She sought out Aegon.

He had breakfast with them, talking excitedly with Viserys and Daenerys about the dragons, who had successfully used fire to cook their own meat for the past few days. Brynhildr narrowed her eyes at Connington as she passed by, calling for the boy, "Prince Aegon. A word, please."

Connington tensed, gripping his sword hilt, but Ynmilla pointed her spear in his direction, warning him to make no move against Brynhildr. She followed closely behind them to guard Aegon, as if a silent assurance to Connington that no one was getting hurt.

"Commander," said Aegon, following her for a walk through the house. He sniffed as they entered the courtyard closest to the main entrance. "It smells wonderful out there."

"The morning market is delightful," she agreed. "Come with me, let us explore it."

Aegon appeared wary. "We're leaving the Keep?"

"Yes. Your hair is dyed blue and no one outside the Keep knows your real name. Besides, you will be with me, and Ynmilla won't be far behind. None in Braavos would dare harm you."

Though skeptical, he followed her out into the packed streets filled with tents of vendors offering all sorts of greasy morning meals, meat on sticks and all sort of dough concoctions too sweet for Brynhildr to handle at her age. Aegon kept turning his nose up to smell everything, looking as if he craved everything in sight. Brynhildr bought him a jam-filled donut made of imported Norvoshi fruits and a sweet dough that fell apart in one's mouth.

"I heard your uncle talking to you about your mother," said Brynhildr once they were out of the main marking, making towards the nearest dock. "I wish I'd met her. I remember Commander Martell would say such wonderful things about her... he loved her very much. They were best of friends."

"Yes," agreed Aegon. "I wish I'd met her, too." He nibbled on the edge of the donut. "He says you lost siblings, too. And parents. That he chose to bring my aunt and uncle to you because he knew you would take good care of them. You didn't expect it, and still, you readily accepted the task."

"Indeed, in a sense my being able to understand them helped me take better care of their emotions as they grew. It's difficult for children to understand such loss. I was older when I lost my closest family and still, it was not easy."

She began to tell him about Kattegat. What her parents were like, how they'd felt about each other– she was very open about Aslaug having perhaps bewitched Ragnar and later, Ragnar disappearing on all of them following his defeat in Frankia. She told him about her brothers, how they'd treated her and what ideas she grew to hold close to her heart. She spoke of the raids in Northumbria and Wessex, how she'd avenged her parents, how Ivar became King of Kattegat and how she became known as a Kingslayer and Queenslayer.

She explained her arrival to Essos, how she met Daario and Oberyn, how she grew to be captain of the Valkyries. She showed him the shipyard, how her women worked to make their ships. She gave him a tour through the forges, she gave him a sword of Valkyrie making to replace the one he came with, a simple thing purchased only for him to carry a weapon yet still seem of lower status. It was not the sort of sword a Prince should carry, and so, she rectified that.

She told him why it was important to her that women were given a chance to be warriors, why it mattered that Daenerys was given the same level of respect as Viserys. She told him of his potential as a dragonrider, of how they would need his support. How it mattered that the symbol of House Targaryen was a three-headed dragon– alone, no one could manage what they were about to do. This was not a time to entertain ideas of betrayal.

"I do sometimes regret what happened at Kattegat," said Brynhildr, hands tucked behind her back as they stood at the dock, overlooking the sea. "I regret that my mother bewitched Ragnar and as such, drove a wedge through the family that kept us from being close to Lagertha. I regret that, as such a young girl, Bjorn would upset me because he was always so eager to spew advice I didn't think I needed to hear. Now, I would give anything to hear Bjorn's voice telling me something that would make me feel better about all of this. I wish I'd said a proper goodbye to Ubbe, but instead I turned away because he wasn't on my side in the civil war. I wish I'd stuck around to see Ivar as a king, Hvitserk finally grow out of Ubbe's shadow. I didn't own up to anything after I killed Lagertha, I don't know if my actions guided Bjorn in hurting my brothers or if, perhaps, he forgave me.

"That, young Aegon, is why it is important to think of family. Sometimes, blood is terrible– it blackens and wounds fester. Family is not everything, not if there are true weeds that must be ripped out, lest the whole field burns and rots. Yet, it matters that we do not deny who we are related to. We can learn things from them and about them, we can become united or grow from our distance. All you have left on your father's side, by blood, are my children. They are kind, and I hope you see that."

"I do see it," he promised. He looked so pensive, he furrowed his brows the same way Viserys and Daenerys always did. "I want to know them, I want to know my uncle Oberyn, too. I want to know you. Learn from all of you. It's a relief that soon, I will not have to pretend to be someone I'm not. It was difficult to feel like I belonged with a name that wasn't my own."

He pursed his lips and stared out at the water. "I think I do resent that Viserys and Daenerys both got to have you. They grew up surrounded by those who loved and respected them. I don't know why Varys made this choice but... I was trained my whole life to rule and I wasn't even the only one bearing this burden. I thought I was alone and I was not. I could have felt more connected, I could have been less worried about the role I had to play. I accept that I won't be king. I simply wish someone had told me that so I'd have been less... afraid of everything."

"You won't be king," agreed Brynhildr. "But as my father said, you don't need a title to be a leader. The things you learned, you still know them. You can worry less about your role, but do not shy away from the path laid out for you if you see it clearly. You will still be influential to our cause. You will help Viserys raise Dany as a prime candidate and together, you will all avenge your family and take back what is yours. In the end, it won't really matter who sits the Iron Throne. Think of the Conqueror and his sisters. No one forgot Visenya and Rhaenys simply because Aegon sat the throne. They were the three heads of the dragon together. All of them are remembered fondly."

Aegon nodded, digesting it for a moment. As she looked down at him, she knew for certain that he was no liar. He genuinely believed he was Aegon, to bear this burden. Similarly, Connington did truly believe it as well. She supposed if there was a lie in any of this, it came from Varys alone. The truth lay only in him, but otherwise, both Connington and Aegon were convinced of their role in this. In Brynhildr's eyes, she accepted him for this.

"Let's return to the Keep," she offered. "My Valkyries will have procured your kill by now."

He perked up, perhaps thinking the conversation would end on an unhappy note. "Yes?"

"Yes," she agreed. "I have an understanding with the Sealord of Braavos. A prisoner will be given to us and offered your old sword to try and fight for his freedom. This man can fight and he has killed unlawfully in the streets beyond a simple challenge. It will be your task to kill him and bring about justice."

Aegon was riding a high the rest of the day. The Valkyries had watched him slay the prisoner with his new Valkyrie sword, and Viserys had leapt up to pat him on the shoulder to celebrate him becoming a man. Unfortunately for Brynhildr, Connington seemed to like her even less because of this.

"This needs to come to an end," said Daario as he met Brynhildr and Oberyn for an afternoon bit of wine and fruit. "You and Connington– it'll only end one way. He'll die and regardless of what he did or who he is, it will hurt that boy's feelings. He will feel loss and it won't be good for us."

"I don't want to hurt the boy's feelings," said Brynhildr curtly. "I've done nothing bad to Connington. If he starts respecting me, he can stop receiving threats. Otherwise, I am not here to parent a forty-year-old man."

Oberyn started to smirk. Daario made a face, "Oberyn, don't encourage her."

"I only encourage her because I do not like Connington, either," said Oberyn. "He is arrogant."

"So are all of us."

"He is arrogant without the ability to defend it. Perhaps the years have made him cautious, but when he was younger, he was reckless. Clearly, he still dislikes himself for Rhaegar's death, he still resents his role in this. He chose to fixate on Brynhildr's decision to undermine him and it does not please him that she's made him feel less of a man. Until he repairs that himself, it is not her responsibility to coddle him."

"No, I'm not saying she has to coddle him," said Daario. "I'm saying that she is being defensive– and I understand, I do, we are always defensive with insults– but in this case, Connington is here to stay and still has a voice in Aegon's ear. Perhaps the best strategy is to kill that arrogant part of him with kindness."

Brynhildr considered both perspectives and could come to no decision. Thankfully, a little bird came to them to deliver an update from Varys, keeping her from having to make the choice right then and there. Oberyn wasn't entirely happy about hearing anything from Varys that wasn't an explanation about Connington and Aegon, but he still accepted the message and read it aloud.

Varys told them that Joffrey had ordered a mass-killing of Robert's bastards around King's Landing. He'd taken special interest in one of the older ones, a blacksmith's apprentice named Gendry. He'd arranged to smuggle Gendry out and have him go to the Wall for a strange sort of safekeeping, making note that in the future, he could be legitimized and placed as Lord of Storm's End depending what their final decision was for the Stormlands and the Baratheon line.

Brynhildr did not prefer it in the slightest. She'd rather place Shireen as Lady of Storm's End if only to preserve a legitimate Baratheon child to bring the Storm Lords to heel. With her, the Baratheon name could be made to stay alive without need to legitimize anyone. Daario suggested they keep tabs on Gendry anyway; perhaps he'd prove a good man.

At present, their greatest problem was Gendry's uncles. Renly commanded a hundred-thousand men, but while Stannis had less, he also had proven himself in war twice. While Stannis was refusing to form any alliances with Renly or the North, it seemed like Lady Catelyn was attempting to broker an alliance with Renly on behalf of Robb. Renly was sure to be kinder about letting the North be an independent kingdom, not to mention he had the most manpower at the moment.

Brynhildr couldn't focus on the implications, not with the lingering thought about what to do with Connington. There was still no proper opening to invade, and so, she excused herself and decided to ask her children for advice, to see what they considered the best course of action.

She found Viserys in the library with Aegon, showing him all the books he'd read and offering recommendations. She drew him away to ask about Connington, and he recommended a mixture of what Oberyn and Daario had proposed. Come forward with kindness, try to learn his story, and if he continued to be a cunt, shut him down with a threat and state clearly that his presence here was no longer needed. If he didn't respect the Commander whose roof he lived under, he could do without a roof. In a way, it both solved and worsened her dilemma.

She went next to Daenerys, who was in her room watching the dragons enjoy their lunch. They were bigger now, steadily nearing the size of goats. Brynhildr was pleased that all the space and meat was doing them some good. Though, soon, they wouldn't be able to house them here at Valkyrie Keep. By then, they needed to already be moving.

"Mother." Daenerys leaned towards her to accept a forehead kiss. "Look at your grandchildren, they are doing very well."

"Indeed they are," said Brynhildr, putting an arm around her. "With you as their mother, who could expect anything different?"

"What troubles you?" asked Daenerys. "You seem pensive."

"I am. I wonder what to do about Connington. I don't want this tension. Daario believes it has to end, lest it harm Aegon. He suggested I be kind to Connington. Oberyn, on the other hand, thinks I should continue to act as I do until Connington amends his behaviors. What do you think, my dear?"

Daenerys began to hum, but her brows furrowed. "I'll have to make even greater decisions than this as Queen, won't I? And I don't even know what to tell you, Mother. I don't truly know what it's like to have power. Even in this decision, I have no true power in how Connington will react to any of it. How can I guide Seven Kingdoms if I cannot even guide you?"

"Oh, my dearest love," sighed Brynhildr, cupping Daenerys's chin and having her look at her. "Bjorn once told me something that our father told him. In Ragnar's words, 'Power is dangerous. It corrupts the best and attracts the worst. Power is only given to those who are prepared to lower themselves to pick it up.' What do you think that means?"

She thought about it. "Power... that ability to influence... it comes to those who have been influenced, who have been humble enough to rise above and use it for good. Those who are power-hungry misunderstand it, and use it for cruelty."

"Indeed. What does that tell you then, about your worries?"

"I don't know what it's like to have power but... I suppose that doesn't mean I'll never know. I can influence how Connington reacts by thinking broadly enough to give you good advice." She shook her head. "Something like that. I'm still getting used to this."

Brynhildr smiled warmly. "And you're doing well in that, Dany. You've thought about it in a good way. You considered a bigger picture. Oberyn, he thought only of an aggressive approach. But Daario only thought of a peaceful approach. Viserys combined them, he said to be kind until I am shown kindness is not deserved."

"I agree with Viserys," thought Daenerys. "Because, if there is a bigger picture, then we must consider that Connington means something to Aegon, can be a sword to our cause, and can give us at least Griffin's Roost. Yet we must also consider that Connington might twist him to his own beliefs, he might undermine you and cause trouble in battle if he does not respect you in your home. You have the power to get rid of him if you do not like him. If Connington is brought to understand that, then you show your influence and in turn, give him and him alone the power to decide what his place here will be."

She patted Daenerys's shoulder proudly. "That's given me an idea. I will approach kindly, but in my kindness, I will tell him the truth of how I feel. How I worry and why I do. I will let him know it is his choice how to proceed onwards. That way, I am not overly kind when I do not mean it, nor do I go directly to threats."

Daenerys was pleased to have helped her. "I'm glad I could give you advice, as you've always done for me."

"You are going to be a wonderful Queen," assured Brynhildr. "Remember, what did I tell you when you first came to me about a dream?"

"You told me what your father once said. 'If your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough.' So, I accepted them, I let them scare me, I let the future be seen. And when I've worried about what I do and don't see, you remind me of the gods that allow me to see these things. It calms me because I've learned to accept what is and is not in my control."

"Exactly. Don't forget to be rational as a Queen, no matter how much your feelings get in the way. I admit, I may not have been the best example of that... I, too, am very temperamental. I always have been, and I was telling Aegon today about the regrets I have from how I acted in my youth. I encourage you not to do the same. You've always been better at moderating your emotions than me or Viserys. Continue to do that. My father said to Bjorn, 'When your time comes, you must lead with your head, not with your heart.'"

"But you've led with your head," said Daenerys. "That is how the Valkyries became all that they are."

Brynhildr tilted her head. "To an extent, yes, I have. But when I handle disputes, I do normally let my anger get the best of me. It's why I needed advice regarding Connington. You, my girl, must do what you can to remain as you are... you accept everyone for how they are. You listen to them and you keep your emotions from guiding you too far. Think carefully from here on out, as you have today, and you will do well for yourself."

"I'll do my best," said Daenerys. "I've never really had reason to be so angry, so it's never overwhelmed me. Perhaps the day will come."

"If it does, there will be someone there to talk you down from it, I should hope. Or, you will be strong enough to do it yourself. As I told Viserys, anger isn't something you ignore. But you cannot let it take control of you. Now... excuse me while I go and try to extinguish this fire in Connington before it grows." She wiggled her eyebrows teasingly, "Let us hope I do not 'accidentally' drop him into the harbor."

She went to find Connington, who was keeping Ser Jorah company in the great hall. Brynhildr found herself wondering what they could possibly be talking about; perhaps they were committing treason together. She had to force the thoughts away, remembering the advice given to her. There was no sense in making this situation worse. After all, Jorah still didn't know she, Oberyn, and Daario knew who he really was. Connington wouldn't know, either, for it served no purpose for Varys to have told him. Varys had to have anticipated that Joffrey or someone would find out about Aegon's arrival through Jorah or other means, otherwise why risk bringing him at all?

"Lord Connington," said Brynhildr, seating herself across from him. "Ser Jorah, might we have a moment, please?"

"Of course, Commander," said Ser Jorah, giving Connington a nod, perhaps one that was meant to be supportive.

Connington didn't look pleased to see her there. "I suppose you've come to tell me I need to go."

"No," said Brynhildr. "I've come to speak with you about our children."

He pursed his lips. "Is that how you raised yours? Soon as they were ready, you let them kill people?"

"Yes," said Brynhildr bluntly. "Viserys killed Euron Greyjoy when we found him. Daenerys was given a prisoner earlier this year to throw a knife at. Right into his heart, he died within seconds and she didn't break a single sweat. It is a great honor to wet one's sword, and they were raised Viking. Aegon wanted to kill someone. If he is going to fight on the battlefield with us, he needs to be prepared for it."

"Who was your first kill?"

"I don't know. My father, brother, and I were with other Vikings in a place called Wessex. Our group was slowing us down; men and women who only joined us because my father paid them, for no one else would accompany us. We slit throats all around the camp in the middle of the night and continued on our own. After that... I killed men on the battlefield. Hot blood splashing in my face, drenching all of my body. My first real kill, the one I grew most involved in, was the Blood Eagle of King Aelle of Northumbria."

Connington heaved a sigh. Perhaps this didn't interest him, or it did but showed him he wasn't going to find an argument about killing with her. It would probably only end up in him dead. "Well, what did you want to talk about?"

"I don't wish for this animosity between us to continue. For the sake of our children, who need us to guide them, who need us to be at peace with each other well before we set sail. If they should come to us requiring advice, we cannot be at odds. Daario, Queen Daenerys, and Prince Viserys have all guided me towards seeking peace. I don't wish to threaten you, Connington, but if we do not both do our best to fix this, then I will need to rid myself of you to protect the integrity of my army and preserve the sanity of my children. It is your choice if we try or not."

He stared down at his wine goblet for longer than she had patience for, yet, for the sake of setting a good example for Daenerys, she didn't flick her knife at the wall behind his ear or stab at the space between his hand and the goblet.

"I didn't mean to offend by calling Aegon the rightful heir," he muttered at last. "It was what Varys told me was going to happen. I didn't know he hadn't said anything about our arrival. It upset me that the reaction to us was so... strong. I didn't know what to expect, but it irked me. I thought you'd kill us without hearing us out. All I'd truly heard about you was that you were a Kingslayer and Queenslayer, that you were foreign, that you Blood-Eagle men who upset you. It didn't seem fair."

She remained silent, watching him. "It frustrated me that you weren't believing us," said Connington. "I suppose I wouldn't have believed us, either, yet, I felt we were being stared down by vultures. I didn't want anything to happen to the boy because you might not have understood lines of succession and our history and because the Prince Oberyn hated me for what I said about his sister. I regret saying that– I was young and jealous. I never meant for anything awful to happen to her."

"Anyway," he continued, "I was upset with Varys, upset with all of you, with being questioned. You both seemed to continue assuming the worst of me and I tired of it. It felt like a cruel challenge and I wanted no part in it."

"I admit," said Brynhildr, "I did make assumptions quickly. I reacted to try and protect my family. I remained cold because my interpretation of your words was one that diminished my daughter's worth because she was a woman."

"I didn't understand the change, I'd never– look, Westeros isn't like wherever you're from. Women aren't fighters in most parts, they certainly aren't Queens. The Conningtons aligned closer to the Greens during the Dance. I admit, now that I've taken time to see, I know the girl will be a good Queen. She is more fearsome than I thought. I should not have spoken low of her. I should not have let myself be carried away by frustrations at the rest of you and continue with bitterness. I simply did not trust you. I am not entirely sure I do now."

"I don't need you to trust me. But I do need you to respect me, because my daughter is our future Queen and I am in charge of our armies. I don't know if we can ever be friends, but I would like us to be on good terms. We've both lost much in our lives, and most importantly, we care about our children. We want them to get along, and ought to set an example for them with each other. I promise not to make further assumptions about you."

"I promise to respect you," replied Connington. "You have... done unexpectedly great things in these lands for someone not born anywhere near here. Your company is impressive, Commander, and you've raised two good children, though you did not ask for the burden."

Brynhildr half-smiled. "Neither did you. Yet it was a burden we bore and we made them strong. We did it for their parents, because it was what they would have wanted and what the children deserved."