2,868Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Game of Thrones.
Hello again, this is it! The final Chapter of Northern Wind and while it is sad for me at least to see it end I think it is time.
I have been trying to come up with a title for my new Targaryen based story but I haven't really found one that fits yet. Any ideas? Its about Harry as a Targaryen prince during the Mad King's reign.
Responses from Previous Chapter Reviews…
Nymou – I am glad that you have enjoyed the story and am sorry it will end soon but I feel it has run its course and it is time to start something new. Thank you!
AnimeFan13579 – Indeed, Arya might not be the best choice for Queen but Meera is doing all this without time to arrange for anything else. She is also the only one of her siblings apart from Minisa that doesn't already have a holding of her own. Meera like you said trusts Arya and her resolve, she knows Arya will take this seriously and that makes her a good choice.
aesir21 – Hope it doesn't disappoint.
frankieu – Nice one!
cameron1812 – Glad to hear that you liked it, I think it is a bit silly that like when two superheroes meet for the first time, they always end up fighting, I know this is Game of Thrones but I think that a meeting of two people cut from the same cloth so to speak does not have to end up in a big fight.
Joe02 – I appreciate you saying that! It means a lot to have support from people such as yourself and it has helped me in my darker moments. I will do my best to answer your questions and about Arya? We shall see.
Asharzal – Oh she is, I make that clear in this chapter. It might be brief but she is not completely gone.
reaperofages, Blaze1992, emilsky2001, PhaedraZev, amk41196, grovepjp, fortinpatric, Jebest4781, Puffgirl1952 the 2nd - Thank you!
End of Reviews.
On with the story…
Chapter 38 – New Era
Myr, Essos…
Surtr was enjoying himself immensely, Myr which was supposed to be a powerful city of great learning now burned around him. A satisfied smile spread across his face even if it was a woman's head.
The soul of Cersei Lannister was a delight, her ruthless corruption was impressive by human standards and he enjoyed burning the tiniest shred of her soul that remained. Torturing her was a particular pleasure he kept doing every single moment and he only made it worst by filling her head with images of what he would do to her son and daughter when he reached Kings Landing. He could see them in his mind and knew that they were both still alive and hearing the harpy scream and rage against him only to break when he added more to her suffering was truly a most diverting pleasure.
But finally, with Myr now destroyed and the Stepstones in sight he smirked and surrounded himself in flames to carry him over the water. He seemed to fly over the edge of the water that turned to steam when close to his great heat but he smirked wider as he flew towards the islands which while only inhabited by pirates would still provide an amusing snack for his hunger until he arrived in Westeros.
Then as he sped towards the first island, he then saw something in his mind, a vision that made him almost shiver with anticipation. It was perfect, just so perfect he thought as the opportunity to destroy his enemy had finally arrived.
- x -
Beyond the Wall…
Sif had been in the Weirwood for many hours, praying for aid given the situation that she had long feared the most had happened.
Surtr had returned.
Sif could feel it in her bones, that cold presence which was surprising given he was a fire demon but his desire to kill every single living thing was as earnest as ever. He had no other purpose or reason to exist, it was his sole drive…to kill and destroy.
Like he had destroyed Asgard, she thought with distressful memories coming back from deep inside her where she did her best to bury them. Both pleasant and horrible as she recalled those morning and nights where she would just lay in her husband's arms and bask in the security of his love, the breakfast times she would spend with her children and smile at their innocence and joy of life, all the friends she would spend the day with and nights spent in bed with her husband doing with him what she would never do with anyone else.
But then those pleasant and joyful memories were tainted and driven away by the horror of what had come to their home. How Surtr had destroyed everything they had ever known and seeing the broken bodies of her children laying before her, how her noble and brave husband surrendering his own life in an attempt to slay the monster that had destroyed everything they had held dear.
Then she felt it as clearly as she had on that fateful day, falling into the abyss…just falling and falling through an unending void that drove her mad a hundred times or more before finally she managed to find her way to this world.
And now she feared it was going to happen again.
Surtr was not yet at his full strength so he could not simply destroy this world as he had done Asgard, no he could only affect a small area for now but as he fed, he would also grow stronger and eventually he would destroy this world as he had done Asgard.
And much to her fury she thought with red hot anger she was not in a position to stop him.
He was too far away, she thought with a desperate desire, by the time she got there Surtr would be too powerful to kill. She wished she was better with Asgardian magic, Loki even with magic as bound as it was could still teleport himself wherever he wished. She dearly wished she had that same ability as she would be able to get south fast enough to help.
She knew that Meera knew the reality and she would despite her fear not hide or stay away, Sif sighed with worry and wished dearly that she could be there to help her now but there was no time.
She could only hope that Meera would succeed, Sif realised much to her frustration and sadness. She was resolute and brave, so Sif placed all her faith in her. The fate of this world along with any others that Surtr might destroy lay in Meera's hands and Sif had no doubt in her mind that she would succeed.
But she would still try and get south as fast as she could to help if she could, Sif thought and went to get the fastest mount that she could find and head south. Sif thought determined as she ran for the stables wondering just how long it would take her to get there.
Dothraki Camp, Essos…
Loki was sitting on the ridge above the camp, taking a moment to return to his own form and avoid the girl's husband who honestly was quite a man but too brutish for Loki's tastes he thought with dismay as he discovered the Khal and Khaleesi had quite an 'energetic' sex life which he personally didn't enjoy much.
Sighing he felt Surtr growing stronger and knew the confrontation that would decide the fate of this world was coming closer and closer with each passing moment, he had tried hard to not let his mind wander but he could not help himself but remember the last time he had faced a moment like this.
He had known that Asgard would face its doom, he knew all too well that Surtr could not be stopped and fled rather than fight to prevent it. He had seen it as a hopeless fight that could never be won…his foolish brother he thought with some grief had not and rather than put the safety of his family before the danger, he had fought.
Loki to this day despite himself felt guilt tearing into him at not helping Thor when he had had the chance! Knowing that without his help even though Asgard had been destroyed Thor had managed to destroy Surtr's physical body and render him a soul without a body.
If he had been there to help him, Loki often wondered, could he have saved Asgard and slain Surtr for good?
The question ran around and around his mind at a furious speed and despite all his efforts he could not shut it out. He was never one to fight a battle that he could not run away from if he couldn't win but honestly everything hung on the Stark girl's shoulders to defeat Surtr's current body and it rankled to be so dependent on a human to do anything. That he the God of Mischief and a more powerful magic user than the world had ever known and he was still reliant on her to fight and win this battle for him.
She would have a little merry band to help her, he thought trying to reassure himself but still he knew it would never be enough.
He was scared though; Loki honestly was so afraid of facing Surtr but it tore at him to do nothing again when faced with such a threat and sending someone in to do the fighting for him.
He had developed…a conscience he thought with revulsion at the mere idea and tried hard to purge it from his mind but it refused to let go of him. Sinking its jaws into him like Fenrir, Loki thought his mind wandering briefly to his monstrous son and missing him along with Hel and Jormungandr.
What would they think of him now, Loki thought with a growing sense of unease, would they have thought him a coward for avoiding a fight when he had the power to help?
The Red Keep, Kings Landing…
Arya sat on the Iron Throne; it was a struggle given her lack of height but she hoped to at least look somewhat regal. But the perpetual frown on her face made people avoid looking her in the eye, she was grateful for that so they did not see the conflict that was tearing her up inside.
Meera had ridden off to face a demon with only her Queensguard, Rhaenys, Daenerys and two dragons to help her.
Leaving her behind! Arya fumed.
She understood why her sister was doing this, she mourned Robb and their father as much as any of them did but at the same time she should be there with her, Arya thought almost desperately. What if her being there made the difference between life and death?
What if she couldn't win without her?
Arya knew that was an extremely arrogant thing to think of but she couldn't help it. Sighing in frustration she got up from the throne and went to find somewhere private that she could think in peace for a moment. Varys and the newly returned Tyrion both watched her leave with concern and went to follow her.
Eventually Arya went to one of the gardens that looked out over Blackwater Bay, Nymeria at her side while Visenya flew around overhead. She felt Nymeria rub against her arm and she absentmindedly rubbed behind her ears but could not shake the feeling that she should do something to help her sister.
Tyrion came in first and while still nervous of the large direwolf that he probably could have ridden like a horse given its size not to mention the majestic dragon in the sky above he stepped up to speak to her when he that saw Varys was doing the same. The presence of his friend comforting in that moment in case she decided to turn her beasts against them. Not that she would Tyrion thought with some certainty, having gathered that much from studying her.
She would kill them herself if she decided too, he thought with a small smile, she was a she-wolf indeed.
"Your grace. I would be a poor spymaster if I did not notice your anxiety with the current situation." Varys said with his usual calm even though he was as worried about the situation as anyone, more so given his distaste for the mystic arts given what it had cost him personally when someone had indulged in such things around him.
"I should be there; I should help her." Arya said with frustration at this situation and being here rather than there…where she should be.
"Then go." Tyrion said with a smirk which surprised them both as he honestly could see that the young woman's sense of loyalty to her sister was tearing her up inside. She was half-convincing herself to stay and follow her sister's instructions and half-convincing herself that she should follow her. "I was inspired to find my own path by your sister once, a path that brought me reconciliation with my daughter and to destroy my enemies, everything I have comes from deciding to follow my own path. Now you must do the same, choose…stay here and rule…or go there and fight. Make your choice." Tyrion said with a smirk as he gave her the advice that he thought she needed. This endless debating was not only tearing her apart but slowing her down.
She needed to make a decision and stick to it, either way.
Varys likewise was thinking the same thing, Arya had the makings of a spy and with time she would make a decent spymaster, perhaps even succeed him on the Small Council when the time came. But she had to be able to make her own decisions to achieve anything in this world and so she had to learn to be decisive and certain in her judgement.
She had to make a decision…whatever it might be.
Arya knew in her heart that they were right and that she had to decide on just what to do. It took her a moment of looking out across the bay before she made up her mind and decided just what she was going to do.
Stormlands Coast, Near the Dornish Marshes…
The tired party of Meera Stark and her companions had finally stopped for a rest before continuing their journey. They had been hoping constantly from one horse to another for hours and crossed an enormous distance in that time, hampered somewhat by the awkward terrain that lay between them and their destination, meaning they had been forced to go around some places like the mountains in the Stormlands but still they had made great progress.
They sat down around a camp fire to rest their weary bones before Lord Swann brought fresh horses to continue their journey, not to mention eat to restore their strength as the Dornish Marshes were not a region to be travelled lightly. Between the feuding Stormlanders and Dornish and the region being rife with bandits this was a place that they actually might be challenged before reaching Dorne proper.
Meera and Rhaenys sat together, both of them were the most determined of the group. They were doing this for the sake of their families along with the safety of the world. Nearby Daenerys was much like them, her son, daughter and husband firmly in her mind as she made sure the dragons were settled. Nervous though they were they were determined to win this for their families.
The Queensguard themselves had their own private thoughts, they all had their fears and doubts to confront.
Strong Shield and Sharp Arrow were as ever loyal to their mistress, she had treated them as free men and fought alongside them many times. They would never desert her now and would if needed die for her.
Osha meanwhile despite her usual confident and even arrogant façade was shaking with terror at the idea of facing such a creature that could destroy entire cities and slaughter hundreds every moment. She had fled the True North to escape a danger like that and knowing they were about to face the evil behind the walkers was with no pun intended, chilling her to the bone.
Gendry likewise was terrified, he had seen the White Walkers and been beyond the Wall, he had fought the Iron Born and other men but this was a real demon the likes of which he had only heard of in fairytales and seen in his nightmares. And now here he was about to fight one, he thought wondering how he, a bastard blacksmith apprentice had become a member of the Queensguard and now stood here, ready to challenge something that had been dredged up from the Seven Hells.
Thoros was nowhere near as scared as some of his fellows, he was sure of his faith and his devotion. More so than at any point in his life as he had found the Azor Ahai and would fight against the Other himself at her side! He had never felt as honoured as he did at this moment, to know that he was here to see the final confrontation and maybe perhaps aid in its defeat. He was ready to give his life for that he thought with calm satisfaction.
Brienne unlike Thoros was not as confident but more so that Gendry or Osha. She had not seen the sights that some of them had beyond the Wall or demons before but this was their duty and to face such a thing was the stuff of legend, she felt honoured to be a part of such a quest. It was truly a thing that one could spend lifetimes waiting for and never be granted but now she thought with amazement…here she was one such a quest…to slay a demon.
Loras however was unlike any of his companions, he had no desire to live and did it so as to spite those that had taken Renly from him. They were all dead and yet he was alive…that was something he could take a small bitter comfort in but it was paling as he found little to no joy in anything anymore, he thought with the hatred still burning inside him as deeply now as it had when it had when he was told what had befallen Renly. But at the same time, he was hit with the greatest loneliness, misery at his solitude with Brienne the closest thing he had to a friend. She knew his pain and did her best to aid him in finding some comfort which he appreciated greatly but he also was ready to go to his death…to go to Renly once again in the next world and would for the sake achieving that do whatever it took to defeat this demon.
They had eaten their meal and were preparing to sleep as the night rolled in. They moon was full and the stars lit up the sky making it a bright night but still dark enough that Daenerys saw something coming from the Sea of Dorne on which the shores they had made camp.
"What is that?" She asked pointing towards a light that had appeared on the horizon, they all looked over and saw it for themselves. It was a small light but growing in intensity, its brightness blocking stars which were dimmer from view. They all stared at it in confusion before Meera took out her telescope and looked at it directly. Her eyes widened as she saw just what it was and paled, she had not expected this Meera thought with a brief moment of panic…they weren't ready…they had spent all day riding and had little energy to spare.
This was not the time for a fight!
But she realised that with a dawning sense of resignation they had no choice, Surtr was here! He must have run the entire length of the Stepstones and then directly across the Sea of Dorne to get here this fast! She thought, unwillingly impressed at this feat.
"Surtr…is here. We fight tonight." She told them with fear as she picked up her spear twirled it around a little. The others all looked on in astonishment then as the demon came closer, they each realised that the fight was upon them now, well before they had thought it would be. However much their bones and muscles ached from the journey…they had to fight.
They all readied themselves as best they could, putting on their weapons and doing their best to shake out any cramp or aches they had before the battle began.
Sooner than any of them would have guessed, Surtr arrived, the sand on the beach turning to glass beneath their feet with all the heat they were creating. Meera, Arya, Rhaenys, Thoros and Loras all recognised the form that Surtr had taken…or rather the body he was using.
"Cersei Lannister, that's a face I could do without seeing again. Why take her face?" Meera asked out of genuine curiosity and also to buy them a few moments more to prepare. Surtr sneered at the sight of them which unnerved all of them as the image of Cersei Lannister surrounded by fierce flames and with inhuman eyes made them all.
"I choose the human that had the most corrupt soul, one devoid of mercy and compassion. I have not found one as ruthless as her." Surtr told them and then raised their arm, they all gripped their weapons tightly but then saw that Surtr was not attacking them but instead was going to toy with them.
Wraith like creatures made of living fire began to appear around them which scared all of them, Meera gripped her spear tightly she alone wasn't scared of these creatures while the others were even Daenerys who was already mounted on Drogon and airborne with Aurora too. They would have to now try destroying the creatures and then Surtr but just to make things even worse Surtr then conjured an enormous dragon shaped wraith that flew around them.
There was a moment of calm silence before with a piercing shriek the wraiths attacked them.
Loras swung his sword at the wraith but instead of killing it or cutting it in half as he expected, the sword itself melted into pools of liquid metal at his feet. Loras had only a moment to react to this before it lashed out at him and hit his chest plate. He jumped back slightly which saved his life as the metal was immediately warped by the heat of its tendril.
"STEEL IS USELESS!" Loras shouted out to the others and he was only saved from a second swing by Rhaenys who cleaved the wraith in half with her own sword, causing it to dissolve into thin air. Surprising them all and Surtr with the fact it had worked.
"Switch to dragonglass!" Rhaenys called out knowing it that pointless to use regular steel against these things! Her songsteel blade seemed to work thankfully probably due to how it was made.
She continued swinging her sword around in a carefully planned dance through the creatures, using every single movement possible to avoid the tendrils as she knew any hit could be devastating if not lethal! Sweat with the effort of the fight began to appear on her brow as she kept moving as quickly and with as much agility as possible. Cut through one after another but there always seemed to be more coming as the moment one was struck down Surtr would replace it with another!
She felt a tendril strike her hip as she pivoted to avoid another, wincing in pain but impaled the offender before swinging around to slash into another one. Her armour was light but gave much ease of movement and limited protection so it was in some ways good that it allowed her to move quickly but the lack of protection could mean her death she thought with worry as she pushed her already aching muscles to keep moving as a fiery tendril went a mere fingernail's width from her head! She destroyed the next one to come close but then had to duck and roll to avoid another one flying straight at her. She took a deep breath and continued to fight, hoping that they ended this before she made a mistake or before one of them got a lucky hit.
- x -
Gendry wore full plate unlike Rhaenys, so he was the opposite way round in this fight. He had the metal to provide better protection but that also meant he was much slower. To make matters worse his weapon of choice was a Warhammer like his father the late Robert Baratheon. His great strength meant that he could swing it with ease but combined with full plate armour it made him a much easier target for the wraiths.
Gendry swung his Warhammer around in a wide arc at his enemies, he had embedded dragonglass shards into it which made it extremely effective. He could take sometimes three or four at a time but he paid a price for it.
He felt the tendrils coming in from multiple directions, probing at his armour and warping the metal with each touch and he felt the scorching hot metal pressing into his body as the fight wore on.
He gritted his teeth and kept on swinging, each one of the wraths that dared touch him was destroyed but more darted in all the time. He swung his Warhammer around and felt despite his pain and fear that he was doing something truly worthwhile for perhaps the first time in his life. He was fighting demons to save lives from their master should spread further into Westeros…he…she he thought not sure what to call Surtr.
He was a warrior, he thought with pride, one that would have made his mother and father very proud. He laughed loudly as the thrill of the fight took over and his fear diminished as a result, each hit slowed him down and caused him pain but he fought through it and kept on fighting like a madman. Taking out wraiths with each swing and enjoying every moment of it.
But soon the warping armour failed to grant him any more protection and the heated metal burned into his skin, as the attacks from the wraiths continued the metal now twisted and glowing from the heat fell away from his body and the chain mail along with it in rough chunks which exposed the already damaged skin underneath.
Finally, one of the wraiths managed to get through and hit one of those spots and strike him in the back and burned through his chest until it reached the heart, he staggered with his eyes wide with the shock of it but still managed to swing his Warhammer one more time before falling to his knees and smiled as he collapsed to the ground, no regrets for how he had lived his life and having loved the adventure and thrill of it all.
- x -
Osha fought with a spear which was a difficult weapon to use against these wraiths, if one of them came into contact with the wooden staff part then it would be broken in half easily so she had no choice but to avoid that and worse it was a bad option in close quarters as it required much more room to wield correctly.
She stabbed and jabbed at all of the wraiths that came her way but she was quickly surrounded, her fear rising as she realised just how bad the situation was. She had not seen these creatures or their like in even her worst nightmares or the darkest of stories, she had known there was danger but she had never seen anything like this. A part of her wanted to run away but she realised with a quick look around that the wraiths had them completely surrounded, there was nowhere to run too, no way to escape.
It was fight…or die.
Or fight and die she thought as she ducked to avoid one of the tendrils, stabbing quickly at the offender and then managed to sweep the dragonglass tipped spear she was using to catch a few in a wide arc. She was sweating just from all the moving she had to do to avoid the wraiths and their fiery tendrils but she was then caught from behind, she felt the shearing heat as it wrapped its way around her throat and yet as it charred her skin, she was still conscious and felt it tighten enough to choke her. She gasped for breath as it pulled her down and then a group of them did the same, not able to scream as she didn't have the breath before she was passed out from lack of breath and her neck under the pressure of their grip snapped.
- x -
Loras meanwhile had abandoned what was left of his useless sword and was using dragonglass daggers in its place. It was not a fighting style he was particularly familiar with or in any way comfortable using, it was hard for him to use even one dagger let alone two when he was so used to wielding a single sword. Loras was finding himself making moves that he would make if he was using his longsword which was completely useless given the shortness of the daggers.
At the same time, he was struggling to avoid the fiery tendrils and saw to his shock and horror as Osha went down. Loras leapt forward to help her and made his first kill as he caught one of the wraiths with one of his daggers. He grimaced as he heard the snapping of Osha's neck and repaid the wraiths by switching the grips of the daggers he was using into a reverse grip, using them like he was throwing a punch at the wraiths. He found this a great deal easier and he started to move around the field doing just that while doing his best not to get hit by the tendrils that lashed out at him.
Loras was now feeling the high of battle and finding his pace in the fight, his fear disappeared as he became completely focused on what he was doing.
He remembered the formal dance lessons that his late and much hated grandmother had insisted he take and strangely he was finding them useful, moving swiftly around without large clumsy movements and slashing at the wraiths to take them down as he passed. He felt the tendrils brush against his armour as he went making it hot but he gritted his teeth and pushed on, he was determined now to take as many of these creatures down with him as he could before they got him.
Loras saw Gendry fall from the corner of his eye, scowling as he killed the wraiths responsible and then felt one of the tendrils wrap tightly around his leg, tugging him back so he fell to his knees but he managed to cut the tendril with one of his daggers and stagger back to his feet to continue the fight. He swiped at another pair of wraiths and saw them disappear with a quiet shriek before continuing on with the struggle.
He fought harder than he ever had before, daring himself with the fact that each moment could be his last to throw caution to the wind and try moves and strikes that in any other situation he would never dare use.
Not worrying about anything at all except this precise moment.
He saw three baring down on him from straight ahead and threw one of his daggers at the approaching three wraiths, striking two in a round before finishing off the third by stabbing it in the chest.
Drawing another dagger to replace the one he had thrown he saw Brienne was engaged with her own struggle with a mass of wraiths and one was heading straight for her unprotected back! Loras without thinking dove forward and stabbed the wraith but in doing so he left himself exposed to another two wraiths that stabbed him straight through the gaps in his armour with their tendrils. The burning pain was intense but as Loras fell to the ground his vision began to get blurry until out of the mess of colours a figure appeared, Loras looked up and saw with perhaps the most genuine smile of pure joy that he had ever had that Renly was standing before him!
The battle field slowed down, seeming to stand still except for them and Renly offered his hand and Loras without any hesitation took it, just so happy to be with him once again.
- x -
Brienne heard the thump made by Loras he fell to the ground dead behind her, she swung her mace with had been added to with dragonglass shards. She turned briefly and saw his body hit the ground with her eyes wide with shock at the sight of such a fine knight as Loras falling but she had no time to grief for her only real companion, the only other besides herself that remained from Renly's camp. The fighting she thought with gritted teeth was too intense to stop for anything.
She swung her mace and destroyed another two wraiths before continuing the fight, it took all of her skill to avoid being killed the same way they had killed Loras. She couldn't see the others, there were so many wraiths all around them that she had lost track of them and despite the heat that these demonic creatures were creating by their sheer presence in such numbers.
She could scarcely believe this was happening, they were fighting for their lives against demons that could run across an ocean in hours when even the fastest ships would take days or even weeks to cover the same distance and never with the ease at which the demon did it.
It was honestly like she had left the normal, rational world she had always known behind and entered a new and terrifying one that she could barely understand. Where all the rules and certainties that she had known were stripped away and left a world where everything seemed possible…from the greatest desire…to the deepest of fears.
She kept swinging her mace down and around at the wraiths as they just kept on coming, struggling to hold them back especially as she like her companions were tired from all the riding they had been doing and had only just managed to get some food down them before the creature arrived and hadn't had a wink of sleep.
Brienne wondered briefly if she was lost in nightmares or if her mind was tricking her with false images while she was awake but as the burning sensation proved when one of the creatures managed to get a lucky hit on her vambrace, this was all too real she thought with straining muscles to keep on fighting.
She swung her mace into another wraith and felt rather than saw the tendril that narrowly missed her back, so she pivoted around on her heel and destroyed the two wraiths that had been attacking her from behind. She saw Gendry's body through a break in the mass of wraiths and grimaced as he had been such a decent young man. So dedicated and with his whole life ahead of him, maybe with time becoming as legendary a warrior as his father had once been. It was a hardly a secret that he was King Robert's bastard son she thought sometimes having thought that if Renly had spent more time honing his body into a pillar of strength, then perhaps, he would have looked much like Gendry had.
But again, as more of the creatures surrounded her Brienne had no chance to think more deeply on this family drama and had to resort to using her mace again to destroy another wraith that was trying to charge her from the side and then bash another that dared try to hit her head on.
But there was always more Brienne thought as exhaustion set in with the hectic pace of the fight but she had to push herself to continue on regardless of how she felt even in body or in spirit.
- x -
Thoros was discovering that igniting his sword on fire against these creatures was a dangerous thing to do.
While it did mean thanks to the magical fire that he could kill the creatures their heat sheared and broke his sword! He thought as it broke again from the heat warping the metal. He was forced to use his powers to repair it every time it did so, using magic to as quickly as possible force the metal back together and then keep on doing it every few moments to keep his sword from falling apart.
He could just try using the dragonglass like everyone else but his skill lay in swords and swords only in terms of martial skills. He could ride but he was far less effective using any other weapon than a sword so he kept going, carving his way through the horde of creatures that dared be made of flame. If he was not as sure of his own conviction that Meera Stark was the Azor Ahai, then he would have been sure they could only be the work of his god but they were no godly fire, he thought with a disgusted grimace as his face sweated from the heat and strain of battle.
They dared use his god's favoured flames! Thoros thought with uncontainable fury as his flames burned even hotter and more intently with the force of his rage, his magic also thankfully strengthening the sword's metal otherwise it would only continue to fall apart faster.
He had never fought as intensely or as well in his entire life; this was the most important battle he would ever fight given the ancient enemy himself had finally emerged from hiding and now stood before them. Through the glare of all the wraiths that surrounded him he could just see the Azor Ahai herself in the distance, she had become separated from the rest of them and was engaging in a fierce duel of her own with the evil they had come to destroy.
Thoros realised that their purpose was to keep those wraith-like apparitions from harming Meera Stark in her fight with the Other. He frowned as he realised that their plan had been to attack the Other…Surtr together and the demon was keeping them from coming to the queen's aid.
That revelation pushed him to fight even harder with his sword's flames burning even more intensely as he continued to attack the wraiths and end as many of them as he could while slowly forcing himself towards the Queen, eager to help in any way he could.
- x -
The former Unsullied Strong Shield and Sharp Arrow were far calmer than any of the others in the face of these creatures. They had been conditioned their entire lives to be warriors and to fight and eventually die on the field, it was the way things were for them and the enemy in this case while more dangerous than any they had previously encountered meant nothing to them.
They would be giving their lives for a cause far greater than their own and to protect their mistress they both thought with determination to do the right thing and see this through to the end regardless of what it might be.
Sharp Arrow was wielding a bow with his dragonglass tipped arrows in a bag at his feet, he was launching them with a blinding speed and reloading with incredible efficiency that no Westerosi archer, even Ygritte would be able to match, taking out one or perhaps two or three with each shot. He was honestly thinking of this and nothing else as it required his absolute concentration or he would fail.
Strong Shield meanwhile was doing his best to defend his brother from any wraiths that came their way, wielding an axe with a dragonglass head. It was not his usual weapon but hardly something he couldn't wield; he could use it as well as any weapon.
Strong Shield swung his axe with the expert eye and precise that you would expect from an Unsullied. He would take down a wraith with every single swing he made which came in rapid succession, seeming endless he thought as he kept on swing with complete focus on saving his brother and the Queen he served. She saw they were in trouble herself and then one of the wraiths managed to get one lucky hit in and snapped the axe's wooden shaft in two.
His Queen though took her own special sword from her waist and threw it to him, he caught it with his honed reflexes and found this much easier than wielding the axe.
Strong Shield would have made Barristan Selmy impressed at the fluidity he was using to dispatch the wraiths that surrounded him and his brother allowing Sharp Arrow to dispatch more of the wraiths by himself. Thoros managed to make his way to them as well along with Brienne and Rhaenys, the four of them making a good defensive circle for themselves but they could only get a small glimpses of Meera who was still cut off from them by all the wraiths.
- x -
In the air the situation was hardly any better, while Daenerys and the two dragons they had only had to deal with one wraith it was a particularly big and resilient one.
Daenerys on the back of Drogon was flying as fast as they could possibly go with Aurora at their side, dodging the strange crimson flames being blasted at them from the wraith dragon behind them. They ducked and dived, splitting apart to try and elude it or confuse it but the dragon moved and twisted its body in ways that a real dragon could only dream of, performing twists that would have shattered their skeletons and turns that went to angles that were near impossible for its two opponent dragons to match.
Daenerys was honestly terrified as she had never imagined this particular situation when she had decided to fight against this demon. The thing that Surtr had created was so different that she could not even begin to think of just how they were going to take it down as she managed to glance over just as Aurora blasted the wraith dragon with her fire but that did exceptionally little to the creature. It merely shrugged off the flames and kept on moving as if nothing had happened, it shocked Daenerys as she had never seen anything withstand dragon fire let alone ignore it as it was nothing. But as their fire was completely useless against this creature, they were forced into an exceptionally steep dive to avoid a return blast of fire, so they found they had moved out over the sea and were heading straight towards it.
Daenerys looked at the water below as they sped towards it, sure for a moment that they were going to die. Drogon and Aurora though pulled up at the last possible moment and the wraith dragon followed them, not letting them out of its sight and its enormous maw opening to emit an unearthly roar that chilled her to the bone, she had never heard anything like it in all of her life and it drained all certainty from her body that they were going to win this fight.
Then as they raced at incredible speed over the water the wraith dragon opened its great mouth again to presumably blast them with more of its strange crimson red flames, Daenerys knew they were still in range of its fire and while they could break to avoid it, one of them was almost certain to be caught up in the flames and crash into the sea to die if the unnatural fire didn't kill them first Daenerys thought not knowing just how to get out of this or how to end that thing.
But as she had almost given up hope, help came from an unlikely source.
A new dragon appeared, a purple and gold scaled dragon dove in from high above and blasted the wraith dragon with its own fire, the fire as before didn't do any damage but the force of the hit was enough to force the wraith dragon down a few precious metres. Letting it collide with the water which immediately began turning to steam as the creature heated them.
Daenerys blinking in surprise as she looked over to see Arya Stark much to her surprise was riding her dragon into battle and they circled above where the wraith dragon had gone in the water, waiting for it to come up. But as they watched the creature was flailing wildly in the water and seemed unable to take flight. The steam was still coming off of water around the wraith dragon but it was disappearing in the water, being put out by the sea.
Daenerys smiled alongside Arya, it seemed that even with magic certain rules did still apply to magical creatures they both realised and in spite of themselves felt a sense of pride in its defeat but then saw on the coast that the wraiths were now wearing down their friends on the ground. So, they both got straight back to the serious business at hand and they accompanied by Aurora flew back to the shore and began to breathe down fire on the wraiths below, taking great care to avoid burning their friends and these smaller wraiths thankfully were far less robust than the wraith dragon had been, allowing them to burn away groups of the wraiths with each attack.
- x -
Meera Stark meanwhile was now face to face with Surtr and while he wore the body of Cersei Lannister, he was still extremely dangerous as she was about to find out.
Meera started by firing off a barrage of spells at him, curses and jinxes that would hopefully put him off guard and let her get close to stab him with her spear but Surtr didn't even bother to battle the spells away, instead he just let them hit him and dissipate into nothing. Meera gritted her teeth as the ineffectiveness of her spells and started shooting whatever spell she could think of at Surtr but he just smirked as nothing seemed affect him.
Meera was shocked to find that magic had no effect on him either way, her type anyway she realised was completely ineffective and she took a firm hold on her spear but then before her eyes Surtr began to conjure a sword made of a strange red material which was immediately surrounded by flames.
The Twilight Sword, Meera thought remembering what she could of the legends surrounding Surtr and while it was not enormous as Surtr was when he had destroyed Asgard it was still intimidating sight.
But she stiffened her resolve and charged forward, Gungnir meeting the Twilight Sword in a blinding flash of light.
Meera would have thought that Surtr would have been a highly aggressive warrior with more blunt force and heavy strikes but was badly wrong. Surtr was in fact a much more capable warrior than she had anticipated.
Surtr parried her every move, each swing and jab was batted aside with laughable ease, Surtr sneering at her with contempt. Meera gritted her teeth and kept on probing her defences, but Surtr with a heavy parry forced the spear away and with the incredible force of it ripped the spear from her hands, sending it flying through the air and clattering to the ground somewhere nearby.
Meera was stunned as she had never expected that Surtr would be so strong! It was like trying to break a brick wall with nothing than your fists. Meera had to duck and weave as Surtr swung their sword at her, using all her agility to avoid being cleaved in half by the demon, she wasn't able to summon her spear to her as she could not stay still long enough for it. It took all of her concentration just to stay alive!
Thoros who was now becoming overwhelmed by the wraiths that surrounded him took his only remaining dragonglass dagger and with whatever strength he had left to throw it at Surtr, hoping that with his final act he might if not slay the demon, then he might help the Azor Ahai.
The dagger spun through the air and Surtr raised their sword to block it, the dagger shattered when it hit the sword and one piece sliced the cheek of Surtr, shocking the creature. But what they had not noticed was the cracks that had formed from where the dagger had impacted the sword, Meera however could see them and with all her might kicked against the sword in the same spot.
The sword to her own amazement shattered like glass, falling to the ground in smoking pieces much to Surtr's astonishment. Meera took full advantage and punched the demon in the face as she couldn't summon her spear before Surtr recovered, while it hurt Meera's hand it knocked the demon back who lashed out with a punch of her own. Meera managed to dodge it before kneeing Surtr in the stomach winded the creature but then received a smack to the face for her trouble which hurt a lot.
The pair now deprived of their weapons began to fight hand to hand, exchanging punches and kicks with each other and Meera felt a hard punch connect to her ribs, breaking at least one or two judging by the pain that resulted from it, she was bleeding from her lip and after a hard kick to her side was sure she had some internal bleeding. The kick also sent her flying and she rolled over painfully as she hit the ground.
Meera winced as she got to her feet, her body aching but she had to get up or she was dead. She put her hands to the ground and as Surtr advanced on her she summoned her spear back to her hands. It spun past Surtr, making him side step to dodge it which gave her time to catch it. Meera used it as a crutch to help her get to her feet and stand in the face of Surtr who now looked unsettled as he no longer had the Twilight Sword to protect himself with.
Instead, he summoned great jets of fire from his hands and channelled them towards Meera whose eyes widened as she saw them coming but instinctively, she began spinning her spear around her and summoning the winds with it.
The wind funnels she was creating redirected the flames away from her, the runes on the spear glowed and angry red as it absorbed some of the demon's own power and strengthened. Surtr felt that and increased the strength of its blasts while moving slowly towards Meera who gritted her teeth as keeping up the effort of maintaining the wind funnels against the enormous pressure Surtr was creating increased.
It was now a battle of wills, just who possessed the strongest will to survive…to win. Who had the most energy and who had the most drive.
Meera was struggling to hold herself in place as the pressure Surtr was creating against her was like a herd of elephants trying to balance themselves on her shoulders. The others were too busy to help her and any movement to relieve it would have meant letting the blasts of fire hit her they were so strong. She grimaced as she knew sooner or later one of them would falter but right now, she wasn't sure if it would be her or Surtr.
Then out of the corner of her eye she saw a simmer of green light and saw to her amazement and worry that Loki had appeared to the side of them. Surtr was so focused on her that he hadn't noticed the God of Mischief's arrival.
Meera caught Loki's eye, they stared at each other for a moment, she was not sure why he would come here at such an important moment but then he grinned and winked at her before he pulled a bag of some kind from his pocket.
Loki then with careful aim threw the bag straight at Surtr's face!
The bag sailed through the air and time seemed to slow down as it did, all those that could see it watching intently as it came closer and closer to its target. The bag split open as it hit Surtr in the face and a shower of dark coloured powder engulfed them.
Surtr screamed in pain as whatever it was hurt the creature deeply but it what truly mattered was that it stopped creating the streams of fire that had been holding Meera at bay! So, in the few seconds that the creature was distracted and vulnerable she rushed forward and with all her remaining strength stabbed her spear straight through Surtr's chest!
The creature which was already screaming in agony from the powder Loki had used against it now screeched an inhuman sound that echoed around the area. The runes on the spear glowing fiercely as the spear burned red hot, Meera felt her hands burning from holding the hot metal but she didn't dare let go and twisted the spear as it remained impaled into Surtr.
The creature twisted itself as if trying to force the spear out but Meera wouldn't let it, the red glow around Surtr was intensifying and she had to avert her eyes or be blinded by how bright it was. She felt rather than saw the creature as lines spread out from stab wound created by the spear which moved quickly all over Surtr's body. The energy held inside the creature was being turned back against it and although its original body would have given enough resistance for its spirit to survive as it had last time, this human body was nowhere near as strong.
Surtr fought against its death with every single part of its being but it was no use and it screamed so loud it hurt all of their ears as its body burst into an enormous eruption of red energy which knocked all of them to the ground.
The wraiths all vanished into nothing as their creator was destroyed, surprising those that had been fighting them but Arya and Meera along with the rest of their family wherever they were could feel the last grip that Surtr had on the magic of this world disappear, releasing it to flow freely once again.
Meera felt like her body was broken as she hit the ground even though she held on to Gungnir before letting go as she finally realised it was all over. She couldn't move with every part of her body feeling like it was shattered. She saw Loki looking down at her with an amused smile before he placed a hand on her middle and she felt relief as he healed her body.
"Thank you." Meera said with genuine gratitude to Loki as he healed her body, Loki looked at her bemused and asked.
"What for?"
"This, and distracting him. What was in that bag anyway?" She asked with curiosity. Loki told her with a triumphant look in his eyes.
"Dragonglass, but ground up into dust. Nasty." He said with his smile turning into a self-satisfied smirk.
"Is he gone?" Meera asked pressingly as she was still unsure about that. "For real this time?"
"I think so, I can feel the grip on magic disappearing and the doorways to other worlds opening again. Maybe the realms will recover with him gone who can say." Loki said with a pondering look in his eyes. "It is rare that I have cause to thank anyone but for slaying the creature even if you needed some help from me…thank you." Loki said, his own ego not letting her forget that she had needed some help to finally finish this matter.
Meera just smiled and nodded, taking it with good grace before he vanished again before her eyes, into the other realms beyond. Just approaching the Wall thousands of miles away Sif felt Surtr's demise herself and smiled before vanishing herself, wondering if with the creature gone that other realms like Asgard might return.
- x -
Meera took a deep breath as she got to her feet and looked around, seeing no sign of Loki who she presumed had either gone back into hiding or left this world. She wasn't sure which but it was fine, she thought relieved he was gone in some ways but at the same time she was grateful as she was pretty sure that she would have lost the fight with Surtr if it wasn't for his help she thought with reluctant gratitude.
Looking over she saw Rhaenys was alright and Daenerys was landing with the dragons including Arya which surprised her a little but that was her sister Meera thought with pride in her character regardless of whether it had been against her orders or not.
The three dragons looked unharmed as did they she noted but as she looked over to her own Queensguard her heart sank. Of the seven that she had to start with…only Strong Sheild, Sharp Arrow and Brienne of Tarth remained alive.
She herself would not be alive if not for Thoros of Myr she thought sadly as she looked at his prone body nearby. She saw Gendry, Osha and Loras too nearby and a sigh of grief escaped her lips as she looked at them.
Four dead, in exchange for the lives of everyone else she thought and it still seemed too many to her.
She looked over to Arya who smiled at her and ran over, despite whatever had happened they both ran to each other hugged with complete warmth and affection…all the past grudges now forgotten.
The others watched quietly as they rested and took stock of what had happened, none of them sure of just what to make of the event they had just partaken in.
For Meera it was the certainty that she had her full magic again and that they had slain one of the worst demons imageable. She saw Daenerys come over having spent some time speaking to Rhaenys and gave her nod which she returned before she got back on her dragon and flew back to Essos and her family.
Meera didn't begrudge her that, hells she was now eager to see her own siblings as she now could apparate, she was sure of it. She would make sure to teach her siblings how too as soon as possible and they would never be separated unless they wanted too ever again. But she was also going to have to explore more of just what other magics she had at her disposal now, Meera thought along with introducing all the inventions she was going to give Westeros but laughed to herself as now she had all the time in the world to do that without the threat of Surtr hanging over her head.
She turned to her followers and told them.
"We make a pyre for our dead, then we will ride back to Kings Landing…at a slower pace." She told them and they all smiled in relief at that. It would be a good to grieve for those they had lost but at the same time it would be a relief to return to Kings Landing at a slower pace than the one they had use to get here. Easier on their bodies Meera thought with those aches and pains in her body just thinking about it.
Riverrun, the Riverlands…A Couple of Days Later…
Minisa sat playing with her toys while Catelyn watched, finding some small joy in this since Meera was off risking her life and she was unable to help her.
But the thing that struck her was the letter that had arrived this morning, two of them actually that were written in Meera's calm hand. One was addressed to Minisa which Catelyn had not read as it was not meant for her but there had also been one sent to her surprisingly. Her hands had been shaking as she picked it up and opened it, unsure of what was inside but she had to know.
Mother,
I have tried a hundred times to think of a way to convey my feelings to you, no words seem appropriate the moment I write them so I will do my best here and hope that what I manage to commit to paper is sufficient.
I have done my best to confront the feelings I have in regards to you, all my life you treated me as if I was a problem and then called me a demon. There were times that I honestly felt that you wanted me dead. I know that those feelings were not at least entirely of your own doing, the red wisp took you as a host and it poisoned you against me.
The hurt those words and your actions towards me still stab at my heart even now, it hardened me and made me the person I am today. In some part all that I am is due to you and if it was not for you I nor the siblings that I love so much would exist. For that I thank you.
Hating you…is a waste. Of time and of spirit, I cannot say if I love you but I forgive you. I forgive what you said and what you did, what you and I are now to each other is unknown but I am sure that we do not need to be enemies.
Your Daughter, Meera Stark.
Catelyn held the letter in her hands still and had read it a hundred times now but each time it still made her heart soar.
Meera…didn't hate her. There was still time for them to be more to each other.
When news came that Meera had survived her battle with a demon and Arya too had survived Catelyn had never felt so much joy and contentment. Her daughters were alive and permission had been given for them to visit the Red Keep soon so they might see each other.
She was nervously eager for the visit, hoping dearly to spend time with her daughters and of all the danger there. But for the first time in years, she honestly had hope again, hope that maybe she might have her family back…what was left of it she thought sadly as she felt the grief of losing Ned and Robb all over again. But to have her other children back…to meet her grandchildren for the first time…it was all that she had dreamt of.
Smiling as Minisa came over to her she lifted her into her lap and kissed her forehead gently, hugging her close and just enjoying the now as much as she could. All that she had experienced teaching her that it can change in the blink of an eye and that they never come again.
The Red Keep, Kings Landing…Five Years Later…
The dawning of a new summer after long hard years of winter was a welcome relief to the people of Westeros, things had been difficult in some places but they had managed to make it through, the Queen herself had encouraged the North to begin shipping glass to the rest of Westeros so they could build glass gardens of their own which had helped to keep their people fed, that and trading with Essos specifically the empire that had been created by Daenerys Targaryen, opening up new trade lanes with her that spread far and wide.
Meera stood on the balcony over looking the city, smiling and taking a deep breath before expelling it with satisfaction. Of all the things she had achieved these last five years one of the biggest was building a new sewer system for Kings Landing, drains and cisterns which took the waste far and allowed the air to be clearer than it had been for centuries. Areas of the city had been remodelled too for better living. Driving the vermin both human and animal and otherwise from the city as much as possible.
The fact that she had actually done as she said and improved conditions in Kings Landing had won her a lot of adoration here, Meera thought with a smile. She didn't need it but it was a nice experience anyway.
She had been doing her utmost to advance Westeros and the opening of the new trade lanes with Essos had created or rather revealed a rather big problem that she had had been forced to deal with. Professional merchants and diplomats were rather scarce in Westeros and while some individuals could serve in those capacities it was hit and miss whether they were up to it or not or if they could be trusted.
So, she had opened the first college in Westeros, one that bore her name and taught those that enrolled there the arts of diplomacy and commerce, trades not normally taught by the Maesters. Secretly Meera intended to expand into more fields as things progressed to limit the power of the Citadel as she felt they had a strangle hold on power and were holding back Westeros and its development to keep it where they wanted it.
Advancing technology and science was a slow process but slowly it was taking hold Meera thought with a smile as ideas she had planted began to take root.
It was slow going but she would get Westeros to start moving forward by an epoch or two before she was done. She was leaving books and other things behind that would inspire further development even after she was gone.
But the sound of her sons behind her brought a warmer smile to her face as she turned to kneel down and cuddle them. Robb and James ran over to their mother who caught them in her arms and hugged them close, kissing both of them on the forehead as they hugged her back. Her heart almost felt like it would burst whenever she spent time with her sons, she loved them so much she thought as she stood up took their hands and led them inside.
She wondered if her 'husband' she thought with a frown would remember to visit them today. She had chosen a Vale noble to be her consort, she needed to have children to secure the line of succession. A second son who was more interested in reading old tombs than fighting or political power but he was healthy and intelligent so he had been an ideal choice. It was hard to get him to sleep with her but they had only had to do it a couple of times so it was bearable. Rhaenys herself had enjoyed his services too and had a daughter of her own now, Elia after her mother.
That was not to say there hadn't been challenges, she thought with a sigh, rebels against her rule broke out from time to time mostly spouting the same argument, that she was a woman and therefore not fit to rule despite being ruler for years now and not making any real mistakes she thought with frustration.
But to her surprise her battle with Surtr had made such rebellions small as so many held her in near legendary status for defeating the demon. She and those that fought in that battle had been witnessed by locals who had dared to watch them at a distance, they hadn't even seen them at the time but they had seen it and now she was seen by some as the Warrior or the Mother by those that worshipped the Seven.
She knew that such a reputation could work as much against you as it could for you but so far it was working in her favour so she would use it carefully.
Her siblings except for Minisa were all married now and most had children on the way, they had a reunion at Winterfell once a year to reconnect with each other, this year though a frown crossed her face as it had been decided that Catelyn and Minisa would be allowed to attend. It was a point of contention for some and given her actions Catelyn would be unlikely to receive a warm welcome but their own relationship had improved over the years, even to the point that Catelyn had been willing to accept Rhaenys as her 'partner' and doted on her grandchildren.
Speaking of her partner although unfortunately they could never publicly acknowledge their relationship as much as they would like to due to the homophobia in Westeros, not able to show any affection to each other in public. It hurt both of them but if they wanted to live here and do their utmost for Westeros then it was the way they had to live she thought sadly.
Brienne at least was luckier, Meera thought as her long serving Queensguard knight came to mind. In respect for her and her father she had given Brienne her blessing to have children to carry on the Tarth name. This had been done largely to save face when Brienne had turned up pregnant unexpectantly, the identity of the father was a mystery but many had noticed the golden hair and green eyes of her children and suspected that Jaime Lannister might be the father.
The shadow of a dragon moved over the window and she grinned as she knew that Rhaenys or Arya was out for a ride. While Aurora and Visenya had now become even larger and soared through the skies around Kings Landing often, another new playmate had joined them in their morning flights. While they had been clearing the Dragonpit for more space for housing they had discovered another dragon egg buried by chaos of when it had been stormed over a century ago. Rhaenys had with their help hatch it and now Daeron flew with his larger counterparts. The dragons had even started laying new eggs which would be shared out among their family as they appeared until dragons truly ruled the skies once more.
Teaching her family more about their magic was made a lot easier Meera thought as she settled down to play with her sons now that she could apparate and make portkeys, now distance was no barrier to them and they could meet whenever was possible for a lesson in magic. These two little pups she thought as she held her sons close would be learning to use magic soon enough, she thought as she stroked their hair gently.
The only one of her siblings that didn't have children (apart from Minisa who was too young of course) now was Arya which was by her own choice Meera thought knowing that she preferred her freedom and to hone her various crafts. Learning to manage a spy network along with her horse ranches kept her busy enough and no man or woman as of yet had managed to charm her despite many attempts Meera thought with amusement at what her sister did to those that tried.
The last one had been left running from the Red Keep without his breeches, she scoffed at the arrogant fool who had thought he would be able to tame her sister.
Meera herself would be due to hold court soon she thought and then discuss her future plans with her advisors, her work was never done she thought with some weariness but it was worth it, she knew to give her boys the best future possible she thought as she held her boys close.
She was as content as she had ever dreamt of being, in either of her lives she thought and just played with her children while planning the canal system and the introduction of basic steam engines to get this country's industrial revolution really going.
I know this ending might feel a little rushed but I am written out on this story and need to start work on getting Ordo done not to mention work on my new story. Thank you for those that have read it and another thanks to those that reviewed and provided support along the way.
The idea of remodelling the city and adding the sewers was suggested by AnimeFan13579.
So, Sage1988 out…