A/N: Thank you for the kind reviews, they're helpful and rewarding. Really appreciate them. I hope you continue to enjoy it! PS, sorry about the format…having some technical issues…

Chapter Two: Kindred

Daenerys and Sir Davos walked slowly, Sir Davos took the first opportunity to break the silence.
"My Queen, might I ask why you have sought to walk with me?"

"Sir Davos, the day you introduced me to Jon Snow, you said something about taking a dagger to the heart. How is it he stands before us unscathed?" Daenerys enquired, all the while keeping her eyes on Sir Davos.
"He is not unscathed. It did something to him. Jon died being Jon." Sir Davos let out a bitter laugh, "When a man sets out to do what's right, it's as if the fates conspire against him." Sir Davos said, his dismay wore heavy on his face. "He was betrayed by the Night's Watch, stabbed through the heart by a child he saved and trained. It is nothing short of a miracle he stands here, but he does not speak of it." Sir Davos looked at Daenerys, "My Queen, I request you do not touch upon the matter with him. He would not want me to speak of it."

Daenerys nodded. She was not naïve when it came to the blows of betrayal and how merciless and thankless people could be. She pondered over what exactly happened to Jon Snow, she wondered why the Gods had seen it fit to have him live on. She understood loss and darkness, she had seen it several times and still stood here. The more she learnt about Snow, the more she realised he may well be a kindred spirit.

"My Queen, he is a great man, some might say destiny herself intervened so he could be here today and defend us from the Whitewalkers."
Daenerys did not mock Sir Davos' grandiose beliefs. She had learnt to have an open mind. So Jon Snow had taken a dagger to the heart for his people. He had given up his life for a noble cause, and yet he stood here, on her land. He was interesting to say the least.

Sansa stood before her army as they ate and belched. She was growing to find men repulsive, not that Littlefinger helped matters much. He had been stuck to her like an inescapable shadow since Jon's departure. He took every opportunity to mutter unpleasantries about Jon and seemed to be testing the waters with Sansa and her affections. Sansa knew what he wanted and he was not going to get it, however, she intended to take full advantage of his plotting and cunning nature.
"You have received a letter, my Queen." Littlefinger uttered while eying Sansa like a wolf. Sansa took the letter from Littlefinger. She knew he had read it, because that's just how Littlefinger was.

She walked out of the hall and climbed the stairs. He followed close behind, always the unwanted shadow, never fully his own person. He was a parasite, he fed off others, first her mother now his muse was her.
"Leave me." Sansa ordered before ducking into a chamber she had granted to Bran Stark. Littlefinger flinched as the door shut in his face. He stood by the door, lingering close to hear whatever was said within.

Bran Stark rested in an armchair and peered over the frosty North. It felt like lifetimes ago that he and Jon would play in the snow, and Arya would bicker with him. He felt Arya often, either in the whispers of the wind, or the howling of the wolves. He knew his sister was on her own journey, and he knew she was near the grasp of darkness. She had been traipsing along the devil's lips all too long and soon darkness would open wide and engulf her. Recently however, he sensed her more and more. He couldn't quite place why.
Sansa felt different, she felt colder within. He could feel the same darkness snaking through Cersei and the White Walkers harbouring within his beloved sister's heart. He rooted for her. She was strong, but changed by what she had gone through.

"Bran… What do you make of this?" Her voice asked. She was uncertain, unconvinced.
"You wish to reason with madness." Bran said without looking at the letter Sansa waved in his face.
"You said you could see things, what do you see now, about this?"
Bran studied Sansa. She was as beautiful and as fierce as their mother, but she was also soft still, she had the same naïve air about her that Jon possessed. How lethal it was to place naïve hope in the wrong people.
"Sansa, do not go to her. You will perish." Bran warned.
Sansa looked as if she had been slapped across the face.
"I mean it Sansa. Cersei is of no benefit to you. She will use you as a pawn by which to get to Jon and take the North."
"If I promise her we will side with her when the time comes, she will not harm us."
"You would take Cersei Lannister as your Queen?" Bran squashed the instinctive rage that brewed in his chest. "After all they did? To the Starks? To you… to me?"
He shut his eyes and tilted his head back.
"It is for fire and ice to quell the war. Not a lost Stark. That's all we are now, us Starks. Lone wolves, each on their own path."
"Not you, you're the raven." Sansa said with a smirk, doing her best to fight back the tears her brother's words had brought to the surface.
"Sansa, you play a dangerous game."
"With Jon gone, it's up to me to do what's right for the North."
"They won't follow you."
"They will. I'll see to it."
Sansa pulled open the door and found Littlefinger standing with a small smile on his lips.
"I need to send a letter." Sansa said.
He gave her a knowing smile and bowed his head. "Of course, my Queen."
"Don't call me that." Sansa ordered. Littlefinger headed down the hall, and Sansa took a moment to address Bran once more.
"When you see Jon, tell him I'm sorry." She mustered then marched down the hallway following Littlefinger.

The news had crushed him, a dull ache swelled in his chest. Jon barely felt the letter slip through his fingers. He caught it moments before it hit the ground, then marched down the snake path toward Tyrion, Sir Davos and Daenerys. Adrenaline coursed through his veins as he came to a halt before the trio.
"Sansa is in trouble. I need to go." He declared, not wanting to ask for permission from Daenerys, but at the same time not disrespecting her authority.
"Who is Sansa?" Daenerys asked Tyrion, as if Jon was not there.
"His sister. What happened?" Tyrion asked, Daenerys noted the concern etched across the brows of all three men. Jon held out the letter, Tyrion took it and read it. He felt Daenerys lean in close, in hopes of glimpsing the letter. It was the first time he had seen Daenerys be so curious about matters that did not concern her directly.
"The North is in danger. I need to go now. I want my ship." Jon declared, Daenerys considered him then turned to Tyrion.
"Give him his ship."
"My Queen." Tyrion nodded and led Jon down the path. Daenerys watched them go then turned to Davos.
"And ready our armies."
Jon and Tyrion stared at Daenerys. "If Cersei thinks she can take the North, she ought to think again."
"My Queen, I advise against—"
"Your advice cost us Lady Tyrell."
"Why are you helping me?"

Daenerys did not answer, instead the Queen walked on.
"I appreciate your aid, but this does not mean I am bending at the knee..."
Daenerys sighed and gave Jon a bored look.
"You have a strange way of saying thanks." Daenerys quipped.
"Are we allies?" Jon asked, his eyes searched hers.
"We aren't enemies."
"I thought I was in open rebellion."
"And despite it, I allowed you to mine my land."
Jon looked down for a moment, thinking through his options. He lifted his head and met Daenerys with a grateful nod.
"Thank you." Jon said.
"It's the first time I've seen anyone care so much for their sister." She gave him a sympathetic look that sent alarm bells through his head. He looked away.
"I was a bastard but they took me in, raised me as their own. And Sansa has been though too much, I can't let anything else happen to her. I can't."
It was in that moment that Daenerys felt her icy heart begin to thaw. Jon Snow was a far cry from her own vicious brother and the monsters masked as men she had come across during her time.
Daenerys nodded and not saying another word, she headed into the fortress. Jon remained stood by the door, he feared if she was any kinder to him he might be compelled to bend at the knee. There was something about her, something alluring. She was as merciful as she was brave, as vulnerable as she was fearless.
He had refused to aid her but still she had permitted him to mine dragon glass, and now with Sansa in trouble and the North in danger, she was the first to stand side by side with him and face any threats. Daenerys was nothing like the ones before her, but then neither was he.
Sir Davos caught up with Jon and levelled him with a weary look.
"It could be a trap." Sir Davos warned.
"Then at least we have back up. We can't let our own people down. I won't."
Sir Davos patted Jon on the shoulder. The two men had respect for each other. Jon cast a look at the hills. He watched Daenerys' men mine the mounds for dragon glass.

The White Walkers would have to wait.

Tyrion stumbled onto the ship and staggered past Jon.
"Protecting the North is a diversion from your plans." Jon told Tyrion as the winds of the water battered them. A large shadow swept over the boat then drifted to one side. Jon looked up to see dragons circling the boat. He glanced at Tyrion.
"You're in deep now, Snow."
Jon glanced at the top deck, Daenerys was marvelling at the dragons as they flew overhead.
"Why is she helping you?" Tyrion frowned.
"I'm an ally."
"Are you?" Tyrion scoffed, "you refused to bend the knee." Tyrion patted him on the arm, "takes balls. I respect that about you." Tyrion took a sip from his hip flask then glanced at Jon. "Mind you, if you're thinking about sleeping with her, don't. If you can help it, I mean."
Jon frowned, he opened his mouth to protest but Tyrion continued, "She deserves more than a bastard. She's that irresistible combination of a good woman and a dangerous one. The two rarely go hand in hand."

"I wasn't thinking of—"
"Of course not." Tyrion gave him a wink. Jon turned to the sea, he watched it lull to and fro, pushing up against the boat then backing down, not unlike the waves of emotions that seemed to be moving over him lately.
"I mean, she would be quite the conquest."
"Tyrion—"
"I don't mean that with any disrespect. Just an observation."
Tyrion handed Jon his flask, Jon took the bottle and drank from it.

"We lost ground but gained Castlery Rock." Tyrion announced as everyone gathered by the fire. The sea was silent tonight, water sloshed around the boat and the winds were kind. Soldiers drunk and listened intently to the Queens hand. The Queen herself sat among the soldiers, a quality which was not lost on Jon Snow.
Jon looked at the fire, its flames danced and taunted him. He held his palms open over the heat.
"We secure the North, that will send a message to Cersei and keep us on equal par. We still have the Unsullied, the Dothraki and… well, dragons."
The men cheered.
Jon felt Daenerys' eyes on him, he glanced over the flames and saw her watching him silently. Her gaze was intense, he could see why Tyrion assumed everyone wanted to sleep with her. She was a gift to the eyes. He tore his eyes from hers and walked over to the east deck and peered into the still waters.
He gripped the wooden banister of the boat and closed his eyes. He scolded himself and his restless heart. He thought of Sansa, the evil Cersei was capable of. He wasn't a man of faith, but tonight he prayed for his sister.

A warm hand brushed his, Jon suddenly grew aware of Daenerys standing beside him. Their shoulders rubbed as her left hand grazed his right, she too held the banister and peered out to sea.
"Thank you again." Jon managed. For the life of him, he just couldn't figure her out and it tormented him endlessly. Her blond curls poured around her shoulders but she stood stoic, as cool and silent as the sea.
"Do you see that?" Her voice wore a veil of concern. Jon looked out to see and saw what resembled hovering fire. It was only as the threat drew near did he realise it was in fact fiery catapults on three boats. The boats launched the fireballs upward into the night sky. Jon peered up at the auburn clusters of doom as they reigned down over his boat.
"We're under attack!" Tyrion cried. The soldiers disembarked from the ship and onto smaller boats. They sailed fast, headed to the threat.
"It's Cersei." Daenerys said as she stalked into the wooden cabin on the deck. Jon helped lower smaller boats. A wave of fireballs struck the ship. The ship rocked from side to side. Soldiers stumbled and cried out as they navigated the night. The air had an auburn glow to it despite sitting beneath a velvety night sky.
"Tyrion! Get on the boat!" Jon cried as he lowered another smaller boat. Tyrion ducked beneath a fallen burning log and hurried to the small boat. Jon lifted him and helped him climb overboard.
Tyrion peered up at Jon, "where is the Queen?!"
Jon scoured the empty boat. He noticed the dragons flying overhead. They swooped toward the three assailant boats and poured flames over them, saving neither Daenerys's men or Cersei's.

Jon ducked as a burning sail fell across his ship, entrapping several of their men in a burning blanket. Their horrific cries made Jon's heart ache. He tried to pull the sail off them but it was no use, it was too big. There were too many flames. He felt the heat whip at him. He stumbled backwards, shielding himself from the flames with an arm.
"Daenerys!" Jon roared as the burning ship began to collapse. He climbed over toppled planks and burnt men until he saw the cabin engulfed by flames. He coughed and spluttered as he batted thick smoke away. He headed for the fiery cabin.
"Daenerys!?"
The flames didn't bother her as she unlocked the small cage and released a baby dragon. He billowed smoke and flew from the cage and out of the cabin. She watched him go, relieved he was okay. That was when she saw Jon, a coughing, staggering mess burst into the cabin.
"Daenerys!" He cried, "come on!" He lifted a burning log and hurled it aside. The thick smoke filled his lungs and he dropped to his knees, gasping for air. Still he staggered toward her, and she realised he thought he was saving her.
She swung his arm over her shoulder and carried him out of the burning cabin.

Tyrion sat on his little boat and stared up at the burning ship in awe. It was simultaneously the most terrifying and stunning thing he had ever witnessed. Fire ate through to the very core of the boat, like evil ate through men.
"Shit, Jon!? Queen!?" He couldn't reach the rope Jon had lowered when untying the boat. He may not have been able to save them, but he wouldn't leave without them.
Tyrion's jaw hung open as he saw Daenerys hurl Jon over the edge of the boat. He landed on the small boat with a thud. He groaned. Daenerys climbed down, her clothes had gaping holes in them from the fire. Tyrion at once removed his own robe and gave it her. She took it and Tyrion set sail.
"What happened?"
"He tried to save me." Daenerys said with an amused smile.
Tyrion scowled at her, "It's cruel to laugh."
"That's why I'm smiling."
Tyrion looked down at Jon, his face was covered with ash and cuts. He was unconscious. Daenerys took a hand and wiped some ash from Jon's cheek. She pulled her hand away, suddenly self-conscious of Tyrion.
"Poor bastard." Tyrion said with a smile. "Congratulations. You're allies after all."
Daenerys watched her dragons fly over their small boat.
"We've lost even more men, Tyrion. We need to be smart about our next move."
"Let us secure the North, maybe Jon will be generous enough to give us his men."
Daenerys looked down at Jon, his dark curls were speckled with bits of ash and wood. As she gazed upon Jon it occurred to her that he was the first man to risk his life for her without having an ulterior motive. Most men seemed to want something in return, but Jon had acted on impulse and nearly died in the process. He had opened her up to an emotion she had kept herself closed off from since Khal. She suddenly felt overwhelmed. She needed to stop feeling this way.

She took her eyes off him and looked across the sea at the ruined boats and floating corpses. They were headed into darkness together, and she was glad to have Jon Snow by her side in times like this, but she needed to be mindful of her heart. She had kept its whims locked away for so long, she feared the restraints were starting to loosen.