Chapter 2
True Targaryen
Location: Vaes Dothrak
Viserys stood proudly for the first time in years as the Dothraki Hordes all bowed and surrounded him outside. Under him was a large platform of wood and pallets pilled high around him built in a very quick fashion over the past few hours. The Dothraki were nothing short of savages in his eyes but they had their uses. He glared over them and as they continued to pill on wood about him those that weren't bowing of course, he wondered how to best use them. He held his hands at his waists looking on over the hastily built stage shaking his head at all of them. Through his magic of survival of the melted golden 'crown' Khal Drogo had given him, he managed to subdue the Dothraki becoming their new Khal, or King as he now demanded to be called. But something more had to be done. He finally had an army but Viserys realized what he truly had was a rabble of backward people now looking at him as some sort of god like figure.
"What absolute fools," Viserys muttered to himself.
Just under him to his left side stood Ser Jorah Mormont an older knight who like himself was an exile of the Seven Kingdoms, but a man still fit enough to fight and more importantly advise him. Jorah was tall muscular despite his age, his golden hair giving off a few strains of grey but most of himself was still fit and rugged like that of his beard. "I still do not understand the purpose of this action my King," he questioned to Viserys.
Viserys nodded ever so slightly to Jorah giving him a skeptic look for a short while before he answered. To Viserys, even Jorah wasn't a man of honor anymore. He knew Jorah to have been exiled for selling criminals to slavery, an act illegal in the Seven Kingdoms, but it was not those action that made Viserys not trust Mormont. In truth it was his personal betrayal of Jorah to himself. Jorah had sworn an oath to Viserys as well to his sister, but since he had he hadn't lifted so much as a finger to aid Viserys each time the Dothraki had insulted or harmed him. It was that fact that made Viserys wary of the older knight. Like the Dothraki, he would have to remold Jorah if that was even possible. "It's quite simple Jorah. Only a handful of the Dothraki witnessed my magic yester night, but by watching me here again consumed by these flames shall they ALL know why I am now their King. But more so than that I must make them truly understand. They must understand my mission, who I am, who they are, and who they must become in order to suit me and our cause."
"Our cause?" Asked Jorah. "Do you intend to share your cause with the me? I thought this was your war my King."
Viserys gave Jorah a dissatisfied look. "With you Jorah? No. With them." Viserys pointed at the Dothraki. "With you Jorah, I will share something."
"And what is that my King?" Jorah asked.
"I will share this fire!" Smiled Viserys
Suddenly three Dothraki sprang at either side of Jorah Mormont pulling in with so much force the older knight could hardly fight back. He struggled with the Dothraki as they pulled and beat at him. "No my King! You cannot mean for this! Please Viserys! I beg of you!"
"Beg?!" Viserys shouted out in pure anger. "You expect me to spare you? You a knight twice a betrayer?! You stood by and did NOTHING as Khal Drogo's men beat at me, choked me, and near kill me?! And you beg of me?!"
The Dothraki riders soon bound Jorah to a wooden post springing from the same wooden pyre Viserys stood upon. They began to tie his wrists and a chest to the wooden plank all the while Jorah kept pleading. "I was wrong!" He breathed deep. "My King, Viserys… I was wrong. Please. I did not understand. I did not see you for who you were."
"Too little too late." Was all that Viserys replied.
"No. It is not! Listen to me…" Jorah thought quickly. "Your grace, you need me. Anyone of these savages would kill you in your sleep. I swear to protect you, always!"
"Did you not swear that same oath to me once before? Your words are worth very little to me Jorah."
"Then let my actions speak. Name it, and I shall do anything you ask of me. Name it my King!"
"There is nothing you could do that I could not do myself Jorah." Shrugged Viserys.
"The Dothraki. They are savages yes? In your eyes are they not savages?" Asked Jorah.
"They are," nodded Viserys.
"You said it yourself. You need them to become more. I can help you train them. Make them into a proper army. A proper Westerosy army. Like that of your brother's Prince Rheagar. Please my King. I am still of use to you."
Viserys thought a moment. "Your past actions have condemned you Jorah. You will burn for your betrayal of me…" Suddenly Viserys' own expression began to change. "But not today. Today you may live and keep your life. But I do have a task for you." Viserys to even Jorah's surprise began to speak Dothraki to the Riders who had just finished tying Jorah. "Release him." He spoke in their tongue. "He shall not burn today." The words struggled from Visery's mouth as he had only began to study their tongue, but his early Dothraki words did do the job he needed them to do as the Dothraki riders slowly began to untie Ser Jorah. The older knight fell to the floor with a thud looking back at Viserys who now had twice spared him. "Thank you my King. I swear it I am your man from this day till my death."
"Swear nothing to me Jorah. There is nothing you can swear that I will believe. Instead follow me. And follow my orders. Now… bring me my sister." Viserys ordered.
Jorah was shocked at the request and instantly understood what Viserys had in mind. He knew in his heart how he felt about Daenerys how he secretly loved her. And so too did Viserys. Viserys once confronted Ser Jorah of his passion for his sister, and even told Jorah he cared not for what he thought of her, even telling Jorah he could have her. But this was different. Jorah was now being tested on his loyalty. Would he obey this command to bring Daenerys to him? Would he take the woman he secretly loved and give her to Viserys who had no doubt planned to burn her as he intended to burn him. That is when Ser Jorah realized there were more than one post on the wooden pyre. Seven in total. One for every Kingdom Jorah thought. Would Dany be one of those bound to the pyre as he had been? Jorah knew what he had to do and dusted himself off as he stood up and gave a short bow to his King.
"Yes, my King." He answered him. "I shall go now."
"Oh," Viserys stopped him again. "And don't forget to bring MY lovely Dragon Eggs with her."
Jorah did not answer but instead questioned Viserys. "Will you harm her my King?" He asked.
"I shall not. Her fate is not for me to decide." Viserys answered. "Now bring her."
Jorah nodded and went off. He soon entered Daenarys' tent and found her weeping with her three handmaidens clutching her swollen belly. She silently mourned as Ser Jorah entered meeting her eyes. "Khaleesi," Ser Jorah near whispered seeing the woman he secretly loved.
Daenarys looked up at the older Knight, her silver hair tattered eyes red with sorrow and fear. "Ser Jorah… he sent you to me, hasn't he?"
"You must come with me Khaleesi."
"I am not Khaleesi. I am not anything anymore. My Khal is dead, and Viserys now holds that title."
"Khal-" The word fell short on Jorah's breath. "Daenerys. He is my King now."
Daenerys searched for sympathy is Jorah's eyes. "You once told me you despised him. Are you now so eager to serve him? My brother will never take back the Iron Throne."
"Nine months ago, even a week ago, even a day ago I would have agreed. But last night what I saw… what we all saw. He may not be a Khal, but even you cannot deny he is a true Targaryen. I don't know what I believe now. I though… seeing you eat that heart, that you had something stirring in you fierce Daenerys. But now…" Jorah shook his head. "I see I was simply blinded by your beauty. I should have honored your brother more. I should have defended him that day in the field. Twice he spares me despite my lack of Oath Keeping. Eddark Stark once called for my head. So I fled Westeros. I came here, and even here I have disgraced myself as a Knight. Twice dishonored. Twice spared. When you see me now Daenarys do you see a hero? All I see when I look at myself now, is a coward. And a traitor. Eddark Stark was right. I should have been condemned long ago. But the gods continue to spare me for some unknown purpose. For what, I cannot say. All I know is what I must do now. You must come with me Dany."
"All my life my brother and I have been running. Only recently have I been made to feel at home. Now my Khal is gone and I am more lonely then I have ever been."
"You must come with me Princess.," Ser Jorah implored.
Daenarys thought a long moment still clutching the babe in her belly. "Why does he call on me?" She asked.
"I cannot say, just that he said he would not harm you." Jorah assured her.
"You're wrong Ser Mormont. I will die today," Daenarys rose slowly from her bed she had been sitting upon and walked slowly to Jorah staring him in the eyes. Jorah said nothing knowing she was not wrong.
"I need the eggs Princess."
Daenarys turned back nodding to her handmaids. "Take them. They will serve me no good when I die."
"He said he would not harm you Princess," said Jorah.
"I condemned myself the moment I threatened him with death. The moment I refused to help him when he pleaded for his life. He was my family, I betrayed him for a new family. A family of rapers, butchers and slavers. A family that would not keep its promise to my brother. I chose the wrong family. I was a Targaryen and instead I became a Dothraki. No Ser Mormont. I'm afraid you are wrong. Today I will meet the same fate of my husband."
Jorah watched and followed as Daenerys walked fearlessly toward her brother passing a dozen tents and many more Dothraki around. Some still bowed at her others didn't bother to even acknowledge, even still some spit at her feet calling her a white haired which in Dathraki. Jorah pushed some of them away as Daenarys approached all the while the large pyre to her front became more and more visible. And there standing more confident than Daenarys had ever seen was her brother looking down at her with no malice or acceptance, only a stare of indifference. "Hello little sister," He smiled cleverly at her.
Daenarys stared up at Viserys then at the seven pillars tied into the pyre he stood upon. She wondered if she would be tied to the same pillars as Jorah had been spared from. Would Viserys be merciful as she had not been? Would he be cruel and viscous or calm and benevolent? Would he be Viserys or would he be a true Targaryen? Dany swallowed her breath hard and spoke. "I will not plead for my life brother."
Viserys smiled still. "You will not have to sweet sister. I will not judge you for your betrayal."
Daenarys paused confused at the entire meaning of Viserys' calling. "I do not understand brother."
"Step up to me sweet sister," Viserys called again. "Stand by me and take your rightful place at my side."
Daenarys looked upon the pyre and knew to herself she could not go to him. "I do not deserve to be by your side brother. I am unworthy."
"Oh you are worthy enough dear sister." He insisted in a near sinister voice.
Again she stared at the Pyre fear slowly consuming her. "Ser Jorah told me you would not harm me."
"And I shall not my sister, now step up to me if you are a true Targaryen."
The pyre scared Daenarys, she knew what Viserys planned to do with it. He had every intention to light it and Dany knew it. But would she be on it as he did? Would she be bond to one of the pillars? Was her fate to burn? Slowly she made the climb up to Viserys, his smile never leaving his face at every step. He held out his hand to her and with hesitation she reached out for it. "There see? Nothing to be afraid of Dany. Its just me your brother. You know. The brother you watched as he helplessly pleaded for his life not raising a finger to help."
"I am sorry Viserys. I know my fate is sealed but please, please allow my child to live. I was wrong, I was blinded by the power of being a Khaleesi." Tears came from Dany's eyes, but Viserys was unshaken.
"Enough Dany. No more crying. Targaryens' do not beg." Viserys wiped away a tear from Dany's face. "I have good news my sister." Viserys gently caressed his sister's belly, at the unborn Targaryen sleeping inside her. "I have had a vision Dany. Something remarkable, the Targaryens will fly again."
Daenarys starred up confused at Viserys' words. "Fly?"
Viserys only nodded and smiled. "Do you have the eggs sister? Do you have your dragon eggs?"
"I do but…" before Dany could finish her words Viserys turned to the large Targaryen horde in front of him disregarding his sister; he tilted his head back ever so slightly and in a low tone spoke to her
"Be a dear Dany. Bring them to me," Viserys smiled at the crowd that formed around him waving at them as if they were adoring followers, as if he was King of the Seven Kingdoms already.
Daenarys paced back and quickly walked back down the pyre returning to her handmaid who already held the eggs with them. They each handed Dany the eggs then escorted her back up the pyre where Viserys waited. Again she approached her brother clutching the eggs with her. Each one a marvel, one as green as emeralds, another as red as ruby, the last which was once black now shimmered blue in Dany's hands. It was at that moment Daenarys first noticed the blue in the dragon's egg. But at that point it did not matter, they were Viserys' eggs now.
Viserys raised his hands apart gesturing to all the Dothraki and Ser Jorah Mormont who had turned to face his King arms crossed behind him. He looked back at Daenerys who struggled to hold all three eggs in her arms. "Ser Jorah, translate to them all. Let them truly hear my words for the first time. Let them know who their new King is."
"As you wish my King," Ser Jorah answered.
Viserys smiled still holding his hands apart as if he were about to bless those around him. But suddenly his smile began to fade and he looked angry at all the Dothraki around him. "You…" he spoke with a load whisper. "You all doubted me. You spit upon me. Mocked me. Laughed at me. Who was this man? This Beggar King?! I heard your words. I know of what many of you think of me. You think me weak, a coward. I do not blame you. You're all blinded by your own upbringing. All you know is the way of the Dothraki. You're…" Viserys paused a moment. "Ignorant. Ignorance is not a sin. It is not something to be ashamed of, but it is also nothing to be proud from. You have a small understanding of the world around you, and that is why you fail. You fail to understand how the world truly works. How meek men such as myself can project more power than any Khal could ever dream about. So I will show you. You have a prophecy, a story of a great stallion. One who will mount the world, yes?"
Viserys waited for Jorah to finish. And as he did, the Dothraki began to murmur and nodded. "And how many Khals have come before you? How many have believed themselves to have been this Great Stallion? And how many have failed? How many have yet to cross the Narrow Sea and conquer the world? So many have tried. So many have failed. And why? Why did they all fail?" again Viserys waited from the crowd for a response, none came.
He began again. "Because, none of them could see with opened eyes. None of them could understand as I do. Prophecies are always told in riddles. And rarely are they fulfilled as many believe. Do you honestly believe that the Great Stallion will simply be another strong man? Someone with a sword and a large horse? Or could it be something more? How can a man mount the world when the world is far larger than any horse? How?!" Viserys waited again for an answer from the crowd. Again none came.
Viserys pointed to the skies above him. "He mounts the world by taking to the skies! Long ago my ancestors conquered the lands of Westeros by seating themselves upon dragons! I will show you now, that I am that Great Stallion. That I am the one who your prophecies speak of. I will show you how we will take this world together. I will call forth the Dragons again. I have seen the vision of three great riders. Two men, one woman! And through a great fire will the dragons ride once more! Will you all follow me? Will you all join me? Follow me, and I will do what no Khal has done before. I will cross the Narrow Sea, I will take back my and my sister's home. I will rule not only the Seven Kingdoms, but the world itself! Will you all now follow me?!"
None of the crowd moved. None of the crowd cheered. All merely muttered and whispered doubts in silence. Ser Jorah turned to Viserys and said nothing. "You require a demonstration? A test of my magic? And my validity. So be it. I will make a bargain with you all. Today I challenge your greatest warriors among you. Who among you are brave enough to face this fire with me? I will stand in this fire. I will not die. And if any among you believe themselves the Great Stallion then come up with me. But if none of you are brave enough then I require your braids. All of you must cut your braids off and toss them into this fire as payment for your insults to me and payments to be worth to follow me to Westeros!"
Viserys again looked to the crowd for challengers. None came. "Ser Jorah!" Viserys commanded. "Light the pillar!"
Dany began to walk off the platform but Viserys grabbed at her arm. "Where do you think you're going little sister?"
Daenerys looked up at her brother with fear. "Viserys, you said you would harm me."
Viserys smiled. "And I will not. The flames will judge you. If you are a true Targaryen no harm will befall you sweet sister. The flames will judge you."
"Viserys… please." Dany began to cry.
"Do not worry sister. My visions remember? Two men, one woman. Your son and you. Three Targaryens." Viserys placed his hand over Dany's belly. "The three of us together are the future. We are the last Targaryens. But together all three of us will rule. Do not be afraid sweet sister. You will soon see."
"Viserys please! I beg you!"
"You're not going anywhere Dany! None of us leave this pyre. Not me, not you, or my Dragon eggs!" Viserys now yelled to Ser Jorah. "Jorah! Light this fucking pillar! Do it now!"
"But my King, your sister…"
"Now Ser Jorah! Or I will have you join us!"
"Ser Jorah please don't!" Dany begged.
"I'm sorry Khaleesi." Ser Jorah could not even meet her eyes as he grabbed a nearby torch and laid it upon the pyre.
It did not take long for the fire to spread. Soon the flames began to overtake the pillars. Dany could begin to feel the heat of the flames. She tried to fight it, but the fires began to hurt her.
"See Dany it's alright," Viserys spoke. "You cannot kill a dragon with fire"
Tears began to flow from Dany's face. "It burns…"
"You're just scared little sister it is alright." Viserys reassured her.
"No," Dany cried shaking her head. "It burns! Please…. Ahh… ahhh….. Aaaaaaahhhhhh!"
The flames slowly began to over take the pyre, vast plumes of smoke and heat engulfed the two Targaryens. Screams could be heard. The fire burned for the better half of the day, smoke filled the night sky and finally the blaze subsided. It was not until the early hours of the day that Jorah was finally able to approach the now dying embers.
His eyes met the former pyre, but he did not believe it. Before him were indeed two living Targaryens and the sounds of tiny dragons. "By the seven…" Jorah said in amazement.
The Dothraki began to whisper, some in fear some in disbelief, some even in joy. "The Great Stallion they said. He who will mount the world."
"My King…" Jorah whispered
There they were, three dragon just say Viserys had said. One black, one red, one green and blue. But it was not just the dragons that was the only thing that impressed Jorah. Were his eyes playing tricks upon him. It was only when he heard HER cries that made Jorah know it was not a dream. Before him was a skeleton of what he had assumed was Daenarys laying dead before him. His love had not survived the flames, but someone else did. Viserys carried her in his arms, a child, a babe.
Viserys looked up and met Jorah's eyes "Do you see Jorah… she was never a boy… My vision was right. I never considered it… But now I see. The female dragon rider… My niece. She will be a true Targaryen!"
"The baby lived… Dany died but her babe survived the flames…" Said Jorah in great awe.
"It's a girl. A beauty just like her mother. White hair… I will name her Rhaeha. After my brother the former Prince. Rhaeha Dani Targaryen." Viserys raised her to the sky, the Dothraki bowed, the dragons roared. But for Viserys it was still merely the beginning! "Do you see now Dothraki?! My sister has fallen, but her child lives! Not a son! A DAUGHTER! A TURE TARGARYEN!"
Suddenly from the crowd a Dothraki rider came. He pulled out his blade. At first Ser Jorah's hand came to his sword. But just as the rider had reached for his knife,
his hand came to his braids. He slashed and just as quick as his hand swung the knife so too did his braids fall. The rider held his braids and laid them upon Viserys' feet.
"GREAT STALLION." To Viserys' surprise he spoke the common. The words struggled to free themselves from his mouth, but they were there. "MY KHAL... MY KING!" The rider bowed and as he did more Dothraki riders followed, cutting their braids tossing them to what was left of the fire, and bowing to Viserys.
"Stallion! Stallion! Stallion!" they chanted.
Viserys smiled, perhaps he had misjudge these Dothraki. Perhaps he may use them still. Time would tell.
