Chapter 28: In this life or in the next, we will meet again.

In the South...

Arianne Martell POV

"Prince Jaime Lannister started the invasion of the Reach with 50,000 men," said Oberyn, "He conquered the Castle of Goldengrove, and the Lord knelt and now they all are marching together on Highgarden.

"And when Highgarden falls, he will march on us," Arianne said, putting his hand on her belly. Her baby was growing inside her, and her Dornish dress shows the little bump on the belly. The master said that she was almost four months pregnant, and she was sure of who he was. And even though she had told him she would take another lover when he left, she didn't. She didn't know why, but it was as if her body didn't want someone else. Or maybe it was the child inside her who didn't want to let her do that.

"And what about the Tyrells?" Arianne asked, trying to seem indifferent, even if she was dying inside herself to receive some news of Willas.

"If you mean if we know anything about Willas Tyrell, the answer is no. Even if he's arrived in his kingdom, it'll take much longer to get to the capital. And anyway they are domed," replied Oberys, sipping from his goblet.

Arianne sighed. It seems her son will never know his father, but this is normal in this world full of bastards. Shaking her head, she said, "Did you discover the traitors of our kingdom who attacked our army on the way back from the borders, and also when they were there?"

"No," Oberyn replied, and Arianne could feel frustration and anger in his answer and expression. "But I have my suspicions. And when we get the evidence, we'll put Dorne against them.

"Good. Then all we have to do is prepare for the war against King Tywin when he arrives, and use our advantages."

"Yes."

"If there's nothing else, I'd like to retire," Arianne said, standing up and heading out with the guards, but she stopped when her uncle said, "Yes." And she turned toward him, crossing her arms around his waist.

"You need to marry."

"I'm not already married?" Arianne asked with a smirk on her lips.

"We both know he'll die as soon as he gets to Highgarden. You may be pregnant, but there is no guarantee that the baby will be born or survive."

Arianne lowered her head, knowing that Oberyn was right, but she will do everything she can to have her baby born, and survive. After all, he will be the only thing left of Willas, and he will be the future Prince of Dorne and King of the Kingdom of the Reach when King Tywin will be defeated. But now it was better to think of the present, not the future. "Present me with the pretenders, Uncle, and I will examine them and decide which one is the most suitable."

Oberyn nodded and she left the Great Hall. Heading toward her room. She really was tired.

Cersei Lannister POV

Cersei was heading for her son's room, thoughtful. They have just received news that her brother Jaime, has invaded The Reach, and already conquered a castle, but he is still delaying the march on Highgarden.

The great thing about this invasion is that her Joffrey won't marry that Tyrell whore. And in this regard, Cersei has begun to look for worthy substitutes among the ladies of Stormlands, and maybe even some Lannister. After all, her nieces were already twelve years old and Joffrey was older.

Entering, she saw that everything in the room was dark, but she felt a stench of death. She knew these rooms very well, so she headed straight for the window, opening the curtains.

When she turned around, Cersei was shocked by what she saw. To the bed, there was tied a dead red-haired woman, with bolts in her, while on the chair, there was another woman, beaten and again with two bolts.

Looking toward the bed, Cersei saw that her son was sleeping, in his normal clothes, and there was a crossbow on the bed near him.

"Joffrey, wake up."

He groaned, "What do you want? Go away."

"What have you done?"

"I had some fun," he replied in a hoarse, sleeping voice.

"Did you fuck them?" she asked crossing her arms in front of her chest, "And wake up."

"Of course I didn't fuck them," he replied, getting out of bed. "They are not worthy to taste my cock. Only a lady of royal blood. My future wife."

"And that's exactly what I want to talk to you about. Now that your grandfather has invaded the Reach, Margery Tyrell is no longer available, but..."

"Don't worry about that. Margery Tyrell will become my wife as soon as their war is won thanks to the help I've sent," Joffrey replied, and then when she saw the servants coming he said, "Now go."

"Joffrey, what kind of help?"

"I need to change. And it's none of your business. I am the king. Leave, mother," he said, as the servants were undressing him, removing the bodies and preparing the bathroom. Cersei was speechless by how his son treated her.

And since Joffrey didn't want to tell her how he was helping the Tyrells, Cersei decided to go to the only person who would tell her the truth: Robert.

Arriving at the Master's studio, Cersei went inside, "What help did my son send to the Tyrells?"

"Good morning, Your Grace," replied Robert, as he was writing who knows what.

"I don't have time for games, Robert. Answer the question before I lose my patience," Cersei said, feeling the anger grow. If it was one thing she hated the most, it was being kept in the dark.

"Wildfire," said Robert, putting the quill on the table. "Wildfire was part of the deal with the Tyrells."

" What?" asked Cersei

"Yes. The King and the Tyrells put it in a secret deal, and an escort of Wildfire set off for Highgarden in secret. I mediated between them, and I drafted the deal and stockpiled the Wildfire."

"And all this behind my back?" asked Cersei raising her voice. She couldn't believe that the man with whom she slept, and for whom she began to feel something she hadn't felt in a long time, had hidden this from her.

As he got up, Robert approached her, trying to hug her, "Cersei..." but she pushed him away. If he thought that after this she would forgive him, he was wrong. It was time to show him the claws again and show him who the real Cersei is.

"Don't touch me again. You forget your place, Maester Robert."

"Cersei, please," he said, trying to hug her again.

"Your grace. From now on, you will have to inform me of everything my son is plotting and of all his secrets."

"Ce-Your grace, are you asking me to betray my king?"

"Yes. And now tell me everything."

"There is nothing else, Your Grace," he said, bowing and returning to his desk.

Cersei knew that he was heading more, and looking at him one last time she left his study. It was time to put him under the watch of her spies, and start the Game of Thrones.

Willas Tyrell/Ollen Tyrell POV

Willas had finally arrived in his land, and he was three days away from Highgarden. His kingdom was invaded and in full rebellion. The rumors run in The Reach that the Tarly betrayed him, as well as many other Houses, while the Lord of Goldengrove knelt when many of his people died from the siege.

The good thing was that he was traveling alone, he knew his land better than anyone else, thanks to the constant hunting, while the negative aspect was that even if the wounds had healed, he still had difficulty walking, and even riding.

And what kept him during those lonely nights was to reach his home as soon as possible, to embrace the last members of his family, and the memory of Ny-Arianne. Arianne, despite the lies about her identity, he fell in love with her. With the real Arianne, even if now he didn't know if what she was telling him, in their moments together were real or just games and lies.

Starting to get tired, Willas decided to stop by a cave, rather hidden by a climbing weed. After eating the few meats he had left, Willas, with his hawk drifted to sleep.

Three days later...

Ollena was in her rooms watching the arrival of the help sent by King Joffrey. And in a few days, Margery will leave for Storm's End. Of course, Ollena was a little disappointed that King Joffrey did not send soldiers. But in the last scroll, he said he would not send military support until Margery was his wife.

Jaime Lannister, on the other hand, is marching towards Highgarden, or rather, was marching, since her spies informed her that after conquered Goldengrove, he stopped between Goldengrove and Highgarden, waiting only the Gods know what and this was not good for them.

She also called all the soldiers of the kingdom, or at least those who responded, to Highgarden. The problem is that House Highgarden didn't come and didn't even answer her raven. She has always known that the Hightowers have made claims for their throne and have repeatedly questioned their right to rule, but she thought that having taken one of them as queen, they would be satisfied, but how wrong was she. Not that it was surprising, all those who are ruling or aspiring to a throne want their name and blood to rule. Ollena had lived for many years, and ruled all her life, and she knows the minds of men. Suddenly, Ollena saw a servant, enter quickly without knocking, " You forget your manners, girl? You have to knock before you enter."

"I apologize, Your Grace, but the King has sent me. Your nephew, Prince Willas is alive and has just arrived in Highgarden."

Her heart was filled with joy at the news that her nephew Willas is alive and has returned home. Rising slowly, Ollena said, "You're lucky I'm in a good mood now, otherwise your head would be on a spike for your behavior.

And she headed to the Great Hall.

Willas had just arrived in Highgarden, exhausted, but anxious to hug his family back. Entering through the main gates, he saw several soldiers preparing the castle for a future siege, as well as wagons.

As he walked up to the man next to the wagon, Willas asked, "What's in these wagons?"

"Wildfire, my lord. Sent by the King of Stormlands." Willas nodded, smiling, and headed for the Keep, and the Great Hall.

Entering the Great Hall, a lot of people were present, but his father, the king, sent everyone away except those of the family, and his sister Margery, ran immediately to hug him, "I missed you, brother."

"Me too," he said, hugging her tightly.

Letting her down, Willas hugged his brother, then his mother, kissing her on the forehead while she was crying for the joy. Then his father.

"Father, I arrived just in time for the war, didn't I?"

"Yes, son, but our ally, King Joffrey, your sister's future husband, sent help."

"I've seen the wagons full of Wildfire, but I don't think that's enough to stop the Lannister army that's breaking our kingdom."

" On the contrary, we will. Your sister will leave for The Kingdom of Stormlands in a few days, after that the King will send his army to help."

Willas nodded, even though he didn't have the same confidence of his father in this regard, because his father was a weak king.

Ollena arrived at the Great Hall, and as she entered, she saw him immersed in drinkable laughter and speeches. She smiled, when he looked at her and said, "Granny!" and approached, kissing her hand first, then her cheeks.

"Willas, it's good to hug you again, and my heart is full of joy in knowing that you're alive. House Tyrell has a future again. Now accompany me to my study and tell me what you've been through." And together they left the Great Hall.

In the North...

Daenerys Targaryen POV

Daenerys began to wake up when she heard the door to her room open, and she knew it had to be Missandei.

But at that very moment, a great nausea caught her, and she got up quickly running to the other room, and throwing up everything she ate last night, even if it wasn't that much. She was really tired of all these changes in her body. One time she would like to eat a whole pig another time she isn't hungry at all.

Not to mention the change of mood, which only increased her worries about Jon, not having heard from him for two months. And she felt some tears coming down when thinking of Jon and how much she misses him. She was already three months pregnant, and she could see the little baby bump on her belly.

Ghost ran straight to her, and Daenerys, after cleaning her mouth with a cloth, and her tears, she caressed him a bit, saying, "I'm fine Ghost. It's just morning sickness and a lot of emotions," and he licked her on the face. Daenerys giggled, and after she washed her face, she returned to her room to prepare herself.

Daenerys sat in front of the mirror, and Missandei started doing her hair. As she did, Missandei said, "Your Grace, when I headed to your room, Lord Aerys gave me this scroll. It's from the king." And Daenerys took it right away.

My dear Dany,

I ask your forgiveness for not writing to you enough, but since we left the Black Castle, the weather has worsened Beyond the Wall, and we have lost many ravens. But don't worry, we're all fine. We managed to reach the first camp, and I earned the trust and respect of the clan leaders.

Robb's wife and Mance Raider's son are coming to Winterfell escorted by Dacey Mormont.

For the war against the White Walkers, I want to ask you to spread word around the North especially to the Mountains Clans to look for the so-called Dragonglass, a dark, black material, and of which Dacey has a piece. Sends also envoys to Essos, to find if any of the Free Cities trade it.

Now, returning to us, there are so many things that I would like to say and do to you, hold you, but that a scroll isn't enough for all that. But I want you to know that you are always in my thoughts from the moment I wake until I fall asleep, and beyond.

I won't lie to you, we are heading towards a great storm that brings the Winds of Winter and death with it, but no matter what happens, we will meet again, in this life or in the next,

Yours forever,

Jon

After finishing reading the letter, Daenerys felt tears coming down from her eyes again, especially because of the last sentences. The ones about her.

" Are you well, your grace?" Missandei asked, finishing the doing of her hair and look toward her.

"Yes, thank you, Missandei," said Daenerys. And folding the scroll, putting it in a hidden container, Daenerys headed toward the Great Hall for breakfast.

Upon entering, she saw that it was quite full. There were his mother and father talking to the king's mother. The three sellswords, who were talking and laughing among themselves, Lady Catelyn and her children who apparently sat at the King's Table, not that Daenerys cared.

"Good morning," she greeted them, and almost everyone stood up, bowing, and she headed to the table where her parents were.

"Woken up well, daughter," asked her mother with a smile taking a sip from her goblet.

"As always," Daenerys replied, trying to make her mother understand that she was nauseous and vomited. And her mother nodded.

Her father apologized instead and left the Great Hall, while Daenerys began to eat from his plate.

When Lady Catelyn and her children also left, Daenerys sighed and finished her meal, but at that moment she saw the Sellsword, Bors approaching, "I apologize if I bother you, but I have to tell you something important." And placing the goblet on the table she and those who were at the table, which was her mother Rhaella and the King's mother stopped their conversation and brought their attention to what the old man, Bors had to say, and with the tail of her eye, Daenerys also saw Laena and Leontes approaching.

"What is it?"

"Someone is trying to destroy your reputation by spreading rumors."

"What do you mean?" asked her mother, and Daenerys was confused too.

"You spend a lot of time in the Godswood," said Bors, and Daenerys nodded. "Well, someone spread the rumor that you are unfaithful to the young king and that you are entertaining lovers in the Godswood."

Daenerys was amazed. Who could ever say these untrue things and above all, for what purpose, having nothing to gain, since the King was not in the capital? But then she remembered who would, and it was her mother who gave voice to her thought, "Catelyn Tully."

"Maybe, Bors said, "But one of the names that are spoken is that of a certain Daario Naharis, and that he is the father of your child."

"No!" snapped angry Daenerys, "It's a lie! And never mention that bastard's name again. He will have what he deserves, soon."

"I apologize, it's not my business. It was just to inform you. With your permission, I'm going back to my men."

When the Sellswords left, Dany said angry, "That fish bitch will pay for the lies she is spreading!"

"Daenerys!" warned her mother.

"What?" she asked angry.

" The language. It doesn't suit a queen."

" Stop it, mother!" she said, standing up and leaving the room, furious. That Tully bitch dared to stain her reputation with lies. If she wants war, she'll have war.

As she walked through the hallway, Daenerys met Melisandre, "My Queen," she greeted her.

"Lady Melisandre, I've been looking for you."

"I am at your service."

"I know you're from Essos, and I was wondering if you could tell me anything about the so-called Dragonglass material," asked Daenerys, Jon said in his letter that dragon glass kills White Walkers and the Undead, and told her to spread words in the Free Cities

"Dragonglass. Frozen fire, in the tongue of old Valyria. Small wonder it is anathema to these cold children of the Other," replied Melisandre and Daenerys, was confused by his answer, and since it was clear, from her expression, Melisandre added, "Asshai trades this kind of product."

"Can you help me make an exchange agreement with Asshai?"

"Yes, my queen."

Daenerys smiled and saw Grey worm coming up, "Dacey Mormont ēza māzigon, ñuha dāria." (Dacey Mormont arrived, your grace.)

Daenerys nodded and headed towards the throne room. Upon entering, she saw Dacey standing with a very beautiful young woman, blonde hair, high sharp cheekbones, and blue eyes. In her arms, she held a baby.

"It's good to see you again, Dacey." Said Daenerys.

"My queen," she greeted her with a bow, "This is Val, The Wildling Princess."

"And the wife of Lord Robb Snow," added the blonde woman with a smirk on her lips and Daenerys arched an eyebrow, surprised.

" I didn't know Robb is married?" Daenerys asked with a smirk, even though Jon mentioned it in the scroll, and she wasn't surprised that he got such a beautiful woman. He is quite charming but he is lands away from her Jon.

"Not according to your traditions, but according to those of the Free Folks," replied Val, and Daenerys looked at her. She didn't know the traditions of the Free Folks, but now that Val was here, Daenerys was eager to learn more about their tradition. After all, according to Jon's letter, they will soon be part of their kingdom.

"Well Val, the servants will accompany you to your room that has been prepared, and where your son will also stay."

"Nephew. He is the son of the King Beyond the Wall, Mance Raider, and of my sister, Dala, who died giving him birth. His name is Bael."

When Val said that her sister died giving birth to her son, panic and terror took over her, realizing that there was such a great risk in giving birth. And she turned to the other side, wrapping her arms around her waist. What if the same fate awaits her too? To die young, by giving birth to her child. Was she ready for that? And if Jon doesn't come back until then, and she won't have a chance to hug and kiss him one last time? Was she really ready? Her mother had always assured her that everything will be all right, but now hearing this, she was afraid to die.

"My Queen?" Daenerys was brought back from her bad thoughts when Dacey called her.

"Yes. The servants have prepared rooms for you to rest in. I'm sure you'll be very tired after the trip."

"Thank you, your grace. But..."

"If you will excuse me," Daenerys said, leaving the Throne Room. To head for the Godswood. Now she really needed to think and clear her mind. To coal this heated thoughts, and she didn't care what anyone else will say or what that Tully bitch will spread. She'll face her tomorrow, with a clear head.