Fire and Iron
Strong Armed Diplomacy
-Fire and Iron-
"I must say, your plan is very bold Greyjoy"
"this is what I do best Lannister. Greyjoys may not be the best miners, farmers or rulers, but we are sailors and we are raiders" Yara rested the heel of her boot on the table and her hands on the back of her head, not even attempting to keep the smirk off her face "Five gold dragons also say half of your brothers troops will shit themselves before nightfall"
"no bet. I would fall prey to that surprise, and I'm the smart Lannister"
"I am glad my lord Hand is not entirely full of himself" all the people surrounding the table shot to their feet when Daenerys, clad in black leather and wrapped in a scarlet cape walked into the room, followed closely by Greyworm, Missandei and some of her Dothraki generals "are we ready to leave?"
"nearly there my queen" Yara smiled uneasily about the one part of her plan she was not entirely confident with "do you want to go over the details one more time"
"to delay your discomfort? Not particularly my love" Dany smirked, condescendingly tapping her wife's cheek a couple of times before dragging her to her out the door "it will not be as bad as you expect it to"
"no, it'll likely be worse than I expect"
-oOoOo-
Yara had rarely needed to cling on to anyone or anything in all of her life. Being a Greyjoy, and the daughter of Balon Greyjoy, meant she never really received much on the end of hugs and affection. That of course was until now.
Yara's arms tightened more strongly around her wife, not out of want but out of deep rooted fear. It seemed that every time the damned dragon dipped in the air her wife laughed, it was like she was doing it on purpose! There were however no chances of telling Daenerys this, since Yara's mental energy was entirely focused on not letting her arms give.
The plan had seemed good on paper, the time it would take to take Black Wind down to Dorne and around to Lannisport was inefficient and frankly a waste of resources. So Dany had proposed the obvious; Tirius and a large chunk of the Iron Fleet were already docked in Dorne. From there, a small detachment of ironborn and unsullied could be put together and used to attack Lannisport. Paper and reality were however very different things, and right now it was the worst plan Yara had ever thought of.
Very rarely did Daenerys Targaryen feel free, from the pressure of governing, the pressure of being everything everyone expected her to be at her young age; it was a lot of pressure that she believed it was not fair to ask a break from. So the few moments where she could be with her dragons, or with Yara, were few and far in the between but no less precious. Right now, with Drogon dipping and diving, and Yara clinging to her for dear life, she felt content—and a little amused.
-oOoOo-
"oh precious dirt how I've missed you"
Daenerys rolled her eyes and turned from scratching Drogon and Rhaegal scales to look at her not usually dramatic wife laying on the dirt, enjoying the feeling of firmness and the grounding it gave her.
"must you be so dramatic Yara. You live half your life in water, not exactly firm"
"Aye, but while the Sea is a fickle mistress it is not as big a bitch"
Daenerys dropped to straddle her wife, smiling softly at Yara's subconsciously placing her hands on Dany's hips "seeing as I'm the only one who can ever be on the air, am I the bitch queen as well?"
"your mistake is assuming I was speaking of the winds" Yara's self satisfied smirk turned into a barking laugh when an indignant Daenerys gasped and smacked her shoulder "Soon enough you will be the queen of all the land to add to your titles, I don't think it is fair to take queen of the winds from you"
"ever so charming, Greyjoy"
Yara smirked, and before Daenerys knew it she found herself smacking against the dirt, with Yara nestled comfortably between her legs, pinning her in place with her hands on the silver queen's wrists.
"speak softly and act swiftly should be my words" Yara leaned down to place a kiss on her wife's lips when the thundering of horses hooves on the mountainside snuck up on them. Ever so helpful, Yara helped Daenerys to her feet, making sure to help her look as regal as ever "we will continue this discussion later"
The anxiety and the reality of the moment set on the young queen, this would be the first time since Yara's injury that they would be separated, this time for the gods knew how long.
Her head tipped upwards to look at her wife. As usual the top half of her face was obscured by the eyepatch she wore, although that didn't keep the black spider web like remnants of the injury to sneak out, giving her a rugged look. Her facial expression always stuck between scowling and smirking, complementing that aura of power and danger that lured men and women alike. How she ever thought she could resist the irresistible combination was a wonder, her wife was the living definition of irresistible. It almost seemed like Daenerys was a magnet to this type: rugged, charismatic, dark types. It was almost impossible, however, to forget the other part of the connection, all of the people who shared this characteristic seemed amazing at dying as well. The thought that Yara would suffer that to achieve Daenerys' goal gave the queen an uncomfortable feeling. Not that it hadn't been brought up in conversation before, but it was clear that until Westeros was conquered and the threat of imminent death was gone, Daenerys would never stop thinking Yara would be taken from her.
"when I see you again the West will be yours"
"so long as you assure me I will see you again, I will welcome the gift you give me"
"you're not getting rid of me that easily Greyjoy"
"I'm counting on that Targaryen" Dany pulled Yara's head towards her and kissed her for all she was worth, putting every ounce of belief and hope in the beautiful pirate queen as she could.
"I love you, take care of yourself until I come back"
Dany nodded and made sure Yara was seated on a horse and on her way to the water gardens with Rhaegal following closely before she took off on Drogon to fulfill the second part of their plan.
-Hear Me Roar-
Jaime Lannister had been called many things during his life. The best swordsman in the world, the youngest Kingsguard, the kingslayer, but he had never been called a bad battle commander, and he would be damned if this siege is what did him in.
Highgarden was in of itself a fortress, with enough food and water to last two winters and the stubbornness of its lady to hold the castle, Jaime was in for the wait of his life. The one thing that mattered is that the Lannister forces were standing outside the doors, and if Lady Olenna sneezed they would know, and sooner or later they would break her and her walls.
Boy was Jaime Lannister, the best swordsman, the youngest Kingsguard, the Kingslayer, in for a surprise.
-Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken-
"Lady Greyjoy, welcome to Dorne" Yara, in her usual stomping manner, swaggered her way into the spacious and well ventilated room, where Ellaria was laying on the couch, fanning herself nonchalantly.
"Ellaria Sand, always a pleasure"
"it is actually Martell now, at least according to your dear wife"
"I'm glad to see this new status has not ruined you my lady"
"always the charmer Greyjoy" Ellaria stood to meet the seafarer, whose stance didn't seem to change a bit, being used to the woman and her advances "pity that you're married now my lady"
"pity that my wife is your queen you mean. Pardon me saying it but I don't think you're one to care for someone's marital status"
"I don't care for the titles of the spouses either Yara" the older woman tapped Yara's cheek before pacing away "your ships are ready to sail"
"is this your discreet way of kicking me out of your land Ellaria, I thought you more perseverant than that"
"the war isn't over, and I know how to play the waiting game"
Yara laughed loudly before bowing to the ruler apparent of Dorne "as I said, it's always a pleasure", she turned on her heel and walked away, making sure to put a firm swag to her step to give Ellaria a show of what she couldn't have.
-Fire and Iron/We Do Not Sow-
Yara headed down towards the docks, where the small light Dornish ships were dwarfed in contrast to the huge Greyjoy battleship with the dark sails. On board was her always angry and determined uncle, yelling orders left and right.
"Captain, someone here to see you"
Victarion put down the rope in his hand to turn at the dock, where his niece was already climbing on board "Yara, I was not expecting you so soon, come back to learn from the master at sea so soon?" his niece laughed loudly, enjoying the fact that for once her uncle seemed to be in his element.
"Do not forget it's your queen you're addressing Greyjoy" the seriousness of the statement did not reach Victarion, who took it in stride as it was meant to, and left the sailing orders to his first mate.
"To what do I owe the pleasure Yara"
"Conquering Westeros apparently takes more politics than the bloodshed I expected. I need you to take me to the rock"
Victarion whistled lowly, clearly Yara refused to do things by halves "I thought the plan was supposed be between me and the pompous arsehole"
"Did we not speak of plans never surviving contact?" Victarion shrugged in acceptance "I need to speak to Reginald Lannister's wife"
"And yours is fine with this plan?"
"She is. Though she did say no seducing nor bedding anyone while I am away" Yara grabbed hold of Iron Victory's helm as the ship was untied from the dock "I have to speak to her husband about rallying the West to my dear wife, only way I get to that conversation is through some strong armed diplomacy"
"Scaring the wife into compliance? Seems fair"
"And brilliant. Now if you please" Yara left the helm to the first mate while grabbing her uncle to head to his cabin "I have had too long a day and I need some ale"
-Fire and Iron/Hear me Roar-
Yara Greyjoy prided herself in not being surprised by anything, although that notion was very challenged recently, and thus it seemed that every time she went on a mission somewhere she would be surprised.
This time the surprise came from Lady Dyana Lannister herself. The woman who welcomed her into the castle at Lannisport was not very special, or so she seemed at first light, however the fact that she agreed to Yara's plan on first pitch was the doer.
"I'm sorry Lady Lannister, you agree? Just like that?"
"Just like that Lady Greyjoy. I refuse to let myself, or my children, or indeed my family pay for that crazy bitch Cersei's actions." Dyana Lannister dropped a goblet full of wine in front of both Victarion and Yara, being a good host to convince the ironborn that she was true "I stood by my husband when the Baratheon rebellion was raging and he counseled loyalty to the Targaryens. I had no love for King Aerys but we did understand the horrible path Robert Baratheon would take Westeros through, and horrible path he did"
"Your family seemed to do remarkably well under the Baratheon rule"
"You would assume so. However, the rock is now dry, all the Lannisters have is a bad name and empty coffers. The Targaryen queen seems our best bet before Cersei runs us to the ground"
"And how do you know your husband will agree with you Lady Lannister"
"behind every powerful man is a more intelligent woman. Reginald will listen, I will take care of that"
Yara and Victarion looked at each other, resisting the urge to shrug and smile, and yet it seemed that everything was too easy.
"My lady" a man in crimson armor barged through the door, frantic "a ship has been spotted coming this way. The scout says its deck is bright red"
"Euron"
"Pardon?"
"Euron Greyjoy, how he knew we were coming here beats me. My lady if we are to see your husband, you and your children need to come with us, now" Victarion ran out of the room to prep the ship while Yara accompanied the captain of the garrison to collect Lady Lannister and her children to Iron Victory.
"Hello children, it's time for murder" Yara barged into the room, axe in hand, a sing song tone in her voice. The two young children in the room together with their mom let out a blood curdling scream that alerted the guard outside. Yara, who was extremely excited to get back at Euron that she refused to pay mind to her actions "time to sail off Lannisters"
"I find this incredibly inappropriate lady Greyjoy" Dyana huffed and grabbed her children, who were carrying two rucksacks with clothes, and headed towards the ship where the ship hands were getting ready for a fight. Victarion ordered the ropes dropped and headed to open sea, Silence in close pursuit.
"MY DEAR NIECE, I'VE COME TO FINISH THE JOB" Euron's maniacal laughter came from the ship that was hot on their heels, one that do as they may Victarion could not shake off.
"How did he know I would be here?"
"We will figure it out when we shake him. Open the rows, all men below deck! Prepare the slings"
"Lady Lannister If you please" Yara pointed below deck to the captains quarters while holding on to the helm "this is going to get ugly"
"Get us to casterly rock safe, do what you must"
"Believe me lady Dyana, we were planning on it. MEN HOLD ON"
Yara waited long enough for the Lannisters to get below deck to turn sharply, putting iron victory parallel to Silence, keeping her away from it's boarding plank. On deck the mutes that were part of Euron's crew were running about getting their slings and hooks ready, Euron at the nearest deck ready to board.
"Euron"
"Yara, Victarion. Pity this must be the end"
Without awaiting for the end of the pleasantries, Yara called fire. Tens of solid steel balls and harpoons were launched across the deck of Iron Victory straight to Silence, splintering the wood construction and on occasion striking or impaling the men on board Silence. Last to strike was Victarion's favorite weapon, a fishing harpoon outfitted like a slingshot, a steel tip ripping through the mast and recoiling as the men on Iron Victory turned on its launching wheel.
Euron ordered the few men who were not on the ground to prepare to board Iron Victory when Yara turned sharply the other way, giving the back of the ship to Euron, pushing the men to row double time to make a gap between them, enough to keep a strong lead. Euron ordered the ship to turn and follow, then, from the sky hailed Rhaegal, setting a wall of fire protecting the escaping ship for a few seconds before flying off to follow.
"Keep rowing men, we need all the leagues we can get between us before going with the wind"
"Captain, Silence will not be following for a while"
Yara turned towards the wall of fire that kept Silence where it was, clearly hearing the screaming orders of her usurping uncle, which were growing fainter the further they got. Yara smiled towards the sky where the dragon was flying lazily, following the ship as closely as it could
"That's my boy" Yara ordered the sails raised, and grouped with Victarion to prepare for their arrival to Casterly Rock.
I won't even bother with flag waving this time, I have nothing but apologies for all of you amazing people who have been waiting for me to get over my huge writers block.
So new year new revitalised sense of writing! The good thing is I blocked out most of the plot, so I won't have to come up with it as I go anymore, which means you're going to get chapters way more often! (And hate me because it will be bittersweet)
A heads up, this is a far more story geared story than romance geared, but I still won't put the main people aside. As a heads up I will also he pulling a show thing and using the near teletransportation powers that show characters seem to have, hope it won't bother much!
All that being said, I hope everyone had a kickass 2017 and that 2018 is way better! Once again, thank you for sticking with me, and as always your comments are welcomed.
-IronDragon