The Dragons of
Winter
Arya
They all stood in the Godswood; each of her siblings as confused as the next. She had been taken alongside her siblings to the Weirwood tree. She could feel a distinctive feeling of uncertainty in the pit of her stomach, something that she couldn't drive away until she was informed as to why they had been called into the woods at such a desperate hour.
This is where father and mother come when they have to discuss something really important… so why are we here?
Every head in the Godswood turned at the noise of new people joining them; it was her father, mother and a few moments after Jon and Daenerys followed, with Ghost staying close between them.
Arya could feel the feeling inside her growing; Daenerys is here…
Arya snapped her attention back to her father as he cleared his throat, passing his grey restless eyes over his children.
"As you all have been made aware, the royal visit is drawing closer each day, and in one week he'll be here." Her father spoke, bringing a silence as herself and all her siblings- even including Sansa to nervously turned their heads to look at Jon and Daenerys, who looked only at the floor.
Arya felt even more surprised to hear her mother, who she was sure had even wished death upon Jon clear her throat and say, "They are not safe here," Her eyes darted to Daenerys, and then Jon before continuing to speak in an increasingly hushed tone, "There is no doubt in any of our heads that our King Robert shall bring death upon Daenerys, and perhaps even Jon."
Fear passed Arya's body, and she could hear Sansa stifle a quiet cry, Robb suck his breath in, Bran kick the ground and Rickon swallow before looking at his parents in confusion, biting his small lip. Then, Arya allowed her eyes to set upon Daenerys and Jon, who were the only ones to remain silent and unmoving.
"What will we do?" Arya asked her parents, trying desperately to sound fierce despite the fact that she and everyone else had heard the shake in her voice.
Her father looked at Arya's mother, both exchanging a glance before he replied to Arya so quietly that everyone leaned in closer, "They're leaving Winterfell… it must be done, there is no other way."
No! Arya wanted to scream and cry, but all that came out of her mouth was a sob.
"Where will they go?" Bran asked, as if he could see into Arya's thoughts that she couldn't speak for herself.
"Across the Narrow sea, to Pentos where Daenerys' brother resides at this very moment my love." Catelyn replied.
"Will they be safe?" Sansa asked with a shaky voice.
This time her father answered, "As safe as the North can be, we have mapped out a route for them to travel, pinpointed locations."
Sansa bit her lip, looking shy.
"But… everyone will see me as a Targaryen, that's how I ended up here." That time it was Daenerys' turn to speak, breaking her silence. She gestured to her hair, shiny even in the darkness of an afternoon in the North.
"We have shipped hair colour from Dorne, we told them to bring it as fast as possible Daenerys."
Arya couldn't imagine Daenerys with dark hair like her own, let alone black hair like Jon's, and she could see in everyone's faces that they thought the same.
Daenerys only nodded, as if it was something she knew was to happen.
"And… when will we leave?" Jon said, voice lacking emotion.
"Tomorrow, at the first light of dawn."
Daenerys
"It'll wash out sweetling, and you'll have your beautiful hair back once you are safe in Pentos." Catelyn said, smoothing Daenerys' wet hair down and stroking the dull-brown colour into her locks, taking care not to miss a single hair.
Arya and Sansa, alongside their fast growing wolves perched on the edge of the bed, watching open-mouthed as Daenerys' hair changed from silver to brown.
Daenerys didn't look like herself as Catelyn handed a small mirror to her, though her eyes remained the same striking violet colour Daenerys couldn't help but feel as if a piece of her had been taken away.
It's to save your life!
That's what Daenerys would tell herself every time she let stupid thoughts about her hair fall into her head.
"Your hair looks truly northern now, even though your eyes don't." Arya had commented, making Sansa nod in agreement.
"My eyes…"
"As long as you and Jon don't bring too much attention to yourselves, people may fail to notice. You'll have Ghost and three small dragons with you, and Ned and myself hope that most commoners will flock to the Kingsroad to catch a glimpse of their King and his large party behind him." Catelyn told Daenerys firmly, yet not lacking a nurturing and calming tone in her strong voice.
Daenerys nodded slowly, feeling her hands shake again.
She let them shake;
I can be fearful when there is something to fear, I can be fearful when death wavers in uncertainty.
Jon
He had been spending most of his slowly dying time with the people who were raised as his siblings, either practising in the yard or simply talking to them. Even he and Sansa had exchanged some conversations, which to Jon's surprise weren't as tedious as what Arya had described to him. Wherever Jon was with his family, Daenerys was too. She would always laugh and smile, speak in her soft tone, almost allowing everyone to forget what was to come.
So when Daenerys was gone for a few hours, with Lady Catelyn, Arya and Sansa, Jon could feel the anxiety creep back, constantly on his shoulders. Though it didn't stop him from having fun, jesting with Robb and teaching Bran and Rickon about swords and sometimes dragons.
However, all conversation stopped when Daenerys emerged again. Her silver hair was gone, replaced by a rich brown colour, similar to Arya's own. She let all the eyes pass over her as she walked to Jon and Robb with Arya and Sansa in tow.
Her face broke into a smile, and Jon could feel strange, pleasant feelings rush into his heart and cloud his head at the sight. "Do I look common enough?" She mused, tucking her dark hair behind her head.
No, in truth. Jon thought, and as he began to speak, Robb said it for him;
"More than when your hair was silver, less than if you had brown eyes."
Daenerys shrugged, "As long as I look more normal, that's good enough."
Eddard
Their laughter could be heard from deep inside the castle, and more so when he joined them; they were like completely different people in the Godswood that day merely hours ago, smiles like the summer across everyone's faces that stayed, unlike the summer, Ned added mentally.
They didn't seem to notice the sky turn dark, or when the castle began to sleep. Only when the dragons began to scream, did Jon and Daenerys make their way into the castle, with Arya following closely behind.
That was when Ned saw each of his children mirror the same face of brood and gloom.
Winter is coming was all he thought.
Daenerys
"Daenerys!"
She felt as if she was inside a dream when the soft voice called for her in the morning;
"Jon…" She murmured, eyes still heavy with sleep. Yet as she opened them slowly, she saw that it was no dream, but the day she was leaving Winterfell, which had slowly become her home.
"Jon!" She said again, much louder as she felt all her previous tiredness had escaped her, replaced by the familiar dread and worry.
Jon, who wore thick furs and riding leathers was holding her hand and caressing her pink cheek. He looked just as worried as Daenerys herself.
"We'll be safe, Jon." Daenerys told him.
Jon nodded, passing Daenerys her own northern furs and riding leathers. Her eyes me his stormy grey ones as he spoke, "My uncle would never let us go unless it was vital to our survival… he and Lady Stark have given me maps, alongside a new sword crafted two days ago. They have made a dagger for you…" Jon reached for something tucked onto his belt, "… they made it special-for you."
He handed a dagger of dark steel, with a hilt that fitted into her hand with perfection, so smooth and balanced. The blade shone even in the dim light of dawn, and had Daenerys in awe, "It's beautiful," She told him, still admiring the weapon in her hand. It made Daenerys remember her dagger from Pentos, a life time ago…
"Meet me in the courtyard, I have another weapon to give." Jon told Daenerys, smiling. He revealed a golden sword, so slim and small.
"Who's it for?"
"Arya."
Daenerys knew Arya would love the sword, even looking at it caused Daenerys to think of the younger Stark girl. Daenerys felt her heart break as she thought of how much she'd miss Winterfell, the frost, the laughter, Arya's wicked smile and Sansa's polite one. Robb's jests, Bran's curiosity and Rickon's questions, even Theon's arrogance. She would miss Lady Catelyn, her nurturing love for her children and her strong mind. She would never forget of Lord Eddard Stark, who could have sent her to the usurper, but took her in as a guest. How he cared for her like family, his undying honour.
Jon was still there, what would be her last piece of the place where she found a true family. She kissed him them, never wanting to let him go. He kissed her back, fearful of letting her slip away.
"Don't ever leave me." Daenerys whispered, feeling tears run down her face.
"Never."
Jon
It was nearly light everywhere, and Jon could see every melancholy face clearly.
He hugged Bran and Rickon first, letting the small boys cling to his hair and cry into his furs. He shook arms with Theon Greyjoy, who smiled briefly before Jon moved on for a hug with Robb. Jon couldn't bear to leave his best friend, someone he considered a brother behind, making it hard for Jon to move on.
"Goodbye Snow."
"And you, Stark."
He and Sansa shared a quick embrace, but that did not falter to see a regretful, sad look in her bright blue eyes that were shiny with tears.
Jon felt shocked when Lady Catelyn pulled him in for a hug, even more so when she whispered, "Sorry." In his ear through her sobs.
Arya was next. Jon would forever remember her smile when he bestowed her with the sword that she had named needle. How she squealed in delight and jumped up to tightly embrace him, clinging to his back. She did the same then, only this time Jon could feel her wet tears in his fur round his shoulders.
"Goodbye Arya."
"Goodbye Jon." She cried, smiling a watery smile.
Lastly was Ned, who looked just as sad as Arya, as regretful as Sansa, as anxious as Robb and as curious as Bran.
"Thank you, thank you for everything." Jon said as he wrapped his arms around the man who had raised him.
"You may not share my name, but you share my blood." He said, nodding as Jon walked to the horses with bags on the sides for supplies and the dragons which were already in them, silent.
Ghost was saying farewell to his sister and brothers, whinging and howling with them as Jon called his beloved wolf to him.
Jon smiled as he watched Daenerys say her goodbyes to his family. They loved her, he saw it in all of their watery eyes.
After, she climbed onto her white mare, which she had named Silver and Jon climbed onto his. As they rode he gave one last look at everyone standing there, watching as the Targaryens rode away into the world, unsure if they would ever see them again.
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NOTES:
Thanks to everyone who left lovely reviews last time, and all your dragon names are amazing! You will see what Drogon is called next chapter! Please review this chapter and I would love for any requests to be made