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

Chapter Sixteen: A Look Back

They had reached King's Landing. Everyone had amassed on the deck of the ship, except for Sandor. He was below deck, checking on the wight. It had been moved into a crate, a collar and a chain keeping it from going too far once the crate was opened.

Below the deck, it was dark. Sandor held the lantern close to his face, slowly stepping toward the crate. He hesitated, starting to hit the box with his knuckles. The wight went wild, thrashing madly in the box and screeching as loud as it could. He stepped back, making his way up the ladder.

On the deck, Emmelyne was leant on her elbows. She stared out at the Red Keep, sighing softly.

They left the boat, making way for the Dragonpit. Green trees surrounded them, something Emmelyne hadn't seen since she'd left the Riverlands with Melisandre. "Why did they build it?" Missandei asked, speaking of the Dragonpit.

"Dragons don't understand the difference between what is there's and what isn't," Jorah replied. "Land, livestock, children... letting them roam free around a city was a problem."

"I imagine it was a sad joke at the end," Tyrion said. "An entire arena for a few sickly creatures smaller than dogs. But in the beginning, when it was home to Balerion the Dread, it must have been the most dangerous place in the world."

Emmelyne saw Lannister colors coming around a corner. She noted a man she had met briefly in King's Landing leading the Lannister soldiers. He was friends with Tyrion, and his name was Bronn. "Maybe it still is," Davos said when he took all the soldiers in.

Both parties came to a stop. "Welcome, my lords," Bronn said. "Your friends arrived before you did."

He waved his hand in the direction of Brienne and Podrick. Emmelyne assumed that Sansa had sent them. "I've been sent to escort you all to the meeting," Bronn continued.

Beside Emmelyne, Sandor's eyes widened. Brienne stared at him, confusion evident on her face. Bronn waved his hand again, and the Lannister soldiers parted to form a path. Tyrion nodded to the Dothraki that surrounded their party, and they began walking once more. Emmelyne remained beside Sandor. Podrick and Tyrion stopped, speaking to each other. Bronn was smiling when he spoke to Tyrion. "Come on! You can suck his magic cock later."

The Lannister man beside Emmelyne and Sandor glanced back at the crate. "What's in there?" he asked.

"Fuck off," Sandor stated.

Brienne looked back, stopping as Sandor and Emmelyne caught up to her. "I thought you were dead," she said to Sandor.

"Not yet," he replied. "You came pretty close."

"I was only trying to protect her."

"You and me both."

"She's alive. Arya."

"Where?" Sandor asked.

"Winterfell," Brienne answered.

Emmelyne smiled at the dirt. Arya was home. She was with Bran, Rickon, and Sansa. Sandor and Brienne continued speaking. "Who's protecting her if you're here?" Sandor asked.

"The only one that needs protecting is the one that gets in her way."

Sandor smiled at that statement. "It won't be me," he said.

Brienne smiled as well. Emmelyne felt Sandor take her hand. "Seems I got pretty good at protecting Stark girls," he said softly to her.

Emmelyne rolled her eyes mockingly. "Don't let it get to your head," she teased.

Sandor stopped with the cart, patting the horse that pulled it. "Anyone touches it, I'll kill you first," he stated, waving a hand toward the cart.

He walked up to the Dragonpit, falling in step with Emmelyne.

It was giant. The walls had begun to crumble, but it was an impressive structure nonetheless. Everyone filed inside, looking around the spacious arena. Lannister banners were set up on every turn. Emmelyne grew tired of the bright red and gold quickly. Bronn stepped up onto the large platform, waving his hands toward the chairs. He took Podrick's shoulder, leading him off to a tavern.

Silence fell over them all. All of them except for Sandor. "I left this shit city because I didn't want to die in it," he said to Tyrion. "Am I going to die in this shit city?"

"You might," Tyrion replied bluntly.

"And this is all your idea. Seems every bad idea has some Lannister cunt behind it."

"And some Clegane cunt to help them see it through."

Footsteps sounded, and Sandor took a few steps back. His brother, Gregor, came into the arena. Cersei was at his side, and at least a dozen knights backed her. Jaime Lannister was there, along with two other men that Emmelyne did not know, one older and one younger. And judging by the way Theon was looking at the younger one, this was his uncle, Euron Greyjoy.

Euron was intimidating. He was dressed all in black leather. His blue eyes were hooded heavily by their lids. His dark hair was cut short. At his hip was a sword, which Emmelyne noted was never far from his grip.

Tyrion stepped away from the edge of the platform, joining Daenerys's group.

Cersei had not changed very much from the last time Emmelyne had seen her. She still walked with confidence, and her face still held it's pride. Her hair was changed, however. Instead of it's intricate braided styles, it was cut short. A silver crown rested on her golden hair.

Jaime and Brienne locked eyes, but said nothing to each other.

Euron looked up at Theon, smirking slightly.

Cersei's group sat down in their chairs. Sandor stepped forward, staring at Gregor, who's face was hidden beneath his helmet. "Remember me?" Sandor asked. "Yeah, you do. You're even fucking uglier than I am now. What did they do to you? Doesn't matter. That's not how it ends for you, brother. You know who's coming for you. You've always known."

Sandor stepped away, going to retrieve the crate. Emmelyne felt awkward without him beside her. She moved her hands anxiously, before allowing them to settle on her stomach. "Where is she?" Cersei asked, speaking of Daenerys.

"She'll be here soon," Tyrion replied.

"Didn't travel with you?"

"No."

Cersei looked at Brienne, who's gaze was fixated on Jaime. The queen looked at Jaime next.

The sound of the dragon's screeching echoed overhead. Every one stood, moving to loo at the sky. Daenerys flew down on Drogon's back, Rhaegal following.

It was time.