Post by theshadowthatrides on Aug 30, 2013 5:34:38 GMT 1
THE HISTORY
During the constant battle for the Iron Throne, the conflicts between the North and the South of Westeros, and the threats across the sea, remnants of old bloodlines and houses emerged from the ashes, plunging Westeros into more chaos despite the growing threat from the Others--or the White Walkers, as the wildlings call them.
Aegon VI, with assistance of his followers and many mercenary bands, slowly take back and conquer certain key sections of Westeros. While Aegon planned to marry his aunt, Daenerys Stormborn, Jon Connington soon began to worry that the youngest child and only daughter of the Mad King would never return to Westeros and was soon pulled into a betrothal pact by Doran Martell, who offered his eldest and heir, Arianne Martell, to be Aegon's bride.
Meanwhile, up in the North, the Freys, Boltons, and those who conspired to end the Stark power have been losing their grip on the land. While the Brothers Without Banners are being lead by Lady Stoneheart (formerly known as Lady Catelyn) and avenging the betrayed Stark cause, Howland Reed has been causing problems for the Boltons, Freys, and the other traitors in Winterfell, slowly killing off the men while he remains in the shadows. Eventually, he and Lady Stoneheart meet and broker an alliance. He believes some of her children survive and while Brienne had been spared to find Jaime and make him follow her in the search for Sansa, Howland Reed had also heard whispers about some youths that sound like one or two of Catelyn's children. He follows the trail of young Rickon and unbeknownst to him, Davos Seaworth is doing the exact same thing.
The death of Kevan Lannister has divided King's Landing once more and both the Lannisters and Tyrells are suspicious of each other. Cersei is quick to insert herself in her son's life and is fighting desperately to protect her daughter Myrcella and tries in vain to think of plans to bring her home. She is suspicious of both the Tyrells and Martells and rallying cry for Aegon Targaryen does not miss her. She and with the help of the Tyrells and the remaining allies that she can only trust, they spread propaganda that this Aegon VI, son of Prince Rhaegar, is a pretender and nothing more than a commoner in fancy silks. Yet when rumors grow about the Martells might side with Aegon and his followers, Cersei uses what little power she has left to bring her daughter back to safety, reminding Doran Martell that her daughter had been betrothed to his son Trystan and if he sides with Aegon, then he will be breaking the betrothal agreement between their two houses. When Doran failed to respond, Cersei feared the worse and ordered for her daughter to be brought back to her and if they had to kill many Dornishmen to do so, then so be it.
Tyrion, Ser Jorah, and Penny continue their services with the Seconds Sons, who have turned their backs on the Yunkai and rejoined Daenerys. Thanks to Tyrion's clever thinking, the Second Sons and Brown Ben Plumm were able to escape a severe reprimand from Selmy and Dany's other, closer allies. However, Tyrion is kept hidden while Ser Jorah tries to think of ways to earn himself back into the good graces of Daenerys Stormborn. Meanwhile, Dany uses her newfound connection and understand with Drogon to slowly and surely rally up the Dothraki tribes, including the ones who forsook her when her first husband, Khal Drogo perished. Strangely, it is Ser Jorah who is visted by a vision that ends up guiding him to Dany. He kills the remaining Khals who were once Drogo's bloodriders for betraying her and helps her to unite all of the tribes of the Dothraki as a whole. Because of this, Dany finally pardons Jorah and accepts him back into her service, reinstating him as a member of her Queensguard.
In the Night's Watch, Jon Snow falls to his brothers of the Night's Watch, for violating his oath. Melisandra, believing he has some great purpose, tries to revive him but is unable to do so. However, Jon manages to warg with Ghost and tries to go on his own to find Ramsay Bolton and learn the fates of Stannis, Mance Rayder, and his sister. However, he eventually realizes that they don't have his sister and it's really Jeyne Poole, who is in safe hands, along with Theon and Ahsa Greyjoy. Stannis had survived the battle and is isolated, preparing another battle with the Boltons. He plans to send Jeyne Poole to Jon, unaware that she is not Arya Stark and of Jon's demise. There is also talk of him executing Theon to gain support from the northerners by giving them justice for the murders of Bran and Rickon Stark.
And in the care of Blackfish Tully, Jeyne Westerling nurses her newborn child, son of the dead king Robb Stark, the true heir of Winterfell. Blackfish Tully is waiting for the right moment to unveil the new King of the North and let the whole world now that House Stark is not dead, just recovering their strength.
Aegon VI, with assistance of his followers and many mercenary bands, slowly take back and conquer certain key sections of Westeros. While Aegon planned to marry his aunt, Daenerys Stormborn, Jon Connington soon began to worry that the youngest child and only daughter of the Mad King would never return to Westeros and was soon pulled into a betrothal pact by Doran Martell, who offered his eldest and heir, Arianne Martell, to be Aegon's bride.
Meanwhile, up in the North, the Freys, Boltons, and those who conspired to end the Stark power have been losing their grip on the land. While the Brothers Without Banners are being lead by Lady Stoneheart (formerly known as Lady Catelyn) and avenging the betrayed Stark cause, Howland Reed has been causing problems for the Boltons, Freys, and the other traitors in Winterfell, slowly killing off the men while he remains in the shadows. Eventually, he and Lady Stoneheart meet and broker an alliance. He believes some of her children survive and while Brienne had been spared to find Jaime and make him follow her in the search for Sansa, Howland Reed had also heard whispers about some youths that sound like one or two of Catelyn's children. He follows the trail of young Rickon and unbeknownst to him, Davos Seaworth is doing the exact same thing.
The death of Kevan Lannister has divided King's Landing once more and both the Lannisters and Tyrells are suspicious of each other. Cersei is quick to insert herself in her son's life and is fighting desperately to protect her daughter Myrcella and tries in vain to think of plans to bring her home. She is suspicious of both the Tyrells and Martells and rallying cry for Aegon Targaryen does not miss her. She and with the help of the Tyrells and the remaining allies that she can only trust, they spread propaganda that this Aegon VI, son of Prince Rhaegar, is a pretender and nothing more than a commoner in fancy silks. Yet when rumors grow about the Martells might side with Aegon and his followers, Cersei uses what little power she has left to bring her daughter back to safety, reminding Doran Martell that her daughter had been betrothed to his son Trystan and if he sides with Aegon, then he will be breaking the betrothal agreement between their two houses. When Doran failed to respond, Cersei feared the worse and ordered for her daughter to be brought back to her and if they had to kill many Dornishmen to do so, then so be it.
Tyrion, Ser Jorah, and Penny continue their services with the Seconds Sons, who have turned their backs on the Yunkai and rejoined Daenerys. Thanks to Tyrion's clever thinking, the Second Sons and Brown Ben Plumm were able to escape a severe reprimand from Selmy and Dany's other, closer allies. However, Tyrion is kept hidden while Ser Jorah tries to think of ways to earn himself back into the good graces of Daenerys Stormborn. Meanwhile, Dany uses her newfound connection and understand with Drogon to slowly and surely rally up the Dothraki tribes, including the ones who forsook her when her first husband, Khal Drogo perished. Strangely, it is Ser Jorah who is visted by a vision that ends up guiding him to Dany. He kills the remaining Khals who were once Drogo's bloodriders for betraying her and helps her to unite all of the tribes of the Dothraki as a whole. Because of this, Dany finally pardons Jorah and accepts him back into her service, reinstating him as a member of her Queensguard.
In the Night's Watch, Jon Snow falls to his brothers of the Night's Watch, for violating his oath. Melisandra, believing he has some great purpose, tries to revive him but is unable to do so. However, Jon manages to warg with Ghost and tries to go on his own to find Ramsay Bolton and learn the fates of Stannis, Mance Rayder, and his sister. However, he eventually realizes that they don't have his sister and it's really Jeyne Poole, who is in safe hands, along with Theon and Ahsa Greyjoy. Stannis had survived the battle and is isolated, preparing another battle with the Boltons. He plans to send Jeyne Poole to Jon, unaware that she is not Arya Stark and of Jon's demise. There is also talk of him executing Theon to gain support from the northerners by giving them justice for the murders of Bran and Rickon Stark.
And in the care of Blackfish Tully, Jeyne Westerling nurses her newborn child, son of the dead king Robb Stark, the true heir of Winterfell. Blackfish Tully is waiting for the right moment to unveil the new King of the North and let the whole world now that House Stark is not dead, just recovering their strength.
The Invasion of the Others
Before anyone (save for the Night's Watch) knew it, Westeros was being invaded by the Others (or White Walkers as the wildlings called them) and their army of wrights. The Night's Watch were doing their best to defend the lands with dragonglass (or Valyrian weapons) and for a brief moment, the remaining victors stopped fighting each other to assist the Night's Watch and fight the Others, for the Others dominated the world, there would be no Westeros left for them to rule. Even Daenerys and her entourage arrived to join the fighting, believing her dragons could bring them a huge advantage. But while it seemed Dany was Azor Ahai and Jon Snow, even in the body of Ghost, was the Prince that was Promised (due to his parents being Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark) and triumph would be given to them, the unthinkable happen: Daeneyrs Stormborn was slain in combat while perched on Drogon's back. Ser Jorah was the first to be at her side, recovering from a near fatal death in which he scrambled from the ashes and salt of smoldering, mystic wreckage the Others had left behind. He was absolutely disraught as he held the dying khaleesi and dragon queen in his arms, her dragons mourning all around them. The wound the Others had given her was slow, grievous, and agonizing and Dany wanted her death to be swift. So she pleaded for Ser Jorah, her old bear and true lover (they were finally married abroad Westeros) to end her agony and let her be free. With a heavy heart, Ser Jorah did just that, plunging his sword into her heart, where the pain was the strongest. But when he did just that, an inconceivable event betided: just like in the Azor Ahai legend, Dany's spirit combined itself with steel of Jorah's blade and became the infamous Lightbringer. Realizing he was the Azor Ahai everyone sought for, Jorah battled on, raging his combat in Dany's name and to finish what she started. Her dragons soon perished after the last of the Others and wrights were destroyed and Westeros seemed to have escaped utter demolition. But while Jon, the Prince that was Promised was content to return back to the Night's Watch to help them out in Ghost's form (only Sam and Jon's siblings knew the truth), Jorah had no desire to return back to his childhood home. Dany's followers now looked to him and their 1-year-old daughter for guidance and hope. Jorah knew very few in Westeros would take Dany's daughter as their queen so he took his wife's armies where they were most needed, back overseas, to continue to rule the united Dothraki tribe and keep freedom in former slave cities. Caring and educating his only daughter Rhaella, named after Dany's mother, has been his most supreme joy and also has kept him alive and happy.
Before anyone (save for the Night's Watch) knew it, Westeros was being invaded by the Others (or White Walkers as the wildlings called them) and their army of wrights. The Night's Watch were doing their best to defend the lands with dragonglass (or Valyrian weapons) and for a brief moment, the remaining victors stopped fighting each other to assist the Night's Watch and fight the Others, for the Others dominated the world, there would be no Westeros left for them to rule. Even Daenerys and her entourage arrived to join the fighting, believing her dragons could bring them a huge advantage. But while it seemed Dany was Azor Ahai and Jon Snow, even in the body of Ghost, was the Prince that was Promised (due to his parents being Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark) and triumph would be given to them, the unthinkable happen: Daeneyrs Stormborn was slain in combat while perched on Drogon's back. Ser Jorah was the first to be at her side, recovering from a near fatal death in which he scrambled from the ashes and salt of smoldering, mystic wreckage the Others had left behind. He was absolutely disraught as he held the dying khaleesi and dragon queen in his arms, her dragons mourning all around them. The wound the Others had given her was slow, grievous, and agonizing and Dany wanted her death to be swift. So she pleaded for Ser Jorah, her old bear and true lover (they were finally married abroad Westeros) to end her agony and let her be free. With a heavy heart, Ser Jorah did just that, plunging his sword into her heart, where the pain was the strongest. But when he did just that, an inconceivable event betided: just like in the Azor Ahai legend, Dany's spirit combined itself with steel of Jorah's blade and became the infamous Lightbringer. Realizing he was the Azor Ahai everyone sought for, Jorah battled on, raging his combat in Dany's name and to finish what she started. Her dragons soon perished after the last of the Others and wrights were destroyed and Westeros seemed to have escaped utter demolition. But while Jon, the Prince that was Promised was content to return back to the Night's Watch to help them out in Ghost's form (only Sam and Jon's siblings knew the truth), Jorah had no desire to return back to his childhood home. Dany's followers now looked to him and their 1-year-old daughter for guidance and hope. Jorah knew very few in Westeros would take Dany's daughter as their queen so he took his wife's armies where they were most needed, back overseas, to continue to rule the united Dothraki tribe and keep freedom in former slave cities. Caring and educating his only daughter Rhaella, named after Dany's mother, has been his most supreme joy and also has kept him alive and happy.
The Aftermath...
After many years of bloodshed, trickery, deception, and sorcery, a victor has been crowned for the Iron Throne. After gaining much support and love from the common people and nobles, Aegon VI managed to fight against all odds and retook the throne for his Targaryen heritage. His marriage to Arianne Martell brought the kingdom of Dorne to his side and thanks to the whispers from both Doran and Varys, he manages to get many of the northerners on his side after Stannis's death in battle against the Boltons and Freys with the promise of avenging the Starks and righting the wrongs done upon the North. This lead the covert appearance of Blackfish Tully, who claimed to have the widowed wife and son of King Robb Stark and said he could rally some remaining supports to fight for Aegon if he promises to allow Robb's son to have the title of King of the North--just like his father--and have the Freys and Boltons on a serving platter. After much deliberation, Aegon and his advisers agreed but told Blackfish that the North would not be fully separated from the rest of the Westeros. Robb Stark's heir would be king as long he, Aegon would have the status of High King. Once this alliance was made, more flocked to the Targaryen cause after hearing justice would return back to the North and House Stark would be reinstated as the ruling house over Winterfell, for both nobles and commoners alike grew sick of Bolton and Frey rule and could never trust nor respect them after those houses were involved in the brutal death of King Robb Stark. Jeyne's son became heir to Winterfell with Blackfish Tully to help guide future king and heir to the North. And when he is old enough, he will also marry the youngest of Doran's nieces, Loreza Martell, once known as Loreza Sand but Aegon legitmitized all of Oberyn's daughters to repay the Red Viper for avenging his mother's death against Gregor Clegane, The Mountain That Rides. (There is speculation that Arianne suggested this idea to him, for she wanted to give her cousins many opportunities in life outside of Dorne, for many houses who didn't necessarily support the Targaryen king needed marriages from House Martell and other Dornish houses to get back into the new king's good graces).
However, Trystan had become uneasy on the fate of Myrcella, the young woman he was set to marry. Fearing for her safety, the two youngsters slipped out Water Gardens in the dead of the night and headed somewhere safe, assuming new identities so no one would recognize them. Immediately feeling guilty for neglecting the feelings and considerations of his youngest child, Doran and those loyal to the Martells searched for Myrcella and Trystan but they were never found. Some say they perished in the desert but in reality, the two of them married off in secret, took a ship to head out to sea, and have been living in the Stepstones ever since. Trystane and Myrcella had plenty of children, four of them: three boys and one girl.
Tommen, on the other hand, was not as lucky as his older sister. Poisoned slowly by Varys's and Littlefinger's agents so the Tyrells and Lannisters would have no claim to the throne, the young king eventually died by the time Stannis, another contender for the throne, also perished in battle, and Aegon VI was winning battle after battle. Cersei was beside herself in grief, believing all of her children were dead and the rest of the prophecy was about to come to true. It was Arianne Martell, not Margaery Tyrell, who was the young queen she feared all her life. She took her status, her finery, her wealth, and was one those who were arguing for her execution. But Cersei knew she would not die by an executioner's blade, it was Tyrion who would come and choke the rest of her life out of her. So she planned ahead, telling her enemies that Tyrion was a trickster and he would betray them as soon as another offer that was more appealing to him came along. Even though Tyrion sided with the "wrong" Targaryen (for Dany never ended up finishing her conquest of Westeros), he still was the best ally to bring House Lannister under Aegon's rule. But when Tyrion came to meet Cersei in her imprisoned chambers, Cersei was ready. As Tyrion ranted about all the injustices she had heaped upon and how he would make sure she would suffer, Cersei acted quickly. To mock the prophecy, she strangled Tyrion with her girdle, laughing at Maggy the Frog, her younger brother, and Death itself. However, she didn't count on Jaime's reaction to her deed when he was brought to King's Landing with Brienne, Lady Sansa, and curiously enough, her husband Lord Sandor Clegane.
They petitioned to the new king, queen, and their followers to spare Jaime's life, for not only did he help Brienne find the missing Sansa, aunt of Robb's heir, who was in the clutches of Litterfinger, a player who played for both sides and Sansa argued that if a better offer came, he would have betrayed the Targaryen cause for another one. They also argued that Jaime hadn't been acting for House Lannister but for the realm, which was more than anyone in Westeros had been doing lately. He even explained why he killed Aegon's grandfather: he did it to save the lives of everyone in King's Landing. His story was proven tree when the pyromancers uncovered the hidden pots of wildfire underneath the city. Furthermore, Jaime Lannister had accidentally started to cultivate the love and support of the common people, for he only did what he believed what was best for the realm--with help from Brienne and her moral compass of course. King Aegon and Queen Arianne realized that killing Jaime would bring them more harm than good (for the common folk would surely rise up in rage at the death of one of the few knights who actually tried to bring order to the lands, despite him advancing the Lannister cause on occasion) and decided to make him Lord of Casterly Rock as a gesture of goodwill and after his pledge of loyalty. Jaime was shocked by this news and said Tyrion was a better man for the job. That was when the news was broke to him and in a fit of fury, Jaime stormed the castle stairs, and found Cersei's chambers. He demanded the truth from her and she admitted to killing Tyrion, saying she was doomed anyway and knew Tyrion was going to try to kill her so she struck first. True to the prophecy's words, blind anger consumed Jaime, who loved Tyrion dearly and wanted to make up his mistakes to him, throttled Cersei, who was flabbergasted to realize that Jaime was the little brother who would murder her all along. Once he came back to his senses, guilt overcame him and Jaime felt he was suppose to join his twin sister in death. Yet Brienne arrived just in time to stop him and talk him out of it, saying he was bigger man than that and no one could really blame him for what he just did. Ironically, while many were disappointed in not witnessing Cersei's execution, Jaime's viligante act appeased and reassured Aegon even more and before he knew it, Jaime Lannister was now Lord of Casterly Rock. But he had some small comfort--Brienne was at his side and much to everyone's surprise, he made her his wife and lady, for there was no other woman he ever respected and loved so truly before.
Littlefinger's death was done by Catelyn Stark's hand, who, after getting her revenge on Walder Frey (she had him castrated first and then left him be eaten alive by rats because that's all he was to her now), many Freys and Boltons, and Roose Bolton (she killed Roose the same way he killed her son) had been reunited with her frightened daughter. After hearing what Petyr had did to Lysa, Lysa's son, and his advances towards her, Catelyn resolved her final act on this world would be to kill her childhood friend and the man who played an instrumental design in her House's downfall, she was smuggled into the Vale and a startled Petyr Baelish met the undead version of the woman he always loved. Albeit she had lost her beauty, Littlefinger was still in love and wanted Cat to remain beside him forevermore. Catelyn had gave him a cold smile, nodded, and pushed him into the Moon Gate, letting herself fall with him so she could finally be with Ned and Robb, at peace with the knowledge that all her remaining four children were safe. Howland Reed, Osha, and Davos had brought Rickon back to Manderly where he remained safe until the end of the war, where he was then sent back to Winterfell to be with Jeyne Westerling, his cousin, and his remaining family members.
Arya Stark eventually returned to Winterfell but after more years of training in the House of Black and White. When she heard about the rising of the North and the return of Robb's son, Arya clung to the hope that her surviving family members would be there. Dealing with the last of her training, Arya eventually found her back home, startled to see Rickon, Sansa, Robb's son, and other old faces. She even was reunited with her mother (as shocking as the sight was) before Catelyn Stark was resolved to make Littlefinger pay for what he did to her husband and family. Arya tried to find Gendry again but like with the Brothers Without Banners, he too disappeared in the shadows of the forest and lands, never to be seen or heard from Arya again. But fortune favored her, for she and Nymeria were reunited and surprisingly enough, she met Edric Dayne, the nephew of Arthur Dayne. Years later, those two would marry and they would end up travelling from Winterfell to Dorne, for Ayra was never a lady and Edric was perfectly fine with that.
Many houses flourish once more, like House Martell, House Targaryen, House Stark, House Tully, and even House Tyrell, House Clegane, and House Lannister still managed to grow strong and able--thanks to new leadership and new marriages and alliances. House Frey, House Bolton, House Baratheon, House Karstark, and many others did not do so well in the beginning years but House Baratheon eventually rose from the ashes and became a powerful house once more. Next to House Frey, House Bolton remained one of the most scorned and tarnished families in Westeros and even when a 100 years have passed, that stain is still hard to wash out sometimes.
However, Trystan had become uneasy on the fate of Myrcella, the young woman he was set to marry. Fearing for her safety, the two youngsters slipped out Water Gardens in the dead of the night and headed somewhere safe, assuming new identities so no one would recognize them. Immediately feeling guilty for neglecting the feelings and considerations of his youngest child, Doran and those loyal to the Martells searched for Myrcella and Trystan but they were never found. Some say they perished in the desert but in reality, the two of them married off in secret, took a ship to head out to sea, and have been living in the Stepstones ever since. Trystane and Myrcella had plenty of children, four of them: three boys and one girl.
Tommen, on the other hand, was not as lucky as his older sister. Poisoned slowly by Varys's and Littlefinger's agents so the Tyrells and Lannisters would have no claim to the throne, the young king eventually died by the time Stannis, another contender for the throne, also perished in battle, and Aegon VI was winning battle after battle. Cersei was beside herself in grief, believing all of her children were dead and the rest of the prophecy was about to come to true. It was Arianne Martell, not Margaery Tyrell, who was the young queen she feared all her life. She took her status, her finery, her wealth, and was one those who were arguing for her execution. But Cersei knew she would not die by an executioner's blade, it was Tyrion who would come and choke the rest of her life out of her. So she planned ahead, telling her enemies that Tyrion was a trickster and he would betray them as soon as another offer that was more appealing to him came along. Even though Tyrion sided with the "wrong" Targaryen (for Dany never ended up finishing her conquest of Westeros), he still was the best ally to bring House Lannister under Aegon's rule. But when Tyrion came to meet Cersei in her imprisoned chambers, Cersei was ready. As Tyrion ranted about all the injustices she had heaped upon and how he would make sure she would suffer, Cersei acted quickly. To mock the prophecy, she strangled Tyrion with her girdle, laughing at Maggy the Frog, her younger brother, and Death itself. However, she didn't count on Jaime's reaction to her deed when he was brought to King's Landing with Brienne, Lady Sansa, and curiously enough, her husband Lord Sandor Clegane.
They petitioned to the new king, queen, and their followers to spare Jaime's life, for not only did he help Brienne find the missing Sansa, aunt of Robb's heir, who was in the clutches of Litterfinger, a player who played for both sides and Sansa argued that if a better offer came, he would have betrayed the Targaryen cause for another one. They also argued that Jaime hadn't been acting for House Lannister but for the realm, which was more than anyone in Westeros had been doing lately. He even explained why he killed Aegon's grandfather: he did it to save the lives of everyone in King's Landing. His story was proven tree when the pyromancers uncovered the hidden pots of wildfire underneath the city. Furthermore, Jaime Lannister had accidentally started to cultivate the love and support of the common people, for he only did what he believed what was best for the realm--with help from Brienne and her moral compass of course. King Aegon and Queen Arianne realized that killing Jaime would bring them more harm than good (for the common folk would surely rise up in rage at the death of one of the few knights who actually tried to bring order to the lands, despite him advancing the Lannister cause on occasion) and decided to make him Lord of Casterly Rock as a gesture of goodwill and after his pledge of loyalty. Jaime was shocked by this news and said Tyrion was a better man for the job. That was when the news was broke to him and in a fit of fury, Jaime stormed the castle stairs, and found Cersei's chambers. He demanded the truth from her and she admitted to killing Tyrion, saying she was doomed anyway and knew Tyrion was going to try to kill her so she struck first. True to the prophecy's words, blind anger consumed Jaime, who loved Tyrion dearly and wanted to make up his mistakes to him, throttled Cersei, who was flabbergasted to realize that Jaime was the little brother who would murder her all along. Once he came back to his senses, guilt overcame him and Jaime felt he was suppose to join his twin sister in death. Yet Brienne arrived just in time to stop him and talk him out of it, saying he was bigger man than that and no one could really blame him for what he just did. Ironically, while many were disappointed in not witnessing Cersei's execution, Jaime's viligante act appeased and reassured Aegon even more and before he knew it, Jaime Lannister was now Lord of Casterly Rock. But he had some small comfort--Brienne was at his side and much to everyone's surprise, he made her his wife and lady, for there was no other woman he ever respected and loved so truly before.
Littlefinger's death was done by Catelyn Stark's hand, who, after getting her revenge on Walder Frey (she had him castrated first and then left him be eaten alive by rats because that's all he was to her now), many Freys and Boltons, and Roose Bolton (she killed Roose the same way he killed her son) had been reunited with her frightened daughter. After hearing what Petyr had did to Lysa, Lysa's son, and his advances towards her, Catelyn resolved her final act on this world would be to kill her childhood friend and the man who played an instrumental design in her House's downfall, she was smuggled into the Vale and a startled Petyr Baelish met the undead version of the woman he always loved. Albeit she had lost her beauty, Littlefinger was still in love and wanted Cat to remain beside him forevermore. Catelyn had gave him a cold smile, nodded, and pushed him into the Moon Gate, letting herself fall with him so she could finally be with Ned and Robb, at peace with the knowledge that all her remaining four children were safe. Howland Reed, Osha, and Davos had brought Rickon back to Manderly where he remained safe until the end of the war, where he was then sent back to Winterfell to be with Jeyne Westerling, his cousin, and his remaining family members.
Arya Stark eventually returned to Winterfell but after more years of training in the House of Black and White. When she heard about the rising of the North and the return of Robb's son, Arya clung to the hope that her surviving family members would be there. Dealing with the last of her training, Arya eventually found her back home, startled to see Rickon, Sansa, Robb's son, and other old faces. She even was reunited with her mother (as shocking as the sight was) before Catelyn Stark was resolved to make Littlefinger pay for what he did to her husband and family. Arya tried to find Gendry again but like with the Brothers Without Banners, he too disappeared in the shadows of the forest and lands, never to be seen or heard from Arya again. But fortune favored her, for she and Nymeria were reunited and surprisingly enough, she met Edric Dayne, the nephew of Arthur Dayne. Years later, those two would marry and they would end up travelling from Winterfell to Dorne, for Ayra was never a lady and Edric was perfectly fine with that.
Many houses flourish once more, like House Martell, House Targaryen, House Stark, House Tully, and even House Tyrell, House Clegane, and House Lannister still managed to grow strong and able--thanks to new leadership and new marriages and alliances. House Frey, House Bolton, House Baratheon, House Karstark, and many others did not do so well in the beginning years but House Baratheon eventually rose from the ashes and became a powerful house once more. Next to House Frey, House Bolton remained one of the most scorned and tarnished families in Westeros and even when a 100 years have passed, that stain is still hard to wash out sometimes.
