The Quest for Home

Chapter 7

Daenerys had started fighting battles. While her ground was expanding, she would always return to Dragonstone. Missandei was doing her normal work like everyone else. One day, she brought a pile of clothes to Daenerys' room. It was still a miracle how Missandei managed to wash the blood out of the white fur coat. Missandei entered the room of her Mistress and saw her leaning on her writing desk.

"My Lady, I have some fresh clothes for you," Missandei said.

"Thank you," Daenerys said. Missandei wanted to leave the room, but Daenerys took her wrist.

"We have to hurry up," she said.

'Why, your grace?" Missandei asked. Daenerys showed her a red gem. Missandei understood it right away and nodded.

"I will tell Lady Sansa," she said.

"Thank you, dear," Daenerys said with a small smile and Missandei left. She had to tell Istuives about this. After sending a message to her friend, Missandei went back to her work. When she walked past Daenerys' room, she heard Geralt and Daenerys talking.

"It points in the direction of Old Valyria. Do you think we will find it there?" Daenerys asked. Geralt looked at the red gem.

"It is obvious we will have to cross the sea again, but I doubt we will find it in Old Valyria. They tend to hide themselves and Old Valyria doesn't have a lot of good hiding spots," he answered.

"Right. But where could it be? Which countries are over the seas?" Daenerys said. Geralt took out a map and opened it. He studied it for a short while.

"Well, one of the options we have is Mirkwood," he said. Daenerys gasped.

"I totally forgot about that. How am I so stupid? Let's just hope we won't find it there," she said. Missandei walked away, thinking about everything she just heard. This was definitely important enough to tell Istuives. What if it was already there?

Daenerys was walking towards the throne room. Sansa had become her Hand and Daenerys was looking for her. She had questions for her friend. Sansa was in the throne room, talking to a few soldiers. Daenerys cleared her throat. The soldiers bowed and left and Sansa walked towards Daenerys, who sat down on the throne.

"I need your advice, Sansa," she said.

"Of course, your grace."

"When can we attack the Red Keep?"

"We have two options. Either attack now and get all the land left at once or go on with what we are doing now and slowly win back land. Option one is faster but comes with a bigger risk. Although I think we have a big chance in winning. The Unsullied are under Jon's command, but I once spoke with Grey Worm. He said if you would return, the Unsullied would take your side immediately. And let's be honest, your army is way stronger now."

"So what would you say?"

I think we should attack now. Missandei told me about the gem. I get it. You want to hurry up with this, so you can find it, isn't it?"

"You're right. We will have to cross the sea again. Will you come with me?"

"Of course I will. I am your Hand. It is my duty to help you with this."

"Thank you."

Therefore, the preparations for the attack started. The dragons rested a lot to spare their energy. Daenerys didn't want to burn the city, only the rampart. She didn't want to hurt any of her future people. Next to that, if Sansa was right, the people would be happy with a different Queen. Daenerys had also changed. She had lived in Middle-Earth for a year and it occurred to her that being harsh was different than being a tyrant. Being harsh would show she loved her people, whereas tyranny would show hatred to her people. She wanted to be like Thranduil, loved by his people and feared by his enemies. The perfect balance. Daenerys knew Thranduil would help her become the perfect Queen. And she was close to going back to him.

This time, they would travel over land to the Red Keep. A few of the cities on the way were still in the hands of the King, but since Daenerys had started winning ground, Jon had pulled his army back to the Red Keep. Geralt would check the city and then let Daenerys in. In the first city, no soldiers were found and Daenerys entered the city on Mele Bantis.

The people gathered at the marketplace and the Village Elder came forward. Daenerys dismounted Mele Bantis and walked towards the man. She wanted to say something, when he sat down on one knee and the rest of the people followed. Daenerys took the hand of the Elder and helped him up. The man smiled at her and Daenerys smiled back.

"Please sir, don't bow to me. I am no Queen yet," she said.

"We know, but we would like to serve you. We trained all boys and men who are able to fight. They hope to serve you," the man said.

"How old is the youngest soldier?" Daenerys asked. A young man stepped forward.

"I'm sixteen, your grace," he said. Daenerys thought for a minute.

"I do not wish to have soldiers under eighteen on the battlefield, but they can serve through helping with the strategies if they like," she said. Around ten men stepped forward and sat down on one knee.

"We will serve our Queen the way she likes us to serve her," they said in unison.

"We will leave tomorrow. Soldiers, take a rest. Minors, come with me," Daenerys said.

Until midnight, Daenerys had consultations with her team. The minors were a great help. Daenerys suspected most of these villagers were old soldiers or were trained to be soldiers, but never came into an army. The ten 'men' had plans Daenerys would have never thought of. She hadn't used the dragon army to win any battles yet. This would give an extra element of surprise. The villagers moved the tiny soldiers over the map like they were playing a strategic board game, but everything had a purpose. After hours of consultations, they finished their plans. The minors would be on the hill to keep an eye over the battle. Daenerys looked at the stars and sighed.

"I'm almost back," she said and smiled, but then felt the heat the red gem radiated.