Hello my lovelies! If you are still with me: THANK YOU! I know I took a rather long break, but I started a new job, and things were hectic for a while. Everything has quieted down now, though, so you can expect the updates regularly again ;) ENJOY!
It was an unnaturally cold and misty day when a dragon once again departed from the island of Dragonstone. It carried three people on its back; one who was determined, one who was afraid, and one who wished to stay. All three of them carried stern faces and a grim twinkle in their eyes.
There had not been much time between the Queen's orders and their departure, so the farewell had been brief and simple. Samaya Tyrell had talked to Greyworm and given orders for a rendezvous point, before quickly hugging her sister and mounting Rhaegal. Drogon had roared loudly in protest as his brother took off, but the sisters knew that it was the best choice for their current predicament.
Jon Snow's heart seemed to be pumping faster the further north they were flying. The temperature dropped significantly the closer they got to Winterfell, but he just pressed his body closer to Sam's to stay warm. The colder the air got, the more her body seemed to radiate heat. He had been astounded when making love to her, her skin was so soft and so warm… Jon did not know whether he had forgotten what a women felt like, or if she was special. All he knew is that he dreaded the moment they had to part, and he forced his thoughts in other directions while they were on their silent journey.
Ser Davos Seaworth often felt uncomfortable, but this was one of the few occasions in which he really felt like he did not belong. He knew from watching the two that they were in love with each other, and he so wished that Jon could get what he deserved: happiness. However, their current situation did not encourage that notion. Ser Davos had grown fond of the Targaryen bastard, but she had a wild sparkle in her eyes that worried him. What on earth her sister thought as she gave her responsibility over her army, he did not know, but he thought that it was a foolish thing to do. Yes, the girl seemed skilled with weapons, but what military training did she have? He had served under the most brilliant commander he had ever seen, and even Stannis was defeated in the end. Ser Davos was sure that Samaya would not fare any better.
As soon as they reached the Neck, the mist became denser, and it was impossible to see the ground. Samaya whispered to her dragon, and he gave a loud roar in response. The sound of the wind was too loud to hear her words, but Ser Davos could have sworn that the beast started to fly faster. It was not long before it started descending, and once they broke through the clouds, the massive structure of Winterfell became visible.
With a loud thud, the dragon landed in front of the main gate, and the three passengers were relieved at the sight of the guards on the wall. Quickly, Jon stormed inside, the other two at his heels. As soon as he had entered the courtyard, a figure hurled himself towards him, crashing into his body with full force. Jon seemed paralysed for a moment, before he embraced the teenage girl that was pressing himself up against him. A few feet away, Sansa Stark watched them with a demure smile.
The pair broke apart and their conversation was muted to Samaya's ears. After a few moments, Jon turned around and gestured for her to come over. As she came closer, she studied the girls' face and made a surprising conclusion: Arya Stark was alive and at Winterfell.
"Sam, this is my sister, Arya. Arya, the Lady Samaya Tyrell," he introduced them and while Arya's eyes widened slightly, she gave a manly bow to Sam. Despite the grave atmosphere, the older girl could not help but chuckle and draw her in for a hug.
"Any relative of Jon's is someone I see as an ally. It is good to meet you, Arya," she whispered in her ear and felt her chuckle in return. As they broke apart, a kind smile played on their faces. As Arya's gaze wandered back to Jon, her brows furrowed and she looked uncomfortable.
"Actually Jon, there is something you should know," she started saying when Jon's focus shifted from her to a big man that had appeared from the crowd that were watching them. His face broke into a huge smile, and he squeezed Arya's shoulder as he broke away from the women and hugged the other man tightly.
"What are you doing here?" he almost shouted as he let go. Samaya watched as the two shared a few intense words before the stranger focused his attention on her. Timidly, he stepped closer.
"Lady Samaya, it's been a few many moons since we last met, but it is good to see you again," he said quickly as he bowed. Sam's brows furrowed before she realised who he was.
"Samwell Tarly. My, I almost did not recognise you anymore," she said kindly as she squeezed his shoulder. He chuckled nervously.
"Thank you, by the way. For saving my brother," he told her in a quiet voice. She gave him a small smile.
"I could not let my sister destroy your family like this. In case you had not heard, he is in Highgarden, and your mother and sister will have joined him by now," she started walking after Jon as they conversed. Samwell nodded solemnly.
"Yes, I had hoped so. Thank you, again," he added and she gave him a short nod. Looking around their small group, she now realised how grim the faces around them were. There were more people in Winterfell now than the last time she was here, and the courtyard seemed chaotic. Sansa joined her side and gave her hand a small squeeze.
"Fugitives. Afraid of winter and what it brings. We can barely provide shelter or food for all of them," she explained quietly as she watched Sam's gaze.
"I'm sure Jon will find a way," was everything the older girl could answer as her heart compressed painfully in her chest. How he was going to do that, she did not know, but her hope would be the last thing to leave her.
The small group of Starks and their allies entered the Great Hall a few moments later, facing Brandon Stark, who was waiting for them at the Lord's Table. Jon smiled at him upon greeting, but the boy's face remained grim.
"You have to go, Jon," he finally spoke into the silence that had filled the room.
"I only just got here," Jon answered solemnly. Brandon gave him a weird, empty look before he explained.
"Yes, but the Dead will be here within nightfall. And you have to survive. That is why you have to leave," he said and Sam started panicking. The Dead would be here so soon… they could never get everybody to safety.
"I will not leave Winterfell, I am King of the North," Jon remained defiant. Arya stepped up and grabbed his elbow, giving him a pleading look.
"Listen to him, Jon," she whispered and Brandon spoke up again.
"You are not King in the North, Jon. You are the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. Your mother was Lyanna Stark, and your father was Rhaegar Targaryen. His marriage to Elia Martell was annulled and he married Lyanna. You were born as Aegon Targaryen shortly thereafter at the Tower of Joy. My father knew of your true identity, but he vowed to keep you safe. You cannot die here today. You have to go South and save this realm from the Night King, it is our only chance," he explained in a composed voice.
Everybody in the room was dead silent, their gazes fixed upon Jon. Samaya's heart was racing so fast, she was afraid it might jump out of her chest. Slowly, she stepped towards Jon and took his hand. His head turned to look at her, shock written all over his face.
"If this is true… you have to go. Take Rhaegal and fly. Save us, Jon," she whispered quietly, not quite knowing herself what she was saying. After a few moments, he slowly shook his head.
"No, it can't be…," he started saying, but Bran interrupted them.
"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 said in a loud voice, his eyes fixed on Jon. Sam gasped in surprise. She remembered those words. Jon had said them to her only a few days ago, in the quiet sanctity of her cabin aboard the ship taking them back to Dragonstone.
"So you are speaking the truth? You have seen it?" Jon replied after a few tense moments, his voice wavering, but strong. Bran nodded solemnly.
"Yes." A long period of silence followed his words.
"I will not leave alone. I will take all of the Starks with me," Jon then said, straightening up.
"Yes, you will," Brandon confirmed. "And Ser Davos, and Samwell."
"And the Lady Samaya," the other man said, albeit quieter. Sam had her eyes locked on Brandon, and when he found her gaze, she knew almost instantly that she could not.
"No," she heard herself say, as if it were a stranger talking. "I have to stay," she added, and a pair of hands grabbed her by the shoulders. Jon was squeezing her tightly, a pleading look in his eyes.
"I would never leave you here," he told her with determination. Slowly, Sam shook her head, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. She turned away from the man she cared for so much and looked at Bran again.
"If the Three-Eyed-Raven says I have to stay, so be it," she said with determination, although she felt as if she were about to cave in any moment. Slowly, Bran nodded and moved for servants to start rolling him outside. Other men brought a few small bags, and Sam realised that the Stark children had all known of this plan. She did not dare ask how they knew that she would arrive with Jon; Bran was an enigma to everyone, and his abilities far beyond anyone's understanding.
Jon hauled her closer to him and pressed his forehead against hers. While the other people quietly left the hall, they remained static. Sam noticed wetness in his eyes, and she slowly stroked her hands down his cheeks.
"Do not weep for me, Jon. I will protect the people of Winterfell with everything I have," she whispered against his lips. He shook his head vehemently.
"I can't leave you, I've only just found you," he said, and Sam let out a dry chuckle.
"Oh, the irony," she commented, eliciting no response from him.
"If what he said is true… I don't know what to do," he confessed, seeming utterly helpless.
"You will find a way. You always have. I only ask one thing of you," Samaya answered, trying to steady her voice. He looked at her pleadingly.
"Do not marry my sister. If you can win this war, she will not give up the Iron Throne. You are the rightful heir, and she will propose marriage so you can rule side by side. Promise me that you will never even consider it," Sam explained. He looked baffled for a moment before he answered.
"How can you think of this right now? I don't… I would never…" he fumbled with his words, the shock running deep. Sam gave him a small smile and a soft kiss, feelings his lips tremble underneath hers.
"I'm thinking of the good of the realm, Jon. Our fates are meaningless. Nobody will remember a bastard girl that died in the War of Winter. But everybody will remember the Targaryen King that brought peace and prosperity back to this continent. My sister, although I love her, does not understand the people here. You will be a much better leader than her. Promise me," she said almost breathlessly. After a few moments, he nodded and she sealed her lips over his once more.
They were interrupted when guards called for them from the gates, and the pair reluctantly made their way outside. People had gathered on both sides of the door, and as they walked out, it was as if they were walking down an aisle. Sam had a fleeting memory of her sister's wedding to Renly, when Margaery had walked through a crowd of people, only they had cheered. This crowd was as silent as if at a funeral.
Jon did not let go of her hand, and a few murmurs erupted around them. Sam did not care. If she was to die today, it did not matter what people thought. Slowly, they walked back to where Rhaegal was still perched on the ground, the only sound his loud screeches as he sensed the tension that had set upon the castle. Sam let go of Jon's hand and approached his head. With tears in her eyes, she pressed her cheek against the warm scales and scratched his favourite spot. A heart-breaking cry filled the air, one she had only ever heard him utter once; when his brother had died.
"Take them to safety, my friend. And watch over Jon, he is one of us. But I think you already knew that, didn't you?" she murmured softly and smiled as tears were clouding her vision. Rhaegal rubbed his head against her frame carefully, and Sam had to muster all her willpower to step away. She wiped away the wetness on her cheeks as she watched the small party mount Rhaegal's back. Sansa sent her a melancholy look and Ser Davos gave her a re-assuring nod. The only one that did not move was Jon.
"I will not tell you again, Jon," she said quietly as she stepped up to him. He just stared at her for a few tense moments before he closed the distance between them and gave her a kiss that shattered her insides.
Then and there, in front of the gates of Winterfell, in full view of all the people having sought shelter and his family, he gave her the most passionate kiss she had ever received. Her knees became weak, and her fingers got lost in his curls as the two left no room between them. Sam wanted this moment to last forever, she wanted to savour every last memory she could get of this man. His scent, the feel of his stubble against her face, his strong hands pressing her against him… When she had met him, she had been broken, without a family, a husband or a companion. And slowly, he had filled all these parts, and in another world, he would have made her very happy.
As they finally parted, her throat had closed up and she looked at him with immeasurable sadness in her eyes. He stroked a hand down her cheek once more before he turned away to face the crowd that had gathered. Samaya took a few steps back to compose herself, barely hearing what he had to say.
"It is against my will to leave, but my brother has ensured me that this is the only way this war can be won. You all know what is coming," he started loudly, his expression worried.
"I can't ask you to die, but I can ask you to fight. Fight with everything you have. Do not let this continent fall into darkness, do not let winter win!" he shouted now, and people were looking at him with determination, nodding their heads.
"I will be gone, but I am leaving you something of immense worth. The Lady Samaya," he was calmer now, and gesturing at her. Sam put her chin up high and looked at the crowd sternly.
"Guards and soldiers, I ask you to follow her command. Every able bodied person who can hold any kind of weapon, follow her command. She is trained and experienced in battle, and she is our best chance," he announced and Sam almost let out a whimper. He was putting way too much faith in her and her abilities.
"I would die for all of you," he was quiet now, making eye contact with many of the men and women that had gathered in front of him. "But I have to leave. Keep Winterfell safe and yourselves. Farewell," he then ended his speech and turned back to Samaya. She stepped up close and took his hands one last time.
"You are putting too much faith in me," she said quietly. He gave her a sad smile while squeezing her hands.
"No, I know that you will be the only hope these people have. I trust you," he answered her and sealed his words with a tender kiss.
"Farewell, Samaya," he then whispered against her lips.
"Farewell, Jon," she replied and watched him climb onto Rhaegal's back through a veil of tears.
The dragon let out a loud roar and pushed off the ground with force. As Sam watched him fly away, her heart broke. Jon, Ser Davos, Samwell and his girl with the baby, Arya, Sansa and Bran were flying South to survive. And she… she was staying here to die.
So... Sam is facing certain death while Jon is flying towards safety... any predictions on what might happen? I can tell you that a minor character will play a big role in the upcoming chapters, any guesses who it could be? I'd love to hear from you :) xx