'Aegon Targaryen' turned from flesh to bone to dust, his life being snuffed out so quickly that some of the men who blinked missed the entire horrific event that was seared into the memories of those who had witnessed it.
Nothing seemed to happen for a long, tense moment until Jon Connington unleashed an almighty bellow of grief, crumbing to his knees and clutching his face in horror. The Unsullied surrounding him bared their spears to his neck at Ser Jorah Mormont's orders. It was the rattling of chains and a scream from the Queen that caused the party standing at the heavy iron doors of the dragon pit to whip around and see the taunted dragons approaching Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Stark with slitted eyes whilst snapping their monstrous jaws.
Jon Stark instinctively stepped in front of his aunt protectively, and without any forethought, and with little desire to actually do so…Jon reached out with his mind the way that Bran had taught him. The connection to Rhaegal was tangible to Jon, whose blood was a fusion of the skinchanging abilities of House Stark and the dragonlord's powers of House Targaryen; one moment Jon was standing in front of Daenerys, the next he was watching himself crumble to the ground from Rhaegal's own bright bronze eyes. The dragon was angry and stunned to find it's mind being invaded by Jon, and fought back against him. An internal struggle ensued as the dragon stopped in its tracks and began to twitch and jerk its scaly head.
Viserion however moved past the frozen Rhaegal to snap his fangs angrily at Daenerys who kneeled on the stone ground as she cradled an unconscious Jon Stark's body.
"Viserion! No!" Daenerys called, only to have the dragon begin to raise its wings and open its jaws.
"NO!" Brandon Stark shouted, rolling himself forward with all haste, his stronger skinchanging powers locking into Viserion's mind at once. Bran's chair rolled forward as his head slumped back and his eyes rolled up. Viserion froze, his fire caught in his throat as Bran's strong mental presence fought for dominance. Daenerys and the large group behind her watched in amazement as Rhaegal started to move again, clearly docile once more. Rhaegal's bright bronze eyes blinked at Daenerys, before the green and bronze scaled dragon settled down on its haunches. Jon Stark sat up abruptly with a great gasp, grasping his chest uncertainly as he looked around the pit wildly for a moment.
Viserion soon mimicked Rhaegal's actions exactly. Where Rhaegal's eyes were bronze, Viserion stared back at Daenerys with gentle eyes of molten gold. Viserion's scales were pure cream and shined even in the dim torchlight of the chamber just as Rhaegal's scaled glittered like jade. Brandon Stark's head jerked upward, his face covered in a sheen of sweat as he panted heavily.
Robb Stark, who had run forward as soon as his little brother had rolled past him, stared in amazement between Jon and Bran.
"What did-…?"
"What in all the Seven fucking Hells just bloody happened?!" Smalljon Umber's crass exclamation came from behind them all, followed shortly by Dacey Mormont's hand connecting with the back of his head.
"I-…I didn't…I don't-I don't know…" Jon Stark said first, rising to his feet shakily. He looked uncertainly from Daenerys who held his arm and aided him in rising, to Robb and Bran who were a few feet away. Bran's throat was painfully dry as he swallowed and tried to speak.
"I…I don't wish to make any assumptions…but I believe the dragons are now…bonded." Bran said most reluctantly to Daenerys Targaryen whose eyes widened.
"What happened?" Daenerys demanded, her voice slightly strained as she looked from Brandon Stark to Rhaegal and Viserion.
"This wasn't our intention, Queen Daenerys. You must know this…the dragons-…they were about to attack. I had no idea this would happen." Bran said, rolling his chair forward as Robb followed behind him uncertainly. The King of Westeros kept a wary hand on his blade as he eyed the dragons.
"I know. You tried to save me." Daenerys said hesitantly to Jon.
"You're my family. And I was raised to protect my family. I think Bran is right. I don't know what happened, but I reached out to Rhaegal, he knows his name by the way." Jon said, causing Daenerys to part her lips slightly before he continued "I saw everything. I know him now. And he loves you, but he feels betrayed. He doesn't know why he's in chains and why you don't keep him close to you anymore. I don't know how, but he-…he likes me. He listened to me." Jon looked back to Rhaegal as Daenerys's heart broke hearing her dragon's unspoken feelings.
"Viserion feels the same way…" Bran said quietly, causing Daenerys to whip around and begin walking towards the chained creatures.
"It was-…it was Drogon. He killed a girl, I had no choice-…" Daenerys said, her voice breaking slightly as she approached them hesitantly to run her hands affectionately against their scaly heads. If dragons could purr, that would be what the two dragons did as they nuzzled their large heads closer to Daenerys's hands. The Queen of Meereen resolved at that moment to release them, removing their collars as soon as she did so. The dragons both reared up on their hind legs to stretch their wings and necks.
"Clear the way. They must be free." Daenerys ordered at once before looking to Bran and Jon.
"If you say that they are bonded to you now, then I wish to understand this power. I wish to find Drogon. Will you help me?" she asked them. Bran, Jon and Robb all exchanged glances before the Stark brothers looked back at her to chorus their answer.
"Yes."
Jon Connington had been rendered temporarily catatonic after watching his ward burned to ash, but Robb Stark had counseled Daenerys Targaryen to lock the man away all the same. The gruesomely long day in Meereen did not end there. Robb, Jon Stark, Brandon Stark, Jojen and Meera Reed, Dacey Mormont, Smalljon Umber, Tyrion Lannister, Ser Barristan Selmy and Ser Raynald Westerling stood in the Great Pyramid's war room across from Daenerys Targaryen, Daario Naharis, Ser Jorah Mormont, Grey-Worm, Homeless Harry Strickland, Brown Ben Plumm and Missandei.
"It will take us under two moons to sail back to Westeros in The Howl. I bloody love that ship." Smalljon Umber reported, before clearing his throat and looking away uncomfortably as everyone turned their gazes to him.
"I was just starting to get my land legs back again." Tyrion Lannister quipped.
"We're not leaving. Not yet. We go as one." King Robb declared.
"I am not sure that is necessary. You say that your Queen needs you in Westeros. You say Westeros must prepare its defenses. You are its King, you should return at once aboard your ship." Daenerys proposed, looking from Robb to Bran and Jon.
"And how will you get to Westeros?" Robb asked skeptically.
"She will fly. And Jon and I will fly with her." Brandon Stark spoke up, with Robb turning his head sharply to look at his brother.
"Aye. Bran's right. We have forged an alliance today. With fire and blood." Jon said, looking to Daenerys pointedly before continuing "But winter is coming. Westeros needs you Robb. I bonded with Rhaegal…he will listen to me. Even now…I can feel him flying above us. I will fly back. Daenerys needs Drogon, Bran and I are the only ones who can help her find him. As your Hand…as your brother I counsel you to return to Westeros. Our mission here is done." Jon said, placing a hand on Robb's shoulder.
"And how do you propose to ride a dragon, my little lord? You are a Stark. All Stark, not like Jon." Robb asked, turning his head to look at Bran beside him.
"But Viserion still bonded to him. I saw it." Daenerys said, smiling at Bran when he looked to her. "Though I must admit I still have concern on leaving Meereen."
"You need not concern yourself with that, my Queen. We will hold the city in your name." Brown Ben Plumm said confidently, earning wide-eyed, disbelieving gazes from Daario Naharis, Grey-Worm and Homeless Harry Strickland.
"Why would the people of Meereen listen to a sellsword? A sellsword that barely speaks the language?" Daario asked of his Captain, only to have Brown Ben mumble something incoherently in response.
"My Queen, Unsullied hold city in your name." Grey-Worm declared in the Common Tongue that he was slowly learning from Missandei.
"Now that will go down far better. But the Unsullied themselves will never be able to rule the city with force alone. With their steel there must come a gentle compassion. Missandei should join Grey-Worm in ruling Meereen in the Queen's name." Daario Naharis suggested, placing his hands on his sword belt.
"The Commander of the Unsullied and your closest companion. Their words would have weight with the people." Robb mused.
"Compassion and steel can be easily overrun. This is a city of rats. The politics of Meereen are enough to make even your head spin, my Lord of the Seven Kingdoms." Brown Ben Plumm said gruffly to Robb. This brought a moment of silence to the chambers.
"I will stay." Came a voice nobody expected. Tyrion Lannister looked from Robb Stark to Daenerys Targaryen.
"I will stay behind with Jon and Brandon. I will aid Grey-Worm and Missandei in bringing order to Meereen."
"Forgive me, but why would I allow that?" Daenerys asked with a quirked eyebrow.
"Or I? I need you in Westeros."
"Forgive me, Your Graces, but King Robb…I was never going to lead the Westerlands into battle. We both know this. My power as Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West will forever be yours; the West will rise for you. I promised that." Tyrion said, simmering Robb Stark down first before turning to the Mother of Dragons "As for why you would allow this, Queen Daenerys, I ruled one of the most corrupt and chaotic cities in the Known World whilst I had three different armies marching onto us, and a rebellion within the walls. I kept King's Landing standing when King Robb arrived to take it. I kept it standing when Joffrey almost led to a riot that burned the city to ashes. A grand old city is Meereen, not unlike King's Landing. I will serve here until order is brought. I will remain unseen and counsel Missandei and Grey-Worm from the shadows. I will keep your city standing while you go to Westeros."
"I will remain too, Khaleesi." Ser Jorah offered after a long moment of silence followed Tyrion Lannister's proposal.
"No. You are my closest friend and my most trusted guard. I would wish you to accompany me. And you Daario." Daenerys said, before turning her head back to look at the Westerosi group.
"Very well. Lannister. I accept, you will remain in Meereen to counsel them. Ser Strickland, will the Golden Company serve House Targaryen?"
"With their last breaths, Your Grace."
"Then I charge you to aid the Second Sons, the Unsullied and the Brazen Beasts in defending my city from belligerents. Serve me well and I will grant you a lordship in my court."
"To serve the dragon would suffice, my Queen." Harry Strickland said in an attempt at courtesy, his eyes lighting up with desire at the word of lordship.
"And I'm supposed to sail away, leaving my brothers and one of my most valued counselors behind in a foreign land? How am I to be assured that you will join us?"
"Because if this alliance between us is to survive, you must trust me as much as I trust you Robb Stark." Daenerys said with her shoulders squared. Robb held her gaze for a long moment before he nodded. Robb took a step forward to place his hands on the stone table between their two parties. He leaned in to speak.
"Jon's earlier words were true. Winter is truly coming, and the Long Night with it."
"Then together we still stop this. The dragon and the direwolf." Daenerys countered, after having walked forward to mimic Robb's actions.
"Dacey. Smalljon. Prepare the fleet to set sail at dawn." Robb said, holding Daenerys Targaryen's violet gaze with his own vivid blue. "We're going home." Robb straightened up as a smiling Dacey Mormont and Smalljon Umber nodded.
"I ask that you take Ser Jorah, Daario Naharis and a number of my Unsullied with you. I wish to have a personal guard in Westeros, and I doubt I will be able to fit them all on Drogon's back."
"Very well. So long as Jorah Mormont understands he returns to Westeros as an exiled knight and nothing more. Bear Island belongs to Lady Maege and her daughters." Robb said sternly, his gaze shifting to Jorah as Daenerys's briefly moved over to Bran. Where Jorah glowered back at Robb before nodding his acceptance of these terms, Bran blushed slightly as Dany gave him a brief smile.
Ever since they'd arrived in Meereen Robb had had this feeling of being watched, of being scrutinized. He'd hear small footsteps, soft shuffling, and once he swore he heard a giggle when he and Ser Barristan had simultaneously turned around to see that no-one was behind them. It had disconcerted the Young Wolf greatly, until he realized who was watching him. As night began to fall in Meereen, Robb took a "solitary" walk in the terrace gardens of the Great Pyramid. Ser Barristan and a dozen Stark soldiers were discreetly hidden around the area should Robb be in danger. The Wolf King stopped to clasp his hands behind his back. He admired the view from this terrace for a moment, he admired the orange glow of the setting sun and the pinpricks of firelight he could see down in the city below. It reminded him of his own city.
"Lord Varys sent you didn't he?" Robb called out loudly, still looking out at the view. Nothing happened, not a sound nor a movement.
"I have a message for him. And gold for you." Robb need not say anymore, for he turned around to see two small, impoverished children. By the tan lines around their throats, Robb judged that they were recently released freedmen. One was a boy barely older than Rickon, the other was a girl who was approaching womanhood. Both were lithe and agile, Robb could see. The perfect "little birds".
"Who do you serve?" Robb inquired to the children as he kneeled down to be at their level. The children exchanged an uncertain glance.
"It's alright. Do you know who I am?" he asked them slowly. They exchanged another glance before the girl boldly nodded her head.
"You are King Robb of Westeros. The Spider, our Lord Varys…he serves you." The girl said. Robb could have mistaken her accent for Dornish, but by her features he judged her to be a Lorathian.
"That's right." Robb said with a gentle smile, before offering them both two round, thick golden coins that they both snatched away eagerly. The boy put his coin between his teeth to test its validity before looking back to Robb with his eyes shining gratefully.
"I have a message for the Spider. I need him to receive this at once, can you ensure it gets to him?" Robb asked, holding up a sealed scroll. The children nodded at once. Robb smiled and handed the girl the scroll.
"Open your hands and close your eyes." The young King said with a smile, waiting for the children to listen before he filled their small palms with golden coins.
"Bran? Its Robb." Bran and Jojen both looked up at the door of their chambers, before the Lord of Winterfell rolled himself forward.
"Come in." he called.
"I wanted to talk to you before I leave tomorrow. Jojen, would you mind-…?"
"Not at all, Your Grace. Pardon me." Jojen said with a humble bow before he darted behind Robb to leave the two sons of Ned Stark alone.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Robb finally asked after the brothers gazed at each other for a while.
"There's no choice, Robb. She needs us. She needs our help."
"She needs you?" Robb asked as he walked around the chambers to observe them. He picked up a bronze Myrish far-eye that was lying on a side table to roll it in his hands as Bran watched him. "Are you sure it's not something else that compels you to stay?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm your older brother, Bran. If you can't talk to me about these things, then you can't talk to anyone. Plus Jon's an idiot."
"You're the idiot." Came Jon's voice followed by the sound of the door closing behind him. "Can't even approach him about it right. Do you really think he wants his royal brother to give him woman advice?"
"Well seeing as you're prettier than half the women in Meereen, you think you can offer some insight? Didn't your cock freeze off at the Wall?"
"How did you manage to get Margaery pregnant when-."
"Enough! Gods be good, you both are still same aren't you? Doesn't matter if there's a crown on your head or a badge on your chest…" Bran exclaimed, cutting off Robb and Jon from their teasing banter. The elder Starks merely grinned and rolled their eyes.
"We were just playing around Bran. We both love you, that's why we're here." Robb said dragging a chair to sit by Bran so he could place his arm around him.
"You like Daenerys Targaryen don't you?" Robb asked quietly, causing Bran to blush bright red.
"Do you, Bran?" Jon asked, dragging a chair to sit on Bran's other side.
"I-…why-…this-…I don't-!" Bran stammered, looking angrily from Jon to Robb.
"Calm down, little brother. You think Jon and I haven't liked our fair share of girls?"
"Some of us more than our fair share…" Jon muttered, before Robb slapped the back of his head.
"The point is…you can talk to us about it." Robb said, glowering at Jon for a moment before looking back to Bran with a reassuring smile.
"Its stupid…" the young Bran said quietly, letting his gaze fall to his lap.
"It's not stupid, Bran. Do you like her? She's beautiful isn't she?" Jon prompted, squeezing Bran's shoulder supportively.
"Not just beautiful. Strong…smart…kind…courageous…" Bran murmured to himself as Jon and Robb exchanged a smile behind him.
"But I can never be with a woman. I can't even stand…"
"Bran…you do not need to stand to be loved. I daresay she likes you as well, do you know why? Because you are strong, Brandon Stark. You are kind, you are courageous." Jon said, tapping Bran's chest gently.
"You moved forward to take control of that dragon today, and you can be damned certain she knows it. Your worth as a man is not measured by how tall you are, Bran. Father would have said that to you if he was here. Your worth as a man is measured by what you do. You have done things that men with working legs could not dream of. You crossed the Wall, you sailed across the Narrow Sea past the Valyrian Peninsula. You met the Children of the Forest and the Mother of Dragons. You're not a boy anymore, Bran." Robb said.
"You're a man. And a great one at that." Jon smiled. Bran blushed slightly from his brother's praise and their belief in him. He offered them both small smiles before sighing once more.
"I'm no fool. I know that when these relationships require a bedding, and if some way she was ever interested in me in that regard, I should require my legs." Bran said, avoiding his brother's eyes. Robb and Jon both felt slightly awkward, with Jon raising a fist cover his mouth as he coughed and Robb scratching the back of his neck.
"Er-…" Jon tried.
"Its-..um-…its not as-…its not as simple as all that, Bran. Trust me…the way that Maester Luwin and Septa used to teach us about sex. Its not that way at all."
"There are-…many ways to have a bedding, little brother. Your legs are not as essential as another part of you if it should ever come to…bedding her." Jon said, blushing slightly.
"Its um-…it's….do you still…" Robb tried, turning even redder than Jon for a moment before rolling his eyes to lean in and whisper in Bran's ears.
"WHAT?! Gods! Robb! What kind of question is that?!" Bran exclaimed, recoiling away from his brother in disgust for a moment.
"Its just a question! If you still do happen to have a little morning steel it's a good thing-!"
"Robb!" Bran exclaimed again, looking to Jon for backup.
"He's right, Bran."
"You both are sick. Yes. Alright? Yes, I still get…morning steel." Bran said derisively.
"Then bedding her should not be your concern should it ever happen, alright? You must have confidence, Bran. If she likes you…do not push her away." Robb said, patting his brother's back encouragingly.
"Morning steel? Where do you come up with this shite?" Jon asked with a laugh as he sat back from refilling Robb's goblet of wine.
"This Meereense wine is bloody awful." Robb burped before taking another sip.
"You don't have to drink it." Jon pointed out with a laugh.
"The bloody hell I don't. Pass that jug here, oh noble dragonlord." Robb said with a slight slur as Jon rolled his eyes.
"I still cannot believe what has happened today." He said, rubbing his brow.
"Aye. It beggars belief, in truth." Robb sighed as he sat back in his chair. The two men were sitting on the private balcony of the guest chambers that they shared, looking out at navy blue sky that sparkled with millions of stars. "I'm not comfortable leaving you here."
"She's my family, Robb. She hugged me today. She's on our side. She's a good person." Jon insisted.
"Because a hug instantly expresses a person's trustworthiness."
"Would she have touched me when we first made anchor here? Come on, brother. Don't be so paranoid, it will eat you alive."
"Aye. Aye…" Robb murmured bringing his goblet back up to his lips.
"Did you find Varys's little birds?"
"I did. At least I hope I did. Since we came here I haven't been able to warg into Grey-Wind again. I have no idea if she's alright."
"You saw Margaery a few days ago, Robb. She will be fine. I know it."
"And what of your paramour, my Lord Hand?"
"Arianne? I'm bloody pissed at her. Sneaking Quentyn onto our fleet without so much as a word of warning to me? She manipulated me, I think."
"I doubt that. Margaery thinks Arianne's infatuated with you."
"I don't want infatuation." Jon muttered bitterly. "Besides, with her reputation I wouldn't be surprised if she'd found someone to fill the void whilst I am away."
"Fill the void? Is that what you two call it?"
"Shut up, Robb."
"I'm only joking, brother. If she truly has found affection in another man's arms then she was never meant for you. You deserve not a good woman, Jon Stark, but a great one."
"And here's to the great woman waiting for you back home, Robb." Jon said with an appreciative smile, raising his goblet to clink against Robb's.
"Look after Bran." Robb said a little while later after a comfortable silence had fallen between them.
"Of course."
"I shall not say goodbye, Queen Daenerys." Robb said.
"No, for it isn't a goodbye, King Robb. I shall see you soon. In Westeros." Daenerys smiled. The majority of Robb's naval fleet had already begun to sail away in the early hours of the morning, with a few supply ships straggling in the harbor still along with The Howl. Daenerys Targaryen stood with Jon Stark, Bran Stark, Tyrion Lannister, Grey-Worm and Missandei beside her whilst Robb stood with Ser Barristan, Smalljon Umber, Jojen Reed, Jorah Mormont and Daario Naharis facing them, their backs to The Howl.
"In Westeros then." Robb smiled, extending his hand to Daenerys who moved past it to hug Robb gratefully.
"I hope our alliance continues to the bitter end." She said, pulling away from him.
"As do I." Robb smiled, before looking to the companions he was leaving behind.
"Lord Tyrion, I hope you know that you will be missed my lord. And it is my greatest wish for you to return to Westeros as soon as possible." Robb said sincerely to the Lord of Lannister, who himself pursed his lips slightly.
"You are a good man, King Robb. And I promise you that when this city is settled, I will return to my home." Tyrion extended his hand to Robb who shook it friendlily.
"Jon, hurry home or I shall castrate you upon your return."
"Such an incentive." Jon teased with a grin before hugging Robb tightly. "I'll meet you there, Robb." He promised.
"Bran. You're a man now. Remember that." Robb said quietly to his brother as they hugged before he stepped away to place a gloved hand on his shoulder.
"Sail safe, Robb." Bran smiled back up at him.
"Khaleesi…when will you come?" Ser Jorah asked Daenerys as Robb said his goodbyes.
"As soon as Drogon is returned to me, Jorah. Brandon will teach me how to control him, and then we will fly together. The dragons flying should take even less time to reach Westeros than The Howl. I might even be there before you arrive." Daenerys said with a smile to her most trusted friend.
"I need you to be there by my side. I don't know Westeros, I've never known Westeros except for what you have told me. I need you there, Jorah."
"Aye, Khaleesi. Aye." Jorah said with a bow of his head, before he turned on his heel to march into the ship.
"Ben and Harry are yours, my Queen. They know that if they try to cross you, Daario Naharis will hunt them down." Daario promised to his Queen after he rose from a flamboyant bow.
"Your loyalty will never be forgotten, Daario. Thank you." Dany smiled, kissing his cheek before Daario too turned to board the ship. Robb, Daenerys, Jon, Tyrion and Bran exchanged final looks before Robb too turned on his heel to march up the plank onto the deck of his ship.
"Full sails, Lady Mormont. Get us the hell out of Slaver's Bay." Robb said as he stood on the bridge ahead of the helm and the ship's wheel where Dacey was controlling the vessel's course.
"All hands, full sail! We're going home, lads!" Dacey called to cheers from the gathered soldiers and sailors aboard the royal flagship of House Stark.
