Hand of the Queen

26

The darkness of Dragonstone's beaches is illuminated by only a few torches. I stand beside Daenerys, her face just barely visible in the fire's light. Aegon stands beside me, watching with anger in his eyes as Varys approaches.

"You have betrayed me, Lord Varys." Daenerys says, there is no emotion in her words.

"I am sorry, your grace." Varys says, though there is a lack of any remorse to his words. I clench my jaw and allow the Queen to speak for herself, holding back any of my own anger. Jon watches me closely, the look of warmth his eyes once held when they laid upon Daenerys is now gone.

"He has changed." I quietly tell Aegon in Valyrian, his eyes lock on Jon.

"I noticed it in Winterfell, he no longer looks to you with the warmth of family. He looks at Daenerys as if she is a stranger." My eyes return to Daenerys as Drogon comes into view behind her. The massive dragon meets Varys's eyes, the red glow of fire building in his throat.

"Dracarys."

...

I stand within our tent outside King's Landing, looking into my own reflection. A black coat covers my pregnant stomach, stopping just above my ankles and sweeping down the length of my arms. It's collar frames my neck, subtle detailing of dragon scales trail down my sleeves. My badge of the Hand remains attached to my chest, the sigil of three circling dragons embroidered onto each of my shoulders. My hair remains braided away from my face, holding the pin of a dragon. A cape of deep red hangs from my right shoulder, held in place by my Hand's badge. Aegon stands dressed in his beautiful Targaryen armor, his sword laying within its hilt.

We leave the tent together, our armies prepare their attack below us. He offers me his arm as we walk down the hill, watching my steps under the weight of my stomach carefully. Melania follows behind us closely, unwilling to leave my side. Tyrion stands waiting beside Daenerys atop a hill overlooking King's Landing. Jon and Greyworm stand below, preparing the three armies that stand waiting to march forward.

"Remember, your grace. The city will turn against Cersei, they will surrender if they know they are defeated. When you hear the bells ring, stand down." Tyrion says, Daenerys meets my eyes. The memory of Missandei and Edlin fill my mind as the words leave his mouth, their heads tumbling across the dirt. The memory of my father's head falling from his neck as the people of King's Landing cheered. My brother's throat cut by Lannisters as my mother was forced to watch, only to have her own slit after.

"Take your throne, Daenerys." I tell her, she nods to me before walking to Drogon. Aegon places a kiss on my lips, moving to kiss my cheek and between my brow.

"I will see you again, when House Targaryen sits the throne, my love." He says, moving to mount Rhaegal. The two Targaryen's take to the sky, circling the city as the war begins.

Tyrion and I watch as our armies move in, Melania monitors ever possible window someone could attack us from. The Unsullied who stand beside us remain unwavering in their task to defend the Queen's Hand.

I watch as our men pour into the city through the hole torn by Drogon, ripping through the Lannister's that remain within. The two dragons light the city walls ablaze, sending those who stand there running in terror.

I turn in fear as a small group of Lannister men arrive beside us, the Unsullied move into defense positions. I pull the two daggers from my sides as the Unsullied succumb to the enemy.

"You will die today." The enemy soldier says, I quickly deflect his first strike at me. Tyrion picks up his own dagger from the fallen Unsullied and attempts to hold his own against them. Just as the first dagger is knocked from my grasp, the ground behind me shudders. I look to see Rhaegal hovering above me, fire erupts from his mouth without hesitation. The enemy before us is reduced to ash and flame, Rhaegal turns to look back at the city. Drogon has landed atop the city walls, looking over the fallen stronghold. The bells have begun to ring, I walk to the front of Rhaegal and place a hand on his snout as Aegon remains mounted.

"We've done it." Tyrion says, but my gaze remains on Daenerys. Drogon roars, waiting for her word on what to do. Missandei's final words rings in my mind, the final wish she made to the Queen.

Dracarys!

A smile pulls across my lips as Daenerys takes to the sky once more, unleashing Drogon's breath of flame upon the city. I look to Aegon, he holds a face similar to my own on his expression. As the flames cut through the city, I feel the final bit of vengeance I had searched for settle in. As the wretched city falls to ruin, my family has been avenged. Their death does not go in vain, it has lead us to this moment.

...

I stand beside Daenerys as her army celebrates before us, the banner of House Targaryen lay draped across the ruins of the Red Keep. Aegon takes his place beside me as Rhaegal and Drogon settle in above us, roaring along with the armies below.

I listen as Daenerys addresses her army, speaking of their valor and their fierceness in battle. As her speech comes to a close, I watch as Tyrion approaches. He pulls the sigil of circling dragons from his chest and hands it to the Queen. I look at him in disgust as anger pulls across Daenerys's face.

"You have betrayed the crown, Lord Tyrion." Daenerys tells him, Greyworm seizes him without another word from her. Jon watches from behind us, I can see the contemplation on his face. I hold his eyes from where I stand beside Daenerys, following after her without a word spoken to the Winterfell bastard.