CHAPTER I

Jon I – White Harbour

He woke up that morning with an empty space beside him. The sheets were still warm infused with her scent. She had not been gone long he knew that. The thought of her was enough to make him ache, he longed for her every second of the day.

They had been sailing from Dragonstone for days. Each night he woke up beside her; Daenerys Targaryen. However, this morning she was not there to greet him. He dressed himself and rushed to the deck of the ship. He knew that's where she would be; Leading her armies to the north. They would be arriving at White Harbour shortly. Where the nightmare would begin again, and this fantasy would die. Where everything would change for him.

Daenerys stood there next to her and hand, Tyrion Lannister and closest friend Missande of Narth. But she was the only one he saw. Jon looked over at her, hair braided and floating in the wind. She was the most beautiful person he had ever lain eyes on. She caught his gaze. So powerful making him feel so vulnerable. Like she was staring deep into his soul.

'Jon could I have a word' Ser Davos of Seaworth called over to him breaking his enchantment. Ser Davos was a great man. One of the Kindest and strongest men that Jon knew.

'Your Grace. We will be arriving shortly.' He paused. 'And I just wanted ensure you knew that some things may have to change' Jon didn't meet his gaze. He understood what he meant and paused for a moment.

'Davos please, its 'My lord', I am no longer your king.'

'Sorry, my lord' Jon waited. Debating whether he wanted this counsel to continue when it had only just begun.

'Is it that obvious?'

'You don't hide it very well I must say.' He smiled at Jon despite the clear nervousness in his eyes.

'I'm not saying this is a change forever my Grace, just for now. Until we gain the support of the northern lords we can't afford to take any chances. We don't want them thinking the reason that you bent the knee to Daenerys was a selfish ambition not for the good of the North'

'I know what I have to do, I know where my loyalties lie and their reasons. My priority is to win this war. That comes before everything else.'

'And we won't be doing that without the support of the North.' Jon nodded in agreement.

'They are not fools, they will be difficult to convince. They will not be happy that you have bent the knee, you know that.'

'I know they are difficult. But they will come to see Daenerys as I do.'

'Well, I hope not quite like you do.' They both laughed a little before he continued.

'She is a good queen I know, but it will take more than that for the northern lords to be convinced.'

'She is fighting for us, and she has dragons. No matter how difficult the Lords can be I imagine they will understand why we need her.'

'I hope so, for all our sakes.' Davos knew that he had made his point clear enough and moved away.

'My lord.'

He caught a flicker of the harbour as it became visible in the distance. As soon as they reached shore he knew everything would change. The war would begin, what induced his dreams would become a reality, he would finally face them.

As he stared out at the sea he saw a glimmer of silver hair in the corner of his eye as Daenerys moved towards him. He could sense Tyrion's uneasy glare behind her as she approached him.

'Your Grace.'

'My lord'. He couldn't help but smile at the formalities. She gazed at him for a moment and then looked out to see White Harbour in the distance. They were silent for a little while. He wanted to reach out and touch her. He wanted to say so much that he couldn't. Jon just stared at her until he knew the right words to break the silence.

'I guess everything changes now My Grace, back to the war'. He could tell she really understood what he meant. By the flicker of her eyes he could see she had clearly been receiving the same council as Jon had from her hand. She turned to stare into his eyes.

'Maybe, for now it is best... I don't want everything to change though.' She smiled with the corner of her mouth making his bite his lip to resist the urge to embrace her. He lowered his voice.

'Perhaps we can find some arrangement my queen'. He smiled passionately at her and she opened her mouth to speak before they were interrupted. It was Grey worm, the leader of the unsullied. As he spoke her shoulders tensed slightly, barely enough to notice. But she was nervous for what was ahead. Jon was too.

'Your Grace, we have arrived.'

As they arrived on land they were greeted by Lord Manderley and his soldiers. The dragons landed a short distance away from them. The bewilderment and wonder covered each of the men's faces as they saw them, replaced by fear as they heard them call out.

'I think they're hungry.' The men broke from their trance as Daenerys spoke. He could see Lord Manderley was lost for words as he looked towards Jon. Disregarding Daenerys as if she wasn't even there. It made Jon angry.

'It's good to see you again your Grace.'

'Please, I am no longer your king. I have bent the knee to Daenerys of house Targaryen'.

'My lord, I-'He had obviously not been informed of this news until now. Jon could see the shock and anger that spread across his face, he didn't know what to say. Manderley was a proud man and clearly did not like this. He looked around at Daenerys and her men and then at the dragons. He chose then to stay quiet. Jon knew the Northern Lords…

'It is good to have you back. A raven arrived from Winterfell for you this night' He passed it to Jon. He broke the seal of Winterfell. Panic took over his body as his eyes moved over the scroll. He felt weak. It was written my Samwell Tarley, one of his closest friends. He recognised the writing even before he saw his name. Jon didn't even know he was in Winterfell. He was meant to be in _ training to become a Maestor. Jon was silent for a moment, hands shaking. He didn't know where to begin.

'How long is the trek to Winterfell?' He asked with urgency.

'A week at best My lord. But with the snow may make it longer.'

'Jon what is it?' Tyrion had to grab his arm to wake him from his trance. He looked around and the people closest to him, all their faces masked how he felt. He was scared.

'It's Bran.' He paused. Each word was a struggle to get out.

'He saw it, I don't know how but… The wall, it has fallen. The Night King and his armies are through and marching south.'

'How is that possible? Are you sure?' Tyrion did not believe him.

'Samwell wrote this. I trust him with my life, he wouldn't lie.'

'The wall has stood through hundreds of winters and thousands of years. How have they passed through so quickly?'

'The night King… He has a dragon.' He looked across at Daenerys.

'He has Viseryon.'

He could barely hold her gaze. The pain in her eyes broke his heart. He wanted to go to her. Tell her it would be ok. But he couldn't. He couldn't move, he was glued to his spot. Missande and Jorah both stood by the queen. She held on to Jorah's shoulder as her legs gave way. Her dragons were her children, and her child was being used by the night king, as a pawn in his game.

A slight tear fell from her eye as everyone stared at her. Jon could see she was trying with everything to stay strong, to mask her emotions. Tyrion was the one to finally break the ice that no one else could. No one knew what to do.

'We march North now. Ready the Dothraki the unsullied.' Lord Manderley called over to him as everyone broke apart. He watched as Daenerys rushed off and Missande followed quickly after her. He wanted to follow her, he knew she would be broken and needed him now. But they needed the support of the Northern Lords. They needed everyone to be united and Jon knew that. He walked over to Manderley as Daenerys hurried away.

Jaime I – Ride to Winterfell

He was a few days from King's Landing. It was breathing room. He knew that Cersei would send someone after him. She couldn't kill him then in front of her, but she would now: Now that he had truly betrayed her.

As he entered the Tavern he had a lot of looks his way despite no one knowing who he really was. He wore gloves to cover his golden hand and a plain cloak, he did not look like a Lannister. He would tell people he was just a traveller, heading home to _ before the long winter came. But no one would probably care to ask.

He made his way to a table. The tavern was quite empty, not many people travelled this path in this weather, it was a long and hard trek. As he looked up from where he sat he saw a familiar face smirking down at him.

'Are you here to kill me? She only sent you?' It was Bron, the sell sword. Cersei had sent him.

'What is that supposed to mean? I could kill you right now if I wanted.'

'And is that what you want?

'You still owe me a castle. I'll get that from you with another queen if I must. Or from your brother, he always said he'd pay me double.'

'Lannisters always pay- '

'Don't fucking say it.' He paused for a moment.

'I sent the rest of the men to Dragonstone and killed the ones who came with me. I knew it wouldn't take me long to catch up with you. You are a piece of shit on a horse.'

'I have one hand.' Bron smirked at Jaime, he loved to insult him.

'Why did you do it?' Bron asked. 'Why march North?'

'You saw what I saw. That thing. I have to help.'

'And you alone think you're going to make a difference? She has three dragons you know and you're a one-handed Lannister'

'I made an oath. And it's one I intend to keep, we must win this war, or we lose everything..' Bron paused.. Jaime was happy he chose not to make a remark at this. Even someone as self-motivated as him understood how important this was

'How long is it to Winterfell?'

'Another few weeks at best. Maybe longer with this snow.'

'And with you.' He laughed at his own joke and Jaime just looked at him in pity but Bron didn't care.

'Snow in the south. That's something I'd never thought I'd see.'

Jaime and Bron looked up. A large, fat boy was staring down at them holding 2 large pies on a tray in his hands. He bought them to the table and spoke nervously. He gave them both worried glances.

'Your Pie's my lords.'

'My Lords? We're just common travellers.'

'Your Jaime Lannister' He whispered.

'I could recognise you from a mile away'

'Who are you boy?'

'People call me hot pie.'

'Why, because you eat them all?' Bron laughed to himself once again, the boy hot pie had clearly heard this joke before.

'How do you know who I am?'

I'm from King's Landing, I saw you once riding off to battle once and I will never forget it.' He paused.

'Where are you heading?' Bron looked over at him as he debated what to say, encouraging him not to be stupid with his eyes.

'Dragonstone.' He paused.

'And we must leave now, long road ahead. We'll take the pies with us.'

'And ale' Bron added. The boy nodded. It was too dangerous to stay here before word spread of who he was, he was hated everywhere in Westeros and soon there would be a price on his head. The boy collected their goods and passed them over.

'It's on the house my lord's. I made them myself. Many people don't realise the secrets to making pies. You have to- 'Bron interrupted him and gave him a gold coin. It was unlike Bron to give away his money when he didn't have to, but it was painful listening to the fat boy talk.

'Thanks kid. But we must be off.' They quickly left the tavern and climbed onto their horses.

'Should we have killed him?' Bron asked.

'What was the point. Did you see him? No one will believe a word of what he says.' He paused.

'And We'll be gone far enough before anyone tries to come after us. He thinks we're going the other direction.' He paused.

'Well then, we better get moving. Long, hard ride ahead. '

'Not as hard as listening to the fat kid talk about pies.' They laughed together as they rode off. Jaime was happy for the company. Bron was probably his only friend left in the world, and Jaime knew he would betray him in an instant. Especially if there was a castle involved.

Sansa I - Winterfell

Sansa had never seen her sister like this before. She could tell she was filled with excitement. Arya paced the room, trying to calm herself.

'Arya, stop pacing.' Sansa was getting angry at her sister. She was giddy, she never had a connection with Jon like Arya did. She wasn't anticipating his return, she was nervous. He had bent the knee without consulting her, just thinking about it filled her with anger. Arya no longer paced but stood completely still, which made Sansa even more uncomfortable.

Voices called from outside and a guard rushed in.

'My Lady's, our scouts have spotted your brothers party. They will be arriving soon.' Before Arya had chance to move, they heard a screeching noise from above. She looked through the windows of the great hall and saw them.

'Dragon's.' She whispered with awe and utter disbelief. Despite hearing the stories, she never truly believed that she would see one in the flesh. Arya smiled widely at her as she looked out of the window before they walked outside. Arya walked a few paces in front of her going as quickly as she could down to the courtyard. They all stood there, waiting. The remaining starks. Sansa, Arya and Bran. A few others stood around them. Samwell Tarley, Gilly, a few of the Northern lords who would be less than happy to see Jon walk through the gates.

The moment she saw him. Arya was gone. He was the first through the gates walking next to a few others. None of whom she recognised except from Lord Tyrion and Manderley. Lord Tyrion, the last time she had seen him they had been husband and wife. At the wedding, that was it, when Tyrion had killed Joffrey. Or someone had, she didn't know who.

Arya ran to Jon and jumped into his arms. They were both ecstatic, Arya looked as if she may cry, and Jon did too. They didn't let go of each other for a while. It took Sansa back to a time when it was simpler, before they had all left Winterfell, and everything had changed. Sansa felt a tinge of Jealously as she watched them together. Arya could barely control her emotion as he came over to greet the rest of his family. She smiled wider than Sansa had ever seen, it scared her a little. Jon hugged Sansa and then Bran, he was speechless. Bran's expression still went unchanged even after the reunion with his brother, he truly was lost.

Jon hugged Samwell and greeted a few others. They were brothers on the night's watch, he was probably the closest friend Jon had. But Samwell seemed to look at him with pity as well as respect. Sansa did not dwell on it. Arya embraced Jon again before he had chance to talk.

'I… I don't even know what to say. I thought you both were dead. I… I have missed you all so much.' Arya could not contain her smile listening to Jon's soothing voice. She was utterly speechless.

'Bran, Arya where have you been all these years? I never heard from you.'

'I have been training.' Jon looked at her, questioning, asking for more.

'It's a long story.'

'Mine too. I became the three-eyed raven. And I know how long yours is.' She could see Jon's confused expression. He looked at his Brother but did not know him anymore. They had all changed so much but he was no longer Brandon Stark, he was something entirely different, beyond Sansa's comprehension.

Jon smiled at his family. He turned around, clearly looking for someone. She saw him meet the gaze of a silver haired women. I have heard the dragon queen is quite beautiful. Little finger's words came back to her. That must be her she thought, Daenerys Targaryen. She walked towards Jon.

'Your Grace, this is my Family. Arya, Brandon and Sansa.'

'It is a pleasure to meet you all, I've heard so much about you.' She smiled at them kindly, but spoke to them as if they were children, this made Sansa fill with anger. She held it down.

'Winterfell welcomes you my queen, I hope the Journey was not too rough?'

'It was a long road, but I am glad to finally be here.' She smiled at them again, but Sansa's expression remained unchanged. She wondered what her siblings thought of this Dragon queen.

'No matter how much I want to hear from you all, I think it must wait. We must gather in the great hall, there are a lot of matters to discuss.' Daenerys walked back to her hand and they began to move as a family. The starks reunited after all this time, a family once again.

'Your sword, you still have it after all this time' Jon looked down at Arya, her sword sheathed in her belt.

'It's called needle.' Arya smiled at Jon and he laughed. Their bond was unbreakable, it always would be. They were interrupted as they looked at each other. Sansa pushed Bran in his Chair towards the great hall as he caught Jon's attention.

'I need to speak with you, Jon'. He glanced back at his brother's emotionless face. She could see Jon's hurt expression.

'This evening, Bran. Once this meeting is over.'

"You are in the presence of Daenerys Stormborn of house Targaryen, queen of the Andals and the first men, Khaleesi of the great grass sea, breaker of chains and mother of dragons."

There was no doubt in Sansa's mind that Daenerys was beautiful. Her silver hair and her powerful eyes. She could see now what Lord Baylish had meant, how so many men had fallen in love with her. She was still undecided what she thought of this queen. The main reason of her uncertainty due to Jon's recklessness in bending the knee, it was unlike him. He was next to speak.

'My lords and my Lady's. As you know I have bent the knee to Daenerys Targaryen' She looked around as he spoke. Many of the Lord's muttered and shook their heads as he talked but no one dared to speak against him, yet. She had already heard their complaints for weeks before his arrival, but they did not speak out now.

'Daenerys is willing to fight for us and, as you already know, fire kills whites. There are two very large dragons out there which will be essential in the wars to come. Her Men will fight for us as well. The armies of Dothraki and Unsullied.' She watched as Jon looked across at Daenerys, wondering what to say next. By the way he looked at her he could see there was something between them. Some unspoken thing, Baylish had been right. She just hoped the Northern lords didn't notice.

'She is also the rightful heir to the iron throne. Not because of her birth right, but because she is the queen that the seven kingdom needs. We need to be united now if we hope to stand a chance of defeating the night king. We must put the past behind us.' It was silent for a moment before the Northern Lords finally called out, voicing their opinions.

'Her Father killed our families. Your family.'

'And his Son kidnapped and raped Lyanna. I will never trust a Targaryen.' Jon retaliated quickly.

'Do not judge her by the sins of her family. I have seen her save countless innocent lives. And more importantly, she is here. She has come to fight for us. Is that not enough?' The chatter continued even as Jon spoke. He couldn't get the attention of the lords, no one listened to what he said even as he shouted over them. He slammed his fists against the table and the chatter died down. Sansa looked at him, anger filled his eyes. He no longer had the same respect from the lords as he did before.

'You chose me as your King. You trusted me to make these choices. I have chosen her as my queen because she deserves it, because we need her.' Jon had done a poor job at convincing the lords of his actions. It was near silent for a moment before anyone said anything, Lyanna Mormont of Bear island was the first to do so.

'I pledged my allegiance to you my Lord and you trust in her, so I will bend the knee. We need all the help we can get in the war to come. We are all loyal to you.' Lyanna looked around the room at the other Northern rulers. Sansa could sense there was still some dismay in the room, but people were beginning to listen. Jon nodded at her as she sat down. He clearly appreciated the courage and loyalty from the little bear. Daenerys rose from her chair; her expression was unreadable. Purely from the way she stood at the front of the room Sansa could see she was a born ruler.

'My Lords and Lady's. I am not asking you to bend the knee, that isn't why I'm here.' There were some murmurs at this. Sansa herself was surprised.

'But we must put these troubles behind us for the sake of Westeros. For the sake of the people. We must come together if we are to win this war. I am here to help, I want to save the north, not conquer it.' The Lords went quiet after Daenerys spoke. She hadn't gained their support, but they were learning to accept her just from this, and so was Sansa.

'We must come together, this is bigger than us. Tomorrow we begin preparations for the war. As most of you have already heard the night King and his armies have passed the wall and marching south. Bran estimates anywhere under 4 weeks before they arrive.' Whispers and worried looks passed through the hall as Jon spoke.

'You must gather your soldiers and bring everyone from surrounding villages and forts to Winterfell. Send ravens to all the bannermen of house stark, we need every fighter we can get. There is no time to waste. The battle will commence here. We must be ready.'