Surprise! MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope you all were good because here is my xmas gift to you! The first chapter of season 7. And guess what that means! Back to weekly updates. So starting next Friday (I will be unavailable this Friday) there will be a new chapter every week. Thank you for continuing to read my story and hope you love this chapter.
"Dragonstone." Thomas muttered as the black stone fortress came into view. He sat in the boat in awe as did many of their party. Dany knelt at the front gazing towards her family's home. From the sky came their five dragons. Drogon, Viserion and Rhaegal flew over the fortress unleashing their roars as they flew. Cinder and Saphira who were now the size of large dogs landed in the already cramped boat in front of their father, cuddling into him as they too looked upon their new home.
The shore was barren and the rocks steep. Stepping off the boat Dany wandered forward, her black dress billowing in the wind. Kneeling down she tentatively touched the sand. A small smile came to her lips. Standing once again she turned and motioned Thomas forward. He complied, Cinder and Saphira trailing after him. They seemed to be much more attached than their older siblings were at their age but Everyone assumed that was because of their extremely ruff start and how they were both females.
She grasped his hand when he stood beside her and she took a deep breath. Not a single word was spoken but her eyes said everything for her. Awe, wonder, sadness, hope, all made home in those eyes and Thomas couldn't help but stand there gawking with her. After another minute she did start walking, Grey worm, Missandei, Tyrion and Varys following behind. The unsullied with them hurried to catch up in case anyone still resided in the keep.
After walking for some time, the small group came upon a rusted gate with two stone dragon heads at the sides. Two unsullied, stepped up while Dany patiently waited for them to open. Thomas by this time had Cinder clinging to his back, her tail wrapped around his waist. Saphira, who had been walking until now decided to mount one of the dragon's heads. Dany who was closest to her attempted to rub her head affectionately but was rebuffed as Saphira hissed at her. This had been a common occurrence ever since the dragons met Daenerys. As the gate was opened Dany ignored the slight pain at being rejected yet again and focused solely on the castle before her. Thomas who had noticed the interaction moved to reprimand Saphira again. Once he was done chastising his daughter he too turned to the open gate.
On the other side, a long walkway leading up to Dragonstone. Taking a deep breath, Daenerys stepped forward, Thomas not far behind. Cinder and Saphira took to the skies and flew ahead, playing with each other as they went. Usually Dany enjoyed watching them play but now she only had eyes on the castle. Her new home.
It took them another 15 minutes of walking and a trip through a small cave before they finally made it to the entrance of the castle. By then, Cinder and Saphira were already lazing about outside. Dany paid them no attention however as she walked up to the final door.
"Thomas, stand with me please." Dany murmured so only her lover could hear. Thomas happily obliged and they linked arms, ready to see the home they would be sharing. Once the gate was opened the couple stepped through. The halls were dark and foreboding as they walked through. Dust littered everything and some candle holders were on the ground. Eventually they came upon one of Stannis Baratheon's banners. Dany's face turned hard for a moment before ripping it down and throwing it to the floor. A small smile lit up her face as they continued on.
Rounding the final bend, they came upon the throne room. Time seemed to slow as Dany walked forward. Thomas was willing to let her go forth alone but she dragged him forward. Grey Worm moved to follow but Missandei stopped him, only Tyrion followed and even then only to the center of the room. Before them sat an elegant black chair in front of a massive black stone. Around the room hung stone depictions of battles and dragons. Windows allowed the sun to shine throughout the room but it escaped nobodies notice how the light shined on the throne. Dany took a few tentative breaths as she beheld her ancestral seat. Thomas rubbed his thumb over her hand to sooth her. Her grip tightened to show her thanks. Turning to a side hallway, she eventually found a room with a large table overlooking the sea. Detaching from Thomas she ran her hands over the table as she made her way over to the window. Now standing at the head of the table she turned to the small group.
"Shall we begin?"
She smirked before the heard a startled gasp come from the throne room. Clanking of Armor and weapons followed by a cry for mercy soon echoed throughout the halls. Rushing back to the throne room. Thomas drew BlackFire from its sheath while grey worm drew his short sword and rushed into the throne room. Dany and the rest of their party were not far behind but what they saw caused them all to pause.
Standing at the entrance to another hallway was an older woman on her knees pleading for her life. Scattered around her were clean clothes and other linens. An upturned basket completed the look as two Unsullied pointed their spears at her.
"Unsullied, stand down." Daenerys shouted when she saw the woman. The men quickly went to attention but never took their eyes off the woman.
"Who are you and how did you come here?" Thomas asked next. Sword still pointing at the woman.
Said woman looked towards the new comers and gasped as her eyes fell on the Targaryen sigil stitched onto his leather vest. She then looked towards Daenerys and her face paled.
"You are of house Targaryen?" She asked hesitantly. Dany nodded. "Then you are Daenerys Stormborn." Again, Dany nodded her head. The woman fell to the ground. "We have waited so long for your return, your grace." The woman wept silently. "My husband and I never thought we would ever see you return."
"Who are you?" Daenerys asked, startled by her behavior.
"My name is Lysa Ward, Wife of Edwin Ward My lady." The woman remained bowed upon the floor, her face was angled down and so did not see the two pale faces of Thomas and Daenerys. "We were starting to lose hope. My husband was the local innkeeper back when Dragonstone was thriving. I, I was supposed to be your mother's midwife, you see? But the night you were born, I had my own child and was unable to come. Soon after my little boy was born the guards came and took him away, saying that he would become your personal servant and body double until you were grown." The woman was weeping now. "I just want to know, if you have any knowledge of my son." The woman was now in a panicked state as years of repressing her grief over the loss of her son and then the constant lack of information. Even the rumors surrounding Daenerys left out Thomas. She honestly thought the boy was dead but prayed she was wrong.
Dany was speechless as she stared at the mother of the man she loved. While she always hoped to meet his parents, she never expected to find them on Dragonstone. Now here was the mother kneeling before her begging for any news on her lost son.
"Rise, Lysa Ward and gaze upon the young man who is your son." Dany ordered gently. The woman however froze all movement. Instead of standing she sat up on her legs and looked up at Thomas. Thomas by this time put his sword away and was staring at his mother. He noticed she had light brown hair that was starting to grey. Her eyes were also brown with a small nose and a few wrinkles on her forehead. Granted that last part could have been caused by the widening of her eyes.
"T-t-thomas?" The woman asked quietly. Reaching out a hand to touch him. Thomas took a cautious step forward and knelt in front of her.
"Mother?" That was the last straw because not even a second later the woman sprung forth and latched her arms around his neck. Crying into his shoulder as she rocked him back and forth. Thomas too let out some tears as he embraced her. Everyone around them seemed to be filled with joy at the reunion and quietly stood by.
Soon after their reunion a man was brought before them. He wore disheveled clothes and had a short grey beard. He looked frightened until he laid eyes upon the woman standing next to a boy.
"Honey who are these people?" He asked as Lysa smiled.
"Edwin," She took as shaky breath before Grasping Thomas's arm. "Our son has come home." She choked back a happy sob as he husband looked upon the young man before him. Thomas looked upon the man who was supposed to be his father and smiled hesitantly.
"You returned to us." He walked forward grasping his arm and shaking it. "You have certainly grown." He laughed as his eyes roamed over him. "My boy is a grown man."
"It's so good to finally meet you father." Thomas took the initiative and grabbed his father in a hug.
"It's good to meet you too, my boy." Edwin finally let a few tears loose as he held his son.
"Edwin, there is someone else you ought to meet as well." Lysa piped up after a few minutes of watcher her husband and son reconnect.
When Edwin turned to his wife, she stepped aside to reveal Daenerys who stood behind her wearing a lovely smile. Thomas however saw through the confident exterior and noticed how her eyes darted to him every few seconds. 'She's actually nervous.' He chuckled to himself.
"Father, I would like to introduce you to Daenerys Stormborn, of the house Targaryen." Thomas watched as his father quickly knelt.
"Your grace, it is an honor to meet you!"
"The honor is all mine." Dany smiled. "Please rise, my future in-laws should not have to bow to me." Lysa and Edwin both looked to her, eyes wide before turning to their son, then back again. Laughing Dany walked over to Thomas and wrapped her arms around his, leaning against him. "That's right, Thomas and I are together and when I retake kings landing, we will be wed." Thomas blushed at the declaration but couldn't help but swell in pride as his parents looked at both of them in shock.
"That's wonderful. We're so happy for you." Lysa gushed.
"I'm glad you approve." Dany let out a small sigh.
"What have you two been doing here?" Thomas asked. "How have you lived here all these years?"
"I am curious as well." Tyrion spoke up. "Last I heard Dragonstone was abandoned."
"You are right…." Lysa began.
"Lord Tyrion. He is my hand." Dany provided.
Lysa nodded her thanks. "You are right Lord Tyrion, After Stannis left, Dragonstone was all but deserted. Only a few people stayed behind including us. They are on the other side of the island where the fleet used to reside. Obviously after years of neglect it is no longer fit to hold ships but the buildings were sturdy enough and a few old farms were scattered near the area. We banded together to plant and harvest crops in the hopes of seeing Dragonstone return to its former glory. Of course, we had an ulterior motive." She smiled lovingly towards her son. "But I'm sure I can speak for Edwin as well when I ask, what your lives have been like since you left Dragonstone?"
"hahaha." Thomas chuckled. "That is quite the long tale. Why don't we get some dinner and have the men start coming ashore? We can talk over dinner."
"I agree, grey worm." Dany turned back. "Send word to the fleet that it is time to come ashore. Missandei, send ravens to Dorn and the Reach. It's time to invite our allies to Dragonstone." Daenerys commanded.
"At once your grace." Both bowed before heading off to their appointed tasks.
Turning back to the rest Dany locked arms with Thomas before addressing the remainder. "Now, let us be off to dinner, we have quite the story to tell. A story of a dragon and her protector."
I know not a very long chapter but a very sweet one to start out our new season. Now I am writing this the day after episode 3 aired and I can tell you now It is going to get darker from here on out. Much darker. Have fun everyone I love you!
New note! I added the friction between daenerys and the two new dragons because I do have future plans for it. I won't explain it yet but it will play a part later. Might not seem major now but it is. Mostly just some grammatical corrections other than that.