Chapter 16 – Daenerys

Winterfell was very different to how Daenerys had imagined it. Quiet, for one. No scores of people dwelling outside the fortified walls like the stinking masses in Kings Landing, only rolling hills of snow-topped greenery. Jon was right about the castle's geothermal heating: parts of the place felt hot, as if warmth was radiating through the walls. It was a stark contrast from outside, where snow was falling fast. For a moment, Dany was transported back in time to her vision of the Wall in the House of the Undying. She shuddered at the memory, and the others of the experience that also sprung to mind.

Jon was talking animatedly with Ser Davos, while Ser Jorah seemed to have materialised into thin air. So had Jon's other sister, Sansa, saying that she was going to find Arya, who had disappeared as soon as they had arrived as well. Therefore, it was Tyrion who gently leaned up to grasp her elbow.

"Are you alright?" he whispered to her as they moved through the castle.

"Yes, I am!" Daenerys replied brightly. After that, she avoided looking out of the windows until she was able to repress the snowy visions. Missandei and Grey Worm were conversing in rapid Valyrian. Jon was laughing at something Ser Davos had said. Even Tyrion threw in the odd quip, despite his obvious anxiety. Yet Dany couldn't help but feel like she was being watched.

After a couple of minutes, they arrived in a vast room that Daenerys assumed was the Great Hall, owing to the number of tables and chairs. A few servants frantically scurried around carrying plates, silverware, goblets, jugs of wine and various platters and tureens of food. But Dany could tell that this was no lavish feast, there was probably just enough food to adequately feed everyone at Winterfell – no more, no less.

"I hope the girls get here soon," Jon was fretting. "I don't want people getting hungry…"

"They're sisters who haven't seen each other in years," Ser Davos countered reasonably. "Give them some time. But I don't think either of them would truly mind if we started without them." Luckily this didn't need to be the case, as Jon then heard rowdy footsteps. Arya burst into the Great Hall and practically ran over to the group, clearly excited at the prospect of the first sizeable meal since leaving White Harbour. Sansa followed her, a lot more sedately, a genuine smile on her face that thinned out and disappeared as she approached them.

"Bran should be here any minute," she told Jon in a very formal manner. "Maester Wolkan is bringing him." They all began to huddle around the large table at the back of the Hall, raised slightly to show that it was where the ruler of the North and their family should sit. Daenerys noticed that Tyrion stuck to her like glue, and Sansa did the same with Jon. Missandei and Grey Worm looked stiff and shy as they too sat down. It was Ser Davos and Arya who looked the most natural out of them. A couple of minutes later Bran too was wheeled in. Arya got up, but Daenerys realised, almost hesitantly.

Bran Stark made Dany feel uneasy. Those guileless eyes, devoid of any emotion but somehow able to bore into one's very soul. Daenerys had the sinking feeling that he could read minds. This didn't seem to matter as much to Arya who went over and gave her younger brother an awkward hug.

"Nice chair," Arya said softly.

"Maester Wolkan had it built for me, so that I can move around more easily," Bran replied tonelessly. Dany saw Arya's eyes flicker with pain, clearly this was not the boy she had grown up with.

"It's a good idea," Arya nodded.

"You came home," Bran said, again with no expression. "I saw you on the ship back to Westeros."

Arya frowned and she looked a little hurt. "You saw me?"

Bran inclined his head ever so slightly. "I see quite a lot now."

"Bran has… visions," Sansa said, by way of explanation. Daenerys could see that she too was a bit unnerved. "He's a greenseer, and he knows everything."

Jon's eyebrows furrowed, yet Arya appeared remarkably unaffected, instead giving her brother a respectful nod.

"Not exactly the knight you wanted to be then," she said, trying to lighten the mood.

"No, not exactly," Bran said.

Daenerys noticed Sansa fretting. "Does anyone know where Baelish is?"

Jon shook his head, but Arya made an exaggerated noise of disgust. "He's here?"

"He's declared for House Stark," Sansa replied, grimacing, though Dany barely noticed her. Her attention was back on Bran, whose eyes had rolled so far back in his head that there was nothing but white.

"A warg," Tyrion observed. "Or a greenseer? I've read about them. I didn't know they were real, though. Although, I didn't know dragons were real until I saw them for myself." Daenerys glanced back at Jon, who was watching his younger brother with silent interest.

Before too long, Bran bent his head forward, and when he looked up his eyes were back to normal.

"It takes me longer to have visions inside the castle," he explained tonelessly to everyone as they stared at him. "I find it easier in the Godswood."

"What did you see?" Sansa asked him, and Dany could tell that even if her brother's ability unnerved her, it also intrigued her.

"Littlefinger is in his room, but he didn't look too happy. Varys is snooping around outside, close to the Dothraki. I don't think either of them know that the other is here yet. Sam is reading in the library with Gilly. And Brienne is on patrol with Podrick." Daenerys could only blink at the mention of all the new names. All people she would have to work with. Potentially people who would hate her.

"Podrick?" Tyrion asked, suddenly smiling. "A happy reunion is due. He's a good lad." Dany could now vaguely remember hearing the name before, from one of Tyrion's many drunken ramblings about Kings Landing.

Sansa Stark smiled thinly. "He is Brienne's squire."

Tyrion smiled too. "Of course. And how are you, Lady Sansa? I see you managed to return home."

"I am well enough, thank you, my lord," she replied, ever regal and courteous. Almost queen-like, Daenerys reflected, and giving nothing away. "And yourself? I'm glad that neither your father nor your sister were able to murder you."

"They did their best, between them," Tyrion sighed. "A peculiar turn of events." He then turned his attention to his meal. Dany did the same, but not before once again looking at Jon, who had been watching Sansa and Tyrion's exchange with curiosity.

Daenerys' Hand had told her that he had been married to Sansa Stark against both of their wishes. A sham marriage, Tyrion had called it. Therefore Dany was quite surprised to see them conversing so pleasantly. She could assume that their relationship was built on a need to survive and escape.

Most of the rest of the meal was spent deciding on what to do next. Sansa spoke of sending ravens, before the snows became much worse, which Missandei very tentatively agreed with, earning herself a small smile from the older Stark girl. Arya spoke of Valyrian steel, making weapons and beginning to train children. A task which Grey Worm, for all his apparent reservations about Arya, agreed with, with a curt nod. Tyrion suggested stockpiling food supplies and seemed genuinely proud of Sansa when she told him that she had already started this in Jon's absence. Eventually, Jon said that there should be a meeting the next day, with the other lords and ladies in the North present. Throughout, Bran had another two or three visions. Between them, he would stare expressionlessly at people, which made Dany feel even more on edge, as she wondered what Bran could possibly know about her.

"Perhaps it would be better if Daenerys Targaryen's companions had a table to themselves," he said ominously towards the end.

"Why?" Arya demanded. "This is an alliance!" Daenerys, now feeling very nervous, felt glad that Arya had defended her.

"Some people are scared to see each other again," Bran said simply, oblivious to the edge of his sister's voice. "Wolves. Lions. Bears. Even dragons, among others." Then he wheeled himself out.

"I don't see any lions here to be scared of," Tyrion quipped. "Unless my father has been turned into one of these walking dead men." Jon chuckled, but looked worried, clearly trying to work out the cryptic message.

"I don't know what he means," Sansa said seriously. "Bran has told me many times that he cannot see the future."

"Sounds like rubbish," Arya said hotly. "Why would us wolves be scared to see each other again? We're family!"

"And I am the last dragon," Dany said very quietly.

"Exactly!" Arya continued, though she barely glanced at her. "What happened to him, Sansa?" The pain in her voice was palpable.

"I don't know," Sansa replied, looking troubled. "As you can imagine, he gave very vague answers when I asked him. But I mean it when I say he knows everything."

"Everything?" Jon repeated.

"Everything," Sansa emphasised. "Shortly after he came home, we sat down together one evening and he recited my entire life story. Everything. Events since I left Winterfell, things we used to talk about when we were little that I had long forgotten, private conversations – everything. The only good thing about his state is that he doesn't usually give his own opinion."

The table went very quiet after that.

"Well, I don't mean to be rude but I'm shattered," Arya said later as a few servants began to start clearing away plates. "Do I still have the same room?"

"Yes," Sansa replied. "I figured you would want that."

"Then I'll see you all tomorrow," Arya said, moving around the table to hug both Sansa and Jon. She then stiffly curtsied to Daenerys, but with a grin, before leaving the hall.

"I imagine you are all exhausted after your journey," Sansa continued smoothly after her sister had left. "I will show you to your rooms."

It turned out Winterfell was slowly filling up with people fleeing south and other lords and ladies. Tyrion agreed to share with Varys and Grey Worm made it still easier when he insisted on sleeping outside with the rest of the Unsullied. Once this had been sorted, the depleting group made their way around the castle until it was just Sansa, Jon and Dany left. Jon had asked Daenerys if she wanted Lady Catelyn's old rooms, since they were the warmest, but Dany then thought of her friend, who had too spent her entire life in Essos. Daenerys couldn't help but notice the way Sansa scrutinised her and Jon's interaction and it made her feel a little uncomfortable, even though it shouldn't have.

"Is there anything else you require this evening, Your Grace?" Sansa asked politely as they stopped walking half way down a corridor.

"I don't think so, no, thank you, both of you, for your hospitality," Daenerys said genuinely, starting to really feel tired. She felt a little nervous about the meeting tomorrow, meeting new people and having to defend herself against the people who doubted her. The only glimmers of hope would be spending time with Jon, even with everyone else present, and perhaps another training session with Dark Sister with Arya.

Sansa inclined her head. "You are welcome. I'll see you tomorrow morning, good night." She turned to leave. "Coming, Jon?"

"In a minute," Jon said hesitantly, and Dany thought he looked a bit nervous. "I'll meet you in the solar." Sansa gave him a searching look, then left, her footsteps barely audible on the stone floors.

"Are you alright?" Dany and Jon asked each other at the same time. Jon smiled at her to answer first.

"I am okay," she replied, looking up at him. It was strange: Jon was back at Winterfell, yet he didn't look at home. "Anxious a bit, for tomorrow." She didn't know why she added this last part, but it felt right to be honest.

"Aren't we all," Jon said dryly. "I've been thinking, a bit, on what Bran said, about people being scared to see one another again. I think I've cracked part of it. Ser Jorah Mormont is loyal to you, but his cousin, Lady Lyanna of Bear Island, is loyal to me. She's fierce, and blunt, and always says exactly what she thinks. Do you think that will cause problems?"

"Perhaps," Dany replied thoughtfully after thinking about it. "From what I know, Jorah isn't particularly great at standing up for himself. I would hope, being family, that they would find some common ground, though."

"You don't need to be afraid," Jon said suddenly. "About tomorrow."

"I'm not," she assured him. "Just a little uneasy."

"You'll have all of your people with you," Jon said. "Arya will root for you, so will Davos, so will I. And if I do, a few of the lords and ladies will, including Lyanna. Sam will. Tormund, representing the wildlings, definitely will since you are helping us. Only a few of them will dare to insult you or doubt you. It won't be too bad."

"I'm used to being insulted and doubted," Dany reminded. "I have been most of my life, all across Essos and here." She couldn't help but smile at Jon's concern. "I'll be fine, like you say."

"I'm sorry, for that," he said, and unexpectedly reached out and pulled her into a gentle embrace. Dany, for all her tiredness, relaxed into him, breathing in the calming scent of pine and leather, the gentle tickle of Jon's beard and hair making her smile. For just a moment she could forget everything, the enemies she would soon have to face, the fear of the threat north of the Wall, Sansa's suspicious frown or Bran's deadpan stare. She could breathe and just be.

When they broke apart, Jon gently caressed her cheek.

"Eyelash," he said, but kept doing it. Dany tentatively ran her hands through his dark curls. She didn't know why she felt so nervous. It may have been a more intimate gesture, but she was comfortable with Jon and she had been with other men. But she had to admit to herself that Jon was the first to make her stomach flutter with a smile, or have her heart beating at a hundred times a minute as they hugged. And they had been through so much. Daenerys realised that she didn't just like him because he was handsome (although she couldn't deny that he was) but because he was everything that she thought a good man should be.

With this in mind, Dany slowly leaned forward and pressed her forehead to Jon's, their noses gently brushing and their lips just centimetres apart. His hands gently moved down and rested on her back, rubbing comforting circles. After a few moments, Dany moved her head to look at him. They stared at each other for what seemed like forever, hearts racing. Then, Jon very softly pressed his lips to hers.

It was a gentle and long-lasting kiss. Daenerys felt like every neuron in her brain was convulsing with nervous activity, but she could only smile as she kissed him back. Finally. After so long of running rings around each other, of being teased by advisors and siblings alike, after all of the conversations in which they had grown so much closer… Dany curled her fists around Jon's neck, leaning into him as much as she could. It was difficult to say how long they stayed like this, but he never pushed her for more. Jon's hands moved reverently, running through her hair and over her face, never anywhere else.

When they eventually broke apart, it was to Jon's broad grin and Dany felt so giddy and so wonderfully light she had to stifle a giggle.

"I don't know about you, but I feel like that was very much overdue," Jon said tenderly, gently caressing the outline of her face.

"It was overdue," Daenerys laughed back. "I treasure you very much, Jon Snow. I don't know why it's taken me so long to realise it."

"I have… a very deep affection for you, as well," Jon said, now very seriously. "Part of it scares me, since we have only known one another for a few weeks. But how could I not? You're so strong, and smart, and you care so much about everyone."

"I think you are the strong one," Daenerys replied softly. "Look at what you've been through and what you've become. Every time I hear something new about you, it never fails to amaze me."

"You never fail to amaze me," Jon said playfully, kissing her forehead. "And I don't think you ever will."

"That is sweet of you to say," Dany said.

Jon anxiously glanced behind him. "I would love to stay here with you a while longer," he said honestly, looking contrite. "But I told Sansa I would meet her in the solar, and I already think she is sceptical enough."

"That is true," Daenerys conceded, though a little reluctantly. "I would like to get along with Sansa, as well as Arya."

"You will, in time," Jon told her. "But I can tell you for a fact that Sansa won't ever be blindly loyal or trustful again, not even if I am. She's been hurt too much, and she's learnt from it all. All I can do is tell her honestly of the things I have done and seen since I last left this place."

Dany smiled at him tenderly. "I will see you tomorrow," she said.

Jon took her hand and kissed it. "And I you. Goodnight, Daenerys."

"Goodnight, Jon." She smiled like a lovesick fool as he made his way back along the stone passageway.

It was only as Dany entered her new room and shut the door that a horrible thought entered her mind. Bran can see everything she remembered. And if he didn't just see that, he will soon.

A/N: Longest chapter yet? Quite possibly. Yay, Jonerys is a thing now! Sort of…

Sorry it's taken me a little while to get this out. Only one more week of college until Easter break though, so hopefully then my updates will be a bit more frequent.

Thank you very much for reading! Don't forget to review since your comments do mean the world.

Some of you may have noticed that this fic is now on AO3 as well as . If not, my username is the same, so if you would rather read on there then feel free! I have got a new Instagram (still absolutethronestrash) where I can upload memes and stuff. Idk. Follow it if you want.

Thanks again for reading. My next chapter will be in Jon's POV and I will get it out asap. I don't think it will feature the meeting (that'll get saved for Arya), since I think it is time Jon found out something, if you know what I mean…

Until next time.