Chapter 3: Strength and Weakness

"It truly is a sea." Daemon thought as he sat atop his horse next to Dany atop a ridge. The plains of green grass stretched as far out as the eye can see. There were no hills, no mountains, no trees just vast flat grassland. The tall blades of rippling in the wind like the waves and currents of the ocean.

"The Dothraki Sea." Jorah said halting his horse next to them.

"It's so green." Dany said in awe.

"Here and now." Jorah nodded, "You ought to see it when it blooms, dark red flowers from horizon to horizon. Like a sea of blood. Come the dry season, it will turn bronze, and this is only hranna. There are hundreds of kinds of grass out there from yellow to blue."

"Bluegrass?" Daemon asked skeptically, "What else is there?"

"In the Shadow Lands beyond Assai, they say there is an ocean of ghost grass, taller than a man on horseback with stalks as pale as milk glass. It kills all other grass around it and glows in the dark with the souls of the damned. The Dothraki believe that one-day ghost grass will consume the world and kill all life."

Dany shivered at the thought, "Let's not talk more about it. It's too beautiful to talk about everything dying."

"As you say Khaleesi." Jorah nodded respectfully.

Below them, they saw Viserys struggle to command his horse up the ridge. Illyrio urged Viserys to stay in Pentos but Viserys wanted to make sure that their deal is seen through.

"He should've stayed in Pentos. Then at least my headache will ease." Deamon groaned.

Daenerys frowned at the sight of her older brother. She casts her gaze over the khalasar. The horde road up the ridge they stood upon. She felt peace even for a bit and she won't let Viserys ruin it, "Tell them to stop, all of them. I command it." She said authoritatively.

Jorah smiled, "You are learning to talk like a queen."

"Not a queen." She replied, "A Khaleesi." She stated before riding down the ridge.

"She is coming out of her shell." Daemon stated.

They started heading east the day after their wedding three months ago. Dany grew bruises, legs chafed and hands blistered from the riding. It didn't help much whenever Drogo would enter their tent and mount either one of them depending on who he wanted that night.

Lately, she has been more confident and less hurt. As if she broke out of an egg as a dragon. He had asked and she would always brush off the question. It was if a new fire sparked inside of her. Now she would ride at the head of the khalasar with Drogo. She urged Daemon to join them and he just couldn't say no.

Jorah nodded in agreement, "Aye."

"Good. She'll need to, the further east we go." Daemon switched his gaze to Viserys, "After that, we'll only have one problem." He still had a score to settle with his brother he just needed to bide this time. He needed it to look like an accident. "Go, do as Daenerys commanded."

Jorah only nodded before riding off.

Every passing day since the wedding Daemon and Daenerys have been more accustomed to their position. For once he felt in control of his own actions and fate and hoped Dany felt the same. Whenever they rode at the head of khalasar they would admire the sights. The hills of Norvos, the black Valyrian dragon road, and the vast forest of Qoho. They have seen more than they ever have imagined.

Even the night before he saw the stars for what felt like the first time. They glittered the black sky like a thousand diamonds. It was a long time since he just simply looked up to admire the sky. The constant threat of death always distracted him but now amongst the khalasar, he feels secure enough to look up again.

He was broken out of his calm state when he heard a horse bray loudly. He looked down to see Viserys ride down the ridge. He dreaded what came to happen next. He took the reins of his black stallion and rode down the ridge after his older brother.

Jhogo, a young Dothraki rider saw the worry of his second Khaleesi's face and rode after him as well as Irri who was speaking with Jhogo.

The first thing Daemon heard when he entered the tall grass was Viserys' demanding scream, "I am lord of the seven kingdoms I don't take orders horselord savages or their sluts!"

When he broke through the green wall of grass he saw Viserys point his borrowed sword at Dany. He quickly dismounted from his black but before he could do anything Dany kicked Viserys in the gut. Out of his grasp, she quickly pointed her dagger at him.

This was the first time she defied him, the first time she fought back.

"Where did you get that?" He demanded, approaching her again.

Daemon spoke up, "I gave it to her." He ran to stand between them and pulled out his own two daggers.

The two brothers glared at each others eyes. Viserys' conviction faltered when he saw Daemon's eyes. The amethyst pits pierced his soul. Daemon would not hesitate to kill him.

Crack

The whip made a sound like thunder. The leather wrapped around Viserys' neck like a snake constricting its prey. Viserys chocked as struggled against the bind. The commotion caught the attention of the khalasar and Ser Jorah, Dothraki laughed at Viserys' struggle.

Jhogo growled something out and no sooner Irri translated, "Jhogo ask if you would like him dead, Khaleesi."

"No." Dany answered quickly, "No."

Jhogo seems to understand that much. Another screamer made a comment which made the crowd of Dothraki erupt in laughter. Irri translated, "Quaro says you should take an ear or a finger to teach him respect."

Daemon looked to be considering it but Dany spoke, "No, I wish no harm to come to him."

After Irri translated Jhogo yanked the whip and pulled Viserys to the ground. With the whip now loose, Viserys let in a wheezing breath.

"I warned him of the consequences, my lady." Jorah said, "I told him to stay on the ridge."

Dany nodded to him, "I know you did."

She looked down at her brother and realized just how pitiful he was. He always was but she never saw it until now.

Daemon leaned to whisper to her, "He needs to be punished or they will think us weak."

She understood what she needed to do. Dany glanced up to the horses around them. In the Dothraki culture, those who walk amongst the khalasar are considered the lowest of all. "Take his horse." She ordered Mormont, "He will walk behind us back to the khalasar."

Viserys gaped at her before looking to Jorah almost pleadingly, "Hurt her, Mormont, and kill these Dothraki savages!"

Jorah looked between the three siblings, "As you command Khaleesi."

Viserys spouted orders to deaf ears as Jorah took his horse. Daenerys and Daemon mounted their silver and black. They ignored their brother's cries as they rode away. Soon they could not see him through the thick walls of grass.

"Will he get lost?" Daemon asked curiously, "The tall grass is endless."

Jorah chuckled, "Even a man as farsighted as your brother will find the khalasar."

"He's proud, perhaps he will be too ashamed to follow the khalasar." Dany said.

Jorah laughed this time, "Where will he go, Khaleesi? Even if he can't find the khalasar, the khalasar will almost certainly find him. It is hard to drown in the Dothraki Sea."

Daemon found himself thinking of the Dothraki way. He didn't approve of the raping, raiding, and slavery but failed to see there was more to them. They followed strength and were extremely loyal to who prove themselves strong. They don't ride blindly, Drogo constantly sends out scouts to range ahead for any sight of game or enemies. Outriders man the flanks of the main column. Yes, the Dothraki are much more intelligent than others believe and perhaps that is their advantage.

"I hit him and pointed Dream at him." Dany stated, "He will be so angry with me. I've awoken the dragon."

The knight snorted, "Can you stir the dead? Your eldest brother, Rhaegar was the last dragon, and he died at the Trident. Viserys is less than the shadow of a snake."

Daemon looked up at him, "But you swore your sword to him."

"That I did." Jorah nodded, "And if your brother is the shadow of a snake what does that make those who serve him?"

"But he is still the eldest, the king of Westeros." Dany replied.

"Tell me, would you like to see your brother sit upon the iron throne?" Jorah asked the young girl.

"There have been worse kings." Dany replied avoiding the question, "And none of them would have kept us alive as long as Viserys did. Still, the common people wait for us, Illyrio said so himself. They pray for our return." Daemon had admitted this to be true, despite everything Viserys kept them alive.

"The smallfolk pray for rain, food, a summer that lasts a hundred years." Jorah told them, "It is of no matter to them if their high lords play their game of thrones as long as they are left to their own devices." Jorah gave a shrug, "But they never are."

"And what do you pray for Ser Jorah?" Dany asked curiously.

Jorah paused before answering, "Home."

"I pray for home as well." Dany replied.

"As do I." Daemon piped in. He sighed before saying, "Viserys will never take back the Seven Kingdoms. Our husband could give him a million Dothraki screamers and it won't make a lick of difference."

"Do you agree, Daenerys?" Jorah asked glancing to the girl.

"He has no riches, inspires no loyalty and the knight sworn to him calls him a shadow of a snake. He will never take us home." Dany said.

"You're wise for your young age." Jorah commented.

"Wiser than most." Daenerys replied before riding ahead.

Daemon looked up to the knight, "Don't let our age fool you Ser Jorah, we are as fierce as any battle hardened man." He stated before riding ahead after his sister leaving the group behind.

When they returned to the Khalasar they already broke camp. It was dusk when the dismounted their mounts and handed the reins over to the slaves. Their tent was already standing tall by a spring. The light was dim when they entered the tent.

They both went off to their own little sections of the tent. While Dany seemed enamored by their dragon eggs Daemon polished his daggers and recounted his vials of multicolored liquids. Some of them were perfumes while others were different kinds of poisons.

Behind him, Dany reached out to black and red dragon egg. She put her palm on the ebony scarlet egg and felt the warmth radiating off of it.

"The sun." He heard Dany whisper, "They were warmed by the sun."

"What is it?" He looked back at her.

Dany looked up to him, "Nothing, I'm going to have a bath, would you join me?" She asked hopefully.

Daemon was tempted but denied himself, "No thank you, I just want some rest."

She frowned before nodding.

Daemon left the tent and made his way down to the spring. He made sure he was alone when he stripped. In the past three months, he has not let anyone see his lashing scars, not even Dany. He is almost impressed with himself for hiding them so successfully if he wasn't so ashamed. If the Dothraki see his scars they will see weakness, they will see a slave.

The water was warm as he stepped into the spring. When the water reached up to his waist he leaned back and sank into the water. He held his breath for what seemed like an eternity. When he resurfaced he let out a satisfied sigh.

He hasn't had a proper bath in the tub they had received as a wedding gift. He only used any passing springs in private. He would always wear leather vests, silk shirts, and even a cloak on occasion to hide his scars. Even when Drogo would mount him he would keep his own shirt on and the Khal didn't seem to care as long as he enters him.

If Daemon was anyone else he wouldn't have noticed the presence of someone behind him. When he turns to face whoever dares approach him in such a vulnerable state his breath caught in his throat. Khal Drogo stood tall at the edge of the spring. Their eyes locked onto each other and neither of them said a word. In silence, Drogo undid his thick leather belt and let his brown leather trousers fall to reveal his erect cock.

Daemon couldn't tell what was about to happen. Will he be drowned or fucked or both?

Drogo entered the water and walked towards the prince. Daemon stood frozen in the water as the Khal approached. When the Khal stood above his small stature he looked down at Daemon's silver hair as the prince avoided his gaze. The Khal grabbed him and turned him around.

"Fucking it is." He whispered unaware the Khal heard him.

Daemon fully expected to be roughly entered but instead, he felt rough fingers caress his scarred back. His shock and surprise left him paralyzed as the Khal gently stroked his back. Why wasn't he humiliating him or raping him? Does he not care?

Drogo began to bend him over but Daemon stopped him. "No." He said looking up to the Khal. He defied him once again and repeated, "No." He turned around and looked up at Drogo. He took Drogo's hands and pulled him further into the water until the water reached up to their chests.

Silently Daemon wrapped his legs around Drogo's waist and guided his throbbing member to his entrance. "I wish to see you." He whispered. With a slow thrust, Drogo entered his Khaleesi.

They fucked until nightfall and eventually found their way to shore with Daemon on his back. Daemon used all the skills he learned in Lys to satisfy his husband. He even flipped them over so he was on top and rode Drogo like a stallion. For once he felt pleasure from his skills instead of shame or humiliation. And Drogo never once gave him a judgemental look.

Soon they found their way back into the tent where Dany waited for them. It seemed she had the same idea as Daemon and wanted to face Drogo. She had taken control of them and showed them a side of her they had yet to see.

That night was filled with pleasure, lust and maybe even love for the three of them. They called out each others names and together they helped each other reach climax. When is all said and done, they dwelled in each other's arms. Tangled in each other's bodies slick with sweat and other fluids. They laid atop the furs fully bare not caring should anyone enter the tent.

Weeks later, they were at the far end of the Dothraki sea when Irri brushed over her small swell as they were dressing her for the day, "Khaleesi, you are pregnant." All the handmaidens looked shocked with the news and eagerly put their hands on her stomach.

Dany looked across the tent to Daemon and Drogo who still laid in each other's arms, "I know." She smiled as joyful tears welled up in her amethyst eyes.

Today is their seventeenth name-day and she had just received the greatest gift.