Dragons of Destiny

King's Landing 307 AC.

Jaime Lannister.

He'd been ordered to rest when he had wished to stand guard at Aegon's door. Told that amongst the men they had here already, all of whom had been vouched for by both Varys and Davos, there were more than enough men to guard Aegon's chambers. Yet it was only Aegon telling him that he'd need to be seen by his side on the morrow that had, in the end, gotten Jaime to follow his king's orders. Even then, he didn't get to do so immediately as he wished to speak to Daven on the battle and more so, the West.

So after taking his meal, Jaime made his way through the city to the Lannister Manse where Daven and some of those who rode with him were holding their own celebrations. He knew that before they left this city to fly back to the queen and princesses, a much larger and truer celebration would need to be held. A feast to honor those who'd fought and protected this city from those who'd wished to take it for their own. Those poor fools who'd not been content with all they'd been given and so had sought more. Tonight though it was a somewhat truer feast. A Soldier's Feast as Jaime had named it once.

Reaching the gates of his family's manse, Jaime was stopped, but briefly. His golden hair was long and flowing once more, while his beard was neatly trimmed. The white cloak he wore was pristine and his armor glistened. Even if all of that was not enough to name him as one of Aegon's Dragonguard, the golden hand he wore would name him as Jaime Lannister. So after a quick look over by the two men on guard, Jaime was escorted past the men who ate and drank with abandon in the grounds of the manse and into the manse itself. He was led down halls and corridors he remembered all too well and finally into the large open room that was fuller than it had ever been. Or at least it was so to Jaime's recollection.

"Ser Jaime?" Daven asked his expression one of more concern than it should have been.

"I'm here of my own accord, cousin," Jaime answered, letting Daven know he was not about the king's business and so he could relax.

"Will you join me in a drink then, cousin?"

"I will," he replied.

Jaime turned down the offer of a plate of food and welcomed the wine when it touched his lips. As with all things concerned with his family, it was a good vintage and he chuckled a little to see how little some things change. Taking a seat beside his cousin, Jaime praised him and the men of the West for their victory. He even held a toast to them which it seemed was much welcomed. Though Daven was quick to point out just how poorly prepared Edric Storms' army was to face them.

"I swear they thought they'd just turn up unopposed to the gates, cousin. As if just because their graces weren't here, no one would lift a finger to stop them."

"I heard they had tried some mummery of heading North, of making that seem their true target."

"A mummer's farce." Daven scoffed. "Did they forget who the Maester of Whisperers is? What he's capable of."

"Apparently they did. Sansa Stark sent messages to Varys naming herself good and true and yet plotted against a king, queen, and princess. Edric Storm believed himself to be his father come again." Jaime said not naming the man by the name the king and queen had granted him. "He believed that the realm was just crying out for another Robert Baratheon."

The laughter was loud and true. Daven then shook his head before then taking another swallow from his glass.

"What is it with Stags I wonder," Daven said and Jaime smirked.

"They think themselves Dragons, cousin."

"Then the fact they've no wings of their own should have given them pause."

Daven spoke then of just why he'd brought so many men to bear for the king and queen. Jaime listened firstly to that and then to how his cousin and his new wife were getting along. He was more than pleased to hear of Daven's own happiness with his bride. Even most so to hear how Daven named his cousin Joy as seeming to be just as happy with her husband as her husband was with his wife.

"I believe she's happy, Jaime. I believe I make her happy. She's with child, two or three moons gone only but… gods… it's more than I wished for."

"I'm most pleased to hear it, Daven. Truly. You both deserve to know such contentment in your lives."

"I'd name it more than that on my side at least. But, you know me, Jaime. I'll never shame her nor mistreat her. That's not who I am."

Jaime slapped Daven on the back and hoped that was enough to let him know that he was as happy with the match as Daven and Joy seemed to be. He asked about his aunt Genna and his other cousins, actually wishing to know about them for once. Then after one more drink, Jaime made his way from the manse and back to the Red Keep. Upon his arrival there it was to find that Tormund had gotten truly drunk and had needed to be carried to his bed. Something that was no surprise whatsoever.

He walked past the king's chambers once more to make certain that Aegon was well protected. Jaime happy to see the four guards who stood there and how diligent they seemed to be. Then made his way to his room and his bed. Waking the next morning from a thankfully dreamless sleep, Jaime hurriedly dressed and then walked most quickly to the king's chambers. To no one's surprise, especially not his, the king was already up and at work. Though thankfully he'd not yet left his chambers and it was simply papers he was reading and signing when Jaime entered the room.

"You've eaten?" the king asked and Jaime shook his head. "I'll send for food for us both and once we've broken our fast we'll go and see if we can wake Giantsbane from his slumber," Aegon said, mischievously.

They ate, and talked about the upcoming feast and that Aegon intended to stay no more than three more days before heading back east. Jaime was asked if there was anything he wished to do in the city or a message he may wish to send to his family. While Aegon spoke too of the letter he'd written to his sister in the North explaining why he'd done what he had. To Jaime's eye, Aegon seemed to have gotten over whatever sadness he may have felt over Sansa Stark's death. Though knowing how the loss of family can affect you and come at you in waves, he was sure that once his king returned to his wife, the emotions would come flooding back. Mayhap even more so given that it was by Aegon's own order that the woman had lost her life.

"URGHHHH." the noise at the door and the stumbling of Tormund as he staggered into the room was enough to take both Jaime and Aegon from their thoughts and conversation.

"I told you to go easy," Aegon said, chuckling.

"I went fucking easy, King Crow."

Jaime looked at the king who nodded. So he rose from where he'd been sitting and breaking his fast to walk to where the wine jug was located. Filling a mug, he carried it over and handed it to the still barely awake Tormund who drank it down in one swallow.

"More!" Tormund called out after belching loudly.

"One more. That's your fill until the night, Tormund. We've much work to do." Aegon said and Tormund looked at the king as if he'd grown an extra head. "Besides, we'll be having a true feast before we leave three days hence."

"A true one?" Tormund said as Jaime handed him the second mug of wine.

"Aye. Now drink and eat something for the Old God's sake."

Tormund did as he was bid and so after Aegon had finished writing out commands, authorizing works, and adding suggestions to whatever papers that Davos or Varys had seen brought to him, it was a tour of the city and a visit to each of the camps of the men who'd fought the Battle of King's Landing. Lysono Marr and the men of the Golden Company. Daven and the men of the West and those of the Vale. Down to the docks and even to the vanquished few, Aegon visited them all before they finally headed back to the Red Keep.

His king answered almost any questions that were thrown his way by those who they passed in the street. Aegon told them that their queen and princess were safe and well and would return to them before the year was done. Something that surprised Jaime as he'd expected them to be staying in Essos for much longer. Though mayhap they would all fly back as their armies moved or there was some other explanation that Jaime knew not. Whatever the truth of it, it seemed to make those who heard their king tell them of it, most happy.

Eventually, they said their farewells to those that Aegon had stopped to speak to and they were soon returning to the Red Keep. Once there it was to truer meetings that the king bid Jaime attend alongside him. Tormund joined them until boredom took him from the king's chambers to wherever he saw fit to spend his time. Jaime, however, stayed and listened in as Aegon spoke to Varys and Davos and as more plans were made for the realm. He was stunned to find that Mya Stone would soon be named the Lady of Storm's End. As he was to find out that she would arrive before they departed.

That night they ate a quiet meal. Aegon, Tormund, Davos, Varys, and Jaime all sat down to eat and speak on less important matters. He wasn't given leave to act as a Dragonguard. Instead, they ate almost as a family and certainly as friends. Years earlier, he'd once pictured himself enjoying such times with a prince that he never got to truly serve. Now, smiling at a jape that Tormund had made at the king's expense, Jaime found himself somewhat living that dream, while at the same time, he looked forward to their flight back to Essos. Jaime wished to see the queen and the princess once again. As he did to continue to serve in the role he had always believed he was born for.

King's Landing 307 AC.

Varys.

Varys mourned them not. Not Edric Storm who'd been given far more than a bastard son of Robert Baratheon had deserved and yet had thrown it all away in pursuit of even more. Nor Sansa Stark, who had she been as true a sister to the king as her sister Arya was, would have been named as the Lady of Winterfell and Warden of the North. Rather than losing her head after being touched by a dragon's flames. He mourned them not because after what had been so many years of war, Westeros should have known naught but peace. Something that it would now know thanks to the actions that he, Davos, Ser Daven, Ser Morton, and the king had taken.

Now with the two ringleaders of this poor attempt at a coup finally dealt with for good, it was time to deal with those foolish few who'd followed their liege lord and his lady wife on their path to ruin. The Stormlands needed to be put to rights and few if any of these former lords or their heirs would be left in their positions when it was done. Varys looked over the list and made his way to speak to those he felt could or could not be brought back to the right side. The men he would now take the time to look into the eyes of and judge for true.

The first among them were those who were closest to Edric Storm. Edric's kin and the men who had traveled with him when he'd gone east. As he walked down the steps that led to the dungeons, Varys looked over the list he held in his hand once more and was surprised at just how many of them had survived the fight. Ser Gerald Gower's injuries could still yet kill him, while Ser Andrew Estermont would certainly survive his own. Lord Caspar Wylde had thrown down his arms once it became clear that the fight was a forlorn one and he was not alone in doing so. Some of the Stormlords had at least the good sense to know when they were beaten. Though it was those who been clever enough to send no men or offer no swords to the Stag who wished to be King, that would truly benefit in the future. Reaching the cells, Varys put his list back in his cloak and readied to speak to those he'd come to talk to.

"He's comfortable?" Varys asked the guard who nodded and opened the cell door.

"He is, my lord."

Walking into the cell, Varys was hit first by the smell. Despite their best efforts, Ser Gerold's wounds had festered and he'd be lucky if he kept the arm that had been slashed deeply in the fighting. Looking at the man as he sat up on the bed, Varys wondered if it wasn't for the best to simply remove him completely from the board. Yet, for now, he wished to know the man's mind before he made that decision. So he spoke to Ser Gerald Gower and told him the fate of those who'd fought with him, the man and woman who'd led them, and what was to be done with the Stormlands because of it.

"Your liege is dead, Ser Gerald. He died at the hands of the king in a one-on-one battle. A fight he was ill-prepared for and outmatched in. As were you and those who rode with you."

"I rode for my king," Gerald said before coughing violently.

"There is only one king and that man is a Dragon, not a Stag. What possessed you all to take on their graces is beyond me. They both faced down death itself in the North. Later they broke an army of Tiger Cloaks that then sought to take advantage of their march to Dorne. Right now her grace leads their army in Essos and at each and every place they've marched to, another city has knelt and named her and his grace as their lieges. Yet fools that you were, you thought that you'd be the ones to deny them their rights?"

"Edric was…"

"A fool, Ser Gerald. Yet since you cling to his tail still you leave me with no choice." Varys said turning to walk to the door.

"Will it be clean at least?" Ser Gerold asked as Varys neared the door.

"Cleaner and less painful than you deserve. Make your peace with the gods, Ser Gerald. For you'll be joining them before the night is passed."

Leaving that cell, Varys moved to Lord Casper's. The man he found inside was much more accommodating and so would probably keep his lands if the king agreed to it. Next, he moved to some of the other lords and once he told them who it was that would now rule over the Stormlands, they too seemed far more accommodating to his and the crown's wishes. Lastly, it was to Ser Andrew's cell and upon entering it, he was unsurprised to see the man chained and bound.

"Fear me do you, Spider?" Ser Andrew said pulling on his chains.

"Why would I, good ser? You're as harmless as a fly and well… we spiders eat flies all the time." Varys tittered.

"What do you want with me then? For I've no desire to suffer your presence."

"I care not for your desires, Ser Andrew. I came to judge your temperament and attitude and have found the answer I seek. You'll lose your head on the morrow and be sent back to your family to be buried alongside your ancestors. I hope the rest of your House shows more cleverness than you have thus far, for otherwise, your burial will be the last act they carry out on those lands."

"You would harm my family." Ser Andrew said with anger. Though there was much worry in his tone too.

"No more than you have by your actions. They'll be given a chance to prove themselves true, you, however, well I'd trust not anything you say."

"I go to my gods, happily." Ser Andrew said defiantly.

"Then you truly are the fool I believe you to be, Ser Andrew. Trust me when mine own time comes they'll need to drag me from this world kicking and screaming, for death is not something that any man should welcome."

After leaving the cells, Varys made his way back to the King's Chambers and arrived to find that Davos and the king were both inside and speaking on matters of the realm. Taking a seat when offered, he spoke on his thoughts about what needed to be done with those who'd survived the battle and found the king and Davos were both in agreement. From there it was to even more talk on the realm itself. Varys took a moment to inform the king that all they'd reached out to had answered with haste and with force.

Ser Daven he named as a good man and true while doing the same for Ser Morton Waynwood too. While Edmure Tully had not sent men, he had offered them, but both Varys and Davos had felt it for the best if the Lord of Riverrun sat this particular fight out. Whatever ill feeling there was between the Tully lord and his niece, there was no need for them to put him in such a difficult position as to have to be among the men who led to her death. It was something that the king agreed with most readily, Varys was pleased to hear.

When talk then turned to the condition of the Realm, the state of each kingdom, the king was most pleased by what they told them. The coin and supplies from Essos had been most welcomed and put to use. Dorne, the North, the Riverlands, and the Vale all had benefited most from the food supplies at first. Aegon asked him why the Stormlands had not and Varys briefly worried they'd been wrong in what they'd done, only to find his reasoning was thought to be sound by the king.

"We offered, your grace. But I believe that Edric Storm wished to paint the crown in a certain light so as to help his cause. Now, I find I'm most happy that he did so."

"For why, Lord Varys?" Aegon asked curiously.

"For the new lady, your grace. Lady Mya will be even more welcomed should she bring peace and prosperity to the Stormlands and should she do so quickly. We have already put aside a large stock of food and supplies that are ready to be distributed there and that can arrive soon after the lady herself."

"And Lady Mya? How ready is she for the responsibility we're placing on her shoulders?"

"In some ways, not at all, your grace."

"Lord Varys?" Aegon said as Varys sighed.

"Somewhat like yourself, your grace, Lady Mya never expected to hold such a lofty position. Yet her upbringing in some ways is most beneficial, as your grace's was too."

"Because she was never accepted as noble," Aegon said and Varys nodded.

"It allows for a perspective that is sorely lacking, your grace. The Lord Hand's, your own, her grace's, and those who follow you. All of you know much about the suffering of the Small Folk, so all of you seek to make their lives better."

"We seek to break the wheel, Lord Varys. My wife's greatest wish is to do so."

"Indeed, your grace. Yet the wheel turns still and will take time before it can be broken."

"Davos?" Aegon asked.

"I agree with Lord Varys, your grace. We've spoken much on Lady Mya and the one thing we're sure of is that with the right husband, she can and will be the best thing for the Stormlands."

Varys saw how the king's expression changed. A dark look quickly came over his face at the mention of the woman in question being wed and it took him a moment to realize just why that was.

"We'll not force her, your grace. We'll offer a list of suitable men or those we deem suitable and let the lady decide for herself."

"Why does she need to wed at all?" Aegon asked, thankfully more with curiosity than anything else in his tone.

"Other than to continue the line and birth an heir. The lady needs to be married, your grace. She needs to have a noble husband to stop any questions as to her suitability to be Lady Paramount."

"And what qualities deem a man suitable, Davos? Lord Varys? What more than a name grants a man a place on your list?"

"I assure you, your grace, that it is far more than a name we seek. I'd see the lady happy if I'm able, your grace. On that, you have my vow."

"Aye, your grace. We seek not to wed the lady to a man not worthy of her, you know me better than that I'd hope." Davos added.

"Aye, I do. Forgive me, I meant not to question your motives, either of you." Aegon said looking first at Davos and then at him.

"There is naught to forgive, your grace."

"We make it clear that it's the lady, not her husband who rules, Davos. That she is the one with the power, not he. Should the man chosen prove himself to be unsuitable then I'd seek to give Lady Mya the power to deal with him."

"Of course, your grace."

"And I wish to speak to the lady in private too. She'll arrive on the morrow?" Aegon asked.

"All things being well, she will, your grace."

"Good, I intend to leave the day after."

"Is there much left to do, your grace?" Davos asked and Aegon shook his head.

"If things have gone according to plan, then Lorath will have sworn to my wife and sister and I'll meet them before they reach Pentos."

"And after Pentos?"

"Ibben and The Three Daughters, Davos, and then it's done," Aegon said happily.

The next morning, Varys stood on the dock and welcomed Mya Stone to King's Landing. Despite looking nervous, the girl seemed excited to be there. After greeting her warmly, they rode in a carriage back to the Red Keep and the girl asked many questions which showed she had as bright a mind as Varys had hoped to find. Though it was impossible to judge a person from one meeting, Varys believed that she'd prove herself loyal and true. He hoped she did. Any who did not would soon find a king and queen back in the lands they ruled over and it had taken but one dragon to bring the last man who'd played them false to his knees and his gods.

' Soon we'll have four'" Varys thought happily as he and Mya Stone walked into the Red Keep.

Pentos 307 AC.

Jon Connington.

He arrived at Pentos with the first of the ships. Acting as an emissary more than an invader. With the flag of the Emperor and Empress of Essos now flying over their ships, they faced no trouble on the sea or at the docks. Jon was almost welcomed rather than looked at with fear and as he and his men walked down the gangplank, he knew that they'd face no true danger here. Pentos had never truly had an army to call upon and had always used negotiation and coin rather than brute force to repel its enemies. In some ways, it would be doing so once again. Though unless Daenerys and Rhaenys left here as the city's rulers, all their efforts would fail.

Down through streets where people looked at him both warily and hopefully, Jon was brought to one of the larger manses where a group of Magisters already awaited his arrival. Among the fat men that looked his way as Jon took his seat was the so-called Prince of Pentos. A poor misguided fool that accepted a life of luxury while knowing that in the blink of an eye that life and his own could be taken from him. A bad harvest, a drought, storms at sea, or invaders seeking more than Pentos was willing to give and the so-called prince would meet his end. An end that would be bloody and painful and to Jon's mind not worth the few moons or even years of privilege that the man would know before then.

Pentos had already somewhat come under their control. Letters had been sent and though it would take Daenerys herself to do the actual negotiation, Jon was here as her emissary and so what that negotiation would entail would be what he spoke of. Looking at the fat men opposite him, it seemed that they understood this somewhat and so Jon wasted no more time than was needed.

"You know who sent me here," he stated.

"King Aegon and Queen Daenerys."

"The Emperor and Empress of Essos." Jon corrected, forcing the fat men to look at each other.

"We've heard them named as such, though knew not they named themselves in such a way."

"What other name could they be known by, Magister? Does not most of Essos swear to them and their daughter already? Braavos, Volantis, Mantarys, Meereen, Astapor, Yunkai, Qarth, and even Lorath now all bow to the dragons and abide by their rules."

"What of Norvos?" a magister asked ignoring what Jon had just said.

"Even here in Pentos, you saw the blood moon did you not?" he asked to nods of heads. "Norvos too saw it and then allied with the man who brought it to their shores. The man who named himself the Bloodstone Emperor Reborn. Belicho Staegone. Be thankful that he fell to the Emperor's own blade for trust me you'd not wish to face the fate that the Norvosi did under his rule."

Needing them to understand it even more clearly, Jon spent the next few moments telling the tale of the battle his king, queen, princess, and their army had won. A battle unlike any he'd ever imagined and one that he was sure no one other than the Targaryens could have won. He told of how Norvos was practically a ghost city when they finally reached it and how Belicho had put every man, woman, and child to the sword. Though in truth it was even worse things than that which the so-called Bloodstone Emperor had inflicted on the people of Norvos.

When he was done, the expressions on the Magister's face ranged from shock to relief. Shock that any man could end a city so completely and relief that Aegon and Daenerys had stopped Belicho from doing so to any others. Their own city most of all being at the forefront of their minds, Jon had no doubt. When he told them that the Empress, the Princesses, and the rest of their fleet along with the dragons would be arriving within days, Jon knew he had them. Adding that Aegon too would be joining his wife and daughter here only reinforced that perception in Jon's mind.

"What are the Empress and Emperor's terms?"

"As with every city that we've welcomed into the Empire's embrace. Our terms are far more favorable than what refusing them would bring to you." Jon said, repeating something he'd heard Aegon say.

That night he ate well and slept in a comfortable bed. The Magisters had agreed wholeheartedly and without reservation to their terms. Led by Illyrio Mopatis, they had been only too happy to do so. For the next few days, supplies were gathered both for Westeros and even more importantly for their fleet. Jon knew full well that from Pentos it was to the Three Daughters that his king and queen intended to sail. Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh along with Ibben were the last of the remaining free cities of Essos and just the thought of that alone was enough to make Jon smile a true smile.

Two Years to bring an entire continent to heel. Had they not needed to deal with Belicho Staegone then it could have been done even more quickly. In one swoop almost, Aegon and Daenerys had done more than the Conqueror and his Sister-Wives had. They'd certainly taken more land and far more wealth than was gained in the Conquest. Jon wondered if they'd face a truer fight with the Three Daughters or if in the future one of the former free cities would think themselves brave enough to pull on the dragon's tail. In his conversations with Aegon, Jon had been told that before his king and queen rested they'd leave a world free of war behind them. That their daughter would never know the life that both of them had been forced to live.

It had been a noble thought and one that Jon had wished to see come true with all his heart. Just not one that he'd believed would. Now, here today, standing at the docks as the rest of their fleet and the queen's flagship sailed in the bay, and as he looked to see three dragons in the sky, Jon believed it to be a dream that had a chance of succeeding. Later as he looked to see the green dragon landing and its rider being welcomed by his wife and daughter, Jon believed it to be a dream worthy of whatever remained of his life.

King's Landing 307 AC.

Mya Stone.

Losing Mychel had sent her into a malaise. He'd broken her heart and worst of all, he didn't seem to care that he'd done so. All the things he'd told her and the promises he'd made to her, had been forgotten. The plans they'd spoken about for the future they'd have together were simply abandoned so he could cast her to the side and marry Ysilla Royce. It had proved the truth of him and of men like him. Show that their bravery was but a myth and that they cared not for their hearts as much as they did for their position.

Mya would have been happy to simply be wed to the man she loved. If Mychel had truly felt the same then that should have been enough for him too and yet it was not. So for moons, a year, she had wallowed and decried the truth of her birth and her status. Only to then find that because of who she'd been born as, who her father was, there was a chance to rise even higher than Mychel Redfort had ever dared to dream. Not that she got her hopes up too much, for life had already shown her what happened when she did that. Still, she did dare to dream and so when the letter came and was followed by the guards to take her to Gulltown and then onto King's Landing, Mya was only too happy to say goodbye to the Vale and embark on a new stage of her life.

Along with her mother, they were treated far better than either of them had ever been before as they traveled. The best of food, a cabin of their own, all of it allowing Mya to dare to dream again. Knowing it was the new king and queen that had reached out to her and made her the offer of a new and better life, allowed too for Mya to believe that she was not being played falsely. For even in the Vale she'd heard many tales of the former Jon Snow and of Daenerys Targaryen. A queen who had spent her life on the run from those who'd sought her death and a king who had for most of his life believed himself to be a bastard. The latter of those two things was something that truly intrigued Mya. As surely Jon Snow would understand the weight of carrying such a burden on your shoulders. How, even more than being low-born, being baseborn was a true crutch to bear. Laying in her bed, Mya thought back to some of the tales she'd heard about Winterfell and the battle that was fought there. She allowed her mind to wander to how the king and queen were celebrated by those few men of the Vale who had returned from the North.

"The King is a good man and true. While the queen is both a lady and very much not."

" I've seen him sit and eat with Wildlings, with men of the North. While the queen spent much time amongst those savage Horselords of hers."

" They don't blame people for the sins of their father. I heard a tale told that King Aegon refused to take lands from House Karstark and House Umber because the heads of those Houses were children. Their fathers may have been evil men, their brothers, uncles, or whoever, but they were children and all children are innocent."

Mya had spoken of her worries and hopes only with her mother. She'd asked for her advice and whether or not it was because her mother could see just how much Mychel's betrayal had hurt her or the offer was just too good to turn down, that advice had been to grab it with both hands. Something that Mya had done and she would soon know just how true and sincere the offer had been. Not that she doubted it or the spirit it was offered in, just simply because she knew better now how the world truly worked.

Closing her eyes, she was soon asleep and she dreamt of being the lady of a Great House. Of a husband who loved her and she, him, and of the children they'd one day have. Mya dreamt of a life of comfort and where any hardship that came her way was one she was in a far better position to face. A life where she wasn't looked down upon because of who and what she was. Waking early the next morning it was to find they were now in Blackwater Bay and by the time she'd dressed and broken her fast, the ship was already docking.

"Are you ready for this, Mother?" she asked as together they walked up onto the deck.

"If you are, Sweetling."

Nodding that she was, they walked out onto the deck and down the gangplank to the docks. Standing there a large group of guards wearing red and black awaited them as did a bald-headed man wearing a colorful robe.

"Welcome to King's Landing, Lady Mya, Lady Mara. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Lord Varys, their graces Master of Whisperers, our carriage awaits." the bald-headed man, Lord Varys as he'd named himself, said as he bid Mya and her mother to follow him.

Showing as few nerves as she dared to, Mya took her mother's arm and they followed after Lord Varys to the carriage. They'd only just reached it when she caught sight of the green dragon as it flew over her head and both she and her mother almost dropped to the ground in their fright.

"Rhaegal will harm you not, my ladies." Lord Varys said as reassuringly as he could and so Mya steeled herself and helped her mother into the carriage before she quickly joined her.

The ride to what she had found out was to be the Red Keep, was one done with few questions. Lord Varys asked had their travel been comfortable and informed them that the king wished to hold a private meeting with Mya once she was settled. Firstly, it was to be the Hand of the King that would speak to them both and clarify the true extent of the offer she was being made, along with the conditions of that offer. Something that sent a warning bell off in Mya's head. Though she kept her counsel for now.

When the carriage stopped she and her mother were helped out and Mya stared awestruck at the Red Keep. It was a look she bore all the way to the Tower of the Hand, as she found herself looking at the tapestries and depictions of House Targaryen through the years. The tapestries depicted scenes from the Conquest to the Dance and beyond, or so Lord Varys told her mother when she'd asked about some of them. Feeling her nerves threaten to overwhelm her when they reached the Hand's rooms, Mya was more than glad of the comfort of her mother's hand in her own.

"Lord Davos is a good man, Lady Mya. The Hand was born in Flea Bottom and as do you and your mother, he too knows full well what the life of Small Folk entails."

"Yet he is Hand of the King and Queen?" Mya asked doubtfully, wondering if Lord Varys was playing some game she understood not and even if he was telling the truth. Mya simply not understanding how a man born in Flea Bottom could rise so high.

"He serves a better king and queen than we've known in many a year, Lady Mya. A king and queen that looks at the heart of the man or woman in front of them and looks at their character and not their name or upbringing" Lord Varys said proudly.

A moment later they were led into the room and the man who sat at a table working on papers seemed old and given his swearing, was certainly as low-born as Mya or her mother were. Chuckling despite her nerves, Lord Varys introduced them and they were bid to take a seat. Food was sent for them, though neither was hungry, and the man across from them introduced himself as Davos Seaworth, the Hand to the King and Queen.

"I can only imagine the whirlwind this may seem to you both. So I beg your forgiveness for that. Lady Mara, your daughter is aware of who her father was?" Davos asked.

"She is, Lord Hand." her mother answered nervously as Davos nodded and bid her to call him by his name.

"Davos, my lady," Davos said offering them both a warm smile. "I'll not go into too much detail about your father, Lady Mara, suffice to say you were not the only child born to him outside of the wedding bed. However, there are few of you left alive I'm sorry to say."

"They died?" she asked to a shake Davos' head. "They were killed?"

"King Joffrey was a cruel man, Lady Mya. He sought to remove every last one of your father's other children from the world and he almost succeeded. Four were all he'd missed out on. One, a son, who lost his life only a few days passed in an idiotic effort to make himself king. A daughter, Bella, who we've reached out to and offered a better life in the North. A son, Gendry, who is wed to the Warden of the North, Arya Stark, and who is father to a young son. And you, Lady Mya."

Brothers and sisters, she'd had brothers and sisters and still had one of each. The thought brought a smile to her face and when she asked if she could contact them, Davos had said he'd see a letter delivered to her brother in the North.

"I don't write so good, Lord Davos," Mya said shamefully.

"In time we'll help you fix that, Lady Mya. Though your brother isn't someone who writes well either, as am I not." Davos said handing her a piece of parchment that proved his words true and made her feel less shamed by her lack of education.

"You keep naming my daughter and me as ladies, we're not…."

"You are, Lady Mara. Both of you. The position we seek you to take grants you that title. Lady Mya Durrrandon the Lady of Storm's End and Lady Paramount of the Stormlands."

Mya gasped, she reached for her mug and drained the water from it. She was to be legitimized. Nothing said to her so far had spoken of such. She'd not even dared to dream such a thing was ever to be hers. Somehow fighting back the tears that threatened to fall, Mya looked at Davos and asked him to confirm what he'd just said.

"Aye, Lady Mya. We would seek you to take the name of your new House and never again shall that House be named Baratheon. Before House Baratheon, it was House Durrandon that ruled the Stormlands and so it shall be again.

"Lord Varys said there would be conditions, Lord Davos, could you tell me what they are?" she asked nervously.

Three hours later.

Once again she'd accepted without hesitation. Mya had barely heard what Davos had said regarding the husband she'd need to marry, all she'd heard was that it was true. She was to be Lady of the Stormlands, the head of her very own House. Never again would she or her mother need to worry about food on their table or be forced to accept every slight that was aimed their way. Not that they'd ever gone hungry, mind. Though there had been more than enough slights over the years for it to almost become an accepted way of life for them both.

Davos had shown her a book with images of Storm's End and Mya had been stunned and shocked to find that it was all truly to be hers. Later, once the meeting was done with, Mya and her mother were taken to rooms that were far better than any either of them had ever seen, let alone stayed in. There was clothing in the wardrobes for them both to wear and of a quality that neither of them had seen but on the noblest ladies of the Vale. Dresses that Mya could never see herself wearing along with other clothing that she very much could.

Still, when the knock came on her door to take her to meet the king, Mya wore the same clothes that she had worn since arriving. She was even more nervous than she had been earlier as she walked down the corridors and looked at the sheer number of guards that were on duty. Down one flight of stairs, up another, and then to her surprise, it was to the roof and not some rooms that she was taken to.

"His grace awaits you outside." the white-cloaked one-handed guard said to her and as he opened the door, Mya breathed in as deeply as she could.

Out on the roof, the king stood armed and armored. Though there was no sign of the white wolf that she had heard so much about, Ghost As for the man himself, he was not much older than Mya, she'd wager. Dark of hair and grey of eye, scarred though not hideously so, Aegon Targaryen looked like a true warrior king. Which given all he'd done since being crowned was not a true surprise.

"Your grace," Mya said as she did a bad attempt at a curtsy.

"Lady Mya, forgive me for meeting you here and not in my chambers. I was taking a last look at the city before I depart."

"You're leaving, your grace?"

"My wife and daughter are waging war in Essos, Lady Mya. They and my sister and while I have no fears, or few fears if I'm being more truthful. Until I'm with them and can embrace them with mine own arms my worries will not be assuaged."

"Will you be gone for long, your grace?" she asked curiously.

"Hopefully not. For there is still much to do in Westeros and my wife and I have left our work to others for long enough. Speaking of which." Aegon moved his hand and bid her join him and so Mya walked toward him far more assuredly than she'd believed she'd have been able to. "I wanted to speak to you on our offer, Lady Mya, to hopefully put your mind and heart at rest over some of it."

"Your grace?"

"Lord Davos no doubt spoke to you of a wedding match?"

"He did," Mya replied, not able to look the king in the eye.

"It would be one we'd seek you to have as much say in as possible, Lady Mya. We wish not to force you to wed against your will."

"Your grace?"

"Do you know much of my story, Lady Mya? Of who my mother was and her connection to your father?"

"I've heard some, your grace."

"Then let me tell you the true tale as best I know it."

Mya listened as she was told of a betrothal that was wished for not, a lady who accepted it not, and a man who named it as what it was not. Aegon spoke of his mother being rebellious and opinionated and of her father, and brothers, all bar one, not listening to her concerns and so not adhering to her wishes. How it had then led to his mother and father meeting and to all that had eventually entailed. When he spoke of her father, Mya recognized the tone from how her mother would speak of him, on the few occasions that she would do so. At the end of his tale, Aegon turned to her, reached out, and placed his hand on her shoulders.

"I'll force no woman to wed, Lady Mya. None. I give you my oath on that." his dark grey eyes looked deep into her blue ones and never had Mya seen such resolve ever before.

"Lord Davos?" Mya asked.

"We'll provide you with a list of men suitable from the Stormlands. Allow you to meet them in your own time and should you find one of them to be a man you can accept, then we'd seek you to wed that man. Should you not, then all we demand is that when you do eventually wed, we must approve."

"So you know I'm loyal," she whispered.

"And so we know he's a man worthy of you," Aegon replied, stunning her with how firmly he said it.

"I…"

"My lady?"

"Why, your grace? Why care for my happiness at all? You offer me more than I can ever refuse, so why…" Mya choked back tears that she barely held at bay.

"We share blood, Lady Mya. Your father forgot that or cared for it not. Yet, that's only part of it if I speak true. Your brother, Gendry, he's wed to my sister. Some would say that makes us kin."

"Some would not." she sniffled.

"Aye, there are fools still in the world." Aegon japed making her chuckle. "I would see you happy because it's what my wife would wish for you. What my sister would. It's what I would wish for you. I could name someone else in your stead, buy their loyalty and they'd probably even give it to me cheaply and truly."

"You don't wish to buy mine own?"

"I wish to earn it, Lady Mya. I wish for the people of the Stormlands to be led by someone who knows what it is to be given a second chance at life. For in the end, that's what we've all been given is it not?"

"I…"

"We wish you to be our Lady Paramount. For you to have the power and we'll do all we can to see this is not a burden you bear alone. Should you wish it not, then we'll find a different life for your mother and for you. A good life. Though should it be what you wish, then I've no doubt it'll be a life you come to realize that you were born for."

"I'm scared, your grace, truly scared," she said, sighing deeply.

"That's the only time we can truly be brave, Mya."

The king and his guards along with the green dragon left later that night. Mya, however, stayed on in King's Landing for three more days. When she did leave the city, it was with men of the Stormlands who'd been released and who were now traveling back to their homes, as well as with an escort of guards and servants that were given to her by the Hand of the King. Some were there to help her settle into her new life and to make sure that no one sought to cheat or oppose her. While others were simply like Mya herself and were looking for a fresh start in a new place. In her pack, she carried a list of men who Lord Varys and Lord Davos had assured her were the best possible matches in the Stormlands. Men who both held a high enough position to further legitimize her claim and who according to the Master of Whisperers, were of a good enough character so as to make them worthy. Yet it was the last words that the king had spoken to her before leaving that truly gave her the strength of will to do what she needed to do.

" You are who we name to rule, Lady Mya. You're the one with the power, not those that serve you or any man who you chose to take for a husband, you. Remember that and the rest comes easy, or as easy as it can."

Mya swore that she'd remember it well.

Pentos 307 AC.

Daenerys Targaryen.

Originally Dany had planned to arrive in Pentos atop Drogon. She and Rhaenys had discussed it and along with her Goodsister riding Balerion, Dany had felt that to be for the best. Jon Connington along with Jorah had, however, managed to persuade her to do things differently. So instead, Drogon, Balerion, and Lyarhaex all flew over their heads as Dany stood on deck with Rhaella in her arms and with Rhaenys and Missandei by her side.

They'd already received the signal from Jon Connington and from the ship he'd left further out in the bay which told them they faced no danger or threat here. The city had surrendered and welcomed the chance to be brought into their Empire peacefully. All that now remained was for Dany and Rhaenys to meet with the Magisters, for them to re-supply, and hopefully, for Aegon to join them before they sailed on to the deal with the Three Daughters. Dany was not the only one hoping that the latter of those things would happen today.

"Papa not here, mama," Rhaella said sadly and Dany moved her head so that she was looking her daughter in her violet eyes, tears glistening in her own and thankfully not in her daughter's.

"He'll be here soon, little dragon," she said, tickling Rhaella to make her laugh, happy to hear the sound and once again praying to any god who would listen so that they'd prove her words true.

It had been less than a moon and yet had felt like an eternity to them both. Dany missed the warm embrace of her husband as much as she missed seeing him play with their daughter. While for Rhaella, time seemed to go on for so much longer than it truly did. Happier now that her daughter was once again content, Dany turned and nodded to Jorah and Brienne before she then made her way down to her cabin. Missandei took Rhaella from her arms and Dany watched them play some game or other as she dressed and put on her armor. Pentos may have agreed to join their empire, but that didn't mean there would not be some fool who'd try to earn some glory by killing the Dragonqueen or some other foolish act.

Once she was ready, Dany looked to Ghost who had been roped into playing Rhaella's game, and she smiled warmly at the sight. Only after speaking to Jon Connington herself would she see her daughter brought from the ship and so with a look to Brienne, Dany turned and walked from the cabin. Jorah took his place at her back and was joined by Ned Dayne, while Rhaenys once again took her place at her side. Together they walked up onto the deck and down the gangplank to where Jon Connington awaited. In the sky above, three dragons flew much lower now in a show of force and of warning. Yet looking around the docks and to the rooftops and windows nearest them, Dany could see no threat.

"My queen." Jon Connington said taking a knee.

"Arise, Lord Jon."

"Pentos is yours, my queen. All your terms have been agreed to without question."

"And how truly do we accept the word of those who agreed to our terms, Lord Jon?"

"As truly as we can, my queen."

Dany looked to Rhaenys who nodded and then to Lady Kinvara and Lady Malora who'd disembarked from their own ships. Neither her Goodsister nor either of the two ladies seemed to doubt Lord Jon's words and so Dany would not either. Not that she didn't trust the man to be loyal and true, he'd shown them as much after all. She knew though just how duplicitous these Magisters could be and remembered well her own time in this city. As she did the man whose manse she'd been a guest at for some time.

"Magister Illyrio?" she asked.

"Has requested a meeting, my queen."

"And accommodations have been secured?"

"They have."

They rode through the city on horses rather than dragons' backs. Rhaella and Missandei were in a covered carriage surrounded by Unsullied and with Brienne and Ghost riding alongside it. While Dany rode atop a dark stallion that had been gifted to her by Aegon. In the windows of the buildings they passed, people looked and some even waved. Not a single one tried to fire an arrow or attack them in some fashion and Dany began to wonder if they actually welcomed being brought into their empire.

Did they feel that under their rule they'd fare better than they had under the Magisters and the so-called Prince?

Or was it simply that they feared the dragons' flames and so took comfort that it had been words and not a battle that had taken the city?

As long as they accepted it, in the end, it mattered not.

Dany almost rolled her eyes when she saw the manse they'd been given. She knew full well who had once owned it and wondered if some unsubtle message was being sent to her or mayhap to Aegon. Had it not been for the fact that Jon Connington had already secured the manse, then she'd have sought another one to house them. As it was, despite the manse having once belonged to Drogo, Dany rode in through the gates, and so for the short amount of time she'd hopefully spend in this city, this would be their home.

In less than an hour they were settled. There were some decorations displayed throughout the manse that spoke of its former owner. Paintings, tapestries, and statues of horses and the Great Stallion, though to her relief there was none of Drogo himself. When Dany asked Jon who chose the manse, she was relieved to find it had been him and that he'd picked it for its size, location, and defensibility. Then with that knowledge in mind, she'd spent her first day just enjoying being on firm ground once more and watching her daughter as she played her games with a white wolf and a red dragon.

"Rex," Rhaella called out happily. Another new name she had come up with for the red dragon. Dany watched her daughter from the window as Jon Connington spoke more on his meeting with the Magisters and Lady Kinvara spoke of her own meeting with the priests and priestess of the red temple.

"None have found any ulterior motive in the Magisters' kneeling, my queen." Lady Kinvara said and Dany reluctantly turned away from the window and back to those in the room.

"I've seen nothing to cause me any worries through any of my familiars, your grace." Lady Malora began before she then added something which made Dany's heart race a little. "I have seen his grace leave Westeros, however. I believe he'll arrive before night falls."

"My brother is well?" Rhaenys asked concernedly.

"Most well, my princess."

"Lord Jon, arrange for a full meeting with the Magisters on the morrow and a private meeting with Illyrio Mopatis to follow."

"As you command, my queen."

"Lady Malora, my husband, will he arrive before we eat?"

"If we delay the nightly meal for an hour or so, I believe his grace will have arrived by then, your grace."

"Very well," Dany said, hiding her own excitement at the thoughts that she'd see Aegon before the night was done, that he'd be back with her and Rhaella.

The wait seemed to be endless, even though it was but a few hours. Ghost was the first to alert her that Aegon was near, followed by Lyarhaex, and then by Drogon and Balerion. Rhaella was tired but awake, hungry, but not irritable, and when her daughter saw Ghost's ears prick up, her own excitement soon forced her tiredness away.

"PAPA! PAPA!" Rhaella said running to her.

"Come little dragon, let's go greet your father shall we."

"PAPA I COME!" Rhaella shouted as Dany lifted her up and took her in her arms.

Whether it had been for Drogo's horses or so that his Bloodriders and others could simply sleep out in the open, the manse had far more large empty spaces than Illyrio's or any of the other manses had. It was to one of them that Dany, Rhaella, Rhaenys and Ned Dayne, Ghost, Jorah, and Brienne now made their way to. They were soon joined by Jon Connington, Lady Malora, and Lady Kinvara.

' Missandei and Grey Worm are off doing many things,' Dany thought wickedly as she now pictured doing much the same with her husband.

Holding a now very excited Rhaella in her arms, Dany looked to the sky to see Rhaegal for the first time in a number of weeks. Looking at the figures on the green dragon's back, she could see Tormund, Jaime Lannister, and Aegon himself. None of them seemed wounded or hurt to Dany's eyes and this was proven even more true when they landed.

"PAPA!" Rhaella shouted out loudly, Dany waiting until Aegon had climbed down off Rhaegal's back before she let her daughter free and allowed her to run to her father.

The sight of Rhaella's little legs as she raced as fast as she could was only beaten by the sound of her excited and happy yelp when Aegon grabbed her and took her in his arms. Both her husband and her daughter then fought with each other to see who could lay the most kisses to whose cheek.

"PAPA PAPA."

"My little dragon. Missed you, little dragon."

"Miss you, Papa."

Wiping her eyes and stopping the happy tears from flowing, Dany moved to join in with the joyful reunion she'd been witness to. The look Aegon gave her when she walked toward him was more than enough to tell her that he'd missed her as much as she had him. Though he still spoke the words after he'd kissed her as deeply as he could without crushing Rhaella between them.

"Gods I missed you, so much. Both of you." Aegon said as he kissed her again before kissing their daughter's cheek once more.

"All went well?" Sansa?"

"We'll speak of her later, my love. I care not to think of her here and now." Aegon said before moving to whisper in her ear "All went well though, I promise."

Aegon bid Tormund and Jaime Lannister get some rest and he was more than happy to find that they'd not eaten yet. With Rhaella in his arms and holding Dany by the hand, he thanked Rhaegal before bidding the green dragon too to go eat and rest. Dany did likewise while welcoming her son back to where he belonged at the same time. From the green dragon, it was to his sister that Aegon next moved to and Dany took a most reluctant Rhaella from his arms so that Aegon could greet Rhaenys how he wished.

"Papa needs to say hello to auntie Rhaenys."

"Papa no go?" Rhaella asked worriedly.

"No little dragon, papa no go," Aegon said looking over his shoulder before he then embraced his sister.

Rhaella unsurprisingly was only too keen to be taken back into her father's arms while Aegon reached out his hand to take Dany's own. Together they walked into the manse and to their room, Aegon only letting Dany's hand loose from his own so that he could rub Ghost's fur and thank the white wolf for protecting them both. As soon as he did so, it was again her hand that he reached out for and which Dany gave him gladly. Both of them it seemed needed the contact and feel of each other just to prove that they were here and that it was not some dream or other they were sharing.

In their room, Aegon changed and how he did so while playing hide and seek with Rhaella, Dany knew not. Dany had taken a seat on their bed and watched the game as more and more of Aegon's body was revealed. Her thoughts went from wholesome as she watched her husband play with their daughter to anything but as she saw at least some of his naked body while wishing it was time for her to see more of it.

They ate their dinner as a family and with all their advisers and closest companions. Rhaella sat on Aegon's lap and ate from his plate. Though only when her father made her eat. Other than saying that the threat of Edric Storm was no longer something that concerned them, Aegon spoke little about what had happened in Westeros. Dany was eager to know more and yet each time she looked at Aegon, he simply shook his head and mouthed that they'd speak later. In the end, it was much later when they did get to speak for true and Dany worried that her husband was hiding his true feelings when he then spoke of what had happened as they readied for bed.

"I've made my peace with it, Dany. truly I have. We… I….gave her more chances than she deserved. I hate her for what she made me do, yet it wasn't my hand that took her from this world or my actions. I'm just relieved that it was dealt with so easily and no one else was harmed by the spoilt and selfish girl she truly was."

"She was your sister, Aegon, your family."

"She was never my sister," Aegon said before stopping himself. "Not in her heart, Dany. Never there. In mine own, that girl died long ago and the girl Sansa became, she was nothing to me."

"Aegon.."

"I'm well, Dany, truly. I'm with you and Rhaella. I have Rhaenys and Arya, Robb. I have the family I deserve, the family I've always wanted. Nothing else matters other than that."

"Come to bed, my love. Come to bed, for I've missed you so," she said, changing the subject to one that given the look in Aegon's eye he was more than happy for.

"I've missed you too, Dany. I've missed you so much." Aegon said as he began to kiss and caress her, Dany just murmuring contentedly as he did so and as those touches and caresses began to fuel the passions that now burned inside them both.

Pentos 307 AC.

Aegon Targaryen.

He and Dany had coupled twice. Firstly, hungrily, both of them had shown their need for each other as clearly as if they shouted the words out loudly for all to hear. The second time was more slowly, more sensual, and even more enjoyable. Later, they'd simply held each other and spoke of things that Aegon had truly wished not to. Sansa was gone from the world and he wagered that after tonight or mayhap tomorrow, he'd never speak or even think of her again. He certainly had no wish to.

Once Dany had drifted off to sleep, Aegon found that as tired as he was, he could not. Instead, he rose quietly and moved carefully from the bed so as to not disturb his wife. He then placed a kiss on Dany's forehead before moving to Rhaella's room. He'd been gone for less than a moon, only a couple of weeks all told, yet looking at his daughter as she slept, Aegon felt he'd missed far too much of her growing up. It was a silly thought, a stupid one really, but one he felt all the same.

Watching Rhaella sleep, seeing the little expressions she made as she dreamt what to Aegon looked like happy dreams, he felt as content as he had ever wished to be. Looking to Ghost who lay at the end of his daughter's bed and watched over her, Aegon thanked the white wolf for doing so while he could not and after a short while, he left his daughter to her dreams. To his surprise, when he snuck back to his and Dany's room and climbed into their bed, sleep came to him almost immediately and he slept until he was woken by a very excited little girl bouncing on his chest almost.

"PAPA! PAPA! I DREAM YOU!" Rhaella said happily as her little fingers opened his eyes to the world.

"You did, little dragon?"

"AYE, PAPA!" Rhaella shouted making him chuckle and finally waking Dany. "Come, Papa, play me."

"It's too early, little dragon," Aegon said as Dany wiped the sleep from her eyes.

"No early, look, sun awake, papa awake."

"After we eat., Rhaella." Dany said and Rhaella looked from her mother to Aegon before seeming to ponder the suggestion and finally deciding "Eat, then play, Mama."

"Eat then play," he said, earning and smile and a hug that made the forced awakening more than worth it.

Aegon played a small little game with Rhaella while Dany dressed before his wife then took over and allowed him to put on his own clothing. Chasing Rhaella from the room, while Ghost looked at them both as if to say it was much too early for such a thing, Aegon found himself laughing truly when they reached the room they'd take their morning meal in and found Rhaenys and Ned Dayne were both already up and awake. Hearing his daughter proclaim to her aunt and uncle that she had won their little race as well as the proud look on Rhaella's face as she spoke the words, was more than enough reason for that laughter.

They ate, Rhaella sat on his lap and picked from his plate and then once they had, it was to the garden of the manse where they played some of the games that Aegon remembered from his childhood. Games he'd played to amuse Arya or take his little sister's mind off something that Sansa and her friends had said to or about her. Not one game that he'd ever played with Sansa did Aegon share with his daughter. Though in truth there had been so few that he wasn't quite sure if he remembered any of them.

Eventually, all the game playing tired Rhaella out and so when Rhaenys bid his daughter come and be taken up in her arms, Rhaella was only too happy to be lifted and held by her aunt. It allowed for Aegon and Dany to speak more about Pentos and the meeting with the Magisters and one man in particular. A man that Dany knew all too well and who Aegon was unsure about. Illyrio Mopatis. Looking to where Rhaenys sat with Ned Dayne and spoke softly to a clearly tired Rhaella, Aegon and Dany stood far enough away from them so as to speak without interruption, yet close enough to be seen should Rhaella turn to look for them.

"You know the man better than I, Dany. Though I must say I like not what you've told me of him."

"He's like all the Magisters, Aegon. They seek to fill their coffers and grow their wealth and Illyrio used Viserys and me to do so."

"He sold you like a broodmare, Dany."

"My brother sold me, Aegon. Illyrio just helped him do so. He was kind to us too, to me."

"Aye, but for what reason? Profit." Aegon sneered.

"A man who seeks such is a man we can control, Aegon. We could kill him, strip him of his wealth, and make an example of him, but would it not be for the best if we are not seen to be vindictive? That we're seen to be just and fair."

"We are just and fair. But aye, as I said you know him better than I do. If this is what you think, then I'll forgo my own wish to gut the fat man."

"Aegon?"

"I jest. Well, I jest a little," he said smiling at his wife.

They didn't meet with the Magisters that day, instead waiting until the next to do so. During the meeting, Aegon held his tongue and watched as Dany put them all in their place. Once it was over and done with, his wife and he then spoke to Illyrio Mopatis. Aegon again said nothing and allowed Dany to both thank the Magister and then warn him. A warning that the man seemed to take to heart.

Back at their manse, they held a war meeting of sorts and spoke on what was left to do, Ibben, the Three Daughters, and the Stepstones. Aegon was surprised to find that on two of those things, their simply existing would see that no battle would need to be fought. Though it seemed that bringing the Three Daughters into the Empire would require at least one more battle.

"Myr readies itself for the fight, your grace." Lady Kinvara said as Aegon looked to Malora who nodded "As too does Tyrosh."

"And Lys?" he asked.

"Watches with an eager eye, my prince." Lady Malora said. "Ibben and the Stepstones too."

"You believe they'll choose to come willingly once we deal with Myr and Tyrosh, Lady Malora?"

"I do, my prince."

"As do I, your grace." Lady Kinvara added.

"Then let us make ready to set sail. One more battle and then we can rest." Aegon said looking to Dany who nodded determinedly "Then we can all rest." Aegon said, thinking of his daughter and the world that he and her mother were fashioning for her.

It would be a world where this was as close to war as Rhaella would ever know. One where Thorne's words about fighting their battle forever would never apply to his daughter. Where the only need for flying atop a dragon would be for pleasure and for the joy it brought. Aegon and Dany had known a lifetime of struggle and warfare. They'd grown up without the love of their parents, without them being there to soothe every pain or welcome every smile. One more moon, one more moon, and that world would no longer exist. It may not have been the wheel that Dany had wished to break when she arrived in Westeros, but it was a wheel they'd break all the same.