Leather sandals slapping against stone, the Khaleesi moved through the hallways of Pyke Castle much like an assassin intent on her mission.
Any poor souls she came across, they quickly moved out of the way. It was obvious she would not suffer fools impeding her steady progress to the Throne Room. Murmurs followed in her wake, but she paid them no mind.
Eventually the large doors to her objective loomed in front of her, halting her steps.
The two guards in attendance eyed her up and down. She was just on the verge of barking orders when they leaned shoulders in and opened the wooden barrier to let her through.
The overly impressive scene which greeted her almost prompted hysterical laughter. Which would have been awkward, but certainly apt.
It immediately became apparent that Yara had given up on the tactic of retreat and was now employing the tactic of….well….
Rows of her Captains and fellow sailors were lined up on both sides of the impressive hall. All leading up to the woman herself, wearing her crown, sat imperiously on her throne.
Daenerys spared herself a tiny, humourless chuckle and raised an elegant brow. Well played Greyjoy. Well played. But no matter. I'll still take the day whatever you throw at me…
Calmly linking hands in front of her, she walked slowly, purposely, through the throng of men, calmly ignoring their hard gazes completely. Her attention riveted only on the seated Queen.
Once she was a comfortable distance away so that she wouldn't have to raise her voice to be heard, she stopped and cocked her head to one side slightly regarding those who surrounded them.
The throng of impressive men assembled so carefully there were so clearly a living shield. A guard to fortify a trembling heart. Against what possible emotions and circumstance, who can say? The almost desperate last stand of a woman with nowhere left to run to.
Yara looked every inch the Queen of the Iron Isles at that moment. Her usual slightly unkempt hair had been somewhat tamed, the crown of carefully intertwined driftwood and rusted iron sat comfortably on her head. The throne underneath her, made from what looked like slabs of actual pale white/pinkish salt, seemed made for her slight frame. She looked comfortable. At ease. Confident in her power.
But then the Mother Of Dragons noticed she gripped the arm rests of her seat of power so hard her knuckles were white. They stood out in stark contrast against the rest of her hands, tanned from weeks working in the open air.
And then Dany knew she had her.
It was all an act. With the slightest tilt of her chin she raised a brow.
"Do you seriously think all this will deter me from my purpose in coming here?"
The two women locked steely gazes for several beats then Yara answered, voice tight.
"So, should we not stand on ceremony for the Queen Of All Westeros? The Mother Of Dragons, the Unbu…
Ah, deflection. Dany cut her off. She knew her own names just fine. She was constantly being reminded of them after all.
"I do not wish ceremony. I certainly never demand it. But you knew that."
Yara firmed her jaw. This was not going to plan. At all. Damn her.
The blonde broke their stare to glance around at the men watching them with keen interest.
"I was hoping to speak with you in private, but I suppose I can discuss this matter with your court present. After all, it does concern them in a roundabout way."
The Greyjoy took a breath and steeled herself for the certain blow of the announcement of Daenerys' impending wedding to wash over her like a bucket of sharp knives.
"I shall NOT be marrying the King Of The North. And you, Yara Greyjoy are a coward."
The silence that followed was broken only by gasps from the assembled men. Several reached for their swords. No one insulted their Queen to her face on her Throne and lived!
A weathered hand shot up, halting their murderous intent, as the Salt Queen sat with wide eyes.
Unfurling herself from her seat, her leather outfit creaking as she stood tall, Yara took a step forward, astonished and utterly confused.
"WHAT did you just say?"
Crossing her arms over her chest, the Mother Of Dragons appeared unconcerned.
"You heard me. You're a coward. Oh, and also an idiot."
Never taking her eyes from the blonde, the Lady Reaver Of Pyke stood for a beat then calmly stated "Leave us!"
When the assembled throng failed to move and started raising voices in protest she pinned them all with a murderous glare. "I SAID LEAVE US! NOW!"
Winchall, taking in the fraught scene and the potential for disaster, started pushing the men nearest him towards the door. "Out! C'mon! You heard your Queen! Move it ye bastards!"
When the last of the protesting sailors had been finally bundled out and the heavy wooden doors slid shut, only then did the Queen of Salt and Rock move forwards, stepping carefully down from the Dias to stand just out of arms reach of Daenerys.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Dany rolled her eyes.
"The meaning of this is you are an idiot. And a coward. And did I mention an idiot?"
"Daenerys!" The warning was growled, fists clenched.
"What!? It's the truth!"
Even Yara had her breaking point and she was fast approaching it. "GAH!"
She made a grab for a slim wrist and then she was dragging her, not ungently out of the hall and down a corridor, pushing open another door and almost throwing the Khaleesi into the room. Which turned out to be a bed chamber decorated in reds, browns and golds with a roaring fire in the hearth.
Stumbling, indignant, Dany turned on her, rubbing her wrist. "By the Gods, are you insane woman!?"
"Explain!"
"What? I'm not explaining myself to you! YOU'RE the one who ran away. YOU'RE the one who removed your friendship without a single word! YOU'RE the one who's been hiding at the bottom of a barrell since I got here yesterday! YOU explain yourself to ME!"
Yara strode to the fire, yanking her crown off to place it on the mantle then raked her hands through her hair, only to grab it with two fists moments later in frustration.
"I don't have to explain myself to you! I'm the Queen here, this is MY castle! By the Drowned God, you have no right to…"
But Dany cut straight back in. They were almost screaming at each other now.
"I HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO KNOW WHEN SOMEONE IS IN LOVE WITH ME!"
Yara looked like she'd been slapped. She looked stricken. Eyes wide and breathing rapid.
Dany wanted so much to go to her then, even as angry as she was. The other woman looked trapped, bereft, panicked. That the world had been pulled out from under her feet. But instead she turned and glanced at the door. Seeing there was a key in the lock she immediately strode over and turned it, locking them in.
Then she turned back, held up the key for Yara to see and dropped it down into the body of her dark blue travelling outfit, cocking her head smugly as if to say, there, let's see you try to run away this time!
The Greyjoy had watched her from across the room, with a sinking feeling. There really was no escape this time. Nowhere to run. She was at the other woman's mercy. At any other time that would have been a dream scenario, but now she just wanted a pit to open in the floor and swallow her whole. This was the very scenario she'd been trying so hard to avoid.
Her shoulders sagged and she leant heavily against the mantle which held her crown, head hanging down. It seemed apt somehow. She could almost hear her ancestors laughing at her.
Her voice, when it came, was quiet. Resigned. "What do you want to know?"
Daenerys was relieved she could finally stop pushing and start getting answers. She walked over to a nearby table and poured herself and Yara some wine. But when she offered the glass, the Greyjoy caught her out of the corner of her eye and shook her head in reply.
"So many things. I want to know why you kept your feelings secret from me. I want to know why you left without saying a word – I was bereft, I was worried, I was confused, and I couldn't talk to my most trusted friend and confident because She. Wasn't. There."
The Greyjoy grimace was plain to see. It had hardly been her finest hour leaving as she did. She scrunched her eyes tight as if that would protect her from the coming blows.
"I want to know how you could do that, leave without one single word to me? Had our friendship meant nothing to you! I trusted you! Those months shared with you Mereen were some of the happiest of my life. And I thought you enjoyed them too!"
Yara finally turned and moved forward at that, imploring, "I did! By the Drowned God I did Daenerys!"
"Then how could you leave me in King's Landing like that?!" Dany sounded so very young right then. Not at all like the powerful queen Yara knew her to be.
The Greyjoy looked at her. Really took her in for the first time in weeks. She looked upset, confused. She owed her an explanation. She knew she did. And it was long overdue.
"Sit" she sighed. "And gimme that damned wine…"
Offering the goblet, Dany watched as Yara stalked over and took it from her. Their eyes met briefly then Yara's skittered away as she turned and walked to a chair by the far wall, dragging it over noisily until she was closer, but still a safe distance away. The she sat heavily down, regarded her wine and immediately chugged half of it.
Eventually her eyes rose and fixed on her Khaleesi. Dany sat down in a chair at the wine table, unsure if her legs would support her fully after this conversation was over.
Sea green eyes slid shut and the Captain finally began to speak her truth.