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...
I just want to say thank you to all those who reviewed this so far, this update is for you guys. I wasn't expecting such a response and it was incredible to hear so much positivity for this coupling and this piece.
(Big love to doctorwhofan12345, Hadassa96, Ilena Petrova, Ali Nowac, Don't forget to breath, uhouse, LoveGameOfThrones, also this, Ragamuffin47 and the two guests signed off as Grumpy and GREAT START. You all made my day yesterday.)
I hope you enjoy this chapter. If I'm honest I don't actually have much inspiration for this piece yet (that may change after the next episode is aired though, I hope!) so any suggestions you guys can make for what you'd like to see, fun little scenarios, would be appreciated.
A Clash of Queens
"So what did you think?" Yara asked Theon, hiding a grin as they walked through the corridors to their allocated chambers.
They had been out exploring Meereen for the past few hours until the sun had set over the great pyramid, marvelling at its wonders and the strange ways of the people who lived there. The sights and smells and chatter of the people had immersed them in a world so different from all they had ever known that they had felt overwhelmed. A fruit vender's daughter had laughed until her sides hurt to see Theon attempt to eat a pomegranate as he would an apple, spitting out the tough outer skin with an expression of disgust and bewilderment. She had then proceeded to demonstrate how to go about carving it open to get to the sweet, strange seeds inside. The Ironborn siblings had spent the rest of the day picking out the tough inner parts of the seeds from between their teeth, what strange fruit indeed.
The rich aroma of the spices surrounding them, mixing with the tang of the sea breeze, awoke a huge hunger in them both as well, an appetite fruit alone could not satisfy. They roamed around the large market, browsing stall after stall of pungent foods in the hopes of seeing something familiar but in the end resigning themselves to something called couscous heaped with a stew of chickpeas and vegetables cooked in a fragrant mixture of spices that neither of them had ever tasted before. Theon wrinkled his nose and bravely took a bite, his expression unconvinced until the flavours burst in his mouth and he gave his sister a wide grin.
They had both ate with gusto after that, relishing every morsel of the foreign food and beaming at each other in joy at this discovery, this strange shared experience.
Now, having returned to the pyramid itself, the location of their earlier audience, their conversation turned back to their day's meeting with the Dragon Queen.
"I think the two of you would make a formidable team," he replied before meeting her eyes with a twinkle that had been absent for so long, "I also think she took a liking to you, dear sister."
Yara laughed and clapped him on the back, almost winding him. "You think so?"
"I have experience with women, plenty of it." He chuckled, "and that one would be a good catch, far above any I've ever managed, but yes I think so."
"She is something," Yara murmured softly.
It wasn't often the siblings shared a laugh, shared easy company like they had this day; teasing each other about their sunburn, about women, about little things and big and delighting in the discovery of new and wonderful experiences together. Their relationship had always been defined by serious matters but Yara discovered she enjoyed the spark of mischief in her little brother's eyes and she hoped now that the worst was over they could enjoy more such times.
When they arrived at their chambers they were met with several serving girls holding towels.
"What do you want?" Yara asked, slightly annoyed by the intrusion as she had planned on enjoying some wine and relaxing before sleep, not being bothered by whatever this was.
"Our Queen said you would be tired after your day and may desire a bath," the older of the girls replied, her voice calm and confident.
"A bath?" Yara sneered. She would submerge herself in the sea for bathing at home, as did the rest of the Ironborn. Baths were for those fragrant mainlander pussies, not the likes of her.
"I'd love a bath." Theon smiled encouragingly at them and followed a girl out of the doors, turning around to his sister at the doorway. "Give it a try, sis. You never know, you may enjoy yourself." With that he was gone, eager to be pampered like some southern princess. Reminding her of the gulf that had been between them, of his childhood spent away with lords and ladies who likely took these baths every day.
The remaining girls looked at her expectantly and she glared at them, picking up the goblet of unwatered wine on the side that had been waiting for her and downing it quickly, feeling its warmth seep into her bones.
"Fine." She rolled her eyes. Her brother had finally embraced all it meant to be Ironborn, building a bridge between them over time and making her proud, maybe it would go someway to understanding him if she offered the same courtesy. "When in Meereen..."
"You will bathe?" A relieved sounding serving girl confirmed.
"Sure." She placed the goblet back down and strolled off after them, wondering what on earth she had let herself in for. She had to admit, she was curious.
Eventually they came to a door with steam curling out from the frame and a faint soapy smell surrounding it. This must be the baths. The serving girls opened the door and a bloom of steam hit them all, enveloping the girls and causing Yara to step back and gasp.
"Don't worry, it's pleasant when you're inside," a younger girl reassured her.
The heat and humidity and thick steam hit her as she entered. This was pleasant to these women? Were she not such a proud woman she would have choked on the foul sensation of being overwhelmed by steam and bolted out of there, back to the safety of her chambers. Back to breathable air. But she was Yara Greyjoy. She took a deep breath of the thick humid air and exhaled slowly, repeating the process until she found herself slowly getting used to the sensation, and then she walked forward with purpose, following the faint outlines of the girls far ahead of her in the steam filled room.
They took her to a wooden bench where they lay down the towels and turned to her. "We will undress you now, Queen Yara."
"What?" Yara recoiled, backing away from them and frowning. "No one said anything about-"
They giggled softly. "Well you couldn't very well bathe in your clothes, could you?" One teased.
This hadn't occurred to her. She always bathed in her clothes in the sea.
"I shall undress myself then." She recovered and waved them all away brusquely.
They nodded, exchanged amused glances which annoyed Yara and scampered off obediently. She sighed, finally she was alone.
Carefully she took off her sword and knives, laying them inside the towels in the hope it would protect them from rust damage in the moisture. Why had she not thought to remove them before coming? Well, she had learned that lesson, in case there was a next time.
She then peeled off her layers of clothing one by one and lay them carefully on the bench until she was completely naked. It felt strange, the caress of the steam against her bare flesh, but not at all unpleasant. Goosebumps rose up on her arms and she shivered. She walked over to where the soap and rough wash cloth were waiting for her and began to scrub tentatively at her skin, scraping layers of dirt from her travel weary body and running the soap through her matted hair before pouring a vat of water over herself and rinsing thoroughly. Her skin blushed a bright pink and her scalp felt refreshed from the treatment, maybe there was something in this bathing after all. She positively tingled all over.
She was about to head over to the pools of fragrant, warmed water to soak and allow her thoughts to dance around her in this peaceful sanctuary when she heard the soft padding of feet close by and turned with a shocked expression to see Daenerys walking naked through the steam.
"So you decided to come," the queen hailed her casually, walking over to the steps at the side of a pool of steaming water and slowly lowering herself into it with a luxurious sigh.
The knowledge that the silver haired Queen was here, naked, with her sent a blush up her neck and across her face and for a moment she was frozen and speechless.
"M-My Queen," she rasped, remembering how to form words. "Forgive me, I did not expect you to be here. I should leave..."
"Non-sense. Why would you leave? Join me."
It was an order, yet the tone made it a request. Yara's heart hammered in her chest, uncertain how to proceed. Being in the same place as this woman while they were both naked was not a wise move. She knew she would make a fool of herself and for the sake of her kingdom could not afford to do something stupid right now, like leer at those perfect breasts or appear to be an imbecile due to being tongue tied with lust. Too much hung on her actions here in Meereen for her to blow it with foolish, unobtainable desires.
"I also think she took a liking to you, dear sister." Theon's words came back to her mind and she blushed harder. What a foolish imagining, that this incredible woman who had the world at her feet would ever desire Yara as Yara desired her.
"Surely you would rather bathe in peace?" Yara turned back to bundle her belongings in her arms and leave quickly, before any damage could be done.
"Wait." This time there was no request, it was an order and Yara obeyed. Daenerys stood up out of the water and the brunette averted her eyes, feeling a warmth between her thighs that did not bode well. "I desire your company," Daenerys implored, her tone soft now. Vulnerable. Yara's stomach lurched. "Will you not bathe with me, Queen?"
There was no way to refuse now. Yara slowly placed her belongings back on the bench, careful to keep her eyes averted from the sight of the other woman's body, uncomfortably conscious of the water dripping down its curves as steam rose up from the water and caressed her skin. The image was too much.
"Of course, my Queen," she replied, her voice husky. Awkwardly, aware of the fact they were both naked and this woman could see her every scar, her every imperfection, Yara stepped forwards, eyes trained on the steps before her. Daenerys chuckled and Yara looked up suddenly, shocked at the sound.
"Are all women in the Iron Islands such prudes?" Daenerys challenged with a spark of mischief in her eyes.
Yara snorted a laugh in response and decided at that moment to throw caution to the wind. Gazing boldly upon the queen before her she knelt down to scoop up some of the steaming hot water, refusing to flinch at its contact, and splashed a handful at the Dragonborn with a cry of delight.
Daenerys gasped and gave Yara a splash in return, causing red marks to appear on the woman's pale skin as the hot water scalded her. Daenerys noticed this and climbed out of her bath, smirking invitingly at the other woman and pointing to a pool across the other side of the room.
"Come, let us go splash each other in a milder pool, I forget that others do not fare well in boiling water."
"As you wish." Yara returned, fighting to keep her voice calm while inside her heart was soaring at the playfulness between them. This was a side to the queen she had not expected and it delighted her.
Walking behind Daenerys, Yara could not help but allow herself to feast her eyes. This woman was a piece of art, her body was utter perfection. Yara's blood rate quickened as she imagined reaching out to caress her, hold her in her arms, stroke her until she moaned. She nearly groaned, her desire was growing so strong. She clamped down on such thoughts though, this was no time to give in to lust. For all she knew touching the queen held a death sentence.
Saying that, it could be worth it.
When they reached the more suitable pools it was Daenerys who made the first splash, shocking Yara out of her reverie with a wave of water to the face and eyes dancing with mischief. The women's laughter could be heard outside the baths, they reveled in their carefree time and soaked each other. At all times Yara was careful not to make any actual physical contact, unwilling to trust herself should she give an inch.
After what must have been twenty minutes of playful revelry they settled down to lay in the pool, panting and flushed with excitement.
As the two women slipped into the bearable, yet still very hot, water of the bathing house's smallest and most intimate pool Yara could feel Daenerys' eyes roving over her body in a curious way. Was that appreciation she saw in the Queen's eyes? Surely not. She felt the other Queen's eyes linger over her breasts and neck but pushed aside all thoughts of desire as she was certain that just because it was her first thought, it would be the last thing on the silver haired woman's mind. She needed to concentrate and stop being so quick to see what was clearly not there.
Yara felt her muscles relax as the hot water did its work, pushing thoughts of Daenerys from her mind with effort she stretched out and sighed in relief, her eyes half closed in bliss as she felt the tension in her muscles ebb away bit by bit. "Do you bathe here often?"
"Every night after I have settled the day's affairs," replied Daenerys. "There is nothing more pleasurable than a long soak."
Yara smirked at that. "Nothing, my Queen?"
Amused at the implication Daenerys smiled lazily. "You tell me, I personally find nothing more pleasurable than these baths. These days."
"These days?" Yara could not help but ask.
Daenerys crossed her arms across her breasts and her expression became suddenly distant, Yara hoped she hadn't offended her. Then, quietly, the queen spoke.
"I used to have a husband."
Waiting for her to continue Yara leaned forward, but Daenerys volunteered no further information.
"I am sorry for your loss," Yara offered weakly after a while. She wasn't good at consoling people and cursed her woodenness now.
Daenerys inclined her head and stared into the steam for a while, watching it waft and dance above the surface of the water, the playful mood of earlier lost in a haze of melancholy.
"Was he a king?" Yara asked tentatively.
"He was a khal." Daenerys' eyes blazed suddenly with pride and Yara could have sighed with relief to see passion there once more. "A tribal leader like no other, a man of fierce pride and honour and bravery." Then, her voice trailing off slightly, she added "just like you."
The enormity of the words stood between them for a moment, an insurmountable thing. Yara gaped at Daenerys and Daenerys stared in return, shocked she had said such a thing out loud.
"I-I should go," Daenerys rose from the water hurriedly and made to ascend the steps but Yara, not thinking what she was doing, reached out and grabbed her wrist.
"Please, don't go." Her voice was heavy with desire and when Danerys turned back to look at her she saw the same need mirrored there, but the Dragon Queen wrenched her wrist out of Yara's grip with one deft movement.
"Do not touch me." Her tone was ice, as it had been when Yara kissed her hand in the audience chamber, except now her eyes blazed with indignation and her face was flushed with a beautiful shade of red, making such a wonderful image that Yara could not let her walk away.
"Stop. Don't walk away from me, from what you want." She had meant to plead with the Queen, persuade her gently but her words came out gruff and demanding, they sounded even to her own ears like an order, and she realised immediately that was the wrong tack.
"Do not presume to know what I want, Ironborn." Her voice was soft now, dangerously so, as she faced up to Yara and despite every cell in the Ironborn's body begging her not to, she knew it would be foolish to do anything other than let Daenerys go.
Yara stood from the bath and bowed low as Daenerys walked away. She could do nothing but watch as the silver haired woman left, the steam swallowing her whole.
She groaned, what a fool she had been!