𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 | Tribulations

{ Daenerys }

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𝕯aenerys looked across at her advisors as they discussed what to do, though there was a notable missing space on the right hand side of her where Coren would normally sit. She took another deep breath, thinking over what she had to do. Daario and Ser Barristan had brought in a member of the Sons of the Harpy, but he was a young teenager, and now she had grown men squabbling about what to do with him.

"Sons of the Harpy, they want to put a collar back on my neck," Mossador reasoned, looking around the table as Daenerys spun her ring around her finger. She was trying to work out what Coren and their daughter were doing, whether they were safe or where they were. "On all of our necks. Please, Your Grace, you must kill him."

"It would send a message." That was the merit of that idea, but the look on the others faces made her pause. So, that was not what her advisors wanted.

"I think you should exercise restraint, Your Grace." Ser Barristan spoke calmly, sending her a small smile.

"Why?"

"For one thing, he may have valuable information..." Daario cut in over Ser Barristan.

"The Son of the Harpy has no more valuable information." He shook his head, his hands resting on his swords, as he leant back in his chair.

"How do you know that?" Daenerys looked between the pair.

"Because I questioned him." 

"And the information you did get, he is young and poor." Hizdahr waved it off as it was a well known fact. Hizdahr had joined as her advisor, representing the old nobles of Mereen. Mossador had joined her advisors soon after, and whilst Daenerys welcome their opinions and advice on what to do in terms of the city that they had grown up in, she longed for the familiar company of Coren Thorne.

It had been a long year with him not by her side.

"He is born free." Mossador reaffirmed, though that caused confusion amongst the others in the chambers. Daenerys tuned back in, stopping her thoughts of Coren to think back on their current issue.

"Why should he want to bring back slavery? What did it do for him?"

"Perhaps, the only thing that gave him pride was knowing that there was someone lower than he was." Daenerys looked away from her ring, glancing at her advisors. Mossador shook his head, a tense expression on his face.

"They pay him. Great families afraid to do a thing," Mossador corrected as Daenerys stood up to pace about. She needed to think, to go over what was being presented to her and to work out what to do. "They pay poor man to do it for them."

"How do you know this?" Hizdahr turned to the man, cocking an eyebrow.

"Everyone knows this."

"I don't know it, and I'm the head of a great family." Ser Barristan broke it up before anything further could happen. Daenerys did not need her advisors arguing any further.

"We do not know what this man did or didn't do," He placated, before turning to look up at Daenerys. "Give him a trial, at least. A fair trial. Show all of the citizens of Mereen that you are better than those who would depose. Teach them a better way."

"I do not know the place from where Old Ser comes. Things maybe are different there, I hope. But here, in Meereen, before Daenerys Stormborn, they own us," Mossador grew more passionate as he spoke. "So we learn much about them or we do not live long. They teach me what they are. Mercy, fair trial: these mean nothing to them. All they understand is blood!"

Everyone turned to Daenerys, who took a deep breath and furrowed her eyebrows. It was a complicated situation.

"Thank you all for your counsel." Everyone bowed their heads, standing up from the table and exiting the room bar Ser Barristan.

"Your Grace, a word please." Ser Barristan smiled softly as Daenerys knew that she was about to be lectured on a topic. "I beg you."

"About what?" Daenerys snapped, before realising what she had done. She should not be snapping at a man who had been loyal to her for years.

"About your father. About the Mad King."

"The Mad King? You're here to remind me of my enemies' lies? Consider me reminded." Daenerys rolled her eyes, beginning to walk off. She did not need to be put in a worse mood than she already was.

"Your Grace, I served in his Kings Guard," Ser Barristan remained calm and patient. "I was at his side from the first. Your enemies did not lie."

"Go on." Daenerys' curiosity was piqued.

"When the people rose in revolt against him, your father set their towns and castles aflame. He murdered sons in front of their fathers," Daenerys clenched her jaw. Hearing things like this made her more infuriated. She was not her father, or her ancestors. "He burned men alive with Wildfire, and laughed as they screamed. And his efforts to stamp out dissent led to rebellion that killed every Targaryen except two."

"I am not my father." She forced out, between gritted teeth.

"No, Your Grace. Thank the gods," Ser Barristan smiled once more. "But the Mad King gave his enemies the justice he thought they deserved. And each time it made him feel powerful and right. Until the very end."

Daenerys sighed, turning the thought over in her mind and trying to work out the best decision before nodding.

"I will not have the Son of the Harpy executed without a fair trial." That caused a smile to appear on Ser Barristan's face, as he bowed his head.

"Your Grace."

The older man left, as Daenerys sighed, before her eyes snapped open at the sound of a roar. She rushed to the balcony, looking up at the sky, thinking that she would see Drogon returning, but instead she saw a large, red shape blocking the sun's light over her city. It was huge, far bigger than when she had last seen him, and her heart rate spiked in an instance.

There was the calls of dragon, soldiers scrambling around her as Daenerys watched the large dragon land on the ground, feeling the shaking of the earth as he did so.

"Falkor." Her eyes went wide, and she forgot all protocols of her being queen. She was supposed to be calm, collected and above all, emotionless, but her feet were moving before her brain caught up to her. If Falkor was here, then what did that mean for Coren and Rhaenerys? He would never have come back without them, never, but she had not been able to see whether they were with him or perhaps they had followed the dragon into the city!

Twisting through the corridors, Daenerys held her dress above her ankles, dodging startled guards and other advisors who were trying to stop and talk to her.

Rushing outside, she stopped at the sheer size of Falkor. The ruby red dragon watched her with unblinking golden eyes, breathing out a huff of hot air. He pulled his head up, towering over her. Falkor had grown far more than any of her other dragons, with wings that seemed to block the light from reaching her.

"Falkor." The dragon chuffed as if to say hello, but watched her carefully all the same. "Where-"

She dreaded to ask the question. Daenerys did not want to think of what this meant for Falkor to be back and for Coren and their daughter not to be with him, yet here her dragon was and there was no one accompanying him.

"Where are Coren and Rhaenerys?" Falkor twisted, his head looking out of the city, towards the mountains and the Red Waste that Daenerys knew lay beyond. "They are not with you?"

Falkor twisted, presenting his side and the large claw marks that were raked along his chest. Some of his scales were chipped, flaking and healing and Daenerys chewed on her lip. Only a dragon could cause this.

"Drogon attacked you." Falkor let out a grumble of annoyance, eyes narrowing as Daenerys soothed him. "Coren? Rhaenerys? Are they safe?"

Falkor did not respond, shaking the dust from his body.

"Are they coming here?" Daenerys pressed, touching Falkor's cheek as the large dragon turned, before nudging her. "They are returning. But they are not with you. Did Coren send you ahead to find me, to protect me?"

Falkor looked mightily proud of himself for that role. His chest puffed out, a glint in his eyes as Daenerys smiled, the first true one she had in a year. Coren was returning, he was coming back to her and her precious daughter too.

"Good boy, Falkor."

The dragon snapped a little, before nudging her softly. The largest of her dragon's was home, and with him, he brought protection, security and stability. Falkor's appearance would keep the nobles of Mereen and the Sons of Harpy in line. He was a blessing, sent to her at the most opportune time.

"You are home, Falkor." The dragon watched her carefully, before a rumbling built up in his chest. He turned away from her, raising his head to the sky and roared. It echoed through the city, running through the streets and rattling walls. 

Dragons had returned to Mereen.

Hiya,

Sorry, I was testing for my diss all of yesterday and Monday so this is coming out on a Wednesday, oops? Also, Dany is here, not vibing or a happy gal but Falkor's back with her and that sorts out all her problems. Coren's not with him, but he's coming back and we'll see him soon.

Let me know what you think,

Love Li xx