A/N: Back to Daenerys!
-x-X-x-
"We surrendered! You dishonor yourself by turning around and putting us in chains!"
Melisandre watches on with a smile as Daenerys turns to the Meereenese who's spoken up. Stalking forward, the Dragon Queen doesn't mince words. She simply lashes out, her claws raking across the so-called Great Master's throat and spilling his lifeblood all over the floor.
As he dies painfully, Daenerys stares down at him for a moment in disgust before turning her gaze to the others.
"If I dishonor myself by putting you all in chains, how much dishonor have you brought upon yourselves by perpetuating the slave trade all these years?"
No one else in the throne room dares to speak up and after a long moment, Daenerys scoffs and flicks her bloody claws to the side before nodding to her Unsullied.
"Take them away until I decide what to do with them. Melisandre, Missandei, attend me."
Melisandre's smile grows, even as her eyes flick to her charge's handmaiden. Missandei continues to look surprised whenever Daenerys pays her any special amount of attention, even though it's been months now since she was brought into the Queen's service.
Still, as the Unsullied drag the former leadership of Meereen out of the throne room located at the top of the Great Pyramid, Melisandre girds herself for what is to come. This conversation promises to be more of a battle than the sacking of Meereen was, in the end. She's seen it all already in the flames.
Oh, but even as she prepares, the Red Priestess cannot help but be pleased with their progress… and proud of how far her charge has come in such a short amount of time. Daenerys Targaryen truly is Azor Ahai Reborn. She is their savior, the answer to all that plagues this world.
Yunkai had been first. Admittedly, conquering the city had been a bloodbath, but it was a necessary one. Melisandre had seen through the flames what would happen if Daenerys left the city to its own devices after defeating their mercenaries in battle. She had thus advised the Dragon Queen to turn her attention fully onto Yunkai and show no mercy to the 'Wise Masters' that lay within its walls.
What had followed had been a slaughter. The city had burned, the slavers had died to the last, and the slaves had been freed. With nowhere to go, they had followed Daenerys, their 'Breaker of Chains', throwing themselves into worshipping her in the hopes that she would keep them safe… just as Melisandre had foreseen.
Of course, the added benefit of Yunkai's resistance and the fact that they hadn't tried to surrender until it was much too late was that Daenerys didn't bat an eyelash at sacrificing the Wise Masters to empower herself and her dragons further.
As such, by the time they'd reached Meereen, things had changed. The Unsullied Army that they'd procured in Astapor was blooded and ready for more action, but more than that, Daenerys was developing a personal reputation for power… as were her dragons.
Each of the Dragon Queen's pets were much, much larger than they should be at this point. The biggest, the black scaled Drogon, was so big that he would not even fit entirely within this well-appointed throne room.
Seeing them flying overhead and the army of Unsullied bearing down upon them, the rulers of Meereen had thought better of their defiance and ultimately caved just as the siege was beginning. Despite being larger than both Astapor and Yunkai combined, they had seen the writing on the wall all the same, offering the terms of their surrender and opening the gates to allow Daenerys into their city.
Fortunately, by that point it was already much too late for them. Because before they had turned out to have the intelligence to surrender, the Great Masters had been foolish enough to needlessly provoke Melisandre's charge.
First, they had scorched the earth around the city so that there would be nothing to feed the Army of Unsullied bearing down on their walls. This, in and of itself, meant little given how quickly they'd turned over and showed their bellies once they saw the actual size of Daenerys' dragons.
Second, they'd had their fleet set sail, perhaps hoping to have it bring back troops from other cities in Slaver's Bay, or just wanting to keep it out of her hands in the event that the city fell to her. This too means little in the end, because all of the slaves involved in Meereen's shipyards are still in the city, more than ready to build more ships if necessary for their savior.
However, it was on the third step that they had truly fucked up. In a bid to perhaps demoralize or break Daenerys' spirit, the Great Masters had seen fit to nail a hundred and sixty three child slaves to mile markers along the coastal road that she and her army had to go down after burning Yunkai to the ground.
At first, Daenerys had wanted to hop on Drogon's back and fly ahead to burn Meereen to the ground the first time she saw one, but Melisandre had managed to convince her otherwise. Meereen's days were numbered, but R'hllor had showed her the correct path forward in the flames. And now here they were, not a single ounce of blood shed by any of Daenerys' people.
Sitting down on the throne as the last of the Unsullied push the last of the Great Masters out of the room, Daenerys offers Missandei a quick smile as the Naathian Woman moves to silently stand by her side. Then, she looks to Melisandre, claws tapping at the arm of the throne.
"Well? I've done as you asked. Meereen surrendered, yet I've put the Slavemasters in chains all the same. I've even done the same to the Green Grace. What next? What would you have me do now?"
Melisandre just smiles, not at all offended by her charge's aggressive tone. Daenerys was different now and that was more than okay. The time since they burned her husband and stillborn child had been good to her, even if she might not see it that way.
Still, she'd really started coming into her own… and more than that, thanks to the blood sacrifices and rituals that Melisandre had performed, the Targaryen Queen was more connected to her dragons than ever before. Their power was her power, and her power was… intoxicating.
It was no wonder that she would be acting more… draconic herself, these days. For instance, if she wanted to she could keep those claws of hers manifested almost at all times, at this point.
"Now? Now we bleed them dry and burn them all, my dear."
Daenerys' eyes widen slightly, but she doesn't look too surprised. Almost like she expected it. Missandei's reaction is more pronounced, her mouth dropping open as she speaks without thinking.
"But… but they've surrendered!"
The dark-skinned woman draws back a moment later, appalled at herself for her outburst momentarily.
"A-Ah, my apologies, I-!"
But when she starts to try to apologize, Daenerys reaches out, her claws fading so she can slip her hand into Missandei's own before the darker skinned woman can truly pull away.
"Do not apologize. I value your counsel, Missandei, or I would not have asked you to stay. Speak your mind… just as I'm sure Melisandre will always speak hers."
Chuckling, Melisandre shakes her head as she steps forward, steepling her hands together in front of her.
"Their surrender is meaningless, I'm afraid. The moment that we no longer dwell on this soil is the same moment that they will happily return to their old ways. It is what would have happened in Yunkai too, if we had not burned it to the ground."
Missandei bites her lower lip, seeming more caught up in Daenerys still holding her hand than anything else at this point. The Dragon Queen, on the other hand, gives Melisandre a measured look.
"Still. They did surrender. But you would have me turn them all into fuel for my ascension anyways."
Melisandre doesn't back down. She merely nods… and doesn't bother mincing words.
"I would. Even the children."
Now that surprises Daenerys, as Melisandre knew it would. The Dragon Queen's eyes widen much more, while Missandei lets out a horrified gasp. Before either young woman can respond however, Melisandre continues on, her voice imperious and without hesitation.
"My Queen, we cannot stay here. Ruling Meereen is not your destiny, it is merely a steppingstone along the path. I have seen in the flames what happens if you allow yourself to be bogged down in this place. It is nothing pretty… and it does not serve your greater purpose whatsoever. And yet, I know that to see anyone in chains is abhorrent to you. That the practice of slavery is and will always be abhorrent to you."
Daenerys, frowning now, nevertheless nods in agreement at that last part. Melisandre adopts a sad smile and shrugs expressively, knowing full well how it makes her ample bosom… bounce. Even if they're discussing rather serious matters, she's not above using her body to make sure she has her charge's attention.
"The only way for Meereen to truly be free is if those who have perpetuated slavery generation after generation are no longer around to do so. And the only way for you to ensure that they no longer do so without being here… is if you make sure they no longer draw breath before departing."
Spreading her hands wide, Melisandre gestures pointedly.
"You could merely have them all executed, but that would not serve our purposes. The Demon Tyrant of Westeros is more powerful than you can imagine. For all that you've made great strides these past months in harnessing your new strength… he is stronger still."
That gets a clenched jaw from Daenerys. Melisandre had used this same argument before at Yunkai, after all. But then to be fair, that's because it's true.
"You need more power to have a chance of overcoming him, my Queen. Sacrificing the Grand Masters of Meereen kills two birds with one stone by not only ensuring that slavery stays ended after we're gone but also guarantees that you will have the strength to free Westeros from Axel Baratheon's tyranny at the same time."
She can tell she's persuading Daenerys, bit by bit. But of course, they're not the only two women in the room. At the Queen's side, Missandei can't hold her tongue… not that Melisandre expected her to.
"But… the children?"
Melisandre just smiles, prepared for this. Missandei was the closest thing that the Red Priestess had to opposing counsel in the Queen's court… but that was by design. She'd maneuvered the Naathian woman closer and closer to Daenerys until the two were quite intimate with one another.
This gave Daenerys someone else who she could trust and listen to… and in many cases, Melisandre and Missandei agreed on the correct course of action. However, there were some cases where Missandei would dissent, acting as the Dragon Queen's conscience. Such as this case.
However… Missandei was unused to arguing, to dissenting, to fighting back. She was, at her core, a submissive creature, trained to back down and lower her head in the face of authority. Staring her down now, Melisandre projects that authority, holding Missandei with her gaze as she speaks.
"If the children are allowed to grow up knowing that their fathers and mothers once reigned supreme over this city… it will only take them a generation or two to force things back to the way they were before. Slavery will always return unless you tear it out at the root."
Missandei bites her lower lip at that but has no response, staying quiet… just as expected. Melisandre turns her eyes back to Daenerys.
"As well, the Great Masters of Meereen, from the oldest crone to the youngest babe, have the blood of Ghiscari Emperors running through their veins. These scraps of power can do nothing for them, but altogether, they can do much for you. So yes… even the children."
And then she finally goes for the kill, clasping her hands together and letting out a 'weary' sigh.
"Besides… do you believe the Great Masters thought of the children when they sought to 'welcome' you on the road, my Queen?"
At that, Daenerys' expression turns very dark indeed and Melisandre knows she has her. Judging by the worried look on Missandei's face, she knows it too. Before the Naathian Woman can speak up though, Daenerys is already nodding, her mind made up.
"Melisandre is right. All or nothing. There is no room for half-measures, Missandei. And this place… we cannot stay forever."
"I… yes, my Queen."
And there it is. Missandei does not have it in her to fight back. She truly is the perfect woman to play the part of Daenerys' conscience. Looking at her handmaiden for a long moment, Daenerys suddenly turns and gives Melisandre a sharp look, her nostrils flaring.
"Leave us."
Melisandre keeps her expression somber, not a single smile anywhere to be seen as she bows low and departs from the throne room. She doesn't stick around close enough to eavesdrop or anything like that.
Not only would Daenerys' enhanced senses detect her if she remained in place, she also simply doesn't have to. She'd already seen the conversation that the Queen and her handmaiden would have in the flames the night before.
"… Do you think me a monster for this, Missandei?"
"Wha- no, my Queen! How could I ever think you a monster? You are… you are my savior. You are the Breaker of Chains, the Dragon Queen!"
"I hate disappointing you, but Melisandre truly is right. This world… if I am to save it from the Demon Tyrant and the Great Other, I must prepare. And what better fuel for my flames than Slavemasters?"
"…"
"… Come here."
"O-Of course, my Queen. A-Ah~"
As Missandei climbs into Daenerys' lap, the Dragon Queen grabs her and pulls her into a passionate, tongue-filled kiss… one that her handmaiden returns all too eagerly.
Descending from the Great Pyramid to begin preparations for the sacrifice of thousands of Ghiscari Nobility, Melisandre smiles a wicked smile as the two younger women share a moment of intimacy in the throne room behind her.
Yes, Missandei made for excellent opposing counsel… and with this, Meereen would be nothing but a short pit stop on the way to ensuring that Azor Ahai completed her destiny. Once they had the ships, it would finally be time to sail for Westeros…
-x-X-x-
A/N: Not going to get stuck in Meereen for years this time around, it looks like…
Feedback is GREATLY appreciated, every comment helps me shape the story with a Daily Free Write like this one!
Plug: If you're interested in reading more ASAP, you can sign up over on my Patreon right now to read FIFTEEN chapters ahead!