First Steps
Daenerys POV
Westeros. I didn't know what I thought or even wished to see, but there was no emotion as I was about to take my first steps into my homeland. It was my home, a home that wasn't welcoming me. I would have to make it mine with my words or my actions.
"Welcome to Sunspear, Your Grace," Prince Oberyn Martell said. "I hope you will enjoy your visit."
I only glanced at him before turning to Ser Barristan and Ser Jorah. They both looked guarded. Asha Greyjoy didn't look any happier with half of her fleet leaving with Euron. It was expected. Only Oberyn and his daughters seemed genuinely happy to return home.
It should have been different. But I had no illusions that wherever I would go, I would be showered with praise and welcomed with genuine smiles. I had to earn my victories with words before I ordered my soldiers to draw their swords. And this was just the first battle of many to come.
"Asha, when we disembark, try to find out everything that has been happening lately in the Seven Kingdoms."
"It won't be necessary, Your Grace. My brother will fill you in on everything you need to hear," Oberyn quickly interjected.
"I want to hear the perspective of the smallfolk, not just the great lords."
In truth, I couldn't simply accept their words without confirming them first. Prince Doran Martell was a stranger to me. I didn't know what he would hide from me or what half-truths he would try to pass off as the whole picture.
I did not doubt that they had their own agendas, no matter what they said or did. As much as I needed them, I wouldn't just fall for their promises, empty or not. I hadn't come this far to give anyone else the Iron Throne.
"Those ships," it wasn't only Oberyn who noticed a few ships already in the harbor.
"You don't recognize them?" They were warships with two griffins countercharged on red and white on their banners.
"House Connington?" Ser Barristan commented. "What are they doing here? And I didn't think they had ships under their command."
"Do you know them?"
"Only the lord. Though now they are only landed knights with a keep and nothing else to their name," Ser Barristan answered. "Ronnet Connington, an arrogant knight who thinks more of himself than he is worth. Though he does have some skill. I think he is loyal to Stannis Baratheon, so maybe he got those ships from him."
"They're not the ships you commonly see in Westeros," Oberyn said, his smile completely gone now. "They look more like the ones you would see in Volantis or Tyrosh. We should proceed carefully, Your Grace. Please do not leave my side."
I could suspect it was a ploy made by Oberyn, but if it was, it wasn't significant enough for me to even comment on. And if it wasn't his ploy, then I should indeed not leave his side and see what was going on before making any decisions.
I wished Theon were here. If there was anything good about him, it was that he knew how to deal with nuisances. And I could already tell that whatever, or whoever, was waiting for me here would be nothing but a nuisance.
If Theon's plan didn't work out as he wished, I would kill him for leaving me alone with these snakes. But I suppose, if I couldn't even deal with the snakes, I wouldn't be able to deal with the lions or the wolves either, not to mention the stag.
"Missandei, prepare the prettiest dress I have. Jorah, Barristan, make sure to stand tall and frightening." If I couldn't charm anyone waiting for me, then I would have to put the fear of the dragons in them instead. "Asha, be dear and find out everything about these ships, anything that could be of use to me."
"Should I ask questions kindly, or let my hatchet speak?"
"I will leave that to your discretion," I replied. "But make sure to leave an impression no matter what you do."
There was no hiding. I wanted the world to know I had come home. I wanted the kings to hear whispers of my army and my dragons before they came face-to-face with me. I wanted them to know that I was coming, and that they had every right to be afraid.
…
A light silver-and-blue dress was donned on my body, and a transparent cape covered my shoulders from the scorching sun. The silk felt light and soft on my skin. My hair done in braids, I was ready to step into Westeros for the first time.
"Missandei, tell me. Have I gone fat?" I could feel my belly growing a bit rounder, and my breasts felt heavier.
"You look as radiant as ever, Your Grace. Even your tanned skin shines bright under the light of the sun."
"Thank you," I said. I looked excellent; I had nothing to worry about. "When we aren't alone, don't speak the common tongue. I don't want others to know you can understand them."
Other servants would speak of her, behind her back, and straight to Missandei's ears if they thought they could get away with it. I wanted to know what they said about me. As much as I disliked it, I had no choice but to try to fit in with this unfamiliar place and culture I was stepping into.
Let my people love me and my enemies fear me. I wanted them to sing songs about me, and for my people to enjoy them. Vanity as it was, as a queen, I needed my people's love more than their fear of my dragons and armies.
"Are you ready, Your Grace?" Oberyn waited for me. "Are you sure you want them to join us?"
I looked at Khal Motho and his two best bloodriders, as well as Grey Worm and his two best men. I had left Daario and the Tattered Prince behind to watch over the ships. What I wanted people to see weren't sellswords, but men from cultures they had never heard of, men to familiarize themselves with before they heard of what they were capable of.
"Ignore any and every eye cast upon us. Stand tall and firm," I instructed them. "Don't do or say anything without my leave."
"The little queen doesn't need to worry," Motho replied in Dothraki. "I am already happy to have my feet on land after all we went through."
"Make sure to keep those feet to yourself then," I replied in Dothraki. "Or you will have to sail to every battle henceforth."
"It was the first and last time I sailed. I do as you say, for I want to ride through these new and unfamiliar lands, for my horses to feed on the grass of Westeros, and to wet my blade upon your knights."
"The chance to do so might come sooner than you expect," I replied.
By the time we finished talking, we had already walked a good distance through the streets of Sunspear. If my group hadn't gathered attention, then my children surely would have. Hopefully, good sheep and cows could be found soon, as I was more than sure they were tired of fish.
We walked through the Threefold Gates. I was curious about the labyrinth-like streets between the trio of walls surrounding the city. But I followed Oberyn's lead straight along the paved road to the Old Palace.
It was a marvelous city, more than just interesting. And then I saw the Sandship. Oberyn told me it was the old keep of House Martell before the towers around it were built. One of those towers was now where the high seats of the Prince of Dorne resided.
"The Sun Tower," Oberyn said. "The other two tall towers are called Spear Towers, where we keep noble prisoners, or badly behaved children."
"It is truly quite a sight to behold," I said honestly. "Shall we?"
"Of course, Your Grace."
It seemed we caught the guards and the servants by surprise as they rushed to meet us. Refreshments, bread, and salt were brought to us. I accepted them graciously and explained the meaning to Motho and Grey Worm.
"Good tradition," Motho said as he ate bread and salt with a smile. "One's home is a sacred place. Drawing blood as a guest should not be acceptable."
The pale marble floors beneath our feet were a delight to our eyes as we climbed the tower almost to the very top. Prince Oberyn led us, though not before whispering something to one of the servants and sending him ahead.
When we finally arrived, it wasn't with any of the fanfare one might expect for receiving a queen. But that was understandable, since I had arrived without notice, and at the wrong time, as Prince Doran was already receiving guests.
A knight, from the look of him, with red hair now mostly grey, crow's-feet at the corners of his pale blue eyes, and a leathery face that gave him a worn but strong visage.
The other man, no, a boy, even if he was my age or even a bit older, to mine eyes he looked like a boy. He was far different. His silvery hair and purple eyes were almost the same as my own. But his smile gave me a familiar sense of what I used to see in Viserys: entitlement, and the arrogance of someone who thought they were better than others. Someone who thought they knew better, and who would not take no for an answer.
"Princess Daenerys Targaryen." Only then did I glance at the high seat to see Prince Doran.
"Queen," my loyal bear corrected the prince. "Queen Daenerys Targaryen, the rightful heir to the Iron Throne and the Seven Kingdoms. You shall address her as such."
"Princess." I already grew to dislike the boy, though he had spoken only one word so far. "It might be a surprise and quite a shock, but I am your nephew, Aegon Targaryen, son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Elia Martell."
It was a surprise, then a shock, to hear someone dare to utter such words to me. I hadn't yet spoken a word, and didn't intend to, not yet. First, I glanced at my surroundings. A dwarf caught my eye first, and seemingly not just mine, as Oberyn glared at him too. But then I returned my gaze to the boy.
"It is true," the boy spoke again. "My death was faked, and although I know it is hard to believe, I can explain everything to you. I am sure that I can..."
"Silence, boy." His tone sounded honest enough, but his eyes did not see me; they looked beyond me. "I am no princess for you to address in such a way. I am a Queen. Not of the Seven Kingdoms just yet, but a Queen who rules over Volantis and Slaver's Bay. A queen with an army at her back and at her word. So address me as such, or do not speak at all."
"We welcome you to Dorne," Prince Doran said slowly, choosing his words with care now.
"I am tired." There were many things to think of, and I did not feel like speaking to any of them any longer. "I have traveled half a world, only to find my dead nephew waiting for me. Oberyn is sure to answer any question you might have, Prince Doran. I would like to take my leave and ask you if you would not provide me a place to stay?"
"Let me, Your Grace," a woman walked to me instead. "I am Princess Arianne Martell. Let the men speak of boring politics, and let me show you the palace until your chambers are prepared."
"Most kind of you." I liked the woman immediately. "Arstan, stay and fill me in later. And I am sure you will find kindness in your heart, Prince Doran, to find us a place at your dinner table. We are all a bit fatigued from the long journey and tired of fish and rations."
I didn't even wait for an answer as I took the Princess's hand and walked out of the hall. I suddenly felt far too tired for my own good. And I knew I wouldn't be able to control my emotions if I stayed a moment longer, so it was safer to retreat for now and gather myself first.
A.N. As always. Thanks for reading and supporting me. If you want 7 more chapters of this story and 42 chapters in total with all my current stories, please consider supporting me on pa treon ironworlf852. Thanks in advance.