They had been on Dragonstone for 2 months now and Thomas couldn't be happier. He had found his parents. After years of wondering if his parents were alive and what they looked like he finally knew. Daenerys was happy as well since they absolutely adored her. The one thing he wished would be better were the relationship between his two dragons and his parents. Granted he really should have expected this since they didn't really like Daenerys either.
Now, however, thoughts of his parents were the farthest thing from his mind. Sitting in the council room, he looked at the people around him. Occasionally a flash of lightning would illuminate the room as a massive storm raged outside. Around the map table stood Varys, Tyrion and Daenerys. Missandei was off with Grey Worm while Thomas played with one of the war pieces.
"On a night like this you two came into this world." Tyrion remarked as he looked out upon the raging seas. Dany and Thomas turned their attention to him.
"I remember that night." Varys stated. "All the dogs in king's landing howled through the night."
Daenerys, who stood by the window looking out towards the storm turned back. "I wish I could remember it. I always thought this would be a marvelous homecoming but it doesn't truly feel like home." Dany sounded disappointed.
"We won't be here for good Dany." Thomas smiled at her. "Once our allies arrive and we devise a plan of attack we can go to kings landing."
"Good." Dany smiled at him as she looked upon the table. "There aren't so many lions."
"Cersei controls fewer than half the seven kingdoms." Varys explained. "The lords of Westeros despised her even before your arrival. They plotted against her and now…" Thomas rolled his eyes recognizing a familiar song. A quick glance at Dany showed that she too had remembered.
"They call out for their true queen." Dany started walking around the table towards Varys. "They're doing secret toasts for my health?" Dany mocked the song Viserys used to believe. "You used to tell my brother that sort of thing and he was dumb enough to believe it." Dany fixed him with hard eyes. Everyone else in the room looked uncomfortable as Dany picked up a dragon piece form the table. "If Viserys had 5 dragons and an army at his back he'd have invaded king's landing already."
Tyrion stepped forward with his two cents. "Conquering Westeros would be easy for you. But you're not here to be queen of the ashes."
"No." Dany answered.
"We can take the seven kingdoms without turning it into a slaughter house." Tyrion continued. "If the great houses support your claim to the iron throne then the game is won." Thomas laughed. Everyone turned to him in surprise aside from Lara who stood silently in the corner.
"The gods themselves could proclaim Daenerys as the queen, and Cersei would still not relinquish the throne." Thomas shook his head. "So long as she sits on that chair, people will still follow her. Through fear alone if nothing else." Dany watched him closely. "Sure, everyone knows we have dragons, Varys has seen to that. But they don't know what they can do. They don't fear them like they should."
"We don't want the people afraid of us." Tyrion shot back. "If they fear us, they will flock to Cersei. I thought we wanted to avoid that."
"Varys, your birds reported that Cersei used wildfire to destroy the great sept correct?" Thomas asked. Varys nodded. "Right now, people flock to her out of fear of wildfire. They have a choice, join Cersei and not be burned or join us and have Cersei burn them with wildfire." Thomas shrugged. "If I was them, I would join Cersei. But if we show them what happens when they oppose dragon fire, they will come, begging to serve us. We need them to fear our wrath more than Cersei's."
"If we use your dragons to burn villages and armies to the ground, we are no better than the mad king." Tyrion growled. "With the Tyrell and Dornish armies on our side Cersei is without allies in the south. We can use our military might to win without Dragons."
Dany considered those words silently before turning towards Varys. "I never properly thanked you for that."
"They joined our side, my queen, because they believe in you." Varys stated.
Dany looked at him hard. "You served my father, didn't you lord Varys?"
"I did."
"And then you served the man who over through him?" Dany wondered.
"I had a choice your grace, serve Robert Baratheon or face the headman's axe." Varys shrugged it off.
"But you didn't serve him for long. You turned against him."
Varys started to look uneasy. "Robert was an improvement on your father to be sure. There had been few rulers in history as cruel as the mad king. Robert was neither mad nor cruel. He simply had no interest in being king."
"So, you took it upon yourself to find a better one." Dany stated, her stare never faltering.
Tyrion came to Varys rescue. "Your Grace, when I was ready to drink myself into a small coffin. Lord Varys told me about a queen in the east." Dany cut him off going back to Varys.
"Before I came to power you supported my brother. All your spies, your little birds, did they tell you Viserys was cruel, stupid and weak?" Dany glared at him. "Did they tell you how he verbally and physically abused both myself and Thomas, two innocent children? Would that have made for a good king in your learned opinion?" Dany asked.
"Until your marriage to Khal Drogo I knew nothing about you, save your existence and that you were said to be beautiful."
"So, you're a spider who knows everything." Thomas muttered. "But nothing at all." He and Lara chuckled. "If that's the case you're useless to us."
"You and your friends traded me like a prize horse to the Dothraki."
"Which you turned to your advantage." Varys pointed out.
"You had no way of knowing she would thrive in that environment Varys." Thomas growled.
"The order to kill me, who gave it?" Dany asked.
"King Robert." Varys answered.
"You hired the assassins. You sent word to Essos to murder Daenerys Targaryen." Dany took a few more steps closer to the spider.
"Your grace, I did what had to be done..."
"To keep yourself alive." Dany cut him off.
"Lord Varys has proven himself a loyal servant." Tyrion began.
"Loyal to himself so he can live longer Thomas stated.
"I believe he has proven quite the opposite." Dany now glared at Varys. "If he dislikes one monarch, he finds another to replace them. What kind of servant is that?"
"The kind the realm needs." Varys hissed back.
"I didn't realize the realm needed disorder and chaos." Thomas muttered taking a drink of wine.
"Incompetence should not be rewarded by blind loyalty. As long as I have my eyes, I shall use them." Varys glared at the two. "I wasn't born into a great house; I came from nothing. I was sold as a slave and carved up as an offering. When I was a child I lived in alleys, gutters abandoned houses, you wish to know where my true loyalties lie?" Varys asked. "Not with any queen or king but to the people who live beneath you, who suffer for your decisions. If you demand blind loyalty then I respect that and Thomas can behead me or your dragons can burn me. But if you let me live, I will serve you well because I choose you. Because I know the people have no better chance than you."
The room was silent for what felt like an eternity. "Swear this to me Varys." Dany broke the silence. "If you ever think I'm failing the people. You won't conspire behind my back. You will look me in the eye and you will tell me how I am failing. I already have Thomas sworn to stop me should I go mad, so you need not fear that."
"I swear it my Queen."
Dany smiled. "And I swear this, if you ever betray me, I'll burn you alive."
Varys smirked. "I would expect nothing less from the mother of dragons."
An unsullied came into the room and talked to grey worm while Dany and Varys stared at each other. He left unnoticed and grey worm cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "Forgive me my queen, there is a red priestess from ashai here to see you." Dany nodded before motioning everyone towards the throne room.
When they made it there the priestess was standing in the center of the room. She bowed when Dany stood before her. Thomas noticed she had a pleasant face with long deep red hair flowing down her back.
"Queen Daenerys. I was a slave once. Bought and sold, scourged and branded. It is and honor to meet the breaker of chains." She bowed low, speaking high Valyrian.
"The red priests helped bring peace to Meereen, you are very welcome here. What is your name?" Dany greeted her.
"I am called Melisandre."
"She was served another who wanted the Iron throne." Varys spoke up looking upon her with distrusting eyes. "Stannis Baratheon. It didn't end well for him, did it?"
"No, it didn't." Melisandre muttered.
"You arrived on dragon stone on a good day. We just decided to pardon those who served the wrong king." Dany shot a lookback to Varys to shut him up. "The lord of light doesn't have many followers in Westeros, does he?"
"Not yet, but even those who don't worship the lord can still serve his cause." Melisandre smiled.
"What does your god want form me?" Dany asked.
"The long night is coming. Only the prince that was promised may bring the dawn." Melisandre stated.
"The prince who was promised would bring the dawn." Dany nodded. "I'm afraid I'm not a prince."
"Your Grace, if I may." Missandei spoke up. "The proper translation for Prince can be either male or female. It doesn't specify a gender."
"It doesn't quite role off the tongue Tyrion joked.
"No but I like it. SO you think this prophecy refers to me?" Dany asked.
"Prophecies are dangerous things. I believe you and the father of Dragons," She looked to Thomas who stood off to the side. "Have a part to play. As does another, the king in the north, Jon Snow."
"Jon snow, Ned Starks Bastard?" Tyrion asked skeptically.
"You know him?" Dany asked.
"I traveled with him to the wall, he joined the nights watch."
"Why do you think the lord of light singled this Jon snow out aside from your visions in the fire?" Varys asked.
"As lord Commander of the Nights watch he allowed the wildlings south of the wall to protect them from great danger. As king in the north he has united those wildlings with the northern houses so they can endure the same enemy."
"He sounds like quite a man." Dany praised.
"Summon Jon snow and let him tell you of the things he has seen and the things that happened to him." Melisandre urged. Tyrion stepped closer to Dany.
"I can't speak of prophecies but I do like Jon Snow and I trusted him. As you know I am an excellent judge of character. If he does rule the north, he would make a valuable ally. Jon snow has even more reason to hate Cersei than you do. They executed his father and plotted to murder his brother."
Dany considered it briefly. "Very well, send a raven north. Tell Jon Snow that his Queen invites him to Dragon Stone and bend the knee."
Soon after everyone was dismissed and went about their separate ways.
The Next day everyone was back in the throne room. Daenerys had called a meeting and invited Thomas's family to attend. Now they stood before Dany who sat on the throne.
"You wanted to see us your grace?" Lysa Ward asked. She was in a simple dress while Edwin wore his nicest clothes. Since Dany's arrival and their reunion with Thomas they have been moved into the castle of Dragonstone and were treated like nobles from the unsullied and Dothraki armies.
"Yes, I have an announcement regarding your family." Dany smiled. Thomas however frowned. He had no idea what was happening. They hadn't discussed this beforehand and when he asked for answers, she refused to give any. "Thomas, please stand beside them." Dany motioned for him to step forward. He did so and waited patiently for her to speak.
"For many years Thomas Ward has watched over me, protected me and advised me. I think it is time I reward him properly and officially. I decree, from this day Forward that House Ward is a noble house of the seven kingdoms and when I reclaim the Irion throne shall receive lands befitting their station." Dany smiled as the family before stood in shock. "I hope you don't mind but I already had a sigil made for you." She waved her hand and two unsullied unfurled a banner. On it were two dragons, one red the other blue, Tail intertwined and noses touching. Thomas thought it loosely resembled a heart. "However, it is up to you to come up with the words for your house. I wish you good fortune in the years to come." Dany smiled as Edwin accepted the Banner.
"We thank you your grace. I am at a loss for words." He shook his head in disbelief.
"You don't need to say anything. You may go and discuss this with your family. I look forward to hearing your house words." With smiles on their faces Lysa and Edwin left the hall chatting with each other over their new position. Thomas however stepped forward. Dany stood and was soon dragged into his embrace. She hummed as his arms squeezed her tight.
"Thank you, Dany." He whispered into her hair. "I don't know how to repay you."
"You don't have to repay me idiot." Dany laughed. "But if you must, I think I have an idea." She winked mischievously and pulled him to their chambers.
The rest of the week passed by without incident. On the start of the new week their allies arrived. Yara Greyjoy had brought Ellaria Sand and her daughters along with Olenna Tyrell. After a brief introduction of the assembled parties, Dany moved everyone into the war room.
"If you want the Iron Throne just take it." Yara argued. "We have an army, a fleet and three battle ready dragons." She looked back to the assembled people. "We should hit kings landing now, hard. With everything we have. The city will fall within a day."
"If we turn the dragon's loose tens of thousands with die in the fires." Tyrion pointed out.
"It's called war, people die in war." Ellaria snapped at him.
"If we don't use the dragons many more people will die in pointless bloodshed." Thomas pointed out. Why should our people die when they don't have too?" Thomas argued. They had been going at this for an hour now and he was getting annoyed.
"I thought we didn't burn people in this army and I know we don't poison little girls here." He looked sharply at Thomas and glared at Ellaria. "Marcella was innocent.
"She was a Lannister. There are no innocent Lannister's. My greatest regret is that Oberyn died fighting for you." Ellaria snapped back.
"That's enough!" Dany shouted. "Lord Tyrion is hand of the Queen and you will treat him with respect." Dany ordered as Ellaria backed down. "I am not here to be queen of the ashes."
"That's very nice to hear." Olenna Tyrell spoke up she had been silently listening to the argument. Taking in all sides before she decided she needed to be heard. "Of course, I can't remember a queen who was better loved than my granddaughter. The common people loved her, the nobles loved her, what is left of her now? Ashes." Dany and Tyrion watched her, their faces weighing the words she spoke. Thomas felt sorrow for the old woman. Losing her entire family in one swoop must have been hard. "Commoners, nobles they are all just children really. This young man has the right of it. They won't obey you, unless they fear you."
Dany nodded. "I'm grateful to you, lady Olena for your counsel. I'm grateful to all of you." She nodded to everyone else. "But you have chosen to follow me. I will not attack kings landing. WE, will not attack kings landing." She stressed the we when she looked towards Ellaria.
"Then how do you mean to take the iron throne?" Olenna asked. "By asking nicely?"
"We will lay siege to the capitol, surrounding the city on all sides." Dany began discussing her plan. "Cersei may have the Iron throne, but no food for her armies or the people."
"But we will not use Dothraki and unsullied." Tyrion spoke up. When this was said Thomas and Lara looked towards the imp and Dany in shock. Everyone else noticed and took note of it. "Cersei will try to rally the lords of Westeros by appealing to their loyalty. Their love for their country. If we besiege the city with foreigners, we prove her right. Our armies should be Westerosi."
"Forgive me, Tyrion." Thomas spoke up, preventing Ellaria from speaking. "But why the fuck did we go through all the trouble of bringing the unsullied and Dothraki if we won't be using them?" Thomas shook his head and held out his hands. "If we lay siege to the city with the Greyjoy fleet and both the unsullied and Dothraki, then Dorne and High Garden can watch our backs for any lords who think it would be a good idea to try and lift the siege." Yara and Ellaria nodded. "Of course, many people will die, but since you insist, we don't use the dragons you're going to have to live with that. Besides what you are asking is for them to die while we sit back and reap the rewards." Thomas shook his head. "Not the best trade off in my opinion." Thomas and Tyrion stared each other down.
"Tell me Thomas what is your grand plan for getting Daenerys on the throne?" Tyrion asked.
"My grand plan?" Thomas asked. "Well it's quite simple really. We march our unsullied to Kings landing, when we get there, we have the dragons burn the battlements and any fortifications in the city down. While the guards are busy putting out the many fires that will no doubt spring up, we sack the city. The unsullied will kill any who raise a sword to them and storm the red keep. It will be over in an hour." Thomas shrugged. "But what do I know, obviously it doesn't have enough moving parts and it's very hard to mess up, clearly a losing strategy. Tell me Dwarf, what great battle strategy did you come up with?" Thomas briefly glanced around and noticed the others aside from Dany liked his suggestion. To him it was the most practical and made sure Cersei couldn't mess it up.
"We have Yara Greyjoy sail Ellaria back to sun spear. Her Iron fleet will ferry the Dornish army back to kings landing." Tyrion moved some pieces around to help show his plan. "The Dornish will lay siege to the capitol alongside the Tyrell Army. Two great kingdoms united against Cersei." Tyrion looked around the room. Olenna looked slightly amused by the shorter man while Ellaria looked enraged at him.
"So, your master plan is to use our armies. But I can't help but wonder with Thomas here why you even bothered to bring your own?" Olenna was clearly less then pleased with Tyrion's plan.
"The unsullied will have another objective." Tyrion took and unsullied piece and moved around the table. "For decades, house Lannister has been the true power in Westeros. And the seat of that power is Casterly Rock. Grey Worm and the Unsullied will sail for the rock and take it."
"This is the plan I choose to go by." Dany looked at everyone but stared at Thomas the longest. "DO I have your support?"
"I would prefer to use your lovers plan, but If you won't use it then I will still stand by you." Yara nodded.
Ellaria sighed. "Dorne is with you, your grace." She glared at Tyrion. "I just wish you would use the boys plan." Dany nodded before turning to Olena. The queen of thorns nodded her support.
"Thank you all, Lady Olena may I speak with you alone?" Dany asked as everyone left. Thomas glanced back but a quick nod from Dany sent him on his way.
"I realize you're here out of hatred for Cersei and no love for me. But I swear to you she will pay for what she has done and we will bring peace back to Westeros." Dany sat across form her.
Olenna scoffed. "Peace, do you think that was what we had under your father, or his father or his?" Dany listened intently hoping to gain some wisdom from the aging woman. "Peace never lasts my dear. Will you take a bit of advice from an old woman?" Dany nodded. "He's a clever man, your hand. I have known a great many clever men. I outlived them all. Do you know why? I ignored them. Your friend Thomas Ward I think it was, is not a clever man. Out of everyone in this room, he scared me the most, do you know why?" Dany shook her head. "Because he is a practical man who understands how the common people think. He doesn't pretend to be wise or overly intelligent by any means. He is something much more deadly. It's true clever men can live long lives, but a practical man will outlive them all."
"Are you a practical woman Lady Olenna?" Dany asked. She wasn't trying to be snide or cruel but genuinely curious. "I was, when I was his age I was and over time I worked in a bit of cleverness to keep myself ahead of the curve. And because of this I have lived this long. He knows and so do I, that the people of Westeros are sheep. Are you a sheep?" Olenna gave her a soft smile. "No, you're a dragon, be a dragon. The boy you elevated to noble status and gave him dragons as his symbol already thinks like a dragon. I would listen to him far more than the imp of Casterly Rock." Oleanna smiled one more time before leaving the room. Dany however stayed seated mulling over her words.
*Outside while they talked*
"You are a smart man." Ellaria stated once they were outside.
"Thank you, Lady Ellaria." Thomas nodded. Ellaria gave him a smile before motioning her daughters forward. "These are my eldest daughters, Tyene, Obara and Nymeria. People call them the sand snakes."
"It is a pleasure to meet such lovely ladies." Thomas bowed towards the three. Tyene gave him a demure smile. Obara gave him a once over before rolling her eyes. Nymeria gazed into his eyes with an intensity that rivaled Daenerys. "This is Lara, she is my second in command when it comes to my men." Lara gave them all a short bow. "Would you all like to meet my dragons before you leave?"
"We would love to my lord." Tyene nodded her head. They had seen Dany's dragons flying overhead when they arrived but never got close to them.
"I don't like the imps plan." Ellaria began as they all started walking again. "You don't like it either. Tell me, how to did he become her hand?"
Thomas sighed as he remembered the tail. "He was brought before Daenerys by Ser Jorah who hopped to get back into our good graces. Jorah was sent on his way while Daenerys decided what to do with the imp. They had a conversation and she decided to give him a shot. I was too injured at the time to really do anything useful so I accepted it as he would help take some work off her shoulders. Then she was taken by Drogon and left us behind in the city to rule until our men found her. Soon after I left as well, leaving Tyrion in charge. When I returned, she had made it official and he would be her hand when we returned to Westeros."
"Did your nickname have anything to do with that appointment as well?" Ellaria smiled at his confused expression. "The dragon of Zakuul. Everyone in Westeros knows how you burned a city to the ground. I'm sure he wasn't too pleased with that."
"No Tyrion wasn't and if it was up to him, I would be back in Meereen, ruling." Thomas scoffed. "Me and Tyrion don't really get along when it comes to methods but we agree that she needs to be on the iron throne." While this conversation happened the sand snakes and Lara stood back allowing them to talk.
Ellaria let the conversation die after that and contented herself with the breeze from the ocean. Now outside Thomas led them to nearby cliffs. When he stood at the edge he whistled. Two distinct screeches answered his call and soon two Dragons the size of small horse appeared landing on each side of him. A dragon red as blood on his left and a blue dragon with scales of Sapphire landed to his right.
Thomas turned around and motion to the red one. "This is Cinder, and the blue one is Saphira. They are growing fast and should be ready for war the years end." Thomas scratched both dragons' heads. They crooned their approval at his ministrations.
"May we pet them?" Tyene asked taking a cautious step forward. Cinder responded immediately by roaring at her. Saphira simply barred her teeth.
"I'm sorry but they don't like other people." Thomas gave them each an apologetic smile. "They don't even like Daenerys."
"Interesting." Ellaria muttered. "Tyene, come here a moment."
"Yes mama?" She asked when they moved a few feet away.
"I want you to stay here and keep an eye on this man." Ellaria glanced at Thomas who was talking to Nymeria. Obara she noticed was walking back to the castle.
"What about you mama?"
"I will have your sisters with me but should something happen to us I need you to survive and make sure Dorne stays in this fight." Ellaria hugged her youngest. "Daenerys' plan will surely fail in some way and when it does, she will turn to him. I need you to keep him safe and alive for me ok? He needs to survive." Tyene looked into her mother's eyes and saw her determination. She nodded. "Thank you my dear."
"Lord Thomas, I have good news!" Ellaria called. Thomas looked over expectantly. "My daughter shall stay with you and act as your protector. Until we claim the Iron Throne."
"Thank you, my lady, but that will be unnecessary." Thomas chuckled. "I can guarantee you I am quite safe with my two girls around."
"All the same she will stay here with you. Do take good care of her for me." Ellaria smiled before ushering Nymeria back to the castle leaving Tyene and Thomas on the cliff.
"I guess, we are stuck together than." Thomas muttered.
"It would seem so my lord." Tyene smiled at him and moved a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"Come." Thomas motioned to the Castle. "We need to tell Daenerys."
SO I still need house words for House Ward. I only have one suggestion but before I commit to something I want to hear everyone's opinion. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter. All reviews are cherished and appreciated. Thank you and I love you all.
Added note: Again, mostly just grammar updates and making Sure you all know Lara is still around. Probably unnecessary but its my story.