Chapter 2

The wheelhouse trundled along far too slowly for Sansa's liking. Riding would be quicker but Bran had insisted on coming and the march to Dragonstone would take over two weeks.

"All the banners answered your call" said Bran, studying her across the wheelhouse

"As they should – they're pledged to house Stark after all"

"They didn't answer Jon's calls. The Knights of the Vale ride with us too. They respect you more than Jon"

Sansa sighed "They do respect Jon, but he bent the knee to Daenerys – the people don't trust her"

"You don't trust her"

It wasn't a question. Sansa had her doubts about the dragon Queen since she met her, but recent events had proven her right.

"What are you going to do at Dragonstone?" asked Bran

"Talk to Daenerys"

"About Tyrion"

Sansa's hands curled into fists "He was loyal to her and she betrayed him. That tells me everything I need to know about the kind of Queen she would be. I won't let my family suffer"

The sadness in Bran's eyes sent ice down Sansa's spine "Tyrion suffers"

A shudder went through Tyrion as he once again emptied the contents of his stomach in his tiny cell. Where was Daenerys?

'They're not coming for you' taunted Cersei's voice

Tyrion leaned back against the wall, screwing his eyes shut as the nausea rolled through him. It had been hours since Cersei poisoned him. He had to admit, part of him didn't think his sister would actually carry through on the threat. She hated him – that was beyond doubt. When he'd gone to her after the dragon pit meeting she could have killed him and hadn't.

Something had changed, and he suspected it was Jamie leaving that finally snapped what little sanity she had left. The smirk on Cersei's face hadn't changed for an instant as he was strapped down to Qyburn's 'examination' table and some sort of poison was forced down his throat.

"You killed my boy with poison" she'd said as a fire ignited in his body

Tyrion had told her again it wasn't him while his throat constricted, as if the life was being choked from him.

"Don't worry little brother" she'd said, grinning down as he writhed in the restraints "this won't kill you -Qyburn has done a lot of work on poisons in saving Ser Gregor"

The black-robed Maester had watched Tyrion's increasing distress as one might a dying animal. His interest was academic and nothing more.

Tyrion didn't know how long his body burned for – his throat had tightened in agony until he could barely pull any breath into his lungs and he was certain his end had come. His older sister had watched on with satisfaction, finally nodding to Qyburn who forced some foul smelling liquid down his throat.

Weak and shaky, he'd been brought back to his cell and chained up again while his body tried to purge whatever poison had attacked it.

It had been nearly five days since the exchange, why hadn't anybody come to rescue him?

Cersei's taunting words played over in his mind. It wasn't possible – Daenerys cared for him, she would come.

"I want to attack Kings Landing straight away"

Silence met Daenerys announcement as she sat the throne at Dragonstone.

"Is that truly wise, your Grace?" asked Varys "Many of our troops are weary from the long journey. Patience in this situation may be best"

"I've waited long enough" she said, turning to Grey Worm "Are the unsullied ready to attack?"

"Always" he said.

Grey Worm's answer was automatic and expected, though Daenerys noticed the way his eyes shifted to Missandei – who still seemed rather shaken after her captivity. The girl had asked her again if they could rescue Tyrion, saying it didn't seem right to leave him in enemy hands. Daenerys had been quick to reassure her it wasn't her fault. Tyrion had become a loose end – he would have died anyway. Missandei had accepted her answer though the Queen didn't miss the guilt in her eyes. That was nothing to worry about, it would fade in time.

"Your Grace, you should trust your advisors" said Jon. With his dark hair and eyes he looked more wolf than dragon.

"I did and they disappointed me"

"Are you going to sell us to Cersei too?"

Daenerys wrinkled her nose "Of course not. Are you still upset about that? Tyrion agreed to go"

"Aye, but you said you'd rescue him"

Why didn't Jon understand? He was a dragon like her. The wolves had gotten to him. He needed to wake the dragon. She wished she never knew about Jon's true parentage. The Queen sighed, he was a loose end too – but she wasn't willing to give up yet. When the dragon woke in him he would understand.

"My Queen, Cersei is hurting him" said Varys, shuffling forward with his head bowed "the songs my little birds have been singing are far from pleasant"

"I've made my decision perfectly clear" she said, narrowing her eyes. They forgot themselves; she was Queen "I'm ready to take what is mine. Why would I waste another moment here when I could take my true throne?"

Jon and Varys shared a look; before Jon stepped forwards "My sister is bringing troops to support you"

"She wasn't very supportive at Winterfell"

"Sansa suffered a lot, I'm sure you understand. Trust is hard for her"

Daenerys nodded. There were aspects of her history that were similar to Sansa's – she'd thought they might bond over it.

"I have enough troops to take Kings Landing. I have Drogon. Why wait for a few thousand more men?" she said

"Taking the throne with the trueborn Starks at your side along with the rest of your supporters will show the people you have united a divided Westeros. The North has been in rebellion against the crown for years" said Varys

She turned to Jon "You're certain we can trust your sister?"

"Aye. Sansa is my family and Bran is coming with her"

Daenerys barely supressed a shudder; there was something creepy about the Stark boy.

The dragon Queen mulled over their words. There was truth in what Varys said, she supposed. If Tyrion was here he'd probably agree. She'd have to find a new hand when she took the throne. Ser Jorah would have been her first choice but he was gone.

Perhaps she didn't need a hand at all. Tyrion had been useful enough but his mistakes had soon outweighed any value he had.

"Very well" she decided "we will wait for your sister to arrive and take the Iron Throne as a united force"

Jon and Varys looked utterly relieved at the decision, which seemed rather odd to Daenerys. She'd have to watch the eunuch. She'd never trusted him but Tyrion had, in some ways he was a culpable as Tyrion for the errors that had occurred.

They were a week away from Dragonstone when the letter arrived.

"Ser Jamie Lannister has been captured. The dragon Queen wants fire and blood" read Sansa

Brienne had told her in a few words that Jamie left Winterfell for Cersei. The Knight had been as stoic about it as Sansa had come to expect, but it wasn't hard to see the hurt behind the mask.

"Is that all?" asked Brienne, her blue eyes staring at the back of the paper in Sansa's hand. She wanted more news on Jamie - that much was obvious.

It wasn't all, but Sansa couldn't bring herself to repeat the line she'd just read. The words had cut through her in a way she'd never expected, giving life to the stirrings she'd tried to drown out these past weeks. No, she couldn't go there. Going there was dangerous - emotion was dangerous.

"That's it" she said, crumpling the note in her hand

"Who is the letter from?" asked lord Royce

"Varys"

"Can the spider be trusted?" asked Brienne "he serves the dragon Queen"

"No" she said with a sigh "but I don't think he's lying. He serves Daenerys but he doubts her"

Bran nodded "He knows what she is"

Lord Royce paled "Lady Sansa, do you intend for us to fight with the dragon Queen?"

It was a good question. She'd called the banners and told Jon she would join them at Dragonstone. Arya's letters had grown increasingly worrying; word was spreading that the dragon Queen was unstable.

"I intend to save my family" she said "We will reassess the situation at Dragonstone"

Brienne bit her lip "What of Ser Jamie?"

"The Kingslayer is as good as dead" grumbled lord Royce "She wanted to kill him at Winterfell"

Seeing the panic in Brienne's face Sansa tried to offer some hope "Perhaps not. Ser Jamie is a valuable hostage - the only person Cersei is likely to care about"

All around them the Northerners and Knights of the Vale readied to break camp and continue the march. Brienne and lord Royce moved off to continue their preparations for departure, until only Bran remained.

"We'll be at Dragonstone soon" he said

"Will it be soon enough?"

"Depends on what you want"

"I want to protect our family; for us all to go home" she said, gazing into her brothers dark eyes.

There was another reason too. One she dared not voice. When Varys first wrote to her she was suspicious, but he seemed honest enough with her. Whatever he told her matched up with what Arya reported. Unlike her sister, Varys gave her updates on their 'mutual friend' and each one only increased her urgency to reach Dragonstone. Today's words had been particularly blunt.

'Cersei wants revenge - she hurts him every day'

Daenerys had betrayed a man who was loyal to her; she couldn't be trusted to not turn on Jon and Arya. Sansa had marched south to protect her family. It was as simple as that.

Tyrion laid his head against the cold stone of his cell, hoping it might ease the fire burning through him.

Three times he'd been taken from his cell and forced to ingest different poisons.

The first had been for Joffrey. Tyrion's throat had closed to the point he'd felt his life slipping away until Cersei ordered Qyburn to stop. It was a version of the strangler, the failed Maester had told him. The strangler was a deadly poison, yet somehow Qyburn had modified it - Cersei didn't want him to die yet.

Barely recovered from his first poisoning, Tyrion had been hauled back to Qyburn's rooms where he was given the long farewell. Cersei's cruel face had blurred in his vision as the poison took effect, though he knew what she was saying. This poison had killed Myrcella. Tyrion had loved his niece; he never wanted her to get hurt.

The last time had been for Tommen. His sweet nephew had killed himself; but Tyrion wasn't allowed to die yet. Tyrion didn't know what poison was used on him - he only knew it made his heart pound so badly he thought it might break through his chest. Every inch of him had throbbed as if he'd been badly beaten - he supposed that was the point.

Each time he'd been strapped to that god forsaken table with his older sister watching as he writhed in agony. Each time Qyburn administered an antidote before it could kill him.

It was getting harder to believe Daenerys was coming for him. It had been about a week and there'd been no sign of an attempted rescue. Something must have happened - she wouldn't leave him to suffer. They were friends. Daenerys had been so worried for Missandei; surely she was worried for him to?

Tyrion curled into himself as much as the chains allowed.

'You know why I like you Tyrion? You're not a hero'

No, he wasn't a hero. Hearing Daenerys say it so bluntly hadn't been pleasant though. She'd sent him to the crypts with the women and children during the long night too. Daenerys liked strong men like Drogo, Jon Snow, Daario.

While he knew there would never be anything romantic between him and Daenerys it had certainly hurt his pride to be dismissed as weak. Perhaps when he was at her side again she'd see him differently. He could endure this. Daenerys was loyal to those loyal to her - she wouldn't forget him.

The cell door creaked open and Cersei swept into the dank cell, a guard holding a torch behind her that cast a dim light into the room. Her green eyes were dark and dangerous as she looked down at him.

"It appears our brother has saved you again little monster"

Tyrion tilted his head "Jamie's here?"

"No, your Queen has him" she said and for a moment concern flashed in her eyes before it was replaced by the usual hatred "We will offer an exchange. You for Jamie - though he's worth a hundred of you"

Tyrion's heart leapt. There must have been problems with their original plan, but exchanging him for Jamie would work just as well. He had no wish for his older brother to be near Cersei again, but at least she wouldn't hurt her twin.

Perhaps Jamie was in on the plan? Could he be working with Daenerys?

His mind pondered the possibilities as Cersei's lip curled in distaste "Don't look so pleased little brother. I will win this war and your head will decorate my wall sooner or later"

"You won't win" he said, his voice far weaker than he intended

She smiled "I always win"

"Step aside" said Jon "I'm here to see the prisoner"

The unsullied guards considered for a moment before moving aside. They knew he was close to the Queen; that she trusted him. Since Daenerys had given Tyrion over to Cersei things had changed. The Queen they all believed in had left one of her advisors in enemy hands - there had been mutterings about the decision through her ranks.

Jon wandered through the bowels of Dragonstone in search of the cell that held Jamie Lannister.

Daenerys didn't realise it but she'd made her own biggest mistake in not rescuing Tyrion. Missandei was guilt-ridden and her emotions were affecting Grey Worm. The Queen's most loyal and trusted unsullied captain seemed unable to understand her decision. Jon understood. Grey Worm was a soldier and he would not leave any of his men behind. He suspected Missandei had softened him somewhat, but betraying Tyrion had clearly shaken some of his most deeply held beliefs.

It was in the darkest corner of the prison Jon found Jamie Lannister. His golden hand had been removed and he was shackled to the wall, still he smirked as Jon approached.

"The King in the North, I'm honoured you came to visit"

"Why did you leave Winterfell?"

"My sister is in Kings Landing" he said

"The rumours are true"

"Did your head freeze at the wall?" said Jamie, his brow wrinkling "I thought the whole seven kingdoms knew by now"

Jon curled his hand into a fist "Daenerys wants to kill you"

"That's what her father would have done" he agreed

"Your sister has offered an exchange. You for Tyrion"

At that the smirk dropped from the Lannister Knights face "I've heard the most disturbing tales down here, you know"

"Like what?" said Jon, shifting on the spot

"I heard my little brother offered himself in exchange for some girl. Very noble of him. I also heard your Queen promised to free him and then changed her mind"

Jon ground his teeth, tension winding through him "She's our Queen. We follow her orders"

"Even when you know it's wrong? You Starks are all the same" bit out Ser Jamie, slumping against the wall "What is honour when a King burns people alive and laughs? What is an oath to a madman when thousands could die?"

"Daenerys isn't like that"

"No? You don't seem convinced"

"Tyrion believed in her"

"Ah, yes. My poor little brother. He'd do anything for acceptance – you should understand that bastard"

Jon wasn't a bastard anymore. He'd always wanted to be more than that, yet now it brought him no pleasure. If anything it had made everything worse.

"Why are you here Jon Snow?" asked Ser Jamie "We both know I'm a dead man"

"I told you Cersei offered an exchange"

"Has your dragon Queen accepted?"

The Lannister searched his face before settling back in his chains. Jon had nothing to say. They'd all tried to convince Daenerys to take the deal – the Queen had yet to decide.

"You poor bastard" said Jamie, a laugh escaping him "You know what she'll do. Denying it doesn't make it any easier. When she burns people alive and you stand watching; it doesn't get any easier. She's worse than her father"

"How can you say that Kingslayer? The mad King was cruel; he deserved to die. Daenerys isn't a butcher"

Ser Jamie's green eyes narrowed "She will be. Mark my words boy the signs are there. Not worse than her father yet perhaps, but the mad King didn't have a dragon. Kings Landing would have been ashes if he had"

The words washed over Jon like a dark prophecy. This wasn't what he'd wanted to hear. He didn't know what he'd wanted to hear, or why he came down here; but it wasn't to add voices to the whispering doubts in his mind.

He turned away from Jamie, taking a few steps back down the corridor when the man's voice reached him "Do me a favour? When I'm a pile of ashes, see that you rescue my brother. I love Cersei but she is cruel and spiteful and when I die any restraint she still has will die too"

Jon swept down the corridor, forcing the thoughts out of his mind. He was half way down the corridor when Arya materialised from the shadows.

"He's right" she said, dropping into step beside Jon. He'd given up being surprised at her skills; things were strange enough as it was.

"We don't know what the Queen will do yet"

"Yes we do" said Arya, fiddling with needle at her hip

Jon sighed, the weight of responsibility settling heavily over him "What do we tell Sansa?"

"The truth"

"The last thing we need is more tension between Daenerys and Sansa"

"Sansa will be here in a week Jon. We both know why she's marching south"

He suspected the reason why; it had been easy enough to notice at Winterfell. Finding Sansa and Tyrion working together in the library. The way his sister smiled around the Queen's hand.

"What would you have me do?" he said, rubbing his beard "I'll speak to Varys and try and make Daenerys see reason again. Losing Ser Jorah and Rhaegal hit her hard – she's a good person"

Arya stared at him with watchful grey eyes "You need to choose Jon"

"I choose my family; always"

Arya nodded "I hope so"

After so many days with little food and water Tyrion could barely stand as he was brought to the throne room. The poisons and subsequent vomiting had left him weak and shaky; fortunately Cersei had left him alone since she mentioned the exchange.

The guards pulled him into the throne room where Cersei sat the Iron Throne. Her face was twisted in a deep hatred; and something else. Were her eyes red?

"The offer was brought to your foreign whore" said Cersei, voice oddly emotionless "Do you think she wants you back?"

Tyrion lifted his chin "Of course. She's loyal, and good – nothing like you"

Cersei nodded to a guard who handed her a cloth covered package. She pulled the cloth free and tossed the object at Tyrion's feet, the item clunking against the floor.

"She refused the offer" whispered Cersei "She sent me this"

Tyrion didn't want to see, but his eyes seemed to work on their own accord until they found the item Cersei had thrown at him.

The room swayed around Tyrion as he stared at the golden hand.

He barely heard Cersei's order for the guards to seize him. Nothing else mattered anymore. A tiny voice in his mind whispered it might be a trick, but he was too logical for that.

There had been nothing wrong with the original plan.

Daenerys hadn't tried to rescue him – it was possible she'd never intended to. When offered an exchange for him she'd refused. The throne room shrank around Tyrion as his eyes moved from the golden hand to Cersei's face.

This was no trick.

Daenerys didn't care for him. No-one was going to save him.

The Queen he'd sworn to serve had killed his brother.