You miss your husband. You feel that the Seven are your path to seeing him again in the afterlife. But Lady Alyanna you are mistaken, your husband is in the hands of the Red God now. Worship him and you will indeed see him again but if you do not then you and all that would oppose R'hllor will burn in his flames."

Whether Melisandre wanted to provoke a reaction or was simply trying to convert the grieving widow no one else knew but Melisandre was sent back a step by the slap she received from Lady Alyanna. The guards looked ready to grab the angry woman while her son and brother in law went to try and calm her only for her to shake them off as she screamed at Melisandre.

"You whore! In the name of the Seven Gods I condemn you as a false prophet and that you are a common tart using her cunt to bewitch the rightful king." Davos and Stannis looked on in surprise at the outburst from a woman known for calm and well-reasoned arguments. Melisandre however with her cheek turning pink from the hit said back almost sorry for the woman.

"Then you will burn." And her dark reddish eyes glowed as did the red jewel she wore around her throat.

Lady Alyanna suddenly and without warning burst into flame and screamed in pain as the fire grew to intense levels but remained confined on her rather than spread to anything else in the room. Nearly all the men in the room jumped back in alarm at the sudden combustion while Lord Rhys rushed forward only to be held back by his uncle. He wept as his mother burnt right in front of him. It was over a flash and everyone was stunned and more than a little unsettled to see that where the lady had once stood there was merely a pile of ash. Ser Merik pulled his frozen and distressed nephew out of the room while Ser Davos looked at the pile of ash that had been a woman only a few short moments ago before leaving the room to put some distance between himself and the Red Woman until he was feeling brave enough to be in her presence.

Stannis himself however was strangely intrigued at her power. He had been raised on the Seven but had never seen a sign of their existence. They had never done anything for him as he watched his parents drown within sight of Storm's End, when he had been besieged by the Tyrells, when Robert had passed him over in favour of Renly and through many other slights over the years. This Red God however had just shown proof of his existence with what had just happened. Melisandre walked over the pile of ash and gave blessing before she turned and walked up to him and put a small but soft hand on his chest and told him.

"Believe in the Red God my Azor Ahai and he will deliver you your rightful throne. However we must beware the Lion or he could destroy us." She warned him pressing her lithe body into his. Stannis looked at her confused.

"I assume you mean the Lannisters?" She quickly corrected him.

"Not the mewling cubs that make up most of their family." She told him putting her free hand to his face in a touch that sent sinful thoughts through even his disciplined mind. "The leader of the pride. I can sense him even from here, his power is strong he could undermine everything you have worked for my king." She told him with a worried look in her eyes.

"Hadrian Lannister, he has magic too?" Stannis asked surprised. He knew of the new Lord of the Westerlands and he had to admit the man was a capable tactician and soldier. They had served together against the Greyjoys during the last rebellion but this was something that did shock him slightly.

"Yes and his power rivals my own. We must defeat him or he could destroy us." She told him holding more tightly to his body as if she was drawing comfort from him.

Meanwhile as Lord Rhys was dragged to the ship that had brought them to this cursed island by his uncle who took control as Rhys was in no shape to do so himself. He told the crew to cast off and head straight for Crackclaw Point. Rhys finally came out of his shock and told his uncle.

"Turn the ship around I am going to kill that whore!" He said his young and handsome face marred by anger and hatred but also his eyes were haunted by grief. Merik however told him.

"That witch has Stannis' favour. He would kill us both well before you could even lay a finger on her. We must wait my lord and take our revenge when the opportunity is right. Pretend to be loyal to Stannis for now and then when his back his turned we will kill both him and that whore of witch." He promised his nephew as the ship moved towards home where they would have the unpleasant duty of telling Rhys's younger brother and sister what had happened to their mother.

In the repaired Tower of the Hand, Hadrian had called together the remaining members of the Small Council to plan their next move. Hadrian sat at the head of the table with his new symbol of office pinned to his tunic. At his right side sat Tyrion currently acting as both Master of Coin and Master of Laws. Hadrian's youngest brother looked completely comfortable in his new positions and was sipping his wine with a strong mask of calm over his features. Annoyingly the Dowager Queen Cersei sat at his left side while her son, the too young king slept well into the afternoon. The now former queen had forcefully included herself in their discussions and was now wearing her usual scowl at have to sit at Hadrian's side rather than in his place at the head of the table.

Along the table Varys sat looking completely at ease despite the storm that they knew was coming. The Master of Whispers was marshalling his own little birds to gather as much intelligence as possible to help guide the council in the coming war all the while continuing his investigation into the possible Blackfyre conspiracy.

Also at the table was the newly appointed Archmaester of the Crownlands Pycelle who sat there looking as old and tired as ever but for the moment that was the entire Small Council until new men could be chosen.

"I have completed the negotiation with Lord Tully he has agreed to sell us the food we need in exchange for coin and tax breaks for the Riverlands. It was thanks to Cerenna's influence that we were able to get away with as much as that. It will stretch us slightly but we can accommodate their demands." Tyrion said calmly as he told them about the plan to feed the city with food from the Riverlands thankfully proved fruitful no pun intended. Now at least they could stall potential riots for from people being hungry. He then turned to Ser Jacelyn Bywater who was not a member of the Small Council but given his position as head of the City Watch had been included in this discussion. Bronn sat at Ser Jacelyn's side acting as the man's deputy while he was recovering from his injuries. "How does recruitment for the Gold Cloaks go?"

"We have two thousand five hundred men already and they are capable as soldiers." Ser Jacelyn said proudly. "We have also enlisted six thousand more from the local populace." The Bronn broke in.

"But only a few of them are useful for more than pissing off the wall." Bronn warned them as Ser Jacelyn glared at him. "We will beat them into shape but we are going to need more if Renly or Stannis comes to the city."

"According to my birds Renly's army stands at nearly a hundred thousand my lords." Varys told them and that caused more than a few grim looks around the table as they thought of having to face such a massive army. Cersei seethed and demanded.

"Where are the Crownlords? They should be serving their king." She asked furiously and Hadrian told her frustrated.

"After that stunt you pulled with Lord Stark they are staying well clear of the city in fear of being made hostages. I cannot even get them to agree to a meeting outside the city given your baby slaying." He said annoyed causing her to glare at him in anger.

"Most of them were loyalty to the Targaryens and Robert did nothing to court their allegiance. Chances are they are just waiting for whoever appears strongest whether it is Stannis or Renly and will simply declare for them." Tyrion then added grimly before asking his brother. "How many soldiers can you muster brother?"

"With the standing army of the Westerlands, my own sellswords and some fresh levies we can now muster eighty thousand men. But to fight both Renly and Stannis we need more soldiers. Before we might have been able to count on the North for aid given Sansa's betrothal to Joffrey but again your short sightedness has ended that." Hadrian told his sister firmly who looked unsettled but Hadrian continued speaking. "Our best hope is that Stannis and Renly fight each other first then we can attack the weakened survivor. But all the same we are going to need new allies if we are to win this war. Any suggestions?" He said opening it out to the floor. The men around the table and even Cersei looked deep in thought at who they could approach but then Tyrion had an idea.

"One of Prince Doran's sons Trystane is only a few years older than Myrcella and as of yet Dorne remains neutral. They would be in an ideal position to threaten the Reach." Cersei however was outspoken in her opposition.

"NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! You will not sell my daughter like cattle to curry favour with the Martells. I would die first!" She screamed and the men around the table just looked at her waiting for her to finish before Lord Varys mentioned something that he thought might make the situation more palpable to the former queen.

"It seems that existing heir to Dorne, Quentyn Martell has disappeared. With his absence the right of inheriting Doran's throne has passed to Trystane the second son. That would mean that unless Quentyn is found alive or returns on his own if the Princess Myrcella marries Trystane she would become the Consort to the Prince of Dorne and her children their new princes and princesses. Surely there are few other matches that are worthy of her your grace." Cersei looked ready to continue her arguments against it but Hadrian told them.

"Send out feelers. I want to know how open the Martells are to the idea and then we will discuss it again." He said hoping to end the argument for now and Cersei looking disgruntled but satisfied that for the moment she had won nodded. "Good now what is this about Quentyn Martell disappearing?" Hadrian asked Varys. This was the first he had heard of it and it was a worrying development for the heir to a great house vanishing like that.

"It seems he had travelled to Pentos in order to investigate the feasibility of a Martell invasion of the city under the pretext of trading goods. While there Horus D'Artegan attacked and sacked the city. Prince Martell's body has yet to be found so we unsure if he is dead or alive. I think Prince Oberyn is planning to invade the city while it is weakened to search for his nephew coincidently adding a new province to the empire at the same time." Varys said.

"I will dispatch a portion of my army here to the city in order to reinforce it." Hadrian said nodding at Varys' words. "In the meantime I would like to hear your ideas on new positions for the Small Council by the next meeting. The existing positions are not I feel sufficient to cover all the duties required to run our growing empire especially if we are going to have another new province soon."

"Perhaps a Master of War?" Cersei said suddenly hoping to earn some voice on this council. "To lead the defence of the Empire's territories and plan future expansion?"

Hadrian nodded in approval causing his sister to regain some measure of her tattered pride. It was a good idea after all.

After the meeting Hadrian called Sandor Clegane to his solar. The burned man came as ordered and was despite not being as tall as his brother even without his scars an intimidating sight with his broad but heavily muscled frame and hard expression. He offered him a seat but the last surviving Clegane ignored it.

"So Sandor Clegane." Hadrian said pouring himself and Sandor a drink which the man did accept. "Have you enjoy your time serving Prince Joffrey?"

"The boy's a fucking little prick. What do you think?" Sandor said. Many would think this was him being crass and disrespectful but in reality it was a Sandor being respectful by not bothering to hide his feelings. He hated serving the little shit, killing or maiming on his sick whims was enough to make him puke. If not for the pay he would have run out on the so called prince long ago.

"I thought as much." Hadrian said wondering how Sandor had managed to serve as long as he had without killing Joffrey. "I will be frank with you Sandor Clegane, the new King has his own Kingsguard which while as useful as a bottomless chamber pot will serve as his protectors now. And given that you are currently out of the job I would like to offer you a new one."

"My lord?" Sandor asked confused. His immediate thought on learning he had his freedom was that he might leave Westeros all together and journey to Essos. But the fact that this man who he was sure had organised his brother's death was offering him a new job made him listen. His hatred of Gregor had been so great that it had burned with a tremendous roar. He had dreamt many times of killing his older brother that had not only burnt him but; killed his mother and his sisters and tormented him throughout his entire childhood. Removing him from the world was enough to make Sandor listen to his man whatever he said.

"A war is about to start Sandor and I need men to fight it. You are a formidable fighter and I could use a man like you. To not only fight but lead men into battle. Are you interested?" Hadrian asked Sandor who looked surprised at the offer asked him only one thing.

"Will I get paid?" Hadrian smiled before telling him.

"Of course."

"Where do I sign up?" Sandor said liking the idea of getting to actually fight someone and getting paid to do it.

Tyrion meanwhile was in a meeting himself, this time with the elusive Thieves Guild and far from the Red Keep in a rather dank inn in one of the more rundown parts of city. This underworld group was tied to virtually every settlement across the country and could be able to provide a lot of valuable information. While Tyrion did not doubt the ability of Varys to handle such tasks he did not fully trust the spymaster and would much rather have his own band of spies to find out information without it being held first by Varys where it could be withheld or twisted.

But he redirected his focus back on the matters at hand. The man he was meeting covered his features with a hood so he would not be recognised. He was a man of few words whoever he was and got straight to the point.

"If we agree to work for you Lord Lannister then we expect to be paid for our services and the occasional favour would certainly be welcome. For example if one of our people is caught then we will expect them released and perhaps other special requests from time to time." He said coming straight to the point. Tyrion nodded as he slipped his wine. Bronn smirked as usual downing his own drink.

"Of course within reason. So I trust that we have an agreement?" Tyrion asked and the man nodded saying as he got up to leave.

"Yes my lord, I will begin having our people look for information on Stannis and Renly Baratheon as well as the Mockingbird immediately my lord and come to you when we have something to report as well as goings on in the city." The mystery man said and left quickly vanishing into the crowd of people outside. Bronn looked over to him and asked.

"Do you think that they will keep their word?" Tyrion leaned back in his chair and said confidently.

"Of course, if they do not then they will not get paid nor the favours they will want. They may be using us as much as we are using them but it is in everyone's best interests to cooperate."

"Hope you know what you are doing my lord." Bronn said knowing he was not going to get paid if something happened to Tyrion.

"Can I help you my lord?" A female voice called out from near them distracting them both from their discussion. The accent was exotic and strange to their ears and when their eyes panned over to see who had spoken they saw a woman sitting at nearby table. She was shorter than some other women looking to be about eighteen years of age. Her hair was very dark as were her eyes which were quite enchanting. Seeing her revealing clothes Tyrion pegged her for a whore immediately but decided for the sake of his own curiosity to ask.

"And what is your name? If of course you wish our coin for the pleasure of your company." Tyrion said calmly. She was beautiful Tyrion admitted and had he not been in love with his wife then he would have gladly taken her into his bed. But since the death of his father he did not feel the need for such activities with anyone other than his wife. He was not going to disrespect Tysha by fucking any more whores.

"Shae my lord and I would wish only to spend some time with you." She said with a glint in her eyes that already had Bronn ensnared Tyrion could see. Tyrion getting up to leave he told her.

"As enticing as your offer of companionship is." Tyrion said seeing her eyes looked surprised at his reaction, clearly she was not used to rejection Tyrion thought to himself before telling her. "My man Bronn here I am sure would appreciate your company for the evening."

"Gladly." Bronn said surprised that Tyrion had dismissed the chance to have such a good looking whore in his bed. He however did not waste any time and gladly pulled the woman into his lap and Shae quickly turned her focus on the sellsword and allowed him to take her up to one of the rooms of the inn. Tyrion meanwhile went over to the nearby Ser Gwayne Sunglass and one of his knights who was sitting at the nearby bar and had the two men escort him back to Lannister House. Tyrion felt proud of himself for staying loyal to his wife but the ache to be with her was now all the greater and he resolved to declaw Cersei as much as possible so that his wife might one day soon join him.

At Highgarden Renly was lying back in bed with Loras as naked as the day they were born sweating like crazy after the session they had just enjoyed. It warmed Renly's heart to have Loras so close and just to have a moment where they could drop the pretence and just bask in their love for each other. But thoughts on what was going on outside of this room and what his own actions would mean haunted him through his slightly pleasure addled mind.

When he had learned that Robert was dying, he had honestly thought about declaring for Stannis. He was his older brother after all but then Loras had suggested he declare for himself and that all the lords of Westeros would rise for him rather than his humourless and stern brother. It was not the first time that his long-time lover had suggested such a thing, far from it. But while it had been good to pretend that he might be king he had never thought it could actually happen.

Now he was crowned by the Stormlands and the Reach who were gathering their forces for him to make his own bid on the throne of Westeros. True he had to marry Margaery Tyrell but he would always have Loras close at hand. He would wed the girl, put a child in her belly as repugnant as he found it and that would be his duty by her done. Free to enjoy not only private time with Loras but all the perks and rewards that came with being king; tourneys, feasts, the coin to spend as he wished.

Such things made him feel glorious and as he reluctantly got from his bed to get dressed to meet with the rest of the Tyrells for breakfast he frowned as his thoughts drifted towards the two biggest dangers to him and his crown. His own older brother Stannis and Hadrian Lannister.

Stannis would not be happy that he had usurped him Renly thought with fear. His older brother was to stubborn to ever forgive a slight and what he had done was a slight of the highest order. Stannis would not forgive him and Renly felt unsure of himself, what would his brother do if he ever got the opportunity for revenge? Renly did not know and as much as he did not want to fight his brother he would have to destroy him before Stannis got him first.

Then there was Hadrian Lannister and there were much different reasons that Renly feared him. The man was like a force of nature, once he set his mind to something he would not stop until he accomplished it and with the intelligence and cunning that he had inherited from his father he enviably succeeded. He had organised the invasions that had made the Westerosi Empire a reality and like his brother was a proven battle commander and experienced leader. If these two men were against him then it would very difficult to achieve his ambitions. Although they would never unite against him given the fact that Stannis would be fighting for himself and Hadrian would undoubtedly fight for Joffrey, having them working against him was enough to make him stop and consider.

But Renly rid himself of these doubts and left for the main hall where he saw that the Lord of Highgarden Mace Tyrell was already sitting enjoying his morning meal. At his side was his wife Lady Aerie Hightower and his own children. Willas sat there with his grandmother Lady Olenna and his wife Arienne Martell. The exotic Dornish beauty was a stunning woman even Renly had to admit with those enticing curves and smouldering eyes. However her eyes looked distracted, no doubt worrying about her missing brother Quentyn but Renly was sure that he could turn up eventually. His new bride Lady Margaery was absent, he had heard she was planning to visit her new sister in law Sansa Stark who was to marry Loras much to his displeasure but it need not put a muzzle on things he thought to himself. Once Loras had done his duty and put a baby in the girl's belly then he would be free to share his bed while she was busy with her babe.

"Your grace." Lord Mace said happily getting up from his seat and accidently knocking over a tray of wine that was to his left. The people around the table all looked at Mace with slight distain and Lady Olenna actually sighed in dismay. "I trust you had a pleasant sleep." He said in his loud and happy way.

"Oh yes Lord Tyrell…very pleasant." He said his mind briefly drifting back to what had happened last night before he came back to the present. "I have most enjoyed your hospitality and I will make a note of it when I reward those who are loyal to me when we take the Iron Throne. The Lannisters will pay dearly for their treason I promise you that. All their lands and titles will be stripped from them both here in the homelands and in the new foreign territories and given to men that I feel are worthy of them." He began a long and rather dull speech on what he would do when he took Kings Landing. Lady Olenna, Willas and Arianne meanwhile tuned him out and started a private conversation of their own.

"My gods does he ever shut up? I only hope we are able to handle his foolishness." Arianne said annoyed. She had more important things to worry about than one man's delusions. Her brother was missing and all this fool could go on about is what he would do if he ever got into power. He was far too lazy and childish to make a good King and Willas took his wife's hand in an attempt to reassure her.

"We will go to our rooms my wife and finish our food there. I will not have you distressed any more than you have to be." He insisted and while it galled her to think that her husband was being over protective she felt a small but comforting warmth at his touch. Lady Olenna looked suspiciously at them for a moment before smiling.

"So are you hoping for a boy or a girl? I hope my grandson was up to the mark young lady and you have not gone elsewhere for your needs to be met." Olenna said and Willas while used to his grandmother's tongue said quickly.

"Grandmother please!" Arianne however laughed and told Olenna with a smirk.

"On the contrary Lady Olenna, Willas is a most satisfying lover, he is very talented with the Southern kiss and his cock is far larger than most men." She said and poor Willas struggled not to blush as the pair laughed at him.

"I had a good feeling about you my dear. It is most gratifying to see that Highgarden is safe in your hands." Olenna said happy that her grandson of which she was quite proud due to his intelligence and accomplishments had found a strong and smart woman to stand at his side for when he took over Highgarden. And that she would soon be a great grandmother was enough to improve her mood dramatically.

"I only wish I had a good feeling about Renly." She said annoyed. "My granddaughter has been married off to a lazy buffoon by my equally moronic son. While I have always intended her to be a queen I had hoped that maybe she would have been married to a real man. Someone who actually thought with his head and by that I do not mean his cock. Strong and powerful. But instead she is wed to a pillow bitter more interested in Loras than her. Now Hadrian Lannister that is a real man." She said surprising both Willas and Arianne. "Ambitious but with the intelligence and patience to achieve what he sets out to achieve and handsome to boot. I was already considering approaching him to see if he would marry Margaery when this blasted war broke out." Olenna told them wistfully.

Although she had never had the pleasure of meeting the eldest son of Tywin Lannister, a man that could more or less bring about the founding of an empire within a year and lead his army into battle himself inspiring his men with his courage was someone she would have liked in her family not to mention for her own intelligence, loyalty to his family and he stayed grounded whatever he accomplished. If only he was Emperor she thought mournfully. With my Margaery at his side it could have been glorious but alas they seemed destined to be enemies and one day his army and their own would meet on the battlefield which was going to be a gruesome spectacle to be sure.

Margaery meanwhile was out in one of the gardens looking for her future sister in law. No one had seen much of the eldest daughter of Lord Stark since Willas had arrived with her only days ago. Margaery had only seen the girl briefly but despite that she had heard enough from Willas to know that the girl must be suffering. To be exiled from your homeland because of one error of judgement seemed harsh but when Willas had explained how strict Northern law was about such things Sansa she realised was lucky to get away with her life. But if the girl was to be a member of the Tyrell family then someone should at least try and make her welcome.

She eventually found her in a grove near the bottom and most secluded part of the gardens. The pale red head was kneeling in front of a bed of blue flowers and humming some strange tune that Margaery did not recognise. Sansa then sensed Margaery's presence and got to her feet quickly.

"Lady Margaery, I am sorry if my humming disturbed you." Sansa said quietly with her head bowed so that Margaery would not see the tears that were threatening to run down her cheeks.

"Oh no I was hoping to speak to you especially since we are to be sisters one day." Margaery said to the exiled Stark. She smiled at the younger girl and Sansa looked very much like a startled deer completely frozen. Margaery guided her slowly by putting her hand gently on Sansa's shoulder. "Do you like the blue flowers?" She asked hoping to start a conversation and regretted it the moment that she saw the tears in Sansa's eyes.

"They remain me of the winter roses back home. They are beautiful at full bloom." She said mournfully. Margaery took one of Sansa's hands and held it gently.

"Sansa I know what happened in Kings Landing and it was not your fault." Margaery said going for the root of the problem. Sansa immediately felt her guilt tearing into her and said back sadly.

"But it is, instead of trusting my father who I have known my entire life and just following his simple command I went to the Queen and told her exactly what he was planning. That got our entire retinue killed, my best friend made an orphan and my father locked up in the Blacks Cells like a criminal. What I did is treason and now I pay the price. Marrying your brother is more than I deserve." She said knowing that she was not worthy of a knight now, let alone one of a great house like the Tyrells.

"Sansa." Margaery said putting her hand to Sansa's mouth to stop the girl speaking anymore self-criticism. "My brother will respect you as long as you are loyal to him, you are a beautiful young woman that will blossom when you are ready such like those winter roses." She assured her and seeing the uncertain look on Sansa's face she added. "And as for what happened in Kings Landing you were outwitted by a far more devious woman than you were prepared for. Cersei used you Sansa and I can teach you so it does not happen again. Like my grandmother taught me."

Sansa was quiet for a moment as she absorbed Margaery's words. She had heard Willas Tyrell speak on their journey of how clever and cunning his grandmother and sister were. If Margaery was serious in her desire to teach her then it would mean that should she ever cross paths with someone like Cersei again…she would be ready for them. Her mind was made up immediately and she said.

"Teach me."

At her family's castle in the Stormlands, Brienne of Tarth was readying her armour as she prepared to ride out to meet with Renly Baratheon's army. This was her chance to serve as a knight in the army of a king that was worthy of his crown. Her father had never approved of her training to be a knight but all the same her determination had made him teach her and she was now better than any man she had met.

And as a member of King Renly's Kingsguard she would prove it.

Casterly Rock was even busier than usual as the army of the Westerlands was gathered for the coming war. The men were training hard for the real fighting they would soon engage in and the women folk at the castle were not being idle either. While many attended their lessons or duties some chose a different type of training to pass the time. Many of Hadrian's children spent the time with their surviving grandparent Arthur looking through the new books that had arrived from the Citadel with Creylen's promotion to Archmaester and the Valyrian knowledge that had been taken from Myr. Arya and Tyler however while somewhat interested in the new books that had previously been off limits found a more enjoyable outlet for themselves.

In the exercise yard as Lady Genna Lannister stood watching with her great-niece Visenya Hill as Arya Stark and Tyler clashed in a practice sword fight. Both wielding wooden training swords they moved in a small circle testing each other with thrusts and jabs and cleaves as they both tried to improve their skill. Arya had gotten a lot better with the sword now she was being taught by Syrio and Visenya but she was still struggling as she made another attempt to break Tyler's defences. Her betrothed had also been practicing hard this last year, ever since he was bested by her older brother Robb at Winterfell he had devoted himself to his training in a way he had never done before. Secretly however he was also doing it so he could impress Arya.

Arya's attempt to use her water dance training to jab through Tyler's defences failed when he caught her in the act and struck her on the arm although intentionally not very hard, it was enough to make her drop her blade. It fell to the ground and Arya stood there disarmed and was infuriated to see the smirk on Tyler's face as he held his sword loosely at her expecting her surrender.

That smirk infuriated Arya so much that she decided to try something that she had learnt from Lady Genna. She managed to school her features so her face was calm and she smiled at Tyler before winking at him. His smirk instantly disappeared and his cheeks turned a slight pink, his guard dropped for a moment Arya drove forward with a roundhouse kick that Visenya had taught her and while Tyler was stunned and knocked to the ground by the kick she grabbed his sword and held it at him now with a smirk of her own. He looked up at her astonished while Genna and Visenya clapped and cheered from the side. They came over and told the beaming Arya.

"Well done my pupil." Genna said proud of the girl that she was knew was going to be a hell of ruler one day. "Men might be all gruff and proud, but flutter your eye lashes at them and you have them on their knees without even trying. And let that be a lesson to you Tyler as well. Never underestimate a woman." She told her young great nephew who had yet to get to his feet. Visenya laughing at his embarrassing defeat offered him a hand up but instead Tyler surprised them all by leaping to his feet and with Arya's dropped sword (which he had picked up while they were talking) in hand stood so close to Arya they were nearly touching and held her wooden blade at her throat.

The shock knocked the smiles off everyone's faces except Tyler whose smirk was now fully restored and he whispered into Arya's ear making her shiver as she felt his breath on her ear.

"And you should never underestimate me." He then pulled away and now holding her sword took the ready position before asking her. "Are you up for another match?"

Arya taken aback by what had just happened recovered quickly and held his sword ready.

"Want to lose again lion boy?" Tyler however smirked and upped the stakes.

"I think that it is you who is afraid of losing wolf girl. Tell you what, I win you give me a kiss." He told her with a certain taunting tone that did not fail to get Arya's hackles up although she too found herself smirking.

"Dream on lion boy."

Back in Kings Landing however Hadrian was having to deal with a far more difficult pupil than Genna. The throne room was largely deserted except for the boy king Joffrey who seemed to be admiring the Iron Throne he was sitting on. His Kingsguard stood at the outer edges of the room silent. Then the door opened as Hadrian Lannister walked in with a company of his own men and while the lord of Casterly Rock remained impassive the expression of the young king turned to slight nervousness before he could covered it up. His uncle came to the foot of the throne and said.

"You sent for me your grace." Hadrian's tone was calm and measured. His face an expressionless mask that allowed no crack to show what he was really feeling or thinking.

"Uncle." Joffrey said trying to sound confident but he could not hide the slight shake of his voice.

"You wanted to speak to me?" Hadrian asked, although he had no respect for his nephew what so ever he still had to observe some courtesies for appearances sake. Already people were whispering in the streets that Hadrian was the real ruler of this country while Joffrey was just a puppet much like they had done with Tywin and Aerys early on in their partnership as Hand and King. While it would flatter some it did not flatter Hadrian.

"Yes." Joffrey said his voice faltering as his youth and inexperience came through making Hadrian aware of just how young his nephew actually was. "I would like a report…on the discussions of my small council."

Hadrian just stood there impassively while he wondered how long this boy was going to last on the throne even with help. He then told him keeping his voice calm and level.

"You are welcome to attend the meetings of your small council if you so wish."

"I have been very busy. Many important matters require the king's attention." Joffrey said flippantly and Hadrian instead of remarking on how little work the boy actually did said back.

"Of course." Joffrey then said looking annoyed.

"You have been holding meetings in the Tower of the Hand rather than in the Small Council chamber." Hadrian knew that had surprised some people as well but he had an answer for this already.

"The Tower of the Hand is where I work, securing your kingdom. It is more convenient to meet the other small council members there so I can use my time more productively."

"So if I wanted to attend a council meeting, I would have to walk all the stairs in the Tower of the Hand." He said annoyed at having to anything even remotely physically taxing. His lack of musculature was proof of how little exercise he took. Hadrian deciding to make a more forceful point walked up the steps to stand right next to the Iron Throne with his arms behind his back as Joffrey who remained sitting cowered back slightly as his uncle towered over him. Hadrian stood there silently for a moment before saying with slight sarcasm.

"We could arrange to have you carried." His words seemed to cowl Joffrey enough to stop his childish demands and then switched topics slightly.

"What is being done about reinforcing the city against my uncles should they march on it?" Hadrian waited for a moment before answering him.

"Currently the city watch is being expanded to eight thousand men who along with sell swords we have hired will soon be reinforced by twelve thousand men from the Westerlands that are riding here under the command of Lord Stafford Lannister and Ser Tytos Brax. That will your grace mean that twenty thousand men will be present to defend this city from a reinforced position."

"I should have been consulted." Joffrey said not able to meet his uncle's intimidating gaze. "I am the King, the Emperor."

"What does that mean exactly?" Hadrian said swiftly not in the mood for this but it was high time he gave his nephew a lesson in ruling. Joffrey looked ready to say something but Hadrian cut him off. "If you think that a crown on your head and having a throne to sit on makes you all powerful then it is very clear that you have little understanding of actual power and how it is wielded." Hadrian said sternly still keeping his face calm and his words while carrying an edge of threat were not spoken loudly but in a measured fashion. "If I were to snatch that crown off your head would that make me king? No of course not."

Joffrey was confused at the meaning of his words so Hadrian while annoyed he was not getting through clarified for him. "A crown is nothing more than a fancy piece of metal work, just as the Iron Throne is a rather uncomfortable and gruesome looking chair. The importance is not what they are in reality but what they represent to the people. A symbol of power, of authority that must not be questioned and by virtue of possessing it the man who holds them should not be questioned either." Hadrian said to Joffrey who did not seem to understand what he was saying so he added an example hoping to get through to his nephew the point of what he was saying. "Say that the common folk were to rebel against you. There are five hundred thousand people in this city, against them the city watch assuming they stay loyal who be snuffed out as easily as a candle. A king that does solely as he pleases does not last long, ensuring the common folk stay as sheep that do not question is a concern that every king must address. You must act like a king if you want to be treated like one and a king must seem to put the concerns of his kingdom first over his own personal ones or at least give the impression that he does. Respect is what will keep you on that throne and acting as a child who claims that it is his right to do as he pleases because he is king will only make others laugh at you at best, plot against you at worst."

Joffrey was struggling to reconcile what his uncle was telling him with what his mother had been whispering in his ear for years, she had told that a king can do whatever he pleases because he is king but his uncle was telling him the exact opposite. He could not find a middle path and said so to his uncle.

"But mother said-" Hadrian however cut him off again.

"Your mother is not a king. Do you know the reason your grandfather and King Robert refused to give her any actual power? It is not because she is a woman as she has long claimed but because she is not as smart as she thinks she is. She is short-sighted, arrogant and impatient. Gaining power is all she lives for and through you she thinks that she will rule this country. She loves you and your siblings yes but never forget that you are a tool to her. Already her lack of thinking has marked the earliest days of your reign with baby slaying and blood shed by unleashing those mountain men on this city without any thought to how others will see it or even a measure of control which will be recorded for all of time. Caution to her is cowardly and she is never able to forget a slight however minor. Follow her example your grace and your rule will be over before it has even begun."

Joffrey seemed stunned by his words and said slowly as he absorbed them.

"I will consider your counsel uncle."

That night as Hadrian prepared for bed he received a visitor much like he had last time he was in Kings Landing and again like the last time it was his spymaster Alys.

"My lord I have news from the Iron Islands, Balon Greyjoy has called his fleet and banners. The Iron Fleet is on the move."

Hadrian told her to keep looking for any information on Stannis and Renly and what they might have been planning while sending raven to Casterly Rock to make saw that the Westerlands was ready in event of an attack by the Iron Born.

The following morning the twelve thousand men led by Lord Stafford and Ser Tytos Brax arrived in the capital. In Lannister House they soon met with Hadrian and Tyrion. Stafford was his usual happy self when he entered the room and immediately took the offered goblet of wine while Ser Tytos was good enough to give a small bow in respect to his liege lord before taking his. Hadrian then told them his plan.

"Later today gentlemen I will be returning to Casterly Rock so I can take control of our army and begin fighting our enemies. I can be of more use out there than here in the city. Ser Tytos you will take the position of Master of Laws while Lord Stafford will take the position of Master of Coin." Hadrian instructed and Tyrion who had not known these men were to be appointed to the Small Council looked very surprised and angry that his brother was stripping him of his position in favour of Stafford. He asked his oldest brother with a slightly annoyed tone.

"And who will be Hand of the King and the Lord Regent while you are gone brother?" He had thought his brother trusted him but now he was beginning to think that giving him Duskendale was just an attempt to sweeten the poison as it were. However what Hadrian said next stopped that line of thought in its tracks.

"You brother."

The room was silent for a moment as Lord Stafford and Ser Tytos were taken aback by the news of Tyrion's promotion while Tyrion himself was momentarily stunned. Hadrian decided to explain his reasoning while he finished his goblet and poured a fresh drink for himself.

"While you and I brother are both good at politics and administration I have served in war. I have led men into battle but you have not. While I fight this war you can be here making sure that Cersei and Joffrey do not destroy everything we have been building." He turned to Stafford and Tytos and told them. "I expect you both to follow Tyrion's instructions as you would my own. Ser Tytos I will make your positon on the Small Council permanent if you do well and Lord Stafford I am willing to grant you Tarbeck Hall now that it has been repaired as your holding and will arrange for your son Daven to marry Jeyne Westerling. But only if you follow Tyrion rather than Cersei or Joffrey." He added as a warning. Both men were surprised and would not have imagined there was much of a difference but nodded in agreement. With his point made Hadrian turned to Tyrion and told him seriously.

"Do not give Cersei or Joffrey any room to walk over you brother. They may well try to do so once I am gone. Be ready brother as this could be the greatest test of your life." Hadrian warned him as they prepared to part ways to fight for their control over the throne of the Westerosi Empire however divided it might currently be.