Daenerys looked at the open water before her from where she stood on her ship. She wore a red gown in the Westerosi style. She had abandoned the awful tokar easily and reluctantly parted from the other fashions of Essos that she liked and was familiar with. Perhaps I will bring those gowns into popularity with my people once I have conquered and dealt with the traitors who stole my father's throne. On the day she disembarked from port with her army, she resisted the childish urge to look back. Not that she would miss Meeren or Slaver's Bay. The finality of her life in Essos had hit her whilst every eye was on her waiting for a sign of weakness or something.
I will never go back to the house with the red door.
Large shadows flew overhead. My children. She could hear the uneven footsteps of Tyrion Lannister approaching. She looked down as he bowed.
"They are magnificent, Your Grace."
She nodded in agreement. "Any word on this boy posing as my dead nephew?" Aegon is as dead as Rhaego, Viserys and Drogo. As the rest of my family. Yet Tyrion was convinced he was the real deal. Dany remained skeptical for two reasons: one was to guard herself from being prematurely hopeful of a long dead nephew actually being alive incase he was false; the second was the potential battle for the Iron Throne.
If he is truly Rhaegar's son, I may have to kill him or he will have to try to kill me. If he is false, he was become my greatest threat so long as people believe him to be the true heir.
"Nothing concrete. There have been rumours of Aegon thinking of seeking the hand of King Robb Stark's youngest sister, should you reject his offer of joining forces and sharing both the Iron Throne and a bed." Daenerys frowned.
"The Starks are my allies," growled Dany. She had reservations about agreeing to the alliance with the dogs, the King and Queen in the North. She still did not believe that they were honourable.
Especially Margaery Stark. She was clever and sly enough to cause far more harm to Dany than any army.
"I cannot say I was ever fond of the Starks. However, from first hand experience with Lady Stark, no mother is as fierce and brave as she was. If Robb Stark and his siblings are as fierce and cunning as their lady mother and are as loyal and unyielding as Ned Stark then you have either gained a great ally or a thrice damned enemy." Tyrion had taken a long swig of wine and muttered about something about a sky cell and his thanks for a Bronn.
Would they betray our alliance to put one of theirs as queen? Like Lord Tywin Lannister had done. If Father had only… She had learned slowly and reluctantly that there was a lot of if Aerys had or had not done this maybe the world would have not gone upside down before she born. It still did not excuse the Usurper and Tyrion's lord father's hand in the murder of my brother's family. It had been hard to hear and believe the words of Tyrion. Why was it that every word that came out of Tyrion's lips were things she did not want to hear? She much preferred Ser Barristan's accounts of life at her father's court.
"Your gentle mother Queen Rhaella tried to shield Viserys from your father's—troubles of ruling. They were very close…"
She had not mourned for Viserys nor did she now because of the horrible person he had become. Dany cried for the boy he had once been and for their mother who died bringing her into the world. I never asked about her especially after Viserys sold Mother's crown. Tears streamed down her face as she fell asleep remembering how the loss of Mother's crown changed him and how cruel he was by blaming her for killing their mother. If Mother had made it alive, we might not have left the house with the red door.
So many ifs.
"I feel an old thorn must have prodded him into this," smiled Tyrion. "Unfortunately for you, there is no male Starks of eligible age. Well unless you want to continue your "mother" role in all aspects. Your Grace, I would suggest that you be wary of any suitors, though there might not be many others besides your dear nephew Aegon daring enough to ask for your hand. With two husbands dead and Prince Quentyn Martell, a rejected suitor killed by your dragons." Dany flinched and looked up at her dragons flying.
"Prince Quentyn was foolish. I did not order his death nor do I have any part in it."
"Well, I am afraid Prince Doran will not care about the particulars other than that you rejected his son's hand and said son is now a charred corpse by your dragons in his desperate last chance to woo you. It seems Targaryen-Martell alliances are doomed and quite tragic." Dany scowled at Tyrion.
"Do you have any news that would please me?" Surely, I have supporters in Westeros awaiting my return. Viserys had to be right about something. More deaths of Tyrion's family or Stannis Baratheon would be good news.
"I do not tell lies or will sweeten my words to please you. King's Landing is full of liars and sweet tongued connivers already," answered Tyrion.
"Where is the Usurper's brother? Isn't he also in the Stormlands?"
"I doubt he was there when Aegon invaded. We would have heard of a battle by now. I do not know where Stannis is exactly, Your Grace." Dany frowned. Tyrion turned his head north and frowned grimly.
"But you have an idea of where he and his army might be," guessed Dany.
"Aye. Stannis is a unscrupulous man and not one to be easily distracted from his goals, which means something is more concerning to him than the game of thrones."
Asha had roared with anger and fear when she saw the rope bridges to Sea Tower burning or cut off. Dagmer Cleftjaw and four men had made it across. The Drowned God had claimed two men. She saw Euron's Silence at a distance. She had commanded her half of her crew to ready her ship to sail close enough to Sea Tower. We'll climb it if we must.
"Oh come on. Another round brother," called Asha as Theon stood up stating he was going to retire for the night. Everyone shouted boisterously in agreement.
"I have had enough. But don't stop on my account," laughed Theon.
"Oh we weren't going to." That won't be the last time I see you alive. I'll see you one last time surrounded by grandchildren in your seventies or eighties. I'll pretend to be Esgred just to annoy you. I die first.
She wanted to believe that Mad Euron would not dare to kill his own blood, that the taboo of kinslaying meant something to Euron. Spill not kill. Her little brother and the future of their House were trapped in that fucking tower. Victarion had sailed Iron Victory to attack Silence and to ensure Euron could not sail away if he had escaped.
"Faster, you fools!" shouted Asha angrily as she cross the plank to the first landing. Only so many could cross at a time. She and Eerl lifted the plank and lowered it where the second rope bridge once was. The third stretch was easy to jump. Eerl and Asha jumped with ease and barged into the Sea Tower as Qarl moved the plank to help the others get across.
The horrible squalling of Dagon could be heard as she and Eerl ran up the stone steps three at a time. Someone is alive at least. She heard Loren and Grimmtongue behind them. Eerl knocked the solar door only serving maids huddling in fear armed with a fire poker was in there.
"Where's Lord Theon?" barked Asha though she knew he were he would be alive or not.
"I saw him run with his bow and arrow when Lady Greyjoy screamed for him," answered one. Asha had already run out and up the stairs to the Lord and Lady's chamber. One of Euron's mutes was dead lying face down on the steps alongside a slain Ironborn who went with Dagmer. Dagmer was fighting Euron's men. Asha bestowed two blows with her axe to one who turned to her.
"Make sure Dagon and Alayne are safe," ordered Asha to Eerl Harlaw as she wrenched the door open. Grimmtongue and Loren finally made it to the landing. The chamber had been completely destroyed. Asha saw Sansa plunge the dagger in Euron's back then pull it out. She made a little noise then drop the bloodied dagger with a loud clang on the bloodstained stone floor. Euron fell to his knees rasping with three arrows in him. Asha rushed to Theon who was holding himself up by the bedpost trying to move to Sansa. His bow discarded on the floor beside him. His leg was bleeding. She scanned for more injuries as she held him up. His neck is bleeding. Where the fuck is his sword?
"I— I almost kill her. The arrow just barely missed—you. Forgive me," whispered Theon shakily. Sansa ripped a large chunk of one of the bed sheets and pressed it against his neck.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. He's dead, we will be okay," soothed Sansa as she touched her ear that had a cut from the arrow that narrowly missed her. "I was so scared he was going to kill you. I thought I was going to watch you die. I couldn't just stand there." Asha glanced at the discarded dagger. She's become Ironborn after-all.
"Thank you," Theon kissed Sansa's brow. As Asha grabbed his arm to put over her shoulders she felt blood on her hand. Sansa gasped in horror as Theon hissed in pain.
"Theon, where else have you been stabbed?" asked Asha urgently as she led him out of the chamber. She wordlessly communicated to Dagmer to remain with her uncle's dead body. To which he gave a good kick.
"Shoulder, leg, and neck. That's all," answered Theon weakly. Salt water and fire. His eyes were flickering with exhaustion, loss of blood, and hopefully not—
"Keep him talking," said Asha harshly. Sansa babbled with tears streaming down her face. Her hands bloody from trying to staunch the blood.
"Tell me how you saved Bran from the wildlings. Tell me about the Grey king." She and Loren carried Theon to his old chamber as he slowly recounted the history of the Grey king to Sansa. Asha removed her dagger from between her breasts and cut her brother's shirt away. Asha was not a squeamish woman. She was slightly sickened by Theon's shoulder wounds.
"Why is it going dark?" sobbed Sansa pointing to his leg wound. Poison. His shoulder could be healed. But that—
"My face is still handsome at least," croaked Theon. Asha remembered him at nine years old crying as he was taken away from Pyke. Rodrik and Maron dead. Outliving my brothers was not a goal of mine. Even when I wanted to rule the Iron Isles. Sansa was clutching his hand, sobbing for salt water and supplies to clean his wounds.
"We need to amputate Lord Theon's leg. We need to do something," ordered Asha. Her eyes stung. This is no time to be weak. "Send for Damphair."Just in case. She could hear the memory of the ugly cries of baby Theon made before he shut up and smiled at her. Or maybe that just Dagon crying again.
Of course, he had to smile at her.
"What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger." She turned away not giving in to sentimentality and barked orders to her crew as if they were out at sea fighting a terrible storm.
Gendry Waters carried Little Cat's eldest son swiftly in the snows. It helps to be extremely tall. Brynden himself carried the giant greatsword with less ease as they followed Grey Wind. Following the attack, the survivors had a disagreement on the direction they should take. Many like Brynden wished to get back to Castle Black. Lord Commander Snow insisted they press on and only a small group would go to bring the injured and unconscious king back to the Wall. With little supplies? Fool.
The only thing they had gotten out this mess was finding Lord Reed's daughter and the confirmation of Bran Stark, Jojen Reed, and the servant's demise. They had burned the wights of the fallen. Too many died for nothing. Brynden had believed Lord Commander Snow and King Robb had some sort of plan. They had a duty to us. He expected more pragmatism from Robb Stark.
"What was the plan, Lord Snow? Was there even a plan?" he questioned Lord Snow carrying the blade of the brave she-bear. He had noted Lord Commander Snow staring at Dacey Mormont and the sword after he had returned it to her. There was no outward remorse on the boy's face. Lord Snow looked at him coldly.
"You could have remained at the Wall or gone back to Winterfell or Riverrun if you had any doubts."
"Who would have stopped that bloody Other from finishing off King Robb then?" Lord Snow looked away in pain and guilt.
"I told him not to come. I begged him." The look in his long face was the same Ned had when he wedded Catelyn, his dead brother's betrothed.
"If—if he wakes, tell him that the summer never died. He flies and is in the trees," Jon asked Gendry as they set on their march back to the Wall.
Meera gutted the last of the poor horses that had not run too far. Gendry had made a fire with the branches Grenn had chopped off. Brynden stood warily watching the trees around them.
"Do you think Lord Tully would give me a place as a knight. I'll work as a blacksmith as well." Brynden's blue eyes turned to the black haired man as he lowered King Robb at a safe distance near the fire.
"Aye. I don't see why he wouldn't. I thought you had a place at Winterfell? The cold not to your liking?" Brynden looked back to the trees.
"I do, ser. But I don't think I'll be welcome if His Grace doesn't come back alive and I do. I understand if – they couldn't look at me the same. I am just a bastard. What's a stupid bastard to a king and a brother?"
"Don't think that way. You are very brave, Gendry," chided Meera from behind.
"You got King Robb to safety after he fell. You could have gotten killed doing so," added Brynden looking back at Gendry. "You knew how to relieve some the pressure of His Grace's head wound. That wasn't stupid. His Grace isn't dead so refrain from speaking as though he is." The Gods might hear. Gendry redden and looked down.
"Sorry, ser. I don't deserve- It's common knowledge. A lot of knights get knocked out cold. Not that I've ever been to a joust. You hear things from—where I lived." Thank the Seven, for Gendry Waters.
Davos noted King Stannis appeared to have awoken from a dream nights following Queen Selyse's illness and death. He spoke and walked like the young man he had been during his brother's rebellion. Davos wondered if this had to do with the Red Woman's focus on the young Lord Commander Snow. Either way I am glad to him out of her influence.
King Stannis stood beside him as they watched the men load up the ships at East by the Watch. He gritted his teeth as he learned that the not dead Jon Connington had invaded the Stormlands with a young man pretending to be Aegon Targaryen.
"Who else is going to come back from dead?" roared Stannis. Shireen and Davos remained silent.
"Are we sailing for Storm's End or King's Landing?" asked Shireen. But King Stannis had stormed away thunderous.
"We shall find out soon enough, Princess."
"Hurry and send a raven. Tell them we have the Starks backing Father. That Father is legitimizing Gendry and has betrothed him to King Robb's sister." Davos gaped and shook his head.
"That's a lie and more than one. You are his heir. I am already missing fingers. I'd rather not lose my tongue." Shireen sighed desperately clutching her book.
"He needs the support of the Great Houses. That's how Uncle Robert won. He is too stubborn and proud. Father is not loved but people at least know what to expect him to be like as king. If this Aegon is indeed real, who is willing to risk finding out if he is like Mad Aerys or not? You don't need to know to read to know that, Lord Davos." Davos touched his fingers hanging from his neck uncertainly.
Queen Margaery had been displeased with him since Lady Alys Karstark had gone back to Karhold unwedded to him. He had remained true to his feelings. The tension crackled in the Queen's solar.
"You lied, Lord Mormont. You never seriously considered marrying Lady Karstark did you? I am surprised you have not gone to her by now. Or is remaining here some ruse to lead me into false belief that you are neutral or on our side."
"There are no sides as Your Grace and Queen Daenerys are allies. I held my part of the bargain of getting an alliance brokered, remember?" growled Jorah angrily. "Have I not served you with loyalty since I came here?"
"I'll congratulate you, only if she keeps her word. In my experience, with Lord Frey and Lord Bolton neither did. You have Uncle Bear but I worry that I was foolish allowing you back here. You are loyal to her still. You would walk over your aunt and cousins' dead bodies and mine if she requested you to return to her side. Like a well trained dancing bear at a revelry."
"You want me caged either way, Your Grace," countered Jorah. She gave him a soft sad smile. Caged in Karhold or here.
"I have to because you were her bear longer than you have been mine. Being your niece isn't reassuring when my aunt doesn't hold any power over you anymore. I brought you home. I haven't killed you or ordered you to take the black, Lord Jorah. You best remember that before she clouds your judgement."
"So this how it is to be?" whispered Jorah roughly. She made a little shrug.
"I don't any other way. Your heart means nothing in comparison to the lives of the North, my family, and your family. Your love for for Lynesse destroyed your reputation, bankrupted and shamed your House. I'd rather not wait and see what your love for Daenerys Targaryen shall bring."
"You can't," cried Sansa as they broke away from a kiss. Theon's hand was in her hand stroking it. "What will become of me?" Theon had insisted on talking about contingency plans incase he-
"Asha will protect you. If she goes away to war or to raid, go to my uncle Lord Harlaw."
"Our twins?" He traced her jaw line then stared at her hand in his other.
"Won't go with you if you decide to back to Winterfell. Asha needs to teach them the Old Way." Why must you leave us?
"You need to teach are their father."
"I don't know, Alayne is already exhibiting sentry-like behaviour. She'll be manning the crow's nest by age six," joked Theon smiling a smile that did not reach his dark eyes. Alayne's cries had woken Sansa as it was not normal for Alayne to cry at night. Then she had heard someone in her chamber. Sansa sobbed. He jokes to mask his pain.
Dagon and Alayne need him. I love him. She hoped the Drowned God would hear her since they had been married again by Damphair after the twins and her had been anointed with saltwater.
"No. You'll grow a beard. And we'll shall sail the seas."
"I'll be known as Theon the Blackbeard. Sounds better than peg legged Theon."
"Father of seven sirens and Dagon." Theon quirked an eyebrow.
"Now that will be the death of me." Sansa had smile at that despite her tears.
A/N: finally posted this. Sorry, school took over. I can't manage both writing and academic writing. Hello to all the new followers.
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