Chapter 28

The King of the North – the parley

Jon was pacing outside Daenerys' tent. She was still in with her advisors. Arya, Sansa, Ser Davos, Tormund and a few of his bannermen were with him. They wouldn't all enter, yet they all came for a show of support. Jon was grateful. He didn't like waiting and gathered it was meant to put him on edge. The Dragon Queen's display of power.

An Unsullied came out of the tent and beckoned them in. The King of the North along with his sisters and closest advisors entered it. She sat in a chair with steps leading up to it – heightened above everyone: a small wooden throne of sorts - flanked by her entourage. Jon patiently waited as someone poured him and his companions a cup of wine. Finally Daenerys spoke: "You wished to parley?" she said. "I am told that one of your forefathers was the King who Knelt. You may do so as well and no harm will come to you, nor your men."

"It is customary for some exchange to take place," Jon coolly replied. "I am the King of the North. What would this kneeling," his eyes hiding a cold rage, "bring me? Are you so assured of your chances?"

"Of course, I am," she said, still looking down at him. "I vowed to crush my enemies and so I will."

"At least one of your dragons does not seem to agree," Jon smirked. "Would you have us fight dragon to dragon, like in the olden days?"

Daenerys did not reply, though Jon could see it cost her effort not to do so. Good, he thought, I'm rattling her.

"I have another proposition," he said, "like you, I would like to refrain from further bloodshed. Before my ancestor knelt – an unfortunate decision – the King of the North lived in peace alongside those of other realms. A peaceful coexistence. Perhaps even an alliance. I would propose such a solution."

Daenerys' eyes narrowed. "And what would be in it for me?" she said, echoing his previous question.

"Like I already stated. A strong ally; a friendly neighbor."

"Why should I not fight for what is rightfully mine?" she said. "I mean to rule all Seven Kingdoms, including the North."

"How about North of the Wall?" Jon said. "Have you've considered that? Us Northerners have valuable knowledge and weapons; ones you might need as well." He silently prayed she would not call his bluff.

"You forget I have dragons," she said, smirking. "They – what are they called: Others? – don't frighten me."

"That's because you haven't met them yet," Tormund muttered under his breath, but she heard him.

"I'll take my chances," the Dragon Queen replied. "I've won difficult and so-called impossible battles before."

"So you would rather lose more men and resources than accept an extended hand of friendship?" Jon gathered. "Thereby risking both our people's safety in the war to come."

"I'll give you peace, if you kneel," she said. "Lord of Winterfell does have a nice ring to it, does it not? Your father was content with it. Why not take it and save your men, and your breath?"

Jon opened his mouth, and hesitated, before he spoke: "I will speak to my advisors," he said. "Why don't you visit me tomorrow and we'll further discuss these terms?"

Daenerys gave him an arrogant sort of nod. "Very well," she said. "We will."

Jon gave a small nod in greeting to her before he swept out of her tent. He beckoned all those with him to be silent until the safety – and privacy – of their own camp, disregarding some of their nasty glares.


Tormund – at the council

Tormund listened to all the bannermen shouting as they had gathered in a large meeting tent. Usually they ate here, but now they quarreled. They had their own ideas, and most of all, their pride. Some felt Jon had been too lax, not strong enough in his dealings with the Dragon Queen, whereas others felt he'd been too stubborn. No further bloodshed, they said, even at any cost. Tormund disagreed with that, though he understood well enough. Brienne stood next to him and he sought her hand. One or two men had scowled at him, bringing her along, but no one else really cared.

"The King of the North should fight for the North," Lord Glover said, hissing through his teeth. "Not give it up so easily."

"Calmer heads should prevail," Lord Manderly disagreed. "We have another, more gruesome battle to expect still."

"I have not given up," Jon sternly put his bannerman in his place. "If it is possible I would have this war end, but I will not give up the North. I don't know what kind of ruler she is yet – not for sure – and I won't have her rule the North just because she wants to."

"Aye!" Lord Glover said, speaking up again. "Insulting us like that, all that talk of the King who Knelt!"

Tormund stirred. "She doesn't take the threat of Night seriously," he said, solemnly but loud. "She should not rule, not near nor beyond the Wall." Some bannermen scowled at him, still not that used to a Wildling leader in their midst. They preferred him to keep his silence, Tormund knew, unlike their King who nodded in agreement. "I would like to stand with her against the true threat," he said, "but she seems to be unwilling. It must be all that Dragon's blood stirring inside her."

"Maybe the Imp stirs inside her too," someone muttered, which was greeted with a salvo of laughs.

"What about the dragons?" Ser Davos said, pointing out the one subject they hadn't touched upon yet. "Or the dragon, I should say."

The King of the North hesitated. "I don't know," he finally said. "I believe it's on my side, but I can't be sure as to why…. There aren't any solid reasons, as far as I can tell."

"Only Targaryen's have ever flown upon dragons," Lord Manderly whispered, "No disrespect, my King." He bowed, but the question – and the doubt – was unspoken yet clear. The King of the North whose name is Stark – it said.

"None taken," Jon replied, "All I can say is that I am a Stark. My father was a Stark. As to who my mother was…. I cannot tell. I do not know. That is all that I know. If anyone here present knows more, please do step forward and speak up."

No one did. Jon nodded slowly. "It remains a puzzle then. If it comes to battle, I assume the dragon will fight on our side – I hope. Against its Mother, its Queen, its brothers."