Bound by Blood and Oaths

Chapter 12: Loving From The Heart

Red Waste

"Are we cursed?" Jaehaerys asked. Daenerys sighs as she looked around the desolate, scorching hot, and unforgiving land they walked in. She doesn't really feel blessed, but cursed? Well, it is starting to feel like it. Everyone walked like ghosts hoping for a drop of water or a bowl of food. This track to Qarth felt like a slow execution.

"I hope not..." she says as she tried to feed Aegor with meat.

"Are you sure this way is the only way, Jorah?" Jaehaerys asks as Rhaelion curls around his neck comfortingly. There weren't many options to go to. Either way seemed dangerous. Every way they could have gone, someone would have tried to kill them and their dragons.

"Going south would have..." Jorah starts to say, but Jaehaerys already waved his hand to make it stop.

"Yeah, fine, fine. Gods forsaken Qarth. The only place where no one may kill us. Who in the Seven Hells decided to build a city in the fucking desert," Jaehaerys mutters with frustration.

"It was the only city that your map showed that wouldn't kill us on sight. And a city on the sea is very commonplace for a city," Baelor says with a shrug.

"Thank you for your never-ending wisdom."

"Jaeh... please your sarcasm isn't helping us," Daenerys says as she put Aegor back in his cage. Apparently failing on feeding him again.

"We need to find out where it is exactly," she says before commanding everyone to halt. Jaehaerys sighs deeply while feeling his dry throat scream for some water. He could really use some water to ease his sandy throat.

"We planned our route for a week as best we could. And walking in this blazing desert for another week. If you have a plan, please tell me, Dany."

"We will send our best riders to see where the sea is or to find something to replenish our water and food. We know it lies east. So they will ride in three different directions to the east that leads to the sea. Hopefully, they will find Qarth or at least something to help us survive," Daenerys explains with a raspy voice. Her face looks weathered, dirty from the sands of the Red Waste.

"Sounds wise, we'll set up camp close to the ridge of the hills. At least some shadows that will keep us away from the sun..." Jaehaerys says with a sigh.

Three riders were sent out with the remaining horses. A small camp was set up with cloth over their heads to try and keep the sun away. The remaining water and food were rationed and shared equally among everyone. Even so, everything felt miserable as they sat there. Baelor, Jorah, and the two Targaryens sat together in the shade. All were trying not to think of their thirst for their empty bellies. But it was hard, very hard.

"Hey, you know what?" Jaehaerys says suddenly.

"Hmm?" Daenerys hums out.

"Baelor, I think we have time to talk about your family."

"I am curious too, we talked about many of them, but not yours," Daenerys adds.

"Hmm, where to start?"

"With your father? Seems like a good place," Jorah suggests with a shrug. Baelor chuckles as he shook his head.

"Talk about the most boring man alive at the time. Daemion barely did anything to improve my home, or the people's live. It just kept going like it always did. Never did anything right, if I am honest. Well, I guess he gave me many siblings. The only thing he did right, I suppose."

"Do you have many siblings? All of them as nice as you?" Daenerys asks with a small smile.

"Well, never really knew my oldest brother. Died of a fever when I was young. My second brother, though... Oh, Jacaerys will give you a piece of his mind whether you like it or not. Only tempered because he is now the Lord of Driftmark. Not a bad man, but well, a loose mouth to say the least. What I can say is that he is ambitious and driven to bring our House back to our past glory."

"A driven man with a sense of what is right. Sounds a lot like my father," Jorah says softly. "Hmm, I met him once, your father. A good man."

"And you have sisters too? Two brothers aren't considered a lot of siblings," Daenerys says with a soft chuckle.

"Aah, my sisters... wonderful women. Alyssa. Jealous of many things, but compassionate. I guess she is the reason Jacaerys is so driven to make sure it is all a success. They are married, you know. Our family doesn't do it as much as the Targaryens, but even we marry siblings from time to time.

Then we have Alysanne, oh-oh, she is a rebel. Adventurous, doing what she wants whether anyone asks her or not. She once said she wants to sail the seas like Corlys once did. We never had the ships to spare or give. Not sure whether she will have her dream come true," Baelor continued.

"Sound like wonderful people, and very much like a busy household," Jaehaerys says with a laugh.

"It was... There's one more sister," Baelor says through a heavy sigh, "Elaena. The most beautiful woman I ever laid my eyes on, sweet and gentle. Never knew if a perfect woman existed, but Elaena may very well be. Do you remember when you asked me what I prayed for, princess?"

"I do. You said you prayed that you did not waste your life. You love her, don't you?" She asks.

"Yes, I almost was the first Kingsguard to break my vow, princess. She- When I squired for Ser Barristan, I felt pride. A purpose I thought I could believe in. Serving the realm. The king. I fully believed in the cause. But when I saw Elaena again. The moment her eyes landed on the white cloak, I saw her run away with tears in her eyes. Her sobs, the tears, even her broken voice... I never felt so much pain in my life. Even dying at the Trident wasn't as painful..."

"Love is a curse and a gift, my friend. I know that now," Jaehaerys says as he put an arm around Baelor. "Baelor, you don't have to be Kingsguard to serve me or Daenerys. Your loyalty is beyond question and I am not king, really. So no oaths would be broken. You can be on my council instead. Advising me and Daenerys on what to do. If you want, you can marry her."

"It has been years since I saw her last, Jaehaerys. I don't know if I even deserve her after what I did. If she hasn't found... Apologies, I need to be alone. Please, don't come to me if I don't ask for it," Baelor says softly as he walked away.

The trio watched Baelor walk away. He sat a great distance away on a rock, barely in the shadow. Even from the distance, one can see he is crying over the past. Daenerys furrowed her brows together as she pulls her legs to her chest. Her gaze goes to Jaehaerys.

"Unfulfilled love. Something the heart can barely cope with," Daenerys says.

"Jorah. Can you leave us for a moment?" Jaehaerys asks as he glances at the knight. Jorah nods as he went to sit somewhere else. His gaze is on the east as he watches for any of the riders. Jaehaerys sat a bit closer to Daenerys as he sighed.

"Dany, I don't know what you want. I care little about what people say or think about this matter. But I want you as my queen. What Baelor feels is what I felt during the time you were with Drogo. Please tell me you will say yes."

"I know you do, Jaeh. Am I still what you really want? Cursed by a witch, defiled by another man, carried the child that was not yours?"

"I am not disgusted at you for what you were forced to do. Viserys did that and he got what he deserved. And what do you mean cursed? I heard what the witch said. That curse was Drogo's curse. He is dead, Dany. The curse died with him. Dany, I have waited for a long, long time," Jaehaerys says as he now sat directly next to her, one arm going around the Daenerys that made herself smaller.

"Are you sure? Am I... good enough?" Daenerys says softly. Jaehaerys smiles as his other hand gently lifted her chin up so she looks at him.

"You're perfect, Daenerys."

Even in the scorching heat she smiles with tears in her eyes. Her head on his chest made her ear fill with a strong rhythmic sound. A sound that was only for her.

"I love you, Jaehaerys."