Part 7: Daenerys

Daenerys was nervous, they were surrounded by scary looking armed men and being escorted onto the property of a Magister, Viserys seemed confidant, but Daenerys was not. They had spent the last of their coin on that feast for the Golden Company, yet somehow Viserys had found more money for food, he couldn't have done that without stealing something. Then suddenly men belonging to a Magister had sort them out in the hovel they were currently living in, it couldn't be coincidence. Daenerys knew the money could not have been obtained by hard work, Viserys would not work, and refused to allow her to work either, it was 'beneath them'. For the last week all that had been beneath her had been a dirt floor… it had broken something inside of Viserys to sell their mother's crown, and they had survived on that coin for as last as they could, the feast for the Golden Company had been one last desperate attempt by Viserys to gain an army, and it had failed. At thirteen years of age Daenerys was becoming keenly aware that the only thing Viserys had left to sell was her.

Was that what he was doing? Selling her to the Magister? Slavery was forbidden in Pentos, wasn't it? She was sure it was, yet as her eyes caught sight of the many slimmer men with spears that guarded the walls and gates of the Manse she wasn't so sure.

"Those are Unsullied," Viserys whispered, clearly impressed. "They are trained from a young age, very fast and well disciplined, some say they do not feel pain, they are very expensive." Viserys was always impressed by shows of wealth and power.

"Aren't Unsullied slaves?" Daenerys whispered. "Viserys, I'm scared." She tried to clutch at his arm but he pushed her away.

"Stop that," He snarled. "You're embarrassing me. You are a princess of House Targaryen, act like it. If we want Illyrio's help we have to show him that we are worthy of it."

'We' he had said 'we' not 'I', maybe he wasn't planning to sell her? Daenerys shivered and drew in on herself, she did not dare reach for Viserys again, fear wrapped it's cold hand around her heart and made her shiver despite the heat, or was that hunger? After so many years of running they were desperate, starving. Yet she did not trust this lavish, fortified house, she did not trust this strange man, whom she had never met, how could she? How could Viserys? After so many years of running and being afraid how could he trust this stranger? Why did this man want to help them? and what did he want in return? Yet Viserys seemed confident, and they were broke and desperate. Maybe it was a trap? Maybe this was a fancy prison? But was a fancy prison better than being hungry with no roof over your head? Yes. Maybe she was tired of being afraid?

As they moved towards the main doors Viserys pinched her, hard. "Stand up straight," He hissed. "And smile, smile or I'll hurt you later."

Daenerys did her best to fix a nervous smile on her face, beautiful women, barely clad, opened the double doors wide, some had the copper skin of the Dothraki and dark almond eyes, others the yellowish skin and slanting eyes of those from beyond the Jade Gates. All had wide copper collars around their necks, slave collars. Viserys looked at their half-veiled breasts and short skirts and smiled, a firm hand placed on the centre of Daenerys' back. "This is our new home, for now." He whispered in Daenerys' ear. "The Magister is going to help us."

"Why?" Daenerys whispered back.

Viserys laughed. "Because that is what intelligent wealthy men do. Illyrio will help me get back what was stolen, in hopes that he will have my favour in the future."

They were shown to lavish rooms and offered baths, food, and clean clothes. Women wearing thick copper collars attended Daenerys, they trimmed her ragged nails and untangled her knotted hair. Only once she was deemed 'presentable' was she taken to meet her mysterious benefactor. Illyrio Mopatis was a large man with an easy smile, his fingers sparkled with heavy gemstones and heavy gold chains with gems, some as large as eggs, hung around his neck and covered half of his chest. His clothes were the finest that Daenerys had ever seen. He took her hand and kissed it lightly as he greeted her. His hands were very soft and it made Daenerys self-couscous of her poor appearance. He was exactly what Daenerys imagined a King would be, minus the crown.

If Illyrio looked like a King then Catelyn Mopatis looked like a Queen. Her auburn hair was done in an intricate style, with fine silver chains and gemstones woven through it. She had high cheekbones and a slim figure, which was accentuated by her exquisite clothing. She wore a heavy necklace of old Valyrian design, a priceless antique of Valyrian steel and emeralds, exquisite bracelets hugged the bear skin of both her upper and lower arms. Her silk skirt stopped at the knee, as was the Pentoshi style, and more jewellery encircled her legs from knee to ankle, her open sandals showed that even some of her toes had rings on them.

Their eldest daughter, Sansa, was eleven, only a couple of years younger than Daenerys, and beautiful beyond words, she was slim and beautiful like her mother, although she looked nothing like her father. Sansa had her mother's high cheekbones, albeit on a slightly longer face, where Catelyn's eyes were a clear river blue, Sansa's were a greenish blue, like rapids or water at the bottom of a waterfall. Where Catelyn's hair was a rich deep auburn, Sansa's was more red, and stunningly so. She wore less jewellery than her mother, but her clothing was just as exquisite, pearls were woven through her hair and silver graced her arms, fingers, toes, ankles, and neck.

The other three children were far younger, Minisa was four, she had strawberry-gold curls and green eyes. Illyum was three, his golden hair showed hints of red in certain lights and his eyes were a light blue. The youngest was another girl, Haleyna, she was two, with coppery hair and dark blue eyes. All three of the younger children had rounder faces, more like their father's, but maybe that was just because they were so young?

Dinner was a show of extravagance, a feast which put the display they had put on for the Golden Company to shame, and in that moment Daenerys understood why Viserys had failed. There must have been twenty roast chickens on the table, pheasants, quails, boar, it took four men to carry a slow roasted oxen into the room. There were bowls of fruit, cheese's, mountains of roast vegetables. Then there were the pastries and deserts, cakes, custards, the candied fruit and flowers. Despite having eaten only an hour or so before Daenerys's stomach rumbled at the smells and sight of the food.

Sansa giggled, then tried to disguise it as a cough, before reaching for a lemony tart, which she picked at delicately as Daenerys did her best to taste a bit of everything. Not only did Sansa look more like a princess than Daenerys felt, the girl was well spoken with perfect posture, she had played the High Harp for them before dinner and she recited a poem in High Valyrian afterwards. Later in the evening they snacked on lemon cakes and sweet tea, Daenerys ate more in one day than she had eaten in the last week, and that night she slept in a real feathered bed! If this was a prison then she was happy to stay.

~~/~~

The weeks passed and Daenerys found herself spending more and more time with Sansa, Sansa was captivated by Viserys and he played up to it, being nothing but charming in her presence, the girl blushed easily and that made Viserys happy… Viserys didn't hurt Daenerys when he was happy. For months things seemed to be going very well, then a slave told Viserys that Sansa wasn't Illyrio's daughter, but the daughter of Ned Stark… Viserys had his hands around Sansa's throat and Daenerys was screaming by the time Illyrio and Catelyn arrived. Two unsullied pulled Viserys off of Sansa and Daenerys tried to comfort her.

"Take your hands off of that traitor's daughter, sister!" Viserys demanded, seeming oblivious to the fact that two unsullied had him on his knees and a third had a sword aimed at his throat. "You know what they did to our father… you know what they did to our niece and nephew!"

"Ned had no part in Aegon or Rhaenys' deaths, nor could he abide by them." Catelyn replied, hugging her daughter fiercely.

Viserys started to yell again but Illyrio managed to calm the situation down, Illyrio sent away all of the slaves, apart from four unsullied, and Catelyn explained the version of events that she knew around the deaths of Rhaegar's children. Yet Viserys refused to accept it. Eventually, in what seemed like an act of desperation, Catelyn told them that they had another nephew… She told them that Rhaegar had annulled his marriage to Ella and married Lyanna in a secret ceremony in Dorne and that they had made a child together, a son. She told them about how Ned Stark had protected his nephew, lying even to her. Catelyn told them everything that she knew and begged Viserys not to hurt Sansa, Sansa just cried and rubbed her neck.

"No," Viserys whispered desperately. "No, it can't be true, if it were he would have the better claim."

"But not the better army." Illyrio replied. "You will have an army soon, I promise. Your nephew is not a true dragon, he doesn't even know who he is. He looks like a Stark, and has been raised to believe he is a Stark bastard, he has been raised under the name of Jon Snow, even if he were to learn the truth of his identity it would be a hard push to convince others of it. You are the blood of Old Valyria, and it serves my interests to put you on the Iron Throne."

"I will take back what they have stolen with fire and blood." Viserys hissed, still on his knees.

Illyrio nodded, smiled, and signalled for the guards to release him. "Let me show you what true power is." He said softly, he turned to one of the four Unsullied. "This conversation must be kept private, kill the other three." He instructed.

Daenerys watched in horror as the Unsullied in question slaughtered the other three, as the other three guards made no effort to protect themselves. Once it was done the Unsullied wiped his blade, then turned to Illyrio and bowed. "Will there be anything else, Magister?"

Illyrio nodded. "Yes," He replied, his face expressionless. "Now kill yourself."

Daenerys watched in horror as the Unsullied ended his own life, She heard Sansa whimper, and turned to see that the girl had buried her head in her mother's shoulder, she saw the fear in Catelyn's eyes as she looked at her husband, perhaps seeing him clearly for the first time.

"I want that." Viserys whispered, still on his knees. The desire in his voice made Daenerys shiver. "I want that," He repeated. "I want them to fear me, to tremble at my name. I want to punish them for all they have stolen from me, to bring them to their knees and put them in chains."

"Of course you do," Illyrio replied gently, almost compassionately, he offered Viserys a hand and drew him up to his feet. "But it is easier to win a war with allies. I will give you the North, the Riverlands, I will deliver you Dorne and the Reach, we will crush the Westerlylands and Stormlands, and force the Vale to abstain."

"And what do you want in return?" Viserys asked.

Illyrio gave him a fatherly smile. "Come, let us discuss that in private." Illyrio replied.

As Illyrio led Viserys away Catelyn let out a sob. "Seven help me, what I have done?" She whispered. "Father, what have we done?" Catelyn shakily pulled herself to her feet, and then Sansa, leading the girl away and leaving Daenerys utterly alone.

Daenerys didn't remember how she made it back to her bed chambers, her head was spinning and her clothes were dirty. She stood silently as the slave girls stripped her and led her towards her bath, the bath was steaming, one of the servants turned away to get something and Daenerys stepped in.

"No, lady, it's too hot!" The servant girl called out, but Daenerys ignored her, letting the scalding water wash over her body and clear her head.

For so long Daenerys had been alone in the world, save for Viserys, he was all she had, and he hated that he was stuck with her. He'd marry her one day, she knew that, he'd marry her and expect her to give him dragon sons, would he beat her if she gave him daughters? Probably. Daenerys watched the steam rise off of the water as the thoughts whirled around in her head, one of Rhaegar's children was alive, a son! A Targaryen in hiding, just like them. But he wasn't like them, not really, he had a home, a family, and he looked like a Stark. The only Stark Daenerys knew was Sansa, as the servants washed her hair she imagined a tall man with high cheekbones, bluish eyes and reddish-album hair, his shoulders were wider than Viserys. In her mind's eye she reached out towards him, but he turned away walking between snows covered stone buildings, a giant wolf at his side.

Daenerys dunked her head under the now cooler water, but the image didn't fade, she felt her heart break as the man that looked like a Stark walked away from her and towards another woman, this woman was tall with short black hair and icy blue eyes. She was fierce and brave, dressed in leathers, like a man, and with a sword at her side. Somehow the vision moved to a strange forest, Daenerys had never seen such trees, the dark-haired woman was in a dress now, and the man had a crown on his head, not of gold, but a crown of swords, they were walking towards a large white tree with red leaves, red like Sansa's hair. The tree had a face carved into it, as Daenerys turned to look at the face in the tree the face turned and looked at her, she screamed, her mouth filling with water, and the vision faded.

The servants dragged her from the bath in a panic as she coughed and spluttered. "You're s'posed to wash in the water, not breath it." An older woman muttered as she wrapped a towel around Daenerys. "You'll die like that, lady, are you trying to kill yourself? We'll get beaten if you kill yourself."

Daenerys recognised the fear in the woman's eyes, but couldn't bring herself to respond. She let them move her, dry her, and dress her, then lead her to her bed, she sat on it as they put shoes on her feet and did her hair, then she sat on it some more and waited to be called to supper. But the supper bell never rang, hours later, after it had gotten dark, a servant brought a plate of food and a glass of milk to her. Daenerys sat alone in her room, her prison, and ate. Maybe it was a kindness? Maybe she wouldn't see Viserys again until he'd calmed down? Slowly she undid her hair and removed her dress, changing into the flimsy night dress they had given her. She slipped between the soft sheets and soon drifted off to sleep.

Late that night Viserys came to her room, drunk, and woke her. "Dany, Dany wake up." She looked at him groggily and sat up in bed. He sat on the bed beside her. "It's all going to be alright, Dany." He told her. He picked up a lock of her hair and started toying with it.

"What do you mean?" Daenerys asked, half asleep and confused. She desperately wanted to snatch her hair out of his hand and pull away, but she was afraid. She was always more afraid of him when he was drunk.

"This Jon Snow." Viserys muttered, "He's not going to take my inheritance from me, he's not a real dragon, Illyrio said that, remember, said he looks like a Stark. And he doesn't even know…" Viserys twirled her silver-gold hair around his fingers, his eyes lingered on the low cut of her night dress. She wanted to cover herself, but she was afraid to anger him. His hand moved from her face to her neck and then he put his hand around her throat. "You will never speak of him, do you understand?"

"Yes." Daenerys whimpered and nodded.

Viserys let his hand drop, brushing her breast slightly before pulling away. "I'm going to get it all back, Dany, everything that was taken from me, everything that is mine, and you're going to help me." He kissed her forehead. "My dear sister, you are going to help me." With that he stood up and left the room. The tears came quickly, but it was a long time before Daenerys was able to fall asleep again.

~~/~~

It amazed Daenerys how easy it was for Sansa to forgive Viserys. A few pretty words, a pretty gift (that had clearly been supplied by Illyrio) and she was back to doting on him. Within a week the only proof that the events had even happened was the dull busies fading around her neck, and the nervous glances her mother sent Viserys' way. Sansa never mentioned Jon Snow and Daenerys was afraid to, so they talked of other things.

Viserys seemed to again encourage Sansa's infatuation and, whist Catelyn expressed concern, Illyrio seemed to encourage it. Besides, Catelyn was often too busy with her three younger children to notice just how friendly Viserys and Sansa were getting. A little too friendly, not that Daenerys would ever dare say anything. Yet she was shocked that Viserys would do things such as blatantly touch Sansa's knee, or brush his fingertips over her upper arm, whilst Illyrio was watching. If Daenerys was shocked by Viserys she was horrified by Illyrio, Illyrio seemed to be encouraging Viserys interest in Sansa!

Sansa's twelfth name day arrived and Illyrio put on a huge celebration, Daenerys could only watch as Illyrio feed her wine and encouraged Viserys to dance with her. (Catelyn had been unwell and did not attend the party. As the evening drew late it was clear that Sansa was stumbling drunk, Daenerys wanted to pull her away and take her to bed, but Illyrio smiled brightly, caught her arm and shook his head. "Viserys will do it, what sweeter way to end a party for a young maid, than to have a future king tuck her into bed?"

Daenerys felt her throat grow dry in horror, Viserys wouldn't 'tuck Sansa into bed' he'd take advantage of her. Yet Sansa was all doting smiles as Viserys scooped her up into his arms and dropped a kiss on her cheek, and Illyrio's had was firm on her arm, Daenerys found no voice to argue. Daenerys had often heard, and sometimes seen, how Viserys treated the girls that he bedded, she wanted better for Sansa, but women don't have power, there was nothing she could do.

Sansa slept late the next day, and awoke with a headache, she seemed to have little memory of the night before, and Daenerys dared not speak of it. Catelyn's malady did not improve and Sansa soon became quiet and brooding. Viserys didn't like it, so avoided her, Daenerys spent more time with her to avoid Viserys. Sansa told Daenerys of her brothers and sister back at Winterfell (although she did not speak of Jon Snow) it seemed strange to Daenerys how bitter Sansa sounded when she talked about them, especially considering how much she seemed to love the three toddlers that were Illyrio's. Sometimes they would watch the three children play, Daenerys felt guilty that she had not talked with Sansa about the night of her name day, but relieved that Sansa did not seem aware of whatever had happened. But four days later, as they watched the children playing in one of the gardens, Sansa said something that suggested she might remember.

"If Viserys and I have children they'll look like that." Sansa whispered in a voice that sounded half hopeful, half fearful. "If we w-were to marry, I mean, and have children." She gave Daenerys a helpless look. "I.. I would never…"

Daenerys touched Sansa's arm softly and gave her what she hoped was a reassuring smile, but Sansa wouldn't meet her gaze, Daenerys frowned. "Have you bleed yet?" She asked softly.

Sansa kept her eyes lowered and shook her head. "No." She whispered.

Daenerys bit her lip and nodded. "Then it's alright," She reassured. "Viserys'… name day gift…"

"He will be a king one day, Illyrio will make sure of it." Sansa whispered, Daenerys nodded. "Illyrio says he honoured me." Sansa still wouldn't meet her gaze.

Daenerys swallowed back the words she wanted to say, what good would they do? Better for the girl to believe Illyrio's words, believe that she had been honoured. "Yes," She whispered as she took Sansa's hand. "He honoured you."

"Will he marry me?" Sansa asked in a very small voice. "We'd be sisters then."

Daenerys looked at Sansa in surprise and Sansa smiled at her, Daenerys dropped Sansa's hand and returned her gaze to the children. "Targaryen's have wed brother to sister for hundreds of years, to keep our line pure," Daenerys replied quietly. "It is more likely that he will marry me than you."

Sansa pushed herself to her feet quickly. "I… I need to check on mother." She said softly, before Daenerys could reply she was walking away.

A few days later Catelyn passed away, she was not even an hour in the ground when Illyrio announced that it had been Catelyn's dying wish that Sansa marry Viserys. Daenerys didn't believe that for a moment, Catelyn had regarded Viserys with caution ever since he had attacked Sansa, but she kept her mouth shut. She watched in horror as Viserys rounded the table and wrapped his arm around a crying Sansa.

"Shh, you need rest, you want to look pretty for your wedding day, don't you?"

"When will we marry?" Sansa asked softly.

"Tomorrow." Viserys replied. "Now stop crying." He cupped her cheek and placed his thumb over her lips. "I'll lead you to bed, my queen."

'My queen.' The words sent a shiver up Daenerys' spine, but was it fear or relief? Viserys was going to marry Sansa, he wasn't going to marry her! But if he didn't marry her then what would happen to her? She slept badly that night and when she did sleep it was filled with nightmares, the sun had barely dawned the next morning when Viserys and Sansa were wed in a small private ceremony on Illyrio's property, Illyrio preformed the ceremony himself. Viserys did not like that it was a small wedding, but Illyrio explained that it was for their protection. News of the wedding could not get back to the Usurper until they were ready, preferably after Sansa had given Viserys a son, as Sansa was yet to have her first blood that could be some time. Not that Viserys seemed to care if she'd flowered or not, he 'honoured' her frequently.

Daenerys' greatest fears were confirmed less than ten days later, the day she was paraded in front of a Dothraki Horse Lord, dressed only in a flimsy silk dress that left her feeling naked. The Horse Lord, Khal Drogo, did not speak a word, his eyes ran over her like a man looking to buy a horse, and like a horse she was sold. Daenerys found that she feared this man even more than she feared Viserys, at least she could communicate with Viserys, she shook with fear as Illyrio and Viserys discussed the matter around her, as the wedding day was set. She pretended not to notice that Illyrio had set guards on her door to prevent Viserys from 'honouring her' before the wedding, just as she pretended not to notice Sansa's bruises.

~~/~~