Sunset over White Harbor was salmon pink, and the city came alive with bells the echoed off the silhouettes of it's many towers, as though all the Mermaid warriors at their tops, were about to have an aquatic battle. Jon was on the tallest, the middle turret of New Castle, as it was the best vantage point he could find for a look towards the North. Great crashings and rumblings, they had said, and a tremor running through the wall. If that was true, and he had every obligation to believe it was so, then it was a virtual race to Winterfell. Stopping in this city, even for a night was almost reckless. He knew of course, that moving ground forces quickly was complicated if not impossible. The next few days would be a challenge for anyone, but the cold wild kissed at his cheeks and whispered a warning against his neck.
Jon did not even shiver, but turned from the North and tramped back down the turret. From the higher points of the fortress, the busy town was intriguing, perhaps a place he would have found interesting , if the times were not so dark. But there was no fired smoke in the air, and no comforting hearth in the great hall of the castle, like home. Winterfell awaited, and now Jon was eager to be there. He made his way into the stairwell, ready to be done with the feast and on the road already. Especially since Lord Wyman's daughters were following him around like Arya and Bran.
"Thought you wouldn't come to the feast." the green-haired one was the first person to notice that Jon had returned from his visit outdoors.
"Can you spare the food to have a feast?" he threw back at her, "What with winter settling in."
"We are rich in fresh food, King Jon." said the older sister, who was also in the hall, seemingly waiting for him to emerge. "It is both a blessing and curse. Abundance must not go to waste, when the rest of the country is starving."
Jon stared at the pair of them. They were pretty things, and formidably clever. Either of them would be suitable as the Steward of the Norths wife, and both of them seemed eager for it. To everyone here in White Harbor, it would have been a natural match andDaenerys was still his enemy, in their eyes. But Jon knew that were times different he would have watched Robb and Theon pursue these pretty two, to their beds, and they would never have turned their eyes upon a bastard in the stables. Once he would have been happy with either, now he had no interest in both.
"Then we feast. And I thank you for it." Jon answered and turned to leave.
"The dragon queen-" began the older one, and he turned around to face her. "We proudly offer our abundance to her troops, and company, but she is insisting that we spare food for her savages as well, and-"
Jon scoffed. "The curse of abundance does not weigh too heavily on you, if you cannot extend hospitality to everyone equally."
The green haired girl crossed her arms, "See. I knew he would take my side."
The older scowled and then placed a pleasant look on her face. "It is only that we have already opened our market to them, and they have not been very grateful."
"You cannot expect them to act like trained lords," her sister argued.
Jon looked over his shoulder to the hall below and caught sight of Ser Davos. "Excuse me ladies." he said, very smoothly he felt, "I must ask Ser Davos something."
The feasting had began already, Jon noted on his way down the massive, solid staircase. Several men were loitering with ale and pretty girls along the steps, while music filled the great spaces where the conversation had risen in volume and color. Some danced, some ate, but most had abandoned their chairs to talk or sing, or drink. A feast such as this, Jon was never allowed to attend as a boy, and now as he walked through the great hall, people bowed to him, cheered for him, and drank ale in his name. So strange was it for him that he supposed he'd never grow used to it.
Davos joined him mid-hall, saying, "The Queen has received an unexpected guest just now. Thought ye ought to know."
With one steady glance around, Jon noticed that her entire small council was missing from the feast, and some of her Dothraki guardians. He suddenly could not get to Dany's side fast enough, and strode out of the hall quickly, Davos right behind him. "What sort of guest?" Jon asked him lowly as they walked.
"A man only, no others with him." Davos answered, "Used to be some sort of sell-sword, I think he said."
THE sell-sword? Jon wondered. No, not likely. But what if? They'd taken up in a smaller room off the great hall, where there was a man indeed. But he was bowing low to the ground on his knee, while Greyworm, Ser Jorah, and several of her massive guards held their weapons at him. Tyrion flooded him with questions and just a little farther off, Daenerys observed it all. So tense was she that Jon and Davos hardly made a ripple when they joined the room.
"And here is another who wouldn't be pleased to hear you threatened the Queen." Tyrion nodded at Jon.
"I did not threaten, sir!" the man answered from the pile he made of himself on the ground. "I meant what I said as warning."
"You warn with a weapon drawn?" Tyrion snapped.
Dany approached, "You said someone wanted kill me, but you did not offer up how you know this information. You may stand, and do so now."
The man was old, with grubby gray hair and a weathered face. He stood tall, now he was allowed to, and nodded at Dany gratefully. "Apologies for a man who has lost many of his gentler manners with old age. But I feel it is important to warn that the Golden Company has broken it's current contract with Myr and taken up a new one."
She lifted her chin, "They've never broken a contract before, why should they do so now."
The man bowed his ashen head, "Because the target is worth more than many of them shall ever see in their lifetime. And gold.. well, the Company loves gold."
"How much gold?" Tyrion stepped closer to the man.
"More than a Lannister can manage." the man laughed.
Daenerys turned her head ever so slightly, "You know this, how?"
"I was once very close to the Commander."
"I truly doubt that, my queen." said Jorah.
She watched the man thoughtfully, while Jon watched her. All strength, and impeccable confidence, much like when he'd first met her. She hid her vulnerabilities well enough, but he knew her now, and wanted nothing more then to stand beside her.
"You have the look of Prince Rhaegar, Your Grace." the man spoke first.
"Who are you?" Jorah Mormont demanded.
"How did you know the Prince?" cried Tyrion.
Dany approached him further, pushing back her protectors just a bit. "I've been told before that I was more like him then anyone else in my family." She mused, and then faced the man, "I was also told that, despite being a skilled fighter, there was something he enjoyed far more than killing. Do you know what that was?"
The man smiled, and the corners of his eyes crinkled. "Rhaegar loved to sing." he said. " I'd completely forgotten. I am Jon Connington, Your Grace, although lately I've been traveling under the name of Griff."
"I know that name," Jorah said, at once, "I remember you were cast out of the Company for thieving the gold chests."
"You remember what Myles made you remember."
Jorah lowered his sword slightly, "Myles was a wise man, but his time passed. There is a new commander now."
"Homeless Harry Strickland is no leader of mine!" bellowed the man, Jon Connington. "He can sit atop his piles of gold and rot. No army would follow that drunken lout."
Tyrion nodded, "You want to place yourself there instead?"
Jon Connington sighed, "I am too tired for more failed plots, and disappointments. I've spent years chasing names, and following lies. My heart has been slit in two."
"Then why warn me?" Daenerys did not seem quick to believe him.
"Maybe I'm a fool, maybe I have it right. It's for the gods to know," Jon Connington showed his years in his stance, "But there is something that the Golden Company wants more than gold, and if someone can offer it to them they may be convinced, not just to break a contract, but to break the Company down altogether."
"And what is that?" Daenerys asked him.
"A chance to come home, Your Grace. To get their names back, or in some cases to get names in the first place."
Tyrion glanced at the queen. "They are not without fault though, many are reprobates and criminals." It was Varys who spoke up now.
"I've heard you scheme before, Lord Varys." Jon Connington said quickly.
"And you sir?" Varys shot back, "It was very odd to hear the Prince had fallen, and Connington was not at his side all those years ago.
The man gripped his hands together so tightly that the leather of his gloves squeaked.
Jon noticed that Grey Worm was standing quite near to Missandei, and that Ser Jorah still had his hand upon his sword hilt, and was hovering close to the queen. Though the old fighter appeared to be alone, Jon had swept the room a few times, and paced by the windows watching for a threat. The Golden Company... He suddenly wished he'd not been so single-minded, and had insisted Dany fly to Winterfell. She would be there by now and none of this would even matter.
"I've not come to discuss the past, I've come to save your future, Your Grace. And perhaps the Company's."
Dany folded her hands together. Jon realized she did this now, to stop them shaking. "Sir," she began, "I am not loved in the Free Cities. If it weren't for the Red Preistesses work, I would be loathed in fact. Abolishing slavery is not a popular action among the elite of Essos, and many lost entire fortunes when I won Slaver's Bay. Why on earth would the strongest hands of Essos choose to support me, over whoever else is paying them, even if I do offer them safe return to Westeros?"
"All it takes is for them to know it, what you would be willing to do for them."
"Queen Daenerys is here now, her work in Essos has come to an end," Tyrion answered at once.
"Send someone to them," Jon Connington said.
"And you wish to be the one to do this." Tyrion said wryly. "So that they know precisely how to deceive us.
"I've said before, I'm out of this cursed game."
"Then who?" Tyrion growled.
"You've a sell-sword posted in Meereen." Jon Connington nodded at Daenerys. Her eyes widened slightly. "I know Daario N'haris. I've asked him to join the Golden Company for many years now. He's always told me the times were not lined up right. The Second Sons, another venture...a woman he couldn't seem to be torn away from." Jon Connington paused, and her cheeks flushed slightly. " but perhaps now is the time he will say yes."
Silence followed. Her eyes had trailed to Jon, the first acknowledgment she made of him being in the room. The name was not familiar to Jon, but he did know of a certain sell-sword who lived in Meereen, and something started churning inside of him towards this faceless man across the world. A lot like how he'd felt about Ser Jorah, only sharper, deadlier. It came completely unbidden and he tried his best to hide it.
"Daario is to remain is Essos." she said very firmly to Connington and Jon felt a surge of love for her.
The old man shook his gray head. "Then you've as good as chopped off your sword hand."
Annoyed, Jon felt himself insisting, "The Queens defenses are sound, sir."
Jon Connington turned around and surveyed Jon Snow from head to toe. "The King Jon Snow, uh? You don't look anything like a Stark, Your Grace, if I may say. Your Queen may be well guarded indeed, but the Company is on her trail, and they are a hard force to beat." He turned back to Dany, "Send for Daario and the Golden Company is yours. They would listen to him, and only he can convince them that you are the better Queen to follow."
Daenerys had grown quiet. "And how do you know that I am?"
"Because I see Rhaegar's own eyes staring back at me, now." Jon Connington answered. "And it is as though the Iron Throne and all of Westeros is about to be set right again."
Jon watched her breath in hard and then calm herself breathing out. "I.. I will consider what you have suggested sir and heed your warning. I beg you leave us now, I have much to discuss with my council."
He bowed once, and retreated. Davos stood and made sure he was far from the room before closing the door.
"Considering the risk vs reward-" Tyrion began.
"I won't have Daario Nharis negotiating anything on my behalf." Daenerys cut him off. "Not even for ten thousand men."
Jon felt so much relief flooding inside of him, that he very nearly came over and took her hand.
"If you need someone to speak to this Commander, I will do it." Ser Jorah told her. "I will seek him out if need be."
"Hell. I will kill the man if it would break the contract." Jon added, though beside him Davos shuffled a bit.
Dany smiled, warmly. "Ser Davos, be easy. Your King is only speaking recklessly."
"Aye. Your Grace." Davos replied.
"But the Golden Company are not who we are fighting," Dany met Jon's eyes, "Not yet anyway."
"My Queen, now is the time to fly." Ser Jorah said again, "There are threats on all sides now."
"I will not. I am not a coward, Ser Jorah" Dany frowned. "Some winged conqueror will not be the first image people in the North see of me. No, I will travel the Kingsroad as we'd planned."
"But you heard the man, Your Grace. The Company is after you."
"You trust him, then?" she threw back at Ser Jorah. Then she turned to Tyrion, "And you?"
"Trust him?" the Hand scoffed, "Not entirely, but it doesn't hurt to at least heed his warning."
"Unless his warning is a deception." Daenerys paced. Jon rested his hand on Longclaw, and watched her. In the red dress she wore, it was easy to do so. "There is no right way, and so I must do what I feel is right..."
"And I would like to add once again that some of us feel you should be disguised." Tyrion added.
Dany folded her arms but Jon nodded, and said, "I agree with Tyrion."
Dany blew out her breath in exasperation and paced again, but Missandei spoke next, "If we disguise her, she cannot ride with her khalasar... Is that really the safest idea?"
Daenerys raised her brows meaningfully at Jon and he turned his head slightly, wishing he was alone with her that very moment.
"Unsullied will ride with her." Greyworm said. "She can dress as Unsullied."
Tyrion began to nod, "Yes, this is an idea...and perhaps a decoy that looks like-"
"No." Daenerys stopped him, "No one will risk dying for me. I will wear the disguise and ride with the Unsullied but I won't have someone else at risk."
Most were very obviously satisfied with this, though Ser Jorah still looked uneasy. "Ten thousand potential enemies could very easily become allies, if what Jon Connington said was true." he growled, "On the other hand, they are probably tracking us now, planning an attack."
"They would be fools to attack us." she replied, "We have Drogon and Rhaegal watching always." Jon frowned to himself. Even if they cannot see her? "You are my Captain, what do you think?" Daenerys asked Greyworm.
"This one prepares for traps always, in any way chosen." he replied.
Jon felt himself nodding. "Aye. It is wise to be prepared."
"Well then. Let us prepare," remarked Tyrion. "Are we to fall back to Moat Cailin or try our luck breaking for the Kings Road North?"
Jon thought it over briefly. "We'd be in Winterfell sooner if we went North, and the Barrowlands are open, hard to be attacked on."
Ser Jorah squared his shoulders. Jon knew he did not approve of the plans, and perhaps he should have supported the old knight and insisted Daenerys fly. But Jorah Mormont would not be holding her close later that night, to have his words come back and haunt him, as Jon might.
"Then My Queen, I believe we have a course set." Tyrion replied. "Tonight let us rest our bones in beds for the last time, and we should return to this lavish feast."
"Mmm." Varys mused, " I've never tasted an ale that reminded me more of fish."
The council dispersed the side room, until Jon and Daenerys remained only, staring at one another. Though he'd been so very close to her several times now, Jon still had trouble catching his breath when he was alone with her. As his Queen, she was fierce and formidable, but as his Dany her sudden vulnerability was so seductive it drew him in. Slowly, hand upon Longclaw, he drew closer and closer to her.
"Only a small stretch of road left." he told her softly.
She sighed heavily, "I wonder if I will ever be free of my enemies."
"I fear when I rid myself of one I make two more." Jon answered her. "No one has taken me down yet."
Her eyes flicked up to his face, "Your enemies appeared to have tried."
Jon swallowed hard. Yes, of course she'd seen the evidence of it all over him, only at those times when his clothes were off there were too many other things happening to speak of it. "Another time." he said, "Another life." He stepped into the last bit of space between them and touched her face softly. "And I stand here with you, while they are ashes in the wind."
"I don't know if you are invincible Jon Snow." she said, leaning into him so that her nose touched his chin, "but I pray you are."
Only seconds into what was sure to be a wonderful kiss, the door opened and a womans voice broke them apart, at once. The older of the Manderley girls stood wide-eyed and rapidly flushing red, in the doorway. "I beg pardon!" she cried and retreated so quickly, Jon had no choice but to laugh.'
"She will tell her father?" Dany looked startled.
"No doubt. Isn't that what a lady of the house does?"
Daenerys frowned. "I don't know. I've never been taught how to be a lady of the house."
"I've not been taught how to be a lord, either."
"What a pair we are." Dany smiled at him, and he kissed her again.
This time she broke the embrace, "They will talk..."
"Let them talk," Jon pressed on, "I'm through with caring."
"Jon," she whispered, her eyes closed and he noticed how upset she really was.
"What is it?"
"I am afraid Jon."
"Don't be," Jon sighed, and hugged her, "I will be just ahead of you and I trust your Captain with do anything he can to keep you safe."
"No," she pushed back, "I'm afraid of what I feel for you. I am terrified of what would happen to me if I lost you."
Jon nodded, surveyed her face, and imagined for a moment a wilder one. Softly he said, "We've all lost someone-"
"A love Jon?" Dany's gaze was sharp, "Not a brother or even a father-"
"I lost a wildling girl." Jon felt himself saying, "I broke my vows for her. I loved her. But a lad I trained shot her through the heart with an arrow... she died in my arms."
She stared, and slowly pulled him into a soft embrace. Then with her head against his shoulder said, "I gave all that I had trying to bring my husband back and in the end I had to take his life myself. I'm just a girl still, but I've learned that love does not belong in this game."
Jon was recalling what Igritte had said to him once, long ago, and repeated as well as he could remember. "Death will come to us all, but first, we will live."
"Jon Snow." when she kissed him, he memorized the way her lips felt, half on his lips. "You never stop surprising me."