Hand of the Queen

7

I walk from the ship holding a crate of Westerosi spices, the sun of Meereen searing against my Northern skin. My eyes widen in awe as three small dragons circle over the massive pyramid. I had heard stories of Daenerys's dragons, all of us had questioned the truth in these tales. But now, seeing them so far above me, it is as through I am seeing the great legends of Aegon the Conqueror before my own eyes.

"They grow larger every time I see them." Edlin says as he comes to stand beside me.

"How do we get into that pyramid?" I ask him.

"Tomorrow, the queen will hold a few hours open for the people to voice their concerns about the city to her. We will take you there, you will need to plead a very strong case to her for her to believe you wish to be allies." I nod in agreement, smiling up at where she resides. "Come on, I'll show you where we will be sleeping."

...

Edlin and I rise early the next morning, he leads me through the streets of Meereen. He points out different paths around the city, the stands holding food set up beside those selling colorful fabrics. He shows me the Unsullied soldiers patrolling the streets, the quickest paths to avoid them if need be.

"Did you live here?" I ask him, he chuckles and shakes his head.

"No, no. My family is from Riverrun, that is where I was raised. My father began teaching me how to sail the moment I could walk, and took me on his runs to Meereen and Slaver's Bay as soon as I came of age. I've spent the better parts of my life running through these streets, I know them like the back of my hand. Although it is quite different now, since Daenerys freed the slaves." He tells me, looking up to the pyramids.

"This is different than anything I have ever seen, my family does not ever leave the North. I miss the snow, the winds of winter. It is my home, I long to return to it." Edlin smiles at me, folding his hands behind his back.

"You will return, I know it." I give him a gentle smile. "Come now, it is time for us to visit the queen."

The walk to the pyramid is long, the sun beats down on this city like nothing I have ever felt. The Unsullied watch our every step as we draw closer and closer to her, the distant roars of dragons come from above. The line of people has only just begun to form, their small qualms do not take long to resolve as we stand waiting.

"You may go in now." The soldier says, I just barely understand his words. In my days spent filled with the boredom of a child within Winterfell, I read stories of the great Targaryen dynasty. I became fascinated with their language, took it upon myself to learn it with the help of out maester through my childhood. Though the maester only seemed to be able to retrieve me books written in High Valyrian. This man speaks a different dialect, I assume it is Low Valyrian.

I turn the corner to see a massive throne room, built of the same stones from the pyramid. Daenerys Targaryen sits atop the throne, her silver hair hanging loose down her back with braids holding the top pieces away from her face.

"You do not look like you are from Meereen." She says to me in High Valyrian, the pleasant smile still rests on her face.

"I am not, your grace." I tell her, Edlin hides his shock at my knowledge of the language.

"Where is it you are from, then?" I smile up at the queen as I stop at the end of the stairs.

"Westeros, I have come to join your cause." The Targaryen Queen looks to me in surprise.

"And who are you?" I fold my hands and offer her a small bow.

"Lady Alysanne of House Stark." I look up to meet the eyes of Jorah Mormont, his gaze does not waver.

"Your father lead the rebellion against my own, against my family. Why should I trust you now?" I shake my head.

"Robert Baratheon lead the rebellion against your House, and I hold no love for that name. The Baratheon King took my father's head, his mother's house slaughtered my mother and my brother. I have always held out hope for your family's return, it only grew when I heard of your victories across the Narrow Sea. I hoped that perhaps a ruler who deserved the throne had finally come." She watches me carefully. "I killed Joffrey Baratheon, planted the poison that brought his end."

"Have her bend the knee, take the oath to join you and remain loyal." Jorah says, Daenerys looks to him in surprise. "There has never been a Stark who has forgotten an oath, Khaleesi." She turns back to me once more.

"Will you do it, Lady Alysanne? Will you bend the knee?" Daenerys asks me, I slowly drop down without another word. Edlin silently follows suit behind me, lowering his head to her. I rise to my feet once more, my eyes meeting Jorah's own. Here he stands, firmly by her side, seemingly unwavering in loyalty. His letters recited by my father in ravens to my mother ring true in my mind. He has deceived her, sent word of her every move back to the crown in King's Landing. Daenerys turns to the woman who stands beside her.

"Missandei, show Lady Alysanne to where she may stay." Daenerys says, the woman gestures for me to follow. I look back to Edlin, he nods once to me.

"I must return to my ships, but I will not leave the city. It is time my men and I found a true cause to support." He says, smiling to me once before disappearing back out the door. I follow Missandei to a beautiful bed chamber, windows litter the walls and a small balcony extends to a view of the city below us.

"Will you tell the Queen I must speak with her urgently, away from Ser Jorah?" Missandei looks to me in confusion, but nods none the less.