Winter's Fire → Game of Thrones

xxiii. All He Ever Wanted

Daenerys had some kind of ceremony today. She was going before the wives of dead Khals, known as the Dosh Khaleen, and she had asked that Viserys and I attend. Of course I was going to go to support her, but I had been hoping for the day to myself. I needed to figure out how I was going to tell Viserys that I am with child tonight.

I had wanted to wear a traditional Westerosi dress today, as I miss my home more than usual, but it is much too hot. I instead settled for the Dothraki riding pants and one of their grass weaved tops. It made everything much cooler in this nearly unbearable heat.

When I exited my tent, I found Daenerys waiting for me. She offered me a small smile and then looked at me closely. I just smiled and walked closer to my new found sister. I am sure that she is here for some advice on what is going to happen today. From what I have learned, she must eat a whole horse heart and that cannot be pleasant.

"Doreah told me that you carry a dagger on you at all times," Daenerys stated. "You know the law of this city. You know you cannot carry a weapon on you or shed blood."

"I have no plan to draw my dagger," I defended. "In Westeros you could be kneeling before the Old Gods or the New and you would still be killed. In most parts of Essos it is the same. Forgive me for not trusting those who may not uphold the laws."

There was a clear look of disappointment in Daenerys' eyes, and although I cared, it was not enough to give up my only protection. I do not trust people and I fear that I could not fend off someone with my hands. Even if I could, the only way I would survive would be by drawing blood.

"This is a sacred city, Alessia," Daenerys said. "You find your gods sacred and this city is the Dothraki equivalent. Clearly you find it wrong to break the rules of the Old Gods, so please understand why you need to put that dagger back in your tent. Or you can give it to me right now."

I was not going to give Daenerys my dagger. It was given to me by my father as a parting gift and it means too much. However, I knew she was right about me needing to understand that I should uphold the law of this sacred city. I just do not like being unprotected because I do not trust the people here.

Even though part of me wanted to argue, I just gave in and walked back into my tent. Daenerys followed me and watched as I pulled the top of my pants to the side and removed my sheathed dagger. It had been strapped to the very top of my thigh, so that it was hidden, but also easily accessible.

The dagger was not beautifully designed nor did it have any pretty colours, but it was important to me. It was made from a part of Ice, my family's ancestral sword that was passed down to my father. He had the sword melted to make me this dagger. Then he told me to always keep it on me because it will keep me safe and remind me of my family.

In a sacred city I suppose it is different though. I trust that none of the Dothraki would know its value just because of the slightly different colour. The ripples were only slight and are not much of an indication either. I am sure that no one will bother to steal this weapon.

Daenerys and I walked to the temple of the Dosh Khaleen together. We stayed quiet, but it was because she was nervous, not because we were angry at each other. I do not blame her for her nervousness. She needs to eat a whole horse heart and keep it down. It will not be a pleasant experience.

"Dany," I said before we walked into the temple. "I am going to bear my child. I wish I was to find out the future of my child. Good luck with this and if it gets difficult then just remember you are doing it for your unborn child."

We shared a smile and a quick hug before Daenerys entered the temple. I waited about three minutes before entering myself. I did not wish to be late, but I did not want to hear the very start of the ceremony either. I know what is going on and I am not in the mood to translate for anyone today.