Daenerys

Ever since Jon was brought back inside the castle and put to rest in their bed, Daenerys never left his side the whole time he slept. It had been a whole day and there was no change in him. His breathing was the same slow pace it had been the entire time and he looked peaceful as he slept. She laid next to on his right, keeping her arm over his chest feeling his heartbeat, praying that it would never stop. She felt the same way she did when before she smothered Drogo to end the illusion that was his life, but Daenerys would never let that happen again. She saw Jon walking out of the flames and she saw his eyes return to the brown color she fell in love with.

In all that time, anyone who had any business with Daenerys would have to come to her in her solar. Most of the time it was the lords of the North just paying their respects and well wishes to her and looking to see if their King really was alive or not. Some of the Dothraki that visited her had concerns about this, fearful of what they witnessed and what they knew about Drogo. Daenerys did her best to reassure them that this wasn't like what happened the first time.

The only person who never came to see her was Tyrion, and she understood why. He was blaming himself for Jon's current state, and Daenerys did have some anger towards him. It was his idea that lead to Jon and the others go beyond the Wall which led to the death of Viserion and Jon. But maybe their lives are what paid the price for the children inside her. And if it weren't for that, she never would have seen Jon as one of those things. She saw what they brought back to show Cersei, but seeing Jon as one of them was what made her change her mind about everything. She didn't care about the throne, or Cersei, or who ruled Westeros.

Daenerys sighed as she caressed Jon's beard with her fingers. It wasn't as thick as Daario's was, but she liked it this way. She ran her fingers down his neck and met his scar over his heart. It still hadn't healed and neither did any of his other scars. She sighed as she thought of everything they've gone through. Their lives almost ran parallel to each other.

All of the sudden, there was a knock on the door. "Come in." Daenerys sat up as the door opened and in walked Varys.

"Forgive me, your Grace. I hope I'm not intruding."

"No, it's quite alright. He's resting peacefully."

"I have news from my little birds about the Riverlands and in Kings Landing."

"Tell me about Kings Landing."

"Euron Greyjoy has finally appeared to the public and earned himself the name Iron Jaw."

"I take it the name explains why?"

"Indeed, your Grace. He has called off his marriage agreement with Cersei and fled to Essos. I have spies at every harbor waiting for the ships with krakens to appear."

"Now there's nothing to stand in our way in the sea." Daenerys thought carefully about her next move. "Do we know how many of the Golden Company hold Dragonstone?"

"Three thousand men and thirty elephants."

The numbers weren't a problem, but Daenerys didn't want to sacrifice more lives now that she's seen what would be coming. "I want you, Tyrion, Qhono, Lord Royce, and Lord Glover make plans to reclaim the island, but only make them, do not go through with them yet. If we can't come to a truce with Cersei, then we'll have to reclaim the dragonglass mines by force. We'll use the Ironborn, and some of the Dothraki in the Reach."

"At once, your Grace, however, there is one problem. Lord Tyrion has been ignoring most of those who approach him and has grown angry since he has been refused any wine, ale, or any and everything that could get him drunk."

Daenerys sighed, irritated and disappointed. "Could you please send for him."

"Of course, your Grace. Would you like to hear the news of the Riverlands now, or after your talk with him?"

"After." Varys bowed to her and left. Outside, Jorah took a step inside to close the door for him and resumed his guard. Daenerys got out of the bed and approached a table next to the hearth. She poured herself a tall glass of water, feeling parched. As she held the glass in her hand, she gazed into the fires of the hearth, contemplating everything happening and everything that could happen. If Cersei didn't agree to the armistice, then Daenerys would have no choice but to give up the kingdoms she's won to survive the coming storm. If her armies suffered heavy losses, then there could be the chance they wouldn't have the power to defeat Cersei afterwards. 'No, we are going to destroy the Night King and his army.' She drank her water and tried to shake away any doubts she had about the future.

When Daenerys finished, there was a knock on the door. She sat down on a chair at the table and poured another glass of water for herself. "Come in."

The door opened and Tyrion walked in. He looked like a mess. His clothes had wine stains and his hair was ruffled. "You sent for me, your Grace." He sounded tired, like he had just woken up.

"Daenerys gestured to the other seat at the table. "Sit down."

Tyrion walked carefully as if he was already drunk and was keeping himself from tripping over his feet. He climbed onto the chair and Daenerys poured some water for him. "No thank you."

"If I wanted you to keep wasting away I would've had wine brought." Daenerys pushed the glass to the edge of the table in front of Tyrion.

"Is there something I can do for you?" He angrily took the glass and downed its contents, disappointed at what he drank.

"You resigned your position as Hand before I could accept."

"Then by all means, please." He slouched back in his chair, waiting for her response.

"I do not accept your resignation."

Tyrion look at all surprised, instead he just sighed and shook his head. "I've made too many mistakes ever since we returned to Westeros. I though I could predict Cersei's moves, but she's changed ever since I left. Because of my strategies, I lost Dorne, the Reach, and the Iron Islands. Because of you, we regained the Reach and because of Jon and Theon, we regain the Iron Islands and the Iron fleet. And after that, I sent your husband on a monster hunt and got not only him killed, but one of your dragons. As far as I can see, I've fucked up as a Hand more than Ned Stark did when he accepted his position." Tyrion sat up and poured himself more water, wishing that if he drank enough he would feel something.

"You are right about that. As far as I can tell, battle strategy and military planning isn't your forte. It's true that we gained hardly anything by taking Casterly Rock besides a strategic position. Olena may be gone, but we've cut off the food supplies to King's Landing. Ellaria is captured, but I've heard from Varys that thanks to you, it might not be for much longer." Tyrion stopped drinking his water and looked up at her, but didn't take any of what she said as positive reinforcement. "You made the plan to have a ranging party go beyond the Wall and capture a wight. You didn't order anyone to go, they volunteered."

"But Viserion and Jon-"

"Jon returned to me, like he promised he would." She looked over to him, still forever grateful he came back and for Melisandre's sacrifice. "If I didn't see what he became and learned what happened to Viserion, I wouldn't have known what it truly meant to be afraid of the Night King. Seeing the man I love in that kind of a form… I never want to see that happen to any of you." She turned her head back to Tyrion. "We have proof that the Night King exists, and thanks to you, we are ready to show the rest of the Kingdoms the truth. Your skills are with diplomacy and telling others that sometimes the impossible ideas aren't impossible, just idiotic to do and necessary."

There was a knock on the door and before Daenerys could answer, Jorah stepped inside. "Your grace," he said with concern, "The Wildling clan leaders are nearly here, but there's a problem."

"What is it?" She asked.

"They brought over ten thousand other Wildlings with them."

"What?"

"They haven't arrived yet. They're still about three miles before they get here."

Daenerys looked over to Tyrion who was just as concerned as she was. "Clean yourself up, and by the time they enter the gates, I want you standing next to me, presentable, and as the Hand of the Queen." She looked over to the nightstand that Tyrion placed his pin on earlier. It hadn't moved from it's position the entire time.

"Daenerys-" Tyrion was unable to object.

"Until the meeting with Cersei is over, you will remain as my Hand. Afterwards, I will accept your resignation should you still desire it."

He remained silent at her offer. He looked over to Jorah as if expecting some advice. "As you wish, your Grace." He got out of his sit and began to leave the room, but he first retrieved the pin from the nightstand.

"Ser Jorah, would you get Missandei for me?"

"Of course, Khaleesi." She liked that he would still call her that, but he only ever did it when no one else was around. Otherwise, it was always 'your grace.'

Feeling much better then she did yesterday, Daenerys wore a thick warm black dress and a cloak Sansa had mad for her that was similar to Jon's, except it had the Targaryen sigil instead of the Stark sigil. Before Daenerys made it outside with Jorah and Missandei, they were joined by Varys and Tyrion. "I thought they would be arriving in two days."

"We all did," Tyrion said, "but as we've just learned, the Wildlings travel faster through the snows than Northerners can."

"Makes sense," Jorah said, "there's never any summer north of the Wall." They all exited the interior of the castle and walked onto the balconies surrounding the courtyard. Several Wildlings were inside and the rest of them waited around the castle in the fields as they continued to appear on the roads. In the distance, at least fifty giants and their mammoths were marching with the Wildlings.

In the courtyard, Sansa, Rickon, and Tormund were already speaking with the Elders who arrived. Daenerys walked down the balcony stairs and approached the group. She caught the eyes of the elders as they all turned their attention to her. All but one of them had long beards and even though they were 'elders' most of them were middle aged. The one without a beard had no hair at all. Instead he had scars that made shapes on his face and he looked in his early thirties. Jon mentioned this kind of Wildling was called a Thenn and they happen to be cannibals. But they all swore to end it when they were let through the Wall. "Are you the Queen with the dragons?" One them with ginger hair asked.

Missandei stepped forward and announced Daenerys to them. "You stand in the presence of Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen. Rightful heir to the Iron Throne, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Protector of the Seven Kingdoms, the Mother of Dragons, the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, the Unburnt, the Breaker of Chains." All the Wildlings seemed unfazed.

"Is she done?" The ginger Wildling asked.

"She is," Daenerys said, "and who might you be?"

"Garfield, Leader of the Ice River clans."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Daenerys made sure to show her courtesies no matter who she dealt with, "however I must admit that was only expecting three of you, not ten thousand."

"Actually, we're fourteen thousand," the Thenn said, "the rest of us remained at the great stone hut you call the Dreadfort."

"That raises the question," Tyrion started, "why did you leave the Dreadfort?"

"because there's fuckin too many there!" The ginger said. "All the southerners in the castle kept getting into fights with us and told us to leave. Without a Clan leader there to keep them in check, the people act like wild dogs. Even though we could've killed everyone there and taken the place for ourselves, we didn't becasue then we'd have to face your armies and your dragons."

"That's it?" Tormund asked, disgusted. "Is that the only reason you didn't kill anyone?"

"It was hard not to. They kept on trying to put their rules and laws on us. We left them alone but even when we weren't in the damn castle, there were men telling us what we couldn't do. We left the rest of Free Folk to make sure they knew who ran the place."

"And you thought that was the Free Folk?"

"There's not even four hundred of these southern fuckers there. We could've left our children there and we'd still take the castle-" The Wildling was suddenly grabbed by Tormund and thrown to the ground. Tormund got on top of him and started roaring as he punched the Elder. The other Elders backed away, nervous to face Tormund.

After the ginger Wildling's face was covered in blood and bruises, Tormund grabbed him by his collar and pulled him off the ground. "Jon saved us from Hardhome, from the North. We fought with him against those traitors who stole his home so we could be safe. He fucking died for us when he let us through the Wall and he died again and became a blue-eyed demon! After all this, you still complain and plan against him!?" Tormund dropped the elder to the ground and faced the others. "The Free Folk lived north of the Wall. Now, we live with the southerners. We live by their rules, and their laws." He turned to face Daenerys. "We follow their rulers."

"Tormund," a voice called out. Everyone turned and looked up to the balconies and saw Jon with his arms on the railing, leaning against it. He only wore a loose shirt, some breeches, and his boots. Daenerys was overjoyed when she saw him and left the Wildlings and everyone else. She quickly climbed up the stairs and when Jon was within arms reached, she tightly embraced him and closed her eyes. She was begging that this wasn't a dream as she pulled her head back and gazed into his eyes. They were still brown and brooding, like they always were. She couldn't resist herself and pulled his head to hers and kissed him. She didn't care if everyone was watching them, he was hers, and he came back.

As she finally released him, she pounded her fist on his shoulder. "If you ever die again, I won't forgive you."

"I'm sorry," he whispered, "I'm so sorry, about leaving, about Viserion-"

"Not now, when we have time for ourselves." Even though she wanted that more than anything, responsibilities had to come first. She looked up and his body, wondering why in any hells he would dress so lightly in the cold. "You idiot, you'll freeze again dressed like this."

"I didn't want to waste time looking for you." He smiled and hugged her again, this time it was a soft one. He tured his gaze down to everyone and released Daenerys. They both walked down the stairs and back to the Wilding Elders. Tormund quickly got a hug in himself before they proceed with things.

"How many more times do have to give your life for others?" He asked.

"I hope only once more, when I'm late in my years." Tormund smile as let go of him.

"I thought you said he turned." One of the Elders said.

"He was brought back by a red woman and his dragons." Tormund informed. "She traded her life for his."

"Care to explain why there's an army of the Free Folk here?" Jon asked.

Tormund looked down to the Elder who was still covered in blood as he got up. "Garfield had some concerns. But I hope with our conversation we just had, those are no longer a problem."

"Some of them are." The Thenn said. "The animals weren't bountiful enough to support all the people there and if we stayed, then there would be nothing else to hunt by the years end. The southerners at the Dreadfort are angry without their lord being their."

"I can't be at the Dreadfort now, not until the war against the dead is won."

"Then maybe you should appoint a castellan," Daenerys suggested. "Is there anyone you could trust to do so?"

Jon didn't answer at first, he was thinking about what to do. He turned to the Thenn who conveyed things better than Garfield did. "How much supplies do the Free Folk who came with you have?"

"Enough to last us two weeks."

"That's more than enough time." Jon turned around to everyone else. "Gather all the Lords and Ladies who are still here and inform them to meet in the Great Hall as soon as possible."

"At once, your grace." Tyrion said as everyone did as they were instructed.

Jon turned back around to the Elders. "We'll settle things as best we can if you'll join us."

"Of course, Jon Snow."

"He's not Snow anymore," Tormund informed, "He's Jon Targaryen now."

"Doesn't roll off the tongue as easy." The Thenn reminded.


In Jon and Daneerys's solar, Jon began to get himself properly dressed as Daenerys sat down at their table, drinking more water to quench her thirst. "A lot has happened while you were gone."

"I noticed Arya wasn't here. Where'd she run off to?"

Daenerys was hesitant to answer, afraid of his reaction. "She left to go reclaim the Riverlands for the Tullys by herself."

Jon had just put on a long coat to substitute for his missing cloak. "She left alone?"

"From what I was told, yes. Everyone is confident she'll succeed given that she was the one who killed all the Frey men."

Jon just sighed heavily before turning around to face her. "Why does there have to be war?"

She didn't know if his question was rhetorical or not, but she gave her best answer. "I was told by Daario Naharis that as long as there are two people left in the world, someone would want the other dead."

"And what if it was just you and me? What if we woke up tomorrow and we were the only ones left?"

"We wouldn't be along for very long." Daenerys brought a hand over her belly and smirked at Jon as he realized what she was implying.

"Your…" he couldn't manage to get anymore words out of his mouth.

"You were right. I've been believing in an unreliable source of information." He smiled at her, but he looked sad. She knew he wasn't, but it was only looked that way. She stood and walked over and took his hands in hers. "Your going to be a father to two beautiful children."

"Two? Twins?" She smiled at him gently before he picked her up and spin her around in his arms. She let out a laugh before he kissed her. This moment had to be the happiest she'd been since their wedding. "I love you, Dany." Jon set Daenerys down and looked into her eyes.

"Dany? The last person who called me that was my brother." The memory of him curdled her mind. "He wasn't the best of company to keep, but I like it when you say it."

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Jon let go of Daenerys so she stood beside him. "Yes?" he called out.

"The lords are waiting for you." Jorah said through the door.

Daenerys looked to Jon, feeling unsure about this. "Then let's not keep them waiting." She told him. Before they left, Jon tied his back in his regular style.


In the Great Hall, the Lords and Ladies all took their seats and remained silent and mystified when Jon entered with Daenerys followed by Jorah. The two of them took their seats next to Sansa, Bran, and Rickon and Jorah remained on guard behind Daenerys. "Before we begin," Jon said, "is there anything anyone would like to say?"

No one said any for a while until Lord reed stood up and all attention was on him. "It's good to have you back, your Grace." Everyone silently nodded and there was a blissful peace in the atmosphere of the room.

Lord Reed sat down and no one else said anything. "Then let's get started." Jon stood up from his seat and scanned the room. He noticed Gendry was present, sitting next to Beric Dondarion and Sandor Clegane. "As you all know, a large portion of the Free Folk have traveled from the Dreadfort. I was informed that this was due to overcrowding and the amount of food available was too scarce for twenty thousand. We can't house them all at Winterfell, so I ask if there are any who will volunteer to share their lands with the Free Folk?"

Ned Umber was the first to stand up. "The Last Hearth can provide for three thousand of them. I will also volunteer to take in some of the Giants and their Mammoths."

Rodrik Forrester stood up from his seat. "I will volunteer to take a host of five thousand, your Grace. House Forrester is in need of able bodies to help lumber the Ironwood. The rest of the remaining Giants will be welcome. We might even be able to make armor for them if they'll let us."

Wyman Manderly was the last Lord to stand. "I will take the remaining Wildlings and house them at Old Castle. We can restore it and the docks to make port for more ships that can trade for food and supplies for the coming winter."

This was a surprise to Daenerys and Jon. The Northern Lords were known for their grudges against the Wildlings, yet in less than minute, three of them volunteered without hesitation, or doubt. "Thank you, my lords. I will make sure that when the war is over, this debt is not forgotten." Jon turned his attention to the Free Folk who were standing with Tormund on the left side of the room. "When we're through here, meet with the three lords and discuss who will go where."

"Thank you, Jon Sn- Targaryen." The Thenn said. The three lords sat down as Jon continued.

"There is still the issue with the Free Folk at the Dread Fort. I can't be there to rule over them, so I'll need to appoint a castellan who the Notherners and the Wildlings trust."

"Your Grace," Lord Forrester said, "I have a half brother who lived for some time beyond the Wall with the Wildlings.

"What's his name?" One of the elders asked.

"Josera Snow."

"I know him," another Elder said, "he's a warg and has a sister, Elsera."

"Do you trust him?" Jon asked Rodrick.

"We have our disagreements, but he is my family, and I believe in him."

"That's as good as we can get. Send word that he is requested to rule the Dreadfort until I have the time to settle things myself."

"I will, your Grace."

"Lord Tyrion," Jon said, "have you sent a raven to Kings Landing?"

"I did, your Grace. We should be receiving a response any day now."

"Should Cersei accept or not, I want ravens sent out to each of the Kingdoms, inviting three of the major houses to the armistice to come and see what we brought from beyond the Wall."

"If you want three lords, then you already have the Stormlands." Gendry announced. Jon looked puzzled. He still didn't know about Gendry's naturalizing. "I'll represent House Baratheon and Beric and Brienne can come with me."

Daenerys heard about Brienne's father and that she didn't take it well. But she was recuperating little by little. "I am still sworn to serve Lady Sansa and Lady Arya," Brienne informed, "but if they will grant me a permission of leave, then I shall represent House Tarth."

All eyes turned to Sansa for her decision. "You completed your vows. Arya and I made it home to Winterfell as you promised our mother."

"My Lady," Varys interjected, "I have have news of your sister and the status of the Riverlands. As we speak, nearly all the Lannister Forces are preparing to march back to the Westerlands and command of the remaining forces will be given to Lord Edmure Tully. This was all under the orders of Commander Kamren Lefford."

"And what about Arya?" Sansa asked.

Varys kept his complection, but Daenerys knew him long enough to read his feelings and he was grim. "There was a report of an attempted assassination on Lady Roslin and her son by a young girl wielding only a Valyrian dagger. She killed one Lannister guard and critically injured two, but Commander Lefford was able to stab her left arm before she jumped out of window and into a river." There was much discontent and murmuring sounded through the Great Hall and the Starks except for Bran looked devastated. "The report continued to say that Commander Lefford led a hunting party of fifteen and returned alone. He claimed the girl died and that his men were set upon by a pack of wolves, two of which were of monstrous size."

"Ghost and Nymeria," Bran said, "They saved her before they could kill her. Arya's waiting at Riverrun for Gendry to follow him to the Stormlands. She'll be alright. She's stronger than we give her credit for."

Sansa wanted to say something, but she kept quiet but still looked concerned as did Jon. "Lord Royce," Jon said, "will you and Lord Arryn be able to represent the Vale?"

"We shall, your Grace. I will send a raven to him and Lyonel Corbay."

"Very good. As for the Reach and Dorne, we'll send ravens to House Tarly and House Dayne. We'll send a Raven to Theon and Yara Greyjoy as well."

"What about the Westerlands?" Rickon asked.

"Cersei has them under her control, and Jaime Lannister will all they need to represent them."

"If we could," Samwell said, he sat next to Lady Mormont and Lord Cerwyn, "I think if we send a raven to the Citadel, they'll be inclined to investigate. And once they see the truth, they'll provide some actual help for once." Many of the lords laugh at Sam's statement.

"Aye," Jon said, "they could provide knowledge of things we don't know."

"Then it's settled," Daenerys said, "we'll begin preparations for the armistice immediately."

"Not yet," Jon said, "There is something else I need to say before we conclude for the day." Everyone gave their attention to Jon as he showed fear in his words. "When I was a wight, I could feel the mind of the Night King. It was like being a puppet and the strings that held me up were made of steel. But I knew what he was planning. We thought he would be marching on Eastwatch, but we were wrong. He'll be heading for Castle Black once he gathers his full strength."

"Your grace," Brienne said, "Doesn't he already have his entire army? We saw the entirety of it at the frozen lake."

"It's not," Rickon said, "The Night King has seventy thousand more coming from the north to join the rest. We'll be facing over two hundred thousand and now, he rides a dragon."

This froze Daenerys. Losing one of her children to the Night King and them having him brought back as nothing but a tool of death felt just as painful as when she saw Jon with those eyes of blue. She couldn't bare to see him like that, and she can't bare to have Viserion be what he has become. "We will be evenly matched," Jon said, "but I know how we can win." This caused the murmurs to stop and everyone had hope in their eyes. "We won't wait for the Night King to come to us. We'll pull back every man on the Wall and when it comes crashing down, we'll ride out to meet him and his army." This caused a wave of shock and disbelief to fill everyone. "When I fought at Hardhome and when we captured the wight, the Night King gained the upper hand with the same strategy he will try to use again. He'll corner us with no where to run and finish us off. But not this time. We will let the Wall collapse. And when it does, we will face his army and never let any of them set foot in the North!" Many of the Northern lords agreed and nodded, confident. "We have just over two months. We need to use every second we can to prepare ourselves. So let's all quite talking and get working."