Reunion & War

(Starfall)

Above the clouds of Starfall things were still, it seemed as if everything was frozen and the clouds lazed around as they floated across the Sky heading for the horizon.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

A voice echoed out, though it was quite a high-pitched scream this did not come from a woman it came from a man, one who was reaching into his 4th decade of life. Oberyn had been awed and terrified when he saw Shiera and even refused to mount her regardless of how safe Daeron said it was.

However, the mistake he made was in commenting that she might crash as she won't be able to hold both their weights and so for the few days they rode Shiera towards Starfall, at random times throughout the flight Shiera will dive and pretend to fall, which she found hilarious. Jon had to admit he got some amusement from it as well.

Shiera evens herself out during the dive just before they hit the clouds and Oberyn takes a breath "Daeron, please, as your uncle in law make sure the dragon doesn't do that again"

'He is such a baby, that was not even fast' Shiera commented. 

"Oh, so we are family now? A few days ago you knocked me on my arse with a spear" Daeron replied with a smirk.

Oberyn still holding on tightly to Shiera's spines chuckled nervously "If a man who has a dragon wishes to reason with me then it's likely what he says is true"

"Considering what I have told you I would've thought that you'd be happier" Daeron stated.

"While I know what you've told me is most likely true... my heart will not allow me to believe it" he explained.

"I am more hopeful than I have ever been since the end of the Rebellion, my heart would shatter if we arrived only to find it all a lie" he continued.

Daeron smiled sadly at the man, he had lost his sister, niece, nephew and uncle and yet he stayed strong. He did not know how he could recover if he lost any of the girls but Rhaenys most of all, he had found his soulmate and if she died he would be lost.

Shiera dipped below the clouds and they finally got their first look at Starfall. Daeron frowned as he saw the various scorch marks in front of the castle 'It must've been Vhagar... but why?' He thought to himself.

He forced Shiera to go down faster, he wanted to find out what had happened, though it was still a little fast for Oberyn as he once again screamed.

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Daeron and Oberyn dismounted Sheira and quickly rushed into the keep both hoping to discover what had happened, though also because they both wanted to see Rhaenys albeit for different reasons.

The guards instantly recognised Daeron by his unique appearance and let him through "It would seem a battle has taken place, I did not think war would come so quickly" Oberyn commented as they walked in step.

Daeron frowned "It would be impossible for them to move their army so quickly, someone must've turned traitor" he replied to Oberyn.

Oberyn shook his head in disgust "187 years Dorne resisted the dragons together and yet the stag can scare some into submission"

"I believe I know who the culprit might be, however, I didn't think he'd do something so stupid" Daeron comments but before Oberyn can ask who they are interrupted when Arianne walks around the corner and sees them. She smiles and runs to Daeron passionately kissing him on the lips, it goes on for a while, long enough that Oberyn even clears his throat.

"What not even a hug for your uncle?" Oberyn says with amusement.

Arianne detaches her lips from Daerons smirking before she hugs her uncle "Apologies uncle, but it has been too long since I've felt his lips on mine"

Oberyn smirks "There is no need Arianne, perhaps I'd act the same way if he had the same tastes as I do," he said as put his hand on Daeron's shoulder making the boy smile nervously.

"Arianne, what happened outside?" Daeron asks moving past their small talk.

Arianne scowls "Gerold Dayne, he came back with the garrison of High Hermitage, though he got what was coming to him," she said with disgust in her voice.

Daeron knew it could only have been him, but he did not think him foolish enough to do something so mad, though he was relieved that everyone was okay "You should've seen it, Rhaenys rode down on Vhagar and spat down dragon flame, she then roasted Gerold and fed him to Vhagar, then Arthur led out the garrison and slaughtered the rest" she said with excitement.

Oberyn couldn't decide whether he was more shocked or happy, to hear Rhaenys was not only alive and well but a dragon rider as well, it truly warmed his heart, though the shock eventually won over when he heard Arianne mention the name of a dead man.

Daeron raised his eyebrows, he didn't even think Vhagar was big enough to ride, though he supposed that perhaps short distances wouldn't be too much of a problem "Arthur? As in Arthur Dayne?" Oberyn asked

Daeron smiled sheepishly "Ah yes, I had forgotten to mention Arthur Dayne was still alive, my mistake"

Oberyn raised his eyebrows "Your mistake? Is there anything else you'd like to say? Is the Mad King also staying here?" He says sarcasm dripping from his voice.

Daeron chuckles and shakes his head "There are a few people who may surprise you but that can be discussed later, Is Rhaenys with Ashara" he asked Arianne getting a nod in return.

Daeron smiled at her and walked passed her with Oberyn heading towards Ashara's chambers, as much as he would like to stay and spend time with her, he had someone else he would much rather see. He also needed to make sure the Maester received what he needed to give Ashara more time.

They approached the door to her chambers and Daeron quickly walked inside. Arthur was inside as usual sitting by his sister, he didn't even realise anyone had walked into the room, Ashara looked a lot more pale than she did when Daeron left and he worried that perhaps he may be too late. But he cleared that from his mind for the moment as he saw his wife sitting a few feet away from Arthur, she had Jaehaerys and Alysanne in her arms as she rocked them.

Her eyes lit up as she saw Daeron and she stood up and walked over to him, Daeron kissed her deeply and pressed his forehead against her own as he cupped her face, he then smiled at his two children as he stroked their heads.

Oberyn stood there watching the scene and it felt as if all the air had left his lungs, at this moment he believed he might be dead because standing in front of him was a woman who was the visage of Elia when she was younger. He knew it could only be his niece, seeing her alive and with two babes at her bosom lifted a weight from his heart that he had not realised was there.

Rhaenys looked towards Oberyn and her eyes widened slightly before she smiled, she handed her children to Daeron and approached. Oberyn did not believe she would remember him as the last time he had seen her she had been very young, but he was proven wrong as she lifted her hand and cupped her face "You look old uncle..." she says with a smile.

Oberyn laughs as tears stream down his face and he pulls her into a hug. He hugged her so tightly Rhaenys feared she'd break a rib, but she allowed it nonetheless "Where have you been... all this time" he whispered.

She detaches herself from the hug "That is a story for later Uncle, for now, let us help Ashara" she replies which gets a nod from Oberyn as he removes the small vial from his pocket.

Arthur looks with an expressionless face and dull eyes, though the light returns somewhat when he sees Daeron, he stands up and approaches him "Do you have it?" He asks bluntly.

Daeron nods and gestures to the vial in Oberyns hand. He doesn't say anything more just approaches Oberyn and takes the vial before leaving the room, presumably to go and fetch the Maester.

"He doesn't look well..." Daeron comments with some concern.

Rhaenys shook her head "He hasn't eaten, and only drinks what I bring him, I hope the Maester can save her" she says as she looks to Ashara.

Daeron walks to the bed and sits beside the woman, he wished he could do something to help but he had no clue what using his magic would do to her. His body could handle the strain of the cold but for her, it could mean death, so all he can do is hold her hand and pray.

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(One Month Later)

Daeron sat alone in Ashara's chambers, for weeks now he had looked after Ashara, taking turns with Arthur, he had to practically command him to eat and bathe himself and most of all sleep. He would only do so if he knew someone would be here Incase they were needed, so that's what he did.

While a servant could easily achieve what they could his trust had become very limited as of late. He trusted Daeron more than anyone, he trusted Rhaenys and some of their other companions, however, he didn't trust them to be able to protect her in the event something happened. He had trained Daeron so he knew he was capable of keeping her safe, Arthur was perhaps Daerons greatest friend and Ashara had risked her life to save his children so this was the least he could do for her.

He was reading a book when he heard a slight moan, he turned and looked towards the bed, he saw her face contorted in pain as she shifted around. She was still asleep however so Daeron assumed she must've been having a nightmare, he put his book down and got up out of his chair. He set down on the bed next to her putting his hand on her head, her fever had broken weeks ago and the maester said they could do no more than wait until she awoke.

He took her hand in his own, holding it tightly and slowly she started to calm down and eventually, she stilled. Her hand felt soft, his own was rough and calloused from training, he found himself tracing circles with his thumb for a while. When he tried to get up he felt her hand grip tighter, which made him smile as he hoped it was a sign she would wake soon.

———————————————————

(Moat Cailin)

Robb sat in a dusty ruined hall inside one of the towers of Moat Cailin, here he was surrounded by all the lords of the north who had answered the call to war. His heart beat fast as he was nervous as to what he had to do, but he had no choice in the matter, he would do what he thought was right and so he couldn't look back now.

All the lords were drinking and feasting while laughing and telling each other stories, the north is a big kingdom so a lot of them haven't seen each other for years.

"My lords!" Robb shouts as he stands up from the high table and slowly the sounds of revelry died down and they turned to wait for the words of their current commander.

"I thank you all for coming so quickly, I'm sure it's been a while for some of you, though I only wish we could be here with better news," Robb says with a sad smile.

"Do you all know why we march to war?" He asks, and he gets lots of 'ayes' and grunts do confirmation.

"And how many believe it to be just?" He asks again and the room again erupts into grunts of confirmation though a little less than before, with some families remaining silent.

Robbs's heart was beating out of his chest, especially at what he had to say next "Then I name you all traitors!" He shouted and was met with outrage but none more so than the Umbers and the Karstarks.

The Greatjon Umber stood from his seat moving the whole table in the process "TRAITORS? We've kept faith for thousands of years boy and you insult us like this by calling us traitors!" His voice boomed across the hall.

Robb placed his trembling hand behind his back and steeled himself "I do my Lord because it seems you've all forgotten!" He states, ushering in looks of confusion.

"Has it been so many years that you have all forgotten Lyanna Stark?" Robb asks as his voice echoes across the room, the outrage from before starts to die down and silence reigns.

"Have you forgotten her Lord Umber?" Robb asked directly as he looked at the man who stood 7ft tall.

"Any true Northman would never forget her" he replied his voice now more solemn than before.

"And this is how you remember her? By marching to war and slaughtering her only son who wishes for nothing but to live in peace!?" He shouts out at the quiet lords.

"Is that how you all keep faith with House Stark?" He asks once again.

"We are following the orders of our liege lord" Rickard Karstark states as he also stands.

"And you'd do so when you know your cause unjust when you know what my father is doing is tantamount to kinslaying!?" He said, though at his words gasps of disbelief filled the hall.

"I am here today my Lords, because I wish for you to commit treason against your Liege Lord" he states getting even more sounds of disbelief.

"I will not be a spectator and allow the man who was raised as my brother, my blood cousin, to die!" Robb spat out.

"Whether I have to stand alone or with you I will be fighting for my family, my father is a good man I like to think, but it seems his experiences have rendered him a shell of what he once was" Robb continues.

"If you do not wish to fight for me there will be no punishment, you can simply go home, but I shall be taking command of Winterfell's forces and I will attack the Reachmen with Dorne on my side hopefully" he states with a small chuckle.

For a while no one says anything until Lady Mormont of Bear Island stands "I have never forgotten Lyanna, what Lord Stark is having us do is wrong and for those of us who knew her and did nothing to help her son... we should be ashamed of ourselves"

"But that can change now... Bear Island will stand with you Lord Stark" She states as she kneels on the ground before him.

And one by one the lords all rose whether it was out of a sense of duty or guilt or belief that what they were doing was wrong they all stood and pledged themselves to their new Lord.

"I love your Father, I believe him to be a good man and it shames me that I must do this but I do not want to see him tread down this dark path" Greatjon says morosely as he also kneels in front of Robb.

Roose Bolton who had remained quiet the entire time also kneeled, however, he did not give a shit about Lyanna or her son, but he could use this to his advantage. As he bowed his head a small smirk played on his lips.

———————————————————-

(One Month Later)

"I say we go right now and burn them all to hell! That fake bastard" Oberyn shouted as he threw his cup of wine at a wall making those present sigh. Ever since he had learned from Rhaenys about what Varys and Jon Connington had done to her he had been advocating for taking the dragons with some men and burning them all.

"Things have changed Oberyn, while a few months ago I would've been in agreement War has come to Dorne" Daeron states.

"And what does that have to do with this Fake," he asked with venom dripping from his voice.

"Dorne has no allies, you will need all the troops you can muster, he will bring the Golden Company with him, you yourself can attest to their strength" he replied, getting the man to nod his head slightly.

"Uncle, as much as I would like to take Vhagar and burn this pretender, Daeron is right, Aegon will fight for Dorne if asked, he seems to believe the lie that he is the son of Elia and Rhaegar" Rhaenys states as she places a hand over his arm at the table they sat at.

"And we can always deal with him at a later time, that's if he survives the war," Rhaenys says darkly.

"Put him out of your mind, what we are here to discuss is where we are heading next" Daeron stated.

"I won't have my family in Dorne when the war breaks out, we know how that ended last time do we not?" Daeron states to the people there.

"And you believe it to be safer in Essos?" Oberyn asks with a raised eyebrow.

Daeron leans forward "There are reasons I must go to Essos, but it would be a lot easier to create a safe place for my family" he states.

Rhaenys places her hand on Daeron "I am with you no matter where we go" She says with a smile which he returns.

"Slavers bay..." they hear a voice say from behind them. They all turn and see it was Arthur who sat by Ashara's bed who spoke, he rarely spoke so they found themselves surprised when he did so.

"It is the only place to get an army in the time frame you want, gladiators, unsullied they all reside in Slavers Bay" he continued.

Rhaenys looked disgusted at the mention of it since she had been subjected to slavery "You might be right Arthur... but we should get the opinion of the others before we decide" Daeron stated, he did not like the idea much but Slavers Bay would put him within flying distance of Valyria.

It was at this point they were interrupted when the Lord of Starfall walked through the doors of the room with a grim expression on his face

"Prince Doran has called the Banners, the King has started leading men towards the Prince's path, and he has Randyll Tarly and Robb Stark with him"

"The War has begun" he stated severely.

(AN: So it's over, finally... I can move on from those damn slice of life chapters and get to the actual plot. War is starting and Jon is planning to gtfo. Also we've reached the point in the story where people might actually start dying, no plot armour for anyone I'm afraid, well except for Jon...)

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