Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Tower of Joy
Tower of Joy, Dorne
Arthur Dayne stepped out of the room where Ashara and he talked. As he stepped out into the heat, he looked out into the distance and saw a few riders heading towards their location pulling a cart.
Knowing it most likely was just their supplies and information he relaxed, Arthur made his way down the wooden steps and approached his two brother-in-arms.
"Well, what do you think?" Arthur asked the two.
Oswell Whent stopped sharpening his sword and looked up, "Don't think it matters, the rebels are not taking the prince. At least as long as I'm alive. They take him back, he is as good as dead."
"He's right. Your sister believes help is on the way. We can only buy time, wait it out, the Princess will be giving birth soon. We can only hope they make it in time to save the Princess." Gerold Hightower said sternly.
"Even if they sailed from Dragonstone they won't make it in time." Arthur sighed knowing that most likely Lyanna wouldn't make it.
"Aye." Gerold simply responded.
There wasn't much they could do, forcable traveling wasn't an option or they risk losing both.
The riders approached and dropped off some supplies such as water and food as well as passing along letters that had information on the war.
Taking the letters while Gerold and Oswell began to unload the barrels of water and sacks of grain, Arthur read the various papers.
"It seems Lord Stark will be arriving in the next few days probably. He was last seen in Ashford with six men asking questions regarding his sister. Those flowers in the Reach have bent the knee and are sending ships to help get the Usurpers armies to get across the bay. They plan to go after all Targaryen heirs to ensure the Usurper has no possible contester to his rule." Arthur read and summarized the reports.
"It also seems that the Usurper has put a bounty on our whereabouts, and it seems one of our brothers turned traitor, Barristan has become Roberts Kingsguard." Arthur said as he crushed the papers in his hand in anger.
"It seems we are down to four, Ser Jaime is doing his duty at least. Hopefully that little shit Viserys changes due to this, I swear to god if I hear that kid call himself a dragon again I'll throw that brat off the fuckin wall of whatever city and tell that cunt to fly like one." Oswell said as he went back to sharpening his blades.
Gerold Hightower ignored the comment and said, "We have enough supplies to last a few weeks, we move a day after the birth. We need to get the true heir to the throne somewhere safe. Westeros is lost for now, we will need to regroup, taking back Westeros won't be difficult if we hinder the economic growth."
"Aye, but that's easier said than done." Arthur retorted, he knew if they could weaken the peoples belief in Robert early into his rule, retaking the throne will be much easier.
The three men discussion went on till nightfall, which was broken by a scream of pain. They knew now that Lyanna was going into labor, this was both a good thing and bad. They needed her to give birth so that they could move, it was too dangerous to remain in one place.
The downfall was Lyanna was weak, she began to develop bed fever which was very deadly for women giving birth. There were two main causes of the mother dieing after child birth, blood loss and bed fever.
It was unknown what caused it to them, they had no clue of what bacteria or viruses were, they barely washed or bathed so the attendants of the pregnant woman was the usual cause, they had no cure for bed fever, all they could do is hope she recovered after the birth.
Although the mortality rate for bed fever wasn't 100%, it was more around 85% to 90%, so the chances of the mother surviving were slim. Lyanna was in an even worse position due to her age.
The men stayed out of the Tower, they knew they would only get in the way, so they patiently waited and hoped for the best.
Lyanna's labor went on all through the night, her cries kept the men on edge, they knew this was the most dangerous time, not just for Lyanna, but for them all since those cries could draw unwanted attention.
Sound carried with the wind, and it didn't help that the Tower of Joy was within Prince's Pass, since it was the only way into Dorne by land it was travelled regularly.
Any traveler within several miles of the tower would be able to hear her, bandits and thieves would be drawn in to such sounds, knowing that wherever the source was would most likely be easy prey.
It wasn't until early in the morning that Lyanna's cries of pain was replaced by the cries of a baby. The three Kingsguard looked at each other with a smile, which grew when Ashara had came out to inform them that the baby boy was healthy.
Then Gerold stood up, his smile faded and said, "We got riders, and this time it looks like a group of seven."
"Fucking hell. Ashara, get inside quickly, protect the Prince and Princess." Arthur said as he handed her his dagger.
Ashara looked to the riders far in the distance, "Is that Ned?"
"Most likely, if Ser Gerold's numbers are correct then it would definitely be him since reports said he had six men with him." Arthur replied as he began checking his armor for any loose straps or buckles.
"Are you going to kill him?" Ashara asked worriedly, even though she was mad at him she still cared for him.
"If he refuses to back down and is insistent on taking the Princess and the Prince then yes. He and his men will have to die, we won't allow either of them to fall into rebel hands. They have already shown their intentions by sending those two despicable knights after Elia and her children. I am just thankful both of those cunts are dead and that Jaime got them out. Now go, if that door opens without three knocks first it is an enemy, you understand?" Arthur said to his sister.
After giving her brother a nod, Ashara hurried up the stairs and went into the tower. Her heart ached knowing that most likely Ned wouldn't back down, she was going to lose someone close her, either Ned or her brother depending on the outcome of the battle.
The three Kingsguard waited, it didn't take long for them to see the Direwolf banner which confirmed who was coming.
Once Ned and his men got close enough to be able to talk, he and his men dismounted and stood about thirty feet away. They weren't exactly expecting to see three Kingsguard here which confused Ned greatly.
Oswell stayed back to act as the last line of defense, Arthur and Gerold moved forward to meet with the group of northmen.
"Lord Stark." Arthur said with a small nod as a greeting.
"I looked for you on the Trident." Ned said to the men. He was wondering what they were doing here.
"We weren't there." Gerold Hightower responded, he knew Ned was fishing for information so he replied with a direct but also vague answer.
"Woe to the Usurper if we had been." Ser Oswell chimed in from behind.
"When Kings Landing fell, and your king found dead, I wondered where you were." Ned commented to the men, due to Aerys being found with the dead guard no one thought it was Jaime who killed the king, Ned wanted to see if these men knew Aerys was dead or not.
"Far away, or Aerys would yet sit on the throne, and the Usurper would be burning in the seven hells along with that false brother of ours." Gerold responded directly, he was angry that Barristan had bent the knee rather than die like his brothers with Prince Rhaegar.
"I came down to Storm' End to lift the seige, Lords Tyrell and Redwyne dipped their banners and all their knights bent the knee to pledge their loyalty, I was certain you would be there." Ned said, he was trying to tell them the war was over and that the Targaryens had lost.
"Our knees do not bend so easily." Arthur responded as he shook his head and Neds attempts at trying to fish out information from them.
"Ser Willem Darry and Ser Jaime Lannister sailed to Dragonstone with your Queen and Prince's and Princesses. I thought you would have sailed with them." Ned said as he really wanted to know what they were doing here.
"Oh we will be heading there soon, then you and your rebel friends will understand why the Targaryens words are Fire and Blood." Gerold answered as he pulled his sword from its sheath.
The six men behind Ned drew their swords as well, causing Ned to release a sigh, he had hoped it didn't come to this but there was no stopping what would come.
Ned drew his ancestorial valyrian steel sword Ice and prepared to all charge together. They knew this wasn't going to be an easy fight and the only reason they even stood a chance was because it was seven against three.
Just as Ned and his men began to charge forward with their battle cry a sudden shadow apeared on the ground in front of them and a small boat fell from the sky landing inbetween both groups.
This stunned all ten men, every one of them had the exact same three words appear in their thoughts.
'What the Fuck?'
Then when they all looked up to see where the hell a boat came from, since they weren't anywhere near water being in a desert, what they saw scared the shit out of a few of the lords.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." A voice called from above which increased the northerners terror.
It would've done the same to the Kingsguard, however all three of them went from fearful to confused instantly, they had recognized the voice. They had spent years with the boy afterall.
"Aiden?" Arthur asked, his voice was full of doubt.
"Hey Uncle Arthur, hope I'm not too late." Aiden said as he floated down to the ground which gave them a better look at him since the sun was no longer making it hard to see him.
Seeing Aiden in a black suit with a large red S on his chest, red boots and cape, the Kingsguard couldn't help but be shocked.
"Uncle Gerold, Uncle Oswell glad you are doing well." Aiden waved at the two others as well.
"What are you doing here Aiden?" Gerold asked, his mind as well as others were still trying to wrap their heads around this whole situation.
"Mom and Grandmother sent me here to come get everyone. They said we need to regroup. Here, I'm supposed to give you this." Aiden said as he pulled out the scroll sealed with the Targaryen sigil.
Just as Gerold took the scroll, Theo Wull, one of the men who came with Ned, suddenly attacked Aiden. It was so sudden none of the Kingsguard could react in time to try to save Aiden.
Arthur's face fell as he realized that they wouldn't be able to stop the attack in time to save Aiden. They watched helplessly as the sword swept horizontally for Aidens neck.
The sword connected, however what happened next toppled the ten mens world completely. Rather than Aiden's head being seperated from his body, the sword shattered into pieces.
"That was rude." Aiden then turned and punched the stunned Theo in his leather chest plate, as he was staring at the broken sword in his hands in shock.
Theo was launched backwards several feet before hitting the ground and tumbled several more feet. None of the other men knew if he was dead or alive.
"Now where's my Aunt? Mother said she wasn't doing good." Aiden said as he turned back with a smile.
But before anyone could answer Aiden felt someone dieing, he leapt up into the air instantly, heading for the tower.
"Wait!" Arthur called out remembering what he had told his sister about knocking, he wasn't afraid for Aiden, he saw what happened to the sword. He was scared his sister would be killed.
Aiden rushed thru the door and was welcomed by a dagger into his forehead. Aiden was about to attack back but when he saw the woman fall backwards from the force of dagger being repelled he stopped himself.
He recognized Ashara so he quickly went to the far room. Opening the door he saw a beautiful young girl who was dieing as she looked at he baby in sorrow.
"Who are you? Get out of here." An older man said fearfully.
Aiden ignored him and rushed over to Lyanna, he had to be fast, she only had but several minutes of life left in her.
Aiden placed a hand on her forehead and closed his eyes, focusing his mind on healing her.
Just then five men came rushing in, they stopped in their tracks as Aiden's body began to start to give off a golden glow. It was a scene they would never forget.
Not only did they see Lyanna's condition rapidly improve, even their own aches and pains began to disappear.
"Blessed by the Gods." Howland Reed exclaimed, he had known more than others of the divine.
Just before the rebellion he had traveled to the Isle of Faces and had stayed on the island for a whole year. He had witnessed many things on the island, it was an ancient and holy land for the Old Gods. A divine island that held the last remaining Children of the Forest, Greenseers and Heart Trees south of the Wall.
Howland had been the only person to have actually return from the island, not much was known about what happened, Howland didn't talk about it. But after he left, the first thing he did was become friends with Ned Stark.
"Lyanna...What in God's name is going on?" Ned whispered as he worriedly looked at his sister and the dark haired baby in her arms.
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