The Witch Queen of Essos
Wanda: (riding Rhaenyra)
Tyene: She loves her dragons.
Wanda: I do not own Harry Potter or Game of Thrones! Let's go!
Chapter 8: Conflict and Dragons
Dear King Robert Barantheon;
No, I will not be returning to King's Landing. I do not know what was going on inside your wine-addled brain when you sent a cartel of Faceless Men after my eldest son and daughter. I have one thing to ask you, what does a mother wolf do when her cubs are threatened? The only reason I haven't sent all six of my family's dragons on King's Landing is the fact that my brother is there. Next time, I will have him brought out, and my mercy will come to an end.
DID YOU REALLY THINK I WOULD COME TO LOVE YOU AFTER YOU TRIED TO MURDER MY CHILDREN!? MAY YOU ROT IN THE SEVEN HELLS, YOU URSURPER BASTARD!
-Princess Lyanna of House Stark and Targaryen.
**One Week Later**
Prince Rhaegar, Queen Ginerva:
Things are shifting in King's Landing. Eddard's son Brandon was assaulted by an assassin paid in Lannister gold; it was thanks to his pet direwolf that he survived the encounter. Lady Catelyn has been erroneously informed that Tyrion Lannister was responsible; my little birds have confirmed his innocence in the matter.
Lord Petyr Baelish was responsible for passing her this information; I am yet to know why.
Regardless, the facts of the matter is that Lady Catelyn has arrested Lord Tyrion on these charges. Tywin, however much he despises his youngest son, has retaliated by assaulting the Riverlands, his men burning and raping as they went. Lord Eddard has ordered a cession of hostilities and for Tywin to answer for his bannermen's crimes.
Your faithful servant, Varys.
Lord Varys;
What cause would a Lannister have to attempt to murder young Brandon? I doubt this is a spur of the moment decision. Princess Lillian was with Brandon the day of the Usurper's visit to the North; she said that one of the Lannisters chased them from the old tower once he saw her. I had assumed it was simply because she was Targaryen, but Brandon isn't. Are they attempting to silence him; and if so, why?
I am currently working with Sirius on a portkey to King's Landing. Should an emergency occur, I will be there to assist you.
-Queen Ginerva I
My Lords and Ladies.
Queen Cersei has been as unfaithful to Robert as Robert has been to her. Joffery, Tommen and Myrcella Barantheon are bastards, sired by Cersei's cousin Lancel. The day of the Usurper's visit, Cersei slipped away to have some time with her lover. Princess Lillian and Brandon were climbing the tower and caught them naked together.
I doubt either of them truly understood what they had seen, but I imagine Cersei wasn't willing to leave anything to chance. Either she or her lover sent the assassin in an attempt to silence him. Before that, Lancel pushed Brandon from the tower to fall to his death; fortunately the Princess is quick on the uptake and managed to catch him.
Eddard is close to discovering this, Lady Lyanna. I don't believe he trusts me; Baelish has been speaking with him frequently. This is a dangerous road to take, especially when he's already confronting Lord Tywin.
Your servant, Varys.
**Two Weeks Later**
Prince Rhaegar, Queen Ginerva.
Eddard Stark confronted Cersei Lannister with the truth about her children. Baelish betrayed him and he has been sent in chains to Harrenhall, branded a traitor to the realm. Robert has not protested, since he fell out with Eddard over the attempted murders of Prince Jon, Prince Aegon, Princess Lillian and Princess Rhaenys.
Robb Stark is rallying his banners to free his father. He won his first battle against the old Lannister with an impressive feint, and now holds Lancel hostage.
Jamie Lannister travels south, to attempt to have his father see reason. I doubt he'll succeed, but he is accompanied by his brother and a sellsword – I imagine their conversation will stall Tywin for a small frame of time.
Renly has fled King's Landing to Highgarden. Stannis is marshalling his forces at Storm's End to assist Robert. The Tullys are still attempting to expell Lannister troops from their lands.
Westeros faces civil war. Robert wants to invade Essos. My Prince, my Queen – you must come home, and soon.
Lord Varys.
**Present Day**
"I'm going to kill Petyr Baelish." Lyanna declared with a frigid calmness, the letter sitting in front of her at the dinning room table. "I will butcher him with my bare hands and scatter his entrails from here to the Wall. He is mine to kill; you would all do well to remember that."
"...Duly noted." Sirius said, looking genuinely scared.
Rhaegar admired his wife for a moment before saying, "Before any butchering happens, we need to plan."
"Rescuing Lord Eddard is my priority." Ginny said calmly. "I'll retrieve him from the old lion as quickly as possible. But that won't stop the conflicts."
"No one can afford a huge loss of life." Jon noted grimly. "Not only would it be a senseless, tragic waste, but if all the land is bloodied before winter hits, we are all damned."
"Jon's right." Aegon said. "We have to bring this to an end as fast as possible."
Rhaegar nodded in agreement. "The Tyrells have always been loyal to our family," He noted. "Even under the reign of my father. I believe their loyalty is a given...especially if Aegon agrees to a betrothal between himself and lady Margaery."
"Isn't she married to Lord Renly?" Emily asked, brow furrowed.
Sirius chuckled. "I doubt he'll care much – he's far more interested in her brother!"
The family chuckled. "The loyalty of the Martells is also a given." Rhaegar said. "Viserys, take Quicksilver and fly to Highgarden with my proposal. Once you've done that, I want you to go to Riverrun."
"You want me to deal with the overabundance of lions prowling the banks?" Viserys asked, raising an eyebrow.
Rhaegar nodded. "Demoralize them. Show mercy when you can, but get them out of Tully land. I promised Lord Eddard that I would see no harm fall upon Lady Catelyn's house."
"Rhaenys, Emily." The two girls sat upright. "I want you to go in disguise among the Stark forces lead by the Young Wolf. If we are to return, we need them to hold the north."
"I can't take Visenya?" Rhaenys prefaced, not looking too happy at the concept.
"You can't bring her too near the camps, or you'll give yourself away." Ginny pointed out. "She likes Daenerys; I'll have them stay together until it's time for you to rejoin the rest of us."
"You've both learned the healing arts. When you are among the Starks, you are Talisa and Jeyne Maegar." Rhaegar continued. "Return after the moon turns with your findings."
Both girls nodded in agreement. Rheagar turned his attention to his sister. "Daenerys, I want you to find Tyrion Lannister and his brother."
"Why him?" Dany asked in surprise.
"He's the only Lannister with sense," Rhaegar explained. "Besides, once Lyanna has dealt with Baelish I'll need a new master of Coin. He may be inflicted with dwarfism, but Tyrion has one of the sharpest minds in all seven kingdoms."
"And Jamie?" Dany asked curiously.
The Targaryen family exchanged looks. They had mixed feelings about that particular Lannister – however mad Aerys was, he was still family. If Kingslaying went unpunished, the Iron Throne would be seen as weak. However, Ginny was convinced he was a good man and had asked them to spare him should he survive to see the end of this conflict.
"Wars are won with soldiers." Lyanna said with an air of finality. "However checkered Ser Lannister's past may be, he is one of the greatest knights of this generation. If he bends the knee and fights for peace, he will be spared."
"Agreed." Dany decided. "That mercy will come with a price, of course, but I agree Auntie Lyanna."
"Aegon. Jon." Rhaegar called his two eldest sons to attention. "You must take King's Landing. Imprison the false royal family. Strafe their warriors. Let all of Westeros know the true Kings have returned."
Jon looked alarmed at this. "But father, I'm not ready." He protested.
"Neither am I." Aegon agreed. "But Winter is coming, Jon. We can't afford to wait."
The Diarchy was Ginny's idea. Having read the conflicts that multiple Targaryen ancestors had become embroiled in over confused line of succession – especially the war between Queen Rhaenyra and King Aegon II – she decided to subvert it from the get go by making both Aegon VI and Jon I kings.
Not only would this lesson confusion, but two kings were more likely to be better, fairer and more balanced than a single man who could go unchallenged.
"We will be there for you," Lyanna promised. "You are both good men. You will make great kings."
"And me?" Lillian asked, looking a bit crestfallen.
Ginny smiled at her. "You, Lillian Targaryen, have one of the most important tasks of all." Once she had the younger girl's attention, she said clearly, "Once I have brought Eddard Stark to safety, I want you to fly on Rhaenyra and turn Casterly Rock into a second Harrenhall."
"You'll be in command of half the Unsullied." Rhaegar added. "I want Tywin to learn that Lannisters aren't the only ones who pay their debts."
**Two Days Later, Harrenhall**
"...Lord Stark. Are you awake?"
Eddard blinked, his vision bleary from lack of water and good food. The depths of Harrenhall were used as a prison, and he had few visitors.
A tall glass was pressed into his hand. "Drink," The voice encouraged. It was a young woman.
Eddard drained the water glass dry and tried to focus on this strange ally. As his vision cleared, he saw a young woman with ruby red hair kneeling by his side – somehow she had gotten past the iron bars of the cell. She was wearing a concealing cloak with a hood, and her severe brown eyes were watching him with some concern.
It took him a moment to realize who she was looking at. "Queen Gryffin d'Or?" He guessed, his voice rasping from lack of use. The young woman nodded. "Rhaegar told me to expect you."
"Indeed. I'm sorry it couldn't be under more comfortable circumstances." Ginerva waved her hand over his shackles. Instantly, they came unlocked and clattered to the floor. "Can you stand up? We won't want to be here for much longer."
Eddard slowly stumbled to his feet; Ginerva held his arm to support him. "How did you get in here?" He asked.
"Magic. The same reason no one can hear us talking." Ginerva responded easily. "Follow me."
The door sprung open after she said this. Ned let her lead the way as they walked through the twisting underground. Whenever a soldier would turn the corner, Ginerva would mutter something and they would continue walking, seemingly oblivious to them.
"What have you done?"
"Notice me not." Ginerva explained. "To them, we may as well be invisible."
They reached the outside very quickly. Ginerva lead him over to a ragged old boot, causing Eddard to look strangely at her. "What...?"
"Transportation." The young Queen said. "Hold on to me; first travel by portkey tends to make you sick to your stomach."
She siezed the boot and suddenly the world was torn away, the sky whirling as they travelled across the land.
**Sunspear, Dorne**
"Call a maester!" Ginny instructed when the servants took the collapsing and sickly, former Lord of Winterfell from her. (Cersei had him stripped of all his titles before sending him to Tywin.) "He hasn't eaten in days."
"Ned," Lyanna said anxiously, running to keep step with her brother as he was lead away to the chambers prepared for him.
"He'll be alright, Your Grace." The maester said. "He needs time to rest."
Lyanna paused just before leaving the solar, her fists clenched tightly. Rhaegar walked over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders, muttering soothing words. Lillian looked quite upset to see her uncle in such a state.
"Do I fly now?" She asked simply.
Ginny smiled grimly. "Yes, Lily. Yes you do."
"Go with her." Rhaegar asked as Lillian rushed outside to mount Rhaenyra. "Keep her safe."
"Of course, Rhaegar."
**With Tyrion, Jamie and Daenerys**
"...And I once brought a jackass and a honeycomb into a brothel-"
"Tyrion, please, for the sake of my sanity, don't bring those memories back." Jamie pleaded, to the amusement of Tyrion's new paramour Shae and his bodyguard, the sellsword Bronn. Tyrion just grinned annoyingly at his elder brother; that particular incident had gotten both of them in loads of trouble with Tywin.
"Why, dear brother? You thought it was a good idea at the time." Tyrion japed.
"I didn't think you would actually go through with it!" Jamie protested.
"I'm surprised the brothel owner didn't ban you forthwith for that," Shae noted between chuckles.
"The whores would go begging from Casterly Rock to the Wall!" Tyrion said, pulling an expression of faux astonishment at the suggestion. At Shae's very annoyed look, he quickly added, "Though perhaps not now."
"You're going to need a better save then that, little lord, if you plan to keep one." Bronn remarked.
The laughter was broken up by a roar overhead.
Jamie looked up to the sky and let out a panicked curse, scrambling to his feet while going for his sword. Tyrion followed his gaze, and his three companions were treated to a rare sight – the youngest Lannister being at loss for words.
Hovering over them, in the sky, was a black scaled dragon. The sun glinted off its magnificent form, cool winds spreading as its wings churned the air. Sitting on its back was a young woman in leather armor, her platinum hair tied back in a simple braid. A Targaryen.
The dragon and his mistress hovered for a moment before slowly descending and landing on the ground. Jamie stood frozen, attempting to marshal himself to sell his life dearly to give Tyrion a chance to escape from the legend. However, the dragon made no move to attack.
His rider dismounted and took a few steps forward. She was very beautiful; wearing a man's armor did nothing to hide this. A sword was strapped to her side, but she made no move to draw it even as she was confronted by Jamie and Bronn.
"Jamie Lannister? Tyrion Lannister?" She inquired politely.
"That's us." Jamie said, being the first to regain his voice. "I'm surprised you, of all people, aren't calling me kingslayer – or attempting to feed me to your...pet."
The dragon snorted, sending a short wave of panic through the group once more. However, the rider rubbed his nose and made a soothing noise, and he did not roast them.
"I am Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen." Dany said. "I've been sent by my eldest brother, Prince Rhaegar, to find you. I wasn't aware you would have guests." She glanced between Shae and Bronn. "Might I have your names?"
"Shae." The prostitute said softly, staring spellbound at Balerion. "Your Grace." She curtsied, remembering her manners. "This is Bronn; he's in Tyrion's employ."
Dany sighed, "Well, if I had known there were more, I would have asked for Viserion instead of Visenya." She placed a hand on her hip. "I was sent to bring you to King's Landing. And I have not fed you to Balerion, Ser, because Lady Ginerva would be quite upset with me if I did."
"Ginerva...Ginny?" Jamie echoed faintly. "That little red haired common girl who stared down the Mad King?"
"She isn't a child anymore." Daenerys responded with a faint smile.
"Why King's Landing?" Tyrion asked. "I was making my way to father to see if I could convince him that a civil war is unnecessary."
"Your father will have other things to worry about very soon." Daenerys said, eyes narrowing slightly at the mention of Tywin. "I'm here because my family wishes for you to be spared."
She looked at Tyrion for a moment and smiled gently. "Have you ever wished to fly, Lord Tyrion? In the sky, even kings have no power."
Jamie knew she had won his brother over the moment she said that. Tyrion hesitantly approached Balerion and gazed at him. "Can he carry all of us?"
"He'll be a bit grumpy, and it will be a touch uncomfortable, but I don't see why not." Daenerys answered.
Tyrion and Shae were the first to approach, Jamie and Bronn hanging back uncertainly. Shae hesitantly raised a hand before saying, "He's beautiful, princess...can I touch him?"
Dany nodded. Shae caressed the scales near Balerion's wings, eyes closed as if trying to assure herself she wasn't dreaming. Balerion, who had always enjoyed attention, preened in response. Daenerys helped Tyrion onto the saddle before climbing on herself. Jamie finally decided that it was safe to approach. While Shae and Tyrion shared the large saddle with Dany, Jamie and Bronn sat somewhat precariously next to Balerion's wings.
"Fly," Dany whispered. Rhaegal pumped his wings and took to the air. Shae screamed at first as the ground hurtled away, but Tyrion laughed in a way he never had before as he looked down upon the world for the first time.
**At King's Landing**
Aegon and Jon flew just below cloud cover above King's Landing. On the ground, they were accompanied by 30,000 Essos troops, mixed with Unsullied. Not as big as the army inside Landing, but with Rhaegal and Viserion, that was immaterial. The dragons were the true power.
Both boys were wearing black spiked armor similar to that which Rhaegar had worn during the Rebellion. Jon had personalized his by making the helmet wolf shaped, a symbol of his mixed heritage. Aegon carried his namesake's sword, Blackfyre, which Rhaegar had found years before during a campaign with the Golden Company. Jon, meanwhile, had a Valyrian steel blade made specifically for him – Wolf's Rage.
Rhaegal snorted and Viserion growled.
"How shall we capture the false king, his wife and bastard children without cooking them alive first?" Jon asked.
"Burn the city around the castle." Aegon said. "They will have nowhere to go. Then, we'll fly inside and confront the Usurper personally."
"We must fight him together, honour be damned." Jon noted somewhat anxiously. "a shitty king the man may be, but he always was a fearsome warrior."
Aegon nodded in agreement. "No matter what happens, brother, stay by my side." He murmured.
"Done." Jon said with a warm smile. "As long as you do the same."
Aegon gave his brother a long look before raising the horn to the lips. "It is time."
BAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNNNN!
BAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNNN!
Below them, the troops shouted and began their march on the city.
Rhaegal roared and swooped down towards the castle, Viserion directly behind him. The smallfolk gasped and pointed as the creatures roared overhead. The dragons ignored the towns where the goodwives and the builders lived until they had reached the inner city.
The corrupt city guard hardly had time to mobilize before Rhaegal unleashed a torrent of flame upon them.
Janos Slynt and his men were immediately cooked alive, allowing the forces lead by Jon Connington to break through the city and begin systematically slaughtering Lannister/Barantheon soldiers.
-Inside the Red Keep-
"Bring me my sword!" Robert roared as he struggled to get to his feet. The soldiers were trying to bar the doors as Cersei and Joffery perched on the thrones in shocked alarm.
The roaring outside the city walls had sent several soldiers into a blind panic, dropping their weapons and running for cover.
The Red Keep was surrounded by a ring of fire. The doors were broken down, revealing Jon Connington, Oberyn Martell, and Barristan Selmy leading the charge of the Essos warriors.
"Martell...Barristan...you traitors!" Cersei hissed, all but rendered speechless with rage. "I'll have your heads on pikes...!
"Oh?" Oberyn laughed in her face. "I don't think so. Or did you miss the roaring outside?"
"As for being traitors...that's the pot calling the kettle black." Jon Connington said icily. "Or did you forget that you attempted to murder the Targaryen children, and did murder Princess Elia Martell?"
"The Targaryen bastards lost their right to live when they kidnapped Lyanna Stark!" Robert snarled.
"...Bastards? Have you not looked closely at your own children, Usurper?" Oberyn snarled, angered at the implication that Elia deserved her fate. "I would kill you myself... ...but there are a pair that deserve the honour more."
Another earsplitting roar, but this time it was much closer.
A moment later, the door swung open, revealing Aegon and Jon walking in. Jon removed his helmet so his opponents could see his face clearly.
Jon Connington stepped aside to allow the two brothers centre stage. "People of the court...may I present Prince Aegon of House Martell and Targaryen, sixth of his name. I present Prince Jon of House Stark and Targaryen, first of his name. Son of Rhaegar and Elia, son of Rhaegar and Lyanna Targaryen. True Heirs to the Iron Throne."
"Thank you, Lord Connington." Aegon said. He regarded Robert and Cersei with a cold stare. "You've gotten fat, Barantheon. I'm amazed you haven't crushed to death all the whores you bed."
"Lies!" Joffery spat. "The Iron Throne is mine! Kill the bastards, Dog!"
Sandor reluctantly drew his sword and stepped forward, but Jon raised a hand. "Before you raise your sword, Ser, may I ask you something? Why do you serve a selfish bastard who treats you with cruelty and contempt?"
When the Hound hesitated at this, clearly having asked the question himself before. Joffery adopted a fascinating mixture of outrage and pure confusion.
Jon pressed his advantage. "These families have no chance, Sandor Cleagne. Turn your cloak, and you will be spared and retain your position as a guardian to the royal family."
"I told you to kill them, dog!" Joffery snarled. "Do it before I have you put down!"
Sandor glanced between them before spitting on the ground. "Even a dog tires of being kicked." He said. He walked across the room to join the Targaryen forces. "Remember your promise, Prince."
Aegon nodded. "A wise choice, Cleagne. Now," His hateful gaze met Robert's. "Now, Usurper, are you brave enough to attempt to kill me and my brother with your own hands? The blood of the woman you claim to love?"
When he said this, Princess Lyanna herself strode into the room. She was dressed in her personal armor, the Knight of the Laughing Tree. She stood behind her son and adoptive son, her face cold and expressionless as Robert stared at her with blatant longing for a moment.
"Well?" Lyanna enquired coldly. "You hid behind assassins when you tried to murder Jon. If you are truly the just king, do it yourself."
Both Aegon and Jon drew their swords.
Oberyn and Barristan restrained Joffery and Cersei as Robert stood up and was handed a sword.
Robert was bigger than both boys and a lot heavier, but he was dramatically out of practice over the years. Both Aegon and Jon tended to think outside the box, and were younger and more agile. The battle raged for a minute until Jon hacked Robert's sword and off and Aegon sent him to his knees.
"Kneel before your true kings," Aegon said spitefully after doing this.
Jon Connington and Sandor both hauled Robert back as Aegon and Jon approached the throne. Oberyn handed Lyanna two crowns, one Aegon the Conquerors, the other a slender golden circlet made by the mother herself for this day.
The knights knelt, Barristan forcing Cersei and a raging Joffery to do the same, as Lyanna placed the crowns on the boys head. "Hail King Aegon Targaryen, Sixth of his Name, King of the Andals and Rhoynar. Hail King Jon Targaryen, First of his Name, King of the First Men. Protectors of the Realm and Guardians of the Weak."
Queen Mother Lyanna then stepped aside as Aegon and Jon delivered their first declarations.
"The Dragon has reclaimed his throne." Aegon stated, his voice ringing through the Red Keep. "Robert Barantheon was not a king and never has been; he is a Usurper who attempted to murder my father Prince Rhaegar and stole a throne he has no right to. He allowed the realm to fall into decay, ignoring the plight of those who relied on him. Uncle Oberyn, Lord Barristan, take him and his whore of a wife away. Bind his arm, he does not die until we give the word."
"Not to the Highborn Cells," Jon added as the two men moved to carry this out. "Those are too good for them. Throw them in the Black cells, with the traitors, murderers and rapers. As for you," He gave Joffery Barantheon/Lannister/Hill a look of pure contempt. "Joffery Hill, you are a bastard born of incest between Cersei Lannister and her cousin Lancel. You are stripped of your titles and are hereby imprisoned. Your maliciousness also resulted in the death of a butcher's boy, Mycah – you will answer for this at a later date."
Jon Conninton slugged Joffery at this to knock him out, since he was still proclaiming himself the rightful heir.
"Maester Pycelle," Aegon turned his attention to the Lannister toady, "Tommen and Myrcella Hill are your concern now. They cannot leave the city, but they are not to be harmed. Understood?"
"Y-Yes, my lord." A toady he may be, but Pycelle recognized both how the wind was turning and the implied threat of Aegon's words.
"Send the ravens," Jon commanded. "Tell the kingdoms the Dragon has returned. We extend our mercy to those who rebelled against our grandfather, but it is not infinite...and does not extend to Tywin Lannister. His words resulted in the murder of Elia Martell."
End Chapter
I've been reading A World of Ice and Fire, and reading about the Dance of Dragons made me think. I imagine Ginny, Rhaegar and Lyanna would want to find a way to avert such a thing in the future, thus both Aegon and Jon becoming king. As for Emily, Lillian, Rhaenys and Dany...we'll see more of them next chapter. The boys are crowned, but the conflict isn't over yet.
Read and Review please!