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Chapter 53

Aegon nearly broke his neck when his startled horse flung him off in terror.

Selene leapt off Rhaegal, feeling dizzy, lightheaded, and nearly drunk with joy. It was strange setting foot upon land. After flying, everything else disappoints.

"Sorry!" Selene rushed forward to help Aegon up, "Are you alright?"

He was rubbing his arm, but staring at Rhaegal, "You found him. You…you…"

"Rode him, yes," Selene was beaming, "It's indescribable."

A look of pain, but Aegon said, "I'm happy for you." And despite everything, Selene could tell that he meant it.

"Thank you," she answered, "And I'm sure you'll ride Viserion one day." She poured sincerity into her words, and his look of gratitude nearly broke her heart.

Selene straightened, "Right. Time to find Daenerys," She mounted Rhaegal, "Keep due north. I'll have a look and see if I can spot Jorah or Daario. Or better yet, Daenerys."

Aegon nodded, but she could see the disappointment in his eyes and as she gripped Rhaegal's spinal plates. The dragon leaned back on his hind legs, and then took off.

I'll never get used to this, Selene thought deliriously. The wind whipped her hair into her eyes, and her clothes were too loose, flapping in the wind. I'll have to remember to plait my hair and wear clothes that hug me better when I –

Selene's blood went cold.

I could go home. I could fly to the Red Keep and take Tommen, and down to Sunspear and grab Myrcella. I could retake Storm's End from whatever little lordling they've given my castle to. I could burn down the Twins and the Dreadfort….and even Castle Black for what they did to Jon. These thoughts swirled around in her mind like poison.

Daenerys smiled at her warmly and raised her glass, "Fire and fury."

"Fire and fury," Selene repeated softly. She couldn't abandon Daenerys. Selene wouldn't even be riding Rhaegal if not for Daenerys. Tommen and Myrcella were safe where they were, Selene knew her mother would burn King's Landing to the ground before letting any harm befall Tommen, and Prince Oberyn had given her his word that Myrcella would be safe as long as she was in Dorne. As to her vengeance….there would be time enough for that.

Selene was roused from her thoughts as Rhaegal rode above a sheer cliff. On the left, there was a strange circular pattern in the grass in the valley below, and to her right, there were two figures riding on horseback on the plateau.

Selene threw her weight to the right, and Rhaegal swooped, wings beating as he slowed in front of Ser Jorah and Daario.

They were staring at her in absolute shock. Finally, it was Daario who spoke, "You've managed to catch up."

Selene suppressed a smile, "I had a little help. Have you found anything?"

"No, not yet," said Jorah.

"Well, I have."

Ser Jorah frowned, "What is it?"

Selene gestured to the cliff. The two men rode toward the cliffside and peered over.

"An army?" Daario suggested.

"Not an army," Ser Jorah said, concerned, "A horde." His perpetual frown deepened, "It will take at least a day for us to climb down there with our horses."

Selene nodded, "I'll make sure Aegon is headed in the right direction."

It wasn't until dawn the next day that the four of them were reunited. Selene had been waiting all night on the valley floor with Rhaegal, as it had taken her mere seconds to descend the cliff face. She stretched as she woke. "I can't imagine going back to horses after you, Rhaegal."

Rhaegal made a metallic purring noise at the base of his throat.

Ser Jorah was circling the patterned grass. Selene walked toward him, while Aegon and Daario watched from horseback.

Jorah went to the very center, looked to the ground, and hesitated. Slowly, he picked a pearl ring up from the grass. "They have her."

Selene frowned, "Who?"

"The Dothraki. They've taken her to Vaes Dothrak."

Selene clapped her hands, "Great. Now I'll just fly in and-"

"No," said Daario, "There are thousands of them. Tens of thousands. Even on dragonback, you'll never make it out alive."

Selene crossed her arms, "I didn't realize you cared so much."

"We'll lose the element of surprise." Daario said, exasperated, "We'll need it."

The next few days flew by, as Selene spent most of it in the air, practicing. She tested her limits. She climbed as high as she dared, until Rhaegal roared in disapproval and black spots danced in her vision. Selene practiced their turns, pretending the clouds were barriers. She swooped down, swung right, climbed up, and with each passing day she felt more and more at ease, as if Rhaegal was her Thunder.

At the end of each day, Rhaegal would curl up to sleep, with Selene safe and warm beside the dragon. If she closed her eyes, she could almost pretend it was Eleni beside her, except when she reached out she felt scales instead of fur.

The next morning she awoke to see Ser Jorah lying flat, peering over a cliff down at the valley below. Selene stood, gave Rhaegal a light scratch and joined him.

Down between the red mountains was an endless expanse of tents. She could faintly hear the sounds of horses whinnying, of men bartering, of babies crying. The Dothraki people. In her books they were savages, barbarians, and down below was their only city. The heart of the Dothraki Sea and culture, Vaes Dothrak was both one of the largest cities, due to its expansive layout, and one of the smallest, due to its small inhabitant population. It had broad, windswept streets paved in grass and mud, and no walls. Selene saw carved stone pavilions, manses of woven grass, wooden towers, and log halls.

"The road running through the Horse Gate, they call that the godsway." Ser Jorah pointed, "Eastern Market, Western Market…when Khal Drogo died she was supposed to come here and join the dosh khaleen, the widows of the dead khals. That's where they will have taken her. The temple of the dosh khaleen."

Selene stared at Jorah. Does he know about his father? Or his niece? Should I tell him? He did offer me up to Daenerys to save his own skin.

"What?"

Selene cleared her throat, "Nothing."

He stood. As he removed his sword from his belt, Aegon and Daario joined them.

Aegon frowned, "What are you doing?"

"It's forbidden to carry weapons in the sacred city."

"Isn't it forbidden to sneak into the city and steal their khaleesi?" Daario fingered his dagger.

"If they spot us and we're unarmed, they'll see we're traders headed for the Western Market. But if they see weapons…"

"You're asking a dog to hand over his teeth," Daario complained as he handed over his knives.

"There's a tens of thousands of them down there. We can't fight our way out. We wait 'til dark, and then we'll find her."

Selene placed her winter dagger gently on the ground, next to Stormsbane. Ser Jorah saw her, "I think you should stay here."

"What? Why?"

Ser Jorah looked uncomfortable, "The Dothraki people… women are seen as lesser than-"

"Then they are no different than every other people."

Ser Jorah sighed, "You could be attacked."

Raped. Selene knew, He means raped. "You could be attacked as well, ser. I'm going."

Aegon stepped forward, "The more of us there to search, the better."

Ser Jorah raised his hands, as if to say So be it. Your blood is on your own hands.

###

The four of them were crouched besides some horses, watching the Dothraki make their way through the streets. There was screaming and cheering and yelling, and Selene's attention was caught by a Dothraki woman propped up against a wall, a man rolling his hips against her. Out in the open? Selene felt a blush creep up her cheeks.

"I should have been born a Dothraki," Aegon said softly.

Selene clapped her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing. She gave him a look. Don't make me laugh.

He shrugged, as if to say An impossible demand.

"Come on," said Jorah, darting away.

They followed quickly and quietly, avoiding the sight of the Dothraki and dashing between tents and clay homes.

The four of them ran down a narrow alleyway. When Jorah heard voices ahead, he turned sharply and waved his hand back. Go back, go back.

Selene, at the end of their little line, turned and nearly ran into three Dothraki. two men and a woman. It seemed this trio was trying to find a quiet place to convene. They gave Selene a hard look.

Jorah came from behind, putting a firm hand on Selene's shoulder. He began to speak in their tongue.

Selene desperately wished that Haldon would have had the foresight to teach them some Dothraki. She knew Jorah was giving them their practiced story. They were supposed to be wine merchants from the Arbor.

One of the Dothraki men stepped forward, looking Jorah up and down. His eyes flicked to Daario, to Aegon, and to Selene. The Dothraki man whispered to Jorah, and then turned and called to his companions. The other two broke and ran.

Selene ran after the woman, Aegon and Daario after the man, while Jorah stayed and fought.

The girl was quick, waving her arms and shouting. Selene leapt forward and pulled her back before she could step into the torchlight of the main road, one hand clasped over her mouth, the other around her waist. Selene threw her back. The young woman sprung up, her hands out defensively. She's hardly older than me.

"I don't want to hurt you." Selene said, slowly, hopelessly.

The girl bared her teeth and charged.

Selene sidestepped, extending her leg. The girl rushed forward and tripped. Selene grabbed the girl's arm, one hand on her shoulder, and twisted. The Dothraki girl's head smacked against the dirt, and she was still.

Selene dropped to one knee and placed two fingers underneath the girl's jaw. She felt a pulse, slow, but steady. Knocked out, but still alive. She breathed a sigh of relief, and then turned to find the others.

She found Jorah getting the life choked out of him. Selene leapt forward with a shout and threw her arms around the man's neck. Jorah slumped to the side as the Dothraki turned and flipped Selene off his back.

Her back slammed on the ground, the breath knocked out of her. The Dothraki man fell on top of her, laughing. Selene scrambled away, but the man held her leg. She kicked back with the other and heard the crunch of a nose breaking. The man yelled in pain and then pulled her closer and tightened his fingers around her neck.

Selene clawed at his wrist, trying to twist free, but his grip was iron. She felt his fingers dig deeper into her throat, and the world began to spin. Selene gasped for air, blackness encroaching in the corners of her vision. The last thing she saw was the mixed look of triumph and lust, before the darkness engulfed her.

###

Selene was nervous on top of Thunder, searching the crowd to find the boy who would become her husband. Her eyes locked on a pair behind the Starks, eyes like chips of ice. They belonged to a boy not a year older then her, with fair skin and a dark mop of hair...

"And this is my half-brother, Jon Snow," Robb said toward the boy with eyes like ice. So this was the famous Bastard of Winterfell. He looked like a spitting image of younger Ned Stark with his black curls and fair face. Whoever his mother was, there was little of her in her son. For some reason, she felt it hard to take her eyes off of him...

"Please, call me Selene."

"I do not think that is wise," Jon said, "I cannot refer to a princess by her first name."

"What if I command you to?"

He looked so thoughful that she laughed...

She pulled him to the center of the dancefloor and began to spin. Jon was unsure on his feet, but Selene was light, her skirts spinning around her. His confidence was growing by the second. They jumped around together in perfect time to the music. For the first time since she met him, Jon was wearing a large grin...

"Father said it would be better if I waited outside," He said bitterly, "He's my brother, too." Before Selene knew what she was doing, she threw her arms around him. He didn't move at first with shock, but then returned the embrace, squeezing her tightly...

"You won't ever stop fighting, will you?" He said, his voice thick with fury, but his eyes were filled with something else. That look again. "No, I won't." she said as she shot her knee into his stomach. He let out a groan of pain, but kept his grip. "Do you know what?" He yelled in her face. She was just about to yell back when he kissed her...

"And then you fought for my place at the table," the words were pouring out, Jon's eyes glancing back and forth between her own, "Lady Stark didn't want me at the feast, but you fought for me. When she didn't want me in Bran's room after he fell, you comforted me. Selene..." He struggled to find the right words, "I've always known my place, but you make me feel like I'm worthy of more..."

Hours passed with them picturing their lives together. Unable to wait for her family's blessing, they would elope and run away together somewhere warm like Dorne. They would live by the ocean and would never be cold again. They were laying side-by-side on their backs, looking up at the roof of the cave, their fingers lightly intertwined. "In another life?" she asked hopefully. Jon grinned. "Another life," he promised...

"I want you to have something of me," Selene said, she felt the words pouring out, tears threatening to spill over her cheeks. "No one will ever understand what the necklace means, but you will know it's me. Years will pass, but as long as you have this, know how I feel about you. When you feel hopeless and want to give up remember that you have to fight so we can meet again. When you're cold and lonely, remember that I'm out there somewhere thinking of you. Always..."

"I love you, Selene Baratheon," He said quietly, almost in wonder. She took a deep breath, "I love you too, Jon Snow..."

###

Selene stirred, her throat pulsing in pain. She heard Aegon's voice, "Selene? Oh, thank the gods you're alright."

No, she wanted to weep. Those were such sweet memories. Take me back.

She tried to speak, but only a rasping sound came out.

"Here," he thrust a wineskin into her hands, "Drink."

Selene didn't need to be told twice. She lifted the skin to her lips, the cool water pouring down her throat. It felt so good she nearly cried. It was as she was drinking that she noticed her tunic was ripped down the middle, and she was all but exposed. She quickly tried to pull the edges together to cover herself.

"I found this for you," Aegon said tenderly, "It was hanging to dry. I hope it fits."

Selene quickly slipped the painted vest over herself. She shoved her legs into the sheer silk pants as well. Once she was clothed properly, she began to remember what happened.

She opened her mouth to speak again, but something worse than pain gripped her. Did I…was I…?

Aegon saw the tears pool in her eyes. In an instant, his arm was around her shoulder.

"Hush, now. It's alright. You're throat looks like a mess, but besides that you're alright."

"I-I…" her throat burned.

"I found you, Selene," Aegon held her closer, "Look."

Selene looked. Before her was her attacker, his neck twisted at an unnatural angle.

"He knocked you out," Aegon explained as she stared blankly, "He ripped your tunic and was about to…" He didn't go on. He didn't have to.

Selene leapt to her feet. Aegon did too, "You were crying in your sleep."

Aye, I was. Crying because my memories are sweeter than my reality. Because I would give anything to go back to the north, back to a time when my greatest worry was loving a bastard boy, not being attacked in Vaes Dothrak. Selene suddenly felt very far away from home.

Daario spoke from where he squatted beside Jorah, "We have to keep moving. The Old Bear is coming around."

Ser Jorah was beginning to stir, and in a few moments their small troop was on the move again.

Finally, they came to the grandest tent at the edge of the city. Surrounded by brush, the grass-woven tent was beside a large lake.

"They call it the womb of the world," said Jorah, "The Dothraki believe the first man came riding ahorse from its depths."

Selene felt a chill. She turned toward the tent, staring at the only entrance. "And now?"

Daario sat, "Now we wait. We should take turns." He gave Selene and Aegon a sidelong look, "Perhaps the boy and I will take first watch."

When it was Selene and Jorah's turn, they sat in awkward silence.

"You once mentioned my cousin Dacey."

And there it is. "I did. Remind me, was that before or after you offered me as a sacrifice to the dragon queen? Knowing full well who I was and what she would do to me."

Jorah grimaced, "I'm sorry. I had to find my way back to her."

"Why?"

"To serve her. Defend her. Die for her, if need be. She is my queen."

Selene frowned, "She means that much to you."

"You've only just met her. I've served her for years. I saw a young girl walk into a pyre with three stone eggs, and walk out with three dragons. I've seen her outsmart her enemies, free the people of Slaver's Bay, and defend the weak. She's the queen the realm deserves."

Selene thought on that.

"Now, I won't ask again."

Selene bit her lip. He must have guessed. "Dacey died at the Red Wedding, defending her king and queen."

Jorah's voice was gruff, "The Red Wedding?"

Selene blinked. Those words destroyed Selene's life, but to Ser Jorah they meant nothing. "That's what the realm has taken to calling the massacre at the Twins, when Tywin Lannister plotted to kill my husband Robb Stark with the help of Walder Frey."

Ser Jorah looked disgusted, "The guest right…"

Selene barked with laughter, "It meant nothing to either of them. What mattered was that my husband should die…and our babe as well."

Ser Jorah looked at her as if for the first time, "I…I'm sorry, though Stark was no friend to me."

Selene turned her head, waiting.

Jorah sighed, "Eddard Stark was the reason I went into exile."

Selene tried to remember what was said of Ser Jorah back in her father's council meeting, before she knew the truth about her mother and uncle, "For what crime?"

"Slavery."

Selene stood, "You were a slaver? And now you serve the Breaker of Chains?"

"I've made many mistakes in my life, girl."

Selene grit her teeth, "My name is-"

"I know your name." Ser Jorah stood. He was taller than her, his arms like barrels of muscle, but Selene did not flinch.

Ser Jorah looked at her appraisingly, "You're Selene of Houses Baratheon and Lannister."

"And Stark."

"I received my knighthood from your father."

Selene stepped back.

"I was one of the first men through the breach during the siege of Pyke. He knighted me for my bravery, and a few years later your good father sentenced me to death."

"Slavery is punishable by death," Selene would not believe Ned Stark would ever act dishonourably. "Lord Stark was doing his duty."

Ser Jorah looked away, "I know, and every mistake in my life has led me here, to Daenerys' side. I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Selene couldn't believe how hopelessly in love Jorah was with Daenerys.

"You have your father's coloring." Ser Jorah told her. "His eyes, his hair…

Thank the gods, Selene thought.

"…and you're just as headstrong and proud as he was, to be sure."

Selene balled her fists.

Ser Jorah laughed, "As if he was come again. Though truly you are the mirror image of your mother."

Selene blinked, "You know my mother?"

"I saw her during the tourney of Lannisport celebrating the defeat of the Greyjoys. She sat beside your grandfather on the dais. Never was a maid so lovely, save…"

He didn't need to say her name.

Selene crossed her arms, "You are the mirror image of your sire, too, ser."

Ser Jorah's head snapped up, "You know my father?"

"I met him once, a very long time ago," Selene smiled, "He welcomed me to the Wall."

"You've survived at the Wall?"

"Barely, but I did. Your father was kind to me. He told me I had northern spirit, and his praise helped me win the northern lords to my cause. What do they say in the Night's Watch? We shall never see his like again."

Ser Jorah froze.

Selene closed her eyes for a moment, "You didn't know. I'm sorry."

"How?"

Selene shook her head, "I'm not sure." All I know is he was killed by men he trusted. But how can I explain how I learned that? Oh, Ser Jorah, I know your father is dead because I overheard a conversation between a witch, bastard, and king through some magic moonstones.

Before Selene could speak, Ser Jorah put his hand up, face turned toward the tent.

Selene strained her ears, and just made out soft footsteps, and the sound of an airy young voice. The voice that responded spoke in Dothraki, but…

Daenerys.

Faster than Selene could believe, Jorah leapt forward from their hiding spot, and grabbed Daenerys' companion by the throat, holding a dagger to it.

"No! Don't hurt her." Daenerys switched back to the Common Tongue, eyes flicked from Jorah to Selene.

"She'll give us away," Ser Jorah said. "We have to go now."

Daenerys gripped Jorah by the wrist, pushing his hand down and away from the young girl.

"We will never get out of Vaes Dothrak alive."

"Yes, we can," Selene's face lit up. "We have Rhaegal. The two of us would weigh him down, but we could rest often and be back in Meereen within days."

"Rhaegal?" Daenerys' eyes went from Selene's clothes, to the marks on her throat. "Selene, what-"

"She's a dragonrider now." Jorah said, resigned. Selene turned sharply, hearing what Jorah was truly saying to Daenerys beneath his words. Aye, Robert Baratheon's daughter is a dragonrider now. And I hope you don't live to regret it.

Daenerys turned to Selene, a strange look in her eyes. Is that concern? Or wariness? But before Selene could pinpoint it, Daenerys shook her curls and smiled, "I'm glad." She extended her arm the way Selene had all those moons ago, at the very beginning of their friendship. "Fire and fury."

Selene beamed, taking her arm, "Fire and fury."

Ser Jorah pretended not to see, "We have to leave."

Daenerys frowned, "Even with Rhaegal…we'll never get out of Vaes Dothak alive."

"All we can do is try." Selene advised.

Daenerys looked away, shaking her head, a small smile on her lips, "No. We can do more than that. And you're going to help me." She turned back to the young Dothraki girl and murmured in her language. The girl shook her head at Daenerys' words and their plan was set in motion.

###

Selene waited just above the clouds, shivering.

From here she was darker than a shadow, as much a part of the night sky as any other cloud. Vaes Dothrak was spread out before her, but her eyes were focused on the temple of the dosh khaleen.

I hope Daenerys is right about this.

She could feel Rhaegal stirring between her legs. He wants to move. He's tired of waiting.

It was then Selene saw it. Just a glimpse at first, but then the torch burned brighter. A little light, being waved vigorously from the ground.

Her signal.

"Alright, Rhaegal," Selene squeezed her thighs together, as if she were riding a horse. "Let's hope your mother is as fire proof as she thinks."

Rhaegal dipped his head forward, and together they descended from above. The ground rose quickly to meet them. Selene's hair whipped around her face.

"Dracarys."

Flames shot from Rhaegal's jaw, and the temple of the dosh khaleen exploded behind them. Selene turned Rhaegal over the lake and flew back toward the screams.

Daenerys did say destroy it completely.

Rhaegal unleashed another storm of fire on the temple. Selene could see Dothaki running from across the city to their sacred temple.

She tugged the dragon's spinal plates back, "Come on, Rhaegal."

Rhaegal screeched, before beating upwards furiously. They shot through the lowest clouds, cloaking themselves in darkness. Selene could just make out the thousands of people gathered around the smoldering temple. They look like ants from up here. She could imagine how powerful Valyrians felt from high on dragonback. No wonder they felt like gods. She shivered.

Selene looked toward the door to the temple. No one was coming out. I've murdered Daenerys Targaryen. Worry gnawed at her, until…

Until she say Daenerys Targaryen step from the flames.

Slowly, the Dothraki began to sink to their knees. They follow strength, Ser Jorah had said when Selene questioned this plan. Once they see that Daenerys is stronger than their khals, they will follow.

It seemed the entire Dothraki Sea was bending their knee. Selene was grateful to be on dragonback. She had risked her life to find Daenerys, considered her a friend, and yet…she was not sure she could bow to the dragon queen.

Tyrion would call it pride, Selene knew, but I'm not sure what it is. Selene didn't know what she would do if asked to bow.

Selene tightened her grip on Rhaegal. Perhaps if I stay on dragonback, I'll never find out. When was the last time someone on dragonback bent their knee?

Author's Note:

Hope you like this chapter! T-minus one week until the last episode of Game of Thrones, but at least we're in it together guys. Leave a review and let me know what you think!

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Elena: That's a really intersting idea. Not sure it's right for me at the moment, but thanks for thinking I could do it justice.

Lorien Legacy: Thanks for your review! I think it's a combination of her not seeing him for years, and wanting a family of her own one day that's perhaps helping her think of others. I think once she learns Jon is alive, that will completely change and she won't be able to consider anyone else. And it really is taking forever, but hopefully tha pay off is worth it!

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