Sailing conditions were the best they could possibly be, but they still would be arriving at Dragonstone at night. Those whom had never seen dragons, where shocked and fearful when Drogon and Rhaegal flew overhead. They blasted flame into the sky in greeting, lighting the waters ahead with an eerie glow. Both dragons bugled with a high pitched roar, in thunderous harmony, yet not unwelcoming. Taron smiled as the three junior alchemists coward behind Byt and Tam.

"Their calls remind me of a bull elk's mating call," Arya announced out of the blue.

Taron and Aulix exchanged a look. More and more she was sharing things from her childhood in the north. No longer did she hide who she was and her knowledge of Westeros.

"They are terrible and beautiful all at once," Aenys said with reverence.

Arya agreed, "yes they are, but wait until you see them in daylight."

Rian rubbed the back of his neck, "just thinking of the Night King riding one, is enough to keep me awake with terror."

Tam put an arm on Rian's shoulders. "When you see how big Drogon is, compared to Rhaegal, you're faith in our side will be restored."

Arya looked at Taron and Aulix, who stood side by side. "Since both dragons are here, does that mean Jon is too?"

It was Taron who answered, "no." He took his eyes off the sky as the light from the fire blast faded. "Tam does the captain know to take the ship to land, so we can unload wolves and horses before going to the castle?"

"He does. Do you need me to stay with them again?"

Aulix answered, "no. When we unload I'll talk to the shoremen. You need to be with us for war discussions later."

Even though the dragons left after circling one more time, Arya remained anxious. Was Gendry still making dragonglass weapons or had he gone to the front lines? Would they get a moment alone to reunite or was time of the essence to go to war? Was there any news about her sister and survivors from Winterfell?

"Arya stop pacing, we'll be there soon enough to answer all those questions," Taron chided.

She stopped and stared at him… could he now read her mind? Had Aulix always been able to do that too and kept it secret?

Aulix laughed, "any idiot can tell what you're thinking."

Annoyed she turned around, back facing her two best friends. The ship was still too far from the castle for her to connect to a bird and find Gendry, or just answer the questions she had herself. Instead Arya went down below and sulked in the presence of Nymeria. Meanwhile the two guys who'd caused her discontent were sitting on some barrels.

"Have you warged a dragon yet?" Taron asked out loud.

"You can't tell?" A shake of head and Aulix asked his own question, "didn't I tell you about what happened on the trip Arya and I took across the Narrow Sea?"

"No to both questions."

"Well it wasn't these two dragons, but I tried with a Nagga. Very stupid of me and I should've known better… one of the only times I have indulged Arya's requests. Mostly because I was as bored as she was. It gave me super bad headaches too."

Taron chuckled, "got it, don't mess with any kind of dragon; land, sea or air. But I recall that the two dragons that just came, gave you a warm reception."

"That was just mutual respect and acknowledgement. Would've been a different outcome had I tried to connect to them, like I did that sea monster."

"Maybe." He wasn't given a chance to say more, because his eyes went white suddenly.

Byt noticed and asked, "is Taron okay?"

Aulix nodded, "he's able to greensee now, without dreaming."

"Will he need me to make some tea?"

"No, but I would love some. The air tonight has a colder bite to it."

Tam snorted, "probably because one hellish winter comes." He gave a nod to Aulix and went after Byt, "wait for me beautiful, I'll help you."

Taron was in his own mind for a long time. He was tired when his eyes went back to normal. Aulix handed him the tea Byt had just delivered.

'I need to confirm what I saw. Do you have a map of Westeros on you?' The map was rolled out and Taron's finger traced across the northern region. 'Most of Jon Snow's army has been divided into sectors. One sent to Torrhen's Square, One division to Hornwood and the rest are at Cerwyn. They all fight the one white walker army. Dreadfort has already fallen, with no living survivors.'

'Don't give this information to anyone right now. I want to speak to Daeneyrs first. Did you see the Night King?'

'No. I saw the dragon and the gigantic white walker army. It's crazy how many there are. Like a swarm of ants, but way more…. I felt….' Taron stopped, not sure how this new feeling could be described.

Aulix stared into Taron's eyes, 'you felt controlled death. Forbidden power.'

'And something more. Can you feel it from me?'

'Not like this. But here is not the time.'

Arya had returned and asked, 'the time for what?'

Taron answered out loud, "he just told me we'll be offloading wolves and horses shortly, so it's not the time for me to sleep."

They hadn't lied, because shortly after that, everyone could see the fires lighting the shore and dock. Aulix was the first to walk down the loading ramp, Nymeria at his side. The wolf pack followed them. While Aulix spoke to the shoremen, he also gave a message to Nymeria. Then he helped bring the horses down off the ship. Before leaving, he put a sea-eagle in the area, so he could check in on the wolves, whenever he wanted, while not annoying the dragons. Satisfied he returned to the ship and the loading ramp, was hauled back on board. The ship once more set sail, to moor off shore near the Dragonstone castle. Row boats took them ashore.

Two guards meet them at the foot of the stairs. One guard advised them that Tyrion and the Queen, were waiting for Arya, Aulix and Taron in the war room within the castle. It was the usual long climb to the top of the stairs, at which point another guard said he'd take the others to their rooms. Tam asked if they could eat first and the guard said food could be brought to their rooms. Everyone was exhausted, but they followed their respective guards. On arrival in the war room, Arya was surprised that Gendry and Jon were not there too, but someone she'd never seen before and said so.

"Let me introduce myself. I am Jorah Mormont the exiled Knight and former lord of Bear Island and disgraced son of Jeor Mormont who was lord commander of the Nights Watch. Also my Lady, I knew your father."

Daenerys didn't like how he belittled himself. "Jorah is my valued friend and trusted knight."

Tyrion also explained. "Jon is with the main portion of the army, that fights the Night King." He walked around the war table, which was a map of Westeros. "Our army has had to fall back after Winterfell was taken over. Jon is with them, wielding his sword and one made of dragonglass.

"And Gendry?" Arya asked hesitantly.

"He's working at his forge and still mining. He requests that once we've concluded our discussions that you, Taron and Aulix go to him."

Daenerys inquired, "do any of you know the history of the Night King and how far he took the freeze, before he was forced behind the Great Wall?"

Arya answered first, "I only know what was told as children's stories, which I'm sure you already have heard yourselves."

Taron was about to answer, but Aulix spoke first. "The freeze was said to have lasted a generation, causing a lot of famine and fear. The Night King brought the coldness to Essos, freezing the Rhoyne river and down to the same latitude as Dorne, nearly to the southern coast of Essos. But whether or not Dorne itself was part of the territory of the Night King and frozen too, that knowledge has long since been lost. Considering how hot that region is, I doubt he bothered and hence why he targeted Essos."

A sigh escaped Daenerys, "but with my lost dragon son, he can range much farther."

"Yes, that's why that white dragon must be obliterated by dragonglass." Taron's voice was gentle and yet firm.

Aulix added, "Queen Daenerys could I speak to you alone?"

"Yes. Jorah take Arya and Taron to see Gendry."

Taron looked at Tyrion, "could you accompany us as well, there are a few things I'd like to discuss about this war."

"Sure. Let's go."

While they departed, Aulix checked the area to make sure no unwanted ears were ready to listen. Then he told her everything that Taron saw. When he finished, she thanked him for the knowledge and bid him good night. Aulix went to look at the dragonglass mine and then to meet up with Gendry. On arrival at the forge, Aulix smirked, because while Taron and Tyrion were in deep conversation, Arya and Gendry were in a lustful embrace.

"Gendry you requested my presence, was it just to watch you and Arya suck face?"

They sprang apart and then Arya laughed, while fixing her clothing.

Gendry ignored the teasing and got down to business. "I've been working on a breast plate for Drogon, so that the Night King cannot kill him by spear, like that other dragon. Problem is I'm at the stage where I need to figure out how to keep it on him. Daenerys helped bring him to me, to size and shape the plate properly for fit. Also do you think it's thick enough to be effective?"

Aulix took a look at the metal plate. "It's a great idea and can be fastened with leather to Drogon. What it needs is blood and dragon fire, to make it strong enough, without compromising the light weight. Arya was right, you're a masterful smith."

"Thanks… also is there anywhere else in the world where dragonglass exists?"

"Too far to help. It's one of the biggest exports from Asshai. In the past the Valyrians called dragonglass Obsidian. They believed it was frozen fire and often made glass candles from it. Why do you ask?"

"If there was someplace closer to where the battle rages, I could go to the war and still make weapons. But if here is the only place on Westeros, I'll have to stay. I've made swords that have one edge of dragonglass and the other of steel. Daggers and discs of dragonglass, to be thrown at the enemy. Spears both short and long, that have different weighted poles, to increase the variations on throwing distance. If you can think it, I've made it."

Taron asked, "what about the dragon killing machine and it's spear's tip?"

"Done, but it will have to be brought to the battle via ship. By land to move it, even with a team of oxen or heavy draught horses, it would take too long."

"It can go to White Harbor, it won't be long before the war is taken there," Tyrion advised.

"Even if the war doesn't go there, we can bring the Night King, by having him follow Drogon in battle."

Arya wondered, "how long would it take by ship from here to White Harbor?"

Jorah answered. "It's around twenty-one days if conditions are optimal, meaning at least sixty nautical miles per day. If not it can take forty-eight days or longer."

"Wow, and that's still better than by land."

Tyrion explained why they were still at Dragonstone. "Exactly. When Jon went back to the front lines, he rode on the other dragon, while Daenerys on Drogon were his back up. The dragons can get there faster of course, but they can't carry everything that's needed to finish this fight. The ships that will be going to White Harbor with the rest of these weapons and the remaining fighters, leave soon. Tomorrow Gendry finishes the breast plate and the next day everyone ships out."

"Taron and I will help you Gendry, including fashioning the leather to hold the breast plate in place. Tonight rest a few hours," Aulix winked at Arya.

"I need to eat first and wash up," Gendry sighed, his arm circling Arya's waist.

Tyrion nodded, "follow me and we'll have you all taken care of. After the cider, ale and food, you'll be taken to your rooms, where hot baths will be waiting."

Aulix and Taron, came in the rear, as their little group headed back into the castle. Jorah and Tyrion left, once everyone began to eat and drink. Arya grinned when Tyrion took a bottle of wine from the table as he departed, telling Jorah to follow him. She couldn't wait to have a bath and then spend the rest of the night in Gendry's arms.