Chapter 67: The Stag And Dragon
[Daenerys' POV]
One dream had led to another, until a great storm enveloped it all and brought her back to her bedchamber. Even though it seemed like it, she was entirely sure that she hadn't woken yet.
When she left her bed and looked outside, an uninvited figure came to greet her. His hair was black as night, contrasting with his bright blue eyes. He was as Viserys would have described a more youthful Robert Baratheon. If there was any doubt as to who he was, his head was adorned with a crown, and his regal clothing took the colours and sigil of House Baratheon.
Though a youthful and boyish face, his muscular figure easily towered over her smaller frame and possessed height that surpassed even her late husband's by a noticeable amount.
"I hadn't thought our first meeting would be in your bedchamber, but alas…" His lips curled into a confident grin. "You're shorter than I even thought you would be."
Something felt strange. It was a dream - yet it felt true. Genuine. Had Edric Storm found a way to invade her dreams through some sort of magic?
Even more egregious were the first words that left his mouth and the tone they carried.
He spoke as if they were on good enough terms to jest… which was far from true. For Daenerys, he was the son of the Usurper and the one who occupied the throne that was hers by right.
"What does the bastard of a usurper have to say to me?"
"How harsh…" He looked up, observing his glowing crown. "Just so you know, I don't sleep with my crown."
"Answer me."
"Or else?" Edric questioned. "You'll come west and try to take my crown? You were planning on doing so regardless-"
"Your crown?" Daenerys' raised an eyebrow in doubt.
"Humour me, who between us sits the Iron Throne while the other is on the other side of the known world making a poor attempt at ruling some slaver cities?"
"Sitting on the Iron Throne does not validate your illegitimacy. If you do not cede, you will be conquered in time."
"Why do you even want the Iron Throne?" He turned away, walking back to the balcony from which he had entered. "The power? The respect, admiration? The love of the people? It's all right here."
"It is my right and duty. I am the blood of the dragon, the last of the Targaryens. You will either bend the knee or perish to my dragon's flames alongside all the other rebels who side with you."
"You want me to bend the knee?" Edric turned back to her.
"You could have some use as a knight."
Daenerys admitted. From what she had heard from Ser Barristan, Edric Storm was not his father's lesser in any measure in battle despite his youth. Besides, his support would go a long way in regards to willing the rest of the Realm to her side.
"Hahahahaha…" Edric broke into laughter. "Would you wish for me to kiss your feet as well? Keep your bed warm?"
He is quite the jester, Daenerys thought. Though, in this way, he had subtly dispelled some of her hostility.
"You would do whatever I ask of you."
"The delusion some Targaryens possess is exceptional, indeed. Do you realise how much of a foreigner you truly are? You might have the blood, but you are no Queen of the Seven Kingdoms."
"That is an opinion that strays from the truth."
"My opinion? No, that is how the entire Realm thinks, from North to South, men in their dying breaths to young babes taking their first. They all deny your forged titles, your 'right' and claim to the throne."
"It makes no difference." Daenerys countered. "I will give all of your lords two choices as Aegon the Conqueror did before me. To kneel or die."
"Dragons can be a persuasive force, I suppose. But - look at it this way; you are the former wife of an enslaving and warmongering horse lord, the daughter of the Mad King who tore the Realm into rebellion, the sister of a delusional brother who 'educated' you for most of your life, a 'queen' who has an army of slaves at her back and has displayed boundless ruthlessness by killing countless nobles in the east. You are a stranger hardly anyone supports, and the scarce few that do, only do it blindly because of your blood."
"The fact that you even have the audacity to claim all of your titles from the other side of the world is quite amusing. How in Seven Hells are you Protector of the Realm? Who have you protected in the Seven Kingdoms?"
"Were you not the one who ran from King's Landing the moment you were legitimised as a prince?" Daenerys deflected. "In what capacity are you fit to be the king when you could so easily ignore your duty and chase your personal wishes?"
"Aye, I did." Edric nodded with confidence. "However, two can play that game. Tell me who was the sheepish, obedient and innocent girl who just wanted a home? Would you have denied Ser Barristan if he had come only two to three years prior?"
As he spoke, his eyes glared into hers and shined a deep purple light. That light was like a sword piercing her heart and soul, digging deeper than anyone had dared. How did he even know so much? She was left too surprised to speak, leaving him way to continue.
"You didn't give a rat's ass about the Iron Throne, which, amusingly enough, made the two of us. There's nothing wrong with that. I didn't choose to be King, yet it fell upon me, and I rose to the occasion, binding the Realm together in a time of war. You gained three dragons and, rather than living idly, you chose to do what you believe is right with this newfound power."
"Are we all that different, Daenerys? Is it written in the stars that one of us must die to appease the corrupting beast that is the Iron Throne?"
"Is that the sole reason you are King - because it fell upon you?" Daenerys questioned.
If he does not wish for war, he could easily throw away his crown just as he had done in that dream.
"In part." He smiled, turning to the stars. "I've realised that I alone can carve the future I seek for myself, the Realm and even the known world. The Iron Throne and all the power, influence and resources that come with it shall be the hammer I wield to forge the path forward in this turbulent age."
"What future would that be?"
"An age of gold." He turned back to her, leaning against the balcony as if he belonged. Though, he did smile, nor jest. Daenerys knew that he was entirely serious. "I shall make my Seven Kingdoms the greatest and most prosperous empire since the dawn of time. It will never be forgotten... not until no man remains to speak of it. And so, I shall live on for an eternity."
It seemed as if they sought similar ends regarding the Seven Kingdoms, only that they were on separate sides.
"We don't have to fight, you know." He spoke to her feelings, standing up from the ledge. "Matter of fact, instead of waging war on me and losing-"
"I'd lose?" Daenerys scoffed, interrupting his speech. "I'll have three fully-grown dragons, ten thousand unsullied and-"
"Try trespassing my seas." Edric stepped forward, and for the first time, he gave Daenerys a sense of dread. His eyes had glowed purple, a darker tone. Even his voice grew deeper and louder, striking like lightning. "Your ships would sink, your little army would drown, and I would shoot your dragons out of the bloody sky."
Thunder boomed in the skies, and lightning struck the earth behind him.
"By the end of it, I would've ravaged you and your forces so terribly you would be wishing for a way to turn back time and run with your tail between your legs - forgetting all about the Iron Throne."
"I..." She didn't want to look lacking in confidence, it was unbecoming of her, yet she felt overwhelmed.
"A fair warning, princess. Waging war on each other wouldn't benefit either of us greatly, least of all you." His expression lightened into a cheerful smile as if he hadn't just threatened her. The swift way in which he had changed, seemingly in the blink of an eye, truly bewildered her. "The other option is you lay aside the Iron Throne. We can join hands in a mutual alliance, helping each other build a better world. To that end... we would be nigh unstoppable."
"Your dragons and my magic would dominate the known world."
"First you threaten me in that manner, then you cheerfully propose an alliance?" Daenerys composed herself, her fear washing away as Edric changed. "You are a rather terrible negotiator, the worst I had ever met."
"I just wanted you to know the realistic choices that lay before you, and the ends they will lead to." He shrugged his shoulders casually. "I could be a dream that makes yours come true or a nightmare that drowns you in hopelessness. The best part of it all, you, Daenerys, get to choose which one you want through your actions."
Daenerys found herself conflicted, swayed even. She had called him a terrible negotiator to his face, yet his words had left a deep impression on her. At that moment, she found the prospect of working together more enticing than facing him.
On the other end, she sought to turn his arrogance into ashes in his mouth. She didn't believe he could shoot her dragons out of the sky, yet he had said it with such confidence... which left her doubting.
"Is that why you sent Ser Barristan to me?" Daenerys didn't want to make a decision right away, changing the topic slightly. "For this 'alliance'? By sending the Lord Commander of your Kingsguard, it seems you wanted more than just a simple agreement through words."
"What are you suggesting?" He acted clueless, yet his lips curled into a smug grin. It was an attempt at making her speak more plainly.
"Don't act stupid."
"I have no idea what you're talking about." He lied, in a jestful tone.
"..." She sighed, shaking her head. "Marriage, of course."
"Ooooh." He acted surprised. "What brought you to such a conclusion?"
"Isn't it obvious? You would no longer have to fret about my claim, nor my dragons. They would become an asset for you. Our marriage would strengthen your legitimacy and that of your heirs greatly. It would be just as you said; we would be nigh unstoppable. That marriage would serve to keep the alliance together, in union."
"You sound quite fond of the idea, now - even advertising it to me." Edric stroked his chin. "And you called me a terrible negotiator, yet I made you start thinking of me as a King and potential suitor - rather than some lapdog you can point at your enemies and rule over. In our first meeting, no less."
"I was not advertising it, merely stating what I believe your plan to have been." Daenerys countered, shaking her head. "It is quite sound, for you."
"For me?" He raised a doubtful eyebrow. "It would be the finest outcome for you, princess. Alas, I have no intentions of marrying you, for I am not a person who turns my back on the people who support me. You see, I am already betrothed."
"Besides, for this alliance, a marriage is not a necessity - but a luxury."
"I disagree, for I would be losing much and gaining very little." Daenerys countered.
"I suppose that is true." Edric smiled, shrugging his shoulders. "I am quite the catch. It must hurt knowing you can't wake up to me every day."
"I meant the Iron Throne." Daenerys scoffed, shaking her head. "Why would I care about you, the bastard son of the Usurper?"
"Tss, those hurtful, poisonous words again." Edric sighed, though Daenerys was certain he did not care. "The true reason I sent Ser Barristan was to show you my goodwill when my Small Council chose to overrule me and have you assassinated. It was the one card I could've played with absolute certainty..."
"So, you're telling me you don't have control over your Small Council?" Daenerys raised an eyebrow.
"It was the one matter they strongly disagreed with, all of them - seeing me as a foolish child. It was the very beginning of my reign; things have changed since then."
"I see..." Daenerys nodded. "To what end?"
"Indeed, to what end..." Edric mused, looking more sincere. "I hoped for us to work side by side in the Long Night to come, rather than being enemies before it. You could, for once, live up to the title of Protector of the Realm."
"The Long Night?" Daenerys questioned. She hadn't heard of such a thing before.
"My greatest obstacle, my priority. If I cannot overcome it, I can forget about my ambitions. Matter of truth... if I can't win, everyone; man, woman, child, old, young, rich, poor... everyone living... will be vanquished by the Others."
"There is no running, there is no hiding; it will only delay the inevitable. They will engulf the entire world in ice. That is the burden that I alone carry; the fate of mankind."
"Quite preposterous of you to believe that the world's fate lies in your hands." Daenerys countered, even though she found his words convincing. They flowed fluently with charisma and purpose, as if a hero from some ancient song had come to life before her.
"It is not some boisterous, arrogant, delusional lie to make myself feel important, no... it is a harsh truth." He frowned slightly, shaking his head. "I... hated it. I despised it. I didn't choose the life of some grand hero who would bring salvation to everyone. That's not the kind of person I am. I didn't think I was worthy or capable, and that kind of burden was the last thing I desired. I thought... why should I give my life to others?"
"Yet, in time, I grew to accept it. For, if I had not, what would be the end that awaited me and those who I care for? The people who I wanted to protect? In time, that desire further extended to the Realm as a whole as I took my duty in earnest. That is why I am King and will never give up my crown to anyone."
He seemed to genuinely believe it. Perhaps there was some truth to it...
Suddenly, the dream began to show cracks, and Edric saw his figure fading.
"I guess that's it..." Edric's concerned expression faded into a smile. "Tell me one thing, Daenerys, how is my man Ser Barristan?"
"I had him imprisoned and questioned," Daenerys spoke the truth, rather bluntly.
"I see." His smile faded as he sighed. "He has lived through the history that most men alive can only read of; he is wise, honourable, loyal... he would never betray you, for I sincerely commanded him to shield you."
"..."
His eyes had that threatening glare once more, only much calmer. Strangely, she found that more chilling.
"I would not forgive you for wasting his twilight years by leaving him to rot away in some stinking cell. Nor would I forgive myself for leading him to such a fate..."
As he said his last words and faded from her dreams, Daenerys finally woke from her slumber.
She had much to think of... and do.
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