Author's Notes: Hey everyone, glad that you liked the last chapter and I hope that you like this one also, I own nothing. SPOILER WARNING: Might have spoilers from the books and Season 6.
The following day Sansa and Sir Massey departed Sunspear aboard a ship bound for Old Town. At first she had been confused, as Old Town was part of the Reach and sworn to House Tyrell. Tyrion had explained that Daenerys Targaryen was there with the tacit approval of House Tyrell. If the Lannisters raised a question the Tyrells would simply say that they did not have the strength to repel Daenerys, and if they did decide to go over to Daenerys, an event that Tyrion judged to be likely, then it would not matter. For the moment they were making no movement to interfere with her, save for having a small force to watch her.
Traveling with Sansa and Sir Massey was Sir Barristan, Prince Oberyn and Tyrion. Sir Barristan was to take command of the Queen's forces and Prince Oberyn was bringing a contingent of Dornishmen to join her army. The voyage was without incident, they had been told that ships of the Ironborn swarming the waters. When they arrived at Old town Sansa saw that the harbor was filled with ships whose design she did not recognize. The city did not seem to be occupied but there was an air of tenseness about the city. Tyrion explained that Daenerys had only brought Unsullied and had left the Dothraki in Dorne. Furthermore, she had camped her force a few miles beyond the city. They had brought horses with them and they rode these from the city towards Daenerys's camp. It was on the coast across from the Shield Islands. The camp, when it came into view, was an impressive sight.
Stannis's camp had been a hodgepodge affair, each group of men clustered together. That was far from the case here. A palisade of logs had been erected around the camp, inside this fortification the tents were all arranged in neat lines and equally spaced, even the supplies and wagons were all neatly organized and ordered. In the center of the camp was a large pavilion with the Targaryen banner flying over it. All of this was of secondary consideration to the party, their attention was focused on the dragon. It was flying over the camp and Sansa could not bring herself to look away.
Arya had described the skulls of the old Targaryen dragons, it was hard to tell just how big it was up in the air, but Sansa did not think that it was as big as some of them were. Even so, the creature was breathtaking. It was black as obsidian and seemed to radiate power and menace. It spun and shot through the air, showing an agility surprising for a creature that large. Near the camp was a herd of cattle, the cattle scattered as the dragon dived towards them. As the dragon neared them it shot forth a gout of black fire shot with red. One of the cattle was caught in the blaze and only had time to give one terrified bellow before it was burned to death. The dragon landed on the carcass and began to devour it. Beside Sansa Tyrion chuckled.
"I never tire of seeing him do that."
"Him?" Sansa asked.
"Drogon, the largest of the three dragons and growing every day. I did his siblings a small service," here he smiled self-deprecatingly; "So they let me come close to them, especially if I bring a goat with me." His smiled flattered and he paused a moment before he began to speak again.
"Drogon; however, is different. None but the Queen dare go near him alone. In the old books the maesters say that once a dragon has chosen a rider it will accept no other." Here he chuckled again.
"Not that anyone but her has been brave enough to try to ride them."
Sansa did not reply at first, staring at the dragon. Her mind was filled with visions of the flames engulfing the cow, only now the cow was replaced with men in wearing armor bearing her sigil. She shuddered and forced herself to focus on the world around her as they made their way down the hill and made their way into the camp. At the entrance they were met by two of the Unsullied. They were clearly expected because as the party drew close they came to attention and let them pass unchallenged.
As they moved through the camp the saw formations of Unsullied going through drills. Sansa was not an expert on military drills, but they seemed to be quite skilled at the maneuvers. She looked over as Sir Massey and it seemed that he was impressed as well. Farther out, Dornish cavalry rode about also going through maneuvers themselves. They rode past all of these and came to the base of the hill. Here they paused, Sansa and Sir Massey were asked to wait while the others went up to where the Queen was. They remained for a quarter of an hour or so and then a servant came and told them that the Queen had granted them an audience. They dismounted and followed the man up to the pavilion.
An awning had been erected in front of the pavilion and underneath it a chair almost as elaborate as a throne, gilded and draped with silks sat. Upon it sat a woman who looked a few years older than Sansa. She appeared to be slightly shorter than Sansa. Her features were fine and delicate and made Sansa feel slightly plain. It was her eyes and hair; however, which were the most striking. She had silver-blonde hair and purple eyes, it was her eyes which were her most striking feature, there as a strength there which belied her delicate features. She was clad in a dress of blue and white silk, rather unobtrusive for a queen. The same could not be said of her crown. It was in the shape of a three-headed dragon. The coils are yellow gold, the wings silver, the heads carved from jade, ivory, and onyx.
Behind her stood Sir Barristan, who had taken up a position to guard her and looked as if he truly belonged there. To her right was Prince Oberyn and her left was Tyrion. Standing in front of them all was another woman. She looked a little older than the Queen and was rather attractive. She had dusty skin, darker than that of most Weserosi but lighter than Xhono's had been and had thick curly hair, Sansa thought that she had kind eyes. As they entered the woman turned towards them.
"Her Grace, Daenerys of House Targaryen. Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, Queen of Meereen, Queen of the Seven Kingdom and Princess of Dragonstone greets you. She bids you welcome and invites you to accept the hospitality of her camp." As she spoke a servant came with a tray of bread, salt and water. After they had eaten and drunk the woman turned back towards the Queen.
"Your Grace, I present Sansa Stark, Lady of Winterfell, and Sir Justin of House Massey." As the herald finished speaking Sansa and Massey came forward and bowed. It had been agreed ahead of time that Sansa, as the one of higher rank, would do the initial talking. As soon as the Queen signaled for them to rise Sansa began to speak.
"Your Grace, I greet you in the name of His Grace Stannis of House Baratheon, First of His Name. Lord of Dragon Stone, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm." At her words another man, whom Sansa had not noticed before rose to speak, clearly intending to object to the King's titles. He was dressed flamboyantly in brightly colored silks, but it was his hair which was the most striking. It was e cut in three prongs, all dyed as blue as his eyes. Before he could speak, the Queen raised her hand to stop him.
"Peace Daario, while it is precipitous for the Usurper to claim such titles, they have come to talk and we will not progress very far if we are squabbling over matters of titles." She turned back to Sansa.
"Speak Lady Sansa, let us hear your lord's words." Despite the similarities in age the Queen had a bearing which made her seem much older and more regal and Sansa was glad that she had donned her cape again, it made her feel stronger and braver.
"His Grace bids me tell the Queen of Meereen that she has invaded his lands. He bids me tell you to return to your own lands and that if you do so he shall not molest your efforts to depart. If you do not he shall drive you hence." That was all that he had told her to say and that was just as well, it seemed they could contain themselves no longer and those whom she was addressing burst into laughter. Only Tyrion and Sir Barristan did not laugh, though Tyrion smiled and was clearly controlling himself with great effort. Barristan looked on solemnly, his eyes regarding Sansa with pity.
He needn't have bothered, Sansa had endured worse and did not feel a thing. Sir Massey did not take it as well, he was not used to being laughed at and flushed angrily. After a moment the others calmed down enough to speak.
"Perhaps you should rethink your plans Your Grace, you should bring the man to King's Landing and have him serve as your fool." The Queen shushed him with an indulgent wave of her hand. She then turned towards Sansa.
"Forgive us Lady Stark, we mean no offence, but you must admit that the threats of a man way up in the north, half of which is held by his foes seem somewhat ludicrous to us." She paused and her eyes grew hard.
"However; there are serious matters to be discussed. Your lord betrayed his oaths of loyalty to my house and his efforts at Storm's End contributed to the defeat and death of my brother, which led to the sack of King's Landing and the death of my father, many of my family and countless others. While he was not alone in his treason, he is the only one still living of the rebel leaders. He now compounds his treason by seeking to steal the throne which is rightfully mine and continues to bring war and suffering to my people. My ancestor, Aegon the Conqueror, had no pity for rebels and traitors.
"Some with me have urged me to follow his policy in this matter, but I am not without mercy. Aegon the Conqueror brought fire and blood to Westeros, but afterward he gave them peace, prosperity, and justice and I shall as well." Here she half glanced towards Sir Barristan.
"You have delivered terms, now hear mine. Stannis and all who have sworn themselves to him shall lay down their arms and swear the loyalty to House Targaryen which they never should have abandoned. All who do so shall receive mercy and will be allowed, though there will be changes.
"Dragon Stone is the seat of my house and I reclaim it. Houses Arryn, Tully and Stark have proven themselves faithless and shall be stripped of their titles, though they shall be allowed to keep their lands. Those titles shall be given to other, more worthy lords.
"Lord Stannis is stripped of all lands, titles and honors. However; his life shall be spared and he shall be allowed to take the Black. His daughter shall come to King's Landing as my ward and when she comes of age she shall be allowed to assume possession of Storm's End, though another house shall be named as Lord Paramount."
"Those are generous terms Your Grace." Sansa said. She doubted that the King would say so but, in truth, the Queen appeared to be in a position to demand much harsher terms.
"They are, considering that your father helped to kill mine." Something in that caused anger to stir in Sansa and she wished to say something biting in response.
What would Arya say? Then it came to her.
"Yes, he did, but only after your father killed my father's." There was a stunned silence the Queen seemed uneasy for a moment, as if she wanted to deny it but could not. After a moment she recovered herself. Sansa took the opportunity to speak again.
"The King will never agree to these terms, if there is nothing else, I request leave to return." This was a gamble on her part, she hoped that by threatening to end negotiations she could see if the Queen was willing to continue the talks and also see if the Queen was willing to offer more generous terms.
"I have not given you leave to go." The Queen said. "I shall soon assault to regain the Shield Islands. You shall remain here and with us and you will report back what you have seen."
Author's Notes: Well, what did you think? How did I handle Daney and her terms? Don't worry if you did not like her, there will be more talking and even a little one on one where there will be less need for chest-pounding. Will eventually get around to seeing dragons in action. I base my description of the dragon fire from the books, cool don't you think? Till then please pray for my aunt-in-law who has taken a turn for the worse. Thanks and may Jesus bless you.