146 A.L. King's Landing

Queen Daenaerys Targaryen

Queen Daenaerys was not a woman who was given over to day dreaming easily, but as she waited for the other members of the small council to enter the council chamber, she found herself doing just that. It had been four years since her husband King Aemon III had declared war on the remaining independent free cities, in that time a lot had happened. Before Aemon had left Daenaerys had given birth to another daughter whom she had named Daenys, her little girl was now five years old and was the perfect little lady. Her other children, Rhaenys was a fighter and as such was now away fighting alongside her father in Essos. Vaemon was squiring for the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Ser Criston Cole and as such was also away in Essos earning his stripes. Daella who had turned eight only a few days ago was just like Daenaerys herself, sharp and quick witted with a lady's courtesies, she would do well at court. As for the other children that her husband had, Saera's twins Maegon and Visenya were growing well, Maegon was also away in Essos squiring for Aemon whilst Visenya was away in Claw Isle with her aunt Alysanne. As for the other girls children, Baela's Alysanne had already been wedded and bedded by her Arryn husband, whilst her boys Daemon and Laenor were squiring for their grandfather Prince Daemon and were away fighting in Essos, Baela's youngest Maelor was a page for Lord Borros Baratheon. Then there was Rhaena, the woman who had borne Aemon his heir, Prince Aemon the younger also squired for his father though he was very different from his brother Prince Maegon, for where Maegon was temperamental and a warrior, Aemon preferred books and the arts. Baela's second son Prince Aenar was more warrior like and had also bonded with a dragon whom the people of Dragonstone had named Grey Ghost and as such was proving effective in Essos, then there were Rhaena's girls Daenaera who was a sweet girl, and the newborn Elaena and then there was Prince Aegon who seemed a weak and frail child. All in all court factions had formed around the two main princes, those who followed Prince Aemon the younger had been named the quicks, for the boy's dragon Thunderquick and for the fact that they advocated learning and intellectual pursuits as well as trade. Whilst the faction that supported Prince Maegon were known as the Darks, for the boy's dragon Darkunor and for that fact that they advocated conquering new terriotories and making other places pay tribute to the throne.

The sound of the council chamber opening and people walking in took Daenaerys from her thoughts. With her husband, Lord Borros, Lord Aenys and Ser Criston away at war, the small council was down to just herself, Grand Maester Orwyle and Lord Lyman Beesbury who was still alive and going even though he was coming close to being 100. Daenaerys spoke once they were all seated. "Now then my lords, seeing as there are only us three left of the council there is very little we can actual discuss without sending more matters before the king. However, there are some matters we can discuss. The war being one of them. Now King Aemon has written that pretty much all of the free cities that were independent before the war began are now under the throne's command or are now protectorates. Lorath swore itself to the throne, and Norvos and Qohor have come under our protectorship. However, Braavos stands alone and is under siege, but without being able to use the dragons for fear of the Faceless Men, the King is not sure how much longer the siege can last after all there is only so long the men will stand for this. And furthermore the Dothraki under various different Khals are also causing havoc having removed Khal Pono from the game, and the Slaver cities still remain in the field causing havoc as well."

Grand Maester Orwyle spoke then. "That is good news. At least it does seem as if this war will come to an end at some point soon in the future rather than in the far distant future as was first feared. Has his grace said what has happened to the fleets of the alliance?"

Daenaerys looked down at the letter from her husband and nodded. "Indeed he has maester. He writes that, the fleets of the alliance have now all been sunk and destroyed. The battles of the Shivering Sea saw to that, and he writes that it was the only time all of the dragons in our army were used and mobilised without fear of serious repercussion. Braavos will stand alone now as the slaver cities will be more concerned about preserving their own skins rather than aiding a far flung ally."

Lord Lyman speaks then his voice soft. "Aye, and it would appear Braavos is fast losing trade and money by holding out against the King. All of the cities under our command have refused all trade with Braavos and are sealing away the sea trade route that Braavos previously relied on when this war was in its infancy. The Sealord Tycho Nestoris has been executed and they are now holding elections for the new Sealord. The Iron Bank has begun approaching me about perhaps finding a way to end this siege once and for all."

Daenaerys looks at the old master of coin then and asks. "Oh and what have they suggested? A bribe perhaps to make the new Sealord see sense or another bribe to have the Faceless Men come into play?"

Lord Lyman coughs then and says. " A bit of both Your Grace. The Iron Bank do believe they fix the election of the Sealord in such a way that the man who comes into power will see the sense in opening his gates and ending this siege. But they also believe that the Faceless Men might have a more prominent solution to the problem, and that lies in how much gold we are willing to pay."

Daenaerys was silent for a moment before she asked. "And how can we know that this is not some ploy, to use our own funds against us? It could be a way for the Bank to pay for someone to remove the King from the siege or to draw some power hungry idiot in the ranks to make some rash move."

Grand Maester Orwyle speaks then. "You think that there is someone who will betray his grace Your Grace? Truly, though I am also a little suspicious of this offer, it seems too good to be true."

Daenaerys nodded at that and said. "Aye, I do believe a raven should be sent to the King informing him of this offer, and it should be for him to make the final call." Orwyle nodded and then Daenaerys spoke about the one other thing she was interested in. "Now, my daughter Rhaenys is a maiden flowered and is fifteen years of age, my sister's son Maegon is twelve, though some might consider it too young to be discussing such things, I do believe a marriage between the two should be in order."

There was silence for a moment and then Orwyle spoke up. "A good idea, and a sensible one as well. After all it would unite the two senior claims of the family and make it so that Queen Rhaena could not think to hold one over you should the need arise."

Lord Lyman however, voiced a concern. "Would that not do more to simply drive the Faith towards Prince Aemon though? After all we know Queen Rhaena wishes to seek an alliance of some benefit to the throne. Perhaps Prince Maegon should be wed off to someone who would bring more strength to the throne?"

Daenaerys was silent a moment and then she said. "The High Septon will have no reason to complain, once this conquest is complete he will have his hands full making sure the Faith has its claws into all areas of life there. As for the rest of the Faith, well they will follow the High Septon's lead. Besides there is every chance Prince Aemon will not live long enough to sire heirs or even marry, considering how frail he is."