Breaker, Broken | Jorah Mormont

Chapter 22

"You two have been away from one another for nearly a year," said Jorah. "Perhaps she is different, perhaps she has learned from her mistakes."

Saera wanted to believe that. It was better than worrying about when her sister would come with an extra dragon and her viciously loyal armies to try and lay claim to her throne.

"I hope so," said Saera, wiggling under the sheets to lay beside him. "But that may come later. At this moment there is only one thing I wish to do."

There was a fuzzy warmth within him as she kissed his jaw and looped her arm over his chest.

Eventually the audiences died down. To Saera, it didn't mean the work was done. It meant it was time to check on her kingdoms personally.

Her Small Council was left in charge. She had no fears about leaving King's Landing; no one would take it from her. Everyone respected her and the city had never been safer. They could survive on their own just fine while she went on a royal tour to speak to those who hadn't been able to make the trip to the Crownlands but wished to be heard.

Jorah accompanied her, along with the Queensguard. Viserion flew happily overhead as they rode, occasionally being given sheep and horses to eat by farmers who wanted to see him as close as possible.

Their first stop was the Stormlands. They stayed a week, finding that Gendry had adjusted well to being Lord of Storm's End. He'd proposed a marriage between himself and Arya, but the adventurous young wolf was more interested in venturing west, which he and everyone else respected. He would aim to wed and produce heirs with a daughter from one of his vassal houses. Despite having no experience, he was doing well.

He was advised by some of the much older lords who'd served Robert Baratheon's father and a few younger ones who had risen up after Renly died and Stannis left to pursue the crown. They were good men in Saera's eyes, and she was particularly taken by a young girl of House Penrose who had risked her life opening the gates for the Westerosi men who came to root the Lannisters out during the siege of King's Landing. Gendry seemed to like her, too.

Many more men and women came to Storm's End to see her. Some didn't even have any concerns, they just wanted to see Saera for themselves. The younger children were most interested in Viserion, and a few were brave enough to ask for a ride. Their parents hesitantly consented, and were relieved when their little ones came back unharmed and crying out happily that they had flown.

It was something they'd never forget.

Next, they went to Dorne. Ellaria greeted them warmly, her Sand Snakes already being courted by men from outside Dorne now that they'd been named Martells. Most of them preferred to stay in Dorne, but Sarella and Elia had always been more adventurous than the rest and wanted to see what sort of life could exist in other Kingdoms.

Their people knew Saera best. They respected her, they revered her more than most. The children adored her and many said that they wished to be just like her when they grew up. She wasn't the best warrior that Dorne ever produced, but she was still their pride and joy.

The Reach was just as kind. The Citadel and the Hightower amazed Jorah, and Highgarden was as beautiful as Saera remembered. She walked through the gardens with Lady Olenna and paid her respects to Queen Margaery and Ser Loras Tyrell. She let a group of children make her a series of flower crowns that she wore as they rode to up to Casterly Rock.

The Lannisters that remained greeted her with respect. They would not forget the mercy she showed them, the generous choice she offered to Ser Jaime, and the seat she granted to Janei Lannister because she recognized the girl's ability to understand money in ways that Saera still needed to learn. The Targaryens and Lannisters had been friends a few times in the past; this she wished to keep consistent. The war was over, there was no need for animosity.