Hand of the Queen

15

I rush to the throne room, Aegon following closely on my heels. I turn the corner to see Daenerys's unhappy face, and Jon's distressed eyes.

"Jon." I breathe, the worry melts away from his face and a smile takes its place. I run to him, his arms wrapping tightly around me. "I missed you." He sets me down and places a hand on my face.

"I can't believe you're alive. I was so relieved when I got your letter." He tells me, I pull back and reach out my hand.

"Jon, I want you to meet my husband." My brother looks to me in surprise as the prince takes my hand. "Prince Aegon Targaryen."

"Your highness." Jon says, offering him a small bow. There is a hardness behind his eyes as he looks to Aegon, the protective feelings of a brother over his sister surely coming into play. A warmth has passed over Daenerys's face at the sight of this reunion, but I can still see the displeasure hidden below. I glance between my brother and the queen before deciding to speak in High Valyrian.

"Your grace," I say, walking to stand beside her. "There is something you must see. Viserion is not a male, she has laid three eggs." Daenerys looks to me in utter shock, she takes both my hands in her own.

"You're sure?" She asks, I quickly nod.

"Aegon and I have already placed them within the fires of your bed chambers to keep warm." A smile appears on her face as she lets out a breath of disbelief.

"This is incredible news, Alysanne." Her face hardens once more. "Only now we face something harder. Your brother refuses to bend the knee." I look to Jon to see him and his companion staring at us in confusion. The both of us regain our regal stances, one of the Queen and her Hand.

"My brother is a hard and stubborn man, as is all of the North. You will have to earn their trust, your grace. Jon likely comes here in search of something; he would not have risked this unless he was desperate. Allow him to take what he needs, and he may be more inclined to bend." I tell her, she slowly nods. Before she can speak, Varys rushes into the room.

"Euron Greyjoy has attacked the Iron Fleet, Yara has been taken hostage." He says, my eyes widen.

"And Edlin?" I ask, taking a few steps closer.

"Him and his men have just barely made it out alive." I let one a breath of relief and run from the room, finding the old sailor in the maester's quarters. His legs and torso are bandaged, stitching being pulled through his arm.

"Edlin." I breathe, collapsing into the seat beside him. I gently place a hand on his bruised face and he covers it with his own.

"I'm alright, I'm alright." He assures me, wincing as the stitches are pulled through.

"I think you're getting too old for this." The smirk slowly grows on my face, he waves a hand at me in protest. I watch as Melania curls at the sailors feet, watching him closely. "She's taken a liking to you in recent days."

"No, I think she's just stopped pretending that she doesn't." His free hand falls down to the direwolf, placing a scratch atop her head. "Get back to Daenerys, she needs you right now. I've got company." The direwolf grumbles in protest as he stops petting her, a laugh escapes my mouth.

"I'll find you later."

...

I find Jon standing atop the walls of Dragonstone, overlooking the dragons that sit below.

"You believe in her?" He asks as I approach him.

"I would not have agreed to be her Hand if I did not." I say, smiling at my brother.

"Why?" I let out a breath and look over the beasts that lie in the sun.

"Daenerys's followers are incredibly loyal, all because she dedicates her life to protecting them and others from threats she understands. She plans to break the wheel for everyone in Westeros, and I believe this is the type of leader we need." Jon takes in my words, studying my face.

"And the prince? He's good?" I smile at him, knowing the meaning behind his words.

"I was not forced to marry him, if that's what you ask. He has saved my life more than once, and his heart holds love for my own." He lets out a breath of relief.

"She does not believe me, about the white walkers." I shake my head.

"I believe you, brother. And I will push harder for the mining of the dragon glass, if that's truly what you believe will stop them." He looks to me in surprise.

"She'll truly listen to you?" I smile at my brother.

"She named me her Hand so that she has me to listen to, Jon. The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing, she calls me." Jon laughs, pulling me against him in a tight embrace.

...

I stand beside Aegon, Olenna sits across from us as Daenerys takes her place at the table's head.

"I have received word from Varys's spies that Cersei plans to siege Highgarden, taking its riches to pay off the Iron Bank." I say, the Master of Whispers nods from the other end of the table.

"They will not be able to take Highgarden unless we let them in the door." Olenna says, grinning at me.

"What do you propose we do?" Daenerys asks, I smile at her.

"We open the front door, your grace." Aegon says, moving the small statue of a dragon across the table to where Highgarden is drawn.

"Controlling Westeros is a game of thrones, Daenerys. You take it with cunning or with brute strength, we will use both. If you wish to avoid killing innocents within King's Landing, you need to show Cersei just how easily you could destroy her army. Aegon and I will travel to Highgarden while Olenna remains here.

Jaime Lannister wil likely lead their army, he will come searching for the Lady Tyrell. Instead he will find the both of us, and he will learn that his entrance into Highgarden was a result of House Targaryen allowing him to. We will send the Lannister army running out of House Tyrell's walls, where they will meet the Dothraki waiting outside with their Khaleesi on dragon back." I tell her, she slowly begins to nod.

"Beautiful, our Lady Hand." Daenerys says.

"This will all be crafted to show Westeros your strength, your grace. We will show the people the might of House Targaryen." Aegon says, the two royals grin at each other. Daenerys takes my hand and runs her finger across my ring, showing the House that has now become my own.