Everyone was looking to her to start their 'meeting,' so she did. "No one's hurt?" she verified. Grey Worm had told her everyone was unharmed, but she wanted everyone to know it, especially Missandei.

"No Princess," he said, "no fighting, like you said."

"Were they travellers?" Tyrion asked.

"No," the soldier replied stiffly. "No, they," he paused, looking between Daenerys and Missandei before he said a word in Valyrian.

The Targaryen gasped while Missandei translated for those that didn't know the language. "Kidnapped."

Arya who had been standing at her side moved a bit closer before firing a question at Grey Worm. "Did they try to take any of your men?"

"No, not for us," he said. His eyes moved to Daenerys and he nodded. "For you."

Everyone's reaction was different. Missandei took her hand in a show of support, Arya looked enraged, Tyrion thoughtful and Grey Worm saddened that he had to deliver such devastating information.

"Are they dead?" Arya asked the fellow soldier.

"No, still there. Unsullied watch."

"Why didn't you kill them?!" Arya yelled. "If they want to kidnap Daenerys, we ride down there and take their heads."

Although Arya was the one addressing him, Grey Worm directed his justification to the Princess. "You said no violence if possible, it was possible, so no violence."

She had said that, and she didn't regret it. Missandei's lover and all the Unsullied were back safe, that had to count for something.

"What do we do now?" she asked the group. "Can we go around?"

"We could, but it would delay our return to the capital by several days," Arya predicted.

Daenerys wasn't disappointed by the possibility they'd be late, but she'd been given a very strict timeline to adhere to. If her father was lucid when she got back, he'd understand it couldn't be helped, but if he was in one of his moods, it would be impossible to guess what the outcome could be. If she angered him, the trip to Highgarden might be the last one she was ever permitted to take. If he held one of her friends responsible for the late arrival, they could be hurt or worse. It just didn't seem worth the risk.

Tyrion pulled her from her thoughts with a more immediate problem. "It doesn't make sense. Why would they tell you they wanted to kidnap the Princess?" He shook his head and ran a hand through his already disheveled hair. "That's idiotic."

"They must have a lot of men hiding," Arya estimated as she picked up Tyrion's point and carried it further. "They know we'll be sending everyone we have at them now and they'll be ready."

While Tyrion and Arya went back and forth debating the kidnappers unusual actions Grey Worm shook his head and began speaking in his native tongue. He was talking to Missandei, but it was loud enough for Daenerys to listen in without difficulty.

The reason Tyrion and Arya couldn't understand the kidnapper's behavior was because they didn't have all the facts. They only knew the parts Grey Worm could relay in the common tongue. "Wait!" Daenerys demanded, using her most authoritative voice, "Grey Worm has more to say he just didn't know how." She looked to her best friend, "Missandei could you translate please."

"They had more men," Grey Worm started, speaking in the common tongue, "more had come, twenty-four we could see."

"Armed?" Arya needed to know.

"Yes, only two not, a man and woman."

"Daario mentioned them as well. Could it be they are merchants or travellers, and the men are their security?" Daenerys asked, even though the flaws in her argument were obvious.

Grey Worm shifted to Valyrian and began to explain the things he couldn't in any other language. "Not the boss," he said of the old man, "the victim."

"The victim?" Tyrion repeated after Missandei had translated.

He nodded while wearing a grim expression. "Kidnapped by bandits, held on the road, wait for you," he said to Daenerys. "They will kill them unless the Princess meet them."

"I liked it better when I thought they were idiots," Tyrion remarked, forcing a tight smile. Though he tried, the comment lacked the usual bite she typically associated with his observations. "Well that complicates things, We could go back toward Highgarden and send word to the Red Keep, but there is no guarantee we wouldn't run into them again."

"We could fight," Grey Worm suggested. "Kill them and try to save the woman."

This had Daenerys's attention. She went to stand directly in front of the Commander. "Could you kill the bandits and save the captives?"

"Maybe, but they will see us coming. They might kill them before we get close."

That defeated the purpose of what she wanted to do. Her plan was useless if it didn't save the innocents. She threw up her hands. She couldn't just leave those people to their fates, they were being held because of her. They were likely in the wrong place at the wrong time and now were paying for it.

At a loss, she asked the people around her for their opinions. "Tyrion, what would you have me do?"

"Leave," he said simply. "It's distasteful but it's what's best for you and all of us."

"What about the couple being held captive?" Missandei inquired passionately.

"What makes you think they're innocent? They could be in on it with the bandits, tied up and acting afraid."

"And what if they're not?" Daenerys pressed.

"Keeping you safe should be our highest priority," he reminded them all.

Daenerys wanted to resist, to say she wasn't more important than anyone else, but it would only waste valuable time. She came up with a more practical reason Tyrion's plan of avoidance wouldn't work. "Your father and mine gave us a very strict deadline," she reminded him. "If we go turn back we'll never reach the keep on time."

"I'll take the blame," Tyrion insisted, "I'll sit down with the King and my father and explain our late return couldn't be helped. I'll take care of everything."

"What about that man and woman," Missandei asked, "what if they are truly kidnapped? If we run, what'll happen to them."

"The same thing that'll happen if we send scores of Unsullied running toward them."

"They're dead no matter what," Daenerys realized, dejected.

"I'm sorry but I don't see a way they stay alive."

"What if we give them what they want?"

"Absolutely not!" Arya erupted.

"Daenerys, you can't," Missandei added.

Tyrion was more diplomatic but no less opposed. "That would only make things worse. Two hostages are bad enough, they don't need a Targaryen as well."

Only Grey Worm said nothing. He was well-trained to remain silent unless explicitly asked for his views. She didn't believe his lack of a verbal rebuke meant he was siding with her.

"I'm not suggesting I give myself up," she made perfectly clear from the beginning, "we'll say that I am willing to meet with them to negotiate the safe release of their hostages."

"And then what?" Arya asked, her temper barely contained.

"I don't know," she admitted, "maybe the Unsullied could sneak into position to attack or free the captives."

"It's not the worst idea," Tyrion confessed, "but it puts you at risk. We can't do that."

Why was she so important? Her father being King didn't make her valuable. She didn't know the man and woman being held on the road, but it wasn't hard to imagine they had a better, more fulfilling life than hers. They likely had friends, jobs, passions and interests and probably children too. Daenerys refused to just abandon them.

"What do my soldiers think? Can we save these people?" She looked from Arya to Grey Worm and back. "I want your honest assessments."

"They are bandits, even organized, they are no match for us. We have numbers and skill, if it comes to a fight, we'll win, every time."

It couldn't be that simple. "But?"

"They'll see us coming. If they decide to cut their loses and run, they could kill the hostages before we get there."

It was less than ideal, but Daenerys had asked for the truth and she was glad Arya trusted her enough to give it. She couldn't decide the best course of action if people were concealing the facts. She looked from face to face, checking to see if anyone would refute Arya's position. No one did. Daenerys voiced the first solution that popped into her mind. "They'd kill the hostages if they see the Unsullied advancing for battle but what if they were merely acting as an escort?"

"For who?" Missandei wondered.

Arya already knew. "No!" she declined emphatically, "you can't go down there. Nothing good will happen, they will just have three hostages instead of two."

"If I went alone, I'd agree with you," she stipulated calmly. "I have no desire to be held prisoner today, but I'm not abandoning those people."

"What are you thinking?" Tyrion asked.

It wasn't overly complicated. Daenerys's plan consisted of she, Arya and a contingent of Unsullied going down to meet with the kidnappers. They'd distract the bandits long enough for Grey Worm and the bulk of his men to get into position to mount a rescue. "Arya and I will take ten Unsullied and go hear what these criminals have to say. If they want me, they should welcome my arrival. I'll hear their terms and see if I can negotiate the release of the hostages. It'll happen slow, so Grey Worm will have plenty of time to take up positions on both sides of the road, all around them. If I give the order to attack, they can rush iand seize control."

She held her breath while she waited for someone to poke a hole in her idea, but it was silent. When someone eventually spoke, it was Grey Worm. "The grass is tall, they will not see us if we move slow."

You'll need to be careful," Arya was saying to Grey Worm, "we don't know if they have more men we can't yet see."

"This is dangerous Daenerys," Tyrion contributed. "Are you sure…"

He didn't get to finish before she cut him off. "Yes, I am. I can't just ignore those people, they need help and the only reason they're on that road instead of at home with their loved ones is because of me. I won't walk away."

"Okay," he relented, seeming to sense he wasn't going to change her mind. "I'll keep the others together near the wagon and wait for you to send word."

"Actually, I need you to gather up as much gold as you can. I know we don't have a lot, but please ensure everyone knows I'll repay what they donate as soon as we're back in King's Landing."

"You're going to pay them?"

"They are kidnappers, I do not expect they'll release their prizes because I ask nicely."

He chuckled darkly. "You're good at this." He was done before he decided to finish with "Please be careful."

When Tyrion stepped away, Missandei was there. "I'm coming with you," she said in place of her opinion.

"That's…" she didn't have words for how generous and selfless that was, but this was her choice, and the consequences were hers alone. "You don't have to follow me this time Missandei, I won't ask you to. This is my decision."

"And mine is to accompany you," she countered. "I can help, you can tell them I'm your handmaiden and I'm required to accompany you everywhere."

"You aren't, not this time."

"I want to. If things turn violent the Unsullied will be fighting the bandits, Arya will be protecting you and someone needs to free the hostages. I'll do it."

Daenerys was still debating if this was a good idea or the worst she'd ever heard. Arya spoke up from the background. "Do you have your knife?"

She retrieved it from her belt and held it up. "Right here."

"Good," Arya said, "but put it somewhere these idiots won't be able to see."

"Like where?" Daenerys questioned for the both of them. She too had a knife she'd need to situate before they left.

"On your leg, under your dress," Arya recommended.

Missandei was already at work, trying to find the right location. Daenerys watched for just an instant before giving Arya her focus. "Are you okay with this?"

"I don't like it, but it makes sense." She groaned and scrubbed her hands over her face. "Stay close to me."

"I love being close to you," she said before she placed herself in Arya's arms.

Arya clearly wanted to kiss her but refrained. Although she knew why, the disappointment was real. "Just be careful," she said seriously. "These brutes obviously have a plan and I'd wager it doesn't involve letting you get away."

"We have a plan too," Daenerys reminded her.

"Yeah."

"You don't think it'll work?" She tried to appear relaxed, but it took effort. Knowing Arya didn't believe in her plan hurt.

"Doesn't matter what I think," she started to say.

"It matters to me!" Daenerys snapped. "Don't do that. Don't act like you're just some soldier or some guard. If you think I'm making a mistake, I want you to tell me."

Arya sighed. "You're not, that's what's making me so fucking angry."

She didn't understand. "You're upset because we agree?"

"I'm upset because I can't think of a way to save those people without putting you in harm's way," Arya clarified after a groan.

"I'll be safe," she promised. "I'll be beside you the entire time."

Her concession did nothing to ease the tension in Arya. "I'm not going back to King's Landing," she said, causing Daenerys's heart to drop into her stomach, "if something happens to you, without you I can't live in that place, I won't survive it. I'll take my chances on the run."

They shouldn't be seen together like this, but Daenerys didn't care. She pressed her lips into Arya's. "I love you," she whispered "nothing is going to happen to me. Tonight, we're going to fall asleep together, like we did last night, and the one before that."

Arya gifted her efforts with a smile and then nodded toward her waist. "Hide that knife, but keep it close, you might need it."

"We are ready Princess," Grey Worm said, holding his helmet under his arm. "We know where we will be and what to do."

"Good, thank you Grey Worm."

Arya stopped him from leaving to join his men. "I need ten more Unsullied to go with us," she decided.

"Ten isn't enough?" She thought that would be plenty to show the bandits they were serious, but Arya apparently disagreed. "We can't bring too many to the meeting."

"Five will stay with the horses, the remaining five will stop before we reach them, it'll be us and the ten."

"So why bring more?"

She may not have understood but the slave did. "So they are close when fighting starts."

"Exactly. Ten extra men just seconds away could make all the difference."

She'd learned not to doubt Arya when it came to matters of combat. "Whatever you think is best."

Arya went with Grey Worm to review a map and see where the men would be stationed. When both were satisfied, they parted. Grey Worm lingered just long enough to say goodbye to Missandei while Arya was busy adjusting her sword on her hip.

Not long after the main force of Unsullied took their leave Tyrion reappeared with a large pouch in his hands. "All the gold I could find is in here," he said, "it's not as much as I had hoped."

"That's more than I thought you'd get," Arya confessed after taking hold of the bag and testing its weight.

Daenerys took a turn holding the pouch. It may not be as much as Tyrion was expecting but it was a substantial amount of money. She was pleased. If money was all the bandits wanted, they could have it. She'd seen everyone repaid when they reached the capital. "Thank you."

Missandei was waiting when Tyrion stepped away. She had coins she wanted to add to the collection. Daenerys recognized the purse at once. She'd given it to her friend before she left on her journey to the Stormlands. Despite the weeks that had passed since then, it remained largely full. She tried to refuse when Missandei held it out to her. "You don't have to do this, you should keep it."

"I want to," she said, using the same argument that was successful the last time she opposed the Princess. "It might make all the difference," she rationalized.

After the handmaiden, it was Arya's turn. Daenerys was speechless as Arya opened the purse the Targaryen was holding and dropped in a handful of cheap coins. She then carefully tightened the string. Daenerys's heart hurt. She swore to herself that she'd fix things as soon as she could. She'd find a way to thank the people in her life for their support and guidance.

She was still thinking about how she might reward Arya's faith in her when the guard asked, "Are we ready then?"

She thought about it, taking time to examine each segment of the plan to ensure she wasn't forgetting anything. "We have the gold, Grey Worm and his men will be ready to move as soon as we distract the bandits. I think we're ready."

"You should leave the gold here," Tyrion advised, "It's meaningless anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"If Grey Worm is right and they are truly waiting for you, they won't accept a few thousand gold coins."

"Not even as a down payment?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You're coming with us," she ruled abruptly. "If you're right and they need more gold, who better to convince them they'll get it than the Master of Coins."

"Oh," he said, seemingly at a loss for words.

"Stay near Missandei," Arya instructed.

Suddenly serious, Tyrion nodded to confirm he understood. Since he would be joining them, she handed off the gold. He held up the pouch. "Last chance, is there anything else?"

"Food, wine and water," Daenerys decided in a rush. These ideas were coming quick and she was choosing to trust in them, like bringing Tyrion along.

"I don't think the bandits are going to want water?" the Lannister griped.

"It's not for them, it's for the hostages, who knows how long it's been since they've had a meal? It's hot today too." She was confident that bringing food and water was the right thing, and the bandits would surely appreciate expensive wine.

As they went to meet with the twenty Unsullied who would be their escorts, Arya fell in step next to Missandei. From her location on the handmaiden's other side, Daenerys could overhear everything being said. "Are you sure you want to come along?"

She turned her head and met Arya's grey eyes fearlessly. "I am. I know what I'm fighting for now, just like you."

R-C

Daario rushed over as soon as he noticed Daenerys was a member of the party moving toward him. They were several hundred yards from the road on a hill, overlooking the blockade. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to negotiate for the safe release of the captives," she explained.

Arya was impressed by her outward calm. She knew Daenerys was likely nervous, but she was giving away nothing. A stranger would likely assume she made life and death decisions everyday.

"You can't do that!" Daario tried futilely.

"Can't I?" she tested. "Watch!?"

Searching those opposite him for allies he settled on her. "You, you're her guard, you can't allow this to happen."

Daenerys who had been intentionally looking straight ahead and nowhere else angled her chin toward Arya. "Are you going to tell me I can't do this?" she asked innocently.

She bit back a smirk, privately enjoying this playful side of the woman she loved. "Why would I do that?"

Daario wasn't having it. "What!? You can't be serious! They have even more men now. Five more just showed themselves."

"We're just going to talk," Daenerys justified.

"They didn't block the road for more than an hour to talk Daenerys, be reasonable."

She shrugged. "When it's over, I'll meet you back here and we can discuss which of us was right."

Tyrion and Missandei chuckled at the Princess's little joke but Daario wasn't laughing. He put his hand on Daenerys's arm. "You can't do this."

"Lower your hand," Arya commanded, "or the blood spilling starts here."

Daario looked to Daenerys, as though he expected her to criticize the unruly guard. She did nothing of the kind. "Do as she says. This is a waste of time. Those people have been terrorized long enough."

With a frustrated huff, he dropped his hand. "Fine, I'll come with you."

"We agreed to this number," she lied. "You stay here with these men, you can provide covering fire with your bows if necessary." She didn't wait for the sell-sword to agree before she moved on. Every step carried her and most of the people dearest to her closer to danger.

"We agreed on this number, did we?" Arya teased when they wouldn't be heard.

From the saddle next to her Daenerys laughed. "It sounded good."

The moment of peace was nice, but it couldn't last. She had to give Daenerys a final instruction while she still could. "If I yell, flee. If you can, grab a horse, any horse and ride, if not, just run. Keep going until I come to get you."

"I sincerely hope it doesn't come to that."

"Me too," Tyrion whined, reminding them he was there, "I hate running, it's too hot."

R-C

By the time they faced their opponents there were more than thirty-five armed men across from them. The majority wore cheap armor. A few had helmets but most didn't. Among those close enough to really see, there were scars, bruises, overgrown hair and chipped teeth. A group further back, situated on horses were archers she supposed.

It was silent for a moment and then another while both sides sized up the other. Daenerys was waiting for a leader to present himself. None did. She stepped forward, out of the line of her people. She didn't go far but the single step sent the right message. She cleared her throat and spoke loudly. "My name is Princess Daenerys of House Targaryen. I understand you men wished to speak with me."

She counted the seconds as the tension turned awkward. A few of the men smiled, others looked at one another in surprise. Finally, a man stepped forward. He was big and burly, easily three times the Princess's weight and taller by more than a head and a half. He was imposing with a thick brown beard and dark eyes. Those eyes swept down her body, spending little time on her face and much more on her curves. It was enough to make her want to squirm and hide behind her hands, but she refused to show weakness. She was a Dragon. She wouldn't cower because some man leered too long. He probably wouldn't know what to do if he got her anyway.

Her heart raced in her chest. She'd gone into this with the best of intentions. She wanted to save two innocent people but now she was beginning to doubt her resolve. Could she truly see this through to its conclusion?

"Well Princess, you don't listen so good, do ya?" he said, earning a laugh from his companions. "We told your man to send you alone."

"Apologies," she said, managing a smile, "but I'm sure you can understand that as the lone Princess of the Seven Kingdoms I am never alone. These men and women represent my personal guards and closest aides, I attend no meeting without them."

He laughed, causing his big belly to shake beneath what looked like iron armor. "This ain't no meetin', you'se coming with us."

"This could be anything we want it to be Ser. Now I've told you my name, may I know yours? It'll be difficult to negotiate if I don't know who you are."

His name seemed like a good starting point. It was largely irrelevant but what happened next would tell her a great deal. If he told her his name, then she knew he was willing to converse, if he refused, then the larger plan would need to be revised.

"My name don't matter!"

"It does to me," she tried, "manners dictate I call you by name."

She held her breath while she waited. and it occurred to her how badly she wished she could hold Arya' hand. The guard wasn't far and yet Daenerys yearned for her touch. She felt stronger when she had Arya's hand in hers. The foot between them felt more like a mile, an unbridgeable divide.

"Aye, of course," he said sarcastically, nudging one of the men next to him. "Manners, can't be unpolite can we Princess?" He didn't require an answer. "Name's Rolf."

"Pleased to meet you Rolf. Now can you tell me about those two?" She pointed to the terrified couple. It hadn't been visible at a distance, but she could see they were each bound with a thick length of rope. She knew Tyrion doubted their plight was genuine, but Daenerys doubted they were talented enough to fake the terror she saw on their faces. By the looks of things, it had been a harrowing ordeal. They were covered in mud, spotted with bruises and cuts, and even the undamaged flesh appeared burned by the sun. Not for the first time since she learned of their existence did Daenerys wonder how long they'd been stuck on the road in the blistering heat. The man looked as though he'd put up a fight. His shirt was torn with the neckline stretched down to expose a large portion of his upper chest. The woman wasn't crying but she had been, the stains on her cheeks told her story. Daenerys was appalled. She wanted justice for these people, but first she needed to secure their freedom.

"They ain't important," Rolf said dismissively. "I heard you'd stop to help'em though, and ya did."

This had Daenerys's attention. "Heard from who? How did you know we'd be here? I myself didn't know until several days ago."

"I got a friend in the Red Keep," he boasted, "told me you'd be passin' by and said you wouldn't take kindly to us holding people."

Daenerys resisted the urge to smile. She'd learned more about Rolf in the last ten seconds than she had in the rest of their exchange combined. So, someone in King's Landing orchestrated this. "You're a smart man Rolf, and you're right. I couldn't just pass by and leave these people."

"I know," he said smugly, entirely too pleased with himself.

"They don't mean anything to you, you said so yourself they were just a way to make us stop. Let them go, they've already served their purpose."

"They's can have more than one purpose," Rolf contended, "especially the Lady there."

The assumption made Daenerys's skin crawl, but she buried those feelings deep. Getting angry was the natural reaction to such depravity, but it would be no help here. She needed to remain composed. Her anger could come later. "Fine then, I'll keep my gold dragons."

"Take the gold back to the camp," she said, turning away from Rolf for the first time to address Tyrion.

Rolf took notice and didn't like it one bit. "Hey wait! Where's the dwarf going?!"

Daenerys feigned disinterest as she faced the bandits again. "You said you wanted to keep them, so I'll keep my gold."

Rolf's undisguised excitement at the mention of money would have been laughable under less life-threatening circumstances. "How much?" he wanted to know. All around him his men were drooling at the prospect of piles of gold."

"More than five thousand gold pieces," Tyrion exaggerated. He held up the purse for them to see. "Release them and the Princess says this is yours."

Tyrion was very good. He showed no emotion, but kept subtly moving his hands causing the coins to clang together audibly. "Five thousand buys him, we're keeping her."

Daenerys was immediately dejected. That was all the money they had. She couldn't leave this woman with these animals, not knowing what they would do to her.

"Five thousand is more than fair for both of them," Tyrion was saying. "Be reasonable, the Princess is generous, if you allow us to take both of them with us, we'll see you rewarded properly when we reach King's Landing."

"My boys need to have some fun," Rolf said with a sick smirk and a deep laugh. Many of his number joined in. On the ground the bound man squirmed, trying to wiggle closer to the woman in an effort to protect her.

While she was busy trying to craft her next argument, a new voice spoke up. "Take me instead!" Missandei proposed.

Daenerys's head twisted to the side so abruptly it'd surely hurt for a week. .Arya was doing the same, but the handmaiden's eyes were on the terrified woman alone. "Missandei, no!" she hissed.

She stepped forward, undeterred by Daenerys's warning. Arya put a hand on Missandei's arm, but she stepped out from under it immediately. "Take me," she said again, "that woman has suffered enough."

Rolf was an idiot, but even he could tell he was getting the better end of this trade. "Give the gold to the girl and send her over," he instructed.

Watching Missandei cross from one side of the road to the other was one of the hardest things she'd ever had to do. Her instincts were screaming that she needed to stop it, but she didn't know how. If she called an attack now, the hostages and Missandei would be trapped between the warring groups. Even after the man and woman were safely with them, Missandei would still be vulnerable. Daenerys had no idea how she was supposed to keep everyone alive. She was treading water. Sooner or later, when her arms tired, she was going to go under.

It wasn't the fear of drowning she was worrying about though, it was facing Grey Worm and having to tell him what happened to the woman he loved. With renewed resolve Daenerys was prepared to do whatever it took to see Missandei returned unharmed.

Her mind filled with all manner of creative plots, but each one was quickly dismissed as too dangerous or downright outlandish. She had no clue how to rescue Missandei now.

Once Missandei and the gold had crossed over, the captives were untied and set free. They hugged before quickly hurrying across the road hand in hand. "Tyrion make sure they're okay," Daenerys ordered.

In Valyrian she called out to some of the Unsullied. Five armoured soldiers stepped forward at Daenerys's request and Rolf was instantly suspicious. "What was that!? What did you say?" His men had been tying Missandei's wrists, but Rolf went to her and put his sword to her throat. "Tell me what you said, what are they doing? If they come over here, I'll kill'er. I'll kill'er."

"They are healers," she lied convincingly. "I asked them to tend to their wounds and to take them back to our camp. You have your money and my closest advisor, your business with them is done." For the first time Daenerys inserted some steel into her tone. She'd been playing nice, but that was over now. Missandei's throat had a sword pressed against it, being friendly wouldn't fix that.

"Fine," Rolf grumbled. He pushed Missandei away and then returned his sword to his belt. He'd pay for putting his hands on Missandei before the day was done. She swore it.

"You next," Rolf said on his way back to the front. "Come over and join your friend and no one gets hurt."

"What was the plan Rolf? You want me but then what? Were you going to kill me, trade me, ransom…"

He stopped her when she hit the right one. "The King would pay a fortune to get his only daughter back."

She chuckled humorlessly. "Have any of you ever met my father?" she asked the lot of them.

One man raised his hand. "Aye, once."

"Good, step forward then, I'll need your expertise."

He was older than Rolf with some grey filling in the sides of his head and beard. He had a burn scar on the side of his neck and Daenerys couldn't help thinking maybe the King gave it to him. In his younger years Aerys was said to use a traditional flame instead of wildfire. It was possible for a man to survive. Maybe he fell into a brazier as a boy, maybe it had nothing to do with Aerys, but her first inclination was to blame her father.

"When you met the King was he a kind man? Was he fair and generous?"

"He murdered my brother and tried to kill me."

"That sounds like him," she said plainly. "So ask yourselves. if you kidnap me, what do you think is more likely to happen. do you think he'll open up the treasury and pay you all the gold inside, or do you think he'll hunt you down and kill you?"

It was Rolf who was once again speaking for his people. "He won't be able to find us. We got a plan, we're goin' where even the King can't find us."

How naive. "There is nowhere you could hide from him, not if he thinks you harmed me. If he can't find you, he'll find someone else; your mothers, your fathers, your brothers and sisters, he'll punish your wives, and your cousins, your children and the ones they play with. The streets of King's Landing will run red with blood, maybe not yours but everyone you've ever known, everyone you've ever loved."

Next to Rolf a man spoke up. "Is she serious? He said we'd get enough gold to go to Essos and live like Kings, that was the deal. He never said nothing about everybody getting killed."

"I don't know," Rolf admitted, his uncertainty on full display. For once her father's reputation was useful. She took advantage. It would give these fools something to think about and might provide the chance Daenerys needed to facilitate Missandei's release.

"The King is not known for his mercy," she announced. "I suppose it's possible that things might go your way. You'd have to kill not only all these soldiers you see before you, but also the dozens more surrounding us. If you could do that, I'd go with you, but then what? You send word to my father with your demands and hope he pays? I'd wager he'd answer in Fire and Blood instead of gold." She let that sink in for a moment and then she pushed a little further. "You boys already have thousands more coins than you did this morning, not bad for a few hours work. Quit while you're ahead. It'd be a mistake to rely on my father to behave rationally."

The genuine fear she saw, not only on Rolf's face but on most of those around him told her she was on the right path.

Rolf's mouth opened to reply but before he could one of his friends noticed a collection of Unsullied lurking nearby. "Fuck, she's right. I see them foreigners in the grass."

"There's more over here," another shouted as he spotted a bunch with Grey Worm in the lead.

"Call them back!" Rolf demanded. "Call them back, or I'll…" he didn't have a threat ready and it took several seconds for him to settle on one. He hurried to Missandei. "I'll kill her!"

They weren't doing this again. That was twice this man threatened to hurt her. There would not be a third. "You hurt her, and none of you will ever get to spend a single one of those coins."

"Call them off and I won't have to!" he bartered hastily, his eyes bouncing from side to side in search of a threat.

"Unsullied!" she called in Valyrian, "show yourselves!"

As they always did, they followed the command they'd been given. They stood up and gave Rolf and his misfits a true look at them. The kidnappers panicked as they realized they were utterly trapped and thoroughly outnumbered. "Stop them!" Rolf demanded. "Tell them to put down their weapons or she dies."

Daenerys tired of this. "Look around you. You are surrounded by some of the finest soldiers in the world! If you harm her, none of you will see your homes again." She could see the resolve wavering, she kept pushing. "Your friend Rolf is hiding behind my friend and he's hiding behind you, but you don't have to die for him. You can't win, whoever sent you here knew you'd fail, they wanted you to be killed, don't give them the satisfaction. You have that gold, you can keep it, just release my friend and lay down your weapons, no one will stop you. As Princess of the Seven Kingdoms I give you my word. You'll be safe."

It took only a moment for the first man to lay down his sword and leave. Once he was successful in getting past the perimeter of Unsullied many others followed. Rolf called a few out by name to try and coax them into staying but he wasn't very persuasive.

As more and more fled in disgrace Daenerys noticed none would meet her eye and none touched the gold either. Before long only Rolf remained, still hiding behind Missandei.

She thirsted for his blood in a way she was unfamiliar with. Rolf had crimes to answer for and she eagerly counted the seconds until he met justice, but first, Daenerys had a question or two that needed answering. "Why do this?" she asked him as he cowered behind the kneeling handmaiden. In contrast to him, Missandei was stoic and steady while he shook wildly. He knew he'd overplayed his hand, knew the only thing he had left to bargain with was his life, knew the coins at his feet weren't worth quite as much now that he was staring down dozens of furious Unsullied.

"We were paid, told where to be and what to do. I didn't want this, I didn't have a choice," he said attempting to shift the blame.

"Who paid you?"

"Don't know his name, met'm in the Landing, in Littlefinger's brothel. He gave me the gold and told me what to do."

"What were your instructions exactly?" Arya wanted to know. She stepped up beside the Princess. Daenerys was happy to have her there.

"Kidnap some people off the road, wait here for you to come. He said you'd give yourself over to save them."

"What about once you had her?" Arya asked, pushing harder.

"Was supposed to take her to a place in Flea Bottom and wait."

"Wait for what?"

"He said he'd bring the money and tell me where to release the Princess." As he finished, he sought Daenerys out. "We was never going to hurt you, I swear. We were just gonna take ya and then let ya go."

"You're holding a sword to my best friend's throat," she reminded him coldly. "It's a little hard to find sympathy for you at the moment."

He lowered the sword, down from where it had been tight to Missandei's neck. He kept his hold on the weapon but was no longer wielding it. "He lied, bout everything," Rolf blurted out. He seemed to want to tell her why this wasn't his fault while he still had the chance. "Said you'd have a handmaiden and five guards, no more. He said it'd be easy, that you would give up rather than let your men die for you."

Daenerys wasn't sure what to think. Was someone opposed to her wedding? Was this about Loras? Few people knew she was going to Highgarden, but surely anyone who did knew she wasn't travelling with only five soldiers. Was she right when she said whoever arranged this wanted Rolf and his men killed? She'd been manipulating him then, but perhaps it wasn't inaccurate.

Daenerys couldn't think of anything else to ask. He already said he didn't know who set it up, and if the meeting took place in a brothel no one would remember it anyway. She glanced to Arya. "Anything else?"

"This place in Flea Bottom, the place you were supposed to take the Princess, tell me about it, who lives there?"

For the next several minutes Rolf dutifully rambled on about anything he could think of that pertained to the house or its occupants. He rightly sensed it would keep him alive, so he was drawing it out. When he started repeating himself Arya had heard enough. "Last chance, anything else we should know? Anything else you can tell us about the bastard who sent you here? Think hard, it might just save your life."

Wide eyed and pale, Rolf opened his mouth but said nothing. Stammering, he tried to think of something that might grant him a stay of execution. "The money," he said, pointing to the gold with his sword, "take it back. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't've taken it. Forgive me."

Daenerys was unmoved. The money was trivial. He was dying because he repeatedly threatened Missandei's life, not because he stole some gold. "Last chance," she said, "the man who hired you. Tell us something new."

"He, he, he, he works for the Spider I think."

She looked to Arya, hoping to confirm she heard it correctly. The guard was already turned, ready to meet her gaze. They wore similar expressions. That was new information and completely unexpected. Why would Varys arrange this? He employed a lot of people, so it was possible one of his birds had a hand in this without his knowledge, but for a man who claimed to see and hear all, he gave her no warning before she left.

"Thank you, Rolf, that's all I needed to know. Let Missandei go please."

More than angry enough to carry out his sentence with her own hands, Daenerys tried to focus her rage. She wanted to be there for Missandei, and for the man and woman who had been caught up in the trap meant for her. She'd need to pass the violent task to someone else and put her attention where it belonged. Naturally she thought of her lover first. "Arya, would you please…"

"No need," she replied. Daenerys's steps faltered. Was Arya refusing to carry out her wishes? That didn't sound like her. Daenerys peeled her eyes off Missandei and sought out her guard. Arya was looking at something over Rolf's shoulder, Daenerys followed her eyeline and saw Grey Worm stalking closer to the last bandit. Rolf erroneously assumed the danger was in front of him, but he had no idea how wrong he was.

Leaving his spear standing straight up in the grass, he removed his helmet and left it on the ground near his weapon. Dark eyes were staring but to the Princess's surprise it wasn't Rolf or Missandei, holding his attention, it was her. She knew what he wanted, so she nodded. He didn't need to be told twice. Silently he drew his sword and crept up behind Rolf. He knocked him to his knees and pressed the sword into his neck. Daenerys didn't think it was coincidence that Grey Worm put him in the same position Missandei had been in. Rolf called out to her, but his plea was muffled as the sword's sharp edge cut deep into his windpipe.

Daenerys didn't know what she was supposed to feel. She'd never ordered someone killed before. She bristled when she was forced to witness her father do it, but she was devoid of regret or sympathy for the man dying opposite her now. He deserved it. It unnerved her to think that maybe her father felt the same way. Was he as empty as she was each time he killed? When he murdered Arya's family had he felt anything? The questions and the closeness she felt to him in that moment made her dizzy. She probably would've succumbed to it, and crumbled right then, but Missandei arrived in front of her. In the space of a single heartbeat her problems felt much less crippling. She threw her arms around Missandei and used her to stay grounded in the moment. "I'm so sorry. I never wanted you to get hurt. I'm sorry, this was all my fault."

"I'd do it all again," she said, selfless to the end. "Let's go check on the others. They were with them longer than I."

She was right. She always was. "I had them taken to safety." She linked her arm with Missandei's and headed to where they left their horses.

Arya stayed back, but Daenerys could feel her there. Grey Worm arrived before they reached their mounts. He was wearing his helmet again and carrying his spear. He didn't say anything, perhaps there was nothing to say.

They were an odd bunch, a Princess, a foster, a dwarf and some slaves but they'd done it. They saved two innocent people from being brutalized and eventually killed and then managed to thwart a royal kidnapping. She'd need to decide what it all meant later. She had condemned a man to death. It had come easily, too easily. Why hadn't she felt what she thought she should? Who had arranged her almost kidnapping? Was it Varys or someone looking to implicate the Spymaster? She didn't know. What would she do when she learned the truth? Did it matter when it was destined to fail? She and everyone she loved was alive and well and a kidnapper, bandit and probable raper was dead. She could live with that. The day was ending well.

R-C

Daenerys was a natural leader. Arya reached the conclusion by standing close and watching her interactions. She'd taken what was a difficult circumstance and resolved it in a way that left everyone feeling satisfied. It went beyond simply killing Rolf and getting Missandei back alive, beyond saving the man and woman who had the misfortune to be taken hostage. Those achievements were impressive, but it wasn't what made Arya take note.

In the aftermath of the violence everyone around her wanted different things. Eager to right a wrong the Unsullied wanted to chase down and kill the fleeing bandits. Tyrion was concerned about the time the delay was taking and wanted them back on the road as quickly as possible. Missandei wanted to tend to their guests, a married couple named Nathanial and Marci. They were making their first trip to the capital, to visit their son, who was an apprentice working at one of King's Landing's many forges.

She juggled the competing requests with ease. She got the bulk of the men moving, appeasing Tyrion. Then she sent him to the front to lead, while she offered the injured husband and wife her carriage. "We'll ride near the carriage," Daenerys decreed, "I want to be close in the event they need anything. I'm no Maester but I don't like the looks of their injuries."

For the warriors who thirsted for action Daenerys said, "Take twenty-five men and ride ahead. Ensure there are no more surprises waiting for us." Grey Worm nodded in agreement, but Daenerys wasn't done. "If you see any of our friends, I trust you'll treat them accordingly."

He responded by putting his fist against his heart and bowing his head. "Be careful," she advised as he was leaving.

It was remarkable really, it wasn't only that Daenerys found a way to meet everyone's needs, it was that she garnered such respect while doing it. She noticed it in Missandei first. The Princess and the slave shared a long hug after Missandei was safe. Words were exchanged in High Valyrian that left Missandei visibly emotional. Arya suspected it wasn't nearly dying that moved her to tears, but rather hearing Daenerys's passionate defense of her. The former translator was supremely intelligent, so she surely knew just as Arya did that the reason Rolf was dead was because of the crimes he committed against the slave, not the Princess.

Arya didn't like to speculate, especially about people, in her experience men were fickle, reactionary things capable of changing sides and shifting loyalties every time the winds blew. This made it hard for her to predict what any man might do in the coming years, but she felt confident in her feelings this time. By saving Missandei and then allowing Grey Worm to kill Rolf, Daenerys had won an ally for life. By and large, the Unsullied were fond of the Princess. They liked her and even trusted her to a degree, but Arya didn't think Daenerys realized yet just how much support she gathered today. She could have stayed back and ordered her soldiers to clear the road. It probably would've resulted in the hostages being killed, but many nobles and royals would have considered that an acceptable outcome. Daenerys didn't. She put herself in harms way, to save a slave and then killed a man for the unforgiveable sin of threatening to murder a woman who most viewed as Daenerys's property. Grey Worm would never forget what Daenerys did for him, saving Missandei and gifting him with the chance to get revenge. With Grey Worm's loyalty came the fealty of almost eight thousand more just like him. They followed him, and now he was indebted to Daenerys. It was a hunch but Arya had a feeling they were going to need an army of highly trained soldiers sooner or later.

R-C

While most were stopping to rest the horses and drink water, Daenerys, Missandei and Arya retired to the carriage to see their guests. Luckily for all of them, the carriage was opulent and large, allowing for more than enough room for everyone.

They were sitting side by side. Marci with her head on her husband's shoulder. They straightened up and separated when the carriage opened, and Daenerys Targaryen climbed aboard. "May I ride with you a while?"

She did her best to ignore the stunned expressions. "Of… of course Princess," Nathanial said. "It was very kind of you to let us rest in your carriage, but we're much better now and we can…"

"The carriage is yours for as long as you need it," she assured them.

"Oh, that is too generous," Marci gushed, "Princess you've already done far too much. If you let us out anywhere along here, we can be on our way."

"Speak with my friends and I for a few minutes and then if you still wish to go, I will permit it," Daenerys proposed. She didn't like the idea of these people leaving. They had nothing but tattered clothes and were still injured, but she wouldn't hold them against their will.

As soon as everyone was settled, the carriage began moving. "You already know Missandei, and this is Arya, my dear friend and personal guard."

Marci's eyes widened when she heard Arya was a guard. Next to her, her husband had taken stock of the Martell armor and the sword and assumed as much. "Thank you very much Princess, for saving us like you did. We'll never be able to repay you."

She leaned forward and grasped one of Marci's hands. It was thin, heavily bruised and fragile looking. She took care not to cause pain. "You owe us nothing. It is I who should apologize to you, you were kidnapped as a way to entice me and my party to stop." She paused and needed a moment before she could finish. "I'm sorry for everything that happened, you were innocent and had it not been for me…"

"We wouldn't be alive, or together," Nathanial finished for her. "Missandei," he said smiling at the handmaiden. He was a handsome man under the dirt, grime, cuts and bruises. "You gave yourself up in my Marci's place. You're all heroes."

It would take longer for Daenerys not to feel responsible, but he was right about Missandei. It was a small comfort to know neither Nathanial nor his wife seemed to be holding a grudge.

"We should've known better," Marci said casually, talking more to herself than to them. "We heard the roads were safe, we thought it'd be okay."

"is it true you're going to King's landing?" Arya verified.

"Yes," he said, before his wife elaborated.

"Our son got a job. He's an apprentice at a smith, working on the Street of Steel. He wrote and sent money for us to visit, we thought it'd be okay, but…" she trailed off. It wasn't hard to imagine what became of their money, their horses and any items they brought along for the trip. As she listened Daenerys silently hoped that Grey Worm and his men found a few of the animals she let go.

It was a blessing that she'd be able to see this kind, unlucky couple where they needed to go without adding to her own journey, which was already behind schedule. "You can ride with us and under my protection until we reach the city. Then we'll see you reunited with your son before we return to the castle."

"Oh, you don't have to. We can walk…"

Daenerys was not going to let a battered and beaten husband and wife walk the miles it would take to reach the gates. That was never going to happen. "Nonsense. We'll likely pass the forge where your son works on our way to the keep. Besides my friend here likes weapons and would surely enjoy seeing the items for sale."

"She's not wrong," Arya supplied, playing her part well. Missandei chuckled and shook her head, sending dark curls bouncing.

"Thank you, Princess," Nathanial said while his wife nodded in agreement. "You are too kind."

"Just rest for now," she instructed. "The next time we stop, Missandei will bring you tea that will help with the pain. You're safe now, no more harm will come to you."

"What's next?" Arya asked her as she helped Daenerys dismount from the carriage that was still moving.

"We go talk to Tyrion," she decided, making her way to where her horse waited, "I want to ensure Nathanial and Marci are properly compensated for all they lost."

"Are you okay?" Arya's concern pulled her from her thoughts where she was busy organizing the long list of pending items into the order in which she'd attempt to accomplish them.

"I'm relieved," she admitted honestly, knowing the truth was safe with Arya. "When Missandei gave herself up, I thought I lost her."

"You didn't," Arya reminded her. "She's strong, like you." It was quiet until they were side by side on their horses. "And Rolf, any regrets?"

She didn't know what one was supposed to feel when ending a life, but Daenerys very much doubted she was following the path laid out. She felt nothing, no regret, no self-loathing, no sadness. She might've fretted about it but there was an absence of positive feelings too, she didn't feel happy, or relieved or excited, she didn't feel powerful or proud, it just was. It needed to happen, and she'd done it. "I'm okay," she summarized, "I think."

"If you need to talk, to someone who understands," Arya offered sweetly, "I'm here."

"Thank you," she said sincerely. She intended to leave it there, but her mouth opened, and honesty spilled out. "I keep waiting to feel something, regret, sadness, anger, but I don't." She didn't give Arya the chance to respond. "Then I remember I'm a Targaryen and I think I should probably be pleased, or amused, but I don't feel any of that either."

"Because you are nothing like your father," she insisted. "There is no wrong way to do this, you just get through it."

It sounded so simple. Daenerys found herself hoping Arya was right. "Maybe."

"Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, and remember why you did it, for Missandei and for Nathanial and Marci."

"Did I do the right thing?" she asked abruptly, needing to hear that the permanent solution she'd chosen was the right one. It all happened so fast. Negotiating, seeing Missandei with a sword to her throat. Daenerys didn't remember making a decision, instead it all felt natural, instinctive. She'd done what felt right in the moment whether it was using her father's madness to scare Rolf's men, or having him killed when Missandei was safe and he was no longer a threat to anyone. Right or wrong, it was done, and she needed to make her peace with it. Even if she decided killing him was a mistake, it wasn't as if she could take it back. All she could do was live with it. "Should I have let him live?"

"You did the right thing," Arya stated, easing the pressure building in her chest. "You got justice, not only for Missandei but Marci and Nathanial too"

She shuddered. "I hate to think of what they did to them before we got there."

"They'll recover. This time tomorrow they'll be in King's Landing with their son. That's only happening because of you."

"I could have let him live," she mumbled, wondering again if murder was the right choice. Was she becoming her father? He killed and believed it was necessary, how could she navigate these waters and make certain she didn't tumble into madness like Aerys? "Maybe I should've, my father…"

"You are not him!" Arya proclaimed firmly. "Did you enjoy it, killing him? Did it make you feel big and strong?"

"I didn't feel anything," she confessed quietly.

"Then why do it?"

"Because he deserved it," she said. "He broke the law and he needed to be held accountable."

"Exactly."

Daenerys didn't see what her admission proved and was preparing to tell Arya so, when the guard clarified her logic. "Do you think your father considers the law, or accountability when he burns people?"

"Murder is still murder," she said, unwilling to let herself off the hook quite yet.

"Murder is killing for yourself, for your pride, for money, in anger or hate. What you did was execute a criminal, you made the Realm a better place."

"I was angry, I was so angry."

"It's okay to be angry Daenerys, it's natural, but you didn't base your decision on that anger, and that's what matters. You executed him because he was guilty of crimes against the Seven Kingdoms, not because he made you angry."

Daenerys wasn't sure she agreed with that. Everything Arya said made sense, but she knew it would take longer for her to make peace with killing a man, even one as despicable as Rolf.

R-C

Author's Note: They'll be back in King's Landing for the next chapter and for the rest of the story. A lot is going to be waiting for them. Like I said I almost cut out this misadventure on the way home, but as I was editing it I liked it far better than I did while I was writing it.

Plenty more to come.

Thank you to everyone who is still reading and commenting. It means a lot. This story is a massive undertaking, and it helps that people enjoy it.

Until Next Time

Russell Craig