Hating Her (Cersei x Daenerys)

Daenerys

"We have no choice now, we must act", Cersei said in a voice that displayed her discontent with what she was saying. Varys had come to them as they were breaking their fast, informing them of a rumor that was spreading quickly around the Vale. Supposedly, Littlefinger had managed to hatch his dragon egg, which, by itself, wouldn't have been any reason for concern. But his alleged success had drawn important people to his side, namely Stannis Baratheon and the sorceress Melisandre. She apparently believed his dragon was sent by the Lord of the Light to reclaim the Iron Throne and restore the glorious days of Westeros, when dragons ruled the continent with fire. "Lord Baelish alone wouldn't put any pressure on us, no matter how much he may boast and make threats. But Stannis is not someone we can ignore. If he manages to convince the people that Baelish has a claim of some sort to the throne, it could be perilous for us. He might also try to take the throne from him as soon as he was established, or rule through him. No, we cannot risk him getting anywhere near that goal." "What would you have us do?", Daenerys asked. "Attack him with Drogon and Rhaegal? It would be only fit, given that his claim relies upon a dragon." But that seemed to stir a new thought in Cersei. "No. You and the dragons will stay here. I may be wrong, but I believe this could be some elaborate scheme to obtain or kill your own dragons. And if that is so, they mustn't be anywhere near the ground where we meet." "So you'll go alone? No, I won't have that." "I won't be alone. I will have the entire force of the Lannister army and the Queensguard behind me. Do not fear for me, I'm not queen since yesterday. I know what these meetings are like, and I will be safe and sound amidst my sworn shields." Daenerys had to agree with that, though reluctantly. "So, where will you meet him? And mainly, how? In open combat or under peace terms?" "That depends entirely on his willingness to comply", Cersei replied in a cool voice. "I will not suffer his slights lightly, and I will certainly not be mellow just to avoid battle if he continues to offend our authority like this." This was the Cersei Daenerys had known before their marriage, tough and calculated, though temperamental to a fault. She nodded. "So be it. May I suggest the Trident as a meeting point? The Riverlords like us well, thanks to Lord Frey, and it was a lucky battleground for your late husband." Cersei saw the reason in that and arranged for a letter to be sent to Baelish, challenging him in the name of the rightful Queen to disperse his rebellion or meet her forces in battle. It was obvious that he wouldn't back down - Littlefinger never took action unless he had thoroughly considered all possible outcomes, so clearly he was willing to let it come to a confrontation.

"I'm curious how he plans to present this phantom dragon of his", Cersei told Daenerys later as the two of them bathed together in their chamber. "For now, I cannot see how he hopes to convince me that it exists, with no actual dragon to show... although that also makes me wonder how he convinced those in liege to him." A sliver of doubt crept into her voice. "What if he actually did the impossible, Dany? What if I go there, and there is a real dragon facing me?" Daenerys kissed her bare wet shoulder. "Even so, it would be tiny, hardly a threat to you at all. And if he tried to hurt you, I would come rescue you, my queen." Cersei smiled at that and leaned back to kiss her. "All will go well, you'll see", Dany reassured her between kisses. "No one can withstand your power, and you'll return in glory for defending your kingdom." "Our kingdom", Cersei replied and rolled on top of her, her kisses growing hungrier.

Soon, the dreaded moment had come. Cersei returned from a visit to the maester's chambers and started preparing for her departure. "I will miss you sorely", Daenerys complained as she entered, "and I shall think of you every moment, although your victory is certain." "I hope so", Cersei said. "I shall be back within the fortnight if all goes well, meaning if Lord Baelish's army is no bigger or stronger than we accounted for." She didn't say it, but Daenerys could tell what she was thinking: and if he doesn't have a dragon. "Everything will go according to plan, my love", she calmed her. "Have trust in yourself." Of that, Cersei Lannister certainly had enough, but there seemed to be something else nagging at her, something she feared. But Daenerys knew there was no way to get Cersei to tell a secret that she would not tell of her own accord, so she resolved to get the parting over with and do her best to do so on a positive note, full of love for her queen wife. "Let me hear you roar, my brave lioness", Dany said in a seductive tone, a fierce smile playing around her lips. "Roar until the crimson of their blood boils with our fire." "Whether it be half a continent away, or here in our palace, I promise you shall hear my victory. Our victory." And with these words and a passionate kiss, her golden queen left the chamber, the castle and the town, onward to face what could be her greatest opponent yet.