Under the shadow of the dragon

Under the shadow of the dragon

Theon POV

It was easy to see how satisfied Dany was once I returned. Not only did we achieve a great victory and gain an ally, but our food problems were solved for now. Dany was busy, too; she managed to make a deal with the Red Priest. Letting them only preach at specific locations at certain times of the day. And they had no right to disturb anyone.

"They have grown," I said as I looked at the three dragons flying above us. "Every time I see them, they seem to be bigger. You could probably ride them now."

The dragons were about twice as big as a massive ox, and that without including their tails and wings. I didn't know how safe it was to ride them, and I didn't really want to find out. But they looked like they could hold the weight of a person, especially that of a woman. Especially Drogon, the black dragon, looked like he could pick up a ship with his claws and carry it out of the sea.

"They have," Dany agreed, but her smile disappeared soon after. "And now I will be pressured to use them in wars, putting them in danger."

"There aren't many things that can hurt them," I replied, as I was one of the people who wanted to use them to burn town defense walls and enemy ships.

"Not many, but there are things that can," Dany seemed to be reasonably worried. "Once I use them, my enemies will not wait to be burned. They will prepare for them. Scorpions, maybe they even poison the water and the sheep my children will eat. Either way, they will be in danger from that moment on."

"Once they are used, the rest of your enemies will surrender," I said, but after Dany gave me a look, I had to surrender. "The smart ones will surrender."

"And the cowards will lurk in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity," Dany replied. "But I can't hide them either. There is a reason why they were born, and the world needed to know what they were capable of."

"Volantis?"

"Volantis," Dany agreed with me. "They will be torn to my side until I deal with them. Either they surrender as New Ghis did, or I have to burn them."

"And then Westeros," I said with a bit of excitement. "We shouldn't delay it then. Once Thoros brings me the news, we should move. Volantis is a bit out of the way, so the sooner we move, the sooner they will make their decision."

I didn't have any hopes, but since I saw how New Ghis acted towards me, I didn't know what I should expect. Volantis was further away than New Ghis; the rumors about me there might be different. Or the Old Blood, the so-called leaders and most ancient families of Volantis might not even believe anything that is said about me.

Volantis is one of the greatest, richest, and most powerful city-states; it is also the most populous. I didn't know the exact number, but the slave soldiers they possess are nothing to scoff about. Their fleet is also massive and numerous. A head-on battle against it would be at our disadvantage, but that didn't mean that we would lose.

"Westeros," Dany sighed, seeming already tired. "How many years will it take for me to secure my seat on the Iron Throne? I will be foreign to them as I am to the people of Meereen. I am worried that I might have to kill and destroy too much. And everything that would be left would be graveyards and ashes for me to rule over."

"Who knows?" I couldn't tell, but at least the Lannisters won't give up their position no matter what the Tyrells do. I had no idea, and Stannis will probably fight to the bitter end. "But whatever is left, it was meant to be. Even without you, people will die, and lands will burn. And yet, someone will have to rebuild what was destroyed."

"I don't think I can rely on you for that," Dany's smile finally returned. "With me, you will put the Seven Kingdoms under your feet. With Astapor and Yunkai, you will have quite an empire in your hands. Does it not scare you?"

"If I fail to maintain such an empire, then it was meant to be," I replied. "Even if everything I have built would fall and crumble, the fact of what I have done would remain. And that is enough for me. I made my mark and I lived as I wanted, mostly."

"Mostly?"

"Sometimes even I forget," I couldn't help but chuckle at the days when I had way different plans from this. "I never thought I would die, at least not multiple times. I won't lie and say that I don't enjoy fucking up people. Killing them and making them fear me. But how long can that last? Once I have no enemies, no one to fight, to whom will I point my sword? From the very beginning, I knew this kind of life wouldn't last. I think I could be satisfied spending my days in Summer Islands enjoying the sun and the women who would treat me warmly."

"How vulgar," Dany didn't sound offended and even giggled. "I am not enough for you? We haven't even been married, and yet you think of leaving me."

"I never said you couldn't join me," I replied with a smirk. "Once you conquered and burned to your heart's content, you can join me and spend the last of our years there."

"I will keep that in mind," Dany said.

"Trust me, you will be fine."

Of course, our quiet moment quickly disappeared when someone knocked on the doors to Dany's chambers. I rolled my eyes as the guards let in the messenger. I could already tell what news he was bringing. There was no need for the messenger to rush to us and present the letter. It was from Thoros, and since he had written to me, it meant he did what I asked him.

…

Fifteen thousand Dothraki stood before the gates of Meereen. Daenerys seemed to have mixed feelings about them as she looked at them from the walls. Oberyn had returned before with the Unsullied, who now stood behind Dany. With twelve thousand men from New Ghis, we had quite a big army in our hands. Well, we will have once our negotiations with Khal Motho are over.

"I already know what he will say first to me," Dany said as Khal Motho rode through the gates with his bloodriders. "I will deal with him. This time, don't say anything. I can't look weak before him or let him think that I am hiding behind you."

I nodded and followed her as she climbed off the walls. Barristan, Jorah, Oberyn, Daario, and Grey Worm quickly surrounded us. Every single one of them was a capable fighter, so Khal Motho's Bloodriders didn't disturb us much. The old Khal also could recognize that we weren't someone he should fuck with so easily from one glance as he became tenser the closer we came to him.

"We meet again, Warrior from the West," Motho greeted me first before laying his eyes on Dany. "So, you are the Khaleesi I head of—the one who married Khal Drogo."

"I go by many titles, but yes, I was once Khaleesi of Khal Drogo," Dany replied, looking up at the towering Khal Motho. "But I have different names today. Daenerys Stormborn, the Unburnt, Queen of Meereen, Khaleesi of Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Shackles, and Mother of Dragons. You can choose one of them to address me."

"Theon Greyjoy," Khal Motho slowly said my name. "I told you what I think of her. She belongs to Dosh Khaleen, not here."

"It is not up to you to tell me where I belong," Dany replied, and I stayed silent as she asked of me. "There isn't anyone, dead or alive, who can tell me where I should or must be. I am the Queen, and I belong here."

"All I see is a little girl," Motho wasn't impressed. He once again looked at me like he was questioning why I would be with her. "I am only here because I drank with the Warrior of the West—the man who was yet to be defeated—the man who fills man's heart with fear with only his name mentioned. Your titles do not fill my heart with fear nor respect, little girl."

"I am only a young girl who wants to laugh and plant trees and see them grow," Dany said. "I know little of war or wielding a sword. I can barely hold one. I am a young girl, but I am also a dragon. And young or old, Dragons fly, and they burn."

 Her words wouldn't have had any effect on Motho if the three dragons hadn't flown over their heads, letting out roars and scaring Motho's horses. Motho himself gulped down his saliva to keep his cool as the dragons landed on the walls and looked down at his Khalasar. It made me wonder if Dany had a deeper connection towards her dragons than she let it show.

"You came here because Theon Greyjoy asked you," Dany continued as Motho stayed silent. "I will not plead you to stay. But fight with me, and you shall not know loss. Stand by me, and your people will not know hunger. Or you can leave and live your last years of hearing the stories of my dragons and wonder if they were true."

Khal Motho's expression changed now as he looked at Dany. He once again glanced at the rest of us, his eyes staying longer on Barristan and Oberyn before turning to me. Our eyes locked. He was looking something into my eyes, but I didn't know if he found it or not as he turned to the Dragons, as they spread their wings and blocked out the sun.

Khal Motho turned to his bloodriders and said something in Dothraki that I didn't understand. But whatever he said roused up his men and made Dany seem satisfied. She told something to Motho, who was more or less happy to hear it. I wasn't the only one who turned to Jorah. Oberyn and Barristan were also curious about what they were speaking of.

"Khal Motho said that he would like to ride under the shadow of the dragons at least once," Jorah said, seeing our eyes bearing on him. "The Queen has invited them to the Great Pyramid so they could drink with the dragon first."

I smiled. It seemed I was right not to worry. Now, with Motho and his Khalasar, we had more than enough men to threaten anyone. But it wasn't time to think about the plans. I had to find Thoros and Bronn. Since other problems were addressed and resolved, I had to do something about the problems in my family.

…

I wish I could taste the wine that was poured for me. Looking at how Dany and Motho enjoyed their wine made me a bit envious. So, since I didn't know how to talk Dothraki, I left them be and joined Bronn, who was enjoying himself with Thoros and Anguy. Once I joined them, his smile, of course, disappeared as he knew what I wanted.

"Everything has been arranged," Bronn reported, taking a big bite of a cheese slice. "His every movement is being observed. I have people here already watching him at every establishment he goes into. The people who met him are being watched, too. Though I had to pay a pretty coin to accomplish it, I have eyes at every corner of the city."

"Good," That's all I had to say before turning to Thoros. "Did you manage to glimpse anything in your flames?"

"Many things," Thoros replied. "And I didn't understand any of it. I saw the sea and the sky, the darkness and the light, blood and fire, and many other things that were too clouded to see clearly."

"You could have said you got drunk and don't remember anything rather than make up this shit," I laughed at the nonsense Thoros said. "Anyway, we soon will be busy. So, enjoy yourselves while you can. But keep your weapons close and be ready to go at any moment. We won't stay in this city for long, and after that, the Seven Kingdoms will be waiting for us."

They got my message as I turned to leave. Even if Euron knew of my abilities, I was still going to watch his every movement, and if I found even a trace of conspiracy that I could show to my people, it would be enough for me to damn him to death. But until then, I will be prepared for anything he might try.