It has been nearly 1 month since Arthur and Corlys reached their home with their own army. After just 4 days, there were numerous letters from the High Septons who wanted Arthur to abolish the unsullieds. But Arthur politely told them to 'Fuck off'. Seeing that Arthur wasn't bending his will, they went to king Viserys themselves to convince Arthur. The king was slightly angry because of Arthur's behavior. But he knew that making Arthur an enemy was the last thing he wanted. So he just sent a raven to Arthur requesting him to listen to the 'Faith'. But Arthur sent back another raven to both Viserys and the high septon. In that he stated that he follows the gods of Valyria and he wouldn't worship those who take money from the people just to grant their prayers. He also respectfully answered that he gave freedom to the unsullieds and in return they became his army. Seeing the message, the high septon was furious and went away.
But what the high septon didn't know was that Arthur sent a secret message to only Viserys and Daemon which stated that the Citadel and the Faith are not to be trusted.
' I have gotten information that the Citadel is planning to get rid of the dragons. Meanwhile, the high septons are waiting till the dragons are dead. When they die, the faith shall grow their power to the next generation of Targaryes and control them. After all, without dragons, people don't fear us. Don't trust Otto. I have heard that he is planning something. Stay safe, your grace. I shall try to find evidence which points the truth.
Arthur Valhalla
Lord of Dragonstone '
Even a weak king like Viserys knew that losing the Dragons would mean the upcoming end of Targaryen dynasty.
But now Viserys had another problem. As he knew that Arthur followed the gods of Valyria, Polygamy wasn't a taboo for him. He wanted to have Arthur's power in his family but now he knew that it would not be possible. It was because the high septons would probably send words to the smallfolk that Arthur was evil or lustful. But even Viserys knew that it would backfire and many houses would want to create a marriage alliance with Arthur. Now, he also knew that Viserys knew that he can't force Arthur because his daughter fell in deep love with him. From the way Rhaenyra went towards her father for the construction help, he knew that Rhaenyra was already considering herself as Arthur's wife. If Viserys separated them, he knew that he would lose his daughter.
After that letter, Viserys many times wanted to visit the Dragonstone with his wife and infant son. But Arthur already rejected him and said that he would invite Viserys's family himself after the war.
Queen Aemma was worried because she knew that her daughter will surely participate in the war. After all, Rhaenyra always said that she would rather be a knight than just being a womb for children. What she didn't knew that Arthur already made a Valyrian Steel chestplate for her. It wasn't a full armor set though. But with Syrax by her side, she wouldn't be harmed. After all she would only fly and attack unlike Arthur who would have to launch a ground attack.
The time for the war came. Lord Corlys brought nearly 35 galleys. It was more than enough. He brought back the 3500 unsullieds that he took with him. Now they waited for a week for the army of 2000 soldiers from King Viserys. With this, the total soldiers they had was 8000 soldiers. Arthur decided to take only 4000 unsullieds with him and keep the remaning 2000 in Dragonstone for protection. In this one month he already made 20 commanders who had outstanding skill. Those 20 unsullied commander had outstanding war strategys as well as strength. Moreover, they had five dragons with them. Arthur had Ancalagon and Dreamfyre while Rhaenyra had Syrax. Daemon brought his dragon Caraxes and Laenor brought his dragon Seasmoke. As Arthur started this war one year early than the timeline, Laenor wasn't really that strong and his dragon was also much smaller in size in comparison to Ancalagon and Dreamfyre.
Arthur knew that the war would be quite easy due to the five dragons. So, he told all of the leaders of the soldiers that he wanted to claim Grey Gallows first. As Craghas Drahar was in Bloodstone and mostly in the cave area, the Grey Gallows was quite easy to claim. Almost all of the commanders of the army regarded Arthur as the strongest. At first they didn't want to bring Rhaenyra as she was a woman but Syrax just gave a roar and all stopped their voice.
Arthur was surprised that Gwayne Hightower, son of Otto Hightower participated in the war. Now, Arthur wished that Gwayne would die in the war. He was already thinking of contracting the faceless men to get rid of Otto and Hobert Hightower. As Ormund was still a kid right now, the death of these three man would pass the Hightower house to Alicent till Ormund comes of age. Arthur knew that he had to do something to Alicent to control the Hightower house. Now, he was thinking if should he kill her and make possible friendships with Ormund to control Hightower House. But he knew that it just didn't sound right. Arthur wanted to blame Alicent for what happened in the original timeline but he just couldn't compare the her in this timeline to that timeline. So, he decided that he would not kill her. Rather he would try to befriend her as much as he can. So that he can gain her support and trust.
As a person of 21st century, Arthur knew that even strongest empires collapse. So, he knew that no matter how strong he makes the Targaryen Dynasty or keeps the Dragons alive, sooner or later they will falter. This is why Arthur decided to make his own house powerful. Arthur knew that he had to gain powerful allies who would never betray him. If he had to marry to gain these allies, he will. After all, the Targaryen curse of madness would only end when a far superior power is there. With House Valhalla reigning over the King or Targaryen house, the future generation of Targaryens would not be in war. Even if they did come to a war which might endanger the Targaryen dynasty, Arthur was sure that his children and future generation will take care of it. He wanted his house to reign over the Targaryens. But he didn't want the Iron Throne.
With such a heavy mind, Arthur and the others got on their ships and started making their way to the Stepstones.
I will try to release one chapter per day. I really like it when people appreciate my work. ♥️