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

Chapter Seventeen: The Great War

Drogon settled on the walls of the Dragonpit, Rhaegal circling overhead. Daenerys climbed from the dragon's back, her gaze locking Cersei's. Drogon flew back up into the sky, the force of his wings forcing up clouds of dust. Emmelyne smiled at the creature, though she knew he could not see her.

Daenerys stepped up onto the platform. Everyone returned to their seats. It seemed the only one who hadn't stood was Cersei, who was eying Daenerys carefully. "We've been here for some time," she finally said to the mother of dragons.

"My apologies," Daenerys replied.

A heavy silence fell over the two parties. Daenerys looked at Tyrion, who stood slowly. "We are all facing unique- -" he began.

"Theon!" Euron interrupted. "I have your sister. If you don't submit to me here, now... I'll kill her."

Tyrion looked at Jaime, obviously confused by Euron's presence. But Jaime just shook his head, allowing Tyrion to continue. "I think we ought to begin with larger concerns," he said.

"Then why are you talking?" Euron asked, standing. "You're the smallest concern here."

"Do you remember when we discussed dwarf jokes?" Tyrion asked Theon.

Theon nodded to Euron with a shrug. "His wasn't even good," he stated.

"He explained it at the end," Tyrion nodded. "Never explain. It always ruins it."

But Euron was not deterred. He stepped up to Tyrion, staring down at him. "We don't even let your kind live in the Iron Islands, you know?" he asked. "We kill you at birth. An act of mercy from the parents."

"Perhaps you ought to sit down," Jaime stated.

"Why?" Euron replied, not looking away from Tyrion.

"Sit down or leave," Cersei added.

Gregor stepped closer to the Greyjoy. This seemed to get the point across, and Euron returned to his seat beside Cersei. He laughed as he did so.

Tyrion began speaking once more. "We are a group of people who do not like one another, as this recent demonstration has shown. We have suffered at each other's hands. We have lost people we love at each other's hands. If all we wanted was more of the same, there would be no need for this gathering. We are entirely capable of waging war against each other without meeting face-to-face," he said.

"So instead, we should settle our differences and live together in harmony for the rest of our days?" Cersei interjected.

"We all know that will never happen," Tyrion replied.

"Then why are we here?"

Jon rose from his seat. He stepped toward Cersei. "This isn't about living in harmony," he said. "It's just about living. The same thing is coming for all of us. A general you can't negotiate with. An army that doesn't leave corpses behind on the battlefield. Lord Tyrion tells me a million people live in this city. They're about to become a million more soldiers in the Army of the Dead."

"I imagine for most of them it would be an improvement," Cersei said with a small smile.

Jon stepped closer still. "This is serious. I wouldn't be here if it weren't."

Cersei shrugged. "I don't think it's serious at all. I think it's another bad joke. If my brother Jaime has informed me correctly, you're asking me for a truce."

"Yes," Daenerys spoke up. "That's all."

Cersei smiled. "That's all? Pull back my armies and stand down while you go on your monster hunt. Or while you solidify and expand your position. Hard for me to know which it is with my armies pulled back until you return and march on my capital with four times the men."

"Your capital will be safe until the northern threat is dealt with. You have my word."

"The word of a would be usurper."

Tyrion stepped in before the conversation could grow worse. "There is no conversation that will erase the last fifty years," he said to everyone, before turning to address Cersei. "We have something to show you."

Sandor came up from the underground pit, carrying the crate on his back. He set it down, and began unlatching it. He took of the top finally, stepping back anxiously.

Nothing.

Nothing happened.

Sandor's hand moved to the sword on his hip.

Silence fell over everyone once more.

Sandor hesitated, kicking the box over onto it's side.

That did it.

The wight sprang to action, letting out a loud screech. Cersei stiffened in her chair, pulling herself further away.

The wight got to it's feet, charging at Cersei with alarming speed. It came only a foot away from her face before it's chain stopped. It continued fighting the restraint, reaching out for Cersei. Sandor pulled the chain back harshly, sending the creature sprawling onto it's back. Jaime and the other Lannister knights reacted quickly, stepping up to block Cersei.

The wight stood, it's blue eyes locking on Sandor. Sandor drew his sword as the wight ran at him, and he sliced it in half.

The torso and head of the wight still continued moving, snarling and screeching. It dragged itself with it's arms.

The other man that had come with Cersei stood.

He was old, and dressed in black maester's robes. On these robes was the hammered symbol that marked him Hand of the Queen. His white hair was short, and his face was shaven. He had a kind face and brown eyes. But Emmelyne still got a bad feeling from him.

He stared at the wight with amazement.

Once it got too close to Sandor, he swung his sword once more, chopping it's hand off.

The man in maester's robes took the hand in his own, watching the fingers bend and curl. He seemed... impressed.

Jon stepped toward him, taking the hand away. Davos moved to Jon's side, handing him a torch and igniting it. "We can destroy them by burning them," Jon said, burning the hand as he said this.

He dropped the smoldering flesh, turning toward the still moving torso and head. "And we can destroy them with dragonglass."

He pulled a dragonglass dagger from his furs. "If we don't win this fight," he continued, "then that is the fate of every person in the world."

Jon lowered, taking the wight by the arm and plunging the dagger into it's skull, killing it. He stepped up to Cersei. "There is only one more that matters- - the Great War. And it is here."