20

Chapter 20 – Calm before the Storm

Dragonstone, the Narrow Sea…

"Unfortunately your grace, Lady Melisandre has fallen into such a deep sleep that we cannot wake her. The cause is unknown to us and our lord will not reveal it in the flames." The Red Priest told Stannis as he tended to the unconscious sister of his faith and Stannis looked down in annoyance at Melisandre's prone body, he was ready to curse but held himself back with iron clad resolve. The lightning bolt shaped scars that had appeared on her body were a disturbing element to the mystery that was now presented to him.

And Stannis hated mysteries.

His expression hard he turned to Ser Davos and told him sternly.

"Ready the men and our ships, by the end of tomorrow we sail to Kings Landing." He said simply, no flash or embellishment that was his king's way Ser Davos thought, grateful that for now that the 'Red Witch' as he addressed her in the privacy of his own mind would not be joining them in the assault on Kings Landing. He hated that vile woman and all the pain she and her gods' forsaken cult of fire worshippers caused. The screams of those that they had burned haunted his thoughts briefly before he suppressed them as best as he could.

Ser Davos went quickly to main hall where the Stormlords that had joined them were feasting with the Narrow Sea Lords, knights and Sellswords at their command. The hall was filled with smoke and loud voices of men drinking and partying with wild abandon, Ser Davos nearly shook his head at their naivety, acting like they had won the battle already. He made his way to the head table and with the loudest voice he could manage gave his grace's orders.

"Lords and good Sers." Davos said with a hidden hatred of the sellswords amongst them who had been raping and pillaging all across the Narrow Sea and the Stormlands, he dreaded the damage and destruction they would wreak on the Kings Landing and the rest of Westeros when they were unleashed. But with a small sigh he complied with his grace's orders. "His grace intends to sail for Kings Landing by sundown tomorrow. Make your men ready my lords, the battle is sure to be fierce."

There was a loud and drunken cheer at the declaration and Ser Davos wasted no time in making his exit, the strong smoke was nearly making his gag but he maintained his cool and made his way towards the one person that he actually wanted to see right now.

-x-

In her solitary room at the top of a tower Shireen Baratheon peered out of the small window to see the bright moon rising over the ocean, casting a long reflection that was quite beautiful and while she smiled it was a sad smile. She felt the walls of the room where she had spent most of her life closing in around her for a moment as she dreamt of all the places beyond this tiny room which she would never visit or see outside of the books that Ser Davos gave her as presents. Many looked down on the former smuggler but Shireen had never imagined anyone with more compassion, dignity and honour than Ser Davos. He made time to see her, talk to her and tell her stories of his travels and treat her almost as if she were his own child although he always kept a discreet distance between them, after all she thought with some mocking irony she was his king's daughter, a princess and if her mother was to be believed the future queen of Westeros.

She almost let out a bitter laugh at that, she was never let out of this room! Never taught how to rule and never to see any other children her own age. Loneliness was her constant companion, misery her greatest playmate, her only real friend was her father's right hand man. She was cursed by the horrid deformity that she ran her hand over and wondered if it was even skin anymore and not truly stone.

Her anger was broken by the sound of footsteps coming up the tower and her heart leapt for a moment as she thought that maybe her mother or even her father might actually be coming to visit her. She had dreamed of her mother's embrace and her father smiling proudly at her for as long as she could remember, her dreams of happy times were her sole escape from this cell that she had been raised in, but only in her imagination did anything good happen to her like that. And she was proved correct as Ser Davos appeared through the door although the sight of him gave her a shred of comfort that she had not been completely abandoned.

"Your grace." Ser Davos said with a deep bow that nearly brought a giggle to her as the ex-smuggler treated her like a princess from a fairy tale. "Your father and I sail for Kings Landing tomorrow, I felt I should tell you in person in case you wanted to see your father."

The words brought a great chill upon her suddenly as her nightmares from the previous night flashed before her eyes. Her hand quickly reached out and wrapped itself around the rough undamaged hand of Ser Davos as she began to plead with sudden fear.

"Please do not go Ser Davos, I need you here."

The ex-smuggler looked surprised at her sudden outburst but then realised from his memory of their recent discussions why she feared him leaving.

"The nightmares have returned then I take it princess." He said letting go her hand gently as he looked into her troubled blue eyes.

"I am tied to a stake." She said recounting the horrible dream from the night before as her gaze fell to the floor and she sat back in her chair. "There are flames all around me, I feel the heat of them and I feel them burn my skin but through them I see mother, father and Lady Melisandre staring at me. It happens so often now that I cannot close my eyes without seeing the flames that are going to kill me." She said terror starting to creep into her voice as the dream that had come to her again and again, her eyes watering. Ser Davos gave her the kindest smile he could and told her firmly hoping to ease her troubled mind.

"They are only dreams princess. Your father and I would never allow you to come to harm…I will never let that happen." He swore to her, getting down on his knee to make it an official pledge although it did little to relieve her.

"They are more than dreams Ser Davos." She said simply and then said much to his surprise. "Like they were when cousin Bella was burned. I saw it then and I see now myself dying in the flames."

Kings Landing, the Crownlands…

The day had been a hot one, the last of summer Tyrion suspected as he sat in the sweltering heat of the Small Council Chamber. His brow was covered with sweat as he sipped water to try and cool himself, the rest of the small council were little better than him with only Varys coping with the heat, sitting in his seat looking immaculate. Ser Tytos Brax and Lord Stafford Lannister were toying with their collars as sweat visibly ran down their faces, Pycelle was even worse than them and was waving a small fan to try and cool himself. Ser Jacelyn Bywater and Ser Bronn were also sitting uncomfortably in their armour but despite the heat of the day they were here to discuss the defence of this city so Tyrion persevered and kept on working.

"As I understand it Archmaester Pycelle we have enough grain and other foods stored to last for at least five years now that the summer is coming to an end. Is that accurate?" Tyrion asked the old man who nodded quickly to try and incur favour, something that made Tyrion want to roll his eyes.

"Yes my lord, it has been the longest summer since records began but it is now confirmed to be over. But the war my lord prevents us from focusing fully on preparations for the coming winter which could well be the worst in hundreds of years." Pycelle wheezed out and Tyrion thought for a moment on that, knowing for the sake of them all the war had to end soon so he turned to the next point to address that.

"Master Varys." Tyrion said turning to the eunuch spymaster who immediately met his gaze with a calm stare. "Have the messages I ordered been dispatched to the chosen parties?" His gaze was strong and Stafford Lannister shifted uncomfortably in his seat, it was like seeing Tywin's ghost in those mix-matched eyes. Tyrion might be shorter than his late father but he did not lack any of his presence.

"It is done my lord hand. They were all too pleased to accept the offer you presented to them and will be ready when the time is right." Varys told his friend, allowing small smile to grace his face when he considered just what Tyrion was planning for Stannis Baratheon when he attacked the city. He had his own problems with the red god cult, after all they had gelded him for the sake of their god and made him watch his own manhood burn. Well he was confident that their god was not going to be able to protect them from what his lord had in mind.

"Good, then perhaps we will win the day yet. Lord Stafford, Ser Brax how are your men faring? Will they be ready?" Tyrion said turning to the Westerlands men that his brother had appointed to the Small Council. Ser Tytos Brax had been most diligent in his duties as Master of Laws and Tyrion had come to respect his straight forward and strict approach, certainly an improvement over the last man to hold that post Tyrion mused to himself. Tytos went to speak but Stafford full of merriment and confidence got the first word.

"Absolutely my lord, when Stannis comes they will send him back to Dragonstone with his tail between his legs, just like my son did to the Iron Born at Harlaw." He laughed and proceeded to boast of his son Daven's accomplishments during the campaign against the Iron Born. Tyrion just ignored him and wished that said son was here now rather than spending his wedding night with Jeyne Westerling at their new castle Tarbeck Hall. He would no doubt be more useful than his father.

The long and proud boasts of Stafford were mercifully broken by the sound of the door opening only for the joy to brutally cut short when the boy king Joffrey stepped in. It was an unwelcome surprise given that the boy had not attended a single small council meeting since his coronation. The sneer on the boy's face that had been in place since he had burned Ser Lancel to death and banished his mother to marry the Freys was somehow even more un-nerving than it had been before. Duty demanded all the men in the room got to their feet except Tyrion who stared coolly at his nephew before saying with some mockery although only he and Varys would notice it.

"Your grace, you honour us with your presence. We were just making final preparations for the defence of your city." Varys allowed a brief smirk but it was quickly gone before anyone noticed it and Joffrey looking disgruntled. He had been woken before noon against his will by knights in service of his uncle and directed here. His Kingsguard were suspiciously absent but that did nothing to erode the king's newfound confidence but Tyrion was in no mood to pander to the sadistic boy's whims and said simply and bluntly.

"When Stannis comes to this city in roughly five days' time you will be expected to lead our forces into battle. Make sure that your armour and sword are ready."

"I WILL NOT YOU DEMON MONKEY!" Joffrey yelled as he made to approach Tyrion but stopped when he saw Bronn flexing his muscles. Tyrion untroubled by his words told him without concern.

"Your presence on the battlefield will be expected, no one will fight for a king that will not fight for his throne." Tyrion warned him and then with an edge of actual threat said. "And a king that would kill his advisor who is planning the defence of his crown is little more than a fool. Something I have taken steps to avoid…Ser Bronn." Tyrion said and Bronn with smirk threw a bag to the feet of the boy king. Out of it rolled the seven heads of his Kingsguard causing the young king to blanch and his eyes to fill with fear. The rest of the men in the room looked on in shock while Tyrion made Joffrey aware in no uncertain terms just who was in charge here.

"Never forget who you owe your crown to nephew, kill your allies and all you will ever know is enemies and betrayal. Now go to your room and make sure that you are ready for the coming battle. After that we will discuss how to correct your actions over the last few days. For now the Summer Sons have spared a few knights to act as a temporary Kingsguard until new men can be appointed."

The threat in his tone and the strength of his voice cowed Joffrey immediately who did as his uncle bid, bringing a smirk to Tyrion's face.

It was good to be the Hand of the King, Tyrion thought to himself.

The border between the Stormlands and the Westerlands…

The knights sworn to the protection of Edric Storm all held their breath as a patrol of men belonging to House Trant rode past while they hid under a bridge hoping they could avoid a fight against their numerically superior opponents.

Edric himself who many thought a younger copy of his father except for slightly different ears held his breath as Ser Courtney Penrose, the former castellan of Storm's End stayed close to his side with his hand on his sword, comforted slightly by its weight. The atmosphere of the seven who were hiding was fraught with tension as they listened intently for the men to pass. However much to their growing worry they stopped briefly and talked.

"Any sign of them? His grace will burn us in pyres if he do not find that bastard nephew of his." One of the soldiers said. Edric shivered in fear although he would deny it to anyone who asked. Ser Courtney put a comforting arm around Edric who grateful accepted it. Fear of discovery grew amongst the men hiding under the small bridge as the guard's footsteps came closer to the edge where one of them could be seen, Ser Courtney and Ser Rolland the leaders and best warriors in their group silently reached for their weapons ready to lay down their lives for the young boy in their care when suddenly everyone was distracted by the sounds of hooves thundering from the other side of the bridge.

Ser Rolland managed from where he was to catch a brief glimpse of the approaching force and his heart sank when he saw the orange burning tree that was the standard of House Marbrand, one of them most loyal of the Lannister Vassals. He could only think that they are going from out of the pan and into the fire as now they were caught between Stannis' men and the Lannisters. Both sides would see their ward dead immediately and the river was not deep enough to sneak out under the water. Any movement from them and they would be dead in moments and since both sides were on horseback while they had been forced to abandon their own mounts, running would only end in their deaths. But Ser Rolland thought bravely as his sword was unsheathed slowly, it might give young Edric a chance to run.

The men under the bridge could only listen as the short fight erupted between the men on the bridge, the men of House Trant were obviously caught off-guard and clearly outmatched by the men of House Marbrand. It was over in moments and Ser Rolland prayed silently that the Lannister men would leave but then one of the knights in his own party drew his sword, ready to fight when the heavy longsword slipped from his wet fingers and fell onto a rock. The resulting clang was an absolutely terrifying sound to the men under the bridge and the silence that followed it was so tense that Edric was virtually shaking while the knights that were protecting him were all readying themselves for a fight with nervous dread. The sound of a man's voice made all of them jump.

"Out from under that bridge or I will bring it down on top of you." The voice was mature and stern and knowing they were in little position to resist Edric and the knights emerged from under the bridge to see the bodies of the soldiers of House Trant lying along the road and stood over them with bows and swords drawn was a large party of twenty men all bearing the standard of House Marbrand with Ser Addam himself at the front with his sword in hand, bloodied already from the Trant men he had just slain.

Now visible Ser Addam himself surveyed the party and recognised many of them from the tourneys he had fought it over the years, Ser Rolland Storm in particular from the Tournament of the Hand only a year or so before. They were all good knights but there were a mere seven of them, including the boy that was staying close to the side of Ser Courtney Penrose against twenty of his own men. He was curious however as to why they were being hunted, several parties from the Stormlands had been caught probing into the Westerlands and prisoners they had taken spoke of a manhunt for the bastard son of Robert Baratheon Edric Storm but why was not known.

As Ser Addam looked at the boy in the centre of the group he noticed the dark hair and blue eyes that was typical of the Baratheon look and that the boy was tall for his age, the image of his father in his youth with the exception of the large ears that showed his mother's side House Florent. While he was in half a mind to simply let the men carry on their way just to irritate Stannis, his duty was to his liege lord.

"You will follow us to Casterly Rock where Lord Lannister will make a decision about what to do with you. Unless you wish to test our steel like they did." Ser Addam said severely, waving his sword over the bodies of the men he had killed.

Ser Courtney Penrose, Ser Rolland Storm and the other knights tensed as their hands gripped tightly to their weapons, ready to go down fighting when Edric surprised all of them and spoke up.

"We would gladly join you and meet Lord Lannister at Casterly Rock Ser Addam, I would like to hear of his exploits against the Iron Born." He said managing to plaster a big smile to his face but Ser Courtney who had known the boy his entire life saw the small trembling at the corner of his mouth showing how nervous the boy was.

"Very well, take the horses of the Trant men since they no longer need them." Ser Addam said and the Stormland knights feeling uneasy complied. While they were saddling up Ser Courtney whispered to his young charge urgently.

"What are you doing Edric? The Lannisters are our enemies."

"I do not want to see you die. Lord Lannister might allow us to live and continue northward." Edric said with fear coming to his face, Ser Courtney felt like cursing at one of the knights for telling Edric what Stannis had done to his half-sister and what they feared he might do to him as well. It had put the fear of the gods into the young man despite his comforting the boy he had basically raised because Renly was too lazy.

He could only hope as they began riding, surrounded by Lannister men that they were not riding towards their deaths.

-x-

Casterly Rock, the Westerlands…

At the home of the Lannisters, unaware of the events on the border Hadrian having already put the preparations through for his little ritual was doing something that he had little time for these days…spending time with his children. He was at present with his youngest daughter who seemed to have grown more than double since he had left to deal with the Iron Born. Little Clarice walked slowly on her short little feet but beamed as he held out his arms to her and made her way towards him and into his waiting arms where he picked her up with a giant smile of his own and swung her around in her arms. She cried out in happiness and wrapped her arms firmly around his neck, enjoying the ride in the certain knowledge that he would never let anything happen to her.

Holding her firmly in his arms he walked over to his daughters who were creating fire shapes with their magic and with his free arm, created a large lion that danced amongst the birds, fish and other animals that his daughters were creating with their magic. His girls laughed and made their own creations fly in elaborate patterns around his lion which made Hadrian smile as he took in the moment. Outside he could see Leo showing his grandfather the new paintings he had been making much to the older man's approval while in the yard outside the window, Tyler and Richard were practicing their swordsmanship with his old friend Raphael and Arya, helping teach Raphael's own sons who were only just on the cusp of their own training and taking advantage of a lull in the war to get some practice in.

This was what he wanted more than anything, his family at peace and safe. His children enjoying their childhood, growing and learning without fear. His smile briefly dimmed as he considered all the things that could happen, Stannis was poised to assault Kings Landing and his Red Witches could easily try and used their cursed magic against him again but what really was worrying him was they might target his children instead. He had the power and knowledge to protect himself, but none of his children had truly reached the necessary level to defend themselves against a Shadow Assassin. The runes and wards he had put up around Casterly Rock should be enough to keep any of those vile creatures out but if they were attacked while outside the castle there was little he could do to ensure their safety.

He knew that they could not and should not stay within the castle for the rest of the lives so with concern he hoped his little message via the scars he had inflicted on Melisandre would discourage such an attack being attempted again, partly why he had done it in the first place.

He was broken from his worried thoughts by a sound from the small girl in his arms. Something that made everyone in the room, even Leo stop and stare in joyous awe.

"Pa-pa."

Hadrian's eyes nearly watered as he looked at his youngest daughter as she sounded the words out with inexperienced slowness. As if to convince him it was not his imagination, little Clarice screwed her face up in concentration and said it again, this time with more confidence as her small mouth worked hard.

"Papa."

His little girl had just said her first word and it was identifying him as her father. His older girls and eldest son came over as Clarice began to repeat the noise while Arthur held back with public tears running down his wrinkled face.

-x-

Later that night as his family and rest of the family went to bed, Hadrian went to one of the many halls of Casterly Rock where the Seastone Chair had been placed, a trophy of their victory of their over the Iron Born. He locked the doors and with a mounting sense of trepidation went over to the two small boxes on table next to the Seastone Chair and opened them seeing the Cloak of Invisibility and the Resurrection Stone inside. Wondering if this was a good idea, he paused for a moment to consider what he was doing. It would push his magic harder than he had ever tried to push it in this life and it could do him a lot of harm if it went wrong. Not only that but it would leave him very vulnerable to attack so he could but hope that if by some amazing bout of bad luck an attack did come at this crucial moment, the runes and wards that he had set up all over Casterly Rock would act as a shield.

Hadrian shook himself, knowing that the risk was great but so was the reward. If he could find where the Elder Wand was and more importantly if it was within his reach, he could bring all three of the Deathly Hallows together and then their power would break the constriction that was suppressing most of the magic in the world. He and his children would be able to use the full array of their abilities for the first time in their lives.

He picked up the two Hallows and walked over to the Seastone Chair and took his seat, the chair was uncomfortable, bad enough to give the Iron Throne a run for its money but he was not interested in comfort. The inherit magic of the chair reacted to his own, strengthening each other and giving Hadrian a warm and comfortable feeling which made him smile. The feeling of the magic in the Hallows too became stronger, like a flame which was being stoked so it grew stronger. Now that his magic had touched the magic of the objects around him came the tricky bit, establishing a stronger link to the Hallows so he could probe the link and find the wand. He started slowly easing his power into the hallows, doing it slowly so the hallows would not reject his magic with a backlash that could make what he did to Melisandre look like a slap on the wrist. It was a constant balancing act and he could feel the pressure mounting on him to keep it up and as more of his magic was focusing into the hallows he began to feel weary but with steel clad resolve, he kept on going.

As the link he was building grew stronger, images started filtering into his mind as he touched the bond between the three hallows. He could see a city the likes of which he had never seen; rivers of lava passed around huge spiralling towers with incredibly elaborate architecture, many styled like dragons but that paled in comparison to the huge beasts that were actually flying around the sky.

'The Valyrian Freehold.' He thought in awe but he could not understand why this image was in the link. He then found himself standing in a room with a group of people with Valyrian features stood around the three Hallows and watched as they started using blood magic on the hallows, why he did not quite understand but from his grasp of Valyria, they seemed to be trying to absorb their power. Something he knew from his long experience with the deathly hallows, would be disastrous to attempt.

And soon enough he saw that he was right, the hallows began to glow an angry red and the earth shook beneath them, lines of red energy spread out from the hallows and through the men that surrounded the wand, ring and cloak, impaling them like a sword. The men cried out in agony as the red energy tore them apart, dissolving into nothing like dust on the wind. The red energy, clearly not done spread out further striking the volcanoes all around which began to rumble as clouds of black smoke began to rise.

The Doom of Valyria, it was indeed as terrible as the legends said and now he saw that this indeed had been when magic had disappeared mostly from the world. It would have brought a tear to Hadrian's eyes had he been able to cry in this vision, the screams of terror echoed all around…all due to the hubris of a few men, greedy for more power when they already had most of Essos in their grip and plenty of lands yet to conquer. Magic itself or the higher forces or gods as some preferred to call them punishing the entire human race for their arrogance.

He saw the three hallows all glowing red, shoot out of the vast cloud that engulfed the ruins of Valyria and split up. The Cloak shot towards Sothorys where somehow it was found and brought to Qarth, the ring shot towards Braavos where it must have travelled until falling into the Iron Born's hands. The Wand however went another way all together, towards Westeros.

Hadrian watched as the red light, appearing like a shooting star across the sky. Over the sands of Dorne, over the vast fields of the Reach and the rough Stormlands and past the areas which would one be the Crownlands and the Riverlands. Hadrian's eyes widened as it flew into the mountains of the Vale and impacted. He saw it being found by a man wearing the colours and symbol of what would be House Arryn. It passed through many hands after that for hundreds of years until finally, the location in the present came into view. It was a majesty castle sitting atop a mountain with a water fall falling nearby, although smaller than any of the other six great castles across Westeros. Seven slim but beautiful white towers bunched together around a keep and garden. The link was now starting to ebb as his reserves of energy were depleted but with sheer determination he pushed forward until the vision trail led him to the Weirwood throne were he could see Lysa Arryn sitting until it while Baelish much to his chagrin stood at her side looking altogether too smug for Hadrian's own liking.

However as he looked at the Weirwood Throne he saw it…the Elder Wand attached to the throne as some quite of decoration.

But at the moment of his success, he felt an overwhelming wave of exhaustion come over him and the vision fell into darkness as he passed out and his body slumped on the Seastone Throne while the cloak and the ring slipped from his hands.

It was a couple of hours before daybreak before he awoke, feeling like his had just gone seven rounds against the Hound and Mountain in a fistfight and lost each time and his head was throbbing with pain. His magic thanks to the throne had recovered somewhat but it was still far weaker and would take days to recover fully. With the coming battle at the capital that was something Hadrian could not afford so he looked around and saw the Resurrection stone and slipped it on his finger as he put the Cloak back in its box. While it could not function as a foci like a wand, it was conduit for magic and would speed up his powers regeneration by a small degree.

What a night Hadrian thought to himself, the things he had learnt were startling but worst was that the one object he needed to restore his magic was under the very nose of his most slippery enemy. It brought a sour taste to his mouth, but he kept his face straight refusing to curse in sheer frustration. He put the box with the cloak under his arm and left to try and get some sleep before he had to greet his guests in the morning and continue with his own preparations for the coming Battle of Blackwater Bay.

-x-

Kevan Lannister and his own family had left earlier that day to go to Fair Isle and take part in the rebuilding process of their new holding. After what had happened to Lancel Hadrian could not blame them, what Joffrey had done was not only horrific but incredibly stupid. To burn one of their own family to death with wildfire in full view of the court…it made Hadrian want to curse. Already whispers that Joffrey was the Mad King reborn, something that Hadrian could not allow so he thought darkly to himself it was beyond time to do something about it.

But getting up from his desk Hadrian tucked his tunic back into place as he walked out of his solar and down the long corridors to the courtyard where the Daynes were about to arrive alongside the Stormlanders escorting young Edric Storm. The Daynes were expected and he had put thought hard on whether he should accept their proposal, having one of his daughters as Lady of Starfall and one of the most famous and influential houses in Westeros was indeed an interesting concept but his daughters' happiness was more important to him. If young Edric Dayne was not right for either Cassia or Joanna he would send the Daynes packing, Tywin had married Cersei to Robert Baratheon for power and to make his daughter queen and look how that had turned out. He did not want his daughters to go through the misery that Cersei had however much he hated his sister.

Edric Storm was something else to consider, the young bastard was left known and liked in some parts of the Stormlands and was the only recognised bastard of Robert Baratheon. That was something that could be very useful to him now that Renly was dead and Stannis was becoming more hated by the people of his homeland. A plan was forming in his mind that would make good use of Edric, providing of course the boy was suitable for his purpose.

Arriving in the courtyard he was pleased to see his sons and daughters waiting and dressed for the occasion. His sons were wearing their best red tunics and breeches with golden lions stitched in along with the red and gold dresses while young Arya was in her blue and white tunic and breeches looking quite proud, they smiled as he came up to them and stood at the centre while other members of their family and household stood around waiting. They all smiled their best diplomatic smiles as the horses rode in to the courtyard, men dressed in the colours of House Dayne white and purple all surrounding an older man with pale blond hair and dark blue eyes that were nearly purple like the colour of his house and a young boy of twelve years that was a reflection of his father. Hadrian stepped forward as Lord Dayne got off his horse and said politely while extending his hand.

"Lord Dayne, welcome to Casterly Rock. I hope that you enjoy your stay and that our negotiations bear fruit." The Dornish lord shook his hand and accepted the welcome.

"Lord Lannister, thank you for your invitation it has been too long since we last saw each other. At…" Lord Dayne said only for Hadrian to finish his sentence.

"At your brother's last name day celebration before the war, I remember." He said with a sigh recalling the day quite clearly. Through his friendship with Rhaegar, he had gotten to know Arthur Dayne as well and he had accompanied the prince to Starfall for a party his brother was throwing. It had been a quite affair but an enjoyable one all the same. Forcing himself out of the past and back to the present. He saw young Edric Dayne, a handsome young man who brought a lump to Hadrian's throat as he saw how much like a young Arthur Dayne he looked, came forward and offered a deep bow and then presented a beautiful violet flower to Cassia who smiled as she accepted his gift, the boy was so nervous he could hardly speak as he tried to introduce himself.

"My…lady…I am Edric Dayne and I would…like to…get to know you…better."

All Hadrian's children and family smiled with sympathy for the poor boy, clearly unused to having to deal with girls and now he was faced with a girl that would probably eat him alive but much to all their surprise Cassia's cheeks darkened slightly from the simple but lovely gift and smiled while her siblings and Arya smirked when they saw the look in her eye, knowing she was smitten from that moment.

The cute little moment however was disturbed when a second party came riding through the gates, a group of knights wearing a number of different colour schemes and house symbols clustered around a young boy, not much younger than his own sons. Hadrian could see clearly that the boy was the bastard son of Robert Baratheon, apart the large ears that he got from his mother's family the resemblance to a young Robert was spooky. The awe of the young Edric as he looked around Casterly Rock was amusing, given that he had spent most of his life at Storm's End another of the great castles but that was beside the point. He left Lord Dayne to walked over to Ser Courtney Penrose who looked at his with utmost suspicion but Hadrian could not blame the man, after all his family were at present his enemy and a threat to the boy he had raised.

"Ser Penrose, welcome to Casterly Rock." The man grunted and shook Hadrian's hand but his grip was tighter than it was usually, Hadrian kept his face straight and responded by squeezing his own grip tight. Ser Penrose's expression stayed as stern but he gave a small bow to Hadrian.

"Lord Lannister, I hope that you do not think me rude but I and my men were on our way to the North before we were brought here. We have no quarrel with you but we must be on our way." Ser Penrose said hoping that he would allow them to leave unhindered. His concern for Edric was mounting with every second they remained here.

"To ensure that the boy's uncle does not burn him alive like he did his half-sister the night Renly died no doubt." Hadrian said astonishing all those within ear shot and it would soon no doubt be the gossip of the castle. Ser Penrose and the rest of his knights looked surprised that he knew and Hadrian then told them. "I have a proposition for you and young Edric which we will discuss later after my business with Lord Dayne is concluded. Until then feel free to enjoy the hospitality of my home." He said giving a brief nod before he and Lord Dayne left the courtyard to discuss their business.

The Basilisk Isles…

Horus De'Artegan was enjoying some of the lovely wine that he had stolen months ago at Oldtown as he studied the forces he had managed to amass since then. Over a hundred ships most of them seized during the raid on Pentos which carried nearly forty thousand men, mostly Dothraki, sellswords, slaves or other misfits that he had drafted to his banner. They were good at killing but he had now found himself in need of more ships to carry not only his men but their looted supplies, hence why had come here, to recruit more pirates and slavers to his cause.

The letter he had received from this 'Lord Baelish' in the Vale was intriguing, if true it would allow him to use the Vale as a base from which he could rape and pillage all of Westeros. The lure of gold and women to fuck was enough to lure many of the men to his cause, the vast wealth he had looted from Pentos proof of his ability to deliver. But while he was now ready to return and take his due from Westeros, he needed the ships of the four pirate leaders that were looking at him with the utmost disgust from the other side of his cabin. The reason for their fear, the new weapons employed by the Lannisters against the Iron Born and it was trying his patience to the limit.

"I will not risk my life against those rockets, the Lannisters destroyed the entire Iron Fleet in one battle! ONE BATTLE!" The oldest of them said, and the others seemed to be following his lead and Horus, fed up with their attitude decided to take matters into his own hands. He got up from his chair and went over to the old ancient chest and told them as he opened it and reached inside.

"Years ago I dared to enter the jungles of Sothoryos and do you know what I found? A ruined city, older than Valyria but it died overnight and do you know why?" He asked them pulling out a small black icon and pulled out a dagger at his hip. The men and women in the room all reached for their swords but were surprised when he used the dagger to cut his own palm and drip blood onto the icon which started emitting an unnatural black smoke which caused all of the pirate leaders' eyes to widen in fear and Horus smiled smugly while his eyes glinted with malice.

"Because of this."

Outside his cabin, the men that were on deck and even below stopped to look in alarm at the screams that were coming from Horus' cabin. When Horus emerged moments later with a smile like a shark's on his face everyone was chilled to the bone.

"The other leaders have suddenly…taken ill. Recall our men and ready all of the ships that can be mustered, we sail for Westeros immediately." He was about to say more when suddenly everyone felt the ground begin to quake, even on the ship they felt it. But worst was what was coming from the bleak and harsh landscape in the distance, a high pitched screaming…but it was not human and unlike anything even these widely travelled men had heard before.

The night was dark but with the light from the moon and stars not to mention their camp fire the men and women on the islands could make out long dark shapes moving in the dark. But these were not men, appearing at least thirty or forty feet long.

Then the screams started, loud and terrible as yellow eyes loomed out of the night. Any who caught their gaze managed only to let out a brief scream before they dropped dead. Others however found themselves being caught in the large and jagged maw of the monstrous serpents that assailed them. They in agony as not only did the vicious teeth of the creatures tear into their flesh but the rest of their bodies burnt as poison surged through their bodies like wildfire through dry wood. They screamed until the creatures swallowed them in one go and then looked for more to feast on so they could end their hunger.

Men who could escaped on the ships of Horus while many did not and found themselves prey of the massive snakes from which the islands had got their name, awoken for the first time in centuries by magic returning to the world. Horus and his men sailed away, not caring any more than how much they feared the creatures that they were leaving behind and now they had lost another stronghold but Horus hoped to soon have a new one in the Vale.

Highgarden, the Reach…

The incredibly long and dense line of soldiers marching along the road that made up the Tyrell Army was finally starting to split apart as their troops began to go directly to their own homes, at the head of the formation was Ser Loras Tyrell who was looking rather stiff and tense with barely controlled anger as he brought their army home. Behind him in a wheelhouse both Margaery and Sansa sat with their ladies and maids, Margaery despite being somewhat disappointed that she was not queen anymore glad to be heading home, this experience had been a sobering one for her.

What was actually concerning her at the moment was the effect that Renly's death was having on Loras, her brother had not spoken a word since that night and he had spent all of his waking moments either training until he was bleeding and covered in bruises or brooding in his tent. She had tried to speak with him but her efforts had been rebuffed. Margaery was feeling increasingly worried that her brother would do something foolish enough to get him killed, she turned her head to Sansa who was staring out of the small window as Highgarden came into view with joyous awe.

"It is beautiful." Sansa said with a large smile and eyes bright. Margaery smiled as she saw the enthusiasm in the younger girl and leant over her shoulder so she could see her home for herself.

Margaery in her own arrogance she would admit thought that Highgarden was the most beautiful of all the castles in Westeros. Around the white walls of Highgarden there was fields as far as the eye could see of golden roses, with their sweet scent filling the air as they rode past not only the beautiful flowers but also melons, peaches and fireplums and then they came to Highgarden itself.

The castle's white tiered walls protected the groves and fountains in the shady courtyards and marble colonnades that had been originally built by the Gardener kings and added to by the Tyrells over the three centuries since they had gained it as their holding. As the wheelhouse rode through the gates Sansa was wide eyed at the sights inside, so unlike any other castle she had ever known. The sounds of singers, pipers, fiddlers and harpists playing their instruments could be heard from all around while some of the most beautiful and finest selection of horses were kept in the stables where they stopped.

Margaery smiled and told Sansa with relish.

"Welcome to Highgarden, Sansa."

As the wheelhouse drew up alongside the doors to the keep a welcome party was already waiting for them. Margaery was first out as soon as the door opened and was immediately enveloped by the arms of her mother, Lady Alerie who remained tall and dignified while holding her only daughter in her arms.

"My daughter, welcome home I only wish it were under less tragic circumstances." She gently stroked her hand against Margaery's cheek before letting go. Her brother Willas and his wife Arianne Martell came next and both gently enveloped Margaery in their own arms while Arianne proudly showed off her new born twins, Alester her son and Elia her daughter.

However the Lord Oaf of Highgarden as he was known, Mace Tyrell was not nearly as dignified as he swept his daughter up in a tight hug the moment she was free of her mother's arms and nearly squashed Margaery while saying in a voice filled with sadness.

"My dear rose, I am so sorry to hear of your beloved husband's death. You must be filled with grief my daughter."

Everyone around him did their best to keep a straight face but some were not able to hold the derision off their faces. Margaery wanted to break her father's hold but he was unwilling to release his grip and she was actually starting to feel slightly faint from lack of breath until a familiar and welcome voice sounded.

"For the love of the gods Mace let the girl go, she can barely breathe."

The strong and sharp tone of Olenna Tyrell was a welcome sound to Margaery as it made her father release his grip, allowing her to breathe properly. Her grandmother came forward and put her hand gently on Margaery's shoulders and gave her a sad smile. Suddenly remembering that Sansa was still waiting in the wheelhouse, Margaery turned and extended her hand to Sansa who nervously took it and let herself be led out of the wheelhouse where she found herself being presented to House Tyrell. Lady Alerie was first to make a move.

"Welcome Lady Stark to Highgarden, please treat it as your own home." Lady Alerie said and carefully took the girl's hands as she studied her future daughter-in-law. Sansa Stark was already an attractive girl, in time she may well become a real beauty but whether she would be ready to marry Loras was another matter entirely.

Speaking of her youngest son, Lady Alerie turned to see him walk away towards a small grove that she knew he went to when he wanted to be alone. She went to go after him but was surprised when Margaery said with a small gleam in her eye.

"Sansa, go after him." Everyone looked surprised and no-one more than Sansa herself but with a small curtsy to her future father-in-law and mother-in-law she dashed off to follow Loras.

-x-

Another time Sansa would have absolutely loved to explore the stunning gardens around her, the flowers of some many of colours and scents that she had never imagined there could be so many she resolved to find Ser Loras although what she would say to him was a mystery to her. Why Margaery had sent her she could not even begin to guess at. For moment he slipped from her vision and she feared she had lost him until she managed to catch sight of him again. What she saw stopped her in her tracks, in a small grove Loras was sitting at the edge of a fountain and drawing his hand slowly through the water. She was held back for a moment by fear of upsetting him any further but something drive her feet forward until she came into his view.

"Is there something the matter Lady Sansa?" He was feeling annoyed that she had barged in to his private place but tried to remain civil, after all one day he would wed this girl.

"That is a question I should be asking you Ser Loras." She said kindly, putting a warm smile on her face that Loras had to admit was rather enchanting. She came over and sat next to him and looked away briefly as if hesitant before saying quietly.

"I know about you and Renly." She said and Loras immediately went rigid with surprise and he asked her quickly, wondering how on earth she could have known.

"How? Did Margaery tell you?" He hoped it had been his sister, because if so then surely she would have made sure that Sansa would not tell anyone. But Sansa bit her lip in nervousness before admitting how she had learnt the truth.

"The day my mother came to the camp, I saw you and Renly…in your tent." Her gaze fell to the ground as she felt embarrassment make her cheeks pink.

Loras however was momentarily speechless at her words and was gripped by shame as he looked at the innocent girl in front of him. She had deserved better than that he thought sadly feeling increasing guilty, he had disgraced not only himself but her in how he had acted. He had loved Renly, but this girl was going to be his wife one day, possibly even the mother of his children. Her feelings mattered and worst he now saw how he had disgraced Margaery too by carrying on with Renly so brazenly. He slowly and gently took her hand causing her to look up at him in surprise and he told her with all the feeling he could express.

"I have treated you appallingly Sansa." He said losing formality for a moment and held her soft hand in his rougher ones. Her doe like eyes were bright with surprise at his words and softened as he continued with genuine warmth. "But although I cannot promise I will love you, I will from this moment on respect you, trust you and be the best husband I can be."

Tears began to form in Sansa's eyes as his words sank in and she just sat there with Loras, feeling like somehow she and indeed he had taken a major step forward.

-x-

While Sansa and Loras took the first steps in building a relationship, Margaery and Lady Olenna were taking a moment to relax in Willas' private library while he poured them all wine before sitting back in his own chair. His grandmother was looking annoyed about something and as was typical of his unusually sharp tongue she let them know why.

"Well that plan of your idiot father's was a complete waste of time, I told you we should have struck an alliance with the Lannisters at the start but no." Olenna said with frustration and sipped her wine quickly while her two grandchildren took a sedate pace. "Mace and Loras both insisted we use Renly, stupid pillow bitter. Now we have nothing to show for months of work."

"Calm yourself grandmother." Margaery said placing a hand on Olenna's to try and calm her and end the tirade. "We still have options and our alliance with the Martells has born much fruit. All is not lost." Margaery put a calm smile on her face and Olenna sighed before gripping Margaery's hand.

"Perhaps my dear, but the idea of marrying you to a Lannister bastard has little appeal. I have no doubt you could handle the vicious little shit but the Lannisters are not a family we can easily manipulate. Whether it be the Honourable lion or the imp they are not the sort of men that can be easily bent. They are cast from the same mould as Tywin so that leaves us with Stannis who hates us and would see us all bowing to that cursed Red God of his so our options my dear rose are not as many as you are aware my girl." She said with slight condensation, she loved her granddaughter with all her heart and was very proud of her, Olenna would do her utmost to see her on the throne but Margaery was not seeing the reality of their situation right now. Their best bet to gain more power was to perhaps ally with the Lannister and wed her to Joffrey, perhaps even marry her to Tommen and then assassinate Joffrey. Her scheming mind was already crafting plans to get them in the door with the Lannisters when her grandson interrupted her planning.

"Perhaps grandmother there is an option you are unaware of." He said looking somewhat apprehensive about something which was enough to surprise Margaery and Olenna.

"What option? Who else is there with a claim to the Iron Throne?" Margaery asked confused but Olenna's eyes suddenly became concerned as she said with surprising sternness.

"Oh Willas, what have you gotten yourself involved in?"

Willas meanwhile was carefully putting is goblet down as he prepared to reveal to them his role in the conspiracy to restore the throne to the Targaryens, he was not keen on this as his grandmother would no doubt consider his role in this foolish but it was now necessary for the next stage of their plan to go into action.

"A few years ago as you know I became friends with Prince Oberyn Martell." He started relaxing back into his chair to try and appear nonchalant while making sure they were listening. "He introduced me to Arianne and helped arrange our nuptials as well you know but he also introduced me to his sister Elia Martell." His announcement was met with confused looks from Margaery while Olenna's eyes narrowed.

"Elia Martell is dead brother, she died in the sacking of Kings Landing brother." She said sure of her knowledge but Willas gave her a smile and told her.

"It was essential that everyone believe as you do dear sister, the reality however was far different as her allies managed to sneak both her and her daughter out of the Red Keep during the Sacking and whisk them away to Dragonstone where both they and Queen Rhaella and her two youngest children were then relocated to Essos and have lived in hiding until very recently." Willas then explained about fake Aegon and Rhaegar's secret son by Lyanna Stark leaving both women with raised eyebrows.

"Jon Targaryen is nothing like his grandfather by all reports; young, brave and caring. An honourable king that needs a politically suave queen to guide him through the games of power, now where might he find such a woman. You could easily go to Meereen under the guise of visiting our brother in Lys." Willas said with a small grin while Margaery herself was looking rather intrigued at the idea of marrying Jon, it was certainly a better prospect than being joined with the vicious Lannister bastard that was burning people alive in Kings Landing and had married his own mother to the old and disgusting Walder Frey. Her grandmother however had noticed a flaw in the plan.

"And just what are we supposed to do about the Lannisters? They are not going to give up their grip on the throne so easily."

"They are not going to oppose us grandmother, after all have you forgotten just who was Rhaegar Targaryen's closest friend after Ser Arthur Dayne?" He said with a grin and both his sister and his grandmother's shocked eyes brought a small chuckle as they realised what he was implying.

The Narrow Sea…

A large fleet of ships began to assemble at Dragonstone, each one carrying as many soldiers as they could bare, loading of provisions and supplies was done as quickly as possible before the fleet led by the flagship of the large armada the triple decked war galley Fury weighed anchor and set course for Kings Landing, Stannis stood at the helm feeling confident that at last he would get what was his due.