"I'm sure that's the first time you've said those words in years," she hears a voice and she turns to see her brother walking into her tent.
"You look like shit," she croaks out as he walks towards his wife.
"Aye, I probably do," he admits with a grimace.
"I think it best to leave you two alone," Daenerys says, ready to stand up and leave. But Jon immediately stops her.
"No. Stay please," his last words coming out close to a whimper. With a soft grin and nod the Queen agrees.
Her brother takes a moment to look at his wife and son, seeming to be gathering strength from their presence before turning to face her.
She watches as his breath stutters as he sees her bruises she assumes. Daenerys is quick to hold his hand and squeeze it in a form of comfort.
"Arya… I'm so…"
"Don't apologize," she interrupts. "It's my fault. Both Tormund and Daenerys warned me and I didn't listen. I should have trusted Daenerys," she admits her fault.
"I wish you had," he answers looking at her. "I thought we had proved that neither of us is the same person who stood in Kings Landing nine years ago."
"And you had. It was my mistake. Being back here, seeing what you two decided to do to the North and to Casterly Rock… it shook me. It made me question you both… especially Daenerys."
"We need to be ruthless at times Arya. You saw what Bran is capable of doing," Daenerys points out as Jon grimaces. "I hate it. I hated it then I hate it now. I hate using fear when all I once wanted to use was love. But we've been left no choice."
"Our enemies won't be merciful," Jon insists. "And we all need to be prepared to do whatever it takes to win this war."
She nods understanding what they're saying but still uncomfortable with it for some unknown reason. She's killed before. An entire family, fed an evil man his own children, why did she feel so uncomfortable with what they did? She pushes that thought aside for now.
"How long was I out?" she asks.
"A day and a half," Daenerys answers.
"A d…day?" she tries to exclaim but a coughing fit takes over. Jon thankfully gives her a cup of water and it helps soothe her throat.
"You need to rest. Lya and Jae are asking for their aunt. It's been hard enough for Daenerys to watch over all three of them, and we have no idea how long we can keep holding them back," Jon says with a sad smile.
She wants to argue but she feels herself getting drowsy.
"What did you…" she mumbles.
"Some milk of the poppy, now rest," Jon orders.
She manages to nod before everything goes dark
He can't help but sigh and fight back the tears as Arya once again falls asleep. He sees his fingers imprinted on her neck. The way they've made horrible bruises that need to be covered before anyone else sees her.
"Stop blaming yourself," his Dany tells him, squeezing his hand in support.
He shakes his head.
"What if it had been you? Or one of the children? Lya, Jae, they would've been in danger. Wouldn't have understood what was happening," he rants.
"You wouldn't have hurt us," she assures him.
"You don't know that. I don't know that!" he exclaims. "No matter how angry I was, I never thought myself capable of hurting Arya! Now, look at what I did to her!"
But somehow his wife manages to stay calm.
"I know you won't hurt me because I've been there. I have sat next to you for nine years and not once have you even attempted it," she stands and walks right in front of him. "I talked to Tormund and he told me why you…" she doesn't finish the sentence probably seeing his grimace. "Do you remember?"
He shakes his head.
"Because you were protecting me. Tormund tried to reassure you that I was alive and although that calmed you, the minute my safety was brought up you saw Arya as a threat," she tells him. "Arya up until now had not apologized for anything. There was no memory, nothing for you to hold on to to fight Bran. It's not your fault."
He sighs knowing she may be right but still feeling the guilt inside.
"We should go find the children," Dany suggests and he smiles eagerly accepting it. He reaches for Rhaegar, Dany thankfully hands him over. A peace falls upon him, as it always has whenever one of his children was in his arms. Dany loops her arm through his own and together they walk through the camp.
They find them playing with two boys. One older than Lyanna the other her same age as her. Dothraki women are watching over them and another woman he doesn't recognize at first. However, as his wife tenses, he takes a closer look at the woman.
Its Gilly.
She looks older but he recognizes Castor's daughter. The boys must be her sons.
The Dothraki notice their approach and immediately bow, showing their respect.
"Khal, Khaleesi," they address causing both Gilly and the children to look up at them.
"Mama, Papa!" Lyanna exclaims running towards them. Dany immediately kneels down to hug their daughter and he laughs as his first son stumbles on his way towards them. Dany does as well as she releases their daughter to receive Jaehaerys.
He himself moves Rhaegar to one arm and embraces Lya with the other.
"Are you feeling better, Papa?" his little girl asks barely above a whisper.
"Aye. I am my love," he answers softly kissing the top of her head.
He hears some shuffling and looks up to see Gilly holding both her sons close to her and fear and nerves showing on her face.
Dany stands with Jae in her arms and holds onto Lya's hand. She then orders the women away and they obey without hesitation.
"J… Jon?" the former wilding questions.
"Hello Gilly," he answers walking towards the woman and giving her a small embrace, careful to not crush his son between them. When she lets go, Gilly turns towards Dany and curtseys.
"Hello Your Grace," she addresses.
"Hello, again Gilly. Have you been treated well?" his wife asks, gently.
"Y…yes your Grace," the woman stutters a little, "the Dothraki have been treating us well. Given us food, clothing and let the boys play."
Dany nods pleased with the answer.
He turns to look at the two boys standing beside their mother. The older one is obviously Little Sam, he remembers the young lad as a toddler the last time he saw him. The other must be the babe Gilly had been expecting when he marched south.
The younger one has a curious look in his eyes as he observes him up and down.
"Are you Jon Snow?" the boy asks.
He gives a sad smile, trying his best to hide his hatred for that name.
"No, my name is Aegon Targaryen," he answers and the boy frowns.
"But my mom called you," he starts.
"Jon is a nickname my older friends call me," he says to the lad.
"Oh. Sorry. I just wanted to meet the King of the North," the boy answers, pouting with sadness.
"Well I am a King, not just of the North, but of a few other kingdoms as well," he answers trying to brighten him up.
"Did you know the King of the North?" the boy asks.
"I did, a long time ago," he answers, not entirely lying.
The boy seems to accept it before taking his older brother away.
"Sam?" Gilly asks when the boys are out of earshot.
He looks towards Dany, unsure about Sam's wellbeing.
"He's under watch. He's been fed and treated with dignity. My husband and I always treat our prisoners fairly and we have not had an opportunity to discuss his fate yet," Dany reveals, and Gilly seems to understand.
"I told him what he did to you wasn't right," she says. "I found that diary entry and told him about Rhaegar's marriage and annulment. When he told me, what Bran had revealed to him, I told him not to tell you."
He looks at her in surprise. So, Sam hadn't found the information, Gilly had.
"When he told me how he told you, I got angry. I reminded him his father and brother weren't nice people, that may be the Queen had a reason for what she did, but he wouldn't listen," Gilly keeps revealing. "And then in Kings Landing, when they sent you to the Wall… it was so unfair. They took everything from you and punished you. You didn't deserve that, neither of you did. But Sam didn't care. He got free from his vows and stayed in that castle with that King."
The woman takes a deep breath.
"Whatever you two decide to do, I'll accept. He did you wrong and no matter what you are still his Lord Commander, you have the final say. I just ask for my sons to be left alone," Gilly agrees.
"We don't punish children for the sins of their fathers," he assures Gilly and with a nod, Dany assures her as well.
He looks at the two women and knows what he needs to do.
"I need to go talk with him," he tells them both. He walks towards Dany, ready to hand Rhaegar over when she shakes her head.
"Take him with you. He'll keep the dragon at bay and will show him what he almost took from you," his Queen answers, fire burning in her eyes.
He nods, places a kiss upon her lips and one upon Jae's forehead. He leans down towards his little girl and takes a moment to take her in.
"Be a dragon, Papa," she tells him.
"I will," he vows before kissing the crown of her head.
He looks at his family one more time, taking strength from them, knowing that because of his once best friend he had almost lost them all. A small coo comes from his arms and Rhaegar looks up at him, his eyes almost in awe and expecting so much from him.
He takes a deep breath and turns to go face his once best friend.