Sister's Keeper
Edited by xXFallenSakuraXx52
Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones
Chapter 43: You Know Nothing
Alysanne's POV
I sat on the lounge staring at my small council. Earlier I had been resting when I was awoken by the sounds of the bells ringing. At first, I thought the city was under attack, until getting up and onto the balcony to see the docks were on fire. The Meereenese navy set ablaze. No doubt it was the Sons of the Harpy's doing.
A Small Council was assembled as I sat next to Missandei. Ser Barristan stood behind me, as Grey Worm stood across the room. Varys sat on another lounge. Meanwhile, Tyrion went to the bar pouring himself a glass of wine. Varys gave him a warning look. Apparently, the Spider knows I don't allow drinking in a council meeting.
"If I lost my cock, I'd drink all the time," Tyrion said.
Varys glanced at Grey Worm. As the Commander of the Unsullied gave a blank intimidating stare. One that can make anyone cower. Tyrion lifted his hand as a sign of apology.
"Meaning no offense," Tyrion said. "He makes dwarf jokes; I make eunuch jokes."
"I do not make dwarf jokes," Varys disagreed.
"You think them," Tyrion murmured, before taking a sip of wine.
"Enough, when a Small Council meeting is assembled, we take things seriously." I reminded. "What news do you bring about the fleet?"
"We are searching for the men who burned the ships, but nobody saw anything," Grey Worm reported.
"Surely there's some good news lurking somewhere," Tyrion said being optimistic.
"Astapor and Yunkai have stopped asking us for aid," Varys announced.
"Perhaps they can tell us their secret," Tyrion murmured with another sip.
"The Masters have retaken both cities. Outside of Meereen, the whole of Slaver's Bay has returned to the slavers." Varys reported.
I clenched my fist and exhaled sharply. I've given those two cities many chances without violence. Other than the execution of Cleon the Butcher. Yunkai, once more in their arrogance has lost their second chance. I made a promise that I will not give a third chance. Now I must decide whether or not to set my armies onto them. However, with the Sons of the Harpy about, I need them in Meereen to be safe.
"What about the dragons?" Tyrion asked. "We have two of them here beneath the pyramid."
"They are not eating," Missandei answered.
"What?" I asked surprised.
"They haven't touched any food since the attack," Missandei explained.
"Can't very well let the dragons starve, that's obvious," Tyrion said.
"If the dragon does not want to eat, how do you force him to eat?" Grey Worm asked.
"Dragons do not do well in captivity," Tyrion answered.
"How do you know this?" I asked.
"That's what I do. I drink, and I know things," Tyrion answered, drinking the rest of his wine before getting a refill. "The dragons Aegon used to conquer Westeros ranged over hundreds of miles. Then Alysanne's ancestors started chaining them up in pens. A few generations later, the last dragons were no larger than cats. They must be unchained, or they'll waste away."
"Viserion and Rhaegal are not chained," I sneered, glaring at him. "They are free to roam and fly. The Catacombs are used as their resting place. I have trained them; they know not to attack humans unless they see a threat."
Tyrion turned to my confidant, "Missandei, how many times were you in the company of these dragons?"
"Many times," Missandei answered.
"And did they ever harm you?" Tyrion asked.
"Never," Missandei answered.
"Dragons are intelligent. More intelligent than men according to some maesters. They have affection for their friends and fury for their enemies." Tyrion said with a smile. "I am their friend."
"Do they know that?" Varys asked.
"They will," Tyrion assured. "It's time they had their supper."
I stood up, "Thank you for insulting me in my presence about the dragons."
Tyrion stared at me realizing his mistake, "I mean no offense."
"Just because you drink and know things, does not mean you know everything. My brother Viserys grew up learning about dragons and passed his knowledge onto me. I have read books that teach about the Dragonlords of Old Valyria and the text of my ancestors. I was there when they have been resurrected by Daenerys. We raised them since they were draglets. Unless you have dragons' blood in your veins and form a bond, they will see you as a threat. You don't choose the dragon; the dragon chooses you. They know Grey Worm, Missandei, and Ser Barristan, because I trained them to trust them. They know their scents; they know their rider trusts them. If you go down to the catacombs, you will be burned alive."
"Your Grace," Tyrion started.
"If you are going to be part of my council, you will think before you speak. And no more wine. If I see you drinking wine in the Small Council meetings again, I will confiscate all alcohol in your service." I said. "Now if you'll excuse me, I must attend to the dragons."
I walked out of the room with Ser Barristan and Grey Worm behind me. It wasn't long before Varys and Tyrion followed behind to see the dragons. Once we reach the catacombs, I grabbed hold of Ser Barristan's arm as we came down the steps into the darkness of the chamber. Standing at the bottom of the stairs, rustling and growls could be heard.
"Viserion," I softly sang. "Rhaegal."
The torchlight gave limited lighting in the darkness. Slowly the two dragons emerge from the darkness. They have grown slightly, possibly enough to ride. We will see once I regain my strength. Viserion being my familiar stepped forward until he was right in front of me. Carefully he nudges my left side seeing the sling and possibly smelling the dry blood. I winced slightly at the contact, yet, turned to rest my hand on his snout giving several pats.
"I'm fine, my golden dragon," I murmured. "You did marvelous in protecting me."
Viserion nodded as he stuck his tongue out slightly and licked my hand. I chuckled somewhat before leaning down and kissed his snout.
"You're not eating?" I murmured. "Why are you not eating? Is it because you worry?"
Viserion nodded, as I looked over to Rhaegal who nodded as well.
"I am fine. Daenerys is with Drogon, they are fine." I assured. "You must eat. You must be strong so you can fly into the skies."
The Unsullied brought several goats in. Once the goats were at the bottom level, the dragons looked at me.
"I'll stay while you eat," I promised.
They nodded before each grabbing a goat which cried out in pain, before being dragged further back into the chamber. They set their prey on fire, then started eating the goats chomping on the flesh. I sat down on the bottom steps watching them. A set of footsteps came down, Tyrion joined me as he sat next to me.
"When I was a child, an uncle asked what gift I wanted for my name day. I begged him for one of them. 'It wouldn't even have to be a big dragon,' I told him. 'It could be little like me.'" Tyrion said. "Everyone laughed like it was the funniest thing they had ever heard. Then my father told me the last dragon had died a century ago. I cried myself to sleep that night. But here they are. "
"Here they are," I murmured.
"I do not mean to offend you, Your Grace," Tyrion said. "My mouth sometimes runs away from me."
"I grew up being belittled by men. Men who think they know everything. But they don't," I said seriously. "You are not in Westeros, Lannister. Here it's about physical brutality and strength. My enemies know this with the support of blood money. If you are going to counsel me, it's best you know what my subjects have gone through. Because my last resort is Fire and Blood."
Tyrion stared at me, eyes widening. The Masters from Yunkai and Astapor are pushing my limits. I have been a benevolent queen. I have given them many chances, and now, once again, they break their vows. Maybe I should have gone with Daario's method of killing all the Wise Masters, the same I did in Astapor and Meereen. However, he was referring to all the Wise Masters and their descendants of male heirs to prevent revenge. I don't want to kill innocents. Unfortunately, the Masters would rather die in their old world than live in the new one.
"Varys," I called out.
"Yes, Your Grace," he replied.
"Find me a Harpy who is connected to all this, give them the option of the Queen's Justice or a second chance," I ordered. "I want to know who else is funding the Sons of the Harpy."
"As your command, Your Grace." He replied and left.
"You are dismissed, Tyrion," I said.
"Aly- "Tyrion started.
"Don't say my name," I barked. "You have not earned to the right to address me by my given name."
Tyrion nodded, as he got up and left leaving Ser Barristan and me. Once we were alone with the dragons, he came down and sat next to me. I allow it, since he is the only one, I can trust at the moment.
"Ser Barristan," I spoke.
"Yes, Your Grace?" He replied.
"You taught me about mercy, and the proper ways of justice," I began.
"That I have," he said.
"I have given Astapor and Yunkai many chances and gave the promise that if they return to the practice of slavery, I would show no mercy. They have broken their word. Do I keep my promise and start a war or wait?"
"If I were you, I would wait. Let the enemy think they have the advantage then strike when they least expect it."
"I don't want to burn and kill innocents, remembering when that Shepard brought his daughters remains," I mumbled, resting my head on his shoulder.
"Nor do I. But those who follow their leaders must suffer the consequences in their decision."
"Would it be wrong to send the dragons to fly over the cities. Just fly, not attack or rain fire?"
"It would remind them that you are still standing."
I nodded as I continued to watch the dragon feast. Deep down I don't want to start a war. I need to save the men for the Great War that is to come. Although, I feel like I am failing. The test the gods placed on me to make the right decisions. Only I can sense blood that is being demanded. Maybe Fire and Blood is the answer. I just need to be careful and not become the Mad King.
.o0o.
Ser Barristan's POV
The older knight sat there next to his queen who needed comfort. He can tell Alysanne was struggling and wondered if his lessons about mercy have reached its bounds. Deep down no one wants to unleash the dragons to rain fire on the cities. So too many innocent people are forced to obey the Masters' society, and the last thing they want is to kill innocents. Alysanne made it clear it's better to separate the enemy from the crowd. Just as she did in all three cities. She gave the masters many chances, and they break their promises. Barristan knew sooner or later the Queen will have no choice but to use Fire and Blood.
Not only were the Masters of Astapor and Yunkai a problem, Barristan knew the Queen is worried about her sister. One he believes is unhealthy, an obsession to keep Daenerys safe. Then again, he knows that all of Alysanne's life she has been protecting Daenerys since the girl was born. Living on the run, in exile, while Robert Baratheon's assassins chased them. When Daario and Jorah return from the rescue mission, will he discuss balance? Barristan understands the importance of family, having his siblings he cares dealing. But once he became a member of the Kingsguard, he left his family. They were proud and honored of his accomplishment when no one else believed in him.
Family and duty and honor, something a Tully would say. However, Monarchs don't have the same lifestyle as Nobles or Smallfolk. A marriage is political, very rare when one is arranged out of love and children were political pawns. Barristan recalled King Aegon the fifth and Queen Bertha arranging their children's marriages in political alliances until they fought for love. King Jaehaerys, though married for love for his sister, made it political for his children out of a prophecy that Aerys and Rhaella bloodline will produce the prince that was promised. Aerys tried to keep the bloodline pure by sending his best friend Steffan Baratheon to find a pure Valyrian descendant for Rhaegar. Sadly, there were no pure Valyrians, and Rhaegar married Elia Martell securing Dorne again. It wasn't until Viserys and Alysanne were born and survived their infancy, did Aerys decided to marry them when they come of age. Rhaegar was disgusted by this, as he told Barristan that he will be king before that happens.
And yet a Targaryen marrying out of love never gets the happiness they deserve. Prince Duncan abdicating the throne so he could marry Jenny Old Stone, only to perish in the fire. King Aegon and his wife, died during the burning of Summerhall. Rhaegar and his love for Lyanna Stark started a war and died on the battlefield. Now Barristan could see his Queen was in love with a disgraced knight, and yet to his surprise when Jorah came back, he left three days later. He asked the queen if Jorah will return, and Alysanne response, "The Stranger owns him."
Barristan didn't understand what she meant. Why would the God of Death own Ser Jorah? He did not question it, not wanting to make the queen suffer any more than she already has succumbed to the past year. The Older Knight hopes that after the Queen has recovered and dealing with the Masters, she will rise up again. Seeing the powerful woman back in Astapor.
After the attack in the Danzak pit, Barristan had invited a blacksmith in Qohor to forge something special for Alysanne. Qohor was a free city known for their trade in fine tapestries and its smiths. Although they do own slaves, they only purchase the Unsullied to guard their city and nothing else. From what he heard, there are no other slaves, and the Unsullied there are treated with respect the same as Alysanne does with hers. Missandei gave the measurements to the blacksmith so it won't be long.
Barristan looked up ahead and watched the dragons eat.
Enemies are everywhere for the Targaryens. The Lannisters in Westeros, the Masters in Slaver's Bay, and possibly Tyrion and Varys in the council. Barristan will make sure his Queen is safe. Already sees her as his own daughter from all the training and lessons.
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