Aegon watched the self proclaimed Queen march up the path way towards the fortress from his solar. He was surprised by the sight of a horse sized wolf that seemed to be attached to her side. He noted the lack of Northern soldiers she brought with her and hoped she came to bend the knee so they could dethrone Cersei as he intended. When Tyrion told him what his sister did to the Northern bastard's family, he grasped at the opportunity for another ally who shares a common enemy.
Staring at the woman from a distance, he also took note of how much smaller she was compared to the Dothraki and Missandei who stood a few inches taller than the Northern woman. Lord Varys reported she was a skilled swordswoman who rose to become the first Lady Commander of the Night's Watch. Yet, given her height, he doubted this Lyra Snow is even be capable of fighting men twice her size, let alone win in the Battle of Bastards. Then again, height shouldn't be a factor that makes a warrior, if his use of Tyrion's company was any indication.
When Drogon, his eldest child flew over their heads, he was amazed by the woman's lack of response to the dragon, as though she wasn't acknowledging the mighty creature. He scoffed when that idea came to mind, she'll soon learn who has the upper hand if she refuses to bend the knee. With that thought, he turned away from the window and made his way to the throne room to greet his guests.
Tyrion and Missandei led Lyra, Ghost and Ser Davos into the large room where Aegon sat on the throne with surety and calmness. The Northern bastard walked into the room until she stood in the middle before the Dragon King, Ser Davos standing just a little behind her and Ghost standing dutifully beside her, his red eyes watching the silver haired man.
Aegon locked eyes with the large creature, he could tell this was no ordinary wolf, not just by its size, but by the intelligence he saw within its eyes. The creature was no dragon, but it held its own magnificence and beauty as well as devotion to the woman who was fond of said creature. 'Now I'm beginning to understand why she is known as the White Wolf.' Aegon thought to himself, remembering the moniker this woman was labeled with by her Northern Lords. The King and the large wolf maintained their stare contest before the latter seemed to relax and sat on its hind legs beside its mistress.
Aegon moved his violet eyes towards the woman and was surprised by her appearance. Tyrion mentioned how Ned Stark's bastard daughter was said to be a beauty like her Aunt Lyanna, the woman who his late elder brother allegedly abducted and raped in Dorne, sparking the rebellion that ended his House. But the woman before him held a strange beauty and aura surrounding her. While most of her short dark hair was tied back in a small pony tail, her bangs covered her eyes, making it difficult to see her eye color or expression. He was taught long ago to always look the person in the eye to determine their strength and weakness as well as find the lies they try to hide from people. She was calm and steady in her stance, making her seem ghost-like and mysterious. Yet her expression, while he couldn't make out her eyes from behind her dark hair, her face was solemn, dreary, lifeless even. The air became colder than it was moments ago before she walked in, as though she brought more than the North here to the South.
"You stand in the presence of Aegon Stormborn of House Targaryen; Rightful Heir to the Iron Throne, Rightful King of the Andals and the First Men, Protector of the Seven Kingdoms, Father of Dragons, Khal of the Great Grass Sea, the Unburnt, the Breaker of Chains." Missandei announced Aegon's titles from off to the side, her voice resonating in the large room.
The Northern Queen's expression didn't change, only the slow turn of her head to the side where the old man was standing before he curtly announced, "This is Lyra Snow." There was an awkward pause before he added, "She's Queen in the North." The large wolf gave a low whine as it turned it's head in his direction, "Oh, and that one's name is Ghost." he hastily introduced the wolf who seemed satisfied before returning its attention back to the Dragon King.
Aegon kept his amused smile in check before greeting his guests, "Thank you for traveling so far My Lady. I hope the seas weren't too rough."
Lyra bowed her head to him, "The winds were kind, Your Grace." she said, her word leaving her lips like a cold breeze, not in an unpleasant manner, but chilling all the same.
"Apologies," the old man spoke, "I have a Flea Bottom accent I know. But Lyra Snow is Queen in the North, Your Grace. She's not a Lady." he said, correcting his 'mistake' as he glanced at Lyra who remained unmoving in her spot.
"Forgive me..." Aegon began, but didn't know the old man's name until Tyrion introduced, "Your Grace, this is Ser Davos Seaworth."
"Forgive me, Ser Davos. I never received a formal education, but I could've sworn I read the last King In the North was Torrhen Stark who bent the knee to my ancestor Aegon Targaryen the First. In exchange for his life, and the lives of the Northmen, Torrhen Stark swore fealty to House Targaryen in perpetuity. Or do I have my facts wrong?" Aegon asked with a raise of his eyebrow at the old man.
"I wasn't there, Your Grace." Ser Davos quipped, making Aegon smile a little. "No, of course not. But still, an oath is an oath. In perpetuity means...what does perpetuity mean Lord Tyrion." Aegon asked, glancing at his Hand who never took his eyes off the stoic Queen, "Forever."
"Forever." Aegon repeated with a nod as he turned back to his guests, "So I assume, My Lady..." he drew out as Lyra released a quiet and tired sigh, "you're here to bend the knee." he finished, watching Lyra carefully, waiting for her to bend the knee to him.
"I am not." Lyra answered, blunt and honest, hardly moving an inch in her stance as she kept her focus on the King in front of her.
"Oh, well that is unfortunate." Aegon said, feeling a twitch of annoyance towards the woman who looked completely disinterested and frozen. "You've traveled all this way to break faith with House Targaryen?" He asked, watching as Lyra tilted her head at his words, her hair falling slightly from her right eye, showing him an empty stare that seemed to freeze him on the spot.
"You are mistaken, Your Grace." Lyra spoke, ominous and without emotion, "That faith for which my ancestor entrusted to the Conqueror was broke twenty years ago when the Mad King roasted my Grandfather, Rickard Stark, inside of his own armor over wildfire." She said, her eyes distant and cold, "While his son, my Uncle, Brandon Stark, was tied to a Tyroshi strangulation device with his long sword just out of his reach." she blink slowly, the room dropping a couple degrees as she spoke, "Father and son...forced to watch the other die as one was burned alive in his armor, while the other, strangled himself to death trying reach his sword and save his Father." she finished with a near haunted expression as she seemed to return to herself.
Aegon felt his stomach churn at the descriptive story the woman just told everyone. He didn't need to look at Missandei to see her look ill or how she shook at the horrible image within her mind. Ser Davos looked down in mournful respect for the Queen's Grandfather while Tyrion had a discomforted look upon his face. He knew his Father did atrocious things in his life, but this...this made him sick.
"Were you not aware?" Lyra asked, eyes staring at him curiously.
Aegon swallowed the bile that threatened to come forth before speaking, "I know my Father was an evil man." he paused, shaking his head, "But no one ever told me of what he did to your House exactly." he said, feeling horror and guilt pool within his stomach at the idea of his Father. He clenched his hands into fists, trying to reign in his anger, "I had no idea of the cruel things to your family." he paused, trying to steady his breathing. "I am so sorry. On behalf of House Targaryen, I ask for your forgiveness for the crimes he committed against your family. I-" His sincere apology was halted when Lyra held up a hand.
"Do not apologize for what the Mad King had done." Lyra said, lowering her hand, an almost soft expression steeling over her face as she directed a small yet comforting smile towards him. "I will not judge a son for the sins of his Father...I've seen enough of that." she said as melancholy filled her voice, "You are not your Father, his blood may flow through your veins, but his madness has not infected you. There is not a drop of evil in that soul of yours. If there was, Tyrion would not be standing here." The dwarf smiled at her words, "That...and my Direwolf has not killed you." she added, turning her head slightly to her companion.
Aegon raised an eyebrow at that statement, but before he could question her on that, Tyrion released a nervous laugh, "So you can make jokes." he said, staring at Lyra whose eyes turned to the sound of his voice. When she didn't answer, his smile vanished, "It was a joke, right?" Lyra's smile widened a fraction, giving everyone, minus Ser Davos who was used to it, in the room a somewhat frightening expression, and it didn't help that her hair covered her eyes.
"I trust my Ghost's instincts over any human's. If he hasn't torn His Grace's leg from his body, then I can't hate him." She said, running her gloved hand over white silken fur in an affectionate manner.
Aegon resisted the urge to laugh as his heart fluttered at her words. He never realized how relieving it felt to not be judged for his Father's wrongdoings. And from this strange woman who relies on the judgment of her Direwolf, he felt humbled and couldn't help respect the intelligent creature. Her relationship and affection towards Ghost was unique and reminiscent to the bond he has with his dragons.
"He must be a lot better than Cersei seeing how he has not stormed King's Landing with his dragons, meaning he has no intention of burning innocent people alive, unlike your sister who has no qualms for what happened at the Sept of Baelor." Tyrion internally flinch over the mention of his sister's crime.
"And while I consider him to be a far better choice than Cersei, I did not come here to bend the knee as he so desires." That good feeling Aegon had disappeared with her bluntness, "I am a Snow, I am not beholden to my ancestor's vows." Lyra stated, returning her distant gaze to where Aegon sat.
"Then why are you here?" Aegon questioned, watching as Lyra returned her face to being sullen again. "Because I need your help, and you need mine." she answered, her hidden gaze staring straight at him.
Aegon cast a look towards Tyrion who's expression mirrored his own before returning to the Northern Queen. "Did you see three dragons flying overhead when you arrived?" Aegon asked, keeping his eyes trained on the Queen who never seemed to waver.
"I did not." she answered in a clear even voice, earning a confused expression from Tyrion and Missandei who clearly saw her staring up at the dragons flying over the fortress on the way here.
Aegon raised an eyebrow, "Oh, well did you see the Dothraki? All of whom have sworn to kill for me." he stated with sureness and confidence.
"They're hard to miss, but I didn't see them." Lyra shook her head slowly, sensing the King's rising irritation at her words.
"Lyra Snow," Tyrion spoke, "now is not the time to tell lies or riddles. You stood in front of the Dothraki and you stared at the largest dragon that flew over your head." he said, chastising her out of character responses in an attempt to diffuse the tension that started to rise with the King's ire.
"That's right." Lyra said, not looking at Tyrion, "I did look up at the sky where the dragons were flying over us, but I didn't see them. While I know there are Dothraki warriors in this room, I do not see them either." she said, confusing them further, "I've not told a lie to you or your King. Nothing but truth has fallen from my lips." she said to the Hand as Aegon's eyes widened in realization.
"I don't understa-" Tyrion cut himself off when he saw his King rise from his seat, his legs walking away from the throne and down the steps, approaching the Northern Queen with slow intimidating strides. He never took his eyes off of her, his stance reminding everyone of a predator stalking towards their prey. Ser Davos made a move to step forward, but remembered that he was unarmed and that the King would kill him before he had the chance to protect the Queen. Lyra stood still as he got closer, her expression remained unchanged, eyes trained forward, but not looking at him. Aegon's face was neutral when he stopped directly in front of her, standing just a breath away, his height towering over her, the top of her head reaching just below his neck.
His eyes glanced at Ghost, waiting for him to attack him for getting to close to his mistress. When the Direwolf did nothing but stare at him, he returned his gaze to Lyra before raising his hands to her face. His left hand gently grasped under her chin, tilting her head up to make sure he was looking straight into her eyes before his right hand came to her face, his warm fingers touching her ice cold skin as he covered her eyes with his hand for a split second before moving her long bangs to the top of her head.
Aegon's eyes widened, drawing in a breath when he got a good look at her eyes. They were grey with specs of violet, like stars sparkling in the night sky. But it wasn't just the beauty of her eye color that caught his attention. No, there was no pupil in either eyeball. In fact, while he did find violet within her grey color, they were completely veiled in a pale white that tried to hide her color.
Aegon's right hand was still on her head, his thumb brushing the hairline as he kept her bangs out of her eyes. "You didn't see the dragons or the Dothraki because you can't see them." he said, looking straight into her pale grey violet eyes that could not see him.
Tyrion and Missandei's eyes widened before the former opened his mouth, "You're blind."
"I didn't want to make it obvious." Lyra said to Tyrion, her expressionless face still in Aegon's hands, "I did say earlier that I didn't see that dragon coming." Tyrion pursed his lips and nodded, "So you did."
Aegon ignored Tyrion as he continued staring into the soullessness of Lyra's unseeing eyes, "Why didn't say something when you came to Dragonstone?" he asked, not understanding why she kept quiet about her condition.
Lyra blinked her eyes at Aegon, not seeing him, but knowing that he's there in front of her. "It was not important." she brought her hand up to the hand that held her chin before gentle pulling it away from her, "I came here because we need each other's help."
Aegon felt her cold hand around his through her glove and the sleeve of his tunic. "Why do you feel I need your help?" he asked, stepping back to give her space, removing his warm hand from her head, letting her bangs fall over her left eye, leaving her right exposed.
"Because something's coming...something beyond the Wall that was thought to be dead long before kingdoms were established, before the Conqueror founded Westeros." Her thick Northern accent resounded despite the low volume of her voice.
"What do you speak of?" Aegon questioned, watching Lyra's visible eye that seemed to shift colors as she began to speak, "Eight thousand years ago, before Houses were founded, monsters known as White Walkers rose from the snow and killed everyone and everything in their path. But with every living being they killed, they were added to their army, strengthening their ranks and numbers. The Long Night, one of the coldest winters in the history of Westeros covered the land in thick sheets of snow for an entire generation until the North fought back. My ancestors battled the living dead until they were finally able to drive them back from whence they came." she let out a shaking breath.
Aegon blinked at her, "What does this have to do with anything?" he asked, not understanding the reason for this history lesson when they have more pressing matters to attend to.
Lyra gave him a wide icy stare, making him flinch slightly, "They won the war, but they didn't kill them. No, they were sleeping, but now they've awakened, and are marching from the North, bringing the Long Night back with them. The dead are coming." she said, her voice filled with controlled hatred and fear.
"The dead?" Aegon repeated, not believing what was being said to him.
"Yes. Winter is here. The North cannot fight them alone. I need your help to fight against the Night King, otherwise, Westeros will not survive this coming storm." Lyra said, desperation leaking into her previously emotionless voice.
Aegon felt and heard the sincerity within her voice, but every word she spoke of about White Walkers and Long Nights sounded ludacris to him. "You saw these...White Walkers beyond the Wall?" he asked, staring at her unseeing eyes.
Lyra nodded, "I have. I saw the Night King himself when he attacked Hardhome. I got the Free Folk to safety, but I wasn't able to save all of them." she looked down, regret filling her eyes, "They fell to him. Their corpses are now part of his growing army."
Aegon watched her, feeling sympathetic to what she felt, because it reminded him of the slaves he wasn't able to free in time during his exile. He shook himself from his memories to regard Lyra, "This Night King, did you see him before...or after you went blind?" he asked, watching as she looked back up at him through the darkness of her eyes.
"Before." Lyra answered, getting the feeling he does not believe her, "Your Grace, I saw him," she said, stepping forward, "and he saw me. I looked him straight in the eyes when he turned the dead into his soldiers." she said, the memory of that horrifying day still haunting her dreams. "He's real, Your Grace. It is all real. Your war for the crown will all be for nothing if it all ends with ruling a graveyard. Turn your armies to the North and help me end the Long Night, help me save Westeros." Lyra finished, begging him to fight alongside her to defeat the White Walkers.
Aegon turned to Tyrion who stared at her with disbelief and confusion before turning back to Lyra, "I'm sorry, I cannot do what you are asking me." he said, his heart clenching at the look she was giving him.
"Why not?" Lyra asked, her voice cracking slightly, but Aegon heard it still.
Aegon swallowed, "I simply cannot leave the country Cersei to fight...whatever you think you saw beyond the Wall." he answered, trying to remain cordial.
"You don't believe me." Lyra stated, her voice becoming empty and hollow again, but her blind eyes showed anguish.
"It's hard to believe in something that hasn't existed for centuries." Aegon answered, defending himself.
"This coming from a man who brought dragons back into the world." Lyra fired back, making Aegon's eye twitch at her response.
Tyrion stepped forward until he was beside them, "Lyra, you have to understand that the war against my sister has already begun. If we march North while she's on the throne, she will use that to her advantage and gather more armies to kill what remains of us should we win against this...Long Night as you put it." Tyrion said, still trying to wrap his head around the very idea of walking dead men.
Lyra turned her stare to the dwarf's voice, "And you don't think the same thing will happen if we ignore the war beyond the Wall? Your sister may be sitting on the throne, but it is the dead are a much bigger problem if their armies are walking corpses that are hard to kill."
"If you need our help so much, bend the knee, swear allegiance to Aegon and help us put a stop to Cersei, then we'll happily march North to fight the next war." Tyrion said, trying to convince Lyra of more pressing matters than what she saw beyond the wall.
"We don't have time for that. There's no time for any of that. Winter is here, and my people will already be half dead by the time the Night King comes here. We don't have a limitless supply of resources to fight two wars." Lyra countered Tyrion's argument before looking back at Aegon who she felt staring at her. "Please, Your Grace, you call yourself the Protector of the Realm, if we don't fight together against the true threat, there won't be a realm to protect." she said, hoping with all her heart that he helps her in her fight.
Aegon felt as though he was caught in the middle, the emotion the woman tries to hide was clear as day, she's begging him for his help. His heart screamed at him to go with her to the North and fight with her, but the rational part of his brain refused to believe a word she says about the White Walkers. With a quiet sigh, he shook his head, "I'm sorry My Lady, but I cannot do what you are requesting of me. It is as Tyrion said, the war against Cersei has already begun, she won't hold back if we come back from the war you want me to fight in." he said, trying to reason with this woman, "Pledge your sword to me and together we can save this country from destruction."
Lyra was silent as she stared off into the space in front of her before releasing a sigh, "You want me to bend the knee." she stated, shaking her head at him in disappointment. "I came here hoping you were different from all the other rulers that want to remain at the top. But my expectations were too high when I sensed no madness inside you. Obviously I was wrong, and sorely disappointed." her words stung the King in a way that made his insides twist. "I will not bend the knee to a man who cares more for his crown than the people. The Lords of the North placed their trust in me to lead them, and I will continue do so as well as I can. So until you open your eyes and see what is truly important for this country, I will not entrust the safety of my people to you." she finished with a firm resolve.
Aegon felt insulted by Lyra and how she views him, "That's fair. It's also fair to point out that I am the rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms. By declaring yourself Queen of the Northern most kingdom, you are in open rebellion." he said, narrowing his eyes at her for the damage she's done to his pride and for her refusal to bend the knee.
The tense atmosphere was suffocating until the sound of foot fall echoed into the large room. Aegon turned his attention away from the blind Queen to see Lord Varys run into the room, passing Ser Davos and Lyra until he reached him to whisper in his ear. The Dragon King listened to the Spider's words before nodding his head as the bald man pulled away.
"You must forgive my manners." Aegon said, turning back to Lyra and her companions, "You both must be tired after your long journey. We'll have beds drawn for you and suppers sent to your rooms." he then turned to one of the Dothraki standing close by and spoke to him in their native tongue, giving him orders to escort and watch over them.
After he was finished, he walked up the steps, but stopped when she spoke to him one last time, "Am I your prisoner?" she asked, staring straight at him through the darkness. He glanced behind him to meet her only visible eye, seeing no fear or apprehension within them.
"Not yet." he answered before turning away as the Dothraki escorted the Northern Queen out of the throne room, the large doors closing behind them, leaving him alone with Lord Varys to discuss the bad news surrounding his allies.
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