So, I finally remembered that I started this story an eternity ago and never wrote anything but this prologue. And then I read the prologue again and realized that now that I've read the books it just doesn't seem fitting anymore, so I rewrote it. It isn't connected to Memories anymore, but I hope you like it.
And, before I forget, like I said, I read the books, so expect spoilers!
She could smell the salt.
Daenerys had always loved the sea. It made her feel so, well, free. As if there was nothing in her way, as if she was not the kKhaleesi, as if she was just a girl that could live her life like she wanted. But she knew she was not.
Dany was the mother of the dragons, the last living Targaryen and the rightful queen of Westeros. And right now, she was at the beach, staring into the sea in front of her. Behind her was her khalasar as well as her army of Unsullied, her people. They looked up to her. To them, she was the queen, the khaleesi. They didn't see her as a person, they saw her as a leader, a symbol.
It were moments like this when she missed Jorah the most. Jorah had been a traitor, yes, and he had been in love with her even though he shouldn't have, but he had also been the only one who ever dared to look behind the facade. Jorah had betrayed her, but he had also seen her when she was at her lowest and had never thought any less of her because of that. She missed him, missed the way he would put his hand on her shoulder to show her that she was not alone, that he was there and that he would protect her and do anything for her.
But Jorah wasn't here. He had been traitor, sold her to the usurper Robert Baratheon, and even though it had pained Dany, she had known that she would never be able to forgive him. She would never be able to trust him anymore, not fully, not like she did before she found out. And with this knowledge, she had sent him away. There was no place for traitors at her side.
"Your Grace, you wanted us to come together to discuss the attack." Tyrion Lannister, the Imp, said.
He wasn't tall, but he was clever. Dany had made him her hand, because she knew he was the best for this position. He knew how to play the game of thrones, and even though in his first try he lost it, he was still alive, something that couldn't be said about many other men.
Dany closed her eyes, felt the wind in her hair and relaxed a bit. Then she turned around and followed Tyrion into her tent.
Her council was already waiting. She looked at each member of this group: Grey Worm, one of her bloodriders, Furem, a braavosi master of the sword, Jorel, a former slave who was a strategical genius, Ferm, one of her Unsullied, Masyn, a young lady from Westeros whose father had been a loyal bannerman of Robb Stark and who had to flee after the Red Wedding and of course Tyrion.
"We were just discussing a minor issue." Ferm said.
"I don't think it's a 'minor issue'." Masyn said. "Actually, I think it might be quite important. If you allow me, your grace..."
"Of course, speak."
"The people of Westeros just survived a civil war. The last thing they want is to start another. They aren't happy with that Tyrell-marionette Thommen Lannister on the throne, but at least they have now peace. They have time to look around, gather up the broken things and try to heal. And, it's nothing against you, your grace, but to be true, they don't remember the last Targaryen king very fondly. The mad king they call him. He killed many good people, your grace, and even though we here know your not crazy the smallfolk of Westeros doesn't. Those people will see you as a female Aerys Targaryen, nothing more. You have to show them that this country will fare better under your rule or it will be extremely difficult to rule it, my queen."
Dany thought about that. Of course Masyn was right. The times when she believed what her brother had told her, that the people of Westeros were just waiting for their return, were over. She wasn't that stupid anymore.
"So we will have to make sure word of your crusade against slavery reaches their ears. There is nothing the smallfolk loves more than tales about powerful people standing up for the weak. We have to make sure they realize that you are a good queen, your graze." Jorel said.
"I still have one or the other spy in Westeros. I could make sure they tell stories about your victories, your grace." Tyrion inquired from her left.
"Then do that. We will need every support we can get." Dany answered.
"There are stories, your grace. Stories about White Walkers. They say they are trying to climb the wall. You can't rule a country run over by the White Walkers." Furem said.
"Then I'll take the North first and Kingslanding later." Dany decided.
"My queen, you can't conquer the North. That is impossible. Maybe those people will surrender to your dragons and your army, but the North remembers. The northern will never truly serve someone who is not a Stark or at least a Stark loyal. They will never accept you as their queen, not after they had a king on their own in Robb Stark. You can't just take the North." Masyn said.
"Well, Masyn, the Starks are dead. The last Stark to die was my lovely wife Sansa. To the ones of you who don't know: After my nephew was murdered, she disappeared. I have no doubt that my sister has finally gone completely mad and murdered her. And every other Stark, Robb, Arya, Brandon and Rickon... they all died in the war of five kings." Tyrion told them.
"Are you so sure? Princess Arya just disappeared after her father was captured. We all know the story of that imposter who had to marry Ramsay Snow, but in the end, Arya Stark is still missing. The people love her story, you know. The Missing Princess, they call her, or the Lost Wolf. Many people believe she is still out there, waiting for her chance to take back what is hers." Masyn explained.
"She's a ghost, probably long dead. And even if she wasn't: Why should we work with somebody who doesn't fully agree with our queens claim for the throne? Because if she wants to 'take back what is hers', that means that she will want independence for the North. That is not exactly what we want, is it?" Jorel asked.
"Because the people all over Westeros love the Starks. My sister and nephew may have called Ned Stark a traitor, but the smallfolk never believed that. The Starks were people of honor. That's how Westeros remembers them. It will be a lot easier to conquer that country with a Stark at your side, your grace." Tyrion said quietly.
"We don't even know where she is, and even if, not when, we find her, it's anything but granted that she joins us." Ferm said.
"Still, I think it's worth it. I'll go to search her." Furem said with a certain finality in his voice.
Dany thought for a moment, than she nodded slowly.
"Good. Find her for me. And then I shall take my throne."