CHAPTER 2

Jon gave a slight smile as she talked. Daenerys and he were standing at a platform on the stone pathway which overlooked the beach on which he had arrived. This was the third day that Jon was at Dragonstone. Daenerys and he had developed a habit of walking on the pathways as they talked about their past and their thoughts of the future. Daenerys told him about her love for her first husband, her struggles, and conquests following his death and about her time at Mereen. Jon talked about his time at the Wall and the battles he fought. Jon couldn't remember the last time he spoke so much, but having Daenerys close to him felt comfortable. He also trusted her for he could see that beneath the cold exterior that she wore, there was a woman who was forced to wear this mask. Sometimes, he could not believe that she went through all that she spoke. Standing beside him and smiling, she looked like a flower, fragile and soft. She directed a question at him but Jon was so lost in her that he missed it entirely.

"I beg your pardon, Your Grace, but I think you need to repeat what you just said."

"My Hand, Lord Tyrion, told me that you pledged your life to the Night's Watch. If you left, that makes you an oath breaker. So, how did you become the King in the North?"

Jon was afraid that when this question came, he would not have an answer. And now he was stuck. He would have to tell the truth.

"I broke no oaths, Your Grace."

He paused and could see Daenerys' eyes were upon him now and they will not leave until he spoke the complete truth. Her stare made him shift his weight slightly as the air grew hotter around them. He let out a sigh and broke his contact with her. He turned around and faced the Castle with the ocean at his back as he spoke.

"I could not think like them, Your Grace. I wanted to escape my life at Winterfell so I joined the Night's Watch. I saw the strong prey on the weak and those with power create war with people who only wanted to survive. That was their way of life. But, I changed their way of life. I brought in Wildlings because I wanted to give them the best chance against the coming storm. So, they killed me for it. My own brothers, the ones with whom I stood. My watch ended that day."

Jon finally looked at her. Daenerys looked lost in her own thoughts facing towards the ocean. After a brief pause, she turned to face him and inched closer to him. She finally stopped when she was a few inches away from him, her body touching his. She looked up at him and spoke.

"Why are your eyes not glad to be alive?"

Jon let out the breath he was holding when Daenerys shifted away from him. She faced away from him but stood close. After a moment, she started walking tracing back from where they came. Jon knew the conversation was over but for the first time after his return to the living, he had the urge to talk. He covered the distance between Daenerys and her in a few steps and placed his hand on her arm. He could feel her stiffen for a moment because of his hold but she turned around and faced him, her eyes upon his hand.

"I am afraid, Your Grace. I am afraid that I have angered the Gods by coming back from the dead. I should not walk among the living. I am not worthy of it."

Jon finally looked at her. She was staring at him registering every word he spoke.

"I believe you, Lord Snow."

"Your Grace…"

"I do not believe that you are not worthy of the living. In all my travels, I have met many men but none as striking as you. You have a greater purpose in this game, which time will tell. However, I do believe that the army of the Dead exists. And, I will stand by you in every fight to come from here onwards."

Daenerys freed herself from Jon's hold and walked on ahead leaving Jon wondering that having a woman like her in his life would ease all his troubles.

"Careful, Daenerys. Your eyes betray your admiration for Jon. You behave like a girl experiencing her first love."

"Is this a warning, Tyrion?"

Daenerys watched as the dwarf walked up to take a seat beside her with two drinks in his hand. He handed her a glass and settled down.

"You are a fierce and feisty Queen who came here to conquer Westeros. A Queen, Danny. Not a princess who believes in notions of silly love."

"And what wrong lies in love?"

"Nothing. But love for a man who is destined for damnation is not in your favor. I know I have hinted at a marriage alliance before but that was before I knew that Jon would be the one standing before the army of the Dead. In all of Westeros, there was none better than him to sit as your consort on the Throne but now the poor boy has entered a battle in which his chance of survival is thin. Falling in love with him lies at your disadvantage."

"What you say might be true, Lord Lannister. I came here to take what was mine and now cursed or not, Jon will become mine. In the four days, he has been here, he has won me over. I will be honored to serve as his wife for the days to come. Thank you, Tyrion. Your counsel made me believe that I do love him."

Daenerys watched as Tyrion looked in shock at her declaration but Daenerys had more urgent matters to attend to. She needed to find Jon. She placed her drink down and hurried along the corridor leading out from her chambers to the one occupied by Jon at the end of the corridor. She was a tad bit breathless as she knocked on his doors. The door opened to reveal Jon dressed in simple tunics, a look of confusion plastered on his face. Daenerys matched her way in and turned around to face him. She steadied her breath and spoke rapidly.

"As your Queen and your ally, I have reached the decision that our alliance will last longer if we were to marry. You would serve as the perfect consort and King as I sit on the Iron Throne."

Jon could not believe what he has just heard. Standing in front of him, bathed in the light emanating from the fireplace, Daenerys looked ethereal. But above all, she spoke the words which were in Jon's mind. Jon knew that he harbored strong feelings for her and having her as his wife would make him happy. But, he would have to refuse. He could not be selfish.

"Your Grace, I cannot accept this. I am sorry but I cannot make you my wife."

Jon watched as Daenerys stood in front of him, her eyes pleading with him.

"Why? Why do you say so?"

Jon felt himself inch his face closer to hers. He placed both his hands on her arms and took a deep breath.

"I am a bastard, Your Grace. I might be a King but I am still a bastard. I did not ask to be a King."

"A bastard, yes. But you are more than worthy."

"Your Grace, I cannot accept this."

"Jon, give me one reason and I will never ask this of you again. Do you not feel the way I do, for you?"

Jon watched as a tear threatened to flow from Daenerys' eyes. Her cold façade had completely melted to reveal the woman he had fallen in love with. He could not lie about his feelings anymore.

"No, Your Grace. In the few days I have been here, I have only looked at you. You have won me over."

"Then? Where does the issue lie?"

Jon had pulled her even closer as she spoke. His feelings had overtaken his actions and as her face lay inches away from him, Jon broke his restraint. He placed his lips over hers and kissed her, his passion increasing with every second. His hand ran through her silver hair as she responded to Jon's kiss. Her hand ran through his hair as he took deepened his kiss. He noticed that Daenerys smelled very distinctive, of roses with a hint of smoke mixed in it. After few minutes, he finally broke the kiss as they gasped for air. He gently let his hands roam in her silver locks, tucking a strand behind her ear as he smiled at how flushed she looked. He placed another gentle kiss on her lips.

"Your Grace…"

"Danny, call me Danny."

"Danny, having you by my side is a dream I cannot accept."

Danny moved away from his embrace and took a few steps back. Jon could see that he had angered her.

"You will either marry me or receive no support in your cause. I will not hear a word after this."

"Danny, listen to me. A marriage will lead to more misery and…"

"I will hear no more, Jon. I lost the man I once loved. I won't lose the one I now love because of his foolishness."

Jon could see her cold mask make a return. He raised his voice slightly with frustration.

"I am going into a war, Danny. A war against the Dead. If you are my wife, I would dream of a future. And be afraid that I would never be able to live that future! I cannot give you false hope."

His words cut into her. Daenerys felt his pain, the burden he carried as he told his nightmares to her. He was a man who would not allow himself happiness. Daenerys could see his fears. He loved her but he was too afraid to wish for a future. Daenerys moves closer and placed her hand on his face as Jon relaxed at her touch.

"Jon, the future is not upon us. But, the present is ours. Don't wait for the future and ruin what we have today. Let's wed and steal moments for ourselves. We both have risen from struggles so we deserve to be happy. Stop being afraid."

Daenerys could see the conflict in his eyes. But, he finally relented. Jon gave a slight nod and kissed her hand which was placed on his face.

"I agree. But I have a few conditions."

"What is it?"

"We will get married in Winterfell, in the Godswoods. We will consummate our marriage after I return from East Watch by the Sea. Before my return, none should know of our marriage."

"Jon, I am not a maiden. These conditions are a little excessive.."

"Danny, please. If you are going to be my wife, at least agree with me."

"But I thought a Queen gets what she desires."

"Before being a Queen, you are the woman I love."

Daenerys heard his words and knew that she had to protect the man she loved. She placed a tender kiss on him and bid him good night, content that she would marry for love.