I She awoke that morning earlier than usual with a lightness in her heart and a smile playing on her lips. Excitement was flowing through her. Unable to recall the last time she had ever felt this way, she climbed out of bed quickly, calling for her handmaiden to help her dress. Havinga handmaiden at all was still strange for her, as they had only been guests at the manse for the past six months.
Things felt different today with the presence of her long lost nephew. There was something about him that emboldened her, and it was a feeling she could grow used to.
It had been clear he hadn't been impressed with Viserys and that thought brought a wide grin to her face.
Taking more care than normal to dress, she picked a sleeveless blue silk gown. Looking in the mirror, her hopeful smile faded. She had almost forgotten the silk dress she was wearing was a gift that could easily be taken away. She didn't have a single possession that was hers apart from her mother's ring. They called her princess but all that really meant was she could be used as a pawn in whatever game Illyrio was playing. Viserys was too stupid or too desperate to recognize it.
No, being a princess didn't mean the same as being a prince. Jon had been treated with more respect upon arriving than she had in her entire time there. She wasn't an heir, but a tool to make an alliance with the Dothraki warlord.
Her mood was all but deflated as her handmaiden finished brushing out her hair. Stepping outside her bedroom, the excitement she had felt upon waking over the presence of her dark-eyed nephew was forgotten, as she made her way to the dining hall to break her fast.
After she had eaten, she found herself wandering the halls, trying to decide if she should go to the garden to avoid Viserys or to the library to find something to occupy her mind. Before she could decide, she came upon Illyrio, and he greeted her with reverence. While his words were always kind, she sensed there was a darkness lurking underneath them and it heightened her senses.
Curiosity getting the better of her, she asked, "Have you seen my nephew this morning, My Lord?"
"Yes, Princess. He's in the courtyard, training with some of my guards". With a smirk, he added, "For such a young man, he's doing quite well for himself".
With a bow, he went on his way and Daenerys found her feet carrying her to the courtyard.
The sun was high when she stepped between the white pillars surrounding the tiled courtyard. Trees and foliage among the towering stone pillars did little to provide shade, but it was a beautiful place. There in the middle, she saw her nephew standing off with one of Illyrio's Unsullied Guards.
Ghost was there too, laying in what limited shade there was beside a white stone bench. Dany joined him, patting his head and watching quietly.
He was dressed in leather armor, his muscular arms bare and she watched him wipe sweat from his brow. No doubt this climate was wholly different from what he experienced at The Wall, and she was sure she'd never seen anyone so pale. Jon was using a blunted sword and the Unsullied Guard, a spear.
The guard lunged forward to attack and Jon narrowly dodged the strike of his spear which hit the ground with a powerful crack.
Laughing from his belly, the guard spoke fondly to Jon in high Valyrian. "Well done, little Andal".
Dany clapped, and laughed at the look of confusion on Jon's face, not understanding the tongue.
He turned toward her in surprise and a compulsory smile spread across her face as she felt heat spread over her body.
While Jon was looking at her, the guard advanced on him, knocking him to the ground with a blow to his gut. Dany gasped and lurched forward.
Towering over him now, the guard spoke to him in the common tongue. "You let yourself be distracted by beautiful Essosi women, you die".
Smiling then, he offered Jon a hand and helped him up, telling him they'd practice again on the morrow.
After he dusted himself off and put away his sword, he began making his way toward her, and she suddenly felt shy.
"Did you come to watch me make a fool of myself?"
She smiled up at him. "I thought you did quite well. Until the end…"
The sound of his laugh pulled at her heart.
He looked like he was about to say something when he was interrupted by her brother.
"Nephew! It looks like I missed your lesson. I should have liked to see you in action. I will want you sharp when we are traveling with the Khalasar".
Her heart fell to the ground like an anvil, and not wanting to face the reality of her situation, she left without another word.
The library was quiet and she was alone with the smell of parchment and leather bindings. Like every room in the manse, the library was breathtaking. Colorful vases and elaborate wood carvings added to the elegance of rows of books, shelves reaching the ceiling.
She sat on a bench before a window overlooking a tranquil flower garden. Having picked up a book on Westerosi history, she struggled to keep her mind focused on the words on the pages. Thinking about her upcoming marriage wouldn't stop it from happening.
She startled at the sound of someone clearing their throat and her heart flipped to see that it was Jon, Ghost faithfully at his side.
"I didn't mean to interrupt you", he said giving her a sheepish look.
He had cleaned up from his morning exercise and she admired the way his dark hair framed his face.
"It's quite alright. I couldn't focus anyway", she told him closing the book and giving Ghost a scratch behind his ears.
"Truth be told, I came in here to avoid your brother".
His confession surprised her and she laughed in delight.
"The library is not the place to hide from Viserys. I have a place in the garden I like to go when I wish to avoid him".
Now it was his turn to laugh and she felt her face grow hot at her revealing confession.
At that moment, they heard Viserys call for her. Jon and Dany looked at one another before Dany called back, "I'm here".
He came into the room quickly, "Sister have you seen- Ah! There you are! I wouldn't have thought to find you in the library".
Dany had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing, as she saw Jon's jaw tense.
"I have wonderful news! I suppose it's good you are here, sweet sister, as this concerns you too".
Her stomach turned as he continued.
"Khal Drogo is coming in two days time to make his final decision".
Dany felt a flood of shame. Not only would she be sold for an army, but she would first be paraded like livestock. She felt Jon's gaze upon her but she couldn't bring herself to look him in the eye.
"If my sister plays her part right, I'll have my army within a fortnight".
Talking excitedly, Viserys made his exit quickly stating he had so much to prepare.
She was still studying the floor after he left.
Jon knelt beside her. "Are you ok… Dany? Is it alright if I call you that?"
"No… I mean yes". Meeting his eyes again, she answered, "You may call me Dany if you wish. Do you want to see the place I hide from Viserys?"
She led them through the garden, past the pool and through the thick cherry trees in full bloom. The sun was blazing in the sky and it was a blistering hot day. They moved through the thin tree trunks and ducked under branches until they came to a secluded area against the great wall protecting the manse.
There was a large lemon tree there, thick with deep green leaves and its yellow offerings.
"It's not the most beautiful spot but not even the guards come back here. It's so peaceful… and I do adore lemon trees".
Jon gave her a wide grin. "It's perfect".
Walking past him, she pointed out a little alcove cut out of the hedge bordering the wall. "This is a great place for shade".
"Thank the Gods!", Jon exclaimed, walking into the alcove and sitting on the ground.
Dany giggled and joined him.
"So Viserys has never discovered this? He must not like to be out in the garden".
"Well, we haven't been here terribly long".
Jon looked surprised by this and Dany gave him her own quizzical look. "We've only been here for half a year".
"Where were you before?"
"Many places. We've been hosted by various noble families... We've had to sell most of our family's possessions for shelter... and food. Sometimes we had neither".
Holding up her hand, she showed Jon her mother's ring. "This is all we have left".
"I had no idea. I'm sorry".
Studying her ring, she went on. "It wasn't always so hard. When I was little, an old knight looked after us. We stayed in a house in Braavos. I remember it had a red door and a lemon tree. I felt safe there, even happy. But...I do wish I could have known my mother".
When she looked at Jon, she saw his eyes were shining and she felt a lump in her throat. Ghost came closer to her and put his head in her lap.
"I know what you mean. I don't know how many nights I lay awake wishing I had my mother. She was there the whole time… below in the crypts".
"What about Lady Stark?"
He laughed uncomfortably and ran a hand through his hair. "Lady Stark did not appreciate my presence in Winterfell, and she made sure I knew that".
A powerful urge to protect him rolled over her like a wave, making her feel like she could take on anything. "I'm sorry you had to go through that".
"Don't be. I had my siblings. Robb, Arya, Bran, and little Rickon".
"I envy you for having siblings you're close to".
As they continued talking and sharing stories, Dany convinced Jon to sit under the shade of the cherry trees. As the day wore on, they found themselves sprawled out on the ground.
He told her Illyrio had shown him what would be her wedding gift. Three gorgeous dragon eggs turned to stone by time. She winced at the idea of a wedding gift but she was intrigued by dragon eggs.
She had never felt so at ease with another person, feeling like she didn't have to hide anything from him. Her face was starting to hurt from smiling so much.
They were laying on their sides facing one another, each propped up on their elbows. He was telling her tales of mischief, and he and Robb playing pranks on their younger siblings and she found herself fighting not to stare at his lips. She couldn't stop giggling like a silly child and her stomach was bubbling with excitement. Being with him felt like having too much wine.
She delighted in the way he looked at her as he kept her laughing with his stories.
The petal of a blossom floated down from above and landed in his coal-black curls. Unable to resist, she gently pulled it from his hair, letting her fingertips brush against his scalp.
He had stopped talking and was watching her closely. When she held the petal before him, he caught her wrist and pulled her hand to his lips, kissing the petal.
Before he could release her hand, she took his and held it. The feel of her hand in his made her dizzy and her heart was beating wildly.
Smiling at him shyly, she told him, "If things had turned out differently for our family, it might have been you that I was betrothed to".
He blinked at her boldness but recovered quickly. "Would that it had been so".
She smiled at him widely and he did the same, a blush coloring his cheeks.
"Did you have a lady back at Winterfell?"
He blushed harder and she laughed softly.
"No. Never. What about you?"
"No. I always thought I would have to marry my brother".
She watched him wrinkle his nose at her words . "That seems strange to you?"
He nodded slowly.
"I've never felt that way about Viserys but Targaryen's do have a long history of being drawn to one another. More than tradition I think. Something in our blood, like our connection with dragons".
Reality came raining down on her like a sudden summer storm and she sucked in a breath before her tears began to fall. This stolen time with him here, hidden away, would never last. In just two days time, her body would be put on display for the Khal to inspect and if he approved, she would be married to him and taken to live on the Great Grass Sea.
"I don't want to marry Khal Drogo", she cried. "I just want to go home".
Without hesitating, Jon sat up and pulled her into his arms. She clutched him in return and let her tears flow freely.
When her breathing returned to normal, he asked her, "Where is home?"
She laughed flatly at her foolishness. "Nowhere, I suppose. But I know it's not the Great Grass Sea".
She felt his rough fingers tilt up her chin and his thumb brush away her tears. When she looked into his eyes, her lip began to tremble as more tears pooled in hers. Feeling pathetic, she closed her eyes.
"Dany… what if we leave?"
She opened her eyes slowly and searched his for any signs of insincerity.
"Viserys will never let me go", she said hopelessly.
"We can leave in the night".
"What about the guards?"
"We can find away".
The honesty in his eyes unlocked a yearning she hadn't dared to entertain. "Where would we go?"
"We could take a ship to Westeros. Find my brother, Robb".
"Your family won't accept a Targaryen".
"My brother will. I know it. And if he won't, I'll take you somewhere else".
Her heart felt lighter and then began to beat wildly again. In a hushed voice she barely recognized, she whispered, "Alright".
She lay a chaste kiss on his cheek and reveled in the fresh flush on his face as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Let's get back", she told him. "Before we cause suspicion.
Her heart was full of happiness and her body buzzed with anticipation. She never would have imagined this sudden twist of fate, and she felt for the first time, life could be good for her.
He walked back to his chambers in a daze, and smiling like a fool. Daenerys Targaryen.
She was like a dream he wasn't good enough to have. If he closed his eyes, he could still feel her soft hand in his and smell the sweet perfume of her hair.
Never had his eyes fallen upon a woman near as beautiful as her, and when she looked at him with those wide eyes, filling with tears... he could have promised her the world.
I did promise her the world...
His head began to spin.
How am I going to get her out of here? How can I keep her safe on the journey?
He had meant what he said about Robb. Knowing his brother well, he knew he would accept him, new heritage and all... and he was fairly confident he would accept Daenerys.
The feelings he had for her we're growing rapidly and he thought she may have felt the same, but... she was his family.
I am a Targaryen now...
He shook the idea from his head. That wasn't what he should be focusing on now. First, he had to rescue her.
Who do I think I am? Aemon the Dragonknight?
Sinking into his bed, eyelids heavy, all he saw was silver hair, violet eyes, and pretty pink lips.
He felt completely rested when he awoke, memories of a night full of pleasant dreams just starting to fade. Today he would start at the courtyard, training with the guards and then he would find Daenerys and they would begin to make their plans.
The thought of more stolen and secret time with her was intoxicating and he half hoped she would be there again this morning to watch him practice.
Brushing a hand over where she had kissed his cheek, he couldn't help but hope she might do that again.
His heart sunk when he saw Viserys' smug grin making his way toward him in the hallway.
"Jon. Just the man I was looking for. I've just recieved incredible news from King's Landing".
Jon froze, hoping for some good news about his Stark family.
"The traitor Ned Stark is dead!"
Jon blinked slowly. "What?"
"He was executed by the Lannisters! It seems our enemies will destroy each other before I can even set sail!"
He had heard the words but they didn't make sense. There had to be some mistake. It started to feel like everything was closing in around him and he needed to leave.
Aware Viserys was still talking, he ignored him, brushing past him, letting his instincts guide him.
That morning she found herself humming as she prepared for the day and on her way to the dining hall. She had barely slept the night before, coming up with plans for their escape, thinking of what they could take to sell quickly, and yet she felt rested.
She was surprised to find Viserys already there eating his meal with gusto. He seemed to be in quite a cheerful mood and she felt a tingling in her spine.
"Beautiful morning, isn't it dear sister?"
Eyeing him suspiciously she simply nodded.
"We've received fantastic news from the west".
Dany felt her heart sink.
"The Usurper's pet wolf has been executed for treason", he told her, snickering in delight.
A sense of dread and sorrow filled her gut. "Does Jon know?"
Viserys scoffed and waved a hand dismissively. "Yes. He's sulking somewhere. Can't imagine why. He's still attached to those northern savages, but he'll come to realize what this means for my reign".
"How did you become so cruel!", she accused him forcefully.
Leaving the hall abruptly, she didn't stay to look upon his stunned face long. She'd never stood up to him before, and it was becoming all the more clear that something was awakening in her.
Jon felt the world stop all around him.
This must be a nightmare. I'll wake up and everything will be different.
How could he have let himself be so angry with him? He had been a terrible son... Ned had given up his honor for Jon and he'd repaid him by running off to Essos and turning his back on them in their darkest moment.
He needed to leave, to get to Robb and help him destroy the traitorous Lannisters.
Daenerys.
How could he get her out quickly, travel with her safely through Westeros and then bring her to war? He'd lost his head over her pretty face and promised her more than he could give.
She needed to get to him. She had more feelings for this young man than she had the right to in the brief time she had known him, and she didn't care. He would be devastated and she wanted to be there for him.
Finding his chambers empty, she went to the only other place she could think of.
Pink petals from the cherry trees blew through the air with the warm breeze as she ducked under their low hanging branches. She could feel his presence as she touched the trunk of her lemon tree before approaching the alcove.
He was facing away from her and didn't look up as she approached. Ghost sat in front of him like a sentry.
"I took your hiding place", he told her with forced humor but his hoarse voice gave him away.
Kneeling in front of him she took his hand.
He let her hold his hand but he didn't look at her. "You heard then".
"I'm so sorry, Jon".
He nodded, still looking away. Unable to keep up his calm composure, he hung his head in his hands and began to cry.
Desperate to comfort him, she pulled him into her arms, and he held her tightly in return.
"I never should have left. I should have been there. They're my family", he sobbed.
Dany froze at the implication.
"I should be there now".
His words were like daggers and they took her breath away. He'd been there such a short time, but she had grown attached to him already. She had fallen hard for his promise to run away with her and she could sense that this event had changed that.
"You're leaving then... alone".
Pulling out from her embrace, he faced her now, eyes red and puffy.
"I have to, Dany".
Letting her emotions go numb, she simply nodded.
"I… I don't want to leave you, but we'll be heading into war…".
"Of course. I understand". The disappointment she felt was crippling, but the anger building told her to leave quickly. To not let him see more of her tears.
"I'll stay… to... see you off".
Nausea gripped her gut and she pulled away from him entirely. He said it as though she were going somewhere willingly. She stood up, preparing to leave, and she thought she saw something like regret in his eyes.
"I'd rather you didn't", she told him coldly.
Leaving quickly through the trees, she did not look back.
This would change nothing for her. She was still leaving. All she had to do was determine how to escape unseen and where to go. Jon had awoken something in her, some power or defiance, and she wasn't going to fade back to nothing just because he had gone back on his word. I want those dragon eggs.
"Dany!", he called out to her, and she continued to ignore him. By the time he got to the edge of the cherry trees, she was out of sight.
He sank to his knees and put his head in his hands, every regrettable word he said was racing through his mind.
I'll stay to see you off! Seven hells!
His words had cut her deeply, he knew and he feared she might never forgive him. War or no, she would be safer with him. He decided he'd find her later when -if- his head was clear so he could apologize profusely and ask her again to go with him.
