My Kingdom Awaits Chapter 8
The Inn Keep continually looked over the party that had assembled surrounding him and his keep. Jon had been instant that they stop so Sansa would get one night of proper rest. He had sent her inside with a bag of coin, she was to rent the entire inn and pay for the use of their stables and lands. The dragons were peacefully slumbering, but Jon was still not at ease. After the attempt from the Ironborn on the river he would leave nothing to chance. Sansa came back out with a few dirty looking children following her. She handed them each a handful of coppers and pointed to the stables.
"The Inn Keep would not let me give them any coin in his presence. Remind me to slip a few coin to the children that he is forcing to scour the tubs." Sansa added with disdain. "I promised that they could see the dragons fly later on." She added. Jon directed a few soldiers to carry their things into the Inn, sent out hunters and asked that any who knew their letters join him inside. Messages had to be copied for Sam to send out throughout the kingdom.
"Was he disrespectful?" Jon asked clenching and unclenching his fist. Sansa shook her head. Jon set his jaw and walked in. Almost immediately, even with the queen and half an army behind him, the few whores that were there flocked over. "Here is a silver for each you. If you bother me again throughout my stay, I'll remove a limb." Jon warned before sitting at a table in the back with his back to the wall and pulling Sansa down beside him. Sam followed in with the ink, parchment and wax.
"Your grace can I get you anything?" The Innkeeper asked.
"No we brought our own drink." Jon said dismissing the man. The man hesitated. "What?"
"I'm being forced to turn away paying customers to accommodate a party of your size and it seems you are not going to be drinking or dining?" Jon tossed another few golden dragons and silvers on the table.
"Your King commands you to stay behind the bar." He replied as Arya, Gendry, Pod, Brienne and the Northern Lords joined them in composing. Jon scratched his signature on every page slide his way and Sansa sealed the documents, rolling them tightly for Sam to send out. He kept one arm curled around Sansa. "Remind me to heavily tax this Inn in the future." Jon whispered into Sansa's ear.
"You can't blame the man for wanting make sure he doesn't lose out on a days earnings." Sansa answered back softly as she placed a hand to her back. "I wish to retire and soak in a tub soon."
"Our food should be ready shortly." Jon said.
"I'm not hungry. I'm feeling rather exhausted. It's just the adrenaline from our victory is being replaced with the thoughts of another long battle and possible war to get our hands on Cersei and Euron." Sansa explained.
"And Your Grace, well begging your pardon, but you are about to enter the next moon. You are only going to get more tired and require more rest. You really should not be going on any more marches."
"And she won't be." Arya said speaking up. "We'll make sure that Cersei isn't hiding out on Dragonstone and we can set Sansa up there. That is where the great map table is, that is where the last invasion into the Iron Islands was planned, and that is where Aegon first conquered Westeros. That is where we plan."
"After we make sure The Capitol is secured." Sansa said. "We need to question how exactly someone was able to get into and then out of The Tower of the Hand and The Black cells. Varys had better have reports ready, but Arya, Bran needs you to head back North."
"Arya is staying in the South with us until Cersei is caught." Jon said. "I will not leave anything to chance. I will be sending The Mormonts back to Winterfell to rule with Bran."
"Of course your Grace." Sansa replied. "I just think that my Queens guard is enough—"
"It's not, though through no fault in them or their skills. We are obviously dealing with some kind of treason. There is no other explanation for this recent escape."
"We knew there were ways in and out of the Tower. Tyrion warned us. Varys should have known something was amiss. That is what we pay him for, we do not need him as an advisor and he knows it." Sansa said as she rose. Arya rose with her and followed as Sansa made her way to their room. Jon let his thoughts wander. Who did he trust more Tyrion or Varys? Who had anything to gain from Cersei being free? Was there someone else that could have been under their noses the entire time? Varys had been responsible for freeing Tyrion; both of them seemed to be too obvious of a choice. Jon had made the mistake as Lord Commander though, knowing the obvious threat Thorne was and yet he still managed to lead men into stabbing Jon to death.
"Your Grace, a raven was shot down." Gendry said strolling over. It held a three-headed Dragon seal. Jon ripped it open.
"Daenerys sails to Kings Landing. She's heard of Sansa's pregnancy and of Cersei's escape. How could she have heard anything? Sam it's only been what 10 days since we announced it?" Jon asked. "If the winds are in her favor she'll meet us in King's Landing."
"Why is she coming?" Sam asked. Jon handed over the parchment. "I see, nothing is mentioned as to why, just that she is coming. Perhaps the unrest is too much in the Free Cities?"
"Perhaps." Jon said as he lifted an over flowing plate and strode over to the stairs. "Disturb me before sun rise and I will burn your Inn and the land surrounding it into the ground." He threatened to Inn Keep. He didn't mean it but he decided that a healthy fear was needed to remind the people the power that he held. He reached their rooms to find Sansa and Arya whispering, as Sansa leaned forward in a steaming tub Arya applied pressure to her back. Jon placed the food on a table and started to disrobe. "Out." He said to his little sister.
"Gods Jon, she's already pregnant." Arya chastised as she made her way to the door. "Bar it behind me." Jon knew she'd guard the stairs, unwilling to let anyone up to these rooms except for Gendry, Sam and Brienne.
"We fly to the Red Keep tomorrow and prepare for the arrival of my Aunt and her armies." Jon explained the letter. "I did not give anyone on my council leave to inform her of anything, yet she already knows. You told me nothing happens by chance. She told me that she warned Varys if she ever caught him conspiring against her she would feed him to her dragons. Tyrion would not be so stupid as to cross us would he?" Sansa tilted her head and closed her eyes, concentrating on all she had observed of Tyrion and Cersei's relationship. He always tried to do things to show he was a Lannister and had Cersei listened to him Sansa had no doubt they would still be in control, Tyrion would have found away to stop dragons, just as he had worked around Stannis in Blackwater Bay.
"I don't know." Sansa answered honestly. Jon finally joined her in the tub, immediately pulling her to straddle him. He was hard against her stomach as he pulled her face to his. "We knew we would have to be smarter, stronger and more cunning to make the world a better place."
"Aye." Jon said stroking her back firmly trying to ease her discomfort. "We fly over head tomorrow, over the waters high in the clouds. We meet Daenerys and her army with the full force of Westoros. She'll bend the knee or burn in flames."
"She is not an enemy." Sansa said softly. "I don't know how I know, but I do. Jon I feel as though she is coming to our aid."
"Then she won't have a problem with bending the knee." Jon said shifting slightly. Sansa pressed off his shoulders and stood from the tub. "Go rest." Sansa nodded and wrapped in the rough linens provided for them. Jon watched as she prepared for bed.
"We both know it had to be Tyrion, don't we?" Sansa said sadly. Jon closed his eye and offered a small nod.
"I'd have carved through any and everyone to save you when they had you in the capitol. I ran from the rooms at Castle Black when I got a letter from Ramsay before you made it to me. When I thought you were my sister. As much as Cersei has dome to him she is his family." Jon said as he rose from the tub.
"Show the world what happens when you cross a wolf." Sansa said. Jon re dressed in his discarded clothing, only dressing in a fresh tunic.
"Bring me the Kingslayer." He said, as he existed the room. Sansa went to the window and watched as Jon made his way to the yard. Drogon immediately at his side and Viserion and Rhaegal had an interest in the Lannister troops. Sansa opened the window.
"What's going on?" Arya asked as she joined her sister. "Does Jon suspect Jaime?"
"We both more then suspect Tyrion." Sansa said as Jon laid everything all out to Jaime. "I have no doubt that Cersei is at The Rock."
"Because Tyrion knew that Jaime would come to answer the call to attack the Twins, taking almost all of his force." Arya mused as she started to massage Sansa lower back again.
"Leaving Margaery vulnerable." Sansa said. "Cersei tried to kill her in the Sept. She won't be able to resist trying again, especially knowing that Lady Tyrell is taking her place in Jaime's life."
"How do we know Jaime isn't involved?" Arya asked
"He led us to Cersei and let her be taken in the first place." Sansa explained. Jaime returned his troops and Jon made his way back. Arya went back to her post.
"He doesn't seem to be blind to what is likely happening. I granted him leave to return immediately to Casterly Rock. He's to send a raven to update us if she is there. Sleep." Jon said as he laid about their bed. "I want to be in position on the shores as Daenerys sails in."
They flew overhead, Drogon leading and his brothers flanking either side. Sansa knew why they didn't just leave to the Red Keep; let the armies meet them there. Treason. It would be unwise to enter the city without the entire force behind them. 5 long days of travel since their last stay at the Inn, Sansa was relieved to see the city did not look to be in riot. The Dragon's Gate opened and some army marched in. Jon kept his eyes on the Party meeting them, as they made their way toward the Dragon Pit. The only raven he hoped Tyrion and Varys would have received would have been the one ordering them to meet them there. 50,000 strong followed them. The Northern army and Gendry's force from The Stormlands entered the Pit. The City Guard flanked Tyrion, once again led by Bronn. Jon circled and waited. Once his troops were situated and Tyrion and Varys were in place Jon swooped in, the full force of the Dragon's landing, much like the last meeting that had impressed upon Cersei that her end was coming. Jon slid down, stopping Sansa from following. "My Queen keep mount." Jon said.
"Your Grace, might I ask-" Tyrion started but stopped once he saw the look in Jon's eye.
"Silence." Jon said making his way over, unsheathing Longclaw. "Tyrion Lannister you stand before your King accused of Treason." Tyrion's eyes grew wide and Bronn ever so slightly moved away from him. "There is no way into the city, let alone the Castle. Convince me you had nothing to do with this." Jon said.
"Your Grace I warned you that moving her was risky." Tyrion said as Lord Umber and Gendry grabbed him. "I am your Hand, there is nothing to gain for this move!"
"Aye we agree. Not even the love that you won't win from your family." Jon said. "How did Greyjoy even know where she was being kept? Where to find Qyburn and the Mountain? Only you knew where I was keeping them. Varys didn't know where I had Qyburn. But you didn't know that did you?" Jon asked.
"He has little birds all over the realm!" Tyrion said. "I demand a chance to defend myself, I demand a trail!"
"Fine. A trial by the Seven? By combat?" Jon asked.
"A trial," Tyrion looked at Bronn who breathed deeply. "By combat. The Gods know me to be innocent." Bronn made his way to the center of the Pit.
"Fine, my champion is Arya Stark." Jon said as Arya appeared as if from thin air behind Bronn and placed a blade to his throat. "Do you yield?"
"How is an attack from behind Justice?" Tyron asked, watching as Bronn was disarmed.
"Yield." Bronn said looking apologetically at Tyrion. Arya immediately started emptying his pockets. In one was a note signed by Tyrion. Arya read it and quickly slit the sell sword's throat.
"How stupid do you have to be to send a summons with the promise of gold? How stupid to carry it?" Arya asked handing the note to Jon.
"Why would you plot to free her?" Jon asked. "Would you like to name a new Champion?" Tyrian scanned the crowd and found no friendly faces. He accepted his faith with evidence clearly in Jon's hand there was nothing to be done.
"Jaime and Cersei are all I have left. I just couldn't lose family, even family that wanted me dead at one point." Tyrion admitted softly.
"She's not even here to try and save you. She won't avenge you." Jon said. Sansa saw ships coming into the Harbor. Jon made his way over and mounted the dragon again. "You know what I have to do."
"I do." Tyrion said. "Will I burn?" He asked eyeing the dragons.
"No." Jon said. "Take him to the ruins of the Sept of Baelor." Jon said. "I will take his head there." Jon took to the sky.
"I can't believe we are going to take his head. He tried so hard to protect me from his family." Sansa said softly. Sansa noticed the army had made their way to the shore where they waited for Jon and the troops that had joined them in The Dragon Pit. A lone boat with a few Unsullied and Dothraki made it's way slowly to shore, their Queen unmistakable in the middle of the boat.
"Let's hope he is the only traitor today." Jon said as they landed and waited. "Viserion go." Jon said with a nod of his head. Sansa watched as Viserion made his way to the sky. "He'll make sure nothing goes wrong at the Sept." Rhaegal and Drogon raised their heads once the boat got stuck close to shore and roared for their mother. Daenerys' eyes never left Sansa's swollen stomach. Her men fell to their knee first as she made her way over. Dany kneeled.
"I pledge my sword I will shield your back, and keep your counsel, and give my life for yours if need be. I swear it by the old gods and the new." Dany said as she placed her hands on Sansa's stomach and her men placed the weapons on the shore. " I thought I was the last of my line, the last of my family and I was too stubborn. Forgive me, Your Grace." She said to a stunned Jon. Sansa helped her back to her feet. "I bring 100,000 men to your cause."
"And I vow that you shall always have a place by my hearth and meat and mead at my table, and pledge to ask no service of you that might bring you into dishonor. I swear it by the old gods and the new. Rise Princess Targaryen." Jon said. "You will be Princess of Summerhall. I am having it rebuilt." Jon stopped in his tracks. "That's where she is."