When it ended, dead men no one cared for were dragged to the top of the ramparts, whom Drogon feasted upon. Towers she had burned had now completely crumbled, a smoking heap on black snow. Banners of Arryn and Lannister were replaced with Targaryen and Tully. Maesters treated the injured within the castle’s walls, blacker than Harrenhal’s. Daenerys had done it. The mighty Riverrun bowed meekly before its queen, and her men had barely broken a sweat.
Varys stood beside her. He had rejoined her camp shortly before the battle began, and with him were Brynden the Blackfish, Roslin Frey and Edmure’s babe. “I am extremely fortunate to have your services, Varys,” Daenerys remembered telling him. She meant every word.
As the battle came closer to its end, she saw the smallfolk had gathered with an air of resignation. The Riverlands had been a bleeding ground since Gregor Clegane set foot on its soil, Varys had told her. “They see Riverrun change hands, and show up with broomsticks before they are sent to clean the castle.”
When she went to face them, it was clear they were intrigued when saw the banners. Before she could address them, a man from the masses spoke. “Is this a cruel jape?” he asked tentatively, not wanting to incur the dragon’s rage. “We know that King Edmure and the Blackfish are dead. The kraken swallowed them from the seas.”
Another man was more aggressive. “The Tullys may be dead, but as long as I stand, they are not truly gone. If you thinking burning the banners before their eyes will win you obedience-”
Before he could finish, Daenerys gave a quick, audible clap. The man stopped short, worried if that was a signal for the dragon, not knowing it was for Missandei. Upon the sound, she came into clearer view, in her arms a sniffling child, and beside her on a hobbling cane the Lord of Riverrun.
As the crowd rallied behind their new lord and queen, she was reminded of the time Slaver’s Bay hailed her as their mother, of why she wished to be queen. The winds were howling in their ears, and with it they brought sounds. “The best chance of peace and prosperity stands before me,” Jon Snow’s words spoke in her ears, and Daenerys Targaryen suddenly felt a much worthier mate for the King on the Wall.
*
End of episode – S08E04 will be published on Sunday, 28th October 2018, 8:30 GMT
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