A knock at the door brought the young queen out of her troubled thoughts. She looked up.
"Enter."
Ser Barristan and Ser Jorah entered, both looking confused as to why their queen summoned them. Ser Jorah was hard at work re-constructing the gold cloaks, whose ranks had been ravaged by corruption and the taking of the city had also taken a toll on their ranks. Ser Barristan was still working on making a few of Daenerys' Queensguard more….capable members.
"Your grace, is everything alright?" Ser Barristan asked curiously.
Danaerys gestured to the other two seats at the table. "Please sit, I wish to ask you something."
The two men shared a glance before sitting down. Jorah leaned forward. "How can we help, Khaleesi?"
"Robb Stark mentioned my father and brother at the meeting. I am not naive, I am not unaware of the name given to my father. What I want to know is if it is true?"
Neither men were able to meet Daenerys piercing gaze, but their body language spoke volumes to the young queen. She had known that there was something they weren't telling her. She had known for months, but she didn't like that it had been revealed by Robb Stark.
"So it's true then. All of it."
Jorah's head snapped up. "You are not your father, Khaleesi." he said immediately.
"That's what I'm asking, Ser Jorah." she shot back. "Is it true? Was my father mad and did my brother rape the Stark girl?"
Jorah opened his mouth to reply, then shut it, not able to answer. Ser Barristan finally spoke up.
"It is unknown whether your brother raped Lyanna Stark." he said quietly. "But it is known that she went with him, the two fleeing to Dorne."
"How is this known?"
"Eddard Stark went south at the end of the war, after breaking the Tyrell siege on Storm's End. When he returned to the North, he brought the bones of his sister with him." Jorah rumbled sadly.
"So you are putting your faith in a man who revolted against his lawful king?" Danaerys said indignantly.
Barristan shook his head. "Lord Stark was an honorable man, no one, not even Rhaegar, would be able to dispute that." he said, catching his queen by surprise.
Danaerys glared at both men, unable to help the overwhelming anger and embarrassment that was bubbling inside of her. This was information she needed to know before coming to Westeros. She had known about her father's moniker, but Viserys had always argued that it was a baseless lie crafted by the Usurper and his supporters. It seemed like it wasn't a lie.
"Tell me the whole truth." she demanded.
"Khaleesi?" Ser Jorah asked.
"Tell me about the Usurper's Rebellion." she snapped.
Ser Jorah looked over at Ser Barristan, who was gazing at the table top. The exiled knight sighed and began the long, sorry tale.
"It all started at the Tourney of Harrenhal." he said reluctantly. "It was the biggest event in the last twenty years. Every noble family was represented in some way or another. Rhaegar Targaryen won the joust, and instead of naming his wife the Queen of Love and Beauty, he named Lyanna Stark, Robert Baratheon's betrothed, instead."
"Why would he do that?" Danaerys asked.
Jorah shook his head. "To this day, no one knows. Baratheon was angered, but after the tournament, things seemingly returned to normal. Then Rhaegar rode north with three of his kingsguard and took Lyanna Stark. Whether she went willingly or not is still unknown, but Brandon Stark didn't take it well. He showed up at the capitol demanding Rhaegar to face him. He was imprisoned and the king summoned his father, Rickard Stark, to the capitol to answer for his son. The Lord of Winterfell demanded a trial by combat and…." the northern knight stopped, unable to continue.
"What happened?" Danaerys asked, an uneasy feeling settling in her stomach. Ser Jorah shook his head, forcing the queen to turn her attention to Ser Barristan. "Ser Barristan, please, what happened?"
"Lord Rickard demanded trial by combat, and your father declared fire as his champion." he said wearily. "Lord Stark was burned alive in his armor in front of the entire court while his son was garroted and a sword was placed in front of him. He was told that if he could reach the blade, then he could go free. He choked to death trying to save himself and his father."
Danaerys thought she was going to throw up. All this time, all the rumors that her brother had dismissed, they were all true. Her family were murderers and kidnappers. She squeezed the table.
"What happened after?"
"Aerys' madness had control of him by that point." Jorah said, taking up the story once more. "He saw assassins and spies everywhere. After Lord Stark and his heir were killed, he called for the heads of Rickard's second son, Eddard, and his best friend Robert Baratheon. Both men were wards to Jon Arryn, Lord Paramount of the Vale. Instead of giving up his wards, Arryn raised his banners in revolt."
"Stark went north and rallied his country while Baratheon did the same in the south." Barristan sighed. "The new Lord Stark married Catelyn Tully and Lord Arryn married her sister, securing Hoster Tully and the Riverlands. Nearly a year later, Tywin Lannister sacked the capitol and Jaime Lannister put his sword in Aerys' back. But the true downfall of the Targaryen dynasty was at the Battle of the Trident, when Robert Baratheon smashed in Rhaegar's chest on the Ruby Ford."
Danaerys sat back in her chair, trying to comprehend all this. After all this time, she had thought that the return of House Targaryen would be a wonderful sight for Westeros. She had expected the houses once loyal to her family to flock to her side and help her retake the lands of her ancestors. Now, after more than twenty years of exile, she has returned to find out that more than half of the seven kingdoms have pledged themselves to the man known as the 'Young Wolf'.
Jorah gazed at her. "Khaleesi, you are not your father." he insisted. "You are good and kind and caring. You are the queen the people need."
"Am I?" she challenged. "Let us speak plainly. Most of Westeros have declared for Robb Stark, a man who has a wife and an soon an heir."
"You hold the Iron Throne." Ser Jorah pointed out.
Danaerys scoffed. "What good does that do me when my father and brother destroyed our house's reputation?"
Ser Barristan looked up. "Your grace, I understand that this was not what you intended to come back to. How were any of us to know that Robb Stark would declare himself king? But the compromise Varys suggested seems fair. Allow Stark to keep his lands, you keep yours, and allow the children of the two unions to marry and bring the realm together again."
"My betrothed seems to think we can fight Stark. Do you think we would win?" she asked, gazing at her two advisors.
Jorah shifted uncomfortably. "Perhaps, Khaleesi…." he started before being cut off.
"No more half-truths, Ser Jorah." Danaerys snapped.
"No, Khaleesi." he said flatly. "Robb Stark still has armies in the Westerlands and the North. Not to mention he can still call upon men in the Reach."
"Armies can be beaten." Danaerys commented.
"But what about commanders." Jorah replied. "Connington is an above average leader, but he was out maneuvered by Eddard Stark, Hoster Tully, and Jon Arryn during the rebellion. While Robert Baratheon was the figurehead of the war, those three men were the brains. In addition, the sellswords captains are used to fighting with essosi tactics, not westerosi. Against men like Randyll Tarly, Brynden Tully, Yohn Royce, and even Robb Stark, who went toe to toe with Tywin Lannister and almost won. Against men like that, we have nothing, Khaleesi." he said bluntly.
Daenerys shook her head. "You seem to forget, I have three dragons."
"True, and in battle, the enemy has to account for them, but they are not the beasts Aegon the Conqueror had when he took the seven kingdoms." Ser Barristan corrected. "They were hundreds of years old. Yours are not."
The young monarch sat back in her chair, unable to continue the conversation. All her points had been effortlessly matched by the two knights, who were able to give insight on the possible enemy. She shook her head.
"Peace is our only path." she sighed.
Barristan nodded. "Indeed, but it is also our best path, your grace. The Starks are beloved throughout the realm. They are renowned for their honesty and goodness. Doing battle with them, we may look no better than Joffrey."
Daenerys' head snapped up at this, glaring at the elderly knight. "I would never kill children." she hissed. When she and her nephew had arrived back in Westeros, they had forced Varys to inform them on everything going on in the capitol. The killing of infants on Joffrey's and Cersei's orders had stuck in Daenaerys' mind.
Barristan held up a hand to stop her. "You misunderstand." he said gently. "Your family has been away for twenty years, and they did not leave a perfect mark on the realm at the end of their rule." he explained. "Joffrey was a tyrant, of that there is no doubt. But Robb Stark is now being seen as a man who will bring stability to the realm. He is the shining young warrior to save the realm for the corrupt lions." he explained easily.
"What would you suggest, Ser Barristan? Give up my crown? My throne? My birthright?" Daenarys challenged.
The old knight shook his head. "Not at all, your grace. All I am saying is that it will take some time to win back the love and trust of the people. I've been around you for a while, your grace, and Ser Jorah will agree, it will not take long for the people to see you as the just and kind ruler that you are."
Daenaerys was caught off guard by Barristan's gentle, but sincere words. She had to admit, she was expecting to land and be loved. That's how it went in Slaver's Bay, but she knew in her heart that it was because she was there to free them. They wanted her to rule them. In Westeros, no one was enslaved, and she was not wanted.
She nodded. "Thank you for your honesty, Ser Barristan." she said softly.
The Lord Commander of her Queensguard nodded. "May I speak freely, your grace?"
Daenaerys nodded. "Please."
"I spent years on Aerys' Kingsguard, then Robert Baratheons. I watched both men descend to levels in which there was no return. You can be better than both, and I truly believe you will." he said firmly.
Daenaerys smiled gratefully at the man. "Thank you, Ser Barristan." she nodded to the door. "How goes the training of my Queensguard?"
Barristan smiled. "It's going well." he said with a smile. "They are what I expected, but I am working on making them worthy of taking up a white cloak."
"I understand the white cloaks are the best knights in the realm." she said curiously, taking a sip of wine.
Barristan's smile wavered. "True," he conceded, "but we are rather short on knights at the moment."
Daenaerys instantly felt stupid. She knew that the knights Barristan wanted to serve with him were fighting for Robb Stark. "Of course, but under your training, I'm sure they'll quickly become great." she replied easily, changing the topic. "And how are the gold cloaks?"
Ser Jorah sat up a little straighter, happy that the topic of his queens family was now done.
"It's tough work," he admitted. "They are untrained and unfit, but with the help of knights Lord Connington was gracious enough to lend me from the Golden Company, we are doing our best to turn the unit around."
"How many do we have trained?" Daenaerys asked.
Ser Jorah grimaced. "Maybe two hundred." he sighed. "Years under the Usurper and subpar leadership have allowed the men to be lazy. Many were also in the pockets of Baelish before the Spider uncovered the man's books. We were able to get rid of many unfaithful men, but the problem with that is that many were experienced watchmen."
"Have we done anything to fix the problem?"
Jorah nodded. "I've swept through Flea Bottom and much of the city, talking to many able bodied young men. The ranks have swelled, but not to the numbers I've wished. But we are working on the problem."
Daenarys smiled. "I know you'll do your best, Ser Jorah." she complimented. "That'll be all, sers, thank you."
The two knights stood and bowed to the queen before leaving, each looking far more comfortable than when they had arrived. Daenarys watched them go, waiting till they had closed the door before calling out.
"Come out, Lord Varys."
A shuffle behind her let her know that her suspicions proved true. The silk-clad eunuch moved forward, bowing to the queen.
"I must say, your grace, I was wondering if you would alert the two sers to my presence," he said easily.
Daenarys regarded her master of whispers, pouring herself wine. "I don't enjoy being spied on."
Varys smiled easily. "Forgive me, your grace, I was merely curious."
"What about my meeting with two of my advisors sparked your curiosity, my lord?" she snapped in annoyance.
"Normally nothing, your grace, but after what was said at the talks with Robb Stark, I was wondering when you would go looking for answers." Varys answered. "And where."
"Was your curiosity sated?"
"Indeed." he said pleasantly. "I am now curious how his grace will take the news."
"Aegon will have to come to terms with it anyways." she said off handedly. "What's the phrase? 'Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it'?'"
Varys nodded to her. "Close, but true nevertheless."
"Why did you not tell me?" Daenaerys asked suddenly.
The eunuch pulled a thoughtful face. "I was curious to see what you were like. I had my little birds watching, of course, but reports are not always accurate. I did not think it was smart, if you were like your father, to bring up his condition."
"You mean his penchant for burning fathers alive while torturing the sons?" Daenaerys deadpanned.
Varys gave her a pained smile. "No one left that room without scars, your grace." he said. "But as Ser Jorah said, you are not your father."
Daenarys nodded, gazing at her chalice before asking the question that had been on her mind since her discussion with Barristan and Jorah. Now, with her spymaster here, she might as well get an answer now.
"Did my brother kidnap the Stark girl?"
Varys frowned. "I wish I had an answer for you." he said, sounding annoyed that he wasn't able to give the queen an answer. "Even to this day, I am not able to answer that question."
"Surely there must be someone alive who is able to answer that." Daenaerys pushed.
"To what I understand, there are only two people who might be able to answer that question. One is dead and the other is in the North as the right hand man to the White Wolf." Varys answered.
"Who is he?"
"Lord Howland Reed."
"Reed?" Daenarys asked curiously. "I don't believe I've ever heard of such a man."
Varys nodded. "Understandable. House Reed of Greywater Watch is a small northern house just south of Moat Cailin. Howland Reed was one of Lord Stark's six companions when he went to the Tower of Joy."
"Tower of Joy?" Danaerys asked.
Varys made a vague gesture. Because the story was so well known to many Westerosi, he momentarily forgot that the young queen did not know the full story. "Forgive me, your grace. The Tower of Joy is where Rhaegar brought Lyanna Stark before the rebellion started. He left her there, guarded by three of the kingsguard. Ser Oswell Whent, Lord Commander Ser Gerold Hightower, and Ser Arthur Dayne. Of Stark's six companions, only himself and Lord Reed walked away."
"I'm surprised, Lord Varys, I thought you knew every secret in the realm." Daenarys said casually. "What prevented you from getting answers from the two men?"
Varys smiled slightly. "My informants in Winterfell and around the North are not my best, I'll admit. As Ser Barristan said, the Starks are beloved by both commoners and high born. Lord Stark never spoke about his battle in Dorne. As for Lord Reed, I regret to say that my little birds have never been able to find places to nest in the Neck."
Daenarys raised an eyebrow. "It's quite alright, Lord Varys, we all have our limits. I was simply curious. Perhaps if I ever get the chance to speak with Lord Reed, I will learn the truth."
"I am not a man of war, but I do believe Lord Reed will be coming south eventually." Varys said. "My little birds tell me that the war in the north is moving forward swiftly under the White Wolf. There is a chance he and other northern lords might come south. Perhaps to celebrate the birth of their new prince."
Daenerys raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps a meeting will happen between myself and this Lord Reed, but first we must keep my betrothed from declaring war on the Starks."
Varys gave the queen a tired smile. "One problem at a time, my lady. One problem at a time."