authorsnote: here we go

do review if you can

songrecs: the hanging tree - the hunger games 'a dead man called out for his love to flee...' auspicious?, we'll see

By the next morning they had their answer.

And it was not what they expected, nor what they had hoped.

Or Jon had hoped.

When they'd left the meeting, Daenerys Targaryen gone in a whirl of fire and fury, Sansa had been tempted to do the same. Of course, she would never undermine Jon in front of others, especially not their enemies, but she had certainly turned to him, rage in her gaze as they'd arrived back at her rooms, crossing her arms over herself.

It wasn't that it was a bad plan, just incredibly dangerous (which she did intend to get to), it was that he hadn't consulted with her.

She tried not to be insecure, that this was exactly what she feared, the biggest worry that she'd be pushed out for another Queen, but again she'd thought the Queen would be Jon's, not a foreign Queen they were both united against. And even though this also wasn't how she expected for a Queen to push between them, she still felt it, and feared it.

Feared it desperately.

She and Jon were a team, they were meant to decide these things together, and yet he'd come up with a plan without her, a plan that didn't involve her. She didn't expect to be on the frontline with him holding a sword, but to be shut out like that? It was her fears realised.

"Listen" Jon said, holding his hands up as though defending himself before she could even begin, "I know that came out of nowhere, but in truth that was sort of how I thought of it"

She furrowed her brow at that, "Explain" She said, her tone clipped, trying to not let the well of insecurities bubble over and eat her alive, and instead nodded for Jon to continue.

"I knew she was going to be funny about the dragonglass, but as soon as she accepted I also realised it wasn't going to be enough" He said, and Sansa nodded, after all she'd thought the same thing herself, they'd even discussed it, "Yes it will make a difference, but the numbers we're up against? Its not enough"

"I know" She said, her tone more gentle as she heard the desperation in Jon's voice, for his people, their people.

"We know what fights ice, fire, and we know dragons will make the difference, but I also don't like the idea of inviting a foreign queen to Winterfell with three dragons at her back that we can't do anything about" He said, and Sansa realised, eyes widening, where he was going with this.

Because again, she'd thought along the same lines. She felt something ease in her, Jon and her were still on the same page after all, they'd just read it at different times.

"So, I knew if I could have one" She noted Jon didn't say ride, too many listening ears perhaps, or perhaps he doubted himself, "Then that might be enough alongside the dragonglass"

"Its dangerous" Sansa mulled, because as she calmed down, as she stopped being mad and understood Jon hadn't not consulted her on this, she then felt fear well up in her, sometimes anger was easier. "Very dangerous"

"I know" Jon said, and she stepped forward then, and felt something akin to relief as he took her hands in hers and clutched them tightly, "But the war will be dangerous, even more so without them"

"You can't control it" She dropped her tone to a whisper, so light even spiders crawling up the walls wouldn't be able to hear her.

"I might be able to" He whispered back, and she bit down on her lip, tasted blood in her mouth. All that mattered was keeping her family alive, keeping the pack together again, and Jon mattered more than all, she knew that, knew Jon had to be kept alive, he was her King, but he was also Jon.

"Might" She whispered, and she met Jon's gave then, his Stark grey to her Tully blue, "Might"

"I can ride it" He whispered back, and she flinched, "I have the blood"

"Not the training" She said, and he nodded.

"I know" He leaned forward then, and she let out a sigh as he rested his forehead against hers, felt calmer, and yet the fear continued to creep up her spine, threatening to strangle her, at the thought of Jon, on dragonback, spewing fire, the target of everyone, including the foreign Queen, as soon as that was revealed.

The Queen, Tyrion, Varys, were no fools, as soon as Jon went on dragonback, as soon as the dragon recognised his Valyrian blood, they would gain another enemy, even more so than they had now.

Because Sansa knew, she knew Daenerys Targaryen would not give up the Throne, she saw it as her right, even though by succession it was Jon's.

"She'll want war with us eventually anyway" She whispered, because she knew it was the truth, Daenerys Targaryen would not allow an independent North, it would destabilise her rule from day one, "I suppose a dragon would help"

"We have to fight the dead first" Jon said, and Sansa nodded against him, clutched his hands so tightly to stop them from trembling.

"Do you trust me?" He asked, and she nodded without hesitation, he leaned back then but only to brush a kiss to her brow.

There was never a question of trust, just the fear threatening to choke her, for more reasons than one.

"I have decided I will grant your request"

His eyes widened as the Dragon Queen spoke, something close to kindness in her tone, stood opposite them that following afternoon, back in her war room, Jon stood with Sansa opposite her, and he noted she didn't flinch as the Targaryen Queen spoke, she was better at schooling his reactions than he.

"But?" Sansa followed, her hands clasped in front of her, Jon resisted the urge to reach out and squeeze one of them.

"But" The Queen said, and she seemed to almost smile at that, as she turned her gaze back to Jon, "I expect you will take the Vale in my name" She said, "It is part of my Kingdoms after all" She said, clearly staking her claim again, though she spoke calmly. No Targaryen fire today.

Jon nodded, he didn't mention Baelish was on the lamb and they had left before the ravens and riders to the Vale could return, understanding their hold on it. It would do no good to admit that here, "Alright" He said with a nod, "The Vale is part of your six Kingdoms"

He took her glare, but did not follow it back, he would not be hostile here, diplomacy was the aim.

"Yes" She said, and then he noted she seemed calmer, stood, and settled into her stance, "And furthermore, I will accompany you to the Riverlands with my children, to make sure that Rhaegal will not be harmed, only then will I consider letting you take him North"

He knew she hadn't ran that past her advisors, as Tyrion looked in worry, but Jon didn't glance at anyone else, didn't note the glance Tyrion and Sansa shared, only looked at the Dragon Queen, her purple eyes meeting his grey, and he felt he recognised something in them, kin, only she didn't know it.

"I will agree to this" Jon said with a nod, "But you must agree now if Rhaegal is well at the end of the Riverlands campaign you will allow me to take him North"

"Unharmed" She threw back.

"He will be fine" Jon said, raising his voice just a touch, not something he did often, but he had to be firm here, "And I will only take the Riverlands and the Vale for you, allowing you to then return to Highgarden, if I can take him North"

"He is my child" He saw then, a hint of vulnerability for the Queen, a genuine fear from her, he sympathised, he did, but she just couldn't see how vital her children would be to ensure Westeros didn't become overrun with the undead, he had no choice. He needed her dragons more than he would bow to her fear.

"And I will make sure he is safe" Jon said, his tone filled with sincerity, "You have my word"

"Jons word is gold" Sansa interjected then, and he turned to offer her a smile, she allowed herself to just return one to him, "Starks do not break our vows"

"He is not a Stark" Daenerys threw back fear still colouring her voice, and Jon flinched, that was one chip he'd never got off his shoulder, only now he was not a bastard, but not a Stark either.

He was a Targaryen.

And he would have a dragon.

"He is in all the ways that matter" Sansa threw back, she would not be cowed by the Queen, and he heard venom in her tone, "He has Stark blood running through his veins, he was raised there, he is a Stark in all but name, he is the King in the North, Lord of Winterfell" He felt touched at Sansa's defense of him, "And we keep our vows"

"We know that" Tyrion hurriedly stepped in, and at that Jon could see why Daenerys Targaryen would struggle to hold Westeros. He had no doubt she could take it, but hold it? "There was never a Stark who broke a vow"

She didn't know the lands, the houses, and this had been a perfect example, she had insulted the honour of a Stark, the Stark were known to be honourable, to keep their vows above all else, and she had questioned that.

The people would never truly follow her, he knew that.

But that was not his problem, even though he felt some kind of stirring in his chest that it should be (which he ignored), it wasn't, his home and people were the North, he had them to protect, Westeros against the dead yes, but he couldn't protect them against the Dragon Queen too.

But hadn't Sansa said it would come to that? He felt something heavy settle in his chest and shoulders that he knew it would. Daenerys Stormborn wouldn't allow the North to be independent for long, there would be war, and then what would be the outcome of that?

For now, he couldn't think on that, he had more immediate threats.

And yet, that weight did settle, and didn't budge.

It wouldn't for the rest of his life.

"You must keep him safe" She said, her tone imploring him, and again he felt sympathy, and remorse for what he truly planned to do, but he had no choice, what defeats ice? Yes, no choice indeed, "Swear it to me"

"I swear it" Jon didn't hesitate, he had every intent of keeping Rhaegal safe, not only did he need him, but he felt an affinity for the dragon named for his Father, he would keep him safe, "By all the Old Gods and New, I do"

"Very well" Daenerys said and nodded, she seemed calmer, tense, but reassured by his vow, but he could see her hands were clasped in a way Sansa often held hers, tightly together so they wouldn't shake, "We will leave for the Riverlands at weeks end"

"Aye" Jon said, and he felt something, something almost like hope, yes there were a lot of obstacles to cross, he still had to ride the dragon, hopefully not get fried in the process and somehow do so without Daenerys finding out so she couldn't stop him, but it was something, "Weeks end"

"Will we sail together?" Sansa asked, glancing at the map then, Jon nodded.

"You should send the majority of your men to Highgarden to defend it as discussed" Jon said, going into strategy mode as he leaned over the map table, "We will only need the dragons, and a contingent of men I will raven for at Riverrun"

"Yes" Tyrion interjected then, placing his hand at the portion of the table of the Reach, "The Unsullied and Dothraki will travel, the Unsullied will surround Highgarden, the Dothraki will keep the pressure on Kings Landing by holding the Rose Road" Jon nodded, it was a wise plan, defended Highgarden, and stopped Cersei from marching forward.

"We will sail into Maidenpool" Jon said, he pointed at the table as he spoke, "And dock there before travelling to Riverrun"

"I will prepare the raven to send North" Ser Davos said and Jon nodded, they would need to galvanise a group of men quickly, and he knew who, there way into Riverrun would not be over the castle walls, no, no, a plan had already formed in his mind about how best to take it, and how easily they could do so.

"Will you travel on to the North Lady Sansa?" Daenerys asked, she did not sound scheming, only sincere, turning to his … cousin, but Jon spoke before Sansa could.

"No" He said shaking his head, "She'll stay with me"

"Is the Lady of Winterfell not meant to be in Winterfell?" Daenerys asked, and Jon felt something fizzle in his blood, but he kept ahold of his temper.

"Lady Sansa is my chief advisor" He said, and it was true, without question "Alongside my Hand, she belongs by my side" He paused then and tried to reign himself in, it would not do to overreact, and instead he squared his shoulders and tried to frame it, "Think of it as Lord Varys is to you"

"So, she is your spymaster, your Grace?" Lord Varys himself spoke then, he was quiet otherwise, and Jon met his gaze, he could see something searching there, before he turned back to the Queen.

"I would never pretend to know the indepth courtly intrigues and nuances to be able to do justice to that role" Sansa spoke quickly and Jon had to resist the urge to laugh, she lied well, a testament to how good a spymaster she could be, "I simply advise the King at his leisure"

"I see" Daenerys said, and Jon worried that she did.

"Lady Sansa is apart of the Kings Council" Ser Davos chimed in then, "A valued part"

"Are we done here?" Jon asked though he offered his Hand a smile for his support, "We must prepare to leave"

"One last thing" The Queen said, and her gaze was only for Jon, "What do you intend to do with my child when I hand him over to you?" She asked, her eyebrow raising as she spoke, those purple eyes filled with fury but he could see that was a cover for her fear, he understood, fear for family would always override anything else, "You cannot ride him"

"I plan to scare people with him" Jon said, a lie, something he didn't enjoy doing, but was often necessary, "I imagine if people believe a dragon is about to roast them, they will back down quite quickly"

"They will" The Queen said, as though it were no consequence to her, he frowned, she was too fickle with the lives of the Westerosi people, "But how do you know he won't roast you?"

"I suppose I'll just have to be nice to him" He said sarcastically, he'd never reveal his real plan, that by the time they took Riverrun he hoped not only to be able to ride Rhaegal, named for his true Father, but to command him too.

After all, once bound to a rider, the dragon would follow their rider, all Targaryen history suggested that, he remembered reading about Nettles riding Sheepstealer, and Addam of Hull riding Seasmoke, Jon was half Targaryen, he was sure if he could ride Rhaegel as his rider he could command him.

He still didn't intend any ill will to the dragon, in fact he'd felt an affinity with it as soon as he'd seen it on Dragonstone, but he needed it, needed Rhaegal, and if he had to be underhanded to take him, he would do so.

Starks before him had put their honour above all else, Jon was different, half Stark, half Targaryen, he put survival of his family, of Sansa above anyone else, first.

And there wasn't a day he'd regret that.

"I will see you on the ship" The Queen said then, in dismissal, her hands still twined together.

"Your Grace" Jon said, but he did not bow, neither did Sansa, or Ser Davos, instead they swept from the room first.

There was much to do.

His hand took Sansa's as they made their way to their rooms, and she squeezed his. Much to do indeed.

But the week went quickly, and soon Jon was stood back on the beach of Dragonstone, their ship awaiting him, he could see Arya move past in a flash on the bottom decking, she'd been watching over them the whole time, he was thankful she hadn't needed to step in. He debated sending her home now they planned to move on, but he knew she wouldn't listen.

Preparations had been made, a ship flying Targaryen sails was moored in the bay next to his, and they were ready to leave, food packed, supplies, weapons back in the hands of the Northmen.

"Are you ready?" Sansa asked him, stood by his side as Ser Davos ordered and sorted the ship to be ready to depart. Their cloaks blew in the wind as they stood side by side on the beach, a touch too close, as wind whipped around them.

"Aye" Jon said, he glanced back at the island, felt something in him, a kinship with the place, the seat of his ancestors, those he'd never known, and never even known they were his until recently. He felt a pang, but he turned back to Sansa, she was the family, alongside Arya skulking on the ship and the rest of the Starks in the North, they were who mattered.

He wished for just a moment, that Daenerys knew who he was, knew and accepted, to have more family would never be a bad thing, but he couldn't trust her, he was a direct threat to his claim.

They would come to blows over it eventually he knew, but not today.

No, today she was walking down the beach towards them, surrounded by her advisors, dressed in Targaryen black, her white hair whipping in the wind as their cloaks did, her hands clasped in front of her, and her dragons soared overhead.

"Are we ready?" She asked, eyebrow raised, Jon nodded, as did Sansa.

"We'll see you in Maidenpool" Jon said, "The march to Riverrun should take a week and a half"

"I'll be riding on dragonback" She said matter of factly, she seemed calmer, more stoic, but he could still see the broiling emotions in her eyes, "I'll meet you there"

Jon could only nod, he had little time then, he realised, upon docking he'd need to act quickly, Sansa squeezed his hand, and he knew, she realised it too.

They played a risky game, and he felt a pang of remorse for what they were doing but he knew he had no choice.

The Queen would get over seeing one of her dragons stolen from her, but she'd have to be alive to do it, Jon would keep her, and the rest of Westeros alive.

But he needed Rhaegal to do it.

"See you then" Jon said, and then he turned, and Sansa turned with him, in synch, he held out an arm for her which she took, and they made their way off the beaches of dragonstone, onto the ship bound for the Riverlands.

Watched the entire time.

I think I've said it before but to make it clear again, jon is more book jon here than show, he isn't afraid to scheme, but he still don't like it

also dany isn't some crazy tyrant ... yet, she is scared for her child, and for good reason lol

do let me know watcha thought! next we go to the Riverlands

Rhaegal boi, its your time

speak soon