The Iron Dragon
On its best days not one person in Meereen could say it was a calm city. There was always rustling and hustle and bustle going on. Early rising merchants and their aids and the ironborn were particularly familiar with each other's ways. The sailors because from port to port the docks were always busy in the same way, and the merchants because the sailors were never known for being quiet when going about their business.
In the middle of the hustle and bustle is where the queens found themselves, one half carrying the other with as much grace as one could have considering the circumstances.
"Well I did warn you" Yara was trying to suppress her laughter, the gods knew if she really wanted to make fun of the younger girl she would. In reality Yara was a lot more tired that she showed, regardless of Daenerys' lack of training she had been relentless in her will to learn how to defend herself "You pushed too much for today, with any luck we will make it to Black Wind before you faint"
"The possibility of starting slow always exists for beginners, you do know that?" Dany huffed half indignantly. Every time she thought there would be some respite and a small water break Yara would press on. They had started at sunrise and they were well into the day at this point, but Dany wanted nothing more than to dig her face into her pillow and sleep.
"This is for beginners. You told me to pretend we were in the Iron Islands, this is how we learn" the Ironborn turned into the area where her ship was docked, and ordered her men to call her brother to her. "One thing in your favor is that we are known for both breaking and mending spirits"
"At this moment all I want to do is—"
"Good morning" Theon appeared behind them out of nowhere, spooking Daenerys half to dead, who used what little energy she had to shriek "or not"
"The others take you Greyjoy, do you not know to not sneak up on people" growled out Yara
"Of course I know how to" the mocking Greyjoy smile appeared on his face "However seeing the ever alert warrior queen jump out of her skin is much better than minding my manners and announcing myself". Theon, knowing any more jests would anger his sister, helped the queens up the plank to Black Wind, and drew a bath for Daenerys who seemed about ready to drop.
"Seven hells" Dany's gasp was half surprise half relief "That's cold" the water inside the bath splashed to the sides as the blonde lowered herself into the freezing waters. Next to her bath was a sponge to scrub her soot covered skin, and a small bottle with a parchment that indicated it was to only be used after having dried off.
"Everything in order Daenerys?" Yara's head poked through the curtains of the wash room, her hair dripping at the corners from what Dany assumed must have been her own bath.
"The water is freezing" her answer came half whispered. Yara did not press on, knowing it was the soothing effect of the water on the aching muscles, and Daenerys' clear lack of affinity for cold things.
With three steps Yara found herself kneeling behind the bath, half scrubbing and half massaging Dany's back, knowing from experience the bliss one could get from the combination. She reached out for a much larger bottle with white pebbles on the cabinet behind the bath and rubbed some on the sponge.
Sensing that Daenerys would ask what the pebbles were she whispered "sea salt" Dany let out a whimper when the salt rubbed against a particularly tender spot on her shoulder blade "like I said earlier, us Ironborn can both break and make a spirit. Sea salt is the best remedy for battle aches, and we've plenty of that"
"Seems like your people also have the hands to soothe those spirits" Dany was trying her best to sound mocking, or at least high in spirits. But Yara's hands kneading at her aching muscles made it come out as a half whispered relief "Are you as good at sailing and ship building as you are at massaging Greyjoy?"
"Oh no no" Yara's hands sneaked up to the base of Dany's neck, relieving tension the dragon queen did not even realize existed "At that I excel much more than this" it was almost hard to believe, considering the fact that the silver headed queen was currently putty in Yara's hands "speaking of which, we're yet to name what will soon be the greatest flag ship ever built, if you would allow my cockiness"
"I will allow whatever trait of yours so long as this doesn't stop" Dany's plea came out almost as a moan when Yara moved from the back of the bath to the front of it to massage the queen's feet "did you have anything in mind?"
"Not particularly. I imagined that it would have something to do with dragons, unless that is far too predictable?" It was the first time the teasing was not followed up with a hard stare. Yara was a lot more focused on Daenerys' whimpers and moans, and feared that if she looked up the queen would recognize her interest.
"The thought did cross my mind" Dany accepted "however Tyrion suggested something much more interesting. The bow of the ship has ornaments, correct?"
"That is correct your grace"
"He ordered the smiths to design a dragon head, made of iron" Dany's smiled almost mysteriously "Him and I believed the best name for the ship would be Iron Dragon" the Targaryen took pleasure in the fact that Yara was by her feet with her mouth wide open "It would also serve to cement our alliance. The Ironborn and Targaryen sailing under the Iron Dragon would send a message"
"Aye" Yara seemed to be reduced to single word responses. This was clever on a whole new level. The unity of two houses would sometimes be represented by their sigils emblazoned on a single material. A ship named for two houses would send an even stronger message than a piece of cloth "You honor me and my crew with this your grace"
"Yara..."
"You do us a great honor Daenerys" the iron queen corrected. Dany smiled at the brunette who more than ever found Daenerys' feet interesting. The possibility of teasing Yara back for the physical torture she had put her through crossed Dany's mind, but the almost adorable reactions the Ironborn was displaying broke her resolve. Instead she sat back and enjoyed the continued massage while trying to not fall asleep.
-oOoOo-
"That's it! Now swing left and drag it with you" Dany followed Yara's instructions and, despite not being able to land a single blow on the iron queen she did manage to keep her balance and not get dragged down by the heavy sword in her hand.
They had been training almost every morning for a whole month, and even though the Targaryen did not think she was making any progress, Yara was very impressed by her ability to push through despite the challenges. She had pushed the blonde to the limit of her ability, always careful to stop right before he reached Daenerys' breaking point, and by god she had pushed right back, keeping the Ironborn on her toes all the time.
"Perfect. I think we can stop for today" with incredible sped the sword in Dany's hand dropped to the ground, picking up dirt as it touched down. "I am very glad you agree"
"All I want is to down as many pints of water as I can find, take a very cold bath and sleep my day away" Dany bent down to pick up the sword, with one hand while she rubbed her sore shoulder with the other. She was beat to it by Yara, who did not want Dany doing more work that she already had to "unfortunately I am the queen of this city and cannot ignore my responsibilities"
"It is the burden of responsibility Dany" Yara froze in her tracks after Daenerys gasped, almost fearing what would happen if she turned.
"The only person who ever called me Dany was my brother..." They had gone through lengthy discussions about Daenerys' during their walks back to Black Wind or to the pyramid; these had created an incredible sense of respect between them, for all they had gone through and still managed to come out the other side.
Well I've really buggered it up now, Yara's eyes closed a the thought came up. She herself had wanted to murder Viserys for everything she had put the blonde queen through, making her almost thankful for the existence, however brief, of Khal Drogo during Dany's life.
"Daenerys I'm sorry I wasn't..."
"No. No no, I think that it deserves another chance to be attached to better memories" the relief in Yara's posture made Dany smile, Yara always walked on eggshells around her even when her guard seemed down. The fact that at some points in her life she could slack her shoulders and smile was endearing to Dany. "I also think that the burden of responsibility comes with a lot of loopholes" Yara's head tilted to the side in curiosity of what Dany had in mind "For example, if I were to spend the day out on the water on a ship receiving training to get used to the high seas then I would not be slacking"
The queens stopped moving when Yara's boots screeched with how fast she stopped. The Ironborn set themselves as how cunning they could be, it was the mark of a great leader with the kind of things they could do for their people. That Dany could apply that to something as simple as taking a day off made Yara feel an even stronger pull towards the Targaryen. "That could work" her voice came out as small and squeaky, nothing compared to the usual confident and mischievous voice the lady Reaper of Pyke usually sported.
-oOoOo-
Daenerys Targaryen could say with confidence that not many things in the world could hold her interest for far too long. She had seen a lot of the world and its wonders, and after having birthed, for a lack of a better word, three baby dragons she did not think much could hold her admiration.
Well, that was until Yara Greyjoy. On land, she was a skilled warrior and a woman whose mere presence commanded authority and respect. In her ship she was a whole different kind of animal. A woman who seemed one with the ocean, never losing a beat when it came to commanding the men under her, even getting respect from her Dothraki.
The men she was sailing with today had already been on Black Wind, not losing their breakfast overboard, but still not able to walk across the deck without tripping and slipping abut.
Dany turned around when Yara stepped away from the helm when they had reached calmer waters "See anything you like?".
"I always enjoyed the ocean" Dany looked away towards the wide open blue expanse in front of her "I was named Stormborn for the storm that hit Dragonstone on the night I was born. From there I was taken across the ocean and on ships many times from city to city with my brother"
"I can tell" Yara set her elbows on the mast, putting her chin on her hands "you don't lose your lunch with the sway, and you can certainly walk across the ship when the others slip and trip after ever step"
"One time I told Viserys we didn't have to go home" Dany sighed, causing Yara to turn her head and body to look at her, inviting her to continue "that we lived just fine on this end of the world. In reality I just wanted him to let me live my life, and let me sail the world".
Yara's eyes went wide at the revelation. Dany always seemed like the most determined ruler, maybe her reasons for taking the iron throne were not the most solid, but she definitely seemed to want it enough. Imagining a Daenerys Targaryen who sailed around the world, and became a ship-hand with a fame of her own stirred something in Yara that she did not want to understand, but she definitely knew it was there. Dany looked back at the Ironborn who was staring at her like she was meeting a whole new person, with a whole newfound respect in her eyes and something else—something that was making Dany weak at the knees.
Yara's head ducked down a bit to speak much closely to Dany, making the hairs in the back of her neck stand "Would you like to try your hand at it" gray eyes met the amethyst ones of the dragon queen, almost agreeing to something new, something that they didn't know yet "I know you won't break her. She will treat you well"
"I... I" I am not a child or a maid to be acting this shy Dany was extremely exasperated with herself, but realized she really couldn't help it "yes" she managed to squeal out, with Yara getting much closer to her, where she could feel her breath and smell the sea in her mixed with the breeze.
"Come" Yara's calloused hand took Dany's smaller and much softer one in hers, puling her to the helm.
Black Wind always made Yara proud. Black sails and an imposing Kraken at its bow, it was feared across the oceans of the seven kingdoms and Essos; but the helm was her seat, or wheel, of power. A custom made wheel, of black wood with carvings she had made across the years, and a golden kraken in the spindle hole. Three of the spokes on it were much different and a lot more intricate than the others. One was of a woman whose arms were crossed over her chest holding a dagger. The next was a man with a strange crown of wood and algae, a scowl deeply set on his face. Finally, a girl whose face had a melancholic feel to it and whose crossed arms held a short sword. Dany's hand came to rest on that final spoke, her fingers tracing the carvings on the girl's face, making Yara smile.
"These are beautiful" Yara stood behind her, putting her hands on two spokes that were not carved, steering the ship slowly as she swayed in the water while her men gave instructions to the Dothraki on how to help once they actually set sail. "Did you carve these?"
"My only escape was sailing when my father began going even more crazy" Yara took Dany's hands under her own, helping her get a feel of how she swayed "When Black Wind was given to me her wheel was very damaged after our first landfall on Westeros. The last thing we took on board before sailing back home was a large crop of black wood. After fixing her up a large chunk of wood was left" Yara's left hand moved from Dany's to the carving of the Kraken "Tirius took me to the ship master and he helped me create a wheel I could easily use. Thinking it had to be my own I worked day and night to make a Kraken on it. I was only on my fifteenth name day which meant it was not the best of carvings, but it was not the worst"
"It is far better anything I could carve" Dany's face scrunched up in concentration when a wave made the wheel slip from her grasp, being slowed by Yara who directed her hands back to the spokes.
"After I installed the wheel I began carving what made me who I am, so I began with myself" Yara's hand shifted to the carving of the melancholic girl "My mother, who had died when a northern man stabbed her was next. She had made me determined to be strong and be feared" Dany held the wheel by herself while Yara stood to the side, watching her like a hawk to make sure she would get any help if she needed it "the last was my father. Despite his permanent anger he pushed me to be Ironborn, and to win all my victories by the steel of my sword and the strength of my ship"
Daenerys understood that, probably better than anyone. Every single trial she had to overcome to get to the helm of Black Wind had made her who she was. All the good, like her dragons, and the bad, like every loss she had to suffer, got her there. It almost made her wish for a place of her own to carve her story like Yara was doing with Black Wind's wheel, a piece of her that would remain after she was gone.
"Careful my queen" Yara's hands came to rest at her waist, shifting her with a lot more softness than Dany thought the Ironborn was capable of "if you do not have enough balance the waves will throw you, and the wheel off. Black Wind will treat you well so long as you know how to handle her"
"Her?"
"Black Wind" nothing else needed to be said. Despite who would ever be in Yara's life, Black Wind was the only her who would always take the stage, like Dany's dragons would—
"I have need of you when we tie down"
"You heard the queen!" Yara yelled at her crew, who began moving about with help from the sea clumsy Dothraki "let us go home"
-oOoOo-
"Am I allowed to know where I am being taken now?" Yara was trying not to het angry. She really was. But she had been dragged up and down the city for a long time now. Wearing a heavy cloak and leather in the Meereenese heat was making her irritable, all the walking was not helping.
"Patience Yara, patience" this only made the Ironborn huff and the Targaryen giggle "someone who sails should have patience. Imagine you are at sea"
"It does not feel like the fires of the seven hells are licking at my skin when I am sailing" the answer was almost grumbled, but still managed to reach the ears of Daenerys who rolled her eyes.
"Well you are sailing through the fires of hell then. In any case, we are almost there" Yara had lost track of where they even were. Twists and turns and a lot of being bowed to by the people of Meereen to the blonde queen who was leading her around made her turn off her brain for a second, only focusing on the hand that was holding her own. Small and soft and warm—and very distracting. Quit it Greyjoy, she is your queen not a whore.
They came to stop at the base of the large pyramid, where a small garrison of unsullied stood by a large round door made of stone. The ground here was much warmer, Yara could feel the heat of it seeping through her leather boots. Something lived there, something that enjoyed a heat greater than that of the weather in the bay city.
Dany directed, with a wave of her hand, that the door be open. The silence inside was daunting, something was lurking in there, and as fearless as Yara was every single one of her instincts was telling her to stay out.
"You gave me a chance of treating with your most precious companion" The small hand Yara had enjoyed holding just a few minutes past was now pulling her toward her doom, or so she felt "allow me to return the favor"
Finally the pieces clicked in Yara's head, as her hand came to rest in the pommel of her sword. Daenerys was dragging her to meet the ship sized lizards that breathed fire. Yara no longer believed she had made an impact in Dany enough to create something more, at this point she thought all Dany wanted to do was see her dead.
-oOoOo-
"Drogon. Viserion. Rhaegal" the names echoed around the cavern while Daenerys lit up the larger torches hanging on the wall. Yara had stopped moving at the edge of the steps, hand at the ready to pull her sword, knees bent ready to run up the steps and never again look back. How the Targaryen had gotten her to actually move down the steps did not register, all that she could think about was the clinging and slithering of something, or various somethings, large moving about the mostly darkened cave.
"Wh...wh...where are they" Yara stammered out, doing her best to put up some bravado, and failing miserably if the giggle that came out of Daenerys was to be the judge of that.
"You've nothing to worry about Greyjoy. Unless you mean me harm they will not hurt you"
The classical Greyjoy wit was but a step away from lashing back to Daenerys when the largest lizard face Yara had ever seen came out of the shadows. Drogon's black scales shimmered with the light, the darkness making his eyes and more importantly for Yara's wellbeing, his menacing teeth, look a million times more dangerous. Well, that was until Daenerys followed up his scary entrance with petting his snout, making him nearly purr with pleasure.
"As I said, he will not mean you any harm unless you mean me harm. Now come here, and take your hand off that sword" Dany extended her hand towards Yara while the other two dragons slid past; equally menacing and both demanding attention from their mother "I do not bite either. Give me your hand"
Yara looked down at her right hand as if it was the last time she would ever see it. She took two steps towards Dany extending her hand towards her and inevitably towards Drogon. "That is my only good right hand" trying to insert humor into the situation helped, but not by much. The large dragon understood what his mother wanted of him, and ducked his head to smell the palm of the hand that was being put in front of him.
"He surely will not bite now, unless you refuse to pet him" Yara's gray eyes grew wide with fear. Drogon's black scales rattled as he moved his snout under Yara's hand. The fearless Ironborn queen looked like a scared little girl approaching a dog for the first time, and despite the ferociousness of Drogon he relished under her touch.
-Flashback-
Dany was narrowly avoiding any desire to skip excitedly. After such a long time she had finally convinced Daario of getting to know her dragons. She believed that any person she could be fond of her dragons would like, with no better judges of a good character she believed it would be the ultimate way to decide Daario's worthiness.
He had spent most of the walk towards the base of the pyramid speaking to himself, trying to convince his own brain to give him courage to face the great big flying iguanas living under their feet; he really was not succeeding either.
With all the posh she could muster, Daario and her entered the large cave that held her children, torch in hand. Rhaegal, who seemed to be the only one of the three awake was waiting for them at the base of the steps. His big yellow eyes stared at thee queen suspiciously, something she was not used to, or had expected.
"Rhaegal..." Whatever she had wanted to say got cut off by his snapping and growling. Daario instinctively reached out to hide Daenerys behind his back, hand on his Arakh.
Before Dany could move an inch Viserion stepped out from the shadow behind Daario, lighting the air above his head on fire, he spun around trying to swing at whatever was attacking him, giving Rhaegal the opening to step around Daenerys, hanging his wing above her head protectively.
"What in the name of the seven gods is wrong with them" Daario was pinned against the stair case, with both dragons snarling at him. Drogon, who was even less visible in the darkness than his green and bronze siblings roared when the commander of the second sons tried to step towards Daenerys.
"Drogon no!" What in any other moment could have been a commanding woman seemed like a small scared child. She could not understand why her dragon were having such a violent reaction against the man she thought she was truly fond of.
One thing was for sure, she would not ask another to see her dragons, not unless they were the last thing they would ever see
-End of Flashback-
Or so she had thought. Because unlike Daario, Drogon was taken with Yara, who had upgraded from petting his snout to scratching the scales between his eyes. The fearless beast of legend who had killed to protect her was now enjoying Yara's ministrations, growls almost content in nature.
"I think he likes m—what in the seven hells" Rhaegal and Viserion snapped into view, but not in a threatening manner, more like a sibling who wanted what its other sibling was getting. In a heartbeat Rhaegal was demanding the attention of Yara' other hand, while Viserion began demanding the same treatment from Daenerys.
"I think they all like you" Daenerys scratched Viserion absentmindedly while staring at Yara. In an ironic fashion she was looking at Yara in the same way Yara had looked at her when she had told her about sailing. This Yara was completely different from the one that had come in bound to her presence, this Yara was different in a whole new and even better way.
"Well I like them too, they're all wonderful" slowly she stopped scratching the dragons in front of her to step back and admire their magnificence. Daenerys stepped up to stand next to her. It was a proud moment for Daenerys when someone other than herself could admire and appreciate her dragons. Sure her small council thought them useful and magnificent, living legends that the world had not seen for a long time. Her enemies and easily swayed allies all feared them, as they should. But no one really shared the level of love and respect Daenerys held for them, until Yara. The thought that this woman was very special Dany could not shake, the fact that her dragons clearly agreed with her really made her consider what this meant for her, both a a ruler and a person.
-oOoOo-
Hello there. I apologize for this chapter being a little bit shorter than the last one, and almost feel more like a filler. An emotional filler. The plot originally had way too much crammed into this one Chapter, so expect the next one to be a little bit longer and more action packed.
Hope you all enjoy, thank you so much to everyone who favorited, followed and reviewed, you guys are awesome and make me want to keep writing.
~TheIronDragon
