Chapter 21: The Red Priestess

WARNING: The chapter contains some conversation in High Valyrian, so if you want the traduction it's at the bottom of the chapter.

Arianne POV

Her father summoned them to the great hall, to communicate something important, and when she entered Arianne saw some chest, on the floor, and especially one on the table.

After sitting down, they waited only for her brother, Quentyn, who was always late, to arrive, and she saw Oberyn, who was losing his patience.

After a while, in which Oberyn drank 5 goblets of wine, they saw Quentyn enter with a smile on his face.

"Sorry I'm late, Father, but I had a... mishap."

Yes, mishap,' thought Arianne. He must have woken up in one of the city's brothels, not knowing, neither where he is nor who he is.

"Sit down," said her father, in a very angry tone, and the same could be seen in his expression.

After a little silence, her father took out a letter and read it.

"Dear Prince of Dorne,
It took me a while to think about how to write this letter as formally and civilly as possible, but then I decided to throw everything to fuck and write it directly and short.
A month ago, you sent a few assassins to murder me and take my wife. That was your biggest mistake. But for the love for my mother, I decided not to attack you... for now. But if you ever try to attack my family again, I will bring the wrath of the north and the winds of winter to Dorne. And you will suffer the same fate as Astapor but on a much larger scale.
I will bow you, I will bend you, I will break you.
King Jon of Hous Stark, Lord of Winterfell, King in the North, Son of the Wolf, Son of Winter, Lord Impaler, King Warg, Defender of the Weaks, Protector of the Innocent."

Before he gave a look to her brother, who was almost petrified.

And Arianne smiled at hearing these words because she knew who sent the killers, and that her father didn't even believe her.

"P.S.: To Prince Quentyn, the one who has aims on my wife, and who said that he is a man more than me. With a big cock? Well, look in the boxes and you'll see what will happen to your cock if you don't stop in lusting for my wife. I give you my word."

"Father, this is a threat, and we must..." but before he could finish, Oberyn punched him to the point of making him fall. Arianne laughed silently from the scene and screamed silently inside her, victory.

"Is he the one you want as Prince of Dorne, brother? Because if he is, I will not follow him."

"No. I think you're right," said her father, looking toward Quentyn, and Arianne couldn't wait for her father to disinherit him for this. "But only partially," he added looking toward Oberyn.

"What do you mean?" asked Oberyn confused, and so was she. Because what her brother did was very wrong.

"What Quentyn did was wrong because he chose the wrong moment. My contacts warned me that the king left for the Wall, and left the young queen as ruler. So now it's time to kidnap her."

"Are you crazy brother?" asked Oberyn, and Arianne was completely in agreement with him in this. What her father was trying to do was very dangerous, and she glanced towards her brother who had a smirk on his face. And that almost turned her stomach upside down.

"No, Oberyn. I have never been so determined in pursuing my plan for the conquest of Westeros as Nymeria the Warrior Queen did with Dorne." Drinking from his goblet he added, "The alliance, with the Tyrells will be made. Arianne will marry Garlan Tyrell-"

"Garlan Tyrell is already married," she said, trying to save, that little of the plan she had.

"I've already arranged everything. His wife will die poisoned with the wine of the Lannisters. And this time I will send a hundred men to kidnap Daenerys Targaryen when the Tully will attack the North. My spies have told me that it will happen soon. I will have the Tyrells on my side, Quentyn will have the Targaryen girl, and Dorne will soon have the Iron Tron and the Seven Kingdoms.

"You're crazy, brother. Your craving for power will be our downfall, along with your stupid son. And are you really ready to kill an innocent woman for it? Because Lady Leonette Fossoway is an innocent woman."

"For the good of Dorne, yes."

"And tell me, father. You get something, Quentyn gets something, Dorne gets something and I have to take it in my ass?" asked Arianne irritated as she spun her finger around the edge of her goblet of wine.

"I think you've already done that many times with Daemon, sister," Quentyn said laughing and drinking from his goblet.

She took the goblet and poured it in his face, "Asshole." Then she sat back down.

When Quentyn tried to get up, Oberyn said, "Stay down, asshole. So, brother? Aren't you going to answer?"

"You'll be the queen of the Reach. If you hadn't screwed up with Prince Willas Tyrell, then things would have been much easier for you. Plus Garlan is a soldier, Willis was a poet. He didn't know how to use his sword very well".

"I wouldn't be so sure," Arianne said in a low voice, remembering the days of sex she spent with him. But sooner or later she'll have to say it, because he's also healing. But she wasn't ready to let go of her toys yet. And she doesn't know if she'll ever be able to do it. She really enjoyed the pastime. How he fucked her.

"Are you with us, Arianne?" asked her father, bringing her back from her daydreams.

"Yes, father," she said, and she felt she was getting wet between her legs, thinking of Willas. So she crossed her legs to suppress what she felt.

"Brother. I won't play your games. I'll warn those interested. Do you understand me?" shouted Oberyn.

" You forget your place, brother. Guards! Arrest Oberyn Martell, on charges of treason."

" Treason?" asked Oberyn angrily, but the guards took him away.

"I hope that a few months in the cell will clear your mind."

After Oberyn was taken away, she also left the room, but not before her father ordered her to do nothing, and in two months she will leave for Highgarden.

Daenerys POV

"Who are you?" asked Daenerys, as she approached, and Grey Worm was beside her, with her hand on her dagger, ready to defend her.

"Brōzio ñuha iksis Mīlīsāndre hen Ahsī. Īlen jittan ondoso se rōvēgrie voktys, Kinvara, naejot dohaeragon ao defeat se drēje qrinuntys, se naejot mediate rȳ ao se se rōvēgrie temple."

"I see. I've heard many stories about you, Red Priestess. About your rites, and if I must admit not all were pleasant. Burn on the stake, children, give life to the shadows to kill enemies."

"Only with King's blood."

"So you want to use dark magic to fight the real enemy?" asked Dany, not trusting her that much.

"I know you don't trust me. I haven't proven my good faith yet. And certainly, the stories that circulate are not pleasant. But I am here to help you. I was sent by the true God. And soon all the Red Priests of Essos will also be coming. And so will the 5,000 mercenaries who have set sail and who will soon be in White Harbor.

Daenerys couldn't help but admit that she was surprised by the revelations the Red woman told her. And as she approached, more and more Daenerys heard Grey Worm say, "Arlī qrīdrughagon!"

But Melisandre, ignoring him came closer and closer.

"Arlī qrīdrughagon!" said Grey Worm, again, pulling out the blade, and the Unsullied put themselves in position, approaching.

"Iksan daor skirt ōdrikagon zirȳla, Torgo Nudho," she said looking toward Grey Worm. He gave the signal to his men to retreat.

"You are the Prince who was promised, the one who will bring the dawn, and destroy the Others. You will awaken the dragons from the stone."

"I am not a prince," said Daenerys.

" In High Valyrian, the word "prince" is gender neutral. And you are the one who the God of ire showed me in the Sacred Flames of the Temple."

"So it could be me, or it could be someone else."

"Yes. But I have only seen you, in the flames, fighting during the long night, on the back of a black and red dragon. Trust me when I tell you that I am here to protect your Kingdom and to make sure you win the great war.

Daenerys watched her, looking her in the eye, but it was an enigma.

And as Daenerys was about to dismiss her, because she wanted to think about whether or not to accept her help, Melisandre said, "Gōntan ao gīmigon emā iā rūs iemnȳ hen ao, ñuha dāria?"

"What did you say?" Daenerys asked, turning towards her, thinking that she had misheard.

"You are pregnant, my queen. By four weeks. Change of mood, morning sickness, overwhelmed by emotions. I can feel your child inside. I can feel his power."

Everything Melisandre said was true. Everything she felt was now clear. And Daenerys immediately put her hands on her belly, trying to feel if there was any kick or movement, but she still didn't feel anything. She will have to talk to Master Luwin. And it would be too soon to feel it. Recovering from this cascade of emotion, Daenerys reset herself.

"Daorys kostagon gīmigon hen bisa, Dovaogēdy," She said in Valyrian, every Unsullied in the room, as she was looking toward Grey worm, who nodded.

Then turning to Melisandre she said, "That goes for you, too."

Melisandre bowed her head, "Hae ñuha dāria udrāzma."

And then she leaves the room, but not before giving orders to the servants to accompany Melisandre to one of the rooms, and heading towards her room. She needed rest. A warm bath and tomorrow talk to the Master.

Entering Daenerys saw that Missandei was there. She was preparing her bed, "Missandei, can you help me with my hair, and please prepare me a bath?"

Missandei nodded and went to prepare the bathtub.

After Missandei unbraided her hair and having dismissed her, Daenerys headed to her bathtub, immersing herself in the water.

As she savored the warmth of the hot water, Daenerys began to massage her belly and to think.

If what Melisandre said was true, there was the fruit of their love in here. And Daenerys began to think about what their child would look like. To whom he will resemble most. Or whether he will be a boy or a girl. She hoped it would be a boy and that it would look like Jon.

But she also didn't want to raise her hopes too much if she wasn't pregnant, and above all, she shouldn't reveal it to the court except in several months.

After drying herself, Daenerys went naked between the sheets, and thinking of her beloved Jon, who was heading towards a great danger, and how she would love to embrace him strongly, and kiss him and have him inside her.

With that dream she drifted to sleep, hugging his pillow, which still smelled of him after a month, but that she was sure it will soon fade.

Jon POV

Jon and his company approached the Wall, and it was magnificent. The last time he saw the Wall was 8 years ago, with his father, and at that time he was just a young child. But her father said, 'He won't be a boy forever. Winter is coming.' Jon felt such great excitement. From the top of the Wall, it could be seen almost all of the North, and what was beyond the Wall.

In the distance, Jon could hear the horn of Castle Black that announces their arrival.

Once past the gate, Job saw Robb, the Great John and some men Night' s Watch welcoming him.

He got off the horse, greeted everyone, and then returned his attention to Robb, and the GreatJon.

"So, I see everything is all right."

"Yes. Let's go inside. I'm sure you're tired and hungry."

"More than anything, we're cold, Robb. But we wouldn't reject the other offers," Benjen commented, and everyone burst out laughing.

"GreatJon."

"It took you a while to get here, your grace, eh. I can't wait to hear the stories from the capital of the last two months. "

"May I present to you your grace the new Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Rodrik Flint, formerly First Ranger. "

"Your Grace," he greeted him with a bow.

"Lord Commander. After dinner, I would need to speak with you and your advisors. But first I would like to see Master Aemon."

The lord commander nodded and showed him the way with Arthur and Benjen behind him. While the others went to the great hall.

When he arrived at the bookstore, the Lord Commander opened the door and announced his arrival, "Master Aemon. His Grace, the King of the North wants to speak to you.

"Ah, the King of the North, King Jon of the Stark House. Come, approach so that I may see you."

Jon smiled at himself and approached Aemon. The boy that was next to him left the room. Aemon was an old man with white hair and a black tunic, wearing an iron chain. Lord Aerys told him that Aemon had become blind a few years ago, but he still remembers him from the last time he was here. At that time he still saw.

Sitting in the next chair, Aemon put his hands on his face and began to touch him, "Yes, the last time I saw you, you were a 10-year-old boy who came to the wall with your father. Now you are a man, and what a man. A king. A warrior. But there is no joy in command, especially if you rule over a Kingdom besieged, at such a young age, he said, and then added, "But if you share it with your soulmate. There is no challenge that you cannot overcome."

Jon chuckled, "Yes. The best thing in my life. "

"I'm glad, considering that when you last came to the wall you didn't want to hear about wives and girls. "

"In my defense, I was a kid and the girls were not for me," replied Jon, chuckling, but remembering the glances that little Daenerys gave him.

"Yes, my great grand-niece is a good girl, and she will be a very good queen."

"And especially wife."

"Yes. I'm sure she is very gifted in that aspect," Aemon chuckled. "After all, the women in my family are famous for being wild. Especially Daena and the first Daenerys."

After a little silence Jon said, "Master Aemon, I want to tell you that I will take the wildlings across the Wall."

"I know. And you have my support in this, your grace. And I know you want to go beyond the Wall."

"Yes. It's the only way I can get them here," Jon said looking down. It was a bad idea, everyone thought so and it seems so did Aemon, but it was the only way.

Sighing, Aemon said, "I know a lot of people have already told you, but I want to tell you too. Don't go beyond the Wall. There's only death there now. And the kingdom is not ready to lose another king so soon, considering that the one who will replace you have no quality to become a king..."

"Daenerys will rule if I die prematurely. And I am sure that the kingdom will be safe in his hands. Of course, if I die. But I don't intend to do it. I made a promise."

"And you know that if that happens, she will be forced to make alliances, so marry another man, lie with another man and give birth to his children and to the future king."

"Maybe. But they will think about it if that happens. And trust me. Killing me is harder than you think."

"I really hope so, Your Grace. For the good of all of us. Because the Wall and the North need a commander to lead them to victory."

Jon nodded, more to himself and said, "Now I think we should go to the great hall, eat, and meet Mance Rayder."

Jon was in the Great Hall with his men, the Lord Commander, and Master Aemon, eating, chatting, laughing, singing and drinking. It was as if they were in a tavern, forgetting the great threat that was marching against them. But there was only one thing in his mind that made him move forward with the plan. Returning back to Daenerys, safe and sound.

Hug her again, and who knows, maybe even know his child, if by any chance he was already born, if Daenerys got pregnant that night.

"So, Jon, did you do it?"

"Yes."

"And she was satisfied?

"I don't know, I think so. After all, she asked me to return to her."

"Lucky bastard," said Robb and Jon gave him a look. Then he started laughing. Arthur and the Wolfsguard didn't drink wine, they just ate, but they didn't let their guard down.

"And from the stories I've heard, you've had conquests at the Wall too. A princess? Really?"

"In my defense, she's the one who tried first. And these rooms are so cold, Your Grace," replied Robb drinking from his cup.

"Yes. I'm sure of it." Said Jon, finishing his mug of wine. "Now it's better if we move on to the more silky things. Bring in the prisoners."

After having adjusted themselves, Jon saw them enter.

A tall, slender man with long, thin legs, a wide chest and wide shoulders. Long hair, dark brown with a bit of grey, and brown eyes. This must be Mance Raider. He thought.

Then there was a big man, with red hair and red beard. And he had a very fierce look. If he was a weaker man, he surely will be afraid of him.

The last to enter was a woman, and very beautiful. With blonde hair, the color of dark honey and reaching to her waist, which she sometimes wears in a golden braid across one shoulder. High sharp cheekbones, and eyes which appear pale grey or blue. Slender, with a full bosom. Bigger than Dany's one, he shamefully admits to himself. She must be. Val, the wilding Princess. And she looked very much like Dany, even thought, Dany was far more beautiful.

"Mance Raider you are in the presence of Jon of Hous Stark, Lord of Winterfell, King in the North, Son of the Wolf, Son of Winter, Lord Impaler, King Warg, Defender of the Weaks, Protector of the Innocent," Arthur said.

But Mence didn't answer, and Jon watched him. Observe if he's about to make any movements or any emotions. And as he watched Mance, Jon also glanced at Tormund, who was looking at him with fury and hatred, and Val, who had a smirk on his lips and was looking between him and Robb.

After some silence, Jon stood up and said, "We both know what is marching against us. And we both know that you won't be able to pass the Wall. My men defend it from the west coast to the east coast.

Of course, not without my permission or without the permission of the Lord Commander, here present," pointing to Rodrik sitting to his right after a few chairs.

"We don't kneel," replied Mance.

"If you want to settle south of the Wall, you will, Jon answered seriously.

"You don't know the Free Folk. They follow the fighters. The strongest. You want them to follow you, you have to defeat the strongest."

"Where did the Free Folk go, Mance?" asked Jon.

"Why should I tell you? So you can destroy them? "

"No. I intend to form an alliance. As you said yourself, the only way for them to follow me is to challenge them in combat. So tell me where they've gone, Mance."

But he didn't answer, and Jon decided to involve more and said descending the stairs from where he was and approaching him, "You have many women and children, who are no fighters. Is their survival not more important than your pride? Or theirs pried?"

Mance looked towards him, and Jon felt Arthur behind him with his hand on his sword. Mance turned first towards Val, who nodded, and then looked towards big man, who after a while as he watched him, said, " Tell him."

Sighing, Mance said, "First, release me and my people."

And Jon nodded to the guards, who removed the chains from the three prisoners, " I'll also free those who are prisoners."

"My son?" Mance asked, but Jon didn't know what he was talking about.

"He's fine," replied Val.

"Do you have a map of the North? Of the true North?" Mance asked, and Robb brought it, then put it on a table, and all those who were there approached around it.

"There are three great villages along the path where the Free Folk had withdrawn: Hardhome, on the east coast, the easiest, where they can be transported by ship and is the biggest; the other two are in the Haunted Forest."

"How many they are?"

" Two hundred giants and eighty mammoths are only in Tormund's host," said Val, "And they were sent there. At East-Watch. But I think they retreated to the second camp." And Jon didn't miss the glare that Tormund gives her.

"Good."

"So we have a thousand deaths and a thousand prisoners. And there should be another hundred thousand spread out, or grouped into three big groups." Jon said looking at the map and trying to figure out the numbers.

But as Mance was about to speak, Jon said, "Do you know that as a deserter of the Night's Watchmen, I am forced to execute you?"

"Yes. And I accept my fate. But if you do, the Free Folk will never follow you," he replied, almost in a challenging tone.

"We'll see about that," and he began to head toward the exit of the hall. But before he left, he said, "We're leaving tomorrow at first light."

When he arrived in the room that was given to him by the Lord Commander, Jon entered the room, and although the fire of the fireplace was on, it was still cold inside, because the winter breeze at the Wall was felt more and it entered from under the doors.

Jon couldn't believe how the Night's Watch, once a mighty order, was reduced to this. Yes, they are a neutral order, but Jon thought his father was helping them, but apparently, he was wrong. Now they were a group of 50 men, while the last time he was here there were at least 3,000 men.

After taking off the brig and the chain mail, Jon lay down on the bed, with his hands under his head looking upwards, under the blankets.

"Who knows what Daenerys is doing now?" thought Jon. "Is she thinking about him? Is she already sleeping?" He was looking forward to reuniting with her, but first, he must complete their mission.

The next morning. Jon woke up, and after having eaten and instructed the plan to all involved, he headed toward the courtyard.

"Your son will leave for Winterfell with Val, Dacey and some soldiers. He will be protected there. I give you my word," said Jon

"I want to come with you," intervened Val.

"No, Val. I entrust my son to you. Because I trust you more than anyone."

Val sighed and nodded.

Then when they all climbed on their horses, and with their suppliers and some ravens, they emerged from the tunnel and then headed into the lands beyond the Wall. And Jon could see the storm coming in the distance toward them.

HIGH VALYRIAN TRADUCTION:

Brōzio ñuha iksis Mīlīsāndre hen Ahsī. Īlen jittan ondoso se rōvēgrie voktys, Kinvara, naejot dohaeragon ao defeat se drēje qrinuntys, se naejot mediate rȳ ao se se rōvēgrie temple = My name is Melisandre of Asshai. I was sent by the Great Priestess, Kinvara, to help you defeat the true enemy, and to mediate between you and the Great Temple.

Arlī qrīdrughagon! = Back away!

Iksan daor skirt ōdrikagon zirȳla, Torgo Nudho. = I'm not gonna hurt her, Torgo Nudho.

Gōntan ao gīmigon emā iā rūs iemnȳ hen ao, ñuha dāria? = Did you know you have a baby in you, my queen?

Daorys kostagon gīmigon hen bisa, Dovaogēdy. = No one can know of the this, Unsullied.