The ships came into the docks at Dorne, the army of the Dragon Queen ready to face the unforgiving North. Yara greeted Daenerys as she and Tyrion stood before the masses of Dornish people. It was time for Daenerys to prove to the people of Westeros she was a true Queen, a Queen they could believe in.
With Greyworm and Missandi by her side, she stood on the steps of the great palace in Sunspear.
"People of Dorne, I freed you from the Ironborn, from those that would have you follow a false Queen. I am Daenerys Targaryen, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoyanr and the First Men. I bring to you a kingdom free of tyranny, a land free to live as Dornish men. The Seven Kingdoms will be what they were so long ago. One kingdom, mighty and strong and together we shall stand against those that would try to take it from us. No longer will fear those that rule these lands, no longer will you feel the heel of a ruler upon your throats. The Iron Throne will be a throne for the people, for all those that pledge their allegiance to me," she looked out at the faces, the Dornish not sure what to make of the pale beauty from across the Narrow Sea.
Tyrion walked down the steps, gazing at those gathered. He knew the Dornish were a proud people and they held no love for the Lannister's or for King's Landing. He could see the fear in their eyes and the three dragons on the beach where only cementing that fear.
"You've heard stories of the Mother of Dragons, but you need not fear her wrath. She freed Meereen from their Masters, freed them from the chains their Masters placed them in. She will do the same for the Seven Kingdoms. Yes, I am a Lannister, but I am not my father nor am I my sister. I have seen the error of those that have sat upon the Iron Throne and I assure you, Queen Daenerys will not make those same mistakes. Dorne will still be Dorne, the Iron Islands will still be the Iron Islands and the North will still be the North. Her wish is only to unite her people... to unite the Seven Kingdoms. You will have only one Queen, but you will own your own lands. She is Queen, the one true ruler and you will taste her mercy as freely as the wine that flows," Tyrion looked proud as he spoke, his voice carrying his truth to every ear.
One by one the Dornish fell to their knees. Tyrion looked back at Daenerys and her smile was all the reward he needed.
"Greyworm, gather the Unsullied, the Dothraki and the soldiers of Dorne. We sail for White Harbor at first light. Missandi, go with Tyrion and arrange a fest for the leaders of Dorne. Tonight, we dine, tomorrow we go to war. The Night King will not take my lands nor will he claim one more life," Daenerys walked out of the palace and down to the beach.
She stroked Drogon as she thought of the war to come. She needed to talk to Jon Snow, needed to know if it was he that commanded Rhaegal. There was much about Jon Snow she didn't know. He took Dorne with little bloodshed and he was a great leader, his soldiers were very loyal to him. They would have made a great match, a King and Queen for the people. It was obvious to her that Jon loved his wife, she was the Queen of his heart and no other woman could ever compare. This man was an enigma to her, one that she needed to get to the bottom of.
With her thoughts gathered she strolled back to the palace. She knew she had chosen wisely when she picked Tyrion to be her Hand of the Queen. He had a wisdom that went beyond his years and Lord Varys was a Master of Whispers. It was his whispers that would rattle Cersei Lannister and poison her rule.
When she walked into the gardens, she heard what sounded like a scuffle behind her. Greyworm was at her side instantly, along with six Unsullied guards. "My Queen... you must go inside the palace now."
They hurried to the palace when the sight before Daenerys stopped her in her tracks. There on the steps lay the palace guards, their throats slits.
Greyworm rushed his Queen inside, sending more of his men out to find the intruder. Daenerys called her council to her, asking to see Tyrion, Lord Vayers, Missandi, Yara and Theon Greyjoy in the Great Room.
Lord Vayers and Tyrion came to her quickly as did Missandi, but the Greyjoys couldn't be found in the palace. Dany's anger began to rise as she ordered them to be found. The Dotharki were sent out to search the docks and the beaches. The Unsullied and palace guards were scorching every inch of the Spear.
"Mother of Dragons... send out my nephew or I'll cut his sisters head from her shoulders," Euron Greyjoy shouted from the courtyard.
Daenerys went to the door, seeing Yara on her knees with Euron's blade to her throat. Theon walked out to the garden, his jaws clenched tight and his eyes burrowing at his uncle.
"Uncle... here I am," Theon said as he walked towards Euron. Euron twisted his hand in Yara's hair, pulling her head against him.
"I mean to have a crown and I mean to be King of the Seven Kingdoms. I will have your head on a spike, nephew... just like your sisters," Euron pulled the blade across Yara's throat and her blood spurt out over the pristine stones.
Theon moved and Daenerys yelled for him to stop. "Euron Greyjoy, this will be your last day."
An army of Ironborn came out of the shadows, one of the taking Theon. Euron smiled as he walked towards the Mother of Dragons. "No, it's your last day, bitch."
Greyworm moved and Dany raised her hand. She looked up to see Drogon flying over the palace. "You have underestimated me, Euron as I have underestimated you. I thought Jon Snow had rid me of you. I will not be so easily fooled again."
Euron looked up at the dragon as it perched upon the tower of the Spear. "What do you planto do... burn Sunspear to the ground? If you do that, the Dornish will never follow you. Let me have the body of my niece and my nephew and I'll let you live to fight another day."
Daenerys smiled back at him as she called out to Drogon. The dragon swooped down, landing just inches from Euron. "Dracarys," she said loudly and the dragon unleashed his deadly flame. Euron ran, ducking behind a fountain in the middle of the garden.
"I'll burn this garden to ash before I allow you to harm one more under my protection. Gardens and palaces can be replaced, but a live cannot be given back once its taken. The people of Dorn will not allow you to spill blood on their ground," Dany spoke loudly so all those around could hear.
Out of the darkness of the balcony above, a dart shot across the garden and hit Euron in the neck. He plucked the dart from his neck, looking down at the tiny piece of metal.
"You'll have to do better than that, Targaryen!" he shouted as he cowered behind the fountain.
A Dornish guard walked over to Daenerys, whispering something in her ear. She ordered her men back as the smile on her face widened. "I will allow you passage from Dorne if you give me back Theon and leave Yara's body. My dragon will not attack, this I promise."
"No... give me my niece and nephew and I will leave you," he shouted back and the command to burn came from Dany again.
"I am not a patient person, Euron Greyjoy. Leave now or I burn you and this garden to the ground," she said once more and Euron stood up, motioning for his man to release Theon.
"You win this time, Mother of Dragons, but I will be back with an army and more ships than you can battle. This war is far from over," he said as he retreated back to the docks. The men he commanded loaded in row boats, rowing out to the two ships he had taken from Yara.
Theon raced to his sister's body, holding her in his arms. "I failed you, Yara. I have failed our people. It should be me, I should be dead."
His tears fell as he cradled her to him, her blood staining him red. He wept over his sister's dead body until Tyrion came to his side, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Give her a burial she deserves, morn her then avenge her," Tryion said gently to him as Theon wept.
Missandi knew her Queen well and she knew there had to be a good reason she allowed Euron to leave Dorne alive. Daenerys did indeed have a good reason and when Theon carried Yara's body inside, she stopped him.
"Theon, your sister died bravely. I promise you, Euron will not live to see the sun set," she tried to comfort him, but he looked at her as if he doubted her.
"You let him leave, let him go with my sister's blood on his hands. Why?" Theon questioned her, his heart shattered beneath his chest.
"The Dornish guard told me the dart was a gift from the Sand Snakes, to avenge their deaths. Trust me, Theon," she stroked his cheek with her hand, wishing she could give his sister back to him.
Theon did as Tyrion told him and he wept for his sister and had her body prepared for burial at sea.
As those in Dorne grieved for the Queen of the Salt Throne, Euron was drinking ale and gloating how he killed his niece. His men join in his revelry until they noticed blood trickling from Euron's nose.
"My Lord... your nose," the soldier said, the blood now pouring.
Euron reached up, wiping the blood away but it was too late. The poison from the dart had taken hold and it was killing him. He looked out over the sea as the land of Dorne began to fade from view and the light of the sky slowly dimmed. He fell dead on the deck of the ship with the image of Daenerys smiling back at him in his mind.
~.~
The horse couldn't get Jon back to Winterfell fast enough. He'd been gone from his home and his family too long. The Raven from Arya telling him she'd found the Wildfire under King's Landing was good news. He sent a Raven back to her, telling her to get what she could of the city and come home. The Wildfire would be needed to take out as many wights as they could.
When he arrived at the gates with Davos, he saw the patrol of the Northman. The North had rallied and were preparing for their King to come home and lead them to the Wall.
He smiled at Davos as the man on the battlements yelled for the gate to be opened for the King in the North.
The first thing he saw was Sansa and Killian standing at the stairs of the Keep with his sons in their arms. They had grown from the small babes he remembered. Their hair hung in curls on their heads, as dark as his. Jeddard reached out towards him, the small babe saying Da over and over.
"Welcome home, brother," Sansa said as Jon jumped from his horse and raced up the stairs. He kissed her cheek and took his son, feeling his heart melt as the little one wrapped his arms around his neck.
"Father is home," he said as he stroked his back. Reamus was sleeping soundly on Killian's shoulder and Jon noticed how much like Careen they both looked. They had her rosy cheeks and round nose, but they had features that reminded him of a younger version of himself as well.
"The council of the North is ready. Every house has sent their best fighting men, horses and provisions for the journey North," Killian said as Jon leaned over to kiss the top of Reamus's head.
"I'll meet with them later. I need a moment with my sons," he turned to walk into the Keep when Sansa placed her hand on his forearm.
"Careen still lives and I'm sure you'll see her soon," she said to ease his mind.
Jon nodded back at her as he took both of his sons and walked into his room. He sat in the chair by the fire, looking down at the cradles. The cloak that once belonged to Lily lay over the chest in the corner, all of them reminders that his sweet rose wasn't with him.
Jeddard wiggled out of his arms down to the floor where to pick up a wooden horse Davos had craved for him. The small babe played at his father's feet while the other slumbered peacefully in Jon's arms.
The room was quiet, the sound of the wood hissing in the fireplace the only sound. Jon needed this one small moment to collect his thoughts and ready himself for the battle that waited for him. His heart had been battered, his will had been tested and his resolved had harden. He didn't want to become a man that turned cold to those he loved. Eddard Stark had been a good father to him, taught him how to be a man. He took those lessons to heart and needed them now.
Reamus slowly woke, his deep blue eyes shining back at his father. The small smile on his son's face cause tears to burn his eyes. Jon would never see anything as beautiful as the smile on his children's faces.
He sat the boy up, kissing the top of his head and reaching down for the other one. Jeddard clung to the wooden horse as Jon lifted him up. All he wanted to do was stay in his room with his sons, but if he was going to make sure there was a future for them, he had to face the Long Night.
"Your grace, the men are ready," Lady Brienne said from the other side of the door.
Jon took a deep breath and asked her to come in. Brienne knew she had disturbed a precious moment for the young King. She began to back out of the room when Jon called out to her.
"My lady, thank you for keeping my sons safe. I owe you much," he said as he sat holding his little ones closer to him.
"It was my honor, your grace," she said as Nan Ada came in, taking the young princes.
Jon placed a hand on each of his son's heads, closed his eyes and said a small prayer. Ada smiled back at him, pleading she'd die for the Princes of the North.
Brienne and Jon made their way to the Great Hall. Everyone stood when he walked in and the room fell silent. He stood at the head table with his family by his side. Bran reached out for his hand and Jon took his.
"I will defend Winterfell to my last breath, brother," Bran said, squeezing Jon's hand.
"I know you would, Bran. I hope it doesn't come to that. I love you little brother," Jon said, knowing the time had come to say all the things he might never get a chance to say.
Bran looked over at Sansa, then back to Jon as she took Jon's other hand. They were as one, the Starks. Jon knew he wasn't Ned Starks son, but he was a Stark none the less.
Killian spoke up and everyone sat. "Lords of the North, today we come together for one purpose. Together we will be the fist, together we will be the sword, together we will be the fire that will stop the Night King from taking what is ours."
They raised their swords in the air until Jon spoke. He released his sibling's hands and placed his hand on the hilt of Dawn. He pulled the great sword from its sheath and presented it before the Lords.
"Dawn of House Dayne has been given to me for this battle. I pray the Old Gods and the New see fit to grant me the power to wield it and lead us to victory," Jon placed the sword on the table, looking over at Bran. Bran nodded to him, remembering that sword in his vision of the battle.
The rest of the night was a war council, making plans for the journey to the Wall. Jon was so weary of war, he longed for the days of peace. Perhaps with Daenerys Targaryen on the Iron Throne, he would find that peace.
Ser Davos, Killian, Lady Brienne would be Jon's generals, leading the men into battle. Podrick would stay behind with a small group of men to defend Winterfell. Bran wished he could go, wished his legs worked, but he knew his place was at Winterfell with Sansa.
Jon looked around the room and noticed Samwell wasn't there. He asked Lady Brienne where his friend was and she said he'd gone to Wintertown to recruit more men. Jon chuckled, remembering how stubborn his friend could be. "He said his family sword is yours. It's Valyrian steel and as much as he wished he could be there by your side, he's calling isn't as a warrior but a Maester."
"Give the sword to Killian. You have your own Valyrian blade, my lady and I will give Longclaw to Ser Davos. With the dragonglass blades and spears, I can only pray we have enough weapons," Jon looked at Killian as he rubbed the bump protruding from his sister's belly.
As the night carried on, Jon's mind wandered to Careen and the dragon of ice she rode. The dragon was their greatest weapon and with the three dragons from Daenerys, their odds were better. He couldn't shake the feeling the Long Night would not end without claiming someone he loved. It was getting stronger day by day and the vision Melisandre had in the flame was what he feared most.
~.~
Samwell knew he was talking to farmers and herders, not soldiers, but he had to try. Winterfell and the North needed every able-bodied man it could get.
The tavern was full with town's people and wanders from Westeros. He had managed to gain five more men for Jon's army, but only five. He told them about the Night King and the White Walkers and how he battled one and killed it. Most dismissed him, others laughed, but some believed him.
He was determined not to go back to Winterfell without ten to twenty more men. Even if they didn't go North, they could replace the men on the battlements and protect the great castle.
His story had been told from one corner of the tavern to the other, but no more than five men had agreed to pack up their belongings and go with him. Samwell was about to give up and go back to Winterfell when a man covered in a cloak and hood called out to him.
"Are you Samwell Tarly?" the man asked and Sam nodded his head back to him.
The man sat in the corner, keeping his face covered in shadow. Samwell sat with him, sensing this man might be a great warrior. "I've come on behalf of our King, Jon Snow to aid him in the battle to come. The Queen from Meereen travels North to join our cause and we leave for the Wall soon."
"I'll go with you, but I must ask you to do something for me first," the man said, his voice low and husky.
"Ask and I shall try," Samwell smiled that gleeful smile back at him, trying desperately to see the man's face.
"I have traveled far, over oceans and mountains to find the one thing to cure me. The old Maester's at the Citadel tell me there is only one cure for what I have and you are in possession of it," the man moved the sleeve of his shirt up to show the greyscale that had claimed his flesh. The scaly skin went all the way up his forearm, covering every inch of skin.
Sam remembered reading in the medical books at the Citadel about greyscale and how in the old days of Valyria they used dragonglass to cure it. Dragonglass hadn't been seen in years in Westeros, some even though the last of it burned with Valyria. He pulled the dragonglass shard from his pouch, holding it out for the man to see.
"Promise me you'll fight for the King in the North and I'll give you this," he said and the man lowered his hood. He leaned forward into the light, showing the greyscale upon his cheeks.
"I, Ser Jorah Mormont, give my sword to the King in the North," he said and Samwell was taken aback.
"You're... Lady Lyanna's kin. You were thought to be," Samwell stared at him, looking as if he'd seen a ghost.
"Dead... I know. I thought I would never see my home again or the Queen I served. I will fight for Jon Snow because my Queen fights with him. She ordered me to find a cure and return to her and that's what I intend to do," Jorah reached for the dragonglass and Samwell placed it on the table.
Jorah took the shard in hand, cutting a patch of the greyscale from his forearm. The dead skin fell to the floor, leaving a patch of healthy skin behind. He did the same to the rest of his arm and each time, his skin would bleed and repair itself.
"I'll be... it worked. Come, we must get you to Maester Wendull," Samwell helped him toss the dead skin in the fire, pouring ale on the blood on the floor. They gathered the five men waiting at the tavern and headed back to Winterfell.
~.~
Thoros stood at the top of the Wall with Ser Beric as they watched the fissure moved through the ice, the crack so big it went from the bottom to the top of the ice wall.
They looked up when they saw Wynter flying overhead. Beric called out to his other brothers, shouting for them to ready for war. Thoros stood before them, his hands held out over the flame of the fire.
"The night is dark and full of terrors my brothers and those terrors are free to roam this night," Thoros said as he stared into the flame, seeing the Prince that was Promise swing his burning sword.
"Do you see him" Beric asked him, as he gazed into the flames as well.
"Aye, I do and the Lord will be with him. Our time is near an end, my brother, but our gifts will be needed once more," Thoros said as he pulled his sword from his hip.
They join the brothers of the Nights Watch as the magic gave way and the wights banged on the Wall, chipping away at the ice. Benjen yelled for them to let him in and Eddison gave the order to open the gate. He rode in swinging his fire orb, shouting for them to man the Wall.
Eddison looked up at Benjen, fearing the worst. "We are outmanned and outnumbered. We won't last the night."
"Hold out as long as you can," Benjen rode back out the gate, hoping he could give them a chance until Careen could bring help.
Wynter flew swiftly over the frozen land as Careen held on tight. The Wall would not last the night and all inside Castel Black would surely perish. She hoped Jon was back and his army was ready, if not the North was doomed.
She used the magic the Divine gave her to push her thoughts forward, searching for Jon. He was marching towards the Wall, his army resting at Last Hearth. Daenerys wasn't far behind him, she sat upon her fiery beast, gliding up in the skies over Winterfell. The Unsullied marched in the storm, leading a legion of men towards the deep North. The Free Folk marched as well, joining Jon's army once more.
She could feel the old magic all around her. The Valryian steel sung to her, sounding like a maiden humming. She could feel the strength in the blades and the magic that made them. Jon was prepared but he wasn't close enough.
The Night King spoke to her once more, filling her head with his words.
Give me what I want and this will end painless for you. Give me what is mine, Divine. The Old Magic fails you. The Old Ones are gone and the Three Eyed Raven cannot help you. You have lost before you even begun. Give me what is mine.
Careen pushed her thoughts back to him, pushing her words in his head this time. The intrusion took the Night King by surprise and proves to him the Divine is strong than he assumed.
The Old Magic in the Wall has faded, but the Old Ones and their magic live on in me. The Children of the Forest made you and by their magic, I will end you. I will give you death, that is all you will get from me.
Her words rattle the Night King, enraged him as he ordered his White Walkers to go forth and kill every beast they could find.
A/N: Many thanks for reading and reviewing. I have to take a small break, but I promise to post again later this week. I hope you continue to read and enjoy.
