FYI – all the direwolves survived, even Lady, in this story Robert agreed to send her back north as per Ned's request. Bran is dead killed by one of Theon's men by his own decision, but Osha and Hodor managed to escape with Rickon, Shaggydog and Summer. Hodor had gone off with Shaggydog and Summer to search for food before Rickon and Osha were captured and given as prisoners to Ramsay and the direwolves returned with Hodor to Winterfell after too late. Nymeria is obviously alive in the Riverlands. – My changes, my story.
Again if you don't like my changes in terms of what characters are dead or alive, move on to another story. I don't need people trying to tell me who I should have kept alive or dead. It's my story, thank you.
Chapter 3
And so it goes.
Robb and Jon exchanged quick glances, their faces undeniably pale. Robb turned to his sister; their shared blue eyes mimicked each other's visible concern. "Sansa, return inside Winterfell's walls, you'll be safe there."
"No," Sansa said brazenly, determined to stand her ground. "I won't leave you both to face Daenerys Targaryen alone. We stand as one, we fight as one."
"Sansa, don't be stupid." Robb snapped as his concern only grew. "I need you to stay safe."
"Why because I'm a woman?" Sansa's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Because you're our sister, we lost you once we will not lose you again." Robb looked desperate in his plea. Sansa hesitated at his words. Jon sighed, pressed a hand to Robb's shoulder.
"Let her stay," Jon spoke quietly amongst them. "She is the Lady of Winterfell now, she needs to experience this. She needs to learn." Sansa cast Jon a fleeting glance of gratitude, one he returned with a barely there smile.
"We can't give up the north," Robb murmured, Sansa looked at him calmly.
"We can't afford to try and fight her either," Jon said gently. "The only thing we can do is try to negotiate with her and hope she sees reason."
"Regardless she can't be any worse than Cersei Lannister," Sansa spoke softly, but there was a hardened edge to her tone when she mentioned the lioness.
Robb ran a hand over his face, his nerves nearly shot as he struggled with the thought of losing his remaining family to the mad Targaryen and her beasts. The withdrawals of his wine were hitting him especially hard now. It had been an entire day since Jon confiscated his wineskin. He straightened himself to look the part of the young wolf, the bold king. "We will face her together." Sansa had a ghost of a smile on her lips.
"Together," She and Jon echoed his words in unison.
As the north and the vale assembled behind the three Stark children, a large shadow swept over the castle grounds, blacker then any storm cloud, a hot wind following in its tracks that struck against their faces. A thunderous roar filled the skies, striking silence and fear into the men and women below. All eyes peered upwards warily, unease lingered in the air, but not a single soul dared to utter a word. Daenerys Stormborn had arrived with her dragons. The black beast circled until he hovered in the air looking down at them. Two roars answered his and caused the very foundation of Winterfell to tremble. Two more shadows circled overhead, a white and gold, and a bronze and emerald, both equally as fierce.
Jon stood unblinking, taking in the sight before him. Finally, urged by Daenerys, Balerion landed with a thunderous impact that sent tremors through the ground. The jet black dragon spread his wings wide and roared as its tail whipped agitatedly behind it. Smoldering, crimson pits studied the men before it. Jon was in awe of him, a savage and powerful beauty were dragons he was quickly learning. Beside him Ghost's hackles rose in quiet warning. Grey Wind stood equally as calm next to Robb, Summer, Shaggydog, and Lady flanked Sansa's side.
Jon noticed the thick black leather straps along the dragon's chest encrusted with rubies. It looked similar to that of a horse's tack. This dragon was the queen's mount. The two remaining dragons circled low ever watchful.
It was then a voice took him by surprise, "Bastard!" A stunted, dwarf of a man called to Jon. "Or should I be calling you King in the North?" He came forward from around the dragon's wing.
Jon watched him approach as a faint smile broke across his lips. "Tyrion Lannister." He greeted in return. They shook hands as old friends. "Welcome to Winterfell."
"It's good to be back," Tyrion smiled slightly. "I see we have many stories to share."
"Aye," Jon noted quietly to the small man's scarred face. "We do."
Balerion crooned softly as everyone looked up to see a young woman, short in stature, descend as the dragon lowered its shoulder for her. She had a silver crown of hair and the purple eyes of her house. She came forward as her dragon roared and took to the skies casting a flurry of snow in every direction. Snowflakes were already melting in her hair and caused her cheeks to grow rosy. Jon's breath hitched in his chest, twisting like a painful knife. This woman was breathtakingly beautiful. He understood now why many men and women alike had fawned and died for the Targaryens and their beauty.
This queen was built from fire and ash, and knew very little of the perils of snow and ice. But even the bite of winter did little to sway the silver lady before him. Daenerys Targaryen was neither porcelain nor ivory as she appeared, she was Valyrian steel.
Tyrion cleared his throat as heaviness quickly overtook the atmosphere, "May I introduce you to her grace, Daenerys Targaryen."
Her purple stare was banked with fire. Robb took a step forward, "Your grace," He spoke with chilled courtesy, bowed his head. "Welcome to the north, the hospitality of Winterfell is yours."
"Thank you, my lord." Daenerys soft, sweet voice startled both Jon and Robb alike. "I look forward to experiencing it." Robb, Jon and Sansa watched the sly curl of her lips.
Robb levelled her with a smile, "Of course, may I introduce you to my brother, the king in the north, Jon Stark, and my sister, Sansa, Lady of Winterfell."
Daenerys's smile grew as did the fire in her gaze. "I did not know the north possessed a king."
"Oh it does, two in fact." Robb spoke and chilled her with a look.
"Well, that is unfortunate." Dany returned the cool stare with one of her own. "We have many matters to discuss, but to begin; I would appreciate the comforts of a room and a fire. I am not accustomed to the winters in the north."
"Of course, dragons do not do well in winter." Robb agreed with a lazy smile.
"No they do not," Dany set her fiery sight on him. "But it only takes a single flame to turn winter into a warm spring."
Robb's eyes narrowed, "I can imagine. Sansa, will you show our guests to their rooms, have warm baths drawn. I'm sure they are weary from their travels."
"Of course brother," Sansa smiled pleasantly. "I will show you to your chambers."
"What of your dragons?" Jon spoke curiously, as Dany looked at him, she smiled softly. "Where have they gone?"
"You have no need to worry; my children never venture far from me. They are very protective of their mother." Dany said demurely. "They will stay near the sea to feed themselves until they are called."
"You guarantee us they will not attack anyone's livestock or bring harm to our people?" Jon pressed.
Dany's lips softened into a frown, "You have my word."
"The dragons will not harm anyone unless provoked; tell your people and your fisherman to stay clear of them." Tyrion began as Jon and Robb exchanged glances.
"There is no need for concern, I will send them far out to sea for hunting where even your fisherman will not travel. I see no cause for alarm as I am a guest of Lord Starks and under their protection for my time here, isn't that correct?" Dany set her Targaryen eyes onto Robb and Jon.
"Of course, you have our word." Robb spoke diplomatically, though she had clearly struck a nerve.
"Good," Dany smiled kindly. She turned to Sansa, "I would gladly take you up on your offer to show me to my room, Lady Stark."
Sansa nodded, "Follow me." She cast a knowing look towards her brothers as she took her leave. Dany easily fell into step beside her. She held her chin up proudly, refusing to be deterred by the frigid looks of the northerners that surrounded them. Tyrion remained back to speak with the Stark brothers.
As the two women walked in silence Dany noticed the large creatures following closely behind them. "I've never seen such a large dog before."
Sansa smiled amusedly, "They're not dogs actually they're direwolves."
"I see," Dany glanced warily at the large wolves.
"Yes, they have not been common south of the wall until recently." Sansa explained. "But these particular direwolves are bonded to my family, as your dragons are to you."
"I was informed you lost two of your siblings." Dany said quietly, Sansa paused a moment before she continued down the hall.
"Yes, we lost two brothers." Sansa's voice was strained.
"My apologies," Dany whispered. "I've lost two brothers as well." There was a moment of silence. "It's terrible isn't it? The people we lose for the sake of war."
"Or what we ourselves must lose for the sake of it." Sansa spoke emotionlessly. Silence settled over them again, but this time with a small degree of comfort and understanding.
After being bathed and dressed in fresh clothing, Dany left her chambers, perhaps it was a gesture of goodwill on the Stark kings' part to allow her to roam freely around Winterfell, provided that she pass a guard at every turn she took. She knew the proclaimed kings in the north were keeping vigil of her; she was of course the lone dragon alone with the wolves of winter. The Targaryen queen found the lack of privacy frustrating, but this given freedom was a generous price to pay to familiarize her with the northern kingdom and she would not waste it. The eyes of passers lingered with admiration of her beauty while others slid past her like she was an abomination with her silver hair and purple eyes. She was a blasphemy that should have been wiped out a long time ago with the rest of her house. Dany supressed a ghost of a smile, the north would eventually be hers as well. These northerners did not realize the extent of her forces, neither did these proclaimed kings. A few of the serving women cast her glares; Dany merely turned on her heels and didn't look back.
Daenerys walked out into the courtyard, she hitched a breath as the coldness engulfed her once again causing a shiver to run her spine. She missed the heat and warmth of the south. Dozens of men were spread out around the courtyard tending to their duties. Dany was watchful, soon if everything went according to plan these men would bend the knee to her, accept her as their queen, as the rightful ruler of Westeros.
There was a soft cry as Dany quickened her pace and rounded a corner; her eyes were set a flame as she watched a poor serving girl attempting to return to the kitchens. Some of the men groped and jostled the poor young girl about between them as they circled her as if she were a piece of meat or prey animal, a feeling Dany knew all too well and had not easily forgotten.
"That is enough!" Daenerys hissed fiercely, the dragon pushed through the crowd of men to stand protectively in front of the fearful girl. She rounded on the men with a furious glare. "Is this how men of the north conduct themselves, without any honour?" She settled a frigid stare on each man who'd dare to lay a hand on the girl. "Is this how northerners treat their women?"
One of the men who seemed to hold influence in the group came forward, standing a few heads taller than the Targaryen heir. The young woman behind her let out a terrified whimper. The man smirked coldly, "And why should we listen to you, dragon slut?" The man eyed her with a lustful gaze. "You're not our queen." He said loud enough for the crowd of men to hear, they hollered in agreement. "Why don't you do your duty as a woman and come warm my bed tonight? I'd like to know how it feels to ride a dragon. I'm sure many of us do, don't we men?" Some of the men sneered and caterwauled in her direction. Dany was expressionless, cold, void, furious.
"Do we have a problem here?" The voice was quiet, but immediately commanded the attention of the crowd that had gathered. Men quickly stepped aside for their king. Ghost was on Jon's heels as he stood at his side surveying the crowd quietly as he awaited Jon's command.
Jon levelled each man with a hard stare; grey eyes took in the scene before him in a few short moments. The serving girl quickly straightened and bowed deeply. There were unshed tears in her eyes. He glanced for a moment at Dany; her eyes were an angry, purple fire.
"Cerwyn," Jon demanded. "Do we have a problem?"
"No your grace," Cerwyn murmured as he averted his eyes quickly, he looked like a fearful animal ready to escape at any moment. His eyes settled on Ghost for a fraction to long as the direwolf's lips curled up in a silent threat.
Jon seemed to sigh quietly to himself as he turned to Daenerys, "Your grace, are you alright?" Jon asked softly, his eyes settled onto her gently. Dany met his stare, purple and grey.
"I'm fine," Dany's voice was softer then Jon had imagined. "This poor girl on the other hand is not, your men were clearly mistreating her while she tried to do her duty." She cast a single glance at the men who seemed to be at a loss for forwards in the presence of the Stark king, cowards all of them she hissed eternally. Jon simply stared at her in silent understanding.
"And there is nothing else I need to be made aware of?" Jon inquired; his gloved hand came to rest on the pommel of his sword. The gesture instantly drew the men's attention.
Dany's gaze rested on the fidgeting Cerwyn for a moment, "No, nothing." He seemed to wither with relief.
Jon nodded with a solemn expression, "If I see any of you mistreat a woman again in any way I'll be sending you to the wall, they could use some men up there. Now back to your duties." Jon turned to the serving girl. "I apologize on behalf of my men."
"Thank you your grace," The girl flushed deeply before curtsying and hurrying off back into the castle.
Jon watched her leave, he and Dany stood in silence for a moment before she turned to leave. "Your grace, will you please join me?"
Dany formed a small smile, "It would be my pleasure, my lord." Jon furrowed a brow, but sighed wearily and offered her his arm. Dany took it with a gloved hand. They walked in silence as they neared what appeared to be a Godswood. It was ominous and wild as the Starks themselves. "Do you plan to reprimand me for interfering with your men?" Her tone was cool, she was wary of the large white wolf who easily kept pace at Jon's side.
"No of course not, the opposite actually." Jon murmured as he came to a stop before the weirwood tree and a small black pool before it. Dany stared at him curiously, despite his cold ways; this wolf king had a sharpness to him as the Valyrian blade that rested on his hip. It was constantly bubbling beneath the surface waiting to be set free. For a few moments the two rulers silently studied each other. This Jon Stark was bold, and clever, Dany had concluded.
This dragon queen was not as haughty and insufferable as he'd once thought, Jon concluded. He sighed softly and settled onto the roots of the weirwood tree. He invited her to join him, Dany settled near him. "I like to come here sometimes for some peace or to think. My father often came here when he was alive." Jon's grey eyes settled onto the frozen black pool in front of them.
"Tyrion tells me he was an honourable man," Dany spoke quietly; her gaze was soft, compassionate.
"He was through and through and it killed him." Jon's voice echoed around them, Ghost had disappeared into the surrounding foliage, but Dany could feel his ever watchful gaze linger on her like a second skin. Daenerys watched him intently, her eyes tapered, Jon fidgeted slightly, he was trying in his own way to open up to her she quickly realized. The guarded, stoic, Stark man was trying to find a common space between him and her. "You are not what I expected, your grace." Jon spoke suddenly, a small; barely there glimmer of a smile on his lips.
Dany's interest pricked at his words, she smiled faintly, "And what were you expecting a fire breathing monster like my dragons? Perhaps you envisioned a mad daughter following in the footsteps of her mad father?"
The day was gray and cold, light snowfall came and went, and the wind had slowly died down. Jon took a breath of crisp air, allowing himself a moment of peace. He offered her an apologetic smile, "Maybe a bit of both."
Daenerys laughed, it was a glorious sound to his ears. And suddenly he wanted to hear more of it. "I've heard worse, believe me; at times it was from my own brother."
"I'm sorry," Jon began as Dany held up a hand to silence him.
"Don't be," Dany murmured. "He's dead for a reason. Viserys was not born to be a king, he was barely human as it were. He was a cruel being."
"But you still miss him." Jon stated boldly, but with a understanding gentleness Dany had not expected.
Dany was silent a moment, "I do at times, he was my brother, my only family. I named one of my dragons for him, Viserion. He would do what my brother could not."
"And what would that be?" Jon asked daringly.
Daenerys stared at him; he saw it clear as dawn, a singular look in her purple eyes. Fire. "Reclaim what was rightfully ours, the iron throne."
"The northerners are proud people; they will bend the knee." Jon told her, his voice hard with unspoken emotions he could not decipher.
Daenerys's hair fell over her shoulders like liquid silver, her skin pale as the snow falling around them, and her eyes the color of rich amethysts. She was an ethereal being. Jon had never seen a beauty like her before. Ygritte had been a beauty in her own right with her red hair and fiery smile, but could not hold a candle to the likes of Daenerys Targaryen; he thought no woman could, not even his pretty sister, or the Lannister lioness. Daenerys was born a queen, regal and charismatic, and she showed it from the first time he saw, descending onto Winterfell's moorlands with draconic children.
"I never presumed it would be such an easy task," Daenerys said easily, it was a presumptuous statement, but not one Jon could bring himself to refute at the moment. He was no fool. He knew the power she held, she had already demonstrated it when she'd arrived with only Tyrion and her three dragons, no army at her back. She continued to remain defiant and fearless, despite the northerners' cold welcome. Daenerys stood, looking down at Jon. "I came here in the hopes of a successful negotiation of an alliance, but it does not mean I have changed my mind of which kingdoms belong to the throne."
Jon stood and held her gaze, "My brother and I haven't either."
Daenerys's eyes narrowed quickly, "That's fair, but whether you and your brother willingly agree to join me, or not. I will claim the north as mine, Jon Stark. I truly hope for the sake of your people their survival is more important than your and your brother's pride." Jon stared at her. "Thank you for your company. I look forward to discussing matters with you and your brother tomorrow." Daenerys cast him wistful glance before taking her leave.
Jon sighed, Ghost appeared at his side, nudged his gloved hand gently, his scarred hand opened and closed as he tried to figure out a way out of this. They were surrounded by enemies, to the south, at their home, and the one quickly approaching from the north. They needed to band together now more than ever. He just hoped both Robb and Daenerys could see to reason tomorrow.
"What am I going to do, Ghost?" Jon murmured to his companion, Ghost crooned, Jon offered him a soft smile and stroked the direwolf's white mane.
End of chapter.
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