VII.

It was the middle of the night when Daenerys awoke to someone knocking urgently at her door. She forced herself out of her bed and went over to answer it. Squinting, she could make out Robb through the dark.

"What is it?" she asked drowsily.

"Maester Luwin just woke me about a bird from King's Landing," explained Robb.

"Was the bird from your mother?"

Robb's jaw tightened. "No," he answered, fidgeting. "Let's talk inside."

Her sleepiness disappeared when she noticed the troubling look in Robb's eyes. Dany stepped aside to let him in, only somewhat surprised when both Grey Wind and Theon followed behind him. Even late at night, the older boy was smiling.

"I wish I was in your room under different circumstances," Theon told her.

"Not now, Theon," Robb warned him, before Dany was able to express her disgust. "Light the brazier, won't you? We need some light." He went over to the window and opened the shutters. She shivered from the cold.

"Alyn from King's Landing sent the message. Jory Cassel is dead. And Wyl and Heward as well. Murdered by the Kingslayer," Robb said once the room was no longer dark. He looked out the window. "May the gods give them rest."

Dany was shocked. She remembered Jory from when she was a little girl, how he'd toss her in the air until she was breathless with laughter. The Kingslayer's face surfaced in her mind, and loathing permeated from her belly and her throat.

"And that's not even the worst of it. Father was caught beneath a falling horse in the fight. Alyn says his right leg was shattered, and Maester Pycelle has given him milk of the poppy, but they aren't sure when... when he..." Robb couldn't continue, his expression pained.

"Oh, Robb." Dany moved towards him and pulled him into a tight embrace. He buried his face in her neck, his stubble scratching against her skin. "This must not be forgotten."

"Daenerys is right," agreed Theon when they pulled apart. There was no smile on his face, only a hungry look to it. "Call for the banners, Robb. Blood for blood."

For once, Dany could concur with Theon. She wouldn't put it pass the Lannisters to do something like this, especially after the possibility of the Kingslayer pushing Bran off the First Keep.

"Only a lord can call the banners," Dany reminded him.

"If Eddard Stark dies then Robb will be Lord of Winterfell," Theon replied, and Dany issued him an annoyed look. Could he have any less tact?

"He won't die, not Father," Robb insisted. "Still... the honor of the north is in my hands now. I must be strong for Bran and Rickon. I'm almost a man grown."

She remembered their missing companion. "Send word to Jon. He has the right to know."

Theon scoffed. "What's the good of telling the bastard? He's a man of the Night's Watch. Everyone knows crows don't take part in our battles."

Insensitive ass, thought Dany. "Perhaps he hasn't said his vows yet. There's still time. It would be wrong if he heard of this too late." She turned to Robb. "Right?"

For the briefest of moments, there was a frightened look on his face, but it vanished sooner than Dany glimpsed it. Swallowing thickly, Robb said, "Right."

Dany reached out to grasp his hand, twining her fingers with his. "You are not alone. We are here," she told him, and when she glanced at Theon's face, he looked surprise that he was included. Then she smiled. "And so will Jon."


Days after Robb called for the banners, he was startled when Daenerys announced she was going to personally deliver his message to Jon.

"No," Robb immediately said. "The Wall is no place for a girl. You remember what happened to Danny Flint. And a raven would reach him faster."

"The Lord Commander could burn it before Jon sees," Dany countered.

"Why would he do that?"

"Because he can't afford to lose a potential brother. I'm going, Robb."

He gave her a hard look, but she did not back down. When he realized she would go whether he permitted or not, Robb sighed. "If you're going, you'll need guards."

"One will suffice. I don't plan to make this a long trip."

"Three or I'll put a lock on your door to keep you from leaving," Robb warned.

Instead of glaring at him like he expected, she threw her arms around his neck. The sudden impact made him stumble. "Your gallantry will forever be treasured," she murmured against his cheek.

Watching her leave with Hayhead, Skittrick, and Wayn did not ease his worries. The Wall sheltered rapers and murderers. Dany was a beautiful girl and shared the same name as Danny Flint. Would she share the same fate as well? Robb could only hope not, for he had to focus on convincing his father's bannermen to join his cause.


Jon stood among the other recruits in the yard, bored and hoping Ser Alliser Thorne's droning would end before night fell. More than anything he wanted to go hunting with Ghost. The wolf was becoming restless, and Jon felt the same way. He felt confined within these walls, weary with the tasks he was assigned, and missed Winterfell more than he should. Jon would remind himself that it was never his home, but that never stopped him from thinking about his cousins and Daenerys.

He blinked, returning his attention to Ser Alliser when he heard him call out their names one by one.

"Toad. Stone Head. Aurochs. Lover. Pimple. Monkey. Ser Loon." He looked at Jon last. "And the Bastard."

Pyp whooped and thrust his sword into the air, oblivious to the reptile stare Ser Alliser fixed him.

"They will call you men of Night's Watch now, but you are bigger fools than the Mummer's Monkey here if you believe that. You are boys still, green and stinking of summer, and when the winter comes you will die like flies." Ser Alliser Thorne took his leave of them.

Jon and the seven boys named were surrounded by the others, laughing and cursing and offering congratulations. Pyp leapt onto Grenn's shoulders, and they tumbled to the ground, rolling and punching and hooting. Dareon dashed inside the armory and returned with a skin of sour red. When it was passed to Jon, drinking in his uncle's solar with Robb and Daenerys flashed in his mind. The wine was a bit harder to swallow afterwards.

Samwell Tarly stood alone beneath a bare dead tree in the corner of the yard. He shook his head when Jon offered him wine. "No thank you, Jon."

"Are you well?" he asked, frowning.

"Very well, truly." Sam's smile did not convince Jon. "I am so happy for you all. You will be First Ranger someday, just as your uncle was."

"Is," Jon corrected firmly. Everyone thought he was in denial over Benjen Stark's death, but Jon knew his uncle was alive.

"You plan on drinking that all yourself?" cried Halder. Pyp snatched the skin from his hand, while Grenn seized his arm. The smaller boy gave the skin a squeeze, sending a stream of red towards Jon. Halder howled at the waste of good wine, and soon snowballs were being pelted around the yard.

By the time the snowball fight ended, Sam was gone.

He knew Sam was frightened that they were leaving him alone with the likes of Rast and Ser Alliser. Without him or their friends, Sam was defenseless against them. Jon wondered what else he could do to help his friend. He thought about offering some words like Tyrion Lannister had done for him, but Jon was uncertain that it would have much impact on the self-proclaimed coward.

Pyp joined him on his search for Sam, concerned for their friend as well. Jon had no need to guess where Sam was hiding. As they passed by the rookery, Jon frowned when he saw three men wearing the uniform belonging to a guard of Winterfell. He didn't recognize them. Were they new? More importantly, why were they here?

"Jon, what is it?" Pyp asked.

"Those guards are from Winterfell," he said, watching them.

"Do you think they're here for you?" Pyp wondered.

That would be the obvious answer, but underneath the rookery was a stout wooden keep where the maester resided. Jon knew the maester was related to Daenerys. His belly coiled at the thought of her being here. He wanted to see if it was truly her, but the fear of disappointment kept him from moving in that direction.

"We should find Sam," Jon said instead.

It seemed Sam did not want to be found. Jon understood wanting to be left alone and decided to continue his search of Sam didn't show up for their meal later. That night, Three-Finger Hobb cooked the boys a special meal to mark the occasion. When Jon arrived at the common hall, the Lord Steward himself led him to the bench near the fire. The older men clapped him on the arm in passing.

Sitting with the other soon-to-be brothers, everyone was betting which position they would receive while gorging themselves. Ice filled Jon's belly when Dareon mentioned a visitor from Winterfell.

"A girl?" repeated Toad, eyes widening. "What did she look like?"

"Fairer than any girl I'd ever seen," the singer answered. "Her hair is silver-gold and her eyes are amethysts. You must know her, Jon—Jon are you alright?"

Jon coughed up the blueberry he nearly choked on. He thanked Grenn for slapping his back before rising from the bench. He took his cloak from its hook near the door and shouldered his way out. Jon needed to see her for himself. What was she doing here? She couldn't have come all this way for him.

Asking around for a silver-haired girl hadn't proved difficult. Men pointed him in the direction of the Commander's Keep. The Old Bear must have invited her for a meal in his quarters then. It wasn't often Castle Black received guests, much less ones of the fairer sex. Jon would wait.

Hours passed and Jon soon wished he brought Ghost to keep him company. Seconds before Jon decided to leave, he heard her voice. There was laughter in it, something Jon hadn't realized he missed. Then she was in his line of vision and for one slow beat of his heart he froze.

She hadn't changed. Jon wasn't sure what he was expecting, but she looked the same as when he left her. Fourteen wasn't much of a difference from thirteen. Her hair was gathered at the back of her head with a scarlet ribbon, shining like molten silver in the moonlight. He remembered the silken texture of it between his fingers.

"Dany," Jon called out, reaching towards her.

"Jon." Standing before him, Jon wondered if he grew taller or she remained short. Was she always this petite?

"Dany…" he breathed when she stepped forward into his arms. It was strange to hold her and feel her warm and solid. Are you real?

"Yes, I'm real." Dany's laugh was muffled in his chest. Jon blushed, and suddenly remembered the wine stains on his surcoat. He must have looked ridiculous.

When they pulled away, her smile was gone. She stared up at him with a look akin to the devastated one she had when she learned he was leaving for the Wall. "We need to talk, Jon."

The seriousness in her voice startled him. "What's wrong?" he asked, frowning.

"Is there a godswood?" she asked him.

"No. The closest one is beyond the Wall," Jon answered. "We can talk in my room."

"Lead the way." Dany took his hand, lacing their gloved fingers together. Jon swallowed thickly, hoping she didn't notice the falter in his step from the mere contact. It was silent for most of the walk to Hardin's Tower, with the exception of the chatter between the three guards trailing behind them. "You sleep here?"

"It's not so bad," Jon said defensively, aware of how the broken battlement must have looked to her. "No one else sleeps here, so it's my own tower."

"Don't you get cold? There must be drafts at night."

"Ghost is around, and I don't mind the cold."

"Ah. I almost forgot you are one with winter."

Jon chuckled at that. "You make me sound like the Night King."

Her hand left his to clutch at his arm. "He won't come to steal me away, will he?"

His laugh was less quiet this time. "You're still afraid of him? He's not real, Dany, and if he was I'd keep him from kidnapping you."

He could feel the heat of her gaze. Jon fumbled with opening his cell where Ghost laid on the floor waiting. Dany pushed past him and dropped to her knees to hug the white wolf. It was a funny thing to look at. Half of the men at Castle Black feared the direwolf, but here was this slight girl playing with him like he was a lapdog.

"Leave us," Dany suddenly said, when she was done rubbing Ghost's belly. Jon heard the guards leave, murmuring something obscene that made him blush. Settling on his bed, Jon didn't have time to admire how Dany made herself comfortable when she told him, "Robb sent me. I have grievous news."

"Is it Bran?" Jon questioned, afraid of whatever news was for him.

"No." Her face was grave. "Lord Stark has been imprisoned. He's… he's charged with treason. They say he—"

"No," Jon said at once. "That couldn't be. My uncle would never betray the king!"

"I know, Jon," Dany murmured. The gentle edge to her voice made him listen. "Baratheon is dead. It's said Lord Stark plotted with Baratheon's brothers to deny Joffrey the throne."

It… this had to be a lie. His uncle Ned… a traitor? He loved the king like a brother. Eddard Stark would never dishonor himself. Jon shook his head, unable to believe it. Warm fingers touched his cheek, and Jon stopped shaking to look at her. Dany had ungloved her right hand at some point. Her fingers tugged at his hair, pulling him towards her until she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held him close. Jon could only hug her back.

"Robb wants you with him when he marches to Moat Cailin," she told him.

Robb, thought Jon. Robb was marching to Moat Cailin? Did he call for the banners? Of course he had. His cousin wouldn't allow such injustice to transpire. Dread spread throughout him as the news sunk in. His uncle was named a traitor and his cousin was leading an army to save him.

Dany pulled back, looking at him uneasily. "Please tell me you have not sworn yet."

"Not yet." Once he swore his vow, the Wall would be his home until he was old as Maester Aemon.

The relief on Dany's face was palpable. "Come back with me," she pleaded, grasping his hands. "You are no outlaw. You are not bound to this place. Jon, do not stay here. Come back with me."

The thought of leaving Castle Black all behind crossed his mind too many times to count. This war Robb planned to wage was only more reason for Jon to return to Winterfell. He would only remember Lady Stark who would not welcome him. There was no place for him in Winterfell, no place in Dorne either. When Jon said this, Dany scoffed.

"She does not matter. You have your cousins that will welcome you," Dany told him. "Robb loves you like a brother, Jon. He needs you by his side."

"What about you?" Jon couldn't help ask.

Her cheeks blazed, but she did not stammer as she said, "And me. I miss you too."

His heart thrummed erratically. "I thought you hated me," he mumbled, averting his eyes.

"I wanted to," she admitted. "It would have been easier, but I couldn't. I care too much for you. You're my closest friend."

Dany looked up at him with something so profound in her eyes that Jon recognized it, but couldn't believe she'd ever feel that for him. It made his heart race and his head swim with the petrifying idea of it. He swallowed thickly, overwhelmed.

"And what happens after we save my uncle and cousins?" Jon questioned, gripping the edge of the bed. "Will Robb have need of me then?"

"He may not," Dany acknowledged, "but he needs you now."

He remembered when he was fourteen and Robb declared that he was needed in Winterfell. There was no purpose then, other than to be Robb's companion. There shouldn't be a purpose, thought Jon. Robb and Dany wanted him back, and that was all that mattered.

Guilt filled him abruptly. He never expected to form a bond with any of these soon-to-be brothers. Jon could imagine the looks of anger and disappointment he would receive when he'd break the news to them.

"Shit," he muttered. From the concerned look Dany gave him, Jon explained the situation with Sam and the rest of his friends.

She smiled fondly at him. "Snow is not an apt name for you."

Jon smiled, his heart lighter than it felt since he arrived to Castle Black. "I missed you, Dany," he confessed, the words proving difficult to say aloud.

"It would be quite rude if you didn't," Dany replied lightly. Jon laughed and pushed her playfully. "I won't rush you, but I'll be with my uncle until you're ready to leave."

That was it. Jon wouldn't be here to protect Sam, but if he spoke to Maester Aemon then perhaps his friend could survive the Wall. The Old Bear listened to the aged maester. Jon cupped Dany's face with his hands and kissed her.

"You're brilliant," he exclaimed as he pushed himself off the bed.

"Wha—where are you going?" Dany asked, confused.

"To see Maester Amon," he answered as he hurried out of the room. Hopefully the ancient man wasn't already asleep. It was too bad Jon wouldn't be around to see Samwell Tarly be accepted as a brother of the Night's Watch.


Much to Jon's relief, his friends and the Old Bear were understanding with him leaving. Dareon, to his embarrassment, gave him some unneeded advice on how to please a woman.

Dany kept a fast, unforgiving pace as she rode her mare through the wolfswood. The three guards—Hayhead, Skittrick, and Wayn—struggled to keep up. No stranger to her speeds, Jon considered it a challenge and raced her. "Centurions, the both of you," cursed Skittrick, panting when they took a small break.

It took them two nights to reach Winterfell. Predictably, Dany made it to the gates before any of them. She was grinning, with her face flushed red and windswept hair coming undone from its ribbon when Jon caught up with her.

She was beautiful.

"Apologies if the dust from my silver blinded you," Dany gloated.

"Arrogance does not suit you," Jon remarked. They shared a grin and rode their horses through the gates.

Jon had never seen as many strangers in all his years, not even when King Robert visited. He was relieved that Winterfell wasn't empty like in his dreams. Following Dany, Jon restrained himself from running to search for his cousin. It was ages until they found Robb walking with Lord Medger Cerwyn. Grey Wind noticed them before Robb did, bounding over to Ghost and sniffing at him. He paused from his conversation with Lord Cerwyn.

"Jon?" Robb said weakly. Unlike Dany, Robb looked different. His auburn hair fell to his shoulders uncut and unkempt since he turned fifteen, but the reddish stubble covering his jaw made him look older.

"I got your message," Jon told him hoarsely.

"My lord, we'll continue this later," Robb said, voice abruptly different. Deeper, sterner.

"Of course," Lord Cerwyn agreed, leaving them.

He and Robb openly stared at one another. Neither thought they would see each other again, at least not so soon. It felt like a thousand years had passed since they were in Winterfell together.

"You didn't...?" Robb trailed off.

"No, I didn't desert," Jon answered. He took in a shuddering breath then smiled. "I have to make sure you don't do something stupid in battle. I was always the better sword."

"Ha! You're such an ass." Robb grasped his forearm and pulled him into an embrace. "It's good to have you back, Snow."

"But it's true." Jon let out a relieved laugh when Robb punched his ribs. "Missed you too, Stark."


Moat Cailin looked no more than a death trap.

Despite the scattered blocks of black basalt, Robb knew that this ruin was more formidable than it seemed. He made his seat at the Gatehouse Tower and spent a week arguing with the northern lords about which course of action they needed take. Sometime during their twentieth council, Robb received a letter from Sansa.

His heart was lodged in his throat as he read the letter. She wrote how kind and gentle the Lannisters were treating her, but underneath the sweet words were threats. The Lannisters meant to keep her as a hostage. That only made him more concerned for her safety. Robb read the letter again, realizing he missed Arya's name, but to his dismay, she hadn't been mentioned once.

"She doesn't say anything about Arya," Jon pointed out, when he finished reading.

"I know," Robb said, miserable.

The councils worsened when they learned of the fighting in the riverlands. The riverlands fought a battle in the hills below the Golden Tooth. When the Kingslayer descended on them, one of the lords was slain while the other fell back to Riverrun, with Jaime Lannister following closely. Worst of all, during the fighting Lord Tywin was bringing a second Lannister army around the south, even larger than his son's host.

"Do you mean to meet Lord Tywin?" Jon asked when it was just them in the drafty hall.

"If he comes so far, but no one thinks he will," Robb replied. "I've sent word to Howland Reed, Father's old friend at Greywater Watch. If the Lannisters come up the Neck, the crannogmen will bleed them every step of the way."

"He's too smart for that," Dany said, much to their surprise. "He'll stay close to the Trident and take the castles of the river lords one by one until Riverrun stands alone. We must march south to meet him."

Robb and Jon shared an incredulous look. "How do you figure that one?" he asked her.

"I've studied Aegon's Conquest and the Young Dragon's Conquest of Dorne to learn the ways of war. Once you have an idea of how it works, it's possible to decipher better courses of action," Dany explained.

"The only question is where to march," Jon spoke up.

"And that question shall be answered tomorrow," Dany cut in. She stood, stretching her arms above her head. "I'm famished. Shall I get us a meal?"

"If you don't mind," Robb said, smiling.

The moment they left, Robb turned to Jon. He shook his head, laughing mirthlessly. "I can't believe this is real," Robb told him.

"What? That I'm here?" Jon asked lightly.

"That too," he admitted. "No, I'm talking about me leading an army. Jon, my father is locked up in some dungeon and could be killed any day now. Sansa is trapped with that little shit Joffrey, and Arya…"

"I know," Jon sighed.

"What if the fighting doesn't go against Cersei?" Robb asked him, afraid. "What if it goes against us?"

"It won't," Jon decided, unexpectedly brave. "We'll save them, Robb. We won't lose."

"We won't lose," Robb echoed. He smiled weakly. "It's really good to have you here, Jon."

Jon smiled. "The gods were good for letting me get your message in time. If you'd waited, I would have been a brother of the Night's Watch."

"Yes." Robb stared at him. "I suppose they are."

The next morning, Robb called for council and mentioned Dany's observation about Lord Tywin. He noticed the astonished glances the lords exchanged and it reminded Robb of how he felt last night when Dany first spoke up about it. Robb was aware of Dany's wit, but he never suspected her to have a fascination with war, much less study it.

"I say we take the battle to the Old Lion and surprise him," the Greatjon said.

"By all reports, he has more men than we do," Roose Bolton reminded him.

"That won't matter if we catch him with his breeches down," the Greatjon replied cheerfully.

"It seems to me that a man who has fought as many battles as Tywin Lannister won't be so easily surprised," pointed out Jon, thoughtful.

"Snow's right," said Robett Glover. "It'd be wiser to go around his army and join up with Tully and his men against the Kingslayer."

Glover's men and the Karstarks murmured in agreement. Robb could feel the weight of their eyes on him as he thought on their plans. If they tried to swing around Lord Tywin's host, they took the risk of getting caught between him and the Kingslayer. If they marched to Riverrun, Robb wasn't certain they'd make it in time to protect his uncle from Jaime Lannister.

"Both plans have virtues, but..." Robb flattened the map. "I'd leave a small force here to hold Moat Cailin, archers mostly, and march the rest down the causeway, but once we're below the Neck, I'd split out host in two. The foot can continue down the kingsroad, while our horseman crosses the Green Fork at the Twins. When Lord Tywin gets word that we've come south, he'll march north to engage our main host, leaving our riders free to hurry down the west bank to Riverrun."

He sat back, suppressing a smile.

Jon was staring at the map. "You'd put a river between the two parts of your army."

"And between the Kingslayer and Lord Tywin," Robb said, keeping the eagerness out of his voice. "There's no crossing on the Green Fork above the ruby lord, not until the Twins, all the way up here, and Lord Frey controls that bridge."

"He's your mother's lord bannermen, isn't he?" Dany questioned, and Robb nodded.

"It's a good plan," admitted Lord Cerwyn. "I assume you'll lead the horse?"

"You assume correctly," Robb replied.

His eyes swept the room, considering each man in the room. He wasn't sure who he'd choose to lead the other. Perhaps the Greatjon? He should honor the fearless man since he was always going on about smashing Lord Tywin. Before Robb could announce who would lead the foot, Lord Wyman Manderly's son Ser Wendel and Ser Brynden Tully arrived. To his utter surprise, his mother was among the knights.

Admittedly, Robb was happy to see her after so many months apart, but his content disposition wavered when he caught her looking at Jon and Dany sitting near him. It only further wavered when she revealed she no longer held Tyrion Lannister prisoner.

"No doubt we will have time for all this later, but my journey has fatigued me. I would speak with my son alone. I know you will forgive me, my lords," his mother said politely, but Robb sensed there was no arguing with her. Led by the ever obliging Lord Hornwood, the bannermen bowed and took their leave. "And you two," she added when Dany and Theon lingered.

Like Robb expected, his mother voiced her concerns over him leading a host to battle. Relief filled him when she decided not to send him back to Winterfell. He showed her Sansa's letter and mentioned that Jon believed the Lannisters may have lost Arya.

"Robb, why is Jon here?" she asked slowly. "He didn't desert, did he?"

"Mother, no," Robb answered, frowning. "He wouldn't do something like that. I sent him a raven before we marched to Moat Cailin and the Lord Commander let him go."

"And Daenerys?"

"She wanted to help and she has." Robb went on to tell her about Dany's observation, and like everyone else, seemed surprised. He noticed her hesitation. "What is it, Mother?"

"You aren't bedding her, are you?" she questioned, voice blunt.

Heat warmed him from the neck up. "No," Robb told her forcefully. "I would never bed her. She's like a sister to me."

She nodded, and Robb revealed his plans to defeat the Lannister host. To his immense satisfaction, she was impressed until she expressed her concerns for the Greatjon leading the eastern host.

"He's fearless. Grey Wind ate two of his fingers, and he laughed about it."

"No. You want cold cunning, I should think, not courage."

"You want Roose Bolton?"

Chills ran down his spine at the thought of Roose Bolton. He looked like any other man, plain of the face, beardless and ordinary, but the only noticeable thing about him were his eyes, so pale and eerie to stare into. Each time their eyes met during the feasts, his body would go cold.

"I'll think about it," he decided after a tense moment. "I'll assemble an escort to take you home to Winterfell."

"I'm not going to Winterfell," he heard her say. "My father is dying behind the walls of Riverrun. My brother is surrounded by foes. I must go to them."


A/N: So the biggest changes in these edited chapters is this right here. I remember one reviewer mentioned that they liked when Dany went to the Wall in the original fic and I'm thinking, "Why didn't I keep that?" so here it is. Hope you guys liked the edited fics so far and keep reading!