Fire and Iron
A Choice
Jaime Lannister was more than familiar with being in an unwelcoming room; after gaining his horrible moniker, the Kingslayer was seldom welcomed anywhere, unless it was a bar full of men wanting to know what it had been like, and he had almost never found himself in those situations.
In this case, he found himself in an extremely unwelcoming room. The daughter of the man he had killed to get his nickname, the matriarch of the family he believed he had a hand in exterminating and, the daughter of a man whom his father was responsible for murdering. The only one who had no reason to hate him was his own brother, that seemed like an unfair situation. And if it were to get ugly, him and Tyrion (who honestly would side with his queen and not him if push came to shove) would not stand a chance against Daenerys Targaryen, Olenna Tyrell and Nymeria Martell. In his one hand less state, he would barely be able to fight the queen of thorns, nevermind the mother of dragons or a renowned warrior.
In a behavior very unlike herself, Nymeria Martell was acting extremely relaxed, almost giggly around the former lord commander of the kingsguard. "Lord Jaime Lannister, how goes the humble pie you've been served recently". Jaime refused to dignify the statement with an answer, choosing to stay quiet for his own good. The complete opposite of his reaction came from Bronn, who had picked that precise moment to enter the room as Jaime's attaché. The former sellsword couldn't help but laugh loudly all the way to his seat.
"Ser Jaime, I feel I have to inform you of this" Daenerys passed on the scroll she had been reading until she was distracted by the laugh. It had been previously sealed with the prancing Lannister lion, and declared the West's loyalty to Daenerys Targaryen, as signed by Lord Reginald Lannister and Queen Yara Greyjoy—Queen Daenerys' consort?
"A lot of things to inform me about you mean. Queen Consort Yara Greyjoy? Really?" Dany's face scrunched up in anger at the man questioning her marriage. How dare he question her about whom she chose to love "pardon me, what I meant was, it seems unlikely, a Targaryen and a Greyjoy"
"Precisely" Daenerys put her hands on her lap, her face no longer betraying any emotion "the Greyjoy family, particularly Prince Theon and Queen Yara, did not stab mine in the back when loyalties were tested" the dig did not go unnoticed around the room if the throat clearing or laughter meant anything, "but I believe who I marry is none of your concern, who your family now owes its loyalty to is"
"I surrendered my troops to you. My family has pledged to support you. Therefore, my sword and my counsel are yours so long as you need them" Jaime took a deep breath, knowing that what he was about to ask of Daenerys would most likely get him killed if Daenerys didn't want to hear it "however, you can't ask me to kill Cersei" Tyrion coughed into his wine at the way Jaime had voiced his request "pardon me, what I meant was, I am asking you not to, begging you not to"
"Love does make people dumb"
"Be that as it may" Daenerys turned to give Nymeria a dirty look, clearly expressing that her comments were not appreciated at all "I would not ask that of you, not unless it became extremely necessary"
"That woman is a rabid dog, she murdered my son, my grandson and my granddaughter, what more do you need?"
"I understand your pain and your loss Lady Olenna. But while Cersei Lannister concentrates her forces in King's Landing, we have no need to get rid of her" Jaime straightened in his seat, knowing the next few seconds would define whether he would walk out of here with his head on his shoulders, or if he would become a dragon entree "that is where ser Jaime here comes in"
"Your grace?"
"You will be responsible for handing Queen Cersei Lannister the terms of surrender we have prepared for her; you are also tasked with informing her that these are non negotiable" Daenerys passed the stoic man the scroll in her hand. The terms were fairly simple, with little room for misinterpretation, this had Tyrion written all over it: Vacate the misgained iron throne, leave Westeros' shores before Queen Daenerys sits the throne to never return, relinquish any and all claims to Casterly Rock, the title of Wardeness of the West, or any other titles associated with that of the Lannister family. This was the easiest way to let Cersei leave and not worry about retaliation. "Any objections?" a servant entered the room and dropped off a letter to Tyrion while he read the terms, and Jaime couldn't help but feel that his window of opportunity to save his sister was closing on him fast.
"Would it change anything if I had them?"
"Not particularly. But if the messenger believes in the message, I find it makes the message more affable"
"It will spare her life, and my conscience, that's all I need. I will deliver these to King's Landing your grace" Jaime and Bronn stood from their seats, bowed and left the room before the woman could change her mind.
"Your grace" Tyrion's mismatched eyes were wide with worry, the letter in his hand crumpled by the same emotion. Daenerys turned her eyes equally worried, not many things made her hand nervous, the chance that something out there did was personally a frightening thing "Casterly Rock was attacked by the second sons, it seems Daario Naharis has allied himself to Euron Greyjoy" the room was filled with shocked faces, and yet it felt like the hammer had not dropped "my informant tells me that one of the Greyjoy envoys was killed in action"
Daenerys' ears began ringing, she could see the man in front of him moving his lips, and the members of her council moving fast to find a way to reinforce their flank and get news from Pyke, but she heard none of it. All she could think about was Yara--Yara was dead, dead for her cause.
None of the small council members could really say when the queen disappeared, but they could remember the slam of the heavy oak door.
-Winter is Coming-
"you can't just leave" Lord Edmure understood better than anyone the burning need to run to family. He had done everything he could to get back to his son and wife, but this was reckless on the face of it.
"he's your nephew Edmure" Roslin was trying her best to calm her husband. He was a good man with a scarily short fuse, and they needed to discuss the situation calmly "the girls haven't seen him in many years"
"I understand your anxiety uncle, believe me" Sansa side eyed the door, almost feeling that someone was listening in, despite the small garrison of Tully and Stark guards parked outside their quarters "I'm not happier with the situation but we've got no choice"
"you always have a choice" Edmure swiped his face with frustration. "if you leave, who's to say what the Freys will do"
"Edmure" Rosslyn scowled at the man, who almost always forgot who her family was.
"you know what I mean. It's happened once already" Sansa nodded, giving him acknowledgement that she was at least listening "The twins need a firm hand, the Wardness leaving will take that firm hand away. I am still not well enough to scare my own son, nevermind the lot of them" his hand made a distracted gesture that meant those outside the door.
"I'm not leaving the twins without leaving someone to keep the Freys in line until I return" Sansa looked over at the corner where Arya sat with Brienne and Podrick. The young Stark looked as pleased as Edmure did with the situation.
"you're joking"
"do I look like I'm joking, Arya?"
"you can't be serious. I can't rule the twins" the young girl shot to her feet in shock "I can't even rule over my own closet. How am I supposed to take care of a castle"
"I'm not exactly leaving you alone" the redhead looked around to emphasize her point. She would of course take Brienne with her, but her uncle Edmure would be a good mentor while she was gone.
"I… You're drunk aren't you?"
"Arya!" Edmure and Roslin looked scandalized that the girl would suggest such a thing of her sister. Sansa just looked partially amused, partially done with the conversation.
"it's too early in the morning for that" Arya snorted a laughter, at least her sister could lighten up "You'll take care of the affairs here while I return, and you'll keep me up to date of the comings and goings of the Freys. And that is final" the young girl scowled, but understood just how much faith Sansa was putting on her. For all intent and purposes they were strangers. Related strangers but strangers nonetheless "anything to add uncle?"
Edmure looked at the younger Stark girl, seeing a lot of his own stubbornness in her. This would be interesting, and hopefully not catastrophic "safe travels niece, give my best wishes to Brandon"
-Fire and Iron-
The beating of the wind against the sails, and even so against her hair, had always been kind of a calming draught for Yara. Ever since she had been allowed on a ship, it has become cathartic to sit on the bow of her ship, and simply listen to the howling wind.
And yet even that wasn't doing it at this point. Yara could feel a hurricane brewing in her, one that the wind wasn't calming, it was pushing towards destructive faster even. She wasn't a fan of Daario to begin with, but she had truly hoped his allegiance to her wife, or his near obsession, would keep him in check. The fact that he had taken part in the raid that eventually killed her uncle didn't make her any happier about him. Looking for Obara Martell was definitely a brilliant excuse to put a sword through him.
"Your Grace" Darrion Fayrwnd, the Iron Victory's master of arms had been preoccupied with leading the ship to a deserted island near Casterly Rock, seeing as the captain was seemingly preoccupied, approached the conflicted queen with hesitation "Your grace, we've arrived"
"No one sends word to the mainland" Yara tightened her grip on the axe that once belonged to her uncle "we're going to hit them, with everything we have"
"your grace, don't you think it's important you tell queen Daenerys you're alive?"
"I'll speak to my wife later. Right now, we have a Greyjoy to avenge and a Martell to rescue"
-Fire And Iron/Hear Me Roar-
Tyrion knocked on the Queen's door softly, he could understand her heartbreak, and although it wasn't the plan to cause her pain with her political marriage, he couldn't help but feel bad.
"your grace" the door squealed open to reveal Daenerys Targaryen, wrapped in a black cloak, looking at a map of Westeros. Her silhouette obscured by the very few candles burning around the room "your grace, I…"
"how many months will it take me out of course to march on Casterly Rock?" from his bottom up position Tyrion could see the tear tracks on the young queen's face.
"My queen?"
"how many?"
"your grace I don't think it's prudent to—"
"TO HELL WITH PRUDENCY!" Daenerys smashed the cup that had been tethering on the edge of the table against the wall "TO HELL WITH IT ALL"
"Daenerys I understand—"
"SHE WAS MY WIFE TYRION. SHE WAS MINE AND THEY TOOK HER FROM ME" Tyrion cautiously stepped back from the unleashed fury of the monarch "I loved her. I love her still. And they took her from me. I AM THE QUEEN. THEY KILLED MY WIFE AND YOU ASK ME TO BE PRUDENT"
"we don't know that yet my queen. There was more than one Greyjoy on the mission to the rock"
"I don't care" the silver haired queen took a deep breath and cleaned her face of any tears. Of any sign of weakness "I don't care how long it takes. Or how prudent it is. I am going to find Daario Naharis and skewer him, I swear it"
"do we have a plan?"
"I will march with the Lannister force on the morrow. I'll take back the rock, and put his and Euron Greyjoy's head on spikes" Daenerys turned heel to look back at the map. Despite how dim it was, the candles provided enough light for Tyrion to see her cloak properly. A golden kraken whose tentacles were wrapped around a crown and the tail of a three headed scarlet red dragon. It was their marriage cloak, Daenerys was clearly not going to let this go.
The small Lannister man sighed, slowly pulling the chair closest to him "Do you have a more detailed plan?"
"If I did, do you think I would still be here?"
"fair enough. Unfortunately surprise will not be on your side…"
-Fire And Iron-
Yara knew fully that surprise could not be on her side. One way or another, Euron and Daario would be expecting her to make an assault on the rock. Be it for boneheaded revenge, or to rescue the heir apparent to Dorne, they would see her coming a mile away, at least she would it she were in their shoes. With not enough men to lay siege to the castle, or the patience for such an endeavor in any case, the queen of the iron Islands resolved to do what her people do best.
The ironborn on Victarion's ship had faithfully put their lives in their commanders hands. That the deceased commander was the uncle of Yara only helped keep them faithful. Her clear-headed approach to their assault plans cemented that faith, Yara was after all a captain in her own right and their rightful queen, but here was her time to prove it so.
"are we clear on your orders Fayrwnd"
"no contact with the queen or her staff, hold the ship at anchor until you return" Darrion begrudgingly accepted the orders, simply because one should have a good reason to not inform one's wife that one was not killed. Particularly if said spouse had 3 fire breathing lizards. One of which was a few yards away hunting for fish "might I add something"
"when has me ordering you to stay quiet ever worked Darrion"
The man smirked, joined by the chorus of nervous chuckles, Yara however did nod her head, a good commander always knew to heed suggestions. Also these men were putting their lives in her hands, the least she could do was let them have a say.
"I still think informing your wife that you are alive is for the best" he raised his hands to stop Yara's protests, it's not like they hadn't been through this conversation "I do understand your reasons. But keeping her in the dark probably means she will divert the bulk of her forces to Casterly Rock"
Yara considered the words for a second, and shrugged "Lannister would not let her divert from her mission"
"bold of you to believe Tyrion Lannister could stop her" the master of arms stood back for a second, purposely giving Yara enough room to breathe "bold of you to believe Daenerys Targaryen would not burn the world to ashes to avenge you"
"you don't know that" the proud Greyjoy could feel her insecurities clawing at her. Worthless. Broken. Useless. There was truth in her silence to the main invading Targaryen force, if Euron were able to track them down to their hiding spot they would not survive. If Euron were able to fool Daenerys into a trap because of a captured letter, Yara would never forgive herself.
And yet she knew, ever since they touched based on Dragonstone, that her feelings of not bringing enough to the table, and of not being enough for her regal spouse were gonna come back to bite her.
"I know not one of us could stop you from burning the world down if Daenerys was killed, your grace" Darrion Fayrwnd did not rise through the ranks by being stupid.
He knew how to appeal to his bone headed liege lords. The Greyjoy family were brave, and smart and bold, but they were also ridiculously stubborn and idiotic at times.
Speaking with authority and giving Yara the respect she deserved as Queen would hopefully go a long way to rattle her "allow me to send a rider when you leave. By then, it'll be too late for Euron to do anything, he will be a sitting duck, and we will put your wife's mind at ease"
The men who were leaving with Yara held their breath, if Euron was on alert at the possibility of Yara coming to the rock, he'd be on pinpricks if word got to him that Daenerys Targaryen was marching on him with a huge army. An animal on alert was bad, one that feared for its life was worst. Yara nodding gave them newfound courage. Little did they know they were dealing with a deranged animal that cared little for panic. This one gladly poked at the sleeping dragon.
-Fire and Iron/Hear me Roar/Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken-
"your grace" Nymeria Martell knocked softly on the door to the Queens quarters, where Tyrion and her were drawing up plans to storm the rock without compromising their gains on the south, or their attack on Storms end and Kings Landing. The young Martell girl had a scroll in her hand, sealed with a crowned Kraken with a crow on its head.
"come in" Daenerys sipped her hand over her face. Already fearing the worst.
"this came in a few moments ago, from the rock" Daenerys took the scroll away from Nymeria's shaking hand. It was tough to see a warrior she admired crumbling under the fear for her sister. Dany almost wondered if Yara's last moments looked anything like this. She's not dead. She's not dead. She's not dead. It was getting harder to extinguish the hope, although the scroll certainly strangled that flame.
"your grace. Would you like me to read it?" Tyrion noticed the color draining from his queen, and felt the guilt ridden again. Without a word, Daenerys passed him the scroll and braced for what was coming.
"Your…" Tyrion's eyes widened, and he almost wished something cataclysmic would happen so he didn't have to read. After waiting a second or two, and realizing it wasn't going to happen, he forged on "Your wife is dead your grace, her corpse adorning my new hall. The little Dornish princess will soon join her, after giving me an heir or two. My traitor brother, and all his little sailors are at the bottom of Sunset Sea. The iron islands will soon be mine too. If you want your iron chair, and your life, come and see as I conquer the world for you. And then be my queen".
"he has my sister" Nymeria gripped the edge of the table until her knuckles turned white, scenarios of what was happening to Obara running through her head "your grace, I request leave to bring my sister back"
"I cannot grant that" Daenerys shook her head, holding in her anger as best she could to have a clear head.
"to hell with you all. I am going to bring my sister back home"
"Lady Martell, please sit. You will not be granted leave because I need you" Nymeria held the door handle stiffly. Her whole posture rigid. "I need every skilled commander to help take back the rock"
Tyrion turned his head to the silver headed queen, wondering what was going through her head. He had just read the nail in Yara's coffin to her, and here she was. One could almost say she looked bored.
"your grace?"
"I am starting to believe that Euron Greyjoy needs to be put down like the rabid dog he is, and put down hard" Daenerys pointed towards the seat the sand snake had just vacated, clearly asking her to sit "my wife would have asked for patience. I am inclined to believe she would have disapproved of any of us marching blind to avenge her. Your sister probably would as well"
Nymeria's eyes widened, as she processed the full contents of the letter "your grace I'm sorry for your loss. Queen Yara was an amazing warrior, and a good leader"
"what is dead may never die" Tyrion whispered solemnly, he could see the tears shining in Daenerys' eyes, but she would remain strong for the memory of her wife, something the Lannister heir could admire "my condolences your grace"
"thank you. The only way we can honor Yara's memory is by continuing our mission" the young queen gripped her cloak harder, maintaining her cool facade best she could "any ideas?"
-TheIronDragon-
Wow it's been a long time. I'm so sorry. Please don't kill me. I got a new very demanding job that has genuinely drained all my creativity. I have rewritten this chapter at least 5 times. And I didn't want to put out something I wasn't happy with, especially after the long wait.Couple of notes:
The letter Euron sends is partially inspired on the Bastard Letter (or the Pink Letter) Ramsay Bolton sends Jon before the battle of Winterfell.
One thing you're going to notice is a different relationship between Arya and Sansa than the one in the show. To be honest, I don't like how they're portrayed, even though they are very different people and spent a lot of time apart. They only have each other now, and I feel that no matter how ruthless, there's still some Arya left in there to drag out what little there is of Sansa.
AS ALWAYS. CRITICISM AND IDEAS ARE VERY WELCOMED!
I promise it'll be less time between this chapter and the next, although I can't promise when I'll be back, it won't be that long.