This is something I've been writing on and off ever since season seven ended. So... some two years ago? Wow, that takes me back.

Initially, I only tried to come up with a few extra scenes because I felt they rushed some plot lines. However, in the process of adding them I felt a bit silly just copying what happened on the show. Ideas came to me, but they didn't fit into the plot.

Eventually, this grew into something different enough to make it worth a read. Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading it too.

1. Long Way Home - Daenerys

Life aboard the Balerion was rather boring. Dany had chosen the biggest vessel available as her flagship, but it still couldn't house all three dragons at once. Not that her children needed it, as they seemed very comfortable swimming in the sea. It's a queer sight, she had to admit. Her dragons were fire made flesh, but the water didn't faze them at all.

Yara Greyjoy had offered to make her nights more interesting, yet Dany didn't think it would be a good idea. The last thing Tyrion Lannister had advised her to do was leave Daario Naharis behind. She knew her Hand wanted her focused on the path ahead. He had also mentioned she might want to forge an alliance through marriage, but Dany was barren.

My dragons are all the children I'll ever need, she told herself, almost believing it this time. Mirri Maz Duur had taught her a valuable lesson. Only death can pay for life. Whatever match her Hand had in store for her, they would never produce an heir. She was the last Targaryen. For that reason alone, she needed to reclaim her family's legacy. I will take what is mine, she vowed.

And yet, Dany often wondered about what would come next. After I sit upon the Iron Throne and claim the Seven Kingdoms, what then? She wanted to help people, that had always been her goal. There has been enough suffering in the world. However, her experience in Meereen had also taught her much. By the end, even the former slaves hated her.

Her name was everything to her. After I'm gone, who will be left to carry it on? She didn't often think of her cruel brother Viserys, but he was the only family she had ever known. For the longest time, it was only Viserys who kept her company. As they fled the assassins sent by the usurper Robert Baratheon, her brother had kept her safe. Then love turned to hate.

Her dragons were her only hope. Long after she died, they would rule the skies in her name. Perhaps they could even breed and further the line. Tyrion had mentioned how dragons were genderless, changing from male to female as needed. Dany had always thought of her three children as boys, but they must also be able to lay eggs if her Hand was correct. I hope so.

"Your Grace!" A voice disturbed her thoughts. She turned away from the prow of the ship to look at the source. Tyrion Lannister came waddling along. "If I may have a word."

"You may." She replied. "You don't need to ask permission to speak. I value your counsel. That's why I chose you as my Hand." Dany hoped she wouldn't come to regret her decision. Tyrion was certainly clever, but his handling of Meereen had been far from perfect. To be fair, Dany herself hadn't succeeded at ruling that place. Perhaps it was an impossible task. At least he's familiar with Westeros.

He raised his hands in a defensive stance, "Just being polite." He walked up to her and stood next to the prow. She noticed his eyes were avoiding the sea, clearly uncomfortable. Reminds me of the Dothraki. "I must confess I'd prefer talking with my feet firmly planted on solid ground. This swaying motion brings back bad memories." He closed his eyes with a pained expression.

Dany remembered him saying something about how he fled King's Landing, but she didn't know the full story. "How did you leave Westeros, Lord Tyrion?"

"Trapped inside a crate, pissing and shitting through a hole." He said, without hesitation. "It was Varys's idea, and I suppose I must be grateful that I wasn't discovered before the journey's end, but it was rather uncomfortable." The mention of Varys made her face darken. The Spider had much to answer for. "Lord Varys is a valuable asset, Your Grace. His network of spies will be quite useful when we reach Westeros." Tyrion must have noticed her mood.

"I shall deal with Lord Varys in my own way." She knew they were friends, so his opinion on this couldn't be trusted. Dany shook her head. "But I'm sure this isn't what you wanted to discuss."

He looked like he wanted to keep arguing, yet he clearly had a higher purpose for this visit. "Yes. Well, I was discussing our journey with the Greyjoys, and they agree that we must make a few stops on the way."

She nodded. The supplies they had brought from Meereen surely wouldn't last the whole trip. And my children need some rest too. "Very well. Do you have any suggestions?"

"Volantis seems perfectly placed, Your Grace." He replied almost instantly. It was obvious he had been thinking about this for a while. "When I passed through it on my journey, it was filled with Red Priests singing your praises." He stopped there, probably remembering something. "The city is also based on slavery, even more so than Slaver's Bay before you turned it into the Bay of Dragons. Perhaps we'll find new allies there." He looked up at her expectantly.

She hated the very concept of slavery. No person should ever be sold or bought like property. However, her experience in Meereen had shown that saving people from themselves was a complicated endeavor. Even after she had abolished slavery, some former slaves still longed for their past lives. Revolutions are much easier to start than to finish.

"I'm not sure I'm ready for another Meereen. I'll help free the slaves, but the people of Volantis must find their own way after that." She said, in a firm tone.

He considered her words for a moment. "I suppose we can try to work with some of their noblemen." He was scratching his chin, clearly thinking hard about this. "There must be a few who'd be willing to make compromises if they can remain in power."

"As long as they agree to free their slaves, I can accept working with them." Perhaps that would make things easier. Westeros is so close now. "I've waited far too long to take my rightful place on the Iron Throne."

"Still, Volantis could be a valuable experience, Your Grace. You'll need to work with the Great Houses of Westeros to make sure your reign is stable and peaceful." He hesitated for a moment, before continuing, "I know you've mentioned breaking the wheel before, but perhaps a lighter touch would be preferable."

"A lighter touch?" Dany narrowed her eyes. "Speak plainly."

"Forgive me, Your Grace, but you don't know the people of Westeros." He seemed to be measuring his words carefully. Fear can be a useful tool, she mused. And yet, she hoped this man at least could be trusted to speak his mind in her presence. Even if she didn't like what he said. "I know you wish to save the common folk, but making enemies of nobles will only cause them more suffering. I hope our experience in Meereen has showed you that much."

"If they choose to follow me and accept my rule, they won't be enemies." It was simple in Dany's mind. She was the rightful heir, so anyone who challenged that must be an enemy. And my enemies will die screaming, just as she had promised her khalasar before her children were born.

"Yes, Your Grace, but they don't know you." He argued, patiently. "Perhaps we could try to convince them of your claim before killing them outright." Raising his right index finger, he drew himself up to his full height. His next words came in a strange voice, almost as if imitating someone, "The people whose loyalty was harder to obtain will become your fiercest supporters." He deflated and shrugged, returning to his normal voice, "Or so my father used to say. And my own experiences have proven that to be true."

That last statement made her curious, but she had more pressing matters. "I shall reflect on what you've said. For now, please send Lord Varys to my quarters. It's about time I find out exactly where your friend's loyalties truly lie." She said, in a commanding tone.

If he had anything to say on the matter, he must have swallowed it, because he nodded and set out to find the Spider. She took a deep breath and gazed out at her children one last time, enjoying the sight of fire playing with water.

Lord Varys entered her room with his customary smile, which never reached his eyes. His smile faltered slightly when he noticed Grey Worm standing right by the door.

"Your Grace." He bowed low. "Lord Tyrion tells me you wish to have a word." He glanced at Grey Worm again. "I assumed this would be a private meeting."

"Don't worry about Grey Worm. He has my complete confidence." She noticed her general stood a little taller, but other than that he displayed no reaction to her words. "Which is more than I can say about you."

His smile finally left his face, replaced with a look of incredulity. "I've been a loyal servant of your House since before you were born, Your Grace." He said, trying to defend himself.

"You have an odd way of showing it. You've served the usurper Robert Baratheon, you've served his Lannister offspring, and you only left King's Landing after Tywin Lannister died and you were no longer safe." She replied in calm fury. Her eyes were narrowing, but her vision remained clear. "Tell me, Spider, how can those actions be considered loyal?"

"Your Grace, do you know a man named Illyrio Mopatis?" She nodded. That man had offered his hospitality to her and her brother during their stay in Pentos. Dany didn't know what that had to do with anything, but she let him continue. "We've been friends since childhood. He has always shared my beliefs about the future of the realm. Our paths have diverged, but our combined actions have the same purpose: to serve and protect the blood of old Valyria. That's why-"

"Protect?" She had to interrupt now. "How have either of you protected me? Were you not responsible for the assassins sent for me and my brother? Was Mopatis not the one who sold me to the Dothraki?" Dany balled her hands into fists. "And later, another assassin found me while I was pregnant." The memory of those events would never leave her. "I won't allow you to lie to my face, Spider."

She noticed a few beads of sweat forming on his bald head. "Very well. I did what I had to do to survive." His voice grew stronger with every word. "Robert wanted to kill you and your brother, so I arranged for assassins. But I also made sure they weren't successful. You must have noticed no Faceless Men ever sought you out." Dany had lived in Braavos long enough to know about the House of Black and White.

The Spider continued, "And forgive me, Your Grace, but your brother was the one responsible for selling you. Illyrio told me he'd tried to explain to Viserys how the Dothraki don't understand the concept of debt, but he was ignored. Failing that, he made sure to find the best possible match for you. Khal Drogo was an exception among the Dothraki, as I'm sure you'll agree." Dany nodded without thinking. My sun-and-stars was a giant among children. When she met the other Khals on Vaes Dothrak, she realised just how lucky she had been, all things considered.

The man hadn't finished, "Your Grace, I admit my actions may have caused you unnecessary pain and suffering. However, I assure you that without my influence your pain would've been far greater. Perhaps even fatal." She wasn't completely sure about that, but she remained silent. "If you still doubt my intentions, I won't resist whatever punishment you believe is fair. But if you allow me to serve, I promise you that I shall take no further action without your explicit consent."

He stood looking at her with expectation. She noticed his hands were trembling slightly. He must have noticed that too, for he resumed his usual stance of putting each hand inside the sleeve of the opposite arm, hiding them from sight.

Dany still couldn't trust this man. And she trusted Illyrio Mopatis even less. The fair punishment she had in mind for him was death. He was too dangerous to be left alive. That's why Grey Worm was here. However, it was hard to deny the extent of his influence. Could I use that even without trusting him?

"I will allow you to serve, Lord Varys." He looked visibly relieved, letting out a breath she didn't realize he'd been holding. She wasn't done, however. "But I promise you this: if you ever betray me, I'll burn you alive."

I tried to change some of the Dany/Varys dialogue, but it ended up being really close to what actually happened on the show.

Fair warning: Though I've written some twenty chapters already, I make no promises about updates. I can write quickly when I'm inspired, but it's not very often that happens. I've only recently started writing again because season eight has been so frustrating. Let's see how far I can take this. Wish me luck!