Hand of the Queen

8

I pull the dress of blue silk over my skin, it's loose fabric billowing out at my feet. A belt of silver cinches the dress tight around my waist, the hem falling off my shoulders to expose my collarbone. I place the chain holding the sigil of my house around my neck once more, allowing my hair to fall loose down my back. I quickly braid the top half away from my face, leaving a few pieces to frame my face, as a knock comes from my door.

"Come in." I say, Daenerys enters with one of her Unsullied.

"Missandei tells me you wish to speak in private." She says, smiling to me.

"Yes. I became incredibly concerned the moment I entered your throne room, your grace." She moves closer to me, lowering into one of the seats beside my window and beckoning for me to take the one across from her. I glance to the man who remains beside the doorway before following.

"This is Greyworm, he is my most trusted soldier. He only sits with us because of your new arrival, you must understand." I nod in agreement. "Though he does not speak the common tongue, if you wish for him to hear as well we must speak in Valyrian." I take a deep breath and let the Targaryen language spill from my lips.

"When I remained in Westeros, my father served as Hand of the King for a short time before his execution. A trusted friend of mine served beside him, the former Master of Whispers. He aided in my escape and travels here now to bend the knee." Daenerys nods, looking to me with an intensity behind her eyes. "My father wrote to my mother often, telling her of what went on within the Red Keep while we stayed at Winterfell. He often spoke of a man who spied on the Dragon Queen, who sent letters through the Master of Whispers." Shock has now consumed Daenerys's face. "It was Jorah Mormont, your grace. The crown knew every move you had made." This time, the disbelief covers both Daenerys and Greyworm's faces.

"You're sure of this?" I quickly nod.

"If you remain unable to trust me, confront Varys when he arrives. He will tell you the same before uttering a word to me." Anger and betrayal has begun to replace the shock in her eyes.

"I believe you, Alysanne." She suddenly stands, her body tense. "I am grateful you have brought this news to me." She exits the room without another word, Greyworm following close behind. I lean back in my chair and sip from the wine that sits atop my table, watching as they disappear around the corner.

...

Varys swiftly enters my bed chamber, sliding the door shut behind him and slipping his hands into his robes once more.

"You bent the knee to her, how will the North react to this?" He asks, casually strolling to stand beside me.

"When I bow to a foreign Queen, it means nothing Lord Varys, not while Jon Snow is alive." I say, Varys looks to me.

"Your brother is a bastard." I shake my head.

"Yet Ned Stark's blood still runs through his veins. My brother will not stand idly by as Roose Bolton takes over Winterfell, man of the Night's Watch or not. When the Stark's bannermen see this beside his bloodline, they will give him Winterfell without question." I look to Varys with a smile. "I have been bred and trained to be handed off to another house, to make my own name outside of the Winterfell that will never be mine to rule. If that l can find that within the House of the Dragon, then everything I have ever been taught has paid off."

"Was her questions about Jorah upon my arrival your doing?" I nod.

"She held a snake in her court, I cut off it's head." Varys grins at me. "Perhaps it will earn us favor with the Queen."

"I believe it already has." My eyes shift to surprise. "I heard talk from her war room as I came to find you, a meeting in regards to where you shall be placed in her court."

"Earned us favor, indeed." I sip from my goblet.

"There is something else. With me, I brought Tyrion Lannister. He murdered his father before he could be tried for Joffrey's death and sought safe passage beside me. We were separated, though he will not be happy when he discovers I traveled to Meereen in despite of his absence." I slowly begin to nod.

"Do you believe he will join our side?" Varys shrugs.

"I believe he has no other choice, but I also hold faith that when he sees Daenerys Targaryen as we do, he will join her willingly." Varys suddenly smiles to me. "I almost forgot, I have a surprise for you." I watch in confusion as he walks to the door of my bed chamber; he pulls it open and gently beckons to something outside. I watch in disbelief as the beautiful direwolf slinks inside, the companion I have longed for so desperately.

"Melania." I drop to my knees as she rushes to me, she almost knocks me to the ground as she buries herself into me. I wrap my arms around her black fur and let out a breath of relief. "Thank you, Varys."

...

I enter the throne room to see a handsome man with dark hair stood at the foot of Daenerys's throne. He looks back to me and his eyes widen only slightly at the sight of me.

"Lady Alysanne," Daenerys says with a smile. "I have something to ask of you." I give her a small bow.

"Anything, your grace." I tell her.

"You deceived the Kingslayer, slipped into his sister's castle and killed their son without drawing so much as a suspicion. This is a quality I would like to have in my court." Her face hardens, though the smile still remains. "But if you should use these skills against me, to deceive me instead and betray my people, you will die screaming."

"I came here in search of an ally, my queen, not an enemy." She slowly nods.

"I would like you to join my advisors, stood by my side. You and Ser Barriston are the only ones of us who know Westeros, who know their people. And even this old knight does not know the North quite like you do." She grins at the old man who stands beside her.

"I am honored by your offer, and I happily accept." I pause, holding her eyes. "Will there be a place for Lord Varys in this court?" Daenerys smiles at me.

"Lord Varys will serve me just as he served the Red Keep, Lady Alysanne."