You guys are amazing. Thank you so much for all the kind words! Enjoy this one!
While everyone was staring after Cersei hurriedly exiting the dragonpit, Jon and Samaya locked eyes.
"You're a fool," she said as she shook her head.
"I stand by my promises," he replied. Sam narrowed her eyes at him.
"This is not about promises, this is about living. I value your sense of honour, I really do, but this was not how this meeting should have gone," she said quietly.
"I'll handle this," a voice startled them and they realised that Daenerys had walked up to them. Samaya stared at Jon for another moment before she turned around and walked away. If he continued to be that stubborn, he would keep her sister good company. Her anger bubbled in her stomach like a black monster, but there was another matter that vexed her as well.
With an angry swing in her step, she marched over to Theon Greyjoy. The man's eyes widened as he saw her approaching, but he stayed in place. Ser Davos was next to him, raising an amused brow at Samaya's face.
"Tell me about your uncle," she said in a commanding tone as soon as she had reached the two.
"He's a madman. Cruel, moody and unpredictable," Theon answered in a stronger voice than she had expected. Samaya had not had much contact with him before today, but he seemed different somehow.
"Do you believe him? Do you think he's going back to the Iron Islands?" she asked on. Theon swallowed hard before he answered.
"The only thing my uncle wants is power. I don't think he's telling the truth," the man confessed.
"He'd want power more than his life?" Ser Davos chimed in, voicing his concerns. Theon nodded slowly.
"Well, that means we're gonna have to keep an eye on him, then," Samaya concluded, letting her gaze wander over the people that had remained in the pit.
"What do you suggest?" Ser Davos asked her, but she just walked away again. The two men shared a puzzled look, but did not follow. Samaya Tyrell was angry, and they did not want to get in her way now.
"Your Grace," Samaya announced herself loudly as she finally caught up with her sister, who had disappeared into a quiet corner, talking to Jon Snow. They both flinched a little as she interrupted them.
"What is it?" Daenerys said with a hint of dismissal.
"I believe Euron Greyjoy was not telling the truth. I suggest you have him followed," she got straight to the point. Daenerys smiled mockingly and raised a brow.
"And who would have me follow him? You, on the back of Rhaegal? That would draw a lot of suspicion," she said teasingly. Jon Snow shifted uncomfortably next to them.
"No, someone who can blend in, an Unsullied maybe," Samaya suggested, getting more frustrated by the second.
"And what supports this request?" her sister asked further.
"I do not trust a word he says. Neither does his nephew," Sam answered, earning a hard look from the Queen.
"That is not enough. The man seemed terrified. I say we deal with him after the northern treat is neutralised," she said. Samaya wanted to protest, but her sister cut her off immediately.
"I will hear no more. We have bigger problems at the moment. Now, if you'll excuse us," she told her and turned back around to Jon, who looked at Sam with wide eyes.
"Your Grace," Samaya spat out with gritted teeth and walked away again. If her sister refused to listen to her, she had to take matters into her own hands. Making sure she was not watched, she made her way over to where the Hound was standing, staring down at the rotten corpse they had used for the demonstration.
"You know people," she started off as soon as she stood in front of him.
"A few," he answered her gruffly.
"I need you to find me a spy. Euron Greyjoy needs to be watched. I want full reports on everything he gets up to," Samaya explained and handed him a small bag she produced from the inside of her cloak.
"What makes you so sure I would do as you say?" the massive man asked, eying her up and down. Sam gave him a sweet smile and put her left hand on the pommel of her sword.
"Because I'll cut your head off if you don't" she answered in a friendly tone. He stared at her for a moment before the tiniest hint of a smile showed on his face.
"I like you," he simply said and walked away with her gold. Sam stared after him with a satisfied look on her face. Finally, something had gone right today.
It had been such an eventful, exhausting day. As Samaya sat at the small table in the cabin she had been assigned to, she poured herself some wine and let out a long sigh. They were on their way back to Dragonstone. The meeting had not exactly gone to plan, but it seemed that the outcome was what they had hoped for. However, Sam could not shake the feeling that something was off. Her sister was acting strangely, and she would never trust anything Cersei promised in the first place. The only thing left to do for her was hope.
Daenerys had ordered her to come back to Dragonstone with them, but not on dragon. Samaya was not particularly pleased by that, however, the sight of the nice, feathery bed in the cabin lifted her spirits. Just as she took a big sip from her cup did a knock sound on the door. Expecting her sister, she straightened her clothes and got up. As she opened the door, she did not find Daenerys, but Jon Snow.
At the sight of him, she crossed her arms and leant against the doorframe. She was still annoyed with him, and he knew it.
"May I come in?" he asked after a few moments.
"That depends. Should I call my sister in so you can stand silently by as she berates me again? Or maybe Cersei, so you can make a fool out of yourself once more?" she answered him dryly. A brief flash of hurt showed on his face, but he gave her a small smile.
"I understand that you are upset with me. I did what I though was just and right," he told her, his eyes soft as they locked with hers. Sam wanted to stay mad at him, but when he looked at her like that… she just could not bear hurting him. Silently, she turned around and walked back into the cabin. The sound of the door closing told her that he had followed. She stepped up to the table to pour him a cup of wine when his hands encircled her waist from behind. He pushed away her hair and planted a soft kiss at the base of her neck, making Sam close her eyes with pleasure.
"You were fierce today. I am proud to be fighting on the same side as you," he whispered as he caressed her exposed skin. Sam had to fight hard not to give in too easily.
"You haven't seen me in battle yet. I am not so sure how fierce I will be when faced with a whole army of them," she answered quietly. Jon then turned her around and cupped her face in his hands. Her eyes had lost their glint of defiance, and she looked at him with a worried expression.
"Will you still fight?" he asked her simply. Without hesitation, Samaya nodded.
"Until my heart stops beating," she answered strongly. Jon then smiled and gave her a long and tender kiss. When he broke it, he leant his forehead against hers, her face still nestled between the safety of his hands. In a raspy voice, he started speaking.
"Courage is not the absence of fear, Sam. It is the judgement that something else is more important than fear, and fighting it regardless," he told her, and tears started to well in her eyes.
"I don't want to think about tomorrow, or the day after. I know what is coming for us, and I do not know how long you and I will still walk this earth," she said, her voice breaking as she did.
"Then let's only think about today. Stop worrying and being afraid, if only for a few hours," Jon answered, and a single tear rolled down her cheek as she spoke her next words.
"Make me," she whispered, and he wiped away the wetness on her cheeks before he kissed her again. The kiss was deep and desperate, but it felt so unbelievably good. They had been this close in Eastwatch, but something was different this time. There were no rules, no others, no world beyond the door of her cabin. Together, they stumbled over to the small bed and fell down on top of it.
Sam let out a low whimper as his mouth left hers and started making its way down her neck and collarbone. His hands were exploring her, and she forgot everything that had happened that day. She had not been touched like this in a long time, ever since Oberyn… Impatiently, she took off his tunic and stared at his bare chest. Scars were scattered all over his smooth skin. Deep and angry scars. Her eyes widened at the sight of them, but he kissed her before she could ask him about it. Entangled in each other's arms and limbs, they went so much further than before.
As skin touched skin and two became one, Sam felt blissful and heartbroken at the same time. She loved this feeling, she loved to be with a man she cared for deeply, and she loved how it made her body come alive. As the two lovers explored and caressed each other, the world outside the door of the cabin ceased to exist, and if only for a few hours, Sam felt like there might be a chance for a normal life for her. A life with a loving husband, and a band of kids raising hell. A life where the dead stayed dead, and the realm lived in peace. A life she would most likely never live to see.
They returned to Dragonstone to find a surprise waiting for them. When the Queen and her advisors neared the gate of the castle, a man stood there, surrounded by soldiers who were neither Dothraki, nor Unsullied. Daenerys stopped in her tracks at the sight of him. For a moment, she had thought her brother had returned from the dead, but then she daw the dark streak that tainted his otherwise silver hair. Arianne Martell stood next to him, and she could tell by the look on the girl's face that she despised this man. Samaya stepped up to her and started talking quietly.
"This is Ser Gerold Dayne, the man who had kept Arianne Martell his prisoner," she explained hurriedly. Daenerys looked at her with raised brows.
"The infamous Darkstar? What is he doing here?" she asked impatiently.
"I might have told him to come to Dragonstone to serve his Queen. I honestly thought he would never show," Sam answered and Daenerys' grew annoyed at her sister once again.
"We'll talk about this later," she quickly dismissed her and started walking up to the knight. He bowed deeply as they stood face to face.
"It is my utmost pleasure to serve you, my Queen. They were lying when they talked about your beauty. Words cannot describe what I see," he said loud and sweetly, so that everybody in her vicinity would hear.
"Ser Gerold Dayne, I thank you for coming. I am sure we will find a worthy place for you in my army," Daenerys answered, not wanting to acknowledge the silly flattery he was displaying.
"My sword is yours, your Grace," he said and drew his weapon, kneeling on one foot to display his loyalty.
"Yes, a fine sword that is, though not Dawn, I presume?" Tyrion had joined Daenerys' side, smiling at the knight in a mocking way. Darkstar's eyes narrowed as he took in the man.
"Dawn is in Starfall, where it waits until the next Sword of the Morning," he answered in a hard tone.
"Yes, I think we are all waiting for that to happen," Tyrion commented dryly. Samaya had to chuckle at his obvious mockery.
"Enough, Lord Tyrion. We appreciate every sword that pledges to our cause. Now, I want you all to get settled and meet me in the council room at your earliest convenience. We have a lot to discuss," she told her advisors and started walking towards the castle. As Tyrion made to follow her, Darkstar stepped in his way.
"I do not like to be ridiculed, Lannister. Less so by half a man," he told him with gritted teeth. Before Tyrion could reply, Sam had already stepped up.
"At least this half-man does not hold women captive. You could learn a lot from him, Ser Gerold," she said sweetly and smiled as his mouth fell open. Chuckling lightly, she and Tyrion walked on, leaving a baffled knight and some very disgruntled footsoldiers in their wake.
As Samaya entered the council room some time later, it was already packed with people. Greyworm, Missandei, Arianne Martell, Ser Davos, Tyrion, Varys, Ser Jorah, and Jon Snow were all there, staring at her upon her entrance. The only one missing was her sister. Sam nodded at them and took a seat next to Jon, who gave her a warm smile. Across the table from them, Tyrion watched with furrowed brows at their interaction, but before he could say anything, Daenerys entered. Once she had taken her seat at the head of the table, she started speaking.
"I have received a raven from the North. The Wall has fallen at Eastwatch. The army of the Dead is on their way South," she opened and was met with a few gasps and scared faces.
"How?" Jon Snow was the only one to speak up after a few instances. Daenerys averted her eyes.
"It seems that they were able to change Viserion into… one of their kind," the Queen explained quietly, sadness in her voice. Everybody in the room was dead silent. Outside, the two living dragons were roaring loudly, sensing the tension.
"What next?" Jorah Mormont asked into the silence. Daenerys straightened her back.
"I will send word to King's Landing, asking them to meet our troops at the Trident. Greyworm, I want you to mobilise all Unsullied, and start marching North. The Dothraki will stay further south, as a second barrier should they get past. Samaya, I raise you to commander of my army," she announced, and Sam shot up in her chair.
"Commander? Me?" she asked in a panicky voice. Daenerys nodded.
"Yes, you show great military potential and understanding. You will take Rhaegal and go with Greyworm. Make sure the army from King's Landing cooperates," she instructed her. Samaya was speechless. This was the last thing she had expected her sister to do.
"I will need to return to Winterfell immediately," Jon Snow spoke up.
"Yes, I thought so. You have my permission to leave with your envoi as soon as you see fit," the Queen answered. Jon shifted in his seat uncomfortably.
"Your Grace… it will not take them long to get from Eastwatch to Winterfell. I need to get back as soon as possible. The fastest way is how I came here in the first place," he said in a pleading voice. Daenerys raised her brows at him.
"Are you asking me to take you back on dragon?" she said, a tiny hint of anger in her voice.
"I know it is a lot to ask, but there are not many men left in Winterfell who have military experience. I fear that without leadership, they will all face certain death," he explained. Daenerys stared at him in silence, adding to the tension in the room.
"I think Jon Snow is right. It would not take long for him to get back on dragon, the Lady Samaya could take him. It will take some time for our army to mobilise anyway," Tyrion spoke up to their surprise. Daenerys eyed him carefully. She then let her gaze wander over the rest of the people in the room.
"Do all of you agree with Lord Tyrion?" she asked, receiving nods from everyone except Samaya.
"So be it, then. Samaya, take Jon Snow to Winterfell, but return immediately to join Greyworm and the Unsullied. Now, while the best part of my army will fight in the North, we have to focus on gathering the rest here with us. Arianne, the time has come for you to return to Sunspear. I order you to call for your banners and join us here with as many men as soon as you can," the Queen continued, focusing on what was to happen next.
"Yes, your Grace," the southern girl answered, her eyes determined. It was a relief to see how she had gathered her courage after her imprisonment. It seemed to everyone in the room that her fire had returned, and she was a princess again.
"Good. Lord Varys, I ask you to send out letters to every major stronghold in the realm. They need to know what is coming for them. The northern houses will know to retreat to Winterfell, but tell everyone else from the Neck to the Red Mountains to send their women and children to the capital, but their soldiers to the Trident," Daenerys then continued.
"Your Grace, I think the women and children in the big cities should stay. Oldtown, Highgarden, the Vale… there would be no space for them in King's Landing, and they have their own defences," Tyrion chimed in one again. The Queen gave him a cold look.
"Yes, but when all of their men have left to fight, do you really think women and children could hold a castle against the Dead?" she asked and Tyrion swallowed hard. She had a point, albeit a flawed one.
"If there is nothing else, I propose we get to work. We need to think and act quickly now," Daenerys then said and stood up. No one said a word, so she quickly left the room, Missandei following her closely.
Samaya stared after her sister in shock. While she had studied military leadership as part of her weapons training, she knew that she was everything but a commander. She had basically been ordered to the front lines, and she did not want to think whether Daenerys had done it deliberately, or if she just did not know what that meant.
A hand touched her arm and she jolted around to lock eyes with Jon Snow. He looked concerned, more so than she had ever seen him. He squeezed her hand softly as the others filed out of the room.
"You can do this," he said quietly, as if reading her thoughts. Sam slowly shook her head.
"How? I am almost unexperienced in battle. I have never fought in an army before. Why did she do this?" she replied quietly. Jon looked over her head and waited until the rest of the people had left them alone before he took her face in his hands. With a deep, meaningful look, he started speaking.
"You are a most fascinating woman, Samaya, and much stronger than you let yourself believe. I have faith in you, and I think your sister does, too. She knows the people will follow your command, because you are one of them. You have come so far and faced so much loss and tragedy, do not let doubt take a hold of you now," he urged her in a quiet voice. While he talked, Samaya was lost in his eyes, her mouth slightly open, body paralysed. When he finished talking, she quickly closed the distance between them and sealed her mouth over his. Last night, he had awoken a passion in her that she had long thought to be lost, and now, when he was giving her such words of encouragement, she had to do everything in her power not to climb onto his lap and have her way with him. After a long and passionate exchange, he softly pushed her away.
"Someone could see us," he whispered at her lips. She chuckled without humour in her voice.
"We are riding into war. I do not care," she answered and gave him another teasing kiss. A few moments later, she retreated again and looked at him. She knew that things were bad. She knew that soon, they would most likely all be dead. She knew she was not the leader of an army. She knew she should be afraid.
But Samaya also knew that she was utterly, deeply in love with Jon Snow. And if such a love could still exist in a world like the one they lived in, than she knew there was still hope. Taking a deep breath, she got up from her chair and looked at him with a small smile.
"Let's go to war, Jon Snow."
So, a little bit of fluff, a little bit of sexy, a little bit of a surprise, and... WE ARE FINALLY AHEAD OF THE SHOW STORYLINE! I am super excited to give you my idea of how this story could end, I hope you will enjoy it.
And please give me some of your thoughts on this one... did you see it coming that Daenerys would ask Sam to lead her armies? Always happy to hear from you :) Much love!