OLD FRIENDS/NEW FRIENDS

MOPATIS

Mopatis disembarks from his ship after sending his herald to speak with the Hand of the King. He is met by Jon Arryn in the courtyard of the Hand's Tower. "Magister I am Jon Arryn Hand of the King…Welcome to King's Landing."

"My Lord Hand, it is an honor to meet with you."

"The Honor is all mine."

Mopatis is taken to a solar in the tower of the Hand. Servants bring a tray of fruit, meats, cheeses, bread, and wine. "Magister, what brings you to Westeros?"

"I am looking to invest in trade here in Westeros. Expand my power and influence." He pauses to take a drink, "So I would like to speak with the King and your Master of Whispers. He can tell me about all the major ports of Westeros and the men who rule them."

After they eat Jon Arryn escorts Mopatis to a room in the palace. Later he dines with the King, the Queen, and their children. Jon Arryn and his wife are present as well. The next morning he has a private breakfast with Varys at his mansion. "Why haven't I heard from you?" Is Mopatis' first question.

"Because of the Masked Dragon. About a year and half ago he appeared. When his legend reached my ears and then King Robert's, it was too late. Robert started questioning my loyalty. His spies watching my every move. Evetually I was able to win back the King's trust, but that has only been recent. Now tell me what has happened to bring you here?"

"Belwas found the Targaryens, but the Fiery Hand wanted them. But they were taken by the Masked Dragon. Tell me you know who he is."

Varys sighs, "I'm afraid not. No one knows who he is."

"Well whoever he is will have a fight on his hands. Aegon has hatched the eggs."

"But…"

"The boy has no patience…"

"Is it true about New Valyria?"

"So I've been told."

"Dragons or not I have heard some unbelievable stories about the Masked Dragon. I fear for Aegon's chances and your life my friend if you continue with this plan."

"The plan can still work…I will make some trade offers and return to Pentos…Belwas has a talent for finding people. I will send him to find this Masked Dragon."

VARYS

As Varys walked back to the Red Keep, doubt creeps into his mind about his friend's plan. Even with three Dragons, the Martells proved that Dragons can be killed and the Masked Dragon was not a man to be trifled with. After midday meal Varys attends a small council meeting. Robert is present, always looking for news on the capture or identity of the Masked Dragon.

"Let us begin." Robert says looking at Varys. "Any word on the Dragonspawn Lord Varys?"

"Yes Your Grace…Um…It would seem that Targaryens have rebuilt Old Valyria."

Baelish laughs, "Impossible."

"I have eye witness accounts from several reliable sources. They call it New Valyria now."

Robert slams his fist on the table. For the past few months Robert had been training more and eating healthier. Though there is one day a week, that he indulges in his favorite foods, wine, and women. He has lost a lot of weight, in preparation for the day he would face the Masked Dragon in combat. "Do we know of their military strength?"

"No my King…No one is allowed inside the city itself. All traders and merchants are kept in the Outer Market. Men have reported seeing armed troops patrolling the walls but that is all."

He looks at Jon Arryn, "Jon how goes the King's army."

The King's army, a last, ditch effort to hold onto his power and counter any Houses that would side with the Targaryens. "We have two thousand new recruits. We have three thousand men fully trained and ready for war. I have placed those men to helping the City Watch patrol the streets."

"What would it cost to send a fleet to attack New Valyria?"

Jon sighs but Varys speaks up, "Your Grace is that wise? I ask because we do not know the military strength of Valyria or it's defenses."

"You are my Master of fucking whispers…Get some damn spies inside the city."

"Yes My King I am working on it."

"Varys is right Your Grace. We need more information before we attack."

"Or an advantage." Maester Pycel says speaking up.

"What do you mean?" Robert asks.

"As you know your Grace…The Mad King was obsessed with fire. He had his pyromancers make tons of Wildfire and hide beneath the city. The madman wanted to set it off and kill everyone. The wildfire is still there. I say we load it onto the ships and use it against the Targaryens. Hopefully the Masked Dragon is there and dies with everyone else in the city."

Robert smiles, "Do it"

"Your Grace. I must protest." Jon Arryn says.

"This is war Jon! We do what we must…Send ravens west to Lord Tywin…He can lead the attack…Send Ravens to the Stormlords…I need ships and prepare the royal navy. Half the Baratheon forces and Lannister Men should be enough."

STANNIS

Shireen wanted to visit her cousins, Princess Myrcella and Prince Tommen, but Stannis was against this. He and Robert did not get along and if Robert found out that the Masked Dragon healed Shireen, he would Question Stannis' loyalty. "I am sorry Shireen. But no."

"Why?" She asks raising her voice, "All my life I have been hidden away here…The shame of House Baratheon! I look normal now. I have a chance at a real life! And you won't let me live it."

She was definitely a Baratheon. His daughter, "Shireen listen to me. I want you to have a full life. But your uncle and I do not get along. If he saw you, then questions would be asked."

"And the logical Answer would be to say that a healer from Essos healed my face."

He smiles, Shireen is so smart and very intelligent. She would make a formidable woman one day, "I'll think about."

She hugs him, "Please say yes."

A knock on the door and the guard announces Maester Cressen. "My Lord a message from King's Landing. The King's personal seal."

Stannis takes the letter and reads. He sighs, "Robert wants me to assemble half the army and the entire fleet."

"Why My Lord?"

"The rumors about Valyria are true and Robert is going to attack it." Later Stannis is having diner with his family. He was closer to his wife than he had ever been. "The King sent a Raven."

Selyse puts her fork down, "What does he want?"

"He wants me to assemble the fleet and summon half the army. He's going to attack New Valyria."

"Father…" Shireen asks with a bit of emotion in her voice, "…are you going to lead this army?"

He smiles, "No Lord Tywin will lead it."

Both Selyse and Shireen breath a sigh of relief. "Good…Because I want you at my side until this child is born."

Stannis looks at her, "What! Are you having a baby?"

She smiles, "I am with child."

"Mother." Both Shireen and Stannis get up, walk around the table to hug her. "If it's a boy we should name him, Orys or Steffon, a girl we name her Cassana."

MELISANDRE

As her boat rows towards Dragonstone, Melisandre could feel the magic lying dormant in the ancient fortress. Gone to sleep with no Dragonblood to tend to it. Her anger at not being able to gain entrance to New Valyria had faded. The magic of New Valyria dwarfed that of Dragonstone, but she would use Stannis Baratheon to get what she wanted. She had seen it in the flames.

"State your business on Dragonstone." The guard demands.

"The night is dark and full of terrors." She says to the guard.

He nods and smiles, "But the light of R'hllor will drive it away. Welcome to Dragonstone M'lady." The guard escorts Milessandre and her companions to see Stannis. "What news?"

"The Prince has been here m'lady…He healed Lady Shireen Baratheon's face. Also Lady Selyse is with child…I think the Prince was behind that as well."

"Damn." After being announced she takes a seat before Stannis at his desk. "My Lord."

"Would you like a drink of some kind?"

"Water please."

"What can I do for a Priestess of R'hllor?"

"You know of the one true god. I'm impressed."

"A few of my men have been converted to your faith."

"That is why I am here, m'lord. I was sent by R'hllor himself. He has chosen you to rule over Westeros to usher in his light. And expel the false gods from this land."

"I was born under the faith of seven. I will die keeping the faith."

She smiles, stands up and walks over to the brazier. With a wave of her hand the brazier bursts into flames. "Join me Lord Stannis…Stare into the flame and see your destiny." When he does not move she looks at him, "Do not be afraid."

"I fear nothing woman. Least of all some parlor trick."

When he joins her she stands behind him, "Tell me what you see."

He hunches his shoulders, "Fire all I see is fire."

"Keep looking."

Stannis sees himself sitting on the Iron Throne. The people chant his name. He raises his hand silencing them. The guards bring Cersei Baratheon into the throne room in chains. He sentences her to death…

"Do you see it my King?"

"Yes I see it…"

Afterwards Stannis invites Melisandre to eat with him and his family. "My wife Lady Selyse and our daughter Shireen Baratheon. Wife, daughter, the Lady Melisandre, High Priestess of R'hllor."

"Ladies, I am honored to eat with you. I hope that we all can be friends." After they eat Melisandre asks to speak with Selyse in private. "I see R'hllor has blessed you with child."

"How do you know that? Did my husband tell you?"

"No…as a servant of the one true god I am blessed with the gift of foresight. Come I wish to show you something in the fire."

SHIREEN

"Father…send that woman away. I do not trust her…She will bring our family to ruin. She will bring you to ruin."

"I trust her, she showed me the future…My future…I am meant to be King."

"What about the Masked Dragon?"

He sighs, kisses her on the forehead and leaves. Over the next few days Shireen avoids the Red Woman, as those who do not like her refer to her as. Then one day Shireen enters her room to find the Red Woman. "Lady Shireen please come in. I have been longing to speak with you."

"I have no desire to speak with or be alone with you."

"I have something to show you."

"Nothing I wish to see. I know what you are…I see through you…You are a fanatic…You are here for yourself…Not to help my father."

"I'm here to help all of you."

Shireen runs to Maester Cressen's room and asks him to send a Raven to the Onion Knight. A few days later Shireen and Cressen stand on the balcony overlooking the beach. Down below Melisandre leads her parents and thirty others in a bonfire prayer to R'hllor. They also watch as Melisandre burns the statues of the seven from the sept.

"It's getting worse my Lady." Cressen says from her side.

"We will send for my Uncle Renly as well."