A tale: Reborn in Westeros

Chapter 20

Aegon Targaryen

I waited with Daenerys is a room reserved for meetings with guests or the council. The decoration is simple and the room has an open feeling. It is clear that Tyrion and Varys are very interested in me and curious about the way I acted. I am curious myself how they will react to me. It may be true that I am the son of Rhaegar. I will admit that I start to act more like someone from here, but I am very much aware of events and information that should not be known to many.

"Is there something I should be aware of? About Varys or Tyrion?" Daenerys asks. I am not sure what to say. Tyrion killed his father because of love and pain. Varys... well, there is plenty of things that could be alarming about him. "I don't know, Dany. Tyrion is a bit broken but trustworthy. Varys, though, he is hard to place. The 'people' seem to be his priority, but I am not sure whether that is truly the case. Varys is a mystery to me," I answer.

Daenerys sighs. "He did feel... off. Tyrion on the other hand, I know that look very well. He is put through something terrible. What happened to him?" She asks. I scratch the back off my head in thought. "His father used the person he loved against him. It broke his heart. Tyrion killed his father and said person because of it. He cried deeply that night. I don't blame him. I wouldn't wish it on anyone," I sighed.

Daenerys seems to be surprised and shocked. "Gods, poor Tyrion..." she whispered softly. I simply nod in agreement, not knowing what else to say. We then hear the door open and the two men walk in as do the two knights. "Ser Barristan and Ser Jorah, thank you but I would like to talk with them in private," Daenerys says. Jorah was unsure about it but does not say anything. Barristan simply bows before they leave the room.

When the door is closed, Daenerys' sharp gaze is shifted towards Varys and Tyrion. "Two men of Westeros. Two men that served kings that wanted me dead. What made you come here?" She asks. Her voice is eerily neutral, it barely betrayed anything about her mood or opinion on the matter.

"Your Grace, I know what bad kings are capable of and what good kings are capable of. The people suffer under cruel rule and prosper under just rule. We need a good king once more," he says while looking at me. A smile begins to form on my face. They think I am driving this whole campaign of retaking the throne.

"I am the junior partner in this marriage union, Varys. When we land in Westeros, we will be fighting for Daenerys Targaryen not me," I say clearly and without hesitation. Daenerys smiles as her hand takes hold of mine, squeezing it affectionately. "Indeed. I will be the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. You don't approve?" she asks him. Tyrion chuckles. "Does our opinion matter?" he asks and stands up to fill a cup with wine.

For a moment I thought he might have bettered himself along the journey. It seems it was foolish to think that. "No, it does not. So, what do you two want from me?" Daenerys asks. "To help you achieve your goal, Your Grace. If you take us into your service, we will be of great help to you," Varys says. Daenerys looks intently at Varys as she narrows her eyes ever so slightly.

"And what kind of help is that? Will it be a knife in my back this time or will you again try it with poisoned wine?" She asks coldly with a hard unrelenting voice. "Your Grace..." Tyrion says but Daenerys silenced him by raising her hand. "Well?" she presses Varys. He seems calm and not bothered by the intense glare from Daenerys.

"I had a choice, Your Grace... serve Robert or face the headman's axe," he says. "But you didn't serve him for very long. You turned against him," she states. A trace of bitterness can be felt in her voice. Hate. He was the cause for almost losing her stillborn child.

"Robert was an improvement on your father, to be sure. There have been few rulers in history as cruel as the Mad King. Robert was neither mad nor cruel. He simply had no interest in being king," he explained. Daenerys looks at him with a raised eyebrow. "So you took it upon yourself to find a better one?" Daenerys stands from her chair and walks towards him. I keep my hand on the hilt of my dagger. Varys never did anything overt, but I rather be careful.

"Before I came to power, you favored my brother. All your spies, your little birds, did they tell you Viserys was cruel, stupid, and weak? Would those qualities have made for a good king in your learned opinion?" She asks.

"Until your marriage to Khal Drogo, Your Grace, I knew nothing about you, save your existence and that you were said to be beautiful," he says in a soft whisper. "Curious. The letters sent by Jorah never said anything? Seems unlikely," I point out. Daenerys kept her unrelenting gaze on Varys. He glances at me before looking at Daenerys again. "The information I received was sparse and limited. Only your brother was the focus," he explains. "Who gave the order to kill me?" She asks. "King Robert," he says. Daenerys looks at me for confirmation. I nod.

"Tell me Lord Varys, why have I need of a servant that dethrones one ruler for the next?" Daenerys asks. "It is the kind the realm needs," Varys replies calmly. "Incompetence should not be rewarded with blind loyalty. As long as I have eyes, I'll use them. I wasn't born into a great house. I came from nothing. I was sold as a slave and carved up as an offering. When I was a child, I lived in alleys, gutters, abandoned houses. Do you wish to know where my true loyalties lie? Not with any king or queen, but with the people. The people who suffer under despots and prosper under just rule. The people whose hearts you aim to win. If you demand blind obedience, I respect your wishes, you can behead me or your dragons can devour me. But if you let me live, I will serve you well. I will dedicate myself to seeing you on the Iron Throne because I choose you. Because I know we have no better chance than you," he exclaims.

Daenerys looks at him to find any trace of lies or deceit. When she relents, she nods ever so slightly. "You will swear something to me, Lord Varys. If I ever fail the people, you will tell me as you have done today. Do not go behind my back," she says. Varys bows. "I swear it, Your Grace."

"We will see how much value we can put in those words. I will swear this to you. If you ever betray me, I will burn you alive," Daenerys says and shift her gaze to Tyrion. He was looking at the whole scene with interest and worry about what may have happened. "Lord Tyrion, I do trust you. You and I have lived similar lives," she says and takes a seat once more.

Tyrion raises his eyes in surprise. "Why would you trust me? We barely know each other," he asks. Daenerys sighs. "Have you seen yourself, Lord Tyrion? You have suffered something that hurt deeply. I think someone you loved was killed. It's something I know well," she says. Tyrion takes a deep gulp from his cup before sitting down with the wine pitcher.

"It feels as if you know all our secrets, Your Grace. Either you have a better spy network than Lord Varys, or you can see things in the flames like those Red Priests," he says and fills his cup with wine. I look at Daenerys to see what she wants me to say. Daenerys thinks for a moment but eventually nods.

"Because I do know most things about you two. Lord Tyrion, son of Tywin, former sewer plumber of Casterly Rock, former acting hand, you loved a prostitute called Shae, killed your father while he sat on the latrine, and also strangled Shae," I say. Tyrion's mouth is agape from sheer surprise. He looks stunned. I turn to look at Varys.

"I know less about you, Varys. You and Illyrio of Pentos are close friends. Grew up together, stole from the people. You also work together to 'create' your little birds. Illyrio even visited you in King's Landing in the secret tunnels. I also think you and Bealish have a sort of rivalry. Even had a conversation about chaos and what it could mean," I say and look at both of them. "No, this is not from spies but from memory. Where I got my information will remain my secret."

Varys and Tyrion shared a shocked glance before Tyrion shrugged. "You an intriguing man, Aegon. I won't pry, but may I ask that you don't spread rumors about me. There's already enough out there," he says. "Of course, Lord Tyrion. It will only be known to me. Rest assured," Daenerys says. "I expect you to earn your place if you want to serve me. I am led to believe you two are very capable and Meereen has problems. We have stemmed it for now, but we lack information," she says and looks at Varys, "and proper economic management," she finishes as she looks at Tyrion.

"We are at your service, Your Grace," Varys says. Daenerys stands from her chair. "Good. Earn my trust and make sure you deliver. I look forward to working with you two. Speak to Missandei to get up to speed," she says. Both men stand up as well. "Your Grace," they say and leave the room.

Daenerys leans back in the chair and pinches the bridge of her nose. "I am getting too lax..." she sighs. I chuckle. "No, you're becoming a great ruler. I am proud of you, Dany. It is not easy to see past a person's past. A Lannister that is responsible for your family's misfortune, and a man that was responsible for the hunt of you and your family. It takes a great amount of effort." Daenerys shrugs a bit. "Let's hope they are worthy of my forgiveness."