Hand of the Queen

27

I walk through the ruined halls beside Aegon, taking in the palace that now belongs to House Targaryen. We will rebuild, this place will be stronger now than it has ever been.

"We've finally done it, beautiful Alysanne." Aegon says, squeezing my hand as we walk. Together we reach the throne room, pushing open the door to reveal Jon Snow holding a dagger behind Daenerys's back. I do not allow myself the moment to react, I pull the blade from my hip and throw it with the accuracy I have been training for. My dagger swipes across Jon's hand, sending his own blade clattering to the ground as he looks to me in shock that is quickly replaced by horror.

"Betrayer!" I shout, walking further into the room. Aegon remains on my heels, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Daenerys backs away from Jon and moves to take her place by my side.

"Daenerys-" Jon starts, the Queen cuts him off before he can speak another word.

"You planned to kill me? How long did you conspire against me?" Daenerys asks, Jon remains silent before us.

"You've gone mad, Daenerys. You slaughtered a city to achieve what you want." I clench my jaw, my skin burning with rage.

"This is war, Jon Snow. Blood is guaranteed to be spilled, and this place is one of filth. Perhaps it was in need of a cleanse." I say, Jon looks to me in shock.

"You've all gone mad, every last one of you." He says as the Unsullied enter the room. Greyworm walks beside us, looking to Daenerys with lingering confusion behind his eyes.

"Take him." Daenerys tells him, Greyworm obeys her without question. The Unsullied surround Jon and drag him from the room, his eyes never breaking their hold on my own.

...

"Where is Jon?" Sansa shouts, storming into the Hand's Tower. Arya follows closely behind her, taking in the room around us. The rebuilding of King's Landing has already begun, the Red Keep being remade holding the sigils of House Targaryen. The Unsullied around me stand at higher attention as my sister approaches me. Her eyes are filled with rage as she stops only inches from my face.

"Jon Snow betrayed the crown and attempted to murder the Queen in cold blood. He is being held in the dungeon and will await his execution." I say, Sansa looks at me in disbelief.

"You are a Stark, you would kill your own family?" My face hardens against hers, I stand up straight and look down upon her.

"Now, when the betrayer's life is at stake, the both of you consider me House Stark?" I scoff at the both of them as the memory of our last meeting replays in Sansa's mind. "No, I am a Lady of House Targaryen, just as you told me so many days ago. I am the Hand of the Queen, and the one who attempts to assassinate her will face the breath of Drogon. Have care how you speak, Lady Sansa, or the crown may have reason to believe House Stark rebels along side it's lone bastard." Sansa does not back down, holding my gaze in her own.

"The North will remain independent from this tyrant's rule. You will have to burn us all in order to change that." She turns and walks from the room without another word. Greyworm steps forward to follow her, I raise a hand as he stops. I watch my sister disappear down the hall, feeling the last tie to my House go with her.

...

Aegon and I stand beside the throne as Daenerys kneels before the Maester, her blood red gown covered in detailing that holds symbolism of House Targaryen in every inch of it. The Maester gently places a golden crown atop her head, one of dainty golden dragons and small blood red jewels littered throughout. She slowly rises and turns to the crowd behind her, the North glaringly absent from the gathering. We all bow our heads in sync as she faces us.

"I present to you Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen! Queen of the Andals, and the Rhoynar, and the First Men! Lady of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm!" The Maester announces, the people before us cheer as Daenerys meets our eyes. I watch her with a proud smile as she takes her seat atop the Iron Throne, every bit of what we fought for finally coming to fruition.

...

I stand beside the Queen as Jon and Tyrion are brought into the dragon pits. I step forward, meeting each of their eyes for a moment.

"You are brought before Queen Daenerys Targaryen to be accused of attempted assassination of the Queen and conspiracy against her rule. The sentence for each of these crimes is death." I tell them, allowing the silence to hang between us for a moment more. I move back to my place by Aegon's side, watching as Daenerys steps forward next.

"I told each of you when you joined my service that if you were to betray me, you would die screaming. I have come to keep that promise to you." She says as Drogon climbs down behind her. He leans over the Queen, the golden heat already burning through his throat.

"Dracarys."