[Edric's POV]
Breaking the siege was far from the end. I had nothing to counter the 'pale mare' so each moment spent in Meereen was a greater risk to my men. Meereen was not my city to rule, nor did I have any interest in ruling it at this moment. Daenerys' absence put me in an awkward situation…
A map of Essos laid before me as I weighed my options. I decided to wait for night. It would all be for nought if I made a wrong prediction.
I dreamed of Daenerys Targaryen, trying to reach out to her. This time… I was almost flawless. Whether it was our 'growing' connection from meeting each other over dreams or my own Greenseer abilities developing further - I was certain I could do it at a whim now.
I found myself in a log hall, which wasn't too surprising. When she saw me, she looked more frustrated than happy. Her regal clothes had been replaced by Dothraki-esque rags. Although they seemed to be of better quality… Dothraki rags are still Dothraki rags.
[Daenerys' POV]
Vaes Dothrak wasn't so far from Meereen yet each day felt like a year as she was forced against her will to return. Khal Jhaqo certainly did take pleasure in that. Even though he didn't escort her personally, he left an entourage of a hundred men, led by Mago. Her horse was far from the fastest so any attempt to escape would've led to swift failure.
She didn't fear for herself as even the worst of Dothraki respected tradition… but Meereen was still under siege as she was slowly drifting away from it. Dragon seemingly had no interest in freeing her. Mayhaps this was fate…
To go forward, I must go back.
And so, she kept riding. In time, Vaes Dothraki came into view and the memories swelled. Of her fallen husband and the son that had been stolen from her. Rhaego, the Stallion who Would Mount the World. To this day, she remembered the great prophecy. What he could have been… or was it never meant to be so?
Prophecies were seemingly just words, light as the wind. Except one…
"When the sun rises in the west and sets in the east. When the seas go dry and mountains blow in the wind like leaves. When your womb quickens again, and you bear a living child. Then he will return, and not before."
Ever since Mirri Mazdur had spoken those words, her womb had never quickened again, nor had she bore a living child.
Being officially inducted into the Dosh Khaleen was a blur, distorted by visions. Visions of a Khalasar unlike any other. A Khalasar that covered the earth, men without number…
Her first 'omen' / prophecy as a part of the Dosh Khaleen would come to her.
"The Stallion who Mounts the World shall arrive when all the Khalasars of the world and their Khals return to the Mother."
The crones of the Dosh Khaleen surprisingly were in agreement, approving her prophecy and sending word across the Dothraki sea.
The Stallion hadn't died… his spirit lived in her.
She would fulfil the prophecy.
…
Over a moon would pass as Khalasars gathered. During a night, her dreams had been distorted and she was met with a familiar face. The Edric Storm. His eyes were a glowing sea-like blue with vivid purple marks emerging from the pupil. The most unique and beautiful of eyes she had seen, yet they felt heavy as mountains.
His long hair was no more, seemingly burnt. His skin was a clear white… spotless. He was taller, yet that was the case each time she saw him. What happened?
"Vaes Dothraki?" He questioned, not too amused.
"That is where I am," She nodded in reply. "What happened to you?"
"Soo… I go through the entire bloody gauntlet of slavery states. I fuck Lys, Volantis and the Golden Company at the Orange Shore - including an absurdly large Kraken which may or may not have been a god. I then sank Qarth's fleet and lifted Meereen's siege singlehandedly, outright killing half of the great slave army of over 70,000 strong while the rest scattered with their tails behind their legs… and you're in Vaes Dothrak, of all places in the world?"
Singlehandedly?
Even for Barristan's tales of Edric's prowess, this was something else entirely if true.
"... Yes."
"Of course, I made it sound simple, like a walk down the street, but... I had less than a fifth of my fleet left after the first battle. The losses were crippling. I should've died myself… but I didn't. It took a fucking miracle to lift the siege on Meereen. If it didn't happen, I'd have been finished along with the rest of my men."
He sounded passionate, furious… regretful, even.
"And you couldn't do one thing, which was absolutely nothing except sitting your ass on Meereen. This is less of an alliance and more of me putting your entire faction on my back."
"I am indebted to you, if all of this is true," She replied. "Your contributions will be rewarded."
"Oh, really?" He laughed. "What would you reward me with?"
"Time will tell," Daenerys herself wasn't certain.
"There is nothing in your possession that would be fitting," Edric remarked dismissively. "Regardless, you can repay me just a tiny bit by not doing anything foolish for a little while. I'm going to take you from Vaes Dothraki myself."
"... That won't be necessary. I have a plan in mind."
"That plan is leveraging your dragons to unite the Dothraki?" Edric spoke as if he had read her like a book. "Spare me that hassle. With our forces united and the Slavers' Coalition already in shambles, we can very well crush them all decisively without a hundred thousand Dothraki trying to loot, rape, enslave and ravage every place we take. You alone cannot change their ways, nor could I… mayhaps a couple thousand, but the entire horde of savages who've only ever known that sort of life? That's far too naive and idealistic even for you."
Edric's words always sounded perfectly reasonable to her. Their sway was undeniable, almost like magic. More eerily, he seemed to know everything about her.
"So… the better course of action is to simply 'take' me away from Vaes Dothrak?"
"You've likely made that prospect more difficult than it would've been originally, but yes… nothing will stop me. No gods, old, new, ancient - let alone men. I'll leave Vaes Dothrak an ocean of red if I have to."
His look left no room for doubt. He was completely confident. Before, he was very well capable of being threatening, but now… it was entirely different. The Edric now made his last appearance seem gentle by comparison. It, strangely enough, reminded her of her children.
Uncontrollable, powerful, wrathful, proud, a force of nature…
For a moment, she imagined his eyes taking the shape of a dragon's. Long, sharp, pupils in a sea of burning purple and gold.
"If that's the case… I'll wait for you."
"I won't be long."
[Arthur's POV]
Edric had gathered him, Ser Barristan and Dorian in one meeting. There was a large map of Essos on the table with wooden pieces representing every force of importance. It was something he liked to prepare … almost like a board game. Vaes Dothrak was crowded with horses and a dragon at the centre.
That Daenerys is more trouble than anything.
"Last night, I learnt of Daenerys' true whereabouts," Edric said, gesturing to the dragon piece. "The only permanent settlement the Dothraki possess, and very likely to be crawling with Dothraki. That is where I shall go."
He grabbed the piece resembling himself, the crowned stag, and a strong wind sent the horse pieces flying as it descended beside the dragon.
"Alone?" Arthur questioned.
"Indeed, I shall go alone. There's no use in dragging our army into this conflict and wasting precious time."
"That is... rather bold, even for you," Dorian noted. "You would have to traverse the Dothraki sea... and if matters sour, you won't have any walls to hide behind."
"You worry about Meereen," Edric shook his head. "I'll find my way."
"... As you say, Your Grace."
"Now, while I go on with my task, I want the royal forces to advance on the weaker members of the Slave Coalition, cutting them down one at a time. Ser Arthur, you will take command while Ser Barristan will be there to advise you. Ser Jaime, Hound, Ser Loras, Ser Balon and Valaegor will serve as both spearheads and captains. We have an advantage in numbers and magic - which should be abused at every turn. Your goal is to minimise our losses, cut down the masters, free the slaves at each settlement and drain their treasuries dry."
"Understood," Arthur nodded.
"You will first take Tolos, then Elyria, and finally advance on Mantarys. After crushing all three, you will return to Meereen. If I do not arrive within a few days, attack Yunkai by sea while the Unsullied march to besiege it by land. Occupy their port and disembark across the coast to group with the Unsullied. I should catch up by then."
"What of the aftermath?" Dorian questioned. "Freeing cities that have only ever known slavery... Meereen is quite a good example of the mess such actions create."
"Time will heal those wounds," Edric shrugged. "It is not in my interest to babysit lands so far from the Seven Kingdoms. If you have any capable ruling figures in mind, then they may be put in charge instead."
"I might have a few names..."
"Well, send them with Arthur in that case. Any other questions?"
"It seems a little strange serving a commander so much younger than myself," Ser Barristan admitted.
"You are undoubtedly more experienced, Ser, but Arthur must be ready to take the mantle and lead when your time comes. He won't get there with you holding his hand every step of the way."
"Yes, that much is true... yet it does sting a little that I will not be there to see the future that you intend to build. It is akin to planting a tree only to never see it grow."
"Such is life..." Edric smiled slightly. "You've lived a legendary life. Leave some glory for the rest of us, eh?"
"It would only be fair," Ser Barristan nodded. "Alas, my last wish may very well come true. I feared for a time that it would not be so..."
"What wish would that be?"
"To die in the service of a true king."
Arthur looked at Barristan, nodding slightly in agreement.
"You Kingsguard," Edric sighed. "I admire that dutiful spirit, but I'd rather you not die a pointless death. Though... I understand that dying of old age, sickly and weak, would be even worse."
"Rest assured, Your Grace, my end will have meaning," Ser Barristan replied.
"... I believe you," Edric nodded. "Well, let's get going."
"And, while you all go on your great battles, I'm left in Meereen?" Dorian questioned.
"It seems so," Arthur replied.
"Someone has to keep Meereen in check, no? I trust no one more than you to accomplish that, Dorian."
"Honeyed words concealing an unenviable fate," Dorian chuckled. "Very well."
...
Arthur would take the Royal Armada outside of Meereen, sailing for Tolos. Yunkai was much closer, but he understood why they were attacking the smaller cities first. It would be much easier to take Yunkai with Edric than without. Essentially, he had given him an 'easier' task in his absence.
During this journey, he took the time to converse with a number of people. Since he was officially the commander of the force, he saw it as his duty to be open to the other leaders of his army.
"How is your own fleet of freedmen?" Arthur asked Rhaerra. "They seem rather... spirited."
"They're fighting for the freedom of other people who were once like them. In some ways, it's a way to make up for the battle at the Orange Shore..." Rhaerra stated. "Their loyalty to this cause has only grown since they've witnessed the King's abilities. This alliance between Edric and Daenerys... it is the greatest challenge to slavery that has ever been. It is a historic moment, and they have realised this full well."
"To be part of something much greater than yourself, with such purpose, what man wouldn't feel inspired? It is no longer about fighting for your own freedom, but rather the freedom of everyone else who has suffered the same way."
"In some ways, you remind me of Edric..." Arthur noted with a tone of admiration. "Your way of grasping people's hearts is brilliant. Your words alone avoided so many pointless deaths and put this fleet in a much better place than it would've been otherwise."
"A voice that reaches the heart is mightier than any the sword," Rhaerra replied, smiling. "You have a similiar gift... otherwise the Royal Fleet would've collapsed along with Edric."
"It was a great effort that took everyone fighting at their very best. I was but one man, in the end," Arthur shook his head. "Every last man and woman was pivotal to our victory."
"Your noble disposition is all too charming," She chuckled.
Arthur looked away for a moment. "No need for such flattery,"
"Mhm, say, I heard there was a tweak in the oaths of the Kingsguard. Is that true?"
"... All of the Kingsguard have been informed, yet it is not known to the public quite yet."
"No wonder I've seen you and Lady Stark so close recently. How do you feel about that change?" She wondered.
"It's... strange. I'm still conflicted. Even though Edric has altered my oaths, my mind remains determined to follow the oaths of old."
"In your mind, it would be as if you were 'lowering' the standard of the Kingsguard, right?" Rhaerra had hit the mark almost immediately.
"... That is one way to put it. The Kingsguard of old didn't have such freedoms, so it feels strange for me to indulge in them."
"It's a good change," Rhaerra shrugged. "As long as you do not forget your true duty... Sansa Stark is a lucky girl."
"..." Arthur observed a slight look of disappointment. Even he, who had very little experience with women, could tell what she was implying. "I..."
"It's a little amusing that you and Edric will share sisters. You would truly become brothers by law. I wonder if that was intentional?"
"... I doubt that was his main intention," Arthur shook his head. "Although it is quite the coincidence..."
"A great lady for a great knight would be fitting, I suppose. Edric values you highly, mayhaps more than anyone else... and I can't truly blame him," Rhaerra changed the subject, "Nevermind that... commander, are there any orders that you might have for me?"
"Keep up the good work, I suppose," Arthur stroked his chin. "We might need your influential voice again soon enough."
"If I can prevent unnecessary bloodshed, I'd be the first to do so."
"I am glad to have you in this fleet," Arthur managed a smile.
Women... he barely dipped his toes and fell into an ocean.
How in Seven Hells does Edric survive?
...
"Ser Jaime,"
"Ser Arthur of the House Tudburry, the King's unrelenting sword," Jaime replied.
Arthur didn't know if Jaime was praising or mocking him. More often than not, with Lannisters, it was almost always the latter. But, Jaime... had changed.
"I haven't quite had the chance to express my gratitude for your heroics at the Orange Shore. You held the Royal Armada's rear like a lion."
"Such flattery," Jaime raised an eyebrow. "You almost remind me of a younger Edric."
"I give credit where it's due. Without you, we'd have been squashed from all sides," Arthur shook his head. "For the longest time, I wondered what he was thinking by letting you live. In the end, you showed your quality. I am not the kind of man to remain stubborn with my old beliefs. If a man has changed, I will accept that change and react accordingly."
"... You are rather remarkable yourself, I will admit," Jaime Lannister nodded slightly. "At first, when I heard of your station, I merely thought that Edric had chosen to raise his friend to greater honour but... your skill speaks for itself. Not to mention your almost flawless disposition. Your dedication to improve, day after day."
"It is a little like... the songs coming to life. Instead of breaking apart over time, you keep building yourself to be even greater."
"And you spoke of flattery," Arthur laughed.
"..." Jaime smiled slightly, "I give credit where it's due, Ser."
He had used his own words against him.
"I didn't imagine you wanted to be a Kingsguard that desperately."
"What better place to restore my broken honour?"
"... I suppose you are right."
"If only the Lord Commander saw it the same," Jaime mused.
"He might come around in time."
"It has been two years..." Jaime noted, shrugging. "Regardless, it doesn't matter. The decision ultimately falls on the King. He could pick a beggar off the street and make him a Kingsguard."
"I'd imagine the Kingsguard will only truly be open to those who can wield the elements... which makes you a strong candidate considering the lack of other options."
"Amusingly enough, Ser Barristan himself doesn't have such abilities, does he?"
"... Not that I know of."
"That's... amusing. The rest of the Kingsguard has what he does not. Even that silver-haired foreigner has such abilities, and so does the Hound."
"I wouldn't count him out so soon," Arthur replied. "It might just be a matter of time."
"Mayhaps the gods do not grant such gifts to men of advanced age... who knows."
...
Later on.
"Lord Commander... this is a rather strange question, but have you ever truly questioned your oaths? It's not that I've had such thoughts, ever, in truth, but if it were to happen, I wish to know how to best handle them."
Arthur asked this in private, wondering.
"Edric is a more lenient king than those before him. Most often, the Kingsguard were seen as swords and shields to be used at a whim... but Edric sees each as an individual who should be supported and uplifted. He treats the Kingsguard as a group of companions - which may well be a mistake." Ser Barristan admitted. "As our oaths change, so might the loyalty of future Kingsguard. This complete devotion to the King that we've maintained for hundreds of years... would be challenged by personal desires."
"That is true..." Arthur nodded. "But haven't these desires plagued the Kingsguard since their creation? Even with all these oaths we swear... we are, in the end... just men."
"You would be right. Most Kingsguard were simply men who shared the same flaws; pride, ambition, lust, love, anger, jealousy, greed for gold, hunger for power and every other failing that plagued lesser mortals. The best of them overcame each one and died fulfilling their duty."
"... Like you, Lord Commander?" Arthur observed. In a way, he had dodged his initial answer. "What was your greatest challenge in all your years?"
"It was never more difficult than the later years of King Aerys, the Second of His Name. All of the Realm would have you believe that he was always mad... but he had the makings of a good king in his early years."
"I'd imagine that it was unbearable towards the end," Arthur shook his head. "I personally... wouldn't have tolerated it at a certain point. If my King was so far gone, as a Kingsguard... I'd choose the Realm. Even if it meant staining my honour and taking the mantle of Kingslayer. Even if my death was inevitable afterwards."
"... You are braver than most, yet..." Barristan looked at him, closing his eyes for a moment. "Would you still do so if that King was Edric?"
"..." That did freeze him for what felt like a decade. "I don't think that would ever happen."
"So did I for my King, once... yet his lapses of madness grew each time."
"... I will admit, sometimes, I wonder if what we're doing is right. To us, Edric is a great hero, a caring and even benevolent king, but what of the other side? The foes we've faced in this campaign have mainly been slaves forced to fight us. To them, Edric must be the spawn of the devil himself."
"As I was taught, it is not a Kingsguard's duty to question what foe his sword is directed towards... only to cut him down," Ser Barristan stated. "You are freer than I was in my youth, your mind and perspective are more open. This comes at a price, however. You question everything around you."
"I know... in my heart, that Edric means well. He would never turn his back on his own people," Arthur shook his head. "Still... he can be cold. More heartless than anyone else, especially to those he does not hold in any regard. He is someone equally capable of the greatest good and the worst evil."
And if the 'good' part of him is lost... then Aerys would look like the holiest of saints by comparison.
Arthur had come to realise a very real fear that he didn't know he had.
"With great power comes great responsibility. No one has ever possessed the power he possesses today, not even the dragonlords of old. If he is who both of us believe he is, however... we do not have to worry."
"... I hope it is the case," Arthur nodded.
"Your first question... I did seek to dodge it, but, mayhaps you should know most of all. I was once infatuated with a lady at the tourney of Harrenhal."
"...?" Arthur blinked, surprised.
"Sometimes I wonder if I could have changed the fate of the Realm if I had only bested Prince Rhaegar at the lists. Mayhaps the war would have never occured... and the lady would not have taken her own life if I had crowned her. I have failed many times in my years, and I consider that one of them."
"It's a heavy weight to carry, Lord Commander, but I do not believe that the war was your fault at all. The Targaryens doomed themselves, first with Rhaegar's abduction of Lyanna Stark and then with Aerys. I believe the former would've happened regardless of who won that tourney."
"... I will never know the truth of that," Barristan sighed. "I hope you learn from my mistakes."
"... What is that supposed to mean, exactly? First, you suggest that these changed oaths are a mistake, and now you hint at something entirely different..."
"Always do what you believe is right," Barristan replied cryptically. "You have a heart of gold, which so few men possess. Let it guide you."
"... I will,"
Arthur promised, although he didn't know where that would lead him.
[Edric's POV]
I took plenty of supplies, three of the 'finest' stallions in Meereen and Daenerys' silver mare, which put all three to shame. Seeing the grey mare with her silver mane prodding around like the wind soured the loss of my great black destrier even more. Now that... was a mount worthy of a King! We had dominated every battlefield together, man and horse as one, from the Riverlands, Westerlands, Iron Islands, to the Vale and North.
As for these lowly stallions... they could barely gallop when I wore my armour, so I travelled the Dothraki sea in simple clothes (to be fair, I've grown a fair bit heavier but still).
Surely the Dothraki have a worthy steed for me to take...
I had often looked at the map as I travelled, trying to keep track of my progress. Unfortunately, the map and reality are far from aligned, so I had to rely on my black raven to make sense of my real direction.
One would imagine that the 'Dothraki Sea' is a desert, but it was, in fact, the complete opposite. It was a land of almost endless grass. Grass that grew taller than some men, reaching frightening heights. The grass was thick as all hell as well. When the breeze swept by it, all of the grass on the horizon rolled like a wave of water - very much living up to the name 'Dothraki Sea'.
I met quite a few wild horses along the way, though none of them interested me.
...
A day of riding would pass.
I'd swap between the three stallions, trying to keep a constant pace, while herding all the others using a bit of Greenseer magic. Horses were much more compliant than dragons. Additionally, through my magic, I was able to 'energise' them to keep going.
As for myself, I didn't sleep at all, nor had any desire to, yet my body was starting to feel the ills of that decision.
'You know I'm back, like I never left.'
I heard my own voice... yet I didn't speak. It resounded in my own mind?
'Another sprint, another step,'
'Another day, another breath,'
'Been chasing dreams, but I never slept,'
This song... I remember it. Am I losing my mind?
...
The singing continued as I rode. I elected to ignore it momentarily. To be honest, it grew less annoying and more... comforting?
'I heard you die twice, once when they bury you in the grave,'
'And the second is the last time someone mentions your name,'
'So, when I leave here on this earth, did I take more than I gave?'
'Did I look out for the people or did I do it all for fame?'
'Legend it's exodus searching for euphoria,'
'Trudging through the mud to find the present, no ignoring us'
'Got 20,000 deep off in the street like we some warriors'
'My mama told me never bow your head, woo!'
One day in the Dothraki Sea, and I'm going mad... great.
I chuckled.
The singing stopped.
'That will be it for the Edric Storm radio for today, folks! Also... you're not going mad, my friend... I'm very much a living part of you.'
Oh, really? The voices can talk back - even better.
'To put it simply, I am your alter ego. I've simply used the Night King's spirit, along with the surge in your magical prowess from your rebirth, as a platform to emerge myself. Though, make no mistake, I've been here long before then...'
Now I'm starting to wish I had allowed the fragment of the Night King to exist instead.
'You can't hate yourself that much, right? Even if the world turns its back on you, I'll always be here... fighting the same battles, side by side. When you were too soft to do something, I was right there for you. When the weight of your fate was too great, I held it for you. Look how far we've come since then...'
There's no we, there's only me.
'I suppose, in a sense, that is true... you are King, after all. Think of me as the manifestation of your most intrusive thoughts. Inevitably, I am but a mere extension of your will.'
Yet I can't will you to cease to exist, can I?
'That would be like cutting a piece of your mind. It would not go well. How about we have a few, truly productive, conversations? You do seem rather bored.'
... You know what, go ahead.
'Like, for all this hassle, Daenerys certainly owes us quite a great deal. I mean, even if she sells everything she has of value, including herself, would it even be enough? Hmmm, a dragon in chains, it might be amusing.'
Is there a mute button for you somewhere?
'I'm afraid not... but am I wrong, though? I'm thinking we need to experience some proper service for our great deeds...'
Damn perv.
'Kinghood really stole all the life in your existence, man... you should get drunk and hand over the reins. I'll show you how it's done.'
Hell no. Stay in your little corner.
'Though, I suppose Daenerys couldn't ever compare to our Raiden Shogun. Now that... was a miss. You had one job - one job! She was all over you, too. Shameful display. You made the same mistake you did with Alysanne...'
Shut the fuck up.
'Ooh, okay, boss. I'll be quiet.'
Silence... at last.
...
As the second day of sleepless riding came, I was met with a great shadow looming over me. I looked up, seeing all too familiar of a figure... I had been inside of it, after all. It was Viserion, in all his cream-coloured glory.
It left out a roar that scattered every living thing beneath it, even startling my horses. I kept them close. The dragon would then descend, facing me directly, the dark depths of its jaws lighting up with pale-gold flame mixed with red and orange.
'That's a bad, bad dragon. I think it's mad we mindraped it to destroy its ex-master's subjects, allies and all of the dreams he had. Oh, and, burning his master alive too...'
No shit, Sherlock.
'You're so mean...'
"The moment you spit flame at me is the moment this gets ugly for you, Viserion," I spoke, looking into its eyes. I was not afraid of the dragon in the slightest. "All along, I've been trying to help your poor mother, whom you have abandoned for one of her greatest foes. If I hadn't taken control of your body, I would not be here today... and so, she would have been doomed to a terrible fate."
Of course, it didn't understand my common tongue... but it did understand my Greenseer magic, which served as a 'bridge' between my words and the dragon's mind. It's how I could interact with any other animal.
"If you want to make things right and have a proper reunion, I'm the only one who can make it happen. I will ensure that you live are treated well, fed properly and never chained like a dog again. You are a beautiful creature that belongs with the skies, after all..."
The fire had slowly dimmed before Viserion closed his jaws.
"I'll take that as a mutual agreement..."
He took to the skies again, and my horses felt relieved.
It was so simple, I almost surprised myself.
And so, I became the stepfather of a dragon.
Two more to go.