Oaths of Honor

The tower of Joy 283 AC.

Arthur.

He stood beside the bed looking at the girl who lay there, her strength, her will all had left her over the last few weeks, nothing he could say to her had made a difference, nothing had made her feel better. Not even the thoughts of the babe inside her had given her comfort once word had come from the capital. She had recovered as well as she could from what happened at the trident as had he, but the news from the capital had rocked her to her core.

" How could they Arthur, the children, how could they do that to the babe, to Rhaenys, to Elia, they're monster's Arthur monsters." she had cried and he couldn't help but agree.

She opened her eyes and smiled a weak smile at him, it was nearly time, Wylla had already brought in the pails of water and he had helped cut the cloth, the child would be here soon though even the joy of that news brought a tear to his eye if he were to think of it. It was unspoken between them but they both knew barring a miracle Lyanna would not survive the birth, her only wish was to see her son and that he would stay safe. She looked up at him her fierceness still clear in her eyes if not in her body any more.

"If he comes Arthur promise me you won't kill him, please I need you to swear it to me."

"Lya the babe, I must protect the babe."

"He'd never hurt the babe Arthur, he's my brother, he and Benjen and the babe they're all that remains, promise me I beg of you, promise me."

"I promise if I'm able Lya."

"Your word Arthur, give me your word."

"You have it my queen."

He left the room when he heard the horses, making his way down the stairs he joined with his brothers looking on as the seven horsemen made their way towards them. he nodded to Gerold and Oswell all of them ready to do their duty. For this time, perhaps the last time they would stand together once more, there were no words spoken, none could be found to fully show what they'd meant to each other. Instead they readied themselves for the fight to come.

Arthur looked out as the horses grew near, he could make out Stark leading the charge, a young man he couldn't recognize beside him. When he saw the small crannnogman he sighed, the man had been a friend to Lya and he had not wished to face him here. he closed his eyes should it come to it he'd kill him but perhaps there was another way. He watched the men dismount and Ned Stark moved forward sword drawn and began to speak.

"I looked for you on the Trident."

"We were not there " Gerold replied.

"Woe to the usurper if we had been." Oswell added.

"When Kings Landing fell, Ser Jaime slew your king with a golden sword, I wondered where you'd been."

"Far away, " Gerold said "Or Aerys would yet sit the Iron Throne and our false brother would burn in seven hells."

"I came down on Storm's End to lift the siege and the Lord's Tyrell and Redwyne dipped their banners and all their knights bent the knee to pledge us fealty. I was certain you'd be among them."

"Our knees do not bend so easily." Arthur said looking Ned in the eye.

"Ser Willem Darry is fled to Dragonstone, with your queen and Prince Viserys. I thought you might have sailed with him."

"Ser Willem is a good man and true." Oswell said.

"But not of the Kingsguard, the Kingsguard does not flee" Gerold said.

"Then or now." Arthur said as he picked up his helm.

"We swore a vow." Gerold said.

As he donned his helm he watched the men line out behind Ned, he nodded one last time to his brothers as he picked up Dawn.

"Now it begins." he said moving towards Ned.

"No, now it ends." Ned replied.

Starfall two moons later.

Arthur.

The entrance was unknown to any but those of House Dayne, his wound though recovered pained him still but he moved through the caves and up the long stairs to the locked door, he removed the key from his neck and entered. It took him a few moments to make it to the family wing using the quietest corridors to miss the guards, when he got to his brother's room he found it empty, moving down to Ashara's he could hear the soft sounds of a babe.

He opened the door and found her sitting there cooing over the babe in the crib, when she saw him she gasped out loud and it took him touching her for her to realize he was real and not some specter come to haunt her. The smile his sister gave him then made all his aches disappear, he had seen such joy only a few times in his life, he had known it himself but twice.

"How, Ned said you fell, how?" she said touching his face.

"The crannogman, Lya's friend he saved me."

"Oh Arthur, I had thought, we had all thought, it's so good to see you brother." she said hugging him tight.

"The babe?"

"His name was to be Arthur." Ashara said with a smile.

"He looks healthy Ash."

"He is, I, oh Arthur, I had, had it not been for the babe, I don't know, you, Elia, the children, I don't know." she said as she began to cry,

"I'm here Ash, it's fine, I'm here." he said as he held his sister tightly.

The two sat for an hour before they sent for their brother, when he saw Arthur he almost collapsed before composing himself and grabbing him tightly. He immediately limited access to the family wing, only the most trusted of servants were allowed in, Arthur washed and checked his wound before eating the first proper hot meal he'd had in moons. That night he slept in what used to be his old bed, tomorrow he would make his plans to leave.

After he woke up and dressed, he broke his fast before meeting Allyria for the first time, the little girl was Ash come again and he smiled though he told her he was a family friend. She reminded him so much of Rhaenys that he couldn't stop the tears that came to his eyes, something she noticed before wiping them away with a smile which warmed his heart. Heading into Ulrick's solar he was surprised to see Ashara there with the babe, the look on her face though was anything but pleased.

"You're leaving aren't you?" Ashara said accusingly.

"I am, me being here puts our house in danger, besides I promised I would."

"Promised?" Ulrick asked.

"The man who saved me, we made a deal, I promised to leave for now, he saved my life and I gave him my oath"

"There's more to it than that, you don't care that much for your life, you'd never just give up" Ashara said and he smiled.

"Oh who said anything about giving up." Arthur said determinedly.

By the end of the day it had been agreed, he would leave and head to Bravos, the family had an account in the Iron bank he could use and he had some coin of his own there also. The only real argument had come when Ashara said she was coming with him, he had tried to reason with his sister but to no avail, so it was a few days later when the ship arrived that would take them to Sunspear and from there to Bravos.

Bravos 284 AC.

Arthur.

Settling into Bravos had been far easier than it should have been, he and Ashara though not rich by any means did have enough coin to live comfortably, his brother would keep them informed of events and he would await the crannogman's letters. What had been a surprise to him though was upon arriving he found out that Ser Willem had arrived with the Targaryen children.

Arthur had considered going to them, to help where he could, but news arrived that Rhaella may have crowned the boy king. Something which Arthur could not stand for, he already served a king he was not going to serve another, so instead he kept away from Ser Willem and the children, well publicly anyway. Privately he stood guard and watched from the distance, the first assassins that arrived never even made it to the house, he dispatched them the night he saw them in a back alley behind the tavern he found them in.

After explaining things to Ashara he spent the next few nights in a rented room overlooking the house the children stayed in, with the assassins gone though he found he wasn't needed though it did give him a chance to see the boy if nothing else. What he saw made him certain the child could never be king, he was his father's son in the making and nothing anyone could do would stop that from happening.

"So you finished watching them then?" Ashara said as she placed his meal on the table in front of him

"No I'll check in, make sure they're safe, but they should be fine, I'll keep an eye out for anyone who would harm them."

"Good, now eat up, I need to change Cregan."

"That is a stupid name." he said with a smirk.

"It's a northern name."

"Yeah that's what I said a stupid name." he said before being hit with a damp cloth.

Bravos 4 years later.

Arthur.

Life had been pretty dull and boring Arthur thought as he watched young Cregan practice with his sword, if anyone had told him this was how he'd spend his days he'd have laughed at them. But he enjoyed playing with his nephew and though the boy was still young he'd begun to teach him a little. Ashara had settled well into Bravosi life, she worked as a tutor for some of the wealthier residents children which brought in some extra coin, while he did odd jobs around the docks so he could keep abreast of any developments.

It had enabled him to keep in touch with Howland who sent letters every few moons, telling him the king was doing well and was happy and safe. It had also allowed him to make sure the children were safe, over the years the usurper hadn't stopped sending assassins, how he knew where the children where was beyond him. Though it still surprised him that he never sent a larger company to take care of the problem.

The old lion must be losing his touch or be completely out of the loop he thought, as if he'd been the one to send the assassins then he'd have expected to see the Mountain or one of his other dogs of war by now. Just thinking of that monster made his blood boil, many was the night he'd thought of taking a ship and seeking Clegane out. The man deserved to die and Arthur would have had no problem being the one who's blade removed his head from his shoulders, but he had sworn an oath and unlike his former brothers, his word still meant something.

"Uncle come practice." Cregan said as he walked to him with his little wooden sword.

"All right nephew, lets do this." Arthur smiled back at the boy.

The next few minutes were spent mock sparring, he used these playtime's not to teach so much but to allow the fundamentals slip through to the boy, he'd show him how to move his feet and hold his sword. But mainly it was playing and the boy's laughter always brought him both sadness and joy, he was happy to spend time with his nephew but he worried who if anyone was teaching his king. After a few minutes of sparring Cregan caught him on the leg, the little boy laughing loudly at his success.

"I got you, I won." Cregan said giggling.

"That you did nephew."

"Sparring again Arthur really?" Ashara said as she walked into the garden of their home.

"Mama." the little boy said as he ran to her "I won Mama. I won." he said excitedly.

"Of course you did my little star, come give mama a big hug."

Arthur put the two swords away and walked inside with his sister and nephew, he had work to do tonight, those men would make their move and he would be ready. Sitting down at the table, he laughed and joked with Ashara and Cregan before heading into his room for a small nap, as usual he wouldn't sleep for long.

Standing in the corner of the square he waited, over the years he'd lost count of the men he'd killed in this place but they kept coming, had he been in charge of the children's welfare he have moved them long ago. But when he glimpsed the little princess, when he saw how happy she was he could understand Willem's reluctance to do so. The prince was as he feared, he could see it in him, in his eyes and he resolved should the boy ever abuse his sister, should the madness manifest more, then he would act.

Until then it was the shadows which were his friend, his companion, his brothers and though they were a poor replacement for those he lost they were still a far better example of brotherhood then those who'd survived. Barristan bending the knee, Jaime killing his king and failing to protect his princess and her children, yes give him the shadows over false brothers any day. As he watched the three men move into the square though all such thoughts left him, he had work to do yet again.

Bravos 290 Ac.

Ashara.

She had ignored the fever for a number of days and hoped it would just go away, while there were no maesters here there were healers and they had the coin to pay, but it was only at Arthur's insistence that she allowed them access. Cregan had tried to be her brave little boy but seeing his mother sick had scared him and every time she moaned or coughed she could see the tears threatening to fall. Arthur had been a gift from the seven though, without him she had no idea what she'd have done, or what would happen to Cregan should the worst come to pass.

"How is she?" Arthur worriedly asked the red priestess.

"She is as well as she can be, I have done what I can." the woman said softly.

"What does that mean, will my sister be all right?" Arthur's anger clear now.

"Arthur please." Ashara said reaching his hand to hers.

She watched as her brother thankfully calmed down, his expression still as worried as it had been though, she looked to the red priestess who seemed calm the woman standing there with an almost bored look on her face.

"I have done what I can, it's up to R'hllor now. If he wills it then your sister shall be fine, but I can look to the flames if you wish to be certain."

"Do so." Arthur said and took her hand.

The priestess left the room and as she did she looked to her brother, this sickness had ravaged Bravos, most who suffered it hadn't recovered but those who had all used the red priest's and priestess's to do so. She had not been interested in doing so, not that she cared so little for her life, but she was brought up in the light of the seven to suffer false gods now would only anger her own. It had been Arthur who had insisted, so because of him and for Cregan she had relented, her son needed his mother.

"Arthur, should I..not.."

"No, you'll be fine Ash, you'll be fine."

"I know but should I not, the letter will you give it to him, will you tell him the truth, please Arthur despite your own feelings, promise me." she said and watched as her brother's head snapped towards her at the last of her words.

"Ash, please don't make me promise, I beg of you." Arthur's voice soft and light.

"I need you to brother, I need to know he'll know the truth, know his father's name."

Her brother nodded at her and she felt a sense of relief wash over her, should the worst happen, Cregan would be fine.

Later that night she fell into a deep sleep, the heat which had slowly enveloped her body had begun to dissipate and for the first time in days she felt relief. She could feel her breath come a little more easily now, her chest moving much more freely, the aches she had in her limbs all gone. She found herself suddenly in a small glade with a pool nearby where she could hear splashes, ahead of her stood a large tree giving shade, she moved towards it.

" Finally I thought you'd never get here, come Ash the children wish to see you."

No it couldn't be, she blinked and opened her eyes again, it was, it was her friend, standing in front of her Elia looked beautiful, she was healthier than she'd ever seen her before, she glowed and when she smiled Ashara felt her heart contract.

" Elia, my princess is it truly you?" she asked as she moved towards her.

"it's is Ash now come, Rhaegar, Lyanna and the children wish to see you." Elia said a welcoming smile on her face.

" Am I, is this, Am I dead?"

" Oh no, nothing of the sort, come." Elia said holding out her hand.

It felt like almost a week later when she woke up, the fever had broken and she felt better than she had in a long time, when Arthur saw her eyes were open he began to cry, she coughed and he moved to pour her some water.

"Ash, I thought, we thought." Arthur said smiling broadly now.

"Cregan, where is my son Arthur?"

"I'll get him for you, are you? How do you feel Ash?"

"I'm good Arthur, more than good."

Her little boy didn't even wait to be called to her, once he saw her awake he ran to the bed and hugged her tightly, she shook her head at the worried expression on her brother's face, when he realized she was fine he nodded.

"Mama, were you dreaming, uncle Artie said you were dreaming?" her son asked.

"I was little one, it was a good dream, how have you been? Were you good for your uncle?"

"I was mama, I did everything I was told, I even ate my vegetables as they make you grow strong, isn't that right uncle?"

"It is, he was a great help to me." Arthur said and she smiled as Cregan looked adoringly at her brother.

"Where is the priestess Arthur?"

"I sent her away Ash, she was talking nonsense, she couldn't help."

"She did Arthur, we need to find her."

Her brother just nodded, over the next few days she felt her strength recovering, it had shocked her to find that what to her had been a week had in face been closer to a moon, though even that paled when she heard Arthur hadn't left the house since she got ill. When she heard that she immediately felt the worry in her chest, the children, were they safe? Had her illness cost even more hurt to the family they served?.

She sent Arthur to find the truth and when he came back her worst fears were confirmed, the children were gone, the house ransacked, though at least it was the servants who did it and not Baratheon butchers.

"They're gone Ash, no sign of them, Willem he passed, I questioned a servant who said the children fled, they robbed them once their protector died." Arthur said his shame clear for her to hear.

"It's not your fault brother, we'll find them, it's not your fault." she said softly and she was glad to see Arthur nod in agreement.

The searched for the next week but they were gone, they did however find the priestess who confirmed to Ashara what Elia had said to her, their path was set now, whatever happened next would happen in Volantis. They sent the letter back to Ulrick to allow him make new arrangements and collected some gold and their account details from the Iron Bank. Within days they were ready to travel and as she stood with Cregan she smiled at the fond memories they would carry with them, of the house in Bravos that had been their home for so long.

Volantis 291 AC.

Arthur .

The journey to Volantis had been a long and difficult one, the red priestess and some of her acolytes had accompanied them though much to his initial annoyance, although over time he'd come to welcome their company. Cregan had loved the travel by ship, the sights of the sea and the creatures that dwelled in it being wondrous to the young boy, At one point when they sailed by Tyrosh and the surrounding islands they had been able to see the outline of Dorne, he had watched on happily as Ash had explained to the boy that he had been born there.

" That's where you were born Cregan." Ashara said pointing at the sandy shores in the distance.

" Really mama, you and uncle Artie too?"

" Yes us too my little star." she said as she ruffled the boys dark hair.

" Will we visit mama?"

" One day my son, we'll go back there one day I promise."

When they'd eventually arrived in Volantis they were met by another red priestess this one even younger than the one who'd accompanied them, though given the deference she was being shown, she was much more important.

"Welcome to Volantis, Ser Arthur, Lady Ashara, I am Kinvara and the lord of light has prepared for your arrival." the woman said her smile beaming.

"Prepared for our arrival?" Arthur asked looking at Kinvara and the other priestess suspiciously.

"Indeed, we have secured you a place to live Ser Arthur as is R'hllor's will."

He looked to Ashara who nodded and they walked behind the red priestess as she led them through the city, Volantis was impressive he'd give it that, but as he looked at the people and the tattoo's on their faces he cringed. Slavery was a fact of life in Essos but that didn't make it any less abhorrent to him, though he was in no position to do anything about it. As they walked he caught Kinvara looking at him more than once, he was about to say something when they reached a small manse and were led inside.

Though the view was not as good as their manse in Bravos, the home itself was larger and better furnished as they had kept well within their means while living in the port city. What surprised him most was there were a number of servants waiting for them, all clad in the light red of the acolytes of the red god. He was about to say something about not needing them but he caught Ashara's eye and she shook her head, still he found himself ready to speak but this time it was Kinvara who's interruption stopped him.

"I have some news from your homeland Ser, if you and Lady Ashara would care to join me." she said pointing to some seats in the garden.

"We would be delighted to hear of our home Lady Kinvara." Ashara said and he just nodded.

"Mama can I see my room? I'm tired." Cregan said with a yawn.

"Of course my love." Ashara said before Kinvara motioned to one of the girls to bring them inside.

Sitting down in the garden he was acutely aware of the watching eyes of Kinvara, the smile still on her face as she looked at him with curiosity.

"You do not believe Ser Arthur?" the priestess asked.

"I do not my lady."

"One day you will know the truth, but for now would it be enough to say we serve the same purpose."

"Really my lady and what purpose is that?" he scoffed.

"To see his chosen sit on his rightful throne, to see the dragons once more rule the skies." Kinvara said and he swallowed nervously.

"What know you of dragons my lady." he said his voice raised.

"Would you look into the flames with me Ser Arthur, would you seek the truth?"

"I have no time for parlour games my lady."

"When you change your mind Ser come visit the temple, I'll help you find the answers you seek." Kinvara said her smile even brighter now, before he got a chance to say something though Ash returned.

"My lady I thank you for these accommodations," his sister said courteously.

"The lord is who deserves thanks not I."

Arthur grimaced again, he had seen zealots before and knew these followers of the red god to be amongst the most devoted, but it was his sister's comfort with it that he couldn't explain. When she'd woken and fully recovered she'd insisted he find the red priestess and when he did had been stunned when it was revealed they'd be leaving. The fact the priestess seemed not only in agreement with this but almost giddy about it raised his heckles, as did seeing his sister in conversation with her numerous times since.

"You said you had news from Westeros?" Arthur said wanting this woman gone as soon as possible.

"We did it seems the krakens decided to rebel and found themselves crushed by the lions, stags and wolves." Kinvara said and Arthur noticed the twitch his sister gave at the mention of wolves.

"They were defeated." Arthur said sighing.

"They were though there were losses by both sides, the kraken lost his children and the lions their patriarch."

He looked at her carefully in the eye to see if she was being deceitful, when he was sure she was not he began to laugh, surprising Ashara with how loudly he did so.

"Arthur?" Ashara said looking at him questioningly.

"Tywin, Ash, Tywin fucking Lannister is dead." Arthur said laughing again before looking to Kinvara "How?"

"He was killed by a reaver is how it's been told, I do not yet have more details."

"I thank you lady Kinvara both for the news and your welcome." Arthur said and smiled genuinely at the woman.

After the red priestess and her followers had left he checked the house and found his own room, looking in on Cregan he was happy to see the boy sound asleep, when he made his way to the small kitchen he found Ashara had prepared some food. Sitting down at the table he began to eat, happy to fill his stomach before the talk they'd soon have. When he'd agreed to come here she'd told him very little, promising to tell him it all once they arrived, he had intended to wait until they were settled, but the presence of the red priestess had changed his mind.

"Why are we here Ash?"

"It's where we're supposed to be Arthur?"

"I don't understand."

"I saw them Arthur, Elia, the children, Rhaegar and Lyanna, I saw them all."

"What?"

"When I… when I was ill, I saw them, I spoke to them, they told me we needed to come here, that this was where we were supposed to be."

"Why?"

"I don't know Arthur, but the red priests have a role, Kinvara has a role to play in this."

"So that's why you were so friendly with them?"

"Of course, why? Oh Arthur." she said laughing.

"Well thank the seven for that." he said laughing with her.

Volantis 293 AC.

Ashara.

Life in Volantis had turned into a routine, they'd send a letter to Ulrick and receive some back, the red priests being more than happy to deliver them. Cregan studied with her in the mornings and practiced with Arthur when he could, her son had come along a lot both in size and in skill and would develop into a fine swordsman one day. Not that a life wielding a sword was one she hoped for him, but she knew that with Arthur as an uncle it was inevitable that the boy would gravitate towards using a sword. Her boy was her greatest joy and also her greatest regret, she was proud of him, happy to have him in her life, but daily he grew more like his father and it upset her that he knew nothing of him.

As in Bravos she had easily found a job as a tutor, the old blood when they'd found out who she was were overjoyed to have a friend of the dragons teach their children and paid handsomely for the privilege. The dreams though had been erratic, when she'd spoken to Kinvara about them the priestess had told her that her R'hllor had showed her in the flames that she had a role to play, that she and her brother would help the lord's chosen.

She had led her deep in the bowels of the great temple and showed her an unlit brazier, as she looked on Kinvara had walked to it and spoke some words in a language she didn't know, though suspected to be a different dialect of Valyrian. Within moments the brazier had lit up and Kinvara called her towards it, she found herself moving almost automatically, almost as if she was supposed to do this.

"Look into the flames Lady Ashara, the answers you seek are there."

As she looked in she saw nothing at first, then she saw a wall of ice, a white wolf and a small pale dragon, she looked on as the dragon grew larger and larger before it disappeared. She saw a field with men lined up to do battle when they were suddenly covered in shadow, a dragon flew overhead it's skin whiter than the moon, it's wings as blue as the sky, on top of it sat a man and as he passed over them the army charged.

"What did you see my lady?"

"I saw a white dragon with blue wings, a man rode upon it and an army followed behind." Ashara said gasping.

"The lord's chosen, Azor Ahai, the white wolf, the dragon reborn." Kinvara said her voice full of awe.

"I don't know, how, how can I see this.?" Ashara said shaking her head.

"It is the lord's will my lady."

That night she lay in bed and sleep was hard to find, when it did come she was back in the glade with the pool, this time there was no sign of Elia or Rhaegar and Lyanna, Aegon too was gone, but sitting alone legs dangling in the water was a girl of ten and two. Her long dark hair and tanned skin showed her to be clearly Dornish but it was when she turned and smiled sadly at her that Ashara recognized her.

" Rhaenys?"

" Auntie Ash, I thought you'd never come, no one comes here anymore." the girl said sadly.

" I'm so sorry princess, I didn't know how."

" It's all right auntie, I missed you." Rhaenys said jumping up to hug her tightly.

" I missed you too princess, I missed you so much." she said holding back her tears.

" Don't cry auntie."

" I won't my sweet girl."

" Why won't he talk to me anymore?" Rhaenys said her voice almost breaking.

" Who princess?"

" Jae, he won't speak to me, he never speaks to me now."

" I, I don't know princess, I, you speak to your brother?"

" I did, we did, he even held my hand, but now he won't speak to me and Mother and Egg are gone, Mother Lyanna and father too, I'm all alone here, I don't like being alone, I don't want to,,,I don't want to remember." the tears falling from her face as she spoke.

Ashara went to comfort the girl, reached her hands out to hold her tight but as she did so Rhaenys began to fade away, she looked on expecting to see concern in the princess expression but was surprised to see the look of joy on her face instead.

" Rhaenys." she shouted as the girl faded away.

Ashara woke up and wiped her eyes, she had cried during the night, she cleaned herself up and got dressed, trying to shake the memory of the girl she had cradled as a babe from her thoughts, Cregan was already sitting breaking his fast as she walked into the room, she smiled at him and allowed Kara bring her a meal.

"Morning mother." her boy said smiling and she smiled back at him, he was growing so much each day and her little boy would soon be a man.

"Morning my little star, ready for you're lessons?"

"I am mother, will uncle Artie be back today?"

"I don't know son, I hope so."

Volantis 293 AC.

Arthur.

He had been on the road for a long time, ever since Ashara convinced him that it was Rhaegar's will they were to come here he had embraced it. His relationship with the red priestess was a strange one, he didn't fully understand her or their religion but he did trust the woman. For whatever reasons of their own be it their god's plan or something else, Kinvara wanted to see Jaehaerys on the throne and that was something he could work with.

What had annoyed him though was the lack of information he received on the king both from the priests and from Howland Reed, apart from telling him the king was well there was nothing further. He had considered sending a letter to his brother to find out more, but should it be intercepted it could place the kings life in danger, so he had reluctantly accepted things as they were, but his patience was running thin.

His other concern had been the children and here he and the priestess had argued constantly, they were not part of his path according to Kinvara and to seek them out would put the king in danger. Something Arthur disagreed with vehemently, but the priestess stood firm they would not help him find the children and he had no other means to do so, but still he tried. He used his time away from Volantis and investigated, but found no sign, they were gone and where they were was beyond his capabilities to help.

Most of his time though had been spent on errands for the priestess retrieving items she said the king would need, a book from Mantarys, a chest from Choryane, some stones from Qohor. It was the last one he now carried that was the most surprising of all, the Valyrian steel ingots he found in Old Ghis. How the priestess knew of them he could only guess, the flames he'd looked into once had been enough to convince him that some things were not of this world.

" I expected you sooner Ser Arthur"

" I had not expected to be here at all my lady."

" R'hllor willed it Ser, it is time, the flames await."

Arthur shook his head as he entered the temple, thoughts for another time, he carried the chest in and found as usual Kinvara stood waiting for him. While he knew that his arrival back in the city was not something he chose to hide and it was possible word filtered back to the priestess, he knew that was not how she knew of his return. He looked to see her smiling at him, almost glowing, something had happened, something had changed.

"My lady?" he asked.

"Come Ser, there is much we must discuss."

He followed her down the corridor, on and down to the room with the brazier the chest still in his hands, when he reached the room there was another priestess standing looking at the flames, her red hair reflecting eerily in the shadows. Kinvara motioned for him to put the chest on the ground and to walk to the flame, as he did so the other woman smiled before moving back from the fire, allowing him to look deep within.

He saw a lion stand in front of a wolf growling at any who came close, he saw a wolf grow large, it's white fur full, it's red eyes looking deep into his own violet ones before it sniffed him and licked his hand. He saw himself his white cloak blowing in the wind, as he raised dawn and stood by the wolf, before him he saw an army coming charging towards them and the wolf smiled as it transformed before his eyes. He knelt on one knee as a white dragon took flight and flew towards the army, he saw the flames that engulfed them and the dragon flew back, he closed his eyes and the wolf returned to his side.

When he turned back to the two priestess he could see the reverence in their eyes, could see the devotion they had for what they had seen.

"It is time Ser Arthur, the dragon is reborn it is time to make your return." Kinvara said.

"I swore an oath my lady, there is nothing I wish for more than to serve my king, but I swore an oath,"

"I am not the only one who's seen what needs to be done Ser Arthur, soon the old gods servant shall send for you, if you leave now you shall catch the letter before it's sent onward."

"My lady?"

"Melisandre here will join you on your return to your home Ser Arthur, it is in the place where the stars fell that you shall receive the news you've waited on, I bid you good fortune in the wars to come Ser." Kinvara said as she turned and left.

Dorne 294 AC.

Arthur.

The ship sailed through the sunset sea and the Torrentine loomed before them, on deck Arthur stood with Ashara and Cregan as the Palestone Sword came into view, he could feel his sister's excitement from here. His beard was full and itched but it and his hair did a decent enough job of disguising him, Ashara had her hair dyed blond and it did not suit her in the least, her dark skin far more in tune with her natural hair color.

But despite it being more than ten years since last they stood on theses shores, despite the memories of the rebellion being lost somewhat, should the usurper know of their survival then their lives, their families lives would be in danger. Below deck Lady Melisandre sat with her two guards and the items he'd procured, his king would have need of them the only thing the lady had said when pressed. He had found her a different sort than Kinvara, more serious in some aspects, more devoted to Jaehaerys in others. He had shuddered involuntarily when she'd called Jae the prince that was promised, the look on her face troubling him.

Devotion was a good thing, blind devotion something else completely, he had hid behind his oaths with the king, he could see that now, blindly devoted to them when they needed to be questioned. With Rhaegar it was different and so it would be with Jaehaerys, he would serve, he would give his life if necessary, but he would seek the king's true worth before he blindly devoted himself to the boy.

"Is that Starfall mother?" Cregan said looking at the castle as it came into view.

"It is my son, we are finally home." Ashara said wiping a tear from her eye.

When they arrived at the castle later on he had considered entering secretly, but Ash would be staying here for some time so it was better to arrive as guests, handing a guard a piece of paper to send to his brother they waited in the courtyard. When the guard returned he led them inside and to his brothers solar where they found Ulrick, sitting with their sister, Allyria was ten and two having just been a babe when they left. His brother jumped up and embraced his sister and then himself before looking at Cregan with a large smile.

"Ally this is your sister and brother, Arthur and Ashara and your nephew Cregan." Ulrick said and Allyria gasped.

"But, I thought, everyone said." Allyria said as she began to cry, Ash running to take her in her arms.

"I'm so sorry sister, we had to, it wasn't safe for us, I'm so sorry." Ash said holding Allyria tight.

"You're my uncle too, like Artie is?" Cregan asked

"I am lad, it's good to finally meet you, your uncle has told me much about you, Ally can you show Cregan to his room, we can speak later all of us, introduce him to Ned too would you" Ulrick said and Ashara gasped loudly.

"Edric my son Ash, everyone calls him Ned for some strange reason," Ulrick said and Ash nodded.

Arthur went and gave Allyria a hug whispering "We'll take later little sister." in her ear which she nodded at.

"Ally, just tell them Cregan's a friend of the family for now, we'll clear it up later."

"Of course father, sister it's good to see you, truly. You too brother, Cregan let me show you your room and maybe we can explore the castle if you want?" Allyria said her smile hitting him deep in the heart as it was almost identical to Ash's.

"I'd love to aunt." Cregan said and Arthur couldn't help but smirk, the boy was already settling in well.

When they sat down, Ulrick explained that Melisandre and her guards had been given quarters and he reached into his desk and pulled out the letter he had waiting there.

"I had just received this from our friend in the neck, had you arrived on the morrow it would be on it's way to you already." he said handing it to him

Arthur took the letter and red it out loud.

"It is time to return, for your king has need of you".. he said as he smiled, finally he was home, finally he could begin to correct the mistakes of the past, finally he would see the king he served.