Hi there! This is my first Game Of Thrones story and imma be honest that I don't know too much. . .okay like, I've seen the seasons but I suck at retaining some details, okie? That's why I have a co-author! Aviator39 will be helping me on this story (you should so totally check out her stories) and I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed writing it.
Now on to the serious business: please, I am begging, that especially here on the first chapter, no one leaves a review saying something like 'that would never happen' or 'this doesn't make sense' or any of those types of reviews. Its the first chapter, there's so freaking much about the plot and it gets explained as we go.
Also, some characters may be OOC, but only a tad. I get people love the canon characters to be as close as possible, but seriously, we came here for fan fiction and if I want to resurrect Renly and have him dance through a lake catching butterflies with a banana squash I can label it crack and post it.
Just enjoy the story and leave a review, please lol.
NOTE: Yes, I realize Jaime's name is spelt wrong and I will fix that but at the moment it is. . .almost 2:30 in the morning where I live and I just want to post this and sleep.
Heat.
In the dream, she had felt the heat of dragons breath.
It burned the hairs upon her arms and upon her head, but did not harm her skin. She had felt the raw heat as she never had before, where typically walking through the flames. . .she remained unburnt.
This was different.
Daenerys had awoke that morning knowing things were about to change.
She didn't know how, but something was coming, and the dream had shown her a figure made of curves and golden eyes that commanded her dragons against her.
It haunted her through her day, even when the ships bearing the Stark emblem had begun to arrive on her shore.
Her feet ache, and that is putting it mildly as she hurried down the main thoroughfare that led to the Great Pyramid. So many bodies had pressed against her, threatened to knock her off balance in her own haste, but she had an important message to deliver.
She had been down at the docks when the Stark ships had joined the Greyjoy ones and she had known then that she could no longer delay meeting with the Queen.
"Too many bloody people," Ontari muttered to herself as a rug merchant nearly knocked her to the ground as he pushed by with his cart. "The great city of Meereen indeed," she grumbled as she stared up at the looming pyramid and the stairs leading to its entrance.
"Here goes nothing," she breathed and began climbing.
"Lord Commander," Jon sighed at the title still pushed upon him, but he did not correct the young man. "There is a ship docked bearing a Lannister flag."
Interesting.
"One ship," Jon questioned, never taking his eyes off of the coast, the waiting figure of a dwarf in the port. "The dwarf?"
"No sir, the letter from the raven says Tyrion Lannister has been serving Daenerys Targaryan. The man that lead this ship was tall and fair-haired."
Jamie Lannister? In Mereen? Should he not be at Cersei's side as she claimed the throne? Or perhaps she had sent him here to behead the Dragon Queen and eliminate one of her main threats?
Jon's hand tightened on the pommel of his sword. We shall see. . .
Jamie had his real hand wrapped around one of his ship's ropes, while the gold one hung at his side. The salty sea air raked over him as he watched the wavering figure of his brother retreating from the port, towards the pyramid no doubt, to warn his new queen.
"If there was ever a time to pray to the gods it would be now," he murmured to himself, ice blue eyes scanning the docks of Meereen as his soldiers guided their ship into port. "I hear that the Dragon Queen's heart is not of a gentle disposition."
"Do you believe she will give us an audience, my lord?" One of his men inquired as he adjusted the red sail bearing the Lannister sigil. "I hear that she is also reasonable."
Jamie nodded distractedly, gaze zeroing in on a flash of dark hair and glowing skin before it vanished into the crowds heading towards the Great Pyramid.
She climbed the steps in a haste, stopping once to look back and gaze at the incoming ships. A wolf and a lion clapped at the wind, coasting towards the harbor in an urgent pace; she had little time, and yet she believed she had arrived at the perfect moment.
But she needed to corner Daenerys by herself.
Her eyes lingered on the fierce, perched lion sigil and chewed on her lip before gathering her skirts in hand once again and hurrying up the steps. The sun beat on her back through the cloth, and her heart was thrumming in her chest, but that could have been from anything.
Like the scent of dragons breath on the wind.
Finding a merchant ship to carry them out of King's Landing was the easy part. She had given the man her crown in payment for passage. But the hard part was surviving the journey across the Narrow Sea - the storms and the sea sickness were not something she ever believed one could get accustomed to.
"We made it," Margaery sighed in relief as she and her grandmother watched the pyramids of Meereen rise up over the horizon, the wind carrying them swiftly into the bustling harbor. "We've truly made it," she smiled genuinely for the first time in months, the horrors of her imprisonment seeming far behind her for now.
Olena nodded, her gaze as indiscernible as always. "Yes, now we must just convince this Dragon Queen that we are worth her time," she stated pragmatically. "Which I hear is apparently no easy task."
"We will make her see us," Margaery replied, voice full with determination. "For our sakes and for the sake of everyone left in King's Landing."
And perhaps, any in Westeros as well.
Daenerys let her thoughts wander as she made her way to her chambers, still trying to discern the meaning of her dream. Her fingers played with the silver curls that hung in front of one shoulder as she nodded to the Unsullied posted outside her doors before entering.
She felt the presence almost immediately, it being both strange and familiar at the same time.
"Who goes there?" Daenerys asked calmly, even as her pulse quickened and fear trailed down her spine. "I demand that you show yourself," she ordered, violet eyes scanning her rooms.
Slowly a figure emerged from the shadows near her bathing chamber and she eyed the dagger resting atop her desk. It was not far, but judging with sight alone, Daenerys knew she would not be able to reach it in time. If the girl had snuck past the Unsullied and snuck upon her, a dagger would do no good not already in her hand.
"I mean you no harm, Daenerys Stormborn," the girl interjected her, her gold eyes imploring as she stepped further into the main chamber. "There is something I must tell you and I knew that waiting for an official audience would take far too long," she continued, hands held outward with the palms facing towards Dany. "I beseech you to listen to what I have to say. . .please."
Daenerys eyed the woman and her dark locks done in intricate braids down the sides, frayed and loose from being unattended for so long. She wore a strange garb, something the young woman had never seen before; it was neither posh nor poor, she had no place in the world in her eyes.
"And you ask such a lofty favor after sneaking into my private quarter," Daenerys did not waver, eyes narrowed and firm on the woman. "But you may speak before I have you taken away."
The woman swallowed thickly and lowered her hands. "Daenerys, Khaleesi, I have come to you to offer my aid."
"What aid could I need from you?"
"I am Ontari, priestess and assassin to the long line of Targaryens before you," Daenerys' eyes immediately turned into deeper suspicion. "I know those words seem unbelievable, but I assure you I mean you no harm. I have been tied to your bloodline since their dawn and I have been awoken to serve you now that you have brought dragons back to the world."
Before Daenerys could speak, the girl continued. "I served your father and his father before him and his father before that and so on and so forth," Ontari pushed on, golden eyes flicking around Daenery's face for any sign that the Queen believed her. "I have lived for hundreds if not thousands of years. I tended to the great dragons of old and taught Targaryen kings and queens how to speak to them."
Dany's eyes widened ever so slightly as she absorbed this information. "You knew my father and. . .Rhaegar," she murmured, her shoulders losing some of the tension they held. "But how do I know that you are who you say you are?"
"Your sigil is branded into the back of my neck, Khaleesi," Ontari explained, brushing a braid away from her haunting gold eyes. "If you would permit me to come closer, you may examine it for yourself."
Daenerys still eyed the woman with apprehension, well-placed apprehension. It was a hard concept to wrap her head around, a woman suddenly appearing in her room, claiming to have served old gods and masters. But then again, Daenerys had brought dragons to the sky's once more, and creatures and figures of old were not simple myths these days, so there was a single, fragile strand of trust between her and this golden eyed woman.
"Come to me," Daenerys ordered, voice strong and chin high.
Ontari nodded and approached her with practiced grace, turned at Daenerys' beckoning and tugging on her hair. As she had said, there was a raised figure of scar tissue bearing her mark; Daenerys ran her fingers over it, questions running through her brain.
"I have served you many years before you were even conceived," Ontari murmured, head half turned towards the silver haired young woman. "I would like to formerly serve you, and lend my knowledge as well."
Dany chewed on her lower lip while Ontari still had her back to her, letting her run delicate fingers over the raised scar of the three-headed dragon. "Did they force this brand on you?" She asked after several moments of silence. "I imagine it hurt quite a bit." Her fingers still lingered on the girl's skin.
"No, Khaleesi. They did not force me," Ontari assured Daenerys, smiling at the way the Queen trailed her fingers along her neck. "In truth, the brand was an idea of my own conception," she continued softly. "I felt that something other than my word and the writings of others to assure further rulers that I was who I said I was."
"Practical. But forgive me if I do not understand subjecting yourself to such pain to merely prove who you are," Daenerys replied, finally removing her fingers from Ontari's skin as she took a couple practiced steps back. "But, I will not lie that it assures me that you are indeed who you say you are."
A lie.
It was not the sigil alone, worn and deep into her skin, that had Daenerys somehow believing the girl who had snuck into her room, that couldn't wait. There was something to her words that rang true, Daenerys couldn't shake off the trust that had already begun to form.
Ontari bowed slightly at the waist. "I belong to House Targaryen," she promised. "It has always been so, my knowledge of the dragons has been what I am here for, among other things."
That was the most interesting part for Daenerys.
If this woman was who she said she was, if she really had knowledge and fought for her ancestors, she could be a valuable asset and ally in the wars to come.
"I must say, I am mostly convinced of your honesty and loyalty. Others may have a hard time processing, but perhaps you can prove your words and turn them around."
Ontari lifted the right corner of her lips in a small smile. "Do you mean Ser Barristan Selmy," she asked, gold eyes bright. "If he is anything like I remember him being then he will most certainly remember me," a genuine smile lit up her features. "I was the only one who could win a drinking contest against him."
Dany chuckled lightly, expression and posture fully relaxing finally as she observed how Ontari's hands lingered around her stomach. "I do not believe that is a sight I would be prepared to see," she said, motioning for the girl to follow her out of her chambers and towards the throne room, lavender eyes watching as Ontari pressed her hand flat against her stomach. "You are pregnant."
It was both a question and statement that had Ontari jerking her head up to stare at Daenerys.
"I am Khaleesi," Ontari answered, anxiousness leaking into her voice and causing the baby to deliver a strong kick. "Nearly three months along," she proffered as she rubbed at the spot on her belly that was just kicked.
"I would have thought you would know better than to risk a pregnancy," Daenerys observed, fingers laced in front of her. "With what you do, and the path you have now set yourself upon. It seems dangerous, reckless almost."
Ontari sighed softly. "It was not planned, but the man I love. . .he has lost too many of his children. I want it as well because I love him, the first man I have ever had feelings for, and I would not deprive him of what is consistently stolen from him."
Daenerys nodded, lips pressed tightly together as the reminder of how she lost her only child flashed across her mind's eye - the pain still as sharp as the day it happened. "All I ask is that you are careful and do strain yourself," she murmured as they approached the throne room. "I too know all to well the pain that the loss of a child can bring."
"I shall be careful," Ontari assured Dany, being so bold as to rest a small hand on the Queen's shoulder. "And I draw comfort knowing that my child will grow up around the strongest woman of our age."
"You flatter," Dany replied, blushing slightly - how did this girl manage to draw such reactions from her?
Not since Khal Drogo had her cheeks been heated in anything other than anger.
But this woman, so easily, had done so and Daenerys was in denial. She looked away from Ontari quickly, hearing the heavy patter of boots comings towards the throne room. Her throne was cold beneath her, back straight and expression neutral while Ontari lingered behind her.
Daenerys could feel the hesitation from her.
Jon strode beside Jamie Lannister in tense silence down the halls of the Great Pyramid that lead to the throne room. Of course the lion would be a coward and run from the reign of his mad sister, only to claim to be pledging his loyalty to another Queen.
Queen Daenerys Targaryen. A mystery in and of herself. The Mother of Dragons. Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea.
How many titles did a girl need exactly?
As they entered the throne room his thoughts ceased their churning and his dark eyes settled on the pale skin and silver haired figure sitting on an obsidian bench staring down at all them with a vague disinterest.
Jon swallowed softly, fists clenching at his sides as he strode at a slower pace towards the seated queen, Jamie at his side and still holding that regal stance even after all this time.
Pale eyes stared down at them in a scrutinizing manner at this point, her stance poised and perfect, considering she had never known true royalty and had lived with the Dothraki.
Jon was more than impressed with this small woman.
"Jon Snow," she spoke, voice fluid and practiced; she had known he was coming for miles perhaps. "Jamie Lannister. . .your brother has been quite the asset here in Mereen."
Jamie inclined his head, although his eyes remained fixed on the girl standing behind Daenerys and next the Queen's handmaiden and translator, Missandei. "That is what I have heard, Your Grace," he said, voice carrying well in the stone chamber. "I am glad he has finally found somewhere where he is both wanted and needed."
"Perhaps those in King's Landing should have listen to him, no?" Daenerys inquired coolly. "Then they would not be in the situation they're in now," she gave Jamie a cool smile. "For what purpose do you com here, Jamie Lannister?"
Jamie swallowed, blue eyes never leaving Ontari as she stepped forward to murmur a few words into Daenerys' ear. Her gown was of black and gold, a hugging bust that flared at the waist into soft skirts, gold outlining the folds of her corset. Though she had a small sheen of swesr from her climb, and her hair seemed more poof than posh, she was well put together.
"This is him," Daenerys asked Ontari in hushed Valyrian, violet eyes remaining fixed on the King Slayer who was now under the scrutinizing gaze of Ser Barristan.
Ontari nodded softly and stepped back again, eyes fixated on the man in golden armor; he never ceased to remain shimmering and golden.
"I have come to pledge my sword to you," Jamie raises his chin as Daenerys raised an eyebrow. "To protect and serve you. . ." His eyes flickered to Ontari. "And any other you deem in need of protection and council."
There was a silence.
Despite Tyrion's helpfulness, the rumors and truths of Jamie Lannister were enough to give pause and thought on whether he could be truly loyal and would be accepted into the fold.
"If I may speak, Khaleesi," Ontari murmured, stepping forward once more when Daenerys nodded her head. "Jamie is not the man that fodder and idle gossip has turned him into. True, he bears the title Kingslayer. But he protects those he loves with a ferocity worthy of his sigil," she paused, gold eyes warm as they came to rest on Jamie. "I would trust him with our child's life, Khaleesi."
Daenerys quirked her lips in a half-smile. "Do you indeed love Ontari and your unborn child, Jamie Lannister," Daenerys asked, voice even and gaze unflinching as she stared him down - a dragon and lion locking gazes.
"I am not my sister," Jamie said firmly, hate in the back of his throat. "I loved my children, every one of them, and I love the one growing inside of her. She is the reason I am in Mereen," he paused. "I also figured, while I'm here, I may as well join the winning side of the battle."
Daenerys arched an eyebrow at the man, the way he watched Ontari with a gaze as though he were asking for her permission. Daenerys looked back at Ontari, but she made no movement besides blinking as she stared at her lover.
Daenerys sighed. "You may stay, Jamie Lannister."
"Thank you, Your Grace," Jamie answered, bowing deeply before stepping aside to let Jon come forward as more hurried footsteps came towards the throne room. "I will do my utmost to assure you that your faith is not misplaced."
Jon eyed the Kingslayer as he steppes forward, his fur cloak suddenly seeming very warm under Daenerys' impassive gaze.
"And what is it that you want, Jon Snow," she asked evenly. "Have you come to claim some birthright?" Daenerys continued as she stood and came down a few steps. "I know you are my brother's son."
Eyes fell upon Jon, all but Ontari shocked and disbelieving; Jamie seemed almost unsurprised, but it was still a tall tale to any ears. Jon stared at Daenerys with a stunned yet stoic expression, eyes shaking as they darted around Daenerys' face, then to Ontari's solemn gaze.
"Ned Stark was my -"
"Rhaeger was your father," Ontari said evenly. "I assisted in your delivery, your mother made Ned Stark promise to never speak of this. You became the bastard," Ontari paused with all eyes on her. "They would both be so proud of you."
"You look no younger than twenty," Jon snapped in a bitter way. "How can I believe you? This is lunacy."
"It is truth."
Daenerys raised a hand, silencing the room. "These final details are for later, I should not have said anything."
"Some things aren't meant to be kept silent."
A new voice interjected and Jamie and Jon turned to take in the sea weary figure of Margaery and Olena Tyrell. They held to each other with haggard eyes, hair a mess and dresses in shambles. They looked every bit the weary runaways that they were, having seen a great terror and still in the after shock.
"Well I'm glad we made it while everybody was still here," Margaery breathed in relief.
"The last surviving Tyrells," Daenerys intoned, giving the two women a curious look. "I cannot say I am surprised," she said, taking in the plain clothing and limp hair. "I am, however, curious as to what you are doing in my city."
Margaery swallowed, ignoring the dryness in her throat and the way her stomach clenched with hunger. "We've come seeking refuge from Queen Cersei," she explained, glancing at her grandmother. "And we have come to pledge loyalty to you."
"Well, aren't you the popular one," the sly smirk of Tyrion entered the room, hands clasped behind his back. "It is good to see you brother, it has been quite the time."
"You could have come home," Jamie sighed, tired himself.
"Nonsense, then I would not be the Hand of the Dragon Queen," he tapped the emblem Daenerys had pinned to him. "And you claim home, and yet here you are pledging yourself to her feet."
"If you could spare me your petty sibling squabble," Daenerys stated, upper lip curling slightly. "I will hear everyone's proposals in the morning," she said, walking back up the steps and past the throne to pause at Ontari's side. "Tend to the Lady Margaery tonight. If the reports from King's Landing are true then she has been through more than most."
Ontari nodded softly, glad to finally feel like she was settling into her old role.
"Missandei will show you all to your quarters," Dany said over her shoulder as she motioned for Ontari, Ser Barristan and Tyrion to follow her. "There is much we need to discuss," she murmured as they made their way to the strategy room, its balcony doors thrown open to allow the sweet night air in.
"So," Tyrion murmured, peering up at Ontari as he nearly hugged her side. "You plan to bear my brothers child?"
Ontari's jaw flexed. "Yes," she looked down at him, feeling her regal pride returning. "We love each other, why would I do otherwise?"
"Many, reasons girl," Tyrion yawned as Daenerys peered over Mereen, fingers strumming on the balcony railing. "But we are in arms, I am assuming you have role in our queens council now?"
"She will serve in whatever capacity is required," Daenerys stated firmly as she strode back in, posture straight as ever. "Whether it be to council me or anything else," she paused and leveled the others in the room with a stern gaze as Daario joined them. "Ontari is to be treated with the same respect you would afford each other. Do I make myself clear?"
The others nodded, even as Ser Barristan and Daario eyed Ontari skeptically and with a decent amount of suspicion.
"If you would excuse me Khaleesi, you asked that I tend to Lady Margaery," Ontari interrupted gently, bowing. "If my presence will not be missed, I will go do as you have asked."
Dany dipped her head minutely before waving Ontari away, violet eyes watching the girl's retreating back.