Woaa everyone! Your responses are awesome! Thank you so much for leaving reviews ^^ It means so much! Perseus Apollyon, Water_tiger, BriseisRose, MitZiv04, samking1234, and so many more reviewers! Thank you so much, you guys!
So here goes! I hope it's not too short or too fast. Let me know what you think!
Dany was reading a book while waiting for Jon. After their night gatherings at the dining hall, they decided to turn in earlier since Robb and the other Stark siblings are needed by their lady mother. That leaves Jon and Dany to spend more time together, but he had to go to Lord Stark's office first before going to her.
She was lost in her book when he finally arrived, looking at her lovingly with so much care in his grey eyes. But she can see a hint of nervousness, Dany smiled at the sight of him and placed her book on the table, "Jon."
He walked to the bed and sat next to her, placing a kiss on her temple, "Miss me?"
"You were not gone long," she scoffed before tucking her head under his chin, "So what did he talked to you about?"
"Wouldn't you like to know," he grinned at her, earning a smack on his arm and a glare from the Dragon cub. Jon couldn't help but laugh, "Nothing serious."
"You seem rather tense coming here," she pointed out, "Are you certain?"
"Well," he fished something from his pocket and revealed the items in his palm, Dany's eyes flew wide at the sight. Wedding rings.
She looked up at him in shock and tears are slowly welling up her eyes. She knew that he wanted her to be his mate, and she agreed. But having to finally seal the deal? "Jon… are these…" she couldn't even finish the sentence.
"Wedding rings, aye," he confirmed, "Uncle Ned called me to give me these, he told me that it once belonged to my mother and your eldest brother."
"That's…."
"And now he believed that it should belong to us," he finished for her, he took her hand and leaned his forehead to hers, "I…. I'm no bloody poet, I really don't know what to say. I never practiced this sort of thing because I used to think I'll die alone but…." He let out a nervous sigh, "I'd die happy if you would accept me to be your mate and you to be mine." There, he finally said it.
In honesty, Dany wasn't really listening as she tried to process the rings in his palms until he said that he wants her to be his mate. Someone wants to spend the rest of his life with her. With her!
She couldn't say anything, all her words are stuck in her throat. So instead of answering, she kissed him passionately. Her arm snaked around his neck to pull him closer, deepening their kiss, "Yes," she murmured to him.
Jon pulled away and looks at her with a huge smile, "Yes?"
"Yes, Jon," she smiled at him, "I want to be your mate."
She sees his smile widened. He kissed her forehead, her nose, and her lips, making her giggle. Then he nuzzled her hair, "I love you," he murmured to her ear, "I love you so much."
She breathed in his scent and sighed in content, "I love you too, Jon Snow."
They stayed like that for a while, just enjoying each other's embrace. Jon kissed the side of her head, "I don't know how to do this."
She smiled as she placed her lips on his shoulder, "And you think I do?"
Jon chuckled, he gently pulled away from her and tucked a few loose strands of her hair, "We'll figure it out together," he reassured her, "We always do."
Dany smiled at him, then her gaze went back to his closed palms that held the rings. Jon opened his palm as he saw her staring at it, "May I?"
She nodded and presented him her hand. Jon's strong handholds hers, and easily slides the ring into her ring finger. Once it's placed where it belongs, Dany looked at it in awe. Of all the things she could have in life, this was never in her mind until she confessed her love to him, "It's beautiful, Jon."
Then she felt him kiss her forehead, "Just like you."
The Dragon cub looked up at him with a smile, "I thought you said you are no bloody poet."
He nuzzled her cheek, "There are exceptions."
She placer her cheek on his chest, and sighed, "When do you want to tell the others about this?"
"Maybe after the Running," he said, "As you said, let Robb have his moment of glory."
"Mhmmm, Arya has been dying to know when we will be mates," she told him, she remembered the needy little she-wolf. There were many times when that little pup would bring up that topic, she was very excited. Arya looks at her as if she really is her older sister, perhaps she too also wanted to see her and Jon together.
He chuckled, "I can imagine so, she's the most impatient out of all of us," he said, "Maybe we can give her our little secret, after all, her name day is a few days after the Running."
She pulled away from her, "Our engagement as her name day present? Isn't that supposed to be our gift?"
"That, and probably something else," he said.
"What do you have in mind?"
"Something what she really likes, most probably a combat knife," he suggested, "She is still too young for a proper sword."
She thought about it for a moment, "No, Arya is someone who would be at the front line just like you," Dany analyzed, "I think a sword would suit her."
"I thought about that as well, but I fear that Lady Cat might find it easily and she would be in trouble," he grimaced, "Something smaller would do, hence, the combat knife."
"But a knife is too small for an energetic pup like her," she giggled, remembering how Arya was willing to speak up to her father when Dany was brought before the council. Gods, it has been seasons ago since that day. It felt like it was yesterday when she first joined the pack, and now Jon is going to participate in his first Running test.
He chuckled, "I suppose that's true."
"What about a rapier?" she suggested, "It's not too big to cleave a man's head off, but enough to hurt someone. Though I hope she won't come to that."
"Hmmm, I think that's a good idea," Jon hummed, "It's not something Visenya Targaryen used, but it's similar to her." He grinned at her and wrapped an arm around her, "What would I do without you?"
"You are exaggerating," she scoffed as she tucked her head under his chin, "Do you want me to speak to Mikhan tomorrow while you all are training?"
"That would do," he murmured to her ear and kissed the side of her head, "Thank you, Dany."
"Anything for our family," she replied naturally, "And since we are keeping this a secret first," she pulled the ring from her finger and showed it to him, "I think it's best I wear it later."
"That wouldn't be a problem," he accepted the ring, placed it together with the other and walked to their cupboard to put it in the drawer, "After all, I want everyone to see it that I put that ring in your finger." Then he strides back to her, sitting very close to her and nuzzled her shoulder, "Or would you rather have me mark you before our wedding?" his voice turned husky, she felt his tongue beginning to dart on her skin.
She smacked the side of his head at that mention, "Behave yourself, you silly wolf. I don't want to wake the whole castle for this, otherwise, it won't be a secret anymore."
"Then shall we find another place to do it tonight?" he began nibbling her bare neck, "I know exactly where I want to mark you and the perfect place to do it."
Dany couldn't help but let out a small moan, the way he is kissing her neck sends a shiver down her spine. As much as she wanted to, she just can't. Not in the place where the pack keeps her safe. She held both his cheeks to stop him, "You can save it for the wedding night."
Jon blinked at what she just said, making her too realize what came out of her mouth. The Dragon cub felt her cheeks turned warm, "I…I mean…I…emm…..I," she stuttered and trailed off as she looked down in embarrassment. Did she just indirectly told him that she too wants what he was hinting her?
But she couldn't get a proper excuse as Jon kissed her lips again, licking her bottom lip, seeking for entrance. His tongue found its way into her mouth, Dany felt him groan and she too couldn't hold back her whimpers. Jon has been getting better at making her feel so flushed, she thought. Everyday, he is just irresistible, was this what Melisandre meant when she said that she and Jon will come a little closer?
Without noticing, Jon laid her down on her back, then they pulled apart. If Jon goes any further with their activity, she doesn't know whether she can hold herself.
But Jon, the ever so gentleman, heeds her request. They pulled apart, gasping for air. His grey eyes staring at her intensely, she could've sworn Ghost leaped out of his form too. Her soon-to-be mate placed a kiss on her temple and laid beside her, then he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer to him, "Have I ever told you that you look adorable when you blush?"
Her head is still swimming from his kiss, and now he embarrassed her with that remark. She giggled and smacked his arm, "Enough with those."
"It's the truth," Jon murmured sleepily. She can see his eyes getting droopy, fighting to stay awake.
"Let's rest, my darling. Tomorrow you have to train for the Running," she reminded him, she placed a kiss on his temple, "Good night, Jon."
"Mhmmm," Jon hummed, "Good night." And both wolf and dragon cub rests peacefully, believing that newer and better days are to come.
However, not everything would go in their way.
The Alphas of all the North gathered in Winterfell's castle. Normally, they would meet at a secluded area in the forest, but this discussion is something that must not have ears from anyone else. Benjen and Ser Barristan is present at the meeting. When this gathering happens, it would mean that something serious must be in the discussion.
The last meeting of the Alphas was 17 years ago, the day when the Dragon and Stags clashed. To think that Ned had to go through this again made his stomach drop.
"The Stag King died in the hands of the Lions!" Lord Royce exclaimed, "This is no coincidence, a stag can fight a boar. How can he not see that boar? That is a foul excuse that even a cub can spot!"
"The Lion! He's come back!"
"Only Tywin would kill a king, look what he had done to the dragons."
"Save the pack!"
The other Alphas from different clans of the North under the Alpha Stark agreed. When they share something, most are brutally honest. The next words made his heart heavy.
"Tywin wants the Dragon cub, if we keep her, he will wage war to us!" Lord Glover raised his voice.
"One Dragon cub will bring us more danger!" Lord Umber added.
There were several 'ayes' before the other Lords joined in.
"Lord Stark, we knew this would happen! We told you!"
"Can't you see, Lord Alpha Stark, your bastard-cub is putting us all in danger."
"You were wrong to ever take him in! Both of them!"
Lord Bolton then jeered at him, "We should give her to the lion!"
At that, his panther brother stepped in, "Everyone, please," he raised his voice for silence, wanting to be heard, "They are one with the pack."
As he said that, the other wolf shifters turned to Ned, wanting to know his decision. The Alpha Stark knows what to do, but he just doesn't know how to say it. It breaks his heart to know what's best for the pack and to his nephew and new daughter.
He took a deep breath, "I will see to this matter," he firmly stated, "You are dismissed."
The Lords look at one another, then they left the meeting chamber one by one.
Only the two brothers and the Kingsguard were left there. Pondering on their last 'discussion', the ranger panther and the white lion knew that this would happen. They have discussed this over and over, and now the time has come. The knew what Ned would say, but they need to hear it from Lord Stark himself.
Finally, after Ned Stark stared hollowly at the council table, he took a deep breath and released a long sigh. It was a sigh to release the tension and stress in his heart. He must keep them safe.
He looks to his brother, "Benjen is he ready?"
The panther shifter nodded, "Aye, he is."
He sighed, "Good," that way the pack will still accept him.
However, that's not what Benjen thinks. He understands that his nephew knew that one day he has to leave, but he doubts his heart wants to leave the pack. Benjen's conscious clear, his nephew must leave the pack. His brother may believe that the pack can still protect them, but he still doubts it.
Jon must fail the running.
The day arrived. The Running of the pack at the Lonely Hills, the cubs must run from the mountain hill, all the way down the mound without getting caught by the panther.
Everyone is there: The Starks, Ser Rodrik, Ser Barristan, and some of the scouts and guards pack are present. Even Dany and Margery are there to support their lovers.
The audience sat at the side of the cliffs to watch. Arya, Bran, Daenerys, Margery, and Sansa sat at the very front, wanting to see when the participant cubs launch first.
The participants gathered they are aligned at their starting point, waiting for the Alpha's words. The Alpha Stark sat on a cliff where everyone can see him, he faced the prepared cubs in his wolf form and cleared his throat, "You are about to take part in one of our oldest traditions," The Alpha spoke to the participants, "The Running of the pack."
Dany could see Ghost shifting nervously but ready. His red eyes glanced at her for a while, catching her eyes. She gave him an encouraging smile and mouthed a silent, 'good luck' to him. The wolf gave her a small nod before turning back to his uncle.
The Alpha continues, "Those of you who pass the test will have earned the right to join us in the night hunt, a true pack member," he announced to them all, "As in customary, Ser Benjen will perform his task as Chaser.
The black panther is staring at all the cubs fiercely, paws all ready to pounce. Dany shivered at his intense glare.
"Face the hill," The Alpha commanded the cubs, and they all turned towards the hills.
Grey Wind gave a small nudge with his nose to Ghost, "Good luck, brother."
Ghost returned the gratitude with a nod and faced the hill, where he must run.
"I must warn you," Ned Stark notified them, "Ser Benjen has been told not to hold back."
When he said that, Dany turned to the panther to see his muscles all very tensed and stern, letting out a soft growl. Ready to pounce at any second. She had seen the panther fighting, but this is her first time seeing him very tensed. Is that part of his stance?
"On my call," the Alpha said. The air was tense, filled with silence, only the sound of paws dug on the earth can be heard.
And then…
"GO!"
The cubs launched themselves forward, fighting to be at the front line. The cubs ran carefully but desperately at the hills, trying to be the first and not to fall off.
Arya wanted to follow, she launched herself to into her wolf form, but was quickly held back. Sansa too turned into a grey wolf and held her sister's tail between her teeth, preventing her from following her brothers, much to her disappointment. She grumbled and sat back down.
Dany giggled at her remark, then she turned to see the panther, making the hair at the back of her neck stand. The panther looked very serious, his eyes fixed at the cubs like they are pieces of meat, his claws are extended out, and his shoulders moving up and down.
"Benjen," the Alpha called to him after the cubs vanished behind the hills, the panther turned to his brother, "If you will."
And at that, the mighty black panther snarled and darts away with tremendous speed. The Dragon Cub felt shivers down her spine on how fast he took off, it looked as if he truly wants to hunt them.
Dany felt a sudden worry in her heart for some reasons, wishing Jon is next to her. She clasped her hands together, and let out a silent plea to him, Please John, be careful.
Ghost ran like his life depends on it as he ran at the cliffs. He had run around these cliffs a couple of times for practice, but with a real chaser, the atmosphere just became even tenser.
All the cubs were desperate to keep upfront, running faster than ever. Ghost was at the lead, running and leaping from cliffs to cliffs until he dropped to the ground and run. Never once he looked back.
Making it his mistake, when he heard Theon shouting at him, "Out of my way!" he charged at Ghost, knocking him off the ground, "Freak!"
The white wolf tumbled off the ground, letting the other cubs run pass him. He immediately shook himself from the dirt and quickly launched forward, going full speed ahead before the panther comes after him.
And it seems he wished too soon.
He was able to catch up with the rest of the cubs, but just as he was about to go full speed, the panther appeared out of the bushes. His panther uncle roared and surprised half of the cubs, echoing the entire forest. He lashed the cubs, trying to keep them down and cripple them. The cubs whimpered and slipped away as best as they could, running away from him.
Ghost too did his best to not get noticed by his uncle as he tried to run quietly, but the ranger noticed him anyway. The panther roared at him and goes after him, startling the white wolf to run another direction to lose him. Ghost slipped into large overgrown roots, slipping carefully but quickly. He could hear his uncle coming closer as the scratches and broken roots are being torn apart with his claws, making him desperate to find a way to slip away from him.
When he turned back, he could see the panther closing in. The wolf became more tensed and ran out as fast as he can, leaping from roots to roots to get away from him. The panther leaped far and he became closer to Ghost, but thankfully, a root gave away and he fell. Ghost didn't see how far he fell, for he kept his eyes straight to where he must finish the Running. However, he could hear his roars became fainter, meaning that he managed to slip past him.
With that knowledge in mind, Ghost began to run with all his might, he could see that he is closing in with the other cubs. The wolf turned to the cliffs and leaped up high to get a short cut, making him practically the lead.
He quickly ran until he can see the other part of the forest where he can see the Ser Rodrik as a black bear. This means that he is at the finish line! The other cubs seem to be closing into him, he can hear their barks and yelps. He increased his speed and all his attention was at the finish line. He can see the other pack members have gathered there, Dany was there too! She is smiling widely at the sight of him, making his heart race.
This is it, this is the moment he was waiting for his whole life, to prove that he is worthy in front of the pack. He focused all his strength and speed to finish this with victory, digging his paws on the earth launching himself forward.
And that was his second mistake.
He didn't realize that the panther was still a chaser. The next thing he knew, a strong weight knocked him off the ground, strong claws stuck on his body and tumbling off the hills. Ghost whimpered, trying to comprehend what just happened before he was struck down by a large claw and the next thing he knew, his eyes are looking at his uncle's grey eyes. He was roaring furiously at Ghost, surprising him and making him yelp and whine.
"Let him go, Benjen," Ghost can hear the black bear called his uncle. But the black panther is still weighing him down, the wolf is unable to move. He hasn't trained with his uncle for a while, making him forget how he couldn't toss his uncle away from him, Ghost is still struggling against his vice claw grip and weigh.
"Benjen." Ser Rodrik called again, and this time, the panther roared at the bear. Ghost can see his uncle's expression began to fade to guilt, he got off from him and huffed, backing away from him.
The human in the wolf felt shame. Great shame. He was caught! He weakly got up, whimpering and trembling. At the corner of his eyes, he can see the other cubs celebrating their victory. All except him. He looked down in defeat.
The black bear approached him slowly, Ghost looked up to see his mentor, his face was full of pity. He hates being pitied, the wolf did his best to not show the back of his fur standing up. He is frustrated.
"You let your guard down," his mentor told him, that was it? No one is talking about the fact that his uncle passed the other cubs behind him only to chase after him? "I told you, never let your guard down."
Ghost was never one to talk back, but he had had enough of lectures. He was at the lead! Why did his uncle targeted him? He began to growl, "He was only chasing me. He targeted me," his growl turned to a snarl. He looked at the panther upon what he said, and sure enough, his uncle looked down and his ears pressed flat, a sign of guilt. Ghost's lips began to curl, he turned back to his mentor "My pelt is the most noticeable in Spring! That's why he was after me!"
"Enough, Jon Snow!" Lady Cat's snarl stopped him from accusing his uncle further. He immediately backed away from his uncle and whimpered, his tail between his legs.
The Lady of Winterfell approached them with pride, glaring at Ghost. Ser Rodrik and Benjen made way for her as she approached him, Ghost immediately looked down, avoiding her intense stare, "Do not fault your uncle of your own loss! Be grateful that we are still keeping you in the pack even if you fail," she snarled at him, making him whimper again.
He can feel Lady Cat was about to say something again when the black panther stands between him and her, "Cat, leave the cub be. It is a natural reaction, please give him a rest."
Thankfully, the Lady of Winterfell only snorted before leaving them. But before she left them, she slightly turns to Ghost, "I told you, you are not enough." And at that, she padded away. The human in Ghost felt the stab of pain, cutting in him deep. He whimpered at her remark and looked down the ground even more.
The rest of the pack began passing by them, even Theon. Fucking Theon! That cub and his gang smugly pass him, "See you, freak!" And they all darted away.
Ghost didn't want to see who passes him by, feeling ashamed. He knows that his Alpha uncle may have passed him, but he didn't want to look him in the eye. Same goes with his cousins, and eventually, all the wolves left him behind, including Margery and Ser Rodrik.
His ranger uncle turned back to him and sadly sighed, "I am so sorry, cub," and at that, he followed the rest of the pack, leaving him alone. Of course, they did, everyone always leaves him.
Except one.
Consumed by anger and frustrations, he didn't realize the presence of another. Dany. She walked up to him and gently places her hand on his furry cheeks and lifts his head up to meet his eyes. Her violet eyes are filled with sadness as well, feeling sorry for him. Her sadness and regret are palpable just by looking at her eyes.
She immediately embraced him, clinging herself onto his furry neck and burying her face into his earth covered fur, "I am so sorry, Jon. I am so sorry," she mumbled at him, fisting his furs into her palms.
Ghost whimpered, his head resting on her shoulder and accepted her embrace. If wolves can cry, he would. All he could let out are whimpers and whines of sadness.
After a while, she gently pulled away. She found his red eyes, "Let's go home, Jon," she gently said to him. He nodded and lowered himself for her to mount him, and he slowly padded back to Winterfell in silence, following behind the pack.
As all the pack left, they didn't know that there was another witness to the Running. Behind the bushes was the hyena, Littlefinger. He saw everything and knew it was time to take the Dragon cub. He grinned wickedly and ran back to inform the monkey-people, who are waiting for his signal.
Sorry yoursecretissafewithme, but he had to fail. Why? Well, the next update shall come soon. I was heartbroken writing this part and it was actually pretty hard. It's hard to describe the running, but if you want a better detail, try to look up in youtube: Mowgli the running. Or just watch the movie.
Anyways, hope you like it! -Claire.