Dany tries to charm Jon. But he can also be quite charming himself.

27. Not Alone - Daenerys

The Great Hall of Dragonstone was carved in the shape of a huge dragon lying on its belly, with the doors set as the mouth of the great beast. So that everyone who entered would feel almost like being swallowed by the creature. It was certainly a great way to intimidate guests, though Dany hoped her most recent guest wouldn't feel intimidated. At least not too much.

She had invited her supposed nephew to break fast together, just the two of them. Charm him, Tyrion had said. And she was determined to at least try. Dany couldn't imagine it being very difficult, given her previous interactions with men. Love can be just as useful as fear, if not more so. Despite the chilly weather, she had chosen to wear a light red silk dress, covered by a thin sable shawl draped around her shoulders.

When he arrived, she rose from her seat. "Good morning." She greeted him, with an easy smile on her face.

"Good morning." Aegon replied slowly, with a frown on his face. He looks refreshed. Wearing a simple grey woolen doublet and dark breeches, he seemed wary. If he truly is my nephew, I'll have to arrange proper clothes for him, she considered. More red and less grey.

She motioned to the seat on her right. "I figured we should get to know each other a little better." As he walked over and sat down, she followed and took her seat too. "Without any other… distractions."

"Does that mean you believe me?" He asked, bluntly. This one isn't used to subtlety, she noted. Then I'll have to be blunt as well. She took a bite of her boiled egg and chewed slowly, to buy some time.

Swallowing, she said, "Before I answer that question, let me ask you another." She stared right into his grey eyes to check for a reaction. "Do you want to sit on the Iron Throne?"

"I didn't even want to be King in the North." He sighed, shaking his head. "Nobody ever asks me what I want, they all just make decisions for me." His voice was bitter, as he took a bite of his own egg.

Interesting, she considered that for a moment. People chose him to lead them, but they also chose to remove him. That was both impressive and disappointing. True power comes when nobody else can choose your fate. Dany had more experience than most in not having a say about her future. My own brother sold me.

"Then what do you want?" She asked, with a hint of a smile on her face.

Aegon didn't share her humor. "You didn't answer my first question." He said, narrowing his eyes. Clever.

"Forgive me. I just wanted to be the first to ask that question." Dany picked up her cup of apple cider and took a sip, waiting for him to submit and answer. But he didn't. "I must admit I'm… tempted to believe you." She confessed.

"Tempted?" He echoed the word back to her, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes." She licked her lips, the taste of apples still on her mouth. "I've been told you grew up at Winterfell with brothers and sisters who loved you." He nodded, then she continued, "Well, my own childhood was… different. Few are the happy memories I have of my brother. Mostly, I remember his cruelty." You don't want to wake the dragon, do you? He would often ask when she had displeased him.

"I'm sorry." Aegon said, with a pitying look on his face.

Dany shook her head. "Never apologise for something you didn't do. Or people might think you're responsible after all." Ugh, I sound like an old crone. She still wasn't sure about him being her nephew, but she was already lecturing him like an aunt would. We're practically the same age.

"I wasn't apologising." He defended himself. "I was just… Sorry for you. I wish things had been different. For both of us." He finished, taking a swig of his drink.

Both of us? So his childhood wasn't as perfect as Tyrion had made it seem.

"Thank you for the sentiment." She inclined her head slightly. "But we wouldn't be here if not for our past. If things had happened differently, who knows where we'd be now?"

Wishing is a waste of time. As a child, fleeing from city to city with only her brother for company, she had often wished for a better life. She would wish for Robert Baratheon to pardon them, so they could return in peace. She would wish for her brother to treat her better, so she could love him again. She would wish for Khal Drogo to love her, so their nights together wouldn't be so painful. Then I learned to stop wishing and start doing.

"I suppose you're right." Aegon said thoughtfully, scratching his bearded chin. "It could've been far worse." His voice dropped a tone. "Everything can always be worse." There was a dark shadow in his eyes, which became unfocused as he stared at the food on his plate.

Dany shivered. Why did I do that? She couldn't explain her reaction. To cover up her slip, she reached for her cup. As she sipped the tart cider, her mind was working. The way he spoke, it was as if he knew something… Something terrible. What isn't he telling me?

"So you don't want the Iron Throne." She began, slowly. "I'll ask again: what do you want?"

Aegon blinked a few times and stared at her, his grey eyes shining. "Dragonglass." He finally answered.

"Dragonglass?" She must have misheard him. What does that even mean?

"Aye." He replied quickly, moving his hands about. "It's a mineral. Some call it obsidian, or volcanic glass. This island has a mountain of it."

"And you wish to mine it?" He nodded, and she asked, "Why?"

He took a deep breath and placed both hands on the table, looking far more serious than at any other point in their conversation. "It's one of the only weaknesses of the Army of the Dead."

"Come again?"

"Beyond the Wall, the Army of the Dead is marching south." His voice took on a trained tone, giving her the impression that he had given this speech many times before. "Led by the Night King, the White Walkers can raise the dead corpses of their fallen enemies, turning them into mindless Wights to fight their former allies." He paused to take a breath, then continued, "Only dragonglass and Valyrian Steel can stop them."

She felt that chill again, as her skin prickled. "And you've seen this?"

"Aye." Aegon replied, nodding. "I led a rescue mission to Hardhome and the Night King ambushed us." His eyes became unfocused. "We saved a few thousand, but many more were slaughtered. Only to be raised right back by the Night King, with those staring blue eyes…" His hands balled into fists. "I have to stop him." He added, in a whisper.

Dany didn't know what to say. Is he mad? She knew madness was a family trait, though the man seemed sane enough. Perhaps he saw them. Or perhaps he simply imagined it. However, she couldn't call him a liar and still demand his allegiance.

"Well? Can we mine it?" He asked, looking at her with expectation.

Dragonglass. He wasn't asking for anything too valuable. She didn't even know Dragonstone had this mineral. Why not give him what he wants? But she needed to see something first. Dany made up her mind, rising from her seat.

"Come with me." She commanded, moving away.

He got up, but didn't follow her. "Wait. Are you going to let us mine the dragonglass?"

"Yes." She replied quickly, her lips curling into a smile. "After you meet my children."

Dany could almost always tell where Drogon was. The bond shared between a dragon and their rider is so strong, I can even feel his mind sometimes. She walked along the high cliffs of the island, climbing and climbing, on and on, until she saw him. Her face broke into a smile as she looked at her greatest child resting on the grass, the black scales and blood red horns a constant source of comfort for her. After Rhaegal was stolen and she couldn't sleep in her bed, she would often come to find Drogon and rest by his side.

Turning her head back, she spotted Aegon climbing up the cliffs behind her. He had stopped on the way to pick up his cloak, a gorgeous piece of white fur with two great red orbs at the clasps. Now he looks like a prince, she conceded, admiring the view.

"That's a lovely cloak." She said, as he came closer. "You should wear it more often."

He seemed uncomfortable with the compliment. "Thank you, Your Grace." How formal. That was the first time he had addressed her as a Queen. "It was a gift from my sister."

Sister? "You mean cousin." She corrected him. Rhaenys was killed by the Lannisters.

Aegon blinked a few times, bringing a hand to his chin. "Sansa is my sister. Learning my true name doesn't change how I feel about her. Or Arya. Or Bran. Rickon and Robb. They will always be brothers and sisters to me." He took a deep breath, then continued, "Even Lord Stark. When I think of my father, it's his face that floats on my mind, despite knowing that he lied to me all my life. I know he meant to protect me. And I'm grateful for that."

Dany stood there watching him for a while, trying to understand the feeling bubbling in her heart as he spoke. I'm jealous, she realised. She wanted an uncle to love her like a daughter. She wanted cousins who treated her like a sister. She wanted everything he had. All I had was a brother who hated me for being born.

"Your Grace?" He asked. "Is something wrong?"

"I…" Her voice was hoarse. She swallowed and cleared her throat, then continued, "I'm fine." Turning around, she motioned to Drogon, who opened his eyes. The smouldering red pits glowed with intensity, as her child stared at them. "I've brought you here to see the truth for myself. How Drogon reacts to you should tell me everything I need to know. Are you ready?" She asked, raising her eyebrows.

Aegon took a deep breath, exhaling with his mouth, then he nodded.

"Let's go." She said, leading him closer. The dragon noticed and unfurled his wings, casting a massive shadow on the ground. He's either stretching or trying to intimidate, she wasn't sure. "Drogon?" Dany raised a hand to greet him, gaining his attention. "There's someone I'd like you to meet." She motioned to the man. "This is Aegon."

She stepped back a few paces to give them some room. Drogon kept his eyes trained on him, while Aegon stared back, red on grey. Her child started moving, his strong legs stretching for a bit, before he stalked closer and closer, then...

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWR

The familiar sound of his loud roar filled her ears. Intimidation, she was sure this time. To his credit, Aegon stood his ground, his beautiful white cloak billowing from the force of the gale coming from the wide open maw. There's no fear in his eyes, she noted. Drogon calmed down and stalked even closer, sniffing the air around the man. Aegon slowly moved his left hand towards the dragon, reaching for the scaly snout. Brave. Surprisingly, Drogon seemed to accept his touch, making a sound when they finally made contact. Is he purring? Her heart raced, feeling an abundance of emotion coming from the dragon. Why are my eyes watering? Blinking, she looked at Aegon, who was also teary-eyed.

After a while, Drogon seemed satisfied and backed away. With one last glance at her, he took to the skies. Watching him fly away, Dany felt happier than she could remember feeling, the wide grin on her face impossible to hide.

I'm not the last Targaryen.

"That was…" Aegon started, breathing heavily. "I… have no words." He finished, looking up at the flying dragon.

"I know. Wait until you ride one." She looked around to search for her other child. "Viserion should be around here somewhere. Perhaps he'll let you become his rider." Two dragonriders would be better than one.

"No." He said, making her turn to face him. He had a strange expression that she couldn't read, something between apprehension and shock.

"Why not?" She asked, frowning. He didn't seem afraid with Drogon. "You could at least try."

"Rhaegal is my mount." Aegon spoke with confidence, staring right into her eyes. "A dragon is not a slave."

How… Why… Stunned, with her mouth agape, she stood there transfixed by his gaze for a few moments, trying to understand the questions running wild in her mind. It can't be a coincidence.

Dany found her voice eventually, "Rhaegal is gone now." The memory still stung. My child was in pain, and there was nothing I could do to help. She had been working with her advisors on plans to get him back, but they didn't seem nearly as concerned as she was. Nobody understands my loss. I am alone.

"He won't be gone forever, Your Grace." His voice was steady and sure, almost as if he knew something nobody else did. "We'll get him back. I promise."

"We…?" She started, in a whisper, before realising something important.

I'm not alone anymore.

This time, Dany couldn't hold back the tears bursting from her eyes. Jumping into him, she hugged the last living member of her family close, her heart beating fast in her chest. He seemed surprised at first, but his arms slowly closed around her back. Weeping into the white fur on his shoulder, she allowed herself to feel vulnerable for the first time in years.

"Please… Call me Dany."

Well that was emotional.

I thought it was fun to have Dany only refer to Jon as Aegon in her mind, since it lets us know how much she wants to believe him. Poor girl. I promise her ending will be happier in my version.

I haven't marked the official pairing yet, but it's Dany and Jon. Obviously. I just didn't want to make promises before it happens. I'll change it when they finally get together. Conversely, I need to come up with a better summary for this story. I'm not good at that.

The date is 15/06/2019