Hello once more, time for chapter 3!
I AM SO SO SO SO SO SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY! I feel terrible leaving you guys hanging.
This chapter is dedicated to Serina93, if it weren't for you I may have forgotten about this story, so here are some waffles (#) (#) (#) (#) (#) :)
HUGE thank you to Slimcryptic, who pointed out my errors with the dating. Westeros uses 'AC' instead of 'AD' because they date things after Aegon's Conquest, instead of how we do.
Also, thanks to LS77, I forgot about that little loophole. You can make up a reason why Daenerys can read, but if you want to know, just assume that she learned when she was in one of her hiding places for a couple of years.
Also, some of the spelling might be weird to Americans reading this, but I am Australian and we spell things differently.
This happens about 9 months before the start of AGoT
Enjoy!
298 AC
Jon set down the bottles with a somewhat decisive thunk.
Daenerys and Viserys simultaneously raised an eyebrow at him.
"It's dye. Just wash your hair with it, and it'll turn it black."
Viserys opened his mouth to protest, but Jon cut in before he could say anything.
"And it's not permanent, so don't complain."
Daenerys looked at him. "Why do we need hair dye?"
"Well, firstly, if someone were to come in here and see you, your hair is a dead giveaway. Secondly, if you guys do use it, you won't have to hide here all the time, you can see Winterfell."
Daenerys perked up at the prospect. She had seen Winterfell at a distance, only about a mile away, and it seemed majestic, ancient, as though it would stand forever. Going inside and seeing Jon's home would be interesting. She then remembered hearing about Catelyn Stark, and her hopes sunk just a little.
"But what about our eyes?"
She was jerked back to reality at her brother's words. Of course, Viserys and herself had dark purple eyes. Not exactly something you saw every day.
However, this complication didn't dampen Jon's spirits, if anything, he grinned wider.
"I don't think anyone will notice your eyes unless they were purposefully staring directly into them. They just look dark grey, or black at a distance.
"Also," Jon continued, "there are lots of people with Targaryen heritage, and they have purple eyes or your hair, or even both."
Dany and Viserys exchanged a look.
"I don't know about you, brother, but I do not wish to live couped up like a mouse." Dany picked up one of the bottles, turning it over in her hands.
Viserys glared at her before grabbing the other bottle.
A few hours later, Dany stood in front of a cracked and spotted mirror, staring at her reflection.
Daenerys Targaryen was gone.
A completely different girl stood in her place. This girl was beautiful. She was clean, and wore a fairly decent winter dress with a black cloak thrown over one shoulder. She had dark purple eyes and silky black hair that tumbled down her back.
She was no longer Daenerys Targaryen, daughter of King Aerys Targaryen.
She was now Alayne Hill, bastard daughter of Lord Galbart Glover, who had so many bastards they were often forgotten. A baseborn girl come to Winterfell seeking work and a home with her full-blood brother, Brandon Stone.
The story was that they were both bastard children of Galbart Glover and a washerwoman. 'Alayne' had been born in the Westerlands, and her brother born before her in the Vale. The pair had come north in hopes of finding work with good pay.
Daenerys turned back to Jon.
"Well," she said, swallowing, "shall we go?"
Winterfell was bathed in a summer snow when Daenerys saw it for the first time.
It was massive, a giant castle of grey stone, littered with towers and other rooms. Its height extended since its construction by the addition of layers to it. It seemed to big, so unbreakable, like it would stand for a thousand years to come, it looked like no matter what was thrown at it, it would always stand tall.
Viserys walked beside her silently. He hadn't been keen on the plan, but had eventually agreed to it.
Dany felt excited at the possibilities of what Winterfell could offer. She would be able to live life as a normal person. Also sparking her curiosity was what living as a bastard would be like. She would find out if what Jon said was true. She would find out how he was treated by Winterfell's citizens.
The air was heavy with the smells of baked bread, smoke, earth and animals.
It was a strange scent, but she found she liked it, it smelled like a city, and from what she had heard about the capital, a very clean city.
Jon gave them the grand tour, showing them the stables, and telling them which tower was which. He led them into the courtyard, where two men were sparring.
Jon led them around the perimeter, well away from the fight. Dany wondered what it would be like to use a sword. She had never even held one, and she guessed that they must be heavy.
Jon was just about to take them to the markets when they were stopped by a voice.
"Jon."
Jon turned around, surprised, but quickly bowed, "Father."
Daenerys had only seen Eddard Stark from a distance, and he was much more intimidating up close. He was tall, towering over her, and even Viserys. He looked strong and hardened, like winter winds had been weathering him for aeons. He had scraggly dark brown hair that fell to his shoulders, dark grey eyes the colour of approaching storm clouds, and a tough, strong face. He and Jon looked so much alike it was uncanny. Jon's hair was darker, and of course he was only 14, but the look was prominently Stark, and it was only now that Daenerys understood why the Starks were so respected in the north. She could have taken one look at his face and known instantly that he was from the icy frigid lands that southerners despised.
Lord Stark smiled, and some of his cold exterior seemed to melt a little. Dany knew then, despite what others might think, Eddard Stark truly did love his bastard son.
It was comforting.
His dark eyes swept over her and Viserys.
"I haven't seen you all day, I am guessing that these two are the reason."
Jon nodded, "I am showing them Winterfell, Father, and they are planning on living here."
Eddard smiled at them kindly, "Then, welcome to Winterfell, my lord, my lady."
Daenerys shook her head mutely, "Oh, no milord, I am not a lady, just a bastard."
Eddard shrugged, "Bastards, lords, peasants, it makes no matter, all are welcome here."
(A/N: Sorry if Ned is a little OOC, I just have a hard time writing stuff for him.)
Dany smiled happily.
"Well," Eddard said, "I will leave you to it." He clapped Jon on the shoulder and strolled away.
Jon gave them a half-smile and jerked his head towards a stone archway, where there were even more buildings.
"Let's continue."
He was just showing them the armoury when Daenerys met a second Stark.
"Jon!"
He turned at the sound of his name, and a young girl came up to him.
"Where have you been all day?"
Jon laughed at the exasperation in her voice and ruffled her hair.
"Just showing some people around Winterfell."
"Really?"
The girl turned to them.
Dany knew who she was immediately. She had his brown hair, his eyes, and his strong, slightly wild look. She could only be a daughter of Eddard Stark. She couldn't be any older than nine, and Daenerys knew this was Arya Stark.
Arya beamed at them.
"Where are you from? What are your names? When did you meet Jon? Will you stay here for ages?"
The questions flooded from her mouth like water out of a broken dam.
Jon's eyebrows continued to climb up his face, and soon he had his head in his hands, trying not to laugh at his half-sisters antics.
He reached over and placed a hand over her mouth, to which Arya responded to by glaring at him and biting his fingers.
Jon yanked his hand away, cursing.
Dany smiled at the young Stark. She could easily see why Jon loved her so much.
"Well, I'm Alayne Hill, and this is my brother Brandon."
Arya grinned.
"Our brother's name is Brandon too! We just call him Bran though."
Daenerys was surprised that the girl hadn't picked up on the bastardy.
Maybe she did, she just doesn't care.
The thought gave her comfort.
She could see why Arya was Jon's favourite sibling.
They continued the tour.
Jon was just leading them up a staircase when a stern-looking woman appeared from a doorway.
Jon bowed his head respectively at once.
"Good morning, Lady Stark."
Catelyn Stark gave him a somewhat stiff nod, swept her eyes over Viserys and Dany, then turned and walked briskly down the hall.
Jon bit his lip, then led the two back up the stairs.
The rest of Winterfell was just as beautiful.
Daenerys found the Godswood to be her favourite place in Winterfell.
She had never been the religious type, she'd never had the chance, or the time, to become devoted, but standing in the clearing, the carved faces on the trees staring at her, she understood for the first time why people devoted themselves to their respective faiths.
Peace.
Daenerys Targaryen had never felt more at peace than she did standing in the shade of those trees.
"Daenerys?"
She turned, shaking off her reverie.
Dany turned and looked at Jon.
"Ok, let's go."
Two months after the Targaryens had taken up residence in Winterfell was when everything went wrong.
They had managed to get a house, and had paid it off by working. Dany had become a maid in the castle, and that was thanks to Eddard Stark. He had seen what a close friendship she had with Jon, and had told her they had an available spot, due to one of the maids retiring due to a particularly nasty disease.
Daenerys was more than happy to take the job, as it meant she was able to see Jon frequently, if not every day.
Viserys had taken up the role of a blacksmiths apprentice, though he complained that he was used more as a slave than an assistant.
Daenerys often went walking out in the woods, back to their little hut, sometimes just sitting in there to think.
She also found herself frequenting the Godswood. It gave her a better sense of peace than anywhere else in Winterfell.
Spending time with Jon, she found, was another way to escape her troubles. He could make her smile and laugh no matter what the situation, and she found herself liking him more and more.
The day that everything changed was a holiday.
It must have been some sort of northern tradition, because Dany had never even heard of it.
Apparently, it was to celebrate one Northern king or another, to be honest, they all just got mixed up in her head.
The end of the day was celebrated with a hunt by the lords of Winterfell.
Robb and his father were going, but according to Jon, he wasn't important enough to go, despite the fact that Robb had begged him to come.
The men had already left for the hunt by the time Dany caught up to Jon.
"Hi." she said shyly.
Jon grinned at her, making her heart flutter. Damn her stupid feelings, but she had developed a crush on him, and she couldn't help it.
"Hi, did you see them leave? It was quite impressive."
"Yeah, it was."
Viserys came running over to them, looking panicked, a hand on his head. He grabbed both their arms and dragged them away from the crowd.
"What is it?" Jon hissed.
"The hair dye, it's started to fade!"
He removed his hand to show a section of his hair was dark grey, instead of the usual black.
"I have to go back to the hut and get it!"
"You can't go now," Jon whispered, "the men are out on their hunt, they'll see you."
"I'll sneak around them."
Jon opened his mouth, as if to argue, then shut it and shook his head in resignation.
"Fine, but be careful."
Viserys nodded, then turned and snuck out the gate when no one was looking.
Viserys didn't return, and even though it did take a long time to walk all the way there and back, she couldn't help but worry.
Jon, as if sensing her mood, took her hand comfortingly.
"Hey, it's alright."
But it wasn't.
When the men came back in through the gates, they weren't cheering and hollering like they were meant to, instead they seemed rather subdued, and Daenerys knew instantly that something terrible had happened.
Eddard climbed off his horse, and scanned the thinning crowd. His eyes locked onto her, and he walked towards them.
"My dear, there was a terrible accident, your brother…" he trailed off, but he didn't need to say the rest.
She had seen what was slung over Rodrik Cassel's horse, saw the arrow protruding from its neck.
Recognised it.
Viserys.
DUN DUN DUN!
Yeah, I really am evil!
I am sorry about the long wait for this chapter, but I have been so busy lately, it's not even funny.
I am starting a new story for Lorien Legacies, and if you haven't read that series, DO IT, it is soooo cool.
Question: Which is your favourite colour out of Green, Silver and Red? (X-MAS)
Please leave your answer in a review or PM me
~SparkyDill128