I don't own Game of Thrones
I apologize for the delay. Thank you all for your support. As always keep reading and reviewing
Chapter 81
Jon was infuriated. He was seething by the time the feast was over. He had many cups of ale and wine. He left Robb with two girls. Jon would go to his room and sleep.
He was upset with Daenerys, his family and most of all himself. He hated the thought of Daenerys and Aegon. He climbed the steps to his quarters slowly. The young man did not expect to see the queen waiting for him.
"Where have you been?" She asked him immediately.
He glared at her and started to undress.
"Answer me." The woman demanded.
"Your grace should be in her quarters." He slurred a bit.
"You are drunk." She said exasperated.
"Your majesty is quite correct." He bowed to her and almost fell.
"Enough. What was that little demonstration early?" She asked him in a very commanding voice.
"I am confused." He said and tried to get into his bed.
"You know very well what I am referring to?" She continued and blocked his path to the bed.
The heir of Winterfell remained quiet. He put the sword aside and went to bed. He was surprised when Daenerys undressed as well. He was even more surprised when she got under the covers and kissed his back. She hugged him and slept. Jon was quiet but held her hand in his.
He woke up thirsty. There was a weight on his side. His head hurt. Jon looked to the side and found Daenerys fast asleep.
He gently removed his arm from underneath her. His tactic did not entirely work because the queen sighed deeply and was awake within seconds.
"Good morning." She said lightly.
Jon nodded and remained quiet. Daenerys stiffened by his side. They were silent for some minutes. She broke the silence; "What is it?" She asked.
Jon tried to remain calm. "What do you mean?"
Daenerys sat up. She wore her shift; her braid was half undone. "I mean what is it? Why did you have to play that horrible song?"
He frowned and sat up. He rested his body on the headrest. "It is merely a song."
"It is not to Aegon. Your grandfather ordered his mother and sister's dead. The mountain raped Elia Martell. It is a very sore spot for my nephew." She said.
Jon was angry and in physical pain from the previous night's exploits. "I did not order to play the song. It was my uncle and brother. And since when are you so concerned for Aegon's sake. You are not even sure that he is your blood."
Daenerys frowned. "He is my heir and my blood."
Jon stood up and put on his breeches. "Your children will be your heirs. He matters very little." He was tired of the squabbling.
Daenerys looked away. "You are petty."
Jon laughed and lashed out, "I am petty? I am leaving my people. My lands for you."
She looked hurt and then was cold. "I have not asked you to do so. You will trade the North for Westeros. You will rule next to me."
Jon tied a piece of leather into his hair and tried to not look at her. She stood up and went in front of him. "This is not you. This is your mother. She is trying to make a rift between us."
"Did you not see how she manipulated you last night? She reminded us at every moment of your work here. She is playing on your sense of loyalty to these lands. Lady Stark is sure you will leave me for these lands. She spoke of the North and all the work that needs to be done. Tell me you have noticed how little time you have spent in Winterfell. Your parents are plotting to have you away from me." She finally said.
Jon could not deny her accusations. He grew up with Cersei Lannister as a mother. Father would have never tasked him with so many duties back to back; not when there was Robb to spare and Tyrion to help. It was mother's planning through and through.
"They have a point." Jon finally said. "I cannot leave the North; not before the year is out."
Daenerys paled; "I see." They remained quiet. "Your mother has succeeded then." She tried to keep her face impassive but Jon knew her.
The anger was gone; it was replaced with fear. "I love you more than my own life. You could stay with me my love. We could be married in the Godswoods or the Sept if you so wish. We will live in Wolfhall until I have sorted the North." He stood in front of her and begged her.
The queen shook her head. "My people need me. I have fought for that throne. I will be back to it as soon as possible. I have been here too long."
Jon nodded, "My people need me as well. I may not be a king but I will have them thrive. I am responsible for them."
Daenerys looked away from him. "There is nothing more to say then."
Jon understood perfectly that she would not change her mind. "I have to leave for Wolfhall." He said and hastily dressed. He could not stand to see her. Jon was too hurt with her.
He visited the stables and then mounted a horse to leave. He would not take Rhaegal. She was not his.
Jon rode the horse for hours until suddenly. He was at the gates of his beloved Wolfhall. He remembered when he was younger and hated the Dreadfort. Mother had dispatched half of Winterfell's servants to Wolfhall. Jon had all of Bolton's possessions distributed among the soldiers and villagers. All the sigils were changed to Stark banners.
Jon entered the castle and was glad for the warmth. He went to his quarters and slept. He was weary and tired.
Jon woke up the next day and involved himself with work. He kept his mind busy. The people needed him. It was three days before he realized he had to go back to Winterfell. He decided to wait and a week became three weeks. If his calculations were correct. Daenerys and her party would leave in two weeks. The man did a lot of thinking. He advanced as much work as he could and came up with a compromise. He decided to leave for Winterfell when the maester told him about the storm. The man stocked the castle and made sure everyone was safe and warned before leaving for Winterfell. Jon thought about his idea. He would explain to Daenerys. The idea was that he would travel to King's Landing after six months. He would stay for a few weeks and then travel back to Wolfhall. He hoped to explain to Daenerys. Jon foresaw a lot of traveling during the first three years.
The heir to the North rode back to Winterfell. He arrived early in the afternoon. Jon visited his father's quarters.
"Good to see you. I would appreciate some notice when you leave for weeks." His father said with some snark.
Jon nodded gruffly. He hated being treated as a green boy.
"Your mother was worried sick." Father continued.
Jon sat in front of his father. "Mother knew perfectly well that I would leave for Wolfhall. She in fact would have rejoiced in my absence."
Father did not speak or contradicted him. "I have remained quiet and doubted that you would play her games but I see I was mistaken." Jon said while trying to infuse his voice with harsh disappointment.
His father lowered his head almost imperceptibly. "Your mother and I only want what is best for you."
Jon could not understand their reasoning. "You have to stop. I am miserable. I love the North. You know I feel responsible for the Free Folk as well. I am not about to shirk any of my responsibilities. You and mother have to stop the meddling." He said plainly.
It was very propitious when mother strode in. "Tyrion wanted to know if the Maester reached a conclusion?"
"Oh sweetling! You had me worried sick." She kissed his cheek.
Jon smiled at her and patted the chair next to his. "Sit mother. Father and I are having a lovely chat. It is important that you hear it as well."
Mother smiled and sat by him. She exchanged a look with father.
"I am not leaving with Daenerys." His mother tried to stop her reactions but she could not help but grab his hand and tell him; "sweetheart, it is for the best."
Jon was annoyed then. He removed his hand and then looked at them both. "I will travel later. You and father have opened my eyes. I do feel responsible for the North. I love these lands but as I have told you both. I love Daenerys a hundred times more.
"You barely know that woman." Mother continued.
"I have dreamed of her. I don't know if you understand. I don't know if you and father love each other so. I would burn Westeros to have her by my side."
Father frowned, "you are foolish; this is nothing but infatuation. It will pass. You are willing to trade it all for some sex."
Jon stood up. "It is not some sex. We have fought together. We lost a child. We might as well be bonded. I shan't have any more of your meddling." He turned to his mother, "especially from you Lady Stark. No more mentions if my eligibility, or my future as Warden of the North. You have Bran and Rickon. They will inherit Winterfell and Wolfhall if you so please. If not little Ned will have the rights. You have enough heirs to distribute the lands."
"It is your rightful claim. Bran is lost to us and Rickon is but a boy." Mother argued back.
"Father and you are strong. Surely you will see to Rickon's education. You have seen to mine and my siblings. You have done well mother. I have sensed your hand ever since you saw me and Daenerys by the pools. I have played the fool. I have tried to fool myself trying to excuse your excessive requests to help Tormund." He addressed them truthfully.
"The little mummer show you put during the last feast was the last straw. I was jealous and assume my responsibility for playing the song. All I needed was time away from here to think. My mind is resolved. Enough." He said and left his parents.
Jon hoped that his parents understood his meaning well enough. He now had to find Daenerys and undo whatever he had done.
He waited until dinner. Robb and Margaery greeted him amiably as did Aegon. "Rhaegal has been sad since you left." He said with an honest voice.
Jon nodded. They ate their dinner. Father looked at him but did not speak to him. Mother tried to be a gracious host but she was in her own world. She was surely thinking of their conversation. Uncle Tyrion and Sansa had opted to not come down for supper. Tyrek was fussy as was little Jon.
The Bear was in attendance as well. He spoke to mother and father in hushed tones. Jon drank from his ale. Daenerys was absent. He did not enquire about her but heard when Margaery remarked that she hoped that the queen felt better. She was sick then.
Jon retired after he ate half of a course. He felt mother's eyes on him. He did not go to his quarters. Jon went straight to her quarters. He knocked on the door and a handmaiden opened the door for him. He could hear retching sounds.
"The queen is indisposed. She is not taking visitors." The woman said. He recognized her. It was one of the Free Folk girls.
"Let me through." He said and pushed past her.
Daenerys threw up on a basin. She looked up. The dragon queen was white as a sheet. Jon addressed the other handmaiden. "Leave." He said authoritatively.
The woman looked at Daenerys. The queen nodded her head. She did not say much more because her head was down the basin once more.
Jon went by her side and held her hair back. She vomited until there was nothing more. Jon pushed the basin aside and grabbed a cold wet rag. He wiped her face and tears away.
He stood up and pulled her up gently. "I think that is the last of it." She said weakly.
Jon kissed her forehead. They were quiet until he undressed and went to bed with her.
"I missed you." He said very quietly.
"You left me." Daenerys replied.
"I needed time away to think." He replied honestly.
Daenerys stiffened. "You made yourself clear Lord Stark." She tried to move away from him. Jon held onto her.
"I think not." He muttered.
Daenerys turned to him. "You want to stay here. You chose your people and family over me. I have to make peace with that. I will not force you to be with me."
Jon frowned at her. "You jump to conclusions too quickly. I was upset with you, with myself, my family and this situation."
She was quiet and impassive. "You are correct my parents want to me to stay and rule over the North. I owe my people and I have to see to their welfare."
"You are only repeating my words. I must ask you to leave my chambers lord Stark." She stood up and wobbled away from the bed.
Jon sat up but did not attempt to go to her. "I will not go with you to King's Landing. I have to order my affairs. I believe I will have to travel back and forth for the first three years. I could take Rhaegal; it would be faster that way."
She seemed to relax. "I would prefer if you traveled with me right away." Daenerys turned to him.
"It cannot be." He said firmly.
Daenerys tried to look cold once more. Jon could see through her. She tried to look away to the window. Jon knew better; Daenerys asked him a question, "How long would it take you to be in King's Landing?"
"At least six months or a year." He said calmly as well.
She turned completely away from him and faced the window. It was time for Jon to stand up and tell her what he wanted. He turned her around gently. "Stay here a few more weeks." He needed her to stay longer.
"We already are. Drogon and Viserion are flying and have not been seen for the past three days. Rhaegal looks sick as well. I cannot leave my children in these lands. The maester also predicted a heavy snowstorm that will take place within two days. So you see, I am trapped in this castle until at least another two months or so the maester predicted." She sounded angry.
Jon deflected some of her anger. "Have you send words to King's Landing?"
She nodded. "I had hoped to send Aegon with Viserion or ride Rhaegal myself. She refuses to let me near her and her brothers are gone."
Jon would have to see his girl too. He felt heartened by the news. "Where do you think Viserion and Drogon are?"
She frowned, "your uncle thinks they are seeking shelter deeper in the Godswoods or maybe they have flown to King's Landing or Southern places. Dragons are not meant for this weather." Her voice broke a little.
He shushed her when the floodgates open. "Rhaegal has not eaten since you left. She refuses to let me near her."
He held her close, "We will go see her now." He said and fixed her hair back.
Jon helped her put on a heavy cloak and dressed in his leathers once more. They made their way into the Godswoods. He felt the cold seep into his clothes. Daenerys trembled by his side. They came to the clearing. Rhaegal seemed to be sleeping but then took a look at them and roared. Jon came near her.
The dragon moved toward him. "I missed you." He said and caressed her scaly head. "Your mother tells me you have not eaten." Daenerys was by his side and touched the dragon too. She let her. Daenerys cried some more.
Rhaegal blinked rapidly and then moved as if to fly. The great beast took flight. Daenerys looked up.
"She's going to the barn." He said. It was not long after when Rhaegal came back with a bloodied sheep. She swallowed the animal whole.
"She's eating. Let her find game on her own now." He said.
Daenerys nodded and walked with him. "She pined for you. She knew you left us. Why did you not take her with you?" Jon sighed.
"She is not mine to take." He replied.
"She is yours. Rhaegal has not let any man come near her. She almost fired at me last time I came to her."
He remained quiet. They walked slowly when he could not hold it any longer. "Will you accept the compromise."
"I will." She said simply.
They almost reached the castle when he asked her, "What will happen when I reach King's Landing and you have Aegon by your side?"
"He will not be by my side. You will be." She replied.
"Marry me then." He replied. Mother was not completely in the wrong. There needed to be balance in this relationship. He would give up his birthright. He needed assurance from Daenerys.
She looked at him and kissed him. "Tomorrow if you so wish."