Shadow of the Dragon Queen

18.

The dragons settle around us, no longer aiming to end the other's lives, as if they too heard the realization that came to pass over Daenerys. The horror of the destruction she brought upon the people that lived below us. Drogon and Rhaegal begin to lower to the ground, the grass coming closer and closer.

I gather Daenerys into my arms, pulling the blade from her unmoving chest. The hilt is just barely held in my hand as I wrap my arms around my aunt. Tears spill from my eyes, immeasurable grief taking over my mind. I pull her from the dragon's back as we land, collapsing onto the ground while she lays in my arms.

The reality settles in, the knowledge of what I have done. I have saved Westeros, I have saved the people of King's Landing from the Mad Queen. But in the same moment, I lost what once was. I lost the last of my family, the woman I loved so dearly. The Queen I followed across the sea, that I commanded armies for, that I fought so fiercely for so she could take the throne. The one who had insisted I am her family, despite any claims of a bastard I had.

I pull back to look at her face, lifeless and cold. Drogon sniffs her head, smelling nothing but death, and roars into the sky. He looks back down at me, I hold out a hand to his dark scales. He watches my hand closely, I hear Rhaegal move closer to my back. Finally, the Winged Shadow's snout pushes into my hand. I let out a breath as he collapses onto the ground, I rub a hand across his scales as tears pour down my face.

I look to my right to see Lannister Knights approach from the open gate, the Red Keep looming over us. They do not hold swords in their hands, they do not move with the intention to kill. I meet their eyes as they bounce between Daenerys's lifeless body and my blood covered sword. They glance to the two dragons that stand beside me, both of their eyes trained on the Knights.

"You saved us." The man says, staring at me in shock. "You are Rhaenyra Targaryen, I have heard whispers of your name in the streets. You are the true heir." One name fills my mind, only one could have so quickly spread this word to the masses. Varys and his little birds, working so quickly to right the wrongs. The next to arrive is Jon, Tormund on his heels. They look at the lifeless body in my arms, the heartbreak settled onto my face. Tormund moves first, collapsing beside me and wrapping his arms around my waist. Jon steps closer, sadness fills his eyes at the sight of his former lover.

"The Unsullied began to attack the Dothraki and the Northmen the moment you attacked Daenerys, they did not last long at the overwhelming numbers. Those who survived are being taken prisoner, Greyworm stands among them." Jon tells me, meeting my eyes once more. "The Dorthraki stood faithfully by your side, Rhaenyra, as did the men of the North." Odanno and Davos appear next, clear on their faces that they heard Jon's words.

"Perhaps when that red woman spoke of the princess who was promised, she was speaking to the wrong Targaryen." Davos say, stepping closer to take in the body within my arms.

"Your blood, Targaryen and Stark, it will unite all of Westeros. You are the tale of Ice and Fire, Rhaenyra. You are Aegon's dream." Odanno says, bending down to place a hand atop my cheek. I take in their words, shock pouring over every inch of my body, before looking back up to the Red Keep.

"All of you, stay here." I say, Jon takes Dany into his arms as I stand and head towards the palace without another word.

The castle remains almost empty, the Knights inside having taken up arms to fight outside its walls. I search through them, looking for any sign of the former Queen running for her life. As I round the stairs to the hand's tower, to the war room that remains inside, I finally see Jaime And Cersi Lannister standing with fear in their eyes. I stand before them, taking in the two cowering people shaking in each others arms. My eyes lock on Cersi's first.

"I told you once that I was all that stood between Daenerys and the destruction of your family. And in this battle today, I kept that oath to you once more." I say, finally turning my gaze to Jaime. "You told me not long ago, when we stood in Winterfell, that you would have defended my father to the death if he sat upon the throne." A calm passes over his face, he turns from his sister to face me.

"I did, my words have not changed." Jaime says.

"You told me you saw my father in every bit of myself, you saw that kind and loving prince within me." Jaime slowly nods, I let the silence hang between us for only a moment. "I know of your deal with Tyrion, I know a boat waits on the shores of this palace." Jaime's eyes widen. "I am giving you both one chance to leave this Keep and escape upon that boat that waits for you. I give it to you as a gift for believing in my father, for not letting Westeros forget how beloved he is." I stand straighter, a look of strength settling into my eyes. "But do not mistake this kindness for weakness, Jaime Lannister. If you should step foot in Westeros again, I will burn the both of you alive with my dragon."

Jaime does not say a word, but a faint look of pride passes over his face. He steps closer to me, lowering to one knee as he takes my hand in his own one last time. I watch as he bows his head to me once more, waiting a moment before rising again. He walks back to Cersi, taking her hand in his own, and the both of them disappear down the staircase. I turn from them, beginning the trek through this mighty palace.

The halls still remain vacant as I approach the doors, finding the massive room that lies beyond. I step closer to the throne that sits within, a thousand swords atop a grand pedestal. The connection to my family, to my House, grows stronger with every step I take. I stop short of it, staring at the mighty chair, when another arrives by my side. I do not have to meet his eyes to know the remaining Lannister beside me.

"Cersi and Jaime?" He asks, I allow a small grin to pass over my face.

"I'm not sure, they were gone when I arrived. Perhaps they sit in ash piles within the streets." I say, Tyrion glances at me to see the knowing look on my face and let's out a breath of relief, taking my hand in his own.

...

I walk to Rhaegal and Viserion, Drogon lays only a few feet away. Viserion's children circle my feet, settling in as their father remains lost in grief beside them, and I place a hand on Rhaegal and Viserion's snouts. I can feel the sadness that spills from between them as they nestle into me, I move closer and sink into the open space against Rhaegal's neck. He wraps his face into his body, leaving me to lay snuggled into his scales. Viserion lays into him, leaving me coddled between them as if they were the blankets of my own bed. My fingers drag across Rhaegal's scales as I lay against him, his open eye watching me.

The babies snuggle into their mother, leaving us all to lie within each other in grieving silence.