Innocence & Bliss

Jaime 

Jaime swung his blade at Rodrik, the younger man clashing his son's sword with his own.

The various soldiers on either side cheered, giving their preference for either the lion or the falcon. Jaime and Rodrik clashed once more and the older knight was reminded of the Tourney of the Hand, ah, it seems so long ago since that day happened, when all was mostly right in the world.

He was defeated then, he will admit then that jousting wasn't his forte. He can fight, sword to sword, mace to spear, he can fight on horse and more. No horse here, just me and you, Rodrik. Jaime thought as he was able to keep the younger man on the defensive, it was almost laughable.

Another clash and the King of the Vale showed his sharp talons, swinging at fast speeds, Rodrik even tried to cut through his plate but it merely made a scratch.

Rodrik cut upward and grazed the left side of his helm, it made him think about his time with Cersei the night before, right after they met with Rodrik.

(Before)

"I love you, you know that, don't you?"

He and Cersei were back at the Red Keep, in their bed and huddled up to one another. He wrapped her into his embrace, almost as if she were to vanish if he was to let go.

"I know." She whispered back to him, but her heart wasn't into it, and that made it hurt all the more.

"But you also love him, do you? You love him." He hated the ways she spoke of Rodrik, the way she would brag about him to Joanna who, in time he's seen as her own.

Cersei said nothing, but he knew, he knew that she does and for that, he is honor-bound to defeat Rodrik.

His sister's made mistakes, mistakes that had torn himself from her on more than one account. But I came back, I always came back to you, Cersei. He thought and got up from the bed, waiting for the sun to begin to rise.

Cersei left to tend to their departure, and he called for his squire to ready him for battle.

(Now)

He has to slay Rodrik, has to defeat and protect his sister, his daughters and unborn child... His people.

"Come on! Rodrik the Wingless, will you show me how fierce you are?!" He taunted and got the appropriate answer when Rodrik charged with a war cry, clashed and smashing his sword on his own blade of making cuts on his breastplate.

Rodrik 

Rodrik the Fool. The Wingless Falcon and Rodrik the Wingless.

Has he been a fool? Yes, he is a man and being a man, he can and will make choices that will turn out wrong. Is his a coward? Of course, when it comes to being smart and fleeing a battle that he isn't going to win, he will, it protects what people he cares about.

Yet, he is no traitor, he doesn't betray those for ambitious means, he isn't an ambitious nor a treacherous man.

He grunted as he went back on the defensive, remembering Vardis's training and to breath. Let his enemy tire himself out, then look for the best opportunity to strike.

Now! He screamed inside of his mind and maneuvered left as Jaime went to pierce through his plate and to his heart. He held his sword with both hands, raising his sword high to kill Jaime via decapitation.

It proved a mistake, the sun shone on the gold plate of Jaime's armor and blinded him through the slits of his helm. The next thing he knew, a blunt object hit him so hard in the face and sent him on his back, his helm flying two feet away from him.

"It's over!" He heard Jaime scream out, going in for the kill and he was quickly reminded of what he spoke of an hour ago with Waymar.

(Before)

"Say what?" He asked his friend, the King Consort smirked beside his wife and Queen.

"It's true... I am with child. A prince or princess." Sansa said sweetly, placing a hand on her stomach.

"Or perhaps two? I say it will be two- " Waymar was cut off, Sansa smacking him in the arm making the three of them laugh heartily.

It was a beautiful scene, truly, he believes in that.

He is happy for them, not just because they are having a child and heir for the next generation, but because it gives him hope and another reason to fight for their freedom, and for their lives against the dead and Lannisters.

"Rodrik, I know it is early, and with everything that is uncertain on the morrow... " Sansa started saying timidly, he didn't quite understand why, "But if I have a boy, I want to give him a good name, a fine name and a reminder of the life given to him." He nodded, waiting for Sansa to tell him but Waymar would be the one to finish.

"We want to name him after you, we want his name to be Rodrik." He was stunned, shaken by their words and he felt emotional from it all.

Rodrik Stark. A good name, a name he is going to fight for, tooth and nail.

(Now)

Jaime brought down his sword, he grits his teeth and met the blow with his own steel, holding firm against Jaime Lannister.

He held it back as he got to his own feet, his heartbeat thumping loud in his chest as adrenaline coursed through his body. I won't be defeated, not today! His thought became his strength as forced Jaime back with a roar and force.

The Coalition force cried out in excitement, keeping the morale high as can be.

"May the Seven guide my hands." He prayed as he readied to come at Jaime once more, narrowing his eyes on the knight.

Favor seemed to be mocked as his struck and parried thrice, but his sword cracked with each strike deflected by Jaime until one offensive attack from the Kingslayer shattered in two, sending the large shard flying to the ground and piercing the earth.

Time had seemed to slow at that moment, he was stunned and angry that he seemed to be forsaken.

Jaime went with a strike, possibly aiming to lop off his head but it merely grazed his neck, but a man has died from worse.

Valyrian steel, a material so sharp it can blunt a weapon in moments and pierce armor. Curse it more, it is ironic that Ned's weapon would kill me. He thought as he gripped what was left of his sword, a weapon he's had since he could hold a sword.

Keep fighting, son. He can hear his father talking to him, Fight for us all, for all of us who they harmed. He has to, he has to keep fighting.

Jaime aimed for another killing blow, but he moved fast and evaded the strike, it caught the Kingslayer off guard. With his broken sword which served more like a small weapon, he ran it through the gaps in Jaime's helm and right into his neck.

The shock and sorrow in Jaime's face reminded him of his brother's when he was executed, betrayed and sad. He held Jaime as he convulsed and the blood running to the ground and on his hands.

A scream echoed from the city, it was Myrcella and Cersei.

Where he won a battle, two lost a father and lover.

Distraught from Jaime's death, Cersei's next commander allowed the Coalition and Daenerys to begin moving into the city.

No Lannister soldier or Goldcloak resisted as they were disarmed and dismissed to the various camps, they are needed in the North, after all.

His neck wound was tended to by one of Qyburn, Cersei's pet, and healer. The Red Keep later being filled with soldiers from both armies, everything was tense and nobody was looking forward to what is going to happen in the coming days.

"He was my brother." The comment startled him, seeing Tyrion stand at the door of his temporary chambers, "I wished there was another way, but he would never give up on his family, on Cersei." Tyrion added as he looked at his cup that he was carrying, it made him feel slightly sad.

"I am sorry for what I had to do. I truly wish there was another way past this conflict, but we both know that true peace isn't won without death, without a drop of blood." He told Tyrion who nodded sullenly, the dwarf sighed heavily before looking at him.

"Your daughter is with her handmaids in the Maidenvault, I suggest you go and see her. Good day, your grace." He nodded, answering that he will go and see her soon. Tyrion walked away, possibly to tend to his brother.

As for him, he got into more comfortable clothing, washed so he looked presentable. He even contemplated shaving his beard away but left it alone after a moment. With four guards, he started heading for the Maidenvault, for a moment he forgot where it was, but the memories began flooding back and he found it.

Two Kingsguard were protecting it, they stood back and marched away once he told them that they were relieved.

He was here, right at the door but he was hesitating. It made everything come into perspective.

He was a father, a real, legitimate, father. Behind these doors was the child, conceived because of a mistake made years ago, it almost made him want to turn the other way, to run away from here as he did the night he bedded the Queen.

No, he can't do that, not twice.

Reaching his hand out, he opened the door and was met with the sun.

There were servants scattered around the room, they turned to him with surprise, he held up his hands to let them know that he came in peace.

"Forgive me, I don't mean to disturb you all... I came to see the Princess." He said and the youngest of the servants nodded and walked into another room, moments later she came back and he had to pause when he saw who she came back with.

She was so small, he's never seen something so small and fragile. She looked at him with her big blue eyes, his eyes. He hesitated before bowing to her, the handmaid told the child to do the same and she clumsily did so.

"Hello, Princess." He greeted her and approached her then kneeled down, "Your name is... " He added and hearing her speak nearly stopped his heart.

"Joanna, who are you, Ser?" He chuckled, she certainly has some wit, more than himself.

"Lord Arryn, but most call me Rodrik." He told her and Joanna's eyes lit up a little.

"My father's name is Rodrik, mother told me." His face fell as the emotions hit, he nodded his head, shaking the child's hand.

"I know... " He answered back as he got himself distracted as it was then he noticed the falcon necklace she was wearing, it made him thank Cersei for the first time.

At least she didn't turn their daughter against him.

"Are you my father?" There it was, the question he was afraid of and excited at the same time.

He thought for a long moment on what to say. He could say no, it would be cruel but then she might live a better life. He can also say yes, take her home and raise her as a father should despite the way she was conceived.

With a deep breath, he answered his daughter with one his father and Ned would approve of.

"... Yes, Joanna... I am your father."

Daenerys 

She wanted to find him, to tell the fool that he will never take such risks, to them or herself.

Why is she so angry?

When he was fighting the Kingslayer, she wanted him to win, of course... But she also didn't want him to die, either.

And when his sword shattered, she wasn't to commence the attack, in a way to save him than to simply take what is hers. She nearly stopped breathing when he was cut around the throat, fearing the worst was about to happen.

Yet he was able to muster the strength to win, killing the Kingslayer. Now she is more angry than angry, furious would be the correct word and she would make the fool hear her, crowned or not.

Tyrion said he was heading for Maidenvault, something about seeing someone close to him.

Arryn guards stopped her from coming inside, she glared at them with such a fury that they stood aside, they are all friends here, there needs to be some trust.

She put only one hand on the door before she heard a child's laughter, it caused her heart to stop.

Slowly she opened the door and saw the scene play out in front of her, for a moment, she forgot her anger and watched.

Rodrik was holding and swinging around a child playfully, the smiles on both their faces were as if a war hadn't taken place, that it all had been as it were... Peaceful.

It reminded her of the days before the attack on the Lamb Men, when she and Drogo were talking about their son and how happy it made them. She also remembered the visions within the House of the Undying, of what her son would have looked like and been if he was to live, Drogo too.

"Daenerys?" Rodrik stopped to stare at her and found that she had forgotten what she was going tell the fool, "Is there something you need?" He asked her and she slowly shook her head.

"No, I was just walking around. Getting to know my new home is all." She said with a smile, the little one looked at her with bright blue eyes, the same as Rodrik's. "Is this your daughter?" She asked and with zero hesitation, Rodrik nodded proudly.

"Yes, she is." He told her and the child smiled, "Joanna, this is Daenerys of the House Targaryen." He said to his daughter, she found herself smiling and reaching out her hand to the little girl.

The girl hesitated before taking it, "How do you do, my Lady." A chuckle escaped her, the child certainly is her father's blood, even if she isn't doing it on purpose.

"She will be sailing to Gulltown, from there, she will be sent to the Gates of the Moon for the winter until I return," Rodrik told after she set Joanna down, the child was taken away by one of the servants. "You're are angry?" He noticed it, and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"Well, of course. You can't do something so stupid, again, not again." She ordered and barked in laughter, annoying her further.

"I am so thankful that you are worried about my safety, again." Gods, she wished she could slap him.

"It's not for worry, it is simply because I put in too much work to convince you to bend the knee and if you died, I would have to start over with someone more stubborn than you are. That is all." She said and he smirked widely while scratching his ear.

"And how far you are getting." He said and after a pause, this talk turned serious. "Would you have won this war with your dragons, if I failed to defeat Jaime, would you have burned men and the countless women and children that got caught in the crossfire? The Dothraki would have raped and pillaged the city if I wasn't so 'stupid'." She shook her head and wished that she could say she wouldn't, that without the Coalitions forces she could have won the throne without deaths.

"I would never use my dragons on innocent people, especially children... I have seen such atrocities already." She said, remembering the herder who brought his deceased baby girl to her throne, crying and sent her to chain the dragons up to protect the people of Mereen. "I want to be a good Queen, I want to be good." She added.

Rodrik stared at her, then back to his daughter who was playing with a black cat.

"... I hope that is true, Daenerys, I sincerely do."

Tyrion 

It was nearly midnight when he woke up, throwing on his boots and walked down towards the cells to release his niece.

The child was innocent, she didn't deserve to be in such a place, she is wed to a Martell and will return to Dorne with Prince Trystane. Who also resides in the same cells, he doesn't need to be in there, the boy wouldn't leave his wife in such a place even though Princess Arianne had insisted upon it.

"Tyrion?" He turned and saw Rodrik, he held in a snare at the image.

The majority of him doesn't blame Rodrik, it was a duel and was fairly fought as one could be when two men fight to the death. Then there is that small piece of him, the part that hates Rodrik for killing the one sibling who deserved to live.

Now, without Jaime, and soon to be without his niece... He's all alone, in a place he's grown to hate after all these years.

But, he is Hand of the Queen, and he will serve to his last breath, or until he annoys the Queen too much.

"Where are you going?" The better question is why he is up and walking around at this time of night, but he'll leave that up to the Gods if they even exist.

"I am going to release my niece, she doesn't need to be imprisoned." He started walking again and felt Rodrik following. "Rodrik, I like to believe you have a good heart, for everyone. I don't think you knew my brother as his reputation would make it." He added and heard the King Falcon scoff.

"I know he was dishonorable, that he killed the man he was to protect to save himself- " He cut Rodrik off right there, unable to hide the falseness any longer.

His brother is gone, he'd want everyone to know the truth.

"Do you even know why?" He asked as they stopped, Rodrik shrugged, "The Mad King was insane, and when that fool Pycelle convinced him to open the gates for my father, my brother counseled against it. When the Lannister forces raped and burn the city, killing anyone that was on the street that night, my brother got his King to safety and counseled him to surrender to protect the Queen and Rhaegar's wife and children. And, when the Mad King refused, he told his accursed Pyromancers to light the Wildfire. They were everywhere, beneath every home, everyone building and even in the Red Keep, Aerys ordered my brother to slay his father and let so many innocent people die." He let all that sink into Rodrik's thick skull, and the Lord of the Vale was stunned by all the information.

"If he did all this, then why did he not say anything, why keep it hidden?" He shook his head, continuing to walk.

"Who would believe him? Jaime killed all the Pyromancer's, killed his King to protect five-hundred-thousand men and women and children. Ned was honorable but too proud to see the good my brother had done. You were the same, couldn't see it until now... That was my brother, Rodrik, Jaime was the savior of the city that day." The rest of the walk there was in silence, he didn't want to say another word.

Upon reaching the cells, Myrcella and Trystane jumped from their cots.

"Uncle!" He smiled and reached his hand inside to take Myrcella's.

"Rodrik, open the cell, please. And Myrcella, you are free to roam out of this cell, so long as you sign away any claim to the Iron Throne." Myrcella told him that she would gladly do so, but then came the inevitable question.

"What about mother, what will they do with mother?" She asked with tears in her eyes. He put another hand over Myrcella's and gave her an apologetic look.

"I'm afraid Cersei's fate is dire, my dear, the most she can hope for is a clean death." It hurt him to say that to her, the girl knew what her mother was and yet she loved her all the same.

Myrcella became hysterical as she shook her head back and forth.

"No, they can't! That will kill it." It? His face crumbled as he realized what Myrcella just said, and Rodrik shared this as Trystane comforted his wife.

They have to do something.

(10 Days Later) Rodrik 

After everyone was given time to rest, the leaders of every army gathered at the tower of the Hand.

"I have gathered everyone here on what to do about the former Queen, Cersei Lannister," Tyrion said reluctantly, "She has done more than her fair share of cruelty and crimes, but she is my sister, I vote for the Silent Sisters." He knew Tyrion would be soft when it came to his sister, but the rest of them don't feel the same as he does.

The entire room was a burst with demands.

"She murdered my granddaughter, son, and grandson. I don't have pity for your sister, I say she hangs." Olenna demanded and Garlan agreed by her side.

"Her and Jaime Lannister threw my little brother through a window, had my father executed, tormented me and humiliated me. I vote for death." Sansa said to all of them, Waymar put a resting hand on her shoulder to calm her.

"I vote death, she laid claim on my throne." Daenerys was confident in her decision and everyone seemed to agree.

Everyone looked at him, waiting for him to speak and for a time he said nothing. Slowly rising from his seat, he took a deep breath and began to speak.

"I was raised with Robert, the late King. He and Ned were big brother's to me, I respected them and loved them as my family. Queen Cersei, in her own hate and ambition, plotted and killed Robert, had a hand in executing Ned. Though she hadn't killed my father, she has caused more pain for the Seven Kingdoms than even the Mad King." He said and with the last part being said with a look to Daenerys who looked ashamed, "She deserves nothing more than death, I vote she dies... But not today." His answer sent a shockwave of surprise through the room, Sansa scowling at him and Olenna shaking her head.

"Why spare her further, Rodrik?" Daenerys asked him and he sighed, standing straight and folding his arms.

"Because... She is with child." Everyone became silent, shocked by the revelation. "Tyrion and I learned this when we went to release Lady Myrcella from the cells, she told us that Cersei is going to give birth to another child. I vote we spare her until this baby is born, then I will personally see justice done." He added and knew what was going to be asked next.

"Are you presuming that you will be taking her to the Vale?" Garlan asked him and he shook his head no.

"No... They are already there." There was an uproar, "I had them taken away with my daughter, they will remain at the Gates of the Moon until the child is born and even then, the child will remain a ward of the Kingdom of the Vale." He knew the response would be negative, especially from Sansa.

"Even after what she's done, you of all people would spare her?!" Olenna nodded in agreement.

"I will not kill an innocent, even if it is a tyrant that carries it." They will not be so barbaric as to kill a pregnant woman, they are not Tywin Lannister or Walder Frey. "Hate me if you must, but I've made the right decision." Tyrion felt the eyes of Daenerys on him.

"Did you know about this?" She asked Tyrion who gave a single nod, "Fine. Rodrik Arryn, I hope you keep to your word, Cersei's life is forfeit once her child is born." He hadn't expected Daenerys to agree with him, and if he is honest with himself.

"I will honor it, but before that, there is the dead." He reminded everyone, "We need to ready ourselves, gather every fighting man and woman to go to the Wall and defend it. In this endeavor, I know the Seven will be on our side." He added and everyone seemed to be in agreement.

Sansa 

She didn't like how today was, neither did she like how Rodrik spared Cersei because of a child, another bastard.

She likes the honor in victory, sparing the commanders and Princess Myrcella of Cersei's fate was honorable. But letting this woman live? It is like spitting on the graves of her father, of everyone who Cersei double-crossed.

But, in the Vale, stripped of her power and influence, the former Queen of Westeros is imprisoned to her fate. Enjoy the time you have left, Cersei, because justice will be had. She thought as she sighed, standing up and looking around this room.

The battle for all of them is coming, she cannot fight battles like Jon or Rodrik. She knows her strengths and weaknesses, and fighting the dead isn't one of them.

"Brienne." She called in her sworn sword, "Oathkeeper, my father's sword- Or half, where is Widows Wail? The one Ser Jaime fought Rodrik with." She asked her protector who immediately unsheathed it.

"I had thought they should be reunited, your Grace." She was thankful for that, but her father's sword was split, and one half already belongs to House Stark.

"May I." She gestured and the lady knight nodded and put it in her hands, "Come with me, I must see Rodrik." She added and got up from her seat and walked out with Brienne following right behind her.

The guards to Rodrik's room saw them coming and alerted Rodrik who told them to let her in, she sighed and felt her breath hitch in her throat when she saw the scene before her because it was a rather funny thing to come by and see.

Rodrik was embroidering, or at least trying to. He looked up at her and smiled, however that smile faltered into curiosity when he saw that she was holding Widows Wail.

"The last of Ice returns to House Stark. I am sure that Ned is smiling with pride, Sansa." He started saying as he put down the embroidered bird. "What do I owe the pleasure, Red She-Wolf." He added with putting in that silly moniker that her vassals started calling her when they won back the North and Winterfell.

"I am offering you Widows Wail, please take it." She wasn't going to take no for an answer, she cannot afford to.

Rodrik was stunned, flabbergasted by such a gift. "I can't possibly take that, it should be in the hands of a Stark of Winterfell, not an Arryn of the Eyrie." She shook her head, pushing the handle into his hands.

"Into who's? Not me, I will be at the Neck with Arya, a last line of defense should you all fail. Jon has Longclaw. Please, you will need one to fight these demons in the snow." He sighed, his eyes going to the floor, but they soon rose back up and his blue eyes glowed in determination, he took the sword and held it up, "I ask one thing, however." He looked back at her, curious.

"Of course, anything." He said back to her and she smiled.

"Name it something else, Joffrey deserved no fine a sword such as a piece of Ice, he especially didn't deserve to name it." A sigh escaped Rodrik as he named sword, but she knew he could only name it one thing.

"... Honor. It shall be Honor."

Beyond the Wall

The wind blew heavy as the day turned to night and back, for days the snow fell and the storms killed everything in its way and once dead, they would join the dead.

He saw them, with so many eyes the crows around the sky and watched, watched them march and separate into various forces.

Bloodraven opened his eyes and sighed, the great war is coming and they must aid them.

"Brandon." He whispered and Bran Stark ceased his training, seeing secrets and revisiting the past which is forgotten. "You must leave here, soon." He told his successor.

"Why? I have learned so much," Bran began, his eyes widened in disparity. "I saw the fight at the Tower of Joy, what was in the tower and- " Indeed, he knows this.

He has seen many things in the last century and a half, saw sorrow and pain, felt joy and excitement. Bran will know, he will feel it all when what he has seen comes to pass, but it can be avoided, it can be stopped.

"I know, I know who Jon is to us. But the Night King is coming to the Wall, he has split his great army into halves, a smaller party is coming here to stop us." He said and nodded for Leaf to get the others ready for departure. "Leaf, the other Children and one other will take you to Shadow Tower for it is too dangerous to go to any other of the fortresses." He said and Bran shook his head in confusion, and he expected such.

"But what of you, will you be coming with us?" Bran asked as Hodor helped him on to the wagon, Jojen and Meera appeared not long after that.

"My time is at an end, here, you are the Three-Eyed Raven, now. You can help them, help the leaders of Westeros to beat back the Long Night for a second time." He told Bran, "You have learned much int e time spent here, I am quite jealous as it took me decades to master this unfortunate gift, but you will do well... Brandon." He added and smiled sadly as the troop of travelers started leaving, all that was left was him and Leaf, and she too would leave, she must leave.

"We must destroy this place, my friend, and you must guide the rest of your people."

She hesitated before handing him an artifact, magical in essence but destructive in raw power. "Go." He told her once more, and she bowed before leaving and catching up with the others as he concentrated on getting it ready.

Three days it took and he can feel them getting closer, he can see them with what eyes he doesn't have on Bran and his party going to Shadow Tower.

"They will not take me, or have what I have seen." The artifact was glowing brightly, he smiled as it was ready, "I am almost home... My beloved, Shiera."

With a sigh, the artifact imploded and everything was incinerated, nothing was left for the Night King to take.

Jon 

Jon Snow watched from atop the Wall, seeing the vast expanse of the North.

He had his doubts that they would be ready, that the Night King would grow too strong but they are more than ready.

Not two or three but four dragons, thousands of men and women and from the ravens, plenty of spear tips and arrowheads of obsidian for those fighting for the survival of man and Westeros.

The world wasn't as naive as they were years ago, they know that the White Walkers and their dead servants are out there.

And the war with Cersei Lannister is over, King Rodrik slew Jaime Lannister for the control of the city. He would bet his life against the greatest swordsmen than send thousands to sack King's Landing. For that, he has his respect where he didn't very well like the man when they met.

"Do you think we are ready, Jon," Edd said as he approached and he smiled, offering only a single answer in response.

"We have to be, we have no choice." He told his friend, one of the two he has left within this world. Grenn, Pyp, Commander Jeor, and Olly though he betrayed him, they are all gone and he will fight to keep was friends he has left.

"Commander Edd! Lord Jon!" They turned sharply, seeing one of the few Night's Watchmen running towards them.

"What is it? The Night King? Has his army been seen?" He asked in excess, he needed to know these things. The brother shook his head no, "Then what, speak up man!" He ordered the man who took a few deep breaths.

"I ran all the way from Shadow Tower... A group of strangers led by a rider came to our gate and entered... It is your half-brother, Brandon Stark."

He didn't respond. He simply started heading for Shadow Tower... This must be true.