A/N: Sorry for the wait! My other story kinda took off, and I couldn't get in the mindset of this one. But I'm still writing don't worry. :)
*also I want to bring up the problem of Bran...I like Bran when he is/was Bran but the whole three-eyed-raven thing got on my last nerve. I don't like it so therefore, I am ignoring it. He might still show up, and he will be the raven-thingy but he won't have a major role on the council.*
...
Daenerys stormed down the hallway and into the Great room. Until she stood before her not so patiently awaiting council. "Where is he?"
Varys tilted his head in question as Tyrion took a sip of his wine and responded. "Who my Queen?"
Daenerys was about to explode she could feel it. Her fists clenched tightly and as she opened her mouth to let the dragon unleash, a voice made her turn her head.
"Jon is out, your grace." Sansa replied.
Their relationship had much improved since Daenerys' arrival, but it still wasn't where she wanted it to be. Sansa didn't like her at first, and couldn't quite judge her character. She seemed too cold, too selfish perhaps. But she did see her self sacrifice during the battle, how much she cared for her injured knight, how much she cried over the dead, and lastly how she got on with her brother.
Jon could make a good king, but she feared that he wasn't as good of a choice as Tyrion, Lord Varys, and Ser Davos thought. He was brave and excellent on the battlefield, he cared about people and stood for what was right. But there was so much more to being a ruler than that. And if he were to marry Daenerys, together they would complete each other as rulers.
However, there was still something in her that Sansa didn't trust. She couldn't put her finger on it, and maybe it was just her being paranoid, but she was the mad king's daughter. She wished that she could forget that and move on. Not every child is like their parent, she knew, but when she lost her temper, like now, she questioned her previous thoughts.
"Out where?" Daenerys felt her face reddened. She didn't care where, she just knew who he was with.
"The wall your grace." Davos sensed the tension and tried his best to interject. He didn't fully understand what was going between the two women, but he knew if two people shouldn't be fighting it was them. Fire and Ice indeed.
"And could someone please tell me why he thought he could take my dragon?" She looked around intensely. Their faces were embarrassingly blank. "Rhaegal is my dragon. Mine. He doesn't answer to Jon Snow and he doesn't belong flying around in the north. I just lost one dragon, and if I lose another…"
"Hey." She felt a hand gently touch her shoulder. It pulled her out of her thoughts with a jolt, as she swung back and hit the person who presumed they could touch her.
Jorah grabbed at his side after the slap landed on his chest. It did no damage, but it did irritate the burn. Which was very unfortunate because Sam had just reapplied cooling herbs, now the relief was gone.
"Jorah! Are you ok, I'm so sorry." She held onto his arm that was gripping his wound, she looked for blood as she heard everyone standing from their seats, curious as to what had happened.
Jorah looked pale. He was not standing tall, but was hunched over a bit so that his side wouldn't pull. He was dressed too light for the weather and she knew that he had to be cold. He must have recently bathed because he smelt fresh. His hair looked as though it was still damp, and was combed back neatly. He was clean-shaven. The first time she had ever seen him so. She wasn't sure if she preferred it or not, but she did get to see his strong jaw and chin better, and she decided that that was a very good thing.
"I'm fine. Are you ok?" She looked at him and knew what he was asking. They were about to see her temper. If Jorah hadn't shown up, she might have lost their support completely.
She turned to look at her council. They looked worried for Jorah and that made her even more thankful he had come. The distraction diffused the tension, and as everyone sat back down she whispered to him."Yes. Jon took Rhaegal to the Wall, without my consent." She looked up at him, and if they were alone he knew that tears would have been in them.
You never hurt her people, but you never ever touched her dragons. He knew that they were like children to her. She was convinced that she could bear none of her own, so she was protective and defensive over them. He was shocked she let Jon ride one in the first place. Must be love he thought almost bitterly, but not quite.
Jorah looked up at the council. "Why would he not ask her first?" He asked while pushing Daenerys hand from his side, she looked at him hurt, but then he put his hand in hers for a brief moment, gripped tightly in reassurance and let go. He just wanted her to know that everything was ok, and that he wasn't rejecting her, but they did have an audience.
Sansa took on the challenge of defending her brother. "He wanted to see the damage at the Wall, before we head south. It was his home for a time, as I'm sure you know. He took the dragon because it was faster. He hoped to be back in time for tonight."
Jorah didn't like her tone, it was short and clipped as if it was said through hate. He also didn't like how when she spoke of the Wall she looked directly at him. He didn't know if she knew of his father, or maybe she knew of his banishment. Her father had wanted his head, the thought made him want to rub the back of his neck, he was equally frustrated and thankful that his injuries prevented him from doing so.
Daenerys ignored Sansa and lead him over to the head of the table, and made him sit in the seat next to her. Jon's seat. He looked at her in apprehension, she nodded and patted his arm.
She had been openly touching him lately. It was something that he liked very much, but needed to tell her to stop it. Varys was watching them more intently than he'd ever notice anyone doing so. And it was as if he knew that Jorah knew, and that made him focus even harder.
As wrong as it felt sitting in the King of the North's seat, he was grateful for it. Missandei and Sam both tried to stop him, telling him that he wasn't near well enough. He didn't really believe them then, but now he did. He was sweating and his mouth felt real dry. The pain wasn't terrible but he couldn't recall a time where he had felt weaker.
Daenerys reading his mind, stood and poured him a gobblet of water. He took it gratefully but then realized that he couldn't drink from it. He sat it down and she looked at him frowning. Then picked it up and brought it to his mouth.
It embarrassed him, but he needed the drink. And as he looked at the faces around him, he knew that it was a good thing for them to witness. Even if it wounded his pride.
Jon swung open the doors, covered in snow and ice. "Sorry for my tardiness, the Wall was more damaged than I thought." He swung his cloak off and sat it over a chair by the fire. Then he walked up to the table confused as to why Jorah was in his seat. "Ser Jorah, it is good to see you up and around. Strong as bears those Mormonts." He smiled genuinely.
"Please pull up a chair and join us." Daenerys said not asking but demanding.
He arched an eyebrow and obeyed.
Jorah was very proud of her. He knew that she wanted to say a thousand things to him right now. But instead she decided on the importance of the council, and hopefully she would reprimand him in private, or at least in a more professional manner.
She looked at Tyrion and nodded for him to begin.
"We know that she's built a perimeter around Kings Landing. There will be Lannister soldiers, the Golden Company, scorpions, and archers, yes, but what we're quite concerned about is the possibility of wildfire. I have seen it nearly wipe out an entire fleet."
Varys stood and walked slowly until he was beside of Jon and in front of the Queen. "But luckily we have dragons and a Queen that won't burn."
The symbolism of where he now stood didn't go unnoticed by Jorah. He would have to keep a close watch on him. "What would you suggest she do?" Jorah asked, keeping his own tone in check.
"I say that when we arrive, the Queen and Snow ride ahead on dragons and force Cersei to use the wildfire, if she even possesses anymore."
Jorah stood too quickly causing his head to spin and his side to pull. "Like bait?!" He slammed his fist onto the table hard. The pain in his hand masking the burning pain in his side. He slowly sat as Daenerys coaxed him down.
"It was merely a suggestion. I am simply stating the obvious. If we do nothing and they have wildfire, we will lose. That is a fact, I'm not trying to upset you Ser Mormont." He moved to the other side of Jon so that he was now in front of Jorah. "If you have a better suggestion I'm sure we will go with that."
Jorah squinted his eyes at him, weighing out the pros and cons of hitting him from across the table. He can't believe he used to feed this spider with information. Jorah stood slowly and began his turn speaking. "All of you have fought in battles, well most of you have." He cut his eyes to Varys. "And this is a lesson that all who have fought will understand. Which is stronger Lord Varys, one or Five?"
Varys tilted his head and thought for sure that Mormont wasn't well enough to be here. "Five. But that's basic math, do you need me to send for Sam?"
"Wrong." Jorah said firmly. "One is far greater than five." He used his fingers to represent five individuals, and then used the fist of his other hand to represent one. Then he brought his hands together killing off the five small armies, wincing in the process.
Tyrion smiled at the sight, he had seen something like the representation before. But more importantly he was proud of Ser Jorah for standing up to the man he surely resents. Jorah wasn't finished.
"And do you really think it wise to send a Queen and King as a lure? If we don't stick together we become weak." He sat tired and frustrated. He was more than ready for bed, but he felt that his presence was more important than ever. They were going to get her killed.
Sansa had enough of their arguing. "I agree that we need to assume that she has wildfire, but I'm not so sure that we should base our whole attack on it. I know for a fact that she wouldn't use it close to the Red Keep. Her life means more to her than every soul in Westeros…"
"Not every soul." Jamie Lannister walked in followed by Brienne of Tarth.
Tyrion stood and quickly walked over to his brother. "Do you think this wise Jamie? We are in the middle of something very important, and I'm not so sure she would appreciate the presence of the man who killed her father."
Daenerys stood for the first time and Jorah tried to follow but his legs wouldn't allow it.
"Come."
He stood in front of her and bowed his head. Brienne did the same and looked at the council in worry. When he told her that he needed to speak with the Queen she followed him across the grounds, trying to talk him out of it, but at least now she could defend him if need be.
"Speak, but do not test my patience with you."
"My sister is with child."
Daenerys looked slightly surprised then responded with venom. "I assume it's yours?"
He nodded his head and bit the inside of his cheek. He wanted to say something badly, but knew he risked the lives of everyone in the room if he made her angry.
"How does that change anything?"
"Cersei...is a lot of things, but she takes pride in being a mother. When her, our children were hurt...that's what made her this monster."
Varys seemed to disagree. "She was always terrible. Her children made her worse."
"Maybe." Jamie said a little too loudly, causing a few people to jump. "Look I am a part of this side now, the right side, the good side. But she is with child, my child. If there is any way to just banish her..."
Sansa stood, walked to him. "She got my father killed…"
"I know and I am sor…"
"My mother, my older brother, my younger brother. It's all her fault. She took Arya and Bran's childhood. She was cruel to me in more ways than one, and you want me to support her survival?" She stood so close to him that he could feel her breath. "I will kill her myself before that happens."
"You misunderstand me."
"Then speak clearly." Tyrion urged him.
"If we can offer her a way out, someplace where she and her child can live, maybe she will ring the bells with no need for battle." He returned Sansa's intense stare, and cocked his head. "It's at least worth the attempt."
"Does she still have wildfire?"
"I don't believe so. She used a large portion to force the Tyrells into extinction."
"There could still be some left though my Queen. I have seen the stash first hand, and there was more left than with what it would take to blow up the Sept." Tyrion disagreed with Jamie. He was afraid that he was leading them into a trap, whether he was aware of it or not.
"Thank you for the information. We will take it into consideration. You are dismissed."
When they left, the room fell silent. Everyone shifted in their seats.
Ser Davos was the first to speak. "It might be worth a shot. I mean if it could save lives."
Jon added. "We have to be careful of him. It's his baby, and if he loves her still, this could be a part of his plan."
Daenerys listened as everyone had their say. Tyrion and Varys teamed up against Davos and the Starks, well a Targaryen and a Stark. Her gaze kept landing on Jorah. He too was listening and planning, she could see it in his features. Sweat had broken out on his forehead, and his hand was shaking as he played with the outline of the bandage. They needed to make a plan soon before he made himself worse.
She stood abruptly, causing everyone to cease their conversations and turn towards her. "We have a long journey ahead, we will leave in three days, have everyone ready." They nodded intently. "I believe it would be wise if Jon and I could destroy any wildfire, but we need a better plan of execution."
Tyrion raised his brows in question. "My Queen, we have no further recommendations. Lord Varys and I have thought very hard on the subject, and the best way, we believe is to force her to show her tricks before our army arrives." He chugged the last of his wine, neatly wiped his mouth and continued. "But I also agree with Mormont, the more we separate, the weaker we become."
Jon stood, placed his hands on the table, and leaned forward. "What if Tyrion and I go ahead?" He saw the protests begin so he held up his hand. "Just a day or two. He could offer her freedom in exchange for the throne. If the plan doesn't work or she refuses, then I'll show up on Rhaegal. She hates me so much she'll reveal all of her tricks to kill me."
Tyrion looked at the Queen in shock. He was proud of Jon Snow for showing a cunning side, but to involve him in such a way was alarming. Cersei hated him as much, if not more than anyone. But they were family, he hoped that still counted for something.
Daenerys looked around to see if anyone had anything to add, they didn't, and she was ready for this to end. "We have well over a fortnight to discuss tactics in detail. I think it's best that we think very hard about these next steps. Failure is not an option, and by the time we make it to King's Landing I want a plan."
She stood as each member bowed, and made their exit. Jon was the last. "Jon?"
"Yes my Queen." He turned back and walked to her.
"If you ever presume to take my dragon again without my permission, I'll send you back to the Wall to live out the rest of your days."
His eyes grew big as part of him broke in her warning. He wanted to apologize but knew from Jorah's warning eyes that he needed to leave. He bowed in understanding and left.
She took a deep breath and turned to Jorah. "How are you?"
"I'm fine Khaleesi."
"That's not the first time you've told me that lie."
He grimaced at the truth of the statement. "I feel very weak. My side burns, and all of this talk about you possibly sacrificing yourself has me feeling quite ill."
She smiled softly at him and cupped his cheek. "All will be well."
As he felt the warmth of her hand he froze. Afraid that if he moved he would wake up.
"Come. We need to get you to bed." She held her hands out as he gently gripped them. She pulled lightly until he was standing. It took a moment for him to gain back his equilibrium. Then she wrapped her arm carefully around his back and allowed him to lean onto her.
As they started moving forward she could feel him tense. "Khaleesi…"
"Don't. If you protest Ser I will make you walk alone."
He knew that he wouldn't make it alone so he shut his mouth, and reluctantly accepted her help.
