Daenerys
One moment I was in the house of Illyrio Mopatis having only arrived the night before because our last pledged sword passed two moon turns ago, and we had to leave having no money or place to stay according to Viserys. I had just taken my leave and gone to my room when I felt a hand covering my mouth. Taking all my power I tried everything to fight the strong grip on me so that I could scream for help. However, nothing I did even brought a grunt of pain or loosened the hands holding me. I knew I would have bruises but was more worried that I was going to meet the same end as my mother, which brought hot tears pouring down my face and onto the large hand still holding my mouth.
"Calm down right now and do not scream, do you understand?" A rough gravelly voice hissed into my ear and after him repeating the demand twice I nodded in defeat and could only hope I would get a chance to escape before they murdered me in cold blood and if not that my death would be fast and painless.
I watched as my merger belongings were being tossed into a bag before I was wrapped in a cloak much thicker than what I owned with the hood up. "If you make a sound or remove this head covering before we are to the ship you will not like the consequences. Am I understood?" A smoother voice asked me as he came to stand in front of me. The other man had not let go of my arm the whole time and I knew he could feel me shaking in fear even as I raised my chin and glared at the man standing in front of me.
"And what if I do, I could scream right now and help would be here before you had a chance to even leave, there is guard roaming the halls." I demanded in the firmest voice I could muster and even to my own ears sounded like a small child.
"If you were going to you would have already but try all you want as the guard is dealing with an issue at the front gates. All it will accomplish is you being gagged." The smooth voice said again, and I met his steal grey eyes and knew he would do just as he said if I tried, and he was no average mercenary but had planned this to the second. I do not know what he saw because he never looked away from me, but the small chuckle was almost enough to set me on edge because it sounded almost like he was amused. If he was going to kill me, I wanted to be much quicker than someone who found me amusing and wanted to play first.
I was terrified and had never believed my brother all these years that the upsure king had people who were after us and we had to stay on the move, or they would find and kill us like they had our parents. I had always just believed it was because we wore our welcome out or that we needed to move on so that our maids and guardians could find work to feed and support us.
My only fear until that moment had been my brother and his anger towards everyone when he did not get his way, or someone called him the beggar king. I would have bruises for days and that was just the tip of what he would sometimes do. He would always say he was my brother, and we would wed one day like our parents had and that it was his right to do with me as he wanted. This first time I had cried and screamed for him to stop. Begged for him to stop, but it just seemed to excite him more and so I quickly learnt to be quiet, and he would finish quickly or not at all if I was still and quiet. As the years had borne on, I had become capable of sinking into my own mind and blocking out the realities of the world. Those were the times that would lead to him hitting me and telling me I had woke the dragon, but it was still better than when he raped me. When I was younger, I had not known what the word was or what it meant when I would overhear a nurse maid or chamber maid whisper it to another. As I got older and learned more about the world I was living in and what was happening to me, I understood. It was the same as our father had done to our mother according to some of the things, I overheard the help saying.
It seemed like hours I stood there shaking from fear glaring at the men in my room and the one who seemed to be the leader, when in reality it was a much shorter amount of time, that I was escorted onto a ship and watched as they dropped my brother who was gagged and had been knocked out it seemed into a room and locked the door. Orders were given and the ship was leaving the dock before the first alarm came that we had even been taken. It was not far out to sea when another ship appeared and lined up with ours and planks laid all the while I was still being held close by the man with the scratchy voice in a loose but firm gip.
"Princess, come carefully across." A man in a black cloak with a stag on the center said and I knew at once it was the usurpers men. This could only mean death for us, and I had to admit that as I walked across the narrow wood bridge a part of me wanted to jump off the side into the black water and drown as it would be my choice and I would be the one in control not these men. It surely will hurt less than what had happened to my good sister and her children. But something in me would not listen, I watched as my feet took me step after step closer to those who were sure to murder me in the most horrible of ways and felt anger build in me as I didn't have the courage to just take that step off into the black oblivion where peace would surely lay.
"Good job, here is your money. Half now and the rest when he is delivered safely like we agreed. None must ever know he is alive." The man who had helped me across said to the one who had taken me. With a nod of his head the bridge was pulled back and off into the dark it went with my brother on board and I again wanted to rage and demand they bring him back and let us go but no matter how many times I opened my mouth to say such nothing would come out but more hot tears and muffled cries as I bit down on the inside of my cheek.
"We mean you no harm Princess I promise. Come, let's get you out of the cold air and into your rooms where I will explain what is happening. You have my word though you are safe." The man said and I really had no choice but to follow him down below the deck to what looked to be a nice large room compared to the ships we had been on before.
Taking a seat at the small table that was set with food and drink I finally lowered my hood back and took in the tall older man in front of me. "Who are you sir?" I asked, my nerves still flowing out of me making me feel even weaker than I must seem in that moment.
"My name is Lord Stannis Baratheon, the brother to King Robert Baratheon. It is on his orders I retrieved you and your brother and brought you home to Westeros. There is much to explain and decisions to be made." He explained and I know that my fear had to have shot up as even though I knew the confirmation shot heated fear through me and I felt my heart racing and felt faint and like I would be sick any second.
"Lord Baratheon why would the King want me brought home if not to kill me. He stole my father's seat and took my mother's life. Killed my brother and his family brutally. Why would I trust that that is not my and my brother's fate as well?" I demanded in a stronger voice that I felt but I would never die bowing and being broken.
"I have no idea what you have been told or taught but none of that has happened. Sadly, your mother who we managed to get out of the palace with your brother died at Dragonstone while birthing you. It was a horribly stormy night I am told. Your father had denied her a mid wife or any help to travel with her and she had been starved to almost death as was from your father and his paranoia. When it became clear that the Lannister intended to kill even the children off, I sent word to your guards to get you across the sea. We are cousins after all Princess." He told me and I shook my head not wanting to believe him but a part of me already did even though this was not what I had been told or learned from my brother and our maester.
"But Viserys said that she was killed in Kings landing with Elia and the babes. That father died trying to protect them." I asked in a statement form and watched him rub his face before he sighed and answered me.
"No Princess. I made sure that the histories were brought with us. You can read, correct?" He asked and I felt irked that he would assume otherwise but slowly calming down which was making exhaustion set in after the intense emotions of the day.
"Yes, in three languages." I retorted, being defiant in him thinking that I was uneducated and therefore stupid.
"Good at least that was not neglected. Short of it was that your father was a raving madman who burned people for no reason at all and then would rape your good mother; sometimes in front of the people of court, because he could not wait until they were alone in their rooms. She took his abuse and protected her children from the worst of it. Your brother tried and failed to rebel against your father. I do not know why he never acted nor his reasoning for the things he did in the end, but he took Lyanna Stark, the Lord Paramount of the North's daughter. When her brother went to demand her back, your father had him arrested and demanded his father come and stand for his sons' crimes. He burned the lord while the son was strangled to death trying to reach a sword to save his father. By this point the whole of the kingdom was terrified they would be next and knew he had to go. Robert, King Robert, was betrothed to Lyanna so he called his banners, and his allies did the same to get her back and avenge the Stark family. War broke out and your brother and Robert faced off. Your brother, from what I was told, was resigned to his fate and barely fought. He and Robert talked about many things none of which Robert has shared with me, but his fate was sealed. Robert then rode to Kings Landing to confront your father but by the time he arrived Lannister and his men had rode into the city betraying your father who thought they were there to help and opened the gates for them. Lannister and his men sacked Kings Landing once inside the walls and it was then that your father ordered his gold cloak Jamie Lannister to bring him his father's head. Jamie refused and killed your father as he stood up to leave the throne room. Your father never saw the betrayal coming." He informed me and I closed my eyes seeing it all play out behind them and felt the tears fall once again. This was not what I had been taught but something knew he was telling me the truth as he knew it and a much closer version of what actually happened than what I had been told. How could I keep hating the King and his family when they had not been the ones to kill my family but to save me and my brother and tried to save my mother.
"What of Elia and her babes?" I asked finally looking back up at the man who was watching me with a frown on his face. He was a cold man but not unkind in the way he told me the truth of things. In a way I respected him for that and for not adding in more emotion of any kind than he had as I felt it would truly overwhelm me.
"Those who murdered them have been punished by her brothers and the King. Many things have happened in the last few weeks and finally she can rest at peace knowing her murderer and rapist is dead, as is the ones who killed her daughter and son. I will not burden you with full knowledge of what happened to her, but it was never on my brothers' orders. We were going to send her back to her family with the children. Neive of us I Suppose but their deaths broke my brother for a long time. I will let him speak more of that and maybe it can bring some closer for you both." Lord Stannis told me, and I was quiet. I did not know what to say to any of this and needed time to think. I was barely a woman three moons ago and did not know what to think about this story or the situation I was now in.
"So where is my brother and I being taken to?" I asked now more secure in at least right now not dying.
"Your brother is mad; all report it and it has always been said that it was a flip of a coin on if your family would be great or mad. Tell me its not true?" He said speaking of my brother and demanding confirmation and while I truly wanted to, I could not betray my brother in that way. He had moments where he could be nice and even caring but as we got older, he got more intense and a bit manic over his revenge and to get the Iron Throne back.
"Are you going to kill him?" I asked.
"Not if we can help it. He will go to a place that he will be held until the end of his natural days. As long as he cooperates, he will live and be provided for in the manner that he is due." Lord Stannis explained, and I sighed. It was a better outcome than if his story was true my father would have given him.
"And i?" I inquired.
"Are headed north to meet up with the king and his family and go with us to the far North to meet with Lord Stark. It is still a flip of the coin with you. We are willing to educate you and provide for you as a proper lady of your station should be. If you are willing to denounce your claim to the throne, we will set you up in a hold where you can make a home for yourself, marry, have children and be free. If you start to show signs of rebellion or madness, we will confine you to that hold for your natural life and keep the peace throughout the kingdom. Think about it. Study the history and get to know the people who will be around you. My daughter and the Crown Princess Myrcella will be traveling with us. You have a chance to live with friends and family around you or in exile in a hold in the frozen north. It really is your choice." He told me and I had relaxed as he said all of this, it was better for me in many ways. I would do as he said and talk to many and study history and if it is as he says I will live my life free to a point and have a family and future other than hiding and running. On the plus side I was also free from my brother, and I would not have to marry him now. That fact alone made me happier than I had been in a very long time and gave me hope finally.
By the time we reached port at Storms End I was comfortable with Stannis and felt okay with meeting King Robert. I knew that my presence was going to be a secret for now. He had explained what was happening in the realm and I had started to study the true history of Westeros and my family as there were many books, he had brought me to read, and it was not what I had been told growing up. I stayed in my room but close to the door so I could hear those coming aboard and going to their cabins. It did not sound like there were many on our ship, but Stannis told me that there was going to be a fleet of ten ships moving the king's small council and his family north to meet with Lord Stark. There was much healing to be done between our families, but I was willing to try. I knew that my brother's thirst for the throne was just that, his thirst not mine. While I should want it and take back my family's legacy, too many would oppose me based on my father's madness and because I was a woman. I would never be able to hold the kingdoms, at least not yet. I just hoped that Myrcella could when it was her time to take over.
I felt us leave and the waves push the ship for hours and sit reading and writing questions I had down so that I could ask them later when there was a knock on my door. I stood and crossed the small room and opened the door. "Please come in, My grace." I said not shocked that the king was standing at my door. I took the time to look him over and he definitely was not the monster of my dreams. Just a very large man who was not quiet fat but not small either. Who looked every part of a warrior that had aged with strong body and the deepest sapphire eyes I had seen before.
"Princess Daenerys, I hope you are well and that we can chat. You have had some time now to think over things and to understand what happened. My brother informs me you were taught a different history than what happened. I am not truly surprised knowing how mad your brother is." King Robert articulated as I nodded, taking my seat across from him and offering him tea from the pot on the table and some cookies that Stannis had brought me from Storms End that I was quite enjoying. I had never tasted a mix between spice and lavender, but it was simply divine.
"I am well my grace; I have had time to study our histories and ask my questions that seems do not end, but that is to be expected I suppose. I have thought over everything and I admit as I am barely considered a woman, one who has been shelters and not let learn the truth of things it is hard to know what is straight now. I do have a few questions for you if you would be willing to answer them." I asked and at his nod I drew a piece of paper closer to me, looking it over before settling on what to ask first.
"Had Lyanna not been taken by my brother, or had she been returned unharmed, would there still have been a rebellion?" I asked and watched pain flick across his face at Lyanna's name but then he sat back thinking over my question which I appreciated that he would give it true thought and not pacify me with blather.
"Eventually it would have happened because your father was just one burning away from setting the whole kingdom into chaos. He was so paranoid at the end and so unstable I do not believe we would have had a choice in the end. I do believe possibly your brother would have been the one leading the rebellion and that your family would still possibly be in power. However, for whatever reason he backed out of our established plans and then he became obsessed with a prophecy, and he became mad in another way. He tried to force it to become reality when I believe it was not its time yet, or maybe it was." He said and I could tell he was thinking something but didn't say before he then went on. "I do believe it would have always been who was put on the throne. Looking back our fathers played the game of thrones and it could have only ever been me who it would have gone to because of my connection to your family."
"Over the years I have been told you wanted my brother and I killed and were actively trying to accomplish this. Was that true and if so, what has changed?" I wondered.
"The first few months I lived in a fog of shock, pain, loathing, anger, and just about everything else you can imagine from losing my beloved Lyanna and so many others. The breaking point was seeing your niece and nephew laying there. I lost it truly. Some say I laughed, and others say I said things about dragon spawn. I truly do not remember either. It was so bloody tragic and not what I had ordered or wanted to happen. We tried to protect innocent people and not slaughter them. I become someone I didn't recognize and think I would be dead in a few years had I not had a fall a little over a two month ago. I have been sober since and have started to change things I hope for the better. I never ordered your murders, but I wouldn't have shed a tear for you either as I just didn't care enough about anything. I am not making excuses it was the state I was in. I always knew where you were though and had you raised arms yes you would have died. I am trying to do better now and make amends for what I can and do as I should so long ago." He said and I was shocked at his honesty and the pain that he seems to be reliving thinking about the past.
"I am sorry for your loss and the pain that you must feel talking about it. I just have a couple more questions, but I do not have to ask them?" I said and he smiled at me, and in it was something that made me relax.
"No child, please ask. You remind me of my daughter, and I could never say no to her." He spoke and something in me felt loss as I had never had a parent who cared nor was interested in what I had to say.
Something must have crossed my face as he took my hand making me look up at him. "You are maybe considered a woman, just, but you are to me and many others just a child still and I am sorry you have had to live so long alone without a parent figure to guide you and listen to you, protect you, and educate you. I promise that will change now if you allow it and you will be treated well. I will always make time for you, and I know that Lord Stark will as well. You are not as alone as you are feeling right now." He said to me, and I knew tears had filled my eyes and I nodded as I took a chance and fell into his large strong arms and cried into his shoulder as he held me close. It was the first time I had ever felt safe and felt like I could let all the fear, pain, and emotions out.
"I am sorry my grace, but I appreciate the comfort." I said, pulling away and he nodded, smiling at me.
"Call me Robert in private Dani. That was to be your nickname did you know?" He said and I shook my head no. He pulled a letter from his pocket and handed it over to me. Opening it I took in curly script and glanced at the bottom to see who had sent it. Shocked, it was my mothers name at the bottom I quickly went back to the top to read her words for the first time ever. "Keep it, She and I were friends at the end, and I am sad she was lost. She was a brave and very strong woman and my mother had been close friends of hers as they were cousins." He said and I smiled as I read through her words speaking of me and knowing I was a girl and the name she wanted for me. Her fear of what would happen to me and her want for a life free of the horror she had felt at the hands of her husband/brother.
"Can we speak more later Robert. I would love to hear about her and more about the way things were. I do feel as a child and not a woman. I fear I will never feel ready to be a woman." I told him.
"You will someday child, very far into the future you and the others will be adults and the ones leading Westeros. Until then take your time and feel free to talk to me any time. Starting in the morning you will start lessons with my children and some of the ladies of the North. Get to know them and learn new wonderful things and some very boring things if you are much like your brother was." Robert explained.
"I think I would very much enjoy that and maybe having my first friend. I want you to know even before our talk I had decided that while my brother is truly mad, like our father was and thirsted for the throne, I do not. I am in no shape old enough nor ready for that responsibility nor do I want it. Also, I do not believe a woman can hold it as we are seen as the lessor sex and weaker. Add to that the hatred of my family because of my father and it would be devastation. I do not know if this kingdom will even be ready when your daughter takes over, but I will back her and stand by her if she will let me." I said truly meaning it.
"Good, the coin may have just skipped you. Do you have any other questions?" he asked, having finished his tea and smiling at me.
"What of money and a place to live. I know Lord Stannis said I would be provided for but that is not cheep?" I asked, knowing that my brother would have sold me to the highest bidder if he could have to raise funds for his lifestyle and armies.
"The Iron bank has your families accounts. While not as much as before the war there is a nice sum that will see even your grandkids through life comfortably. He had agreed to invest some of it to start making an income for you and Lord Stark has a hold in need of repair but eventually it will be yours to start over in. It will never be huge and fancy like a palace or Dragonstone was, but it will be yours to make it into what you want it to be. Your home until you pass. You can raise a family there and create something lasting. Of course, that will be a ways off until then you will be staying with Lord Stark and my children until things in the kingdom are settled and it is safe for you to be presented at court. Then you will come and be fostered there. If you choose too of course. You could always stay in the North and embrace it also. Many choices but none that must be made today." He replied and I smiled and relaxed that there was a plan.
"I will leave you now to change and get ready for dinner where I will present you to my children, niece Shireen, and lady Sansa. Please do not stare when you meet my niece it makes her feel badly." He said and I nodded curious why that would be.
"I do not have a proper dress my grace." I spoke quietly with my eyes downcast as I didn't want to upset the man who held all the power over me but didn't want to show up in my only other dress that was not exactly what one would wear to a dinner with the king and his family.
"Yes, you do, I took the liberty of having some of the things my now exiled ex-wife had and had it packed for you and they can be taken in where needed but there should be a couple in there that will work for this evening. Once we get to White Harbor, we will have you fitted for all the things you will need to live in the north. I also have two maids assigned to you. They are older than normal but very good women who has been with my family since the war where they lost their husbands and sons. The septa Vinisa is also aboard and will meet you after dinner to see where your lessons need to start." He explained as he then opened the door pulling a huge trunk and a second into the room for me and I was speechless. This was more than I had ever owned in my life.
"Thank you for your graciousness and I simply have no words but thank you. I will not let you down Robert, truly you saved me and now are providing for me. I will never be able to repay that kindness." I said and let slip too much I am sure but, in the moment, I did not care as I rush to hug him again and he chuckled.
"Stay true to your word and to our building friendship and that is all the thanks I need child. Truly you are a good girl, and you will prove to the world that." He said holding the poor deprived child close.
After he left, I could not stop my excitement and unlatched the trucks to see what was in them. There were small clothes, five beautiful dresses, three-day dresses, night clothes, and what I assumed was riding clothes. I moved to the smaller and inside were brushes, combs, jewels, ribbons. On the bottom shoes and boots with warm socks that were softer than anything I had ever felt. Smelling oils and a stack of letters. I pulled them to me and was shocked all had the same loopy letters and the one he had given be of my mother's. Carefully I sat them down and sighed. I wanted to read them but did not have time yet.
Choosing the black and red dress as it was the smallest, I slipped off the one I was wearing and let the nice older lady Marta help me step into the small clothes, corset and then the dress that she quickly put a seem into that would make it not so long on me. Otherwise, the top fit well and the waist was wrapped with a ribbon to hold it tighter. I had never had anything so pretty. The boots I slipped on were a bit to big but by adding the socks it would work for now. The other maid Sara brushed my hair until it shined and then pulled it up into elaborate braids and wrapped small jewels into it. Lastly a simple necklace was placed on my neck of a small hourglass made with matching red sand inside. It was different but I liked it as it reminded me that time was either my friend or enemy and I needed to always choose the correct path.