Chapter 3

"I spent years by your father's side and lived to tell the tale. I can educate you on how he ruled — I can help make you better."

As the Kingslayer's words echoed throughout her mind, Daenerys stood with her back to her council room, gazing at the view of the sun setting from the top of the Pyramid of Meereen. Under previous circumstances it would have been a sight to take her breath away. As it was, she barely noticed its beauty as the afternoon's events replayed in her mind. How many sunsets had she taken for granted over the past few years? The thought alone made her long for a simpler time; a time when she'd led the Dothraki by Drogo's side. In the Dothraki's eyes, everything of importance took place under a setting sun. It was a troubling thought; how far she'd come from indulging in life's simplest pleasures.

"Your Grace, surely you can't be entertaining the idea of allowing the Kingslayer to walk away from such a wicked offense."

Moving on from Jaime's words, Dany closed her eyes against the setting sun as she contemplated Ser Barristan's advice next. Honestly, how could she entertain the idea of allowing the Kingslayer to live — much less join her council? It was true, Dany had grown to rather like Jaime's brother Tyrion. He was kind, just and intelligent. She needed Tyrion and other wise men to offer her counsel just as she needed men of power to help her take back Westeros. But did she need his brother? How could she possibly need the man who had murdered her father?

Tyrion.

Daenerys thought back to how the youngest Lannister's eyes had pleaded with her to spare his brother's life during their exchange in the throne room. While that vision had plagued her, it was not the sole reason for her decision to send Jaime back to his cell. The truth of the matter was, it was the Kingslayer's offer of guidance that appealed to her over all else. To finally be able to converse with someone who had not only known her father, but her mother and brother as well . . . the thought was simply too enticing. It was true, Ser Barristan had also spent years by her father's side, but the older knight seemed to grow uncomfortable even at the slightest mention of her father. He was loyal, and an exquisite soldier, but there were secrets that she knew he would take to his grave.

Which brought her thoughts back, once again, to Jaime. Although his arrogance was indeed frustrating, he had an air about him that suggested truth. In fact, the man seemed entirely tactless. It wasn't an admirable trait, nowhere near, yet Daenerys was certain that it was what she would have to endure if it meant she could learn the truth about her family.

Surprisingly enough, Jaime Lannister had more than willingly admitted to the crimes of his past, and while Dany was sure he had committed far more sins than could be shared in the short amount of time they'd spent together, he had seen fit to admit to the ones that were most important to her reign. While he had proposed an offer of keeping his life by exchanging information with her, he had no way of knowing what her decision would be. What was more, the Kingslayer hadn't even flinched at the mention of his execution. What kind of man didn't fear death? What had happened to him to make him think so little of his life? Most importantly, why would she welcome someone so reckless into her circle of advisors?

"Your Grace," Tyrion announced himself, rousing Daenerys from her thoughts as he carefully approached her from the doorway.

Briefly shaking away all thoughts of Jaime, Daenerys instead brought her attention to the youngest Lannister. "Thank you for joining me, Tyrion." She gestured toward the table, inviting him to have a seat. "Please."

Stepping forward, Tyrion did as instructed, his hazel eyes going straight to the decanter of fine vintage arbor sitting beside two empty glasses on the table. Sensing her advisor's interest in the refreshments she'd had Missandei put out just moments before his arrival, Daenerys could not resist allowing the tiniest of smiles to grace her features. She knew that among his vices Tyrion was overly fond of wine, but his manners kept him from being the first to partake. Deciding that he had suffered enough for one day, Dany lifted the carafe and poured a generous amount of wine into his glass.

"Thank you, Your Grace." Tyrion sighed in relief, wasting no time as he lifted the glass to his lips and drank heavily.

"I know it's been a difficult day for you," Dany reasoned.

"No more difficult than for you, I'd imagine."

With a small nod of her head, Dany cast her gaze back towards the terrace as thoughts of Jaime's taunting words returned to her.

"After all, they didn't call him the Mad King for nothing."

Tyrion's words, however, were kind. In fact, he'd always been respectable when it came to honoring the memory of her father, which was one of no doubt countless differences he shared with his older brother. But was that respect based on anything other than the concern that she may treat him harshly had he acted differently? Were his motives based on truth . . . or fear?

Breaking away from her thoughts once more, Dany continued. "Yes, but my father is dead and has been for nearly two decades. Your brother is still alive."

Still alive, Tyrion repeated the words in his head, taking another large swallow of wine. But for how long? How long would Daenerys permit Jaime to live after they'd discussed his intentions? While Tyrion had heard stories of the Mad King's cruelty from his brother, he'd never seen Daenerys commit any act of similarity.

Perching herself on a seat across from Tyrion, Dany poured herself a glass of wine as she contemplated how to approach her next question. From the moment she'd met Tyrion Lannister he had gone out of his way to shower her with his counsel. While this could be an irritating trait from many, Tyrion had a gift. Thus far, every matter Dany had consulted him on had been rewarded by his efforts. Would he offer her the same wise counsel that he had for everything else, or would he instead twist the situation to his own benefit? What were the lengths he was willing to go to ensure his brother's safety? Despite being a Lannister, Tyrion had never given her any reason not to trust him, and she sincerely hoped that he wasn't about to start now.

"If I'm to be a better ruler than my father, I need to be properly educated on his faults. Tyrion, I need your honest counsel. Can I trust Jaime?"

The youngest Lannister could feel his fist seizing around his wine glass as he considered Daenerys' question. Could she trust Jaime? Of course, Tyrion trusted Jaime; he trusted his brother with his life . . . but could he be trusted with Daenerys'? To say that Jaime's arrival in Meereen had shocked him would have been the very definition of an understatement. In truth, Tyrion would have never thought Jaime capable of betraying Cersei in a million years. But times had since changed and if anything had taught him that, it was his own recent decision to murder their father.

"There is no man that I trust in this world more than my brother. I admit, I was unaware of his intentions when we first spoke, but I can assure you that he means you no harm. He has lost much over the past few years, even more so recently, and I think that he's attempting to seek redemption for his past . . . whether he's willing to admit to it or not."

Mindlessly tapping his chin, Tyrion watched as the young queen contemplated his words. While Tyrion was very gifted at reading people, Daenerys was a puzzle that he had not yet conquered. In addition, Tyrion had spent the past several weeks trying to convince the Dragon Queen of his own devotion to her. What would it take to convince her the same of Jaime? More importantly, how could Tyrion convince Daenerys of something he wasn't even sure of himself? Glancing back in the direction of the decanter of wine, Tyrion resisted the urge to groan. However long it was going to take, they would certainly need more wine than this.

Silence ensued as Daenerys continued to mull over Tyrion's words, and so he decided it best to use this time to think of more things to say in Jaime's favor.

"Jaime has a keen military mind, he would be helpful to you on the battlefield."

"Ser Barristan has a keen military mind, and he's been on the battlefield far longer than your brother."

"Ser Barristan isn't getting any younger—"

"Nor is your brother growing back any hands."

Truly surprised by her quick response, Tyrion grew silent as he tangled his fingers in his unruly beard. Well, she certainly had him there. Finally something he couldn't argue. If anything, the young queen was reminding him more and more of Jaime himself with her sharp tongue. Indeed, the thought of the two of them alone in a room together was equal parts amusing, and equal parts terrifying.

"This information that Jaime has regarding my father, do you think it will prove useful during my reign?"

"I've heard many stories of import from Jaime regarding King Aerys over the years."

"Then why shouldn't I simply request to hear these stories from you?"

"You could . . . "

"Yes?"

"You could, but I wasn't there, Your Grace. I didn't see what he saw. Jaime has told me stories of his time serving your father, yes, but I've spent enough time with him over the years to know that there's still much more he's left unsaid."

"If this is simply a ploy to save your brother—"

"Of course it's a ploy to save my brother!" Tyrion raised his voice, startling them both. Taking a deep breath, he stared into Daenerys' eyes for one eerie, silent moment, wondering if he had finally gone too far. "Forgive me. I only meant—"

"You only meant that you love your brother and will do whatever it takes to save him." She finished softly.

Tyrion nodded. "Yes, but that doesn't mean that he wouldn't be of far more value to you alive than dead. I truly mean that, brother or not."

A few more moments passed between them as both queen and advisor took small sips from their wine glasses. Finally, Tyrion summoned the courage to defend his brother in the best way he knew how.

"He did the right thing, Daenerys. Jaime. He did the right thing. Your father . . . "

"What of my father?"

What he said next would likely damn him, but he could not very well leave it unspoken. If Jaime was going to be put to death by the Mad King's daughter, Tyrion would not be able to live with himself until he knew that he'd done everything within his power to save his brother. The truth, no matter how horrible, was something that she deserved to know.

"You need to speak to Jaime about the night the war ended. Please. At least give him that."

Dany hesitated. She felt irritated by Tyrion's words but with it, an intense curiosity. "I appreciate your honesty, Tyrion. I've always appreciated your honesty. That will be all for now."

At the sound of his dismissal, Tyrion felt nerves tearing through his belly like a swarm of wildfire. He didn't want to leave, not until he was certain that Daenerys would heed his advice, but he wouldn't dare offend her by doing anything other than what she had requested of him. Standing, Tyrion bowed his head before departing and leaving Daenerys to her thoughts once more.