Going home

Edmure POV

I looked at Meereen from the balcony of Daenerys' chambers. The city stretched out as far as I could see. It was bustling with activity. It was peaceful. Without the Sons of the Harpy and the Golden Company to threaten it, the city didn't have anything to worry about for now. Yet, I knew that if Daenerys wanted to keep it that way, she had plenty of work left to do.

I felt the cool morning breeze against my skin as a shadow fell on me. Looking at the sky, I saw the dragons flying over the Great Pyramid. I could tell that Sandor Clegane was visibly nervous seeing the dragons as he held the box in his hands. It didn't bother me much. If the dragons wanted me dead, I would die. I could do nothing, so I had nothing to worry about.

"You have quite the audacity to call Queen Daenerys to her chambers," Asha came in first and took a seat. "If it were me, I would have you eaten by the dragons."

"Watch your mouth, wench," Sandor replied, not pleased with anyone talking like this to me.

"Or what?" Asha asked, not bothered by Sandor's intimidating presence. "You going to rape me before killing me? Too bad I have no children for you to kill, too."

"Stand down, Sandor," I said as Sandor was about to do something stupid. "And if you have nothing to say, it would be best to keep quiet, Asha. You won't look so foolish that way."

I could see that Asha didn't like it, but she kept quiet. By now, she should know that antagonizing me would not gain anything. Soon, Daario came in. He didn't look pleased to be summoned, either. He locked my eyes before glancing at Sandor and Asha. In the end, he took a seat too. Not long after, ser Barristan came inside, followed by Queen Daenerys.

"Queen Daenerys," I turned to her.

"Save it," Daenerys replied. "I know why you have summoned me."

"I am leaving," I said. "So, I will need your answer now. And I know how you can answer, Sandor."

Clegane stepped forward, extended his arms, holding the wooden box, and opened it. Inside it was a sheathed blade. The sword's hilt was dark as night, with beautiful and enchanting red ruby embedded in the pommel. The cross-guard was shaped like two dragons baring their teeth. Daenerys looked at the sword only for a moment, not understanding why I would present it to her.

"Even sheathed, the blade could be mistaken for no other," Ser Barristan said with owe in his eyes. "The Blackfyre."

"Where did you get it?" Daenerys asked, realizing what this sword was and what it meant for House Targaryen.

"The Golden Company had the possession of it," I answered. "But it doesn't matter anymore. What matters is, what will you do with it?"

"Ha," Daenerys let out something between a laugh and a sigh as she knew what I meant. "Keep it, and the world will see me as an enemy of Jaehaerys. It would mean I didn't support and would fight him, like Daemon Blackfyre."

"Or gift it to him and let the world see that you acknowledge him as the true inheritor of the Iron Throne. It is your sword and your decision."

I knew what I was doing, and so did the others. Ser Barristan seemed conflicted but ready to accept anything that Daenerys decided. Daario looked furious but kept silent as he understood it wasn't his place to say anything. Asha looked intrigued, but she didn't care what Daenerys chose, as she believed that with the dragons, Daenerys could do anything she wanted.

"Go home, Lord Tully," Daenerys touched the sword with her hand. "And tell your King that we will meet soon."

"Your Grace?" Ser Barristan looked at Daenerys with various emotions running through his eyes.

"I can't use this sword, and it belongs to the King of the Seven Kingdoms," Daenerys replied as she took her hand away from the sword. "The sword belongs to a just and honorable king, and as long as King Jaehaerys, the Third of his name, is such a king, so will the Blackfyre be his."

"I will make sure to deliver your gift for him," I said.

"Leave us," Daenerys turned to her attendants and ordered before looking at Sandor. I nodded to Sandor to listen and leave us. "I learn few things from you, Lord Tully, and I am thankful for what you have done for me. I will stay here and will build my kingdom."

"And I am willing to support you in any way possible," I told her.

"And in thanks, I will warn you, Lord Tully," Daenerys locked her eyes with mine. "If I see an opportunity, a crack in your defenses, an instability of your King's ruling, I will take it. I will come and take the Seven Kingdoms for myself."

"That won't happen," I replied without hesitation. "Because not only would I never let that happen, neither would King Jaehaerys. But thank you for your warning. As a parting gift, I will give you my advice. Be prepared for this winter, for it will be long and dark. And soon you will know what terrors it will bring."

Daenerys was visibly confused, but she still took my words seriously. Telling her more without any proof would only make her not believe it. So, I left it at this, left her chambers, and joined Sandor outside. It was time to pack our things and prepare for the long voyage home. I had to see my ship ready to leave at any moment.

…

Everything was finally prepared for leaving. Yet rather than coming to the warship that Arianne had sent, I climbed on one of Shireen's ships. It has been a long time since I was onboard this ship, and I don't remember anything about my time here. Who knew I would be leaving this place on the ship I arrived? But it didn't matter to me much.

I looked at Meereen as sails were dropped and we left the harbor. I walked around the ship, getting familiar with it, before deciding to meet with Shireen. The knights of the Stormlands looked at me, but knowing my identity, they said nothing. But they kept a close eye on me, daring me to try something. I wasn't foolish enough to do so, though.

Instead, I enjoyed the wind and the smell of the sea as I finally left this part of my life behind me. All I could think was about Arianne and my children. But then the thought of Lord Jason Mallister came to my mind. I would have to tell him what happened to Patrek. It was still hard for me to accept his death, so I couldn't imagine how difficult it would be for Jason.

"Interesting how you happen to be here, surrounded by the men that aren't yours," Asha came up to me to gloat. "You are alone in the deep sea."

"I am not alone," I replied. "And I am not surrounded by my enemies. And if you are only coming with me on this ship to gloat, you are wasting your time."

"You never told me you found the Blackfyre," Asha said.

"And why should I have told you that?" I asked.

"I thought we were friends," Even Asha didn't believe her words. "Still, it was quite a backhanded way to force Daenerys to make her choice."

"I thought it was quite a straightforward way," I replied. "So? Will you continue interrogating me? Or will you lead me to speak with Shireen as instructed?"

"How did you know?"

"Because the only reason you are here is because of Shireen," I answered. "Well, lead the way. It is time we talked."

Asha gave me a skeptical look before turning and leading the way. We moved through the ship, passing groups of Stormland knights who kept their distance but couldn't help but cast occasional curious glances. Once we reached the cabin, the guards parted away for us, and Asha walked in first. I considered calling for Sandor but dismissed the motion.

The room was comfortably furnished, with a large wooden table in the center and a map of the world spread out upon it. Shireen was examining the map when we entered. She looked up, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. I looked to where her hand rested on the map. She was focused on the Stormlands.

"Lord Edmure," she greeted me with a polite nod.

"Queen Shireen," I responded in kind.

Asha made herself comfortable in a corner of the room, her eyes darting between Shireen and me. There was a palpable tension in the air, and the atmosphere felt strained. We weren't enemies, but calling us friends would be too far-fetched. We still had bad blood, which won't change soon. But I still owed her and was ready to put this war to an end.

"How many have already surrendered to the Iron Throne?" Shireen asked.

"I wouldn't know," I answered. "It hasn't been a long time since they started moving on the Stormlands, but from what I was informed, Oberyn Martell is leading the forces against them. He won't be wasting time, and I estimate that he went straight for the Storm's End."

"It was almost empty the last time I heard of it," Shireen replied.

"The Storm's End has fallen," I said as I put my finger on the map. "That's what I would have done. Bronzegate and Haystack Hall have fallen or surrendered, too."

"And everyone in between would have no choice but to do the same," Ser Davos replied. "Still, I know that the Stormlords are stubborn and tenacious people. They will not go down without a fight."

"The hardest fighting will be in the Marches," I told them. "Tarth and Estermont don't have a fleet to defend themselves, so I believe they have surrendered or will soon enough."

"If everything has already fallen, what would my return accomplish?" Shireen asked as she clenched her tiny fists.

"The fighting won't end so soon. It will stretch out for years," I answered. "Your presence will put us on the path of peace. The Stormlords are lost and desperate. They are pushed into the corner. Some of them will choose to give up, but there will be those who will fight to the bitter end. Our duty is to make sure that doesn't happen. To put their minds at ease and help them accept the changes without more bloodshed."

"Will they even accept me?" Shireen asked. "Won't they hate me for running away and leaving them alone?"

"I don't know," I answered. "But I know if I were one of your lords, I would feel relieved that you are alive and safe. That they sacrifice wasn't meaningless."

Shireen's eyes flickered with a mixture of hope and uncertainty. She had faced so much hardship, and the weight of responsibility rested heavily on her young shoulders. I could understand how she felt. It would be hard to trust me if I were in her place. Yet, she trusted me and believed she could stop her home's devastation.

Asha, to my surprise, who had remained unusually silent, finally interjected. "I'd wager many Stormlords are more concerned with survival than grudges. They need a leader, someone to rally behind. And with your return, Queen Shireen, you can offer them a chance and reason to live on rather than fight to death."

"We have plenty of time," Ser Davos said. "We shouldn't rush with predictions and think carefully how to approach this."

I didn't have any complaints about that. Seeing that it was better to leave Shireen alone, I exited the cabin, leaving Shireen and her advisors to continue their preparations. Back on the ship's deck, I found Sandor Clegane waiting, his imposing figure starkly contrasting the sea and sky. People around him didn't dare to approach him. I told him he didn't need to be concerned with myself and get some rest, as I would do the same.

A.N. Sorry for no chapters last week. My wrist was injured, and I had difficulty writing, so I took an early holiday. Since I feel quite rested, I won't be taking any time off for Christmas, and instead, I even have a few new stories in progress that I might post next week. I am almost finished with this story, and once I am done writing all the chapters, I will not hold them on my and post them daily. But until then, if you want more, up to Seven more chapters please support me on pa treon. com \ ironwolf852.