Jon leaves Dragonstone just as an old friend arrives.

Next chapter on Tuesday. Enjoy.

34. Greetings and Goodbyes - Jon

A knight named Jorah Mormont arrived on the same day Jon was going to leave Dragonstone in search of the horn. Dany sure seems happy to see him, he mused, remembering her face as she looked at the man. Good, she needs more friends. Sometimes, with the way she had been staring at him recently, it often seemed as if she had no one else in the world. Jon would always be there for her, but his mind was too busy worrying about Yara.

We haven't spoken in two days.

Walking along the beach to clear his head, Jon spotted Ser Davos barking orders at a few workers, men carrying pickaxes and crates filled with shards of a crystalline greenish-dark mineral. The old knight was by the entrance of a cave, the rocky cliff side breaking open to reveal a massive fissure along the path. The dragonglass mine. He had been there only once before, to make sure how much they could gather, and he wasn't surprised when Sam was proven right. That's all the dragonglass we'll ever need.

"I figured you'd be at the harbor by now, boarding the ship." Davos said, when Jon approached. "Won't you be leaving soon?"

Jon nodded. "Aye, but I wanted to see how things are progressing here. This was the main reason we came in the first place, after all." He hardly believed his own words. So much has happened in less than a week on this island, and I'm about to leave again.

"It's a bit slow, to be honest." The man said, scratching his grizzled beard. "The thing is too brittle, and it shatters easily when the lads hit it with too much force. We won't get many big chunks out of it, that's for sure."

"It's probably for the best." Jon replied, thinking of how to face so many enemies at once. "Arrowheads and spear tips should be our priority. Anything bigger than that would be a waste. But if you do manage to get a few chunks, keep them as they are. We can always break them later." Just because he didn't see the need now, it didn't mean he couldn't be wrong later. We have to consider all options.

Davos nodded, yet there was a worried expression on his face. "You look a bit tired, if I may say so." He said in a softer tone, his eyes going over Jon's entire frame.

He chuckled lightly. "You may always say what you will to me, Davos." I need someone who doesn't treat me as a Prince. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I suppose I haven't been sleeping well these past few days. Something's been troubling me lately."

The old knight had a knowing look. "And if I were to guess, it's about a certain captain."

"She seems… angry with me, but I haven't had the chance to find out why yet." Jon couldn't find out, because she wouldn't even speak to him. "I just wish she'd talk to me…"

"Women often respond more to actions than words." Davos offered, raising his eyebrows. "I don't know enough about Lady Yara to help, but when my own wife is upset-"

"You have a wife?" Jon interrupted, his voice a bit higher than usual. "Sorry, it's just… You don't talk about her all that much." He wondered why, though it seemed wrong to ask.

A smile broke from his lips, as the man said, "True, I haven't been very forthcoming about my life, but I suppose it simply never came up in conversation before." His features grew brighter, and his eyes stared off at the distance, as if he could see something far away. "My dear Marya is the best woman a man like me could ever hope to find, and she deserves a far better husband than I ever was to her. She holds Cape Wrath for me, and tends to my two young boys." His voice was raw with passion, as he raised a hand to his heart, almost involuntarily.

I wonder if I'll ever say that about my future wife, Jon thought bitterly. It was unlikely he would ever grow to love Cersei Lannister. Or that she would love me. But he knew that marriages weren't based on love. They were just a way to seal alliances, or to join Houses together, or to prevent wars. If the Targaryens had married into different families, instead of marrying brother to sister, they wouldn't have faced such a strong rebellion.

"As I was saying," Davos continued, "when my wife is upset I try to show her just how important she is to me. Not with words, because if you don't know the reason, you might say something to make it worse."

That's good advice, but there was one problem. "Yara isn't my wife." Jon said, and as soon as the words left his lips, the fog that had been clouding his mind finally cleared. Is that the reason? "She wanted to marry me..." His eyes went wide at the revelation, and his mouth was left hanging open.

It makes sense, since she was only upset after they started talking about Cersei's offer. She seemed fine before that, even more caring than usual, to be honest. But Yara doesn't even fancy men as much as she fancies women… Jon knew she had enjoyed their nights together, but when they were with Dany, the difference was night and day.

She prefers women, but that doesn't mean she can marry one.

"I have to go." Jon said abruptly. Turning to leave, he paused to look back. "Thank you, Davos. I'll come back to hear about your family someday." What are his son's names? How are they like? He felt a bit ashamed that he knew so little about this man, who had become so important in his life. I wouldn't be here if not for him.

The old knight chuckled. "Anytime, my Prince."

The harbor of Dragonstone was crowded. Sailors and servants carrying provisions for the journey moved to and from all the ships aligned at the docks, their expressions worried. Looking up at the sky, Jon understood why.

A dark, heavy cloud was buzzing with lightning along the southern edge of the horizon, telling everyone who could see that a great storm was coming. That's our destination, if he remembered the maps he had been studying since the council meeting. As it turned out, an inlet between the Isle of Tarth and Massey's Hook, wasn't such an accurate heading as he had initially imagined.

Maybe Bran can help, he hoped, looking for a raven with white eyes.

"My Prince!" Tyrion's voice called him. The man waddled over, carrying a big metal cage with a raven locked inside. Black eyes, Jon noted. "Here is your guest of honor."

Tyrion had arranged for a raven to be carried on the Black Wind, with instructions to send it back to Dragonstone when they had secured possession of the horn, so the next part of their plan could be set into motion.

Taking the cage into his hands, Jon said, "Hopefully, it won't be long until we find it. Once we're past Stonedance, the inlet should be easier to find. And if not, thirteen ships won't be hard to spot. We'll be there and back before you know it." The seat of House Massey was rather close to Dragonstone, almost at the tip of the peninsula, a ways south of Sharp Point.

Tyrion raised his eyebrows, probably impressed by his confidence. "Actually, after speaking to the Queen, we've decided that you and Lady Yara should head straight to King's Landing after you find the horn. We'll be there ourselves, trying to keep Euron occupied."

"I suppose it saves time." Jon considered, before asking, "Where do we meet?"

"The Dragonpit." Tyrion answered, scratching his beard. "Euron wanted a place where he could land Rhaegal. And our Queen will bring both Drogon and Viserion too. I'm not quite sure what Cersei is up to, but Varys says there are reports that she had big dragon-killing weapons mounted on the walls, so we'll need to be careful."

What could possibly kill a dragon? Jon hoped he would never find out. We'll need them against the Army of the Dead. Yet even without that threat, he held a deep affection for them. Gorgeous beasts. The world needed more wonders like them, and the direwolves in the North. They were dangerous, sure, but every animal could be dangerous. Even men. He paused. Especially men.

They walked along the docks to find Dany standing next to a tall middle-aged man, his brown hair fading away at the top, but his features still fair enough to fool people into thinking he was much younger. Wearing a dark green tunic displaying the standing black bear of House Mormont, the man stood out in the crowd.

"Prince Aegon, I believe you've met Ser Jorah Mormont?" Dany introduced them when he approached. "He's been with me since the beginning, even before my children were born, and back when my brother was still alive."

Viserys. Jon didn't know much about his uncle, but if what Dany said was true, the man had been a cruel brother. Having two sisters himself, he couldn't imagine ever being cruel to either of them. Even Sansa. Despite not treating him as well as her other brothers, Sansa would often show compassion when he needed it most. Why would any brother be cruel to his sister?

Jon nodded, turning to face the knight. "I'm glad Dany had someone she could trust. The way she tells it, that wasn't a very happy time for her."

Suddenly, the mood shifted. Ser Jorah looked uncomfortable, trying not to look at Dany, who seemed lost in thought. He turned to see Tyrion raise his eyebrows, shaking his head discreetly. I'm missing something here. Let's change the subject.

"I knew your father, Lord Commander Jeor Mormont. A great man." He said, putting the cage down and taking Longclaw from his belt to present it. "He gave me this sword for saving his life. I offered to return it to your cousin Lyanna, but she let me borrow it until the war is over."

The man nodded, his features brightening slightly. "At least he found someone worthy to carry it. I lost my rights to Longclaw when I brought shame to my House. Hopefully, my cousin can grow strong enough to wield it. A bastard sword is difficult to master, being heavier."

Jon hadn't considered that. He had been with Longclaw for so long, it almost felt like an extension of his arm sometimes. And I'm no master.

"Now that you've mentioned it, what about that other sword on your belt?" Tyrion asked, pointing at the smaller blade still strapped to his waist. "You were so keen on keeping them both when you arrived, that it must also be important to you."

He smiled, taking the other blade in his hands to show them. "This… is Dark Sister."

Dany gasped. "You mean, Visenya's Dark Sister?" He nodded, and she said, "But it's been lost for ages… How did you get it?"

"Lord Howland Reed had it." Jon answered, as he admired the slender blade. Flame designs on the pommel made it look perpetually on fire, while the rubies on the cross guard shone like eyes, ready to blind anyone who dared to gaze for too long. "He said Rhaegar had left it with my mother, as a gift to me. I'm not sure how your brother got it, though." He added, looking at Dany, who still seemed awed.

Scratching his bearded chin, Tyrion said, "If my memory serves, the last known wielder was Ser Brynden Rivers, also known as Bloodraven, who was sent to the Night's Watch by King Aegon V. The man rose to become Lord Commander, but vanished beyond the Wall some time after that."

Jon frowned, casting his memory for some explanation. "The only Targaryen I ever saw in Castle Black was maester Aemon..."

"You knew Aemon Targaryen?" Dany's eyes went wide. "He would've been ancient."

"Aye, he was over a hundred years old when I met him." His face brightened into a smile. "Still the wisest man I ever saw, his mind was as sharp as any young recruit, if not more so. I could write a book with all the clever things he told me, but that's unnecessary, since I'll always remember his every word."

Love is the bane of honor, the death of duty, the old maester had once said, when Jon wanted to leave the Night's Watch and help Robb in the war. We are only human, and the gods have fashioned us for love. That is our great glory, and our great tragedy.

"Just when I thought I couldn't be more jealous of you…" Dany said, her words undercut by a kind smile. "I hope you'll tell me all about him when you return. I want to know everything you remember."

Jon bowed low. "As you wish, Your Grace." He said, in the most formal tone he could muster, trying hard to look serious.

"I asked you to call me Dany." She narrowed her eyes, grinning. "Do I need to command you to do it?"

He couldn't keep a straight face and barked a laugh. "It defeats the purpose, doesn't it? If you have to order someone to do that…" He shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "But yes, Dany, I'll tell you all about maester Aemon when I return." Then he paused, remembering the plan. "Or when we meet in King's Landing, I suppose. Be careful out there. I heard about Cersei's weapons."

She nodded, her expression grave. "I know… It's unlikely she would risk attacking my children, but it's a risk we have to take. We need to end this war so we can focus on the North." She had a determined look on her face.

Jon felt a smile breaking from his lips. I knew I was right to trust her.

"Why are you smiling?" She asked, puzzled.

"Nothing, it's just…" He started, trying to find a nice way to voice his thoughts. "Before I left Winterfell, I heard terrible tales about the fearsome dragon queen, who burned men alive to eat their hearts. Enough to make me a little scared, to be honest." He confessed, avoiding her eyes. "After meeting you, however, I was pleasantly surprised. Maybe you are fearsome to your enemies, as any ruler should be, but there's something about you that draws people in… A fire, burning so brightly that we can all see when we look at you." His eyes met hers, the amethyst gems sparkling back at him. "I think you'll be a good Queen."

Dany stood there gaping at him for a long time, before she finally blinked and cleared her throat. "Th-Thank you…" She cleared her throat again. "I know you wouldn't say it if you didn't mean it. And it means the world to me." Then she frowned, putting a hand on her chin. "But I'll admit those are interesting rumors… The only heart I ever ate was the raw stallion's heart those old crones forced down my throat. Perhaps the tale grew from that." She shrugged.

"You ate a raw stallion's heart?" Jon asked, amazed. "Now I'm jealous."

She huffed, shaking her head. "You shouldn't be. It was disgusting." Still impressive.

Tyrion coughed lightly, startling Jon. I forgot they were here. "I believe Lady Yara is waving you over, my Prince. The ships are ready to set sail."

Jon turned to see that he was right. Aboard the Black Wind, Yara was looking at him with a scowl on her face, High Priestess Kinvara standing by her side, watching with attention. Most of the other nineteen ships were already well away from the harbor, their sails flapping in the wind as they headed south.

"I have to go." He said, moving to shake the hands of Tyrion and Ser Jorah.

Dany caught him in a hug, squeezing so tightly it hurt a little. "You be careful too." She whispered in his ear. "A Queen needs her Prince."

I finally got to drop the title in a chapter! Gorgeous Beasts, indeed.

I was going to add more here, but I decided to put it in the next chapter. By the way, it's going to be a Yara POV. I think it's important to give us some insight into her mind.

06/07/2019