His head was aching and his mouth was dry as he walked quickly through the halls. The manse was quiet and it had to be late but his addled brain couldn't guess the time.

He couldn't wait until morning to see her, neither his conscience nor his grief would let him rest. Seeing her might relieve some of the torment, and he needed to know she was ok.

I have to make it right.

Outside her door, he hesitated for a moment before knocking, some of his sense returning momentarily. It would not be seen as proper for him to visit her chambers so late... but they were family, weren't they?

The moments between his knock and her answer were agonizing and he began to feel nauseated.

Her wide eyes gaped at him through the opening as she cracked the door open.

"Jon?"

Her face softened as she took in the sight of him and he realized then he must look a mess. Peeking her head out, she scanned the hallway before motioning for him to come inside.

"What is it?"

Now that he was in front of her he didn't know what to say and he stumbled over his words, running a hand through his hair. "Dany, I-... I was a complete fool earlier today... I can't believe the words that came out of my mouth. I still want to get you out of here, if you're willing to trust me again..."

A soft smile played on her lips and his heart was beating wildly again, the way it always did in her presence. It didn't help when she took his hand and brushed her thumb over his knuckles.

"Thank you, Jon... I am going to get us out of here... tomorrow night".

"What? How?"

She took both of his hands in hers now and looked up at him. "Do you trust me?"

It wasn't sensible to trust someone he'd know for the space of three days... but he knew he did anyway. "Aye,... I do".

"I'm going to create a distraction during the feast... and you will get us to the harbor safely".

"A distraction? What kind of distraction?".

She shook her head. "I can't tell you. Not yet".

"Why is that?"

"You'll try to stop me".

"Dany, I said things earlier today that I didn't mean. Please, let me help you".

She caressed his cheek. "You're worried for me? There's no need. All will be well, Jon Snow".

"I don't like this".

She squeezed his hand. "When I leave the feast tomorrow, go to your chambers and be ready to leave. I'll find you there".

He searched for words to protest but grief and exhaustion left him unable.

She left him suddenly and opened a large chest at the foot of her bed. Pulling out a brown sack she handed it to him bashfully.

"Will you take this for me? It would be safer if I didn't have to go back to my chambers".

"Packed already?"

"Since last night", she told him with a smile, blushing prettily.

All he could do was smile back foolishly as they looked at one another.

"Go back to your bed and find rest", she told him, guiding him to the door.

His hand was on the door handle when she touched his arm. "One more thing, Jon. Whatever you hear tomorrow night, stay out of the east wing".

He walked back to his room in more of a daze than when he set out to find her. When he found his bed again, he fell into a deep sleep.


Jon rubbed his still throbbing temple as he walked down another long corridor. He felt like he might the morning after he had too much to drink, unbalanced and nauseated.

The morning light tore apart his grieving heart like a barely healed wound. He had cried so much now that fresh tears stung his face. Executed no less. For treason. A crime that couldn't be more out of character for the man he knew.

But he did commit treason... for you.

His heart felt like lead in his chest, and the only reason he had gotten out of bed at all was to be there for Dany.

Khal Drogo was supposed to visit the manse today to make the final approval of his bride. He'd have to be a eunuch not to find Daenerys utterly ravishing, and Jon felt jealousy's sharp sting.

Why on earth he was being summoned to the bathhouse, he couldn't guess, but Viserys had visited his chambers earlier that morning, telling him he would be expected there.

With that sneer Jon was starting to loathe, he had added, "I don't need to tell you not to bring your wolf to a bathhouse, do I?"

The lone guard outside the door stepped aside to let him pass, and as soon as he opened the door his senses were overwhelmed by the air, thick with humidity and the scent of lavender.

What he saw next had him blinking in disbelief. There, in the middle of the room before the tiled bath, was Daenerys. Standing completely naked, gown pooled at her feet, and her brother touching her in a way no brother should.

In an instant, his heart went from heavy to raging savagely inside his chest. "What are you doing?", he shouted before dashing to grab a towel from a nearby bench.

He knocked his shoulder into Viserys before covering Dany with the towel and stepping in front of her protectively.

Viserys mouth hung open in amusement. "What's wrong with you, nephew?"

Jon's body was lit with anger and he stepped into his uncle, face inches from his. "What kind of man are you?"

"I am your King", Viserys replied without backing down.

"You'll be a King bleedin all over the floor when I run you through", he growled.

From behind, he felt Dany's gentle hand take his and heard her soft voice. "Jon, please... all will be well...".

Taking a deep breath, he mustered the control he could, and he took a step back, staying in front of Dany.

Sensing Jon's surrender, Viserys closed the distance between them once more. "I see you have the Targaryen temper, nephew. I'll forgive this transgression, once...I see the way you look at my sister. In truth, I wouldn't care if you did fuck her, but right now, we need her little cunt tight and intact for the Khal".

Jon felt a flood of anger again and if it weren't for Dany's hand in his, he would have knocked that smug grin right off of his face.

Viserys refocused on Dany, paying Jon no further attention. " I need you to be perfect today. Can you do that for me? You don't want to wake the dragon, do you?"

Fear was plain on Dany's face and Jon felt utter disgust toward his uncle. "How can you talk like that? She's your sister!"

Viserys laughed and shook his head. "Your prudish Northern sensibilities are clouding your judgment, Jon. Come, let's leave the bride-to-be to her bath. Khal Drogo is coming".

Jon looked to Dany before moving.

She had that far away look she often had around her brother but she reassured him, "I will be alright".


The sun was high and oppressive in the cloudless sky, and Jon longed more and more each day to go home. His body was sticky with sweat and he was sure his northern blood would never grow used to this.

Daenerys was by his side as they stood at the top of the steps overlooking the courtyard. They didn't talk or look at one another. If he was uncomfortable, he couldn't begin to imagine what she was feeling.

She had been compelled to wear a dress that he was sure would be considered obscene anywhere in Westeros, and it highlighted every curve and feature of her body. When he had to look in her direction, he tried to keep his eyes either on the sky or the ground.

Viserys and Illyrio stood in front of them, and in the courtyard below were many other magisters of Pentos huddled under colorful umbrellas to block out the suns brutal rays. Unsullied guards stood stoically in their positions along the walkway.

It sickened him to be a party to this but he felt it would be far worse to leave her to face it on her own while he hid away.

The thunder of hooves had him holding his breath, his imagination running wild with stories he had been told as a boy about savage Dothraki warriors. What he saw was more awe-inspiring than any story Old Nan might have told.

There in the flesh came a group of large men riding magnificent horses. The men below gasped and scattered about as they stormed into the courtyard with little regard for those gathered.

He'd never seen such men, warm brown skin, brawny chests bare and long dark braids down their backs.

Khal Drogo was one of the biggest men he had ever seen and he wondered how he would measure up to the Hound. He rode a white stallion and Jon could make out the curved arkah hanging on his hip.

He looked over at Dany, who looked more vulnerable than ever, trembling and pale.

As Illyrio moved forward to greet the Khal, announcing Viserys' titles, Jon chanced another glance her way. "All will be well", he whispered to her.

She kept her eyes forward and gave no sign that she had heard him.

Viserys, who looked incredibly pleased, stepped back between the two of them. "Do you see how long his hair is?", he whispered. "When Dothraki are defeated in combat they cut off their braid so the whole world can see their shame. Khal Drogo has never been defeated. He's a savage, of course, but he's one of the finest killers alive".

Moving closer to Dany he added with a smile, "And you will be his queen".

Jon didn't have time to be angry as Illyrio's voice beckoned for Daenerys, "Come forward, my dear".

Walking at her side, Jon's hand moved to Dark Sister's pommel reflexively, feeling a powerful urge to protect her. When they reached Illyrio, he had no choice but to let her go on alone, while all of his senses raged at him to take her away.

The Khal was even more impressive at this vantage point and Jon felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He'd always been good with a sword. Certainly, he was better than most at Castle Black but he doubted his abilities in single combat against a man like Khal Drogo. They would need to leave as soon as they could.


The ceremony had ended shortly after it had begun and now they were walking the courtyard, Dany by his side once more as they followed closely behind Viserys and Illyrio. He wouldn't have thought his mood could get darker than it already had been but he was wrong.

He felt like there was a weight on his chest and he rubbed the tension building at the back of his neck. In order to get her to safety, he would have to get her past the Unsullied guards while also avoiding the Dothraki horde, and get her to the harbor.

Dany's silence and far off stare worried him. "Are you alright?", he whispered.

She regarded him for a moment before responding, "No".

Dany seemed to be paying attention to Illyrio and Viserys' conversation, all the while Jon had been trying to ignore it.

I have to stay calm if I'm going to help her.

He overheard Viserys say, "I know how to play a man like Drogo. I give him a Queen and he gives me an army".

Dany stepped forward and it surprised him to hear her speak up. "I don't want to be his queen".

Illyrio and Viserys both turned to look at her and his heart lurched to see her falter under the heat of Viserys' gaze.

"I want to go home", she said meekly.

Jon felt his body tense as Viserys closed the distance between him and Dany, towering over her.

"So do I. I want us both to go home, but they took it from us. So tell me, sweet sister, how do we go home?"

All Jon could do was watch, clenching and unclenching his fists.

Looking defeated, Dany blinked and swallowed nervously before responding. "I don't know".

Jon took in a breath and closed his eyes. All will be well.

"We go home with an army. With Khal Drogo's army. I would let his whole tribe fuck you. All forty thousand men, and their horses too if that's what it took".

Before conscious thoughts could form, the delicate fabric of Viserys' collar was balled tightly in his grasp, while blood pulsed loudly in his ears. Throwing all of his weight forward, there was a satisfying crack when his fist connected with the side of Viserys' nose.

Adrenaline was pumping through his body as Viserys fell backward onto the ground, blood spurting from his face.

Far from done, he made to advance on him again when his momentum was halted by strong arms pulling him back.

Viserys sat up with a glare, wiping blood from his face. "I hope that was worth it, bastard".

Gods, but it was.

The Beggar King's usual smug grin had returned and at that moment, there was nothing Jon wanted more than to wipe that look off of his face again.

Uselessly he struggled against the guards who held back his arms. "Come on Viserys! I'm not afraid of waking the dragon. Or do you only fight little girls?"

Viserys laughed while clutching his nose, blood and spittle covering his chin."Don't worry, nephew. You're still traveling with me and the Khalasar. I want you to see my sister the morning after she's been thoroughly fucked by Khal Drogo".

He struggled to break free again as a storm rolled through his body.

"Confine him to his chambers until further notice!"

Illyrio nodded his approval to the guards, and at that, they carried out Viserys' commands.

As they were taking him away, all he could do was look at Dany as guilt twisted inside of him. She looked so small standing alone, wringing her hands, and looking like she could cry. He wouldn't be much help to her tonight.


Confined in his chambers, with a guard outside his door, Jon began pacing his room.

What am I going to do now?

Dany had told him to wait for her in his chambers so at least he would achieve that...

Flexing the fingers of his right hand, it had just now started to sting and he found it satisfying. Never had he found slugging someone in the face more gratifying, not even Theon, and he hoped he had broken his nose.

Without any other task to occupy his mind, he began to gather his things, preparing to leave.


Dany hurried through the halls as quickly as she could without breaking into a run. She had slipped away easily enough, the only person she had to evade was a Westerosi knight who had introduced himself. He was to be traveling with them after her wedding to Khal Drogo... but she wasn't going to let that happen.

The hallways were empty in the east wing with most guests in the main dining hall and courtyard. She was grateful her dress was easy to move in and happy with her decision to wear her hair back in a braid. It would be easier to hide her tell-tale hair later.

She wiped her sweaty palms over her smooth silk dress as she entered the quiet library. Walking over to the bench she had liked to sit at, she pulled out an empty sack from where she had concealed it.

Looking at all of the beautiful leather bindings of books regretfully, she grabbed a lantern off the wall.

Nothing to be done about it.

Setting the flame of the lantern to one large tome, it caught fire quickly as she moved from shelf to shelf methodically. The room was ablaze with crackling red flame as she calmly walked back into the hall, the smell of burning parchment filling her nostrils.

Now she began running, purposefully making her breaths shallow as she approached Illyrio's private study. There was a guard posted outside the door at all times, and she needed to get inside.

"Help!", she cried out in High Valyrian as the guard came into view. "The manse is on fire!"

By now, the smell of smoke had followed her down the corridor. The guard looked unsure about whether or not he should leave his post but went running toward the smoke.

Once he was out of sight, she slipped inside, in search of eggs. Another ornate and richly furnished room, if a bit more masculine than the others. She made note of the large brazier near the back, and the lanterns hanging on the walls. Night was upon them, and they had all been lit by unseen servants.

His desk was in front of the brazier, and she made her way over to inspect a dark wooden chest resting there. Unlatching it carefully, she was greeted with the breathtaking sight of three dazzling eggs. One cream, one jade, and one black with ripples of scarlet.

Shaking herself from her daze, she picked up the black one first and found it warm to the touch. She fingered the crimson ripples over the egg and felt a flutter in her heart. Removing them carefully, she placed them in her sack, surprised by the weight.

"There you are, sweet sister".

Air left her lungs and she froze. Panic started to snake its way around her heart as she looked up to see her brother moving towards her. Bruises were starting show on either side of his nose, which looked misshapen.

"What do you think you're doing? Trying to escape? Did you really think you could run from me?"

"Viserys, I-..."

"And you thought you could steal from me as well? Do you have any idea what those eggs are worth?"

He was only an arm's length away now and she found herself backing up, almost hitting the brazier.

"They don't belong to you... and neither do I. I'm leaving!" She felt panic's grip on her heart weaken as she spoke the words and she stood taller.

"You're not going anywhere! Now you've woken the dragon!"

Her breath hitched at the implication, as she stumbled back, but then, something stronger stirred inside. Squaring her shoulders, she spoke to him calmly. "I've been afraid of you my whole life. Before now, I'd never dare to cross you. And then Jon came. He's not cruel like you... and he's not afraid of you".

Viserys laughed but she could smell his fear now like the scent of blood. "Do you think that Northern whelp cares for you? He just wants to fuck you, sweet sister. Without me, he'll fuck you until he's tired of you and then hand you over to the usurpers".

She stared back at him unaffected. "I am leaving this place. Tonight. If you try to stop me, you will pay with your life".

His eyes went wide for a moment, but then his face contorted back to the cruel boy she knew, and he gritted his teeth. "I didn't want to bruise that pretty face of yours before your wedding but perhaps I've been too lenient".

He lunged toward her, and she stood her ground, swinging the heavy sack with everything she had. There was a sickening smack that made her cringe, as the sack of stone eggs bashed against the side of his head.

He gave her a dumbfounded look before sinking to his knees as blood dripped from his head for the second time of the day.

Bending down, she gave him a threatening stare. "If you try to stop me again, I will cave in your skull! I am the dragon you should have feared waking!"

Viserys cowered before her and she felt a mixture of disgust and pity turning in her gut. She wondered why she had ever feared him at all.

Suddenly Illyrio and a pair of Unsullied came bursting through the door, and she backed behind the roaring brazier instinctively.

"Princess!", Illyrio exclaimed. "What have you done?"

She watched him take a key out of his pocket and lock them all inside.

"The Dothraki must not hear about this", he said matter of factly.

Dany let a numbness wash over her body. Feelings were a liability just now. "I'm no longer yours to sell, Magister".

"I'm sorry, Princess, but the deal has been struck. I'm afraid there's no turning back now. Let's get you back to your chambers. Make you comfortable".

At his words, two guards advanced toward her. Left with no other choice, she lowered her sack to the ground. With both hands gripping the rim that would have melted the fingers of a normal woman, she shoved it forward, showering he unsuspecting guards with angry flames.

Their screams were piercing and hideous. She ran through the flames, grabbing a lantern from the wall, and intercepting Illyrio, who was trying to make it out the door.

He gasped and stumbled backward as she came towards him, the key clanging as it dropped to the floor. She could see he was sweating, and now the fear she was used to feeling was set in his eyes.

"Daenerys, please... you don't have to do this".

"I don't want to do this".

"I can get you out of here. Get you on a ship to take you wherever you want to go. I'll give you the dragon eggs and enough gold to start a new life".

"Give me your coin purse", she demanded flatly.

She noticed his hand was shaking when he handed it to her.

"Where is the diary?"

He nodded to a shelf behind her.

Without taking her eyes off of him, she commanded, "Get it for me".

He hastened to do as she bid and came back with what she had desired.

"Do you have any more gold?"

He nodded again and retrieved another heavy coin purse he had hidden away.

"Thank you, My Lord. I have learned many lessons this night... about how to deal with men in power".

With that, she threw the lantern at his feet and watched as fire caught his robes and covered him quickly. The Magister's screams now filled the air, as she walked back through more flame to retrieve her eggs, walking by her brother who sat in a stupor, stepping over the bodies of the guards.

Flame licked her own gown, but she felt nothing. Not even a pleasing warmth. Calmly, she patted out the flames, which had consumed her gown halfway up her calves.

As she took another lantern from the wall, she heard her brother whimper, "Dany, please".

The plea caught her off guard and she considered for a moment helping him up... but then she remembered the Khalasar camped not very far from the manse. If he betrayed her, and she knew he would, she would be taken or killed.

Using the fallen key to unlock the door, she picked up her sack and looked at Viserys, bloody and pathetic, one last time. As she opened the door, she threw the lantern to the ground, directly in the doorway, before closing him inside.

She heard him scream, "Dany, please!"


Jon was inside his room pacing, Ghost sitting in front of the balcony watching him. He had her bag and his ready to go, his sword strapped to his side.

His mind had been racing with ways to escape, and he'd even looked out over the balcony to see if there was a way to climb down. If he could somehow get her to the stables, he could ride hard and make it to the harbor.

Suddenly Ghost's ears perked up and he trotted to the door, and then Jon could hear harried voices in the hall.

Dany?

She was speaking to the guard quickly in High Valyrian. He couldn't make out the words but he could hear her voice was trembling.

Opening the door, he saw the guard running off down the hallway and... Dany!

She was covered in soot and her gown was in tatters.

"What happened?! Are you alright?!"

Taking his hands, she looked up at him with a serious countenance. "I'm alright, and we have to leave. Now".

Without wasting time, she found her bag and pulled out a plain gown and hooded mantle. Unabashed, she disrobed right in front of him, and he had to tear his eyes away, cursing his honorable sensibilities.

Dressed, she picked up her bag and looked at him with determination. "Are you ready?"

He nodded at her in wonder. Where was the timid girl he had known?

Mind returning to the seriousness of the situation, he asked, "What's your plan?"

"There's a fire in the east wing. Let's make for the stables".

As they hurried down the halls, Ghost at their heels, Jon recalled Dany telling him to stay out of the east wing and he began wondering what she had done. The fire must have been large and growing larger because he could smell the smoke.

He was surprised to find the back entrance unguarded but then, in the yard, he saw guards and servants running back and forth from the well with buckets and pots, anything that could hold water.

His mouth fell open when he turned to look back at the manse, seeing half of it ablaze in flame.

Dany tugged at his arm, "We have to leave quickly! The Dothraki will come!".

The fear in the stables was thick as horses bucked and kicked against their stalls, smelling the smoke. Jon selected the calmest and most rested looking horse and began saddling it while Ghost stood guard.

The sound of hooves caught his attention, and he saw Dany releasing the other horses from their stalls. The way the fire was raging, the stable too might soon be engulfed in flames. Just don't get yourself trampled.

"Come on!", he called to her as the last horse ran through the stable.

Running over to him, she told him nervously, "I don't ride well".

"It's ok", he told her, hoisting her up on the grey mare, "I do".

Bounding out of the stables, they made their way through the gate which was open and unguarded amidst the chaos. Pushing the horse to ride hard through the dark of night, he rode for the harbor with his stolen princess.