Sister's Keeper
Edited by xXFallenSakuraXx52
Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones
Language:
Common Tongue
Valyrian
Dothraki
Chapter 67: Battle of the Goldroad
Jon's POV
Jon focused his attention on mining the dragonglass. His thoughts linger about the Targaryen sisters noticing that they were completely opposite from one another. Queen Alysanne was calculating and patient while Princess Daenerys was impulsive, wanting to get the job done. He questioned them for the sake of the Six Kingdoms, or Seven if Daenerys had her way. But Tyrion did mention that he should not rely on first impressions. He needed to know what others think about the sisters. However, there is only one person here who can speak the Common Tongue at the moment.
He and Ser Davos were making their way to the cave to continue their excavating. The more hands they can get on in retrieving the dragonglass, the better. So they descended down the winding staircase towards the beach.
"What do you think of her?" Ser Davos asked.
"Who?" Jon replied.
Ser Davos sighed, "I believe you know of whom I speak."
Assuming the Onion knight was referring to the Queen, the White Wolf replied, "I think she has a good heart."
"A good heart? I've noticed you staring at both sisters' good hearts."
Jon rolled his eyes, "There's no time for that."
Ser Davos gave an amused smile.
"I saw the Night King, Davos. I looked into his eyes," Jon reminded. "How many men do we have in the North to fight him? Ten thousand? Less?"
"Fewer," Ser Davos Grammarly corrected him.
"What?" Jon asked, confused.
"Speaking of a good hearts – Missandei of Naath," Ser Davos greeted.
The Naathi translator was on the steps enjoying the scenery, most importantly, checking on the Green Dragon who was flying over the ocean. Jon tried to remember the dragon's name, he believed it was Rhaegal. Missandei turned around, hearing her name, and greeted them.
"Ser Davos, Lord Snow," Missandei greeted.
"King Snow, isn't it?" Ser Davos corrected. "No, that doesn't sound right. King Jon?"
Jon rolled his eyes, sighing, "It doesn't matter."
"Forgive me, but may I ask a question?" Missandei requested.
"Of course," Jon assured.
"Your name is Jon Snow, but your father's name was Ned Stark?" she asked.
Jon nodded, "I'm a bastard."
Missandei looked at him, confused. Jon assumed it was a language barrier. Though a sensitive topic, he decided to explain his circumstances before returning to the excavation.
"My mother and father weren't married."
"Is the custom different in Naath?" Ser Davos asked.
"We don't have marriage in Naath, so the concept of a bastard doesn't exist," Missandei answered.
I wish that idea could be used in Westeros, Jon thought. The only kingdom that respects Bastards is far south in Dorne.
"That sounds…liberating," Ser Davos said.
"Why did you leave your homeland?" Jon asked her.
"I was stolen away by slavers," she answered.
"I'm sorry," Jon apologized.
He now remembered the majority of Essos was corrupted by the slave trade. Naath being one of the islands to fall victim to the cruel trade.
"If I may, how did a slave-girl come to advise Alysanne Targaryen?" Ser Davos asked.
Missandei smiled, "She bought me from my master and set me free."
Jon was surprised by this.
"That was good of her," Ser Davos said. "Of course, you're serving her now, aren't you?"
"I serve my Queen because I want to serve my Queen. Because I believe in her," she said.
"And if you wanted to sail to Naath tomorrow?" Jon asked.
"Then she would give me a ship and wish me good fortune," she answered.
"You believe that?" Jon asked, a bit skeptic.
Missandei looked into his eyes, "I know it. All of us came with her from Essos, we believe in her. She's not our Queen because she's the daughter of some King we never knew. She's the Queen we chose."
Ser Davos nodded, impressed as he looked at Jon, "Will you forgive me if I switch sides?"
Jon, no doubt would have done the same if he was not King. Although there was a bit of doubt towards Alysanne, based on their encounters and conversation, they appeared to be on good terms. They've both been occupied with other matters, so they haven't discussed the terms of their alliance for after the Great War. She seemed to be determined to give the North its independence, and he appreciated that. No doubt Sansa will appreciate that too.
Suddenly the sound of the bells ringing caught their attention. They focus onto the bay spotting a lone ship sailing in. It had black sails with a golden kraken on it.
"Is that a Greyjoy ship?" Jon asked.
"Indeed," Missandei answered, as she started making her way to the beach.
Jon and Ser Davos followed, not sure which Greyjoy fleet it belongs too. Both not wanting Missandei to end up hurt or captured. As they made their way down, several Dothraki joined them. Along the beach, they saw eight men rowing in until they got close enough to the shores to push the rowboat in. Jon recognized one of the Ironborn at the very front and felt his blood boil. The man turned around facing him, it was Theon. Both Jon and Theon were surprised in seeing one another.
Theon was thin, looking different, yet the resemblance was there. The Ironborn nodded to him in greeting. Jon clenched his fist, remembering what Theon did to his family. The man he once considered his friend, his brother, and he betrayed House Stark. How Theon lead the fall of Winterfell, murdering the Master of Arms, Ser Rodrik Cassel, Maester Luwin, along with two of the farmers' boys. Sansa told him that Theon helped her escape from the Boltons and informed him that Theon did not kill Bran and Rickon. Rickon, he knew was dead, unable to save his youngest brother from Ramsay during the Battle of the Bastards, and Bran…mostly dead from traveling beyond the Wall. However, before Sam and Sansa told him, he spent years thinking his two younger brothers were killed by his childhood friend.
"Jon," Theon greeted. "I didn't know you were here."
Jon couldn't speak.
Theon approach him, "S-Sansa . . . is she all right?"
Unable to hold it in anymore, Jon swung a punch striking Theon in the face before grabbing him by the collar of his coat.
"What you did for her…" Jon ground out, "is the only reason I'm not killing you."
Theon nodded, terrified by this action. Jon nodded, shoving the man he once called friend away.
"We heard your uncle attacked your fleet," Ser Davos said, changing the subject. "We thought you were dead."
"I should be," Theon agreed.
"Your sister?"
Theon took a gulp of air, "Euron has her. I came to ask the Queen to help me get her back. "
"The Queen is gone," Jon said.
"And the princess?" Theon asked.
"She went with her sister," Jon answered.
"Where did they go?" Theon asked.
.o0o.
Blackwater Rush
The Lannister Army and Tarly Army were spread-out through the Golden Road collecting the harvest from nearby cities. It was speculated that the Targaryen Sisters would attempt a siege on King's Landing, forming a barricade in order to cut off supplies for the citizens. Ser Jaime wanted to be sure the citizens had enough food when the time does come to that. Currently, his group of men were resting by the Blackwater, either recovering from a long travel of marching, fixing the wagons wheel, or double-checking the supplies. Once the wagons were secure, they'll be marching soon. It would take another day's journey before they reach the border to the Crownlands.
Although, Ser Jaime was not pleased in how the capture of Highgarden went. There was no one there other than a few dozen soldiers and the staff. Not a single Tyrell, or one of the lower houses were occupying the castle. When checking the neighboring villages of Highgarden, they discovered that they too were abandoned. It was like the Tyrell's were anticipating this and abandoned the region altogether. For the next few days, the soldiers were scavenging through the castle in search of the vault or anything of value. When the vault was finally discovered, it too was empty as well. Ser Jaime knew Cersei would not like this. He doubts the objects they found of value would be able to cover a third of the remaining debt.
Either way, he just wanted to return back to King's Landing despite having to deal with Cersei. He made enough sacrifices by giving up Casterly Rock. Leaving a few hundred men to give the illusion the Lannister army remained in the city, while Euron's fleet deals with the Unsullied ships, making it so that the Unsullied would have to march back to Dragonstone. He did take extra precaution by having his cousins and kin evacuate the area in case this was a hostage takeover.
Lord Randyll Tarly trotted up toward him and Bronn.
"All the gold's safely through the gates of King's Landing," Lord Randyll reported.
What little gold was left, Ser Jaime thought. "Good."
"We need to get the last of these wagons over the Blackwater Rush before nightfall. If the head of the line is ambushed, the tail end will never be able to reinforce them in time."
"Well, we are stretched a bit thin," Jaime replied.
"With your permission, flogging the stragglers has a marked effect on mobility."
You and my father would have gotten along, Jaime thought as he nodded though, looked at the men, "Let's give them fair warning first. These men fought well at Highgarden."
Barely a battle, Lord Randyll thought but nodded trotting back to the trail.
Ser Jaime and Ser Bronn looked at each other before returning to their forces. They galloped around until spotting Lord Randyll Tarly's son Dickon, who was observing a repair of a wagon wheel. Curious in the young's man perspective of his first fight in battle, since Bronn had his first experience of a duel when he was a kid, and Jaime when squiring for Ser Barristan against the Brotherhood.
"Ser Jaime," the young man greeted.
"Rickon," Ser Jaime replied back.
The man took a deep breath, "Dickon."
Bronn laughed at the poor man's name.
Ser Jaime gave his companion a warning look before facing Dickon, "I hear you fought bravely at Highgarden. Your first battle?"
Dickon nodded.
"And?"
"It was glorious," Dickon said.
"Come on, your father's not here," Bronn encourage the boy.
Dickon sighed, "All my life, we've been pledged to House Tyrell. I knew some of those men. I hunted with them with the Tyrell brothers."
"They didn't deserve to die. But Lady Olenna and Lord Willas chose to betray their Queen and support the Targaryen sisters. So here we are," Ser Jaime assured.
Dickon nodded, comprehending his words. Although the words slipped out of, "I didn't expect it to smell like that."
"Men shit themselves when they die," Bronn confirmed casually. "Didn't they teach you that at fancy lad school? Well, I learned it when I was five."
Bronn sighed from the memory when something caught his ear. The horses were neighing, but there was a thumbing, comparing the sound a few years ago at the Battle of the Green Fork, the sound of a cavalry charge off in the distance.
"What?" Jaime asked.
"Listen," Bronn instructed.
All three men paused, hearing the distant sound of hoofbeats approaching. Ser Jaime looked over his shoulder where there was a vast valley hill, also hearing the sounds of what could be described as battle screaming. Cursing he galloped away ordering both armies to get their spears and shields. Immediately everyone scrambled to grab their spears and shields, getting into formation to protect the cargo. He rode along with Ser Bronn telling the men to get in line and Lord Randyll telling his archers to get their bows. Dickon wasn't sure what was going on, as he followed his father in relaying the message. The Lannister soldiers took their kite shields, securing them on the ground, while the spearmen placed the spear between each shield man and the swordsmen and archers right behind.
The sound of shrieking and galloping grew louder, and the army was ready. On top of the hill, they can almost see a line or horses. Like a tear in a waterskin, the Dothraki came pouring down the hill.
The massive size of the Dothraki horde baffled the soldiers. Yet they stood their ground as Lord Randyll gave the order for spears to be out.
Bronn returned to Ser Jaime, "Get back to King's Landing."
"I'm not abandoning my army," Ser Jaime said.
"You're the commander, not a damn infantryman. Those fuckers are about to swamp us." Bronn reminded.
"We can hold them off," Ser Jaime assured.
The Lannister Army is the greatest in the Westerland along with the Tarly Army from the Reach. The two best armies against the Dothraki, a bunch of savages with no order or discipline, what could go wrong? That is until there were two sets of what sounded like a roar. A sound that was far greater than a lion or a lizard-lion. As both their eyes turn to the sky, where two dragons swooped down out of the clouds above the Dothraki. One black while the other was gold.
Daenerys turned her head to glance at her sister. The plan was to limit the amount of damages and keep as many prisoners as possible. The Dothraki are aware to not kill those who are not attacking back. She looked at Alysanne clad in her black armor, that conflicted with Viserion's scale. The helmet blocked Alysanne face who stared back at her sister, she had Viserion move closer to the enemy line, as she spoke the ancient language, "Dracarys!" Viserion breathed fire in a straight line, burning the Lannister soldiers in its wake. The flames consuming them in seconds, almost burning the men into dust. Those in armor, scream in agony, trying to escape the flames before being burned alive until falling to their knees before death claimed them.
Dickon, who barely missed the deadly flames, eyes widens in horror.
Not long after, the Dothraki used the fire as a distraction breaking through the open defenses. Some of the archers and spearmen near the area started to flee. Others remained. Ser Jaime recovering from his shock, ordered the men to hold the line. However, the chaos continued, as the Dothraki on their horses charged in, using the masses of the horses' weight to trample the kite shields. Some of the soldiers started stabbing their way, yet the Dothraki, sacrificing their riding companion, jumped over and started attacking the shield and spearmen from behind.
The horde swarmed in, breaking the defenses. It wasn't long before artillery fire of arrows filled the sky. Daenerys, seeing the archers, had Drogon breath fire near them to feel the heat in order to distract the archers. Drogon soared up to gain more altitude for another sweeping attack. Ser Jaime saw this as an opportunity, calling the archers together to aim at the black dragon, Drogon turned, returning to the battle, when Ser Jaime told them to fire. Arrows flew towards Daenerys, as she quickly adjusted Drogon to shield himself by using his chest that had plated scales. Viserion appeared from the sky, as Alysanne ordered Viserion to breathe fire behind the enemy line, trapping the men from escaping so quickly. Viserion's fire was more controlled and direct like the rays of the sun. Although there were some casualties of soldiers who were too close to the flames.
Ser Jaime's eyes widen, getting a better view of the Black Knight, for a moment he thought he was staring at Rhaegar in his joust. But Jaime knew Rhaegar was dead. He couldn't tell which of the Targaryen sisters were on which each dragon, but he assumed the one in the armor was Alysanne. The last time the Knight saw the Princess was when she was three years old running around with her figurine dragon. And now here she was riding a dragon in resemblance to the Late Crown Prince.
"Qyburn's scorpion is over there," Ser Jaime gestured to Bronn.
"Go get it, then," Bronn said.
"I can't shoot with one hand," Ser Jaime said, lifting the golden hand.
Bronn groaned, rolling his eyes, before forcing his horse through the madness. A dozen Dothraki charged at Ser Jaime. Pulling out Widow's Wail, he fought his way through the enemy. One Dothraki with two arakh charged forward. Their blades clashed, until they locked, both tried to break it, when a blade punctured through the rider, and being pushed off revealing Dickon. Ser Jaime nodded in gratitude.
Meanwhile, Ser Bronn had his horse gallop through the madness to reach Qyburn's Scorpion. Another Dothraki charged towards Bronn with his arakh. Bronn raised his sword to strike the barbarian, except the Dothraki leaned to the horses' side swinging his curved blade to amputate Bronn's horse's leg. The brown horse neighed in agony collapsing to the ground, unable to walk. Bronn was tossed across the field, he groaned in pained, looking up seeing his sack of gold on the ground. He glanced at the gold and then the Scorpion, before going back to the ground.
Cursing himself on the decision, as the Dothraki returned. He valued his life and started to run towards the Scorpion. It was hectic, the smoke and fire all around, men who were caught in the blaze screaming in agony. Bronn picked up a sword from a dead man, slashing at another Dothraki fighter on the ground. He looked up, seeing the Viserion flying overhead. He ducked under a wagon as flames came pouring down. Rolling out of the dirt, his opponent a moment ago charged. The Sellsword ran, reaching the caravan where the Scorpion was. Quickly he put a bolt in and stood at the end. The moment the Dothraki opened the tarp, he was shot through the chest and penetrated to the next wagon over.
Bronn sighed in relief, before assembling the Scorpion to full compacity. "Where are you?"
Tyrion walked up to the hill with Ser Barristan and several of the Dothraki generals. All around he saw the Dothraki attacking soldiers that were where fighting back. Those who weren't were being corralled like sheep. The cargo remained untouched except several that caught fire due to the winds.
"Your people can't fight," Qhono said.
Even though Ser Barristan and Tyrion did not understand what the bloodrider said, they could guess what he meant. Tyrion watched the chaos, or what could be described as controlled chaos. As Ser Barristan had informed him, the Targaryen sisters don't kill all. Their armies never attack women, children, elderly, or soldiers who do not fight back. It's a waste of life to kill a soldier who has surrendered. Even with the Dothraki, who usually kill for sport, they were trying to please their Khaleesi. In the midst of the chaos, Tyrion spotted his brother Jaime who was also evaluating the situation. Viserion took to the sky; meanwhile, Drogon was soaring in with a mighty roar before breathing fire on the field. A dozen Lannister soldiers were unable to escape the flames as they turn into ash.
Bronn had Drogon and Daenerys in his sight. Pulling the lever, he fired the spear at the moving target. The arrow passing by but almost struck Daenerys by three feet. She scowled, turning her direction towards the source of the weapon. Tyrion and Ser Barristan eyes widen, seeing what was happening as Drogon was making his way to the Scorpion. Daenerys yelled Dracarys to eliminate the possible threat. Just before the flames erupted from his throat, Bronn fired, striking the black beast in the shoulder. Drogon yelped, losing his bearings. Daenerys held on tight, trying to not fall off of Drogon's back as she attempted to reconnect with Drogon, she too felt Drogon's pain due to the spell. She felt a sharp pain in her shoulder. Casting the spell again, taking the strain from Drogon, the dragon caught his bearings and hovered over the Scorpion. Daenerys glared at Bronn, who immediately jumped out of the way as Drogon breathed fire on the weapon. The beast landed using his tail to destroy the ballistic.
Viserion appeared, as Alysanne witnessed Drogon fall she feared that the events of Rhaenys and Meraxes were repeating itself. Fortunately, Drogon recovered just in time. Alysanne looked around, trying to see where any of the generals were. She was trying to keep a perimeter to block the enemy from leaving as Viserion breathed half-circle trapping the Lannister soldiers.
Tyrion sighed in relief, though his eyes watched Daenerys getting off Drogon to remove the spear. He also saw that his brother a few hundred feet is watching this.
"Flee, you idiot," Tyrion muttered.
"Don't do it," Ser Barristan whispered, knowing Ser Jaime was once his squire when joining the Kingsguard.
"Come on, boy. Come on!" Ser Jaime told his gallop.
The horse ran fast, as Ser Jaime grabbed the spear that was stuck in a corpse. Grabbing hold, he held the spear like a lance aiming for his target. Daenerys heard hoofbeats, turning around discovering his approach. Before she could react, Viserion landed in front of Drogon blocking the Kingslayer's view. Ser Jaime's eyes widen seeing the Black Knight before Viserion opened his mouth and breathed fire. Everything happened so fast, as a ball of fire came in his direction and then he was tossed into the river. The weight of his armor dragging him deep into the watery abyss.
.o0o.
Ser Jaime gasped for air as he was being dragged out of the Blackwater Rush. Ser Bronn had dragged his companion out of the water, after a tedious job of pulling the Kingslayer through the current putting distance between them and the dragons. It was a split-second decision to risk his life for a damn Lannister again. They reached the shore panting for breath or vomiting water. Overhead they could see smoke from the battle.
Ser Jaime turned to his back with labors pants, "You could've killed me."
Bronn gave him a look as he leaned upon his arms, "The fuck was you doing back there?"
"Ending the war," the Kingslayer replied. "Killing her."
"You saw the dragons between you and her?" Bronn asked sarcastically. "And?"
Ser Jaime sat up, grunting in pain, fully comprehending the situation. He thought if he killed the Princess, then the battle will be over or could distract the Dragon Queen to come down. However, he faced death in the face. He faced a ghost of a man who was his friend as an adolescent. However, Rhaegar was dead, and behind that dragon helm was Alysanne. He tried to imagine what the Princess looked like, except time had passed quickly, and all he saw was fire.
"Listen to me, cunt," Bronn snapped him out of his trance by poking him hard. "Till I get what I'm owed, a dragon doesn't get to kill you, you don't get to kill you, only I get to kill you."
"That was two of them," Ser Jaime thought aloud. "They have one more. If they decide to really use them…"
"You're fucked," Bronn finished the sentence.
"Don't you mean we're fucked?" Ser Jaime corrected.
"No, I do not." Bronn sarcastically replied. "Dragons are where our partnership ends. I'm not gonna be around when those things start spitting fire on King's Landing."
Ser Jaime sighed, watching the smoke, "I have to tell Cersei."
Bronn scoffed, patting his friend on the back, "May as well jump back in that river."
Ser Jaime continues to comprehend what happened. The ghost of his past ringing in his head. Let alone having to report more terrible news to his sisters. At this point, it is best to surrender and beg for mercy. Or at least he and Cersei could flee Westeros and start over in Essos. Because right now, the Targaryens and the Lannisters were at war, all because he stabbed the Mad King and Tywin sacked King's Landing and slaughtered Rhaegar's family.
.o0o.
Alysanne's POV.
The battle was over as the Dothraki gathered the prisoners towards a cluster of boulders on a hill. The adrenaline rushing through my veins; however, the damage of dragon fire was emanated as flames consumed the deceased soldiers' corpses. The Dothraki did their best to kill only soldiers who dare attack them. Although, some of the Lannister and Tarly forces fled where the horde couldn't reach. Doesn't matter, they will send word in what happen here.
I got off of Viserion and walked over to Daenerys checking on her condition. She appeared fine, a bit startled from what that soldier had attempted to do. A foolish cliché, of the Knight slaying the dragon. Drogon would have burned him, except my impulse connected to Viserion had the golden dragon land in between and breathe fire. I doubt the Knight is dead, for I thought I saw another soldier rushed in on a horse and leaped over falling into the rush.
"Are you hurt?" I asked to be sure.
"I am fine," Daenerys answered.
I sighed in relief and turned to Drogon, "A nice goat for you when we get back."
Drogon nodded, while Viserion came over, licking his brother's wound. A ballistic. I have seen catapult and trebuchets, but I've never seen a ballistic weapon that can fire spears. Doubt the weapon is in use now, thinking it was destroyed. However, we need to work on that or see if he can make armor for the dragons. Yes, their scales are durable to that of a shield, except there are parts of the body that is still skin.
Once the prisoners were all gathered, Viserion and Drogon stood on each side looking at the enemy forces. We stepped on a boulder along with Ser Barristan and Tyrion who climbed his way up. Removing my helmet, I exposed myself, as the men eyes widen seeing the Black Knight was actually a woman, even though my hair was braided back. These men were merely pawns, following their Liege Lords orders. I will not punish them; however, their generals will face justice.
"I know what Cersei has told you," I said. "That I've come to destroy your cities, burn down your homes, murder you, and orphan your children. That's Cersei Lannister, not me. For this was not how I wanted to meet you all. I'm not here to murder, and all I want is to prepare you all for a greater threat. You all have fought valiantly, so I offer you a choice – bend the knee and join me. Together, we will leave the world a better place than we found it. Or refuse…and face the Queen's Justice."
I will show mercy this time.
Hundreds of soldiers bend the knee. Many stood until Drogon roared, which about three-fourths of the remaining bend the knee. I looked at the crowd until spotting two men whose armors were not of the Lannister set. One being a lean and balding man with a short, bristly grey beard. Next to him was a fitted young man, taller holding some resemblance to the other.
Ser Barristan came over as he whispered in my ear, "That is Lord Randyll Tarly."
"Thank you," I whispered to him and looked at the Lord of Hornhill. "Step forward, my lord."
The older man did so.
"You will not kneel?" I asked.
"I already have a Queen," Lord Randyll.
"My sister," Tyrion said. "She wasn't your Queen until recently, though, was she? When she murdered your rightful Queen and destroyed House Tyrell for all time. So, it appears your allegiance is somewhat flexible."
"There are no easy choices in war," Lord Randyll said. "Say what you will about your sister, she was born in Westeros. She's lived here all her life. You, on the other hand, murdered your own father and chose to support a foreign invader. One with no notes to this land…" he said then looked at me, "With an army of savages at her back."
"I was born in Westeros, spent the first four years of my life in King's Landing and Dragonstone. I am a Westerosi as are you, Lord Tarly. Ser Willem Darry praised you when you fought for my family during the Rebellion, being the only man to defeat Robert Baratheon and his forces at the Battle of Ashford. Cutting down Lord Cafferen during the battle." I said, looking into his eyes. "We did what we can to survive and return home."
"I will not bend the knee to you," Lord Randyll sneered.
"You will not trade your honor for your life. I respect that," I said.
"Perhaps he could take the Black, Your Grace," Tyrion suggested. "Whatever else he is, he is a true soldier. He'd be invaluable at the Wall."
King Snow did mention that the Night's Watch was low on men.
"You cannot send me to the Wall. You are not my Queen," Lord Randyll argued.
He was choosing death rather than serve a cause. Qhono and Aggo came over to collect Lord Randyll. Suddenly the man who stood next to him stepped forward.
"You will have to kill me, too," the man said.
Lord Randyll pulled away from his captors, furious at the young man, "Step back and shut your mouth."
"Who are you?" I asked the young man.
"A stupid boy," Lord Randyll answered.
"I am Dickon Tarly, son of Randyll Tarly." The young man introduced himself.
"You are the future of your House. This war was already tarnished one great House from the world." Tyrion advised him. "Don't let it happen again. Bend the knee."
Dickon looked at his father, who pleaded him to do so. "I will not."
Tyrion turned to me, "Your Grace, nothing scrubs bold notions from a man's head like a few weeks in a dark cell."
Daenerys came over, 'They made their choice. It's best we execute them. We're not here to put men in chains. If that became an option, many would take it. You gave them a choice. They made it."
Suddenly a vision crossed of my eyes seeing Father sitting on the Iron Throne. Across from him were two men, in Northern attire with a Stark pin strapped to their tunics. The eldest man chained as his body dangle over a pit of wildfire. Across from him a younger man, his neck strapped to a torture device with a longsword across from him. The older man being burned alive as his son tried to reach for the blade being strangled, trying to save his father. Meanwhile, Father sat on the Iron Throne, watching their execution with pride.
"Your Grace," Ser Barristan called out placing a hand on my shoulder snapping me out from that memory.
I gasped, not knowing where that vision came from but realized I was in that situation of a father and son. King Aerys the Second executed the duo most horrendously. Now I have the same pair from a noble house who wish to die than bend the knee. Thinking about the decision, I must decide on how to present myself.
"No, death is too simple," I said, then cleared my throat addressing the two Tarlys. "Both of you have deserted your liege House, betraying Lord Willas Tyrell and his family. I deem it appropriate for the Warden of the Reach to decide your fate. Until the decision is made, you shall be my prisoners. I may find some use in you until then."
Tyrion sighed in relief as Ser Barristan nodded in approval. Daenerys didn't like my decision but kept her mouth shut and masked her disappointment. Drogon and Viserion roared, before breathing fire into the air, intimidating any of the Lords and soldiers who remain standing to bend the knee. Those who didn't were taken into custody, as the generals were arrested.
I am not my father. I will not burn men alive to make an example. I will not execute a father and his son to make an example. Having these generals can be useful in bargaining, or when they come to see reason, for the Long Night. I will need as many skilled tacticians and strategists against the Army of the Dead. Also, remembering what Ser Barristan said, the best way to give justice is through mercy. The soldiers may have chosen to be in this trade, but they did not choose the war.
.o0o.
A few days later
Jorah's POV
Jorah gazed upon the shores of Dragonstone seeing Rhaegal flying around the castle. It was a long journey for him since his second exile. One that was about redemption, especially when he contracted Greyscale. And now here he was, approaching one of the three Valyrian colony islands. The original territory for House Targaryen. The closer he got, the tighter his stomach felt in anticipation of seeing Alysanne again. So many questions stirring in his head over what happened in the Veil. Does Alysanne remember or was it a mere dream that she quickly forgotten.
So many thoughts, as he adjusted the tiller on the sails of the small sailboat. Securing the sail against the early winter winds. At least the day and a half journey through Blackwater Bay were peaceful, not having Tyrion talking his ear off. Jorah snorted at the thought. The reunion is something to think about, no doubt the dwarf will be drinking wine.
Thinking about the reunions, he wonders how it will go. Daenerys being most welcoming since she ordered him to find the cure. Missandei a simple greeting. Grey Worm and Ser Barristan might be the ones that will be filled with caution. No doubt Ser Barristan will keep a closer eye on him, even though Jorah will never betray the sisters again. One reunion he was terrified of was Alysanne's. Will she welcome him back has a friend, a general, or lover still.
It wasn't long when his boat reached the shores of Dragonstone under the cliffs. Stepping out, he secured and anchored the boat, before grabbing his satchel and sword. All of his belonging from his life in Essos was either given to Alysanne or destroyed due to the contamination of Greyscale. All he had left was the clothes on his back and his sword. His armor from the Pit was left behind in Meereen, therefore his only protection was a gambeson that the Citadel provided.
He took a deep breath, making his way up to the castle. Just as he reaches the trail, he was met with several arakh. His blue eyes widen to find the Dothraki patrolling. One Dothraki paused, lowering his blade.
"Jorah the Andal?" the Dothraki asked.
"Kovarro," Jorah replied back.
Kovarro smiled as he told the other Dothraki to lower their weapon, "He is Blood of Blood to Khaleesi and the Dragon Queen."
The men nodded.
Jorah nodded appreciating to have Kovarro here, or it would have been an awkward conversation. The sound of screeching caught the men's attention looking up to see Drogon and Viserion flying over them. Jorah squinted his eyes, seeing Daenerys riding on Drogon, baffled at the creature's size. His eyes then turned to Viserion who has grown as well. On his back, was a rider clad in black armor. Only one person was allowed to ride Viserion, and Jorah took a deep breath. Seeing a repeat in the history of Aegon the Conqueror. This was the first time seeing her strong and battle-ready. It happened so fast, as the dragons flew by, unaware of the gathering below.
"Come, let's go see Khaleesi and sister," Kovarro said.
Jorah nodded nervously beyond belief.
Can you guess what the next chapter will be?
You all have been waiting for it.
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