CHAPTER 2
JORAH
It had been a long and hard journey over sea and to the North. They had met with a brother in black at the Eastwatch and continued along the Wall by horse. Sturdy beasts they were, and accustomed to the harsh winds of winter. A mount had been provided for Daenerys as well, but she had taken quite ill on their journey. Unsettled by her listless gaze, Jorah took her upon his own horse, sitting her before himself so he might keep a hold of her if she should fall.
Indeed, the further North they drew, the worse her condition seemed to become. He had provided her with proper furs and cloak to keep out the worst of winter, but it seemed nothing could warm his Khaleesi. As they rode slowly toward Castle Black, her shoulders seemed to slump ever forward with each step in his horse's gait. He longed to pull her closer against him, to share his warmth and bury his face in her hair, but he could never dare to do so. She had rejected him, banished him, and yet she had given him another chance. He didn't deserve her trust, and that made what he was about to tell her even harder. He wasn't sure how far the limits of her faith would stretch before breaking for good.
"Khaleesi..."
Daenerys stirred before him ever so slightly. He was ashamed to feel a stirring of his own where their hips met in the saddle. After the slightest murmur of acknowledgement, Jorah continued softly,
"I'm afraid that when we reach Castle Black, I must present you as a captive."
Daenerys turned her head weakly, and her dull violet eyes, usually so full of fire and stubborness met his own. "You've betrayed me again." Dany whispered, hurt and confused.
A pained look crossed Jorah's features. "No Khaleesi, never."
He took the reins in one hand so he might catch her chin gently in the other. "Please Khaleesi, it is the only way. You will be cast out of Castle Black the moment I become a sworn brother, otherwise. Crows may not keep with women and they would hold us suspect. It is the only way for me to keep you near and out of sight. I'm afraid a Targaryen is easily distinguished, and it would not take a wise man to identify you."
Daenerys pulled her chin away from his hand and was silent for a long time.
"And my dragons?" She asked, finally.
"Safe with you at all times, Khaleesi. I'll see to it."
And indeed, they were tucked soundly in a large satchel beneath cloak and fur before her. Just as the cold seemed to drain Daenerys, her dragons had gone into long spells of sleep, waking only to take their meals most days.
"I trust you, Ser." Dany murmured so lightly that the howling wind almost carried her words from him.
But he had heard, and Jorah's eyes closed for a brief moment as he gathered the reins pulling her a little closer. He would have to take great care to keep her from being discovered. In light of his father's death, the name of Mormont would gain him a high standing amongst the brothers, but he couldn't keep Daenerys there for long without question.
Dany interrupted his thoughts as her head fell back against his shoulder. She had fallen into a dark dream, pursued through snow and ice by a ghostly wolf with glowing red eyes. Her body jerked and brow furrowed as her eyes darted beneath their lids.
Jorah frowned as he watched her dream and leaned in ever so slightly to brush his lips against her cheek. Dany's countenance quickly softened into a more peaceful repose, her body relaxing against him. He knew in that moment, as he had in so many others, that he would have done anything to win her affections. Never had his heart suffered as greatly as the day she learned of his betrayal and turned him away.