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GAME OF THRONES

“The War for the Dawn” 
Written by Jacob Levy
Based on A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin

ACT ONE

EXT. THE GOD’S EYE – DAY

BRIENNE OF TARTH rows BRAN and SANSA STARK in a small boat. The vessel floats in a vast lake surrounded by snow-covered trees. In the distance, an island grows larger with each stroke of the oars. It’s quiet. Peaceful.

SANSA STARK

I wonder if Jon has reached King’s Landing.

BRANDON STARK

They are close. As are we. But they don’t know we’re here.

BRIENNE OF TARTH

How could they? We’re leagues apart.

BRANDON STARK

Not Jon, the Children of the Forest.

BRIENNE OF TARTH

I thought no one had set foot on the Isle of Faces for thousands of years.

BRANDON STARK

The Children have been here all along.

BRIENNE OF TARTH

Are they dangerous?

BRANDON STARK

They created the Night King.

Brienne and Sansa exchange a concerned look.

BRIENNE OF TARTH

Why did they do that?

BRANDON STARK

To fight men.

Brienne and Sansa scan the approaching island for danger. Bran remains in his peaceful, strangely meditative state.

EXT. THE ISLE OF FACES – SHORE – DAY

Bone-white weirwood trees populate the isle, each one bearing an old carved face. The dark, rich-red leaves rustle in the breeze. Old leaves break off and float gracefully to the snowy earth.

Brienne and Sansa place Bran’s wheelchair on the shore. They hear soft crunch, crunch, crunch in the distance. Brienne unsheathes her sword.

SANSA STARK

What was that?

BRIENNE OF TARTH

Step back, Lady Sansa.

A small green figure peers around the trunk of a massive weirwood tree. Then another. More Children of the Forest emerge from the grove.

One Child, ASH, steps forward, clearly the leader of the pack.

ASH

Brandon Stark?

BRANDON STARK

Hello.
     (to Brienne)
You may put away your weapon, Lady Brienne. The Children mean us no harm.

Brienne sheathes her sword –- for now.

ASH

What is your purpose on the Isle of Faces?

BRANDON STARK

I have come to defeat the Great Other.

ASH

The Great Other is south. Your place is there.

BRANDON STARK

My place is here. I am the Three-eyed Raven.

Chatter spreads through the Children. They whisper and speak in hushed tones.

BRANDON STARK (CONT’D)

Take us to the place where the Pact was forged. That is where my sight will be strongest.

Ash looks at Brienne and Sansa skeptically.

ASH

And who are they?

BRANDON STARK

My family.

ASH

Come.

The Children clear a path as Sansa pushes Bran’s wheelchair up the shore. The Children marvel at Brienne’s massive stature as she walks past them.

BRIENNE OF TARTH

Excuse me.

Ash motions for the three to follow her into the weirwood forest.

EXT. GREYJOY SHIP – SAILING – DAY

A longship chops through the sea. The House Greyjoy banner flaps violently in the wind.

THEON GREYJOY stands on the bow, looking through a spyglass at the blue vastness. He sees dozens of ships bearing the standard of House Targaryen.

THEON GREYJOY

It’s them. Hard to port!

EXT. BALERION – DECK – SAILING – DAY

A gangplank slams hard on the deck of Balerion.

DAENERYS TARGARYEN and JON SNOW are surrounded by a ragtag group of Unsullied and Northmen across the bridge.

Theon waits on his ship.

THEON GREYJOY

Permission to board?

JON SNOW

Granted.

Theon crosses the gangplank.

INT. BALERION – CABIN – SAILING – DAY

The war council convenes below deck as the ship rocks gently.

THEON GREYJOY

The Iron Fleet is five hundred ships strong and the Golden Company has at least twenty thousand men. All for Queen Cersei.

JON SNOW

We can take the city. We may not match their numbers, but we have what they don’t.

DAENERYS TARGARYEN

Dragons.

DAVOS SEAWORTH steps up to the table.

DAVOS SEAWORTH

Aye, dragons be mighty, but they are dangerous creatures. Their flames do not distinguish between friend and foe.

DAENERYS TARGARYEN

Do you presume to tell me that I cannot control my own dragons?

DAVOS SEAWORTH

I mean no offense Your Grace, but I saw what happened at Winterfell. We lost many good men to the flames.

BERIC DONDARRIAN speaks from the corner.

BERIC DONDARRIAN

A noble sacrifice.

DAVOS SEAWORTH

I see no nobility in dying for nothing.

BERIC DONDARRIAN

We all play our part in the game. You don’t know what that part is until you die.

DAVOS SEAWORTH

Your Lord of Light seems to require a lot of dying. I prefer a god that likes the living.

DAENERYS TARGARYEN

Ser Davos, you would rather face Cersei without–- [my help?]

JON SNOW

Stop. Squabbling amongst ourselves is not the answer. Ser Davos is right, we cannot afford to lose any more men. Daenerys is also right; we need her dragons.

DAENERYS TARGARYEN

I hear, Ser Davos. I will help with the attack on the Iron Fleet, where there is less risk to your men. But I will not stand by while your forces lose the gate.

DAVOS SEAWORTH

Thank you, Your Grace.

JON SNOW

Once Cersei is defeated, the Golden Company and Euron may rally to our cause.

THEON GREYJOY

Euron can’t be trusted.

JAIME LANNISTER

The Golden Company may join us if they know they won’t find any profit in backing Cersei.

ARYA STARK

Then we need to stop Cersei.

JAIME LANNISTER

You can leave that to me.

The HOUND weighs in from the back of the room.

SANDOR CLEGANE

Aye, and me. You won’t get to Cersei unless you can get through my brother. The brute is mine to kill.

VARYS steps up.

VARYS

My services may be of use, my lords. I can secure access to the Red Keep, unbeknownst to the Golden Company or Euron.

JON SNOW

We’ll strike from the inside and out. The three of you will subdue Cersei. Theon and Daenerys will lead the fleet down the Blackwater Rush. Ser Davos and I will storm the Mud Gate.
     (to Theon)
Inform the fleet. We attack at first light.

The war party disbands as Daenerys approaches Theon.

DAENERYS TARGARYEN

Ser Greyjoy.

THEON GREYJOY

I am no Ser, Your Grace.

DAENERYS TARGARYEN

Tell me about your sister.

The two depart the war room.

As Arya leaves, she stumbles. Jon moves to help her.

ARYA STARK

Stop fussing.

JON SNOW

You need to rest.

Jon looks at Arya’s disfigured face, its right half melted. A few bandages still cover her.

ARYA STARK

I’m well enough to fight. That’s all that matters.

JON SNOW

Someone who enters a fight ‘well enough’ may leave on a pyre.

She gestures to her face.

ARYA STARK

I got a start on the pyre.

JON SNOW

Don’t jape. I can’t bear it. I should have been there.

ARYA STARK

You were where you were supposed to be.

JON SNOW

No, I mean.
     (a beat)
I went to the Wall and left you. I left Bran, Sansa, Robb, Rickon.

ARYA STARK

As much as it pains me, and it does, that Dondarrion has a point. We all have our part to play in this game.
     (a beat)
Father couldn’t protect us. Nobody could protect us. And maybe protection wasn’t what we needed. Maybe we had to go through everything to prepare us for this battle, this moment.

JON SNOW

When did you get so wise?

ARYA STARK

Look at me. I wasn’t wise enough to know not to take on an undead dragon with a spear.

Jon hugs Arya, fiercely.

JON SNOW

I can’t lose again.

ARYA STARK

You’ll never lose me.

Arya breaks the hug, a tinge of regret.

ARYA STARK (CONT’D)

You know I have to go.

JON SNOW

You need to heal.

ARYA STARK

Sansa has gone with Bran. You and Daenerys are taking on the Golden Company and the Iron Fleet. Do you think I’m just going to sit and sew while everyone else fights?

Jon takes a close look at Arya. This isn’t the same girl he left at Winterfell all those years ago.

JON SNOW

Promise me you’ll be careful.

ARYA STARK

As careful as I need to be.

JON SNOW

Promise me.

Arya half-smiles.

ARYA STARK

Don’t worry. There’s only one thing we say to the God of Death.

JON SNOW

What’s that?

ARYA STARK

Not today.

Arya walks out, leaving Jon alone at the war table.

EXT. BALERION – DECK – SAILING – DAY

Daenerys gazes at the lights of King’s Landing in the distance. Jon joins her.

DAENERYS TARGARYEN

Tomorrow everything will be different. Cersei will be dealt with. The citizens of King’s Landing will be free from her tyranny.

JON SNOW

That’s a beautiful thought.

DAENERYS TARGARYEN

You don’t think we’ll win.

JON SNOW

We still have to fight this fight, and Cersei won’t surrender easily.

DAENERYS TARGARYEN

Dragons can be quite persuasive.

JON SNOW

Then we have the Night King and his Army of the Dead.

DAENERYS TARGARYEN

We will have added the Golden Company and Greyjoy forces to our ranks.

JON SNOW

No wonder people follow you. You make it sound like everything is possible.

DAENERYS TARGARYEN

And you make everything sound difficult.

JON SNOW

I don’t have dragons.

DAENERYS TARGARYEN

Of course you do. You have me.

Daenerys kisses Jon.

JON SNOW

I don’t want to lose you. Either of you.

Daenerys places Jon’s hand on her womb. The gentle waves rock the boat.

DAENERYS TARGARYEN

You won’t. I am yours.

JON SNOW

And you are mine.

Jon pulls Daenerys closer to him. They look toward the lights of King’s Landing together.

INT. THE SILENCE – BRIG – DAY

EURON GREYJOY steps into the dark and dank dungeons of the Silence.

He walks past dozens of empty cells, stopping at the last one.

INSIDE THE CELL is YARA GREYJOY, beaten and exhausted. Her arms are tied above her head.

Euron unlocks the cell and goes…

INT. THE SILENCE – CELL – DAY

Euron holds a torch close to Yara’s bloodied face. She slowly opens her blackened eyes.

EURON GREYJOY

Miss me?

YARA GREYJOY

I’m wet thinking of the things I would do to you.

EURON GREYJOY

I do love our one-on-one time. But someone wants to intrude. Little Theon.

YARA GREYJOY

Leave him alone.

EURON GREYJOY

What, no witty comeback? Have I broken that icy Ironborn reserve? Or have I finally plucked the nerve that makes you tingle.
     (a beat)
You want to see him?

Yara’s eyes roam around the cell frantically.

EXT. THE SILENCE – DECK – SAILING – DAY

Euron stands, eager for battle. In the distance, Theon’s fleet sails toward them.

EURON GREYJOY

Come, little Theon. Come to Uncle Euron. I have a present for you.

Euron leans over the bow. Yara is bound and gagged, hanging over the waters. Euron laughs.

INT. GREYJOY SHIP – DECK – SAILING – DAY

Theon eyes the incoming fleet. He shouts to HARRAG, who steers the longship.

THEON GREYJOY

We’ll be on them any second now. Hold true and aim for the Silence. Once we reach them–- (look for Yara.)

Theon is interrupted by a deafening screech from DROGON. The great black beast flies right past them.

A moment later RHAEGAL dives past the fleet. Theon’s men cheer.

EXT. THE SILENCE – DECK – DAY

Euron watches the incoming dragons.

EURON GREYJOY

Just who I wanted to see.

A battle cry snaps Euron out of his mesmerized state. Theon’s ships are mere seconds away.

EXT. BLACKWATER BAY – DAY

The two fleets collide.

The sound of splintering wood fills the air as war ships crash together. Gangplanks slam onto deck railings

Boarding parties with swords in hand rush onto enemy ships. Ironborn fights Ironborn.

The UNSULLIED join the fray.

Euron’s fleet tries to board the Unsullied ships. The Unsullied release a volley of arrows, piercing the Ironborn’s weak armor. Dozens of men collapse in an instant and fall into Blackwater Bay.

EXT. BLACKWATER BAY – SKY – DAY

Daenerys watches the chaos beneath her as she soars on dragonback.

She shouts to Drogon and Rhaegal.

DAENERYS TARGARYEN

Dracarys!

The dragons light the Greyjoy ships ablaze.

Men burst into flame and throw themselves into the water. Sails burn wildly and disintegrate in the wind. The dragonfire consumes the ships, sinking them instantly.

Daenerys hears men screaming in High Valyrian. She looks down — a group of Unsullied have been caught in Rhaegal’s flames. She doesn’t have time to grieve.

Daenerys flies Drogon higher into the air.

EXT. KING’S LANDING – MUD GATE – DAY

HARRY STRICKLAND and the Golden Company watch in awe as the Dragon Queen torches Euron’s ships.

Strickland faces his men.

HARRY STRICKLAND

They said old Tywin Lanniser shat gold. Not only does Queen Cersei shit gold, she spews it from her cunt!

The men erupt in laughter.

HARRY STRICKLAND (CONT’D)

Those wicked beasts will be no match for our scorpions. If we defend King’s Landing, we’ll be rich beyond our wildest dreams. We were told to expect a ground force, but all I see out there is–- [a few measly ships.]

Harry is cut off by the war cry of thousands of men charging directly at them. A host of Unsullied, Night’s Watch, Wildlings, Knights of the Vale, and Northmen rush the beach.

Strickland’s bravado fades fast.

HARRY STRICKLAND (CONT’D)

Ready! Hold formation!

The sellswords SHOUT and ready their defensive position.

EXT. KING’S LANDING – BEACH – DAY

Jon leads the vanguard alongside Davos, Jorah, and Beric as thousands of men charge along the beach.

The two armies collide in an explosion of metal and death.

INT. RED KEEP – THRONE ROOM – DAY

CERSEI LANNISTER sits poised on the Iron Throne. The MOUNTAIN looms beside her. Lords and ladies fill the royal court. They are restless.

CERSEI LANNISTER

I assure you no harm will come to us.

LORD #1

There are dragons outside the city walls!

Other lords murmur agreement.

CERSEI LANNISTER

I am aware.

LORD #1

And what is your plan, Your Grace?

CERSEI LANNISTER

We have the protection of the City Watch, the Golden Company, and Euron Greyjoy.

LORD #1

The Targaryen girl burned our soldiers alive for not bending the knee. Perhaps we should negotiate.

CERSEI LANNISTER

What did you say?

LORD #1

Perhaps we should–- [negotiate.]

CERSEI LANNISTER

Ah, that’s what I thought you said. Ser Gregor, show this lord how we negotiate.

Two Queensguards grab the hapless man. The Mountain approaches the frightened lord.

LORD #1

No, Your Grace. Please.

Cersei squeezes the edges of the Iron Throne. Blood oozes from her fingers as the sharp blades cut into her flesh.

The Mountain unsheathes his massive great sword. In one smooth movement, he brings it down, splitting the lord head to groin. The lord falls to the floor in two halves.

The lords and ladies of the court blanch –- but they hold their tongues.

CERSEI LANNISTER

Out! All of you.

The throne room empties quickly.

CERSEI LANNISTER (CONT’D)

Where is the Hand?

QYBURN enters and bows.

QYBURN

Your Grace, I just heard that fighting has begun outside the city walls at the Mud Gate.

CERSEI LANNISTER

Any word of the Night King?

QYBURN

My informants tell me he and his army should be here soon.

CERSEI LANNISTER

Good. I have waited to meet this creature for quite some time. Evacuate the Red Keep. Everyone must leave, save me, you, and the Queensguard.

QYBURN

At once, Your Grace.

Qyburn bows again and leaves the room.

Cersei sits on the Iron Throne, alone.

EXT. THE SILENCE – DECK – SAILING – DAY

Euron slashes an Unsullied soldier with his battle axe. Blood spurts from the Unsullied’s neck, painting Euron’s face red.

Three Northmen land on the deck. They encircle Euron, who lets out a blood-thirsty shout.

Euron slams his axe into one skull, then he swings it to meet the blade of another.

He kicks the man in the groin. An instant later, Euron cuts the man across the face, killing him instantly.

The third Northman turns to run. He crumples, a throwing axe lodged in his back.

Euron pulls his axe from the fallen man, then walks toward the bow and Yara. She still struggles to free herself.

EURON GREYJOY

Here, let me help you.

Euron grabs Yara’s wrist and frees her arm, yanking it toward his axe.

Euron slashes Yara’s wrist in one quick motion.

EURON GREYJOY (CONT’D)

There we go, love.

Euron watches as Yara’s blood drips into the ocean.

Something ROCKS the ship –- Euron STUMBLES.

He peers over the edge and sees a translucent yellow glow in the water.

Euron looks to Daenerys in the sky.

EURON GREYJOY (CONT’D)

When the kraken meets the dragon, let all the world beware.

EXT. KING’S LANDING – STREETS – DAY

Smallfolk watch in awe as Drogon and Rhaegal fly over the city. The Dragon Queen is here!

As the two dragons unleash their fiery breath, the people’s awe turns to fear. The smallfolk hide, cursing the gods.

A THIRD DRAGON flies overhead, this one dark gray.

EXT. KING’S LANDING – SKY – DAY

A bright blue eye watches the battle below.

The NIGHT KING flies on VISERION. He watches Daenerys blast the Greyjoy ships.

He sees Jon fight the Golden Company.

Viserion SCREECHES.

Daenerys and Drogon hear his cry, but…

…as a massive scorpion bolt flies past them. Dany sees…

…a row of deadly scorpion weapons, set up at the Mud Gate. She flies Drogon to the beach.

END OF ACT ONE