Chapter 3 – The Mad King's Daughter

Shortly after Jon Snow had been declared the King in the North, he received two summons requesting that come and bend the knee by two queens. One was Cersei Lannister who sat on the iron throne after his son had died because of her madness. The other was Daenerys Targeryen, the mad king's daughter who had retaken control of Dragonstone, a castle that stands upon the eponymous island located in Blackwater Bay.

His sister was against him heading over to meet up with Daenerys and bending the knee to her. Jon found himself in a conundrum. He needed dragon glass, a form of volcanic glass capable of killing White Walkers and wights and he had just learned that it could only be mined in Dragonstone where the mad queen's daughter was currently residing. He wasn't exactly in a position to refuse to meet up with her at the very least.

The fact that one of her dragons aided him in rescuing his brother Rickon and reclaiming back his home warranted that he at the least show her some gratitude. Sansa of course wasn't really keen on that idea, claiming that it was the only way that she could get the North to bow down at her. She would use Rickon as his leverage by claiming that if it weren't for her, he would be dead and they would all feel indebted to her by giving up the North

In a way it made sense, but would that necessarily be a bad thing? Daenerys sent her dragon to fight for them willingly and if she hadn't? They would all be dead now, Jon could clearly remember the thoughts that ran through his mind of their plans and how they attained their victory because of her help;

(Memory Begins)

Jon Snow had heard stories of the Daenerys Stormborn alright, the queen who spent her time conquering Essos. Stories were told of how she freed eight thousand unsullied armies before taking over the city of Astapor. Ever since then, she began to raise armies to conquer cities that she had set her eyes on, all the while freeing all the slaves and giving them a better life. Songs were being sung of the mother of dragons and the breaker of chains throughout all of Westeros. Many did not believe this and neither did he preferring to see the evidence first.

The only reality that he knew was the fact that most of his family was dead except for himself, Sansa and Rickon who was now a prisoner in the home that he left almost eight years ago. There was also the fact that the Night King and the White Walkers were on the move behind the wall that needed to be dealt with before they brought the long night.

The other reality that he was aware of was that he had died and been brought back to life. Ever since that day, he felt as though a piece of him was missing, something vital to actually enjoy living. Jon Snow felt as though he was just existing in the land he had no right to, and so he spent most of his time brooding. He had given up his position as Lord Commander of The Nights watch and now he had to prepare for a battle with the bastard Ramsey to get his youngest brother Rickon back. They was high probable chance that he would lose and found himself not even caring if he died. He had fought so hard from the beginning and frankly he was just too tired to carry on. After looking at the battle plans for the next day one final time, Jon decided that it was time to rest and took off to sleep in his tent.

. . .

Jon and his army stood at the battlefield staring at Ramsey's own men that stood far across them. It was worse on the field than on paper. They were outnumbered thrice by his army, it explained why Stannis lost against him. They were all going to die on the field. Jon saw Ramsey drag a long rope that bound his brother's hands. He stopped a few paces away from his army and pulled out a knife from his belt before wielding it up in the air. Jon at first thought that Ramsey was going to slit Rickon's throat. His heart started pounding painfully against his ribs, terrified for his brother.

'Eddard Stark was gone, Robb, Bran and Arya.'

Before he could open his mouth to demand his brother's release, Ramsey brought his knife to his brother's wrists and cut off his binds. He then commanded him to run over to the other side of the battlefield before borrowing a bow from one of his men. Jon immediately knew his intentions then, he wanted to drag out his death to make him lose control.

"Jon don't!" Ser Davos shouted at him but was ignored in return

Jon kicked his horse at the sides and encouraged it to run to his brother. He saw Ramsey shoot out an arrow, deliberately missing his target by a wide margin. There was a cruel smirk on his face, it was all a game to him. The horse gathered more and more momentum as it sprinted across the field. Ramsey pulled out another arrow and shot, this time missing him by mere inches. Jon knew that he was going to lose this sick game. Ramsey pulled out another arrow but stopped for a second at the loud roar that came up from the skies.

Jon kept going despite the sound, determined to reach his brother. Finally he did and jumped off of his horse to embrace him. "Rickon." He breathed in his scent. If he was to die, then he would die with him.

"ROAR!"

Jon finally turned around and looked up to the sky. His jaw dropped in shock and fear at what he saw. A dragons came gliding down with tremendous speed with its focus set on them. Loud screams of panic started coming from all sides of the battle field.

"Fire at the Dragon!" Ramsey bellowed at his men but it was too late.

The dragon opened its mouth and unleashed its fury, it breathed out a torrent of ice and Jon quickly realised that it wasn't meant for him but Ramsey and his army.

"Rickon come!" Jon said as he dragged him off to his horse that was already on the brink of escaping at the sight of the gigantean beast that came down and bathed Ramsey's men. After they had both rode the horse, Jon rode off quickly back to his men. All the while, the dragon made sweeps on the soldiers that were starting to scatter away from the field. The men on Jon's side of the field stood there frozen to the spot on their horses whilst they observed the grand spectacle unfolding before them. It was true then that Daenerys Targaryen had brought dragons into existence.

"Ser Davos! Men! We have to go!" Jon shouted but his command wasn't heard.

"It is not attacking us Jon." Davos spoke. Of course it wasnt attacking them yet, but he was very sure that it would after finishing off Ramsey and his men. He turned his horse around to see the battle.

The oath breakers were firing arrows at the blue dragon but there couldn't penetrate its thick spiked hide. It kept unleashing torrent after torrent of ice when it made its sweep at them. The men froze like snow men in the snow field, this strange phenomenon shocked them all deeply. Weren't dragons supposed to breathe only flames?

Sometime later, the battle was over. Ramsey had of course escaped back to Winterfell with a few hundred men. The dragon had fought their battle and swooped in their victory. Much to Jon Snow's his prediction, it flew towards them but landed at a small distance with a resounding loud crash, away from them all the while roaring to the high heavens, making the earth tremble. The others began to quake with fear as the beast moved towards them with its focus centred only at Jon Snow.

It took in his scent for a few seconds before turning around and swooping up into the sky as they all watched in surprise. Why hadn't it attacked?

(Memory Ends)

Jon and his hand Lord Davos Seaworth the Onion Knight, finally arrived at the banks of Dragonstone. They were greeted there by Tyrion Lannister, the hand of the Queen and a beautiful dark skinned woman named Missandei of Naath, the Queen's most trusted advisor. They were accompanied by a few Dothraki warriors to the castle after they had handed over their weapons to them.

As soon as they had entered the throne room Jon immediately located the Queen sitting on the throne above stone steps. The first thought that ran inside his mind was that she was tiny, which he wasn't expecting at all. She was dressed in a black coat with a Targaryen Sigel embedded just beneath her collar bone. She was an exquisite beauty with her long silver hair collected in braids.

"You stand in the presence of Daenerys Stormborn . . ."

Jon listened as Missandei announced the Queen with her very long list of titles that accompanied her all the while observing as she stared him down from her throne. For someone of her small stature, he couldn't help but feel intimidated at this legendary person before her.

Once she had finished, Jon turned to face Ser Davos Seawoth;

"This is Jon Snow. He is King in the North."

It became silent in throne room and Jon could feel panic rising inside him. He became tongue tied not knowing what else to say. This was the mother of dragons, and he'd witnessed the evidence of them flying high above the castle. Her army alone outnumbered his a thousand to one.

"Thank you for travelling so far my lord." The dragon queen said, "I hope the seas weren't too rough."

"The winds were too kind you grace." Jon said once he had found his voice. He wasn't used to dealing with nobles considering the way that he failed to come to common ground with Stannis.

"Apologies, I have a Flea Bottom accent, I know, but Jon Snow is King in the North Your Grace, he is not a lord." Devos swooped in at his pause.

To Jon's surprise, the queen smiled at the man in amusement at his directness. He couldn't help but feel that her smile was beautiful. It was genuine.

"Forgive me Ser, but who are you?" Daenerys asked with peeked interest.

"Your Grace, this is Ser Davos Seaworth." Tyrion who stood down on one of the stone steps closer to the ground said.

What came next was a short History lesson of the last king in the North called Torrhen Stark, who bent the knee to Daenery's ancestor Aegon Targeryen in exchange for his life and his Northenmen by swearing fealty in perpetuity. From there the meeting too on a whole different turn with Jon Snow refusing to bend the knee.

"If you are not here to bend the knee, then why have you come Jon Snow?"

"Because I need your help and you need mine." Jon said looking a little annoyed at the queen. He was on a quest and didn't have time for this.

"Why do I need your help Jon Snow, am I to be attacked sometime soon?" She asked raising a brow. "Because if I am, I can assure you that I have all the protection I need and some." Daenerys stood up to her feet and looked at the sky through a window. "Tell me something Jon Snow, did you see three dragons flying overhead when you arrived?"

"I did your grace." He replied already guessing were this line of questioning was heading.

"And did you see the Dothraki, all of whom have sworn to kill for me?"

"There are hard to miss." Jon said now feeling frustrated. He hated these moments where he would have to negotiate with kings and now queens. The Dragon queen just made him feel unease somehow and he didn't like it."

"But still, I need your help? Why?"

Jon didn't respond for a moment wondering how he could breach the subject. The last thing he needed was to be made a mockery and labelled insane.

"The army of the dead your Grace."

Jon sighed at his hand's bluntness. He meant well of course, but he doubted if she would believe him without providing living proof. Tyrion just snorted to prove his point.

"Alright, tell me about this army of dead men Lord Snow."

He blinked in surprise as she proceeded to head downstairs before stopping in front of him with and waited. Jon got lost in those curious amethyst eyes before forcing his expression to become stoic. He didn't like the way she was affecting.

"He is called the Night King your Grace and he commands a legion of White Walkers beyond the wall. I have seen first-hand what he is capable off and if don't stop him now, they will be no kingdom to rule. I know what I am telling you is hard to believe but . . ."

"I believe you Jon Snow." She said stopping him mid-stride.

Jon blinked in shock at her easy acceptance of his tale. Ser Davos and even Tyrion were deeply surprised by this.

"You Grace, Surely those a children's tales . . ."

"I brought dragons into this world Lord Tyrion." The queen said pressing her lips tightly at his quick rebuttal, "You've seen first- hand the power that I possess plenty of times. Surely what Jon says is the truth. I highly doubt that he travelled all this way from Winterfell to speak fables."

She was defending him?

"That maybe so your grace but . . ."

"But nothing Lord Tyrion." She silenced him with her eyes still focused on Jon. "Do you know how to defeat them?"

Jon told them everything concerning the undead and how to stop them

"Perhaps we could capture one of these wights and present it to Cersei. It would force her to listen and . . ."

"I will not sit down to negotiate terms with Cersi Lannister Lord Tyrion, the woman has proven herself to have no care about the realm at all. She blew up the Sept of Baelor and wiped out a considerable proportion of people in attendance using wildfire. She needs to be dealt with quickly before we launch out an expedition beyond the wall."

Jon suddenly looked frustrated with these political games, "We don't have time for this your Grace . . ."

"Then make time Jon Snow. You said it yourself that the army of the dead exceeds hundreds of thousands. We need more men before we launch out an attack, which means more supply of food and weapons, but first we need to evacuate the children, women and others incapable fighting to safety. The fastest way to achieve this is to unite all kingdoms under one banner so that orders given are followed without question. Heading over the wall now is just plain reckless and could get us all killed, and what do you think will happen if one or all my dragons fall only to be resurrected to serve the Night King? The results would be catastrophic."

Jon blinked a few times at what she had said. He hadn't really thought out any of this. His only plan was to attack. "How long will it take for you to claim the iron throne?"

Daenery's gave him a small smile that sent shivers down his spine. "It won't be long now. I've sent men dressed in Lannister attire to infiltrate Kingslanding. I am just waiting for the signal of Cersei being caught. After that the game will be won."

. . .

'The queen was very strange,' thought Jon. She didn't act the way other Lord's or ladies acted. She knew he was a bastard but she didn't seem to care about his status at all. Once they had finished discussing their battle plans, she asked if he could walk with her alone on the island. Jon accepted and they both left the castle to speak in private. She instructed her guards not to accompany them and so they walked and talked, getting to know each other a little.

Daenerys all of sudden started to laugh at the story he told her about his sister Arya. Her laugh was infectious making her all the more beautiful.

"She sounds like a trouble maker Jon, did she truly despise being called a lady?" Daenerys asked as few chuckles escaped her lips.

"Yes she did." Jon replied laughing also beside her. He had never been truly this happy he realised. Just to be himself instead of brooding all the time. Daenerys brought out a side to him that he never knew he possessed.

They finally reached a wide clearing and Daenerys looked up to the sky above her castle, where her dragons were circling lazily around. It was as if they were summoned because in the next moment there all roared loudly to the heavens, and one by one there descended towards the clearing and landed with crashes loud enough to cause small tremors in the ground.

Jon stared at the massive creatures as they slowly crept over to their mother and she waited for them to crouch down before petting their heads, all the while speaking to them in a different language. A moment later the blue dragon glided slowly to Jon. He raised a trembling hand having not realised that he was shaking. He copied Daenerys and petted its huge snout.

"That's strange." He looked over to see Daenerys staring at him in surprise. "Sirion just like Drogon don't like anyone to touch them without having received my approval."

Of course she had told him of the names she had named her dragons. Drogon in rememberence to his former husband Khal Drogo. Rheagal for his older brother and Sirion in honour of her favourite star.

"He flew over to aid me in the battle of the bastards to reclaim Winterfell back." Jon spoke nonchalantly his gaze back on the blue dragon. Its cold breath reminded him of winter.

"What?"

He turned and saw Danny looking quite shocked.

"Aye, it was a big surprise to everyone. We were heavily outnumbered at the battle and he fought for us. After he won, he came over towards me and sniffed in my scent before flying off. I thought I was a goner back then." He explained as he recalled the fight.

"It must have been a fresh experience." Daenerys said looking at him in wonder. There was an expression on her face that he couldn't decipher, it was almost as if she knew something very important about him but couldn't prove it. Jon was about to ask her but she beat him to the punch.

"It seems as though he has chosen you as his rider, King in the North." Her expression softened before it switched abruptly into mischief. "It is almost time to go and reclaim the iron throne, would you like to accompany me Jon and witness Cersei be brought low?"

Jon blinked surprise by the sudden change in her demeanour. Of course he wanted to see the person who killed his father brought to justice, "We should go back to inform . . ."

She shook her head in denial, "No Jon, I meant the two of us mounting on dragons. The other army has probably breached Kingslanding."

He thought for a moment before replying, "Alright then."