9 Chapter 8: Ice and Fire P2

"I almost feel like I know you but for the life of me I can't recall ever seeing you." said Daenerys as she stared into the dark red lacquer wooden mask of her healer.

After she learned how to control Drogon she had burned the Khal and his bloodriders on instinct. Jhaqo was once a member of Drogo's Khalassar but he had declared himself Khal and rode off with twenty thousand men. She knew Jhaqo was a cruel man and she didn't lose any sleep over killing him. By killing the Khal and his bloodriders she had managed to force the rest of the Khalasaar to serve her. With twenty thousand Dothraki screamers under her command, she was marching back to Mereen but her sickness had forced her to delay her travel and that was how she came under the care of this strange woman from a nearby village. Thankfully, unlike last time she had managed to ensure the Khalassar didn't raid the village and instead asked for a healer—a healer that she felt was quite familiar.

"I was there in Qarth when your dragons were stolen and you were held captive by the Warlocks."

"Ah! You are Quaithe. Ser Jorah told me about you on our voyage to Astapor." Dany quickly recollected the description that Ser Jorah had provided her.

"That is what I am now known by Daenerys Stormborn. It was foolish of those Warlocks to think that they could separate those dragons from a Targaryen. I have always found your family to have a unique bond to your dragons. Even the Velaryons who has the blood of Old Valyria doesn't have the same aptitude exhibited by your family members." said Quaithe as she mixed several herbs together and began to grind them into a fine paste.

"You knew my family?" Daenerys asked in surprise.

"I knew your family better than you knew my princess. I was once friends with a Targaryen princess. No, I was once the lover of a Targaryen princess and we would ride her dragon Dreamfyre together around Fair Isle."

Daenerys stared incredulously at Quaithe as if the masked woman had lost her mind.

"What are you talking about? All dragons have been dead for hundreds of years ago. I was the one that birthed dragons into the world a few years back. How come you…?" Daenerys trailed off as Quaithe began to laugh all of a sudden.

"My dear girl you do not know the world well enough to even comprehend my existence. When I was a silly ignorant hatchling I lived amongst Targaryens when Jaehaerys the First reigned on the Iron Throne. I was once the lover of Rhaena Targaryen, the elder sister of King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne Targaryen. I watched you as you were born into this world my child. Even the dragon eggs that you hatched were a gift from me. I am Quaithe of Asshai but more than two hundred years ago I was known by the name of Elissa Farman, the first woman to ever sail across the Sunset Sea to Asshai."

With each sentence the witch said Daenerys became more and more afraid. She was about to call for help or even command Drogon to help but suddenly she felt herself slack into the bed.

"My dear I wouldn't really recommend you make such foolish moves. I am almost three hundred years old and I intend to live longer. I suppose I should apologize in scaring you, my little princess. It is difficult for me to interact this openly with you. I will now release you from the bindings but do please calm down. I am not here to hurt you rather I am here to repay a debt that is owed to your family." said Ouaithe

Daenerys felt her body once again respond to her will and she flinched when Quaithe dragged her long fingers through her cheek all the way to the valley of her breasts.

"So beautiful and so similar to my Rhaena. I caused her a lot of grief because of my adventurism." said Quaithe and she took her hand away letting Daenerys release a deep breathe she was not aware that she was holding.

"But because of that same adventures, it seems your family will have a future. I took three dragon eggs from Dragonstone to finance my adventure into the Sunset Sea. But instead of selling them, I managed to forge exact replicas and then passed them off as true dragon eggs to the Sealord of Braavos. I have returned those eggs to you and you have birthed dragons from them, my dear. I have returned what I took but it took me almost three hundred years." Quaithe paused and seems to stare into Dany's eyes sharply.

"So I offer you two choices Daenerys Targaryen. You can get the Iron Throne with my aid or you can be the mother of three beautiful children. You may only choose one and sacrifice the other. What say you daughter of Aerys and Rhaella Targaryen?"

Dany's eyes widened at what was happening. She couldn't truly process what was going on but she understood what the which was offering. 

'But how can she offer me these things?'

"The how doesn't matter my dear. Choose! If you choose the Iron Throne you shall have it but you will never be happy. You will yearn for more and more and you will fight the entire world to fill the gaping hole that will be left in your heart. If you choose to be a mother then all your wants will come true. You will know happiness like never before and you will want for nothing else but your family. You will have children and grandchildren. Your bloodline will continue and the Targaryen name will survive the test of time. When the time comes you will happily pass on to the grasp of death with your family surrounding you. So choose and know that the world holds its breath to see where your coin lands." Quaithe proclaimed.

"I can't have children. That ability was taken from me." said Dany and she immediately regretted saying that. She wanted the Iron Throne more than anything didn't she? She had Drogon, Viserion and Rhaegal as her children. But they are dragons and they will never truly be your children. Not like Rhaego would have been.

"What was taken can be returned, my dear. It is within my power to grant you what you choose but choose you shall. To gain one you shall sacrifice the other." said Quaithe dispassionately

Daenerys closed her eyes and imagined what the Iron Throne would look like. A throne made of thousand swords, Viserys had told her in her childhood. The Iron Throne was her birthright and as a dragon it was hers. If the witch was to be believed then she could have the throne, something that she had dreamed for a long time. But that was not what I dreamt of or desired the most now was it? She asked herself and the answer came easily to her as breathing.

No, I never wanted the Iron Throne. It was Viserys that wanted the Iron Throne and he sold me like a broodmare to have his throne. What I wanted was much simpler. I wanted the manse with the red door and a lemon tree not far away. I wanted a home and to feel safe. I wanted a family where I was loved and cared for. I needed loved ones that would care for me. I wanted to love and be loved. That's all I have ever wanted.

When she opened her eyes she felt as if all her worries had disappeared all of a sudden. Without the looming shadow of the Iron Throne, she felt light and free.

"I do not want the Iron Throne Quaithe. I want to have children of my own. I want to have a family of my own." said Daenerys as clear as possible and she watched as Quaithe let out a troll of laughter.

"Looks like the coin landed favourable for you Targaryen princess. You will find all that you desire in Westeros. Go where the first dragons landed in the Sunset Kingdoms and you will see the future that you so desire unfold before your eyes but beware the mummer's dragon who claims to be the Sun's son." said Quaithe and the witch took a cup filled with a green paste and made Dany gulp it down. The witch took away the cup and climbed into the bed making Daenerys afraid. Quaithe put her lips close to Dany's ear.

"Your fever will pass my dear and soon you will regain your strength. But when you make land in Westeros give this gift to the dragon prince. Tell him that he will need it in the Long Night. Tell him that a drop of blood will do to bring the reign of Dawn. He will understand what I am speaking of, my dear." Quaithe whispered into her ear and pressed a kiss on her forehead.

Daenerys blinked and when she opened her eyes there was no sign of Quaithe. She felt a weight on her body and when she looked down there was a long sword secured in a scabbard. She sat up and immediately noticed that she was no longer burning up with fever. She could no longer feel cramps and she felt as if she was whole again. Her hands trailed to the scabbard that housed the sword. The sword had a red ruby at the end of the handle and a dragon head was carved where it was housed. She slowly dragged the sword out of its sheath and she saw the smooth rippling patterns on the blade. There was no doubt it was Valyrian Steel. Her musings were cut short when an aide entered her tent in a hurry.

"Sorry for disturbing you Khaleesi. There are two men outside requesting your audience. They say they serve you Khaleesi." Dany's aide informed her and when she stepped out of her tent she was greeted by Ser Jorah and Daario Naharis who promptly knelt.

"We finally found you my queen." said Daario happily still kneeling before her.

Daenerys looked around hoping to see Quaithe but the witch had vanished into thin air. Her subsequent recovery and the Valyrian Steel blade in her hand was the only evidence of Quaithe's presence.

"Rise both of you. Come inside we have much to discuss." Daenerys ordered not wanting to speak about Mereen and its woes in the open. Not that she was worried about her Khalassar learning about the city that she ruled but she wanted to sit down to hear what happened in Mereen after she left on Drogon's back.

"Forgive me my queen but I think I should keep my distance." said Ser Jorah as he slowly pulled back the sleeve of his arm to show the Greyscale infection. He quickly covered his arm lest others see his affliction.

For a moment words escaped Daenerys. She knew Jorah has been a spy for Robert Baratheon but he was also someone that saved her life multiple times. Now, because of her decision to exile Ser Jorah, the man became infected with Greyscale—a fate worse than death awaited him because of her decision.

"There is a cure in the Citadel right? They must have dealt with Greyscale before. I have heard that the Maesters of Citadel are a treasure trove of knowledge. Surely they can cure you." said Daenerys with hopeful eyes.

"I am afraid Greyscale is beyond even their expertise my queen. Besides, it will be too late when I reach the Citadel. The infection will spread throughout my body before I set foot in the Citadel and that is assuming I can reach the citadel. I will have to travel by ship and the risk of spreading the infection is too high. Many others would suffer for my folly and I can't allow that my queen." said Ser Jorah

"There is another way my queen." Daario spoke up attracting Daenerys's attention to the sellsword who had become her lover.

"We could amputate his arm and stop the spread of infection. The Greyscale is still in the beginning phase and the chances of survival are high." Daario offered his piece of advice.

"Can that save his life?" Daenerys asked hopefully

"I am no expert my queen but doing something now is better than depending on men half a world away. Besides, the old bear can still fight with his right arm." Daario suggested

"We will find a good healer and save your life Ser Jorah. You swore your life to me so serve me by being alive." Daenerys commander and Jorah merely nodded in compliance with her command.

"Now, what news do you have of Mereen?" Daenerys asked and she saw the uneasy looks exchanged between Daario and Jorah.

"We have unpleasant news, my Queen. The last we heard both the slave masters of Yunkai and Volantis had made common cause against you." Ser Jorah reported

"With your absence and the Sons of the Harpy wreaking havoc within the city we fear they may have already sent forth an army to take Mereen." said Daario with a troubled look.

"Are you sure?" Daenerys asked

"You represent a new path for Slaver's Bay. They will always see you as a threat and with your extended absence, they see weakness in Mereen. If Mereen falls your infallible image of power will crumble. Even with your dragons, you won't be able to restore order if you don't have a seat of power." said Daario

"He is right. Mereen is a shining example that slavery and slave masters are not needed. The slavers will always try to destroy such a symbol of freedom." said Ser Jorah

Daenerys absorbed what the two of them were saying and came to a decision.

"If the slavers don't want to live in a free world then that's their choice. We will rip them out root and stem. But I won't let Mereen suffer any further atrocities. It is time for me to return to Mereen." said Daenerys and turned her eyes to the East. Drogon let out a roar seemingly agreeing with what was on her mind. Fire and Blood.

****

Wyman Manderly really would have prefered not to ride a horse but his personal discomfort was not going to stop him from this meeting. The moment he had received word of Jon Snow's arrival at Ramsgate he had decided to ride there himself and bring the lad to White Harbour. He was not alone in that thinking which made him cast an eye on the others in his riding party. To his immediate right was Maege Mormont dressed in her usual garb of a soldier's clothing with armour and a cloak of furs to ward off the cold. Following the Lady of Bear Island was her daughters Alysanne, Lyra and Jorelle each wilder than their mother. To his left was Galbart Glover and Ser Edric Mallister. Both of them were sent North by the king to deliver Eddard Stark's bones before the Red Wedding but now the Quiet Wolf's remains rested under the protection of Crannogmen. Speaking of which he was being followed closely by Howland Reed on a horse. The man was extremely quiet but his loyalty was not at all in question nor was his bravery. Ned Stark braved the Mad King's Kingsguard with Howland Reed by his side. Any man that survived to tell that tale was someone that he would appreciate by his side in the wars to come.

Thankfully he could see the faint outline of the castle of Ramsgate held by cousins of House Manderly. As they closed in on the castle a few riders approached their company and at the helm, Wyman could see Wierman Manderly the current lord of Ramsgate. The Manderlys of Ramsgate was more Northerners than those in White Harbour. After generations of marrying into other Northern houses, a group of Manderlys had then taken up the Old Gods as their religion which resulted in the separation of House Manderly. Not to raise any tensions within House Manderly Wyman's earliest ancestors had given Ramsgate to Manderlys that took up the Old Gods.

Wyman slowed his horse to a trot and greeted his cousins. "Good day cousin Wierman. We rode off the moment your raven arrived."

"Greetings cousin. This is Ser Davos Seaworth. He came with Jon Snow in the ship." said Wierman pointing to an old bearded man wearing clothes bearing the onion sigil.

"You are the Onion Knight aren't you? I thought you were with Stannis Baratheon, Lord Seaworth?" Galbart Glover asked in confusion

"No my lord. I was ordered by Stannis to negotiate with Jon Snow to supply his army with rations from the Wall." answered Davos with a sigh.

"You were lucky then. The Boltons took no prisoners. They slaughtered them all. Honourless curs!" Ser Edric Mallister spat

"We are wasting our time. Where is Ned Stark's boy? We have urgent business with the lad." Maege butted in before anything further could be said.

"The lad is at the Mermen Cliff praying before the Old Gods. Him and his giant Direwolf. Keep your horses down the hill because the Wolf spooks them and the horses would throw you down from their back." said Wierman rubbing his left shoulder and Wyman thought his cousin spoke from experience.

"I will lead you there my lords, my ladies." Ser Davos led them to the base of said cliff. The evening sun was giving them some respite from the cold and the snows had receded a little for them to walk on foot to the cliff. At the top Wyman could see Ned Stark's son kneeling before the Weirwood tree, saying his prayers to the Old Gods. Out of respect for the Gods, they moved closer to the lad careful not to disturb the lad. Wyman noticed a sword fastened over the lad's shoulder as well as another one to his hip. The one at the hip had a wolf pommel but the other one was painted red and he couldn't recognize the design.

"I have been watching you all especially you Lord Wyman. You have my gratitude for opening White Harbour and Ramsgate for refugees who fled from the Ironborn invasion and the cruelty of Boltons." Jon Snow spoke startling Wyman and his companions. As the lad turned to face them Wyman was taken back at seeing Ned's son. Other than the black hair and grey eyes the lad looked nothing like Ned Stark. The Starks have always been more round-faced but this one was more angular with more colour to his skin as well.

For a moment Wyman wondered if that's why some of his men had started to call the lad the White Wolf after news reached them of the fall of Last Hearth and Karhold. But that thought was thrown away when a huge white Direwolf stepped out from behind the Weirwood tree snarling at them making them take a step back.

"Easy ghost. They are friends." Jon Snow rubbed the wolf behind its ear and the huge beast was as docile as a little puppy. There was no doubt this is a Stark, Wyman mused.

"That wolf doesn't make us tremble in fear Jon Snow. We fought beside the Young Wolf and Grey Wind was his constant companion." said Lyra Mormont and Wyman wanted to smack that girl over her head. He let out a silent sigh of relief when Jon Snow merely laughed off the comment.

"Aye, Grey Wind was more intimidating than Ghost." Jon Snow smiled and nodded at the Mormont girl.

"We heard of what you did to Last Hearth and Karhold. You did well as befitting of a son of Ned Stark." said Galbart Glover and Wyman detected a hint of respect from the Glover.

"Still can't believe Smalljon Umber would sell out a son of Ned Stark to the Flayed Man and that too breaking guest rights." Maege Mormont spat on the ground and began cursing the Umbers.

"It doesn't matter now. What's done is done and Northern justice was given to House Umber. Ned Umber still remains in my custody and soon I will deal with Smalljon myself." said Jon Snow and Wyman could make out a cruel glint in the eyes of the lad.

"You have been on the seas too long my lord. Smalljon Umber is dead. Ramsay Snow killed him. We learned that from some of the fleeing Umber men. The fool is losing allies in droves and with a Stark to lead us more Northern houses will rise up to challenge the Flayed Man." Edric Mallister said excitedly no doubt eager to kill the Boltons and then return to Riverlands with Northern aid.

"I am afraid you have the wrong person. I am not a Stark." Jon Snow shook his head.

"That's where you are wrong. You are Jon Stark, King in the North by decree of Robb Stark. Your brother named you his heir before the Red Wedding and made all the Northern Houses accept his will." said Maege Mormont as she handed the lad the last decree of King Robb.

Wyman and the others were about to kneel but the lad stopped them quickly.

"I can't be a Stark even with this decree. I am heartened by Robb's gesture but Rickon must take Winterfell. It is his birthright and I won't steal it from him for a crown my lady." said Jon Snow as he handed back the letter.

"Your brother remains a prisoner of that mad dog. You are legitimized by the order of a King. You are a Stark." Lyra Mormont insisted and for one Wyman was thankful for that girl to open her mouth which has not happened often.

"You misunderstand my lady. I can't take the name of a Stark when I already have a name of my own. Isn't that right Lord Reed?" Jon Snow asked and Wyman noted that the lord of Greywater Watch who had stayed silent so far moved forward and knelt before Jon Snow with his sword stabbed on the ground.

"Mother look!" Lyra Mormont exclaimed pointing to the sky and sure enough, a huge beast that blocked out the sun from the sky fell upon them shaking the ground. Wyman had never felt the kind of terror that he was feeling right now in his entire long life. If he had taken time to take note of others then he would have been more at ease because the others were not fairing much better. Even the stoic Howland Reed had moved back when the dragon—for it was surely a seven-damned dragon, landed right behind Jon Snow.

Wyman watched in open fascination and fear as Jon Snow placed his hand on the snout of the green dragon. The dragon purred like a cat as if it enjoyed being petted like that and started rubbing its huge head on Jon Snow.

Wyman had to admit that Howland Reed had balls of steel as he watched the Lord of Greywater Watch approach Jon Snow and knelt once again like before.

"I was there when your uncle Eddard Stark received you from your mother Lyanna. I was the one to carry you to the North and I did so with pride. Your mother was my friend and it was for her that I fought in the South. You are her son and you will always have my allegiance Daeron Targaryen, third of his name, King of Andals, Rhoynar and the First Men."

Wyman noted the others were quick to follow. They all knelt before Daeron Targaryen and swore their oaths of fealty. A Northerner with a dragon at his call was a King no matter what name the lad was going by especially one with the blood of the Starks.

"Rise, all of you. The oaths and ceremonies can all wait. I am here to bring the war to Boltons, the Freys, the Lannisters and any other shits that want to stand with those vermin. Fire and Blood may be the words of my House but I will show them what happens when Ice and Fire unite."