Thank you to everyone who has favourited or is following the story.


ATP

Thank you. :-)

Using birds is something the Starks still have to learn. (Though, that idea still doesn't even occur to them.) It would be very useful for them to meet the wildlings who have more experienced wargs.

Guest

I'm very glad that you like it despite the chapters' shortness. :-) I hope I can continue this way.


Beasts from the sky

When they meet on the shore, the sea is sparkling in the sunlight. It is a strange sight since autumn has arrived. In the horizon a dark mass of ships floats on the still waves. They are full of warriors like these who are coming to the negotiation.

And there is the Targaryen. She is small and young. Tiny bells are braided in her silver hair. Her violet eyes are stern and cold.

She is beautiful.

She is dangerous.

Theon watches her carefully. She has three dragons, flying and shrieking high in the sky. Theon brought only three soldiers. And Vollys. Looking at him the Targaryen raises her eyebrows.

She is not the one who starts to speak but the girl – smaller and younger than herself – who escorted her.

"You stand before Daenerys of House Targaryen, the Stormborn, the Silverhanded, the Unburnt, the Mother of Dragons, the Breaker of Chains, Rightful Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, the first of her name, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Protector of the Realm."

Theon listens patiently, then, he says:

"I am Ser Theon Greyjoy, the Castellan of Dragonstone. And I surrender."

Astonished, Daenerys Targaryen stares at him.


They notice the dragons first. The fleet comes after.

Theon knows they lost. And they will only make their situation worse if they do not accept that.

But Selyse does not understand.

"Negotiating? You should fight them not speaking to," she screams. "Your duty is to protect us."

"And I will." I'll try, at least. "But tell me, my queen, how should I fight fucking dragons?"

Of course, she does not have an answer for that. But now, she has new complaints.

"Do you want to bring him with yourself?" Selyse waves towards Vollys who is standing by the wall. "He looks ridiculous with those tattoos on his face."

Neither Vollys, nor Theon can rebuke her for the roughness, she is the queen, after all. Theon, however, does not have to keep quiet.

"I don't care how he looks," he snaps at her. "He speaks their language." Probably. Vollys can sing and speak on four tongues. Perhaps theirs is one of them. "Targaryens are from Valyria. He knows high valyrian."

"I believed you learnt it too."

"Not enough." It was only a few words and sentences from Davos. It is a miracle that Selyse remembers that.

She crosses her arms.

"Melisandre also knows high valyrian. Besides, she would like to meet this Targaryen."

Just as much as Selyse would like someone who can be her eyes and ears to meet this Targaryen.

"She won't." He locks her away, if he has to. He wishes, not for the first time, that he could lock Selyse away as well.


Finally, Daenerys Targaryen finds her voice. And she frowns.

"Forgive me but I think I misunderstood your words. Did you just say…?"

"I surrender," Theon repeats calmly. "If you guarantee that Queen Selyse, Princess Shireen and every other women and men in this castle won't be harmed."

"And if I refuse your terms?"

Theon sighs. "Then, I'll be forced to fight you and die."

"And they will be harmed anyway."

She plays with him.

"If the only thing I can do is dying first, that is what I will do."

She smiles at him. It is a gorgeous smile but not a pleasant one.

"In another day, maybe. I accept your surrender, castellan."

There is nothing left only to bend the knee. So Theon does.

"Dragonstone is yours, Your Grace."