DAENERYS

"The Ties that Bind"

"I just told a man who loved me, that he could not come to Westeros with me and I felt nothing.", Daenerys said to Tyrion. They were sitting in the throne room of the Royal Pyramid.

"You are his Queen, of course he wants to serve you. He will not be the last to fall in love with you; kings have many women longing to spend one night in their presence."

"Hm I suppose you are right, Lord Tyrion… I want to know something… Tell me what do you think of me as a ruler—my worst qualities and my best.", Daenerys says. She leans forward and raises her dark eyebrows so that he understands she wants his unapologetic answer.

"Oh well… you have an iron will for better and for worse. It shows your dedication and resolve, but yet it makes you an immovable force. A good ruler always listens to their advisors—no one likes advice. We all believe that we have the solution to every problem, but yet there is always more than one solution to any problem. You inspire people and your values are on the right side of the spectrum…"

"But?", Daenerys interrupts urging him to continue. She glances down to prepare for what was to come next.

"But you have to learn the value of life. I say this to say that in Essos brutality is a part of their everyday lives and here that may be accepted by the people. However, the people in Westeros remember the last Targaryen that sat on the throne and they remember his brutality. Your grace, you have three nearly grown dragons. Have you considered their opinion on you? You will need allies and it is essential that you do not use fear to rule—but love the same way as here.", Tyrion relayed while gesturing his hands. Daenerys pondered on how people viewed her children. She knew that people viewed them as beasts, but how did it reflect on her? She considered what she had to do.

"I know what my father was and I also know what my brothers were… I have no intentions of following their paths. I have created my own and that is why I will not bring the wrath of my dragons to Westeros… Unless I have no other choice, of course. Any advice on inspiring the people of Westeros?"

"I would say finding a strong Westerosi nobleman with an army would be the best and one of the only options. It would give you another connection to Westeros and your wedding would show the people your caring, nurturing qualities.", Tyrion notes while glancing outside of the pyramid's window.

"Marriage has always seemed so arbitrary to me after my first love… However, I will do what is necessary, though I will not bear his kids. Unless you have a solution to that as well?", Daenerys relayed. She thought about her Shekh Ma Shieraki Anni—her sun and stars and what they lost. It deeply saddened her, much more than anyone would ever know.

"I wish, your grace. I suppose we will solve that problem when we get to it."

"Any suitors in mind? Perhaps Lord Varys can negotiate that as well." Daenerys hated to admit that she needed Varys. She knew he was an asset, but still she knew he could not be trusted. I will keep him close.

"Well we would want to avoid North of the Vale and I doubt you would want to marry Lord Robbyn as he is no man yet. The Northerners will not be as forgiving as the south, as your father did burn northernmen in the throne room. They simply cannot be trusted at the moment. That leaves well—Dorne and Highgarden. I'm sure Lord Varys could negotiate that, as they have already pledged themselves to House Targaryen."

"Hm… We will discuss the matter more in Dragonstone. I want to know what you think of Lord Varys—can I trust him?"

"Of course, your grace. He is the reason why I am here.", Tyrion says with a serious face.

"I am aware you trust him—I asked if I could. I am not asking about your friend Lord Varys, but the man Varys. I am asking about his character. I know things about him…"

"He is a tricky man to figure out, but his intentions seem pure.", Tyrion said trying to mask his defensive tone. Daenerys knew that her intentions with Varys would have to stay to herself for a while, as Tyrion sees him as the man who saved him—not the spider that he was.

"Yes they do… He is a tricky man. That brings me to the next matter I wanted to discuss: you. Can I trust you?"

"Of course, your grace. I have taken an oath to serve you."

"As you did another…", Daenerys rebutted.

"I did, but that was a different time—before I met you."

"Very well. Lord Tyrion the day that King's Landing is seized you do realize that Cersei will be executed? She has committed too many crimes against my people—your people and I will not have her claim interfere with mine."

"I understand, your grace. Cersei is truly an evil person. I cannot believe what she did to the Sept. Well I suppose I should, she has tried to kill me more times than I can count so I guess it is poetic in a morbid sense.", Tyrion says all the while looking at his hands. Daenerys could tell that the two have more of a connection than he wanted to admit—they are siblings after all. Daenerys knew that blood was one of the strongest ties that bind; blood, love, and history. Nevertheless, Cersei had to pay for her crimes. And she will pay. Daenerys suddenly realized that she had been quiet for too long and glanced at Tyrion. He was staring at her while she drifted away but pretended to be staring outside of the pyramid.

"Lord Tyrion do you swear to me that you will never betray me or House Targaryen for that matter? Do you swear to me that when the time comes you will betray your own blood and fight against your own?", Daenerys asked. Tyrion turned towards her and looked at her with a look she couldn't quite describe. Somewhere along the lines of admiration and dedication.

"I swear it, your grace. I will serve you unconditionally. You are my Queen, after all you have taken me in even after I served another.", Tyrion said. He stepped down off the ledge of the wall in the tan throne room and got on one knee.

"Do you swear to me that you will fulfill all duties of a just Lord Hand and that you will check my worse impulses and desires?"

Tyrion slowly glanced up in disbelief. This would be his second time being Lord Hand and it seemed odd. Why him? He was a drunkard—sure he was cunning but what other traits did he have that made him tolerable. He didn't deserve this, not after what he did to his love and his own father. "Your grace, are you sure?"

"Lord Hand, it would be a great offense to refuse an offer of such magnitude from a Queen. I am choosing you because you are willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish your goals. You are also a noble Lord of Westeros and I need all of the Westerosi support I can get and…", Daenerys started, while reaching into her black robe to pull out a bronze Queen's hand pin. Tyrion was getting emotional, but he felt disappointed though he masked it. Is that all I am—a trickster who happens to be lucky. "… And I have come to enjoy your company."

Tyrion glanced up once more now with a tear rolling down his face. He sniffled as Daenerys reached down to pin his leather top. One of her silver tendrils brushed against his shoulder as she did. "Tyrion of House Lannister, I now name you Lord Hand of myself—Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, rightful Queen of the First Men and the Andals. Rise as the Queen's Hand."

…

Next time: Daenerys boards her ships and sails to Dragonstone. Meetings will be held—as will trials.

Thanks for reading. Let me know what you guys think and I am open to any suggestions J.