"Are you sure you don't want me there?" Arya asked for the fifth time as they left the hall where they'd eaten breakfast.

She appreciated the gesture and Arya's support, but she had to do this alone. Even if Arya was willing, it would be wrong in many ways to ask her to guard the meeting where she and Loras decided whether or not they'd marry. "You should go and see Sansa, I'm sure she's wondering where you've been."

Arya laughed good naturedly. "Thanks to you Princess she and Margaery know exactly where I've been." The obvious smile took the sting out of the complaint. She didn't mind in the least. It was hard to find fault in anything that resulted in a day like the one she had yesterday. She and Arya had spent hours together, mostly in bed, and while they talked plenty, they also laughed, teased and played. It was incredible, the sort of uninterrupted moment that was nearly impossible to achieve in the Red Keep.

"Go," she said giving her lover a shove, "spend time with your sister. I'll meet you after I'm finished."

"Promise?"

"You have my word." A Highgarden corridor was not a private enough place to kiss, but Daenerys felt the urge to ignore caution and do it anyway. She restrained herself, for Arya's sake more than her own. "I'll take some Unsullied with me," she said, hoping to reassure Arya before she even began to fret about safety.

"Two men at least. Three if you're leaving them at the door."

She was tempted to remind Arya that Highgarden was both friendly and safe, but she held her tongue. Arya's concern was sweet and endearing. Daenerys knew it came from a good place. She wasn't trying to control the Princess or confine her, all Arya wanted was to protect her. "Enjoy yourself," Daenerys said, before she let Arya step away, "and try not to worry." Given what the day would entail, it was probably wishful thinking to assume Arya could forget Daenerys was likely agreeing to a marriage.

"Stay inside," she directed, "on my way to Sansa's I'll stop by the Unsullied and send some men to you. Should I have them meet you here?"

"Here is fine," she agreed.

"I'll see you soon." As she spoke her gaze dropped from Daenerys's eyes to her lips before correcting itself. The implication was clear – Arya wanted to kiss her just as much as Daenerys wanted to be kissed. Later, she promised herself.

Waiting for her guards to arrive, Daenerys let her mind wander to the night before. She had put Arya on the spot unfairly and asked for more than was reasonable. Objectively, she could see the potential benefits of marrying Loras. It would get her father and Tywin off her back for one. She wouldn't need to lie when she spent time with Arya either, because Loras would understand. Apart from her selfish reasoning, marrying the Tyrell would also benefit him. Loras seemed like a good, kind man. She could relate to his plight. Like hers, his father wouldn't give up trying to marry him off to facilitate an increase in power or wealth. At least with Daenerys, they could be honest and forthright about the lack of romance in their relationship. Unless her father woke up tomorrow, a generous, sane, caring King, she didn't like her chances of being allowed to marry for love. It was equally unlikely she'd be permitted to forgo the custom all together. Marrying a willing and agreeable Loras Tyrell was probably the best she could do.

She had to make sure Arya agreed, however. She couldn't do any of this without her. She wouldn't want to. Given the choice, she'd pick Arya every time. They would find a way to make it w0ork because the alternative was unthinkable. Losing Arya now, after experiencing how good it co uld be, that was a fall she didn't think she could recover from.

Arya had been understanding, if a bit confused when Daenerys suddenly pressed her on the subject of the wedding. It took some effort, but they came to an agreement. Arya didn't promise more than she could deliver, and Daenerys realized how significant that was. Building a life with Arya would require commitment from the both of them, not just sacrifice on Arya's part. She wouldn't ask Arya to take this burden on alone, they'd do it together and they'd find their way. She was confident of that.

"Princess," a foreign voice called, pulling her from her thoughts. She'd been enjoying a strange blend of memories of the past and plans for the future, all involving Arya. It was strange to be so happy. She couldn't recall another time when she anticipated what was coming so feverishly. Arya changed everything. She wasn't a fool, or at least she tried not to be. She knew the world wouldn't magically bend to her will just because she and Arya loved one another, but Daenerys did believe the good days would outnumber the bad. With Arya, the challenges would be slightly more tolerable and the horrific moments, would still be horrible, but for once Daenerys would have someone to share them with.

She couldn't hold back the chuckle that slipped out when she saw the Unsullied. She should have known Arya would take advantage of her role in selecting the guards and send more than they agreed upon. Personally, Daenerys thought five highly trained eunuchs from Astapor was a bit excessive to secure one Princess, but she'd allow it.

"Welcome," she said speaking to them in their native tongue. "I must attend a meeting."

"We will keep you safe," the speaker for the group said. "We swore it to the girl, and we swear it to you."

He put a closed fist against his breastplate and bowed his head. Daenerys thought she recognized the man. Green Slug wasn't it? It was hard to tell with the identical armor and obtrusive helmets. The girl? What was he…. She didn't even need to finish the question – Arya. Naturally Arya explained the importance of the task she was picking them for. Daenerys could only hope she managed to procure their assistance without threatening anyone.

R-C

"How was your night?" Sansa asked knowingly not long after Arya arrived at her shop. She offered to help, to lift boxes or sort goods, but Sansa insisted there wasn't much to do.

"Do you really want to know?"

"Probably not," her sister confessed.

"I do!" Margaery chimed in, peeking her head out from Sansa's back room.

Arya blushed but noticed that in spite of Sansa's eye roll, she wore an indulgent, secretly amused smile. The same one Sansa tried to hide during food fights at Winterfell, at least until someone aimed something at her.

"I thought you had a meeting," the dressmaker retorted.

"I do, but I can be late if Arya's going to tell me about her night," Margaery decided hastily. She danced to where Sansa was standing and gave her lover a kiss. Arya looked away, not because she was bothered by the affection but because she felt badly for intruding.

Margaery wished both Sansa and Arya a good day before she took her leave. It was quiet in the shop long after she was gone. It took Arya back years, to when she and Sansa shared the same room. When her sister had something on her mind, but didn't want to bring it up she'd behave this way, sneaking glances, curling a red lock of hair around her finger nervously, and even opening her mouth without making a sound. She knew demands and brute force wouldn't get Sansa to open up. Asking her directly would be the opposite of helpful, so she simply waited. When Sansa was ready, she'd let Arya know.

Without conversation to occupy them, Sansa relented in letting Arya participate. She made several trips in and out of the back room at her sister's request. She didn't mind, it was nice to feel useful. It was when she was returning to the main portion of the shop that Sansa was finally ready to discuss whatever was eating away at her. "So, I met Daario," she said suggestively.

Aware she was being studied, Arya tried to bury her emotions deep. "Where?"

"I was with Daenerys," Sansa explained, "and he came down the hall, yelling after her."

"Yeah, he does that sometimes."

"And you're okay with it?"

She was missing something. Just because Sansa witnessed Daario and Daenerys having a conversation, didn't mean she understood the exact nature of their relationship, unless… "I trust Daenerys," she said in answer to the question. "Daario is just …"

"Persistent," Sansa finished for her. "I hear it has been ongoing for a while now."

"Did you now? Where did you hear that?" If Highgarden was anything like the Water Gardens or the Red Keep, she could only imagine how wild the rumors were.

"Daenerys."

That, Arya was not prepared for. "Daenerys told you about him?"

Sansa blushed and looked down. "Yes, but not at first. I was there when he spoke to her, I could hear what they were saying…"

She was genuinely curious about what had happened, especially since Daenerys had neglected to mention it, but before she could let Sansa continue at her own pace there was one thing she needed to verify. "He didn't hurt you did he, either of you?"

"No not at all, it wasn't like that. He wasn't happy about what Daenerys had to say, and he didn't want to listen, but it was only words. She put him in his place and sent him on his way."

Arya could easily picture the sight Sansa described. She loved when Daenerys stopped worrying about whose feelings might get hurt and expressed herself freely. She credited Arya with helping her unleash the Dragon inside, but the soldier knew Daenerys alone was responsible. She was the one finding reserves of strength and resolve. She was the one who was suddenly willing to swim against the tide to try and make a difference. Arya would admire that even if she didn't love the woman.

"You knew about Daario then?"

It seemed Sansa wanted to keep talking about this. "If Daenerys told you what happened, then you already know that I do."

She nodded but showed no remorse. "I just wanted to be sure."

"You don't need to worry about Daenerys, she may be a Targaryen, but she isn't anything like the rest of them."

"So you keep saying."

She huffed in frustration. "Come on Sansa, think about it. You've spent enough time with her lately to decide for yourself. Do you really think she's lying to me or that she'd hurt me?"

"I know you care about her, but be careful," she implored. "Dragons are dangerous, tame can turn deadly in an instant."

"I will, I promise." She started with reassurance since she guessed that was what Sansa was really after. "It'll be better this way. I'm a lot closer in King's Landing than I was in Sunspear. We can write and I can try and visit."

"You really aren't going back?" she wondered. "You trained for a year to be a soldier and now you're going to throw that away and give it all up, for her?"

"I'm not giving anything up," Arya protested. She reminded herself that Sansa wasn't angry at her, just concerned for a sister. That was natural, so she tried to give her the benefit of the doubt, but it was becoming difficult the longer Sansa refused to accept that Daenerys was different. "I'll still be a soldier."

"For him!" she spat rudely. "I can't believe you'd fight for him."

"I don't fight for him and I don't protect her because he ordered me to, I do it for her," Arya justified, "if I stay, it'll be for her, not him."

"I know you love her, but I don't know how you can stand being there."

She thought about the Red Keep and the conflicted feelings it invoked. She did hate it every bit as much as Sansa did, but there were secret places that were somehow immune from all the painful memories. Daenerys's bedchamber where she slept next to her Dragon, even the barracks she shared with the Unsullied qualified. Thinking of the Unsullied made her consider the courtyard and the hours spent training with Aemon. She realized rather abruptly that she hadn't told Sansa about their cousin yet. Should she? She knew the answer immediately. Telling her was the right thing to do, but she wasn't looking forward to it, not when her grudge against every Targaryen ran so deep.

"Are you going to say something?"

Arya shook her head in an effort to focus. She needed to tell Sansa about Aemon, but first they had to finish what they'd started. One fight at a time was adequate. "I don't' like it either," she admitted, "no matter how long I spend there, it'll never be anything other than the place where we lost them."

"Why stay then?" she asked, seizing on what seemed to her like agreement.

"It's where she is," she declared in explanation. "I've seen the way you look at Margaery, I know you understand why I stay."

"That's not the same thing," Sansa objected passionately. "The Tyrells didn't…"

Arya shook her head and stopped her sister from having to say it out loud. "No, they didn't but they've been loyal to the Targaryen Kings for centuries. You could have blamed them too, but you didn't, why not?"

There was a delay while Sansa weighed her response. "I was angry, but when I got here, they were kind to me and fair."

"Exactly. That's how I felt when I met Daenerys. I didn't want to like her, I thought she was just a snobby little Princess who was going to ruin my life, but as a soldier I swore to fulfill the orders I was given, and I was ordered to guard Daenerys."

"You told me this already," Sansa whined.

"I did, but I think you need to hear it again. I would be dead if not for Daenerys. She saved my life, so I decided to give her one chance, one opportunity to show me she wasn't like the rest of them. I don't hold her accountable for what happened, for the same reasons you don't fault the Tyrells."

Arya could see the moment her message got through Sansa's reasonable distrust. "I never thought about it like that," she acknowledged. The reprieve was short-lived, because she had to ask one more time, before she'd accept the truth. "You are just going to follow her around, guarding her for the rest of your life? Don't you worry that you'll wake up one day and regret choosing her?"

Arya loved her sister, so she did her the courtesy of considering it, even though she had no doubts. Eventually, she said, "Not even a little bit."

Sansa surprised her by smiling. "You said that the same way Father would have if someone questioned him about Mother." The room was suddenly heavy with somber thoughts. "I miss them."

"Me too," Arya said before she hugged her.

R-C

Loras appeared even more anxious and agitated than he'd been during their initial negotiation. As she took her seat and watched him pour her juice, she wondered if his mood foretold his answer.

"How are you?" she asked kindly, hoping to ease into things.

"I'm well, thank you," he assured her, "I've been training a lot. Many big tournaments are around the corner."

"Good luck to you, I'm sure you'll do great."

His smile was brief, but he seemed grateful for her effort. "Are you sure we can do this?" he asked without warning. "Could we really marry and convince everyone it was real?" He didn't let her reply before he revealed what was at the root of the question. "What if someone finds out?"

"What happens in a home, between a husband and a wife is no one's business. No one would think it strange if we didn't share the details of our private affairs."

"That's true," he realized. "I think it makes sense to agree, but I'm not sure it'll work."

"We aren't getting married tomorrow," Daenerys reminded him, thinking it might help. "My brother was promised to a Martell months ago and they aren't wed yet."

"My father will insist on it happening soon," Loras predicted grimly. "I know him, he's wanted this for a long time."

"That may be," Daenerys allowed, "but my father is likely to forget all about it for weeks or months. If he does, I'm certainly not going to hurry things along." She ended with a joke, but the larger point was valid. Aerys wanted this wedding now, but how he'd feel in a week or next month was impossible to know. Daenerys hoped she could use that to her advantage and postpone the actual ceremony.

"I wish my father would lose interest," Loras complained to himself.

Daenerys reached past her juice and touched his hand. "In this, what benefits me, also benefits you."

"How do you mean?"

A large part of her strategy depended on Rhaegar replacing their father on the throne before the marriage occurred. Once her brother was King, she and Loras could remain promised to one another, without any pressure to actually wed. Mace would push for it, but there would be plenty of reasons to delay. Allowances would need to be made for the new King. It would take time for the Realm to settle. It would be improper for her to marry anyone while the Seven Kingdoms were in an upheaval. Since she couldn't tell Loras all of that, she chose a justification that would make sense to the young man. "Your father is loyal to mine, he'd never make a demand on the King without cause. If we convince my father to support a long, slow courtship, your father will have few options, he'll agree as well."

She watched as Loras carefully put the pieces together. "You're right," he noted quietly. "Father will be pleased by the prospect of a wedding, and he won't pressure me to find a wife, because you're already promised to be mine." He took a drink from his cup before asking. "Will that really work?"

"Leave my father to me," Daenerys instructed. "What do you think about coming to the capital in a month or two?" She gave him a moment to catch up, then clarified, "A short visit would do, perhaps timed to coincide with a tournament or accompanying your grandmother?" she suggested. "We could be seen together and learn more about one another."

"That's a good idea. I like it, but are you certain you can convince the King?"

She was only slightly annoyed that he didn't trust her. They were practically strangers after all. Considering what they were attempting together, a little uncertainty was to be expected. Idly she couldn't help but question if his reluctance to take her at her word had more to do with her gender than their lack of familiarity. He had doubts about whether Daenerys could really sway Aerys to her side. She took his nervous expression as a challenge. She would do this, not only for him, but for her as well. She'd been manipulated by men her whole life, surely, she could return the favor. If she asked her father on the right day, with the proper words, she could have forty years behind her before her marriage to Loras actually came to pass. By then who knew what the Realm would look like or who would be ruling it? Would people still care? Would they give up waiting for the Tyrells and the Targaryens to be bonded by marriage? Would it matter that she loved Arya, or would other issues hold people's interest? A lot could happen in a short amount of time, Daenerys's affection for Arya was unmistakable proof of that. Loras's worries were forgivable, but she didn't share them. Arya promised they'd try, and that gave Daenerys the encouragement she needed to find a way to get through this. Married to Loras or not, she'd survive.

R-C

"Our cousin?!" Sansa verified. Her surprise was dwarfed by her skepticism. "Are you sure?"

Arya nodded. "To hear the Prince tell it he didn't kidnap anyone. She didn't want to marry Robert, so they ran away in secret."

Sansa was immediately resistant to the idea that everything they believed for the whole of their lives was inaccurate. Arya had a similar reaction. She'd had a lot longer to make her peace with Aemon's existence and she still wasn't sure how she felt most of the time. "That's not possible. Father wouldn't lie to us like that. He wouldn't wage a war if Aunt Lyanna wasn't kidnapped!?" Before she could even think about responding Sansa was on to her next point. "If she wasn't kidnapped, why did the King kill Uncle Brandon and our grandfather? It doesn't make sense Arya. They are lying to you."

"When I met him, I felt as you do, I thought the same things," she remembered. "I was angry too but…"

"But you love Daenerys," Sansa snapped, "so you won't consider the possibility that she might lie." With her arms crossed Sansa scowled at her sister in a pose reminiscent of their lost childhood together. "Why do you assume a child Rhaegar Targaryen had came from Aunt Lyanna of all people, wasn't he married?"

"One look at him and you wouldn't ask that," Arya swore. "Whatever else he is, there is Stark blood in him."

This dulled some of Sansa's anger. "How can you be sure?"

She smiled sadly. "He looks like Father, his eyes match mine and standing next to Robb at a distance you'd struggle to tell them apart."

Twice she tried and failed to reply. Finally, she managed to mumble. "I don't know what to say."

"His name is Aemon, and all his life he's wanted to know who his mother was, but no one will tell him."

"Why don't you, if you think you're right?"

She allowed Sansa to calm before answering, though in truth she didn't feel a statement that thoughtless warranted a reply. It had always been like this, when Sansa was upset, she didn't think before she spoke, making wild pronouncements and unreasonable requests. "I can't very well explain to him that we're related without telling him who I am, can I?"

"You wouldn't have to tell him about you, just about Aunt Lyanna."

"He's already noticed the resemblance between us," she explained as she shook her head to the notion Aemon could be placated so easily. Not only had he been searching for this information for years, he was no fool. "He thinks his father had a lover in Dorne while he was married to Elia Martell and assumes that's why he won't speak of it."

"That's…." she stopped and changed the direction of their exchange. "What's he like?"

"Quiet," Arya said, voicing the first adjective that came to mind. "He's smart too. He's skilled with a sword and wants to go to the Wall and join the Night's Watch?"

"What? Why would the son of a Prince want to leave King's Landing in favor of the Wall?"

She struggled as she tried to think of a way to make Sansa see. There was a divide between Aemon and the majority of the Red Keep, one that would be difficult to fathom had she not seen it for herself. "The King was upset when Rhaegar chose Aunt Lyanna over Elia Martell. It damaged an important relationship between Dorne and King's Landing that hasn't been mended since."

"What's that got to do with this Aemon?"

"Aemon reminds the King of his son's disobedience. In all the time I've been there, I've never once heard Aerys speak directly to Aemon, or even utter his name. He isn't involved in ruling, isn't allowed to join the army, even Dragonstone which was meant to be his was given to Viserys instead. He is tired of being unwanted in his own home, so he's been asking to go to the Wall for years."

"You're not going to tell him?"

She shrugged. She'd grown to like Aemon, and she had faith that he'd keep her secret in exchange for the truth about who his mother was, but this wasn't a decision to be made lightly. She had been committed to telling him either in person or in writing, but that was when she thought she'd be returning to Sunspear. There would be minimal risk in exposing ancient history if done at the right time, like the night before she left the capital. Even if Aemon chose to expose what she told him, she'd be at sea, a difficult target to reach. Being in Dorne didn't guarantee her safety but she liked her chances if she didn't have to see the King at every meal. Now though, Arya was going to stay. It was a much more dangerous proposition to tell Aemon now, while she remained in the castle. Could she do it? Could she afford not to? To answer Sansa's question, she kept things vague. "I think he should know, but I've pushed my luck with Aerys too far already, the next time I anger him, it'll likely be my last."

"And knowing that, you still want to stay?"

"Would you leave Margaery?" she asked, rather than repeating herself.

With her cheeks matching her hair Sansa huffed. "That's hardly the same thing."

This was becoming a habit. If they talked long enough, they inevitably ended up discussing Daenerys and Arya's commitment to her. She knew why Sansa couldn't accept it, she knew why she didn't like it, but Arya didn't want to waste their time fighting about it. Nothing Sansa could say would change how she felt. The best she could hope for would be an uneasy peace. "It isn't all that different," she noted. "You love Margaery, I love Daenerys, Father loved Mother and she him. Would he have betrayed her? Would she have abandoned him and snuck back to Riverrun?"

Fighting was Sansa was as exhausting as it ever had been, except now she didn't have the endless energy of youth to help her endure. She loved Daenerys but was bothered by the idea that her own sister despised her. Continuing the debate wouldn't alter either of their opinions and it certainly wouldn't help them reconnect. Eager to change the subject, she glanced out the window and estimated the time. "Didn't you want to meet Margaery for lunch?"

That got Sansa's attention. She hurried around the counter and angled her neck to try and see the sun. "I didn't know it was so late."

"You should probably go," she recommended. She nodded toward the small wooden box of supplies Sansa had been emptying as they spoke. "I can finish that for you and then lock up when I'm done, I think I know where everything goes."

Sansa appeared conflicted. "Why don't you join us?" She waved her hand dismissively toward the box. "That can wait." She was done, then added, "I'm sorry, I'm not being fair to Daenerys, I keep telling myself I will be, but then when I try, I think about Robb, Rickon and Bran, about Mother and Father and I act poorly."

"I love you Sansa," Arya said. Normally she believed actions meant more than words and she preferred to let her deeds reveal her affection but after all they'd been through, together and apart, she felt it necessary to be explicit. She'd be leaving the Reach soon and when she did, she didn't want there to be any question in Sansa's mind about how Arya felt. "We don't need to agree, or get along, but if you need me, I'll always be there for you, no matter what."

Arya appreciated Sansa's willingness to end their disagreement or at least postpone it. Sansa waited until she was holding her younger sister before addressing what Arya said. "I love you too. I missed you and mourned you every day. I thought you were dead and before that, I didn't dare to dream I'd get to see you again, nor talk to you, or hug you." The arms around Arya tightened.

She laughed then, a watery laugh as they both fought tears. "I'm here Sansa. You're not alone."

"Neither are you," she said emphatically. "I don't care where you live or who you love, you'll always be my sister."

Until that very moment Arya didn't realize just how badly she needed her sister's permission to be happy.

R-C

Not long after finishing with Loras, a servant stopped her and her contingent of Unsullied and requested Daenerys join Lady Olenna for tea. She wanted to see Arya but couldn't refuse the Tyrell matriarch.

They met outdoors, in a lush, colorful garden. Olenna sat under a large umbrella, at a table looking regal despite her age. As Daenerys neared, she took the pot in her wrinkled hands and began pouring. "Daenerys dear, please join me."

They made small talk for a time about the weather, and fashion, as proper ladies in the Seven Kingdoms were taught to do from the time they could talk.

Daenerys sampled her tea and was nibbling on a cookie. "How are you enjoying your time in Highgarden?" Olenna asked when she was in between bites.

"You have a lovely home," she praised. "I understand now why you prefer to stay in the Reach rather than frequent King's Landing."

"I'm too old for the back and forth these days," she confessed shamelessly, "but relations must be maintained. Sometimes visiting the capital can't be helped."

Daenerys nodded in understanding. "I always enjoy your visits and I am so glad you encouraged me to come and see you here. I have enjoyed myself."

"I'm happy to hear you say that dear. We didn't exactly get off on the right foot, not with my idiot of a son trying to marry you off."

Her being summoned made much more sense now, Olenna wanted to learn what became of Daenerys's meeting with her grandson. She assumed they were making conversation but her inquiry about Highgarden was simply a preamble to ask what she really wanted to know. "It's quite alright," she exaggerated politely, "I met with Loras and we've agreed to meet again in a few weeks."

She hid her emotions well, a necessary skill to survive in politics as long as she had. "I must say I'm a bit surprised by that."

"As am I," Daenerys agreed before setting her teacup down. "Nothing is official quite yet, there is no rush. We still have a lot we don't know about one another, but we are willing to try."

She put a worn hand over Daenerys's younger one on the table, tapping it twice. "I'm happy for you dear girl." She pulled back her hand and then went on, "And you're wise to take things slow. You know as well as anyone just how quickly things can change in King's Landing. What's necessary today, may be unimportant tomorrow."

What did she mean by that? Did she learn about the arrangement Loras and Daenerys were contemplating? Would she reveal the truth?

While too many questions circled her mind, Olenna redirected them. "I hear you're doing well in your new duties."

"My what?" she asked, unable to comprehend what Olenna was talking about.

"You're aiding Tyrion are you not, working for the treasury and distributing gold to those in need?"

She posed it as a question, but it wasn't. Nothing Daenerys said in reply would be news. "You know about that?" Had Tyrion told her? When her face heated, she resisted it. there was nothing to be embarrassed about. She enjoyed her work for Tyrion.

"I hear many things about you dear," Olenna commented vaguely. "It's my understanding your growing into a confident, independent woman, worthy of being a Princess and a Dragon."

The blushed she'd managed to beat back before wouldn't be denied this time. "You're too kind," she said looking down into her lap. "I'm merely assisting Tyrion on occasion. He does the hard work."

Unwilling to agree with Daenerys's dismissive assessment of her contributions, Olenna reached for her hand again. "Everyone has to start somewhere, it's this job first, something more prominent and impactful next. Just keep doing what you can to help guide the Realm and sooner or later they'll take notice, if not while your father is King then certainly when your brother is."

Daenerys was stunned by the turn of events. How had they ended up discussing Daenerys's potential as a politician? It made her proud to hear a woman as knowledgeable as Olenna compliment her efforts. It was also significant that she saw Daenerys being more involved in the future. The Princess wouldn't mind one bit if Olenna was right about that.

"I hope so. I want to be involved, but you're right when you say my father has little use for my opinions."

"He won't be King forever. Rhaegar loves you. He'll see that you're treated fairly," she predicted, in a warm, loving way, encouraging Daenerys to keep trying.

Rhaegar specifically asked her not to discuss replacing their father with Lady Olenna, so why did she want to tell her everything they agreed to do? Perhaps it was because Olenna's approval was fresh in her head, or maybe she just wanted to confide in a person she trusted. "I don't think it'll be much longer. Rhaegar is ready to lead, and the time has come, I think." Adding 'I think' to the end so she could explain away her statements as nothing more than her own private views was probably terribly transparent but Olenna was trustworthy right?

Whether she was or wasn't, she'd begun down the road now, she had to keep going until the end. Mercifully, Olenna didn't keep her dangling in suspense for long. "You may be right," she said with a smile. "It pleases me that you see it too, that the young girl I watched grow during my visits to the Red Keep has become so strong."

Daenerys wasn't sure strong was a word she'd use to describe herself, today or ever, but Olenna's sentiment was flattering. "Rhaegar is speaking with the Small Council and the court to learn their feelings on the matter."

"That's smart thinking, but then again your brother has always been intelligent." She paused to sip her tea. "Only one man can be King Daenerys," she said, "but no one can rule the Realm alone. Not even Rhaegar could become King without support."

It went against her brother's wishes, but when were they ever going to get a better opportunity to enlist the Tyrells in their plot? She took her chance. "He knows this, and so do I. We need allies, we won't move forward until we have them."

"I thought this day would come sooner," Olenna acknowledged, "and I always imagined it would be your brother sitting across from me, but the Gods are funny like that."

"What do you mean?" Daenerys wondered, without specifying which part she wanted clarified.

"More than once in recent years I've heard about the goings on in King's Landing and thought the time had come for your father to step down. I expected your brother to make contact, send a raven, or arrange a meeting but it never happened. I was beginning to fear it never would."

"It will," Daenerys swore, though she lacked the power to fulfill that pledge.

"Can I ask, what changed? Why now?"

In her mind she saw an attractive face, sharp features and bottomless grey eyes. Arya. It was Arya's near execution that sent her to Rhaegar to demand change. Unable to reveal the significance of her father nearly killing her guard, Daenerys kept it simple. "There has been a lot of death, too much, Rhaegar and I agree on that."

"And Viserys?"

"He's in Sunspear," she informed her friend. She knew what Olenna was really getting at, Viserys couldn't be trusted to keep the secret or participate. He'd betray Rhaegar and Daenerys in a heartbeat if he thought it would benefit him. He didn't care about the people of Westeros who were suffering under Aerys's rule, just as he didn't care about how sick their father had become. All that mattered to Viserys was Viserys. The only way he'd agree to remove the King from the Iron Throne was if he got to replace him on it. The thought of living under Viserys's rule made her shiver despite the warmth. "He isn't involved."

"Are you not concerned he will interfere?"

"When he returns, he'll have his wedding to prepare for. My father is giving Dragonstone to him along with a force of…" she stopped and tried to remember that meeting. It felt like ages ago, just after she returned from Dorne. How many men had Aerys promised to give him to secure the island? "I believe it was five thousand men," she guessed, unsure. "However many he gets, he'll have plenty to keep him busy."

Olenna appeared content. "It sounds as though you've given this a lot of thought."

"I have," Daenerys admitted, "and I know it may be entirely inappropriate to make such a request, but seeing as I'm here and we're on the topic, could Rhaegar and I count on your support?" While she waited for the answer, she felt like she was going to be sick. It was nervous energy and nothing else that kept her talking when she should've shut her mouth. "I know it is much to ask," she rambled, "but House Tyrell is our oldest and most prominent ally. If the court saw you aligned with Rhaegar many of them would follow."

The seconds before she responded seemed much longer than they actually were. Had Daenerys made a mistake? What would happen next? "I'm proud of you Daenerys," Olenna said, touching her sweaty hand. "That took immense courage, to sit before me and make such a request. It speaks to your dedication and your willingness to do what must be done to change this world and everyone in it for the better."

That sounded good, but she didn't want to get ahead of herself. She hadn't agreed to anything yet. "That means a lot, especially coming from you."

Olenna smiled gently. "When you're back in King's Landing, remember this moment and the way it makes you feel. You spoke up for what you knew was right at great personal risk. You took a chance and as the stories tell us, 'bravery is often rewarded by the Gods.'"

Just breathing was becoming difficult. "Are y… you… saying what I th… think you are?" she managed to stutter. She couldn't' believe this.

"The Tyrells will support the claim of the Crown Prince and his sister Princess Daenerys," Olenna announced formally.

A rush of emotions flooded into her, all at the same time. She was thrilled and nervous, anxious and excited, despondent and elated. No matter how horribly he behaved, a part of her loved her father, but Olenna said it best, it was the right thing. "Thank you so much, on behalf of Rhaegar and I both, thank you, we won't let you down. I can't believe this, I was so scared."

She hadn't meant to say that last part aloud, but it slipped out. "There is nothing to fear, you aren't the scared, timid girl I once knew. She's gone and in her place is a woman who knows what she wants and is willing to work hard to achieve it."

"I wish I had your confidence," Daenerys lamented. "I know it's the right thing, I just worry that I'll make a mistake…"

"Risk is a part of life dear, as unavoidable as pain or death. You'll make mistakes, as I did, as everyone does, but if your heart is in the right place, if you love your family and the people you lead, you'll arrive where you are meant to be."

"Thank you Olenna, from the bottom of my heart," Daenerys gushed. "I won't let fail you."

"I know," she replied with her usual certainty. "Besides, if I'm going to put my life, my faith and the future of my family in someone's hands, who better than a Dragon?"

R-C

Author's Note: Sorry this one is so short. As I was wrapping up things at Highgarden, this seemed like the natural place to end the chapter. One more from the Reach and then it is back to King's Landing for the beginning of the end.

Thank you to those who are still with me, despite my delays. I appreciate it.

RC