Sorry for being so late on this, had a lot to do recently, but now I'm back! Hope you all enjoy it and like I said last chapter, it's gonna get nuts!

Stannis

Highgarden. He could almost taste victory. The Tyrells have always been a thorn on his side, especially considering how he held Storm's End from Mace and his men for a year, starving himself. By rights, the castle should have fallen to him, not only because he was the heir, but because he had proven to hold the ancient stronghold against his brothers enemies. But then that's taken away when he's given Dragonstone. He hadn't seen any Tyrells in court but he could guess that Mace and all his ilk laughed at Stannis misfortune. Not today. Today he would take Highgarden by any means necessary and unlike Mace, he would not wait for a siege. The castle would fall to him. Just as he was thinking about this, Prince Oberyn Martell came up to him.

"Prince Oberyn." Stannis greeted. "Is there something you need?"

"Vengeance and Justice. Can your king do that for me?" Oberyn said.

"You'll have to ask him. Is there doubt behind your words?" Stannis asked.

"Not at all. I just find it interesting that he allied with you. Stern Stannis Baratheon. That's we call you in Dorne." Oberyn replied.

"The king doesn't wish for great houses to fall into obscurity any further. His ancestor and namesake already did enough when he wiped out the Gardeners and the Hoares." Stannis said.

"Of course, but if your brother was alive, what would you have done? Would you have stood beside that fat oaf?" Oberyn asked. It took Stannis aback for a moment before he collected his thoughts. He hadn't thought about that possibility.

"I wouldn't have betrayed my brother. I would have stood alongside him. He may have been a terrible king but he was my brother, my elder. There are older, deeper laws in the world." Stannis explained. Oberyn surprisingly didn't even take offense to that.

"I would do the same if it concerned my brother. But, still, you helped your brother rebel against Aerys. Why join his son?" Oberyn asked.

"Because if I didn't, my house would have fallen from history. I will not become a page in someone else's history book. If that means that I have to renounce my brother's rebellion to ensure the survival of my house, so be it. I am the last of House Baratheon, at least until Princess Daenerys bears me a son. My first wife couldn't do it. She could only give me a stillborn daughter before she died herself." Stannis explained. "She died during the siege at Storm's End. We sent her body back to her family, and my daughter is buried along with the rest of her kin."

"A pity though, for me at least. I wanted to have a good fight with you, but the king thought otherwise. Perhaps one day we will." Oberyn remarked.

"I am no stranger to fighting, but I don't crave it like my brother did." Stannis said.

"So I'm told. You often command the rearguard." Oberyn said.

"Yes." Stannis said curtly.

"Including at Storm's End? Against your brother, the other usurper?" Oberyn asked trying to get a reaction out of Stannis. He wouldn't let him.

"I did, by the king's command. He didn't want us to fight each other on the front lines. He already had enough men to lead his army. Robb Stark led the right flank, the Blackfish led the left, Aegon in the vanguard and myself in the center though I commanded from the rear." Stannis explained.

"I heard it was a fierce battle. What was it like, to face your brother?" Oberyn asked.

"Do you hackle on like a crone with a codfish?" Stannis snapped. "It was a slaughter, nothing more. My brother had betrayed me. He crowned himself king over me. Those men who fought with him died for a lost cause. Good men will fight for Joffrey wrongly believing him to be the rightful king. Others like the Starks, Tullys and your family will say the same about Aegon Targaryen. But these men behind us, the Stormlords and the Reachmen, they knew my brother for a usurper and a traitor. And I have marked them for who they are. I have forgiven them, yes, but I have not forgotten." Stannis said. Oberyn seemed to be studying his face the entire time, trying to get a hint of a lie out of him but couldn't find one.

"Wise words my lord. And the strength I hope to see destroy the Lannisters." Oberyn said darkly. They arrived at the castle which didn't look to be manned all that well. Randyll Tarly came riding to them.

"Anything?" Stannis asked.

"None. They have closed the gates, but this is unusual. The walls are manned, but it seems like the castle is emptier than usual." Randyll reported.

"Unusual indeed. Could they perhaps be hiding somewhere?" Oberyn remarked. "Little roses like the Tyrells are not well known for their fighting prowess."

"That's not like them." Stannis replied. "If they want to meet us in battle then they will face us like my brother did." Stannis thought for a moment. There must have been one other explanation. "They could have taken their armies to assist the Lannisters."

"Then it appears we may have been deceived. We must take the castle quickly before any reinforcements arrive. Once we have the castle, the other lords of the Reach will flock to us. Mace will lose all his power. And his resources." Randyll said.

"Then we take Highgarden, or die in the attempt." Stannis said. "I want the castle surrounded. Lord Tarly, you will take the northern part of the castle. Prince Oberyn, you will take the front gates, I will take the eastern side. Watch all your rearguards, they may be lying in wait." Stannis explained.

"As you wish, my lord." Randyll said.

"Well, at least I get bite off some roses today." Oberyn remarked before the both of them rode off to their men.

Stannis' tactic actually worked to their advantage, the castle was surrounded by the sides Stannis had ordered. They could not reinforce King's Landing as Stannis was on the eastern part of the castle blocking off the Roseroad. They couldn't go north to Tywin Lannister and the only escape was to the west, possibly near Hightower, miles away from their home, and King's Landing. Stannis' men were busy climbing the walls to get into the ancestral castle of House Gardener. This castle didn't truly belong to the Tyrells, it was given to them by Aegon I, a decision in which the current one was rectifying. Everyone knew the Tyrells had a weak claim to Highgarden, it was obvious. They were only powerful because of their marriages to other Reach houses who would probably stab them in the back someday. Well, it seemed like that day had come. Stannis' men had reached the walls and began to carve down a path to the main gate. The Dornish had succeeded in breaking the main gates. Soon enough, the castle was theirs. Stannis walked through the main gates on his horse, making sure to trample on the Tyrell banners first. He reached the courtyard where the dead Tyrell soldiers were being piled up. Lord Randyll and Prince Oberyn approached him.

"How many lost?" Stannis asked.

"Less than a thousand." Randyll said.

"There were less here." Oberyn remarked.

"And our own losses?" Stannis asked.

"The same as the Tyrell men here." Randyll reported.

"Good. Was there anyone in command?" Stannis asked.

"Just one." Oberyn replied gesturing for his men to bring out a prisoner. "Lord Stannis, this is Lord Garth Tyrell, he is commonly called 'The Gross.'" Oberyn explained.

"You defended this castle?" Stannis asked him.

"It is my duty to do so, my lord put me in charge." Garth replied.

"And where is your lord? He is not here?" Stannis asked.

"No. He is far away from here." Garth chuckled. He spat out some blood. "He wanted me to give you a message. You may have taken Highgarden, but you will not have our gold and our food. Let these traitorous lords feed your army. We will enjoy our spoils in the Riverlands and the Vale. With our Lannister and Arryn friends." Garth explained. This took Stannis by surprise.

"The Vale? Have they declared for the bastard Joffrey?" Stannis asked.

"Ha! They have indeed. Even they remember the Mad King's horrors." Garth mocked. "And you spit on your brother's memory by siding with one of them."

"Enough! This is pointless my lord, you are suffering from injuries and will die soon. Take him away." Randyll said to his men who hauled the old man away. Stannis then began to worry a bit. "What is it, my lord?"

"If they have already gone with their supplies and linked up with the Lannisters… we must hurry!" Stannis said.

"What's wrong?" Oberyn asked.

"Get the men ready to march in a few hours. If we don't get to King's Landing fast enough, the king will be in danger. The Lannisters, Tyrells and Arryns have joined together, Aegon needs all the men he can get."

Strickland

The men were exhausted. What was left of them. They had been harassing Tywin's lines but today was a different skirmish. They were set upon all sides by the Tyrells and Arryns. It was something Strickland did not anticipate. He blamed himself. But he couldn't just sit by anymore. He went up to whoever was left of the men. Black Balaq, Rolly Duckfield, Franklyn Flowers, Tristan Rivers and Duncan Strong. the rest were either dead or captured. Though, thankfully, Lysono Maar was with Aegon, so their spies couldn't be harmed.

"How many do we have left?" Strickland asked.

"How many do you want to hear?" Tristan asked back.

"We only have six thousand left, thankfully they are all mounted." Balaq said.

"How could this have happened?!" Franklyn shouted. "We had them, and then this happens?"

"What good is yelling about it? What do we do?" Duncan asked.

"We can retreat. Make our way to Moat Cailin and regroup with the Northerners, maybe hold the Moat in case the Lannisters try to invade the North?" Tristan suggested.

"And what would that get us?" Franklyn asked. "No, we have to ride to King's Landing, regroup with the king and take the fight back to the Lannisters."

"If we do that, how do we know the Lannisters will stay where they are? They could charge behind our ranks and slaughter us and the king." Balaq said.

"No, we will not do any of those things." Strickland decided. It was the hardest decision he had ever made, but it had to be done. "We will charge them, head on." This took all of them by surprise and horrified them.

"Y-you want us to charge them?" Duncan asked.

"I do." Strickland said firmly.

"We'll be slaughtered." Tristan said.

"Maybe. But we swore an oath to that Dragon King. We may have served the Blackfyres before, but that boy is better than his ancestors, bastard or trueborn. We followed him into battle, with many victories. We won against the proud Iron Fleet, and the pirate, Euron Greyjoy. We beat back a Dothraki horde, and we beat back the Lannisters at Riverrun. It may come to us all dying, but I will not meekly bow out of this fight. I will go forward and fight for House Targaryen. Now who will stand with me?" The men looked to each other before determination came to their faces.

"I will follow you my old friend." Balaq said.

"I killed a few Fossoways, I can kill a few more." Franklyn said. Tristan and Duncan had broad smiles on their faces.

"To the last man." Tristan said.

"Let's kill some lions." Duncan declared.

Tywin

The battle lines were drawn up. The Golden Company would not be going anywhere. It was a brilliant move on his part. After the defeats at Whispering Wood and the Camps, Tywin ordered his cousin, Damon Lannister to begin conscripting men from the Westerlands. Since the Targaryen boy didn't press any further into his own homeland, ten thousand fresh troops were recruited. Lord Mace Tyrell's army numbered eighty thousand and the man was burning with vengeance in his heart, for once he was thankful for the Targaryen boy's mistake of killing all his enemies in the field. Finally, there was Littlefinger's sweet words to Lysa Arryn. Since his granddaughter was betrothed to her son, they would have the Vale on their side, twenty-five thousand men. Even so, he didn't think they would join him considering she blamed his dwarf son Tyrion for killing her husband but perhaps she was misinformed about all of that. Perhaps someone else had poisoned Jon Arryn. Regardless, Tywin now had an even larger army to contend with Aegon. With his army he could crush the Targaryen boy, the Starks, Tullys and Baratheons with one swift stroke. However, he knew he couldn't leave the Golden Company to roam around in the Riverlands. First he would deal with them, and then move to King's Landing, unopposed, and wipe out the Targaryen line for good. Perhaps once he killed Stannis Baratheon, he would take the Targaryen girl and make her Joffrey's bride. It could help appease the kingdoms afterwards. He could find someone else for the Tyrells to marry. He was approached by his brother at that moment.

"Tywin. They're coming back." Kevan reported.

"What do you mean?" Tywin asked.

"The Golden Company, they are preparing to charge." Kevan replied. Tywin shook his head at that.

"So be it. Prepare the trebuchets." Tywin ordered. He could see them coming from miles away. They were brave, he had to give them that.

"Those foolish savages think they're going to win." Mace Tyrell said from his side.

Slowly but surely, the Golden Company started their charge. There were only six thousand of them left and they had a look of determination on their faces. They would not meekly retreat like their predecessors, this time it will be to the last man. Tywin would happily oblige them.

"Loose!" Kevan shouted an order. At that several trebuchets began to launch several fiery boulders at the Company. They hit their marks with many of the sellswords dying and their horses colliding into each other. But despite this, the Company kept moving forward.

"Ser Damon. Get your pikemen ready for the first wave." Tywin ordered his cousin who began gathering his men, mostly green boys to hold them back. He was accompanied by his grandson, Lucion Lannister.

"Archers!" Kevan shouted. "Nock, draw, loose!" At that command, the archers began firing on the mercenary company with several hitting their mark. The trebuchet attack and the archers firing their arrows reduced their numbers a bit but not by much. Suddenly Tywin saw one of the men, a Summer Islander nock his bow and fired an arrow into Damon's throat. This caused Lucion and the other men there to suddenly panic. The Golden Company hit them hard and managed to break through their lines. But still, Tywin was not deterred.

"Send in our cavalry." He ordered his brother, Lord Mace and Lord Jon Lynderly, commanding the Vale forces.

They had ten times as many cavalry as the Golden Company did, and it appeared it would be a slaughter. The two forces collided and while the Golden Company fought bravely, they could not hold against the superior Lannister/Tyrell/Vale cavalry. Some of the men there had a looks of hatred on their faces but some had pity. Some of the members of the Golden Company had been born in Westeros, or have had houses here that have been exiled. All they wanted to do was return home. But now that dream was shattered. Tywin overlooked the battlefield, the rest of the Golden Company were either dying or dead. He would not have any survive here. This was a great victory for House Lannister. They had beaten the Golden Company, but it was not lost on him that Aegon hadn't lost a battle. But soon enough, he would. The dragons would die by the lion's hand.

Okay, so a shorter chapter than before, but like I said it was gonna get nuts. The Golden Company dying is a massive blow to Aegon, hopefully he can recover from this. I kind of listened to the music from the Last Samurai, the final charge, as inspiration for their final charge. Next chapter is going to be the Battle of Blackwater.

Reviews:

Guest #1: True, having Catelyn there will change it and since it was Theon's plan to take Winterfell, I doubt any of the Ironborn will try to mount an assault.

daspeedforce: I have a plan for sending Theon back. Don't worry.

DannyBlack70: Well, in this story, Stannis is the last of his house so, he has to ensure his family's survival. Tarly leading the anti-Lannister Reach forces will play a big part later on.

Alphapaladin: Oh yeah, I enjoyed writing that part. Balon's invasion was doomed to fail from the start. As for Tywin, yeah he has about 140,000 men. It's not looking good for Aegon right now.

DaddyChad: I have plans for Theon later on.

xXMoonlitSorrowsXx: Well, Aegon wants to rectify his family's mistakes as well as his ancestors. The Starks have been the most loyal house in the kingdoms and yet they've never been rewarded with any marriages into House Targaryen. They'll be getting close in a few more chapters considering where they are right now.