Chapter 4
White Harbor
Jon steadied himself on the railing of the boat as it pitched and swayed in the waves of the Bite. They'd been lucky, the winds had stayed on their side and got them here a day earlier than they'd expected. A storm was brewing as they where approaching the bay and Jon just hoped they where on dry land again before it really hit. Sailing was not for him.
Hearing footsteps behind him he looked over his shoulder to see Daenerys approaching. She was wearing her usual black outfit with the silver chain and brooch with three dragons heads. Her hair was half done up in a intricate with the rest lowing in gentle waves down her back. She was stunning. Jon had caught himself just staring at her from time to time and realizing he was dong it again, forced his eyes away. As he did he saw the howling Direwolf banner that was being raised beside the three headed dragon at the top of the mast. Having not had any warning of their arrival Jon hoped that flying the Stark banner alongside the Targaryen one that their would be no trouble when the Targaryen ship came up to White Harbor. His own ship and men should have arrived in White Harbor weeks ago. The Dragonglass will have then been unloaded and sent onto Winterfell where it could be made into weapons.
Looking to the sky he couldn't see either of the dragons in sight. He prayed to the old Gods that they stayed out of sight, at least until they had their mother in a safer place.
Entering the harbour they where directed to a docking bay, where the ship was then to be inspected. With the Wight on board, Jon was dreading this part as he wanted to get it out of public view as quietly as possible. While he needed people to understand the threat coming, he didn't want to cause mass panic. Making his way to the gangplank he made his way of the ship with Ser Davos behind him and they waited for the Harbourmaster to come. Once he showed up they explained just what it was they had on board and the plans for it. Jon could see that he didn't believe him so they decided to show him. It was an extremely pale and sweating Harbourmaster that emerged from below deck sometime later with promises to send word up to Lord Manderly at New Castle.
They where told to move to a docking of to the side where they could block what could be seen of what they where unloading. A horse and covered cart was waiting for them when they moved, ready for unloading the Wight. Horses where also provided for Jon and his party and as he helped Daenerys onto hers he saw that there was already a crowd of people standing at the entrance to the city craning there neck to get a glimpse of them. Mounting the horse he'd left behind when he came from Winterfell he let four of his guards ride out in front of him as they made there way towards the city. With Daenerys riding beside him the rest of his men and the guards that had been sent down by Lord Manderly formed up behind them and around the cart. It seemed word had spread that the King in the North had returned as the roads where now lined with people, being kept back by Lord Manderly's guards making sure the way was clear all the way to New Castle. Keeping his eyes trained forward he tried not to let his discomfort at all the attention on him show as they made there way deeper into the city towards New Castle where Lord Manderly was to meet them.
Lord Manderly was waiting for them when they entered New Castle, along with his house staff. As Jon brought his horse to a halt he saw them all bend down to one knee, even the large Lord Manderly though Jon suspected he was going to need some help getting back up. Getting down from his horse, he wobbled slightly but was steadied by Ser Davos who had arrived at his side without him noticing. Luckily the horses on each side of him had hid him from most peoples view, but Lord Manderly spotted it and narrowed his eyes from his still kneeling position. Straightening himself he strode forward and greeted Lord Manderly who after a few grunts and a lot of effort was able to lift himself of the ground, just.
"New Castle is yours Your Grace. I apologise but not all your party's rooms are ready yet as we had no notice of your return. Your room from last time however has been made ready and is waiting for you."
"No apology is needed Lord Manderly. It was a last minute decision on the way back from Eastwatch to return to Winterfell." Jon replied. "I would ask for a secure cell away from any other prisoners and that until further notice my own men will be guarding it." Lord Manderly's confusion was obvious and Jon could see the questions he wanted to ask where on the tip of his tongue and before he could start asking Jon said. "All will become clear soon but until some arrangements are made I will keep my silence."
"Of course Your Grace." It was then that he looked over Jon's shoulder and spotted Daenerys standing among Jon's guards. Motioning for her to come forward he said "Lord Manderly may I introduce to you Queen Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen. A friend and ally to House Stark." He watched Lord Manderly to gauge his reaction to his announcement and was able to catch the strange expression that crossed his face before he was able to mask it. Lord Manderly turned towards Daenerys and while he didn't kneel he bent at the waist slightly in a bow while greeting her and offering her his hospitality. Looking back at Jon he said "A feast is being prepared for your arrival Your Grace if you would honour us with your presence." He then looked towards Daenerys and said "And yours Your Grace." If Daenerys was upset or annoyed at being addressed as second to Jon she didn't let it show as she excepted the offer. As they started walking into the castle and away from prying eyes Ser Davos spoke up
"Lord Manderly the King is in need of an examination by your Maester at his earliest convenience." Jon looked to him in annoyance, feeling he didn't need any treatment and he would just be wasting the mans time. His ribs where nothing he hadn't dealt with before and the varies cut and bruises had been cleaned and dressed on the ship the only thing lingering was the chill in his bones and a slight cough if he stood in the cold air for to long, but even that had mostly disappeared. Davos however was hearing none of it and Jon soon found himself in his room with New Castles Maester looking over him. He caught sight of the startled looks the Maester gave him when he caught sight of the scars on his chest before he redirected his attention to the bruising on his ribs and back from when he hit and cracked the ice. Luckily the examination didn't take long and he was left with instructions to stay in the warmth for as long as possible which he already knew. Redressing he made his way back to the hall where he'd left the rest of his party.
Walking into the hall his eyes where immediately drawn to Daenerys who had been drawn into a conversation with Lord Manderly, but as he walked up the hall she seemed to feel his eyes on her and looked over at him with a small smile on her lips. Lord Manderly seemed to have realised he'd lost her attention and curious he glanced over at what had, to find Jon making his way towards them. Again there was a strange expression on his face as he looked between the two before it was wiped away for a welcoming smile as Jon drew level with them.
"Your Grace, I trust all is well?" Lord Manderly asked as he motioned for Jon to take a seat at the head of the table. As he sat with Daenerys was on his left and Lord Manderly on his right he said "Fine My Lord. He told me nothing I didn't already know."
As the food was brought out they descended into light conversation and Jon was pleased to see that Lord Manderly had taken well to Daenerys. He only hoped that the rest of his Lord's did the same. After they finished eating he asked Lord Manderly to join him in the cells and although he was confused at the request he agreed. Grabbing the attention pf a near by server Jon asked for a few platters of food to be made ready for the guards in the cells. Once the meals where handed over to Ser Davos and Ser Jorah the five of them, Jon, Lord Manderly, Daenerys, Ser Davos and Ser Jorah made there way to the cells. they'd put the Wight in a cell the darkest corner of the block. All other cells where empty and at the start of the block the two stark guards stood with the Hound, flinching every so often when the Wight made a screeching noise. All was quiet as the five approached and Jon dismissed the guards to eat.
"Lord Manderly, I know my claims of the army that are coming for us all are hard to believe, that many of the Lord's aren't putting their full effort into preparing as I've asked them two. The Queen had her own misgivings of my claims and was unwilling to offer her support while Cersei Lannister holds the thrown. And so It was decided that proof of what is coming was needed and so an expedition North of the Wall was undertaken, and we where mostly successful." He refused to look at Daenerys as he said this. She was the one that lost the most over this cray idea. "But we wouldn't have been if not for the Queen's rescue with her dragons." Daenerys spoke up before he could go any further.
"Lord Manderly, I know how crazy the King's claims are. When he came to Dragonstone with claims of the dead I thought him a fool, only my hand's advice of his trust in his character made me listen to him, and my Lord what he says is true. I have seen what awaits above the wall." The Hound led the way back to the cell as Jon followed with Lord Manderly on his heel. He lifted a torch from the wall on the way and as he made it to the cell he held it away from him into the depths of the cell.
It was quiet for a few moments in which Lord Manderly started to fidget before suddenly out of the darkness came the Wight, rotting arms outstretched with it's mouth open in it's horrible screech. It was yanked to a stop before it could reach the bars of the cell by the chain attached to the far wall but it didn't seem to notice as it continued to struggle to make it to the bars. Lord Manderly jumped back so far that he banged into the cell behind him and seemed to collapse against it all the while staring at the Wight, fear apparent on his face. Jon shoved the torch through the bars and swiped it near the Wight. It scuttled back from the flame back into the darkness, it's bright blue eyes the only thing that could be made out from the front of the cell as it seemed to make a sort of clicking noise. Looking back at Lord Manderly Jon saw that he was extremely pale but when his eyes meet Jon's he seemed to take a deep breath and regain some of his composure. Standing up straight away from the cell he'd fallen against the Lord of White Harbor turned to his King and said "What do you need me to do your Grace?"