She'd had less of the rum than Arya but the effects on the Queen were undeniable. To her dismay Arya had handled it far better and appeared much more in control than Daenerys felt. The conversation was easy, and they laughed frequently as they alternated tales from their childhoods. Arya told her how she'd used to have to hide in the bushes near her home to escape the sewing her mother insisted she learn. When it was her turn Daenerys spoke of a time before the Khal, before Pentos when she and Viserys would travel freely, when his anger was muted and his love for her visible.
If they weren't talking, they were busy with other pursuits. More than a little bit of rum had spilled as Arya pulled Daenerys in for unexpected kisses. When the reverse occurred Arya never lost a drop. Her steady hands remained even as Daenerys made it her mission to see them waver.
How she'd gotten into this position was a bit blurry. She ended up flat on the bench, with her legs open and Arya leaning over her. She was careful not to lay her weight on the smaller woman and was resting one of her knees on the bench for support. Daenerys wanted a mouth on hers, but Arya was making her wait, choosing instead to taunt her with soft kisses, flicking licks and light nibbles against her neck, ear and across to her shoulder. Daenerys was thrilled she chose a strapless dress when she felt Arya's lips make the journey from the crease of her neck to the edge of her shoulder unhalted.
Remaining still was hard. She squirmed and tried to coax Arya to end the torment, but her efforts only seemed to push the dark-haired vixen in the opposite direction. The more Daenerys whimpered the more Arya prolonged her anguish.
Time lost its meaning as she surrendered to Arya. She knew early on what it would take to get Arya to stop teasing her, but she wasn't ready to capitulate. Whether she was Daenerys or Dany she wasn't going to beg until the last possible moment. If Arya wanted those words to pass her swollen lips, she'd need to earn them. Although she didn't say any of this out loud, she trusted Arya knew. She rose to meet Daenerys's unspoken challenge all the same. The game was on. This one was far more interesting to Daenerys than anything she'd seen at the tournament.
Her hands clawed the cushion, digging her nails into the fabric as she tried to remain as still as she could. Above her the knowing smirk on Arya's face only made her desire stronger. When Arya's mouth abandoned her sensitive neck and began to move lower Daenerys prayed silently that Arya was as desperate as she was to get the relief they needed. She should have known better. Earlier in their tryst she'd run her fingers through Arya's hair and removed the band holding it back. Now, dark strands brushed against her chest as she worked toward Daenerys's nipples. She didn't need to look to know they were as hard as pebbles inside her dress and that was a good thing since Dany couldn't manage to open her eyes. They were closed tightly as she fought to reign in her lust. Arya played her way across Daenerys's exposed cleavage expertly. Her lips stopped any time they came in contact with silk, causing Daenerys to whimper in need. As soon as she realized Arya intended to work back up, something inside Daenerys snapped. She gave up her hold on the bench and gripped the back of Arya's head, using all her power to keep her there.
Her strategy was poorly designed. Holding Arya still, just limited the area she would focus on, lavishing the small spot near the edge of Daenerys's dress in constant kisses and sharper bites than anything she did to the Queen's neck. Her hips began to move on their own, desperate for friction, against any part of Arya's toned body they could reach. When Arya laughed at her prey, the vibrations against Daenerys's breast nearly broke her. She needed this, she wanted it and by the Gods she was going to have it, even if it took admitting defeat.
"Fuck!" she hissed as she threw her head back carelessly and ended up striking it against the bench hard. "Take me to bed Arya," she commanded with all the dignity she had left. Arya didn't move an inch and Daenerys knew why. "Please, Arya," she finally said, sounding breathless and raw. "Please!"
That did it and Arya pulled away, easily breaking Daenerys's hold as she grinned in victory. "Music to my ears," she mocked, just before she planted her lips to Daenerys's. The kiss was pure fire and Arya placed both her hands on the bench, on opposite sides of Daenerys's head. With her arms free, Daenerys reached around and worked up under Arya's shirt. The scars on her back felt familiar as she traced them at random. Remembering her lover's tolerance for pain she scratched hard, punishing her for making Daenerys plead. She was rewarded by Arya breaking the kiss to curse before their mouths met more intently.
The frantic kissing caused Daenerys to tilt her head and stretch her neck in all manner of directions and angles. She felt the dull ache as she attempted certain poses, a reminder of the time Arya spent there. Daenerys smiled in response to her thoughts. "Take me to bed!"
The hesitation she saw in her graceful partner reminded her of how she'd been when Daenerys first saw her body. "The Queen's bed?"
She knew the fact that she was royalty was an issue for Arya, but she wasn't going to let that stop her, stop them. She kissed Arya hard, and used her tongue to force her way into Arya's mouth. She stayed like that, ignoring her body's demands for air until she felt Arya begin to relax again. "Dany's bed," she corrected.
R-C
As soon as they were inside her chambers, Daenerys was overcome by a wave of shyness. She was afraid for Arya to see just how much she had, to see how much gold had been wasted decorating a room she barely used. As it always was, the room was well lit by strategically placed candles. Daenerys moved fast, from corner to corner, blowing out the flames as quickly as she could, hoping the darkness would make it easier for Arya to overlook their location. She met her lover near the bed and took her in her arms. "It's just like your room above the tavern," she said before she kissed her. This kiss was nothing like their last, it was gentle and tender and one more time Arya matched the mood perfectly.
"It's not exactly like that," Arya pointed out.
"Close enough," Daenerys insisted, grabbing the bottom of Arya's shirt and raising it up over her head. Even in the dark she could make out the faint lines of her muscles and many of the scars. She knew many more were invisible without the light, but she vowed to touch them all as she dropped the shirt to the floor and let her hands wander.
She was kissing the side of Arya's neck when the taller woman tried to best the dress Daenerys wore. Held up by a series of unseen pins there was little give when Arya pulled. She groaned in frustration and pulled harder, getting a peek at her bare breasts before the fabric settled. She knew from experience how strong Arya was. She could have broken the pins if she wished but she was taking care, not wanting to damage the dress. Daenerys was touched by the sentiment, needless as it was. She reluctantly stopped her work on Arya and looked down at herself. She was a mess. The dress was out of alignment exposing parts of her that were meant to be covered and blocking others that had been on display all night. "Don't go soft on me now Arya," she said, enjoying being on the other side of the teasing for once. "If you want what's under that dress you're going to need to really pull."
She could have told her about the pins or even removed them herself, she had plenty of practice. Where was the fun in that? Her instincts proved right when she met Arya's eye in the darkness and saw fire in them. It was an answer to her challenge. Her dress didn't stand a chance.
In the large room there was only the sound of breathing for a long moment, then Daenerys heard the tearing of fabric, and the distinct pinging sound of the pins hitting the floor. The silk was suddenly gone and Daenerys was left exposed. "That's better," she said, feeling younger than she truly was.
In front of her, Arya held the torn dress in one hand, looking between it and Daenerys's face. "Tearing a fine silk dress, my sister would be appalled."
Her sister? Daenerys hadn't known she had a sister until right then and it was not the time discuss it. She did what she could to memorize that detail for later, so she could learn more when her needs were satisfied.
Seeing Arya discard the meaningless dress on the floor and focus fully on the Queen, made her whole body shiver in anticipation. She took Arya's hand and began backing up, bringing the taller woman with her. Even in the dark, she knew where the bed would be. She put her free hand down and felt around as casually as she could. When she'd left last, the bed was lined with dresses, but apparently someone had cleaned up for her. She'd need to thank Missandei for that too, she guessed.
With her legs against the end of the bed she decided to try and surprise Arya with a bold gesture. Biting her bottom lip in focus she spun around as gracefully as she could, rotating them so it was Arya's back and not Daenerys's that was to the bed. Once she had them in the right position. she put her empty hand against Arya's breasts and pushed as hard as she could, knowing she'd need all her strength to knock her over.
She fell, and Daenerys took full advantage. She landed on top of Arya without concern for her weight, knowing Arya could take it. She doubted herself briefly when she struck Arya's body and heard a grunt of effort and dare she say, pain. She immediately tried to scurry off, to lighten the load but Arya's arms snared her and kept her exactly where she was. Any lingering concerns vanished with the forceful, hungry kiss Arya gave her in response to her efforts.
She broke the kiss earlier than she wanted and got back to the most important thing in that moment, ridding Arya of the remainder of her clothes. She kissed down her body, stopping at several scars to give them attention. Her hands got to the front of Arya's pants before her mouth, but not by much. She was much better at remaining still than Daenerys had been in a similar situation earlier, but that only prompted Daenerys to try harder to illicit a reaction.
When she realized what Daenerys intended Arya kicked off her boots, sending one falling off the foot of the bed, while the other went flying across the dark bedchamber. Arya cursed when the boot got away from her and tensed when they heard it clang against some unseen object. Daenerys didn't mind. If anything, she took it as proof that Arya wanted this as badly as she did. But just because she wasn't upset didn't mean she wouldn't tease her about it. "Torn dresses, boots lost forever, leave the pants to me," she instructed, as she kissed across Arya's stomach, "before you hurt yourself."
Any advantage she had was short lived. "If you want to get in my pants Dany," Arya bantered back, "you could have just asked."
She smiled, enjoying the game. She'd never had a lover who challenged her the way Arya did. It was refreshing and more intoxicating than the rum. "Fine!" Daenerys relented, "Take your fucking pants off then."
Instead of adding her hands to Daenerys's near her waist, she simply laid there on the bed under her Queen. "I thought you said you were going to do it, lest I injure myself." She was being difficult on purpose and yet Daenerys found her desire growing instead of waning.
Fine then, she'd do it. She pulled the pants off Arya's hips slowly and appreciated the fact that she lifted up to make it easier. Once they were at her knees Daenerys almost left them there and busied herself on other more pressing things. She wanted Arya as naked as she was, so she took the extra time to strip her completely, taking note of the fact that Arya did nothing more than bending her legs at the appropriate time to help.
When the pants were on the floor next to her dress and Arya's shirt, she looked up the length of her lover's body to find Arya lying on her back, with her hands behind her head, the picture of ease, in the darkness.
She had a plan. She needed to keep Arya talking, distracted, while she got in place for a surprise attack. Arya had liked when she'd forced her down onto the bed, she hoped for a similar response this time. "Comfortable?" Daenerys prodded as she crawled up toward Arya's smirking lips.
"Absolutely," she answered shamelessly. "Whoever made your bed this morning did a spectacular job."
She carefully avoided making contact with Arya's tempting body until she was ready. Daenerys scoffed and turned her head to try and hide her blooming smile. "How do you know I didn't make the bed myself?" she asked feigning outrage.
"Please," Arya replied in the midst of a chuckle. "I'd bet my favorite sword you have a team of handmaidens and advisors who fly in here every morning like buzzards to help you get ready, three of them at least."
She was nearly in the perfect spot. Her head was level to Arya's breasts and it wouldn't be difficult for her to reach between her legs when the time came. Daenerys felt her own wetness surge as she thought about what would follow that.
Arya took her silence as a confession and she was right. Daenerys did have more than three handmaidens who all had specific duties in helping the Queen prepare for the day. She let the quiet spread while waiting impatiently. Arya laughed beside her, confident in her assessment. "I knew…"
She didn't get to finish as Daenerys sprung her trap. She attached her mouth to Arya's nearest breast, covering her nipple in the wet heat of her mouth. She tried to maximize the pleasure her lover felt as she grazed her nipple with her sharp teeth at the same moment she reached between Arya's legs and cupped her wet center. With the firmest part of her palm she pressed harder than she would have dared with any other woman, but Arya replied like she'd hoped and writhed on the bed as she lifted up to Daenerys's touch. They stayed like that as Arya refused to pull away. "Fuckkkk!" she groaned as her hands moved from behind her head. She was no longer relaxed, and Daenerys thrived on being the reason why.
She was in the process of kissing across Arya's chest to her other breast when it happened. All at once, before she could even comprehend it Arya rolled them. A squeal of delight left her mouth and she broke contact with the skin she'd been tasting. She did however manage to keep her hand between Arya's legs the entire time. Her fingers petted the soft, wet folds as she let Arya take the lead from the top. She dove into Daenerys's neck and the Queen turned her head to accommodate her. She was rougher now, more insistent. She didn't doubt Arya would make her beg before the night was done, but Daenerys was confident she wouldn't be the only one.
R-C
Her night with Arya was worth all the effort it took to arrange. The dark-haired woman was blessed with vigorous stamina. She was insatiable, and Daenerys knew she was lucky to be on the receiving end. There wasn't a part of her body that didn't ache or throb in the best way under Arya's touch. Unfortunately, the need for sleep was making itself known. It had been a long day and an even longer night. She'd have little trouble falling asleep next to Arya and she looked forward to it but first she wanted to give her generous lover a fraction of the pleasure she'd enjoyed.
Arya was on top of her again, pushing her long fingers deep into Daenerys's core. She could have let it go on forever without complaint, but she needed to focus. Arya deserved some attention too. She'd done what she could to tend to Arya's needs while she was being pleasured but it was difficult, and Daenerys found it hard to see the task through to the end. It was far too easy to get distracted by the feelings Arya had surging through her body.
She reached between her legs and pulled on Arya's wrist. With grey eyes watching her closely she pulled the arm and the woman attached to it up to her face. With her violet eyes locked onto Arya she pulled two of Arya's fingers into her mouth, the same two that had brought her such joy. She tasted herself as she worked but barely noticed, too taken by the way Arya moaned under her tongue. She needed this.
She kept licking until long after her fingers were clean. When she finished, she'd decided how she wanted to feel Arya climax. She got up and went to the end of the bed. Arya rolled slightly to watch without comment. This wasn't going to work if Arya didn't join her and Daenerys desperately wanted it to work. In the privacy of her bedchambers with no one but Arya to hear her, she didn't need to worry about embarrassing herself or being too forward. "Are you coming, or will I be pleasuring myself?" she asked, hoping to motivate Arya into action.
The speed with which Arya hurried down the bed had Daenerys smirking wickedly. That was more like it. They'd been on the soft bed for hours, but Daenerys suspected Arya would appreciate something a little harder for the finale.
Emboldened by the endless desire racing in her system Daenerys grabbed a handful of Arya's hair and pulled her in for a kiss. It was wild, and hungry, with more mashing teeth than tender tongues. Any questions about how her idea would be taken died when she saw Arya's expression. She broke the kiss but refused to look away from Daenerys's face. A swipe of her tongue caught Daenerys's attention and she watched as Arya cleared a drop of blood from her lip. She hadn't realized she bit her that hard.
Feeding off the reaction she got from her lover, Daenerys repeated the same act, pulling her hair as if she meant to kiss her, but this time she used her hold to push her to the floor. Arya could have resisted but she didn't. For once Daenerys was in a position to tower over a kneeling Arya. When she looked down from her dominant perch, she could see what Arya intended. She was going to take advantage of their proximity and connect her mouth to Daenerys's wet pussy again. The promise of another orgasm was almost enough to let her proceed. This was for Arya, not her. "Turn around, face the bed!" she demanded.
She wondered what she'd do if Arya didn't obey. Before she could obsess too much she was drawn to movement. She didn't ask one question before she turned to the bed and settled onto her hands and knees, just as Daenerys devised. She stood over her a moment longer, appreciating the form before her. Arya's body was so lithe and deceptive in its power. She was as strong as many of the men Daenerys had taken to bed and yet hid it so much better.
As silently as she could she got into place behind Arya. Like Arya she knelt on the hard, unforgiving floor. She trusted Arya would be ready for her and she was. Without warning she pushed two of her fingers into Arya hard. She was met by a loud moan and wet heat. She savored everything about that moment. Suddenly wide awake and clear headed she pumped her fingers in and out as fast as he could. When Arya pleaded for more Daenerys obliged by adding a third finger. She rocked back and forth, onto her palms and then back to Daenerys as if trying to help her small fingers find a deeper place inside her. While one hand fucked her, Daenerys used her other to assault Arya's available flesh. She reached as high up her back as she could and raked her nails down hard, leaving marks from the first pass. She branded any part of her she could reach, her back, her legs, her ass, all of it was Daenerys's and she wanted to make sure everyone knew it.
By the time Arya's muscles clenched her fingers, Arya was almost prone on the floor. Daenerys took the opportunity to lean over her more completely and fuck her more vigorously. When she heard Arya scream her name she knew once wouldn't be enough. She didn't say Daenerys, but Dany. Her choice of names confirmed Dany's greatest wish. Even in her most mindless state, incapable of logic, Arya thought of the silver haired Targaryen as Dany and nothing else. It was exactly what Daenerys wanted to hear.
Arya's strong thighs tried to trap her hand in place. Understanding what she needed Daenerys pushed her fingers deep and left them there, allowing Arya to press back as much as she liked. Her hand would be sore tomorrow. She smiled anyway, finding humor in the fact that no one else would know why she was so exhausted, or moving so tentatively.
While Arya was panting, trying to recover Daenerys was plotting their next position. She swatted Arya's bare ass playfully. "Up!" she called. The grunt she got in reply was too adorable for words. "I'm not done with you yet," she said, approving of how those few words propelled Arya in a way her commands never could.
On her knees in front of Daenerys again the Queen saw the first hint of fatigue in her muscles. Her legs were shaking ever so slightly. With a gentle touch unlike what they'd just done Daenerys ran her fingers over Arya's wet lips. She leaned into the touch, but Daenerys used her other hand to keep her from getting ahead of the Queen's slower pace. With one of her legs she began spreading Arya's knees, nudging one and then the other, to make it easy for her to stay balanced. When the opening was wide enough, she laid out on the floor by her bed and reached for the woman she couldn't get enough of. Her hands found purchase on Arya's ass and guided her down onto Daenerys's waiting mouth.
Arya's moans, grunts and curses were a siren's song that urged Daenerys to keep going. There would be other nights she could catch up on her sleep. The floor was more comfortable than she thought it'd be. No matters of state, no frustrations with the court, no overbearing advisors existed anymore. Whatever she'd done to get to this moment was worth the price and then some.
R-C
They woke together the next morning, neither one sneaking out this time. She yawned as she sat up in bed, looking to Arya. She had her back to the Queen and was showing off all the marks Daenerys had left during their time together. "Does your back hurt?" she asked, touching a particularly angry looking scratch gently. She had trouble believing she could have done that.
Arya stopped what she was doing and looked over her shoulder at the concerned woman. "I don't mind. It'll make it harder to forget you."
It was unfair just how much that statement cheered Daenerys. Arya would be leaving today because of her, because of her life and yet she still wanted to think that Arya would remember her well. She wanted to say something, but she wasn't sure what. She was afraid anything she tried would destroy the peaceful bliss she was experiencing.
They'd managed to get a few hours of sleep in the early morning but not nearly enough. Daenerys knew the coming day was going to be long and taxing. "If there is an up side to being so tired, it's likely that I won't have the energy to yell at anyone today."
Arya had been returning to the bed carrying the temporarily lost boot from the night before. She was wearing its partner already, leaving her lopsided as she crossed the room. When she arrived, she climbed up onto the bed, kneeling next to Daenerys. "Troubles in paradise?" Arya asked, separating each word with a kiss on the side of Daenerys's already marked neck.
"Any time I try to do anything, a large group of those in the court oppose me and we end up locked in debate for ages until we pick a new issue to fight over," she complained. "Nothing ever gets done."
She had advisors and friends, in and out of politics. She could have voiced her feelings to any of them, but she didn't. It wasn't as if Arya was the first one to ask, just the first one Daenerys felt comfortable telling the truth to. She didn't have to worry about Arya spreading her words around to the gossips in court or using them as a weapon at a later date. Arya had nothing to do with this part of her life and that was precisely why she was the only one Daenerys was completely honest with.
In their time together, Arya had proved adept at snake wrestling, drinking, and sex. She had the scars of a woman who had seen battle and could analyse combat in a way Daenerys barely understood. She also had manners, and somehow allowed Dany to tap into the woman she'd been before Viserys chose to marry her off.
"Why are those people here?" Arya asked as she began to massage Daenerys's shoulders in her strong hands.
The addition of a hot mouth sucking on the lobe of her ear was nearly too much. After a long delay she fashioned an answer. "It… its… they're here to offer advice. Lords and Ladies from powerful families all over Westeros come here to help me govern."
"That may be what they tell you to your face, but they are there, each and every one of them to curry favor for their houses, to increase their standing in the region they come from. You think you need them, well guess what darling, they need you too."
"I do need them. They provide the goods that keep the citizens of King's Landing fed, clothed and secure."
"And what do they get in exchange for that?" Arya pressed. Daenerys was getting lost in her touch but tried to keep up because she got the sense this was important, whatever it was Arya was trying to teach her.
"Mmmmoney," she said as an answer and a moan slipped past her lips at the same time.
"You're thinking about it like the Queen," Arya said. Her tone made it undeniable she didn't mean that as a compliment.
"Arya I am the Queen," she said, feeling stupid for stating the obvious.
"Pretend you weren't. Pretend you were sent here from a Great House in the North. How many Northmen are here anyway?" she wondered aloud.
"We have two Northerners in court."
"Think of all the things the capitol buys from the North, the furs, the leather, the bows, could you purchase those things from any of the Northern Houses or does only one have everything you need?"
Daenerys was finally beginning to see the point. She leaned in to Arya's massage to reward herself before she responded. "Any of them could, I suppose."
"Right so one house is going to get the Realm's business and the others are not. Now imagine you are the one who gets selected. What do you think that does to the strength of that house when compared to all the others? How would it affect their relationships back home, to say they'd earned the throne's business?" Arya answered for her. "The one you choose will become more powerful in the region, while the others remain the same. You may need their goods, but you have options and you can use them."
Just when she thought she understood, Arya lost her. "What would it matter? If I choose a different house, I'll get the supplies I need, same as before, and that house prospers instead of the first, but nothing changes in King's Landing."
Arya separated what she intended to say next with a hot, passionate kiss that made Daenerys want to do nothing more than take her back to bed. What they had the night they met was supposed to be a one-time occurrence. Now there'd been a second and it was even better than the original. Daenerys didn't want it to end but wasn't ready to bring it up to Arya and have to face her feelings directly. It was too soon for that. They were still getting to know one another.
The kiss over, they both panted and grinned as Arya got back on track and forced Daenerys along for the ride. "Okay now with all that in mind, begin thinking as the Queen again."
She sighed and threw up her hands. "All I can think of right now is that kiss."
Arya didn't appear the least bit repentant even as she said, "I could not kiss you anymore if you'd prefer."
"Don't you dare!" Daenerys snapped back, making Arya laugh with the fire in her words and the speed of their delivery.
She still didn't understand why Arya felt now was the appropriate time for a discussion on the finer points of politics. She was trying to keep up, to listen to what her friend had to say.
"So, as we've just established…"
"Kissing you is fun," Daenerys interjected, feeling young and happy, even while fully aware of what waited for her outside her bedchamber.
"Before that," Arya said with a roll of her eyes, "we learned that the houses who come to court offer goods, but it also benefits them to have your favor. They want to be picked, so use that."
"Use it how?" Daenerys wondered.
"That orphanage you want to open, the one for the victims of the war?"
Daenerys was in awe. She hadn't thought Arya was really paying attention. Over dinner when discussing her day, she mentioned the orphanage and how it was meeting with resistance from those in her court. Funds were limited, and everyone had a better idea of where and how to spend the money. "Maybe I should just say fuck them and build it anyway."
She was only half serious. Tyrion would never let her do that. "You could. You control the treasury and your word is law but cutting out the court would only incite those who see you as a foreigner who invaded, waged war and took the throne."
Daenerys had never minded hearing those things said about her, because she knew they weren't true. She was born in Dragonstone and ruling Westeros was in her blood. As for being a foreigner - she took that as a compliment regardless of how those who said it meant it, because the Westerosi Kings and Queens who came before her did little to actually aid their people. They seemed far more interested in helping themselves. Hearing Arya give voice to some of the harshest criticisms made her uneasy and that feeling likely would have festered if Arya had stopped talking.
"They don't know what the fuck they're talking about. You're the best ruler we've had in far too long. Don't worry about them, just prove them wrong and in time they'll see it and shut up. If they don't, I can always go and shut them up for you."
Such a serious topic to be ended with tenderness, and the promise of physically violence. Arya was so confusing. It was impossible to predict what side of her Daenerys might discover next.
This was going in circles. "I can't show them anything if I don't build the orphanage and I can't get approval for the orphanage, because everyone thinks their ideas are more valuable than mine."
She was supposed to be enjoying a few more minutes alone with Arya. She had the younger woman pressed against her naked body in a delicious way, and they somehow ended up in the center of a political debate of sorts. It was such a waste. "Who in your court does the Realm do the most business with?"
"The Merryweathers."
"The Merryweathers?" she repeated back.
"From the Reach," the Queen explained. "After I defeated Cersei, I needed a new vassal in the region to replace the Tyrells. The Merryweathers were loyal to House Tyrell and sworn to me. They expanded their holdings from Long Table to include most of the prosperous lands that had belonged to Lady Olenna. They provide King's Landing with most of its gold and grain." She thought for a moment and then realized she'd overlooked another valuable ally. "The Starks are large trading partners as well.
"The Starks?"
"Jon Snow rallied the North against the White Walkers, and then bent the knee," she recalled, certain she wasn't telling Arya anything she didn't already know. Jon Snow was famous, even in the South. "The North has peace despite his death, with his sister ruling in his place, although she didn't send a representative to court."
Arya's grip on her tightened ever so slightly. "The Merryweathers then. Ask the representative from Long Table for his family's support with your plans to improve King's Landing, not just with the orphanage but all of it. All the dreams you have about making this place better."
"He'll never agree…"
Arya leaned over and stole another quick kiss. "He won't have a choice."
"Why not?"
As infuriating it was, trying to make sense of all this, she did get the feeling they were reaching the end and she wanted to see what Arya had been willing to spend so much of their limited time talking about.
"Because if he doesn't support you, you'll no longer buy Merryweather grain."
She rolled her eyes and pulled away from Arya's touch. She couldn't be serious. She thought Arya was giving her advice, but she didn't know what she was talking about. King's Landing could not survive without that grain, the people she wanted to help, would go hungry. "Our people would starve!"
"Why? Do the Merryweathers have the only farms in Westeros?!" she fired back, passionate for reasons Daenerys couldn't comprehend.
"I'd need to buy from every other house in the Reach and most of the South to feed our people," Daenerys informed her. The expression she got in reply made it clear Arya already reached that conclusion.
"So, you buy your grain from a lots of smaller houses instead of one. You'd gain many more allies and only one enemy. Not so bad huh?"
Suddenly the cocky woman was back, and Daenerys couldn't deny at first glance her theory had merit. There was only one major issue as she saw it. House Merryweather depended on that gold, they wouldn't allow Daenerys to simply give it to others. They'd be mad to give up the Realm's business without a fight. The room was silent while she thought it through. Daenerys had to keep her eyes away from Arya's naked upper half and her smirk or she'd get herself distracted again. "The Merryweathers wouldn't stand for that."
"Exactly," Arya said, as though she'd finally gotten Daenerys to the point, she'd been leading her to all along. "So, for the good of the house, he'll need to support the improvements you want to make to King's Landing, starting with that orphanage."
As she brought the orphanage back up again, Daenerys finally understood what it was all about. She thought she was venting to a lover in a private moment, making conversation over dinner but it was more than that. Arya listened, and then did more by thinking of ways to help. She'd have to run it by Tyrion to be sure, but her tactics made sense and would finally enable her to get past the deadlock and endless debates the court thrust upon her.
She rewarded her lover with a kiss. "Are you sure you aren't a politician?" she asked, amused by the thought.
Arya wasn't smiling when she said, "By the Gods no, bite your tongue. I detest politics, but I do understand some of it."
Daenerys didn't want to pry into why she hated politics, sensing that would take more time than they had left. She did however want to make clear that she appreciated Arya's efforts. "Thank you. I'll speak to the representative right away. That was a great idea Arya and if it works, hundreds of children will be properly cared for because of it."
"You did that," Arya insisted. "I just reminded you who the Queen is, that's all."
Aware Arya didn't like praise, even when it was well deserved, Daenerys let the matter drop. She met Arya for another kiss, and then another.
They stayed that way until there was a knock on the door. "Daenerys," Missandei said. "Your first meeting is in less than an hour."
It was inevitably going to happen but still she hated that it did. Arya moved first. She had her pants and boots on and her shirt nearby, she just hadn't managed to get it on yet. "I guess I should be going then."
"You could stay…" she said quickly and without thinking. It was a visceral, instinctive response born from her desire to keep Arya close.
There was no reply but that said plenty about how Arya felt. She watched her put her shirt on in silence. "Remember who is Queen Dany, they need you far more than you need them. There isn't a man or woman out there you couldn't replace on a day's notice."
She couldn't let her go quite yet. "Arya…" she said hoping to stall her steps while she figured out what would follow.
She stopped walking to the door but spoke before Daenerys could, having no such problems getting her mouth to operate. "I understand Dany, I always have. It was supposed to be one night and then I saw you at the tournament and I broke the rule. I just couldn't walk by and say nothing. I should have but…"
Finally, Daenerys found her voice. "I'm glad you did. I wanted you too." That admission got only a brief smile out of Arya, so Daenerys went bigger. "I wanted to see you again, I even went to the tavern, but you'd already left."
Arya's eyes widened when she heard this. "You went to the tavern?"
"Not for very long, as soon as I found out you were gone, I had no reason to stay."
"Why?"
"I wanted to see you," she said, breaking it down to its most basic point.
"You said…"
Daenerys knew all too well what she'd said. "I know, and I know my life is crazy and it's a lot to ask, but can I maybe see you sometimes, when you aren't busy?"
She honestly didn't know how Arya was going to respond. The last time it was strictly sex and never seeing one another again, now Daenerys was taking a risk, to try and win more time with the woman who made her feel normal.
"You want to see me again?"
"Yes!" she shouted too loudly. "I know you hate this place, and you don't like the guards and the servants and that's fine. We can meet other places, go anywhere you want, alone, just us."
When the answer finally came it wasn't as bad as Daenerys feared it might be. "I'll think about it." And knowing Arya she meant that literally. She would think about it and decide. She was asking a lot, so she couldn't blame her for wanting to think things over.
"Take all the time you need." Before they parted there was a practical matter that couldn't be avoided. "When you decide, if you decide…" she trailed off, confident Arya would understand what was left unsaid, "how will I know?"
"I'll find you," Arya promised.
Missandei knocked again just as Arya was at the door. "I'll send her in," she said looking back to Daenerys and the two shared a long, heated look that spoke volumes. "You might want to cover up your neck, your Grace," she jested before she left.
When Missandei was in Arya's place with the door closed behind her, Daenerys went to the mirror and got her first look at the damage. She counted six obvious marks on her neck and the upper part of her chest. Arya wouldn't be the only one with plenty of reminders of their night together. Luckily the matching spots on her breasts could be covered by her dress, but her neck would take some work to conceal. Even if she had to wear scarves in the summer heat, it would be a fair trade.
R-C
It was still early, but the day was going well. Taking Arya's advice, she convinced House Merryweather to support her efforts. To Daenerys's surprise it happened exactly as Arya said it would. Her attempts were unsuccessful until she threatened to no longer purchase grain from Long Table. The prospect of losing their largest trading partner was sufficient motivation and a deal was struck not long after. Finally, she'd have an ally in her quest to remake the world as she wanted. For the first time since she replaced Cersei Lannister, she felt capable of succeeding.
She hadn't heard from the woman who taught her how to win, but she wasn't concerned. It had only been a few days. Arya said she needed time and Daenerys was willing to let her have it. She could only guess how daunting it must be for Arya to contemplate a relationship with the Queen.
Since her last encounter with Arya, Daenerys's mood remained high. After their initial meeting, she'd grown frustrated not long after returning to the Red Keep but that wasn't the case this time. Perhaps it was random or perhaps it was because she believed she'd see Arya again, either way people noticed.
Tyrion was the first to bring it up to her directly. "You know it's getting hard to overlook the fact that you've been happy of late," he'd said.
"Is that a bad thing?" Daenerys asked, doing what she could to feign disinterest.
"Not at all, it's nice to see you smile Daenerys. It just has me wondering what changed." The answer was obvious to her. Arya happened. Tyrion wasn't finished. "Ever since you gave the entire castle the night off, you've been different."
"They deserved it," she said a little too quickly. She'd been trying to justify her actions and had inadvertently revealed more than she intended to her Hand. As usual he missed nothing. Her exaggerated defense of her choices had told him more than her words. Was it her imagination or did his eyes remain on her neck a moment longer than usual? Missandei had helped her cover the markings as best they could but Daenerys feared everyone would see them anyway and realize how she'd spent her night free of guards. She tried to force the thought away. She was an unmarried woman, she hadn't done anything wrong. She had nothing to feel bad about. Still, she knew some wouldn't see it that way. Leave it to Tyrion to be able to spot lust-fueled scars from a dozen paces. "Did you enjoy yourself?"
"I did, did you?"
"I did, thank you. The castle is buzzing with whispers about the generous Queen who gave everyone a much-needed break."
"I'll have to do it again then," she said, already thinking of the next time she could be with Arya. "It might be the cheapest way to reward everyone."
"Cheap is good, especially since the Queen will be building a new orphanage."
She smiled at the thought. There was a real need for the orphanage. Violence had left plenty of children alone and it was Daenerys's responsibility as Queen to help them. She knew for a fact Sansa Stark had opened two orphanages in the North to accommodate those left without parents after the war with the Night King. It was only right she do the same in the South. "We'll save money by having the Unsullied and the Dothraki assist with the labor," Daenerys decided.
"Are you sure that's wise?" Jorah asked from his spot behind her. "You need to protect yourself Daenerys."
"I'll be protected," she assured him. Like Tyrion he seemed unnaturally interested in her neck, but she tried to act as if nothing was amiss. "I'll remain in the keep if it'll make you all feel better, but I want the people to see that when I say I'll help, I mean it."
"We're already paying for it," Tyrion chimed in.
"Helping people takes more than gold," she retorted fiercely. "It's about time people saw their Queen doing more than just promising coin to fix a problem."
Missandei added her voice to the discussion, and as she typically did provided support to Daenerys's argument. "I'll speak to Grey Worm about organizing the men, if it would please you, your Grace."
She smiled to her friend. "Thank you, that would be wonderful."
"I'll see to it right away," she promised.
Even though she said it already, she mouthed another 'thank you' to Missandei as they all headed off to the Queen's next meeting.
R-C
Author's Note: There you have it. The second half of their date and a little bit of Daenerys finding her stride as Queen. Hope people like it, so far.
Happy New Year
RC