Chapter 43; Desperation & Salvation;

Characters of the chapter:

Aramis Soldier of the Orlesian Empire

Daenerys Targaryen, The Mother of Dragons, the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, the Unburnt, the Breaker of Chains, Queen of the of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men of the South, Queen of the South Kingdom of the Twin kingdoms and Protector of the Realm

Elsa Soldier of the Orlesian Empire

Grey Worm Master of War on the Small Council of Queen Daenerys, High Commander of the Royal Army

Meera Reed Lady of Greywater Watch

Song of Wrath Unsullied soldier

Cursive/Bold text is in Valyrian

"This damned, stupid, tiny fort! It defies me!" Daenerys thought bitterly as she stared at Moat Cailin. This castle was anything but an imposing sight, with its low walls and wooden towers. Yet it had bested her and her whole army, proving all but impenetrable to every assault they had thought to land upon it.

Three more times she had sought to burn the fortress with Drogon. Each time had ended the same as the first. During the final attempt a blast of lightning had pierced Drogon's wing. His injury had been a small one, not enough to ground him or even slow his flight. But it had startled her enough to make that her final attempt. The enemy had the means to kill him, and if she kept offering them opportunities eventually they would succeed.

Without Drogon to give her an easy victory she had been forced to assault the castle in a more conventional manner. And she had discovered how this tiny joke of a castle had withstood so many invaders in its past. The only easy path to the castle was along the road. It was a narrow pathway exposed to incoming fire the entire way. She had a far larger force than were defending the castle, but in this narrow lane those numbers meant nothing. Several large assaults had already been beaten back with relative ease, her side sustaining heavy casualties. The arrow fire was bad enough, but it turned out the enemy mages were just as adept at murdering her troops as they were in deterring her dragon. Neither shields nor heavy armor had been a match for the storm of arcane assaults that had torn through her forces in each attack. One company of her Unsullied had managed to fight their way to the gates yesterday, making hope leap in her heart. But then rocks, boiling oil and alchemical grenades had undone their accomplishments and stolen that hope from her again.

She had tried to send forces around to attack along a wider front only to realize that the muddy ground was damn near impossible to traverse, not to mention trapped to oblivion. Far too many times she had watched a soldier lose his leg to a bear trap, or a platoon get sundered when they wandered into a flame mine. Those same traps also made it impossible to do what the Orlesians had done and build wooden platforms to traverse the grounds. She would have thought that over time her forces could find paths through those defenses, or that over time the number of traps would decrease and allow for safer movement. Neither of those things had happened. When they had managed to capture some Orlesians replacing those traps one night she had understood why that was. For all she knew the enemy main force was providing an endless supply of fresh traps to be used against her forces.

This whole mess was made even worse by the fact that her army had not exactly come prepared for a siege. It had never occurred to her that doing so might actually be necessary. Now her forces lacked the materials to construct the proper siege equipment, and this miserable swamp could not provide for them. Ladders had been easy enough to make from what they had, but that was hardly enough for this task. They had managed to scavenge materials from their wagons and the Imperial leftovers to build a makeshift ram, only to watch the thing get blown to pieces by the enemy spellcasters when they had tried to maneuver it into position.

She had drawn up as many forces as she could before the castle, but that had not been very many. With nowhere else to go the majority of her army was still on the road, trying their best to camp in a long thin line that stretched for several miles. This presented a crisis of its own, because the raids against her forces continued unabated. In terrain like this it was impossible to coordinate any kind of counterattack in response. Often they didn't even hear about an attack before it was all over. When they didn't strike at her forces directly they continued to hitting her supplies. Provisions were starting to run low, and her army was now suffering for lack of food. Rationing was stretching things out, but that could not last forever. She had insisted that she be given no more food than her troops, so now hunger was a constant companion for her too.

As before she had sought to use Drogon to hunt the enemy, destroying them wherever she could find them. But with such a large area to cover there was no way she could be everywhere at once. Nor could she and Drogon keep awake at all times, and when they rested the enemy struck. In desperation she had set large swathes of the marshlands ablaze in an attempt to flush the assailants out until her officers had begged her to stop. The smoke and steam raised by her campaign only made it easier for the enemy to approach undetected. She had listened to them, but this left the enemy free to attack with impunity. She was doing what she could to protect her army, but the attacks still continued, slaughtering her people without mercy.

Truly this situation was a nut she could not crack. How smug the Orlesians had to be with the knowledge that they had vanquished her so easily. The very thought of it made her blood boil in her veins. Yet rage was hardly the foremost thought. She knew the enemy was moving against Winterfell. The more time her army spent stuck here the more the feeling of fear and worry grew, eating her up from the inside. There had been no news. There could not be. Not here. Could Winterfell still be standing, after so many days, against such numbers? Or, should she find some way for her army to break through here, would she be greeted with nothing but ruins and bitter memories of ghosts she could not save?

"I'm going to break my army here." She realized with sorrow. "We are bleeding out, little by little. If we stay here my army will die." It was what the Imperials wanted her to do. They wanted her army to bash itself to pieces here, so her kingdom too would be unable to defend itself. This she could not permit. But neither could she leave Winterfell to its fate.

She could not bear the pain of fear any longer. "I have no choice now. I'll have to chance it. I have to the leave the army behind." She told herself. There was something she needed to do first though. The security of her kingdom and the survival of her army needed to be attended to.

Reluctantly she turned her eyes away from the castle that had defeated her, walked past several of her tired soldiers with their empty stomachs, and sought out Grey Worm.

"Grey Worm… this is not going to work. This castle cannot be taken as things stand. We need to order the army back." She said to him, hanging her head.

Grey Worm seemed shocked at first, then cast his eyes down. "Forgive me, My Queen. It seems that I have failed you."

She shook her head. "No, no. You did not. None of you did. If anyone failed here it was me. I marched us into a slaughterhouse, and too many have already paid with their lives. To ask for more to do so in this siege is pointless. The effort to defend the South Kingdom must be started anew where they will not die needlessly."

"It shall be done My Queen." Grey Worm said. "Still, I am saddened that it has come to this. Particularly as I know how hard it must have been to come to this decision. I am aware how much you feel for the King. To leave him behind, even if it is a necessary thing, must be…"

"I didn't say anything about leaving him behind. Indeed that is not my intent. My army will retreat back to the South Kingdom and prepare to continue the fight there. But when the army is ready to depart I will head north with Drogon and take the fight to the enemy in person." She said.

Her Master of War was stunned. "My Queen, no. You cannot. Their mages…"

"I'm not going to debate this! And I'm done letting worrying over what might happen keep me from doing anything at all! If they want war with me, then it is high time I brought the war to them! If going with Drogon on his own is the only way to engage the enemy then that is what I shall do. And then I will destroy them, or they will destroy me. Come what may, I will hesitate no longer." She erupted.

"I have no choice in this, my friend. I cannot leave Jon behind. If there is even a chance that I could save him…" She then explained with a softer voice.

"There might not be." Grey Worm argued. "I know it is painful to consider, but he might already be lost. My Queen, I beg of you, do not risk your life for the sake of the dead. The living of your kingdom need you far more."

"Don't say that. Don't you dare say that. He's not dead." She said.

"Your Grace… the enemy was already moving towards Winterfell before our army was stopped here. The King only had remnants of his army left to him. After such a time and against such numbers, it seems improbable that…" Grey Worm said.

"He is no dead until I see a body!" The Queen exclaimed defiantly. "I cannot abandon him. I need him with me. And my son deserves to have a father."

"What of his mother?" He countered.

That did give her pause. She had believed to have already made peace with that reality. That… possibility. But now that it came down to it, could she do this to him? If she went and never came back her child would be an orphan. Just like her. No, worse than that, because her son would know what he had lost, unlike her that had never known her parents. And if she died would her council on their own be enough to protect her son from the Orlesians? What if they were not, and her son would be left all alone in the hands of her enemies?

It was very unfair for Grey Worm to use her son as leverage like this. But he had only spoken the truth. And he meant well regardless. He did what he had always done, and sought to keep his Queen safe. In the end though, was this not the same risk that existed every day spent on the front lines? There was only one constant in war: people died. She was well protected, but no more immune to this truth than anyone else. The moment she had raised herself against this foe she had taken the risk of leaving her son without a mother.

"I… my son has a strong heart. He can survive, if it comes to that." She said.

But hopefully it will not. We should not sell Drogon's capabilities short. He is powerful enough to destroy armies. We have seen that. At the very least it will be an even match." She added, trying her best to sound optimistic.

"Get the word out. The army will be retreating back to the South Kingdom as soon as it is ready. That much we can both at least agree on." She said with finality. "After you are on your way I'll…"

She didn't get the chance to finish her sentence.

There was a series of explosions around them, startling them both. The explosions had happened amidst her troops, killing several. Turning her head around she saw figures emerging from the swamp, moving completely unbothered by the muddy terrain.

"A raid? Here?" Grey Worm said, astonished. His surprise was understandable. This had not happened earlier. Not here before the fortress walls, where there might be at least a chance to organize a counter against the raiders. And while this attack consisted only of perhaps a hundred attackers, this was a larger force than there had been reported to participate in any of the previous attacks. Their victories had made the enemy bold it seemed…

Her soldiers began scrambling to react to the attack, many of them out of armor and unprepared to fight. There were sentries of course, and those assigned to stand watch just in case the enemy tried to sally out of their fortress. But the rest had had no reason to be in full gear unless an assault was planned. She was only grateful that she and Grey Worm were fully armed and armored at this moment.

"Drogon. I need to get to him. Quickly! You organize our troops!" She told Grey Worm, their debate some moments earlier forgotten. Grey Worm nodded and motioned for some of his soldiers to come over.

"Protect the Queen!" He told them in the common tongue. Together with those soldiers she proceeded toward her dragon, dodging explosions, arrows and fighters rushing about. She had almost made it, Drogon already lowering himself to let her climb to his back when an explosion violently knocked her off her feet. Falling she hit the back of her head on something hard. As her consciousness faded the last thing she heard was Drogon giving an enraged roar as, and wind on her face as he took to the air.

Daenerys woke coughing and gagging when a particle of ash drifted into her open mouth. How long she had lain there she did not know, but as she sat up she noticed that she was covered by a fine layer of ash, her face, hair and armor dirtied by a layer of grey. Looking she realized that same was true of every surface around her. More of the stuff was raining from the sky like snow. Here and there small fires were still burning and the landscape was broken by uneven mounds that she realized were bodies. Burnt bodies. Near her were the corpses of the half dozen that had been escorting her. "The blast that knocked me out must have gotten them." She thought. On the road there were the blackened remains of several wagons, looking ominously like skeletons of some long dead creature. The only thing that looked the same was the castle in the distance, as obstinately intact as ever. She was alone, not seeing anyone else alive.

What had happened here?

Her head still hurting, she wandered around in a daze, unsure what to do or where to go. That was until she spotted movement nearby. A badly burned man seated on the ground, leaning against the charred ruin of a wagon, raising a trembling hand toward her. Recognizing the armor remnants of an Unsullied soldier, she rushed over.

"Y-your Grace." The soldier greeted her weakly.

"Soldier, you…you're alive!" She said, knelling before him.

"For a little while longer." He said. "Song of Wrath, my name. One your Unsullied, Your Grace." He replied.

"Your injuries… h-how did this happen? Where is the army?" She asked.

"You did not see it? Your dragon… I'm afraid it became quite enraged during the battle. He fell upon the enemy, destroyed them utterly. Unfortunately in his anger he did not choose his target with any great care. I was unlucky, got myself burned, as did others. The rest fled his wrath, most heading south I think." He said.

Daenerys was horrified. Drogon must have thought she had been killed when in fact she had only been knocked unconscious. That made him lash out, and as a result…

"I am so sorry. Sorry that this happened. I would never have wanted this." She said.

"I know Your Grace. You burn only those you judge to be your enemies. Thousands of enemies. But never those you consider to be your own." He said.

"It's not so bad, My Queen. It doesn't even hurt." He reassured her. Then his expression darkened somewhat. "That… is not a very good sign is it?"

"D-don't move. I'll find help for you some…where." She said, tapering to a halt when she realized how silly that pledge sounded. What help could she possibly hope to find here, in place forsaken by everyone except the two of them? Well, maybe the Orlesians, but they were unlikely to just appear out of nowhere and offer their aid. At least she hoped they would not show up. That would likely end very badly for both of them.

Song of Wrath smiled at her. "I appreciate your concern My Queen. But it is too late for me."

"There must be something I can do." She said.

"My waterskin. I could use a drink. Tried to but… couldn't get the cork open. Not with what is left of my hands." He said.

Daenerys took the waterskin, opened it and brought it to his mouth, helping him drink. Song of Wrath eagerly drank several gulps.

"You should keep the rest. You will have more need of it than I." He said when he was finished. "Now you should leave this place. The raiders might return, or an enemy patrol might come from the castle. You must not fall into their hands. Go south, follow the road until you find your forces."

"But what about you?" She asked.

The Unsullied soldier chuckled. "Me? I am done for. At long last my service to my liberator is finished. Now I shall rest. But you… you must survive. You… must."

Slowly his chin fell to his chest, he blew out his last breath and moved no more. Daenerys bowed her head, tears tracing lines across her ash covered face. Then she lifted her gaze again, a steely look in her eye.

"Weep for the dead later. Survive first." She told herself. Song of Wrath had had it right. She would follow the road until she found help. Drogon was likely still somewhere in the region, though she could not see any sign of him. But she could not wait for him to appear. She did not know for certain he would find her, and the risk of being found by the wrong people in the meantime was too great. There was a link of sorts between her and Drogon, and he had proven able to find her even across great distances. But until and unless that happened she would be on her own.

With that thought she stood up and departed along the road.

She had walked for perhaps an hour when she suddenly froze. Her eyes had spotted movement. A mound that had looked like mud shifted and became a person, training a bow at her. He was only lightly armored, dressed in earthen colors, armed with a sword in addition to his bow. He wore no masks unlike other Orlesians she had seen, but even so she could guess his nationality easily enough. Other similar figures came into view as well, surrounding her, many of them with bows drawn and at the ready. She had been found after all, and not by friends. Unsure what to do she just stood there as the enemy approached.

"Well, well look at this. A Westerosi noblewoman all by her lonesome." The first figure said.

"You sure she's a noble?" Another one asked.

"Come on, use your eyes. It's obvious. Her gear may be dirty as shit, but... just look at it. Full plate armor? Fancy looking sword? It all says *money* to me." The first one said.

"Besides, I don't think they make commoners quite that pretty. Not in these parts." He added with a smirk. Daenerys suppressed a wince, uncomfortable standing there being evaluated like some object.

"A highborn, aye. But not just any noble. Aramis, that's the Queen." A female soldier said.

"The Queen? Elsa, are you certain?" Aramis asked, astonished.

"Yup. That symbol on her chest? The three headed dragon? Targaryen symbol." She said, pointing. "And those eyes? That hair? Very few in the world have those colors. Plus, this one is clearly supplied for a fight. How many fighting women you know there to be in the South Kingdom army?"

"Holy crap, Elsa. I think you are right." Aramis said. He gave an impressed whistle. "Queen Daenerys herself. Well isn't this our lucky day. I'm thinking the Marshall probably has a reward for her capture. I think we are going to be rich."

"I wonder… will the good Marshall pay more for her alive or dead?" Elsa mused.

Aramis shrugged. "We can bring her in alive at first. If the Marshall prefers dead, that's an easy fix to make on delivery."

"S-stay away from me!" Daenerys said, drawing the sword she now remembered she had on her. Disappointingly the move only provoked laughter and jeers from the surrounding Orlesians.

"Put that away. It won't do you any good." Aramis said, as amused as the others. But she only gripped the sword tighter.

Aramis rolled her eyes, then lowered his bow and drew his own sword. "Fine. Let's see what you can do."

"Not like that. Don't lock your elbows. And use only one hand. That is not a two handed sword you are holding." He mockingly advised as he took a step closer. Embarrassed she corrected herself. She had not come this far to be instructed in swordplay by the enemy! They were not taking her seriously. She could see it in their eyes. They were just toying with her, having fun at her expense. And maybe that was not a mistake on their part.

"Help me, Jon." She thought, trying to recall the lessons they had had together. "Help me remember how to do this."

The Orlesian soldier began to circle her, the others watching. She followed his movements as best she was able.

"Leg work is not bad. Not good exactly, but not bad either. Maybe you have some training after all." He commented as they moved.

"Well you first Your Grace." He told her when she didn't reply.

She attacked, only for Aramis to easily parry her, then launch a series of counterattacks that forced her back, barely blocking every blow against her. As they parted she made ready to attack again, only for someone behind her kick her in the back. She was sent stumbling forward until she tripped and fell face first into a nearby puddle, to the laughter of her tormentors. Red faced and water dripping from her hair and face she picked herself up, only to stop when she felt the cold edge of a blade gently placed against her throat.

"That's quite enough of that. Now you will come with us. Behave yourself and you will be shown a modicum of respect for your station. Cause any more trouble and I can assure you we can make your life miserable." Aramis said.

"Drop the sword." He ordered coldly.

She considered her choices for several moments, after which her sword clattered to the ground. He shoulders slumped and she turned her gaze aside, disgusted with herself. By getting herself captured she had messed things up for everyone. Now she was at the mercy of her enemies. She could only hope that their offer to treat her according to her station was a genuine one. The thought of what they might do to her if that was not the case made her shudder.

Aramis smiled, eyeing the sword she had just dropped. "That's better."

"Fetch some rope. This one needs to be secured properly." He told his fellows. Before anyone could follow that command, however, Aramis suddenly drew a sharp breath and brought his hand to the back of his neck. At first she thought that Aramis had just been stung by some insect. But then he removed something from his neck, staring at it in confusion. It was a tiny feathered dart. Almost as soon as he had taken it into his hand it slipped between his fingers, falling to the ground.

As the rest of them watched in shock Aramis began gasping for breath, a rasping, desperate sound. His face went red first before turning ashen. All the while he continued to sound like he was choking as froth began building in his mouth. His legs gave out from underneath him and he convulsed on the ground for a moment before going still.

"What the…" Daenerys breathed.

"They're back! Defend yourselves!" Elsa said.

"And you! Move a muscle to escape or attack and we will murder you without hesitation. Count on it!" She told the Queen. Tense moments of silence followed as the Orlesians waited for these mysterious assailants to reveal themselves.

Suddenly a woman with curly black hair charged from the mist, shouting. She was dressed in a patchwork of furs and leathers, a throwing spear in one hand and a shortsword in the other. Before the Orlesians could react the spear went through the throat of one and the shortsword was buried in Elsa's belly. Then the curly haired woman stopped as every remaining Orlesian was now pointing their bow at her. If she moved now she would be shot dead instantly.

"Alright, alright." The woman said, moving slowly as if to lower her weapon to the ground. Then a wicked grin sprouted on her face. There was a blur of movement as each of the Orlesians got a poison dart though their throat. They all began to die just like Aramis had died, gasping for breath, trembling, foam spilling from their mouths. Daenerys just stood there mouth agape, having a hard time processing what had just happened. Was this sudden third party friend of foe?

Apparently unperturbed the curly haired woman examined the destruction around her until she noticed Daenerys and her eyes flashed with sudden recognition.

"What the…? Your Grace? Is that really you? What are you doing here? Are you all right?" The woman asked.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine but… who are you?" Daenerys asked.

"Oh, where are my manners? Meera Reed Your Grace, at your service." The woman said as other people dressed in a similar attire to hers began to gather at her side.

Daenerys gave a relieved smile. She recognized the House name. One of Jon's bannermen. "Well met." She replied when she had managed to collect herself. "Your arrival was rather timely. Had you shown up any later I would have been captured by the enemy."

"Purely a coincidence Your Grace, but a happy accident for both of us. We've been hunting this particular batch for several days now. You provided the perfect bait to draw them out into the open." Meera said.

"With all due respect though… what are you doing here all by yourself, almost getting captured by the enemy?" She asked then.

"There was an attack against my army earlier today. I got separated. I need to get back to them." Daenerys explained.

Meera nodded. "We'll help you find them then. But first if you'd like to follow us to our camp? You look like you could use a break. And my people have a been tracking the enemy since before sunrise. Just a short rest, and then we will bring you back to your troops. They can't be very far since you said the attack happened just today."

Daenerys nodded and followed Meera's people to their camp. Sometime later she was sitting before a campfire, chewing on a roasted frog they had been kind enough to provide her. A meager fare to be certain, but under the circumstances it felt like a banquet.

"…So once we got the call to arms I gathered up as many of my people to join the fight as I could. Our plan was to join up with the King's army when he passed us by. But obviously that plan didn't go through, since things went in a completely different direction." Meera explained, also seated nearby.

"You prepared you people for war? Not your father?" Daenerys asked.

"You hadn't heard? I suppose you would not have. My father passed away early last year. It was not unexpected. He had been ill for a long while. As his last living child I am now the head of House Reed." Meere said with some lingering sadness in her voice.

"I see… I'm sorry for your loss." Daenerys said.

Meera sighed and gave a nod of acknowledgement. "Anyway, once we figured that the Orlesians were sending forces along the Kingsroad we decided to fight them here rather than join with the King's army. Made sure they paid a price for trespassing here. Afterwards we have been tackling with the troops they left behind, the same kind that you ran into. Did our part in trying to keep them away from your army. They've proven to be a nasty enemy, more so than any other enemy my people have faced."

"How so?" The Queen asked.

"Most Orlesians are like the typical invaders that have tried to attack us over the centuries. They come with horses, heavy armor and maps, and then this place kills them. These ones though… they understand the marsh. They respect it. They know how to get around just as well as we do. And the things they do not yet know they are learning all too quickly. We have been more or less on equal terms with them, and I've lost far too many men to them to my liking." Meera explained.

"With everything that has been happening I'm surprised that you didn't make yourself known. My army didn't have any idea you were out there and fighting. We could have helped each other." Daenerys said.

"I did consider sending word to you. But your troops were on edge any you were flying about with your dragon, setting fire to everything around your army. From up high we might look awfully lot like the enemy and I didn't want to put my people at risk. Figured we could do our job just as well without telling you about it. But at least you know it now." Meera said.

"Frankly I didn't expect your army to stop here. I expected you to punch through to Moat Cailin and carry on to the North. But I guess that is not what happened." She added.

"You could say that." Daenerys said, giving a dry, humorless chuckle.

"We need your help." She then admitted. "We can't get through their defenses. They have some method to stop me from destroying the place with dragonfire, and we've had no luck taking the castle by other means."

Meera nodded. "There are ways to get around that castle, if one knows the paths. We can guide your troops through them. The thing is… those routes aren't really suited for whole armies. It would take a long time before we can bring all of your forces through, given how many you have. And there is no way we can bring through horses, wagons or anything heavier than a man could carry really."

"That's not an option unfortunately. There is no time for it, and my army will need the things that would need to be left behind. We need to get through Moat Cailin, and that is the part you can help with." Daenerys said.

Meera looked puzzled. "Pardon me Your Grace, but I don't see how. My people are ill suited for frontline combat, let alone fighting in a siege."

"But you can get around this place quickly and quietly, and you can avoid being noticed until you wish to be. That could prove to be exactly what I need. You see, I already have the means to destroy Moat Cailin. I have had it from the beginning, but the imperials have stopped me from using it. But if that obstacle is removed…" Daenerys explained.

Meera nodded again, beginning to understand. "What exactly would you ask of us then?"

"I don't know exactly how they have protected themselves, but I have a notion of where to find the means they employ. Each time I and Drogon tried to attack them I noted a blue glow coming from somewhere inside the inner parts of the castle. What I would ask of you is to sneak inside, locate the source of this defense and find some way to destroy it."

"That… it sounds like a very dangerous strategy." Meera said.

"It is. Very." Daenerys admitted. "But the Orlesians think we have fled, and won't be expecting us to return so soon. They will have lowered their guard, and that should give you the opportunity you need. And success means we might still be able to save the North, and Jon. Your King."

Meera bit her lip, looking at the ground, contemplating. "House Reed has kept faith with House Stark for generations. We have kept faith by fighting the Orlesians we found here. If you say this will help us help them, then we are at your command. I will lead the men myself." She said finally.

"Thank you." Daenerys said.

It was then that a shadow passed before the sun, making both of them look up. Daenerys's face lit in a wide smile. Glancing to her side she saw that Meera had something of an opposite reaction, staring upwards with a startled expression on her face.

"Don't be afraid. He won't harm you. Not while I am here." Daenerys said to her, then stood up and walked away from the campfire and into more open ground so Drogon could spot her. The dragon dove down from the sky and landed before her. She raised a hand and petted his head as it came close while the dragon trilled at her, pleased that she was alive and well.

When she saw the dragons eyes shift from her she turned her head to see Meera standing nearby, staring at the dragon, almost mesmerized. She gave Daenerys an uncertain look, to which the Queen nodded. Slowly Meera came closer and raised a trembling hand to pet the dragon as well.

"I believe he likes you." Daenerys said with a smile after observing the scene for a while. "And believe me that is a glowing recommendation. Drogon is the best judge of character I have ever known."

"That's good to hear. I'm rather certain I would not like the outcome if he didn't like me." Meera said, continuing to stare at the dragon in awe.

"How do you think he found you?" She asked then.

Daenerys thought for a moment. "I have always been connected to my dragons in a way. When I am close to them… it's almost like I can feel their thoughts. But it's not like we could… have a conversation. Dragons do not express themselves in such ways I think. But I can always sense their state of mind, and they can sense mine. I suppose that link permits him to locate me."

"So… with the Orlesians… were you ever in any actual danger? Would he have just swooped down and rescued you if we hadn't done so first?" Meera asked.

"I'm not certain. This ability of his isn't entirely reliable I'm afraid. He has saved my life on some occasions, but at other times I've been in the clutches of my enemies and he has been nowhere in sight. I suppose his ability to sense me only works when he happens to be in the same general area as me. I'm glad that I did not have to put my faith solely on that in any case." Daenerys said.

"Your Grace! My Lady! We have found the Royal Army!" One of Meera's folk called out then from some distance away, unwilling to come any closer.

"You've found them!? Where!?" Meera called back.

"Well… we haven't found all of them! Just a small group! About forty or so, coming down the kingsroad!"

"Okay! Tell the others to get ready and we will go find them!" Meera said, then turned to the Queen. "Come along Your Grace. It's time we got you back to your people."

"Or… would you rather fly to them?" She asked.

Daenerys turned her eyes back to Drogon. "I… actually it's probably best that I just come with you."

Meera frowned. "Why?"

"I'll explain later. It's better this way." Daenerys said.

Although still puzzled Meera nodded in acknowledgement and the two left with the rest of Meera's people. As Daenerys had said, Drogon could sense her wishes, and so did not follow too closely, but neither would he let her out of his sight so soon after almost losing her. Instead he took to the skies, content to follow from above for the time being.

It didn't take them long to find the Royal Army unit Meera's people had spotted. As they had reported there were about forty of them, every one of them on foot. Daenerys was surprised to spot Gendry and Grey Worm leading the group, with the rest of them being a mix of Unsullied soldiers and Royal Army soldiers. When they saw the crannogmen approaching the Royal Army forces stopped and watched them warily. When they noticed the Queen amongst Meera's band they looked on in astonishment for a moment, then every one of them went to one knee.

"Your Grace… you're alive! We had barely dared hope…" Grey Worm said.

"I am. Alive and well, thanks to these people. May I introduce Meera Reed, of House Reed." Daenerys asked motioning at Meera and her band.

"Do stand up. Might I ask what are you doing here all by yourself? Where is the rest of the army?" She said then.

"Further back Your Grace. Preparing to mobilize so we can pull them back as you commanded. We decided to come back to look for you. Or at least your…" Gendry said before trailing to a halt.

"My body?" She completed the sentence.

"It was reckless of you to come yourself… but thank you for doing so." She said then.

"But if you are here, who did you leave in command of the army?" She asked.

"Lord Bronn showed up with reinforcements from the Reach while you were away. He was given temporary command." Grey Worm explained.

"Bronn? He's here?" She asked, surprised. The sellsword-turned-lord would not have been her first choice for that job. She didn't entirely trust him. Particularly not since she had heard a rumor that years ago, when they were still enemies, he had managed to injure Drogon. But oh well… at least he had brought fresh troops with him.

"There has been a change of plans. We have a new idea on getting us past Moat Cailin that I wish to try. Send a runner back that I want the army made ready to march as planned, and then to wait until this has been resolved. If the plan works the castle will no longer be blocking our path and we will advance to aid the North Kingdom. If not… then we will fall back as we originally planned." Daenerys told them.

Grey Worm looked puzzled, but nonetheless he nodded. "It shall be done Your Grace. But did I understand correctly? The army is to stand by rather than go back to Moat Cailin?"

"Yes. This mission calls for secrecy, and Lady Reed has offered to have her people to do the heavy lifting. I want the army close by, but not so close the enemy realizes we aren't leaving and put themselves on war footing again. That's essential. As such I think the people we have here will be plenty for our purposes." She said.

"Very well. Might we know what this plan of yours is?" Grey Worm said.

"I'll explain it along the way. We should set out at once." She said, then turned to Meera. "Lady Reed, please come with us, so we can go over the details of the plan, give you the information you need. I'd like to make the attempt of this tonight."

"Tonight?" Meera asked.

"If at all possible." The Queen confirmed. "Time is very short. And the sooner we act the better our chances of catching the Orlesians by surprise."

Meera nodded. "Then we will be ready."

"Your Grace. There is one more matter. Your Dragon. We do not know where he is." Gendry said.

"That's alright. I do." Daenerys said with a smirk. "He's not that far actually." She added nodding towards the sky, making Gendry, Grey Worm and several others look upwards and only now notice the tiny dot moving high above them.

The smile on Daenerys's lips died as she was reminded of something, and she went to speak with her troops directly:

"Soldiers… I realize the severity of what happened during the battle earlier today. That many of our own died to the dragon's flames. It is a tragedy that I would have much rather avoided. All that I can say in my defense is that it was an accident, and that I am deeply sorry what occurred. I would never knowingly assault those who serve me loyally. And so your Queen begs forgiveness from her army, and from the families who lost loved ones to this terrible mistake. Please, forgive me if you can, and seek not to avenge yourself upon me or my dragon. If you would kindly give this message to your fellow soldiers when we return from this next mission?" She said to them as humbly as she could. Nods and quiet murmurs of acknowledgement amongst the soldiers followed.

Daenerys turned back to Grey Worm: "Let us go. We have talked away enough time. We have been gifted one last chance to come to the aid of the North, and it will not do to squander the opportunity."