*Daenerys Targaryen*

Rain fell across the upper deck of the ship, and it had driven all but those who were duty bound to remain on deck below. Daenerys Targaryen, First of Her Name, Rightful Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and the Iron Throne, the Breaker of Chains, Mother of Dragons, Former Queen of Meereen found herself sitting on a chair. A chair that swayed uncomfortably with the ship. Her children were…..somewhere. Dany actually had no clue where they currently were. She assumed they were acting like ducks at the moment and instead of flying, were settled on the water, using their tails to propel them forward through the water to keep time with the ships of the fleet. It amazed her the buoyancy that these large beasts actually had.

"My last trip across the Narrow Seas was by far less pleasant then this," Tyrion Lannister, her Hand of the Queen and as fine a man as she had ever known, said as he popped his knuckles. One by one they popped and Dany was getting rather annoyed by that. "I was stuck in a wooden crate and I had to shit through holes no larger than my hands."

"You keep popping your knuckles and I might just have Grey Worm stick you in a similar box the rest of the journey," Dany warned, giving him a sour look as he popped his thumb on his right hand.

Tyrion's hand had wrapped around his left thumb to give it the same treatment as his right thumb but glancing up at Daenerys and seeing just how deadly certain she was stopped. "Pardon, Your Grace," he nodded, wiggling his fingers with wanted relief in the joints which was now forcibly put on hold.

"I have asked Varys to join us," Dany informed him, the chair swaying a little more sharply than usual as the ship bobbed up and down over a small wave. She gripped the armrest of the chair with more pressure then was probably wise, and she could feel the pressure running back through them.

"Oh?" Tyrion asked, frowning. "May I ask why? I like Varys but you haven't gone out of your way to talk to him, Your Grace. Why this sudden interest?"

Dany lifted an eyebrow. "Do I really need a reason?" she asked.

Tyrion shrugged and as his shoulders settled in their proper position, the door knocked twice. "I've heard something rather interesting that you will find intriguing," Tyrion said as she called for the caller to enter. "I'll wait until after we're done to tell you."

The door opened, rain slashing hard and fast outside, some of it falling inside the doorway. This ships cabin was actually on the top deck unlike most where it was located beneath the ship itself. Lightning flashed as if on cue to frame the silhouette of two men. One was her Unsullied bodyguard that remained on duty twenty-four hours a day. No, not that exact person, but the Unsullied always had at least one guard posted. Dany hadn't given much thought to having a permanent Queen's Guard since Ser Barristan Selmy had died fighting in the alleyways of Meereen, but it was something to look into she assumed. The other person was wearing a heavy hood over his head and as he entered, water fell in a torrent from his soaked robes.

"Your Grace," the man said, pulling back his hood to reveal a round, bald heavy. "I have come as summoned."

Daenerys nodded. "Thank you for gracing me with your presence, Lord Varys," she said to him, keeping a very polite tone to the sarcastic comment. "You didn't need my permission to approach me. In fact, I can't even recall you being in the same place as I was since the departure from Meereen."

"I do apologize for that, my Queen," Varys said, sliding his arms into the sleeves of his robes, making it look like he was some religious follower. "I have been busy trying to establish my spy network on Westeroes. I'd rather not us land there with no little birds to cheep for us."

Dany didn't say anything for a few seconds, but gave him a long appraising look. This was the man known as the Spider. Barristan Selmy had not thought highly of the man. And what was it Jorah…..she reached up involuntarily and grabbed her heart as pain hit it from the thought of him. Oh, her poor Jorah! As much as Drogo had loved her, she was certain no man had ever loved her as fiercely and deeply as Jorah did.

Please come back to me, my Bear, Dany thought with all the might of her mind, hoping against all logicality that the words would reach Jorah. I need you by my side.

"I have heard rumors about you," she said at long last, dropping her hand to the armrest as the ship rolled once more. "I heard you were a mermaid and that's why you wear long robes. It's to avoid showing people you have no legs but fins instead."

Tyrion snorted in laughter and had to hide his mouth behind his hands. Varys' eyes went wide with momentary surprise at the absurd notion. Dany had grown very good at reading micro-expressions and coercing the truth from people. It was best to keep them off-balance. It had a way of flustering them into the truth.

"I do assure you, Your Grace, I do indeed have legs," he replied with a still shocked expression on his face. "I like wearing long robes because in my life and in my position, people would like to stab me or do worse. So, it is better to hide the vital organs with long cloaks."

Dany nodded. "So what have your little birds been cheeping?" she asked, grabbing reaching up and brushing a long strand of snow white hair out of her eyes. "You have indeed had a flurry of ravens. I have seen your ravens far more than you yourself."

"Not too much of consequence I fear," he shook his head. "There is only two pieces of news that may be of interest to you. Cersei is now Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.

"Wait!" Tyrion said, stopping him, "What happened to Tommen?"

Varys looked might uncomfortable. "There is no way to say this kindly, Tyrion. Your nephew committed suicide by all accounts after Cersei decided to blow up the Great Sept of Baelor and his Queen, the Lady Margery was in there as well."

Tyrion sat like a man who had been struck hard across the face. He looked down at the floor, and Dany watched him. How close had he been to his nephew? She was rather curious of how he would react to the news.

"The North has declared for a new king," Varys said, hoping to break the awkward silence.

"Oh?" Dany asked, fire seemed to appear in her eyes. "What unfortunate soul will I have to burn to the ground to get what is mine?"

"A bastard by the name of Jon Snow….."

"Jon Snow?" Tyrion interjected, and Dany turned to see his eyes wide with shock. "Ned Starks bastard?"

"You know him?" Dany asked, intrigued. Was this what he was going to tell her that he assumed she'd find intriguing? But no, the shock and astonishment on Tyrion was genuine. He had not known this. Yet if he and Varys were friends like Tyrion had claimed shortly after their trip had started, why wouldn't Varys have told him about this?

"I do indeed, Your Grace," Tyrion replied, turning to her. "I accompanied him to the Wall when he was to join the Night's Watch. A good fellow, and a good potential ally. But the Night's Watch is something for life, by oaths. How did he get away? Did he desert the Wall?"

Varys shrugged. "My sources only stated that there were extenuating circumstances," he replied.

"And what shall be the extenuating circumstances that I allow you to arrive at Dragonstone with me and not just throw you into the sea?" Dany asked, and the room grew extremely tense. Varys frowned in confusion and Tyrion's mouth opened slightly.

"Your Grace?" Varys asked.

"You tried to have me assassinated as a child," she accused, although accusation was generally with some room for doubt. There was no doubt here, only solid facts. "Was the order given before or after Ser Jorah Mormont informed you of my pregnancy?"

"Why don't you punish Jorah Mormont for being a spy?" Varys retorted, trying to deflect the question. "I was only following orders, Mormont was merely…."

"I know of Jorah's crimes," she cut him off. "I banished him, and he now has greyscale. Trust me, Lord Varys, he has paid for his crimes many times over. Now you, you claim you were following orders. Why didn't you kill Viserys? He was the one truly trying to take the Iron Throne at that time. Not me. So why should I trust you?"

"Illyrio Mopatis and myself have always been working towards the Targaryen restoration," he explained, "Viserys was the one in line to the throne. You weren't. All we knew was that you were beautiful and young."

"Don't flatter me," she snapped. She forced herself to her feet, even after weeks on the sea, she still didn't completely have control over her balance. Part of being so small and light as she was, she didn't have too much body to work with. "It was your friend who sold me like meat to Khal Drogo. Viserys was nothing but a spineless snake with hardly a brain in his entire body. Yet you refused to kill him. Only me. Only you found me a tougher nut to crack."

Varys said nothing, but she could see the tightening of his facial muscles. The straining his jaw as he set teeth together and ground them. His eyes were hard as he looked at the small woman. But there was no wiggle room.

"Your Grace," Tyrion ventured, "He's always proven a loyal servant…."

"Loyal?" she scoffed, not turning from Varys. "Loyal? He betrayed my father for Robert Baratheon. Then by his own admission he was undermining the Usurper. How many Kings and Queens have you sold out for your own gains?"

Varys shook his head. "Your father was a monster," the bald man said, calmness in his voice even though a good deal of anger was also there as well. "Robert Baratheon was better than he was, but he couldn't be bothered to actual rule. He plunged the Seven Kingdoms into untold debt. And his son Joffery, he was a cruel and spiteful little boy. I have no doubt he'd have become more cruel than the Mad King had he lived long enough."

"You haven't convinced me," she retorted. "Did you really think I was going to wait until we were on Dragonstone itself before I called you to task? Did you think we were going to be standing around the fabled table Aegon the Conqueror made with a roaring fire to keep us nice and warm? No, this isn't a pleasant fiction for you. So tell me, do you have any loyalties? Whom do you serve, if not yourself?"

"The Realm," the words nearly shot forth like arrows, Varys face was contorted in rage. Dany had finally gotten to it. The truth, the façade was broken and all there was now was the truth. "I am for the small folk. Those that the Kings and Queens and highborn have always felt to crush. I was a small folk myself, but I rose to heights to achieve this one purpose. To find a ruler who would actually have the best interests of the people at heart. And you…..you….you have, Your Grace. You, Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, have actually spent your time trying to improve the lives of others. That's why I serve you now, but I refuse to serve blindly. If you fail the people, I will be in the wings to make sure you can't hurt them."

Dany and Varys stared at each other, their eyes locked in a duel. Her sword was aimed at gauging his sincerity. His was in defiance. They both knew what she did to those who she did not like. The dragons needed to be fed after-all.

"Very well," she said, stepping up to him with measured steps. "I accept your true loyalty. I want people around me who are willing to tell me 'no'. I do not want you working in the shadows and behind my back but transparent and to my face, keeping me straight and narrow. But trust me, if you give me bad council or work behind my back, my dragons will give you a fiery death."

The tension broke as Varys' face pulled off a neat little smile. A smile that told her everything was alright. She relaxed as he nodded once.

"As the Mother of Dragons commands," he said.

With a nod of dismissal, Varys turned and left the room, pulling the hood over his head before opening the door to the rain that was still pouring outside. As he stepped through the doorframe, lightning again illuminated the sky and she could see his silhouette again for just a moment before the door closed.

"That was rather intense," Tyrion commented, as Dany sagged and put a steadying hand on a table along the wall. "May I ask for something in the future, Your Grace?"

"Yes?" she asked, looking down at the floor.

"Let me know beforehand so I can make myself scarce," Tyrion said.

Laughter broke from her at that. Dany didn't really laugh that much, because she actually hated her laugh. It was loud, and felt rather forced and for a few minutes, she laughed uncontrollably. She staggered back to her chair, laughs racking through her body, making her abdomen hurt more than a little. She sank into it, continuing to laugh as Tyrion ran up, giving her a glass of wine.

She lifted it to her lips and drank a few long swallows. Trembling, she slowly pulled the glass away, the laughter having subsided. She nodded her thanks to the dwarf as she took another swig from the glass.

"So what were you wanting to tell me?" she asked to which Tyrion gave a blank look. She clarified for him. "That thing you mentioned before Varys stepped into the room."

"Oh!" Tyrion's eyes widened as he remembered, "That!"

"I thought you were going to tell me about Jon Snow with the way you reacted," she admitted, "But then I thought, 'If that was the case, why did he seemed so surprised when Varys mentioned it?'."

"Yes, no," he shook his head, "Although he would be a valuable ally."

"Ally?" she asked, "No, he will bend the knee or I will lay waste to him. I will have no equals or rivals."

Tyrion frowned as he heard this. "But Yara," he said, "You gave her independence."

"No, I didn't," Dany explained. "The only reason I am supporting Yara claim to the Iron Islands is because she is changing her people's entire way of life to fit my vision. Give it ten years, and the Iron Islands will be begging to return to the flock."

Tyrion did not look happy, but Dany wasn't interested in his opinions on the matter. Honestly, Dany did not believe in having partners or equals. No, ever since Khal Drogo died, she had been proclaiming her rights and demanding what was hers. She had not served in Slavers Bay as one of equals. All the cities had to submit to her will.

Yes, she wanted the Little Folk to be free. Yes, she wanted more equality. But only as long as she was the one calling the shots and what qualified as equality. This Jon Snow, he'd have to step in line. Or be stepped on.

"So tell me, what were you going to tell me," she commanded, not wanting to get into a discussion of political theory, as Viserys had called it.

"You won't believe it," Tyrion said, and lifting the pitcher of wine, started refilling her glass, "And you'll want some more wine."

She gave a half smile and raised an eyebrow. Darrio Naharis also liked getting her drunk before they would make love. "Why, my Lord Tyrion," she teased. "Are you wanting a chance at my bed? Let me tell you, the experience would be detrimental to your health."

Tyrion's eyes grew wide in unveiled horror at the very idea. "No, Your Grace," he responded. "Nothing like that. As much as I am a lover of wine and women, this has nothing to do with me."

Now her interest really was piqued. She leaned forward in her chair, waiting with bated breath to hear what he had to say. He filled a cup of his own and held it up in a toast, teasing her with the drawn out delay.

"You know that Missandei has situated herself down below decks near when I am and not up here," he said. This was something she already knew. "Would you like to know why?"

"Missandei is a free woman now and doesn't have to stay by my side every hour of everyday," she shrugged her shoulders. But seeing how much the half man really wanted to tell her she rolled her eyes and lifted her glass to her lips. "Fine, why is she staying down there."

"Missandei has been visited by Grey Worm every night the past two weeks," Tyrion said, putting his own glass to his lips. "And if her screaming is any indication, he is quite good in bed. For being an eunuch, and all that."

Dany had just began drinking from her wine when she spat it out on hearing it. And she began laughing again.

Later that night, Dany was fast asleep. She and Tyrion had stayed up until the rains had stopped and the Greyjoy captain of the ship had informed them they'd be arriving tomorrow at Dragonstone. Dany felt very giddy and would have stayed up, but she and Tyrion were both very drunk by that point in time. They had been trying to figure out the best way eunuchs could have sex and if by some miracle Missandei got pregnant, Tyrion was to become the doting uncle and Daenerys would name their child her legal heir.

Tyrion had fallen asleep on the floor next to the table, and before she had fallen asleep, he had seen tears spilling from his eyes. It had been a few hours, but as he slept, he wept for his nephew. She suddenly had felt very sad for Tyrion. Tyrion must have been a very good uncle.

Yet now she was asleep, and her dreams were strange. She was back in the throne room of Kings Landing, as she had been in the House of the Undying. The roof was blasted apart, and snow was falling through the ceiling in a heavy snowfall. She did not feel cold though and decided to sit upon to the throne, the seat was covered and she could not sit on it. Snow was on the throne.