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It was the early hours of Hour of Nightingale when they arrived back on Dragonstone. A raging storm encompassed the island. It made it as black as the hour of night. Sansa and Arya were taken to chambers near Joanna's ladies to rest from their journey. Aegon, Jon, and Ser Barristan noticed the air around the castle had changed in the course of the night. Many of the guards looked ashamed. Ned, Aegon, Ser Barristan, Jon, and Ser Steffon along with Gendry were led into the room of the painted table. Stannis stood at the head of the table. His head was bowed. He was gripping the edge of the table. Selyse stood on one side of him while Melisandre was on the other. There was a raging fire in the fireplace. Tyrion stood nearby with Tygett by his side. Lord Ardrian and Lord Monford were on the other side. Neither of them would meet Aegon, Jon, or Ser Barristan's eyes. They had grim looks on their faces. Tyrion looked up as Aegon came into the room. Their eyes met. Aegon could tell something had happened.
"Where is Joanna?" Aegon asked.
"Our queen, quite madly, went out onto Dragonmount in this raging storm and dead of night. Guards have been trying to search for her, but none has been successful. The storm is too much. With large sharp dragon glass rocks on the Dragonmount it is too dangerous for us to continue to hunt for her," Stannis said.
"Joanna is out in this storm?" Aegon roared in rage.
Melisandre caught a look of raging fire in Aegon's amethyst eyes. In a flash, she saw not made before her but Aegon the Conqueror with Balerion the Black Dread at his back. She shook her head and placed her hand on Stannis' back. Stannis looked at her for a moment. Before he walked over to Aegon looking him dead in the eye.
"I know you care for her. But I cannot risk my men for a wayward girl. I have the throne to win back," Stannis growled at him.
"That wayward girl is your Queen you're talking about" Ned growled behind him.
"Yes, I know that Lord Stark, I crowned my niece. But it's clear this why a woman should never sit on the Iron Throne," Stannis growled stocking away. Aegon glared at Stannis. His amethyst eyes locked with Stannis' blue eyes. Before, he turned, in a fit of rage. If no one else looked for her he would do it himself. He unstrapped his second sword from his person. It was Dawn. He placed it leaning against the table. He looked around the room. It was clear he was raging like a storm outside it was the rage of a dragon. Ned looked at Stannis in horror. "You are Protector of Realm as my niece so kindly reminded me last night before she went off onto the Dragonmount in this storm. What would you do?" Stannis asked Lord Stark.
"Are there any men that know this mountain?" Ned asked all in the room.
"Very few, Lord Stark," Lord Ardrian answered.
"There are some villagers that may know it," Lord Monford added.
"Send for them, having them hunt for her until she is found," Lord Stark ordered.
Ned's eyes glared at Stannis' back. He was acting like he was the new King, not his missing niece. Tyrion eyes followed Aegon's path as that conversation was going on. He quickly caught on to what Aegon planned to do. Aegon also feels the pull to Dragonmount.
"Ser Aeron…Aeron… Aegon," Tyrion yelled trying to get Aegon attention in his fit of rage.
That name caught everyone in the room's attention. Aegon turned at the door for a moment. The fact Aegon answered that name while the other did not get him to look at him. Lead everyone in that room to believe that was Aeron's real name. Ser Barristan, Jon did not look shocked at all as the rest of the people in the room did. Stannis turned back to look at Aegon. A flash of lightning illuminated the Dragonmount in the background. Stannis stuck back to the table; he looked down at the table. He was in denial.
"What is it, Lord Lannister? I have Issa ābrazȳrys (My Wife) to find issa dāria (My queen)." Aegon asked.
Lord Ardrian, Lord Manford, and Ser Barristan knew what those words meant. Their eyes went wide. Tyrion came over to Aegon. He placed his hand on Aegon's fist.
"I know you love her. But killing yourself will not bring her back. You have never been on that mountain how do you plan to get to her," Tyrion asked.
"I can try" Aegon answered shaking off Tyrion's hand.
Stannis looked over the table to Aegon. Aegon glared at him as lighting cracked behind him lighting the Dragonmount. They stared at each other for a long moment. Before, Aegon turned and left the room heading toward the Dragonmount.
Robb was awakened by pounding on his chambers. He rolled over blinking. It was the early hours of dawn. He made his way over to the door. Greywind looked up from his spot by the fireplace. Robb opened the door. Maester Luwin was at the door. In his hands were letters from Dragonstone. Robb took them without saying a word. Maester Luwin nodded then he left Robb. Robb shut the door and he walked over to the fireplace. He sat in the chair near the fireplace. Greywind rested his head on his legs. He took the first letter. It bared Stannis seal. He broke the seal. It demanded that he present himself on Dragonstone to swear fealty to Joanna. To present himself as a possible husband for the Queen. It also stated that Joffrey Myrcella and Tommen were the bastard children of Jaime Lannister and Cersei Lannister and that Joanna was the only legitimate heir to the Iron Throne and rightful queen. Robb nearly laughed when ready to present himself as a possible husband. Aegon would kill him in a heartbeat. It was clear that Aegon loved Joanna more than anything. They had reached an understanding here in Winterfell. He placed the letter aside. He eyed the crest on the letter. It was Baratheon sigil. He broke it. It was from Joanna. It stated that she had captured her uncle Jaime when he tried to kill her. Now that her father was dead, she did not doubt that her mother had commended his father for treason for the truth. And knowing he was a man of honor much like his father, he would be marching south to defend his father. But not to worry she was a woman of her word. That your father and sister would be safe. She asked him to claim that he captured Jaime Lannister while she decided his fate. Because until Tywin bent the knee to her; he was against her. She was going to beat him at his own game. She knew his weakness and was going to use it. Robb's eyes went to the flames. He realized the game that Joanna was truly playing. She would win this war by any means necessary. She was not a doe or a lioness. Oh no, she now reminded him of the story of Rhaenys and Visenya who conquered Westeros with Aegon. He realized with Aegon by Joanna's side. They were both dragons.
Joanna sat at the top of the Dragonmount on a bluff. A dragon glass curved spike was on either side of her. There was a flat stone wall in front of her. She was soaked to the bone. Her hair was matted to her face. Tears and rain mixed on her face. In front of her were three dragon eggs. The sounds of a raging storm were all that could be heard. She was unaffected by the storm. She looked skyward watching the dark storm clouds move. In the clouds, she almost saw dragons dancing. As she brought her head back to look at the eggs before her.
"Drakari pykiros
Tīkummo jemiros
Yn lantyz bartossa
Saelot vāedis
Hen ñuhā elēnī:
Perzyssy vestretis
Se gēlȳn irūdaks
Ānogrose
Perzyro udrȳssi
Ezīmptos laehossi
Hārossa letagon
Aōt vāedan
Hae mērot gierūli:
Se hāros bartossi
Prūmȳsa sōvīli
Gevī dāerī" (1) Joanna Sang.
Aegon ran up to her when she sang the last word. He hugged her closely. He threw his cloak over her shoulders. He checked all of her body for injuries. He pulled her face into his chest. He was angry at her but at the same time, he was happy that she was unhurt and appeared to be fine. He kissed the top of her drenched head. A loud ground rattling boom sounded. They both assumed it to be thunder. Aegon just pulled her closer to him. A loud creaking noise sounded after. Joanna turned her head from Aegon's chest at that noise. The flat stone face now had a large door open. A flicking tiny orange flame danced before her eyes. It was like it wanted them to follow it.
"What were you thinking," Aegon asked kissing the top of her head.
"Aegon, do you see that?" Joanna asked.
"see what," Aegon asked to look where Joanna was looking. His eyes went wide at the sight of flickering flame that danced in front of them. That was not there a moment ago. Joanna and Aegon exchanged looks. They could feel the pull to follow the flame and to take the dragon eggs. Joanna and Aegon quickly picked up the eggs. "Do we follow it?" Aegon asked.
"It called for us. Perhaps this is why we were drawn here. It wants to show us something," Joanna reasoned.
Aegon nodded his head. He took the lead following the flicking orange flame. Joanna followed behind him, her hand resting on his shoulder. Once they both were through the stone face. The door slammed shut with a loud boom as the crack of lightning lit up the chamber for a moment. When the door shut the only light was an orange flickering flame. It seemed to glow brighter. Aegon and Joanna looked at each other before they started to follow the flame more. It started to lead them down a long spiral walkway. It was lined with torch holders shaped like dragons with cobwebs on them from disuse.
Myrcella awoke to the sound of men in armor moving. She looked out her room in Sun Spear. She saw many different banners from all over Dorne. There were both men and women dressed for war. Her green eyes went wide. She had a sense of dread fill her. She knew in her heart something bad had happened. She quickly threw on a Dornish-style gown in a pale green color.
Once she got to the parlor room Doran sat with Lucynda Sand, his paramour. She was dressed in a teal-colored Dornish-style gown. Her long black hair was sleekly shining in the early morning light. It was clear that Myrcella did know that her father was dead. Lucynda looked over to Doran and then Myrcella. Doran looked away from Myrcella. Lucynda came over to Myrcella leading her over to one of the sofas. She sat near Myrcella wrapping her arms around her shoulder. She gave her mothering love that she longed to give to her children, but the gods did not see it fit for her bare children.
"What has happened where is the Dornish army going?" Myrcella asked.
"To Dragonstone," Doran replied.
"Why?" Myrcella asked with tears starting well up in her eyes.
Doran looked off towards Aero. Lucynda looked aghast. No one had thought to tell this young girl that her father, adoptive or biological father, was dead. They were all too busy planning a war for Aegon's throne. She glared at Doran.
"Sweet girl I hate to be one the tell you this but your father the King is dead. He was gore by boar. Your mother went against your father's last wish and crowned your brother Joffrey," Lucynda told her.
"What was my father's last wish," Myrcella asked in shock.
"That your sister Joanna be the ruler. She is calling on all of Westeros to defend her right to be Queen," Doran told her.
"So, Joanna is Queen" Myrcella asked in shock.
"Yes," Lucynda said soothingly.
"She will be a better ruler than Joffrey," Myrcella stated.
Doran looked at Myrcella in shock. He was not expecting her to side with Joanna. He was thinking that she would be like Joffrey should be king. He had a ghost of a smile on his face. It was the first time he saw what Aegon had written about. She was an innocent and sweet girl. But it was also the first time that he realized that she would do well in Dorne. Lucynda was comforting Myrcella in a mothering way. Myrcella turned her head tears pouring down her face into Lucynda's chest. When it finally hit her that her father was dead.
Tywin rode toward Red Keep as the sun broke through the clouds. It was the early hours of the morning. He entered heading toward the throne room. His eyes landed on the Iron Throne. He watched as maids were trying to clean blood from the floor. It was clear that something had happened here. It was like entering the room when he took King Landing the last time. Cersei came into the room from the Small council chambers. He had the royal edict in his doublet under the breastplate of his armor. Cersei looked at him thinking that he would be proud of her.
"where is Joanna?" Tywin growled when he noticed her.
"We do not know, Father," Cersei replied as she neared him. He looked at her with a cold cutting look in his eyes. She took a step back for a moment. "I am so glad you're here. Joffrey has named you Hand of the King. I am glad you're here to defend Joffrey as the rightful King," Cersei told him.
"You have taken the Starks captive?" Tywin asked looking around the room.
"Sansa is locked in her chambers. Lord Stark rests in the darkest cells of black cells. I have no clue where Arya is at." Cersei explained.
"You lost the Stark girl" Tywin roared in anger. Cersei steeled her spine. He glared at her for a time. He thought that he had not seen Jaime. Which he was sure would be his sister's side. His anger calmed for a moment. "Is your brother hunting for her?" Tywin asked.
"She is more animal than a girl. No, I have no clue where Jaime is. He went north to meet Joanna to make sure she made it back here safely. No one has heard from him since" Cersei defended herself even as she lied to try to save Jaime.
Tywin had a frown on his face. He could tell that Cersei was not telling him the full truth. It was at that moment that a soldier came running into the room from one direction. A maid came quickly from the opposite direction.
"Forgive me your grace," the soldier started.
Tywin turned as he saw the soldier and maid. His frown deepened. Cersei also turned to address the soldier. The maid had a scared look on her face. The soldier ran up dropping to knees before Cersei as if he was pleading for his life.
"What is it" Cersei snapped.
"Lord Stark is missing from the Black Cells," the soldier told her his voice trembling in fear.
"What" Cersei roared.
"My queen Lady Sansa is also missing," the maid told her.
Tywin turned to look at the Iron Throne. He knew from his spies that Joanna was close to the Starks as her father was once. He had a ghost smirk on his face. All of his lessons had paid off in Joanna. Cersei raged at the same time Tywin was proud of Joanna. She turned toward Tywin. Cersei and Tywin's eyes met for a moment.
"Father, what do we do?" Cersei asked.
"Is there any word from Renly or Stannis?" Tywin asked he was gaging where Joanna was at.
"Renly has declared himself King. He has wed Margaery Tyrell. Stannis has spread a baseless rumor about Joffrey, Tommen, and Myrcella being Jaime's children." Cersei explained.
"Has he declared himself king also?" Tywin asked.
"No" Cersei replied.
Tywin looked at Cersei with a "really" look. She said she had no clue where Joanna was at. But it was clear as day to him that Joanna was with Stannis.
"Send terms to Dragonstone," Tywin ordered.
Joanna and Aegon came to the large chamber. It was illuminated by fourteen red-orange eternal flames. There was a large altar that had what looked like dried blood on the edges of it. There were Valyrian steel goblets with ruby-encrusted on them. They were covered with dust and cobwebs. Cobwebs were covering most of the surfaces. In each of the eternal flames rested a dragon egg. There were no two that looked the same. There was blood red with black spiral on the egg, emerald green with opal-like coloring lining each scale of egg, indigo with silver marking, red egg with gold lining each scale, black egg with purple spirals on the egg, sapphire blue egg with pearl flecks on it, a sky blue egg with slate grey marking on it, glittering silver egg with pale blue splatters on it, storm grey egg with blood red bleeding up the egg, a snow-white egg with splatters of cloud grey on it, a glitter golden egg with golden brown marking on it, amethyst egg with golden lining each scale, glittering bronze egg with copper markings on it, and silver egg with storm grey flecks on it. The flicking flame which led them there went into the eternal flame with silver and grey egg in the flame. Joanna's eyes looked around the large room with a sense of wonder.
"What is this place?" Joanna asked.
"a temple for the fourteen flames," Aegon replied realizing.
Joanna touched the altar spying a dagger on the table. She touched it leaving dust behind. It was made from dragon glass. It was still sharp. It cut her finger and she brought it up to her mouth.
"It looks like it has not been used since Maegor the cruel" Joanna commented.
Joanna walked closer to one of the flames to get a better look at the cut on her finger.
(1) Fire breather
Winged leader
But two heads
To a third sing
From my voice:
The fires have spoken.
And the price has been paid.
With blood magic
With words of flame
With clear eyes
To bind the three
To you, I sing
As one we gather.
And with three heads
We shall fly as we were destined.
Beautifully, freely.
Any guess what is coming?