Daenerys II

Daenerys Targaryen wed Khal Drogo with fear in a field beyond the walls of Pentos, for the Dothraki believed that all things of importance in a man's life must be done beneath the open sky.

The night before the wedding she had dreamed of dragons. Viserys was hitting her and Jo was nowhere to protect her, she was naked and alone.

"You woke the dragon," he screamed at her as he kicked her. "You woke the dragon, you woke the dragon." He repeated over and over with each kick.

She could feel the blood running from everywhere. Letting out a whimper she wrapped her arms around her naked torso as if that was enough to protect her, and closed her eyes.

She prayed for help and as if in answer, there was a hideous ripping sound and crackling of some fire. When she looked up, Viserys was no longer standing. His body had been ripped apart and something gigantic was being fed from him. When the creature turned its head, slowly its molten eyes found her and within a second, it opened its mouth and let out a loud roar. She had woken up covered with sweat. She had never been so afraid…

…or happy

She had grabbed the white, thin fabric she had placed beside her bed and hugged it close to her. Jo had often used it on her performances and although days had passed since she left, if Dany tried hard enough she could imagine her lover's scent still lingering on the scarf.

She lay back and for the rest of the night she had no more dreams.

The day of her wedding came at last. The ceremony began at dawn and continued until dawn, it was an endless day of drinking and feasting and fighting.

Dany was seated next to Khal Drogo whose eyes she had not met at all, he didn't dare to look at her, his gaze was glued on his people and the celebration but Dany felt no relief. She had never seen so many people in one place, nor people so strange and frightening. The horselords might put on rich fabrics and sweet perfumes when they visited the Free Cities, but out under the sky they kept their old ways.

Perhaps she would have been less frightened if Jo was here. Her thoughts were constantly on the blonde-haired girl ever since she left. Few days ago, she had seen Magister Illyrio talking with some men – he had looked disappointed for a moment before he spotted her and smiled. Dany had rushed back into her room and the next day she did not dare to meet his eyes.

Her brother had been constantly impatient and angry and the first two days he had three slaves in his chambers. Not for the first time, Dany wondered what magic Jo could do that kept her brother sated when she was beside him – because it was magic, surely.

That's untrue. You cannot prevent a storm. You cannot always calm a dragon. Jo's burned hands were evidence for that.

She would have hated it

Despite being a free spirit, Jo was never fond of the barbaric ways and when she first heard the announcement of Dany's possible marriage to a dothraki horselord she had bought every book she could find regarding their culture. Ironically, there weren't a lot of information to study, but whatever she had read was enough to purpose the most insane idea she had come up with.

"We could do it, you know. Ran away and live in the streets"

Back then, Dany had thought she was jesting so with a small smile she raised her head and kissed Jo's shoulder as she whispered in her ear. "They'd caught us"

They had been lying naked in bed, taking a break from their night activities..

Jo pushed herself away for a bit, "I'm serious. We could go and gather an army on our own."

Dany rolled her eyes. "Sure, what my brother has been trying to do his whole life could be easily achieved by us in a short due."

"I didn't claim we could do it sooner, but we still have a chance!" She suddenly leaned very close to her. "I have read some of Illyrio's letters" she murmured lowly and Dany's eyes widened at that. "He has been talking with someone from King's Landing. Something big is about to happen. I haven't figure out yet what exactly, but a storm is coming and everyone will get caught on it."

Dany was stunned and for a moment, it was as if she had lost her voice.

She blinked twice before she reacted rashly; she grabbed Jo from her shoulders and shook her as if she was trying to put some sense into her head. "Are you insane?" she hissed angrily. "What if someone saw you, what if Illyrio knows-"

"He doesn't!" she insisted strongly and Dany almost growled at her stubbornness.

"It'll be difficult at first, I know" Dany opened her mouth to talk but Jo stopped her. "I love you, Daenerys, I do! With me, you are free and wild. You can be who you are, and I will always put you first." Gently, Jo took her hands without breaking eye contact. "Just say the word and we'll do it. Tonight. Just say yes."

Her lips parted. It was there, just right there.

For a moment, a single second, she could imagine it; a life free of her brother's shadow, no more fear and pain. They could go to Bravos for all they cared; under new names, they could build a new life – a life lead by no man.

The thought of her brother tainted her fantasy however.

Dany couldn't really understand herself; hadn't she wanted that for a long time? A life without Viserys's anger and cruelty? She wouln'td have to share Jo and she wouldn't have to even think twice before speaking.

Free and wild, like a true dragon

On the other hand, this was Viserys – the man who had held her hand when she was afraid, the boy who had held her crying when he sold their mother's crown (his very last joy), the brother who used to tell her bedtimes stories of their home, of their lands, of old kings and queens…

They were the last of their family. Despite everything he has done Dany couldn't leave him behind – not now when he was once again hopeful. Without Viserys she wouldn't have known her mother's name. She could not leave him behind when he was all she had.

At her long silence, Jo dropped her hands as if they were poisonous all of the sudden and hurryingly she started getting dressed.

"Jo I'm so-"

"A queen is never sorry, you grace. A queen always knows best"

Dany knew it was bad when Jo fell back into her humble act and started calling her with titles.

"It's not that I don't want to-"

"You just can't. I understand." Fully clothed now, the blonde turned to face her and Dany was shocked that her eyes had become a bit red.

She looked ready to cry

But Jo never cries

…or at least Dany has never seen her too.

"No, you don't understand" She protested and wrapped the sheet around her body as she got up to follow her. "I love you. I do-"

Her glare was as piercing as a sword. "You don't get to use that word anymore!"

"It's a reckless idea, don't you see that?"

Dany did not comprehend what had gotten into her. Jo was always led by logic rather than feelings, she didn't have any idea what made her lover act so out of character.

"I don't blame you, your grace." She ignored the question and made sure she hadn't left anything behind. "The dothraki horselord can give you everything I can't; a proper title, a son, and an army. My tongue and fingers can only please you so far…" She told her with a sneer that made Dany's heart clench.

"Enough!"

Jo smirked and mockingly bowed to her in a false respect. "Sweet dreams, my queen. May the gods watch over you."

It had been the last time they spoke to one another open and honestly.
Moreover, it was the last time that she had any happy dreams.

Somewhere from afar, beyond the sky, the Gods were laughing at her.

A loud sound drew her out of her reverie. She could hear the people spat jests at each other across the fires, their voices harsh and alien in Dany's ears.

Viserys was seated just below her with the sword that had been gifted by Ser Jorah Mormont kept tightly close to his body. The exiled had offered him this gift the night she was sold and her brother had eagerly accepted it, and the man had stayed with them ever since.

Dnny could see the anger in her brother's lilac eyes growing as time passed by; he did not like sitting beneath her with Ser Jorah and Illyrio, and he fumed when the slaves wouldn't offer him food first. Of course, he could do nothing but nurse his resentment since he had been waiting for this day almost his whole life. Nevertheless, evidently his mood was growing blacker by the hour at each insult to his person.

Dany had never felt so alone as she did seated in the midst of that vast horde. Her brother had told her to smile, and so she smiled until her face ached and the tears came unbidden to her eyes. She had thought of hiding them, knowing how angry Viserys would be if he saw her crying but at last she chose not to; her brother did not deserve that luxury.

Let him see. Let him know

Perhaps a tiny piece of her – the part that was still child – was hoping that in the end her big brother would save her once again.

She was such a fool

Dany couldn't tell apart when Khal Drogo was jesting with his bloodriders and when he was giving commands, his voice was harsh and loud and so different from the male voices she had been familiar with – nothing like Illyrio's oversweet gentle voice, or like Viserys's whining.

She only grew more terrifying as she watched more men dying. What terrified her most was more of her husband's indifference expression than the act, how could he be so heartless, how he could just sit and watch his men die?

"The Dothraki mate like animals in their herds. There's no privacy in a khalasar, and they do not understand sin or shame as we do."

Illyrio's words came to her mind as she saw one of the warriors grabbing a dancer and pushing her down harshly before he started mounting her right there like an animal.

Dany looked away and closed her eyes for a moment only to find her brother glaring her when she opened them. She glanced at her husband and was relieved as his eyes were still on his people.

She couldn't understand how they found excitement in the men's death, how they would think of her wedding as a dull affair without death.

I am blood of the dragon, she told herself. I am Daenerys Stormborn , Princess of Dragonstone.

She did not dare to think of the word Queen – no matter how many times Jo had insisted, Dany would never had a chance to be a queen, not when her brother was the rightful heir – and even if there was an impossible way, she would be a queen no more now. What queen doesn't have a crown? And what would she be to those people? Nothing more than a womb who would bare the Khal's children

The thought made her shudder

As the hours passed, the terror only grew in Dany, and she did her best to swallow the urge to scream. She was terrified of the Dothraki, whose ways seemed alien and monstrous, as if they were beasts in human skins. She was afraid of failing her brother, afraid of what he might do to her if she did not do her duty.

And most importantly, she was terrified of what would be happening tonight under the stars, when her brother gave her up to the hulking giant who sat drinking beside her with a face as still and cruel as bronze mask, she knew her life was over.

She and Jo had always been careful with their activities; her bother would be furious if one of them lost their maidenhood – let alone to each other. However, Dany knew the consummation always hurt. It would be nothing like the sweet touches and tender caresses Jo had given her. She was as tiny as bird compared to Khal Drogo.

I am the blood of the dragon, she said once more and hugged herself to try to keep from shaking.

The sun had gone down and it was time for the first ride. Dany had already received her gifts. Her brother had gifted her with three handmaids who Dany knew had cost him nothing, Illyrio, no doubt had provided the girls.

"These are no common servants, sweet sister," her brother told her as they were brought forward at once. "Irri will teach you riding, Jhiqui the Dothraki tongue, and Doreah will instruct you in the womanly arts of love," He gave her a thin smile and assured her "Illyrio and I can both swear she's very good at that."

Something warm was forming inside her throat and all of the sudden Dany fought the urge to admit she already knew the arts of love from the girl he was infatuated with. However, Dany prevented the reckless act and just nodded tightly as Ser Jorah followed next; the older man had given her a small stack of old books. They were histories and songs of the Seven Kingdoms written in the Common Tongue. She thanked him with all her heart and made a promise to herself to read them all.

Jo would have loved them

Magister Illyrio gave her piles of the finest velvets and damask the Free Cities could produce. However, what made her gasp was what was resting on top: three huge eggs.

They were the most beautiful things she had ever seen in her life; each had different color and the patterned was so rich in colors that at first she thought they were crusted with jewels. It took her both of her hands to lift one due to their large size but upon watching closely, Dany was mesmerized.

"What are they?" she asked, her voice full of wonder and awe.

"Dragon's eggs from the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai." Said Magister Illyrio "Despite be turned to stone because of the eons, they burn bright with beauty.

"I shall treasure them always," she vowed. The dragons had been part of her family a long time ago and despite their non-existence it was like she had a small part of her family again, something that symbolized them.

Other Dothraki gave her other bride gifts: slippers and jewels and rings for her hairs, painted vests and soft furs…

And last of all, Khal Drogo brought forth his own bride gift to her. A gorgeous mare; she was beautiful, spirited and splendid. Dany knew just enough about horses to know that this was no ordinary animal. There was something about her that took her breath away. She was grey as the winter seas. With a mane like silver smoke

Hesitantly, she reached out and stroked the horse's neck, running her fingers though the silver mane. Khal Drogo said something she could not understand and Magister Illyrio translated, "Silver for the silver of your hair, the khal says."

"She's beautiful," Dany murmured

"Custom decrees that the khalessi must ride a mount worthy of her place by the side of the khal."

Before she could utter anything, Drogo stepped forward and put his hands on her waist before lifting her up easily and setting her on the thin saddle. Dany sat there stunned for a moment. No one had told her about this part. "What should I do?" she asked Illyrio

It was Ser Jorah Mormont who answered. "Take the reins and ride. You need not to go far."

Nervously, Dany gathered the reins in her hands and slid her feet into the short stirrups. She was only a fair rider; she had spent far more time travelling by ship and wagon and palanquin than by horse riding.

Praying that she would not fall off and disgrace herself, she gave the horse a timid touch with her knees and for the first time in hours, she forgot to be afraid.

The crowd parted for her and Dany found herself moving faster than she had intended, yet it was exciting rather than terrifying. She sent it into a gallop and now the Dothraki were hooting, laughing, and shouting at her as they jumped out of her way.

When she pulled up before Magister Illyrio she said, "Tell Khal Drogo that he has given me the wind."

The fat Pentoshi stroked his yellow beard as he repeated her words in Dothraki and for the first time Dany saw her new husband smile.

The last silver of sun vanished behind the high walls of Pentos just then. Dany had lost all track of time as Khal Drogo commanded his bloodriders to bring forth his own horse, a lean red stallion.

As she waited, Viserys slip close to her, and dug his fingers into her leg as told her, "Please him, sweet sister, or I swear you will see the dragon wake as it has never woken before. A thousand miles wouldn't even be enough to stop me from finding you."

Dany winced at the sharp pain on her leg. Her pain, however, was temporarily forgotten as she heard her brother's words.

"I don't understand," She told him with a frown. "You're coming with me"

Perhaps it sounded more of an order than a question, because her brother's expression darkened as he hissed, "You do not command the dragon!" He dug his nails deeper and Dany swallowed hard to keep her tears.

"I decided to remain here," Viserys straightened himself and threw a glance at her new husband, his expression filled with disgust. "The Dothraki don't know how to treat a king, I will wait here with Magister Illyrio."

Dany sat on her horse temporarily stunned, any sound around her disappeared and she could only stare at her brother with her jaw slightly dropped.

Magister Illyrio had probably told him something to convince her brother who had proclaimed from the start that he would join her to make sure Khal Drogo kept the end of his promise.

It was as if a cold bucket of water had been thrown at her face and had awakened her from her long slumber. Despite her terror, the confusion, the anxiety, Viserys had always been at her side, always, there had never been a moment of period that she lived without him.

Rage nearly consumed her and flowed through her like lava. How could he do this to her?

She had given up her first love – the only person she had loved without fear for her brother, for her family. In return, he wrapped her in a pretty dress and bestowed her upon this strange man.

He truly sold me

A part of her broke into thousands pieces. Viserys's betrayal was too overbearing. An unwanted sob came from her mouth and immediately Dany covered her mouth.

"Y-you can't-"She wiped her angry tears and shook her head like a child whose dream has been crushed. "You promised"

His lilac eyes widened but there was empathy in his gaze. He looked behind him and noticed Ser Jorah staring at them with an odd expression. Viserys grabbed her arm and shook her so hard that she was surprised she didn't fall off the horse.

"I swear if he gives you back, sweet sister, I will drag you back to Illyrio's house by your hair and beat you so bloody that not even you will be able to recognize yourself in the mirror!"

Dany drew her arm back and stroke her new bruise as she sniffed quietly.

Bitter regret thrummed through her veins. I should have left when I had the chance. She thought sadly, looking up the darkened sky.

She looked back at her brother whose face still held the same scowl and for the first time in her life she could not find any fear or love inside her. She felt numb.

"Goodbye, brother."

Dany took her young filly and joined Khal Drogo. Together their started riding as the stars came out until Illyrio and Viserys were nothing more than dots from afar, leaving the khalasar and the grass palaces behind.

Khal Drogo spoke no words to her throughout their ride. He drove his stallion at a hard trot through the gathering dusk. The tiny silver belts in his long braid rang softly as he rode, but they sounded loudly to her ears with each minute.

Dany could only stare blankly ahead– she could not enjoy riding her beautiful horse. She was a child once more, only thirteen and all alone, not ready for what was about to happen to her.

In the future commoners and highborn alike will argue that it was later when her dragons had been born that her battle to reclaim the Iron Throne begun. But in truth, it was at that moment that her path had been formed; alone under the thousand stars.

A/N: Just a reminder that the characters' ages are based on the books so that's why some might see a bit… immature.

Poor Dany just doesn't know how lucky she is.

I hope you liked the chapter. Thank you for reading and I'd love to hear your thoughts.