Chapter 53: What is Dead May Never Die

Sat atop the Iron Throne Cersei wore a victorious grin watching Daenerys Targarayen and Sansa Stark being brought before her bound and gagged. At her side Petyr Baelish stared at Sansa hungrily while Harrold Hardyng stood off to the side looking disturbed at the sight of their queen's haughty grin. If Jaime hadn't betrayed her she would have found him that night and taken him until she couldn't walk.

Her eyes drifted from their captives to her would be king, her brow sinking as she saw his pale skin and darkened eyes. "What happened to you?"

Euron held up his arms with a grin, the others coming to a stop while he continued toward the throne. "I'm a new man."

"What does that mean exactly?" She asked, shifting in the throne as he came up the steps.

Coming to a stop in front of her he smirked. "It means I look forward to bending you over that throne and putting undying krakens up your cunt to replace the worthless lion cubs your brother put there."

Cersei felt tears sting her eyes as she gasped at the audacity of this man. "Gregor," she spat.

The queensguard unsheathed his sword and stepped forward, sticking the blade through Euron's stomach.

She smiled watching Euron stumble back with the sword in his torso, groaning and moaning until her face fell watching him start to laugh. His eyes met hers as he pushed the sword to it's hilt in his abdomen, leaving it there as he held up his hands. "As I said, I'm a new man."

"How?" Qyburn asked, stepping forward in awe.

"I have my ways," Euron said, grinning as he started toward Cersei again.

"Gregor!" Cersei demanded in a panic.

When Gregor started to move toward Euron, Qyburn held out a hand to stop Tyene from leaving his side as he called out, "Wait."

Cersei gaped at her Hand as Euron's men rushed forward and slaughtered the rest of her queensguard, leaving only Gregor Clegane at her side. "Qyburn, you-"

She turned when Euron's hands wrapped around her throat, grinning as her eyes met his. "I don't really need you to make heirs when I can't die, but I'll make sure your corpse won't be of use before I throw you in the bay."

Cersei was sure someone would stop this, yet everyone in the hall simply stood and watched in shock and fear as she tasted her own tears. This couldn't be how she died. Maggy the frog had been right about everything else. It should have been Tyrion that tried to killed her, and yet looking into Euron's eyes she remembered he was the younger brother to Balon Greyjoy. Could she have been wrong the entire time?

Once her body fell still and lifeless, Euron threw her body from the throne and looked to Qyburn. "You can bring her back like this one?" He nodded toward Gregor.

The Hand stared at Cersei's corpse before nodding to Euron. "It should be possible."

"Good," Euron smirked. "Let's see if we can make some true undying krakens worthy of the new king, otherwise I'll find another to try."

Euron turned and sank into the Iron Throne with a content sigh. Three children stepped toward him and their bodies shimmered before they were replaced by three gaunt, blue lipped men who took positions around the throne.

"Take the queens and throw them in one of the rooms," Euron said looking at his hostages.

Petyr dared to take a hesitant step forward. "Excuse me, your grace." Seeing the man's black eyes turn on him Petyr fought a chill. "If possible I thought we'd take Sansa Stark and return to the Vale to wed her to it's heir."

Euron smirked. "Not yet. Her husband yet lives."

Petyr put his disappointment and anger aside, not wanting to risk his own neck. "The bastard king still lives?"

"He does," Euron nodded, looking to the queens glaring at him, "and his queens will be our guests until he comes to collect them and I open his gut and hang him over the gates."

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Coming through the gates of Winterfell there was no sense of victory despite the sun being at it's peak in an azure sky. Rickon stood with his jaw set, Johnna wearing a small frown at his side as she held his hand for support. Even the stoic Bran looked distraught as he met Jon's eyes.

"Jon," Bran said, waving him over once he dismounted. After a moment of confusion Jon walked to his brother, who pulled him closer and whispered into his ear.

Jon's eyes briefly widened before settling into a cool mask as he nodded. Standing, he squeezed Bran's shoulder. "Thank you." Turning to the others Jon ordered, "Lords Corbray, Belmore, Grafton, Lynderly, Waxley, and Waynwood will be brought to meet the king's justice."

As the courtyard gasped, Jon told them, "Any loyal to them or who put up a fight should be gathered. If they question it let them ask the lords of their debts to Littlefinger and their part in Robin Arryn's death."

Those who rode in with Jon left to gather the lords, Jon standing with Rickon and Bran as the lords were brought in yelling, writhing, crying.

"Throw them all in a cell. I don't care if they kill each other," Jon said staring at the lineup of betrayers, "it just saves me swings of the sword."

"I am so sorry, your grace," Yohn Royce said mournfully as he watched them be taken away. "If I'd only known…"

"It's not your fault, Lord Royce," Jon assured, clasping a hand on the man's shoulder. "I don't doubt your loyalty, or that of any other lord who fought alongside us. But they cannot avoid justice for their part in the kidnapping of our queens."

"Of course," Yohn nodded.

While the lords were brought to the cells, Jon followed Rickon and Bran to the Great Hall where they high table was encircled by loyal lords and allies. Arya seemed to head Gendry, Davos, Tormund, Melisandre, Brienne, Theon, Sandor and Jaime while Tyrion stood at the front of Varys, Missandei, Jorah, Grey Worm and Dirgo. Edmure Tully, Brynden Tully and Hoster Blackwood stood beside Arianne Martell, Daemon Sand, Tremond Gargalen, Garlen Tyrell, Alester Oakheart, Horas and Hobber Redwyne, Leyton Hightower, and Yohn Royce.

"Cersei is dead," Bran said, quieting the room. "Euron killed her on the throne when he brought Sansa and Daenerys to her and Petyr Baelish."

"Are they safe?" Arianne asked with a frown.

"He's keeping them in a room in the Maidenvault. It's guarded by Ironborn and Golden Company men. He's using them to keep them and the Vale men Littlefinger brought in line."

"So he has the rest of our men," Yohn Royce sighed, "the Golden Company, the Ironborn and the largest of the dragons."

"And he's undead," added Bran, to their shock. "The stories of him keeping warlocks were true. He figured out how to become as Uncle Benjen was. He's still himself but he's not alive, not really."

Seeing Bran glance at him, Rickon stepped forward. "We've called for horses from every house and town in the North and sent letters to southron allies to prepare them as well, so as you move south it will hopefully be easier to move quickly."

Jon wore a proud smile as he gave his youngest brother a nod. "Thank you, Lord Stark."

Rickon perked up a bit. "Of course, Jon-uh, your grace."

"I'll need ravens too," Jon declared. "Any who can but don't support us will find themselves wishing the Night King had come."

Jon spent his night writing and signing letters to every southron house not already with them. They also sent letters to their reserves letting them know to rejoin them as the army marched south.

The next morning Jon stood in the courtyard as lords and ladies of the Vale were brought out to say their final words. Some begged for mercy but found it only with how quickly their heads rolled through bloodied dirt.

Once their bodies were set ablaze Jon and the others left Winterfell, and though others seemed wary of the men of the Vale, Jon kept Yohn Royce close to show they weren't all traitors. By the time they reached Moat Cailin that seemed to work and those that remained were welcomed as they had been on their way from the Wall.

The further south they traveled the quicker they could move as more horses were brought to them. They also started rearming their men with steel now that dragonglass wasn't necessary. Their numbers grew as they traveled, those who remained south joining them and bringing what aid they could. Though some ignored their calls, they would regret it in the years to come while those who rode to join the army were welcomed.

Jon did his best to not push them all too hard, but he didn't care for himself the same way. Arya noticed he didn't sleep much at night, candles burning in his tents at all hours or walking the camp for hours. His anger has chilled the warmer they got, growing quieter, clearly lost in thought whenever he could push aside concern for what might be happening in the Red Keep.

One night after the camp has settled Jon returned to his tent to find Arya sat waiting for him with two cups of ale. Though surprised and a bit hesitant to take the offered cup, Jon took it and sat in the chair next to her.

After a few moments Arya looked to Jon. "They're strong. They'll make it through this."

Jon stared ahead, taking another drink before responding. "I know that. I don't know about me though."

"You?" Arya asked, turning to him.

"If we don't get them back I…" He frowned. "I don't want to become like Robert. I don't want to end up bitter because the women I loved died."

"They won't die," assured Arya.

"And if something else happens," he said sitting forward, taking a breath, closing his eyes and shaking his head, pushing that away. He couldn't think on that, not without getting too angry.

"It will work, Jon," Arya said reaching over to hold his hand and meet his gaze when he looked to her. "You'll sit with wives who garner more jealousy that either your crown or throne." She was relieved to hear him chuckle at that. "Our plan will work. I know it will."


Notes:

I'm sure people will be disappointed it wasn't Tyrion or Jaime who killed Cersei, but I like showing Cersei as a dumbshit whose assumptions and prejudice ruined things. I mean half the male characters are younger brothers so there's lot of potential to crap on her thinking and still technically fit her prophecy. Plus I like crapping on prophecy in general.

Jon is being super harsh here, but I think having just been resurrected, having his sense of victory stolen as well as both his wives has pissed him off and 'woken the dragon'. Also even though they know the Night King is dead they still burn the bodies almost as a reaction with slight concern that they could somehow rise anyway, but really it's an extra fuck you to not send their bones back home.