[SPOILERS] Ending refurbished. (Last 1)

I'll try not to alter too much what happened prior to season 7. Instead of happening in season 8 the battle for winterfell would happen at the very end of season 7. This not a total play by play, I do not go into a whole lot of detail and this is just how I would've taken the story. You'll notice I do not write much on Tyrion, Varys, or Bealish but it's not because they don't do anything but because I'm only focusing on the biggest set pieces.

Changes

The NK - I would change the night king entirely. Instead of making him a full blown villain with the end goal of touching a little boy(Bran), he actually is avenging the genocide of the children of the forest and is doing everything to save the few left. This is a major change and makes the NK not so black and white and gives him actual motivation. I would take out his gloating antics and instead replace them with logical ones. He's no sword fighter, so in this scenario he never goes on the front line or dare engages in combat but instead he's more of a sorcerer. Another change I would make to the NK is by not making his resurrection of the dead as simple as waving his arms. Necromancy is 1 of the most difficult abilities 1 can conjure it would make no sense for him to do it instantly with ease. Also expand his abilities beyond necromancy, dwelling deeper into this by giving him more scenes and not just being a one-note villain popping up everytime there's action.

Omission

Mad queen, Dothraki, Golden Company, and Euron - with only 2 seasons left I feel it is not possible to implement any of these plots properly.

Season 7

The NK gets past the wall not with a dragon but by freezing the river the Shadow Tower overlooks (kinda like in Harry Potter with the dementors. This is no small thing tho as such a feat takes days or weeks.) With the assault of the castle Arya, Theon, and Sansa are entirely absent and the ones left to defend it are Bran, Jon, Davos, Ed, Sam, Melisandre, Tormund, and a few other northern lords.

Instead of Arya teleporting to the twins she instead teleports to riverrun. Jaime never takes this castle and the blackfish still holds it. Arya's team up and support with the blackfish would create a nice duo as both have been seeking justice for their family for years. Also change her cringey monotonous acting.

Sansa goes to the Eyrie with Brienne and Pod to convince Robin to send the entirety of the Vale's forces to aid in the long night.

Bran does manage to get south of wall and is back in winterfell which Jon has commandeered. Upon his return Jon offers up the north to Bran but Bran refuses. Bran has spent so much time in the minds of animals he begins having feral proclivities. Bran is actually scared of himself and what he is and knows Jon is the better leader they need. Bran isn't omnipotent in this version, he has frequent nightmares, hallucinations, and muscle spasms. With the 3ER having died prematurely Bran has not properly been taught how to control his power and he's just a kid. I would take out his time traveling ability and only make it so he wargs and has bits of foresight but usually comes in the form of night terrors.

The NK slaughters everyone who couldn't get south of winterfell in time before descending onto winterfell itself. A few days (or weeks idk) prior to the assault Jon would have sent a raven to all the high lords of westeros requesting aid.

Theon gets word of Jon's call for aid but is unable to answer it in time. He attempts to convince his father yet again to aid the Starks. Big difference being Yara supports Theon's request this time. Balon's refusal to aid and instead attack and massacre of a northern lord's castle would start a Civil War against his children. Yara and Theon would be forced to face their own father in open war. Yara would ultimately be forced to kill her father as she views him as too self destructive and a danger to their own people. This would fulfill Theon's original objective which was to bring aid to the Starks. Also giving more development to both Yara and Theon. (Similar to Euron's civil war but instead of introducing a new character this late into the show we villianize a character the audience is already familiar with. Also by taking out interference from other main characters you don't end up side lining Theon or Yara like in the show.)

While the Starks have been dealing with the dead, Jaime, Uncle Kevan, and a few other lords of the westerlands would have been dealing with the rebellion led by the blackfish, olenna, and Dorne. Having slaughtered house Tyrell (I'd keep Olenna's death roughly the same) they head south to deal with the Sand Snakes seeing them as a bigger force than the small resistance in the riverlands. He leaves walder to occupy the riverlands but instructs him not to kill the blackfish or do anything rash until his return as he does not want to destroy what little is left of the Tully family. Jaime after hearing of Jon's call for aid would call off his assault of Sunspear and answer it against Cersei's order. He would take roughly 12,000 soldiers and march to aid the family he regretfully decimated years ago.

During the siege of winterfell Tormund would sacrifice himself for Jon and can only make out the final words "my daughters" before dying in Jon's arms(attempting to tell Jon to save his daughters who in this scenario have already been introduced and established.) When Jaime gets there the castle is already under siege and close to falling.(Not going into great detail) Jaimie would charge the dead giving those left time to escape the castle, by this time Davos and Ed have already died defending the wall. Jaime and the Lannister cavalry would meet their death on the field at this battle with only Bran, Jon, Melisandre and a few others (mostly northern and wildling women and children)making it further south. Jaime would lead a final charge head on towards countless wights to give the others time to make it south. The closest thing I could imagine it to would be the battle for Minas Tirith except everybody dies and those that don't run away.

After Robin refuses to send his men outside of the kingdom Sansa meets up with Jon and Bran either in Moat Cailin or white harbor.

In this story Dany's arrival is pushed back significantly. Dany would have given up on her dreams of conquering westeros and would have stayed in essos where she feels she is still needed. She puts the citizens needs before her wants. (This would have been a scene with her speaking to Jorah while overlooking the civilians of Mereen prospering in the world she has built for them.) Only upon hearing of the defeat of the lannister force, the destruction of the Stark stronghold, and the mass genocide in the north by a necromancer Dany would then begin her sail to westeros. Not to conquer but to save.

Beginning of Season 8

With the loss of winterfell Jon decides the best place to hold them is at the twins. With the bridge being the only way to cross you force them in a bottleneck.

In this scenario Arya hasn't killed Walder. Jon meets up and gathers with Arya, Blackfish (the siege of riverrun having been lifted as Walder pulls back and fortifies the twins), Sansa, Bran, Beric, Thoros, Yara, Theon, and the Hound.

Thoros, Beric, and the Hound have been protecting the small folk from Walder's rule. (Instead of suddenly running north like in the show with no buildup)

The NK continues his onslaught of what's left in the north while the northeners that did choose to go south faces the twins.

The taking of the twins isn't something glossed over with teleporting Arya. While Arya will be the 1 to kill Walder it's spread out over 2 episodes and involves her saving Edmure. It'll be some Assassin's creed shit. Also would have more scenes with Walder building him up to make his demise all the more impactful.

The following episodes will mostly focus on Dany sailing and Arya's infiltration of the twins. Before killing Walder, in 1 of his rooms she will find the rotting body of her brother. This will be a really emotional scene and will provoke a very vindictive Arya. (Little tangent I do think in the books Walder is holding his body I'll bet money on it.) Also Bran uses his warging into rats to help her along her reconnaissance.

With the fall of Walder Arya threatens to kill his wife if she doesn't open the gates and swear fealty. With the surrender of the remaining Freys the Starks and greyjoys now occupy the twins. Instead of genociding the remaining Freys they ally with them aware that they can't do this alone.

Robin would eventually come to the aid of his cousins. In this scenario Baelish and Robin would have gotten many more scenes strengthing their bond or shall I say manipulation he has over the boy. I would also give scenes to Robin and Royce and show the impact and the positive influence Royce has on him and how he convinces him to fight besides his family.

With the Twins now fortified with Greyjoys, Starks, Tully's, Arryn, and Frey the NK descends upon them once he finishes everyone north.

While the battle would start heavily in Jon's favor the Neverending wave of dead would begin to overwhelm him. With nobody being familiar fighting giant spiders, bears, giants, and mammoths the battle starts dipping into the NK's favor. Yara, Robin, the blackfish, and Sam would die here. Yara fighting by Theon's side, the blackfish Arya's, and Robin protecting Sansa. In his final moments Robin would apologize for abandoning her earlier and she would think of how this is her 5th relative to die fighting for her.

With The blackfish and Arya having spent time together his death would greatly affect her and having him dying protecting her would probably be the best choice. In his final time he would attempt to consulate Arya by telling her "I never wanted to die in a shit place like this." (Or he could die telling her she reminds him of her mother or something.)

As the dead start coming over the wall Dany's forces would sweep in. While there is joyous, confusion and relief with Dany's arrival she's suddenly hit with a bolt of lightning killing her instantly. Ok now hear me out. It obviously wouldn't be immediate she'd wreck some shit but she would inevitably fall.

(Like that scene from LOTR where Saruman conjures lighting with a spell to dissuade the fellowship from going over the mountains and forcing then under it.) It would be similar to that. The NK is not on the front line it makes no sense for him to be. He watches the battle from afar and shows great annoyance with Dany's arrival. (And chucking spears like Tom Brady is just stupid.)

As Dany kills thousands of dead she notices clouds getting darker and thunder in the distance. She's suddenly hit and both her and drogon fall to their death. (This is 1 time I thing slow motion could work perhaps with Jorah watching her fall and attempting to find her body before being restrained.)

With her untimely death the NK retreats his forces. Again in this scenario resurrecting the dead isn't as simple as it's made to be in the show, it actually takes time. The NK is unsure and hesitant to reawaken a dragon as he has never attempted to resurrect a magical beast and is unsure if he could even control it.

With the death of Dany and destruction of the twins they make the bold choice to make their way to Kings Landing with Dany's allies knowing they can no longer hold this position.

Upon their mother and brother's death both Raegal and Viserys fly away and take residence in Harrenhall. Why Harrenhall? Idk cuz it's been destroyed by dragon fire, is massive, and abandoned. That shit would be bad ass two giant ass dragons in the ruins of a once great castle destroyed by dragon fire. And got 1 season left ain't got time to go to Volantis and they've never even been so they wouldn't even know what direction to go in or know that that's where dragons originally came from. Instead they fly to an abandoned castle not wanting to harm any of the natives. This would show both their empathy, intelligence, and natural animal instincts.

Edit - Having a scene of Kinvara trying to talk Dany out of going to westeros would be a good scene.

End of Season 8

Having lost the twins our heroes head further south. Towards King's Landing. 2 alternate ideas are suggested.

1 is retreating to the Vale and holding the NK at the bloody gate. This is however decided against as Jon knows the bloody gate and Vale are completely defenseless against an attack from the air.

Sansa argues taking Casterly Rock and making their final fight there. But as Jon no longer wants to seek retribution for his family but instead wants to save those he has left he chooses not to attack. He knows the largest portion of the lannister army is at king's landing which would give him the best chance at defeating the dead. Not only that but if Jon's worst fear is right the only way to stop drogon would be a scorpion.

As they make their way to KL it is said they can't beat the dead without the aid of the other 2 dragons. Varys mentions they're in Harrenhall but without their mother nobody has any hope in controlling them. Jon would make his leave at night telling only Arya his mission. To attempt to tame these beasts. In this story nobody knows Jon is a Targareyen. Neither Bran or Sam found out so not even Jon knows. This is a huge risk but Jon sees this as his only hope.

The following episodes would be Jon entering Harrenhall and coming across and taming these beasts. This wouldn't be glossed over as it is in the show this would require time. This could also be the revelation that Jon is a Targareyen but I think having the audience know it and not the characters is a better route. (Not like they do anything with the information anyways.)

While Jon tames Raegal and Viscerys it mirrors scenes of The NK taming drogon. This is not an easy feat for the NK however as a mind as powerful as a dragon(even a dead 1) is actually strenuous. This would at least be 2 episodes.

You would have the arrival of our heroes at the gates of king's landing. Cersei would have shut the gates and manned the walls preparing for war. War is not however what our heroes are seeking, only survival. They knew well enough they wouldn't be welcomed in right away and remain far enough away from their archers. Only Tyrion walks up to the gate and is accepted in. Cersei already knows he didn't kill Joffrey but with him having killed her father she still holds hatred for him. This would be a different cersei than what we saw in season 8 as Jaime is gone. Tyrion is the last person in her family and she's not as ready to kill him as she once was. She's alone and scared of whatever killed Jaime but still does not let the rest of our heroes in. She only agrees to protect Tyrion but all the others have been left out.

With a distant roar our heroes think it to be Jon but instead it's the NK. In this scenario you give the writers what they want by placing an army outside of the castle gates(which is a stupid thing to do when defending but here they have no choice.) As drogon flies closer and closer all of our heroes hug the walls with the unsullied holding them in. Drogon passes above them and instead assaults the wall and the scorpions shooting at him. Bronn would actually be 1 of the 1st to die. With Bronn's death the men defending the wall would panic and disobey Cersei's orders allowing our heroes inside. It is too late however. As the unsullied hold off the dead with a massive shield wall there is no way for them to retreat.

(Not going into great detail.)

Qyburn would take the Mountain and abandon Cersei. This scene would end with Qyburn getting on a small boat with the mountain (showing Cersei where his true loyalties lie) and sailing east while Cersei cries as she is alone. Tyrion would come to her side and attempt to save her from the wrath of Drogon. Tyrion and Cersei would be in the red keep running thru the halls as they collapse around them. After killing his father he shows great regret and both of them refuse to let their last family member die. As then they would be truly alone. I would keep Cersei's death the exact same with 1 change. Tyrion. She holds Tyrion the way she does Jaime in the show and the red keep completely collapses on them. (Not just a few bricks.) Dead Drogon with the NK on it's back would not do a drive by of the red keep no he would obliterate it and all of it's inhabitants.

Sansa with Bran now inside King's Landing finds a safe place to lay him down. Bran is shaking and sweating excessively because the great toll the warging and foresight has taken upon him.

The hound has now taken control of the defense of king's landing and coordinates with some lannister men to incapacitate drogon.

Greyworm with Jorah, Beric, Thoros, Theon still hold the shield wall. As the lannister men upon the walls rain arrows down from above.

As just then Jon then comes onto the battle with Raegal and Viscerys. Jon lands on the battlefield as the dragons attempt to kill their brother knocking the NK off and falling several hundred feet.

Drogon being far bigger, faster, and stronger overwhelms both Dragons. As both Raegal and Viserys are too maimed to continue fighting anymore Drogon would make his way to Jon.

Bran having seen Jon meet his death upon dragon fire in his dreams knows what's to come. Bran makes the decision to warg into Drogon. (This is not only an animal Bran has never encountered but also a magical dead 1. The exertion would be great and not something he can do for too long.) Bran forces drogon onto the NK's own men. As he destroys more and more dead Sansa begins seeing blood coming from his nose and foam from his mouth. She begs Bran to come back and to get out of Drogon but Bran knows what he must do and flies towards the NK. His shaking gets worse and he begins having muscle spasms. Bran begins panicking unsure of what's going on or what to do. Bran dies before making it to the NK. In a last ditch effort he attempts to escape into any animal around him(or perhaps he's trying to come back into his own body.) A cat, rat, bird, dog, Nymeria but to no avail. He dies in Sansa's arm shaking uncontrollably (similar to how jojen was) as Sansa begs him not leave her alone here, as both father and Arya did many years ago.

Jon along with Beric are on the battlefield and have made their way towards where the NK has fallen but Jon takes a spear in the leg and Beric is cut down before him. Theon runs to his side and Jon tells him to retreat into the walls. Theon refuses to leave the man he calls brother and claims they can do this together. He protects Jon but ultimately would die before Jon's eyes.

Greyworm being the only main character left still fighting on the field makes the (ill advised but admirable) decision to disband the shield wall and to commit to the offensive attempting to fight his way to Jorah and save him. Having failed to save 2 of his rescuers (Dany and Barristan) he will not fail again. Bodies stack high around him but he refuses to fall back.

Drogon would be making his way towards Jon but is shot by the hound and stumbles into some buildings. Rather than flee, the hound and a few lannister men load another bolt into the scorpion. Drogon now fixes his sights on the hound. The hound waits until drogon is closer for a better shot and maybe even perhaps blind the beast. Both the bolt and the Hound are swallowed up in flames. He dies screaming along with the men around him. While he died he did not fail, as the hound knew he was never going to kill the beast but rather give everyone else more time.

On the field Jon is brought to his knees unable to stand, sword in hand. The NK just out of reach. The NK raises the dead around Jon and he comes face to face with Theon. Unable to bring himself to strike his brother down he mutters a prayer the same 1 Ned did before Ilyn Payne killed him. Before Theon brings the blade down onto Jon, the NK is stabbed in the back by Beric. Beric stands once more, not as a wight but as a man. A man blessed by the lord of light 1 final time. As the NK dies so does all of his followers.

Jon grabs Theon's lifeless body before it can fall to the floor, gently lying him down. Jon holds his brother and passes out from blood loss on top of him.

Beric having killed the NK collapses with Thoros running to his side. Beric makes something out only Thoros can hear. Something along the lines of "the nightmares, the voices, the mission, it's all over." Beric dies in Thoro's arm. Rather than attempt to revive his friend and put him thru anymore suffering he finally let's Beric rest in peace. As his watch had ended.

Fast forward to the end

I would ultimately have Jon rule the north. Even if he does find out he's a Targareyen it matters not as he truly doesn't "wunt et." The 2 dragons however would go to dragon stone where they would live.

I would have Sansa and Gendry rule westeros. As a call back to where it all started. Sansa going off to wed Robert's son. She's finally finished what she started.

Arya goes to travel Essos with Thoros. (Not going west of westeros like some Dora explorer bullshit.)

Baelish would rule the Eyrie as Robin left him charge and house Arryn is now extinct.

Oberyn's daughters would rule Dorne, Edmure Riverrun, and Kevan Lannister the westerlands.

Give Tormund's daughters (who we would have spent time with) the dreadfort and not have the wildlings go north of the wall.

North of the wall would from here on belong to the children of the forest. While the NK died he did save those he loved. Again taking out him being a full blown villain. Being driven to the monster he became because what man did to him.

Edit - Also Sansa and Gendry would order the death of Lyanna Mormont for being a stuck up little bitch all the time.

Submitted July 29, 2021 at 12:14AM by EmmaW17 https://ift.tt/3ydAFaH