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Daenerys walked the path in the gardens, feeling lonely and lost. She hoped the brightness would take away the dark mood inside of her, but it was to little avail.

"My Queen," Davos came upon her.

"Oh Davos, good morning. How goes it?"

"The Iron Islands ambassador."

"Oh, right. Is he ready to cement our alliance?"

"He's ready to sign. Stannis has been talking with him, since your return."

Just like Asha said, I let my emotions get in the way and forgot all about it. It is Stannis's matter now. "This kingdom is missing Asha, is it not?"

"Very much." Davos gave a smile.

"I will meet with them, whenever the King will.

XX

Stannis worried about Daenerys and how her health was. More than anything, he wondered about her changed behavior. So cold since her return from the Iron Islands. So much like you. He called her a few moments earlier than the ambassador was meant to come and she glided in like always. She seemed to have more of the dragon in her since she had bathed in its blood. More fierce and unbendable.

"Stannis." She said this was a dark smile.

"Daenerys, I -"

"I know had to start negotiations without me. What is the state of the contract?"

"That we recognize Asha as queen and will no accept no other to rule. I didn't know the particulars of any demands that you wanted."

"I'll answer for those." She brushed the tops of her fingers with her hands.

The ambassador came in the door. However long, he had been here, Stannis still noticed the salty air that hung on his clothes. He was strongly built and also strong of character and charisma.

"Will. How has your stay been in King's Landing?"

He smiled at rememberance of his name. "All the better with seeing you."

"I apologize for my absence and I would like to schedule a banquet tonight before you leave us." She didn't wait for him to answer, but continued. "Now this contract. May I see it?" He handed it over and she signed. "I would like to make some amends to this. This says we recognize Asha has queen. Of course, I always did. My separate army will come in her defense if the people will...seem rebellious." She smiled at this. "And if I would need defense, she has pledged her men to my cause. Do these terms sound agreeable?"

"Yes, most agreeable."

"Then good thing, I drew up this contract." She handed the old contract to Stannis and he ripped it and handed it to Davos. "All ready to be signed, so we can enjoy tonight." Will signed, then Daenerys signed to the left and Stannis's signature signed on the right.

"Thank you, my Queen." Will bowed and exited the room.

"Daenerys." Stannis grabbed her arm before she could leave the room.

"Yes, my King?"

"I want to come see you in your room tonight."

"As you wish." She paused. "I'll see you at the ball tonight.

XX

The warm glow of the banquet hall radiated around Dany. She felt sharper tonight, like her will had been met today with the contract. Shireen seemed bright, like her old warmth had come back. She watched her dance with the men of the court. It would not long until she would have to breach the topic of matrimony with Stannis, surely, but it would be on Shireen's terms as much as it could be. Stannis was to her left and drank his wine. Will sat to her right and got up now and then to dance, exploring the room, but he always came back. "Will," she said as she cut into her meat and savoured the taste. "Will you pass this letter onto Asha? My life here is empty without her."

"Of course, yet everything seems so lively."

It did, but for so long fighting and clawing her way to power, she sometimes forgot how to enjoy it. "Yes."

A pause descended over the table. "Stannis." Will said.

"Hmmm?" Stannis had been in his own head.

"How do you like being married to this beauty?"

"It is harder than you can imagine. She is more than just a pretty face."

"She can negotiate with the power of any man." Will said. "We saw that today."

"Better than any man." Daenerys said. "Excuse me, sirs. I want to go check on Shireen."

XX

The merriment ended, or at least started to die down. Daenerys felt too sharp to stay long and left long before even the King, who hated to preside over such festivities. She undressed by herself. She would have to find a new lady, but couldn't yet deal with that. Her hair hang loose and she sat up in bed with a blanket around her legs. It was a nice warm night and she wanted to enjoy it. A knock came to her door and she knew it was Stannis.

"Come in," she called from her bed.

"Stannis." His face flushed with the glow of wine and he sat on the edge of her bed.

"Why would you need Asha's army?"

"Stannis, you wrote me yourself saying you had to quench war while I was away. I have to protect myself."

"From your King?"

"Especially from my King."

"You took off without a word. You betrayed me."

"I didn't. I fought for something of my own."

"Without my approval."

"You signed the document today. I assumed you approved."

There was a pause. "Daenerys, I have to tell you something. Remember when Melisandre came to your room?"

"To kill me? Yes."

"I ordered it."

"I'm not surprised. I was easier to kill back then. I would have done the same, but your life was more valuable."

"You're not upset?"

She really wasn't. It was like his daggers bounced off her and she was above the whole thing. He would never be in that position again. "No." She reached out for Stannis' hand and found it to be cold compared to her own. "I was a different woman then, dependent, and now I can kill you too. I wouldn't like to, but I will. Don't forget that." Stannis came under her blanket. Steel for a dragon's skin. The strength that armored them against each other drew him to her chest and he relaxed in it.