For the last few days, Dany dreaded nightfall. The moment she set foot in her chambers to sleep, fear would overcome her and she would end up lying on her bed clutching a dagger she had taken from the armoury.

Before she received the dragon pendant, Dany enjoyed being lulled to sleep by the whistling of the wind. Now she loathed it. Every night she would pull the dark curtains shut, lock the door and place her chair against it and crawl onto her bed, finding the smallest of comforts in holding the little dagger. Yesterday Daenerys had snuck back into the armoury when the boys were busy in the Library Tower and took another dagger – for safety measures of course. She had hidden it under her plump pillow while kept the first on her bedside table.

During the day, Daenerys stayed away from the shadows and kept an eye out on the servants. The last thing she wanted was one of them discreetly giving her another dangerous piece of jewellery.

Creak.

Dany's eyes flew open…again.

Creak.

Silently she reached for her dagger, her fingers visibly shaking. She wished she was consumed with dreams rather than fear. After she heard a third and fourth creak, she moved slowly off her bed and tiptoed to the locked door, her dagger in hand. Dany quietly removed the chair and raised her dagger. Breathing deeply, she slowly turned the key…

Nothing.

Frowning, Dany poked her head out and looked around.

Nothing.

Unable to sleep, Daenerys closed her door and locked it. She paced around her room like an imprisoned animal as she tried to clear her head. There is nothing to be afraid of, she told herself as she shakily lit a candle. There is nothing and no one out there after you. Who would want you dead? You are only a bastard after all. She carefully lit a second candle. The dark and shadowy corners of her chambers didn't soothe her fears at all.

Dany stopped pacing and crossed the room to her vanity table. Looking at the mirror used to fascinate her but now she feared seeing the reflection of a killer rising up behind her – even in daytime. "There is nothing to fear," she said aloud. She was safe in Winterfell. No one would dare invade the great castle.

Creak.

Sheer terror struck Daenerys's heart. Her grasp around the grip of the dagger tightened as she pulled a furred cloak around her. Grabbing the closest of the two already-lit candles, she hid the dagger in her cloak pocket. Swiftly unlocking the door, she fled to seek refuge in the closest room.

Jon's room.

Careful not to wake the others, Daenerys tapped hurriedly on Jon's door. Oh please open it, she thought nervously, glancing over her shoulder. I don't want to go and wake up Lyarra – she will think me a cowardly fool. A second or two later, the door opened and Daenerys was greeted with the sight of a sleep-deprived Jon, dark shadows under his eyes.

"I hope you have not been up all night reading," Jon yawned. He'd been more irritable of late since he decided not to take the black. He scratched his head. "Is there something I can do for you?" It sounded sarcastic.

"I heard noises," said Dany lamely.

Jon raised an eyebrow. "This is not a jape is it?"

"No! Do you think I would wake you up if it is? Please believe me!" Dany was desperate enough to batter her eyelashes even though she knew it had no effect on Jon – especially when he was in a sullen mood.

Jon sighed and opened his door. Daenerys almost tripped over her own feet as she rushed in. She closed her eyes for a second. She opened them and looked at Jon and their surroundings. She suddenly realised Jon was shirtless. Dany felt her cheeks blush with heat in the dim light and looked away as Jon grabbed an old tunic and groggily pulled it over his head.

Daenerys looked around. Jon's room was as bare as hers. In one corner of the large room was his bed with a table beside it like her own chamber. Across them was his wardrobe and a trunk and between them and his bed were two windows as high as her own. Now she thought of it, most of the bedchambers at Winterfell looked pretty much the same.

"I'm so sorry," said Dany, perching on one of Jon's two chairs, the second one layered with clothes, "I did not mean to wake you up. I mean it. I was trying to sleep but then I started hearing the creaking again. I had the curtains closed and my door was locked, but I still heard it. I even have a dagger now for protection. I mean I have two, but I left one under my pillow. It'll be strange if I came carrying both daggers." She bit her lip as Jon did not look any more impressed than he did when he opened his door.

"Are you sure you did not hear a direwolf pattering across the corridor?" said Jon wearily. "Mayhaps an escaped dog?"

"No," said Daenerys at once. "It sounded…human."

"You said you heard it before?"

Daenerys nodded. "Last night and the night before."

"Did you tell Lord Stark about this yet? He would certainly do something to stop it if you tell him. Did you see any shadows under your door? Whispering or shuffling? Anything apart from creaking?"

"No."

Jon sighed. "I believe you," he said finally. "It sounds stupid, but you aren't one to lie. Tell Lord Stark about this after breakfast and we will do something about it tomorrow night. We will plan it with care and hopefully you will be able to sleep soundly again. Here, you can have my bed."

"What about you?"

Jon tapped the ground with his foot. "It feels comfortable." He walked to his wardrobe and pulled out another furred blanket and a pillow which he dropped on the floor. Dany helpfully handed him her cloak – it was much too short for Jon but he accepted it anyway. "Try and get some sleep Daenerys," said Jon, stifling another yawn. "It won't do you any good if you fall asleep on your porridge and bread tomorrow morning."

Dany laughed and snuggled in the blankets. She inhaled deeply. Everything in here carried Jon's scent. She closed her eyes and slowly drifted off to the realm of deep sleep and dreams…

Creak.


Unable to consume any bread, beans, fried eggs and bacon, Daenerys excused herself from the Great Hall early, saying she was still suffering from ailments that accompanied her moon blood. I must come up with a new excuse, Dany thought as Lyarra gave her a questionable and rather suspicious look. I will not have moon blood forever this month.

Dany nervously left the Great Hall and went to the Great Keep. Her clenched fists ran with cold sweat as her heart pounded faster. She tentatively knocked on her uncle's solar door.

"Come in."

Taking a deep breath, Daenerys entered, wiping the sweat on the sides of her grey dress. She closed the door behind her. Uncle Eddard glanced up at her from the mountain of papers on his desk. On top of a smaller pile of parchments was a plate containing a half-eaten slice of bread and an untouched rasher of bacon and wedge of cheese. Uncle Eddard nodded for her to sit down. "Help yourself to any of this," he said, indicating at his unfinished breakfast. He studied her for no less than a few seconds. "Is there anything I can do for you Daenerys?"

"Two matters actually," said Dany nervously. What if Uncle Eddard chose not to believe her story? The more she thought about it, the more foolish and false it sounded. Uncle Eddard nodded slowly. "Go on."

"I've been hearing noises at night," said Daenerys honestly. "Usually its wind, but there's also been creaking outside my door." And Jon's, she wanted to add. "I thought it would be a servant or direwolf outside, but I usually hear the creaking very late at night, sometimes past midnight."

"Is there a reason why you were awake so late?"

"I'm afraid, Uncle."

Uncle Eddard nodded understandingly. "I see. Have you told anyone else at all about this? Perhaps Robb or Jon?"

"I told Jon."

"I see. I'm more concerned about your health Daenerys, and I'll have Maester Luwin look at you, perhaps give you something to help you sleep. I will also have two guards posted outside your door tonight."

"Thank you Uncle."

"You said you had two matters to discuss?"

Slightly more hesitant, Daenerys drew out the dragon pendant and placed it on her uncle's table. "I think this is partially – or fully – responsible for the creaks outside my door," she said quietly, pushing it towards Uncle Eddard. "I know that I should have mentioned it earlier, but I didn't know what to do…I was so scared and worried. It was during the feast when someone handed this to me. The boy knew my name too."

Uncle Eddard examined the pendant, his expression growing more impassive by the second. "Does someone want us in trouble with the king?" said Daenerys worriedly. "I know this is the…the Targaryen sigil."

Uncle Eddard said nothing. He looked at the pendant again before glancing at her strangely. "You assumed correctly," he finally said. "Someone who supported the Targaryens want trouble in the realm and what better way than to break my friendship with the king?"

"Why didn't they send this pendant to one of your daughters?"

"You are Ashara's illegitimate niece. We all know who your father is but only a select few – if any – knew who your mother was. The best way to sow seeds of doubt and trouble is through a bastard. They gave this to you in hopes that you will doubt your heritage which also gives them a chance to accuse us of betraying the king and harbouring one of Targaryen blood in Winterfell."

Daenerys sighed with relief. "What do we do with it?"

"Do not worry about that Daenerys. You did the right thing coming here and telling me about this. Now that you told me, I am aware there is a traitor in mine own household." His expression grew dark. "I will find out who that person is. Do not worry about this matter, Daenerys. No harm will come to you."

"Thank you Uncle."

"Is there anything else you wish to discuss?"

"What'll happen to me now? My father's dead and my mother…she clearly did not want anything to do with me." Daenerys felt her uncle's deep gaze fall upon her. "What will happen to me now?"

"You will remain as my ward," answered Uncle Eddard. "Nothing will change. I will find you a husband soon and you will eventually become a mother, unless by any chance you want to be a septa?" He looked at her intently.

Daenerys almost laughed. Why in the gods would she want to be a septa of the Faith? There were rarely septons and septas in Winterfell and Septa Mordane did not encourage the prospect of becoming a septa. "I think I will prefer the joys of motherhood than to be a septa," said Daenerys, failing to hide a small smile. "Will I remain in Winterfell even after my marriage?"

Uncle Eddard shrugged. "Possibly if one of my household knights is willing to marry you. Whatever the case, you'll always be welcome in Winterfell." He gave a tired wave at his papers. "Anything else, Daenerys? As you can see, I have dozens of papers to deal with. Did you eat yet?"

"I'm not hungry."

"You might be soon. Try and eat a slice of bread at least." Daenerys nodded. "I will talk to Maester Luwin," Uncle Eddard continued. "Hopefully you will be able to sleep well tonight."

"Thank you." Daenerys stood up and crossed to the door. She paused. "What'll you do with the pendant?" she said nervously.

"Don't worry about it," her uncle told her. He added darkly. "I swear by the old gods and new, it will never land in your hands again."


"If we were using live steel, I would have killed you." Jon held out his hand and Dany grudgingly took it as she pulled herself up, brushing the dirt from her dress. She picked up the wooden sword Jon had knocked down with his own and poked him with it in the arm.

"More like wounded me," corrected Daenerys. She handed the wooden sword to Jon. "Here. I'm done for today."

Jon scoffed. "Already? I know you had a pretty rough night, but come on! You cannot last another round? Even Arya can fight more."

"I'm not Arya!" Dany snapped. Jon flinched. "I'm sorry," Dany muttered. "I'm, I am really sorry Jon."

"Is it the creaking still?"

Daenerys sighed and nodded. "I spoke to Lord Stark about it and he said he'll post guards at my door tonight and talk to Maester Luwin about concocting me a sleeping draft or something. It's just…I'm worried about you too. Last night as I was drifting to sleep, I heard the creaking. It was at your door."

"My door?" Jon tossed the wooden swords onto a pile of wooden swords near the armoury. "I admit I heard creaking outside my door last night, but I thought it was you adjusting to my bed. Did someone follow you to my room? Did you hear anyone following you? I know you were frightened, but surely you would have felt or heard someone tailing you."

"I…I didn't hear or see anything. It was dark."

"I see." Jon was thoughtful.

Daenerys was instantly wary. "What is it?" Whenever Jon was plotting, which was extremely rare, he bore the same scheming expression Arya did. Only Arya conspired more. Much more.

"I was just thinking," said Jon, his dark eyes glittering like the string of onyxes strung around Queen Catelyn's neck, "what if we were able to catch him? Tonight we will do nothing. If you hear the creaking again, we will know that the person is sly and stealthy. If Maester Luwin does prescribe you a sleeping draft, perhaps it will be better if you do not drink it – if you want to help catch this person. We can always leave it to the household guards-"

"No," Dany interrupted. "I want this person caught."

Jon nodded. "We must tell Robb, Domeric and Theon-"

"No!"

Jon frowned. "I thought you want to catch him?"

"I do, but they will never believe me…"

"They will when I tell them. If you want, I'll leave Theon out of this, but he's an excellent marksman and we may need one nearby if it turns out there is a killer prowling around Winterfell attempting to kill you."

Daenerys sighed. "Oh very well, Theon can hear about it too. I hope he doesn't treat it as a jape." She suspected the heir of Pyke would. From innocent words to kicking heads, Theon Greyjoy found everything a big joke. "How will you be able to convince them I am speaking the truth?"

Jon smiled mysteriously. "I have my ways."

"We need to tell Arya," decided Daenerys. "I suspect this man is quick on his feet and silent; Arya is swift and small. She might be useful if it comes to chasing him down the corridors in the dark. Lyarra said that Arya could sneak like a cat into her rooms at night and steal something without her knowing."

"Very useful," Jon agreed. "I'll go and talk to Robb, Domeric and Theon. You should talk to Arya. Do you think we should tell Lyarra about it? It would not be fair if she finds out both Robb and Arya knew about it. I doubt Lyarra will report our planning to Lord Stark."

"Lyarra wouldn't. She's like a sister to me."

Jon nodded. "I'll see you later. Try and eat something will you? I know you did not eat anything even though you told your septa you ate bread and bacon. You won't do us any good if you faint on the way to your chambers." He frowned a little. "Are you supposed to be in a sewing class?"

Dany shrugged. "What's the point? The best I can do is serve Lyarra and move with her to the Dreadfort once she marries Domeric. At least you have the chance to go south and be a knight."

"You can always come with me."

Daenerys scoffed. "And do what? Sew your clothes? You are a Snow. I cannot exactly sew grey direwolves on your tunics. Sorry," she added hastily as Jon gave her a long glare. "I'll…go and find Arya." She shot Jon another apologetic look and hurried into the Great Keep to Arya's chambers. She opened the door and to her surprise, Arya was not there. I hope she is not hiding in the crypts again. Once in a desperate attempt to escape the hawk eyes of Septa Mordane, Arya had fled to the Winterfell crypts and hid there for hours, eventually falling fast asleep at the statue of Lyanna Stark's feet. Uncle Eddard had been so worried and sent orders for his men to begin search parties…until Arya emerged from the crypts with a hungry, growling stomach.

Deciding to ask Lyarra, Daenerys headed to the schoolroom. She skidded to a halt as she caught sight of a bored Arya sitting beside Lyarra, stabbing her piece of cloth with a needle.

"Arya?"

Before Dany could say another word, Septa Mordane swooped upon her like a hawk to its prey. "Daenerys Sand," she said with a disapproving frown. "Explain yourself if you will. Ever since Lady Stark left, you have been missing a number of your lessons with the excuse of illness."

"My sincere apologies Septa Mordane," said Daenerys politely. "I promise it'll never happen again."

The septa gave her a suspicious look. "Very well. If you miss another lesson, I will have no choice but to inform Lord Stark. Take a seat Daenerys. The girls have decided to embroider house sigils today. As you are…a special case, I suppose to honour your lord uncle and lady aunt, it will be good if you begin with the Stark sigil. If you need help, look at Lyarra's. She has almost finished and it is looking quite lovely." She smiled at Lyarra.

Daenerys quickly sat down on the empty chair beside Arya and scrambled to grab a needle, thread and cloth. It would be more appropriate for her to sew a white direwolf on grey…if she was Lord Stark's bastard like Jon. She glanced at Arya and was astonished to see her knotty hair untangled and pulled into a small elegant bun with a thin braid descending from it. Moreover Arya was in a clean dress with not one spot of dirt or mud.

"Do you like my direwolf?" asked Arya, showing Dany her embroidery. Dany had to admit it looked relatively good. "I thought of Nymeria while I was sewing," said Arya, pleased with herself. Daenerys glanced around. The sharp-eyed septa was occupied with complimenting Lyarra and Jeyne Poole was absent. Daenerys lowered her voice. "Arya, can you keep a secret?"


This was an interesting chapter to write. At this rate, I doubt Dany will know her true heritage any time soon.