24

Chapter 24 – Foothold

The Riverlands…Army Camp

The array of tents that held over forty thousand men spread out wide as the army prepared to move out after a night's sleep to continuing their march onwards towards the Vale. The men's moral was high although there was a slight divide in the camp between the three different groups that made up the large host. The men of the Westerlands wearily eyed the Reachmen and the Dornish, not fully trusting them but had orders from their liege lord not to start a fight. It chafed them slightly that they were forced to fight alongside these…outsiders when they had fought against the Iron Born and Stannis Baratheon on their own but the men stuck to their duty and held their silence, avoiding the newcomers rather than antagonising them.

In the tent at the centre of the camp, the leaders of this mixed army were making a key strategic decision.

Where to try and breach the Vale's strong natural border.

The men stood around a table with a map of the Vale set out in front of them, Loras dressed in his full plate armour was speaking.

"There are only a handful of places that an invading force can get a foothold, but there are passages into the Vale that our army could use. The only problem is that they are all defended by castles that we need to pass in order to continue." Loras said as he gestured to the different points on the map that their army could use to enter the Vale. The slight tremble in his voice was heard by all, Jon Connington although he was now going by the name of Griff scoffed and said angrily.

"Gods save us you are green boy." Jon growled at him while Hadrian and Oberyn just looked on, wondering to themselves why Jon seemed so impatient. "Just get to the fucking point."

Jon's interruption knocked the confidence out of Loras who found himself terrified by the intense glare of Jon Connington (Griff) and his voice deserted him.

Hadrian feeling really frustrated wanted to get this meeting finished so they could carry on. So with that in mind he took over and spared Loras any more of Jon's anger.

"The best point of entry would be here at Hartshorn." Hadrian said pointing the castle on the map. "Our army can easily use that pass and of all the other castles it is the most lightly defended."

"We would still have to siege it. Baelish might well have fortified the castle if he knows we are coming and it would be foolish to believe he does not." Oberyn said wondering about how long this war might go on for. While he was easy going most of the time he knew that right now it was best to be serious. He was also missing Ellaria who had returned to Dorne at his request, he would not take her on a campaign like this one which was bound to get really bloody.

"House Marsten has not yet sworn allegiance to House Baelish." Hadrian said, gritting his teeth at the family name of the man he hated most. "They will let us pass."

"Why should they?" Loras asked not getting why Hadrian was so sure. He wished briefly that he had asked his brother about Lord Hadrian and how he worked, after all the two men were friends. The look he received back scared him nearly as much as Griff's had.

"They will. Trust me on that." Hadrian said coldly already having a plan to get past the castle that would not require a siege or the slightest hint of any violence.

Winterfell, the North…

The atmosphere inside the castle was a kind of cold that had little to do with the coming winter. Catelyn had refused to even see Ned since the news of Sansa's kidnapping had broken, he had the foresight to make sure that she could not simply ride for the Vale herself by having the stables guarded by men with orders to not allow her a horse.

This of course had not helped matters with Catelyn who had screamed at him before returning to her own rooms, his bed had not seen her for nearly a month now and it was disconcerting for Ned in a way that he did not care to define.

However at this moment, Ned was sitting in the main hall of Winterfell listening to the commonfolk and lords that came to either ask for his advice or his help. It was a daily ritual that usually did not trouble him too greatly, most matters were small and relatively easy to fix but today he found himself unable to concentrate and as he listened to one minor lord moan on about an infringement of his land by another lord Ned decided he needed to clear his head.

"Robb. Please attend to this matter and any other business that is raised today. I will be in my solar." Ned said and stormed out of the room much to the surprise of not only his sons and Luwin but all the people present who had never seen their liege lord like this before.

As he moved quickly through the corridors of the castle that was his home, Ned was furious. Not just with the situation that was surrounding him but with his own inability to do anything about it. He had both his daughters in the south and both of them were surrounded by intrigue and double dealing every single day. He hated that he could not bring them both here where they would be safe, surrounded by the rest of their family in a land with integrity…but he would bring death to them if tried and Ned slammed his fist against the wall but only succeeded in hurting himself which made the feeling worse. If by some miracle they did manage to rescue Sansa, then she would be decapitated by the first Northern lord that crossed her path and if he tried to retrieve Arya the Lannisters would never let her go. His sweet wolf girl stuck in a den of lions and the original deal that both she and her future husband Tyler Lannister would come and spend a year at Winterfell had fallen through with any letters to Casterly Rock asking when she would come home being ignored. He wondered if Arya was even aware that she had become a prisoner.

At least he could draw some comfort that his sons were safe and under his roof, seeing them and their partners brought a lump to his throat as he remembered when they had once sat on his knee and played the games of children. They were becoming men right in front of him and it scared him in way, soon they would have families of their own. He might well be a grandfather soon judging by the fact that Alys was seeing the maester privately after being sick yesterday morning at breakfast.

'Gods he felt he was getting old.' Ned thought to himself bitterly.

He did not know how but somehow he found his way to the Godswood and sat back against the great tree and sighed as his bones ached. He did not want or need this kind of drama in his life. All he wanted was a quiet life, he had never even wanted to be Lord of Winterfell. The death of his father and elder brother had forced him into the role that he was neither prepared for nor desired. He had just wanted to stand at the side of his brother and support his family in any way he could. He sighed again as he leaned back against the tree and closed his tired eyes.

The peace and tranquillity did its wonders on his tired body and mind, the strain seemed to lessen slightly perhaps just because at last he was getting a moment's peace at long last.

It did not last however as he heard light footsteps enter the wood with instincts that he had honed from his days fighting for Robert, training that had never really gone away. He wearily opened his eyes, wondering who was going to be disturbing him this time and saw to his ambivalence that it was Catelyn. Her face was tight with lines that said she must not have been sleeping any better than he over the last few weeks. He wondered why she had come, hopefully not for another fight he thought to himself.

"Ned." She said shortly, her arms crossed and her shoulders tensed. Ned inwardly groaned knowing the stance well, it was the one she assumed when she was determined to get her way and would not budge for anything. Resigning himself to yet another fight he got to his feet and tried to stand as tall as he could.

"Catelyn." Ned said back to his wife who was little better than a stranger to him at the moment.

"I want to ride to the Eyrie to meet with our daughter, to make sure that she is alright. Why have you told the stables to deny me a horse?" Catelyn asked with anger starting to taint her voice, Ned felt his eyes narrow as his own temper started to rise at this familiar argument again.

"It is chaos in the Vale Catelyn. The area is so dangerous that I cannot risk anyone taking you as a hostage or worst." Ned said annoyed at having to explain this to his wife again. "I have however dispatched Brienne of Tarth to go and act as Sansa's protector at the Eyrie."

"So my sister is not able to ensure her safety?" Catelyn said sharply, rounding on him for implying however indirectly that her sister was incompetent. Ned felt his temper spike and he shot back.

"Well it seems she could not stop the lands that belong to her son from falling into absolute madness or her second husband from kidnapping our daughter in the first place. If I send an army to the Vale, it could be dangerous to Sansa." Ned said back although he kept his voice low although his anger was still dangerously close to the surface despite his attempts to wrestle it back under control.

"At least Baelish has balls, you seem to have lost yours." Catelyn sneered back at him, convinced her childhood friend and her sister would not hurt Sansa. His inaction infuriated her and now she was being held here like a prisoner. With that she flounced out of the Godswood leaving an angered Ned behind her, his previous calm now completely spoil and if it was not for his children wishing he had never married Catelyn in the first place.

-x-

Winter town, the North…

Yara Greyjoy woke with a hell of a hangover, not admittedly an unusual occurrence but she swore to herself to never ever under any circumstances drink again knowing she would break the pledge before too long. She was naked and felt her nipples harden in the cold air but without any modesty got out of bed to warm her cold skin on the nearby fire after throwing a few fresh logs into it. She turned around to see just who she had gotten into bed with last night and was surprised to see the wildling girl Ygritte lying next to a redheaded whore that she vaguely recalled was named Ros. Flashbacks of last night and what the three of them had gotten up to last night would have brought blushes to the faces of even the most lustful of men but she could say with a smile that she had enjoyed it…immensely. Ygritte the wildling was completely out for the count still but a slight moaning from Ros brought Yara's attention back to the bed. She stood there completely naked as she waited for Ros to come around.

Ros honestly could remember nearly nothing of the previous night and judging by the hangover she was nursing as she tried to sit up she probably never would. Looking over she saw Yara Greyjoy looking at her completely naked and a blush came to her cheeks despite all her years as a whore. Why she did not completely understand but a blush came nonetheless.

Yara enjoyed seeing the blush on Ros' face and went to put on her breeches when Ros said something she had not expected.

"You are a much better fuck than your brother."

Yara whipped around faster than she could blink and her breeches fell to the floor, her face suddenly serious despite her headache.

"You knew my brother?" She asked thinking herself stupid for phrasing it like that, of course the girl had known her brother if she had fucked him.

"He was a regular customer and I hope not to sound presumptuous but I was his favourite. We did it right on table there one time." Ros said indicating the table that Yara had started leaning against. Yara however ignored the statement and asked a question that had been on her mind for some time.

"Was he happy here?" Yara asked Ros looking her straight in the face. The whore smiled sadly before telling her.

"I think so, he never complained to me about being here. He had friends and the Starks treated him as one of their own, the only thing he ever said he missed about the Iron Islands was you."

"Me." Yara said shocked, she had thought her brother would have forgotten her.

"He did not say it often but on each of his name days and on yours too he would come here and tell me he wished he could see you. He confessed that he struggled to recall your face but he remembered swimming naked in the sea with you as a child and you forcing him to play with your dolls." Ros told him and despite herself Yara struggled to hold back the tears, she remembered those times too after all they would be all she had of her brother now. Wishing she could have seen him again she did not resist as Ros came up to her and kissed Yara on the lips and resumed their previous activities until Ygritte finally woke from her slumber and joined them too.

-x-

The Dreadfort, the North…

Despite the fire in the grate in front of him, Roose Bolton, lord of the Dreadfort and one of the most powerful lords in the North was only feeling cold. Rejection and slights that had been building his entire life had been adding up recently and it was pushing him to the very limit. Life had never been good to him, first he had to endure regular bleedings as a child, shunned by nearly every other house in North and then his wife had died, followed years later by his own son Domeric. He had hoped that fostering the boy in the Vale might make other houses willing to accept his only trueborn son and it had worked until his own bastard Ramsay had killed Domeric. The sadism of the boy frightened even Roose at times but no other house would wed one of their daughters or sisters to him so now his only heir was Ramsay Snow, a boy who scared everyone who met him. It was the only reason he had not cut the boy's throat.

Since the battle at the Wall it was harder than ever to keep his bastard son's actions hidden, the bloody Karstarks must have seen those hounds of his tear into the Wildling leader that night. There was no chance of getting the boy legitimised and not for the first time he wished he had not raped that miller's wife and spared him all this bother.

There was the sound of someone at the door and he looked over to see a strange man dressed in red robes standing in his door way.

"Be gone red priest, I will not have your kind here." Roose growled in no mood to offer any hospitality to a Red Priest today but the priest did not seem bothered at all.

"It was not my intention to ask for your hospitality my lord. Only to pass to you this message." He said while smirking as if all was right with the world. Roose wanted to flay the man right there and then but he instead grabbed the letter from the priest and opened it. The contents were interesting reading, words that stoked his cunning and hunger for more power.

Finally an opportunity to gain what was rightfully his and his house but he thought to himself with caution it would have to be carefully done and could take weeks if not months to complete but for once his bastard son's reputation might be useful. He turned to the priest and told him.

"Tell him…the answer is yes."

Duskendale, the Crownlands…

Tyrion sat on the back of his horse as he looked out to sea, nearby the large town and small holdfast that he had just taken time to study before coming out to the beach.

Duskendale, the holding that his brother had given him months ago but Tyrion, much to his own frustration had been too busy watching Joffrey to come and visit, however now that he was dead Varys could watch over Kings Landing for a few days.

As Tyrion looked back over to the large port town briefly he thought on the history of the place, the place where House Dusklyn had kidnapped and held the Mad King for half a year while Tyrion's own father camped outside unable to enter without killing the king in the process until Ser Barristan Selmy had dared venture in alone and rescued the king. House Darklyn and House Holland had both been destroyed for that, House Rykker had then been given the area until a debt incurred by lavish spending had seen the Iron Bank take the lands as payment. Now they belonged to him and he had ideas already building in his head to make this town great.

The revelation of what his brother had been doing in regards to the Targaryens had astounded and angered Tyrion at first. He was angry because his brother had manipulated him rather than simply telling him the truth, it was not a bad idea actually to assist in the Targaryen restoration really Tyrion thought to himself with mocking irony. Their hold on the throne was so very weak and sure to fail that getting on the good side of the family that would soon take over could mean their previous actions against Aerys would be forgiven. Tyrion for one did not want to be burned by their dragons which might well happen if the rumours he had heard from Essos were true and while on the one hand he was actually desperate for them to get here so he could see the incredible beasts for himself, he was also terrified that they would just burn him and everyone else to ash.

Hopefully he thought to himself trying to regain something of a positive outlook it would be good for the empire and had brought the opportunity that he had been waiting years for, he looked towards the Blackwater and saw the ship had anchored and the small boat was rowing to the shore. His heart leapt as he saw the familiar figure stand when she caught sight of him. He felt like jumping down from his horse and racing to the water to meet her but despite the growing feeling anticipation he contented himself in getting off his horse carefully and walking to the water where he was just in time to meet the boat.

The woman leapt from the boat, uncaring at her dress getting wet and ran forward, unable to contain himself Tyrion now ran forward too until they met and she fell straight into his arms.

"My love." Tysha said with her warm smile and dark hair waving in the wind. His lips found hers straight away and being able to experience her sweet taste again was heaven to Tyrion. They unfortunately had only a brief moment together like this before they were rudely interrupted.

"Father!" A trio of young voices sounded as their two sons Haldon and Addam collided with them, followed closely by their daughter Teela. The three children all wrapped their arms tightly around their parents and Tyrion could not stop the tears that were flowing down his cheeks, for the first time in nearly four years he actually had his own family around him again. His wife and their children, it was almost like a dream.

-x-

The Red Keep, Kings Landing…

Myrcella Baratheon walked through the gardens of the Red Keep where she had grown up with a sigh of resignation. She had explored every single square inch of these gardens years ago, they held no surprises for her and it bored beyond belief to have to walk around them now, she actually yawned although no one saw it she thought gratefully.

She was only here now rather than at Casterly Rock to help her younger brother ease his way into becoming king, something that filled her with worry as she saw Tommen looking increasingly overwhelmed by the responsibility that had been placed at his feet. Not for the first time she cursed Joffrey's stupidity, not only for the bullying and terror he had inflicted on both her and Tommen growing up but that he managed to get himself killed and put their poor, gentle brother on a throne that he neither wanted nor was prepared for. Myrcella bit her lip as her mind wandered to the possibilities of what the Iron Throne could do to her gentle and loving brother.

However she could not continue this line of thought as her breath was stolen away from her temporally by the sight of a handsome young man walking into the gardens.

He was older than her but only by a few years, he was dressed in Dornish style clothes that left his lightly muscled chest exposed with exotic olive coloured skin. His hair was black as was typical of the people from Dorne and curled, making Myrcella want to wrap it around her finger. The mere idea however brought colour to her cheeks as she dealt with an impulse she had never felt before, handsome young men had crossed her path before and many were wanting to marry her given that she was a princess but this was the first time she had been interested in any man in…that way she blushed.

Wait she suddenly thought as her cheeks darkened even more in embarrassment, she was not interested in him she tried to reassure herself only for her to feel panic as the Dornish man looked around and fixed his gaze on her.

He then started to walk towards her.

She suddenly became very self-conscious about her attire, a beautiful yellow gown of silk but suddenly it felt like a rough sack. She did not understand why she felt like this, never before had a man done this to her and when he came up to stand before her she felt very small and exposed in his gaze.

"Your grace." The young man said in a Dornish accent that made her skin tingle before he gently took her hand and placed a kiss upon her fingers, leaving them feeling like they had been scolded. Manners drilled into her since birth stopped her pulling it back before he let it go. "I am Prince Trystane Martell of Dorne, your brother told me I might find you here. I was hoping we might get to know each other as I understand that my father and your uncles are considering a betrothal between the two of us."

Marriage to this man! Myrcella was about ready to run but not in fear of Trystane, but rather what he was doing to her, never had feelings this strong come upon her and she had no idea how to handle it. Silence stretched out the distance between them and seeing the frown on the Dornish prince's face was enough for Myrcella to recover her faculties so she could at least speak to him.

"I would be honoured Prince Martell." She said with a breathlessness that made her want to slap herself out how much of fool she was behaving like. Trystane smiled at that which made her heart begin to race and he offered her his arm.

"Perhaps we might talk during a stroll around the gardens your grace?" He asked her and with her cheeks still burning Myrcella took his arm and decided as they walked around the gardens that perhaps they were not so boring after all.

The Eyrie, the Vale…

Sansa Stark suddenly bolted upright in bed, sweat pouring down her face her breathing fast and uneven. Her eyes were wild with fear until she realised that she was…safe she thought with some irony. Sansa sat silently on her bed in the room that Baelish had given her, a gilded cage if there ever was one, another nightmare having just woken her from her sleep for the third night in a row. The images again were of the pirates running rampant across the Vale, she had never imagined such things before and wondered briefly why the lords of the Vale would allow this to happen on their own lands. It made a mockery of everything they as lords and knights were supposed to stand for.

Then however she remembered the lessons she had received from Lady Olenna as she walked over to the vanity and picked up a hairbrush before she tried to tame her sleep tousled hair. Fear was a powerful weapon; fear for your family, fear for yourself if the lords were to fight the pirates or the Mountain Clans. That Lord Baelish and his thugs would descend on them, she certainly knew the truth of it herself. She felt Baelish's eyes on her whenever she was within sight of him and it sent a cold chill up her spine. She had not seen her aunt Lysa since she arrived here although she had heard the sounds of Baelish and Lysa rutting like animals in the next room and making twice as much noise. It had really not helped her sleep over of the last few days.

While she absentmindedly brushed her hair she looked out of the window and wondered where Loras was now, she had heard the guards and servants whispering in corners about a combined Lannister and Tyrell army that was marching to the Vale. Some said it was an invasion so the Lions and Roses could claim the Vale for themselves, others thought it liberation from the madness that had befallen them in recent months but no-one would risk Baelish or Lysa's ire by talking about it openly. Sansa allowed a smile to grace her face as she thought hopefully she might be rescued from this madness.

The door slowly opened and Sansa whipped around thinking she would see a servant creeping into her room only to see a young boy looking at her with curiosity. He was only a small boy, maybe only six years old with sickly pale skin with stringy brown hair but his eyes were the same shade of blue as her own, she realised this boy must be her cousin Robert Arryn.

"Hello." Sansa said putting on a smile, while she had never met him before this boy was family and might be a friend here, something she desperately wanted. However Robert Arryn did not respond and only stared before a voice at the door made him smile.

"Sweetrobin, it is time for your breakfast." A woman appeared at the door and while Sansa knew her to be her aunt Lysa who like her cousin she had never met but despite being two years younger than her mother, she looked ten years older than Catelyn. Her face was lined and bags hung heavily under her eyes and the moment she caught sight of Sansa, those blue eyes that were nearly identical to her own narrowed in anger that was nearly manic. It both confused and worried Sansa, she could not understand just what she had done to earn her aunt's anger but the she did not have time to think about it as without even having the decency to go somewhere private Lysa undid the front of her dress and exposed her breast before sitting on Sansa's bed. Robert did not waste any time and much to Sansa's own shock and disgust jumped up onto the bed and fixed his mouth onto Lysa's breast like a babe, not a boy of six.

Sansa could not believe what she was seeing, she knew enough about babes. That they were weaned off the breast as soon as they could manage solid foods but here was her aunt breast-feeding a boy of six! She could only just managed to hide her disgust and feeling of nausea rising up inside her. The whispers of her aunt's madness that she had heard were starting to look worryingly accurate and Sansa wondered just how precarious her situation here was given the hatred Lysa seemed to be glaring at her with. It remained tense as aunt and niece stared at each other before Robert finally finished and followed his mother out of the room so Sansa could at last breathe easy for a moment before she went back to brushing her hair, hoping the mundane task would ease her troubled mind.

-x-

Petyr Baelish while his wife was breast feeding her stunted and stupid child was trying to figure out how to defend the Vale. Duplicity and plots were his normal tactics for getting what he wanted but it seemed that military strategy was what he really needed now. The spies that he still had outside of the Vale had sent word of the army that the fucking Lannisters, Tyrells and Martells had sent against him. Reports suggested that its strength was at least forty thousand strong and even he knew as much as it galled him if they managed to invade the Vale they could probably overwhelm him. It was a bitter irony that the one lord that he knew was expert at military matters, Lord Royce was his principal enemy here. Perhaps he should have looked more into bending the man to his side Baelish thought to himself briefly before thinking 'No it would have been a waste of time'.

He looked at the big map of the Vale in front of him and looked at each point where an invading force could get a foothold, there were not many thankfully but if the Lannisters got even one it could be the end for him. Judging by where the last report had placed the Lannister army, Hartshorn was the most likely place they would try and use to gain entry to the Vale. House Marsten regrettably was not one of the houses he had in his pocket and had sworn neutrality, but he could not risk the chance that they might join his enemy so he had sent for someone to ensure that they bent the knee to him.

However he still wanted to scream in frustration at how his plots seemed to be unravelling around his ears, kidnapping Sansa Stark and poisoning the Martells and the Tyrells had been his only real goals when travelling to Kings Landing. He had wanted to break apart any potential alliance between the Lannisters, Tyrells and the Martells to sow chaos in the south that he might be able to use to his advantage only for bloody Oberyn Martell to catch on to the plot. In the end much to his frustration the plan had backfired with only Mace Tyrell and the useless Leonard Lannister dying at his hands. The alliance he had hoped to break apart now stood stronger than ever and he had accidentally brought their attention to the Vale, now everything he had ever built was in danger. Still he thought to himself, he had the satisfaction of killing Hadrian fucking Lannister's son.

That was enough to put a smile on his face.

A knock at the door only widened that smile as he looked to see Lord Moore along with his younger brother Ser Mandon Moore enter the room.

"Lord Moore, Ser Mandon. Welcome to the Eyrie, I was hoping that you might be able to help me with a problem of mine." Baelish said to the two men offering them a drink which both eagerly took. "It seems that the Lannisters and their dogs are intent on ruining our little dominion here and taking the Vale for themselves. I believe that they will try and use Hartshorn as their entry point and I have reason to doubt the loyalty of House Marsten to House Arryn. I was hoping that House Moore would take over the defence of Hartshorn and hold it until I can enlist more support, House Arryn would not forget such…devotion. The castle and Lady Corrine Marsten's hand would be yours." Petyr said, his gaze lingering on Lord Moore who he had hooked with the mention of Corrine Marsten, the current rather beautiful heir to the castle that was a wealthy and strong holding.

"We would be delighted my lord, our army will march for Hartshorn immediately." Lord Moore said with greed in his eyes. Another wealthy castle to his family's assets would vastly increase their standing in the area. Ser Mandon meanwhile was thanking the gods that he had the sense not to follow the old fool Ser Barristan on a mad quest to Essos to find the surviving Targaryens. Far better to be here and enjoying success than going off on a fool's errand.

Meereen, Essos…

Jon was saddling his dragon, Sunfyre while he carefully scratched the dragon's head which made her tail swing in enjoyment, bringing a smile to Jon's face. He needed the boost as another member of the Second Sons had been murdered last night, Ser Barristan and Sam were investigating and had apparently discovered a lead on who was targeting their men. Before he attended the meeting however he felt it best to clear his head and had decided to take a flight on Sunfyre beforehand.

As he was about to climb onto the saddle he saw Lady Margaery looking across the yard at Sunfyre with great apprehension, she looked carefully over to Jon who shouted to her.

"Come over Lady Margaery, it is quite safe. Sunfyre will not harm you." He tried to reassure her but although she walked towards him, she did so very slowly looking ready to bolt at the last moment if Sunfyre showed any sign of aggression.

Margaery was absolutely terrified of the beast in front of her, as a girl she had heard many great tales of dragons and their riders but to see one up close was enough to bring the darker side of those tales to the forefront of her mind. Chief amongst them being the burning of Harrenhall or the field of fire, the latter of which had led to her own family's ascension to rulers of Highgarden and the Reach. The closer she got to the dragon did not help ease her mind as the nearer she got, the bigger its teeth got, the sharper its claws seemed to be and the creature now appeared to become enormous and made her worry about how much bigger it might eventually become remembering tales of Balerion the Black Dread that supposedly could eat an elephant whole but despite this she kept on walking, determined not to show fear and run.

When she finally reached Jon and the dragon she was shocked at how gentle the creature of destruction seemed as Jon tickled its chin which made the dragon preen like a cat or a dog, that surprised her and with a look to Jon who nodded she reached out her hand and slowly began to pat its green scales. The sudden shaking of its head nearly made her jump and run but despite her heart beating louder than a drum she held her ground and was wide-eyed with astonishment as the dragon nuzzled into her hand. Feeling bolder she began to pet the dragon more which preened under the attention.

"Sunfyre likes you." Jon said as he smiled at Margaery, knowing as much from the bond he shared with his dragon. Not entirely conscious but he could generally feel whatever emotion Sunfyre felt wherever she was. An idea suddenly popped into his head and he grinned at Margaery.

"Would you like to take a flight on Sunfyre?" He asked and Margaery instantly stopped petting the aforementioned dragon which Sunfyre did not enjoy at all and Margaery stared wide eyed at Jon.

"Is that possible?" She asked him, her fear beginning to return at the thought of being up in the air with nothing more than a saddle and the beast below her to keep her from falling to her death but she could not deny there was a…certain pull to the idea. She had once dreamt as a child of being up amongst the clouds with the birds as they flew across its great vastness, completely free from the constrictions that he been placed on her since she had been born. The expectations, her family's ambition…all of the baggage that came with being highborn. But it was still a terrifying concept to actually fly on the back of a dragon.

"If you ride with me, do you want too?" Jon asked her hoping she would agree. It was a marvellous experience and if she was to be his queen, then she was going to have to get used to dealing with dragons. He rode a dragon and if they ever had any children then they would hopefully ride dragons too.

Margaery bit her lip, curiosity and knowing it would endear her to him began to urge her to accept and slowly she nodded. Jon smiled and got onto the saddle, extending his hand to her. She hesitated for a moment before she slowly took his hand and he pulled her up. She slid onto the saddle behind him and her nerves tightened but despite all her attempts to stay calm she screamed when the dragon flapped its wings and took to the sky, her arms wrapping themselves tightly around Jon's waist.

She shut her eyes, afraid of what she might see as the air moved cold against her skin. Her grip on Jon remained tight and she prayed to whatever gods that might be listening that she would not fall to the ground. She could feel the dragon's movements through the saddle beneath her and it was to her surprise not too rough, more like you were sitting on an especially smooth horse during a ride. She now felt her fear retreating enough to open her eyes slowly and what greeted her took her breath away.

It was beautiful.

Below them she could see the buildings of Meereen that had seemed so tall on the ground now reduced to the size of toys. Beyond that she cast her eyes to the great mountains in the distance and what had once been so tall and impressive now looked no more than simple hills you could walk over in a minute. The feeling was incredible as the wind grabbed at her hair, causing it to flow behind her in the wind. The elaborate hairdo that her maid had spent time perfecting was now undone but she did not care at all and a laugh escape her lips which only Jon could hear as the wind rushed past them, causing him to smile too.

A sudden turn made her grasp tighter to Jon and she blushed when she felt the muscles through the shirt he was wearing. Clearly she thought to herself, those hours spent in the exercise yard and sparring with his Kingsguard had been worth it. She had seen men that were both fat and those that were muscles like her father and her brothers but Jon was different, her mind was already conjuring up images of him naked which darkened her cheeks more than ever but what did surprise her was how comfortable he was. His body was keeping her warm despite her thin dress but not in any way that was unpleasant. He was a tall pillar of strength that she very much enjoyed having her arms around.

Tragically it had to end and soon they were forced to land but even as Jon slid off the saddle and then helped her down she was buzzing from the incredible experience she had just shared with him.

"That was…truly amazing your grace. Quite awe-inspiring." Margaery said with a large smile on her face, grinning from ear to ear. Jon smiled too although not as widely as her and was caught off guard when just a split second later she pressed her lips against his. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders and her slender body was pulled tight against him. Jon was caught off guard but responded as the feeling of her soft body against his excited him into an instinctive reaction as his arms wrapped around her thin waist, pulling her even closer.

Her mouth opened slowly to his and the sweetness of her taste tantalised his senses as did his to her. He felt his manhood growing hard despite all his will which was fast eroding as he lost all sense of who he was and Margaery lost all propriety as she shamelessly ground herself against him. Had the two of them remained undisturbed, Jon would have taken Margaery right there and then but Sunfyre chose that exact moment to flap his wind, knocking them both the ground with an almighty gust.

Now in the dust both of them were brought back to their senses and looked at each other and suddenly realised what they had just been doing. Jon having virtually no experience with women blushed and stammered an apology.

"Lady Margaery…I must apologize…that was totally inappropriate of me." Jon stammered before Margaery put a finger to his mouth and told him with a saucy smile.

"I enjoyed that immensely Jon, I will not let you take it back and it makes me await the day we wed more eagerly than ever." Margaery told him in a husky voice from lips that were still coloured from their kiss moments before. She got to her feet and gave him one last look with a smirk that lit a fire inside him before walking off to her rooms where she could restore her appearance somewhat and Jon watched her go, noticing the extra sway in her hips and thinking to himself with a pleasurable groan that he was doomed.

-x-

Daenerys cried out and threw her head back as she reached her climax, Daario below her groaned in pleasure as he let himself go as the Dragon princess rode him to orgasm. He had never imagined that he would get to have a princess and one that was so…sensual. She had not been a virgin when they had fucked the first time and she certainly did not act like one, that had surprised him but he could not deny his enjoyment of being in her bed.

Daenerys with a delicious ache between her thighs slowly got off of him and to her feet with Daario's eyes on her perfect ass all the way. She slipped a robe on and got herself a cup of water while she smiled at him.

"I will be right back." She said walking out of the room into the next while Daario lay back and sighed in contentment. She was far better than any of the whores he had enjoyed before, he could not get enough of her she was like a drug that had ensnared him into addiction. Hearing a knock at the door, without modesty he got to his feet and pulled it open and saw Ser Jorah Mormont on the other side. To give the Northerner his due the knight did not act shocked and told him coolly.

"The princess and you are expected at a meeting with the King and his council later today. It would be best to go now." Ser Jorah said with his gaze guarded, but behind his cold eyes was a seething anger that wanted to reach out and strangle the pompous and preening sellsword that was fooling around with his princess. Daario undoubtedly knew that and taunted him with a smile that only made Jorah's anger stronger. The smug sellsword then said to him with lay confidence.

"We might attend or we might not. We have our own…business to deal with." Daario said as he leaned against the doorframe. Jorah now allowed his feelings to appear on his face as he told Daario.

"You are not worthy of her." Jorah said with his expression dark and stormy which only made Daario smile wider.

"See you later." Daario mocked as he closed the door and went back to enjoy some more hours with his dragon princess. Perhaps he would fuck her up against the wall this time he thought with anticipation while Jorah remained outside fuming.

-x-

Later after Jon had regained his composure and dusted off his clothes he met with his men in a chamber of the Great Pyramid to discuss what they had learned.

"This was left at the scene, I think the killer was disturbed and dropped it in the rush to escape." Ser Barristan said as he placed a golden mask baring the appearance of a harpy. The importance of the symbol was immediately recognised by all.

"A Harpy, the slavers. Some must have survived." Jon said with annoyance. All the effort into freeing the area of slavery was now undermined by a group of slavers hiding amongst their people and striking them like cowards in the night. Turning to his counsellors he asked. "Is there any additional information?"

"They are being apparently led by someone known as the 'the harpy' however we do not know for certain if such a person exists." Ser Lothur Brune said having learnt that much but Jon suddenly remembered his encounter with the Volantis slaver some time ago and remembering his lessons from his grandmother Rhaella he realised something.

"Volantis, this is how they seek to re-establish slavery here. Using citizens of our own cities to do their dirty work." Jon said bitterly, one thing he had learned on this campaign was that at heart most slavers were cowards and would not risk their own necks when someone else's would do. This was exactly how people like former Masters would act, Rhaella had told him that it was sometimes better to work through an intermediary rather than doing it yourself as a sign of trust so why would the slavers not work through someone else to keep their own necks safe.

Ser Clayton Archay then spoke up which was unusual for the man with a possible solution to this situation.

"Your grace before I became involved in the efforts to restore your family to the Iron Throne I ran a similar group to these Harpies. Harassing men loyal to the Usurper in ambushes in much the same manner, I know how these groups operate and if given some time I might be able to capture a member of these insurgents. Perhaps even the leader if they are not so well organised." He suggested and the men looked to him in surprise but Jon nodded and told him.

"Act with caution Ser Clayton, I would not hand the Harpies someone as critical to my council as you but proceed immediately. I want these slaver cowards pulled into the light." Jon said with his temper mounting and turned to Samwell who looked at him nervously before Jon asked. "Do we still have any of that truth serum sent to us by Lord Lannister?"

Samwell nodded and Jon feeling better said. "Good we will need it, get us a member of their group and hopefully we should be able to bring this entire group down low."

Casterly Rock, the Westerlands…

Tyler and Richard were sparring in the practice yard of the castle where they had been born and raised. Both young men were on the cusp of manhood but felt like they were years younger, Tyler especially given the responsibility that had been placed upon his shoulders by their father.

It showed too as Tyler over extended himself and the brief lapse allowed Richard to hit his twin brother's arm hard enough to force him to drop his sword. Tyler howled in anger and went to grab his training sword only for Richard to put his foot on the wooden sword and stop him.

"Brother you are lacking your focus. You need to get a hold of yourself." Richard told his twin firmly feeling concerned at how his brother was dealing with their father's absence.

"Then I will try harder, Richard. I have to be better." Tyler said angrily but none of it was directed at his brother, it was only intended for himself.

"Brother it is alright, no-one becomes capable overnight. I have not and you cannot, we can only learn our lessons as they come." Richard said worried that his brother expected too much of himself. Deaths in their family tormented Tyler the most, making him determined to prevent it happening again and the fact their brother had been murdered had only intensified that worry. Now their father had gone off to war it seems he was set on protecting their family even at the cost of his own life. Something that worried Richard deeply but at this moment his brother needed him to be the voice of reason.

"But I have too, now that father has gone it is up to me to defend our family." Tyler said feeling overwhelming as the weight of everything started to crack his attempted mask. Richard smiled at his twin and told him.

"Did father tell you that he was giving me Castamere?" Richard's smile only grew as Tyler shook his head in wonder and continued to speak. "It means brother than no matter what happened I will be at your side, as a brother and as one of your bannermen."

The two brothers stayed quiet for a moment before Tyler managed a weak smile, feeling more positive about the future given that he would be able to count on his brother for support. He retrieved his sword and assumed the ready position opposite Richard who did the same.

"As brothers we stand." Tyler said with a small smile as he made to strike.

"Against the world for our family." Richard said with an identical smile on his own face as the two continued to spar.

-x-

Arya Stark meanwhile was doing something that she normally would find incredibly boring and refuse to do under pain of death.

Reading.

She was surrounded by the massive collection of books and scrolls gathered by the Lannister family over the centuries. Many of them she was sure would fascinate a scholar for years especially the Valyrian lore that had been taken from Myr but she yawned as she tried to take in all the information in the books Lady Genna had insisted she read. Given her future position as Lady of Casterly Rock, Genna had said she should learn the histories of the various houses in the Westerlands and their interactions with each other over the centuries so she might better understand the people that would one day be her vassals. Normally she would have just ignored her and gone to practice her swordsmanship but Genna had banned anyone from sparring with her until she passed a test that Genna had set regarding the history of the Westerlands even Needle had been locked away until she did as she was told which irritated Arya no end. So she had to learn if she ever wanted to pick up a sword again.

Arya as she turned yet another page in what seemed an endless book was really starting to wonder if she wanted to rule at all given the amount of work that came with such responsibility, no wonder her own father had been growing grey before his time she thought to herself and wondered how she was going to get all of this information into her head before it exploded. She groaned and put her head in her hands, wanting to throw the book out of the window as a headache started to form but knew it would not help.

"Is anything wrong?" A small voice asked her suddenly making Arya jump out of her seat as if anticipating an attack only to be embarrassed to see a girl about her own age looking at her with curiosity. The girl only made Arya feel subconscious of her own looks as the newcomer was a Valyrian beauty or would be in a few years. Perfect skin and silky silver hair made Arya feel insecure about her our pale Northern skin that was nearly white and shorter brown hair (recently cut to stop at her chin) that felt stringy compared to the silver waterfall of the other girl.

"No, I was just…studying for Lady Genna." Arya said feeling a bit suspicious of this girl, her keen senses now picked up a man standing not too far away keeping a close eye on them. He had grey hair and many lines on his face indicating a hard life but his gaze were sharp. Arya wishing she had the comfort of her sword although she was reassured slightly by the feeling of the dagger given to her by Tyler which was strapped to her thigh dared to ask. "Who are you?"

The girl smiled, not put off at all by Arya's uncertainty and the man at the back smiled slightly himself as the girl he had sworn to protect tried to make her first female friend.

"I am Shireen Baratheon, you must be Lady Arya Stark of Winterfell. I have heard of the legends about your family and it is brilliant to meet you." Shireen said her smile now beaming at Arya who was slightly taken aback by the girl's enthusiasm as she started to spout off the names and events of her house's long history, most of which Arya knew by heart. She wanted to state that she was not a lady however the words seemed childish to her now since she knew that ladies could be far more than just baby makers or seamstresses and in any case Shireen's constant babbling made it impossible for her to get a word in. Finally when Shireen stopped to take a breath Arya managed to speak.

"Greetings Lady Baratheon. I had heard that you had come to stay here but I did not think to meet you yet." Arya said marvelling at the work of Lord Lannister first hand, she had heard of the curing of Shireen's greyscale but it was remarkable to see it up close. The aforementioned girl just kept smiling and said.

"Shireen please, I am to marry Richard Lannister just as you are to marry Tyler Lannister. Our husbands to be are brothers so one day we will be good-sisters." Shireen said with a beaming smile which was leaving Arya at more of a loss at how to talk to such a person. Shireen then caught the look of amusement on Ser Davos' face and realised that she was coming on too strongly and took a breath before she introduced her sworn shield. "This is Ser Davos Seaworth." She said indicating the knight in the corner who gave bow.

"Lady Stark. It is pleasure to meet you, I have great respect for your lord father." Ser Davos told the young wolf girl who wanted to say again that she was not a lady but Lady Genna had taught her that there were many different types of lady, she could be whatever kind she wanted so instead so slightly bowed her head while smiling with pride at his respect for her father although she knew he could just be lying however much she hoped he was not.

"Ser Seaworth, I hope not to appear rude but I would ask for some privacy. I need to learn the history of the Westerlands for Lady Genna if I want my sword back so please." Arya said with some frustration creeping into her voice but then as Ser Davos was about to make his apologies and leave Arya to her studies but Shireen only brightened up and told Arya eagerly.

"I can help, I learnt the history of the Westerlands from the books Ser Davos brought me when I lived on Dragonstone." Shireen eagerly told Arya hoping desperately that the girl might be her friend, something she had never had before.

Arya knowing she needed help but still unsure of the girl nodded slowly.

-x-

While Arya found herself being tutored whether she liked it or not from Shireen Baratheon, Cassia Lannister was taking a walk around the gardens of Casterly Rock with her lion, Visenya at her side. Looking at the lion nervously was her new betrothed Edric Dayne. She almost pitied the boy as his well-meant but laughable attempts to woo her continued in earnest, he had actually gone out and brought her a cart full of flowers from Lannisport and then he had challenged the knights of her family's household to duels to prove his ability with a sword, only ending up with many bruises for his trouble. She struggled not to laugh feeling a little bad for the boy that had obviously no idea of how to court girls. Goodness only knows what he would come up with next Cassia thought to herself with a slight laugh that had the poor boy blushing as her sweet voice carried over to him.

"Lady Cassia, I hope that you might take this as a token of my esteem." Edric said as he came up to her and in his hands was a rather marvellous looking necklace of gold with rubies and it took a great deal of Cassia's willpower not to sigh. She liked jewellery as much as the next girl but this was getting ridiculous, whoever was advising him on how to court her clearly had rather materialistic idea of what a woman wanted. She suspected Lord Beric Dondarrion was the one behind Edric's attempts at woo her and while she would accept the gift with good grace, it was time she resolved with annoyance that she put Edric Dayne straight.

"Thank you Ser Dayne. I will treasure it but I feel you must know something about me if we are going to continue our courtship." Cassia said with annoyance which caused poor Edric to look startled and she put a gentle hand on his chin causing the boy to blush but she smiled gently.

"I like men that are comfortable in their own skin. Men who know their own strength and worth and do not feel the need to employ over the top displays of masculinity to prove their worth or expensive materialistic gifts. You are Ser Edric Dayne, heir to Starfall and House Dayne one of the most storied families in all of Westeros. Be confident, sure of yourself and you will have better luck with me." She said and then decided to go and see Joanna who was spending time with their grandfather and Clarice leaving a slightly confused but smitten young man behind her.

-x-

Riverspring, the Westerlands…

Sabine Lannister rode through the streets of the second greatest port in Westerlands and was greeted with the sight of people bustling around the streets and shops, just going about their daily lives. Sabine smiled, enjoying the bustle and life that was all around her while her cousin Visenya Hill and the guards that had accompanied them on this visit kept an eye out for trouble but none found them so they continued their ride.

Arriving at the castle where the banners of House Daniels hung proudly from the walls and flew high from the towers, the guards having been told to expect them allowed the entry without issue and there to greet them was Lord Daniels and his family. The proud and wise looking lord of Riverspring smiled and knelt to her.

"Lady Lannister, welcome to Riverspring. For the duration of your stay my home is yours." Lord Daniels told her and Sabine smiled.

"I thank you on behalf of my family Lord Daniels. Your house's loyalty has always been and remains greatly appreciated." Sabine told him and her eyes shifted over to Lord Daniels heir, Ser Raphael. Her father's oldest friend and confidant, a surrogate uncle to both her and her siblings in most respects. It was strange seeing him without her father alongside him and only served to heighten her fears for her sole remaining parent that had gone to wage war on the Vale for the death of her older brother. Looking at the strong form of Ser Raphael it made her worry for what might happen to her father when his best friend was not there to watch his back.

"Ser Raphael. It is good to see you again." Sabine said with a slight bow in respect. The knight smiled and replied with warmth.

"I must say it is a mutual feeling Lady Lannister, please give my best regards to your brothers and inform them that I am at their command should they have need of me." Raphael said and a boy older than her by a scant few years came forward wanting to speak to her but held back at the last moment. Ser Raphael smiled at the boy and pushed him forward gently before he introduced him. "My eldest son Harrold, he was most eager to meet you."

So Sabine thought to herself this was the boy that would one day be the lord of Riverspring and more importantly her husband. He was clearly his father's son though she noted; having the same dark blond hair that was worn to his shoulders unlike his father who kept it short along with the same dark blue eyes. The father and son also had a similar muscular build and once the boy hit puberty he would surely shoot up to tower over most men.

"It is a pleasure to meet you my lady." Harrold managed to say but was put off by the frown on his grandfather's face, but he could not help but feel intimidated at the vision of beauty in front of him. She was a golden goddess with gold for hair and emeralds for eyes fitted onto a perfectly crafted piece of marble, Sabine Lannister was already a beautiful girl and would not doubt become an even more stunning woman as she grew. He was struck dumb by her beauty but her gaze pinned him like a bug against the wall, it was a sharp as any blade and full of a burning will that was strong enough to hold him in place.

Sabine was disappointed that the boy was so easily cowed but then saw the scroll in Harrold's hand and asked gently.

"What is that?"

Harrold blushed at her soft and musical voice but he managed to speak with an encouraging look from his mother Lady Jessica.

"It is a story that I have been working on to document the adventures your father and mine have experienced throughout their lives so far my lady." Harrold told her hoping it did not make her think any less of him that he was a great reader and more a scholar than a warrior like his father but Sabine's eyes brightened and she told him.

"I will look forward to reading it, I love stories." Sabine said and Harrold felt elated that at last he might have something that he could show her which might not embarrass him. He loved not only reading stories but writing them and would hopefully find something that could entertain her.

Raphael and Jessica caught each other's eye and smiled knowing full well their son was smitten and at least Lady Cassia had an interest in something that was so important to their eldest son.

Hartshorn, the border between the Riverlands and the Vale…

The modest looking castle of House Marsten looked insignificant when compared to the towering mountains behind it but the mountain passes that it controlled where one of the few places that someone could use to gain access to the Vale in large numbers. So for this reason, Hadrian army had camped not far from the castle's walls.

As Hadrian looked through his telescope and saw that the full garrison was on the walls which did not surprise him. An army of forty thousand men was hardly something that could be easily hidden and had no doubt been seen days ago and reported to Lady Marsten, Hadrian just hoped that she would not resist him or his army's passage.

If she did Hadrian thought darkly he would blast her castle into oblivion, even if it was rather wasteful.

A rider had been dispatched to the castle carrying words of truce, he would much prefer to talk with the proud and strong lady of Hartshorn than destroy her as she had not yet she had taken a side in the conflict going on within the Vale. Having her castle on his side would give them a supply line from which he could supply his army and add its own small fighting force of roughly three thousand men to his own forces. Not much but a welcome addition all the same. So now all he could do was wait for the lady's response before he made his next move. Many of the men were waiting with baited breath in their camp, wondering if they would soon be storming the castle and many kept their armour and weapons close at hand should the order be given.

In the command tent, the leaders of the army were standing or sitting while they waited for a response, Jon Connington and Loras Tyrell were pacing around the tent while Oberyn sat in the corner sipping is wine. Hadrian stood at the edge and stared at the table where the maps had been placed and planned their next move after the Marstens had been dealt with. There were a number of keeps along the route to Eagle's Nest where Shaena Targaryen was situated, which itself was on the path to the Eyrie. Hedwig who was now resting on top of Raga's head in the opposite corner had just brought her reply saying that both she and Lord Royce would meet him and his army at Eagle's Nest. The tense atmosphere in the tent made it hard for anyone even Oberyn to speak as they waited for Lady Marsten's reply. They had given her till sundown to respond or they would take the castle by force so hopefully they would not have a long wait.

Hadrian turned to look again to look out of the entrance and with his telescope he saw a small party of men wearing the colours of House Marsten setting up a table in between the castle and their camp with two chairs. He smiled bitterly as he witnessed Lady Marsten arrive at the table and take one of the two chairs and told his fellows inside the tent.

"Gentlemen, it seems our wait is over." Hadrian said with a mocking drawl as he saw a rider approach their camp, no doubt with a message telling them that Lady Marsten wished to treat. The three other men turned to face him and finally the tension broke enough for one of them to speak.

"About time." Ser Jon Connington said with annoyance in his eyes and gripping his goblet so tightly it had cracked under the pressure of his hand. Hadrian's eyes narrowed when he looked at the ex-lord of Griffin's Roost, they had never really gotten on even when Rhaegar had been alive. Only their friendship or in Jon's case love for the Silver Prince had kept the peace but since his death their relationship had been to say the least…difficult. Technically they were allies in the Targaryen restoration that they were both working towards but Hadrian would not turn his back on Jon, nor would Jon turn his back on him. An angry energy often sizzled between them and Hadrian was glad they never met alone…if they did one of them he was sure would have ended up dead.

-x-

The midday sun was high over the table as Hadrian walked out to the meeting point between his army and Hartshorn, accompanied by Sandor Clegane and a small party of guards. All were weary of a trap and Hadrian turned to Sandor and spoke.

"Any sign of trouble, I trust you know what to do." Hadrian said darkly to Sandor who nodded, the weight of Nightfall at his side a comforting feeling. If any of the fuckers decided to betray them, he would cut them down and enjoy doing it, Sandor thought to himself.

Arriving at the table the knights of House Marsten looked at the Lannister men with suspicion but Lady Marsten hid her feelings far better. Hadrian saw the intelligence in her eyes and he remembered her reputation as a strong minded person who despite her husband's death had ruled these lands as a lord would and had raised her daughter to succeed her all alone. He could respect that kind of strength but that would only go so far in the talks to come.

"Lord Lannister." Lady Marsten said with a slight nod without rising from her chair, he returned the favour before addressing her in the same cold formal tone.

"Lady Marsten, shall we get down to business?" Hadrian said before slipping into his own chair and she nodded so he came straight to the point. "I want passage through your lands to the Vale."

"Doing so would firmly involve me and my house in the current situation that I have done my very best to avoid becoming entangled with Lord Lannister. It also could bring me into possible conflict with House Tully given that Lysa Arryn is of that house, why should I allow your army passage and risk bringing down the wrath of House Arryn and House Tully on my castle?" Lady Marsten asked looking resolute in her desire to stay out of the current conflict within the Vale. Hadrian's eyes narrowed at her arrogance, she actually thought that she could actually treat him and his army like an errant boy he thought with slight amusement and decided to simply get to the heart of the matter.

"Lady Marsten. Do you love your daughter?" Hadrian asked her, his eyes like stone and her own cool expression instantly changed.

"Excuse me?" She asked looking angry before Hadrian took control of the conversation.

"Think of how much you love her. How you nursed her at your breast and read her stories at her bedside. How you would destroy any possible threat to her and do anything in your power to keep her safe and happy." Hadrian told Lady Marsten who tried her best to stay cool but the fear had crept into her eyes as his words impacted her like a battering ram. "I loved my son Leonard, I read him stories at night too and I encouraged his artistic talent to make him bloom as a man. Now image all that love turned to pain as he was ripped from my life, died in my arms from the poison of a man that rightfully should never have risen from the sewer like the rest of the vermin that belong there. Imagine what you might do to destroy that person, take everything that they valued from them just so you could sleep at night and finally what you would do to achieve this. I bare you and your daughter no ill will but I will not allow anyone or anything to interfere in my mission. So the question you have to ask yourself after you have carefully considered what I have just said is, do you want to stand in my way or be at my side? The choice is yours." Hadrian said his expression and voice never changing during the entire speech, as cold and unmovable as mountains in the distance. All the men present even Sandor felt a chill down their spines and the knights of House Marsten looked ready to draw their swords at his perceived threat but Lady Marsten put her hand up to stop them, bring Hadrian's attention back to her.

Lady Marsten managed to keep her expression calm but even without his magic he could see the fear in her eyes as she reconsidered her position. There was a pause for only a few short moments before her will broke and she bowed her head in defeat.

"Hartshorn is yours…Lord Lannister."

"Good now I think it is best we prepare before whoever it is Baelish sends arrives." Hadrian said knowing Baelish was going to send men to assume control of the castle before too long and he was going to make use of them. Even an enemy can be useful and he was going to make a statement about what he was prepared to do to destroy Baelish.

Later while work was underway for the eventually arrival of the enemy, Hadrian returned to his tent and got out the wood and craving tools he had brought with him. He began to plane the wood into a box that could easily hold a man while engraving symbols into the wood as ideas came into his mind and treated it with potions to prevent rotting and harden its exterior. He made a note to order chains and manacles to be brought to him from the castle blacksmith, he would need them soon as he continued to work.

-x-

Night had fallen when the soldiers of House Moore arrived at Hartshorn, they would have been there earlier that day if they had not had to travel around the lands of houses that had not knelt to House Arryn. When finally they came into sight of the castle it was dark and with no moon as it was obscured by clouds, only the lamps of the castle walls and their own torches lit their way. Ser Manton and his brother Lord Moore were relieved to finally get here and gain possession of the castle for themselves, greed made them hurry forward and Ser Manton called out to his men.

"Forward, there are women to be had and drink to be drunk in that castle." That rallied the men who answered with a cheer and they started moving forward a lot faster. He smiled at getting his cock inside Corinne Marsten tonight when suddenly the first bolt of thunder raced across the sky allowing him to see the slopes of the pass around them for the first time.

All over the slopes of the mountains around them were men in red, gold, orange and green in full plate with either swords, axes, pikes or bows drawn.

The sound of thunder just a split second later was like a clang in his mind as the reality of the situation sunk in. He caught the eye of his brother and several of the men around them, the same terror in their eyes as in his. Ser Manton Moore screamed out as second bolt of thunder allowed him to see the men on the mountain slopes again.

"Lannisters you shits!"

The bolts of thunder illuminating the enemy below was all the archers needed to spot their targets as they let their arrows fly. The screams of the men below as archers from the mountain slopes and the walls of the castles started to blanket them with arrow fire that filled the night's cold air. All order in the Moore soldiers ranks dissolved like smoke in the wind as they started running blindly trying to find their way out of the gauntlet of death they had unknowingly wandered into, but there was no escape. After three volleys of arrow fire had destroyed the organisation in the Moore's ranks, the men had put down their bows and charged downhill cutting off any avenue of retreat and forming close battle lines as they moved forward towards the trapped enemy.

Torches and occasional thunder lit the field as the Lannister, Tyrell and Martell soldiers went to work and their orders were simple.

No prisoners…no survivors. All the men of House Moore had to die.

The men who had never fought before were sick to their stomachs as the slaughter began, many would be throwing up later that night or have nightmares for weeks after. But their swords kept swing and blood was being splattered all over the field.

Loras Tyrell had never felt more terrified in his entire life, the screams of the men around him and the blood that was slick on the ground or being splattered all across his former clean armour was like part of a living nightmare. In every story he had ever heard, all those tales of glory and the excitement that could be found on the battlefield must have been told by men that had never actually fought in a real battle. The sounds and smells were echoing in his head like a bad dream that would never end, the cries of horses in pain and their faeces as they defecated was hell on earth. There was a thrill he had to admit though, the stories had gotten that part right, the blood that was rushing hot through his veins making his heart race as the realisation set in that every move he made might be his last. A sword narrowly missed splitting his head from his shoulders only served to make his body buzz more fiercely and he ensured that he repaid the favour, only his blade did not miss and cut the offending man's head clean off.

Loras roared like a madman as he came into sight of Lord Moore, whose brother he had faced many times before at tourneys and with a ferocity he had not known he possessed, Loras attacked swinging Rosethorn hard against Moore's regular steel. The clang was near deafening as the two men duelled, putting all their strength and speed into their fight. Loras had the edge in youth and skill so he started gaining ground against the older and less skilled lord who tried to break through Loras' defences with brute strength only to pay dearly for it when Loras' side stepped and plunged his sword through his gut.

Not far away Ser Jon Connington was like a raging bear on the battlefield, his face a terrible picture of rage as he cut down men without restraint, blood staining his armour and his face. Sandor Clegane was not much better, towering over the other men around him, cleaving some in two with his great sword Nightfall.

Oberyn was dancing around men with his deadly poison tipped spear swirling around him, giving the smallest of cuts or vicious thrusts as its blade connected with men, Oberyn an experienced fighter was in his element as he cut down men left and right. However unlike Loras of Jon he was fully in control of himself.

Whether or not Hadrian could say the same was no certain, Crimson Night sang as it moved through enemies at Hadrian's hand. His face was a picture of fury as his enemies felt his roar, in battle his instincts and training worked in a perfect union that overwhelmed men that dared to try and kill the Lion of Casterly Rock. Hadrian was a terrifying figure as he made his way across the battlefield, his lion shaped helm and dark red armour making him seem more monster than man, scaring many into trying to flee only to find to their horror that there was no escape. Raga roared at his side as he pounced on anyone that dared come close to his master and would either bite their heads clean off or cut them down with a single strike of his mighty claws.

Hadrian himself was not feeling anything except his rage, finally able to unleash his full fury without having to hold back. He roared like a lion as he moved towards Ser Manton Moore, focusing on him as the target of his rage. The man in question was cutting down a knight of the Westerlands when Hadrian finally reached him and barely avoid a determined strike from Hadrian who despite being tired from the long march and the fight so far did not let up in his attack pressing home hard.

Manton was struggling to hold him off, Hadrian thought with a bitter smile inside of his helm. The knight had been one of the skilled knights from Robert's Kingsguard but his ability with a sword seemed to abandon him as Hadrian struck harder and sped up his pacing. Finally seeing an opening Hadrian cleaved clean through Manton's sword arm leaving the man stunned and defenceless as Hadrian finished Manton by decapitating him. The bloodlust thrummed through his body as he did not even hesitate before moving on to his next target.

-x-

The following morning was a horrific sight as the sun rose to reveal all of what had taken place the previous night, corpses littered the valley and the ground was slick with blood as men threw the bodies onto massive pyres rather than burying them in mass graves. Scavengers already were stripping the bodies of the dead for anything of value but Hadrian just went back his tent for a brief nap before waking again hardly at all feeling tired and went to plan their next move. Outside the tent he discovered Loras Tyrell…puking into a bucket.

Hadrian nearly smiled as he realised how green the boy was and how this was his first real taste of battle but kept his face grim as he thought about how many more would have to die before they were done here. The boy would have to grow up fast and so he should not coddle him.

"There is to be a planning meeting in ten minutes Loras Tyrell, I will expect you to be there." Hadrian said with a cold voice that would have made his father proud and sent a chill through Loras who tried to stand up straight only to feel his stomach heaving again. He vomited again into his bucket and after wiping his mouth with his sleeve and vowing to find some wine or water to try and wash away the foul taste in his mouth he got to his feet and nodded slowly as the sharp emerald eyes surveyed him.

"Of course Lord Lannister, forgive me…I have never." Loras started to say but Hadrian cut him off, a knowing glint in his eye.

"Fought in a real battle before, I guessed." Hadrian said knowing the pain the boy was going through all too well and decided to tell him something that had once helped him. "My first taste of real battle was when I was fighting bandits and rogues at the edges of the Westerlands. Real battle is nothing like the training yard or a tourney as you no doubt learned last night. My father ordered them all killed, or maimed in such a way that they would never again be a threat to our lands. Many a man lost a limb in exchange for their lives in those days." Hadrian said remembering that time all too well, he had been a newly minted knight back then and although he had the battle experience of his previous life to draw on it had been far bloodier doing it with swords and spears. Unnerving to say the least.

Loras went green in the face at the story, things were not done like that in Highgarden. It was either death or the Wall, much like in many other places in Westeros but now he saw why law and order was so secure in the Westerlands, the cost of being caught was too high.

"My uncle Tygett told me that if I ever got overwhelmed by what I was doing, then I had to remember why I was doing it and who for." Hadrian said and seeing Loras did not fully understand he elaborated. "When fear or guilt comes upon you remember your family, remember your cause. Draw strength from that, use it to push past the fear and the guilt. My sons and daughters are what I fight for, their safety and security. You must find your reason if you ever want to see anything else but the bottom of that bucket." Hadrian said before going into the tent, leaving Loras alone for a moment as he stared blankly at the bucket until he felt something rubbing against his side.

He turned to look and saw Sansa's direwolf Lady rubbing her big fluffy head against his leg in an attempt to comfort him. He was stopped still for a moment as he looked at the larger than normal wolf that was trying to ease his unsettled mind, his hand carefully came to rest on her large head and began to gently pet the wolf. As the wolf preened at the attention Loras became more confident and stroked Lady more firmly, as he did this he realised the wolf was dearly missing her mistress. Some nights she could be heard howling outside the tent which woke and annoyed many men who were trying to sleep but he would not allow them to muzzle the great wolf. Loras smiled and told Lady to reassure her and himself.

"We will get Sansa back, I promise we will."

Lady looked at him with joy when he mentioned her mistress's name and even licked his face. His smile widened as the wolf's tail started wagging in joy and he resumed his petting of her and then he realised something much to his own amazement.

His stomach was not unsettled anymore.

-x-

Elsewhere in the camp Jon Connington was cleaning his sword of the blood it had taken last night, Oberyn nearby was cleaning his spear's blade and staff too. Both men were deep in their own thoughts and the silence in the air was tense. Finally Jon could take it no more and had to say something.

"Hadrian is a problem."

Oberyn looked up immediately and his eyes darkened as he looked wearily at Jon.

"Explain." Oberyn said with suspicion, not liking where this conversation was going.

"He is obsessed with the death of his son, our mission here is to make contact with Princess Shaena Targaryen and bring her to a place of safety. If Hadrian endangers that objective then he must be removed." Jon said darkly and Oberyn's eyes blazed with sudden anger.

"Hadrian Lannister is one of the key figures in the Targaryen Restoration that we have been working towards for nearly two decades! If he dies then we will lose the support of the Lannisters and with all their new weapons they could make the war drag on for years and drown us all in a tide of blood. As for him being obsessed with the death of his son, what father could not be?" Oberyn said hotly the devastated corpse of his nephew Quentyn clearly in his mind at that moment. "If anyone killed a single one of my daughters I would not rest until I had gutted him with my own bare hands. You have had no children so how could you possibly understand? We will never speak of this again understood?" Oberyn said threateningly and Jon reluctantly nodded but inside he was seething.

'No Oberyn' Jon thought to himself as he sheathed his sword, 'I have lost someone. Someone I cared about more than life itself, Rhaegar, my dearest Silver Prince' Jon thought with pain lacing itself through him as it had for so many years.

'Hadrian could have saved him' Jon thought as anger darkened his mind again as it often did these days. 'You abandoned him to Robert Baratheon and then hid behind your father as an excuse' Jon bitterly thought as he made his way to the tent. Only the thought of protecting Rhaegar's legacy had kept him sane after his silver prince's death, but he had realised something not long ago.

Jon Targaryen was not his father, nor were any of House Targaryen's current members.

Revenge was the only thing left to him now, he did not care if he had his seat on the Small Council or if finally the restoration of the rightful rulers of Westeros was at hand. The only thing that got him out of bed in the morning was the thought that he might finally kill the person responsible for the death of the man he had loved with all his soul. He could wait awhile but he would one day take his revenge.

-x-

The Eyrie, the Vale…

Baelish received the raven about what had transpired at Hartshorn at the same time as many other Vale Lords, his hands were white as he gripped the letter so tightly that it began to tear the parchment. Despite this he reread it.

To the Lords of the Vale,

I, Hadrian Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, Lord Paramount of the Westerlands and Warden of the West write to you all so as to make my intentions clear.

I am here to seek justice for my son, Leonard Lannister after he was brutally murdered by the Lord Regent of the Vale, Petyr Baelish. I have no intention of stealing this kingdom for myself but I will not stop, I will not rest until I have brought justice upon the killer of my eldest son. Anyone that attempts to assist Baelish will be destroyed. Their names will disappear, their houses will disappear and their banners will fall never to be risen again. When House Moore tried to prevent my entrance into the Vale I made them an example of my brand of justice and destroyed them utterly. Slaughtered them till no man remained alive and if any more houses of the Vale should seek to stand in my path my roar shall be heard across the mountains as I cast them down low.

Should any doubt my resolve then I should remind them of two important factors, firstly that it was my son that was murdered. Any parent who has a care to read this letter will know what I mean by that and secondly, that the last house that crossed my own was House Greyjoy and all their vassals.

Think upon what happened to them.

I advise you to all consider your positions carefully and avoid crossing my path if you are not going to assist me in ensuring justice is done, or you will become familiar with the Rains of Castamere or the Seas of Red and Gold.

The decision is yours.

It was then signed by the man himself and as much as Baelish tried to shrug it off he felt a cold feeling running down his spine. He had never imagined that the larger Lannister army would get to Hartshorn first, they must have marched hard for that to occur but it mattered little to him now he thought with concern. The Lannisters had breached the Vale and would now march for the Eyrie.

Fear peaked inside him for a moment before he ruthlessly squashed that impulse, he had not allowed fear to guide his decisions since he was a child and he would not start doing so again now. The killing of Leonard Lannister might have been a mistake Petyr considered quietly to himself but there was no use in thinking on things you could not change so he needed to plan what he was going to do now.

He was massively outmatched at present he thought to himself and went to find all the blackmail material he had on the different lords of the Vale from his dresser. He would also call on those who were blindly loyal to House Arryn and call it an invasion of the Vale by those that would seek to rule as well as those that were greedy enough to follow him, yes he thought that should get him enough men to fight with. Also bringing those blasted pirates and sellswords Horus had brought against their enemy along with the vicious Mountain Clans who would do anything for easy gold and steel. All together this would provide him with enough of a force to fight a war against Hadrian.

Yes he thought as he looked a map of the Vale, he could win this.

Despite this, in the back of his mind he could not help but feel he had committed a fatal error.

-x-

Hartshorn, the Vale…

Now accompanied by the men of House Marsten, the coalition army of Lannisters, Tyrells and Martells all marched forward into the pass. They had breached the Vale's border and now were set on making their way straight to its heart.