Home

**Home** is the sixth episode of Season Seven (7.6).

## Summary

The Starks and Lannisters mine dragonglass; Jon prepares a betrayal; Theon plans to go north; Arya reveals herself to her uncle; Cersei’s meeting with the Iron Bank goes badly; Gilly confronts Sam about their future; Daenerys returns home to find it occupied.

## Plot

Dragonstone. The mining operation begins, with Jaime's advisers showing the Northmen how to proceed. Jon has set his men to working day and night to mine dragonglass. We see them at work inside the mountain caves, hundreds of them, including Jon himself. On the shore, he meets Jaime, face and garb covered in black soot and grime. Jaime asks if it is customary in the North for the King to work alongside the common people. “He who passes the sentence should swing the pick,” Jon says, and Jaime laughs. Then they both do. Jaime says he would offer to help, but suggests that his hand is not well suited to the task. Jon asks what happened to it. Jaime is surprised that Jon doesn't know, but then somewhat reluctantly tells him the story. A Northern chief grew tired of his tongue so took his hand. Jon says that he cannot imagine living without his hand, and Jaime notes that the Night's Watch would certainly be twice as bad without it. Jon laughs. Jaime tells Jon Daenerys has set sail for the final leg of her voyage across the Narrow Sea – she’ll be there within days. “And we’re camped out in her home,” says Jon, and they share a look.

In the Stark camp, Jon holds a war council with Davos, Lord Manderly, Lord Glover and Littlefinger. Glover says they have already mined enough dragonglass to send two shipments back to White Harbor, which could then be sent with all due haste to Castle Black. Jon says he know the smiths at Castle Black, and they are competent enough. He says Samwell Tarly has sent instructions on by raven of how best to forge the glass into weapons. “He read it in a book,” says Jon, smiling to himself - a jest only he in the room could understand. He moves onto Daenerys’ coming. The Greyjoys man the fleet, and man the castle with the Lannisters. They have as many men as the Lannisters and Starks combined, notes Manderly, adding that he doesn’t trust Euron. “A man who rips the tongues from the mouths of his own sailors so they do not speak of him is no man to ally with.” Davos asks how they hope to deal with three full-grown dragons. Jon says he means for them not to deal with the dragons at all. “We will stand aside. This isn’t our fight. Then, when it is done, we will try to convince Daenerys to fly her dragons north to fight the dead. The dragonglass gives us a chance to fight. The dragons give us a chance to *win*.” Afterwards, Littlefinger – who watched the war council with interest but said little – tells Jon he is impressed. “Your reason has won out over your notion of honour, and that is all to the good. Your father could never bring himself to do that, but it is the mark of a true King.” Jon makes clear he is not happy about it, and adds he will appeal to this dragon Queen for mercy for Jaime Lannister. Littlefinger admonishes him: “You seek the Targaryen’s help while pleading for the life of the Kingslayer? I can think of little worse to sour your first meeting.” Jon asks what he would have him do. Littlefinger shrugs. “When the fighting starts, enter the castle as allies, then sack it. Capture Jaime Lannister and deliver him to the Queen – or better yet, kill him yourself and lay his body before her.” Jon will not countenance it. “He’ll die no matter if you stand by or if you *act*. But if you act, you can shape events in your favour. That’s what kings do,” Littlefinger says in closing.

Theon is once again helping clear the hold. He brings a pale of water to toss across the floor but stops. Horses whinny and sigh. He puts the pale down and looks into the water inside. His face stares back at him. Grey Worm approaches, and Theon makes to get ready for a bout. Grey Worm denies him. “Not that,” he says, “your Queen needs you.” Shortly after, we find ourselves in the Queen's Chambers. Grey Worm, Akkaro, Yara and Tyrion are present. Daenerys sits and Theon stands before her. He is clearly the centrepiece. “You'll understand that I had plans for each of my Seven Kingdoms, and the Riverlands,” she says. “Delicate plans. It was quite a surprise to learn that the North has a completely new ruler, and quite a formidable one at that.” Theon says he was surprised too. “That a bastard had led a cecession?” she asks. “Or that he was a Night's Watch deserter?” Theon is silent. Daenerys explains that while she knows little of this King, Tyrion has told him that he's a “good man.” Theon confirms this. Daenerys invites him to tell them about Jon, since they grew up together. Theon says that Jon was a bastard. Not just in terms of birthright, but in his very being. He wore it in the way he walked, in the look on his face. It weighed him down more heavily than a thousand defeats. But it made him good, and it made him loyal and righteous and, whether it's as an enemy or an ally, he can be trusted. “Cersei and Euron can't be trusted,” he says, “but Jon can. It's his weakness, but his strength as well.” Daenerys says that there's a rumour Jon died and was reborn. Theon says “lots of us die in a way, and get to come back another.” Daenerys is touched by this. She asks how Theon would counsel her. She wants Jon as an ally, a good man with a brave army who will fight beside her and earn her favour. Theon says that the North does not respond well to promises and threats. They respect actions and gestures. Ned Stark took Theon as a boy so he could know for certain that Balon Greyjoy wouldn't rise against him. He would not have taken Balon's word. Jon is of the North, and took much from his father. “You need to give Jon something that proves you're a friend, and something that proves you care about the same thing as him. Honour, decency, the common good. Justice.” Daenerys asks what that would be. “Me,” Theon says. Tyrion and Yara are startled. “I'm sorry?” Daenerys asks. “Jon has every right to want me dead. I betrayed his house, I took his castle and I killed children under its care. To the north, I'm a turncloak and a murderer. You cannot let that be. You have to give them justice for that act. You have to give me to them, so they will see how righteous you are.” Yara tells Theon to stop, but he doesn't. He's not needed in this army, here's he's just a half-decent fighter and a Grejoy who can't command a fleet. But as an envoy of friendship and honour, he could win the favour of the North. “Send a negotiator with me if you want, but I'll tell them they have to join with the rightful Queen of Westeros, and the rightful Queen of the Iron Islands. It'll be the last thing I say. Please, your grace. I beg of you. Let me only ever ask one thing of you, and let it be that I serve you this way.” Neither Tyrion or Yara can think of a counter, despite the pain they show. Grey Worm looks at his sparring partner proudly. Daenerys is, again, touched. “Very well,” she says. “I grant you your wish. I'll give you a small vessel and a bodyguard to take you to Winterfell.” Theon nods.

In Winterfell, the army has assembled and is preparing to leave. Royce heads the Vale contingent, who wear furs around their armour. Some unfamiliar chiefs lead the Northern force. Sansa watches them. Brienne approaches her. She's in full armour and furs too, and has Podrick by her side, similarly armed and prepared. Brienne explains that it gives her great pain to break the oath she made, to protect the daughter of her lady Catelyn. But she hopes that she can return to Winterfell soon to continue that duty. Sansa says that she too hopes Brienne will return, and that it'll be in victory, though she fears it might not be so simple. In the stories, the Long Night lasted for decades. “Those were the stories I should have read more,” she said, “I fear I don't remember how they end.” Brienne says that if she had been a Stark lady, she might recall. Sansa says that she wishes that had been the case. She wishes Brienne luck, then watches from the battlements alone as the army goes north. The sky darkens and a greater cold presses in.

King’s Landing, Iron Bank envoy Tycho Neheris arrives and is escorted by Qyburn to the Red Keep. Neheris looks about him discerningly, especially when they pass near the ruins of the Sept of Baelor. Very little has changed there beyond the fires having burned themselves out. Qyburn tries to hurry Neheris along, but an impression has been made. They arrive at the Queen's chambers, where Cersei has made an effort to present a softer front. She greets Neheris formally but has arranged a table with wine and food on a balcony. Ser Gregor is notably absent. They sit and talk briefly. Neheris is clearly unimpressed by what he has seen but makes an effort to be civil. Eventually, the small talk breaks down and Cersei suggests that they discuss business. “You may well have known my father,” she says, “I share his directness, and you'll no doubt appreciate that here.” She pours him a glass of wine, but he declines. She then goes into her speech. The Iron Bank are investors, essentially placing bets on the stablest players in the game. Cersei is the first female monarch of Westeros, is a Lannister who always pays her debts, has consolidated her nation after terrible plots and atrocities by Daenerys Targaryen and stands for the principles of a banker's world. “Invest in my rule,” she says, “and I can promise you golden returns and more.” Once she's done with a speech light on substance, Neheris offers a polite smile. “I appreciate your efforts in bringing me here,” he says, “and indeed in putting forth your case. But I regret to inform you that the Iron Bank cannot provide you with any financial assistance.” Cersei's face slips. “Oh, I see. Pray tell why.” Neheris resists, making clear it is not a personal judgement, but Cersei pursues the point. Neheris' demeanour changes to one of disdain. “As you wish,” he says. “The Lannisters have not been paying their debts for some time. The fact that the richest family in the land is forced to borrow suggests the source of your wealth, your gold mines, has run dry. Your father bartered and he traded well when he dealt with the Iron Bank. Your kept man Petyr Baelish did not, and the debt he accrued with us falls on the crown he served. Your crown. We have lost far too much to the Baratheon dynasty, and almost all of it when you clearly had the power to influence such matters. Perhaps this is why your reputation here and abroad is dreadful. You're rumoured to be a murderer, a torturer, a drunk, an incestuous whore and behind all of the many tragic events to occur to your nation over the last decade. When you were walked naked through these streets, you were not showered with support, you were pelted with fruit and accusations. You have the smallest royal army in Westeros, you have virtually no navy barring your alliance with a pirate, and half of your realm is in complete chaos. I see no reason to believe you will defeat Daenerys Targaryan with or without our support, nor any reason to believe that your people support you sufficiently that your reign will last the year. If I agreed to back you, we would never repay the debts, we would receive nothing in return, and we would look like fools for taking such a gamble. I apologise for my candour. I fear it's best I leave.” He makes to go, but Cersei insists he stay to think about it more. Neheris scoffs at this, but Cersei grins. She shouts on her guards. Ser Gregor and some Lannister soldiers enter. She instructs them to take Neheris to the cells and to inform the Iron Bank that their envoy has been detained. Neheris tells Cersei this is an absurd and pointless move, but she laughs this off. “Perhaps a black cell will make the point for me,” she says. Neheris is taken away.

Casterly Rock. Ser Arys arrives with a column of Lannister soldiers. They enter the castle without issue and Ser Arys immediately dismounts and heads for the keep. He ignores the greetings and questions of the pages and soldiers, earning a couple of annoyed glances. From atop the Keep, the castellan Reginald Lannister looks down at the new arrival with his advisers. He remarks that his second cousin is as arrogant as her father was. “The Queen thinks she can see better from King's Landing than I can from the rock.” Ser Arys proceeds not to see Reginald, but to meet the captive Edmure Tully in his quarters. Here he reveals himself to be Arya. She tells him the Freys have left Riverrun to resolve their House’s tensions back at The Twins. The Lannister forces now require loyal Tully support. Edmure says he is not interested in servitude. She tells him the bulk of the forces loyal to the Tullys remain at Raventree Hall, seat of House Blackwood. She can take him there under false pretences - and then he can march the Tullys home. Edmure is beaten, though. He reminds Arya of everything he has lost, and the little he has left – the safety of his wife and son here on the Rock. Arya scolds him, telling him she lost everything he did, and that his family will never be safe with the Lannisters. She asks him what Catelyn would think if she could see him now.

Oldtown. Archmaester Ebrose is showing Gilly around a small building near the Citadel, with a doorway that overlooks the water of the Honeywine and the harbours at the mouth. A novice carries two cases of potions and balms, and Ebrose is talking her through their process. Novices will take the dying from the Citadel to this spot discreetly, and Gilly will then take charge. She must approach a man named JANEK once they have passed; he will deal with the bodies. Gilly is nervous. Ebrose mistakes this for he being squeamish about dealing with corpses, but Gilly grew up on a farm without farmhands. She has no such qualms, but instead she worries that she will not be able to comfort the dying. “All they'll have is me and what if I can't even get them to stop crying, or screaming even?” Ebrose is struck by the question and admits that he doesn't know exactly how much comfort is even possible. “But you're not naïve and you've still got a caring touch, so I suspect that if anyone can make it easier for them, it's you.” He then asks if she's dealt with actual death before, and she confirms that she has; wildlings who tried to plunder Craster's keep, Night's Watchmen during the mutiny, and of course a White Walker. Ebrose laughs at the last one, then sees it wasn't a joke. He confesses that he didn't know White Walkers did die. She describes the event to him, and he's troubled. “The events you describe are utterly impossible. They cannot be, no more than the fairies and elves of children's rhymes might dance under our beds and steal our dreams. So it troubles me that I don't think you're lying. Perestan might want to quiz you on this subject.”

The Citadel. Sam goes about his usual day of study, though he's notably downcast and distracted still. During one of his classes, he is quiet and this is noted by Archmaester Perestan. Once this session ends, he hurries off. His fellow novices note his behaviour, and then they ask each other whether anyone has seen Pate. We follow Sam, who goes across a wooden drawbridge from the main building to the ancient Isle of Ravens. Outside the rookery is a large garden. The very many plants and flowers blooming from a series of simple yet ingenious watering mechanisms and refracted sunlight through large panes of glass on the outer walls. Sam is dazzled by this improvised greenhouse and wanders through it. ARCHMAESTER WALGRAVE notices him and follows. Sam comes to a large space outside the rookery. A weirwood tree sits there, its red leaves lush and its branches long and twisting. Ravens perch sleeping along it. He stares at it for a long time, until Walgrave comes to him. “Most people have never seen one,” he remarks, giving Sam a shock. “There was supposed to have been one in Dorne once, but nobody seems capable of finding proof. “They say none survive south of the Neck now, that all of them are in the North and beyond. I knew a man once who said the Crannogmen have one, but that's a song at best. Winterfell might have the southernmost survivor beyond this one. But they've left a footprints with their seeds and leaves. They were everywhere once, until we killed them one by one.” Sam suggests that they met the same fate as the Children of the Forest, and Walgrave agrees. But, he says, he could stand about ancient history until the point because just that. He asks Sam why he's there, and Sam says he's looking for a rare and beautiful flower for research purposes. Walgrave is amused, but agrees to help. They talk about his botanical collection, about where everything comes from. All over, from Dornish sandflowers to Vale mountain lillies. Very little from the North, however. Sam asks why. Walgrave is puzzled at the thought. He says that many maesters have tried to decipher this little mystery; the plants and flowers and trees of Westeros indicate millenia after millenia of growth and development. The North does not, and seems to be younger than the rest of the nation by a significant amount of time. “Perhaps they simply do not want to grow there,” Walgrave says. They get back to the point and find a glowing orange flower that requires almost constant watering, but is luminescent at night like a candle. Sam says it's perfect.

That evening, Sam returns to his digs. Clearly Gilly and Little Sam have not come to see him, and he looks nervous. He sits and tries to read books while waiting, but grows restless and impatient. Eventually Gilly returns, with Little Sam, who is delighted to see him. Gilly is less so. Little Sam takes the flower to be a gift for him and, when a glance confirms that Gilly is not pleased by it, Sam confirms that it is. He tells Little Sam he can look after it but has to water it very often to keep its light. After a brief chat, Little Sam is sent away to his room. Sam tries to talk to Gilly, but she resists this. Initially it looks like he's going to keep his distance, but then he snaps. He knows that it's difficult with him being away all day and her having to balance Little Sam and her new occupation, but he doesn't have a choice. Punishing him only makes things worse. Gilly counters that she isn't angry because Sam's away all day; she's angry because he's dragging her along where she doesn't belong, from the Wall to Hornhill to the Citadel. Worse still, he's a brother of the Night's Watch and training to be a Maester, positions which must be held by chaste men. They can never marry and any children they have must be bastards like Little Sam and all his brothers sacrificed to the winter. Sam has spent so long now simply living out all the dreams he never thought he could that he hasn't stopped to ask if they can all work together. He isn't a soldier, he isn't a freeman, he isn't a lord. He can't have it all. So he has to choose. Sam is stung by this, stunned, and rather weakly says that he can't decide. He loves Gilly and wants brothers and sisters for Little Sam, but also that it's his duty to the Night's Watch. He has to help them how he can, which is to study and learn how to defeat the army of the dead. “So you won't choose then?” Gilly asks. Sam stands silent, so she walks through to her son. He numbly walks out of their tiny dwelling and out into the street and looks up at the Citadel. A lone torch burns in a high window.

Theon stands at the port side of Yara's ship, a galley below him with a small crew. It is preparing to sail North sailing a Night's Watch banner. “A little dishonourable perhaps,” Tyrion says, “but I'm sure the latest Lord Commander will forgive us the false flag, under the circumstances. I understand that he'll be the 999th.” He commends Theon's bravery, damns his stupidity, and hopes that his plan works. “Time on the wall better not have made that boy cold,” he says. They have a quiet moment, then shake hands. Daenerys arrives, Yara behind her, and the former speaks with Theon first. She tells Theon to remember to speak from the heart. Then, to Theon's surprise, she kisses his cheek. She wishes him luck then leaves. Yara steps forward. After a tough pause, she curses Theon for being a stupid little boy, then grabs him in a tight hug. “Don't mess this up, little brother,” she says, “don't let it be for nothing.” Theon promises. He disembarks and his yacht sets sail north. Yara watches and briefly struggles with her emotions. Tyrion and Daenerys also watch him go, and Tyrion marvels at how she can inspire such love and devotion. “I do fear,” he says, “that I might do something similar if the chance arose.” Daenerys tells him she wouldn't let him. He has potential to fulfil even still.

Jaime

Arya

Daenerys sails to Dragonstone to find her ancestral home occupied by three armies, surrounded by the Greyjoy and Manderly navies. “Lannisters, Greyjoys and Starks, all on the same side,” remarks Tyrion, observing the banners. “How extraordinary.” We see Jon stare up in awe from the Stark encampment as three dragons wheel in the air.