DRAGONSTONE'S castle corridors were even darker than its exterior, Diana found.
At the end of the throne room sat Daenerys' chair, a magnificent throne sitting atop an elevated platform. The three guests' eyes fixated on the petite girl on the throne.
While her features were hazy to Jon and Ser Davos because of the distance between them, Diana could see her as clear as day. Though her beauty didn't shine like the golden sun, she seemed to illuminate like the moon, her skin almost translucent. The platinum curls of her hair framing her soft dainty features.
She seemed to be short in stature, Diana was sure she would tower over her, though she looked nowhere near timid or weak. Her reputation proceeded her, 'the Mother of Dragons' they had called her, the woman who managed to hatch dragon eggs and tame the fully grown dragons.
"You are in the presence of Daenerys Stormborne of House Targaryan." Missandei's voice bellowed off the walls, breaking the epically foreboding silence.
"Rightful heir to the Iron Throne, rightful queen of the Andals and the First Men, Protector of the Seven Kingdoms, the Mother of Dragons, the Khalessi of the Great Grass Sea, the Unburnt, the Breaker of Chains.
Diana didn't even attempt to hide her fascination of the Targaryen queen, her many names made her feel more majestic. She sounded like an amazing woman. Worthy of being called an amazon.
"This is Jon Snow." Ser Davos introduced hurriedly. "He's King in the North."
Diana could see Tyrion smile to himself when hearing Davos lighthearted way of speaking.
"Thank you for traveling so far, my lord. I hope the seas weren't too rough." Daenerys finally spoke with her just voice, her eyes on Jon.
"The winds were kind your grace." Jon answered, nodding his head politely.
Diana reckoned it was best to remain silent and to listen carefully.
"Apologies, your grace, I have a
Fleebottom accent, I know. But Jon Snow is king in the north, he's not a lord." The Onion Knight cordially clarified , Jon looking down as he did.
Daenerys narrowed her eyes at the former smuggler. "Forgive me,.."
The Queen began to speak and her Hand hastened to speak. "Your grace, this is Ser Davos Seaworth."
"Forgive me, Ser Davos, I never did receive a formal education. But I could've sworn I read the last king in the north was Torrhen Stark, who bent the knee to my ancestor, Aegon Targaryan. In exchange for his life and the life of the northmen, Torrhen Stark swore fealty to House Targaryan in perpetuity. Or do I have my facts wrong?" Daenerys raised her fair brows, her voice laced with confidence.
"I wasn't there, your grace." Davos proclaimed, moving his hands to his back and interlocked them there.
"No, of course not. But still, an oath is an oath. And perpetuity means- what does perpetuity mean, Lord Tyrion?"
Tyrion staring at Ser Davos as he spoke. "Forever."
With a cocky grin, the Mother of Dragons moved her eyes from Tyrion to the guests. "Forever. So I assume, my lord. You're here to bend the knee."
Jon looked doubtful for a few seconds, deciding on the right words to say. "I am not." He raised his voice.
Daenerys' eyes turned cold as she heard the words coming from the northern leader's mouth, but she still managed to maintain a fake smile on the corner of her mouth. "Oh, well that is unfortunate. You've traveled all this way to break faith with House Targaryen?" The fury rose to her features as she looked at Jon.
"Break faith?" Jon questioned with irony, a bitter chuckle rumbling in his throat. "Your father burnt my grandfather alive, he burnt my uncle alive, he would've burned the Seven Kingdoms-"
"My father... was an evil man." The Last Targaryen intercepted the King's voice, now looking calmer than before. "On behalf of house Targaryan, I ask for your forgiveness for the crimes he committed against your family. And I ask you not to judge a daughter by the sins of her father." She spoke clearly, demanding respect with her powerful tone of voice. "Our two houses were allies for centuries, and those were the best centuries the Seven Kingdoms have ever known. Centuries of peace and prosperity with a Targaryen sitting on the Iron Throne, and a Stark serving as Warden of the North. I am the last Targaryen, Jon Snow. Honor the pledge your ancestors made to mine, bend the knee and I will name you Warden of the North. Together we will save this country from those who would destroy it."
Jon's nervous onyx hues flickered around the throne room, shifting uncomfortably at the number of stares that seemed to be stuck upon him at the moment. He nodded, his dark eyes fixed on those of Daenerys. "You're right, you're not guilty of your father's crimes. And I'm not beholdent to my ancestor's vows."
Pursing her lips in disdain, Daenerys shook her head. "Then why are you here?"
Noticing the anxiety Jon radiated, Diana cleared her throat, attracting the attention to herself.
"Because at the moment, we need your help and you need ours."
All eyes in the room moved abruptly to the Amazon once she spoke. Daenerys shared a short look with her Hand just after that.
"And who are you?" The Targaryen gave the dark haired woman an inquisitive look, almost asking how she dared speak out of turn.
"This is Diana of Themiscyra, your grace." Missandei, rather timidly, answered her queen.
The simple reason Diana gave earlier made Daenerys look at her suspiciously, wondering how she stood so confidently before her.
"Well, Lady Diana, did you see three dragons flying overhead when you arrived?" The mother of dragons asked, still incredulous at the words spoken by the unknown lady.
Diana smiled, simply ignoring the threat hidden within Daenerys' question. "The majestic sight still hasn't left me, your grace."
A pleased smile threatened to take over Daenerys' features, licking her lips to stop it. "And did you see the Dorthraki, all sworn to kill for me?"
"It's quite hard not to notice them." Diana bit out, their vulgar language from earlier had gotten on her nerve.
"But still, I need your help?" Daenerys questioned again, looking between unconvinced and enraged.
"Not to defeat any mortal enemies of yours, I'm sure." Diana's response seemed to be the right one, the silver haired female listened in silence to her now, her face voiding of any annoyance. "With only one of your dragons, any city you choose to take would fall within a day. But you didn't, why is that?"
They remained quiet. Of course, they wouldn't discuss their battle plans with people they didn't trust just yet.
"I believe it's because you don't want thousands of innocent lives lost. That is why we came to you."
Tyrion couldn't hide the satisfied grin that plastered on his face, while Daenerys' green eyes glinted in recognition. This Diana of Themiscyra was quite the smooth talker.
"Still, that doesn't explain why I need your help." The Targaryen raised her eyebrow weakly, insisting restlessly.
Jon and Diana shared a look, both communicating with their eyes. They could not relent or give up. Though this conversation seemed to be going nowhere.
The Stark headed towards Daenerys again. "Because right now you and I and Cersei and everyone else, we're all children playing at a game screaming that the rules aren't fair."
Daenerys ignored him, almost rolling her eyes as she glanced to Tyrion. "You told me you liked this man."
"I do." The Lannister elegantly answered her, nodding as he did.
Daenerys now didn't bother to hide the annoyance she bared towards the King in the North. "In the time that he's met me, he refuses call me queen, he refuses to bow, and now he's calling me a child."
"I believe he's calling all of us children, a figure of speech." The half-man cleverly explained, glancing to his queen as he did.
Jon sighed before looking up from the floor. "Your grace, everyone you know will die before winter is over if we don't defeat the enemy to the north." His insistence seemed to only fuel Daenerys' impatience who frowned.
"As far as I can see, you are the enemy to the north."
Jon fell silent under the powerful gaze of the Dragon Queen.
"We're not your enemies, I swear it. We're talking about a threat much bigger than you could ever imagine." Diana said.
Jon gave a quick nod, encouraged to speak when the Amazon did. "That's right. The dead are the true enemy."
"The dead? Is that another figure of speech?"
"The Army of the Dead is on the march." Jon declared.
"The Army of the Dead?" Tyrion repeated, almost wanting to laugh, but his face remained serious.
"You don't know me well, my lord, but do you think I'm a liar? Or a madman?" Jon asked the blonde man, sounding irritated at Tyrion's doubtful tone.
"No, I don't think you're either of those things." Tyrion replied, gently shaking his head.
"All the stories that you've heard or read about are real. The Army of the Dead, the White Walkers, the Night King, they're all real. And they're coming to end life as we know it." Diana announced, her tongue fluttering in warning.
"If they get passed the Wall and we're squabbling amongst ourselves, we're finished." Recalling what Diana had said to him about the Night King, Jon continued the sentence she started, so well-coordinated it would be hard to believe they hadn't practiced beforehand.
"I believe the gods have brought us together for a reason, your grace." Diana admitted, but her words were left unnoticed by enraged Daenerys.
"I was born in Dragonstone, not that I can remember it." Daenerys said, not paying much attention to what the people before her were saying. "We fled before Robert's assassins could find us. Robert was your father's best friend, no? I wonder if your father knew his best friend sent assassins to murder a baby girl in her crib, not that it matters now, of course." She stood up, and with small delicate steps, she began to descend down the throne's platform, without moving her gaze from the visitors.
She was now standing so closely to Diana and Jon, her eyes burning with confidence. "So many men have tried to kill me, I don't remember all their names. I've been sold like a brood mare, I've been chained and betrayed, raped and defiled. Do you know what's kept me standing all these years?" She stopped walking until there was less a meter between her and them.
"Faith." She said, her eyes glancing to Diana's as she uttered her next sentence with the slightest hint of spite. "Not in any gods. Not in myths and legends. In myself. In Daenerys Targaryen. I was born to rule the Seven Kingdoms and I will."
Everything was completed with a long silence, in which they all just watched each other.
Though the thought of losing one's faith in the gods saddened her, the Amazonian Princess couldn't help but admire Daenerys, she had gone through a lot to get to where she was standing here.
"You'll be ruling over a graveyard, if we don't defeat the Night King." Jon retorted in a lower volume.
The dwarf made his way to them as well, frowning. "The war against my sister has already begun. You can't expect us to halt hostilities and join you in fighting... whatever you saw beyond the Wall."
Letting out a sigh, Ser Davos began to speak. "You don't believe them, I understand. It sounds like nonsense. But if destiny has sent Daenerys Targaryen back to our shores, it has also brought Jon Snow and Diana of Themiscyra together.
You were the first to bring the Dothraki to Westeros? Jon is the first to make allies of Wildlings and Northmen. This fierce young woman defeated men by the thousands on the battlefield.
Jon Snow was named King in the North. Not because of his birthright. He has no birthright. He's a damn bastard. All those hard sons of bitches chose him as their leader over his trueborn brother because they believe in him. All those things you don't believe in, he faced those things. He fought those things for the good of his people. He risked his life for his people. He took a knife in the heart for his people. He gave his own-"
Jon abruptly turned his head towards his advisor, giving him a warning look that prompted him to halt his speech.
"If we don't put aside our enmities and band together, we will die.
And then it doesn't matter whose skeleton sits on the Iron Throne."
"If it doesn't matter, then you might as well kneel. Swear your allegiance to Queen Daenerys, help her to defeat my sister, and together, our armies will protect the North." Tyrion attempted to convince Jon, making the latter turn to him.
"There's no time for that. There's no time for any of this! While we stand here, debating-" Jon exclaimed sparing a short glance towards Diana, only to be interrupted by Tyrion.
"It takes no time to bend the knee. Pledge your sword to her cause."
Glaring at Tyrion now, Jon furrowed his eyerbows. "And why would I do that? I mean no offense, Your Grace, but I don't know you. As far as I can tell, your claim to the throne rests entirely on your father's name, and my own father fought to overthrow the Mad King." His heated glance was now directed to the Dragon Queen, not backing down either. "The lords of the North placed their trust in me to lead them, and I will continue to do so as well as I can."
The calm look that overtook Daenerys' features unnerved the visitors. "That's fair. It's also fair to point out that I'm the rightful Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. By declaring yourself king of the northernmost kingdom, you are in open rebellion."
The silence was intercepted by agile steps and everyone turned to see a somewhat plump man coming through the door of the throne room, approaching Daenerys.
Varys leaned in, whispering into Daenerys' ear, words that only Diana could hear due to her enhanced senses.
"Your Grace, please dismiss your guests. I have grave news."
Diana noticed the anger shining in the queen's eyes.
Shaking her head, Daenerys cleared her throat. "You must forgive my manners. You'll be tired after your long journey. We'll have baths drawn for you and supper sent to your rooms." She exclaimed, her eyes darting between Jon, Diana and Davos. Then she pointed to a dothraki man, commanding him to show them to their chambers, and he went to guide them.
Daenerys, without another word, abruptly turned to leave so she could converse with her council, heading towards the door.
"Are we your prisoners?" Jon asked, slightly anxious at the outcome, though he did not show it.
The Targaryen stopped, turning her head to them, showcasing her flawless profile. "Not yet."
️️️️
There was a coldness that seemed to dance around Dragonstone, but it didn't prove to get to Diana as Winterfell was far more chilling. When she thought of it, she had strangely felt at home back in the Stark castle, with snowflakes falling delicately on her hair, the kind people running around, and the howling of wolves in the distance.
Themiscyra's Princess alongside Jon and Davos were escorted by a couple of Dothraki men to their quarters. If they were to be literal, it was best to say they were kept prisoners in the Targaryen castle.
Although Diana wasn't anxious, Jon was nothing but.
Hearing footsteps walking away from the corridor, she figured it was Jon. As his room was right in front of hers and the only one in corridor. She peaked through the door of her room to confirm but was met by darkness. She left her chambers moments later, walking nimbly on the dark and rough stone of the floor. She exited the castle and was met by the sound of the waves of the sea distantly colliding.
There were dothraki men on every corner of the island, eyeing her and watching intently.
She looked up at the sky. The magnificent image of the three dragons she saw still haven't left her. As a child, she was always mesmerized by the fantastic beasts. Partly because the Godkiller sword itself had a dragon carved onto its pommel, with beautiful golden scales decorating it.
Diana took her eyes from the sky and turned her head back to the front, she found Jon sitting on the end of the mountain, quietly observing the sea, and Diana could tell he was upset. The Amazon approached him carefully, observing the cliff under her feet occasionally.
Diana stood beside him, her reassuring hand subtly rising until it reached his shoulder, she managed to feel her fingers enter the fur of his direwolf coat. Jon sighed and looked at her, repentance shining in his dark eyes. He was thoroughly expressing the wish of not having had come to Dragonstone.
"You didn't think she would believe us after a single meeting, did you?" Diana asked, dedicating a pearly smile to Jon, trying to alleviate the mood. "Not all women are like me, Jon Snow." She exclaimed in a jestful sort of way, suggesting at her hasty willingness to leave everything behind and help him end the war.
Chuckling heartily, Jon felt comforted by her breath hitting his face. "No, they're not." He agreed, affectionately gazing at Diana.
"So what do we do now?" He said in a low voice, almost whispering to her.
"We'll figure it out, don't worry." Diana replied in the same tone as him, trying to assure him with her words.
His eyes moved to the Narrow Sea, his face covered with exasperation. "How can I not? They took our ship, they took our weapons. Our hands are tied, we're basically prisoners on this island."
Diana swallowed thickly. Even if Daenerys denies them her forces, they could still get something out of the visit. "We still have time to convince them about the Dragonglass- Wait what did you say?" She paused mid-sentence, scrunching her dark brows when she did.
Sending Diana a quizzical glance, Jon repeated his words. "We're her prisoners."
"No, before that." She shook her head.
"Our hands are tied?"
"Yes!" She grinned almost like a mad woman, giggling. She looked to the ground, pondering the idea. "Why didn't I think of this earlier?"
"Think of what?" Jon smiled wildly, getting carried away in her euphoric state.
She looked at him. "We have exactly what we need to get her to believe us." Without even waiting for the northern King to reply, Diana fled from the scene in long strides, heading towards the castle gates.
When she saw the larger door, a movement in the corner caught her eyes to move unconsciously there, gathering her gaze on Tyrion Lannister.
"Lady Diana." The dwarf smiled warmly, bowing his head in greeting, noticing the woman's rushed state.
"Lord Tyrion." She said, she stopped her spring and took the time to acknowledge his presence.
With a smile between his bushy beard, he narrowed his eyes amusedly. "Let's leave behind the formalities for the important gatherings. Please, call me Tyrion."
Tyrion gathered that the Lady needed some fresh air after their fruitless meeting. While he came to brood over their missing fleet and murdered allies, he gave her a look of pity for their current situation. He wanted to believe them, he really did.
Both raised their head to the sky when hearing the shrieks and the tremendous fluttering of their wings, Diana's eyes meeting with the dragons. The darkest of them let out a gutteral roar.
Diana's head returned to the front. "If you'll excuse me, there's something I must do."