THE WORDS IN ITALIC ARE SPOKEN IN DOTHRAKI
Irri sits behind me pulling my hair back into a braid and sounds out Dothraki words for me. She runs into a snag and pulls the bone tooth comb through it. She pulls my head back with the force of the comb.
"Graddakh!" I snarl in Dothraki and spin around to glare at Irri. She pulls the comb free and smiles sheepishly at me. She reaches out and pats my hand.
"Apologies Khaleesi. But look, you just cursed in Dothraki!" Irri exclaims with a smile on her face, clearly pleased with herself. I turn back around and grumble. Irri continues to sound out the Dothraki words for me and I repeat them back to her. I look out to the seemingly endless grass lands. It has been seven days since Drogo left with his bloodriders to face the rival Khal. I never would have thought I would miss someone like this. Especially someone I just met, but being with Drogo it feels like I have finally found my place. Irri must sense the mood change because she pats the top of my head.
"Khal Drogo and Rakharo will be back soon. I feel it in here." She pats her breast and smiles once more.
"Rakharo is your Shekh ma shieraki anni yes?" Irri's brown skin flushes and she gives me a shy smile.
"Yes Khaleesi he is my sun and stars." She looks out at the grass lands and her smile falters slightly. I squeeze her hand and she sighs. An idea pops up into my mind and I push back from the table.
"Let us pamper ourselves tonight. Just in case the men return." Irri looks confused. "We will make ourselves even more beautiful and fragrant to where our Shekh ma shieraki anni will not be able to control themselves." Irri's eyes light up and she giggles. I take her hand and pull her into my tent.
...
I lay naked in the furs and look out of the smoke hole at the top of my tent. I watch the stars and think of Drogo.I close my eyes and say a silent prayer to the horse gods to bring Drogo home safe to me. I add in a prayer for Rakharo and Irri as well. She has proven to be a good friend to me in the short time I have been here and I pray for her sun and stars safe return as well. I washed my hair with the scented creams I brought with me and Irri helped me rub my skin with the oils. She was so excited to be able to use my products and didn't stop smiling once. The sun set some time ago and the cool night air feels wonderful on my slick skin. I snuggle deeper into the furs and when I close my eyes I dream of Drogo.
...
Something brushes against my shoulder and I struggle to open my eyes. I blink wearily and notice the tent is dark. Ah. It is still nighttime. I close my eyes to go back to sleep when something tickles my neck next. I reach back to swat it thinking it is a fly but my hand connects with solid muscle. I gasp and thrash in the furs. I ball my hand into a fist and spin around. Drogo lays behind me, a smirk on his face. The anger fades, replaced with happiness. I squeal and throw my arms around him.
"Moon of my life". Drogo murmurs in Dothraki and brushes a kiss to my forehead.
"My sun and stars." I say it how Irri and I practiced and Drogo's eyes widen.
"You have been learning." Pleased with myself for being able to understand him more, I smile and nod. I snuggle into his embrace and breath in his scent. He smells of fresh soap, spring water and the slightest hint of horse. I suppose being on horses since the day you are born entitles you to smell a little horsey. Not that I mind. I remember my lessons with Irri and chose my next words.
"Your battle with rival?" I inwardly cringe at the terrible sentence but Drogo pays it no mind. He rests his head in his hand and twirls a stand of my hair. He flashes me a grin.
"We destroyed them. I ripped Khal Moro's throat out and watched as he bled onto the dry earth." His eyes shine. I run my hands over his shoulders and down his chest, checking for injuries.
"Alright? No injuries?" Drogo chuckles and pulls me back into his arms.
"I am perfectly fine moon of my life." He kisses the top of my head and I snuggle closer to him.
"I worry for you." Drogo rubs my back.
"I will always return to you. This I promise under the lights of our ancestors." He points to the stars. It is Dothraki custom to do anything of importance under the stars for the ancestors blessing. They believe the ancestors look down and keep a vigil watch. I place a kiss to his chest and draw circles on his bare skin with my finger.
"Do you think we will have children some day my sun and stars?" Drogo is silent as he ponders my question.
"I believe we will. As long as it pleases the great stallion." I place a hand to my flat stomach and imagine it swelling with life. My heart flutters and I smile. The thought of finally having a family is an exciting one. Having a family with Drogo makes me near delirious with happiness.
"I know daughters for Khal's are bad. You need a mighty son to inherit your Khalasar." I know Drogo cares about me. I'm not sure the full extent of it but I know already I am falling for him. I worry what will happen if I cannot give him a son. Despite his feelings he may be pressured to look outside our union to find another woman to give him a son. The thought wrenches at my heart and I have to close my eyes to fight tears. Drogo moves onto his back and pulls me with him. I'm sprawled out on top of him and he stares out at the stars. He is quiet for a long time.
"Sons are important and I would love many." I look away and Drogo tilts my face up to meet his. He kisses me softly before pulling away. He rubs his thumb across my cheek.
"But I would not mind having a little girl with her mothers lovely lilac eyes and fiery spirit." I beam at Drogo and hug him tightly.
"Never worry over such things moon of my life. Whether you give me sons or just daughters you will be the only Khaleesi for me." I open my mouth to dispute his words but I find myself suddenly busy. Drogo kisses me with a fiery passion. He shows me all night just how devoted he is to me.