Jon
Watching Tyrion leave was like watching someone walking away to the executioner's block. Jon couldn't help but think he had as much chance of surviving as his uncle had at Joffrey's mercy. He couldn't help but feel worried after all. It wasn't until after he left that Jon thought of what would happen if he didn't return. Would the Dothraki and Unsullied outside the city attack? Would there be war today because of a half man's willingness to try and get more than what was given? The only thing that brought calm to Jon's mind was Daenerys's hand holding onto his as they were seated under their canopy.
Many of the Lords and Ladies had gotten out of their seats and were going about their own business. Whether it was observing the architecture of the Dragonpit, talking with representatives of another realm, or even taking a light walk within the arena, Jon and Daenerys were the only ones in their seats.
"He'll be back." Daenerys told him. "He's always managed to talk his way out of things, no matter how bad the odds were."
"Maybe I should learn from him. Might not die as much." He hoped that would bring a smile to her, but instead it brought distress.
"You shouldn't joke about such a thing. I can't bear to let the man I love leave me and our children alone in this world again."
"I didn't mean it that way and I don't plan on leaving." Jon stood up from his seat and Daenerys followed. "Let's walk at least." They intertwined their arms and took a stroll around within the walls, Qhono, Ser Jorah and two other Dothraki following closely.
"We're the last hope for our family, Jon." Daenerys held him tightly. "Even if we win the war, as long as Cersei is on the Iron Throne, we'll never be safe."
"You don't have to tell me. While I was beyond the Wall, I was even thinking of trying to convince you to stay in the North."
"You wanted me to abandon the reason I came here?"
"I did. I didn't care about thrones or who sat on them then, to be honest I still don't, but not as much as before."
"What changed your mind?"
"A few things. Seeing the Night King again gave me the desire to do everything I could to keep you safe. I discovered that I'm going to be a father." He stopped in his tracks. "Before I woke up from a nightmare in an inferno of red fire, I had a vision."
"What did you see."
"I was in the Throne Room of the Red Keep. I was standing there, watching as a woman was dragged inside and accused of supporting us. I couldn't do anything, but I could feel her emotions as she was sentenced to execution. Fear, anger, sorrow, even regret."
"Who was she?"
"I don't know. Whoever she was, she did something to anger Cersei. I watched as Cersei had her burned alive with Wildfire and her screams were unlike anything I've heard. The moment right before I returned to myself, I looked at Cersei, but instead I saw the Mad King, smiling as the woman was being roasted alive. I'd never been as scared as I was then. Then I realized that the woman's screams had turned into my own."
Daenerys sighed and leaned closer to him. "Do you understand now, why we need to take back the Seven Kingdoms?"
"I do. We can't let another Mad King rule over us all again. But first we need to make sure that we live long enough to prevent it." He turned to her and planted a light kiss and her forehead.
They resumed their walked and treaded over to a spot in the arena littered with dragon bones of a small size. Arya was there with Sansa and Benjen who was inspecting a small jawbone.
The Starks took notice of Jon and Daenerys and they looked happy to see them. Jon was relieved to see Arya alive, but couldn't help but be upset at her rashness that almost got her killed. "I'm glad you're alive Arya." Jon told her.
"Really?" Arya asked, unfazed by his presence. "After not seeing each other for weeks and taking a dagger through my arm, all you have to say is 'I'm glad you're alive Arya?' I freed the Riverlands from the Lannister control in less than a week of being there. I was hoping for more praise."
"I heard. But you didn't have to try and pay an arm and a leg for it."
"Shut up!" Arya punched Jon in his shoulder, but she was smiling when she did it. Her smile faded away when she took a moment to just look at Jon's face. "Sansa told me you died, but the red witch brought you back."
"Which time was she talking about?"
"You've died more than once!?" Arya raised her voice enough that a few people nearby overheard her.
Jon cleared his throat, trying to keep things calm. "Twice." He told her about the mutiny at Castle Black and what happened after he warged into Rhaegal beyond the Wall. He even promised to show her the scars on his chest when the returned to Winterfell. After he finished explaining things to he, Jon turned his attention to his uncle Benjen. "I'm surprised to see you here uncle."
"I delivered Longclaw at Eastwatch after your dragon took you, but I had to go back North to help the last of the living Wildlings that hadn't gone south yet. I went to Castle Black after that and had to be pulled through the tunnel on a damn sled."
"Why?" Sansa asked.
"The spells keeping the dead from passing the Wall only prevent them from crossing at their will. Technically I was carried at someone else's." Benjen handed to dragonbone jaw to Sansa and gazed at Daenerys. "Forgive my manners, your grace. My name is Benjen Stark, former First Ranger of the Night's Watch." He gave a courteous bow to her.
"There's no need for forgiveness," Daenerys told him, "I'm always glad to meet more of my husband's family."
"You're our family too." Arya insisted. Jon's heart skipped a beat when she said that. Arya was a fierce warrior, but still able to be a kind soul. "Speaking of family, Sansa also told me that it's going to get bigger."
"Indeed, it will. I have a dragon and a direwolf within me and they'll be just as strong as their father."
"Have you thought of names yet?"
Jon realized that he hadn't, and Daenerys never talked to him about it either. "Do you have suggestions?" Daenerys asked.
"If one of them is a boy, you can't name him Eddard. It doesn't sound right as a Targaryen name, no offence."
"None taken." Daenerys told her. "I think such things should be handled when we're all together, back home in Winterfell."
Before they could continue, they were all approached by the Dornish Lords. "Your majesties," Lord Edric Dayne said as he stood before them, "I was hoping I could have a word with both of you." Edric looked no older that twenty and had had bright black hair. His face had not been shaved recently and his was slightly taller than Jon. His eyes were the most intriguing feature about him. They were the color violet, but a lighter shade than what Daenerys had.
Jon looked at his family and wished they could speak more, but such things could wait. "We'll take our leave." Benjen said as he walked away with Arya and Sansa.
"Forgive my intrusion," Edric said, "but the matter I have is of importance and shouldn't be delayed longer than it already has."
"Of course," Daenerys said, "please, tell us your concern."
"With the help of your spymaster, Lord Varys, I have learned that Elliara passed away not long ago in the Black Cells, hence House Dayne becoming the leading family of Dorne."
"My condolences."
"Thank you, your grace. Though my house now rules, I plan on returning power to the Martells when the oldest of Oberyn's daughters comes of age. However, that's not what I wish to discuss." Edric shifted in his position and looked nervous to continue. "After seeing what you've presented to all of us, the other lords of Dorne and I have agreed to march our forces to the North to fight the dead."
"That's wonderful to hear."
"However, if we do win against the dead, I will have my forces return to Dorne and remain there."
"What?" Jon was just as puzzled as Daenerys.
"Elliara pledged to your cause because she demanded vengeance for Oberyn, but she murdered Prince Doran to obtain her power. Honor compelled me to obey her and I did. But now that the Martell forces are nothing but food for the fish and Elliara dead, I have decided to honor what my Prince wanted for his people. Too many have died already and there will be many more wives that will be waiting for their husbands to return to them, only to learn they never will."
"Lord Edric, I implore you to reconsider."
"Make no mistake, my Queen, I do not plan to declare Cersei as the true ruler of Westeros. I only ask that you give a time of respite for my people. Even I desire to live to see my wife and children over a battle. I will fight for Westeros, but the battle for the Iron Throne belongs to whoever wishes to claim it."
Daenerys didn't have an answer for him. She looked upset, but also understanding. Usually this would be when Tyrion would say something to help her, but he wasn't here. "I have a proposal for you, Lord Dayne." Jon said. "We will give you what you ask. After the Great War, Dorne's armies may return to their home during the War for the Throne."
"Thank you-"
"But only on one condition."
"What would that be?"
"You cannot commit to such a decision until after the Night King is defeated and the ones who died fighting are given burials and mourned for." Jon's plan was that hopefully after a unified battle was over, the other lords and ladies would have realized that they are all stronger when they are together and will prosper greater if they continue to be.
Jon expected Daenerys to be resentful of such a plan, but she didn't. She looked pleased and waited for Edric's answer. "I do not think such a request is unreasonable." Edric said, pleasing Jon and Daenerys. "I accept your terms." He held his arm out to Jon and he gladly accepted it.
Before they let go of each other, Jon took notice to Edric's sword and the details of it. It resembled Robb's sword, but the pommel had a rising sun etched into it. "Is that Dawn?"
Edric's eyes looked done to the sword on his belt. "No, I'm afraid I haven't earned the honor of being the next Sword of the Morning. This is my families Valyrian steel sword, First Light."
"I didn't know House Dayne had a Valyrian sword."
"It's rather new. My uncle Arthur fought an Essosi mercenary who wielded a Valyrian sword and Dawn cut through the steel like bread. The Mercenary left with the top half and my uncle took the bottom half. I don't know what became of the hilt, but after my daughter Ashara was born, I thought it would be a waste to continue to let such material gather dust like Dawn. So I had it reforged into First Light with a Valyrian steel goblet House Dayne had in its vaults." He drew First Light from its scabbard and showed the blade to Jon and Daenerys. The blade had two fullers that ended in the middle of the blade's length. The ripple patterns were present in the steel except for the edges.
"The craftmanship is marvelous," Daenerys commented.
"You honor me with your praise, your grace. I hope that one day I will wield both of my family's swords as the next Sword of the Morning.
"I have no doubt that you will." Jon said.
"From what I've heard about your skill, you'd be wielding Dawn if you were a Dayne, your grace. There have been stories told of your power even in Dorne." Whatever the tales were, Jon had never heard them.
"I've learned that it takes more than sparring to become a better swordsman. Real fights aren't as merciful as a duel in a training yard."
"If you don't mind me saying, but I think we'll be here for a while and the mood's been rather dull. Would you care for duel, your grace?"
Edric was bold to ask such a thing, but Jon couldn't help but agree with him. The mood was very dull. "I don't think it would be wise to use live steel, especially the sharpest kind in the world."
"Neither would I. I know you're good enough with a sword to kill your opponent, and I have faith that you're good enough to be able to strike without giving injury. We could use my men's swords. The steel is strong and we it would be a controlled duel."
Jon smiled, amused at Edric's persistence. "It's tempting, my lord. But Cersei and Lord Tyrion may return any moment from now."
"Not likely, they're going all the way back to the Red Keep." This was very confusing. The Red Keep was miles away from the Dragonpit. Why walk all that way for a conversation just to walk back. "How about a wager then? The goblet wasn't the only Valyrian steel in Starfall's vaults. A hundred years ago, one of my ancestors found a lost relic of the Targaryens, a crown to be exact. Aegon the Conqueror's."
"House Dayne found it?" Daenerys asked, intrigued.
"I'm not sure about the details, but we found it all the same. I'll be sure to return it to you if you can beat me in a duel."
"It's a fine wager," Jon told him, "but I'm afraid I don't know of anything I have to offer that you'd want."
"Actually you do." Jon raised his brow, curious of what treasure he possessed that he was unaware of. "My wife just had our third child, my second son."
"That's wonderful to hear, Lord Edric." Daenerys told him. "What name have you given him."
"Arthur, like his uncle. If I can best you, I would ask that you would take him as your ward when he reaches the age of ten."
This caught Jon off guard. Here was a young Lord who'd never met him before, asking to raise one his children. He looked at Daenerys, hoping for any sign of support or advice she had. But to his dismay, she looked pleased with the idea. "My lord, I don't think I could accept such a task. I'm not sure I'd be the best choice."
Edric smiled at him. "It's no secret to my family that many young lads of great Lords dream of being knights of House Dayne. Eddard Stark even confessed it to my father at the Tourney of Harrenhal. But have you ever wondered what the sons of Dayne dream of being?"
"Dragonlords of House Targaryen?" Jon guessed.
Edric shook his head, containing a bit of laughter. "We dream of being Starks of Winterfell. Though the rest of the world views the North as a land of barbarian lords and savages, House Stark is always seen as a house of honor. The Starks have suffered great losses in the past thousand years, but they always rise back. Just as their words say, Winter is Coming, and just like the snows of winter, the Starks cannot be stopped. You have been raised as a Snow, you have the name Targaryen, but before me is a Stark of the North. I could not ask any better men to raise a son of mine because there are none."
Jon felt flattered and embarrassed at the same time. He never knew that someone could idolize his family so much.
"You have a wager." Daenerys agreed, surprising not only Jon, but Edric. She looked up to Jon, acting as if it was obvious to accept. "I think such a proposition would establish a great alliance and friendship with our two houses. And we do need more friends that aren't in the North."
Jon sighed at his wife, unable to refuse her wish. He didn't say anything as he let go of Daenerys and undo his cloak. The moment he took it off of his shoulders, he instantly felt cool air surround his back and it was relieving.
He folded it once in his arms and handed it to one of the Dothraki that accompanied them. "Your crown, my love." Daenerys reminded. Jon gently grasped the steel crown and removed it from his head. Daenerys took it from him and held it carefully in her hands. Jon finally untied his belt and wrapped it around Longclaw's scabbard before offering the sword to Ser Jorah as Edric Dayne did the same with First Light.
"Qhono," Jon said as the Dothraki Bloodrider looked at him, "could I borrow the longsword you have?" Jon pointed at the Lannister sword sheathed at Qhono's hip as Daenerys translated what he said.
"Of course, Khal." Qhono said as he drew the sword and gave it to Jon.
As Jon held it in his hand, he took notice to the feeling of the sword. Even though the blade was smaller than Longclaw, it weighed just about the same since it didn't have the reduced weight of Valyrian steel. "Let's do this on the platform." Jon said as Edric was given a broadsword and the two of them walked onto the stone platform.
Others who were on it took notice to them and backed aware, unsure of what was going on. Jon and Edric both faced each other and readied themselves. Jon took his stance and stood side face with his sword close to his chest and his free hand in front of him for balance. Edric pointed the end of his sword at Jon as he kept both hands on the hilt and kept it close to his chest.
"I'll try not hit you." Edric said.
"As will I." Jon replied.
Neither of them moved from their positions as they observed one another. Both of them adjusted their footing of their stances and the positions of their swords. Edric finally took the initiative and advanced and Jon decided he would take the defense to observe his form.
Edric made for a lung at Jon and the blade was easily parried, the sound of the steel clashing echoed around the Dragonpit. Edric's move were fast and light, only meaning to attempt at catching Jon off of his guard. Jon was constantly blocking Edric's sword and was even nearly disarmed twice. Edric's form was refined and precise and his style was a mixture of a Knight of Westeros and a fencer of Essos. But as Jon continued to observe Edric, he could see that his flaws were in his emotions he put into each strike. His strikes were over confident and sometimes too bold. His strikes all had the intent to lure Jon into a riposte rather than directly trying to attack.
Jon finally decided to switch to the offensive and blocked one final strike from Edric and locked their swords. He pushed Edric back and advanced on him, aiming for his center and keeping his attention on Jon's sword and away from his footwork. Jon raised his sword and swung down to Edric allowed it to be. The moment their swords clashed, Jon used his free hand to grab onto the pommel of Edric's sword and twisted it out of his hand. Before Edric could realize what had happened, Jon disarmed him and held his sword at Edric's neck and Edric's own sword at his chest. "I yield," Edric said. "I didn't think to be disarmed with such a simple technique."
"Sometimes the simple techniques work better than the flamboyant ones." Jon said as he pulled the swords away and offered Edric's back to him.
Edric smiled at him as he gladly accepted defeat. The two of them shook their hands in recognition of the other's skill and earned some praise from the audience of lords and ladies.
"King Jon!" Jon and Edric both turned and saw Robin Arryn approaching them with Yohn Royce and Lyonel Corbay following closely as his guard. "That was an excellent fight. I was wondering, could I touch one of the dragons?"
"My lord," Yohn interjected, "I have observed the dragons for some time while at Winterfell and they don't take kindly to strangers."
"But the King can control them! He can tell them to do whatever he wants."
"Lord Arryn," Daenerys said as she walked up to Jon and the others, "the first thing you should know about dragons is that they're not like other animals. They're not pets you keep in a kennel, they're not for anyone's amusement. That's how they vanished from the world. They were locked in here and became what creatures become when they're caged. zaldrīzes buzdari iksos daor, a dragon is not a slave."
"But then what are they if they're not your pets? Isn't that what all animals are?"
"My dragons aren't animals to me, they're my children. My husband even calls those two his daughters." She looked up to Ygris and Lyarras who were both resting peacefully on the walls of the Dragonpit.
Wanting to change the subject, Jon took notice of Lord Corbay's sword at his side. "Beautiful weapon Lord Lyonel. Am I correct to think that your sword is your family's Valyrian sword, Lady Forlorn?"
"It is, your grace." Lyonel grabbed the scabbard and pulled forward so that the hilt was in better view. The pommel was a silver Raven's head and the center of the guard were talons holding a red stone shaped into a heart. "It seems that many others here today have brought their family weapons as well."
"Let's go take look! I want to see them." Robin exclaimed to his lords.
"As you wish, my lord." Yohn Royce said as he and Lyonel bowed their heads and followed their young lord.
"What is it with boys and swords?" Daenerys asked.
"We else are they supposed to desire? Girls?" Daenerys giggled little as Jon held the Lannister sword to Qhono who retrieved it from him. Jorah and the other Dothraki returned Jon's things to him, but Jon only retied his sword belt and left his cloak off. He let Daenerys crown him and the two of them took a moment to enjoy where they were while they could.
