Sister's Keeper
Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones
Chapter 31: A Broken Heart
I don't know what is worse: betrayed by your own brother or by your own lover? What is worse, betrayed physically or emotionally. Right now, I feel the emotional betrayal winning. The worse I was in the room where we slept together unable to change everything. Still trapped in the emotions, mourning in what could have been. As I laid in bed clinging the pillow smelling what little scent was left of Jorah. A hopeless maiden.
Visenya words repeating in my head of my quest to Westeros.
"A war of life and death. Trials and tribulations, my dragoness. You shall go far south in the east; there you will meet the undying. They shall show you what is to come. Next, you shall sail north, in the land of harpies learning what it means to rule. Then, when the horses shall come, and krakens lend its ships, west you go. You will be tested, friends become enemies, enemies become friends, betrayed and heartbroken. A lioness shall challenge you, and a wolf shall support you. Listen to the white wolf, for he has seen what is to come."
Far south in the east where I will meet the Undying was Qarth. As the Undying Ones and warlocks showed me the visions that are to come. The Red Wedding, the symbolism of Westeros, Rhaegar and Elia, and the Great War. Next sailed to the land of the Harpies to learn how to rule, Slaver's Bay is that. The horses and krakens haven't shown up yet. But the second part gets the most. Friends become enemies and enemies become friends, betrayed and heartbroken.
She was talking about Jorah, he betrayed me and left me heartbroken.
All that remains is the lioness who will challenge the white wolf who will support me. The wolf who knows what is to come. There have been three Houses whose sigils obtains lions. House Lannister, House Grandison, and House Reyne. The golden, black, and red lions. House Reyne was extinct, House Grandison holds no ill in tempting, therefore without a doubt, it was House Lannister. There were many female Lannisters, but one who is considered a threat is Cersei Lannister. Based on Ser Barristan information about the Queen Regent, can only be summarized in few words…she's a bitch.
As for the wolf. I don't recall any houses that have a white wolf or wolves except for one. The direwolf house, House Stark. Lord Eddard Stark is dead, along with his three sons. Robb Stark murdered at the Red Wedding, and the youngest Bran and Rickon Stark killed by the Greyjoys at Winterfell. If it was a woman Visenya was talking about it would make sense with Lady Sansa. However, Visenya said, "he." Ser Barristan did mention that Ned Stark did have a bastard son, name Jon Snow who is now a member of the Nights Watch.
I sighed…covering my face. The world pulling me about in the act of survival for all.
"In the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai, they say there are fields of ghost grass with stalks as pale as milk that glows in the night. It murders all other grass. The Dothraki believe that one day it will cover everything – that's the way the world will end," Jorah's voice whispered in my head.
The Great War predicted all over the world from Westeros all the way to Essos. From the legends of the Long Night. Remembering in Volantis a Red Priestess talking about the return of the prince that was promised. The reincarnation of Azor Ahai. History repeating itself, and the Lord of Light religion praising the Long Nights return.
I seriously don't want to partake in this war. Not after having that dream about the Ice Dragon. Ser Willem used to tell a story about the Ice Dragons, how they used to resign in the Shivering Sea along with Frozen Wilderness called the White Waste. Long ago, an Ice Dragon soared to the North, Bran the Builder captures the dragon to forge the Wall with its frozen breath before sealing it inside its domain. Viserys would laugh saying that is not possible. Then again, tales from the Age of Heroes are not always accurate.
It wasn't long when all the distraction of thinking brought me back to a broken heart. Viserion who was in the room crawled over resting his head on my stomach. I petted the back of his head, feeling the scales, horns, and quills. Viserion gave a purred nuzzling into me more.
"Why can't you be big enough to fly me away from the madness and pain?" I murmured. "Or be human to steal my heart from others."
Viserion gave a slight chuckle.
"You're mocking me," I muttered.
Suddenly Viserion was on top of me, the majority of his weight pressing me down on the mattress. The bed creaks from the weight as if it was ready to collapse under our weight.
"Get off me, your fat lizard," I growled.
Viserion chuckled as he climbed off, resting his head on the mattress next to my own. His amber eyes filled with mirth along with concern. My heart is broken by Jorah's deception. I was in love with him, he said he was in love with me. In the end, we were not meant to be. It's probably for the best. I was a queen, and he was an exiled knight from a small house. It was stupid of me to think of a future with Jorah. My potential husband has to forge an alliance either with a Great House or another monarch. My eyes water, knowing I have to sacrifice my happiness for the good of the realm. Just as my mother gave up her happiness to please her father over a stupid prophecy.
A knock of the door broke my concentration. It was Daenerys as she came over, sitting on the edge of the bed rubbing my back.
"Alys," Daenerys murmured.
"Yes?" I replied.
"Please come out," she said. "The people need you. Whispers spreading that you are sick."
"Doubt a broken heart is considered a sickness," I sighed sitting up. "But you are right. It's time to end this wallowing and move on."
Daenerys took my hand, "You were given a moment of happiness. Better than Viserys. You will find love once again. I know you will."
"Dear sister, you are too kind," I murmured, kissing her hand and got up.
Daenerys called in Missandei as they both helped me dress for the day. Stripping the clothes, I wore three days ago, brushing my hair, and applying perfumes. Once dressed for the day, the two had me eat some food, before going down to the Council room where a meeting was set. Receiving a falcon that Daario and Hizdahr zo Loraq on their whereabouts. The number of street fights. And all the daily news.
By afternoon, I took part in the Audience Hall for the supplicants. Daenerys took a seat next to me while Ser Barristan and Missandei took their place. Time went on when one Supplicant caught my attention. It was an elderly man.
"You stand before Alysanne Targaryen, Queen of Meereen, Queen of the Andals and the First Men. Breaker of Chains and Dragoness of the West," Missandei introduced, along with Daenerys titles.
"Thank you for seeing me, Your Grace. My name is Fennesz," the older man said. "I can speak the Common Tongue if you wish."
I smiled, surprised in a good way. "You speak it very well."
"Before you freed me, I belonged to Master Mighdal. I was a tutor to his children. I taught them languages and history. They know a great deal about your family because of me." Fennesz said. "Little Calla is only seven, but she admires you very much."
"I hope I can prove worthy of her admiration," I said. "What can I do for you?"
Fennesz took a deep breath, "When you took the city, the children begged me not to leave the house. But Master Mighdal and I agreed that I must. So, I lost my home. Now I live on the streets."
"I have outfitted mess halls to feed all former slaves and barracks to shelter them," Daenerys reminded.
"I do not mean to offend, Your Highness." Fennesz interrupted. "I went to one of these places. The young prey on the old, take what they want and beat us if we resist."
"Thank you for bringing the issue up, Fennesz," I said. "I'll ensure that the Unsullied will make them safe again in short order."
"Even if they are safe, who would I be there? What purpose would I serve?" Fennesz asked. "With my master, I was a teacher. I had the respect and love of his children."
"What is it you ask from me?" I replied.
"Your Grace, I ask you to let me sell myself back to Master Mighdal," he said.
"You want to return to a man who owned you like a goat or a chair?" Daenerys asked surprised.
"Please, Your Grace. The young may rejoice in the new world you have built for them, but for those of us too old to change, there is only fear and squalor. I am not alone. There are many outside waiting to beg the same of you." He said.
"We did not take this city to preside over the injustice I fought to destroy. I took it to bring people freedom." I said. Fennesz sighed looking down. "But freedom means making your own choices. Your trade is a teacher, correct?"
"Correct, your grace," Fennesz confirmed.
"You may go back to Master Mighdal not as a slave but as a hired tutor. I will allow you to sign a contract with your former master. It may not cover a period lasting longer than three years. In the contract, he must provide you food, board, and wages. After three years, you will decide to renew the contract or retire." I proposed. "Return to me once the contract has been made. So, I can sanction it as lawful."
"Thank you, Your Grace," Fennesz said, with a bow.
"If Calla weren't so interested in your teachings, I would have hired you, my friend," I murmured.
"It would have been an honor," Fennesz smiled, before leaving.
"The masters will take advantage of this situation," Ser Barristan murmured in my ear. "The men serving them will be slaves in all but name.
"As long as I see the contract, and check on my subjects it would be difficult for them to take advantage." I said. "the freemen need jobs. There is a trade that should not go to waste. If they rely on us heavily, when we leave for Westeros, then all the efforts will fall back to chaos. They can't be dependent on us."
Ser Barristan nodded realizing I made a fair point.
The next supplicant came in, a shepherd carrying something wrapped in rags. His face frail, eyes red, and cheeks stained.
"My dear friend, what is wrong?" I asked.
The man reached the middle platform and burst into tears explaining what was wrong. His devastation and sorrow jumbling his words. Missandei took over on translation, "I have brought you…He came from the sky. The black one. The winged shadow. He came from the sky and…My girl. My little girl."
The shepherd knelt down presenting the contents he held. Removing the rags to reveal a chard skeleton of a child. The man wailed and weep. Cradling the skull as if she were still alive, caressing her cheek. All the warmth left my system, feeling the man's sorrow of the loss of a child. I got up and came down to his level and held him in my arms.
"I am so terribly sorry, my dear friend," I murmured. "No child or parent should go through the pain you have suffered. I will pay all the expensive and compensate you."
The man continues to weep while I looked up at Daenerys. Drogon killing livestock is one thing that can be easily handled. However, the life of a human, especially a child crosses the line. The dragons are bonded to the riders. Daenerys being young and distaste for the Masters are noted. Daenerys sat there shocked that it was her dragons doing.
.o0o.
After the experience with the shepherd and his deceased daughter the Council was assembled. This was not good. Drogon has taken a life by his own accord. Not by a command. The worse being that the victim was a child. The Great Masters would take advantage of this tragic event.
"What was her name?" Daenerys asked.
"Zala, Your Highness," Missandei answered.
"How old was she?" Daenerys asked.
"Three," Missandei answered.
"Three," I whispered. Then looked at Grey Worm. "And still no word of Drogon?"
"Sailors saw him flying over the Black Cliffs three days ago, my Queen." Grey Worm answered. "Nothing since."
"And Rhaegal?" I asked.
"He is seen by the Skahazadhan river, sleeps mainly." Grey Worm said.
I nodded, "And Viserion has been by my side for the last three days."
"What shall we do?" Ser Barristan asked.
"We should lock them away for the time being," Daenerys suggested. "Until we can resolve this."
"Zaldrīzes buzdari iksos daor," I sneered. "A dragon is not a slave."
"Alysanne," Daenerys started.
"We are not punishing Viserion and Rhaegal for Drogon's actions." I interrupted. "This is on you. Drogon is your familiar, not Viserion or Rhaegal. Just because your title is Mother of Dragons, bringing them back from stone doesn't give you the right to take their freedom away."
"You can't be serious," she countered.
"I am," I said. "The dragons' bond to our personality. So, this impulsive behavior that Drogon inherited comes from you. Thus, control your dragon."
"I can't," Daenerys said.
"Then don't punish the others," I said with authority. "If we cage the dragons now, they will not eat properly, they will not grow properly, and they will hate us. The last thing Meereen needs is a spiteful dragon."
Daenerys sighed, though offended. She needs to understand the responsibility for these actions. A three-year-old girl is dead. It has been noted since living in Meereen that Drogon has been aggressive on his hunts. Having farmers and shepherds coming in daily for compensation. It came to the point that con-artist was coming that these supposed farmers need to swear to their gods before telling the truth. Knowing if they lie, they are punished. However, this is not a sheep or goat, or even a cow. We are talking about a child. Viserion is careful, Rhaegal is picky, but Drogon…he takes more of his namesake as stubborn blood fueled Dothraki screamer.
I excused myself leaving the Council chamber and return to quarters. I need to be alone right now to rectify this. No doubt the Great Masters and the Meereenese who despise me will take this tragic event to their advantage. Once alone, I remove my fineries and change into a robe. Many emotions were stirring inside not sure what to do. Usually, this is where Jorah comes in listening to my emotional dispute and reword what I feel so it was understandable. But Jorah is not here.
Going over to a chest, I open it seeing the objects that were inside. Picking up the sword and sat down on the ground. I traced the scarab along with the peacock feathers. What am I going to do? It's like no matter what I do, fate despise me. I can't make everyone happy. I can't help my sister understand dragons. I can't compensate every person who has a problem. And…I can't have a romantic partner who wouldn't betray me. It's like the world wants me to fail.
Visenya said I need to learn how to rule Meereen before I sail to Westeros. However, she had to throw me in the lion pit instead of easing my way up. Let alone the last dream I had…am I going to die in the Great War?
Hey guys, I know this is a short chapter. Just wanted to wrap up season four before going into season five. Some ask about my other story, A Doe in a Lion's den. I'm still going to wait on it, to figure out where to go on the story plot. Because after watching the Long Night episode, I know I'm going to struggle writing that chapter. So please bear with me, as I figure out which characters are going North, who lives, who dies if there is going to be two epic battles or one. Remember in ADIALD, I have two Queens at war.
Thanks for reading and please leave a review!