Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones both the story and its characters. All those rights belong to the genius who wrote this masterpiece, George RR. Martin.
To all my readers: Thank you for all the reviews and critiques. If you are wondering why Euron looks different and Dany's attachment to Daario, I'd like to explain that majority of the material I use is from the show, but I add references from the books as well, to make it more interesting. :) Please continue to review and critique, I appreciate all of it.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Chapter 10
It had been a tense week for all within the camp. Jon and his chosen men from the North have returned. The air around camp was stale with grim prospect. The Riverlands were no longer safe, they had to move elsewhere. Tyrion suggested to make haste towards Casterly Rock and the Westerlands. The forces of the Lannisters have been greatly diminished and because of the mistrust amongst the Tyrells. Tensions were very high; high enough to catch momentum and seize the lands. Since this was Tyrion and he knew the precise location, geography and tactical weak points in security, the lords agreed that this was for their best interest.
The tension was rife especially with Daenerys. She had become withdrawn from people. It felt like the fire in her was slowly dying out. People felt that the once proud and vibrant queen was replaced with a husk of a being, who now lost the passion and vigor of their former self. Jon did save her but the experience had left her so unsure of herself, making way to an endless spiral of self-doubt. Suddenly she began to hesitate about her capabilities and strength as a leader. She felt that, since she was attacked by a man and had no way to fend him off; that her coming to Westeros was the most significant mistake she had ever chosen for herself. Her thoughts would go back and forth trying to remember why she wanted Westeros in the first place and why she did not stay in Essos. Here in Westeros, she was treated like a queen by most of the lords but a stranger to their own unique world and customs. In Essos, she was a god, a conqueror and Breaker of Chains. Then her thoughts would go to the people she killed to get to where she was and the lovers she lost to attain her goal. Even the most trusted friends she had, have gone ahead of her. Ser Barristan fought nobly and as strong as he was and most capable of defending the queen. But alas, fate was cruel and had cut him down trying to reach for her.
Am I making the right choice? Is this worth all that I have suffered and sacrificed?
Always those words. Always those thoughts. Always those memories. Always those dreams and nightmares. Was she really who she thought she was? Was this really her destiny?
Dany had been walking around the camp that she did not realize that she had entered her husband's tent. He was meeting up with the lords of the Vale, North and Riverlands.
"Have they tracked down the ships?"
"Yes my lord. We have captured the Iron Born and seized their ships."
"We have also captured the so called horn."
Both Lord Manderly and Ser Davos Seaworth.
"What do you suppose we do with it?"
Lord Glover asked the council
At that moment Jon looked over to the stunned Daenerys. Jon sat up straight and told the lords
"Why not ask our queen?"
All eyes stared at her and Jon continued
"What do we do with the horn, Dragonbinder?"
She turned her heel and left the way she came in and said
"Burn it, husband."
"May I accompany you, your Grace?"
She looked over her shoulder and it was the older gentleman, Ser Davos.
"You may Ser."
They walked around the camp in silence the men would pause and bow at her and saw 'Your Grace'
Ser Davos was the first to start a conversation. He talked about the weather and the tent she had. If it was warm enough to which she replied as cordially as possible. They would see the men scurrying about pack things as they went; for at the break of dawn they would start to leave the Riverlands and onward to the Westerlands. When they reached her tent, Davos asked if the Queen could spare him some of her time. Dany no longer interested and said that it would be better for those words to be spoken in the morrow.
"I'm afraid it must be now your Grace."
She looked at him and he continued
"I know you do not wish to talk about this but it is better you do. But do this with your husband. He may not be the man you want but he is the man you will need."
He was very firm when he said that
"I have nothing to discuss with my husband."
"I understand you do not wish to look weak in front him."
This statement perked her ears and she wanted to retort how ridiculous it was to talk about things. Dothraki do not talk and a Queen does not share her weaknesses in front of any man, even her own husband.
"But you have too. The battle is long and the losses are insurmountable. We need each other. We cannot do this alone. You need each other."
She looked at him with disbelief
"I know it makes no sense. But in a marriage, you rely on each other. Not just in strength but in weakness. It is only when you rely and trust in each other. Your marriage becomes a partnership."
She confused, perplexed and unsure. For years she never shared with anyone what she thought. Mostly because, they were thoughts about conquest but inner thoughts she never had time to deal with them let alone share it.
"Pray tell what do I do."
"Start small, your Grace. A small gesture is enough. Learn from each other."
He said sincerely. Ser Davos bowed and left the Queen to enter her tent.
That night Daenerys went from her tent to Jon's personal tent. She could see the shadows inside the tent and hear the muffled voices. At this time, Jon resumed his learning of Valyrian to help with the dragons. It sounded like Jon was having difficulty. That was the precise moment that Dany entered the tent.
"Valar Dohaeris."
"Valar…"
"Dohaeris… Your Grace, it means…"
Missandei was teaching Jon diligently, but unable to finish for the Queen finished for her.
"All men must serve."
Missandei and Jon rose from their seats. But Dany asked them both to remain seated.
"Is there something I can do for you, wife?"
Daenerys did not answer. They have never fully engaged in any type of conversation other than meetings for war and the occasional greetings in the morning. Thus the formal way of greeting her. Political marriages were not supposed to be comfortable but Jon had hoped that he and Dany would become like his father and Lady Catelyn. But alas, Dany was no Lady Catelyn and try as he might he was not his father. He did not know how to confront a woman without her charging at him first.
"His Grace has been improving in his Valyrian, your Grace. A little nasal sometimes but better than before. I believe he will improve some more given more time and practice."
Missandei must have felt the uncertainty and the awkwardness of the young monarchs. It was rather palpable in the air as silence was the reply to all that Missandei had told her. Finally, Daenerys spoke in reply
"Good, but he won't need your tutelage anymore."
Missandei genuinely looked confused and Jon lips set into a frown, he did not know why she was acting this way. All he has ever done was never come near her and when he did it was only when she needed him.
"I don't understand…"
Missandei began but Jon cut her off
"Have I done something to displease you wife?"
Daenerys spoke louder in order for them to stop putting unnecessary ideas in her head.
"I'm stopping the lesson as it won't be necessary for Missandei to teach his Grace any further."
She marched up to the stool situated beside Jon and sat down inelegantly. She grabbed the book and said to Missandei
"Because I will do it from now on."
Missandei looked shocked but she bowed and left the tent immediately. Daenerys got the book and flipped through the pages. She decided she would teach him off the books. She got some parchments in order to write the words as she spoke them. She started scribbling some words onto the paper but had to stop. She felt the pair of eyes staring at her. Jon was silent but his eyebrows were cocked and response she questioned him
"What?"
He shook his head
"Nothing. Go ahead , wife."
She immediately retorted
"Daenerys. I want you to call me Daenerys, I am your wife so call me as such."
She looked at him as he did with her. Jon leaned forward and said
"What is this word?"
That night Daenerys taught him 10 phrases for conversation with a Valyrian tongue. It was nice to teach Jon her mother tongue, deep inside she was glad to share something with her new husband.