The Queen of Flames (Sequel to 'The Demon of Winterfell') (On Hold)

Chapter Five: Dragonstone

Late in the night, Emmelyne found herself wandering down to the crypt. She looked at old statues, the ones she recognized. Her uncle Brandon. Her aunt Lyanna. Her grandfather, Rickard. And then there was a new statue.

Unlike the others, dark and old, this one was fresh. It was bright white. Emmelyne smiled at the statue of Eddard. "Hello, Father," she said softly. "I've missed you."

She had never been close with anyone in her family. But now that they had started dying off, she knew that she should have been. She stepped slowly forward, resting her hand on the statue's arm as the tears began to well in her eyes. "This doesn't look like you," she whispered. "I don't know who carved it, but they must not have known you. It doesn't look like you."

Stone could never do a person justice. Her father always said that Lyanna's statue didn't look like her, either. Emmelyne sat the base of Ned's statue, letting her tears flow freely. "I miss you. I miss Mother. I miss Robb."

It would be a long list if she were listing all of the people she missed, and so that was all she said. She let her head rest on the statue's base, her tears falling on the pale stone. She lie there for a long time, finally falling asleep.

The next morning, they were leaving for Dragonstone. Emmelyne, in a new dress and a sense of pride overwhelming her, was smiling as she made for the yard. She had a bow and arrows, just as a precaution, and she liked the feeling of the quiver at her back. "Lady Stark!" a voice called from behind her.

She spun around, seeing Markus. "Ser Waynwood," she greeted

He smiled at her. "Will you miss me on your trip to Dragonstone?"

"Of course," she lied.

Markus beamed, stepping forward and kissing her cheek. "Farewell for now, Lady Stark."

"Farewell for now, Ser Waynwood."

He stepped back, allowing her to get onto her horse. She rode up to Jon's side, smiling hesitantly. "Time to meet the Mother of Dragons," she noted.

Jon nodded slowly. He looked back at Sansa, who was watching the party in the yard. She smiled at him, and they waved at each other. Emmelyne waved as well. Rickon stood at Sansa's side. He seemed upset, and Emmelyne knew he was sad to see her go. That was why she'd left R'hllor to keep him occupied. "Ready!" a man called.

Jon and the rest of the party began riding.

When they reached White Harbor, they boarded a boat.

And finally, they were at Dragonstone. Jon climbed from the boat, followed by Davos, then Emmelyne. They all looked around at the Dothraki surrounding them. But then Emmelyne and Jon's gray eyes fell on Tyrion Lannister.

He had not changed very much, save the long beard he had grown. When he saw Emmelyne, he smiled, and she did the same. "The bastard of Winterfell," he greeted Jon.

"The dwarf of Casterly Rock," Jon replied.

Both men smiled, stepping forward to shake hands. "I believe we last saw each other atop the Wall," Tyrion said.

"You were pissing off the edge if I remember right," Jon chuckled.

Emmelyne noted the woman by Tyrion's side. She was pretty, with darker skin and black, curly hair that stuck out around her head. She had a very kind face, though there was a seriousness in her dark eyes.

Jon looked Tyrion over one more time. "Picked up some scars along the road," he noted.

"It's been a long road, but we're both still here," Tyrion said.

Emmelyne stepped forward, smiling at Tyrion. "Lady Stark," he greeted. "It's good to see you again."

"Good to see you too, Lord Tyrion. What was the assumption everyone in King's Landing made when I fled at the Battle of the Blackwater?" Emmelyne asked.

"That you and Sandor Clegane fled together. They said something about you two being star-crossed lovers. Another assumption was that you were kidnapped by Stannis. What was the truth?"

"I left with Sandor."

Tyrion nodded, looking at Davos. "I'm Tyrion Lannister," he introduced.

Davos stepped up, shaking hands. "Davos Seaworth," he said.

"Ah, the Onion Knight. We fought on opposite sides at the Battle of Blackwater Bay."

"Unluckily for me."

Tyrion looked at the pretty woman. "Missandei is the queen's most trusted advisor," he said.

She smiled at him, nodding her head. "Welcome to Dragonstone," she said. "Our queen knows it is a long journey. She appreciates the efforts you have made on her behalf. If you wouldn't mind handing over your weapons."

Emmelyne furrowed her eyebrows. Their small party was extremely anxious, but nonetheless, they began unsheathing their swords. "Of course," Jon nodded.

Emmelyne slid the bow and arrows from her shoulders, handing them to a Dothraki who stepped up to her. Davos, Jon, and the rest of the men relinquished their swords as well. Tyrion smiled at Em sympathetically, knowing that they were all quite uneasy. The Dothraki lifted the boat from the water, carrying it toward the castle. "Trapped here with the dragons," Emmelyne whispered to herself.

"Please, this way," Missandei encouraged them.

Davos was the first to join her, followed by Emmelyne, then Jon. "Where are you from?" Davos asked her. "I can't place the accent."

"I was born in the Island of Naath," she replied.

"Ah. I hear it's beautiful down there. Palm trees and butterflies. Haven't been, myself."

Missandei just gave a broad smile, nodding. She walked ahead of the three with Tyrion. "This place has changed," Davos said to Jon.

"It truly has," Emmelyne added.

They continued following Missandei, still. An unnerved feeling swept over Emmelyne, and suddenly, her excitement at meeting Daenerys vanished. She wanted to go home.