Aeris had been relieved the previous night. After Viserys had his way and left her sore he had disappeared; barely muttered that he couldn't sleep on his way out of the tent. She was surprised, to be honest, that he had ventured outside where all the savages were, but she counted her blessings and fell asleep.
They were on the path again, only a day or so from Vaes Dothrak. Aeris could not wait to see the kingdom but she hid that feeling from her brother.
The horde had stopped halfway through the day to water the horses. Aeris was splashing some cool water on her face when she heard a great commotion from the other side of the tall grass and immediately her stomach sank. What now?
Aeris quickly rushed towards the noise, knowing the root of the problem would be her dear brother. She was not disappointed.
One of the Dothraki was holding tightly to Viserys who yelled and screamed as the Dothraki raised his own voice above him. Her sister was there next to her Khal and they listened. Dany had gotten quite good at the Dothraki language but she glanced at her sun and stars intermittently when words were lost. Finally the Khal held up his hand.
Another Dothraki dumped Viserys' saddlebag in front of the Khal and pointed, muttering something but Aeris understood. Viserys had taken something; why would he do that?!
"Daenerys, tell them to release me!" Viserys demanded shrilly.
Dany did not immediately comply, "Is this true?" she asked her brother, clearly disappointed. Viserys face was red, his white blonde hair a mess.
Another Dothraki then appeared with her own saddlebag and dumped it before the Khal. Aeris opened her mouth to wonder why he would do such a thing but Aeris realized it contained items she had never seen before. She looked at her brother desperately. One of the Dothraki muttered something quickly and pushed her towards her roughly.
"Enough," Dany held up her hand, knowing her sister was not involved. "Theft is a crime among us," she said, looking at her brother, "What do you have to say for yourself?"
"I am a king! I do not steal, I take what is mine!" Viserys replied.
Khal stepped forward but Dany held her hand up gently to her love but the Khal spoke in his broken Westerosi tongue, "You are no king here."
Viserys looked like he was about to explode but Dany continued, "King or not, taking something from the people is wrong," she scolded him like a child. She then looked to her sister, "Aeris, did you put these things into your bag?" she asked knowingly.
Aeris froze. She caught Viserys' eye by mistake and knew she was damned if she denied and damned if she admitted guilt. She, of course, was innocent. Aeris looked to the door, "I…" she was at a loss for words. She had never been more frightened of the Khal.
Khal then muttered something to his queen and Aeris didn't dare look up.
"You will be punished, brother," Dany said with an authority Aeris marveled upon. She risked a glance up.
A Dothraki pushed Aeris lightly again and in Dothraki muttered something Aeris could only guess was akin to "and what about her?"
"I will take care of my sister, thank-you," she told the Dothraki, motioning for Aeris to come to her.
"Daenerys! You can't do this!" Viserys yelled.
"We will talk about this again when we reach Vaes Dothrak, brother," Dany told him, unwavering. Dany then said something in Dothraki and the yelling Viserys was dragged away from his sisters.
The Dothraki took the entire contents of both saddle bags and Dany turned to her sister, placing both her hands upon Aeris' cheeks, "I know you had no part," she kissed her sister's forehead.
Aeris managed a nervous smile but this was only the beginning, "Ser Jorah," Dany called.
Ser Jorah Mormont was beside them a moment later, "Yes, Khaleesi?" he greeted.
"Please ride with my sister until we reach our home," she asked of the old knight, "Can I trust you with this?"
"Of course, Khaleesi," Jorah responded.
Dany kissed her sister one last time and squeezed her arms gently, "We will talk again soon," she promised. But Dany's attentions were back on her Khal who was still terse. A relieved Aeris was led away by Jorah.
"What are they going to do to him?" Aeris asked quietly, unsure if she wanted to know the answer.
"Likely force him to walk the rest of our journey," Jorah said, "He is lucky. Were he not the Khaleesi's flesh and blood he would likely have lost his hand or worse," he said simply, "Stay close. Not everyone here knows of your innocence."