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ONCE Reyna had realized that the shape that had been ripped out of her was more than just a formless mass, she hesitantly picked it up, despite Dany and Ser Jorah's protests.
Using the fabric of her sand silk dress, she attempted to clean as much of the blood from it as she could, only to then realize that it was her babe, her precious Cregan, all curled up and tiny.
'He's so small,' Reyna thought, 'So small,' she mused to herself. Like an ear of corn, she compared.
How ironic it was, that Reyna had lost her babe besides a river named Womb of the World.
Ser Jorah had been keeping a close eye on her, as Dany continued to inquire about her welfare. But Reyna couldn't hear her voice, focused as she wrapped Cregan in the bloody shawl that had once been across her shoulders, then gently settled down her baby with care and stood up unsteadily, making her way back to the hall where the feast had taken place.
Despite her aching womb and heavy legs, she felt as though she was moving effortlessly, like air or drifting through water. Her mind felt like it was underwater too.
She could recall that Dany was still trailing behind her, saying something but when she entered the hall, she froze. The once lively celebration had come to an end, with everyone gone. When her gaze landed on the motionless body in the center, Reyna felt as though she could almost hear the glass of her heart shattering.
Viserys was almost unrecognisable. His head was completely covered in gold, and the exposed portion of his face was severely burned. Despite her initial shock, Reyna approached his lifeless body, faintly hearing Dany's question, "What are you doing?"
Ignoring her, Reyna grabbed his boots and let out a sigh before starting to drag his body. Taking a deep breath, she began the painstaking task of bringing him back to where Cregan lay.
When she finally brought his body back to the Womb of The World, Reyna fell down to her knees, immediately digging her hands into the ground. By this time, Dany realized that Reyna was not going to respond to any of her inquiries. So, she gently knelt down beside her good sister, placing one hand on her baby bump, and helped Reyna with the digging.
The only sound in the air was the sound of heavy breathing as the two women worked in silence, digging with their hands. Eventually, Sir Jorah joined in, helping with the digging. And when they had finally dug a hole big enough, Reyna sat back on her heels, her hands dirty as she wiped the sweat off her forehead, letting out a heavy sigh.
Dany remained on her knees, watching Reyna cautiously. It was as if everything was finally catching up to her. Her violet eyes shifted to the man who had once been her brother, and at last she felt the tears running down her cheeks.
As she observed Reyna dragging Viserys' body into the hole, Dany couldn't help but let out a sob. All she had ever wanted was a home where she could feel safe. Viserys had endured a difficult life. Dany had believed her brother to be mad, but now she realized that he had simply wanted to feel safe too.
Was this all her doing? Was she the one responsible for the detached expression on Reyna's face? Was she to blame for the deaths of her brother and nephew?
Another sob escaped her as she watched Reyna tenderly cradle her lifeless baby to her chest, then slowly went to place Cregan between Viserys' motionless arms.
It was all her fault. If only Daenerys hadn't been so afraid and had not persuaded Reyna to accompany her, her brother and Reyna would still be at Illyrio's palace. Dany would probably be long forgotten by now, but her brother and nephew would be alive and well.
Daenerys prayed that the gods would never let Reyna come to the same realization.
•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•
Dany sighed as she entered her tent, having spent the entire night and morning trying to persuade Drogo to journey to Westeros and claim the Iron Throne. As the last dragon, she felt it was her duty.
Her lips formed a frown as she saw Reyna in the corner of her tent, her eyes fixed on her Dragon eggs burning on the brazier. Dany cleared her throat to let Reyna know that she was there, hoping she would acknowledge her presence.
Reyna made no indication of hearing her.
Reyna's behavior had not changed since Viserys had died. Dany had to plead with her every morning and night just to eat, and sometimes even had to feed Reyna herself. She was unable to bathe herself, so Dany sought the help of her handmaidens. She wouldn't even allow Reyna to be left alone in the bath, fearing that she might accidentally drown herself.
As time went on, Dany grew increasingly worried.
Would this be Reyna's new normal? Was the woman who had always protected and loved Dany gone forever?
The Khaleesi took a deep breath and approached Reyna, gently kneeling beside her and gazing at her profile. "Have you had anything to eat?" she asked softly.
The only sound Dany heard was her own heartbeat as she waited for Reyna to reply, "I'm not hungry."
Dany's eyes fell to the dirty floor, filled with shame and self-reproach. Her heart ached as she thought about how difficult it had been since Viserys had passed away. The emotional distance between her and Reyna had become too much for her to bear, driving her to spend most nights and early mornings in the shared hut with her husband.
Reaching out, Dany gently took Reyna's hand in her own. Despite the heat of the climate, Reyna's hands had become cold, like those of a dead corpse.
"Today we're heading to the Western Market. A great caravan arrived last night. I requested for the litter to be prepared so we wouldn't need to walk," Dany said, her voice gentle and her eyes pleading with Reyna to look away from her eggs and back at her.
Her efforts were in vain. So, Dany slowly rose, still holding Reyna's hand, prompting Reyna to stand as well. With her head bowed, Reyna obligingly followed Daenerys, her legs complying with her every move.
•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•
'The world was strange,' Reyna thought as she lounged on back on soft cushions being carried across Vaes Dothrak, with red silk curtains to shield the two from the sun.
It felt strange how the world just carried on while her world felt as it had ended. As if nothing had happened, as if Viserys and Cregan were not violently taken from the world where she was still left in.
The day was warm and cloudless, the sky a deep blue. When the wind blew, she could smell the rich scents of grass and earth. Everything just went on, everyone just went on with life. Nothing had changed for them. And yet it would seem that everything had changed for Reyna.
She didn't really know how to explain how she felt. Sometimes it was sadness, sometimes it was rage, most of the time it was this emptiness, which felt as if her heart had been ripped from her chest and she could feel no more.
She preferred it that way.
In a strange way, she found comfort in this numbness. Feeling nothing seemed preferable to being consumed by endless, overwhelming sadness, which almost always brought with it thoughts of death.
Despite her efforts to distract herself, she couldn't escape the torment of her thoughts. Desperate for a change of focus, she turned to Dany, who was gazing fixedly beyond the curtain with a distant expression.
"Why do you still want the Iron Throne?" Reyna asked softly, her voice almost inaudible as Dany whipped her head around at the sound of her voice, Reyna was afraid it would snap off.
After a moment, Daenerys moistened her suddenly dry lips and replied, "I am the last Targaryen," Reyna flinched, "It is my duty to reclaim the Throne."
Reyna's reaction was clear as day to Dany, she could see the disappointment in the dark-haired woman's green eyes as Reyna gave a small nod and turned away from her.
Surely now with Viserys gone, there seemed to be no reason to return to Westeros. Daenerys was now a part of the Dothraki, and Reyna knew that their ways would never fit in Westeros. It would only lead to chaos and bloodshed.
In moments like these, Reyna's steadfast loyalty to Dany wavered, especially when Dany had named her son after Rhaegar, despite all the things that he had done and from what Reyna has told her.
"If I were not the blood of the dragon," Reyna heard Dany say, her tone wistful, "this could be my home."
Uncertain of how to respond, Reyna feigned ignorance, unsure of what Dany was expecting her to say.
The Western Market was a bustling square, its beaten earth surrounded by clusters of mud-baked brick warrens, animal pens, and whitewashed drinking halls. Small mounds of earth also dotted the landscape, resembling the backs of subterranean beasts emerging from the ground. These mounds led to cool and cavernous storerooms below, their yawning black mouths creating an air of mystery. Within the square, a maze of stalls and crookback aisles were shaded by billowing awnings, creating a lively and dynamic atmosphere.
A hundred merchants and traders were unloading their goods and setting up in stalls when they arrived, yet even so the great market seemed hushed and deserted compared to the teeming bazaars that Reyna remembered from Pentos and the other Free Cities.
The caravans made their way to Vaes Dothrak from east and west not so much to sell to the Dothraki as to trade with each other, Ser Jorah had explained to the two of them.
The riders let them come and go unmolested, so long as they observed the peace of the sacred city, did not profane the Mother of Mountains or the Womb of the World, and honored the crones of the dosh khaleen with the traditional gifts of salt, silver, and seed. The Dothraki did not truly comprehend this business of buying and selling.
After aiding Dany, Irri and Jhiqui helped her from her litter, and Reyna immediately caught the whiff of the sharp odors of garlic and pepper. Under that she smelled the heady sweet perfumes of Lys. She saw slaves carrying bolts of intricate Myrish lace and fine wools in a dozen rich colors. Caravan guards wandered among the aisles in copper helmets and knee-length tunics of quilted yellow cotton, empty scabbards swinging from their woven leather belts.
"When I was a little girl, I loved to play in the bazaar," Dany told Reyna, her arm intertwined with the dark-haired woman's, ensuring they stayed together.
The group wandered down the shady aisle between the stalls. "It was so alive there, all the people shouting and laughing, so many wonderful things to look at... though we seldom had enough coin to buy anything... well, except for a sausage now and again, or honey- fingers... do they have honeyfingers in the Seven Kingdoms, the kind they bake in Tyrosh?"
Reyna briefly looked at the shorter woman before blankly stating, "I'm not certain, I never really indulged in any desserts other than lemon cakes."
"If you would pardon me for a time, I will seek out the captain and see if he has letters for us," Ser Jorah announced from behind them.
"Very well. We'll help you find him," Dany offered.
"There is no need for you to trouble yourself." Ser Jorah glanced away impatiently. "Enjoy the market. I will rejoin you when my business is concluded."
Strange, Reyna thought as she watched him stride off through the throngs, with narrowed eyes.
Dany just gave a shrug. "Come," she told the others.
Her handmaids trailed behind the two as Dany resumed her stroll through the market. "Oh, look," she exclaimed to Reyna, tugging on her arm, "those are the kind of sausages I meant." She pointed to a stall where a wizened little woman was grilling meat and onions on a hot firestone, "They make them with lots of garlic and hot peppers."
Despite herself, Reyna felt a twinge of annoyance at the delight on Dany's face.
Dany soon insisted the others join her for a sausage. Her handmaids wolfed theirs down giggling and grinning, though the men of her khas sniffed at the grilled meat suspiciously.
With everyone giving her looks, Reyna reluctantly took a bite, forcing herself to swallow the wretched thing.
"They taste different than I remember," Dany said after her first few bites.
"In Pentos, I make them with pork," the old woman said, "but all my pigs died on the Dothraki sea. These are made of horsemeat, Khaleesi, but I spice them the same."
"Oh." Reyna watched Dany's face fall in disappointment, but Quaro liked his sausage so well he decided to have another one, and Rakharo had to outdo him and eat three more, belching loudly making Dany giggle and Reyna curl her lip in disgust.
"You have not laughed since your brother, the Khal Rhaggat was crowned by Drogo," said Irri. "It is good to see, Khaleesi."
Reyna's eye twitched at the name Irri called Viserys, then spared a glance at Dany who smiled shyly.
She let out a tired sigh as Dany continued to drag her along to explore the other stalls. "Reyna, look over there."
Dany pointed towards a merchant selling a variety of cloth items such as cloaks, scarves, dresses, and shawls. Such things didn't interest Reyna anymore, but Dany pulled her towards the stall anyway.
Reyna narrowed her eyes at Dany as she ran her hand over a crimson red shawl, giving Reyna a small smile. "This would look wonderful on you," she said.
"I suppose," Reyna murmured.
Without hesitating for another moment, Dany purchased the shawl by exchanging a silver medallion from her belt with the merchant. This was the customary way of doing things among the Dothraki. Passing the shawl to Reyna, Dany winced as Reyna roughly shoved it into the bag slung over her shoulder.
After the exchange, Dany felt reluctant to link arms with Reyna again, so they simply walked alongside each other instead, to Reyna's relief.
Turning a corner, they came upon a wine merchant offering thimble-sized cups of his wares to the passersby. "Sweet reds," he cried in fluent Dothraki, "I have sweet reds, from Lys and Volantis and the Arbor. Whites from Lys, Tyroshi pear brandy, firewine, pepperwine, I have them! I have them!"
He was a small man, slender and handsome, his flaxen hair curled and perfumed after the fashion of Lys. When Dany paused before his stall, he bowed low. "A taste for the khaleesi? I have a sweet red from Dorne, my lady, it sings of plums and cherries and rich dark oak. A cask, a cup, a swallow? One taste, and you will name your child after me."
Dany smiled, "My son already has his name, but I'll try your summerwine. Just a taste."
The merchant must have taken her for Dothraki, with her clothes and her oiled hair and sun-tanned skin. When she spoke, he gaped at her in astonishment. "My Lady, you are from Westeros.?"
"My speech may be Tyroshi, and my garb Dothraki, but I am of Westeros, of the Sunset Kingdoms," Dany told him, causing Reyna to subtly roll her eyes.
Doreah stepped up beside them. "You have the honor to address Daenerys of the House Targaryen, Daenerys Stormborn, khaleesi of the riding men and princess of the Seven Kingdoms."
The wine merchant dropped to his knees. "Princess," he said, bowing his head.
"Rise," Dany commanded him. "I would still like to taste that summerwine you spoke of."
The man bounded to his feet. "That? Dornish swill. It is not worthy of a princess. I have a dry red from the Arbor, crisp and delectable. Please, let me give you a cask."
"You honor me, ser," Dany murmured sweetly, grinning with gratitude. Meanwhile, Reyna frowned, there was something really off about this man.
"The honor is mine." The merchant rummaged about in the back of his stall and produced a small oaken cask. Burned into the wood was a cluster of grapes. "The Redwyne sigil," he said, pointing, "for the Arbor. There is no finer drink."
"Khal Drogo and I will share it together. Rakharo, take this back to my litter, if you'd be so kind." The wineseller beamed as the Dothraki hefted the cask.
"You know there are many in your homeland that pray for your return, princess," The wineseller said, his words made Reyna want to scoff, it reminded her of the lies every single man in Essos seemed to tell Viserys.
"I hope to repay your kindness someday," Dany said to the man with a beaming smile.
Reyna's gut feeling was so intense that she couldn't ignore it. Leaning down to Dany's level, she kept her eyes on the wineseller and whispered into her ear, "I do not trust him."
Dany looked at Reyna, her smile faltering, "Nonsense Reyna, he is just being kind."
"People don't act kind for no reason," Reyna murmured, mostly to herself.
The two had not realized that Ser Jorah had returned until they heard the knight say, "No." His voice was strange, brusque. "Rakharo, put down that cask."
Rakharo looked at Dany. She gave a hesitant nod. "Ser Jorah, is something wrong?"
Reyna couldn't help but scoff at the realization that it seemed Ser Jorah's word was considered more important than her own.
"I have a thirst. Open it, wineseller."
The merchant frowned. "The wine is for the khaleesi, not for the likes of you, ser."
Ser Jorah moved closer to the stall. "If you don't open it, I'll crack it open with your head." The wineseller hesitated a moment, then took up his hammer and knocked the plug from the cask.
"Pour," Ser Jorah commanded. The four young warriors of Dany's khas arrayed themselves behind him, frowning, watching with their dark, almond-shaped eyes.
"It would be a crime to drink this rich wine without letting it breathe." The wineseller had not put his hammer down.
Aggo reached for the whip coiled at his belt, but Dany stopped him with a light touch on the arm. "Do as Ser Jorah says," she said. People were now stopping to watch.
The man gave her a quick, sullen glance. "As the princess commands." He had to set aside his hammer to lift the cask. He filled two thimble-sized tasting cups, pouring so deftly he did not spill a drop.
Ser Jorah lifted a cup and sniffed at the wine, frowning.
"Sweet, isn't it?" the wineseller said, smiling. "Can you smell the fruit, ser? The perfume of the Arbor. Taste it, my lord, and tell me it isn't the finest, richest wine that's ever touched your tongue."
Ser Jorah raised the glass to his lips and appeared as though he was about to drink before suddenly stopping and offering the man the cup. "You taste it first."
"Me?" The man laughed nervously. "I am not worthy of this vintage, my lord. And it's a poor wine merchant who drinks up his own wares." His smile was amiable, yet she could see the sheen of sweat on his brow.
Reyna finally spoke, her voice laced with warning, "Drink the wine."
The wineseller's gaze narrowed at Reyna, as if noticing her for the first time, "And who are you?"
"Empty the cup, or I will tell them to hold you down while Ser Jorah pours the whole cask down your throat," Dany said, her honey-toned voice now cold as ice.
The wineseller looked at the three nervously, then attempted to do a nonchalant shrug and reached for the cup, a nervous smile on his face. He then made a toasting gesture, while they watched him expectantly. As he lifted the glass to his lips, suddenly he threw it on the ground and took off running.
As Ser Jorah rushed past after him, he accidentally collided with Dany, sending her stumbling. She let out a scream as she teetered, moments away from falling on her stomach, but Reyna swiftly reached out and caught her by the arms, pulling her close to her chest.
Daenerys looked at Reyna with wide eyes, while Reyna's gaze was set on the wineseller who was attempting to flee into the distance, with Aggo and Rakharo hot on his trail.
Letting go of Dany's shaking frame, Reyna moved quickly on her feet trying to catch up with the men, witnessing how Rakharo threw out his whip only to just miss the man's leg. Out of breath, Reyna narrowed her eyes, focusing on the man. And finally she felt that familiar tingle in her body.
Her powers had returned.
The man's legs became surrounded by a red glow as he suddenly collapsed, falling face first into the dirt. The Dothraki and Ser Jorah stood frozen in confusion, then slowly turned to see Reyna, her eyes and hands emitting a red gleam, her intense gaze fixed on the man who had attempted to poison Dany.
•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•
Reyna, Dany, and Sir Jorah were now standing in the main communal hut. Reyna frowned as she observed the wineseller, who was tied to a post, with several bleeding cuts on his face, quietly begging.
"What will they do to him?" Dany inquired.
"When the khalasar rides, he'll be leashed to a saddle, forced to run behind the horses for as long as he can," Ser Jorah explained.
"And when he falls?" Reyna would never confess it, but she secretly felt grateful to the wineseller. For the first time since Cregan and Viserys, she was able to take her mind off of them. Instead of feeling sadness or grief, she was filled with anger and rage.
Ser Jorah's eyes remained fixed on the man as he replied, "I saw a man last nine miles once."
"King Robert still wants me dead," Reyna looked at Daenerys with concern. No matter how much Daenerys had changed and embraced her role as Khaleesi, Reyna could still sense the scared girl inside.
"This poisoner was the first. He won't be the last," added Ser Jorah, only adding to her unease.
"I thought he'd leave me alone, now that my brother is gone," she whispered sadly.
"He will never give you peace," Reyna's voice was soft and gentle as she spoke, "You are now the last of the Targaryens. And Rhaego will also carry the blood of the Targaryens now."
"He will not have my son," Daenerys said, placing a protective hand across her stomach, which Reyna couldn't help but notice.
She had to restrain the urge to place her hand over her now flat stomach.
Ser Jorah looked at Daenerys with unmasked affection in his eyes, "He will not have you either, Khaleesi."
Their focus shifted to Drogo as he burst through the doors with his bloodriders. Reyna couldn't help but be surprised by the expression of concern on his usually rugged face as he gazed at Daenerys.
His large hands gently cradled her face as he asked, "Jalan atthirari anni. Hash yer haqe?"
(Moon of my life. Are you hurt?)
Dany shook her head with a tender smile, and he sighed in relief before planting a kiss on her forehead.
Drogo then turned to Ser Jorah, "Jóra Andáhli..." (Jorah the Andal.)
Approaching the knight, he rested a heavy hand on his shoulder and said, "Sháfkea ánha asták jin: Ókki zhílle hrazéf fin állayafa sháfka drogikhoón ánni. Me sháfki. Ánha asshilák jin azh sháfkea háji rekoón et sháfka."
(I heard what you did. Choose any horse you wish, it is yours. I make this gift to you.)
Then he shifted his intense gaze to Reyna. She was certain his warriors had informed him of her actions. Reyna wondered if he would also bestow a golden crown upon herbas he did Viserys, or perhaps disregard Dany's wishes and offer her as a gift to his brutal bloodriders.
Despite his piercing stare, Reyna maintained a calm expression, wondering if these could be her final moments. Surprisingly, she found she was indifferent to the possibility. However, with his stern gaze fixed on her, all he did was give her a thankful nod, to which Reyna did not respond.
Drogo returned back to Daenerys, placing a gentle hand on her stomach as he addressed the whole room, "Ma rizhaán ánni, Vezh fíni Ásaja Rhaesheserés: Maán ánha valloshák azh ákka. Maán ánha vazhák jin adór shíqethi finaán néva áve máisi máe. Ánha vazhák maán Rhaeshís Andáhli. Ánha, zhey Drogo, aták jin."
(And to my son, the Stallion Who Will Mount the World. I will also pledge a gift: I will give him the iron chair, that his mother's father sat upon. I will give him Seven Kingdoms. I, Drogo, will do this.)
The rest of the Khalasar members burst into cheers and screams at their Khal's words.
"Ánha vidrík khalasarés ánni jim, finnaán nákhoe rhaeshesér, majin adothrák hrazéf ído yómme Hávazzhifi Kázga ven et vo khal avvós. Ánha vaddrivák mahrazhís fíni óndee khogár shíqethi ma vohharák okrenegwín móri. Ánha aqorasók chioriés móri, vazzafrók yal móri, ma afichák vojjór sámva Vaesaán Dothrák. Ki jíni ánha asták asqóy, ánha, Drógo ki Bharbosi. Ki jíni ánha asták asqóy hatíf Máisi Krázaaji, kash shíeraki vítihiri asavvasoón!"
(I will take my Khalasar west to where the world ends and ride wooden horses across the black salt water as no Khal has done before! I will kill the men in iron suits and tear down their stone houses! I will rape their women, take their children as slaves, and bring their broken gods back to Vaes Dothrak! This, I vow. I, Drogo, son of Bharbo. I swear before the Mother of Mountains as the stars look down in witness!)
Reyna's breath caught in her chest as she surveyed the room. The men were thumping their chests like wild animals, while Dany gazed at him with a loving smile.
If Khal Drogo's Khalasar were to cross the Narrow Sea, Westeros would be doomed.
They soon left Vaes Dothrak two days later, striking south and west across the plains. Khal Drogo led them on his great red stallion, with Daenerys beside him on her silver stead. The wineseller hurried behind them, naked, on foot, chained at throat and wrists. His chains were fastened to the halter of Dany's silver horse. As Reyna rode upon Visenya she watched as the man ran after the horse, barefoot and stumbling.
Upon reaching the grand gates of Vaes Dothrak, Reyna turned to look back. Her husband and her son would now remain here forever. A place in which Viserys had detested and hated. She had never felt as alone as she did in that moment.
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An- I kinda miss Viserys.
Also yesterday I watched a vid of a girl talking about how half the fandom loves Aegon ii, while everyone collectively hates Viserys iii. And I actually found that like so fascinating when Aegon, yes was neglected, but he had the perfect life in a castle, and yet Viserys was a child starving on the streets, raising his baby sister, the world was against him from the start.
I wish I could actually know what Viserys would've been like if his mother had survived and went with them to Essos. I reckon they would have lived a better life. Because what I understand is after sir Willem died, the people threw out Dany and Viserys, but I don't think they would have thrown them out if Rhaella had been there.
Hope you enjoyed it.
Word count: 4520 words
Feel free to vote, comment and follow me.🩷