Previously on A Song of Storm and Hammer

"And do you wish to go there? it might be an obvios trap" said Ronan

"No Grandfather, the writing belongs to Tyrion Lannister and i believe him that there won't be trap" Said Jon

"So what do you plan then?" Said Ronan

"We know that there is dragonglass in Dragonstone and i wish to go there, if possible for an aliance and allowed to mine it" said Jon "Though i admit i was more hoping if she would allow us to mine"

Ronan nod at that "And what is your plan then? the Tyrells would arrive in an hour by now, you can go to dragon stone after you have conversation with the Tyrell, sending a raven would arrive there for several days, it would be enough time for you to know about your soon to be bride if they agreed with it" Said Ronan

Jon nod in understanding as he then looked to Sansa "Send a raven to Dragonstone we would go there" Said Jon that which made more protess but Ronan have to tap his hand at the table that silent them

"Do not need to worry i volunteer to go, i have lost counted of killing dragons both small and titanic you won't have to worry about his safety" Said Ronan

"If it please you, i also go with the king" Said Davos

"And i will leave Sansa as the regent until we return" said Jon

Sansa was shock to hear that but nod notheless as they are waiting for the Tyrells to arrive

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Present

Reach Highgarden

when the  Proposal was sent

Olenna muse as she is with her son and grandchildren to think that they her grand-daughter and grandson was lucky to be alive out of sheer luck upon her insistant for them to get out in the capital in secret before the sept of baelor was destroyed

when the news reach them, they are already far away from King's Landing hearing that made them horrified of whatever Cersie madness have done, killing many innocent people even her son her oaf of a son was also lucky enough to follow her command and was quit silent and apologetic afterwards to her when he also insistent to stay and stand on trial for Margery's innocence

right now with the news of Daenarys targeryan here in westeros in her House castle Dragonstone was retaken once more under the banner of house Targeryan

They along with their Bannerman would have sent ravens by now and going there to bend the knee, what's stopping them though is because she brought the Dothraki a savage hose lords who have a well earned reputation of looting and pilliging something the westori nobles would not tolerate, which even for a loyalist Targeryans like the Tarlys din't go there to bend the knee despite that she has 3 dragons

Not to mention about the news of her burning those who din't surrender to her, which to Olenna spies have confirmed that she is indeed burning those who din't surrender to her

Slave masters or not, it was a clear message to her, even if they are westori nobles themselves who din't surrender would be burn by the dragonfire and it reminded them of Aerys and already saw her as Aery's daughter 

"Mother surely we should bend the Knee to Daenarys Targeryan" Said Mace "we are loyal to them and now without the Baratheons and the mad lioness as a queen no lords would swear themselves to her, not her stunt have done"

Olenna have to massage her head for that it was at least the most intelligent her son could spoke "Under normal circumstances Mace... we would but the problem is the way she handle her ruling"

"But why not?" Said Mace

"Father" said Willas Eldest son of Mace crippled by Oberyn Martell during one of the Tourney though forgiven and both are good friends despite some of his family never forgiven the viper and other than Margery was also politically astute like their grandmother "It's because she is burning people slavers i tell you that"

"But they're slavers no one would bit an eye of their deaths" Said Mace in confusion

"Father" Said Willas as he shake his head everyone always have better thing or two than to their father hells even their mother has sometime better something "It's that burning people would make every noble to hesitate to bend to her, even the stouch loyalist among our banner haven't even try to bend the knee"

"Even though they are slavers father, burning them was already a bad sign not to mention bringing the Dothraki here in westeros was also another entirely matter, they have well earned reputation of pillaging and looting something not even loyalist could stomach" Said Garlan 2nd Son of Mace and was the better fighter than Loras as well as the Commander 

"So what do we do then? we can't even bend to the Mad queen not eveything she had done" Said Mace as he huff

"Unless we bend the Knee to the King of the North of course" Said Willas with a smirk

"King? is there a new king there now?" Said Mace

Everyone rolled their eyes at that "Mace have you not listening? there is a new king, the Starks reclaim their ancient castle and now proclaim Jon Snow as the king of the North he is Ned Stark's bastard son" Said Olenna

"But his a bastard!" Said Mace in disbelief

"A Bastard with Ned Stark's blood through his veins" Said Olenna "Not to mention the Riverland and the Vale bend to him, so his claim is legimate and no sane northerners would ever bow down to the crown not after the Lannister done to them"

"And apparently he united the North and overthrew the Boltons and now the North is in firmly in the hands of the Stark" Said Garlan with approving tone no one likes the Boltons after all

"Still do you know what strange is?" Said Olenna with a curious glance

"What is it?" Said Loras

"Appearantly he is a former Night Watch lord Commander to desert is death" Said Olenna

Hearing that made some of them look even more curious especially Margery "His still live and become the king? that's quite a curiois way to make him a king and not you know execute him"

"The Northerners can be both predictable and unpredictable my dear" Said Olenna "Even Late Rickard Stark is a man hard to read" she said "And question would be hard when they choose a deserters as they are very traditional and honor bound people"

"now Grandfather let's talk about the New Hand of the King" Said Willas "What do we know about this Ronan Belleza? and how he quickly replace Ser Davos Seaworth as the Hand"

"Unknown" Said Olenna with a sight

They heard this man from their spies in the North he was quite an Unknown figure who simply appeared, then his short stay there, within few days they no longer have report from their spies in the North which frustrate Olenna to no end

"And can this unknown man as you said become the New Hand? and what's his abilities?" Said Garlan

"All we know that, the North was close and tight that no spies could enter, not only that from what i've heard about of our remaining spies in the Riverland and Vale, Mountain men in the Vale has been wipe out within a week when said person goes there, coordination of the Knights of the Vale was such that the mountain where wipe out even those who are hard to be search" said Willas

Hearing made them look shock

"But they're just barbarians surely the knights could easily crush them" Said Margery

"And Said barbarians could not easily be tract sister" Said Garlan being the military minded he is "Trust me the Vale have try for centuries but never able to only just making sure that they would never become a huge threat to them, and just like Willas said his mere arrival wipe them out is a achievement that should not be overlooked sister" saying that made Margery huff

"There is another that he goes to Essos, whatever his business there, no one knows what it is" Said Willas "It's like this man who knows what his doing and no spies could even able to tract them, it's like... he doesn't want to be spied another worrying aspect"

"Worrying indeed my Grandson" Said Olenna "This is the people i would like to worry about and being now the 2nd in power in the north is not someone even i would underestimate, he is a new player but his few stays says  it all, this is a man that should be treated with caution until we know about him we should treat him caution even if he is a new player" being old and experiance she is, no matter how small they are a potential threat is still a threat unless they are no harm to the House interest 

A door was knock which Mace beckons them to enter

a Maester enter there with a message as he gave it to Olenna instead of Mace after that he leaves them

Olenna look and read at the parchment with a raise eyebrow

"What is it grandmother?" Said Margery

"Hmm, it appears the King of the North is proposing a political marriage between you and the king of the North" said Olenna "This is written by his sister Sansa Stark"

Margery at least felt relief for that Sansa was safe

"Well since you have befriended Sansa Stark did she mention anything about this Jon Snow anything both good and bad things about him" Said Olenna getting to the point

"From what i've learned from this Jon Snow from Sansa at first she told me about how much he is look like their father which cause endless amount of frustration as you must know grandmother nearly all of them have the Tully colour but have the built of a northmen

but it still does not bodes well for Lady Stark" Said Margery

"I suspected as much, many have assume him to be the Son of Ashara dayne, quite beautiful i must say so, so it would easy for the boy to be assume as her son along with Eddard Stark as the two have interraction before, then again she died before she can confessed due to the trauma" Said Olenna

Margery then continue "Another is, Jon snow have gone to brothel before only because he was force to by his brother the heir of Winterfell Robb stark and their ward Theon Greyjoy, she heard that her half brother din't do the deed as he does not wish to sire a bastard as he knows it's hardship and he is as honorable as his father" Said Margery

"Then it would be an easier marriage" Said Olenna with a smile "If he is still the same then you won't have to fear of a bastard coming soon

he would be as blunt as typical northerners especially when he is raise by Ned Stark, and dear try to be honest as yourself to be" she added

hearing that made them surprise "We haven't even agreed to it yet" Said Mace in shock at his mother's declaration

"We need allies, the North has the Riverlands and the Vale with them, allying ourselves via marriage with them can make a halt to the Lannisters from ever advancing to our territory, attacking either of us can make the other to attack in another front while the Redwyne fleet would prevent the iron fleet" Said Olenna as she looked at Margery "Do you still wanted to become queen Margery?"

Margery bit her lip she married 3 kings which are all died, with the most recent which she most cares about because he is young and could easily be manipulated but still feel grimance that she have to marry younger than her, she even expected to marry someone older than her of course

Still prospect becoming a queen again except in the North, she could also see some logical stand point, the North was not well known for food productivity which they mostly kept for themselves, she remember her Grandmother's assesment of the reason why Brandon is going to be married to Catylene tully was because the food that they can export at a lower cost, since they have larger food output than the north, then also to Lyanna Stark to Robert Baratheon it was mostly of course for the North's survival

"I think of what you are thinking" Said Willas as he catch up

"It is not just of our Armies" said Margery "They have the Vale and Riverlands which are growing to be more fortified each day which might become trouble for the Lannisters and Westerlands should they decide to invade, No... it would mostly for our food of course since the Riverland suffered the most" she said

"Good assessment dear" Said Olenna with a pride "The King of the North has a lower chance of plan to conquer the south of course not because of the military power but of course... he is not interested just the Independence of the North"

"Still grandmother if we ally ourselves with them... would we separate our selves from the crown?" Said Garlan

"Of course... do you want a mad queen to be the ruler?" Said Olenna with a raise eyebrow which silence Garlan "Of course not, like i said, only the Westerlands are currently is their only align with them the rest are hated them"

Margery was thoughtful at the propossal she believes it would likely be Sansa who suggest for such a suggestion to her brother, if she is right she would have at least honorable husband one that maybe that earned her love and in turn would love him and support him even if he is a bastard but then again the Northern lords from what the spies is to believe choose him as their King which is a good sign for a king along with some nobles who will help him to rule especially the New Hand

And her Grandmother just also told her to be as honest as possible, it went against all of her grandmother's teaching, still she learn about the North's people of how they behave and how they look at the politics in the south, if she can at least blend in even converted to to their culture where she will have easily gained their trust and respect, after all it's what she would do

She wants power of course only for the realm not like how Cersie is doing it, a power hungry mad woman, she would remind herself of what she will become if does not check herself

After much consideration as well as Sansa's words were right, then with determination she spoke "I agre with the marriage" Said Margery

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Scene Change

Present

Few days later and nearing to Winterfell

It was a strange travel to say the least they travel by ship escorted by the Redwyne fleet and coordinated and plan by their admiral of how to travel safely since they have to worry about the Iron fleet

Though while they are sailing towards their and already made a notice for their arrival for a week time travel to Stoney Shore, the wind was quite favorable to the point some captains notice that they're travelling far faster than they would anticipated 

Of course they are anticipating of an attack and would be ready for the North to also send their own fleet, which are consisted of Sellsails (Sellsword company but on sea) leading them is Salladhor Saan a longtime friend of Davos and a pirate lord which he recomended to Ronan to recruit, Ronan instantly likes Salladhor for his wits and his personality, during the battle at the black water way he was at least does not have much lost because he entered last and able to ferry the retreating baratheon troops before leaving them and back again

Saan's fleet of 30 ships increase to 80 ships after of course he have brought some pirate under his command through charisma or some bets and have battling the Ironborn for quite some time now to defend the west coast of the north while they are busy building coastal defense which would discourage them

Euron find it some annoyance that he lost some ships because of Saan's interference and excellent tactics against his own, as he also quite good escaping and preventing the Iron fleet from doing damage to the North and lost a lot of men and ships though Saan's also have some casualties

Saan was not only pirate lord to be brought of course there is some more sellsail and pirates that was brought by Ronan and wanting a fleet big enough to challenge the South and hopefully by that time they maybe ready to build their own fleet and stop  relying on mercenaries it was a testament of his wealth that he leave for his descendants and rarely command on sea only on defense 

Saan personally escort the Tyrells like them they have quite a favurable wind and they are no storms have ever appeared in their travel, except from other parts in westeros especially to the Iron fleet something some the Ironborn begun to think that the storm god is the one doing it as the Storm god and Drown god are enemies and have been fighting for the dominance in the sea and this hasn't happen for many years, and because of this they are losing morale at the constant storm

Ronan do all of this and he is only weakened in his mortal form as he could still do this but only limited as it would tire him if he is not careful enough and when he was Celestant-prime he was capable unleashing storm the size of a continent vastly larger than westeros

Now that they have arrive safely and without much trouble Saan leave them and they are then personally escorted by the Glovers and Mormont troops to Winterfell

As they are nearing to Wintefell they notice something of the sorrounding the raw trenches that surrounding the ancient castle

The Tyrells are consist of Olenna, Mace, Garlan, Loras, and Margery along with Knights and soldiers as their protection

"Looks like they are expecting a war" Said Garlan as they in the carriege, though he should be on his horse but his grandmother insisted when they are near to the Castle Loras was outside mounted

"But from what i know is, there is the Neck and moat cailin in the south to defend them and now they are also properly defended on both of their boarder why need such fortification?" Said Margery in confusion she may not be military minded like her elder brother but at least she knows some basic and that's it

"That would remain to be seen, we should be lucky the road is smoother and well maintained than it should be" Said Garlan "Travel is faster again than anticipated, not to mention the road itself could fit 4 wagons and still have space to spare"

"Indeed, i have to agree with that" Said Olenna as she look outside at the towering form of Winterfell an ancient Castle that was the 2nd largest to be built and it was the largest for the past 8,000 years until Harranthal was built, seeing the castle itself made Olenna a reminder of the kings of winter and legend has it, that it was built in the hands of the Storm god himself, said storm god the same that destroyed Storm Ends 6 times until he stop

"Mother look" Said Mace as he pointed at the army outside doing drill with the other soldiers 

"Yes, father there is no mistaken, those are the Golden Company" Said Garlan as Loras horse near them

"You seeing this brother?" Said Loras

"I know" Said Garlan with narrowed eyes "Where they got their wealth hiring them as well as those numbers of fleet that escorted us is beyond... and i believe it may bankrupt us if we do the same"

"But that's rediculous we have enough mo---" Olenna cut off her son

"Shut up mace, we have not enough gold to buy all of this companies in our pocket alone and recover in short time... no... the roads and infrastructure tells me something that this is not a work of the Iron Bank" said Olenna as she narrowed her eyes, this is an excellent display both for military and economic power of the north

And she realize of where this Belleza have went

"This Belleza have come here to hire them as well as sellsail companies under their banner" Said Margery in awe as well as intimidated as they looked at the formation and drilling of the North, Riverland, Vale and the Golden Company are coordinating something was not some of the greatest commanders of the westeros could do

"Whoever is the commander, we should be worry, this is not some mere commander grandmother, and i believe that this is the doing of the hand of the king in the North" Said Garlan as he look with approve at the soldiers as the Nothernment, Riverman and Valeman was looking at them as they are being escorted by the Mormont

"Quite impressed Ser?" Said Dacey to Garlan specifically, she find him more liking than his younger brother who appeared to be brash but little experiance but Garlan speaks different he is humble and appeared to be more on studying tactics than joining tourneys which makes him less known and if he wasn't married she might try her luck to him who doesn't bothered her to be a warrior

"Where did you get all the money of this?" Said Garlan

"From Lord hand himself" Said Dacey technically not a lie since it was his gold that he leaves here

"His that rich?" Said Mace finding it to be impossible

"Much more than you think my lord" Said Dacey 

"Grandmother look giants!" Said Margery as she look at the other side when she feel slight rumble in the carriege she look was curious and was shock to see the giants riding mammoths

All of her family and their escort look stunned and even stop the Carriege and look in fear at the giants who are in the dozens

(Giants would be in the few hundreds with Wun Wun as chosen their leader yes his alive and i don't want him dead, during the battle of the Bastard they have more numbers and deal significant damage to the Boltons and have lesser casualties on their side since it was the wildlings who have the bulk of their force and when the Knights of the Vale arrive the Boltons are already weak as the giants have weapons and bows which was enough to lower the bolton morale)

(Also more wildlings was able to be evacuated instead of cannon)

"So a legend exist" Said Olenna as she regain her composure at least in curiosity at least

"The Targeryan queen will have her Dragons but it appears the North has their giant, all they needed a giant marksmen to shoot her down, they would have far better chance to hit than manning a scorpion" Said Garlan as he assess of their capability and also made some plans if the North becomes an enemy in the reach even though chances are likely low as they are also Cersie's enemies and they hated her with passion after the stunt she done

"Do you think that would be problematic to her?" Said Margery

"All they need is a good distraction and master marksman to do the deed, remember the Dornish are lucky to hit and kill a dragon when the Conqueror is still alive sister, a giant would have a better chance to aim and kill a dragon or even it's rider, if Daenarys intends to conquer the entire 7 kingdoms then she should be ready to reduce that number if she doesn't she will only lost manpower and resources and don't get me about their logistics without us joining them, they would face problem sooner than later" Said Garlan in a military manner

"Good assessment grandson" Said Olenna with a nod of approval "Crownlands are already suffering when we stop sending them food my dear and even block the lannisters from ever getting one in the sea, and with those pirates from what i've heard doing the same thing it would not take some time before some small folks in the kings landing to revolt against her, it's only a matter of time" she said

After they successfully escape Olenna din't hesitate to order the full stop of sending food to the crownland they can after all feed multiple kingdoms due to their rich fertile lands and they are self-sustaining enough to hold their own

"So far all we can do is to delay of sending our pledge of alliagence to the Targeryan queen, but then again our Bannerman might rebelled against us" Said Olnna with a sight

"If the Targeryan girl never brought the Dothraki here in westeros we would have easier time to bend the knee to her, the Unsullied is far better than the savage horse lords" Said Olenna 

"Do you think she might have some reform for them mother?" Said Mace

Olenna then looked at Mace "Even if she did, we already have deep rooted fear to the Dothraki son, many have 1st hand witness them before so she already was too late to bring them here, even if she freed slaves westori nobles are entirely different matter to those who are slave for all their life" Said Olenna "Thousands of  years of their practice and countless accounts of their savagery would not stop other nobles and small folks alike to fear them couple with evidence she is burning her enemies is also reinforce the idea she is Mad queen in the making"

The Carriege then stop indicating that they finally arrive at the Gates

There a pair of Giants in armor from head to toe armed with mace and shield which also brought some intimidation to Loras and Garlan

This Giants are personally hand picked by Wun Wun and Ronan examined them and help build them armor for their size the Smiths have taken considerable time of constructing it, but with Ronan he help them building high quality armor and weapons for the giants and this are the few Elite among the giants 

He then trained them how to properly use their weapons and shields fully armored from head to toe to add an intimidating factor but not to too heavy for the giants where it would slow them down except for the shield of course build to withstand scorpion bolts

This armored giants are only numbering 30 10 of which would be guards for Jon Snow and 5 of which is Ronan's guards since he doesn't needed them much when they are matters to be defend like defending Winterfell, he already trained some northmen himself up to his standard in a few hundred

Ronan is still baffled about only 7 kingsguard defending a King, Ronan being King before never believe in that few number, 7 would not be enough when it comes to war or sudden revolt, of course there should be some champions but 7 would never be enough even when they are near to their charges, Ronan himself would take as many good fighters as his guards as possible without hindering his military prowess

And so he has at least 300 personal guards that he pick up 

The giants then open the large gate, which for them realize that it was likely also built for the giants to enter except it was 30 meters tall and wide enough for 5 wagons

"Quite expensive to built such weapons and armor for those giants" Garlan commented "But still good intimidation tactic, built to break though spear walls with both of their reach and armor to protect them not counting the shield"

"I'am still quite concerned where all the wealth that they got" Said Mace

Not long after, they are in the courtyard

As they are nearing to a stop, They notice the Large number of Nobles waiting for them including even the Riverland lords one of them appeared to be Bryndan Tully the Blackfish (Yes, i want him alive, and let's just say he was captured and not killed), Bronze Royce Officers from the Golden Company likely one of them in their leader

Then there's the Starks Margery spotted Sansa with her red hair and beside her is a handsome man of 6 ft tall, though broad but lean built which was unsual for a northmen which Olenna shared the same though and there is no doubt that is Jon Snow

Then there's another person which stands out that brough them interest, a man of 8 ft tall same size as the mountain though seeing and looking at him "That is no brute" Olenna whispered which her family heard

"Agreed, i know savage when i see one, but that man carried himself with nobility something even Gregor clegane was not" Said Garlan something on him felt a chill staring at the man, something about him screaming not to fight for his life sake this is not someone that should be challenge with "Whoever is that man is, we should not underestimate him his size already given factor but the way he stands out is something the matter no brute like him should be like that" which they agreed even Mace for all his pompous attitude even he himself felt little which at least made Olenna sight in relief and wonder that even for the 1st time they met for this man made such a powerful presence 

"let us meet with them" Said Olenna as the door open and they are escorted to the North Royal family

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And Done

Tyrells have arrive

See you next time folks