Chapter One – Snow Covered
Bran was positioned out on the terrace that over looked Kings Landing. This is where he preferred to watch over everything, not just the city but the six kingdoms and everything located outside their borders. It would take some time for the city to recover to its previous bustling state. People began to slowly return after the death of the Dragon Queen and the disappearance of her dragon across the Narrow Sea. With a majority of the city remaining in ruins, Bran out sourced various carpenters and blacksmiths from the outer regions to assist in the rebuilding. Many of the townsfolk had decided to start repairs on the edges of town, furthest from the Red Keep. I guess the Red Keep was too much of a reminder with its exterior laden with scars of destruction.
Restorations were being made to the Red Keep, forcing most of the sections to be closed off due to the hazardous conditions. Bran had the builders focused on what he felt were necessary sections; living quarters, council chamber, and kitchen. The bare necessities to keep the kingdom running. As for the throne room, Bran never felt the need for such a display of his stature. If the people were to hear him or demand services, he would do so in the court yard below, where all men are equal and no one sits above the rest.
Many areas required his attention but he was primarily focused on matters occurring to the east. He watched from a far as Drogon returned Daenerys to Volantis and the events that would ensue shortly after. Her resurrection. Her now armored dragon. The Dragon Queen would return. And she would return with a purpose far greater than her previous. Bran was not intimidated by her or what she wielded. Perhaps compared to the Night King, she was more touchable, more comprehendible.
The bells rung high noon and Bran felt a bit annoyed as Ser Podrick entered his quarters. Bran was quite thankful for Ser Podrick, he did not push nor prod but simply waited till he was given a command or hinted to do so otherwise.
Bran continued to gaze across the broken city when he said, "Shall we?" Bran was wheeled to his daily council meeting which mainly consisted of bickering between the council members about the importance of certain topics. The members of the council were already at their feet, silent when he entered the chamber. Ser Podrick placed him at the head of the table as the others proceeded to sit.
Bran immediately glanced at Sam, the Archmaster. "Have we received any news from Volantis?"Sam was taken back by the very specific question or rather impressed that Bran was aware of the letter he just received from Volantis. Though given the fact he was the all seeing Three Eyed Raven, it only made sense.
"Uh yes, yes we did." Sam reaches into his pocket to pull out the rolled up message. "News of Daenerys Targaryen is surfacing as several claim to have seen her alive with her dragon, Drogon. It is unknown if she has made contact with the unsullied or Dothraki… or if she plans to return to Westeros." Sam looks up, eyes darting at the other members of the council seeing their reactions to the news. Most of them were stoic, unconvinced that someone could be resurrected proceeding that many days postmortem.
Fear paralyzed Tyrion where he sat. He knew Jon had been resurrected shortly after his murder but was it possible to accomplish such a task multiple days later. The implications of this report could mean death for thousands of people, as her wrath would certainly consume them. His racing thoughts were interrupted by Bran the Broken.
"We must prepare for Daenerys Targaryens arrival. I believe she should be here in a day or two." Bran stated.
The council members dubiety faded as the realization that Daenerys Targaryen would be returning to King Landings became more undeniable. The fact that Bran most likely saw this occur and knew of her ongoing actions, prevented any form of counter argument to develop. They all sat uneasy, nervously moving about in their chairs.
Bran continued, "In a day or two, if she has not come to Kings Landing, send a message to Dragonstone saying she is welcome at Kings Landing and the King is interested in talking with her. Also send for Jon Snow, I feel we may need him in this matter. Ser Podrick?" Bran glanced behind him, signaling he was done with this meeting. Ser Podrick quickly responded by stepping up to the back of Brans wheelchair.
"Your grace." Sam stood abruptly. "Jon is responsible for Daenerys death." Sams bottom lip quivered while he fumbled with his hands. "Sending for him may result in worse consequences for him as well as Kings Landing. It may be best to simply leave him at Castle Black." Sam was concerned that Bran would put Jon in such a situation. Surely we would want to gage the level of anger and ability to maintain control over the situation before adding the leading cause to her current circumstance into the mix. Very rarely did Bran accept the advice of his council members after a decision was made, normally he left most of the decision making to them. Sam hoped he would see the concern over putting these two into the same room.
"Daenerys Targaryen will want answers and Jon will be the only one who can give her those answers." Replied Bran. His mind was unchanged and their course would continue unaffected.
"Would you like us to arrange our fleet in the bay? Or possibly other defenses, your grace?" Ser Davos added. Aware of the danger the return of Daenerys Targaryen poses.
"Why? The largest naval fleet did nothing to stop her on top of added defenses. Arranging such safeguards may send the wrong message to someone like her and we are here to make peace not war." Bran was growing tired of their questions and wished to be back in his quarters, where he could watch the world. His council members would never be able to tell if he was happy, mad, or upset and he did not blame them.
This answer did not calm Ser Davos anymore but he did not continue to nudge the issue. "Very well, your grace."
The other members rose again as Bran was wheeled out of the room by Ser Podrick. Sighs across the table were expelled from a few members as the tension in the room elevated. Daenerys Targaryen is returning to Kings Landing with a dragon and there was no way for them to protect those within the city walls or nearby villages. Helpless, backed into a corner is what most of them felt and none of them preferred that feeling.
Bronn cleared his throat, "Well I am going to find me some ladies and have a wonderful night before our lives end. You sorry cunts can sit here and do what you do best." Bronn turned and left the room. Tyrion found his company quite humorous on the council but Brienne and the others found it somewhat repulsive. Brienne rolled her eyes and turned heel to leave the room.
Tyrion snickered, "That is not a bad idea." He flashed a smile to Ser Davos and Sam, who just returned the remark with a blank stare. "A glass of wine then, gentlemen?"
Sam and Davos exchanged looks. "Why not? A glass of wine would probably do me some good." Ser Davos stated, moving his stare to Sam.
"I better make a room for Daenerys, since we do not know how long she will be staying." Sams eyes fell to the ground as he hurried from the room. He was still unconvinced Jon would be safe with Daenerys return. Regardless of his actions, Sam supported Jon no matter the cost. He knew Jon had good reason to do what he did, he always had. Sam needed something to take his mind off the matter, anything, anything at all. He entered a guest room that was recently finished. Wood shavings and pieces laid scattered across the floor and furniture. The bed was missing a mattress and sheets while the rugs and curtains were torn and half burnt. Sam removed the damaged fabric and requested several items be delivered to the room. While sweeping the dust and wood shavings, Sam looked around unsure how to set it up let alone decorate the room. Gillie. Gillie would know exactly how to decorate this room.
It was three days before Daenerys saw the familiar silhouette of the Red Keep on the horizon. She did not stop at Dragonstone, there was no reason for it. No one close to her would be there and she had returned alone. The great halls of Dragonstone would feel barren and lonely with just her presence. Besides that would deviate from her path. She had the intent on finding those who betrayed her and handling them in Targaryen fashion. To whom dealt the biggest betrayal of all? She felt she knew exactly where to find him due to his true identity and the probable workings of his sister. It was no secret, Sansa and Varys made attempts to spread the news as far as they could so that he would be the one on the iron throne. Aegon Targaryen would have been placed on the iron throne, as it would have been his birth right being the only male Targaryen heir and there would be no one else to claim it since she would be dead. Quite a rather marvelous plan she thought. She wondered if that had been the plan all along. To get her to assist in the fight with the dead then follow it with killing her off, claiming Jon Snow as the one true heir and placing him on the iron throne. Or the claim could all be but a lie, Daenerys never actually saw the maesters journal entry and no one can truly confirm Brans visions. She needed to learn the game and she needed to learn it fast. Her enemies were already many steps ahead of her.
Daenerys was somewhat surprised at the lack of defenses Kings Landing had placed. Though she knew her arrival was a bit unexpected, surely Bran would have seen her coming and informed Jon. Drogon circled the city, seeing the damage of her previous visit. She could hear the faint screams of those below as the shadow of Drogon rushed across the rooftops. They had initiated the rebuilding of the city but it had been slow with only a few buildings completely renovated on the edge of the city. She did not see any scorpions positioned on the walls surrounding the city or Red Keep. No fleet planted in the bay, not even archers were perched in the towers. Either she completely caught them off guard of this was something else. No matter, she would treat this with copious caution and her trigger finger ready. With that she directed Drogon to land within the Red Keeps court yard, sending a message to those who hid amongst its walls. They were not met with swords or spears but a familiar face stood uncomfortably at the Keeps front doors. Sam. He was wearing a long tan dress with a metal chain hanging on one shoulder. She looked around the court yard, still firmly sitting on Drogon. No kings guard. No north men. She pursed her lips and made her way down off of Drogon.
Sam watched as Daenerys dismounted Drogon in the courtyard of the Red Keep, right where Bran said she would. He nearly wet himself at the sight of the two. Drogon had armor placed in key locations throughout his body. A dragon alone was unfathomable to most but an armored dragon was just ungodly. Sam swallowed, breaking his stare at the creature before him. Daenerys had made some changes herself as well. Her hair was still contorted in a maze of braids around her head with the ends were rolled into a tight bun. She no longer wore the elegant form fitted dresses but instead wore a slender black with red encrusted armor which had a three headed dragon insignia on her chest. A vibrant red cape was draped over her left shoulder giving her a royal feel as it blew in the wind. The new found armor gave a display that showed she was no longer dependent on others to defend her. The only thing missing from her ensemble was the hilt of a sword shooting out from a sheath attached to the belt wrapped around her waist. Sam figured most of the Targaryen family swords were probably destroyed and molded into other swords at the time of the rebellion. His eyes screamed at him causing him to blink ferociously. He must been staring at them both since they landed, forgetting even the simplest arbitrary movement. Sam nervously exchanged pressure between his feet as she made strides towards him. He could feel the sweat running down the sides of his face while Drogon observed him for any aggressive acts towards his mother.
Daenerys stopped at speaking distance. "Hello Sam. It is not a surprise to see you here. I figured Jon would have his best friend serving at his side." The vile in Daenerys voice could be tasted in Sams mouth.
Sam gradually figured out and was mindful that Daenerys was unaware of who was actually the King of the six kingdoms. He felt this was not the place nor his responsibility to inform her of such information. "Your grace will see you now." He gestured a shaky hand towards the Red Keep as he turned ever so slightly to the side. He kept his eyes to the ground while she walked past him. He briefly shot a glance at Drogon before turning to escort Daenerys. Daenerys was surprised she was not lead to the throne room but to the king councils chambers.
"Sam, why are we not headed to the throne room?" Her hands were elegantly placed in front of her, fingers interlaced.
"The king felt it was an unnecessary project at this time and noted there are other areas that demand our attention and resources." Sam kept up his pace while he talked and did not make an effort to speak directly to her. Daenerys took note of his behavior but was unsure if her mere presence was the cause or what laid ahead. With respect to the decision on the iron throne, she was mildly taken back by the decision as it would have been one of her first remodels to complete. But for as much as she thought she knew Jon, she knew he would want the least amount attention drawn to him in such circumstance and would assign the fixing of the iron throne far down on his list.
Sam leads her into the council chamber and is met with a small entourage of people stationed around a table. When she walks into the room, anger swells inside as she sees the hand of the king placed at one end of the table. Tyrion. She clamps her jaw while her nostrils flare. Her eyes send daggers his way knowing full well they would reach their intended target. He avoids eye contact with her as he should. Of course, all the traitors ended up in their most pursued position. It is no surprise Tyrion is named Hand of the King, again. Her anger filled session was stopped when Sam pulled a chair out, gesturing for her to sit. Daenerys took the chair that was located perpendicular to the other head of the table, which was clearly reserved for Jon. She inspected the remaining members of the council. She knew of Sam and Ser Brienne, who she felt deserved their positions and respected them more than anything. Ser Davos was to be expected as he was Jons Hand when he was King in the North. But there was an unfamiliar face in the mix. A man who sat perpendicular to Tyrions right, who had been eyeing her suspiciously since she walked into the room. The feeling she acquired from his look was not fear nor caution, it was something quite different. She did not flatter him with any added attention and turned her focus elsewhere.
The members of the council rose in unison as the King entered the chambers. Daenerys head cranked around to see Bran being wheeled in and placed at the head of the table. She looked at him confused, eyes going back and forth between him and Ser Podrick. Did Jon really send his younger brother in his place? Was he too afraid to confront her?
"Hello Daenerys Targaryen. Thank you for coming." Bran said sincerely, eyes never leaving her.
"Where is Jon? Does he not wish to see me or is he too coward to do so?" Daenerys clasped her hands, placing them on the table. Her temper was steadily growing at the lack of balls Jon showed at this very moment.
"Jon is positioned at Castle Black. After your death he was sentenced to serve the Night's Watch for the rest of his days. Under oath he may take no wife, take no lands. We sent for him so that he may answer any questions you may have." Bran looked towards Sam. "Any news regarding Jons arrival time."
Daenerys straightened her back and moved her attention to Sam. Jon was not crowned King of the seven kingdoms. Jon was sent to Castle Black for her murder, sentenced to live the rest of his days in solitude. Her anger dissipated somewhat at this discovery but she could not help but be more confused by it. Westeros adored Jon, he had followers in every corner. Even her own advisors supported his claim. Why would they not make him king after the one thing standing in their way was removed from the picture.
News of Jon Snow. Another reason for Sam to crawl under a rock. "Your grace, I received news from Castle Black." Sam stammered and mumbled before taking a moment to regain himself. "Jon is missing. No one has seen or heard from him for the past month." Sam opened and closed his mouth like he wanted to continue but dropped his eyes to the table. It was unlike Jon to disappear like that without notice. Last time that occurred, he had been captured by the wildlings. Deep down Sam secretly hoped Jon went out with the wildlings and just never returned nor contacted the Night's Watch after.
Daenerys snapped her head back at Bran. "You knew he would not show up, how could you not?" She contemplated if they even sent for him. They may have banished him to the Nights Watch but she was convinced they would protect him over seeing to her demands.
"I was hoping for better news obviously. Every time I look for Jon Snow I see nothing but blowing snow. I had hoped by sending for him, it would bring about a resolution to this." Bran slowly looked at Daenerys, void of any facial expression. "Tyrion. I need you to arrange myself and Daenerys travel to Castle Black. I feel it is of utmost importance."
Tyrion shot a quick glance at his king but dropped his sight before looking at the Daenerys. "Yes your Grace. At once." Tyrion removed himself from the table to make the necessary arrangements.
Daenerys watched as the man who she once confided in and was in the end betrayed by, left the room. She pressed her palms onto the table with the intent of going after him.
"Maester Sam will show you to your quarters. I suggest resting before our departure as it is a long ride. I will send for Ser Brienne when we are ready to depart." Bran had intended on interrupting her before something brash was done. Ser Podrick walked up and started pulling Bran away from the table. "Oh and Danenerys." Bran raised a hand to halt Ser Podrick and redirect Daenerys attention to him again. "I request you leave Drogon here at Kings Landing and ride via carriage with me to Castle Black. For the peoples sake." Bran kept eye contact with Daenerys until he received a confirmation.
Daenerys eyed Bran. Who is he to command Daenerys Targaryen. It reminded her of Jon when they first met. In all manner of speaking, he was attempting to get a face to face meeting with her and Jon as best he could. She would abide by his request for the time being. She gave him a curt nod before he was rolled out of the room. Daenerys felt Sam approach her from behind and turned to look at him.
He initially made eye contact before dropping his gaze again. "This was my lady." He scurried past her. Before following him, she glanced over to where Tyrion was discussing the travel arrangements. Though Bran never openly stated it, Daenerys comprehended his message. Leave Tyrion alone. For the time being.
Sam lead Daenerys to her guest room, opening the door to allow her inside. She looked around, delighted by the lengths they went to ensure her comfort. There was a freshly made bed with the windows open and light blue curtains blowing in the breeze. She smiled when she walked to the end of the bed to find a hand stitched Targaryen insignia draped over the bed canopy. Daenerys jumped at the sudden sound of a bowl being dropped to the ground. She spun around to see a women quickly bending over to pick up the assorted fruit, placing it back in the bowl on the table. The women rearranged the flower basin while apologizing for her actions. Sam peeked into the room and rushed over to her.
"Gillie!" He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out of the room. "My apologizes your grace… I mean my lady." Sam gave a nervous smile before closing the door behind him.
Daenerys could hear muddled words exchanged beyond the door as they moved out of hearing distance. She walked out onto the balcony, leaning on to the railing. This. This felt like home.