It took them another day before they made it to Meereen's gates. As the army assembled in front of the gates Dany waited or the masters to gather on the battlements. Dany dismounted her horse and allowed the Dothraki to take it away. Her fellow party members did the same and Thomas immediately went to her side.
"That's a fancy gate." Thomas pointed out. "Two harpies on either side or a door bigger than our dragons."
"How do you suppose we breach it?" Dany asked.
"Someone is going to have to open it for us." Thomas stated.
"Then it is a good thing the slaves want us here." Dany smiled towards him.
The gate started opening a moment later prompting everyone to stand ready.
"Are they attacking us?" Dany asked.
"Just a lone rider. Your grace." Ser Barristan answered.
"A champion for Meereen." Jorah added. "They want you to send your own champion against him."
"Are they staking their entire city on one man's life?" Thomas wondered.
"No, they just wish to show you they are superior." Jorah shook his head.
"What is he doing?" Dany asked right before the man started pissing in their direction.
"Well now that's disgusting." Thomas shook his head. The man started yelling while putting his pants on and Missandei translated.
"He says that we are an army of men without, man parts. He claims you are no woman at all but a man who." Missandei clears her throat. "A man who hides his own cock in his asshole." Dany glared at the man while Thomas gripped his sword.
"Don't listen to him your grace. These are meaningless words." Ser Barristan spoke up.
"Not meaningless if half the city you intend to take is listening." Jorah countered.
"He is going to die toady." Thomas growls.
"That he is." Dany agreed. "I have a message to the people of Meereen. But I need this one to shut his mouth. DO I have a champion?"
"Allow me this honor, Mother of Dragons." Grey spoke up first, looking eager to fight. "I will not disappoint you."
"You are the commander of the unsullied. I cannot risk you." Dany turned him down as gently as she could.
"Your grace I have won more single combat than anyone else alive." Barristan threw in his bid.
"Which is why you must remain by my side." Dany smiles appreciatively at him.
"I have been by your die longer than most of them Khaleesi. Let me stand beside you again today." Jorah stepped forward.
"You are one of my most trusted advisors, and a dear friend and my most capable general. I shall not risk your life like this." Dany says fondly.
"I was the last to join your army." Daario spoke up. "I'm not your general or a member of your Queen's guard, or commander of the unsullied. My mother was a whore. I come from nothing and soon enough I will return to nothing. Let me kill this man for you." Dany was silent for a moment, considering his request.
"You command the second Son's Daario. If you die they have no leader. With no leader there will be infighting or they will leave to fight elsewhere." Thomas spoke up. All attention went to him as he studied to lone rider. "It was a nice speech but you can't fight him."
"And I suppose you will?" Daario had a hint of hostility in his voice.
"Of course, it's my job to protect Daenerys. This is no different. "I don't command troops, I am not a Queen's Guard or an experienced General. Just a soldier fighting in this army." Thomas looked to Dany's worried face and winked. "Plus I want to shove his cock up his asshole." Missandei had to hide her chuckle and compose herself while Dany marched up to him.
"Why would I risk your life for something this stupid?" She seethed as he brushed her off. "DO you really think I wouldn't risk any of them before risking you?" She motioned behind her. "You are more valuable to me than any of them." The last part was said in a whisper.
Thomas sighed before turning to her. "Dany, do you trust me?"
"That is hardly the point." Dany snapped.
"Do. You. Trust. Me?" Thomas asked again.
"With all my heart I trust you." Dany stated. "What does that have to do with this?"
Thomas kissed her forehead suddenly stunning her into silence. "The trust me to come back alive." He smiled before moving further into the open. Dany was pulled back by Missandei as she was still in shock.
"He is very brave your grace." Missandei's voice broke her trance. "I doubt there is anyone else like him in the world."
"There isn't." Dany chocked out as she watched Thomas draw his sword and take a low stance.
"He can't win without a horse." Jorah spoke up.
"He isn't trained to fight on a horse. He would definitely lose if he rode one." Barristan shook his head.
"Horses are dummer than men. All he has to do is outsmart a horse in order to even the playing field." Daario rolled his eyes.
Thomas had similar thoughts as he drew his blade. He knew he stood no chance if the man remained on the horse. He also knew that the pole could hinder the rider's movements if he was quick enough. He hoped the leather armor on his body didn't slow him down too much.
The rider soon charged his horse forward holding his lance out to stab at Thomas. Looking behind him Thomas noticed how nervous Dany seemed and gave her a wink before focusing back on the rider. As the rider came closer and closer Dany's nerves reached new heights. Thomas however felt as calm as ever and when the rider got close enough he dove to the left slashing his sword forward cutting one foot off the horse and slicing the other leg. Sadly the plan didn't go fully as planned, when the hind leg hit his ankle. Falling to the floor Thomas struggled to stand before limping over to the fallen horse. The rider who was stunned from the crash only had time to stand and turn around before a sword pierced his gut.
Letting the now lifeless body fall to the dirt he turned to the City of Meereen, opened his pants and pissed back at them. Angered the masters had their archers fire a volley. Thomas stepped back allowing the arrows to piece nothing but the ground.
Dany allowed Thomas to walk back to her side before pulling him into a fierce hug. "We will talk about this later." She whispered before turning to the city of Meereen.
"I am Daenerys Stormborn. Your master's may have told you lies about me, or they may have told you nothing. It does not matter as I have nothing to say to them. I speak only to you, the oppressed. First I went to Astapor. Those who were slaves in Astapor, now stand behind me, free men. Then I went to Yunkai. Those who were slaves in Yunkai, now stand behind me, free. Now I have come to Meereen. I am not your enemy. Your enemy is beside you. Your enemy steals and murders your children. Your enemy has nothing for you but chains and suffering and commands. I do not bring you commands. I bring you a choice and your enemies what they deserve. Forward!" Unsullied moved their catapults forward making many of the slaves and masters worried. "Fire!" One by one the unsullied released their onslaught onto Meereen. People screamed in terror as wooden crates crashed into building and walls around them. After a few minutes all was silent as Dany let them process what she delivered. Those wooden crates held the collars of all her unsullied and many of the slaves in Yunkai. She only hoped that the slaves would be brave enough to stand beside her and overthrow their masters. Turning, she led her army away from the gates to a nearby clearing to camp.
*2 hours later*
"So do we have any idea how we are going to get inside the city if the slaves don't rebel?" Thomas asked.
"I have men scouting the city looking for any weaknesses as we speak." Daario immediately stated sending a smile towards Dany who nodded her thanks. "Now if we do find a weak spot I recommend sneaking men inside with extra weapons to arm the slaves. Me and my men can do this easily enough."
"You and your men won't be trusted by the slaves." Thomas rolled his eyes. "We should send the unsullied in to convince the slaves to revolt."
"I agree, the unsullied would be able to bolster the slaves better than the Second Sons." Barristan agreed and Jorah nodded when Dany looked at him.
"Very well Daario, if your men find any weakness tell Grey Worm immediately." Dany ordered. "Grey Worm, if this happens, attack at night and open the gates in the morning." Grey worm nodded. "Well then everyone meeting adjourned."
A few minutes later Daario reported that they found a sewer grate that could be opened form the outside. Dany smiled and thanked before heading to find Grey Worm. Finding him with Missandei she relayed the news and told him she would be back again to order the attack.
*later that night*
Dany entered the tent where Grey Worm and Missandei were practicing the common tongue. "It is time." She smiled as they got up.
When Grey Worm Left Dany joined Thomas on a small hill overlooking the city. She noticed Rhaegal lying next to him. "They have left to enter the city." Thomas looked over and smiled. "May I sit?" She motioned to the spot net to him.
"A queen doesn't have to ask where she can and cannot sit." Thomas smiled back before patting the spot.
"That was a good suggestion earlier today." Dany began after she sat down. "With Grey Worm entering the city instead of Daario."
"It only made sense. Nothing special really." Thomas shrugged.
"Still, thank you for always thinking with your brain, and not your head." Dany smiled when Thomas chuckled.
"How is your ankle?" Thomas tensed when she looked at it. "I noticed you limping slightly earlier. Did you get hurt when you tripped?" Dany asked, her voice dripping with concern.
"Nothing that pathetic, thankfully." Thomas chuckled alone. "The horse nicked me when I dove in front of it. I assume I will be limping slightly for a few days." Thomas shrugged. "Could be worse though. It could be broken."
"You were such an idiot during that fight." Dany spat out. Thomas spun towards her but she was looking at the city. "How could you just throw yourself at the horse like that with no regard for your own life? What is you were trampled or impaled before you could make a move?" Dany finally turned to him with tears in her eyes. "What if I lost you?"
Thomas quickly filled with regret as he brought her into his arms. She allowed him to as she started weeping. She clutched his shirt with all her might as she buried her face in his neck. They stayed that way for quite some time just holding each other. After some time Dany stopped crying and snuggled closer, eventually evening out her breath Thomas realized she fell asleep.
A slight breeze came by prompting both to shiver and Dany to snuggle closer. Rhaegal, seeing their predicament wrapped himself around them as best he could to provide his own warmth. "Thanks buddy." Thomas rubbed the dragons head and soon joined Dany in sleep.
The next day they were roused from sleep by Jorah who carefully nudged the two awake, hoping to not startle Rhaegal.
"Khaleesi, look." He pointed towards the city when he noticed she was awake.
Gasping in surprise she stood up dragging Thomas with her. Thomas stumbling a bit as his ankle flared up grabbed Dany's shoulder to steady himself before looking up. There on top of the big pyramid was the Targaryen flag, flapping proudly in the wind.
"It worked Thomas. We took the city." Dany smiled before leading him down towards the camp.
"I wonder how they got that flag up there." Thomas wondered. "I didn't even know we had one that big."
"What are you talking about Thomas?" Dany asked as they finally made it to camp.
"Your grace, the gate has opened and your people await you." Barristan greeted them with two horses.
"Thank you Ser Barristan." Dany took both reins. "Ride ahead and prepare for my arrival. I will arrive with Thomas. Someone has to keep him from falling over." She giggled as Thomas blushed.
"Very well your grace." Barristan nodded before sending a sly wink towards Thomas.
"You know you could have gone with him. Don't let me slow you down." Thomas said as they started towards the city.
"And miss seeing everything with you? No, I like this much better." Dany smiled before trotting ahead. "Keep up Thomas! Your Queen commands it!" Thomas only shook his head before doing the same. Arriving at the gates they realized they would have to walk. Former slaves threw down their collars and were calling out to her. Children ran up to her and practically jumped into her arms. "Looks like we are walking the rest of the way." Dany smiled as she dismounted. Smiling she greeted the children with smiles and pats on the head. A few took her hands and tried dragging her up the path the unsullied made. She resisted as Thomas struggled out of his horse. Hopping on one foot for a bit he limped towards Dany.
"Ready to go My Lady?" Thomas held out his arm.
"Of course, my shining knight." Dany smiled as she took the arm and allowed the Children to lead them further into the city. Eventually they came across a platform type area that was cleared by the unsullied. There stood Jorah, Barristan, Missandei, Grey Worm and Daario. Most smiled when they saw their Queen and her friend but Jorah and Daario frowned when they noticed their linked arms.
When they stood overlooking the massive crowd Dany noticed the former masters glaring up at her while they shuffled about nervously. Her happy mood evaporated instantly as she tensed. Thomas felt the tense and rubbed her hand with his fingers.
"Remind me Ser Jorah, how many children were on the crosses on the way to Meereen." Dany ordered.
"163 Khaleesi." Jorah answered.
"Oh yes, now I remember." Dany nodded toward grey Worm who started corralling the former masters.
"Your grace can I have a word?" Ser Barristan walked up. Dany turned to him, giving him all her attention. "The city is yours. All these people are your subjects now. Sometimes it is best to answer injustice, with mercy." He advised.
"I will answer Injustice, with Justice." Dany stated in finality. "They will be nailed to the crosses just like those children."
"Dany isn't that a little too cruel? Why not just execute them?" Thomas asked. He hated the masters for what they did to Irri but Nailed to a cross seemed like too slow a death. Even for him.
"Your Queen is going to serve justice and you want her to look the other way?" Daario asks bewildered. "You have no right to question her. Especially when she is doing the right thing."
"Daario is right Ward. The masters need to be shown their place. This is a good way to show them." Jorah also spoke up backing Dany and Daario.
"Need I remind both of you that Thomas Ward is my second in command? He has every right to question me when he thinks I am making a mistake." Dany glared at the two men. "While I appreciate your support it is not needed as this decision is final. Thank you Thomas for your counsel but I will not bend on this." Dany defended her friend.
"As you wish." Thomas bowed respectfully.
"Let's go see our new home everyone." Dany grabbed Thomas's arm and dragged him to the Pyramid.
It took them about an hour to get to the great pyramid and the entire walk was filled with screams of pain and agony mixed with cheers of joy and happiness. When Dany reached the Top of the pyramid Thomas excused himself to find his own room and rest.
"I'm sure the royal chambers is big enough for the both of us." Dany pointed out.
"I'm sure it is, but sharing a tent and sharing your chambers are very different things Dany." Thomas tried to reason. "You are a true Queen now. I am just another soldier in your army regardless of how much you value me."
"That is ridiculous. There is nothing wrong with you and me sharing the room." Dany argued.
"What happens when you find someone you love and care for?" Thomas pointed out. "Or if you need to marry another man to maintain power? The king will share your chambers and you both will be bound by marriage. I doubt any man will want me anywhere near your chambers. I'm sorry Dany, but as much as I want to keep things the same, they have to change. Only the king should lay with the Queen." Thomas bowed and left a very angered and frustrated Dany before she could retort.
She contemplated storming after him but instead threw her arms in the air and stormed off into her new chambers. Ser Barristan who saw followed after her before she could do anything she would regret.
Overlooking her new city she felt her anger start to fade away. She knew he was right, and that is what angered her the most. They shouldn't have even shared a tent if they were being completely honest but it just felt natural and comfortable. She felt safer in his arms and felt relaxed knowing he was by her side out of harm's way. She was sure he felt similar if not the same but that uncertainty wasn't helping anything.
"That stupid idiot just has to be right doesn't he?" Dany spat, talking to herself.
"You know if I didn't know any better, you two had your first fight." Ser Barristan walked up next to her.
Startled, it took her a moment to speak. "What are you doing here?"
"I followed you after you and Thomas argued." Barristan answered as he leaned on the stone wall. "He is right you know? You two technically shouldn't be sharing chambers."
"I know." Dany growled.
"You love him don't you?"
"Of course I love him he is my best friend!" Dany shouted like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"You love him as more than a friend though." Barristan pointed out.
"No I don't. We are just very close friends Ser Barristan and nothing more." Dany shook her head. "WE have always been this close. Even when I was married to Khal Drogo."
"I don't think so my Queen. I don't even think Thomas knows he has feelings for you yet. Men are always stubborn and oblivious to this sort of thing." Barristan stood up straight preparing to go. "In my opinion you two would make an excellent match. He would be a great King and make you an even better Queen. If nothing else gets through to you from this discussion, then at least think about courting him." Barristan left Dany to her thoughts.
Dany heard as he made his way out of her new chambers and sighed in exhaustion when the door closed. She was so confused now. She knew she and Thomas were close, maybe even unnaturally close for just friends but that was all they were. Friends. For some reason that thought left a sour taste in her mouth and she shook her head in annoyance with herself. "I can't believe I'm acting like a little girl again." She sighed. Taking a deep breath she quickly organized her thoughts and came up with a solution. "Thomas and I are just friends. Even if I love him, he obviously doesn't want to be with me if he isn't willing to share my bed. Yes. He just wants to be friends. I will drop a few hints about possibly being more and if he takes the bait then we shall be together. If not then we shall remain friends." She nodded to herself even though a small pit was forming in her stomach.
Ok end chapter. Lots a different things happened lots of the same things happened. First and foremost. I want to address the ending of this chapter. Why was Thomas willing to share a tent but not the chambers n the pyramid? Well I have tried to make him a person of commonsense with a decent amount of knowledge for how the world works. Hopefully I succeeded. To Thomas sharing a tent was just their way of coping with the loss of Irri and a harmless activity. While sharing the royal chambers means a deeper level of intimacy that the two don't truly share yet so he is hesitant to go there. Another reason is in my opinion the Royal chambers are only reserved for the king and Queen. It would be like a taboo for a commoner to enter and sleep there. (In my opinion.) And finally I need the room empty of his presence for future scenes I want to add in later. As for Dany well she finally starts to fully realize she has feeling for her best friend. And after talking to one of my best friends, who is a girl. She stated that when you start to love your best friend it is extremely stressful and terrifying. (for her at least) So I believe Dany would try and put on a strong front but be internally uncertain about this. One hand has her most valued friendship the other the possibility of either rejection or relationship. Scary possibilities. Anyway leave your thoughts in a review as I love reading them. Hopefully they are still in character if not let me know how to fix it so I can. Have a great day/ night love you all.