Chapter Text
305 a.C.
Daenerys had counted seven days.
Seven days since the surrender of King's Landing.
She could still remember all the sensations she had experienced at the exact moment when the bells began to toll. An almost inseparable mix of joy, anger, sadness, relief... The truth was that even after seven days, Daenerys wasn't sure what had stopped her from ending Cersei Lannister right there.
The Red Keep was within reach of the Targaryen eyes, as well as a word... A single word and Drogon would erase her enemies from existence once and for all… So would thousands of innocents , Daenerys thought, still sick from the smell of smoke and burning flesh. War was always going to be inevitable when it came to the Iron Throne. Those who dared to oppose, must lose their heads, and burn under the fire of dragons.
Daenerys was certain of that, as well as that the common folk should be given their chance to pledge allegiance. Benevolence . A message that would reach not just those hiding behind the walls of King's Landing, but the entire continent. “Generations will sing of how Daenerys Targaryen took back what was rightfully hers”, that had been the first thing Tyrion Lannister had said to her after Drogon reached the ground.
After Mirri Maz Durr, Daenerys could no longer hope for a legacy. Her violet eyes met those of Jon Snow, who was sitting on the other side of the small council room, staring at the black orb in front of him with a certain disinterest. So much had changed, in such a short time... Dany still harbored feelings for him, feelings that had not been assuaged by her latest discovery.
When your womb quickens again, and you bear a living child. Maybe it didn't matter after all... Daenerys could carry a thousand children inside her, it would be worthless if they weren't graced by the Gods with a breath of life. She might be a Queen in her own right, but that was beyond her reach.
“Your grace…” Tyrion called in a slightly louder voice. Daenerys quickly addressed him, his eyes looking tired and beard more unkempt than usual. The taking of the city had not been kind to the Hand, who were solely in charge of all the demands of the wounded and newly taken capital. “About the seats of the Small Council…”
“Distribute them among the faithful to my cause, giving preference to those who were by my side from the beginning” Daenerys said as she confidently turned towards one of her oldest allies. One of those who were still alive . “Grey Worm, I would be greatly honored by your presence at this council as Lord Commander of the Queensguard. As Tyrion is my hand, so shall you be my sword…” The Unsullied bowed his head toward her, his eyes full of devotion. He wasn't good with words, especially in that language. “As for the position of Master of Ships, I believe that the Queen of the Iron Islands must have some names to indicate…”
“Actually, your grace...” Jon said, suddenly taking all of Daenerys's attention to himself. “If I may… I have a name for this position, and I believe it should be considered.” He said, still avoiding looking directly at the Targaryen, who deliberately nodded. “Ser Davos Seaworth.”
“Your adviser?” Daenerys said intrigued, apparently the old man seemed to be very faithful to Jon, in a very mutual way. Why would it be advisable to dismiss such an ally? Perhaps he already has many allies , Daenerys thought, remembering the feasts at Winterfell. Jon was always surrounded by vassals... Admirers.
“He is not a highborn man, it is true.” Jon said suddenly. “But he is loyal and wise, with years of experience on the seas…” The Queen's violet eyes turned to Tyrion, it would be up to him to decide what to do.
“Ser Davos Seaworth.” The Lannister simply said while wetting his pen over the ink to write the name of the newest Master of Ships.
“The Grand Maester will be appointed by the Citadel, I presume?” Questioned Daenerys seriously, Tyrion nodded quickly. “I believe that the other positions will become clearer to us once we open the city, we are still to recieve the great and small houses to swear allegiance…”
“All in due time.” Tyrion said, flipping a few pages further in his small leather notebook, moving to the next point. “All the wildfire that was below the city is already packed…”
“Packed?” Questioned Daenerys trying her best not to look confused. “I thought I said I wanted it destroyed.”
“Maybe Gendry Baratheon…”
“Gendry Baratheon already has my fullest approval, and so far, he seems to get along very well with the lords of the Stormlands.” Said Daenerys suddenly interrupting her Hand. Until that moment the dispute for control of the Stormlands was balanced. Gendry's legitimization was a way of assuring his loyalty to the newest Queen, but it was enough to plunge his domain into a bloody rebellion. “Keeping wildfire below us, packed or not, is a constant danger… Shall I remind you of the two dragons that now live on the outskirts of the city?”
“You are right, my Queen.” Said the Lannister quickly, his eyes soon met those of Gray Worm, who seemed to express something like: I told you so. “I will ask that all of the wildfire to be neutralized today.”
“Excellent.” Dany said, satisfied. “The walls?”
“The Dotharki are helping in the reconstruction, which has been an opportunity to... Interact with the smallfolk...” Said Tyrion ironically, strangely Daenerys knew exactly what her Hand was referring to. Having ridden for many months at the head of a Khalasar herself, she was aware of the free and untamed nature of her people. Steps had to be taken sooner or later.
“The tumult quelled quickly.” Anticipated Gray Worm.
“Very well, when you can ask Aggo and Jhogo to come to me” She said trying to contain her concern.
“Going back to the dragons , I believe it is important to analyze the Pit reform. We can do something that does not compromise the royal vaults…”
“We've already talked about this.” Daenerys quickly dismissed, even the mention of such an idea was enough to make her furious. “Drogon and Rhaegal will live freely, as is the nature of dragons!” She stated decisively.
“They wouldn't be chained…” Tyrion said, trying in vain to reverse the idea, but his Queen quickly raised her hand for him to stop.
“Any other urgent topics?” Questioned Daenerys drinking some water before getting up. Everyone did the same as a sign of respect.
“Yes, your grace.” Jon said seriously, his eyes finally meeting hers. “Regarding the return of my troops to the North…” He said in a low voice, as if this were a sensitive topic, and perhaps, it really was. Daenerys felt Tyrion's eyes burn against her.
“I believe this is a matter necessary only for the Queen and Jon Snow, don't you agree with me Gray Worm?“ Said the half man quickly removing his sphere from the table, and handing the soldier his own in a clumsy way. “All meetings you must bring it and take it with you, sitting at the table would also be much more polite….” Daenerys could hear her Hand giving instructions to the Unsullied even after the doors were sealed. It didn't take long for an awkward silence to form, filling the room densely. Jon was still on the other side of the room, looking at her with a certain impersonality. Daenerys took a deep breath, her voice caught in her throat… She needed to tell him , she felt that she somehow owed it to Jon.
“You may have your leave” Said with a crystal clear voice, that was a decision of the Dragon Queen. Young Dany, just over twenty years old, would never let her lover go like that... Even if he didn't love her the same way anymore. “But before you go… Well… There's no right way to tell you…” She felt his gray eyes staring at her curiously as Jon took two steps towards her. “I'm pregnant.” She said it simply, the information released just like that, in a quick and clean shot. Dany felt a wave of relief wash over her, as if Drogon's weight were being lifted from her shoulders. “I don't expect you to marry me, I...” Jon opened his mouth but before he could say anything Daenerys cut him off, her voice still shaky. “I don't expect anything from you.”
“How long have you known?” He questioned approaching Dany, his eyes locked under the Targaryen's belly, perhaps for the first time noticing its volume.
“Since the Battle of Winterfell.” She answered exactly. At first it was easy to ignore the morning sickness and the delay in her periods. The war had taken a lot out of Daenerys, it was natural for her body to manifest discomfort in some way. Furthermore, the Targaryen did not trust the northern healers who were faithfully connected to Sansa Stark. Months passed, and Dany struggled to deny the obvious, at least until she was confronted by her Hand. Bloody Lannister . “If I am right, in the next moon there will be four cycles…”
“Dany…” He whispered through a sigh. “We need to get married, as soon as possible...” Jon said as he placed his hand on her shoulder, his face was full of a mixture of seriousness and concern. “This child cannot see this world through the eyes of a bastard.”
“We don't even know if it will survive...” Daenerys murmured, moving away from Jon's touch. Mirri Maz Durr's words echoed vividly in his mind. As if she were still in that damned tent, across the sea, with Khal Drogo before her… His eyes clouded and strangely placid, lifeless . “I'm cursed.. .”
“But you still told me about the baby.” Said the northerner taking Daenerys's delicate hands with some urgency, rescuing her from her dark memories. “Some part of you still has hope, just like I do…” He took a sudden deep breath. “This baby needs to be born within the bonds of marriage.”
“What if the child perishes?” Asked the Targaryen in a sharp tone. “Will you stay? Will you be my husband?” Asked him haughtily, as if she was challenging him.
“I made you a promise when I bend the knee and still intend to…”
“I'm not talking about that” She said approaching, taking Jon's callused hands and placing them under her waist. Snow's eyes filled with tears before he pulled away from her once more. “Tell me, what did I do so terrible to deserve your disgust?” Exploded Daenerys suddenly pushing him hard. “Am I not worthy of your affection, of your desire?”
“It's not that.” Said Jon staring at her deeply, his eyes sunken and helpless, he seemed to suffer as much as she did. “I do have feelings for you...”
“I am your Queen.” Dany knew where this would all end. She needed to take a deep breath to think straight, Jon was right about one thing. Even in the face of uncertainty, it was her role not only as a mother, but as a Queen to ensure that her heir was born with all possible legitimacy. An alliance between Winterfell and King's Landing would be welcome, demonstrating the loyal nature of a Queen who honors her allies. And it would give Jon back some of his power. There would not be a King in the North, but a Prince Consort from the North. “We will marry for the sake of this child.” She assured him finally exposing her only condition, it would be too much for her to have something within reach of her eyes that she couldn't have for herself. If she did that, it would be for the love of her children, and nothing else. “If the baby dies, you will return to Winterfell, and you will be faithful to me until your last day.”
“What if the child lives?”
“You will be able to see it grow up here in King's Landing...” Answered the Targaryen as if that possibility were almost impossible. As much as she denied it inside, the mere possibility of being a mother again was new and frightening. For the simple fact that Dany wanted that child as she had never wanted anything in her life, more than flying under Drogon, more than sitting on the Iron Throne, more than the house with the red door...