The Kraken and the Dragon

The Kraken and the Dragon

Theon POV

It took more time than I thought to prepare for tonight. Building siege weapons was time-consuming. But it was fine. Now Unsullied can siege the main gates distracting most of Meereen's guards. While my fleet blocked the harbor, denying any external support they might get.

The blockade would weaken them over time. At least, that is what most will think. It will make us look like we are preparing for a prolonged siege. The Great Masters will have no choice but to focus on defenses against us. So, when we strike from the inside, they will be unprepared and caught by surprise.

"It is a nice night," Thoros commented.

"A bit cold, though," Anguy added.

"Then let's warm up," I said.

Like waiting for these words, Anguy smiled and nodded before informing the ships to get closer. Thoros helped to gather the arrows and lit torches. It was about time. The bear and the wizard probably had made their way to the city. So, it was time to play my part. Burn the harbor and make the guards distracted with us.

As our ships neared, I could see the harbor. I made sure to observe it well and see the targets I should aim for. While most houses in Meereen were made of clay and mud or stone and brick, there were still wooden structures, and most houses' roof was from a mixture of straw and reed. Using Rocky got handy in these situations. Too bad I still couldn't warg into that stupid seagull.

"We are close enough," Anguy informed me. "The men are prepared."

"Good," I accepted a bow from Anguy and turned to my crew. "Well, men, the Great Masters are too afraid to face us at sea, so we shall bring the sea to them. We will show the world tonight that the sea shall come for them no matter where you hide. Draw! Aim! Loose!"

Using torches, we lit the fabric tied to the arrows on fire and let them fly toward the harbor. Hundreds of fire arrows flew in the dark of the night and soon landed on rooftops, in the streets, and everywhere in between. Even though the first volley didn't set fire to the harbor, after two more volleys, we made a beautiful bonfire for everyone to see.

It warmed us all right. The guards on the walls started to hit us with their arrows, but we put down our sails, using rows to move, so they could only hit hardwood and shield walls. If some of the fire arrows set a small fire on the ships, it was put down by countless buckets of water we had prepared. And now, with the harbor lit alight, we could see them quite well while the guards could only follow our fire arrows to find us.

The distraction plan worked well, as I could see the walls were filled with guards. Now we only needed to wait. Dany's knights should free the slave fighters at any time now. Then, they will sneak behind the main gates and open them from within the city. Once that is done, the Unsullied should be able to easily and quickly overtake the city.

Too bad we will be the last to get inside and enjoy the plunder and murder. Oh, well, sometimes you must let others do the job, even if you are the best. I still haven't even tested the real prowess of my Greycloaks. It seemed that there never was a chance to do so. Our victories were too simple, too easy.

…

The battle ended by the time it took the sun to rise. Once the chaos spread within the city and the gates were open, the Unsullied, led by Grey Worm, crushed the remaining resistance. Taking over the walls, they let the Ironborn in. We quickly found our way into the pyramids and found most of the Great Masters.

If it were my will, I would have killed them all then. But Daenerys has decided that she will give out the judgment justly. I could understand that not every master deserved to die, but neither did our soldiers. This was war, and the victors decided who would live and die. I didn't know what Daenerys would try to accomplish with these actions.

It wasn't my decision, so I kept silent. And while I kept the promise of not killing the Great Masters, I still took all their gold and treasure I could find. It was mine now, anyway. Of course, once we got our hands full with bags of gold, we let the Unsullied take control of the city and stop any riots or resistance.

It took a couple of days to sweep the city thoroughly, but now that it was done, I had nothing much to do. While my ships were still in Dany's service, she didn't need them for now. So, I had nothing to do but stroll around the city or check on my men. I couldn't leave with all the gold either. I had to wait for Ser Harras to return.

"King Theon," As I walked around, an Unsullied came to me. "Her Grace, Daenerys Targaryen wishes to see you."

I could only nod and follow him. At least I could enjoy some lovely company. It wasn't long before we reached the Great Pyramid. It deserved its name, as it was twice as big as the rest of the Pyramids in Meereen. I would call them marvelous structures, but I knew they were built only by the blood of slaves. I wouldn't believe anyone with a bit of wealth would lift a brick to help build it.

The climb through the stairs was long. I found Dany in the terrace garden at the pyramid's apex, eating breakfast under a persimmon tree. Her Dragons were chasing each other not far away. From here, I could see the whole city. The narrow twisty alleys and wide brick streets, the temples and granaries, hovels and palaces, brothels and baths, gardens and fountains, the great red circles of the fighting pits.

But to me, every beautiful sight was ruined by the ugly of the city. Especially when beyond the city walls, I could see the dry brown hills, burnt orchards, and blackened fields. I wondered how Dany felt looking down on the city from up here. Did she look at it with pity? Content? Contempt? Her expression was too blank for me to tell.

"You have called for me, Dany," I said, letting her know I had arrived.

"I did," She replied, swatting a fly that landed on the table.

"So, will you tell me why you asked for me? Or should I make myself comfortable first?"

"Tell me, do people call me the conqueror yet?" Dany asked.

"The slavers call you a whore and other not-nice names," I answered. "While the slaves call you mother."

"I wonder if they would still call me that if they knew I was going to leave them," Dany said. "Would they curse me for abandoning them?"

"Are you leaving?" I asked.

"Not today or tomorrow, but someday I must leave," Dany answered. "I must return home,"

I wanted to ask where her home was. But I decided against it. Even if I told her now that the place she calls home would not welcome her so warmly, she wouldn't be able to listen. For now, I will have to let her hope. And even if no one will welcome her, I will make them. Those stupid lords and ladies will bend their knees to her, and I can escape to the Summer Islands, preferably before the Winter.

"What are your plans?" I asked.

"For now, I want someone to pay for those one hundred sixty-three children," Dany answered. "But no one will confess to their crimes. I might be forced to pick them randomly and hope I pick those responsible."

"Don't pick."

"What?" Dany snapped at me. "You want me to let it go?"

"Calm down, Dany," I lifted my hands in surrender. "I am saying you don't have to pick them. Someone else can."

"Who? You?" Dany asked. "No, I won't have anyone take the responsibility."

"Wrong again," I responded with disarming smile. "Let them choose among themselves. Make them surrender one hundred sixty-three slavers that would take responsibility for the children."

"Is it wise? What if they choose innocent people?"

"Innocent?" I asked. "There are no innocent among them. Sure, only a few made the order, but the rest still stood and let it happen. They watched as the children were nailed to the mileposts, and they didn't do anything to stop it. Every single one of them is responsible in one way or another."

"Let them take responsibility for themselves?" Dany asked.

"Nobody will be able to accuse you of wrongness," I answered. "The other slavers will have to blame only themselves, and the slaves will praise you for the justice you delivered for them."

"Your advice is always sound," Dany said softly. "Why don't you stay with me?"

"I am with you," I answered.

"For now, but you will leave me soon, and I will be lost again," Dany replied. "I know I can't offer you much. You are already a king. You have more wealth than I can offer you. Yet still, I wish to ask you to stay by my side forever."

"You won't be lost," I told her. "You have your knights."

"Knights I can't trust," She responded with a snipe.

"There is still Oberyn. He isn't that useless," I replied.

"I can tell he only wants to use me for whatever schemes he is cooking," Dany said. "Stay with me, Theon, and I will give you everything you ask."

"Even if I asked for you?"

"You want my body?" She asked. "A body that was already defiled?"

"I have slept with others, too," I said with a smile. "You don't need to be so arrogant about having sex."

"I never can tell you if you are serious or joking," Dany giggled.

"Most of the time, I am both," I laughed with her. "But you still haven't answered my question."

"If my body is all you desire, I will give it to you," She told me.

"No, I desire not only for your body," I replied. "I want you, all of you."

"I don't understand?"

"Mary me," I answered.

"Do you want the Seven Kingdoms?" She asked.

"I want to rest," I answered and stepped close to her. "I don't care about any other kingdom than the Iron Islands and the North. I don't care who rules the rest of the realms."

"Then why me?"

"Because you are the only one who would listen to me," I said. "I can't leave the Lannister to rule the Seven Kingdoms. Robb Stark would rather join the Night's Watch than take the Iron Throne. And I already tried to reach an accord with Stannis Baratheon, but once he was done with my services, he demanded me to kneel and pledge myself to him."

"You refused, right?"

"I wanted to accept it. He would have made me Master of the Ships and given me the revenge I wanted. But I couldn't."

"Why?"

"Because I am not alone," I answered. "I have a whole kingdom to care for and think about. There is too much bad blood between Stannis and my people. Even if I ordered them to accept Stannis as their king, they might have listened. Yet, they would question the decision for the rest of their lives. They would start to doubt me, and some would even think it is beneath me to serve him. If they didn't usurp me, they would try to kill Stannis behind me. You can understand that it wouldn't work in the long term."

"Won't they think the same of me?" Dany asked.

"Not if you marry me," I cupped her chin and looked at her eyes. "I will give you everything you want. I will provide you with a home."

"For what cost?"

"For giving me my freedom," I said. "Set me free from this role of a king."

"You don't want it? The power? The wealth?"

"It is meaningless to me if I don't have anyone to enjoy it with," I replied. "If it isn't for my people, for my friends and family, it means nothing to me."

"If I accept it, will you stay with me forever?" Dany asked.

"For as long as you will need me."

"Will you protect me from my enemies?"

"I don't sleep. So, you will be safe even in your dreams."

"It sounds too sweet," She leaned toward me and closed her eyes. "If you give me everything I want, I will give you everything you want."

Her lips were warm and sweet. I didn't imagine that it would go this way. I wanted to spend more time with her and slowly get closer. I didn't even think before speaking. But once I started, I had to see through it. The kiss was short. I knew Dany had things to do. I could wait if it were for my Queen and my freedom. Soon, Jalabhar, the Lannister, will pay for standing before me, and I will bring you home.