Season 9 Episode 1
Drogon took the body of Daenerys to the continent of Essos to the ancient city of Asshai. The city was in the mountains with inedible ghost grass in the hills. The terrain both defended and isolated the city from invaders. On the coast was a vibrant fishing community. In the center of the city was a pyramid structure that houses the Red Priests. Drogon carefully laid Daenerys down onto the ground and appeared to mourn over her. Daenerys face appeared peaceful with her eyes closed. In her heart was the dagger Jon had stabbed her with. Drogon eyed Daenerys' body for a moment and then roared in pain. The dragon's roar gained the attention of the red priests and priestess. They came out in a hurry and gathered around the body of Daenerys without fear of the dragon.
"Let me see her," Quaithe ordered breaking through the crowd of red-dressed priests.
She knelt down and looked over Daenerys' body. "Who could do this to such a beautiful creature?"
"Can she be saved?" a red priest asked her.
Quaithe eyed the dragon that had brought her here. "The dragon did not come here of his own accord. Her soul is still bound to this world. Bring her inside," she ordered.
The red priests picked up Daenerys body and brought her inside a stone building. She was placed on a stone slab. Quaithe took Jon's dagger out of her chest and gave it to a red priestess to purify. The priests and priestess then prayed over her body chanting unceasingly.
Naath
At the Isle of Naath, the Unsullied took up defensive positions as a large slave fleet bombarded the island massacring civilians with each bomb thrown. Torgo tried to keep a determined face as his men would occasionally be hit with the bombardment. Their fleet had been destroyed, and they were now trapped on the island. It had been his dream to free the slaves of Naath, the island Missandrei had grown up on. Since her death, he had not thought of anything else. He felt no remorse for his actions at King's Landing, and his heart still burned with hate for Jon Snow. Still, at the moment, he was at a disadvantage with no way out.
A fleet of ships with the Targaryen sigil then arrived. The two fleets engaged with one another firing projectiles, ramming, and boarding each other. Daario took the lead boarding a flagship and slicing through the slavers. The free men of Meereen battled against the slavers. In short order, the slaver fleet was decimated. The slavers attempted to flee to the coast of Naath.
Torgo led the Unsullied to the coast where they stabbed to death anyone trying to get on shore. Once the Meereen fleet had broken through, Daario took a boat to the coast and met up with Torgo. As they met, they clasped arms.
"Good to see you, brother," Daario smiled warmly.
"Thank you for answering my call," Torgo said appreciatively.
"Of course," Daario said as if it were nothing. "Let's talk."
Inside the capitol building in the center of the island, Daario and Torgo sat down to discuss what had transpired in Westeros. "I heard rumors, but I didn't want to believe them," Daario said pouring himself a drink.
"Our queen was murdered by Jon Snow. We lost many men and Missandei...," Torgo struggled to say.
"I understand," Daario said sympathetically.
"I came to Naath to honor her, to liberate her people," Torgo said.
"We need you back in Dragon's Bay. Since she left, it hasn't been the same. I've had to resort to some heavy tactics to keep order," Daario requested.
"Once we have rooted out the slavers here," Torgo agreed.
"Of course," Daario allowed.
"You know, I told her not to go Westeros," Daario said sadly.
"I wish she had listened to you. Instead, she listened to Tyrion Lannister," Torgo sneered.
"Is he still alive?" Daario wondered.
"Yes," Torgo said displeased.
"I know you're angry but it will pass," Daario told him.
"Now that I have taken Naath from the slavers, I have no purpose, no one to serve," Torgo said lost.
"Well, you can serve me," Daario joked with a smile.
Torgo glared at him but then smiled for the first time in weeks. "I serve Meereen, not you," he corrected.
"I'll drink to that," Daario said pouring them two glasses.
"I don't drink," Torgo refused.
"You're a free man. Try it," Daario encouraged.
Torgo gave the drink a depressed look and then drank it down. Daario watched the disgusted look on Torgo's face. "More?" Daario asked him.
"Please," Torgo nodded.
"Now, tell me everything that happened in Westeros," Daario asked of him.
King's Landing
At King's Landing, Bran sat in his chair staring off into space enjoying the warm sunny weather of the coastline. He then awoke and focused his eyes. "Ser Podrick," he addressed him.
"Yes, Your Grace," Podrick replied instantly at his side.
"Take me to the council room and bring me my counselors. There is something important I need to speak to them about," he said.
"Of course, Your Grace," Podrick replied bringing Bran back into the Red Keep.
Bronn was in the brothel enjoying three lovely ladies at the same time. As the Master of Coin, he spent freely on drink and whores on most days. Tyrion entered the room and smiled politely at the girls. "My good friend, Tyrion. What brings you here? I thought your whoring days were over?" Bronn mocked.
"I never said that," Tyrion smiled although it was true he had declined to partake since the war.
"What can I do you for?" Bronn asked.
"The King has summoned us for a meeting of the small council," Tyrion said obviously.
"You mean, you have," Bronn scoffed.
"No, this time he did," Tyrion insisted.
"It must be fucking important. He never calls us," Bronn said suddenly serious.
"I don't know," Tyrion admitted.
"No one knows what's in that fucker's head," Bronn frowned and then put his shirt back on.
"You can't speak about our king that way," Tyrion lectured.
"Shove it up your ass," Bronn said defiantly.
"I hate working with you," Tyrion muttered as the two of them left.
"I know," Bronn replied.
Tyrion and Bronn showed up late to the small council meeting. "Would it kill you to be on time?" Brienne scowled.
"Kill me? No," Bronn mocked her as he took his seat.
Bran seemed indifferent to their tardiness. "Sometimes, I don't even feel worthy being here, you know. I'm the youngest Grant Maestro in the history of Westeros," Samwell said conversationally.
"Our roles should be reversed," Bran said warmly.
Samwell smiled at the compliment. "So, what is the topic of discussion?" Tyrion wondered.
"Drogon is Asshai," Bran said bluntly.
There was a long pause before anyone spoke. "Your Grace, how do you know?" Brienne asked shocked by the news.
"I have seen him and then he disappeared. Asshai is one of the few places in this world I cannot see into. It is protected by the red priests," Bran said. "Drogon had Daenerys' body with him."
"He intends to have her resurrected just like Jon Snow," Tyrion realized stunned.
"Perhaps," Bran allowed.
"Jon Snow should have cut her to pieces and spread the body parts far-and-wide," Bronn said disturbed by the news.
"That would be undignified for a queen of Westeros," Brienne objected.
"And being crushed by bricks is?" Bronn asked. "No offense," he said quickly to Tyrion.
"None taken," Tyrion said dryly.
"Jon was only resurrected to fight the White Walkers. Why would the Lord of Light resurrect Daenerys?" Samwell wondered.
"There are horrors in this world beyond just the White Walkers," Bran replied.
"Like what?" Bronn wondered.
Bran said nothing in reply. "Begin construction on scorpion fortifications and repair the walls. Inform the six kingdoms, we will require their conscripts," Bran said.
"That will not be easy, Your Grace," Tyrion said to him.
"I have faith in you," Bran replied and then motioned for Podrick to take him away.
North of the Wall
Meanwhile, Jon was working with Tormund on building houses for the Free Folk. "I don't think this life suits you, Jon. You're a warrior, not a handy-man," Tormund remarked.
"I have had my fill of fighting. I finally feel at peace," Jon said.
"Why don't you get a wife and get you some kids?" Tormund asked.
"I swore an oath I wouldn't," Jon reminded him.
"Fuck that oath. Those wanting to kill you are long gone. They're not coming here, I can tell you that," Tormund said.
"I take my oaths seriously," Jon replied.
"Looks like you have to die and come back to life again," Tormund teased.
Two Free Folk ran through the snow to get to Jon. "We found something in the haunted forest. I think you should take a look," one of them said.
Jon gave them a serious look. "Ghost!" he shouted for him.
The dire-wolf ran over to him. Jon gave the dire-wolf a pat on the head and addressed the two Free Folk. "Show me."
Aashai
As the priests and priestess chanted in prayer, Daenerys suddenly took a breath and felt for her chest. Her clothes had been changed to a simple red dress. She felt for where Jon had plunged the dagger into her heart feeling a scar. She remembered all the scars on Jon's body. Like him, she had come back from the dead. The red priests and priestess praised the Lord of Light in their own tongue.
Quaithe came over to the confused Daenerys. "Was I dead?" Daenerys asked her.
"Yes, Your Grace," Quaithe said respectfully.
"The last thing I remember was being embraced by Jon Snow. He...killed me," Daenerys realized.
"Drogon brought you back to us. The Lord of Light has a purpose for you. That is why He has brought you back," Quaithe said to her.
Daenerys reflected on everything that had happened. She had burned King's Landing to the ground, declared war on the entire world, and was killed by someone she had thought had lived. No, he had loved her but killed her out of duty. She was a monster. Now, she felt things were clearer.
"Can you send a raven for me?" she requested.
"Of course, Your Grace," Quaithe replied.
"I need a place to be alone," Daenerys said somberly.
"A room has been prepared for you," Quaithe said to her.
Quaithe then assisted Daenerys off the stone slab and helped her walk towards her room. Entering her room, it was simple with a bed, table, and window. The black-colored clothes she had worn during her victory speech was folded neatly on the table. Daenerys looked over the slit where Jon had stabbed her.
"Please burn this for me," Daenerys said to Quaithe.
"As you wish, Your Grace," Quaithe replied taking the clothes away. Quaithe then shut the door leaving Daenerys alone to reflect.
North of the Wall
Jon, Tormund, Ghost, and a squad of Free Folk looked over a campsite. There were body parts on the ground in a ritual spiral. "A fucking copy-cat," Tormund assumed.
Jon withheld judgment. "Gather the remains for a proper burial," he ordered.
"You don't think they have returned," Tormund asked him.
"I don't know," Jon admitted. Looking over the camp, he noticed something odd. "Where are the children?" he asked.
"We didn't find any children," a Free Folk scout told him.
"Expand your search," Jon ordered. Jon then turned to Tormund. "We need to send a raven."
"This could create a panic," Tormund warned.
"Bran will know what to do," Jon said confidently. "In the meantime, keep this quiet."
Riverrun
At Riverrun, a visibly upset Edmure Tully, the uncle of Sansa and Bran Stark, dined with his fellow lords. Lord Whent was restored to Harrenhal, Lord Blackwood of Raventreee, Lord Mallister of Seaguard, Lord Braken of Stone Hedge, and Lady Roslin Tully of the Twins although effectively under the control of Edmure were present.
"To the return of my son and lovely wife," Edmure toasted.
The lords attending raised their cups to him. "To the King of Riverrun," Lord Whent said drunkenly.
"King, you say? I like the sound of that," Edmure agreed.
"Please, do not do anything that could take us into war," Roslin pleaded with him.
"Silence, woman," he snapped at her. "The Lords of Westeros 'elected' my dear nephew, a boy with no military or leadership experience. They call him Bran the Broken because he was pushed out of a window spying on the incestuous affair of Cersei and Jaime Lannister. What have I done?" Edmure said mockingly.
"I was there at Golden Tooth," Edmure reminded them. "I was there at Stone-Mill."
The lords toasted him twice. "I should be king," Edmure said bitterly.
The lords were silent wondering what Edmure truly intended to do. "I say...we march on King's Landing!"
The lords cheered for him raising their cups. "Prepare our armies," Edmure said now confident in himself.
Pyke
At the Iron Islands, Yara presided over her court as their first queen. "If the North can declare its independence so shall the Iron Islands," a captain declared.
"We have not yet rebuilt our fleet, and you want a war against King's Landing?" another captain asked incredulously.
"I know Bran Stark. He won't fight to retake us. If we want independence, it's ours," Yara said confidently.
"If we secede from King's Landing, we will lose our power there," a captain objected.
"What power? A single vote should Bran die? How many years will that be?" Yara wondered. "We were united under Daenerys Targaryen. We respected her for her courage, her strength, and her conviction. This boy is nothing like Daenerys. We strike it out on our own. We make our own way," Yara declared.
The majority of her captains saluted her.
Sunspear
Quentyn Martell addressed the nobles of Dorne at the palace. "I voted to make Brandon Stark King of Westeros because I had no intention of following him. I have received word that the Iron Islands and the Riverlands have declared their independence from King's Landing. My father made the mistake of submitting to the Lannisters. I see that now. We could never be allies with the men that butchered Elia Martel and her children. Nor can we forget that Oberyn died to save Tyrion Lannister who is now Hand of the King."
"However, we also cannot be impulsive and short-sighted as Ellaria and attack King's Landing with our army. We shall prepare for war but our army shall remain here in Dorne where it belongs," Quentyn added.
"Lord Bronn of Highgarden is weak. He hasn't even been to The Reach since he became Master of Coin," a nobleman brought up.
"The Lady of Costayne in the granddaughter of Olena Tyrell. If she were to take Highgarden, she could be a valuable ally," another nobleman said.
"With support from The Reach, we could easily take King's Landing," another said.
"When and if," Quentyn agreed. "In the meantime, we act as if we are still in alliance with the king while we ready our armies."
King's Landing
Bran stared into space next to his fireplace inside the Red Keep. Tyrion came to meet him. "Your requests for conscripts have been sent to all six kingdoms," he said.
"Yet, only three of the six will answer the call," Bran replied softly.
"What do you mean?" Tyrion asked confused.
"Riverlands, Iron Islands, and Dorne have declared their independence. The army of the Riverlands is assembling as we speak," Bran told him.
"We must prepare the city's defenses," Tyrion said alarmed.
"Should my uncle Edmure try to attack King's Landing alone, he will fail," Bran said simply.
"Many will perish though. We must stop this war before it begins," Tyrion pressed.
"I have already sent a raven to Arya to return. If she reaches Westeros in time, we shall prevail. If not, we will be sacked," Bran said unconcerned.
"And what of Daenerys?" Tyrion asked.
"She still remains hidden from me," Bran replied.
Asshai
Daenerys stared out blankly as the priests and priestess danced around a large campfire. "When you passed on to the other side, what did you see?" Quaithe asked curiously.
"I don't remember anything. It is like I was asleep," Daenerys replied softly.
"The Lord of Light knew we would bring you back," Quaithe reconciled this.
"Perhaps, there is nothing. Perhaps, there is no meaning to the world," Daenerys considered.
"You have a role to play still or else the Lord of Light would not have brought you back," Quaithe said.
"Maybe I've come back to repent for the rest of my days," Daenerys said as she stood up and walked towards the fire. Curious, she extended her arm out towards the fire. The flames roared around her, but her skin refused to burn.
"The magic that is within your body is still there," Quaithe reminded her.