Chapter 26

Jon watched as Gendry ducked into Robb's tent once again. All they did was talk anymore. The Others were almost as rare as the sunshine, and he hadn't seen the sun in several moon cycles. Still, Robb and Gendry talked daily. Jon scoffed to himself at the thought.

Robb let Gendry get away with what he did. Arya was in the man's tent, sleeping with him! He had to tell himself over and over that was all they did, or risk murdering his supposed friend. The men in camp blamed him for the fight. He heard whispers about the witch messing with his head, or that the dragon's madness was taking over. He couldn't even tell his side of the story without revealing Arya. It was beyond him that none of the men noticed her. She was Arya plain as day. Her hair may be shorter and she didn't dress like a lady, but she still looked like his little sister.

Jon shrank into his coat as the snow picked up; he walked to the small clearing that his dragon called home. It was restless. Jon tried to connect briefly with the dragon but was pushed out. It was different with Ghost. He could take over Ghost's thoughts and actions. The dragon did as it wished and took his direction into consideration. "They are out there." He heard Mollen's voice in the branches above him. The entire army was speaking about the other dragons.

"You spend more time in the air than it does." He jested with her, after locating her in the branches. She was always in the trees watching the horizon. From what she told him of her home, there were trees everywhere, and Mollen and her brother used to climb them all the time.

"The world looks better from above, but I guess you would know that better than most." It was truly an unbelievable feeling to leave the ground and soar above the trees and people. Unfortunately, that feeling was short lived. During the attack that killed his father, Jon risked his life to climb on the back of his dragon. The wights were overwhelming their outer perimeter. Dragon fire made quick work of the walking dead, and the lines held. Their King, his father, was lost. The only person to care enough to keep him was dead.

Jon pushed his grief down. "Aye, you should come with me."

Mollen quickly descended the tree to stand before him. "No Jon, dragons are meant for one."

It irritated him when she used that tone, like she was speaking to a child. "The ones in the past…"

"Were forced. You can make a dragon bend to your will with magic, but only one can belong to it."

"And you know this how? They have been gone for over 300 years."

Mollen smiled at him. "My blood knows the truth Jon Snow." When she used his last name like that, she was teasing him. She was doing that more now, mostly when she was trying to hide something she forgot.

"How are you?"

"I am still here Jon." She felt guilty that his father died saving her. Of course, he couldn't blame her. Ned saved her because it was what he thought was best for the North. His father was honorable to the end. Her guilt wasn't what worried him. She was losing herself at an alarming pace. She wouldn't acknowledge the slips, but he noticed. First it was names that she should know from Winterfell. Then it was his language. Mollen would be speaking to him and not be able to find a word he knew she used before. Once, she even forgot Ghost's name. When he asked about her home, she would speak for awhile, then go silent in thought. It hurt to see. She was giving up herself for a war that wasn't hers. "You need to name him." Mollen changed the subject once again.

"I think I will call him dragon."

Mollen's look was far from amused. "Jon"

"It is a dragon; it does not need a name." Mollen looked at the dragon one last time, before turning towards the main camp. He caught up to her quickly. The men only glanced at them now.

Mollen ducked in her tent and held the flap open for him. The tall, woman knight stood. "My Lord"

"I am no lord, Lady Brienne."

"And she is no Lady." The Kingslayer walked in uninvited. "Are you wench?"

"Why are you here?" Brienne's voice took on a different tone. He wasn't certain what it was.

"The witch needs to look at my hand." Jamie sat down, also uninvited.

"There is a maester for that." He eyed the Kingslayer. He had never been fond of Lannisters, even if he didn't know very many of them. "Her name is Mollen."

"Don't bother, he has a hard time with names." Brienne sat across from the Kingslayer.

"The maester is a lackwit, and she is the one that burned my hand." Mollen ducked around him and knelt in front of Jamie. She carefully examined the wound. When she wouldn't speak, Jamie grew impatient. "Will I be able to use my sword again?"

Mollen stood. "Yes, when it heals."

"What of the war? Can't you hex it or something?" Mollen rolled her eyes, making Jon smile. Arya was rubbing off on her.

"Learn to use your left." Mollen dressed the wound once again.

"Do you know how long it will take me to train my left?" Jamie complained.

"Yes" Mollen finished up and laid on her bed, completely ignoring her patient. He almost joined her, but an irritated Jory drug Arya inside the tent.

"Stay here." Jory let go of her arm. Arya glared at him. "Jon, Robb wants to speak with you." Jory left as quickly as he came. He needed to have a talk with Arya. She didn't need to be causing the man any unnecessary stress.

But first, he had to see the King. "Excuse me ladies." He ducked outside into the grey gloom. Robb and Gendry were waiting for him. He greeted Robb and acknowledged Gendry, reluctantly. "You wanted to see me?"

"Aye" Robb spoke. He was grateful for that. "Our northern boarder has spotted the dragons on the horizon. We think it would be best if you… flew out and looked around."

They were actually asking him to do that. "Robb, I do not know if I can direct it like that."

"During the battle you were fine." He still had no idea how he managed the dragon in battle.

"That time."

"I am sorry Jon but we need more about the dragons. I know you can do this." Robb concluded, using his king voice. His brother completely believed in him.

"We also need to know about anything else you might find out there." Gendry added quietly.

"Of course, your grace." Jon turned and left. It wasn't as if he could actually disobey him outright anyway. Following orders, that was what his life was going to be. In a way it was what he wanted, just not his bothers.

"Jon!" Gendry was hurrying towards him. He couldn't ignore a King in front of his men, even a bastard king.

"Your Grace" Jon said mockingly.

"We need to talk." Gendry stopped short of where he was standing. Jon looked around at the men watching them. He opened his tent for the King in the South. He had to remember to not hit him. Gendry stepped in first and started pacing. Jon took a deep breath, before following him in. "Jon, I know you are mad at me, but it has to wait."

"Excuse me?" Gendry had some nerve.

"I'm in over my head Jon. I need my friend back."

"Your friend?" He kept his voice tight with controlled rage. "You sleep with my sister and have the gall to call me your friend."

Gendry's jaw tightened. "I won't waste my breath explaining it Jon. You won't listen, but I need… someone. At least until the war is over."

He did miss having a friend, but how was he supposed to overlook what Gendry did? "When the war is over?"

"If we live, you can hate me, fight me, or try to kill me, but not right now."

Jon thought for several moments. "King's do not have bastard friends."

"Bastards aren't supposed to be kings, we'll make our own rules."

Jon shoved a few things into a bag. "Make sure my family is safe while I am gone."

"I will"

Jon grabbed the chain he picked up earlier. He needed something to hold onto, while on the dragons back. "Gendry"

"Yes?"

He couldn't believe he was asking this. "Why Arya?" There were plenty of women around Winterfell, even a bastard could find a woman. None of them even turned Gendry's head.

Gendry took a deep breath. "She's different, special…" Gendry waited a few moments, most likely to see if he was going to get angry. "When I'm around her, I'm somebody."

Damn him. He couldn't completely hate the guy. He understood that feeling. Mollen made him feel like he was more than just a bastard. "Keep your blade sharp." Jon stuck out his hand for Gendry to shake. He was still upset, but not near as much as he was moments ago. He would finish sorting out his feelings later.

Mollen was waiting for him at the edge of camp. He didn't ask how she knew what was going on. She fell silently in step with him. They walked in silence towards the dragon. As expected, Mollen stopped at the edge of the clearing. "Jon…" He waited for her to continue, but she didn't. He set his supplies down and turned to face her.

"Can you keep Arya out of trouble for me?"

Mollen laughed. "I think your task is easier." He knew Mollen loved Arya. She basically said as much when she spoke of her. Jon laughed as well. Mollen lunged forward and wrapped her arms around him. This was the first time they would truly be separated since he was locked outside of Winterfell. Jon tightened his grip around her and took in her scent. "Come back Jon." He heard her muffled words against his chest.

Gently, he pushed her back. Tears were threatening to fall. It was always hard to know what Mollen was feeling or thinking. He knew she cared about him now. His hands slowly slid up her covered shoulders and neck, stopping when they were cupping her face. The silver in her eyes seemed to burn brighter as he leaned towards her. He only meant it to be a quick kiss goodbye, but Mollen pulled him to her, when he tried to pull away. He did not need permission to kiss her in earnest. Her actions spoke for her.

All the cold nights Mollen slept close to him, his body ached for her. Until that moment, Mollen kept some distance between them. His lips softly pushed against hers, and their bodies drew impossibly closer. He could've stayed with her for an eternity. His dragon had a different idea. Its shriek made them jump apart. Mollen smiled shyly at him, before picking up his chain. "Remember the words I taught you." Mollen handed him his things.

"I will." There was so much he wanted to say to her, but he didn't know how to say it.

It took him less time than he expected to put the chain around the dragon's neck. It was crude, but it gave him something to cling to during flight. Before he knew it, he was on the back of a very restless dragon. With a last look at Mollen, who was in her trees once again, he and the dragon launched into the sky.

He watched the ground disappear beneath him. His hair lashed against his face and the light snow clung to his clothes. The dragon didn't need direction; it seemed to know exactly where he wanted to go. Flying was like nothing in the world he ever experienced. Flying was something no one else in his time could claim.

The camp faded quickly behind him. It took the better part of the day to get where the dragons where last spotted. He circled around the area, looking around to see what he could spot. The dragon shifted beneath him, and he had to hold tight to keep from falling off. Jon wasn't sure if the creature was doing as he wished or if it was a coincidence. There were a few wights beneath him, but nothing else to note.

The dragon shifted quickly. The movement almost made him loose his seat. His mind screamed at the beast to pull up, but they dove quickly towards the ground. Branches broke around them as they both crashed into the ground. The landing was far from smooth. Jon said a few words in Valyrian trying to get back in the sky. "No, up!" The dragon shook violently, sending him to the ground.

He really needed to name the damn thing, so he could curse it properly. At least it didn't fly away. That was a risk he didn't have to worry about with a horse. When he tried to move closer, his dragon moved away. Jon took a steadying breath. He knew this was a bad idea. After several more attempts to mount up, he gave up and sat down on a rock. They were at a stand off. Grabbing a snack, he settled in against a tree, mumbling to himself. "This would have taken less time on a horse, stupid overgrown lizard." The dragon paced awkwardly and snapped at the sky.

Jon stood to try and climb on once again. The dragon let him climb up this time, but it wouldn't fly. It shrieked into the sky above them, sending a blast of heat around him. The rumbling underneath him was starting to make him nervous. The branches around him started cracking and a giant, black, dragon crashed down next to them. The dragons began to circle each other, while snapping and screeching. The black dragon was larger than his. The only difference in appearance, other than color and size, was the crowned horns on top of his.

He was clinging to the chain, trying not to fall, as sharp black teeth snapped around him. He had to get away from there. He yelled a command over the noise, and heard a shout from the other dragon. It never occurred to him there could be another rider. Jon risked looking around the safety of his dragon's neck.

A flash of silver hair whipped around the neck of the black giant. He forcefully pushed into his dragon's mind and ordered it to stop. To his surprise, the dragon listened. After several quiet moments, Jon decided to slide off his dragon, staying close in case he needed to climb back on. "Who are you?" He heard a woman's voice.

"I am Jon Snow. Who are you?" He heard her say a few things in Valyrian, but he only caught a few words to her dragon.

A small but beautiful woman slid down the black scales. "I am Daenerys Targaryen, Mother of Dragons. You stole one of my dragons." She accused him.

"I did not steal anything. It found me."

"Why would my dragon find you?"

"Why does a dragon do anything?"

Daenerys stepped a little closer to him, but not far from her dragon. "Who are you?" She asked again with a little more force.

"I told you."

"The dragon fire should burn you."

It always came down to his parents. "I am the bastard son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen." That was the first time he has said it out loud to someone. It didn't sound right. Daenerys watched him carefully for a few moments, before grabbing a horn around her neck and blowing it.

Moments later a shadow blocked out the dim light, and a green dragon joined the small group. A tall lanky man, with silver hair, quickly stepped down, joining Daenerys. The two could've been brother and sister, if one went by looks. "Please join us." Daenerys asked.

Jon slowly worked his way around the other dragons, putting his back to a tree. The man was carrying a sword. There was no doubt in his mind he could get away from the man, but the other dragons worried him. "Who is this Dany?" The man asked.

"It seems, he is your half brother Aegon."

"Lies, I did not have a brother. He doesn't even look Targaryen." Aegon argued.

Jon recognized the name, but it couldn't be possible. "And you are supposed to be dead. Nothing is what it supposed to be apparently. Why are you so far north?" Jon questioned?

"I came for my throne." Aegon answered.

"Our throne." Daenerys corrected.

"It is in Kings Landing."

"The usurper was in the north. We went north."

"Where is your army?" He pushed for information.

"We have dragons. Who needs an army?" Aegon answered smugly.

"We came across a walking dead man." Daenerys added. She seemed to be the more diplomatic of the two. "Some of the men we captured spoke of these Others. We needed to see for ourselves."

Aegon still had his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Before you start another war?" Jon asked, gripping his own sword.

"They killed my family and took what is rightfully mine! We are here to take it back." Daenerys raised her voice.

"And have you seen what you need to see?"

"No, we have not seen these… Others, only the dead men." Aegon relaxed slightly.

"You will not, at least during the day." The only time we have seen them," without magic, he wanted to add but didn't. "If you want to see them, night is the best time."

"You have seen these creatures?" Aegon asked, suddenly curious.

"I have killed them." Jon watched as Daenerys and Aegon exchanged a look.

"I would like to speak with the usurper." Daenerys asked.

He was not expecting that. "King Robert is dead. His son is king now, and so is my brother."

"Cousin." Aegon said with a smirk.

"Robb is more a brother to me than you could ever be." His temper flared and his tongue got the best of him."

"Enough of this." Daenerys interjected. "Can we speak to them or not?"

"We walk into the camp, no dragons."

"Can you guarantee our safety?" Daenerys asked. She was brave.

"You have my word and guest rights."

"Let us go then." Daenerys dismissed herself and walked to her dragon. He wasn't sure how Robb or Gendry were going to feel about this, but they did want to know more about the dragons. If they could somehow convince the dragons to fight with them; it would be a brilliant move.

Jon let Aegon leave next. He walked towards his dragon, which was still snapping at his larger, black brother. The things were constantly snapping and chirping at each other. Jon gently pushed his thoughts and the dragon kneeled before him. "How did you do that?" Daenerys asked, obviously curious. Apparently, she didn't have the same ability he did.

Jon looked down at her. "I asked him too." From the look on her face that wasn't a good enough explanation. "With my mind, I may be a bastard but I'm also a warg."

"Viserion never has listened like that before."

He caught the name. "Viserion" He tested the name. "I have been calling him dragon."

Daenerys laughed lightly. "That is the name I gave him. Mine is named Drogon, and Aegon rides Rhaegal." Daenerys climbed up on her dragon easily. They had to wait on Aegon to mount Rhaegal. "Lead the way Jon Snow."

He asked Viserion one more time to fly. This time, his dragon soared into the air. Daenerys followed right behind him, with Aegon a little further behind. He took a deep breath and pointed them towards the camp. Jon couldn't hear anything but the beat of wings s they flew. The land below them passed by. Jon looked over his shoulder to make sure they were still following. Aegon was still bringing up the rear. Daenerys was leaning around Drogon's neck pointing in front of them.

When he faced forward again, the horizon was nothing but smoke. Many scenarios flashed through his mind. He willed Viserion to move faster. It didn't take long before he could see the flames, burning what was left of the surrounding trees. At his will, Viserion dove down closer. There were many tents smoldering. Jon circled the camp from above. Many of the supplies, tents and men were missing, but there was no movement below him.

He circled again. There had to be some sign of where they went. Daenerys and Aegon still followed him. There was nothing but burnt remains of the camp. The Queenstower caught his sight. It was a long shot, but he had to try. Viserion knew his wishes before he could give them. He and the dragon started to circle the tower. There were a lot of trees surrounding it, but eventually he spotted the scattered tents.

The camp was hastily thrown up in any available space amongst the trees. There wasn't much room to land, so he crashed through the trees. A few men rushed in to see what the noise was, but quickly retreated after seeing three dragons. "Stay close." He ordered before turning towards the scattered camp. Both Daenerys and Aegon followed closely behind him. They had to weave in and out of the tents. There was no order to the camp. Eventually, he spotted Robb's tent, closest to the tower.

Jon didn't wait to be announced before entering. Aegon and Daenerys respectfully waited outside. Robb sat without a shirt, as a maester tended to a nasty gash across his chest. "Jon! You are back sooner than expected."

"I found the dragons. They are outside."

"You brought them here!"

"They want to speak with you." Robb looked at him like he had lost his mind. "Targaryens are outside. Robb, what happened here?"

Robb looked stunned. "Targaryens are with you?"

"Aye, two. Each with a dragon. Is Arya?..." He couldn't think of a way to finish his thought.

"Arya fought better than most of the men. She even rode Nymeria. I'll tell you what happened later. Now, I would like to meet these dragons." Robb pulled a tunic over himself, after dismissing the maester.

Jon opened the tent for Daenerys and Aegon to enter. "King Stark, Daenerys and Aegon Targaryen." He needed to know what happened. He needed to know where Arya and Mollen were, and even if Gendry was well. Unfortunately in times of war, diplomacy and politics took precedence.

"Lord Stark." Aegon greeted.

"King Stark." Robb stood tall.

"Usurper."

"Titles do not matter right now." Daenerys interrupted before things could get heated. "I believe we have more important issues to discuss."

"Aye" Robb agreed as he stared Aegon down. Food was brought to Daenerys and Aegon, so they could take their guest rights.

There was really no reason for him to be involved in the meeting, other than his relation to both parties. "Gendry should be here." His voice broke the silent tent.

"Aye, he should." A squire disappeared, leaving them to the silent tension in the room. The actions, if any, could change the outcome of the entire war and maybe even Westeros itself.