Chapter 7

"Shall we go over the plan again?" Ser Barristan said in attempt to pull her from her thoughts.

"No, we are good." Aeryelle replied.

He worried for his queen. She hadn't been the same since the meeting with Jamie. She had only confirmed to him what he already had learnt from his spy at King's Landing but Ser Barristan knew there was something she hadn't told him.

He knew that Jamie and Aeryelle had always shared a special bond but this went beyond heartbreak. Jamie had proven his loyalty to her when he allowed her to plunge her sword into his body, well aware that he might die. Then he had turned on Lord Stark and killed one of Aeryelle's best friends. Ser Barristan could only guess at the mix of emotions she was going through.

"I should be on my way. It will take me three days to reach the Stark army." He said.

"Yes, you should." Aeryelle said absentminded.

Ser Barristan climbed his horse, ready to go, when she snapped out of it.

"Have a safe travel my friend! I am glad destiny has led us together again because there is no one I would have rather by my side." She exclaimed, meaning every word of it.

Ser Barristan nodded and went on his way.

He would meet the Stark army and tell them that Queen Aeryelle Targaryan had risked her own life to free Lord Stark and was on her way with him. If she succeeded she was certain the Stark banners would follow her.

The only problem she foresaw was that Arya and Sansa were also at King's Landing and to their knowledge they were alive. She knew Eddard well enough that he wouldn't want to leave his daughters behind. She had to make him understand that he wouldn't be there to protect them if he died.

She had decided to take four dragons apart from Daemon. It was time people saw firsthand how deadly they were. She was sure more Houses would swear her fealty to her, once they saw.

Three days later she had walked into the castle hidden among the rest of the crowd that had gathered. She looked to the sky and thanked the gods it was a cloudy day. Daemon and the others were waiting for her command to descend.

Aeryelle made her way to the podium and there they were:

Cersei the Queen in an impeccable gown stood next to Sansa who looked equally beautiful but pale and she was too close for comfort to Ser Meryn Trant. Jamie stood next to the king. Aeryelle took a close look at Joffrey: He was a handsome boy she had to give him that but his eyes showed a cruelty so obvious even a blind man could see it.

Jamie had been right she thought. Joffrey would never grant Lord Eddard mercy. His eagerness to hace someone executed would get the better of him.

The next minutes passed in slow motion for Aeryelle. She heard Lords Eddard's "confession", Joffrey's sentence and Sansa's wailing, as well as Cersei's pleas. Then just as Ser Ilyn Payne was swinging Ice, Lord Eddard's sword, the whizzing sound of an arrow was heard and Ser llyn lay an his back, an arrow stuck in his left eye.

The public had fallen silent in shock.

Lord Jared from the North hadn't exaggerated when he had said his archers were the best and each of them had eagerly volunteered when they learnt the mission was to free their liege Lord. "Who did this? Show yourself!" Joffrey yelled suddenly.

"He can't, because I ordered him to disappear after he has done his duty." Aeryelle replied from under the hood calmly but loud enough to get his attention.

"And who are you?" Joffrey asked his voice trembling as knew the answer.

"The rightful Queen of the Seven Kingdoms." Aeryelle said triumphantly as she pulled back her hood. Instead of looking at Joffrey however she stared at Cersei in an unspoken challenge.

Then hell broke loose as the soldiers and the Kingsguard snapped out of it.

Aeryelle ran towards the stage as the people stormed away from her, arrows started raining down on her. "Drakaris!" She yelled and Daemon and his brothers descended from the cloud cover engulfing her in flames.

The Kingsguard was trying to persuade Joffrey to leave but he was only yelling bloodthirst in his eyes: "Kill her! Kill her!"

When she reached Lord Eddard he immidiately understood when he saw the shimmering Valyrian steel of Dark Sister. He put his chain to the ground and with one swift stroke Dark Sister broke it and Lord Eddard grabbed Ice from Ser Ilyn's cold hands.

Everything had gone very fast but now the soldiers had encircled them and Aeryelle knew that if the archers took aim Daemon couldn't protect them without killing Eddard. He was a capable swordsman but with his injured leg, they wouldn't stand a chance in the longshot.

"Losaris!" She shouted and Daemon landed in front of the stage. His brothers breathing fire on anyone who got near him.

"Ratharia pregaris!" Aryelle said to Daemon.

"Jump!" She then ordered Lord Stark.

"The girls!" Ned replied while fighting a man of the city watch.

Cersei reacted immediately: "Take Lady Sansa inside!" A Lannister man lifted Sansa as if she were a rag doll from where she had fainted and took her away.

"You can't protect them if you die here!"

Eddard knew Aeryelle was right and jumped on Daemon's back, followed by Aeryelle. She positioned herself in front of him and indicated him to hold on tight.

"Soves!" She wispered and Daemon took flight.

He looked to the statue of the Baelor where he had seen Arya before but she was nowhere to be seen. Ned had to admit to himself he worried less for Arya than for Sansa because Arya was a fighter and a survivor.

He had trouble holding on because he was clasping Ice in his right hand but he would rather die than letting go of it. Ice was the only heirloom he had left, now that her was a refugee.

They reached the Stark army just in time. Lord Eddard's arm had gone numb and he had expected to slide of the dragon's back and moment.

Daemon landed about 200 m from the farthest tenrs and already taken flight, when Robb, Catelyn and Ser Barristan reached them.

"Thank the old gods and the new for your return Ned!" Lady Stark exclaimed and passionately embraced her husband without caring about the onlookers.

Ned gently pulled away from her and turned to Robb.

"You called the banners, I heard?" He said.

"Yes, just like my lord taught me." Robb replied dutifully and Lord Eddard nodded.

"You have done me proud." He said.

"What about the girls?" Catelyn panicked suddenly remembering.

Ned lowered his eyes: "We had to leave them behind. But they won't touch them. If they hurt two young girls they would lose all support they have. Joffrey might be reckless enough for this but the Lannisters are too smart to make such a mistake. For now they will be safe." Eddard explained and then turned to Aeryelle.

"I owe you my life Alex…" He stopped himself, not knowing how to address her anymore.

"You owe me nothing Lord Eddard, it is I who owes you an apology you deceiving you, after having been taken in by you." Aeryelle answered.

"You lied for good reason I have to admit. I guess we have much to talk about. Is there somewhere we can be alone?" He asked Robb.