Chapter 17:

I am SO SO sorry for the delay. My profs decided that the first week of uni shouldn't be a settling in period anymore and decided to swamp me with work so I couldn't update. Hopefully you all accept my humblest apologies and this update will make up for it. I'll try get the next one up within the next 2 days like I had promised before.

Meereen had a queen. The time had come to begin the war again. Yunkai had been restored to her rule and Astapor was under one of hers again. Westeros still called to her. Drogon flew above her, almost as big as a house now. Her people now feared that sheep and goats would not be enough for her children anymore. This fear had propelled her decision to leave Slaver's Bay and reclaim her kingdom. When her army had marched out of Meereen, she hoped that the people would cheer her on, showing once more how much Ashley had changed Meereen for the better, in their eyes. To have Westeros like this one day, under my rule, she thought, that is my wish.

"Khaleesi, they have arrived." Missandei spoke quietly.

"Lead the way."

Ashley rose from her chambers and made her way to the throne room where her bloodriders, captains and other dignitaries had gathered at her bidding. She had spent many long hours here dealing with all that encompasses ruling a city, from the mundane of law-keeping to the more devious plays in politics. Her silks flowed behind her. She had dressed to command as she did not want any arguments with this decision. The time had come and there was no option but to go.

The gathered men rose as she entered and waited until she was seated on her throne. "Thank you for coming. I understand you all have many things to attend to so I shall be quick. The city is peaceful, Slaver's Bay is no longer a slaver bay and Yunkai has returned to my control. I thank those responsible for seeing that my orders were carried out. There is but one thing left to do which is to leave Meereen and continue my quest to be queen again…in Westeros."

Silence greeted her then voices rose as all who were willing to raise their suggestions or disagreements tried to understand her reasoning. Those who kept silent were her bloodriders and her handmaids. Ashley held up a hand. "One by one you shall state what you need to say not shout out at me as if I am your servant."

"Your Grace." Khial, a noblemen of the new Meereen, a man with a sharp mind and an eye for weakness. "Is this wise? The war will bring many troubles against you and your army which you could avoid by remaining here, in Meereen."

"I have considered all and I can never be satisfied until I am in my rightful throne, in the Sun City."

"What of us?" Another called out.

"Step forward and state your case."

Restaad came to the front. Another who feigns concern for me and my people, Ashley thought. "Your Grace, if this is the path you have chosen to pursue now who shall remain behind to oversee all you have worked to achieve? Surely not your captains as you would need them in battle. But who amongst us, is fit to lead the people now?"

"Are you placing yourself forward Restaad?"

"If that is your wish, than I will." Restaad replied, a bow following.

"Who else is prepared to appeal to me as a man who can do bidding without the threat of his queen behind him?"

A few other noblemen stepped forward. None of them will carry on what I have done. Greed rules them all.

"I thank you for your determination. However, I have already decided who I shall leave behind in my stead and I shall announce it on the morrow. Are there any more who would like me to hear what they have to say?"

Although angered by her reluctance to announce a successor, none of the noblemen of Meereen were prepared to raise her anger at them before she had even stepped foot out of the palace.

"That is all then. My captains shall remain behind. The rest, you are free to return to your duties."

Many left, most still bewildered, though a few were already plotting to see how this opportunity would benefit them once Ashley had left. One remained, though.

"Yes Ghael, what will you have me do?" Ashley asked the envoy from Astapor.

"Your Majesty, my former master may have sent me here to gain your hand but I stayed for another reason."

"Go on."

"There is talk, Your Grace, all around the city, that you favour some more than others." His eyes shifted to Spencer in an instant and returned to face the eyes of his queen. "I thought it right to inform you of this my queen as I am your humble servant."

"What talk?" Ashley's eyes began to lighten.

He hesitated. "I…I do not think it is appropriate to inform you what is spoken of in the scullies and underways, Your Grace. I thought I should warn you of what is circling here."

"I saw your eyes Ghael. Speak freely."

"The noblemen believe you have been engaging in behavior not fit for a queen but more fit for a…" he became silent when he faced her eyes again.

"Fit for what?" A question that sliced through the room.

"Fit…fit for a barbarian queen."

Those still in the room stopped breathing once the sentence had been uttered.

"Is it the scullies that this flows through or more the great and noble houses of Meereen." Ashley's tone had become venomous.

"I…"

"Stop. I shall hear no more. Thank you for your loyalty Ghael. Take this back to your consorts who I am sure you will discuss all with outside my doors, that what I do is my choice. I am not bound to them as they are bound to me, lest they have forgotten that. This shall be spoken of once and only once. None can debase what I do until I am dead. As you can see I am still alive, in all my barbarian glory, and this barbarian is not afraid to punish all those who seem to have forgotten what it means to serve a queen. Is that understood Ghael?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Make sure Restaad and Khial understand this as well Ghael."

The thin Astapori walked out of the room, sweaty from fear. Once all had heard this, he was sure, that if any more talk was incited by him and others, it would end with their heads posted outside the city gates.

"Speak ser. Was I too harsh in your mind? Did I seem mad with the taint?"

Ser Barristan strode forward. "Not mad, nor harsh my queen. They needed reprimand and they shall receive it."

"And you? What do you think of all this talk?"

"We are your loyal servants, Your Grace. I, and your bloodriders bear no ill will to anything you might do."

"Unless it was to stop us when we begin to battle with another." Jhogo said.

Ashley smiled. My riders and their lust for war. "I know you well my soldiers. I know better than to stop you in your fight." Her eyes became dark again. "Prepare to ride soon. There is a war to be one and many days' march until we battle. You are all dismissed."

When all had left except for Missandei and Spencer, Ashley shrunk into her throne. If Ghael had continued I might have fed him to my children. Maybe I still should. They try my patience too much.

"Ashley?"

Ashley rose up in her throne. "Yes Spencer."

"I feel that I have wronged you."

"In what way?"

"The tales moving through the palace are about me, are they not? Maybe we should not speak so much as friends but more as a handmaid to her queen."

"No. I will not allow it. They may say all they want to say but I am queen and I have the final commandment. Do not worry yourself about those fools. The only person you should try please is me." Ashley smiled at the flush on Spencer's face. "Before I forget, I have been meaning to mention this to you. I want you to train with Aggo before we march for Westeros. I know you can handle a sword but I want you to be able to do it well. You are after all, always by my side and I shall always need your protection."

"Should not your bloodriders look after that?" Spencer asked quietly. I always want to be by your side.

"They do but not always. They are not there when I take my baths or when I sleep, you, my handmaids are and I would be happier if at least one of you knew how to fight and fight well."

"But what of the rumours. Surely your other handmaids would notice me?"

"They will and they will not complain. They know that what I do is entirely up to me and they will not question it. It is settled then. When you are free you shall meet Aggo and he shall train you."

"I shall."

"Good. Now come, I think this would be a good time for a walk. Being in this room always threatens to take my joy away from me for as long as possible."

Spencer smiled.

"Ah, you see. Even you cannot stand the feeling of dullness that swirls in this place. Missandei come with us."

It is true, I do not, but being able to gaze at you without any interference seems to make up for it, Spencer thought as she listened to her queen call out to her dragons.

"Sometimes in life, it is easier to accept that things shall be whether we want them to be or not." Missandei spoke as she followed Ashley into the courtyard.

"What do you mean?" Spencer questioned.

"We are not blind Spencer. We know you care for the Khaleesi, maybe more so than others. She cares for you too. I think you know this. So let those who wish to talk continue with their talk. The Khaleesi has become stubborn and I think this is one issue she will not conform to. Oh, and if you did not know this already, she cares for you just as much as you care for her."

"Are you two going to spend all day speaking or are you going to join your queen on her journey?"

"We are coming, Khaleesi." Missandei said as she joined Ashley. Spencer followed soon after, a small smile on her face.

Okay so I'm gonna zip down the timeline a bit coz we still have to get Ashley's army to Westeros then to the war then…ah well I can't give away the whole plotline but don't be surprised if a chapter begins in a completely different place okay?