The Great Alliance

Eddard

The Throne room was buzzing as men from the North, Vale, Riverlands, Stromlands and Westerlands crowded inside. All clamoring to have a look at the new King as he assended the Throne. With his warhammer locked in his grip Robert took one heavy step forward onto the stairs leading to the Iron Throne. He stood tall and proud ignoring the pain from his previous wounds.

He then turned on his heel and sat down, sitting in the Iron Throne that had once belonged to the Targaryens but now it belonged to the Baratheons. Robert's own grandmother had been a Targaryen and it was that bit of Dragon Blood that gave him the right to sit the Iron Throne.

The War was over in his mind. King Aerys Targaryen the Second of his name was dead. Killed by the hand of one of his own Kingsguard Ser Jaime Lannister. The Vile Prince Rhaegar was dead as well, by Robert's own hand at the Battle of the Trident.

Looking down he saw his loyal supporters. Lord Hoster Tully Lord Paramount of the Riverlands, Lord Jon Arryn Warden of the East who had practically raised Robert, Lord Tywin Lannister formerly Hand of the King to Aerys. And lastly was Lord Eddard Stark himself, Robert's oldest friend and companion the person he trusted most in this world.

"Hail to the new King!" Jon Arryn's voice echoed through the hails.

"Hail!" The hundreds shouted behind them, then quickly bent the knee. Robert glanced down to the Lord Paramounts before him each bending their knee to the ground. Even the stiff old Tywin Lannister bent.

"Rise." Robert commanded with a wave of his hand. The Four Lords did as they were told.

"You're Grace." Eddard spoke up." What is it you would have us do?" Robert ran his hand through his beard." The Realm still bleeds. Mace Tyrell is still laying Siege to your home at Storm's End. The Dornishmen are scattered but will still try and unite against us, so long as the Royal Family lives."

"And where is the Royal Family?" Robert asked.

"I've already sent my men to search the Halls for them." Ned told. It was Lord Tywin who spoke next.

"Once Lord Tyrell has learned what has happened here he will bend the knee." He said in his powerful voice. He turned from Ned to the new King." Your Grace, I have a gift for you." Robert raised an eyebrow as Lord Tywin turned his head to his bannermen. With a nod his men parted and up came several armored knights, though their armor was colored red from the battle. In their arms were cloaks of Crimson Lannister Red but they hid something.

The Knights walked towards their Liege Lords and set the cloaks down before them. Tywin took a step forward, standing over them.

"Your Grace. The Princess Elia Martell." He pointed to one of the cloaks." Princess Rhaenys and Prince Aegon." He motioned to the others. Hoster Tully dropped his jaw, Jon Arryn flinched in shock. But there Lord Tywin stood, standing tall and proud for this accomplishment.

His support was welcomed but the vile means he went about doing it was not. To tell the King he had come in the name of friendship only to put the city to the sword the second the gates were opened, disgraceful. That's not taking into account what his own son had done. And now he what he boasted before them as an accomplishment was too much. Ned's rage began to fume by simply looking at the men. He would surely not stand this.

"What is this madness?!" roared Ned as he stepped forward. All eyes went to him now." What treason is this Lord Tywin?"

"Treason Lord Stark?" Tywin responded in an oily voice. There was a coldness in Tywin's eyes, a grimness in his voice, and a stern look about him that reminded Ned so much of his own father." There was no treason here. For King Robert to take the Throne any and all possible clamaints to the Throne had to be eliminated." Ned took an angry step forward, ready to unsheathe Ice from his back to make Tywin pay for this. But his Father in law, Lord Hoster reached out and arm and stopped him.

"Steady Eddard, Steady." He said. Ned took a step back, there was only one man with the authority to right these wrongs.

"Robert." He said turning to him." This cannot stand. You cannot allow this." But Robert stayed silent in his chair." They were only children."

"Children?" Robert finally spoke. There was a snarl in his voice and anger in his eyes. "I see no children here, only Dragon Spawn."

"This is MURDER!" Ned yelled.

"This is WAR!" Robert yelled. He jumped out of his chair to stand to his full height. Robert began to fume with anger to rival Ned's." This is unfortunate but it had to be done. Do you think Aerys was going to surrender peacefully? This had to be done for the greater good." He stressed those last two words. Ned went silent as he glanced around at the other Lords. Tywin standing there with quiet pride.

"What will Dorne think when we tell them their Princess and her children are dead?" Ned said." Do you think they'll surrender peacefully?" There was a snarl in Ned's voice and Robert heard it, his hand balling up into a mighty fist. Jon Arryn was the only one in the room who could try and stop it.

"We can broker a Peace with Dorne." he said.

"They will demand Justice!" Ned yelled ignoring Jon and still looking at Robert.

"This is Justice!" Robert roared pointing to the ground." Putting an end to a family of lunatics born of Incest." Ned's teeth snarled in anger, he was getting nowhere with this. Jon Arryn stepped in once more, trying to calm the two.

"There is still a war to fight." He said." Mace Tyrell still lays siege to Storm's End. And Dorne will most likely rally to Prince Viserys."

"I'd almost forgotten." Robert sighed. He turned to the Warden of the West." Where is Prince Viserys, Tywin? And the Queen Rhaella?"

"We missed them your grace." Tywin responded." They've sailed off to Dragonstone." Robert stood back rubbing his hand through his beard once more. Evidently the war was not over after all. But Ned would finish this business first.

"We're not done here Robert!" He yelled.

"ENOUGH!" Robert roared. His voice echoed throughout the halls, silencing any noise." I'll hear no more talk of this, do you understand?" Ned's face turned red with anger." I have a task for you Lord Stark." He pointed to him." You shall lift the siege of Storm's End. Then command my brother Stannis to sail to Dragonstone to finish off the last Targarygens." Robert waited for an answer. Ned's mouth still snarled in anger." Did you hear me?"

"Yes, your Grace." He said. "I'll leave immediately." Without another word he turned around and began walking away. With his last glance over his shoulder he saw Robert sit back down in his throne, removing his antlered helm from his head. Lord Arryn, Lord Tully and Lord Tywin Lannister all stood below him.

Ned continued outside the Red Keep was the aftermath of the most recent battle. The dead were being put into piles, fires were being put out, and the prisoners were being put together and marched into the dungeons.

Lord Stark continued on until he saw some familiar faces.

"Lord Stark." Jory Cassel has said as he approached atop his horse. Walking beside him was Ned's own horse." How did it go in there?" Ned said nothing as he mounted the horse. The other Lords of the North came up beside them. Lord Jon "Greatjon" Umber of Last Hearth, Lord Roose Bolton of the Dreadfort, Lord Rickard Karstark of Karhold, Lord Jorah Mormont of Bear Island and fat Lord Wyman Manderly of White Harbor.

"We have an assignment from the King." Ned said.

"New assignment?" Lord Wyman shuttered." I had thought the war would be over by now."

"We are to ride and lift the Siege at Storm's End." Without another word Ned urged his horse forward and led the way. His Lordly Bannermen and the army of the North followed after him.

Stannis

From Summerhall to the Ruby Ford Stannis had heard of Robert's every move. From victory to victory as he beat one army after another. But it was during his one defeat at Ashford that allowed Mace Tyrell and his entire army to march on Storm's End.

Stannis did not fear Mace Tyrell. But Randyll Tarly, Mathos Rowan amongst other more capable Lords of the Reach were another matter. The vast army surrounded Storm's End by land and sea, cutting off any hopes of re-supply. They were locked in Storm's End to starve and day by day it took it's tole.

But the great fortress of Storm's End was built to withstand sieges and had never fallen. And like the great fortress itself that is what Stannis Baratheon did for an entire year.

While Robert smashed Rheagar on the Trident Stannis and his men ate the dogs. While the Lannister sacked King's Landing they ate the rats. It was during those gruesome times that some men sough to surrender.

Ser Halbart Baratheon was Stannis' great Uncle and had been Castellan of the Castle since before even Robert was born.

Ser Gawen Wylde had been the master at arms at Storm's End. He'd taught both Robert and Stannis how to fight, and amongst the small garrison Stannis had considered Ser Gawen the most trustworthy. Evidently he was wrong for one night Ser Gawen was caught trying to escape to negotiate a surrender. Stannis had him sent down to the dungeons until this was over.

"My Lord." Maester Cressen said to him." We must act."

"We are acting." Stannis replied.

"My Lord please think." Cressen pleaded." We have no more food. The horses are gone, the dogs, the cats. The men are eating rats! What happens when they run out, do we eat the dead?!"

"If necessary." Stannis answered calmly.

"My Lord-"

"I have heard your council Maester. "Stannis said. He slowly rose to his feet. "Robert has commanded me to hold Storm'd End. And that's what I plan to do." Stannis told." The younger brother obeys the Elder."

"But think of your younger brother Stannis. Is it right for Renly to die here? He's only a boy."

"Aye." Stannis nodded. "He is only a boy. But we won't be a boy forever." He paused a moment." This will all be over soon. One way or another, win or lose I will defend this castle." Cressen opened his mouth to speak but there was a sudden knocking at the door. "Come in. "Stannis commanded ready to hear something other than his Maester.

In walked a man of arms of his house Donal Noye.

"My Lord Stannis." He said walking in." We've found someone."

"Someone?" Stannis questioned. "Who?"

"You'd best come and see for yourself my Lord." He answered. Stannis did not inquire and followed Donal into the courtyard of Storms' End and then even further down to the docks.

It was dangerous business leaving the castle short even one man, let alone it's Lord. And the Tyrell attacks would often come at random and would last for days. But with Stannis gone Ser Halbart was left in command and he would bend no more than Stannis.

Standing at the docks was a man of average height, with black hair and beard. Beside him was a small boat with no sails, packed from one end to the other. Two of Stannis men at arms surrounded him.

"Who are you?" Stannis demanded. A poke from the sharp end of the spear nudged the man forward.

"My name is Davos, my Lord." He introduced." In…in my ship is onions, potatos, and salted beef." Stannis glanced past the man to his cargo and then back to him.

"Why?"

"I heard about the siege, I wanted to help." Stannis went silent once more as he looked past the man and to his cargo. But he must have gone silent for too long.

"My Lord?" Donal said getting his attention." What do we do?" Stannis once more looked back to Davos.

"Start unpacking these goods. "He ordered. So Stannis, Davos and his men at arms began carrying crate after crate of the provisions back to the Castle. Then Stannis himself began dividing protions to one man after the other. Everyone would get the same even himself, now of all times he could not be greedy. Men cried and threw themselves at the feet of their new savior Davos. When it was all said and done Stannis accompanied him back to his ship.

"I thank you for doing this." Stannis said.

"I was happy to help. "Davos said as they walked side by side." I've seen what famine and starvation can do to people." Stannis didn't skip a beat.

"Where?"

"Voyages." Davos answered.

"Voyages where? Are you a merchant? No your cloths are to poor." He gave another glance at Davos up and down." You're a smuggler." He concluded. Davos lowered his head.

"Yes." He answered." I am." Stannis let out a deep sigh. He had always been a man of justice, but would a man of justice accept stolen goods even at the cost of his own life?

"Once again I thank you for the provisions Davos." He reached out his hand. Davos paused a moment before accepting.

"I was happy to help." He said shaking his hand.

"When this is all over I'll reward you for the service you've done me here." Davos paused another moment, his hand going limp in Stannis'.

"T-Thank you my Lord but that isn't necessary." He let go of Stannis hand and the jumped back into his small boat." All I require now is to get home safely."

"Well do it then." Stannis instructed. And he watched as Davos sailed off into the night. He himself had to return back to Storm's End, the battlement needed his attention.

A few mornings later Stannis awoke to a strange sight. He could not hear the firing of siege engines, the storming of ladders, the warcries of men. And when he went to the battlements he saw why.

Down there on the ground below beside Mace Tyrell's own army was another, a Northern Army. And at the head was Lord Eddard Stark. Stannis watched as Lord Eddard made himself known and after a few short words all the Noble Lords, Knights and men at arms of the Reach bent their knee. In one spilt second the siege of Storm's End had ended.

Stannis opened the gates and in marched Lord Eddard at the head of his Northern Host. Beside Stannis were the knights of his household, however few there were.

"Lord Stark." Stannis greeted as he rode in and dismounted his horse.

"Lord Stannis." Ned said walked towards him.

"What news do you bring?"

"King's Landing has been taken. "he told." Where your brother sits the Iron Throne." Stannis face gave away no emotion. It was over, not only the siege of Storm's End but all of it." And he has a new task for you Lord Stannis." Ever the dutiful brother Stannis did not relent.

"What is it?"

"Queen Rhaella and Prince Viserys have fled to Dragonstone. Robert commands you to sail there and capture them." It would be no easy task on Stannis' part.

The provisions given to them by the smuggler Davos helped to nurish the starving garrison, Stannis included. But he wasn't at full strength yet. And taking command of a siege with his weakened might very well cost him his life. But he had a job to do. Robert had trusted him to hold Storm's End and he had done it. Now he would succeed again in taking Dragonstone.

"I'll leave immediately." He answered.

"Good." Lord Stark nodded." I'll give you some of my men to help with the Siege. Jory Cassel and Lord Wyman Madnerly." He pointed them out. Then without another word he jumped back onto his horse.

"Where will you be Lord Stark?" Stannis asked.

"The War is not over yet Lord Stannis." Ned told." And there is one last task for me to complete."

Eddard

After an entire year of wondering, a year of worrying he'd finally found her. Lyanna had been taken away by Prince Rheagar and hidden away here in the Red mountains of Dorne, at a place called the Tower of Joy.

There were six companions with him. Jory's father Martyn Cassel, Theo Wull, Ethan Glover, Ser Mark Ryswell, Lord William Dustin on his great red stallion, and Howland Reed the Crannogman from the Neck.

He did not know what to expect as they rode for it. He had hoped to simply walk into the tower, climbs it's steps and find Lyanna waiting for him. If only he'd been so fortunate.

Waiting at the round tower, the mountains to their backs and white cloaks blowing in the wind were three men. The final Three Kingsguard of King Aerys.

Ser Arthur Dayne "The Sword of the Morning" had a sad smile on his lips. The hilt of the greatsword Dawn poked up over his right shoulder.

Ser Oswell Whent was on one knee sharpening his blade with a stone, the black bat of his house spreading it's wings across his helm.

Between them stood fierce, old Ser Gerold Hightower "The White Bull" Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.

"I looked for you on the Trident." Ned said to them.

"We were not there." Ser Gerold answered.

"Wo to your friend the Usurper if we had been." Ser Oswell added.

"When King's Landing fell Ser Jaime slew your King, and I wondered where you were."

"Far away." Ser Gerold said." Or Aerys would still sit the Iron Throne and our false brother would burn in Seven Hells."

"I went to Storm's End to lift the Siege." Ned said." Where the Lords Tyrell, Redwyne and Tarly bent their knees and all their knights pledged us fealty. I thought you had been among them."

"Our knees to not bend easy." Ser Arthur said.

"Ser Willem Darry has fled to Dragonstone with your Queen and Prince Viserys. I thought you might have sailed with him."

"Ser Willem is a good man." Ser Oswell said.

"But not of the Kingsguard. "Ser Gerold explained." The Kingsguard does not flee."

"Then or now." Said Ser Arthur, he donned his helm.

"We swore a vow." Said Ser Gerold. Howland Reed and Martyn Cassel came forward to stand beside Ned.

"And now it begins." Said Arthur Dayne the Sword of the Morning. He unsheathed Dawn with both hands. The blade was pale as milk, alive with light.

"No." Ned answered." Now it ends." He unsheathed Ice.