A/N: I was delighted that you all enjoyed the last chapter and the raptor reveal. Kudos to those who caught the easter egg. To anyone who doesn't understand, the raptor is named after Sam Neil's character in the Jurassic Park series, Dr. Alan Grant. In verse the reason for the name is that Dagon named him Alyn, after Alyn Oakenfist one of his idols.

Farwynd & Fire

By Spectre4hire

12: The Initiative

She dreamt of the dragon again.

Her brother didn't chase her to the beach this time. Daenerys was already there. She wasn't bloody or bruised, but clean and naked. In the last dream, she had crawled into the sea, letting the water wash away her blood and tears, but this time, she stood in the tide, tall and proud. She knew exactly where to look, deep inside herself, this instinct guided her gaze, and she saw it, waiting for her.

A rumbling growl greeted her, sounding as if it had slithered out of the darkest abyss in the sea to reach her. Pillars of water suddenly shot up, wreathed in flames. The waves rose higher, but she didn't stumble, she was solid as stone, ensnared by its might, its beauty. And just as something broke the surface, her eyes snapped open.

"Is there anything you need, princess?"

"No, thank you," Daenerys made sure to smile at them, knowing they would be her thralls soon.

"M'lord Dagon, will see you, Princess, when he's finished." They left her there.

The there was the room they had escorted her to. One she had not been in before. One of many, she supposed, Daenerys had visited Dagon's manse a couple times, and there still seemed many places within and on the grounds that she had yet to see. This particular room looked like some sort of armory with all the weapons on display. She saw swords and spears, tridents and armor, shields, and axes, flails and helms. Some were placed on stands or on shelves while others were held by statues, specifically made to hold those weapons. Men and women of stone, caught in poses of battle, snarling battle cries or with faces set in grim determination.

Daenerys wondered about the purpose of such a room. Some must be gifts, she saw gleaming swords held in gilded displays. But not all, she walked by one statue who bore a trident, on its sharp tips she saw flecks of dried blood. On one of the walls were rows of shields. There were triangular shields which bristled with sharp edges. Some were made in the shape of turtle shells, while some she thought may actually be turtle shells, painted and marked. Others resembled clam shells, small and large, some tall enough to cover a man's shoulder down to his shins while others were just large enough to shield his chest.

Beneath the wall of shields were two imposing statues, each taller than her, a man and a woman. No, when her eyes trailed down below their waist, she didn't see legs, but tails of stone that were painted. Merlings, she looked at the two with renewed interest. The merman's face was bearded, sculpted to make the hair look like tentacles. That looked to be moving and writhing on his face. He bore a dark visage. In his stone grip, he wielded what looked like a spear or paddle, but its sides were embedded with small, sharp blades. In his other hand, he held a conch shell made of stone that was sculpted into his hold.

The mermaid looked no less fierce. Her face was sharp and angular. For eyes, the sculptor had given her rubies while the merman had been given obsidian. In one hand, she held the same weapon as the other, a driftwood club with its sharp sides, but in the other, she held a dagger. The pommel was carved to resemble a shark's head, with pearls for its eyes. Beneath her waist, her tail flowed below her, painted to resemble fish scales that gleamed in the sunlight.

She moved on to shelves where helms were placed. One was distinctively sculpted into the shape of a shark's head, including metal jaws that acted as its visor when closed. Another was a light grey with a lateral projection with a bright sapphire fixed at each end to resemble eyes. Below was the metal mask with openings for the eyes.

Daenerys passed the others with varying interest, each one was intricately designed, but it was the last one that gave her pause. It was a shiny black, and unlike the others, its design was far simpler, but it wasn't its modest look that made her linger on it. The helm was closed, but where the eye slits were supposed to be, there was just a band of gold. Below it were tiny holes, to allow the wearer to breathe. But how could you see?

"Daenerys," His voice made her lose all interest in the displays, she turned to see him. His tall form filled the doorway. "I'm sorry," he stepped into the room, "some cargo arrived that I had to oversee myself."

"I understand," she moved a hand, gesturing to the room they were in. "This is remarkable."

He smiled. "You are too kind, Princess," Dagon's long strides put him beside her just as he finished speaking. "Have you met Kull and Belit?" He pointed to the two merling statues she had seen earlier.

"I did," she said, "But I didn't know they had names."

"Aye, they do," He nodded, "and a story too," he led her to where they were placed. "Kull," he gestured to the merman, which made Belit the mermaid. "They were the ones who guided my ancestor to Lonely Light," he revealed. "Exiled from Pyke, he and his followers were expected to die when they sailed west, but instead of death, they found a home."

"Belit found my ancestor on his third day, and followed him for two nights, watching our ships sail towards oblivion, before she revealed herself," Dagon said, "With her help and that of her husband, they led them to a cluster of small islands and at its center rested a larger island which we named Lonely Light." His blue eyes on the statues. "The song goes, they helped our people to build our castle and homes, providing us with the supplies from the sea itself, including rocks and driftwood."

She followed his story with great interest. Daenerys wanted to learn all she could about his family, her new people, their histories and their traditions, but so little of it was written down. Our history is written in blood, and is told by song. She remembered Dagon's words and everything else he would tell her about her new home. She had quickly learned their stories weren't the same as the ones she knew. There were no valiant knights and dashing heroes, the ironborn's tales were more bloody, singing of slaughters and great reavings that left the lands burned and the people either killed or taken. Daenerys steeled herself, knowing she needed to be different now, stronger.

Their rites weren't written down to be studied and recited. They kept their practices in their hearts instead of sprawled out on dusty pages. They prayed on ships and in battle, with wet swords, honoring their god with bloody tributes and sacrifices. They were bold in their deeds. Proud and determined to keep to their ways. They'll not accept a timid princess. She knew she'd have to be bold too, a woman of iron instead of silks. A lady of fire and steel. She could not disappoint him. This will be my life.

Daenerys eyed the two stone merlings with new interest, thinking of her betrothed's words, and his family's history. "Why?" She saw him glance her way out of the corner of her eye. "Why was your family exiled?"

"It was over a dispute," his face was as expressionless as water. "The new king saw him as a threat, but it's forbidden for ironborn to kill other ironborn in a way that spills blood, so the king had him and those who followed my ancestor exiled. By sending my ancestor west, it was an execution in all but name."

"But they didn't die," she pointed out.

Dagon's smile was sharp. "We did not, eventually, our exile was lifted, when it was clear, we would not perish." His expression then darkened. "Over the years, stories arose about my family, suspicions from other ironmen, those who were jealous of our new home or angry that we survived."

"What stories?"

"Lies and insults," his voice was harsh. "Claiming we lay with seals, bearing children that more resembled seal pups than squealing babes," he scoffed, anger simmered behind his gaze, but it softened when they turned first towards Belit and then Kull. He muttered something, but she couldn't hear him, and when he turned to give her his full attention once more, his expression was open, and inviting. "You don't believe me." He slowly smiled, not taking insult to her incredulousness. "Mayhaps, it's just a song we sing, Princess," he admitted with a shrug, "but some would say the same of your own family's history."

"That of Valyria, humble shepherds who found dragon eggs, got them to hatch, to become dragonlords and then founded the greatest empire this world has known." He looked at her, "You tell that story to someone who knows no history, and they'd think it's nothing more than a pretty fiction." He moved on from the merling statues. "But enough about our family's past," he offered her his arm which she happily took, "when I can instead discuss our future." He led her past a pair of plate armor stands, one was orange and green, and the other was black and gold. "I have a surprise for you."

The surprise was a tour of the ship, Inevitable.

It was an amazing ship. Daenerys had heard him talk of it, describing every inch of wood, and thread of cloth that made up the ship, but that image which she conjured in her head, paled at actually seeing it, exploring it, walking in it. His ship was the finest she had ever seen or set foot on. Our, she corrected herself, a single word that packed a lifetime of promises.

The last room he had to show had been his. A great cabin off the quarter deck which included a sleeping chamber, a dining area, and a balcony overlooking the sea. It was more spacious than she envisioned, looking around to see it was well furnished with cushioned chairs, a sturdy desk, trunks, chests, small tables, a larger one for meals, and exotic displays from his travels. Dagon had to excuse himself when one of his crewmen sought a private word with him. He gave her complete freedom to look around the cabin before he left, but she hadn't moved from where she was when he departed, the private balcony.

Taken in by the beautiful view of the bay that stretched out before her. By the chorus of gulls that spoke to one another over the voices of the crew, who worked above her. By the breeze with its sharp, salty taste, running over her exposed skin as lightly as a caress. By the rhythmic swaying of the ship in the water, even docked, the sea ensured its presence was felt.

She let out a happy sigh. In her mind's eye, they weren't docked in Pentos, but were far away: Tyrosh or Volantis, Lys or Qarth. No longer living on the whims of strangers, but here, in her new home. No longer answerable to her brother, she was free of him. Their journey over, and a new one to begin with Dagon. A giddy rush skimmed through her as she saw her new life. When she rested her arms on the bannister, an uneven groove in the wood made her look down where she noticed cuts had been made into the railing. She ran her finger over one of the dips, seeing there were distinctive grooves that had worn down and cut into the railing. She wondered what could have made such scratches but those idle thoughts quickly gave way when she saw something large and dark in the bay. Its outline was hidden more by distance than the bright blue waters of Pentos Bay. Whatever it is, Daenerys perked up, its coming this way.

As it neared, more of its shape and size was revealed to her. Its long, black body that seemed to go past twenty feet meant it couldn't be a dolphin which was what she first thought. Shark, the word flitted across her mind, as did a twinge of fear when it sunk into her. She had heard tales from various crews of the man eating sharks that stalked sailors who fell overboard. And in the stories with tall, handsome heroes there was always that dreadful corsair captain who would force his captors to walk the plank where hungry sharks circled below.

The idea disappeared when she noticed the slightly curved fin cut through the water, showing that it was still moving straight towards her, like a well aimed arrow. A spotted whale, she saw its white markings along its sides. Wolves of the sea, that's what the sailors called them. She saw no pack. It was just the one and to her dismay it had stopped just below the balcony. Its head bobbing out of the water, looking right at her. And then it waved at her.

A large fin that looked like a paddle rose out of the water. She laughed, the mirthful sound bursting past her befuddlement. Smiling, she waved back, unable to understand the absurdity she was witnessing. The spotted whale let loose a couple clicks before it submerged underwater. A sea mirage? She wondered trying to make sense of what she was seeing, but then she saw its black outline rising back towards the surface. It didn't stop, it launched itself through the water with an incredible jump that left her speechless. It seemed to hang in the air forever, its white underside glinting when the sunlight hit it. Finally, it crashed back into the water with a spectacular splash. The water shot up like geysers while an echoing slap followed in its wake. It disappeared beneath the water.

She wasn't left waiting for long, but it was Dagon who returned, not the spotted whale. He carried a pair of goblets, offering her one of them.

"I must say, Daenerys, I was not expecting your love of the sea when I made your brother my offer."

Daenerys took the goblet, but the sweet wine couldn't dampen the heat blooming in her chest at his praise.

"You know your way around ships," his continued praise had her heart close to bursting. "Do you know what is needed for a ship to set sail?"

"I do," Viserys would already be in their cabin, but not her. She loved to watch, to see the movement of so many all working together, singing as they went. To feel the first push of the sea when they cast off, to ride the wind, to watch the harbor slowly disappear from view. It was to be free.

"We can't go too far, but I think we have enough time for our first voyage together," his eyes were green and thoughtful when he flicked his gaze over to her as they climbed the steps to reach the deck. "The first of our many adventures together, Daenerys."

A delightful thrill fluttered through her body at his words, his smile, his promise. So deliriously distracted she nearly missed his next words.

"Give the men their orders."

So she did.

Floating.

She was floating, even when her feet hit the wooden boards of Dagon's dock. She felt lighter than a cloud. A happiness that spread through her, warm and comforting. Daenerys' thoughts remained on Inevitable even though their brief voyage was at its end. In her mind's eye, she replayed it, wanting to see it, to feel it, again and again. At how her orders had been followed without hesitation by men she had just met. They were quick to their stations, to their duties. Not one thought to question her, or to glance at their captain.

Dagon stood at her side, and she took comfort and strength in his presence. Each nod or smile he gave her filled her heart with joy. Impressed, the word circled around her mind. He was impressed. Daenerys had never impressed another before. And for it to be done by her deeds, not beauty, meant even more. Threading this wonderful memory was the song they sang. An ironborn song, he had told her. I hope to hear them all, she replied, humming this new and favorite song. And you shall, the smile that accompanied that promise brought a blush to her cheeks. She could not conjure a memory in her life that had made her feel that happy as she felt on the deck of Inevitable, with Dagon and their crew and the open sea in front of them.

This is all because of it. No, not it, she corrected. He had heard her prayers. Dagon's Drowned God had answered them. She was certain of it, her prayers to the Seven had never made her feel such hope, such happiness. Daenerys had never felt their comfort. Their protection. All she knew under them was fear and hardship, hunger and uncertainty. "Dagon, what's it like to be drowned?"

His face was drawn in thought, considering her unexpected question, but he didn't keep her waiting for long. "It's to experience death," he answered, his tone brimming with reverence. "To see the face of Him. So that we can be brought back anew." His hands were clasped behind his back. "It's both pain and pleasure, dark and light. An act of faith, to believe in Him knowing only he can save you," his gaze was on her, but he seemed to see through her, past her. "And when you are brought back, you are blessed in knowing He has seen you. He has breathed life into you." A wistfulness fell over his expression, a half smile playing on his lips. "It is everything."

His words stirred inside her, Daenerys felt the devotion in his voice that swept through her like a storm. His certainty is as clear and bright as the starlight above their heads. His conviction was stronger than valyrian steel.

"And here I've gone and bored you, prattling on like some wrinkled septa," he chuckled.

"No, you haven't," she reached out to touch his arm, wanting him to see her face, her eyes, to see she was speaking truly. That his words had ensnared her. He had ensnared her. Body and soul. "And what of our children?" The word brought fresh warmth in her chest. "Will they be drowned?"

"Yes, but its different for a babe."

"How so?"

"It's just a few drops of seawater."

An image rushed to her, unbidden, of her and Dagon, a babe in her arms, with her hair and his eyes. They stood in the sea, the water lapping their ankles as one of those Drowned Priests said the words, and blessed their babe. The yearning inside her was a living thing, moving and aching of what played before her. Of home, and family, of him, of freedom, she wanted to grip these dreams with both hands, to turn them into a keepsake, she could hold onto, now and forever. Daenerys wouldn't let her brother take this from her. I must be bold, she told herself. She made a choice that wasn't for her brother, but for her and her alone.

Daenerys finally did what she wanted to do and she kissed Dagon Farwynd.

A/N:

The story Dagon tells about the origins of Lonely Light is one that I made up. (And maybe Dagon made it up too.) Since this is an AU, I decided to make it something different. I left the dispute vague, but I initially wrote the dispute as Dagon's ancestor failing to secure the Seastone Chair so the new king had him exiled, but then I wondered/worried if that was the truth, would Dagon have thought/mentioned it already in one of his POVs? I couldn't be certain.

If you want to call this a speed run for character development and relationship then that is more than fair. Still, I hope you're finding it entertaining. believable and/or compelling.

The next chapter won't be in either Dany or Dagon's perspective, but another though they will feature in it. Then the next couple chapters will go back to them, and then we'll get our second interlude: The Sea Stag, Renly Baratheon.

I hope I'm not sounding like a broken record, but just want to repeat my thanks to all those who take the time to review. It's very rewarding to hear that the audience is enjoying the characters/pairing/story. Your wonderful reviews make my day, so thank you.

Until next time,

-Spectre4hire