(Pentos)
As the crowd disbursed Daeron decided it was best to get Daenerys and her family out of view 'I suppose it's our family' he thought to himself as he approached his Uncle Viserys and squatted down "Are you injured? Can you walk" he asked through his uncle was still looking at him with an open mouth not even registering what he was saying 'They must think I look like Rhaegar' he thought as he grabbed his uncle by the arm and lifted him off of his backside.
Daenerys not entirely oblivious to the situation frowned "Mother? Brother? What's wrong why are you looking at... you know I don't think you told me your name before either" she said with a sheepish smile as she turned to Daeron.
Daeron smiled at her awkwardly "Is there somewhere we could go to have some privacy, I believe your brother could do with a maester as well" he asked though she just looked at him with slight confusion as she tilted her head.
Rhaella cleared her throat and composed herself "Yes we do, please allow us to escort you to our residence" she said politely as she quickly turned around and started to walk. Daeron nodded and put Viserys arm around his neck to help him walk, they all quickly left the courtyard and entered the large manse that was behind it.
"Thank you..." Viserys winced out as he limped, while he didn't have any serious injuries he was bruised quite badly and had a few gashes on his arms. Daeron noticed that he was quite light and slender, as if he had the body type of someone who did not eat enough "Please think nothing of it, I am glad I could help" he said to Viserys as they walked into the manse.
"I owe you a debt for keeping my sister and mother safe, the Khal was insulted that Daenerys did not show and demanded my mother keep him company until she did... I tried to protect them but I was useless" Viserys said with gritted teeth.
"They are safe now Viserys, had you not fought the Khal then your mother might not have been" Daeron said as he tried to comfort his uncle. They were allowed into the manse by the guards at the entrance and Rhaella ushered them all inside, she then caught the attention of a servant "Please can you fetch a healer and bring him to treat my son" she asked which was met by an immediate nod as the servant quickly hurried away.
Daeron helped Viserys to his chambers with Rhaella and Daenerys following close behind. Viserys groaned as Daeron lifted him onto the bed "You are deceptively strong" he commented with a slight chuckle as he adjusted himself to become more comfortable. Rhaella sat on the bed and stroked her son's head while Daenerys sat next to her mother "I'll allow you some privacy" Daeron said as he went to leave the chambers.
"No... I wish for you to stay" Rhaella said as she looked up from her son, she got up from the bed and approached Daeron looking at him closely, her eyes started to water again as she cupped his cheeks "Please tell me I am not dreaming... please tell me you are real" she asked.
Daeron felt his own eyes begin to water as he placed his hand above Rhaella's "It is not a dream, I am here Grandmother" he whispered making Rhaella lose her composure as she collapsed into him. Daenerys herself looked confused at his words before sudden realisation struck her and she placed her hand over her mouth.
Viserys smiled as his suspicions were proved correctly "I heard the rumours of your existence, but after the disappointment that Aegon proved to be I dared not hope you were real" he said his voice crackling slightly.
Daenerys looked at Daeron in awe and finally spoke "T-That m-means you are-"
"Yes I am Daeron Targaryen, Son of Rhaegar and Lyanna"
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Arthur punched a man in the face just before he was shoved into the wall. He kicked the perpetrator and shoulder barged his way out of the tavern "Why are all the inns I've found full of such degenerates" he shouted as he threw a rock at the building, he sighed as he walked away running his hands through his pale blonde hair. It seemed the city was full and so were most of the Inn's and it wasn't difficult to understand why, he'd seen a disturbing amount of Dothraki around the city 'There must be a horde outside of the city' he thought to himself. When a horde comes most of the people in the outlying villages flee to the city for safety.
The bigger question he had to ask himself was why they had come, though the most obvious reason would be to demand tribute. Arthur walked back to the docks, he had paid the captain of the ship they embarked on quite handsomely so they could keep their belongings as well as stay in the ship for the night, he was glad he had done this now as he had not made any progress in finding lodgings. Not only that but a ship to Volantis wouldn't be leaving for at least a week, so Arthur would need to come up with some lodgings soon.
As he approached the dock he saw his sister leaving the ship with her servant as well as the few guards that their father had sent with them "Ashara where are you going?" he asked with slight concern in his voice, while she had healed from her injuries she was still quite stiff in her movements.
Ashara smiled as she saw her brother "Arthur! We've been invited to the manse of one of the merchant lords, I was just about to send someone to find you" she said as she gave her brother a quick hug.
Arthur frowned "Which merchant lord?" He asked with slight suspicion in his voice. However Ashara just shrugged "Do not worry Arthur, the note was written in Daeron's own handwriting, he would not be so careless" she said as she tried to reassure him. It worked well as Arthur knew Daeron well, he would rather die than lead those he cares about into a trap, and if it was a trap then Arthur knew how to deal with that, he unconsciously palmed his sword "Then we should go, the timing is good as I have had little luck in acquiring any lodgings, it seems the Dothraki horde outside of the city has really put fear into peoples hearts" he said as he gave his arm to Ashara to help her walk.
"It is not surprising, at any moment they might strike and at best they'd escape with their lives but little else" Ashara replied as they walked arm in arm with their companions trailing behind them. Arthur had been in a few battles before but knew how chaotic they could be, if there Dothraki were to sack this city it would be nothing short of mayhem, he could only hope they would not.
The person who delivered the note from Daeron led them through the city, Arthur couldn't help but analyse how far they would be from the docks. The past few years he'd spent with Daeron had let him know that the boy had the worst luck imaginable, so he'd have to pull his weight and make sure his king didn't die "The manse is just around the corner My Lady" the courier said to Ashara. As they turned they were greeted by a large beautiful manse, it had a large courtyard but behind that were steps that led up a small hill which was where the manse was situated.
Arthur saw that the owner of this manse considered security when he moved in. He helped Ashara climb the staircase even offering to have some of the servants fetch something for them to carry her in, though she waved off his concerns not wishing to trouble anyone "I shall only get stronger if I push myself" she said to Arthur and so he acquiesced to her desires and only helped her when she needed. Once they reached the top the guards stood aside and allowed them in, Arthur tensed as he walked inside as a lifetime of training made him stay on edge and look for any traps.
Though what he found was not a trap and if it was it would've been a trap of the cruellest kind "Hello Arthur, it has been a long time has it not" The voice was like a sweet melody that had the effect of soothing him but also stabbing him straight in his heart.
He found himself letting go of Ashara as he stumbled forward and kneeled "My Queen... I am glad to see you're alive" he whispered out as he kept his head low. Rhaella smiled as she stepped forward and knelt down putting her hands on Arthur's shoulders "Surely we are better friends than that Arthur" she said as she lifted him.
He looked at her struggling to maintain his composure, he didn't deserve the smile she gave him, not after everything that had happened "You look older" she said as she looked at him.
"You look the same" Arthur replied getting a snort of laughter from Rhaella "Why won't you look me in the eyes Arthur" Rhaella asked as she cupped his face with her hand and turned it.
Arthur turned his eyes away from her gaze "I do not deserve to even be in your presence let alone look at you" he replied as he felt his facade slowly cracking "I failed in my oath as a Knight and a Kingsguard, I should've saved you from him" Arthur stated self deprecatingly.
Rhaella finally managed to turn his head so he could face her, Arthur saw the sad smile she had on her face "You did not fail Arthur, I am alive and well but more importantly you protected my grandson, Rhaegar's son, I've known no truer Knight" she said as she drew him into a hug.
A few tears slid out of Arthur's face as his head was placed in the crook of Rhaella's neck, but more than that was a sense of relief as if a weight he did not know he had been carrying was lifted off of him "I missed you so much Rhaella" he whispered into her ear.
Rhaella smiled and hugged him tightly "And I you Arthur..." she whispered back.
*Cough*
They both detached themselves from the hug and looked up to see Daeron standing there with Daenerys. While Daenerys had an approving smile on her face Daeron looked at Arthur with a raised eyebrow. "We'll talk later" Rhaella whispered and Arthur nodded, he then quickly wiped his eyes and walked forward to greet Daeron "There is much to discuss," Daeron said as he clasped his forearms with him.
"You boys talk while I show Ashara to her room" Rhaella said with a smile as she took Daenerys by the arm leading her and Ashara further into the manse.
Daeron and Arthur walked through the gardens surrounding the manse "I got into a small duel with someone earlier" Daeron said as they walked in step. Arthur looked at his friend with a raised eyebrow "A 'small' duel" he said with a chuckle "Knowing you it was anything but small, did you perhaps encounter the First Sword of Braavos or maybe the Captain of the Second Sons"
Daeron smiled sheepishly as he looked away from Arthur "Khal Drogo, he leads the horde that's currently outside the walls"
Arthur sighs but before he can say anything he is cut off by Daeron "I had little choice, it seems the Blackfyre spawn in his infinite wisdom agreed to allow Daenerys to be married off in exchange for the Khal's Horde, our duel ended in a draw and so he will most likely return tomorrow"
"The solution is simple, I shall kill him" Arthur said as he shrugged his shoulders.
Daeron shook his head "I shall duel the Khal, he is good but he has a lot of weaknesses I can easily exploit, what I am most concerned about is our host" he said as they stopped at the edge of the manse, this part of the garden overlooked the narrow sea.
"Grandmother told me who our host was, Illyrio Mopatis, I'm sure you recognise him from Rhaenys stories" Daeron stated, Arthur nodded his head but found himself gripping the low wall tightly as his anger rose.
Daeron sighed "I wish I had known what he looked like as he was in the courtyard when I duelled Drogo, it seems he was able to recognise me as he has disappeared without a trace, most likely knowing what his fate should be if we caught him" he explained.
Arthur nodded "What is it you believe we should do," he asked as he leaned on the wall.
"Tomorrow I will kill Khal Drogo and free Daenerys from this Betrothal, and then we continue as planned and head towards Volantis together" He explained, to which Arthur nodded.
"And what shall we do when your plan fails" Arthur asked with a smirk upon his face.
Daeron snorted "Same as usual, you protect the family and get them to a boat, between the both of us we could sail a ship so we don't need a crew"
Arthur nodded and looked out towards the ocean "I was really looking forward to gutting that man" he said wistfully.
Daeron leaned on the wall as well "Me too, Me too" he said as he placed a hand on his shoulder.
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(Dothraki Camp)
Khal Drogo was enjoying the wine he had been given by the Prince of Pentos while his men feasted in front of him, however, these celebrations were disrupted when one of his blood riders brought the fat man from Pentos who had brokered the deal with him and arranged the betrothal in the first place.
"Blood of my blood why did you bring him here" Khal Drogo said to one of his Bloodriders as he sipped from his goblet.
"He wished to speak with you the blood of my blood, he said it was an important matter" his Bloodrider replied before throwing the fat man to the floor. Khal Drogo gestured to a slender man standing off to the, the man quickly hurried over "Translate" The Khal simply said to him.
The fat man whose name Drogo couldn't remember started speaking to his translator with large amounts of anger and passion, even the Khal had to admit he was intrigued by what the man had to say. His translator turned around with s slightly pale face "Mighty Khal, the man says that the person you duelled with earlier has made a fool out of you" he said wincing slightly under the dominating gaze of the Khal.
"He said that the man mocks you for running away, and how he also plans to run off with your bride before the duel tomorrow even starts" He explained.
Khal Drogo found himself clenching his fists tightly bending the golden cup in his hands "He said he has bribed the guards and they won't allow you to enter the city" he finished.
Khal Drogo threw his cup to the floor his face was impassive but rage sparked in his eyes at the level of disrespect he was being shown "They believe to deny me access to the city" he shouted to the group in front of him.
"We shall see..."
(AN: So this chapter is just setting up the next one which will be the Dothraki raid of Pentos and the escape by Jon and the gang, after that, we can catch up with the others and see what they're doing. Hope you liked the chapter)
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