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Relations

When Lord Stannis Baratheon sees Jon dismounting Rhaegal, he does not say a word. When he allows Daenerys to introduce him as her nephew, he only nods as an answer but does not say a word.

Leaving his daughter in charge of Ser Axell, he leads them to his tent in the crossfire of gazes.

Two men join them at the entrance. Southerner lords so Jon has never met either of them but one is so much like Robb and Bran that he only could be Edmure Tully.

Lord Stannis confirms his assumption, when bowing before Daenerys again, in a formal voice he says, "Your Grace, may I present Edmure Tully, Lord of Riverrun and Ser Garlan Tyrell from Highgarden. Our new alliances."

After both of them bend their knees, rising to his feet, Edmure Tully notes, "Seeing the elephants, surrender already seemed like a good decision but seeing these dragons of yours now proved it further."

Daenerys stares at him scandalized and cautious.

"Are you drunk, my lord?"

His joyless smile widens.

"In Lord Stannis' camp? Of course I'm not. If I were, I might be a more pleasant company." He clears his throat, before continues more solemnly. "It is a great honor to meet you, my Queen, I say it genuinely. I'm too tired to be polite or to lie." He glances at Jon. "Nephew."

Jon is about to greet him but this word distracts him. And everyone else, apparently.

Edmure Tully looks around their astonished faces. And it seems he savors it for a moment. Then, he shrugs.

"My sister calls him son. Her children call him brother. What should I say?"

Daenerys is still frowning, while Ser Garlan looks interested.

Anyway, Jon chooses to call him 'Lord Edmure' in exchange.

"I accept your point of view, Lord Tully," Lord Stannis replies. "Despite that please both of you to leave us alone." After Lord Edmure and Ser Garlan bow and go, he speaks to Daenerys, ignoring Jon's presence. "And now, Your Grace, can I hear your explanation?"


"So… what do you think?" Dany asks. "About him? His position?"

They stand on the top of a small hill outside the camp while twilight is slowly turning to night. Here and there amongst the tents fires light up like reflection of the stars above.

Stannis considers his answer.

"That marriage of his father and mother, if it existed at all, can never be proved, and it would never be accepted as legitimate," he declares. "It would have been different, perhaps, if your brother had won at the Trident and as king he could have written new rules, but since he died, it doesn't matter. Jon is a bastard. Or… he is not, but actually a Stark by the grace of King Robert. Oh, if he had known…"

Judging by his expression, he really wishes if Robert had known.

"He would have killed him, then," Dany reminds him.

"One problem less."

"One dragonrider less."

"This doesn't change the trueness of my statement, does it?" He raises his eyebrows, slightly.

Dany does not reply. Dragonrider or not, without Jon, everything would be easier. She still does not know how to handle him, what to do with him.

"If he can be trusted…" she starts speaking.

"Can he be?" Stannis urges.

So it is a test. Dany cannot avoid the answer or she fails.

"I think…" She hesitates. "I want to trust him."

Stannis nods. Then, he gives forth an odd, unpleasant sound. It is short and rough. Like barking. Could this be the voice of his laugh?

"It is completely incredible he managed to contract a marriage that is more politically unwise than yours."

Dany would like to smile and grimace at the same time.

"Which is a great favor indeed," Stannis adds.

They keep silent for a while. Far away from them a shadow flies up to the sky. Rhaegal goes to hunt.

Dany shuts her eyes. Viserion is snoozing, but Drogon is vigilant, watching her through their bond.

"You have to be there at the siege of King's Landing," Stannis tells her.

"Will there be a siege?"

"If it depended on people, probably it wouldn't be. But the Lannisters…" Stannis shakes his head. "I don't know what is happening in the Red Keep now, or who is in charge."

It bothers him. So it bothers Dany as well.

"We will see. Facing a dragon maybe…"

"Three dragon, you mean?"

"No," Stannis declares adamantly. "Shireen and this… Jon can come and pledge loyalty to you when you are already sitting on the iron throne. But the Queen, and only the Queen, must take the city."

"When?"

In the deepening gloom, Stannis looks into her eyes. "In a fortnight."


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