Valyrian Steel

Chapter 30

Ice in her Heart

Daenerys heard Aegon give a delighted shout above her and smiled. Despite her misgivings over interfering at the Twins the ride to the river fortress proving enjoyable. Aegon had insisted that they depart for the Twins as soon as possible to show a unified front. The people had to know that dragons had returned and the Targaryens were united. Or so he had insisted, Daenerys was certain that he mostly wanted to show off to his newfound brother Jon. Aegon was quickly becoming a proficient rider though he felt the need to strap himself to the saddle. Daenerys only ever used the straddle chains when there was a storm or she slept. Mostly she did not need to use the reigns or the whip. She trusted Drogon to know what she needed and to respond to her vocal commands.

"I see them." Aegon called out bringing Rhaegal closer. Her nephew relied on the reigns and the whip, the reigns had been clasped to Rhaegals horns since it was obvious that it would be pointless to place them anywhere near a dragons snout. Her child watched her with eyes of molted bronze. Rhaegal had not always been wild, but Daenerys had broken her child's trust when she had her and Vyserion entombed, disappearing after the fact did not help. She was happy that Rhaegal had become so taken with Aegon but was jealous nonetheless.

Drogon shuddered underneath her and surged forward, he smelled blood.

"Trouble?" Aegon asked noticing Rhaegal react to the smell in a similar fashion.

"They smell blood on the wind. Remember this is Arya's vendetta, we may be royalty but the North demands blood. Follow her lead...within reason." Daenerys added the last part, her friend had almost come to blows with Ser Waters over the issue, she would let Arya control the situation for as long as possible. Aegon nodded in agreement but Daenerys knew that her nephew was eager to prove himself.

As they drew closer Daenerys saw archers on the battlements aiming at the Northern men who were holding up a shield formation. A few had fallen out of formation due to death or injury. Aegon looked towards her and they both nodded, it was time to unleash their dragons. She was grateful for her breastplate and light armor.

"Take the western battlements, I'll deal with the eastern tower rendezvous afterward with Arya for her... plans." Daenerys was about to say orders but they were royalty and a Queen did not take orders from any lord or lady.

They parted Aegon had Rhaegal dive towards the western tower and carry away a few archers from the battlements. Rhaegal tossed one of the men into the air breathing fire as he fell and snatched his burning body up in two bites.

Drogon launched his flames at the Freymen on the eastern ramparts, an arrow whizzed past her ear and she felt rage. Drogon let out an angry bellow that matched her rage and rose high. The world seemed to still above the clouds and Daenerys took in a deep breath before her child dove down. His wings were flush against his sides and as they drew closer to the tower he let out a long stream of fire.

The stone began to melt and the smell of charred flesh and ash reached her nose. Daenerys called for Drogon to stop, he halted snatching up a soldier who had tried to jump of the tower. The people of the Twins started to stream out of the keep and archers began to pick them off. Drogon swooped down and landed in front of the western tower. His tail snapped at the people and he let out a growl. Screams sounded and they retreated back into the keep.

Arya screamed "The portcullis, don't let them drop the portcullis!" Drogon lunged forward shooting fire at the gate guards letting out a deafening cry. Frey men retreated further into the keep in terror.

The Northern men surged forward with Arya at the head riding on the back of her dire-wolf. She shot Daenerys a wicked grin.

"The North remembers!" She cried out and her men matched her war cry.

"For Robb!"

"Winterfell!"

"Winter is Coming!"

"Iron from Ice!"

"Above the Rest!"

House words, war cries and even some phrases in the old tongue were shouted out as the Northernmen and Rivermen surged into the keep. Cries of terror and pain echoed out of the keep for a little under an hour before the survivors were shepherded out. They were bound at the wrists and shied away from her dragon. The Northern men forced them to kneel and wait. More prisoners joined them until it seemed the entire keep knelt before her. It seemed that most had surrendered.

Jon Snow approached sheathing his bloody sword, "She agreed to spare any who surrender and only kill those who put up a fight." He spared the prisoners a glance and looked back to her. "Except Black Walder." Daenerys nodded in understanding, Arya had said that there would be a few Freys that she would not let live no matter what.

Viserion flew overhead and let out a cry, her child had followed them to the Twins but gave Rhaegal a wide berth during the trip. Jon smiled up at Viserion and Daenerys thought that it was a rare yet endearing sight, the man smiled like it hurt him a little to do so.

"She'll stay out of the fighting," Daenerys said motioning towards her child.

"Two dragons are more than enough," Jon said with a half smile.

Daenerys nodded in agreement, for the next hour they guarded the prisoners and directed the rest of the survivors to join their comrades on their knees.

Arya exited the keep holding the head of Black Walder with an eerily contented smile on her face. Greatjon Umber and Blackfish Tully followed her wiping the blood off their swords. The prisoners edged away from her and she scanned the crowd.

"Leslyn Haigh, Walder Rivers, Whalen, Hosteen, Ryman, Raymund and Lothor Frey." As she listed the names Greatjon, Blackfish and Marq Pipar dragged the men to the front of the group. She strolled in front of them tossing the head into the air as if it was a ball and catching it by the hair before swinging it into the river.

"Is this really necessary?" She called out with a roll of her eyes.

"He killed Gendry," She snapped back "Blood for Blood" Arya's silver eyes held Daenerys'. She knew that look, she's seen it before on Drogo and recognized it in Arya. With Drogo it was an angry flame behind his eyes that was fueled by his rage, with Arya it was ice in her veins that made her indifferent to everything else but her desire for vengeance. Her friend had lost someone special.

"I am sorry for your loss," Daenerys said as gently as possible

Arya scoffed "The idiot jumped in front of a crossbow bolt for me."

"Lady Stark!" Daenerys snapped "That man adored you and his memory deserves more respect than this"

Arya's shoulders stiffened and Daenerys was ready to continue when she held up her hands "I said he died, I never said he stayed dead. Mother brought him back, he's just sleeping up at camp. Mother is the one who died...again."

Daenerys stared open mouthed at Arya, this girl always had to say the most outlandish things. She was certain Arya said half the outrageous things that came to her mind solely to put people on edge or to see their reactions. And necromancy always put Daenerys on edge, it always came with a price.

"Nevertheless he may be the future lord of the Stormlands." Daenerys stepped closer and put her hand on Arya's shoulder. "Are you alright,... your mother, I am sorry."

Arya patted her hand "She went willingly, it shouldn't help but it does, and so does this." She said motioning towards the prisoners. No mercy for these men, not even The Wall" she emphasized the last part shooting a stern look at Jon Snow.

Daenerys let out a large sigh and looked towards Jon who seemed to be conflicted by his sisters display of violence. She leaned in to look at him, their eyes met and Danerys smiled kindly.

"She needs this. Seeing what she saw at such a young age, she needs a balance." Daenerys turned back to her friend who smiled gratefully. They understood each other, didn't matter how different they were they understood.

"My brother couldn't be here today but I promised to bring him a gift for the gods. You will be brought to Winterfell to face Northern justice." Arya tilted her head to the side and smiled. "If Nymeria gets hungry along the way she can always eat one of you."

"Is this the justice we should expect under the Targaryen Queen?!" One of the men spat out.

Daenerys coldly looked down at him, "As of today all of house Frey's titles are revoked and their lands pass into the ownership of house Stark. Those that previously worked in the Keep may stay or leave and receive a payment equal to two years of work. The Starks reserve the right to punish anyone with a connection to the Red Wedding. Male members of House Frey may take the black, the women can be housed at the Wall so long as they work. That is more than you deserve, the Lady Stark wanted to kill all of you, this is mercy."

"On that note" Arya leaned foward "Raymund Frey, you're the man who slit my mother's throat." She smiled and her eyes went white. Nymeria surged forward and tore out the man's throat, the dire-wolf's massive jaws nearly decapitated the man. Then she began eating him in front of his family and prisoners while Arya stood by with her white eyed gaze. Shaggy-dog and Ghost joined in and one of the Frey men vomited.

Daenerys felt a headache coming on and rubbed her temples, there were times her friend truly frustrated her. Jon stepped foward and placed a hand on Arya's shoulder.

"That's enough blood for today." He said with that stern voice Daenerys had come to expect from Northern men. Arya's eyes returned to normal and she shrugged her shoulders. Ghost and Nymeria retreated from the body but Shaggy-dog did not.

"Shaggy, enough." Jon said with his stern voice but the beast ignored him.

"It's Rickon," Arya said kneeling beside the dark wolf. "I told him he couldn't come in person, but Shaggy is Rickon and Rickon is Shaggy." She looked up at them. "Let the boy have his fun."
Jon's jaw clenched and Daenerys felt some guilt, perhaps if she had attempted to constrain Arya's blood thirst he would not be so troubled by her actions. Aegon landed before them and looked disturbed by the still twitching corpse being eaten by the dire wolf. Arya looked at him with a smile.

"Dragon rider." She said with a satisfied smirk. "How does it feel to fly?"
Aegon looked on at her with a queer look and gulped. "It feels great."

Arya nodded "Thank you for the help." she said walking past him. She stopped to look at the captured Freys with a blank expression, not a one of the prisoners met her gaze. She walked away, her men followed closely behind her, and Daenerys heard one of the prisoners mutter.

"That one's got ice in her heart."

Daenerys turned towards Aegon ignoring the prisoners. "Willas and Tyrion should find someone to take inventory of everything within the keep. Men will loot, but I want to make sure that the coffers aren't completely emptied and that there is enough food to house our men for a few days before we march North."

Aegon nodded in agreement, "We should place the prisoners in the dungeon while we organize ourselves."

"Yes but keep the men Arya set aside separate and under constant guard. She will not be pleased if one of her prisoners decides to end himself before she can deliver him to Rickon. " Daenerys said with a curt nod.

"If any of the Frey men decide to join the watch I would like your men to recognize my authority in releasing them."Jon Snow added. Aegon readily agreed but Daenerys frowned.

"So long as the six men Arya set aside aren't selected, then yes."

"The Night's watch takes recruits from everywhere, no King or Queen has ever rejected this right." Jon stared Daenerys down with steel grey eyes but she did not give in.

"And cause a diplomatic incident? Arya will kill those men whether they are in the Watch or not. Would you have me punish her for disobeying the law, or would it be better if I just barred your access to the prisoners? I think the latter is the best option. You are not to speak to them." Daenerys snapped in frustration "You need to stop looking at her like she's a little girl you need to protect, she hasn't needed protection for a very long time." Jon looked angrily at her and Daenerys knew that she had hit a nerve. Daenerys mounted Drogon and looked towards Aegon.

"I trust you to deal with the situation here and keep your brother from doing something foolhardy. Handle things here, I'll check on Arya." Daenerys flew off towards the camp leaving her family behind.

"Men." she muttered angrily once they landed. Drogon looked at her and she smiled when he nudged her playfully. "Sorry dearest." she murmured stroking the softer scaled under his jaw.

She walked through the camp stopping to check if Pate and the other healers present needed anything. Once she reached the tent of the Silent Sisters she found Arya helping them clean her mother's corpse.

The woman seemed to have been dead long yet she gave off no smell. Although Arya's nose and mouth were covered. One of the Silent Sisters handed Daenerys a cloth and motioned for her to cover her face with it. Daenerys obeyed and stood beside Arya. She did not know what to say. Her mother had died long ago and all she had was a name to remember her by. She missed having a mother, but she could not miss the person. How could she? Viserys missed her greatly, and so did Ser Darry. When they spoke of Rhaella it was as if they spoke of the Mother herself.

When Arya spoke of Lady Catelyn she did so with a complicated mixture of emotions. Sometimes she was ashamed of herself because she knew her mother would not approve. Arya had even admitted that the persona of Lya had arisen out of a desperate attempt to become the Lady her mother had always wanted her to become. The mother Arya spoke of was kind, poised, and at times cold towards her brother Jon. Family, Duty, Honor, were the words of house Tully and by all accounts her mother lived and died by those words. And then the woman came back as a vengeful revenant, a dark shadow of the woman she once was. Arya accepted her, "a revenant mother is better than no mother", she had said when Daenerys brought it up.

How could Daenerys even begin to understand? She reached for a wash cloth and joined her friend, Daenerys was not accustomed to cleaning but she tried her best. It was not long until the lady was deemed ready for preparation. The silent sisters started to usher them away, Arya wanted to stay but Daenerys clutched her hand and started to pull her away.

"You do not want to watch this part. Cleaning the body is one thing, but you know what they do after. The cutting and the stuffing. Would you want to see this happen to her?" Arya scowled and followed her out.

That night Daenerys held Arya while she cried silently, she did not mind the tears or the wolf. She only cared that she had no idea how to handle her friends grief.