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In S6E7 of Game of Thrones we are told that

Yara and Theon are looking towards an alliance with Dany

Why would Dany ever agree to that proposal? What do they have to offer her? Surely she'd take their allegiance but they don't have any means to advance Dany's quest, do they.

Am I missing something here? This looks like more characters heading for certain death. Or are we going to theorise a few more Targaryen bastards are about to be revealed?

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3 Answers 3

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In S6E6, after Danys speech, she's declaring that

they will need "a thousand ships" to cross the narrow sea. How convenient that one of the best fleets in Westeros is already on their way to her.

Here's the actual dialog:

Dany: How many ships will I need to bring my khalasar to Westeros?
Daario: Dothraki and all their horses, the Unsullied, the Second Sons. 1,000 ships easily. Probably more.

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    - Hey Daario, how many ships will we need to get over to Westeros? - I dunno, whatever Euron said last episode
    – Petersaber
    Commented Jun 7, 2016 at 11:30
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    Iron Fleet is pretty fearsome but it is comprised of longships except a few bigger vassals. They are no match for Southern Galleys and dromonds as Stannis proved when he smashed the Iron Fleet. Not really the best fleet imo. +1 anyways
    – Aegon
    Commented Jun 7, 2016 at 11:34
  • @Aegon edited the answer per your wise words. Also, for reference: "It is one of the three most powerful fleets of Westeros, along with the royal fleet of the crownlands and the Redwyne fleet of the Arbor." awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Iron_Fleet
    – ullstrm
    Commented Jun 7, 2016 at 11:36
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    @user1129682 actutally, they are in possess of quite a considerable amount of the standing iron fleet. Euron is building new ships as we speak! Also, this storyline is show only, so there's no proof from the books. In the books, it's Victarion - by Eurons orders - who's sailing to Dany with around 90-100 ships.
    – ullstrm
    Commented Jun 7, 2016 at 12:00
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    It could be that Yara has the support of a large number (though maybe not the majority) of the active sailors, since she's served with them, led them into battle, earned their respect, etc... but much less against the island population, the shipbuilders, etc who are chicken-hawkish and more old-fashioned about women. She had enough to take a huge chunk of the best of the currently standing Iron Fleet (which could have been partly from inattention, as many of the opposed soldiers were attending Euron's drowning), at least, that much was outright stated. Euron has to build more to catch up.
    – starpilotsix
    Commented Jun 7, 2016 at 13:16
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Dany wants to attack Westeros. To do that she needs a fighting force in Westeros. So far the plan has always been to move that fighting force to Westeros by sea.

The Greyjoys have a number of ships, and a number of men. If used as a fighting force, their numbers are small. While the amount of ships and men is small, there is value there. Yet, the far more valuable thing they can offer is a number of experienced men who can teach her people how to build ships, how to sail ships, and how naval combat works.

While there is an alternative source of Greyjoy ships, Dany doesn't know that yet. Once a deal has been struck it can't be undone without harming one's reputation.

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While I understand the fact that Daenerys would surely sympathize with Yara, don't forget that she (Yara) aims to name herself queen of the Iron Islands. Dany likely won't support her in gaining that title since her current goal is to take Westeros back and rule as queen of all 7 kingdoms. Yara and Theon have more to offer her than you think. Remember that they took all of the best and fastest ships from the Iron Fleet. While they may not be nearly enough to transport Dany's troops, they can likely outmaneuver most enemy ships and be useful in the actual naval combat as well as moving troops quickly. Yara's men also have great knowledge of the sea and coast along their stretch of territory and are fierce warriors themselves. Add to that their strong sailing skills and you have a nice little package to offer. Add to that the fact that Euron can't even be trusted by his own kin and is power-hungry, and the decision is easy. I assume she won't give Yara nearly as much as she is receiving, but being on the Dragon Queen's good side can't hurt.

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  • Wouldn't be so sure of that. As Renly said, "King is only a word". Daenerys can allow Yara to call herself Queen as long as she does fealty to Daenerys and answers her calls to arms.
    – Aegon
    Commented Jun 10, 2016 at 5:01
  • Can one call oneself a queen if one owes fealty to a queen? When the King in the North bowed to the Conquering Dragon King, he became the Lord Paramount and Warden of the North. Moreover, to me, it's really an issue of maintaining respect and power. If she allows one woman from a tiny part of her kingdom to prance about & call herself queen, it would inevitably lead to others doing so, diminishing the power of the title, in my opinion. It seems politically unsound. It also seems to me a great boon on Dany's part for a largely disparate contribution. (P.S. saw your profile. LotR + GoT = <3333)
    – Heathen
    Commented Jun 10, 2016 at 17:07
  • There is already precedent for it. Dornish rulers are allowed to call themselves princes and princesses 9. Renly offered the same privilege to Robb Stark.
    – Aegon
    Commented Jun 10, 2016 at 19:27
  • P.s. Dornish Kings and Queens called themselves Princes and Princesses. Their culture does not have kings or queens
    – Aegon
    Commented Jun 10, 2016 at 19:28
  • Ah, but Dorne was the only part of the Seven Kingdoms that the Targaryens were unable to defeat.. I would also note that, no matter the culture, prince/princess does not equal king/queen. Anyhow, with Dorne being folded into the culture of the rest of the Seven Kingdoms, though prince and princess might be THEIR highest title, it is not for anyone else. Besides, everyone else considers it a courtesy title only. Renly offering the same to Robb Stark is a different matter. A.) Robb Stark (and the North, by extension) was a potential HUGE ally to Renly, who really had no claim to the throne.
    – Heathen
    Commented Jun 12, 2016 at 3:05

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