What did this mean? Tyrion stood there, watching as Brandon Stark…he thought that was still Brandon Stark…stood, looking very much like the Night King.
He didn't know what to do. He was certain that the Night King had died; somehow Bran had gotten obsidian. But Bran…something more than odd had happened to him.
…and then he looked at Tyrion, standing some fifty feet away in the trees. His eyes were blue glass…his skin white…and he started to walk toward Castle Black.
He could move then. He snapped out of the trance he was held in, and made his way through the trees.
He was breathing hard…trying to think what to do. Should he attempt to kill him? Was he Bran any longer? He watched, as Bran emerged from the tree cover, and held his hands up.
The fighting stopped immediately. The other day Wights looked at him, then came over to him, standing behind him. The whites, meanwhile, though their numbers were thin, immediately fell over, unmoving.
"Jon Snow!" Bran yelled. "Jon Snow!"
Tyrion watched the King of the North emerge, rather bloodied by the battle, from among the soldiers. "Bran?" he whispered.
"Jon," and Bran nodded. "There are things which you should know. Things I know now…I am the Three Eyed Raven, and now I am the Night King. These things have been chasing me since I left Winterfell, and I finally made peace with it all," he nodded. "I had awakened the Night's Armies in a vision, gave them power they didn't have before…the power to advance on the Wall. Now, they will stay behind it, and not harm those who live here. I have no desire for an army nor war…" and Bran walked toward Jon…
…Jon, who was standing next to Jaime, and some of the other commanders. Dany walked nearer, and Tyrion emerged from his cover, walking over toward the group.
"I have seen Westeros and her secrets. I have done harm by visiting the past, though my intention was always to make things better. It did not always go as I had hoped. I have always attempted to avoid war, to protect the people of Westeros. I gave the Free Folk who live north of the Wall the opportunity to move southward… As the Three Eyed Raven, I could change things, but never the way I intended to. As the Night King, I will change things for the better, but Westeros must live in peace. This is my penance for changing things which ought never to have been changed." Bran looked at the company around him. His eyes stayed on Daenerys. "You are the Targaryen princess."
She nodded.
"You are charged with this peace…and I know that though you are not the peacemaker, she lives as a possibility. Only you can realize this fate," he looked at Tyrion. "You are an agent of peace, Tyrion Lannister. And your wisdom will help usher her in," he looked at Jon. "Jon Snow, I know who you are…Jaehaerys Targaryen, as your mother Lyanna named you. Son of her, son of Rhaegar…you are the son of fire and ice, to bring peace to the North."
Jon was overcome, "What? Ned wasn't…"
"No. Ned Stark was your uncle. Lyanna, your mother, fearful for your life, asked Ned to take you in and make you his own. She loved your father, Jaehaerys. Though a bastard still, you are a Targaryen. And you, along with your aunt, can bring a peace to Westeros," Bran nodded. "I will bring the Wights with me, and live out the millennia."
"Bran!" screamed Sansa. "No…" and she emerged from Castle Black. "No…" as she looked at him.
Bran looked at her, and though little emotion registered on his face, his eyes held sorrow. "I must be leaving you, sister. I'm sorry."
Sansa looked at him with shock and horror. "What's happened to you, Bran?"
"I'm living my destiny," and he smiled at her, if it could be called such, then turned and began to walk away, bringing the remaining Night's Army with him.
"Don't…" Sansa muttered, but Jon took her arm, preventing her following him. "Where is Arya?" she called.
Bran turned. He looked at them all. "Arya is safe, wandering the river lands. She will be home soon enough, for the winter, though cold, will not be as long nor as severe. I shall see to it," and he turned away, fading into the cold mist which filled the wood beyond.
Sansa buried her face into Jon's shoulder…and the rest of those present were left feeling the piercing chill ebb a bit.
"We should go inside and fix some food," Dany announced. She turned toward Tyrion, and tears formed in her eyes. In the moments since Night King first arrived, she nearly had forgotten all else. She was unhurt, and it appeared that he was well.
Could the gods have been so generous? Their numbers were still plentiful, only a few dozen had fallen by the looks of it…
"Tyrion Lannister," she whispered. "Come with me," and she held her hand to him. "I'd like everyone to return to their shelters. When day breaks, we will begin the journey," she paused. "Home." And she looked at Jon…no…Jaehaerys Targaryen…her nephew. "Come, Jaehaerys. Bring your cousin with you. And you, Jaime. Let's get in out of the cold."
The five of them followed Dany after Jaehaerys and Jaime issued some final commands.
Jon was wearing a look of fierce confusion and doubt. He appeared to be incensed at the mention of the name, Jaehaerys…and would not look at Sansa.
Tyrion saw this and noted it for the conversation at the table. They would all be weary, but he would need to make Jon…Jaehaerys…he corrected…see that Sansa was in love with him, too. And now, as cousins, it could be realized.
Tyrion was overcome with everything he had just witnessed, confused that it wasn't a longer, bloodier battle, grateful that he was alive, more grateful still that Daenerys was unscathed. The gods had smiled on them.
They made their way to the dining hall, and Dany gave the order to make as much stew and bread as possible…she was not sure of the stores, but one more meal was needed, and she hoped that that could be accommodated.
The five sat, and wine was brought.
"Oh, my dear fellow…more than that meagre amount, if you please," Tyrion said to the hand. He poured out the carafe and handed the cups around. "Now. That was a very illuminating and interesting couple of hours, wouldn't you all agree?" he sipped long.
No one spoke. They all appeared to be in shock…"I think that there a few things which need to be examined before we discuss the many…other…things," and Dany drank as the hand brought two more carafes.
"I'll take that one," Tyrion said. "The other can be given to those four there," he took one of the carafes and emptied his glass, then filled it once more.
Dany cleared her throat, smiling slightly at Tyrion. "Now. It appears that I have a nephew I didn't know that I had," and she looked at Jaehaerys.
Jon swallowed. "I'm not sure what to make of this, Your Grace. It's…unsettling…to say the least. My whole world view was just turned on its head."
"Nonsense," said Tyrion. "I'd say your fortunes have only increased with what Bran said. You are too maudlin, Jaehaerys. You know your parents identities. You are King of the North, probably more legitimately than before. You have leave now to love your cousin. And you discovered that your other cousin is still alive. You have lost Bran, to be sure. But think of everything you have gained."
"None of that changes the fact that I am not who I thought I was," Jon sneered at him, though he appeared to be much more menacing than his tone.
"And who were you?" Tyrion demanded, sitting back in his chair. "You were the bastard of Ned Stark. Half brother to the Stark heirs and children. Recently named King of the North. And now you have more family than before, you have the knowledge of your mother's identity… you lost a dead father but gained a dead uncle."
"How can you speak so callously?" Jon replied. "My father was Targaryen?" he shook his head and downed his wine.
"And you have gained a dragon," Dany smiled. "Fittingly, Rhaegal is now yours to command."
"Thank you, Your Grace, but what am I to do with a dragon?"
Dany laughed. "Whatever you see fit to do. He is obviously yours…you rode on his back, commanding him."
Jon stood. "I don't want him. I want…" he stopped. He looked at them all, his eyes finally resting on Sansa. "What do I do?"
Sansa touched his hand, then pulled him back to the seat next to her. "Let's just wait and see, Jon."
His face was solemn, melancholy…but he sat next to her.
"The rule of Westeros will be a steady one henceforth," began Dany. "My nephew and I will command her together, and with our chosen partners, Westeros will begin anew."
"Wise and lovely words, Your Majesty," said Jaime. "But I am not part of this new family, so I'd ask for leave to return to Casterly Rock when day breaks."
Dany's chin lifted a touch…"Why?"
"Pardon me?" Jaime asked.
"Why do you wish to return to Casterly Rock? Your services could be useful in King's Landing."
"I do not think, with all due respect, that that would be a wise decision for anyone. Think about what you are suggesting," Jaime downed his wine.
"And what says my Hand?" she turned to Tyrion.
"I think…" he looked at his brother. "I think that I am ill suited to comment."
"Well. What about you, King Jaehaerys?"
"Jon," he corrected.
"As you like," Dany replied.
"I can't say that I like the King Slayer. But Your Majesty will do as she sees fit."
"You just served next to him," Dany observed. "Was he or was he not a capable commander?"
Jon looked at Jaime Lannister. "He was."
"Well, then. I'd like to appoint you Lord Commander of the Queen's Guard."
Jaime blanched a bit, looking down. "Your Grace, I think that I should probably retire my armor…"
"You shall return with me to King's Landing. You shall organize the Queen's Guard. If you feel as though you need to retire to Casterly Rock, I'll not stop you. But you shall have the choice of commanding them."
Jaime nodded, stood, looked at Tyrion, who was mute. "Thank you, Your Grace," and he left with a bow.
Dany played with her cup. "You have leave to do as you will in the North, King Jon. I only ask that you alert me to significant changes," she looked at him. "And I will keep you informed as well of the goings on in King's Landing."
He exhaled slowly, and rubbed his face. "Thank you, Your Grace. I don't know where to begin."
"You begin," Tyrion interjected. "Where you left off. Nothing has changed, really. As I said, most everything has altered for the better."
"You are my nephew, Jaehaerys. And I hope that once you are comfortable, you will allow me to welcome you as my kin," Dany smiled at him.
Jon looked at Sansa…
…Sansa, who was holding him with her eyes steadily. "I'll be here for you," she said. "You won't be alone."
He shook his head. "I don't know anything anymore, Sansa."
"You know more than you realize, Jon Snow," she smiled.
He smiled, a genuine smile, and kissed her hand.
"Now that we're all friends again, let's enjoy some of this stale bread they've brought us…" and Tyrion reached for a piece, and passed around the bowl.
It was long past dawn again when Tyrion and Dany finally went back to their room. The plan was to sleep until the sun rose once more, then make way south to Winterfell, stay a few days there, then head back to King's Landing.
There were things to be seen to in preparation for the winter.
Dany was equal parts excited at the prospect of going back to the Red Keep and nervous. Tyrion had not responded to her proposal to make him her King.
But what with Brandon Stark's suggestions, Dany thought that there was no other possibility for the two of them.
"What did you make of Bran's words to us?" she asked, sitting by the fire Tyrion had just lit.
He sighed…he knew this was coming. "I didn't give them much thought, really."
"Well, now is an opportunity to think about them."
He sat across from her and sipped the wine she had poured. "Something about peace…and he referred to peace with a female pronoun."
Her eyes went wide. "Yes, precisely. And what do you think that means?"
"Clearly you have some idea, Your Grace."
"I do, yes."
He sipped, and then his eyebrows went up in question. "Well, though I am smarter than most, mind reading cannot be claimed as among my talents."
She smiled. "I think that he meant that we will have a daughter, and that she will be the key to lasting peace in Westeros."