I had the time, so here's another chapter lmao.
comments and reviews would be greatly appreciated. :)
283 AC – King's Landing
General POV
The sack of King's Landing would become infamous in the cities history though not really because the damage to it and it's inhabitants was all that terrible.
The Lannister army consisting of roughly 20000 soldiers streamed through the gates once they were opened and didn't waste much time infiltrating the defenses before they started slaughtering the populace, the gold gloaks while numbering around 2000 men were barely able to launch a counterattack before half of them were dead with the rest 1200 swiftly retreating towards the walls of the Red Keep though again half of these wouldn't survive that retreat.
This meant that the general population of King's Landing were painfully exposed to the Lannister soldiers who were out for loot, booty and blood. But the red cloaks hadn't even had their fun for 30 minutes before the rebel cavalry lead by the Knights of the Vale smashed into what could barely be called a rearguard.
So confident were the redcloaks that the commanders of the North, Vale and Riverlands would take no offense to their looting that they were caught with their pants down (in many cases literally) when furious Northman, Valemen and Rivermen smashed into them. Soldiers caught looting or worse murdering and raping were killed without opportunity to surrender.
The Red Keep loomed ahead, untouched thus far.
At its gates stood a grim company: Torrhen Snow and his brother Eddard Stark rode at the front, flanked by Lord Jon Umber, Lord Rickard Karstark, Lord Yohn Royce, Ser Lyn Corbray, Ser Brynden Tully, Lord Jonos Bracken, Lord Jason Mallister, and Lord Tytos Blackwood. Almost a hundred men at arms rode behind them, steel drawn, armor darkened with blood and soot.
The Gold Cloaks at the Red Keep, pale and shaken, raised spears—until they saw the direwolf on the Stark banners. Eddard's voice, steady as cold iron, cut through their uncertainty.
"We're not here to sack the Keep. We're here to save what's left of the royal family—from Tywin Lannister."
The captain hesitated, but indeed the sacking of the city had been interrupted and almost been stopped by the soldiers of the men in front of him... after a minute the gates were opened.
The men-at-arms swept into the Keep to secure its halls, pushing back looters and confused Lannister men too slow to realize the tide had turned. Within the courtyard, the group divided. Torrhen, Ned, Rickard Karstark, Jonos Bracken, Jason Mallister, and Tytos Blackwood made for the throne room, while Ser Brynden Tully took Umber, Royce, Corbray, and a dozen men were guided by a trembling young Targaryen guard toward the royal apartments.
Torrhen led the way up the familiar stairs, heart beating a grim rhythm. The Iron Throne awaited.
And when the great doors of the throne room creaked open, they found Ser Jaime Lannister seated upon it.
The boy knight looked almost tranquil atop the monstrous seat of swords. At the foot of the throne lay the corpse of King Aerys II, still cloaked in regal finery, a pool of blood drying beneath his silver mane. Jaime's golden armor was streaked red; his sword lay across his lap.
For a long moment, none spoke then Ned stepped forward.
"Ser Jaime," he said. "You killed your king."
Jaime looked down, brow furrowed. "Aye," he said. "I did."
Rickard Karstark spat. "And then you sat his throne like a vulture."
Jaime smiled a tired, bitter smile but said nothing which let Torrhen knew he had to intervene.
"My lords, I am pretty sure Ser Jamie had a very good reason for abandoning his oath as a kingsguard"
"Yes you said as much earlier Snow but I just don't see what the Mad King could have done to make Ser Jamie kill him. He could have just abandoned his post and guard the Princess instead" scoffed Lord Jonos causing the others in the group to nod.
These words startled the young kingsguard, "What do you mean the boy told you earlier I had a good reason to kill Aerys? How'd he know I was gonna do that?" Jamie asked, the confusion evident in his voice.
"Don't ask us how Ser Jamie but young Torrhen Snow after his death and consequent rebirth seems to have gained prophetic dreams akin to the greendreams you would otherwise only hear from northern legends" said Lord Tytos with a shrug.
"Prophetic words? Right, you know how ridiculous that sounds, right?" Jamie said with an arrogant grin but Torrhen's next words made him freeze.
"Burn." the boy said softly, "Burn them all... that's what he said before you killed him, no?"
"H-h-How?" Jamie whispered.
"I have seen it happen and the consequences of you not mentioning it in later years" Torrhen said, his voice turning sharper, "But right now that is not the most pressing point, what's most important is that you have a choice to make"
"And... and what would that be?" Jamie asked softly, still in disbelief that the boy in front of him was able to see into the future.
"Betray your father or your oaths as a knight"
"... I don't understand"
Torrhen nodded slowly, stepping closer. "You broke your vows... to save the city. That's more than most of the recent kingsguard can say, however your father's men are still out there. They've already killed too many even if we stopped their looting, killing and raping. Elia Martell and her children are still in danger—and you may be the only one who can talk sense into the fools wearing your banner."
Jaime scoffed. "My father wouldn't..."
"He ordered it," Torrhen interrupted, voice low and firm. "He sent Ser Gregor and Ser Amory to do it. I pray to every god they've been delayed."
Jaime stared at him, disbelieving so Torrhen said, "Even if my words are false, do you really want to risk having the death of your princess and her children on your conscience when you know you could have done something to prevent their deaths?"
For a long heartbeat, Jaime didn't answer. Then he stood, slowly, sword in hand. He stepped down from the throne.
"Lead on, I don't quite think you speak the truth boy but you already knew about the king's last words so I will trust you on this." he said.
**Scene Break**
The royal apartments stood quiet, too quiet.
Guided by a trembling Targaryen guard, the group of Northmen, Valemen, and Rivermen made their way through gilded halls now shadowed with anger and fear. Ser Brynden Tully led the way, sword drawn, his face carved from stone. Behind him came Lord Jon Umber, Lord Yohn Royce, Ser Lyn Corbray, and a dozen grim-faced men-at-arms.
When they reached the chambers of Princess Elia Martell, the young guard knocked once, then twice. A moment passed before the door opened and Princess Elia herself stepped into view, eyes wide with confusion.
She looked from face to face, lips parting. "Where are my guards?"
"Gone," Brynden Tully said. "We've taken their place."
Elia's gaze swept over the mail and leather of the northern and riverland men, and the silver moon-and-falcon of House Arryn. "You're not of King's Landing."
"No," Lord Yohn said, voice grave. "But we're here to keep you alive. The Lannisters sacking of the city has likely been stopped by now but we have reasons to believe Lord Lannister seeks to have you and your children murdered to put his daughter on the throne as Robert's queen."
Elia frowned, but it was not disbelief that colored her features. It was understanding. She exhaled softly, and her voice turned brittle. "Tywin never forgave Aerys for the insults... nor for denying Cersei her silver prince, did he?... So he means to finish us off, now that the war is done."
"I'm afraid so, Princess," Brynden said.
Elia nodded once, then looked to where her children lay asleep inside the chamber—Aegon, still swaddled, and little Rhaenys curled beneath a woven Dornish blanket. "Rhaegar was never the husband I wanted nor I the wife he apparently needed so badly... but these two were worth it. Every bruise, every tear."
"We'll keep them safe," Jon Umber said, one hand resting on the hilt of his greatsword. "You have our word."
She looked at him, eyes shining. "Then may the gods be with you, Northman both the old and the new."
The wait was short.
Ten minutes passed before steel rang down the corridor.
Boots. Heavy, iron-shod. Twenty at least, probably more.
Then a mountain of a man arrived and Brynden and the others had to grudginly admit that Torrhen's description of the man had been spot on.
Gregor Clegane stepped into view, massive and terrible in blood-caked plate, his helmet a snarling black hound. Beside him stood Ser Amory Lorch, pink-faced and sneering, and a score of hardened men bearing the sigil of House Clegane.
Brynden stepped forward, blade bare. "Halt."
Clegane didn't.
"I said—"
"I heard you." Gregor's voice was gravel. "Step aside. We have business here."
"Not while we draw breath," said Lyn Corbray, already shifting into a duelist's stance.
Clegane stopped. His helm turned slightly toward the closed chamber door. "Then you'll die."
There was no further talk.
Clegane lunged forward, and the hallway exploded into chaos.
Men-at-arms surged to meet him, but they were meat before the butcher. One man tried to bring up a shield—Clegane's sword split both shield and man with a single stroke. Another swung at his flank—Gregor seized him barehanded and smashed him into the wall hard enough to crack stone.
Blood sprayed. Screams echoed. Lorch's men joined the fray, clashing with the defenders as Ser Amory drove forward, his blade dancing despite his bulk. Lyn Corbray met him in a storm of steel, his thinblade flashing, while Brynden Tully rallied what remained of their line.
But it wasn't enough.
One guard screamed as Clegane cleaved him from shoulder to hip. Another tried to flee—Gregor seized him by the head and, with a roar, ripped it clean off his shoulders. The hall went still, for one heartbeat.
Even Jon Umber faltered.
"Gods," he muttered, voice hollow. "He's not a man. He's a monster."
Clegane turned his gaze on him, blood running down the front of his plate. "Come and die, then."
And then the charge began.
Jon Umber and Yohn Royce raised their weapons with twin war cries and hurled themselves forward to meet the Mountain's fury.
Lorch pressed Lyn Corbray hard, blade ringing against blade.
Brynden Tully stood his ground at the chamber door, guarding it with grim resolve.
Behind the door, Elia Martell whispered to her sleeping children and reached for the dagger she had hidden long ago.
The screams and steel grew louder.
And the Mountain came crashing forward.
**Scene Break**
pov Jamie Lannister
They arrived just in time to see his father's bannerman Gregor Clegane headbutting the Greatjon before smashing a clearly exhausted Yohn Royce against the nearest wall who dropped down unconscious. At the same time Armory Lorch and three other Clegane men at arms were in a fight with Brynden Tully and Lyn Corbray, around them layed roughly twenty rebel and Clegane men at arms. To the side stood another five Clegane men who waited to have their turn to fight in the somewhat narrow corridor.
Jamie had heard of a monstrous Clegane back in Casterly Rock of course but those rumours did the reality no justice.
"Halt, I, Jamie Lannister, son of Tywin, command you to stop this foolishness at once." he shouted while putting his hand on his sword.
Clegane looked back at him before grunting "Your father yourself gave us these orders, and I intend to enjoy myself fulfilling them"
Jamie, Eddard Stark, Rickard Karstark, Jason Mallister, Tytos Blackwood and Jonos Bracken all drew their swords before launching towards the Clegane men.
They sadly couldn't intercept Clegane quickly enough before he dissected Lyn Corbray at the waist and punched Brynden Tully in the abdomen, letting the heaving man drop to the floor.
The fight was extremely vicious from the first clash of steel. Jason, Rickard, Tytos and Jonos picked on Amory Lorch and the other seven remaining Clegane men while Jamie and Eddard tried to take the fight to the giant himself.
Clegane's first strike winded Jamie's ally so badly that Eddard had to gather himself for a moment. His momentary abscence was briefly filled in by a clearly exhausted Jon Umber who made a final stand against the mountain of a man in front of them and managed to last a minute before he was taken out by a fist to the face. Soon Brynden Tully joined the fight but he too was finally taken down by the giant.
Jamie who had only fought in tourneys before stood no chance against Clegane, the monster's strikes hammering against the kingsguard's defenses like a battering ram.
Luckily for him Lord Stark had managed to recover by now and returned to the fight though Jamie could tell his ally's stamina wasn't all that there anymore. Barely two minutes later and Clegane had gained the upper hand against Eddard and Jaime while from the others only Jason Mallister had really survived the clash against Amory Lorch and his men with Blackwood, Bracken and Karstark down either dead or grievously wounded.
Right in that moment, Clegane managed to slip past Stark's defenses and cut the young man across the chest leaving him badly bleeding on the ground. Jamie and Jason Mallister fought like men possessed but Jason Mallister was simply thrown against the door leading to Princess Elia's chambers and Jamie had little strength and stamina left to defend against the monster before him.
For a heartbeat Jamie accepted his incoming demise but it seemed like Clegane had some mind left not to kill the favourite son of his liege and simply walked past Jamie to finish his mission. The door leading to the Princess' chambers was ripped out of its seams and the young Princess screamed, clearly and understandably frightened.
A loud "Noooooo" was heard by all those who were still conscious enough to hear and a lean figure brushed past Jamie and jumped on Clegane's back. It was young Torrhen Snow, the miracle boy, who was repeatedly stabbing a dagger into Clegane's neck.
Jamie took the opportunity and rushed to protect the princess but Clegane, while bleeding heavily, wasn't finished. Not able to reach the boy on his back he simply ran backwards and smashed a desperate Torrhen Snow against the wall, his sheer weight audibly breaking more than a few of the young boy's ribs. He then took the groaning boy and smashed his head against the wall a few times before letting him fall to the ground.
By now bloodloss had clearly affected the giant however and he staggered against the wall while a mass of footsteps were quickly approaching.
Jamie saw his cousin Stafford Lannister leading a score of Lannister men aswell as even more men from the North and the Vale lead by a gruff man who immediately rushed towards Lord Stark...
"No.. Rodrik, I am okay... please take Torrhen to any maester available as quickly as possible." the young Lord exclaimed.
Jamie, bleeding and exhausted, watched as the scene was slowly cleaned up. Amory Lorch and most of the Clegane men were dead just like Lyn Corbray while Brynden Tully, Jonos Bracken, Jon Umber and Torrhen Snow were at death's door.
**Scene Break**