A tale: Reborn in Westeros

Chapter 29

Aegon Targaryen

"Daenerys, are you ready?" I ask with a serious tone. Daenerys nods, her focus is very visible, and her hands are steady. I lower myself to a crossed legged position, looking in the direction of Daenerys. I take a deep breath and hold my hands and arms out, ready to intervene if needed. "Alright, let's do this." Daenerys nods as her hands let go. A few tense seconds follow, as we closely watch what will happen. When we hear and see the first step, both me and Daenerys smile brightly. Then a second step.

"You can do it, Rhaella! You're doing so well!" Daenerys encourages Rhaella. Our little girl has a mix of joy and concentration on her face as she tries to walk to me. She is only a few steps from me. Rhaella takes another step and loses her balance. My hands shoot out to catch her. "Well done, Rhaella! Next time, you will run circles around us," I say as I bring her in my embrace. A few happy sounds emanate from Rhaella. Daenerys sits down to the left of me on the floor as her arm quickly embraces Rhaella too.

"She is learning quickly! I am so proud of her," Daenerys says. I hum in agreement. We soon hear a knock on the door. "May I come in?" Missandei asks through the door. "Come on in," Daenerys says. Missandei opens the door and sees us huddled on the floor. "Rhaella has walked her first steps!" Daenerys says proudly. The lips of Missandei form a smile. "That is wonderful, Your Grace. There are more people from Westeros wishing to speak with you," Missandei says. "Ah, let me guess. The Greyjoys?" I ask. Missandei nods. "Yes, Your Grace. We will bring them to the throne room."

—

I sit down in a comfortable throne with Daenerys. This is so much better than before. "Missandei, I am so grateful for this new throne," I say. Missandei chuckles. "I am glad you approve, Your Grace." Daenerys takes hold of my hand and motions to let the Greyjoys in. We do not have to wait long before we hear the sound of leather boots on stone. Entering the room are Yara and Theon Greyjoy. Daenerys looks at both with a neutral expression, but studies them closely.

At our side stand the two knights along with Tyrion. Daenerys may hate his family, but she has grown to respect Tyrion. I find him very funny and good company. Varys keeps himself more to the sidelines as he watches from a distance. As usual, several Unsullied keep watch in case something happens.

As I look more closely at the two Greyjoys I notice a few differences compared to how I knew them. Both have deep black hair instead of the more brownish color. Yara's hair is more curly while Theon's hair is the opposite. The rest is quite similar to what I knew. Yara looks confident, strong-willed, and hardened by sea life. It cannot be said of Theon. He looks traumatized, broken, and shaky. Ramsey still had his way, by the looks of it. As they stop walking, they turn their gaze to me.

"You are in the presence of Daenerys Stormborn and Aegon of house Targaryen, Queen and King of the Seven Kingdoms and Meereen, breakers of chains," Missandei says. Yara politely nods towards us. "Your Grace, I am Yara Greyjoy, daughter of Balon Greyjoy, who was Lord of The Iron Islands. This is my brother Theon," Yara says. Tyrion scans them both before settling his gaze on Theon.

"Last time we saw each other was at Winterfell, yes?" Tyrion says to Theon. "You were making jokes about my height, I seem to recall. Everyone who makes a joke about a dwarf's height thinks he is the only person ever to make a joke about a dwarf's height. 'The height of nobility', 'a man of your stature', 'someone to look up to'. You're all making the same five or six jokes," Tyrion says. "That was a long time ago," he says, trying to sound confident. He somewhat succeeds. "Yes, it was. How have thing been going for you then? I can't imagine..." Tyrion start to say.

"Enough. We are not here to bicker about old grudges. Theon paid for his crimes, one glance says enough," I interrupted. Yara curiously looks at me. It seems she appreciated it. Daenerys turns her gaze to Theon. "You have brought a hundred ships from the Iron Fleet with men to sail them. In return, I expect you want me to support your claim to the throne of the Iron Islands?" Daenerys asks.

"Not my claim. Hers," he says. "Oh? What is wrong with you?" She asks. "I am not fit to rule," he says and shift with his legs. "We can agree upon that at least," Tyrion says. "He can't have an heir. That is why," I say. Theon furrows his brows slightly. "The way you stand gave it away, Theon," I explained. He looks towards the ground, avoiding my gaze. "You have my heartfelt sympathy, Theon," Daenerys says before looking towards Yara.

"Has the Iron Islands ever had a queen before?" She asks her. "No more than Westeros," she says. Daenerys smiles a little. "Actually, Cersei is queen at the moment. In any case, why come here?" I ask. It must be their uncle, but I want to be sure in case anything has changed.

"Our Uncle Euron returned home after a long absence. He murdered our father and took the Salt Throne from Yara. He would have murdered us if we had stayed," Theon explains. Daenerys looks at Yara again. "Lord Tyrion tells me your father was a terrible king," Daenerys says. "You and I have that in common," Yara says.

"We do. And both murdered by a usurper as well," she says. She turns to me. "Will their ships be enough," she asks. "It will. We have more than enough ships to carry all our men and the Golden Company. How long would you say it will take before Euron has enough ships to conquer and plunder Westeros?" I ask. "Many months. Most will be finished around the time we arrive in Westeros if we leave soon," Yara answers. "What does this uncle of yours want?" Daenerys asks Yara. "The Seven Kingdoms," she says. "And you don't want the Seven Kingdoms?" Daenerys asks. "Your ancestors defeated ours and took the Iron Islands. We ask you to give them back," she says. "And that is all?"

"We'd like you to help us murder an uncle or two who don't think a woman's fit to rule," she says. Daenerys looks at me and then back as Yara, smiling. "Reasonable," she says. "We are not murders, Yara. You may get our support, but we will not murder anyone," I interjected. Daenerys softly sighs. "My husband is right. You will have our support, but your uncles are something you need to deal with." Yara nods. "Fair enough."

"What if everyone starts demanding their independence?" Tyrion asks. "She is not demanding, she is asking. The others are free to ask as well. Our fathers were evil men," She starts saying. "They left the world worse than they found it. We're going to leave the world better than we found it," Dany says as she stands up to walk towards them. I follow suit. "You will support our claim to The Seven Kingdoms and respect the integrity of The Seven Kingdoms. No more reaving, roving, raiding, or raping," Daenerys says.

"That is our way of life," Yara says. "No more," Daenerys says, looking intently at Yara. Yara looks at her brother, who nods. She looks at Daenerys and me again. "No more," she says and extends a hand towards me. I chuckle and take her hand to shake it. "I am not wearing the pants in this relationship, Yara. You should shake Daenerys' hand" She blinks a few times before she laughs. "I am glad I came to you for support, Your Majesties," Yara says as she shakes the hand of Daenerys as well.

"Yara, I am starting to like you. Daenerys and I are glad to have your support," I say. She nods with a soft smile. Tyrion claps two times as he approaches us. "We should celebrate this new alliance with food and drinks!" he says. "You are welcome to join us for dinner, Theon and Yara. I will make sure that drinks and food is brought to your men as well," Daenerys says. "My men will appreciate your hospitality, Your Grace. We will come back in an hour. I need to check on my ships first," Yara says.

As the Greyjoys leave, I make my way back to my room with Daenerys. "Yara is quite the character," Daenerys says. "Yeah, you could say that again. Theon... I feel for him. Ramsey Bolton is a terror that you don't want the hospitality of," I say to Daenerys. "What did Ramsey do?" Daenerys asks. "You don't want to know. Believe me, you really don't." Daenerys nods in surprise.

"So, Yara... she likes women it seems," Daenerys says trying to lift the mood. "How did you know?" Daenerys chuckles. "Yara was eying me with interest. I can appreciate a woman's touch as well, Aegon. It is nothing to be ashamed of," she says. "I have no qualms with people that love the same gender. It is a shame that people hunt them down or at least make their life miserable for their preference."

"I have to do something about it when I become queen. So, you have no problems with it? You know, I did... spend some time with Irri... in bed," Daenerys says shyly. I turn to look at her with a raised eyebrow in surprise. "It was before I met you. I do think she still has feelings for me," Daenerys sighs. "Right... that is why she keeps a distance from me," I say with a sigh. "Well, let's focus on the coming dinner! It will be nice to dine with friends." I nod as we make ready for dinner.