a/n: Hello. I've been inactive again, mainly to see if this story would get more reviews again. As it has not, this may or may not be the last chapter, or GoT story I ever write. Another thing I wish to clarify, or at least give my two cents is, people's sudden jump on Dany in the last chapter she's being horrible. It made me laugh. Yes, they are in the midst of a war, they are teenagers, barely adults, and people seem to want Jon, Dany, the entire north to be all friends right away, or for Dany to be more compassionate, etc. That isn't reality. Dany wants to be queen, the Starks just reclaimed their home, neither would give up so willingly right away. Look at our own world, society, etc. You think everything will go so smoothly in a fantasy world? Without discord there is no drama, no storytelling, less character development for certain scenarios as this takes place way later in the series, despite having my own twists. So, please be a little more forgiving. I am trying to make Dany likable, and she will be, hopefully, for you readers in future chapters to come with what I wish/had planned to write depending on reviews.
Thank you.
Chapter 5
A day had passed, Dany wore a white and crimson coat, her hair plaited expertly to hang skillfully over her shoulder. Leathered gloved donned her fingers, fur-lined boots to her feet. She drew her hood over her head as she set out into the Winterfell courtyard. If Daenerys looked troubled by the hateful glares and scathing words men and women whispered below their breath at her, she did not show it. Instead, the dragon queen kept an emotionless mask, set hard as stone on her face as she motioned towards the stables. She needed a moment alone, to be away from this den of wolves, to be with her children in private to think. And she'd be damned if she would seek permission from Lord Stark or his sister.
The stable boy appeared frustrated when she ordered him to fetch her a horse, any horse would do. Despite being commanded by the Targaryen woman who was not his queen, he did so willingly anyways. He would not be a reason to cause conflict for his liege lords and lady.
"Fetch mine as well," A voice spoke from behind, Dany and the stable boy turned to see Jon, clad all in black.
The stable boy nodded deeply, "Of course my lord, right away!" He scurried away in the stables. They stood in silence for a moment.
"Did your brother send you to watch me?" Dany demanded coldly. "Did he worry his guest would run away to gather her armies to wage war upon the north?" She was anything but subtle, Jon was quickly learning.
Jon chuckled, "Nothing so elaborate, I'm afraid, your grace." His grey eyes studied her steadily. "I had the urge to go for a ride myself. It helps me to think. I merely thought we could both enjoy the company, that's all."
Dany cast him a skeptical glance, "Are you sure? Surely, I thought you intended to take me into the woods to kill me."
Jon furrowed a brow curiously, "Now why would I do that?"
Dany raised her chin proudly, "Simple, eliminate the enemy, and the north remains yours."
Jon offered her a kind smile, "You are not my enemy. I had hoped you would be an ally, but I don't see you as my enemy."
"Then what am I to you?"
Jon sighed a moment later, "I honestly don't know at the moment. Let's say an honored guest." He spotted the stable boy arriving with his fine white stallion, and a bay mare. "A moment, your grace." He stepped into the stables to have a word with the stable boy, who quickly hurried away with the bay mare. Jon walked out with his horse, a fine specimen indeed.
Daenerys arched a brow, amused. "Do you expect me to ride with you, Lord Stark?" Her tone was suggestive, but Jon chuckled a moment later.
"No, of course not, your grace." He offered sincerely. "I simply wanted to offer a token of good faith." A few moments later the stable boy returned with a glossy, black mare. Dany silently admired the lovely creature. The stable boy handed a silver bridle to her, Dany slowly took it.
Dany looked at Jon, "Are you sure?"
"Consider this mare your personal mount during your time here in Winterfell." Jon came to her side. "She's young and spirited, but she's strong."
The beauty of the horse she held was astounding. She turned to the Stark. "Why black?"
Jon offered her a small smile, "It seemed like your color, considering the dragon you ride. Black and red suit you." Dany remained silent. "Do you need assistance, your grace?" Jon offered as Dany quickly shook her head.
"No, I'm fine, thank you." Daenerys quickly thrust her foot into the stirrup and lifted herself onto the horse, she settled into the saddle. She was accustomed to riding. Jon easily mounted his stallion; the two horses threw their heads back and trotted spiritedly towards the snowy forest. They rode in silence for a long while, before Dany spoke. "She's lovely."
"She is, isn't she?" Jon agreed as they slowed into a walk. "She was meant for Sansa, but she was never fond of riding, not like Arya." His tone softened at the mention of the younger Stark sibling who was still missing.
"Your sister," Dany said gently.
"Aye," Jon nodded somberly. "Its been years since I last saw her, any of my siblings. I can only hope she returns home one day, very much alive."
Dany nodded, "I can't imagine what you and your family have gone through."
Jon glanced at her from his horse, "It wasn't easy, but we are all stronger for it, some more then others." Dany understood, he spoke of himself and Sansa, strong as steel, while Robb continuously tried to feign the same strength as he drowned his sorrows in his wineskins. "Why did you want to ride out here today?"
Dany's eyes met his own briefly, they were such a startling shade of purple, and honest. "I was wanting to spend time with my children, but away from prying eyes of your northerners. The sight of my children can be frightful to many, I did not wish to alarm your people."
"I see," Jon looked thoughtful. "May I accompany you?"
Dany hesitated, but sighed as quickly. He had spoken so softly, genuinely interested. "You may."
They rode until they reached an open meadow by a small lake. They dismounted and tied the horses to a tree a good distance away from the clearing before continuing on foot. Jon watched the Targaryen woman curiously as she went still for a brief moment, her eyes closed as if she were seeking a moment of peace. Then she turned to look at him, purple eyes bright with life. "They'll be coming shortly." Jon merely furrowed a brow, perhaps her connection with her dragons was like his and Ghost's, a silent, mental link of sorts, feelings and words shared without having to be spoken.
Dany found a fallen tree to perch upon as they waited, Jon moved forward to take a seat beside her, his large, heavy cloak dusting the snowy earth. The wind was cold and crisp as they sat and enjoyed the silence, and Daenerys would never admit it, his company. Jon watched her as she stared up the cloudy sky, she was more beautiful than any woman he had ever laid eyes upon. Purple eyes offset by silver hair and snow-like skin. A moment later he heard a shrill cry of a dragon, it nearly shook the foundation of the ground they stood upon. Daenerys stood from her spot, three large shadows circled from above before taking their descent with thunderous impact, sending flurries of powdery snow in every direction. Three large beasts loomed over him, up close they were more fearsome and terrifying, but they excited him all the same.
Dany moved forward to embrace the large head of her largest child, Balerion, the black dread, the last shadow, as he was called, and Jon was quickly learning why. He was the most aggressive out of her three children, and the most territorial of his mother's attention and affections. Viserion, the white released a deep sound in his throat that was akin to a cat purring it seemed as he rested his large snout beneath his mother's gloved hand. Rhaegal, the emerald, seemed more curious of his presence as the dragon released clouds of smoke from his nostrils as eyed Jon.
He heard Dany's soft voice whisper, "Oh, how I've missed you three." Balerion crooned to his mother affectionately in return. Daenerys turned to look at him, eyes gleaming with delirious happiness. "You can come closer, they will not harm you in my presence, I promise."
When Balerion's smoldering, red pits settled onto him, Jon hesitated, he took a deep inhale. He had faced much worse than a dragon, he would not allow himself to look weak in front of the dragon queen or her beastly children. Jon slowly approached, Balerion's lips curled up, black sword like teeth bared, his bright red frills raised like a cat's hackles. Jon removed his glove, slowly offering his burnt and scarred hand for the dragon to scent. Dany quietly cooed to her child, soothing the large, suspicious dragon. Balerion sniffed his hand, small trails of black smoke sifted through his nostrils warming Jon's hand and face. A moment later, Balerion's frills settled against his jet-black body, his teeth disappeared, the red fire his eyes dimmed. Slowly he drew away, Jon released the breath he had been holding. He looked at Daenerys incredulously.
Dany looked faintly surprised herself, she offered a small smile quickly. "He accepted you." Viserion and Rhaegal approached from either side, sniffing and nuzzling his sides with their large snouts and soft rumbles. "They all like you." Dany laughed at Jon's startled expression, rarely did the Stark show emotion. He was far to guarded.
They shared a few more moments with her dragons until Dany sent them off, she had sensed their growing hunger. She did not wish for them attack the local farms' livestock as she had promised. She sent them far out to sea to hunt. Dany felt some of her strength return after spending time with her children.
"Beautiful, aren't they?" Dany watched them ascend to the skies, a mother's tender smile on her lips as she turned to observe Jon.
"Not quite the words I was thinking of," Jon saw her frown at him. He immediately regretted his words. "But yes, they are beautiful beasts."
Dany looked towards the distance as the shadows of her children vanished into the clouds. "They're not beasts to me. No matter how big they grow, how terrifying they are to everyone else, they will always be my children." And suddenly those purple eyes settled onto him. "Can you understand? I brought them into this world, raised them when they were no bigger than cats, I carried them with me everywhere."
"They were never a burden?" Jon questioned calmly, curiously.
Dany looked at him softly, "Children are never a burden to their mother, Lord Stark."
Jon chuckled, it was a rueful laugh. "I was mistaken, forgive me. Children are not a burden to their mother if they are her true children, and your dragons are yours."
Dany's lips parted, "You speak as if you know from experience." Her voice was warm, uncomfortably gentle towards him.
"I don't need your pity, your grace." Jon said quickly, he spoke evenly, softly, darkly.
"It wasn't pity I was offering," Dany said a moment later. "I was only trying to understand."
Jon sighed, those eyes of hers would be his undoing, so full of compassion at that very moment. There was no pity to be found in them, only open honesty. "After the war, my father, I mean my uncle, Eddard Stark brought me back to Winterfell. My father was Brandon Stark." Dany stiffened, she knew that name, and of his father, Rickard Stark, the man her father had set ablaze. "Brandon had been betrothed to Catelyn Tully, Robb and Sansa's mother, but he chose to elope and marry Ashara Dayne of Dorne. Catelyn would go onto marry my uncle, Eddard Stark and bear him many children, but she never got over her first love, my father. So, you can imagine what my arrival to Winterfell did to her." Dany's gaze softened, he did not need to speak the words. The woman had hated him, despised his birth and existence.
"I'm sorry." Daenerys moved forward to take his gloved hand in hers and gave it a squeeze.
"It's in the past now," Jon sighed, but his expression spoke volumes. It was in the past, but those memories would forever haunt him. A woman who could not love a parentless child. He would never forget Catelyn Stark with her cold eyes and sharp words. "I'm sorry, that's not why I wanted to come out here with you."
Dany released his hand and stepped back, her gaze guarded. "So, there was an ulterior motive?"
Jon looked apologetic, "There is."
Daenerys stared him down, "Well, out with it."
"I want to understand you." Jon began as Dany's eyes quickly tapered. "You could have used your dragons to gain the north's submission, but you haven't, which tells me at the very least you are better than Cersei. You could easily use your dragons to melt castles and burn cities to the ground, it would be the quickest way to win the war, you wouldn't even need an alliance from the army you've acquired. Why not?" Dany was silent, Jon stared at her hard. "I know why." Dany raised a brow, tempting him to speak an ill word of her. They all did, always, every last one of them. She knew what they called her behind her back, queen of bones, blood, and ashes, the queen of civil war. Jon Stark would be no different. "You have a good heart. You don't want to kill thousands of innocent people. Its not why you came here, is it?"
Daenerys settled her purple gaze onto him, her expression conflicted as if her heart and mind were clashing swords. "No."
"Then why?"
"Cersei, you, and I, any of the great houses are merely spokes on a wheel fighting to see who will be on top, spinning on and on crushing those helpless on the ground. I came here to stop the wheel, to break it. So that no man, woman, or child would know what it meant to be bought or sold like I was by my brother." The conviction in her words, her voice, her eyes were mesmerizing. Jon could easily understand why so many had immediately fallen to their knees when the dragon queen asked them to bend. Daenerys Stormborn was power, grace, beauty personified. Pure femininity, an independent image of woman who defied to be seen as a subservient in the battles of kings.
"Do you see me and my brother as these spokes you speak of?" Jon spoke with concern shadowing his eyes. "Do you think we mean to crush our people below our command, treat the common folk as nothing more than slaves for our disposal? Is that what you think of us?"
Dany looked at him long and hard with a troubled expression. It passed and she wilted a sigh, "No, of course not."
"Then why do you require the north to submit?" Jon pushed, Daenerys glared.
"When I dethrone Cersei and allow the north to keep autonomy, other kingdoms will ask the same in return. It will make my power and claim weak." Dany's hands fisted at her side. "Why can you not understand?"
"Tyrion told me to trust you, to convince my brother and sister to bend to your cause." More than anything, Jon sounded resolute. "The queen he spoke of was not one who wanted to conquer Westeros through force and intimidation, but through acceptance and compassion. Demanding the north yield to you or be taken by force, does that sound like a compassionate ruler? The north would never accept you as their queen. They are proud people, allow them their pride and they will love you for it." Dany remained obstinate. Jon sighed. "If you keep pushing until they break the kingdoms of Westeros will rebel against you when you take the throne. They will fight to overthrow you as they did your father. The worst outcomes start with good intentions, your grace." He turned to return to his horse. "When Tyrion sent the letter that you wished to travel north, I knew there was only one thing you were after." He glanced at her over his shoulder, "My brother and sister were right, we could not just hand over the north to you after we fought so hard to reclaim it. I also knew we could not afford to fight against you, at the very least I thought you could be reasoned with. Perhaps, I was wrong. My apologies, your grace, for having wasted your time."
Something deep in her broke little by little, she did not want this beautiful stranger to leave her. And he was beautiful. Though pale his skin, it was perfect to frame the grey pools that stared out at the world. Raven curls that fell above his shoulders, half up in a bun, cast a soft shadow along his jawline. Beneath the heavy leathers and fur cloak he wore, Dany could easily imagine the powerful muscles that rippled with life. He was born of these northern woods, of ice and snow just as she was born of fire and blood. His visage was brooding, dark, guarded, with eyes so grey and haunted by many sorrows of one so young. But it all suited him, perfectly. And then those eyes set upon her. They burned into hers.
It was as Jorah had once said. She possessed a gentle heart. It would be both her greatest strength and her greatest weakness. She remained silent, battling her thoughts. In the depths of her heart she knew he was right. She had originally set out to free the slaves, the become a beloved queen, chosen by the people. Somewhere along the way she had lost sight of it all.
Jon was silent for a long while, but slowly his eyes fell over Daenerys once more. It nearly regretted it instantly. She was ethereal with her hair falling like liquid silver, her skin pale as the snow that surrounded them, and eyes of the brightest amethyst stones. He swallowed against the lump in his own throat, embarrassed as if he were a young boy virginal again. "Shall we return then?"
Daenerys's eyes slowly drifted to his. Her heart and mind set. She was becoming a dragon imprisoned in ice. "You are right, Lord Stark."
Jon froze, offered her a small smile. "It seems life is full of little ironies, doesn't it?" Their soft laughter steamed the night air.
"Before I commit to your cause," Dany began carefully, she stared hard at the Stark man. "I want to see this threat beyond the wall for myself. I want to see this army of the dead with my own eyes. Only then will I offer my dragons and armies to your cause. Do we have an agreement?"
Jon nodded slowly, it was a fair request. "Aye, I will speak with my brother."
"Good, see that you do." Daenerys walked past him then paused a moment. "But I want you to understand, Lord Stark, once this threat is dealt with, I will expect compensation for my assistance."
Jon stared at her warily, "The north will not submit to you, your grace."
"Not northern submission, I see now using force will not win me what I truly desire, acceptance of my people. I will want the north's support to my claim of the iron throne." Dany spoke coolly.
Jon nodded, "That's fair, is that all?"
"Maybe, maybe not, that has yet to be seen." Dany softly declared. "We should return, its growing colder."
Jon saw her fight a shiver, offered her a kind smile. "Let's go."
He helped her mount her mare as he quickly mounted his steed and they rode back to Winterfell at a gallop. Dany felt free on this light, fast mount. The mare's beauty surpassed even Khal Drogo's gift to her. She had missed travelling on horseback, though she still preferred the skies. Once returned to Winterfell, a stable boy took their horses, Dany patted the mare's neck with gratitude.
"She's lovely," Dany sighed wistfully. "My first husband gave me a mare, a young silver mare. She was a beauty as well."
"What happened to her?" Jon asked softly.
"She died in the red waste," Daenerys spoke ruefully of the pretty filly. She had loved her greatly. Her silver had been her only joy during her time as Khal Drogo's bride. "We had no food, no shelter from the sun, many died then."
"I'm sorry," Jon offered with genuine solace, he knew what it meant to lose valued men. He knew his men, cared for them deeply, as she did her own.
"It's in the past now," Dany spoke as they walked towards the castle. "If I look back, I am lost, I must continue to move forward." Jon understood that sentiment, he nodded in silent agreement. Dany stopped in the dark hall lit dimly by torches. "I guess this is farewell until tomorrow, you have much to discuss with your siblings as I do my hand."
Jon nodded, "I do, we both do."
"Goodnight, Lord Stark."
Jon chuckled, "Just Jon is fine, your grace."
Daenerys offered him a faint smile, "Daenerys. You may call me, Daenerys."
Jon smiled, "Goodnight, Daenerys."
Dany's lips parted on an inhale of air, soft and sweet. "Goodnight, Jon." They lingered for a moment, before Daenerys retreated first, she turned and disappeared down the hall, leaving Jon to watch her go with a longing and a soft sigh.
A soft croon met his ears, a nose warmed his gloved hand. Jon offered his companion a gentle smile and stroked the white mane of his direwolf's neck. "Come on boy, let's go find Robb and Sansa."
End of Chapter!
Hope you all enjoyed, please review if you'd like an update, or this may be the last installment for this story. Thank you.