23

Chapter 23: Ch 23 Unexpected Meetings

Chapter 23 Unexpected meetings

Talisa Maegyr

She hurried through the marketplace, she had her list and the marketplace in Pentos should have all that she needed.

More bandages, milk of the poppy, various herbs for her poultices, and other things to help save the injured men of the Wild Yalla.

She picked her way through Pentos. She remembered the last time she'd been here, the opposite of now, she had been fleeing to Westeros for the first time. Happy to leave behind the so called 'Free Cities' of Essos.

And now she was returning, fleeing from Westeros. And all the dark longing that threatened to drag her all the way north to Winterfell, and back to Robb. She hadn't meant to fall in love with him. She'd dealt enough with the Westerosi to know that Robb shouldn't have done what he did. A night of passion should not have forced him to marry her...but he had. It had seemed like a something out of a story, Robb the honorable Warrior King, and her the pure maiden. It had seemed like a tale told to children, but for a time even with the war ongoing...they'd been happy.

It hadn't lasted...

She shuddered, a chill coming to her despite the heavy sun beating down on her head.

She cast the dark thoughts aside, it had all been undone. Magic had undone everything. Every act, every mistake, every dream, every nightmare. How...she didn't care, it didn't matter, all that mattered was that it had happened...and here she was in Pentos again, living a different life now. Walking down a different path...far away from Robb and Westeros.

She had new responsibilities now, to the crew of the Wild Yalla. To the men that were depending on her now.

She was nearing the marketplace, she looked around, it was always wise to keep an eye out for pickpockets and thieves in and around any marketplace.

She stopped, something was off with the city. She had reached the edge of the marketplace. She gazed around frowning, her eyes narrowing as she tried to understand what she was seeing.

There were signs of fighting, it had been cleaned up but there were still some signs left. There was some scorch marks and the occasional unrepaired stall or scratched wall.

She stared about at the people next. Life was continuing normally, the people weren't tense or scared...there was also a large number of Dothraki roaming about. Enough that the Magisters of Pentos should have been very nervous. The people should have been very nervous as well.

Yet...the people all looked unworried. They went about their business as usual, slaves roamed around doing their masters' bidding, merchants expounded the qualities of their wares and business continued on, unworried by the strangeness that was in the city.

Her frown deepened, there was something wrong with the slaves.

It took her far too long to recognize what was wrong with what she seeing in the slaves...there was hope. Happiness. Enthusiasm.

She was confused, slaves never showed such signs except in very extreme conditions, or if their owner was exceedingly good and rewarding.

What could have happened here?

She pushed herself forward eyeing everyone around her with suspicion, she still had business to do in the marketplace despite the strangeness.

She went about her business, buying up and haggling with the merchants over all the items she needed. The haggling and greed of the Pentosi merchants hadn't changed, that helped settle her wary nerves.

She continued onwards. She came to a stall filled with herbs owned by a Braavosi woman. Talisa picked out what she wanted and haggled with the woman, finishing quickly.

A large shadow passed over head and she looked up, wondering what kind of bird cast such a big shadow. The sun blurred her vision, she raised her hand to shade her eyes and help her see better. It took a moment for her eyes to focus properly.

She froze.

It wasn't a bird.

The...impossibility spread it's wings wide and beat at the air as it ascended further into the heavens. The creature let out a loud roar and then disappeared among the clouds.

She continued looking up, even after the creature disappeared. It took her several long moments to react.

The creature looked like a dragon.

It was a dragon.

A dragon in Pentos.

She began trembling in fear, it seemed that magic had returned and brought with it dragons!

"Spectacular sight, isn't it? But you don't have to worry about them, the Queen has control of them," the merchant woman's happy voice cut into her shock.

She twisted to look at the merchant woman, "Queen? What Queen?" she asked in surprise. The rest of the merchant's words registered with her stumbling mind, "Them?! As in more than one?"

The merchant gave her a big smile, "Daenerys Targaryen, the Queen of Pentos. The Mother of Dragons. She hatched three of them."

Talisa gaped at the merchant in disbelief, her mouth dry, three? Three dragons? She pushed that aside and then managed to say, "Pentos doesn't have a Queen." Her tone matched her face.

The merchant laughed mirthfully, "It does now."

"How?...When?" Talisa asked stumped. The Magisters would never bow down to a woman, Targaryen or not. They only respected money, their greed driving their every decision.

The merchant woman shook her hand around gesturing, "When the magic returned us. The very same day, the whole city rose up in rebellion against the Magisters in her name. The Unsullied, the Dothraki, all the slaves." The merchant shook her head, with a smile, with a small laugh she continued gleefully, "The Magisters got what was coming to them."

Talisa was gaping again, "Unsullied do not rebel." she stated with unequivocal conviction

"For Daenerys Targaryen, the Breaker of Chains they do," retorted the merchant woman with a vindicated smile.

Talisa felt more than a little dazed now, silently, she took her purchases from the woman and walked away. So much was going through her head now, she couldn't focus.

She was on her way back, and almost out of the marketplace when a large Dothraki warrior stepped into her path.

She stopped and tensed, wary of the man. All Essosi knew to not take the Dothraki lightly.

A second Dothraki came up behind her and fear flaring in her body.

The first Dothraki looked her up and down, she stared back, not letting him see her sudden fear.

"You...come." He said in broken Common Tongue, his look and stance brokered no argument. Not that Talisa would dare to argue with a Dothraki warrior.

A hand held her heart as she nodded silently. The Dothraki gave her an arrogant look before turning and walking slowly away.

What do they want with me? She thought fearfully.

She followed silently and thankfully didn't have to wait long as they quickly left the marketplace. Nearby, there was a crowd gathered there, men, woman and children, all looking overjoyed and happy. They were shouting out to someone.

Several of the slaves were even crying out Mhysa.

Mother? Who are they calling out to?

The crowd parted and Talisa finally saw what had the crowd so excited.

There were several mounted Dothraki there, and at the center of the group was a white mare, ridden by a beautiful woman.

The woman on the silver mare could not be mistaken for anything other than a Targaryen. The silver hair, the arrogant look in the eye, and the absurd beauty. This had to be Daenerys Targaryen, the new Queen of Pentos. The Mother of Dragons...and apparently Mhysa as well...some how...

The dothraki led her forward in between the horses till they stood in front of the Targaryen.

The Targaryen was gazed at her now, evaluating her, "They say you have just arrived from Westeros." she stated evenly, her expression blank and commanding.

Talisa swallowed nervously, this was a Targaryen with a dragon. In Volantis, she grown up with stories and warnings about how to deal with such creatures and what terrible fate happened to those who didn't head the warnings.

She nodded silently, not trusting herself to speak yet.

"We haven't had news from Westeros since the Return...and there is much I desire to know," the Targaryen stated haughtily.

Talisa swallowed away her fear, she shook her head, "I was not there long before we left," she admitted, hoping that would be enough for the Targaryen.

The Targaryen frowned unhappily for a moment before speaking, "Nevertheless- any news would be welcome. It is only a matter of time before my inevitable return to Westeros. I would greatly like to know what is happening there," Daenerys explained plainly, "You will be adequately compensated for any news."

Oh Gods...Robb. She's going to be coming for you...with her dragons...

A hellish and horrific image of Robb and Grey Wind burning in dragonfire played out in her mind's eye.

Talisa cast away the sudden image and her equally sudden panic, as The Targaryen continued to speak.

"...tell me your name." she commanded.

"Talisa. Talisa Maegyr of Volantis." she blurted out quickly, stressing her Volatene origin.

The Targaryen suddenly seemed taken aback for a moment, frank surprise blossoming on her face, "Talisa Maegyr...as in Talisa Stark? The Queen in the North? You were married to Robb Stark, weren't you?"

I'm dead! A part of Talisa's mind suddenly screamed in fear.

The recent...and very bloody history between Houses Stark and Targaryen came unbidden to her mind, reinforcing her initial bleak thought.

Talisa trembled, "I'm just Maegyr now. I am not a Stark. I am no queen." she retorted as so many bad ends to this situation started playing out in her mind, much to her own disquiet.

The Targaryen seemed to asses her for a moment before speaking again, "Come, let us speak more privately," she said, her tone leaving no doubt that it was anything less than command.

Talisa hesitated, "But..."

The Targaryen frowned, "But what?"

Talisa gathered her courage and quickly bowed deeply, "Forgive me, your Grace, I am a healer, I have men depending on me...our ship, the Wild Yalla, nearly sank. Many of the crew were hurt...they are waiting for my supplies...and me."

The Targaryen's confusion turned into a look of respect, before turning to one of the Dothraki with her. She barked orders quickly and one rode off quickly. Another one of the Dothraki stepped forward taking her purchases from her before she could object.

"The best healers in Pentos will go to your ship and my men will bring your things to the ship. Now will you come along?" The Targaryen's tone was surprisingly light.

She was surprised by the Targaryen's actions, and on a level pleased...but now she was truly tapped.

Not that you could refuse her anyway, a part of her mind snidely reminded her.

Talisa gave the Targaryen a small forced small as she bowed her head, "Of course, your Grace." She didn't have a choice in the matter.

The Targaryen gave out more orders in Dothraki.

The nearest Dothraki warrior reached out a hand and quickly pulled Talisa up onto his horse. They galloped away from the crowd quickly as she tried to figure out how she was going to survive this encounter.

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Talisa's soul trembled, but she tried to give no outside sign of it, the Queen had taken her to the palace, entering and walking past her slumbering dragons...

There had been three of them there. The one she'd seen in the marketplace had returned as they returned. She'd gotten a good look at them. They were larger than horses, but were probably not rideable yet. The largest of them, a black scaled beast, had bared their way with a snarl, baring his very sharp teeth and snapping at them. She'd felt the heat of his breath even from were she'd been cowering behind the Dothraki...who'd been cowering behind Daenerys.

With a single word in High Valyrian from Daenerys, the dragon had quieted down and taken to the air, before quickly finding another perch on the walls of the palace.

Suddenly, the arrogance in the Targaryen's stance and words didn't seem undeserved after that.

And now they were in what looked like Daenerys's solar.

Alone.

It was yet another statement of power and fearlessness from Daenerys, to meet with her alone.

Not that Talisa dared to do anything...not after seeing the dragons.

"Sit," Daenerys commanded.

Talisa sat quickly, finding her seat as Daenerys looked at her with a measuring glare.

"You remember all that happened...but you have no idea who I truly am," Daenerys nodded, "Yes you died much too early to hear about me."

Talisa stilled before nodding, "You are Daenerys Targaryen, the Queen of Pentos." She was glad not hear a waver in her voice.

An amused smiled came to Daenerys's face, "Not just Queen of Pentos," her expression turned annoyed for a moment, "This is usually the part when Missandei declares my titles," she sighed unhappily before going on, "I am Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, the First of my Name, rightful Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men..."

The image of Robb and Grey Wind burning in dragonfire returned again unbidden. Robb and the North would not welcome her as their Queen...not without a fight.

One they would probably loss...

"...the Unburnt, the Mother of Dragons, the Breaker of Chains, Queen of Meereen, the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea...and now Queen of Pentos as well."

Talisa stared, each name quickly adding to her confusion and disbelief. "Queen of Meereen? Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea?" Queen of Slaver's Bay? Inwardly, Talisa cringed, you're Queen of the Slavers? She didn't dare mouth her derision at that thought.

"Truthfully, not just Meereen. All of Slavers bay was mine in the old life. I took it...though it wasn't Slaver's bay by the time I was finished, it was Dragon's Bay. The cities there were free, in fact and not just in name. I freed all the slaves," Daenerys explained proudly.

Talisa couldn't have heard that right, because the Last Scion of the Valyrian Freehold- who was also calling herself a Khaleesi of the Dothraki could not be freeing slaves...wait, no it was believable, she was also a Westerosi. Westerosi did not tolerate slavery, not even her most despicable ancestors, Maegor the Cruel, or Aegon the Unworthy had. Hells not even Aegon the Conqueror had had slaves...at least not after the Conquest at least. Her Father, the Mad King, in the depths of his madness hadn't been a slaver. It had been one of the few lines- if not the only line, he'd never crossed.

"You...freed the Slaves?" she asked carefully.

Daenerys nodded, a smile playing on her lips, "I am the Breaker of Chains after all." She said it as if that explained everything.

"Oh..." Talisa's mind swirled with possibilities, what did a world without Slaver's Bay look like? She started as she realised suddenly what the happy expression of the slaves in Pentos meant...they weren't slaves any more! Pentos truly was a Free City now! This was an unimaginable step to her! Her soul soared as she imagined what a free Essos could look like.

"Now...as much as I would like to hear of Westeros, I think I would like to hear about Robb Stark," Daenerys explained simply, as she lounged in her chair.

The happiness in her chest died just as suddenly as it had appeared. For a moment, Talisa's throat closed, I'm not going to live to see a free Essos, am I? she steeled herself, oh Robb...

She found her courage and rose defiantly, dragons or no, she wouldn't betray Robb- not for anything. She'd cost him so much the last time, she owed him this, no matter what it cost her now.

"No." She jutted out her chin defiantly, and dared to glare down at the sitting Queen.

Surprise spread across Daenerys's face at the refusal.

Strength came to Talisa and she declared, "I will never betray Robb or the North. No matter what you do to me...you will get nothing from me!"

Talisa stood defiantly before the Dragon Queen, if this is the end, so be it! Goodbye, Robb...

Daenerys looked at her for a moment in confusion before understanding flashed on her face. A moment later she was throwing back her head and laughing.

Talisa froze in place, her defiance disappearing and being replaced with confusion. She frowned at the unexpected reaction. Was her defiance that laughable?

Daenerys continued to laugh until tears came to her eyes. Talisa remained, trying to keep her defiant front and failing, she stood disquieted by the reaction.

Finally, the laughter stopped and Daenerys wiped the tears of mirth from her eyes, "I haven't laughed like that in a long time."

Talisa watched in fear as Daenerys stood up and walked to her. Daenerys took Talisa's hands in her own, looking Talisa directly in the eyes, while giving her a small embarrassed smile, "Forgive me, Talisa, I'm sorry if you've misconstrued my intentions..."

Talisa's confusion rose to new heights as her head began spinning, Targaryens do not apologize, their egos were renowned for their size, never mind a Targaryen with three dragons at their command. The last of the old Blood of Valyria were well known for their sheer arrogance.

"...I truly mean Robb Stark no harm, or any of the Starks for that matter- not even Lord Eddard Stark. My Father greatly wronged them...though that is perhaps understating things greatly," she commented, rueful and unhappy.

Yes...this is happening, the Targaryen Queen really is apologizing!

The Queen let go of her hands and went to the table, grabbing a jug of wine. She poured two goblets, taking them both and walking back to Talisa. She held one out, which Talisa took hesitantly.

Daenerys raised her goblet and took a sip of the wine, the implication of the action not lost on Talisa. She took a grateful gulp, the wine helping to steady her suddenly very strained and abused nerves.

Daenerys sipped her wine and sat down, gesturing for Talisa to sit again, "I assure you, the Starks are very much my allies and friends...kin even," she laughed softly. "For someone like you, after all that's happened, I can understand the confusion."

Kin? How in the name of the Gods could the Starks be considered her kin?

"Tell me," she began slowly, "What did Robb tell you of his half brother, Jon Snow?"

As if the situation couldn't get any more surreal, why was she asking about Robb's bastard brother? She wracked her brain for a reason, before a possibility presented itself.

Oh...OH!

If he was his lover...that would explain much. But the Night's Watch had vows of celibacy to uphold...how would that have worked?

Slowly, Talisa found her voice again, "Jon Snow?" her voice echoed her confusion, "He was a member of the Night's Watch. Robb...Robb always wished that Jon was by his side...especially after Theon Greyjoy betrayed him."

Daenerys nodded, "Eddard Stark had a secret. Jon Snow was not his son. Jon is Lyanna Stark's son."

Talisa gaped, even in Volantis, the story of Lyanna Stark was well known and held up as an example of what not to do. If Jon was her son, there was only one man who could be his father.

Rhaegar Targaryen.

The kin comment suddenly made whole lot more sense.

"...he's my brother's last trueborn son, Jon Targaryen. He's not a Snow," finished Daenerys with a smug smile.

All her thoughts came to a grinding stop and she gaped at Daenerys, "But..but how?"

"She went willingly with my brother, they were married by the High Septon in Dorne...though why Brandon Stark did what he did is still a mystery...and of course, you know what my father did in response," Daenerys replied grimly. "A misunderstanding began Robert's Rebellion. Eddard Stark has protected Jon from Robert Baratheon since the end of the Rebellion. That is a large debt that House Targaryen owes him- especially considering how my father wronged him."

Talisa's head was spinning, Daenerys's words had just upset everything she knew of the recent history of Westeros.

"...My nephew is the legal heir of the Iron Throne. Robb may be his cousin by blood, but he will always be his brother," Daenerys let out a small laugh, "I would never hurt Jon's family...and they are my family now."

Talisa continued to stare in surprise for a moment, before she gulped her wine.

The Queen smiled as she sat back, sipping at her wine, "So please relax and tell me of Robb Stark. Tell me of the Young Wolf. He sounded so impressive and yet Jon rarely mentioned him...the loss was much too painful for him."

Talisa sat facing the Targaryen Queen, her head still spinning by the revelations. She took a deep breath and began speaking, a part of her still marveling at this strange and impossible turn of events.

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Robert Baratheon

Robert stalked through the lowest levels of the dungeons of the Red Keep heading for the Black Cells. So much had changed and yet the dungeons stayed the same. Thieves, rapist, murderers and the scum of King's Landing were still gathered here. Ser Mandon followed unblinking in his path, a goaler rushing to keep up behind them. He went deeper and deeper into the dungeons, passing by so many wretched souls till he finally reached the level of the Black Cells.

The Black Cells were more crowded than usual. Most were filled with some captured Redcloaks and the remains of the Faith Militant. He passed by Lancel's cell trying very hard not to look, but he saw his former squire kneeling in prayer, just as fervent as he had been the first day of his imprisonment. The boy disturbed him too much and for the moment he was still Kevan Lannister's son, a valuable hostage despite all he had confessed. On another level, Robert did respect him somewhat, the zealotry aside, he was not the soft and mewling weakling boy he remembered.

He managed to pass Stannis's cell without a look, he still couldn't look at him after...after he confessed what he did to Shireen. Even Renly's anger had cooled and disappeared after Stannis's admission, neither of the Baratheon brothers knew to proceed with Stannis. Cressen beyond disappointed while simultaneously devastated and worried over Shireen...but there was still no news of her or Davos.

As Robert passed Pycelle's cell, he turned to glare and growl at the traitorous old man, who cowered even more, mewling for forgiveness and begging for Robert's pardon for whatever crime he was accused of. Robert ignored the words and continued past the traitorous Grand Maester.

Finally, Robert reached his destination.

"Open the cell," Robert commanded the goaler.

The filthy and stumbling goaler rushed forward to obey, opening the cell and stepping hastily out of the King's way as Robert brushed past as soon as the door was open.

The cell was dark only a dim light illuminating it, but it was enough for Robert to see the outlines of the occupant's face. Ser Mandon stepped in behind him and the burning brand he had been holding shone in the dark cell, casting light everywhere, illuminating the occupant more.

Cersei flinched back, away from the light, raising a hand to ward off the sudden light.

Robert breathed in deep, trying to calm his rising rage. This confrontation had been a long time coming.

Cersei sat in a corner of her cell, her golden gown stained and filthy after such a long time in the Black Cells. Her hair was matted and her skin dirty...but her green eyes still shone with just as much arrogance as they always did. Her stay in the Black cells didn't seem to have dimmed her pride. Her eyes focused on him slowly and as she recognized him, she sheered, but at the same time, he could see the fear growing in her eyes.

"Robert!" she screeched as she rose unsteadily to her feet.

"You filthy lying whore!" he roared, "You tried to lie to me! The children are all Jaime's! You brother fucking whore!"

She paled even more "It's lies, Robert! I don't know what your idiot brother has told you but it's all lies!" she denied vehemently,

Robert laughed in her face, "Lies, eh? Lancel told me the truth! The truth about every perverted action you've ever done!"

She flinched back at his cruel laugh, "L- Lancel?" she asked hesitantly, her voice wavering.

"The children are all the Kingslayer's. You plotted with Lancel to kill me! You may have succeeded last time but you won't this time! Your perverted bastard will never sit on the Iron Throne!"

Cersei's fear turned into confusion. She seemed to be at a loss for words, her face furrowing with confusion, "Last time? What are you talking about?" she finally asked in confusion and fear.

Robert glared and frowned at her for a moment, "Aye, you bitch, you had him drug me during my last boar hunt! The damned boar gored me good! What a way to go!" he exploded angrily, hands clenching into fists, as he controlled his fury.

Cersei was pale and trembling, "Have you gone mad, Robert?" she retorted sharply, such confusion shone from her lying green eyes, "When did a boar gore you? You're speaking as if you died!"

"I did die!" Robert roared back wrathfully, "Your fucking plan worked! Your bastard was king! And the first thing he did was start a war that tore the whole fucking Seven Kingdoms apart!"

Cersei was staring at him aghast and horrified, "This is madness, Robert!"

"It was MAGIC! I don't fucking know how this happened, but...I am so glad that it did," he finished quietly, his voice had a very dangerous quality to it now, that promised violence and retribution.

"Magic...magic doesn't exist," Cersei denied angrily.

Robert's tirade stopped and he stared at her in confusion. She wasn't reacting the way he was expecting. He glared at her for several long moments, just looking at her.

It took him a long time to realise why Cersei was so confused.

"Gods...you don't remember, do you? We're all reliving out lives!" he stated in surprise.

"Remember what? Reliving our lives? This madness!" Cersei repeated in scorching tone.

Robert stared at her for a moment before letting out a deep bellowing laugh. He laughed so hard, tears came to his eyes.

Cersei cowered more and more into the corner of her cell as Robert's laughter continued.

Finally, his laughter trickled away, the mirth draining away from him, he glared at her angrily, "After so many miserable years, after so many fucking lies, I will make you pay for each and every insult!"

Cersei flinched back, the fear once more shining through her lying green eyes.

Robert turned around, "Bring in my gift!" he roared out to the goalers.

Two goalers shuffled in with their burden. They were carrying a body. They threw the body into Cersei's cell. The body lay face first between the cowering Cersei and Robert.

She stared down at for a moment before her eyes widened in surprise and shock.

"Joffrey!" she shrieked shrilly. She went to her son, forgetting her fear of Robert.

The moment that Cersei realised that Joffrey was dead, was pure ecstasy for Robert. He'd had the Silent Sisters clean up the boy just for this. The signs of the Hound's beating was still there but they'd cleaned up the more overt signs of decay the body had undergo since that first night.

As she turned over the body, the sight of Joffrey's open and sightless eyes drove her into a mad frenzy. The anguish that came to her face was a delicious thing for Robert to see.

She screamed, "Joffrey! My boy! My poor boy!" she screamed it over and over again as she clutched the boy's corpse to her breast, uncaring of the putrid nature of the body.

She screamed and screeched in denial with soul wrenching anguish as Robert watched in satisfaction. His rage fed and was cooled by torment.

She rose suddenly and threw herself at Robert, "You brute! You monster!" she screamed as she beat at him uselessly.

Robert grabbed her hands hands and threw her roughly to the ground next Joffrey's corpse. She forgot Robert and clutched once more at her precious little lion. Her mewling voice carried her agony and misery well, tears streaming down her cheeks as she talked to and shrieked at the dead body.

He cast her one last satisfied look, before turning around and leaving her to wallow in her misery, Joffrey's corpse would be keeping her company...for a very long time.

He turned and walked out of the cell with a satisfied grunt.

As he walked away, he heard the door to her cell closing with a clink, her maddened shrieks echoing in his ears, filling his heart with joy and satisfaction.