Disclaimer: Don't own anything in this. Mr. Martin does.
Chapter 17 Daenerys VI and Arya III
Daenerys
The candles was almost gone. Less than an inch remained on all ten that surrounded her room throughout the night. Daenerys had so many to cast a light over the bed and it kept her feeling safe at night; a habit she had formed years ago when she was Queen in Meereen. I thought it would keep the night at bay, she thought, I thought it could prevent the sun from rising, but I was wrong. As I was about so many things. However, the dawn always came.
Dany could not sleep that night, she could not and would not, but she didn't know what vexed her during the night. Tonight seemed no different, and there were many times she laid awake, thinking. In Meereen she could not sleep because when she opened them, dawn would come again, and the Sons of Harpy would kill an Unsullied. It was there that she wished for night to always reign. But this was not Meeren and now was not then. The night is dark and full of terrors. She could the Asshai priests and priestesses say, as they burned fires to their Red God. But what terrors filled her this night. Was it the fact that her nephew loomed over the horizon? Or was it all that she had gone through in the past? Was it seeing her husband and daughter almost die before her eyes? Daenerys did not know. Nightmares plagued her night, and in the end those red priests were right, the night was dark and full of terror.
A breeze came through the room, as Dany felt herself shiver; she drew the blankets up to her chest and placed her head on the pillow, attempting to try and sleep again. The sun was half awake and its light did not fill the room completely, but only half. "The half-light." Daario Naharis had called it, back when Daenerys had taken him to bed. I was such a fool, she thought, I was such a fool to trust him and let him love me. As I was a fool to trust so many others. After minutes of tossing and turning, Daenerys gave up; she could not sleep and would not. She sat up in the bed and let her head rest on the headboard, just watching as the sun's light filled the room, minute-by-minute. Dawn is coming.
Beside her, James was sleeping as peacefully as a newborn kitten. He had some weird gift for sleeping, he could fall asleep as quick as a babe, but had a hard time waking up. James claimed that he learned the trick of being able to fall asleep so quick from being on the Wall. "I had to learn to fall asleep with the cold, the snow, and the wind whipping all around me." he had told her when they'd shared their first bed together. However, unlike Daario, her husband was vexed by nightmares of days past. Sometimes he'd cry out during the night, out of pain or sadness, she didn't know. All Dany could do was coddle him and tell him everything was alright. He sometimes would tell her what he dreamt of, often then not it was about his assassination attempt, or Rhaella. However, their were other dreams he would refuse to tell her about, and Daenerys never pushed further. She remembered a time when she'd wake up in the same room, alone and crying. It wasn't too long ago that her husband had left her to her tears and regrets. That was constantly on her mind, but she figured her love for the man out-weighed whatever resentment she had towards him.
James was a good father and a good husband, minus his stoic demeanor and wolfs blood. And being the most stubborn man in the Seven Kingdoms. Daenerys thought she could never truly love again, when her sun-and-stars died, but he had been dead so long that she had forgotten what it was like to be loved. James had helped her to remember, when they courted. I was dead and he brought me back. I was asleep and he woke me. My wolf.
James lay upon his stomach, the tangled sheets covered his legs, and half of his face was buried in his pillow. His shortly-kept beard was staring back at her. Maybe I shall ask him to shave it. I remember when he used to be clean shaven, when we were courting.
Daenerys laid down next to him and began to run her fingers down his back, tracing the lines in his spine. James' whitish-tan skin was smooth beneath her touch, and almost felt hairless. When she'd first met him his skin was milky white, but years of being in the Southern sun gave it a slight tan complexion. Dany would wake him up like this everyday and loved doing so. She loved running her hands through his long hair, to knead his aching back after he'd be so tired from the day that all he wanted to do was sleep, whereas Daenerys had wanted to talk, and finally she enjoyed making love to him till he screamed. Dany loved it all.
Then her fingers met the two scars that formed on his lower back, and she thought about the constant pain he lived in. The scars that Aegon gave him throbbed each morning and each night. It caused him a lot of pain, and their was nothing he could do about it. Sam would give him herbs to drink in his tea and sometimes it would help, but sometimes it wouldn't. James had six altogether and Dany only knew about five of them, the one on his chest he refused to talk about. She didn't ask him any further.
The final candles finally drowned out and died, dawn had almost arrived. Darkness encompassed the bed now, and Dany felt herself become scared. So, she wrapped her arms around her husband and pressed herself against his back. She drank in the earthy scent of his skin, savoring his flesh beneath her, the feel of having another skin to press against her own. Daenerys remembered doing this with Daario in Meereen, when she was in despair and alone. A mistake…Dany thought, she shook her head to rid herself of his face. The blue hair and golden teeth. Dany focused her eyes on her still sleeping husband, and began to place kisses on his cheek and temple, her hand stroking the loose hairs that fell over his face.
"James." She whispered into his ear, over and over. Trying to wake him from his slumber, so she didn't have to be scared alone. "James, wake up."
The man continued to sleep. James was a heavy sleeper and it took awhile for him to finally awake, whereas Daario would wake all at once, like a cat.
"James." She continued to whisper. The kisses continued until she felt him begin to stir in his sleep, his eyes began to open slowly.
"Daenerys." He finally said, through a groggy voice. He reached a hand over to his eye and began to rub the sleep out of it. "Is it time to wake yet?"
"Not yet. We have a while still."
James scoffed. "Liar. I know that it is dawn, you always do this when it is. I told you that there is nothing to be scared of. Day will be here soon and the kids will wake."
"But I don't want this night to end."
"And neither would I, so that I may sleep longer."
"Will you be able to sleep with me on your back?"
"I don't think I will be able to breath, but I will try. You keep me warm and I like it when you trace my back."
James began to close his eyes again and she traced his back.
"James." She muttered again.
He groaned with his eyes closed. "Yes, Dany?"
"I'm scared. Won't you hold me until I fall asleep?"
"I'm not…"
She kissed his temple. "Please. I like it when you do."
James groaned. "Fine, but I do want some sleep."
Daenerys rolled off him, as he turned to face her, his eyes closed the whole time. She moved herself into his embrace, and nestled her head under his chin, closing her eyes to listen to his heart beating. His arms wrapped around her back, like a child holding on to a toy. Dany felt the sleep begin take her, and she could hear his breathing lulling her into it. I could die right now, happy. It was then that she heard a name tumble out of her lips, one she hadn't heard in years.
"Daario…"
It was then that she saw his eye shoot open, and he began to lift himself up from the bed. Dany rolled off him and felt herself become embarrassed. She had never told James about Daario and didn't out of shame. Daenerys feared he'd get mad at her, or judge her for it. James sat up in the bed and faced her, she saw his eyes were clouded. He knows.
"Who is, Daario?"
"Nobody." Dany quickly replied, she drew up the sheets over her breasts.
James scoffed and moved to the edge of the bed, sitting down with his hands in his face. He looked like some wise-thinking man, sitting there brooding in his thoughts.
"I smell of you," he surprisingly said, sniffing his fingers.
Dany moved over to embrace his back and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"And I would have you smelling of me all day," she whispered into his ear.
James looked back to her. "And three times in one night isn't enough for you? Sometimes, I think you are a man trapped in a women's body. You certainly like to fuck as much as one."
Dany laughed. "I can't deny that, but how about we make it four. You can use your tongue, like I prefer."
She slipped her hand under his arm and moved it towards his manhood, as she felt him brush her hand aside. He knows, I know he does.
"You know, don't you?"
James nodded. "Tyrion told me about this, Daario Naharis."
"Tyrion?"
"Yes, Tyrion," he answered. James looked back to her and grabbed her hand. "But that doesn't matter right now. Here, come with me upon the balcony."
He seems so sad, Dany thought, could I really have hurt him that much by keeping Daario in the dark. She followed him outside the balcony wrapped in her sheets, as James had only small clothes on. He opened the glass door that lead outside, and walked through with Dany's hand in his. He leaned against the balcony, in nothing but his smallclothes and looked upon the city. Dany sat behind him in a chair, otherwise her cover would fly right off.
"This is my city, Dany." James said, his hands upon the railing and his head bent down in contempt. "Aegon looms over the horizon and I can't do anything to stop him."
Dany sighed at her husband. The surmounting frustration was lingering in his voice as he spoke, it were times like these that James let himself be vulnerable to Daenerys, how little few they were. James was a northmen, as Jon was, as Bran was, and all the First Men before them. They were stoic in nature and closed themselves up like a turtle going into its shell. Daenerys remembered talking with Catelyn Stark before her wedding ceremony in King's Landing. She was sitting in her solar while her new mother by law was doing her hair. Catelyn had told her about how to deal with James for the rest of her life, and how to deal with her son's stoicism. "Be there for him," she had told Dany. "When the sun comes up...when the sun goes down. Be there for him and listen to him. Offer him advice and offer him criticism, but above all else love the man. Just love him for who he is, as I loved my Ned. He won't tell you everything, he won't open his heart to you all the time, but when he does...cherish it."
"It is our city, James." Dany replied. "And you are a great king."
He sighed. "I don't know what to do anymore, Daenerys," he ran his hands through his hair, "I feel so helpless at times."
Daenerys rised from her chair and tucked the sheet under her arms. Walking over to him she stood next to him, standing as king and queen. Dany was the blood of the dragon and had always been strong, but she wished to somehow share his pain. James tried his best, she had realized long ago, but some men weren't meant to be kings. Her father, the Usurper, the boy Joffrey, and his younger brother too. James was not meant to be a king, he was meant to be a lord somewhere or just a Night's Watchmen at the Wall. At times Dany thought about how her life would have been if she didn't ask James to be her king, but she found that she wouldn't have been happy. James was her world right now, her children with him, and all she wanted to do was help him through.
She took his hand in hers, as the both stood there. "You are a great king, James. A great father and husband."
He scoffed, turning around to take a seat. Daenerys frowned and sat down on his lap, resting against him: both watching the sun rise. James locked his head into her shoulders.
"I am no great king," James told her. "My father would have been a great king; Stannis Baratheon would've been a great King; Rhaegar Targaryen would have been a great king, but me...no I'm not a great king. The history books won't remember my reign as they would your valiant brothers."
James locked his head in her shoulder again before speaking, "Sometimes on the Wall I would think about how my life would've been as the Lord of Winterfell. I'd always imagine myself in my Lord Father's seat in the Great Hall, with some high-born lady as my wife and us having eight kids. The memory used to be clear as a painting, but now I can't even remember it."
Daenerys remained silent, and continued to listen to him. "I remember when Jon called me to his chambers the day we received news about you taking King's Landing from the Lannisters. I was happy, miserable...but content with how my life was going. When he told me the news about you wanting to speak with me privately, I...I was so surprised that I couldn't think straight. Why did you pick me, Dany? I never wanted all of this." He spread his hands, showing her the city.
She watched the sun beginning to loom over the horizon, as she turned around to look at him. "At first I wanted, Jon. A man of Targaryen blood so I could keep the bloodlines pure, but Tyrion spoke against it. Telling me that Jon would never agree to it, because I was his aunt and he wasn't too keen on incest. I agreed and settled for you. At first, I was reluctant to ask you...thinking about how Jon was the man I wanted, but as I got to know you...I grew to love you. You are too hard on yourself, James."
He laughed. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Daenerys. Your beauty makes me rise in the morning with a smile, and the fact that you're all mine makes me fall asleep at night. At times, I used to think about you and I just taking the kids and leaving this all behind. Going over across the Narrow Sea and living in a small house with a red door...like the one you talked about when you were a child."
She kissed him. "And I would go with you, James. I'm glad you're opening your heart to me right now. I cherish moments like these, and we should go...let us go across the Narrow Sea and live our lives out together raising our twins."
He laughed and scoffed. "I would if I could but I can't leave my family. I love them all too much, and I can't let this city fall down to ruin. I may not be a great king, but the least I could do is defend my people."
The sun had finally rised, as both of them began to kiss again and spent a second recuperating before they both went inside. Daenerys's curiosity was sparked again about how he had found out about Daario, and why Tyrion had told him. She was sitting ontop of the bed, watching him dress.
"Tyrion, told you about Daario?"
James looked at her and nodded. "Tyrion loves to talk when he is in his cups. Me, him, and Gendry were playing cyvasse in my solar and we began to tell tales. Tyrion then told me about this Daario Naharis, a sellsword, and then he slipped that you bedded him. Why, Dany?"
"Why what?"
"Why didn't you tell me about him?"
"Because I thought it wasn't important."
"Not important?" he scoffed, "of course it is important."
"Why?"
"Because we were to not have secrets with each other."
"Daario meant nothing," she whispered back. "You must believe that."
He climbed from the bed. "I don't know what to believe."
"I never loved, Daario. How can you not believe that?"
James shrugged. "I do believe that. I'm just mad you kept him from me, why?"
Dany kept quite, trying to formulate an answer, as she watched him dress. He slipped on his black breeches and walked around the room, looking for a tunic.
"You have nothing to say?" he asked again.
Dany cleared her throat, as she sat at the edge of the bed, naked as her name day. "I took Daario into my bed because I was lonely and in despair. My Unsullied and freedmen were being slain every night, by the Sons of Harpy, and I had nobody to turn to. Drogo was dead. So I turned to the nearest man who was there, Daario."
James looked at her and grunted, as he threw on a white-silk tunic. He ran his fingers through his black hair and shook it out, before placing the crown on his head. Dany loved his hair more than anything, it was exactly like Jon's, long and messy. Daenerys felt the shame crash over her, for no reason. Certainly, James had taken many women to bed over his years, Jon had told her so. He'd fuck many whores and even committed high treason with Queen Cersei. Why is it that Dany was being condemned for bedding Daario.
"Because at least I told you about, Cersei and Ros." She heard him say. Did I say that out loud?
"What?" Dany asked.
"Cersei and Ros. Atleast I told you about them; you kept Daario as a secret, one you thought to sweep under the rug."
"Under the rug? James that was years ago."
"Still. You should have told me."
Dany scoffed. "And why am I the one being condemned for this? How many whores have you taken, or women you've fucked? Seven hells, you committed high treason with Cersei."
"Because at least I didn't keep her as a secret. I live with that regret everyday, Dany. As I live with the regret of believing that Ros loved me, or any other women did. You kept Daario from me out of shame!"
"James that was years ago; I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
He nodded again and slipped on his boots, lacing them up. Some days he'd let her do that, and she enjoyed doing so, but not today.
"Where are you going?"
"The kids will be up soon," he replied, finishing up his laces. "I will be there when they wake and then I will break my fast with them. Might be afterwards I will seek out this Daario Naharis and kill him."
Dany scoffed and threw a pillow at him, she knew it was a jest. "You will leave him be!"
"As my queen commands. Will you not come to the small council today?"
"No. I'm too tired for this."
"Oh, so today you're, 'tired.' Do you plan on seeing Daario while I'am gone?"
Dany threw another pillow at him. "No! And stop saying his name, I don't like it."
"Again, as my queen commands."
James made for the door. "I will send in the handmaidens to help you dress."
"James!" Dany called out, he turned around to meet her. "I'm sorry. I truly am."
"I know."
He turned around for the door again, but Daenerys called his name out again.
"James!"
"Yes?"
Dany tapped on the bed with her hand. "It is only dawn, my sweet. The day is long and the kids won't be up for a little while. I know you are angry with me for not telling you, but let me make it up to you. Come back into bed with me."
"No. The dawn is upon us and winter is coming."
Dany wanted him to stay and hold her. Kiss her, coddle her, and tell her everything was alright. She didn't want him to stay mad at her, but perhaps he wasn't. James seemed to be acting more like a pouting child, than a man with a grudge.
"Are you jealous?" Dany heard herself ask. "Is this why you are so mad?"
"I'm not…jealous."
"Yes you are!" Dany yelled, in jest. She noticed the red creeping up on his face.
"How can I be jealous of a man who isn't here? Did he win your heart, did he bear you children? Does he sleep with you every night? No, I think not. So, pray tell me, Dany, why am I jealous?"
"Because you are…" Dany teased in a sing-song voice. "Because you are blushing. Because you're jealous that I have had another man."
"I'am not! It was me you had three times last night."
"Come back and kiss me then. We can make it a fourth time." Dany wanted to be kissed by him now. "I'am your queen, and I command you to fuck me."
She meant it playfully, but James's eyes hardened at her words.
"Oh how I would love to, but I'am just a jealous man. I think I'll go wake the kids."
"Are you truly mad at me?"
He sighed. "No, I'm not."
He walked over to her and bent down to look at her, eye-to-eye. Daenerys grabbed him by the back of the head, and kissed him. After the kiss he just stared at her.
"Do you love me?" she asked.
James nodded.
"Then why are you so mad?"
"I'm not mad," he corrected. "Just disappointed."
He got up and strode from the bedchamber. Dany sat back amongst the bed and covered herself with the sheets, and decided to fall asleep. She laid her head down on the pillow and let it take her. Dany woke up to the sound of handmaidens rushing in every morning, and they did this when it was time for the small council meeting. She did not even hear when Irri walked into her room with a plate of figs and bread. "Is the Khaleesi unwell? Is the King? In black of night I hear screaming."
Dany took a fig. The juice bursted into her mouth when she bit down on it. "His Grace is often conflicted with pain from his scars, Irri. Nothing more."
"Of course, Khaleesi." Irri replied, Dany saw a wink in her eye.
Dany bit into another fig as the rest of the handmaidens fit her into her dress. When she was dressed, Dany went over to the window and looked down at the city, with all the peasants around her. I know you are out there, dear nephew. Show yourself. However, she just hoped that he'd never actually come. Nobody knew what Aegon was planning, and never would.
Daenerys finished eating and walked over to the small council chamber, the figs and bread were much needed. She strode down the halls of Maegor's Holdfast, and continued to walk with a quick pace, three guards tried to follow. Dany chose a dress of blood orange today that clung to her body, her bodice was loosely laced, with her golden crown on top. She thought it would contrast with her silver hair, and hoped it attracted attention from the other men. Seeing James being the jealous type ignited a fire in her, she didn't know why. Dany wanted to make it up to him for not telling him about Daario, and this was the dress to do it in. Daenerys also decided to wear a necklace that Daario had given her. It was a golden necklace with a blue ruby at the end of it; James had never seen it. He won't be able to stop staring at me. Today in the small council meeting they were to be talking about a new course of action. Jon had something to say to the council; a plan that he and James came up with to relieve, Moat Cailin.
I wonder how Sansa is doing. The auburn-haired beauty had been in King's Landing for months, and grew more enamored with Jon each day. I'd let them marry if it wasn't for the Dornish. We do need those spears. Daenerys had noticed that Jon and Sansa were not as close as they used to be. Dany figured that Arianne had something to do with it. She probably found out.
Finally, she stepped through the two golden sphinxes and into the small council room. Already the members were yelling and shouting, usually they were calm, but it was mostly the men who made the ruckus. Dany surveyed the scene before her. Tyrion and Gendry arguing about Gods know what, and Arya joined in with them. Varys, a distrustful man in Dany's eyes, was making conversation with Arianne, who had Jon sitting right next to her. He looks so miserable. Jon sat in silence with a hand under his chin, listening to the conversation between Arianne and Varys. Sam had just walked through the room with a cup of what looked like tea and he handed it over to James. Who was sitting there idly drinking, in his thoughts. Then Daenerys spotted the two empty chairs for the Master of Ships and the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
My sweet bear. Daenerys grieved for the death of Ser Jorah everyday, and not a day passed that she never thought of him. He was ever her protector, advisor, and friend; the man gave his life for her children. He had been there for me since I was that little girl sold off to Drogo, like cattle. Even though he had betrayed her at one point, the man still came back for her. I didn't deserve him, she thought, the least I could have done was go to his vigil. The guilt of not going felt like the weight of one-thousand stone on her shoulders, and Daenerys couldn't shake it off. James felt the same amount of guilt, even though the men were less than cordial with each other.
Shaking off the sadness that crashed over, Dany walked over behind her husband and bent down to kiss him on the cheek. Startled, James looked up to her, soaking up her image with his eyes before he continued to drink his tea. Dany could tell he was still somewhat disappointed, but she hoped the choice of dress would help. She took her seat between James and Tyrion, eyeing the dwarf with disdain. He noticed and gave her a glance of confusion.
"You look very beautiful today, Daenerys," Tyrion complimented.
Dany smiled and leaned in to him. "I ought to have half the mind to take that pretty head off your shoulders, Lord Tyrion."
Tyrion gave out a laugh. "Ah, the famous Targaryen temper. It has been quite a while since I've seen it. Pray tell, my queen, why should you decide to make me the quarter man?"
Dany resisted the urge to laugh, she had to be taken seriously. "Because, my Master of Coin, you told the King about a certain someone from my past that got me in trouble this morning."
Tyrion sat back in his chair. "I'm not quite sure who you are talking about, my Queen. I don't recall ever telling the-"
"-Save it," Dany spat. "He told me you told him about…Daario."
The small council continued to talk amongst themselves when Tyrion let out a loud laugh that promptly made the room silent.
"DAARIO!" he yelled, the laughter tumbling out of his lips.
Daenerys felt herself cringe as she felt all eyes upon her. She looked over as Tyrion was laughing to himself, his face becoming a shade of crimson. The familiar feeling of embarrassment crashed over Daenerys, and she couldn't bring herself to look at James. Finally, she mustered up the courage and looked over to him: his brow burried and his face buried in his hands, if he wasn't mad before he surely was now.
Tyrion's laughter continued to fill her ears, as Dany shot him a look of anger. His laughter immediately turned to a frown, and he stopped laughing, his gaze faced down into his lap.
"Well," James began. "I do hope you enjoyed todays entertainment, but I believe it is time to begin todays small council meeting. Lord Varys-"
The eunuch cleared his throat. "There is still no word on the whereabouts of Aegon, Your Grace. He was last seen in the Vale, under the alias of Griff, and has not been seen since. One of my little birds told me he left one day and never returned."
"I can't say I'am surprised, my lord. However, where do you think he'd go? I know that you knew Aegon Targaryen, so tell me what you think he'd do next?" James asked, Dany thought it was a good question.
She knew that Varys and Illyrio Mopatis had raised Aegon in secret, and tutored him on becoming a leader. Daenerys figured there would be some loyalty towards her nephew from Varys and was distrustful of him. Nobody knew what eunuchs ever wanted, since they lacked the organ to desire what most men want. Varys was no different. You could never guess where his allegiances were, and it made most everyone suspicious. However, the man had played his part since Dany took King's Landing, so she had no reason to distrust him.
"Well, as you know I did help Aegon Targaryen become what he is today, with Illyrio, so I can tell you that he would most likely go somewhere he can trust. Obviously, he knew it was just a matter of time before you discovered he was in the Vale, and so he fled. I don't have a thousand eyes at once, your grace, so I can not tell you where he has gone. But most likely into the hands of allies, perhaps Highgarden?"
James stroked the side of his cheek, before speaking. "Perhaps, he has gone to Highgarden but we can't know. Make sure to send some of your little birds over there and have them find out what they can. Other than that the man is again in the dark."
He reached over and poured himself a cup of wine before drinking it in three gulps. It was the first time he drank it in a while, but it seemed the growing frustration upon him was taking its toll. James poured himself another cup and passed the pitcher around, as all the members began to drink some wine. Aegon has caused them insurmountable amounts of stress.
"Gendry, tell me about the city."
Gendry cleared his throat. "The Gold Cloaks have rounded up all the notorious thieves, and rationed out the food."
"Peasants?"
"Some have been pushed out, but we have collected a few coin from the new imposed tax upon the city. Smart plan by Arya."
"Have all the gates been closed?"
"Majority of them but the Mud Gate and King Gate, your grace."
"Make sure that the King Gate is closed, Gendry. Other than that…fine job."
Gendry smiled and sat back in his chair.
"One more thing," James said. "Are the alchemists still making wildfire?"
"Wildfire…" Dany heard Arya mutter under her breath. She didn't approve of the making of wildfire, the old Targaryen weapon, but it was Tyrion's idea. The day he suggested it him and Arya had an argument that usurped all others.
"It is a good idea, Lady Baratheon. Do not worry." Tyrion replied to her scoff.
"How can I not worry when there is enough wildfire to bury the city underneath itself?"
"Because we have the best alchemists in all of Westeros!"
"We have dragons Tyrion!" Arya yelled, "we have no need for wildfire. The Targaryens only began to use it once the last dragons died."
"Yes," Tyrion began, "very true, but if Aegon were to lay siege to the city we could not use the dragons. One puff of fire the wrong way and next thing you know, Flea Bottom is a pile of ashes. Surely you understand that?"
Arya scoffed. "Oh, yes sure blame the dragons. One misdirected pot and then all of King's Landing becomes a pile of ashes."
"Arya…" Dany heard Jon, of all people say.
"Yes, Jon?"
"Enough, already. The wildfire is still being made and it helped defeat Stannis out at Blackwater, just let Tyrion do his job."
Arya sat back in her seat, quietly. She always listened to Jon.
"What are we to do about the missing positions, your grace?" Sam asked, after a moment of silence passed.
James gave it some thought. "I have yet to appoint another Lord Commander of my Kingsguard, since I can't think of anybody. The position is vacant for now."
"Master of Ships?' Tyrion threw in.
Jon turned to him. The first time Dany saw him not look solemn. "I believe we don't necessarily need a new Master of Ships, for now. We don't really have a fleet and Stannis pledged his to ours, so in a sense he is the Master of Ships. But for now I believe that we can afford for Gendry to absorb the position."
"Absorb the position?" Tyrion said, astonished. "Gendry is already Master of Laws and has enough work with the Gold Cloaks alone. How can he be expected to absorb the extra responsibility?"
Dany noticed Gendry was about to speak, when Arya blocked him with her arm. Her brow was buried. Oh here we go.
"Are you suggesting that the Lord of Storm's End is not capable of such a task, Lord Tyrion?" Arya asked.
Tyrion rolled his eyes and sat up in his chair. Like a lion preparing to do battle. "That is not quite what I'm suggesting, Lady Baratheon. I'm just simply saying that absorbing both positions is a huge task to take on."
"No, no, it sounds like you're suggesting he can not do it."
Tyrion scoffed. "That is not quite what I'm saying. You see the Master of Ships commands the navy, orders the building of warships, and finds-"
"-Yes I know what the position entails!" Arya yelled, her fists coiled, "and how many times must I tell you not to talk to me like a child! It has been three years already."
Daenerys suppressed a laugh and looked over at James, who was rolling his eyes: clearly annoyed by these antics. Dany knew he'd put an end to it soon enough, he may show that he is annoyed but he enjoys it. Then she noticed Jon, distant as can be. You'd think he was still on the Wall.
"I don't mean to speak to you as if you were a child but-"
"-Ok that is enough!" James yelled, "Seven hells, what am I to do with you two?" He took in a deep breath.
"Anyway, I think now is the best time for, Jon, here to tell you of our plan concerning Moat Cailin. Jon-"
Jon did not respond for a few seconds, being deep in thought before he finally responded.
"Yes, yes. As you all know Asha Greyjoy has attacked the North under Aegon's name, for the price of Independence. To become Queen of the Iron Islands; surely you all know this by now. However, it is of an upmost importance that Bran gets past Moat Cailin. Taking the towers head on would be too costly, and could do more harm than good. Even with the help of the Reeds it would still prove to dear to take on its own. But James and I have come up with an idea on how to re-take it."
"What's the plan?" Arya asked. Jon flashed her a look before continuing.
"The plan is for me to take Rhaegal over there and burn them out. While I distracted them with the dragon, Bran will attack the Moat. It is the only way."
The small council was silent for a few moments. Daenerys noticed all of them begin to think, as she looked next to her and saw James surveying the scene. In bed, he had told her of the plan and she thought it was a good one. It would minimize casualties and be of no cost to anyone, except Asha. James hoped the small council would agree to it. Seeing the stress he was in, Dany, slid her hand under the table and squeezed his. He did not retract from her touch, but gladly accepted it. I knew he wasn't mad.
She looked over to him and flashed a smile, to which he returned in kind. Then he mouthed a word to her that she couldn't understand, but after a few more tries she read his lips. Angry, she dug her nails into his hand and he gave out a small whelp, like a puppy. He had said, "Daario."
"Can we afford to have the Moat itself burnt down?" Sam finally asked, "It is a very important stronghold in the North."
"No we can't," Jon quickly replied, "it is a very important stronghold within the North, and we can't really afford to have it burnt down. We're hoping that the dragon itself will strike enough terror within the Ironborn that they will surrender, or be distracted enough not to formulate a defense if Bran were to attack. We could even take out some of their ships."
"Then can we risk it?"
"It is a risk we are going to have to take, Sam." James urged. "We can't just let Asha keep it, we have to act. Hopefully they will be scared shitless of one."
"And who will fly the dragon?"
"Jon. He is a Targaryen and the only one who can, it probably won't lead to fighting."
Daenerys looked over at Arianne and noticed she was worried. Jon's thoughts were somewhere else, probably with Sansa, as he was pretending to listen.
"My nephew will see that it is done. Do not worry he will succeed." Dany heard herself blurt out.
Everyone nodded.
"And when will he be leaving?"
"Soon. Sam, send an envoy to Bran's army and let him know about Jon. We can't afford a raven. It is time to take these squids by surprise." James said.
The council was adjourned a few more minutes later, as the members left the room. It had been quite successful and Daenerys thought it went well. Most were on board for the idea of having Jon re-take Moat Cailin, but yet again there was too much that could go wrong. Rhaegal could die, although doubtful, or something could happen to Jon. Everyone had to tread carefully.
An hour past and Dany made her way to her solar. By now it would be empty, and the only person in there was James, reading the daily raven scrolls. She slowly opened the door and found him there; her footsteps sounded as loud as waves crashing upon the shore. James continued on reading as she walked up behind him, placing a cup of his medical tea in front of him.
"Thought I'd bring you this," Dany said.
He picked up the cup in front of him and sniffed it, before taking a few sips: looking up at Dany in the process and nodding. She smiled at him.
"Still jealous?"
He laughed. "How can I still be jealous, if I wasn't in the first place."
Daenerys rolled her eyes and pointed to the parchment. She saw that it was a message intended for Bran, but it was written in some weird language.
"What language is that?" Dany asked, her finger smudging a bit of the ink.
"Oh this," James replied, turning his attention back to it, "is a secret language that Bran came up with when he was a child. Jon taught it to me. It tells him about our plan."
"That is smart."
She sat down on his lap and examined it more carefully, reclining on him and raising it to the light. Dany pressed the back of her head against his face, and she felt him nuzzle her hair, as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Holding her tightly, she smiled. I knew this dress would work. After so many he years he still enjoyed doing that, it brought thoughts of their walks in the gardens. Perhaps, we should start doing that again.
"There are no hidden messages, I see. Has Sam ran out of the special ink?"
"How do you know about the special ink?" James asked, but he spoke up before she did. "So is that how you've been speaking to, Daario?"
Disgusted, Dany turned around and slapped him across the chest. It was supposed to be playful.
"You are still jealous!"
James sighed. "Yes, I'am jealous, are you happy?"
"Yes, now that you've admitted it."
"I didn't admit to anything!"
Dany stayed silent, to punish him, as she heard him sigh.
"So what are you going to do today?"
"Speak to Sansa."
"Speak to Sansa? About what?"
"Jon."
"You still haven't done that yet."
"No. Each time I try to it gets harder and harder. I fear she will hate me, James."
James laughed. "Sansa won't ever hate anyone, I fear. She will listen to you but whether or not she heeds your advice is another matter. Go talk to her, Dany."
Daenerys nodded and kissed him before making her leave, but he grabbed her hand by the wrist.
"Did I tell you how beautiful you look in that dress, Dany..." He said, his gaze soaking up her beauty. James couldn't stop doing so since the small council meeting.
Dany smiled. "No, you haven't, but I'm glad you like it. I chose it especially for you."
"Well, you did good." James replied.
He was biting down on his lower lip, and Daenerys knew what he wanted. So, she walked up to him slowly, and took him by the face for a kiss. Both of their tongues fighting for dominance. When she retracted she bit on his lower lip and tugged, before smiling and making towards the door. But before she could gain any traction she felt James grab her by the hand and whip her around to face him.
"I've never seen you wear this necklace before," James said, holding it in the palm of this hand. "Who gave it to you?"
Dany smiled. "Why, Daario, of course."
James looked at the necklace once more, back up at Dany, and back to the necklace as he ripped it off. He threw it onto the ground and stomped on it a couple of times, before kicking the scraps aside. James was angry, and his fists were in a coil. Daenerys felt herself grow furious that he'd be so jealous as to destroy a necklace.
"What are you doing?" Dany screamed.
"Destroying this fucking necklace. What does it look like?"
"Have you gone mad!" Dany yelled at him, getting her face an inch away from his. "What is wrong with you?!"
"I don't want to hear about him again!" James shouted. "I have to hear it from you in the morning, and from our Imp in the small council meeting; laughing and laughing as he is mocking me openly!"
"Why are you so jealous, James Stark!" Dany bellowed at him. "Don't you understand that he meant nothing to me."
"Why do you keep throwing it in my face?" James asked in dismay. "Why do you keep insisting on bringing him up? Is today just a day to make me feel jealous."
"So you are jealous!" Dany said, pointing a finger at him. "I knew it!"
James cowered back, his gaze facing the ground. "Maybe a little...but that doesn't mean you can act like you are."
"I took Daario as a paramour because I was lonely, I explained this all before." Dany admitted. "Many kings have in the past. Why can't queens?"
"Wha...What?"James asked in shock. His face was cringed and he just gave her a blank stare. "Do you hear yourself?"
Dany stood her ground. "I hear myself fine, thank you very much."
"So do you want Daario as a lover again, is that it?" James spat. "Would you like me to write him a raven and summon him to court to fuck you? I'll say, 'Daario Naharis. I, King James of the House Stark, First of His Name, summon you to court to have sex with my wife, Daenerys Targaryen. She can be your little whore.'"
In shock, Dany walked up to him and slapped him across the face. "I told you to never call me that again!"
James would not have that go unchecked and grabbed her by her forearms, grasping them as if they were twigs and he threw her on top of the table. Daenerys looked at him in shock, feeling her eyes widen, fearing that he would hit her. But of course this was James and he would never hit her, no matter how many times she slapped him. Dany looked into his eyes and saw anger, love, lust, and jealousy as he began to kiss her with fervor. Daenerys responded by kissing him just as hard, beginning to unbutton his doublet as she did, and untying his laces. James ripped off her already loose bodice, and removed the remaining clothes that stood between them. Both naked, James began to nibble on her neck, eliciting a gasp of pleasure from Daenerys.
"You will not take another man to bed again, except me," James whispered into her ear as he nibbled upon it.
"I won't," Dany responded to him with heavy breathing. "I love you, James Stark."
"As I love you," he said, "and if you do. I vow to kill the man."
James kissed her in the mouth again, and trailed them down her neck to her breasts and then down between her legs. He continues kissing his way down to in-between her legs. When he left Dany trembling he stood between her. "Do you swear not to?" he asked.
"I swear not to," Dany moaned in pleasure as she felt him enter her. He began to thrust wildly.
"Promise me," James demanded, as he moved inside her. "I want you to promise me that you won't."
Dany tried to get the words out, but couldn't. She bit her bottom lip and continued to moan as he had his way with her. James had never acted this way in bed and seeing him take her on the table of their solar only made it all the better. Dany wrapped her arms under him and grabbed his back for support, digging into it as if it was her anchor. She began to meet his thrusts.
"I want that promise, Daenerys," he whispered hotly into her ear, pressing a thumb to her nub and making circles there, this elicited a yelp from Dany.
"I swear to never take another man besides you, James," She promised. He nodded and resumed his attention to taking her like he would a whore, his jealousy was like some sort of potent energy he used to make him to ferocious. Dany needed to make him jealous again.
She sighed in exhaustion as she leaned her head against his shoulder, both meeting their climax. He'd spilled inside her violently, and Dany had met a wet and violent end, he'd never circled her nub like that before.
"I need you to press against that nub again next time," She told him.
He sighed and didn't say a word, both now bathed in sweat. "Promise me you won't do that to me, Dany. I don't know if I could take it."
"I won't, James," She assured him, lifting his head from her shoulder. "And I also promise not to mention his name again."
"Good," He said with a smile, as he lifted her off the table.
Daenerys clothed herself again and helped James back into his as he left her solar, making her way to Sansa's chambers. She arrived at the chamber and did not hear the laughter of children on the inside. Instead she heard a couple of argued words and whimpering. Dany pressed her ear against the door, and made out one of the voices to be Sansa. She could hear her whimpers. Suddenly, she felt the door open and it made her back off. Then Jon came out of the room, all solemn and sad, before giving her a nod and taking off.
Dany walked through the door and discovered the scene before her. A crying Sansa sitting on the bed wearing a dark blue dress, her face buried into her hands, and her auburn hair began to become disheveled.
"Sansa…" Daenerys said, barely in a whisper.
Seeing Sansa like this reminded her of…well herself. It was like looking in a mirror, not too long ago. Crying all your tears into the palm of your hand, hoping that the Gods would make everything alright. If only men weren't so stubborn.
The girl looked up at her, wiping her nose with her sleeve.
"Hello, Dany."
"What is wrong?" Dany asked, taking a seat next to her.
"It's Jon…" she began, the words barely audible from the crying.
"What did Jon do?"
"I don't know, Dany. He is just angry all the time, and tells me we can't spend too much time together. Claims that Arianne is growing curious."
"Did he yell at you?"
"Only a little bit…he also told me that this could never be. That we are too much like brother and…" she continued to cry. All Dany could do was rub her back with her hand.
"It will be alright, Sansa. Jon will come around."
Sansa wiped away her tears and blinked the rest out, as she stared at Dany with swollen eyes.
"Why is he doing this?"
"Because of Arianne." Dany began. "Jon knows that we need the Dornish. He is trying to push you away before the wedding. He doesn't want to see you hurt."
"But doesn't he realize that he is hurting me already?"
"Of course, but he knows it is for the best. He is going to marry her Sansa, I'm sorry. I wish it didn't have to be this way."
Sansa continued to cry, as Dany took her in her arms. Padding her back and kissing her head, like a mother would. Her maternal instinct took over.
"You're ok, with us? With the relationship?" Sansa asked, looking up at her like as a child would an adult.
Dany nodded. "Don't tell James this, but yes I'am. I see the way you two care for each other, Sansa. I know that what you have is genuine."
"Thank you," was all she said, "for being the only one who can see that."
"I pray to the Seven everyday that you two will be together. I really do."
Sansa nodded again. Dany reached over to the edge of the bed and grabbed a cloth, handing it over to Sansa. The women daintily blew her nose and folded the cloth into tiny pieces.
"Is this how you felt everyday, when James wouldn't talk to you, or see the kids with you. Not even kiss you, or say I love you. Is this how you felt? So alone…and hurt. So hurt. Almost as if you were in pain."
Dany looked at her and nodded, biting her lower lip trying to hold back tears. She felt a couple escape through and she quickly wiped them away. The memories of waking up alone and scared still too fresh in her mind. He wouldn't even talk to me or see me…it was as if I was less than human.
"How did you forgive him?" Sansa asked. "How could you?"
"For love…" Dany quickly replied. The word felt queer on her lips. She said it to him all the time, but this felt bizarre.
"Because at the end of the day I still loved your brother. I share two kids with him and he almost died in my arms. I had no more anger at the end, no more tears. It was all for love. You will find it in your heart to forgive him, I know you will."
Sansa nodded once more and smiled before hugging her. She stood up from the bed.
"Thank you, Dany. Thanks for making me understand."
Daenerys smiled at her and watched as she left the room. It was in that moment she realized that Daario had meant nothing, and that James meant something. She wanted to be with him and her children.
-x-
Arya
Arya slowly opened her eyes after a long night of sleep. The room within Maegor's Holdfast was dimly lit, and she awoke in the bed alone. Gendry's fresh imprint on the side of her bed. Her husband had grown restless, as of late, and enjoyed awaking early in the morning with the kids. The stress of the small council meetings and absorbing the extra responsibilities made him angst all the time. He always wanted to be alone, somewhat, but never ignored Arya or their kids. It seems men always took it the hardest.
Arya flung open the sheets and wrapped herself in a robe before walking over to the window, throwing the drapes open. Immediately the morning sun blinded her eyes and Arya covered them with her hand. The sun was intense today and she realized that it would be blistering hot. Arya then turned around and walked over to her mirror. She sat down and began to comb her long brown hair. This was the moment where she would spend thinking about the day, or the past, she didn't know. She sat there and studied her features. Her dark brown hair, grey eyes, and long slender face that made her look so much like a Stark. She remembered being taunted as a little girl, being called Arya Horseface, and Lumpyhead, but that was no more. Arya was a beautiful women now and a mother of two children, so much had changed.
Arya quickly put-on a grey dress, so that she could go break her fast with the Stark family. Her days began like this every morning, and it gave them time to catch up and talk about things besides the realm. That is what what small council meetings are for. It were moments like these that Arya enjoyed; the time where her family could just be her family, and not the royals they pretended to be. James would act like himself and didn't pretend to be, "James, the King," as Arya would call him. He has made a changed since his assassination attempt. Arya had forgiven him a long time ago.
I wonder if Jon and Sansa will join today, Arya thought as she finished dressing. Her grey eyes were a constant reminder of her older beloved brother, Jon, and she constantly thought about him. Her and Jon were always close since they had been babes, and Arya remembered running to his bed in the night during a bad storm. She was only three, and Jon had spent the whole night telling her stories until she fell back asleep. However, now they had grown apart since she told him to break things off with, Sansa. Arya shook her head, as the thought of him kissing her at the dinner table flashed in her head. What a fool! Arya thought, she began to laugh out loud to herself.
Arya, of all people, knew the rush one would get from rebelling against authority and could sympathize with, Jon. However, he was a fool for doing so and it caused a strain between the Stark family. Sansa and Jon spent all their time together, and chose to separate themselves from the rest. Atleast that it how it was at first, when James and Gendry were in the Stormland's, but as of late he didn't spend that much time with her. Jon was always sad now and frustrated too. Arya didn't know why but hoped he opened his eyes. Jon was betrothed to Arianne and they need her brothers army. Hopefully, Jon would see that.
Finally, Arya finished dressing and began to walk down the hall towards James's solar. It was where they broke their fast every morning. Arya, arrived and opened the door slowly as everyone was eating in silence. Well except the kids. The kids always yelled and laughed when they ate, it warmed Arya's heart. She took her seat next to her husband and kissed him, as she ordered her food out. Arya looked over and saw James not eating, he was slumped over in his chair, pouting. Oh seven hells what is wrong now. Dany kept to herself too, and was wearing a blue Pentoshi dress with her hair in two braids that slumped over her shoulders. Arya figured they had an argument or something, but she didn't know.
"Good morning, James." Arya said, as she noticed her brother lock eyes with her and give a solemn smile.
"Hello, Arya." he replied, his voice thick with more sadness than with anger. Arya knew it was sadness; James never knew how to hide his emotions well. A problem she could sympathize with.
Arya smiled at Dany who returned it in kind. Well at least she isn't neither, perhaps this is all James.
A few moments of silence passes, as Arya kept silent smalltalk with Gendry. The awkward silence between the King and Queen made it to uncomfortable to bear, and she decided to do something about it.
"What is wrong, James?" Arya asked, she rolled her eyes at him.
James sat up in his chair, and gave a pouting glance to Dany before looking to, Arya. She laughed inside at how much of a child he looked like. A baby with a beard.
"Nothing," he replied. "Why don't you ask, Daenerys."
Arya glanced over to her sister by law. "Care to tell me what is wrong, Dany?"
"Nothing," she replied, crossing her arms. "James over here is just being a child."
"James, why are you being a child?"
"I'm not!" he yelled, Arya could tell he wasn't actually mad. "I'm just disappointed that I had to hear about it from, Tyrion! And again last morning…"
"What is he talking about?" Arya asked, she turned to Gendry this time. Her husband shut down like a turtle going into its shell, and looked embarrassed. Arya punched him in the arm. "Will nobody tell me?"
Dany sighed. "Do you really want to hear?"
Arya nodded and braced herself. She noticed James bury his head into his arms on the table.
"It seems that our beloved dwarf has told our King, over here, about a certain someone from my past…"
"And who might this person be?"
Arya noticed James give Dany a glance before sitting up in his chair.
"Don't you say his name!" Dany warned him.
"Daario-" he began, Arya noticed a smile tugging at his face. He tried to surpress it.
"-Naaharis." She heard, Gendry finish.
"You know about this?" Arya asked, turning to Gendry.
He just nodded. "Tyrion likes to talk in his cups."
She faced James. "And why are you so upset about this?"
"Because she kept this from me! I've told her about all the women I've been with, whether it be…well you know."
Arya nodded. She knew about the red-haired whore of Winterfell, the one he executed, but it was Jon who told her about Cersei. Damn that women.
"I was going to tell you about him!" Dany yelled.
"Really? When?" James asked, sarcastically.
"Soon…"
"When was soon? When the sun rose in the west and set in the east?"
"Are you chiding me?"
"Of course not, Khaleesi. I also believe that was going to happen tomorrow."
Dany narrowed her eyes. "You are. You are chiding me."
"Me? Chide? Never."
"Oh, please stop!" Arya yelled.
"James." Dany said, calmly. She placed a hand on his shoulder, "My sun-and-stars."
James scoffed. "Don't you dare call me that! I'am not Drogo."
"Was that Dothraki?"
Dany nodded.
"But you mean more to me than he did. Please, understand that Daario meant nothing and I'm sorry for not telling you."
Arya gave him a glance, the same one Sansa would have if she'd been here. She wished she was right now, and Jon too. They should be with their family.
"Yeah stop being jealous!" Arya yelled, she meant it in jest but she saw his face harden. He took offense to it.
"I'm not…jealous!" he barked back, like some wolf.
"I'd beg to differ!" Arya retorted. She could bark back too.
"Arya-"
"-If you weren't jealous you wouldn't care so much. So just forgive her."
"I'm not really mad at her," James relented, "as much as I'am just disappointed."
"He is just jealous!" Dany said, "that is all he is."
"I'm not jealous!" James yelled, "why doesn't anyone believe me?"
"Because it happened years ago and he meant nothing. Why can't you believe me?"
"Because…" James began. "Because I've had to hear about him for awhile now. First from Tyrion over a game of cyvasse, with you in the room, and then Irri told me about him."
"Irri?" Arya asked, she didn't know why. The Dothraki handmaiden was one of Daenerys's most trusted friends and they were the same age.
James nodded. "She said she heard me screaming and asked me what was wrong. I knew to what she was…referring too, but I just told her I was in pain. Then she said she hadn't heard, 'Khaleesi scream like that since Daario."
Arya tried to hold back a laugh, as James dipped his face into his hands and shook his head.
"So jealous…" Arya muttered under her cup.
James face shot up from his hands, he narrowed his eyes at her and shook his head.
"I'm not….nevermind."
"Glad you could admit it."
Daenerys smiled and grabbed his face with her hands.
"I like it when you're jealous. Perhaps I could make it up to you later."
"Oh enough!" Gendry yelled, he threw his fork into his food and laughed. It was meant as a jest. "I don't want to throw up!"
Everyone laughed and went back to eating their food. Arya was enjoying a nice plate of eggs with burnt toast, along with everyone else. It did her good to see that, "James, the King," did not break his fast with them today. She noticed Dany stirring her porridge, that she ate all the time, and was looking stressed.
"What is wrong, Dany?" Arya asked, the woman looked up at her.
"Oh, nothing…" she began, James looked at her.
"You're not fooling anyone, Dany. I can tell when something is bothering you."
Dany remained silent.
"Oh out with it…"
"Fine!" Dany yelled, before eating a spoonful of porridge. "I had a talk with Sansa is all..."
"What about?" Arya asked.
"Jon…"
Gendry scoffed. "Oh, this can't be good."
"It isn't." Dany replied. "I went over to talk to her about…her predicament and when I got there I heard crying and arguing. I heard Sansa on the other side but couldn't tell who was there with them; that is when Jon opened the door."
"Jon and Sansa were arguing, about what?" James asked.
Dany sighed. "Well it was more like Jon yelling and Sansa crying. When I walked into the room she was bawling, and I consoled her. It was then she told me about Jon becoming distant and pushing her away. He told her it had to end and that he couldn't love her; that he was marrying Arriane."
"He is trying to push her away before the wedding. Doesn't want to lead her on and hurt her. Jon's realized we need the Dornish." Arya pointed out.
She realized this had been happening for a while, ever since the day Jon kissed Sansa at dinner. You could hear James cursing in his room from Maegor's Holdfast to the Dragonpit.
"I don't want to sound cruel…" James began, he was hesitant to finish. "I realize that they love each other, even I'am not so blind. If it wasn't for the desperation of having the spears then….then I would let them marry. But perhaps this is for the best."
"I feel bad for her." Dany said, "The woman always gets so close to finding someone and it always falls through. Willas and now…Jon."
"Is Jon verbally abusing her?" Arya asked, she didn't know why. She couldn't imagine Jon being that way.
"Not according to Sansa. She claims Jon is just more prone to anger now than ever."
"I'll talk to him." Arya quickly replied, "I'll talk to Jon myself, and see what is wrong. After the small council meeting that is."
"Don't go to the small council meeting." James suggested. Arya was taken aback.
"What do you mean don't go-"
"-Take a break today, Arya. You've done good. Go talk to Jon, before the small council meeting. Perhaps, you could lift his spirits."
Arya nodded. "It would give me a break from arguing with Tyrion so much."
"Thank the gods for that." Gendry muttered to himself, Arya heard him and punched him in the arm again.
It reminded her of being that same child along the Kingsroad again, calling him "The Bull." It was funny to realize what he'd become to her.
"I'll go talk to him, James. I'll go now."
"Good."
Arya pushed her plate forward and sat up from her chair, walking out the room. She made her way down the halls of Maegor's Holdfast and towards the small council chamber. Arya knew in the mornings that was where Jon would break his fast, by himself. He did this every morning, the creature of habit that he was, and usually liked being alone. But he would always welcome, Arya. Their relationship growing ever stronger since they reunited, all those years ago.
She finally arrived, after what felt like forever, and found him in his usual spot: eating his food and reading raven scrolls. He was sitting back in his chair and drinking a mug of ale when he spotted Arya, smiling and motioning her to sit down.
Arya sat down on the chair he set out for her, and poured herself a mug of his ale. Jon kept quiet to himself for a few more moments until Arya began to annoyingly clear her throat, to get his attention.
"Yes?" Jon asked, annoyed.
"Oh nothing, Jon. Just seeing how you are doing today."
"I'm doing fine, thank you. How are you, Arya?"
"Good." She quickly replied. "Gendry and the kids are ok. How is Arianne?"
Arya noticed Jon cringe at the sound of her name, and she could tell that Arianne was the core of the problem. Just as everyone suspected.
"What happened, Jon? Why are you doing this to, Sansa."
"Doing what to her? Telling her the truth of it."
"What did you tell her that made her cry?"
Jon sat back in his chair, he put a fist under his chin and sat there in silence. Arya could tell he was sad. She'd seen that look one-hundred times before.
"I told her that we couldn't be together, ever. That this was wrong and that we had to end it. That we needed the Dornish, and that I loved her. I told her that most of all."
"But what did you say that caused her to cry?"
"Was she crying that bad?"
"According to Dany, she was."
Jon sighed. "I told her that this was an…abomination. That it wasn't right and that father would be ashamed."
"Oh, Jon…" Arya tsked. "Why would you say something that harsh? Are you so desperate to push her away that you'll not only lose her love, but her too? You fool."
"I was being cordial and trying to break it to her easy, but she kept yelling at me. Sansa, has been through so much regarding love. Then she told me she hated me and I reacted harshly."
"Gods, you are such a fool."
"I know," Jon said. "Trust me, I know. I do love Sansa a lot and want to be with her, but Arianne knows."
"Arianne knows?"
Jon looked around before nodding.
"How?"
He cleared his throat, speaking to her in a whisper. "The night I kissed Sansa in front of everyone at dinner, I went back to my chambers after Sansa dismissed herself from the room. However, when I returned I found Arianne already in my chambers and…"
Jon hesitated to speak when Arya noticed a tint of red rising in his cheeks. Why that little…
"Jon!" She yelled, punching him over-and-over. "You are dishonoring yourself and Arianne by doing that!"
"I know, I know. But it gets worse from there."
"Ok, continue."
Jon cleared his throat. "She told me that she'd known the whole time, that Nym and Tyene have seen us together. Then, Arianne told me that I was to marry her and break things off with, Sansa. If I didn't…then she would declare for Aegon and they would gain the Martell men-at-arms."
Arya sat back in her chair. "Can't say I'm surprised by this, Jon. Arianne is desperate to marry. That means-"
"-That means I have to do my duty. I have to marry, Arianne."
"I know." Was all Arya could say, the other words trapped in her throat.
She felt bad for both of them, Jon and Sansa. At first she was disgusted with the relationship, much like everyone else, but over time she grew to love what they had. She figured if they were made for each other, or the Gods had some higher purpose for both of them. Arya wanted them to be together.
"I just feel like an ass for yelling at her. I feel so bad…"
"It is ok, Jon. Sansa will forgive you."
"I hope."
They both sat there in silence for a few moments, as the sun's light began to fully encompass the room. Arya knew that at anytime the small council would be here for their meeting. The last thing I want to do is be here for that.
Arya got up from her chair and walked over to the entrance when she spotted Sansa walking down the hall towards them. Startled, Arya went back to the chair and sat next to Jon. Sansa arrived and eyed Jon with disdain before turning to Arya.
"Arya, something has happened!" She yelled, clutching the sphinx head with both hands.
"What is it?" Both Arya and Jon asked, standing from there chairs.
"Garlan Tyrell has led siege to Riverrun!"
A/N: Ok, that was another long chapter.