Dany learns more about her allies and herself.
I'm going to be busy this week, so I'll post two chapters today. Enjoy.
37. The Last to Know - Daenerys
I said farewell to a man who loves me, a man I thought I cared for, and I felt nothing.
Her own words echoed in her mind, thinking back to the memory of her departure from Meereen. At the time, Dany was afraid that her heart had become too cold to feel anything anymore, or that her sun-and-stars had taken it with him into the Night Lands. However, as she stood watching the Black Wind slowly vanish below the horizon, it was impossible to ignore the sinking feeling in her chest.
I never cared for Daario, but Aegon is different. I miss my Prince.
The sound of someone clearing their throat made her blink and turn around. "Your Grace, perhaps we should prepare for the trip to King's Landing." Tyrion said, glancing around the harbor, seemingly looking for something. "It'd be best if we're ready for departure when the raven comes."
"Sure, make the necessary arrangements." Dany nodded, walking back towards the castle and leaving Tyrion to follow her orders.
Ser Jorah followed her. "It seems much has happened in my absence, Khaleesi."
"That's putting it mildly." She said, smiling at her bear. "But I'm sure you have your own tale. You must tell me how you've managed to find a cure for greyscale."
"Well, it was all due to the efforts of a kind and clever young man, Samwell Tarly." Tarly? He must be related to Lord Randyll, she thought sadly. This young man probably wouldn't be happy to learn what happened at Harrenhal. Jorah continued, "While everyone else at the Citadel was content to just let me die, Samwell went against the Archmaester's orders and tried his best to save me. I owe him a debt of gratitude I can never repay."
"If he saved you, I too owe him much. I've missed you terribly. Westeros hasn't been as welcoming as I'd hoped. There are few people here I can trust." She added, glancing back to the harbor, where Tyrion seemed to be discussing something with Lord Paxter Redwyne.
He frowned. "If I may say so, Khaleesi, you seemed rather comfortable at the docks. Before the Prince left, that is."
"Aegon is different. I trust him with all my heart." In another life, we might have grown up together. Dany smiled at the thought of having such a man as a childhood friend. We complete each other. He should've been by my side from the beginning.
"I see." Was all her bear said, staring at her with a strange expression.
Dany decided to ignore it. "But I don't even trust my own Hand. Not anymore. Lord Tyrion's counsel has nearly cost me the war, and my trust in him grows weaker by each failure. I doubt he'll keep that pin for much longer." She turned to face Jorah, an idea forming on her mind. "How about you? Do you think you could do a better job as my Hand?"
Her bear hesitated, his eyebrows rising in surprise. "I'm flattered, Khaleesi, but I'd advise against appointing me as your Hand. I left Westeros in disgrace, and many still remember why. It'd be wiser to find someone else."
She sighed. "I suppose you're right. I should use this to gain a new ally, if possible."
They made their way back to the castle, talking about less important things, yet enjoying each other's company all the same. I've missed my bear too.
After Aegon left Dragonstone, her nights had been plagued by strange nightmares. A young dragon was being strangled by a kraken with one eye, while another smaller kraken grasped a massive flaming horn, burning its tentacles to ash in the effort. And darkness swirled all around them.
Dany finally decided to confide in Missandei, during a bath. Her friend was washing her hair with fragrant oils, while she soaked her naked body in the scalding water, the heat offering her comfort.
"Your Grace is worried for the Prince. It's only natural to have nightmares about that." Her face was upside down, as Dany leaned her head back on the edge of the tub.
"This is no ordinary dream, though. I've been having it almost every night, and it's always the same." She closed her eyes, trying to remember the details. "The dragon cries for help, staring right at me as if expecting me to do something… I know in my heart that he needs me, but I never know what to do and I just watch, helpless to his suffering."
Missandei was quiet for a long time, before she finally said, "In Naath, people used to say that the Lord of Harmony sends dreams to warn against dangers. The dreamers are bound to obey and carry out His will."
"Lord of Harmony?" Dany had never heard that name before.
"The one who always was and always will be, who made the moon and stars and earth, and all the creatures that dwell upon them." Her friend said, almost reciting a prayer. "The Naathi worship him as the one true god of all creation."
Interesting, she thought, everyone wants to worship a different god.
"Tell me more about your homeland, Missandei of Naath." Sinking lower into the hot water and closing her eyes, she asked, "Are your people as lovely as you?"
"Your Grace is too kind."
"Please, call me Dany."
"It wouldn't be proper, Your Grace."
"Please…" She insisted, turning around to face her friend, the water splashing a bit. "At least when we're alone. I have far too many people treating me as Queen, but what I need most is people I can trust to treat me as more than that. Only Aegon calls me Dany, and since he's been gone I miss hearing it."
Missandei hesitated, holding her gaze, the golden eyes sparkling back. "Very well. D-Dany." She finally said, with what seemed a great effort. "The island of Naath is home to a peaceful people, who have no desire or will to do harm to anyone or anything. So much so, that they avoid meat altogether, only eating fruit and vegetables. They make beautiful music, but are unsuited for war."
"Isn't that dangerous?" Dany asked, worried. The idea of pacifism would be perfect in a world without violence, but our world is a cruel one.
"Sadly, my people are easy targets for slavers." Her voice dropped a tone, and a crease marred her brow. "We don't fight back, so they can take us without much effort. But the Lord of Harmony provides some protection in the form of butterflies."
"Butterflies?" That didn't make much sense. How could butterflies offer protection?
"Yes, our butterflies transmit a disease to outsiders, called the butterfly fever. The Naathi are immune to it, but everyone else would feel painful spasms, making their arms and legs shake uncontrollably. I've seen it myself, and it almost looks like they're dancing… Which would be funny, if they didn't also start sweating blood until their flesh melts away from their bones."
Dany shivered, despite the hot water. "It seems this Lord of Harmony knows what he's doing, then."
Her friend shook her head, a grave expression on her face. "The butterflies are only active during the day. Many slavers have learned of that, and started invading the island under cover of night."
I suppose no god is perfect, she thought, but didn't say. "Do you miss it? Your island?"
"Sometimes." Her voice was wistful, as she closed her golden eyes. "I was very young when they took me, too young to remember much. But when I think of home, I think of butterflies and sweet fruits and loud music."
That does sound nice. "I promise I'll take you there someday, Missandei." I'd love to see it too.
"Thank you, Your G-" She stopped herself, a smile curling her lips. "Thank you, Dany."
In the room with the Painted Table of Westeros, Dany was waiting for Tyrion's arrival. Her eyes drifted along the length of what would soon be her rule, resting on the Wall in the North. Cersei will be gone, but Sansa Stark is still calling herself Queen. She would have to deal with that once they reached Winterfell. Aegon thinks of her as a sister, so I'll have to be careful.
"Your Grace." Tyrion said, walking through the black stone door. "You've called for me?"
She nodded. "Yes. How are the preparations going?"
"The ships are ready to take us to King's Landing, Your Grace. They have been for days, actually."
Dany took a deep breath. A week has passed, and no word has arrived yet. Her nightmares hadn't improved, only growing darker and darker. Except that one time, she admitted. In one dream, a crow with three eyes landed on Dany's shoulders, pecking her flesh away until she turned into a dragon. Spreading her wings, she flew straight into the other dragon and managed to release him, both dragons tumbling down and merging to become one massive winged creature made out of pure light, keeping the darkness at bay.
"While we wait, have you given any thought to my suggestion?" She asked, raising her eyebrows.
Tyrion hesitated, avoiding her eyes. "I'm not sure the Prince would approve of that, Your Grace." You don't approve, you mean.
"Despite what Aegon believes, peace is an illusion. A tale we tell ourselves to make all the pain and suffering of war more tolerable." Dany admired her nephew's idealism, but her experience had proven that people can never work together for long. Once there are no more enemies, we'll need to create one before our people turn against us. "And I'd rather he didn't suffer more than necessary."
Her Hand took a deep breath. "I understand the desire to kill Cersei as much as anyone. More than most, really. But it seems to me that once we've agreed to this alliance, betraying it wouldn't cast us in the best of lights."
She huffed. "I honestly doubt Cersei's death would have such an effect. The woman is hated, and the only reason she still holds any power at all is the fear that she could burn King's Landing with wildfire. I'm sure most people would be glad she's gone." And Aegon would thank me later.
"Perhaps so." Tyrion conceded, picking up a glass and filling it with wine. "Perhaps we would gain more allies with her death, but I've been thinking about what the Prince said in that council meeting." He moved to sit on a chair near the fireplace. "If we truly want to convince people to work together, this marriage serves as a powerful statement of that, as I'm sure he knows. Both sides agree to a compromise, and the rest of the realm understands just how dangerous this new threat is, to force such drastic measures." His eyes lit up, as an idea seemed to form in his head. "In fact, the wedding itself should be a great opportunity to invite all lords and ladies of Westeros, to bring us all together before we have to face death."
She moved to the chair opposite his. "His sacrifice is too great." Dany felt responsible for it, since she was the one gaining a crown. "I understand why Cersei would do it, but my Prince shouldn't have to suffer. He deserves someone who can make him smile." Her face brightened at the memory of his laughter.
Tyrion looked at her with a strange expression on his face. "Your Grace, even if Cersei dies, it's likely the Prince would simply marry Lady Yara Greyjoy. They seem… fond of each other, despite their recent quarrel." His voice was hesitant, almost afraid that she might be offended.
"I know." She said quickly, trying to ignore the images of their night together floating on her mind. Yara was certainly satisfied. "But at least he'd be happy. That will never happen with Cersei."
Her Hand stared at her for a long time, the wine glass hanging on his hand, until he finally said, "You're in love with him."
"Excuse me?"
"Jon, or Aegon, as you prefer to call him." He cleared his throat. "The Prince. You love him."
"Of course I love him. He's family. The only family I have left." She was talking fast, almost trying to convince herself. There's nothing wrong with that. "It's only natural that we should be close. It'd be stranger if we didn't love each other."
Tyrion gave her a smug smile. "Perhaps that's how it started, but it's clearly more than that now. I remember you were fond of him even before the feast, probably glad to have found another Targaryen. Yet, on the days following your… tryst with Lady Yara, the two of you have grown closer and closer." He raised his hands in defense. "And I'm not the only one who's noticed it. I've spoken to Missandei and Ser Jorah, and they both agreed with me. You seem to glow when you're around him, and he's all you talk about when he's gone. I'll confess that I had my doubts, at least until now."
Am I that transparent? "And what changed your mind?"
"When you said you just wanted him to be happy, even if he's not with you." He replied calmly. "I won't claim to be an expert on love, but I do know that it means caring more for someone else than for yourself. It's when your own happiness comes second, because knowing they're happy is the most important thing in the world."
Dany opened her mouth to argue, yet no words left her lips. She couldn't deny it. We've only known each other for days, but it feels as if I've known him for years. When she thought about sitting on the Iron Throne, he was the only man she could see standing beside her. Even his words moved her more than anyone else's. You must be quite strong, he said once, before they watched the sunrise together. And before leaving, he said, I think you'll be a good Queen. Dany never felt the need for validation, since she knew of her own strength and that she would be a good Queen, but when the words came from his mouth they seemed to matter more. He isn't one for empty flattery. Somehow, when he said it, they sounded like facts, not opinion. I guess I'll always doubt myself, but I'll never doubt him.
Noticing her long silence, Tyrion pressed on, "Love certainly complicates matters, but my advice is patience, Your Grace."
"Patience?" She found her voice. Why do I still seek his counsel? "That's your sage advice?"
"Yes, patience." He nodded confidently. "I know my sister well enough to tell you that she will dig her own grave before anyone else's. The Prince is an idealist, and I doubt he would ever betray her or dishonor their marriage in any way. However, Cersei will almost certainly betray him." He took a sip of wine, seemingly savoring the taste. "All we need to do is stay vigilant and wait until she makes a mistake. We won't need to wait long, if I'm right."
Dany considered it for a while. What if he's wrong? "No. It's too dangerous." She decided, shaking her head. "I refuse to risk his life if there's a better alternative." She stood up, leaving the chair to tower over him. "You will come up with a discreet way to eliminate Cersei before their wedding. That's an order, my lord." He's a kinslayer. What's a sister to someone who's killed his father?
She was about to leave the room, when Varys appeared at the door. "Your Grace." He greeted, then turned to Tyrion. "My lord. Lady Yara Greyjoy has sent word from the Black Wind." He said, walking over to hand her a letter.
Finally! Relief washed over her, and Dany unfurled the parchment, her heart hammering in her chest. As she read the words, that sinking feeling returned.
"Your Grace?" Tyrion asked, his voice coming from a great distance. "What does it say?"
Unable to speak, she gave him the paper, noticing her hands were shaking. That red woman has saved us again, but my Prince…
The beauty of this POV style of storytelling is that I can play with time. I like it, though I'll admit it can feel like the story isn't moving forwards.
Also, something I should've clarified way back in chapter 16: as a general rule of thumb, I'm against transcribing the contents of letters. They're usually just conveying information that we already know, and I believe the characters' reactions are far more important, so I try to avoid redundancy.
The only exception to that rule is when the letter itself is a hint to something more. So far in this story, there haven't been any letters like that. When it happens, I'll transcribe.
By the way, next chapter should be a new POV. Try to guess which one, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
15/07/2019
25/08/2019 EDIT: removed Missandei smiling when Dany's eyes were shut. How would she see it?