The Wars to Come - J.S.

30 - PLANS

— winterfell —

Aurora walks into the war room a few days later, her eyes bloodshot from crying and lack of sleep. She offers a small smile to her friends, meaning for it to reassure them of her wellbeing, but all it does is make their expressions grow sad.

She knows that today is important, which is why she was able to climb from her bed this morning. 

As she watches all of the leaders remove the pawns from the table, her mind drifts off, thinking once again about all the many people they lost in the battle for the living. And how they could have lost less people had Cersei Lannister kept her promise. Anger bubbles in her chest at the thought, if they had had the Lannister forces by their side, maybe more people could have survived. 

"The balance has grown distressingly even." Varys announces, after dumping a handful of pawns onto the war table to represent the Golden Company. Aurora breaks out of her thoughts and tunes back in to the discussion.

"When the people find out what we have done for them, that we saved them.." Missandei says, questioning if their efforts to defeat the Night King would acquire them the allegiance of more people.

"Cersei will make sure they don't believe it." Daenerys answers her, then turns back to the table, "We will hit her hard. We will rip her out root and stem."

"Thankfully, she is losing allies by the day." Varys states. "Yara Greyjoy has retaken the Iron Islands in her Queen's name. The new Prince of Dorne pledges his support."

"No matter how many lords turn against her, as long as she sits on the Iron Throne she can call herself Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. We need the capital." Daenerys says.

Everyone nods in agreement, "I watched the people of King's Landing rebel against their King when they were hungry, and that was before winter began. Give them the opportunity and they will cast Cersei aside."

"We'll surround the city. If the Iron Fleet tries to ferry in more food the dragons will destroy them. If the Lannisters and the Golden Company attack, we'll defeat them in the field." Jon announces his plan to go along with Tyrion's idea that they will cast Cersei out.

"All right." Daenerys says with a small nod.

"The men we have left are exhausted. Many of them are wounded. They'll fight better if they have time to rest and recuperate." Sansa says.

Aurora nods in agreement, "The dragons are the same. We need them to go up against the Iron Fleet." she turns to Daenerys, "I don't mean to overstep, Your Grace."

Daenerys smiles softly at her, nodding to let her know that she doesn't mind.

A small smile appears on Aurora's face in return.

"The longer I leave my enemies alone, the stronger they become. I don't want to wait long. Enough time to let everyone get some rest and to heal."

Everyone seems to agree, Sansa makes plans to speak to the Northern officers and determine a time period and everyone else heads off to get some rest.

—

Aurora swings her door open later that day to find her Queen standing on the other side.