Valyrian Steel

Chapter 17

Daenerys Stormborn Targaryen

Daenerys returned from her ride atop Drogon and landed in the courtyard, she unsaddled him and stroked the scales under his jaw. His tail swished happily and his neck warmed. Daenerys chuckled, sometimes he still acted like a newborn hatchling.

"Look out for your sisters" she murmured in High Valyrian. Drogon flew away and she turned and saw a waiting Ser Barristan Selmy accompanied by Tyrion.

"The Dragon Prince found out about your little moot with the Stark girls in the Whispers. He's furious." Tyrion said as he clutched a clumsy red scarf his daughter, Lanna, had knitted for him a week ago.

"We should make amends, he feels that this is a betrayal." Selmy added

Daenerys sighed. She did not feel guilty for keeping him out of the loop, but she did not wish this to sour their relationship. For the past two weeks Aegon and Daenerys had been spending their mornings and evenings together. While Daenerys did not have any romantic feelings towards him she did enjoy spending time with him. Every morning she talked him through spotting Rhaegals moods, when to approach and when to keep a safe distance. Every night they talked about their plans for the kingdom, more money moved towards caring for the orphans of the war ravaged kingdom, Increasing tithes to go towards winter time stores, and looking towards the creation of a royal army.

"I'll try to smooth it over with him." Daenerys said as she made her way into Dragonstone. Tyrion and Selmy followed emphasizing the need to continue the friendly relationship with Aegon. If he succeeded in the taming of Rhaegal he could become a huge threat to her reign.

"Gentlemen, thank you for your concern but I will handle it tonight." Daenerys said ending the conversation. The two men left, Tyrion almost tripping on his beloved scarf. Daenerys smiled at the sight of the usually cynical man clutching on to his daughter's gift like it had been knitted from rubies.

Daenerys bathed with Missandei, they spoke of the problem with Aegon and she suggested that Daenerys open up. While Missandei washed her hair Daenerys listened to her advice. She trusted Missandei, the girl had always proven a true and dedicated friend and she saw Missandei more as a sister or adoptive daughter than handmaiden. She always listened to her wise counsel and was fiercely protective of the girl.

"Queens don't apologize." Daenerys said when Missandei suggested making an apology.

"Respectfully, wives do. He is your family and he is doing well with Rhaegal. If he tames her what he will gain considerable power. Don't apologize for keeping the secret or for your political stratagem, but do apologize for hurting him. He may become your husband and he seems like a good man. Open up."

"Compared to my other husbands." Daenerys said with a snide remark that made Missandei laugh.

"Lord Tyrion is rubbing off on you."

"Gods help us all." Daenerys switched places with Missandei and washed the girl's hair too.

"Hopefully I can settle this all tonight."

"This one believes you will."

After their bath Missandei helped braid Daenerys' hair and dressed her for her nightly meeting with Aegon. They waited for over an hour.

"He's trying my patience, throwing a tantrum like a child." Daenerys said as she sipped her warmed milk with annoyance.

"If he will not go to you, you must go to him." Missandei murmured while she read over some diplomatic letters.

"I will not abase myself."Daenerys shot back.

"If you cannot bend you will break, it is best to build bridges not burn them down in anger."

Daenerys sighed, as always, she was right. She swallowed her pride and rose. Missandei made to follow but Daenerys turned her down.

"I must do this myself."

As she made her way to Aegons room she mulled over the issue. He was handsome but she did not desire him. In the past few weeks she had grown fond of him, but she felt no passion for him. It was a blooming friendship and she did not want to risk it. He could very well be the last of her family.

When Daenerys arrived at his room his guards knocked on Aegons door. A few moments passed before they allowed her inside. Aegon was pacing in his room, his anger rolled off in waves and he avoided looking at her.

"May I sit." Daenerys asked feeling her own anger rise. She had not asked for permission to sit anywhere since Viserys.

Aegon waved a hand at her and she sat waiting patiently, telling herself that he was throwing a temper tantrum.

"You had the Stark girl the whole time? Where is she, Why didn't you tell me? We could have worked together, but you are too focused on your power and machinations!" He shouted in obvious frustration.

"You have your support base, I needed my own. My army is massive and they need to eat, I do not want to come off as a conqueror. Arya is the key to the North, the Riverlands and the Vale will follow. If you die trying to tame Rhaegal would your people follow me or condemn me?"

Aegon glared at her and Daenerys sighed. "I am sorry I hurt you, but I did what was necessary. "

Aegon sat across from her and ran his hands through his hair, Daenerys was reminded for a moment of Viserys when he was younger. He had always run his hands through his hair when he worried over where they would run to next. She wanted to comfort him but kept her hands folded on her lap.

"How can we rule together if we don't trust each other."

"My brother and I spent our lives running to whichever home would take us. Assassins always lurked behind. People who would sell us to the Usurper for a title. Viserys sold everything, even mother's crown. He was the only person I trusted and when he became bitter and cruel I loved him too much to see. He was all I had. I don't trust easily, I never have. It's what's kept me alive all these years."

"This is why you betrayed me?" Aegon asked sadly.

"You call it a betrayal, I call it survival."

He sighed.

"Will the Stark girl cooperate? How did you even find her?"
Daenerys thought about telling him the truth, her warging abilities, her association with the faceless men, but it was not her secret to tell.

"She came to me in Pentos, proved her identity to Tyrion and Varys. We have a deal, something that I hope you will agree to. She is mostly interested in revenge, Boltons, Freys, Payne, Lannisters and anyone who helped destroy her family. She's angry, like I was. I understand her, when I was younger I believed my brothers' lies. I believed my father was killed unjustly. I wanted to make the traitors bleed." She gripped her skirts remembering the anger. "The difference between the two of us is that her father was actually a good man. The Starks were good people and this world destroys good people. She wants blood and I am inclined to give it to her. She will give us the support we need and half the profits from the Twins, and I promised that no more wierwoods would be burned and that her people would never be forced to march South. As long as she gets her blood, she will follow."

"Is she mad?" Aegon asked seemingly disturbed.

"She is furious, but It's a cold fury. She hides it well and reigns it in. She hasn't even asked for men to help her, she insists she can kill them on her own."

"Are you sure she isn't a raving madwoman?"

Daenerys laughed, "She has skills, she's killed more men than most of your veteran soldiers."

Aegon stared at her incredulously, probably not believing that a girl of fifteen could accomplish so much. Any man would think the same.

"Can we trust her?" Aegon asked.

"She saved my life, and the lives of my children." Daenerys said with conviction.