[He wasn't the sort to flatter mindlessly. If he complimented, there was some measure of truth to what he said. The fact was, Ned would have respected and liked Daenerys. Perhaps not for her house, but because she lived by a code of her own, one that was honorable and just.
She was the sort of ruler his father would respect.
The conversation was shifting into territory that could leave them arguing and angry. Rather than risk her temper, he backed down from his talk of his father or of the past.]
I cannot speak for his decisions then or what lead to the rebellion. I only know of the man he became in his later years.
[He hoped that it was true what she said. If there was a world left to rule. It was not so simple as that.]
There is no better chance than now to follow through with that intention. The smaller decisions will influence your larger choices in the future.
Do you have any idea what you will do with the Kingslayer in this world?
[It would have to be when it came to justice and vengeance, but he kept silent. She had advisors to look after her and counsel her on the right course.
That wasn't why he contacted her.]
Do you intend to do so alone?
[It wasn't what he feared she might do, it was a matter of compassion. She was to face the man that killed her father, someone she had heard of since she was a child.
[ She thinks of Drogon, who might well be there, to help her dispense justice or otherwise lend her his strength. Ser Jorah. She isn't certain Tyrion should be there, lest it cloud her judgement beyond his words. Lord Baelish might be, as much as that possibility feels more as though she has an audience in attendance rather than support.
She thinks of these entities for a moment before asking; ]
It's not implication. There's no secret that I support you, but that isn't why I would be there.
[He knows her pain, the feeling of anger and need for justice. He lost his father and had nearly abandoned his post to go to Robb. Whatever she did, it was no less than what he had wanted to do.]
[ She isn't sure which label would be more presumptuous. An adviser is such a role a queen bestows upon a person herself. But a friend connotes personal knowing. Empathy. Kinship.
In the video feed, she doesn't drop her gaze, mouth forming a line. But there's no rebuke, and thus, no denial. ]
There may not be room for friends, on the day the Kingslayer is brought before me. But if there is-- then I shall remember.
[He overstepped his bounds, but he didn't linger overlong on it. Whatever might happen in the future, she was someone that he felt drawn to. He wanted to know her better, to see the parallels of their lives.
He said nothing, nodding his head in acknowledgement to the dismissal.]
Don't let him bait you.
[Advice born from experience.]
He has an arrogance that is untempered by his current circumstances. He will find a way to get beneath your skin.
His brother says he is missing memories, [ she agrees, although she knows that's not exactly how it works. Still. An earlier point in time.
It doesn't mean a lot to her, but it's worth noting.
She would, at his point in time, be a mere whisper in the rumour mill. The slave-wife of the Dothraki, perhaps, or an even worse threat than that, a pregnant one. But then, even if she was a formidable and known force sailing a fleet of a hundred strong ships, perhaps it wouldn't make a difference to this man. ]
Fortunately for us all, I've dealt with scores of arrogant men who thought they understood the girl they were dealing with. They all tend to lack imagination in similar ways, too.
[ Jabs at her womanhood. Threats of rape. Suggestions for what she could give them in demand for the things she wanted. Dismissal as to her experience. Disdain for her history, her titles, her legacy. On and on it goes. ]
He is. He's unaware that his father is dead or that his sister's children [and possibly his own] are dead. I don't know if that makes the situation easier or worse. I wonder if the loss of most of his house has humbled him from my point of time. I wonder if that is even possible.
[It didn't matter at this moment. Jamie Lannister was here and still arrogant. Daenerys was a strong woman, there was no question of that, but this was different than the usual men that she likely dealt with.]
I hope that proves to be true with him. It's not easy to stand before someone who harmed your family and keep your temper in check. [He could still feel Ramsay's face against his fists and the rage that had boiled over in him.] Don't underestimate him as well.
[ Shifting the conversation into a lighter territory, Dany's delivery of the wry question is not as barbed as it could be. Those of Essos know to be wary of her from the things they have seen her do. Those of Westeros have tales alone, and the reputation of Targaryen rage.
Regardless-- ]
I thank you for your counsel. No matter the outcome.
I think any man would be fool to test your temper.
[Everyone knew how hot a dragon's blood could run. He smiled at her, glad they had moved into a less serious conversation. He would never forget that she is a queen, but he could at least see in these instances how young she was.]
You have a number of wise men around you, I'm just one voice among them.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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She was the sort of ruler his father would respect.
The conversation was shifting into territory that could leave them arguing and angry. Rather than risk her temper, he backed down from his talk of his father or of the past.]
I cannot speak for his decisions then or what lead to the rebellion. I only know of the man he became in his later years.
[He hoped that it was true what she said. If there was a world left to rule. It was not so simple as that.]
There is no better chance than now to follow through with that intention. The smaller decisions will influence your larger choices in the future.
Do you have any idea what you will do with the Kingslayer in this world?
video;
[ A little droll. Grimly humoured, but flat. ]
But all I know is that I will see him. I will speak with him.
[ She pauses, then says, a little quieter; ]
Not everything is political, you know. Even for the daughters of mad kings and the men who slew them.
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That wasn't why he contacted her.]
Do you intend to do so alone?
[It wasn't what he feared she might do, it was a matter of compassion. She was to face the man that killed her father, someone she had heard of since she was a child.
She shouldn't be alone.]
video;
She thinks of these entities for a moment before asking; ]
You would implicate yourself so? By attending.
video;
[He knows her pain, the feeling of anger and need for justice. He lost his father and had nearly abandoned his post to go to Robb. Whatever she did, it was no less than what he had wanted to do.]
I'm not adviser, only a friend.
video;
In the video feed, she doesn't drop her gaze, mouth forming a line. But there's no rebuke, and thus, no denial. ]
There may not be room for friends, on the day the Kingslayer is brought before me. But if there is-- then I shall remember.
[ A slightly clumsy decree, but there it is. ]
video;
He said nothing, nodding his head in acknowledgement to the dismissal.]
Don't let him bait you.
[Advice born from experience.]
He has an arrogance that is untempered by his current circumstances. He will find a way to get beneath your skin.
video;
That is the disposition I'd expect of a Lannister and a knight.
[ Not just a kingslayer. ]
You know him.
video;
[He frowned, feeling himself bristle as his face darken with disgust. The Kingslayer could garner a reaction, even by mention.]
Not well. He was at Winterfell and spoke to me briefly. Similar to how he greeted me in this world.
[The word "bastard" was no longer a weapon that grated him.]
I don't know when he is from, but it must be near the point in time when he was my brother's prisoner. Before Robb was killed.
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It doesn't mean a lot to her, but it's worth noting.
She would, at his point in time, be a mere whisper in the rumour mill. The slave-wife of the Dothraki, perhaps, or an even worse threat than that, a pregnant one. But then, even if she was a formidable and known force sailing a fleet of a hundred strong ships, perhaps it wouldn't make a difference to this man. ]
Fortunately for us all, I've dealt with scores of arrogant men who thought they understood the girl they were dealing with. They all tend to lack imagination in similar ways, too.
[ Jabs at her womanhood. Threats of rape. Suggestions for what she could give them in demand for the things she wanted. Dismissal as to her experience. Disdain for her history, her titles, her legacy. On and on it goes. ]
video;
[It didn't matter at this moment. Jamie Lannister was here and still arrogant. Daenerys was a strong woman, there was no question of that, but this was different than the usual men that she likely dealt with.]
I hope that proves to be true with him. It's not easy to stand before someone who harmed your family and keep your temper in check. [He could still feel Ramsay's face against his fists and the rage that had boiled over in him.] Don't underestimate him as well.
[That had been his mistake with Ramsay.]
video;
[ Shifting the conversation into a lighter territory, Dany's delivery of the wry question is not as barbed as it could be. Those of Essos know to be wary of her from the things they have seen her do. Those of Westeros have tales alone, and the reputation of Targaryen rage.
Regardless-- ]
I thank you for your counsel. No matter the outcome.
video;
[Everyone knew how hot a dragon's blood could run. He smiled at her, glad they had moved into a less serious conversation. He would never forget that she is a queen, but he could at least see in these instances how young she was.]
You have a number of wise men around you, I'm just one voice among them.
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