The Great Khalessi (GoT Fanfic)

17 - Pawns and Queens

Daenerys had grown up without a mother, her childhood shadowed by absence and longing. What she had was Elia, who enveloped her in a warmth that felt motherly, yet somehow incomplete. Despite Elia's care, Daenerys often felt adrift in Dorne, a vibrant place that left her feeling like a mere spectator. Her moments of true comfort came with Rhaenys and Aegon, who welcomed her into their shared adventures without hesitation. Their laughter was a balm, brightening the corners of her heart.

But when Rhaenys and Aegon turned their attentions to their studies, loneliness would strike her like a dagger. She knew they weren't abandoning her; they were simply focused on the lofty expectations that came with their noble blood. Following Elia's guidance, Daenerys tried to immerse herself in her lessons with her septa, but it never quite filled the emptiness that whispered to her.

"Are you okay, Dany?" Elia asked gently, her brow furrowing with concern as she noticed Daenerys's distant expression.

Daenerys turned and forced a smile that felt heavy on her lips, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Thank you for asking, but I'm fine, Elia," she replied softly, a practiced response that had become second nature. "You should rest. You already do so much to take care of us. You don't have to worry about me."

Elia sighed, brushing a stray hair behind her ear as she searched Daenerys's face for signs of the turmoil she tried to hide. The way Daenerys avoided eye contact and fidgeted nervously told Elia all she needed to know. Daenerys didn't want to burden her with worries; Elia had already taken on the weight of their family.

As Daenerys gazed out the window at the sprawling gardens, the colors blurred into a kaleidoscope of greens and yellows. She wondered if Viserys felt the same sense of isolation that gripped her heart. Elia and Rhaenys had always warned her to stay away from her brother when others were not present. They did not allow him to be alone with her. She felt bad, but sometimes he terrified her more than others who stared, but his eyes lingered longer on her with intentions she could not understand.

"Dany, you seem to be spending a lot of time in the library all by yourself," Rhaenys said as she entered the dimly lit room, where the scent of parchment mingled with the faint sweetness of blooming flowers outside. "It's good to read, but too much might strain your eyes. Why don't you go play with the other children in the palace?"

Daenerys hesitated, tracing her fingers over the spine of a book as her heart sank. "I wasn't invited," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't want to make things awkward for them."

"Why would it be awkward?" Rhaenys pressed, concern shimmering in her eyes. Daenerys remained silent, her hesitant expression. Rhaenys took her hand.

"You can tell me anything. Grandmother would be upset with me if I left my little aunt feeling sad. I promised your mother I would look after you. Please, don't let me break my promise."

Daenerys's shoulders slumped, the weight of her loneliness becoming a tangible burden. "They tell me I'm a Targaryen and that I don't belong in Dorne. They say that when I come of age, I'll be sent back to where I belong." The truth stung, and she felt her composure begin to crack.

Rhaenys's expression hardened, determination flickering in her eyes. "That's not true."

"It is," Daenerys insisted, her heart aching at the thought. "Viserys and I don't have any Dornish blood. We don't fit in here."

"Have you read about the history of Dorne and the Targaryens?" Rhaenys asked, tilting her head slightly with curiosity.

Daenerys nodded, her mind racing with images of past battles and alliances. "Aegon the Conqueror wanted to unite the Seven Kingdoms. When he first attacked, it sparked the First Dornish War. The Dornish refused to fight him openly, instead ambushing and raiding, striking swiftly and vanishing into the desert or mountains, where even dragons couldn't find them. Aegon's sister-wife, Queen Rhaenys, fought in that war, which ultimately led to her and her dragons' deaths. Eventually, peace was negotiated between Dorne and the Iron Throne that lasted for seventy years."