With that the two held hands and walked to the far corner of the room. They were at ease as only two people who had spet their whole lives together could be. They were the two exclude since the beginning. Not that they had ever been mistreated for it, but the fact was never far from either one's mind. It was a fact occasionaly reminded. The first time this had happened Jon was seven, Dany 6. They; Robb, Jon, Daenerys and Theon were having a lesson in history. "So children," said Master Luwin looking at each of them iin turn "who can tell me where to start? Robb?" the young boy looked around and said "The Realm was divided into seven kingdoms and the Starks were King of the north. That's as far as we got, sir."
"Yes, who knows what happened next?" Theon raised his hand. He was four yesrs older than the others, considered himself above these lessons so it was rare for him to contribute "Yes Theon?" said the Maester with a benign smile "Aegon the conqueror came from Dragonstone with his dragons. He burnt the Seven Kingdoms to the ground and crowned himself King of them all. The Targaryen's rulled for generations up until Aerys, the Mad King as he was known." the Maester fidgeted in his seat, looking for a way to stop him "That is enough my boy. There is a lot of history between Aegon and Aerys..." but Theon ignored him and went on "The Mad King used to take babies and throw them into boiling water sir. He was mad. All Targaryens are mad sir. Everyone says so, they're all mad and evil aswell." then, having said his piece he leant back in his chair, looking like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. He smiled as the Maester tried to find the words to smooth things over. By now, Daenerys looked close to tears, "I'm not mad." she said in a small, confused voice. The Maester scolded Theon after that, but it was too late. Dany knew that she couldn't leave the lesson, she bit her lip, trying to fight back her tears as Theon said "It's history sir. It's all true and written." Dany couldn't listen to anymore. She pushed back her chair and ran out of the room all the way to the godswood. She sat and cried there alone for some time before the others came to find her. Daenerys was relieved to see that Theon wasn't with them.
"Don't listen to him Dany. Maester Luwin went to find father after you left. He came in all angry and red." said Robb, trying to make her laugh he imitated his father "You should know better, boy. Children aren't responsible for the sins of their fathers." when that didn't stop her crying he shrugged and walked of to the stable to pester Hullen. Jon sat opposite Dany, not saying a word. He just sat there, looking at her. "What?" said Dany, irritated by his constant stare. Jon didn't respond, only waited and watched "Go away Jon. I'm a mad, evil Targaryen. Didn't you hear? Go away before I boil you." at this, the boy moved silently to her and sat down so close their knees were touching. "You're a Targaryen and I'm a bastard." he said at last but Dany didn't see how it mattered, "So?" she said.
"Do you know what a bastard is Dany Shoeless?" Daenerys nodded slightly. She had stopped crying. "A bastard is someone who can't ever be anything. Someone who everyone hates because a bastard is a sin." the boy kicked at a pebble in frustration "Everyone hates me too," said Dany, feeling sorry for him "Not Lady Catelyn. She likes you well enough."
"No she doesn't," said Dany "Why should she, I'm a Targaryen."
"She does" he responded "Don't be silly Jon, why would she?" she said looking at him, bemused at the thought. "Because you're beautiful Dany Shoeless." he said, shrugging. "You think I'm beautiful?" she said, almost in a whisper. The boy seemed embarrased when he realised what he had said and shrugged, kicking another pebble into the pond.
"A penny for you thoughts Dany?" said Jon, looking at her with a smile. "You used to call me Shoeless." she said, returning the smile "I remember. What made you think of that?" he asked looking surprised. Dany thought of telling him that she had been thinking of the day she had cried and been called beautiful, but somehow the words wouldn't come out. Instead she shrugged and asked him about his direwolf who was sitting at their feet "He's the runt of the litter. The other pups had pushed him away." he explained. "He's perfect Jon. What's his name?"
"I've called him Ghost" he answered "He likes you." he added as the direwolf bit the hem of her skirt "It's a shame you didn't get one Dany." he said and as he was about to say something more, Catelyn Stark entered the room. As soon as the children saw her thay all started talking. Lady Stark smiled and waited for them all to finish before saying "Children we are going to have some very important visitors," but before she could continue, Rickon's pup snapped playfully at the boy's hand, making him wail. Jon was standing next to him and bent down to comfort him "It's okay Rickon, he just wants to play, look." and taking the boy's small hand in his own, he helped Rickon feel the direwolf's soft fur, Rickon opened his mouth to let out another scream and Lady Catelyn who had been watching the events with a stony glare came to her son's side and held him in her arms. As she soothed the young boy, she shot Jon a cold look that sent him back into the shadows. No one but Dany saw his face at that moment. He looked seven years old again, vulnerable, fragile and unbearably hurt. Dany squeezed his hand as Lady Stark told them about the coming of the King and the feast. Somehow, Dany thought it best not to get too excited. The Stark children each responded in their own way, Sansa clapped her hands and asked if the queen and the prince were coming and Arya rolled her eyes as her sister said "He's said to be very handsome, the prince." Lady Stark smiled at Sansa and told her that he would be coming aswell then bent down to return Rickon to his nurse's lap. As she rose, she called Daenerys and Jon to her side.
"I'm afraid there is no easy way to say this" she said, looking at Dany "but I'm afraid you won't be jonining us at the feast, it would be best if you were out of sight. I'm sure you understand my reasons Daenerys." Daenerys felt a slight disapointment foolish girl she thought to herself you knew this would happen, why get upset? "Ofcourse my lady. I understand completely. Catelyn nodded and smiled slighlty before turning to Jon "You may join the feast at Lord Stark's request but you shall not be sitting with us." she said "You may leave now and if you happen to see Robb, tell him I widh to see him." Jon bowed his head, Dany curtsied and they left together, Ghost running along behind them. Dany didn't say a word, she looked at Jon's face, trying to read the boy's expression. He didn't look hurt or sad or anything really but still, she thought it best not to talk for the meantime. She knew Jon Snow more than anyone else, he would talk when the time was right.
Two weeks later the tailor was taking Sansa and Arya's measurements in their bed chamber. Daenerys sat on a stool infront of them, embroidering as Lady Stark watched. "It's too tight!" exclaimed Arya, pursing her lips as the tailor measured her chest "Do I have to wear a dress mother?" she asked, cocking her head to one side. "What would you rather wear, rags or perhaps you would prefer to attend the feast naked?" her mother answered, raising an eyebrow "Robb, Bran and Rickon don't wear dresses and they don't go naked." Arya responded, "Sometimes I think I have four sons instead of three, clearly you think so too Arya Stark. Most girls would be happy to have a fine new dress made. Stop complaining or maybe you will go naked." she finished sternly, turning her back on her younger daughter. Only then did Arya scrunch up her face and mouthed "Maybe you will go naked." Dany saw her and smiled, bowing her head so as not to give her away. After Arya, Sansa also had her measurements taken "You are becoming a very beautiful woman Sansa." said Lady Stark as the tailor finished her work. Still smiling, she turned to Daenerys, "Come on my dear, the tailor hasn't got all day." Daenerys didn't know what to say, so she stood and went to Lady Catelyn's side "Don't look so surprised child, you've grown too and a Lady can never have too many dresses." as the tailor started measuring Dany, Lady Stark left the room. Dany was pleased that she was getting a new dress and wondered what it would look like, when it would be ready.
The feast had been going on for hours now and Dany was beginning to get bored. Suddenly she decided to go to the godswood. The King would be in the feast for ages and no one would see her. She left her room and was headed to the godswood when she heard Jon's voice from across the courtyard, she couldn't understand what he was saying but she was pleased that he had left the feast. She walked towards him and as she aproached she heard someone say "Remember this, boy. All dwarves may be bastards, yet not all bastards need be dwarves." as the speaker turned to leave, he almost bumped into Daenerys "Ah, all the secrets of Winterfell in one night, the Gods are pissing their blessings on me tonight. You are Daenerys Targaryen, yes?" when Dany didn't answer he continued "Well come on girl, speak." Daenerys curtsied and said, "Yes my Lord, I am."
"Well Daenerys Stormborn Targaryen. Do you know who I am?" Dany nodded "You are Lord Tyrion Lannister, brother to our Queen, Cersei." Tyrion smiled at her "You are very beautiful little girl, very beautiful indeed. It seems our bastard friend here has had a little bit too much wine. Would you be a lovely little thing and make sure he doesn't hurt himself?" Dany nodded and the dwarf walked away, leaving Dany and Jon alone. "You're drunk?" asked Dany, "No I'm not!" Jon aswered harshly. Dany was hurt at his tone "Fine, I'll leave you then. Goodnight." she said curtly. She had barely taken two steps when Jon said "Not even the Night's Watch will have me." that made her turn back, she walked to him as she got close enough to see his face properly she noticed that he had been crying "Uncle Benjen, I asked him. He said no. But I'll still ask father. He'll let me go. You'll see Dany Dragon, I'll be a ranger." he was crying again now, wiping his tears from his face furiously, ashamed at crying when Dany could see. Daenerys didn't care that he was crying but her heart was beating in her every muscle at what he was saying. "The Night's Watch?" she said in a weak voice but Jon didn't answer her, his voice shook as he said, "A bastard can be someone there. It doesn't matter there. You'll see Dany Dragon, I'm going to be important. I'm going to be someone other than Eddard Starks bastard." Dany was shaking all over by now. He was going to leave. Going to leave her here, all alone "You are important!" she shouted stepping closer to him. He stopped talking, surprised at her outburst "How can I be, Dany? I'm no one." his voice was barely a whisper and he had abandoned his attempt to conceal his tears, they ran freely down his cheeks and nose, leaving small wet marks as they dropped off his chin "You are important." Dany said again, drying a tear from his nose. He jerked his head away and made to take a step back but Dany caught him by the arm and pulled him closer "You are important to me." she said, looking him in the eye. They were so close, Dany could smell the wine on his breath, she let go of his arm and held his hand. She could see the dim torchlight sparkle in the grey of his eyes. Her heart was beating the gallop of a horse, she was sure it would soon burst out of it's place. She rose on tiptoe and Jon bent down and their lips met. Dany hadn't felt anythig like it. A feeling of warmth mixed with the sudden jerk one feels when they miss a step. It was making her slightly dizzy. She tasted the wine and the salt from his tears. Slowly they parted, both red. They didn't say word to one another, neither could seem to remember how to talk. Then, suddenly Jon Snow started leading her to the godswood. Daenerys knew what was about to happen, she knew that it wasn't entirely the right thing to do but nevertheless she went with him. He took her to the far corner of the godswood, leaving Ghost at the door. He sat down on the grass and she joined him. They looked at eachother, not sure what to do. Eventually, Jon kissed her again and holding her head in his hand, he laid her to the ground. He pulled away slightly and looked at her, brushing a hair from her face "You're beautiful Dany Dragon, you know that don't you?"he said as if it were the most important thing in the world. They kissed some more and gradually, one thing led to another...
