Bitterbridge was the final stop on Viserys and Dany's pre-battle inspection tour. To return to Dragonstone, they would need to pass through King's Landing. Quentyn, eager to see the largest city in the Seven Kingdoms from the sky, had no say in the matter. Without control over Vyrgion, the dragon, it was Viserys and Dany's decision.
"Brother, we could do what the Targaryen Dragon Knights did—fly three times around King's Landing on the back of a dragon. It would demoralize the people!" Dany suggested from the dragon's back.
Viserys hesitated. Tyrion the Imp currently held King's Landing. If it had been anyone else, Dany's idea might have been fitting. But Tyrion was different. He was known as the "The King of Tricks in the Seven Kingdoms."
If the dragon were used to intimidate the civilians, the losses could outweigh the gains. The city was also showing signs of famine, and the dragon's presence might spark unrest.
"Let's not circle King's Landing, but we can fly just past the edge, so only a few people will see us," Viserys finally said. If only a small number witnessed their approach, it would avoid mass panic, and Tyrion wouldn't be able to make much of it.
With that, they decided to fly over the western side of King's Landing. Viserys knew that, given Tyrion's nature, the Imp would speculate about why they were in the west. Any added pressure now would increase the likelihood of him making a mistake in the future.
...
King's Landing, Red Keep.
Tyrion was now in charge of the capital, but his position was far from easy. To secure Ned Stark's loyalty, Tyrion had placed Catelyn Stark and her daughters under house arrest—a deeply unpopular move. Even more so were the blunders made by Robert and Stannis. Robert had foolishly re-armed the Faith Militant, a force the Targaryens had bled to suppress generations ago. It was like drinking poison to quench thirst.
But that wasn't the worst of it. After Robert converted to the Red God and had the statues of the Seven destroyed, the newly-formed Church Militant rioted in the Crownlands. They weren't a lethal threat yet, but the unrest was growing, and Tyrion felt the strain.
Leaning back in his chair, a faint fragrance reached his nostrils. Feeling the softness behind him, he subconsciously rubbed it.
"You look tired, my lion," said Shae, his lover, standing behind him. Though their meeting had unfolded differently from what fate had first intended, it was strange how things had worked out.
Bronn, noticing the pressure Tyrion was under, knew that common prostitutes would no longer suffice. The Imp was empty inside. So Bronn, understanding his needs as a fellow man, had found Shae. And Tyrion was more than satisfied with the result, especially when she called him my lion. It filled him with energy—both literal and figurative.
"No," Tyrion muttered. "I just saw a bunch of ridiculous fools. They claim to defend the Seven Gods, but in reality, they're just vying for Viserys's favor."
The Lannisters and Baratheons were now a sinking ship, and everyone wanted a ticket aboard Viserys's growing fleet.
Shae knew little of politics—she was just an 18-year-old girl trying to survive in a dangerous world, and Tyrion had appeared at just the right moment. At first, she had been repulsed by the ugly dwarf, but after seeing his power and wealth, she adjusted quickly. Over time, she even found herself liking him.
Seeing that she had lightened his mood, Shae relaxed a little.
Thump, thump, thump.
A knock at the door. Shae slipped into the corner as Bronn entered.
He glanced at Shae before turning to Tyrion.
"A lot of people in the west of King's Landing claim they've seen a dragon," Bronn reported.
"A dragon? In the west?" Tyrion repeated, his mind racing. He was the type to believe in the impossible rather than the plausible, and he quickly began speculating why Viserys would be in the west. "Did he return from Oldtown?" he mused aloud.
Tyrion wondered if Viserys had been involved with the Starry Sept in Oldtown, especially since Robert, now branded as "The Godless," had likely angered the Faith. Could Viserys have revealed something to them about Shae? But Oldtown was southwest of King's Landing, not west. So, where had Viserys gone? Perhaps Harrenhal?
The burst of energy he'd just gained from Shae's company quickly faded.
"Any word from my brother?" Tyrion asked. Jaime was stationed at Maidenpool with his army, holding the front line against Viserys.
"Everything's fine there," Bronn replied, rubbing his nose. "Though there's been some trouble at Bitterbridge."
Tyrion narrowed his eyes. "What trouble? Is it Ned?"
"Yes. He's evacuated the army from the North."
"What? No! Absolutely not!" Tyrion exclaimed, as though Bronn had told him something utterly unbelievable.
...
After flying halfway across the Seven Kingdoms, Viserys and Dany returned to Dragonstone. As soon as they landed... or rather, as soon as they landed on the back of a dragon, Viserys had good news to share: Shinelli had given birth to a healthy baby girl.
This was undoubtedly a great relief for House Targaryen, which had not produced an heir in over ten years. Even though it was a girl, the line of House Targaryen could still survive. Now that the news had spread, even to the Free Cities, it was expected that gifts from the major cities would soon follow.
"Your Grace, there is actually more good news," Young Connington informed Viserys. "We have captured Davos Seaworth and Myrcella Baratheon."
"Good," Viserys replied. "That is indeed good news."
Marriage... Hostages...
In truth, Viserys wasn't concerned about Davos relationship with the so-called 'King of Pirates.'
The pirate king was ambitious and had once sought to expand into the Stepstones. But after Viserys rose to power, both the Stepstones and the Hopeful Lands became forbidden to pirates and sellswords alike.
Now, with Myrcella and Davos in his grasp as an additional hostage, Viserys might even consider trading her for the Red Viper. He had previously handed Renly over to Ned to negotiate the return of his wife and child.
According to the agreement between Viserys and Dany, Dany would name his concubine's child, while Viserys would name Dany's child.
Dany finally named the newborn "Victoria Targaryen," symbolizing victory.
At the same time, two dragon eggs were returned to Tyrosh: the white one was kept for the time being, while the brown-gold egg was placed in Victoria's cradle.