The sun had just begun to rise over Sunspear, casting pale gold across the walls of the Tower of the Sun. Princess Daenerys sat in her solar, quill in hand, the ink still glistening wet as she finished her letter. The parchment bore the royal seal of Dorne alongside the unmistakable sigil of House Targaryen—a three-headed dragon entwined with a red sun pierced by a spear.
She read her words one last time:
To His Grace, King Daeron of House Targaryen, Second of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm,
Brother,
I pray you forgive the forwardness of this letter. I write not as a princess of Dorne nor a daughter of House Targaryen, but as your sister who has known love and sorrow, loyalty and fear. The winds that blow from the Crownlands grow heavier with dread. I do not pretend ignorance of the whispers in the courts, nor of the tension that coils in the shadows of your reign.
I know Daemon, as you once did. I loved him once. And though the paths of our lives have parted, I believe he still has a heart that remembers what once was.
Let me meet with him. In secret, if you so demand it. Let me speak with him—not as a Targaryen, nor as a Martell, but as Daenerys, the sister he once swore to protect. If war can be averted through words, let me be the one to speak them.
Prince Maron has granted me his leave. I ask now only for yours.
May the Gods guide you always, as you guide the realm.
With all the love of a sister,
Daenerys of House Targaryen, Princess of Dorne
She let the ink dry, then folded the parchment and sealed it with wax. Her hand trembled slightly as she passed it to her trusted courier, a knight sworn to House Martell.
The raven flew swiftly to King's Landing. For a fortnight, there was no reply.
Then, on the fifteenth day, a raven returned.
The parchment bore the Targaryen sigil alone, and the hand that penned it was unmistakably her brother's—neat, firm, and full of restrained weight.
To Daenerys, My Sister,
Your words moved me more than I expected. You have ever been the gentlest of us, though steel runs beneath your skin like fire beneath ash.
I do not relish the idea of you placing yourself in danger, no matter how noble your purpose. Our brother Daemon has made his will known. He courts men who would burn the realm to crown him king. But I remember him too. And you.
So I grant your request—but only under strict condition. You will be accompanied by Ser Willem Wylde of the Kingsguard, and no fewer than four sworn shields, two from House Martell, two of my own.
Meet with Daemon, if you must. But remember, Daenerys, this war is not yours to win or lose. Be careful. Be kind. But if you must, be steel.
Your brother always,
Daeron, King
Daenerys folded the letter against her chest, a slow breath escaping her lips. The relief was tempered by the enormity of what she was about to attempt. Prince Maron entered the solar not long after, having received word of the King's response.
"You will go?" he asked.
Daenerys looked up at her husband and nodded. "Yes. He may yet listen."
Maron crossed the room and took her hands. "Then go with my blessing. And with my hope."