Chapter 9: Plans & Preparations (281AC - 282AC)

*BANG*

"You need to be more flexible on your feet. If you want to utilize your speed better, go again!"

"Yes, sir!"

In Frosthold's training yard, a group of men are seen sparring against one another, with Aerian on the sidelines giving orders and advice on how they could improve their skills. At his side, lying down lazily is the new family member, Kael, who has gotten used to the new life in the house and with the Aurelius family.

"Ethan! You must keep your guard between swings, or you'll leave yourself open to get a chest full of swords!"

"Yes, sir!"

"How are the soldiers coming along, son?" asked Tharren, who came to check on the progress of the 100 soldiers who are to be trained to the level of knights.

"It's going well. Before the year is out, they should reach the lower-level knights of the table," Aerian replied, not looking away from the sparring soldiers.

"That's good, as I feel things won't be peaceful for much longer," Tharren said seriously as he watched the soldiers spar.

"Understandable, but we should be ready. The blacksmiths have finally perfected the new steel weapons and armor, and the craftsmen have made significant progress with the soap and the alcohol, which should be ready to trade and sell the next summer."

"Gold will be much needed indeed, but it still baffles me how you came up with these ideas and methods," Tharren said, casting a side glance at his son

"Think of it as a gift from the old gods," Aerian replied with a smile 

"Fine, keep your secrets; they better the well-being of the family and house anyway. Once you're finished here, you have your lessons with the master

*Sigh* "Do I have to?"

"Haha, yes, you do; stop being dramatic at your speed. You will probably be finished with the lessons faster than you think."

"Fine, fine, I'll be there." 

"Good. I'll be heading back to work now, so I will see you at supper," Tharren said, resting his hand on his son's head before walking back into the keep to return to his Solar.

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A few moons later...

12th Moon of 281AC, Frosthold Keep

The Aurelius family can sit in the dining hall enjoying a filling breakfast, laughing and talking, with Kael and Frostclaw lying beside their respective partners, looking like they are catching up on some sleep.

As the family enjoyed their time together, the master rushed into the hall with heavy breaths. He first bowed to us before going to Lord Tharren, handing him a letter and whispering something in his ear. Hearing what the master said, Tharren's face turned solemn as he stood and looked toward Aerian.

"Aerian, come with me. It would seem peace has just ended," Tharren said with a finality in his tone as he started walking out of the hall.

Hearing Tharrens order, Aerian wiped his mouth before kissing his mother on the cheek and Loreth on the head and walking out to follow his father to his Solar. Arriving at the solar, Tharren sat behind his desk, and Aerian took one of the seats in front while the master stood to the side.

"So what happened that has you so serious, Father," Aerian asked curiously.

"We just got a letter from Kingslanding stating that Roderick and Brandon Stark are rebels and were executed by the king, and now he is also calling for the heads of Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon," Tharren said, handing the message to Aerian so he could read it.

Taking the missive and reading it, a whirlwind of thoughts was running through Aerians head as he realised that the rebellion was about to begin. "Since the North isn't going to turn on the Starks I guess this means that we will be staging a rebellion against the crown then." Aerian said looking towards his father.

"That is the most likely case but we will wait a few more days as I'm sure word should have gotten to the Vale where the Stark and Baratheon Lads are being fostered, it depends on what the Lord of the Vale decided to do next.

Like Tharren said, it did not take long for word to reach Jon Arryn in the Vale and a few days after all the houses in the North, the Vale and the Stormlands received a call to arms for their liege lords to fight against the crown. About a moon after the letters were received, Ned Stark returned winterfell and started calling the banners to ride for Winterfell.

Standing in the courtyard of Frosthold, soldiers can be seen preparing rations, weapons and supplies in preparation to answer the call to arms and ride for Winterfell to regroup with the other Lords. Aerian stood in the courtyard watching everything happen, the 13 knights of the table standing behind him in silence.

"When you go the battlefield, I want you to watch each others backs, protect each other and protect my father, I shall have all of you come back safely if that is possible." Aerian finally spoke with seriousness in his tone as he turned to look at his knights.

Hearing what Aerian said all 13 knights clasped their right arms to the left side of their chest and said in unison "Yes Sir!"

"If things goes as they should then you shouldn't run into the full unit of the kingsguard but be careful still of the ones that you do as they are the best warriors in the realm for a reason, do not let your guard down and do not ever get overly confident."

"Do not worry young Lord, we shall give our utmost best to come back from this war not only in victory but as whole unit still." Lancelot said respectfully trying to ease Aerians worries.

"Death is inevitable on the battlefield, out of the 1400 of you it is unrealistic to belive that none of you will die all I ask is that you try to keep the casualties to minimum."

"Yes young Lord."

"Also, Lancelot and Gawain I have a secret mission for you to do once something called the battle of the Trident is about to happen. In the near future that battle will decide the fate of the war adn as such I need you two to ride for the crownlands adn secure a boat. Once a boat is secured, I need you two to sail towards kingslanding but make sure it's during the night when it will be hard for anyone to notice you, the red keep has a secret passage from the sea that leads to the underground catacombs where the bones. of the dragons are kept. When you succeed in getting in, linger around the keep until you're able to kidnap two goldcloaks and steal their armor to change into and disguise yourself, you are to then wait for Tywin Lannisters eventual sacking of the city to take princess Elia and Rhaenys out of the keep safely back through the secret passage and escape by sea. Understood?" Aerian said to Lancelot and Gawain the plan he came up with after nights of thinking about it.

He didn't want to leave Elia and Rhaenys to the fate that awaits them once Tywins men get to them during the sacking, No mother and child deserves that. For baby Aegon, well he isn't born yet so it didn't make sense telling them, they will find out once they get there.

"Yes young Lord, we will make sure to complete the task adn bring them back safely!"

"Good, now go get the men ready it looks like my father and his are nearly ready to depart."

"Yes!" With a final salute and bow the knights left to get the rest of the knights ready to depart while Aerian continued to stand and watch as his father came to stand by his side.

"While I'm gone you'll be the Lord of the house responsible for keeping everyone safe." Tharren said as he looked at his son.

"Do not worry father not even the ironborn dare travel this far to our territory and even if they did then me and Kael will handle it."

"I'm sure you will, I do not know how long this war will last so take care of your mother and sister while I am away and take care of yourself as well the maester will be there to assist you if you need it."

"I know father, just make sure to come back in one piece" Aerian said looking at his father seriously.

"Haha your father is still strong and in his prime, I will come back in no time." Tharren said ruffling Aerians hair. "Anyways we shall be off, so I leave Frosthold in your care my son." He finished with a proud smile on his face as he turned and joined the rest of the soldiers and knights who were mounted adn ready to depart. Aerian watched as his father and the troops left through the main gate and left for winterfell.

"And so chaos begins." he said to himself before walking back into the keep.