Hand of the Queen

22

My father's statue stands over me, looking out with cold eyes. I bend down and place a hand on his nameplate, bowing my head as tears well in my eyes.

"Lady Hand." I hear from beside me, the Valyrian words ringing in my ears as I turn to see Greyworm. He steps closer as I quickly gather myself and face him. "I am sorry to interrupt you." I shake my head.

"It is quite alright, Greyworm. What is it?" I ask him.

"You are needed within the great hall. Jaime Lannister has only just arrived, and he brings no army with him." I look to the Commander in shock.

"We had better hurry." He walks beside me to the stairs and offers me his arm once we arrive. I graciously take it and begin the walk back upstairs to hear voices already gathered within the great hall. My family and Daenerys's court already sit inside, Brienne and her companion sit against the far wall. I meet Jaime's eyes as I walk to my place beside the Queen, Aegon pulls the chair out for me as I settle in.

"Cersei has lied to all of us, she will not send her army to Winterfell. She plans to hire Bravos's Golden Company for when you return." Jaime says, Daenerys and I move our eyes in sync to fall on Tyrion. Did he know this would happen? Did he and Cersei conspire together to have us believe she would send aid, only to betray us?

"He may have conspired against us, your grace." I say, the words spilling out in High Valyrian.

"You have stolen the words from my mouth, Lady Hand." Daenerys tells me.

"How do we know you will not betray us?" I ask Jaime.

"I will not break another oath; I gave my word to fight beside you and I will fulfill that vow." Jaime tells me, my eyes shift as Brienne steps forward.

"I will vouch for Ser Jaime." The Lady Knight says, I look to her in surprise. Silence hangs around the room for a moment, I meet Jon's gaze as Jaime's words from within the baths of Harrenhal ring through my mind. I slowly nod to my brother as he looks back to the Knight.

"You will fight beside us, but my sword will find your throat if you betray us." Jon tells him, Daenerys stands and leaves without another word. I quickly follow after her, meeting her pace once we reach the hallway. We speak quickly in High Valyrian, the anger clear in her voice.

"He should have known not to trust her, I cannot believe he swindled us into listening to him. Listening to her." She says, I nod in agreement.

"It was a misstep, one I should have known to advise against." I tell her, she shakes her head.

"We both should have known better, I will not allow you to take the full blame onto yourself." I let out a frustrated breath.

"We hold the Dothraki, Unsullied, and the Northern army. It will have to be enough." We walk together outside, reaching the top of Winterfell's walls. The landscape of snow stretches far out ahead of us, the undisturbed white ground gives such an illusion of peace during these deadly times.

"We will make it enough." The door behind us opens, Jorah steps outside to meet us.

"Khaleesi, Lady Hand." He says, bowing to the both of us. Jorah meets my eyes and I nod before meeting Daenerys's eyes once more.

"I must speak with my sister." I tell her, she squeezes my hand and nods before I head back into the warmth of Winterfell.

...

"Why must you show her such hostility?" I ask as I enter Sansa's bedchamber, she sits before Arya who spins a Valyrian steel dagger in her fingers. Sansa meets my eyes with an unchanging face.

"You may be willing to bend the knee, Alysanne, but I am not so easily persuaded." She tells me, her words burn me like a heated blade.

"She marches her army away from the war that will take back her throne so that we may win this fight against the dead, and yet you still need to be convinced? Daenerys had every right to turn her back on the North and allow them to fight the dead on their own and she did not." Sansa's eyes bore into mine as she stands. "Everything I have ever done was to keep the both of you safe. I was the one who secured your escape from the Red Keep, I traveled the Narrow Sea and found a place within the rightful Queen's court so that she may take her place atop the throne and slaughter the Lannisters that so desperately want both of your heads. I did this for both of you, to keep this family alive, and yet you act with such distaste?"

Arya's face begins to soften, her hardened gaze easing against my own as she glances back to Sansa. My fiery haired sister holds the same hard look in her face, as if my words poured in one ear and toppled out of the other.

"All due respect, Lady Hand, but you are of House Targaryen now. I am the Lady of House Stark and I will decide what is best for this family." Sansa says, she walks past me without another word. I look to Arya with shock covering my face, pleading for any help against my sister's harsh claim. She offers me apologetic eyes one last time before following Sansa out the door, disappearing down the hallway. I look after my sister's in disbelief.

Betrayal rips through my bones, pouring through every inch of my being.