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Published:2020-04-25Updated:2026-04-06Words:409,591Chapters:71/?Comments:5,535Kudos:6,019Bookmarks:1,659Hits:466,902
The Stormborn and the Stormbringer
SkilledWarriorKiwi
Chapter 15: Quest
Chapter Text
Daenerys stared at Quaithe, caught completely off guard by the maegi's comment. For all the reasons Quaithe approached her, this certainly would not have been one Daenerys had expected. It was impossible.
"No, no that can't be right. I am the last Targaryen," Daenerys managed to say after a long stretch of silence, "The Usurper killed my brother, my nephew and niece. My father. My mother died in birth. My brother died in Vaes Dothrak. There are none other, and the dragons are extinct since the Dragonbane except for my child-"
"The one yearning for you was not at Kings Landing nor did he join the rebellion," Quaithe said, her eyes never straying from Daenerys, "Most forgot he was even alive."
"Who..." Daenerys swallowed, emotions thick in her throat and stomach as she managed to ask, "Who is he?"
"His name is Aemon Targaryen. He was the third son of Prince Maekar Targaryen and his wife, Lady Dyanna Dayne. But he gave that up decades ago, chose a maester's chains, chose the Wall instead. He is now over a century of age and his name has faded from most memories of men."
Daenerys felt herself trembling, the water rippling around her as she tried to absorb the news of a fellow Targaryen. Ever since Viserys died she'd been truly alone, the last dragon in the world. But now there was another, another trying to reach her.
"Why is he coming to me? Why has he left the Wall?" Daenerys asked.
"Aemon Targaryen has travelled from Castle Black of Westeros to Braavos, at the command of the Lord Commander of the Nights Watch," Quaithe told her, the shadows bending and flexing around her, "The Wall kept him living, the magic there ancient and strong, and without it he wanes and had begun to fade. The damp has sunken within his lungs and he now lies dying. He cannot fight time. He will last two days, perhaps one week, but no more. I could not sense him a world away but your dragon is like a lightning rod, the magic strongest closest to him. I have felt your dreaming and now I have felt his but it is sickness and languishing. He will die soon, which he laments. His duty is strong enough he will continue to the journey to Oldtown but will perish at sea."
"Then what good does that me?" Daenerys angrily said. How dare the maegi come to her with such news, only to say Aemon will die in a few days? Of one of her blood a continent away?
"He will die before he can reach you, but not for you to reach him if you move post haste," Quaithe said, "Dragons move swifter than anything else, even the wind, you could reach him in time."
Daenerys heaved herself out of the bath, uncaring of her nudity as she demanded, "Where is he then? Where in Braavos? Who is he with?"
"Aemon is languishing in Braavos, with one of the Nights Watch, a wilding woman and a babe of the free-folk king. They will be situated in lodgings at the docks and intend to use the swan ship Cinnamon Wind to seek passage to Oldtown. Aemon will die on this journey when they depart in two days. His age is too strong."
Daenerys was indecisive even as she continued to tremble, water dripping from her bare skin. A chance to meet another Targaryen, when she'd spent so long thinking she was alone in the world...
But to do so would leave Meereen undefended. She knew the slaver ships hadn't come closer to the walls out of fear of her child. If she took him to Braavos it would not take long for them to notice. Then again, they'd been taking preparations for the siege regardless, since it was inevitable the masters would march upon Meereen. It will take some time for them to get there from Astapor, especially if many were still wounded from the fighting there. Ghidorah was fast and strong, she could still remember how the winds had bent to his whim when they'd flown in the storm. She could be to Braavos in a day, perhaps, if Ghidorah flew as fast as he could. If she left now.
"I cannot simply fly into a Essosi city-"
"Braavos is a city founded by escaped slaves of Valyria, their first vow is that none shall be a slave within their city's walls became their first law. They look favourably upon the Breaker of Chains," Quaithe said, ignoring Daenerys' mental struggle, "They will not stop you from reaching Aemon and you needn't fear harm within their boundaries."
Daenerys swallowed, remembering the house with the red door and the lemon tree. It was the closest home she'd known, that small house in Braavos. Perhaps it was a sign, that the last of her family now awaited her within that city.
"This could be a trick then," Daenerys pointed at the maegi, "A trick to lure me away from Meereen and to leave it undefended."
"If you doubt me, ask your Queensguard Ser Barristan. He will remember Aemon Targaryen, if none else will. He will know of who I speak. Ask him of this man. And Meereen will take weeks to break and you have known for much time the Masters intend to strike at you."
She faltered because that was true. She'd known of Yunkai and their preparations and it would be inevitable they would attack Meereen. So she tried a different track.
"Why are you even telling me this? Why would you give me such information? What do you want?"
Quaithe's eyes seem to glitter like stars through the slits of her mask as she said, "To show you the way. Ask Aemon, ask him about what he has seen beyond the Wall, ask him what he has seen in the land of forever winter in his decades of vigilance, ask him about your dragon dream. Ask him so you may do what you must. Ask him Daenerys Stormborn, ask him about the winter and those with blue eyes. Ask him so you may do what you must."
"Your Grace?"
Daenerys twitched, looking over towards the door of the gardens to see Missandei approaching her. Then when she looked back to Quaithe but the woman was gone as if she'd vanished into the wind.
She swayed, letting a worried Missandei towel her down before carefully helping Daenerys into her sleeping shift while ignoring the scribe's gentle questions.
Was the woman real? Is what she said true? And if Aemon is alive and from the Wall...does he know of the blue eyed dead?
There was a chance it was a lie, a trick. But if it wasn't? Daenerys wasn't sure. No, that wasn't true. A part of Daenerys hoped it was a lie, just some fever dream. Because of the malice she'd sensed from the dead in her dreams, of those wet staring eyes within skinless skulls and the man with the crown of ice.
"Missandei," Daenerys' voice was a soft whisper, "Summon Ser Barristan and Grey Worm to me immediately."
Despite the late hour Barristan answered her quickly, clad in his white and gold armour and leaving Daenerys believing the man hadn't even been asleep. Grey Worm was not too far behind; if Barristan vindicated the maegi's words then the Unsullied commander needed to be there for her. She ignored Missandei's suggestion to dress, instead settling down at one of the tables in the terrace garden in her sleeping shift while her handmaiden stood close.
While waiting for the two men she reached out with her mind to Ghidorah who immediately stirred to full awareness with her probing. She shared her encounter with Quaithe with her child. While Ghidorah didn't understand the nuance of some points of their conversation, he understood the general tone. The idea of a fellow living Targaryen intrigued him and before she even asked she could feel his eagerness to head towards Braavos. He knew the stars, he knew the way, and his wings were strong. He wished to follow this, to see if there was another dragon especially after being raised with Daenerys telling him about their family. He would not have to be convinced if Barristan collaborated with Quaithe's words.
"My apologies for disturbing you both at such a late hour," Daenerys said when both Grey Worm and Barristan before her. She reassured them there was no danger before she directly asked the knight, "Ser Barristan, I must ask you; in your years at Kings Landing have you heard of a man called Aemon Targaryen?"
He looked completely confused by the request, abrupt and at such a late and graceless hour, but nonetheless answered her, "Somewhat, Your Grace. He was the third son of King Maekar I Targaryen but from what little I remember he was a Targaryen who served at the Wall. He was sent at the same time as Brynden Rivers. He would have been your great great uncle, Your Grace."
So it is true...
Daenerys swallowed past a thick knot of emotions, saying, "Do you know if he is alive?"
"I cannot say. He would be past a century of age so more likely than not he perished at the Wall many years past, Your Grace."
"I believe he is currently in Braavos," Daenerys said quietly, her fingers twisting into the fabric of her shift, "Sent from the Wall as the maester to travel to Oldtown. He will die there, in scant days. And I must...I must go to him."
Grey Worm and Missandei looked curious while Barristan's expression was more controlled. Either way she still expected Barristan's protest, "Your Grace, it is far too dangerous to cross Essos from Meereen to Braavos. If you intend to leave Meereen fully-"
"I do not intend to leave," Daenerys said, "Not my army, anyway. I only intend for myself and Ghidorah to go to Braavos."
"It may be swift," Missandei said cautiously, "But why would you chose such a course, my queen? Your child would protect you indeed but if you do know of this Aemon, perhaps it is a trick of your enemies. Of the masters to slay you while alone. Ghidorah may be fierce but he is one dragon. It may well be a trap."
"Do any of you know of Daenys the Dreamer?" she asked all three and got three shakes of their heads. Even Barristan.
Her wound from Jorah was still raw but Daenerys knew she had to do this. Faithful hearts that they were, she knew truly of both Grey Worm and Missandei. Barristan perhaps she was unsure but the man's honour was never ever in doubt. Not even from his enemies.
"Daenys was the one who saved my family, back before the Doom of Valyria," Daenerys said, "She saw the Doom, she saw the destruction in a powerful prophetic dream. She warned her father who heeded her visions and because of this the Targaryens and their dragons escaped the Doom which killed all other dragonriders. These became known as dragon dreams to my family, a legacy from our Old Valyrian blood. I have seen many strange things in my time as Essos but further more I have had one of these dreams. It tells me of a great terror which lies in Westeros, which is why the Wall was built. If Aemon is in Braavos I must speak to him, I must ask him what he has seen at the Wall. If my dream speaks truth. And if it does it means there is a threat lurking that may cause chaos across all peoples, a threat beyond anything the masters believe themselves capable of. A Doom that would envelop everyone. I must go to him. I must ask him. And I must ask you three to remain steadfast in Meereen to protect it while I am gone to him."
She held herself stiff and waiting as she let the three absorb her words. If she was to leave, and while she was loathe to, she needed them to be her pillars until she could return. Yunkai hungered for war but they would have to march from Astapor which they'd just sacked to reach her and that would take them time. If what the maegi said was true, then she had to verify with Aemon. Not just to meet the last of her family but to ask him about her dragon dream and what it might tell.
"If that is what my queen commands, then this one will obey," Grey Worm spoke first, a fist pressed firmly against his chest.
Missandei inclined her head, bushy curls swaying with the movement, "I will help safeguard Meereen in your absence, Your Grace. You would not do such a thing unless you knew it was of great importance."
Barristan looked troubled, his wrinkled features frowning but he spoke, "I am simply a knight. I cannot speak of magic or prophecies or dreams. You come from a house of dragons, Your Grace. If you believe this is your course of action then I will do as you command."
Her eyes stung at the faith the three had in her; Daenerys knew she spoke of strange things, but Grey Worm, Missandei and Barristan trusted her enough as a ruler and a queen to accept her explanation. None tried to argue with her, protested or ridiculed her decisions. Instead they accepted her words.
I am no longer that crying girl sold for an army, lost and weak, Daenerys thought, If what Quaithe said is true then I must be stronger than any other, to seek out those blue-eyed dead, to seek out a dying dragon to ask him what he has seen. I am the blood of dragons.
"I must prepare," Daenerys stood up, her shift rustling with the movement, "The sooner I leave for Braavos, the better. Especially as it is now night and I can slip away without undue fuss. Ghidorah can fly me swift and true but the masters and their spies will most likely know with the departure. Do not go public with my quest and do not tell Reznak or Skahaz of my true intentions. I do not trust them, not while the harpy lurks. Continue preparations for the upcoming siege."
Due to the late hour it was quiet as Daenerys issued her orders. Missandei helped her change, into a dark assemble with red accents much like her Dothraki garb with durability and comfort in mind over wealth. It covered her fully except for her head, as Daenerys knew it would be a long journey even with Ghidorah's speed. The dark fabric was sturdy but flexible and there were gold and silver chains for her shoulders and delicate embroidery across the breast. A short cloak of red hung from her shoulders, cinched in silver dragon heads and covered the pack tied to her back. Her hair was pulled back in a tight single braid, bells threaded through. Her boots were more fit for a marching soldier than a queen and gloves of thick leather were for her hands.
Inside the pack were food intended for armies, salted meats and dried jerky. She had no use for delicacies and upon Ghidorah's back her carry-ons had to be durable. Missandei also tucked in a pouch heavy with golden coins and precious jewels and Daenerys was rapidly growing more impatient even with the speed she was being prepared in her chambers at the top of the Great Pyramid. Ghidorah occasionally stuck one of his long necks down so he could peer through the windows, impatient to leave and his curiosity burning at her. The sky above was dark, in the pitch of deepest night, but free of clouds so the bare stars sparkled and shimmered high above. Across Meereen it was mostly tinted shadows beyond the scattered lit torches.
"You don't approve?" she asked Barristan as she tied a waterskin to her hip. The knight still had a pinched look upon his face.
"I do not approve of you being unguarded," he replied which was a fair point. Ghidorah would accept no other upon his back, not even as passengers, so there was no point in her even entertaining it.
"I will have my child with me and I will not stray from him," Daenerys said. Even now she could sense Ghidorah's budding excitement, fully rested and ready for the upcoming flight.
Missandei finished with the straps across her chest, stepping away with a quiet, "You are ready, Your Grace. I hope you find what you seek."
"Fly swift and return true, my queen," Grey Worm said.
"Return whole," Barristan added.
Daenerys looked at the three in turn; she was trusting them, after being betrayed by her oldest and dearest friend, but she had no choice. Those who trusted none were as foolish as those who trusted all.
"I leave Meereen in your care," Daenerys said, "Keep them safe from the masters, safe from the harpy, and I will return with any answers I gain."
North west was where Braavos was, tight along the coast she knew. It would be the closest she had been to Westeros since she lived in the house with the red door. But now she had two goals in mind- to seek out Aemon and then to learn the truth of what lurked beyond the Wall. Of the pale shadows, of those 'Others' Quaithe spoke of. Her child had to fly faster than ever before so she may learn what her dream meant and before the masters could act. They also had the advantage of it being dark, thick in the night so it would be many more hours before any knew of her disappearance.
She stepped out onto the balcony, her clothing supple and easy to move in with her goodbyes already said. Ghidorah's three heads were lowered down within reach, red eyes bright and eager. His scales seemed more silver than gold in the darkness of night, the moon barely more than a slice. Meereen was a sprawling city, many thousands of lives living within the wall and she had promised to protect them. Promised the freemen who followed her from Astapor and Yunkai she would protect them. And now she was leaving.
If I look back I am lost.
Hardening her heart Daenerys reached up for her child and, much like the night of the storm, he carefully picked her up with his mouths with Daenerys gripping onto a long horn as he gently lifted her up onto his back. She knew the stars from her long travels through the Dothraki Sea and knew which ones to follow to reach Braavos as did her child. And she knew Braavos was well known for their great statue of the Titan which guarded entry. They would not be lost finding it.
There was no time to waste so the moment Daenerys settled herself down fully upon Ghidorah's back did he flare out his great wings. With a noise like thunder he swept them down and they were airborne, rapidly climbing in altitude as he angled his wings towards the sparkling set of stars awaiting their destination. Quickly Meereen began to fade behind them until it looked no bigger than a sand castle and the painted mountains began to grow to the fore even as Ghidorah continued to climb up the sky with the bells ringing in Daenerys' hair with the speed of his wings.
No sooner did the two disappear over the peak of the distant mountains did a rider appear to the far south of the Harpy's city, bloodied and dying atop a pale mare.
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