Soft silver hair floated through the hot breeze followed by the fluttering of eyelids. Daenerys Targaryen inhaled the air tinged with sands and ocean salt as she quietly sat by herself in the gardens of Illyrio Mopatis' manor. She along with her brother, Viserys, had spent the past year under the watchful eye of the Essosi lord, grateful for his charity. The last of the Dragon lords of old had spent their whole lives on the run from the Usurper's swords, always one step ahead, but also two steps behind. The fair haired 16 year old girl remembered a time when they were safe from the cruel man, when Ser Jon Connington had sequestered her pregnant mother and her brother to Braavos before Stannis Baratheon even arrived on Dragonstone. Shortly after landing the harshest storm in all of Essos's history hit the Braavosi shores and her brave mother brought her into the world, while the heavens opened up.
She spent most of her younger years with her brother and mother in Braavos, happily hidden from the world. Ser Connington would visit the three Targaryens; he would bring money when it was needed, but most importantly his stories. Daenerys adored his tales of adventure and romance, especially his memories of her oldest brother, Rhaegar. He would tell her of the gallant Silver Prince, his love for the realm and for his people. Even Viserys would become enthralled by the knight's words, drinking in every one like a man dying of thirst. Life was wonderful for them those first few years, and then it wasn't anymore.
They came in the night, on the eve of her brother's 9th name day. Ser Connington was not swift enough to save her mother from the assassins' blades, but he was able to fight them off of the children. He escaped with them in his arms, taking many wounds to himself in the midst of the fighting. The three stole away on a ship heading for Lys before the attackers could track their footsteps through the sleeping city. Viserys was never the same after that night. He became cold to his sister, sometimes he could not bare to look at the living image of his dearly departed mother. Connington drew closer to Daenerys after the events, silently promising to protect the princess for his lost queen. They spent little time in one place afterwards. Constantly on the move to avoid the Baratheon's anger, and Connington began to teach Viserys how to wield their family's ancestral blade, Blackfyre. While Viserys became equipped with the sword Connington taught Daenerys about politics and the history of the Seven Kingdoms.
By the time Dany reached her 14th name day she was as quick with her tongue as her brother was quick with his sword. Both trained to better their family's position, but Viserys could not shake his feeling of contempt for his sister. Multiple times during their travels he had tried to leave the girl on the doorsteps of brothels, but each time Ser Connington would find him and beat him within an inch of his life. The knight insisted she was to be his queen, but Viserys knew in his heart he could never love Dany like that.
He could not love her at all. She knew he blamed her for their mother's death. It was Rhaella who jumped in front of her daughter, taking a knife to her heart in the process. Dany understood her brother's grief, but even she knew it was placed on the wrong person.
"Princess, your brother asked me to fetch you and bring you to the main hall," She turned her head to see Ser Connington walking towards her. "I am sorry to interrupt your personal time, your Highness."
"Please, Jon. There's no need for such formal language when it is just us. Calling me Dany is perfectly fine."
He nodded his head the the small Valyrian girl. He watched as she stood from the marble bench and raised her hand out towards him. He lightly grasped it and began to lead her into the manor towards the hall her older brother and lord Mopatis were waiting. As they were walking her light blue silk dress floated through the breeze, appearing like a wave upon the shore. Her pale hair fluttered around her head like a cloud moving through the air. Sometimes he would pretend the female on his arm was not the daughter, but the mother. He could almost imagine himself and the fair-haired queen strolling through the gardens of the Red Keep, laughing at each others wit and regaling adventurous tales. Whispering quiet proclamations of affection before she was forced back to the king. He snapped his mind out of his past, there was no way to reclaim his dreams as they were long dead with the sweet queen herself.
"Do you know what my brother wishes to see me about?" Her light purple eyes flashed with slight worry.
Jon sighed at the girl, "Most likely marriage I am afraid. Against my own advice he wishes to sail to Westeros now to reclaim your family's throne. He will most likely use you as a bartering chip for ships or soldiers." Dany sadly tilted her head down. She knew her brother would use any pawns he had to win his game, including her.
The pair quickly reached the hall and noticed the other Targaryen pacing near the front to the grand table. Lord Illyrio stood nearby the younger man, watching his movement with calculating eyes. The Essosi male was a man graying at the edges, wrinkles painted over the parts of his face not covered in his light grey beard. His rich blood red robes masking his frailing body with an appearance of might and power. Connington only saw the man as a snake, someone who wanted what he took take from the silver haired siblings before leaving them in the dust. Sadly, Viserys now trusted the ailing man more than the knight who had protected him his whole life.
"Ah, Dany. My dear sister finally come out of her garden hideaway." Daenerys walked up to her brother and allowed him to pull her into a light hug.
"Is there a reason you needed me, Viserys? You do not normally ask for my assistance." The Valyrian man nodded his head and led her towards the large window set facing the sea.
The self-proclaimed king looked down through the window with a smirk on his face, "I have decided to marry you to a Dothraki Khal, to secure an army so we may head home." Connington stiffened at the sentence, the Dothraki were well known for their savagery. They had always spent their time raiding the towns around the larger city-states of Essos. He could not believe his king would sell the sweet princess to such ruffians, but as he noticed the cunning smile on the Magistrate's face he knew it was Illyrio pulling the strings.
He personally knew a deal like this one would promise years of protection for Pentos, with no fear of other hordes sacking their city. This deal would not benefit the Targaryens though as the Dothraki would never cross the Narrow Sea, or as they called it the Poisonous Sea. Any water their horses could not consume was water they never touched, for no animal would choose to drink poisonous water in their minds.
"My king," Viserys turned to the knight. "I am sure you are aware the Dothraki will never cross the Narrow Sea, they do not trust the salt water." Viserys laughed at the man's words.
"Illyrio here has assured me I will only need enough ships to sail both the men and the horses, which will not be an issue for myself." Jon shot a dirty look at the older man, which he only received a smug smile of victory in return.
Daenerys looked between her brother and Ser Jon, "When will the wedding take place?"
Illyrio spoke up, "First the great Khal Drogo must approve of you, my lady. In a weeks time her will arrive to inspect his future bride." Connington scoffed at the condescending words. He and his princess both knew she was being treated like a damned cow being sold at a market. The Khal had not even agreed to the marriage yet, he wanted to inspect his princess like she was a prime cut of meat.
"You will spend the week preparing yourself, dear sister. I want you to be in perfect condition for when the Khal arrives." The quiet girl bowed her head at her brother before excusing herself from the room. The knight took in a deep breath of air before looking to his king.
"Your Grace, may I have a word with you in private?" The Valyrian nodded his head and waved the Essosi lord out of the room. Once they were the only two left in the room, Connington strode up to the boy he had raised over the past 16 years. The said boy jumped at the knight's quick reproach and gave off a shudder of fear. He attempted to straighten his shoulders, but it did little to hide his own fear of the stronger man. "I am disgusted that you would sell your little sister like a animal in the market. She is a Targaryen and deserves more respect."
Viserys laughed, "You have no right to be disgusted, Connington. While you may have saved myself and my sister all those years ago, I know where you true loyalties lie." He leaned in to whisper in Jon's ear his breath boiling to match his silent rage. "I am doing her a favor, if she would have remained in your care any longer, I fear she might be forever tainted by your urges."
The knight clenched his fists at the younger man's vile words. How dare Viserys claim he would treat the young girl with anything but respect?! She was a daughter to the older man, and nothing would change that for him. But for his king, someone he had put his own life on the line for, to assume HE of all people would attempt to defile the princess….
"How dare you! I would never-"
"You would be wise not to wake the dragon, Ser." Viserys took a step away from him. "I hope you learn soon where your loyalties should lie. Backing my weak sister will only waste your own time." The silver haired boy wandered out of the room, leaving the knight to his thoughts. He wanted to strangle the whelp with his own hands for daring to imply he would even think of harming Daenerys in that way. He never thought Viserys would have a shred in common with his mad father, growing up he had been sweet and considerate to everyone around him.
No, that was not fully true. He had always been sharp to Dany, but he had never pieced it together until now. His father's madness had manifested into a form of hatred towards the younger Targaryen child, and now he had the power to take it out on her fully. He was gaining allies and power and he personally chose to sell his sister to a Dothraki horde instead of a rich merchant.
Jon walked his way into the west wing of the manor where the Targaryen's bedrooms were situated. He came up to an ornate iron door designed with ivy and flowers, stopping in front of it. He could hear the small sniffles of the heart broken girl inside. He knocked on the door and heard a stuttered 'Come in'. He slowly pushed the door open to be greeted with the princess's large bedchamber. It was finely decorated with silks of bright colors on the walls, a large vanity full of oils and balms placed against the far wall, her large bed made of mahogany wood with cream satin sheets, and the large balcony with white curtains where he found the small heiress leaning against the stone railing. The knight stepped behind the girl as she tried to quiet her weeping, and she turned towards the only father figure she had even had. Jon opened up his arms and she ran into his embrace, beginning to sob on his shoulder as he stroked her hair.
"There, there sweet dragon. All will be well. Dry your tears," Her crying slowed as she glanced up at him. "There see? A beautiful gem like you should cry over your brother's words."
"But Viserys wants to send me away. I'll never see you again." She started to sob hysterically again, but Jon shushed her wails.
"Dany, wherever you go I will go. No matter what you brother says."
"But he's your king. You must do what he wants."
Ser Connington shook his head, "The moment he sold you out to some Dothraki savage is when he lost my allegiances." they pulled away from each other as Daenerys smiled up at him. "You however I would follow all the way into the Seven Hells."
Daenerys watched as the knight took out his sword, laying it by her feet, and kneeling in front of her. He lowered his head towards the Targaryen princess. "I am your sworn sword. I will shield your back and keep your counsel and give my life for yours, if need be. I swear it by the Old gods and the New."
The princess smiled through her tears and tilted her head to her knight, "And I vow that you shall always have a place at my hearth and meat and mead at my table, and pledge to ask no service of you that might bring you to dishonor." She swallowed the small lump in her throat and continued.
"I swear by the Old gods and the New."