The Dragons
Of Winter
Daenerys
The first thing she saw in the morning was rain, spitting as the wind howled. She had learned to deal with it, to pull her furs and dagger a little closer to her body, listening to Jon's soft breathing and feel his arms holding her.
How long have we been doing this? Days? Days or weeks? Moons? She knew she had long since stopped counting the days of riding and sleeping through the cold of the North, but she tried to recall despite that, for something to do.
Jon was always tired after his watch during the night, and Daenerys would let him sleep before they continued through the country.
Ned and Catelyn had been right, of course. People were scarce, all eager to set their eyes upon their King; the usurper, Dany thought bitterly. The folk, northern or not whom they had come across had mainly kept their heads low and scurried past quickly after noticing their growling dire wolf. There had been times where men tried to pounce on Daenerys, but Ghost had made quick work of them.
The dragons were the real problem, Daenerys noted, remembering when they had screamed through the night, leaving Jon and Dany to fear for their lives.
At that, Daenerys turned to face Viserion, Rhaegal and the black dragon, whom they had named Rhaeanna, after Rhaella Targaryen and Lyanna Stark; "Our mothers, two victims of war" Jon had said. They were asleep, curled around each other.
Quiet at last…
"Daenerys?"
She smiled after hearing his voice, brooding yet bright. She greeted Jon with a quick kiss, which he returned just as fast.
"Where are we Jon?" She asked, pulling away from his warmth as she stood up.
"Near." He pulled out the map, part of it damaged by the weather, "See? White harbour is there, we're here. Moat Calin is just west of here."
At his words, Daenerys could feel relief pass through her body; as much as she had come to love the North and its people, Daenerys longed for the heat of the East. Fire was the only heat that had remained for her in the North, and for that Dany was glad. All she had to do was say 'dracarys!' and her dragons would light a fire for them, allowing Daenerys to gaze into the golden flames and watch them dance in the darkness. Rhaeanna's flames were different to Rhaegal's and Viserion's bright ones, they were dark, with shooting red amongst its black fire. Dragon fire itself was different- it moved faster, burned with more vigour and gave off more heat. Perfect for sacking a city… perfect for the Red Keep…
Daenerys shook her head in disapproval at her sudden thoughts, trying to forget how exhilarating it would be to sit on the Iron Throne, ruling.
In order to place her mind elsewhere, she began to gather their things and place them into the leather bags on the horses, scuffed as ever.
"In a rush…" Jon mused, the bright smile on his face making Daenerys long to join him on the ground, watching the sun rise with him.
Daenerys returned the smile, letting out a small laugh.
"I should at least take Ghost with me to catch something for us to eat… a rabbit perhaps?" Jon teased, beckoning for the white direwolf to follow him into the surrounding forest.
Daenerys knew she needed some food, so she nodded and watched Jon disappear into the trees. It was fully light now, with beams of sun tearing through the clouds as the rain cleared.
"Sun," Dany said to herself quietly, she couldn't help but smile as she felt the golden rays of sun hit her skin.It was still cold, freezing even, but over the time she and Jon had left Winterfell, Daenerys had learned to appreciate the small, beautiful moments.
Once she had placed her dragons into their leather baskets, she sat on the ground, listening. The cool breeze that ran through her hair caused the trees to rustle, and then there was noise everywhere. She continued to listen intently, feeling the noises of the wind and forests calm her.
Snap!
The Targaryen, still feeling relaxed, slowly stood up.
Was that the wind, too? Daenerys asked herself, biting her lip. As minutes passed, Daenerys allowed herself to relax again, letting the relief flow back into her body. She began trying to scratch some dirt off her fingers, when she heard the noise again:
Snap!
She flicked her violet eyes around the edge of the forest, trying to find the source of the sound that had made fear seep through her blood. Dany felt her heart beat louder and faster than ever as a voice spoke behind her.
"How much would a rich merchant pay for three dragons?" It was a man, his face covered in scars, one running from his forehead to his grinning mouth. His large frame blocked out any sunlight Daenerys could see, and Daenerys could see a twisted spark shining in his large eyes.
Despite her fear, Daenerys instinctively paced towards the dragons protectively, but before she had made it even half way, a hand stopped her.
"Don't try anything stupid."
It was a woman, wearing riding leathers and a tunic like Daenerys. Her hair was cut short, and Daenerys spotted an axe on her belt, sharpened recently.
"Devin, I say we give the rich merchant a pretty whore as well as three dragons." She sneered, shoving Daenerys onto the ground. Dany felt her eyes water, so she had to grit her teeth to prevent the tears from running down her face.
You are a dragon! Daenerys told herself, and she continued to advance towards the dragons, now screaming and hissing at the attackers.
A strong arm pulled her back with such force that Daenerys felt the air escape her. Devin was holding her by the arm, and the woman was pulling a rope out of her belt as Daenerys kicked and struggled in his strong grasp.
"You know what?" Devin hissed in her ear, "I fancy a fuck…"
The woman curled her lip, "I wonder if the bitch is a maid?"
"Only one way to find out… certainly some fancy whore, from a castle!" Devin laughed, knocking Daenerys onto the floor and trying to tear her clothes off.
Daenerys could see Devin's lustful smile now, and smell his foul breath upon her skin.
I am the blood of the dragon, and dragons destroy their enemies.
With that, Daenerys slipped her hand down to her back without Devin noticing; he was occupied on getting Daenerys out of her clothes. Daenerys searched for the familiar grip of her dagger. Once she found it, she slowly pulled her arm back, the steel dagger in her hand.
Devin's blood splattered across Daenerys's face as she shoved the dagger in his neck. He released a grunt as his huge weight slumped onto the floor beside Daenerys, limp and unmoving.
"You little bitch!" The woman screeched, pulling the axe from her belt.
Daenerys scurried away to the dragons as she advanced, ruthless and bloodthirsty.
As fast as she could, Daenerys untied the knot keeping the dragons inside the baskets, well aware that the woman was ready to strike with her axe as soon as she reached Daenerys. Rhaeanna leapt into the air, and for a moment, the woman looked afraid. It didn't last long, as she began to hack at the air, trying to bring the black dragon down from the air.
"Dracarys!" Daenerys commanded.
Before the woman knew what was happening, dragon fire had accumulated all around her. Black flames ensnared her flailing body, and she dropped to the ground, the metal of her axe melting over her body.
Jon
He had heard voices, and Jon was running. All that ran through his mind was Daenerys.
Sword drawn, Jon ran into the clearing, where earlier Daenerys had rested in his arms. Now, Daenerys lay on the ground, resting in blood.
He ran forward, ready to scoop her into his arms and tell her things to soothe her, but then he saw that the blood was not her's. It was the blood of the motionless corpse across the clearing, face down in the dirt. Daenerys looked at him then, and then looked at the charred, black corpse, smaller than the first.
"I killed them." Daenerys said flatly, remaining on the floor.
Jon dashed forwards, wrapping his arms around her small frame. At first, she stayed still, like she had failed to notice Jon there, but soon Jon felt her hands pull his in.
"You killed them, Daenerys." Jon told her, "You killed them with fire and blood."
Arya
She hated the King. She hated the King and his cruel Queen. She hated their Child, Prince Joffrey and his guards. She hated how Sansa puckered her pink lips and blushed whenever he came close, whispering to her stupid friend Jeyne Poole. She hated how everyone was busy, how Robb was with Theon, Bran climbing and Sansa gossiping with Jeyne. Rickon was the only company she had, and even he was needed more than Arya.
Most of all, she hated how Jon and Daenerys weren't there.
I could have laughed at the stupid Prince with Jon, and run into the woods with Daenerys.
But they left.
Arya was in her chambers, practising with needle and playing with Nymeria- her only remaining companion that was with her.
"You won't leave me will you, Nymeria?" Arya whispered into her wolf's soft fur.
Nymeria whined and tilted her head in response.
"Thank you." Arya said, stroking her.
A sudden knock at the door caused Nymeria to growl, but she ceased when Arya's father entered.
"Arya." His voice was grave, eyes filled with ice.
"What is it?" Arya questioned, standing up.
Ned took a breath in, and began to speak; "The King has asked me to become his new hand. We ride South two days, that means that you're coming with us to court."
Daenerys
"White Harbour, there!" Daenerys exclaimed, feeling relieved as she and Jon rode down the hill and onto the road leading to the masses of houses all painted white, matching the colour of the foam in the blue sea.
Jon laughed, "Never seen the sea before this."
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Daenerys mused, watching only Jon as they trotted down the winding streets of the town.
"Where's the ship?" She asked.
"Eddard told me that there's a ship for us, away from all the others." Jon explained, as Daenerys peered round looking for it, "He said that it's out of sight, behind that cove, see?"
The two smiled at each other before galloping towards the grand, silver cove, masked with frost from the Northern air and wind of the sea.
He was right; a small, single ship floated in the harbour, apart from that, no one was in sight.
A man, who introduced himself as the captain, and as a Stark loyalist, greeted them and took them aboard.
"I'm afraid there's only one cabin, this ship isn't exactly for Princesses and sons of Lords, you see."
"It suits us just fine, thank you." Jon told him warmly as they were taken to their cabin.
Jon
The ship had set sail merely two hours ago, yet Jon could already see how little the dragons and Ghost liked the sea. Jon liked it just fine; as long as he could have Daenerys in his arms, he was happy.
"What's Pentos like?" Jon whispered in her ear, causing her to smile and kiss him on the cheek.
"Busy, noisy, hot."
"And will I like that?" Jon asked her through kisses of warmth.
"Of course." She chuckled.
"And the people?" Jon said, caressing her cheek that looked pink, even in the light of the moon.
"The people are exotic, busy, loud… like the place." Jon gazed into her eyes, only to notice that the colour had drained from her face.
"What's wrong?"
"My brother… Viserys."
NOTES: PLEASE READ XX
SORRY I HAVEN'T PUBLISHED THIS SOONER! I procrastinate a lot…
So, I decided to name the dragon Rhaeanna, after Jon and Daenerys' mothers. I loved all of your suggestions, and I took inspiration from all of them. I named the dragon after Lyanna because she represents the Stark side of Jon, as well as the Targaryen side.
Also, if anyone is still reading this, if anyone here as Instagram, follow my Game of Thrones account thestarksofwinterfell !
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