The Black and Red Dragon

Chapter 28: A heart-to-heart conversation

The crying and the anger make me feel exhausted. It does not take long before sleep takes me. This time the dream is cold. Icy winds make my body shiver. It does not help that my clothing is not made for this cold.

It is not often my dreams feel this real. The only time it felt so real was when I spoke with Daenerys. I look around to see if somebody is nearby. Not far away in this snowy landscape, that is covered with tall trees, is a fire. Someone is sitting at the fire. A man with dark hair and a beard.

I walk to him and the fire. Hoping that the fire will keep me somewhat warm. Hesitantly I walk to him and sit next to him. I wonder who he is, perhaps a Targaryen? He does not seem to notice me. "Hello? Can you see me?" I ask the stranger. He jumps up and reaches for his sword. "Who are you? And where did you come from?" He demands. "Visenya Blackfyre. And believe it or not, I am actually visiting you through my dreams," I say. "What? Is the cold making me go crazy?" He murmurs. I laugh. "No, you are not crazy. Who are you anyway and where are we?" I ask him.

He shakes his head. "Dream talking... that sounds crazy... Jon Snow is my name and we are beyond the Wall," he says. "Snow? Suits the environment. Plenty of it here. I thought you were a Targaryen," I say. He laughs softly at my sarcastic comment. He sits back down again still a bit wary of me. "No, I am a bastard of Ned Stark. Never knew my mother. There is a Targaryen in Castle Black though. A maester called Aemon," he says. "Really? I should tell Daenerys about him. Wonder why we can talk to each other though. I have only spoken to Daenerys this way. I thought this was a Targaryen thing."

"You are in Essos? Gods... and you are with Daenerys?" He asks. I nod "I am. I serve her as a member of her queensguard." He nods slowly trying to wrap his mind around all of this. "What kind of person is she?" I look at him. "You mean is she sane? Yes, she is. She is a good and kind person and worthy to be queen."

He shrugs. "I don't know, and this conversation is not really helping. If you are real, tell Daenerys she will have plenty of competition. There are two pretenders fighting for the throne, a King in the North, and of course the current king, Joffrey." I shake my head. "All the more reason for Daenerys to take the throne. She will bring stability and justice to Westeros."

We are silent for a moment. He sighs again. "Maybe you are right, perhaps she is the queen Westeros needs. Who knows?" I think about all that we went through together. How she treats her people and what is important for her. "She is worthy. I swear it to whatever god or gods you worship." He looks at me with his hardened face. It seems he broods a lot. "You seem certain." I nod. "I am, but you will see for yourself when she eventually comes to Westeros." He seems to be contemplating something. "Am I really talking to you or I am just imagining this?" I laugh again. "This is very real, Jon Snow. This weather is not exactly great you know, but I have to admit it is strange that I can speak to you. I have only been able to speak to a Targaryen. Are you sure you are not a Targaryen?" He nods. Then I feel my body waking up. "See you around, Jon Snow. Perhaps we will speak again."

I wake up to a soft knocking sound. "Come in..." I mumble as I reorient myself to the current reality. The door opens and I see Daenerys peeking inside. She comes into the room and closes the door behind her. I shoot out of bed and bow slightly. "Your Grace," I say. She smiles a little. "Xaro said he told you about your village. I wanted to check up on you to see if you were alright. He said you left the party."

I avoid eye contact, hoping to hide my red and bloodshot eyes. "You don't have to worry about me, Your Grace. I don't want to add to your worries..." Daenerys smiles compassionately. "Visenya..." she begins to say and comes up to me, running her thumb over my tear-stained cheek. "You are important to me. I am here for you and I know you are not alright," she says in a warm and soothing voice. I feel the feeling of loss coming back and tears threaten to fall again. "No... I'm... not alright." I manage to say through my sobs. She gently guides me to the bed and embraces me warmly. "Grief is a horrible feeling. Like a thousand knives piercing your heart over and over. I understand," she says while stroking my back in reassuring circles. I cry on her shoulder and hold her tight.

The feeling of someone that cares and understands is nice and also the fact she knows how I feel is reassuring. "Thank you, my queen," I say as I pull away. She smiles warmly at me and wipes my tears away. "When it is just us... can't you just call me Dany?" I nod. "Thank you for being here for me, Dany." Her smile slightly falters. "May I confide in you Visenya?" I nod "Of course Dany! You can tell me anything you wish."

"Xaro said that he could win me the Seven Kingdoms, he could buy me the ships and armies I would need. That now is the perfect time with the nation divided," Dany says. I furrow my brows. "And what does he want from you?" I ask. "My hand in marriage."

I feel anger rising in me and my hands forming into fists. "Can I be honest Dany?" She looks at me slightly puzzled. "Of course!"
"You should not marry him. I rather die than see that happen." She does not look surprised and chuckles. "I knew you would say something like that and I truly appreciate it. The only thing is..." she stops to think for a moment. "I need the funds... I may not have much choice."

"You always have a choice Daenerys. Always." She nods. "I know, but how will I get the ships and armies I need? I have no coin or land." I shake my head. "You have everything you need," I say and place my hand where her heart is. "You are brave, strong, and kind. That is something that will win over people. You don't need a man that will control you for the rest of your life. Just be yourself. If I, a former peasant, can see that you're a person worth following more will too."

She studies me for a long time and then I see a wide smile forming on her face. "Thank you... you know Ser Jorah said something similar. He is looking for a ship's captain as we speak... but I value your opinion, perhaps more so than his," she says. I sigh in relief at the fact she will not marry him. "I am honored Dany. Although, the old man is a little bit wiser than I..."

"You are wise beyond your years," She says with conviction. She walks over to the table where I put Blackfyre and touches the handle. "You are strong and brave Visenya... truly. I admire you..." I'm completely gobsmacked. "You... admire me? I am just a peasant girl..." She chuckles. "Is that so hard to believe? You are the first female queensguard in history, and so young too. You're a skilled warrior, calm, and always collected in almost any situation. I wish I could be more like you."

I cannot believe my ears. Does she not know how amazing she is? "Dany... I admire you!" She seems shocked at my confession and my conviction behind it. "You have brought dragons back! You can't be burnt by fire. You lead your people with strength and conviction even after having experienced such personal loss. You make impossible things happen wherever you go! There is no one like you, Dany."

She stands there staring at me and then a big smile forms on her face, only for me to see. "It seems we have equal admiration for one another." Before I can say another word she pulls me into a big tight hug. "Thank you," she whispers to me. I hug her back with equal affection. "I am always here for you, Dany."