AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hello, everyone. Haven't posted in a while but I've been writing a lot. I've really gotten into Game of Thrones (I loved it before but Jonerys was the deal breaker for my writing) and decided to write a little something.
This story starts at 7x03 and describes the scenes between Jon and Dany more thoroughly with some added scenes that I imagine have happened in between. I'm planning to post 5 chapters - 1 for each episode (so ch. 1 will be about 7x03, ch. 2 will be about 7x04 and so on).
I'm a huge Jonerys shipper so if you're not into them, this is not a story you'll like. But if you're a fellow Jonerys shipper... Well, then enjoy the ride. :)
Also, I do not own any of the characters.
xxx
Jon arrived with Davos to Dragonstone alongside some of his men. He couldn't see that much from distance but he could see that the castle was large, dark and a bit grim. As they sailed on a boat towards the shore where he could already see some men waiting, he wondered if he did the right thing. He wondered if the Targaryen queen was as grim as this place.
He heard a lot of things about the Targaryens. Some of them were great warriors and conquerors, some were good kings and many of them were mad. He hoped Daenerys Stormborn was not like her father. But surely Tyrion wouldn't follow her if she were like that, would he?
Lost in his thoughts he almost didn't notice when they reached the shore. Davos stepped out and so did Jon. They walked towards the land as his men took care of the boat. Jon couldn't help but notice the many man standing on the shore. It seemed like there were fewer from afar. He glanced at the dark haired men with braids. The Dothraki, he said to himself, impressed that they crossed the sea with the queen.
He stopped when he saw a familiar face waiting for him. "The bastard of Winterfell," Tyrion said, offering a small smile.
"The dwarf of Casterly Rock," Jon said back. The two shared a look before exchanging a smile, clearly happy to see one another. Jon stepped closer and the two shook their hands.
"We last saw each other atop of the wall."
"You were pissing of the edge if I remember right," Jon said teasingly. "Picked up some scars along the road."
Tyrion nodded. "It's been a long road. But we're both still here."
Jon nodded, thinking about how many people died since he last saw the only Lannister that he has ever liked. His father, his brother, lady Catelyn, King Robert, king Joffrey after him... Too many for sure. And yet, the two of them were somehow still alive.
"I'm Tyrion Lannister," the man introduced himself to a man standing next to Jon. He had to be his adviser, he guessed.
"Davos Seaworth," Davos answered as he shook the dwarf's hand.
"Ah, the Onion knight," Tyrion said, remembering the name but finally putting a face to it. "We were at opposite sites at the battle of Blackwater Bay."
"Unluckily for me," Davos said, remembering the battle and how many men they lost, amongst them his son as well.
Tyrion noticed the grim expression on his face and sincerely, he didn't have fond memories of that battle as well. "Missandei is the Queen's most trusted adviser," he introduced the woman who has been standing beside him all this time.
The curly haired woman nodded and smiled. "Welcome to Dragonstone. Our Queen knows this is a long journey. She appreciates the efforts you have made on her behalf. If you wouldn't mind handing over your weapons?" she eyed the swords Jon and Davos carried. Jon and Davos could hear she wasn't from here but couldn't quite place her accent. But that was the least of their concerns right now. Of course the Queen wanted to protect herself but who would protect them if something were to happen?
Jon looked at Davos and his men. Even if something were to happen, the queen had far too many men here. He had to trust it wouldn't come to that. "Of course," he finally said in good will and smiled politely at the woman.
The Dothraki stepped forward and waited for them to hand over the swords. As Jon was handing over his, he exchanged a long look with one of the Dothraki men. It was true what his father had said. They looked fierce and ready to kill. For a second he thought that all of this was a bad, bad idea. He turned around and saw them carrying away their boat. His men and Davos looked just as worried as he did.
"Please, this way," Missandei said and Davos followed her immediately while Jon watched the boat being carried away. Maybe Sansa was right. Maybe he shouldn't have come here.
"Where are you from?" Davos asked the lady as he stepped between her and the Lannister. "I can't place the accent."
"I was born in the island of Nath," she answered politely.
"Ah. I hear it's beautiful down there. Palm trees and butterflies. I haven't been myself," he admitted. The woman just smiled back at him and kept walking.
Davos waited for Jon. "This place has changed." The last time he was in Dragonstone, the place has been grim for sure but now the people seemed somehow happy and more relaxed. It was a pleasant surprise. As they walked towards the stairs, Jon couldn't help but look at the Dothraki and the boat they were carrying. He needed to know where they were putting it, just in case.
After some walking, they finally reached the stairs that lead them towards the castle.
"And Sansa? I hear she's alive and well," Tyrion said. Although that marriage was a catastrophe, he had a soft spot for the lady. He never loved her but he didn't agree with how his family treated her. She was just a child, after all.
"She is," Jon confirmed.
"Does she miss me terribly?" Tyrion asked, knowing that Sansa probably told Jon about him and their marriage. In reply, he just got a look from Jon. The Northerns didn't have a sense for humour, for sure. "A sham marriage, and unconsummated," he explained.
"I didn't ask," Jon said sincerely, not even wanting to picture his sister in bed with anyone, let along Tyrion.
"Well, it was. Wasn't. Anyway, she's much smarter than she lets on."
"She's starting to let on," Jon said while looking at his surroundings.
"Good," Tyrion admitted. "At some point I want to hear how a Night's watch recruit became a King in the North."
"As long as you tell me how a Lannister became a hand to Daenerys Targaryen," Jon replied, not sure if the Lannister was mocking him or merely joking.
Tyrion smiled, amused with the young man. "Long and bloody tale. To be honest, I was drunk for the most of it."
Jon looked at the sea around the island. "My bannermen think I'm a fool for coming here," he admitted, wanting to hear some reassurance from the Queen's hand. It seemed naive but he trusted the man.
"Of course they do. If I was your hand, I would have advised against it." Hearing that Jon didn't reply made him say another joke. "General rule of thumb - Stark men don't fare well when they travel South."
"True. But I'm not a Stark," Jon replied. Maybe this was the first time in his life he felt grateful for not being a true Stark. All the Stark men died when they travelled South. Although he didn't believe in such things, maybe being a bastard would somehow save him.
Before Jon could get a response, he heard something above him. He couldn't really place the sound but it was something he had never heard before. Suddenly he heard that sound coming oddly close and a strong wind blew past him. He almost threw himself on the floor when he saw something dark approachin. When he looked up, he could see a dragon. And it wasn't just a dragon. It was a gigantic dragon. He heard that the Targaryen Queen had three dragons but he had never imagined they were this big. This one was bigger than one of the towers in Dragonstone.
Behind him, Davos eyed the Targaryen soldiers and Missandei. They were completely unaffected by the dragon. Missandei just smiled at him.
"I'd say you get used to them," Tyrion said, offering his hand to Jon, "But you never really do."
Jon stood there with his mouth opened as he saw two more overflying the castle. He could barely believe that dragons were true. But seeing them with his own eyes was something he had never imagined. At the same time he was afraid and eager to know more of them. It was strange. He stood there frozen in moment.
"Come," Tyrion urged him, "Their mother is waiting for you." Jon just eyed Davos. One wrong move and they would be burnt alive.
xxx
The two Dothraki guards opened the big door and Tyrion and Missandei walked towards their Queen as Jon and Davos eyed the Throne room. It was dark and cold but there was something powerful about it. When he turned his eyes towards the Targaryen sitting on the throne he took a few more steps and then stopped. She seemed the complete opposite of this place. Her silver hair almost blinded him in the dark hall as she sat there on the throne.
"You stand in the presence of Daenerys Stormborn of house Targaryen, rightful heir to the Iron Throne, rightful Queen of the Andals and the First Men, protector of the Seven Kingdoms, the Mother of dragons, the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, the Unburnt, the Breaker of chains," Missandei announced.
She was a queen for sure, with her many titles. Jon turned his head slightly towards Davos who was standing next to him. Although he wasn't used to it, somebody had to present him.
Davos quickly got the hint. "This is Jon Snow. He's King in the North." Jon looked expectedly at the queen. He was sure she was to mock him. Tyrion just smiled. It was ironical how many titles Daenerys had and how Jon was "just" a king.
"Thank you for travelling so far, my lord. I hope the seas weren't too rough," Daenerys finally said, looking at Jon Snow. He was something, for sure, to travel this far to see her.
"The winds were kind, your grace," Jon smiled. He found the queen somehow kind although he just met her.
"Apologies, I have a Flee Bottom accent, I know, but Jon Snow is King in the North, your grace. He's not a lord," Davos said.
"Forgive me-"
"-Your grace, this is ser Davos Seaworth," Tyrion informed her.
"Forgive me, ser Davos," Daenerys said peacefully. "I never did receive a formal education but I could have sworn I read the last King in the North was Torrhen Stark who bent the knee to my ancestor, Aegon Targaryen in exchange for his life and the lives of the Northmen. Thorren Stark swore fealty to house Targaryen in perpetuity. But do I have my facts wrong?" she asked.
"I wasn't there, your grace," Davos answered.
"No, of course not," Daenerys smiled, much to Jon's surprise. There were many stories about how mad the Targaryens were, yet Daenerys seemed so calm and peaceful. "But still, an oath is an oath," she said. Jon agreed and disagreed at the same time. "And perpetuity means... What does perpetuity mean, lord Tyrion?" she asked her hand.
"Forever," he answered.
"Forever," she repeated with a smile. Jon had to admit that she was smart. "So I assume, my lord, you're here to bend the knee," she said, certain that she just got herself allies in the North.
Jon looked at the ground. Yes, Thorren Stark swore fielty but many years have passed and many, many things have changed. "I am not."
Daenerys swallowed a lump in her throat, hoping nobody saw her disappointment. There was something in Jon Snow that she liked and she didn't want to dislike him. "Oh," she forced a smile, "Well that is unfortunate. You've travelled all this way to break faith with house Targaryen?" she asked him just as much as she asked herself.
Jon smiled. "Break faith? Your father burned my grandfather alive, he burned my uncle alive. He would have burned the Seven Kingdoms-"
Daenerys caught him off. "My father... Was an evil man," she admitted. Jon was surprised she said those words. Somehow he wanted her not to because then he would be right. He would have a solid reason why house Stark broke faith. "On behalf of house Targaryen I ask your forgiveness for the crimes he committed against your family." But she apologized and she acted fair. And as much as that attracted him, it meant things would be harder. Jon looked at Tyrion, surprised at the Queen's words. But the Lannister's face told him that this was not something unusual. Maybe that's just how she was. "And I ask you not to judge a daughter by the sins of her father," she continued. Her big eyes were staring at him and Jon could see she was being sincere. He just knew it. "Our two houses were allies for centuries. And those were the best centuries the Seven Kingdoms have ever known. Centuries of peace and prosperity with a Targaryen sitting on the Iron Throne and a Stark serving as Warden of the North. I am the last Targaryen, Jon Snow. Honour the pledge your ancestor made to mine. Bend the knee and I will name you Warden of the North. Together we will save this country from those who would destroy it," she suggested. What she said seemed reasonable to her. And Jon Snow seemed like a reasonable man.
Jon looked around the room, at ser Davos and basically everything that surrounded him before he spoke up. "You're right. You're not guilty of your father's crimes. And I am not beholden to my ancestor's vows."
"Then why are you here?" she asked, this time with a more cold look. She didn't understand him. Why would he come all this way to tell her he won't bend the knee?
"Because I need your help and you need mine," Jon said, determined to reason with the Queen.
Daenerys just looked at Tyrion. He said Jon Snow was a good man but right now, he seemed confusing to her. She turned to Jon Snow. Normally, she wouldn't use her dragons to scare people but right now, she didn't know what else to say. "Did you see three dragons flying overhead when you arrived?"
"I did."
"And did you see the Dothraki? All of whom have sworn to kill for me?"
"They're hard to miss..." Jon replied. She was threatening him, yet somehow he didn't feel endangered.
"But still... I need your help?" Daenerys asked. Maybe this Jon Snow wasn't that wise and good. He was in the Night's watch, he fought in battles. War changes people. Maybe it changed him.
"Not to defeat Cersei. You could storm King's Landing tomorrow and the city would fall. Hell, we almost took it and we didn't even have dragons," Davos remembered.
"Almost," Tyrion said, remembering the battle.
"But you haven't stormed King's Landing. Why not? The only reason I can see is you don't want to kill thousands of innocent people. It's the fastest way to win the war but you won't do it, which means, at the very least, you're better than Cersei," Jon challenged her. Dany gasped as she listened to the dark haired man. He saw right through her and it annoyed her just as much as it made her feel intrigued about him. He was clearly very perceptive.
"Still, that doesn't explain why I need your help," Dany concluded, avoiding the topic. She didn't want Jon Snow to think she was too soft. Many doubted her because she was a woman. They thought she was too soft, too merciful. Maybe she was at some times but not because she was a woman but because she didn't want to rule like her father. She didn't want people to fear her.
"Because right now, you and I and Cersei and everyone else... We're children. Playing at a game, screaming that the rules are not fair."
"You told me you liked this man," Daenerys said to Tyrion, clearly annoyed that she called her a child.
"I do."
"In the time since he's met me, he's refused to call me Queen, he's refused to bow and now he's calling me a child," she said, looking back at Jon.
"I believe he's calling all of us children," Tyrion said, defending Jon Snow, "Figure of speech."
"Your grace, everyone you know will die before winter's over if we don't defeat the enemy to the North," Jon tried again.
"As far as I can see, you are the enemy to the North," Daenerys said sincerely. He didn't seem dangerous, he didn't threaten anyone, he seemed like a good man overall. But why wouldn't he just bend the bloody knee?
"I am not your enemy," he said, looking her in the eyes before he proceeded, "The dead are the enemy."
"The dead," she repeated. Now she knew for sure. That man was crazy. She had no idea what he was talking about. She turned towards Tyrion. "Is that another figure of speech?"
"The army of the dead is on the march," Jon said seriously, trying to convince her.
"The army of the dead," Tyrion repeated Jon's words this time. Now he was questioning him, too.
"You don't know me well, my lord, but do you think I'm a liar or a madman?" Jon questioned, to which Tyrion quickly replied.
"No, I don't think you're either of those things."
"The army of the dead is real. The White walkers are real. The Night king is real. I've seen them. If they get pass the Wall and we're squabbling amongst ourselves," Jon said, unconsciously taking a step forward to which the Dothraki immediately responded, "We're finished."
"I was born at Dragonstone. Not that I can remember it," Daenerys said and stood up. She started walking towards Jon Snow. "We fled before Robert's assassins could find us. Robert was your father's best friend, no? I wonder if your father knew his best friend sent assassins to murder a baby girl in her crib. Not that it matters now, of course. I spent my life in foreign lands. So many men have tried to kill me... I don't remember all their names," she said as she descended down the stairs. "I have been sold like a broodmare. I've been chained and betrayed, raped and defiled. Do you know what kept me standing through all those years in exile? Faith. Not in any gods. Not in myths and legends. In myself. In Daenerys Targaryen. The world hadn't seen a dragon in centuries until my children were born," she continued fiercely as she was getting close to him. "The Dothraki hadn't crossed the sea, any sea," she stopped. "They did for me. I was born to rule the Seven Kingdoms and I will."
Jon was having trouble holding his composure as those big, violet eyes stared at him. "You'll be ruling over a graveyard if we don't defeat the Night King." Only then did Daenerys really see him. His face, his dark, brown eyes. They were so dark but his look looked warm.
"The war against my sister has already begun," Tyrion stepped in, "You can't expect us to halt hostilities and join you in fighting... Whatever you saw beyond the Wall."
This time, Davos stepped forward. Meanwhile, Jon and Daenerys weren't even listening to him fully. They were looking at each other, not glancing in any other direction. Their look was a mix of power play and an attraction that started to form. Jon removed his eyes from her. "You don't believe him. I understand that, it sounds like nonsense. But if destiny has brought Daenerys Targaryen back to our shores, it has also made Jon Snow King in the North. You were the first to bring Dothraki to Westeros. He is the first to make allies of Wildlings and Northmen," Dany looked from ser Davos to Jon Snow. "He was named lord commander of the Night's watch, he was named King in the North. Not because of his birthright, he has no birth right, he's a damn bastard. All those hard sons of bitches chose him as their leader, because they believe in him." Jon tried hard not to look at her again but he couldn't resist. He had to. Thankfully, she was looking at ser Davos. But not for long. Her eyes were immediately on him again. "All those things you don't believe him... He faced those things. He fought those things for the good of his people. He risked his life for his people. He took a knife in the heart for his people, he gave his own l-" Davos stopped when Jon gave him a warning look. They clearly didn't believe them about the army of the dead and they would certainly think he was mad if they revealed Jon died and was resurrected.
Even Dany and Tyrion shared a look of confusion. They weren't entirely sure what the ser meant but they didn't ask.
"If we don't put aside our enmities and band together, we will die. And then it doesn't matter who's skeleton sits on the Iron Throne," he concluded.
"If it doesn't matter, you might as well kneel," Tyrion tried once again. He knew Daenerys and he knew Jon Snow. He knew they'd make great allies if the Northern bastard wasn't so stubborn. "Swear your allegiance to queen Daenerys, help her to defeat my sister and together our armies will protect the North."
"There is no time for that. There's no time for any of this," Jon said, getting a bit angry. "While we stand here debating-"
"It takes no time to bend the knee. Pledge your sword to her cause," Tyrion said this time.
"And why would I do that?" Jon raised his voice as he moved his eyes from Tyrion to Daenerys. "I mean no offence, your grace, but I don't know you. As far as I can tell, your claim on the Throne rests entirely on your father's name. And my own father fought to overthrow the Mad King. The lords of the North placed their trust in me to lead them and I will continue do to so as well as I can."
Daenerys clenched her eyes a little. It made her seem stricter and angrier. "That's fair. It's also fair to point out that I'm the rightful Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. By declaring yourself King of the northernmost kingdom, you are in open rebellion," she stated. Jon would have said something but he heard footsteps behind him. Someone was running and then slowed down once he reached the Throne room. It was a bald man who whispered something to the queen that seemed to get her attention.
"You must forgive my manners. You'll both be tired after your long journey. We'll have baths drawn for you and supper sent to your rooms." She then turned around and said something to the Dothraki men. Jon didn't understand what it was but was a bit surprised as he heard her speak so fluently. As far as he knew, she only spent some months with the Dothraki while she was married to the Khal.
"Am I your prisoner?" he asked as she walked up the stairs to her throne.
She waited for a second before she turned around. "Not yet."
xxx
After Jon bathed and ate a little something, he dressed and looked through the window. Dragonstone had a great view; he had to admit that to himself. It was peaceful. Only the waves of the sea, crashing onto the rocks, could be heard with an occasional dragon's screech. He had taken a walk before and ran into Tyrion. He walked through the door of his room and down the hall. He wanted to take a walk to be alone this time.
As he walked around the Dragonstone castle, he thought about what was to be of him. He wasn't officially a prisoner, yet he couldn't go home. How long would the Targaryen queen keep him here? What would she do to him if he didn't bend the knee? Would she burn him alive? The Queen didn't strike him as a cruel person though. And she clearly wanted to make an effort or she would have had him killed already.
When he reached the gates to the outside, he walked passed some Dothraki guards. He wondered how many of them were pledged to the Queen. He didn't know much about them but they followed their men, their Khals. Jon wondered how she got them to follow her. On the other hand, he really didn't. Despite their differences, Daenerys seemed a good ruler. He descended down the stairs and watched the two smaller dragons above him. He still couldn't really process that they still existed and that they were this big. Then he saw her, leaned on the walls with her hands, watching the dragons as well. He swallowed a lump in his throat and approached her.
"Amazing thing to see," he commented.
Daenerys didn't turn around to look at him. "I named them for my brothers. Viserys and Rheagar. They're both gone now." Then she turned around, remembering they had that in common. She was still leaned on the wall with her left hand. "You lost two brothers as well."
Jon just nodded, remembering Robb, his best friend, and little Rickon that he couldn't save.
Daenerys noticed the pain in his face and turned away. She knew about that pain all too well. Although Viserys was a terrible human being, he was still her brother and she loved him in a way. He took care of her when she had no one and when she couldn't take care of herself. "People thought dragons were gone forever but here they are." She turned back towards him. "Perhaps we should all be examining what we think we know."
Jon took a step forward and stood next to her. "You've been talking to Tyrion," he said, not even asking. He knew.
"He is my hand."
"He enjoys talking."
"We all enjoy what we're good at."
Jon thought about what he was good at. "I don't." Daenerys glanced at him, noticing his grim expression. She wondered what he was good at. She forced herself not to look at him for too long.
"You know I'm not going to let Cersei stay on the Iron Throne?"
This time, Jon turned towards her. "I never expected that you would."
"And I haven't changed my mind about which kingdoms belong to that Throne."
"I haven't either," Jon said. She was stubborn but he could be stubborn as well. They shared a look and then Daenerys turned away. After that, so did Jon, sighing heavily as he observed the dragons.
Daenerys found it annoying that he wouldn't let go of the North. He didn't want the Throne but he wanted the North. Although the North was just a part of the kingdom, it was a big part, the biggest one. For a moment she thought about reconsidering Tyrion's suggestion. She was the Queen after all, it was her decision. But this was politics. She needed to be smart. Dany turned towards him. "I will allow you to mine the dragonglass and forge weapons from it. Any resources or men you need, I will provide for you."
Jon turned towards her, surprised. Not only did she allow him to mine the dragonglass, she also offered her men. She definitely had to swallow some pride and take a step back and he was glad she did. He wanted nothing else. Dragonglass was enough. "Thank you," he said sincerely.
Daenerys expression softened and she turned away to look at her dragons once again.
"So you believe me then, about the Night king and the army of the dead?" Sure, Tyrion could have talked to her, but ultimately, she had to make the decision on her own.
She didn't know if she believed it or not. "You'd better get to work, Jon Snow," she replied.
Jon took one last glance at her and started walking up, determined to start mining as soon as possible.
When Daenerys was sure he wouldn't see her, she turned her head and looked at him. She didn't want to admit it, but she liked him. Despite all their differences, there was something about him that caught her attention. Not just his looks, but something more. She shouldn't like him, but she did.
What she didn't know though, was that after she turned back around and breathed deeply as she took in the smell of the salty sea, Jon turned around and looked at her; at her braided hair, her posture. She didn't know that Jon found something special about her as well.
xxx
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Let me know what you thought about this! It didn't contain any additional scenes but they're coming in the next chapter, I promise. I just didn't want to include anything in this chapter because it felt too forced. I also wanted to apologize for any grammar or other mistakes I might have made. English is not my first language.
Have a nice day!