The North 299 AC.

Jae.

The girl slept as Brankardix flew and Jae watched the land underneath him turn from fully white to patches of green, and finally to forest and trees with very little snow upon them. As it began to get dark he found a place to land and lit a small fire, giving the girl his cloak to keep warm while he warged into some nearby rabbits and brought them to him for their meal.

She ate as if she'd not for days and drank the water just as greedily, Jae looking to Brankardix who slept nearby. Throwing more wood on the fire he looked to the girl and told her to get some rest, promising her that he'd stay awake and keep her safe. It took some time for her to go to sleep and once she did Jae began to search for Syrax, the eagle resting in a tree on one of the Shield Islands.

He saw through her eyes the battle that had taken place and he felt not just relief that they hadn't been hurt, but pride in his aunt and cousins. They had done their jobs incredibly well and not only had they sent the Iron Fleet back to the Iron Islands, but they had done so easily. For Jae, there was also the knowledge that he wouldn't have to go there now, that he wasn't needed and could instead do what it was he hoped for. Closing his eyes he leaned back against the tree and slept a little, making sure to wake before Arya did.

"We'll eat and then fly to White Harbor." he said and the girl nodded as she ate the remainder of one of the rabbits from the previous night.

"What's to become of me?" she asked worriedly when she'd done.

"Your family?" he asked and she shook her head.

"They killed them, ma and da and Daveth." Arya said choking up before she composed herself.

"Do you have anyone else, uncles, aunts?" he asked and she shook her head once more.

Jae got up and walked to the chest and brought it over to her opening it up so she could see the gems inside. The girl's eyes lighting up as she saw them.

"This is for you, it was his and I figure you're owed it for what he took from you." Jae said and Arya looked to him as if he was mad and this was some sort of trick.

"You're just giving me this?" she asked doubtfully and he nodded.

"We're going to White Harbor, House Manderly are good men, loyal men, and they'll see you settled. Ser Wylis will ensure you have a place to stay until you're ready and with this, you can buy a house and have a future." he said and she jumped up and hugged him, Jae so surprised that it took him a moment to hug him back.

"Thank you, thank you, had you not come, I..he..thank you." she said and he patted her softly on the back.

Helping her up on the dragon they were soon in the air and as they flew over Winterfell he was tempted to land, a part of him wishing to speak to his uncle and the others there. He knew though that he'd end up spending time there and then in White Harbor also and it would delay him getting back to where he truly wished to be, and so he flew onward. It was dark when they reached White Harbor, Jae landing just outside of the city and thanking Brankardix before sending his son to go feed.

Taking the girl by the hand he walked to the gates, the guards recognizing him immediately gave him escorted to the New Castle. He actually felt silly walking through the town, though there weren't many people out it wasn't empty, and seeing him walk wearing Valyrian armor word soon spread. By the time he reached the New Castle itself a small crowd had formed behind him and people were pointing and speaking as he was met by his mother, Arthur, and Ser Wylis.

"You are well? "his mother asked hugging him tightly.

"I am, as are Dany, Arya and Shireen." he said and felt her relief.

"Arthur, Ser Wylis." he said a moment later and then introduced Arya "Ser Wylis this is Arya, can you see she's given a room and a warm bath, some food too." he said and the knight nodded and called for some servants to take her to her room.

"I.." the girl said as Jae looked to her.

"Go rest and eat, I'll speak to Ser Wylis and Lord Wyman and we'll speak on the morrow." he said and the girl nodded as she was led away, the chest he held onto for now.

"Jae?" his mother asked.

"Euron took her prisoner, I arrived before he could do anything she'd not recover from." he said and his mother nodded as they walked into the keep.

"Euron, your grace?" Arthur asked.

"Will trouble us no more Arthur, neither he nor the Iron Born.".

Trying to talk Wyman out of the feast was an impossible task and truth be told it wasn't truly one by the usual standards, though a quiet dinner with family it was not. He listened as the Lord told him of the trip to Braavos and then Jae began to tell them of the ravens, of how Euron had planned the attack on them and sent word of it to draw him into his trap, and then he told them of Dany, Arya, and Shireen's success.

"You sent them into battle?" his mother said reproachfully.

"They are Dragonriders' mother, the battle they're preparing for will be much worse." he said and his mother reluctantly nodded.

"He drew you out, your grace?" Lord Wyman asked.

"He had a seal from House Cerwyn, sent a raven with it telling of the attack on my mother, he knew I'd come but he planned for me to have lost my senses and attack without thought." he said and Arthur looked at him with a smirk on his face.

"But you didn't?" Arthur said.

"I had better teachers than that." he said and saw his mother take Arthur's hand in hers, a small smile on her face as she looked at the knight.

"What happened in the Shields, your grace?" Wyman asked.

"Dany, Arya, and Shireen took Ellanys and Rhaegon and flew there, on two of the islands they stopped the attack before it began, on one just as it was beginning and on the last, the Iron Born had already landed. They took out some of the ships making it clear what the dragons could do and soon the Iron Born retreated." he said and Wyman looked to him.

"With most of the fleet intact?" Wyman asked.

"An agreement with the new ruler Lord Wyman, the threat of what can be done to them should be enough to keep them in line and Asha Greyjoy seems a far different sort." he said and the Lord looked at him for a moment before he nodded.

"Theon?" his mother asked.

"May be the heir but he's for Asha to sort out and I pick the ruler of their islands, not they." he said and Wyman smiled.

He ate sparingly as he wasn't as hungry as he should be, even the night before he'd not eaten much and he wondered was it just how much he missed his wife and children that had robbed him of his appetite. After telling Lord Wyman of his plans for Arya and giving him the chest to see that she was looked after, he walked to his room with Arthur and his mother beside him.

"My grandchildren, what are they like?" his mother asked as they walked.

"Perfect, they're perfect." he said with a smile "I miss them so much, days I've been gone and gods I miss them as if I've not seen them in years." he said and his mother laughed as she kissed his cheek.

"You'll see them soon, it'll only take you a couple of days to fly back." she said and he looked to her.

"For us to fly back." he said and chuckled when she shook her head.

"Jae." she said and he laughed a little more loudly now.

"Mother, you're the best rider I've ever seen, I think a dragon will be nothing to you and you'll get to hold your grandchildren in your arms that much sooner." he said and knew he'd convinced her with that alone.

Laying down in bed he closed his eyes and reached out to Ghost finding him lying by the fire. He walked over to his wife and looked down on her as she slept before doing the same to his children. Aegon was curled in a little ball while Rhaenys slept perfectly straight and as he warged back out of Ghost and rolled over in his bed he was soon asleep.

Breaking his fast the next morning he asked Lord Wyman to bring Theon to King's Landing with him when he returned and went to speak to Arya. Wyman had suggested that she be given a place in his household and attend lessons and while not be a ward, she'd be treated as such and Jae thought that a great idea. With her newfound wealth, she couldn't be a servant and she would need some education so that she'd not be taken advantage of.

"Will I work in the kitchens, I like to cook." Arya said and Jae smiled as he looked at her.

"You're not a servant Arya, you don't have to work. Lord Wyman will see to your education and you'll be given coin to buy clothing and things you need. When your older and feel ready you'll get access to the rest of your coin and be free to buy a house, or a business, or to do whatever you wish." he said and she looked at him as if she couldn't believe what he was saying.

"I had thought, the gems, I had thought you'd keep them." she said biting her lip.

"They're yours, you'll never need work again if you're careful and you'll always have a friend in me, should you ever find yourself in King's Landing come to the Red Keep and I'll be happy to speak to you.".

"Thank you your grace." she said and followed it with a terrible curtsy.

"Jae." he said and she smiled before leaving with a servant.

After saying his goodbyes to Lord Wyman and his family, he helped his mother onto Brankardix's back, and once she was settled and Arthur was behind him they took off. He hoped to make it back to King's Landing that night, Brankardix was fed and rested and his son wished to see his brother and sister again, Jae too keen to see his family.

The Shield Islands/King's Landing 299 AC.

Dany.

The feast had been welcome and she'd found her appetite as well as the girls to be much larger than normal. She'd actually belched embarrassingly when she'd finished her meal, such was how quickly and fully she'd eaten. Lord Guthor was both proud to have a Targaryen princess in his hall and extremely relieved that his house hadn't fallen and his castle was still his own.

The wine was excellent and though she drank she made sure not to get drunk, politely declining when she had enough and refusing all attempts or requests to dance. She found herself giggling when Shireen danced with a young boy and then another left with his tail between his legs after he'd asked Arya to do the same. When the time came to call it a night she was glad for it, the stiffness in her muscles hadn't been relieved by the warm bath and she hoped the bed would do better in that regard.

She could tell when breaking her fast the next morning just how keen both Arya and Shireen were to be away from here. The novelty of being feted as heroines had clearly worn off and the girls wished both to be back in the air, and back in King's Landing. So after saying their goodbyes, they made their way to where Rhaegon and Ellanys were already waiting, the dragons too seemed keen to be away.

"We'll fly as far as we can before resting, hopefully, we'll make it by the morrow." she said as Arya nodded eagerly.

"Jae?" Shireen asked.

"I'm sure my nephew is on his way back to King's Landing also, I say we beat him there, do you agree?" she said with a smirk.

"Aye." Arya said almost grabbing Shireen in her eagerness to win a race that Dany wasn't even sure they were in.

While she held no fear for Jae and she'd seen Syrax flying before they landed, which told her that her nephew would know of their success, she hoped that whatever he'd faced had been as easy as their own battle. Climbing up on Ellanys's back she looked to the knights who'd accompanied them and gave them a nod before taking to the air. The dragon's doing a quick sweep of the water, just to make sure that no Iron Born ship had decided to stay and try their luck.

The flight was far slower than she wished, the dragons seeming in less of a hurry once they reached the air and she wondered if they were tired. When she brought them in to land it seemed not and she watched as they flew to feed. While she'd never begrudge them anything, that they had stopped so close to King's Landing was frustrating. Tumbleton being less than an hour or two away from King's Landing by dragon made her wonder if they were trying to arrive when Jae did, if they could have felt that Brankardix was close.

"Why didn't we just fly the rest of the way?" Arya said as they ate, darkness only beginning to fall only adding to the girl's annoyance.

"They didn't wish to fly anymore Arya, A dragon is not a slave, remember." she said and Arya nodded.

"Do you think they're tired?" Shireen asked and Dany shook her head.

"No, they wished to stop for some other reason." she said.

When they woke the next morning the reason became clear as both dragons took to the air and were gone for a couple of hours. They broke their fast while they waited for them to return and once they did so she could tell they'd fed. Climbing up on Ellanys's back soon they were in the air and soon she saw where the dragons had taken their fill, the burned area of the ground, and the large herd of Aurochs in the distance having been their target.

Seeing King's Landing come into view so soon after their flight began only furthered her annoyance though. She could have spent the night wrapped up in Lakoe's arms instead of laying by a fire in a field. Only the thoughts that she'd more than make up for it that night were enough to keep her from sharing her thoughts with Ellanys. Landing at the Dragonpit they were met by Ser Oswell and Ser Robar, the bat looking far more upset than she had ever seen him before.

"What's happened?" she asked worriedly as she climbed down the dragon's back.

"What? it's nothing." Ser Oswell said and before Dany could ask him anything else Arya was speaking to him.

"Jae, has something happened to Jae, Margaery, the babes?" Arya asked and it was Ser Robar rather than Oswell that answered.

"It's the Lord Commander, he's poorly." Ser Robar said and Dany felt a lump in her throat as Oswell glared at the other knight.

"Has Jae arrived back?" she asked softly and Oswell shook his head.

The ride to the Red Keep was far more subdued after that, Dany trying not to worry too much about Ser Gerold and hoping if the worst came to the worst that Jae would be back by then. For Dany, it had been Jon and Arthur, Lyanna, and only later on Ser Gerold and Ser Oswell. She'd grown up with the others in that house in Lys and only when Jae had gone to visit their uncle at the wall had she really been around the White Bull.

For Jae, while it was the same in some respects, it was different too. Arthur was not a Kingsguard to Jae and hadn't been for some time, for Jae it was Ser Gerold he looked to when it came to the order. More than that though he sought the knight's advice on things regarding his rule, he may not always take it but when it came to protocol and how a thing should be done, then Jae looked to Ser Gerold.

She made her way to the queen's rooms to let her know what had happened and that all was well in the Shields before she planned to head to White Sword Tower to check in on Ser Gerold. Margaery was sitting by the crib playing with the children while Olenna sat working at the queen's desk, and Dany felt herself wishing her nephew was her too.

"Your grace." she said as she walked over to her.

"Dany, all is well, you were successful?" Margaery asked.

"All is well, the Shields remain in the control of their lords and the Iron Fleet has been sent back to its islands." she said.

"Euron?" Olenna asked and she turned to see the woman had walked over to join them.

"I'm sure my nephew will tell us all about it when he comes back." Dany said with a smile which Margaery half heatedly returned "He'll be back soon, of that I have no doubt." she added and this time Margaery smiled a little more fully.

After leaving Margaery she checked in on Ser Gerold, finding the knight up and about and looking no worse for wear, even going to so far to laugh off Ser Robar's concerns. Dany feeling far more relieved when she walked to her own rooms and smiling when Lakoes opened the door to her.

The Wall 299 AC.

Stannis.

It had taken a number of moons but he'd turned the Nightfort into a far more impressive place than it had been when he'd arrived. He along with his men had put a shift in and he found he'd enjoyed it somewhat. There was no protocol to be followed, no pretenses here, the men worked and ate together and though he was commander, he was approachable.

He had also seemed to become somewhat of a liaison between the watch, the crown, and the Free Folk. He was who each side turned to with their disputes or requests, even more so than Mance of the Lord Commander. Stannis having become someone who to all was a fair judge of who had the right and wrong of things. For the crown's perspective, it seemed Jae had left his orders with his men to come to him more than to Jeor.

They'd present themselves at Castle Black but then make their way to the Nightfort and from there begin the process of moving out amongst the castles on the wall. Another three thousand men had arrived, Jae seeking to have the three castles that had not been manned, garrisoned with five hundred each, and the rest of the men split amongst the other castles on the wall.

"You sure this is what he wishes?" he asked Ser Franklyn and the man nodded.

"Aye, this is what Lord Jon told me, the king wishes some of our men with each castle. He feels there is less likely to be fights between the groups that way if people know that we have our own men among them.".

"These are the king's men?" he asked looking to them.

"No, some are, less than half, others are men given over by various houses, men of the North, the Reach, men of the Crownlands, volunteers and paid men." Ser Frankly said before he whispered, "Lord Jon has already listed them out in groups, there will be as many of us as there are of them.".

Stannis found himself smirking when he looked out at the men, some looked almost shocked to see the wall, others more eager to get settled in. Since night was already falling they set up their tents and some were brought in to the Nightfort itself. It was or had been one of the larger castles on the wall and with the work they'd done, it could hold perhaps a thousand in its present state, more if they continued to work on it.

After eating well and drinking some ale, Stannis retired for the night and woke early the next morning. After breaking his fast with Ser Franklyn he took his one hundred men and left them to Jarrod to see settled. Mounting up on his horse, he turned to Ser Franklyn and began the ride to Icemark. They left over a thousand men to wait on their return. Stannis feeling and Ser Franklyn agreeing that it was best if he was the one to speak to each of the commanders before they were garrisoned.

"What's Icemark like?" Ser Franklyn asked.

"It's not in bad shape, I tried to keep the best three for the king's men, the free folk are hardy and I didn't know who the king would be sending." Stannis said and Ser Franklyn laughed

"I thank you for it, not much of a builder myself.".

"You're staying?" Stannis asked surprised.

"I am, this is where the war is coming and why we came back, so this is where I'll be needed.".

He was comforted by that and glad that the man would be staying so close to him. They stayed at Icemark for a day to settle in Ser Franklyn and then rode to Hoarforst Hill, Stannis stunned to see the castle and the shape it was in and the men who now garrisoned it.

"You must be Stannis?" Styr said when he walked down the stairs, the large Magnar of the Thenns dressed in fur-covered armor and carrying a Dragonglass hammer along with two steel axes.

"Aye, I am, the king sent some men to help garrison the wall, one hundred of them are to stay here." Stannis said expecting some pushback though all he got was a nod.

"I'll see them settled, those supplies for me?" Styr asked.

"They are, how are you doing for supplies, food, blankets?".

"We're good, there's good game here, you staying or traveling on?" Styr asked and looking to the buildings around him Stannis was sorely tempted.

"No, I better move on, need to get these settled in Sentinel Stand and Stonedoor.".

"Then I'll see you on your return, I'll keep a warm fire and some hot stew on the ready." Styr said with a laugh and Stannis nodded as he rode on.

Settling the men in both castles was easy enough and barring an argument with Denys Mallister in the Shadow Tower, which Stannis found incredibly frustrating. Countless ravens sent for years asking for more men, now they were here and the watch complained. Something which he pointed out to the man though it was the threat from one of the king's men, saying that the supplies would stop which changed his tone.

He enjoyed seeing Ser Rolland again and the man had made the best of the situation he was in, glad both for the extra men and the supplies. Though Stannis had found that it was his company that Ser Rolland had enjoyed the most, something he too had been glad of. It was almost a moon he'd been away when he got back to the Nightfort and he could see another moon's worth of traveling to come.

"How are we doing Jarrod?" he said when he arrived.

"The men have settled in well, Mance sent a rider a few days ago, some trouble or other and we received another shipment. Artos says we've got food for six moons now." Jarrod said and Stannis nodded.

He had a warm bath that night and was up and ready to ride the next morning, this time he'd even more castles to visit and an even longer journey to undertake. Yet as he left the Nightfort he looked around to see the changes that had been made since he'd been gone, feeling that the place looked even more alive than it had just a moon ago. While in Castle Black young Tarly had told him that the wall thrived when it had men of the watch, or that's what the books had said and Stannis was beginning to think him right.

King's Landing 299 AC.

Margaery.

Each day that Jae was away made her worry increase and not much anyone could say would relax her for very long. That he had gone off on his own annoyed her a little as she had thought he'd have gone with Dany, Arya, and Shireen. Though it was his mother who had been attacked and she knew that if needed, that would be where he went first.

So when she heard the cheers from outside the window she found herself running to it to see if he had returned. Looking on happily when she saw that not only was Jae back but so was Lyanna and Arthur too, all of them looking unharmed. She was happier still when they landed in the courtyard and not the Dragonpit, Brankardix soon taking back to the sky.

That she had her children awake in their cribs and she was queen of the seven kingdoms was the only thing that stopped her from running down to greet her husband. Something which didn't encumber Jae, as soon she heard the sound of running outside the door and while her grandmother sat there trying to look perturbed, Margaery couldn't stop smiling when Jae came in and was kissing her before he even said a word.

"Ahem." her grandmother coughed though Jae just kept kissing her, his lips never leaving hers once "Ahem.".

While Jae did stop kissing her, he kept his arms around her and just stood there looking into her eyes as if he was seeing her for the first time. A small cough from the cribs taking his attention from her face as he took her hand and they walked over to their children. She could see him struggle to decide who to take in his arms as both children looked up at him, so reaching in she picked up Aegon and made the choice for him.

"I'll leave you two alone, it's good you're back your grace." her grandmother said and motioning to the Jeyne and the wet-nurse all three of them left the room.

"All went well?" she asked while Jae smiled as Rhaenys giggled at his fingers.

"All went well." he said and they walked over to the seat to sit down "God's I missed you all so much, each day away just felt like a moon or more.".

"We missed you too, Euron, he won't bother us again?" she asked hoping that nothing would take him away from them in the near future.

"Euron is dead." he said and she felt herself relax even more.

After a few moments of holding Rhaenys, she reached out and swapped with him, allowing him to hold Aegon for some time too. Jae then stood up and walked back to the crib and so she followed and they laid them both down. The children almost drifting off to sleep as soon as they did so.

"I don't wish to go anywhere else Marge, just stay here with you and them. I know I'll have to but I don't wish to." he said and she allowed him to hold her in his arms, the two of them standing together until she looked at him.

"You smell." she said and he laughed.

"I hurried back, I must have forgot to bathe." he said and she walked to the door and told Roslin to organize a bath for him.

Luckily they were joined by Lyanna and Arthur which gave him the excuse to slip away and have him bathe and change, and her the opportunity to introduce her goodmother to her grandchildren. That they were asleep was no barrier to how much Lyanna seemed to adore them and between looking at the children, crying, and then hugging her, the time they spent together was incredibly emotional.

When Jae came back he was like a different man, the bath not only refreshing his smell but it seemed him too and soon she found herself wishing for night to fall, so keen was she for them to take to their bed. Though it was some hours from that and she found herself surprised that Jae seemed to wish to work. Though he later explained at their private dinner that night why that was.

"I wanted to get it out of the way, to have no distractions when I was alone with my wife this night." Jae said and she felt a little shiver at both how he said it and the way he looked at her.

"Did they tell you everything?" she asked.

"Lord Royce arrived, him and Hardyng?" he asked and she nodded "Have you met him?".

"Briefly, he seems very assured." she said and Jae looked at her trying to figure out if she meant more than she was saying.

"I'll meet him on the morrow, Lord Royce?".

"A good man Jae, even grandmother says so. What do you plan with the Iron Islands, are you allowing Asha to rule?" she asked and he smirked which she frowned at.

"Did you think I'd go back on my word?" he asked as he stared at her.

"No, it's just she's a woman…with a male heir.".

"I'd not put Theon in charge of a ship let alone one of our kingdoms. I told you what I saw him do, yes he didn't do it but I saw it, which means it's in his heart. Asha came us in good faith, all she told me turned out true and that's someone I can work with, not a man I'd worry about stabbing me in the back." he said and she was glad to hear it, both she and her grandmother had found Asha to be while strange, honest.

"Shall we continue to talk about matters of the realm your grace?" she asked her smile much more devious now as she stood up "Or is my husband's hunger for something else?".

She never got to make it away from the table, Jae moving far too fast and picking her up in his arms, almost running with her to the bedroom. Margaery laughing all the way until the bed, then feeling his lips on her neck and the small bites he gave to her ear. With each one she found herself almost willing him to tear her dress from her. Though it seemed that she wasn't the only one willing to tease this night and for the next few hours she was more than glad of it.

The Wall 299 AC.

Mance.

He rode back from Deep Lake after speaking to Mother Mole and ready to kill someone, the attack had been unprovoked and it needed to be answered, and that only two men had died had been a blessing. It was when they were riding that he found them. The men were laughing and japing and so he and his hid among the trees and waited until the slept before they made their move.

"Say a fucking word and it'll be your last." he said when the man's eyes opened and the black brother nodded to let him know he understood.

He looked to Jarl who had gathered the others and soon they were riding back to Queensgate, with the men tied behind their horses. Arriving at the castle he had Val and Jarl see the men were locked up and sent for riders to head to the Nightfort. Once they were ready he told them to stop off at Deep Lake and tell Mother Mole that the men had been caught, and then to ride to Stannis and ask him to come back with them.

Mance then made his way to his rooms to find Dalla and Rhaegar sitting by the fire, his wife rocking the small crib with her foot as she sewed up clothes for their son to wear. Just looking at the image of it was enough to make him smile, though it didn't completely remove the anger he felt over the attack. Things had been peaceful for some time. with more harsh words and looks than actions being taken. So he wondered what it was that had brought this on and was this the start of more trouble down the road.

"I can hear you there you know." Dalla said and he chuckled as he took his seat beside her.

"Aye, I know, I wished to clear my head before I sat down." he said and she stopped her sowing and reached out to pour him a mug of ale.

"Drink and tell me your troubles." his wife said and as he swallowed a mouthful of the ale, he did just that.

His wife listened as he told her of how the men were out hunting and had come under attack, two dead, two injured and those who'd lived claimed it unprovoked. Given the men who'd done it, Mance was pretty sure they were telling the truth of it, these men the loudest of those who'd complained about the Free folk passing the wall.

"Did you send for Stannis?" she asked.

"Aye, I did.".

"Then let's wait until he arrives, see if Jae was right to place his trust in him." she said and he nodded as he drank another swallow of the ale.

That night he had to make sure that it was men he could count on that guarded the black brothers and he hoped that Stannis would arrive before Jeor would. Mance feeling that word would make it back to the Lord Commander and he'd seek his men returned, or use it as a way to blame them rather than those responsible. This fear was only heightened when his men returned to say Stannis was off somewhere else and that there was a large force of men outside of the Nightfort.

"A friendly force?" he asked and Borroq looked at him confused.

"A force Mance, how should I know if they be friendly or not?".

"Did it look like they were fighting with those in the Nightfort, or did they try to stop you?" Val asked and he was glad she kept her annoyance to words.

"No, they seemed friendly." Borroq said and Mance tried not to laugh when Ygritte glared at him.

Stannis himself arrived a few days later and the group of men he had with him must have been the entirety of those that Borroq had seen, Mance wondering why they were here. It didn't take long for Stannis to give him the answer and he had to admit that he was not only glad of the extra men but given what was going on, it would help with their problem.

"Where have you got them?" Stannis asked.

"We have a makeshift dungeon, they're well cared for but my people call for blood." he said and Stannis looked to him and nodded.

"I'm sure they do, how many died?".

"Two."

"And the injured, how bad?".

"One lost some fingers, the other just some broken bones, they'll heal." he said as they walked to the dungeon.

"How many of them were there?" Stannis asked.

"Six.".

He saw Stannis grimace when he saw the men and soon he was grinding his teeth at the words they were shouting. Stannis kicking the bars in his anger as they insulted the Free Folk, only making Mance respect the man more. When they walked away he waited to see what the Lord would say and was surprised by almost all of it.

"String them up and burn the bodies." Stannis said with no emotion.

"What about the Lord Commander?".

"I'd say fuck him, but we'll need to call Jeor in, this needs to be done Mance, The king promised your people they'd be protected and if it were your men who'd attacked, then the Night's Watch would demand their heads.".

"Aye, but it's one thing for a crow to be killed by a crow, another by one of us. If I do this my people will accept it, but the crows never will." he said looking to the other man.

"You want me to do it?" Stannis asked.

"I want Mormont to do it and if not him then Jae, but I can't ask either of them to do it can I, so I'm asking you.".

He watched as Stannis seemed to think about things for a few moments before he closed his eyes and ground his teeth some more.

"Send word to Mormont and to this Mother Mole. I need to settle these men and on my return, I'll carry out the king's sentence, I'll take their heads though, not hang them." Stannis said and he found he cared not how it was done, just that it was done.

After Stannis left the men that would be part of his force now, he didn't stay around too long and it was almost a moon until he returned. Though it was not alone and he heard Val's chuckle when she saw the man and the hat he wore, though the carts he led were far better received. Karsi had arrived instead of Mother Mole and Mormont had come just the day before. The Lord Commander bringing almost one hundred black brothers with him and Val had japed that he must not trust them or something.

When they found out that the man in the hat was the Lord Admiral of the Royal Fleet, Mance realized whey Stannis had insisted he join them. Something Stannis confirmed later on that night when they spoke, saying they now had extra authority and that Aurane would play his part on the morrow. So after a night's sleep and breaking his fast the next morning with Stannis and his men while Jeor and his ate alone, Mance readied for the fight to come.

"I'll not give up my men." Jeor shouted when they met in the hall later that day.

"Your men are murderers." Karsi shouted back.

"So is half the damn watch, especially now." one of the black brothers said.

"The king made it clear, anyone who breaks the peace was to face the consequences, these men broke the peace. Would any of you be not demanding the same was it Free Folk who did so?" Stannis said loudly.

"The fucking wildings are savages." another of the black brothers said to loud shouts from Karsi, Val, and thanks to the fact she didn't have her bow in hand, that was all he faced from Ygritte.

"The Free Folk and the Night's Watch have been ordered to work together by his grace, if either side breaks the peace the sentence is clear." Aurane Waters said.

"Then let me do it." Jeor said and Mance looked to Stannis who shook his head.

"I'll do it." Stannis said a moment later.

It took some time for the shouts to die down but eventually, it was settled and Mance, Jeor, and Stannis all went there separate ways. When the time came he watched on with the entirety of those at Queensgate, Karsi there with her men and Jeor standing with the black brothers. Stannis's men leading out the first of those to lose their heads this day.

"In the name of his grace, Jaehaerys Targaryen the Third of his Name, King of the Andals, Rhoynar, and the First men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realms of Men, I sentence you to die. Do you have any last words?".

"They're fucking wildings, they're who we're supposed to be fighting." the man shouted.

"You can count yourself lucky you're losing your head since it's clear you never use it. You've no fucking idea of the true fight that's coming for us." Stannis said as he brought his sword down and took the man's head.

Each of the men who died said some variation of the same thing and Stannis repeated the same words. Then when he was finished he turned and looked to the black brothers who glared at him angrily.

"Beyond that wall, an army of dead men is coming for us, men who care not what side of the wall we were born on. They care not if we're here because we chose to be, or here because we were sentenced, and when they get here the only thing that'll stop them is the man beside you. The king has three dragons and took the throne barely breaking a sweat and yet he thinks we only win this together, you think you know better than he? Then next time it may be your heads I take." Stannis said walking away and Mance found the looks on their faces when they left to be far different.

He found Stannis standing by the wall and looking up and he coughed to let him know he was there, the man turning to look at him.

"So that's why you didn't let Mormont take the heads?" he asked and Stannis looked at him.

"If he had then we'd face more of this and your men may have not thought it justice enough for those that died.".

"Now they will." he said smiling.

"Now we hope it ends before it begins, Mance.".

King's Landing 299 AC.

Tyrion.

With the king back Tyrion found himself walking a little more quickly to the Small Council chambers, arriving to find he was not the first man in the room. Varys sitting talking to Aemon and Lord Willas as he walked in the door, both men nodding to him when he took his seat. Soon Lord Jon, Oberyn, and Davos and then Lord Monford made their way to their seats, and then Lady Olenna arrived to some surprised looks.

Though when the king arrived a moment later with Ser Barristan those looks soon turned to ones directed at Jae instead. The king taking his seat and bidding them to begin, with Davos being the one to start.

"We've begun construction on some of the new housing, your grace. As per her grace's request the larger buildings that we'll use as orphanages and places where people can get a meal are almost done." Davos said.

"Excellent work Ser Davos. Lord Monford?" the king said looking to the Master of Ships.

"We've continued the shipments, your grace, the wall getting the first loads as requested. Though I've directed some to other areas as per Lord Willas's orders.

"Lord Willas?".

"We've stocked the wall for six moons your grace, so the urgency has passed and I felt it time to begin the rest of the realm's preparations." Lord Willas said and the king smiled as he turned to Lord Jon.

"The men have arrived at the wall, Jon?" the king asked.

"They have your grace, three thousand, half of them our own and men of the North, Reach and Crownlands also.".

"Lord Stannis knows what to do?".

"He does your grace." Jon said.

"Prince Oberyn, Lord Hand, is there news on the wedding?"

"The agreement is done your grace, my niece and Prince Trystane are to be housed in the West when done, we'll see a seat worthy of them." he said and Oberyn nodded.

"Castamere Lord Hand, it's time that place was known more for something else, let them be Lord and Lady of Castamere." Jae looked at him and though he hesitated it was not for the reason the king thought, more it was him slapping himself mentally for not thinking of it.

"I shall see it done, your grace." he said when the silence in the room became a bit unbearable.

"Lord Varys, Ser Harold has he behaved himself since he arrived?".

"I'm afraid not your grace, my little birds have seen him entering Chataya's more than once." Varys said.

Tyrion like the others watched as Jae began to drum his fingers along the table, his eyes looking to most of the others before settling on Lady Olenna and then turning back to Varys.

"Is Ser Andar with his father?" Jae said all of a sudden catching Varys by surprise.

"I believe so your grace."

"Ser Barristan, have Ser Robar bring his brother to the sparring yard in an hour.".

"Of course your grace." the knight said as he walked from the room.

Tyrion watched as Jae waited until the knight had gone before he suddenly turned to look at them all once more.

"The Iron Fleet as you know by now has sailed back to their island's, less the ships it took to teach them their lesson. Euron Greyjoy is dead and the so-called Dragonhorn is no more and despite his efforts to kill his nephew and I'm sure his niece, we're now faced with a dilemma. Who should rule the Iron Islands? Who do I name as ruler of the Iron Islands in my name?" Jae asked though no one spoke leaving it to him to answer the king.

"By all laws, it's Balon's heir who rules, Theon Greyjoy." he said and Jae smiled but shook his head.

"Whose laws? Who decides Lord Hand, is it me? Is it some law written before I took the throne, as King do I not have the right to name who I wish to rule in my stead?" Jae asked.

"Of course your grace, but to pass over a male heir is not an easy thing." he said and saw the nods of the others except for Olenna.

"Indeed it's not, but the war we face requires both capable people in charge and trust does it not, and with Theon Greyjoy I get neither.".

"You mean to name Asha?" Lord Monford asked.

"I'd wager Lord Monford if you spoke to Lady Asha and then to Theon then you'd find only one a capable captain of a ship and would the Ironborn respect one who is not?" Jae asked and even Tyrion could see the logic in that, despite the political issue.

"In Dorne, we believe that what you have between your legs doesn't define you, my niece will rule not my nephew. I'm sure your grace has found women to be as competent as men." Oberyn said with a smirk.

"More in some cases Prince Oberyn." Jae said and Tyrion couldn't resist a chuckle when he saw Olenna's smile.

"I can't afford the Iron Islands to be a distraction and I believe Asha, not just the most capable but the more trustworthy of them both. She came here for her own benefit as much as mine true enough but she came and she's been honest with us. When her brother arrives I'll let it be known that Theon is no longer heir." Jae said and as he was about to get up Maester Aemon went to speak but the knocking and then the door opening put that to rest.

"Maester, Ser Gerold he's unwell." Ser Brienne said her voice strained and though people said Jae was fast in the yard, Tyrion had never seen a man move faster than the king right then.

King's Landing 297 AC.

Jae.

He ran through the keep with guards and others behind him and yet he was far ahead of them all. The irony of knowing the man he ran to would be more than upset at his lack of protection was not lost on him and yet he moved faster still when he left the Red Keep. What people may have thought of him as he ran he cared not, only that he could see White Sword Tower in the distance and soon he was running up the stairs of the tower itself.

Ser Gerold was laying in the bed with Ser Oswell holding him up as he coughed and spluttered. Jae moving quickly to grab him some water which he drank down before coughing again. Soon Aemon, Marwyn, and Barristan, Arthur, and Jaime arrived all of them looking to the bed and Gerold.

"Go, all of you out, let me do my damn work." Aemon said and Jae joined the others outside.

"How long has this been going on?" he asked once he left the room.

"He's been a bit poorly lately, but he refused the Maester and would only speak to Oswell." Barristan said and Jae looked to the black bat.

"He swore me to keep it to myself, that he wished it to be his decision and no one elses." Oswell said and Jae looked to see the hurt in the man's eyes though it was his own fear for Ser Gerold which rose to the surface.

"Aemon will help him, whatever it is Aemon will help him." he said pacing up and down.

The wait seemed to go on for hours, darkness soon falling outside when finally Aemon and Marwyn stepped out from the room. The look on his uncle's face, not one he wished to see, and as he looked to the others he could see that they too noticed it.

"I'm afraid all we can do is make him comfortable your grace, his time is at an end." Aemon said.

"No, no, the books, the books from Valyria, the potions, something we must be able to do something." he said his voices rising as he spoke.

"The potions and treatments may help us with our ills your grace but they can't stop time and Ser Gerold's is almost over." Aemon said.

"How? He's not as old as you, or Lady Olenna, why can it not work for him, why?" he shouted.

"It's not how it works your grace, neither Olenna nor I were sick, sure we had aches and pains but neither of us was truly ill." Aemon said though he was beyond listening to him at that point.

Instead walking to the door of the room and standing there looking in as Gerold slept, his illness not looking like anything at this point and Jae doing his best not to break down in tears as he looked to the bed.

"When?" he asked softly.

"He won't make it through the night your grace, we've given him something to relax him but he'll wake soon, you should be ready to say your goodbyes." Aemon said and Jae waited until he left.

"Arthur, tell my mother and let Margaery know where I am. Ser Barristan go tell my aunt and bring her here. The rest of you will wish to have your own time with him, so see that the Queensguard is relieved so they can pay their respects and when they come back, you make your way here." he said and heard the movement behind him.

He was left alone with Jaime while he stood there looking at the bed and felt the tears begin to fall, the knight giving him space to get himself composed. It took him some time to do so and all he could do was look at the man who had served three kings and would have served his father had things worked out differently. The man who'd built him an army and brought him an alliance with the Reach, the man who'd brought him his wife.

Dany arrived first and he could see she'd been crying, Jae hugging her tightly as she walked into the room. His mother was next and here Jae nearly cried once more as he looked in her eyes and saw her tears fall. One by one the Queensguard came and said their goodbyes and Jae waited until they were gone and his Kingsguard were here.

"You can say your goodbyes in your own time." he said to them as he walked to the round room.

He took the White Book from its stand and opened it, seeing the newer ink beside the names of his men. Ser Gerold had been diligent in recording each deed they'd done since their names were last updated. Moving to the page of the White Bull he looked down and saw it written down in its simplicity, and he found his tears ready to fall once more. He closed it and left it where it was and after wiping his eyes he made his way back to the room upstairs.

"He's awake Jae, he's asking for you." his mother said and he hurried inside to see him sitting up, Arthur and Oswell by the bed.

"Lord Commander." he said with a nod as he moved towards him.

"Forgive me, your grace, I cannot rise." Ser Gerold said coughing once more.

"That's quite alright Ser Gerold." he said kneeling down and taking his hand in his.

"I had hoped to have more time your grace, to see the fight done to its end.".

"You did Ser Gerold, you saw me crowned, saw me wed and my children born, you protected me and kept me safe and it's because of you that our line continues. No man has done more Ser Gerold, no man more worthy than you." he said and saw both Arthur and Oswell nod.

"You honor me, your grace.".

"It is I who've been honored Ser Gerold, no man could have asked for a better Lord Commander, no king has ever had one and no boy ever could have been lucky enough to be served by such a knight. Ser Duncan could have had no better successor Ser, no better man to follow in his footsteps." he said trying to keep his voice firm.

"Then I'll feel no shame in meeting those who came before me your grace, no shame in taking my place." he said as he coughed before he went silent.

Jae had never seen Arthur cry, nor Oswell, and yet the tears they spilled now were genuine and the look on their faces one he'd never forget. He reached over and closed the White Bull's eyes and said a small prayer before he stood up and walked to the door, telling Ser Barristan and Ser Jaime the news and asking them to prepare for the vigil to be stood. He hugged his mother and aunt and walked back to the Red Keep.

Ser Robar accompanied him silently all the way, when he reached his room he saw Ser Loras and Ser Brienne and though they nodded he barely acknowledged them, and instead made his way to his bed. Margaery was awake and sitting up and Jae glad of her arms when she held him. He told her of what was to be done and she nodded though he couldn't tell if she agreed with him or was just letting him speak. Only her touch letting him know that she'd asked him something that he'd not responded to.

"What, I'm sorry?" he said when she looked at him.

"The book Jae, you said he wrote in it, what did it say?.

"Ser Gerold Hightower, Kingsguard to King Jaehaerys Targaryen the Third of his name, Lord Commander 283 AC to 299 AC." he said softly.

A/N: Apologies for the delays in updating, work issues, and life issues meant I needed to prioritize other stories and this one ended up being on the back burner for a week or two, all should be resolved now, hopefully. Up Next as the White Bull is laid to rest, Jae makes changes to two of the seven kingdoms and Shireen speaks to Davos about events in the Shield Islands.

Daryl Dixon: So glad you liked it.

The Sphnyx: Not sure if it was or not, maybe just the moving around felt that way.

Miguelgiulano: Podría, la cosa es lógicamente hablando encontrarlos o el secreto, ¿cuál funciona mejor.

Biohazard: Glad you enjoyed it.

Qul: So happy you liked it.

Jessicanightmare: He took the breastplate and the jewels along with some maps, was there more he could take, maybe but Euron had some things from Valyria, Jae has a lot more.

VFSnake: I truly believe that unless Euron ends up the representation of the NK in the books, his end is going to be something like this, delusional and finding out he was so very wrong.

Orthankg: In terms of treasure, there was some coin which yes could have been used, but a lot was poorer versions of stuff Jae had, he took the breastplate and the maps, but books etc, he has better ones. He burned the ship, bodies for the same reason as the NW does, so they don't come back and the proof he's dead isn't really needed, no on in KL cares.

Princess: Really glad you liked it.

VWchick: I think he gets too much credit, much prefer to see him ended simply.

Guest: I think with the Horn as I've said it makes no sense that a society which is built on the power given to them by having dragons, allows such a thing to work. Glad you liked Doran's pov, here he was outplayed which allows him to become an ally. Unfortunately, the work specter keeps raising its head, though for now, it seems alright.

Ace: The next few will be like that, others moving around and events happening but Jae will basically stay with Marge and the kids.

Xand007: Thank you, my friend, I don't think so either it's just too easy and too much of a game-changer for it to work, we'll see with the Horn of Joramun.

Master Pivot: Glad you're liking it, with the Valyrain steel and the blood being a thing, I wanted it to be different from how a normal sword was made, a completely different process. The steel itself is magical in a way and so that's what gives it strength, but just having it done the same way a normal sword is made makes it become questionable, as if so then why has no one being able to make one in years kinda thing.

Svenion: It's all somewhat destroyed, but maybe some free folk may find it one day, the last thing he wants is anyone searching that particular part of beyond the wall.

Dnrcpc1: So happy you're liking it.

Ladyoctarina: It is good training and considering who's coming, well needed. Shireen and Davos will have a fun time next and he'll make her see things a little more clearly. Yep, soon to be making some, let's see how much time they get to do so.

Xan Merrick: Thank you, my friend,

Guest: Just work things, all back now to normal.

Turbulent waters: Back in work and we had some people off with the virus and so it was all hands to the pumps so to speak, all seems calm now though so I think that I'll not miss another update.

Literary Consumer: Really glad you liked it.