Sorry it's taking me so long between chapters. This was a long one. I'm trying not to completely repeat dialogue from the show, it's a weird fine line to skirt around. I hope everyone enjoys. Please leave a comment, I love hearing from everyone. I keep thinking of things I want to write but between this and a DnD campaign I'm writing, I don't dare venture off lol, I want to finish this damn thing!
Thanks again for all your support!
The sun filtering in through the window and telltale sounds of fussing from the bassinet roused Saebyl from her sleep. Pushing Sandor's large arm off her body, she rolled over to where her boys slept. She pulled them into her arms and onto her chest to feed before the wailing began, resting her back against the headboard and closing her eyes. That large arm found its way back around her waist, making her smile and relax a little more.
She had made up her mind last night, as she watched Sandor's chest rise and fall in steady breaths that she was going to go to King's Landing. That she needed to see it again, to properly close that chapter of her life. She had left in such a hurry that it just felt like she had just left that book open on the table, it needed to be closed and put back on the shelf. She couldn't let Sandor go there alone either and she sure as hell didn't want to get left behind again. She had been lucky when he went beyond the wall when she found a friend in Davos but as Hand to Jon Snow, he'd be going to King's Landing as well. She couldn't walk these halls with only Varys as company. It was probably safer in King's Landing.
"They're getting big." A gruff voice broke the silence of the morning.
"Don't I know that. It's been murder trying to carry them both around." Sae said with a laugh.
"Hopefully now your little queen sister can get you some help you deserve." He murmured into the pillow, his eyes still not open to face the day.
She sighed, "We'll see, this thing isn't over yet."
An eye met hers and finally he pushed up from the bed, "No, it's not over. I don't know if it will ever be fuckin' over but you've made it this far, Moonbeam." He paused for a moment, she almost thought he was going to kiss her but he swung his legs off the bed and started dressing.
"Pass me my nightgown." She asked, wondering just how and when she should tell him that she wanted to come along to the capital. "Could you burp one of them? Just while I dress."
He looked like she had just asked him to set his clothes on fire, "Woman's work." He grouched.
"Please." She asked again. She didn't know how he could ever say no to her as she sat in his bed, naked and holding his sons.
His brow furrowed, "I don't know how." Sandor rarely held the babies, she knew he was afraid to. Afraid he might hurt them, or scare them. They had never cried in his arms and they stared in awe of him when they got the opportunity.
Sae laughed musically, "It's not hard, grab that blanket and put it over your shoulder," He did as instructed, "Now, take Valor, he's usually easier." Gingerly, he plucked his dark haired son from her. He fussed momentarily at the loss of heat but was quickly distracted by being in his father's arms, "drape him over your shoulder like so," She demonstrated with Volos, "And pat his back," She thumped the fairer twin in demonstration.
"I can't." He said, standing rigidly, holding Valor securely as the baby tried to posture up and look around the room.
"He'll thank you for it." She laughed, still gently thumping on Valor's back.
After watching her and Volos giving a tremendous belch, he dared to try. Too soft at first but with a little encouragement, he found the rhythm. It looked completely unnatural, neither of them seemed to know what to do. Saebyl resisted the urge to laugh at the pair as they stared at each other. This is when she decided would be the best time to tell him she was coming with him. He couldn't do much with a baby in his arms.
"I'm coming to King's Landing with you." She stated.
"What?" He snapped, but Valor gave his mother another second to brace herself by spitting up all over his shoulder. "Seven hells-"
"I need to go. I've been living in fear of that place for years, I need to go and say goodbye to it. Close that chapter of my life." She explained, resting Volos on the bed and pulling on her clothing quickly.
"Say goodbye here. You don't need to go to that fucking pit to do it." He said carefully, clearly wanting to yell but refraining while he held Valor.
"I'm coming." She retorted, stomping a foot on the ground.
"Take him." He snapped, wanting permission to yell again.
"No, you carry them for once. I'll go to King's Landing and deal with Cersei- you can stay with the boys, in the dark, afraid you'll be left behind to fend for yourself!" Her voice cracked, letting her true feelings come to the surface. The sting of tears threatened behind her eyes.
He glowered at her, "You're not bringing them into that godforsaken city." He said in a low warning tone, "Cersei doesn't need to know about them. It's bad enough she'll know you're alive."
"I can't just leave them on the ship." She snapped, glaring at him.
"Well you better figure something out if you're coming with us. Ask your pretty little queen." He shot back at her. Despite his attitude, he settled Valor beside Volos with the utmost care. He turned to the door and threw it open, gone before Saebyl had time to shout after him.
She blew a curl out of her face, frustrated at the man she had decided to hitch her wagon too. "Your father is impossible." She said to the twins, venting her frustration. "I just want to make sure you two are safe, doesn't he understand that?" Her anger quickly left as the pair babbled and cooed at her whilst trying to grab at her curls. They soon had her laughing when Volos got a hold of one and pulled it straight, erupting into a fit of giggles when it sprung back.
A knock on the door interrupted their bonding. Sae solid off the bed and cracked the door open, hoping Sandor had returned in an apologetic mood. She was greeted by Missandei, who smiled softly at her.
"Good morning. The Queen thought you'd enjoy a hot bath," She gestured to a group of servants carrying large pots of steaming water, "And requests your company before we depart to King's Landing."
"Oh, thank-you. I shall wash as quickly as I can." She said, stepping aside to let them in and fill the tub in the corner of the room. Missandei gave a nod and waited for the last servant to leave before following behind them.
Sae was quick to disrobe and hop into the scalding waters, sorely missing that searing heat entering her bones. It felt like a lifetime since she had a lovely hot bath like this. Although she didn't take much time to revel in the heat, ears always on alert for sounds from her sons and acutely aware that she was wanted by the queen, she rushed. The heat was exquisite after coming from the north and the cold boat ride, she wanted nothing more than to fall asleep in the tub and forget all her troubles for a short time. Forcing herself out, she quickly dried herself off and dressed, plaiting her curls into a simple braid, nothing like the ones of Daenerys, and slung her son's back around her to go meet the Queen.
Though she hadn't been told, she assumed she'd be waiting in that council room that they had met in before. It wasn't hard to find and she found that despite her exhaustion the night previous, she retained an internal map of the castle. It felt strange walking these halls alone, unnerving almost. The place was too quiet, it felt dead and cold. It was hard imagining this place being a busy working castle. She finally found some life in Daenerys and Tyrion talking low in the council room, standing by the window looking out to the grey skies. The pair looked up at her when they heard her heels clack against the stone floors.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt." Saebyl apologized.
Daenerys gave a smile, "You've been invited, you cannot interrupt." She said kindly, offering her a chair.
"I'm glad you did invite me. I wanted to discuss something with you." Sae explained, crossing the room to join the other two.
Tyrion bowed his head, "Then I should give you two your privacy."
Sae shook her head, "Actually, I would like to hear your thoughts on this." When Tyrion gestured for her to continue, she bit her lip, "Well, I would like to come with you- to King's Landing that is." Daenerys and Tyrion glanced at each other, "I know it is probably a foolish thing and I don't want my sons to step foot inside that city but-"
"It may be a good idea." Tyrion said, looking back to the Queen, "It will be dangerous though." He glanced back to her as if to warn her, like she hadn't spent most of her night stewing about this idea and every possibility.
"All of Westeros is dangerous while Cersei Lannister is in power." Saebyl retorted.
Tyrion gave a small, almost sad, smirk, "I couldn't agree more. Your Grace, what do you think?"
The Queen looked between the pair, "What do we have to gain with Saebyl accompanying us? Won't it just provoke Cersei's anger?"
He nodded, "My sister is always angry. Me being alive angers her, you- Your Grace, you being alive angers her," He explained, "Saebyl has always angered her, but she hates this idea of all of us meeting so much, I doubt she'll adding her to the list will set her off. No, what she'll see is family. Something she is lacking. A royal family is nothing without heir's and with all her children gone and thinking you only have dragons-," He shrugged, "I think it would be more poignant to even have those little lords to show that the Targaryen line doesn't die with you and your dragons, Your Grace."
"My sons are not being used as pawns." Sae said sharply, curling her arms a little tighter around them. Cersei wouldn't hesitate to kill them on the spot.
Tyrion shook his head, "No, I wouldn't ask it." But there was a clear look that he was testing her resolve on this front.
"I don't think Saebyl has intentions on raising my heirs." Daenerys said, a soft smile given to her kin.
Sae bowed her head, "I don't want them to live a life they don't want. I've lived that, I've suffered for it. But years down the line, if one of them decides that a life of politics is what they want-" She sighed, "I wouldn't be opposed to them doing so. If our Queen would accept that." She added with a little smile.
"Dragon's cannot rule when I am gone. I sincerely hope that your sons will follow my lead." Daenerys returned the gesture, reaching to run a hand over Volos' soft silver hair. "But are you willing to put yourself in harm's way for this meeting?" She asked Sae.
She gave a bitter laugh, "I have never been safe and I'm tired of cowering from that wretched woman. I want to look her in the eyes while I sit on the winning side."
That's when the Dragon Queen truly smiled, "We need to get someone to care for these two while you come along. They'll have their own private guard as well."
Sae nodded, "Thank-you. They're the only thing that is stopping me from barging down those gates now. I've never left their side. I am no fool to think I can hide their existence forever, she may already know. Spiders can never truly be trusted" She said cryptically, "This is no light decision I am making, I know what Cersei is capable of." She sighed, brows furrowed in concern, "It pains me, the thought of being out of arm's reach of them."
"A hard thing for any mother, no matter one walking into a lion's den." Tyrion said, face grim.
Sae's brow furrowed, "I trust that you won't let anything happen to them, but I'll worry nonetheless. I'd worry with all the armies of Westeros watching over them." She said with a small laugh and stared down at them.
Dany placed a hand on her shoulder, "I will make sure that they are safe. That if anything were to happen-"
"Take them to Winterfel, to Sansa. If we're all gone, she's the only one I trust with their safety." She said quickly.
"Not your mother?" Tyrion asked.
Sae shook her head, "I haven't seen my mother in years. I don't even know if she's alive or well enough to take care of my sons. Even that, she lives in Casterly Rock-" She gave Tyrion a pointed look.
"Ah." He nodded, "Then I suppose we should prepare."
Then a thought struck her, "I don't have proper clothes."
"Clothes?" Tyrion asked, cocking his head.
She nodded, "I just have the rags I had from before and anything nice I had still packed is threadbare and definitely won't fit me now. Not after these two." She explained, "I can't wear a sackcloth dress sitting by the Queen."
Daenerys chuckled, "No you cannot. I am sure we can find you something but we should eat first. Come, We don't have much time before the ship leaves." She gestured for Saebyl to follow her.
"I'll leave you two to eat then. I have things I must attend to." Tyrion said with a bow of his head before departing.
Daenerys walked alongside Saebyl, the silence was palpable. The Queen's hand clasped awkwardly in front of herself, Sae's supporting her son's bottoms in their slings. It would have been nice to walk arm in arm, for that contact and familiarity. They both had so much to discuss but not nearly enough time to discuss it. There was an unsaid agreement that when things settled with that untold horror coming from the North, they would sit and talk about all that has happened, familial ties and what that meant for the pair of them. It was a conversation Sae was glad not to have right away. Too many factors played into it, too many outcomes could change her response. Ultimately, she just wanted safety for her sons, a warm place for them to grow during the upcoming winter, a life that didn't entail assassin's coming for them. It seemed like so much to ask for after all the peril she had survived, that life could never be ordinary for her and her family.
Missandei was carefully pouring cups of tea as the pair entered the Queen's chambers, "I've been informed by Ser Jorah that you need to eat quickly, your Grace. The ship and its crew are nearly ready." She informed.
"The ship will not leave without me." Dany said with a small mischievous grin, "But I suppose we should hurry. Missandei?"
"Yes, your Grace?"
"Do you think you could find something for Saebyl to wear for when we meet in King's Landing?" The Queen asked, "And we will need a handful of guards and one of my handmaidens to watch over her sons while we are there."
Missandei bowed her head, "Of course, your Grace. I will fetch them right away."
"Ask Grey Worm about his guards. He'll know his best." That impish smile on the Queen's face.
Missandei blushed and kept her face downturned to hide her smile, "Yes, your Grace." Quickly, she sidestepped out of the room to carry out the orders.
Saebyl glanced at Dany, "Grey Worm?"
"He is the captain of my Unsullied, it is custom for them to have names like that. Not my choice but of the cruel men who raised them to be such unflinching warriors." The Queen explained, sitting at the table and gesturing to the seat near her.
"And the reason for your advisor's blushing like a young girl?" A smirk now tugging on her lips too.
Dany laughed, "There is something brewing between the pair, it is sweet to watch."
"Oh how I miss watching that. It's been too long since I've watched people of court. I was on the road for an age, then in a commune, then the wall and now? Well, it's all doom and gloom right now." She sighed, easing into her seat, wrapping her arms around her sons.
"It has to get dark before it becomes light." Daenerys said, "Soon you'll be back amongst people, safe and warm."
"I hope so." She said, carefully reaching for the warm cup of tea.
The Queen and her ate peacefully, chatting lightly, her sons proving to be good ice breakers. It was an easy subject to talk about, explaining their tiny blossoming personalities. It wasn't until Sae pulled her gaze away from her sons, as she found it next to impossible to look away from them as she talked, that she caught a sadness in Daenerys' eye.
"I shouldn't be going on about this- not since-" Sae stammered, suddenly feeling very guilty.
Daenerys shook her head, "No, your happiness should not be quelled by my tragedy. It's nice to see. I never got to meet my son and as much as my dragon's are my children, it is not the same. I never want you to feel guilty talking about them to me, as I hope to call them my nephews." She gave that soft smile that so often failed to meet her eyes.
"I am sorry though. I know how it is to lose a baby you only held in your womb but to lose a dragon- one like a child," She reached out and put her hand over Daenerys', "My heart goes out to you."
Dany's other hand came over hers, "Thank-you." She said in a small voice. A knock on the door interrupted their heartfelt moment, "Come in."
"Your Grace, my Lady," Missandei returned, arms full of rich looking fabrics. "I believe everything is all set for you. I have spoken to Grey Worm and he has promised four of his finest soldiers to watch over the nurse that will care for your sons while we attend the summit."
"Excellent, and I presume these are the clothes?" Daenerys asked.
She nodded, "I hope they are to your liking and to your fit. I wasn't sure and-"
Sae shook her head, "I'm sure they're all wonderful. Better than what I had."
"I will have these put in your cabin on board then?" Missandei confirmed.
Both Targaryen nodded, " Please. Thank you Missandei." Sae said, "I suppose we should get going."
"Yes, it's time to meet this Cersei Lannister I've heard so much about." Daenerys said, rising to her feet.
"Oh, she's a real treat." Sae replied sarcastically, "She makes the Wall seem like paradise." Dany chuckled as they both followed Missandei out of the room.
Saebyl watched from a distance as Sandor loaded up some last minute provisions to the ship. She knew he was mad at her, he was not a subtle man, he practically had his own little storm cloud over his head. She wouldn't be able to win this argument, she just had to hope that it all ran smoothly when they were in King's Landing and that her gut feeling that she had to attend the summit was correct.
His presence was thoroughly distracting as Saebyl met with the woman and guards that would be guarding her sons while she was away, she could see him staring over at her- felt it more like. Those dark eyes burrowing a hole in the back of her head. She kept losing her train of thought as she explained her sons little quirks and how to soothe them. The nurse took it as nerves for leaving her sons for the first time, and tried to reassure Saebyl that it would be alright. Certainly, that was a part of it but she knew there would be only two options to what was going on in Sandor's mind as he glowered at her. One, he could stalk around her room, looking for a fight, waiting for her to scream so he could scream back or- two, the more likely, he'd freeze her out. Pull what he didn back when they were building the sept with Ray and shut down. She hated that more than anything and aimed to cut that off before it began.
"Sandor!" She called out to him as she was about to board the ship.
His miserable face turned to her, "What?" He barked back at her, an oddly positive sign for her.
"I'd like to see you in my cabin when you have a chance." She said, trying to keep the authoritarian tone to a minimum. She gave a small playful smile, making the other men he was working murmur and let out a low whistle. He'd have no choice now for fear of ridicule.
A hand touched the small of her back, "That was well played," Dany's voice rang in her ear, "If he is angry with you, you may tell him that I requested your presence there."
Sae chuckled, "He'll be angry but he is still a man and a simple one at that. I've dealt with much worse. Besides, I couldn't sic that temper on you. I believe that's a punishable offence."
She laughed, "He wouldn't be able too, I am taking my dragons, I won't be on the ship."
"Oh," Sae exclaimed, "Well, then fly safely, Your Grace."
She smiled, "I will, I hope your conversation goes well."
"I trust it will." She said with a curtsy.
Boarding the ship, she returned down to the cabin she had been given when they had returned from the wall. Sure enough, there was an assortment of the clothes that Missandei had procured for her and a lineup of boots to match. Two bassinets had also been wedged beside the bed inside the small cabin, where she immediately put the twins down to rest, she was even more surprised to see that each got a small wooden rattle. She made a note to thank Missandei later for being so considerate.
With nothing better to do, she pulled out the clothes from the pile. She didn't know if they had been from the Queen's wardrobe or from the Targaryen's that had lived in Dragon Stone last but they were exquisite. She and Daenerys had drastically different bodies, especially after the birth of the twins, she knew she would have been able to fit her hips and breasts into anything the Queen had ever worn. Some of the fabrics looked soft and far less tailored, she'd have better hope in fitting in something like that. Plucking a rich green coloured dress and setting it aside, she started to undress. It had been so long since she had any clothing as lovely as this touch her skin that she audibly moaned as the silks dragged across her skin as she pulled it on.
"What in Seven Hells are you doing?" Sandor's gruff voice interrupted as he barged into her changing.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" She scolded, glancing over her shoulder at him, "Tie me up."
"Moonbeam-" He growled.
"Or I could take it off? What would you like better?" She smirked.
He frowned, "You can't fuck your way out of everything." He remarked, no hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Sae rolled her eyes, "I wasn't trying to but you seem to think it ridiculous that I want to wear something more than rags." She turned back waiting for him to lace up her gown. When she felt his large hands try to tie the delicate laces, she grinned to herself.
"You shouldn't be going." He said again, though the hostility was lacking and sounded like he was stating fact. He knew how headstrong she could be.
Saebyl sighed, "I know," She said quietly, "It's killing me to leave our boys but it's even more painful just to sit on board this ship, waiting to hear what happens. I need to see that bitch again, I need to show her she cannot run me into the ground." She said firmly, straightening her posture and clenching her jaw.
Sandor's hands finished lacing her up, and he bowed his head to press his forehead into her shoulder. She reached up and brushed her fingers through his hair, pressing her cheek against his head. His arms wrapped around her as she continued to brush her fingers against his scalp, almost like you would to behind a dog's ear. They both stayed silent, listening to the sounds of the ship around them, to their son's babbling, to each other's steady breathing.
"When this is over," Sandor spoke slowly, "We're going away, finding some cabin in the hills where none of this shite can find us."
Saebyl laughed and turned into him, "We'll get sheep."
"And chickens." He added.
"Of course, I love eggs in the morning." She said, crawling her hands up and around his neck. For a second she thought he may lean in to kiss her, the tension between them was practically screaming it.
"Moonbeam-" He straightened up, making her unable to keep her grasp around his neck, "I just want to make sure that if anything happens when we're there that you'll run. Don't stay for me, get to the boys and run. Run far and fast."
She nodded, "Nothing will happen to me or the boys. I swear to you."
"You still got that little knife of yours?" He asked, still not completely satisfied.
She lifted the hem of her skirts, "You know I don't go anywhere without it."
He nodded, "Good." He rocked on the spot, something still troubling him.
"What is it? What are you thinking?" She asked, smoothing her skirt back into place.
He let out a sigh, "My brother-" He finally said and it was all he needed to say. She knew all too well the hatred he held for his older brother, the fear that one of his sons would become like Gregor kept him up at night.
"Oh." She said, rather lamely. She hadn't even thought of the behemoth. She had been terrified of him back in King's Landing, hating the way his evil eyes bore into her skull everytime she walked by. When she had been alone, she always took extra care in not running into him. She was sure he could smell her Targaryen blood and he wanted to finish the job he had started. Or it could be that he looked at all women like that. It was no secret all three of his wives died mysterious deaths.
"Like I said, if something happens, run. Don't give two fucks about anyone else and don't stay and fight. Even with that dagger of yours. You're not trained, you and the Stark pup might have played at swords but this will be real. That's last resort." He explained, seriousness etched into his every feature.
"I promise." She said, reaching up to touch his cheek.
"Good." He let himself revel in her touch for a moment but straightened up, "There's things I have to do. Rest. King's Landing is not far." He turned on his heel abruptly and left the room.
Saebyl let out a little laugh to herself and flopped onto the bed, the excitement of the morning catching up to her and making her drift quickly into sleep. It didn't last for very long, one little squawk from one of the boys turned into wails from the both of them. Plucking them from their bassinets, she changed them and calmed them down once again. The ship had finally set sail and the nerves only made her stomach more delicate than before.
She didn't really know what to expect or what she would accomplish by going to this summit but she needed to. Maybe it was selfish, leaving her sons behind, in the care of a stranger just to see how old Cersei looked. But it really wasn't about that. It was about closing that chapter in her life, about seeing that godforsaken city once more and saying 'never again'. Turning her back on it with her head held high instead of running in the night. It was her own damn pride that was making her go back. She wanted to help, to finally contribute to the cause instead of being the deadweight with two vulnerable children attached to her. If Tyrion thought that Daenerys having another Targaryen at her side would scare Cersei, all the better. Saebyl had known the inner gossip of that city, almost as good as Baelish and Varys, there were some subtleties that she understood that would be missed by a man who owned a brothel and a eunuch. She hoped her knowledge of people would come in handy. Sae liked the concept of being at that table of advisors.
But what Sandor said still buzzed in her ear. Finding a cottage far away from everything also sounded very appealing. Somewhere she could keep her boys out of sight, keep them from the evils of court life, teach them to be kind and hard working. That was sounding more and more appealing with each passing day. The more horror she saw the more she wanted to hide from it. Her mind raced in circles with the two thoughts, the pros and cons growing for each.
The voyage wasn't long, not as long as from the Wall to Dragon Stone but Saebyl kept to the cabin. She didn't see Sandor until she finally came above deck to see King's Landing sitting tall and proud in the distance. The sight of the place nearly made her sick, all the memories both good and bad hitting her like a ton of bricks. She glanced to the sky, as she took calming breaths, to see if she couldn't see the dragons but there was no sight of them. As they sailed through the Greyjoy armada, Sandor wandered back to her side, glaring at every ship they passed like they'd turn tail at his grimace.
"Moonbeam," Sandor's voice was low and his hands tightly gripped the bannister of the ship, "When we get there. Stay far away from me. If my brother's there-"
"I told you, I'll be okay." She reassured him, placing her hand over his.
He shook his head, "I don't need him knowing that you mean something to me," He was barely audible, "He never liked when I had anything of my own."
"Sandor-" She wrapped her arm around his and squeezed, "I'll be safe." They stayed at each other's sides as they watched King's Landing get closer and closer. She was shocked, that was the most emotion he had ever gotten from him. 'You mean something to me.' spun over and over in her mind. More than ever she hoped that they'd make it out of this one together.
When they docked, the nurse that would care for the boys and the four guards approached Saebyl. With great difficulty, she handed the boys over, going over again their specific little quirks. Everyone assured her that they'd be alright, Missandei reiterated all their qualifications, Jorah praised the Unsullied's training, Davos quietly told her his belief that no harm would come of this meeting but it was Sandor's firm hand on the small of her back and gentle push that got her on her way. She stuck close to Davos, knowing him better than anyone else, her nerves making her heart beat a mile a minute. Sandor left her side to go supervise the crate that trapped the undead creature within, she knew he had to but she wished he could have been by her side. It was always more calming having a giant man at her defence.
She let out a small noise when her foot touched onto the soil from the dock, Davos quickly grabbed her forearm like she was about to trip, "I'm fine," She assured but the older man gave her a curious look.
"You sure?" He asked.
A small smile was given to assuage his worry, "It's just this place- it's-" She shook her head, "complicated, to say the least."
"Aye, I know that feeling." He tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow, "I lost my son just where those ships sit." He nodded over at the armada docked at sea.
Her brows knitted together, "Blackwater." She stated, "That's the night I ran, the night everything changed." She sighed, "I'm sorry about your son."
He shook his head, "Let's not speak of this now. That's in the past. We're changing the future, for your sons." He gave her a warm fatherly smile.
She nodded, "Right." She exhaled, "I've sat on top of the Wall, seen a live dragon and still Cersei Lannister is scarier than that."
Davos chuckled, "I've never met the woman myself but from the sounds of it, I'm expecting her to have fangs."
"And claws." Sae chuckled. She glanced back at their ship with a concerned look but Davos gave the hand that was wrapped around his arm a little pat.
"They're alright." He said again.
"The sooner this is done, the sooner I can be back with them." She turned her head back to the road ahead, pulling up her hood to cover her silver locks and forcing herself not to look back.
She and Davos fell in line with the others, Sandor behind her. She could feel his intense gaze but didn't turn around to check. He was there, she could count on that without hesitation, he'd always be there. As they approached the ruins of the Dragonpit, where the Targaryen of legend used to house their dragons, a group of Lannister soldiers rounded the bend being led by a familiar face.
"Welcome, my lords." Bronn greeted from the front of the pack. He looked the same, just as Saebyl remembered all that time ago, maybe with a few more lines around his eyes and a bit more padding around the middle but essentially the same. Seemed like a lifetime ago. Strategically, she tried to keep herself hidden behind Jon Snow's large fur cape, her hood still drawn tightly around her, she wasn't sure how Bronn would react or how Sandor would take a reunion. "Your friend's arrived before you did." He gestured to two people at the front of the pack of soldiers.
Saebyl had been so focused on Bronn she didn't even see the giantess woman and Poderick. Her blood ran cold. She could feel Sandor stiffen up behind her. The last time they met, she had tried to kill him, Ayra ran off and Saebyl was left alone with a dying dog on the side of a cliff. It was safe to say, she did not have fond feelings for the woman. Pod however, still looked like the sweet boy she knew back in King's Landing, Tyrion's ever faithful squire. Time hadn't changed him much.
"I've been sent to escort you all to the meeting." Bronn explained. With a gesture, the Lannister guards stepped aside so they could continue down the path.
Saebyl waited until they were moving before walking up behind Bronn to tap on the shoulder. She knew Sandor would be mad but she didn't give two shits. Bronn had always been a friend to her and despite their bed sharing, there had never been a romantic love between them. At least, she never felt that. It was nice seeing friends again. The only person she wished for more was Sansa or her mother.
"Can I help you, miss-" The rogue asked, glancing down to her, turning on that charm she knew too well. It only lasted a second before recognition dawned on his face, "Saebyl?" She let out a laughed, "Saebyl fucking Waters?"
"The one and only." She chuckled with a curtsy.
He was gobsmacked, "You disappeared! Left with the dog!" He looked at her like he was seeing a ghost.
"Cersei made it impossible to stay. I had to leave." She shrugged, "So Sandor-"
"Sandor? Fucking hells, I forgot he had a name." Bronn laughed. "But look at you. Travel suits you."
She laughed brightly, "I would argue that but it's good to hear the outside doesn't match the inside."
"You've always been a good little actress, sweetheart." He brushed a thumb over her cheek, "So you a dragon now?" He retracted his hand, almost fearing that he went a little too far with the simple gesture.
Sae shrugged, "It's been offered. There's a few names I could have, I'm just weighing my options right now." She gave him a cryptic smile.
Bronn arched a brow, "What are you on about."
She smirked, "A lot has changed since the battle of Blackwater, you know."
"You're right. We need to catch up, and I just so happen to know a lovely place we could do that." He arched a brow at her.
Sae rolled her eyes, "You'd like that, wouldn't you?" She chuckled.
"C'mon, I thought we were friends." He laughed as well.
She shook her head, "We are, but I think we're done with the part of our friendship where we used to shag." His expression was one of hurt, "I've got someone now that may not appreciate that."
"Sweetheart! Don't be breaking my poor heart." He laughed, clutching his chest dramatically. "I do want to catch up, but I gotta talk to that little twat that keeps making my life complicated," He whispered to her, pointing to Tyrion. "I'll be seeing you." He kissed her cheek.
"Remember, don't die." She said, repeating the last thing she had said to him before Blackwater.
He laughed, "Same goes." He winked and moved through the crowd to get to Tyrion.
Saebyl watched him for a while and fell back in line with Davos, left to stew with her own thoughts. She missed banter, having friends, being social. It had been so long since she had someone who could hold a conversation, she almost forgot what it was like. Even with Ray and his flock, as sweet as they were, they were lacking that banter. Part of her missed the chess games that were conversations in the capital.
The buzz of all the thoughts in her head nearly made her forget just where they were headed to. Saebyl had never been to the Dragonpit during her time in King's Landing as nobody really went there. The collapsed ruins were still impressive and intimidating, making her speculate how this place looked when huge dragons still called this place home. She tried to keep her face as passive and stony as the rest of them when they walked into the dilapidated aena but it was difficult, her eyes darted around looking for Cersei and her troops. They stood, all waiting for the ambush, for the Lannister soldiers, which circled the outer edge of the structure, to come charging.
"I assume you have to sit in on this?" Bronn's voice was close to her ear. It nearly made her jump.
She kept her head and gave him a smirk, "Sorry, my Queen wants me here."
"Shame." He said and gave her a lingering look. Though that crooked smirk was on his lips, she could see the disappointment, maybe even sadness in his eyes. He didn't linger and moved to Pod to take him off for a drink.
Saebyl moved closer to the nearest person with a weapon. Her eyes darted to each and every Lannister guard, then to higher vantage points to see if there were any lurking above. She mapped an escape route, though it seemed improbable that she could make it out alive. Her eyes finally fell on Sandor, standing with Tyrion, talking low. She wanted desperately to go back, to take Sandor and her sons and run but that would only be a temporary fix. All that desire to be back in a court again was gone with that eerie silence as they waited. She just wanted her sons to be safe and she had to remind herself over and over, this meeting was an attempt to keep them safe.
For all the mental preparation she had done, her knees still nearly buckled at the sight of the Mountain marching beside Cersei Lannister. Maybe it was the Queen's guard's new black armour or her harsh presence but they radiated doom as they approached, like a storm cloud on the horizon. Sae gave herself three deep breaths and twisted her locket in her hands before collecting herself. She'd be brave for her boys.
Saebyl moved to go sit with Tyrion, Jorah and Missandei, as per Daenerys' request, but that put her on the opposite side to Sandor, who stood with Jon Snow. She was afraid both for her own safety but also that Sandor would do something stupid. She could feel his murderous gaze as he tracked his brother's every movement as the giant stood guard at the Queen's side. When Sandor approached him, she had wished she had been beside him, to grab his arm and hiss at him not to do anything stupid. The best she could do was scream it inside her mind and hope that he picked up her telepathic message.
The way the Mountain just stood there staring, it was unnerving. She could faintly see his eyes behind the face mask, red and bloody while the skin around looked necrotic and diseased. She could only fathom why in seven hells he looked even more monstrous than before.
But Sandor clearly didn't receive Saebyl's message, she could faintly hear the low threat he issued his older brother before stalking off to retrieve the parcel that they had so painstakingly acquired and brought down here. She watched him intently, refusing to look over in Cersei's direction. She knew what she'd be met with. That cold hateful glare that only wished horrendous things to happen to her. She could practically feel Cersei being insulted as she sat there on Daenerys' side but she remained firm, sitting tall in her seat, pretending like she belonged here.
"Where is she?" Cersei's voice cut the tense air. Saebyl allowed herself a glance, and the annoyance and hostility that was in her voice were only amplified with her body language. Time had not been kind to Cersei Lannister. Her short cropped hair exposed her even more harshly drawn features. Any softness that the woman may have possessed had died with her children, even her wardrobe reflected that. Highly tailored and looking more and more like a suit of armour than anything she had worn while Saebyl had been in her company.
"She'll be here soon." Tyrion answered, looking just as tense as the rest of them. There was a tone to his voice that gave a hint of uncertainty in the truthfulness of his words.
One could almost hear Cersei's teeth grind, "Didn't travel with you?"
"No." He answered simply. Sae couldn't think of a moment in her life when she was more uncomfortable. Even as Tywin's mistress and having her personal life discussed in intimate detail when she was just a girl, that seemed ideal compared to this.
A dragon's screech finally cut the tension. That horrible ground shaking roar got nearly everyone off their feet and looking to the skies for the new Queen. It was amazing seeing that huge creature swoop across the sky and even more so seeing that tiny woman sitting atop it like it was no different than a horse. It was truly an entrance to be written about in history books and the look of Cersei's face- well, Saebyl wouldn't forget it. Seeing that horrible woman be shown up by another half her age on a mystical beast, it was priceless.
When they all took their seats, as Daenerys climbed off her huge dragon and took her rightful seat, Cersei looked like she was about to spit venom, "We've been here for sometime." She scolded.
"My Apologies." Daenerys replied, unsympathetically. Sae had to repress a smile as there was nothing sweeter than Cersei Lannister not getting her way.
Tyrion finally stood to start the meeting, though suffering a small stutter at the hands of Euron Greyjoy to taunt his nephew, they got it on track. Jon and Tyrion trying desperately to tell Cersei and her cronies about the dangers that lurk behind the wall. With a snide response from the old queen, it was going as well as to be expected. She thought it all a lie, Cersei with her infinitely scheming mind assumed it was a dastardly plan to get the upper hand on her armies. And with her predictable behaviour, the whole quest beyond the wall became worthwhile. If Cersei needed proof, they had it coming for her.
Sandor climbed back into the arena with that huge wooden box on his back. That creature, which he refused to let Saebyl see, had been ungodly silent the entire journey. Even now as it was carried before them, you'd never know it was some unholy beast lurking inside. Saebyl sat on the edge of her seat, eager to finally see this monster. She would have snuck down below deck if she wasn't constantly attached to her twins but there was something in Sandor's voice that told her it was a truly horrifying thing. He warned her against it like he'd warn her about being too close to an open flame.
Even as the last bar was pulled and the lid of the crate removed, nothing moved. They waited but still nothing stirred, finally, Sandor gave a huge kick to its side, toppling it over. What spilled out was beyond Saebyl's imagination. A corpse, rotted and falling to bits spilled out. It's grey skin was peeled back from its mouth and patches of hair sadly clung to its scalp where the bone wasn't showing through. It shrieked in a sound Saebyl had never heard before, like its lungs summoned the icy winds of winter itself. She leapt back in her chair as the creature ran at Cersei like a man gone completely mad. It nearly made it save for the chain cuffed to its neck.
Sandor yanked it back and it turned its attention back on him. Sae thought she may faint, the way the thing moved wasn't right, unnatural and quick. He was quick to slice the monstrosity in half, leaving it screaming and writing on the ground. It still lived, no blood spilled but it lay in two pieces, both halves still trying to kill whatever was near. Another slash of the sword and a hand left it's body. The disembodied hand still twitched and sought for flesh to rip into. Sae couldn't believe that they had faced an army of these. One seemed bad enough.
The man dressed as a Maester that had been sitting at Cersei's side got up and plucked the writhing hand from the ground. Sae finally gave herself a small permission to look at the old queen. She was glad to see that Cersei was shocked, astounded that these tall tales were true. There was a horror beyond the wall and it was coming to snuff them all out if they didn't act. Jon crossed and took the hand from the Maester and Davos handed him a torch, lighting it.
"We can destroy them by burning them," The King of the North explained, putting the torch to the flesh, "And we can destroy them with dragon glass," He pulled a crude looking blade from his hip, "If we don't destroy them, then that is the fate of every person in the world." He lifted the monster up and plunged the dagger where it's heart should be and finally the unnatural cries ceased. "There is only one war that matters- the Great War. And it is here." Jon finished, approaching Cersei with deadly seriousness in his voice.
Saebyl relaxed back into her seat, her whole body having been on edge, barely breathing through the whole demonstration. Still Cersei said nothing, only glancing to her brother. Though she couldn't be faulted for speechlessness in the moment. In this moment, all the fairy tales that had been told to them as children were real, dragons and monsters beyond the wall. They were all back and it threatened the very existence of humanity.
"I didn't believe it until I saw them," Daenerys commented, "I saw them all." Her face was grim.
"How many?" Jamie asked, finally asking a pertinent question.
"One hundred thousand, at least." She replied.
Euron Greyjoy stood and moved to examine the body, "Can they swim?" He asked, plucking at its thin wisps of hair.
Jon shook his head, "No."
"Good." Euron stood, "I'm taking the Iron Fleet back to the Iron Islands."
"What are you talking about?" Cersei hissed.
"I've been around the world. I've seen everything, things you couldn't imagine, and this-" He turned back to the lifeless remains, "This is the only thing I've ever seen that terrifies me." Stepping up to Daenerys, he leaned into her, "I'm going back to my island, you should go back to yours. When winter's over, we'll be the only ones left alive." With that he turned his back and stalked off.
Saebyl watched in disbelief. How one man could see this and just walk off and cower on an island. She had no power and she was doing what she could just to help her sons survive. That man made her sick, a coward. She had always heard that the Greyjoys were harsh bastards that lived by a different set of laws but she would have assumed they would be in for a good battle. Especially one that would define them for generations to come. Turns out that their barbaric ways only extended into murdering live people. Cersei must have assumed the same as Saebyl caught the flash of annoyance on her face when the pirate stalked off.
"He's right to be afraid." Cersei responded as Euron Greyjoy marched back to his ships, "And a coward to run. If those things come to us, there will be no kingdoms to rule. Everything we suffered will have been for nothing. Everything we've lost would have been for nothing." She paused and looked to the younger queen, "The crown accepts your truce. Until the dead are defeated, they are the true enemy." Jon gave a sigh of relief, while the rest could barely understand what they were hearing, "In return, the King in the North will extend this truce. He will remain in the North where he belongs. He will not take up arms against the Lannisters. He will not choose sides."
Saebyl had to keep from rolling her eyes. Of course Cersei couldn't just accept and stand down. She had to meddle and make it complicated, to make it still about continued war. Sae remembered why she hated politics, why it drove her completely insane. As much as she liked the banter and the games, she hated the politics of it all. That even in the face of destruction Cersei still wanted to be queen of the rubble.
"Just the King in the North?" Daenerys asked, "Not me?"
Cersei gave a scoff, "I would never ask it of you. You would never agree to it. And if you did I would trust you even less than I do now." Her eyes quickly snapped to Saebyl's, then back to Dany. "I ask it only of Ned Stark's son. I know Ned Stark's son will be true to his word."
It was everything in Saebyl not to stand and scream how it was her son that put Ned's head on a pike. How it was her son that forced Sansa to stare at it on the fence as it putrefied in the sun. How dare this woman have the audacity to ask anything of him.
The King of the North took a good long look between his advisor and Dany, "I am true to my word," He stated, "Or I try to be. That is why I cannot give you what you ask. I cannot serve two queens and I have already pledged myself to Queen Daenerys of House Targaryen.
Cersei scowled, "Then there is nothing left to discuss." She rose from her seat, "The dead will come north first. Enjoy dealing with them. We will deal with whatever is left of you." She gave one last menacing glare over to the Targaryens and marched off.
"That bitch." Sae hissed, "I should have known."
Dany glanced over to her, "Known what?"
"That she's a miserable cunt and I should have known that she'd be a miserable cunt even faced with the destruction of all mankind." She replied like she had eaten something that had gone off.
The Queen sighed, "I thought for a moment-" Dany stood and approached Jon, "I am grateful for your loyalty. But my dragon died so that we could be here." She shook her head, "If it's all for nothing. Then he died for nothing."
"I know!" Jon shot, the man looked conflicted. He obviously had no skill for the artful dance of politics, didn't possess the silver tongue of one like Tyrion.
"I'm pleased you bent the knee to our queen." Tyrion interjected, "I would have advised it, if you had asked. But have you ever considered learning how to lie every now and then? Just a bit?" Sae couldn't help but nod in agreement. She looked to Sandor who looked in a right foul mood. She stood and crossed over to him while the rest of them bickered.
"I want to go back to the boys." She said softly, pressing her body into his arm. "I can't listen to this." She whispered as they bickered over the outcome of the meeting.
"It's not done yet, Moonbeam." He said back, staring at the creature on the ground.
"I know," She laced her arms around one of his large ones, "But we still have a few moments left before the end of it all." She sighed, the emotional toll on that whole exchange was weighing on her hard.
"Was it worth coming?" He asked, glancing down at her.
"I don't know." She confessed, "Seeing Cersei, seeing her act exactly as to be expected? I guess I didn't know what I really wanted from this. Maybe just to say goodbye once and for all to this cursed city because it's only full of disappointments."
He gave a nod and a small noise of understanding, "C'mon." He pushed her along to skirt around the edge of the Dragonpit.
"Shouldn't we tell them we're going?" She asked, glancing back at Daenerys and Jon, who were watching Tyrion walk off to confront his sister.
"Not going far," He kept pressing at her back, "If we have to wait for the little Lannister to come back, I don't want to stare at those faces while we wait." He pulled her into an open passageway, "There's better ways to pass the time."
Despite the horrendous meeting, a mischievous grin got the better of her, "What are you talking about?" She asked, playing dumb, heart racing in her chest. She was no stranger to salacious acts in risky places that had never been Sandor's style, at least not to initiate them. It had always been her, he never seemed confident or bold enough to make a move, so she did for him. But him practically dragging her away from the group like a panting dog was getting her blood boiling.
He didn't respond, just dragging her to the darker corners, somewhere he was sure no one would find them. Sae's heart beat loudly in her eardrums, patiently following him along to find the right spot. It was nearly pitch black when he finally stopped, she could see the light of a doorway or window far off. With some force he yanked her arm to press her against the wall. Letting out a yelp of surprise, she recovered with a throaty giggle. Then he did something unprecedented, he carded a large hand through her curls and tilted her head up, meeting her mouth with a kiss.
It took her completely by surprise. They've kissed but she's always the one kissing him. She can't think of a single time that he kissed her. She can't help but let out a sound to show her appreciation. She wordlessly tells him she wants more and she was more than pleased when he lifted her off the ground and pinned her between himself and the wall.
"What's gotten into you?" She breathed, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"We don't have much time-" He replied. She wondered if he meant the statement more broadly but there were too many layers of offending clothing for them to have a deeper philosophical conversation.
Sae had to bury her face in the crook of his neck to keep quiet, though he wasn't much better, puffing her pet name into her ear. There was an urgency in their encounter that she'd never experienced before, the way he held her and breathed her name, it wasn't like him. It had nothing to do with that their party could come looking for them at any minute. Saebyl knew it was seeing his monstrous brother again, she knew that Sandor wanted, no- needed to kill his brother. To end that terrible saga once and for all. She hoped that part of it had something to do with her and their sons, to give them a safer world without an uncle that would undoubtedly seek them out to kill them but she also knew this had started long before she had ever been in the picture. She wouldn't delude herself that his lust for vengeance was solely based for the safety of his family.
When he finished, and his knees sunk to the ground, unable to hold them up any longer, she peppered his face in kisses. He said nothing as she took his face in her hands and made sure to cover every inch. She wished she could see better but it was nearly pure darkness. She would have liked to see his expression, see if this was what was needed. The weight of his head in her hands made her think it was right, that he was relaxed or enjoying her sweet kisses from his perpetually furrowed brow, down his scarred cheek and to his twisted mouth.
"Moonbeam," He finally said, "We should go back." But he made no motions to stop her.
"One day," She said, between her little gestures of affection, "We will have time, we won't have to rush or hide in the dark. When I can get you all to myself."
"In a cottage far away." He replied wistfully.
"With sheep." She adeed.
"And Chickens."