They both started laughing as they continued to stare at each other with tears in their eyes.
"How did you get away? No one could find you after the Lannisters executed Dad," Sansa asked.
"Syrio saved me. He entertained the knights sent by the Lannisters and escaped through a passageway, then Yoren of the Night's Watch found me and made me disguise myself as a beggar. He called me" Arry the orphan boy."
Despite the situation, both sisters were able to laugh while crying.
"Then I travelled with him and other criminals in the direction of the wall, but many things happened to me, many friends I made died, I was a captive in Harrenhal for a while, but they did not discover who I was ... I managed to escape ... Then the Hound found me ... "
Hearing her sister talk about Sandor Clegane, Sansa suppressed a surprised groan.
"I'm trying to venture Riverrun to our Uncle Edmure's wedding, but…." Arya struggled to contain her sobs, and Sansa started stroking her hair.
"I know what happened there," Sansa said sweetly but also crying.
"He knocked me out and got me out of there, but we split up later ... I heard rumours about what happened in Winterfell and what happened with Bran and Rickon. I didn't know where Jon was, so I decided to come to Braavos."
"Why, Braavos?" Sansa asked, surprised.
"I met a Faceless Man in Harrenhal, and he offered me training if I wanted it one day," Arya said before the stunned look of her sister.
"Arya…" Sansa said without words.
"And what happened to you?" Arya asked quickly, wanting to divert that conversation.
Sansa just put on a pained expression and turned away from her little sister.
"I got my punishment for lying about Joffrey when he attacked your friend, for being mean to you and Jon, for Father ... I was punished for everything," Sansa said, crying.
"Sansa..."
"No Arya, it's true; I told Queen Cersei that father would take us back to Winterfell, so she knew something was wrong ... I'm so sorry, I was so stupid I just wanted to be queen and live in a song ... Do you hate me now?" She said, waiting for the outburst of anger from his sister.
For a few moments, Arya just stared at her without expression or emotions on her face, and Sansa just waited for the inevitable until her sister sighed, shaking her head.
"Yes, you were stupid ... But you didn't know what would happen ... Besides, we only have the two of us," said Arya.
"Oh, sister…" Sansa said, hugging her again.
"And what happened next?"
"Queen Cersei made me write a letter to Robb ordering him to go to King's Landing to pledge allegiance to Joffrey; I begged that little shit, I implored him to spare our father's life, and he promised me that if father confessed, he would take the black ... But he lied ... and had her father executed in front of everyone... Then he made me look at their bloated corpses Father and the others ... He made his Royal Guard tear my clothes in front of the whole court and ordered them to beat me every time Robb got a victory, "Sansa said, crying as a horrified, outraged and furious Arya swore to slowly kill each of them for what they did to her sister.
"Then Joffrey broke our engagement to marry Margaery Tyrell, and I thought I would be free when her family tried to marry me to the heir of Highgarden Willas, but again, I trusted the wrong person, and the Lannisters found out they made me marry Tyrion, "Sansa said before an alarmed Arya.
"He will…" Arya tried to say too horrified to pronounce it, but Sansa shook her head.
"No, Lord Tyrion and Margaery were always good to me; he did not want to consummate the marriage until I was willing ... I'm still a maid," She said shyly.
"Good thing…" Arya said, earning Sansa's laugh.
"Later at Joffrey and Margaery's wedding he died by poison it was horrible, his face turned purple but Queen Cersei blamed Tyrion even though he was innocent." Sansa said with some sadness.
"How do you know? Arya asked curiously.
"Because the person in charge of the plot confessed it to me when he helped me escape ... It was Lord Baelish."
"You mean Fuck Face?" Arya asked, surprised.
"Yes, he conspired with Margaery's grandmother to kill Joffrey so that he wouldn't treat her granddaughter the same way he treated me," Sansa said in a nervous voice.
"What a Cunt", Arya said with a smile, although disappointed that she couldn't kill Joffrey herself.
"But Littlefinger is worse Arya ... he betrayed the Lannisters by conspiring to kill Joffrey despite everything they gave him ... I'm sure he also used our parents to accomplish his goals ... he even used me, he discovered that the Tyrells were planning to marry me off and Littlefinger told the Lannisters, that's why they married me to Tyrion ... He left me locked up in that marriage, "Sansa said crying again.
"But then he helped you flee? That doesn't make sense?" Arya asked, confused.
"I know, but he told me everything was planned, even my escape ... If it weren't for Nienna ..."
"Nienna? Who is Nienna?" Arya asked this time, completely confused.
"She is a ... Well ... A woman I met in my dreams ... And she warned me about Littlefinger and his intentions ... That's why I knew I couldn't trust him," Sansa said, remembering her dream with the Lady of Mercy.
For the next few minutes, Sansa told her sister about her dream of Lady Nienna and how she said to her that Bran and Rickon were still living and that she had asked her to resist and not surrender to death. After that, she told her in detail about the purple wedding, and as Ser Dontos, an old drunken knight that she had saved, smuggled her down the river and took her with Littlefinger only for him to assassinate him. After that, she deduced that Littlefinger had been the one who told the Lannisters about the plot to marry her to Willas Tyrell, and thus the Lannisters married her to Tyrion.
To say that Arya was furious was an oversimplification.
"And how did you get here?" I ask curiously.
"There was a powerful storm, I ended up falling in a boat and was adrift in the sea ... I was there for a week by myself in the sweltering sun and frigid ... I was about to give up," Sansa said, remembering her experience.
"But you didn't do it, Sansa ... You are incredible ... I had never expected that willpower from you," Arya said, really impressed by Sansa's willpower ... Her older sister is much stronger than she believed.
"Thank you, but I would have died if the people on this ship hadn't found me ... They are taking us to the place Lady Nienna spoke of in my dream ... Middle-earth."
"Yes ... What is or where is Middle Earth?" Arya asked.
"I don't know ... But I know Jon is there ... They will take us to him," Sansa said, smiling when she saw the expression of surprise and joy that appeared on Arya's face and at the idea of reuniting with her older brother, both Stark sisters hugged each other while laughing with happiness.
"Are you taking us to Jon?" Arya asked happily as she hadn't been since they had fled Kingslanding.
"Lady Nienna said yes ... And everything she said has come true," Sansa said solemnly.
"But who is she? and who are the ones who run this ship? " Arya asked, staring at her, but Sansa shook her head.
"I don't know who she is; I only know that she named herself as the Lady of Mercy and Sadness or of Pain and Mourning, that this was a duty she had before the world was created and she would continue to have it until the world ends, but those who sail on this ship call her "Valar" or "Avatar," I don't know what those words mean "
"And who are the ones running this ship?" Arya asked.
"They call themselves as" Elves "the woman who was with me is called Darana, she took care of me and cured me, she gave me needles and threads to entertain me, the one who brought you is her brother, the captain of this ship, Nerven" I answer Sansa.
For a few moments, both sisters were silent, trying to accept everything that had happened to them.
"So now, what do we do?" Arya said, sitting on the bed in the room.
"I think we should continue travelling with them until we reach their destination. A place called" The Gray Havens, "if we are lucky, Jon will be there."
What if he is not there? Arya asked, raising one of her eyebrows.
"I don't think we have a choice ... I don't know how to navigate ... and you?" Sansa asked only for Arya to shake her head.
"We'll have to wait then," Sansa said, continuing her weaving as Arya flopped down on the bed, annoyed.
"Arya ..."
"Yes?"
"Before sleeping, you must take a bath ... You stink," Sansa said, amused looking at her sister, putting her head in a pillow.
----------------
During the following days, the elves, especially Darana, explained to the Stark sisters the story about how the world was created, a world called Arda and that was created by Eru Ilúvatar thanks to the Great Music of the Ainur sung by the Valar and Maia to that the event was called Ainulindalë, as was ruined by Melkor a renegade Ainur and the most powerful of them and the primordial origin of evil in the world.
They also told them about the Valar, "The Powers of the World," and gave the girls a brief description of each one, starting with the King of Arda and representative of Ilúvatar in the world as well as the one who called his brother Jon to Earth. Media, Manwë to whom the sky is precious and the birds expensive thus receiving the title of Súlimo (Lord of the Breath of Arda) and then his wife Varda the most beautiful of the Valier, the creator of light-receiving the title of Elentári (Queen of the Stars). In addition, the Ainur and most of the elves live in a place called Aman, better known as the Blessed Kingdom, which is where the ship in which both sisters come from.
Both girls were surprised by the story, but they were even more so when they told them what they knew about the different Ages of the world, the lamps, the Trees, the awakening of the elves, and the imprisonment of Melkor for 9000 years along with the march. Of the elves to the home of the Valar and how they lived there and finally the liberation of Melkor and how he brought discord to the kingdom of the Valar and then caused the darkening of Valinor by killing the Two Trees with the help of Ungoliant, a fallen Maia in the form of a massive and gigantic spider, thus earning the title of Morgoth which meant "Enemy of the Black of the World" being the name by which he was known in Middle-earth because in Aman the repudiation they had him was such that the Valar and the elves only called him as "The Great Enemy" so Darana continued the story with the exile of the Noldor and the slaughter of Alqualondë.
Upon reaching that part, Darana began to cry because she lost relations in that slaughter.
When the elf had calmed down enough, she continued recounting the horrible but just Curse of Mandos, how the sun and moon were created, and what the elves living in Aman knew of the First Age of the Sun in Middle Earth, ending her tale on the arrival of Eärendil in Valinor and him beseeching the Valar to aid Middle-Earth.
Morgoth was defeated in the War of Wrath and banished from the world, but the evil he filled the world with spread everywhere and could not be destroyed, not until the world ended.
Sansa and Arya listened with surprise and asking occasional questions that Darana struggled to answer, and in the end, they did not know whether or not to believe the story, but their host told them to believe what they wanted to believe as they will find out the truth for themselves eventually.
---------------------------------
Finally, after being on the ship for just over a month, Sansa knitted non-stop, and Arya practised with her sword; they were both on the deck and spied a great mass of land in the distance.
"Look, Sansa!" Arya said excitedly, and her older sister put down her knitting to see land.
"Are we there?" Sansa asked, looking at Darana, who was with her.
"Yes. We have accomplished our mission, soon we will arrive in Mithlond, and they can reunite with your brother. He and his companions must be under the care of Lord Cirdan," Darana said with joy.
"Lord Cirdan?" Sansa asked.
"It is the Lord of the Mithlond," Said the elf.
"And will Jon be with him?" Arya asked.
"It is probable."
The ship continued to approach, and little by little, both sisters could see that they were nearing the mouth of the bay and could see a city in the distance.
"They probably already know that we are getting closer," said Darana's brother approaching the girls.
"How can they know?" Arya asked.
"Our people have a better view than yours .. Believe me, girl, they know we are arriving. So they will have already seen our ship," replied the captain irritating Arya for calling her a girl.
.
For almost an hour, Sansa and Arya were anxiously waiting for the city, which was getting more prominent and visible when they saw the silver splendour of the city; both sisters were speechless, all the white buildings of a design that they had never seen and with a mysterious air that comforted them.
They also realized that they had noticed their arrival because many of the inhabitants were congregating on the docks.
"It's quite common since the War of Wrath; they haven't seen a ship come from Aman to Middle Earth; the last one was over three thousand years ago," Darana said, much to the surprise of Sansa and Arya.
"Three Thousand Years?" Sansa asked, surprised.
Both elves only saw the girl with a smile and returned their sight to the city, until finally, a few minutes later, they reached the port, and the ship stopped.
A significant number of elves looked at the ship in amazement and veneration, waiting for news from Aman or messages from the Valar but were surprised when only a small number of elves got off the ship ... and two mortal women.
That caught the attention of all the Gray Havens' elves since the ship undoubtedly came from Aman, so why were two women of the race of men in their company? Cirdan, as Lord of the Grey Havens, was obliged to greet his Western kin.
"Suliad," Cirdan and the captain of the ship said to each other. While Sansa and Arya were confused by the strange greeting.
"Welcome, brothers from the West ... Thousands of years have passed since a ship from Aman made its way to Middle Earth, an event I had not expected to see again since the world changed," Cirdan said in a solemn voice.
"Thank you very much, Lord Cirdan; it is an honour for us to gaze upon the last refuge of our people in Middle-Earth."
Sansa and Arya remained silent, watching the talking elf, who was, according to Darana and her brother the Lord of the Gray Havens, was beautiful in appearances like all the elves they had seen and was clearly a high-ranking nobleman judging by clothes and his bearing. Still, there was something in his expression this individual Cirdan, he was much older than he looked of that the Stark sisters had no doubts.
But unbeknownst to them, besides the elves in the crowd, three ladies of Westeros watched everything in silence, Queen Rhaella, Shiera Seastar, and Ashara Dayne, who was beginning to regret not having gone to Khazad-dûm with Jon and the others as Now without them they found everything rather dull. Still, when they heard that a Teleri ship was coming to Middle-earth, their curiosity and excitement got the better of them, and they accompanied their host to the reception.
As soon as Ashara looked closely at the two girls, she saw something familiar about them; one was red-haired with blue eyes ... But Ashara knew that she had seen those features somewhere; as for the other one, she reminded her of Jon, dark hair and grey eyes.
"What's wrong, Ash?" Shiera asked, looking at her lover, watching those girls with intensity.
"Shiera, Those girls are familiar to me. I feel like I've seen them before, especially the youngest," replied the Lady of Starfall.
"She looks like Jon," said Queen Rhaella, who gestured for both to be silent as her host spoke to the newcomers. And both Ladies nodded sadly.
"Your compliments are well received, but if it doesn't bother you could you tell me what you're doing here with two mortal women? the Valar didn't notify me of their arrival," Cirdan said, looking at Sansa and Arya with interest because, Unlike Jon and his friends, the Lord of the Gray Havens received no messages this time.
At that moment, Captain Nerven stepped forward.
"We come at the request of King Olwë, the Valar especially Lady Nienna entrusted him with the task of ordering a ship to leave Aman to the Outer Lands to search for two mortal girls who will be part of shaping the events of this age one of them will be found stranded at sea by the will of Ossë she would be accompanied by an Eagle of the High King while the other would be taken from another ship after we had found them we would reunite them with their brother."
"Your brother?" Cirdan asked; surprised at that moment, Sansa took a step forward.
"My name is Sansa Stark, and she is my sister Arya. We came from Westeros we were told that here we would be safe with our brother Jon" As soon as she said, Jon's name Cirdan backed away in surprise.
"Are they Jon's sisters?" Asked Cirdan in surprise.
"Do you know him?" Arya asked, arching an eyebrow and leaning closer.
"Yes. he and his companions are guests in my household ... Jon is my apprentice," Cirdan said proudly, speaking of Jon.
Hearing about their brother, both sisters began to shed tears as they were eager to see him.
"Please, My Lord, take us to our brother. We have waited to see him for more than a year," Sansa said, crying, but Cirdan denied her with a shake of his head.
"I'm afraid that is now impossible; he and some of his colleagues are accompanying some dignitaries of our people on a diplomatic mission and will not return for a few weeks," Cirdan said, regretting seeing their faces full of disappointment.
"It's not fair," Arya complained.
"Arya .. " Sansa chided her.
"Please, you have had a long journey. Come all to my house, eat something, rest ... And you can explain everything to me in detail," Cirdan said with kindness, and both the Stark sisters and the elves of Tol Elessä nodded and followed the Lord of the Gray Havens leaving the ship behind.
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Khazad-dûm
It had been two weeks since Jon and the others had been helping the dwarves in the forges, well, more like Jon, Loras, and Robar since the dwarves had a tradition that only men could work the forges (Jon almost had a burst of laughter upon seeing Princess Rhaenys's expression) so that the Princesses stayed with the elves while they learned from the dwarves.
It was clear that the princesses were jealous... They reached that conclusion after their first night of minding the forges.
They should be used to it by now when they are warned about being harsh teachers. It has never been a joke, but the dwarves are much worse than Cirdan and Glorfindel; they do not tolerate any mistakes, and on more than one occasion, Jon, Loras, and Robar have had to redo there one of their creations because a dwarf found some minuscule fault in it.
Their bodies ached hundreds of times worse than when Cirdan made them saw wood, and that was something ... But just as with his lessons with Círdan and Glorfindel, the Knights of Westeros improve with each lesson bestowed by the mountain fathers; they were great. Teachers... Although demanding and brutal.
They learned about metals and how each of them can change according to the temperature and the force with which it is struck ... Knowing the exact temperature and the strength with which to strike are the keys to dwarf forging, although discovering Such things take decades of practice. Unfortunately, they did not have that time; however, Jon, if he had to admit it not only did this to learn, but he had also somewhat more selfish reasons King Durin had promised that if he forged great works worthy of the mountain halls, he would allow Jon to take wergild from his vast horde of treasure and Jon had already had several pieces in mind. First, a necklace of gold set with a heart-shaped ruby for his dear Arianne, for Shiera a great necklace studded with sapphires and emeralds to compliment her eyes, for Dany a small tiara of pearl and silver, for Rhaenys a golden band shaped to resemble a snarling dragon with an onyx clutched in its mouth, for Rhaella a locket of silver set with seven diamonds and lastly for lady Ashara those lovely amethyst earrings he had spied upon first entering the hall.
The reason why Jon wanted to give them to him was apparent: He tried to apologize to Arianne and the Princesses for the incident; Queen Rhaella had rarely spoken to him though he could see that she bore him no ill will still he hoped that he could charm the dragon queen with a pretty bauble to two and perhaps learn a bit about house Targaryen in the inter rum as for Lady Shiera Jon knew of her miserable life and hoped to bring her some joy. So, he thought the best way was a gift, not some sycophantic love note nor a test of arms rather a fine piece of jewellery as the Maiden of the Sea was renowned as a lover of gems.
As for Lady Ashara ... Jon was bewildered; as soon as he saw those gold earrings with amethysts, Jon knew in his heart that they were made for Ashara, he did not know how or why he just knew that he had to work hard to win the earrings and give them to the beautiful lady and if he was fortunate, she would smile at him, and her smile was fairer than all the gems of the earth of that Jon was confident.
Jon thought, flushed.
He kept hammering the jewel in front of him, stopping when he heard a dwarf bellowing in a fury. Jon looked up and saw Loras apparently being scolded for starting to heat metal in a forge that was not ready to be used.
Jon could only smile until the same dwarf approached him and eyed him with suspicion, clearly unimpressed with his work.
"Mmmm, it's not a tragic disaster you're quite disastrous, but you're improving; keep it up, boy," Said the dwarf going to check the forge where Robar was, who listened in amazement to the tiny compliment that Jon had received but decided to continue with his work.
------------------------------------------------
Rhaenys was heading towards the forges to observe the work of Jon and the others; she felt slighted as the dwarves hadn't allowed her or her aunt learn the arts of smithing; she spent her days sowing or practising with Dramborleg, while her cousin and aunt were content to lounge in their chambers.
Rhaenys was frustrated, and it had little to do with the dwarves; her mind was drawn back to the kiss she shared with Jon, which confused her. But in the following days, she began to dream of him to her horror, in her dreams, he bent the knee to her and swore obedience as her Warden of the North, and then she commanded him to pleasure her, and he merely nodded before ripping off her armour before taking her as a wolf would his bitch.
Just recalling that dream caused Rhaenys's face to burn with shame she was a dragon in love though she was loathed to accept it.
"Why do I dream of him? It was just a kiss, And I was drunk! I don't want to end up like my aunt Daenerys and my cousin Arianne the worst thing is that those dreams haven't ceased since that damnable feast," Rhaenys thought.
Rhaenys, frustrated, kept looking for her way to the forges until she found them, and after the dwarves let her pass with the excuse of looking for her companions, she found them being brutally reprimanded by one of the dwarves. And she smiled with great pleasure.
That was the only benefit of not learning to smith like the "Sons of Aulë" she didn't have to worry about being reprimanded. Rhaenys approached a tired Jon Snow with satisfaction as he was returning to his anvil.
"Is the mighty white wolf having problems?" Rhaenys said with a smug expression as the bastard looked at her before hurriedly returning to his smithing.
"What are you doing here, Rhaenys?" He said, trying to be polite but was clearly angry.
"Nothing, I'm just bored, and I decided to come to see how you were talking to their lessons not very well, it seems," Rhaenys said, trying to provoke Jon, but to her internal irritation, he was not bothering as she intended.
"Well, be careful, you know how dwarves are; if they see you here, they will think you are trying to learn without permission, and they will be upset," He said, returning to hit the metal on his anvil.
"I know, Ser Jon. I didn't know you cared so much about my Jon Snow," Rhaenys said with a mocking smile.
Jon was going to answer when suddenly the sound of a horn was heard, and at that moment, the dwarves started scrambling, leaving their forges and donning armour.
"What's happening?" He said, Robar.
"It seems that something is happening outside ... something bad," said Robar.
"They are attacking us; the east gate is besieged," Said the dwarf who acted as his mentor, a dwarf named Rafnuff, who had a reddish beard and was covered in soot.
"Who's Attacking?" Rhaenys asked nervously.
"Orcs ..." The dwarf said, spitting on the ground as he spoke the name of his enemies. Hearing the name of their attackers, the Westeros travellers became concerned,
The orcs, countless times during their lessons they have heard the name of those hideous and filthy creatures, the weakest but most numerous of all the dark creatures created by Morgoth before his imprisonment, created as a mockery of Ilúvatar and the elves.
Since Morgoth was the first to learn of the Awakening of the Elves in Cuiviénen. Soon he began sending evil spirits among the first Elves, who planted seeds of doubt against the Valar. It is also rumoured that some of the elves were being captured by a Dark Rider if they strayed too far; according to Cirdan, Morgoth did this because he knew that Oromë would soon discover the elves, and he hoped to turn them against the Valar, and the elves later believed him were taken to Utumno, where they were cruelly tortured, deformed and finally turned into Orcs.
It is said that of all the crimes committed by Morgoth, this was the most heinous and the most condemned and repudiated by Ilúvatar.
Both elves and dwarves regard them as unintelligent beings but very cunning when necessary, although miserable and deformed. They hate everything in existence, including themselves and their masters Morgoth and Sauron, whom they only serve out of fear. Now goblins are cruel, wicked, and bad-hearted. They make no beautiful things, but they make many clever ones. They can tunnel and mine as well as any but the most skilled dwarves when they take the trouble, though they are usually untidy and dirty. Hammers, axes, swords, daggers, pickaxes, tongs, and also instruments of torture, they make very well or get other people to make to their design, prisoners, and slaves that have to work till they die for want of air and light. It is not unlikely that they invented some of the machines that have since troubled the world, especially the ingenious devices for killing large numbers of people at once, for wheels and engines and explosions always delighted them, and also not working with their own hands more than they could help;. They hate the sunlight and cannot bear its fair rays. They are the eternal enemies of the mountain fathers trying with savage glee to capture their strongholds and turn them into filthy warrens of torture and death, although, unlike the dragons, they do not try to claim the great wealth of the dwarves; they only wish for shelter from the glorious son.
After Morgoth's defeat in the War of Wrath, the orcs dispersed across the continent and became the elves' eternal enemies and a constant threat to all the Free Peoples of Middle-earth.
His thoughts were interrupted by a second horn blast; that was enough to make Rafnuff even more alarmed.
"They are going to seize the Dimrill dale ... and enter through the East Gate ... TO ARMS!" And with that, the dwarves grabbed their axes and hammers and headed down a corridor toward the eastern gates. At that moment, Rhaenys approached Jon.
"What will we do?" The Princess asked.
"I don't know; our weapons are in our rooms," Jon said, thinking of Ringil and cursing not having the blade with him.
"Should try to make it to our chambers?" Robar asked.
"I will not run away," Loras said impetuously.
"We have no weapons Loras," Jon said.
"They can take them from the golden gallery, armour too ... But they must be returned at the end of the battle" Rafnuff said that he had heard them.
"You see a simple solution," Rhaenys said, eager to use the Mithril axe that enchanted her the last time she was there.
Seeing the Targaryen Princess heading to the golden galleries, the knights followed her, but Jon was reluctant.
... I have a terrible feeling…
Jon went with them to the galleries and, separating from the others, began to look for a sword and armour without sensing; he found an exquisite suit of armour:
It was forged from black lacquered steel upon the breastplate inlaid in gold were intricate designs depicting gryphons. Its large circular rondels are enamelled in gold and capped with skulls, one red and white, the other white and red, the vulnerable juncture of arm and breast. A skirt of lobstered metal covered it from waist to midthigh, while a solid gorget encircled the throat stamped upon the metal is the sigil of Durin, large couter's protected his elbow and arm these were also gilded and spiked, the greaves were exquisite as well with both were completely gilded and caped by skulls while the left bore a glittering sun surmounted by a rising eagle the right bore another skull. The suit also bore a great cloak; it was the colour of blood and embroidered with golden thread depicting a blazing sunset with a skull; it's worn over the left shoulder and kept in place by the right rondel. The helm is equally beautiful, crested with a panther wrought in gold, surrounded by victory laurels similar to the old Ghiscari emperors. It was imposing armour and clearly meant for some great king of ages long past, but the most striking thing was the hammer that rested beside it.
It was a monstrous hammer of golden steel with a broad flat head scored by runes of wraith and fury; at the centre of the hammer guard was a cross set with a great ruby, and the haft looked to be made of witchwood. Upon seeing it, Jon had an obstinate wish to use it and decided to don the armour; soon, he was clad in the great suit of plate and took the hammer before setting out to find his compatriots. And first, he met Loras dressed in a suit of gilded plate clearly met for a Noldorian noble though it suited the young knight all the same, about his waist he wore a sword of elven make that shone like a pale flame, though the craftsmanship was immaculate Jon could tell it was forged from simple steel.
"Jon?" Loras asked, seeing his brother in arms dressed that way.
"They are ready?" Jon asked.
"Yes, but ... I didn't know you used Warhammers," Said the knight of flowers.
"Neither did I; I just saw it ... And I don't have the luxury of choice," Jon replied with a shrug.
"Well ... let's go," Loras said with Jon heading to the East Gate; on the way, they met Robar and Rhaenys, who had donned a simple coat of mail and a greatsword while Rhaenys managed to take the Mithril Axe and looked anxious to use it. When they saw Jon, they all looked at him in awe.
"Jon, what in the gods..." He tried to say, but Jon silenced him with a gesture.
"Now don't start fell deeds await,"
"Can you use a war hammer?" The Princess asked.
That made Jon uncomfortable, but he nodded.
"Yes ... Let's go," Jon said, annoyed.
They all followed Jon in silence and walked through the long corridors of Khazad-Dûm, finally reaching a great host of dwarves all dressed and armed for battle.
"They say that the fierceness of dwarves in battle is legendary I hope the old tales speak truly" Jon thought excitedly.
They all approached and looked at the East Gates of Khazad-dûm; it was far less grand than the western gate, just a great wall of polished stone unadorned; truly, Jon and the others preferred the West Gates.
But those doors were being pressed and looked like they will open at any moment.
"It hasn't started," Loras said, eager to fight.
"Steel your battle lust Loras, do not be reckless," said Robar, gripping his sword tightly.
Jon and Rhaenys said nothing, they just gave each other a look and nodded, but the message was clear.
At that moment, all hell broke loose.
The Orcs marched in great lines spanning the width of the Dale, Like a black cloud with a foul smell and a roar of war dark creatures strong but crooked in frame and bow-legged but all grotesque and filthy with yellow eyes, fangs, and claws. They wielded simple iron scimitars and stout shields but bore no armour; the foul creatures charged the dwarven ranks eager to claim the vast mountain for their own. This phase of the battle, which saw the two opposing shield walls fight in close combat with each other, was called the grind. Such battle was exhausting and deadly, and in this case, it went on for hours. By midday, the battle lines had not moved. Dwarves and orcs fought and died in the midst of the grind, only to be replaced by fresh fighters. Archers and catapults behind the lines rained projectiles upon their enemies. On the flanks, the elven delegation held back bands of warg riders who attempted to break through the battle lines.
In the very centre of the battle, Stood Jon and his companions flanked on either by a throng of dwarves, the sons of Aulë were not cowed by the orcish savagery and with a mighty cry of Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu! The Dwarven army of King Durin met their ancient foes with the hatred of a thousand generations of anguish and loss at Orcish hands, slaughtering scores of Orcs without remorse with an almost mechanical efficiency as their mighty mithril axes and hammers sliced off limbs and crushed bones. King Durin and his longbeards fought in the very centre of the battle, and the dwarven King slew the mightiest orcs with gleeful abandon, lying about his people's ancestral foe with the full depth of his anger. Yet, the battle was never in doubt. For a while, Dwarves overcame the Orcs in courage and skill; they were but a thin line of iron ready to break at any time against the numbers of the orcs.
"For Manwe and the children of Aulë ...! " Jon yelled, brandishing his hammer and leading his friends to the fray, he began the battle using the hammer to crush the chest of an orc that was attacking a downed dwarf, coating the hammerhead in a mixture of gore and blood as black as tar, the dwarf in question quickly righted himself and hewed the head of another Orc who was about to cut off Jon's arm, but that was only the beginning.
Jon smashed heads, shattered shields; it seems Glorfindel's teachings served him well; without them, Jon doubted he would survive this war. As the battle raged, the foul creatures scrambled away in utter fear of the mighty sons of Durin, but Jon saw that Rhaenys had no plans to give them respite and began to pursue them.
"That impulsive and impetuous dragon" thought an irate Jon.
Jon began to follow Rhaenys as they both killed orcs, and by the time they realized they were outside the gates and could see the sunset in the valley of Dimrill Dale, it would have been beautiful if it were not for the great slaughter between dwarves and orcs that was happening. Finally, Jon caught up with Rhaenys and took her by the arm.
"Let's go back, Princess; it's not safe here," Jon said, but the Princess let go and looked at him, clearly vexed.
"This is the best opportunity; the battle is almost won, the dwarves will be repelled without our help; we just need to press them a little more. But, if you wish to triumph, don't part from me," Rhaenys said with a fierce smile that Jon found bewitching.
"Very well", Jon said, still mesmerized by Rhaenys beauty.
They continued to fight alongside the dwarves slaying any Orcs foolish enough to stand before them, and Jon was filled with the love of battle as he shattered shields and heads.
... It's great to smash heads with it ... Now I see why King Robert preferred these to swords ...
Realizing the battle would soon be lost unless action was taken and fury burning brightly in his heart at the death of his dwarven brothers, Jon unleashed savagery not seen since the elder days.
All present watched in awe as Jon leapt from the high rock, his Warhammer raised high. All who saw it knew the sight would stay with them forever, as Jon fell towards the Orcs with a bestial roar, like a hero of the ancient sagas. The Wild Wolf slaughtered everything about him, each blow delivered with a howl of rage, animal to the core. He killed and killed without thought, seeing before him only the enemies of his people and the desolation of the blasted East encroaching upon the peace and plenty of the West. Who can say whether this unmatched show of arms was a means of inspiring the army to victory or whether Jon truly intended to defeat the Orcish horde single-handed? All that matters is that here is where the tide turned squarely in the dwarves' favour, as Jon utterly destroyed every Orc he beheld. The Great Hammer filling him with hate, his fury armouring him in thunder, and mighty Manwe pouring lightning into his veins. A hundred Orcs were dead around him.
But at that moment, he saw something that chilled his blood, an orc took aim at Rhaneys, who was oblivious, and she continued hewing Orcs with reckless joy.
"NOOO!" Jon shouted, running and standing in front of Rhaenys, receiving the arrow in the shoulder ... where the armour did not protect him.
Jon's cry caught the attention of Rhaenys, who turned to see him, and her eyes widened when she realized that he had been wounded by an arrow One that would have slain her with a roar of rage, Rhaneys threw Dramborleg at the head of the Orc, killing him on the spot, and after slaying, several foolish wolves rushed to Jon's side.
"Are you well?" Rhaenys asked, clearly worried.
"No, my blood is aflame," Jon said with difficulty.
"Let me help you, Jon" Rhaenys pushed the arrow through the skin and broke it in two before staunching the wound with a piece of cloth; she placed her hands on his forehead as she was alarmed to see he was burning up."
One of the older dwarves approached them and took off his helmet to see Jon.
"What happened?"
"He was wounded by an orc with this arrow; he has a fever," Rhaenys said, showing the arrow to the dwarf who only examined it briefly to sigh.
"He's been poisoned," The dwarf said with certainty, much to the horror of Rhaenys.
"Can you cure him?" Rhaenys asked this time, losing her composure from fear.
"Yes, fear not child, this isn't the first time I have encountered the fell poisons of the goblins; I can prepare the antidote, it is easy, but I need time, this attack was terrible ... the eastern gate was fortified to prevent the orcs from entering the heart of the mine, we must hold the dale until dawn, and the sun drives away the orcs," The dwarf said seriously.
"What will we do then?" Jon said, suffering from the fever.
"Don't worry, there's an infirmary nearby, the ingredients must be there ... Come on boy on your feet," Said the dwarf.
Jon got to his feet; helped by Rhaenys and guided by the dwarf, they returned to the interior of Khazad-dûm where the situation was equally dire with dozens of warriors marching to bolster the eastern gate, they had to fight a small band of orcs that snuck past the main army but Rhaenys, in her fury, dispatched them quickly. Finally, they came to the halls of healing in which there were dozens of jars filled with all manner of ingredients and poultices. The room had a sweet smell and was quite comfortable, judging by the large beds and stone baths.
"Unfortunately, you will be in a great deal of pain while I tend the wound. Now take off your armour," Said the dwarf.
Jon obeyed, and by the time he finished, they saw that where the arrow had pierced the flesh, it was now blue, and black pus was coming out of the wound.
"It's better than I thought," Said the dwarf taking out several herbs and putting water to boil.
"Better?" Jon and Rhaenys asked at the same time.
"You are still conscious; that is a good sign. Had the poison been stronger, you would have perished," The dwarf replied, starting to crush herbs and throwing them into the boiling water; after several minutes, a green paste had formed that smelled even worse than the orcs, and that the dwarf began to rub on the open wound, the paste began to burn Jon on contact causing him to scream.
"There ... You will be better in the morning, but you will have to stay here the rest of the night; the poison of the orcs can be annoying even if it is purged with this remedy, you shall feel weakened for the next hours so do not venture into the Dale, or you will be slain... Now I must return to the battle," The dwarf said.
"I'll stay and take care of him," Rhaenys said, her heart consumed by guilt.
"Princess I ..."
"It's my fault Jon ... I let my lust for battle overcome me."
"In that case, they don't need me anymore ... Boy ... Don't do anything foolish, the young lady, you have the ferocity of a dwarf in the fight ... He will be fine with you," Said the dwarf taking his weapon and leaving with his companions while he secured the doors leaving the two warriors alone.
To see Jon so close to death. caused Rhaenys to weep bitter tears
"Do you feel better?" The Princess asked.
"Yes, though the healer spoke truly; my mind is clouded," said Jon.
"Rest; I'll guard you while you sleep," Rhaenys said, sitting down on the floor.
"It's not your fault, Princess," Jon said, trying to make her feel better.
"It is Jon; I am ashamed of myself," Rhaenys said with guilt in her voice. At that moment, Jon took one of her hands to make her feel better.
"I was able to let her go, but I decided to go with you. I decide my destiny. Besides, it's not that bad; they gave me the remedy," Jon said with a smile.
Rhaenys just smiled, and when she saw Jon's bare chest covered in sweat, she blushed and began to caress his would but withdrew her hand when she saw it was causing him pain.
"I'm sorry," Rhaenys said, her voice filled with worry.
"Don't worry, praise the Valar that the dwarf found us; I shudder to think what would have happened otherwise..." Jon said.
"I know. Do you think the others will be well?" Asked the Princess worried about Robar and Loras.
"Yes, I know my brothers, and they are far mightier than some foul Orc."
"Good," Rhaenys said with a slight smile.
"I must admit I'm surprised that you would stay at my side ... After your previous threat," Jon said with a smile.
Remembering the kiss and all the dreams about Jon that she's had since that night, Rhaenys turned scarlet.
"That's different ... You were drunk!" She said embarrassed
"That's the Rhaenys I know ... Jon thought with amusement.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you ... Even if I only stole a kiss," Jon said, defending himself.
Rhaenys just watched him silently and lowered her gaze while blushing.
"It was my first kiss," she said without meeting Jon's eyes.
"Sorry?" Jon said, believing he had heard wrong.
"You stole my first kiss," Rhaenys said, looking into his eyes.
"I stole her first kiss I'm truly foolish" Jon thought, remembering what he had heard from the Highgarden maids so many years ago.
"I hope that you found it memorable," Jon said, babbling nervously while Rhaenys only raised an eyebrow.
"Since you kissed me, I have had dreams where I submit you to my will and force you to give me pleasure," Rhaenys thought with embarrassment.
"It wasn't ... So ... Bad," Rhaenys said, blushing again.
The Princess raised an eyebrow; she thought his rambling was endearing. If you only knew, ever since you kissed me, I have had dreams where I submit you to my will and force you to give me pleasure ... I think you did well...
"It wasn't ... So ... Bad," Rhaenys settled; she was not about to let him know how much that kiss had truly affected her.
For a few moments, neither of them said anything, and they did not know what happened next, only that they got closer in a moment. She laid down beside him, and their lips touched again and again. At first, they were soft, chaste touches. However, things quickly intensified passion overcame them as their tongues began to explore the other's mouths.
Jon tried to keep his mind clear but did not know what to think. Maybe the poison has yet to leave my body, and this is nothing but a fever dream… A dream I do not want to end. He did not know if it was the poison or just lust or both; all he knew at that moment was ever since he had seen Rhaenys in that dress, he had a hidden desire for her. A passion he has struggled to suppress because she did not feel the same.
When her fingers tangled into his raven locks, pulling him even closer to her, Jon could no longer stop himself. The desire he had been mere embers was now a raging fire consuming his body with passion; it was a flame only the Princess to extinguish.
He needed to touch her. He needed to know if the skin she kept hidden under her armour was as soft as he had dreamed. He loosened the armour covering her chest, and it fell to the floor with a clang. He then worked the laces of her think tunic. His fingers ghosting, barely touching the soft skin of her waist. The moan she released was the most beautiful sound Jon had ever heard and sent his blood rushing straight to his cock.
The next thing he knew, Princess Rhaenys was sitting on top of him… his cock growing stiffer and stiffer as she claimed his lips like a prized trophy.
Jon's cock was pressing painfully against the heavy plate armour, and he could no longer take it. So with his mouth still attached to Rhaenys,' he started to peel off the heavy plate still covering his lower body.
Rhaenys was no better than Jon. I kissed him this time, and I am not even drunk. Thoughts of her cousin briefly entered her mind. What was worse, she had no intention of stopping. She did not think she would be able to... She needed him. She needed to fulfil her fantasy. She needed to make the White Wolf submit to her will; she is a dragon after all, and dragons conquered. What would Arianne say if she saw me now? She explained everything to her cousin Arianne days prior... But still, all she could do was hope that Arianne would forgive them both...
Pushing the thoughts of her cousin out of her mind, Rhaenys pulled away from Jon's lips. She smiled when his lips followed.
"Though I do not think we can enjoy ourselves if we are still clothed," she said playfully, removing her tunic, bearing her breast to a man for the first time in her life. She suddenly felt self-conscious and began to cover her chest with her hands.
"Stop," Jon demanded. "You are beautiful. Perfect."
When Rhaenys met his eyes, his pupils were blown wide. She could see the lust he had for her, which caused a pooling of wetness between her thighs.
She quickly removed the rest of her clothing and armour, and Jon did the same. When she climbed back onto the cot beside him, she saw him in all his naked glory. Gods, the White Wolf is beautiful.
Then her eyes saw his cock, and she panicked slightly. It was larger than she imagined it would be. The head was red and leaking. How the fuck is that supposed to fit inside of me.
Jon noticed her hesitation. "We don't have to."
"Yes, I do," Rhaenys stated, climbing back on Jon's waist and straddling him. "I want you. I have wanted you since the moment you kissed me. I don't think I can live another moment without knowing what it feels like to have you inside me."
"I want you too," Jon murmured, capturing her lips once more and positioning his cock at the entrance of her womanhood. He slid his member up and down her folds, eliciting strangled, pleasure-filled moans from her throat when his dick grazed her pearl.
She was beyond wet. Her juices were dripping onto his cock. It took all of Jon's resolve not to push inside of her and claim her that second. However, he knew if she had never been kissed until him, then surely she had never been with a man. He did not want to cause her any unnecessary pain. He needed to do things at her pace.
"Are you sure?" he asked once more, praying she said yes, but the last thing he wanted was for her to regret this.
"Yes, Jon. Please," she moaned as she began grinding her hips against him. "I need you."
Jon nodded, positioned his cock at her opening, and kissed her as he slowly pushed into her. She was so tight. So wet. And when he met the resistance of her maidenhead, It took all of his willpower to not press his cock fully into her.
When she winced above him, he stilled.
"Are you alright?" he asked, pressing quick kisses to her lips. "Do you need me to stop?"
"Don't stop," Rhaenys moaned, placing her hand on his chest as she began moving her hips once more. "Don't you fucking stop. I need you. I need you."
With that, Jon's last resolve was gone. He grabbed her hips, helping her to control her pace. Her face was contorted with pleasure, and their combined lewd groans filled the room. Gods, this woman is beautiful, Jon thought as her firm tits bounced in front of his face. He could not stop himself, taking one of her dusky nipples into his mouth.
When he began to suckle, she squealed in delight, and her channel constricted even more tightly around his cock.
"Fuck," Jon muttered, losing any control he had left, meeting the thrusts of her hips with his own thrust when he felt a tightening in his balls. "Fuck, Rhaenys, I'm gonna cum."
Rhaenys was too consumed with her own pleasure to respond. She saw white lights flashing behind her eyes, and it felt as though fire consumed her body. She felt herself tightening even more around Jon's member when he thrust his hips even further into her. Her entire body was shaking with ecstasy when she felt the warmth of his seed spurting against her womb.
A few moments, she collapsed against his chest, mindful of his wound. That was even better than I dreamed, she thought as she tried to catch her breath as she started to come down from her high.
After consummating the forbidden act, they ended up cuddling like newlyweds, Jon with his arm wrapped around her waist and Rhaenys laying on his chest, listening to his heartbeat; they were covered in the red cloak of his armour and rather content.
"I have fallen for him just as my aunt did just as my cousin did by the Seven life is strange", Rhaenys thought before laying a kiss over Jon's heart.
"The dwarves will be furious if they find out how we used this cape," Jon thought.
"That was", Jon started to say.
"Amazing?" Rhaneys said, smiling giving him a look of longing.
"I was going to say wonderful, but I agree, Rhaenys, it was magical", Jon replied.
"Jon, we have to tell my cousin what we did," Rhaenys said wearily.
"Yes, I hope she can forgive us," Jon said remorsefully.
"Knowing my cousin will be more upset for not participating", Rhaenys mused.
"Let's rest for now tomorrow; we will explain everything," Rhaenys said, kissing Jon again while her love draws her closer.
They both fell asleep as a great battle raged just outside.
Notes:
Once again thanks to my fantastic co-author Great_red
Also thanks to cymatt01 for helping me with the lemon