AN: Time to unravel more of the Meereenese Knot.
"Men of the Iron Islands!"
Daenerys said these words while standing atop a crate, ensuring that all would be able to see her. She'd also changed out of her travel-worn tokar and into a black and red dress, so as to give a better impression.
"Your captain committed a most grievous crime, attempting to steal my three daughters from me!" Daenerys said.
Viserion, Rhaegal and Drogon—the third of whom was now dressed in Dothraki attire—growled at these words.
"His red priest, in addition to helping that theft, also attempted to murder someone who has helped me, and even more so the people of Meereen!"
Hearing these words, hundreds of Meereenese soldiers let out angry shouts. "Burn them!" and "Throw them in the sea!" were recurring ones.
"Do you have anything to say for yourselves!?"
A small, somewhat hairy man stood up nervously. "To… To be clear, Yer Grace… we wanted nothing to do with the Black Flame! Was him who tricked Lord Victarion!"
Daenerys looked around at the crowd of defeated Ironborn in front of her. Some were shouting out similar things while others nodded in agreement. At least to her eyes and ears, they seemed sincere.
"I see! But, even disregarding these two crimes… your Iron Fleet has committed many more during the journey here! Attacking over a dozen ships, murdering those who resist, enslaving the rest to pull your oars, or to sate your lusts… Do you claim you had no involvement in these as well!?"
The Ironborn were silent. Going by what her Westerosi advisers had said, they would normally have defended their actions as "paying the iron price". But it would be suicidally foolish to say that now.
"No!? Well then, using the same creed you live by, I take your Iron Fleet and all who were on it!"
Many of the Ironborn shivered. They clearly expected execution by dragonfire, or even execution by being fed to dragons. Some glanced towards the sea, perhaps wondering if they could run to there for a more merciful death by drowning.
"But… it has been brought to my attention that your fleet has too many ships to be docked at Meereen! And I am aware that many of you must have families who await your return! Thus, I am willing to allow you to return home on some of those ships…"
The Ironborn gasped. For them, this would sound like a dream come true.
"…but not immediately! Before then, I demand one year's service from all of you!"
Some of the Ironborn looked discomforted by this. However, they raised no objections.
"You are men of the sea, I hear! So your year's service will make use of your skills! You will use your ships gather fish to help feed Meereen, to trade Meereenese goods with other nations, and in the near future, to transport some of my people to…" she felt a pang of regret, "to the empty ruins of the city of Astapor, to resettle it! And you will build more ships, so that by the time your year is complete, both Meereen and Astapor will have proper fleets!"
This would be a change in the Ironborn's lifestyle, but not a major one. According to her advisors, the Ironborn had been forbidden from raiding in Westeros, only breaking that restriction on a few occasions. And raiding in faraway Essos was simply too difficult for the majority of them. As a result, much of their economy was actually based around fishing and trading.
The Ironborn considered these words for a few moments. Many probably chafed at the idea of working for others, doubly so because a frail-looking girl commanded it.
On the other hand, not taking this offer would cost their lives. And while there might have been brave Ironborn who'd accept death before betraying their principles, those would have died instead of surrendering earlier.
"I-I'll do it!"
"If it's just a year—!"
"Back home, they called me Ralf the Builder, I'll have you know!"
"Thank you for your wise choice!" Daenerys said drily. "Now, please follow my troops' instructions! They will find appropriate work for all of you!"
The crowd of Ironborn, numbering somewhat under three thousand, was led away. Daenerys stepped off her crate and into a nearby dockside shack. She was joined in there by Barristan and Missandei. Jorah was not present—Daenerys had sent him on a duty that would keep him out of her sight.
He claimed to love me… yet when I rejected him, he found a whore who happened to share my features…
Now that she was no longer in public view, Daenerys sat on a chair and let out a sigh of fatigue.
"You did well, Your Grace," Barristan said, passing a cup of juice to her.
Daenerys took a long drink from the cup. "Such words hold little weight from a man sworn to my service," she teased.
"That I may be, but I speak honestly when I say that you are an excellent leader," Barristan said. "Rhaegar would have been proud of you."
"This one did not know Prince Rhaegar, but by typical standards of leadership, you have done well," Missandei said.
"Then I must say the same of you, Missandei," Daenerys said. "I heard that in my absence, you came up with quite the clever ploy to divide our enemies, turn them against each other."
Missandei looked away in embarrassment. "This one's ploy was not so clever… and because of Lady Wilmarina's intervention, it ended up being for naught…"
Even so, Daenerys embraced the Naathi girl. If she didn't have such capable followers, Meereen might have fallen even before the monsters were summoned.
Still… to call me an excellent leader…
Daenerys recalled everything that had happened so far during her queenship of Meereen. She'd come to this city thinking herself a liberator, freeing many thousands from the yoke of slavery.
And then my earlier mistakes began to haunt me. Astapor fell under the rule of a tyrant, and was eventually sacked, reduced to ash and bone. Yunkai's Wise Masters fell back on their old ways the moment I left, and they gathered a mighty alliance to oppose me.
Even in Meereen, there were so many problems… Some innocents suffered during my capture of the city. That, combined with my choice to execute one hundred and sixty-three of the Great Masters, led to the Sons of the Harpy appearing. Their knives in the dark took many lives, and none of my efforts could root them out…
In the hopes of peace, with enemies both within and without, I married Hizdahr.
Daenerys had always known she would have to marry for political reasons, such was the fate of royalty. Marrying a Meereenese noble would hinder her dream of one day retaking Westeros. Yet she'd had no choice at the time. She couldn't just leave Meereen in violent chaos, no proper queen could do that.
The marriage had seemed to work at the time, with great emphasis on 'seemed'. For even before Drogon's reappearance at Daznak's Pit, Daenerys had been offered a bowl of honeyed locusts by her husband.
Locusts with a deadly poison. Strong Belwas saved me by consuming them instead, but if he had not… if I'd sampled even one of those locusts… even a man as strong as Belwas nearly died from them, Barristan told me.
Daenerys clenched her small fists.
Hizdahr will answer for this… but first, I must settle matters here.
"During an earlier conversation, when I was still in the Dothraki sea, I asked after the former hostages held by Yunkai," Daenerys said. "You told me Jhogo and Hero had returned. But what of… what of Daario?"
Barristan's face showed a flicker of dissatisfaction. He, Daenerys knew, had never approved of her choice of paramour.
And he is not necessarily wrong… Daario has not the temperament to be a king. But he has still fought and bled for me, comforted me when I would otherwise be lonely…
"Daario Naharis has yet to be seen," Barristan answered. "But the troops are still on the lookout for him. Should he still live, I am sure he will be found soon."
If he still lived, he would surely have shown his face to me by now… I must accept that he is almost certainly dead.
From what Barristan had said, the army camp outside Meereen had been thrown into utter chaos by Wilmarina's actions. Countless men had died simply from being trampled by others. As much as Daenerys wanted to, she could not blame the monster for inadvertently causing Daario's death, not when she'd done so much good for her cause.
I will never see his smile again… never have his warmth in my bed again…
But this was always a possibility, with his lifestyle… and he would not be the first love I have lost.
I can move past this. I must, for the sake of my people.
"It is time for me to address the freed slaves," Daenerys said. She finished off her cup of juice. "Are they capable of returning to their homes themselves?"
"From what we have learned thus far, sadly not," Barristan said. "The Ironborn killed most of the sailors when they captured their ships. I would not advise sending them back that way."
"Then that leaves only two options for them…"
Daenerys left the shack and mounted her silver mare, a magnificent horse gifted to her by her first husband. Barristan mounted his own horse, a brown stallion. Together with a dozen guards, they rode to a different part of the docks. The three dragons did not follow, since intimidation was not desired for the following crowd. Instead, Missandei led them somewhere else using the allure of food.
About eight hundred ex-thralls and ex-salt-wives were gathered here. They had been given food and drink by Daenerys' troops, which had slightly reduced their nervousness compared to before.
But when the queen approached, many dropped to their knees. They started begging for her to spare their lives, or at least spare their children.
The slanders the Wise Masters spread about me are irritating… I must combat them with the truth.
Daenerys dismounted. She approached the nearest person and helped them up.
"Fear not. I do not feed my dragons on babes," not intentionally, at least, "or take my baths in blood, or whatever lies you have heard. As I have already told some of you, you will come to no further harm here."
The crowd slowly rose to their feet. The one she'd helped up said, "Y-Your Magnificence, then… what do you want with us?"
"First, I will not keep you in Meereen against your will. There are many dangers between here and your various homes, I won't hide that. But if any of you are willing to brave those dangers and travel back on foot, I will not stop you. I will even give you a small escort, a few dozen of my Unsullied—a hundred, if enough choose to travel this way."
There was a buzz of discussion. However, none of it sounded eager to try out this option, and Daenerys knew why. Travelling back west on foot would mean taking the road between Meereen and Volantis, which was known as the "demon road" for very good reasons.
Not due to literal demons, even if the current era is increasingly one of magic. From what I've heard, there are few villages along the road for a weary traveller to rest, and many bandits.
"Alternatively, you may stay here in Meereen at least for a time. You may find employment here, and eventually earn enough to buy passage back home on a ship. Should you instead decide to stay here, that is also an option."
The former slaves continued their discussion for a while. In the end, none decided to attempt the overland route. All agreed to stay in Meereen.
But I suspect that is less because they consider me a good queen, and more because the alternative is worse. Hmm… at least this is some progress.
Daenerys' soldiers brought out wagons packed with lumber and folded-up tents, spoils of war from the recently broken siege. While Daenerys would have liked to offer the former captives housing in Meereen, the city was crowded as it was. They would instead have to set up their own housing outside Meereen's walls. They would have help in that, at least, since Daenerys' soldiers were many strong men with few other duties at the moment.
With that settled, Daenerys mounted her silver again and headed into the city.
"Mhysa!"
"MHYSA!"
"Please, accept these flowers! My daughter picked them for you!"
"I have a newborn son, please bless him with a name!"
There were many who were relieved by her return… but Daenerys did not fail to notice that not all shared this opinion. She spotted some in the backs of the crowds with resentful expressions. She occasionally, if she strained her ears, heard people whisper that it wasn't the queen who'd saved them from siege and plague.
As much as it irks me… I cannot blame them. I was absent for weeks, and it was this strange monster who saved them.
Which raises the question: why did she do that and then bring me back to Meereen? She could easily have become queen of it herself, if she cared. And I'm sure others are thinking this question as well…
As she went deeper into Meereen, she saw buildings being rebuilt. Traces of burn marks could be seen on the brick road near these buildings. And the people working on the rebuilding… few had any looks of gratitude for her return.
My children… my daughters, why did you do this? Burning Quentyn Martell, I could understand, but these people had nothing to do with your attempted abduction…
When I hatched you in the flames, I thought that you would help me regain the throne stolen from my family. I thought your flames would burn only my enemies… and yet you have burned as many allies. I failed to teach you self-control.
In the end, that is another area in which Wilmarina surpassed me…
Daenerys, burdened with gifts from her people and with her own doubts, eventually reached the Great Pyramid in the city's heart.
Once she was within the walls and out of public view again, she murmured, "Barristan, has he been brought in?"
"Yes, my queen. He is in a room on the third level, guarded only by men I trust."
Daenerys and her retinue dismounted and climbed up the pyramid's stairs.
I do wish I had wings, like my daughters or Wilmarina… but I must work with these two legs I was born with.
They reached a door guarded by two Unsullied, one of them Grey Worm. The Unsullied nodded and opened the door. Daenerys stepped inside.
"Greetings… my beloved wife."
The words themselves were ordinary, but the resentment that filled them certainly wasn't.
Daenerys took a seat in a chair, placing her opposite a tall and slender man. He had the amber skin and red-black hair typical of Ghiscari. Said hair was rather less tidy than when she'd last seen him. He was also dressed in a simple brown tunic instead of the tokars he preferred.
"Hizdahr, my beloved husband," Daenerys said. "Do you wish to say anything in your defence?"
"My defense?" Hizdahr retorted. He glared at the knight standing behind Daenerys. "He is the one who requires a defence! I have done nothing wrong!"
"Have you forgotten laying with a bedslave in my absence?" Daenerys said coldly. "Now, I will not call this adultery, even if you did publicly claim I might still be alive, since there was good reason to believe I was dead. But you admitted she was a bedslave to my knight, proof of you breaking my law against slavery!"
Hizdahr's eyes twitched. Perhaps he wanted to retort that many of the Great Masters were still doing it—Daenerys suspected that was the case, but she simply had no proof of their crimes.
"And even that is a minor thing compared to that bowl of honeyed locusts. Which, as I recall, you offered me."
Hizdahr laughed bitterly. "As I have said numerous times, I have no knowledge of the poison! If I did intend to poison you, do you not think I would use a method less obviously linked to me!? Just what proof do you have!?"
Barristan spoke up. "Your confectioner, who admitted to poisoning the locusts. I questioned him myself."
"Then bring the confectioner here!" Hizdahr said. He slammed a fist on the table, only to wince in pain afterward. "Let us all question him."
"That is a fair request," Daenerys said. "Bring him here."
Barristan hurried out of the room.
"That knight of yours may be good with the blade," Hizdahr grumbled. "But he should never have done this. He thinks himself a noble man, unaware he has just been dancing around on Skahaz' strings."
"Now you accuse another of my advisors?" Daenerys said, raising an eyebrow. "Do you have proof of that accusation?"
"Skahaz' own words are proof enough," Hizdahr claimed. "He has never made a secret of his disdain for all the Great Masters… save himself, conveniently enough. If you still do not believe me, then simply go to him, tell him you have talked to me, and observe his reaction!"
That gave Daenerys pause. It was true: Skahaz mo Kandaq had always advocated that she take a far more violent approach with the Great Masters of Meereen. He'd advised her to kill the hostages she'd taken from each family, even though they were children. She'd refused him steadfastly.
Still… for a man to advise the killing of children, even when some of their relatives may have done nothing…
But I must not let my sight be clouded. Hizdahr would say whatever it takes to prove his own innocence.
"Let us put aside the locusts until Barristan returns," Daenerys said. "That is not all. You convinced me to reopen the fighting pits, saying that only willing men would take part. I met and spoke to willing men, and a willing woman, and agreed… but in Daznak's Pit, that pair of dwarfs was intended to face lions." She stood from her chair in fury. "A fight they could not possibly win. Tell me, did they consent to that little entertainment?"
Hizdahr opened and closed his mouth. It was a question with no good answers.
"…I should have informed you in advance, I concede that," Hizdahr said. He stood up as well. "Then what of that other event in Daznak's Pit, the descent of a dragon? That dragon killed hundreds, including the noble Yurkhaz of Yunkai! That is why peace broke down and the Yunkish threatened Meereen again! What do you have to say to the families of those killed by that beast!?"
Daenerys wanted to retort that Drogon wasn't a mere beast any longer… but that didn't counter Hizdahr's point. If a wild beast killed a human under normal circumstances, it was hunted down as a menace. And Drogon had killed far more than one human that day.
And even before… Hazzea, her charred bones… And after, when Rhaegal and Viserion were released…
Daenerys and Hizdahr continued glaring at one another, unable to back down, until Barristan returned.
"Your Grace!" Barristan gasped. "The confectioner—he—"
"What is it?" Daenerys asked. "Why is he not with you?"
"He is dead! He'd hung himself in his cell!"
Hizdahr laughed darkly. "I see. I don't suppose there was a note of some kind in his cell, telling of his regret at nearly poisoning his queen, and his lack of desire to keep living?"
Barristan looked ashamed. "There was… but he… but I'd questioned him myself, while he still lived!"
"That he said he poisoned the locusts, I do not doubt," Hizdahr said. "But tell me: do you trust the information that Skahaz has obtained? Have you ever trusted it, considering his methods?"
Daenerys and Barristan were silent at that. They both knew Skahaz mo Kandaq was willing to use torture to… assist when questioning suspects. He wasn't unusual in that, by any means. Still, the information he'd given Daenerys in the past had often been suspicious, not least because it failed to truly stop the Sons of the Harpy. In this particular case, Skahaz might have tortured the confectioner into giving false testimony.
"He… He had no signs of torture," Barristan insisted. "I looked at him carefully…"
"Did you strip him to check his entire body?" Hizdahr asked. "And even then, there are methods that would not leave a mark. Locking him up isolated from others, for instance."
Barristan could not respond to that.
"Are there any other witnesses, ser?" Hizdahr asked. "Or have they taken their own lives as well?"
"I… I…"
"Even if your culpability for that incident is in doubt," Daenerys said, throwing her knight a lifeline, "there is still more. You yourself promised to stop the Sons of the Harpy for ninety days, and their murders did stop. How could you achieve that without being the Harpy, or at least a major figure in the group?"
Hizdahr narrowed his eyes. "As I have said a hundred times, I do not belong to the so-called Sons of the Harpy. Their aims overlap with my own, and so when word spread that I might marry you, Daenerys, they ceased their activities."
"Such a convenient dismissal. You do not belong to them, they simply stopped their murders when it benefited you, and resumed when you were imprisoned."
"That imprisonment was a farce of justice! As we see now, with the only witness—"
"Was it the Sons who murdered him, so he could not—"
"If you continue like this, the entire Great Pyramid will hear you."
All eyes went to the newcomer to the room. Normally, the guards would announce any visitor before even letting them in, but this was someone whose status allowed her to enter at will.
"I confess I know little of the situation," Wilmarina said, finding her way to a chair and sitting down. "I would like to hear all of your accounts."
"Wilmarina!" Daenerys exclaimed. "Then—have you recovered from that red priest's curse!?"
"No. I cannot see any of you, nor can I feel this chair that I now sit upon. But I spent these past few hours training within my own rooms, and now I can more or less move around normally."
Again and again, Wilmarina managed to surprise the last of the Targaryens. First, she'd descended from the sky with a humanised Rhaegal. Next, she'd healed the burns on Daenerys' palms. After that, she'd used her bracelet to create the voice of someone claiming to be Viserion, along with the undeniable voices of Barristan and Missandei. Finally, she'd confronted Drogon, a creature that numerous pit fighters had failed against, and she'd prevailed.
I told myself that if I ever looked back, I would become lost… and yet I cannot stop doubting my place. It seems… It seems that she would make a far better queen than I. Even of Westeros.
"You are… the one known as Wilmarina Noscrim," Hizdahr said, far more politely than before. "I am grateful that you would bless me with your presence. I am Hizdahr zo Loraq, one of the Great Masters of Meereen, and an innocent man who has been wrongfully accused."
"You are Daenerys' husband, who she married for the sake of peace?"
"Indeed. And it is this accusation which shattered the peace…"
Wilmarina heard the details of the attempted murder case from the other three. Once it was done, she held up two fingers.
"Here are two possible paths forward. I would like your opinions on the consequences of each. First, this accusation is allowed to stand and Hizdahr is convicted of attempted regicide. I assume the penalty for that is death?"
"…Yes," Hizdahr said reluctantly. "Typically, it would be in a… lengthy manner."
"What would the other consequences be?"
"It would draw the ire of the other Great Masters, for Hizdahr is well-respected among them," Daenerys said.
"Most likely… it would lead to a resurgence in attacks by the Sons of the Harpy," Barristan said. "They have not done so for the past four nights, presumably since you and your daughters appeared, and they are still reacting to that. But, if Hizdahr should be executed…"
"I see. Then here is the second option. Hizdahr is acquitted, due to lack of clear evidence."
Hearing that option made Hizdahr breathe a sigh of relief and Daenerys feel annoyed. She kept that annoyance hidden, however.
"In that case, I would need to punish Barristan for making a terrible mistake," Daenerys said. "At a minimum, he would need to be… released from my service. That would demoralise many of my soldiers, who look up to him."
Barristan bowed his head. "I would accept any punishment you decide is just, Your Grace."
The three humans in the room looked with bated breath at Wilmarina. Even though the monster had been present for less than a week, and even though she was missing two of her senses, she still had enough power to settle the situation however she pleased.
"After hearing your opinions, here is a third path: move on while focusing on this incident as little as possible. This would mean that Daenerys and Hizdahr remain married—at least temporarily—while Barristan maintains his position. I would also encourage Hizdahr to follow the new laws of Meereen more closely."
That caused all three humans to protest.
"I have still been wrongfully accused, I demand compensation!"
"Justice must be served, Lady Wilmarina!"
"Surely you can use your magic to—"
Wilmarina looked at Daenerys with a flat, emotionless gaze, causing the latter to stop mid-sentence.
I must remember… she is not a vassal of mine, but someone with enough power to supplant me if she so chooses. She has already done so much for my cause, and suffered for it. I cannot demand more from her…
"Could you…. elaborate on that third path?" Hizdahr asked politely.
"Normally, the attempted poisoning of a queen would draw immense attention," Wilmarina said. "But many other notable events have happened recently: Drogon's appearance in a fighting pit, the renewal of the siege, the epidemic of bloody flux, the accidental release of the dragons, the arrival of a pirate fleet. And, of course, the appearance of myself and my daughters. For most of Meereen, this poisoning case, and even Hizdahr being deposed, has already fallen out of memory."
As frustrating as it was to admit for Daenerys, the near-victim of said poisoning, Wilmarina was right. Perhaps if Daenerys had actually been poisoned, people outside her inner circle would care more.
But that did not happen, so for many Meereenese, fear of dying to war or disease has been a much more important issue, Daenerys thought, remembering what she'd seen in the streets. Much more important than what's happened to a queen who's been absent—who's abandoned them for weeks. Indeed… I don't recall hearing any of them talk about poison.
"Currently, I do not know for certain if Hizdahr arranged the poisoning," Wilmarina said. "I do, however, believe he will never try anything in future, if only out of self-preservation. That is why I've conceived of this third path. Of course, this path can only be taken if you all agree to cooperate."
Daenerys, Hizdahr and Barristan exchanged glances.
"Well… the two of us were able to marry in the first place, despite having no true love for each other," Daenerys said.
"If it means not facing prison or execution, I shall gladly accept this suggestion of yours," Hizdahr said.
"Despite my misgivings, I shall do as my queen decides," Barristan said.
An outcome that will fully satisfy no one… and yet, some would consider that proof of being a good compromise.
They continued discussing the finer details of what to do next. Once that was decided, the topic moved to something else.
"I must hold court, now that I have returned," Daenerys said. "I plan to do so in the third hour after noon. There, I shall give you a fitting reward for everything you have done, Lady Wilmarina."
That was a question that had plagued Daenerys since her meeting with the mysterious monster. The tradition for great achievements such as this would be to give away land and titles.
But for miraculous feats such as hers… even all of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros might not be enough. And I do not even have Westeros, save in name…
Wilmarina sighed in exasperation. "I understand why you must do so. But I must warn you in advance…"
Daenerys and the other two listened intently. After Wilmarina was done, she stood up.
"I shall be there. Until then, I will rest."
Daenerys watched the monster leave the room and the door be closed behind her. She waited a few more seconds before daring to relax.
"Does she always have… such a presence?" Hizdahr asked, wiping sweat off his forehead.
"In every meeting I have had with her, yes," Barristan said.
Daenerys and Hizdahr looked at each other. They might have agreed to continue acting as wife and husband, for the sake of stability, but that didn't change their feelings for each other.
"…I shall see you at court, then."
"We can deliver the reward to Lady Wilmarina together. That should maintain our image."
Without another word, Daenerys left the room with Barristan in tow.
Why could she not settle things more equitably? To suggest that I maintain this charade with Hizdahr, who at the very least is guilty of breaking my law against slavery, and almost feeding dwarves to lions…
But again, I have no right to demand more from her.
Daenerys made her way up the Great Pyramid, greeting everyone she passed along the way. She reached her personal apartments at the apex. These were just as she had left them, complete with a bed empty of any occupant.
"…Where is Quentyn Martell now?" Daenerys asked in a low voice.
"Before your arrival, I had him moved to a different room on the twenty-seventh level," Barristan reported. "It was done in the dead of night, to avoid prying eyes." He bowed his head. "I am sorry if I caused any offence by placing him in your bed to begin with."
"No… it is a trivial matter."
Daenerys remembered the Dornish prince as a shy young man, so shy he could hardly even talk to her. It was hard to imagine him being so audacious as to try stealing her daughters in her absence.
I should have him executed, rightfully… yet Rhaegal already burned him to the brink of death. If not for possible magical healing, he would have no chance of recovering. I suppose I could punish his companions further, but… I am not sure if that might offend Wilmarina somehow. In any case, they are not my greatest concern.
Daenerys stepped out onto the terrace. The sight of the lush gardens and of Meereen beyond was healing in a mundane sense. It made it just a little easier to bear the burden of queenship once more.
She remained out on the terrace for a while. Then she noticed a less common sight.
"Are those… my daughters?"
"It does appear so, Your Grace?"
Three dragons flew closer and closer to the Great Pyramid. Eventually, Daenerys spotted the small form clinging to the back of one.
"Oh my… it appears we have the first dragonrider in history who is from Naath!"
The dragons landed on the terrace. Viserion set down Missandei with surprising gentleness. However, the girl seemed too giddy to then stand up on her own.
"What was it like to fly, Missandei?" Daenerys asked mischievously.
"Your queen—my Grace—Your Grace!" Missandei replied. "It was—It was beyond words! I—this might be presuming too much of me, but I would like to try that again!" She gasped. "Wait—this one just—"
"Broke the last of the chains binding you," Daenerys said. She embraced the girl for the second time today. "You have just as much right to express yourself as any of us."
"Hugging time? Let Viserion join too!"
Leathery wings wrapped around the two humans and lifted both up off the floor. Daenerys felt even warmer than she'd been feeling out in the Meereen sun.
"Th-Thank you, Viserion, but please let us down!"
Viserion didn't obey for a few seconds. At least this was harmless, unlike some previous cases of disobedience by the dragons.
Once she was on her feet again, Daenerys let go of Missandei. "I will be holding court after lunch," she said. "Are you able to be my herald then?"
"This—I am ready for the duty, Your Grace."
"Enough talk!" Rhaegal said. "Let's eat together! Haven't done that for long time!"
"City not good for hunt," Drogon said, shaking her head. "Should go out for lunch."
Drogon still had a crooked nose and missing teeth. As much as it pained Daenerys to see that, the injuries had been necessary. Drogon, much like the Ironborn from this morning, had only respected strength, and so Wilmarina had used strength—as well as skill—to make her submit.
I hardly even saw what happened… they were both moving too fast. But after Drogon was transformed, she continued fighting, so Wilmarina continued as well. Now with just her body instead of her sword or magic. Drogon was knocked to the earth and feigned defeat, then attacked again… and Wilmarina decided to be rougher with my daughter.
"Lunch will be brought up here, Drogon," Daenerys said, bringing her mind back to the present. "For now, let us all go inside."
They went into the apartments. The dragons had never been here before. Even when Daenerys had first conquered Meereen, they'd been too big to fit inside.
"Drogon, this is a bed!" Viserion said, using one wing to point at Daenerys' bed. "Used for sleeping! We can sleep here together, like old times!"
Drogon looked at the bed, probably one of the most expensive in the world, with disdain. "Rip easy. Burn easy. Ground better."
"The bed would rip and burn easily, so the ground would be better," Missandei corrected. "But it doesn't have to be like that. I've been teaching Viserion these past few days, and now she can sleep in a bed and usually not damage it."
"See?"
Viserion demonstrated by lying down on the bed. This caused Barristan to avert his eyes politely. Even if Viserion had inhuman features physically and mentally, she was still a supremely attractive woman now. Her lying on a bed produced a rather risqué sight.
It's… uncommon for me to envy others for their appearance… yet now I find myself envying my own daughters…
And speaking of appearance, that white dress Viserion has is truly impressive. It was the work of Wilmarina's elder daughter, I hear. It seems she has skills rivalling the best tailors in Meereen.
Rhaegal tried the bed next, being given careful instructions on how to lie down properly. Drogon still refused. The black dragon sat down on the floor and complained about there being fragile carpet over the stone.
All of them are bigger than I am, yet Wilmarina told me that they're not even fully grown, that they're likely to grow bigger still… I'll need to make sure they have new clothing soon…
I thought I'd lost all hope for true children after that maegi's spell, so I never expected to face such issues.
Lunch arrived soon after. For the humans, this was flatbread, cheese and a variety of fruits, with wine to wash it down. For the dragons, this was three different kinds of meat, all cooked to the point of being charred in places.
While trying to get her daughters not to just eat with their mouths, Daenerys found herself smiling constantly.
It was a great relief, being out in the Dothraki sea, free of all responsibilities…
But I cannot abandon those responsibilities any longer. It is time I resumed acting as a Targaryen should.
AN: Missandei's "clever ploy" is offering ransoms for the hostages the Yunkai alliance in canon. This was intended to drive a wedge between the Wise Masters of Yunkai, who didn't need the money, and the sellswords under their command, who'd really want the money. It ended up being pointless in this fanfic because the point of divergence is before the sellswords switch sides.
The compromise on the poisoning goes against the typical logic of MGE, I'm aware. But this has been the case ever since the first chapter and its large-scale killing. MGE monsters might have many advantages, but not enough for a few of them to overturn a society they've been in for just a few days. Wilmarina is also much more risk-averse than she might be on her own, since she has to protect the daughters, so she'll be more prone to compromises that maintain stability.