A/N Thanks to the lovely Vlad for the beta work! :)
I'm so sorry for the long delay. I hope you enjoy this chapter and thank you SO much for the great reviews!
Chapter 9
Pretending to focus on the fire, Theon watched his father through lowered lashes as Balon studied the map of the north. Balon Greyjoy had just revealed his plans to raid the north and Theon was trying to decide how he could warn Robb or if he even should. His homecoming had done nothing to help his conflicted loyalties.
Robb's trust in Theon had so far proved unique; his father and sister didn't share it, nor did most of the Northmen he had left behind. Worse yet, Asha had their father wrapped around her finger, and judging by her cocky smirk, she knew it.
"Victarion has taken half the Iron Fleet to invade Moat Cailin and Aeron has taken the other half to capture Deepwood Motte. Asha, you will take a dozen ships and have your men attack Torrhen's Square. Once Winterfell hears of the attack, they will send what few men they have left to retake it," Balon said, glancing up at his children. "And that is when you and your brother will capture Winterfell. Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon killed my sons. I will take Stark's sons, his castle, and all else."
"It's Robb's castle now…" Theon muttered, still stunned by his father's risky plans. When his father shot him a glare, he said louder, "The only sons remaining at Winterfell are Bran and Rickon. They're merely children. Rickon is practically a baby and Bran is crippled. It hardly seems right."
"It will only make it that much easier. Let's see how they fare on the Iron Islands," Asha smirked. "What's wrong, little brother? Do you worry for the young wolves? Or do you fear the big ones that will see your betrayal and come yapping at your heels?"
"Lord Stark will never allow us to hold Winterfell long, especially if we hold two of his children. This mission is suicide," Theon replied through gritted teeth. "I know this family, I know the people in Winterfell and the North. They won't allow you to just take Bran and Rickon. And it's unnecessary. Just take the castles and lands along the coast. Or march east and take White Harbor. It's their richest port. Lord Manderly sent most of his men with Robb."
Balon studied him in silence for a moment before he walked around the table to stand before him. "You've become one of them, just as I feared. I should send you back to Robb Stark so he'll know you failed, but now that you know our plans I can't risk…"
"I am not one of them," Theon declared, his voice rising in anger. "But it doesn't mean I think its right to brutalize children. I remember what it was like to be taken from my home. Unlike you, Lord Stark will fight to get his sons back!" Theon heard his own words and realized his mistake a split second too late; his father struck him with enough force to send him staggering against the table. His mind raced, searching for solutions. He wiped the blood from his mouth and, at last, eyed his father warily as he spoke again. "I am a Greyjoy. I will do as you command. I know how to take Winterfell and I won't need Asha's help. She can stay with her men in Torrhen's…"
"Your sister has proven herself capable and loyal. I trust her to do as I bid. When you take the castle, she will send the two Stark boys back to me. Let Lord Stark feel the pain of losing his children. Robb Stark won't be able to move north to the rescue once we hold Moat Cailin. Ned Stark is on his way to the Wall, and as long as we have his children, he won't dare risk an attack. There will be no one to stop us. Winterfell and the greater part of the North will be ours," his father replied.
Asha's face was unreadable. Would she do it? Kidnap two children and send them to their father as hostages? Theon realized he hardly knew his family after all this time. Looking at them both now, he felt like a stranger. I'm not a Stark and I'm not a Greyjoy. Who am I?
Theon had to go along with his father's plans. He had to gain his trust. It was the only way he could ensure that no harm came to Bran and Rickon. Once he and Asha reached Torrhen's Square, he could try to persuade her to march on White Harbor instead.
He rose to his full height and looked his sister in the eye. "Asha, the only way to conquer Winterfell is to scale the walls or go through the secret tunnels. I doubt any of the tunnels are still passable; they haven't been used in centuries. Bring men who can climb or they're of no use to us." Asha hesitated, but did not object. When at last she nodded, Theon turned to his father. "I'll help win Winterfell for you, Father."
"Send me Lord Stark's sons and we'll both have our revenge."
x-X-x
Jon stood by Robb's side before a large map, with Ser Garlan and Ser Brynden on the other side of the table. After the victory at Oxcross, Robb had easily taken Ashemark then sent Lord Umber and Ser Baelor Hightower to capture the gold mines at Castamere, Nunn's Deep, and Pendric Hills. Lord Karstark and Ser Edmund Ambrose had led their men to raid the coast. The Westerlands couldn't resist the Northmen and the might of the Reach.
"Robett Glover and Lady Mormont will lead their men along this path here to take Lannisport." Robb gestured to the small curvy line on the map and glanced up at Ser Garlan. "They will attempt to take the ship's captains hostage. We need as many of them alive as possible. We'll take their ships to prepare for His Grace's assault on King's Landing."
"Send any men with them who have any experience commanding a ship," Robb added. "We need to control that harbor for when the Ironborn join our cause." Jon could see Ser Garlan's skepticism, though he had the good grace not to voice it. Robb muttered aloud, "If they join our cause."
"Some of the captains in Lannisport will likely burn their ships before they'll allow Lord Glover and Lady Mormont to take them," Garlan warned. "But with Lord Redwyne's fleet as well, the rest will be enough. Once we've secured Lannisport, my brother will send extra men to bring the ships to the Reach.
"The rest of us will take Silverhill and the Tooth, leaving men to prevent Tywin from returning to the west." Robb glanced at Ser Brynden. "Edmure must prevent the Lannisters from crossing the Riverlands." He paused and glanced back at the map. "Perhaps we should also bring Roose Bolton's remaining forces further south through the Twins and Seagard."
Jon glanced at him with surprise. "That would leave Moat Cailin with only a small force of archers to protect the North from Tywin…"
"Tywin won't march north," Robb answered dismissively. "I'll send a raven to Lord Manderly. He can send more men to re-enforce Moat Cailin. Lord Reed is already protecting the North and Lord Frey is preventing Tywin from crossing at the Twins."
"Even if Tywin doesn't send men north, who will protect the rest of the North from the ironborn and the wildlings? Who will prepare for the coming winter if all of their men are in this war?" Jon asked in a quiet voice. He could see the doubt in Robb's eyes. "Winterfell itself is secure enough, but what of the other houses? The smallfolk? There are not enough men, and their leader is a child. Bran cannot hold the North by himself."
Lately Jon had had a hard time getting his brother to see that Renly's goals might interfere with the best interests of the Riverlands and the North. Some of the Riverlords had already lost their lands and holdfasts when they were protecting Riverrun and preventing Tywin Lannister from giving chase.
Anger and exasperation flashed in Robb's eyes, his mouth tightening grimly in a way that reminded Jon of Lady Stark. He looked back at the map for a long time before answering. "The ironborn won't be a problem," Robb insisted quietly, still staring at the map. Jon bit his tongue, wishing his brother would see what was clear to everyone in the tent. "But perhaps you're right about the North. I'll leave Bolton's forces where they are for now. If Lady Arryn would send forces from the Vale…" He glanced up at Ser Brynden.
"My lord, I do not think my niece can be persuaded to join this fight. She refused aid to her own sister when the Lannisters threw your father in prison, and ignored our requests when the Lannisters besieged Riverrun, her own father inside and her brother a prisoner. A war to support another king would not stir her. She is too frightened."
"As long as she doesn't join Lord Tywin, we still outnumber his forces five to one," Ser Garlan pointed out.
Ser Brynden shook his head. "No chance of that. Lysa fears them too much. She won't join with them."
Robb nodded, still looking at the map. Jon was surprised he didn't have it memorized by now; he spent hours studying it. His brother rarely slept or ate anymore, focused as he was on commanding such a huge army. He'd stare at the map, moving the pieces that represented each group of his men, debating contingencies or discussing plans with various commanders. Jon joined Lady Mormont and her daughters for a few days to lead livestock from the Westerlands to their camp then some of the Freys took them the rest of the way into the Riverlands. Robb wanted to assist the small-folk who had lost their crops and livestock during the burning in the Riverlands.
Ned Stark had taught all of his children of their responsibilities to the people of the north, no matter their status. All of the houses had to work together to survive the long harsh winters. There were very lean periods in Jon and Robb's lifetime, but the Starks knew how to ration their food and supplies throughout the winter.
"I'd like to send some men to secure the Crag and cut off the Gold Road to Casterly Rock as well. We cannot yet take Casterly Rock itself, but we can prevent the Lannisters from gathering their scattered forces there," Ser Garlan suggested. "Perhaps Ser Ryman could do that? If his son, Black Walder, holds the Crag and Ser Ryman guards the Gold Road, Emmon Frey will no doubt remain silently within Casterly Rock with his wife and not attempt to gather more men for his liege lord."
Jon made a noise of disapproval and shook his head slightly at Robb who nodded in agreement. "No, if the Frey loyalties were tested, I have as good a chance at losing all of the Freys as Tywin did since quite a few of the Freys married into the Lannister family. No. Valuable as they are to us, I don't think the Frey loyalties bear testing. Send Roger and Rickard Ryswell. The Crag is half in ruins and Lord Westerly was captured in the Whispering Wood; it will not take many men to secure the castle."
"My lord…is there any value to taking the Crag at all?" Ser Brynden asked. "It's unlikely they have more than the castle garrison stationed there. Their mines no longer produce anything. They're an old family, but they have more pride than power."
Robb sat down and Jon could see the exhaustion on his face. He wondered how long it had been since he'd slept. "We'll revisit that after we secure the more important targets. Once we hold Lannisport and the Golden Tooth, Tywin will be cut off from the West," Robb agreed with a sigh. "Everyone needs to be prepared to march in two days time. Ser Brynden, Ser Garlan, please relay my orders."
After a murmuring of consent, Ser Garlan and the Blackfish departed, leaving Robb alone with Jon. The two were quiet for a moment before Robb said, "I know what you're thinking. You're thinking I'm a fool for continuing to have any hope that Theon will not betray me." He didn't bother looking at Jon as he spoke and his voice had a tone of resolution to it.
"Do you truly still believe in him?" Jon asked cautiously. He didn't want Robb to know that he thought it was foolish to have trusted Theon in the first place.
"I want to," Robb answered. "I don't want to make the same mistake Father made in King's Landing, but Theon is not like Lord Baelish. Our father raised him in our house, taught him honor."
"And Lord Baelish was raised by your grandfather beside your mother and uncle, learning the same rules of honor as well. Perhaps honor is more of a choice than we realized." Jon stretched his legs out in front of him. He was eager to be on the march soon. He didn't like to remain in the camp for long.
"Theon was the first person willing to fight by my side when we had to go to war. I know you two have never gotten along, but when you left, he and I were practically inseparable. He's not my brother by blood but he is like a brother to me."
Jon tried to ignore the stab of jealousy. After all, Jon considered Sam his brother just as much. The difference is that Robb knew how Theon treated Jon and Sam would never be cruel to Robb or anyone else. Theon had mocked Jon since he and Robb were only small children. He called him 'Bastard' whenever Jon's father was out of his hearing. If they'd see the one of the older whores in the winter town, Theon would jape that one was old enough to be his mother so he best not bed her just in case. Or if a woman in the winter town stared too long at Jon, Theon would tease that she could be his mother, but she was too scared to speak to him.
Jon had a scar from knee to ankle where Theon had convinced Robb and Jon to climb a tree in the Wolfswood then he shook the branches until Jon fell, cutting his leg on the way down. Jon never told his father what happened but Robb knew. He constantly told Theon to leave off Jon and would grow angry enough to stop speaking to Theon for days. As he got older, Jon was able to fight back on the training grounds, which was how he became a better swordsman: taking out all of his anger with relentless practicing, often dueling with Theon and beating the ward until he yielded. However badly Theon had treated him, once Jon had left for the Wall, Theon had taken his place at Robb's side.
"I received a raven from Father confirming he and Arya are safely with the king's party now," Robb announced. "Along the way out of King's Landing, Father found one of King Robert's bastards. Renly has thought to legitimize him or one of the others as his heir until the queen is with child."
"Wonderful. And by the time a bastard moves in to steal the throne away from all the other "heirs," there will be more men bleeding for control of the Seven Kingdoms than there were during the Blackfyre Rebellions." Jon couldn't keep the bitterness from his voice.
Robb turned to him quickly. "I don't think either of Robert's bastard sons would be Renly's heir if the queen is pregnant with his legitimate…"
"Robert was the king. Renly and Stannis are his brothers and we are loyal to the youngest one, not the legitimate heir. Robert's sons should be his heirs, but because they are bastards, they won't inherit. I understand. That's the way it's always been. But then, some lord or king comes along and legitimizes the wrong bastard and all bastards are deemed unworthy of trust. Yet high born wards of traitors are considered more worthy than bastards. Considering I'm a bastard of a man convicted of treason, I must be the worst sort of man." Jon rose to his feet quickly, storming from the tent to get away from his brother. Ghost followed on Jon's heels, a silent shadow.
He knew his anger was misdirected; it wasn't Robb's fault that the world was this way. But Robb's refusal to see the truth about Theon made matters that much worse. Why couldn't he sense that Theon deserved no more of his trust or faith? Jon didn't tell him that Father had also sent Jon a raven and stressed that Jon needed to attempt to get through to Robb about Theon. Father also said that he must speak with Jon as soon as they could see each other and Jon felt sure it had to do with learning who his mother is.
Seeing some of the men drinking and throwing dice, Jon grabbed a full flagon of wine and walked off into the darkness. He was not fit company now for anyone but Ghost. At Castle Black, when he felt like this, he would go to the top of Wall and stare to the north, wondering what was out there, sometimes even wishing that he could ride out to explore with only Ghost as his companion.
Thinking back to the raven from his father, Jon frowned. While Jon wanted to know about his mother, part of him was afraid to know. How would he feel if she had been a whore? Would it hurt any less if she was a high born lady that had willingly gave up her son? Deep down Jon knew that his biggest fear was that his father had deemed his mother good enough to share his bed, but not good enough to raise a son, even a bastard boy, of Lord Stark.
Long ago, when they were children, Theon had told Jon that everyone in Winterfell knew that his mother was the Lady Ashara Dayne. Supposedly she had thrown herself from a tower rather than live with the shame of her dishonor. Theon had smirked, saying that she chose to die rather than raise him.
It was the one and only time that Jon had run away from Winterfell. Robb had led Jory to one of their many favorite places in the Wolfswood two days later where they found a cold and hungry Jon. It was one of the few times that his father had openly expressed his love for Jon, hugging him tightly when Jory brought him home. He made Jon promise to never do it again. Jon had promised but refused to tell Father or Robb what had upset him. A day later, an insistent Robb dragged him to the Godswood and demanded that Jon swear in blood before the weirwood tree that if he ever ran again, he would take Robb with him. Even Sansa had been nicer to him for a few days, sitting beside him at supper each night and asking him if he was all right. Theon glared daggers at him and swore if Jon told Lord Eddard, Theon would beat him. At the time, Theon had weighed at least two stone more than Jon so he frequently tried to intimidate him. But Jon didn't tell his father, not for fear of Theon, but fear his father would confirm its truth.
x-X-x
Renly grew quiet watching Brienne and Loras sparring with Arya and Gendry, a faint smile on his face. Ned studied the young king, wondering if he could truly rule. They had spent the last few hours discussing Stannis' claim and how they could possibly convince him to join with Renly. One thing Ned was sure of Renly would be a better king than Robert had been, and almost certainly better than Stannis as well. The smallfolk disliked Stannis, which was more than justified, and now he worshipped a new god, one that required that he burned the symbols of all other gods, Ned could not imagine that would win Stannis any loyalty from the majority of Westeros.
"She's very good," Renly remarked, glancing over at Ned. "When she's grown, you might have a problem convincing her to marry and have children instead of leading men into battle."
Ned turned to observe Arya. His daughter was more skilled than Gendry, and he saw the lessons of Syrio in her style: graceful, swift, and fluid, but fierce as the wild direwolf that lingered nearby. Despite everything Arya had suffered in King's Landing, or possibly because of it, she had grown to be fearless. Even now, Arya absorbed all of Brienne's teaching and combined it with her existing knowledge, making her movements more unpredictable and dangerous. She had even caught Brienne and Loras off guard a number of times, despite her small stature.
Beside him, Catelyn looked on, her mouth tight. Ned knew that she didn't approve of Arya's training, but Ned would not deny her, as his father had done with Lyanna. Perhaps Arya would grow bored with it if he allowed her to get her fill of it now. For the time being, though, the smile on her face whenever Gendry yielded or Brienne praised her warmed his heart. It was good to see that she still retained her childlike joy in such troubling times.
His worry now lay with his other children. He had sent ravens to all of his sons last night after the feast. All of Renly's men had expressed doubt over Robb's decision to send Theon home to Pike. Robb had underestimated Balon Greyjoy's hatred for Ned and Robert. He would not help his heirs. And Ned feared Theon knew too much about the north and Winterfell and could expose their weaknesses to Balon.
"Your Grace, with your permission, I would like to send the men from Winterfell with the Night's Watch recruits. The ship could return them to White Harbor before sailing on to Eastwatch," he said. Catelyn turned to Ned with concern. "I worry that perhaps there are those who will take advantage of the limited men in the north. My son Bran is only ten, and while he has good advisors, I'd feel more comfortable sending Ser Rodrik and some of the other men back to Winterfell."
Renly hesitated ever so slightly and Ned could see that the king was trying to determine how to answer his request. At last he turned to Ned, saying, "It's a complicated situation with Robb being Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North while you still live. Everyone knows that Joffrey had no right to strip you of your lands and titles." He paused, taking a deep breath. "However, Robb commands the greater part of my army. He's captured the Kingslayer and has Tywin Lannister completely pinned north of the Trident. He's done much better than I ever expected. It would be a horrible disservice to him to usurp him by allowing you to overrule his decisions. Forgive me, but I cannot allow you to counter-command Robb's orders for his men."
Ned was silent, torn between respect for Renly's leadership and anger at his denial. His men…Robb's men were loyal to the Starks and Robb would want Winterfell safe, but he was blinded by his loyalty to Theon.
"Your Grace," Catelyn spoke courteously, despite the irritation that Ned knew she felt. "If I wished to return to Winterfell, could Ser Rodrik and some of the men escort me?" Her very diplomatic solution was still transparent, and Renly frowned, turning to watch the sparring before them again.
"I'm not certain that would be safe for you, my lady," Ned replied, reaching down and squeezing her hand.
"Once we know the results of the meeting with Stannis, we will work out plans for the future. Soon, I intend to send men to Duskendale to ensure that Tywin cannot come to the rescue of King's Landing. With Roose Bolton in the North, Tywin will have nowhere left to run and once I take the capital, we can rout the remaining Lannisters at our leisure. Perhaps I'll give Casterly Rock to one of my most loyal and allow Tywin to remain in Harrenhal if he wishes to live." Renly gave a joyful laugh before rising and walking out to where Ser Loras and Gendry sparred.
"He's a fool," Catelyn muttered under her breath.
"King's Landing will require a siege and if he thinks he can keep the Lannister forces in the Riverlands with your brother's armies and a handful of his own men, he grossly underestimates Lord Tywin," Ned admitted, his voice soft enough that so no one could overhear the two of them.
"Look at them, playing at war." Catelyn clucked her tongue in disapproval. "It's all one big tournament to them. Even Arya is more serious than they are. She knows that this will not last. They are the knights of summer and winter is coming."
Ned watched Renly laughing with the two younger men and remembered once again how young the king was. Men in the North grew up faster, with their hard way of life; even though Renly was older than Ned had been during Robert's Rebellion and older than Robb now, he still had the ignorance of a child when it came to wars. After Robert had risen to power, Renly's life had been blessed with little responsibility and excessive luxuries.
"Aye. Winter is coming," he agreed.
x-X-x
As Daenerys waited for word of the battle, Ser Barristan told her stories of her brother, keeping her mind distracted. He had already told her about the tournament at Harrenhal but nevertheless, she asked him more about it.
"It saddens me that my father had his own future killer named to the Kingsguard that day. Then Rhaegar crowned Lyanna Stark his Queen of Love and Beauty there as well. That tournament sparked the events that would end with me exiled here as an infant, with only Viserys left to me." she mused aloud. Remembering something Ser Jorah had said, she asked, "Is it true that Lady Ashara Dayne was close to Princess Elia? Ser Jorah told me that there were rumors that Ned Stark's bastard son is her child." Dany was surprised to see anger in Ser Barristan's face.
"Ser Jorah speaks out of turn, Your Grace. He shouldn't disrespect her memory by besmirching her honor! Lady Dayne was a lady and should be spoken of as such," the old knight declared passionately. Perhaps regretting his tone, he added, "Forgive me, Your Grace. I meant no disrespect."
"No, forgive me, Ser Barristan. I see you thought highly of Lady Dayne."
"Yes. She was a great beauty and kind, the brightest jewel of Starfall." Looking somewhat embarrassed he turned the conversation back to Ned Stark. "As you know, I grew to respect Lord Stark in his time as Hand of the King. He is an honorable man…"
"Who nonetheless fathered a bastard with someone," Dany pointed out. Despite her gradual acceptance that the Starks were not the enemies she thought they were, she still couldn't force away all of her doubts about Ned Stark and his wife. Catelyn Tully's family fought side by side with Lord Stark and Robert Baratheon to topple her family's dynasty. Ned Stark had at least shown some virtue in his objection to the grisly deaths of her niece and nephew, but even that was a small thing against the rest of his crimes. "Ser Barristan, I meant no slur against the Lady Dayne. I merely wish to understand more about the Starks since you want to ally me with them. How can I trust Robb Stark if I do not know what type of man he is? How can I trust that his half-brother will not stab him in the back and side with our enemies and, therefore, dividing the Northmen? If he is the son of a beloved Dornish woman, bastard or not, they will rally to his side and not mine. Elia Martell was their kin and they wish to avenge her and her children."
Ser Barristan lowered his head for a few moments, studying the pommel of his sword. Finally, looked up and faced her. "Perhaps the rumors of Lord Stark and Lady Dayne began after he brought his bastard home to Winterfell. But the rumors in King's Landing were of a different sort. The tale there was that it was Brandon Stark who dishonored her at Harrenhal. Upon learning of the death of her beloved brother, Ser Arthur, and her friend Princess Elia, Lady Dayne was distraught and when her child was stillborn, she threw herself into the sea. It was a great tragedy."
Dany realized too late that Ser Barristan was more than fond of Ashara Dayne. Quickly, she changed the topic to the Stark daughters. "If Stark's eldest daughter is to marry Joffrey Baratheon, why would her brother risk anything to ally with me?"
"I do not know that he will. I have been gone from Westeros for some time and I do not know what has happened in my absence. Perhaps the king has freed the Stark girl. I do not even know what Ned Stark's fate was in the end," Ser Barristan admitted. "I thought perhaps we should send word to arrange a meeting but I did not know you intended to take Yunkai."
"I will be little good to Robb Stark until I have enough ships to cross the Narrow Sea," she pointed out. "Yunkai is a rich city, full of slaves. I will take what we need and leave the slaves that followed from Astapor here. They can rule the city side-by-side as free men."
Missandei burst into the tent breathing heavily, and bowed low before Daenerys. "Your Grace, there are men coming from the east!"
"How is that possible? Why didn't the scouts see them sooner?" Dany said as she rose to her feet. Ser Barristan had already started toward through the tent flaps.
"Your Grace, they carry dragon banners," Missandei said and Dany's chest grew tight with anxiety.
She waited for Ser Barristan to return, knowing he would prevent her from leaving the tent until he knew who these men served. She heard the sounds of the horses coming closer and guessed there were at least one hundred mounted men. Missandei's eyes were wide.
Finally Ser Barristan returned, a confused and stunned expression on his face. "Your Grace, the men have sent a messenger ahead. They claim they are our allies and are part of the Golden Company."
Dany's mouth curled up in disgust. "Blackfyre sellswords? They laughed in my brother's face when he spoke of acquiring their services and they dare carry a Targaryen banner? I should send my children to greet them."
"Your Grace, they say they are in service to Aegon Targaryen VI and their captain is Jon Connington," Ser Barristan added.
Cold rage filled her. "Rhaegar's son died in the Sack of King's Landing, as you well know, Ser Barristan. The Golden Company is backing another pretender to take advantage of Robert's death." His pause grew too long and Dany studied him closely. "Ser Barristan, if there is something you are keeping from me…"
"Your Grace, I am not keeping anything from you but mere rumor and hearsay. The Spider told me that Jon Connington was not dead and that if I could not find you, I should seek him out under the name Griff. I thought nothing of it, given the source but it's possible that he spoke the truth. If Jon Connington is commanding these men… he was your brother's closest friend, Khaleesi. It is said he died loyal to Rhaegar."
"But he died, as did Aegon. And if he did live and remained loyal to Rhaegar, why did Jon Connington not attempt to give aid to Viserys and me?"
"I do not know. Perhaps we should ask him." Ser Barristan offered. "His men haven't ridden all the way into the camp. Two ride ahead of them, likely to meet with you. Do you wish me to make them wait until the Unsullied return?"
"No, I don't want to insult them and provoke an attack. I will meet with them." She turned and walked to the raised dais and sat down on the padded bench there. Her dragons were perched nearby, their eyes half hooded as they rested.
Two Unsullied led in two men, one young, one old, both with blue hair. Dany's attention was immediately drawn to the younger man. His violet eyes studied her curiously. He was near her age, tall, and lanky. There were enough similarities in his face to Viserys that it gave her chills. More than anything, though, he looked like the vision of Rhaegar she had seen in the House of the Undying.
"Kneel before Daenerys Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Shackles," Missandei announced in a clear voice.
The older man knelt immediately but the young man raised an eyebrow and smirked. "My apologies, Aunt Daenerys, but as the rightful king to the Iron Throne, I will not kneel before you. But as a show of my respect and desire to ally with you, I will take one knee as your equal."
Ser Barristan studied the older man in stunned silence, his face confirming what she already knew. This was Jon Connington, which meant that the boy with him was her brother's son.
"Rise," she said quietly. Suddenly the air filled with dragons, all three leaping into the air and flying around the tent. Jon Connington fell back, but Aegon did not move, smiling as he watched them. As soon as the dragons resumed their position beside her, Dany rose and walked to stand before Aegon, putting her hands on his face. "How is it possible? They murdered you with your mother and sister."
"Lord Varys gave my mother a babe from Flea Bottom and sent me with those loyal to my parents to bring me across the Narrow Sea to Lord Connington. Since then, I have been in posing as his son," Aegon explained. Running his hand through his hair, he explained, "I dye my hair blue to pose as Tyroshi."
"I cannot believe this," Dany finally murmured. The battle in Yunkai all but forgotten, she asked Missandei to bring wine and fruit for her guests. The Unsullied brought in chairs for both of them and Dany sat across from Aegon, unable to stop staring at his face.
"Daenerys, it is time to return to Westeros. You have the Unsullied. I have the Golden Company. That is almost twenty thousand men. And you have dragons: the first dragons in three hundred years. With your dragons, I can reclaim my throne!"
Her mouth tightened as she glared at him. "You claim you have come back from the dead and expect to use my dragons and my army to conquer Westeros for yourself? I survived the fires to bring forth my dragons. I won this army to my cause. I conquered Astapor and we will conquer Yunkai. I have powerful allies in Westeros who are ready to back my claim. You forget yourself. I have lived the life of an exiled Targaryen, despite my enemies' attempts to kill me, while you hid behind your dyed hair." She jumped to her feet, anger filling her. "I am the Khaleesi and the Mother of Dragons! If you think I will allow you to push me aside, you are sadly mistaken. I will take the Iron Throne. If you wish to be by my side…"
Jon Connington's eyes filled with anger and he attempted to speak but Aegon interrupted him, utterly calm. "We will rule together, as husband and wife. We will keep the tradition of our family and marry."
A bitter laugh escaped Dany's lips. "I do not need a husband to take the Seven Kingdoms. And I don't even know if you truly are my nephew. I've known you barely minutes."
"You can look in my eyes and know who I am. Or the woman posing as my septa will confirm it. She was a constant companion to my mother, Princess Elia. I will bring her to you in the morn. If you refuse to believe Lord Connington, perhaps you will believe Lady Dayne." Aegon's face remained open and trusting.
"Ashara Dayne?" Ser Barristan sputtered.
"We are a band of ghosts," Connington mused. "She sacrificed her future to protect the son of her dearest friend."
"Leave us now and bring this woman to me when the battle of Yunkai is over. Not one moment before. You will come before me after witnessing my second victory and then you will truly kneel to me," Daenerys said boldly.
Aegon rose gracefully and inclined his head. "If you lose, we will ride to your aid. And when we do, you will bow to me." He swept out of the tent and Jon Connington bowed to Daenerys again before following his young charge.
x-X-x
Dacey had watched helplessly as the gathering of starving smallfolk surrounding the King's party had turned into an angry mob. As soon as she lost sight of Sansa and Daryn, she took the steps descending into the tunnel two at a time. She had to get closer to where the riots were and find Sansa. Picking up her weapons, which she had hidden nearby earlier, she ran through the complex maze beneath the buildings. Her decision to wear breeches and hide chainmail under her leather jerkin had been a wise one. Sweat pouring from her forehead, Dacey sprinted the final length of the tunnels, barely able to breathe as panic set in, stirred by the screams and the smells of blood and fear coming from the street.
As she climbed back up to the surface, Dacey had to stop and reorient herself, recalling the different alleys that led to the street before her. She had no way of knowing where Sansa was. Daryn had been close to Sansa, or so she thought, but it was hard to tell one of the City Watch from another in a crowd so large. Despite the noise outside, she could hear her heart pounding and her labored breath. She needed to calm herself, or she would be useless to everyone.
Forcing herself to put her fear for Sansa out of her mind, Dacey focused hard on the wild chorus of noises, trying to discern where the crowd was thickest so she could get ahead of Sansa but as close to her as possible. She closed her eyes briefly, and centered herself. Opening her eyes once more, she raced down the corridor and ran down an alley. People were rushing in from the street and she leapt over an old man who collapsed on the ground. She had to shove two men out of her way to get down another alley. The more she ran, she more worried she became that she would forget the paths to the tunnels.
"Come here, girl!" A man tried to grab her and she shot the heel of her hand at his nose. He screamed and doubled over with his hands covering his face. She shoved her knee between his legs hard as she lowered both her fists to the back of his neck. Before his body hit the ground, Dacey moved away. A feminine scream from one of corridors drew her away from the street. It was nearly too late; she came up behind The Hound with Sansa over his shoulder. She pulled her battle axe out from behind her back.
"Put her down or I will gut you like a pig," Daryn demanded, his sword held out before him. Mors and another man stood to his left.
Sansa glanced up in terror. Furious at the sight of the girl's ripped dress and hair in disarray, Dacey lurched forward, slamming the side of the axe into the Hound's head, knocking him out. She caught Sansa as he crashed down and pulled the girl to her feet and out of the way. Dacey brought the axe over her head, preparing to cleave the Hound's skull, when Sansa screamed out, "No! Don't hurt him!" She leapt at Dacey, grabbing her arms. "He saved me."
Glancing first at Sansa then back at the Hound, Dacey let out a deep breath. She turned back to Sansa, studying the gash on her forehead and her ripped gown. "Are you hurt, my lady?"
"No, he stopped those men from… from…they were going to." Sansa gestured behind her and Dacey turned to look at the grisly scene. The three men's guts and entrails littered the ground, their blood staining the ground. Dacey thanked the gods that the men had been stopped, even if it was by the Hound.
Sansa was studying Daryn in his City Watch uniform with wary eyes. He took off his gloves and took a knee before her. "My lady, I am Daryn Hornwood. I do not know if you recall meeting me."
She was quiet, most likely overwhelmed by the horror of what she had witnessed and almost been subjected to. Daryn smiled gently at her. "Your brother is right. You favor your lady mother very much."
"You know Robb?" Sansa asked quietly, still studying Daryn with wide blue eyes. When he nodded, she smiled faintly.
"Your parents are Lord Halys and Lady Donella," she replied with a sigh of relief. "Did Robb send you?"
Daryn rose, saying, "Yes, Lord Robb and Lady Catelyn sent me and Dacey to bring you home." Gesturing to Mors and the other man, he said, "Mors and his son have helped us find a ship. They'll take us to meet your parents and King Renly in the Reach."
"We must hurry. The Lannisters and the king will soon be looking for Lady Sansa," Mors said. "We need to return to the tunnels and wait for nightfall."
"What will we do about him? If we leave him, he'll return to the king and tell him what you and your son look like. We have to kill him," Dacey declared.
Once again Sansa pleaded with her. "He saved my life. You cannot kill him. Please Lady Dacey."
Dacey huffed in frustration and began removing the Hound's armor. Glancing up at Daryn, she exclaimed, "Are you going to stand and watch or help me? If we're taking him with us, I'd rather not drag him through the tunnels in full armor. He weighs enough as it is. Mors, find something to gag him and tie his hands. If he wakes up before we board the ship, he'll put up a fight, and the lady wants him spared."