DAENERYS
In front of her appeared a pair of huge bronze doors, which opened as she approached. They guarded a gigantic stone hall and, on a raised throne with spikes sat an old man dressed in opulent clothes. A wrinkled old man with dark eyes and long silver hair.
- Let him be king of charred bones and scorched flesh," he said to a man below, "Let him be king of ashes.
Then Drogon roared and flapped his wings, but the man sitting on the throne did not hear him, and Dany advanced to meet another man, this one younger.
''Viserys'' was the first thing she thought when she stopped again, but as she looked at him more closely she changed her mind. That man had the same hair as his brother, but he was taller, and his eyes were dark indigo, not lilac.
- Aegon - said the man on the throne to a woman nursing a newborn on a large wooden bed - What better name for a king? -
- Will you compose a song for him? - asked the woman.
- He already has a song - replied the man - He is the prince who was promised to us, his is the song of ice and fire -
As he said that he looked up, his eyes met Dany's, and it was as if he saw her on the other side of the door.
''There must be one more," he said, though he did not know if he was talking to her or to the woman on the bed. The dragon has three heads.
He walked over to the recessed seat under the window, picked up a harp and plucked the silver strings. A sweet sadness permeated the room as the man, woman and baby vanished like the morning mist, and only the music remained to spur her on her way.
Now she crossed a narrow doorway into a room immersed in gloom. In that room there was a long table that occupied it almost entirely. She could see nothing, only a human heart, swollen, blue with decay, but still alive. It throbbed with a dull, heavy sound, and each beat caused it to emit a burst of indigo. Then she saw figures around the table, blue shadows that did not move.
- ... Mother of dragons... - a voice came to him.
- ...dragons... dragons... dragons... dragons... -
Some were male, some female, one spoke in a childish tone... The floating heart was pounding, passing from gloom to darkness. She struggled to muster the courage to speak, and remembered the phrases she had doggedly memorized.
- I am Daenerys Stormborn, of House Targaryen, Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.
The answer she received was as faint as the brush of a mouse's whisker.
- The dragon has three heads... mother of dragons... daughter of the storm... help her... tell her... mother of dragons... exterminator of lies...
The visions came faster and faster, one after the other, until it seemed as if the air had come to life. Shadows whirled and danced inside a tent, impalpable and terrible. A little girl ran barefoot toward a large house with a red door. Mirri Maz Duur howled in the flames. An army of eunuchs clashed shields and spears. Ten thousand slaves raised their bloodstained hands as she rode like the wind among them. Drogon flew over the sands of Meereen. Her fleet arriving at Dragonstone. She herself sitting on the Iron Throne.
But, at that moment, black wings fluttered around her head, a shriek of fury cut through the air. The visions crumbled and the shadows sitting on the table rose.
- Who are you? - she asked - I am not afraid of you -
- Sweet child of summer," said an old voice, "You don't know what fear is. Fear is for the winter, when the snow cover is fifty rods high and the wind howls icy from the north. Fear is for the long night, when the sun is hidden for years on end, babies are born, live and die in the dark... And the white walkers roam the forests -
Dany's labored breathing turned to a scream of terror. The dead surrounded her, blue, cold, whispering as they touched her. She had lost all muscle strength. She could not move.
And suddenly the blue turned to orange, the cold to fire, a knight in golden armor, bright as the sun, was driving away the wraiths with his steel. Behind him appeared a warrior wielding a flaming sword.
Dany turned and saw her dragons, wings outstretched. When she threw her head back the fire that shot from between her jaws was bright and burning.
- Drogon! - she called, and the dragon flew toward her in the midst of the fire.
He climbed on its back and, flying, flew away from the place. Now she heard only one voice. She had never heard it before, but it must be the voice of a king:
- There will come a day, after a long summer, a day when the stars will bleed and the icy breath of darkness will descend upon the world - it said - When that time comes, all of Westeros must be ready. If the world of Men is to survive, a Targaryen must sit on the Iron Throne. A king or queen strong enough to unite the realm against the cold and the dark.
She awoke shivering. The room had turned ice cold. Dany pushed aside the blankets and climbed out of bed. She saw that the fire in the fireplace had burned out and that the wind had blown the window open. She crossed the darkened room to close the shutters, but when she got there, her bare foot stepped on something wet. She was startled for a moment and stepped back. His first thought was that it was blood, but blood was never that cold.
It was snow, drifting in through the window.
Instead of closing the shutters, she opened them wide. Below, the courtyard was covered by a thin white blanket that was thickening before his eyes. The battlements of the walls wore white hoods. The flakes fell silently, and a few came through the window to melt on her face. Dany could see her breath.
- Winter is here - she said to herself - I hope it's not too late - she said to herself.
She closed the window, ran to the door and yanked it open. Ser Barristan, who was standing guard, jumped in fright.
- Your Highness? - he said - Is something wrong? -
Dany was panting.
- I did not mean to frighten you, my lord," she replied, "Have a raven sent to every castle in the Seven Kingdoms. At dawn we leave for Winterfell.
JAIME
It was a cold, gray, wet day. It had been snowing all night, but in the morning it began to pour, and the clouds had not yet cleared when it broke. At no time did they see the sun. Such adverse weather would be enough to discourage any man from starting on a journey. Some would even consider it a bad omen. But it was not enough to stop the dragon queen.
Jaime was not displeased either. Part of him was glad to leave King's Landing behind. He was not at all fond of the bootlickers and jesters that populated the court.
Forty knights and as many squires waited before the stables of the Red Keep. Half were men of the West, loyal to House Lannister; the others, loyal to the Targaryens. It almost amused him that Daenerys's reign was being sustained in large part by his support as newly appointed lord of Casterly Rock and warden of the West. ''My father must be turning in his grave.''
Jaime's palfrey was a ruddy sorrel; his fighting horse, a magnificent white sheldon. It had been many years since James had named his horses; he had seen too many die in battle, and if they had names, it was harder.
Ser Addam Marbrand and Ser Lyle Crakehall rode ahead of the rest of the knights to stand beside him. Addam had been Jaime's friend since they were boys and the Boar, whom he had met at Tommen's wedding, had become one of his trusted men.
In the courtyard of the keep they were joined by Tyrion, who rode as gracefully as he walked. Jaime had had a hard time getting Ser Addam to forgive Tyrion for Lord Tywin's murder, but he had succeeded. At least he tolerated his presence.
Before long the clamor of trumpets announced the queen's arrival. She rode across the courtyard on the back of her mare named silver. Jaime had never seen a woman ride like that.
She rode as if she had been born on a horse, surely thanks to her time with the Dothraki.
- Open the gates," the queen commanded.
- OPEN THE GATES! - the Boar repeated the order in a booming voice.
As they stepped out of the slough gate, amidst the sound of drums and violins, thousands of people waited to cheer them farewell. The children joined the march and walked alongside the soldiers with their heads held high and their legs marking the pace. The adults applauded and tried to get around the immaculates in order to get closer to the queen.
The bulk of her forces awaited on the other side of the city walls. Ser Addam left to join his advance guard of horsemen, Ser Steffon Swyft and the supply convoy, the spearmen formed at Lannisport, Lord Tywin's old personal guard... Over 20,000 infantrymen in scarlet cloaks awaited their general's orders. The queen's army was even more numerous and much noisier. The Unsullied clashed spears and shields at the sight of their arrival, and the Dothraki greeted them with war cries.
But the number of men was the least of Jaime's worries. If Daenerys was right, perhaps all the armies of the Seven Kingdoms would not be enough.
The queen's three dragoons came out of Dragonstone with a roar and flew past the pillar engulfed in fire. ''It has to be enough'' - she said to herself.
At such a short distance from King's Landing, the Kingsroad was as safe a road as a road could be in these times, but Jaime asked Marbrand and his riders to ride ahead.
- Robb Stark caught me unawares in the Whispering Wood," he acknowledged, "It won't happen to me again.
- You have my word - Marbrand's relief at seeing himself on horseback again was evident; he much preferred to wear the smoke-gray cloak of his house than the golden wool cloak of the City Watch - If there is any enemy within twelve leagues, you will know beforehand -
From Tyrion's mouth he had learned that the queen had appointed him general in command of both armies. He was sure his brother would have listed his many successes as a strategist at the siege of Riverrun and the War of the Five Kings, and he was not going to complain about it.
There on horseback, at the head of an army and with his sword at his waist, Jaime was satisfied. He smelled the scent of the countryside and the air caressed his hair like a woman's fingers. If he had to die in the North, he was going to make sure he savored the last moments of his life.
He realized he was thinking of Daenerys again, with her silver hair and violet eyes. He knew he had done the right thing in swearing allegiance to her, but she was the queen and Jaime a mere knight without honor, so it was best not to dwell on it.
That night they camped at the foot of the Hayford castle hill. As the sun set, a hundred tents were pitched on the hillside and along the banks of the stream that ran beside it. James organized the sentries himself. He had not expected trouble so close to the city, but his uncle Stafford had also thought himself safe at Oxen's Crossing. And there was no need for an enemy army. A single experienced assassin could end the queen's life, and with her dead, Westeros was lost. It was better not to take unnecessary risks.
When they received the queen's invitation to come up to dinner with the rest of the generals, Jaime went with Ser Addam and Ser Lyle. Outside the rain was pouring down relentlessly, but inside the tent the atmosphere was warm, thanks to the fire roaring in the torch sconces.
The future war was the subject of much comment during dinner, at least until the diners began their third glass of wine. The queen didn't want to explain much about what was to come, nor did she have to. That's what she's the queen for'' - Jaime said to himself. Deep down, he was intrigued by the young Targaryen's change of heart. A day before she had refused to accompany Jon Snow in his company, but today she was moving her entire army to Winterfell.
- The threat is real, that's all you need to know," Daenerys told Lyle Crakehall.
After that the comments about the army of the dead ceased and they could drink some wine in peace.
- Still no news from Highgarden? - asked ser Addam as they served the roast trout.
- Highgarden swore allegiance to the Iron Throne - answered Ser Barristan - Anything short of sending reinforcements to the North will be an act of treason -
- As long as there is someone left alive to collect that debt - replied Tyrion.
- No doubt - agreed Marbrand - But it is not difficult to invent some excuse when they are called upon for not having come -
- They will come - Jaime had drunk three glasses of wine, he felt more clumsy by the moment - Dragons are not difficult to see. They will fear the queen's wrath -
They all turned to Daenerys, who was silently sipping her drink.
- I have no reason to distrust the one who has sworn loyalty to me - she gave them a smile capable of melting ice - Lord Tyrion, do we know anything about Jon Snow? -
- Only that he is still in Dragonstone - answered the dwarf - But we have news of Winterfell -
- And what is it? - asked the queen.
- They thank us for our help and promise us food and shelter in the North.
- Your Majesty... - said Ser Lyle - Can we be sure that we will be well received? - Many of us here have fought against the Starks.
- Do not be afraid, my lord - Daenerys reassured him - Our differences no longer matter, this is beyond us all -
Jaime looked at the queen carefully, what did she know that the others did not? How could she have been so quickly convinced of the seriousness of the threat from the North?
They finished dinner conversing about more trivial matters. Anecdotes of war, stories of ancient Valyria, passing adventures...
- Thank you very much for the company, my lords - said Daenerys when they finished dinner - For today we are done. I want to speak alone with my privy council - she said as the others stood up to leave - Also with you, Ser Jaime -
Obedient, the rest of the soldiers and servants said goodbye and left, Missandei first, and Crakehall and Marbrand last. When only Daenerys, Tyrion, Ser Barristan and Jaime were left in the tent, they closed the curtain.
- I think I owe you an explanation -
- You don't have to justify anything, your majesty - Tyrion answered - the queen orders, the others obey -
- I'll explain anyway - she sighed - I had a dream last night. A different dream -
- I beg your pardon, your highness? - asked Ser Barristan.
- The dragon has three heads Do you know what that means? -
- The coat of arms of House Targaryen is a three-headed dragon, red on black," the old knight pointed out.
- I know that. But there are no three-headed dragons -
- Aegon and his sisters - Tyrion reminded - Three dragons and three riders conquered Westeros -.
- Visenya and Rhaenys - confirmed Daenerys - I descend from Aegon and Rhaenys by way of their son Aenys and his grandson Jaehaerys -
- You are right, your majesty - said the dwarf - but do you want to suggest something? If you have trouble falling asleep we can give you sweet dreams. It works, I assure you. I used to give it to my sister myself when I wanted her to leave me alone.
- My sleeping problems don't matter - the queen refused - I'm concerned about the things I saw. I saw a beating heart, I saw Meereen, I saw Yunkai, I saw my father, my brother, I saw the army of the dead... -
Jaime understood her. He had also had prophetic dreams. He was there because of a prophetic dream.
- Do you know what the Song of Ice and Fire is? - Daenerys asked.
''Know it? No,'' the Lannister said to himself. But he had been thinking about it ever since he saw it in his dream ''If I explained it to them they would think I had gone mad. And they might be right.
- I've never heard it,'' Ser Barristan replied, ''Did you dream it too? -
- My brother told me, I'm sure it was him - she explained - Not Viserys, Rhaegar. He had a harp with silver strings on it.
- It is true that Prince Rhaegar had such a harp - acknowledged the old knight with a frown so furrowed that his eyebrows drew together - Did you see it? -
Daenerys nodded.
- There was a woman in a bed, nursing a baby. My brother said it was the prince who had been promised to them, and he said they would name him Aegon -
- Prince Aegon was Rhaegar's heir, born to Elia Martell," Tyrion said.
- But if he was the prince who was promised, the promise was broken along with his skull when the Mountain smashed his head against a wall - Jaime pointed out.
- I remember - said the queen sadly - They also murdered his daughter, Rhaenys. Her name was the same as Aegon's sister. There was no Visenya, but she said that the dragon has three heads. I do not understand, what is the song of ice and fire? -
''I wish I knew.''
- Anyway - the queen sighed deeply - I have to meditate on this. You may go and rest -
They bowed and left her alone. But later, when James was already in his tent, he began to have doubts. He, too, had dreamed of the Song of Ice and Fire. It had not been a normal dream, no dream could be so real.
He went outside to clear his head. The night was getting colder and colder, and a sliver of moon shone in the sky. The wine had evaporated and his head was clear, but he knew he would not be able to sleep if he went to bed.
He saw that in Daenerys's tent the light was not yet out, and by the time he realized it, he had made his way to her.
She was reclining on a few cushions. Barefoot, her silver hair neatly disarranged, her indigo brocade robe reflected the candlelight as she looked up.
- Lord Jaime? - she said in surprise, "What are you doing here? -
"Lord" - it sounded strange to her.
- It will suffice to be Jaime, your highness. I have something to tell you -
''How shall I explain it to you?''
- Earlier you were asking if we knew the Song of Ice and Fire... -
- Do you know it? -
- Not exactly - he sighed - I dreamt it too -
She looked at him with her eyes like saucers.
- You? - she jumped to her feet - When? -
- The night before we met -
- That was... - she looked at him thoughtfully - Why didn't you tell me anything? -
- I wasn't sure it was a good idea. "Why do I want to tell her? She's not Cersei'' - I'm not even sure now -
- Talk, I want to hear it - she urged him - What was it you dreamt? -
He sat down, ready to make way for the memories.
- I was in a dark room, alone, surrounded by enemies - He heard himself say - On the floor, in front of me, I had a sword. When I picked it up it burst into flames... -
- Burst into flames? - Daenerys interrupted him - In my dream I saw a warrior with a flaming sword - ...
- ... And then I saw you - Jaime paused - You appeared in the cave, you were on fire too -
"With flames of twenty meters" - I could still see it - "You were burning with the strength of a dragon.
- I appeared in your dream? - The queen looked almost embarrassed - And what did I do? -
- A voice was telling me that as long as you did not extinguish, I would live -
Daenerys sat up and wrapped herself in the lion's skin.
- Is that what made you want to serve me? - she asked with a tone that almost sounded like disappointment.
- I might have served you all the same - Jaime suddenly felt the need to see her encouraged - I told you, you were a reason to live. If you hadn't come I would have left you to die in King's Landing -
She smiled slightly, but that was enough to feed the Kingslayer's heart.
- And... What about the Song of Ice and Fire? - he asked her.
- I heard that at the end - he answered - A voice whispered that only fire could stand against ice, a Song of Ice and Fire -
Daenerys buried her face in her hands. Jaime did not know if he should approach. '' ''Is it not my duty to comfort her? ''
- Should it mean anything? - I am tired of so many questions without answers.
- That dream has made you march north. It has already meant something -
- Maybe it's true - she said as she brushed a strand of silver hair away from her forehead - Maybe our paths have crossed for some reason -
It was a very strange comment.
- Why do you think that? -
- Perhaps the gods wanted us to join forces to defend the Wall.
Gods? What gods? Perhaps the father god of all? The unknown one? For Jaime the warrior had been his god since he was old enough to wield a sword. Other men might be fathers, sons, husbands, but not Jaime Lannister. He was a warrior, he had never been anything else.
- I doubt it, your highness - he replied - The gods have never listened to me -
- I could say the same - Daenerys pursed her lips - We have a right to be disappointed in them -
As she said it, the queen closed her eyes and was slow to open them. She is tired - Jaime knew.
- You need to sleep - said Jaime - It's not much longer until dawn -
- We both need to sleep - she nodded - We'll dream of more beautiful days -