randomosity | [For Jorah/Hannibal] Homecoming

[For Jorah/Hannibal] Homecoming

In Essos, Daenerys had given birth to a healthy and lively baby girl. She had her father's dark eyes but the light hair and full face of her mother. It was shortly after her birth that a letter arrived from across the Shivering Sea - too far for a raven to fly. It came from King's Landing and bared the Bolton seal. The letter invited Daenerys back to Westeros, but not to reclaim the Iron Throne. Apparently, Hannibal Bolton had taken control of King'sLanding, and the Starks had all but been demolished. The Lannisters, in turn, had also been eradicated.

Daenerys was shocked. But more than that, she suspected treason. As did Tyrion Lannister. With her newborn daughter to her breast, Daenerys took council with Jorah, Grey Worm, Missandei and Tyrion.

"Who does this Bolton think he is?" She snapped. "Inviting me back without promising to relinquish the throne to me? It is mine by birthright, I will not allow some savage northman to take what is mine."

Lannister, Baratheon, Bolton - the name didn't matter. A thief was a thief.

"If he took King's Landing and defeated the Lannister army, my queen, then we can conclude that he indeed has a powerful army of his own," Tyrion pointed out.

****

A few weeks had gone by, and Margaery's belly had begun to swell only slightly with their fourth child. Of course Olenna could spot this a mile away and was already declaring name options. Aenar was with the pair of them while they took tea in the gardens overlooking the ocean. The boy was now sitting up on his own in his mother's lap, but still feed from her breast. The twins were studying with their tutors.

"So tell me child," Olenna sipped her tea. "What is your husband's intention by inviting the Targaryen girl back here?"

Aenar cooed when Roose came close and he patted his hands over the dragon's nose. Margaery glanced up to her grandmother, who added more to her question.

"Don't tell me he means to surrender his throne to her, now that they have a confirmed common lineage?" Olenna scoffed.

"Certainly not, grandmother," Margaery replied sharply. "Do you honestly think my husband is the type of man to relinquish power? No. But if you're so curious, all him yourself, he should be joining us shortly."

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Jorah smiled as he kissed her tenderly. "I will always be here for you my Queen, my love." He said.

***

It was a week after they had sent their response when a fleet of ships bearing the kraken arrived in the port. None of the sailors were armed and they seemed to come with peaceful intentions. Other than some knives necessary for survival on a ship, they could be considered unarmed.

The captain of the head ship had requested an audience with her grace and was waiting for admission. She called herself Yara Greyjoy, ruler of the iron islands. She said nothing else of her purpose or intentions.

Daenerys had not expected the kraken sails to grace her borders. She feared invasion, but then they sent the message to speak with her.

She allowed them.

Daenerys waited in the throne room, looking the very picture of royalty in a flowing dark blue gown. She sat at the top of the staircase with her daughter in her arms. Waiting for Yara.

Jorah stood just behind Danaerys as Yara entered. He found it unusual that she had arrived. Tyrion and Varys were standing nearby as well as Grey worm and Missendi at the foot of the stairs.

Yara came in with a confident swagger. She looked over this mother of dragons and did not hide her interest in the slender woman. She was quite attractive Queen Margaery would not like being replaced in certain circles with dirty talk about this younger woman. She bowed at the bottom of the steps. "It is a great pleasure to meet you. I have been sent by Lord Bolton. He has requested that I personally escort you and as many of your men as you desire to bring with you upon my ships. His only request is that any arms brought are left upon the ships once we make berth at King's Landing." She paused for a beat before adding. "He also ordered me to personally ensure you and your family's safety in this journey. My ship has been fortified to carry the weight of your dragons aboard. However, that limits the amount of people you can have aboard my command ship with you." She said.

Jorah saw that look in her eyes. He had heard about some being bold with their intentions. However, she was being far too bold for his tastes.

The confident swagger and the raking look were not lost on Daenerys Targaryen. She knew what that look meant; men had looked upon her in such lust. She flashed a smile, but otherwise didn't engage.

"I'm curious," It was Tyrion who answered first. "You said 'Lord Bolton'. As a resident of the Seven Kingdoms, doesn't that make him your King?"

Daenerys had noted that as well. But she was more concerned about the mention of her dragons. Her violet eyes narrowed and she leaned back in her throne.

"My dragons can fly. The distance across the Shivering Sea won't disturb them," Daenerys shrugged. "But why should I trust you? Why should I trust that the Northman has any intention of delivering me alive? For all I know, you plan on taking me aboard your ship, back to the Iron Islands to spill my innards on the rocks." Or worse, throw her to the crew.

Jorah too was suspicious of her intentions. He waited quietly.

Yara heard Tyrion, but did not look at him. Her eyes stayed locked on the beautiful woman in front of her. There was a slight smirk on her face when she saw that moment of fear. "Aye he is King of the seven Kingdoms. I have struck a bargain with him. He allows me to rule my islands as I see fit. In return my people only ravage wildlings. They are more of a challenge anyway." She relaxed her stance a bit and hooked her thumbs into her belt. "I swore to bring back Lord Bolton's beloved niece. After how he took a full two weeks to finally let the Lannister twins die, I'd rather not cross him." She came off as amused and casual with her words and demeanor. However, there was the slightest glint of fear in her eyes for someone who spotted it quick.

Daenerys did indeed spy that glint. She said nothing, she just watched and listened. This man must indeed have some power and fear he gripped the people with. Daenerys found herself very curious to meet this Hannibal Bolton. But she was impressed...and suspicious...that Yara Greyjoy did not call him king.

"Beloved niece..." she growled. "He claims the Targaryen name. I don't care what Maesters sign their names to verify. He is no relative of mine."

"Let us not be so hasty to refuse an invitation," Tyrion advised softly. "So you will be escorting us back to Westeros?"

"When do we leave?" Daenerys added.

Jorah frowned, they had received that bit of news just yesterday. He had Varys and Tyrion looking into it to check the authenticity.

Yara didn't bat an eye, nor did she seem the least bit concerned about the growl from Danaerys. She wasn't intimidated in the least. "I don't trust Maesters either. However, I can't argue with what I see with my own two eyes. His twins both have a natural streak of silver hair that they proudly show off. His youngest son, I swear could be your brother. He has the exact same eyes as you." She said honestly.

She shrugged her shoulder at the question of when to leave. "As soon as the ships can be supplied with extra water stores and some food rations we will be ready to sail." She said.

Jorah raised an eyebrow. "Extra water?"

Yara chuckled, "How many of your military have sailed? The sea is not kind. She is an angry bitch who will do her best to humble the saltiest of sailors. I have a feeling some of your men might have difficulty finding their sea legs. Extra water is good to keep men alive who find themselves perched at the rail." She answered frankly.

Daenerys looked to Jorah, also wary of the recommendation that they bring extra water. But she nodded her approval. It wouldn't be that much more difficult anyway. It was the news that the children of this man were displaying Targaryen traits made her suspicious.

"That doesn't mean he's Targaryen," she pointed out. "His wife may be of some Targaryen descent." The Tyrells had fair and lovely women after all.

But there were other things to focus on. Daenerys sighed and looked to Yara. "Prepare your vessels then. I will prepare my troops."

Jorah had noted that she seemed to mention three children. He had thought they only had two children.

Yara bowed again. "Very well, I shall give my men their orders. If your dragons will fly on their own the distance, then more of your men can come aboard my ship. I will keep in mind that one might desire to rest for a bit though. Too much weight would sink my ship." She said. Her cocky smirk returned to her face. "We will be ready to set sail at dawn. If it pleases you to leave at that time, I will gladly welcome you aboard my ship." There is something in her eyes that hints at a double meaning to that phrase.

Daenerys had also noted that they apparently had more children. Three? They were indeed potent, weren't they?

She dismissed the Greyjoy woman, smirking at the double meaning. Dawn suited her just fine. Daenerys then dismissed the others to confer with Jorah.

"Your thoughts?" She tilted a brow. Curious his opinion of the Greyjoy woman.

Jorah waited until the room was indeed clear. "She is far too brash." He said quickly. He then calmed himself a bit before speaking more. "She seems genuine enough. However, I am worried about this being a trap on some level." He said. It almost seemed too good to be true to him.

He then sighed deeply again. "I agree that his lineage claim is sad and weak. However, he might be genuine about not meaning direct harm if he truly believes it . At least no harm without cause." He said.

Daenerys chuckled softly at his initial anger. She rocked Daella in her arms and glanced up to him again. "You think we should turn her away?"

She held Daella up so that the baby could prop herself against Daenerys' chest and look up at her father. Daenerys maintained her gaze with Jorah. "We will be taking our weapons with us. We could force a mutiny if things don't work well for us."

They could take over the boat and force the crew to sail them back to Westeros under threat of torture.

Jorah sighed and shook his head. "A mutiny won't work with iron born. We would have to kill them all." He explained. "She is likely a far safer transport than anyone else he could have sent. Her being here means one of two things. Either he trusts her to keep her words. Or he feels that she is expendable and that is why she was sent. To test your honesty in accepting his offer." He said. "I cannot figure which it is." He said with a hint of worry.

Daenerys nodded slowly in understanding. Then she glanced up with a playful smile at Jorah. "You don't like the way she looks at me, do you?"

She chuckled before lifting Daella and standing slowly. "Well, let it not be said that I do not keep to my word. We will go, but we should make sure that wherever we are on the ship, she can't box us in for a slaughter."

Jorah nodded in agreement. "Indeed, I do not like how she looks at you. I swear she will not be given an opportunity to be alone with us. We should have a few unsullied officers with us along with your most trusted bloodriders." He did not say it, but he was concerned if the iron born were not afraid of his wife, but they were afraid of Hannibal Bolton. A ruler needed to be both respected and feared. If they did not have both, it would be impossible to lead.

Grey Worm approached slowly, "Missah, this one has found that the ships that came in are not enough to house the horses and the men, but combined we can transport the whole army. Also, to put extra water on all ships would leave the city dry." He reported.

Daenerys nodded slowly. "Yes. Unsullied and the blood riders." She felt better at the suggestion alone.

When Grey Worm approached, Daenerys felt comforted, but soon she became troubled. "The Dothraki will not travel without their horses..." she thought aloud. "And we can't leave the city without water."

Light sparked in her eyes and she looked at Jorah in fear. "He planned this."

Jorah frowned as he listened to the report. He heard her realization and nodded with a slight frown. "I think you are right. An option is to not take your full force to Kings Landing. If you do you must choose the potential risk of men dying aboard the ships from illness or the city not having water to survive." He said thoughtfully. He saw the clever move, they were indeed dealing with someone of high intelligence. This was looking more and more difficult and dangerous with each new bit of information.

Daenerys thought long and hard. She growled in anger and shook her head. "Fine. We won't play into his plan." She looked to Grey Worm. "We will take half our force, but not our strongest warriors." She declared. "Half of our best warriors will stay here, safe from illness and from the threat of attack in case he's planned foul play."

She didn't want them all dead in one fell swoop to leave her with only the lesser warriors if she mounted an attack later.

Jorah nodded in agreement. "That is our wisest course of action. I fear that her words of warning about the water are genuine. I have made the trip and have even seen seasoned sailors clinging to the rail for a day or two." He said.

Grey worm bowed before setting off to give the orders to the troops.

Daenerys looked at Jorah, unsettled. But there was nothing to be done.

"If I do not go, it will show the people that I am afraid of him," she took a deep breath and looked into his eyes. "I will show no fear. The Seven Kingdoms are mine by birthright, and I will have them back."

Jorah nodded on agreement. "We must be prepared." He said in agreement. He too was worried about foul play.

***

Dawn arrived quickly. Jorah rode on horseback holding their young daughter. They arrived at the main command ship along with the troops going with them. "How many need to load up on each of your ships?" He asked Yara.

Yara grinned when she spotted them. "100 dothraki on a ship and 200 unsullied. This is assuming they are all fully armed. A few more without arms." She said.

Daenerys followed Jorah on her own white mare. Daella was content in her father's arms. Daenerys looked stern for a moment as she listened to the exchange.

"They will be armed. That is not up for discussion," Daenerys said sharply. She wanted that made perfectly clear.

Yara chuckled as she held up her hands defensively. "I had no doubt of that. I was just informing you of how many I can transport per ship. If your dragons fly the whole way, I can fit 50 in your entorage. I don't want to be too crowded and not have enough private rooms for you and your advisors." She said.

Tyrion and Varys were with them at the dock. There was still some debate on whether they should go on this journey or not.

Daenerys glanced among her advisers, concerned with bringing them all. She wanted someone she trusted to remain in Mereen in case things went wrong in Westeros. She looked to Tyrion, trusting him even after only knowing him a short while.

"My lord Tyrion, considering how the would-be King treated your siblings, perhaps it would be safer for you to stay here," she suggested.

Then she looked to Jorah, curious of his suggestions for their journey. "My husband and I will have quarters with my daughter, correct?" She asked Yara.

Jorah nodded his agreement about Tyrion staying behind.

Yara chuckled at that. "Yeah, you are the last Lannister I have seen breathing and with your hide on. After what he did to your siblings, I'm not sure how you would fair. I think the crows still pick at their bodies above the drawbridge to enter the red keep." She said with amusement. She then focused on Danaerys. "You, your husband, and your daughter will be staying in my quarters. There is room in there for your servant, or she can be next door with your top officer. I will be swinging from a sack all night anyway, so it's no trouble for me." She said with a grin that suggested she did not mean sleeping.

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