Chapter 21. Invasion

Part 1. Dragon Rider

Tyrion

Tyrion Lannister had his doubts as to whether or not he was a true Targaryen. Those doubts were all laid to rest when Daenarys took him to the Dragon Pits and he was not killed by the Dragon Rhaegal. It took a few weeks for Tyrion to get use to the Dragon. Then the day came when Daenarys released the Dragons and allowed Tyrion to fly Rhaegal.

He screamed at the top of his lungs in pure joy at riding the Dragon. All his childhood dreams had come true. "Well I'll be damned…" Bronn exclaims when Tyrion lands and dismounts the Dragon.

"I must confess that I am a little jealous…" Daenarys says, "…I have been with them all their lives and have yet to ride any of them…"

"Perhaps your grace would care to take a ride with me tomorrow…"

She smiles, "I would like that…"

They are interrupted by Lord Varys clearing his throat, "Your Grace…My Lord Hand delegations from Dorne and the Reach have arrived…Prince Oberyn, his Lady Paramour and his daughters the Sand Snakes…"

"Paramour?"

"In Dorne they are very promiscuous…Paramour is a title given to a lover who is technically more wife than the Lord's lawful wife in a manner of speaking…" They start walking back to the Pyramid from the Arena which is being used as a pin for the two Dragons. "Address Lord Oberyn by Prince as Dorne has always been independent of the Iron Throne…From the Reach Lord Mace Tyrell and his son Loras Tyrell…"

Tyrion stops, "Wait…"

"What is it?"

"If Mace Tyrell bought his son Ser Loras then he is seeking a marriage alliance…"

"We need House Tyrell…" Varys says.

"Without Randyl Tarly I very much doubt the effectiveness of House Tyrell in battle…" Tyrion says, "Besides her grace is already engaged to be married."

As usual Daenarys sits on a throne at the top of the steps with Ser Barristan at her left and Grey Worm at her right. Missandei is standing at her back as usual and now Tyrion sitting on a chair below her. "You stand before Daenarys Stormborn of House Targaryen…First of her name…Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea…Mother of Dragons…Breaker of Chains…Queen of Meereen and the rightful ruler of Westeros…"

Oberyne bows, "Prince Oberyne Martell of Dorne…This is my Paramour and my daughters Obara, Nymeria, and Tyene the Sand Snakes…"

"House Martell is welcome…Your sister was wife to my brother Rhaegar…"

"My brother Prince Doran sent me to pledge our support to your cause…Though I am surprised to find Tyrion Lannister here sitting as your hand…His family…"

She interrupts him, "I am well aware of what his family has done, but a son cannot be blamed for the crimes of his father…"

"Of course Your Grace…"

She looks at Mace Tyrell, "Mace Tyrell Your Grace Lord of House Tyrell, Warden of the South and Lord of the Reach…This is my son Ser Loras Tyrell…He is unwed and in addition to our support I offer my son to Your Grace…"

"Your offer is kind but I'm afraid I will have to decline…I am promised to a Lord of Meereen to foster piece…In the meantime accept my hospitality and be my guests…"

Later they sit at a square table in the dining hall to eat. As they feast they discuss Western and Eastern politics. Both Oberyn and Mace bought the respective fleets of their Houses, but before they could leave the Masters and the Sons of the Harpy had to be dealt with. In a meeting with Prince Oberyn and Tyrion; Dany came up with a plan to deal with the Masters.

"Your Grace may I present Razdal mo Eraz of Yunkai…Yezzan zo Qaggaz…Triarch Belicho Paenymon of Volantis…"

"Master Eraz a pleasure to see you again…" Daenarys says in a polite manner.

"The last time you saw me you threatened me…"

"I did and I wish no further conflict the Free Cities or the Sons of the Harpy…"

Tyrion pours some wine and finishes Dany's thought, "We are proposing a compromise…Slavery will be allowed to continue for another seven years…During this time you can find other means of income and gradually wane away from the practice…"

"Seven years." Eraz says in disgust.

"Why should we agree to this?"

"Because now we have the support of Houses Martell and Tyrell of Westeros…"

"We also have three Dragons…"

"Two Dragons!" Yezzan says interrupting, "The other Dragon flew off and you cannot control it…"

"Gentlemen you won't get a better offer…" Tyrion says speaking up. Then he summons three whores to give the three men pleasure.

As the men are escoted out by the women Dany and Tyrion are joined by Varys. "Do you think they will abide by the piece terms?" Daenarys asks.

"Nope! They will stab us in the back the first chance they get…"

"Is everything ready?"

"Yes Your Grace…I just learned that the Sons of the Harpy intend to strike at your wedding in accordance with an attack by the Wise Masters…The Iron Bank has agreed to the terms…Houses Martell and Tyrell…Along with Magister Mopatis have paid off the debt of the Iron Throne…And the Golden Company is ours…"

A week later Daenarys and Hizdahr zo Loraq stand side to side to marry in the Eastern tradition. The Priest stands with his back to them with his hands raised high. When he turns to face them he is wearing a harpy mask. He swings a dagger killing Loraq and turns his attention to Daenarys, but before the Priest can strike Jorah impales him on his sword.

People start running and screaming as the bloodshed begins. The Unsullied had been strategically placed and are able to respond instantly. As the battle breaks out the Free Cities fleet arrives to bombard the city. The Martell and Tyrell ships are outnumbered, but Tyrion flies overhead on Rhaegal with Viserion following and attacks the fleet.

Meanwhile Daenarys, Missandei, Ser Jorah, and Varys try to make it back to the pyramid as the wedding was being held in the arena. Just as all seems lost the Golden Company enters the city. In every corner of the city the sons of the Harpy are fighting with the Unsullied and the Golden Company. Soon Daenarys and her group are joined by Prince Oberyn, Ser Loras, and the Sand Snakes.

As Dany runs to the Pyramid she spots Drogon flying overhead towards the top of the Pyramid. She goes all the way to the top without stopping and the black Dragon allows her to ride him. She flies out over the bay and joins Tyrion, Rhaegal, and Viserion in attacking the fleet. Soon the Sons of the Harpy and the Fleet of the Free Cities surrender.

Daenarys has all the leaders executed after everything has settled down. Then she prepares to set sail for Westeros, but first she must establish a government to rule Dragon's Bay and Essos in her name. As Daenarys and Tyrion discuss things at breakfast they are joined by Varys. "Your Grace Euron Greyjoy is here with a fleet of ships…"

"Have Grey Worm get the men in position…And remember any Iron Born who surrenders and swears fealty will be shown mercy…"

Part 2. Dragonstone

Castle Black

Theon Greyjoy is in a room in the tower of the King. He is unpacking when there is a knock at his door. "Enter!" He looks up at the visitor, "Bran! What can I do for you?"

"Your sister Yara Greyjoy is on the way here from Shadow Tower by the sea…She will be here in six days…"

He frowns, "How do you know that?"

"I know everything…I see everything Past present and future…What could have been…I see what may be…"

He smiles, "You are talking nonsense." Bran walks up to Theon and places his hand on his forehead, "What are you doing?" He gasps as Bran shows him his fate had Robert Baratheon come to Winterfell and Eddard Stark gone to King's Landing to be Hand of the King. The images start with Robert's visit and then jumps to the war of the Five Kings and Theon's role in it. He shows him his betrayal and then torture at the hands of Ramsey Snow. When Bran removes his hand Theon falls to the bed teary eyed.

"Be a better man than your Father or anyone else who has come before you…Be the man my Father raised you to be…Become the Greatest King the Iron Isles has ever seen…You will have to prove yourself to be a King…If you want that then sack Lannisport and take the Step Stones…" He walks towards the door, "Your Uncle Euron is dead…"

As Bran predicted Yara shows up with her Uncle the Reader and Uncle Victarion. Theon is summoned to the solar and when he arrives Eddard Stark leaves. "Yara? Uncle Victarion, Uncle Harlaw…What are ya'll doing here?"

"Sit down Theon…" Yara says in a sad tone of voice, "Our Father is dead." She blurts when he is seated.

"What! Father was a strong man. How did he die?"

"He was murdered!" Yara says with venom now on her voice.

"Pushed from the rope bridge by your wretched Uncle Euron…" Victarion says taking up the tale.

"Where is he?"

"Gone back East with a thousand ships and half the Iron Born…"

"I told your Sister and Uncle that I would support you as King of the Iron Isles…But…" He looks at Victarion.

"You have been among the Greenlanders all these years…"

Theon stands up, "I am Iron Born through and through…I have not forgotten our words…We Do Not Sow…We Pay the Iron Price…I am the King you want follow me and glory shall be ours."

Victarion jumps up, "How?" He asks.

"We shall raid Lannisport and attack the Step Stones in force…" Eddard Stark officially releases Theon from his Wardenship and he heads for Shadow Tower.

Dragonstone

The ancient castle was built by the Targaryens when they crossed the sea. Aegon the Conqueror launched his invasion of Wetsros from the island fortress. Later on Daenarys Targaryen was born there and it became home to Stannis Baratheon. After Stannis died Selyse Baratheon fled to Storm's End. The castle is empty and ripe for the taking.

A fleet made up of Tyrell, Martell, Iron Born, and Volanti ships arrive on the Island carrying the Unsullied and the Golden Company. Daenarys' army now numbers twenty-eight thousand strong. At the advice of Tyrion she left Daario Naharis and the Second Sons in Meereen. Dany explores the ancient castle of her ancestors alone then she meets with her small council. Ser Jorah is not present as she had commanded him to find a cure for the Grey Scale he had been infected with. He would find none and kill himself. Samwell Tarly did not train as a Maester because of the time change and there is no one at the Citadel willing to try. Bran saw it as the Justice he escaped so long ago for selling men into slavery.

"House Lannister attacked Goldengrove from Silverhill…But the Martell forces relieved the siege and we won our first victory…" Prince Oberyn says. "We can sail our forces west and sweep across the land then head east and attack King's Landing…"

Tyrion takes a drink and sets down his goblet clearing his throat, "Or we can surround the Capital with Tyrell and Martell forces while the Unsullied and the Golden Company strike the Westerlands…"

Daenarys studies the map, then she looks at Ser Barristan, "What do you say Ser Barristan?"

"Both plans are sound, but I would go with Lord Tyrion's suggestion…"

She nods in agreement, "We will go with Lord Tyrion's suggestion…" She looks at Varys, "What news of the North?"

"The King in the North has moved a large army made up of Northerners, Riverfolk, Vale Knights and Free Folk to the Wall…"

"Why?"

"Unconfirmed reports of White Walkers marching on the wall…"

"That is interesting…" Tyrion says speaking up again, "Can we confirm it…"

"Not unless we send an emissary up North."

"I would like to volunteer…" Ser Loras says speaking up.

"Absolutely not!" Mace Tyrell says before anyone can speak. "You are the future of House Tyrell and I have lived my life…I will go…" He looks at Dany, "Your Grace send me."

"Very well then…" Later Daenarys meets with Tyrion alone and tells him about Jon Stark and her dreams.