TALION, LORETH, SANSA AND THE KINGSGUARD ARRIVED AT SKY HAVEN AT MIDDAY, TWO DAYS AFTER BRIANNA AND HER COMPANY. They found the ancient fortress very much alive with hundreds of Akaviri knights. Sansa learned from an apprentice that Eddard had completely destroyed Kings Landing, leaving one survivor. That survivor was the Red Keep's chef's son and Brianna had brought the boy back with her. As they passed the armory, Sansa saw a woman issuing orders while pounding away on a piece of steel, a great sword slung across her back. She was dirty and filthy from the metal work, but her silver white hair was unmistakable. This was the last Queen of the Iron Throne – Daenerys Targaryen and she was doing manual labor which shocked Sansa. What surprised Sansa even more was that despite her age, Daenerys had not seemed to age a day and grew even more beautiful. Daenerys seemed to notice someone staring and looked in her direction. Sansa swallowed the lump building in her throat and felt unease building in the pit of her stomach as the wife of the Dragonborn first embraced her son. In the past Daenerys and Sansa did not always agree and the red headed noble feared that she would remember their arguments.

"Welcome back Talion. I see you brought along a few friends including some that I know well. Hello Sansa. Welcome to Tamriel and Skyrim. Forgive me if I do not embrace you as a sister. I am filthy from forging arrows, swords, axes and repairing armor. As you can see, we are quite busy preparing for a siege" Daenerys spoke to Sansa, not a hint of malice in her voice.

Sansa had trouble finding the words "I would have thought you would harbor ill feelings toward me after what happened."

"On the contrary. My time in Skyrim has given me clarity and I came to understand my ambition and lust for power was my undoing. It nearly cost me my life, but I found redemption with the Dragonborn my husband and Eru Illuvatar granted forgiveness and blessed me with long life" Daenerys replied. "And I was blessed with something far more precious than gold or a throne. My son Talion."

"Speaking of thrones, your son is now king of Westeros" Loreth interjected.

"Mother, this is Loreth. Daughter of Aragorn and princess of Gondor. She wishes to fight against the Enemy. And also, she is my fiancé" Talion informed his mother.

"Congratulations Talion. A match with the daughter of Aragorn will only solidify our alliance. By the Valar Loreth, you are even more beautiful than your mother" Daenerys replied. "I know my son is now the rightful king of Westeros, but unfortunately Eddard wishes to make war on his grandfather and homeland. He has gathered a force of Wildlings, two thousand of my supporters and several legions of orcs. Apparently, those who rejected his call he had Ancalagon burn. A few hundred of my surviving supporters arrived two days ago."

"Who is Ancalagon" Sansa asked wondering if this was another one of the Enemy's servants.

"Ancalagon the Black. The most powerful drake to have ever lived. During the War of Wrath when the Valar were on the verge of victory, Morgoth unleashed that terrible beast on the army from Valinor" another feminine voice answered. Sansa looked at the gorgeous red head who walked into the room. She had piercing green eyes, pale skin, toned muscled arms and a stunning set of legs. A black katana hung on the belt of her dress. This was Brianna Dovahkiir, Master of the Blades and the Last Servant of the Secret Fire, an Istari. Also, she was the wife of the former Night Watch commander turned Akaviri captain Jon Snow. "So great was the heat from his breath, that the armies of Valinor were driven back. He is over two hundred miles long and when my father confronted him at Whiterun, my father slayer of Alduin the World Eater proved he was no match for the drake of Morgoth."

"Master Brianna" Sansa could only stutter. Sansa was one of the most beautiful women in Westeros, but the daughter of the Dragonborn made her feel like the ugly wife of a pig farmer. Brianna was as beautiful as she was deadly. Figures that Jon would marry a woman who was either his equal or better Sansa thought.

"I was in the Red Keep when Arya discovered your brother's body. She is inconsolable and believes that she is the last of her house. Arya will be greatly relieved to learn you still live. Pardon our rudeness. On behalf of my father the Dovahkiin, you have our condolences. Bran was a wise and just king. He kept Westeros at peace for two decades. Unfortunately, my nephew had to spoil that hard won tranquility" Brianna replied bitterly.

"Can the Blades hold against the Enemy" Loreth asked.

"The majority of the Akaviri are fighting in Black Marsh and in Morrowind. We have fewer than five hundred fully trained knights here. Most here are apprentices in various stages of training. Geralt and Ciri are en route, but won't be here for another week. I see you bear Hadhafang, the great Elven sword of Lord Elrond. Are you ready to use that weapon" Brianna questioned while eyeing the legendary Elvish weapon.

"Aye. My father trained me in the ways of a Ranger. I am the only woman in Gondor who passed the Ranger trials" Loreth stated proudly, her hand touching the hilt of Hadhafang. "My mother gave me this sword when I left Minas Tirith and instructed me to defend the innocent with it."

"Excellent, but training is different from actual combat Loreth" Brianna answered. "You have not heard the screams of the wounded and watch the life of your enemy leave their body. The stench of the dead is a smell that never leaves. There is nothing glorious about war, but sadly as long as evil rises it must be fought." Brianna looked at Daenerys "I have to see to the defenses mother. We shall dine later."

"How is it that you know Eddard intends to attack" Sansa asked.

"Eldarion and the Rangers have scouted their position. He and his company have been invaluable in the war. So much so that I cannot afford to lose him or his men. The young prince of Gondor has never failed me" Brianna answered. "When Eddard attacks, leave him to me. He is a Dark Lord. He will face the justice of the Eldar."

"If it is possible daughter, we have to try to redeem him. He has been lied to by the Enemy. No telling what lies he was fed and Eddard is under the influence of the Gravewalker's Ring as well" a deep powerful male voice said joining them. He was tall, handsome, well built, dark haired and deep green eyes. Sansa watched as Daenerys took his hands and kissed him tenderly. This was the Last Dragonborn of Akatosh. One of the last demigods to walk the earth. To Sansa, he reeked of humility and love, nothing like the legends she was told and traveling bards sang of. No wonder why Daenerys fell for him Sansa reasoned.

"I know papa, but he did not spare anyone in Kings Landing. Men, women, children – he killed them all. His corruption is complete" Brianna countered. "There is nothing to do save."

"We must make one last attempt at saving him. Arya cannot lose her son. I know what it is like to lose a child. Despite Sansa surviving, losing her son would destroy her" Daenerys added. Sansa realized that this was not the Daenerys she remembered. Her old rival was no longer consumed with a hunger for power. Sansa could see in Daenerys's eyes that she would give and do anything to protect those she loved. If her son was anything like his mother who held her husband, Sansa knew she and Tyrion would follow him anywhere. Sansa's thoughts were interrupted when she heard a familiar voice.

"Sansa?"

"Arya" Sansa replied looking at her sister. Sansa almost didn't recognize her. Arya had changed much and the years had not been kind to her. War and grief had aged her ten years. Her hair began to grey and she had a few wrinkles on her face. Her sister's eyes were bloodshot from a lack of sleep and tears. Arya ran to her sister and embraced Sansa; the two siblings weeping at the joyous reunion.

"I thought I was the last Stark. It does my heart good to see that you lived" Arya said.

"Did Bran suffer" Sansa asked.

Arya nodded "Let us not talk about that further. I'm sure Tyrion would like to see you" leading her sister out of the room leaving Loreth, Brianna, Talion and Daenerys alone.

"Father, this is Loreth. Daughter of Aragorn, princess of Gondor and my fiancé. She also wishes to fight with us" Talion said to the Dragonborn introducing the elf.

"Aragorn permitted his eldest daughter to join the fight" the Dragonborn asked in disbelief.

"My brother has been fighting alongside the Blades for four years now and I want to share in his perils. And I also love your son and would follow him anywhere" Loreth replied.

"How does your mother feel about you joining the fight" Daenerys asked.

"She was thrilled when I accepted to become your son's bride, not as happy when I told her I was leaving for the war" Loreth answered.

Before the Dragonborn could answer, the sound of war drums and orc horns could be heard on the wind. The Dragonborn, Brianna, Daenerys, Loreth and Talion rushed to the courtyard and could see the dust from the Enemy, marching on Sky Haven.

"Dragonborn" Loreth said looking at her future father-in-law "some spell gives speed to the Enemy advance. They'll be here within the hour."

"Brianna, sound the alarm. Assemble the Blades including the apprentices. We'll need every sword arm in this battle." Looking at Loreth, the Dragonborn continued "provide the princess with some armor. She is going to need it. And get Arya. The reunion with her sister will have to wait."

"Dragonborn, before I left my father gave me Lord Elrond's personal armor" Loreth informed the Dovahkiin.

"That armor is one of the finest ever crafted. You are honored to wear it" the Dragonborn replied.

"Papa, what do you have planned" Brianna asked.

"Arya is going to see her son for the first time in four years and hopefully the sight of his mother will trigger a change in him. If it does not, then like a wolf with Rockjoint, Eddard will have to be put to the sword" the Dragonborn answered with regret in his voice. "Fortunately, Ancalagon has not been sighted therefore Odahviing will burn his army." The Dragonborn sighed "I was wrong to train him Brianna. You were right. By Eddard becoming a Dark Lord, he is worse than Miraak."

"Remember what Jarron told me papa. Eddard is in possession of an Elder Scroll. We have no idea what he plans to do with it" Brianna cautioned.

"Aye and I fear that the coming battle is simply a distraction for him to use it" her father answered. "Whatever intention Eddard has for the Elder Scroll, it is for ill use and not wisdom."