Fire and fury | Daenerys Targaryen

The bell

Ardella Baratheon stared at the city of King's Landing, standing before her army. Once, she had left the capital with a broken heart and a lost cause, but she returned with a resolute purpose.

The icy wind, a harbinger of winter, sent a shiver down her spine. Yet, perhaps it was the anticipation of her meeting with the lioness that truly unnerved her.

The young queen clutched the small wooden dragon Daella Targaryen had given her as they bid tearful farewell. While her sister sobbed at the news of Ardella's departure, Daeron silently shed a tear and embraced the Baratheon tightly.

The heartbreaking sight left the two queens speechless, the Targaryen sibling's grief overshadowed their own sorrow at parting.

"What are you trying to achieve here?" Margaery's question interrupted Ardella's reverie. The hand of the queen's face hardened as she overlooked the city that had claimed her family and crown.

At her queen's usual silence, the Tyrell whispered angrily, "I know you didn't come here to seize the capital." She gestured towards the Baratheon queen's army, "They believe we are here to join hands with the Lannisters. But I know damn well that you'd die before standing with Cersei Lannister against your one and true love."

Margaery's eyes widened with realization at her own last words. "You are trying to kill her," she said, her voice clear yet fearful.

"You won't tell me she doesn't deserve to die," Ardella answered finally.

At the confirmation of her suspicion, Margaery argued, "No, but murdering her during a peaceful negotiation will bring you no honor. Even if you succeed, not only Lannisters but lords on your side will label you usurper."

Once again, the Tyrell met with silence. "You are deliberately trying to make your own claim illegitimate," Margaery paced back and forth, her rage boiling at the Baratheon's plan to eliminate both herself and Cersei Lannister from the game for the throne.

For Daenerys.

"How could you? After everything..." At Margaery's desperate exclamation, Ardella turned to her. "I owe her and I owe myself to rectify my wrongdoing."

The Baratheon unsheathed a knife and made the Tyrell grip the handle, "You crowned me and I know I am failing you." Ardella positioned the sharp edge at her own chest, "Kill me now and take my army to attack the city instead. It is the least I can offer you for what you have done for me."

Margaery's tears ran through her cheeks as they stood still for what felt like an eternity. Only when Seaworth came to report that it was time to meet the lioness did Margaery push the Baratheon queen away from herself.

Under the quizzical eyes of Davos, both women headed towards the city walls where the negotiation meeting would take place.

As he walked behind his queen, Ardella said, "My heir is my cousin. My queen is Daenerys Targaryen. Remember that."

The simple order was enough for the old man to guess the Baratheon's intention. He only nodded, even if his queen couldn't see him, as he remained true to his vows to Ardella: follow without question.

The Lannister queen, dressed in mourning black, welcomed the Baratheon entourage at the city walls, where a handful of her followers gathered to support their queen.

"We are glad to receive you, Queen Ardella. We were hoping you would join our cause to defeat the foreign enemy for the sake of the realm," Qyburn, the former Maester who had risen to the position of Hand, announced.

"Of course. We have been at meaningless odds for too long, dear aunt," Ardella smiled, stepping towards the lioness. "It is a joy to be reunited at last." Her weaponless arms stretched forward, intending to embrace the Lannister.

Cersei stared at the approaching Baratheon suspiciously but did not order her guards to stop Ardella. The butchered but resuscitated Mountain stood behind the Lannister, invoking fear in those who dared to approach the queen.

"Yet my joy is far greater to see my mother by law," Margaery rushed forward, taking Ardella by surprise. As they both stood before the Lannister queen, everyone present was perplexed by the unexpected turn of events.

"What is the meaning of..." Before Cersei could finish her sentence, Margaery pulled the dagger from Ardella's waistguard and cut the Lannister's neck in a clean slice.

As blood poured from Cersei's fatal wound, the Mountain unsheathed his sword to attack the Tyrell. Ardella barely managed to block the sword, but the tremendous force of the Mountain made her kneel.

Jon Snow rushed to Ardella's aid, and a battle ensued. But at Ser Davos's shout of reason, Qyburn ordered the Lannister forces to stand down. However, the monstrous Gregor Clegane continued his quest to slay the murderer of his master.

Jon and Ardella's combined efforts finally succeeded in slaying the Mountain, but not unscathed. "Will you surrender?" the Baratheon questioned Qyburn.

The Hand of the Lannisters briefly eyed Jaime, who had been mindlessly holding the dead queen desperately, before bending the knee. "Ring the bell and open the gate," Ardella ordered.

The Baratheon force rushed inside the capital and seized the Red Keep in no time. Jaime Lannister was imprisoned in the dungeon, still holding the lioness's body as he refused to let go of his sister's corpse.

"You should order to put Margaery Tyrell in the dungeon, your grace," Qyburn suggested.

Ardella was taken aback by Qyburn's boldness, but before she could question him, he pointed at the lords who had supported the Lannisters, gathering in the throne room. "Will you execute half the realm?"

"They will ask for justice for their queen. If you intend to keep them alive, you will have to answer their demands," he said. But before he left the Baratheon's side, Qyburn added, "After all, you and I both did what we did to prevent bloodshed as much as we could." He referred to Ardella's plan that had been stolen by Margaery and his decision to surrender without a fight.

Ardella Baratheon, ascended the Iron Throne. The fourth ruler to bear the name Baratheon but only second one to bear the blood of the Stormkings. The weight of the ancient seat bore down on her shoulders, but she knew it won't last long.

Her ascension to the throne was a bittersweet victory, tainted by the sacrifices she had made. The lords of Westeros excluding the Dorne who supports the last Targaryen, swore their allegiance to the last Baratheon.

After the coronation, in the empty halls of the throne room, she called for Margaery. The Tyrell still in shackles forced on her by the Lannister supporters, stared at the pained expression on Ardella's face.

"You shouldn't have done it."

Margaery shrugged, "I had more reasons to murder her. At the least, I have avenged my family with my own hands, instead of pushing you to fight my battles like I have been so far."

"It kills me to see you in shackles for my sake once again." Ardella whispered which brought unshed tears to the both women.

"First time was out of love. But this time, I did it for myself. Instead of scheming, I acted. Perhaps for the first time in my life." Margaery wore a genuine smile.

The Baratheon stared at the Tyrell, "Are you satisfied?"

"Yes." There was no hesitation in Margaery's voice which eased the queen's worries.

"You can't be pardoned by me as my reign stands on the wobblestone of fragile peace between Lannisters and us. But when she ascends, you will be the hero who slayed the imposter to her throne."

At Ardella's promise, Margaery's heart ached. Her vengeance and duty superseded the love she had for the Baratheon. But to see Ardella's love for Daenerys unchanged despite their differences and difficulties on their path made her feel ashamed as if she failed to stand by her feelings like them.

"What will happen to you after you surrender?"

"I don't know. Whatever she wants." This time Ardella Baratheon smiled truly without a shadow of doubt nor fear.