So tomorrow is my birthday aaaand I'm gonna be honest I am not looking forward to it.
I've just been really moody lately, and I feel like it's making writing a struggle so if you guys don't get a chapter tomorrow or if you get one late I'm sorry in advance. I'm trying hard to work out the kinks in my ideas to bring you guys the best stuff I can. I feel like the story is going well but also I gotta decide which of the ideas in my head actually make the most sense.
"Who comes before the Old Gods this night?"
"Arya, of the House Stark, comes here to be wed. A woman grown and flowered, trueborn and noble. She comes to beg the blessing of the Gods. Who comes to claim her?"
"Gendry, of House Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End. Who gives her?"
"Jon Snow, of the House's Stark and Targaryen, her brother."
"Lady Arya, will you take this man?"
"I take this man."
Daenerys had heard once upon a time that Northern weddings were notoriously shorter than the weddings of those who followed in the Faith of the Seven. Two months after Arya had come to visit them at Snowhome, she and Jon had found themselves at Storm's End watching Arya and Gendry become one. It was a simple wedding at night, surrounded by those closest to Arya and Gendry. Luckily for them, Bran was not there for the actual ceremony and they were able to enjoy it without the tension of him being nearby. Daenerys could remember thinking the entire time how beautiful Arya looked in her dress, it was simple yet so charming, a lot like how she would describe the bride herself. Daenerys also found it ironic that she stood next to Sansa the entire ceremony. Yes it was short so it wasn't like they were next to each other for a long time, but it still felt like only yesterday Sansa despised her. Yet this morning, Sansa was so excited to see Daenerys and Lyaella: she hugged Daenerys. Daenerys was sure that it brought Jon great joy to see her getting along better with Sansa and Arya.
They were sisters now, after all.
"You look so beautiful, Arya," Sansa told her sister as she hugged her after the ceremony.
They were all in the main hall of Storms End having a feast to celebrate their union. If anything else, it was this part that rang true to all types of weddings.
As Arya let go of Sansa she walked over to Daenerys and hugged her next. It was unexpected but it made Daenerys very happy, "Thank you so much for coming."
"Of course, we wouldn't miss it for the world," Daenerys replied sweetly and truthfully.
"And thank you so much for bringing Lyaella with you," Sansa approached Parsley and reached out to grab the now three-month-old from her, "May I?"
"Of course, Your Grace, she's your niece," Parsley smiled as she handed off the babe. Along with bringing Tormund, Davos, and Grey Worm to the wedding as they discussed; it was decided before they left that Parsley would join them as well. Parsley had practically begged them to take her. Partially so somewhere was there to watch and protect Lyaella when her parents were busy, but mainly so she could see her sister; Gilly.
"I'm going with you, Your Grace, I want to see my sister."
"Parsley, you know Rosemary will kill us if she found out we took you South."
"It doesn't matter, she needs to know… someone has to tell her about Mum."
Daenerys couldn't deny her after what was said. Sage's dying words were about Gilly, and if she was going to hear of her passing she should get to hear it from one of her sisters. Unfortunately, it had seemed that the Royal Party was going to be late, and Gilly had yet to show up to the wedding. It was sort of nice, though, because without them there Daenerys could relax and enjoy herself without the worry of having to constantly watch her own back. Of course, that wouldn't last forever either and while Daenerys was conversating with Arya and Sansa the music in the room stopped and all heads turned to the main entrance.
"Now introduction His Grace, Protector of the Six Kingdoms, King Bran of House Stark."
Everyone but those who came from Beyond the Wall with her lowered their heads and bowed as through the doors came Bran and his party. Wheeling in the crippled king was Sir Brienne of Tarth, and following not far behind was Daenerys came to learn from Davos as his small council. Small was the proper word for it, Daenerys thought to herself because with the loss of Davos the council only included Bronn of the Blackwater, Samwell Tarley and of course Tyrion Lannister; his Hand of the King.
Daenerys could feel her heart pounding as Bran's eyes met hers. It felt like he was targeting her from across the room. Behind her, she could feel Parsley's presence very close by. Daenerys eyes scanned the room slowly until the found Jon, who was staring her way as well. She could his hand on the hilt of Longclaw and knew he was as stressed as the rest of them. Without a word, Sansa handed Lyaella to Daenerys and she and Arya walked away to greet their brother. Daenerys stood behind, holding her daughter closely to her. Her eyes were so glued to Bran that she didn't even notice Tormund approach her.
"Your Grace," Tormund put his hand on her shoulder, "You alright there? We could leave…."
"I'm fine Tormund," Daenerys took a deep breath, finally breaking her gaze, "We are here to celebrate my sister in laws wedding, I'm not going to coward away now."
Daenerys spent most of the wedding feast at a distance from Bran and his council. She had noticed at one point Bran had approached Jon to talk to him, but she noticed that her husband kept the conversation short and was quick to walk away from him. Grey Worm and Davos stood by her husband side the entire wedding. She felt her presence wouldn't bring back as many terrible memories if she was seen with Tormund instead. It didn't stop her from getting a lot of dirty faces, and Daenerys knew that even though some time had passed a year wasn't enough for people to forget about the monstrous things she had done in the past.
It was a touch later in the night when Daenerys found Gilly. She was outside with her children, little Sam and a little girl that Daenerys didn't recognize. Daenerys approached her slowly, cuddling Lyaella's sleepy body close to her, "Gilly?"
"Ah, Daen- Your Grace?" Gilly looked lost on whether or not to bow, "I'm sorry, not sure what your title is anymore…"
"Daenerys is fine," Daenerys smiled softly, "I know we never met really, before, but I feel like I know you very well.."
"S-Sam told me that Jon brought you back to life," Gilly seemed nervous, Daenerys figured she knew why without asking, "Is there something I could help you with?"
"No," Daenerys turned back slowly, "But I can help you with something."
Very slowly, from behind her, came Parsley. She could see Parsley's eyes water up at the sight of her sister who she hadn't seen in years, "Gilly?"
Gilly walked forward very slowly, "P-Parsley?" At the sound of her name, Parsley ran into Gilly's arms to hug her. Daenerys could see in Gillys eyes how happy she was to see her sister, and she knew this sight would make Sage very proud.
Without notice, Daenerys walked away from the two sisters to give them a moment to reconnect. She walked slowly as she rocked Lyaella in her arms, taking in the Southern beauty that Storms End had to offer. It wasn't a fancy place, but Daenerys figured it was the nearing summer season that made things seem just a touch nicer. She found a place to take a moment and sit, knowing that Tormund would come looking for her at any moment. Walking around alone probably wasn't the smartest idea, but Daenerys needed a moment to herself. Unfortunately, her moment alone didn't last very long.
"Your Grace," Her heart picked up at the sound of the familiar voice that called to her, "I have to be honest, I never thought I would run into you again."
Daenerys turned her head slowly to the side to see Tyrion standing nearby, a wine glass in hand, "I was hoping the same." Looking Tyrion in the eyes now after all this time, Daenerys felt a lot of different things towards him. Hate. Resentment. Betrayal. Sorrow. Yes, he betrayed her but she had done the same to him.
"I see you are a mother now, congratulations," Tyrion took a step close and Daenerys held Lyaella tighter, "What's their name?"
"Lyaella Targaryen," Daenerys replied as her eyes scanned Tyrion's movement.
Tyrion looked at Lyaella and smiled softly, "I'm sure she will be a wonderful queen one day."
"Better than I was, I'm sure," Daenerys answer was sincere but also a way to see how Tyrion replied next. She glanced at him, and Tyrion chuckled.
Cautiously, Tyrion sat next to her, playing with the rim of his glass as he spoke, "You weren't a terrible Queen. You were much better than my sister," Tyrion smiled and finished whatever wine was left in his cup, "It was me who failed you. I wasn't a very good hand."
"You don't have to lie to me, I know what I was," Daenerys sighed, her eyes on the little one sleeping in her arms, "I made a lot of terrible choices. Jon was right to murder me, I know that now. If he hadn't… I wouldn't be here, with her."
"That choice that Jon made," Tyrion stared at the floor as he spoke, Daenerys could tell that he was probably deep into his wine, "It was just as much my fault as it was his. He may have held the blade but I'm the one who told him to do it…." His eyes slowly looked over to meet hers, "I still wonder if what I told him was right."
"It doesn't matter anymore. What was done is done. Bran is your king now." Daenerys told Tyrion, "You wanted someone who would do the right thing as you saw fit and you have it."
"That's the thing," Tyrion seemed to get a touch nervous, looking around as if he was checking to see if someone was spying on him, "My King isn't exactly… what I thought he'd be."
"Daenerys!" Both their heads turned at the sound of Jon's voice yelling for his wife. He rushed over where they sat with his hand on his hilt, "What is he doing here?"
"I'm fine, my blood," Daenerys told him as she rose from her seat, "Lord Tyrion and I were just… catching up."
"King Beyond the Wall, Jon Snow," Tyrion smiled as he slowly sat up, being careful to maintain balance, "It has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"
A moment later Tormund rushed over to them, Daenerys could tell he probably had a touch too much to drink as well, "Your Grace! I've been looking all over for you."
Daenerys smiled, "Both of you relax, I'm fine. I was actually going to retire to our room about now."
"I'll take you, then." Jon reached out for his wife, guiding her forward by the small of her back.
Before they could leave, Daenerys looked back and smiled at Tyrion, "I hope your choices were worth their outcomes, My Lord."
"Jon, Daenerys, I really need to talk to you," Tyrion tried to take a step forward but Tormund's threatening demeanor stopped him.
Jon scoffed as he held Daenerys close, "I don't think we have much left to discuss, Tyrion."
As they walked away Daenerys looked back at Tyrion one more time, "What did his king want?"
"For me to bend the knee, and for you to go to King's Landing to pay for your crimes," Jon replied with a serious face.
He was in an overprotective mood, Daenerys could see it in his eyes, "And what did you tell him?"
Jon smirked and looked at his wife, "Dragons do not kneel."
"No," Daenerys smiled back, "We don't."