Hey!

Remember remember the 5th of November, I feel like I have been promising an update on this date forever :D

For all the British readers who sadly cannot be out burning an effigy of Guy Fawkes, saving hedgehogs and eating toffee apples in lieu of the lockdown I hope this chapter will lighten your mood :) For any non-British readers google Guy Fawkes, its wild!

For any American readers hope this chapter allows you a little bit of time to drag yourself away from the election :)

Enjoy :)

PS: Fanfiction net was being weird when I uploaded this on Thursday and I think the alert link was broken so I am reuploading it today (Friday) so hopefully the alert email link works now.


Chapter 73: The Dragon's Return

A few days later…

On the deck of Red Rain, Lannister Flagship, a day sailing away from the Southern Coast of Dorne


Tywin looked out into the dimming horizon. He knew just beyond his eyeline the shores of Dorne were ripe for the taking with Trystane Martell having mustered the fighting forces of Dorne in the Prince's Pass and the Boneway against the two Tyrell hosts positioned at the Northern part of the routes to the Stormlands.

If they were quick about it the young Prince's forces could be trapped in each passageway and a siege could be launched on Sunspear before any real defence could be mobilised against them.

Tywin's strategic musings were interrupted by a firm hand on his shoulder. He didn't have to turn his head to know whose hand it was. There was only one person aboard the Red Rain who would dare lay a hand on his shoulder unannounced and only one possessed such a cold and stiff hand at that.

"Father," the one-handed knight greeted as he moved his golden hand so it now rested by his side as his other griped the side of the ship, "admiring the last of the suns rays or imagining how to conquer the unconquerable?"

"What do you want Jaime?" Tywin replied gruffly turning his mind from Dorne to his disgruntled son knowing they were not on the best of terms.

"I interrupted the later then," Jaime muttered before turning his eyes to the sinking sun, "I want to know why my sister is with Queen Daenerys in Meereen."

"Prince Oberyn kidnapped her and took her with him to Meereen. You know this-"

"Enough of the lies, I want the truth .. I deserve the truth," Jaime said with his eyes still firmly observing the lowering sun.

Tywin surprised his son by agreeing with him while turning his entire focus from the sun to Jaime's face, "Yes I suppose you do. Your brother and sister know the truth so why not you as well."

Jaime bristled under his father's scrutiny but held firm for the secret to be revealed.

"Your sister wasn't kidnapped, she fled with Prince Oberyn after stabbing me," Tywin divulged not containing the disappointment in his voice but successfully hiding the hurt at his oldest's actions.

Jaime took a second to form a reply, "Why would she do that?"

"Because I was behind Joffrey's assassination."

Jaime entire neck snapped as his eyes shot to his fathers, "You killed my son."

"I didn't know he was your son at the time," Tywin said as if that was an acceptable excuse.

"He was still your grandson," Jaime stressed, trying to keep his voice low while Lannister sailors worked behind them.

"He was mad and would have brought the entire Seven Kingdoms to its knees before Daenerys Targaryen ever reached our shores," Tywin countered, knowing what he said was true.

Jaime grabbed his father's arm tightly with a shocked look on his face that was fast morphing into a disgusted angry one.

"Cersei stabbed you because she knew," he deduced.

"Yes," Tywin replied calmly noting Jaime's look, "are you going to finish what she started? Tyrion already aimed a crossbow at me and was a whisker away from firing it. What will you do? Run me through with your sword like you did to the Mad King?"

Jaime seemed to consider the idea for a second before the mental image of the act dissuaded him and he released his father's arm from his grip.

"I want Cersei back," he said simply.

Tywin's face darkened, "Your sister will come back but she will not be alone."

"Why is she with Daenerys Targaryen?" Jaime asked confused as to why Cersei would support the spawn of the King he had killed. She had even married the man that had killed Daenerys's own brother.

"I suspect Cersei has some misguided belief that her act of familiar betrayal and support for the invasion will protect her children and you from Daenerys's future retribution on our family which is lunacy-"

"How can she think that?" Jaime exclaimed, "I was a Kingsguard and I killed my King, Daenerys's own father she will surely not let that go and Tommen will always be a threat to her rule, a point for her detractors to rally around whether he wants to be or not. At least Myrcella is relatively safe married to Trystane Martell."

"I think your sister will have worked out by now that your life cannot be spared but is clinging on to the possibility that Tommen may be spared due to his," Tywin searched for the correct word, "innocence."

Jaime remained silent trying to fathom how he could get Cersei back or if Daenerys would really allow Tommen to live.

"If you are thinking of joining your sister or trading your life for Tommen's know that she will not let another claimant to the Iron Throne live."

"You don't know that," Jaime challenged annoyed his father had read his mind.

"Daenerys Targaryen will know the threat pretenders cause when they have had time to grow up, she is living proof that the best course of action is to always eliminate any other claimants. She will not make the same mistake that Robert did."

"How do we get Cersei back?" Jaime asked hoping his father had an answer.

Tywin inhaled then stared straight into Jaime's eyes, "We win."

Jaime let out a desperate laugh, "And how do we do that?"

"We kill her dragons, we kill her soldiers, we kill her followers and we kill her."

"In that order?" Jaime jested as only a man that had lost his fighting spirit could.

Tywin placed one hand a piece on Jaime's shoulders, "We are Lannisters and we will survive this war. I don't care how we will do it, if we kill her before her dragons or wipe out her entire army till her dragons are the only thing she has left. We will defeat her."

"I just want Cersei back and our children safe," Jaime whispered back honestly reiterating his previous comments.

"And they will be when the Dragon Queen is dead," Tywin reassured.

Jaime nodded slowly as his father took back his hands and rubbed them together to keep the evenings cold from them.

"You will not punish her for trying to kill you?"

"If she survives the coming war and we win, Cersei will spend the rest of her days in Casterly Rock where I will allow you to reside too as my heir."

"Truly?" Jaime asked with hesitation evident in his voice.

His father was proposing to give him everything he had ever wanted in return for ruling Casterly Rock as he had always wanted. It was a price Jaime was willing to pay if it meant a life with Cersei.

"I suppose if we win you see yourself with Tommen in King's Landing?"

"I would still be Hand of the King," Tywin confirmed.

"And where would Queen Kenna fit into this grand plan? Would she be my cuckolded wife in Casterly Rock, the Queen over the Mountains in the Eyrie … or would she be your mistress in King's Landing?"

Tywin's face ceased into a scowl at the direction Jaime had chosen to drag the conversation, "You and I both know that she sees her future in ruling the Vale."

"I asked where you saw her in your plans not where she saw herself," Jaime pushed, understanding why Tyrion found vexing their father so enjoyable.

Tywin gnawed his teeth together, uncomfortable discussing the current topic, before answering, "She is the Lady of Casterly Rock and her children will rule after you. I once saw her ruling the Rock beside you but it is hard to rule two Kingdoms simultaneously."

Jaime shifted his weight knowing too that Kenna would never relinquish her rule over the Vale, "You apparently manged to rule Seven for near twenty years but I fear that if Cersei and Kenna lived in the same city one would end up dead despite my best efforts."

Tywin knew who he would bet on in that scenario as the last rays of the sun flittered over his face like the touch of a lover's fingers.


A few days later …..

One month since Daenerys disappearance with Drogon …

The Great Pyramid, Meereen, Slaver's Bay, South Essos


Cersei sipped at her wine as she looked out over the great city of Meereen. Half of it was being consumed by an inferno as the sky was streaked with the fire balls that were flung from the Master's ships occupying the nearest part of Slaver's Bay.

"Maybe you should have tried a more diplomatic route when the Masters of Yunkia and Astapor came for negotiation," Varys adorned lightly as he settled by Cersei's shoulder.

"If I had we would have been fighting Daenerys's own supporters within the city not just her enemies outside the walls," Cersei muttered despondently back not liking the lose-lose scenario she found herself in.

Varys nodded at the logic, knowing that the city before the Master's attack had been balanced on a knifes edge and now at least the opposing forces within Meereen's walls had become united in the face of the Master's assault on her walls.

"We should have slit the Master's throats when they came here for negations," Cersei announced darkly.

"Yes, I remember you suggesting that course of action at the time and I also remember Grey Worm and Missandei disagreeing with it despite their obvious hatred for the Masters. It would not have been Queen Daenerys's way. She is trying to create a new world. A better world for everyone, not just the nobility."

Cersei lifted her arms out, "This new way brought this upon us. How many people do you think are dying down there because Queen Daenerys is trying to be better? Because she is showing her enemies compassion instead of crushing them?"

Varys didn't answer just watched as another dozen fire balls crashed down into the city below them.

Cersei suddenly turned to the eunuch, "What do you think is more useful in a ruler over a city that is on the brink of splitting in two? A monster or a fair lady?"

Varys smiled and placed his hands on the marble railing, "Daenerys is neither of those things and we are not simply talking of Meereen. We are talking of the Seven Kingdoms."

Cersei shook her head, "It seems the world Daenerys wants to build can only be built by the methods she wishes to vanquish."

"Perhaps but that world once built will be ruled fairly by a good ruler untouched by the murky decisions that are necessary for her ascension. A ruler that truly cares for her people."

Cersei snorted in response, "You know as well as I do so many terrible deeds are justified because people believe that the outcome will bring more good than destruction so I ask you Varys, what is different in Daenerys situation?"

"She is different," Varys said with steady conviction that Cersei hadn't seen from him the entire time he was in King's Landing.

Cersei half rolled her eyes as she turned back to the burning city below.

A silence engulfed them, only to be interrupted now and again with the sound of distant screams and of fire balls hitting their marks.

"I take it you know of Ellaria?" Cersei asked as if the paramour's death was just another casual topic of conversation.

Varys leaned his back against the railing not wanting to see the fiery destruction anymore, "Yes."

"And?" Cersei demanded more than prompted.

"And I have spoken to Oberyn," Varys rubbed his fingers together, "and agreed with him that Ellaria sadly died due to a Sons of the Harpy attack when she and Prince Oberyn were taking in the local markets of Meereen."

"How tragic," Cersei drawled, knowing that Varys was the one to have convinced Oberyn that the lie was better than the truth.

"Ellaria's body is on its way back to Dorne and I am sure when it gets there her daughters will mourn her loss."

"And what of Oberyn?" Cersei tried to inquire indifferently.

"He is mourning too in his own way," at Cersei's sceptical look he added, "Prince Oberyn is currently drinking himself into a stupor in his chambers but he remains here to finish the mission his brother gave him"

"And what was that?"

"To keep the alliance between Dorne and the new Targaryen dynasty on track."

Cersei raised her eyebrows, "Are you suggesting a marriage between the two?"

"No," Varys let out a little chuckle at the thought, "the last Martell Targaryen marriage didn't exactly work out, besides our Queen won't stand for simply being another bedwarmer to Oberyn Martell."

After a long beat Cersei decided to move the conversation on, "Grey Worm has the Great Pyramid secure?"

Varys nodded, "He seems to think that here is the best place to mount a defence when the Master's soldiers breach the walls."

Maybe I will die in this pathetic city after all, Cersei thought morbidly as another building collapsed under the bombardment from the Master's ships.


Suddenly Cersei heard a loud screech come from the sky.

Vary and Cersei looked above them to see Drogon bearing down on the Great Pyramid and he wasn't alone.

Once Drogon had settled on top of the Great Pyramid, causing some rubble to run off and smash around Varys and Cersei as Daenerys dismounted right before them.

"It looks like my return was timely," Daenerys said as she came to a stop right in front of the visibly shocked Lady and eunuch, "Ser Barristan, Jorah and Daario are leading my Dothraki against the soldiers gathered on the walls and I will lead Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion against the Master's fleet."

Grey Worm and Missandei emerged from the Great Pyramid, "My Queen," the unsullied commander greeted before kneeling before her.

"Grey Worm, Missandei," Daenerys returned with a genuine friendliness, "I need the Unsullied to protect the Great Pyramid and maintain the order in Meereen. I will deal with the Master's ships while the Dothraki clear the Master's soldiers by the gates."

"Yes, my Queen," Grey Worm bowed before leaving to instantly carry out her orders.

"Actually, I have a suggestion."

All eyes went to Cersei.

Daenerys gestured for her to continue but started to walk inside the Pyramid before she had started.

Cersei glided to one of her shoulders as Missandei walked on her other side with Varys behind the women.

"The Masters have brought a considerable amount of ships with them," Cersei started, "Ships we need to transport our forces over the Narrow Sea to Westeros. Perhaps instead of destroying them in a blaze of dragon fire we could convince the Masters to hand them over in the face of certain death."

"You are turning to negotiation?" Varys said with a smirk behind them as he recounted their earlier discussion on the topic of compromising and diplomacy.

"I do not pretend to be a great negotiator," Cersei said over her shoulder at Varys, "but the balance of power has drastically shifted towards us and we need their ships and the Masters will presumable want to continue on living."

"The Masters attacked Meereen, they attacked my people, I will not let them live," Daenerys thundered as she slammed one hand down on the nearby table.

"I am not suggesting you let them all live," Cersei offered out, "but obtaining their ships should be the priority and you could broker a peace treaty between Meereen, Yunkia, and Astapor."

"A treaty they have shown they will not honour," Varys pointed out.

"Probably not but once you have conquered the Seven Kingdoms you could simply ride your dragons back here and have the justification to destroy them," Cersei addressed to Daenerys.

"I will not leave Meereen for it to be simply attacked in my absence," Daenerys said back to the former Queen not hiding her displeasure at the suggestion to leave the city defenceless and vulnerable.

"If we take their ships and destroy their army now what will they have left to attack Meereen with?" Cersei asked, thanking the Gods that she had listened to all her father's talks of strategy and tactics.

Daenerys walked around the table and once she was on the opposite side to all her advisors, she had made up her mind, "Once the Master's soldiers have been routed send a message to the Masters for a parlay."

Varys nodded and left the room with an urgency in his normally smooth manner.

Daenerys stormed out the room with Missandei following in her wake, Cersei presumed she meaned to free her dragons from the dungeon she had put them in.

Cersei too walked out the room but her destination wasn't the dungeons but rather the chambers of a distraught Dornish Prince.


Same day …

Three weeks hike North of the Wall


"There is a group of wrights over that ridge," Jojen announced to the group sitting next to Bran's sledge after rubbing his eyes.

"Do you know how many?" Jon questioned.

"There are fourteen," Bran answered for his friend while opening his eyes, "no White Walker is with them and I can't sense any other wrights nearby."

"Let's get this fucking over with," The Hound grunted unsheathing his sword.

"We need one alive," Arya reminded her companion.

The Hound said giving Arya a sneer in response as the two made their way over to the top of the snow ridge. Jon shook his head slightly still trying to get his head around the unusual relationship between his sister and the former Kingsguard.

"You ready?" Ygritte asked him with her bow out.

Jon took Long Claw from his belt, "As I will ever be."

Ygritte stood next to Jon, "Once we get this wright and pass through the Wall will we see your home? Winterfell?"

Jon gave her a warm smile, "Yes I promise you will see Winterfell."

Ygritte's face lit up at the prospect of seeing something new, a thing she had only heard in Mance's tales. Ghost ran in-between them to catch up with Grenn who was nearing Arya and the Hound reminding them they still had a job to do. Benjen trotted ahead of them with his war thurible already flaming.

Jon looked back at Bran who seemed comfortable enough with Jojen and Summer guarding him before charging up the snow drift with Ygritte to join the waiting group.


They all charged down at the wandering wrights. The wrights also charged at them but suddenly stopped half way as if someone had pulled at their strings.

Bran, Jon realised as Long Claw smashed into one stilled undead. The group made quick work of the stilled wrights until only one remained. The Hound wretched the knife from its bony grasp and proceeded to tie the wright up in a long rope.

"We got what we came for," Arya said keen to feel the warmth of a hearth again, "let's go."

Jon nodded as he watched the Hound carry the bound wight on his back as if it were a dead animal.

"The Wall is a long way from here and there are still dangers in-between there and here," Jon cautioned.

"Let us be quick and careful then," Benjen said already turning his horse around to go back for Bran and Jojen.


Author's Notes

Jon has his proof that the wights exist now, he just needs to get back to the Wall and travel South to show someone of importance.

Jaime and Tywin have a much needed one on one. I think this was needed as otherwise it is a bit unclear why Jaime is fighting for his family against Dany when Cersei is on the opposite side. Also, I really wanted a Jaime vs Tywin scene where Jaime actually stand up to his father a bit more and challenges him on points no one else, other than Tyrion, really would.

Dany returns as well as has her sights firmly set on dealing with the Masters and crossing the Narrow Sea. With Cersei and Oberyn there she is being harried a bit more than she was with Tyrion there as both Oberyn and Cersei have a burning desire to get their revenge on Tywin sooner rather than later and of course Oberyn would like the currently rebelling Dornish to have some back up ….


Reviews:

DannyBlack70 – A lot more people were going to die but the characters kinda wrote their own survival if you know what I mean but Jojen was always going to live as I think it adds to Bran's story to have more characters around him he can bounce off.

Supremus85 (both reviews) – Let me know when you get these projects off the ground :) Mmm I think the Joanna living scenario is the one that interests me more as I can see a mother having a bigger impact than a grandpa but go for it! Thanks Supremus :)

Cleo9427 – Arya joined the beyond the Wall group in Chapter 60. PMed you as well but posting here as others might also want to know.

Tohka123 – Thank you buddy! Will do :)

NightlyRowenTree – Thanks, I watched multiple horror movies and carved a pumpkin.

Anaurel Ereinioniel – Aawww dude I am blushing :) Thanks for your lovely comment and appreciating my writing and story. Kenna and Tywin dialogue and scenes are my favorite too as well as Royce Kenna interactions. I have felt the absence of them together in the Greyjoy arc but that is all done now and all three are together sailing on Dorne. I had the ending of the Greyjoys in my mind since the first chapter so it is extremely enjoyable to have that written out and posted. I try really hard to make sure that actions, no matter if done with good intentions, have consequences and that there is a true sense of realism to every character. Seasons 1 to 4 were amazing! Yeah, I am good thanks, the UK has just gone into lockdown and the US election has taken away some writing time but I am on it :D


Next Up: King's Landing finds a cause to celebrate, an invasion force reaches Dorne, and Daenerys faces the Masters.

If you are enjoying this story please *Toss a coin to your writer, Oh valley of readers* and review, follow and favorite!