Asha rode out ahead of Dany in the meadows along the sea front. The cold climate was nothing something that appealed to Daenerys, but watching Asha ride free was a sight in itself. They rode almost every day and days were passing quickly. She didn't want to think of it now, so she rode ahead.

Asha smiled as Dany rode next to her. "So when are you heading back?"

"I don't know. I suppose Stannis will want his man back."

"Your men now, they fought for you."

"For you, maybe, you are queen."

"Only under your orders."

"No." Dany said softly. "You were always a queen. I just made it happen."

"I'll always remember that, really."

"I'll miss you when I go back." Dany said and meant it. Her insides called to her to grab the girl's hand, but Asha only smiled.

"You'll miss my braids."

"Oh, yes." She laughed. Asha was helpless at braids and almost everything else that Dany needed but being her one true friend. Asha and Daenerys made their way back into town. The townspeople gave her eyes that did not have love in them. She had taken their husbands, their brothers on the battlefield. She could not blame them. She remembered when she wanted nothing else for the people to love her. But a queen's rules like a woman's life was not just full of adoration, but pain and sacrifice. A rotten apple bruised her skin. "Rot in hell, dragon bitch!" She heard a woman scream and kept her head held high. Many were too afraid to join and riot against, so she did not fear a riot but got out of their quickly and back to the fortress.

Asha sat down, "I'll send you one of my trustworthy men and a good sailor back to talk to the King and command your fleet back. Shall we send them now?"

"Yes...I haven't thought what to do yet, but he should have his men back in case of danger."

"Right."

"Queen Daenerys," a servant came in. "A letter from King Stannis."

"Probably admonishing me no doubt. Excuse me, Asha." Asha just smiled, what new drama between King and Queen now? They were so busy worrying about ruling and afraid to love that soon it would be the other way around.

Dany held the letter in her hands, nervous to what it entailed, but finally ripped the seal open:

My Queen,

I hope you are well and Asha as well. I admit that I was upset by your departure, but I understand that you need time. Shireen has at least started to come out of my room and I've started to understand things between us better. Davos is pestering me about what you plan. He is preparing for war, while I wait on word from you and your safe return.

Stannis.

Dany smiled, just as hard to read as in person, maybe more so. She knew what she had to do. Asha walked Daenerys to her boat. "I'll write to you and make sure you don't let Stannis control negotiations with my ambassador."

"I won't." Dany said and hugged the girl. Asha hugged back and she knew she would miss this girl's physical strength. And soon, the Iron Islands were gone.

xx

Dany was let off at the cave, where Drogon slept. He had fed well on the bodies of those against Asha. She knew he wouldn't be full long or calm like this. She petted him and his eyes opened and closed, then he was off to sleep. She wanted to ride him back right away, but sat in the silence of the cave listening to his breathing. Hating the minute, she had to shackle him up again. She liked seeing him like this, so free, but it was also dangerous. A dangerous weapon, just like herself.

XX

Stannis heard dragon's wings in the air, but was afraid to look out the window and afraid of seeing her. He was equal parts afraid and excited. He knew she would go straight to the Dragon Pit, where the roof was still in repair and attempt to put him back. She would be pleased to see Shireen out of her room.

It was near dark when Stannis heard a knock on his door, very slight. "Daenerys." He opened it and saw the girl covered in blood with bruises on her face and along her arms. The blood seemed not wholly to be her own.

"My dragon, he attacked me."

"What happened?" Stannis put his arms around her and led her to a chair.

"I don't know. He's dead. I bathed in his blood."

"Who killed him? One of the townspeople? My men?"

"It was me."

"You?" Stannis was surprised. Her dragons were like her skin.

"If you want to get rid of me you can, but Asha will support my claim."

"I wasn't thinking anything about that, I was only thinking about you." Stannis finished lamely.

"Oh. I'm sorry. I need to rest."

"Take my bed. I'll go elsewhere." Stannis didn't say another word and left. She was going to reject his offer but she couldn't now. She was so tired, but yet not at all. Drogon, he would not be tied up and Daenerys knew she couldn't do it - not again. He fought and fought against his chains. What is the sense of a dragon if it is not free? He did strike her, but she struck him until he bled on her skin. Her skin glowed and she knew the magic was alive in her and all her dragons were too. She felt stronger, like her skin was tough and she could not be destroyed. She knew she couldn't be anymore. Stannis could not get rid of her now. Her army, her alliances were too important. She was too important and she didn't need a dragon to tell her so.

xx

"Daenerys. Daenerys." Shireen. She would recognize that voice anywhere.

"Come in."

"I brought you flowers from a new plant in our garden." Shireen sat the flowers on the table and came to the bed.

Dany smiled. "Thank you. I hope to walk in the garden with you again."

"When you are better," Shireen rubbed Dany's arm. "Is it true that your dragon is dead?"

"Yes. I suppose I'm not your dragon queen anymore, or to anyone anymore."

"You'll always be my dragon queen." Shireen paused. "I'm sorry for everything."

"I'm just glad you are out of your room again."

"Me too." Shireen smiled. "It got rather dull."

xx

Dany had them bring the bath tin to her in Stannis's room. They offered to bathe her, but Daenerys wanted to wash the blood off herself. She undid her dress and let it fall to the ground. She stepped into the tub and started to wash the blood off with a sponge. Some may say that I am nothing now, a queen - no, a girl that can be killed. I have never been nothing. The blood may come off, but the blood of the dragon never will.