The Queen of the Crownlands and Dorne looked up at the Iron Throne, thinking not for the first time how ghastly the chair was. She knew well, as Viserys loved to remind her, that the throne was forged by Balerion the Black Dread's fire and from the swords of Aegon the Conqueror's enemies. It was an impressive tale, but the seat certainly failed to live up to the legend.
Since Daenerys and Aegon had yet to figure out who would actually sit on the throne, two wooden chairs, each decorated with beautifully carved dragons, had been placed a step down from the iron monstrosity to show that, for the time being, they ruled as joint rulers. Deciding who sat on the Iron Throne was one of many messes that she and her nephew had to clean up, along with creating a joint kingsguard and a thousand other issues.
Daenerys was still unsure of what to make of her nephew. His emotions seemed to flow like the wind over the grass plains of the Dothraki Sea. He would be headstrong and arrogant to angry and foolish to charming and polite. It vexed Daenerys because it was not at all what she expected from her brother's son, a man whom Ser Barristan said was to always be very calm and collected. She felt like Aegon was trying to make up for something, like he was trying too hard to be something he wasn't.
But, Aegon looked the part and her children had proven him as such. Viserion has a particular liking to him. It also helped that the man controls most of Daenerys' army, including the majority of the sellsword companies and the dornish.
Daenerys turned when she heard the sound of the great doors opening. Robb Stark, flanked by two of his guards marched in, and Daenerys was reminded again that Stark looked, for lack of a better word, kingly. The quiet confidence that the young man held, along with the way he spoke and moved. To Daenerys, it was more than confidence. The young king had an aura of authority and power around him that came from more than the land and men he controlled. It came from his house. The Starks have always been known as good and honorable, and Robb had certainly lived up to that expectation.
Especially since wagons filled to the brim with food had begun to enter the city. Much to Daenerys' and other's relief.
The two warriors behind him looked quite fierce. One was the tall, large, blonde woman who seemed to shadow the man's every step while the other was Sandor Clegane, brother of the late Gregor Clegane. A terrifying man in his own right, he at least was able to show some amount of emotion, although that emotion was usually indifference or disdain.
"My lady." Robb greeted as he got closer. "I must admit, I am rather curious why you have asked for me."
Daenerys didn't need to look behind her to know that Ser Barristan had moved from his place by the pillars to stand behind his queen. Like the blonde woman for Robb Stark, Ser Barristan the Bold was Daenerys own shadow.
"The treaty is to be signed in a few days." Daenerys explained. "I saw no better time to get to know the father of the son my daughter will marry."
Robb smiled apologetically. "The treaty will be ironed out in a few days, I am afraid that, due to the birth of my son, I must put off signing it for another week or more."
Daenerys' smile wavered. "I trust your wife and your child are safe."
Robb's smile grew. "Torrhen is strong and healthy, my lady…."
"Dany, please." Daenerys said. "We are alone. No need to be so formal."
Robb raised an eyebrow, but nodded. "Very well….Dany. My son is just fine. The birth was hard on my wife and she may need more time to recover than the maesters thought." Robb shrugged. "You'll understand if I don't decide to sign something till she is able to be there with me."
"You are keen to include her in the moment." Daenerys mused.
"If I may be honest, Margaery has been practically running the lands under my control while I have focused on the war." Robb admitted without any hint of jealousy or bitterness. "I also would not hear the end of it if I did not include her in such an event."
Daenerys grinned and motioned for Robb to follow her. "I have been told that it is custom for lords to pay homage to their king after the birth of a prince or princess."
Robb's smile lessened. "Unfortunately so. It is not a tradition I am fond of, but it is one that I will acknowledge." the northern king hesitated for a moment before adding. "Although I am looking forward to the event, as it will allow my family to be together again."
"You mean your brother in the North." Daenerys said.
Robb hesitated again. "And more. My Father, Mother, and my youngest sister and brother shall be joining him."
Daenerys stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Robb. "Eddard Stark is alive?"
Robb nodded. "He was saved by unknown allies that have very recently made themselves known. He and my sister Arya were saved before my father had a chance to be executed."
"So Cersei killed an innocent man." Ser Barristan said quietly.
Robb turned his gaze on the old knight. "Are you surprised? They also lied about having both my sisters."
"Forgive me, but what was your father doing in the North?" Daenerys asked, although soon as the question was out, it sounded foolish. Eddard Stark was the Warden and Lord Paramount of the region. It was obvious why he would return to the North.
Robb, thankfully, did not take it as a stupid question. "As you know, the Boltons and others turned their cloaks for the Lannisters. They even managed to capture my mother. My father returned to the North to rescue her."
"And he was rescued from the Black Cells." Daenerys mused as the group continued to walk. "They must be a powerful group to have infiltrated the Red Keep."
"It seems that they have their ways." Robb agreed. "Anyways, my father and the rest of my family are coming south."
"You must be happy to see them." Daenerys said.
"Words cannot explain." Robb said, a slight smile on his face. "I haven't seen my father or Arya and Rickon in over a year. Hence why I am eager for this war to be over."
"They must also be anxious to meet your wife and child." Daenerys added.
Robb grinned. "Very true."
The group emerged from the castle and into the godswood. Already, she could hear her children in the distance and smell the charred meat. It seems that Robb's two guards noticed this as well as their hands flew to their swords.
"Since we are to become allies, I thought it only right to show you my children." Daenerys said, with a slight smirk on her face. "Come."
The group traveled through the godswood till they came to the clearing where Daenerys' three dragons were housed. When House Targaryen still had dragons, they were kept in the Dragon Pit. But Daenerys refused to house her children in such a place. The godswood gave them much more room to grow.
Drogon was Daenerys' pride and joy. The largest and wildest of her children, she believed that he was Balerion the Black Dread come again. His scales were black as night, while his horns and spinal plates were blood red. Daenerys had trouble controlling him at times, but the dragon was fiercely protective of her. He was named after Daenerys' late husband Khal Drogo, her Sun and Stars.
Rhaegal's scales were jade-green with bronze eyes. He, like his other hatch mate Viserion, was smaller than Drogon. He is a calmer dragon, almost boring if such a word could describe a dragon. It was like he had taken on the personality of the man she had named him after; Rhaegar, her brother, the Bard Prince.
Viserion is Daenerys' third child. He has cream colored scales that could be confused for white, while his horns and spinal crest are gold. While Drogon is magnificent to behold, Viserion is beautiful. He is also the mount for Aegon, the two forging some sort of bond that Daenerys was trying to figure out. He was named after Viserys, Daenerys' other brother who died in Vaes Dothrak.
Robb and his guards came to an abrupt stop at the edge of the clearing, clearly surprised by the dragons. Daenerys continued walking forward before stopping and looking back at the northern king.
"It is quite alright, my lord." she said.
Robb didn't look afraid, more apprehensive, and rightfully so, but he nodded slowly and began to walk towards Daenerys keeping an eye on the dragons. He did not hold his sword, thankfully, nor did he look particularly threatening. Like approaching a new dog, Robb moved forward slowly and respectfully.
Daenerys didn't expect her children to pay the northern king much attention, but Rhaegal defied expectations when he left the goat carcass and moved towards Robb. Daenerys heard the startled cry from his guards, but the northern king held his hand up to stall his warriors, holding his ground while the dragon got in his face and sniffed him up and down.
"Rhaegal." Daenerys scolded, hoping that the dragon would back up, but he didn't. It was like he smelt something on Robb, but wasn't able to find it. After a moment, he backed up, shook his head in annoyance, huffed, and went back to his food.
"I'm sorry, I didn't expect him to do that." Daenerys apologized.
Robb raised an eyebrow. "It's fine. I'm not burned to a crisp, so I'll take it as a compliment." the northern king gazed at her children with a new appreciation. "When my brother found the direwolf pups, I was stunned. This….they're magnificent."
Daenerys had seen Robb's direwolf, and would concede that the beast was a master of the wild. A born and bred hunter that controlled the land. But her dragons were kings of the wild and had no equal.
"Are you sure Aegon wants me to see them?" Robb joked.
Daenerys smiled and crossed her arms. "They are my children, and we are to be allies, are we not?"
"You say that they are your children." Robb said. "Why?"
"I was married once, to a dothraki horselord." Daenerys explained. "He….he died. I stepped into his pyre with three eggs and emerged with three dragons."
"Interesting story." Robb mused.
"Ser Jorah as well as others who were there that night would tell you the same." Daenerys said, wondering if Robb thought she was lying.
"I did not say that it was not true, only that it was interesting." Robb said easily. "Dragons are creatures of magic. I would be saddened if your story was anything less than hard to believe."
"You believe in magic?" Daenerys asked.
Robb hesitated. "I've had my encounters, both good and bad." he answered quietly.
"You surprise me, Robb Stark." Daenerys said before she could stop herself. "I did not think you would believe in magic."
"I am from the North, Dany. We still believe in White Walkers." Robb joked. "And if it means anything to you, my wife can read me like an open book. So I am happy that I can still surprise anyone."
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"I am sorry to hear about your goodfather." Daenerys said as they walked away from the godswood. "I hear he died fighting a great warrior."
"Victarion Greyjoy is said to be one." Robb agreed. "It has been tough on my wife and her family, but I think they are coming to terms with it all. He died honorably, and that's all anyone can ask for."
"Forgive me, my lord, but what of Victarion Greyjoy?" Ser Barristan asked.
"Dead." Robb answered. "Lord Mace wounded him with his last breath and Ser Jon Fossoway took his head."
The group arrived back in the throne room. Daenerys could feel their time coming to a close, feeling Robb's anxiety to return to his wife. She had one more topic of discussion that she wanted to go over.
"Why?" Daenerys asked, not knowing how else to start.
"I'm sorry?" Robb asked, turning to look at her.
"My family committed horrible crimes against yours, and yet you still agreed to peace." Daenerys said. "Why?"
Robb crossed his arms. "Who am I?"
Daenerys frowned. "Robb Stark." she answered.
"Was I alive during the war between our two families?" Robb asked.
Daenerys shook her head. "No."
"Can I be blamed for my father's actions?" Robb continued.
Daenerys shook her head again, having an idea where the northern king was going with all this. "No, I believe not."
"You are not Aerys, and I thank the gods for that." Robb said, getting to the crux of his point. "And Aegon, well, he's a little rough around the edges."
Daenerys couldn't help but chuckle. Robb was a likeable person and most of his jokes lacked any sort of malice or insult.
"What I am saying is that we are not our fathers." Robb explained. "Your father murdered my grandfather and uncle, not you. Your brother ran away with my aunt, not Aegon. I believe in second chances. Call me optimistic but I believe in people."
Daenerys nodded. "Thank you, my lord."
"Robb, please." Robb said. "Thank you for your hospitality this afternoon, but I am afraid that I must return to my wife."
Daenerys nodded. "Of course. Thank you."
Robb nodded to her and to Ser Barristan before striding out. Daenerys watched him leave before turning to Ser Barristan.
"As usual, you've proven to be right." Daenerys said. "It seems that peace was possible."
"I always thought there was." Ser Barristan said easily. "There's always another option, my lady."
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Robb
"That was highly dangerous, sire." Brienne scolded Robb as they rode back to their encampment.
"What did you want me to do?" Robb asked, turning in his saddle. "Allow Clegane to try and hack off its neck?"
The Hound grunted, which was the closest thing to a laugh that the man could produce from the time Robb has spent around him.
"Anything we did, it would have taken it as a threat and I could have died." Robb continued. "But it didn't kill me, so all is well."
Brienne gazed at the king before conceding the point with a nod. Robb knew that she meant well, and there were few he'd rather have at his back in a tough spot, but sometimes she took her job a little too seriously, which gave him a headache. But she always meant well, as he always reminded himself.
"It was an impressive display of power, wasn't it." Robb mused after a moment.
"My lord?" Brienne asked.
"Showing us her dragons." Robb explained. "Oh, saying that it was because we're becoming allies is a pretty lie, but there was an underlying threat there. Or at the very least a warning."
"The dragons didn't look that big." Brienne commented.
"They get bigger." Sandor grunted.
"Exactly." Robb said. "When Ser Barristan arrived weeks ago, offering a chance at peace, the queen said that there would be advantages and disadvantages to both sides. The dragons are obviously an advantage for them because peace gives them time to grow."
"So what will you do about it?" Sandor grumbled. "They're fucking dragons."
Robb smiled grimly at his new warrior. "I'll do exactly what Dorne did," he said. "I'll build weapons to take them down."
"But they're our allies." Brienne said, sounding stunned.
"True." Robb said. "But do not forget that my ancestor created a sellsword company because he feared what the dragons and their riders could do. I agree to the idea of peace, but that does not mean that I won't prepare if war breaks out and my enemy has a fire breathing monster."
"But you said…." Brienne said.
"Brienne." Robb said, cutting off his captain. "I understand what you're saying, but you are seeing all this from the surface. I have a duty to my people to protect them against all threats, confirmed and potential. Think of it like this; we're not currently on a battlefield. Why are you protecting me?"
"Because someone might try to kill you." Brienne replied instantly.
Robb gestured to the sprawling countryside. "Who? The Lannisters are holed up in Casterly Rock, the Targaryens are our allies. Who might try to kill me?"
Brienne thought for a moment. "I understand."
"Good." Robb said before running a hand over his face. "Gods above I sound like a Tyrell."
"Took you long enough to notice." Sandor grunted.