Beric and Thoros tried to explain everything as well as they could. The queen's eyes never leaving them as they told her their story.

"Do ya expect us ta believe all this? Expect us ta believe some strange outsiders with wild tales of legendary creatures? What, do ya take us for, fools?" A large older man asked, as he came forward, taking a place next to the queen.

"My lady. We have no need to go out into the world. We have no need ta help defend them against an enemy that they cannot prove even exists. No need ta put our people in danger. Tha world beyond tha mountains has lasted this long without the help of the Brethren, let them take care of their own problems." The older man hissed, as he glared disdainfully at Beric and Thoros.

"Doran. Stop! As much as I appreciate your opinions, I am well aware of the situation of my people. And do not for one moment think that I will put any one of them in danger unless I truly believe that I have to. These men have come here for a reason. A reason that may seem slightly unbelievable, but I have to think that there is some element truth in what they say. The journey up these mountains is a treacherous one, and only those that are truly desperate would contemplate making the trek." (Y/n) announced as she rose from her chair and looked around the others present.

"Brothers and sisters. You and the rest of my people are some of the bravest and most feared warriors this world has to offer. Our ranks are filled by what many consider as the lowest of the low, yet we know the truth. We know that we are the strongest, the most resilient, most deadly people there are. We are the unloved, the unwanted, the whores and beggars that everyone overlooks. Yet we are the Brethren. And the Brethren have never, and will never, shy away from anything that threatens us. Our ancestors created our home, and I have no intention of seeing it destroyed under my rein. I must have time to consider what Lord Dondarrion and Thoros have told me. Time to decide whether or not to send my people back out into a world that despises them. But I assure you, what ever I decide, it will be what I consider the best for all of us. For the Brethren." (Y/n) declared, those present bowing deeply before their sovereign.

"I will ensure that you are both made comfortable. You will have my decision in the morning." (Y/n) told Beric and Thoros, nodding respectfully to the pair before leaving the room.

                                                        >>---------------------------------<<

"Well? What do you think? Thoros asked, as he made himself comfortable on one of the beds.

Thoros hadn't failed to notice that Beric had barely taken his eyes from the queen since the first moment they had seen her. Or that she in turn had done little to hide the fact that between the pair of them, that it had been his old friend that held her attention.

"She's a handsome woman. Strong, intelligent. Far too good for you of course. But as we could be dead as soon as the Night King and his Walkers attack, may I suggest that you have any desires for the lady, that you act now, or lose the opportunity." Thoros chuckled, as he leant down, pulled off his boots, and poured himself a glass of wine.

"What?.........What was that?" Beric asked absentmindedly, as he watched (Y/n) make her way out of the large gates that secured the only entrance to her kingdom.

"Tha queen. (Y/n). Ya haven't taken your eyes off her, nor she you. It's not every day that ya come across a woman like that." Thoros continued, as Beric turned to face him. A subtle smile creeping across the Lightning Lord rising slowly to his feet.

"She is a good looking woman. Isn't she?" Beric mussed, as he leant against the window frame. The lord suddenly shaking his head as he saw a glimpse of his own reflection in the glass.

He had once classed himself as handsome. A man that could turn the head of any lady. But now he wore the scares of his wounds that had required his resurrection, in particular the marks around his throat from his hanging, and his missing right eye. Both wounds, thanks to the Lannister's men.

"No. She's a queen. What would she want with a man that looks like me? Anyway, I'm sure that she is already wed." Beric groaned, as he dropped on the bed opposite Thoros, and poured himself a drink.

"She isn't." Thoros replied with a smile, as he lay down on the bed. Stretching out his aching muscles. Doing his best to ignore his friends intrigued, almost excited look.

"And how do you know that?" Beric enquired, as he leaned forward expectantly.

"Well, while you and her majesty were busy looking deep into one another's eyes. I heard some of the others blue faces whispering about her lack of issue. That if she were to die in battle, there would be no heir to the throne. Complaining that they should have had her marry one of them." Thoros sniffed, as he looked over at Beric who had just returned to the window.

"Why don't you go and see if you can have a last word with her, now that she's away from the others. See if the fabled Dondarrion charm can persuade her to help us?" Thoros continued, shaking his head and chuckling, as Beric threw open the door and disappeared.

                                                           >>-------------------------------<<

(Y/n) removed her cloak. Her naked form slipping into the hot spring pool. She had had enough of the incessant chatter of the others. She had had enough of the others telling her that the Brethren should stay in the mountains and hope that Beric and Thoros' story was nothing more than the ramblings of mad men. She had had enough of their complaints that she had not yet taken a husband or given her people an heir. Sometimes the crown was a heavy burden. and that burden had never been greater than it was now.

With a heavy sigh, she sunk deeper into the life giving waters. Her time in the hot springs, the only time that she seemed to find any peace. The only time that she seemed to be allowed to be alone.

A sudden cough startled (Y/n). The queen quickly turning to see Beric staring at her. The Lord of Blackhaven suddenly realising how long it had been since he had been this close to a naked woman, never mind one as beautiful as the monarch before him.

"I er.........I." Beric began. Forgetting what he was going to say as (Y/n) swam over the side of the pool and smiled.

"If you have come to plead your case further, there is no need. You and Thoros were both quite eloquent in your speech. But a monarch does not lead their people into war so easily, Beric. It takes more than pretty words to persuade me to let my people die for you and this cause. Most people came here to escape your world, a world that did not want them or could not accept them. Most have no desire to return. So, to ask them to do just that, is a decision I do not make lightly. I have seen firsthand the devastation of war, the horrors it brings to not only the vanquished, but also the victors. Yet I have had chance to speak to some of my people that originally called the Dornish Marches home. They have told be of bravery and your loyalty to your men. Of your determination, compassion and nobility. And I.......I believe what you and Thoros have told me. That the Night King and his army will return to our world, and that if we do not help you, then we could all fall. So, you may return to your bed and sleep. You and the Lord commander will have the assistance of my people and myself." (Y/n) assured Beric. The queen watching as the Lightning Lord moved closer to the pool.

"Then your majesty. If there is a possibility that we could both die, I want to take my chance to do this." Beric told (Y/n). The lord leaning down so that he could kiss her softly on the lips.

"You do know that there is still a little time before the sun rises, and there is enough room in here for two. Also, it would be worth you bathing before our long journey back to the Wall." (Y/n) chuckled, as she watched Beric hurriedly undress.

                                                                >>------------------------------<<

"Well?" Thoros asked Beric, as he rushed out into the square to join all the others that had assembled at the sound of a horn.

"Did you persuade her?" The red priest continued, as he came to stand next to a grinning Beric.

"Shhhhhh. Listen." Beric told his friend, as he pointed towards the queen.

"Brethren!" (Y/n) called out, as she climbed up onto the podium in the middle of the main square. Every man and woman stopping to listen.

"I have never asked anything of you, but I must ask this of you now. You all swore to live for the Brethren, and to die for us if and when the time came. And that time has come. It is my privilege to call each and every one of you, my kin. To watch over and protect you all. But now we must venture back beyond the mountains and protect others. For if we do not, we are destined to die, and I cannot let that happen. I know that not one of you is a coward, and I ask that you prove that to the rest of the world. I know that it is a world that made you outcasts, but we must show them that we are better, stronger, and more loyal than they could ever have imagined. I do not ask you to do anything that I am not prepared to do myself, so it will be my honour to fight by your side for a cause that is greater than all of us. And if the gods wish it, I will die by your sides. So, go to your homes. Kiss your children, embrace those that must stay behind, for when the sun appears over the top of the mountain, the Brethren will go to wage WAR!" (Y/n) announced, as she pulled her sword from its sheath and raised it high above her head. The crowd doing the same as they saluted their monarch.

"So, the Dondarrion charm did work then?" Thoros chuckled, as he looked at Beric whose eyes were following (Y/n)'s form. The queen beckoning for him to follow, as she reached the doors of the large hall.

"I didn't need to. She had already made up her mind to join us. But we certainly have got to know one another better. And I think that (Y/n), and I need to continue getting better acquainted." Beric replied with a grin, before turning and making his way over to where (Y/n) was waiting for him. Thoros finding that he could do nothing but smile, shake his head, and thank the Lord of Light for his help.