A Song of Ash and Smoke | a continuation of A Song of Ice and Fire

𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐬

"Is it just me or does that star look brighter?" 

Danaerys's nose burned. The unseemly odor was from Yara Greyjoy, who was just steps behind Danaerys. Yara stank of months old sweat and sour milk. Still, Danaerys did not let her face give her thoughts away as she greeted Yara pleasantly and corrected her gently, "It is not a star, it is a comet. It has a tail to it, see there." 

"As you say, my queen," The iron lady said, barely glancing upward, and turned to face the land far off in the distance on the horizon. "Perhaps it is welcoming you home."

Drogon flew above the ship, swooping down to just above the sails and then shooting back up into the clouds. Danaerys looked at him lovingly. Her children, rightfully reunited with her. They were a family, and nothing could stop them. Danaerys wasn't going to let her daughter marry that boy. That Stark boy. Jaehaera would rule by her side from Dragonstone. She would learn what it was to be a real queen. Her daughter was of her blood. Royal blood. Ancient, royal blood. She was destined to be great, not some pretty thing on the arm of a king. They would reclaim Westeros. All of Westeros. She squinted into the horizon, sunlight blinding her, even as she raised her arm to shield her eyes. "Yara, does that look like smoke?"

Yara leaned forward, narrowing her eyes as well. "Aye, it does."

She was immediately on guard, and quickly turned heel. Danaerys watched fervently as Yara shouted orders at the men, her voice echoing loudly, despite the rasp in her throat. Grey Worm appeared at her right side by her shoulder, catching her off guard. He must have come from the galley below. Danaerys recovered her composure and glanced cooly at the hazy land ahead. "Torgo Nudho."

With a quick nod and a slight bend at the waist, he addressed her. "My queen, I urge you to come to safety below. We will send men to see what it is and report back their findings."

"No."

"Your grace, I don't think now is the time to be above deck." Grey Worm was firm. 

"No, I will stay here and they will report directly to me." The warmth in Danaerys's voice had begun to trickle out, replaced by an icy edge. There was no changing her mind. "Bring the ship closer. As close as can be managed." 

Grey Worm huffed with frustration, and bowed. "Your grace."

Danaerys turned back to her observations, the wind blowing her hair gently. Behind her, she could hear splashing as the men dropped the dingy into the water, then the thuds and creaks of them clamoring down the ladder and dropping into the boat. Danaerys turned and peered over the side of the boat, catching a glimpse of Yara dropping in after the men with a grunt. She pointed forward and began to shout orders again, in that hoarse voice again, directing them forward. 

Danaerys watched as they departed from the side of the boat and pushed off, heaving the oars of the boat swiftly. She then watched as they grew smaller and smaller, until they were a spot off in the distance. She could feel the ship creaking as it too drifted forward, as she'd commanded. From her view, the smoke appeared to be coming from left of the fortress. She couldn't tell if it was from it. A ball of rage burned in her belly. If those Stark beasts had burned her home, the place of her birth, to the ground, she would rain fire on them. They would pay. 

She stewed alone in her thoughts, feeling the minutes pass by like hours as the hot sun beat down on her face. Her skin was peeling from its burning glare. After months of being nowhere but the middle of the sea, with no light but the fire above, she was red, and patchy. Her hair, though greasy, remained ever neat in its complex pleats. Then, a sweet voice behind her, one that brought a smile to Dany's face. "Mother."

"Daughter," the queen said, turning to face Jaehaera. The girl looked hesitant, yet concerned. 

"Mother," Jae repeated. "You should come below and rest before we depart."