THE BAY OF DRAGONS
Guess who's back, back again, with a new chapter for my little storylette. So close to Westeros! One thing I will mention is that, although I took Geography, I have little no concept as to how long it would actually take for the Khaleesi and her fleet to reach Westeros from Meereen. In the story I've kind of estimated a month, two months, but it doesn't really impact the coming chapters/updates, so it's all good! To put it simply, one does not simply befriend a Unicorn! xXDarkDawnUnicornXx ;p xxx
Chapter 4
"The storm put us a few miles off course," Yara explained, pointing on the map in front of them. "We'll need to head south immediately, keeping away from the coast for now,"
"And when do you suppose we'll arrive at the Iron Islands?" Daenerys kept her head down, focussing on the map, but Fareen could see her tracing their path along the south coast with her violet eyes.
"Perhaps another week, my queen," Theon stepped forward, taking charge of the conversation. "I completed a scan of the ship this morning and we seem to have enough supplies to last for two,"
Fareen watched his sister smile quickly at his new-found confidence before turning her attention back to Daenerys.
"I suggest a feast, then," she said. "A final meal before the siege takes place,"
"Very well," Daenerys' eyes sparkled in anticipation. "I propose a feast the day after next; that should give us enough time to arrange such an event,"
"My queen," Tyrion butt in. "A feast is not a feast without a little wine, one may say. I feel as though it should wait until we lay waste to the stores of Pyke. I've heard there is quite an extensive stock,"
The dwarf turned on his heels to question Yara and the future queen of the Iron Islands grinned and shrugged.
"It's true," she turned to Theon and the three of them began discussing the supplies at once. From across the room, Daenerys caught her eye and exchanged a smile; the queen, as charitable as she was beautiful, had already hidden a small casket of wine in Fareen's room for the Hand of the Queen – saved for a special occasion. Demand after demand, Fareen was surprised how a queen as powerful as the one who stood just a small distance away could make the time to take care of her friends and subjects and how kind she was to those she trusted. She could only imagine the opposite side of this that would be released once they reached land.
"I haven't had a proper drink in weeks," Tyrion complained as Fareen diverted her attention back to the banter in the centre of the room.
"Some say it keeps your head clearer," Missandei added as she made her way out of the room to start on preparations for the feast. "And your breath sweeter,"
Fareen chuckled quietly before she noticed Tyrion's eyes on her. She swallowed her laughter before following Missandei out of the room, bowing her head as she left. The material of her dress moved roughly over her legs as she hurried to catch up with the translator.
"Missandei," she said, drawing level with the other woman. "You could probably use some help; planning a meal for a whole ship's crew can be no easy task,"
"Thank you, Fareen," Missandei looked genuinely touched. "I would appreciate your help immensely,"
xxx
The day of the feast arrived and Fareen felt an instantly fresh atmosphere draw over the ship. The crew laughed and smiled as they worked, cracking jokes and speaking loudly in the many languages that were present on the ship.
"It must be hard," Fareen said, walking side by side with Missandei along the deck. "To hear all these conversations, understand what they mean and talk to me at the same time,"
"Perhaps for someone who hasn't been doing it their whole life," she looked pleased. "I doubt the queen would have hired me if I could not,"
"She would have," Fareen insisted as they came to a stop and leant over the rails. "She trusts you with her life,"
Missandei smiled before standing upright abruptly. "Grey Worm,"
The captain of the Unsullied bowed from his waist down, as all the soldiers did.
"Missandei," he looked at her before turning his head slightly. "Fareen,"
"Is everything alright?" the taller woman stepped towards him slightly, tilting her head to the side in concern.
"Yes," the soldier's speech was often short, but Fareen enjoyed his bluntness. "The seating arrangements need attending to,"
"Of course," Missandei glided past him and Fareen made to follow. "It's okay Fareen. You can take a rest; you've helped me more than I could have ever asked,"
They bowed heads at each other and Fareen watched the two advisors leave, each taking tentative glances at each other before returning their gazes to the floor. Their relationship was one that intrigued Fareen; she felt an increasing want to push them together, to make them realise that they both wanted the same thing, but she also held back, afraid that any encouragements may break their friendship completely. Once they had disappeared below decks, she returned her attention to the rest of the deck. Her heart began beating rapidly as she saw Theon across the wooden flooring; the two hadn't spoken since the interruption and Fareen had become increasingly nervous around him, even more unsure of his actions than he was himself. He didn't approach her, instead he leant on the rails behind him, his head tilted down as if ashamed, his grey eyes clouded with doubt. If she had experienced anything like this, Fareen may have approached him, she may have held his hands and told him what he wanted to hear. But she couldn't. Not only was she new to the world of love and affairs, but she knew she had to keep her mind clear of all of it. Daenerys trusted her based on her naivety and her skills as an unbiased source, and she would not disappoint the woman who had taken her away from her life of misery. Casting one final look to the man across from her, she sighed, turned from the rails, and retreated below the deck, only just looking forward to the feast.
xxx
Candles flickered against the sigils hung on the wall. The kraken and the dragon sparkled gold in the near-darkness, their colours muted to dark greys and blues as the feast commenced around them. The whole crew had assembled and everyone sat on cushions and blankets scattered on the floor, arranged in small clusters around plates piled high with goods. Daenerys sat at the head of the room, surrounded by her advisors and the two Pykemen. Fareen slowly approached, having just arrived from her room. Her hair was loose, falling down her back in loose waves and glinting with candlelight. Her dress was long, but had a long slit down the front, exposing her silky legs as she walked. Daenerys had given her a necklace of blue crystals that reflected every ray of light in the room, shining it into her face and illuminating her soft features. Missandei noticed as she drew closer and gestured to show her seat opposite the queen, sat between Tyrion and Theon. Fareen nodded to show her appreciation before gracefully sinking to the floor.
"Ah, good!" Tyrion exclaimed. "Now we are all here, we can begin the toasts! Granted that we must toast with little more than water, I doubt my speeches will be as extravagant as usual,"
"Just a moment, Tyrion Lannister," Daenerys smiled, signalling to Fareen. "I believe I may have something for you,"
The dwarf's eyes lit up as Fareen produced the casket of wine from where it had been tucked in the back of her skirt. He was speechless, for perhaps the first time in his life, as he accepted the bottle with slightly shaken hands before he finally found his voice.
"You truly are the rightful heir to the Seven Kingdoms," he said, taking off the cap before raising it in a toast. "To Daenerys Stormborn, Mother of Dragons and the Queen of Westeros,"
Everyone drank.
"And also," he continued. "To Yara Greyjoy, Queen of the Iron Islands. And to her brother, Theon Greyjoy, who has become a man much changed by fate,"
Theon jumped slightly at his name, unprepared for the dwarf's mention. He caught Fareen's eye as she watched him before offering up a small smile and raising his glass. She raised hers in return, feeling the awkwardness ebb away slightly. The whole crew then proceeded to fill their mouths with everything in front of them: Dothraki ate meat with their hands, ripping at the soft flesh whilst the Unsullied ate in smaller bites, the same amount, just constantly putting more food in their mouths.
"A study of culture, my dear," Tyrion's voice sounded and Fareen realised he'd been observing her. "You're noticing how they all eat and drink, I presume?"
"Yes, Lord Tyrion," she nodded her head. "The Dothraki have a much lower standard of manners, put they thanked the gods before eating whereas the Unsullied eat quickly but more delicately,"
"And why do you think that is?" he tested her.
"They were brought up that way," Fareen said immediately. "The Unsullied had to eat as much as they could in a short amount of time but their Masters wanted them to be polite and act civil, just in case one of their visitors would buy them,"
"Very good," the dwarf was impressed and Fareen beamed at her own knowledge; she had surprised herself. "Queen Daenerys did well to hire you when she did, and in such unorthodox conditions,"
"I am forever in her debt," she looked at him nervously. "As I am in yours,"
"Mine?" he frowned. "What have I ever done for you?"
"Well, my lord, when I was let upon the ship on the first day of the voyage, you were the one who set me the question to determine my place," Fareen explained. "Your 'test' allowed me to prove my worthiness,"
"I see," he said, twirling the wine in his goblet. "And do you believe the test was too easy?"
"The question was…" Fareen began before she realised that he was joking. "You are cruel, my lord,"
"Please, cruel is not on my list of words I would use to mock myself," he said, reclining onto the cushions around them. "You may call me Tyrion; I've known you long enough to trust you with my name, as you have trusted me with yours,"
"With all respect, Tyrion," Fareen pointed out. "I only have the one name,"
The dwarf suddenly sat up very straight. "You are quite right,"
He stood and Fareen looked round nervously, afraid that he was already drunk.
"May I have your attention?" his voice silenced everyone to a dull murmur. "Our dear new companion, the lovely Fareen, has just reminded me that she only has the one name, no family name to be recalled. So, I propose that we come up with a new one for her, one that fits her sparkling personality,"
He turned and winked at her, making her blush. She turned her head around the room, noticing everyone becoming lost in thought. A few suggestions were called out, but largely ignored as everyone looked to the queen for confirmation.
"Raindancer," Theon said, standing also. All eyes moved to him before switching to the queen.
"Fareen Raindancer," Daenerys repeated. "A jewel upon The Targaryen,"
Applause broke out and Fareen was pulled to her feet by both Tyrion and Theon. Someone produced a small guitar and another found a pair of sticks and began drumming a lively, dancing beat. Missandei and Yara were instantly caught up in the dance and Fareen felt herself being dragged away. All night they danced and Fareen felt as though she had danced with everyone on the ship. Tyrion excused himself from the festivities and went to sit next to the queen, who also refused. Varys was surprisingly light on his feet as they swept around the room and many of the crew members showed off their own skills, the Dothraki being especially slow and erotic in their movements, despite the fast pace of the music. As the night drew to a close, the music became slower, dancers disappeared to their cabins to rest for the daunting task ahead and the majority of Daenerys' advisors rose and left as she did. Fareen walked up to the open deck alone and went straight to the railings, trying to capture the moment in her mind forever. She began swaying gently side to side, as though still dancing to the music. A warm hand took hers, and she instantly knew who it was.
"May I have this dance?" Theon bowed and Fareen returned with a curtsey.
"You may," she laughed as he swung her around the deck, twirling effortlessly under the star-filled sky. Both hands had moved to her back and one of hers was draped over his shoulder, the other holding up her skirts. They danced to the crashing of the waves for a long time before they slowed to a halt, still with their arms around each other.
"You look…." he stopped himself, holding back as he had learnt to do from the Bolton bastard.
"Say it," she whispered, drawing closer.
"Beautiful," he met her lips with his, gently and unhurried, both tasting the salt of the sea around them. Fareen broke the kiss, resting her head on his chest and listening to the beating of his heart. Her own heart beat too fast. Countless thoughts rushed through her head: What would Daenerys say? What about Tyrion? She loved Theon, but… did she?
"Raindancer," he murmured into her hair, the light fading far past darkness.
Uh oh. Has my little Theon stolen her heart? Who knows? I adore Theon, perhaps more so after writing about him myself. I love the guy. Please favourite, follow for future updates and leave a comment about anything you liked/disliked/want to see in the future! Please do leave a comment as it's super encouraging and you may get to see any changes you suggest!
Don't touch my Unicorn, she like a mofa (motherFABULOUS) ;p xxx