They heard the Green Fork before they saw it, a constant murmur, like the growl of a huge beast. The river was a boiling torrent, there was no way to ford such a current or swim across.
Although the land had once been gentle, there was little left of the crops, orchards and farms that had populated those fields. All they found on the rolling hills leading down to the Green Fork was mud and ash, and sometimes the charred ruins of houses and mills. That wasteland was full of mud, but nothing resembling a crop. Wherever she looked, Daenerys saw the remnants of war, even in the bones that glimmered from time to time beside the road. Almost all of them were sheep, but there were also horse bones, cow bones, and the occasional human skull. And all of it, soaked, just like them. It had been raining for three days. A fine but incessant rain.
The entrance towers emerged like ghosts in the rain, misty gray apparitions that became more and more solid as they approached. The Frey stronghold was not one castle, but two; two identical images of wet stone standing on opposite banks of the waters, linked by a great arched bridge. In the center was the Water Tower, under which the river flowed swiftly. Channels had been dug from the shore to create moats that turned each twin into an island.
On the other side of the troubled waters, Daenerys spotted a small regiment of soldiers; there were no large armies around the Twins, as they had found them at Sweetwater. At the ancestral home of House Tully they had been joined by more than a thousand soldiers loyal to Emmon Frey, uncle of Jaime Lannister. There awaited them, at most, a hundred and fifty armed men.
Four Frey horsemen emerged from the keep wrapped in heavy cloaks of thick gray wool. Dany thought she recognized Lord Walder. He had sworn fealty to her in King's Landing. Jaime confirmed her assumption.
- The first one they call Black Walder, - he announced, -He is more dangerous than all his brothers put together -
They stopped to let their hosts approach them. When they were half a dozen meters away, Viserion flew past them until he was lost in the clouds.
The palfrey of one of the Freys recoiled with a whinny of terror, and another reared up and knocked its rider down. The only one who could control his mount was Walder the Black, who needed only a little tug on his reins. Then he bit spurs again and trotted up to them.
- Your Majesty, - he said in a somewhat disrespectful tone, -It is an honor to receive you -
- We are just passing through, my lord - Dany was suspicious of the Freys. She knew well what was said about them.
- You will be allowed to pass without toll, your highness - The thin, cracked lips of Walder the Black twisted into a sullen gesture - But I would wish you to accompany us tonight. Otherwise someone might say that the queen passed through my lands and was not welcomed. That would give the family a bad name -
- Here we have an honest man - Jaime said with a wry smile.
- You honor me, Kingslayer - Walder the Black replied in a voice that chilled the heart.
Walder the Black fixed his weasel eyes on him, small, dark and distrustful, but Jaime kept his gaze unblinking.
- It will be a pleasure for me and my companions to spend the night here - Dany interjected.
- We have arranged rooms for you in the water tower, your highness - added Lord Walder with cautious courtesy - And also for your bannermen - he said looking at James - If you will be so kind as to follow me, I will show you the way - he said.
He turned the palfrey around and headed towards the Twins.
- Your Highness, you would do well to avoid those men - said Ser Barristan.
- Those men will put a roof over our heads tonight - she replied - we have been riding in the rain for days - I would stay here for as long as it takes.
- I would stay here as long as strictly necessary, my queen. House Frey lost its name and its honor at the Red Wedding.
- I don't need their honor - she said with a smile - Only their knights -
- It is the code of chivalry, not the sword, that makes a knight - the old man finished - Without honor, he is no different from a common assassin -
''My old knight'' - thought Dany - ''He will always protect me. That made her feel safer, but at the same time sad. She trusted him, but she felt she needed more than a faithful sword. All the men she had trusted were dead or had betrayed her. Jorah, Ben Plumm, Drogo... Even Daario.
She was of the dragon's blood. She had defeated her enemies at Astapor, at Yunkai, at Meereen. She had regained the Iron Throne. A dragon could slay anyone who rose up against him. But a dragon could not sire a son, nor cradle him, nor watch him grow.
''And who would dare love a dragon? ''
The cold water against his skin brought him out of his thoughts. It was raining harder and harder, and she was already chilled to the bone, so she chopped spurs to her silver. The others trotted after her. Jaime rode just ahead, and Ser Barristan, a little behind, on the back of his gray pinto. To their left, Tyrion lurched back and forth on his mare. The rest followed in a procession that was lost on the horizon.
They trotted on until they reached the gate keep. Their dragoons flew over the bridge every few minutes. On one occasion, Rhaegal landed on one of the towers, causing the horses to neigh nervously and the chickens, dogs and pigs to run back and forth.
- Can you tell your beasts to stay away from here? - asked Lord Walder - They frighten the animals - they are my children, my lord - he answered.
- They are my children, my lord - Dany answered with a smile - They will not want to leave their mother's side.
- Then chain them up somewhere - commented Steffon Frey, one of the riders who went to meet them - A mile from here there are... - They are dragons, not dogs - he finished.
- They are dragons, not dogs," she finished, "And they are dangerous to those they do not trust.
Lord Walder did not seem satisfied, but added nothing. Instead he clapped his hands and several servants came out to meet him. They carried jugs of wine and trays of bread, cheese and butter.
- If my queen feels more comfortable with her ''children'' hanging around, so be it - he took a glass of red, raised it with a gloved hand and said - You are my guests, my honored guests. I welcome you under my roof -
- We thank you for your hospitality, my lord - she replied.
Tyrion explained to her that offering food and drink to guests meant welcoming them under protection, so Dany tasted the wine and nibbled some bread.
When she had seen the outside of the castle she had feared that her chambers would be gloomy and sad, but apparently the Freys had decided to show themselves generous. His chamber was large and the furnishings luxurious, dominated by a large bed with a feather mattress whose posts were carved in the shape of castle turrets. The draperies were black and red, the Targaryen colors, a courtly detail. The wooden floors were covered with pleasant-smelling carpets, and the tall shuttered window faced south.
- If you need anything, just tell one of the guards," said a servant who, after a bow, walked away down the stairs.
Dany undressed and hung the wet clothes in front of the fireplace. Then she washed herself and asked Missandei to brush her hair until it was dry. When the girl had gone, she lay down on the bed and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, the sun had long since gone down, so Dany put on a violet dress of coarse wool and went out in search of company.
She did not have far to go, for she found Ser Barristan on the other side of the door, standing tall as a sword and with a puddle of water at his feet.
- You may go and wash yourselves, my good knight, I am safe here -
- The queen can only be safe if a sworn sword guards her, your majesty - answered the knight.
Dany knew that the old man would not rest easy until they were many miles from the Twins. She would have preferred to camp in the open, as they had done so far, but her men needed to spend one night dry.
"Just one night and we'll set out for Winterfell.
- Look, here comes Ser Jaime - she said pointing to the Lannister, who appeared at the end of the corridor with clothes already dry - you can go and change without fear, he will protect me in your absence -
Ser Barristan bowed and left her alone with Jaime.
- Your Highness - he greeted - The violet suits you very well, it matches your eyes - Ser Barristan bowed and left her alone with Jaime.
- Ser Jaime - she said while she looked at her dress, blushing - It seems to be raining less - she pointed while she looked out the window.
- Now that we are under cover, yes - Jaime shrugged - Shall I accompany you somewhere? -
- Yes - he managed a smile - Guide me to the great hall -
Outside the rain was pouring down relentlessly, but inside the great hall the atmosphere was overheated and rarefied. In the fireplace the fire was roaring, and on the walls rows and rows of torches burned smoky in their iron sconces.
Dany took a place on the dais, between Jaime and the empty chair that would belong to Ser Barristan. It did not look like a gala dinner, so they raised their arms to be brought something to eat. They were served pike poached in almond milk and bowls of mashed turnips. They were not dishes worthy of a banquet attended by the queen, but they did not complain.
A fly buzzed next to her face. Dany shooed it away, annoyed, but it came back instantly.
- There are too many flies - she complained.
- That's because we're surrounded by the dead - Jaime smiled - The more corpses, the more flies -
- That's what a mercenary I once knew told me -
- A mercenary? -
''A Tyroshi mercenary who broke my heart when he betrayed me''.
- He died a long time ago - she answered. She didn't feel like talking about Daario Naharis - Nothing for you to worry about -
Her standard-bearers were still entering the hall. She watched as Addam Marbrand charmed the girl next to him and as Lyle Crakehall reenacted the battle for King's Landing with bits of bread, nuts and carrots. Another of the Lannister officers sat a maid on his lap and asked her to fondle his chest. Beyond, at the same table, the Freys began to pile in.
That's when Tyrion appeared, waddling over to the table with his duck-like gait.
- Did I miss any fun? - he asked as he sat down.
- The wine has just been poured," replied Jaime.
- Good, then I'm on time.
The next course arrived. Roast mutton accompanied by poached onions. Meanwhile, a Frey, who had defeated another of his cousins in a drinking competition, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, stood up and began to sing.
- "There was a bear, a bear, a bear! He was black, he was huge, covered with hideous fur! -
He didn't have a bad voice, although the alcohol was making his tongue stuck. Unfortunately, the fiddlers and drummers in the upper gallery were playing ''spring flowers,'' the tune of which was as suitable to the lyrics of ''the bear and the maiden'' as dressing a cow in a silk dress. So some of his Frey cousins remarked to him, throwing a jug of wine over him to shut him up.
- If you want to greet any Frey, call him Walder," Tyrion told her, "Walder Frey was a grumpy old man who lived to fondle his young wives and brood over all the offenses he had suffered. He outlived four lords of Riverrun and, during those years, his sons, nephews and grandsons called his children Walder to try to curry favor with him -
- Are they all named Walder? - asked Dany, incredulous.
- Not all - Jaime corrected her - I knew a Merret Frey when I was a squire at Crakehall. He was the castle bully: he used to bully young boys. When I arrived, he tried to intimidate me... -
- And we figured out what you did to him, brother," Tyrion interrupted him. "He was the father of Ami Keep, wasn't he? -
- Gateway Tower? - Dany asked.
- She raises his rake at every passing knight - the dwarf explained.
She knew she shouldn't laugh, but a smile escaped him. It was then that the musicians in the gallery, without a moment's pause, began to play another song. A very different song. No one sang the words, but Daenerys recognized it instantly.
- The Rains of Castemere - Tyrion announced - By all accounts, the last time it played in these halls they murdered a king -.
"The Red Wedding. Several Lannister bannermen then rose to sing a few verses of the song as they toasted with their mugs full of mead.
''And who, are you, the proud lord said'' - At once they swirled around the dais, the drunker ones first, as always. They clinked their tankards, cheered one another, happy and laughing. Even Tyrion jumped up and went to join the revelry - ''in a coat, of gold, or a coat of red, the lion still has claws'' - Dany would have liked to have felt like laughing and singing, but seeing all those men celebrating only made her grief grow. ''Perhaps none of them will survive the winter'' - she knew - ''Many of them will have wives and children and never see them again.''' Suddenly he felt an immense need to breathe fresh air.
He saw that Jaime had not joined the celebration either. He seemed as unhappy as I was. ''And so he spoke, and so he spoke, the lord of Castamere, and now the rains weep o'er his hall, and no, a soul to hear''
- Ser Jaime - she called to him - Come with me, please, I need to get out of here -''.
Outside the Great Hall, the tower was a silent place, full of dust and shadows. Jaime took a lantern to prevent him from stumbling. The outer walls were several rods thick. Between them, sounds echoed across the black brick arches. They crossed under three giant arches and descended a torch-lit ramp to the lower level. Three times they passed immaculate guards, so motionless they seemed made of stone. Ser Barristan had taken care to position his own soldiers to ensure that he would not witness another ''Red Wedding.''
At last they arrived before a pair of gigantic iron gates with rusted hinges, guarded by guards of House Frey. Dany gave the order to open it and one of them pulled out an iron key. The door opened amidst creaking hinges.
The bridge was silent and deserted. The lone sentry was wrapped in his cloak to protect himself from the cold at the top of the battlements. He looked bored, no doubt regretting having to be there alone. It had finally stopped raining, but the dampness still lingered in the air. She filled her lungs with the smell of wet grass. Below them, the river flowed incessantly. Dany leaned on the railing to get a better view.
- Don't come any closer - Jaime grabbed her arm.
- Do you think I'm drunk? -
- I don't know, but I'd rather not wait until you fall in the water to find out -
She turned to look at him. His face reminded her of Daario, though she didn't quite know why. He was taller, had finer features and his eyes were emerald green.
- I've been watching you during the banquet - Dany said - You looked sad -
Jaime made an effort to hide his feelings, but they were there, exposed on his face.
- We knights are like that - he answered - Didn't Ser Barristan tell you? -
- You don't have to confess anything to me if you don't want to - she said - But I know sorrow when I see it -
She leaned against the cold black stone of the bridge to look out over the stream.
- I feel the same as you - Dany said to the river - I want to keep the kingdom safe, I really do - She didn't know why, but next to Jaime she felt entitled to vent - Nobody kept me safe when I was little. Well, yes, being Willem, but then he died, and Viserys... But now I'm the one who must protect the rest... how hard it is. How hard it is to be strong. I don't always know what to do. But I have to know. I am the... the
- You are the queen," said Jaime.
She shuddered to hear him.
- The mad queen - she sighed - I lead my people to the North to pursue a dream -
- They'd follow you to hell if you asked them to, your highness -
- How do you know? How long before they wonder if their queen has lost her mind? - ''Will this be the scourge Tyrion spoke of'' - don't you wonder if I am mad? -
- Without you I would have left me to die in the cell -
She was used to all kinds of praise, but no one had ever made her heart race like that.
- That's true. I have never asked you about... - Dany wanted to be careful with the matter of Cersei Lannister's death - Do you feel ready to talk about it? -
- She had the same look as your father - he murmured - Eyes wide open, fascinated by the idea of seeing the city engulfed in flames. When I saw her I knew there was no turning back, she had gone mad -
- I know how you feel - she whispered - I had the man I loved executed - ''Daario Naharis'' - At night, when I try to sleep, I tell myself that I had no other choice -
- Did he betray you? - asked Jaime.
- He tried to assassinate me - she answered - In Meereen, after helping me defeat the masters, he tried to stab me in the back - it pained her to remember - I still wonder why do something like that. We had won, he could have come with me to Westeros -
- How did you survive? -
- I saw his reflection in a mirror - Dany remembered - I saw how he pulled out the dagger and I could call for help. That night I executed him. I knew I was going to carry the guilt for the rest of my life, but I didn't expect it to hurt so much.
- You can't blame yourselves for what you did -
- I wish that would make it hurt less -
Dany looked at him, helpless. Good thing the dragons weren't crying.
- Had you talked about this with anyone? -
- No - she admitted - Never -
It was obvious that was the answer Jaime was waiting to hear.
- It seems we both have the blood of our lovers on our hands.
- The gods must be having fun - she said - Why give us the privilege of dreaming prophecies? - she wanted to know - Two monstrous people, daughters of monstrous parents, whose hands are stained with blood -
- I've known many monstrous people in my life - the moon flashed in Jaime's eyes - And you're not one of them -
The compliment in Jaime's mouth meant much more than the most complex praise.
- Do you think all this makes any sense? - she thought to ask - Just a year ago I was in Meereen, fighting against the sons of the Harpy and now... Everything is going too fast -
Jaime paused for a moment to think.
- I think, for the first time, it all makes sense.