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Chapter Text

Daenerys couldn't believe it, it was still all surreal, she was in Dragonstone now, and she took her ancestral home back, she is so close to achieving her goal, to restore her home's power, yet it all feels so far away.

She must have no rest until she finishes, lest she closes her eyes and it all goes away as if it was but a dream.

No fear, no running. She thought. I must be strong, for Rhaegar, for Viserys, for my family, for me.

She can still recall her older brother's dream, she still remembers how she dreamt she had replaced him on the trident, burning their house's enemies, armoured in ie with a dragon. How she dreamt of her Valyrian ancestors, who encouraged her to run away from the cold and wale the dragon eggs, she was glad she heeded their counsel, now that she looked at her children, the three siblings seemed to enjoy the salty air of Dragonstone, they thrived in the island.

Why shouldn't they? After all, Dragonstone is the only true thing that was left of Old Valyria, eggs continued to hatch there for centuries until they all died eventually, Dany's mind wondered to her old ancestors, the last dragon rider was Rhaena of Pentos until Dany herself hatched her three eggs.

It was a rather stormy day, the noise the thunder of the storm made soothed the dragon queen's mind, looking peacefully from the sea dragon tower, in the painted chamber room, until she was interrupted by her councillors.

Daenerys didn't trust the two men, but she'd rather have them close to her than with her enemies, they have their uses after all, as long as they're not betraying her, they will have a chair in her council, but she was rather worried about her current hand, Tyrion Lannister. He is the brother of the current holder of the iron throne, and he is the brother of the man who murdered her father. He will no doubt try to save their lives.

"In a storm like this, you came to this world." came the man's voice. Dany didn't turn or bother reply, so her master of whispers spoke instead. " I remember that storm, all the dogs in Kingslanding howled through the night."

Daenerys turned then. "I wish I could remember, I always this would be a homecoming, but it somehow doesn't feel like home."

The last time Dany had a home, Viserys, her sweet brother and not the man he ended up becoming, was with her, they were at the house with the red door, with the oranges tree, it feels like that was decades ago, but in truth, it is barely over one.

"We won't stay on Dragonstone for long." added the small Lannister man.

"I'd hope not." replied Dany curtly." We need to plan to take Kingslanding, we should act quickly, before the Greyjoy fleet attacks ours, if we have the capital, then the war is almost won."

She then walked over to the table, looking at the map of Westeros. "Not so many lions..."

"Cersei controls  fewer than half of the seven kingdoms, the lords of Westeros despise her." Varys supplied. "Even before your arrival, they plotted against her, now..."

 Daenerys stopped him from continuing. "They cry out to their true queen? Drink secret toasts to my health? People used to tell my brother that sort of thing, like Magister Illyro for example, I'm sure you know him." Added Daenerys, looking at the eunuch knowingly.

"No this won't do, the lords of Westeros are sheep, and if they could, they'd crown any mad instead of having a woman in power, as long as Cersei sits on the iron throne, commands the red keep, then none of us are safe." added Daenerys.

"If Viserys had three dragons and an army behind his back, he'd have invaded Kingslanding already, that is what I plan on doing unless you suggest otherwise?" Trailed off the queen.

"Conquering Westeros shall be easier for you, but you're not here to be the queen of the ashes, we can take it without turning it into a slaughterhouse, if the great houses support your claim against Cersei, then the game is won," replied Tyrion.

Daenerys tried to hide her annoyance, "Cersei has no claim to the throne, yet she sits on it, so what would you have me do?"

"If we have the Tyrells and the Martells on our side, then we'd have powerful allies in the south," added Tyrion.

Daenerys turned to Varys then, " I never properly thanked you for the troublesome trip Varys, tell me what is their decision?"

"Lady Olenna Tyrell and her grandson Willas, the lord of the high garden have invited the Martells to speak of an alliance between the two families against the Lannisters, Ellaria Sand was rather hesitant, afraid for her sand snakes' safety, but they all joined our side now, my queen." He replied, the added. "Because they believe in you."

"I don't need them to believe in me, just to be my allies. I'd hate for the reach to suffer another field of fire." Said Daenerys. 

Daenerys knew she had a lot of decisions to make, Varys was not to be trusted, he is preaching about protecting and serving the realm, how she is a great queen, but he was supporting her mad father, turned on him, then served the fat usurper, turned on him, in favour of her brother Viserys, another mad and cruel man, and now he's serving her, she'd rather turn on him, then he on her, but for now she'll have to keep her thoughts and plans for herself.

She knows what she has to do with Tyrion as well, she just needs more time, to wait and see how these troubles would turn out.

a servant came to Grey worm and whispered to his ear. "Forgive me, my queen, a red priestess came to see you."

Daenerys walked to the main hall of the castle, she found a fiery red-haired woman wearing a red dress, the red priestess indeed. The woman saw her and bowed her head softly, speaking in bastard Valyrian.

"Queen Daenerys, I was a slave once, bought and sold, scourged and branded, it is an honour to meet the breaker of chains." She said courteously with a polite smile, the same smile she has been receiving from people, ever since she crossed the sea.

"The red priestess who brought peace to Mereen, you're most welcome here. What is your name?" replied Daenerys, in High Valyrian, her mother tongue running smoothly from her tongue.

"Melisandre, your grace."

 Varys took a few steps forward and addressed his queen. "She once served another, who wanted the throne," he said, then turned to speak to the red-clothed woman. "It didn't end well for Stannis Baratheon, did it?"

"No, it didn't."

Daenerys cut them off, "The lord of the light doesn't have many followers in Westeros, does he?" she asked, then continued. "You chose today to come to Dragonstone, why?" 

"Not yet, but even those who don't worship him, can serve his cause," she replied with a smile.

Daenerys smiled then, "like me, perhaps? What does your lord expect from me?"

"The long night is coming, only the prince who was promised can bring the dawn." said the priestess in her Valyrian.

"I'm afraid I'm not a prince." Said Daenerys with a smile. "Nor a princess, for that matter." 

While she was smiling, she was anything but happy, was she speaking about the song of ice and fire? The one Rhaegar told her about in a dream? no, Rhagar thought his son Aegon to be the prince that was promised, but young Aegon is long dead, killed by Tywin Lannister's dog, maybe he was wrong? What if the prophecy spoke about another man instead? One who isn't from her family. She thought worriedly.

Until her friend, Missandei spoke, "Forgive me, your grace, but the translation is wrong. That noun has no gender in High Valyrian. You might have been misled. So the prophecy would be, 'the prince or princess who was promised will bring the dawn.' "

"Doesn't really roll off the tongue does it?" Supplied Tyrion, unhelpfully.

Daenerys smiled at her truest friend, Missandei and nodded at her. Then turned to the red woman, "and you believe this prophecy is about me?"

'I highly doubt it, I'm already struggling and almost lost, I don't need more responsibilities I've never asked for.' She thought miserably to herself.

"Prophecies are dangerous things, I believe you have a role to play, as does another, Jon Snow, the king in the north."

"Jon Snow, Ned Stark's bastard?" asked Tyrion in disbelief.

What would a sark have to do with it? Daenerys wouldn't help but think of the wolf she heard howling while she was lost in the Dothraki sea.

"Why did your lord of the light single this bastard?" asked Varys.

"As Lord Commander of the night's watch, he allows the wildings to pass through, saving them from great danger. As king in the north, he united those wildlings with the northern noble houses, so that they can face their common enemy better," she replied.

Daenerys hummed. "He sounds like quite a man, you're welcome to stay here and rest, I'll get a servant to help you to your room." She added with a smile and left the main throne hall.

Once out of the woman's earshot, Missandei asked. "What will we do about this prophecy and the king in the north?"

Tyrion spoke up. "I can't speak to prophecies, but I met Jon Snow, and I liked him, and I'm an excellent judge of Character, his father was beheaded by Cersei, he'll be a valuable ally to you."

"We will do nothing, Prophecies are just dreams to occupy grown men, we should plan our battles right, once we get the iron throne, we will send ravens for the lords of Westeros, either they ben d the knees, or we conquer their kingdoms." said the queen firmly, grey worm and Missendei smiled at her.

Daenerys stood at the head of the painted table, with her Westerosi allies, they had all been suggesting ways to attack, and somehow Tyrion Lannister had other ideas.

Asha Greyjoy turned to the queen and spoke. "If you want the iron throne, take it! We have an army, a fleet and three dragons. We should hit Kingslading now, hard! With everything we have, we will take it within a day."

"If we use the dragons, thousands will die in the firestorms." Protested Tyrion firmly, glaring at the Greyjoy woman.

"It's called war. You don't have the stomach for it, scurry back into hiding." snapped Ellaria Sand, in disbelief.

Daenerys realised that only one person was not speaking, or rather, two persons, Olenna Tyrell and her son Willas, the current warden of the reach. It wasn't like them, to be silent, at least not the queen of Thorns, she was known for having a sharp tongue. 

"That's enough, thank you for your council, I will think about what to do, but now, let's talk about what we shall do after I take the capitol, I need a better council." She said with a small smile, then turned to Tyrion. "Tyrion, you're a Lannister, your brother is the same kingsguard who killed my father, and your sister shan't live for long, you're set to inherit Casterly Rock, I want you to eventually be my master of coin ." she then turned to Asha, "I would ask you to be my master of ships, but your uncle's fleet won't be standing for long, I'd asked my Velaryon kin to take the position, but I hear they don't have much of a fleet anymore, so who do you suggest?" she asked the last part to her council people.

The Tyrell man shared a look with his grandmother and then turned to speak up, only to find the dragon queen already looking his way with a knowing smitk. "My distant cousins, the Redwynes have a strong fleet, it would be an honour for them to receive the position." 

Daenerys nodded at that. "Good. All of the people present here shall receive honorary positions at court as soon as I have the red keep," she said, looking at the Dornish woman pointedly. Grey worm is the master of war, and the general of the Targaryen army, all of it."

Grey worm's eyes widened and he bowed with a small invisible smile, Missendei smiled softly at the two of them. Dany knew that such a position never existed before and that she should have offered it to some Westerosi lord, but her army is not Westerosi, and she'd make sure that neither she nor the ones who comes after her, rely on bannermen, that could very easily turn on you.

"And who shall be your hand?" asked Tyrion with an edge to his voice.

"I have a few ideas, I'll tell you when I chose," she responded firmly.

"You'll be a great queen." complimented Missendei genuinely.

Olenna Tyrell then spoke up, " Yes, I also remember a queen, very much loved, my granddaughter was. The common people loved her, the nobles loved her. And what is left of her now? Ashes...Commoners, nobles...They're all children, really! They won't listen to you unless they fear you."

Tyrion spoke up again." The Lannisters have been in power for decades, Casterly Rock is the centre of that power. We should take it first." insisted the man.

"Thank you all for your support." Said Daenerys, she then turned to the reach wardens, and asked." Lady Olenna, Lord Willas, may i speak with you alone?"

Once the door closed, she sat near the two of them and spoke. "I realised today, that out of all the people here, you two hate Cersei here the most." they nodded at her. " Cersei will die...today," she promised.

The two of them smiled, but Olenna approached Daenerys and asked. " Will you take a bit of advice from an old woman?"

Daenerys nodded.

"He's a clever man, your hand." she started off.

Daenerys cut her off "Tyrion is a great and intelligent man, but he'll try to hinder my plans to save his brother and maybe even his sister."

"I've known a great deal of clever men, I outlived them all, do you know why? Because I ignored them." completed Olenna. "it is a great start for your reign then, that you know whom you should and shouldn't trust."

"I need a new hand, I'd like either you or your grandson to take the position," admitted Daenerys.

"If I am to be your hand, girl. Then, you should know this, the lords of Westeros are sheep, are you a sheep? No, you're a dragon, so be a dragon." Said Olenna with a smile, Daenerys returned her smile.

Once she told the council of her decision, it was decided, The queen will take her dragons and attack Euron Greyjoy's fleet from east Blackwater Bey, and she'll force Cersei to surrender. A  quarter of the unsullied will be taken on ship to sack the city with the Dornish army, while the reach will guard the south of the city, so as not to allow anyone to escape, half the Dothraki with another quart of the unsullied will attack Casterly Rock.

.

Chapter Text

After making sure that the army was ready, and that everything was going through the plan. Daenerys went out of the Dragonstone castle, mounted her Drogon, and flew west of Blackwater Bey. Viserion and Rhaegal followed suit.

They were flying slowly at first, then the queen sped up, leaving the navy fleet behind. The sea was calm, and the sky clear, she took it as a good omen, she would win her battles.

And then, she saw them, Euron Greyjoy's fleet, the first obstacle from Kingslanding. Daenerys furrowed her eyebrows in concentration, held Drogon tightly so as not to fall, and prayed to whatever Gods there were, to protect hers and her children's lives.

Pure sheer excitement was running through Daenerys' blood, she could feel her own human heart pounding rapidly.

she waited for a moment.

Then another one.

Then another.

And another.

Until..."DRACARYS!" Yelled Daenerys out.

The dragons' flames quickly burned the wooden ships, and men scurried off and tried to run from all ways, Daeerys soon realised some were jumping out of the ships to swim to safety, she tried to look for Euron Greyjoy but couldn't find him.

I promised Asha to kill him, as long as he lives, he'll challenge her claim. You must do this. Thought Daenerys. No, you'll be hiring innocent lives. She thought again.

But the ironborn are hardly innocent, their men are savages who raid beaches unlawfully, rape women and children, kidnap them, and kill them.

' This is war, people die. Mostly innocent ones.'

' They must fear you, to respect you.'

' And how will you take the seven kingdoms, by asking nicely?'

Thoughts started swimming into Daenerys' head, she didn't know what to do. 

Until an arrow almost hit Viserion, she knew then what she had to do, she swallowed her guilt and grief and guided her dragons.

The three dragons moved from the ships and stopped their assault, instead, each one took a side, and they surrounded the whole fleet, Dracarys indeed! They spew fire at the ocean, making the salty black water boil as if the Dragonmouth had awoken.

When they had finished, it was clear as day, no ship, no crossbow and no sailor had survived the battle.

Daenerys flew back to her original and final destination, Kingslanding, the city that was built by her ancestors, the keep that they built, and the Dynasty that they had started.

She soon wondered, did the conquerors feel the same as I do now? Looking over Blackwater Bey. The ships looking dogs sized, and the people like ants, she almost understood then, her Old Valyrian ancestors, why they felt so superior to the other people. There was no feeling like riding a dragon, in truth.

Soon enough, the small houses of Kingslanding could be seen, the red keep stood tall and proud. Her ancestral keep, her home. In another world, a perfect one, she'd have been born and raised there, with her two older brothers, her nephew and her niece, perhaps her mother would have survived the birth, and her brother Viserys, the only brother she knew, wouldn't have turned out as he did now, he would have been nice and loving.

Instead, I'm all alone.

What Olenna said was true, her reign doesn't necessarily have to be peaceful, as long as she's doing a great job at being queen. As long as no people are scourged and slaved, no women kidnapped and raped, no child assaulted, and no human soul violated, under her reign, then she is fine with killing and burning down her enemies, and anyone who will stand in her way of breaking this wheel, she won't allow anyone to her throne from her.

Once she could see that her fleet army arrived at the port of Kingslanding, she urged Drgon and his siblings forward, up close, she could finally see the Red keep in all its glory, and she soon realised that a part of the keep was destroyed, a tower. She remembered Varys' words then, how Cersei had blown up the tower of the hand, with wildfire.

And how later, she blew the sept of Baelor, while the High Septon and most of the house Tyrell were awaiting trial. A  huge crime, and yet some people still chose to follow that Tyrant.

No more. Vowed Daenerys.

The dragon queen quickly went into action, burning the gardens, as so that everyone inside is surrounded, she felt bad for the flowers and the trees, but quickly promised herself to plant new ones later, the whole keep and town, will need a re-do, and Daenerys had plenty of plans for it.

Once finished with gardens, making sure the flames won't get out of control and creep into the city, she started assaulting the towers attached to the main keep, she knew them not to be the maiden vault, knew them to be where the residents of the Lannister queen council men resided. They likely were empty, if she killed any man who was her friend, then she will not feel bad for it.

Drums and hard footsteps' rhythm could be heard approaching, she turned and smiled. The unsullied and the Dornish had the city and are marching to the keep now, the reach army could be seen from her height, patrolling the city, and not allowing anyone to pass, she could see another army coming from the south,  but until she knew whether they were allies or not, she won't attack, and besides, The Tyrellls had the upper hand, in both position and men.

Once the unsullied came close to the burning door, Daenerys signalled them to a clearing a small part of the wall,  that was half destroyed by the canons and iron bolts that Cersei have been throwing at her dragons, the loyalist army infiltrated the red keep and the castle was seized, the bells rang in the city.

Danerys quickly flew out of the way, and landed in a spacious backyard near the keep, she quickly took her dragon glass dagger, and run to the keep, slashing down all those that came her way to attack. 

She stopped once in the throne room, where a blond man was sitting, Jaime Lannister, Daenerys realised. The kingslayer, the man who killed her father, broke his vows, instead of protecting her late good sister and her children, the man whose father led the sack of Kingslanding. 

On the floor, however, near him laid a bloody corpse, a womanly one, she had short blond hair and a black dress, and a small crown. The queen, Cersei Lannister, she realised. Slain on the marble floor of the red keep, at the feet of the iron throne, at the hands of her own younger brother.

She glared at the man heatedly, and if looks would kill, then the Lannister would be long dead. He was afraid, and although he tried to hide it behind his fake facade of bravery, his eyes portrayed his soul's feelings, and she could see in the same green eyes a sense of familiarity as if this scene had almost happened before as if the man was reliving a memory.

It was then, that she realised, Cersei was killed the same way her father was, by the same man, in the same room.

A man came up to the queen, shaking her off from her glaring battle at the oathbreaker. It was an unsullied, he whispered in her ears that the castle was theirs and that they had arrested the maester Qyburn and all the lords residing in the red keep, those that remained alive that is.

She arrested the kingsguards and ordered for her body to be taken out and the floors cleaned. She then asked how many people were killed, and the unsullied general responded that they had to strike the city watch, and a few guards, but no lives were lost amongst the unsullied or the dornish.

Daenerys just prayed that the soldiers and friends she had sent to Casterly Rock survive the battle and win.

In the meantime, she decided she will tour the keep and see it for what it is.

Daenerys couldn't help but feel disappointed when she did, she had always expected herself to be feeling proud and happy when she takes Kingslanding, but she is yet to feel satisfied or at home.

Taking Westeros back was always her final goal, the one thing she was aiming to achieve, all her life, and yet, what is she to do now?

She still has cities to sack and take, and destinies to fulfil, she mayhaps just didn't know it yet.

The queen received relatively both good and bad news, later when she sats the main chair on the kingly chambers of the maiden vault. She had previously ordered all clothes to be taken outside and given to orphanages, a well-taken gift from the Targaryen queen, and the valuable belongings were to be added to the queens' private coffers.

The bad news were that the reach army, which was supposed to stay out of the fighting, and just patrols the borders of the city, had to fight house Tarly, a bannermen to house Tyrell who betrayed them, for Cersei Lannister had proposed lord Tarky the warden of the reach, too bad both of them were dead now, mused Dany. And that no houses had bothered replying to her ravens, so she ordered for new ones to be sent, ones saying that Queen Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen controls the red keep, and is now the ruler of the seven kingdoms if they don't come and bend the knee, then she will come for them with fire and blood.

The good news were that Casterly Rock was now theirs, Tyrion was officially the warden of the west, and had taken his official position of master of coin. This would no doubt serve as a warning to the other noble houses, either they bend the knee or faces the consequences, the vale and the north had bent the knees when Aegon and his sisters conquered the seven kingdoms, they had never felt or faced dragon fire, unlike the Riverlands, so they might prove hesitant to bend, but they will eventually, lest they suffer a field of fire at her hand.

What troubled her the most was how the Riverlands, the vales and the north were all allies, or at least were during the war of the five kings, and the north still has a claimant king, a bastard one no less...

As soon as Missandei came, the two friends started planning, she had sent ravens across the sea, for Lyseni and Myrish architects, and for OLd Valyrian pastries that she had left there.

The new lord of the Storms ends was Lord Caron, the courtiers had been forgiven and allowed to leave for their homes, and those who refused to swear allegiances to House Targaryen were given the choice of either taking the black or a beheading.

At the council of both Olenna and Willas Tyrell, she had bought new plants and animals from the reach, to be planted in the gardens, and the reach woman had thanked the dragon queen for getting rid of such a horrid garden. While the town still smelt of ash and smoke, it was better than Kigslanding's usual smell, and the trees' ashes would do wonders to fertilize the soil, from what she gathered, so her previous guilt was eased.

She also made sure to ask the architects for better ways to ameliorate the poor infrastructure of the town, but as her coffers were still being continuously filled, she had plenty of money to spare and time to plan.

It wasn't until two moons after she took Kingslanding, the towers of the keep were almost done, but they had dragon decors almost everywhere, the valyrian tapestries hung the walls, as did House Targaryen banners, and all trace of others ruling the castle disappeared, that the northerners came, and with them came Edmure Tully and Lord Baelish, better known as little finger.

Daenerys knew not why they called him that, nor does she wants to know, but she couldn't help but see Varys in him.

Perhaps, she would send him to pay Jaime Lannister a visit in the black cells, the man was left to rot there, in the company of rats and darkness, Olenna visited him once, and Daenerys would later learn that she is the one who killed his son Joffrey.

Daenerys welcomed them in the throne room, looking every inch, a Targaryen queen, with her three dragons' roars and flapping of wings reasoning in the background, while they roamed the sky.

Chapter Text

Daenerys had decided to have a late and lazy morning, she had spent the last day in the streets of Kinslanding, meeting with her people, and giving gifts and money to the poor. It was all fine, until her councilmen, or rather women started pressuring her about marriage and heirs.

The lady Olenna surely had her own ideas for a consort in mind, like her oldest unmarried grandson, Willas could make a fine husband, he was nice, and an educated man, but a bit boring to the queen's taste, she had recalled the men she knew in her life, from her brother Viserys, who turned from nice and loving to mad and cruel, to Jorah Mormont, who was a nice confident but turned up to be a traitor, even though she missed him, and will gladly accept him back into her court, she knew he was no fit for a royal consort, an ex-exiled man, who slaved women and children? No, even if she liked him that way, she wouldn't have proposed the match.

Either way, any man, especially a lord like Willas Tyrell needed heirs of his own, and honestly, so does she. She may be the blood of the dragon, a dragon rider, the mother of dragons, and the only and first woman to have achieved and conquered as much land as she, but she could still die, whether t battle or at home, she needed to be safe, and as far as she knew, she was a barren woman, so besides political gain, a marriage with a man would serve her no other purpose, she had told Asha and Missendei as much the previous day.

Yet, she found herself woken up by them at the break of dawn, the two women had bought an Essossi healer, to look her up.

No, I am fine with my destiny, even if I never have a kid, I had my boy and I have three dragons. She used to say to calm herself.

But now, she needs to have kids, she is expected to bear them, to continue the family's legacy, to continue the Targaryen dynasty.

'When your womb quickens again, and you bear a living child.'

'Not until the sun rises in the west, and sets in the east.'

She knew their efforts were in vain, the wood witch's words were loud and clear, Daenerys could still see her face in her dreams sometimes, ear her cursed voice, and gets emotional all over again.

No wonder it was a big surprise when the healer told her she could have children, she couldn't believe it, to the point she asked the healer to examine her again, and then asked for three other healers to do the same.

Maybe, it was time for Targaryens to stop believing in wood witches' words and prophecies, they had brought nothing but pain to their family.

She was so happy with the news that she had almost forgotten about her other political problems, the sept of Baelor was blown by Cersei Lannister, so no coronation could happen there, so she and her council agreed that her coronation will happen in the red keep, the high Septon will come, and after Olenna's warnings of how the citadel won't accept a woman on the throne, she had threatened them to finish what Aegon the conqueror and Maegor the cruel had started, and of course, she had told them to send new septons and septa to the red keep, they'd remain there, until the new sept is finished.

Of course, the greedy faith of the seven agreed.

The iron Bank has sent a messenger to ask for their debt, and Daenerys had sent the poor man quacking in fear, the lannisters were dead, and the iron throne owes them nothing, Daenerys certainly does not.

The only remaining problem, however, is that she couldn't get crowned as queen of the seven kingdoms when only four of them were under her control. 

Her answer soon came when Varys informed her of big nobles' parties coming north, his birds saw the stark, arryns and Tully banners. To say Daenerys was anxious would be an understatement, all of those families were against her family, and he fought for the dead Baratheon rebelling family. Would their children be against her too?

They wouldn't dare, she had been assured as much from her council unless they wanted to die, they wouldn't have come all the way from Winterfell, Where Varys had told her were the three warden families meeting, so she hoped they would cause no further trouble.

Daenerys really didn't wish to kill anyone, lest she causes a rebellion o soon in her reign, the lady hand assured her of the opposite, she had more kingdoms than they did, and she had three grown dragons, they wouldn't get as brave as they did when her father killed the Stark lord and his son, and Daenerys won't call for the family's heads, unless very necessary.

Daenerys really didn't want to make a new queen's guard, considering how her father died at the hands of one, and Cersei herself received a similar end. A fitting punishment, she thought darkly.

But she had to appease the lords, it would be a bad image for the queen of Westeros to be protected by non-Westerosi people, so she held the court a few weeks in her early reign, and had accepted seven men, three were reachmen second sons and cousins, two were from the stormlands, and two from the crownlands. She had later appointed four noblemen, one from each kingdom, to be the leaders of the city watch, which was all taken down when the dornish and the unsullied took the city, and they themselves, along with Greyworm would have a meeting with the common folk men, strong and built ones, who would train and become the new city watch, in the meantime, the unsullied patrolled the city, and they had been doing a fine job.

She had been asked whether to build the dragon pit or not, dragons were no slaves however, and she won't make her children be subjected to that torture, they'd see no chains as long as she remained alive. But she did agree to rebuild it, it would serve as the headquarters and the training grounds for the unsullied and the queen's own personal army. For now, half of the unsullied remained on Dragonstone, protecting the castle, and patrolling the narrow sea, while the other half of the unsullied lived outside the maiden vault, in the guest's headquarters, considering how many courtiers there are now, and the ones coming, then she will soon need more free space, thankfully, they had agreed to share their rooms, so now there were enough chambers ready for the guests coming.

The surprises didn't stop at that however, she had met a new face she had never expected to meet, certainly not healthy and sound of mind and flesh.

Jorah Mormont was alive and well, and he was not bereft, of not being able to fight alongside her army and conquer the seven kingdoms with her.

The dragon queen, however, soon found him a mission to get done, he'd be sent with a few unsullied and Dothraki, on a ship, to cross the narrow sea, she needed him to see how things were faring in Mereen, Astapor and the other cities, he had soon agreed.

The small council had proposed that they send representatives because while Daenerys was the ruler of those cities, she would only rule by proxy, while she sits the iron throne, she needed those loyal men to be sent there and hold positions of power, so it happened. Olenna had also suggested that each man be sent with a small part, to notify her o any misgivings, and of course to have spies. And so they had bought every prostate institution and every orphanage they could get their hands on and made Missendei the owner, she controlled the institutions, and how they worked. She made sure the women were well treated, the children well taken care of, and the workers her spies.

Missendei also suggested buying ones in the seven kingdoms, and so she did, someone had tried to look into who owned the new very promising and challenging institutions, but Daenerys, Missendei and Olenna, made sure to keep their tracks very well-hidden, and so the other owner couldn't find them.

It was later that day, afternoon, when the northerners, the arryns, and the Tullys came.  Daenerys sat on her throne, grey worm and Missendei by her side, not far away, stood the queen's guard, and the maester that the citadel had sent as good faith.

She was quick to note that the arryns' warden was but a boy of no less than thirteen name days, a red-haired pretty woman stood by his side, holding his hand. And they both looked similar as if they were related. The woman, however, was wearing Stark colours, she then realised that they were probably cousins.

Next to them stood a tall man, with a small arrogant smirk, yet his eyes were not arrogant, they were smart and cunning. Like Varys', she soon made the decision to avoid his presence and mind her tongue near him. He was Lord Baelish, better known as little finger, the husband f the late Lysa Tully and her son's regent.

Edmure Tully was a lean but tall man, with Tully red hair and blue eyes, by just looking at him, Daenerys could see that he was a proud and impetuous man, the council had told her what had happened to everyone in the throne room, and she only pitied them all to a degree.

Had they not rebelled against my father and brother, they wouldn't have died, they would have been alive and well. She thought to herself.

Missendei cleared her throat and announced her presence, and theirs. "You stand in the presence of Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, the First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Protector of the Seven Kingdoms, the Mother of Dragons, the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, the Breaker of Chains, the unburnt."

"This is, Lord Robert Arryn, the warden of the Vale and Lord of the Eyrie, his regent, Lord Baelish, lord of Harrenhall. This is Lord Edmure Tully, lord of Riverrum, the warden of the Riverlands, and his nieces and nephew, the ladies Sansa Stark, Arya Stark and Bran Stark. And this is...Jon Snow... the king in the North." She announced as she read the paper given to her.

If there is a stark boy and two trueborn daughters, why is a bastard king? The king in question had Northmen colouring, unlike his half-siblings, but surely it wouldn't be reason enough for him to rule the biggest kingdom in Westeros. She thought to herself, confused.

The bastard in question took the lead, taking a few steps forward, and speaking, not even bothering to bow, unlike his other family members, safe the stark sisters, lord Tully and the stark boy on the moving chair.

"Your grace, we came here to ask for your aid..." He started off.

"My aid?"

"We are very much in need of Dragonglass in the North, we heard that Dragonstone is currently controlled by your...army, and that you were ruling from the red keep, we would like to receive your permission to harvest it." He finished.

Surprisingly, it was Greyworm that spoke, neither did his appearance nor his voice, help calm the nerves of the guests. "So you refused your queen's call to bend the knee, months ago when she was still on Dragonstone but decided to come here now begging for material you need?" He scoffed, in his accent.

The guests shared wary looks, and some gulped. "The North is an independent kingdom, it has been so since my brother Robb declared it against the Lannister king." Insisted the northerner king.

"There are no Lannister kings or queens, only Targaryen ones. You seem to have forgotten your histories, Your ancestor, Torren Stark, bend the knee to Aegon the Conqueror, fearing that his icy kingdoms would get burned like the other kingdoms were by the three Targaryen dragons." She declared softy but firmly, her dragons however, chose a rather auspicious moment to fly above the keep and roar, once she saw the guests flinching and glancing at each other, she smirked and continued. "And what about you? Lords Arryn and Tully? Have you come to bend the knee to your rightful queen or to ask for material to harvest as well?" She added snarkily this time.

Unsurprisingly, it was Lord Baelis who spoke, his exchange with Varys gone unnoticed by anyone but the queen it seemed, Daenerys narrowed her eyes and the man, and indulged him. 

"Of course not, your grace. I still remember when your father sat the throne and your brother was alive, I am very happy to see the throne return to where it belongs." He said courteously.

If it was anyone but Daenerys, they might have bought his lie, but the queen had her share of lying men, those who hid behind smiles and nice words and plotted behind your back. But she accepted his vow nonetheless, nodding approvingly at him and the young Robert Arryn.

Edmure Tully quickly followed suit, and the Starks after them. The northerners losing their independence was a hard pill to swallow for sure, Lady Olenna and Lord Tyrion told her all about how Northerners are a stubborn, arrogant and proud bunch.

While she had no problem giving them the dragon glass, she told them that she would discuss it with her council, and come to them with a decision later, for the moment, they had to rest and enjoy their stay in the city.

Daenerys didn't know it yet, but she shall bring dawn and light to the world.

Chapter Text

Daenerys had invited the Northmen, Lord Bran and his brother Jon, to talk with her and her council that day, and see what their need for dragonglasss out of all materials was about.

They had arrived on time and sat on the guest chairs that were added for them, while they were invited to this council meeting, it does not mean they have any standing or political position in the red keep.

They had all looked awkwardly at each other until the lady's hand snapped. "So?"

The Stark siblings glanced at each other until Jon replied. "So...what?"

"What is happening in the North? Why do you need dragon glass." Asked Daenerys in her queenly voice.

"I am sure you already know your grace." said Bran knowingly.

Could he be talking about her dreams of the darkness, the cold, the dead? No, it wasn't possible. She thought to herself.

"If you think anyone will believe your children's tails of this inexistent army of the dead, then you are sorely mistaken, my lord." Snapped Asha Greyjoy.

"Lord Varys?" asked Daenerys.

"From my little birds say, I gathered that there is some truth to this dead army." proclaimed Varys, the council seemed disappointed by his answer, while the Starks were relieved.

Daenerys nodded and asked again. "If this army of yours is real, it is already dead? How do you plan on killing them, do you know how?" 

"Valyrian Steel and Dragonglass blades are the only things that work on the weights. We have speculation that dragonfire might be efficient as well." Continued Jon.

Daenerys nodded. "You can have the dragonglass and harvest it, I can arrange ships to take it to the port of White Harbor, it will be faster that way, however, all the blacksmiths that you shall rely on should be from the crownlands." She finished.

"But it'll be faster if we take the glass and make weapons in Winterfell." Argued Jon Snow.

Daenerys shook her head. "I am guessing you didn't come here for just the dragonglass, whatever darkness is coming from your way, it will move south, I would rather for it to be stopped there, and I have the largest army there is, and three grown dragons, so you need my help, those are my terms, the workers have to be from the crownlands, Gods knows these people have suffered enough as it is." She finished.

Once Jon accepted the terms, she went to stand up but was interrupted by Asha Greyjoy asking. "Do these...hmm...dead people swim?" 

The Northmen shook their hands negatively, and everyone sighed in relief. "Well, that is great, Lady Olenna no matter how the battle ends, I want you to be safe, in either Dragonstone or the shield islands, alright?" She ordered the woman she came to respect as a mother softly.

Olenna scoffed but a small smile could be seen on her face. Daenerys nodded and moved to her friend Asha Greyjoy. "You should take your brother and stay in the iron islands, it would be safer for both of you." She said, Asha nodded eagerly at her.

"Lady Ellaria, I don't think the stepstones have much hospitality to offer your family, please tell Princess Arianne that you are welcome on Dragonstone, every person who can't fight should be safe." Added Daenerys.

"I'm sure Dorne would be able to hide if necessary, but I shall rely your message your grace."  Replied Ellaria Sand with a small bow of her head.

Daenerys sat in her solar, her new ladies, who mostly consisted from the reach, stormlands and Crownlands, along with Miisandei, were gossiping together, drinking tea, reading books, and sewing.

They were interrupted by three gentle knocks on the door, a Kingsguard opened the door, glancing hesitantly at the queen, as if he was scared of her shiftshaping into a dragon and swallowing him whole.

Daenerys smiled politely, and asked the reachman. "What is it Good Ser Crane?" 

He cleared his throat. "Lord Baelish is here for an audience, your grace." 

The queen shared a wary look with Missandei, and turned to her ladies. "Please leave us the room, we shall continue in the morrow, I've been told that a ship is coming from Essos with new Lyseni perfumes, and Myrish dresses, we shall try them together." She smiled dismissively at them."Ser Crane, please let Lord Baelish in."

Daenerys moved to stand near her desk, Missandei following her, the knight nodded, and soon enough Little finger entered the queenly chambers.

"Your grace...My lady." He greeted the queen and her advisor with his calculating, mishevious eyes.

Daenerys fought the urge to narrow her eyes at him and scowl, instead she smiled courteously, and ushred him to sit by her hand? "Come, Lord Baelish, did you wish to tell me of something?"

The Vale's regent waited until the queen sat to follow suit. It was until then, that Daenerys saw the small box in his hand. 

How could she not see it? What was there?

"I have come bearing gifts, in truth." He admitted with coyness.

The queen, however wasn't having it. "Oh?...Whatever for?"

"Your ascension to the throne, of course." He said with a large smile, that screamed "I am a very good liar" in Daenerys' head. He put the box on the table,  and Daenerys hesitated only for a moment before reaching for it.

Once opened, she couldn't stop the gasp from leaving her mouth. Missandei was glancing at her curiously, trying to catch a glimpse of the gift, while Baelish smirked.

It couldn't be, she thought. They were lost for centuries, how did they come into his possession.

If Daenerys was wary of the man, then she definitely became warier, the man was not to be trusted, he was a schemer, and a very good one.

"The conqueror's crown and dagger, your grace." He said with a large, proud smile.

The queen smiled at him, almost genuinely. "I thank you my lord, for this most generous gift." She said.

She had offered him tea, but he refused, saying that he was busy with Robert Arryn and some business in the Vale that couldn't wait. Daenerys welcomely dsmiised him, and as soon as he left, Missandei starting gushing over the ancestral heirlooms.

"Missandei, can you get some of our friends to look into Lord Baelish, I don't think he is up to any good here." 

Missadei nodded, and said softly. "They already call you Aegon the conqueror with teats, if you wear his crown, it'll be all the better don't you think?"

Daenerys shook her head softly. "While I'm lad the crown is back to the family, I won't wear it for my coronation, I wish to be crwoned by mine own, that way, I will have my children with me." She admitted softly.

Missandei smiled, and asked. "And the dagger? Won't you try it?'

"If it's in good shape, then I will take it with me North, it will do me good, and nothing cuts better than Valyrian Steel, so I will be safe." Daenerys said, she unseathed the blade, and was surprised to see writings on it.

As soon as she moved the dagger closer to her face, the cravings disappeared. "Did you see that?" She asked increduisely.

"Yes!" Yelled out Missandei in excitement.

Daenerys however, was confused. "But why did it disappear from my face?"

"Your face is hiding the flame's light. It's a trick, was often done in the three daughters, in the rich families that claimed to be of pure blood. If you put the dagger in the flames, then you would be able to read the text." Said Missandei.

Daenerys needn't be told twice, she almost run to the fire and put her hand in the burning flmaes. After a few minutes, when the Valyrian steel started showing the text, she retreated her hand and stood up, Missandei, who was shadowing the queen, bent over slightly to read the text.

"From my blood, comes the prince(ss) that was promised, and his will be the song of ice and fire." Read the queen and her advisor the High Valyrian script at the same time.

"Isn't that what the red priestress talked about? I believe it's you Dany..." Admitted Missandei.

Daenerys' eyes widened in surprise, as she opened ere mouth to speak, a heavy knock interrupted them, before she could deny or allow the entry, a dark haired man entered.

It was Jon Snow. "I apologise for interrupting you, your grace, but my brother Bran saw the army of thedead coming, they're going to breech the wall."

Daenerys' heart skipped a beat, and she swallowed thickly, her head was spinning, with the prophecy, the song, her dreams, the darkness coming...What if she wasn't ready?

No, she will be.

 "When will they come?" Asked the queen with a firm unwavering voice.

Bran Stark appeared from behind his older half brother, and said. "The battle will be in a fortnight. We should sail quickly."

And so the long night finally arrived, and the darkness befall Westeros. 

All it needed was their saviour, the one who will come and banish the darkness for eternity, and bring the dawn.

Chapter Text

Daenerys walked down the stairs to the underground black cells, a torch in her hand, GreyWorm and Ser Crane following her closely behind.

The cells were mostly empty, safe for the few criminals that the unsullied arrested, all of the captors of war were freed after they swore their allegiances or were sent to the wall, some of course chose death, and the queen sometimes made them die at the hand of her dragons, sometimes they were beheaded and fed to the huge flying Wyrms, it depends on their crimes.

Yet, only a man remained, Ser Jaime Lannister, he killed the king he swore o, decades earlier, stood by and watch the redkeep be sacked, instead of protecting her sister and her children, vowed again to the usurper Robert, had an affair with his married sister, sired children by her, killed innocents, waged war on the Starks during the war of the five kings, and killed the sister he swore to protect as a guard.

Death seemed like a mercy to such a man, at least peaceful death. Jaime Lannister was the only person alive that stood with the usurper, he was her only chance at gaining closure.

The fire that burned and raged in Dany's heart has yet to dwell, even taking the seven kingdoms seemed not to fulfil her desire for revenge.

She had sworn to drink the usurper's blood from his skull, yet he was long dead when she arrived on Dragonstone's shores, so was everyone in his family, even his legal children who were bastards dead, and how the usurper king had abused women was no secret in the seven kingdoms, nor to her, it would be wrong and inhuman to kill his bastards, they were innocents, and but children.

Once she neared the Kingslayer's door, she turned to her guards. "Say here, I will be finished shortly."

The two guards nodded, and she entered the cell, the keys in her dangling with the wooden bow she had brought with her.

Jaime Lannister looked worn down, his face dirty, his hair mudded and misshelved, cuts all over his skin. He was surprised by her visit, and a bit scared as well. Yet his eyes were defiant, proud, arrogant, and patient. "What brought you here, your grace?"

Daenerys scowled and sneered at the man."I finally have a fitting punishment for you."

Jaime almost flinched. "Won't I have a trial?"

Daenerys scoffed with a suspicious smile. "Oh Ser Jaime..." She said his name with venom dripping from her sweet voice."Men like you deserve no trial, for what god will preserve or protect a kinslayer and an oathbreaker? I admit I am not too well versed in those seven nor the trees that you worship, but they shall offer you no mercy, so neither shall I."

The kingslayer gulped. "So what is my punishment, how will my death come to be?"

The dragon queen I,ched closer to the man, her scowl never leaving her beautiful luminous face." Before I say it, tell me why."

"Why what, your grace?"

"Why have you killed my father, why break your oath, I would understand if it was for your family, but then again, were you not the same man who killed his older sister, his queen, the woman he claimed to love? Explain your reasons to me."

"Why should I? When I'm going to face death anyway." He asked back, in almost disbelief.

"Because would you rather die now or in a few weeks? Would you rather have a clean, almost honourable death, or a fitting death for an oathbreaker such as yourself?"

Jaime hesitated for a while before starting his tail. "I am sure you heard stories, about how your father liked wildfire, he used to enjoy watching people burn, The mad king was obsessed with it. He loved to watch people burn--the way their skin blackened, blistered, and melted off their bones. He burned lords he didn't like; he burned Hands that disobeyed him; he burned anyone that was against him. Before long, half the country was against him. Aerys saw traitors everywhere, so he had his pyromancer place caches of wildfire all over the city: beneath the Sept of Baelor, the slums of flea bottom, under houses, stables, taverns, and even beneath the Red Keep itself. Finally, the day of reckoning came. The day my father came to Kingslanding, Robert was already marching from his victory in the trident against your brother, Lord Tywin came with his whole army at his command, promising to defend the city against the rebels. I knew my father better than that. He's never been one to pick the losing side. I told the mad king as much. I urged him to surrender peacefully. But your father didn't listen to me, didn't listen to Varys, who tried to warn him. But he did listen to Grandmaester Pycell, that grey sunken cunt. "You can trust the Lannisters," he said. "The Lannisters have always been true friends of the crown." So, we opened the gates and my father sacked the city. Once again I came to the king begging him to surrender. He told me to bring him my father's head. Then he turned to his pyromancer, "Burn them all," he said. "Burn them in their homes, burn them in their beds."  He said with a distant look in his eyes.

Daenerys gulped, she knew her father was mad, Ser Barristan often told her what he did, how the war happened and why, but he never told her this.

The kingslayer was not finished however and continued speaking. "Would you have kept your oath then? ? First, I killed the pyromancer, and then when the king turned to flee I drove my sword into his back. "Burn them all," he kept saying. "Burn them all." I don't think he expected to die. He meant to burn with the rest of us and rise again reborn as a dragon and turn his enemies to ash. I slit his throat to make sure that didn't happen. That's where Ned Stark found me."

Daenerys tried to hide the horror showing on her face and said. "No matter how honourable your intentions were, you are sworn to protect the king and all of his family, not the small folk, there's the city watch for that. Not only, you killed the king and his pyromancer, but you also failed in your duty to protect Princess Elia and her children." she then added more firmly. "And this seems like a new habit of yours, you killed your sister the same way you killed my royal sire, why?"

"Cersei was always a bit difficult to understand, I am-was her twin and yet I couldn't understand her sometimes, nor could I know what she thought about most days. She loved me and her children, that much I was certain about, and I love-loved her as well, but she became more lonely over time, especially after she lost her firstborn Joffrey, her precious boy, she despaired and became more and more isolated, cruel, unforgiving. She reminded me of your father, in truth. The signs were always there, but I just chose not to see them. She was paranoid, quick to anger, mistrusting, and cruel, but I loved her. The day she blew the tower of the hand with wildire, she wept of joy...And the she blew the sept of Baelor, while her son's marital family was there, yet I still chose to remain by her side. 'We were born together, we will die together' she used to say since we were children. When you flew over the city with your dragons and army, when she knew that Euron's fleet was destroyed and no more, she realised that her death was near, she asked..S-she ordered me to burn the keep and the city with wildfire again. I couldn't do it, no matter how much I loved Cersei,  saved the city from your mad father's hands, I couldn't let it be destroyed by my mad sister's."

Daenerys stood silently, grasping what he said, wondering whether her verdict is the correct choice, with a heavy sigh, she brought the wooden box to her prisoner. "Here, this is your golden hand, Tyrion tells me Cersei gave it to you, the remainder will serve as enough punishment for now. You'll be riding with the Dothraki tomorrow morning." She said and stood up rigidly.

"Where am I to be going?" asked the kingslayer with tears gathering in his eyes.

"We are going to Winterfell, to fight the darkness and the coming long night. I will allow your brother to visit you before he leaves, you'll be able to talk with him again once we're North."

"And what is to happen to me after we come back?" he asked again, not believing that the woman would let him live freely after a few months in prison.

"If you are alive then, you'll be beheaded." She said firmly, not an ounce of sentiment or sympathy on her face, knowing that if he is aware of his upcoming death, he will fight strongly and to his death.

She soon left his cell, closing it strongly and locking it with the keys, giving them to the watching guard. She then turned to Grey worm again and told him. "Please see if our leaving preparations are done, we'll be leaving once the first light comes. And make sure the dragons are well fed, I doubt they will like the cold and harsh weather of the North."

The master of war nodded his head, and left the queen with her new sworn guard, who in turn walked towards the maiden vault, the queen had ladies to entertain before she departs, leaving lady Olenna and Missandei in charge of the redkeep and the seven kingdoms while she fought to protect her kingdom.