Chapter 34
Daenerys soon learned that Jon Targaryen had only come to Lannisport to meet her. The majority of his army - as well as his wife - resided at Casterly Rock. Almost as soon as she and her men had rested and eaten, her nephew had them marching to the Rock. She took this time to fully examine her nephew.
It was true what they said, that he was more Stark than Targaryen. That explained why he was able to hide as Eddard Stark's bastard for so many years. Unless you knew what to look for, it was nearly impossible to see his Valyrian origins. His eyes, for one, were so dark they were almost black. But if you looked closely, there was some violet in them as well. He was lither, more graceful and leaner than Robb Stark, the trueborn son of Jon's uncle. Obviously, that came from his father.
He was a natural born leader. His men were exceptionally loyal to him, even those from Dorne. She'd heard from Lord Stark that, unlike the other "Five Kings," Jon had not declared himself king until his men had named him their king. She was a bit ashamed to say that she had not done that either.
And he didn't just draw loyalty from his soldiers. The people, the small-folk, loved him. They practically worshiped the ground he walked. He gave them peace and prosperity, food and shelter, something that King Joffrey had denied his people.
Everything about him seemed to demand respect, loyalty and love. It was no wonder that Rhaenys had fallen in love with him. He was all that a King should be. And Daenerys found herself wishing to be in her niece's place.
The way she felt about him, it was like nothing she had felt before. With Khal Drogo, she had been afraid at first. She was a girl and a maiden when she married the great Khal. She had come to love him eventually. With Daario Naharis, her feelings were mostly of lust. And why not? He was a confident, handsome mercenary that commanded one of the largest sellsword groups in the Free Cities. But Jon made her feel different. He didn't see her as a plaything or as a woman to use for her power and beauty. He saw her as a Queen, as his aunt, and a true leader. He made her feel wanted and safe, even though they had only just met. And it wasn't just how he treated her. Khal Drogo had been her husband and Daario was one of her captains. Jon was married and her nephew. She almost certainly couldn't have him, and that just made her want him even more.
Jon had promised her the right to rule. He had said that they would share the realm. What better way than through marriage? She wasn't a fool. She wasn't going to try to convince herself that after their first meeting, she was in love with him and that their marriage was meant to be. But they could grow to love on another, with time. She had not voiced these thoughts to him yet, but she planned to, when the moment was right.
Casterly Rock was not far from Lannisport. It was a huge fortress and foreboding. Once, it might have flown Lannister colors. But now it flew Targaryen and Stark. Lord Stark had told her that his "brother" planned to give the Rock to Tyrion Lannister, should the Imp prove to be an ally.
They had entered the great seat of House Lannister and her nephew immediately took her and his companions to his solar. He said that they needed to plan their next offensive. She couldn't have agreed more.
Inside the King's solar, she found three people. Two wore the white of the Kingsguard. They were introduced to her as Ser Barristan Selmy and Ser Jaime Lannister. Her shock at seeing the Kingslayer was great. The man who murdered her father had been allowed to serve her nephew, without any punishment for his crime. She didn't bother to hide her resentment, though the Kingslayer merely ignored her.
The third person in the room was obviously Queen Rhaenys. Even without her bulging stomach, she looked every inch a queen, a Targaryen and a Martell. On her head was a circlet, carved in the likes of a dragon, decorated with rubies. Her brown hair was braided and draped over one shoulder, with a winter rose placed just above her ear. Her dress was black and red, the colors of her father's House. Daenerys had heard from Viserys that Rhaenys was supposed to look just like her mother, and Daenerys had no such trouble believing him. She sat at a long table that was covered in maps and messages.
As the door was closed, her niece stood. She gracefully walked over to her husband, whom she greeted and kissed before turning to Daenerys.
"Aunt Daenerys, it is good to see you alive and well," she said in a silky voice. Daenerys could hear no deception in her voice.
"Likewise, Niece. Now, what is our next move?" She asked as she came to stand at the table. The others joined her, including her own captains.
"We plan to take Bitterbridge first and to slowly make our way through the Stormlands. Once we take Storm's End, we'll head for Dragonstone. After that, we conquer the Crownlands," her nephew stated. He seemed confident in this plan, and Daenerys agreed that it would work. But there was still one part of the game they were still missing.
"There is one other issue," she started carefully. They all turned their attention to her, and she could see that Ser Jorah was uneasy with where this was going.
"Just before I left Meereen, we received a letter," she said, handing Jon the letter. She waited a moment before adding, "from someone claiming to be Aegon VI."
None of those who served Jon and Rhaenys seemed surprised. "Yes, we were . . . aware," Rhaenys said. There was a pained look in her eyes, and Daenerys realized that it couldn't have been easy watching someone you believed to be your infant brother have his head smashed against a wall, and then to learn that he lived and was your enemy.
"Why has Dalin said nothing about this?" Jon said, though his questioned was directed at Rhaenys and the two Kingsguard. They were ignoring everyone else in the room. Daenerys wondered who this "Dalin" was.
"I don't know. He may not have known." Her niece didn't sound very certain.
"No. He knows. Your Grace, if there is one thing I have learned from Dalin, it's that something this big would never have escaped his notice," said Ser Barristan. The Kingslayer was nodding his head.
"I agree. The question is why? Why did we have to learn through rumors?" Jon frowned as he stared at his half-sister.
"Because," a new voice said, and everyone except the two Targaryens and the Kingsguard jumped. Ser Jorah and Daario drew their swords. "It was a part of the plan."
Standing in the corner was the man who had brought Jon's terms to Daenarys. Again he seemed to be more shadow than man. She didn't understand how she could have missed such a sinister looking man. In fact, she was almost certain he hadn't been there when they entered.
"What plan are you talking about?" Her nephew asked.
"Lord Varys planned for Rhaenys and Aegon to be reunited after a few years. They were supposed to raise an army and retake Westeros from Robert Baratheon, perhaps even marry in the old Targaryen tradition. But things . . . changed." His voice was expressionless. Goosebumps began to appear on her skin, and she was sure that the temperature had dropped when he began to speak.
"Yes. I married Jon and we conquered most of Westeros," Rhaenys said.
The man nodded. "Yes. And I saw no reason to tell you until he posed a threat. But I didn't have to. Prince Oberyn heard the rumors surrounding Aegon and brought them to you." He turned to look at her. "And your aunt confirmed it."
She felt uneasy under his gaze. It was like something was crawling on her skin, urging her to scratch it off, but being unable to find the source.
"How long before he reaches Westeros?" Ser Jaime spoke for the first in her presence. He seemed eerily calm. Like Jon.
"A month at least. Autumn storms may heed his journey here," Dalin said in the same monotone voice.
Rhaenys came to stand before Dalin. "Thank you, my friend," she whispered. He bowed his head and - right before Daenarys' eyes - disappeared in a swirl of shadows.
She was still overcoming the shock of having a man - if that's what he even was - disappear right in fucking front of her when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She found herself looking at Jon.
"Are you alright?" He asked. She realized how pale she must have looked.
"Yes, yes, just . . ."
Jon chuckled at her loss for words. "He has that effect on people. I need to go overlook some arrangements for our march to the Stormlands. I will see you at dinner." Without another word, he left, the Blackfish and the Young Wolf following. Everyone dispersed until, eventually, it was only her, Ser Jorah, the Kingslayer and Rhaenys in the room.
"Khaleesi, perhaps you should go and get some rest," Ser Jorah said quietly. She saw the look he gave Ser Jaime.
She placed one hand on his arm and answered, "You go ahead, Ser. I would like some time to speak with my niece."
"Then I will stay to guard you."
"Do not worry, Ser Jorah," Rhaenys spoke softly. She came over to Daenarys and wrapped one arm in hers. "Ser Jaime and Dalin will watch over us."
"I do not trust you or the Kingslayer," he hissed at her niece. The venom in his voice surprised her. He had never reacted so badly to anyone before.
"You will. I trust my aunt and Jaime and Dalin. But I do not trust you. My husband has told me of your crimes. Oh yes, you are still being held accountable for that. I also know of some of your . . . other work," she paused. Ser Jorah's face paled visibly. "So you will leave us."
"I-I, um, y-yes," he stammered before all but running out of the room. Daenarys looked to her niece in confusion.
"What were you talking about?"
"Nothing you need to concern yourself with now. It will all be settled once the war is done." Rhaenys led her down a hallway and continued to talk. "I hope you realize Jon will still execute Ser Jorah for his crimes."
"I pardoned him. As far as I'm concerned, he has done no wrong."
"You freed the people of all the slave cities across the Narrow Sea because you did not wish to see people enslaved, did you not Aunt? By letting Ser Jorah live, you will be going against all of that. Jorah Mormont was sentenced to death because he sold poachers as slaves. People will no longer see you as the 'Breaker of Shackles.' They will see you as a Queen who let a slaver escape justice because she enjoyed his company. And with the way things are in King's Landing, whispers will start and before you know it, rumors will spread of how you fuck Jorah Mormont and sell anyone that displeases you as a slave."
Daenarys looked at Rhaenys incredulously. "You would start something like that just to prove a point?"
Her niece laughed quietly, though it lacked any humor. "I would not. But there are those who would. I have been playing this game much longer than you, Aunt. I have spent time in King's Landing, in the court. It is the Viper's Nest. Something as simple as a knight kissing a lady's cheek while they are alone could become the knight fucked the lady and all her children are his bastards. Oh, I know it sounds absurd. But you won't be saying that once the rumors spread and soon, the whole court is your enemy. You have to learn how to survive."
"From what I can tell, my nephew is an honest, honorable man. If I can't survive, what makes you think he can?"
"Jon has Dalin and Lord Varys and myself serving him. Not only that, but I have taught him how to play the game. He will not use deceit or trickery, that much is certain. But he will not make the same mistakes Eddard Stark made." She sighed. They had come to a balcony over-looking Casterly Rock. A stone bench had been placed on it. Rhaenys sat down and rubbed her stomach. Daenerys recalled the discomforts that came with pregnancy.
"Jon proved that he was not someone to be fooled so easily when he destroyed House Frey and ended House Westerling. He will survive King's Landing. But will you? You are an outsider, a stranger who has come here to lay a claim to the Iron Throne. The people will come to accept you over time, maybe sooner than they would have had you come alone or with Aegon. But they will never love you like they do Jon. Even as a Queen, there is not much you can hope to do for our House. I know about your son, Rhaego. I know about Mirri Maz Duur's promise, that you are barren and will never be able to give a husband children."
Daenarys' heart ached as she thought of her son. The Stallion That Will Mount the World. Her baby boy, murdered by Mirri Maz Duur.
"I like you, Daenarys. I wish to see you happy, like I do the rest of my family, blood or otherwise. But do not presume that you know more than us. Your life has been spent across the Narrow Sea. Things are different here." Rhaenys got up to leave. Just as she was about to leave, she turned to say one last thing to Daenarys.
"Take this to heart, Aunt. When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground."