Preparations

Wickenden

It didn't feel all that normal to be in normal clothes, but she didn't want dresses so the new King had a pair of his squires clothes given to her. She looked into the mirror and saw the dark leather on her. Rodrik swore he would help her avenge her family by slaying the Freys, Lannisters and Baelish and though his words were sincere, she can't believe as most southerners are liars and killers, there is no honor here; not even

"I can't imagine being stuck with the Hound for more than an hour, but you have been through much. I won't say I relate, but I can apologize; for not being there with my men to save your father before Ilyn Payne took his head." She heard him say as a way to say sorry for failing.

It's hard to recall but he rode against Jaime during the tourney to honor her father, beat the Kingslayer. Rodrik Arryn and Jon Arryn are names that her father would recall with respect. She never knew him, met him and spoke on one occasion but as far as respect? She cannot say at the very moment. He got up and walked out, leaving her alone.

The rest of the day went on as the reserves House Waxley was being called, she's never seen the Vale before but the high mountains near Wickenden were higher than she had ever seen; it was magnificent and Sandor commented that there was even bigger sounding a vast plain outlining the Vale of Arryn, she asked the man how he knew this and he said 'Just know I've been there' and she let it go.

A huff and she was outside near the river where she began practicing her lessons by Syrio, the next few days will have given her the time to do so. After that, she went back to her chambers to eat and sleep and before closing her eyes she re-did her names of the people she was going to kill, she even added one.

"Joffrey Waters, Cersei Lannister, the Mountain, the Hound, Ilyn Payne, Meryn Trant, the Red Woman, Beric Dondarrion, Thoros of Myr, Tywin Lannister... and Petyr Baelish."

King's Landing

The child cooed and brought a smile to the lionesses face. Cersei picked up her child and carried him around the room, thinking back to the day her baby girl was brought to the world. When she went into labor it was a sunny day and she was breaking her fast with her father, after giving birth to four children she knew a fifth wouldn't be such a trial at all.

Her father didn't flinch or have any expression to her, he hoped her child would be a boy to use against the Vale. Born a boy he would be legitimized and brought up a true Arryn, not that she would allow that. The child's usefulness lies in marriage now, will it be a Lannister cousin? a Valemen? Or some up jumped knight of a new or major House.

"Cersei?"

Her head whipped about and green eyes landed on Jaime. He looked dreadful with rags and a dirty beard, worse was when she looked and saw great maim to his person. His right hand, sword hand and the jewel to his name, gone and replaced with the ghost of his greatest power. She was brought from her shock to the sound of her daughter crying. She walked over and put her in the arms of a servant and commanded she be taken to her chambers. Jaime looked even more hurt that she gave birth to another's child.

"What is its name?" He asked her and she hesitated before telling him the girls name, she put not much thought into it before giving it a name fit for a lion.

"Joanna, after our mother. Do you like it?" She asked softly as she stayed a few feet away from him, he looked enraged and frowned; gripping his left hand tensely.

"Is it mine?"

"You know it isn't." She shot his confidence down and though she hoped Joanna was a true lion like their children, she is part falcon. Jaime didn't say anything and left to get himself cleaned up.

She knows it hurts him to know that she laid with Rodrik. She was conflicted and confused by the Valemen's looks and compared so much to Jaime that she was fixated. She wanted the knight and wanted him to be loyal to her like she made Jaime, and yet he was more stubborn than her brother, more independent and loyal to his friends than his Queen. She loves her brother, loves him dearly and that won't change but he left instead of staying by her side, he ran just like everyone else, like Rodrik.

She is a Queen, and she still has battles to win in this city.

[Wickenden]

"You going to kill me or not?!"

Rodrik looked down at Sandor with a thought in his head, on what to do with the deserter. Some want him dead, some say he should be pardoned for keeping Ned's daughter alive and well. It's his decision to make despite him wanting to take a vote on it, they let be up to him.

That brings to mind on this whole matter, being a Lord Paramount is tough, a King is a whole different story that has changed him in the last four days. He intends to do his people proud and reclaim their home and route the thieves in their holes. A crown has yet to be made as well, that can come after the Vale is his once more.

"What Kings crimes you have committed doesn't matter to me, but in the Vale, you won't be let loose." He responded and the Hound simply glared at him.

"So what now?"

He has many generals at his command and one more will only improve his chances, especially if his enemies know Gregor Clegane's own blood is fighting for him. He sighed and had the jailer give him the keys and unlocked the cage door to the cell and stepped aside.

"You protected Arya Stark, she said you were at the Red Wedding and helped her escape. As King in the Vale, I pardon you, and offer you a place in the Kingdom of the East."

The Clegane grunted at the obviousness in the air, he is being put to work by him and that is correct. Once the Vale is taken and Lysa and her companions are dead, then he may leave the force but until then, it's his way or the dungeons. Sandor past him and walked out to grab his things that were taken upon being brought to him in the Saltpans.

Thinking of his new campaign, ravens from Ironoaks, Runestone, Redfort, and Old Anchor returned and are with him. At this moment 7,000 men are stationed in Gulltown and another 6,000 are within the Vale of Arryn, all under Baelish and Harrold's control it seems. The houses are also split between the two as well and have joined a faction.

Houses Redfort, Royce, Waynwood, Grafton, Waxley, Lynderly, Sunderland, Belmore, Coldwater, Hunter, Corbray, Melcolm, and Templeton are with him and besides his 5,900 men brings another 4,000 to the table. However, Houses Pryor, Shett, Tollett, Hersy, and Upcliff have aligned themselves with Lysa and her allies along with the men from House Tyrell and Lannister. Houses staying out of the fighting for either fear or cowardice or ambition are those of Elesham, Donniger, Egen, and Moore. The Vale is torn and he'll fix it.

He assumes the 6,000 traitors in the valley are waiting at the Bloody Gate with the information he fed them. He also has those to aid him in the Eyrie, Maester Colemon and Lord Nestor Royce, they will continue aiding him inside while he deals Baelish his defeats on the field of battle. If he had the coin he would purchase more soldiers and supplies.

"Your grace, ah you have a pet. Anyways I have men scouting the pass and if we move tonight then we can arrive at Gulltown in a day and nights march." Edmund stated by his cousin, the still young Lady Waxley and recently widowed after the Battle of Harrenhal.

She was a tall woman, with shining black hair going to her backside and he eyes make some around jovial with a happy expression. She is only 30 and 2 yet looks much younger.

"Thank you again, my Lady. I am in you and your Houses debt." He thanked her and she shook her head no and knelt that very same head.

"Absolutely not, Your Grace. I know where my loyalties lie, with you.. And my name is Lorena Waxley." She swore and left with her cousin following suit. He then turned to his generals.

Gilwood, Yohn, Waymar, Gerold, and Lucas. "Gerold Grafton, you and Morton will lead the van in taking your city back." He finally decided and the Lord stood proudly.

"It will be an honor, my King."

"Yohn Royce, you and I will lead the cavalry. Waymar and Lucas will have the rearguard."

"Yes, my King!"

He looked at them all before putting the falcon on Gulltown, its time becomes the Lord his father wished, and the King that the Vale needs.

[The Eyrie]

"I am happy you decided to join us, I know your brother is in rebellion against my father's command and thank you for having an honorable heart."

Robert looked down at Creighton Redfort, second born son of Horton Redfort and now new Lord of the Redfort in this act of valor and loyalty. The knight rose to his feet and nodded. He sat straight in his seat and made himself look like the proud lord his father deemed himself worthy to be, a shame his brother had to do such a dastardly thing.

"Aye, its no secret my brothers conspired to kill my father and take his titles. Rodrik, Jasper, Jon and Mychel will pay for their treachery." Next who approached were other nobles coming to swear their loyalty to him, even Nestor Royce did and he swore to marry his daughter once the war is over.

He called the relief banners and his uncle wrote that he is bringing a gift and 7,000 men to help in defeating his brother on the field once he comes to the Bloody Gate. Reports from a traitor say they at camped at the Crossroads and pillaging nearby Riverland villages, savagery is a skill his brother must have picked up in his campaigns against the King.

Yes, he knows who his brother serves, an oathbreaker and traitor, Stannis is a claimant to nothing. Joffrey Baratheon issued a pardon to him once he decided to turn against his brutal brother who does a better job at sneak attacks rather than fighting someone honorably, his mother was right all along and he should have seen it but was too pathetic.

Soon the oaths to him had ended and he was going to get up before the doors opened and Colemon marched up the steps, what has happened?

"Terrible news, King Joffrey is dead, poisoned at his own wedding!"

Terrible news indeed. Hopefully, peace is brought back soon He thought as he worried for the future.

His worries were in the right place.

[2 Days Later/Outside Gulltown]

"3,000 men are over the ridge and into the valley!" Damon reported to Uther Shett, the leader then turned to the Tyrell and Lannister emissaries that came with the new army.

"What do we- "

Horns blew and they all turned west where the sun was rising, moments the thundering sound of thousands of horses charged from the western pass only a Waxley would know. The panicked when they saw the soaring falcon of House Arryn. The camp wasn't even ready to march or defend, now it has to be rushed. Horns from the northeast sounded and turned to see another 2,000 heavy lances coming at them.

Rodrik led the cavalry charge while the foot moved at a slower pace. He gripped his spear and the reins of his horse, the clash was heavy as the allied forces smashed against the sloppy defense of 4,000 invaders and 1,000 traitors hold the city of Gulltown and he will liberate it soon enough. "Give no quarter but a few!" They need hostages though.

The battle went on for two hours, one hour on the field against the invaders and another to break the gates of Gulltown as Robert and his father done in the rebellion. He slashed a archers guts onto the floor and took the head of another. Across the battlefield, Lord Melcolm and the combined might of his and Runestones reserves fought hard.

The foot arrived and is cleaning up the pretending Lannister rabble within the city. He for one had Uther Shett and Damon Lannister on their knees before him.

"Ones an oathbreaker and another is apart of House Lannister," He began and approached "Was this all there is? Or were we too late and some few thousand lions are in my nest?" He asked and Damon Lannister made no sound, only Uther Shett.

"I'm sorry my Lord, forgive me! I- I- I didn't mean to break my oath! I'm sorry!"

He was sickened by how he was begging him for his life, but it isn't his choice but Gerold. He nodded and Gerold swiftly brought his Morningstar down on the traitors head.

"A Lannister hostage is valuable, put him in irons." He commanded and a few guards took him away. He sighed and walked the battlements and looked across the broken camp. "Take a days rest! For tomorrow we retake the Vale!" He shouted and the knights and warriors of the Vale agreed in a thunderous war cry that will echo into oblivion.

"King in the Vale!"

"King in the Vale!"

"King in the Vale!

"KING IN THE VALE!"