A SONG OF PAST AND PRESENT
Author´s Note: This series is the follow up to my other series "A Song of Magic and Mystique", but I will try my best to write it so that anyone can start here, whether they´ve read the other series or not.
However, just to sum up the few main points, you´ll need to know:
Dany was brought back to life by the priests of Rhi´lor and not even they can tell her, how long she will live for.
Democracy (in some form anyway) was instituted after the end of the war, the first series covered. From that point on, all Kings were essentially at the mercy of the lords of the realm, as to whether their house should be allowed to continue to rule or not. This is since they would be up for review at a gathering of the lords every five years, where the King would have to convince the lords, that they should still remain king or the lords could decide that some other noble house should take the throne in stead. As you´ll find out soon though, it doesn´t mean that one house can´t use those rules to practically take all of the power for their own, if they know how to manipulate the system the correct way.
Bran went to live with the Children of the Forest in their mysterious Ice Castle in far North as their new king.
Arya, after seemingly having found peace following Gendry´s death in the war, was living with her lover Meera Reed in Dorne (where they´re more open to same sex relationships than they are anywhere else in Westeros) is in the last scene sought out by Ja´qen Hagar, who reminds her that she still owes her life to the faceless men, despite her thinking that she was out. I decided to replay this scene in the beginning of this episode, for the benefit of those who haven´t read my first GoT series.
To add to the fun, this first episode is fifty percent longer, compared to how long the rest of the episodes will be. Got all that? Then let´s get on with the story!
EPISODE 1 - AN UNLIKELY ALLIANCE
1. Ext. Arya and Meera´s House in Dorne. Evening.
(Note: Scene is shown in black and white)
Arya comes out to find Ja´qen Hagar waiting for her. He smiles at her in his mysterious way.
Ja´qen:
A girl has moved up in the world, since a man met her the first time.
Arya:
That was a long time ago. Why are you here?
His smile fades, as he becomes serious.
Ja´qen:
A girl has broken the rules, she swore to live by, many times.
Arya:
I ... a girl thought, she only had revenge to live for. Things have changed.
Ja´qen:
Some things never change. The rules must be obeyed.
Arya sees that there´s no way out of this, to her frustration.
Arya:
Ja´qen, please. There must be something, I can do.
Ja´qen:
Do one more assignment and a girl´s debt will be considered repaid in full.
Arya looks like she can´t believe her luck.
Arya:
One more? That´s all?
Ja´qen:
If she chooses not to ...
Arya:
She chooses to! Absolutely!
Ja´qen looks pleased.
Arya:
Tell a girl their name and you can consider it done!
Ja´qen:
A girl shouldn´t be hasty to assume. She don´t know, who it is yet.
Arya´s smile fades, as she sees that she might regret, what she´s said yes to.
FADE TO:
2. Int. House of the Undying.
(Note: Color on)
Arya is with Ja´qen standing in the middle of the house of the undying.
Arya:
Is a man going to tell a girl, why they´re here now?
Ja´qen:
Soon. We´re waiting for someone.
The air in front of them starts flickering, as if a magic portal has been opened out of nowhere. Arya can´t help making wide eyes at it.
Arya:
That´s a trick, I haven´t seen before!
Ja´qen:
It´s how the Warlocks of Qarth have travelled for centuries.
Arya doesn´t look too surprised.
Ja´qen:
That doesn´t surprise a girl?
Arya:
It would have surprised her more to hear, that they travelled the same way, the rest of us do!
Arya´s mouth almost drops though, when she sees Dany Targaryen come through the portal. She doesn´t look any happier to be there, than Arya is though.
Arya:
You´re the last one, I would have expected to see here!
Dany:
I could say the same for you, Arya. I´m still a rather confused as to what´s going on, to be honest.
A group of three blue lipped Warlocks appear out of nowhere, circling them. Arya instinctively grabs for her Valyrian steel dagger, but Ja´qen stops her by grabbing her around the arm.
Ja´qen:
A man assures a girl, that she would be making the wrong move by attacking these men.
She puts the dagger back in it´s sheath, as Dany eyes them suspiciously.
Dany:
Do you two always speak in that strange way to one another?
Warlock #1:
SILENCE! YOU ARE HERE TO LISTEN, NOT TO SPEAK!
Warlock #2:
YOU TWO WERE CHOSEN, SO YOU CAN PAY BACK WHAT YOU OWE!
Dany looks like she´s about to say something, but decides not to, since it would clearly be the best choice in the situation, they´re in.
Warlock #3:
A HUNDRED AND THIRTY FOUR YEARS FROM NOW, OUR HOUSE ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE FREE CITIES WILL FALL, UNLESS SOMETHING IS DONE TO CHANGE IT. OUR SEERS HAVE SEEN IT AND YOU MUST STOP IT FROM HAPPENING!
Arya:
Isn´t it a little early on to be talking about this then?
Warlock #1:
NOT WHERE YOU´RE GOING.
The Warlocks close their eyes and a new portal opens in front of Arya, Ja´qen and Dany. Dany starts to get the picture now.
Dany:
You want us to travel a hundred and thirty four years into the future?
Arya:
How is that possible?
Dany:
Arya, for these men, almost nothing is impossible!
Warlock #1:
YOU ARE TO TAKE DOWN THE RULE OF HOUSE LANNISTER, BEFORE IT´S TOO LATE!
Dany:
Even if we could achieve this, who are we to put in power to replace them?
She holds out her arms in confusion and a rolled up piece of parchment magically appears in her hand.
Warlock #2:
THAT SCROLL WILL YOU ALL, YOU NEED TO KNOW!
Warlock #3:
Once your task is complete, you are to return here. Those who come after us will send you back to the exact point in time, that you left. You will then be free to live out the rest of your lives, as you please and your debts will be considered repaid in full.
Arya and Dany look one another in the eyes, both of them knowing that they don´t have much in the way of choice here.
Dany:
After you, Milady.
Arya:
Call me that one more time and I´ll smack you!
Dany:
The feeling couldn´t be more mutual!
Arya:
Is a man coming with us, Ja´qen?
Ja´qen:
A man is not. This is not his war to fight.
Him and Arya give one another a small nod out of respect for one another. Arya runs into the portal and disappears. Dany looks up at the Warlocks one last time.
Dany:
Why should I trust you this time?
Warlock #3:
Because you have no other choice, Lady Targaryen. Either you go through that portal and don´t leave Lady Stark to die on her own, or we take our revenge for our fallen brother.
Warlock #1:
In which case, you´re sure to find out, that without your dragons to aid you, it would be impossible for you to survive against the three of us.
Warlock #2:
You didn´t actually believe, that there wouldn´t be a prize to pay for what you did?
Dany shakes her head at being forced to choose between the frying pan and the fire, then runs into the portal, that shuts right after she disappears.
OPENING CREDITS
3. Ext. Mountainous Wasteland. Day.
Dany steps out through the portal to where Arya is already waiting for her with her arms crossed. Dany looks around and recognizes where she is.
Arya:
I´m hoping that you know where we are!
Dany:
We´re on the West coast of Essos. I remember being here before. I also think that I know, why they sent us to this exact spot.
Arya:
Why would that be then?
Dany:
To find an old friend of mine, who will be a very useful ally.
Arya looks confused.
Arya:
What kind of man or woman would want to live out here?
Dany:
I never said that it was a human, we´re here to meet, did I?
Dany walks off towards some nearby caves. Arya sighs to herself and follows after her.
4. Int. Cave System. Day.
Arya and Dany are making their way towards Drogon´s Lair.
Arya:
What makes you sure, that your dragon is here or that he´s still alive, for that matter?
Dany:
Dragons can live on for centuries, until they die of old age. I can feel his presence already now.
Arya:
You Targaryen´s and your dragons!
Dany:
Says the girl, who kept a dire wolf as her pet growing up. I´m sure that most people here would see that as being even more strange, than having a dragon of your own.
Arya:
I walked right into that one, didn´t I?
They smile uneasily at one another.
Dany:
I know that you have little reason to have any kind of affection for me, considering what happened that time in King´s Landing. If we´re going to survive this however, then we´ll need to be able to trust one another.
Arya:
Do you promise not to burn the entire city down this time?
Dany:
Not if I can avoid it. You have my word on the souls of my ancestors.
Arya:
I suppose that for you, it´s the closest I´ll get to a promise! I´ll try to make nice, if you do the same, but I can´t guarantee anything.
Dany:
Since it´s the only way, any of us are getting back to where and when we came from, you have yourself an agreement, Lady Stark.
Arya:
Call me Arya. Ladies are women like my sister and my mother.
Dany:
As long as you call me Dany, I will. Not that I ever liked that name, but I´m guessing that using an ancient Valyrian name in Westeros in this time period would be the easiest way, for both us to be caught and executed.
Arya nods in agreement.
5. Int. Drogon´s Lair. Day.
Drogon still looks more or less the same, as he did when we last saw him, although some of his scales are starting to fade in color in the well over a hundred years, that has passed. The bones of many animal carcasses are strewn around his lair and he´s busy chowing down on what looks like the remains of a goat, when Dany and Arya come in from the rest of the cave system. Arya can´t help being a little intimidated at seeing a dragon up this close.
Arya:
You´re absolutely certain, that he´ll remember you? It has been a long while, since you last saw one another, you have to admit.
Dany:
Dragons never forget their riders. He´ll remember.
Arya:
Just know that if he does eat me, my last thoughts will be blaming you for it!
Drogon hears them and turns his head to look at them, which only makes Arya even more scared, while Dany keeps her cool as she approaches him. He growls a little to himself, as she does so.
Dany:
Drogon. My dear boy.
She approaches him even more, as we quickly cut to Arya, who looks like she´s ready to make a run for it.
Arya:
How does she know, if he´s a boy or not?
We cut back to Dany, who smiles at Drogon, as he looks at her with those enormous eyes, that look like they´re filled with love and joy at seeing Dany again. She pets his face gently and Arya takes a deep breath of great relief, that she´s not about to become Drogon´s dessert.
6. Ext. Mountainous Wasteland. Day.
After having come outside again, Dany is sitting on top of Drogon. Arya doesn´t look so sure that it´s a good idea if she gets on his back too however.
Dany:
There´s nothing to fear, Arya! Get up here!
Arya:
That´s what you say! I´ve heard more than enough stories of dragons throwing people off to their deaths, to know to be careful here!
Dany:
If he tries to throw you off, then he will throw me off too and I know that he would never do that.
Arya sees the logic in what Dany is saying and tries to climb on top of Drogon, but he turns his head and growls at her.
Arya:
See? He doesn´t want me on his back any more than I want to be on it!
Dany:
Your only other choice is to walk through these wastelands and try to make your way to Mereen on your own.
Arya:
How far is it?
Dany:
Far enough, that you´ll die of thirst, long before you get there.
Arya shakes her head and clearly doesn´t like her alternatives. After a few seconds, she makes another attempt at scaling the large dragon and with a helping hand from Dany, she manages to.
Arya:
Do you have any bright ideas, as to where or how we should begin this?
Dany:
The same way I started, after the Dothraki abandoned me to my fate. Trying to find allies, we can trust.
Arya:
How did that go for you?
Dany´s facial expression says that she has to admit, that it didn´t go all that well the first time.
Dany:
It ... could have gone better.
Arya:
In that case, might I suggest that you don´t get to make all of the decisions this time? What does the scroll you were given say?
Dany:
Do you want to see it?
Dany hands it to Arya, who unfolds it.
Arya:
Of course, it´s in Valyrian! I should have told myself that!
Dany:
It´s written on it, that the one we must place on the throne is to be found in Oldtown. I suggest, we start there.
Arya:
I´ll have to take your word for it. Who is he then?
Dany:
It´s a her. The last remaining Targaryen.
Arya:
I´m liking this less by the moment!
Dany:
Hold on to me tightly, unless you want to risk taking a thousand foot drop to your death. We´ll have to fly as fast as we can, if we´re to make it there by nightfall.
Arya clutches Dany tightly from behind and Drogon takes flight.
7. Ext. Streets. Day.
CAPTION:
OLDTOWN
The streets of Oldtown are bustling with activity and at first glance looks like a town, that is thriving. One of the main differences from the past that you notice quickly though, is that there are many more with darker skin, who live in the city now and from the looks they get from many of the native Westerosi tell us, that it´s far from everyone who´s equally accepting of them.
We then switch out focus to what looks like one of the newest build houses in the city, that in addition to looking new also is built in a style, that´s more like what you would see in Essos, than the usual Westerosi style of house building.
8. Int. Elia´s Room. Day.
Elia Eth-Rimal, a very pretty dark skinned girl of 16 is picking out the perfect dress for her same aged best friend, the equally beautiful, but fair skinned and blonde girl Ashia.
Ashia:
Not one of your fancy dresses, please, Elia. It wouldn´t feel right for me to wear it.
Elia:
It´s not every day, that you get to meet the son and daughter of the Regent! You want to look your best for them, don´t you?
Ashia:
Yes, but ...
Elia:
This day is almost as special for me, as it is for you, Ashia.
The two girls smile at one another and Elia hands one of her prettiest dresses to Ashia, who looks at it with admiration.
Elia:
You´re only gaining a family name. I´m gaining a sister, remember?
Ashia:
It´s not like it will make much of a difference to us.
Elia:
It will, if "The Ears" decide to arrest you. As a "Bought Individual" my father can´t protect you, but as a member of our family, he can. We both know that it doesn´t take much for them to do so these days.
The door to the room opens and Elia´s father Idri Eth-Rimal, a tall and well dressed man comes in. He smiles at "both of his daughters".
Idri:
I should have known that this is where I would find you two. We have to leave soon, or we´ll be late for the preparations to your adoption ceremony, Ashia.
Elia:
Two more minutes, Father. Please.
Idri:
I´m sure that one of the many dresses you picked out for her will suffice, Elia. Now if you´ll excuse us for a moment, I need to talk to Ashia privately.
Elia:
You can use my room. I´ll go and see how far mother has come in her preparations.
Elia leaves them and shuts the door behind herself. Idri smiles lovingly at Ashia, who enjoys him looking at her that way.
Idri:
Are you nervous?
Ashia:
A little, yes.
Idri:
It´s fine, if you are. I still remember the day I was given my title and how nervous we all were that day.
Ashia:
Sir, words can´t begin to describe, what you and your family have given me. You must be the kindest souls in all of Westeros.
Idri:
You don´t need to call me Sir anymore. I would prefer it, if you called me father.
Ashia:
Even if I´m not yours by blood?
Idri:
Blood in this case doesn´t matter. You are officially a part of this family now and nothing can ever change that fact.
She smiles to herself.
9. Ext. King´s Road. Day.
CAPTION:
THE KING´S ROAD
JUST OUTSIDE OF OLDTOWN
A rather small detachment of soldiers is transporting the Regent´s son and daughter in a carriage to Oldtown, that they´re not far from.
10. Int. Carriage. Day.
Sitting across from one another are Rinus (aged 20) and Lenora Lannister (aged 17), two reddish haired siblings who are clearly cut from the same cloth, from the looks of them.
Lenora:
Hopefully, this is the last one of these, we´ll need to participate in for a while.
Rinus:
You can´t tell me, that you´ve grown tired of celebrations, dear sister?
Lenora:
It´s more the travelling, I worry over. From what you hear around the Red Keep ...
Rinus laughs, which makes his sister look at him annoyedly.
Rinus:
Haven´t you learned by now, not to trust everything you hear?
Lenora:
They say that the rebels are in all of the six kingdoms now. That we aren´t safe anywhere.
Rinus:
Who told you this?
Lenora:
It was Lady Allicent, if you must know.
Rinus:
If there was anything to worry over, in regards to this puny so-called rebellion, then we wouldn´t have been allowed to leave King´s Landing, don´t you think?
Lenora has to nod in agreement.
Rinus:
That a few smallfolk are unhappy is nothing new and nothing we haven´t dealt with many times before.
Lenora:
Are you certain, that´s all it is?
He gives her a comforting smile.
Rinus:
If there was more to it, then "The Ears" would have let us know by now.
She looks somewhat comforted by his answer.
11. Ext. Forest. Day.
CAPTION:
THE STORMLANDS
A group of around twenty soldiers are making their way through the forest on a road, that looks like it´s used very often. One of them sticks out though, with his suit of armor, that´s made out of pure gold. The Lannister sigil of the Golden Lion is imprinted on his chest plate. They hear a faint noise of rustling from the forest surrounding them and it makes both the soldiers and their horses uneasy.
Captain:
Sir, if I may. Perhaps we should track back and take the long route around this cursed place.
The man in the golden armor turns his head to look at him.
Lannister Envoy:
Do you like having a tongue, Captain? In that case, I suggest that you leave the decision making to your betters. The Baratheons aren´t the cleverest, but they know better than to start a war, that they know they can´t possibly win.
The Captain (probably wisely) decides not to argue with him any further and lets it lie, as they continue into the forest. It isn´t long though, until what the Envoy wants doesn´t matter, since an arrow comes flying from inside the forest and kills him when it penetrates through his throat. Moment after, dozens of Baratheon soldiers come rushing out of the forest and more than half of the Lannister army decides to make a run for it. The rest try to form a defensive line, but it´s to little avail as they are either overpowered by the Baratheon infantry or cut down by arrows, until the only one remaining is the Captain, who has decided to fight to the death apparently. A large man of 33, in a better suit of armor than the rest of the men, comes out from the forest holding a finely made crossbow.
Edward Baratheon:
Stand down! We need him to live!
His men pull away from the Captain, as Edward fearlessly approaches him and the body of the envoy, who he takes the helmet off and throws it to the Captain, that catches it.
Edward:
Let your pathetic excuse for a Regent know, that until he comes up with an offer, The Stormlands can accept, we will do the same thing to any other envoy, he sends here.
Captain:
You´re mad! He will never accept this preposterousness!
Edward:
That is none of your concern, Captain. Now leave, before I decide to send the helmet by another messenger with your head inside of it!
The Captain rides away as fast as he can. Edward looks pleased with himself.
12. Int. Lord Protector´s Chambers. Evening.
Gerard Baratheon, a sturdily build man of 35 with large muscles, that are visible even with him wearing a tunic, is standing next to his bastard daughter Tilde, a tall and dark haired 21 year old, who looks like she could probably hold her own in a fight, if she needed to. They watch their castle´s Master of Arms, as he lights a very long match on a candle and carefully puts it to a small amount of gun powder, that´s been placed on a stone plate. It gives off a small boom, as it goes up in smoke. Gerard and Tilde both look pleased.
Master of Arms:
That´s what only a small amount of this new invention can do. In larger amounts, it could take down a city wall, if it needed to.
Gerard:
Well done, Master at Arms! How long until we receive more?
Master of Arms:
The Lysians assure me, that we can get almost as much of it, as we wish. Shall I tell them, that we wish to place an order?
Gerard:
Tell them, that we´ll take all that they have. Have a raven sent at once.
Master of Arms:
Very well, my Lord. Milady.
He bows his head to both of them and hurries out of there, just as Edward returns and they almost bump into one another.
Master of Arms:
My apologies, Sir.
Edward:
Go about your business. I´m sure that it´s important.
Edward comes in and is met by satisfied smiles from his brother and niece.
Tilde:
Did you send the Regent our present?
Edward:
It´s on it´s way to King´s Landing, as we speak.
Gerard:
Good work, Edward. That´ll teach them to treat our house, like one those of their slave lords.
Tilde:
You don´t think that the Regent is too busy kissing their arses, to even dream of mistreating them? They are the reason, that his house has been in power for close to a hundred years, after all.
Edward:
Tilde´s right. He knows who keeps him in power.
Tilde:
You have to give them, that it was clever to give away minor lordships to a host of new lords, who will always support them no matter what. Not that I like to praise them, those damned treacherous Lannisters!
Gerard:
Robert will finally have his revenge on their whole lousy family soon. Don´t worry about that. The Tully´s and the Arryn´s are just as sick of them, as we are. If we can get the Starks on our side, our armies will outnumber theirs two to one.
Edward:
Not to question you, my brother. But how many of them have said for certain, that they´ll fight side by side with us?
Gerard:
None yet.
Tilde:
That´ll all change though, when they see what else we have waiting for the Lannister army, should they decide to send it here.
Gerard:
They will be running away with their tails between their legs and as fast as they can, before we ever get to see them up close.
Gerard and Tilde share a knowing look. Edward looks at least somewhat, like he trusts in his older brother´s plans.
13. Ext. Field Outside of Oldtown. Evening.
Arya looks very relieved, as she climbs off Drogon´s back. Dany can´t help finding it a little amusing.
Arya:
Thank the Seven, I won´t have to do that again!
Dany:
We´ll have to fly back too, should we succeed.
Arya:
Now I´m not sure what I´m hoping for: A quick death or being scared to death on the back of a dragon!
Dany speaks something in Valyrian into Drogon´s ear, while Arya tries to get over her scare. He flies off into the night.
Arya:
What did you tell him?
Dany:
To find a place to hide nearby and wait for us there.
Arya:
When we get the time, you´re translating that whole scroll to me. I´m already sick and tired of feeling like you know all kinds of things, I don´t.
Dany:
The only other thing it said was the name and age of the girl, we have to find. Her name Ashia Eth-Rimal, she´s 16 years old and her father is a minor noble in Oldtown.
Arya:
That´s a strange name for someone from Oldtown! Anything else?
Dany:
That´s it, I´m afraid. From here on out, it´s all up to us to figure out what to do.
Arya:
I´m still not sure if I can trust you or not. I will say this though. I can´t think of many others, I would more like to have on my side in this situation.
Dany:
That´s kind of you to say.
Arya:
Don´t flatter yourself, it wasn´t meant with kindness! All I meant was that you´re not afraid to make the tough choices, that I hate making. We won´t be able to do this with kindness alone, I think we can both agree.
They nod in agreement.
14. Ext. A Short Distance From the Oldtown City Gates. Evening.
Arya and Dany watch the Oldtown gates from a distance and it appears like the guards are checking everyone carefully before letting them in and those who are have to show papers to get in. They see a man who doesn´t have them being forced at arrow point to leave the city again.
Dany:
It looks like it won´t be easy to get in.
Arya:
With a keen eye like that, it´s no wonder that you almost became Queen of Westeros!
Dany gives Arya an annoyed look.
Dany:
Are you going to continue doing that, every time I say something?
Arya:
Why, what do you mean?
Dany:
The hostile attitude.
Arya:
You mean like you became hostile, when you brutally killed tens of thousands of innocent people and nearly killed me in King´s Landing, all because you were in a bad mood that day?
Dany shakes her head in frustration.
Dany:
I can´t very well do anything to change it now, can I?
Arya:
Did those priests tell you, how long that resurrection spell will last for?
Dany:
No, why?
Arya:
I hope that it lasts for thousands of years and that you´ll spend every second of every one of them feeling guilty to your bones, for what you did. Only that would be a fitting punishment for you!
Dany can see in Arya´s eyes, that she means every word of what she just said.
Dany:
If you hate me and want me suffer eternal damnation, that´s fine. I deserve every bit of your hatred. We´re not going to have any chance of doing this however, if you can´t put that hatred aside long enough, for us to do what we came here to.
Arya half reluctantly has to agree with Dany. They see a horse drawn cart coming towards them with a mother (who´s around Dany´s size) and teenage daughter (who´s around Arya´s size) driving it and gets an idea.
15. Ext. Outside of the Oldtown Gates. Evening.
Arya and Dany (wearing the clothes that the mother and daughter had on before) and riding their horse drawn cart having their papers inspected by a guard.
Guard:
What´s your business in town?
Dany:
We´re visiting her father, who´s stationed here as part of the city guard. It´s been so long since she´s seen him, the poor girl. She misses him so much, that it´s all she can talk about!
Arya:
Surely Sir, you must have parents of your own, that you wish you saw more often.
Guard:
You look very young to be her mother.
Dany:
You flatter me, Sir! I shall have to tell all of my friends about this!
Dany sends him a flirting smile and he hands their papers back to her.
Guard:
Stay out of the town centre, unless you want to be stuck there for most of the night, until you can get out again.
Arya:
What´s happening in the town centre, if you don´t mind me asking?
Guard:
Why, the great adoption ceremony, of course!
Dany:
And that is?
Guard:
Where the bastard children and others like them, are legitimized as members of their new families. Surely you must have heard of it!
Arya:
Of course, we have! She´s starting to get a little ...
Arya makes spinning motions with her index finger up around her brain area. The guard gets what she means and they nod at one another, while Dany does well in containing her temper for the sake of their end goal.
Guard:
Enjoy your stay in Oldtown.
Arya:
Thank you, Sir! Shall we, mother?
Dany gets the horse drawn cart moving and they head through the gates.
Dany (whispering to Arya):
Did you have to make it seem to him, like I´m losing my mind?
Arya (whispering to Dany):
You´re the one, who asked the stupid question, so that I had to get us out of it.
Dany looks annoyed, that Arya is right again.
Dany (whispering to Arya):
I do not however, look old enough to be your mother!
Arya (whispering to Dany):
Whatever you say, ma!
Arya smiles to herself, that she got to tease Dany this way.
16. Ext. A Short Distance From the Gates of Oldtown. Evening.
The mother and daughter from before start to come to, after having their lights knocked out and are wearing the same clothes, that Dany and Arya had on before.
17. Int. Great Hall in Hightower. Evening.
Ashia is with many other children, who are all dressed their best as well, to hear Rinus and Lenora speak to them. Every noble in the city are there in the wings, since this is probably the biggest festive day of the year for them. Rinus is speaking from a small, but beautifully adorned podium with Lenora by his side.
Rinus:
In the old and darker days, being born out of wedlock was the worst thing, that could befall any child. They were made to feel ashamed for how they were created, when they themselves had not had any influence on who those that made them were. Thanks to mine and my sister´s great, great, great, great grandfather Tyrion, the first elected Regent in the history of Westeros, those days came to an end, to the benefit of all of us. All of you children, who stand before me are proof, that the system he created works in creating a better Westeros for all of us!
He gets a loud applause and steps down from the podium, so that his sister can take his place.
Lenora:
On this day, you are not only given a last name, you are given a heritage, that you be proud of, whether it´s one that goes back to the old houses or back across the narrow sea, to those who came over here to help us rebuild after the great War ended 58 years ago. We are well aware that there are some, who don´t see them as "Real Nobles", but in the eyes of us, the First Lady and the Regent himself they are just as worthy of their titles, as any other House, no matter how far back their line goes.
We get a few quick shots, first of Ashia and then of her family, who look proud that Lenora said so.
Lenora:
Let us then let tonight not only be a celebration of the futures that these children, who stand before us can have now. Let us let it be a celebration of the new world, we have created! A world where everyone, regardless of where they came from, gets their chance to someday become Regent themselves!
She gets a roaring applause from the crowd. Rinus smiles to himself and steps up right behind her.
Rinus:
Wasn´t that the exact same speech, you used at Winterfell last year?
Lenora:
If it works, it works!
Rinus:
No arguments there!
They smile at one another.
We cut to the children being lined up to receive their new names. The head of House Hightower, the 50 year old Maurice Hightower has a large piece of parchment, that he reads from. An adorable girl who´s around 7/8 years old is the only one in line in front of Ashia and looks very excited.
Maurice:
Taryn. From henceforth, you are to be known as Taryn Tyrell.
Lenora:
So let it be known in the eyes of the law!
Rinus:
So let it be known in the eyes of the Regent!
Taryn smiles widely and is so excited, that she´s forgetting what do next, making Lenora give her a slight nod to the side to remind her. She runs off to the side and Ashia steps up in her place.
Maurice:
Ashia. From henceforth, you are to be known as Ashia Eth-Rimal.
Lenora:
So let it be known in the eyes of the law!
Rinus:
So let it be known in the eyes of the Regent!
Ashia looks extremely proud, that this huge honor is being bestowed on her.
18. Int. Great Hall of Hightower (Later). Evening.
Ashia is with her family, who are congratulating her. This is also where we see Ashia´s new mother Hailea, who looks like she´s from Essos as well and is around Idri´s age.
Elia:
The first thing we´ll have to do is get you some finer clothes!
Hailea:
How will she do this? Are you going to pay for them, Elia?
Idri:
I think that we can allow Ashia to celebrate with a trip to the stores with Elia tomorrow, so that she can have a fine dress of her own made. She´ll be needing it from now on.
Lenora comes over to them and appears friendly.
Lenora:
Congratulations, Ashia. How does it feel to be legitimized?
Ashia:
I never would have dreamed, when I was living on the streets and starving every day, that this would happen to me.
Lenora:
It must have been awful for you to put yourself up for sale. What made you decide to buy her, Lord Eth-Rimal?
Idri:
We wanted a sister for our daughter and my wife sadly couldn´t have more children, after she had our Elia here.
Lenora:
I´m deeply sorry to hear that, Lady Eth-Rimal. It must have been a difficult thing to find out.
Hailea:
Thankfully, the Seven blessed us with Ashia, who both me and my husband love as if she were our own and our daughter loves even more, if that´s possible.
Lenora:
I´m just glad that you didn´t end up like many of the other children, who have had to sell themselves to the highest bidder. Are you excited to be able to call Ashia your sister from now on, Elia?
Elia:
I am, Lady Lannister. That was a beautiful speech you gave.
Lenora:
Thank you. Enjoy the festivities.
Lenora goes off to congratulate some of the other lucky children, who now also have official families.
19. Ext. Storm´s End Battlements. Evening.
Edward is standing by himself and is looking out into the darkness of Shipbreaker Bay. Tilde comes out from within the castle to join him.
Tilde:
You´ll catch a cold, if you stay out here much longer, dear Uncle.
Edward:
I´ve never been sick for a day in my life, Tilde. I don´t plan on starting now.
She steps up next to him and they give one another a small smile.
Tilde:
Me neither. We´re lucky to have had such strong ancestors.
Edward:
If we´re so strong, why don´t we have any more heirs apart from you then? Can you answer me that?
Tilde:
I can´t inherit Storm´s End, unless Father decides to legitimize me.
Edward:
You know that he would have, if the Regent had allowed him to and so do I. It´s yet another way that they´ve scorned our house for decades now.
Tilde:
I do. It´s strange to think, that this is the exact spot where the new age began.
Edward:
When Robert and Stannis stood here and saw their parent´s ship crash into the rocks and Robert became the new head of our house. You don´t need to teach me about our family history.
Tilde:
We´ll get our revenge on the Lannisters for how they stole the throne away from us.
Edward:
If we do, what then? Gregor becomes King and you his Princess?
Tilde:
That seems to be what he has in mind.
Edward:
You´re speaking exactly like what you are. A child, who´s never left the comfort of Storm´s End and knows nothing about the rest of Westeros.
Tilde:
The Maesters have told me many things about it.
Edward:
The Maesters tell you, what your father wants you to hear and nothing else. Over here, we see the regency as a pestilence, but it´s different in other parts of the continent. It won´t be everyone, who´ll support our claim for the throne.
Tilde:
Better can´t ever mean better for everyone.
Edward:
Isn´t that the truth? I just hope that your father, my brother knows what he´s getting himself into. If we don´t win this war, we´ll go the way of the Targaryens, the Boltons, the Reynes and all of the other houses, that have been lost to time.
Edward clearly looks worried, while Tilde looks more confident in her father´s abilities.
20. Ext. Street. Evening.
Arya is selling the horses and the cart to a man, who looks glad to be getting a great deal for them, while Dany waits for her. The man hands Arya a small pouch with coins in it, that she checks before they agree to the deal and Arya walks back to Dany.
Arya:
Now we have enough for a place to live and something to eat. I don´t know about you, but I´m starving.
Dany:
Same here. Where are we going to find something at this hour though?
Arya:
At the festivities in the center of town, perhaps?
Dany:
I suppose, it could lead to us meeting our target down there.
Arya:
Only we still don´t know what she looks like, do we?
Dany:
If she´s really a Targaryen, then we can start by looking for a blonde girl. Any other objections, while we´re at it?
Arya:
None right now.
Dany looks a little relieved, as Arya starts to walk towards the town center.
Arya:
Although I´m not making any guarantees for later!
Dany shakes her head and follows after her.
21. Ext. Square in Front of Hightower. Evening.
Dany and Arya are walking through the main square, that´s filled with people celebrating the occasion.
Arya:
I see plenty of blonde girls here. Do any of them feel like one of your relatives to you?
Dany:
None yet.
People start rushing up towards the tower, as the Nobles and those who have been given last names on this day come out to receive the crowd´s adoration. When Ashia comes out and Dany sees her, Dany immediately starts to feel a connection with her. She turns her head towards Arya.
Dany:
She´s the one up there with the Nobles.
Arya:
You´re sure?
Dany:
Certain.
They look up at Ashia, who´s a little overwhelmed by the occasion and being cheered like this.
CLOSING CREDITS