Let The Ravens Fly
The Riverlands
Riding through the Riverlands with speed is two hundred men and carrying the banner of the Falcon, leading them is Ser Waymar Royce and he is escorting the Lady Stark towards Riverrun, a week they have been riding and will reach the fortress of her forefathers soon, he looked behind him and sighed, there were three hundred riders before and because of a party of lions now there is two hundred.
From what he got from a surviving Lannister soldier is that Lord Tywin has fallen back to Harrenhal with the remainder of his men after the Battle of the Green Fork and the Battles of the Whispering Wood and the Camps. The old man won at the Green Fork and Ser Jaime lost a good 12,000 men with another 2,000 to boot against the might of Robbs forces of 18,000 whilst another 2,000 fell on the Green Fork.
His liege lord and friend is still gathering his levies, at current the Vale can bring 17,000 men to the fighting, but that was before he left a week ago and now it could be well over 20,000 at this point. Rodrik is conflicted on what to do now, Robb went and is calling himself King in the North, Stannis staked his claim and is calling for the Vale's help, then before leaving his friend had received a request for allegiance from Renly in the Reach.
The proper course is clear to him though, joining with the true heir and Rodrik gets this from all of his Lords. What Robb and Renly are doing is treason and nothing more, that's why he is sending him to bring terms to Robb Stark, to convince the boy to withhold the actions and do right by the True King. Robar is doing the same by going to the Reach and bringing the same words to Renly Baratheon, the true enemy is Joffrey Waters, the bastard who pretends to be royal.
"We should be getting close now, I remember this road as a child." He heard the woman beside him say and it's strange to hear a calm voice, the last several days he has only heard screams from Tully women.
When Lady Catelyn heard about Lysa being separated from Little Robert, she was furious for her sister whom from his kin was doing much the same at the Gates of the Moon. He was there to witness it.
[A few days prior]
"Remember. Make it clear to Robb that he denounces his claim to the north as King, our families gave up that right long ago when we knelt to Aegon." Rodrik told him and he nodded to his Lord and friend.
"Alright, I will- " he was saying until the doors to the solar opened and Lady Catelyn walked in and didn't look none too happy.
"Lord Arryn. Sorry to disturb you, but I have come to beg forgiveness for my sister." She started and continued, "Robert is just a boy, my son's age if not a year younger. He needs his mother like my own children do." She asked and he nodded to his friend and Lady Stark, this is a private matter and shouldn't interfere.
As he left and closed the door. He felt curious and remained to overhear the two. Catelyn pled her case and Rodrik said Lysa had her chances and the widow begged for just one more chance, a lengthy conversation went on until Rodrik consented and swore if the woman steps out of line once more, she will be kicked out of the Vale and sent back to Riverrun once the Lannisters were defeated.
[Present time]
Now here they are. Brynden Tully went ahead and snuck back home, they are awaiting their arrival. He never saw the Tully home, he has passed the Riverlands plenty of times but never visited the home of Riverrun and it looked magnificent, not as grand as the Eyrie or his home in Runestone but the place definitely looks beautiful and a good defense putting it on a river, never need to worry for food because if the river with all the fish.
"Who goes there!, What's yer business!" He looked up at the boy soldier who looked younger than Robert.
"Tell Lord Robb that Ser Waymar of House Royce comes with Lady Catelyn of House Stark, I come bearing news from my Lord." The soldier looked at him strangely but Lady Starks face made him believe his words and soon enough the drawbridge was lowered and he and Catelyn entered the castle. The 'King' met them and surrounded by his lords and some rivermen, he dismounted and bowed his head. "Lord Stark, I come- " He was going to say but a large man stopped him by barking at him.
"He's no lord, Valeman. He's the King of the North!" The other men said the same and Lord Stark stood proud with that iron crown on his auburn head. He sighed and pulled a letter from his side.
"Lord Arryn sends his greetings, and begs for your reconsideration of taking this path." Lord Robb took the letter and read it after a minute, he offered his men some tents until morning and asked him to come with him. He hopes Robar is doing much better than he is if he has gotten to the Reach yet. He also hopes his friend is doing much better as well.
The Vale of Arryn
"Stannis means to take the Stormlands before marching on the capital with a stronger force, we can take the surrounding lands in the northern half of the Crownlands and siege the northern part of King's Landing." Lord Redfort suggested and Lord Corbray contested that with another plan of going forwards.
"No. I say we take Tywin at his rear and ensure Robb Stark aligns with us to bring more light on the city, Renly and Stannis will reconcile and come from land and sea. Tywin won't stand much longer after that." It wasn't impossible but that's if Renly agrees to reconcile and follow his elder brother who is by all rights the true king of the Iron Throne.
He knows Renly since he came to the city to be the Master of Laws, he is an ambitious person at heart and hopefully, his letter will show the Lord of the Stormlands that unity is the only way for the Seven Kingdoms to move forward into a prosperous future. Rodrik looked to his little brother, he has been making the current heir sit in on the meetings in the case that he doesn't return.
The army stands at 23,000 men now, enough to march and all he and his lords are waiting for is the right path to take, help defeat Tywin with the north, or march into the Crownlands and take castle by castle until all that stands in the capital city. He controlled his anger until the first battle begins where he can let it all out, driving closer and closer to the kingdom's future.
He remembered getting the letter from 'crown' that wanted or demanded his fealty and loyalty or else be named a traitor, he and his lords laughed it off and that night he sent a reply, a single and blank page besides a falcons feather wrapped inside of it, it's his answer and it makes a decision clear on what he is going to do. He sighed and sat up from his seat, maybe one more day to deliberate would be wise.
"My Lords, we will reconvene in the morning. Dismissed."
After dismissing his lords and brother, he retreated back to his room to rest. Soon the time will come to march out and he should enjoy his home while he can, he won't be seeing it again anytime soon. He walked in and saw someone standing beside a window, it was a woman from the shape and had a cloak over her which kept her face hidden from sight, he narrowed his eyes and put a hand on a dagger to his left, "Who might you be?, Is Tywin sending out assassins now?" He asked and she turned around to him and his eyes widened in shock.
The woman wore a dress of marvelous red and green with a tint of purple. She is buxom and beautiful, with olive skin, large dark eyes and long, thick black hair that falls in ringlets to the middle of her back and lips are full and smiling lightly at him. He released his hand on his dagger and approached the woman and spun her around, laughing away at the reunion right now.
"Arianne?!, What are you doing here?, You're a long way from home." Arianne Nymeros Martell chuckled and backed up from him when he let her down and answered his question.
"My father thinks I went to see my mother, but my cousin and I took a ship going to Gulltown. Now I am here, I came for a visit." She explained to him and his eyes rose in confusion, it can't just be a simple visit, can it? He thought as he went to pour themselves cups of wine, "Thank you." She said to him and took the beverage and sat in a chair near his desk where some paper was spread about, he should make some time to clean things up before he calls for the Vale army to march. "How are you? You haven't written to me in some time." She asked and he smiled.
"I was investigating my father's death, was out of the Vale and travelled to Winterfell and King's Landing." He confided and she listened intently, its strange since he only ever hears from her through ravens and messages. "Though, with the Realm fallen in chaos once more, it seems a silly matter. The Lannisters are behind it because Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen are not Roberts." He confessed and it shocked the Dornish woman, not many know yet, from Lord Starks man, only he and Stannis know of the truth and its already spreading with Robb getting the news next.
"Well. From the sizable military camp below, I am assuming you will be marching in Stannis's name?" Her question seemed distasteful of the notion of him supporting the king, the only king. He set the cup down and stared at her, and nodded. "Robert is dead, he condemned my aunts rape and murder and the executions of Rhaenys and Aegon, why even support his family anymore?" She asked and it was a question that was hard to answer, yes what Robert did was horrible but one can't rule with a good heart without a few sins, he himself found that out with sleeping with the Queen.
"Sigh Arianne. I am supporting Stannis because he is the true heir, he is Roberts brother." He tried to say but she refused to hear it and huffed like he remembered when they first met as children back in Dorne when he and his father returned Princess Elia's remains.
"Viserys is the true heir, it was Robert who usurped the Targaryen power with his war." She spat and he stood shaken a little bit, what is being said is treason and that is plain to see on her flawless face. "I came here for other reasons, my father is taking away my inheritance, he wants my brother Quentyn to rise as Dornes next ruler. I came for your help."
King's Landing
Cersei chuckled to herself in her chambers at the falcon feather on her desk. The insolence of people when their friends are executed, first that bitch Tully kidnaps her little brother over petty assumptions and then Eddard's blatant attempt of taking her son's crown, after this his son decided to challenge them for his fathers freedom and the freedom of Sansa and Arya, but one girl is currently missing at the moment. Then this when she had sent her son's declaration across Westeros, demanding that every lord or lady come and kneel before him as their true king.
Unfortunately, this went unanswered for most, Renly declared himself King in the Reach and Stormlands, Robb was named King in the North and the Trident, Stannis sees himself as King of the Narrow Sea, Dorne hasn't answered the summons and neither did the Iron Islands. Rodrik chose the traitors path and declared for Stannis after hearing the news. Traitors, the lot of them! She thought as she found herself chuckling again at Rodrik's reply to her and Joffrey's summons, she wanted to burn it in a fire but something made her reconsider.
She misses her brothers firm touch. Missed the night before he went and maimed Eddard, he was originally aiming for Rodrik after she told him about the night she shared with the Lord of the Vale. It was a moment where her other half was much like Robert, grabbing her violently and spouting about betrayal and how he is going to pluck the feathers off the falcon. Jaime was always firm, rough and primal when inside of her, she loved it, with Robert she would go numb and weep as he took her violently, she hated it and is glad his death was at the hands of his flaws.
With Lord Rodrik however, he was gentle despite her forcefully getting his cooperation. It was almost reminiscent of her and Jaime's first time, passionate and affectionate and gentle. She smiled upon thinking of the falcon who should be on her side despite the room she made for him in a heart that has so far been filled with only ambition, paranoia, hatred and love for her children. He made a fool of her and she would have him on his knees and begging for leniency for the those that anger a lioness will feel her roar.
A malicious smirk came upon her lips as she walked towards the mirror and sighed before placing her hand on a swelling belly. I knew his loyalties would take some time, but maybe with the help of you, I can sway the falcon to nest and bow.
Dragonstone
Stannis Baratheon, Lord of Dragonstone, the true ruler of Storm's End and now the first in line for the Iron Throne. He knew of the parentage of Roberts progeny for some time, he just didn't have the evidence or the respects of his elder brother, now Robert is dead and not one, not two, but three call themselves Kings when the only true King is here, planning to take back his kingdoms.
The Vale have given him their support and a week ago had reported that 17,000 men currently wait on his orders while getting more men, the young Rodrik knows who he serves and he will be repaid for his service. A few of the Crownland Lords have given aid as well, The Velaryons of Driftmark, Bar Emmon of Sharp Point, Celitgar of Claw Isle and Sunglass of Sweetport Sound.
His numbers are about 5,000 strong at the moment and once he retakes the Stormlands from Renly, he will have doubled that with another 30,000 men and together the two armies will defeat all the usurpers and traitors. He watched the fire in the pit burn thought on what the future holds, no, his expressionless face hardened, the future holds his victory and if only an alliance of Baratheon and Arryn can do this, he will.
"Your grace. A messenger from the Vale is here." He nodded and Ser Davos let the messenger inside. The man was in armor and his facial features were hard, dark brown hair and grey eyes, his beard is medium sized and looks the age of either his late twenties or early thirties, he was wearing the armor of bronze which gave him the assumption that he was a member of House Royce.
"My King. I am Andar Royce, eldest son and heir to Runestone, my liege lord Rodrik Arryn has sent me to serve as House Arryn's adviser to his grace. He begs forgiveness that he couldn't come himself, but wholly pledges his eternal loyalty." The Knight knows how to speak, that he can clearly see and he stood to move towards the Painted Table, moving pieces until he placed a stone in the shape of a falcon near King's Landing, two stag statues and a rose in the Stormlands and a wolf and lion in the Riverlands. "My Lord would also have you know that, he is sending both of my brothers to both the Stark and rebel Renly's camp. To see them concede their crowns and fall in line behind you, I trust in their success." He turned to the knight and spoke up.
"I fear any talks wont do. Renly is an ambitious boy, and Robb isn't his father and walks the path of a traitor. Now to business, send word to Lord Arryn, tell him its time. Have him march south on King's Landing, start with taking each castle and garrison them for defense against Tywin if he decides to flee from Robb Stark. Go." The knight nodded ad went to see it done without question, Davos then cleared his throat, "Davos. Go and bring Lady Melisandre here, I wish to talk." He said and Davos gave him a look of confusion.
"Might I insist on sending her away, she is already causing much confusion by preaching to that fire god." He grunted in response, the woman will do what she wants as long as it doesn't disrupt his campaign, he only means to beg a question she asked him the other day when following his wife about the castle.
"She is a valued companion for Selyse, do as I ask Davos."
Lannister Encampment
"That's your truce, the moment Eddard's head came off is when this war was extended. Now even Rodrik the Fierce is gathering a host in the Vale. This bodes ill... "
The largest disappointment to his family uttered out and it is true. If Eddard had lived then he could have negotiated a truce with Robb Stark, but 30,000 men were lost by Jaime and now he must worry about an attack by the Reach and Stormlands by Renly, the sea by Stannis and the Vale of Arryn by Rodrik. Its a catastrophe and the war can change drastically against his family.
"They have my son!, Out all of you, not you." He called for Tyrion to sit back down and come closer, "I wont stand on ceremony. I am sending you to King's Landing." His son was shocked and his mismatched reflected that splendidly.
"And do what?!" Tyrion asked after he poured the dwarf a drink.
"To rule!, You will serve as Hand of the King in my stead and bring your sister and that boy to heel. I cant send no more than 2000 men with you, you will call on the levies of the Crownlands and conscript more men to the Watch. I wont lie, you will face an attack by sea and the south, the north too if you cannot get Rodrik to reconsider his loyalties, I cant defend the capital with a Wolf at our doorstep." He explained to his third-born child who still looked quite shocked at being given such a command, he himself is surprised he chose the stunted drunk for the task.
"Why not uncle or anyone for that matter?, Why me?" His son asked and it is a simple one to answer as he stood from his seat with Kevan.
"You are my son, I am trusting in your ability to complete this task. Do not fail!"
The Vale of Arryn [3 days later]
Now a force of 25,000 men, all ready and in marching formation. Rodrik's blue eyes scoured the force and the faces of the men in the front, many of them wont return from the war. He held out a letter and read.
"By order of our King, Stannis of the House Baratheon, The First of his Name, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm. We will march today and take each and every castle that doesn't bow down until we reach King's Landing. We are all descendants of the first Andals, we are warriors and we will do our duty to our King!, We will be victorious and bring prosperity back to a land in chaos!" He shouted and his force roared in agreement.
Lord Royce will have the vanguard, Lord Redfort will have the left, Lord Corbray will have the right and he will have the center, Ser Morton will carry the reserves. They marched out that very day and after he said his goodbyes to his friend, Arianne didn't leave happy after he had refused to assist her in keeping her status as the next Princess of Dorne, she shouted and cursed at him as she lost her temper, a day later she left for Gulltown with Tyene Sand, her cousin.
He left the Eyrie to his brother who begged him to go but war is dangerous and if he doesn't return, by all rights he will be the next Lord of the Vale, he closed his eyes as he marched, givig a silent prayer to the Seven for a successful campaign and for the wellbeing of his brother and army. A chill went across his neck and he looked up at the Gates of the Moon, a bad chill.
Back inside of the Gates of the Moon a sneaking red haired Lysa Tully walked the halls of the castle. Towards the Maester's chambers to catch a letter coming for her, she looked left and right before opening the door and waited until a raven flew into the window and she tool the message, tied to it is a small blue ribbon, Petyr's favorite She thought and opened it, reading his handwriting.
"'Fear not my sweet Lysa, I will aid you in getting your freedom and to ensure our SweetRobin takes what is his.' Forever thinking of you, Petyr Baelish." She smirked at that, 'our Sweetrobin' is the right word for him and soon all of the Vale will be his and his alone, just needs the death of one more falcon for the mockingbird to roost in the Eyrie.