ᴅᴀʀᴋ ʀᴇᴅ ↪𝑉. 𝑇𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑖𝑖

8. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭

Dany's face fell as she processed what Reyna was saying, "I see. I suppose I had not thought of that. But what can we do? Viserys is set on his path, and I cannot imagine he will be willing to turn back now".

Reyna couldn't help but notice the crestfallen look which washed over the Princess' face, so before she could say something that would make Daenerys feel worse, she bit her tongue and nodded stiffly. Just like the princess, Reyna wanted to return back home too.

"And what do you intend to do when you go back to Westeros?" Reyna asked.

Dany had to take a moment to think about that. Memories of Viserys explaining to her their family traditions filled her mind. If Viserys succeeded, then she would be expected to marry him as per Targaryen tradition. Dany repressed a shudder just thinking about it.

From the corner of her eye, Dany looked at Reyna. The girl with beautiful green eyes and dark hair. Viserys told her (threatened her really) to try and get Reyna to see the advantages of marrying Viserys (Dany wasn't really sure what those advantages were). She knew Viserys would be aligning himself with the North, thereby getting the whole Northern army, but she knew not of what Reyna was getting from this.

If she convinced Reyna to marry Viserys, then Dany didn't need to. But… could Dany really condemn Reyna to a life of Viserys? But if she didn't persuade Reyna to go with Viserys willingly, then her brother would take her forcefully.

Suddenly Dany felt nauseous, her thoughts were hurting her head and she realized she still had not answered Reyna's question. She took a deep breath and said, "I... I suppose I will fulfill my duty as a princess of House Targaryen. To marry my brother, the Prince of Dragonstone. It's a tradition of our house, for Targaryen rulers to wed their sisters."

Reyna sat up straight, stunned. "But you do not want this, no?"

"No, but I have no choice," the princess said, her voice quiet. "Viserys is the last male member of House Targaryen, and if he doesn't take the Iron Throne, our house could be destroyed. It is a lot of pressure to put on him, and on me," Dany went on, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wish there was another way. But this is the only path available to me."

Reyna felt a lump form in her throat as she listened to her friend speak. The thought of Daenerys marrying her own brother was horrifying, and she knew that it was something that the princess did not want to do. She couldn't sit by and let it happen, but she didn't know how to stop it.

Her heart ached for the lonely princess sitting in front of her. She placed the wineglass on the table beside her and moved over to where Dany sat, crouching down next to her. "Then I will help you in any way I can," Reyna said, her voice determined. "You don't have to face this alone."

"Reyna..." Dany began, her eyes filling with tears. "You are too kind. But I cannot ask you for such."

"You do not need to ask," Reyna said, reaching out to take Dany's hand. "And you do not have to worry about me, I want to help you. Thank you for confiding in me."

Dany felt a warm glow spread through her, like she had finally found a place she belonged.

"And I'm forever grateful for your friendship," Dany said, squeezing her friend's hand. "That means more to me than you will ever know."

Dany leaned back onto the floor, feeling a weight lifting off of her shoulders. She had finally found someone who understood her, who would help her. And with Reyna by her side, she felt like she could endure anything.

"Reyna," Daenerys asked softly, "do you miss your home?"

Reyna gave a hollow chuckle. "Not exactly," she admitted. "My home, my people, betrayed me. I only miss my family, and I'd very much like to return to them."