Here's the next chapter for you. I'm gonna keep this one focused entirely on Meereen, so we can get through it, and return to King's Landing next chapter. We'll get to see what's up with Lilith once we go back, as well as what she's been getting up to, in Aegon's absence, and I promise, it's not nothing. Can't wait to get there, but for now, we have the Mother of Dragons to deal with, so let's begin.
Darkness Reborn
Chapter 26: Fall of Meereen
-Meereen-
Panic was the general atmosphere. Daenerys was being ushered through halls by her Unsullied guard, as the sounds of frightened people filled the pyramid.
Ser Barristan was at her side, his hand firmly on her arm guiding her forward, his eyes scanning every movement before him. Right behind her was Daario keeping watch over their rear as they made their way towards a safe area. She held Missandei's hand in her own, the two huddled beside one another as they were pushed into the heart of the Great Pyramid. Inside were hundreds of people, many of them servants, though a growing number of Unsullied, and mercenaries were pouring in, including Strong Belwas, who pushed his way over to Daenerys, quickly taking Barristan's place by her side where Barristan turned to find Grey Worm.
"My Queen!" Came the call from the commander of her Unsullied.
"Grey Worm." She responded upon seeing him.
"A dragon has set fire to the western gates, and an army is moving across the terrain. Men on horseback, heavily armored, bearing the mark of the Dread Lord of Valyria." Grey Worm informed her, earning Barristan's attention as well as Daario's.
"This whole thing was a trap." Daario surmised.
"He fooled us. Aegon, it was the Dark Lord the whole time. I should of thought of that, should have considered it. Rómestámo stressed that Sauron was a shape-shifter, I just can't believe it." Daenerys sighed out, running a hand over her head in frustration as she did.
"We all should have considered it, Rómestámo most of all. The presence of Saruman lulled us into a false sense of safety. Led to use believing that we had the upper hand. All the while our enemy was manipulating us the entire time." Barristan noted.
"Do you think Rómestámo will be alright?" Missandei asked, fear dancing in her eyes.
"I pray he lasts. We need to gather our forces, and retake the Great Hall. Sauron and Saruman have only a few allies with them, we can overwhelm them and rescue Rómestámo." Daenerys decided, turning her gaze to Barristan.
"It will not be easy, but you're right, if we're going to make the attempt, we have to do it now. I think it was the dragon that allowed those creatures to drop down atop the pyramid. If I'm right, the dragon may go and pick up more. We can't count on them being so vulnerable for long." Barristan agreed, sharing a glance with Daario who nodded.
"Alright, I'll take some men and go back for the wizard. You focus on getting our Queen out of here." Daario stated to Ser Barristan.
"There's only a handful of ways in or out of these chambers, it's the most defensible position in the pyramid." Barristan noted.
"Than call up all the Unsullied and flood the halls with them, but make sure that a passage remains open to escape. You saw as well as I did, those dead men didn't go down when they were stabbed, I have no idea how well spears or swords will work against them." Daario responded as he called up a number of his men, forming a large gathering of nearly thirty of them.
"Stay safe." Daenerys muttered as he glanced at her, and offered a charming confident smirk.
"We've got a wizard to save, let's go earn out dues boys." Daario proclaimed, earning cheers from his men as they began to head out.
"Belwas, Aggo, Jhogo, Rakharo, see the Queen safely to one of the side chambers, near to the eastern entrance. If this main entrance is attacked you can flee from there, if the east is attacked, take her to the western entrance and flee there, or vice versa. If the enemy manage to attack the Heart of the Pyramid, then you break from cover and get her to the stables down below, and make for the harbor. We need to find Queen Yara, and ensure that the Ironborn are ready to hold the line, and keep the way open. Grey Worm, command all of the Unsullied to draw in and around the Pyramid. They fight better as a single unit, so the closer they are, the longer we'll be able to hold out. Right now we have numbers, but as soon as the Dread Lord's cavalry enter the city, things will fall to chaos. Ensure that your men are positioned as best as possible so that they cannot be flanked on side streets. Cavalry may not be as effective on city streets, but they'll have speed to circle around your units and cut them off, so let's get them as close to the pyramid as possible, with the only exception being that we need to ensure a pathway to the harbor is left open. If we must flee, then that will be our best option." Barristan began instructing, earning resolute nods from them all.
Grey worm offered a hard nod to both Barristan, and to Daenerys before placing his helmet on, he offered a momentary glance at Missandei, who's worry for him, shone in her eyes.
He said nothing though, and moved to begin commanding the Unsullied.
"My Queen, I must see to the defenses of the pyramid, stay safe, and should things turn for the worst, see to your safety." Barristan said to her.
"Go, Ser Barristan, and find your way back to me. I command you to do so." Daenerys said to him, earning a resolute nod from the old knight.
"We should go." Strong Belwas stated, as he began ushering Daenerys deeper into the chambers, past all of the panicked servants, and lords.
Tyrion and Varys followed beside them, keeping pace, only for Tyrion to stop when he noticed Jaime standing at the entrance to one of the chambers alongside Bronn and Shae.
"Tyrion! What's going on?" Jaime asked as Tyrion ran over to them.
"The city is under attack. It seems Aegon's sorceress played us all for fools. I think she's here, pretending to be Aegon. Some monstrous giants got into the council chamber along with these dead men, and the dragon he rode in on has set fire to one of the gates of the city. An army of cavalry is on it's way here." Tyrion rapidly explained all that he could, causing Jaime's face to tighten, while Bronn let out a curse.
Within the room they were guarding was Cercei and Tommen, both of whom had heard Tyrion's explanation.
"What are we going to do?" Jaime asked his brother.
"We'll hold here for now. There's only a few ways into this section of the Pyramid and the Queen is here so it'll be heavily guarded. Though I think we should move over to the eastern section." Tyrion answered.
"Why?" Bronn inquired as he scanned the crowd of soldiers and panicked servants within the halls.
"The queen will be taken there, and if the enemy manages to attack these chambers, she'll escape through the eastern entrance, so if we want to avoid the stampede, I think it's best to stay close." Tyrion offered, earning a nod of agreement from Jaime and Bronn.
Jaime quickly collected Cersei and Tommen and the group headed over to the eastern section. Just as they made it there, a rumble shook the pyramid. It was strong enough to cause all of the panicked chatter within the halls to stop for a moment. Another rumble shook the area, and then another. Panic began to spread once more as the area shook in rapid pulses.
"What in the hell is that?" Jaime wondered aloud.
"I have no idea." Tyrion muttered quietly as he stood with Shae.
Elsewhere in the pyramid, Daario and his men raced back to the Main Hall where they'd left Rómestámo fighting Sauron.
The sound of the dead fighting through the halls filled their ears as they closed in on their destination and around each corner, they feared to run into one of the trolls that had joined in the assault.
Thankfully they arrived at the hall with little trouble, though what they saw, took their breath away.
The chamber was awash with light. Spells soared back and forth as Sauron and Rómestámo dueled on the steps before Daenerys' Throne.
Rómestámo had an orb of light around him, that was seemingly protecting him from Sauron's assault, but he looked winded, his breathing was ragged, gasping, and he was slowly being pushed back, while Sauron smiled cruelly and continued his assault.
"Don't hesitate. He can't cast spells at us if we get nice and close." Daario told his men as they rushed into the room.
Rómestámo was fighting a hopeless battle. He'd been stabbed in the lung by Saruman, and was in the midst of trying not to drown in his own blood. While he defended himself against Sauron's assault, he rapidly uttered healing spells to try and correct the damage, but the Dark Lord was ruthless. He continued to hammer at him with spell after spell, many of which Rómestámo didn't recognize. Some splashed against his barrier, others bounced off of it, and soared off to impact the walls of the chamber, blowing large holes in the stone.
Some spells punched right through his defenses, and very nearly struck him.
Rómestámo could tell, he could see it clear as day, that the Dark Lord was merely toying with him. If he had spells that could pierce Rómestámo's defenses, than the only reason why he wasn't using them was because he wanted to draw this out, draw out the Blue Wizard's fall.
Rómestámo heard Sauron let out a laugh as a troop of men came rushing past him, and he felt someone grab him from behind.
"Come on, old man, we need to go!" He heard Daario shout at him. The battle cry of his men turned into screams of fear, as Sauron dispatched the closest assailant with a spell that caused him to explode in a shower of gore.
"No! Leave me! You have to escape!" Rómestámo replied with a growl.
"We're fucked without you, you do realize that? Come on, while he's distracted." Daario countered as he and another man pulled Rómestámo back down the stairs while the remainder of his men attempted to charge Sauron, though none of them even got close. One by one, they fell to his spells. Blasted apart, cut apart, some were simply lifted into the air, lifted all the way up to the ceiling of the chamber where they were allowed to fall the three stories or so, to a painful landing.
"Distracted? Oh, that's what you think this is?" Sauron stated as a green arc of light leaped from his wand, striking down another of Daario's men, this time with the Killing Curse.
The use of the Killing Curse caused everyone to freeze, even Saruman, felt an unnatural chill wash over him.
"Daario Naharis, a sellsword captain of some renown. I could use men of such abilities in my service." Sauron stated to the silence of the room. He had slain ten men so far, and would soon make it half of what Daario had brought, if the fighting continued. They had only managed to pull Rómestámo to the bottom of the stairs when the Dark Lord began to address them.
"Beware the Dark Lord's vile tongue, for he speaks naught but treachery." Rómestámo whispered harshly as Daario turned his gaze up to the Dark Lord.
His men were no longer attacking, whatever spell had produced that green light had chilled them all to the bone and broken whatever resolve they had. They were all now backing away as the Dark Lord stared down at them from the upper steps, Saruman looming at the top of the steps behind him.
"You're making me an offer?" Daario inquired with a smirk, as he pushed Rómestámo behind him, intent on getting the old wizard out the door.
"I never turn down the allegiance of skilled men. You are high in Daenerys' ranks, surely she must see something in you that inspires such trust." Sauron replied with a devilish smile.
"Sorry, I think you'll find that what the Queen finds so desirable in me, is something you have little use for." Daario responded with a chuckle.
"Ah, is she any good?" Sauron inquired taking a step forward.
"Magnificent, like no other I've ever had. So you see, I think I'd rather remain in her good graces." Daario responded to him, still smirking, but keeping his Arakh held between him and the slowly advancing Dark Lord, his other hand was slowly falling to the stiletto on his hip that he intended to throw at Sauron, the moment he spotted an opening.
"Hmm… that's good to hear. There's something so… delectable about breaking them in for the first time, but then you have to go and train them, teach them everything, it has it's perks, but they often can't surprise you with anything new. Let's hope you taught her some valuable lessons." Sauron said to him, his eyes flashing with hellish malice.
Daario kept his smirk, but anger filled his eyes. Daenerys was his woman, after all, and even if it cost him his life, he'd kill this man before he allowed such a thing to happen to her.
With a sudden movement he pulled his stiletto free and tossed it at the Dark Lord, aiming for Sauron's chest.
The blade spun through the air, closing in on it's target.
It came within a foot of Sauron's chest when he moved suddenly, snatching the knife out of the air.
He held the blade in his hand for a moment, his gaze falling to the handle that was carved in the form of a naked woman, he raised an eyebrow at that before turning his gaze back to Daario. With a motion, the doors leading into the hall slammed shut, just before Rómestámo and the men dragging him could pass through them.
He heard Rómestámo quickly begin uttering a counter-spell to force the door open, while the men began to pound on it, trying to push it open.
"Thank you, Captain Naharis, for letting me know just how much you mean to my dearest aunt. Unfortunately, you'll never get the chance to know, if she cried for you, in the end." Sauron stated with a cruel grin.
It's still twenty on one, don't think any of us are going to die without making you work for it." Daario countered as he and the men with him prepared to charge the Dark Lord again.
"Ah, but that's where you're wrong. It's not twenty on one, and this is hardly going to be work." Sauron responded as he lowered his wand to his side and held up his opposite hand. Almost as if offering it to them. Slowly he raised it, and Rómestámo stopped in his uttering, turning his gaze back to Sauron as he sensed magic fill the air.
All around the room, and the pyramid itself, Sauron extended his magic into the corpses of all those that had died so far.
Every man or woman killed by him or his servants, they all acted as a resource for him to use. A small strike team had been all that was needed for the Master of Death to start the party. What had started with only thirty wights, and two trolls, was about to become something far worse.
Slowly, Sauron raised his hand, and in unison, hundreds of eyes filled with a blue-green light. At once, corpses began to rise to their feet.
Saruman watched from above as the dozens of corpses in the chamber rose to their feet. The ease at which the Dark Lord performed such an act of Necromancy made the White Wizard's blood run cold.
Around him, several reanimated Unsullied marched past, descending down the stairs.
Daario watched this in disbelief, as did his men. What had once been about twenty on one, Daario and Rómestámo included, was now about twenty on thirty.
What they didn't know was that the dead hadn't just risen in this room, but all throughout the pyramid. Every last person who'd been cut down so far by either the trolls or the wights, had now risen as a wight.
Sauron smirked with a light chuckle. Necromancy had always come easy to him, his strong connection to death made the manipulation of corpses, spirits, and the like, almost like second nature to him. When Lilith added the power of the Others to herself, and granted it to him as well, it further raised his necromatic abilities, to the point where, even if only halfheartedly, he could raise hundreds of corpses.
It wouldn't take much focus to raise larger numbers, but only a few hundred, he barely had to think about it.
In the tight corridors of the pyramid, a few hundred wights would be near unstoppable.
The legendary Unsullied would prove ineffective against the army of wights. There was only two ways to kill a wight, with one additional way to neutralize them permanently. You either had to burn them, or use magic to kill them, which included magical weapons like Valyrian Steel or Dragonglass. Or you could neutralize them by breaking their bones.
A wight, didn't need flesh or muscle, but it did still need to be intact in order to move. If you had an older wight, that was just bones, you could defeat it by taking a heavy blunt weapon and repeatedly breaking it's bones, until it was just a bunch of shards, or at least break it's arms and legs, at the shoulders and hips. If it couldn't move, it couldn't hurt you, and wights didn't heal. Fresher wights, like those that Sauron had just reanimated, were even harder to neutralize, as even with broken bones, they could still move if their muscles still worked. So you had to break their bones and cut their muscles.
In essence, newer wights were a bit more vulnerable to swords and axes, while older wights were more vulnerable to maces and hammers. Spears, knives, arrows, and bolts were almost completely ineffective against them.
Most of Daenerys' army was Unsullied, famed for their pointed spears and helms, and their large rounded shields.
Needless to say, wights were the perfect counter to Unsullied.
"Bring me Naharis, alive. Kill the rest. Now, Pallando, where were we?" Sauron inquired as the wights rushed forward.
Rómestámo paled, and began to fight back as the wights rushed over them. He was able to dispatch two of them with magical strikes before he was lifted off the ground and pulled back onto the stairs.
He landed in a heap, as a weight fell onto him, and a burning pain passed into his body.
Sauron was on top of him, having pulled him over with his magic.
With one hand, Sauron pinned the arm he held his staff in, his touch burning the Blue Wizard's flesh, while the other, grabbed at the knife still stuck in his chest, and he began to twist it, cruelly.
Whatever Rómestámo had managed to accomplish with his healing, was immediately undone as the wound was torn back open, and enlarged, causing blood to rapidly flood his lung. The Blue Wizard began coughing and choking on his blood, as Sauron hovered over him, menacingly.
"Oh Pallando, have no fear, I'm not going to kill you. There's someone who's been dying to meet you." Sauron whispered cruelly as he rose to his feet, taking Rómestámo's staff as he did. With a tap of the staff he cast Langlock, a spell the stuck the victim's tongue to the roof of their mouth, preventing them from speaking. He then conjured magical ropes, and motioned Saruman down.
Saruman stood by his side, staring down at his fellow Istari with cold, uncaring eyes.
"So easily bested, I expected more." Saruman noted.
"These bodies you inhabit are weak. They were made to constrain you. Even with the his mandate lifted, he couldn't call upon more than a small fraction of his total power. We'll have to look into correcting that issue for you, Lord Saruman." Sauron stated, Saruman nodding in agreement.
Sauron then handed Saruman Romestamo's staff before turning down towards the fighting below.
"Keep him alive. I would have him taken before Lilith. He should be unable to cast spells, and the pain of his injuries should keep him from focusing enough to attempt to escape, though should he begin resisting to fervently, feel free to damage him further. Just ensure that he's still breathing and cognoscente." Sauron commanded.
"Yes, my lord. I will ensure that the Blue Wizard lives to kneel before her. Now, what is to be done with this lot?" Saruman questioned as he too glanced down at Daario and his warriors, who were quickly being torn to pieces by the attacking wights.
"The man will make a useful centerpiece to break my dearest aunt. The rest will fall." Sauron stated as he advanced down the stairs, picking up a fallen sword as he went.
Sauron rushed into the battle, cutting through several of Daario's men, while the rest were swarmed by wights. He quickly closed in on Daario as the man slashed a wight at the waist, and shoved it back.
As Sauron closed in on the man, Daario caught sight of him and prepared to engage him in a dual.
Whatever Daario though would happen, it didn't.
He moved to block a strike from Sauron, but the blow hit with more force than he could possibly imagine. His arakh cracked in half in a shower of sparks, and Sauron followed up his slash with a powerful right hook that knocked Daario off his feet, and onto his belly several meters away.
Stunned and gasping for air, he could do nothing as the Dark Lord placed his foot upon the man's back and placed his wand to the back of Daario's head.
"Imperio." Was the last thing Daario Naharis heard, other than the screams of his men as they were violently torn apart.
Elsewhere in the castle, Daenerys sat beside Missandei, the two listening in as the rumbling of the pyramid stopped. In it's place, the panicked cries of the various former masters, and servants, filled the halls outside of the room they were in.
On either side of the room, Daenerys Bloodriders stood watch over her, while Strong Belwas stood at the doorway.
Across the hall was another room where Bronn stood guard, alongside Jaime. Inside, Varys stood alone, quietly thinking to himself, while Tyrion sat with Shae, and Cersei sat with Tommen, holding her son to her as she relived the fear she felt when Stannis attacked King's Landing.
Tyrion and Shae held a quiet conversation off to the side, while they waited.
"I feel responsible for this. For us being here in this mess." Tyrion said to his lover.
"You thought you were finding us safety. Don't blame yourself." Shae offered to him with a gentle smile, reaching out to caress his face as she did.
"I should have suggested something else. I should have suggested we strike out on our own. When Varys came to me with the idea of coming here, I should have told him no. I just… I liked the idea of going home. Of finding a way to take back Casterly Rock, and finally showing you the place I grew up in. I let myself reach to far, and I led you here, and I'm so very sorry." Tyrion said to her, again earning a soft smile.
"There is nowhere I would rather be, than right here, with you. My brave lion. We will find a way out of this, and we will find a place where we can be safe, and happy." Shae responded, causing Tyrion to smile at her.
The smile quickly fell though as a scream pierced the air, drawing everyone's attention to the hall.
Across from them, Daenerys rose to her feet, alongside Missandei as commotion filled the hall and soon Barristan rounded the corner along with Greyworm.
"My Queen, we must leave. The pyramid is overrun!" Barristan said to her, his armor covered in blood, and sporting a few cuts on his cheek, as if something had clawed at his face. Greyworm, also had blood on him, but looked otherwise unharmed.
"What? How?" Daenerys asked, knowing that there couldn't be more than a few dozen assailants, even if Aegon's dragon had dropped off a second batch of attackers, there could be more the sixty or seventy foes racing through the pyramid.
"I'm sure how, but our dead are rising to fight with our foes. There numbers have grown. It has to be some sort of foul magic. We were fighting against some of those corpse-men when suddenly, all of the dead bodies around us, rose to their feet and started attacking." Barristan informed her.
Daenerys felt her gut sink at that. Strong Belwas didn't wait for her command, he quickly crossed the room, grabbed her by the arm and started guiding her out of the room.
Missandei followed quickly, as did the rest of the Queen's guards.
"We need to get to the stables, grab some horses and make for the harbor. The Ironborn are fighting in the streets, and I haven't found Queen Yara yet, but we have to hope that ships are still present." Barristan said to her, walking by her side.
Seeing Daenerys being pulled towards the exit, people began to follow, including the Lannisters, as well as Bronn, and Varys.
"What about Rhaegal and Viserion?" Dany questioned.
"Greyworm, order some of the Unsullied to go and cut their chains, and open the dungeons. I'm not sure what help, if any they can offer to us, but we need to deny the enemy the opportunity to take them." Barristan informed the Unsullied commander, earning a strong nod from the man who did just that.
They moved through the halls and towards the steps down, the sound of screams filling the air as more and more wights cut down the residents of the pyramid.
Once more, a dark power flooded the building, and as they ran, they spotted fresh corpses begin to rise to their feet to join their undead brothers.
Dany held Missandei close as they two were ushered through the pyramid. Occasionally their group would be attacked by a wight, who'd be pinned down by several Unsullied, and then had it's legs snapped, so that it couldn't chase them.
Down and down they went, seemingly only a few seconds ahead of the horde of undead that swarmed down the pyramid killing everything in side.
As they ran, their group grew in size as more servants, former masters, guards, unsullied, and mercenaries fell in line with the Queen's entourage.
The crowd grew so large that it became difficult to move in some areas.
People were shoved aside, or trampled as everyone descended the pyramid.
At one point, Varys was pushed through a doorway by the crowd. He lost his footing and fell onto his stomach. He barely managed to catch himself and keep from having the wind knocked out of him.
He pulled himself back to his feet, and tried to reenter the hallway, only to find it crowded with people. Before he could try and push himself through the horde, a shrill shriek filled the air from somewhere behind him. He turned his gaze out to scan the darkness of the pathway he was in.
He heard motion, like the sound of rapid footfalls coming towards him.
Thinking quickly, he pressed himself behind the open door that led into this passage and hid. Moments later, three wights came barreling out of the darkness, and rushing through the open doorway mere inches from him.
He heard shrieks of pain and fear rip out from beside him as the wights began attacking those in the hallway.
He stood hiding behind the doorway for several long moments, peeking through the crack to watch as the carnage unfolded just beyond it.
The three wights were ripping and tearing at the flesh of two women, while others raced around them, trying to escape the creatures.
Realizing that he was doomed if he stayed here, Varys quietly pushed the door closed, keeping the wights out in the main passage.
He had no idea where this side passage went, but he had no choice but to follow it, and try to find a way out. He was dead if he ran into those creatures.
He quickly advanced into darkness, his mind filling with silent curses. Everything was falling apart, everything he had worked for, everything he had hoped, it was all crashing down around him. If he didn't escape he was most likely dead. If he didn't warn Illyrio about the scale of this threat, than any hopes of their plans being successful were similarly doomed.
This evil, this Sauron, was beyond anything he could have imagined. Monsters and dead men, served this Dark Lord. This was beyond anything, he could have imagined.
He continued advancing until he stepped out into a lightened room. For a half-moment he scanned the area for threats, only for his eyes to fall upon something monstrous, staring back at him.
A loud crunching, caught his ears, as he locked eyes with the towering Oleg. The beast was holding the leg of a man in one hand, massive chunks of flesh and bone having been ripped free by the beast's massive jaws.
The Oleg stared at him for a moment before grinning evilly.
It began to advance on him, and Varys felt panic well within him. He knew he couldn't run, he wasn't overly quick. He wasn't a fighter, so that was out. All Varys had, was his mind, and years of experience in the manipulation of others. He had to survive, he had to. He was no hero, his life mattered more to him than anything else. So long as he lived, he could continued to work towards the betterment of life for the smallfolk. So long as he lived, he could pursue his goals. Nothing else mattered. As he told Tyrion once, 'storms come and go, the big fish eat the little fish, and he keeps on paddling'.
"I have information for your master." Varys proclaimed, dropping his head as the Oleg drew within arms reach of him.
The beast paused for a moment, as it caught his words.
"Information? For the Dark Lord? What information?" The Oleg spoke in a deep and menacing voice, as it reached out, it's hand, slowing wrapping around the back of Varys' head.
Varys trembled, but kept himself from panicking.
"Information on a threat to his rule. A plot to overthrow him. Take me to him, and I will share all that I know." Varys said to the creature, his eyes filled with terror, as the stinking sent of death, eked off of the Oleg's breath.
"Well… on the off chance you're telling the truth, the Dark Lord will reward me for bringing you to him, and if not, I'm sure he'll allow me to feast on your plump, flesh." The Oleg growled with a vicious smirk, before pulling him along, half dragging Varys through the halls.
As Varys was pulled along, all he could do was offer an unspoken apology to his old friends. His life, was what ultimately mattered to him. He had to continue existing, so long as he existed, the smallfolk would have someone fighting for them, for the stability of the world. No songs are sung for spiders. A truth he had always known.
It took, many long minutes, before Daenerys and her group finally reached the massive stables at the base of the pyramid.
People quickly rushed for horses, some even just made a mad dash towards the light of outside, not knowing or perhaps not caring about the dangers that waited outside of the castle. Most just wanted to escape the nightmarish horde of undead that were following them.
Daenerys and most of her group were quickly on horseback, save for the unsullied. They began to ride to the exit, just as the doors leading from the stables into the pyramid, were slammed by a loud crashing noise, followed by clawing, and screaming.
"They've caught up." Barristan called out, ushering the group out into the daylight.
"Make for the port!" He called out, directing people to safety.
Daenerys rode out into the light, her eyes catching sight of Meereen for the first time since the attack began.
Smoke billowed up from the western walls, and like an ever expanding wave of death, she could see buildings catching fire as the Valyrian cavalry stormed through the city killing all in their path.
From the sky, the massive dragon Sauron had brought with him dropped down, landing upon a set of buildings.
From it's back, two more trolls slid down along with another thirty or forty small figures, orcs most likely. They were far away from them, but even so, Daenerys felt her dread grow even further.
The dragon let loose a blast of blue-green flames that washed away an entire street. It held it's breath on the street for a full ten seconds before letting up and taking to the sky, flying back towards the west. As Daenerys followed it with her eyes, she came upon an even more terrifying sight. There, in the distance, washing over the landscape beyond the city, a massive army was closing in on them.
It seems cavalry and the dead wasn't all that Sauron had brought with him.
Barristan saw it too, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of the massive army that closed in on the city.
He stopped for only a moment to share a glance with Daenerys. She allowed him to see her fear, and he offered her a resolute nod, to show that he would protect her no matter what.
"To the port!" Barristan shouted once more, as a small army of unsullied formed around them, and guided them towards the port.
The unsullied were marching quickly, providing protection for the horses as they trotted through the streets of panicked people.
Some people, who noticed the queen, quickly began to follow them, increasing the size of their party well into the several hundreds.
Any hopes of making it to the port without a fight were quickly dashed as they came across Ironborn warriors fighting against wights in the streets.
What few people knew was that each time Sauron awoke the dead to serve him, it hadn't just affected the pyramid, but the entire city. Which included all those killed by the cavalrymen as they charged through the streets.
Hell even poor bastards who were trampled to death in the panic, had risen to fight for their new dark master.
Each time Sauron did it, it took considerable energy, but he had more than enough to accomplish the feet many times over, especially with no greater force working against him. For example, there was no higher power, pitting their will against Sauron's making it harder to raise the dead here. This was a fight, purely against men, and they had no greater help coming.
The unsullied quickly rushed forward to aid the Ironborn in killing the wights. The reavers were having a much easier time in dealing with the wights than others were, due to them favoring the use of axes and swords, rather than spears.
Daenerys and her guards held back, as the fight played out before them. Suddenly, something descended from the sky, a black wisp that dropped down onto a structure ahead of them.
Daenerys felt her heart sink as Sauron appeared there, his hellish gaze finding her in an instant.
His presence there, quickly brought forth the fact that Rómestámo was most likely dead.
She felt her heart ache at that, and soon a second realization dawned on her, that Daario had most likely died as well.
Barristan soon noticed the Dark Lord as well, his gaze locking onto the monstrous thing and filling with fury.
"Queen Daenerys!" Sauron stated, his voice carrying out over the street, causing all fighting to come to a halt as the wights stopped attacking and stood unmoving.
"Your time, has come. Surrender, and I will show your companions, mercy." Sauron said to her.
Daenerys glared hatefully up at him. Everything Rómestámo had told her about this man, this thing, flashing through her mind. Sauron didn't have a single idea of what mercy was. If she surrendered, they'd all be in chains.
"I will not surrender my people to you! I will not subject them to your cruelty! A dragon, bows to no one!" Daenerys declared, earning a rousing cheer from her men, while Sauron stared down at them.
"So noble… fine then. Do not say I am without mercy. Even after your betrayal, even after you broke your oath, and attacked me in spite of proclaiming that I was safe within your walls, I still offered you this chance. Let it not be said that I am without forgiveness. If this is the path you wish to walk, than I will show you the error of your ways." Sauron responded, and with a wave of his hand, he dropped the charm that was concealing Daario Naharis by his side.
Daenerys eyes went wide at the sight of the man.
All eyes quickly found themselves drawn to the Dark Lord. Sauron offered them all a cruel grin before turning to the glossy-eyed Daario and whispering in his ear.
Daario stepped forward to the edge of the building's roof, and drew a knife.
Everyone stared up at him in disbelief, and confusion as he stood over them.
Finally Daario shouted. "Behold, the power of the Dark Lord!"
He then violently drove the knife into the side of his throat, and pulled it across his neck, cutting his throat wide open. Blood erupted from his neck wound as Daenerys let out a gasp, and several shrieks of fear erupted from the onlookers.
Daario stood upright for several long moments. As long as he lived, he remained under the Dark Lord's command. Finally, enough blood drained from his body, and he died, his body dropping off the roof of the building to splatter on the ground before them.
Silence filled the street, until Sauron let out a chuckle, and waved his hand.
Dark energies surrounded Daario's body, and he slowly pulled himself to his feet, blue-green eyes, locking onto Daenerys as he pulled himself up.
He stared at her for several long moments before letting out a maddening shriek, and charging towards them.
Suddenly, all of the wights sprung into actions. Fighting quickly resumed, as more wights poured in from side streets.
Greyworm and a troop of Unsullied pushed through the fighting, leading those on horseback to safety, by pressing down a narrow side street than\t would lead them around the dark lord.
Daenerys was shaking with fear, as she moved forward, the image of her undead lover charging at her with those glowing eye, letting out that guttural shriek, it shook her to her core, like almost nothing had before.
Further and further they pressed with the Unsullied clearing away any attacking wights as fast as they could. Thankfully the wights didn't attack in force, usually in groups no larger than three to five. So when they did the unsullied could shove them into walls or knock them down and break their limbs.
Suddenly, a shriek filled the air, as a swarm of nearly forty wights came rushing out of one of the side streets ahead of them.
"Go, we will hold them here!" Greyworm shouted as the Unsullied formed a shield wall, several rows thick, across the street.
"My Queen, we must go around." Barristan called out to Daenerys as the wights began to charge at the gathered unsullied.
Suddenly, a black wisp fell from the sky, landing before the charging horde of wights, and with a motion, the dark lord let loose a bolt of magic that shot into the line of unsullied, blasting several of them to pieces, while knocking the rest off their feet.
Daenerys and her followed watched in horror, as the wights closed the distance and began swarming over the troop of Unsullied.
Some managed to get back to their feet as the undead got to them, but most were forced to fight from their knees or backs.
"GO!" Daenerys heard a shout, that she thought was from Greyworm as he and so many of the other unsullied were swarmed by the screaming, hissing, wights.
"This way!" Barristan called leading them down a back alley.
Daenerys was right behind him, along with a tearful Missandei.
They made it onto another street, that quickly fed into an open market square. What they saw, forced them to come to a halt.
Daario, and around two hundred wights, were gathered there. How they had gotten ahead of them, no one knew. All of the fighters quickly drew to the front of the group. Their numbers just over half that of the wights, with another two hundred or so non-combatants on horseback.
"Belwas, take the queen, make for the port. We'll hold them here. It's just past that archway across the market." Barristan instructed.
"We wont be able to wait for you." Strong Belwas responded with a critical gaze.
"Then don't. If I survive, we will find our way back to you, but do not risk our queen, for any of us." Barristan responded as he drew his sword.
"Ser Barristan…" Daenerys spoke softly.
"Go, my queen. And do not wait on us." Barristan responded, glancing at her for a moment before turning back to the wights, who began to charge across the market towards them.
Before Dany could say anything further, and before Barristan could give the order to charge, a shadow passed over the market, and then a draconic shriek filled the air.
For a moment, everyone's blood ran cold. The coal black dragon, had come for them.
Before anyone could find it in the sky, a wall of flames washed over the onrushing wights.
In disbelief, Daenerys and her followers watched as Drogon descended from the skies, breathing fire onto the horde of wights.
Daario himself was one of the first to vanish in the sea of fire.
Drogon hovered in the air for a moment, his fire breath wiping out nearly half of the attacking wights in one go. He then dropped to the ground, and let loose a second volley onto the wights who hadn't halted in their advance.
Most of the onlookers were in disbelief, none more so than Daenerys. She felt hope ignite in her heart, at the sight of one of her children. The dragon, in mere moments had taken out most of the threat in their way, even laying to rest her lover in her process.
With Drogon here, they could make it to freedom. They actually had a chance, a chance at survival, a chance at freedom.
Drogon turned, and swatted away a half-dozen wights with his tail, his gaze turning towards Daenerys and the rest of her stunned companions.
His eyes met Daenerys' for a brief moment before he let out a shriek, and rose back into the air.
He made it about a hundred feet up, when a darkness fell upon him.
The onlookers felt their hearts sink, as the massive Cannibal fell upon Drogon.
"Drogon!" Daenerys cried out for him, as her child was torn out of the sky by the massive all black dragon.
Despite his recent growth, Drogon was quite small in comparison to the full grown Umbra. With ease, the dark dragon pulled Drogon to the ground, his teeth finding rest in Drogon's neck.
Daenerys could hear the shrieking of her child as he was slammed into the ground on the other side of a set of buildings across the market.
Red flames filled the air, as the shrieking continued. She could no longer see Drogon, but the massive body of Sauron's mount, towered over the street.
She wanted to rush forward, to try and aid her child, his cries of pain, tearing at her heart. Before she could move though, someone grabbed her arm roughly, forcing her gaze to them.
"We must go, my queen!" Barristan shouted at her.
"Drogon…" She began.
"He's gone, my queen. There's nothing we can do! We have to move!" Barristan told her, pulling her along, as the few surviving wights closed in on them.
The shrieks of her child continued to fill the air, as Daenerys and her companions raced towards the harbor entrance, running over any wights in her way.
Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks, as suddenly, the cries of her child, ended, and only the bellowing growls of the mighty Cannibal remained.
Sauron stood before the body, of Daenerys' dead dragon, smoking blood pouring out of the street, coating his feet in the process.
Umbra loomed above him, half perched on some buildings, the body of Drogon nestled within the confines of a city street.
Umbra leered down at the body, hungrily, as Sauron stared at it.
Blood poured heavily out of deep gashes in the dragon's neck. Despite it's ferocity, it was far too small, to face one so powerful, and massive as Umbra. The dragon's body though, was mostly intact, and a cruel smile spread across Sauron's face as he stepped up to the dragon, and knelt before it. He placed his hand on it's body, concentrating his powers into it.
In a moment, the dragon's eyes opened, revealing a hellish blue-green hue to them.
Umbra let out a vicious growl, as Drogon began to move.
Slowly, the black and red dragon rose up, Sauron's smirk never leaving him.
"I am the Master of Death. All who fall before me, are but fuel for my war machine. Not even death, will free you from my service." Sauron thought with a vicious grin.
Sauron rose to his feet and turned his gaze to Umbra.
"Go, and destroy their fleet. By day's end, the death of this city will be complete." Sauron commanded.
Umbra quickly took to the sky as Sauron climbed upon Drogon's back.
"Let us go, Drogon, and see to you're mother." Sauron spoke to the undead dragon.
With a bellowing shriek, Drogon took to the air.
Closing in the harbor, few among Daenerys' group felt any sort of hope, even as they came upon a massive troop of Ironborn, clustered around the entrance to the port.
"Queen Daenerys." Yara called out to her, as they approached.
"Queen Yara, you're still alive." Daenerys let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.
"Not for much longer if we don't move. My ships are ready to sail, and are already undocked, I've got rowboats ready to take us to them, but we have to go now." Yara said to her.
"Than let us not waste time. Let's g-" Daenerys began to say only for a shriek to fill the air, as Umbra soared over them.
"Shit! It's headed for my ships!" Yara shouted, as her men began to panic.
In the next moment, Umbra unleashed a wall of turquoise flames upon the closest ship.
A second soon followed, then a third. In rapid succession, Ironborn ships were awash in dragon flames.
"No, no, no, no, no, no!" Yara uttered in disbelief.
A second draconic screech filled the air as Drogon soared over.
The dragon circled them twice before landing atop a nearby building, and on his back, they spotted Sauron.
"No…" Daenerys let out in disbelief as she spotted the glowing blue eyes of her child, and the Dark Lord upon his back.
Sauron smiled down at them and raised his wand. A bolt of magic shot out at them, landing amidst the crowd of Daenerys' followers. An explosion rocked out, killed over a dozen people and as many horses, and causing dozens of other horses to panic, many of which threw off their riders.
Daenerys herself was thrown off her horse as it reared back in fright.
She landed hard on her back, and felt the wind get knocked out of her, as he head struck the stone street. A blinding pain tore through her, and her vision went white as she gasped and sucked in breaths of air.
She felt hands on her, knowing that it had to be Ser Barristan, or Missandei, or perhaps one of her guards.
Whomever it was, she did not know. The pain was incredible, and she felt heat run down her neck and across her back.
Her hands were clutching at the back of her head, and they felt warm as well.
Around her, people split into panic. Another bolt of magic landed near to them, this time within the ranks of the Ironborn, sending seven men hurtling through the air.
Sauron let out a laugh of amusement as he watched his enemies scatter like roaches. He dedicated the sight to memory, knowing full well that Lilith was going to love seeing this.
The Dark Lord watched with a keen eye, his sight focusing on Daenerys as she was pulled to her feet by Ser Barristan. Daenerys looked to have been thrown from her horse, and he could see blood running down her back, staining her white dress. He was trying to get her onto his horse, but she seemed unfocused.
With a single chuckle, Sauron pointed his wand at them, and unleashed a bolt of magic. The bolt of magic struck the horse's back leg, causing it to explode in a shower of gore.
The horse went falling over with a scream of pain, while Barristan stumbled back, pulling Daenerys with him, the two falling over in the process.
Sauron shook his head, and turned his gaze towards the sound of thundering hoof-falls below him.
Valyrian Cavalry had finally made it to the port, several dozen riders raced out of the street and into the open area leading into the port, and began attacking everyone in sight.
Sauron watched the scene play out, from atop his perch, as several wights came to join in the attack as well as a troll.
Barristan glanced around at the chaos that was unfolding. Cavalrymen in black and red armor wee pouring in around them. He knew that they had run out of time.
"Take her, run!" Barristan ordered to Missandei who had fallen off her horse during the chaos.
She quickly nodded and grabbed Daenerys leading her away. She tried to lead Daenerys towards the entrance to the port, which was still filled with Ironborn men, when suddenly a bolt of magic shot from overhead, hitting the archway, that framed the port's entrance. The resulting blast, knocked those below to the ground, and caused the archway to collapse, blocking access to the port, and crushing a dozen or so people beneath it.
Missandei panicked and quickly pulled Daenerys over to a wall, as she tried to search for a way out.
Daenerys meanwhile was trying to blink away the pain and refocus her vision. Everything was blurry, and she couldn't focus. It felt like lightning bolts were lancing through her head.
Throughout the area, carnage reigned.
Tyrion was trying to locate his family in the chaos. He had fallen from his horse during the initial blast. He spotted Jaime dueling from horseback against a Valyrian rider. Bronn was on the ground, guarding Cersei, Tommen, and Shae, all three of which were huddled in a corner, trying to stay clear of the attackers.
Tyrion's eyes met with Shae's and she quickly waved him over.
The Imp began to advance, pushing through the chaos and the carnage. He got within a dozen or so meters of his loved ones when a bolt of magic struck the nearby cluster of Ironborn, causing the one struck to explode in a shower of blood, while the rest of them were thrown from their feet.
Tyrion himself was struck by one of these men, their bulk crashing into him as they flew through the air.
Thankfully they did not land on him, but he was knocked down, his head spinning, and pain shooting through his body.
Of all the sounds of fighting and death, a single scream, caught his ears. He had never heard her scream like that before, but he knew instinctively that it was Shae.
He lifted his gaze to her, finding her being held back by Bronn. He blinked at her, seeing her struggling against Bronn's grasp. She was panicked, and she was shouting something at him, but he couldn't quite hear it.
Then suddenly he felt something wrap around his body.
Panic quickly washed over him, as his eyes dropped down.
Thick, meaty fingers curled around his torso and he felt himself lift into the air.
He heard Shae scream again as was brought up, face to face with a massive troll.
"Fuck me…" Tyrion uttered in disbelief and terror.
The monstrous creature let out a menacing chuckle as he glanced around.
If felt like an eternity, but after a few moments, he spotted whatever he was looking for.
Tyrion tried to struggle against the beast's grasp, tried calling out for help. His cries went unanswered. With another laugh, the troll raised Tyrion over his head, and like a child would toss a ball, the mighty Oleg threw the Little Lion.
The Oleg's target, a nice flat wall.
Tyrion felt himself spin and twist through the air. Things moved quickly, and yet, seemed to drag on. He could see things, as he flew. See the fighting below him as he sailed through the air.
He felt himself spinning, the ground slipping from view, as his gaze filled with the sight of buildings, and then suddenly the sky.
A cloudy sky, greeted him. He could still pick out patches of blue sky behind the clouds, and for a moment, he felt peaceful.
In his final moments, he came to a realization that soured his peaceful feeling.
That monstrous thing had thrown him like some kind of toy, and in the moment before his head hit the brick wall he wondered just what he'd been thrown at.
Sauron blinked several times as he watched Tyrion Lannister spiral through the air like a thrown ball, only to slam into a stone wall, his head splitting open and his neck contorting as his weight carried the rest of his body into the brick surface.
A moment passed as Tyrion's lifeless body fell to the ground, and even over the sounds of fighting, the Dark Lord could hear the Oleg responsible let out a cheer, and start laughing.
"Lilith is gonna love this." Sauron realized, as he kept himself composed. Despite actually liking Tyrion, despite him being a Lannister, Sauron had no real use for him. He was knowledgeable, and a good administrator, but that was about it. If he had captured the little Lion alive, he could have found something to do with him, but he wasn't so much interested in seeing to his capture that he would intervene to stop his death. No, such things were saved for other Lions, Sauron thought as his gaze fell onto Jaime.
Rising to his feet, Sauron apparated down to the battlefield, appearing near to Jaime Lannister who still fought from horseback.
With a wave of his wand, Sauron unleashed a cutting curse that took off the horse's head, causing it to drop like a weight.
Jaime let out a cry of pain as the horse collapse, the way it's body fell, it landed on one of his legs, pinning it beneath the beast's bulk.
Jaime tried to struggle, pushing against the horse's body to pull his let free, when suddenly the horse's body rose up, and slid several feet away.
Jaime blinked several times in disbelief before someone stepped up beside him, and he suddenly felt a hand around his neck.
He was pulled to his feet by Sauron, who held him by the throat. Their eyes meeting, as Sauron placed his wand to the side of Jaime's head.
"Imperio." Was the last thing Jaime heard before his mind went blank.
"Come, let us see to my aunt." Sauron ordered the now mind-controlled Jaime Lannister. The two began walking through the battlefield, making their way towards where Dany and Missandei were hiding.
Over with Bronn, he stood struggling against Shae as she tried to run over to Tyrion.
"He's dead, woman!" Bronn shouted at her, as she tried to struggle against him.
Finally, he was forced to release her as a wight came rushed at him.
He fought against the creature, taking off it's legs and then crushing it's arms beneath his boots. By the time he was finished and could look to see where Shae had run off to, she had already made it to Tyrion's body. She cradling his smashed head in her hands, crying and screaming for him.
Bronn stared at her for a few moments before letting out a sigh. He was about to advance, to go and retrieve her, when suddenly a Valyrian rider, flew by Shae, driving his spear into her back.
The woman was taken off the ground for a moment and dragged several yards before the spear tore free.
Bronn blinked several times as he watched her go down, and he felt a cold detachment wash over him.
This whole thing was fucked, everything was fucked, and he was fucked if he didn't do something.
Bronn glanced around the battlefield, looking for a means of escape.
Every obvious avenue was blocked off, either by incoming enemy reinforcements or by rubble. Even if he managed to make it out of this area, he knew he wouldn't make it out of the city. He was dead, and there was nothing he could do about it.
He let out a curse and glanced back towards the corner where Cercei was cradling a weeping Tommen to her, Tommen having seen what had happened to Tyrion.
As he stared at them, a sudden idea struck him, a possibility that may help him get out of this.
He glanced around at the battle one last time, just to make that he had the correct read on things, and when doing so, he spotted Sauron, marching through the fighting.
"Alright, let's see if this fucking works." He thought to himself as he sheathed his sword, and drew his knife.
"Come on." He said to Tommen and Cercei.
"Where are we going?" Cercei asked with fearful eyes.
"Safety. Come on." Bronn answered, reaching out for Tommen.
The boy looked at him and reached out, taking Bronn's hand and pulling himself out of the corner.
As soon as he was free from her mother's grasp, Bronn pulled the boy close to him and placed the blade at his throat.
"What are you doing?" Cercei demanded with tearful eyes.
"Saving my life. On your feet, or he dies." Bronn answered, keeping the knife firmly pressed against Tommen's throat.
Slowly, with terror filling her gaze, Cercei pulled herself up.
"Stand in front of me. Do it." Bronn instructed, as Cercei stood before him. He then made her turn around, and had her start walking forward, as he pushed Tommen forward.
One of the Valyrian Cavalrymen saw them, and turned his gaze to them. He began advancing, his spear at the ready when Bronn spoke up.
"Whoa, whoa, now. These ones are for our master." Bronn called out, causing the rider to halt. Despite being covered, head to toe in black and red, scaled armor, Bronn could still make out the puzzled expression on the man's face.
"You fucking traitor." Cercei hissed.
"I'm a sellsword, I've gotta be alive to sell my sword. Sorry, I liked your brother, but I like myself a helluva lot more." Bronn responded, as the rider gave Bronn a nod, and allowed him to pass.
Bronn continued to march the two forward, until they had reached a spot a bit away from the fighting. He then ordered Cercei to her knees, and Tommen as well. He held the blade to Tommen's throat, and waited.
He could feel the eyes of the Valyrian cavalrymen on him, so he know he couldn't do the noble thing and try to make a run for it with them, or use the hostage ruse as a means to escape. His best chance at surviving was to trade these two for his life. They were his ticket to living to see tomorrow, so he wasn't going to take any risks, regardless of what their fates were going to be.
Dany had finally regained her bearings and was watching alongside Missandei as the battle played out.
More and more, her men were falling. She caught sight of Aggo, as he was swarmed by a group of wights. He was pulled to the ground by a half-dozen of them. For a moment she hoped to see the man crawl free of the swarm, but a moment later a wight pulled back, carrying the man's severed arm with him.
Nearby, Jhogo dove off his horse, knocking a Valyrian ride off of his own. Jhogo began hacking at the man with his Arakh, and managed to kill him, only for him to rise to his feet, and be immediately speared by another Valyrian rider.
Rakharo was already dead, having been killed, sometime at the start of the attack, his body lay in two pieces amongst the carnage. It quickly dawned on her that her bloodriders were all dead.
Strong Belwas, fought on bravely, and savagely. His laughter and cheer filling the chaotic battlefield, as he cut down a Valyrian and then broke a wight in half.
He turned, and spotted Sauron advancing through the battle with Jaime Lannister by his side.
With a vicious yell, Belwas went charging at the Dark Lord.
Sauron noted the hulking eunuch's and with a wave of his wand, he released a cutting curse that split the man in two.
Belwas never lost his grin as he dropped to his knees, and his body split in two, peeling apart down the middle. The two halves of the man's body fell apart, allowing his guts and organs to spill out as the Dark Lord continued his advance.
Spotting the death of Strong Belwas, and the Dark Lord coming towards them, Daenerys began to panic and search for an escape.
Sauron closed in on his target only to halt in his advance as Ser Barristan Selmy stepped into his path.
"You will go no further!" Barristan declared.
Sauron stared at him for a moment before turning to Jaime.
"Your hand, Ser Jaime." Sauron ordered, causing Jaime to hold up his golden hand. "Unfasten that."
Jaime did just that, removing his prosthetic, and allowing it to drop to the ground.
Sauron then waved his wand in an intricate manner, causing silver matter to begin forming from the tip of his wand. This matter lurched forward onto Jaime's stump, shaping into a hand as it did.
Sauron couldn't help but smile as he remembered a very similar case where this spell was used in his past, so very long ago.
Once the hand finished forming, Jaime ran his eyes over it with almost childish wonder.
"I once heard a tale that you were one of the best swordsmen in the Seven Kingdoms. Prove it." Sauron commanded, turning his gaze back to Barristan and offering a smile.
"Yes, my lord." Jaime replied, as he took his sword in his new silver hand, and began advancing on Ser Barristan.
"Ser Jaime, this isn't you, he's somehow controlling you, you have to fight it!" Barristan tried to call out to Jaime, but his words fell on deaf ears.
Jaime closed the distance, and immediately began his attack.
Ser Barristan fought back, the two clashing in a magnificent duel.
Sauron was half-tempted to stand around and watch, but he could see Daenerys trying to find a way to escape, so he moved to deal with her.
"No!" Barristan cried out as the Dark Lord circled around him and Jaime and continued his advance on Daenerys.
He knew he had to move quickly. He had to defeat Jaime and intercept Sauron, he had no choice in the matter. He renewed his assault against Jaime, striking out with quick and precise blows that kept Jaime backpedaling.
Suddenly, Jaime halted his retreat, and pushed Barristan back. Ser Barristan, didn't allow for Jaime to begin his own offensive, and quickly retaliated, though Jaime countered with a move that Barristan wasn't expecting. While holding his sword with both hands, Jaime released the sword with his silver hand, and caught Barristan's sword with it. He then stabbed forward with the sword in his opposite hand, driving the blade into Barristan's shoulder.
Pain lanced through Barristan's body, as he felt his arm start to go numb. Blood erupted from the wound, and he knew it had been a bad blow.
The whole time, his eyes were locked with Jaime's and he saw, absolutely nothing in them. No glee, no regret, no pain, or betrayal. Just calm emptiness, like he wasn't even here.
Jaime ripped his sword free, allowing blood to pour out from Barristan's wound, while at the same time yanking the old man's sword away with his silver hand.
He tossed the blade aside and placed his sword at Barristan's neck.
"My queen… that now makes three rulers I've failed. I'm sorry, my queen." Barristan thought to himself as he stared up at Jaime, who stared back with utter detachment.
Daenerys eyes remained locked on Sauron as he approached her. Even as the battle carried on around and behind him, she kept her gaze focused on him. Subconsciously, she moved Missandei behind her, trying desperately to protect at least one person, her best friend.
Behind Sauron, she saw Yara and a troop of Ironborn get surrounded by Valyrian riders. The troop shared glances with one another before tiredly throwing their weapons onto the ground. Yara let out a sigh and did so as well. They all knew they were done for. No point in dragging it out. Even if death was likely either way, if their existed the small possibility to living, they may as well surrender.
With the last of her allies defeated, Daenerys now stood alone against the Dark Lord.
"Hello aunt." Sauron greeted her with a smile.
"You needn't continue the ruse. I know who you are dark one. Rómestámo told me all about you, and your shape-shifting powers." Daenerys said to him, with a dark glare.
"Did he? Well, I can see why you'd think I was trying to fool you, but you should know that this isn't a ruse. I'm not pretending to be Aegon Targaryen. I am, Aegon Targaryen." Sauron said to her with a smirk.
"Liar." Daenerys hissed at him with hate in her eyes.
"Believe me, or don't. It ultimately wont matter." The Dark Lord stated. With a wave of his wand, the two women were pulled towards him, their bodies held floating in the air in front of him. He ran his eyes over them, and let out a hellish chuckle.
"My Lord, the pyramid has been taken, the city is falling. What shall we do with the prisoners?" Came the question from one of the Valyrian riders.
Sauron glanced back at the man, then around the battlefield, taking note of those still alive, which included a number of servants, a few former masters, a soldier here and there, he spotted the Ironborn, along with Yara Greyjoy, he spotted Barristan Selmy on his knees being held by Ser Jaime, he also spotted Cercei and Tommen being watched over by… somebody, that Sauron didn't know.
"Ask the Ironborn where their leader, Yara Greyjoy is. If she yet lives, have her brought to me, if not, then so be it. Once they've answered, kill them. As for the rest. Bring me Ser Barristan, and the Lannisters over there. Kill everyone else." Sauron ordered.
"And what of the city?" The Valyrian commander asked.
"The streets will run red with the blood of the Meereenese. Do not stop the attack until every man is dead. Every woman and child you find is to be clasped in chains, and prepared for travel back to Arcem Ossa." Sauron declared.
"Yes, my lord." The commanded responded, before moving to carry out the Dark Lord's command.
"Come, aunt. Let us see to the others." Sauron said, turning and heading back towards where Ser Jaime kept Ser Barristan at sword point.
Daenerys and Missandei could do nothing as they helplessly floated behind Sauron.
As he approached the downed knight, Sauron made a move with his wand, unleashing a stunner that knocked Barristan unconscious. He then paused to examine the knight's injuries. Noting that they would be fatal if left untreated, Sauron pressed his wand to the wound a quietly whispered a healing spell. Once Barristan was no longer in danger of dying, he rose back to his feet, just as Yara Geyjoy was dragged over to him, her comrades being put to death in the background.
"Yara Greyjoy. So you're the one who stole half of the Ironborn fleet from me?" Sauron inquired.
"Fuck off." Yara responded, spitting into the dirt at his feet. Sauron offered a quiet nod at that before responding with the Cruciatus curse.
Yara dropped to the ground with a shriek, her body began rapidly shaking and convulsing as her screams filled the air.
Daenerys and Missandei looked on in horror as this happened, neither one able to do anything to help.
Sauron kept the spell active for twelve seconds, before releasing it.
"No need to be uncouth. Have her taken to the Great Pyramid, and keep watch over her. I'll be taking her back to Westeros with me. Now, what do we have here?" Sauron turned his gaze over to Bronn, Cercei and Tommen.
Bronn, with several Valyrians gathered around him, marched Tommen and Cercei over to the Dark Lord.
He forced the two to their knees, his knife still at Tommen's neck.
"Well done, and who might you be?" Sauron inquired, giving Bronn a curious look.
"Just a sellsword." Bronn responded.
"A sellsword who doesn't seem like he's able to be paid anymore." Sauron noted.
"I recognized that too." Bronn stated.
"Well, I do appreciate when men come to their senses. No reason to die a fool's death. Tell me, sellsword, there must be something quite special about you for the Lannisters to have you as a personal guard?" Sauron inquired.
"I'm good at killing people, so long as you've got the coin. Don't quite care who it is." Bronn answered honestly.
"A true mercenary. I can appreciate such things. Tell me, mercenary, how would you like the opportunity to serve a new master? One who can ensure you was paid far beyond your wildest dreams." Sauron asked sensing something greater about this man.
"I've heard that question before, and my answers always been the same. What do you want me to do, and how much are you gonna pay me?" Bronn again replied honestly, earning a chuckle from Sauron.
"Nothing beats the pure selfishness of a mercenary. Escort them back to the Great Pyramid, and we'll discuss a bill of employment, once I am finished with this city's denizens." Sauron commanded, earning a nod from Bronn.
"These men will assist you." Sauron stated, gesturing to the Valyrian men around him.
"Alright then. Let's go lads." Bronn said to the men, who quickly fell into action.
As Cercei was pulled away, Jaime stepped up beside Sauron. She spotted him and began calling his name, but the man showed no signs that he heard her.
Her cries carried out, even as she was removed from the area.
Sauron stared after them for a time, a small smile present on his face. Finally he turned his gaze back to Daenerys and Missandei.
"Come, aunt. Allow me to grant you front row seats, to the fall of Meereen." Sauron offered as he began to head back towards the city.
A short while later, the two were taken back to the Great Pyramid, and true to his word, Sauron set them upon a balcony, seating them in chairs which he then used magic to stick them too, preventing them from getting up. The two could do nothing but watch as the city burned below them.
Sauron left the two under the observation of several wights, while he turned to other matters. It was then that he was approached by an Oleg whom had with him someone Sauron was just beginning to wonder about.
"Lord Varys." Sauron addressed as Varys was dragged into the room, and placed before the Dark Lord.
Varys was placed on his feet, and took a moment to compose himself before his gaze settled on Sauron.
"Lord Annatar, or do you prefer Sauron?" Varys asked in response.
"Annatar is just a face. Sauron is who I am, but you can address me, as King Aegon." Sauron replied, his eyes blazing as he stared down the Spider.
"Aegon? Does that mean the real Aegon is dead?" Varys inquired.
"Dead? No, Lord Varys. I simply am Aegon. Born to Rhaegar and Lyanna. Raised by Ned Stark. I am the rightful heir of the Iron Throne. Why go through all this work to make up a lie, when I can just have it be the truth? I began work to prepare this vessel a long time ago, for this exact purpose. I am Aegon, I am Sauron, I am Annatar. I am all these things, and so much more." Sauron responded with a smirk.
"I see. If you are truly Aegon Targaryen, than perhaps what I have to say can help you." Varys responded after taking a moment to reflect on everything the Dark Lord said.
"Oh, and what is it you have to tell me?" Sauron inquired curiously.
"It's a story about two dragons, one real, and one fake." Varys began, causing Sauron's smirk to fade, and genuine curiosity to replace it. He made a motion with his hand, causing two nearby chairs to slide over to one another, stopping several feet apart, facing one another.
Sauron sat in one of the chairs and motioned for Varys to sit in the other.
"You've sparked my curiosity, Lord Varys. Continue." Sauron ordered, as Varys sat down.
"I think I should begin by saying that I've always been in favor of a Targaryen restoration. Under the rule of the Targaryens, Westeros knew peace for many years. War and conflict are unavoidable, but for the most part, the house of the Dragon, kept things orderly, kept major wars from breaking out. The smallfolk prospered, and were able to live out their lives, free of the corruption, and malice of the High Lords who were content to play their games at court. A prosperous and peaceful realm, has always been my goal. Under Aerys, the realm prospered, but in his madness, he drew it into a bloody civil war, that cost the lives of countless innocents, and set the stage for two more wars over the next twenty years. He had failed, but the power of House Targaryen still remained. With the proper guidance, a dragon could bring peace to the land once more. Then Rhaegar died, and with him, many of our hopes, but you know this. You were with us in the capitol when news reached us of Rhaegar's fall at the Trident." Varys began.
"I remember. So, you longed to see the Targaryens return to power, so that the realm could be stabilized fully? From the beginning you could see that Robert Baratheon was no ruler. He was a warrior, a commander, but no ruler. A great ruler is a man or woman of many talents, with the knowledge and foresight to surround themselves with allies and servants who can compensate for his or her flaws. Robert had that, so for a time, things were stable. But it was not to last. Corruption sowed the seeds for the wars that would come." Sauron responded.
"Yes. Had Robert created a proper heir, had he taken a greater interest in ruling, and used the tools he had at his disposal to build a better realm, I may have supported him fully. The realm was at peace under his rule, and would have remained as such, had he the temperament for ruling. Unfortunately for so many of us, he did not. So I threw in my support to a backup plan, I had helped to set in place." Varys continued on.
"Yes, this backup. Daenerys and Viserys?" Sauron inquired.
"No, your grace. Aegon and Rhaenys." Varys responded, causing Sauron to blink once, then twice, then a smirk spread across his face, and he leaned forward in his chair.
"Ah, someone has been very clever indeed. So… which one is the false dragon?" Sauron asked.
"Aegon. When news reached me of Rhaegar's death, I worked with princess Elia and Queen Rhaella to smuggle the children to safety. Unfortunately Elia was under lock and key, and being watched by the Hand of the King, so I was unable to save her too, but I was able to get her children smuggled to Dragonstone, where they were then sent to Essos, alongside Viserys and the newborn Daenerys. The children were separated in Essos, with Viserys and Daenerys remaining in the care of a loyal Targaryen knight, while Aegon and Rhaenys were sent to a friend of mine in Pentos. Unfortunately, the baby Aegon, did not survive the journey. So a replacement was found. One who still possessed the blood of the dragon, even if it was, far more diluted. With Viserys and Daenerys to act as an additional backup in case Aegon and Rhaenys failed, plans were set in place to retake the Iron Throne when the time was right. Aegon may be false, but Rhaenys yet lives. My allies have gained the allegiance of the Golden Company, and plans were already falling into place to prepare for an attack on Westeros. I came here to gain the allegiance of Queen Daenerys and garner her support for our cause. Together, Aegon, or Young Griff, as he is known in these lands, alongside Rhaenys, and Daenerys would march on the Seven Kingdoms and take them back from the Lannisters and Baratheons. Then you came along, and changed everything." Varys laid it all out for him. Knowing that his only chance to survive was to show his hand. While Varys knew very little about the threat of Sauron, he knew a great deal about the cunning of Annatar, having worked alongside the man while in service to Aerys.
Varys knew that if he lied, or it was found out later that he deceived the Dark Lord, he would quickly find himself in a world of pain and suffering.
Sauron was quiet for a moment as he pondered this information. The false dragon was nothing but one more threat he'd have to deal with, but Rhaenys, her survival was something of great use. The strength of her dragon's blood was almost as great as his own, thanks to her being one of Rhaegar's children. If he could get his hands on her, she'd make a useful tool or weapon to not only grow the strength of House Targaryen, but bring the Dornish further in line.
With that thought in mind, he allowed the hellish malice of his gaze to fade, and the cool silverly eyes of Aegon Targaryen, to return.
"Tell me, Lord Varys, in exchange for this information, what is it you desire?" Aegon inquired as he sat back in his chair.
"Well my life, of course." Varys responded.
Aegon nodded at that, thinking on Varys offer.
After several long moments he took in a breath and then sighed. He then offered a nod and for the briefest of moments, Varys felt relief. It was only when he felt the troll wrap it's massive hand around his head, that he realized the nod was not for him.
Before he could utter a single word, the troll twisted his head and broke his neck.
In an instant, the Spider was dead.
As his body fell limply from his chair, Aegon rose to his feet, his cool icy gaze staring down at the corpse before him.
"Apologies, lord Varys, but if you had wanted to live, you should not have told me the scale of this plot. Not one, but two backups, in case Robert Baratheon failed. You truly are a dangerous man, Lord Varys. Unfortunately for you, I already have another dangerous man in my service that I have to keep an eye on. If I gave you your live, you would just plot against me. Rest easy, knowing that I consider you a brilliant man, and a cunning foe." Aegon offered to the Spider, before marching out of the room.
He made his way through the pyramid to where Rómestámo was being kept by Saruman. The Blue Wizard was still unconscious, and he'd remain that way until they returned to King's Landing.
"Prepare him for travel. I must see to Daenerys' remaining dragons, and then we will leave this city in the hands of Dathrag." Aegon commanded, earning a nod from Saruman.
"Oh, Palando, there is someone who is dying to meet you. Let's not keep her waiting, shall we." Aegon said to the unconscious wizard with a cruel grin.
While Rómestámo was unable to physically respond, within the realm of dreams he let out a panicked scream, as a feeling of impossible dread washed over him.
The future would surely be dark indeed.
-To Be Continued-
Alright, there's the next chapter, hope you enjoyed the Fall of Meereen. You can see the fallout next chapter, as well as what becomes of Aegon's captives.
Plus we'll see what Lilith was up to in King's Landing these last few days. Hope you all enjoyed and I can't wait to see you again soon.