Disclaimer: Characters and past storylines belong to the series creators and George R.R. Martin.

They say that life is a highway and its milestones are the years,
And now and then there's a toll-gate where you buy your way with tears.
It's a rough road, and a steep road and it stretches broad and far,
But it leads at last to a golden town where golden houses are.

from Roofs by Joyce Kilmer

Daenerys

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The journey to her homeland was long and arduous though they'd made a stop in Dorne for a rest and provisions. She'd taken a tour of the city, and met the many daughters of prince Oberyn, also known as the Sand Snakes. They were fierce girls, and though she quite liked them, she was not sure she trusted them entirely either. Their bravado seemed to get the better of them.

It was there that Lord Varys received word that Queen Cersei had begun to quietly get rid of anyone who defied her, and punished those who publicly spoke out against her by locking them in the cells under the Red Keep, for weeks at a time. Behind closed doors, the people had come to call her the 'Mad Queen'. Not much was said of her brother, it seemed he was not often seen in the City nor the Red Keep.

The Queen however, was followed night and day by a man as large as a mountain, who was called as much. He did not speak, but he killed on command. The people feared him, and said he was a dead man walking, and that he'd once ripped the head off a man who'd tried to touch Cersei. She was not worried much, dead men burned as easily as living ones.

It was then that she realized however, that other than Grey Worm, who was commander of the Unsullied, she had no sword to protect her. Ser Barristan was dead, Ser Jorah gone, and Daario remained in Mereen. She had her hand, she needed her queensguard as well. The problem now, would be who to choose.

With not much else to do, she brought the topic up with Tyrion, and Lord Varys. Missandei was there as well, but Grey Worm was off seeing to his men.

"Perhaps for now you ought to carry a guard of Unsullied, commander Grey Worm's most trusted. Or Dothraki, if you would prefer. I do not suggest both."

Tyrion smiled, "What? Don't you think former slaves and slavers will not want to protect the Queen as equals?"

Varys returned the gesture without mirth, "I only think it best not to find out."

She could not deny the truth in that.

"I think Unsullied. I would not want the Dothraki to think I need protection. Though I think four ought to do. Once I sit the throne I will appoint my formal guard."

"That will not be an easy task, your Grace, " Her hand said, adding, "I do not envy you."

She smiled, "Come now Tyrion, as hand of the Queen, this task will fall on you as well."

His grin seemed to falter, and Varys cracked a smile.

"Imagine Lord Tyrion, soon you will be hand in a new realm, as Westeros will be much changed, you will be busy with so many tasks, this will seem like a breeze."

"Thank you Lord Varys," He said, though he did not seem grateful, "I did not think I had enough to worry about."

The Master of Whispers said nothing, only nodded, his grin broadening as he did so.

She spoke then, "Lord Tyrion makes a good effort to seem as if he will not enjoy every minute of it, though he should know none of us are fooled."

She looked at him and saw that he'd been properly beaten by the red tinge that covered his cheeks.

"Pity,"He finally said, "I thought I was doing quite well."

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They were close enough for her to fly the rest of the way, so she did. Her dragons took to Dragonstone as a bird took to air, and as she entered the castle, she knew she was home. There were still remnants of Baratheon, but it did not matter. This island would always belong to her family, and the sight of dragons all about gave her strength for what was to come.

As she waited for the rest of her fleet to arrive, she used the time to get to know the land and castle. Her children had found dwellings of their own, and she knew they would be safe here.

Surely word had reached King's Landing that her fleet filled the Narrow Sea. She wondered what the 'Mad Queen' thought of that, wondered if the people thought her their saviour. She was not sure of it herself, Daario called her a conqueror, and she could not help feel it as well. If the ruler was a just one, would she stand by and let them rule? She did not think so.

By the morning of the third day she saw the tops of the sails in the distance, her fleet would arrive my midday, and she would know the lay of her land, and plan her attack.

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