The Dragon and the Falcon

Daenerys 

Daenerys Stormborn awoke with the sun this morning, her violet eyes welcomed the brightness of her chambers.

Summer here is supposed to be hot, even scorching, like it was on her time with Khal Drogo. It was cooler now, Sansa, in the few times he spoke with the woman had said that Winters can get harsh on the worst days, she also said the snows are beautiful.

She silently walked over and found of the castle servants, "I want a bath made, please." The servant left and a few moments after that, she and a few others came back, they filled her bathtub and she smiled, "Thank you, you all may go." The nodded and exited the room.

Taking a deep breath, she disrobed and took steps until she was in the warm water, she relished the combination of cold and hot, it made her body feel at ease but not so much as it would have been on a warmer day.

In the quietness of the moment, she remembered what transpired last night after she came back from the dragon pit.

Missandei was helping her get into her nightdress, once it was on the chamber doors opened and Rodrik Arryn entered, the Unsullied guard apologized for letting him muscle his way inside.

"When were you going to tell me?" Was all he asked of her, though, it was more of a demand.

"I don't know what you're- " He snapped at her, she never knew his voice could be so loud and heavy.

"Stop lying, Daenerys. This alliance, I cannot believe you put your reign in jeopardy by hiding the truth that you cannot bear children." She widened her eyes, how come he knows the truth? Her lips formed a frown as she turned to Missandei.

"I can finish here, thank you." Missandei smiled before turning and leaving her alone with Rodrik who looked positively shaken by the truth. "I wanted to finish all our battles before figuring out what to do, and who are you to know? It isn't your kingdoms to rule." She huffed, showing strength despite the acknowledgment of her being barren has begun to take shots at her walls that she had kept hidden for the past several years.

Rodrik shook his head, "It is, the stability of the kingdoms of the North, Vale, South and Iron Islands depend on it." She didn't get what he meant, why is this a large problem when they don't even know if they will be able to beat back the dead.

"I am tired of hearing this, it would all be so much simpler if you had bent the knee and swore me your fealty. There could be a great council if I die without issue." She pointed this out and though it calmed Rodrik, his face was still skeptical.

"And who will rule after you, hmm? Tyrion or House Lannister, when has the Realm profited from them, Joffrey executed innocent men and women, his brother was weak and his sister is married to Trystane, House Martell and House Tyrell are too ambitious, the moment you die, they WILL advance the territories of the neighboring kingdoms." She sighed, House Lannister won't be the same, and House Martell or Arianne is friends with Rodrik, why should Rodrik fear her and her future children.

"Who should I bequeath it too, then, you? The Starks? I don't think so, my House made the Iron Throne, my House forged the Seven into one Kingdom... And I am still quite young, I have a long life to live." Rodrik cracked a smile for the first time since he came into her chambers.

She walked over and poured her and him some wine, he reluctantly took it and sat down, she took one a moment after that and stared at him.

"You want to know the story, why I am what I am?" She asked him, Rodrik looked at his wine then back at her... Then nodded to her question. "My brother and I were being held as guests at Pentos, there we stayed for a month before Magister Illyrio said he had negotiated a way so that my brother may have an army, it was a marriage pact." She started off, he listened and cleared his throat.

"I heard about that, you were arranged to marry Drogo, a Dothraki horselord." She nodded and was surprised that he knew that, but, considering he was friends with the Usurper and Lord Stark, he was no doubt privy to some knowledge.

"My brother was temperamental, he was what you and others like to refer to my family as mad. He told me he would let all forty-thousand Dothraki and their mounts to rape me to get what he wanted, a crown." Rodrik gave her sympathetic eyes, "I was treated harshly if I disobeyed, so, I married Drogo no matter how much I cried when he, took me as his." She stopped, not wanting to linger on the worst part of her first marriage.

"After weeks I began to fall for Drogo, three months after that I became pregnant, we were happy and I didn't even want the Iron Throne, although I was tempted by the thought. We traveled to Vaes Dothrak, the City of Horses, it was there my son was to be born, the Stallion Who Mounts the World, my brother was killed by Drogo and I thought we were going to be left alone... Until Robert sent his assassin, he failed, and my husband wanted vengeance." She let that all sink in, it was quite a mouthful and she wanted a sip of wine.

"What happened next?" She almost chuckled at how interested he was in hearing her story.

"From the time I've know you, I expected you to demand to get to the point... Unless you are genuinely interested in knowing about me?" She suggested with her cheeks a little reddened, all the wine and food tonight, she must be nearing a drunken stupor.

"Targaryen's are interesting people, I've never met one until you." He told her, she was almost flattered that he thinks her interesting, "I am my father's son, I have taken responsibility to maintain a peaceful balance in the Seven Kingdoms, you now control the Southern Kingdom, I do care about the people living in it." She straightened her back, furrowing her brows at how genuine he sounded, it made her smile slightly.

"Anyway, after Drogo decided to attack Westeros, we had to get ships and to get ships is to take and sell slaves for gold. We sacked a village of Lamb Men, I saved several women of getting what I was given, I thought I saved them but one was already raped, that same woman treated my husband's wounds sustained from one of his own riders." She shuttered just remembering how panicked she was, "Infection spread and I asked her to do anything, I loved him and didn't want to lose him, Mirri said there is a spell and without thinking I let her perform it." She added and Rodrik sipped his wine, pouring more into her own cup, 'Only death may pay for life', she saved my husband... But I lost my son. She told me about how she further spread the infection and meant for Drogo and our son's deaths." She stopped when Rodrik asked her another question.

"And your husband, why is he not here?" She smiled sadly and reached for her stomach, remembering it all.

"The woman didn't bring him back as he was, I asked when he will be back to normal and she said 'When the sun rises in the west and sets in the east. When the seas go dry and mountains blow in the wind like leaves. When your womb quickens again, and you bear a living child. Then he will return, and not before', I have not been without a lover, Rodrik Arryn, my moon-blood comes and goes when it is time and I have felt no sign that I was pregnant." He leaned forward, his eyes burrowing into her own as she said.

"So, you are taking what a witch says to heart, is that why you are worried? Why I am worried?" She knows it might sound ridiculous, even she didn't buy it when she met Daario and took him to her bed.

"With what I've seen in these past few years, I do." He folded his hands and leaned back, "Advise me, then, tell me what you think I should do?" He got up from the chair and walked over to the hearth, frustrated with everything, it seemed.

"Perhaps, you could adopt a nobleman's son into your House. They won't be riding dragons or breathing blood and fire, but whoever you choose can be groomed to lead House Targaryen. There are even some Valyrian Houses that can be picked from, Celtigar, even Velaryon." They are excellent choices, she will give them plenty of thought.

"Thank you, Rodrik. Not just for your advice but for, hearing me, I haven't been able to tell anyone my story until now." She was genuine, not even Missandei heard her entire journey and neither had Daario.

Rodrik seemed to have calmed down completely, after hearing the whole story why she is unable to bear children.

"It... You have truly been through much, I would like to hear more someday, such as how you came to rule Slaver's Bay or retook control of your husband's army." Now that is more than a sit-down story, she put down her cup and nodded to his request.

"Perhaps on the road North, Rodrik. Now, good night." She whispered and he smiled a half smile before being let out of the room.

Since then, she has to be less of a stubborn person, Sansa and Rodrik won't be bending the knee and she has accepted that fact. Westerosi are a stubborn lot, but, they are more trusting than anyone I knew these past few years, besides Jorah, and Missandei, and Grey Worm. She thought as she climbed out of the tub and put on her clothes she'll be wearing for the next few days of travel.

An hour later, the army was gathered and began the march to Winterfell to begin battle with the Army of the Dead.

Shadow Tower 

Bran opened his eyes from being beyond the Wall, his ravens found the army of the dead and where they are heading.

"Bran, what did you see?" Leaf asked him and he turned his head to Jon, or Jaehaerys since he told his cousin the truth.

"Jon, Eastwatch is where he is heading, they will be there in days." Jon turned his face, then grabbing his sword and leaving the room, "You and the others should ready, he is coming for me, I need to leave the Wall." Leaf and Meera left to prepare for their journey to Winterfell while Jon and the army of the living raise the defenses.

Beyond the Wall, North of Eastwatch in a blizzard the Army of the Dead marched. The Night King watched them with his children of Ice, the White Walkers he has created over the last few thousand years.

His goal is simple, to do what he was created for by the Children of the Forest, he will destroy the Wall, slaughter the First Men, and bring an end to his creator's enemies.

The second Long Night is near, and it will not be stopped this time.