Thanks so much for all your fantastic support! This one turns a little epic, I hope you will appreciate the 'surprise'. Enjoy!
Samaya stood at the docks at Eastwatch, staring out onto the cold sea and the ship that was sailing away from her. Her sister and Jon Snow were on board, together with the wight they planned on showing to Cersei Lannister. After last night's talk, she had returned to find Jon asleep in the little chamber. Sam had nestled herself in the chair by his bedside, trying to catch some sleep herself. She was shaken awake some time later, when night had descended in all its quiet, and Jon pulled her into bed with him. They had shared a meaningful look before she fell back asleep, feeling his lips gently kissing her forehead. This morning, she had told him about her orders, and he was clearly not happy with her having to return to Highgarden. Their party had left at midday, not before Jon asked a favour of Samaya.
"I need you to do something for me," he had said as they shared a simple meal of bread and butter.
"Anything," she had heard herself reply before she could even think about it. He had smiled at that.
"Go to Castle Black on your way back, and deliver this for me, please," he had explained, handing her a scroll.
"Who should I deliver it to?" she had asked, twisting it around in her hands.
"Edd Tollett, he should be acting Lord Commander," he had told her.
"Friend of yours?" she had asked teasingly. He had smiled a little and nodded his head.
"Yes, I would not be sitting here if it weren't for him. He's a good man."
"Then I look forward to meeting him," Samaya had answered, putting one of her hands over his and squeezing gently. The rest of their meal had passed in silence. When they had reached the docks some time later, he took her hand and planted a soft kiss on it before boarding the ship. Samaya had shared a hug with her sister, and then they were off. As she stared after the vessel now, she hoped that she would see them again soon.
After a while, she started walking back up the hill while letting out a quiet, high-pitched whistle. During her return to Highgarden, she had spent a significant amount of time with Rhaegal, which gave her many insights on how to handle him. She had found his favourite spot to be touched, for when she put her hand on his neck, he gave out a soft sound, almost like a purr. She had realised that he responded to her shifting her weight when she was riding him to give him direction. And most of all, she had learnt that this high-pitched whistle was a reliable way to call her to him. If he wanted to, that was. Samaya had also seen his temperament, sometimes even moodiness. She saw dragons more like people now, not beasts. And Rhaegal had quickly become one of her greatest friends in this world.
Some of the Night's Watch Brothers poked their heads out as the dragon landed in front of their gate. Samaya mounted him quickly, adjusting herself and her bow before Rhaegal pushed off the ground with great force. Jon had told her that Castle Black was about a two day's ride from Eastwatch, so it would not take her long at all to arrive there on dragon.
As they soared through the cold skies, she noticed once more how deserted the land here was. There were no farms, inns or any other settlements in sight. Not at the ground, and not on the Wall. Samaya asked herself again how people could choose to live in the North. But then, most of them did not have a choice, did they? Just as much as she had been born in the Reach, these people had no say in where they had been born. And while it was easy for the richer to travel or relocate, it was not for someone whose livelihood depended on soil or cattle.
After some time, Rhaegal descended and she could make out battlements and buildings at the base of the Wall. The dragon flew over Castle Black, letting out a load roar, before he landed in front of its gates. The heavy doors closed with a loud bang, and arrows were pointed at Samaya once again. She descended form Rhaegal's back and walked forward slowly, her hands raised.
"Who goes there?" a loud voice sounded from the makeshift curtain wall.
"I am Samaya of House Tyrell, I come in Jon Snow's name," she announced herself. Sam felt uncomfortable using the Tyrell name, but she honestly did not know what else she should call herself these days.
"What's with the dragon?" the same man asked further. Sam could see him now. He had a long, pointy face with small eyes and a bushy beard on his chin.
"You must know that Jon Snow has allied himself with Daenerys Targaryen. I am her half-sister," she told him. He looked stern for a moment before shrugging his shoulders and ordering his men to open the gates. Samaya lowered her hands and started walking. They met at the entrance to the structure. She smiled at him in a polite way.
"I am looking for Edd Tollett," she explained her presence and he gave her a brusque nod.
"Aye, that would be me. Don't suppose you've got good news?" he said in a dry manner that made Sam chuckle.
"I wouldn't know, I am just the messenger. Here," she explained and handed over the scroll. Edd took it with a sceptical look, but gestured for her to follow him. As they walked into the courtyard, all eyes were on her. There weren't many people, as far as Sam could tell, and half the buildings were damaged or withered. It was clear that the Night's Watch had seen better days.
"We sent a party from Highgarden some time ago, I do not suppose they have arrived yet?" she asked Edd as he led her to a building from which smoke was rising through the chimney.
"Naw, it'll take them at least a fortnight from down South. Rapists?" he said while holding open a door for her.
"Raiders. Highgarden was attacked by the Lannister army, while we were rebuilding, we caught them trying to steal valuables," she explained as they walked up a flight of stairs.
"I see. Well, we could certainly use every single man we can get. Doesn't matter now what they did. You believe Jon, don't you?" Edd asked as they entered what must be the Lord Commander's solar. There were a few books scattered around, loads of scrolls, and a lively fire that lit up the room and gave it some warmth.
"I have seen the Army of the Dead. I would be stupid not to," Sam told him quietly, her gaze fixed onto his. He seemed shocked by that revelation and gestured for her to sit down after a few moments.
"How?" was all he said quietly.
"You might find the answer in that letter. Jon went on a mission beyond the Wall, and my sister and I had to rescue them. They were trapped by the Night King," she told him in a sad voice. The images of that day were still haunting her. Rotten corpses, moving skeletons… and the eerie face of their leader, eyes so piercing they seemed to freeze her very core. Edd looked at her long and hard before he opened the scroll. Leaning back in his chair, he started reading. Outside, the loud roar of a dragon could be heard. Sam's ears perked up. Something must have gotten Rhaegal's attention.
"Says here I should trust you," Edd spoke after a few moments, eyeing her up and down.
"You can trust me. Doesn't mean you should," she answered shortly. He grinned at that.
"Thank you for bringing this. It's a suggestion to seal the tunnel completely. Nobody in, nobody out," he explained the content of the letter.
"It seems to me you have more to do than just that," Sam commented. Edd sighed and put down the scroll.
"Aye, but how? We barely have enough men to guard the top of the Wall. If they attack, we'll be like sheep to slaughter," he said and looked beaten.
"I wish I could help more," Sam commented.
"Would certainly be handy if you stayed here with that dragon of yours," the man suggested meekly.
"I have orders to return to Highgarden I'm afraid," she explained.
"Thought so much. Care for some sustenance? The ale is horrible, but one of the boys from Mole's Town started making spirits that aren't half-bad," Edd then said as he stood up. Sam chuckled.
"Thank you, but I will be on my way again. This was only supposed to be a short stop," she told the man as they started walking back outside.
"I understand. Well, at least now I can die knowing I've seen a dragon," he commented and she laughed at his dry sense of humour. When they reached the courtyard again, there was a small commotion. Men were standing at the far side of the yard, pointing and staring up at an old tower. The pair looked up to see Rhaegal perched around its tip, still roaring loudly.
"What's gotten into him?" Edd asked as Sam observed the dragon's behaviour.
"What's inside that tower?" she replied, her voice having gotten demanding and firm.
"That's just the old maester's turret. Barely anyone's been in there since Maester Aemon passed," he explained, and Sam started walking towards it. He rushed after her, shouting at the other men to calm down.
The door to the tower was a little stuck as Sam tried to open it, so she just put her weight into it and it burst free with force. Hurriedly, she climbed up the stairs until she found herself in a small bedchamber. Dust had settled over books and linens, and a few mice quickly scurried away as they entered. Outside, Rhaegal was roaring louder than ever.
"I do not understand…" Sam mumbled more to herself as she walked up to a desk and started shuffling the papers around. There must be something here, anything. Rhaegal must sense a presence, but it seemed to be absolutely deserted.
"There's nothing here but books and old man's stuff," Edd commented from the doorway, where he was watching her move around the room frantically.
Sam ignored him and looked under the bed. A thick layer of dust greeted her, but nothing else. Getting back up, she sighed frustrated. What was going on? What did the dragon sense? Ser Bayard's voice rung in her ear.
"When you feel overwhelmed, just quiet down, close your eyes, take a deep breath and concentrate," she remembered as if he had said them to her only yesterday. She had been little, and he was training her to use a bow. Sam would get incredibly frustrated and start raging when her arrows didn't hit their mark, and he taught her to clear her mind to steady her hand.
She did the same now, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and tried to calm her mind. Standing still for a few long moments, she tried to visualise the room in her head. As she opened her eyes again, she knew what she was looking for.
"Help me," she told Edd and walked to the heavy bed. He did as asked and they moved it away from the wall. Sam inspected the bricks that had been covered by the headrest, letting her hand slide over the dirty stone. Soon, she realised that one of the bricks was a little loose. Carefully, she pried it out of the wall, kneeling down and looking into the hole she had uncovered. It was dark, and she couldn't see anything, but when she stuck her hand inside, her fingers grasped the cold metal hilt of a sword. Slowly, she gripped it tight and pulled it out gently.
At the base of the hilt, gold was forged into flames, leading up in circles to the base of the blade, where a deep, dark ruby was set as the body of a dragon, golden wings to its side, and a golden head running up the first inches of steel. The blade itself was dark, and seemed almost liquid. A thousand small ripples that were formed into a slender shape. Sam kneeled on the dirty floor, the sword in her hands, her mouth open in wonder.
"Is that Valyrian steel?" Edd suddenly spoke up, having come closer and peeking over her head. Sam nodded slowly, not taking her eyes of the magnificent weapon.
"I had heard of the rumours… I didn't think they were true," she mumbled in a quiet tone.
"What rumours?" the man prodded, not understanding the meaning of her discovery. Slowly, Sam stood up and held the sword against the light coming from the window. Red Ruby, dragon hilt, slender, Valyrian blade… it was her.
"This is Dark Sister, the sword that Brynden Rivers allegedly took with him to the Wall," she explained and looked at Edd. His brows rose up and he gave her a questioning look.
"Not all of us grew up in castles, and were taught by Maesters, you'll have to explain that," he said and she smirked a little, liking his dry demeanour more and more.
"Forgive me. Brynden Rivers was the bastard son of Aegon IV Targaryen, you might know him better as Bloodraven. He fought on the Targaryen side during the Blackfyre Rebellions, was Hand of the King to Aerys I and then sent to the Wall later in life, where he became Lord Commander. He disappeared during a ranging beyond the Wall, but it was said that when he came here, he took Dark Sister with him. This sword, as you might know, was brought to Westeros by Visenya during Aegon's conquest, and was passed down the Targaryen line until Bloodraven. Nobody knew where it was… until now," she told the man the story of the sword and its last known owner.
"Can't be… why would it still be here after all these years? Maester Aemon must not have known about it," he rambled.
"Aemon Targaryen? He came to the Wall with Brynden Rivers. Oh, you can bet all your brothers here that he knew," Sam almost laughed as she said it. All these years, the Targaryen swords were thought to be lost… when one was right here, at the edge of the Seven Kingdoms.
"Well… if you're a Targaryen, it must belong to you now, right?" he continued, giving her a sceptical look. Sam's face darkened a little.
"I'm a bastard Targaryen, much like Bloodraven before he was legitimised. I have to bring this before my sister," she explained quietly, still staring at the sword and all its glory. Edd took a sheet of linen from a nearby dresser and handed it to her.
"Best you wrap this up. Not all of the lads outside have seen something so precious before. Wouldn't want them to get any ideas," he said with his outstretched hand. Sam laughed a little.
"Oh, they can try. I won't be covering up a Targaryen heirloom that has returned at such a critical time. It is a symbol of the future. Jon told me Valyrian steel kills White Walkers. I do not believe it is a coincidence that the sword was found. We will defeat the Army beyond the Wall, and then we will defeat the ones opposing us here. The Lannister's reign of terror will soon be over, and a dragon queen will bring peace to all," she said in a firm tone.
"Are you very different to your sister?" Edd asked her after a few moments of quiet contemplation. She looked at him with wide eyes, puzzled by the question.
"My sister had to run her whole life, I had to hide who I really was. She was married to a horselord, I was married to my weapons. She prefers to give orders, I am not very good at obeying them. You tell me, Edd Tollett, if we sound different or the same to you," she answered and he shrugged his shoulders.
"That's a shame. I could have followed a queen like you," he said in an indifferent tone before he turned and walked back outside, leaving Sam absolutely speechless.
It had been almost two days since his sister had departed on the back of a dragon, and Willas was getting more and more concerned with every passing hour. Ser Bayard had helped him outside, where he stood on one of the guard walls observing the castle grounds and the valley that stretched out before them. Highgarden was looking much better already, and life returned to the castle more and more. On the plains, he could still see the dark spots where they had burnt the dead, the look of it a quiet reminder of betrayal.
Dickon Tarly joined them at their quiet sentinel, wiping his dirty hands on a stained cloth. To Willas' great surprise, he had been one of the leading men when it came to restoration of the destroyed buildings and structures. He barely ever rested, lending a hand where needed, and behaving kind and gentle to all. It seemed not all Tarlys were as harsh and headstrong as Randyll had been.
The three men stood high above the grounds, watching over the fields, rivers and forests. All three of them were anxious and impatient for any news, but alas, ravens came and went, but none bore any words of Samaya. The days were getting shorter still, the nights colder, and even now, with the sun low on the horizon, did they freeze slightly.
Just as Willas was about to head back inside, they heard it. A loud roar from the distance, a sound that would have made them flinch in fear a single moon ago, but which was now accompanied by relief and excitement. A dark shape emerged from the clouds above the valley, and immediately, Highgarden seemed to come alive. Willas watched as little kids joined them on the wall, laughing and pointing at the dragon that gradually descended towards them. A few of the newer people stared at it in fear, but the overall excitement was palpable.
Samaya and the dragon soared over the castle once, giving them all a good look, before they landed in the inner courtyard once again. They had taken down the fountain that had been destroyed, since it seemed Rhaegal's favourite place to land. Ser Bayard helped Willas down the steps to greet his sister, and they had to push their way through the crowd of people that had amassed, all of them chatting excitedly and pointing at Samaya. When Willas finally emerged from the mass and got a good look at his sister, his breath caught in his throat by what he saw.
Samaya was standing in front of the dragon, her stance tall and her features hard. Her hands were clasped around the hilt of a sword that she had positioned in front of her, tip on the ground. The ruby ring on her finger was glistening bloodred, as was the stone that was embedded in the sword. Its blade was Valyrian steel, and the gold that made up the hilt shone bright in the light of the setting sun. With her black travel cloak, decorated with thin red lines, and the pale bow slung around her back, she looked like a shield maiden from the first days of men. Silence descended as she did not move. Finally, she spoke up.
"People of the Reach, I have travelled beyond the Wall and seen the Army of the Dead. The threat is real. In the name of Daenerys I of House Targaryen, true heir to the Iron Throne, I promise that she will do everything in her power to protect the Seven Kingdoms, and every man, woman and child that they hold," she said in a commanding tone. Whispers started rising around her. Samaya paid them no mind, but lifted up the sword with both hands.
"This is Dark Sister, and she has returned to us in our time of need. Look at this sword, and believe me when I say this is a sign. A sign that Targaryens are the rightful rulers of this continent, and that we will face the enemy and win. Be it the living, or the dead, we will stand up to them until our dying breath, and we will bring peace back to this realm!" she was shouting now, turning in circles, so that every last person could see the sword. Cheers erupted as she finished, and she thrust it towards the sky in a victorious motion. The crowd was clapping and cheering now, euphoria setting in as Rhaegal stretched his neck and roared at the heavens.
Willas swallowed hard and looked at the woman he had always called a sister. She did not look like his sister now. She looked like a warrior. She looked like a leader. And he knew that he would follow her to the gates of all seven hells, if that was what she asked of him. He, and the rest of the people in the courtyard, would follow her until their hearts stopped beating.
When Daenerys and Jon Snow arrived back in Dragonstone, Varys and Tyrion were awaiting them eagerly. The Queen barely had time to change out of her travel dress before they had all gathered in the council chamber. This time, she had invited Jon Snow to join them. She was no longer sceptical of what he came to her for, and he did bend the knee, after all.
"Tell me what I have missed," she told her Hand as they all sat down.
"Nothing so far from King's Landing, except that Euron Greyjoy brought Yara and Ellaria Sand back alive. The Dornish woman, along with her daughter, was given as a present to Cersei and is most likely dead at this point. Euron holds Yara captive, but we do not know where. It is said that he is on his way back to the capital for our big meeting," he informed and she looked at him with an unwavering expression.
"What of Arianne?" she asked after a few moments.
"She is a clever girl, and has opened up more every day. I think we can trust her to get Dorne's support," Tyrion said with a winning smile. Daenerys raised an eyebrow at him.
"You think or you know? They are two very different things, Lord Tyrion," she scolded him. The man exhaled deeply before he replied.
"Maybe it's best of your Grace talks to the girl herself. I know she can do it, but your opinion tops mine, does it not?" he replied wittingly and Daenerys gave him a small smile. She then turned to Varys.
"And what news from your sources?" she said, her tone having gotten significantly lighter. The eunuch gave her a nervous look before he handed her a scroll.
"From Highgarden," he told her. Jon Snow shot up in his seat, he wondered if this was word of Samaya. Daenerys twisted the paper around in her hands, leaving it unopened. It bore the Tyrell sigil on black wax, something her sister had started using as her own seal.
"What does it say?" she finally asked, looking at the man.
"It is an unopened scroll, your Grace. I would not know," he said submissively, to which she cocked up an eyebrow.
"What do your sources say?" she continued, and he straightened his back.
"My sources say Samaya returned to Highgarden with the famous Dark Sister. Apparently, the sword had been hidden at Castle Black. She addressed the people and told them that Queen Daenerys would protect them from the threat beyond the Wall and bring peace to this realm," he reported. Daenerys looked at him with confusion, whereas Jon Snow was sitting at the edge of his seat.
"She found Dark Sister? The Targaryen sword?" he asked the eunuch, to which he received a nod.
"A slender Valyrian blade, a pommel in the shape of golden flames, a deep red ruby as the body of a dragon and its golden wings and head as a cross guard. The one and only," he reported quietly, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. Jon let out a long breath.
"Was it not believed to be lost?" Daenerys asked, having caught up on why this was such meaningful news. Varys turned his attention back to her.
"It was said that Brynden Rivers took it to the Wall with him, but nobody had seen it in 65 years," he confirmed for her. They were all silent for a few moments, letting the information sink in.
"And how did the people react when Samaya told them about how I was going to save them all?" the Queen then asked, a tiny trace of anxiousness in her voice. She had ordered Samaya to tell them that she was the one true ruler of Westeros, but her sister had exaggerated once again and made her out to be the saviour of Westeros. Varys smiled at her question.
"If you ask her, they cheered for you and accepted Targaryen rule," he replied.
"And what would the others say if I asked them?" she pried, aware that every person in the room held their breath, waiting for the answer.
"They would tell you that they cheered and kneeled before Visenya Targaryen come again."
Dun Dun duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuunnnnn... legendary Targaryen sword returns at the eve of battle. I couldn't resist, since I personally firmly believe that the sword might be hidden at Castle Black. Plus, Visenya Targaryen was a total bad-ass, it would not hurt to have her sword in the mix.
What do you think Daenerys will do next? Do you think she sees Sam as a threat? I'd be over the moon to hear your opinion on this :) Much love!