My Kingdom Awaits Chapter 11
"We need to secure Dragonstone and the King's Lands." Jon said as he and his war council sat in tents and waited for daylight to execute Victarion Greyjoy. He had not gone quietly, even after his men had abandoned his cause like Jon had predicted. Sansa had already started experiencing discomfort and Sam and the Maester on hand agreed it was only a matter of a week, possibly three if they were lucky until she birthed their babe. They could make it to Dragonstone by ship in five days. Jon would not fly ahead with Sansa and not have an entire army guarding his family.
"I don't need you to take out Euron and Cersei." Arya said evenly. "Had you allowed me to come to the capitol when you took the city, you would not have this problem now."
"She deserved a fair trial. I wanted justice, not revenge." Jon said rubbing between his eyes. "Sansa why don't you go and rest? I can fill you in on what's decided later."
"Of course your Grace." Sansa said standing slowly and following behind Brienne and Pod.
"See her to our tent. No stops to check on the wounded at this hour." Jon commanded. Brienne bowed and continued on their walk.
"When Aegon conquered Westoros his sisters divided and conquered. You could send me and my Unsullied to Dorne." Dany said calmly. "I would leave the Dothraki here under Arya's command. I will not fail to bring the Tarly army to surrender."
"They surrendered last time did they not?" Arya said meeting Sam's eye. "They bent the knee and the first chance they had they rejoined Cersei and her cause."
"Then they will be executed like he traitors they are." Daenerys said. "In what world is that unjust?"
"So you are willing to swing the sword?" Jon said.
"I'm not going to behead anyone." Dany said holding his eye. "This is a war that was restarted. You are a Dragon, be a Dragon." Dany said repeating the advice that had originally given her victories and allies in Westoros.
"And who will fly on to meet Euron's fleet?" Jon asked. "Who is going to confront the Golden Company?"
"They won't be here for 2 months." Sam said.
"Even with the most favorable winds and perfect weather, sailing for the Essos will take time. Time enough to settle the Queen and the babe." Davos said looking to the opening of the tent when a squire came in with a raven's scroll.
"It's from the North Mi'Lords." The boy said. Jon reached forward and broke the seal. "Bran warns of Krakens and Lions North of the Neck. Cersei is planning to sail the Golden Company to White Harbor."
"She's trying to draw us away from The Capitol, to pull us North—" Dany started to say.
"Bran is not speculating." Jon said. "You know he sees things and he knows."
"Then I agree with Dany." Arya said. "We need to separate. Dany and I can go north with the Dothraki and Northern Armies. You sail to Dragonstone and protect the city and Sansa can have peace while she delivers the baby." Arya said turning to Dany. "And you take all three Dragons with you."
"How am I to help you fight with out Viserion?" Dany asked.
"You will not fight, Winterfell is in land, the Iron born will be on an open field. The Dothraki are going to take them all out before they even make it to the walls. You will advise them from horse back and once we know the North is secure we will sail back and send the Armies down the King's Road to meet again at Dragonstone."
"And if you are wrong? If she does attack the North with all her power?" Dany said.
"She'll learn that Winter came early for Cersei Lannister." Jon said stalking out of the tent. "Ser Davos the ships are ready to sail?" Jon asked as his most trusted advisor followed.
"They are Your Grace." Davos added as they lowered their voices as the finally approached Jon's tent. "I would advise a rest period for the soldiers and crews, just a few days. They fought a hard battle, they are injured and mourning their comrades."
"We set sail in two days in the black of night. I want to arrive closer to the Capitol under the cover of darkness." Jon added. "We now that Cersei and her advisors know they need to take out the dragons to stand any chance against our forces, especially know that they know we have the Dothraki and Unsullied." Jon said before reaching for the tent flap. "We are going to end this conflict. I promised Sansa a quiet peaceful reign. I've already broken so many promises to her. I won't fail this time." Davos nodded and continued on his way, Jon entered and was not surprised nor was he pleased to see Sansa still awake and talking with Sandor.
"She insisted that you did not forbid her from summoning her guard for a meeting." Brienne said. Jon sighed and listened in as Sandor explained that The Mountain had retreated after Arya had joined the fray and in the battle he was quite sure he had thundered his way through their troops and a few of their foes to a waiting rowboat that had taken him back out to sea and away, they could only assume to join Cersei.
"I wonder other than losing some Ironborn did Cersei lose anything at all in this battle? She goes on to gain more support, that she some how buys with what gold or from traitorous houses." Jon said as Brienne helped a protesting Sandor to his feet and escorted him back, Jon hoped the infirmary area to be treated further.
"I understand your frustration." Sansa said softly walking over as he roughly pulled back the furs and sheets on their sleep pallet. She turned so he could unlace her gown.
"They didn't support the cause when it was Daenerys because they claimed she was a foreigner that had never lived in Westoros, and they were right. She would not have been a good ruler. Tyrion, Varys, everyone believed the people would see you and I were just and fair. Still we have decent."
"What are we to do?" Sansa asked as Jon helped her down and covered her before sitting beside him.
"You advised me before, in the North, not to forgive houses and I didn't listen. I forgave again when I took the Iron Throne, I forgave the Tarlys' and the houses that followed them." Jon added. "A time of forgiveness is over. It's time to be stronger."
"To be a Dragon." Sansa said softly. Jon shook his head.
"A dragon strikes from high above without a plan. It's time to be strong like a wolf and attack like pack." Jon said leaving his boots on, but lying beside her above the blankets always ready for battle. "We sail for Dragonstone, we will meet Arya and Dany at Winterfell as soon as it is safe for you and the babe to travel. We fortify our true home and then we go out and hunt out the rats hiding in our kingdom." Jon said softly. "And I send a message to everyone with fire and blood."
"And remind them that winter always comes." Sansa added placing her hand on Jon's chest. Jon placed his hand over hers.
"Bran will be able to tell us exactly where she is. It's too dangerous for him to send information through a raven, someone, more than one someone must be reporting back to Cersei or her advisors. Bran will use his gifts and help us wipe out our threats." Sansa suddenly squeezed Jon's hand gasped in pain.
"Jon fetch Gilly and Sam. The baby may be coming."