Chapter Text
Chapter 6
Deepwood Motte, the North
The march south to Deepwood Motte could not have been worse. The weather had turned to shit the second day after leaving Castle Black. A horrendous snowstorm blew in and didn't let up for almost three days.
Even after the snowstorm passed, the weather wasn't any better. The dragons burned a path for us south. Winter was well and truly here with a vengeance.
There were a couple of interesting developments on the journey south to Deepwood Motte from Castle Black. Rhae continued to be sick on the journey south. The reasons for continuing to be ill were soon discovered. She was with my child. I was to be a father in a matter of moons.
When I was younger, I swore never to father a bastard. Uncle Benjen's words came back to me all these years later, when he tried to talk me out of joining the Night's Watch. 'You don't understand what you'd be giving up. We have no families. None of us will ever father children.' He said.
'I don't care about that'
'You might if you knew what it meant'
Something Maester Aemon had said years earlier stuck in my mind. 'What is honor compared to a woman's love? What is duty compared to the feeling of a newborn son in your arms? Love is the death of duty.
Fuck honor and fuck duty. My duty was to my sister/lover, our unborn child. I had a duty to my cousins. I was loyal only to my family and those I considered friends and brothers in arms.
I would not be bound blindly by honor, as I once was. It had been my uncle's undoing and partly Robb's, I suppose.
The eighty soldiers Lady Mormont had promised us arrived. Meet us on the journey south to Deepwood Motte. They hadn't come alone; they were with the youngest of Lady Mormont's daughters. The little she-bear Lyanna, named for my mother.
She was as fierce as her namesake and her mother and father, who surprisingly turned out to be Tormund.
She and Arya bonded quickly and forged a strong friendship within hours of meeting. She became good friends with Sansa too. Sansa and Arya had grown closer than they had ever been growing up.
The years apart had changed both her and Arya. None of us were the same people the day we left Winterfell all those years ago.
Arya and Rhaenys had taken it upon themselves to teach Sansa to defend herself. The three of them, plus Lyanna Mormont, were as thick as thieves.
Love seemed to be in the air for my cousins. Bran had grown incredibly close with Meera Reed, Lord Howland Reed's daughter, in the years they had been together.
Arya teased Bran mercilessly about his relationship with Meera. Bran quickly shut her up as he gave it back to Arya tenfold, giving her shit about her relationship with a certain blacksmith called Gendry.
We'd picked up some strays led by Lord Beric Dondarrion; among them was Ser Sandor Clegane, more commonly known as the Hound. Their merry little band was called the Brotherhood without Banners. A red priest with them was Thoros of Myr, who prattled endlessly about me being the prince that was promised.
"Just my luck to end with a bunch of fire-worshiping cunts," Sandor Clegane grunted.
"It seems like divine justice." Beric cheekily smirked at the hound.
'There is no divine justice, your dumb cunt' Sandor snapped back at him.
The two argued back and forth as we got closer to Deepwood Motte. The bannermen of House Glover answered the call with twelve hundred men between the four houses sworn to House Glover.
The gates to Deepwood Motte were firmly shut when we arrived. I was tired, irritated, and in no mood for this fucking crap.
"Open the gates." Lord Galbart Glover shouted at the men above on the battlements.
"We've been ordered by the Lord of the Castle. Lord Glover. The gates are to be shut. State your business."
"I am Lord of this Castle. I am Lord Galbart Glover. Tell my fat-headed brother Robett to open the gates in the name of the King in the North Aegon Targaryen." Lord Glover nodded to where I sat on my horse.
"There is no King in the North. Robb Stark died at the Red Wedding. We know no King but King in the North, whose name is Stark. Not some dragon half-breed bastard."
"He is a Stark you fucking simpleton. His mother was Lyanna Stark. Open these fucking gates, or we'll break them down," Galbart snarled at the fool.
"DRAGONS" They cried in horror as Syndro, Rhaegal, and Viserion dived at them from the skies above.
"Open the gates and alert Lord Robett."
The gates creaked open. We rode in the banners Sansa had made; there were the Three Heads of a Dragon for House Targaryen, and the snarling White Wolf that was Ghost beside them for House Stark was my personnel banner. The banners of House Mormon, Forrester, Bole, Branch, and Wood blew in the breeze as we rode in.
"You return home a traitor, brother." Lord Robett Glover accused Galbart of treason
"Pull your fucking head in Robett. Did you even read the Raven I sent from Castle Black?"
"Aye, I read it. I won't follow any Targaryens. Did you forget what his father did to Lyanna Stark? A Targaryen Bastard, I will not follow him, nor will any of the men."
"Funny you say that, Robett. All our bannermen have, as have Lady Mormont and Lord Reed, answered the call. Rhaegar Targaryen did not kidnap Lyanna Stark; they and Elia Martell were married before the Old Gods and New.
King Robb named him King in the North following his death, as he had no heirs when he died." Galbart snapped at his younger brother.
"Robb Stark's brother is here, Brandon Stark. He is next in line to the throne, not the half-breed mongrel cousin of his."
"My brother named Aegon his heir. It was written as my brother's last will and testimony. Witnessed by your brother, Lady Mormont, Lord Jason Mallister, and Lord Jon Umber. He is King in the North." Bran shot him down.
"We only just got this castle back from Iron Born, thanks to the Boltons. Why should I side with you, Targaryen, over him?"
"Boltons are traitors, brother. They betrayed King Robb. It was Roose Bolton that stabbed King Robb in the heart." Galbart looked to Bran, who nodded and said that it was the truth.
"You've gone soft, brother. I will not follow the half-breed whelp of a traitorous Northern whore who spread her legs for his father."
"Are you refusing the call, Lord Glover? I ask.
"Yes, I am Dragonspawn," He spat.
"I was hoping you'd say that." I smiled dangerously at him, closing the distance between us. I drew back my fist and hit him hard in the jaw.
Robert Glover fell to the ground. I placed my foot on his chest.
"That was a warning. Insult my mother's memory again. Lord Glover, it will be the last time you have a tongue. Are we clear?" I snarled at him.
He said nothing.
I put more pressure on his chest. "I said, Are we clear, Lord Glover?"
"I understand your grace," He croaked
"Good." I removed my foot, going back over to the others. I talked quietly with Rhaneys, kissing her on the top of my head. My hand rests on her stomach.
"Sister fucker. Like his ancestors. You want this man as your king," Robett Glover seemed was never going to learn.
"We know no king, but the King in the North whose name is Stark. Lyanna Stark's blood runs through his veins. It matters not who his father is, Lord Glover."The little she-bear, Lyanna Mormont, spoke up.
"What makes up the bulk of your armies?"
"Trurer Northmen than you, Lord Glover," I nodded to Tormund, who sat on his horse beside Meage Mormont.
"Wildings," He spat, "I allowed you into my castle out of respect for your uncle's memory. I want you to leave. House Glover will not abandon its ancestral home to fight alongside Wildings."
"You don't speak for House Glover. Robett, I do. House Glover stands with House Stark and House Targaryen."
"I would remind you that House Glover is sworn to House Stark. Sworn to answer when called upon. Your brother answered the call for my cousin: Why won't you, Lord Glover?" Sansa questioned.
"Yes, House Glover has answered the call for House Stark for centuries. We wept when we heard of your father's death. You answered the call when her brother asked us to. And where was King Robb when the Iron Born took this castle?
When my family was imprisoned and brutalized, My men were killed. Fucking a foreign whore. He got himself and those that followed him killed. And you half-breed are no better. You really want to be fighting this Southern Bastard's wars, brother."
No one said a word.
"I served House Stark once; House Stark is dead," Robett Glover sneered, walking away.
"It seems your brother is not a coward to fight for the North. But are you Robett?"I questioned.
Robert Glover drew his sword. Our men drew their own swords.
"Don't you insult me, boy? You are not my king."
"The king asked you a question, Robett. I am Lord of this Castle and head of this family, so speak." Galbart was not siding with his brother.
"You will doom us all, Galbart. If any of you men wish to follow my brother's foolishness, fine, go ahead." The soldiers of House Glover moved to stand with us.
"The King's Questions answer it, brother."
"I am no coward, boy. I will not stand here and be insulted by some half-breed Targaryen who fuck his whore of a sister. I will side with the Boltons." Ghost bared his teeth, snarling; Summer too was snarling.
The ground shook and trembled as the dragons landed on the walls. Bearing and hissing their teeth at Lord Glover.
"Insulting my mother's one thing, Lord Glover. Insulting my sister and future queen is another. I warned you what would happen if you insulted my family more than once. Cutting out your tongues too quick.
Perhaps I should do to you what I did to the last people who betrayed me. I feed one to my wolf, the other to my dragon," Syndro bared his black teeth, hissing.
"Fuck you, dragon spawn. I will not stand with my traitor brother. I stand with House Bolton."
"Fetch me a block." Lord Robett Glover was placed under arrest by two Mormont soldiers. A block was fetched.
Lord Robett Glover was forced to knell over the block.
"Lord Robett Glover, you are charged with oath-breaking. I, King Aegon of House Targaryen, sentence you to die any last words." I paused.
"Fuck you"
I took his head with one clean swing of Longclaw.
Moat Coalin
The weather was slightly kinder to us on the march from Deepwood Motte to Moat Coalin. Topping the hill, I smiled as I took notice of the banners. All of the Northern Houses, the Mountain Clans, and the Skaogs Houses had answered the call to arms.
The banners of Knight's Vale stood out among the Northern Houses banners. House Dayne and House Velaryon had arrived. The Crannog Houses had come as well. It was hard to count how many men we had.
More than enough with three dragons to take back Winterfell. I wondered how Brienne and Podrick had gotten along in the Riverlands, with Ser Brynden Tully persuading him to come North to our aid.
"Enough men to beat Ramsay," I asked Sansa, who sat beside me on her grey mare.
"More than enough. But we still need to be careful, Aegon. He likes to play games. Don't underestimate him, no matter what," Sansa advised.
"Aye, I won't." I urged my horse forward down the hill.
As we rode into the encampment, a chant was heard as men raised their swords: "The King in the North."
"Your grace, Princess Sansa, Arya. Prince Brandon. Thank the Old Gods, you live." Lord Wyman Manderly, Lord of White Harbour, bowed his head.
"Lord Manderly. Thank you for answering the call," I said, dismounting. I moved to help Rhaeyns down. She is now showing that she was with child.
"This is your Lady Wife my King"
"My soon-to-be wife, Lord Manderly, My sister, Princess Rhaneys of House Targaryen and House Martell, I say.
"Princess Rhaenys, but... She was killed when King's Landing was sacked."
"I was rescued by one of my mother's maids, Lord Manderly. I was hidden in Dorne for a number of years." Rhaenys answered.
"How many has Ramsay Bolton got?"
"About eight to nine thousand. House Dustin has sided with the Boltons, as have the Umbers and Karastarcks, from what our scouts have reported. By the Gods are those Dragons" Lord Manderly's jaw dropped as Syndro, Rhaegal, and Viserion landed.
"Aye. We'll need them in the wars to come. The dead have risen, Lord Manderly. The Long Night is coming."
Daenerys
Their ships had docked at White Harbour earlier that day. House Manderly, who were the Lords of White Harbour, had been expecting them. Aegon had sent a raven to House Manderly to expect them.
Ser Barristan had said it was roughly a hundred and seventy miles from White Harbour to Moat Coalin, where Aegon was gathering his armies before marching on Winterfell.
"You shouldn't fly off there on your own, my queen," Ser Barristan had cautioned.
"Then you shall come with us, Ser Barristan; that way, I am not on my own," Daenerys argued back.
"Well, very well." Ser Barristan reluctantly agreed.
"Drogon, be gentle with Ser Barristan," Dany said to her eldest dragon. Drogon merely snorted as if to say. 'Yes Muna'
Targaryen Army Encampment Moat Cailin
Rhaenys slept with her head against Aegon's chest as they slept in their tent. They'd reached the encampment earlier in the day. A war council was going to be called later in the day. She rests content in the arms of the man she loves.
One of his arms was wrapped around her, while the other rested on her ever-growing stomach. Their child is growing inside. Munas had known both Aegons were boys. She had a similar feeling. That the babe was a boy.
They discussed names for the babe. Aemon, Rhaegar for a boy, Lyanna, and Elia for a girl. There was a roar of dragons and shouting going on outside.
"Your grace, Ser Davos called from outside the tent.
"This better be good, Ser Davos."
"Your Aunt. Daenerys Targaryen is here. She answered your call. She and her dragon just landed, Ser Davos explained from the other side of the tent.
"Have our horses saddled at once, Ser Davos?" Aegon sat up, bringing Rhaenys with him.
"Oh, of course, your Grace."
"It seems Aunt Daenerys answered our call," Rhaenys commented, getting out of bed. Ghost rose to his full height. He was more overprotective of Rhae than Aegon was if that was possible.
"Aye, she has," Aegon replied, strapping his sword belt on.
Daenerys.
Rhaegal and Viserion chirped happily at seeing their brother and mother once again. There was another dragon. Three times as big as Drogon was. His eyes were green as grass.
"By the Gods that's Cannibal. How is it that he still lives? He was alive during the Dance of the Dragons." Ser Barristan exclaimed, looking at the dragon named Cannibal.
The thundering of horse hooves caught the pair's attention. A big black stallion was in the lead, followed by a bay horse slightly smaller than the big war horse. Dany looked closer at the man riding the black stallion.
This must be her nephew, Aegon. Rhaegar's last surviving son. There was some Targaryen in him, but he took mostly after his mother Lyanna Stark. The woman riding beside him was possibly her niece, Rhaneys.
Dany felt a pang of sadness as she noticed her niece was with child. She could never carry on the Targaryen name, as she was now barren. House Targaryen's name carrying on was safe with her niece and nephew.
Several others rode out with them. Two large wolves If you could call something the size of a war horse a wolf, "Ser Barritsane, what are those?"
"Direwovles, my queen. Lord Stark's children found a litter of them. Six of them. Five for his own children and one for his nephew." Ser Barristan explained.
Aegon, her nephew, slowed his horse to a stop. "Ser Barristan, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. Aunt Daenerys is good to finally meet you".
"Princess Rhaenys. You are the spitting image of Queen Elia."
"Ser Barristan, it's good to see you again." Rhaenys had never forgotten him.
“And you, Princess.”
Dany took a good look at her nephew. He was not the tallest man, at perhaps 5’9 at most. He was a handsome man. There was no denying that. But he was taken man going by her niece’s pregnant stomach.
Dany turned her attention to the other people who had joined them. Three of them must be his cousins. They shared similar looks with Aegon.
“Queen Daenerys, welcome to the North. I am Ser Davos Seaworth, Lord Hand to your nephew, his Grace King Aegon. I will have tents made for you and your companion. When will your armies be arriving?” Her nephew’s Hand asked
“A few days.”
“Very well. I make the arrangements for the tents." Ser Davos turned his horse around, heading back for camp.
“Princes Arya and Sansa It has been some years.”
“Ser Barristan” The daughters of Eddard Stark nodded back at the older man.
“My queen, if I have your leave, I will head down to the camp to freshen up.”
"Oh, of course, Ser Barristan." One of the soldiers who had come with Aegon handed him a horse to ride.
"Aegon, we’ll head back to camp. Give you some time to catch up."The taller of Aegon’s cousins said
“Oh course”
“How many men did you bring, Daenerys?” Aegon turned to her.
“Dany will do fine. A hundred thousand Dothraki and twenty thousand Unsullied How many men do you face to retake Winterfell?"
“Anywhere from nine to possibly ten thousand men. Our army numbers are a little over twelve thousand,” Aegon answered, dismounting his horse.
House Targaryen was once again whole. Fire and Blood were coming for House Bolton and those allied with them. The war for the North would begin, and there were two more wars to fight after this one.
Fancasts for a few characters William Mosely as Edric Dayne
, and Henry Cavill as Ser William Sand
. What Aurane Waters looks like 