"I still don't like this idea," Aegon grumbled, crossing his arms.
Ser Barristan had just returned from the Stark camp with news that Robb Stark had agreed to sit down with Dany and her advisors. The Mother of Dragons had been hesitant to hand out the olive branch, but Varys and Barristan's words had gotten to her. She did not want the commoners to see her as an invader, and attacking Robb Stark would, unfortunately, make her look like it.
"Sire, were it any other man…." Ser Barristan began to say before being cut off.
"We know." Ser Rolly Duckfield, the Lord Commander of Aegon's kingsguard, growled. "They're the bloody Starks of Winterfell. They can do no wrong."
Duckfield was a brawny man, with a bushy beard and a shock of orange hair. He looked more like a blacksmith than a knight to Dany, which is fitting because he started out in the Golden Company as a blacksmith before becoming a squire. He and Aegon were like brothers and shared the same view on the Starks.
"Did Robb Stark give his word?" Aegon asked. When Ser Barristan shook his head, Aegon laughed victoriously. "There we go! How do we know he won't arrive in that tent with a hundred men and take us hostage?"
"My lord, Robb Stark is said to be just like his father." Ser Jorah said from his place at the wall. He had been invited by Dany to attend the meeting, particularly since it pertained to the northern king. "Whether he gave his word or not, he will honor the queen's request. Five advisors and a dozen guards."
"I thought you hated the Starks," Connington grunted.
"I had my issues with Ned Stark," Jorah answered. "But I will not lie. He was the most honorable man in Westeros all the way to his death."
"He rose up against his rightful king." Aegon barked.
All at once, Barristan, Jorah, and Varys all shifted slightly in their seats. Dany noticed it but didn't say anything. She had a feeling that there was something about the Usurpers Rebellion that she wasn't told, but she decided that it was something to worry about after Robb Stark was dealt with.
"My lady, I believe we can trust the Starks." Ser Barristan said, looking at Dany. "They have multiple armies in the field as we speak, and yet they still choose to pursue a peaceful resolution."
"Or perhaps they are waiting till they have their full strength before tearing apart your precious 'peace' and attacking us," Connington said fiercely. "The Starks rebelled against the Targaryens twenty years ago. I doubt they're willing to meekly make peace now."
Aegon and Ser Rolly nodded in agreement. Dany now saw the table for what it was. Ser Barristan and Ser Jorah felt that the Starks could be trusted, though only just, while Connington, Aegon, and Duckfield didn't feel like it was worth the effort. The only men who hadn't spoken were Varys, Gorys, Prince Doran, and Lord Ardrian. Gorys and Celtigar looked bored and would go with whatever was decided. Doran and Varys were worth hearing from.
"Prince Doran, I would hear your thoughts," Dany said.
The partially-crippled ruler of Dorne folded his hands on his lap. "My family has no love for the Baratheons, Starks, or Lannisters. But Ned Stark had a reputation for being good, honorable, and honest. I do believe the meeting is worth it if only to see and speak with the man we might see on the field of battle."
Dany nodded. It was sound advice from the dornish prince. Now it was time to hear from the Spider.
"Varys, you've been quiet. Let us hear what you have to say." Daenerys called down the table.
The Eunuch gave the queen a small, amused smile. "I agree with Ser Barristan and with Prince Doran at the same time."
"Explain," Aegon grumbled.
Varys seemed unaffected by the king's sour mood. "Ser Barristan and Ser Jorah are correct. Robb Stark is very much like his father. He will honor whatever he commits himself to. Prince Doran makes a very reasonable point as well. Even if peace cannot be reached by the two parties, at least we have a chance to see what kind of man we will face in battle."
"Ser Barristan, were there others with Stark when you met with him?" Connington asked.
Barristan nodded. "There were, your grace. I recognized a few men, notably Lord Royce and Ser Brynden Tully."
Jorah grunted and crossed his arms.
"Something on your mind ser?" Aegon asked.
"Forgive me, but both men were principal commanders during the rebellion," Jorah answered. "I'm sure Prince Doran, Ser Barristan, and even Lord Connington can agree that Robb Stark is more dangerous because they are at his side."
"Not to mention that he almost beat Tywin Lannister without them," Varys added unhelpfully.
"But no Randyll Tarly," Connington said.
Ser Barristan shook his head. "No, but if Varys' agents are correct, then he has an army of his own in the Westerlands."
"There is also Stark's bastard brother in the North," Jorah commented. "Even if we do manage to kill Robb Stark, there is always the chance that his brother will pick up his crown."
Dany resisted the urge to sigh. When Connington had turned the conversation to warfare, Robb Stark still had the advantage. She knew that no man was unbeatable. The death of her Sun and Stars had proven that. But Robb Stark seemed annoyingly unbeatable. Perhaps that's why Ser Barristan was pushing so much for peace. Did he think that Dany and Aegon would be unable to beat the Young Wolf?
"I was the one who invited Robb Stark to sit down," Dany said finally. "I intend to honor my request just as he has. If some here do not wish to attend the meeting, then so be it. But I will go."
Aegon shook his head. "We must look united. Now more than ever. If you feel like this will work, then I will accept your decision and be there at the meeting."
Her nephew's words slightly surprised Dany. There were times during their short time together that he managed to catch Dany off guard when he managed to sound very mature and kingly. There were times when he sounded immature, or simply naive, but Aegon did seem to have his moments.
Connington nodded his approval. "I will join you, my lady, as well."
"Ser Barristan? Ser Jorah?" Dany asked, glancing at the knights who both nodded their agreement.
"If I may include myself?" Varys asked. "I would very much like to attend as well."
Dany nodded. "Prince Doran, would you like to round out our group?"
The dornishman shook his head. "I'm afraid that my current condition isn't the best for muddy fields. If you wish, my brother Oberyn can take my place."
"Of course," Aegon answered.
"I will have Grey Worm put together a dozen unsullied as an escort," Dany said.
"Perhaps we should take the dragons," Aegon said slowly, a slight smirk on his face.
Dany glanced at Ser Barristan, who did not look keen on the idea and shook her head. "Perhaps the best way to achieve peace is to leave behind the dragons."
Dany would have loved to bring her dragons, but she knew what message it would send. Besides, she did not want to show them off just yet. They were her secret, and extremely deadly, weapons that no one else in Westeros had.
Aegon shrugged. "Very well. I believe that is all for today, my lords."
Line Break
"Your grace?" Connington said, looking a little shocked that Daenerys was in his office. She and the Hand of the King did not have much of a relationship, and so it was odd that Daenerys was in his office.
"Lord Connington," Dany replied, taking a seat across from the man. "I was hoping that we could speak before the meeting tomorrow."
Connington nodded, filing away any papers that were in front of him. "Of course. What would you like to talk about?"
"Do you believe that we can achieve peace with the Starks?" Dany asked, coming right out with the question.
Connington looked a little taken back but finally shrugged, leaning forward on his desk. "I believe that it's possible. There are advantages and disadvantages to such a thing."
"You said that it would give Robb Stark time to gather his full strength," Dany said, remembering what the man had said during the Small Council meeting.
Connington nodded. "There's that. But it also gives them time to solidify their rule, tie up any loose ends that they might have, and rest their men. The same could be said for us. There is also the fact that Robb Stark has control of the Reach, the Riverlands, and the Westerlands. The first two are the main producers of food for the realm. The third is a literal gold mine."
"If we were to have peace, we would have to rely on someone else to feed us," Dany said.
Connington nodded. "There is also the fact that we are cut off from our main ally; the dornish."
"What about the crownlanders?" Dany asked.
Connington shook his head. "After two battles with Robb Stark, they have barely three thousand men. Given time, they could return to their full strength, which is about fifteen thousand."
"But so could the Reach, the North, and the rest of Stark's land," Dany said.
Connington nodded. "During the Usurpers Rebellion, the royal army comprised of the Crownlands, the Dornish, and a few houses from the Riverlands and Stormlands. We also had the army of the Reach, which was remarkably vast, but Mace Tyrell foolishly elected to siege Storm's End."
"And the Usurper had the North, Stormlands, Riverlands, and the Vale," Dany said, knowing her history all too well. "It seems history has repeated itself."
Connington nodded. "I'll be frank, my lady. We are not in the best situation. War, as much as I hate to say it, would be our best and worst option."
Dany raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
"If there was a war, then we would be able to pay the sellsword companies with loot from battles, and we would have to pay them less because of casualties. Your dragons give us a significant advantage in all confrontations. And war is generally good because it makes men active." Connington explained. "Unfortunately, we do not have the resources the Starks possess. We would also have to face a good commander in Robb Stark and a great commander in Randyll Tarly. Both of which are backed by able captains and large armies."
"My dragons would be able to level the field, would they not?" Dany asked. She knew her children's capabilities and had seen them first hand. She was sure that men would run at the sight of them.
Connington grimaced. "When your ancestor, Aegon the Conqueror, took Westeros. Balerion and the others were hundreds of years old if my history serves me right. A miraculous shot from a scorpion or another dragon was the only thing that could take down such a beast. Given the size of your….children, I would reckon the Starks could do it with enough arrows."
Dany frowned. "Surely the damage they can inflict would be devastating."
Connington shrugged. "True, but how far away do the dragons have to be to attack the enemy? Balerion could do it from the clouds, where no archer could reach him."
The Hand sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Forgive me, your grace. I do not wish to speak ill of your dragons. I just wish to be realistic."
Dany nodded. "Peace would allow them to grow."
A small smile spread across Connington's face. "Aye, that's true. It would take years, but we could use the time to dismiss the sellswords, use Illyrio's money to rebuild the city, allow the crownlanders to rebuild their armies…."
"We could prepare to take on the Starks." Dany said, finishing the sentence. "Just as my ancestor did on Dragonstone during the conquest."
Connington nodded. "In a way, yes."
Dany stood. "Thank you, my lord. This discussion was very helpful."
Connington nodded. "Of course."
Dany walked towards the door, but Connington called after her before she opened it. "My lady, I wish to apologize for the King's behavior over the past few days. He is still young and the burden of ruling is something he is still learning."
Dany looked over her shoulder. "Hopefully he will have years to get better," she responded before leaving.