The day of the summit was not one Daenerys was looking forward to.
She knew it had to be done but there were a lot of things she had to be mentally prepared for. She did not recall being that nervous, not even during the day of her wedding to Khal Drogo, and that said something.
Yet, she had taken all the information Tyrion had given her and had chosen to fly to King's Landing. By the time she arrived, everyone was there and she realized she was the last one to do so.
As her dragons landed, she took a moment to observe the people she had to persuade; the very same ones she would later have to fight for the claim to the Iron Throne.
She took notice of the young boy wearing that stag golden crown on his head, easily knowing who that was. He was younger than her but she could see some similarities when it came to the face and even the colours the boy had inherited.
She shot a quick glance at his Queen and her family, mentally remembering what Tyrion had told her about them. It was not a lot but it was clear where they stood in all of this.
Thankfully, Tyrion's sister was not present; and Daenerys was glad.
Based on what Tyrion had said, she was afraid they might have a problem; although he had made it clear as long as their father was present, she would be harmless.
Her eyes went to the other side of the stage, immediately seeing the Lannister man, who looked a lot like Tyrion and Tommen. He was taller though, more handsome and wore armour with the familiar white cloak of the Kingsguard around his shoulders.
Yet the Mother of Dragons did not see any beauty, only disgust since he was the very same Lion that had stabbed her father in the back; allowing Tywin Lannister to sack the city and then Robert Baratheon to take the throne.
For a moment, her eyes went to the standing young man by the side of the Kingslayer. He looked like a Lannister but also did not look like one, since his face and his eyes were different than those of his siblings. He looked also relatively young compared to the others like Jaime and Tyrion, yet one could say he was taller than both.
Daenerys knew who the boy was but she did not pay him much attention since her violet eyes at last found her last two targets.
The couple she had heard so much of, was staring back at her as Drogon slowly started to lower his body and climb down; to allow her to dismount.
Violet eyes found amber ones and the two women stared in silence for a moment too long.
They both had the same white hair, although Visenya had a tint of silver while Daenerys had pure snowy white. Their eyes might be different but there were some key similarities between them. Daenerys even wondered if her mother would look anything like that, except for the eyes; considering they were sisters.
She did not know, although a part of her wished to ask. She had been expecting for them to meet, having so many questions for her. At first, she really thought she was the one helping her while growing up and she still did.
However, after Tyrion's last story; she was a little hesitant. The story made Visenya sound indeed like a Lion and Daenerys wondered if she would even think of siding with her and not with them.
She was not sure and she could not say at that moment. While Daenerys had a more expressive face, Visenya seemed to have mastery in showing nothing; even when her exiled niece was present.
Daenerys glanced at the man by her left, feeling the sharp, calculating and mistrustful gaze of the Old Lion on her. Tyrion did not lie about him, she thought as she finally realized just how cold and intimidating a single man could be.
It did make her wonder how her aunt managed to survive and remain married to such a man for more than two decades and even bore him at least a son. She had no answer to that but perhaps if she ever were to manage and sit down with her aunt and talk; she might get some from her.
At last, her feet touched solid ground and she started to walk towards the dais. Around the same time, her two dragons flew away from the Dragon Pits but would remain close in case their mother needed them.
No one said anything, everyone silently watching her as she took her seat next to Tyrion. She did not react to the intense gazes, used to them but she did steal a glance at Tyrion to do something.
He always loved to speak, so now it was the perfect time to do so.
Although, considering the bounty on his head and the bad blood with some of his family members; one might not think it as the best idea.
The Imp stood up either way and decided to try his luck and his speaking skills. "We are a group of people who do not like one another. We have suffered at each other's hands. We have lost people we love at each other's hands. If all we wanted was more of the same, there would be no need for this gathering. We are entirely capable of waging war against each other without meeting face-to-face." He started as he walked to the middle of the dragon pits, drawing the attention of everyone.
Surprisingly, the one to speak next was Visenya.
She had been watching him all this time and their eyes had connected more than once while waiting for Daenerys. Tyrion did not see any anger towards him or any hatred; unlike her Lord Husband.
He, also, did not fully look at her with the same hatred he did when he first found out about Tysha. He had months ahead of him to think, rethink and rethink a lot of things. He was still disappointed in her, considering some of her more questionable actions but he did not hate her or wish true harm to come to her.
"Yet here we are, all gathered and no weapons drawn yet," she said, her voice mature and deep, eyes glancing momentarily around her to the odd combination of a crowd. "Your letter spoke of a threat, one you claim to have evidence"
Now that the topic of discussion shifted to the most important part of this meeting, Jon stood up and walked forward.
He had orchestrated it all; he had thought of it and had been the one doing all the fighting for two years now. He was the best to speak of this and Tyrion did not stop him as he became the main speaker.
"We do and we have asked for this meeting because this is not about Iron Thrones or Crowns. It's just about living. The same thing is coming for all of us. A general you can't negotiate with. An army that doesn't leave corpses behind on the battlefield. Lord Tyrion tells me a million people live in this city. They're about to become a million more soldiers in the Army of the Dead."
"So, what do you ask of us, boy?" Olenna asked, leaning slightly forward on her chair. "A truce?" She received a nod from him. "A truce we can give but who is to tell us that we will not find soldiers outside our gates while we are busy with this... threat of the undead you speak of"
Daenerys also stood up. "Your capital will be safe until the northern threat is dealt with. You have my word." She said.
Tywin and Olenna scoffed at the same time, clearly not believing her; not truly taking her seriously considering her young age and clear inexperience in a lot of matters in life.
"Your word means nothing" Tywin said, trying to keep his tone civilized but he could not keep his tone from being insulting. "You are a foreign girl with a foreign army, one directly positioned outside these very same walls. Tell me, how does your word truly count? Hmm?"
The younger Targaryen was shocked faintly by the sharpness of his words, which were aimed at her with some passive resentment. If he tried not to insult her while he spoke, he failed rather miserably.
As she regained her composure, she was ready to speak back and use a similar tone to his; when Tyrion beat her to it.
"There is no conversation that will erase the last 50 years. We have something to show you." Tyrion said, somehow preventing any early exchange of fire.
Just then, Sandor approached them while bearing a crate on his back.
He put it down and removed the chains and bars that locked it. He then removed the lid, and stood back in caution, grasping the hilt of his sword.
Everyone was silent; some might even say they were holding their breath. Yet, nothing happened... at first.
With one swift kick to the crate, something horrific escaped from it.
Skeleton arms with rotten frozen flesh wrapped around the bones. Clothes destroyed by wounds, barely holding together. Hair was missing and whatever was left, was pure white while the skin had the shade of icy blue.
The most outstanding thing about it, though, was its eyes. They were such a bright but powerful shade of frozen blue that did not look human, fitting considering the creature having them was far from being called a human being.
The creature started to move, relatively fast while screeching and it seemed to head straight for Margaery.
The Young Rose froze, hands holding Tommen's tightly and for a moment she thought she was a dead woman.
However, before any of the soldiers could move to stop it; the Hound pulled on the chains holding this abomination and yanked it off its feet.
This move seemed to draw its attention and it tried to attack the one holding its chain.
Yet, the former Knight had grabbed his sword and sliced the creature in the abdomen, cutting it in half as it tried to attack him. To the surprise of many, both halves continued to move as if they had a mind of their own.
Sandor had to attack the upper half that was after him and he did, slicing away its forearm. It was thrown to the side and a curious Qyburn had appeared to pick it up, in order to examine it.
However, Jon did not let him hold it for long as he took it from him and with Davos' help, lit a torch.
"We can destroy them by burning them." The Bastard Stark said as he set the hand aflame, causing it to fight back but fail. Somehow, the creature seemed to sense it for it screeched helplessly. "And we can destroy them with dragonglass." He explained, looking at the faces around him.
Margaery was still holding on to Tommen, the young boy trying to comfort her by placing his hand above hers; while their soldiers were with their hands on their swords, ready to draw them.
Mace remained pale and one might even think that he would faint any moment from fright. His mother, on the other hand, remained standing but was clearly surprised by the undead creature; that had just been cut in half and still lived.
Trystan and Jaime had been amongst the soldiers to defend Margaery and even changed their position, in order to be able to protect them better. The Older Lion glared at the undead creature, disgusted by its sight but internally shocked by it.
His brother kept his golden-flecked green eyes on the creature, sword ready to be drawn. He did not seem to be fully shocked or he was simply very good at hiding it. Perhaps it was also the fact that this creature had just threatened his family and his instincts had kicked in.
Tywin had leaned faintly forward, eyes never leaving the undead skeleton creature. His hand was ready to give order to the guards to interfere, although if the Hound's sword did not harm it, no one could promise him the swords of his men would.
Yet, he did not seem that surprised by this odd sight. He was rather calm, more busy thinking about what kind of threat they had to deal with now. Perhaps if he had not met Visenya, his expression would be different.
However, he had long learnt to accept prophetic dreams that became reality and the fact that the woman by his side walked through wildfire and was unharmed. He glanced in her direction, seeing her staring at the creature with wide eyes.
Her lips had parted and for a moment she seemed frozen but not from fear... no, from something else... recognition.
She turned faintly to lean her face and bring her lips closer to Tywin, having sensed his gaze upon her profile.
Those are the creatures from my dream, she said in a very low tone that only he could hear and that barely.
He glanced from her at the odd creature, his jaw tense as he came to realize that this was trouble. He also made a mental note to ask for more details from her about the dream, for it was now more important than ever.
"If we don't win this fight, then that is the fate of every person in the world," Jon said, once everyone had processed what they had seen and how real this undead threat was.
To end this presentation, the Stark grabbed a dragonglass knife and stabbed the creature in the heart. It caused it to leave one final screech before it fell lifeless on the floor and finally stopped moving.
Once it was all done, Jon started to walk towards Tommen and Margaery; since they were the official rulers. Yet his next words were directed to everyone present to represent the Royal Party.
"There is only one war that matters. The Great War. And it is here."
There was a quick small eye exchange between everyone on the royal stage.
"I didn't believe it until I saw them. I saw them all." Daenerys said, deciding to comment in case it would help to solidify the decision and call that truce.
Jaime thought for a moment as he slowly pulled back his hand from the handle of his sword and looked at her.
"How many?"
"A hundred thousand, at least."
Her answer seemed to make everyone more uneasy, except for Tywin, Visenya and Olenna. They had been the ones to remain the calmest, evident that it was those three that mostly ruled and held the most power.
This became even more evident as Tommen and Margaery turned to look at their grandparents and grandmother respectively, waiting for some hints, help or at least a sign of what they should do.
The trio gave the same head nod, the same definite answer that the royal couple knew but were unsure if they should say it out loud.
They looked back at Jon and Daenerys, with Tommen gathering the courage to stand up.
"The Crown accepts your truce. Until the dead are defeated, they are the true enemy," he said, trying not to look at the undead creature lying not that far away.
A sigh of relief left Jon and Tyrion's lips, glad that the first part of this meeting had gone well. They had the truce, which was good but they still needed armies and manpower; meaning they needed their soldiers to come North and fight with them.
A few minutes had to be given to the Royal Couple and their trusted Council to discuss what would happen next. Sure, they saw the threat but it had not been confirmed if they would help with this war and how many men they were willing to send.
While they discussed, their guests had a chance to move further away; having the chance for small discussions and even quick reunions.
Amongst them was Jon, who looked around and noticed that Daenerys was nowhere to be found. He searched for her faintly, eventually finding her somewhere to the side of the Dragon Pits.
Daenerys took notice of him but her attention was focused on the walls of the once majestic building that she had heard of all those years.
"This place was the beginning of the end for my family." She told him and then quoted something in High Valyrian.
When Jon looked at her confused, she felt amused.
"A dragon is not a slave." She translated for him. "It was something Naelys Targaryen often said. She knew better and she was from the last true dragon riders. She knew what they were and she respected it."
Daenerys stopped for a moment, remembering tales of the Dragon Whisperer; the last one left. When she walked through that pyre after Khal Drogo died, she knew it was Naelys' blessing that had kept her alive; it was her blood running through her veins.
A part of her wished she also had inherited the mark and her abilities, perhaps she would be able to connect with her children better... perhaps she would have somehow managed to save Viserion from that ice spear.
She looked from the walls back at him. "They were terrifying. Extraordinary. They filled people with wonder and awe, and after her, after the first dance....we just locked them in here. They wasted away. They grew small. And we grew small as well. We weren't extraordinary without them. We were just like everyone else." She let out a sigh.
Jon looked at her with empathy and he took a few steps closer. He understood what she was talking about but he did not approve it. She had been through a lot and yet she risked her soldiers and her own children to help him bring back evidence, she was willing to put aside her conquest for the Throne to help him deal with the Threat.
"You're not like everyone else," Jon told her. "And your family hasn't seen its end. You're still here and your aunt is as well, and so is your cousin" he continued, referring to Visenya and Trystan.
A part of Daenerys truly wished to believe that and imagine that this was the truth but then she remembered what Tyrion had told her before they left Dragonstone for King's Landing.
Daenerys was sitting on the throne in Dragonstone and she was alone in the room, except for Tyrion. She had asked to see him personally before they would depart. He knew her aunt better than anyone, considering he had lived with her until recently and despite his stories; she still wished to learn more, especially about where she truly stood.
"...you do not think she will join me? When all of this is over and I put my claim for the Throne?" she asked the dwarf.
Tyrion shrugged his shoulders. "Mayhap she might but I doubt it, Your Grace. I wouldn't put all my faith in that."
"I am her niece, her last living relative. We are the Last Dragons," she pointed out, unable to see the bigger image.
"What you have been to her, Your Grace, is dead... dead for 17 years if not more," he corrected her. "You might be her niece but you have not been there for her..." he took a deep breath, his lips pressed to form a thin line. "She did not have the easiest life; you know... she still got people who hated her because of her family, because of her mad brother. She got enemies all around her, she was forbidden from returning to King's Landing... her home, because of who she was... she got ashamed for what she did and was accused of the crimes your father committed... for many out there, she was a scapegoat."
Tyrion was always conflicted about Visenya and it was evident to many that he did not know where he stood when it came to her. He disapproved of the things she did, he was against it and perhaps even angry, but there were times he defended her, and talked of her as if she had not indirectly hurt him one way or another.
Truth be told, Tyrion did not wish to go into all that detail but after he started; he could not stop afterwards. His mind was reminding him exactly of the life Visenya had and he had to force himself to stop and not bring up the abuse she had to suffer from Tywin and who knew what else that even he was not aware of.
Realizing he was getting out of topic, he focused on what truly mattered.
"What I am trying to say, is... she had some hard times and you were not there for her. Do you know who it was? The Lannisters were," he said. "They became her family, they supported her even after she was no longer a Princess, even after she was the last one to survive of her family... they became her family in all those years and I know personally, that she is a woman willing to go to extreme lengths to keep those she cares for safe."
After that small discussion, Daenerys had been sceptical about the meeting and was not fully looking forward to talking with her. One might say she was even afraid to confront her own aunt, afraid that she would be rejected for she would support and choose the Lions that had long become her family; just like how Tyrion had explained to her. Of course, she wouldn't blame her but she was still not fully ready for it yet.
She had spent the past 2 years thinking it was her behind the letters and the patrons, it was her that tried to help her survive and wanted her to return and take back what had been taken from their family all those years ago. After meeting Tyrion, however, she started to have her doubts and she did not like how dark her thoughts could sometimes go when she thought of betrayal.
Especially after the Dance, when so many of her original supporters went against her because this Griff boy was a male heir... she was not sure if she would be able to survive another betrayal, let alone remain civil with those that would choose to go against her. Those in Essos paid the price by Dragonfire and she was willing to do it again if she would be left with no other choice.
She shook her head to get rid of those thoughts, for now, it was not the time for them. Other things had bigger importance, like whether the Crown would help them against those White Walkers or not.
"I am not sure how much she or her son see me as family... I don't even know if she remembers that she is a Dragon after all those years..." she confessed, deciding not to go into any details. "As for me... I can't have children."
This made Jon frown, not expecting it. Daenerys was young, barely past the age of 8 & 10 and she seemed healthy. How could someone so young not be able to have children? Had she tried and was somehow diagnosed by a Maester?
"Who told you that?" he asked, not realizing the whole topic could be a little more personal than one would expect.
Yet Daenerys chose to answer him, having learnt to trust him. Plus, she did not truly feel any shame about it, since it was not really her own fault... well, technically it was but in her defence; she was tricked.
"The witch who murdered my husband."
"Has it occurred to you she might not have been a reliable source of information?"
The Mother of Dragons did not chase the topic; instead, she chose to change it.
"You were right from the beginning. If I had trusted you, everything would be different." She said, feeling the guilt of losing one of her children, still waking up at night from the screams of Viserion as he fell to his death.
What kind of mother fails to protect her children? she often asked herself, her heart filled with guilt and grief.
"So, what now?" Jon asked her.
"I can't forget what I saw north of the Wall. And I can't pretend that the Lannisters won't take back half the country the moment I march north."
He let out a sigh.
"It appears Tyrion's assessment was correct. We're fucked." He commented, making Daenerys laugh and slightly change her mood.
Something he was glad for because Daenerys and Arya seemed to be the only ones that he could make laugh. Ygritte, for some reason, never did but maybe that was also part of her character; he often thought.
Like it was to punch him after he had told her to stay back in the North while he went beyond the Wall to find a Walker... although, that punch he might as well have deserved it.