Hi everyone! Hope you like the new chapter. I received some amazing constructive feedback about formatting, so I hope this chapter is easier to follow. As always, feedback is appreciated! I'm still getting a handle on writing a few of the characters so I hope this isn't tooooo OOC. I received a review saying that it was obvious I was biased for Dany, just wanted to clarify this is an extremely pro-dany fic. She was my favourite character, and this is my way of wiping season 8 from my mind. I've added in some art my boyfriend made for the story! I had tried to include it earlier but it wouldn't work. Hopefully it's easy to see this time :) I've put the link at the start of the chapter.
/n6sKCrF
Daenerys
Daenerys Targaryen had heard of Jamie Lannister. All her life she had been bombarded with platitudes of revenge. Revenge is dangerous, Daenerys always reminded herself of that. She knew the fire inside her yearned for it, to douse everyone who had ever wronged her family in dragon fire.
The kingslayer was worthy of that revenge, the man who had plunged a sword into her father's back. Daenerys was no fool, she knew how cruel the man had been. The stories Viserys had told her had been plunged into a land of fantasy as Ser Barristan had told her the stories of the mad King.
Even yet, somewhere deep inside her, Daenerys seethed into anger every time she heard Jamie Lannister's name. As a child she shared Viserys' pleads for revenge, she wanted nothing more than to watch her brother plunge a sword into the Kingslayer, the man who had seen to the fall of her family. The man who had failed to protect her mother, her niece and nephew.
But Daenerys also knew the type of ruler she wanted to be, and fiery public execution would not do well in hopes of achieving that.
As she registered Sansa's words, she felt Jon squeeze her hand tighter. As she felt Jon's hand, hopes of revenge dulled. Because Jon Snow was the ice that balanced the fire within her.
Daenerys was the first to speak, "Order the guards to bring inside, remind him that he'll be brought before the heir to the Iron Throne, the daughter of the man he killed, he'll be wise to watch himself".
Daenerys caught her breath as she turned to face Jon. "He's alone? Cersei promised us her troops to help us with Night King. Fucking liar" she seethed.
"We expected this Dany. Cersei has lost her mind. She'd rather sit on the Iron Throne and rule no one if it means the Night King wipes us out" Jon responded.
Dany sighed as they walked back to the long table, taking their seats in the middle. Under the table, Jon rested his hand on hers, providing her with the reassurance she needed.
Daenerys looked at Tyrion. She quietly wondered how the apple had fallen so far from the tree. She had come to admire the man, he had persevered through so much, just as she had. And with time, she had won her trust. She knew Tyrion held his brother close to her heart, for his sake, she'd let him live. Maybe somewhere far away, but Daenerys Targaryen had a feeling it wouldn't be easy to get rid of Jamie Lannister.
"Why do you think he's here?" Daenerys said to Tyrion.
"He's either lost his mind or Cersei's finally got to him" Tyrion responded.
Daenerys didn't miss the anxiety in his voice.
There was a loud creak as the doors to the great hall opened once again, Daenerys took in a breath as she prepared. She had seen the kingslayer before, at the dragon pit. But she was more focused on his female counterpart that day. Now she wished she had paid more attention to the one-handed knight.
Two guards were grabbing him by each arm, pulling him towards the long table. Missandei started her introductions has Jamie stood a few feet away, staring right into the dragon queen's eyes.
"You are standing in the presence of Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, First of Her Name, The Unburnt, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Queen of Meereen, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Protector of the Realm, Lady Regnant of the Seven Kingdoms, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons."
Daenerys liked seeing the brief fear go through the eyes of her enemies once they heard her title. Her personal favourite being the mother of dragons. The reminder that she had brought dragons back to life did a great deal of her work for her. But as she peered at Jamie Lannister, she knew that would not be the case this time, just as it had not when she came face to face with Jon Snow on dragon stone.
"Last time I checked my sister still sat on the Iron Throne" Jamie quirked.
"Your sister has no right to that throne, just as her usurper husband had no right" Daenerys said back coldly.
Daenerys knew when she had to reel it back, but she also knew when to bring out her dragon blood. Jamie Lannister was as just an enemy of the North as he was to House Targaryen. He would be dealt with fire and blood.
"I am not here to argue about politics" the kingslayer responded.
"Then why are you here, kingslayer? Your sister promised us an army to defeat the army of the dead. I see no army, just one man. One man with one hand" she retorted.
"I promised to fight on the side of the living, and that's what I'm here to do" Daenerys heard the man speak.
There were murmurs in the back as the Lannister continued to speak.
"I knew your mother, your grace. She was a great woman and if you're anything like her, I would like to fight for you."
Dany took a second to look at him, to really look at him. She had heard stories of the best swordsman in Westeros, the handsome Lannister. Of course, over time, those stories soured. The one-handed knight who fucks his sister. As she looked over him, Daenerys saw something different. She saw a man who was once extremely handsome, once bright, and valiant. All she saw now was a broken man, and Daenerys saw something else.
She saw a man in pain, a man who desperately sought goodness.
Sansa Stark was the next to speak, glaring at the man with a stone-cold demeanour. "Your grace, you cannot trust this man. He attacked my father on the streets of King's Landing, his family is the reason my brother is dead."
Daenerys took a second before she spoke as she remembered what her betrothed had told her off Robb's time as King in the North. Of how he had captured the kingslayer.
"My advisors and I will need some time to discuss what to do with you. We are merely guests in the North, the Starks will also be consulted. For now, you will be taken to an empty room, you may bathe, and some food will be brought to you." Daenerys announced.
She saw a flicker of hope in the king slayer's eyes. Daenerys added on quickly.
"Don't be mistaken Jamie Lannister. You are still a prisoner until we come to a decision, your room will be guarded by some of my Dothraki" and with that Jamie Lannister gulped, Daenerys guessed that the blonde man was rethinking of his time fighting her Dothraki on the battlefield.
She motioned at Grey Worm to come closer, "Zirȳla naejot zȳhon tistālion, se jiōragon jhogo naejot assign zȳhon sȳrje vali naejot gaomagon iā close laes va zirȳla. " (Take him to his room and get Jhogo to assign his best men to keep a close eye on him.)
She shot a look at Jon as the kingslayer was taken away. "You were great, Dany" he whispered just loud enough to reach her ears. The Lords and Ladies of the North started to take their leave, soon the great hall was empty.
She walked with her advisors to a room they had fashioned as a smaller meeting hall. She sat at the head of the table and looked around.
Sansa, Bran and Arya sat at one end with Ser Davos, with Tyrion and Jorah sitting close to her. Jon was the last to sit.
"Tyrion, you know your brother the best out of everyone here. Why do you think he's left Cersei?" Daenerys started.
"My Queen, my brother has always been able to get through to our sister. I think as time has gone on; he has lost that ability. We've heard of Cersei's actions; I do not think Jamie would stand behind that" the small man responded.
"How do we know he isn't here to kill me?" Daenerys asked.
Jon's eyes darkened at that, tightening his grip on the hilt of longclaw. "He wouldn't make it close enough" Jon spat, with a venom he reserved for defending his queen.
"He's the one who pushed me off the tower" she heard a voice say nonchalantly.
She looked over to Bran, who had barely spoken a word to her since the dragon queen had arrived at the gates of Winterfell. Daenerys scanned the room suddenly, guessing this information was news to all.
"What? I'll slit his throat myself" Arya gasped.
"Bran, why didn't you tell us this before" Jon said, his voice smaller than usual.
"He has changed. It needed to happen for me to become who I am and for him to become who he is. One would say, it was inevitable" the younger boy answered.
Daenerys gathered her thoughts. "Clearly, the kingslayer has brought pain to all of us sitting here. I've given you a second chance Tyrion, make sure your brother does not waste his."
And with that Daenerys took her leave, Jon following behind her. She nodded at her guards as she reached her room, she opened the door and sat on the bed.
"Jon, am I making the right choice? Should I send him away?" she started.
Jon sat next to her, his hand finding hers.
"I know that we need everyone we can get, if he's as great a military mind that Tyrion says he is, we could use him. What kind of a Queen would I be if I killed him to appease my own feelings?" Dany continued.
Jon brought his hand up to her cheek, smiling at her, placing a kiss on her soft lips.
"What was that for?" Daenerys half-heartedly laughed.
"For reminding me why I bent the knee to you, my Queen" her love responded. "Dany, you made the right decision. The Daenerys I met on dragon stone wouldn't second guess herself like this."
"I know, I guess I just feel a bit out of place here" Daenerys sighed.
"Ever since I stepped foot in Westeros, I've had this nagging insecurity. Every decision is riddled with fear. Have I finally gone mad? Will this make them hate me more? This line of thought is making me go soft" Daenerys explained.
She looked in Jon's eyes looking for some comfort, which he returned.
"You know what would make me feel better" Daenerys smirked. Jon stared at the silk sheets behind her, where they had made love only this morning.
Dany smacked him lightly, "Not that, Jon Snow."
"Let's go for a dragon ride."
Jon Sow mustered up a response.
"Together?" came a slightly higher noise than one would expect from the proclaimed King in the North.
Daenerys had never seen the man physically look more worried.
Jamie
Jamie had felt his heart almost leap out of his chest when he laid eyes on her. Not because she was beautiful, which she was. But because she looked exactly like her, like Rhaella. She was a painful reminder of his biggest regret. He hadn't protected Rhaella, not from Aerys. He had listened as he hurt her repeatedly. But fate had given him a second chance, fate had delivered him to Queen Rhaella's daughter, and she wasn't going to make the same mistake twice.
Her silver hair cascaded down her back, with two face framing pieces lying next to her violet eyes. Violet eyes that didn't back down as he stared into them, a formidable opponent. Her lips pursed as she looked at him longer. Jamie took a second to look next to her, to the man who he recognised as Jon Snow, the bastard of Winterfell, only it had been a long time since someone had called him that from the news they had received in King's Landing. Jamie could tell the years had aged the younger man; Jamie Lannister could almost swear it was Eddard Stark staring back at him.
Jamie had hoped the dragon queen would be more like her mother, rather than her father. He remembered when he and Cersei had learnt of Daenerys' arrival on Dragonstone, the raven from their brother hadn't softened the blow.
For the eyes of Cersei of House Lannister,
Sister, by now I'm sure you've heard of Queen Daenerys' arrival to Westeros. She is pressing her claim to the Iron Throne, a claim that is stronger than yours. Queen Daenerys is merciful, if you and Jamie surrender, she may let you live. I have decided to pledge my fealty to House Targaryen, present and future. Please, you cannot beat her. She has dragons and the bigger army. Not only that, but she is the Queen the seven kingdoms need. We look forward to hearing your response
Tyrion of House Lannister,
Hand of the Queen.
Jamie didn't know what angered Cersei more, the fact that Tyrion hadn't addressed his letter to her proper title or that their little brother was the Targaryen's hand. "That murderous little traitor" she had screamed as she threw her goblet of wine at the wall.
His brother was a complicated man, but if he was backing Daenerys' claim, he must think she'd be a good ruler. Jamie had to see for himself.
Jamie had bathed quickly, grateful to get the dirt and grime off him. He looked to the plate of food a handmaiden had brought for him. He scoffed down the salted pork on the plate, then turned into the potatoes and the peas. He washed it down with some watered-down wine that was placed on the table, presumably as he was bathing.
Jamie heard a quiet knock at the door, it opening only seconds later. His younger brother walked in.
"Tyrion." he greeted his brother, his voice wavering.
"Jamie" the shorter man responded.
Jamie motioned for him to take a seat at the small table in the corner of the room. "How is our dear sister" Tyrion continued.
"You know her, as sane as always" Jamie said with a small smile on his face, Tyrion donning the same smile seconds later.
"Why are you here, Jamie? You quite literally drove a knife into her father's back. Queen Daenerys is reasonable but even she'll have a hard time coming to terms with your presence."
"Brother, Cersei has gone mad. She won't listen to reason, I pleaded with her to listen to the truce, to send troops. But she's blinded with hatred, she'd rather be wiped off the face of the earth than kneel to a Targaryen" Jamie responded.
"She can't beat her; you know she has to die" Tyrion retorted.
"And have you come to terms with that? She was horrible to you, but she's still your sister." Jamie questioned.
"Cersei never saw me as her family. Maybe if she did, she would've protected me with the same ferocity she did you, or your children. Daenerys has treated me more like family in the past year than our sister ever did. Her reign would always be troubled if she let Cersei live, and right now, her reign is the most important thing to me" Tyrion explained.
Jamie thought about his little brother's words. His unwavering faith in the Dragon Queen didn't surprise him, his brother was always loyal.
"I'd do it myself if I had to" Jamie admitted, cautiously.
"Do what?" Tyrion pressed.
"Kill her."
Tyrion couldn't hide the surprise on his face for a split second before it was replaced by his stoic diplomacy.
"Let's hope our sister comes to her senses before it comes to that." Tyrion responded; a sliver of hope detectable.
"She will probably come talk to you, tell her the truth. Daenerys values honesty."
"Promise she won't burn me to death as the Starks watch?" Jamie asked with a small laugh.
Tyrion almost glared at him before returning a small chuckle.
"I wouldn't get too close if I were you." His brother continued.
Jamie let out a breath he didn't know he was holding as his brother walked out the room, the last time the Lannister's were in Winterfell they started a war, hopefully this time, they could end one.