April 18, 2019

A takeover of Westeros begins.

22.

INT. JAIME'S CHAMBER - day

Jaime sits at his table, polishing one of the pauldrons of Brienne's armor. A few other pieces are laying on the tabletop, with the rest arranged on a humanoid armor form nearby.

There's a knock on the door, followed by Tyrion's muffled voice.

TYRION (O.S.)

Jaime?

JAIME

Come in.

Tyrion enters. He sees what Jaime is doing, and understands the significance of it. He quietly closes the door and takes a seat at the table. He watches Jaime work for a few moments.

TYRION

A profoundly impressive woman.

(beat)

I'm sorry, Jaime.

Jaime doesn't bother to conceal his grief.

JAIME

You know who isn't? Brienne of Tarth. I never met anyone who wanted a hero's death so badly.

TYRION

Mm, well. She certainly got it, from what I hear.

JAIME

She deserved better. In everything.

Tyrion picks up on the subtext.

TYRION

You never stopped loving Cersei.

Jaime hates himself right now, he truly does.

JAIME

(re: Brienne)

I tried to warn her.

TYRION

I believe you. But she loved you anyway. Funny thing, how we love people anyway .

23.

Jaime picks up on the subtext. He willfully ignores it.

Tyrion picks up on Jaime's willful ignoring of the subtext. He presses on.

TYRION

You know we can't let Cersei stay on the throne.

Jaime avoids Tyrion's eyes. He'd known this was coming.

TYRION

And you know we don't have time for a siege or for protracted negotiations.

JAIME

(slight edge)

Why are you bothering to tell me?

TYRION

You're our general, our best military mind. We can't very well withhold important strategic plans from you.

(beat)

However. We know you won't help us kill Cersei, even if the world depends on it.

Jaime looks up.

TYRION

Queen Daenerys is prepared to offer a deal. She still controls three great cities in Essos. Cersei can take her pick of any of them and live out her days as a wealthy woman, under her grace's sworn protection. We will leave her in peace, as long as she does not interfere with Westerosi affairs ever again. You could join her there, if you wish -- live together openly as husband and wife.

Jaime is still wary, but definitely listening.

TYRION

To your unborn child, we offer this. When they are old enough, they would be allowed the opportunity to foster with the royal family. With your permission, of course. They would be treated well, kept safe from all harm, and if they favor their father in temperament, they will have a high place in court and be allowed to reclaim Casterly Rock.

24.

Jaime stares at him. The terms are generous, and he knows it.

TYRION

Your child would have a future. Our family would have a future.

JAIME

What do you want in return?

TYRION

You.

(off Jaime's look)

We need you, Jaime. Help us win this war for the living. Reassume command of the Lannister bannermen and the Lannister army and bring them onto our side. Bring our terms to Cersei and convince her to renounce the throne peacefully.

JAIME

And if she refuses?

A beat. Tyrion considers.

TYRION

You'll always be my brother. I hope you know that. And Cersei is still my sister, hateful bitch that she is. Meaning no offense.

None taken.

TYRION

But she is no longer my only sister. I convinced Daenerys to agree to this plan, but I can't work miracles. If Cersei refuses our terms, there will be no mercy for her. And if you stand with her in her defiance, there will be no mercy for you either.

Jaime absorbs that.

25.

TYRION

Jaime, you've seen more war than any of us. You know these terms are absurdly generous. Think carefully. There will not be a better offer.

EXT. GODSWOOD - DAY

SAM

But I... Jon, I'm still a brother of the Night's Watch.

Jon is walking through the godswood with SAMWELL TARLY.

JON

So was I.

SAM

I'm not you.

JON

"The shield that guards the realms of men." That's what we swore to be. You pledged your life, you pledged your sword. But we don't need your life or your sword.

Jon stops walking and looks Sam in the eye.

JON

We need your name. We need your House. Olenna Tyrell declared for Daenerys before she died, and half the Reach stood with her. Your father...

Jon hesitates a bit. Sam has warmed up to Daenerys considerably, by now, but this is still a touchy subject.

JON

Your father declared for Cersei. Without him, and without Olenna, the Reach's allegiance is uncertain.

Sam is looking rather uncertain himself.

JON

Sam, I need you to claim the lordship of Horn Hill. I need you to convince the lords of the Reach to talk to us.

26.

SAM

I want to help you, you know I do. And that makes sense, about the vows. But I don't know that those lords will care much for our interpretations. If they hang me as a deserter, I won't be much good to you.

JON

You swore before the gods. Traditionally, the High Septon has the power to annul such vows. The Faith has reformed itself, with Daenerys' help. The new High Septon will release you from your oath if she asks him to.

Sam stares at him, looking rather overwhelmed by all this.

Finally, he recovers himself. He looks toward the heart tree.

SAM

Technically, I swore my vows before the old gods.

If Jon were the kind of person to roll his eyes, he'd be doing it now.

JON

My gods will understand.

Sam is still hesitating over something.

JON

I need you, Sam. You'll have letters from the queen, the High Septon, and the Wardeness of the North. How's that for interpretations?

SAM

Does... does this mean I can marry Gilly?

Jon gives him an incredulous look.

SAM

Sorry. I shouldn't have... it was a silly question.

JON

Why are you asking?

27.

SAM

(ashamed)

Well, I just thought that... if all my vows are annulled...

JON

You're a free man, Sam. Marry who you want.

INT. WINTERFELL GREAT HALL - DAY

DANY

You're Robert Baratheon's bastard.

Dany is seated at the high table of Winterfell's Great Hall. GENDRY stands before her, in his blacksmith's garb. The hall is otherwise empty, except for a complement of UNSULLIED GUARDS.

GENDRY

Yes, your grace.

DANY

And what do you know of your father, Gendry?

Gendry eyes her warily, knowing full well the bad blood between Robert Baratheon and House Targaryen.

GENDRY

Mostly what everyone knows, your grace. I know he was a great fighter. I know he was king. I know he overthrew your father and killed your brother.

Dany gives him a look. He doesn't look away. She's intrigued by his bluntness.

DANY

And what do you know of lords and ladies? Of highborn society.

Gendry is confused about where she's going with this.

GENDRY

I been making arms and armor for them since I was little. My master taught me proper titles and manners. Not that I often used them.

Dany is silent for a long moment, weighing him with her eyes.

28.

DANY

Would you serve me, Gendry? If I asked you to?

GENDRY

(still confused)

I'll fight, if it's the dead you're fighting. I been doing that already.

DANY

Yes, you have. You fought beyond the Wall, you fought here at Winterfell. Bravely, I'm told.

She stands up.

DANY

I shall ask more of you now, Gendry. I shall ask you not just to fight, but to lead.

GENDRY

...your grace?

DANY

All the Baratheons are dead now. You're the last of the bloodline. Ser Jaime says you look just like Robert did when he was young.

(beat)

Before he usurped my family throne, Robert was Lord Paramount of the Stormlands. The Baratheon bannermen stopped supporting the Crown after the death of Tommen Baratheon, but neither did they support me.

(beat)

It's time for them to enter the fray. A greater threat is coming now. For them, for everyone. The prince and I are flying south. I want you to come with us. I want you to talk to these storm lords and convince them to accept an audience with us.

GENDRY

I... I don't think I can do that, your grace.

DANY

Why not?

29.

GENDRY

(flustered)

They're highborns. They won't listen to me.

DANY

Kneel before me. Pledge me your service. Pledge to help us win this war for the living. And you shall rise as Gendry Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End.

Gendry stares at her in disbelief, too overwhelmed to speak.