A/N: Hope you all are doing fine. Still busy as usual, but excited because of positive developments in my personal life recently.
Enjoy!
Benjen was surprised at how the journey from the Isle of Cedars towards Meereen was rather uneventful, given that there were still hundreds of Volantene vessels that were not sunk. But considering that Kaijin sunk seventy of their ships without losing one of their own, it was understandable that a lot of the tiger captains would be hesitant to do battle with their fleet. Still, he was at ease since he took fifty ships, which carried about five thousand men. Once the rest of the Jade Company's ships consolidated at the anchorage under Kaijin, he would leave some to seize control of isle's coasts. Once the waters around the island were secure, their enemies would be effectively be enclosed within Slaver's Bay and cut off from any reinforcements from outside. Let us see how long they can last without Volantis sending them supplies.
Benjen decided against taking the whole fleet with him, something that Kaijin agreed to since the main enemy force was not yet destroyed. Despite Kaijin overseeing their first victory at New Ghis, there were still many things that could go wrong and they could not take any chance, not while the Jade Company's troops and ships were the only viable force that could realistically take on the forces of the slavers. Fifty thousand men, all of them experienced and heavily-armed, could easily be wiped out if they made even one tactical error. That was why the fleet would, for the moment, ensure that the slavers could not escape or receive reinforcements from outside and controlling the waters around the Isle of Cedars was key to that.
Benjen also was against landing directly against either Astapor or Yunkai, not until they sent the scout ships and received new information on the enemy strength there. There were too many unknowns when it came to an open assault on a city, particularly if it came from the sea. However, Kaijin stated that they had to be aggressive since the enemy was now aware that they were not to be trifled with and that they should not allow the slavers any breathing space, leading to him to put forward the option to reserve eighty ships to respond in case the scout vessels bring back favorable intelligence. Favorable intelligence, as defined by Kaijin, included undermanned garrisons and little to no opposing naval forces. If they did, the Jade Company would assault Yunkai, Astapor, or both with the marines. Kaijin might have won a victory, but he should also be cautious since we are not yet secure in our position.
However, what prompted Benjen to throw away caution for the moment was when one of the courier ships brought back news from Meereen. By some miracle, the city had remained loyal to the cause of Daenerys Targaryen thanks to the administration of Tyrion Lannister, Ser Barristan Selmy, three Essosi by the names of Missandei, Grey Worm, and a sellsword called Daario Naharis, and a red priestess of Yi-Tish extract. But there were three pieces of news that caught Benjen's attention.
First, there were two sellsword companies that had managed to reinforce the beleaguered people of Meereen and greatly improve their defenses. And not just any sellsword company, but the two companies that were for sure started by northerner exiles: the Company of the Rose and the Wolf Pack. Benjen was aware of both, the former because they chose to leave rather than submit to Aegon the Conqueror and the latter because it was established once everyone acknowledged the valor of the northmen in the aftermath of the Dance of the Dragons. Benjen knew that with the backgrounds of both companies, along with their battle abilities if the stories he heard while at the Wall were true, it made more sense why Meereen lasted as long as it did. No one should ever doubt the northmen as being simple barbarians after this.
Second, the courier ship's captain brought back news that there was another Targaryen alive. Benjen could not believe it at first when the captain said that it was Rhaenys, daughter of Rhaegar and Elia Martell, until the captain then revealed that she rode a dragon. Knowing that it would be impossible for the captain to come up with something like that, he looked up to the sky. Lyanna… if only you were there to protect her from gods know what she has been through. He knew his sister well enough to know that Lyanna would have protected Rhaegar's eldest children as her own, but alas, fate had to be cruel in taking her away before she had the chance.
Lastly, Benjen was stunned when the captain told him that the one who should take the most credit for making Meereen stable and strongly-defended was none other than his nephew Robb, who he had thought was dead. When Benjen grabbed the captain's shoulders and pestered on how he could be alive, the captain merely answered that Robb must have hid very well in Westeros, with help, and made his way across Essos. Remembering Grey Wind, Benjen asked if Robb had a direwolf with him. The captain chuckled, responding that one had to be blind to miss a creature like that.
Benjen went on his knees and gave thanks, while tears fell from his eyes. Robb… thank the old gods that you are alive, but how much have you suffered since I last saw you. With both Ned and Catelyn dead, the whereabouts of Bran and Rickon unknown, and Sansa most likely still in danger, it was still dangerous days ahead for House Stark and Benjen knew that they had to win in order for his family to survive.
Benjen heard Mingyu enter his quarters and saw him on his knees. "What is going on, Benjen?" He took a few moments to explain the news he had heard, and Mingyu's eyes widened at everything he said. "This is great news. You now know that another of your nephews is alive."
"I never could have fathomed it, for times have been unkind to House Stark for a long time," Benjen said aloud. "However, to say that I am happy that Robb is alive cannot come close to expressing what I really feel about this."
Mingyu put her hands on his cheeks. "I know that whatever I see in Robb when I meet him, I will not be disappointed."
Benjen blinked. "Why would you be disappointed?"
Mingyu took a moment to gather her thoughts, as if trying to frame her words in a different manner upon realizing the manner in which it came out. "From what I hear of your family, Benjen, you are anything but dull. I have seen what Daeron and young Arya are capable of and if what I hear of Robb Stark is true, then he has proven himself as a capable commander of troops. And it seems that he has displayed considerable resilience, if the tales of the mutiny among his soldiers and the murder of his wife are true, as lesser men would have killed themselves in the face of such tragedy."
Now that Mingyu brought it up, Benjen did recall that Robb Stark's Volantene wife, Talisa Maegyr, was brutally killed after one of the Freys stabbed her in the stomach, which carried their only child. Benjen was unsure if he would have been able to endure such a horrid sight, especially if the one being killed was the woman he loved, but Robb apparently got himself back up and was continuing to lead troops admirably. Whatever doubts Benjen might have had regarding Robb were gone, as he demonstrated strength in character. From the Seven Hells to back… and that is just Robb. I wonder what the others have been through once I see them again.
"But… I am not sure if Robb would accept me as Arya did," Mingyu expressed her doubts. "After all, I am a former assassin and I did target you at the beginning, so he will not trust me."
Benjen shook his head and kissing her forehead. "Robb does not need to know that, at least not until he knows you better and enough time has passed. What he needs to see is that right now, the woman in front of me has saved my life and she showed that love could come in the most unexpected places. That is the truth, something that Robb will admire."
Mingyu grinned slowly while stroking his temples. "I never thought that you would have had a way with words. You continue to impress me, Benjen Stark."
Benjen pulled her in for a kiss while their arms ran over their bodies. But before it went further, he pulled away. "Not yet, Mingyu. Perhaps once we get settled in Meereen, we can—"
"Fuck any time we want and all the time?" Mingyu finished for him.
Benjen shrugged. "I hear that the rooms inside the Pyramid of Meereen are quite spacious, so who knows what we could there in there?"
Mingyu patted his ear. "I shall take you up on that offer."
Alongside Mingyu, Benjen took with Gendry and Minoru Lim as they sailed to Meereen. At present, Gendry held the rank of Major-General and was second-in-command of the Jade Company's infantry while Minoru Lim was a Lieutenant-General and held command of the Jade Company's cavalry. While Gendry was learning steadily, he did not intend separating him from Arya's grasp for long. As for Minoru Lim, he was an excellent leader and tactician, but his talents did not extend to sea combat and thus, Benjen needed his trusted second-in-command as they both led the five thousand men, all of them having served under him while in Yi-Ti's northern frontier. It was good to have men who Benjen knew he could rely upon and also whose capabilities he understood intimately.
After a few days of travel, the docks of Meereen appeared in the horizon. The ships were greeted by both Meleys and Drogon, who flied overhead as their ships were taken to the port. Benjen and Mingyu were the first to disembark their ship, followed by Gendry and Minoru Lim.
As expected, Benjen saw Jon and Arya run up to him and hug him. "Welcome to Meereen, uncle," Jon said to him.
"Glad to be here, Jon."
"Uncle, here is Robb," Arya gestured to the man who was her oldest brother.
Although he was quick to believe the report of Robb's survival, to actually see him in the flesh was something else entirely for Benjen. Gone was the boy that he had seen all those years before when he visited Winterfell while granted leave from the Wall. Before him was a man defined by years of struggle and nightmares that only a few could truly understand, some of which Benjen had been through himself while in Yi-Ti. While innocence was something that would disappear in one way or the other as the years passed by, Robb's face and his eyes reflected a certain ruggedness that men twice his age would normally carry. The years have changed us all, it seems.
"Uncle Benjen?" Robb could not believe it himself.
"Robb." Benjen gave him a small smile, indicating that he knew what his nephew had went through.
Without another moment of hesitation, Robb walked fast towards his uncle and both of them gave each other a firm hug. Once they realized that the person that they were holding was real, they settled into a gentle but loving embrace. Robb kept his head on Benjen's shoulder while Benjen kept his arms around Robb's body, not intending on letting anything more happen to him. And Benjen could tell that Robb wanted very much to cry, but it seemed that the years of struggle have used up all of the tears that he had.
"I am here, Robb. I owe it to your father to keep you safe, and I shall do that, as I have done with Arya and Jon."
Jon and Arya watched in silence as Robb and Benjen allowed the years being bereft of each other's embrace catch up to the both of them, as they did when they first saw Robb.
Jon felt himself walk on a sandy shore, the water splashing against his feet. The sun's position revealed that it was almost dusk, the reddish-orange light bathing him as he walked thorugh the rather soothing coolness of the water. The thing was, the sun did not change position, so Jon wondered if it was really near dusk.
Jon immediately knew where he was, as he had seen his real parents and Ned in this space. However, the layout was different and there was something about this place that seemed preordained. He already knew that he would not have come here if there was no purpose, but for what, he could not understand.
"It is about time you came." Jon looked around as soon as he heard that woman's voice. He somehow caught the Dornish lilt in her voice and it felt very warm, but he had never heard it before. "I am over here." Finally, Jon turned around and saw a Dornishwoman wearing a rather revealing orange gown and looking very youthful. She was sitting on a boulder very close to the lake, with moss covering the side most touched by the water.
"Who are you?" Jon asked politely.
"I am Elia, Jon. You look dashing, something I knew would happen when I saw your mother's womb." She looked at him up and down.
Jon's eyes widened at both of those statements. Not only was he staring at Rhaenys' long dead mother, Elia just said to him that she knew that his mother was pregnant with him.
Jon bowed deeply. "I am honored to meet you, Queen Elia."
"No need to do that, Jon. Wearing a crown is useless here, for we are all equal in death. And that is quite liberating, once you get used to that," Elia told him. She then stood up from the boulder and approached him, running her hand down his cheek. Jon kept still. "You can relax with me, Jon. Or do you prefer Daeron?"
"You can call me Jon. Since you know everything, we are basically family, right?" Jon asked hopefully.
Elia chuckled in amusement. "I like your attitude. You really are Lyanna's son. She told me that she would look after my children should something happen to me."
Jon swallowed. "How? Was this after the tourney at Harrenhal? During the Rebellion?"
"The timing seems too tight for such important things to come to pass, right?" Elia asked, seeming expecting Jon to have some doubts. "I told your father that things were moving too fast, but I saw in his eyes how much he loved your mother and after I met her… I wanted her with us as well."
Jon let out a laugh. "If only things went the way you and my parents wanted. I must admit that you are a very special woman."
Elia scratched his ear. "You know how to talk, just like your father. But enough of the memories. You have to know why you were brought here in the first place."
"Is there something that I should know?" Jon inquired.
"It is about my only daughter, Rhaenys."
Jon nodded in understanding, somehow knowing that was the reason. "I know that I have much to do to gain her trust. We are siblings after all, but we only just met face to face."
"She underwent pain that not many would ever understand. What made it worse, I watched her suffering and there was nothing that I could do to stop it from happening." Elia was close to crying. "The only consolation that I could get was that nobody tried to force themselves on her. That sneaky shit Varys might have done a lot of bad things, but paying a prince's price to protect her maidenhead is something that I cannot fault him for. Still, she watched me and her brother die."
Jon closed his eyes. He could imagine what it was like for Rhaenys to survive the Sack of King's Landing only to fend for herself amongst those who did not care much for her safety and well-being except when it was most advantageous for them. He could tell from her voice that reliving that experience was also hard for her.
"I cannot say that I can understand Rhaenys' pain, but I want to," Jon said to Elia. "She must have grown up with people she knew that she could not trust, particularly the one calling himself her brother. She will never trust anyone again and even though we share the same blood, I am not egotistical in thinking that it will be enough to make her trust me."
"Wise beyond your years. That makes my next words come easy for you," Elia noted with relief. "At this point… what you should ask yourself is what you have wanted from those claiming to be your family?"
"What?" Jon was confused at that.
"I saw Rhaenys interact with those who offered her many things, but there was always an ulterior motive. Despite Varys protecting her and making her strong, he always had a plan, one in which she would play a subordinate role. Every person she ever interacted with always wanted to take something from her, so you need to show her what unconditional love is."
Jon bobbed his head. "Yes. That make sense. No one knew who I was and they ignored me. Well, except those like Arya, Robb, and now Daenerys."
Elia crossed her arms. "Elaborate on that."
Jon breathed out. "I… grew up as Ned Stark's bastard and nobody saw value in me. Catelyn Stark blamed me for everything from little to large, Sansa merely followed what her mother did, and everyone else at Winterfell only respected me whenever Ned Stark was around. I was not allowed to say that he was my father, for I was the reminder of his supposed error on his reputation. But Arya, Robb, Bran, Rickon… they all loved me anyway. Benjen also did that, even though he already knew the truth, and that is not just family." He remembered Chanhee, the Chogo woman who showed him what love could look like. And he would never forget the unconditional kindness that Joon Kitara showed him. "People treated me with the respect that I needed despite the lack of reward in it and with Daenerys… I feel that a large piece of the puzzle of my life has been found because of what we have."
Elia smiled widely. "I grew up in Dorne, where bastardy does not have the type of stain spread throughout Westeros. But from what I hear, you being a bastard allowed you to really appreciate what love and affection really is. You never took it for granted and you never allowed the hate and lack of kindness you got from others to poison your mind. What you have seen, you can show to Rhaenys."
"I know what you are talking about, but I would not know where to start," Jon told her.
Elia grabbed both of his shoulders. "Do not tell her to do anything. Do not even ask what you can do for her, for the gods know how many times people asked that question before demanding something in return. Instead, show her that affection that you so grew to cherish and remember. Simple things like pouring wine with your own hand or even pulling a carcass for her dragon to eat can do much to persuade her that you will not abandon her at the first sign of trouble. That is what is makes her afraid, being abandoned again."
Jon lowered his head, finally understanding the last part of Rhaenys' distrust and anxiety. "I know what it is like to be alone, and so does Daenerys. Whatever experiences that Rhaenys had with loneliness… all of that will end. I promise you that."
Elia kissed him on the cheek, surprising him. "I know you will not. What I can hope for now is that what you promise to do will be enough to finally ease her heart."
Jon nodded his head once more, prepared to show Rhaenys the love that she needed. "But just curious. I have been here before and I have seen both of my parents and my uncle Ned here. Why is just you?"
"She wanted us to not interfere, because she wanted to finally meet you." Jon turned around, instantly recognizing his mother's voice. True enough, he saw her, his father, and Ned Stark approach them. But they were dressed very lightly, even Ned as he was not wearing his northern cloaks. Jon ran up to his parents and hugged them, which they lovingly returned.
"Good to see you both, and you, Uncle Ned," Jon addressed them all.
"You should be proud, Rhaegar," Elia walked to them while Jon was still in their embrace. "You and Lyanna made a beautiful boy."
"We are," Lyanna kissed her son's head. "If only you were there when he was born."
Jon looked up in all of their eyes. "So much is happening right now, and much has already happened."
"More will follow, my son," Rhaegar stroked Jon's hair. "Just know that we are watching you still. You and my sister."
A bell rung in the distance, catching all of their attention. "Ah, looks like the feast is happening," Ned remarked. "One thing that I will not complain about the afterlife is the food. So filling." He patted Jon's head. "Well, you better be going back to the land of the living. When we need to see you, we know how to reach you."
Jon nodded before hugging them all again. As for Elia, he kissed her hand. "My father is one fortunate man, to have two lovely women by his side."
"He might look like a wolf, but he really is your son from how talks." Elia stroked his chin. "Continue like this, who knows what might happen between you and Rhaenys?"
Jon blinked in confusion. "Wait, what?"
"You will have to find that out yourself," Elia said in a sing-song manner. As everything around him brightened, the last he saw was not just Elia and his mother grabbing on Rhaegar's hands, he also saw his mother's and Elia's fingers touch affectionately.
Jon woke up, looking up at the ceiling of his quarters in the Pyramid. As Daenerys retook her place as the Queen of Meereen, she moved back into her rooms. But instead of her previous mate sharing her bed, she was sharing it with her husband.
Jon felt her hand slide down his bare chest as she moved up to put her chin on his shoulder. "Something the matter, Daeron?" she said while also half-asleep.
"I saw… not just my father, mother, and my uncle Ned, but also Elia."
Daenerys' curiosity was peaked. "You saw Elia, my goodsister?"
"The same way that we both met Rhaenys. She said a lot of things about her that I needed to know."
"Such as?"
Jon gave her a brief summary on what Elia told him and the things that he had to do to really win over Rhaenys. "Considering how defensive and closed off she has been acting towards us, what Elia said is very sensible."
"And that is something that I should do," Daenerys declared. "She once asked me why I did not try to find her. I might not have known she was alive, but she is right in that I did not try hard enough."
Jon turned his body around and kissed her while shaking his head. "No, no. You did not know, but if you did, you would have tried your all in rescuing her. If I had known also, I would have done the same thing. But such thoughts do not matter know, for we are here and she is here . Whatever memories we could not make because of what happened during the Rebellion, we can begin anew with Rhaenys. And she might want to do the same also."
Daenerys sighed before she slowly guided Jon back to the bed. "For now, let us sleep. We will not get much done if we continue to be talking about it. But just as you will show her the affection she needs from her brother, I shall show the same as her aunt."
Jon kissed her hand before pulling her close and both drifted back into the deep sleep that both had enjoyed.
Oberyn stood by while the bodies of Loras Tyrell and Melessa Tarly were laid to rest in the Great Sept of Baelor, their eyes covered and the families of the deceased standing by while mourning. There were not many moments where he felt bad for families besides his own when they went through loss, but at least for House Tarly, he made an exception. Lady Melessa did nothing, so it is truly unfair for Lady Talla and Lord Dickon.
After the riots that killed both Loras Tyrell and Lady Melessa, everyone in Flea Bottom was rounded up and had to undergo collective punishment as part of "being guilty through association." All of the men were beaten within an inch of their lives, all of the women were brutalized in ways that Oberyn would rather not think about again, and all of the boys and girls were made to watch. As for Flea Bottom itself, the goldcloaks set fire to half of the area while forcing the remainder, those who could walk, to leave King's Landing. Meanwhile, the small council, or rather Tywin Lannister himself, put up a bounty for anyone who might have had a hand in the instigation of the riots, with special attention to the one calling himself the Sparrow. Too little, too late.
But the damage was done, in Oberyn's eyes. With the death of Ser Loras, everyone in the Red Keep knew that relations House Tyrell and House Lannister would crumble beyond repair. The Queen of Thorns herself had announced that she was going to take the body of her son back to Highgarden and insisted that Queen Margaery should accompany her. Cersei being Cersei was more than happy to allow a rival of hers to leave court while Kevan Lannister and Pycelle were concerned about the two most influential Tyrell members moving outside of their reach at such a dangerous moment. However, despite Tywin's own misgivings of allowing both Olenna and Margaery to escort Loras' body to his final resting place in Highgarden, he knew clearly that to deny them that simple request would only signal to all on what was really going on in the Red Keep and that was something that he could not allow to happen, not when dissatisfaction with the Lannisters' reign over the Seven Kingdoms was reaching unmanageable levels. So, he compromised by having four thousand Lannister men personally escort both Olenna and Margaery back to Highgarden, with orders to bring the Queen right back to King's Landing as soon as she was done with her mourning. I highly doubt four thousand men will be enough to bring Margaery against her will back to the Red Keep, especially if they are deep in the Reach.
At the small council meeting convened after the riots, the council also received a raven from Horn Hill. Tywin was clearly annoyed, but he could not ignore the dispatch from one of Westeros' most powerful marcher lords. And Pycelle's hands shook as the contents of the letter were revealed:
You know who I am, so I will make this short.
While common rabble killed my beloved wife, the peace and security of King's Landing was ultimately the responsibility of the small council and of King Joffrey himself. My wife dying is proof to me that the ones who govern these Seven Kingdoms have shown an inability to administer effectively, which is exacerbated by the fact that my son Dickon and my daughter Talla were nearly killed. If something had happened to them, House Tarly would be endangered and who would be blamed for that?
Therefore, I demand of the small council just recompense for their failure to keep the peace in King's Landing and of the Seven Kingdoms. Whoever was in charge of the City Watch when this horrendous event happened must be punished and executed while I deem a payment of golden dragons to be fair. Should both of these conditions not be met, you can expect the withdrawal of House Tarly's banners from the field. Let us see if you can fight the war against Stannis without my knights and soldiers.
I expect an answer by the end of this moon.
From Randyll Tarly, Lord of Horn's Hill.
Tywin grabbed the letter, read it for himself, and crumpled it in his hand.
"He has lost his mind," Kevan said aloud. "Does he really expect us to do everything he wants us to do while issuing such threats?"
"Lord Randyll just lost his wife," Pycelle answered. "Any man in his position would not be thinking rationally."
"Still, to write such a letter with such strong words… if this was any other lord, we would have ignored it. But this is Randyll Tarly we are talking about. He is not one to simply push aside, especially if he makes such threats like these," Kevan pointed out.
Mace Tyrell was characteristically silent, as there was nothing that he could have said that would have constituted a contribution to the discussion.
"What Randyll Tarly is threatening to do is treason," Qyburn stated. "We cannot allow such words to be said lightly, even from those like Lord Randyll."
"And he would not be spared punishment," Tywin decided. "Pycelle, send a raven to Horn Hill. Inform Lord Randyll that he must appear in King's Landing before the moon is out to explain himself before the court regarding his seditious letter. If he fails to appear, then he shall be declared a traitor and enemy of the realm."
Mace Tyrell looked at Tywin nervously. "Lord Hand, I do not believe that is a wise course of action. It is true that Lord Randyll is not in his right mind, but to imprison him when his men are still in the field is likely to lead to much trouble in the fight against Stannis."
"Lord Randyll will do what we tell him to do, because we can easily make his children's stay in the Red Keep very uncomfortable if we choose to," Cersei told Qyburn. "Perhaps he will be more amenable if both Dickon and Talla Tarly becomes guests of the Black Cells."
Oberyn had to resist shaking his head at how shortsighted that was. House Tarly had already expressed discontent with the figures currently in charge of the Seven Kingdom's administration, but to threaten the future of House Tarly with imprisonment in the Black Cells just proved in his mind that his next course of action, the one that he had thought of ahead of time, was the right way to go.
"But incidents such as these cannot be blamed on the king or the entire small council. We are going to have to apply blame on a few to avoid a more serious hit on the reputation of the crown. Perhaps, we can blame a few members of the City Watch for what had transpired, for it was their fault for not preventing the riots from happening in the first place," Mace Tyrell suggested.
"Absolutely not," Kevan made known his opposition quickly. "If we choose to do that, then we will condemn Ser Addam Marbrand, who has served us faithfully from the moment he took up his current post. What will that say to the rest of the City Watch if their Commander was to take responsibility for an event that was beyond his control?"
"You mean what will it say for you and the rest of the Lannisters?" Oberyn decided to make his case. "Marbrand has served only the cause of House Lannister with all of his heart and his post in the City Watch was only to advance the cause of one family. If there is anyone to lose, it will be the Lannisters."
"What are you trying to imply?" Pycelle came to the defense of his Lannister masters.
"For once, I agree with Mace Tyrell in that we should shift blame on the lower ranks, because they were on the streets when the riots occurred. And that is a sensible approach to this quandary, unless of course Ser Addam's involvement will ultimately be detrimental to the Lannister cause," Oberyn stated.
"Why you ungrateful, selfish—"
"Stop." Tywin stopped his brother from saying more. "Prince Oberyn is right. Let us write up charges against Ser Addam Marbrand and he will be given a trial."
Kevan was astonished, until he remembered that loyalty was not enough to spare those who served the Lannister cause when the circumstances called for it.
"But as we are on the topic of blame, we should also consider that the one who was supposed to know everything that is going on in King's Landing has failed to respond to the threats." Tywin made clear who he was referring to by looking at Qyburn. "Was it not your little birds that you speak of supposed to know of discontent that would soon transform into violent intention?"
Qyburn blinked. "Are you suggesting that this riot was my doing?"
"I never said that," Tywin said. "But how quickly you tried to defend yourself does show that you might have some culpability in the deaths of Ser Loras and Lady Melessa."
Qyburn stood up in protest. "I will not hear of this. I have done my part faithfully, but I will never be involved such as this in which I will not benefit. What do I gain from killing Ser Loras and Lady Melessa?"
"Something that could be found out if you were to say… submit to questioning." Tywin raised his hand, signaling for a two goldcloaks to enter. "They will take you back to your quarters, where you will be confined until we clear your guilt."
Qyburn scoffed. "You already made up your mind, have you not, Lord Hand?"
"Your only job was to know everything there is to know, and this riot showed that you do not. Maybe it is time we find someone else more…suited to your task."
To his credit, Qyburn shook off the hands of the goldcloaks who tried to grab him and merely walked back to his quarters in Maegor's Holdfast willingly. Tywin and the others continued to discuss business, which was very much the same as it had been.
Once the small council was done, Oberyn made his way to the Queen's chambers, or Margaery's chambers. The guards announced his presence and he was allowed entry once Olenna allowed him to enter. For a moment, he thought about leaving the both of them alone so that they could mourn silently, but there was no better time than now to finally put the plans into motion.
Margaery poured him a goblet of Arbor gold while wiping away her tears. "I apologize, Prince Oberyn, for our appearance."
"No need to apologize. Oberyn can understand loss, as Elia Martell's death should have taught him," Olenna brushed off.
Oberyn bit his lip, for Elia Martell's death still stung after all of those years. But he had more important things to talk about.
"I apologize since this is a difficult time for you both, but what we discussed so far… I believe now is the time to put them into action."
Olenna and Margaery exhaled, for both knew what he was referring to. "And how exactly do you intend for us to put what we discussed into motion, as we have to grieve for Loras?"
"You will be going to Highgarden soon, which presents a very good opportunity since the both of you will be out of the Lannister's reach." Oberyn had to keep his voice low, since he still did not know who could be listening in the Red Keep.
"While my father will still be in the Red Keep?" Margaery asked pointedly.
"There is no better chance than now," Oberyn made clear. "If we delay, everything will unravel."
Margaery and Olenna glanced at each other. "Are you sure Prince Doran will supply the spears necessary?"
"Just waiting for our signal."
Olenna nodded. "I hope Mace can take care of himself here." She nodded in resolution. "All right. Let us proceed."
Daenerys walked through the streets of Meereen as the people cheered for her safe return. Putting on a warm smile, she waved to all of them as she walked with Jon at her side and they were escorted by Arya, Benjen, and the men of the Jade Company who accompanied Benjen alongside the Unsullied as they followed their queen once again.
"So… this is what you did here," Jon said. "Amazing."
"But I want to share all of this with you, Daeron." Daenerys kissed him on the cheek, earning her more cheers. "And look, they love you too."
Jon, in characteristic fashion, simply accepted their praise while not being outwardly expressive. "I might have gotten cheers like this back in Yin, but this is still something to get used to."
"You will, my love. You are a dragon and I made Meereen into a place where we do not have to be afraid. No one has to be."
"At the very least, Meereen is not as wet as in Yin," Arya remarked. "There were many times where I thought Yin was in a jungle from how much water landed on my face."
"You are not alone in thinking that." Now that Arya brought it up, Daenerys did not like that the capital of the Golden Empire possessed very damp air. It was one of those things that caused her inconvenience, but it was not enough for her to go complaining about it since lesser people would have made so much noise over such a minor detail.
Once they finished the tour of Meereen, which also served as an official welcome for Jon and the others, they returned to the Pyramid. Outside, the core members of the Company of the Rose, the Wolf Pack, the Unsullied, and the Second Sons, the last of whom went wherever Daario went, assembled. Daario gave a hard glance at Jon, which he was all too eager to return since they both were privy to Daenerys' intimate attentions. I have to really tell Daario that we can never, now that I have Daeron with me. The purpose was to introduce the troops already committed to Meereen's defense to their new allies from the Land of a Thousand Cities: the Jade Company. Benjen made the good choice of bringing the men who served in the brigade that he commanded in the northern frontiers, as those were soldiers that Benjen could rely on and by extension, Daenerys. At present, there was nearly thirty thousand soldiers in Meereen, all of them combat experienced, and the arsenal brought over by Benjen's troops in the form of tanegashima, cannons, and rockets would be very useful.
Once their partners were assembled, Gendry shouted commands in guanhua at the Jade Company troops. "Soldiers, attention!" As one, their boots snapped as they stood straight. "Order… arms!" They secured their spears on the ground while the gunners rested their weapons. Gendry then switched back to the common tongue. "All present and accounted for."
"Take your post, general," Jon commanded him before Gendry turned on his heels and stood with the men. "General Lim, can you interpret what we have to say to the men?" While the men of the Jade Company all had to have some knowledge of the common tongue of Westeros before joining, Daenerys knew that they had much to learn before they could follow commands without an interpreter.
"I shall do my best, Your Graces." Out of the Jade Company officers who knew the common tongue, Minoru Lim was easily the most knowledgeable, considering that his teacher hailed from the Arbor.
"I will let you do the honors, dear aunt." Jon took a small step back.
Daenerys squeezed his hand before clearing her throat. "My soldiers, my supporters… you have no idea how much happiness it brings me to see you not only alive, but still holding on after all of this time. My faith in you has been vindicated." All the while, Minoru Lim translated what she said to the Jade Company soldiers. "I have come to lead you all in the great quest to rid this place of the chains that have plagued the people here for too long, but I did not come alone." Daenerys gestured to Jon. "This here is Daeron Targaryen, my nephew and the only son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark." Many of the Unsullied and the Second Sons, among others, were brought up to speed on who their queen's new husband was. "Our marriage allows us to unite our claims to the Iron Throne to prevent unnecessary bloodshed and focus all of our energies against our common foes. The ones who are present before your eyes are only a few of the ones comprising the Jade Company, a force formed in the Land of a Thousand Cities and with the official support of Khiara Bu, Empress of the Golden Empire. We have secured the support of one powerful empire in our struggles."
Tyrion, Ser Barristan, and Robb Stark were stunned when they realized where the Jade Company was from. Despite the Golden Empire being located on practically the other side of the world, Empress Khiara's support was nothing to joke at since they all heard tales of how advanced their civilization was. Missandei and Grey Worm stood by silently, but Daenerys could see the pride in their eyes, in that they both knew that their queen did not waste time.
"Because of their support, we have won our first victory against our slaver enemies at New Ghis while we are almost enclosing this bay so that they will have no chance of escape. But I must address this." Daenerys already talked about the matter with Jon. "Despite our shared successes so far, so many things are still at risk. Before I flew away on Drogon's back after that ambush from the Harpies, I had only you, the Unsullied, the freedmen, the Second Sons, and parts of the Dothraki horde that remained loyal to me. But since I have returned, I see more sellswords among you, all of whom were brought here by Robb Stark, former King in the North in Westeros. We also have men who made the journey from east of the Bone Mountains. Truly, no one can boast of a more diverse force than the one before us. But I am not blind as to think all of your loyalties will be enough to keep you all focused."
Everyone glanced at each other, perplexed at why she said that.
"All of us here were brought up with different ways to view the world and different ways of living. For those bearing arms because of me, all of that indicates that all of you do not fight in the same manner. Such differences can lead to divisions, something that will only benefit our enemies." Daenerys looked at Daario, Grey Worm, Robb Stark, the captains of the Wolf Pack and the Company of the Rose, and the Jade Company troops. "It matters not where you all come from, though. We are all here for the promise of a better world, of better lives. However each of you define both, I will not try to correct. But all I ask is that while you fight, you do not try to tear each other apart. As I have learned, when the swords ring, the arrows fly, and screams could be heard… we are all one and the same. There are no differences between us because if we do not fight, we die. Only after our enemies have been vanquished can we truly rest, so all that I ask is all of you to work together."
For a moment, a pregnant silence fell upon the area outside of the Pyramid. But like when she bought the Unsullied, Daenerys heard the spears clap against the ground as one by one, everyone was won over by her words. Minoru Lim and Gendry unsheathed their swords and thrust them into the air, yelling before the troops followed suit.
Daenerys looked at Jon, who smiled in approval of her speech for unity. But how long before she had to remind her troops to work together, she did not know. Many things could still happen, even during battle.
Once they were all dismissed, Daenerys walked with Jon as they both approached Rhaenys. She was stroking Rhaegel's snout before she stared at them both. "That was a good speech, Aunt Daenerys. Focusing on unity and all of that."
"Thank you, niece," Daenerys answered.
"But I must ask if your words on unity applies to us as well."
Daenerys was near exasperated, but she knew better than to outwardly show that. "Of course it does, niece. We are but three dragons left in the world. We cannot tear each other apart."
"A lesson that our ancestors did not learn, especially during the Dance of the Dragons," Rhaenys pointed out.
"We have history to learn from, niece. They did not."
"And what makes you think that we could be any better?" Daenerys detected that Rhaenys was not spiteful, but instead very worried but she was trying to mask it. "Was it not my father's indiscipline, your brother's, that ultimately led to the overthrow of House Targaryen all those years ago?"
Daenerys gasped, while Jon gulped. "Rhaenys, how could you say that about father?"
"Is it not the truth?" Rhaenys barked back. "We are all here because of him, because he chose to break ranks with my grandfather. Are you seriously suggesting that you do not blame him for your troubles? You had to live as a northern bastard while our aunt here was brutalized in ways that I am thankful to have spared from."
Daeron took a step forward, immediately angered, while Daenerys held his arm to prevent him from doing something unwise. "Never in my life did I ever spoke of our father that way, or even thought of such. He loved us all, something that you would do well to remember."
"Then why did he leave us? Why did he have to die and leave us to suffer? I had to watch as my mother and my brother were torn to PIECES!"
Daenerys jerked backward, not expecting her sudden shout, as did Jon. For Rhaegel, he gave his rider space, as she fell on her knees and the tears flowed down.
"The both of you were never truly alone, while I had to live in my own hell. All of which could have been prevented."
Daenerys ran to her niece and grabbed her hands, which Rhaenys did not resist. "As I said to you before, I would have done anything that I could have if I had known you were alive. But you are here with us, and we can do what we should have done as family."
Rhaenys then pulled Daenerys close to her, hugging her tight and crying in her shoulder. Daenerys eagerly returned her embrace, also letting out tears that she did not know she had for her niece. Jon also followed and pulled them both closer to him, sharing in their grief.
As for Rhaegel, Daenerys could sense that he was trying to do his best to make them better, which including exhaling his hot breath onto them. Ironically, the dragon named after her father, Daenerys' brother and one who Rhaenys just criticized, was doing what he could to be by her side always.
No longer will we be alone, ever, Daenerys promised herself as they continued to hug each other.
A/N: Benjen is reunited with Robb, Jon finally meets Elia and gets advice on what he could do, Oberyn is on the move, and Daenerys is settling back into her role as Queen before showing Rhaenys what she needed.
Hopefully, the pain that all suffered will finally start to go away.
Edit: someone pointed out that I forgot the dividing lines between POV characters, so fixed!
