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

𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧

He had seen her. She was there. Just for a moment, as Bran had flown over the courtyard, he'd caught a flash of fiery curls sat beside a crown of white, before the knock at his door jolted him from his warg. The knock, to tell him the news he now already knew. 

"A raven, Your Grace." Samwell held up the opened scroll in his hand, a weary expression strained unto his round face. "It bears troubling news."

"I know, Sam," Bran said flatly, his head in turmoil. 

Sam nodded. "Of course you do."

Still, he held out the scroll for Bran to read for himself. 

I, Danaerys Targaryen, rightful Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, press my claim to the Iron Throne. I take to ward Summer of House Stark and name my firstborn child, Jaehaera of House Targaryen, as my heir. 

Bran crumpled the paper in his fist, and for the first time in decades, cursed his inability to walk as the rage bubbled up inside of him. Still, he maintained his composure, but not without an edge to his voice. "So, the Dragon queen returns."

"So it seems, Your Grace," Sam replied morosely, wringing his hands. The heavy chains that sat his shoulders ground against one another loudly as he did. "There's more, though. Jon has returned."

The letter did little to quell Bran's unease, though. It was assumed through most of the kingdom that his sister Sansa was murdered at the hands of the Freed Folk, but it did little to explain how his tiny daughter had suddenly ended up in the Dragon's claw. Bran couldn't even grieve Sansa's death, when the crushing pain of Summer's disappearance ate at him so. 

"Bring me to the throne room."

Arya was sat on the steps of the throne room when Bran and Sam reached it, paring away at an apple with her knife and eating it in chunks. Jon paused from his pacing back and forth as they did, and Arya stood, both of them bowing curtly. The prince was at the window, lost in his head. 

"Well?" Bran demanded, though he knew he was like to know more than they did.

"We located Lady Jae in Essos, Your Grace." Jon sounded exhausted. "She is in the company of Danaerys and the Unsullied at Vaes Dothrak." 

"No, not any longer." Arya cut him off. "I assume Danaerys is like to return to Westeros with Jaehaera at her side, if she hasn't already." 

Turning to Bran, she explained, "We caught sight of them at Vaes Dothrak and remained encamped outside for a fortnight. We never saw them leave, but if we know anything about the Dragon Queen, it's that she has far more cunning than she oft is credited for. I can only imagine having Jaehaera in her possession inspires that further."

"You would be correct," Bran confirmed sadly. Jojen finally turned to face them. 

"Father, what do you know?"

"She holds Summer in her possession as well."

Jojen's face began to pinken, an expression of wrath lighting his features. "What do you mean, she has Summer?"

His voice was near a shout. 

"Danaerys Targaryen has reclaimed Dragonstone, with Jaehaera and Summer at her side."

Jojen was infuriated. "To Dragonstone, then."

He whipped his cloak angrily as he turned heel, storming towards the door. Arya stood up, and in a firm voice, she called, "Wait."

"Why? We waited on your word the last time, and look what has happened. That bitch holds now my betrothed and my youngest sister; Gods know what she is doing to them!" He was now fully yelling, stepping closer and closer to Arya with every word. "This is your fault!"